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Barneys is No Longer Selling Prada Handbags and Ready-to-Wear
By Lauren Sherman
Forget about fashion directors and window dressers. The biggest news coming out of Barneys since CEO Mark Lee came aboard is that the luxury retailer is dropping Prada handbags and women’s ready-to-wear from its stores. Update: We’ve heard from a source within Barneys that the real reason for the break up is not because of Barneys being unhappy with Prada, but because of a disagreement about leasing. (Prada wanted to lease its space in the store like it does at other department stores; Barneys doesn’t do that.) And that the decision was made before Lee even got to Barneys.
The Prada handbags section will be replaced by Valextra, a handbag line that’s exclusive to Barneys. (We’re sure you’ve heard of it–they’ve been shilling it like crazy for the past couple of years.) The store will still carry Prada men’s ready-to-wear and Prada shoes for both sexes.
While this move may seem insane to a fashion person, especially given Prada’s knock-out spring collection, it most certainly makes sense on a balance sheet. Think about it: How many people do you know who own Prada shoes? If you work in fashion, probably 10 or more. How many people do you know who own a Prada dress? Maybe one or two. makes sense in terms of maintaining the Barneys brand. The store is supposed be a well-curated, lively mix of product. Not a mall.
But let’s hope that if Lee is able to get Barneys back in shape, he’ll be able to convince Prada that they need their backpacks in there once again.
Update 2: Here’s an official statement from a Barneys spokesperson:
“Prada has been and continues to be an important vendor for Barneys New York. We will continue to carry footwear for both Men and Women as well as Mens Ready to Wear. Prada’s exit in the categories of Women’s leather goods and Women’s Ready to Wear was planned prior to Mark Lee’s arrival as CEO of Barneys and stemmed from the unwillingness of Barneys to consider leased departments. Barneys stands by the no vendor leased space still today enabling us to retain our point of view in our stores.”
For more on Lee, see Lisa Lockwood’s piece in WWD (subscription required).
Tags: Barneys New York, Mark Lee
Designer(s): Prada
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It’s probably for the best, anyway…most of Prada’s sh!t is ugly anyway, and poorly made (at least now, anyways). Both pairs of Prada thong sandals I had fell apart and one of the belts. After I really got into fashion and luxury, I failed to see what all the hype was about once I learned to look past (certain) names.
And yes, my items were authentic, before any smartass decides to make a wisecrack about Canal Street. :/
That sounds terrible for such an expensive, high end brand. I would have taken the goods back. Did you try, and if so, what happened?
This is awful. First nail in the coffin for my beloved Barneys.
[meant to reply to Ian]
I’ve totally had the opposite experience. The Prada stuff I own has held up beautifully, if not the best, out of all my pieces. Also think it’s beautiful–on the right person.
Only comfort is that Barneys usually got the boring RTW.
ok, sorry for the multiple posting. meant to reply to ian, but disqus is posting it as a new comment. arghdlkfjwoei.
Sorry, sometimes Disqus sucks!
Sorry, sometimes Disqus sucks!
I agree. Every Prada item I own has held up for years!
I agree. Every Prada item I own has held up for years!
Maybe the women’s stuff is better than the men’s. Their thong sandals suck.
:/
I’ve totally had the opposite experience. The Prada stuff I own has held up beautifully, if not the best, out of all my pieces. Also think it’s beautiful–on the right person.
Only comfort is that Barneys usually got the boring RTW.
For the most part, Prada’s RTW for Barney’s almost always goes on sale, so I can see why. but hmmm
That’s interesting. In the end it doesn’t matter about all the fashion editorial hype – if the product doesn’t sell at at full price it may not be viable.
Yay! I love the valextras and hope that Barney’s now has room to carry the whole line! Yippeeee!
Ummm…Prada dropped Barneys-quite a few months ago. Mark Lee is spinning the situation
New update makes a little more sense. Still sad, they both have a great adventurous and fashion-forward bent to them.
New update makes a little more sense. Still sad, they both have a great adventurous and fashion-forward bent to them.
This is why Barney’s is superior to so many other luxury ‘department’ stores. By trusting their own directors to create a well-curated environment instead of caving in to brands’ desires to “sell sell sell”, they set themselves worlds apart.
Between this and the new black awnings, I definitely sense a turn for the worse #thankgodforBergdorfs
Well, the second pair of thongs was actually the replacement pair, to their credit. It was an easy exchange…it was when I was stationed in California, and the SA at the store up in San Fran was extremely helpful and kind. But after my second pair went kaput, I didn’t know what to think about it. Idk if it’s just the thong sandals or not. I haven’t really had much of their actual apparel, so I can’t really speak to that, to be fair. I know a friend of mine had a bunch of sweaters from them, and I wore 2 of them and they felt marvelous, but this was back in the day – I can’t speak of the quality now, nor do I know the fate of those sweaters from back in the day.
But those sandals? That soured me….