Website of the Month: www.ivillage.com
iN faShIOn…..It’s A Spring Thing
Prada phone?
The buzz surrounding Prada's new mobile phone is getting louder, with the luxury fashion house set to launch its first electronic device in association with LG this spring.
The Prada phone has been in LG's design works for more than two years. If nothing else, the Prada phone is a style statement. In describing the unit, LG uses the words "unique," "sophisticated" and "elegant." Although it also describes the phone as the world's "first completely touch screen mobile phone, with Apple's i-Phone hot on its heels with a launch planned for summer.
Unlike some ultra-exclusive phones developed with fashion labels, the Prada phone is aimed at the upper end of the mass market, putting it in the "masstige" category. It will hit shelves in Britain, France, Germany and Italy in February and cost approximately 600 Euros.
Stella Bags of style
Stella McCartney is to design a limited-edition collection for the accessories label LeSportsac. The collection, which will consists of travel bags, luggage baby accessories and bags for mother with infants and toddlers, will 
launch in spring 2008. The line will be available in upmarket boutiques and department stores worldwide, will be sold at the Stella McCartney stores in New York and Los Angeles, and may also be purchased online. Marco Bizzarri, president and chief executive of Stella McCartney, revealed the news to WWD ahead of the official announcement.
The Stella McCartney for LeSportsac collection will consist of between 30 and 40 styles, with average prices ranging from $200 to $250.
“LeSportsac has a strong history of making non-leather goods, and this is a unique opportunity for Stella McCartney to address a new category of accessories for the busy woman of today,” Bizzarri said. The collaboration with LeSportsac is an opportunity for the designer, whose own-name non-leather accessory designs easily exceed the LeSportsac prices, to speak to a broader audience. As Bizzarri told WWD: “It will give her bags a wider appeal.” Her collaboration with Adidas has also helped her appeal to a younger audience in a lower price bracket, as has her one-off collection for H&M in November 2005.
President and CEO of LeSportsac, Steve Jacaruso, said the label wanted to “tap into Stella McCartney's creative vision and take (LeSportsac) to the next level of high-end design and style.” He said women would take to the diverse collection, whether they have young children or not. The collaboration will initially be for 18 months with the possibility of a renewal.
Guerlain's Pucci Makeover
Houses to produce hybrid-branded cosmetics
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Julia Stegner in the advertising campaign
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(NEW YORK) Emilio Pucci’s colorful swirls and prints will soon fit into a woman’s evening bag. The Florentine fashion house has partnered with Guerlain to create a limited edition collection of dual-branded makeup called “Guerlain by Emilio Pucci.” Laudomia Pucci and Olivier Échaudemaison, Guerlain’s creative director, will be at the Pucci boutique here on Tuesday to formally introduce the summer makeup collection.
“First of all, it was clear that this would not be runway makeup,” said Échaudemaison. “You know, on stage, things are very theatrical and extreme. But life is not a fashion show. I’m careful to separate those two worlds. The most important thing is making women more beautiful. Our mission is to create dreams.”
This capsule presentation represents Pucci’s first foray into the world of cosmetics, and the very first time in Guerlain’s 178-year history that a partnership of this nature has been forged. The collaboration was first realized with the creation of an exclusive Pucci scarf for the project, whose print and colors will sprinkle Guerlain’s products with the Pucci touch. Olivier Échaudemaison, Guerlain’s creative director, worked directly with Pucci’s image director, Laudomia Pucci to translate the imagery of the scarf into an eight-piece makeup collection, including an eye set, the Météorites round case, and the Météorites brush. “It’s not just about wrapping something in a Pucci print,” said Pucci. “Our first step was making a scarf, something that would give focus to the entire project. I can’t visualize anything without a scarf!”
The Eye Set is the star product of the range, and includes four eye shadow colors with two applicators, two eye pencils, and lengthening and curving mascara. The colors of the eye shadow are perfect shades of Pucci—lavender, aqua, rosy pink and bright white. The entire coffret is housed in a charming mirrored zip pouch that is covered in the iconic Pucci-printed fabric.
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The face powder and brush set
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The Météorites powder for the face and brush, first created in 1984, feature a color palette of tiny pearls in fuchsia, turquoise, apricot, gold, pink, and white. The packaging, a circular metallic colored tin with pastel detailing, is completely unique. It is accompanied by a Météorites brush with pink bristles and a clear handle that is housed in a printed tube pouch.
Four new lip glosses are also included in the collection. Two feature a unique mix of three colors, in shades of pink or orange, which recall the effects of Pucci’s own swirling prints on silk. The second two glosses, in gold or a transparent green, are touched with sparkle. Lastly is the blush mousse, meant to be dabbed on the cheeks for a radiant finish. The chosen shade is a very translucent sparkling apricot, which complements the other products in the range.
The advertising and in-store imagery has the iconic Pucci print projected onto Julia Stegner’s body so that the essence of Pucci seems to permeate her skin. “I love that Julia’s face is so adorable and naturally enhanced,” said Échaudemaison. “The nod to pop art and the body painting are close to Laudomia’s heart, and both capture this exciting collaboration.”
Spray It, Don't Say It
The ultimate Hermès parfume
A perfectly balanced mixture of orange blossom and ylang-ylang with hints of sandalwood and vanilla, it’s no wonder the delicious fragrance has already celebrated 10 years. The festive limited-edition bottle design—based on the 24, Faubourg scarf’s print and shape—fits the holiday season and will delicately decorate your boudoir.
AcCEsSoRiEs 2 tHe MaX .………
Cruising for Chanel
A trunk show first for Maxfield
(LOS ANGELES) Perhaps as a way for Chanel to reconfirm its tremendous West Coast appeal and drum up buzz for Karl Lagerfeld’s upcoming cruise fashion show in the City of Angels this May, Maxfield hosted the French fashion house's first-ever trunk show at its boutique last Friday, launching its Spring 2007 accessories and ready-to-wear simultaneously. While Chanel declined to disclose numbers, a spokeswoman noted that the store, which was mobbed with customers—even Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen made cameos—sold over half of the initial delivery of accessories in just two hours, with a $1,975 rock and chain lambskin hobo being one of the best sellers. As for the ready-to-wear, the top spring reserve was a threaded cotton canvas striped mini-dress that retails for $3,165. “Our distribution in Beverly Hills has always been very limited and exclusive, only to our own boutique on Rodeo Drive and at Saks Fifth Avenue,” explained Barbara Cirkva, president, fashion division, Chanel Inc. “And Maxfield really fit in with that strategy. They are a gem of a hidden secret, known to their very exclusive clientele, and they have a great eye for fashion and I think will introduce Chanel to a client that we may never have had the opportunity to meet before.”
Stuart Weitzman gets bag-happy for spring
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Stuart Weitzman Spring 2007 Handbag Collection
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(NEW YORK): Stuart Weitzman Spring 2007 Handbag Collection
You know what they say: if the shoe fits, start a handbag collection. This spring, Stuart Weitzman is following just that philosophy, expanding its limited, footwear-coordinated offerings into a full-blown line. Daytime choices include Cargo, an equestrian-inspired design made of soft distressed calf and lanyard trim, and Washed Boa, a hand-detailed calfskin hobo; clutches are also available in a number of silky, tasseled, and bejeweled options. And to kick off the season in style, the company will offer the limited edition Tuilleries, a hand-painted, hand-embroidered, individually numbered hobo. Best of all, they’re hitting stores this February—just in time to show off at Fashion Week.
PRICE: $1350 for Tuilleries; all others $425—$825
Jimmy Choo sold to Towerbrook
International private equity firm Towerbrook Capital Partners 
LP has acquired luxury shoe specialist Jimmy Choo for $185 million. The firm will be the new majority owner of the luxury chain, with Spanish private equity firm Gala Capital as a co-investor. President and founder of Jimmy Choo, Tamara Mellon, will continue to run the creative side of the business, as well as managing its image and promotional activities. She will remain a major shareholder. Meanwhile, creative director Sandra Choi will continue on at the company, contrary to earlier reports that she would not renew her contract.
“This new partnership will not only give us the ability to meet the growing demand for our range of products, but also achieve my original vision for Jimmy Choo to be one of the world's most treasured luxury brands,” Mellon said in a statement.
Towerbrook has purchased the company from Lion Capital, formerly known as Hicks Muse, which acquired a majority stake in Jimmy Choo more than two years ago. The US-based firm said that since it had realized its “return expectations, we have decided to exit our investment, thereby enabling fresh capital to support the next stage of Choo's development.”
Meanwhile, Jimmy Choo's chief executive Robert Bensoussan will work with Towerbrook to explore potential acquisitions in the luxury goods sector. In the statement, he said that the company would continue to develop overseas and would be expanding its current offering. Mellon told W Magazine in July that she wanted to “completely accessorize” her customers, adding that she wanted the brand to become available at a lower price point. Jimmy Choo currently has sales of $65 million, with 60 stores worldwide.
D&G sees double-digit growth
Dolce & Gabbana has realized double-digit growth in both revenues and profits. For the year ended 31 March net profit increased 11 percent to €108.8 million on sales up 18 percent to $809.5 million. Original forecasts estimated sales growth of 15 percent.
This fiscal year the company will consolidate the sales volume of the D&G diffusion line with that of the core Dolce & Gabbana activities. The diffusion line will be produced and distributed entirely in-house for the first time this year after Dolce & Gabbana ended its 12-year licensing agreement with IT Holding. D&G generates about $250 million in annual sales and the company expects double-digit sales growth during its first year under direct management. The consolidation of the two labels will turn Dolce & Gabbana into a $1 billion fashion company.
“We intend to continue along the growth path of the last few years, and at the same time retain our independence,” Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana said in the annual report. “This will allow us to fully develop the still-unrealized potential of our brands and the markets in which we operate.” Like Armani, the duo does not want to take the company public, preferring independence to having to answer to shareholders.
In 2005 the company invested $130.5 million in operations, double the amount in 2004. It invested $48.6 million in commercial spaces, including its new headquarters. Capital expenditure also included communications investments up 18 percent to more than $86 million. Meanwhile, earnings before interest and tax gained 14 percent to $163 million. Thanks to royalties and cash flow from eyewear licensee Luxottica, the company has managed to eliminate its debt. Its current net position is $85.8 million, up from a debt of $21.4 million the year before. Dolce e Gabbana is also investing significant amount in the D&G brand. Christina Ruella, director of General Affairs for the company, told WWD that it might on day, “in the very long term” generate more revenue than the Dolce & Gabbana brand. In the meantime, it has hired 460 new employees to develop the brand and plans to take on another 40 as the business develops.
Wholesale revenues rose 10 percent to $1.15 billion, with women's wear and accessories representing 60 percent of the total. Apparel, with 46 percent, represents the majority of wholesale sales. This category saw sales rise 7 percent to $530.6 million, while leather goods sales soared 32 percent to $123.6 million. Sales from watches, eyewear, fragrances and jewellery climbed 6 percent to $432.1 million.
Chanel's hobo bag
