Fashion News Alert: Cadillac Rallies Behind New York Fashion Week: Men, Cher and Willow Fizzle in Marc Jacobs’ Fall 2015 Campaign, Supermodel Sean O’Pry in Testino Towel Series, and Theia Creative Director Receives Honorary Doctorate

June 9, 2015 by Leave a Comment

parismen_sopener_2457290aCadillac has extended its foray into fashion by putting support behind the inaugural New York Fashion Week: Men’s spring 2016 collections, partnering with the CFDA.  For the past three seasons, Cadillac has been a sponsor of New York Men’s Day (NYMD) that occurs the Wednesday before the official first day of NYFW.

“The rise of menswear in the world of style provides a great opportunity to celebrate those who are true risk takers and innovators,” said Melody Lee, director of Brand Strategy & Planning, Cadillac,“ as reported in fashionmag.com. “As the presenting sponsor of New York Men’s Day and a supporting partner of New York Fashion Week: Men’s, Cadillac will play a significant role in unifying the world of men’s fashion and further enabling those who dare greatly.”

“We are very pleased to partner with Cadillac on the inaugural New York Fashion Week: Men’s,” said Steven Kolb, CEO of the CFDA. “The partnership is a natural fit given Cadillac’s commitment to design.”

New York Fashion Week: Men’s will take place at Skylight Clarkson Square from July 14th to 16th. As many as 28 designers will present their spring 2016 collections which such menswear luminaries as Calvin Klein, John Varvatos, Michael Bastian, Tommy Hilfiger, Thom Browne, and Public School included in the roster.

Images courtesty stylevitae.com

Images courtesty stylevitae.com

No snap or pop

Using celebrities as the face of fashion collections is not new in the industry; however, the huge amount of celebrities now fronting for well-known fashion housing has reached an unprecedented numbers. New to the list of celebrities acquiring coveted campaigns with major fashion houses is celebrity icon Cher and teen sensation Willow Smith.

“This season’s ads feature friends, each of whom evoke a sense of intrigue and inspiration, and collectively provoke a true consideration for individuality. Here today I would like to share (not CHER) with you first, the talented, stylish, and charming Willow Smith,” detailed Marc Jacobs in caption accompanying his Instagram campaign photo and announcement.

While Jacobs’ use of 69-year old Cher and 14-year old Willow Smith demonstrates that Jacobs’ isn’t age exclusive, some fashion pundits contend that the fall 2015 campaign photos renders up images of the 80s cult classic Beetlejuice.” And unfortunately, Willow Smith resembles a prepubescent, broken-down doll, no snap, pop, or sizzle.

Intriguing, perhaps, inspirational, maybe, but a far cry from a fashion campaign. Can anybody say movie poster?

Image courtesy of fashionisto.com

Image courtesy of fashionisto.com

White towels anyone?

Supermodel Sean O’Pry joins the list of models recently photographed by fashion photographer extraordinaire Mario Testino in his towel series. O’Pry is currently the highest earning male model in the world.

Sean O’Pry was photographed in just a white towel, joining the ranks of David Gandy, Gaspard Ulliel, Ronaldo Cristiano, and several others. Now, there is some snap, sizzle, and pop!!

Image courtesy of irishcentral.com

Image courtesy of irishcentral.com

O’Neill honored

Theia fashion designer and creative director, Don O’Neill, has been will receive an honorary doctorate of Arts from the University College Cork. The honorary doctorate is the highest degree that can be bestowed by the university.

“It is truly humbling to be recognized that what I do is making a positive impact, and inspiring new waves of creative young men and women to follow their dreams. This Honor has brought about a pause, a time to stop and reflect on my career, which I rarely if ever do, as I work like a mad man running head long in to each new collection at a pace that seems to only be accelerating.  It is good to look back, take a breath, to see and appreciate how richly I have been blessed and guided, and to recognize how many good people helped me along the way,” stated O’Neill in a press release.

Launched in 2009, Theia is a bridal and eveningwear collection that combines sophisticated elegance and styling with luxurious silks, European brocades, laces, and prints. Since its inception Taylor Swift, Emma Rossum, Oprah Winfrey, Carrie Underwood, Idina Menzel, Khloe Kardashian, Amy Poehler, and many others have worn the fashion brand.

—William S. Gooch

Weekend Fashion News Alert: Sarah Jessica Parker Launches SJP Collection, Rodarte Sisters Turn to Filmmaking, and Ivory Coasts Puts Ban on Skin-Lightening Creams

May 16, 2015 by 1 Comment
Image courtesy of profashioneye.com

Image courtesy of profashioneye.com

Though Sarah Jessica Parker tried to keep her accessories collection under wraps, as a crowd of onlookers observed her shooting the brand’s campaign atop the Bloomingdales sign on East 59th street, the cat was out of the bag, so to speak. “Well. I guess the cat’s out of the (little brown) bag. As usual, we will keep you posted on every detail as we are able. I’m under a strict gag order until then. Xx, Sj,” said the Parker via Instagram as reported in a fashionmag.com article.

Found in 2014 with business partner George Malkemus III, the SJP collection is inspired by Parker’s love of the 1970’s and the single sole shoe. The collection is due to launch in mid-June at select Bloomingdale locations and on the Bloomingdale’s website.

Image courtesy of junkee.com

Image courtesy of junkee.com

Rodarte sisters branch into film

While there is lots of fashion currently going on at the Cannes Film Festival, one of the biggest Cannes fashion­ stories is the film written and to be directed by Rodarte co-founders Kate and Laura Mulleavy. Their feature film, “Woodshock,” is set to star Kirsten Dunst, a friend to brand, and may be of the science fiction genre—though mums the word.

Though the Mulleavy sisters have had some fashion predecessors that spanned the worlds of fashion and film—Tom Ford is working on his second feature film, Karl Lagerfeld shot took a film turn in Chanel’s “Reincarnation” starring Pharrell Williams and Cara Delevinge, this particular foray is a path that is not easily trodden by the fashion cognoscenti.  And success in one genre doesn’t portend success in the other!!

“Woodshock” is currently in pre-production.

Image courtesy of ireportstv.co

Image courtesy of ireportstv.co

No more skin-lightening creams

Skin-lightening creams have been popular in the US, South America, the Caribbean, Asia and now Africa for several decades, if not centuries. However, the Ivory Coast has decided to do something about the potential harm that these creams can do to pigment.

“Cosmetic lightening and hygiene creams … that de-pigment the skin … are now forbidden,” the ministry of the Ivory Coast said in a statement. “The number of people with side effects caused by these medicines is really high,” said Christian Doudouko, a member of Ivory Coast’s pharmaceutical authority, warning that they could cause skin cancer as reported in fashionmag.com.

Many whitening creams and lotions contain mercury and its derivatives, cortisone, vitamin A or more than two percent hydroquinine, a lightening agent that is used to develop photographs.

Women on the African continent, the Middle East, South America, the Caribbean, the US, India, Pakistan, Japan, and other Asian countries readily use lightening creams because lighter skin is sometimes considered more beautiful among these populations. This practice is also starting to spread to men as well.

“What we see in the media is the lighter one’s skin is, the better one’s life,” adds Elidje Ekra, a dermatologist at Abidjan’s Treichville University Hospital, referring to advertisements in Abidjan, Ivory Coast’s biggest city, that show models with lighter-than-average skin.

—William S. Gooch

Fashion News Alert: Kim Kardashian Ventures Into the Curvy Fashion Market, Predictions for Retail Wage Hikes, and Lindsay Lohan Fashion Return

May 12, 2015 by 1 Comment
Image courtesy of dailymailuk.com

Image courtesy of dailymailuk.com

Reality TV star and fashion celebrity Kim Kardashian has launched a new fashion line in Brazil for full-figured or curvy women. This fashion line will be a part of Kardashian’s West collection for retail chain C&A, which has a strong presence in Brazil.

“I wanted to show the Brazilian woman and her curves,” explained Kardashian.
“Back in the States we have different opinions, different styles, and this was all me, so I could do whatever I wanted. I just went with everything I felt that I would really wear.”

The “simple and sexy” elastic range in the clothes can adapt to any body type. The 20-piece collection will range in price from $9–$65 in C&A stores across Brazil, targeting a 200 million-customer market.

retailworkers_03

Higher wages for retail workers

With many wage debates increasing as many presidential candidates have thrown their hats into the upcoming presidential market, US retailers have been put under pressure to raise workers’ hourly wages. Wal-Mart, Target Corp, T.J. Maxx, and The Gap, have already announced wage increases, on the back of lower unemployment numbers announced last week and hourly wage increases going up 3 cents in April.

“The competition for that job is tougher for the employer. The employee has choices now,” said Thomas Sudyka, managing director at investment management firm Lawson Kroeker based in Omaha, Nebraska.”We are modeling an increase in our investments in compensation and benefits beyond what we have always historically planned for, to continue to assure that we preserve our ability to attract, and retain, the best associates,” Sue Lattmann, Bed, Bath & Beyond’s chief financial officer told investors as reported in fashionmag.com.

Workers’ wage increases may result in higher retail prices with companies attempting to reduce costs. “Even if companies can’t pass on the costs, it’s a one-time hit and we can grow from there,” said Sudyka.

Image courtesy of tomandlorenzo.com

Image courtesy of tomandlorenzo.com

Lindsay’s return

The last time Lindsay Lohan was associated with fashion it was her stint as a fashion collaborator in iconic fashion brand, Ungaro in 2009. Unfortunately, that collaboration was not successful.

Recently, the troubled actress announced on Instagram that she would be modeling and collaborating with UK fashion retail Lavish Alice. Lohan also collaborated with PacSun on a fashion line.

Hmm, the third time will be the charm. Good luck over across the Big Pond!!

—William S. Gooch

Weekend Fashion News Alert: Reese Witherspoon Ventures into Fashion, Adriana Lima’s New Campaign, and Miami Swim Week Cancelled?

May 9, 2015 by 1 Comment

 

Image courtesy of deadline.com

Image courtesy of deadline.com

If winning an Oscar and having an Oscar nomination in 2015 isn’t enough, Academy Award–winning actress Reese Witherspoon has launched a fashion website that promotes her love of style, clothes and her Southern heritage.  Known for her classic Southern belle style, Witherspoon’s e-commerce site, Draper James, will feature clothing, accessories and home décor, with an emphasis on bright colors and pretty patterns created by Southern craft workers, artists or designers

“Women in the South love to dress up,” explains Witherspoon in fashionmag.com article. “They love color and prints and generally love to look put together. Depending on the occasion, several days of thought can go into one outfit!

The site will have a special “Made in the South” section with everything from napkin sets to notepads and stationery. Elsewhere on the site, the collections comprise jewelry ranges, with prices ranging from $25 to pieces over $200.

Image courtesy of stylemagz.com

Image courtesy of stylemagz.com

Adriana Lima scores another one

While celebrities seem to be scoring a lot of the 2015 campaigns, some fashion models still have drawing power in the industry. If Marc Jacobs’ escort at the 2015 Met Gala was any indication of who would get his Decadence fragrance campaign, then Supermodel Adriana Lima wins the campaign hands down.

WWD reports that Decadence is a departure from Jacobs’ youthful “Daisy” perfume. “It’s very high quality, opulent, very elegant and sophisticated,” Lori Singer, scent licensee for Marc Jacobs told WWD. “Daisy is more casual and whimsical and naïve.”

Miami-Swim-Fashion-Week-20112012

Bye, bye Miami?

Though fashion media powerhouse IMG has cancelled Miami Swim Week, swimwear designers are saying no way, Jose!!

Funkshion Fashion Week Miami Beach owner Sale Stojanovic has committed to putting up tents between 21st and 22nd streets off Collins Avenue to accommodate some of the designers who would have participated in the IMG shows. “You can imagine my phone was off the hook the last two days, people calling and asking what we are doing,” said Stojanovic, who will put on a series of swimwear-related events between July 15 and 20, in a miamiherald.com article.

IIMG’s decision to cancel Miami Swim Week is the result of them being taken over by the William Morris Endeavor in 2013 and a retooling of IMG–sponsored fashion weeks globally.  Also the organizers were having difficulty finding a new venue to host the event.

“We’ve been assured by IMG personally that because of the new owners and the new vision, that they were going to take what has been a great solid trade event … to a very broad consumer lifestyle fashion event,” explained Rolando Aedo, chief marketing officer and executive vice president at the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau. “We don’t have the specifics.”

—William S. Gooch

Fashion News Alert: Michael Jackson Fashion, Estee Lauder Looks to Younger Consumers, and Supermodel Coco Rocha Pairs up with Botkier NY

May 6, 2015 by Leave a Comment
Image courtesy of theguardianco.uk

Image courtesy of theguardian.com

Jacko is back!! No, he didn’t come back from the dead. But, if everything goes according to plan, consumers might be able to purchase fashion designs and products carrying his name.

Authentic Brands Group has signed a deal with the Estate of Michael Jackson to develop the Michael Jackson brand through products described as “unexpected, bold and innovative,” as reported in fashionmag.com. Authentic Brands recently acquired the Jones Group and represents the brands of singers, actors and athletes such as Muhammad Ali, Marilyn Monroe and Elvis Presley.

Image courtesy of dailymailco.uk

Kendall Jenner image courtesy of dailymailco.uk

Estee Lauder targets youth

Estee Lauder’s heritage brands are experiencing some market stagnation. To offset this lull in sales, the global beauty brand that also includes legacy brand Clinique, will focus on capturing a younger demographic.

Estee Lauder recently signed teen top model Kendall Jenner as the face of the Estee Lauder brand. The company will also release makeup and skincare products, mainly in foundations, lips and face-contouring product categories.

The company reported strong first quarter sales on new brands such as Smashbox and Sephora, but the rise in sales was due to weakening sales on heritage brands. Sales in the US rose by 8 percent, but sales number rose by double digits in Asia, France, Australia, and the UK.

Image courtesy of fashionweekdaily.com

Image courtesy of fashionweekdaily.com

Coco Rocha parlays model fame into accessories

OK, she’s a supermodel, reality TV judge, mom, and author. And now Coca Rocha adds to her resume accessories designer; that’s right, accessories designer.

Supermodel Coco Rocha will be collaborating with Monica Botiker, creative director for Botkier NY on a line of handbags that will hit stores in November just in time for the holiday season. “I love her energy, her aesthetic, her style and her as a person. Coco was always on my radar. Botkier had done a few collaborations with celebrities and artists in the past, but this was different; Coco is a fashion person in the truest sense, and she came prepared! Her vision is strong and directional. It’s like the edgy side of the Botkier girl,” says Botkier in a recent fashionweekdaily.com article.

“I think being hands-on is key to the success to these types of collaborations. The public is very savvy these days and knows when they are being sold something that is not authentic. Each of these bags has my DNA and I know that this will be very evident. They tell the story of my career and speak to my aesthetic really well,” detailed Rocha.

—William S. Gooch

Weekend Fashion News Alert: Cara Delevingne and Pharrell for Chanel, Michelle Williams Stars in Louis Vuitton Campaign, and Naomi Gets Talk Show

May 2, 2015 by Leave a Comment
Image courtesy of fashionmag.com

Image courtesy of fashionmag.com

If you want to know which top models are scoring fall 2015 campaigns, the place to look is their social media feeds.

Cara Delevinge revealed some early images from her new pre-fall 2015 Chanel campaign with Pharrell Williams on Instagram. This is the second time Pharrell and Cara have worked together for Chanel. The first time was for Chanel for the 2015-2015 seasons in a short film entitled “Reincarnation.”

In this new campaign, “Paris-Salzburg,” Cara and Pharrell are being shot by Karl Lagerfeld and will appear alongside Hudson Kroenig, model Brad Kroenig toddler son and Lagerfeld’s godson.

Image courtesy of huffingtonpost.com

Image courtesy of huffingtonpost.com

Naomi talks

For those who loved Supermodel Naomi Campbell in Fox’s “Empire,” if her character doesn’t come back for a season, there will be a lot of Naomi to spread around on her new web series talk show on Yahoo.

“I Am Naomi” will be a live show on Yahoo’s Style section with Joe Zee, former creative director of Elle; will be at the helm of the show. “But my favorite part about Naomi is that a lot of people don’t know how hysterical she is, full of bites. You’ve seen her on TV before and she’s always so funny and really engaging,” explained Joe Zee is a fashionista.com interview.

As of yet, Yahoo has not revealed a timeline release.

Image courtesy of fashionmag.com

Image courtesy of fashionmag.com

Michelle and Louis

It appears that celebs are still making the cut when it comes to getting fall 2015 fashion campaigns. Add another celeb to the list as actress Michelle Williams has teamed up again with Louis Vuitton for their fall 2015 handbag campaign.

Known for her roles in “Brokeback Mountain” and “Oz the Great and Powerful,” this blond beauty will team up with photographer Peter Lindbergh. Williams is shot in Louis Vuitton ready-to-wear pieces, showing off the brand’s new Volta Bag.

—William S. Gooch

Fashion News Alert: New Victoria Secret Angels, Donatella’s Face, and Condé Nast Goes E-Commerce

April 28, 2015 by Leave a Comment

 Victorias-Secret-Angel-Wings-2015-BlackMeet the New Victoria Secret’s Angels!! Huh, what happened to the old ones? Well, since Karlie Kloss and Doutzen Kroes have stepped down, the brand decided to replace them with add eight more Angels. That, right all together 10 new Angels, heaven be praised!!

Martha Hunt, Taylor Hill, Kate Grigorieva, Stella Maxwell, Jac Jagaciak, Elsa Hosk, Lais Ribeiro, Sara Sambaio, Jasmine Tookes, and Romee Strijd are the newly minted Victoria Secret’s Angels. Adriana Lima, Alessandra Ambrosio, Behati Prinsloo, Candice Swanepoel, and Lily Aldridge are the five returning Victoria Secret Angels.

Image courtesy of Instagram

Image courtesy of Instagram

The face that launched a campaign

There is no doubt that Donatella Versace has a signature look. And it appears that Givenchy creative director Riccardo Tisci has taken notice.

Recently, it was announced that Donatella Versace is the new face of Givenchy’s fall/winter 2015/2016 campaign. “So proud and honored to introduce my new ultimate icon: Donatella Versace,” revealed Tisci on his Instagram account.

Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott, with Carine Roitfeld taking on the role of stylist, will take the photos. Hey Donatella, it must be nice to have two lucrative jobs!!

Conde_Nast_Digital

Condé Nast goes e-commerce

Like many publishing conglomerates, Condé Nast is moving onto the e-commerce platform. Condé Nast is transforming style.com into an e-commerce site that will promote and sell 100 to 200 fashion brands.

Though the transformation will support promote mostly fashion, the transfigured site will sell beauty products, travel, and new technologies. Condé Nast believes that the time is ripe to take advantage of the ever-growing e-commerce audience that they believe will easily meld with its print audiences from the publishing company’s wide range of print magazines (Vogue, Vanity Fair, GQ, Traveler, etc.)

“The audience of our magazines and Web sites around the globe amounts to more than 300 million, a huge base of support with whom we already have an active relationship. […] Our potential customer base is far higher than any fashion e-commerce business,” said Jonathan Newhouse, CEO of Condé Nast International as reported in fashionmag.com.

—William S. Gooch

Weekend Fashion News Alert: Lily-Rose Depp’s Modeling Debut, Keeping Up with The Jones Group and Bye Bye Hot Abercrombie & Fitch

April 25, 2015 by Leave a Comment

Lily_Rose_Depp_01

It seems as though the scions of celebrity couples are having their day in the modeling world. First, there is Kendall Jenner is taking the world by storm, and there is Bianca May Jagger who continues to have a strong presence.

Now, we can add Lily-Rose Depp, the daughter of Johnny Depp an Vanessa Paradis to the pack of models that a fantastic gene pool thanks to their celebrity parents. The 15-year old recently made her modeling debut in Oyster Magazine, an Australian glossy.

Dana Boulos photographed Lily-Rose for Oyster Magazine. Hmm, she does have her father’s eyes!!

Jones_NewYork_02

Jones Group acquired

The Jones Group has been the news a lot these past months. From the battle with Rachel Roy over her brand to shuttling stores in Canada and the US, this has been an embattled few years for the North American clothing brand.

The Jones Group was recently acquired by ABG (Authentic Brands Groups) and the new focus will be on the development of strategic positioning, enhancing core values, and brand rebuilding. And tapping into the booming menswear market, men’s tailoring, sportswear, and accessories will also be a part of the rebranding strategy.

We are honored to welcome Jones New York to ABG’s distinguished Women’s portfolio,” said Jamie Salter, Chairman and CEO of ABG in a fashionmag.com araticle.  “With a 40 year history of iconic and timeless design, Jones New York embodies American style. Our vision fuses ABG’s passion for brand building with a 21st century approach that will redefine this enduring classic.”

Mark Weber, former CEO of LVMH, Inc has been appointed as Strategic Advisor. “I am excited to get involved with the leadership team at ABG,” said Mark Weber.  “I believe my experience in the luxury fashion sector will be a valuable asset that can be leveraged across ABG’s brand portfolio.”

Image courtesy of huffingtonpost.com

Image courtesy of huffingtonpost.com

Bye bye sexy

If you got a rise in your jeans or sweaty every time you went into Abercrombie & Fitch stores, those sexy times are coming to an end. The mega store is no longer requiring it employees to look sexy or extremely attractive.

“So gone is the legendary “Look Policy” for employees, which banned French-tip manicures, certain hair-styling products and, among other things, mustaches. Clerks will be referred to as brand representatives, not models. They still can’t wear extreme makeup or jewelry, but the rules are gentler. The idea is that sales forces should focus on selling, not on obsessing over their level of accepted handsomeness,” as reported in a huffingtonpost.com article.

This dramatic shift in policy comes after Abercrombie CEO Mike Jeffries retired. Jeffries was notoriously known for his views on sex appeal as it related to the brand.

“That’s why we hire good-looking people in our stores. Because good-looking people attract other good-looking people, and we want to market to cool, good-looking people. We don’t market to anyone other than that,” explained Jeffries in a 2006 Salon article.

—William S. Gooch

Fashion News Alert: Lilly Pulitzer Crashes the Internet, Chinese Tourists’ Luxury Spending Explodes, and Andreja Pejic’s Beauty Contract

April 21, 2015 by Leave a Comment
Image courtesy of fashionmag.com

Image courtesy of fashionmag.com

Talk about shutting down the Internet!! Well, that is what Lilly Pulitzer’s debut collection for Target did on Sunday morning.

There was much hype of the Target/Lilly Pulitzer collaboration with press releases in January, a Target app to promote the collection, and New Yorkers given early access to collection at a “Lilly Resort” pop up store in Bryant Park last week. Shoppers in NYC lined up as early as 5am to shop at the pop up store in Bryant Park.

“We realize there is an extreme amount of excitement around this collaboration, and we apologize for any disappointment this may have caused,” said Target on April 19 about the crash and slowness of the website. Most of the Target/Lilly Pulitzer collection is being resold on Ebay.

Andrej-Pejic-Smoking-2013

Beauty has no boundaries

Not much has been heard of top model Andrej Pejic since he transitioned to Andreja Pejic. Known for having as many female modeling assignments as male modeling assignments since he burst on the scene in 2009, the ambisexual appeal of Pejic is now centered on one side of the fence, so to speak, since he has had gender reassignment surgery.

Beautiful as both a man and a woman, the newly transitioned Pejic has recently signed a beauty contract as the face of Make Up For Ever. This makes the 23-year old Bosnian one of the first transgender models to have a beauty contract.

Chinese_Luxury_Shopping_01

Chinese deep pockets

Most fashion insiders are aware of the fact that Chinese tourists are the biggest of luxury goods worldwide. That said; astonishingly, the sale of luxury goods to Chinese tourist went up 122 percent in March after a 52 percent rise in February, bringing the increase for the first quarter to 67 percent, according to a report by VAT refund company Global Blue, as reported in fashionmag.com.

Chinese tourists tend to spend more money in Europe than in Hong Kong where recently many luxury stores have popped up. This is partially due to exchange rates where some luxury items are 50 percent less expensive in Europe than in major Chinese cities.

“This continues to reflect the redirection of Chinese spending from Hong Kong towards Europe in particular, given the widening of the price differentials, which is a much-discussed theme during the ongoing reporting season,” broker Barclays said in a note about the Global Blue figures.

According to Reuters, Global Blue reports that watches and jewelry performed best, with sales up 67 percent in March against 32 percent the previous month, it said. Leather goods sales rose 50 percent, versus 24 percent in February.

—William S. Gooch

Fashion News Alert: New Venues for NYFW, Millennials’ Loyalty to Fashion Brands, Glamour Magazine’s Trinity, and John Varvatos to Close NYFW: Men

April 13, 2015 by Leave a Comment

 

Image courtesy of bbc.com

Image courtesy of bbc.com

Since New York Fashion Week (NYFW) fall 2015 there has been speculation of where NYFW will set up tents now that what was called “Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week” will no longer be at Lincoln Center. Fashion insiders have predicted that NYFW will be housed at every place from Manhattan’s Post Office at 34th Street to Pier 57 and 59 to Spring Studios.

Today, IMG, the governing body for NYFW confirmed venues that will house fashion shows for the spring 2016 collections. “As IMG prepares to evolve New York Fashion Week, we are focused on creating the best possible experiences that extend beyond a physical location and moment in time,” said Mark Shapiro, Chief Content Officer, IMG. “We’re looking forward to reintroducing the industry to a showcase of creative talent, style and innovation that made the New York runways famous. Part of this showcase involves staying close to inspirational hubs for fashion, art and music, and we’ve found great new homes for that in Skylight at Moynihan Station and Skylight Clarkson Sq.”

IMG chose Skylight at Moynihan Station and Skylight Clarkson Sq. after having conversations with designers, fashion journalists, show producers and partners.

Image courtesy of LIM College

Image courtesy of LIM College

Brand loyalty?

What’s in a household name fashion brand? Well, according to a study done at LIM College not a whole lot, particularly if you are a millennial.

The LIM College study, “Shopping Trends Among 18-25 Year Olds,” revealed that 45% of shoppers in that age demographic have no brand loyalty. LIM College professors Robert Conrad and Kenneth M. Kambara conducted the study.

As reported in a fashionmag.com article, when participants in the study were asked why they discarded certain fashion brands in 2013, participant’s top responses were the availability of desirable new alternatives, the brand no longer fit their identity, and a simple desire/need to change brands, and the brand was no longer unique.

When asked what good be done to retain brand loyalty, 55% of participants said that “develop[ing] innovative new products and services” would help to retain loyalty. Other qualities they looked for included improving design/style to reflect uniqueness, improving product quality, engaging in causes, philanthropy, or endeavors that reflect the student’s beliefs/values, and limiting distribution to maintain the brand’s exclusivity.

Image courtesy of huffingtonpost.com

Image courtesy of huffingtonpost.com

The three graces

The May issue of Glamour magazine will feature First Lady Michelle Obama, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kerry Washington. Patrick Demarchelier photographed this powerful trifecta of politics, fashion, and entertainment at the White House.

All three women spoke passionately with Glamour editor-in-chief Cindi Leive about military families. Michelle Obama was styled in the spring fashion of Oscar de la Renta while Kerry Washington and Sarah Jessica Parker won fashions from Narciso Rodriguez’s spring 2015 collection.

Image courtesy of stylecartel.com

Image courtesy of stylecartel.com

Varvatos closes the show

John Varvatos has confirmed that he is moving his men’s fashion show for spring 2016 from Milan to New York City.  And he will be closing fashion show for New York Fashion Week: Men.

The inaugural season of New York Fashion Week: Men will take place on July 13–16. John Varvatos has shown in New York City in seven years. “From the time I started my brand in 2000, the timing between NYFW and the menswear calendar was never truly aligned,” said Varvatos in a statement in fashionweekdaily.com. “Last month, we opened a store in my hometown of Detroit and we received such an overwhelmingly positive response that it made me want to bring the fashion show back to New York.  I am very excited about coming home to help launch the first ever NYC menswear week!”

Other confirmed brands are Calvin Klein Collection, Michael Bastian, Michael Kors, Todd Snyder, Public School, Billy Reid, Rag & Bone, and Cadillac’s NYFW Men’s Day.

—William S. Gooch

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