The Kardashian sisters announced their global partnership with leading international designer Bruno Schiavi and his apparel company, Jupi Corporation. Kim, Khloe and Kourtney will collaborate with Schiavi on a complete brand launch encompassing apparel, home and accessories. The initial range to include a women's RTW collection, handbags, belts, wallets and lingerie expected to be in-stores in 2011 in the US, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia and Germany.
"The Kardashian sisters are an inspiration to women of all ages and loved for their sense of fashion and style. I am extremely excited to be working with Kim, Khloe and Kourtney across so many fashion categories – taking their brand to women in key markets around the world." Bruno Schiavi, Jupi Corp
As an expert on body image and self esteem-building through his highly popular international brands, that include the BL Body range inspired by NBC's hit weight loss show, The Biggest Loser as well as Dr Rey's Shapewear range, Schiavi is a natural choice to work with the high profile sisters. The Kardashians celebrate healthy and curvaceous body image, the importance of high self esteem and family values whilst still being fun, theatrical and sexy.
"We are excited to work with Bruno Schiavi in developing our first brand together," stated Kim, Khloe and Kourtney Kardashian. "His expert design sensibilities, his amazing creativity, and his genuine understanding of female consumers everywhere make him the ideal partner."
Schiavi's expertise in the creation of international brands was the perfect combination when looking for a partner that could work across some many fashion platforms with global retail experience.
Plans are already underway after the first collection to extend the brand into luggage, swimwear, shoes and kids fashion.
Earlier this year Jupi Corp secured the global license to create an athletic apparel range based on NBC's hit weight loss show, The Biggest Loser, with the first collection due in stores in the US in October 2010.
Legendary style icon, actress, businesswoman, designer, author and mother Priscilla Presley is scheduled to introduce The Priscilla Presley Jewelry Collection on QVC Monday, August 9 at 9 AM (ET).
"Stunning jewels have long been a healthy obsession of mine and I'm thrilled to create a collection that truly captures the stylistic essence of where I have been in life and where I would like to venture on to next," says Presley. "It is my hope that this very special collection will add a little unconventionality and exquisite beauty to women's day-to-day."
Presley's line was inspired by personal stories and experiences from her extraordinary life. The collection includes necklaces, earrings, rings and bracelets with bold and glamorous designs that incorporate the icon's signature rock n' roll style.
"We are thrilled to welcome Priscilla to our family of celebrity designers," said Diane Paccione-Rizzo, vice president of merchandising for QVC. "Her unique style and exquisite designs are sure to resonate with shoppers."
The Priscilla Presley Jewelry collection will be available through QVC starting August 9 at QVC.com.
This line was launched in cooperation with bsp, the Los Angeles based brand extension and business development firm.
Swedish fashion retailer Hennes & Mauritz AB Thursday reported a 9% rise in same-store sales in June after its sales a year earlier were weighed by slow consumer spending in the economic downturn.
H&M, the world's third-largest fashion chain after U.S.-based Gap Inc. and Spain's Inditex S.A., slightly underperformed expectations for an 11% rise in stores open longer than one year.
The company's total sales, including sales in new stores, were up 20% in June, just below forecasts of a 21% rise.
A strong sales increase had been expected after H&M in its second-quarter report last month said its total sales from June 1 to June 22 were up 22% compared with the same period a year earlier.
Thursday's sales report comes after H&M's rival Gap last week said its same-store sales in June were largely flat compared with a year earlier.
H&M said its total number of stores world-wide increased 13% to 2,062 in June from 1,827 a year earlier.
The company, which is expanding rapidly in markets world-wide, last month said it expects to open 180 new stores in the second half of 2010 in countries including Germany, the U.S. and China.
On Aug6, Anny will interview fashion guru Robert (Bob) Mckee and discuss about fashion and PLM &ERP software in Shanghai,China.Bob is taking his Asia trip and will make a speech "The new Normal".
Biography: Robert Mckee (Industry Strategy Director, Lawson Software)
Robert (Bob) McKee is Industry Strategy Director for Fashion at Lawson. Based in the US, Bob works in Lawson’s Product Management department and is responsible for the overall strategy for the Lawson Fashion solution.
Bob has more than 35 years experience of working with textile, apparel, footwear, home textiles and accessories companies. He has held a variety of positions including VP of Operations, VP of Manufacturing, VP of Sourcing, VP of Materials Management, Materials Manager, Production Control Manager, Production Planner, DC Manager and DC Supervisor as well as being an independent consultant to the industry.
In 1998, Bob joined Intentia International, which joined forces with Lawson Software in 2006. His previous roles at Intentia include Director Global Fashion, Director of US Solution Design and Global Director for the Intentia Fashion Solution.
Prior to joining Intentia, Bob was Vice-president of Operations at O’Bryan Brothers, Inc. an intimate apparel and linerie manufacturer, Director of Sourcing at Holloway Sportswear, Inc., Vice-president of Manufacturing, Sourcing and Quailty Control at Bachrach Clothing, Inc. Vice-president of Manufacturing at The Company Store, Director of Materials Management at Medi-Flex Hospital Products. In his early career, Bob reached Vice-president of Materials Management at BTK Industries and held positions as both Vice-president of Sourcing and Vice-president of Materials Management at Warnaco a $3bn revenue company. Bob started his career in the industry at Hartmarx in 1972.
Bob has implemented 7 different enterprise management solutions in 7 different companies. Today, Bob is considered by many as a guru and is a well-known veteran of the industry and a regular speaker at industry events.
Chinese demand for cotton has been quite good of late, but there is growing concern that their economy could falter or at least cool down some.
China remains a key influence on the cotton market. It is the largest producer, consumer, and importer of cotton, and most importantly, our largest export customer, says Dale Cougot, senior economist for the National Cotton Council.
We're always trying to second guess what their numbers are, but based on information we have, their production is expected to be relatively flat for 2010. Current trends indicate their mill use should go back above 3 percent growth.
Recent reports show total fabric production has jumped almost 13 percent, on a monthly basis, over a year ago, and a record for monthly volume. Cotton fabric use rose almost 20 percent during the same period, pointing to higher imports, he said at the annual joint meeting of the Southern Cotton Ginners Association and the Delta Council's Ginning and Cotton Quality Improvement Committee.
Their stocks-to-use ratio was at 48 percent in 2008, but going into the new marketing year it's only 36 percent. That's just three months' consumption, so if they have any problems or delays with their crop, it could be favorable for more sales of U.S. cotton.
Chinese demand has been quite good of late, he says, but there is growing concern that their economy could falter or at least cool down some.
India, Cougot says, is a racehorse coming up behind us. They continue to benefit from higher yields from further adoption of Bt varieties and improved farming practices. They could have a record crop this year.
In the past year, he notes, there has been a major conflict between their textile industry and their producers, with pressures on the government to restrict cotton exports. Even though the ban was short-lived, it planted the idea of India being a very unreliable supplier. The U.S. benefited from this and gained some share of cotton going into China. India's export ban just underscored the importance of the U.S. being a timely and efficient supplier of cotton to the world market.
Export sales, particularly to China, can be fairly large sales, and if you're pulling out of four or five warehouses, it takes only one facility not being able to make a container available for an entire shipment to be stopped. The Council and the Cotton Foundation through its Vision 21 project are looking into ways to improve the cotton flow situation, and we hope to soon have some recommendations.
Taiwan’s leading apparel manufacturer, Makalot Industrial Company, has just recently received orders worth US $930,000 from Metersbonwe, a leading Chinese apparel brand. This is Makalot’s first order from China.
With this order, Makalot’s shipments in the fourth quarter will also touch $1.156 million. Till date, over 90 percent of the firm’s clients are in United States including, KOHL’s, Target and Wal-Mart, with Metersbonwe being its first Chinese client.
RT-Mart China, a branch of Taiwan’s Ruextex Group, is now China’s biggest hypermarket chain, which has also placed orders worth $220,000-230,000, for the first time with Makalot this year. Citing the increasing brand apparel market in China, Makalot too is excited about the new orders.
While Makalot is making all attempts to explore the Japanese market, just last year, it shipped apparels to H&M, world’s biggest apparel brand from Sweden and this year it attained orders from Spanish firm ZARA, world’s biggest apparel manufacturer with respect to market value.
In addition to diversifying their sales in to US and European markets, the firm is also intending to pay more attention to explore the huge Chinese market. During the first half of this year, Makalot achieved $194.97 million revenue for a year-on-year hike of 9.8 percent with pretax earnings per share (EPS) standing at $0.125.
Claudia Endler, designer and owner of Claudia Endler Designs, a premier contemporary fine jewelry company based in Los Angeles Brewery is launching a new fashion jewelry line, Modeux By Claudia Endler, in the upcoming week.
Modeux is a refreshing and modern take on fashion jewelry. In her latest line, Claudia Endler draws from the fundamentals of geometry and architecture to create pieces that are as forward as they are feminine; as striking as they are beautiful. The inspiration behind Modeux's effortless contemporary look is the on-the-go modern woman who craves stylish and sophisticated fashion jewelry.
An extension of the elegant Claudia Endler Designs, Modeux offers the same modern feel at a modest price point without sacrificing precision or craftsmanship. The Modeux line is crafted out of pearls, onyx, quartz, sterling silver, gold plated and blackened sterling silver. Modeux is fun, accessible and fashion; all within reach.
Los Angeles-based Claudia Endler Designs is a premier designer of distinctive, contemporary jewelry specializing in combining the best of graphic design, art and architecture. Each design features architectural- and geometric-inspired elements to create a sculpturally visual impact and is handcrafted in 18K white, red or yellow gold or platinum. Collections and custom designs include singularly unique creations for men and women, such as stackable rings, statement pieces and wedding designs.
UK-based D-plus cup size lingerie label Keia is using the next edition of Moda Lingerie & Swimwear to launch its first swimwear collection.
National trade fashion event Moda will take place on 8-10 August 2010 at NEC Birmingham.
The D-plus capsule collection is the brand’s first foray into swimwear, and will offer solid colours that can be mixed in with the classic polka dot print ranges designed for relaxing on the beach.
Styles include underwired plunge padded bikini tops, plunge swimsuits with adjustable legs, underwired tankini tops and a choice of tie side or deeper short.
Gap announced it will open a new creative design office in Los Angeles – a first for Gap, introduce a new Fall collection of jeans ‘with attitude’ and launch an immersive digital hub on jeans curated by designers, fashion experts and musicians at www.Gap1969.com.
Since the collection’s debut last August, when Gap jeans were reinvented on every level including fit, fabric, wash and technical details – customers have delighted in the jeans which fit and feel like premium priced denim. Gap has since expanded the 1969 Premium Jeans collection to babyGap, GapKids and GapMaternity so that every Gap customer can enjoy styles like women’s Always Skinny, men’s Authentic or a kid’s Playdate Straight.
"Over the past year, it’s been exciting to see millions of customers try on and fall in love with our 1969 Premium Jeans,” said Marka Hansen, president of Gap, North America. “We know we have the best fitting premium jeans at an accessible price in the marketplace and we’ll continue to focus on this innovation especially as we bring our entire denim team to Los Angeles to live and work in the creative hub of the denim industry."
For fall 2010, Gap will continue to grow the line and is introducing new jeans styles featuring details like hardware, zippers and artwork including the Zip Crop Always Skinny, Wing Graffiti Always Skinny, Graphic Cuffed Real Straight and the New Stretch Legging Jean for women. For men, Gap is introducing black coated and extreme washes in the Boot, Straight and Skinny fits, as well as adding back pocket details to select men’s styles. Each month throughout the fall, Gap will add new styles to the 1969 line highlighting extreme leg shapes – from the legging jean to wide leg styles.
To continue to inspire creativity, in mid-August Gap will open its 5,400 square foot 1969 office in downtown Los Angeles, the heart of the denim industry. The new location, on Olive and Pico, will house everything from design and merchandising to tech services, wash development and production and will be run by Rosella Giuliani, newly appointed 1969 creative director. By opening this office, Gap will be able to offer innovative new styles and washes more quickly, ensuring customers can always find the latest trends.
Building on the momentum of 1969’s success, over the past year Gap has opened dedicated 1969 stores in New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles, which are anchored in 1969 jeans and feature a hand-selected assortment of fashion-forward pieces from Gap’s seasonal collections, including a denim table where customers can touch and feel every fit, wash and size. Gap has also updated almost 200 of its stores across the US to feature a dedicated 1969 destination with styles in one place, merchandised with tops and key accessories that complement 1969 jeans.
Building on the brand’s core philosophy of individual expression, the Put the ‘It’ in Fit advertising campaign will highlight new details in the fall denim collection – like Stretch (New Stretch Legging), Wash (Dirty Wash Sexy Boot), Zip (Zip Crop Always Skinny) and Roll (Graphic Cuffed Real Straight). The campaign, developed by Laird + Partners, will run in the August issues of Allure, Details, Elle, GQ, Glamour, InStyle, Lucky, Vanity Fair and Vogue, and will be featured in Gap stores, online at gap.com and various outdoor locations in select markets.
Baci Lingerie, the newest and hottest brand of sexy lingerie, is expanding into Asia in breathtaking speed with one goal in mind--To Conquer Asia.
Baci Lingerie will expand into the Asia market as it opens its tenth corporate store of 500 later this month (photos below) and will also be the main sponsor of the Asia Adult Expo in Macau August 20-22. Baci Lingerie is making its mark throughout the world by becoming the main sponsors of the biggest and most attended international trade shows world wide.
With record new exhibitors set to attend the AAE Show next month, the latest in adult entertainment trends and products, including Baci Lingerie, will be unveiled at the 2010 AAE show floor. At the moment Baci Lingerie is the hottest and most talked about lingerie brand in the world and it is perfect fit for the fast growing AAE show. The AAE show is quickly becoming Asia’s world's largest tradeshow for adult entertainment and products. Baci Lingerie plans a grandiose exhibit this year as they feel that Asia is a key component in building their world wide brand.
Baci Lingerie will be the main sponsor of the show and will display one of four of their exquisite booths, which cost over $950,000 and which will remain in Asia to attend future trade shows.
"The AAE show will be a very important show for us and we are extremely pleased and excited to be the main sponsor of the trade fair" said Robert Rosen, Chief Operating Officer, of Internetmarketing Miami. "We felt that this highly attended fair, which is largest erotic trade show in Asia, and was the perfect match for our introduction into the Asian markets”. Arosia Tong, project manager for the AAE show, said “It is a very exciting to have Baci Lingerie as our main sponsor and look forward to working with the revolutionary company and brand for many years to come”.
Affordable luxury will be on display as Baci Lingerie will exhibit their high quality lingerie, which comes with the best photographs and art work, in beautifully designed custom packaging for the lowest possible pricing in the world.
Also, Baci Lingerie will be releasing their plans for Queen Sizes of lingerie which has been highly requested by many customers throughout the world. Baci Lingerie will also provide attendees of the show special give away gifts as their appreciation for supporting the brand that will change the lingerie industry.
To compliment the official sponsorship of the AAE show, Baci Lingerie is also proud to announce the opening of its tenth showroom in China (pictures below). “We are planning to open 190 more showroom in that region in the next two years and plan to have 500 stores open within the next seven years” stated Mr. Rosen. Our goal is to franchise chain stores with the Baci Lingerie concept so that we can enter directly into the B to C area. Learning exactly what the customer wants and desires is an integral part of building a strong brand.
With chains stores this will give us the insight and direct information our finger right on the pulse of the market. The showrooms and chain stores will display the beautifully designed photos of our latest works of art, the elegant chandlers, and sleek 180" LED televisions walls running our revolutionary lingerie and eyelash videos. The showroom will be modeled after the stunning booth that will be displayed at all major fairs and expos worldwide.
Buyer will be able to visit the showroom and view the latest styles of Baci Lingerie and upcoming collections and sub-collection. Buyers will also be able to place orders directly at the showroom and will be pampered with the personal attention of our customer service representatives. We want to captivate the customer by creating an experience that will be enjoyable and unforgettable.
Baci Lingerie welcomes all customers, partners and fans of lingerie to join them at the AAE show in Macau and experience a brand like you never have before.
Internetmarketing-Miami, LLC, holder of the exclusive rights, of Baci Lingerie is a privately held company, headquartered in Miami, Florida