Fashion News Alert: Tracee Ellis Ross Has a New Gig, Ralph Lauren Corporation Aims for Zero Emissions, James Harden Joins Saks, and Manolo Blahnik Opens New York Flagship Store

June 17, 2021 by Leave a Comment

Image courtesy of elle.com

If starring in a hit television series and winning an Emmy is not enough, Tracee Ellis Ross is adding another accolade to her ever-growing lists of accomplishments. Ross has been named one of the three brand ambassadors for Tiffany & Co.

Accompanying Traci Ellis Ross in Tiffany’s new campaign is actress Anya Taylor-Joy and freelance skier Eileen Gu. These three new faces of the brand’s new “Give Me the T” campaign will debut in the campaign on June 15 across all brand platforms. Traci Ellis Ross currently stars in the television hit “Black-ish” which is going into its final season in the fall.

“Growing up, I would often wander through the flagship on Fifth Avenue, imagining myself as a grown woman wearing … Tiffany’s signature diamonds. All these years later, to be the face of this iconic brand and to represent the T1 collection is a dream come true,” said Tracee Ellis Ross in a statement, as reported in fashionnetwork.com.

This diverse casts for the “Give Me the T” campaign was photographed in New York City by Maria Sorrentino. This current Tiffany & Co. campaign will be followed up by a new campaign, “Knot Your Typique” featuring the same triptych and photographed also by Maria Sorrentino. “Knot Your Typique” will debut in North America in the fall and globally in 2022.

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James Harden’s new job

On Monday Saks.com announced that NBA All-Star James Harden will join as an independent member of Saks.com. Harden will join as a minority investor and assist Saks in helping high-consumer brands potential grow. Harden is well known for his expertise in financial investing and entrepreneurial ventures.

“As we work to build this new board, James is an important and valuable addition. With experience in growing businesses and as someone who values self-expression through fashion, I am confident that he will bring a distinct point of view that will help us better deliver for our customers,” said Saks’ executive chairman, Richard Baker, as reported in fashionnetwork.com. “His expertise, combined with that of our other board members, will enable Saks to further capitalize on the significant growth opportunity within luxury ecommerce.”

As basketball player for the Brooklyn Nets, Harden’s investment portfolio includes minority ownership of Major League Soccer’s Houston Dynamo and the National Women’s Soccer League’s Houston Dash, as well as stakes in various brands, including Therabody, BodyArmor, Art of Sport, Stance and Pura, where he serves as creative director. Harden is also the founder of Thirteen, a Houston-based fine dining restaurant.

“I am honored to join the Saks board and to be a part of a company that is paving the future of luxury retail,” added Harden. “This is an exciting opportunity for me to combine two of my personal passions—a love of fashion and teaming up with brands that have the potential to lead while making an impact on the communities they serve. I look forward to working with the Saks team, and to having a direct impact on the company’s future success, the fashion community and its customers.”

Saks.com is a separate entity from Saks Fifth Avenue, separating from its former owner, Saks Fifth Avenue, earlier this year with a focus on luxury e-commerce. Saks.com seeks to establish itself as the preeminent luxury e-commerce destination.

Image courtesy of eminetra.com

Manolo Blahnik is back

Manolo Blahnik returns to New York City this month by opening its flagship store in Manhattan’s Upper Eastside. The flagship store located on Madison Avenue will house the brand’s women’s and men’s collections, as well as a capsule collection inspired by Manolo Blhanik’s love of New York City.

The capsule collection which is rich in color and textures was inspired by Tony Duquette’s interiors. The relaxed elegance of this capsule collection embodies the richness and glamour of The Big Apple.

The new location which was inspired by the Hollywood Regency is adorned with classic marble floors detailing, walls adorned with hand-painted Regency-style stripes in the house’s signature color scheme, while large classical columns line the walls. And in the tradition of Manolo Blahnik stores there is a functional bar that offers non-alcoholic beverages.

The previous Manolo Blahnik store that was located on West 54th Street closed in 20219. Additionally, the brand has opened a pop-up store in the Hamptons with a special selection of seasonal pieces and iconic pieces from the brand’s women’s and men’s collections.

Image courtesy of the Chicago Tribune

Ralph Lauren Corporation enhances sustainability initiatives

Based on its global citizenship and sustainability report for fiscal 2021, the Ralph Lauren Corporation has established that they are aiming for zero emissions by 2040. This target is on point with the company’s previous goal to reduce its absolute GHG emissions across its operations and supply chain by 30%, compared to fiscal 2020 levels.

“The convergence of the global pandemic, climate crisis and call to action to dismantle systemic racism has been a catalyst for the business community to focus and accelerate its progress toward a more equitable and sustainable future,” said Ralph Lauren Corporation president and CEO Patrice Louvet in a release, as reported in fashionnetwork.com. “We embrace that call to action wholeheartedly at Ralph Lauren, demonstrated by the progress our teams have made in the last year—including our increased transparency, climate goal and integration of ESG metrics into executive remuneration.”

—William S. Gooch

 

 

Fashion News Alert: Supreme Collaborates with Emilio Pucci, Dior Retrospective Comes to Brooklyn Museum, and the Pirelli Calendar Is Back

June 10, 2021 by Leave a Comment

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If you haven’t noticed, things are opening up globally. And one example of global re-openings is the return of the Pirelli calendar.

Suspended because of the COVID-19 health pandemic, the Pirelli calendar has returned with a new photographer. Canadian rock musician and photographer Bryan Adams has acquired the prestigious job of photographing some of the fashion industry’s top models for the annual calendar.

In case, you are not familiar with Bryan Adams, Adams 1983 album “Cuts Like A Knife” featured top 10 hits “Cuts Like a Knife” and “Straight from the Heart.”  Adams has received Oscar and Golden Globe nominations for songwriting for films, as well as a Grammy Award for “Best Song in a Motion Picture.” When it comes to photography, Adams is no slouch. His work has been featured in British Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar. Adams has also photographed Amy Winehouse, John Boyega, and Queen Elizabeth II.

Though the theme for the 2022 Pirelli calendar has not been revealed, Adams explained that “I’m proud to have been chosen as the photographer of the Pirelli Calendar 2022. Combining photography and music for The CalTM is very exciting and it will of course feature some extraordinary people.” 

Image courtesy of yahoofinance.com

Supreme and Pucci

Despite the global health pandemic, collaborations still appear to be the order of the day. And the newest fashion collaboration that is causing fashion tongues to wag is the Supreme collaboration with the legendary fashion house of Emilio Pucci.

The Supreme/Pucci collaboration is a menswear collaboration in three colorways inspired by archival prints from Pucci’s 1970 Fantasia and 1965 Tulipani collections. The collection features tee shirts, soccer jerseys, shorts and more, as well as accessories like sunglasses, caps, belts, and lighters.

In the past, Supreme as collaborated with Louis Vuitton and Yohji Yamamoto. Founded in 1991 by James Jebbia, Supreme has stores in Paris, London, and several US cities. The collaboration capsule with Pucci will drop on June 10, 2021.

Image courtesy of LVMH

Christian Dior comes to Brooklyn

The Christian Dior: Designer of Dreams exhibit finally comes to New York, well Brooklyn that is. After rave reviews in Paris, London, and Shanghai, the 200 haute couture garment exhibit comes to the Brooklyn Museum.

The exhibit examines Dior’s 70-year history retrospectively through garments, photographs, videos, sketches, accessories, and vintage perfume elements. The exhibit will be housed in Brooklyn Museum’s Beaux Arts Court which has been transformed into an enchanted garden. The exhibit has been curated by Florence Müller, Dior scholar and Avenir Foundation curator of textile art and fashion at the Denver Art Museum, in collaboration with the Brooklyn Museum’s senior curator of fashion and material culture, Matthew Yokobosky, the exhibition also features works from the Brooklyn Museum’s own collection.

The Christian Dior: Designer of Dreams exhibit will contain haute couture garments from Christian Dior and creative directors that came after Christian Dior, namely Yves Saint Laurent, Marc Bohan, Gianfranco Ferré, John Galliano, Raf Simons, and Maria Grazia Chiuri. “As early as 1947, with his celebrated ‘New Look’ collection, Christian Dior transformed his sudden name recognition into the international expansion of his House, becoming a precursor of contemporary globalized fashion,” explained Müller in a release, as reported in fashionnetwork.com. “The opening of the first New York branch, in 1948, was a prelude to this worldwide fame. Following on from the presentation of Christian Dior: Designer of Dreams in Paris and London, the new exhibition at the Brooklyn Museum pays tribute to this unique historic fashion adventure initiated between Paris and New York.”

Unlike the exhibition in Shanghai, London, and Paris, the exhibit at the Brooklyn Museum will contain works by major American photographers, including Lillian Bassman, Henry Clarke, David LaChapelle, and Annie Leibovitz. There will be a special presentation of Richard Avedon’s famous Dovima with Elephants, Evening Dress by Dior, Cirque d’Hiver, Paris, from 1955.

Christian Dior: Designer of Dreams exhibit will be at the Brooklyn Museum from September 10, 2021, through February 20, 2022. Tickets go on sale to the public on Thursday, June 10, 2021.

William S. Gooch

Fashion News Alert: Savage X Fenty’s Pride Collection, Naomi Osaka’s French Open Withdrawal Supported by Tag Heuer and Nike, and Dolly Parton’s New Fragrance

June 3, 2021 by Leave a Comment

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Savage X Fenty is producing its own Pride Collection. This follows on the heels of pride collections that are being produced by many other fashion brands this season. This will be Savage X Fenty’s first-ever pride collection.

“Pride is all about appreciating your authentic self,” Rihanna told Elle, as reported in fashionnetwork.com. “I am very excited about this collection and showing love and support to the LGBTQIA+ community, which includes so many of our customers, team members and fans.”

The Savage X Fenty Pride Collection is a 25-piece collection that will include a wide variety of items, ranging from bras, crotchless panties, boxers, and jockstraps to smoking jackets, satin pants and even a rainbow-colored kitty whip. Colorways include bright neon and pastel rainbow shades, as well as discreet black options featuring rainbow details. The brand will also include 13 models from the LGBTQIA+ community.

The pieces in the pride collection are sized inclusively, with bras available in 30A-42H, while other garments can be purchased in sizes XS–3X. Prices range from $14.95 for a cotton thong or a pair of bikini bottoms to $89.95 for a smoking jacket.

Unlike many other fashion brands that use the month of June’s pride celebrations as a marketing ploy for dollars marketed to the LGBTQIA+ communities, Savage X Fenty is going the extra mile toward inclusivity by donating $250,000 from its Savage X Pride sales to LGBTQIA+ communities, namely, GLAAD, the Audre Lorde Project, The Caribbean Equality Project, INC., Trans Latin@ Coalition, and the Trans Wellness Center. The Savage X Fenty collection is available now on Savage X Fenty website.
 

Image courtesy of dailymail.co.uk

Dolly Parton expands

As we announced earlier on Fashion Reverie, Dolly Parton is launching her first fragrance, “Scent from Above,” on July 28.  In addition to the new fragrance, Parton has composed a new song, “Sent from Above,” to go with the new fragrance. “I think I’ll have a fun time promoting it and enjoy getting out there and talking about it,” she says, as reported dazeddigital.com. “I really want to see how people respond to it.”

When it comes to the actual fragrance, Dolly Parton told the Wall Street Journal’s “My Morning Series,” “I’ve actually always worn a combination of scents, a couple of perfumes mixed with some bath oils and lotions. And that gave me the idea that [for my own fragrance] I need to combine my other scents,” she says. “The people … who developed the scent for us checked all the ingredients of the stuff I loved. It took us a long time to come up with the exact fragrance that I was really happy with.”

With the launch of her fragrance a month and a half away, Parton also has another beauty venture in the works. “I’m going to be doing wigs, and accessories and make-up,” she shares. “I’m going to hopefully create a scent for the men in my life, too.” 

Image courtesy of spectrumnews.com

Nike and TAG HEUER have Naomi’s back

Four-time Grand Slam tennis champion Naomi Osaka created quite stir by pulling out of French Open on Monday. Osaka pulled out of the 2021 French Open because she refused to do first round press conferences and was fined $15,000 and threatened with expulsion. Osaka contends that having to face the media was too stressful for her because she suffers from clinical depression.

Many athletes have come out in support of Osaka. Additionally, several fashion brands support Osaka’s decision to withdraw from the 2021 French Open. Swiss watchmaker TAG Heuer, owned by LVMH, has offered support to Osaka, and Nike has supported Osaka for coming out about her mental issue challenges. Osaka is a brand ambassador for TAG HEUER.

In the past 12 months, Osaka has earned upward of $ 55 million, currently more than any other female athlete. Most of her earnings have come from endorsement and sponsorship deals from companies in the US and Japan.

—William S. Gooch

Fashion News Alert: Martha Stewart’s Documentary, Michael Kors Returns to the Runway, and Jean-Paul Gaultier Returns to RTW with a Five Designer Collaboration

May 27, 2021 by 2 Comments

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2021 seems to be the year that Netflix is expanding into the fashion and lifestyle industry by producing fashion and lifestyle-related film series and documentaries. So far Netflix has produced the controversial four-part “Halston” miniseries and next on the list is the Martha Stewart documentary.

The documentary about the lifestyle mogul is currently underway to be directed by R. J. Cutler and produced by Alina Cho. The documentary is expected to contain plenty of juicy details about Stewart’s life including inside information about her rise from New Jersey babysitter to fashion model to lifestyle mogul. Also, Stewart’s 2004 insider trader scandal, conviction, and prison time will be included.

Though there is no official release date, the documentary is expected to release in 2022.

Image courtesy of youtube.com

Welcome back

A year and a half ago Jean-Paul Gaultier announced he was retiring his brand from ready-to-wear (RTW) markets. Though the brand continued producing couture collections, Jean-Paul Gaultier was missed from RTW runway shows and markets.

Well, that has all changed. The fashion house that Gaultier founded is back with a RTW collection in collaboration with five other fashion designers. Gaultier has not showed a RTW collection since 2015, the year the fashion house was acquired by Puig. the Catalan clan that also controls Carolina Herrera, Dries Van Noten, Paco Rabanne, and Nina Ricci.

Palomo Spain, Nix Lecourt Maison, Ottolinger, Alan Crocetti, and Marvin M’Toumo are the five brands that will collaborate with the Gaultier fashion house. There will be a series of five summer drops of the collaborative effort to be released in time for LGBQTI Pride Month.

This collaborative project will include Gaultier’s nautical motifs; however, the brand has updated its signature nautical motif of US naval hats that now include the brand’s logo. The collection will also contain multiple takes on denim sailor’s trousers, even unbuttoned to show the bottom. While the summer drops will also include vintage elements, part of an emphasis on upcycling.

“Torn, distorted, distressed and transcended, the sailor-boy stripes take on a salacious, [hypersexualized] connotation for 2021,” the house of Jean-Paul Gaultier detailed in a release. This collection will began retailing on Friday, May 28 with prices ranging from €150 to €750, with 75 different SKU references.
 

Image courtesy of runwaymagazine.,com

Michael Kors returns live to NYFW

New York Fashion Week: The Shows (NYFWS) will return with live runway shows for the spring 2022 season. And Michael Kors will be one of the brands that returns with live shows for the spring 2022 season.

“This is an important moment for New York, and we’re proud to support the city and the industry during this season’s New York Fashion Week. I am thrilled about the return of live performance throughout New York this autumn, and I look forward to presenting my collection to a live audience,” stressed Kors, as reported in fashionnetwork.com, who is celebrating his house’s 40th anniversary this year.

Fashion designers/brands Tory Burch, Jeremy Scott, Thom Browne, Pyer Moss, Gabriela Hearst, Markarian and Jonathan Simkhai have all committed to show at NYFWS with live shows for the spring 2022 season. And Michael Kors is a much-needed addition to the fashion calendar for the spring 2022 season, with Tommy Hilfiger and Ralph not having yet committed to showing.

NYFW will take place on September 8-12 with Kors showing on September 10 at 10am live. Michael Kors will broadcast his runway live on his website and other digital platforms.

William S. Gooch

Fashion News Alert: Naomi Campbell Is a Mother, Emmanuelle Alt Is Set to Leave Vogue Paris, and Prada’s Continued Commitment to Diversity

May 19, 2021 by Leave a Comment

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In case you haven’t heard, Naomi Campbell is a new mom. Yes, that’s right supermodel Naomi Campbell has had her first child. The birth was announced on Instagram.

“So honored to have this gentle soul in my life,” Campbell captioned the sweet photo, which featured her daughter’s feet in her manicured hand. “There is no greater love.”

Moments after Campbell announced the news on Instagram, she received notices of support and congratulations from Marc Jacobs, Edward Enninful, Samira Nasr, Zoe Saldana, Andy Cohen, Riccardo Tisci, and more. Campbell now joins the long list of supermodels with children—Christy Turlington, Kate Moss, Cindy Crawford, Christy Brinkley, Karlie Kloss, Gisele Bundchen, Gigi Hadid, Helena Christensen, and Elsa Hosk.

There are no known details about Campbell’s baby and the baby’s father or surrogate mother. However, fashion tongues are wagging!!

Image courtesy of fashionweekdaily.com

Au revoir Alt

It looks like Vogue Paris’ Editor-in-chief Emmanuelle Alt is out of a job. Though it is not official, as Condé Nast reconfigures and restructures several mastheads of the many publications under its auspices, it appears that Alt, as well as, Olivier Lalanne at GQ France and Joseph Ghosn, editorial director of Vanity Fair France. Dylan Jones, editor-in-chief of British GQ will be looking for new jobs.

This shifting and restructuring of senior management of Condé Nast comes as no surprise as for the last six months several senior staff have either left their positions as the heads of Condé Nast publications or have been let go.

The 53-year old Emmanuelle, who also has two children, has had storied career in fashion. First, Alt was 17 when she assumed a staff position at French Elle. In the 2000s, Alt was known for her incredible street style. There is no word on where Alt is headed next.

Alt succeeded Carine Roitfeld as Editor-in-chief of Vogue Paris in 2011. Condé Nast has declined to comment of Alt’s alleged departure.

Images courtesy of cbsnews.com

Prada’s next steps

Prada is partnering with Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) with a series of scholarships for fashion industry professionals of color and fashion students of color. This series of scholarships is in alignment with Prada’s commitment to diversity, inclusion, and equity.

Prada has also committed to produce design labs for designers of color in Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York. These design labs will collaborate with Theaster Gates, as well as the Prada Generation Internship for diverse talent that will foster hands-on opportunities across Prada Group’s corporate and retail teams.

“Prada Group is taking real and significant actions that will expand career and professional opportunities for people of [color] in the fashion industry,” said Malika Savell, as detailed in a fashionnetwork.com, who joined Prada as chief diversity, equity and inclusion officer for North America, in October 2020.

“We [recognize] the barriers to entering the fashion industry and the importance of representation, so we want to develop many new [programs] that will advance and mentor aspiring fashion professionals, while investing in the next generation of diverse talent.”

“We are extremely proud of these [programs], which reflect Prada Group’s commitment to cultivating, recruiting and retaining diverse talent and to creating an inclusive culture,” added Lorenzo Bertelli, Prada Group head of marketing and head of corporate social responsibility. 

“These initiatives mark real progress, and we look forward to building on this momentum to create more opportunities that increase diversity and representation both within Prada and in the fashion industry today and in the future.”

—William S. Gooch

Fashion News Alert: Hearst Sells Marie Claire, NYFW Has a New Sponsor, Laverne Cox Has a New Gig, and Moschino Comes to NYFW

May 13, 2021 by Leave a Comment

Image courtesy of marieclaire.com

Marie Claire has been sold!! Hearst, which owns Marie Claire, has sold the US version to the UK-based Future Media. Future Media currently owns Marie Claire U.K., Woman & Home, GoodToKnow, and MyImperfectLife.com.

Hearst believes the North American Marie Claire will fair better if owned by single owner. And Future Media has increased UK version of Marie Claire’s readership substantially in both its digital and e-commerce audience. Deborah Chirchella, president of Hearst Magazines, is hoping the same with this acquisition of Marie Claire.

Like many print publications, Marie Claire has gone through significant changes over the past couple of years. Marie Claire’s print issues had been reduced from 11 issues to 7 issues annually.

Chirchella explained that with this acquisition there would be layoffs with sales and marketing staff offered voluntary buyouts. Other staffers may experience layoffs with no severance package.

Image courtesy of ashleystewart.com

Afterpay joins NYFW

With the recent announcement of New York Fashion Week (NYFW) going live, there has been a lot of buzz about what that will look like in the age of COVID-19. Who will show live during NYFW’s spring 2022 season, how will the venues protect attendees, and how many attendees will be allowed at said shows? The list of unanswered questions goes on and on.

What has been announced is that NYFW has a new major sponsor. Afterpay (the leaders in buy now, pay later in payment plans) has signed as a new presenting partner for NYFW’s upcoming new season.

Afterpay has signed a multi-year partnership with IMG, the owner of NYFW. And in this new partnership IMG and Afterpay will focus on supporting established and rising fashion designers, as well as US retail and fashion industries.

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – SEPTEMBER 22: Laverne Cox attends the 71st Emmy Awards at Microsoft Theater on September 22, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)

Bye, bye Giuliana

Giuliana Rancic has been replaced!! “Orange is the New Black” alum Laverne Cox is replacing Rancic as “Live from E!” new red-carpet correspondent.

“Laverne Cox is a risktaker, groundbreaking pioneer, and a fashion tour de force,” Jen Neal, executive vice president of E! News at NBCUniversal Television & Streaming, told The Hollywood Reporter. “As we continue to evolve the way we cover Hollywood’s biggest nights, Laverne’s passion for, and extensive knowledge of, the fashion community resonates with our audience and we look forward to seeing her shine on the other side of the velvet rope.”

The announcement came days after Rancic announced she was retiring from red-carpet coverage. “After 20 fabulous year’s hosting E!’s red carpet, I have decided to step out of my [red-carpet] heels into a new pair of shoes,” Rancic wrote, as reported in theinsider.com. “To my E! family, thank you for allowing me to make my [red-carpet] dreams come true for the past two decades. It’s truly been a highlight of my career and life. To my production team throughout the years, you are simply the best. We have made some beautiful memories together that I will carry with me.”

“For many years I would wake up early on awards show days, get my snacks in place and watch E!’s coverage all day long. I dreamed of walking red carpets,” Cox said in a statement. 

“Now, not only have I had several fun and amazing personal red carpet moments, I also get to be a red carpet guide for E!’s discerning audience and chat with my colleagues and folks I deeply admire for these very special events in their lives.”

All the best to Laverne Cox, may she bring her inimitable style to her new job.

Image courtesy of aeffegroup.com

Moschino is back

Surprise, surprise Moschino returns to NYFW’s spring 2022 calendar. Moschino creative director Jeremy Scott is bringing the iconic, flashy, wacky European brand back to NYFW for the second time under his helm, scheduled for September 9.

Known for its campy themes, the last time Moschino showed in NYC, Scott staged the pre-fall 2020 collection in a subway. Fashion wagging tongues are speculated on what Scott will stage this time around.

Moschino is also known for attracting a huge celebrity fan base. Previous shows have included Paris Hilton, Saweetie, Sofia Richie, Emma Roberts, Amanda Lepore, Kacey Musgraves, Storm Reid, Aquaria, and Gwen Stefani. 

—William S. Gooch

Fashion News Alert: Billie Eilish’s British Vogue Cover, Andre Leon Talley Dishes, and “Making the Cut” Season 2

May 6, 2021 by Leave a Comment

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Andre Leon Talley has been in the news a lot as of late. Always a bigger than life, outspoken, fashion personality, Talley rarely holds back his opinions particularly when it comes to topics around fashion and entertainment.

Talley is once again making headlines by spilling the tea on what some Condé Nast masthead executives’ salaries were.  Talley served as creative director and worked as a full-time executive staffer at American Vogue from 1983 to 1995. Later continuing his tenure at the publication as editor-at-large. Talley is currently a contributing editor at Vogue.

Talley contends that he recently found out that some masthead executives at Vogue were making close to $1 million a year. At his peak, Talley earned about $300,000.

“I just found out two weeks ago, from someone of authority, that women at Vogue, high, high rate fashion editors made close to a million dollars,” Talley told Tamron Hall on the “Tamron Hall Show.” “I never made that much in a year. I made almost $300,000, but people on the same level, maybe they were doing more work than the fashion photoshoots, were making $900,000 a year. They don’t make that anymore, but this is the, this what comes when you live in America, when you’re a Black person, you have to wake up and you know there’s a double standard.”

In 2019, The Intel detailed that there were very few staff salaries at Condé Nast over $120,000, even after a 10-year trajectory up the fashion corporate ladder. This crowd-sourced salary spreadsheet,” Real Media Salaries,” documented what hundreds of editors at publications made.

Is this disclosure Andre Leon Talley’s sour grapes or real truth-telling? Hmm, that is hard to tell!!

Image courtesy of cnn.com

Billie Eilish changes her look

Pop Star Billie Eilish’s career is meteoric. Not only has she topped the charts in the US and internationally and has won lots of awards, at the tender age of 19 she is now gracing the cover of British Vogue’s June 2021 issue.

Eilish has set a standard for defying gender stereotypes which makes her cover of June’s British Vogue more surprising. For this June cover Eilish is donning custom corsets and latex, Agent Provocateur lingerie, and catsuits from Gucci, Burberry, Mugler, and Alexander McQueen based on a 1940s pinup theme. She is also styled in a blonde wig.

The images from this cover and inside editorial has already gained 1 million likes on Eilish’s Instagram account in under six seconds. This feat has set a current record for any image on Instagram.

This cover and inside editorial has also become controversial for Billie Eilish. Fans of Eilish have always praised her for gender fluidity, expressed by Eilish’s baggy, non-gender specific clothing. Some fans feel betrayed by Eilish’s adoption of more in-your-face, feminine silhouettes in British Vogue’s cover and inside editorial, accusing Eilish of selling out and conforming to industry standards of feminine beauty.

Eilish clapped back at unhappy fans, “Suddenly you’re a hypocrite if you want to show your skin, and you’re easy and you’re a slut and you’re a whore. If I am, then I’m proud,” Eilish said, as reported in mashable.com. “Me and all the girls are hoes, and f**k it, y’know? Let’s turn it around and be empowered in that. Showing your body and showing your skin—or not—should not take any respect away from you.”

Image courtesy of dailyfrontrow.xom

“Making the Cut” is back

If you missed Tim Gunn and Heidi Klum in “Making the Cut” season 1, there is still hope. Amazon’s “Making the Cut” is coming back for a second season.

Heidi Klum and Tim Gunn are back as executive producers and hosts with supermodel Winnie Harlow and famed fashion designer Jeremy Scott as judges. There were also be guest appearances by Prabal Gurung and Shioni Turini.

This 10-part reality competition series will feature fashion designers competing for a $1 million prize with mentorship from Amazon Fashion. Designers competing for the top prize

are Ally Ferguson (Los Angeles, California), Andrea Pitter (Brooklyn, New York), Olivia OBlanc (New Orleans, Louisiana) Andrea Salazar (Medellín, Colombia), Dushyant Asthana (Jaipur, India), Gary Graham (Franklin, New York), Joshua Scacheri (London, England), Lendrell Martin (South Orange, New Jersey), Lucie Brochard (Paris, France), and Raf Swiader (Sosnowiec, Poland).

“Making the Cut” season 2 premieres on Amazon Prime on July 16 with two episodes per week, culminating with a final runway show and grand finale on August 6.

—William S. Gooch

Weekend Fashion News Alert: CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund Reveals 2021 Finalists, Tiffany’s Announces Diamond Engagement Rings for Men, and Margot Robbie Has a New Gig

May 1, 2021 by Leave a Comment

Images courtesy of teenvogue.com

The CFDA has announced the ten finalists for the 2021 CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund award. For the first time in the history of this award, all the finalists will receive funding. The finalists are the first to participate in the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund’s new initiative that includes emerging fashion designers competing against former finalists, as well as fashion designers that have received funding from the CFDA’s “A Common Thread” initiative.

The 2021 finalists include Batsheva Hay of vintage-inspired, New York-based ready-to-wear label Batsheva; Mike Eckhaus and Zoe Latta of 2018 LVMH Prize nominee Eckhaus Latta; Anifa Mvuemba of bold womenswear brand Hanifa; mother and daughter duo Rebecca Henry and Akua Shabaka of House of Aama, and contemporary menswear designer Kenneth Nicholson. The list additionally includes Jameel Mohammed of Afrofuturist luxury label Khiry; Queens-born womenswear designer LaQuan Smith; Abrima Erwiah of African fashion-focused social enterprise Studio One Eighty Nine; Jamaican-born, Brooklyn-based designer Edvin Thompson of Theophilio, and Californian conceptual menswear designer Willy Chavarria.

“After an incredibly challenging time for all of us in fashion, especially here in New York, we’re thrilled that this year we are able to support all of our finalists,” said Anna Wintour, global editorial director of Vogue and chief content officer of Condé Nast, in a press release. “It’s not only a vote of confidence in their talents, but in a brighter future for American fashion.”
 
“This year’s talented group of Fashion Fund finalists is facing an industry in the process of reinvention and transformation,” added CFDA chairman Tom Ford. “The program’s new format aims to help the designers better navigate and thrive in fashion’s future.”

Image courtesy of cnn.com

Also, a man’s best friend

Diamonds may be a girl’s best friend; however, why can’t diamonds be a great companion for men also. Well, if Tiffany’s & Co. has a say, diamonds will now be a very important piece of jewelry for men.

Tiffany’s has been a favorite place for women to acquire engagement and wedding rings since 1886. That said, the brand is now expanding to men’s engagement rings by launching the Charles Tiffany Setting, named for the brand’s founder.

Twenty six percent of Tiffany’s revenue comes from the sell of engagement rings. With the expansion into men’s diamond engagement ring, Tiffany’s is reflecting changing attitudes toward same-sex marriage and gender fluidity.

As reported in the Wall Street Times, Tiffany’s debut men’s engagement collection features a solitaire diamond measuring up to 4.3 carats. Styles combine either a round brilliant-cut stone with a knife-edge band, or an emerald-cut stone with a bevel-edged band.

“The brand’s potential is enormous and integrating it is very important for us. It really is our number one priority,” explained LVMH CFO Jean-Jacques Guiony as reported in fashionnetwork.com. “It’s a challenge and we think we will have to dedicate all of our resources to it.”

Image courtesy of WatchPro.com

Margot keeps time with Chanel

Margot Robbie has a new job. The Academy Award-winning actress is the new face of Chanel’s J12 Watch campaign. The J12 timepiece turns 20 this year.

Robbie joins eight other famous women which includes Naomi Campbell, Claudia Schiffer, Ali McGraw, Vanessa Paradis, Lily-Rose Depp, and Keira Knightley for this new campaign with each women detailing personal, life-changing experiences. “Everything has always been about seconds for a House created by a woman who knew how to follow her instincts,” Chanel explained in a news statement. “The J12 is the watch for these milestones, and the perfect accompaniment for every second.” 

“It feels incredibly special to be alongside such inspiring women in this campaign. Embodying the J12 watch to me is acknowledging and appreciating time,” Robbie said, as reported in a fashionnetwork.com article. 

—William S. Gooch

Fashion News Alert: Michael Kors Looks to Broadway for 40th Anniversary, John Christopher Rogers Collabs with Target, and Judith Leiber and Ganesh Bag Controversy

April 22, 2021 by Leave a Comment

Michael Kors RTW Fall 2021 Preview image courtesy of WWD

Michael Kors celebrated the 40th Anniversary of his eponymous brand by looking to Broadway. With Broadway theatres still closed in New York City, Kors looked to the projected re-opening of Broadway in the fall to celebrate his 40th anniversary. The 40th Anniversary was a two-part event, starting with a trip to Sardi’s with the celebrity caricatures on the wall coming to life in the 40th Anniversary video. Kors’ cast includes Bette Midler, Cynthia Nixon, Bernadette Peters, Rosario Dawson, Alan Cummings; Billy Porter, Chita Rivera; Matt Bomer, Marisa Tomei, Ashley Park, and Ariana DeBose.

“We have all had such a longing for community, travel and experiences so the idea of my beloved Broadway being shut down and all the talented people being out of work breaks my heart … So, this is a love letter to Broadway; the theatre; live performances and to New York City,” explained Kors in a Zoom with European editors a day before, as reported in fashionweekdaily.com.

There was also a runway strut on a closed-down 44th street with supermodels Naomi Campbell, Carolyn Murphy, Helena Christensen, Bella Hadid, and other fashion model luminaries. There was tons of glamour and opulence to spare with final looks of metallic dresses, marabou feathers, and faux furs.

For this 40th anniversary collection Kors true inspiration from opulent styles from his archives. “It’s the opposite of this messy, slouchy and quite frankly undone look that we have all gotten very used to. It’s about stepping out, definitely. We are starting to hear people thinking about, ‘what will I be doing for New Year’s Eve? Where will I be for Christmas? I want to get dressed up when I go back to the office. And end my life in slippers and track pants!’ This fall will be about learning to walk in heels again, ’cause everyone is going to want to strut their stuff,” explained Kors.

image courtesy of neimannarcus.com

Judith Leiber brand makes a boo boo

Cultural sensitivity has become a big catch phrase in recent years, which is understandable when you consider several brands that have committed a lot of faux pas along the way, offending communities of color, women, LGBT plus and other groups. The list is long and too lengthy to detail in this fashion news alert.

However, the most recent insensitivity is laid at the feet of Judith Leiber. Known for her jeweled and bedazzled bags, Leiber is the fashion industry’s most recent perpetrator of cultural insensitivity by creating a handbag in the likeness of the Hindu deity Ganesh with the inside lining the handbag made of cowhide leather.

In the Hindu faith cows are sacred and any use of their skins or meat is considered a violation of the sacred. The handbag’s exterior was bedazzled with exquisite beading and semi-precious stones.

“We are deeply sorry to hear that our Ganesh bag has caused offense to the Hindu community,” Lela Katsune, president of Judith Leiber Couture, said in a statement to The Economic Times. ”Now, that we are aware that the leather lining in the Ganesh bag contradicts the Hindu belief system, effective immediately we will be ceasing production on this style with leather lining. Going forward, this this style will be produced with a synthetic lining.”

Harrod’s, which was the first store to carry the Ganesh bag, immediately pulled the bag off the floor after being called out on social media. Ganesh is the Hindu deity of beginnings and the remover of obstacles. Ganesh is worshipped before any major enterprise is undertaken. The deity is usually characterized with head of a white elephant.

Image courtesy of fashionunited.com

Another jewel in Christopher John Roger’s crown

Target has tapped three designers as a part of their upcoming Designer Dress Collection, which comes of the heels of last year’s success with this Target initiative. And Christopher John Rogers has been selected as one of the designers to participate in this year’s Designer Dress Collection. The other two designers selected for this Target capsule collection series are Rixo, and Alexis.

Of the three designers selected Christopher John Rogers has the most name recognition. Rogers known for his use of bold color and voluminous silhouettes. In 2019 Rogers won the coveted CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund and for the recent presidential inauguration, Rogers dressed Vice President Kamala Harris.

These capsules collections from all three designers will be size inclusive, from a XXS to 4X and maintain a price point of $40 to $60. The collections will also contain 70+ original designs.

“We had to keep in mind a certain price point and make sure that a lot of different people would be able to access and enjoy,” he says, as reported in fashionweekdaily.com. “It feels like a step in the right direction to give more people access to the fantasy that we provide within our main collection.”

On his experience working with the Target team, Rogers adds, “[t]hey were always keen to try and make it work,” he says. “If we came in and said, ‘can we add more fabric to this or make something bigger, get a textile that was shinier or do an even more obnoxious print,’ no matter what their response was ‘yes let’s try it’ and that was the most fun part.”

The release date of the new Designer Dress Collection has not yet been released.

William S. Gooch

Fashion News Alert: Ralph Lauren Reveals 2021 Olympics’ Closing Ceremony Uniforms, H&M Launches Suit Rental, and Tommy Hilfiger Launches Fashion Business School

April 15, 2021 by Leave a Comment

Image courtesy of thedenverpost.com

In less than 100 days global athletes will parade into the Olympic Stadium in Tokyo. Although these Olympics were delayed by one year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the delay did not upend Ralph Lauren from designing the closing ceremony uniforms for the US team.

Lauren has long been the official designer for the US Olympic teams with the 2021 Olympics being no exception. The entire uniform look for the US Olympic team has not been revealed; however, the closing ceremony uniform images were released earlier this week.

The revealed closing ceremony looks include white jeans and a white polo shirt with a collar tipped in red and navy. There’s a red, white, and blue-ribbon belt and each athlete will top it with a white and navy windbreaker. An American flag is displayed on the left arm.

“As we come together to celebrate and compete, we must also embrace our responsibility to protect the planet we all call home. As part of this, we are proud to continue to invest in and scale sustainability innovations—dressing our nation’s best and brightest athletes in timeless clothing that has been consciously created,” said the company’s chief innovation and brand officer David Lauren, as reported in bustle.com.

In accord with the expanding sustainability trend, the fabric of the uniforms is made from ethically sourced materials. The polo is crafted from verified US grown cotton, the back patch of the jeans is a plant-based leather alternative, and the jacket and belt are made from recycled polyester. And the shoes and face masks are made from verified US grown cotton.

The 2021 Summer Olympics will take place in Tokyo from July 23 through August 8.

Image courtesy of H&M

COVID-19 prompts men’s rental suits

Depending on where you live, a lot of folks have had a least one shot of the two-dose COVID-19 vaccine. With so many people getting vaccinated, some businesses could be requiring folks to come back to the office and some businesses will be hiring new employees. If you are one of the millions of US workers out of work and hoping that the US economy will be recovering soon, you may need some new clothes or at least a suit to wear to those interviews.

Well, H&M is betting on lots of guys needing to look good for that first interview, even if that interview is via ZOOM.  This week H&M launched in the United Kingdom One Second Suit, a men’s rental suit initiative, “so anyone attending a job interview can make a powerful first impression.” This service will launch in the US on May 13 and will be completely free for the first 24 rental hours.

From H&M’s own research, the megabrand found that first impressions weigh heavily in getting that coveted job and that employees usually make a decision on the first few seconds of an interview. H&M believes that this new rental service “will tackle this bias by ensuring the potential inside isn’t overlooked because of what’s on the outside.”

Images courtesy of themorningjournal.com

Tommy Hilfiger expands into higher education

Tommy Hilfiger’s Tommy Hilfiger continues to expand his influence on the fashion industry by launching the Tommy Hilfiger Business Fashion School at Elmira College. The Tommy Hilfiger Business Fashion School is the latest collaboration with Tommy Hilfiger and his siblings Andy and Betsy Hilfiger.

Hilfiger’s fashion business school at Elmira College will be a part of the college’s bachelor’s degree program in business with a concentration on real-world fashion industry experience. The program will launch in the fall of 2021 and offer a concentration and a minor in fashion marketing and fashion merchandising, both new to the program. 

“The partnership with Elmira College reflects much more than my personal connection to the area. The fashion industry runs on a never-ending influx of new talent, and this program will be instrumental in shaping aspiring designers and entrepreneurs through first-hand knowledge and experience in the business,” said Tommy Hilfiger, as reported in fashionnetwork.com. “Elmira College has a national reputation for experiential learning in and out of the classroom, and this new program will open up exciting career opportunities for students as well as boost the industry’s talent pool.”

Tommy Hilfiger and his siblings have a personal relationship to Elmira, NY. Tommy Hilfiger opened his first jeans store, the People’s Place, in Elmira, NY in the early 1970s.

William S. Gooch

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