Consumer Behavior in the Fashion Industry

2009 MTV movie VIPs go green with Envi Reusable Bags

2009-06-10T17:38:00.000-07:00

Envi Reusable Bags announced that its custom, highend reusable totes were chosen as the gift bag of choice for the 2009 MTV Movie Awards Red Carpet Style Lounge, hosted by Secret Room Events, May 30-31 at the SLS Hotel in Beverly Hills, CA. The exclusive Celebrity Gifting Suite will provide over 300 Envi bags filled with celebrity swag to many of the nominees, winners, and other VIP guests attending the awards show.Each year, the MTV Movie Awards brings together actors, musicians, comedians, and fashion icons from all over the world to celebrate the best in film and pop culture. Envi’s bags were selected for their appeal to the environmental sensibilities of this celebrity elite, offering an eco-friendly tote that’s both stylish and durable. The bags will serve as the centerpiece of the gifting suite’s collection of giveaways, holding a host of luxurious products.“We’re so proud to be a part of this event, because it reinforces our belief that ‘going green’ doesn’t have to mean sacrificing style,” said Sylvia Feldzamen, founder of Envi Reusable Bags. “We commend Secret Room Events for its efforts to encourage sustainable living and practices among such an influential group of people.”With nearly 15 years of experience as one of the largest reusable bag suppliers in North America, Envi – a division of Syfel Inc - is a leader in creating highly customized reusable bags that deliver a unique balance of style, purpose, and price. Envi supports more than 50 brands from all over the world – working closely with every customer to implement a reusable bag program that's not just affordable, but effective in increasing customer adoption, building brand awareness, and encouraging social responsibility.

Real American plans to introduce eco-sensitive denim line

2009-06-10T17:36:00.000-07:00

Real American Brands Inc, a publicly traded holding company, announced that it plans to introduce a new denim apparel brand emphasizing "eco-friendliness, fashion and fit... and with an affordable price tag, to boot." "Besides being designed, sourced and produced domestically, the new eco-sensitive product will carry a price tag well below today's popular premium brands," CEO Doug Newton said, "as price and value have never been more important than in today's economy." "RLAB's marketing strategy," Newton continued, "will be to gain broad distribution for the line among forward looking US mass marketers who are eager to support more American-made goods and services to widen the spectrum of their current product offerings." The new brand will also carry the US trademark "Born & Bred in the USA"™, a mark owned by RLAB's subsidiary, Billy Martin's USA, the western lifestyle boutique founded by Newton three decades ago and headquartered today at Trump Plaza in New York City. "The bottom line is this brand can offer retailers and customers the chance to be green, patriotic, forward-thinking and fashion-forward at the same time. It's a powerful and unique combination in the apparel arena -- and a major growth opportunity just waiting to be developed by our real American company."

True Religion new branded destination at Fashion Square

2009-06-10T17:35:00.000-07:00

True Religion Apparel Inc announced the opening of a new branded retail store at Fashion Square in Sherman Oaks, California. Located at 14006 Riverside Drive, the 1,632 square-foot branded store will offer shoppers the entire True Religion collection for men, women and kids, including its signature jean styles, its expanding denim, sportswear and handbag collection, and a full range of licensed product, such as footwear, swimwear, headwear and fragrances. Located in the heart of the San Fernando Valley, Fashion Square spans over 845,000 square feet of premier retail space. Over 130 specialty retailers are located at Fashion Square, including Apple, Coach and Zara, and the San Fernando Valley’s only Bloomingdale’s. Fashion Square is conveniently located off the 101 Freeway, providing access to the entire Valley and some of the most affluent neighborhoods in Los Angeles, including North Hollywood and the Hollywood Hills, Studio City, Bel Air and Brentwood. Fashion Square is located within five miles of over 700,000 residents with annual incomes exceeding $85,000. “We are committed to increasing our branded retail presence in key markets for True Religion Apparel, such as Los Angeles,” said Jeffrey Lubell, chairman, chief executive officer and chief merchant of True Religion Apparel, Inc. “We believe the expansion of our branded retail stores complements the growth within our premium wholesale accounts, increasing the accessibility of our apparel collections to U.S. consumers and building awareness of the True Religion brand.” “Fashion Square is a destination for contemporary apparel in the San Fernando Valley,” said Michael Buckley, president of True Religion Apparel, Inc. “We expect that our high-quality, trend-setting merchandise will be well received by the Fashion Square shoppers.”

For the GREEN consumer...

2009-06-10T17:33:00.000-07:00

What does it mean for a clothing or footwear company to be environmentally sustainable? Browsing some brands’ web sites, you might think a company can lessen its impact on the environment just by using organic cotton in some of its clothing. But, it’s not that simple.The University of Delaware’s Sustainable Apparel Initiative (UDSAI) is demystifying the process of becoming more environmentally sustainable for brands and retailers. Companies seeking this information are invited to read and utilize UDSAI’s recently produced policy guide, “Creating a More Environmentally Sustainable Apparel Business: Policies for Apparel Brands and Retailers.”“Sustainability is the ‘buzz’ throughout all industries. The problem is there is no clear definition of what this means,” said Rick Horwitch of Bureau Veritas, Consumer Products Services. “I applaud the University of Delaware for taking on this daunting task of trying to put some structure and context around this very important issue. UDSAI will help bring clarity and direction.”University of Delaware faculty and students collaborated with industry professionals involved with environmental sustainability to research best practices. Here is a sampling of UDSAI’s recommendations that are detailed in the guide:• Eliminate waste in all points of the supply chain.• Eliminate excess product manufacturing by balancing supply to demand.• Develop and implement advertising and marketing strategies that avoid greenwashing – that is, unspecific and unsupported claims about a product’s environmental impact.• Consider and implement end-of-life strategies (recycle, renew, or reuse) when choosing materials, designing, and producing apparel.“The apparel industry is predicated on change and planned obsolescence, which often results in overconsumption and waste throughout the value chain,” said Huantian Cao, associate professor of fashion and apparel studies and co-director of UDSAI. “UDSAI attempts to provide some simple guidelines that, when followed, will result in a more sustainable company.”The University of Delaware Sustainable Apparel Initiative promotes environmental sustainability and social responsibility in the apparel and retail industries. Established in 2008 by the Department of Fashion and Apparel Studies in partnership with key industry partners, UDSAI leverages the department’s extensive expertise in apparel and textiles sustainability and social responsibility, consumer behavior, and apparel design to research, design, create, and demonstrate a framework of guidelines, practices, programs, and solutions to shape the character of the apparel and retail industries in their evolution toward sustainability.

For all you tan-a-holics

2009-06-10T17:31:00.001-07:00

For those consumers who cant get enough of those rays and hate tanlines, there is a solution!!!

Embarrassing tan-lines are a thing of the past thanks to a brand new tan-through fabric developed by UK designer Kiniki.com.The fabric, which looks and feels like any other swimwear material has been used to create a whole new line of stylish men’s and women’s swimwear for summer 09.Ranging from revealing men’s tangas to more demure ladies’ swimsuits, Kiniki.com’s latest line offers sun worshippers the perfect means to achieve an all-over bronzed look.“It’s a double celebration for us right now,” says John Walker, founder of Kiniki.com. “Not only have we secured a worldwide patent on our tan-through fabric, but we’ve now officially launched into the womenswear market.”Established in 1976, the company has grown from a backroom business for mail order men’s underwear into a British manufacturing success story, sending tangas to Tonga and briefs to Brazil, and averaging around 1 million sales a year.Kiniki.com, based in Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire was one of the first businesses to take advantage of the e-commerce trade in 1996.Walker began his career driving by the seat of his pants as a test driver for Michelin tyres, but it was the chance-reading of a book about the mail order trend in the USA that propelled him into switching from spare tyres to six packs.“My advice is to keep mass marketing a repeatable product that has a large mark up and is easy to package,” says Walker. “I read that in a business book in the 1970s and I have never looked back.”

adidas launches new Rainbeau Mars Signature Line

2009-06-10T17:25:00.000-07:00

Fashion by Addidas thats good for your mind body and soul. Addidas launches yoga apparel line for the peacuful Yoga goers of the world

adidas is proud to introduce the new Rainbeau Mars Signature Line. The exclusive line of yoga apparel, footwear and accessories has been developed with adidas global yoga expert Rainbeau Mars and combines the best sustainable product adidas produces with key performance fabrics and technologies. “These clothes are soft, colourful and beautiful - a perfect way to reflect how we should feel about ourselves and the planet", says Rainbeau Mars.The unique yoga collection incorporates Rainbeau’s elegant signature as a motif on key apparel items, making it an intimate and personal line. The range sees Indian influences playing an important role in the colour inspiration with bright, vibrant oranges combined with earthy browns and intense violet. Apparel is made from soft Tencel fabric, a renewable raw material from eucalyptus wood harvested in Forest Stewardship Council-certified, responsibly managed forests. All prints are water-based, and all trims, such as bra straps, are made from recycled materials. The apparel products also include a small amount of Elastane, which though not a sustainable fibre, is necessary to ensure great comfort, fit and performance, which are key to this performance yoga range. The Yatra sandal is made from natural canvas, recycled textile and recycled rubber with natural wood pulp insoles for maximum comfort. The collection is also part of the adidas Better Place Program.Alongside the sustainable apparel and footwear, the concept continues to offer sustainable solutions with a consumer booklet made from recycled materials and printed with water-based inks accompanying all apparel items available at retail.

Denim remains a wardrobe favorite - Cotton Incorporated

2009-06-10T17:24:00.000-07:00

As Americans are dialing back purchases, one wardrobe favorite has so far avoided all the cutbacks: denim. Seventy seven percent of consumers reported to the Cotton Incorporated Lifestyle Monitor survey that they love or enjoy wearing denim, so it should come as no surprise that the average consumer owns seven pairs of denim jeans.“Consumers prefer denim because it is durable, versatile, and really takes on the personality of the wearer,” says Norma Keyes, Director, Product Standards, Cotton Incorporated. “And since denim is made of cotton, it’s easy to care for, and can be worn several times before it needs to be laundered.”Easy care is a definite advantage for consumers looking to cut back on household expenses; according to the Monitor survey, 25% of consumers have changed their laundering habits in order to save money.These days, however, denim is no longer all about the tried and true; new technology from Cotton Incorporated called STORM DENIM makes denim water-repellent without sacrificing any of cotton’s natural breathability or durability. The finish is applied as the final step, ensuring that any washes or other stylistic treatments applied are unaffected.“The STORM DENIM technology is great for consumers, whether they need to stay dry working outdoors or while out on the town in bad weather,” says Keyes. “Now, water repellency is no longer limited to outerwear, which is yet another reason why denim is a great investment.”Cutting Cost With Cotton is one in a series of communications designed to help consumers in trying economic times get the most from their favorite fiber. Cotton Incorporated, funded by U.S. growers of upland cotton and importers of cotton and cotton textile products, is the research and marketing company representing upland cotton. The Program is designed and operated to improve the demand for and profitability of cotton.

‘We will continue to seek new expansion opportunities’ - Tommy Hilfiger

2009-06-10T17:18:00.000-07:00

Economic ressession does not have Tommy Hilfiger down....

Tommy Hilfiger Group announces the results fr the year ended March 31, 2009.Financial Highlights• Total Group net sales increased 21% to EUR1,600 million• Global retail value of net sales of EUR 3.4 billion• Sales growth in wholesale 16% and retail 29%, driven by organic growth, new store openings and the newly acquired Japan and European Footwear business (12% of total 21% growth).• Despite pressure on margins in the second half of the year, EBITDA equal to FY08 at EUR 270 million.• European sales up 14% to EUR795 million with an EBITDA margin of 23.2% (FY08: 27.2%)• North American sales of USD 898 million up 10% with an EBITDA margin of 10.4% (FY08: 15.2%)• Cash generated from operations at EUR 267 million (FY08: EUR 228 million)• Despite significant investments in stores, shop-in-shops and the acquisition of TH Japan, net debt lower than prior year at EUR 505 million (leverage ratio at 1.9)Operational Highlights• 100 new freestanding store openings, taking the global store portfolio to over 900• Largest Tommy Hilfiger flagship store in Europe opened in Cologne, Germany in March 2009• Business in Japan was swiftly integrated and contributed significantly to results• In March 2009, we announced our intent to integrate our US and Canadian business into Tommy Hilfiger North America• Strategic alliance with Macy's, established in Fall 2008, successful and expanding product line to include children's wear• First global flagship store on Fifth Avenue in New York City set to open September 2009

Tipsy Tie can be worn casually and fashionably

2009-06-10T17:15:00.000-07:00

FOR THE FASHION FORWARD EDGY CONSUMER: when we think of fashionable we dont usually think about guys. But that doesnt mean the fashionable male market segment does not exisit and here is a new accessory for that consumer.

Satin, wool, silks and tweeds are just a few of the fabrics used to create TUMBLER & TIPSY's hottest new addition to their line the "Tipsy Tie." This new must-have unisex accessory is hip, versatile, and right on the cutting edge of green fashion. Comprised of a select, interchangeable piece of recycled fabric with a stylish gold chain strung through it, Tipsy Ties can be worn formally or casually, ready for a dinner party or dance party. In any setting, they'll always turn heads. Handmade and exclusive, Tipsy Ties are 100% environmentally friendly, and in keeping with Tumbler & Tipsy's philosophy. "My goal was to take a traditional wardrobe staple such as the tie, and revamp it into a hip and playful accessory. It has never been done before, and with the new line, I feel that the Tipsy Tie definitely achieves this as a new trend for the fashion conscious individual," said Michael Kuluva. Now available online or at select stores across the country, Tumbler & Tipsy offers a wide range of reconstructed vintage clothing that has a casual yet fashionable feel. Inspired by an independent carefree spirit and the search for classy and hip fashion, each item is specially handmade by the company's founder, Michael Kuluva. Stitched together from hand-selected vintage clothing and fabrics, each item is one-of-a-kind. With one eye towards the environment and the economy, a finger on the pulse of the current industry, and a playful sense of humor, Tumbler & Tipsy looks to be the forerunning innovator of today's fashion scene.

HarleyDavidsonBoot is gaining rave reviews from customers

2009-06-10T17:11:00.000-07:00

HARLEY DAVIDSON SUBCULTURE

Leather Apparel Direct announces that their newest website, Harley Davidson Boot is gaining rave reviews from customers. The website, which was opened at the end of last year, has grown at a rapid pace. According to Leather Apparel Direct's customer service manager, Kelly Clark, "We are getting rave reviews because we are offering the most recent line of Harley Davidson footwear at affordable prices. We also strive to have a world class customer service team. Our team focuses on getting the orders processed as quickly as possible so that the customers will have their products as quickly as possible." Darrin Gillenwater, president of G & V Enterprises, Inc (the parent company of Leather Apparel Direct) states that they try to treat each customer with the respect they deserve. "We realize in these economic times that the added value of customer service is a priceless commodity. While many of the big box stores and websites alike are lacking in customer service, we want to be able to offer that service along with the low prices." What does this customer service really mean? It means that they have a telephone line that goes directly to a live person. There is no need to go through a whole prompt system before you can reach a customer service representative. It also means that their customer service representatives are familiar with the line and can help you find the product that is right for you, if you are unsure what you need to ride your motorcycle with. This is a breath of fresh air, in a world that is so lacking on customer service. Darrin says "It is so frustrating to not know what you need to purchase for a project. With the large number of new motorcycle riders purchasing bikes each year, many of these riders have never had the need to purchase motorcycle boots before and have no idea what they should wear for protection. That is where we come in. We want to educate the consumer on benefits of an actual riding boot versus 'just any old shoe'".

David Beckham to unveil latest range of Emporio Armani collection

2009-06-10T17:10:00.000-07:00

Talk about star power....

David Beckham will make an exclusive personal appearance at london’s selfridges oxford street and reveal the new fall/winter 2009-10 Emporio Armani underwear campaign.Giorgio Armani is pleased to announce that his friend and international sporting icon David Beckham will reveal the worldwide exclusive of the new Emporio Armani Underwear Fall/Winter 2009-10 campaign on June 11th at Selfridges Oxford Street in London.The Giorgio Armani Group is one of the leading fashion and luxury goods groups in the world today with over 5,000 direct employees and 13 factories. It designs, manufactures, distributes and retails fashion and lifestyle products including apparel, accessories, eyewear, watches, jewellery, home furnishings, fragrances and cosmetics under a range of brand names: Giorgio Armani Privé, Giorgio Armani, Emporio Armani, Armani Collezioni, AJ Armani Jeans, A/X Armani Exchange, Armani Junior, Armani Teen, Armani Baby and Armani Casa.

Size 16 dropped from Ann Taylor racks

2009-06-10T16:56:00.000-07:00

In such a hard economic time I think it is a horrible idea to begin dropping any market segments within a company, especially one that taylors to older woman who arent stick skinny twigs. Ann Taylor is taking all of their size 16's off of their racks and women are outraged

Ann Taylor is the latest women's clothing store to eliminate its size 16 from store racks. The size will still be available online.
The retailer blames lack of demand for the size, and joins Banana Republic and other retailers who stopped stocking size 16s in its stores.
Analysts say the move could be an attempt for Ann Taylor as well as other stores to cut costs, according to Crain's New York, a business journal. Larger sizes are more expensive to produce, requiring separate patterns and more fabric.
Ann Taylor was one of the last retailers to offer the size at its stores. Gap and Banana Republic have not sold size 16 in stores for several years and J. Crew only sells the size online.
The size elimination comes at a time when studies show that 70 percent of American women are a size 12 or larger.

Quiksilver Extends Kelly Slater's Endorsement Agreement with New 5-Year Deal

2009-06-10T16:51:00.002-07:00

This just goes to show that having a celebrity endorser definiatley boost sales. Quicksilver is now extending Kelly Slater's endorsements due to the profits.

Quiksilver is pleased to announce that it has signed legendary 9-time ASP (Association of Surfing Professionals) World Champion Kelly Slater to a 5-year endorsement contract, extending his sponsorship arrangement with the company and ensuring that the greatest surfer of all time will be sponsored by Quiksilver for his entire competitive career.
Robert B. McKnight, Jr., Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and President of Quiksilver, Inc., commented, “We couldn’t be more pleased than to continue our long-standing relationship with the greatest surfer the sport has ever known. Kelly has been a fantastic spokesman for Quiksilver, a terrific ambassador and promoter for the sport of surfing and a true friend of the company. Kelly continues to work toward broadening the exposure of surfing through projects such as his upcoming IMAX movie, and he’s got some great ideas that we will work on together to enhance the marketability of surfing and bring surf competitions to a broader audience in new and innovative ways. Kelly’s agreement to accept a significant portion of his compensation in the form of Quiksilver stock demonstrates his confidence in Quiksilver and our future prospects. We are absolutely delighted to continue our partnership with Kelly.”
Kelly Slater added, “Quiksilver’s been family to me for so long it's hard to remember

Women with Curves Can Now Get Denim Jeans that Fit Just Right

2009-06-10T16:51:00.001-07:00

Toombas Jeans & Denim Wear announces this week their new line of no-gap-in-the-waist jeans and other denim clothing, sizes 0-24. Inspired by millions of curvaceous women who have gone unnoticed in the fashion world, the founders of Toombas Jeans & Denim set out to change women's negative self images by simply stating, "Love Your Curves.""We should all love our inner essence no matter what we look like on the outside," Haja Scott, designer says. "And, the best way to love the 'inner you' is to start feeling good about the 'outer you'." These clothes are designed to reinstate women's confidence and to make them like what they see when they look in the mirror. They are also designed to take women from day to night - from the workplace to the hottest place.Women of all shapes and sizes continue to quest for that perfect pair of jeans. And for most, buying jeans without a huge gap in the waist is the biggest challenge. That's why Toombas has tackled the challenge and, according to their customers, have succeeded with flying colors. Toombas has promised and delivered awesome fitting jeans that women are singing praises about. And being women, the Toombas designers know how important it is to please women and to make their clothing fit perfectly.When the company's journey first began, not many retailers were targeting women with smaller waists, and wider hips and rear. Now, even those retailers who do provide alternatives simply do not have great options for the everyday woman. Price is also a big factor, especially today when people are really watching their budgets. Toombas jeans are strategically priced so that women can have stylish, quality clothing without having to break the bank.

The Power of a Nudge Toward Thrift

2009-06-10T16:38:00.000-07:00

In ideal economic models, consumers weigh every purchase against a hypothetical alternative for that money — the opportunity cost. But a paper forthcoming in The Journal of Consumer Research argues that people generally neglect opportunity cost unless they are prompted to consider it.
In a range of studies, consumers preferred the cheaper option in greater numbers when the price difference was made explicit — when price difference was specified as residual cash, and when other uses of the money were suggested — thus generating an opportunity cost in their minds. Consumers classified as frugal are evidently more predisposed than spendthrifts to calculate opportunity costs without cues.
“Sellers of expensive goods should trivialize opportunity costs,” whereas marketers of cheap goods should suggest options for leftover cash, said Nathan Novemsky, an associate professor of marketing at the Yale School of Management who is one of the paper’s authors.
The researchers also say that neglect of opportunity cost plays a significant role outside of products. They contrast the 2002 State of the Union speech by President George W. Bush maintaining that the defense budget “is never too high” with a 1953 speech by President Dwight D. Eisenhower comparing the cost of a bomber plane with numerous foreclosed civic projects.

Lacroix pledges to fight for fashion house

2009-06-07T17:36:00.000-07:00

Couture Designer Christian Lacroix refuses to let the economic status of our global market to change his couture designs. Despite the fact that his couture house has not been doing very well, Lacroix still pushes to keep his high end image and couture house. Although he is losing money, his brand image is far more important to him and it is something he will not sacrifice. Another artical stated that in over 22 years his business has not made any sort of profit.

PARIS (AFP) – French fashion king Christian Lacroix has pledged to fight to the hilt to maintain his prestigious couture house, declared insolvent this week after falling foul of the global crisis.
In a letter penned by Lacroix to the firm's 125 staff that was read to AFP by a company source on Friday, the designer said:
"I don't know what tomorrow will be made of, if indeed there is a tomorrow, but I will do everything to ensure we remain a couture house 200 percent, and to safeguard a knowhow without which the lungs and heart of this house would not exist."
He said he had been designing for free for the last months and that Christian Lacroix SNC owed him 1.2 million euros.
He also slammed the "shareholders' strange management," later in the note dubbing it "catastrophic."
Acquired from the world's leading luxury giant LVMH in 2005 by US duty free giant Falic, Christian Lacroix SNC said in a statement Thursday that it had declared insolvency before a Paris court due to "the sharp downturn of the luxury market."
The company "has filed a voluntary petition with the Tribunal de Commerce de Paris to put itself under the protection of the courts" but intends "to present a continuation plan" and "to maintain its business operations throughout the proceedings."
Declaring insolvency is a first step towards bankruptcy protection.
A company spokesperson said the court would hand down a decision within a week. Lacroix, 58, was unavailable for comment.
Celebrated for his exuberant swathes of lace and embroidery, and patchworks of fabrics in vibrant colours, Lacroix hit the catwalks over 20 years ago with dramatic designs inspired by the costumes of his native Arles in the south of France, and the Camargue, with its gypsies and bullfighters.
But sales have failed to match the excitement generated by each of his collections and Thursday's announcement is a strong setback for the couture house.
After the 2005 buy-out, the company launched "an ambitious and costly restructuring plan to reposition the brand offering to higher end collections," including the opening of two US stores, one in Las Vegas, one in New York.
"Unfortunately, this longterm strategy for repositioning of the brand was dramatically hindered by the current and ongoing world financial and economic crisis which severely hit the luxury sector," the company said.

Wal-Mart unveils new fashion line with Miley Cyrus

2009-06-07T17:32:00.000-07:00

Miley Cyrus is really reaching out and penetrating her youth market by now teaming up with BCBG to design a economically friendly (cheap price points) clothing line for Wal-Mart

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – Major retailer Wal-Mart unveiled plans on Wednesday to launch a fashion line with Miley Cyrus, linking itself to a top teenage pop star at about the time back-to-school shopping begins.
Cyrus, the star of the hit Disney Channel series "Hannah Montana," will team with designer Max Azria, of BCBGMAXAZRIA, to create a line of budget-friendly items: graphic tees, tops, pants, shoes and accessories, all under $20.
In a statement, Wal-Mart said the line will reflect the rock-n-roll roots of 16-year-old Cyrus, who has scored musical hits with her Hannah Montana albums and enjoyed strong success at film box offices with her "Hannah Montana: The Movie."
Her father, Billy Ray Cyrus, is a country singing star in his own right, famous for his country tune "Achy Breaky Heart."
Fashion designer now becomes the latest title for the teen star, who has singer, actress and author already under her belt. "I love creating looks that are all about personal expression and individuality," Cyrus said in a statement.
The line is expected to hit Wal-Mart stores in August, just in time for back-to-school shopping, and Wal-Mart also is sponsoring Cyrus' North America concert tour that starts in September.

Depression chic

2009-05-18T16:21:00.001-07:00

With all of the talk of a recession and a possible depression, many designers were highly inspired this spring by the frocks worn bythe ladies who lived during the great depression. Its ironic how times of depression bring back the cycle of this fashion era.

Who needs economists? With an insight that's downright uncanny, designers worked both sides of the crash of 1929, turning out glittery flapper frocks (Alberta Ferretti, Aquilano.Rimondi) and faded sack dresses (Burberry, Bottega Veneta) in equal measure. On the one hand, Jil Sander's Raf Simons fringed not just dresses but suits, too; on the other, Marc Jacobs found himself at home on the prairie.

(CBS) As the economy continues to falter, some companies are looking for inspiration from America's toughest financial times to turn a profit. CBS News correspondent Bianca Solorzano reports. Food lines, business closings, shantytowns, the iconic images of the economic crisis of the 1930s. But in today's tough times, some folks are finding the Great Depression pays. Andrew Shaffer began designing his depression-themed greeting cards in October as banks were being bailed out and Americans plunged deeper into recession. "We just see a lot of doom and gloom in the media. The cards actually take that straight on. They tackle the issue. They say 'Hey, look, things are not as bad as they could be, or they're not as bad as they were in the 1930s,'" Shaffer said. Shaffer says his sales have doubled since introducing the "Depressing Times" line since his cards send a message about the world today. "It's about getting back to basics and about what matters to people. All these sorts of values like integrity and service and stuff that really seemed to have not mattered for many years, frankly. And the Great Depression sort of signifies a return to that," Shaffer said. Designer John Patrick has also struck pay dirt with his spring 2009 line actually called "American Gothic," which has brought the dust bowl to the runway. "One of our best selling items right now is the prairie print blouse. It has a very vintage, romantic feeling. That, I think, is the idea, that when you put something on, it makes you feel good. People want a lot of that right now, feeling good. You put it on and it is almost like a pick me up," Patrick said. "We see that in times of prosperity, people will oftentimes look forward. And in times of economic downturn, as we're seeing right now, that there's a tendency to reflect back on the past," said Nancy Upton, a psychologist at Northeastern University. While depression-themed trends may be chic, at least one item created at the height of the depression is still thriving. Monopoly, started in 1935, still has plenty of people playing with money. As toy sales slipped 3 percent last year, board games like Monopoly made strong profits, up 6 percent in 2008. More than 200 million sets of Monopoly have already been sold. And Hasbro says today the game is more relevant than ever. "It's the continued fantasy of operating in a world where you can buy real estate, and you can develop. It's the opportunity for that sort of social interaction with your family group, and at the end of the day, there's always a lot of fun to be had in playing with large stacks of money and for a moment pretending that you're rich and you have it in your power to buy all these buildings and these estates," said Steven Baker of Hasbro Toys. At a time when this is so hard to come by, you get to hold on to a little bit. "Exactly," Baker said.

The First Lady Effect

2009-05-18T16:09:00.000-07:00

She’s been called a one-woman stimulus plan for the fashion industry. And certainly the breathless cataloguing of Michelle Obama’s sartorial choices — from the $565 two-tone Lanvin sneakers she wore to a D.C. food bank in mid-May to the black Michael Kors sheath and Peter Soronen corset she donned for a recent Time gala — has shown no sign of abating since her husband took office in January. Along the way, those who produced the clothes, whether J. Crew or high-end designers (despite the kudos she has garnered for the former, Mrs. Obama has shown a considerable penchant for expensive stuff, too), have been catapulted into the limelight. But what impact has such triple-A-list exposure had on their businesses?

Both a little and a lot, it turns out. In terms of name recognition, the effect for some of the smaller types Obama has championed, such as Jason Wu and Thakoon, has been immeasurable. But so far, the bottom-line impact on the klatch of tony designers Obama has worn consistently is, as much as can be measured, less than spectacular. “There has been a huge interest in special orders, which honestly has helped maintain a business in this gloomy time,” said Peter Soronen, whose pieces — such as the custom-made cherry red dress Obama wore to the Alfalfa Club dinner in March; the cluster-sequined gown she wore to the Governor’s Ball, and the floral dress she wore on Easter Sunday — are sold through Ikram, the Chicago boutique owned by Ikram Goldman, the First Lady’s de facto stylist. (While Soronen’s spokeswoman would not give out specific prices, she said the latter two dresses retail in the upper $3,000 and $2,000 range, respectively.) Soronen, who called his 11-year-old company “a semicouture house” because custom orders make up a large percentage of his business, was quick to add that major retailers have not yet come knocking for his entire collection, although the individual dresses Obama has worn have elicited direct specialty boutique sales orders and, in some instances, requests for an entire new dress. “With the sequined dress, there were stores that said, ‘How can we get ahold of this?’ And then there were the stylists who called and said, ‘I need a version of that.’ I’m lucky because I’m pretty much a specialty designer anyway, so I can actually handle special orders a lot easier than some companies that have to go through more red tape.”Of the larger companies from which Obama has chosen clothes, J. Crew has been the most ubiquitous, with the beaded cardigan she wore in Europe (retail price: $298) going on back order nearly immediately, according to creative director Jenna Lyons. “We didn’t know she was going to be wearing it, so we only had 20 pieces left, and the demand was obviously bigger than that,” said Lyons, who noted that, with the exception of the children’s clothes custom-designed for the Inauguration, Obama buys her J. Crew pieces without the company’s input (as for whispers that J. Crew is simply a token affordable retailer the First Lady dons to appease the peanut gallery, Lyons said: “I really hope that she’s wearing the clothes because she likes them. Everything cannot be Narciso Rodriguez, unless you’re a millionaire….If it’s a token, we’re thrilled to be the beneficiary, but I hope that it’s not”).

Lyons wouldn’t comment on direct sales figures, though she did acknowledge the company is watching the First Lady’s aesthetic for clues as to what women may want from future collections. “A lot of the things she’s been wearing from us are sort of classically in our repertoire, like cardigans and pencil skirts, but one thing we have paid attention to is the height of her heels,” Lyons said. “Everybody notices she wears low heels. We’re like, ‘Ah-ha.’ I imagine there will be a lot more kitten heels on the market next year.”And then there are those New York-based designers — Isabel Toledo, Thakoon, Maria Cornejo, Rodriguez and Kors — whose names are inextricably linked to the First Lady, forming an elite club to which every young (and not-so-young) American designer wants entrée. “Everybody called me to say the dress sold out,” said Sophie Theallet, the group’s latest addition, whose spring 2009 striped shirtdress (retail price: $1,925) Obama wore in early May to an event honoring Sojourner Truth. Sounding a bit flustered, the French-born, Brooklyn-based Theallet added, “We are still going through all e-mails from new stores that want to take appointments to see the next collection. And I have a lot of women calling [and] asking if I can make a special dress for them.” Special orders aside, not all of the favored designers have experienced an uptick, despite the invaluable publicity. “As far as people coming in and asking specifically for what she is wearing, no,” said Cornejo, whose bell-sleeved wool coat and cropped jacket were worn by Obama. (The designer’s outerwear retails from $437 to $1,099.) “I think we’re all very privileged to have her wear our clothes, but we don’t count success by number of pieces sold. And honestly, it’s more about reaching the right clientele. The women who come into my store, the last thing they want to do is buy something just because it’s been photographed a lot.” For Kate and Laura Mulleavy of Rodarte — whose day dresses retail for between $2,500 and $13,000 and whose taupe pleated dress from fall 2007 the First Lady wore on several occasions, most recently to meet with Jordan’s Queen Rania — the impact is about visibility among industry insiders: “We had so many people contacting us, because they were so excited to see [her] in one of our dresses,” the Mulleavys wrote in an e-mail. And for a designer lucky enough to have his designs worn on foreign soil, such as Thakoon, whose floral dress and coat Obama wore for her photo op with French first lady Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, the exposure can result in a blitz of worldwide press clippings (that dress and coat were special orders made prior to the Inauguration, though a similar floral shift costs about $1,250). “It was like having an international ad campaign,” Thakoon said. “There are a lot more stores coming to market appointments than ever have before, people from other countries who seem to feel that whatever is good enough for the U.S. is good enough for them.” Yet he added that, while he has not observed a tangible increase in sales, he hasn’t had time to sit down and measure such a shift. “I think the effect is something that will be felt more down the line, when stores that have placed their first orders start selling the designers she’s wearing.”

Yet the designer who retailers report as most clearly benefiting from the benefactor-like role Obama has undertaken is Wu, whose dresses she has worn on multiple occasions, most memorably to the Inaugural balls and on the cover of Vogue. It may be that the aura of glamour and white-hot media coverage surrounding his Inaugural gown propelled him ahead of his colleagues — or perhaps, with recent trunk shows at Jeffrey in Atlanta and a Saks Fifth Avenue outside Philadelphia, an appearance at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, the Met Gala and a recent spread in New York magazine, Wu is simply, as they say, working it. “First of all, I think Jason is incredibly talented, but he’s really catapulted because of Michelle,” said Jeffrey Kalinsky, president of Jeffrey and director of designer merchandising at Nordstrom, who noted that a Jason Wu trunk show held in Atlanta on May 8 was “an absolute mob scene” and had sales of more than $125,000. (As for the other Obama-favored designers Kalinsky carries, Rodriguez and Thakoon, neither has had a recent trunk show, yet sell-throughs of their spring collections have been 60 and 50 percent, respectively, a remarkably healthy number, even in flush times.) At Saks, “the thing we notice is women coming out, whether to the store or going onto the Web site, and looking at what else he’s doing,” said fashion market director Colleen Sherin. “We carried Jason early on, but this has taken him to a whole new level,” she said. “For customers who hadn’t heard the name before, they come in and see it, and there’s name recognition….It validates [the designer].” Added Brian Bolke, co-owner of Forty Five Ten in Dallas: “I don’t think our customers are the kind of people who are going [to say], ‘I want the Michelle Obama dress,’ but the fact that she wears these designers legitimizes the purchase they’re making. They feel like their head is in the right place.”And while those high-end designers may not be experiencing skyrocketing sales, their buyers are downright effusive when it comes to the unorthodox relationship between the First Lady and the Oz-like Goldman. The effect is such that the (pricy) little shop around the corner is getting its own boost: Despite criticism that turning to only one store for her wardrobe necessarily eliminates designers from the First Lady’s consideration, Obama, said boutique owners, has piqued interest in their own businesses (it should be noted that Ikram does not carry Sophie Theallet, Michael Kors or Tracy Feith, whom Obama has also worn). “I don’t want to speak for Ikram, but I don’t think the exact thing she’d have Michelle Obama wear would be the thing she’s telling other women to wear, which is how a great store owner should operate,” said Forty Five Ten’s Bolke. “If anything, [Obama] has given a boost to the idea of shopping in a specialty store that’s really looking out for their clients.”

Australia fashion week trimmed by economic blues

2009-05-18T15:48:00.000-07:00

SYDNEY (Reuters Life!) – Australia's fashion week was thinner this year as the global economic crisis crimped designers and buyers' participation, but the catwalk remained an explosion of colors amid optimism that spending will pick up.
Organizers of the 14th Australian Fashion Week that began Monday said the event was 15 percent smaller than last year, with 41 shows and two rather than three catwalks, which mirrored cuts in the fashion capitals of London, Paris, New York and Milan.
Some of the biggest names in Australian fashion were notably absent from the five-day lineup of spring and summer fashions such as Akira, Michelle Jank, Alex Perry, and Bettina Liano.
Big names left on the schedule were Sass & Bide, Camilla and Marc, Wayne Cooper, Nicola Finetti, Zimmerman, Kirrily Johnston and Lisa Ho while Dion Lee won high praise for his catwalk debut.
Organizer Simon Lock, who founded the event in 1995 but sold it to New York-based marking company IMG in 2005, said the numbers were down this year but the mood was upbeat with forecasts of spending rebounding later this year and into 2010.
"We certainly aren't seeing dark and demure collections as the media seems to think fits the times. We're seeing a lot of really directional fashion with lots of great colors and inspirational collections," he told Reuters.
Retail analyst IBISWorld has forecast Australian clothing exports falling 2.4 percent to $322.5 million this financial year as consumers in the United States, Europe and Asia buy less high-value Australian fashion exports.
IBISWorld's general manager Robert Bryant said this meant that Australian retailers and brands positioned at the luxury, high-value end of the market would struggle.
"As ... so-called recessionistas turn to mid-market brands for more affordable options, revenue within the top end of Australia's fashion field is likely to fall by 19 percent this year," Bryant wrote in a report released as fashion week began.
"While relative prosperity over the past five years led to an increase in the number of designer boutiques and luxury clothing stores, this sector will fall the hardest during the current crisis, with brands such as Morrissey and Herringbone already closing their doors, and more likely to follow."
But Bryant predicted the trend would be short-term, with spending rising in 2010 as economies globally recover and enthusiasm for high-end fashion returns.
Lock said the Rosemount Australian Fashion Week was still attracting good numbers of overseas buyers, with strength from the Asia Pacific region, particularly Malaysia, Hong Kong, Singapore and China.
European and North American organizations were still represented but by fewer people as travel budgets were cut.
"But we are yet to get a feel for the strength of the check books," said Lock.