Fashion News Alert: Elie Saab Partners with Amazon, LL Cool J’s Fashion Collab, and Dolly Parton’s Beauty Brand

December 10, 2020 by Leave a Comment

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Jennifer Lopez and Rihanna are not the only celebrities entering the beauty industry. Move over J Lo, and RiRi, and enter Dolly Parton.

Now, you may wonder why Dolly Parton had not launched a beauty brand before, in that she is always ‘dolled up’ from head to toe. Well, better late than never. Dolly’s beauty brand in partnership with Edge Beauty will come to market in the spring of 2021.

Fragrance has always played a major role in my life—I wear my own combination of scents every day,” Parton said in a statement, as reported in fashionweekdaily.com. “Developing my own brand and scent with Edge Beauty has been an amazing experience, and I am looking forward to becoming a big part of the fragrance community.”

Parton’s beauty brand is considered a luxury brand available at various price point. Edge Beauty plans to place Dolly Parton’s beauty brand in drugstores, retailers and television shopping networks. (Extra note: Dolly Parton is on the cover of Marie Claire’s 2020 holiday edition.)

Image courtesy of wwd.com

Elie Saab expands to Amazon

Is Amazon looking for world domination? Apparently so!! Elie Saab is the latest luxury brand that will partner with Amazon and start selling on Amazon’s Luxury Stores.

Amazon debuted their Luxury Store in September and since that time this initiative has included Oscar de la Renta, Roland Mouret, La Perla, Clé de Peau, and Altuzarra. This initiative launched with an exclusive offer from Oscar de la Renta and a video with supermodel Cara Delevinge sensuously preening and primping in floral appliqués, crystal embellishments and snippets of the brand’s society-hostess style.

“Joining forces with Amazon is a step forward in Elie Saab’s business strategy to strengthen its existence in the US market through a new widespread e-commerce presence, while also reaching a new generation of luxury shoppers. Amazon has been a key partner in reinforcing our digital strategy to meet our customers’ expectations when shopping for luxury,” enthused the couture house’s CEO Elie Saab Junior, as reported in fashionnetwork.com.

The current collection will be available in the Amazon app and eligible US Prime members by invitation only.

Image courtesy of highsnobiery.com

LL Cool J’s Rock The Bell’s second drop

Earlier in 2020, before the COVID-19 pandemic actor/rapper LL Cool J launched his vintage Rock The Bells fashion line. Rock The Bells pays homage to 90s hip hop fashion. Rock the Bells is inspired LL Cool J’s 1985 hit song by the same name. The fashion line includes tee shirts, hoodies and jackets that celebrate the heritage of hip hop. Each garment is inspired by the four pillars of hip-hop: break dancing, DJs, MCs, and graffiti.

That said; LL Cool J has expanded Rock The Bells to include a collaboration with Atlanta-based artist and designer Alexander John called “The Chain Collection.” The limited-edition collection is in honor of the late George Floyd with a portion of the proceeds donated to the Black Lives Matter movement and LL’s Jump & Ball Foundation.

“The Chain Collection is designed to bring a spotlight back to where streetwear all began,” explained Alexander-John in a press release sent to The Glow Up. “Spray cans dripped and draped in Cuban links serve as a visual for luxury lifestyle while also paying homage to graffiti art deriving from hip hop culture. This collection offers today’s streetwear enthusiasts an opportunity to support a collection designed with meaning and purpose. This is a Black story, this is a true story, this is the culture … we Rock The Bells.”

“[T]he Rock the Bells platform is really just a work in progress; we’re going to take it to another level. Doing a collection like this, working with a young, talented designer who has insight into the culture and understands what we’re trying to do—that’s what this is about … It’s nice to take a young Black designer and say, ‘I’m in a position, I have a platform and you can go out there and shine,’” explained LL Cool J in a recent interview with WWD.

This second drop from the brand includes tee shirts, a hoodie, jogger pants, plus a varsity jacket and duffle bag in collaboration with Roots, all sporting a red, black and green color story (and ranging from $75 to $495). “The Chain Collection” will be available on December 9.

—William S. Gooch

Fashion News Alert: Jenna Lyons’ New Gig, Zadig & Voltaire Collaborate with L.A. Dance Project, and Goodbye Tony Hsieh

December 2, 2020 by Leave a Comment

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Jennie Lyons has a new job.  And it is not the sort of job that you might think Jenna Lyons would get.

Since leaving her post of President of J. Crew in 2017, Lyons has been waiting and anticipating a new opportunity. “I remember when I left, I was scared and all my friends and co-workers were like, ‘Don’t worry, the phone is going to ring off the hook,’ and it just didn’t,” she told Page Six.

“And then all of a sudden, I didn’t have anything on my agenda, and no one was calling, and no one was getting me lunch, and no one was inviting me anywhere and I was like, ‘Whoa,’” Lyons continued. “It felt like the bottom dropped out. I had to really come to terms with the fact that I was not invited to anything because I was Jenna Lyons. I was invited to things because I was the president of J. Crew. It’s actually a good reckoning and a really healthy thing to go through.”

But that is all over with now. Lyons has a new show on HBO MAX‘s, “Stylish with Jenna Lyons” which follows Lyons and her team as they work on fashion projects and fashion makeovers with her new company, Lyons L.A.D.  Additionally, young fashion hopefuls will compete to be a part of Lyons’ fashion squad.

Lyons said the show “actually feels real, as opposed to a lot of other reality shows.” Lyons adds, “it’s not scripted” and, “We didn’t have producers telling us what to do.”

Image courtesy of Zadig & Voltaire

Zadig & Voltaire’s arts initiative

If you don’t remember Benjamin Millepied, then you should. He was the choreographer of “Black Swan,” starring his wife Natalie Portman, the former director of the Paris Opera Ballet, and a former principal dancer with the New York City Ballet.

Well, Millepied is now the artistic director of L.A. Dance Project. And L.A. Dance Project has launched its first collaboration with Zadig & Voltaire. This collaboration is a part of an initiative by Zadig & Voltaire in their support of the arts.

“Benjamin has had a long relationship with [artistic director] Cecilia Bonstrom; they’ve done collaborations in Kyoto and Paris. I wanted to get involved, so I joined the board. It’s been a tough time for them as they can’t engage in live performances with all the restrictions, which is how they raise money. We’ve raised a good amount of money through social media collaborations and the T-shirt we designed for them,” as reported in fashionweekdaily.com.

The collaboration is available online now. The 17-piece collection includes joggers, leg warmers, and sweaters, and ranges in price between $98 to $428.

Image courtesy of theguardian.com

Goodbye, Tony

Another high-ranking fashion industry professional bites the dust. This time it is Tony Hsieh, former CEO of Zappos. Hsieh succumbed to injuries sustained from a house fire at his New London, CT home on November 18.

Tony Hsieh retired from Zappos in 2019 after starting what was then called ShoeSite.com in 1999. The company was sold to Amazon in 2009 for $1.2 billion. Hsieh stayed on with Zappos as chief executive until this past August.

“Tony’s kindness and generosity touched the lives of everyone around him and forever brightened the world,” a DTP Companies statement said. “Delivering happiness was always his mantra, so instead of mourning his transition, we ask you to join us in celebrating his life.” 

“The world has lost a tremendous visionary and an incredible human being,” the online shoe retailer said in a tribute post on social media. “His spirit will forever be a part of Zappos.”

Tony Hsieh died at Bridgeport Hospital in Connecticut. He was 46 years of age.

—William S. Gooch

Fashion News Alert: Top Model Halima Aden Quits the Runway, Kenzo and Kansai Yamamoto Collaborate, and Nobis and Basketball Star Serge Ibaka Collaborate on New Collection

November 26, 2020 by Leave a Comment

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Top model Halima Aden has been an inspiration; particularly as one of the few Muslim models that has gained international success while wearing her hijab. In an industry that has traditionally embraced mostly white models and models that come from backgrounds where they don’t visually wear their religious convictions and beliefs, Halima Aden not only breathes fresh air into the fashion industry but is also breaking down barriers and restraints.

That said; Aden has faced a lot of criticisms and backlash in the fashion industry for refusing not to take off her hijab on runways and during photoshoots. And there have been situations where Aden had been asked to wear clothing that went against her religious beliefs, or where photographers used interesting ways to photograph here where her hijab was not shown.

All this controversy and pressure has forced Aden to abandon fashion runways, as she announced this decision on Wednesday. Aden is not walking completely away from fashion but is laying down strict guidelines of conditions she will work under.

“If my hijab can’t be this visible—I’m not showing up,” she wrote under a photo of her in a full unadorned hijab that covered her chest and shoulders. Under another photo, showing her full hijab, scarf and covered chest and shoulders, she wrote, “This is the standard moving forward if you want to work with me. Come correct or don’t come at all. Nothing less, nothing more, as reported on cnn.com.”

“These spaces were always predominantly white,” she added. “So, you are already at a disadvantage for simply being YOU in a workplace that never considered someone of your background. We can’t give up, but it’s good to remain mindful.”

Image courtesy of wwd.com

Kenzo and Kansai Yamamoto, united in death

Sadly, two powerful and groundbreaking Japanese fashion powerhouses, Kenzo Takada and Kansai Yamamoto died earlier this year. Kansai Yamamoto in July and Kenzo Takada in October. Still, their legacy lives on. And particularly in this new collaborative effort launched by the house of Kenzo.

The new collection combines the prints and aesthetics of both legendary designers. The collection will center mostly of Yamamoto’s animal obsession and Kenzo’s predilection for nature prints which produces a collection of punk-inspired garments with feline artworks by Kansai Yamamoto.

“When I joined Kenzo in July 2019, I immediately started thinking about artists, designers and creatives with whom I wanted to collaborate. One of the first ideas I had was a collaboration between Kenzo and Kansai Yamamoto. Although their body of works are very different, the links and common traits between the two are manifold,” explained Kenzo’s creative director, Felipe Oliveira Baptista, as reported in a fashionnetwork.com article.

“What really convinced me to start this idea was their common charge of joy, intuition and freedom. What a wonderful idea to start a dialogue between these two pioneers and fashion punks. Their energy and bite have remained intact, against the backdrop of Movida, the Spanish cultural movement of the early 1980s,” added Oliveira Baptista, who received the blessing of both designers as he met them both in 2019.

There are 30 womenswear pieces and 24 men’s garments in this collection, accompanied by 22 accessories. Prices from 105 euros to 1, 050 euros.

Image courtesy of 360magazine.com

Serge Ibaka and Nobis pair up

If you are not familiar with Canadian basketball star Serge Ibaka, you should be. Ibaka is an NBA champion and is a master blocker for the Toronto Naptors. Ibaka is also very quickly becoming style icon.

Ibaka has been seen at many major brand fashion shows—Hermes, Kenzo, Thom Browne, and Balmain—and sets the front row afire at Paris Fashion Week with his unique fashion sensibility. (Remember, we wore a kilt with a suit to Thom Browne’s Paris Fashion Week show.)  So, it is no surprise that Canadian outwear brand Nobis would choose Ibaka as a collaborator for their new outerwear collection.

“I’m thrilled to collaborate with Nobis on my first fashion collection. Nobis is very simple and chic, which made me really fall in love with the brand, making them the perfect partner,” says the multi-lingual Ibaka, as reported in fashionnetwork.com. “Getting dressed to me is an art, and I wanted to express myself through this collection and share it with my fans.”

This capsule collection collaboration is genderless and includes nine limited-edition garments, ranging from a bomber jacket, parka, and anorak to vests, hats, and scarves. Prices range from $60 to $995 and each piece is home-launderable. 

“We couldn’t be prouder to take our partnership with Serge Ibaka, one of our Global Brand Ambassadors, to the next level with the release of this collaborative collection. Serge represents the best of professional sport and international fashion and we are absolutely delighted to be working together in bringing his vision of Nobis x Ibaka to life,” added Nobis co-founder and vice-president Robin Yates.

The Nobis/Serge Ibaka limited-edition capsule collection will be available online and in stores at the end of this month.

—William S. Gooch

Fashion News Alert: Megan Thee Stallion’s Collaboration, Alber Elbaz Reveals New Fashion Brand, Harlem Fashion Row and Banana Republic Partner with Charles Harbison, and J Lo’s New Beauty Line

November 19, 2020 by Leave a Comment

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Collaborations are still the order of the day in the fashion industry. And though we are in the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, fashion collaborations continue to bring warranted attention to the fashion industry.

The latest fashion collaboration is between Megan Thee Stallion and fast-fashion brand, Fashion Nova. For those who might not be aware, Megan Thee Stallion is an African American rapper who rose to fame when her music collaborations with Beyoncé and Cardi B reached number one on Billboard’s Top 100.

The Fashion Nova X Megan Thee Stallion collection is inspired by a western motif and is designed to make customers feel “like they are on a wild Western Moto Speed Chase.” The collection contains 106 pieces, containing premium denim, luxe corset bodysuits and tops with matching pants, as well as dresses and plush outerwear with sizes ranging from junior to plus size.

“This collection was inspired by Megan’s unwavering confidence, fearless style, and infectious personality,” said Fashion Nova CEO and founder Richard Saghian, as reported on fashionnetwork.com. “Every piece was meticulously designed with exceptional fabrics in a variety of looks and prints to make our customer stand out and feel empowered and we are excited to finally bring our creative collaboration with her to life for everyone to experience.”

“Designing this line with Fashion Nova has been a labor of love,” added Megan. ”Not only am I able to bring my signature look to all the hotties out there, but I was able to create sexy and beautiful clothing that fit bodies of all shapes, sizes, and heights. If you’re a tall girl like me, finding clothes that have savage style has never been easy, until now.”

Fashion Nova X Megan Thee Stallion is available exclusively at fashionnova.com with prices ranging from $24.99 to $199.99.

Image courtesy of thecut.com

J Lo expands

Jennifer Lopez continues to expand her empire. The super-hyphenated diva, singer-actress-dance-entrepreneur-style icon has announced that her beauty line JLO Beauty will be unveiled in the first month of 2021. JLO Beauty is a fulfillment of Lopez’s 30-year dream of producing her own beauty line.

Lopez has collaborated with her beauty brands in the past; however, JLO Beauty is completely Jennifer Lopez’s beauty products. Before the launch of Lopez’s 25th fragrance, WWD valued Lopez’s fragrance franchise at $2 billion dollars.

JLO Beauty will be available in January 2021. However, followers can get early pre-holiday access by signing up for alerts.

Image courtesy of lofficielitalia.com

Alber Elbaz’s new venture

For those who were fans of Alber Elbaz, since his departure from the iconic French fashion house Lanvin, there has been much speculation of where Elbaz would end of next after leaving Lanvin in 2015.

Well, we know have some answers. At Vogue’s Forces of Fashion digital conference, Alber Elbaz revealed what’s next for him.

“I love the people of fashion,” said Elbaz when asked why he ultimately decided to return to design. “After a few years of being on vacation, I realized how much I don’t enjoy vacation. I always feel good in studios. I feel good making things. It was a time for me to do a comeback and to give back everything that I learned through the years.” 

In October of 2020, Elbaz’s signed a deal with Richemont. With the investors connected to Richemont, Elbaz will launch his new brand AZ Factory. Elbaz was inspired how some fashion showrooms and factories during the early outbreak of the COVID-19 virus adjusted to immediately start producing PPE for hospitals, healthcare workers and consumers.

“There is something about ‘factory’ that I always love,” Elbaz explained regarding the brand name, noting that he loves to go to the factories he works with because there’s an honesty and humbleness to them. “Our world today is divided into producers and consumers. So, we are on the producers’ side. We’re also producing ideas and thoughts and solutions.” 

Alber Elbaz has set AZ Factory accounts on social media and revealed the company’s logo. However, that is all that has been revealed about the upcoming brand.

Image courtesy of dailyfrontrow.com

Charles Harbison shines through

For those who are fans of Charles Harbison, there is some exciting developments in the works. The North Carolina-native launched his eponymous brand, HARBISON, in 2013 and saw his garments on the likes of former First Lady Michelle Obama, Beyoncé, and Solange Knowles. HARBISON’s gender fluid collections with a strong emphasis on architectural silhouettes and use of bold colors.

Though HARBISON has been on hiatus for the last few years, Charles Harbison has continued his fashion journey. This collaboration with Harlem Fashion Row and Banana Republic will put Charles Harbison back on the fashion map and make his fans very happy.

“Banana Republic and I share sensibilities that are rooted in great American design, and I have a deeply rooted connection to the amazing equity work of Harlem’s Fashion Row. I wanted to fuse those ideas with a playful sense of color and line, which I’ve been navigating aesthetically as of late. It really felt organic. And always, all things lead back to my central inspiration: the women of my life,” explained Charles Harbison.

This collaboration came about when Banana Republic teamed up with Harlem Fashion Row to launch the BIPOC-focused sustainable design competition. Charles Harbison won the competition which facilitated Harbison’s collaboration with Banana Republic and Harlem Fashion Row.

 Charles Harbison adds, “over the past few months we’ve seen a number of big brands trying to find their place in the country’s conversation about racial justice and equity, and the efforts that have felt more authentic are those that leverage a brand’s existing strengths. Banana Republic has always been devoted to making great American fashion, and their partnership with HFR has provided a platform for me to further contribute to what ‘great American fashion’ means.”

The Banana Republic, Charles Harbison, and Harlem Fashion Row collaboration will debut in September 2021. The collection will focus on natural dyes, organic materials, and limited use of water during the production process.

William S. Gooch

Fashion News Alert: JCPenny Rescued, Diane von Furstenberg Teams Up with H&M, and Chanel Increases Prices, Yet Again

November 12, 2020 by Leave a Comment

Image courtesy of retailtouchpoints.com

Earlier this week a US judge approved a deal that would keep JCPenny (JCP) out of bankruptcy proceedings. This new deal will halt JCP from closing of its stores and keep thousands of its workers employed.

The U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas approved the deal for the 118-year-old distressed megastore. This deal is expected save J.C. Penny Co. Inc. 60, 000 jobs.

As reported on fashionnetwork.com, The transaction contains multiple parts. Lenders led by H/2 Capital Partners will forgive $1 billion in debt in exchange for 160 properties and six distribution centers. Mall operators Simon Property Group and Brookfield Property Partners will acquire the company’s slimmed-down retail operations for $1.75 billion (1.33 billion pounds) in cash and debt.

JCP was launched in 1902 by James Cash Penny in the state of Wyoming. The company went public in 1929. Over several decades JCP stores could be found in every state, with most states having several stores.

Image courtesy of fashionnerwork.com

DVF collaborates

Despite increasing COVID-19 infection rates, H&M is still on board with collaborations. Their latest collaboration includes one of the most esteemed designers in the fashion industry, Diane von Furstenberg. But instead of von Furstenberg collaborating on clothing, the creator of the wrap dress will collaborate with H&M on home furnishings.

“I’m thrilled to be collaborating with H&M Home, especially since I have such a passion for interiors,” DVF said in a recent press release. “The home is both a relaxing and empowering place where you can really ‘own’ a look or feel. With this collaboration, I want people to take charge of their home decor. The only rule I have is that your home should reflect who you are. The main point is to create a space that you’re incredibly comfortable in and is a true expression of your personality.”

This is the first time H&M Home has collaborated with a fashion designer. The Diane von Furstenberg and H&M Home collaboration will be available in 2021.

Image courtesy of dailymail.couk

Chanel price gorging

French luxury fashion house, Chanel, has announced in an increase in prices for the second time this year. In a response to a Reuters inquiry, the luxury explained, “the consequence of recent significant exchange rate fluctuations between the euro and certain local currencies.” Chanel continued, “the consequence of recent significant exchange rate fluctuations between the euro and certain local currencies.”

In May, Chanel increased prices on handbags and other small leather goods from 5% to 17% worldwide. And in October there was another 5% increased in Hong Kong, China, Japan, South Korea, and Great Britain.

Though these increased have been credited to a spending slowdown due to the COVID-19 lockdowns and pandemic, some analysts that prices have an increase of 30% in Asian countries compared to European countries and the US. This disparity in prices increase is difficult to explain in that the US and Europe has seen more COVID-19 infections and death than most Asian countries.

William S. Gooch

Fashion News Alerts: Kanye West Concedes Election, Karlie Kloss’ Pregnancy, and Nike’s Layoffs

November 4, 2020 by Leave a Comment

Image courtesy of newyorkmagazine.com

Kanye West, who run on an independent ticket, conceded his bid for the US presidency on Twitter late Tuesday night. So, that means no Kanye in the White House!!

According to deadline.com, Kanye received 60,000 votes. Kanye West’s name appeared on ballots in 12 states, garnering the most votes, 10,188 votes, in Tennessee.

Here’s how he did in other states, according to the Associated Press, as reported in fashionweekdaily.com.

Arkansas: 4,040
Colorado: 6,127
Idaho: 3,092
Iowa: 3,197
Kentucky: 6,259
Louisiana: 4,894
Minnesota: 7,654
Mississippi: 3,117
Oklahoma: 5,590
Tennessee: 10,195
Utah: 4,311
Vermont: 1,255

West aims to run in 2024. With his huge following on Twitter, 30 million+, Kanye West is assuming he will have some traction if he starts campaigning early enough.

Karlie Kloss and husband at 2019 Met Gala (Photo by Dia Dipasupil/FilmMagic)

Karlie Kloss expects a little visitor

Continuing to observe fashion as it is related to politics, Supermodel Karlie Kloss is married to Joshua Kushner, Jared Kushner’s brother, recently announced that she is with child.  Jared Kushner is senior advisor to President Donald Trump. Karlie Kloss has been married to Joshua Kushner for two years.

“Karlie is overjoyed to be expecting her first child in 2021,” a source said, as reported in fashionweekdaily.com. “She will be the most amazing mother.”

Karlie Kloss, who has converted to Judaism, is part of a group of investors that are aiming to bring W magazine back. W magazine’s editor-in-chief Sara Moonves will work with Kloss and other investors to drive strategy and growth.

Image courtesy of footwearnews.com

Nike aims to cut staff

This past Tuesday, Nike revealed that they will be laying off 700 employees from their Portland, Oregon headquarters by the beginning of 2021. The upcoming layoffs are a part of a company restructuring plan announced in July 2020.

What is surprising about these cuts is that Nike is not experiencing a downturn in revenue because of the COVID-19 pandemic. In fact, Nike’s earning for the third quarter of 2020 was $1.5 billion, compared to the $1.4 billion in earnings of the 2019 third quarter.

Nike’s restructuring process will refocus the business’ operations around online direct-to-consumer sales. As of May 2020, Nike employed 75,400 workers.

—William S. Gooch

Fashion News Alert: The Met’s New Costume Exhibit, Kyle Anderson’s Racially Biased Rant, and Goodbye Cushnie

October 29, 2020 by Leave a Comment

Image courtesy of fashionista.com

We have all heard the call to action, “Black Lives Matter.” And while some fashion publications have recently put real diversity actions in place of cautionary inclusions, there are those in the fashion industry who are not pleased with this new injection of inclusion.

Former Elle Fashion Director Kyle Anderson has voiced his all call to action in the vein of “White Men Matter” by complaining that since this recent explosion of racial diversity at some top fashion magazines, white male editors have been losing their jobs.

On his Instagram Stories post Anderson contends, “All white guys I worked with lost their position in editorial over the past three years. Every white man (only) in my office lost their jobs on the same day. My personal story is horrendous and caused severe trauma.”

Anderson’s post was in response to a recent New York Times story by Elizabeth Lippman that stated that 42% of Conde Nast’s editors-in-chief were people of color. Because of the clapback received by Anderson, Anderson has disabled comments on his Instagram page and made his Twitter account private.

Image courtesy of fashionista.com

The Costume Institute’s New Exhibit

The Costume Institute of New York of the Metropolitan Museum of Art has a new exhibit. Next Thursday, the Costume Institute of New York will debut “About Time: Fashion and Duration,” a curation that explores how clothes generate temporal associations that conflate past, present, and future.

“About Time: Fashion and Duration” will pair garments at moments in antiquity juxtaposed against modern expressions. The garments will be connected through shape, motif, material, pattern, technique, or decoration. “For example, a black silk faille princess-line dress from the late 1870s will be paired with an Alexander McQueen ‘Bumster’ skirt from 1995. A black silk satin dress with enormous leg-o’-mutton sleeves from the mid-1890s will be juxtaposed with a Comme des Garçons deconstructed ensemble from 2004,” the Met explained in a news statement. 

All garments will be black garments to emphasize changes in silhouette. There will be one exception, a white dress from Viktor & Rolf spring/summer 2020 haute couture collection; made from upcycled swatches in a patchwork design. This Viktor & Rolf white dress was included as marker that projects toward the future.

This new Costume Institute of New York exhibit will include 125 fashions, dating back to 1870. The exhibit will open to the public from November 5, 2020 to February 7, 2021.

Image courtesy of yahoo!sports.com

Ciao Cushnie

Carly Cushnie has announced the closure of her eponymous brand, Cushnie. Because of shrinking revenue to the COVID-19 pandemic, Carly Cushnie has decided to cease operations.

Carly Cushnie started her fashion brand with fellow Parsons student Michelle Ochs in 2008, with the brand initially named Cushnie et Ochs. In 2018, the design duo parted, and brand became Cushnie.

In an open letter Carly Cushnie stated, Over the last twelve years, the Cushnie collection has come to define a modern elegance that celebrates the female body with a timeless ease – striking a balance between minimal and sensual. There has been nothing more rewarding than making women feel confident, sexy and empowered through my collections.

As many designers have experienced, the fashion and retail landscape has become increasingly challenging over the years. While my brand has persevered through unending headwinds, the effects of Covid-19 have hurt my business beyond repair, and it is with great sadness that I share Cushnie will be closing its doors​.

Fashion Reverie wishes Carly Cushie much success in whatever her new endeavors might be. Keep strong, sister!!

—William S. Gooch

 

 

Fashion News Alert: Supermodel Liya Kebede’s First Harper’s Bazaar Cover, “Emily in Paris” Fuels Interest in Chanel, and Asia’s Largest Store

October 21, 2020 by 1 Comment

Image courtesy of harpersbazaar.com

For her first Harper’s Bazaar cover as the magazine first woman of color to helm the esteemed magazine, Samira Nasr chose a model blast from the past, Ethiopian supermodel Liya Kebede. This is Kedebe’s first Harper’s Bazaar cover.

“Welcome to my first issue as editor in chief of Harper’s Bazaar,” Nasr wrote to readers, as reported in fashionweekdaily.com. “This isn’t my first issue of Bazaar, though. I was a fashion editor at the magazine 20 years ago. My job was to edit and produce the shopping section of the magazine, and the section always opened with a model. Our bookings editor at the time told me that there was a new model who was ‘going to be a star.”

“A few days later, I styled Liya Kebede for the April 2001 issue, marking the first time she appeared in Bazaar, and the start of our friendship. In the years since, she has walked for every major designer and covered every major fashion magazine except this one. I’m thrilled that my first issue as editor in chief is also Kebede’s first cover for American Harper’s Bazaar, photographed in Paris by Christopher Anderson. The accompanying cover story by my fellow Montrealer Durga Chew-Bose unpacks Kebede’s decades-long career in an industry that has historically not made space for women of color and is often guilty of aging women out.”

Liya Kebede, 42, has had major contracts with Gucci, and Estee Lauder with major campaigns for Revlon, Yves Saint Laurent, Louis Vuitton, Dolce & Gabbana, Tommy Hilfiger, Escada, and Victoria’s Secret. She has appeared on the cover American, Japanese, Italian, French, and Spanish Vogue.

Image courtesy of netflix.com

Chanel gets a boost

The verdict is still out whether Netflix’s “Emily in Paris” is a great show or will evolve into a hit. However, the fashion in “Emily in Paris” is fueling interest in an iconic French fashion house, The House of Chanel.

According to online fashion shopping platform Stylight, they have seen an increase of 30% in global clicks to Chanel following the premiere of the show earlier in October. “Emily in Paris” follows the meandering of a young American woman in Paris as she attempts to navigate life in a foreign city while working at a prestigious French marketing firm.

“Emily in Paris” broke streaming records immediately after its premiere episode. The series also caused much consternation from cultural critics who were turned off by the series stereotypical portrayal of Parisians and French culture.

Iconic fashion designer Pat Fields serves as wardrobe manager for “Emily in Paris.” The series features several scene-stealing garments from recent Chanel collections.

Image courtesy of fashionnerwork.com

Asia’s biggest store

Zara has opened another store in China and this new store is the largest store in Asia. Last Friday, Zara opened a store that spread over 3,500 square meters across four floors. The megastore is located on the busy Wangfujing Street, one of the most famous shopping streets in Beijing.

This new megastore will integrate new technologies that reduce energy consumption by 20% and water usage by half. This new store also emphasizing design elements with smooth and circular shapes. There is so much space in this new store that the brand’s latest collections can be displayed, as well as standalone space for cosmetics, footwear and clothing personalization labs.

Interesting, Zara closed two stores in China in 2019 with the parent company, Inditex, announcing in June 2020 that they have plans to close 1200 Zara stores in Asia and Europe. Because of COVID-19, Zara experienced its first quarterly loss in the first quarter of 2020, reaching a 480-million-dollar loss because of the pandemic. Zara currently has 191 stores in China including the autonomous regions of Hong Kong and Macau.

—William S. Gooch

Fashion News Alert: Selena Gomez’s Fashion Film, Emily Ratajkowski’s New Job, and German Amazon Workers Strike on Prime Day

October 15, 2020 by Leave a Comment

Image courtesy of people.com

Pop star Selena Gomez has been cast in a new film. The horror film, “Dollhouse,” uses the fashion industry as its backdrop. Not only is Gomez starring in “Dollhouse,” she is also one of the producers.

“Selena’s involvement is an exciting direction for this project. She is supremely talented as both a star and a producer,” said STXfilms Motion Picture Group chairman Adam Fogelson, as reported in fashionweekdaily.com. “Teaming Selena with [co-producers] Shawn and Dan’s expertise in the horror-thriller genre will elevate Dollhouse and we couldn’t be more thrilled by the way this is being developed.”

Selena Gomez has been named one of TIME’s 100 most influential people of 2020 and has over 194 million followers on Instagram. No director has named for “Dollhouse.”

Image courtesy of REUTERS/Thilo Schmuelgen

Prime Day is not prime for Amazon workers

German trade union, Verdi, called on German Amazon works to strike on Amazon’s global Prime Day. Amazon’s Prime Day, which is traditionally held in July, is Amazon’s massive two days of sales. Prime Day took place this year on October 13 and October 14.

Verdi organized a two-day strike against Amazon in Germany is a part of their long battle—since 2013—in relation to what Verdi claims is Amazon’s low pay and bad working conditions. Germany is the biggest consumer of Amazon goods after the US.

News site Reveal released a report that states Amazon’s Prime Day is one of the most hazardous workdays for Amazon workers because of the increased sales and workers having to work harder to meet quotas.

Image courtesy ofwwd.com

Emily’s new gig

Supermodel Emily Ratajkowski has a new job, a big one. Ratajkowski has been named the creative director of Loops, an up-and-coming skincare brand. Loops specializes in beauty masks.

“Emily is a global icon and revered tastemaker,” said Loops co-founder Colin Peek in a release. “We couldn’t be more excited to partner together around a vision, a concept, that lifestyle beauty is simply how modern people take care of themselves today, how they look and feel their best.”

Ratajkowski duties as a partner and creative director will includes establishing Loops as a leader in skincare and helping develop content and skincare products. Loops, a New York City-based skincare company, launched in 2020 by Peek, Tushar Adya, and Aditya Julka. Loops is a skincare lifestyle brand that seeks to redefine daily skincare routines by introducing carefully formulating beauty masks with a range of benefits, from the anti-ageing “Weekly Reset,” to the detoxing “Clean Slate” and the moisturizing “Night Shift.”

—William S. Gooch

Fashion News Alert: June Ambrose’s New Gig, Nyle DiMarco’s “Deaf U,” and Kenzo Takada Transitions

October 7, 2020 by Leave a Comment

Image courtesy of fashionunited.com

June Ambrose has a new job. Consumers will probably know June Ambrose as the stylist to hip-hop royalty—Missy Elliot, and Jay Z, well as celebs Zoe Saldana, Kerry Washington, Mariah Carey, Mary J Blige, and Alicia Keys. Consumers may also know June Ambrose for her short-lived reality show “Styled by June.”

Well, June has a new job. June has formed a new creative partnership with Puma, designing the footwear brand’s women’s and girl’s line. The collaborative collection is aiming for a summer 2021 release.

“Beyond the collections, it’s important to me that the collaboration is rooted in social impact, and Pumas work in the social justice space to empower youth through sport makes them the perfect partner,” explained Ambrose in an article on fashionnetwork.com.

“Having the opportunity to bring an individual with such talent into the world of sports is unique and we are excited to see how she can redefine what it means to create a sportswear collection,” said Adam Petrick, Puma’s global director of brand and marketing. In 2020, Puma has landed several important collaborations with popular celebrities—Selena Gomez, Rihanna, and Kylie Jenner.

Image courtesy of pride.com

Nyle DiMarco puts on the producer’s hat

If you don’t know who Nyle DiMarco is, you should. First, Nyle was the winners of “America’s Next Top Model” cycle 22—he was also the first deaf model to win the reality model competition. And Nyle was the winner of season 22 “Dancing with the Stars.”

Besides modeling and acting, Nyle DiMarco is now branching into documentary production. “DEAF U” a new Netflix documentary, produced by DiMarco, centers on deaf students at Gallaudet University as they navigate life. Gallaudet University is a renown university for deaf students of which DiMarco is 2013 graduate.

“DEAF U” premieres on Netflix on Friday, October 9.

Image courtesy of wwd.com

A very important fashion designer bites the dust

The COVID-19 pandemic continues to wreak havoc on the fashion community. This time the COVID-19 casualty was iconic fashion designer Kenzo Takada.

Kenzo was a very important fashion designer in the Paris fashion world. He was the first Japanese fashion designer to establish himself in Paris.

Born in Hemeji, Japan, Kenzo came to Paris in 1965, and quickly established himself as a fashion force to be reckoned with. His first fashion line, Jungle Jap, helped Kenzo establish himself. Later in 1975, Kenzo merged Jungle Jap into his eponymous line which became extremely popular around the world. In 1983, Kenzo launched his menswear line.  Kenzo’s collections were known for their emphasis on graphic and floral prints.

Kenzo sold his eponymous line to LVMH in 1993 and resigned as creative director in 1999. At his death, Felipe Oliveira Baptista was serving as the creative director of the brand. In June of this year, the brand opened its first US store in the Soho district of New York City.

Kenzo Takada died from complications due to COVID-19 on Sunday in the American Hospital in Neuilly-sur-Seine five days at the brand presented its spring 2021 collection in Paris. He was 81 years old.

—William S. Gooch

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