FabSugar

Biggest Headline of 2008: Steve & Barry's Faces a Tumultuous Year

FabSugar — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 08:00:22 -0800

I remember it like it was yesterday. In March '07, Sarah Jessica Parker announced her partnership with an athletics apparel store. That's when Steve & Barry's entered our stylish lives. I admit, at first I was confused by SJP's choice of distributer for her line, but boy did the retailer deliver. Besides SJP's Bitten, it also hosted Dear by Amanda Bynes, a Sex and the City Movie merchandise line, a Venus Williams sportswear collection, and more. All seemed well in the world of Steve & Barry's until we got hit with devastating news - the retailer filed for bankruptcy protection in July.

To hear more about Steve & Barry's tumultuous year, read more.

An update soon followed: Steve & Barry's officially filed a voluntary Chapter 11 petition in Manhattan bankruptcy court. Bitten, and all the other celebrity clothing lines, would now be homeless. Then, word came in August that Steve & Barry's would survive. Huh? The company had been purchased by investment firm Bay Harbour Management for $168 million. How I wish this story had a happy ending, but in November, Steve & Barry's had its final blow and decided to cut its losses. In the end, the flailing economy forced the retailer to file for its second bankruptcy. We have yet to learn if Bitten will make a new home, but Steve & Barry's, and the idea of fast fashion under $10, will be missed!

Source, Source, and Source

Fab Flash: Steve & Barry's Final Bow

FabSugar — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 11:00:22 -0800

Tear. After a long, hard struggle, Steve & Barry's will finally cut its losses. The current flailing economy has forced the retailer to file for its second bankruptcy. Steve & Barry's, which featured fun collections from the likes of Sarah Jessica Parker, Amanda Bynes, and Venus Williams, plans to liquidate all assets. Another one bites the dust. This one will be dearly missed.

Source

Fab Flash: Would You Miss Steve and Barry's?

FabSugar — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 12:00:22 -0700

UPDATE: Steve & Barry's have officially went under and has filed a voluntary Chapter 11 petition in Manhattan bankruptcy court.

Tear. Mega retail chain Steve and Barry's is headed toward major financial downturn. The 28-year-old clothing chain who recently gained popularity for carrying celebrity sportswear lines - most notably, Bitten by Sarah Jessica Parker - at rock-bottom prices has filed for bankruptcy protection.

Steve and Barry's is set to shut down a large number of its 270 stores and will most likely be forced to liquidate all assets. So how does SJP feel about this failed venture? “We are surprised and disappointed that this situation has developed. We are surprised because our understanding, based on the accounting statements we see, was that sales have been very, very strong” said Sarah Jessica Parker's lawyer, Ira Schreck.

Let's not lose hope too soon. The company is looking for an acquisition; Sears and Kmart have showed interest, with the possibility of continuing a partnership with its licensed celebrity lines. Would you miss Steve and Barry's?

Source

SJP Bitten Update!

FabSugar — Tue, 21 Aug 2007 11:30:22 -0700

We've been getting lots of inquiries about when Sarah Jessica Parker's Bitten Fall collection will be hitting Steve & Barry stores. Here's the latest! The Fall collection began trickling into stores August 10th and the full floor set should be in stores by September 15th. With every item still priced at $19.98 or less, you can visit Bitten's website for more information and Steve and Barry's website for store locations.

What's in store for Bitten come Fall? An expanded assortment of nearly 500 apparel items and accessories including classic outerwear styles in current silhouettes and wool and cashmere sweaters in a variety of styles and colors. I am most excited for outerwear from wool coats to hooded puffer jackets, a denim collection constructed of cotton denim produced in the same mills and finished with the same techniques as many premium brands, and, of course, an array of accessories including: handbags, jewelry, belts, hats, scarves, gloves and footwear. Bitten continues to rock on!

Friday Fab News Roundup!

FabSugar — Fri, 22 Jun 2007 12:15:55 -0700

Q & A: Sarah Jessica Parker - On the Runway
Doherty may clean up to marry Moss - Yahoo
Steal This Bag (If You Can) - Fashion Week Daily
Red Carpet or Rehab, It All Sells - NY Times
Swap 'N' Shop - Style File
China gives fashion instructions to police - Yahoo
Faithfully Marianne - Times UK
The Find: White Dresses - New York
The Illusionist: Matthew Ames - Refinery29
The 10th Anniversary of Gianni Versace's Death - Telegraph UK

Source and Source

The Look For Less: Anna Corinna Mini City Tote

FabSugar — Fri, 22 Jun 2007 04:04:44 -0700

Last month, I went on a huge handbag-shopping binge and one of my victims was this Anna Corinna Mini City Tote, $360, in grey. I use it all the time (actually, I'm carrying it today) because it's very handy and comfortable. Plus, it's oh so cute and adds attitude to my look.

To see the look for less, read more

Seems Forever 21 isn't the only retailer who bites off high-end fashions. Per Fashionista, SJP's Bitten has made an almost-identical copy of the Anna Corinna bag and it's only $10! Though it isn't sold online, you can find it at a Steve & Barry's stores or probably on Ebay soon enough.

Bitten Fashion Show and SJP on the Today Show!

FabSugar — Fri, 08 Jun 2007 10:10:59 -0700

Sarah Jessica Parker was on the Today Show this morning dressed head to toe in her Bitten clothing line. Well, actually her shoes were not Bitten, as she shyly admitted. She said "um, don't ask about the shoes!" I would expect no less out of Miss Carrie Bradshaw herself. She was so cute, down to earth and so endearingly proud of her new line. Take a look for a Bitten fashion show and some great commentary by SJP herself!

Reminder! Get Bitten by SJP Today!

FabSugar — Thu, 07 Jun 2007 04:03:33 -0700

The holy day has come; go on Fab devotees and shop SJP's debut of Bitten! You are ready, I send you on this quest for under $20 SJP-inspired garb. Unfortunately, Bitten is not available online but here is a store locator. Be sure to come back and share your thoughts and purchases! May the fashion force be with you.

SJP Bitten Update!

FabSugar — Tue, 22 May 2007 13:30:33 -0700

It's been too long since I gave you an update on SJP's Bitten clothing line - but now there are several bits of news! First off, here are more images from the collection. Did anyone see SJP on Oprah last Friday? They did a little mini fashion show and while some of the pieces are admittedly a bit basic, the jackets, jewelry, and some single items look really fun and SJP-like. So, I think come June 7th we'll have another fashion frenzy on our hands.

As you know Bitten is being sold exclusively at Steve & Barry's and here is a store locator. It will NOT be sold online. Pooh.

Also! There is a contest to "Get Bitten" with SJP and three lucky winners will win a trip for two to NYC. BUT you have to print out the contest form and bring it into a Steve & Barry's store on June 7 before 11AM to enter. Lastly, check out this video where SJP talks about her Bitten manifesto with total enthusiasm and zest (love her!). And remember that SatC episode where she has her super fun book cover photo shoot? Well, the video has glimpses into another fun SJP photo shoot so enjoy!

A Sneak Peek at SJP's Bitten Clothing Line!

FabSugar — Thu, 22 Mar 2007 15:20:22 -0700

Boy does celebrity fashion news travel fast! It's been an exciting two weeks for fab favorite Sarah Jessica Parker. First, she announced her first ever clothing line called 'Bitten,' then we found out the juicy (ie. cheap!) clothing line details, and then she looked amazing in our premiere SJP Celebrity Style. It is faboo to see you back in the spotlight SJP! She was the original girl who likes to have fun after all. Thanks to Catwalk Queen, here is a sneak peek of Bitten, to be sold exclusively at Steve & Barry's stores June 7th.

UPDATE: Sorry gals - had to remove the photos. Stay tuned for more updates!

What do you all think?! I'm more into the set on the models - there's a bit more SJP eclecticism going on there. The bottom set looks like a J.Crew lineup (ouch!). Nonetheless, I'll take that grey dress with bottom blue stripe and the black belted corset dress, and I better see a tutu in the mix SJP! Stay tuned for more Bitten...