Weekend Fashion News Alert: Gigi Hadid’s New Gig, Yves Saint Laurent Museum to Open in Marrakech, and Desigual Loses Lawsuit

May 29, 2016 by 1 Comment

 

Images courtesy of dubaiprnetwork.com

Images courtesy of dubaiprnetwork.com

Gigi Hadid already has a great relationship with Tommy Hilfiger. Since the beginning of the year she has been a brand ambassador for the brand. Now, Hadid will have her own capsule collection with the brand come this fall.

GigiXTommy will be a capsule collaboration between Hadid and Tommy Hilfiger. Aimed at “Millenials,”  Tommy Hilfiger is anticipating that this collaboration will help the brand’s sagging retail sales.

GigiXTommy will be available at the Tommy Hilfiger stores and retailers on September 1, as well as Amazon and Revolve websites.

Image courtesy of zimbio.com

Image courtesy of zimbio.com

Where is my commission?

Not getting up for less than $10,000 a day no longer applies for most models in the fashion industry. However, top models still make a lot of money walking runways and booking brand campaigns. Adriana Lima is one of those supermodels that still make a lot of money and so does her model management company.

For Desigual’s spring 2015 runway show and campaign Adriana Lima was the top attraction. The brand booked Lima directly through her agent Chris Gay. However, the top model’s model management company, SS&M was not paid their 10% commission fee. SS&M contends that Desigual went directly to Lima’s agent to avoid paying the commission.

A Spanish court has now ruled that Desigual must pay SS&M the 10% commission which amounts to 106,000 euros. Desigual plans to appeal the decision. Desigual is based in Madrid.

Image courtesy of stoneandstrand.com

Image courtesy of stoneandstrand.com

North Africa honors YSL

Most people are not aware that iconic fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent was born in North Africa, in a French community in Algeria.  Pierre Berge, YSL’s former CEO is changing all that with a museum honoring Yves Saint Laurent slanted to open in Marrakech, Morocco where Saint Laurent once had a home.

Since Saint Laurent’s death 10 years ago, Berge has worked hard to maintain the designer’s legacy. The 43,060-square-foot museum in Marrakech will house over 5,000 articles of clothing and 15,000 haute couture accessories.

The facility will also include a 130-seat auditorium, a restaurant, a gift shop, and an accompanying research library with access to over 5,000 books. The museum will be built next to the Jardin Majorelle, a botanical garden in the Moroccan city’s center.

—William S. Gooch

Fashion News Alert: Whoopi’s Transgender Model Reality Show, Michael Kors’ Bag Returns, and D&G Rejects ‘See Now, Buy Now’

May 25, 2016 by Leave a Comment
Image courtesy of ew.com

Image courtesy of ew.com

On Monday, it was announced that Whoopi Goldberg will executive produce a reality show about a transgender modeling agency to premiere on the Oxygen network in the fall. “Strut” will center on transgender models from Slay Model Management—the first exclusively transgender modeling agency—as they attempt to forge a path for themselves in the fashion industry.

“Strut follows a group of inspiring and resilient trailblazers who are working to change the modeling industry, and the world around them, by simply being true to themselves,” Rod Aissa, executive vice president of original programming and development at Oxygen Media, said in a statement. “These individuals will empower viewers as they live their lives fully and unapologetically, despite facing many obstacles throughout their journey,” in a recent eonline.com article.

This groundbreaking reality television show follows on the heels of the successful modeling career of Carmen Carrera, a former contestant on “Rupaul’s Drag Race” who later transitioned to a transgender woman. Carmen Carrera is signed to Elite Model Management.

d and g bio

‘See now, buy now’ no way

Stefano Dolce and Dominico Gabbana (D&G) have always been very opinionated. However, their opinions about the new fashion business model ‘See Now, Buy Now’ has never been expressed more strongly than when they addressed the British media during London’s Vogue Festival on Sunday.

“Designers continue to work on a collection, and to change details, up to the last minute before the show. With ‘see now, buy now’, we would not be able to do this. A show remains a promotional event, in which we can excite the audience,” explained Stefano Gabbana, while Domenico Dolce added: “If you adopt a ‘see now, buy now’ approach, you have to design clothes five months in advance. There is no creativity any longer, only trade.”

While designers such as Alexander Wang, Mara Hoffman, Monique Lhuillier, and other American ready-to-wear designers are adopting this new retail business model, Dolce & Gabbana are adding their voice to a growing number of European designers who feel that the ‘See Now, Buy’ business model would be anathema to their creative process.

Image courtesy of pinterest.com

Image courtesy of pinterest.com

Bag return

Nordstrom’s has dropped Michael Kors’ handbags from the majority of its stores. The reason for the discontinuation was an overwhelming amount of returns.

“We heard from a few managers that more stores would be phasing the brand out by the end of the year because of waning interest from customers, as well as Macy’s constant discounting of Kors’ product,” wrote analysts from Wedbush, a financial services company. Other sources contend that the discontinuation is due to a bad craftsmanship.

Some stores have replaced Michael Kors’ bags with handbags from Kate Spade and Coach, while other major department store retailers are shrinking their handbag departments.

“Although the move will have some sales implications for Michael Kors, we feel the bigger takeaway is that the brand equity continues to wane and it will be difficult to maintain an aspirational image without Nordstrom,” the Wedbush wrote.

—William S. Gooch

 

 

 

Weekend Fashion News Alert: Cannes Shocked by “Neon Demon,” GAP Closes 75 Stores, and Kobe Bryant Teams with Hublot

May 21, 2016 by Leave a Comment
Image courtesy of Hublot

Image courtesy of Hublot

Kobe Bryant pairs up again with Swiss watch retailer Hublot for their new limited edition ‘Classic Fusion Kobe Bryant HeroVillain’. “The Classic Fusion Kobe Bryant HeroVillain symbolizes my life as a HeroVillain during my 20-year basketball career, as I strive to channel my fears and doubts into strength and determination,” said Bryant at the watch’s launch party in a recent fashionmag.com article.

The Classic Fusion Kobe Bryant HeroVillan watch features a black snake applique in a nod to his nickname “Black Mamba.” The sapphire case-back features a printed “KOB16” logo, and each piece is engraved with its special edition number, ranging from one to 24, as only 24 models will be created.

The Classic Fusion Kobe Bryant HeroVillain is available exclusively at Hublot’s brand new Beverly Hills Boutique.

Image courtesy of allcitymedia.com

Image courtesy of allcitymedia.com

“Neon Demon” causes Cannes stir

Nicolas Winding Refn’s “Neon Demon” shocked Cannes Film Festival audiences.  “Neon Demon” stars Elle Fanning and examines the fashion industry obsession with beauty and what women will do to achieve current beauty standards.

Fanning’s character, Jesse, rises to the top of the modeling industry very quickly. Her natural beauty rouses more established models’ jealousy, eventually causing Jesse’s death by cannibalism.

Cannes’ audiences booed and shouted during the “Neon Demon” premiere. And the Hollywood Reporter deemed “Neon Demon,” stultifyingly vapid, ponderously paced allegorical critique of the modeling world whose seethingly jealous inhabitants can’t wait to literally chew each other up and spit each other out”.

Image courtesy of thecrazycouponlady.com

Image courtesy of thecrazycouponlady.com

Gap, Inc. shutters stores

Gap, Inc. announced it is shuttering 75 of its Banana Republic and Old Navy stores outside of North America. The shutting down of stores includes all 53 Old Navy stores in Japan.

All of this comes on the heels of annualized sales loss of $250 million dollars in 2015. And as reported in fashionmag.com, as of May 6, net sales were down 6 percent at $3.44 billion.

Gap, Inc. stated that, “Old Navy’s near-term growth ambitions will be anchored in North America, including its most recent debut of company-operated stores in Mexico, as well as China and its global franchise operations.” And “Old Navy’s near-term growth ambitions will be anchored in North America, including its most recent debut of company-operated stores in Mexico, as well as China and its global franchise operations.”

In the past few years Gap, Inc. stores have faced more competition for mega retail stores H&M, Zara, and Forever 21.

—William S. Gooch

 

 

Weekend Fashion News Alert: Calvin Klein Underwear Controversy, Julia Roberts Goes Slipper-less, Cannes’ Yellow Obsession, and a Tough Week for Fashion Retailers

May 14, 2016 by 1 Comment
Image courtesy of Calvin/fashionmag.com

Image courtesy of Calvin/fashionmag.com

Calvin Klein has been in the news a lot lately. A few weeks ago it was announced that long-time creative director Francisco Costa was leaving, and this week the brand was in the news for too much exposure; exposure of the intimates kind, that is.

The controversy in question is an image from the current underwear campaign taken from underneath the model’s skirt. The ad campaign is entitled “I flash in #my calvins.”

This new Calvin Klein underwear ad has caused a lot of outrage with the New York Post declaring, ”Calvin Klein is marketing to perverts.” And the National Center on Sexual Exploitation has launched a petition against Calvin Klein, calling on the brand to “stop normalizing and glamorizing sexual harassment.”

But this is not the first time the brand has caused controversy with its sexy underwear ad campaigns. For those old enough to remember in 1981 Brooke Shields exclaimed, “You want to know what comes between me and my Calvins? Nothing.”

Image courtesy of AFP/Anne-Christine Poujoulat

Image courtesy of AFP/Anne-Christine Poujoulat

Julia has no shoes

Appearing without shoes is not new for Julia Roberts. She has gone ‘slipper-less’ at various awards ceremonies and even at her own wedding to Lyle Lovett. However, fashion pundits and entertainment writers’ tongues really started to wag as Roberts walked the red carpet of her film, “Monster Madness” premiering at the 2016 Cannes Film Festival in a black Armani gown without shoes.

The Cannes Film Festival is strict with its red carpet protocol demanding couture gowns and high heels. Vanity Fair declared he ‘slipper-less” act a “blatant act of fashion rebellion.” While the French magazine L’Express Friday called Robert’s move a “veritable act of militant feminism” and the French edition of Gala celebrity magazine said she had “dared the unthinkable.”

In recent years, red-carpet attendees have been opting for flats over high heels with Susan Sarandon this year donning a suit and flats.

Amal Clooney image at the 2016 Cannes Film Festival courtesy of yahoo.com

Amal Clooney image at the 2016 Cannes Film Festival courtesy of yahoo.com

Yellow trumps black

Is yellow the new black? Well, if you are at the Cannes Film Festival it certainly is!!

Many actresses are turning heads at the Cannes Film Festival by wearing lots of shades of yellow on red carpets, panel discussions, and photo ops. Amal Clooney stunned in lemon chiffon one-shoulder, Atelier Versace gown on Thursday. Stella McCartney ruled the day when Anna Kendrick donned a bright canary yellow spaghetti strap dress during a Cannes photo op. And Kirsten Dunst looked appropriately chic in a simple Dior yellow shirtdress at the Cannes Festival’s jury photocall.

Now, the big question is has yellow replace black? Hmm, maybe this season!!

Image courtesy of wikipedia.com

Image courtesy of wikipedia.com

Retail quarterly decline

Dismal quarterly reports from J.C. Penny’s and Nordstrom’s contributed to US stocks sharp decline on Friday. As reported by fashionmag.com, Nordstrom slumped 13.42 percent and J.C. Penney Co Inc lost 2.82 percent. Dillard’s Inc, which gave a quarterly report that also disappointed Wall Street, fell 1.29 percent. And on Wednesday, Macy’s poor quarterly report triggered a selloff in U.S. retailers. It lost 17 percent for the week after gaining 1 cent on Friday to $31.22.

Many department store retailers contribute their quarterly decline in sales to the boom of online shopping. This boom in online shopping is also causing many brick and mortar stores to close chains in cities where sales are down.

—William S. Gooch

 

Weekend Fashion News Alert: Hedi Slimane Denies Rumors, Jeremy Scott Signs with WME-IMG, Stella McCartney Launches Menswear, and Aeropostale Files for Bankruptcy

May 7, 2016 by Leave a Comment
Image courtesy of fashionweekonline.com

Image courtesy of fashionweekonline.com

Jeremy Scott recently had two announcements. First, it was announced that Scott is showcasing both Moschino’s men’s and women’s Resort 2017 collections in Los Angeles where Scott currently resides. The next announcement was Scott signing with WME-IMG, the man force behind New York Fashion Week: The Shows.

Jeremy Scott’s eponymous brand is one of the must-see shows during New York Fashion Week: The Show. By representing Scott, who has a huge celebrity and fashionista following, WME-IMG can help Scott further solidify his deep roots in celebrity culture and become more of a household name.

Image courtesy of fashionweekdaily.com

Image courtesy of fashionweekdaily.com

No namesake brand for Hedi

Though rumors have been circulating for months in fashion circles that Hedi Slimane left Saint Laurent to launch his own fashion company, Slimane, through his attorneys, has squashed all the rumors.

“For the record, Hedi Slimane has never had in the past, let alone now, the intention or desire to launch a brand under his name, and therefore denies recent rumors of alleged encounters with investors, in Paris or in Doha, where he has in fact never been,” explained Slimane’s lawyer Herve Temime. It was projected that Slimane was in Doha looking for investors.

Image courtesy of thetrendler.com

Stella McCartney spring 2016 image scourtesy of thetrendler.com

Stella McCartney will unveil her first ever menswear collection in June at the brand’s showroom in Paris for a select group of buyers. McCartney’s spring 2017 menswear collection is the recent expansion of the brand that includes accessories, a children’s line, lingerie and soon to launch swimwear line.

Launched in 2001 as a joint venture with Keurig, McCartney’s new swimwear line will be produced under licence by New Zealand group, Bendon.

aeropostale_01

Aeropostale’s business woes

On Wednesday Aeropostale filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. In its filing in a New York court, the company confirmed that has $390 million dollars in US debt and its assets are worth around $ 354 million US dollars.

Aeropostale has shut down 154 stores in total—113 in U.S. and 41 in Canada. It had around 800 stores and more than 14,500 staff across in the US, in addition to Canada and Puerto Rico. Liquation sales began on May 7 in the US and May 9 in Canada.

The company has received $160 million dollars in bankruptcy financing from Crystal Financing LLC. On April 22 Aeropostale was delisted by the NYSE due to an abnormally low trading price and was suspended from trading its commons shares.

—William S. Gooch

Weekend Fashion News Alert: Rachel Roy Breathes New Life into E-Commerce Site, Alber Elbaz Dismissed, Kanye Launches Pastelle, and Grace Coddington Joins Tiffany & Co.

April 30, 2016 by Leave a Comment
Image courtesy of fashionunited.com

Image courtesy of fashionunited.com

Business comes first for Rachel Roy. Amid speculation that “Becky with the good hair” reference in Beyonce’s “Lemonade” video poem refers to Rachel Roy and all the social media brouhaha, it’s business as usual for Rachel Roy.

Early this week, Roy quietly re-launched her e-commerce site. Put on hold since 2014 because of financial and creative issues with The Jones Group, which previously owned Rachel Roy’s brand, the newly re-launched e-commerce site is mobile responsive and provides direct-to-consumer services for her Curvy and Rachel Rachel Roy collections.

Perhaps all the media speculation of Rachel Roy continued romantic relationship with Jay-Z could drive traffic to the e-commerce site.  As it is often said, better to have tongues wagging than have no tongues wagging at all!!

Image courtesy of marieclaire.it

Image courtesy of marieclaire.it

Alber Elbaz removed

The Lanvin/Alber Elbaz controversy continues. Lanvin’s board of directors on Monday voted to remove Alber Elbaz from its board of directors.

Last October, Elbaz was ousted from his post as artistic director and replaced by Bouchra Jarrar. Amid much protest from Lanvin’s staffers, the French fashion community and a lawsuit brought by Elbaz supporters, Elbaz was not reinstated.

This latest chapter is a part of the continuing saga at one of France’s oldest and esteemed couture houses. Jarrar will debut her inaugural collection for the House of Lanvin for the spring/summer 2017season.

Pastelle 2008 American Music Awards image courtesy of fashionmag.com

Pastelle 2008 American Music Awards image courtesy of fashionmag.com

Another plus for Kanye

It is about time!! Kanye West’s fashion line is about to officially launch. Before Kanye collaborated with Adidas on Yeezy Boost, Kanye had given audiences and consumers a sneak peak at Pastelle during the 2008 American Music Awards and other media opportunities, but nothing came of the fashion project.

According to social media posts, after more than eight years, Pastelle will make an official appearance on May 14. Stylist Ian Connor will be at the helm of Pastelle. Long associated with Kanye West, Connor has modeled for three seasons for West’s Yeezy.

Originally inspired by Japanese and American street wear, Connors will focus Pastelle on American vintage sportswear.

Image courtesy of fashionweek.com

Image courtesy of fashionweek.com

Grace’s new gig

Grace Coddington has a new job. Since leaving her twenty-year plus post at American Vogue as creative director earlier in the year, Coddington was recently pegged to be Tiffany & Co. first outside creative director.

“Tiffany—and its famed Blue Box—has always held special meaning for me. To me, this is not just an ad campaign, but an opportunity to portray a legendary house of luxury through modern portraits of uniquely talented subjects. Each perfectly reflects, in her own way, Tiffany’s most iconic collections,” Coddington told WWD.

Coddington is directing Tiffany & Co.’s fall campaigns that will appear in September issues of fashion and lifestyle publications, as well as the brand’s digital and social media campaigns.

—William S. Gooch

Weekend Fashion News Alert: Did Beyonce Call Out Rachel Roy?, Karlie Kloss Makes Time Top 100, Hardwick Clothes Chosen to Dress NBC Olympics Studio Hosts, and Barbie Launches You Can Be Anything Campaign

April 24, 2016 by Leave a Comment

 

Image courtesy of ew.com

Image courtesy of ew.com

This has been a fashion weekend of callouts and questions. With the long-awaited release of Beyonce’s video poem“Lemonade” on HBO over the weekend, Beyonce’s “Lemonade” speaks of a woman who is self-identified and is “not to be messed with.” There are references to the Black Lives Matter movement, female empowerment and well as some inferences of marital strife.

The infidelity inferences expressed in the “Apathy” portion of the video poem with somewhat cryptic lyrics that tell the cheater “ashes to ashes, dust to side chicks … he better call Becky with good hair,” has caused some cultural pundits and Beehive fans to conclude that paramour in question is fashion designer Rachel Roy. To make matters worse, Rachel Roy posted on Instagram immediately after the “Lemonade” HBO special, “Good hair don’t care, but we will take good lighting, for selfies, or self truths, always live in the light.”

Cultural pundits and Beehive fans blew up social media over Rachel Roy’s Instagram comments, with some mistakenly placing nasty comments on cooking host Rachel Ray’s Twitter and Instagram pages. Remember, at the 2014 Met Gala, Solange Knowles had a confrontation with Rachel Roy that resulted in harsh words and a videotaped fight with Jay Z later in the evening.

Did Beyonce call out Rachel Roy? Hmm, you decide!!

Image courtesy of elle.co.uk

Image courtesy of elle.co.uk

Influential Karlie

What does it take to make Time magazine’s top 100 influential list? Well, if you are Karlie Kloss, apparently it takes beauty, several brand campaigns, and supermodel status.

The list was released on April 21st, and Karlie Kloss is in the ‘Titan’ category. Coincidentally, she is very good company. Kloss’ 2016 co-Titans include Nicki Minaj, basketball player Stephen Curry, Pope Francis, Apple’s boss Tim Cook, Academy Award winner director Alejandro Gonzalez Iñarritu, Chinese fashion designer Guo Pei.

 

Image courtesy of jigamaree.com

Image courtesy of jigamaree.com

Barbie’s career ambitions

Do you think you can be anything you want to be? Well, Barbie believes you can. On April 28th, for the ‘Take Your Daughters and Sons to Work’ Day Barbie launches ‘Be Anything You Want To Be’ campaign in Canada.

From April 28 to May 2, Barbie is encouraging families in Canada to share photos of their Barbie fans living out their career ambitions by using the hashtag #Youcanbeanything. Canadian girls can upload a photo of their #YouCanBeAnything girl in her career of choice to the You Can Be Anything event page.

“Barbie has always aimed to show young girls that they can be anything they can imagine from movie star to doctor. She’s always been a role model in being true to herself and making possibilities come to life, and to a child, that’s everything,” says Akram Sharkawy, Brand Communications Marketing Manager, Mattel Canada Inc, in a news statement.

Image courtesy of nbc.com

Image courtesy of nbc.com

Looking good, Olympic style

Do you want your hosts for the upcoming Summer Olympics in Rio to look stylish? Well, NBC Olympics has come up with a solution. Hardwick Clothes, the oldest tailored clothing brand in the US, has been chosen to dress the studio hosts of NBC Olympics.

Though Hardwick Clothes is not necessarily a household name, Hardwick Clothes has been in business since 1888 and is one of the few American brands that has its complete operations stateside, making its all it clothes in Cleveland, Tennessee. “As long as Hardwick clothes has been in business, we don’t have a lot of recognition on the consumer level. It’ll help reestablish Hardwick as a great American brand. It’s exposure to an audience that hasn’t heard of us before,” said Jake Cremer, Hardwick’s brand director in a fashionunited.com article.

Hardwick Clothes started working with NBC over a year and a half ago when the brand began providing clothes for NHL hosts and analysts. Later, Hardwick Clothes dressed Cris Collinsworth and Al Michaels for Sunday Night football programs.

—William S. Gooch

 

 

 

 

 

Breaking Fashion News: Francisco Costa Leaves Calvin Klein

April 19, 2016 by Leave a Comment
Image courtesy of CDN.com

Image courtesy of CDN.com

There are more unexpected departures in the fashion industry. With the departure of Hedi Slimane from Saint Laurent, Alber Elbaz for Balmain, and Donna Karan from eponymous brand, creative directors leaving esteemed, iconic brands seem to be the order of the day.

Add another name to the list of dramatic departures. Francisco Costa, creative director of the women’s wear division of the Calvin Klein Collection has stepped down. Italo Zuchelli, creative director of the menswear division of the Calvin Klein Collection has also departed.

For months rumors circulated that Raf Simons, former creative director of Dior, would take a top position at Calvin Klein; however, spokesmen for Calvin Klein denied the rumors. On the heels of Costa and Zuchelli departing the brand, it has been announced that Raf Simons will join the Calvin Klein Collection as sole creative director. The women’s wear and menswear division will merge into one collection as a part of the global evolution of the brand.

Image courtesy of ellecanada.com

Image courtesy of ellecanada.com

Francisco Costa has been a part of Calvin Klein since 2003 and was instrumental in making the brand a red-carpet favorite among celebrities. Before his tenure at Calvin Klein Costa worked for Oscar de la Renta and Gucci under Tom Ford. In 2006, Costa won a CFDA award for Women’s Wear of the Year.

—Staff

Weekend Fashion News Alert: Victoria Beckham’s Makeup Line, Sarah Hyland’s New Gig, Elie Saab’s New Bridal Line, and Tommy Hilfiger Joins “Buy Now, See Now” Business Model

April 17, 2016 by Leave a Comment

 

Image courtesy of telegrah.co.uk

Image courtesy of telegrah.co.uk

Victoria Beckham partners with Estee Lauder to launch a signature cosmetics line.

According to vogue.com, Beckham’s new signature cosmetics line, Victoria Beckham Estee Lauder, will appeal to a wide demographic of women. Victoria Beckham Estee Lauder will project everyday wearability, refined hues, and effective color palettes. Victoria Beckham Estee Lauder is expected to go on sale in September.

Image courtesy of Elie Saab

Image courtesy of Elie Saab

Elie Saab’s ready-to-wear bridal

As New York International Bridal Week continues in New York City, Lebanese couturier Elie Saab announced that he is launching his first ready-to-wear bridal collection. The couture house’s first ready-to-wear bridal collection, Elie Saab Bridal” will contain 25 gowns and will focus on “style evolution” and “feminine and daring silhouettes.”

According to fashionunited.com the ready-to-wear bridal gowns will contain Saab’s signature design aesthetic of feathers, dotted tulle, silk chiffon and lace are represented throughout the collection, as well as ballet-inspired flat slippers, Swarovski crystal headbands, matching veils and embellished clutches to complete the whole bridal look.

Elie Saab Bridal will be available in Elie Saab stores in Paris, Beirut, Dubai, Hong Kong and Harrods store locations, with the entire collection expected to hit stores in October 2016. Bridal gowns retail price point start at 5,500 euros.

Image courtesy of imbd.com

Image courtesy of imbd.com

Hyland directs Candies

“Modern Family” star Sarah Hyland has been named creative director and the new face of Candie’s. Hyland will front the spring 2017and fall 2016 campaigns for the brand and as creative director lend her direction and ideas to the spring 2017 campaign.

“Expect color, expect prints, little fun details that will heighten a simple outfit because a lot of the time less is more. Nothing crazy busy and it has to be the right print,” says Hyland in a fashionmag.com article.

Candie’s is sold exclusively at Kohl’s stores throughout the US and at Kohls online. The Candie’s collection retails from $30 to $60.

Tommy Hilfiger spring 2016 images courtesy of zimbio.com

Tommy Hilfiger spring 2016 images courtesy of zimbio.com

Hilfiger joins “See Now, Buy Now”

The “See Now, Buy Now” movement is gathering steam. And Tommy Hilfiger has joined the small cadre of designers who are supporting this new business model.

Hilfiger is expected to sign and e-commerce deal that will allow consumers to purchase garments immediately after his runway shows. “We are negotiating a deal with a very big internet retailer—a global e-commerce partnership to ensure catwalk looks can be delivered to customers straight off runway,” said Hilfiger at the 10th annual World Retail Congress in Dubai.

“Think ahead of what the consumer wants, surprise them, think of what they want next. Young consumers today are directing us towards what they want, which is speed to market … they want fashion today, they don’t wanna wait,” continues Hilfiger.

This decision by Hilfiger and many other American designers comes on the heels of a recent survey sponsored by the CFDA and The Boston Consulting Group that examined the future of fashion weeks.

—William S. Gooch

Weekend Fashion News Alert: Beyonce’s Fraud Claim, Vivienne Westwood’s New Bio Book, Naomi Campbell’s New Tome, and Gucci Ad Banned

April 10, 2016 by 1 Comment
Image courtesy of youtube.com

Image courtesy of youtube.com

Vivienne Westwood, or should I say Dame Vivienne Westwood, has a book in the works. The book, “Get a Life” is a collection of diary entries that covers Westwood interest in fashion, the environment, politics, and well, just life.

“My diaries are about the things I care about. Not just fashion but art and writing, human rights, climate change, freedom”, Vivienne Westwood said. “I call the diaries “Get a Life” as that’s how I feel: you’ve got to get involved, speak out and take action.”

“Vivienne Westwood is someone who says exactly what she thinks—all the time. That’s what makes her diaries so compelling. You never know what she’ll be writing about nor what she’ll choose to say about it,” detailed Mark Ellingham, publisher at Profile Books and Serpent’s Tail in a recent fashionmag.com.

“Get a Life” will be available on October 16, 2016.

Image courtesy of etsy.com

Image courtesy of etsy.com

Word play

Imitation is the highest form of flattery. Well, not necessarily, especially if a brand is reaping financial profits from a word play on a brand name.

Popstar extraordinaire Beyonce has filed a claim in a Manhattan federal court over a Texas company, Feyonce, which sells products using a play on her name. The said company sells a mug for $14.95 with the phrase  “he put a ring on it” emblazoned on the mug from Beyonce’s “Single Ladies” album, as well as dozens of sweatshirts, hoodies, and a sundry product using the name Feyonce.

As reported in Reuters, the lawsuit claims “defendants’ conduct described herein is intentional, fraudulent, malicious, willful and wanton.” The lawsuit also contends that the unlawful use of a word play on Beyonce’s name confuses consumers and causes her irreparable harm.

The lawsuit asks owners of Feyonce to ceases uses a play on defendant’s name and has asked for unspecified damages.

Image courtesy of rushincrash.com

Image courtesy of rushincrash.com

Naomi in two volumes

Speaking of fashion books, Supermodel Naomi Campbell celebrates her illustrious fashion career in a two-volume collector’s edition book. “Naomi Campbell The Art of Beauty,” chronicles Campbell’s 29 years in the fashion industry.

From her start in the industry at the age of fifteen to being the first black model on the cover of French Vogue and Time magazine, Naomi Campbell has become one of the most recognizable names in the fashion industry. Volume 1 of “Naomi Campbell The Art of Beauty,” contains a collection of images photographed by Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott, Richard Avedon, Anton Corbijn, Patrick Demarchelier, Helmut Newton, Herb Ritts, Mario Testino, Ellen von Unwerth, and Bruce Weber. Volume 2 focuses on Naomi’s autobiography, illustrated by magazine covers, ads, never-before-seen personal snapshots, video stills, and more.

“The book is a culmination of my life’s work. It includes all that I’ve done in the fashion business for the past 29½ years. The book is a timeline of my career, and has allowed me to remember and give credit to all the wonderful people I’ve had the pleasure of working with over the years,” states Campbell. “Naomi Campbell The Art of Beauty,” is published by Benedikt Taschen and available now.

Image courtesy of huffingtonpost.com

Image courtesy of huffingtonpost.com

Too skinny

When is model thin too thin? Well, in Great Britain too thin is the current Gucci 2016 Cruise campaign. And Great Britain wants the ad banned for its too thin model.

This is not the first time the land of shepherd’s pie and Big Ben has wanted fashion ads banned that featured ultra thin models.  Britain’s Advertising Standard Authority (ASA) has banned fashion ads with super skinny models.

In case of the Gucci 2016 Cruise campaign, the ASA felt that the model’s body “appeared to be out of proportion with her head and lower body” and that keeping the model in the fashion ad would be “irresponsible.” The ASA requested that Gucci remove the model from the campaign and accompanying video.

Gucci responded to the ASA complaint by stating that the ad was “aimed at an older, sophisticated audience” and that they did not believe that the models in the campaign appeared unhealthy. Still, Gucci has removed the very thin model for its 2016 Cruise campaign. All these complaints are happening in the wake of France banning model management companies from using models whose weight fell below a certain body index.

—William S. Gooch

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