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Barneys

Thursday May 31st, 2012

Fashion News Roundup: Kate Middleton Is Walking the Aisle Again, Kanye West Designed Some New Shoes, and Harper Beckham’s Godmother Is Revealed
Fashion News Roundup

Fashion News Roundup: Kate Middleton Is Walking the Aisle Again, Kanye West Designed Some New Shoes, and Harper Beckham’s Godmother Is Revealed

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Barneys is teaming up with Disney for their holiday campaign this year. The festivities are going to include a “fashion film” starring designers, editors and other fashion insiders.” Sounds magical! {WWD subscription required}

Victoria Beckham tweeted a glam pic of herself on the set of a magazine shoot. The Beckhams also revealed who Harper’s godmother is. (Hint: the initials are EL.) {InStyle UK}

Check out the costumes for the upcoming Snow White and the Huntsman movie. {Fabsugar}

Kanye West’s hotly anticipated Nike Air Yeezy II will be in stores June 9. We hope you sneakerheads have saved your coins. {ELLE}

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Published at 2:00 PM
Amanda Brooks Left Barneys To Be Like the Pioneer Woman

Amanda Brooks Left Barneys To Be Like the Pioneer Woman

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When Amanda Brooks announced, quite abruptly, that she would be leaving her post at Barneys to go live on a farm in Oxfordshire, England, it’s safe to say the fashion industry (us included) was pretty puzzled. We wondered: Had Barneys been displeased with her performance? Had the company’s precarious financial situation caused tension in the office? Was she poached by another company–or perhaps starting her own? Now, we finally have some answers. Sort of.

In an interview with the New York Times, Brooks revealed that she left the famed retailer not because of bad blood or another opportunity but because she was inspired by a blog. And not one that has anything to do with fashion. A New Yorker profile tipped Brooks off to The Pioneer Woman, a blog penned by Ree Drummond, a mother who lives on a ranch in Oklahoma, homeschools her children and calls her husband exclusively (seriously) ‘The Marlboro Man.’ It struck a chord.

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Published at 11:45 AM

Thursday May 17th, 2012

Alber Elbaz: Fashion Shows are ‘Not About What You Show’ Anymore

Alber Elbaz: Fashion Shows are ‘Not About What You Show’ Anymore

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We love Alber Elbaz–the Lanvin designer is one of the rare fashion people who somehow seems to stay grounded and maintain a healthy perspective on everything. In an industry with a lot of big egos, he’s humble and self-deprecating–maybe to a fault, as a new Times profile by Eric Wilson reveals.

Wilson at least makes it clear that Elbaz, whose “tendency to put himself beneath others can be to a fault,” is uncomfortable in the spotlight and with the shifting focuses of the fashion industry:

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Published at 11:00 AM

Friday May 11th, 2012

Tuesday May 8th, 2012

Barneys Gets New Owner, Ends Debt Troubles
Retail

Barneys Gets New Owner, Ends Debt Troubles

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Another chapter begins in Barneys’ tumultuous financial history–and, happily, this one’s looking more promising.

According to a release, Perry Capital, one of Barneys‘ financial backers, has just become the majority owner of the company in a deal that reduces Barneys’ whopping $590 million debt to a mere $50 million. As per the new agreement, Perry Capital, owned by Richard C. Perry, and The Yucaipa Companies, owned by Ronald W. Burkle, will partner to convert debt for equity in Barneys–meaning that both financiers’ now hold a considerable stake in the company, though Perry Capital is still the majority owner.

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Published at 10:50 AM

Tuesday May 1st, 2012

Amanda Brooks Is Blogging Again, Plans to Spend the Next Year Writing on a Farm in England

Amanda Brooks Is Blogging Again, Plans to Spend the Next Year Writing on a Farm in England

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It’s been over a month since Amanda Brooks unexpectedly left her post as Barneys’ fashion director and announced that she’d be relocating to England with her family “in the interest of further pursuing other opportunities.” And now we finally know a little bit more about why she’s decided to make the move and what she’s planning to do with her life.

Yesterday, Brooks updated her inspiring blog, I Love Your Style, for the first time since February 2011, when she began her “DREAM JOB” at Barneys. And you’ll never guess what her next plans are. She’s moving to a farm! With pigs and horses and everything. She is also probably writing another book. Here’s her little update:

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Published at 2:35 PM

Tuesday April 17th, 2012

Tuesday April 10th, 2012

Fashion News Roundup: Erin Wasson Models for Rockport Shoes, a New Balenciaga Exhibit Debuts, and Ralph Rucci Gets Lifetime Achievement Award
Fashion News Roundup

Fashion News Roundup: Erin Wasson Models for Rockport Shoes, a New Balenciaga Exhibit Debuts, and Ralph Rucci Gets Lifetime Achievement Award

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Erin Wasson to front Rockport Campaign: The model-turned-jewelry designer is going back in front of the camera as the face of Rockport’s Fall 2012 campaign. The shoe brand hopes that Wasson will help emphasize the “stylish” aspect of these shoes, which are worn mostly for comfort. {WWD subscription required}

Beard and Mustache Accessories Are a Thing?: It seems hipster girls are always trying to (ironically) look as unattractive as possible, thus making them more attractive to male hipsters. Refinery 29 found some chained accessories that attach to sunglasses, and hang down to create a “beard.” Weird. {Refinery 29}

Paris’ Galleria to Unveil Balenciaga Exhibit: To honor the 40th anniversary of the designer’s death, the Galleria in Paris will debut a Balenciaga tribute this Friday. The show, “Cristóbal Balenciaga, Collectionneur de Modes” (“Cristóbal Balenciaga, Collector of Fashion”) features a wealth of 18-20th century Spanish clothing, which was a great inspiration for the designer. {WWD subscription required}

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Published at 2:15 PM

Monday April 9th, 2012

Struggling Label Vena Cava Gets a New Investor, Plans Expansion
Designers

Struggling Label Vena Cava Gets a New Investor, Plans Expansion

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Good news for Vena Cava fans: The struggling label has found a lifeline.

After reports surfaced last winter that the label had lost a key investor and was laying off employees, things were looking pretty grim. WWD was reporting that the financial state of the company was “drastic” (whatever that means). Today Vena Cava announced their partnership with LF USA, the US subsidiary of Hong Kong-based Li & Fung Limited. Designers Lisa Mayock and Sophie Buhai “will continue to oversee the creative vision for the brand,” a press release reads, “while LF USA will contribute its extensive global resources and deep retail relationships to support the growth of the brand.”

So what does this deal mean for Vena Cava, LF USA, and for us as shoppers?

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Published at 11:44 AM

Friday April 6th, 2012

Alber Elbaz On Dieting, Wanting to Become a Doctor, and Why Barneys Almost Didn’t Buy His First Collection for Lanvin
Designers

Alber Elbaz On Dieting, Wanting to Become a Doctor, and Why Barneys Almost Didn’t Buy His First Collection for Lanvin

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Yesterday Alber Elbaz showed his fall 10th anniversary collection for Lanvin at Barneys before a select group of VIP customers, socialites, and celebrities including a very pregnant Uma Thurman. It felt a bit more personal and emotional than most fashion events, and that’s all thanks to Elbaz, who spoke both before and after the show Read more →

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Published at 3:17 PM

Wednesday March 28th, 2012

Aurelie Bidermann Fetes Her New ‘Bidermann’ Collection for Barneys
Collection

Aurelie Bidermann Fetes Her New ‘Bidermann’ Collection for Barneys

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Last night fancy fashion folks feted (like that alliteration? hmmm?) the launch of Aurelie Bidermann‘s first collection exclusively for Barney’s over dinner at Il Buco Alimentari & Vineria. Simon Doonan, Barneys Ambassador at Large, was there to welcome editors and socialites like host Garance Dore, Rachel Chandler, Bonnie Morrison, Lauren Remington Platt and Amanda Ross to name a few.

“Welcome to Arby’s! This is Arby’s,” Doonan announced at the start of our feast, which included enough cured and roasted meats to feed a small army (we weren’t complaining). I laughed but not many others did. Later that night Doonan bemoaned his joke falling flat. “Maybe fashion people don’t know about how delicious fast food roast beef is?” I posited.

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Published at 7:00 PM