Victoria Beckham to Open First Store in London

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Celebrities, Fashion Designers, News, Sales,

Victoria Beckham is opening her first store in London.

The singer-turned-designer has confirmed that her very first standalone store will open on Dover Street this Fall. "I think the time is now because I know my customer. It will be the first time that the people will really be able to see the brand through my eyes. It's young and cool. There are great galleries in the area. There's Dover Street Market directly opposite of us, which is not a bad thing," she told WWD.

Spanning 7,000 sq ft over three floors, the new style emporium will be located at number 36. The superstar has enlisted architect Farshid Moussavi, who worked on the 2012 London Olympic Park, to renovate the building. "[Farshid] is a woman who loves fashion as well. She has quite a conceptual eye, which I like. We want to make something different without making it overly complicated. I just want it to feel real for me," Victoria explained.

Click to continue reading Victoria Beckham to Open First Store in London

The Gap, Zara Temporarily Ban Rabbit Fur

Posted by Robin Paulson Categories: News, Sales,

Due to the efforts of PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) and a number of customers who expressed their presence online, retailers The Gap and Zara have released statements temporarily banning the sale of products made from angora rabbit fur.

PETA recently released undercover footage of the horrifying conditions and treatment of angora rabbits in a Chinese angora fur farm, prompting many companies to halt sales of the fur. The Gap and Zara were not as quick to jump on the compassionate bandwagon, facing harsh criticism online, as well as a petition which garnered over 295,000 signatures.

As a result, Zara released a statement on December 18th, claiming that they will stop ordering angora fur until it can verify the farms from which they purchase (let's be honest - they're not going to find a farm removing the fur humanely at the price points that they're used to). The Gap posted on Twitter with a similar sentiment.

How about they invest in cruelty-free faux fur instead of wasting time and money with their own investigations?

Read More | Jezebel

Uniqlo to Put Out Suno Collection

Posted by Robin Paulson Categories: Fashion Designers, News,

New York-based brand Suno - beloved by celebrities like Kate Bosworth, Heidi Klum, and First Lady Michelle Obama - has joined forces with Japanese retailer Uniqlo for an upcoming collection titled Japanese Americana.

Though most folks typically can't afford to shell out the cash for typical Suno pieces, the Uniqlo line - due in stores and online on May 20 - ranges between $19.99 and $39.99.

Click to continue reading Uniqlo to Put Out Suno Collection

Read More | Daily Mail

Stella McCartney Opens First Adidas Store

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Fashion Designers, Sales,

Stella McCartney opened her first ever standalone Adidas by Stella McCartney store over the weekend.

The designer - who has created the Adidas kit for the Great Britain team to wear during the London Olympics this summer - chose South Kensington's Brompton Cross in London as its location, which is also home to the her mainline and childrenswear shop: "This store is a real celebration of what we have been building for the last eight years together with Adidas and hopefully it is going to be the home for women to go to and find everything they need for their sports - and at the same time not having in any way to sacrifice their style. It's very much part of the world of the Stella McCartney store that we have opened in Brompton Cross, and it's really the icing on the cake, as far as it is expressing the different facets of the brand."

Click to continue reading Stella McCartney Opens First Adidas Store

Victoria Beckham Plans to Open First Shop in London

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Fashion Designers, News, Sales,

Victoria Beckham plans to open her first shop in London.

The fashion designer is already working on getting her first ever standalone store in the English capital city and she also hopes to open retail units in Hong Kong.

"People say, 'Am I going to have my own store?' I would love to. That's what I'm working on at the moment. It would probably be in London, but in the not-too-distant future maybe it will be Hong Kong. Who knows?" she said.

The 38-year-old brunette is eager to take her business as far afield as possible and she sees Asia as a "very exciting" prospect, but the former Spice Girls singer is conscious about the dangers of expanding her fashion empire too quickly: "What I do really is not just focus on the US or England. I mean there are a lot of territories that are really big for me and Asia is very exciting. I'm just scratching the surface at the moment. I want take baby steps with this business; I don't want to run before I can walk."

Click to continue reading Victoria Beckham Plans to Open First Shop in London

Manolo Blahnik Expanding UK Operation

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Fashion Designers, News, Sales,

Manolo Blahnik is working with Kurt Geiger to sell his shoes in two London stores.

The designers have inked a deal which will see Manolo's shoes sold alongside Kurt's at London stores Harrods and Liberty. Kurt will manage and create boutiques within the shoe departments at the both London department stores.

"I am very excited that my shoes will reach an even broader audience through Kurt Geiger in Liberty and Harrods," Manolo told WWD.

Previously Manolo's shoes were only available in one boutique located in London's upmarket Chelsea district. The Liberty space opened earlier this year and as well as shoes includes tote bags, scarves and stationery. The Harrods area will featuring the brand's autumn collection, and will span 300 square feet.

"The Liberty opening in February has been very successful, and with Harrods being a breathtakingly beautiful store full of incredible heritage, seeing my shoes there in the next couple of months will be a special moment," Manolo added.

Click to continue reading Manolo Blahnik Expanding UK Operation

Donatella Versace Teams Up With H&M

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Fashion Designers, News,

Versace is to collaborate with H&M. The Italian fashion house - headed up by Donatella Versace - has teamed up with the Swedish high street brand to create a collection, which will include menswear, womenswear and homeware.

"I am thrilled to be collaborating with H&M and to have the opportunity of reaching its wide audience. The collection will be quintessential Versace, perfect for H&M and Versace fans everywhere," Donatella said.

Margareta van den Bosch, creative advisor at H&M - who has masterminded collaborations with Karl Lagerfeld, Stella McCartney, Comme des Garcons and Jimmy Choo in the past - added, "Versace is one of the most important brands of recent times and their collection for H&M will be glamorous and flamboyant - everything Versace stands for. Donatella Versace is sharing with us iconic designs from the archives. This is such a celebratory collaboration and is perfect for the party season."

Click to continue reading Donatella Versace Teams Up With H&M

Olsen Twins Want to Launch Storefront

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Celebrities, Fashion Designers, Rumors,

The Olsen twins would love to open their own fashion shop. Mary-Kate and Ashley -- who co-run fashion ranges The Row and Elizabeth and James -- are keen to open their first store, but believe it is a big undertaking and are unsure when it might happen.

"I think every designer would say they'd love to open their own store, just because when you produce a collection, this whole room will be filled with God only knows how many racks and 150 pieces. What hits the stores is maybe ten pieces, in different colorway. So it would be nice to be able to represent it in your own way. But it's all a matter of timing and when it makes sense, and it's a really big undertaking, so it depends," said Ashley.

The 24-year-old identical twins are well known for their unusual style decisions, and Ashley admits a lot of their clothes are chosen because they don't want people to take their pictures while they are out in public: "That moment for us was us waking up, going to school, and not wanting anyone to take our picture. Kind of a piece of protection."

Topshop Launches 214 Magazine

Posted by Robin Paulson Categories: Editorials, News, Site Announcements, Site Features,

Can't shop at a retail store that doesn't publish its own catalogue fashion magazine? Me either. Thankfully, Topshop has jumped on that trend trade and finally published 214, which has landed in select stores.

"SELECT STORES?!" asks the U.S. customer. Don't worry, they want your money, too, which is why they've made the Spring/Summer 2011 issue available online!

The main editorial, "Shades of Summer," -- photographed by Saga Sig and styled by Anna Trevelyan -- highlights all the bohemian meets '70s products in the line. Check out the front cover photo after the jump.

Click to continue reading Topshop Launches 214 Magazine

Read More | Topshop