WithIt invites Las Vegas Market attendees to celebrate the talents of pioneering women who have shaped the design scene of Las Vegas since the 1980s.

Margot Silverman of Yates-Silverman Inc.; Anita Brooks of Anita Brooks /Charles Gruwell Interior Design International; Leslie Parraguirre of Colours Inc. and Ann Fleming of Cleo Design are panelists in "Las Vegas Design Divas," a discussion to be held 3-4 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 24, in Building B of the World Market Center Las Vegas, World Forum.

"The changes and start of our boom in the building and hotel/hospitality industry brought some true design talent on the scen
to Las Vegas," said WithIt Vice President Las Vegas/West Region Kassie Smith, President of Kassie Smith Lifestyle Group. "These ladies have worked with some of the biggest private names in the casino industry, created the first builder "model homes" or helped in the construction of some of the most famous homes in Las Vegas. Bringing them together to listen to their stories will be an enlightening experience on the changes in Las Vegas design and unique stories of famous clients extravagant tastes desires for their homes."

About the panelists:

· Silverman's firm has been responsible for major facilities in the gaming community throughout the United States and abroad. Her work include spaces in Paris Las Vegas, New York New York, Trump Taj Mahal, the Luxor and the Excalibur. Hotels and Restaurants International recently included Yates-Silverman among the top 10 United States designers; the Las Vegas Sun has called Yates-Silverman "the interior design firm that has become synonymous with fantasy and fun."

· Brooks is an accomplished interior designer whose work includes Red Rock Casino Resort and Spa, Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge in Orlando, FL, and the Four Seasons Hotel Las Vegas.

· Under the leadership of Parraguirre, Colours Inc. has built a solid reputation as one of Nevada's finest and most prestigious interior design firms, recognized for award-winning model home merchandising, innovative retail store and professional office design and spectacular custom homes. Parraguirre has won numerous awards for outstanding interior design, including two Homer Awards for Best Model Home Interior Decoration, a MAME Award in Orange County, CA, and a SAM Award in San Diego County and a Best in America Living. She has been included in the book of Distinguished Women of Southern Nevada, and she was awarded the Moms In Business Network Create Your Dreams Award in 2006.

· Cleo Design's Fleming, along with Ken Kulas, provides her clients with an essential portal for discovery and interpretation of enduring design. Most important to the award-winning firm is how clients envision their respective projects. Cleo Design's highly diverse projects include casino and resort interiors, related public areas, bars and lounges, restaurants and retail locations.

The event is open to Las Vegas Market attendees. For more information visit www.withit.org or www.LasVegasMarket.com.

Diamonds...a girl's best friend? Possibly this year more than ever. While traditional categories such as clothing will appear on a majority of wish lists in 2010, one item will appear more often than a year ago: jewelry. So says the National Retail Federation following the release of its 2010 Holiday Consumer Intentions and Actions Survey.

As a potential sign that discretionary gifts may become more popular in 2010, 23 percent of people will ask for jewelry this year, a significant 10 percent jump from last year's 20.8 percent.

"Consumers will still shop with the economy in the back of their minds, but we're starting to see shoppers take baby steps toward a new normal," said NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay in a release. "As Americans open up their wallets for more discretionary gifts like jewelry or take advantage of sales to buy for themselves, retailers will begin to truly believe that the worst may be behind them."

Other highlights from the NRF study show that home furnishings aren't too far behind jewelry, more men will use smart phones for gift-giving this holiday season, and more consumers plan to make purchases for themselves this holiday season:

· About 20 percent of consumers want to receive a home furnishing or home decor item this holiday season.

· Thirty percent of men who own a smart phone plan to use it to buy or research a gift this holiday season, compared to 23 percent of women who plan to use the device to find the perfect something for someone on their wish list.

· U.S. consumers plan to spend an average of $688.87 on holiday-related shopping, a slight rise from last year's $681.83.

· The average shopper will spend $393.55 on family, $71.45 on friends and $18.26 on co-workers.

· Gift cards will remain the most requested holiday gift this year with 57 percent of people asking for plastic.

WithIt members and other home furnishings professionals shared business and trend insights during the High Point Market Competitive Intelligence in October. Here's a summary of panelists' statements:

How has the current economy affected the luxury market?

Like all consumers, the luxury buyer is being more selective. It is not about quantity any more, it is about choosing well. Luxury consumers, like others, are still willing to spend on smaller furnishings and accessories to create easily and with minimal cost. They area also looking for items that have dual uses and perform well - not just look pretty.

In luxury real estate (especially in the northeast), renting has become an option. The big house is losing favor; homes are now smaller and have fewer rooms. Nationally, the average size home built last year fell to 2,400 square feet, down 100 square feet. The percentage of homes with three or more bathrooms fell for the first time since 1992, according to the National Association of Home Builders.

With McMansions loosing favor and right-sizing the current trend, luxury consumers need additional storage. Luxury marketers are behind and need to address both smaller homes and storage application in furniture.

Luxury consumers might be willing to give up some things, but aren't willing to let go of individualization through customization in furniture. If their perfect sofa is 10 inches longer than the model, the luxury consumer will still want the custom design.

And finally, luxury business is picking up.

What is thriving in the luxury market?

Smaller pieces with a luxury brand are a doing well. And one piece of casegoods with an artistic slant or special finish.

New rich in the Chinese market will drive the uptick in the international luxury market. The U.S. luxury goods market dropped 15 percent in 2010. High-end goods may see a 12 percent increase in 2011 according to the annual luxury market study by Bain & Company who predicts sales of global luxury goods in 2011should break the 2007 record.

How is luxury market branding changing?

Once celebrity designers held high office with their brands, but even tier one designers have been forced to step into the middle market to stay afloat. This trend started in fashion with the likes of Vera Wang and Dana Buchman teaming up with Kohls department stores, as well as Target bringing young designers into the fold with great design at an accessible price. Now luxury marketers must compete with mass merchants for qualified licensees.

Traditionally, many products in the luxury markets have been pitched to men. With women's purchasing power recognized even in goods such as liquor and autos, this will change. More advertising for luxury goods will be geared to women. The trick will be marketing to women in ways women find positive and engaging.

Have luxury residential designers seen changes in their clients?

More luxury consumers are asking for green solutions to design dilemmas, and more luxury consumers want to align themselves with socially responsible companies. As even the luxury client weighs the difference between need and want, it is easier to allocate spending if one is in turn supporting a good cause. And what better cause than Mother Earth herself.

Are boutique and handmade goods competing with traditional luxury products?

All consumers are looking for artisanal, handmade, and one of a kind items to express their specific tastes. They want the piece to look boutique or handmade, and they value artisanship and craftsmanship. Artisanal furnishings also demonstrate that a consumer supports fine art and fine craft; it sets them above. With a fixed amount of spending, traditional markets might feel the competition for the dollar.

What colors, patterns and styles are ascending in the luxury market?

Toile is making yet another resurgence, proving that classics are forever. Watercolor florals from the fashion runway are appearing in home furnishings, calling to mind nature and it's mutable ways. Vintage is still in favor, with grey washes bringing a softer, veiled touch. Silver is being replaced by gold which will stay in favor partially due to that metal's rising value.

Terracotta and oranges are showing in two different directions - vibrant, and earthy. Purple, in the middle market, still makes a statement. Copper and naturally oxidized metals are strong earthly messages.

Short life?

Metallic threads in fabricare passé. Midcentury modern stays popular with younger generations, but not others (except for the finest iconic designs)