NEW BARKING IRONS OUT NOW
May 31, 2007
May 30, 2007
CLAW MONEY BOOK PARTY LA
Graffiti pioneer, fashion editor, designer, artist and all around fun gal Claw MONEY released her Powerhouse book Bombshell:The Life & Crimes of Claw Money last month and the book and the book tour are on fire! We've got pics of the LA launch party, at Turntablelab, last Thursday. More pics after the jump.
NEWS: TOP DENIM BRANDS RANKED
The NY-based Brand Keys releases the "Customer Loyalty Engagement Index" twice a year, which ranks consumer loyalty toward brands. They recently asked 3000 men and women in the US what the last brand of denim they purchased was. From this info, they devised an index, with the number 100 being the benchmark. For example, Levi's, the top ranking brand, received an index # of 128-- that means the loyalty bond to the brand was 28% higher than the norm. We've got the top 12 brands and their ranking after the jump . (source: WWD)
1. Levi's index 128
2. Joe's Jeans index 127
3. True Religion index 126
4. Wrangler index 125
5. Tommy Hilfier index 121
6. Diesel index 121
7. Guess: index 119
8. Rock & Republic index 119
9. Seven For All Mankind index 118
10. Gap index 117
11. Evisu index 115
Lucky index 115
May 29, 2007
RETAIL: LEVI'S ROLLS OUT FREESTANDING STORES
Levi's new style is to change with the times. The iconic San Francisco company has several strategies to help its Levi's brand again be a market leader. Chief among those are rolling out standalone Levi's retail stores and chasing the next generation, particularly teenage girls, with new styles that can hopefully win them to the brand for life. Read the full article here. (via San Francisco Business Times)
REQUIRED READING: HOW TOPSHOP CHANGED FASHION
Billionaire Arcadia Group owner Philip Green recently announced his company will invest $100 million in three standalone Topshop stores in the U.S., and the jewel in the crown will be a 70,000-square-foot flagship store in New York. Topshop is basking in the success the new collabo with Kate Moss.Read the article in Time magazine. (via NRF SmartBrief)
May 28, 2007
NEWS: YES, WE'RE STARTING A TRADE SHOW
Well, the time has finally come for bpmw*** to launch a tradeshow. Our show, called (capsule) will take place in NY on July 23 & 24. (capsule) is about more than just commerce, it's about community. We'd like to tell a story to the world about the changing state of independent men's wear designers, and we are hoping to get them all under 1 roof for the first time, not only for business purposes, but we believe we will be building a global community of likeminded artists with this show.
We decided to do the show because we as an agency are always looking to what's new and next. We attend the shows in Europe and remember all the great smaller shows that used to come to NY. A tradeshow can really impact a market sector, and since we began bpmw*** , we've been championing the men's premium fashion market.
We see a lot of great young brands, and young designers in stores like Blackbird Seattle and Seven New York, but there's no event where designers like tradeshow first timers Henrik Vibskov and Wood Wood from Denmark, and B.Son and Yoko Devereaux can all be together in one room.These are innovative design leaders. The market will follow their direction eventually.
The show is by invitation only- and only the world's top retailers and designers will be invited to attend. We've been to enough trade shows to know what we like and what we don't, and we are designing (capsule) to have all the best elements of a trade show-- great food, easy set up and good music, as well as a cool vibe.
We look forward to seeing you there!
Read all about it in DNR.
May 27, 2007
STREET PICS: COPENHAGEN
Once again our man in Copenhagen, the charming blogger and photographer Hans Miller has snapped the coolest kids in the Danish capital. Black and white, or super brite colors make the biggest statement. Also look for bold, colorful eyewear and legwear that takes us back to the 80s.
Pics after the jump.
Visit Hans' site- Copenhagen Street Style, here.
May 25, 2007
REQUIRED READING: A DESIGN STORE TO LOVE, IF IT WILL HAVE YOU
Is it me? Or is the Thursday Styles section of the NYT getting a little better. Anyway, this week ex-Cargo staffer and author of The Underminer, Mike Albo covers The Future Perfect in the Critical Shopper column. TFP is one of our favorite stores, offering a wide range of high design, high concept stuff for the home. Everything from the (now ubiquitous) antler chandelier to a gold plated cocaine straw is available at the Williamsburg, Brooklyn shop. To read Albo's take on it, click here.
GOTHIC & LOLITA
We can’t get enough of street pics of Japanese kids and the folks at Fruits magazine have been documenting the streets in Harajuku and other trendy neighborhoods for years have come out with a new book, Gothic & Lolita. The title refers to the Gothic and Victorian styles adopted by a certain segment of Japanese street stylemakers and the photos, taken by cult photographer Masayuki Yoshinaga are both beautiful and disturbing. The book's subjects go to great lengths to create looks are amazing in their detail, surreal and sometimes a little creepy. More pics after the jump. 
KEY ITEM: SUI TEES
It seems like every artist has a T-shirt these days. Thanks to brands like 2K and Blood is the New Black, artists have turned to the tee as a fresh kind of canvas that helps get their work more widely known and appreciated. Anna Sui has got into the game recently with an offering of great T-shirts that are adorned by some great artists including illustrator Glenn Barr, former Smashing Pumpkin James Iha, and fashion illustrator Sara Schwartz. Each tee is a distinct blend of Sui's aesthetic and that of the artist- cutesy,girlie and fashion forward with a cartoonish bent. Check em out here.
CULTURE: SUMMER OF LOVE AT THE WHITNEY
Close to 40 years ago, there was an unprecedented explosion of contemporary art and popular culture brought about by the civil unrest and pervasive social change of the 1960s and early '70s. All that inspired an explosion of psychedelic art, music, film and culture, which all came together for what became known as the summer of love. Now NYC's Whitney Museum is celebrating the creative outpouring of that era with a new exhibit, Summer of Love: Art of the Psychedelic Era. The exhibition includes paintings, photographs and sculptures as well as groovy posters, album covers and underground magazines. And, dont miss the films- catch The Grateful Dead, Velvet Undergorund and Nico, The Chelsea Girls and other that are sure to spark a retro revival or two, or at least another Austin Powers movie! Click here for the film schedule. On view through September 16.
NEWS: LUNCH WITH VICTOR GLEMAUD
When we first heard that ex- KCD PR heavy hitter Victor Glemaud moved to Paris to become a fashion designer, we were excited, and intrigued. He’s always been known for his exuberant, dandyish approach to fashion. But he doesn’t spend a million to look like a million, as the saying goes. We went to lunch with Victor last week and got to know him a little better. His sunny disposition matched his a double layered yellow and gold cardigan from his own collection which he paired with peacock blue Dickies, and some badass vintage canvas and leather wingtips. Victor’s eponymous fashion label launched in Paris for fall 2007 and was a big hit with the press and will be for sale in the 2 stores of Victors choice: Maxfield and Beams. Going forward, Glemaud will continue to design a very edited collection of well designed looks for men. And he’s working hard to keep the prices affordable, while placing the brand in only the best specialty stores in the world. Glemaud approaches his collection as a labor of love, rather than as a venture into big business, and he doesnt have a web site. If you'd like to see what he's offering for spring 2008, Glemaud will be showing at (capsule) July 23 & 24 in NYC. Do drop by!
NEWS: URBAN GOES GREEN
Urban Outfitters is adding a fourth concept to its already successful brands including Urban, Anthropologie and Free People. "Our new concept is designed to appeal to men and women interested in a creative, sophisticated experience. Borrowing from the expertise and success of our other three brands, the fourth will also create a compelling shopping environment -- this one inspired by the 'greenhouse'. Sites will be large and free standing. Merchandise will include lifestyle home and garden products combined with antiques, live plants and flowers. We have an outstanding opportunity to serve the affluent consumer by offering a unique brand that overwhelms the senses with an eclectic product mix presented in a setting infused with beauty," said Urban’s Chairman, Richard A. Hayne. Sift through all that jargon and it sounds like Anthropologie for the Cultural Creative. No name has been announced yet for the new concept. We can’t wait to see what germinates…
SPORTSWEAR INTERNATIONAL FASHION AWARDS-- VOTE NOW
B.Son, Stussy, Henrik Vibskov and dozens of other cutting edge brands from around the world are all in the running for the prestigious Sportswear International Fashion Awards. The nominees were selected for categories like Best Fashion Collection, Best Denim Driven Collection and Best Newcomer by Sportswear's global crew of trendspotters, fashion editors and influencers, and all bring a fresh approach to the global youth fashion market. Click here and you can peruse the collections, and vote for your faves. The winners will be announced in Sportswear's September issue.
May 24, 2007
BRAND TO WATCH: APOLIS ACTIVISM
We love a great brand with a conscience. Apolis Activism (Apolis means without a country) takes an unusual approach to fashion and philanthropy. A luxury brand dedicated to humanitarian causes, the label was created by three brothers as a men’s and women’s knitwear line in 2004, and was inspired by contemporary design and traditional craftsmanship. Apolis’ garments are made with premium fabrics combined with modern construction techniques. The brand has created partnerships with social aid groups around the world and a portion of all sales goes to help fight poverty in Uganda. These partnerships have allowed the brothers to develop a unique bridge between commerce and sustainable relief.
More pics after the jump.
May 23, 2007
CHARITY OPPORTUNITY: HELP FASHION'S FUTURE
Wanna do a good deed that's also very fashionable? Support The High School of Fashion Industries. The only school of its kind, The HSFI is a NYC Public School that teaches kids the ins and outs of the fashion biz in addition to reading, writing and arithmatic. The school is in need of money to buy supplies like new sewing machines, and to help students financially with money for college applications, scholarships to college and more. The school's annual fundraiser is next week, so why not give a few bucks to a worthy cause! If you're in to the charity party circuit, there's a cocktail party and student fashion show next Wednesday, May 23. Andre Leon Talley will be presenting Tracy Reese with a Designer of The Year award so we're sure the event will be a star studded affair. Tickets are $80. RSVP to mlobhai@schools.nyc.gov. And send your tax deductible checks to High School of Fashion Industries, 225 West 24th Street, NY, NY 10011.
May 22, 2007
SALES: VPL, TUCKER BY GABY BASORA, CRUMLEY SAMPLE SALE
Now you can get your favorite VPL by Victoria Bartlett swimwear, beach sandal, bags, Tucker dresses and Crumley jewelry at 50-70% off the retail price. Bathing suits start at a mere $25 and Crumley chain necklaces are only $35.Run on down to 39 west 38th street, 6th Floor, Between 5th and 6th avenues, NYC
Don’t sleep! This sales is only today and tomorrow, May 22 & 23 from 10-6
May 21, 2007
GOTTA LOVE A TRADE SHOW IF YOU'RE SAM BEN AVRAHAM
For most of us, tradeshows can be a bit of a drag. But not for retailer Sam Ben Avraham. Just 4 years ago Sam had an idea for a new trade show, and he launched Project- a boutique tradeshow at the Puck Building in 2003. The concept was hugely successful, and the show called attention to the premium market which was just emerging. In 2005 the show was bought by tradeshow giant Advanstar, and Project exploded with growth. In today's DNR, it was reported that Sam was paid close to $37 million for the sale, which was recently completed. Sam still remains actively involved in running Project, but it was also reported recently that he bought a hotel in Miami, on one of the hottest corners in South Beach, and opened an enormous outpost of Atrium, his fashion boutique that's headquartered in Soho.
Congratulations again Sam! The Market loves you.
CAPSULE SHOW IN DNR, MAY 20 2007
May 20, 2007
Q&A: AARON LACRATE
"We can go on and on how much streetwear has grown since the beginning. We can talk about the labels that are often recognized as being there since day one but there are those certain things which you can not ignore. Aaron LaCrate nd Milkcrate athletics have een in the streetwear game for a minute but Milkcrate Records, World tours and Major Label remixes, Vans collaborations, MTV, Much music, B-More Gutter movement, cashmere sweaters, LaCrate is here to explain why his vision of streetwear is much more than just sneakers and t-shirts." Inquiring Mind magazine interviews Aaron LaCrate. To see the whole article, click here.
GREEN LABEL ART
Mountain Dew has moved on from the action sports world to the art world with Green Label Art, a limited-edition series of aluminum bottles featuring designs created by a variety of artists. The Green Label Art series (www.greenlabelart.com) will be released May through October in select markets and will feature the work of artists TWEEQiM, Troy Denning, Peat Wollaeger, Mark Nardelli , jeffstaple, Methamphibian, Chris Pastras, Adam Juresko, Dr. Revolt — graffiti artist; NYC, Chuck Anderson, and J.T. Woodruff.
The artists were given a plain, 16-ounce aluminum bottle and asked to create their expressions of Mountain Dew. Treating the bottles as a canvas, the artists used a variety of approaches and applications including: tattoo design, cut-and-paste materials, paint, charcoals and computer graphics.
WOLLAEGER TWEEQ STAPLE
If you’re upset that Mountain Dew didn’t approach you for your artwork, don’t worry, You can submit your idea for artwork to the Green Label Art web site, and the public will vote for their favorite design. The winner will receive $10,000.
REVOLT PASTRAS METH
The bottles themselves are only part of the picture Mountain Dew is painting for Green Label Art. Each artist has found different ways to incorporate his Mountain Dew designs into other projects:
§ Graffiti artist Dr. Revolt has customized a tricked out low-rider bicycle, painting the frame in the same style as his Mountain Dew bottle
§ Tattoo artist Troy Denning collaborated with New Era on a limited-edition hat based on his design
§ Graphic designer Mark Nardelli created limited-edition skateboard decks with his Mountain Dew artwork
§ Stencil artist Peat Wollaeger made a viral video in which he portrays, in costume, the whimsical Dew Hillbilly icon of 1960’s depicted on his bottle
§ Collage artist Adam Juresko designed a zippered hoodie sweatshirt featuring his Mountain Dew artwork
§ Guitarist and lead singer for Hawthorne Heights JT Woodruff will feature his design on the cover of his special-edition live CD.
JT WOODRUFF
May 19, 2007
PARTY RESPONSIBLY
NEWS: WEEKLY DROP GO RETRO
In the days before Crooks & Castles, BBC or all-over print hoodies, there were brands like X-Large paving the way for today's streetwear game. Podcasters at the Weekly Drop are delving into streetwear's past with a series of history rich shows. The boys interview Eli Bonerz from X-Large and his crew. Yeah, they talk about Mike D too. Listen up here.
REQUIRED READING: TOPSHOP EYES 600 MADISON...
British mega-retailer Topshop debuted its new Kate Moss-branded clothing line at Barneys' New York flagship last week to a crowd of eager shoppers. The heavily publicized unveiling could be a prelude to Topshop taking Manhattan -- one neighborhood at a time.The retailer is currently looking at six potential spaces in three Manhattan neighborhoods, according to Faith Hope Consolo, head of Prudential Douglas Elliman's retail leasing and sales division. Although Topshop is one of Britain's biggest retailers and has stores in 30 countries in addition to its numerous UK outposts, the "fast-fashion" company has been slow to enter the Manhattan market.... (The Real Deal)
Read the full article here.
MAGAZINE NEWS: UNIQLO
Ya gotta hand it to Japanese retailer Uniqlo for keeping things fresh and relevant. Not only do they come to NYC and open up a cleanly designed store in Soho, sell t-shirts in tubes, and offer other great deals on gear, they also publish their very own free lifestyle/fashion magazine that is better than most on the newsstands. It’s called Uniqlo Paper and its 2nd issue features a Q&A about style with none other than Dipset’s fashion ambassador Juelz Santana. It’s also sprinkled with some hot models. Plus they’ve got downtown perv staple Terry Richardson and all the weirdos that come with him. You can grab yourself a print version at their Soho flagship store, or check it out online.(via Complex)
RETAIL: UBIQ REOPENS
UBIQ, the sneaker and streetwear institution in Philadelphia reopened last Saturday after several months of renovation. The new store features a shiny new layout and rich warm spaces through out the building as well as a roomy gallery space. New to the mansion-like-store is a dedicated space for VANS; now you know where to get your VANS in Philly! In addition, Undefeated clothing will launch at the store tomorrow, May 19th. When visiting Philly make sure to include UBIQ in your travel plans.(via Freshness)
NEWS: ALA CRATE CASHMERE
You might remember when DJ/designer Aaron Lacrate and designer Lucien Pellat-Finet joined creative forces to produce a colorful line of fine cashmere sweaters with Aaron's signature graphics.
Now, the cashmere sweaters are back. Under his own "Ala Crate" label, Aaron has produced another set of high-quality knits. The clouds are back also, and so are two of the most popular skateboard graphics from the 80s. For now, all designs are produced in various shades of grey, black, and white. If there are color-versions to come, too - we'll just have to wait and see.(via BeingHunted)
NY DESIGN WEEK CALENDAR
It's Design Week in NYC, and now is the time to go out and brush up on your knowledge of design innovators and pick up some new pieces for your apartment, while youre at it. Dont miss any great events! Core77's definitive list of must-attend events for next week's ICFF and New York Design Week is up! They've painstakingly compiled everything going on next week and sorted it by neighborhood and date. They even went the extra mile and distinguish parties from exhibitions, creating lists for both. Print it out. You might just actually get to go to all the places you say you want to. And, to make it all easier to plan, you can now plot out your route on Google Maps. (via PSFK)
May 18, 2007
NEWS: BLUE HOLDINGS AND WILL.I.AM STRIKE A DEAL
Black Eyed Peas singer, and former fashion student will.i.am has signed a joint venture agreement with Blue Holdings, the folks who own a variety of denim labels including Antik, Yanuk and Taverniti. The performer will be designing a co-branded collection called i.am Antik. The singer will receive 500,000 shares of Blue Holdings stock for his efforts. Given will.i.am's crazy sense of style, we;re sure the collection will be super funky.
May 17, 2007
STREET PICS: STREET PEEPER
We love looking at street photos and we just discovered a fun site that spans the globe- Street Peeper. You can click on a city like NYC, London, Paris, Berlin, etc, and see image galleries of street style photos from each city. What makes this site different is that each photo lists what the person is wearing, like black Ksubi Jeans, red Marc Jacobs heels, Trovata top, Henrik Vibskov scarf, etc - and then you can click on something like Marc Jacobs and then see all the other people also wearing Marc Jacobs... Or just type in a search.. It's kinda fun...
DENIM NEWS: EARNEST SEWS GOES ULTRA-PREMIUM
Just when you thought there could be nothing new in premium denim, Earnest Sewn comes along with a new,"ultra-premium" collection called AEC&S. The ultra premium AEC&S line consists of 3 men’s styles in 5 different washes, and more attention to detail.
Details include increased stitch counts, hand sewn detailing, an updated workwear construction (individually sewn triple-needle construction on all heavy stress seams), 100% hand applied finishing, die-cast buttons, 100% selvedge product loomed exclusively for AEC&S, two new fits (the first loosely based on a updated-Fulton fit, and the second a Vintage Connoisseur's fit), and 5 innovative washes.
Many of these concepts were simply too expensive to put into the regular collection, so Earnest Sewn decided to mark its third year anniversary with this higher-end line. The collection will be limited to production runs of 500 pieces per week, each jean will be individually numbered, and the majority of the garments will be sewn in the Earnest Sewn’s Meatpacking District development center.
Debuting in stores in January 2008 the limited edition styles will be sold to the 50 retailers in America. The price range of the specialty collection will range from $285 - $395, competing with the likes of Evisu, Levi’s Vintage Collection, and PRPS.
May 16, 2007
SAMPLE SALE
Archetype Showroom is having a sample sale featuring really great young designers including: Arms & Armory, Digby & Iona, 80%20, Fremont, H Fredrikson, Le Magnifique, Morphine Generation, Obedient Sons, Orthidox, Samantha Pleet, Secrets of Charm and St Valentine. Dont miss it!
Thursday May 17, 3-8pm. friday & Saturday, May 18 & 19, 12-7pm.
Archetype Showroom 678 Broadway NYC, between Great Jones & Bond.
NEWS: MICHAEL MACKO'S BIG STEP UP
Congratulations go to Michael Macko, Vice President, Men’s Fashion Director, at Saks Fifth Avenue, on getting promoted! Michael has been appointed Vice President of Public Relations, Special Events, and Men’s Fashion Director. In this new role, Michael will take on the additional responsibility of Public Relations and Special Events for Men’s and Home. He will continue to report to Terron Schaefer, GSVP.
It couldn't have happened to a nicer guy.
May 15, 2007
RETAIL: NYC'S NEWEST SKATE SHOP
Open Concrete's door, and all you'll see's a long (concrete) hallway -- you'll think someone's playing a joke, or luring you into a hell of bound ankles and unwanted love. Walk to the end and you'll find a 300 sq ft closet of a store: the inventory's street and skate, but even men who are neither'll find great gear, including denim, hoodies, and sneaker brands carried by few-or-no other NYC outlets. Tees range from the inoffensive Diamond line (comes with a mix-CD from Cypress Hill's DJ Muggs) to "Hostage" -- depicting a criminal holding a gun to a woman's head, its minimalist cool is outweighed only by its tendency to make women/law enforcement despise you. (THRILLIST)
NEWS: MARC SKIPS MILAN
It looks like Milan menswear week will be a little less exciting come July. Marc Jacobs has decided not to show in Milan this summer. Last week the Camera Nazionale della Moda Italiana, which organizes men’s fashion week in Milan, released a provisional schedule, from which Jacobs was absent. Is the cancellation due to Jacobs' recent stint in rehab? No, according to a company spokesman. (DNR)May 14, 2007
RETAIL NEWS: ODIN'S NEW CONCEPT
Odin is one of those NYC stores that you could call aspirational. Not only do all the trendiest guys in town go there to find the coolest assortment of low-key chic gear, clothes and accessories, but many retailers aspire to capture the Odin aesthetic for their own shops. Paul Birardi and Eddy Chai, the guys behind the menswear boutique is planning to open a third location in Manhattan later this month. The tiny 350 sq foot store, located right next store to the original Odin shop in the East Village, will sell only one designer. Every 6-8 weeks, the store's entire stock will be changed, and the full collection of one designer only will be available at the shop, reports today's DNR. Cheap Monday and its higher end sister collection Sunday Sun will kick of the store this spring. Rag & Bone, Karen Walker and Tim Hamilton have all signed on for future.ISNT IT IRONIC?
The folks over at Aline media just sent me these pics. It seems that Paris Hilton is