Shell Belle Couture
As I was explaining a few days ago, with intimates “it’s all about the details”. Yes, technical prowess is critical for fit and function, but with Intimate Apparel, it’s the special touches that transform a style into a seductive and elegant art form. Unlike outerwear, which gets visual support from accessories, shoes, jewelry, even cosmetics, undergarments are constrained by the very fact that they sit so close to the skin and must … Read More
Many years ago while spear heading Macy’s branding initiative; I was given an opportunity to transfer to Ready to Wear. To the surprise of many, I turned it down. At the time, Lingerie was a profitable, yet somewhat mundane merchandising category in the then robust department store milieu. So why eschew the glamour of fashion apparel for bras and panties? As I told management while making my case for funding their Intimates Initiative, “It’s all … Read More
This entry is just a little late today. Another major storm is bearing down on the Northeast as I write. This time it’s snow. It’s quite beautiful out there and will probably remain so for the next 24 hours as this urban landscape is transformed into a vision of white elegance and pristine beauty. This combination of anticipation and charm reminds me of the artistry inherent in the Fleur of England brand and in particular … Read More
When it comes to the sport of football, I am pretty much less interested in the competition than the strategic fanfare that seems to drive the game. It is hard to ignore the Super Bowl hype that takes the media hostage in the USA every January. We turned on the television Sunday Night, mainly out of habit, to watch the Ravens trounce the 49ers in the first half. I, for one, am more interested in … Read More
Here is one thing that I know for sure: If you combine the expertise of an experienced merchant with the technical skills of a British trained bra designer, you have an excellent chance at creating a lingerie line that has the potential to generate real excitement at the consumer level. This is exactly what has occurred with the Claudette brand. Between President Robin Levitt’s personal merchandising background with mega branded retailers and designer Bok Goodall’s … Read More
Every once and awhile I come across a creative concept that literally takes me hostage; thus my fascination with the Yes Master brand at the Paris show last week. After several days of focused exploration, it was a welcome treat to sit with Designer Igar Pacemski and listen to his vision of Intimates as a cultural and literary exploration into the Art of Lingerie. The stories wrought by this 7 year old label are not … Read More
I’m back in NY where I have to say, the single digit temperatures trump the snowstorm in Paris. I have had a few days to filter and as I like to do, I am letting the highlights of the Salon De Lingerie surface as I debrief. As a merchant, that’s my way of finding focus. I’ll leave the recaps to the trend services and press and give you with some of the images that made … Read More