(Photos by George Chinsee)
As the Olsen Twins junior brand, Olsenboye, launches today at J.C. Penney, the design duo continues the expansion of their fashion empire with yet another project, a denim-based secondary collection under the Elizabeth and James contemporary label. Named Textile Elizabeth and James, the Seventies inspired collection with design stemming from jeans the Olsens’ own in their wardrobe (with one pair dating back to their high school years), will feature three styles of jeans - the Hendrix (with a slight bell-bottom), the low-slung Stevie, and the cropped, highwaisted Joni.
In the fall, the Olsens plan to roll out a full lifestyle collection for Textile. ???We??™re talking about the favorite things you want to wear with your jeans, like the ultimate flannel shirt,??? said Siskin. The recently launched Elizabeth and James men??™s collection, meanwhile, will be repackaged under the Textile umbrella, with less suiting and more casual- and outerwear.
???Elizabeth and James is a name the customers really relate to,??? said Siskin. ???To give them this other piece of their wardrobe, with the same brand, is an easy connect.??? (WWD Click here to read today’s full article)
The collection, which wholesales from $106 – $111, will be launched exclusively at Bergdorf Goodman, Neiman Marcus and Intermix in March.
–Nikki Cho Russo
Tags: J.C. Penney, Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, Olsen Twins, Olsenboye, Textile Elizabeth and James
Yes, jumpsuits are a singular sensation as WWD reports. It is nice to hear that they will continue to be a hot trend for Spring 2010 so I can keep on wearing the ones I have and, of course, add a few more! I absolutely love anything from Zero + Maria Cornejo and what about that Rachel Roy…she has some great affordable pieces out.
Steve Madden continues the madness of the Olsen twins fashion takeover with a licensing deal to do shoes and accessories for the Olsenboye line for J.C. Penney. These girls are on fire with their multiple lines and what a smart move for Steve Madden to jump on the gravy train.
Bergdorf celebrated the 25th birthday of the famous eatery, Indochine, with Narciso Rodriquez co-hosting. Definitely a NYC institution that had iconic artists, fashionistas, celebrities and let’s not forget us common folk, eat, drink and be merry there in the hey days of the 80s and 90s. Happy Birthday Indochine!
Live Strong! Lance Armstrong has proven to do so and then some. On Friday night Lance opened the new Nike-sponsored Stages exhibit at Deitch Projects in SoHo, which supports the cyclist’s foundation. New York based artists who participated were Ed Rusha and Tom Sachs, who I adore. Make a trip down to Deitch Projects to view the show.
Get ready, FrostFrench, a label founded by Sadie Frost and Jemima French, are back in full force! Next week, the label will unveil a boutique on Noel Street in London??™s Soho.
Read today’s highlighted articles below.
–Nikki Cho Russo
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Styled by
Jumpsuits have taken a flying leap back into the spotlight, returning in versions that range from utility looks that recall intrepid paratroopers to second-skin glamorous styles.
(Left to Right – Photo By: Kyle Ericksen)
1) Zero + Maria Cornejo??™s linen and viscose version. Frye boots.
2) Sue??™s stretch silk and spandex jumpsuit. Dr. Martens boots; belt from Barbara Flood??™s Closet.
3) San & Soni??™s belted cotton, linen and ramie jumpsuit. Eric Javits hat; vintage boots.
Photo By: Kyle Ericksen
1) Nicole Miller Collection??™s cotton and elastane jumpsuit. Frye boots; belt from Barbara Flood??™s Closet.
2) Halston??™s metallic polyester and viscose jumpsuit. Frye boots; Ranjana Khan necklace; Badgley Mischka cuff.
3) Rachel Roy New York??™s polyester matte crepe jumpsuit. Vintage boots.
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A shoe by Olsenboye. Photo by Courtesy Photo
Distributed exclusively at J.C. Penney Co. Inc., Olsenboye targets the junior market and offers denim, bottoms, tops, dresses, skirts, shorts, jackets, handbags and shoes retailing from $20 to $50. Olsenboye accessories will be available in select Penney??™s stores and on jcp.com starting for the holiday season, with a full launch set for spring.
???We believe that Olsenboye will be an excellent addition to our growing portfolio of footwear and accessories brands,??? said Edward Rosenfeld, chairman and chief executive officer of Madden.
Shoe styles by Olsenboye include colorful suede flats and casual canvas sneakers. Handbags come in slouched shapes as well as smaller bucket bags and feature acid wash and plaid prints.
In addition to Olsenboye, Steve Madden is the footwear and accessories licensee for such brands as Fabulosity, Elizabeth and James and Betsey Johnson.
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Bergdorf Goodman??™s third floor was transformed into Indochine on Thursday night to celebrate a new book chronicling the downtown eatery??™s 25 years in business.
Co-host Narciso Rodriguez, who??™s held several fashion week parties at the restaurant, reminisced about his favorite spot. ???Some of the best times that I??™ve had in New York have been there,??? he said. ???I opened the book and it was such nostalgia. It was so sentimental. My friends and peers, it was fabulous.???
But when asked to elaborate about any wild nights in particular, Rodriguez was unsurprisingly mum. ???They were very fun,??? he said. ???But, like everybody else, I can??™t tell you about them.???
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Lance Armstrong. Photo by Scott Rudd
On Friday night, Lance Armstrong opened the new Nike-sponsored Stages exhibit at Deitch Projects in SoHo, which benefits the cyclist’s foundation. For the show, several New York-based artists created works inspired by the signature yellow hue associated with Armstrong’s LiveStrong initiative.
Atmosphere at Deitch Projects in Soho. Photo by Scott Rudd
Ed Ruscha contributed a goldenrod painting that read ???Vital to the Core??? and Tom Sachs pimped out a cruiser bike with bottles of Cuervo and called it ???Lance??™s Tequila Bike for Girls.??? It turns out the cyclist is an avid contemporary collector (or so says gallery owner Jeffrey Deitch, since Armstrong declined to talk about the show or his charity). ???He has works by a number of these artists,??? Deitch said. ???There is a parallel between what he does and what artists do, pushing themselves to the limit and surpassing themselves.???
Deitch was pleased with the magnitude of the works on display, some of which were valued at $700,000. ???There is no group more generous than artists,??? he said. ???It??™s the nature of what they do, they share their work with the public. I see this as the start of something important.???
Click here to view the slideshow
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Tags: Badgley Mischka, Cyndi Lauper, Deitch Project, Dr. Marten, Ed Rusha, Edward Mapplethorpe, Eric Javits, FrostFrench, Frye, Lady Gaga, Lance Armstrong, MAC, Nicole Miller, Nike, Olsenboye, Patti Smith, Rachel Roy, Ranjana Khan, San & Soni, Steven Madden, Sue, Tom Sachs, Zero + Maria Cornejo
The Olsen twins continue their world domination in the fashion world with a line for J.C. Penney Co. called Olsenboye, which will include denim, bottoms, tops, dresses, skirts, shorts, jackets, handbags and shoes. And for a pretty cheap penny, items will retail from $20-$50!
Kicking it on 42nd Street is Asics’, first time ever in the U.S., New York flagship store. The store opened its’ doors last Thursday, just in time for last minute shopping for the New York Marathon this weekend.
Read the WWD articles below.
–Nikki Cho Russo
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Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen are expanding their fashion reach.
The sisters, entertainers and marketers almost since their infancy who last week became members of the Council of Fashion Designers of America, have signed a deal with J.C. Penney Co. Inc. to launch Olsenboye, a junior brand that will be exclusive to the chain.
The collection will have a major rollout, set for 600 Penney??™s stores in February. But the company aims to generate curiosity among teens well before the launch with what amounts to a new marketing approach for the retailer built around previews, limited offerings and digital, guerrilla and viral marketing tactics.
The effort kicks off Monday with an Olsenboye truck cruising around New York selling merchandise and giving out cupcakes, balloons and pins, and empty racks in 50 high-profile stores will be covered in Olsenboye shrouds. Beginning Nov. 6, Olsenboye will be available on jcp.com and in those 50 stores, including the Manhattan flagship, for a limited time.
There also will be a teaser video for the preview collection on olsenboye.com featuring teen characters.
For the full launch in the spring, there will be broadcast spots, magazine print ads and direct-mail pieces. There also will be an interactive digital campaign on jcp.com, Penney??™s teen Facebook page and Twitter.
For the last several seasons, Penney??™s has been unleashing new labels and designer exclusives while culling out brands that have lost relevance, striving to modernize its image, catering to more of a teen and contemporary crowd and offering something different.
Among its consumer base, ???the propensity for trying and adapting new brands is terrific,??? said Liz Sweney, Penney??™s executive vice president and general merchandise manager of women??™s. ???We are stepping up our style to attract a younger customer??? with such recent launches as Bisou Bisou, I [Heart] Ronson, Allen B., Oxford & Regent and Twelfth of Eleven, all contemporary lines done in collaboration with designers and brands. Last month, Penney??™s 
launched its first contemporary label, called she said, created by its own design team. Arizona and Decree are among the key junior brands at the store, but the retailer also still sells more traditional lines geared to a more mature crowd, such as Worthington, and has just signed a deal with Liz Claiborne Inc. to be the exclusive retailer for the Liz Claiborne line. ???We love our older customer, as well,??? Sweney noted.
When it comes to price, however, Penney??™s has maintained its moderate, value-driven, promotional posture. Olsenboye, which is the Olsens??™ ancestral name, will fall into Penney??™s good and better price tiers. Olsenboye is a casual sportswear and accessories collection that includes denim, bottoms, tops, dresses, skirts, shorts, jackets, handbags and shoes. The line will retail from $20 to $50 and is being designed to be mixed to create different looks. The brand also will periodically flow in travel-inspired mini collections, each reflecting the looks and trends of different cities.
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Asics??™ First Retail Run
Asics opened its first U.S. flagship in New York last Thursday near Bryant Park on 42nd Street.
The 1,100-sq.-ft. shop stocks men??™s and women??™s running footwear, apparel and accessories, as well as official apparel for the ING New York City Marathon. The store also houses a Foot ID 3D Scan machine, which uses both lasers and cameras to measure and analyze feet.
Asics Chairman Kiyomi Wada told Footwear News the company decided to bow in New York because of the city??™s large running population.
He added that in spite of the current economy, he was bullish about the debut. ???This is a chance for us to show that our business is strong,??? he said, speaking through a translator.
U.S. President and CFO Rich Bourne said this location will act as a testing ground and that there are no immediate plans for another unit. Looking down the line, though, Wada noted that other U.S. cities of interest would include Chicago and Los Angeles.
Asics??™ business has been growing steadily in the U.S., said Bourne, with stateside sales making up about 22 percent of the company??™s total business. ???We had double-digit growth last year, and we??™re determined to keep growing this year,??? he said. Bourne also cited the firm??™s marketing campaigns around big events like the Olympics and the New York marathon as drivers in helping to elevate its U.S. presence.
Vans Goes Pop
Vans, the skate-and-surf lifestyle brand, opened its Vault Shop pop-up last Friday at the Conveyor in Fred Segal in Santa Monica, Calif. The shop has taken over the entire Conveyor space and will house all limited-edition Vault by Vans products and Vans by Conveyor exclusives under one roof, as well as brand favorites and classics.
Also hitting shelves are special sneaker designs by artist Taka Hayashi. The Vault shop has created a gallery-like layout, with Hayashi??™s own artwork and inspirations for his shoe designs displayed until the end of October. The following months will introduce a new visual space and a completely new round of merchandise for consumers.
???What we??™re looking for is an opportunity to showcase the brand,??? said marketing and PR rep Chris Overholser. ???The best way for us to do that is in an environment where we can show our best product, and we can effectively tell the stories behind that product.???
If the shop exceeds sales expectations, more Vans pop-ups could roll out, said Overholser.
Tags: Asics, J. C. Penney Co, Olsen Twins, Olsenboye, Vans
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