Posts from the Apparel Category at Luxist

Polo's Profits Rise

Posted Aug 6th 2008 8:02PM by Deidre Woollard
Filed under: Apparel

Like Giorgio Armani, Ralph Lauren is a white-haired gent with a reason to smile. Today, Polo Ralph Lauren Corp announced a first-quarter profit increase of and raised its full-year earnings guidance. For the past three months, , income rose 7.8 percent to $95.2 million and total revenues were up 4 percent to $1.11 billion from $1.07 billion. Lauren himself is bullish on the future and mentioned recent partnerships with high profile events such as Wimbledon and the Olympics as part of the secret to their success. Based on the strong numbers the company upped fiscal year 2009 earnings per share guidance to between $4 and $4.10 from a prior estimate of $3.95 to $4.05. Up next for Polo, a launch into one of the world's rising shopping destinations, Istanbul. The first freestanding Polo Ralph Lauren boutique opens there this October.

Gallery: Ralph Lauren for the Olympics

Christian Dior Couture Sales Up

Posted Aug 6th 2008 6:02PM by Deidre Woollard
Filed under: Apparel

Part of the fun of writing up a piece on Christian Dior Couture is the chance to showcase a photo yet another of the fabulous designs of John Galliano. As WWD reported last month, haute couture is hot right now, bearing out the trend that while mid-level luxury is faltering, all is well at the top of the market. Now Christian DIor Couture backs that up with the news that first half sales increased 5 percent at constant exchange rates to 366 million euros, or $560.2 million. Dior released a statement saying that they are strong in China, Russia, and the Middle East as well as Europe. The couture news was released with results for Christian Dior Group, the parent of LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton and Christian Dior Couture which showed that the revenues at the holding company rose 11 percent at constant exchange to 8.15 billion euros, or $12.48 billion but the group share of net profit dipped 1.7 percent to 352 million euros or $538.8 million. Looks like they'll be turning out these pretty dresses for a long time to come.

Gwyneth Paltrow Named Ambassador to 2008 Key to the Cure

Posted Aug 6th 2008 11:04AM by Tracy Chait
Filed under: Apparel, Charity, Big Givers

Saks Fifth Avenue along with the Entertainment Industry Foundation recently announced that Gwyneth Paltrow will act as the new ambassador for the 2008 Key to the Cure, a women's cancer initiative. Karl Lagerfeld has designed the exclusive tee for the cause, with all proceeds going to cancer research.

The weekend-long shopping event is slated for October 16 through October 19 at Saks stores nationwide and online at saks.com. Two percent of proceeds from the weekend's totals will be donated to the Women's Cancer Research Fund. Now in its 10th year, the annual Key to the Cure event has raised over $28 million for cancer research and treatment programs.

Bill Blass New York Extends Line to Include Luxe Capsule for Fall 08

Posted Aug 6th 2008 9:02AM by Tracy Chait
Filed under: Apparel

The team at Bill Blass New York has announced in a press release that it will extend its fall line to include a luxe capsule group. The limited edition pieces include made-to-order looks like a mink topper and a metallic python trench. Available only through Blass sales consultants, the niche collection is design director Jose Solis's opportunity to make use of unique detailing and rare fabrics.

Chief Merchandising Officer Rodney Hutton likens the collection to "buying right from the runway." The limited edition pieces from last fall's collection sold out immediately, so if you've been picturing yourself in that python trench ever since we mentioned it, you'd best be dialing up Blass HQ at (800) 901-7895 ext. 214 to find out about the next private trunk show in your area. Check out the gallery for images from the Bill Blass fall '08 runway show, designed by now-you-see-him-now-you-don't Peter Som.

Gallery: Bill Blass Fall 08

Phillip Bloch To Have A Fashion Line

Posted Aug 5th 2008 2:02PM by Rigel Gregg
Filed under: Apparel

Fashion stylist Phillip Bloch is moving on from simply fixing people's clothes to designing them from the ground up. He's teaming up with the contemporary Emma & Posh to come up with an all-cashmere collection for this year's holiday season. And if you're excited about this first attempt you'll be happy to know that both sides say this is only the beginning of what looks to be a long-term partnership. Look for the Phillip Bloch for Emma & Posh collection in stores like Henri Bendel and Fred Segal with price points around $108-$188.

New Armani Underwear Line

Posted Aug 5th 2008 11:02AM by Rigel Gregg
Filed under: Apparel

American men have been able to buy Armani undies since this past January and now women will soon be able to also: Armani has finally put together a line of women's intimates apparel for the United States. Launched today, the new line is divided into 4 subcategories (Gardenia, Tulipano, Camelia, and Lila) and is aimed to "satisfy the specific needs of the American woman" by addressing comfort, fit, quality, functionality, and (of course) great design. Look for the new line at the Georgio Armani showrooms in New York and expect prices to start somewhere between $12-$50.

The Classicist: Haspel's 100 Years in Style

Posted Aug 4th 2008 9:01AM by Jared Paul Stern
Filed under: Apparel, Men's Style, The Classicist

2009 marks the 100th anniversary of a true American sartorial institution: Haspel, makers of the classic seersucker suit that has come to epitomize elegance in the summer months for dapper gentlemen from coast to coast. The company's history dates back to New Orleans in 1909 when haberdasher Joseph Haspel began making suits in lightweight fabrics, allowing men to remain dressed to the nines even in oppressive climes.

After passing out of family hands for nearly two decades and being allowed to stagnate somewhat, the brand is now being revived on the eve of its centenary by Joseph's great-granddaughter Laurie Haspel Aronson. She is giving the label a much-needed facelift, introducing new clothing lines and updating its storied styles while remaining true to her ancestor's values of maintaining an elegant appearance no matter the conditions.

It was those values married to quality workmanship and classic style that led to Haspel's being favored by the likes of presidents Calvin Coolidge, Harry Truman and Franklin D. Roosevelt, as well as dapper movie stars like Humphrey Bogart, Gregory Peck, who wore Haspel seersucker in To Kill A Mockingbird (1962), and Cary Grant, who sported Haspel suits in Charade (1963), while becoming a staple of Ivy League style on college campuses everywhere.

Gallery: 100 Years of Haspel

Continue reading The Classicist: Haspel's 100 Years in Style

Heiress / Model Lydia Hearst's Sexy New Lingerie Ads

Posted Aug 4th 2008 8:01AM by Jared Paul Stern
Filed under: Apparel

Model Lydia Hearst, daughter of newspaper heiress Patty Hearst (who was famously kidnapped by the Symbionese Liberation Army in 1974) and great-granddaughter of publishing magnate William Randolph Hearst, stars in London lingerie company Myla's sexy new ad campaign (above). The 1940s, Film Noir-influenced ads, shot by photographer Ben Hassett, will appear in print in December. Hearst, 23, who has also modeled for the likes of Prada and Louis Vuitton, also designs her own line of accessories in conjunction with Puma.

Gallery: Lydia Hearst in Lingerie

Betsey Johnson Seersucker Strapless Dress

Posted Aug 3rd 2008 11:02AM by Marsha Reid
Filed under: Apparel

Give your tank top and shorts a break this summer and slip into this Seersucker Strapless Dress for a stylish and casual look. Betsey Johnson's minimally designed day dress is accented with a sash around the waist resulting in a modern and easy to wear outfit. Pair with understated jewelry, like a pair of diamond hoops and a bright orange bangle for a splash of color and sandals for a polished everyday look. Or make a smooth transition into the evening by wearing hot pink stilettos and a sleek clutch. Price $375.

Design Student's Painting Becomes A Bendel's Sweater

Posted Aug 2nd 2008 11:02AM by Deidre Woollard
Filed under: Apparel

Luxury department store Henri Bendel has partnered with an art school to create a new offering for fall. Henri Bendel and the Savannah College of Art and Design's Working Class Studio have created a floral printed cashmere sweater for the Fall 2008 limited edition cashmere collection. The ¾ length scoop neck sweater gets its design from a painting of poppies by a SCAD artist and will available it two jewel tones--purple and pink.The "SCAD Working Class Studio for Henri Bendel" sweater will sell for $248 and be available in late August.

Bonhams' Classic Jaguar Auction

Posted Aug 2nd 2008 9:02AM by Jared Paul Stern
Filed under: Apparel, Wheels, Auctions

On Aug. 9th London auction house Bonhams is staging a sale of classic Jaguar motorcars and related automobilia at Goodwood in Sussex, England. The sale boasts several incredible examples of the famed XK120, the model driven by stars like Humphrey Bogart, Clark Gable and Gary Cooper in the '50s. The most expensive car on offer is a white D-Type engined 1953 XK120 in mint condition, originally owned by British raceing driver Mike Salmon, estimated at $200,000 - $300,000.

We're particularly fond of the XK Championship-winning 1954 XK120 Competition Roadster pictured above, est. $140,000 - $160,000. Also featured in the historic auction: the first steel-bodied, right-hand drive 1950 XK120 Roadster ever made, est. $220,000 - $260,000; a 1954 XK120SE Coupé finished in British Racing Green, est. $180,000 - $220,000; and a stately 1958 MkVIII Saloon, est. only $28,000 - $36,000.

Gallery: Bonhams' Summer Jag Sale

DiCaprio's Gorgeous Girlfriend Lands Hurley Campaign

Posted Jul 31st 2008 9:02AM by Jared Paul Stern
Filed under: Apparel

Leonardo DiCaprio's gorgeous Israeli model girlfriend Bar Refaeli has landed the fall ad campaign for classic California surf company Hurley. The ads (above) which showcase Refaeli's ample charms will debut in magazines this fall, and she will also appear in the brand's Spring 2009 runway show during Los Angeles Fashion Week in October. You can watch a video of her shooting the campaign here. Refaeli, the first Israeli model to appear in Sports Illustrated's Swimsuit Issue, was also recently named Best Body of 2008 by Arena magazine, and will appear in Tommy Hilfiger's Iconic America TV special this fall.

Gallery: Bar Refaeli

[via Kempt]

Ralph Lauren Paint Your Polo Parties For Kids

Posted Jul 30th 2008 5:03PM by Laura Malesich
Filed under: Apparel, Children

Move over tie-dying...painting polo shirts is the new birthday party craze. Ralph Lauren took the scrambling through the craft-store out of the equation for your little one's next bash by offering the Paint Your Polo kit for $45. The kit is intended for kids age six and up and includes a boy's or girl's white polo shirt in varying sizes, bright non-toxic paints, sponge brushes, a stamp, and instructions all in a festive paint can. 100% of the proceeds will support the Pediatric Art Program at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. On their website you can see other kids' creations as well as download tips for throwing a paint party. Kids wearing their own fashion -- now that's a sweet statement.

Gallery: Paint Your Own Polo

Rare Old Levi Strauss Jeans Hit eBay

Posted Jul 30th 2008 12:02PM by Deidre Woollard
Filed under: Apparel, Auctions

As I mentioned when we were looking at the rare items in the world, old Levi's jeans are worth a lot of money. According to the Guinness Book of World Records the most valuable jeans are an original pair of Levi Strauss & Co 501 jeans aged over 115 years old which were sold to a collector in Japan for $60,000 through eBay in 2005. So it's big news that another pair of old Levi's have hit eBay. The seller reports that the rather dusty jeans were found in a mine in the Rand Mining District, on the Mojave Desert,. California. They are covered in candlewax from the candles the miner was using to light the tunnel he was working in and were found with a paper bag with the name of a mercantile store which operated between 1895 and 1898 in the town of Randsburg. The pants have a buckle back with suspender buttons and cloth label indicating they are size W34 x L33. The auction ends today and was over $11,000 last time I checked.

[via Kottke]

Gallery: The World of Levi's Jeans

Levis® Vintage XX First Blue Rigid Jeans

Jil Sander Fashion Line Up For Sale Again?

Posted Jul 30th 2008 9:02AM by Deidre Woollard
Filed under: Apparel

While the Jil Sander fashion line consistently receives raves for cool, minimalist design and is worn by celebrities like Tilda Swinton and Sarah Jessica Parker, it doesn't make a lot of money. That news doesn't seems to sit well with current owners Change Capital Partners. WWD says that numerous sources have let the know that the London-based private equity fund, which bought Jil Sander from Prada back in February 2006, has been quietly testing the waters o see what the company could bring in. The line's Raf Simons recently received the ELLE Fashion Star newcomer award during Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2009 in Berlin. Fashion Week Daily also reports that Kanye West is a big fan of Simons' work.

Vogue UK reports that Change Capital Partners is looking for offers off around 200 million euros which is believed to be double what they may have bought the company for. This on a company that, for the year ended January 31, announced profits of 6 million euros on sales of 131 million euros.

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Polo's Profits Rise

Christian Dior Couture Sales Up

Gwyneth Paltrow Named Ambassador to 2008 Key to the Cure

Bill Blass New York Extends Line to Include Luxe Capsule for Fall 08

Phillip Bloch To Have A Fashion Line

New Armani Underwear Line

The Classicist: Haspel's 100 Years in Style

Heiress / Model Lydia Hearst's Sexy New Lingerie Ads

Betsey Johnson Seersucker Strapless Dress

Design Student's Painting Becomes A Bendel's Sweater

Bonhams' Classic Jaguar Auction

DiCaprio's Gorgeous Girlfriend Lands Hurley Campaign

Ralph Lauren Paint Your Polo Parties For Kids

Rare Old Levi Strauss Jeans Hit eBay

Jil Sander Fashion Line Up For Sale Again?

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#	Blogger	Posts	Cmts
1	Deidre Woollard	171	1
2	Jared Paul Stern	42	0
3	Tracy Chait	26	0
4	Rigel Gregg	24	0
5	Laura Malesich	24	1
6	Lisa Palladino	16	0
7	Marsha Reid	6	0