Beyonce’s “Fierce” Clothing Line Goes Back-to-School…
America’s high schools are about to get a lot more stylish come fall. In partnership with her mom Tina Knowles and their existing design label House of Dereon, Beyonce’ plans to launch her junior apparel label, Sasha Fierce for Deréon just in time for back-to-school, reports WWD.
The brand’s name, of course, plays off Beyonce’s on-stage alter ego, Sasha Fierce. “The line really exudes a different side of my personality, which I am grateful that I can express,” said Beyonce. The collection, codesigned with her mother, Tina Knowles, includes clothing, handbags, footwear, eyewear, lingerie, and jewelry — all described as over the top and inspired by Beyonce‘s Thierry Mugler concert costumes.
That means a lot of large chains, mixed metals, studded shoes, and oversize sunglasses. Clothes include one-shoulder frocks, bodysuits, leather-like jackets, ripped jeans, and leggings. The line, wholesaling from $25 to $75, will be available come Fall at Macy’s and Dillard’s and specialty stores.
SEE ITEMS FROM BEYONCE’S LINE BELOW!
Courtesy of Dereon
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Tell us: Are you looking forward to Beyonce’s “Fierce” line this fall?
Cult Streetwear Designer Nigo Steps Away from his BAPE Brand…
Are people still spending $150 on graphic hoodies? Wait. Are people still wearing graphic hoodies?
Perhaps it’s the lack of demand for insanely overpriced streetwear that has Nigo — the revered Japanese designer who helped popularize the graphic hoodie through his A Bathing Ape label — backing away from his own business.
WWD reports that the diminutive designer is stepping down as president and director of the brand, though he’ll remain head designer — and will continue his fashion partnership with N.E.R.D. Pharrell Williams, whom he co-owns the Billionaire Boys Club and Ice Cream brands with. Nigo, who’s also a DJ and music producer, said he’s decided to give up his management duties in order to concentrate on the creative side…which probably needs a boost right about now.
The designer’s ascension in the fashion world is the stuff of pop culture legend. He launched Bape in 1993 by making between 30 and 50 t-shirts a week, then splitting them between his celebrity friends, including Williams and Kanye West, and the fawning public. The limited-edition pieces became instant collector’s items.
But luxury streetwear companies like Bape and WESC — who’ve been gauging us for years — are going to have to rethink their business models if they want to stay relevant. In this economy, $200 t-shirts don’t fly. And if we keep our heads, they never will again.
T.I. might be headed to the slammer soon but he definitely got his AKOO clothing line in order before hand. TIP has personally been involved in the design and layout of the new AKOO website which now features a full online store, look book, music videos and an upcoming blog. We have always been supporters of T.I. and now we are giving you an exclusive first look at his line. Check out the new AKOO site and see for yourself.
Some photos below…
Photo Source: AKOO
“I think this would be a great site to buy something from for my husband as a Father’s Day gift and any other occasion. Thanks T.I.”
Madonna’s Doing a Clothing Line With Christian Audigier…
Madonna’s collaborating with Ed Hardy on a fashion line, according to the Mirror. Known for its tattoo prints, the label is owned by Christian Audigier, who’s also designing an outfit for Michael Jackson’s comeback tour. Working with the two of them at once must be a real headache treat. Audigier approached Madonna about the line after he spotted her wearing Ed Hardy. The Mirror reports:
He offered a six-figure deal and put on a private catwalk show to inspire Madonna, telling her to “Express Yourself”.
But he needn’t have worried. Her Madgesty, 50, thinks Christian is a true fashion innovator and jumped at the chance to work with him.
We’ll have to agree to disagree with Madge on that. But it’s good to know that if we went up to her and said “express yourself” she wouldn’t slug us. Her designs include tattoo-inspired T-shirts and diamante-encrusted bodices (Pussycat Dolls, control yourselves). We’re glad to hear veering young doesn’t stop with her love life.
According to Business Week, Hip-hop entrepreneur Russell Simmons‘ American Classics line of men’s clothing is set to roll out. But with consumers spending less, Wal-Mart keeps mum. As most apparel retailers announce job cuts and store closures because of sluggish sales, it is a precarious time for any of them to launch a new brand. But on Feb. 15 Wal-Mart Stores (WMT) will roll out a new line of men’s clothing designed by hip-hop entrepreneur Russell Simmons in 350 stores, about 10% of its U.S. outlets, and on its Web site. The launch will come less than a week after the world’s largest retailer announced that it will move buyers in the apparel division from its Bentonville (Ark.) headquarters to New York to increase the focus on fashion.
For a company whose financial performance has trounced rivals such as Target (TGT) in recent months by focusing on lower-price essentials rather than more expensive discretionary items, the move seems surprising, especially as Wal-Mart flopped famously in its previous efforts to sell more fashionable, pricier clothing. One such effort was a women’s line designed by Mark Eisen, which alienated the store’s core customers. “Fashion is tricky,” says retail consultant David Lockwood of Mintel Research. “This is not macaroni and cheese or over-the-counter vitamins, which they know really well.” But as Wal-Mart slows its store expansion, it needs to sell higher-profit items to continue generating growth—and apparel is one segment that can still draw new customers.
Priced to Sell…
This time around Wal-Mart is keeping a tighter rein on the price and the trendiness of new clothing items. Simmons’American Classics line will be priced between $9.99 and $29, with about 80% of the clothes at $15 or less. Simmons, who launched the Phat Farm clothing label in 1992 and another brand in 2008 called Argyle Culture, sold in Macy’s (M), says his new focus is the “urban graduate,” whom he describes as 25-to-50-year-old men such as Will Smith, Adam Sandler, and Barack Obama, who grew up with hip-hop clothes but as professionals can no longer don baggy pants and shirts sporting oversize logos. American Classics’ first season has a heavy focus on purple, navy, and white and includes jeans, sweater vests, casual sports shoes, and woven and knit shirts. ♦ Read Full Story
Tuesday morning was a promising day for a young fashion designer, Jason Wu. He was well-respected in certain fashion circles. But by Tuesday night, he became a household name.
Jason Wu’s place in history is all sewn up thanks to First Lady Michelle Obama, who donned his white chiffon gown for the inaugural balls.
Fashion Designer, Jason Wu
The 26-year-old Taipei-born New Yorker’s rapid rise to fame makes him the second designer from the Big Apple to hit the national spotlight on Inauguration Day.
So … who is this guy?
The onetime doll designer was reportedly introduced to Obama by Vogue editor-at-large Andre Leon Talley. She later wore a dress by the designer for a Barbara Walters special just before the presidential election.
Despite his low profile, Wu has earned quite a following among the fashionista set for his hourglass silhouettes and flowing fabrics.
Vogue editrix Anna Wintour even attended his last show, lending a serious nod of approval from the fashion community.
Wu, whose dolls sell at F.A.O. Schwartz, debuted his first runway collection in February 2006 and has shown off his wares in subsequent seasons – albeit in some of Fashion Week’s smaller venues.
Odds are, that’s about to change.
The budding star has been recognized for his talent, nabbing the Fashion Group International’s Rising Star Award for women’s ready-to-wear last year.
Wu told Us Weekly that he didn’t know that Obama had chosen his dress for her husband’s big night.
“I found out when the whole world found out,” he said. “I said, ‘It looks white. It looks like mine…’ I had a box of pizza and I nearly fell over. I was sitting there with my friends, and they were screaming.”
Wu’s big moment comes on the heels of fellow New Yorker Isabel Toledo’s rise to national consciousness.
The first lady kicked off Inauguration Day in a pale yellow wool brocade dress and coat by the then-little-known designer.
The outfit “was made for Michelle with extra warm linings sewn into the [inner linings] so that she wouldn’t freeze,” Toledo’s husband told the Daily News.
A spring version of the dress – which will retail for around $1,500 – will hit Barney’s in March.
Wu’s goods are also currently available at upscale stores such as Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus – and have popped up on rising stars like Leighton Meester, Joy Bryant and Kerry Washington.
Oh, and the first lady – just in case you didn’t hear.
First lady Michelle Obama wore a sparkling yellow sheath dress with matching coat by Cuban-born American designerIsabel Toledo for the inauguration of her husband, a choice many applauded as a cheerful message of hope and a vote for the American fashion industry.
In some light, the embellished ensemble took on a pale-greenish cast, coordinating nicely with green gloves from J. Crew and Jimmy Choo green patent pumps.
President Barack Obama wore a red tie and white shirt with his suit, topped with an overcoat adorned with an American flag pin.
Their daughters were style icons in their own right, with 10-year-old Malia in a double-breasted periwinkle-blue coat with a blue-ribbon bow at the waist, and Sasha, 7, in a pink coat with orange scarf and satin belt, a coral-colored dress peeking out at the hem. Their coats were from Crewcuts by J. Crew.
The fashion industry has eagerly looked to the election of Obama for months, embracing his wife as an emblem and ambassador of modern style, who wears clothes from young designers as well as mainstream American retailers.
Toledo designed the outfit with hopes Obama would choose it for the ceremony, though Toledo did not know for certain until Tuesday morning. She said she chose the “lemongrass” color for the optimism it represents.
“I didn’t want a traditional blue or red,” Toledo said. “That color has sunshine in it. I fell in love with it. So did she.”
The unusual shade of yellow “really popped” on Michelle Obama’s complexion, said fashion designer Kai Milla, wife of Stevie Wonder and an invited guest to the swearing-in ceremony.
Hamish Bowles,Voguemagazine’s European editor at large who curated the Metropolitan Museum Costume Insitute exhibit on Jackie Kennedy in 2001, said he sees a resemblance in the inaugural styles between the two first ladies. “She’s off to an auspicious start,” Bowles said of Obama.
“Mrs. Obama’s choice (of clothing for the inaugural ceremony) … was appropriate, dignified and elegant, but it also had a considerable element of fashion panache,” said Hamish Bowles, Vogue magazine’s European editor at large.
Vanessa and Angela Simmons have a new line of clothing coming out called Pastry, and their designs are anything but original. Sources are saying that apparently Johnny Cupcakes, a designer who has all his own original ideas is speaking out against them to make people aware. Check out stolen ideas below! Johnny Cupcakes designs are on the left, and Pastry is on the right. What do you think?
Note From Johnny;
Randomly putting baked items on t-shirts and having an entire brand revolve around it is free for anyone to do. I don’t own food. However, I did indeed start this brand of mine 8 years ago, having it’s main focus be revolved around cupcakes and anything associated with it. In the independent t-shirt industry, I believe I was the first person to go all out with this cupcake / baking motif. I’ve made a tremendous amount of sacrifices and risks to make it the homegrown, family run, fun, limited business that it is, since I dropped out of high school and sold my t-shirts out of my rusty car. With my brands main focus on my customers and their experience, I think I’ve been doing a pretty swell job at it.
Last Spring I was alerted by a customer who happened to work at a popular mall sportswear store. This customer of mine caught a glimpse of his manager’s catalog which had various items that were being released in the near future at all of their mall locations. One of the items in this companies catalog was a “Make Pastry Not War” t-shirt. Not only was it a very similar slogan, but it had the same EXACT placement, font, EVEN A CUPCAKE in the center of the t-shirt. This was no coincidence. Weeks later my inbox was flooded with furious Johnny Cupcakes customers who saw this same catalog with the ‘Pastry’ design in it. I could of made a big deal about it online, making everyone else aware of it. Instead, I decided not to be a cry baby and post it all over the internet, so I sought out a different route. I decided to contact my trademark attorney, who then contacted the owners of Pastry / Pastry Kicks. We got in touch with the President of a certain mall chain-store who ended up declining the order of all ‘Make Pastry Not War’ t-shirts.
The thing that baffles me, is why would two girls who’re famous via MTV, have to stoop so low to create such similar items, never mind brand? Maybe they’re both really great girls who happened to hire some not-so-great designers? I’m not sure what the case is, but I do know that this should be brought to everyones attention.
Louis Vuitton’s new Graffiti & Rose collection, which features a range of accessories, is a homage to Stephen Sprouse, who collaborated with the house’s creative director Marc Jacobs eight years ago.
Bags, shoes, bangles, sunglasses, leggings, scarves and clothing – all contain the neon colored graffiti done by Stephen Sprouse.
To celebrate this month’s Stephen Sprouse book and exhibition, Marc Jacobs even got naked for Harper’s Bazaar and posed for fashion photographer Terry Richardson holding a bag from the Graffiti collection.
JNEL & J. Magazine 