The Fashion Industry

Image: Pocket Picks

Two major brands will be coming onto the designer lingerie scene this spring. Donna Karan Intimates will be relaunching its lounge, play and sleep wear and Emporio Armani Underwear is coming to the U.S. for the first time with its collection of intimates.

The spring-summer 2009 collection is aimed at major stores such as Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus and Saks Fifth Avenue, and will also be sold at 12 Emporio Armani boutiques in the U.S.

The women’s intimates line features four groups, all named after flowers: Gardenia, which is based on feminine, everyday comfort; Camelia, offering basic colors and fashion shades linked to the ready-to-wear collections; Tulipano, a contemporary group in basic styles and fashion colors, and Lila, featuring an eclectic range of colors and prints. Anchored in lightweight and intricately designed lace and double-ply stretch mesh and tulle, special treatments include allover printed Emporio Armani logos, double strap treatments with minibows and hardware like the Giorgio Armani flying eagle logo.

“I am very pleased to finally offer the American woman the opportunity to wear my underwear designs,” said Giorgio Armani. “While researching this market, my main goal was to satisfy the specific needs of the American woman: comfort, fit, quality and, above all, great design and functionality.”

Source: WWD

Image: WWD

Despite efforts by Coty’s TV censors in the U.S. have refused to let the company air the steamy ad for its new Calvin Klein Secret Obsession women’s scent. So they’re doing the next best thing, or maybe even one better. They’re taking it to the Internet. Coty has gone live at it’s new site, secretobsessioncalvinklein.com, with the risqué TV spot featuring Eva Mendes.

I’m guessing the reason the censors are getting their shorts all in a bunch is due to the fact that there are a couple of scenes that show an exposed nipple. So maybe it’s not appropriate for day time TV but seriously, isn’t it about time some people got past these hang ups over showing a little skin?

Source: WWD

Image: Telegraph.co.uk

Betsey Johnson and her business partner Chantal Bacon celebrated the 30th anniversary of their business yesterday at Betsey Johnson’s Soho store in New York. Johnson and Bacon met in 1975 and launched the Betsey Johnson brand in 1978.

Johnson’s collection, known for its girlishness, became an instant hit in the 80s, with ruffled miniskirts, tutu dresses and wildly printed bodysuits. They were so popular that she plans to launch the Betsey Johnson Vintage Collection this fall, bringing back some of her most loved designs.

Source: FWD

Image: WWD

Brazilian footwear brand Melissa, known for its plastic shoes, commissioned Architect Zaha Hadid to create limited edition styles from synthetic materials. The shoe is said to evoke Hadid’s buildings with their fluid lines and rounded toe.

Hadid said of his experience, “The project with Melissa is about creating something fun and new — something that feels good. The design engages with the fluid organic contours of the body and the asymmetric quality conveys an inherent sense of movement, evoking a continuous transformation. We designed the shoes to emerge from the ground and climb up the foot and leg with a soft elegant movement. There is an implicit sense of lightness that blurs the boundary between body and object.”

Despite all of Mr Hadid’s self glorifying art-speak, these shoes are hidious. I don’t know about evoking images of buildings. More like images of red rubber galoshes (remember those?). These probably would be good in the rain for that matter, but I think Mr Hadid should stick to designing buildings.

How much will these beauties set you back? About $350.

Source: WWD

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: 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:We Wear Clothes

Are there fashion designs that make you smile, laugh or even simply freak you out? Sometimes fashion is more about the art than the wearability and we’re talking Salvador Dali here. I have to wonder what some designers are thinking when they design the over the top, outrageous garments and watch as the model walks down the runway wearing the latest creation. I often imagine him or her standing back stage doubled over, trying to stifle hysterical laughter, pointing and saying “Look! She’s actually wearing it!”

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