TOCCIN and Partlow Host Luxury Trunk Shows in Aspen

Aspen —The air in Aspen is thin, but the retail markup is thicker. You can walk down Main Street and see the result of that economic reality: luxury goods priced for people who treat their closets like asset management portfolios. This week, two distinct brands are descending on the valley to test how much locals will pay for the privilege of looking like they belong in a New York City boutique or an Italian leather workshop.

It’s not just about clothes. It’s about signaling. And on the Western Slope, signaling has a specific price tag.

First up is TOCCIN, the NYC-based brand co-founded by Alex and Michael Toccin. They’re bringing their "luxury basics" to a private residence for a trunk show on August 5 and 6. The brand promises pieces that feel "comfortable, confident and stylish for women of all ages leading busy lives." For context, that’s code for garments that cost more than your weekly grocery bill but look like you threw them on after a spin class.

The standout pieces from their Fall Collection include the Margaux dress and the Giana asymmetrical midi skirt. Both are crafted from a rayon blend and feature fringe — the mandatory Aspen accent. If you’re worried about the holidays arriving before you’ve cleared out your summer inventory, the brand is also pushing sequin and sparkly pieces designed to ensure everyone knows when you’ve entered a room. You don’t need to guess why; the sequins do the talking. You just need to email [email protected] to get the address for the August 5 (11 a.m. to 3 p.m.) and August 6 (11 a.m. to 6 p.m.) events.

Then there’s Partlow, the Texas-based boot brand that has decided Aspen is the perfect place to sell handcrafted Italian footwear. They’re transforming a space on Main Street into the "Partlow Aspen House" from August 6 to 12. It’s an "oasis for fashion girls," which is retail speak for a controlled environment where you can buy boots without the hassle of a full department store.

The Forest boot is the star here. It’s a suede, mid-calf, shearling-lined boot that’s back for another year. The reporter notes she invested in a classic black Western style with a heel higher than a traditional cowboy boot last year. She added tread to the bottom, turning them into go-to winter boots, and has even worn them with long skirts and dresses this summer. That’s a specific lifestyle choice: boots designed for Italian craftsmanship, modified for local mud, worn with dresses in July.

Each pair is handcrafted in Italy. The design philosophy ensures you look good and feel good, because uncomfortable shoes are "a form of torture" the brand claims to have eliminated. The advice is simple: stop by the Partlow Aspen House and text 917-625-7660 to schedule a visit. There’s no need to pair them with seven other pieces of Western wear, a fact the reporter insists on repeating until the masses hear it.

For locals, this isn't just about fashion. It’s about the cost of doing business in a town that has successfully positioned itself as a playground for the well-heeled. TOCCIN and Partlow aren't just selling clothes and boots; they’re selling the idea that you can wear a $500 dress to a trunk show in a private home and still be considered "basics."

The bottom line? You’re paying for the label, the Italian leather, and the right to wear high heels in the snow. If you can afford the trunk show invite and the boot purchase, you’re already ahead of the game. If not, the fringe and the shearling will remain just out of reach, hanging in a closet somewhere, waiting for the next season’s markup.