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

Weekend Fashion News Alert: Kendall Jenner Exposes Herself for Calvin, Cindy Crawford Keeps it in the Family, Halle Berry’s Lingerie Line, and Christian Autigier Transitions

July 11, 2015 by 2 Comments
Image courtesy of huffingtonpost.com

Image courtesy of huffingtonpost.com

“Nothing comes between me and my Calvins.” Remember that one!! Well, true to form, very little comes between Kendall Jenner and what she is wearing in Calvin Klein’s fall 2015 underwear ad.

Kendall appears alongside other noteworthy models—Joan Smalls, Isabeli Fontana, Edita Vilkveciute—in the campaign, photographed by Mikael Jansson. Though the images are in black and white—typical Calvin Klein—Kendall looks fetching in her black lace bra and thong. Now, how many 2015 campaigns is this?

Image courtesy of fashionmag.com

Image courtesy of fashionmag.com

Fashionable Halle

Academy Award–winning actress Halle Berry has brought her luxury lingerie brand, Scandale Paris, to Canada. Launched last fall in the US, Halle has signed a distribution deal with la Vie en Rose, a Canadian store that will carry her lingerie line exclusively.

“I’m thrilled that Scandale Paris is going to launch in Canada with la Vie en Rose,” said Berry in a fashionmag.com article. “I look forward to bringing this elegant and timeless European brand, with its impeccable beauty, to more women.”

“We are delighted to introduce the Scandale Paris brand to Canadian women,” said François Roberge, President and CEO of Boutique la Vie en Rose Inc. “This affordable yet stylish and sophisticated intimates line was exactly what we were looking for to complement our la Vie en Rose Outlet offer.”

Originally founded in 1932, Berry fell in love with la Vie en Rose a few years back and decided to introduce the brand to female consumers globally. Berry will serve as creative director and curator. The 2015 collections will feature over 50 items and will be available exclusively in all 63 la Vie en Rose stores and on its website.

Kaia Gerber image courtesy of cdn.com

Kaia Gerber image courtesy of cdn.com

Keeping it in the family

The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree and in Supermodel Cindy Crawford’s case, her apple—daughter Kaia—, has fallen into the pages of Vogue Italia.

Crawford shared an image of her daughter, Kaia Gerber, from her recent spread in Vogue Italia’s July issue on Instagram. Steven Meisel photographed the Vogue Italia editorial. Thirteen-year old Kaia recently signed with IMG Models.

Image courtesy of spokeo.com

Image courtesy of spokeo.com

 

Christian Audigier Transitions

After a long battle with cancer Christian Audigier, founder of Ed Hardy, has passed away. He had been battling cancer for some time.

Born of modest means in France, Audigier began his fashion career in France in denim before relocating to Los Angeles and setting up his Ed Hardy brand over 14 years ago. Over two decades, Audigier has collaborated with Guess, Levi’s, Diesel, American Outfitters, Bisou Bisou, and XOXO.

In 2010, Christian Audigier’s net worth was estimated at $250 million. His daughter Crystal survives him.

—William S. Gooch

Fashion News Alert: American Apparel Closes Stores, Kevin Hart and David Beckham Team Up with H&M, and Nigerian Store Caters to Ultra Rich

July 7, 2015 by Leave a Comment
Image courtesy of amazon.com

Image courtesy of amazon.com

In a response to a slump in sales, American Apparel announced today that they would be closing stores and cutting jobs. The company plans to cut $30 million in spending over the next 18 months.

“We are committed to turning this company around,” said Paula Schneider, the recently appointed CEO, in the statement.

“Today’s announcements are necessary steps to help American Apparel adapt to headwinds in the retail industry, preserve jobs for the overwhelming majority of our 10,000 employees, and return the business to long-term profitability,” she said.

Sales have been declining since 2010 and the rise in the US dollars, plus and increase in online shopping has chipped away at the company’s foreign revenue.

When you notice celebrities sending tweets and posting images on Instagram about their favorite fashion brand, watch out; they might be doing the old bait and switch.

 

Image courtesy of Instagram

Image courtesy of Instagram

The Dynamic Duo

Which might be the case with Kevin Hart and David Beckham. Beckham has already had a few campaigns with H&M; however, recently he and pal Kevin Hart have been posting pictures on Instagram in matching red and black checkered shirts, grey jeans, and brown lace-up shoes with captions like “hanging out with @DavidBeckham…he has to stop copying my style #Twins”.

Voila, H&M recently revealed that Beckham and Hart have shot an H&M campaign video for the H&M Modern Essentials selected by David Beckham range. The campaign was shot by film director Marc Forster in NYC and is set to release later this year. Ingenious, yes, a little sneaky, maybe; no harm done, but we are on to you celebs!!

Image courtesy of fashionmag.com

Image courtesy of fashionmag.com

Nigerian Super Rich

The ultra rich one percent not only has clout in the US, they are also a much sought after demographic in Nigeria. Lagos, Nigeria is home to 11 of the 50 biggest fortunes in Africa. And in lieu of that fact, a concept that caters to the ultra rich has opened in the country’s capital city.

Alara, a four-story building in downtown Lagos will house a mix of African fashion, design and art and a selection of work by Western designers, complete with a gourmet restaurant. Alara is the brainchild of Reni Folawiyo, a businesswoman married to multi-millionaire Tunde Folawiyo.

“I wanted this place to be a cultural reawakening, bringing what we’ve known as Africans into the new world,” explains Folawiyo in a fashionmag.com article. And when it comes to color and silhouettes, Folawiyo details, “we are specific in terms of our bodies. We don’t necessarily fit into a sort of international mould, in terms of the size and shape … “We like colour, we’re dramatic, adornment is our way of expression.”

Interestingly, the vast majority of Nigerians lives on less than $2 a day.

—William S. Gooch

Weekend Fashion News Alert: Macy’s Dumps Trump, Behati Prinsloo Pairs up with Lancaster, and Alexander Wang Leaving Balenciaga?

July 4, 2015 by Leave a Comment

 

Image courtesy of thefashionreporter.com

Image courtesy of thefashionreporter.com

With all the rumblings and moving and shaking up of things in recent weeks, nothing is surprising in fashion. Band of Outsiders defunct, Donna Karan moves on from her eponymous brand, J. Crew sales are down dramatically, what’s next?

Rumors are swirling of a possible break up between Alexander Wang and Balenciaga. Artistic director since 2012, under Wang’s watch the iconic fashion house has seen double-digit growth.  According to sources at Balenciaga, “discussions for the renewal of his contract are underway,” as reported in fashionmag.com.

Still, Wang may be positioning his own brand for investors. Among NYC fashionistas, Wang’s own eponymous brand is very popular!!

Image courtesy of Lancaster/Guy Aroch

Image courtesy of Lancaster/Guy Aroch

Lancaster 70s babe

Namibian supermodel Behati Prinsloo has landed another campaign with Lancaster. The leather goods brand will feather the Victoria Secret Angel model in its fall/winter 2015 campaign for the second time.

Lancaster looks to the 70s rock n’ roll for inspiration for its fall/winter 2015 campaign with Prinsloo modeling purses, carrier bags and clutches. Photographer Guy Aroch shot the campaign on the streets of New York City.

Image courtesy of Getty Images/David Becker

Image courtesy of Getty Images/David Becker

Wagging tongues

The Gods may not reign down fired and brimstone on Donald Trump for making racial slurs, but Macy’s certainly fired back on June 30 by cutting all ties with Trump. The backlash against Trump is the result of result comments on June 16 announcing his candidacy for the Republican Presidential nomination, calling Mexican immigrants rapists and drug dealers.

“Macy’s is a company that stands for diversity and inclusion. We have no tolerance for discrimination in any form,” the company said in a Reuters article. “In light of statements made by Donald Trump, which are inconsistent with Macy’s values, we have decided to discontinue our business relationship with Mr. Trump.”

“Donald Trump is finding out that Hispanics have real power, and it’s not just political power; it’s economic power,” said Fernando Mateo, chairman of Hispanics Across America. Moveon.org has over 700,000 petitions calling for Macy’s to cut ties with Donald Trump.

—William S. Gooch

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