Image courtesy of deadline.com
Amazon Prime’s “Making the Cut” airs on March 27. And unlike “Project Runway,” “Making the Cut” is more about branding than the creativity behind making garments.
“We decided very early in the development process that we wanted Making the Cut to focus on the branding element of creating a successful fashion business, not just the design element,” said executive producer Sara Rea in a fashionweekdaily.com article. “I worked with Heidi and Tim for so many years on “Project Runway” and there just weren’t many people on that show who were really able to build a successful brand afterwards. We wanted to make sure that wasn’t the case with “Making the Cut,” so we selected people with business and marketing skills as well as design skills; people we were ready to take their businesses to the next level.”
That said, Fashion Reverie thought it would be great to highlight some of the designers featured on “Making the Cut.” And surprise, surprise, Fashion Reverie has reviewed the collection of the two of the designers on the Amazon Prime show when they presented at New York Fashion Week (NYFW).
Rinat Brodach, New York City, launched her namesake brand in 2014. Fashion Reverie featured Brodach on the site several times.
Jon Cota, Los Angeles, launched SKINGRAFT in 2006 and was a regular presence at NYFW when NYFW was located at Lincoln Center. Fashion Reverie also regularly reviewed SKINGRAFT collections.
Esther Perbrandt, Berlin, launched her eponymous brand in 2005. Her design aesthetic is a mix of Parisian chic, Berlin hipster, and Moscow avant-garde, and always in black. Salute the urban street warrior!!
Martha Gottwald’s brand Neubryne is known for unexpected silhouettes in bold color.
Megan Smith launched her Los Angeles-based brand in 2007. Smith distinguishes her brand by centering her collections on bold color, feminine silhouettes with sexy details, and girly whimsy.
Joshua Hopper is a part of the design duo behind Babyghost. The 10-year old brand is based in Shanghai.
“Making the Cut’” is co-hosted and executive produced by Heidi Klum and Tim Gunn. “Making the Cut” premieres of Amazon Prime on March 27 in 10 episodes.
Image courtesy of harpersbazaar.com
Ralph Lauren does his part
As the novel coronavirus pandemic continues to cause havoc to public health systems globally and global financial markets, some folks in the fashion industry have committed to try to stem the tide of this pandemic with some financial assistance.
The Ralph Lauren Corporate Foundation, in a series of commitments, will aid the World Health Organization‘s COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund. Additionally, the Ralph Lauren Corporate Foundation will provide financial assistance to all Ralph Lauren colleagues who are facing financial, childcare, eldercare, and health-related challenges due to the coronavirus pandemic. This combined financial contribution will be a commitment of over $10 million dollars.
“At the heart of our company, there has always been a spirit of togetherness that inspires our creativity, our confidence and most importantly: our support for one another. In the past weeks and months, that spirit has never wavered,” said Ralph Lauren, executive chairman and chief creative officer, in a recent press release.
“In addition, the Ralph Lauren Corporation is starting the production of 250,000 masks and 25,000 isolation gowns with our [US] manufacturing partners,” stated the brand, as reported in fashionnetwork.com. “We recognize that this is an unprecedented, multifaceted crisis which demands different responses for different needs in different places. That is why we are funding multiple activities to support our teams, our partners and our communities around the world,” said Patrice Louvet, president and chief executive officer.
Image courtesy of lofficielusa.com
Armani to produce medical overalls
Armani jumps to the help and assist with the global coronavirus pandemic by producing single-use medical overalls at the company’s Italian production plants. The lack of enough disposable medical overalls has been one of the challenges in Italy’s fight against COVID-19.
Armani, early on, has been in the forefront of fighting COVID-19 in Italy. The company has already donated 2 million euros to Italian hospitals. A group of Italian textile manufacturers and fashion designers are coming together to produce millions of protective face masks to combat COVID-19 in Italy.
Image courtesy of somersetcollection.com
Trouble for Neiman Marcus
American megastore Neiman Marcus is saddled with a $4.3 billion dollar debt load. Neiman Marcus’ debt load stems from its 2013 leveraged buyout by Ares and Canadian public pension fund CPPIB from other private equity firms.
According to Bloomberg News, Neiman Marcus is in talks with lenders about a potential bankruptcy loan. This loan with keep the financially burdened megastore’s doors open while it comes up with a company restructuring plan.
Like many major US retail megastores—JC Penny, Sears, Barneys New York, and Lord & Taylor—Neiman Marcus has been struggling for some time with declining sales. And the temporary shutdown of most US retail stores due to the coronavirus pandemic will not help Neiman Marcus’ challenge.
—William S. Gooch
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