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Baby Phat Gives Consumers a Backstage Pass With Twitter

17 Feb

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Baby Phat is showing their Fall ’09 collection tonight at NY Fashion Week. The high-class hip-hop label will also be giving fans an  insiders look into what goes on backstage at one of their shows. Baby Phat is going to tweet in real time through a live Twitter feed from backstage at the Baby Phat show tonight, February 17, 2009 from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. E.S.T. Fans will be able to log on to www.twitter.com/babyphat and get a backstage pass to find out what goes on behind the scenes at one of the most fabulous shows of the year!

I applaud Baby Phat’s efforts to be accessible to consumers through social media. Using a live Twitter feed creates a personal relationship between the company and their target audience. Be sure to follow Baby Phat tonight and weigh in on their live feed by posting your comments. Can’t wait to check it out tonight!

Alternatives to Fashion Week

1 Feb

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Designer after designer has pulled out of New York Fashion Week because of the costly expenses. ABC News shares these figures: “It’s a fortune — $28,000 just for the tent!” exclaims Mara Hoffman, 31, best known for creating memorable frocks for Sex and the City. “It totals maybe $70,000 for everything — it’s nuts.”

We all know that Vera Wang, Betsey Johnson and Monique Lhuillier have opted out for this fall season show. Even though they may not be in the tents at Bryant Park, designers need not completely abstain from any sort of display. There are many economical alternatives to runway shows such as off-site shows, presentations or even transforming spaces into markets like Alexander McQueen for instance!

Alexander McQueen debuts his Target McQ line at St. John’s Center (330 West Street at West Houston Street) from noon until 10pm on February 14th and 15th. McQ will later launch nationwide on March 4. Fashionista‘s Britt Aboutaleb describes, “they’re transforming the space into their own version of Camden Market complete with chain link fences, distressed plywood and graffiti-covered grates to ‘evoke some rock ‘n roll nostalgia’.”

Do you have any other brilliant ideas to share for those absent from Fashion Week? Do presentations and market spaces suffice?

Saurette Receives Star Attention at Golden Globes

20 Jan

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Last week I had a wonderful conversation with Saurette‘s designer, Lisa Kanouse.  The children’s clothing designer recently participated in The Boom Boom Room gifting suite at the Golden Globes this year and was greeted with much praise from celebrities like Kathy Hilton, Tim Allen, Ali Landry, Jake Busey, Kevin Dillon, Scott Baio, Joey Lawrence, Jodi Sweeten and many more.

Saurette debuted in March 2008 with the mission to provide “stylish, high-quality clothes for kids who seek unique expression,” explained Kanouse. Every piece is a cotton/silk blend, which lends an incredibly soft hand to the fabric. Saurette is also machine and/or hand washable providing an easy clean for all those busy parents.

Invited to the Golden Globes by Jayneoni Moore, celebrity fashion stylist and commentator on shows such as Entertainment Tonight, Vh1 and Access Hollywood, Saurette’s most sought after pieces were the tree embroidered baby doll top in charcoal, the cabbage floral jakebuseyskirt in fuchsia and the embroidered skirt in white and pink.

Kanouse sums up her experience at the Golden Globes into one word: “fantastic.”  Small and new start-up brands as well as more established brands such as Graco and Robeez were featured at the gifting suite.  “The group of vendors in my section quickly became friends by sharing stories and exchanging business cards,” explained Kanouse.

When asked what her most memorable moment was during the Golden Globes, Kanouse chose her meeting with Kathy Hilton. “She told me how much she loved the collection. Kathy Hilton asked for the blue embroidered baby doll top for her niece…It was so exciting, but mostly, Kathy was very nice and genuine—that made the show for me.”

Saurette plans to continue to build its boutique base and relationships with key specialty department stores such as Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifthkathyhilton Avenue and Nordstrom. Kanouse also plans to approach stores like Lisa Kline and Kitson Kids in L.A.

Kanouse has also finished putting together Saurette’s fall collection, which is now in New York, L.A. and Dallas. The collection offers sweaters in a cotton yarn that have a cashmere hand. ”[It] makes you want to cuddle up with them,” described Kanouse.

Also, look out for Kanouse at Citibabes in the NYC area. She has been invited to instruct a special fashion design class for their CitiSchool master’s program sometime in March or April.

Designer Collaborations: Give The People What They Want!

23 Dec

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Fashionistas are protesting once again! I hate to break it to ya, but it looks like Betsey Johnson will not be launching a diffusion line with H&M or Target. “‘The rumors are false,’” a rep confirmed to People.com,” reported by The Cut. Only a few days ago we were cheering on the label for their efforts. Even if it was a rumor, Betsey Johnson needs to give the people what they want!

The mass excitement is a testament to this cash-cow idea. As I explained in my previous post, collaborating with a retail chain for a short time would boost profits without tarnishing the luxury name.

Remember Alexander McQueen’s announcement to collaborate with Target last November? Heck, besides Kohl’s, Vera Wang has even collaborated with Serta mattresses! Designer collaborations generate high short-term profits that can sustain a company during a slow economy.

It is important to keep an eye on the current market because of its ever changing environment. Currently, consumers are trying to find affordable luxuries. Fashionista’s are still addicted to shopping but are now digging for deals.  Karim Shah of Pierce Mattie PR’s The Fashion Rag also recognizes this market in his latest post saying, “don’t discount the power the average woman beholds. Consider those with moderate taste.” If the average consumer can buy designer brands at a low price, they will go for it like a mad dog.

Are there other ways designer collaborations can help fashion labels?

Smart Marketing Move By Betsey Johnson

19 Dec

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UPDATE (December 22, 2008): Looks like this was only a rumor. Read following post for more details.

Now, here’s a smart marketing move!

Betsey Johnson, my favorite uber-girly and sexy designer label, is scaling back on their February show and spending the money on a new venture. The label’s CEO Chantal Bacon, according to The Cut, says Betsey Johnson will collaborate with a retailer in launching a limited-edition line. The Cut explains that “one can easily deduce a diffusion line for H&M or Target is probably in Betsey’s future.”

This is a smart investment move because it creates more room to grow in this economy without loosing their brand identity. A “limited-edition” line keeps a designer label looking high-end because it is a limited commodity or a one-of-a-kind deal. Luxury should “seem” hard to come by and entice those who may not have the funds to access high-end brands.

Kudos to Betsey Johnson. You go girl!

Seattle’s Thread Show

27 Oct

Seattle’s Thread show, put on by Joan Kelly of Joan & Jared Events, was a great success! Thread is an independent shopping event with shows in San Diego, Seattle, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Miami. These events feature one-of-a-kind pieces and rare sneak peaks of complete designer lines before they appear on the racks.

At Fisher Pavilion, in the midst of models, designers and shoppers, my friend Nicole and I perused through racks of trendy clothing. I picked up a black-leather peace sign charm bracelet by Ofina and a mustard-yellow cotton skirt by Alula. I can’t wait to show off my new designer duds this week!

We were also able to preview Suzabelle‘s spring collection. My favorite piece was her Saint Gabriel dress, which brought a subtle sexuality and femininity to the entire collection. Be sure to mark your calendar for February 2009, when Suzabelle releases this gorgeous collection!

Blog Action Day: Poverty

16 Oct

Poverty is found in every country in the world. In the United States there are 14 to 16 percent living below the poverty line. There are many resources for people to tap into but there is never enough to go around. People cannot function in the United States by living on welfare alone. Welfare needs to be supplemented in some way in order for a person to be able to get by.

We need to remember to not only help the impoverished around the world, but help our citizens first. Donate your money and time to causes that help the citizens of the United States living below the poverty line because your tax dollars aren’t helping 100% of the problem.

Giving from the heart is what keeps this world alive.

HP Goes Fashion Forward

12 Oct

UPDATE (December 4, 2008): It has finally arrived! HP Vivienne Tam “digital clutch” is now available for order at www.hpdirect.com/minivt. If you order by Dec. 12, you can get one just in time for holiday giving.

A few days ago I was approached by HP to check out their new special edition notebook. This stylish product took my interest and drove me to share the news!

Vivienne Tam has paired with Hewlett-Packard to design a special edition notebook available early next year. The lightweight notebook has an uncanny resemblance to a silk-print clutch with its rich colors and peony print. During Fashion Week in New York, Tam incorporated the print into her Spring 2009 line and the invitations to her show.

Finally, technology and fashion come together. It’s smart on HP’s part to join with a fashion designer because it opens access to another type of audience. The notebook is targeted to the fashionable woman with a busy lifestyle who puts importance and thought into the style of her possessions.

HP has highlighted reactions to this product on their Facebook profile. The women explain how impressed they are with the notebook’s size and stylish design. I feel the same way and can’t wait to get my hands on one of these beautiful HP notebooks.

What are your thoughts on this HP notebook?

I’m Off To See The Wizard. The Wonderful Wizard of Seattle!

1 Oct

Ok, so my name isn’t Dorothy, but I’m pretty close! My Tory Burch patent leather flats serve as ruby slippers transporting me to the Emerald City for work every day. I even have my little dog too!

For the past few weeks I have taken an internship at Frause, a public relations firm in the Emerald City. It’s so wonderful to be back in Seattle. I am having the time of my life in this amazing city and I cannot wait to seize every opportunity in the industry of public relations and marketing.

My typical day includes reporting coverage as well as writing press releases and pitches. Recently, the Portland office intern and I have started blogging for the firm! I’m so proud to be part of such a wonderful firm that allows me to share my experiences and utilize my blogging skills.

Be sure to check out my Frause adventures at the Frause Blog! And don’t worry, I will still be contributing to this blog.

I.D.K. About RL QR’s

20 Aug

I don’t know about these Ralph Lauren QR codes.

Forget shopping online, Ralph Lauren makes it even easier to spend your cash on designer threads with a new mobile campaign. Once the consumer has downloaded the proper software from the Ralph Lauren Mobile Web site, they are able to scan QR codes to order clothing in a snap!

One might ask, “what are QR codes?” According to Ralph Lauren, “QR codes are simply two-dimensional bar codes, much like you are accustomed to at the grocery store.”

Stylehive reports that “Polo Ralph Lauren is the first luxury retail brand to launch a major mobile commerce campaign incorporating QR codes.”

Kate Betts at TIME explains, the new technology “promote[s] mobile commerce in the U.S.” and that millions in Japan are already using this form of “point-and-shoot shopping.”

Ralph Lauren sparks an interesting economic question: How will QR’s gain interest when the U.S. economy is facing a recession? Shopping is difficult for me only because I’m trying to cut back on spending and not because of an inconvenience!

Public relations professionals must always remember to evaluate the landscape before implementing a campaign. Target audiences may not be ready for certain strategies and therefore will not respond. Ralph Lauren could be on the cutting edge but it might not be the right time for implementation. Could this be a productive mobile campaign or a fast flop?

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