Z Spoke Resort 2011 Zac Posen’s diffusion line, Z Spoke, offers looks infused with what Posen calls “pajama glamour,” as in a chic silk crepe halter jumpsuit. There are also plenty of flirty dresses in a variety of options, like a swingy knit print frock and a floral bustierlike dress.
Rachel Roy Resort 2011 It’s all about relaxed glamour at Rachel Roy, as she references the graphic black-and-white palette and bold color combinations of Cuban artist Amelia Peláez. According to Roy, “it’s a fantasy of Forties Havana.”
Yigal Azrouël Resort 2011 Yigal Azrouël takes a minimalistic approach to design and draws on the work of Helmut Newton. Keeping the collection clean and modern, Azrouël manipulates fabrics and texture.
(wwd)May Comps Raise Spending Concerns
"The retail crystal ball was murky after May same-store sales results raised renewed concerns about the strength of consumer spending heading into the fall. Value-oriented retailers and high-end stores reporting on Thursday produced the strongest numbers against weak year-ago comparisons, but many teen and midmarket retailers fell short. The disparity suggested an underlying weakness in demand that is complicating the challenge of predicting consumers’ wants and needs, and buying and flowing merchandise in tune with them. Some stores planning for a more vigorous recovery are being confronted with higher inventory levels, putting their margins at risk, while others, still taking a highly cautious approach to stock levels, might have lost sales last month, analysts said." read more
(reuters)Lowering luxury prices can be costly
"Many European luxury groups have widened their entry-level offering to lure more shoppers but if the strategy brings short-term gains, it risks causing the brand long-term pain, luxury executives and experts said this week. Italian fashion brand Valentino, who previously never sold an evening gown for less than 2,000 euros, now offers cocktail dresses for half that price and even T-shirts, jeans and other casual wares to boost its sales. But some luxury experts say Valentino's "Couture T-shirt," even with a price tag of "only" 300 euros ($365.6) is an oxymoron. "The problem with luxury brands is that they are associated with exclusivity," Isabelle Ardon, luxury fund manager at SG Gestion told the Reuters Global Luxury Summit this week. Valentino "is seen as very couture," Ardon said, and faces a common dilemma: how can a fashion brand offer more accessibly priced products to boost volumes without losing its luxury appeal? Dior introduced a T-shirt called "J'adore Dior" about 10 years ago and rapidly took it off the market after deciding to pursue a more upmarket strategy." read more
(cnn)Tennis fashion brands serve up a healthy return for players
"Tennis and fashion have been inextricably linked since the sport's early years of organized competition just before the turn of the 20th century. When French legend Suzanne Lenglen had to audacity to wear a knee-length skirt at the 1919 Wimbledon Championships, the ripples were felt in wider society. Fast forward to 2010, and her modern equivalent as the queen of style, Maria Sharapova, has just signed a record $70 million endorsement deal with sportswear giants Nike. Integral to the deal was the introduction of a special tennis clothing line, designed by the Russia-born, U.S.-based player, for which she will get a share of the profits. "It's really incredible to be able to bring these looks that I love to so many women," the 23-year-old said at its subsequent launch." continue reading