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WAREHOUSE UPDATE:

Here Are The Latest Price Cuts From The Barneys Warehouse Sale

WarehouseSale
Click image for a larger view in a new window

The Barneys Warehouse Sale has started slashing prices.
These are the additional markdowns we found when we stopped by yesterday evening (click above for a larger view). There will certainly be more before it ends on Monday, September 3rd. You can always wait until the final price cuts on the last day, but The Shophound, based on our extensive Warehouse Sale shopping experience, actually recommends stopping by on Saturday or Sunday to avoid what can sometimes be crushing crowds at the end even if it costs you a couple of dollars more. If there is something in particular that you have had an eye on at the sale, now is the time to decide whether you should buy it now for a pretty good deal, or chance it  and wait for more reduction at the end —if it is still there, that is. We cannot make these decisions for you. While the Sale may not be what it once was, there is always something there you will want, and sometimes grabbing it now and getting it over with is better than checking back again and again for additional markdowns. Good Luck with whatever you decide.

Barneys Warehouse Sale through Monday, September 3rd, 225 West 17th Street between Seventh & Eighth Avenues, Chelsea


NOW OPEN:

Christian Louboutin's Men's Store
Set To Open Today

WWDlouboutin01A month ago, The Shophound peeked into the construction site of Christian Louboutin's men's store in the Meatpacking District (pictured below) and surmised that it had a long way to go before it was ready to open unless "unless exposed cinderblock is part of the decor".

Well, so much for what we know about judging construction progress because, in fact, exposed cinderblock is part of the decor, and the store is set to open today, just in the nick of time to take advantage of Fashion Week, Fashion's Night Out and all that frenzy. The new store (at right) was designed by Eric Clough of 212box to reflect the neighborhood's gritty heritage, so instead of the plush, "inside of Jeannie's bottle look" we would expect from Louboutin, there are exposed pipes and utility conduits and even parts of the High Line railroad visible —and those cinderblocks. In fact, the store is finished with all sorts of found objects and materials from sources like the Park Avenue Armory and Paris flea markets as well as an embroidered leather wall panel from the fabled Lesage workshop. Upstairs there is a "Tattoo Parlor" which will allow inked shoppers to have one of their own (or one designed by Louboutin) tattos re-created on their new shoes by the Lesage atelier. The store sounds as eclectic as Louboutin's shoe designs, and as the Meatpacking District mix shifts to stores with a more contemporary, populist point of view, it represents the kind of pure luxury player that originally transformed the neighborhood into a shopping destination.

Christian Louboutin Brings Men's Only Store to NYC (WWD)
Christian Louboutin 808 Washington Street between Gansevoort & Horatio Streets, Meatpacking District
Previously:
Construction Sight: That Christian Louboutin Men's Store Might Take A While...
LouboutinMEPAmen


COLLABORATION ANTICIPATION:

The Final UU Uniqlo Undercover Colllection Hits Stores Tomorrow

UU-UniqloUndercover-A
The next few weeks will hold a flurry of activity from Fashion Week and all of its activity including Fashion's Night Out to all manner of store openings plus collaboration debuts from target and the Gap. Getting a jump on things is Uniqlo, which will release the second and final season of its collaboration with designer Jun Takahashi, UU Uniqlo Undercover, tomorrow.

While the line has not caused quite the frenzy of +J, the chain's previous team up with the designer Jil Sander, it has proved to be full of great casual sportswear pieces and also heralds the return of children's apparel to New York's Uniqlo stores. The Fall line looks even stronger than this past Spring's offerings, and this will be your last chance to shop this particular collaboration. You can take a look at the collection on Pinterest HERE and see more of the clever giant insect inspired ad campaign HERE.

UU Uniqlo Undercover (Official Site)
UU Uniqlo Undercover on Pinterest
Previously,
Here's A Preview Of The Final UU Uniqlo Undercover Collection Arriving In One Month


MAKE OF THIS WHAT YOU WILL:

Minnie Mouse & Daisy Duck Getting Makeovers For Christmas At Barneys

DisneyBarneys
You may have heard that Barneys New York is planning its Holiday Windows and other promotions around a big collaboration with the Walt Disney Co. and all of its famous characters. You will be hearing all sorts of fawning coverage about this. The first thing that came to The Shophound's mind when we heard about this was "Off-Brand", but, hey that's just us and our pesky taste level. We weren't too crazy about last year's "GaGa's Workshop" either.

ElectricholidayToday, Barneys and Disney released more images and information about the event which will be called "Electric Holiday" and include a 3-D electric light show, short films in the windows featuring Disney characters re-imagined as supermodels and reportedly, fashion celebrities transformed into Disney cartoons all to be accompanied by original music from Oscar-winning composer Michael Giacchino. As WWD reports,

The short film centers around Minnie Mouse’s fantasy to be at the Paris shows. There she comes across key Disney characters — Mickey Mouse, Goofy, Daisy Duck, Cruella de Vil, Princess Tiana and Snow White — all decked out in unique designer clothes as they make their way down the runway.
For the occasion, Mickey is dressed by Nicolas Ghesquière for Balenciaga, Minnie by Alber Elbaz for Lanvin, Goofy by Olivier Rousteing for Balmain, Daisy by Dolce & Gabbana, Cruella by Rick Owens, Princess Tiana by Proenza Schouler and Snow White by Peter Copping for Nina Ricci.

We hope all turns out better than it sounds, although it makes us wonder if Barneys' current management really understands who shops at Barneys and why. We always thought that it was people who wanted to get away from this sort of thing. This all sounds more like Bloomingdale's, or even Macy's to us, but hey, it's their store, and we can't get too excited about Christmas on a gorgeous late Summer day. We are, however concerned about Minnie and Daisy's makeover into spiky fashion types, as pictured above. As much as we admire Alber Elbaz and his work for Lanvin, we don't recognize these animal-headed creatures. They are not the Minnie and Daisy we know. Where are Daisy's feathers? Or Minnie's chunky pumps?
Whatever. This is happening.

Cartoon Capers: Barneys, The Walt Disney Co. Team Up for Holidays (WWD)


TODAY'S UPGRADE:

Here's Where Anya Hindmarch's
New Boutique Will Be

AnyaHindmarchMadison
It seemed at one point that the Italian shoe maker Tanino Crisci had settled in its elegant but extra-conservative niche on MAdison Avenue as a permanent fixture, but then the company up and shut down a while back and its store has been empty ever since —but not for too much longer. Early next year, the covetable space at 795 Madison Avenue between 66th and 67th streets will switch from shoes to hadbags as London based Anya Hindmarch moves her boutique a few blocks uptown from its current spot on East 60th Street. This would be a smart upgrade in any case, but the move is only a part of a larger strategy to vault the 25-year old label to the next level of luxury players amongst the Célines, Miu Mius and Bottega Venetas of the world. To that end, designer Hindmarch has hired former Balenciaga CEO James MacArthur to run things allowing her to focus all her energies on the brand's creative direction. While Anya Hindmarch has quietly built a loyal following for her bags over the years, she has done so with typical British reserve, but look for the label to have a higher profile going forward. If all goes as planned the new store will add some extra luster to the brand poised for its next phase.

Anya Hindmarch's Global March (WWD)
Anya Hindmarch (Official Site)


DÉJA VU ALL OVER AGAIN:

Is Anyone Ready For The Revival Of Rudi Gernreich?

MoCA-Gernreich
Have you heard of Rudi Gernreich?
If you are reading this blog, then you probably have. If you visited the recent exhibition, The Total Look: The Creative Collaboration Between Rudi Gernreich, Peggy Moffitt, and William Claxton at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Los Angeles as The Shophound did (pictured above), then you have (the show is currently at the Savannah College of Art and Design Museum of Art in Savannah, Georgia). If you are a fan of iconic sixties fashion, then you should be familiar, but is the general, fashion buying public cognizant enough of Rudi Gernreich and his significance to be excited that the label (last produced commercially in 1968) is set to return to the racks of stores?

WWD reports that a mysterious backer believed to be a German entrepreneur has acquired the necessary trademarks to get a Gernreich collection on the runway by 2014. There are few other specific details, but as we watch yet another mining of fashion's past, let's of think of some of the other dormant designer brands that people have tried to bring back in recent years.

Vionnet has been successfully revived since 2006 as a niche designer luxury brand, but in the past six years it has burned through three well regarded designers, Sophia Kokosalaki, Marc Audibet and Rodolfo Paglialunga. Currently it is designed by sisters Barbara and Lucia Croce. We'll call it a success, but the jury is still out as to how big or consistent. Currently it is controlled by Matteo Marzotto of the famous Italian textile family, so there is solid backing.
UPDATE: It turns out that the Croce sisters have also "interrupted" their collaboration at Vionnet and will take no bows when the Spring 2013 collection is shown in in Paris. The label’s new London-based owner, Goga Ashkenazi has taken control of the brand.

Vionnet's contemporary, Schaparelli is set to be revived by Diego Della Valle, owner of Tods who also can be seen as a solid backer, While he has hired various other staff, there is still no designer attached to the label, so again, jury is out. Despite the recent Costume Institute show pairing designer Elsa Schiaparelli with Miuccia Prada, the label has not been in the marketplace since 1954, and public awareness of the designer is believed to be low.

Biba, a swinging London counterpart to Gernreich was also revived in 2006, but failed. Now it is an in-house label at the British department store House of Fraser.

An attempt was made to revive the iconic American label Norell in 2004 that apparently went nowhere after one show at the John Barrett hair salon at Bergdorf Goodman. Bergdorf's declined to buy the collection.

Bill Blass, which has only just become dormant, has ultimately fizzled after a string of designers attempted to keep it alive following the designers' retirement and death.

Then there's Halston, which people have been trying to restore to its glory days status since the mid-'90s. Even movie mogul Harvey Weinstein has had to admit defeat here, leaving only a contemporary priced "Heritage" dress label to carry the illustrious name despite cycling through numerous designers and hopeful runway shows in attempts to re-create the luxury brand.

So good luck to you, anonymous German entrepreneur. We hope you can hire a designer who is at least half as creative as Rudi Gernreich was. Having seen the show in L.A., we might suggest just re-issuing some of the designer's originals, as Comme des Garçons did in 2003 in collaboration with Moffitt, the designer's primary model, muse and, now, archivist. His clothes look remarkably fresh and relevant today. At a certain point, though, we have to wonder why, instead of investing money in a label with a heavy legacy that few of its potential future customers may even be aware of, this mysterious backer doesn't just find a talented young designer to launch under his or her own name? Too simple?

Rudi Gernreich Label to Relaunch (WWD)


THIS WEEK ONLINE:

Vera Wang, Yohji Yamamoto, L'Agence, BLK DNM, James Perse, ALIFE, Mulberry, Puma, Timberland, TOD's, Jimmy Choo, Giambattista Valli, Nau

Here is your weekly sampling of some of the brands you can expect to find on the bigger online Flash Sale Sites this week. You should click over to the sites themselves for a full schedule of events, and be sure to check for the correct start time for each sale. Happy clicking!

GILT GROUPE
Casadei, Magaschoni, TRIA Beauty, Judith Ripka, Vera Wang Lavender, Wythe, Louison Paris Handbags, Sam Edelman, Guillaume Hinfray, Vanessa Bruno, Plenty by Tracy Reese, Yohji Yamamoto, See by Chloé, N.D.C. Made by Hand, L'Agence, Matt & Nat, French Connection, Mackage —join HERE
GILT MAN
N.D.C. Made by Hand, K-Swiss, BLK DNM, Italia Independent, Vanishing Elephant, Band of Outsider, James Perse, ALIFE, Heutchy, Vespa Bags, Mr. Turk, Ben Sherman, Hickey, J. Fold —join HERE
GILT HOME & CHILDREN
Seda France, Zojirushi, Horizon Rugs, Gourmet Settings, Mara-Mi, California Closet, Momeni, A&R Cashmere, Melissa & Doug, Little Chef, Pulse Electric Scooters, Desigual Kids, Puma, Isabel Garreton, Kids' Final Sale —join HERE
RUE LA LA
Mulberry, Escada Sport, Alberto Fermani, Puma Golf, Mark & James, Core Bamboo, Court of Versailles, Picaboo, Cole-Haan, Theia, Timberland Boot Company, Love Moschino, Tommy Hilfiger Home, Corso Como, Da-Nang, Glam Rock, John Varvatos —join HERE
BELLE & CLIVE
TOD's, Kaufmann Franco, JD Fisk, Gucci, Jimmy Choo, Kelsi Dagger, Fendi, Badgley Mischka, Givenchy, Ben Minkoff, James Jeans, Corneliani —join HERE
IDEELI
Nine West, Juicy Couture, ABS, Kenneth Cole, Puma Watches, Sandra Darren, ZTommy Hilfiger, Waterford Bedding, Triangle Home —join HERE
HAUTE LOOK
Current Elliott, Kenenth Cole, ERIN by Erin Fetherston, Kensie, Stitch's, Joie, Donald J Pliner, Qi Cashmere, Calypso St. Barth, Lucky Brand, Christie Brinkley Skincare, Charles David, Andrew Marc, Gorjana, Calvin Klein, Jessica Simpson, Wacoal, Betsey Johnson —join HERE
MY HABIT
Giambattista Valli, L.A.M.B., Ann Demuelemeester, House of Holland, Luca Luca, Naeem Khan, Thom Browne, Hermès, Yves Saint Laurent, Rockport, Elie Tahari Outerwear, Rogan, Chetta B, Loomstate 321, DayNa Decker, Jane Post Outerwear, Susana Monaco, Anolon, Nau, Timo Weiland, Kelsi Dagger, Cynthia Rowley, Cullen, Puma —join HERE
VENTE PRIVEE
Under.Ligne by Doo.Ri, American Tourister, Trump Home, St. John —join HERE

NOW OPEN:

Steven Alan Has A New Chelsea Store

StevenAlanChelseaExt
Last week we posted about the Apolis pop-up that is scheduled to appear in October at Steven Alan's Chelsea Store, and The Shophound thought to ourself, "Chelsea? That tiny little shoebox on Eighth Avenue and Greenwich Avenue?"

No, no. That's technically his West Village store. Actually, there is a new Steven Alan on Tenth Avenue. If you're used to some of the local retailer's branch stores being on the modest side, you will be happy to know that this new addition to the chainlet is spacious and roomy. While not quite as big as the Steven Alan flagship store in Tribeca, this one feels like the next biggest in the city. That means that there is ple nty of room for his signature shirts, which are represented in abundance, along with the usual suspects like Acne, Tanner Goods, engineered Garments and others. Like Tribeca, the women's section is in the front of the shop, while men's sportswear expands in the back along with a sizable tabletop and home furnishings area.

Alan has said that he sees his burgeoning retail empire as a series of neighborhood shops, and you will never find him on the obvious, tony shopping streets like Fifth Avenue. This store seems fairly well out of the way on Tenth Avenue, but in reality, it is only a few blocks away from the ever bustling Meatpacking District, so Alan kind of has it both ways in this location. For his fans who find Tribeca just a little too inconvenient (New Yorkers can be so provincial sometimes), here is their solution.

Steven Alan Annex 140 10th Avenue between 18th & 19th Streets, Chelsea
Previously,
POP-UP ALERT: Steven Alan Brings Apolis To New York This Fall
StevenAlanChelseaInt


COMEBACKS:

Diesel Taps Former PHI Designer

Here's some good news for women still pining for PHI, the designer collection with a fast growing cult that was abruptly shuttered a few years ago. The label's designer Andreas Melbostad will be taking over creative direction of the premium Diesel Black Gold collection starting in October. The current designer, Sophia Kokosalaki, who added an urbane sophistication to the denim brand's luxury division, will soon be having her final show for the label next month during New York Fashion Week. Melbostad's first collection should be for Fall 2013, so that should give PHI fans plenty of time to get ready to flock to Diesel's Black Gold Contemporary Showcase on Greene Street.

Going for Gold (WWD)
Previously:
Now Open: Diesel Black Gold Gets A New Look In SoHo With A Contemporary Showcase (2/14/2012)


FLAGSHIP FLASH:

H&M's Biggest Store Ever Coming To Fifth Avenue

48th&fifthH&MA few weeks ago, a rumor floated around town that H&M was considering abandoning its store at Fifth Avenue and 51st Street, its first U.S. store, to avoid getting hit with a massive rent hike, so it's not terribly surprising to hear that the hyper-popular Swedish chain is planning what will be it's largest store anywhere in the world just three blocks south at 589 Fifth Avenue at 48th Street, and just six blocks north of yet another unit at 42nd Street. The new store at a whopping 57,000 square feet is expected to open sometime next year, and will be the chain's 12th in Manhattan after the Columbus Circle unit opens later this year. In addition to being just immense, the store will be the first in the city to carry all of H&M's product lines under one roof which includes men’s and women’s apparel, lingerie, underwear, accessories, babies' and children’s wear, special sizes, maternity wear, cosmetics and the heretofore unseen in New York home collection.

And here's the surprising twist: That now puny seeming original store at 51st and Fifth isn't going anywhere. H&M will continue to maintain that store even after the new flagship opens, which is apparently consistent with its real estate strategy in many markets where stores are clustered within a few blocks each other (not unlike the two Soho H&M stores). As a spokesperson told WWD, “We have many stores that are in close vicinity of each other. It’s not unusual. It increases foot traffic.” Given the endless stream of shoppers on Fifth Avenue in midtown, we can't argue with that thinking.

H&M to Open Largest Store Globally in U.S. (WWD)