By ELLEN LEWIS
I am in awe of the Calida brand, their message, and their incredible merchandising platform. Ever since I first highlighted the The Cradle to Cradle Certified™ I Love Nature t-shirts in 2018, I have become more and more enamored of the superior sustainable programs that the company supports. Calida is an iconic brand, 80 years young, a mainstay of many intimate apparel retailers worldwide. Full disclosure: although, I always valued … Read More
By ELLEN LEWIS
As a sportswear buyer in the late 1970’s I have keen memories of the signature Calvin Klein t-shirt that mainstreamed this legendary designer’s collections. This $11.00 style anchored my department’s sales. The cotton t-shirt was immortalized by James Dean and Marlon Brando in the 1950’s when the actors, wearing basic white, made them larger than life on the Hollywood screen and they became a fashion icon. Flash forward to 2018, this essential … Read More
By ELLEN LEWIS
A Brief summary of the Curve Ny show: ENERGY. For tried and true merchants, there’s nothing better than live interaction, face to face meetings and touching the merchandise. I got positive feedback: satisfied buyers, satisfied brands. Of course, there was some pushback, but how else do we rise to new challenges. Traffic was definitely up. This show was larger than the February show. The product mix was somewhat eclectic. Barbie … Read More
By ELLEN LEWIS
If I had to use one word to define the recent Salon International de la Lingerie and Interfilière exposition in Paris, I would choose JOY. Expanding on that premise is Shine, Bursts of Color and Energy. The show was pared down, less brands but none the less, it was crowded. Traffic flowed all three days. Many booths were packed. But, as I look back at the report we wrote last July following … Read More
By ELLEN LEWIS
While I intend to showcase visual highlights mined from the Curve NY show, I have a few macro-observations I want to present. As a merchant, I am not only charged with identifying product with sales force, but also, I must sniff out shifts in consumer interest at a visceral level. This is the lingerie trade show where such vibes emerge. It is, by default of space availability, the only venue capable of … Read More
By ESTELLE PULESTON
If ethically-made, elegantly-luxurious lingerie is your cup of tea, then Swiss brand Madame Pierre is one you’ll no doubt be delighted to discover. Founded by Sabrina Peter, the decidedly slow-fashion label debuted in 2015 and launches two new collections per year: swimwear for the Spring/Summer season, and lingerie for Fall/Winter.
Sabrina knew she wanted to design beautiful underwear from a young age – ever since watching the film Die Herbstzeitlosen (Late Bloomers), … Read More
By ELLEN LEWIS
I went to the Curve LA show last week, having missed its much-applauded 2020 launch, the last live lingerie hurrah pre-covid. The event blueprint was small, but buyer feedback was excellent. It was absolutely an affirmation of all I stated in my Curve NY feature. Vivid Colors are dominant. Prints prevail. Casual wear continues its ascent. The Sexy comeback is driven by transparent fabrics, beautiful embroideries, and lace. And silk is … Read More