Consumers Frown at Apparel Price Increases
With food and fuel prices climbing consumers are not in the mood to also accept retail increases on their clothing. Many retailers who had experienced slight price decreases last year experienced increases in January which resulted in price resistance from customers. The increases were necessary in order to begin to offset the sky rocketing costs of raw materials and transportation costs with fuel. As a result of the consumer’s reaction some retailers have begun to drop prices in an effort to improve sales. These price decreases began in February and were minimal as retailers are now challenged with accommodating consumers and protecting shrinking margins. This will continue to be an uphill battle with the public given the anticipated 10-15% increase in apparel coming this fall, a necessary increase given the soaring price in cotton, wool and silk. The retailers who will have the greatest challenge are companies like WalMart, Target and fast fashion brands with lower retail prices. Given the amount raw material prices have increased, it will be nearly impossible to stave off increases at the register and their margins will continue to be under great pressure as they try to sustain prices.
Holmes & Yang
Despite having a line since 2009, Katie Holmes and Jeanne Yang entered the sometimes turbulent waters of fashion as celebrity designers quietly. Now, two year later, the twosome is only now beginning to more heavily promote their line. As manufacturing continues to move off shore these two designers have kept most of their manufacturing in New York with the exception of a few French laces that they are using within the collection. This decision has been a somewhat personal one for Jeanne Yang as her mother used to be a sewing contractor for a factory in LA and as costs rose and overseas competitors became a factor, the factory closed. In addition, the pair’s design philosophy is about luxury quality and “making it your own.” They aim to prove that great quality and luxury can in fact be made in the U.S.A.
Giorgio Armani ‘s Acqua for Life Project”
Giorgio Armani’s latest philanthropic initiative, “Acqua for Life” kicked off a week and a half ago. This initiative is in conjunction with Green Cross International and UNICEF’s Tap Project which aims to provide a minimum of 40 million liters of drinking water worldwide to populations in need.
For every bottle of Acqua di Gio or Acqua di Gioia purchased, Giorgio Armani pledges to donate around 100 liters of drinking water to the cause through the end of the month. Customers also have the ability to double their water donation by logging onto the dedicated Facebook page.
Key Trends From the New York Fashion Trade Shows
FASHION COTERIE
- · Skinny and straight boot-cut jeans and flares
- · Animal print knitwear, jackets & dresses
- · Mixed textures, hard-knit sweaters, cardigans, tunics & turtlenecks
- · Outerwear from ¾ length military and aviator jackets to anoraks, capes & furs
- · Slinky, sexy tops, vintage blouses and exaggerated necklines
Key Collections
- · Desigual
- · ABS dresses http://www.absstyle.com/
DESIGNERS & AGENTS SHOW
- · Boho chic: Floor length floral dresses & artisanal native prints
- · Knitwear: From fine gauge to crochet details
- · Focus on textures & patterns
Key Collections
- · Min Young Lee http://www.minyounglee.net/index.php?/collections/ss2011-1/
- · 4 Love & Liberty http://jw.mcycorp.com/4love/
- · Clover Canyon by Rozae Nichols http://www.rozaenichols.com/collection-rn.asp
- · Lilith http://www.lilith.fr/en/index.html
CAPSULE
- · Outerwear for the indoors. Heavy grey wools took focus
- · Dresses replaced coats as a key item
- · Men’s wear details for women’s wear. Tailoring, textures & fabrics
Key Collections
- · Billy Reid http://www.billyreid.com
- · Rachel Antonoff http://rachelantonoff.com/
- · Penfield http://www.penfieldusa.com/index.php/us
FAME & MODA MANHATTAN
- · Funky, stylized basics
- · Pastels and natural colors for everyday
- · Fur vests, blazers and colorful quilted jackets
THE TRAIN & THE BOX
- · Tops & dresses made from silk, organic cotton with organza ruffles and pleats
- · Dark colored, stylish basics that can be easily paired with jackets, vests etc
- · Accessories: vintage and antique inspired from jewelry to hats and headbands
DESIGNERS AT THE JUMEIRAH ESSEX HOUSE
- · Black evening wear was apparent with alternatives in metallic, red and sapphire blue.
- · Cocktail dresses, gowns and classic luxury jackets
- · Separates with unusual details such as laser cut designs
ATELIER DESIGNERS
- · Colors such as papaya, greens, taupes and gray blue
- · Assortment of knitwear separates from cardigans to jackets
- · Easy dresses and tops with interesting details.
CFDA Award Nominees Announced
Womenswear Designer of the Year Nominees:
Alexander Wang
Jack McCollough & Lazaro Hernandez of Proenza Schouler
Marc Jacobs
Menswear Designer of the Year Nominees:
Michael Bastian
Patrik Ervell
Simon Spurr
Accessory Designer of the Year Nominees:
Alexander Wang
Jack McCollough @ Lazaro Hernandex of Proenza Schouler
Reed Krakoff
Swarovski Award for Womenswear Nominees:
Joseph Altuzarra
Ashley Olsen & Mary-Kate Olsen
Prabal Gurung
Swarovski Award for Menswear Nominees:
Alexander Wang
Phillip Lim
Robert Geller
Swarovski Award for Accessory Design Nominees:
Alejandro Ingelmo
Eddie Borgo
Jason Wu
Pamela Love
Honoree Awards:
The Geoffrey Beene Lifetime Achievement Award:
Marc Jacobs
The Media Award:
Hilary Alexander, The Telegraph
International Award:
Phoebe Philo for Celine
Fashion Icon Award:
Lady Gaga
Board of Director’s Special Tribute:
Arthur Elgort
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