Ahead of plans to ramp up expansion at its Ethiopian manufacturing site, tailored clothing manufacturer Bagir Group has acquired full ownership of the facility in a deal worth US$1.9m.
The American Apparel & Footwear Association and yoga wear brand Lululemon Athletica are among new signatories to the Social & Labor Convergence Project (SLCP), bringing the total number of signatories to 100 in its first year, as the initiative prepares to launch its pilot standard.
US retail sales are forecast to grow between 3.7% and 4.2% in 2017, as a stable economy is expected to build on the momentum it gained late last year.
It’s a new turn for R13, whose grunge-tinged repertoire took a decidedly modern approach to heritage dressing this season with streetwear influence. Dramatic in shape and boldly confident in design, statement pieces like men’s wear-inspired blazers and coats were cut with a gender-ambiguous hand that felt very of-the-moment. A little askew, a lot oversized, wholly lust-worthy. Call it the Vetements effect.
“This idea of timelessness and heritage, it just felt like no one’s ever taken these things and really brought it into a modern context,” designer Chris Leba said backstage following the show. “You know I also love grunge. I love that timelessness and sort of relevance all at the same time.”
Design elements could boil down to ultrahip statement shoulders, hefty, oversized outerwear and consuming sweaters set disproportionately against tight tailoring and slinky slips. Stylistically, Leba kept the drama up top with the occasional leather or plaid skinny cropped flares. More than that, the masculine-feminine push-pull straddled such a thin line that gender restrictions hardly came to mind. Though the concept was “borrowed from the boys,” the aftermath could easily be a reverse dynamic.
As for highlights, oversized leather jackets with shearling or fur accents were clear winners, as were suiting options.
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After a short hiatus, Kenneth Cole is relaunching his woman’s ready-to-wear collection for fall with David Witkewicz, vice president and creative director of women’s. Based on Cole’s ad campaign, the “Courageous Class,” the lineup focuses on courageous classics, modern-with-a-twist pieces such as the perfect washed leather biker jacket, the sexy skinny black jean, the tailored blazer and the great white shirt — all essential pieces of Cole’s urban uniform. Witkewicz also introduced a variety of terrific jackets, from a cool anorak bomber to a sleek tech blazer, all with “social storage” — specially designed pockets to hold your phone with a cord that connects to your headphones — perfect for the contemporary girl on the go. Cole has always been known for his cool leather pieces and for fall, he did not disappoint; case in point, a leather apron dress. There were plenty of neutral colors with touches of color. Key looks included an abstract cable-bridge-print shift dress, a velvet sweatshirt and elastic-waist trouser, an abstract floral skirt and plenty of cool sweatshirts and slogan tees. Overall, the collection was effortless and cool. Nice comeback, Kenneth.
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Marissa Webb took inspiration from her past and present for fall, reminiscing about her salad days working in fashion when her wardrobe consisted of vintage pieces she lovingly DIY’d, and the undone chic that comes so naturally to her husband’s French Moroccan family. “I was always hacking up my clothes and the proportions were always awkward, but it was fun,” she said, recalling a trench/corset top with a peplum. It could be layered over an oxford or worn alone over pants, and was emblematic of the kind of specialty pieces Webb does that add nuance and novelty to a wardrobe. Other examples included Army green cropped pants that laced up the legs and cropped leather moto pants with a paper bag waist. There was an array of outerwear prime for layering, such as a shrunken trench and a fur-trimmed vest. As for the influence of her effortlessly stylish in-laws, a saffron maxidress with ruffles traced around the shoulders and a generous skirt said it all.
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Sisters Kendall and Kylie Jenner couldn’t be present for a personal walk-through of their fall collection for Kendall + Kylie at the brand’s Manhattan showroom in Chelsea, but creative director Chelsey Santry provided a glimpse into the girls’ minds. Citing cult flicks like “The Breakfast Club,” “Empire Records” and “House Party,” Santry said the Jenner sisters wanted to invoke Nineties throwbacks and elevate modern streetwear: “The girls love having great basics with novelty twists, and everything here works with the statement pieces in their wardrobe.”
Buttery-soft flannel shirting, cropped baby tees, repurposed vintage jeans and patent-leather combat boots certainly recalled Nineties-era style. But overall, the lineup read more sporty than grunge, with whiffs of urban athleticism throughout — think red fleece hoodies with cutout shoulders, button-snap track pants, cropped racer-bank tanks and oversize puffer coats. “Kendall loves all these bodysuits that we do,” Santry said, holding up a velour hooded bodysuit, which could be worn with matching velour jogger pants. Elsewhere, it was easy to imagine Kylie in a va-va-voom body-con scuba dress with mesh cutout detailing — paired with Lucite stiletto ankle boots, natch.
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Erin Fetherston took a trip around the world for fall, a trek through different cultures and inspirations that were then mixed and matched in a chic, feminine collection. Moroccan references echoed in the color palette with warm spice tones, such as saffron, paprika and turmeric, as well in rich prints that were reminiscent of opulent Indian fabric and shoes inspired by North African pointed slippers. These ingredients helped Fetherston create a charming wardrobe, filled with breezy maxidresses and tunics embellished with tassels that were paired with wide-leg pants for an international globetrotter. The abundance of charming ethnic details were balanced by more urban pieces, such as a relaxed velvet suit and a ribbed turtleneck sweater worn with knitted pants. Despite the lineup’s Seventies’ Bohemian attitude, Fetherston avoided any nostalgic feeling and managed to translate her inspirations into an elegant collection for modern women.
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THE RACE IS ON: Kate Middleton can run with the best of them, as she proved Sunday sprinting with Prince William and Harry at the London Marathon Community Track. But she appears to have a worthy competitor in Canada’s First Lady Sophie Grégoire Trudeau.
In her first cover interview with Fashion magazine, Grégoire Trudeau races through her many athletic pursuits from crosscountry skiing, snowshoeing and tennis to more adrenaline-rushing ones such as skydiving, ice climbing and underwater diving with her Prime Minister husband Justin Trudeau. While her interest in yoga and pranayama might be more expected of a mother of three, barefooting — as in waterskiing without skis — is more her speed. “You have to be at high speeds, and when you fall, it’s like falling on cement. It’s rough, but the sensation is amazing when you’re on your feet.” Grégoire Trudeau told editor in chief Noreen Flanagan.
Despite having a great connection with Michelle Obama and meeting Middleton last year, Grégoire Trudeau said she is drawn to anyone who wants to shape the world and is ready to listen. “Even if you look at the planet, and you think it’s easy to be distraught and depressed, common goodness — human goodness —
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Joe’s Jeans revealed the spring images of Taylor Hill for Joe’s Jeans today.
Shot by Mario Sorrenti and styled by George Cortina in New York, the ads highlight the label’s newest denim silhouettes, knits and outerwear for women.
The 20-year-old model Hill is also a Victoria’s Secret Angel.
“As soon as we saw Taylor, we knew she embodied the ultimate Joe’s girl — confident, feminine and strong with a bit of rebellion,” said Joe Dahan, founder and creative director of Joe’s Jeans. Hill is also collaborating with Joe’s on a capsule for spring, as reported. She will design four capsule collections in total over the next year.
The spring ad campaign for Joe’s shines a spotlight on new denim fit and washes. Among the looks she is photographed wearing are the Charlie high-rise, skinny crop jeans in Neelam wash and the Naomi tank in White Fawn paired with cutoff denim shorts in Thula wash.
Taylor Hill models for Joe’s Jeans spring ads.
The collection is available at such stores as Nordstrom, Saks Fifth Avenue, Bloomingdale’s and Neiman Marcus.
“Working with the team, and of course, Mario, has been an awesome process, and it’s amazing to see it live,” said Hill.
Jameel Spencer, fashion division president at Sequential Brands Group, owner
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