The Fashion Industry

Image: Wmagazine.com

NexCen Brands Inc. announced today that Peter Som, the creative director that we all thought was out the door at Bill Blass , has not resigned after all, but instead of a runway show he will bel presenting the spring 2009 collection to retailers only.

In a statement the company said.”Nexcen very much looks forward to working with Peter as his continued creative direction during this period of transition is important to the future of the brand and its sales process.”

Problems between Som and owners of Bill Blass have been developing for some time now, mainly due to NexCen’s inability to provide financial support for Som’s vision for the business.

According to Women’s Wear Daily there is more to come on this revolving door story. So stay tuned!

Source: WWD

Image: Nice Kicks

Nine West  a division of Jones Apparel Group, Inc. and New Balance announced that they have joined into an agreement to develop a new line of footwear. The Boston based New Balance will be responsible for the  material direction and insole technology while Nine West will create the soft-tech styling and trend-right color.

The collection will offer active lifestyle footwear and will be available for spring 2009.

Source:CNNMoney.com

Image: ApparelNews.net

I couldn’t resist this gorgeous gown from the St. John Spring 2009 collection. The compamy was showing off it’s new line at the Orange County Performing Arts Center in California this week. In the past, the St. John design team was headed by Maria Lopez, who resigned as vice president of design in June. She was replaced by British-born George Sharp, who looks to be creating some exciting buzz for the company.

Also new chief executive Glenn McMahon has brought about a number of changes to help the company reach it’s goal of $400 million in revenues for 2009. First on his check list was to find a replacement for celebrity Angelina Jolie, who was the face in all of St. John’s ads for three years. Her contract expired in May. McMahon chose to take a new direction with classically beautiful models to promote the new line of knit suits, evening dresses and sportswear. St. John sells at department stores such as Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue and Nordstrom with prices that start in the hundreds and average around $1,000 to $2,000 a piece.

Source: ApparelNews.net

Image: FWD

Here it is the middle of sweltering summer and everyone’s already thinking about the holidays… well in the fashion world at least. Designers are rolling out their most festive designs yet and no where is this more apparent than with the Kenneth Cole Holiday 2008 line. Using a base of dark grays and inky blacks and adding a mix of fuchsia, teal and cherry red for sweaters, tops and dresses, the Kenneth Cole Collection is bound to get you in the spirit.

For men, things are a little more toned down with rolled up shirt sleeves and that casual slightly wrinkled look. And no need for tuxedos this year, just a nicely detailed tuxedo shirt will do the job. Men are going to look so sexy this holiday. I’m feeling in the mood already… for the holidays that is!

Source: FWD

Women’s Wear Daily has just released their top 10 brands lists in the fashion market. In the dresses/suits/eveningwear catagory Liz Claiborne came in as number one with Ann Taylor following in second.

Liz Claiborne Inc., which did $4.9 billion in sales last year, is reported to be working on a new logo and ad campaign for spring, but things are being kept top secret for now while Ann Taylor saw a nearly 18 percent decline in first-quarter profits but still finished ahead of Wall Street expectations. The New York based women’s specialty chain plans to open 66 stores in this year including 10 loft stores that were initially scheduled to open next year.

Coming in at number 9 and 10 are Oleg Cassini which supplies wedding gowns for David’s Bridal and Worthington, one of J.C. Penney’s private brands.

Here’s the list from WWD. Is your favorite brand on it?

1. Liz Claiborne
2. Ann Taylor
3. Vera Wang
4. Sag Harbor
5. Talbots
6. Jones New York Dress
7. Jessica McClintock/Gunne Sax
8. Nicole Miller
9. Oleg Cassini
10. Worthington

Source: WWD

Image: Social Diva

It was reported earlier today that Peter Som, creative director at Bill Blass, has resigned. This comes just a year to the day that he joined the company. With the parent company NexCen Brands Inc strapped for cash, the designer label has been in trouble for months now.

Executives at Bill Blass have been attempting to persuade Som to delay his departure for fear the negative publicity could hurt relationships with potential investors.

The decision by Bill Blass to scrap the September fashion show in Bryant Park, due to financial problems was said to be the last straw for Som, according to industry insiders.

Source: WWD

Image: Zannel

It may not be time for snow flakes and jolly fat men in red suits but New York retailers were showing off their holiday collections yesterday in preparation of gift guides due out in November. Among those flaunting their stuff at the penthouse loft location was Victoria’s Secret with their Holiday 2008 collection of cashmere bra and panty sets and their signature BioFit Bra, all in festive romantic holiday colors of red and plum and neutral shades of rose and gray.
Along with this exciting new lineup, Victoria’s Secret will also be re-introducing the Miracle Bra. Initially filled with gel, the new and improved Miracle Bra has been redesigned with a lighter air filled padding.

I’m working on my wish list now. You can never start too early!

Source: Fashion Wire Daily

JEAN-PIERRE MULLER/AFP/Getty Images

The private art collection of French fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent will be auctioned off next February in what experts are calling the “sale of the century”. The collection is being sold by Pierre Berge, Saint Laurent’s long-time business partner and companion of 40 years.

Mr Saint Laurent, who died last month and Bergé, amassed a treasure of Renaissance bronzes and jewelry, paintings by masters such as Picasso and Matisse, art deco furniture and manuscripts of the works of French authors Gustave Flaubert and Andre Gide.

The auction of the collection consisting of several hundred pieces, will be organized by Christie’s Paris who declined to speculate on the collection’s potential worth but experts put the figure between $472 million-$787 million.

Laurent opened his Yves Saint Laurent fashion house, financed by Berge, in 1962. It is considered the benchmark for haute couture and the most successful fashion house in history.

Source: Reuters UK

Image: canada.com

At seventieth anniversary of the filming of the Wizard of Oz  in 2009, Warner Bros., along with Consumer Products, and  CRYSTALLIZED ™ - Swarovski, has called together the top shoe designers to reinterpret  Dorothy’s shoes into modern day designs. The Ruby Slipper Collection will be displayed by Saks Fifth Avenue and Mercedes Benz in New York during Fashion Week in September 2008.  Other showings of the collection include  Miami Art Week to coincide with Art Basel Miami Beach. Other exhibitions are planned throughout 2009. The collection will be ultimately be sold at auction in 2009 and the proceeds will go to the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation.

Source: The Wall Street Journal

Image: Fashion Rocks

Mark your calenders! September 5th, Radio City Music Hall in NYC will once again be hosting Fashion Rocks, the star-studded gala celebrating fashion and music. Conde Nast Media Group, publishers to all those great fashion mags, celebrates the fifth annual Fashion Rocks with an exciting line-up of performers including: Beyonce, Black Eyed Peas, Justin Timberlake, Kid Rock, Keith Urban and Mariah Carey just to name a few.

Fashion Rocks, first held in 2004, was a big success and still remains the hottest event of the season.

“In just five years, Fashion Rocks has become one of the most exciting multi-media events of the year,” said Richard Beckman, president of Conde Nast Media Group. “Whether on stage at the live event, during the show’s broadcast or in the pages of the magazine, Fashion Rocks uniquely celebrates the intersection of two of the most sexy cultural paradigms; fashion and music. This year, we have a spectacular line-up of talent and performances that will take the show to a whole new level.”

Proceeds from the event will benefit Stand Up To Cancer. You can get more information on Fashion Rocks at fashionrockslive.com

Source: Market Watch