Posh adds denim to the mix
Victoria Beckham is putting her name to a new line of denim, namely her own. The former Spice Girl is adding jeans to the existing line of sunglasses which are currently being launched under her new DVB lifestyle brand. The London-based entertainment and media firm 19 Entertainment Ltd, that represents the Beckhams, released a statement sayding that Victoria has signed a manufacturing deal with Western Glove Works to develop and distribute the collection.
"Victoria is one of the most prominent fashion enthusiasts of our day," said Alan Einarson of Western Glove Works in the statement. He will be vice president of sales for DVB Denim. "She has an innate sense of style, fit and proportion that transcends all ages." Beckham already has commercial experience and success with denim. She collaborated on the development of her own line for the Rock & Republic denim brand for six seasons. The collaboration has only just this season come to an end.
Meanwhile, the new DVB collection, which will consist of jeans, skirts and shorts, is expected to hit a select numer of stores in May, with global distribution starting in September. Meanwhile, the DVB sunglass collection will hit upmarket stores like Harvey Nichols and Colette in Paris by the end of this month.
Kurz quits Seven For All Mankind
Andreas Kurz, chief executive of denim maker Seven For All Mankind, has quit the company, according to a report by Women's Wear Daily. Kurz joined the firm last March, after owner Peter Koral had sold the company to Bear Stearns Merchant Banking. He was selected to head up the firm's evolvement into a global lifestyle brand. Bo Arlander, senior managing director at Bear Stearns, brought Kurz in on based on his experience of growing brands and licensing deals
However, sources told WWD that Kurz and Koral, who stayed on as chairman and president of Seven For All Mankind LLC, were not a good match. Neither the company nor Kurz were available for comment. Kurz was previously president of international licensing at Polo Ralph Lauren and has also served as ceo at Diesel USA and Hugo Boss USA.
Kurz is responsible for expanding Seven For All Mankind's non-denim ranges, including tops and outer wear. Under him, the company also joined forces with brands like Great China Wall and designers Ron Herman and Zac Posen to create co-branded merchandise. Kurz's departure may have resulted from disagreements with Koral, who has been known to have conflicts with business partners in the past.
www.sevenforallmankind.com
23 January 2006
Radcliffe Denim in US launch
The new British premium denim brand Radcliffe Denim launched in the US last week. The brand, known for its jeans with adjustable hemlines, will be sold at Los Angeles' Fred Segal and luxury department store Barneys in New York, Miami, Chicago and Los Angeles. On the homefront, Radcliffe Denim is also available at Harrods during its 'Truly British' installation. A remarkable feat, considering its launch a mere six months ago.
The brand is already favoured by A-listers like Gwyneth Paltrow, Kate Hudson, Mischa Barton and Teri Hatcher as well as British celebrities like Donna Air and Cat Deeley.
"We've had a really busy first 6 months - seeing the jeans on the shop floors of world famous stores, really hits home to me how far we have come since our launch in April 05," says founder and managing director Suzy Radcliffe. "A key trend in denim - towards smarter, darker, more tailored jeans - is also increasing demand for Radcliffe Denim's signature look."
Next year's plans include further expansion into more stores in the UK and the US. The brand will also introduce tailored jackets, skirts and cashmere in 2006.
www.radcliffedenim.com
10 October 2005
Denim with a personal touch
London Denim purports to be " London 's answer to all the over-hyped, over-rated and over here LA denim brands". The label's designer Simon King has now customised his latest range of skinny jeans. They feature tattoos like those sported on beefy biceps of the Forties. Think cheesy hearts, birds and boxer dogs, but then adorning your legs.
The designs are either etched or embroidered in gold, silver, black or Swarovski crystals. Prices range from £249 and £900, depending on the type of adornment, and have their own window in Harrods during its Truly Brit-ish September campaign.
"I've been working on extreme customisation for the past four years exploring all of the different ways our jeans can be embellished to create an extreme visual impression," King told Vogue.co.uk. "London Denim is about fit and impact and when we customise one of our jeans it accentuates the silhouette to create a wonderfully extrovert statement about the wearer."
7 August 2005