When Izaac Mizrahi announced he was leaving Target for Liz Claiborne, I wondered what kind of ad campaign he would concoct. Little did I know, he would put himself in the photos! Peep the designer sitting at the right corner in a neon head scarf, staring at model Georgina Stojiljković prancing by. The Spring collection is snappy, crisp, and so are the ads. I dig the juxtaposition between the urban setting and colorful, preppy clothes. Are you with me?
Isaac Mizrahi's Fall 2009 collection might have received praise for being so quintessentially him but we love watching what he can do for the mainstream retailers. For his first full collection at Liz Caliborne, Mizrahi pulled out all the stops. Inexpensive, classic American pieces are layered into chic pulled-together looks. We might still be in our twenties but we much prefer this style of dress to the disheveled, just-rolled-out-of-bed look. No matter which style you adhere to, we think there's something for everyone in this collection.
This swimwear collection is one of the first by Isaac Mizrahi in his new position as Creative Director at Liz Claiborne and his skill at understanding the most basic consumer needs is perfectly demonstrated. The first set of deliveries in the collection, or Cruise 1, consists of suits you would want to wear when you're not in the beach bum mindset yet, like navy and white suits in polka dots, stripes, and solids. The second set of deliveries, or Cruise 2, is full of bright prints and fits the state of mind you're in after lounging at the beach for a few days (or, hey, weeks). We love Mizrahi's fresh, all-American take on swimwear--especially because it's so flexible.
It's been almost a year since Isaac Mizrahi announced his departure from Target for Liz Claiborne. Now, his debut collection for Claiborne is finally out and ready for perusal. The line is quintessential Isaac, designed in fresh colors and sporty cuts.
“[The clothes] look wonderful. It’s supposed to be snappy. I hate to use the word ‘grown-up,’ but it’s slightly more grown-up,” says Mizrahi. The vivid prints are a refreshing take on the mid-priced line, and I like how he experimented with different necklines. Definitely a change from Claiborne's past designs. The line hits department stores in February. Are you excited?
To see more from the collection, read more
Isaac Mizrahi has finally arrived at Liz Claiborne after spending six years designing for Target. The brand has been waiting for almost a year to have Mizrahi come on board...and it must have been a long one. Back in January of 2008 Claiborne's Chief Executive told USA Today, "It is certainly no secret that the brand has been lacking a clear and cohesive vision and has languished as a result.".
Tracy Feith will be Target's 15th Go International guest designer. The range will include approximately 60 styles, making it much larger than most capsule collections at Target.
The Sartorialist, Scott Schuman, was hired to shoot the Spring 09 DKNY ads and Fashionista wonders why they had to hire a stylist. Ladies, you should have seen the crew.
The Observer reports that women have stopped wearing form fitting sweaters in favor of security blanket-like cardigans and wraps. The story is about a thousand words too long if you ask us, but yeah.
This weekend economic loses increased causing, over the whole of last week, the stock value for both Liz Claiborne Inc and Jones Apparel Group Inc, to decrease by over 50 percent. This was, to varying degrees, across the board.
Australian label, Zimmermann, go-to brand for jet setting women who love to wear Resort year-round, is coming out with shoes and lingerie for Spring 09. Expect just as colorful and free-spirited an offering from the brand.
Elle magazine is having its best year, according to Fashion Week Daily. The magazine sold just a few hundred ads less than Vogue has this year and it is assumed that the two books will be neck and neck for what will be a challenging 2009.
And it looks like Anna Wintour, despite rumors of retirement, hasn't lost her fire...NY Mag has been shoo'd.
The great disappointment of the Liz Claiborne and Narciso Rodriguez partnership sits for us at the uncomfortable space between creative vision and production values. As a designer, Narciso is not one for daring geometric interpretations or commercially confused offerings, he gives high end consumers the subtle brilliance of basics done right. In this sense the partnership should have been a great boon to a designer needing production and sourcing help to further his commitment to making the best possible garments. Having a conglomerate on your side gives you the ability to negotiate deals with textile firms and producers that would be impossible as an independent. Whether or not this support manifested we may never know. But we can only hope that there was no stifling of creative effort because in truth we wonder who could possibly argue with his incredibly appealing and easy to sell garments.
Narciso Rodriguez and Liz Claiborne Inc are ending their 18-month-old partnership after what has been months of speculation about the future of the partnership including concerns over ownership rights from Rodriguez. Excitingly, Rodriguez will regain full ownership of his business and inherent trademarks
Prada and LG Group have teamed up for the second time with a new Prada Phone with a set of unique features that is likely to please both technology and fashion fans. It has a QWERTY keyboard, video calling, a 5 mega-pixel camera with Schneider-Kreuznach lens, a full HTML browser and an ultra-thin keyboard.
J.C Penney has signed a deal to distribute Charlotte Ronson at 600 of their stores. Impressive work for a quasi-celebrity contemporary designer.
Munich based Stylebop has launched an ecommerce shop in the United States.
Smashbox Studio and IMG will be parting ways after Sunday's Los Angeles Fashion Week.
In some parts of the world there really are the fashion police and its not a funny joke. More than 35 young women wearing tight trousers were arrested in South Sudan for disturbing the peace, senior police officials said on Tuesday.
And finally for those confused by baggy trousers a guide to figuring it all out.
Matthew Williamson is leaving Pucci at the end of his three year contract. His replacement as creative director is Peter Dundas of Emanuel Ungaro.
Sigerson Morrison is collaborating with Pringle of Scotland. The soft but strong shapes in cream, grey and dusky pink will launch for Spring 2009
Liz Claiborne and Narcisco Rodriguez are at an impasse over the growth of the 15 million dollar niche designer label.
Italians are not scared of ecommerce anymore. Really! Milan's Politecnico University, called MIP, will inaugurate Italy's first master's degree program aimed at creating specialists in online fashion sales. Too bad the internships will happen at Yoox's Emporio Armani store. Usability may not be a core value of the program.
Its a good thing the Prada IPO has been pushed back as sticking to a core money making business has never been something at which the brand excells. And often to very positive effect. Prada's new art project with favored architect Remm Koohlhas? Its called Transformer, which will be unveiled in Seoul, South Korea, next year. Transformer is a tetrahedron structure in lieu of a theater that will accommodate cultural, artistic and fashion events Prada is organizing. If Prada has Koolhas and Chanel has Zaha Hadid which duelling fashion + architect team is the Autobots. And more importantly who are the Decepticons?
Iisli has a pop up store on Bond Street. Iceland Kisan is opening a boutique in Soho. Villa Moda has some serious bling in Bahrain. Good thing they now have the backing of the entire country of Dubai to get fancy. Also fast fashion may be out!
The rich keep getting richer even as America decides to be come a socialist country, thus Valentino’s accessories designers Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pier Paolo Piccioli are going to the ultimate luxury destination with a new couture handbag line. Shopping Couture is a line of bags with just one tote — served up in 10 variations.
With his Target contract expiring at the end of the year, Isaac Mizrahi is getting ready to move on to the world of Liz Claiborne. The deal was sealed in January and Issac is now showing off his sporty collection filled with color and fresh cuts such as the safari-inspired designs, seen below.
In his debut collection for the brand, Mizrahi offers up a selection of pantsuits, trench coats, and complementing accessories made in vibrant hues. Essentially, the line includes Mizrahi signatures but on a more-tempered scale than in the past. With items ranging from $30 for a tee to $250 for outerwear, it's pricier than his collaboration with Target, but I'm willing to give it a try. The collection will hit the racks in January.
To see more sketches from the collection, read more
