Opening Ceremony Deal: 50% to 70% off labels like Alexander Wang, Proenza Schouler, and of course the in-house line When/Where: Ongoing. Soho: Mon—Sat 11am—8pm, Sun noon—7pm. Extended holiday hours Wednesday, December 22 and Thursday, December 23, 11am—9pm. Closed Christmas Day. 33-35 Howard St between Broadway and Crosby St (212-219-2688.) Ace Hotel: Sun—Tues 10am—9pm, Weds 11am—7pm, Read more →
When designers are selected as finalists for the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund, they compete in a set of challenges to win the grand prize–$300K and mentorship for the year–which this year went to Billy Reid. One of these challenges was presented by Ann Taylor. The 10 finalists–Joseph Altuzarra, Billy Reid, Christian Cota, Eddie Borgo, Gregory Parkinson, Oliver Helden and Paul Marlow of Loden Dager, Moss Lipow, Pamela Love, Prabal Gurung and Robert Geller–were each given a box of images from Ann Taylor campaigns from the ’50s, when the brand launched, through to today, and asked to create a look that would “rejuvenate, redefine and modernize the concept of wear-to-work dressing and set the next major career style trend.”
The results? Pretty amazing. Last night, to celebrate the opening of their new concept store on 5th Ave. and 21st St., Ann Taylor revealed all the challenge looks. Winner Billy Reid created a look that paired high-waisted houndstooth-print pants with suspenders and a magic trench coat–the lining comes out and turns into a bubble hemmed shift dress. Pamela Love created a leather bag with a horn handle and a matching necklace and cuff. The color combination of Loden Dager’s aqua blazer and blush pants was spot on. You can check out the looks modeled by the incomparable Karlie Kloss below.
We stopped by the Ann Taylor spring preview at the top of the Gramercy Hotel last night and while the collection didn’t knock our socks off (despite their J.Crew-ification), the accessories did. There were shots of lime green throughout the collection, basics that will be good staples for the office, and a few pieces–silk blouses (since we’re on a silk blouse kick lately), a tiered lace skirt, and some good J Brand Houlihan cargo knock-offs–stood out. But it was the accessories that shone. Particularly the burlap and leather strappy sandals with a thick stacked heel and the estate-style jewelry.
Elizabeth Banks, Katrina Bowden, Olivia Palermo stopped by to preview the collection as well, and Au Revoir Simone provided the live soundtrack.
Take a look at the accessories, and some standout pieces for spring.
Over the last two years, Ann Taylor has made a noticeable effort to bring its apparel and accessories offerings out of the naughts and into the new, uber-fashion-conscious decade.
In fact, many industry insiders we’ve spoken to about AT’s reformation have noted: “They’re trying be J.Crew.” Evidence of this marketing scheme can be found in the retailer’s newfound preppy-meets-glam aesthetic. The company also recently inked a deal with the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund to host a runway show in Los Angeles this October.
For the first time since 2007, Gap will have little to do with the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund.
J.Crew is sponsoring this year’s scholarship, which surely means that by next summer, J.Crew stores will be stocked with special items designed by the winners.
Ann Taylor, a brand that’s tried to mimic J.Crew in its styling, will fund an October fashion show in Los Angeles, where models will show off designs created for the retailer. (Remember, nominees this year include Prabal Gurung and Christian Cota, so expect to see some fabulous holiday party dresses on the runway.)
It’s clear that J.Crew has forked over plenty of cash to be this year’s marquee sponsor. (We’re talking on top of the scholarship fund.) But is it worth it? Despite the great press and great clothes that came out of the Gap/CFDA collaborations, the world’s biggest retailer is struggling more than ever with its branding. (Patrick Robinson is trying to change that, and we hope that he succeeds.)
However, for J.Crew, it’s less about building momentum and more about sustaining it. This will only strengthen the prestigious reputation it already enjoys among fashion-savvy consumers.
Surprise, Surprise: Olivier Zahm likes to sext during meetings, but sometimes, when that’s not satisfactory enough, he needs to step outside to make a “love call.” And if you’re the girl on the other end of that call and you don’t leave your meeting to answer, he’s offended. {NYMag} Bling Advice: Men and jewelry. If Read more →
It’s impossible to ignore the stellar names listed in bold on Theory’s store window’s right now: Andrea Lieberman, Tina Chai, Leslie Fremar, Kate Young, Annabel Tollman, etc. They’re part of Theory’s “Fashion Insider” initiative, in which they’ve hired 17 stylists (including, inexplicably, Derek Blasberg) to take their classic SS10 collection and make it look both Read more →
Last night, Ann Taylor threw a party for LOFT at the Bowery Hotel. Alexa Chung DJd, Henry Holland, Mena Suvari, Phillip Lim and Maggie Gyllenhaal hung out on the sidelines and a whole bunch of dudes waited for Ra Ra Riot to perform. Before you made it to the stage, you had to walk through Read more →
