FabSugar

Good News Bears

FabSugar — Thu, 07 May 2009 14:30:22 PDT

Finally, some good news. If you have a subscription to WWD, you probably wake up every day to another company reporting negative profits. After months and months, it's quite the downer. True, rock-hard luxury companies like Louis Vuitton are keeping afloat, but how is everyone else doing? WWD surveyed top designers and retail executives, and the outlook was overly optimistic. If you need a pick-me-up or just want to be enlightened, check out my favorite quotes from the article.

Michael Kors: “The good news is in this crazy, terrible economy, I think people’s taste is getting better. They have to think about what they buy and they’re getting a more discerning eye because of it. There are no more shoes you can’t walk in, bags you can’t carry, dresses you can’t sit in. All of that’s finished. It’s like the beginning of Gone With the Wind, ‘This is about a time long, long ago.’ The handbag that’s so heavy I can’t lift it, the shoe I can’t get out of a car in, the dress I have to lean in - those are memories from a time that’s gone with the wind."

Karl Lagerfeld: "You have to have something very quality and fashion at the same time, and the names are the guarantee of all that. That’s why big names are important. That’s why it might be more difficult for smaller companies. Also, Chanel is beautifully run as a company. There are no debts. There’s no healthier business than Chanel."

To read what Marc Jacobs, Rachel Roy, Givenchy's CEO, and more are happy about,

read more Marc Jacobs: “The weather is beautiful. I’m in love. I’m engaged to be married. I’m working on building a new home, and working in the studio with Steven Meisel and Madonna on the next [Louis Vuitton] campaign. Then, I have two days of shooting with Juergen [Teller]. The Met is [tonight], which I’m excited about. I’m receiving a FiFi Award. Then, we receive the International CFDA award for Louis Vuitton. So, I kind of have really great stuff on a daily basis. I can’t find anything to be unhappy about at the moment." Fabrizio Malverdi, CEO, Givenchy: “I’m just back from the Middle East. I went to Kuwait, Bahrain, and Dubai, and it’s good to see that the atmosphere is not as depressing as in other countries. The energy is really positive. For Givenchy, we are opening new stores with the new concept we introduced a year ago [in Paris on the Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré]. The reaction to this new concept is really good, and we have an existing partner that wants to open stores based on it. Europe and Russia are suffering a lot, but in general, Givenchy’s women’s prêt-à-porter is going well. The sell-throughs are good. And if the customer has fun buying it, that’s the real success. We have to inject a bit of life, a bit of fun, and a bit of coolness in the market. That’s the reason why people are still buying.” Stefano Gabbana: “First of all, we feel hypercreative, reactive, excited, and stimulated. Strangely enough, given the times, we feel good and feel the urge to experiment. I think this crisis has bought back many core values, and fashion has achieved a more human and traditional aspect, which we appreciate. Many superfluous elements have been wiped away and it’s OK if people buy less because they have too much of everything. It’s useless to have too much of everything. It’s like sitting down to a five-course meal when a plate of pasta will do just fine. This reevaluation to me is good news.” Dries van Noten: “We just won the Fashion Institute of Technology’s 2009 Couture Council Award For Artistry of Fashion. I’m very proud of that. We opened the store in Tokyo at the end of March. It was a decision that was made at the end of October, so it’s not something most people think, ‘Oh, it was made before the crisis started.’ It’s still totally the right moment to do something like that, because it’s unexpected. Why not at this moment? It’s difficult maybe for a lot of people, but still, life continues. Shopping and buying fashion and fashion itself, are just parts of life." Phillip Lim: “Good news - my plants in my garden are happy and about to bloom. My dog Oliver has recently learned to lay down - on command. I am more inspired, and my focus is clearer then ever! Life is good, as it’s really the simple things that I have come back to. It’s been a reawakening." Karen Katz, president and chief executive officer, Neiman Marcus Stores: “The customer is still engaged. When we present her with the right trends, she is responding. For our storewide focus on a color, we settled on the color pink. Our customers are feminine. Pink has been perfect for her; she has definitely embraced pink. She’s also been buying anything with a feminine detail. Diane von Furstenberg: “I think there was too much of everything, and I feel like the whole industry had to take a laxative. We just had too much s-t, and therefore there’s a cleansing thing that happens. All of a sudden it’s not so much about marketing as it is about product. We kept on saying, ‘Oh, it will sell, you know, it doesn’t matter,’ and now we’re not like that anymore. Now we’re just being much more careful." Simon Doonan, creative director, Barneys New York: “Having been through a number of depressed periods, most notably the '70s, I find a lot of explosive creativity comes out of these periods. The punk movement in England came out of the terrible, terrible economic depression that hit England in the early '70s. A creative rage can come out of [hard times], which is an immensely productive thing and has a huge impact on fashion design and marketing. Rachel Roy: “The good news is having the opportunity to create the secondary line [Rachel Rachel Roy] for this younger customer. It gets my mind off of designer woes and all the hardships of getting your designer clothes into specialty stores and department stores right now. It’s a fun project - it’s younger, it’s fun, it’s a bit edgy, and certain things could be a bit naughty that I can’t do in designer." Source and Source

Behind the Seams: Vintage Swap Party

FabSugar — Thu, 07 May 2009 05:50:22 PDT

Remember how I said one of my New Year's resolutions was to wear more vintage? Five months into '09 and I'm feeling fine. Well, it's made easier when friends put together genius ideas like a vintage swap party and serve you mimosas and vegan scones. One fine Sunday, three gal pals edited their vintage finds and put together an afternoon-long party to sell them. Prices were cheap, pieces were cute, and yours truly left with three new old things. Oh, and a date. Not too shabby, check it out!

Fab Flash: High/Low Designer Collaborations at an All-Time High

FabSugar — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 12:00:22 PDT

During dismal economic times, designer collaborations are the way to go. “We’re definitely going to see a lot more of these high-low marriages,” said Valerie Steele, of the Museum at the Fashion Institute of Technology. “People are going to want a lot of fashion for their buck.” With that said, now is the time to nab a creation from your favorite high-end designer for a fraction of the price.

For example, J Brand has teamed up with Hussein Chalayan to create an exclusive denim line. “The opportunity to work with Hussein brings both brands to another level,” said Suzy Crippen, of J Brand. “It is all about business. The business of making something beautiful, a collector’s item you can afford, like a cheap Picasso.” Affordable designer goodies? That's always been the Fab way to go . . .

For a list of upcoming designer collaborations,

Fab Flash: Coach Launches Sweeter, Cheaper, Poppier Line

FabSugar — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 12:00:22 PST

Coach is responding to the tough economic times with a new budget-friendly line named Poppy. Like the name, Poppy is a fresher, more youthful collection of footwear, handbags, and accessories compared to its namesake line. The best part? Lower price points. “Poppy offers a different attitude that is younger in spirit,” said executive creative director, Reed Krakoff. It’s playful, with more prints, interesting fabrics and more experimentation."

The Poppy line, ranging from $198 to $598, will include a whimsical array of tiaras, pochettes, footwear, watches, eyewear, and even select apparel items. The collection debuts in July in stores and online at Coach.com. Fun!

To see more from the Poppy collection,

View 4 Photos ›

Source

On Our Radar: Nina Garcia, Book Number Three

FabSugar — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 03:00:22 PST

Third time doesn't need to be a charm for Nina Garcia and her beloved book series. Alas, she's giving us more of what we love with a book aimed at today's economically challenged times. The book, titled The Style Strategy: A Less Is More Approach to Staying Chic and Shopping Smart, is destined to offer insight during a fashion recession. Due out in August, and Ruben Toledo will once again lend his illustration skills. After The One Hundred, where yours truly had a cameo, and Nina Garcia's Little Black Book of Style, this one will move to the top of our reading list.

And while we're sort of on the subject . . . Project Runway season five has wrapped. Taking place in LA this time around, the finale show is on the New York Fashion Week schedule in its Friday 9 a.m. time slot. Where and when the new season will air is still in the air, heh, but supposedly the finale show will happen. You may recall, in previous seasons, a handful of contestants show to serve as a decoy so as not to reveal the real winner. But this time, who is presenting will be a secret. So, not only do we not know when and if PR will air, but we'll have no idea who designed what. Confusing much?

Source

Fab Blab: Karl Lagerfeld Defends High Fashion

FabSugar — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 05:00:22 PST

We can always count on Karl Lagerfeld to entertain us with his cheeky comments. The designer recently defended fur and now he's speaking out about high fashion. "It's great to see things you may not buy - because you don't have the money - but it is very ugly to think they shouldn't exist because you cannot buy them," he said. "I can be interested in a $20 million diamond I will never buy, without desiring the diamond. If you want only things you can afford, it's boring too." He has a point; we live for runway shows but can't afford most of the pieces. But do you think it's insensitive of him to make this statement in the midst of a recession?

Source

Fab Site: theOutnet.com

FabSugar — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 09:00:22 PST

Net-A-Porter founder Natalie Massenet is set to debut an online designer outlet dubbed theOutnet.com come April. "It is going to be a silver lining of the recession. Women have got used to discounts," said Massenet. "Sale shopping can be grubby but this will be quite chic." The site will stock top designer brands such as Christian Louboutin, Marc Jacobsn, and Stella McCartney, priced up to a whopping 80 percent off. So what are you waiting for? Sign up for updates at www.theoutnet.com.

Fab Flash: Saks Fifth Avenue's Dismal Downturn

FabSugar — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 12:00:22 PST

Saks Fifth Avenue is one of our favorite online stores, but it's been experiencing major economic woes.

In November, the luxury retailer reported “widespread weakness” with a net loss of $42.8 million. Today, the luxury retailer announced it will be closing shop on all but two of its bridal salons. The two bridal salons left standing will be the New York flagship and the Beverly Hills store. All other locations are set to close sometime next year. Saks will start marking down its bridal collections - which includes designs from the likes of Carolina Herrera, Jenny Packham, Monique Lhuillier , and Oscar de la Renta - in January - future brides take note!

On the flip side, Neiman Marcus reported a $12.9 million profit this quarter. Both retailers seem similar so we wonder why one's doing much better than the other. Care to enlighten us?

Source

Fab Flash: Doo-Ri Launches Budget-Friendly Line

FabSugar — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 12:00:22 PST

No longer will we have to admire Doo-Ri's delicate creations from afar. Following in the footsteps of Zac Posen, Doo-Ri Chung has announced a diffusion line slated to launch next year.

“I have been thinking about this for a really long time,” said Chung. “Within my own collection there is a great need to have a wider price range. A second line allows me to do that."

The diffusion line will feature Doo-Ri's signatures patterns, cuts, and draping. Look forward to a cool collection of leather jackets, leather leggings, silk-screened tees, and jersey dresses. Wholesale prices will range from $80 for a top to $475 for a leather jacket.

Source

13 Fab Gifts Under $30

FabSugar — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 06:00:22 PST

We're not quite at holiday shopping crunch time, but we are probably all starting to feel the wallet crunch. I'm about half done with my shopping, and have been thinking about where I can buy fun little Fab gifts for my girlfriends. Top stores that come to mind are Old Navy, Forever 21, the Gap, Fred Flare, and the Marc by Marc Jacobs store (I love all their little cheap goodies by the register). If you're starting to trip out financially, take a flip through our thirteen gifts under $30 and hopefully it will leave you inspired and relieved.