Fashion News Alert: BCBG Manager Disses Lesbians, Jeremy Scott Redesigns MTV Statuette, Ja Rule’s Latest Collaboration, and Bye Bye American Apparel?

August 18, 2015 by 1 Comment
Image courtesy of lafashionjudge.com

Image courtesy of lafashionjudge.com

Talk about saying the wrong thing at the wrong time. Well, that is what happened when Patrick Couderc, the UK managing director of the fashion line owned by the BCBG Max Azria Group, told the UK’s Daily Mail that lesbians and plus-size women shouldn’t wear the brand’s iconic bandage dress.

“If you’re a committed lesbian and you are wearing trousers all your life, you won’t want to buy a Leger dress,” Couderc claimed. “Lesbians would want to be rather butch and leisurely.”

The Huffington Post got a statement from a representative of the BCBG Max Azria Group. “The Herve Leger by Max Azria brand and its parent company, BCBGMAXAZRIA Group, are shocked and appalled by Patrick Couderc’s comments made in the Mail on Sunday. BCBGMAXAZRIA Group is working in concert with MJH Fashion, the London-based licensee of the Herve Leger brand, to investigate and establish appropriate next steps. The statements made by Mr. Couderc are not a reflection of Herve Leger by Max Azria or MJH Fashion ideals or sentiments. The Herve Leger by Max Azria brand celebrates sensuality, glamour and feminitity without discrimination.

Subsequently, Couderc was released from his post. Oh well, loose lips sink ships!!

Image courtesy of fashionmag.com

Image courtesy of fashionmag.com

Ja Rule rules

The celebrity fashion collaborations continue. This time the collaboration is between footwear megabrand Steve Madden and rapper Ja Rule.

Monday Steve Madden launched an exclusive collaboration with Ja Rule. The Maven x Madden pre-fall 2015 collaboration features dress shoes, sneakers and ‘motorcycle-style kicks’ in nappa and nubuck leather and suede.

“I wanted to partner with Steve to create a line that was both stylish and affordable,” said Ja Rule in a fashionmag.com article. “I love all the styles, but my favorites, I would have to say, are the high-top nubuck sneaker, the brush-off chelsea boot. The Maven motorcycle-style boot is something different from anything out there.”

Price points for the Maven x Madden collaboration range between $145 and $195 and will be available at select Steve Madden locations, the Steve Madden website, Macy’s, Dillard’s, and other specialty retailers.

Jeremy_Scott_MTV_Statuette_Capture_D'ecran MTV

Image courtesy of Capture D’ecran MTV

MTV’s ‘Moon Man’ reimagined

Add another jewel to Jeremy Scott’s crown. MTV wanted a new version of their ‘Moon Man’ statuette, so they turned to the prolific Jeremy Scott to get the job done. (I had no problem with the old ‘Moon Man’ statuette.)

The new design is a combination of Scott’s style with the new ‘Moon Man’ adorned in an oversized peace sign necklace, as well as the television color bars of the MTV flag. MTV will debut this new statuette on August 30 at the MTV Awards hosted my Miley Cyrus.

Image courtesy of perezhilton.com

Image courtesy of perezhilton.com

American Apparel slump

With shares down 87 % and a loss of 19.4 million in the first quarter, it may be hit the road Jack for American Apparel.

Know for its fair wages, benefits, made-in-the-USA stamp, and its sexually explicit ad campaigns, American Apparel in the last few years has not been able to stave off American consumers’ increased appetite for cheap clothes. Although the brand is recognized for its quality sweaters, they could not keep up with the proliferation of brands that make disposable fashion that satisfies consumers taste for very inexpensive clothes.

A brand representative recently informed Fortune magazine that the company has “substantial doubt that we may be able to continue” or that they have “sufficient liquidity necessary to sustain operations for the next 12 months.” Hmm, looks like bankruptcy might be on the horizon!!

—William S. Gooch

 

 

Weekend Fashion News Alert: Madonna’s World Tour Designers, “Star Wars” Teams Up with Cosmetics Brands, Olsen Twins Sued, Down Syndrome Model Walks in NYFW, and German Luxury Brands’ Woes

August 15, 2015 by Leave a Comment
Image courtesy of radioandmusic.com

Image courtesy of radioandmusic.com

When Madonna opens her world tour in Montreal on September 9 she will be wearing designer togs from the likes of Alessandro Michele, Creative Director of Gucci, Moschino’s Creative Director Jeremy Scott and Alexander Wang. Madonna’s upcoming “Rebel Heart” seems to be moving forward without stage costumes from the “Material Girl’s” decade-long collaborator Donatella Versace. This announcement caused tongues to wag on social media.

Madonna’s Rebel Heart tour starts in Montreal, Canada and ends on March 27 in Brisbane, Australia.

Image courtesy of blondehairdontcare.com

Image courtesy of blondehairdontcare.com

Intern power

Forty past and present interns have filed a class-action lawsuit against Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen for failure to compensate them for their work for the Olsen’s fashion brand, The Row. Dualstar Entertainment Group, the multimillion-dollar business headed by Mary-Kate and Ashley, owns The Row.

The lawsuit contends that interns worked full-time hours in jobs that workers at The Row were financially compensated for. The lawsuit also contends interns also did not receive academic or vocational credit for the work that they did.

“She was very demanding,” Shahista Lalani, a former design intern, told Page Six. “I was doing the work of three interns. I was talking to her all day, all night. Emails at nighttime for the next day, like 10 p.m. at night.” Lalani maintains that she sometimes worked 50-hour workweeks for no pay.

“As an initial matter, Dualstar is an organization that is committed to treating all individuals fairly and in accordance with all applicable laws. The allegations in the complaint filed against Dualstar are groundless, and Dualstar will vigorously defend itself against plaintiff’s claims in court, not before the media. Dualstar is confident that once the true facts of this case are revealed, the lawsuit will be dismissed in its entirety,” explained a spokeswoman for Dualstar.

Image courtesy of fashionmag.com

Image courtesy of fashionmag.com

Star Wars glam

Max Factor and Covergirl have gotten into the “Star Wars” game. To promote the new “Star Wars” film, “Star Wars: The Force Awakens“, due to open on December 18, both brands, as well as, five others household brands have teamed up with the Star Wars franchise. Superstar makeup artist, Pat McGrath and Proctor and Gamble Global Creative Director, has created two looks that will appear on the poster campaign.

Campaign images for the film were released on Thursday with makeup looks inspired by the film’s iconic characters, Droid and Stormtrooper, In September a product line will be released with a branded makeup collection that will include lipstick colors, mascara and nail polish.

The product line will hit the US market in mid-September, while limited edition items will be available at Max Factor in Europe, Asia and the United Arab Emirates from November.

Image courtesy of dailymail.co.uk

Image courtesy of dailymail.co.uk

A down under triumph

New York Fashion Week (NYFW) is trying to be more inclusive this season. And there is no better evidence of this inclusion than having Australian model Madeline Stuart model for the NYFW spring/summer 2016 collections. Madeline Stuart has Down syndrome.

“When we were asked to do New York Fashion Week, it didn’t surpriseme,” said her mother, Rosanne Stuart, in an interview with Cosmopolitan. “I don’t think anything really surprises me anymore. She’s been asked to do a lot of stuff and I was hoping to she’d get asked to do NYFW but I assumed it would happen. I hope that doesn’t sound too pretentious.”

No, it doesn’t sound pretentious. Madeline will walk in NYFW on September 13 in the Moda show associated with the Christopher Reeves Foundation.

Image courtesy of reutersmedia.net

Image courtesy of reutersmedia.net

Hard times in Germany

Germany’s Luxury Brands are experiencing some difficult times these days. As most European luxury brands appear to be posting good results in spite of a flattened European market, Germany’s luxury brands seem to have hit a wall.

Some of the hard times may be due to staff turnover at some very important brands, but at the heart of the economic stalemates is Germany’s difficulty in keeping up the fast paced, ever-evolving fashion market. “It’s in the nature of fashion to be constantly moving. It’s not that [German] people are unaware of new trends or that there is a lack of creative potential. We have incredibly talented people in Germany”,” explained Anna Tillman, CEO of Premium.

Germany’s younger consumers are moving away from brick and mortar venues and shopping for luxury items on e-commerce sites like Munich-based mytheresa.com. And emerging German designers are experiencing difficulty getting traction in the industry because of quickly changing trends and a lack of financial resources and investors.

“Financial resources are very important for a major breakthrough but sometimes also a little bit of luck is needed,” says Mark Siever, partner at the accounting firm KPMG, as reported in fashionmag.com. Siever also contends that Germany also has a lack of visionaries who want to take on the challenge of breathing new life into a traditional name.”

—William S. Gooch

Fashion News Alert: Serena Williams’ Fall Fashion Cover, Jeremy Scott Sued, Misty Copeland’s Essence Cover, and Macy’s Gets into the NYFW Game

August 11, 2015 by Leave a Comment
Image courtesy of huffingtonpost.com

Image courtesy of huffingtonpost.com

If 21 Grand Slams was not enough, add the cover of New York Magazine’s Fall Fashion issue to Serena Williams’ list of accomplishments.

Williams is already becoming something of fashion icon with two Vogue covers and a clothing line at HSN. (Fashion Reverie personally witnessed Anna Wintour at Williams’ Serena Williams for HSN spring 2015 fashion show in NYC.)

Williams is serene and sculptural in a form-fitting Elizabeth and James dress with high slit. In the September issue Williams’ talks about racism, her record-breaking career and her close relationship with sister, Venus.

Now Serena, make it 22 Grand Slam wins by winning the US Open, and tie Steffi Graf. New York Magazine’s fall fashion issue hit stands on August 10.

Image courtesy of fashionmag.com

Image courtesy of fashionmag.com

Jeremy Scott’s legal issues

Is the world lawsuit happy? Well, maybe if you are rich and famous and have pockets deep enough for the plaintiff to get some big bucks out of the suit.

As Jeremy Scott’s fame continues to rise and his empire expands as the creative director of Moschino and his own eponymous brand, the legal issues start to ensue. The graffiti artist RIME last week issued a lawsuit against Scott for copyright infringement.

RIME’s complaint read, ““Moschino and Jeremy Scott—two household names in high-fashion—inexplicably placed RIME’s art on their highest-profile apparel without his knowledge or consent. The only person harmed was RIME. Not only was his art exploited by Defendants, but his credibility as a graffiti artist was compromised by inclusion in such a crass and commercial publicity stunt.”

“We were not aware that a lawsuit had been filed until yesterday. Many of the allegations, especially the inflammatory and gratuitous allegations of wrongdoing are false. We intend to vigorously defend the lawsuit. During the pendency of a lawsuit, it is our practice not to comment on the specific facts of an ongoing case,” said an official statement by Moschino on August 6.

The dress, or should I say gown, in question is the gown Katy Perry wore to the 2015 Met Costume Institute’s gala.

Misty continues to shine

Image courtesy of essencemag.com

Image courtesy of essencemag.com

Fashion Reverie would prefer to see more fashion models on the covers of magazine. However, when the celebrity in question is Misty Copeland, Fashion Reverie gives their nod of approval.

American Ballet Theatre’s (ABT) recently promoted principal Misty Copeland graces of the cover of Essence magazine’s September issue in a multi-colored paisley print ZIMMERMAN gown and flesh-colored pointe shows to match photographed by Denis Leupold. In the issue Copeland talks about her recent promotion to principal dancer status at ABT and what it took to make her dream a reality.

It was an easy decision for us to put Misty on the cover of our fashion issue. Not only is she gorgeous and a force to be reckoned with in the dance community, but she also realizes what this moment represents to so many,” Vanessa De Luca, the editor-in-chief of Essence, in a recent huffingtonpost.com article. “Her story of defeating the odds despite the challenges in front of her is an inspiration to us all—especially little girls who dream of becoming ballerinas when they grow up.”

Image courtesy of Getty Images

Image courtesy of Getty Images

Macy’s joins NYFW

Mega retail store Macy’s has decided to present fashion during the upcoming New York Fashion Week (NYFW). The production entitled “Macy’s Presents Fashion’s Front Row” will take place on the last day of NYFW, Thursday, September 17.

“We are thrilled to celebrate New York Fashion Week with a spectacular event that will bring the high-fashion runway closer to fans everywhere,” said Martine Reardon, Macy’s chief marketing officer. “Macy’s Presents Fashion’s Front Row will ignite the catwalk in a celebration of fashion and music, featuring the hottest styles for fall, as well as fantastic music and dance performances that make that elusive front row seat during Fashion Week a possibility for all.”

There will be special presentations from Heidi by Heidi Klum Intimates, Hello Kitty, I.N.C. International Concepts, Jessica Simpson, Levi’s, Ryan Seacrest Distinction, Thalia Sodi, Tommy Hilfiger, and others will hit the runway. Also, performances will be held, including a few by Nate Ruess of the Grammy Award-winning band, fun, performing songs from his debut solo album, “Grand Romantic.”

—William S. Gooch

Fashion News Alert: Jessica Alba Defends Sunscreen Company, Sears’ Sales Reach Three-Year Low, and Goodbye Arnold Scaasi

August 4, 2015 by Leave a Comment

Sears_01Once the largest retailer in the US due to revenue, Sears’ stores sales was down  in the second quarter. This downward trend sends the megastore’s shares down by 8 percent, resulting in a three-year low. For over 20 quarters, Sears has seen a precipitous drop in store sales.

Retailers have preferred to shop at Target and Walmart stores in recent years causing Sears to shrink operations, close stores, and exit underperforming categories. Still, same-stores sales fell 10.9 percent in the first quarter, the biggest decline in five years.

“[Sears] is flush with cash, but we expect that balance to be used to fund $1 billion plus of operating losses annually. [Sears’] “shrink to win” strategy is unlikely to result in positive cash flow, and in our view, a liquidity event is a matter of when, not if,” says Evercore ESI anyalist, Greg Melich.

As of Friday, July 31, Sears’ stock had fallen 28 percent for 2015.

Image courtesy of dailymail.co.uk

Image courtesy of dailymail.co.uk

Stand by your brand

Loyalty is a noun that Jessica Alba understands.  In spite of photos of sunburned  heads, backs and chests posted on Twitter over the last couple days, Jessica Alba is defending her Honest Company’s sunscreen.

“Our sunscreen lotion was tested, by an independent third-party, against the protocols prescribed by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration’s (FDA) monograph for over-the-counter sunscreen products. The results showed that our product is effective and safe for use …,” the company said as reported in a recent fashionmag.com article

An investigation by NBC Chicago revealed that while most sunscreens contain about 18 to 25 percent of zinc oxide, The Honest Company reformulated their sunscreens, decreasing levels to 9.3 percent.

Image courtesy of nytimes.com

Image courtesy of nytimes.com

Arnold Scaasi transitions

Canadian fashion designer Arnold Scassi passed away today at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center. The cause of death was cardiac arrest.

Arnold Scaasi developed a successful career as a fashion designer by bringing the techniques of French couture to American women. His celebrity client base included Barbra Streisand, Diahann Carroll, Joan Crawford, former First Lady Barbara Bush, Elizabeth Taylor, Mary Tyler Moore, and Joan Rivers.

Known for his bright colors, prints and embellishments Scaasi once said, “Clothes with some adornment are more interesting to look at and more fun to wear.” One of his long-time clients was Barbra Streisand who wore Scaasi’s sequined translucent pantsuit to the 1969 Academy Awards where she won an Oscar for “Funny Girl.”

Arnold Scaasi opened his atelier on East 56th Street in the Sanford White townhouse in 1969, designing made-to-order clothes for New York City socialites. In 1996, Scaasi was honored by the CFDA with a Lifetime Achievement Award. Scassi is survived by his longtime partner and husband, Parker Ladd.

—William S. Gooch

Weekend Fashion News Alert: Alexander Wang Jumps Ship, Cindy Crawford’s “Modeling Wars,” the Skinny on Men’s Jeans, and Jones New York Acquired

August 1, 2015 by 1 Comment

 

Image courtesy of cdn.com

Image courtesy of cdn.com

Are you tired of modeling shows? Aren’t we all!! Well, Cindy Crawford’s new television series “Icon” is far removed from the fashion reality television shows that have oversaturated the market.

“Icon,” which is still in development, is a television series based on the model agency wars of the 1980s. You know, Ford Models versus John Casablanca’s Elite Model Management.

Crawford will not star in the series; she will act as a producer. “Icon” is slated for NBC; however, the air date as yet to be set.

Alexander_Wang

Alexander Wang leaves Balenciaga

On Friday the House of Balenciaga confirmed that Alexander Wang would leave his post of creative director after a near three-year stint. Wang came to Balenciaga in late 2012 after the departure of Nicholas Ghesquiere.

“Balenciaga and Alexander Wang today announce their joint decision not to renew their contract beyond its initial term,” Balenciaga and its holding company Kering said in a statement. “Alexander Wang will show his final collection for spring/summer 2016 women’s wear on 2 October 2015 in Paris,” Balenciaga said, adding a new creative director would be named “in due course” as reported in fashionmag.com.

skinny-jeans-men-failgallery-for-super-skinny-jeans-men-bdfx61bz

Men show your legs

The NDP Group recently reported that while the sale of skinny jeans to women is down 14%, male consumer spending on skinny jeans has increased by 30 percent. Skinny jean sales for men increased 30% from $100 million to $130 million for the 12 months ending in April 2015.

Though there has been a push this season toward the athleisure trend. It appears that this fixation on athletic wear as daywear has not put a damper on male skinny jean phenomenon. Hmm, I guess that means more time on the elliptical machine. Darn!!

Image courtesy of models.com

Image courtesy of models.com

Oh Canada

All 35 Jones New York stores in Canada have been acquired by Grafton Fraser, Inc, with the Canadian-based men’s retailer looking to keep all 400 employees and grow the number of retail stores in Canada. Grafton Fraser, Inc. has also signed a long-term contract with Authentic Brands Group, LLC (ABG), the holding company of Jones New York in the US and other countries. Jones New York reports retail profits of $750 million in Canada, the US, Latin America, the Middle East, and Europe.

We are very excited to add Jones New York women’s clothing stores to our growing fashion retail portfolio,” confirms Dave McGregor, President and CEO, Grafton Fraser Inc. in a fashionmag.com article.  “For more than two decades Jones New York has been a trusted fashion brand in Canada that women …We bring 100+ years of experience to Canadian fashion retail, and see Jones New York as a perfect fit for Grafton.”

—William S. Gooch

Fashion News Alert: Naomi Campbell’s New Acting Gig, Jagger Sisters Strike Gold Again with Sonia Rykiel, Barbie Gets a New Makeover, and Gigi Hadid Stars in Topshop Fall 2015 campaign

July 28, 2015 by Leave a Comment
Image courtesy of Exhibition Magazine

Image courtesy of Exhibition Magazine

Naomi Campbell adds another acting role to her lists of many accomplishments in and out of the fashion industry. We loved Campbell in “Empire,” and recently she has signed on to the cast of “American Horry Story: Hotel,” according to tvline.com.

Campbell will portray a fashion editor in a multi-series story line that gets in trouble for her critiques. (Hmm, now is that a big stretch for Campbell?) The fifth season of “American Horror Story: Hotel” airs in October.

Image courtesy of Mona Awad

Image courtesy of Mona Awad

Making over Barbie

Does Barbie need a makeover? Well, if not a complete makeover, she will get lots of fabulous new clothes from 13 designers. Remember, Barbie now comes in eight  skin colors, 14 face shapes, 18 eye colors, 22 hairstyles, and 23 hair colors. And in the new “Barbie Fashionista” line, she even comes with jointed ankles allowing her to change shoes at will!!

On September 26 and 27 in an exhibit at the private mansion, Le Moliere, Barbie will receive a fashion makeover by Albertine, AmishBoyish, Balzac Paris, Ba&Sh, Carolina Ritz, Jean-Charles de Castelbajac, Heimstone, Maison Kitsuné, Laure de Sagazan, Modetrotter, Roseanna, Sakina M’sa and Stouls. Ten examples from the “Barbie Fashionistas” collection have also been photographed by the legendary Studio Harcourt Paris, well known for often photographing some of the biggest movie stars in the world. The photos will also be presented at the exhibit. We should all be so lucky!!

Image courtesy of Sonia Rykiel/Juergen Teller

Image courtesy of Sonia Rykiel/Juergen Teller

Two is the charm

For the second time in a row, Lizzy and Georgia May Jagger are the face of Sonia Rykiel’s fashion campaign. For the fall 2015 campaign, Juergen Teller photographed the Jagger siblings in the French countryside on the grounds of a castle.

Though the sylvan setting for this falls 2015 campaign was stately and lush, both Jaggers stand out in a mini-skirt and a pair of pants both made of shiny silver leather, as well as a colorful velvet cape and one made of fur patchwork.

Image courtesy of Topshop

Image courtesy of Topshop

Three for Gigi

As the star of the new Topshop fall 2015 campaign, Gigi Hadid had to fly to London to shoot the campaign with photographer Tyron Lebon. For this campaign, Gigi is styled in an array of Topshop favorites from leather skirts, fur jackets and killer stilettos to plaid shirts and high-waisted denim for an eclectic, urban look.

“Gigi’s effortless, Californian style, together with her strong social media presence, makes her the perfect ambassador for the Topshop brand,” says the UK fashion brand, which is fast going global in a fashionmag.com article. Working with Gigi Hadid on this campaign continues to strengthen our international vision for the Topshop brand. We are continually developing our footprint across all markets with ambitious plans both in the UK and internationally and I feel like Gigi is an ideal ambassador to underpin these efforts,” continued Topshop owner Sir Philip Green.

This Topshop campaign marks three 2015 fashion campaigns for Gigi Hadid. This season she has a Balmain campaign with her sister Bella, and she is the face for the Australian swimwear brand, Seafolly. Keep racking in the bucks, Gigi!!

—William S. Gooch

Weekend Fashion News Alert: Kate Blanchett Continues with Armani, Pharrell Handpicks Artists for Adidas, and So Long Ingrid Sischy

July 25, 2015 by Leave a Comment
Image courtesy of Josh Prendeville

Image courtesy of Josh Prendeville

Giorgio Armani revealed images from the fall 2015 campaign of his fragrance Si. The new campaign is set to launch in September with Cate Blanchett again being the face of Si.

The campaign was shot in Australia and directed by Massy Tadjedin. The campaign will depict a woman who is strong, independent, passionate and self-motivated.

Image courtesy of youtube.com

Image courtesy of youtube.com

Picky Pharrell

In a new video for Adidas Originals, pop artist/designer Pharrell Williams discusses the work of artists that he has selected to redesign Adidas’s Superstar Shell toe toe for the new Supershell collection. The selected artists include NYC artist Todd James, British-Iraqi architect Zaha Hadid, Japanese artist Mr. and US photographer-director Cass Bird on reinventing the shoe’s classic design.

This video will be followed up by four additional videos where each artist discusses the inspiration behind his design. “Adidas Originals = Pharrell Williams Supershell” releases worldwide on August 7 in stores and on the Adidas website.

 

Image courtesy of nytimes.com

Image courtesy of nytimes.com

Ingrid Sischy RIP

The fashion and art communities mourn the death of Ingrid Sischy. Ms. Sischy died at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center from breast cancer on Friday.

Ingrid Sischy gained national prominence as the editor of ArtForum, a position she held until 1998. While serving in this capacity, Sischy held bring to national attendtion the work of Jean-Michel Basquiat, Cindy Sherman, Julian Schnabel, Joseph Beuys, as well as many other avant-garde emerging artists.  She was also a contributing editor at Vanity Fair and held the title of international editor at Conde Nast, writing for the French, German, Spanish and Italian versions of Vanity Fair, as well writing for German Vogue.

A regular fixture at art exhibits and fashion shows, Ms. Sischy also wrote about fashion and art for the New Yorker from 1988 to 1996 and as editor-in-chief of Interview magazine from 1990 to 2008. One of her most famous interviews was her interview with John Galliano in 2013 that appeared in July 2013 issue of Vanity Fair.

“She could write about anything, but what interested her most were art and fashion, and she traversed those two hothouses like a bemused empress. She had a crisp mind and an almost uncanny focus when she sat down to write. She was a fun, conspiratorial gossip, but never with malice or envy—the working tools of so many gossips,” said Vanity Fair magazine Editor, Graydon Carter on the magazine’s website on Friday.

Ingrid Sischy is survived by her partner Sandra Brant, her mother, and her brother, David.

—William S. Gooch

Fashion News Alert: Sam Smith’s Modeling Career, Fashion Megabrands Support Myanmar’s Minimum Wage Proposal, J. Crew Moves Factory Clothes, and Elio Fiorucci Transitions

July 21, 2015 by Leave a Comment
Image courtesy of huffingtonpost.com

Image courtesy of huffingtonpost.com

Is everyone a model these days? Well, not really, but if you are a celebrity with a huge social media following, the fashion industry may knock at your door.

It appears that the house of Balenciaga has knocked at the door of British pop singer Sam Smith. In a series of black and white sexy images and a full-length video, Smith is the face of the Balenciaga’s men’s fall 2015 campaign.

“Sam Smith conveys a quiet elegance and a subtle sensuality that are perfect for Balenciaga. He represents both sensitivity and power—the dualities of the Balenciaga man,” explains creative director Alexander Wang.

Smith is also thrilled about working for Balenciaga. “I never in my wildest dreams thought I’d be wearing these clothes let alone modeling them. So this is a dream come true, and I hope the beginning of a lovely long relationship with Alexander and the House,” he said in a release.

12_mercantile_final2

More cheap clothes

Amid all its financial and creative woes, yesterday it was announced that megabrand J. Crew is opening a series of stores that will house its more affordable pieces usually found at J. Crew outlet stores. J. Crew Mercantile will feature lower priced and lower quality merchandise.

“A lot of brands are finding it increasingly hard to compete with fast fashion, and people are tired of shlepping to the outlet centers all the time,” Marlene Morris Towns, a teaching professor of marketing at Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business told The Huffington Post. “For some shoppers, seeing the word ‘outlet’ connected to a brand means it’s a ‘brand minus.’ Giving the store a different name makes them feel like they’re having a more upscale, and more interesting experience.”

J. Crew Mercantile will open its doors first in Dallas at the end of July. Lower quality, and more cheap clothes, is that really a good thing

Image courtesy of eu-myanmar.com

Image courtesy of eu-myanmar.com

Myanmar fights back

With the continued search for cheap labor, the government of Myanmar has decided to go against the grain in attracting manufacturers and foreign investors and proposes a minimum wage for its garment workers. As several manufactures have threatened to take their business elsewhere if these proposals pass, several megabrands have lent their support of Myanmar’s proposed minimum wage. The proposed minimum wage appeal for workers is $3 a day.

The GAP, Adidas, H&M, Tesco, Patagonia and twelve other megabrands are supporting Myanmar’s wage appeal and sent an open letter of support to local authorities. In mid-June some 30 Chinese and 60 Korean-owned factories threaten to transfer their factories to other countries if the wage appeal is upheld.

“We wish to counter the claims of Myanmar’s garment manufacturers and employers associations that higher wages will dissuade foreign investors,” said Fair Labor and Ethical Trading Initiative. “A minimum wage that has been negotiated by all parties will attract rather than deter international companies from buying garments from Myanmar, particularly companies such as ETI members that have committed to upholding international labour rights standards in their global supply chains.”

Image courtesy of fashionmag.com

Image courtesy of fashionmag.com

Arrivederci Fiorucci

Italian fashion icon and designer Elio Fiorucci died yesterday in Milan. Elio Fiorucci became the face of ready-to-wear Italian fashion in the late 60s into the 80s with his emphasis on “concept stores” that combined pop culture with trendy ready-to-wear clothes.

Fiorucci continued his success with collaborations with Andy Warhol, Madonna, Keith Haring, and Jean-Paul Gaultier. In the 90s as Fiorucci’s brand of merchandising went of vogue, the brand was purchased by Japanese jean giant, Edwin, with the Japanese company taking complete control by 2002.

Fiorucci had recently launched a new brand, Love Therapy, a line of jeans, t-shirts and accessories and started to work with Italian fast fashion retail chain OVS.

Elio Fiorucci was 80 years old.

—William S. Gooch

Weekend Fashion News Alert: Katy Perry’s H&M Holiday Campaign, Jenner Sisters Score Balmain Campaign, Maxim Magazine Launches Swimwear Line, and CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund Announces Finalists

July 18, 2015 by Leave a Comment
Image courtesy of Balmain

Image courtesy of Balmain

If it is not one Jenner sister, it’s both!! Kendall, and now Kylie Jenner, will both headline the fall 2015 Balmain campaign.

The campaign image will feature sisters almost kissing each other. The image is expected to come out in the August issue of American Vogue. Mario Sorrentino photographed the campaign.

Surprisingly, the Jenner sisters are not the only siblings in Balmain’s fall 2015 campaign. The campaign also features Joan and Erika Smalls, and Gigi and Bella Hadid for the women’s campaign, and Armando and Fernando Cabral for the men’s campaign.

Bravo Balmain, now that’s using folks of color!! Now, the question is did the Smalls, the Hadids, and the Cabrals make the same dollars as the Jenners? Hmm, Fashion Reverie will keep you posted!!

Maxim_Magazine

Maxim magazine is attempting to rebrand itself. In an effort to produce more refined content, Maxim is launching a swimwear line where the emphasis is more focused on fashion than titillating sexiness.

Maxim editor-in-chief Kate Lanphear has teamed up with the Onis Design Group to produce this swimwear line. The line is inspired by Brigitte Bardot and will be showcased during the four-day Funkshion Miami Swim Week. The line will retail between $76 and $320, and include bikinis, one-pieces and coverups.

Image courtesy of Instagram

Image courtesy of Instagram

Katy Perry fashion proliferation

Another fashion campaign for Katy Perry, yes, it appears so. The marriage between the fashion industry and celebrities seems to be getting stronger as the weeks and months go by.

Katy Perry can now add H&M’s holiday campaign to her list of fashion campaign acquisitions. “H&M was one of the places where I first began cultivating my personal style,” explained Perry as reported in a fashionmag.com article. “I have continued to love integrating H&M pieces into my wardrobe throughout the years. One of the reasons I love the holidays is being able to dress cozy and cute, which H&M executes so well for every budget.”

The campaign will be photographed by Dan Jackson and art directed by Swedish director Jonas Akerlund.

Image courtesy of fashionmag.com

Image courtesy of fashionmag.com

The 2015 CVFF nominees

On Thursday, the CFDA announced its ten finalists for the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund Award (CVFF). The finalists include Scott Studenberg and John Targon of Baja East; Matt Baldwin of Baldwin; Aurora James of Brother Vellies; Brad Schmidt and Raul Arevalo of Cadet; Chris Gelinas of CG; Becca McCharen of Chromat; Rio Uribe of Gypsy Sport; David Hart, Jonathan Simkhai, and Thaddeus O’Neil.

The CVFF selection committee is made up of Anna Wintour, Diane von Furstenberg, Steven Kolb, Andrew Rosen, Reed Krakoff, Jenna Lyons, David Neville, Marcus Wainwright, Mark Holgate, Ken Downing and Jeffrey Kalinsky. Over the next several weeks the committee will interview the nominees, review their current collections and visit their design studios. The nominees will also take part in a special design challenge from Fossil.

The winners will be announced in NYC on November 2.

—William S. Gooch

« Previous Page
Next Page »
Copyright © 2012-2025 | Fashion Reverie Publications, LLC - All Rights Reserved