Fashion Mannuscript September 2023

PRESIDENT/CEO

Jeff Mann

EDITORIAL Editor

Laurie Melchionne

Editorial Consultant

Debra Hazel

Associate Editor

Alex Baumbusch

Copy Editor

Geraldine Melchionne

California Editors

Daniella Platt

Kimberly Goodnight

Southeast Editor

Shanna Forrestall

French Correspondent

Annabelle Kajbaf

Director of Communications and Marketing

Penelope Herrera

Director of Newsletter Division

Cheri Phillips

ART

Art Director

Krystal Peguero

Graphic Designer

Serena Bhullar

Associate Designer

Ran Jing

COVER PHOTOGRAPHY

Michael Keel Studio

CONTRIBUTORS

Ronald S. Friedman

Frank DeLucia

R. Couri Hay

Joseph Pastrana

Anne Marie Soto

Benjamin Siegel

Merilee Kern

Dora Lau

Debra Hazel

Michele Gerber Klein

Donna Johnson-Klonsky

Laurie Melchionne

Krystal Peguero

BUSINESS

Technology Consultant

Joshua Fried

Distribution

Mitchell’s Delivery Service

California Distribution

MD Service

West Coast Advisor

Ilse Metchek

DIGITAL MEDIA

Serena Bhullar

Krystal Peguero

Debra Hazel

Penelope Herrera

Alex Baumbusch

Web Developer

CS Designworks

West Coast O ce: 578 Washington Blvd., Suite 827 Marina Del Rey, CA 90292 866-306-MANN (6266) mannpublications.com

East Coast O ce: 450 7th Ave, Suite 2306 New York, NY 10123 212-840-MANN (6266)

ONE MANN’S OPINION

September is a great time to reflect on the busy event season we have had this past August. The final month of summer marks the largest and most successful fundraiser the Mann Charitable Foundation (MCF) has seen to date. The foundation’s golf outing was held at Fresh Meadow Country Club and saw an attendee list of the who’s who in New York’s fashion and financial scene. The all-day event featured great food, great conversation and great people all gathered together for a great cause.

The MCF’s work in funding research to help fight, geriatric diseases like lymphoma, macular degeneration and Alzheimer’s has been celebrated and contributed to in the best possible way at the golf outing. Honorees at the event included Robert Grbic and Christopher Peterson, who were celebrated for their contributions to the financial industry.

Mann Publications was also the belle of the ball at Kavita Channe of Sip Channé’s cover party in Southampton, which celebrated the sports journalist-turned-wine connoisseur’s cover on our luxury lifestyle magazine, Mann About Town. We also hit Las Vegas to cover trade shows at MAGIC and SOURCING. Stay tuned for our coverage on the events held there by our friends at Rosenthal and Rosenthal and Marcum LLP.

Last, but not least, gracing our cover this month is Bagatelle International, a powerhouse in the fashion industry for major billion-dollar retailers across the country. We are truly honored to feature the storied company and the legacy that the Litvack family has had on the Bagatelle name for decades. We hope you enjoyed the story and this issue as much as we enjoyed attending the premium events and chatting with the top industry professionals that you will meet in these pages.

“Doing what you like is freedom. Liking what you do is happiness.”

-Frank Tyger

Here at Fashion Mannuscript, we tell fashion stories that come in all shapes and sizes. From recyclable loungewear with Ellerali to fierce-cut Italian blazers by Francesca Cottone, apparel represents self-expression. And if there’s one thing that Fashion Mannuscript promotes, it’s that self-expression through fashion can mean anything the wearer desires.

That is why this month’s cover story fits so well with the Luxe Issue. Over the decades, Bagatelle International has been behind the products and identities of the world’s most iconic retailers. Saks Fifth Avenue, Nordstrom and Macy’s are just some of the giants that Bagatelle has helped to thrive. The company also produces its own apparel; from sportswear to dresses, Bagatelle ignites luxury into each of its categories, no matter how casual. For someone who likes versatility and diversity in collections, the story of Bagatelle was truly a pleasure to dive into!

Another new face for this issue is Shanna Forrestall, founder of the Chattanooga Fashion Expo and our Southeast Fashion Editor. Shanna will share with all of you all the latest trends and happenings that take place on the southeast coast! Welcome aboard, Shanna!

Luxury can mean a lot of different things; in this issue, we strive to provide a diverse glimpse of today’s global fashion world, and take pride in not missing a beat.

-Laurie Melchionne

KNOW GREATER ADVICE

The challenges facing businesses today have never been greater – and access to smart advice has never been more important.

PKF Clear Thinking and its partners at PKF O’Connor Davies have one of the industry’s deepest benches of interdisciplinary advisory experts across multiple industries. This strength not only offers our clients a greater depth of resources, reach and talent – it solidifies our firm’s national presence.

From Investment banking and ESG to bankruptcy and restructuring, valuation services, cybersecurity and privacy, and more, our team has the experience and expertise to deliver strategic advice that drives real value.

With PKF Clear Thinking, our clients know greater service, know greater insights, Know Greater Advice

For more information visit pkfct.com

Photo courtesy of Ted Baker

Photo courtesy of Michael Keel Studio

As advisors to the fashion industry, we have experienced the global and local issues that affect the way you do business and are well-positioned to help you deal with changing conditions.

We provide a wide range of financial reporting, tax and advisory services to make your business and finances stronger.

Marc Federbush, CPA, CGMA Partner and Fashion Industry Group Leader marc.federbush@anchin.com

We help you turn challenges into opportunities through innovative and insightful thinking. Cash flow planning, gross profit by product line, chargeback analysis, assistance with access to capital, and operational improvements are just a few ways we help fashion companies gain an edge. MANHATTAN |

@AnchinCPA | 212-840-3456 | anchin.com

Delivering Good President & CEO, Matthew Fasciano and Keynote Speaker and Olympic Medalist, Lauren Gibbs

Members of the Delivering Good Board of Directors

Theresa Strickland, Andrea Weiss, Lisa Kaplowitz and Jill Beraud

NEARLY $400,000 RAISED FOR DELIVERING GOOD AT THE INAUGURAL WOMEN OF IMPACT SUMMIT

More than 250 people gathered on at 583 Park in New York City for Delivering Good’s inaugural Women of Impact Summit. Thanks to generous guests and event sponsors, the event raised nearly $400,000 to support Delivering Good’s work helping people dealing with poverty and disaster by connecting them with new excess merchandise donated by the retail and manufacturing industries.

“The Women of Impact Summit is an evolution of our successful luncheon event that was held for 15 years. The event marks a shift from a model of honoring women for inspiring great things, to a thought provoking program that recognizes the impact women are having as leaders who are driving change” said Matthew Fasciano, Delivering Good president & CEO. “Through an interactive Gallery Walk we were able to engage guests in our mission in a new and exciting way, highlighting the impact Delivering Good has in communities across the US and beyond. Our hope is that attendees left inspired to fi nd their own paths to making positive impact whether it be personally, professionally or both.”

The event included remarks by Special Guest Speaker, Lizanne Kindler, executive chair & CEO, Talbots, Ann Taylor, LOFT, executive chair, Lane Bryant, followed by a lively panel discussion moderated by Lisa Kaplowitz, founder & executive director of the Center for Women in Business, Rutgers University that included Jill Beraud, independent director, Levi Strauss & co-chair, Fashion for Good, Gisel Ruiz, former EVP chief operating officer, Sam’s Club, independent director, Ulta Beauty and Theresa Strickland, executive leader and digital/brand transformation expert.

Following the panel discussion, Keynote Speaker, Lauren Gibbs, 2018 Olympic Medalist and 2020 World Champion took the stage to tell her personal story of Olympic success, the motivation behind her incredible impact as an athlete, and how she uses her experience to inspire others.

Delivering Good Product Display showcasing some of the brands and the product they donate to Delivering Good

Mike Hudgens

Women of Impact Summit Co-Chairs, Carole Postal and Amber Mundinger Women of Impact panel

Photos courtesy of Delivering Good

Saks Fifth Avenue Announces Expansion of Fifth Avenue Club

Saks Fifth Avenue is expanding its luxury personal shopping and styling service, the Fifth Avenue Club, with the launch of private, standalone suites in destinations across the U.S. including Laguna Beach, Napa Valley, Honolulu, Nashville, Orlando and more. These luxe Fifth Avenue Club Suites are an evolution of the brand’s existing Fifth Avenue Clubs, which have historically been housed within Saks Fifth Avenue stores and provide customers with the highest level of personalized service. Saks Fifth Avenue has partnered with leading luxury resort operators, including Marriott International and its portfolio of luxury brands including The Ritz-Carlton and St. Regis Hotels & Resorts, to bring the Fifth Avenue Club to life in private suites and similar intimate spaces at world-class hotels and resorts across the country.

Available to both local customers and hotel guests, these new Fifth Avenue Club Suites offer personal shopping and styling appointments, in addition to special events, trunk shows and unique shoppable experiences. The Fifth Avenue Club has recruited skilled personal stylists in each market to provide clients with expertly curated merchandise selections across all categories based on each client’s specific needs and style preferences, from clothing and accessories to shoes and fine jewelry.

To celebrate the expansion of the Fifth Avenue Club, Saks Fifth Avenue and Marriott International hosted an intimate dinner at The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel, where guests had the opportunity to explore the new suite located at the resort. Perched above Salt Creek Beach with panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean, The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel offers a unique and elegant setting for the Fifth Avenue Club Suite.

“The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel served as the perfect setting to celebrate the expansion of the Fifth Avenue Club and our longstanding relationship with Saks Fifth Avenue,” said Tina Edmundson, president of luxury for Marriott International. “We are delighted to welcome the Fifth Avenue Club to select hotels and resorts within our luxury brand portfolio and are thrilled to be able to provide our guests and locals alike with the type of bespoke experiences that both brands are known for.”

The expansion of the Fifth Avenue Club includes private, standalone styling suites at luxury hotels and resorts in the following markets: Charleston, SC; Deer Valley, UT; Honolulu, HI; Laguna Beach, CA; Maui, HI; Nantucket, MA; Napa Valley, CA; Nashville, TN and Orlando, FL.

Emily Simpson,

John Antonini,

Weronika Zalazinska, Green Gaskell

Fernanda Romero

Photos courtesy of Getty Images for Saks Fifth Avenue

Emily Simpson, Jackie Rose

Antonini, Tina Edmundson, Larry Bruce

Jessica Chang, Fernanda Romero

Gaby Monterrey, Maggie Chan, Christine Kong

Nausheen Shah

Los Angeles Real Estate Breath of Life Golf Classic Supports National Jewish Health

The Los Angeles Real Estate Breath of Life Golf Classic benefiting National Jewish Health was held at El Caballero Country Club, welcoming 144 golfers and raising $215,000. No other event of this caliber and size remains dedicated to the real estate industry in Los Angeles. For the second year in a row, the event sold out and broke fundraising records. This success was possible because of the hard work and leadership

of David Sonnenblick, Tony Behrstock and a dedicated committee. The event was emceed by Matt Iseman, host of the tv show “American Ninja Warrior” and whose father was a noted physicianscientist at National Jewish Health for more the 30 years.

Golfers at the tournament enjoyed the modern course design at El Caballero, a personalized swing analysis from Trackman Experience, and tastings from Short Mountain Distillery and Luna Nueva

Photos courtesy of Dave Welch

Player attempts to sink his shot on the green

Debi Hemmeter, Tony Behrstock, event leadership and National Jewish Health trustee, Deborah Medway, committee member, Brian Rosenstein and Brad Sterling

Danny Orland, Matt Siegel, Alex Bergeson and Committee Member Maxx Cohen

Players competed to see who has the best swing, as analyzed by Trackman Experience

Tequila. Players also competed in multiple contests, including trying to make a holein-one to win a Bronco Sport donated by Vista Ford Lincoln. No one walked away with the vehicle, but several did beat the pro on the eighth hole. National Jewish Health is known as the place in the United States where people with the most difficult cases of lung, heart, immune and related diseases seek unparalleled care. Demonstrating this is the medical center’s top ranking in “U.S.

News & World Report’s” list of Best Hospitals for pulmonology — or respiratory medicine — for the past 26 years. “National Jewish Health is making an impact on global medicine through contributions to the research and treatment of asthma, cancer, immunology, allergies and deployment-related lung disease,” said Sonnenblick. Richard Meehan, MD, a noted rheumatologist, clinical researcher and co-director of the Center of Excellence on Deployment-Related Lung Disease, at National Jewish Health spoke at the event.

Players warm up at the driving range before their tee times

Matt Iseman (center), tournament emcee and host of American Ninja Warrior, gathers with David Sonnenblick (left) and Tony Behrstock (right), tournament leadership and National Jewish Health trustees

First Place Net winners of the 2023 Breath of Life Golf Classic pose with their trophy. Chuck Conners, Keith Williams, Jae Yi and Brandon Miller

Scott Wood, Greg Kushner and Committee Member Jake Kushner

Steve Van Arden, Ron Friedman, National Jewish Health trustee, Larry Russ, Mark Werts, Joe Blatchford and Taylor Yoshitake

GAMBINO MEDICAL AND SCIENCE FOUNDATION HOSTS ANNUAL CHARITY GOLF OUTING

BY LAURIE MELCHIONNE

Dominic Sinatra

Ken Cohen, Tommy Jr., Howie Wex, Gus C-Air, Richie Carfax

John Maser, Peter Chau

Liza Diamond and Carl G

Rob Castano Northwell

The Gambino Medical and Science Foundation (GMSF) Outing hosted its Annual Charity Golf outing and benefitted the Steven and Alexandra Cohen Children’s Medical Center at Northwell Health System.

The committee at GMSF is dedicated to raising funds that enhance the research and treatment of pediatric cancers through its support of the Stem Cell Transplant Unit and Behavioral and Development Health and Neurology initiatives. Other programs that GMSF benefits are: The Gambino Medical & Science Foundation’s Bone Marrow Transplant Unit, The Juvenile Diabetes Research Center, The Epilepsy Treatment Center, The Research Center For Alternative Therapy For Children With ADHD, The Child Life Program, GMSF Level 1 Pediatric Trauma and Imaging Center and Frances and Thomas Gambino Professorship of Hematology and Oncology.

Photos courtesy of Howard Wechsler, Wechsler Photography

Jay Rosen, Jeff Filone Raffle Gals

Marty Pitiger

THE ULTIMATE LUXURY GOLF CAR HAS ARRIVED

Crafted from only the highest quality automotive materials, and through the most revolutionary design in the industry, Garia creates vehicles that perform even better than they look. Recognized as much for its functionality and usability as for its modern Scandinavian aesthetic, the Garia is not just your average golf cart. It’s a golf car.

The Luxury Real Estate Authority

Bonnie Heatzig is the Director of Luxury Sales for Douglas Elliman and rated nationally as the top 1% of real estate agents nationwide with over 1 Billion Dollars in sales. She ranks among the most elite agents in South Florida thanks to her unparalleled knowledge of the ultra-luxury real estate market, especially in Boca Raton.

What truly sets Bonnie apart is the fact that she is a licensed attorney, making her able to navigate even the most complex contracts with ease and finesse Bonnie approaches every deal with a deep sense of empathy and a genuine desire to help her clients. Her ability to build strong and lasting relationships is a testament to her exceptional interpersonal skills and her unwavering commitment to providing the most personalized, ultra-exclusive services.

NU SKIN ENTERPRISES APPOINTS JAMES D. THOMAS AS CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

Nu Skin Enterprises, Inc. announced the appointment of James D. Thomas as executive vice president and chief financial officer. Thomas has been serving as interim CFO for the past four months and has been the company’s chief accounting officer for the past four years.

“Based on his extensive experience, James has a deep understanding of our operations and the ability to strategically align our financial resources to support our current business as well as our vision for the future,” said Ryan Napierski, president and CEO. “He brings strong leadership and solid financial expertise to our senior management team as we continue to execute on our strategy and transformation.”

Thomas joined Nu Skin in 2010 and has served as interim chief financial officer since April, 2023 and as chief accounting officer since 2019. He has played a critical role in the company’s mergers and acquisitions strategy and has led several projects across multiple disciplines such as the global alignment of the company’s financial operations and a recent project to identify cross-functional efficiencies to improve margins across the company.

Prior to Nu Skin, Thomas worked as an assistant controller of another public, technology-enabled wellness company and served in the assurance practice at PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. Thomas holds Bachelor of Science and Master of Accounting degrees from Utah State University.

GAP INC. NAMES CHRIS BLAKESLEE AS PRESIDENT AND CEO OF ATHLETA

Gap Inc. announced that it is appointing Chris Blakeslee as the new president and CEO of Athleta. Blakeslee will drive strategic growth for the portfolio’s nearly $1.5 billion women’s active and lifestyle brand, and certified B Corporation, building on the foundation of Athleta’s product innovation and its mission to ignite a community of active, healthy, confident women and girls who empower each other to reach their true potential through the “Power of She.”

Blakeslee brings broad expertise in the apparel retail and wholesale industries, holding roles across marketing, sales, product portfolio management, operations and supply chain, serving most recently as president of sister companies Alo Yoga and Bella+Canvas since 2017.

In that time, Alo Yoga grew to over $1 billion in sales in 2022, nearly doubling its year-overyear growth.

Photo courtesy of PRNewswire

Photo courtesy of PRNewswire

SKECHERS X ASHLEY PARK FOOTWEAR COLLAB LAUNCHES

Ashley Park is taking her obsession with Skechers to a new level with the launch of her first signature collection: Skechers x Ashley Park. Park’s travels around the world helped inspire the Street Glam sneakers collection that perfectly fuse comfort and fashion.

“I used to think of sneakers as shoes meant for the gym or getting fit. Now these comfortable fashion styles are a staple, and what I wear running around, especially while traveling,” said Ashley Park. “I loved bringing my point of view to this collaboration—from the colors to the dance toe. I’ll have a pair packed for every trip!”

The Street Glam collection is designed for versatility and offers a unique, trendy silhouette thanks to the stylish design. It’s innovative hybrid footwear that combines the comfort of a sneaker with the sleekness of a pointy toe shoe. As comfort is always key when traveling, each pair also features a Skechers Air-Cooled Memory Foam® cushioned insole.

While her career began in theater, Ashley Park is widely known for her role as Mindy Chen on the Netflix series, “Emily in Paris.” The actress was also recently seen in Adele Lim’s feature film comedy “Joy Ride” and Netflix’s “Beef,” a dramedy from Lee Sung Jin. Additional credits include the Peacock comedy series “Girls5eva” and the Netflix miniseries “Tales of the City.”

The full range of Street Glam fashion sneakers from the Skechers x Ashley Park collab are available now at skechers.com and select Skechers retail stores worldwide.

EASY SPIRIT AND DENISE AUSTIN SERVE COMFORT WITH NEW PICKLEBALL SNEAKER

Easy Spirit, the women’s comfort footwear brand, partnered with fitness icon, Denise Austin, to launch its first ever pickleball shoe, designed specifically for women. Easy Spirit has delivered on the promise of making customers’ everyday a little lighter and softer and are now bringing that renowned made-to-move comfort to the court.

The Easy Spirit x Denise Austin Dilli court shoe features a shock absorbing cushioned footbed, reinforced stitched forefoot and a traction-dimpled outsole, making the shoe comfortable, durable and supportive for stop-and-go movement. Additionally, the moisture wicking lining and a breathable soft leather upper make it the perfect shoe for women who love staying cool while comfortable on the court.

The Dilli sneaker, part of Austin’s fall collaboration capsule, features high- to low-impact active footwear. This collection is designed to be another step in providing motivation through comfort and inspiring all women to live an active and healthy lifestyle. The Easy Spirit x Denise Austin footwear collection will be sold at Macy’s, Zappos, HSN, Nordstrom and other major retailers.

Photo courtesy of Business Wire

Photo courtesy of PRNewswire

EARTH & HALO BECOMES FINALIST IN COSMO PROF NORTH AMERICA’S ORGANIC AND GREEN CATEGORY

Earth & Halo emerged as an award-winning skincare brand with its Blue Crystalline Face Serum. The company’s newest success is its Apple Of My Eye cream that has been selected as one of four finalists at the prestigious 2023 CosmoProf North America trade show in the Organic and Green category.

CosmoProf North America is the preeminent B2B beauty trade show in the Americas, showcasing the best in beauty products for skin, hair and nails, along with fragrances, toiletries, organic products and tools. The prestigious and highlyrespected show is renowned for showcasing organic and sustainable products, with an emphasis on consumers and the environment. This newest accolade spotlight’s Earth & Halo’s commitment to skincare solutions that are highly effective and eco-friendly.

Apple Of My Eye and Blue Crystalline have gained a devoted following and earned an exceptional reputation for its products efficacy, along with its ethical and sustainable approach to skincare. The Organic and Green category at CosmoProf North America is highly competitive. Earth & Halo’s Apple Of My Eye naming as a finalist provides professional validation. It secures the company’s position as a premium skincare brand, its commitment to innovation and excellence, and to customers and the planet.

TULA SKINCARE LAUNCHES NEW RADIENT SKIN BRIGHTENING SERUM CONCEALOR

TULA Skincare, the clinically-proven probiotic extract-powered skincare brand, has announced the expansion of its complexion offerings to include concealer.

Available in a 20-shade range, the dermatologisttested, Radiant Skin Brightening Serum Concealer is infused with TULA’s unique Rainbow Seabright™ Elixir. This clinically-proven serum-like formula instantly conceals dark circles and discoloration for longwearing, crease-proof results, while brightening the appearance of skin over time.

Additional ingredients include TULA’s S6Pro Complex®, a U.S. patent-pending super six blend of prebiotics and probiotic extracts to help soothe skin, improve skin smoothness and maintain skin balance, along with eye peptides and tea leaf caffeine to help improve the look of dark circles, skin texture and eye bags.

TULA’s Radiant Skin Brightening Serum Concealer is available for purchase on tula.com and will retail for $32.

Photo courtesy of Earth & Halo on PRNewswire

Photo courtesy of TULA

CANDICE HUFFINE LAUNCHES BRAS WITH LUVLETTE

Intimates and loungewear brand Luvlette introduced two new bras, the Strapless Lift Bra and the Unlined Full-Coverage Plunge Bra, to its bestselling Dream Curve Collection. The bras, which were launched with the help of fashion model Candice Huffine, feature non-slip fits, breathable styles and confident silhouettes. Available in sizes up to an F cup, the bras are versatile and ideal for any situation, including summer activities.

Through its intimates and loungewear featuring revolutionary designs, Luvlette strives to provide next-level support for individuals of all sizes. Huffine, who champions size inclusivity, was the ideal partner to emphasize the brand’s goal of helping everybody live life to the fullest anywhere. The Strapless Lift Bra, which is available in apricot, black and blue, has removable multiway straps so that it can be worn in a variety of ways, including without straps, with them crisscrossed in the back or as a halter. Additionally, with its non-slip effect due to silicone strips and its breathable mesh in the front, this bra is ideal for warm-weather months.

It also has a unique side padding for a lifting push-up effect. The Unlined Full-Coverage Plunge Bra, which comes in apricot, black and green, has a smooth and seamless back band and unlined cups for breathability and comfort. With its plunging neckline, this bra is a great alternative to the Strapless Lift Bra in warmer weather for those wanting an upleveled, seamless look.

HARLEY-DAVIDSON AND POST MALONE COLLABORATE ON LIMITED-EDITION APPAREL COLLECTION

Harley-Davidson and GRAMMY® Award-nominated, 8x RIAA diamond-certified global superstar Post Malone, teamed up for the first time to create a limited-edition apparel collection. The collection is a celebration of Post’s love for the iconic brand.

With the most RIAA diamond-certified singles from any artisand a brazen style all his own, Post Malone shines unlike any other singer-songwriter of our generation. The garments in the collection are as bold and clean as the polished brightwork on his custom chrome Harley-Davidson® Low Rider ST motorcycle.

Available as part of Harley-Davidson’s H-D® Collections, a grouping of unique lifestyle apparel lines, the Post Malone® x Harley-Davidson® collection is a combination of collaborative partner branding, clean and contemporary text designs, chrome treatments and halftone graphics that either pay homage to or directly pull from classic H-D imagery. Collection highlights include a “Chrome Malone” tee, hoodie, and pant; the iconic Harley-Davidson bar and shield set chrome flame badge tees, a studded vest and pant set and accessories like horsepower leather gloves and a flame badge silver chain.

The Post Malone x Harley-Davidson Collection is available on hdcollections.com and shop.postmalone.com.

Photo via PRNewswire

Photo via PRNewswire

Five Signs a Fashion Brand Lacks Emotional Intelligence and Why It Matters

By Merilee Kern, MBA

A 2023 Emotional Intelligence Market study citing “heavy growth” of $49.93 billion USD by 2027 exemplifies the extent to which mastering “EQ” versus IQ is taking brands to exciting new levels of success … and why not embracing EQ can result in extreme opportunity loss or, far worse, be an outright brand buster. This as today’s highly discriminating and demanding fashion marketplace is seemingly rife with substitutable solutions. Modern day savvy shoppers nearly always have alternate options—and they know it.

Although there is tremendous buzz advocating the power and efficacy of emotional intelligence in modern fashion marketing and branding endeavors, there is little consistency and clarity on fundamental best practices and methodologies that can serve as a baseline catalyst. Fundamentals that, when further honed and refined, can result in highly sophisticated and emotive brand building that wholly resonates with the intended audiences and compels them into the desired action.

As importantly, that same clarity is needed on things to avoid—pitfalls that can impede progress as a fashion brand seeks to engage and truly connect with the hearts and minds of their intended audience—not just their wallets. Doing so breeds the kind of loyalty that can sustain consumer relationships for a lifetime.

Below, Martha Marchesi, CEO of JK Design—a full-service creative agency with a powerhouse roster that includes Tiffany & Co., Johnson & Johnson, Philips, Priceline, Prudential, ADP and more—provides insights on five telltale signs that a fashion brand may lack emotional intelligence and how to ensure EQ is employed effectively in marketing strategies:

Lack of empathy in messaging: An emotionally intelligent brand demonstrates empathy by understanding and addressing the emotions, concerns, and needs of its customers. A brand that lacks empathy may come across as cold, indifferent or out-of-touch in its messaging, which often creates a disconnect between the brand and its audience. This can not only lead to a weakened brand image, but also outright customer dissatisfaction. Egregious and extreme cases of brands

being emotionally “tone deaf” can cause a brand to be publicly “flamed” on social media and elsewhere.

One great way to exhibit empathy in brand messaging is by addressing common and specific customer pain points like that related to productivity, financial, processes and support. Another approach is to use storytelling that highlights relatable customer experiences like that related to cost savings, productivity, efficiencies and customer support. These types of tactics can create a more deeply engrained bond with the audience. It’s also imperative to ensure that empathy is conveyed in an authentic, believable way that will resonate with the intended audience. One easy way to achieve this is for public communications from company executives, or that represent the brand as a whole, to display vulnerability, which fosters relatability and trust.

In the post-COVID marketplace, there has been a profound and pivotal cultural shift toward empathy and engagement that is requiring business leaders, and companies at large, enhance these kinds of EQ skillsets to meet new expectations. Another effective method to demonstrate empathy is to utilize genuine customer testimonials, stories and case studies that articulate those first-hand brand experiences.

One-size-fits-all communication: Emotionally intelligent brands tailor their messaging to different customer segments. Brands that rely on generic, cookie-cutter and impersonal communication might not resonate with, or address, their audience’s specific needs. EQ enlightened brands consider more targeted messaging.

As one example, if your brand serves both young professionals and retirees, then entirely separate, targeted messaging and visuals for each of those groups is in order. But, try to dig deeper and discern what else beyond demographics makes those in your customer base distinct such that you can use language and imagery that will resonate on a more individual level. Of course, even before crafting audience-specific messaging, a brand must first wholly understand what makes each segment tick. What are their values? What inspires them to action? What notoriously upsets

them? A fully formed profile of each customer category must be developed and continuously honed to ensure your brand’s messaging keeps pace with ever-evolving sensibilities and cultural shifts.

Overemphasis on features, not benefits: Emotionally intelligent brands understand that customers care more about the benefits of a product or service—the WIIFM (what’s in it for me) factor—then its nuts and bolts features. Brands that focus too heavily on product attributes and technical specifications should shift their focus to how those features will improve customers’ lives. A great way to so this is by using clear and concise benefit statements like that related to a product’s usability, safety, environmental responsibility, affordability, durability and more.

Or, that a service will save you time, make you more efficient and productive, enhance the quality of your work or make an experience more enjoyable. Cite as many user benefits as possible to make an unequivocal case as to why your solution is THE solution. Another tried and true approach is creating relatable use-case scenarios that detail how clients or customers have specifically benefitted by working with your brand.

All the better if this use-case can include metrics data and analytics. Emotionally intelligent brands actively seek, value and actually utilize customer feedback in sustained efforts to improve their products and services, and fine-tune future messaging. Brands that dismiss or outright ignore customer feedback may struggle to develop a loyal customer base. Endeavor to prioritize incorporating customer insights into brand strategy.

FLASHBACK PART 5:

FashionCenturyHistory Los Angeles

Hello again! As of this writing, Magic is just beginning in Las Vegas, and I am not sure what to expect from this year’s trade show. Over the last several years, I have seen a decline in attendance at all trade shows. Covid put a halt to trade shows for a couple of years, and as shows began to appear on the scene again, many attendees learned that during Covid, we could find other ways to sell products without trade shows. Our lives became dependent on Zoom meetings for everything. Will this be the new way for buyers and sellers to work together, or will we all get back to socializing at trade shows? Time will tell, but one thing is certain: trade shows will be different.

This is the first Magic show that I will be missing. I always look forward to my time in Las Vegas, catching up with friends from all over the country that meet at various parties organized by banks, factors and Marcum. It is a perfect time to network with all the professionals supporting the apparel industry. As I said, I will miss Magic for the first time because I will be having my hip replaced in October and walking around Magic will be just too difficult. Being a runner for 50 years has finally caught up with me, and the hip said enough is enough. I just returned from a

BY RONALD S. FRIEDMAN, CPA

two-week vacation in Kauai with my family, 13 in total, which included five grandchildren. I highly recommend everyone take family vacations as summer is a wonderful time to enjoy your family. We spent many hours on the golf course and in the ocean. Food is always important when getting away from home. Just mention sushi, and my family will be there.

Now I would like to continue with the history of the apparel industry in Los Angeles and some of the interesting stories I experienced throughout my fifty years in the industry. I am a CPA, and I started with my firm in 1971. I have seen gas lines, inflation, riots, the Olympics, World Cup and other events that impacted the apparel industry in Los Angeles. During the 1970s and 1980s, the air quality in Los Angeles was so bad that there were days you could not see across the street. The City of Los Angeles and California did a great job of cleaning up the air quality, but it took time. Manufacturing plants such as dye houses and other factories that polluted the air were forced to leave Los Angeles and move to other areas. With the addition of all the smog controls in the auto industry, the air quality improved, and you could see the mountains surrounding Los Angeles for

the first time. The apparel industry in Los Angeles has many entrepreneurs, and I will never forget the great ones. I met a prospect in the late 1970s who wanted to make pants in Los Angeles. His goal was to manufacture and sell one million dollars per year and never grow beyond that. I told him that was not possible as there were only two choices. One is your business will grow because the product is good and your customer will want your pants, or the second is your pants are not very good, and nobody will want them. But this prospect insisted that he would hold the sales to one million dollars per year. I decided I could not accept him as a client because you either grow or go out of business. I still believe that is the case today.

Three years later, I got a call from this prospect, and the first thing he asked me was if I remembered our conversation from three years ago. I did remember, and he told me I was correct: you either grow or go out of business. The business had grown by tens of millions of dollars, and they were growing at a rapid rate. I was asked to come to their facility and discuss becoming their CPA firm. I ran down there as quickly as possible to meet with Mike Caruso, the founder of Bongo Jeans. Mike, with his partner Gene Montesano, had taken a start-up company and developed a niche in the market that allowed for tremendous growth. As the years have gone by, I have seen the launch of many jeans companies and their success. Los Angeles will always be known for all the great jean companies that have their origins here.

The lesson to be learned here is that companies need to grow to sustain their business, and I learned to accept small clients knowing they can become giants in their industries. Over my many years working with companies in consumer products, I have seen three-million-dollar companies become one-hundred-million-dollar companies in just a few years of hard work and creating a team with a passion for the business.

Until next time, remember what I always conclude with…if you are not having fun, then do something else!

Photo courtesy of Unslpash

British lifestyle brand, Ted Baker, has launched its new timepiece collection in conjunction with the brand’s SS23 Ticket to Ride campaign.

The collection has been meticulously designed to ensure the iconic British brand’s DNA is front and center. Featuring four new timepieces for women and two for men, this lively collection of celebrates the convergence of Ted Baker’s iconic design heritage, with its desire to look to and embrace a more sustainable future with new 85% recycled stainless steel cases.

The ladies’ watches include the Lilabel Jewel which has a floating magnolia dial embellished with crystals that emulate a symbol of modern decadence. The Ammy Floral pulls inspiration from Ted Baker’s SS23 accessory collection and features an eye-catching British wildflower print on both the strap and dial. The Phylipa Bow is inspired by the brand’s iconic bow motif. Finally, the Fleure elegantly provides a fresh take on the iconic Ted Baker magnolia brand motif and showcases a magnolia golden detail applied on a sunray dial and a vegan leather strap.

WATCHES

The men’s pieces consist of stylish accents for the modern man, such as a T-embellished crown, a sophisticated “T” Ted Baker pattern on the caseback and the Ted Baker arch logo on a selection of the dials. The popular Caine presents a deep green dial that is synonymous with the brand’s heritage alongside modernised bright orange subdials, making it the perfect timepiece for the urban gentleman whilst the Dempsey also combines modern and traditional characteristics, which flaunts an eco-genuine leather strap and is adorned with playful Ted Baker lettering on the dial.

Since 1988, Ted Baker has been dedicated to delivering timeless luxury with a distinctively British flair. A global lifestyle brand, Ted Baker’s reach delves beyond watches and encompasses menswear and womenswear leisure, casualwear, footwear, swimwear, occasion and more. With 191 freestanding storefronts and 49 outlets across the globe, Ted Baker speaks to worldwide markets and has something for every luxury-seeking fashionista.

The collection is available from Tedbaker.com and Nordstrom.com. Prices range from $130 to $190.

Photos courtesy of Ted Baker

Photography by Carola Blondelli (@carolablondelli)

FRANCESCA COTTONE

Made in Italy: Francesca Cottone Delivers Italian Excellence with Fierce Cuts

Francesca Cottone was born in Camerino, in Italy’s Marche region, and grew up surrounded by the art of tailored fashion thanks to her family’s tailoring business that has been producing 100% made-in-Italy quality for over 30 years.

At 19, Cottone moved to Milan to be trained by the world-renown fashion greats in this iconic city. Cottone studied fashion styling for a year at Istituto Marangoni in Milan, then enrolled in the three-year Fashion Design course. After graduating in 2015, Cottone won the competition organized by the school in collaboration with Renault, the luxury car manufacturer.

There, Cottone had the opportunity to create

a capsule collection for actors to wear in a TV commercial called “Clio Duel.”

From there, Cottone worked throughout northern Italy and specialized in various departments in fashion. However, it wasn’t until 2018 that she decided to take the next step in fashion by launching her own brand.

By September 2020, Cottone debuted Francesca Cottone at Altaroma during Rome Fashion Week with the Spring/Summer 2021 Collection “Main+Gender= Human.” Some signatures of the brand are eclectic silhouettes that are structured with defined cuts.

Textile contrasts and color palettes meet in synergies of minimal design, characterized

by a careful study of tailoring details. The art of custom tailoring is at the heart of Italian clothing, and this mission is front and center at Fracesca Cottone. The core of the latest collection is outerwear, and focuses on creating high-quality garments that blend traditional Italian touches and cutting-edge design that consists of coats, jackets, blazers and suits.

In launching the brand, Cottone collaborated with iconic stylists such as Gianni Morando, members of world-famous rock band Maneskin, Cesare Cremonini in the “Cremonini Stadi” tour, the tenors Il Volo and many others. Since then, Francesca Cottone has been featured in elite magazines like Vogue, Elle and L’Officiel.

HADOBODY

FASHION ACHIEVING BALANCE WITH MINDFULN ESS

BY JOSEPH PASTRANA

Wellness is a rapidly growing industry that overlaps with so many other sectors. Today, it is an industry valued at an estimated $4.2 trillion worldwide. Some of its coverage includes personal care and beauty, fitness and nutrition, and now – fashion. Hadobody is the lifestyle brand that infuses mindfulness and wellness elements into style with a wave of easy breezy casuals in its new Sand & Sea Collection. Functional for active lifestyles, the collection brings an added sense of serenity and focus to working out at the gym, hanging out with friends, traveling or getting through a hectic day around town.

True to its commitment to wellness, the label is eco-conscious and ethically made with each item crafted from sustainable materials such as Tencel™ Lyocell. In womenswear (sizes xs to xxl), there is a range of crop tops, tank tops, biker shorts, dusters, pants, underwear and headbands, all in flattering cuts, soft fabrics and vibrant colors that evoke the beauty and serenity of the natural world.

In menswear (sizes xs to xxl), there are

tees, shorts, hats and hoodies in a variety of neutral and earthy tones.

And to bring a reminder to stay centered, various affirmations are imprinted on some items including “I Am Divine,” “I Am Brilliant,” “I Am Heard,” “I Am Love,” “I Am Powerful,” “I Am Creative” and “I Am Grounded.” These are meant to provide reinforcement of inner strength and potential whenever needed. It’s fashion as a unique and holistic approach to style.

According to Hadobody founder Dianna Smith, “Fashion can be transformative. But our brand is about more than just fashion. We wanted to build something holistic, something that a community of like-minded individuals can gather around. We want to share this journey with those who believe, as we do, in creating with a responsibility to the world around us, in practicing daily mindfulness and giving back.”

Smith continued, “We’re very dedicated to sustainability and take pride in responsibly sourcing our materials as the starting point

in every effort we make to have a reduced environmental impact. We have partnered with suppliers who share our values and are continuously exploring new ways to improve our production practices. When we created the Sand & Sea Collection, it was to bring everyone closer to nature and understand our connection to our planet.

From the colors to the way they feel on your skin, we wanted to showcase pieces in tune with who we are and the spaces we live in.” Smith also explained that the collection is made from recycled polyester and organic cotton. Over 80% of the clothes use Lenzing Modal, a sustainable fabric.

Hadobody is aimed at eventually building towards being a fully fledged lifestyle brand grounded with “intention and gratitude” and nourishes the mind, body and spirit even as it strives to bring style to everyone.

The collection is available online at www.hadobody.com

Photos courtesy of Hadobody

rate & Barrel Enters Home Renovations with New Kitchen and Bathroom Collection

rate & Barrel unveiled its entry into the home renovation category with its first collection of kitchen and bathroom products. With 55% of homeowners planning to remodel in 2023, the brand designed the new assortment for easy, no-demolition home refreshes.

The new collection includes kitchen islands, bathroom vanities, lighting and hardware in a variety of high-design styles and finishes, launching alongside a lineup of Kohler’s best-in-class faucets and accessories. The assortment offers upgrades that do not require big budget plans, contractors or demolition and access to free personalized experts at The Design Desk at Crate to make their inspiration a reality.

“Our customers are looking to evolve their homes to meet their current life needs without the cost and complications of major renovations,” said Alicia Waters, brand president of Crate & Barrel. “We’re entering into this category to give customers high-design products and professional support to tackle their renovation inspiration with ease.”

“This home renovation collection was designed to inspire our customers to create the kitchens and baths of their dreams with ease through accessible, high-quality and smart design,” said Sebastian Brauer, senior vice president of Product Design, Crate & Barrel. “Discovering one’s individual style is an exciting part of the remodel process for homeowners, and this new assortment offers a variety of exclusive signature looks-from classic to modern- for distinct types of homes and spaces.”

Crate & Barrel is known for curating inspiration within the home with versatility, style and comfort that fits any interior aesthetic. Since 1962, Crate & Barrel has delivered high-quality products, exclusive designs and timeless style and has an extensive portfolio of other brands that include CB2, Crate & Kids and Hudson Grace. Today, the company operates in the U.S. and Canada with over 100 stores.

The new home renovation collection features 400 new pieces across four product categories including lighting, furniture, textiles and hardware, ranging from $8.95 - $4,999. These products are available at Crate & Barrel in stores and online at www.crateandbarrel.com/home-remodel/.

Photo courtesy of Crate & Barrel on PRNewswire

MEET YOUR NEW LUXURY TRAVEL COMPANION:

DEIJIDESIGN

With Italian-made apparel and accessories, DEIJIDESIGN blended luxury with elegance in its latest collections campaign across Europe, the brand’s second launch across the Atlantic.

Ambassador LaRae Day visited Athens, Santorini, Cappadocia and Budapest to flaunt DEIJIDESIGN’s latest signature bags, the Perenna and Euforia Collections and the Fall 2023 Denim Jacket Line with iconic European backdrops. These locations also embody one of the brand’s most prominent themes: travel.

“The number one reason I recommend DEIJIDESIGN as a travel companion is the durability of the merchandise,” explained Day. “I can personally attest that their highest-quality leather from Italy survived my strenuous journey around the globe this year.”

Athens, Greece saw the gorgeous gold and red Francesca heels, a new shade of the Octavia Bag in beige and the reveal of DEIJIDESIGN’s

latest apparel collection– a metallic denim jacket detailed with ornate beadwork and black and gold embellished ornamental collar pairing perfectly with a red satin dress.

Sanitorni’s turquoise seas provided the backdrop for the debut of DEIJIDESIGN’s fall denim jacket, which features gorgeous shades of metallic blue and gold and details of haircalf cheetah fur on the collar and sleeves with the staple embellishment of a pink sapphire on the left breast pocket.

DEIJIDESIGN’s Brown Hashtag sneakers, with cheetah haircalf fur, paired well in combination with a baby blue two-piece swimsuit and DEIJIDESIGN’s black version of the Elizabeth I Signature bag.

Cappadocia, Turkey saw Day in the custom Maria T-Shirt, a white tee detailed with splashes of red, blue, purple, black, green and yellow accentuated by the green Perenne Signature Bag and the white Hashtag sneakers as a

finishing touch. The Perenne Collection, (perenne meaning “everlasting” in Italian), available in metallic blue and green, are gorgeous asymmetrical handbags that add a splash of color and elegance to any outfit.

The same can be said of the metallic pink Euforia Signature Bag, which accompanied Day to Budapest, Hungary. Paired with the brand’s beautiful silver Alba heels and the Isabella T-shirt, another custom tee, the Euforia Signature Bag provided the perfect finishing piece to Day’s look.

DEIJIDESIGN is led by the legendary Creative Director Mark Schwartz, whose career in the fashion industry spans almost 40 years. Schwartz has collaborated with Gucci, Prada, Versace, Ralph Lauren, Chanel, Valentino and more. DEIJIDESIGN is available on DEIJIDESIGN.com.

Isabella T-Shirt, Veronica Belt, pink Euforia Signature Bag & Alba Heels. Photo by Szabo Roland.

DEIJIDESIGN

Gunmetal Alba Heels & pink Euforia Signature Bag. Photo by Szabo Roland.

For more than 50 years, Bagatelle International has been more than a design and manufacturing company for major labels across the country. It is a multi-national community fostered by the timelessness of the people behind the scenes. The Litvack family, Michael and his sons Jamie and Adam, have transformed the company into what it is today: always innovating, always changing and always looking ahead to a limitless future.

Avec Les Filles Ready-to-Wear

Photo by Michael Keel Studio

Behind the scenes at iconic retailers like Nordstrom and Anthropologie is the work of Bagatelle International Inc., a multi-faceted design and manufacturing company with a global presence that delivers retailers long-term success built on the foundation of an over-50-year history. With offices in the United States, Canada and China, and employees and partners spanning borders from Italy, India and Bangladesh, Bagatelle International is a powerhouse revolutionizing fashion around the world.

The legacy behind the company, which has consistently provided fresh designs and high-quality products for top-tier retailers across North America, begins with one man:

The late Michael Litvack.

In 1968, Bagatelle International was founded in Montreal, Canada. However, it wasn’t until 1989 that Litvack made his initial imprint on the company, joining the team as a sales manager. Litvack quickly started buying up shares and through his innovative spirit and ever-evolving devotion to Bagatelle’s growth, and he eventually became the sole owner of the company. Litvack was more than a CEO; he was an innovative leader that immediately recognized that the apparel industry is a fast-paced, ever-changing beast. If you don’t change with the times, you will be forgotten.

standard,” Litvack explained. “My father’s famous quote was always that we want to meet and beat our customer’s expectations. That’s what we do here day in and day out.”

Since the early days of his career, Jamie Litvack has demonstrated a strong understanding of the retail landscape and a vision for brand build ing. “What I quickly recognized is that there’s only so much leather that you could sell to department stores within a collection,” he said. “You have to think of how she dresses; she’s going to wear a T-shirt and jeans and maybe a leather jacket, but it’s hard to only wear head-to-toe leather.” While head-to-toe leather is a major trend today, Litvack maintains a pulse of realism on what Bagatelle International’s demographic wears on the daily. Litvack’s vision was to build a portfolio of brands, each with its own DNA and unique identity, which can be curated to fi ll the white space of different departments and retailers.

“Bagatelle’s product categories are so wide that it offers the possibility for each retailer to carve out their own assortment and specifically talk to their consumers with products that are appealing to them.” This strategy borrowed from direct-to-consumer businesses is responsible for the expansion of Bagatelle International, delivering the kind of brand growth Litvack envisioned back in 2010.

BAGATELLE: A 50-YEAR LEGACY

By LAURIE MELCHIONNE

In Litvack’s early years, Bagatelle International was a premier design house and manufacturer of genuine women’s leather apparel. Fast forward 50 years later and the company expanded from genuine leather to a strong portfolio of global brands covering every apparel category from knit and woven sportswear, and outerwear to denim and dresses.

To this day, the company remains family-owned under the leadership of Bagatelle International’s President, Jamie Litvack, son of the late Michael Litvack who took the reins of his father’s company in 2021 with the same ambition; To meet and beat customers’ expectations every day.

“Since I joined the company in 2010, my initiative was to drive the company’s transformation by expanding our product categories and growing our portfolio of brands,” explained Litvack. “This included Bagatelle taking on well-known licenses and acquiring different brands.”

Jamie Litvack credits his late father for just about everything he knows in the industry. “That includes everything in fashion and garment-making, but also operations, expectations and maintaining a high level of

Instrumental to Litvack’s overall growth vision are CFO Teddy Miller, COO Ramit Shakdher and EVP Adam Litvack, who spearhead strategic planning and the execution of longterm business goals

Other key players are VP of Production Diane Eng, who has been with the company for over 25 years and is responsible for production and supply chain management. VP of Sales Liza Diamond is responsible for growth and business expansion.

Just as the late Michael Litvack envisioned, the Bagatelle International of today is still a family business with a strong executive team that Jamie Litvack counts on to support his vision and the significant growth Bagatelle International has seen post-pandemic. Litvack’s brother, Adam, is the EVP of e-commerce and marketing and spearheads the digital transformation of the company as a whole. Adam Litvack and his team exceed the needs of Bagatelle International’s online retailers by managing e-commerce, high-volume dropship fulfi llment and logistics. He also overviews all digital marketing initiatives with Bagatelle International’s retail partners like Macy’s and Nordstrom, as well as our social media strategies working with influencers like Hannah Godwin, Nicole Williams and top models like Coco Rocha and Katrina Rusakova.

The beating heart of Bagatelle International is its New York City showroom. Here, design directors bustle from room to room, rack to rack

“THEY’RE LIKE A KID

A CANDY SHOP”

Avec Les Filles Outerwear

Photo by Michael Keel Studio

Avec Les Filles Dresses

Photo by Esther Blair Studios

Avec Les Filles Dresses

Photo by Esther Blair Studios

Avec Les Filles Denim

Photo by Michael Keel Studio

and collaborate side-by-side with retail executives. Mannequins flaunt a rainbow array of leather coats from Avec Les Filles. Bagatelle Collection adorns walls with racks of on-trend jackets and elevated bottoms in any array of fabrications. Fashion buyers will walk in for a concept meeting, but a sparkle from the corner of the room will catch their eye…and what was originally supposed to be a concept meeting becomes a conversation about sequin jackets or metallic-sheened dresses that opens an entirely new horizon for the client.

Fabrics are pulled, samples are touched and tried on and the buyers see with their own eyes what it looks like when a concept transforms from a sketch to the retail floor.

“They’re a kid in a candy shop,” Litvack said. “We develop and sample so much that every time they come back every four to six weeks, the showroom looks completely new and fresh, and there is a ton of excitement every time they come in.”

Under Litvack and VP of Operations Marie Josee Roy, who manages Product Development and Design, all Operations and HR, Bagatelle International’s creative team designs a product with lightning-swift turnaround time: in just two to three weeks, the team starts at the raw material itself. From there, they cultivate the product from scratch until the fi nal, unique product stands on the showroom floor awaiting a customer presentation.

Ever in growth mode, the showroom is currently undergoing a full renovation process that will expand to different floors in the building. Each additional floor will be dedicated to a department and will support the specific services it offers for its roster of brands. Whether it’s a floor for the design team or a space devoted to production and fittings, organization in a dedicated workspace is key.

“We support our partners from the early stages of product development to the sales on their retail floor. Our job is not done until we make sure our

Boundless self-expression is at the heart of Avec Les Filles’ theme. Staple pieces like this plaid coat can be mixed and matched with a variety of category items offered by the brand: laid-back sportswear paired with edgy outerwear, eye-catching eveningwear with an elegant leather coat or a T-shirt and jeans fancied-up with a statement purse.

Avec Les Filles Outerwear

Photo by Michael Keel Studio

goods are selling and our partners are successful. This is how we have been able to grow with each of our retailers season over season. We pride ourselves on that level of service and involvement.”

For a label like Avec Les Filles, brand identity is at the heart of the targeted consumers. Meaning “with the girls” in French, Avec Les Filles is all about women empowerment that will, according to their website, “strengthen the bonds between all women.” Self-expression through fun and contemporary garments blends sophistication into everyday style.

Avec Les Filles’ Co-creative Directors, Sofia Wahlberg and Bradley Mounce are leading design initiatives from outerwear and sportswear to denim and the latest dress collection. Avec Les Filles is popular with influencers and gained a huge following amongst fashionistas who are looking for that “je ne sais quoi” retro vibe mixed with runway street style.

Bagatelle Collection also features even more categories with a modern twist for every fashion-minded career woman. What used to be a jacket label is now a full-scale sportswear brand that can be found at Bloomingdale’s, offering a range of sizes, styles and materials. From vegan leathers to mixed knits, cotton and tweeds, Bagatelle Collection blends practicality with style and embraces the many categories that Bagatelle International is known for.

Kathy Ireland, Bagatelle International’s latest luxury licensing partnership, collaborates with the company on the label in women’s apparel, coats, dresses and denim. Not only does Bagatelle have the license to Kathy Ireland’s brand, a self-made model-turned-billionaire mogul, but based on the huge success of the collection at HSN, they also have plans to bring her to all brick-and-mortar department stores and retailers in North America. It’s an exciting partnership that will open even more doors for Bagatelle’s network.

In the future, Litvack’s focus is on expanding the brands within existing product categories. In terms of new collaborations, a lot of conversation circulates around the licensing of Avec Les Filles for footwear and swimwear. In addition, Litvack and his team are starting a venture into a brand new category: menswear. We’ll just have to wait and see what the next move is.

For now, Bagatelle continues to be the powerhouse behind major, iconic retailers and brands across the country and, indeed, the world itself. With Michael Litvack’s legacy still leading the day-to-day, continued suc-

cess, quality of service and innovation are guaranteed for any retailer seeking the Bagatelle experience.

HERE’S TO ANOTHER 50 YEARS.

Michael (left), Adam (Center) and Jamie (Right).

Bagatelle Collection Ready-to-wear

Photo by Esther Blair Studios

Bagatelle Collection Ready-to-wear

Photo by Esther Blair Studios

It’s no secret that Bagatelle International is taking its more-than-50-year legacy to the next level with upcoming ventures into new categories like menswear, footwear and swimwear. On the horizon for a new chapter in Bagatelle International’s history, these new elements of fashion will continue to take all that the Litvacks and their team touch to new heights, in retail, brand collaboration, storefronts and so much more.

Avec Les Filles Ready-to-Wear

Photo by Michael Keel Studio

TWENTY TWO LUXURY LOUNGEWEAR BRINGS THE COMFORT OF HOME WHEREVER YOU GO

By Joseph Pastrana

With the pandemic over, consumer behavior patterns have been fundamentally reshaped by the lockdown years. One of the more apparent results is the reliance on Zoom communications and the hybrid workforce of onsite and at-home staffi ng. As a result, purchase drivers and demand that evolved then will be in play for years to come. At the height of the lockdown, women’s formal and business attire dropped by 44% while casual apparel jumped to 61%. But one lifestyle brand based in Miami provides the best of both worlds.

Enter House Twenty Two. Fortunately, Ledezema had already been developing her brand. It had always been her goal to apply design in making beautiful things that served the actual purpose of enhancing everyday life. Her own experiences as a young woman and creative entrepreneur inform much of what she creates, fi nding workable style solutions to what everyday people contend with.

Drawing from her undergraduate degree in interior design, master’s in architecture and fashion studies, she conceived elegant and sleek yet comfortable luxury loungewear fo-

cused on relieving women of having to worry about their wardrobes. As inspiration, she drew on her home’s sunshine and sand environs as well as the tropical and pastel colors and Art Deco architecture of Ocean Drive’s historic district. They are limitless as far as being a well of artistic potential across fashion and other disciplines.

As people gradually returned to business as usual, they found that they didn’t have to sacrifice the comforts of home at all. Elegant and in eye-catching colors, this debut collection of elevated loungewear provides all the comforts of casualwear while looking sophisticated in any setting. They can go from work to weekends, airports to offices.

Handmade from 100% silk, the range of sweats, hoodies, tops, shorts, halter dresses, blazers and trousers in sets and separates are supple and soft on the skin. The hoodies and shorts provide a sporty and casual vibe, while the cropped tops, blazers and trousers are for dressier looks. There are even red carpet-worthy halter dresses in vibrant shades or dazzling prints for those Instagrammable moments. According to Le-

dezema, “The ease is built into the designs so that anyone can dash off to meetings or attend an event in a moment’s notice. I conceived this line to show that comfort and style need not contradict each other. With House Twenty Two, you feel comfortable and look fabulous wherever you go.” The brand’s signature aesthetic also makes it easy to slip in and out of pieces, allowing for effortless mixing and matching across its array of items for statement ensembles that flawlessly complement each other.

One can simply add, subtract or switch tops and bottoms around to create a variety of different styles that won’t clash. Available only for short durations and in capsule numbers, the items are never mass-produced. Ledezema added, “We’re proud to use artisanal traditions in producing small quantities or custom pieces as part of our commitment to sustainability and not to participate in fast fashion. We use less water and energy to maintain a low carbon footprint and zero waste.”

The collection is priced from $168 (bralettes) to around $930 (dresses) and up for custom orders via HouseTwentyTwo.com.

THE FASHION MANNUSCRIPT PRESENTS: TECHWEAR

Bringing you the latest breakthroughs in software, I.T. and fashion technology. From creative solutions to insights from experts, we are the source for all things fashion tech.

Photo courtesy of Unsplash

Photo courtesy of RADAR

RADAR is the technology platform that combines RFID and computer vision technology to track and precisely locate in-store inventory with 99% accuracy. Recently, RADAR announced that it has secured $30 million in Series A funding, bringing its total funding to date to $63 million. The round was led by returning investor Align Ventures, with participation from RX Ventures, which is the corporate venture capital fund of South American retailer Lojas Renner, and several other renowned retail investors. RADAR plans to use the new investment to expand its customer roster, accelerate its product development efforts and hire top engineering, product and sales talent.

R A DAR SECURES

“Every retail brand is looking to operate more efficiently in this uncertain macroeconomic environment and having complete visibility into store inventory, including knowing exactly where every product is located, is key to that,” said Spencer Hewett, founder and CEO of RADAR. “We’re thrilled to join forces with this prestigious group of investors as we help brands empower their sales associates with the inventory information they need to consistently deliver a great customer experience.”

RADAR’s AI-powered inventory-tracking platform empowers brand teams with the inventory knowledge they need to consistently elevate the in-store customer experience, ensuring that store associates always know what product is available on-site and where it’s located. The solution drives efficiency and enables employees to serve customers more easily as well as replenish products on the sales floor and fulfill online orders that customers pick up in-store. In addition, the platform’s analytics help inform inventory decisions and ensure that brands are stocking the right products in the right locations at all times.

“By using AI to unlock the true potential of RFID in inventory management and store operations, RADAR has achieved a goal the retail industry has been chasing for more than 20 years,” said Ben Bryce, managing partner, Align Ventures. “RADAR’s affordable inventory-tracking technology has been proven to deliver a sales lift of up to 12% in stores and to virtually eliminate overstocks. We’re proud to partner with Spencer and the rest of the RADAR team as they enable retailers and brands to precisely manage inventory, boost revenue and provide store associates with the knowledge they need to quickly locate products and better serve their customers.”

Other participants in Radar’s Series A round include The Ferrante Group, Future Archives and Leeds Holding Ltd. Earlier investors in the company include Y Combinator, Founders Fund Pathfinder, Silas Chou’s Novel TMT Ventures, NTT DOCOMO, Beanstalk Ventures and Ashton Kutcher’s Sound Ventures.

RADAR also recently announced that American Eagle Outfitters is launching its inventory-tracking technology in approximately 500 American Eagle stores across the U.S. In addition, RADAR currently pilots its platform with two other Fortune 500 retailers.

ZENNI BREAKS BARRIERS MAINSTREAMING MIGRAINE LENS TECHNOLOGY

Online eyewear retailer announced its latest technology innovation launch, the FL-41 migraine lenses. These lenses have been developed to assist those with light sensitivity caused by migraines, post-concussion relief and other conditions.

Zenni’s migraine lenses are designed to filter out the most visually painful spectrum of light to help mitigate the risks of a migraine and relieve a migraine in progress, blending therapeutic relief and fashionable style. Backed by research, the FL-41 lenses may benefit migraine sufferers, helping reduce attack frequency and alleviate symptoms of eye strain and light sensitivity. The rose-colored lenses come in three different fashionable tints (25%, 50% and 80%) and two different lens indexes at 1.57 and 1.61 for varying severities of migraines to help cut out painful light, reduce glare and provide eye relief. Customers can add migraine lenses to a variety of nonprescription, single vision and progressive glasses within Zenni’s expansive product catalog. Zenni’s migraine lenses start at $45.95 and include an antiscratch coating, advanced water-resistant anti-reflective coating and 100% UV protection.

Recently, Zenni expanded its technology advancements with AI-powered digital tools such as Prescription Scan and Image Search, which simplify the online shopping experience for consumers.

CROISSANT

LAUNCHES

WITH

A MISSION TO CHANGE THE FUTURE OF COMMERCE

Croissant, a fintech platform with a mission to empower intentional commerce, launched with $24 million in seed funding from a suite of top investors, including Portage and KKR Co-Founders George Roberts and Henry Kravis. Initial funding was used to accelerate Croissant’s MVP launch via a best-in-class founding team led by Co-Founder and CEO John Howard (formerly of KKR), Co-Founder and CTO John Klose (Amazon, PayPal) and Head of Product Vrishti Mongia (Meta, Moda Operandi).

Developed partially in response to consumer debt-focused offerings, Croissant transforms the shopping mindset from one of credit-fueled consumption to one of asset ownership, amplifying purchasing power and providing real financial empowerment for users. This results in higher conversion, average order value and customer retention. When users later elect to sell, Croissant deploys its exclusive multiple listing technology to handle the tedious resale process within the existing secondhand ecosystem with no involvement required from merchants or customers.

Other major investors in Croissant include Third Prime and Twelve Below. Croissant’s advisory board of industry leaders include Rent the Runway CoFounder and Board Member Jennifer Fleiss; former Chief Merchandising Officer of Intermix Divya Mathur; Lara Meiland-Shaw, a luxury fashion veteran with over 20 years of experience and Homer and Outdoor Voices Founding Partner Andrew Parietti.

Photo via Business Wire

Photo via Business Wire

SKIPIFY & AMEX ELEVATE SHOPPER EXPERIENCE AT CHECKOUT

Skipify, a fintech company redefining the checkout experience, has teamed up with American Express to connect Amex U.S. Consumer Members’ Cards seamlessly into checkout. Skipify’s technology, launching exclusively with American Express, identifies select Amex customers via their email address, enabling them to automatically link their eligible Amex Cards to check out with participating merchants. This solution removes the need for consumers to manually enter their payment and billing details, improving merchant approval and conversion rates.

Skipify partners with financial institutions to directly pull and store consumers’ eligible payment and billing address information on file, after securely authenticating the consumer at checkout. For merchants, this results in fewer abandoned carts and higher authorization rates, regardless of channel, platform or processor.

The launch of Card Linking is one of Skipify’s latest product innovations as they continue to define the Connected Checkout category. Skipify will be rolling out additional partnerships with other financial institutions later this year.

In early 2021, Amex Ventures, the venture capital arm of American Express, invested in Skipify. Amex Ventures connected Skipify with American Express corporate business units and key sponsors to unlock Skipify’s benefits to American Express Card Members. “From day one, American Express has been an amazing partner,” said Ryth Martin, founder and CEO of Skipify. “As we scale past millions of monthly checkouts on our platform, we are excited to layer in our Card Linking solution with American Express to the thousands of merchants that offer Skipify today.”

POLYTEX AWARDED ISO 14001 CERTIFICATION FOR SUSTAINABLE OPERATIONS

Israeli workwear management company Polytex Technologies announced that it has achieved ISO 14001 certification, an important milestone in its commitment to sustainability. The certification recognizes Polytex’s implementation and maintenance of effective environmental management systems and confirms its compliance with international standards. Organizations that adopt the Polytex solution are by default choosing an environmentally friendly option for their workwear management needs.

Polytex employs several strategies to reduce the environmental impact of its manufacturing. All machines are produced to order, eliminating the materials and energy wastage from over-production and inventory. It also recycles older machines, upgrading them for customers and selling refurbished machines, further reducing waste and consumption. ISO 14001 certification provides third-party verification that their workwear management solution is aligned with their sustainability goals. How companies manage their workwear and other textiles can significantly impact their sustainability performance because textile production and usage are major causes of water and chemicals consumption, water pollution, greenhouse emissions and landfill contributions. Garment production and washing release about 0.5M tons of microfibers and washing synthetics into oceans, and washing machines emit 62M tons of greenhouse gasses.

Polytex customers often find they need smaller inventories and can increase workwear utilization by keeping items in circulation. According to the Waste & Water Action Program extending clothing life by just nine months is the equivalent of reducing its waste, water and carbon footprint by 20-30%. Companies that have switched from personalized garments to Polytex-managed general workwear need up to 40% less workwear per employee, with similar reductions in laundry and inventory.

Photo courtesy of Skipify on PRNewswire

Photo courtesy of Polytex on PRNewswire

Yariv Matzliach, Polytex CEO

Before I became an entrepreneur, I worked for a consulting firm in the fashion district of New York City. Eventually, after exhausting all growth opportunities, I reluctantly accepted it was time to look beyond that company. My mind was flooded with questions. Should I start my own consulting firm? If I did that, what guarantee would there be that I would succeed?

How would the decision impact my family? Those thoughts and feelings, the anxiety and fear, repeatedly invaded my mind. Have you ever had doubts when deciding if you were ready for the next big move?

In past articles, I highlighted one of the nine stages of change along with two change proficiencies. The Change Proficiencies are strategies and techniques that help us journey from one stage to the next. For this article, I paired the stage of change, Embrace, with “Fear Conscious” and “Lean into Growth.” These pairings will expand your capacity to maneuver through obstacles to ensure success.

Embrace: “Sixth Stage of Change”

So much has changed, especially you. Reflecting on your accomplishments, you are amazed and ready for much more. Whatever circumstances that invited or forced you down this path no longer mentally and emotionally take center stage in your life. You will face self-imposed and limiting boundaries that will require adjustment. Uncertainty and fear still exist, but you have begun to choose your responses.

Working with mentors and life and business coaches has helped you evolve and expand your capacity. An inner strength has emerged, a more

LEADERS: EMBRACE FEAR WITHIN OPPORTUNITIES TO GROW

by Donna Johnson-Klonsky, MBA

constant, powerful presence within you called dynamic energy. It propels you towards selfexploration and discovery.

Change Proficiency: “Fear-Conscious”

As leaders, we dream big. Each of us have different visions, which usually involve increased visibility. Perhaps we want to release a new product or service, train or motivate others, take on additional responsibilities or lead more boldly. Fear can and often holds us back. To move forward, we must shift to a mindset that views fear as a teacher instead of an enemy. For that, we need to become “Fear-Conscious.”

To be “Fear-Conscious” is to defuse and refocus the energy created by fear to allow us to explore possibilities courageously. It means to approach anxiety from a rational versus emotional frame of mind.

When faced with fears associated with our relationships, reputation or responsibilities, we often deny or repress our thoughts and feelings. Instead, try to identify the truth behind your anxiety. To accomplish this, honestly analyze how realistic your fears are and how much influence you may have over them. Then, allocate your resources to lessen the likelihood that what frightens you will come true.

Change Proficiency: “Lean into Growth”

The challenge to embrace activities outside our comfort zone reminded me of my attempts to immerse myself into speaking Spanish in Spain. I had to give myself… you know what’s coming… permission to fail. When you “Lean into Growth,” you position yourself to brave unknown changes to achieve greater levels of success.

As it relates to increased visibility, you must stand up, speak up and accept that growth opportunities, often disguised as mistakes, are a necessary part of the process. Similarly, you endeavor to eradicate common snares that can delay your progress.

Empty calories is a snare often present when we take actions that do not support our goals. Placeholders can appear when satisfaction with

current achievements outweighs our motivation to push ahead. Cruising is similar to the previous pitfall but is experienced for a different reason. While Placeholder is based on a lack of motivation to move beyond the current position, Cruising stems from fear, often of the unknown.

These snares are insidious because you feel you are working towards your ultimate objective. Suppose you have a desire to become more visible on social media or other platforms. In preparation, you spend most of your time updating marketing material, polishing skills to produce better products or services, and writing more content. While those are all valuable activities, unless you start posting and interacting, your virtual presence will not grow. You are caught in the Cruising trap. Even though you are accomplishing a lot, fear of the unknown has you stuck.

To get past those snares, you have to confront your attitude towards failure. How? First, recognize that permission to fail bridges the gap between good and great. It takes you from where you are currently to where you want to be.

Is it scary? Yes! However, when you explore uncharted territories, you give yourself a chance to learn and grow. To expand, you should infuse curiosity, wonder and experimentation into new situations.

As we thrive in our businesses and careers, we will encounter critical moments where we must step into the unknown, and failure is an option. To prevent fear from sabotaging your efforts, qualify the anxiety and decide which resources could minimize its effect. Likewise, strive to eliminate snares. You will experience new internal and external growth.

Donna Johnson-Klonsky, MBA, PCC DJ Consulting Services, Inc. East Fishkill, New York 12533

(845) 447-1037

The resale movement is a phenomenon that’s been building momentum for the last 20 years. A recent Retail Marketing Society webinar explored the myriad of opportunities it presents for today’s brands Subject Matter Experts were Sarah Davis, founder and president of Fashionphile, a source for authentic, used luxury designer handbags and accessories and Adam Siegel, co-founder and CEO of Recurate, a tech-enabled resale service that empowers brands and retailers to establish their own integrated resale markets directly on their e-commerce site. The moderator was Marie Driscoll, managing director of Coresight Research.

How Big is the Resale Market?

Coresight estimates that U.S. apparel resale hit $28 billion last year. They expect the market to grow to $32 billion this year and capture 6% of the total U.S. fashion market. They project it to grow at a 9.6% CAGR through 2026 and expect online resale to represent about 55% of total resale. growing to 65%.

According to threadUP, last year, 52% of U.S. consumers bought secondhand apparel. By 2032 they think the market will be second only to offprice, capturing 18% of the U.S. apparel market. Not surprisingly, it’s coming from millennials and Gen Z. Value is the number one driver.

Who is the Resale Customer?

Fashionphile services the luxury market with two

THE RESALE REVOLUTION

By Anne Marie Soto, Retail Marketing Society

distinct customers and little overlap. “Our sellers are wealthy,” reported Davis. “They’re shopping the primary market. They are seasonal spenders who just need a way to get stuff out of their closets. Our buyers are a little younger, a little more aspirational. There is not much crossover between the two groups.”

For Recurate, there is a lot of cross-pollination between buyers and sellers. Price points are lower and the brands they tend to work with have a cult-like community following. “We have a young customer that we have started to call circulars,” explained Siegel. “This customer buys maybe firsthand, maybe secondhand, but with the intention of wearing that item or using that piece for three months, six months, a year, often with the intention of then reselling that item so that they could get something more. It’s the modern way of rotating your wardrobe.”

How Does a Brand or a Retailer Benefit?

First, resale offers a brand an alternate revenue stream. Recurate creates a resale experience for brands on their existing websites. A good example is the Pre-Loved section on the Michael Kors website. To preserve authenticity, sellers must be a KORSVIP member, create a Pre-Loved account, and find the item in their order history that they wish to sell. The seller then provides a description, uploads photos, and sets the price.

In addition to its online sales program, Fashionphile has Selling Studios in numerous Neiman Marcus locations. “You can take that Gucci backpack you bought a couple of years ago and never wore,” explained Davis, “walk into Neiman Marcus and take it to the Fashionphile team there. We will write you a check on the spot for that backpack, or we’ll pay you with a Neiman Marcus gift card. Neiman Marcus will give you a little kicker, 10% more if you put it on a Neiman Marcus card.

They’re hoping you’re going to take that thousand dollars we’re going to pay you—that’s now $1,100 in Neiman Marcus store credit—and use it towards those boots you saw when you were walking in.”

Resale also offers the opportunity to enhance customer engagement, loyalty and lifetime value while attracting new shoppers to the brand.

“From the selling perspective, about 65% of sellers, people who list products through our platforms, are either lapsed customers, so they haven’t purchased with that brand in six months or more, or they are new to the brand’s customer file,” said Siegel. “Now they have an opportunity to go back to Michael Kors’ website and list it for sale. This is attracting new customers and reengaging existing customers. On the buyer side, one out of every two purchasers of secondhand is new to the brand. There’s a lot of opportunity to reacquire existing customers and acquire new customers. It really turns into a new marketing channel to acquire customers.”

It offers consumers covetable and iconic products at lower prices than retail. It fosters a treasure hunt FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) mentality and drives repeat visits to the websites. There is also a sustainability component, a value increasingly sought by today’s shoppers.

What’s not to love about pre-loved merchandise? Anne

Marie-Soto

The volatile commercial property insurance market began 2023 in turbulence, with economic uncertainty, rising replacement costs, supply chain delays and prominent weather catastrophes in 2022 elevating rates. Industries across the board are likely to pay more for property insurance and see terms and conditions tighten, but stabilizing inflation and improved underwriting should help the market settle into a less erratic future.

Below are several average rate increases as of Q2 2023. Discuss your business exposures with your insurance broker to understand what to expect in advance of your next renewal.

Commercial Property, 10%-25%+ Increases:

The property market has been at its most volatile in the past two decades. Replacement cost valuations remain a focal point irrespective of occupancy or geography, and insurers are pushing for elevated valuations.

Appraisals or a narrative on the statement of values could be helpful when negotiating renewal terms. Insureds are seeing fewer blanketed limit options. In areas subject to catastrophes, the number of standard markets is exceedingly rare, with limits only offered for best-in-class properties with superior construction.

General Liability, 2%-10% Increases:

Carriers are deploying capacity carefully, and underwriters are requiring thorough submissions before accepting risk in challenging classes, partly due to the persistence of nuclear verdicts but also to offset higher reinsurance costs.

BEST PRACTICES TO IMPROVE INSURABILITY AND REDUCE RISK IN TODAY’S INSURANCE MARKET

By Frank DeLucia, HUB International Northeast

Risks with adverse claim history, or those with exposure to abuse or wildfire, are facing tougher renewals. Accounts with favorable loss history are experiencing moderate rate increases — and occasionally small rate reductions — based on exposures and sustainable program structures.

Manage your risk to improve attractiveness to insurers:

While finding insurance for commercial properties will remain difficult, we expect market instability will level off as 2023 progresses. But to improve insurability and reduce risk immediately, we recommend property owners adopt several best practices, including the following:

Start renewals as early as possible: For a traditional renewal, plan to start the process 120 to 150 days out. Be sure to provide carriers with detailed information on recent upgrades to electrical, plumbing and roofs.

Improve your risk management: Consider technological upgrades to reduce exposures, such as water sensors, sump pumps, electrical backups and outdoor property improvements to reduce damage from wildfires, erosion and flooding.

Completing a business insurance worksheet may provide a better picture of exposures and how they can be mitigated. Provide insurers with data that shows your properties are best-in-class risks and deserving of better terms and rates.

Develop evacuation plans for catastrophes: Insurers want to know that there’s a plan for dealing with a catastrophic event. You need plans for evacuating personnel, removing equipment and securing buildings in case of an approaching hurricane, windstorm, wildfire or possible flooding.

Take a layered approach to security: Start with physical security such as fencing, signage, secured gates and doors, access control and security personnel. Then layer on

technologies to further improve security, such as motion detectors, sensors and video surveillance.

Check your property valuations:

With inflation and rising construction costs, it’s crucial for commercial property owners to have enough insurance to cover rebuilding. Also, it’s imperative that you understand the policies’ full terms and conditions — be aware of any loss provision limitations or exclusions that could lead to losses.

Work in partnership with your broker:

Always consult your insurance broker before purchasing a commercial building or building a new one, even in the concept development phase. It’s essential to understand the risks and to leverage risk advisors’ experience to identify exposures and develop risk mitigation plans.

Your broker can show you how to make your properties more attractive during both the construction phase and for the lifetime of the asset and find the right insurance with the best possible terms and price.

Frank DeLucia serves as Senior Vice President of HUB International Northeast, a leading fullservice global insurance brokerage. With over three decades of experience, DeLucia specializes in building insurance and risk management programs for the real estate and apparel industries and is a long-time active member of the Fashion Service Network (FSN). DeLucia can be reached by phone at 212-338-2395 or at frank.delucia@ hubinternational.com. For more information on HUB, please visit www.hubinternational.com.

If there’s one thing we can all nod in agreement about, it’s the desire for a perfectly fitting bra. Something that gives a woman confidence because it helps create a stunning shape, is as functional as it is fashionable and is beautifully designed. As diverse as our bodies are, finding that dream bra can sometimes feel like a neverending quest.

As fashion and technology continue to evolve, so does the world of lingerie. Long gone are the days when lingerie was solely about creating a “sexy” aesthetic. Today we are in an era where women’s lingerie is more about the wearer and how she wants to look and feel. This is true for every age and demographic.

Luckily, the industry is shifting and evolving to ensure every body type feels represented and celebrated.

Appreciating and Embracing Authenticity

Lingerie brands are breaking the molds by emphasizing how women see themselves and how they desire to feel. Brands are embracing diversity in shapes, sizes, ages, skin tones and abilities. Marketing campaigns are becoming less about unrealistically airbrushed models and more about real women, in all their glory.

A new wave of authenticity has emerged, with many brands vowing not to digitally alter the bodies and skin textures of their models. People want to see a more realistic reflection of themselves. Women want to feel uplifted and inspired so designers are thinking more about what products women need for their modern lifestyle to feel their best.

Thinking of the Modern Woman

As a global solutions provider, we have

TAILORING LINGERIE FOR DIFFERENT BODY TYPES AND INCLUSIVITY: A FASHION EVOLUTIO N

By Dora Lau, founder and president, Dora L. International

become problem solvers, dedicating our craft to understanding and addressing the needs of women. For example, when we talk about women who have reached a certain age, we look to see how new fabric technologies can provide greater comfort like wire-free bras made from cooling fabrics that can counter the discomfort of hot flashes during menopause.

Plus-size brands are going above and beyond, offering innovative everyday bras, ultracomfortable wire-free options and other solution-based designs. Think bras with added support, enhanced comfort at the shoulders, bonded slings and oh-so-welcomed backsmoothing features.

All too frequently, the basics that make up our lingerie wardrobe foundation seem limited to just three standard shades: black, white and a peachy-pink hue commonly labeled as “nude.” However, “nude” isn’t a universal shade that fits everyone’s skin tone. For diverse skin tones, brands are offering more variety for skin tone colors in their color assortments.

Redefining Shape & Support

From smoothing out those pesky love handles to providing a lift for evening wear, shapewear has always been our undercover best friend. Lightweight fabrics combined with specific zones of control are doing more than just smoothing. Modern bras are here to save the day with back and underarm smoothing options. These features ensure everything stays right where it should. Certain style bras are now offering zoned areas of additional support in cups, cradles and side panels. This means a style meant for a smaller size (with less required support) can be just as effective for larger sizes.

Revolutionizing Intimates: The Technological Leap in Lingerie

One of the most groundbreaking innovations in the lingerie industry is in manufacturing and cutting-edge technology. With the advent of gel glue printing, seamless bras have been reimagined to provide unparalleled smoothness, ingeniously using printed gel glue patterns for tailored support. Lightweight foam pads have reshaped expectations, conforming

to the wearer for a more natural appearance as opposed to the archaic and exaggerated pushup pads.

Moreover, modern functional fabrics come armed with a trifecta of benefits: cooling sensations, odor resistance, and antibacterial properties. Bonding applications are masterfully integrated into lingerie designs, offering reinforced support in essential areas such as bands, wings and cups. Not to be outdone, traditional underwires are facing stiff competition from their contemporary counterparts, namely gel wires and plastic armatures, which champion the cause of comfort while ensuring that bras provide the perfect amount of lift.

The Art of the Perfect Fit

Fitting and wear testing isn’t just about checking boxes. It’s an art, ensuring that a design stands up to the varied demands of diverse body types. But guess what’s making it even better? Adjustable components like wrap bands and velcro straps. Some brands are even revising their sizing to account for a more varied range of band/cup combinations.

Pads have also gone through a revolution, now being designed with flexible foam areas, catering to size variations and monthly changes. And for those of us who’ve always had a lovehate relationship with underwires, there are alternatives galore. Gel, silicone glues and foam inserts now offer the same level of support as traditional underwires but with way more flexibility.

To sum it up, the lingerie industry is moving in the right direction. We are in an era of more inclusive lingerie that celebrates every inch of our fabulous selves!

It was a busy summer for all of you in retail leasing, boding well for a strong holiday season (especially if you’re into jewelry).

All about Apparel and Accessories

Is Fifth Avenue reclaiming its place as a headquarters for national brands? Calling it a “celebration of the evolution and strength of the brand,” Abercrombie & Fitch opened its new store at 668 Fifth Ave. The store offers Abercrombie & Fitch’s women’s and men’s collections as well as dedicated shop-in-shop spaces for both its kids’ brand, Abercrombie kids and its adult activewear franchise, YPB (Your Personal Best). The store is also designed with a number of omnichannel capabilities in place to seamlessly connect customers’ digital and in-person shopping experiences. Kirna Zabete has moved from Broome Street to 160 Mercer St.

Baubles, Bangles and Beads

Watches of Switzerland opened a multi-brand showroom in the luxury wing of American Dream in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Brands available include Cartier, Omega and Rolex, Interestingly, dedicated Cartier and Rolex boutiques flank and are connected to the store, allowing cross-shopping.

Accessories will have another home in Union Square, with Claire’s signing a long-term lease at 863 Broadway. The jewelry, accessories and toy chain has taken 2,640 square feet (1,440 square feet on the ground floor, 1,200 square feet on the basement level) and will offer piercings as well as merchandise options at the location.

DEB’S RETAIL DISH AND DEALS: FALLING INTO FALL

By Debra Hazel, president and CEO, Debra Hazel Communications

Food, Glorious Food

It’s almost here. Wegmans will make the previously announced Manhattan debut at 770 Broadway on October 1. The 87,500-square-foot store replaces the Astor Place Kmart (the Wanamaker Building). The Astor Place store will be the second in New York City following the 2019 opening of Wegmans Brooklyn. Look for an extensive restaurant food selection, prepared by Executive Chef David Lopatynski and his culinary staff, that includes fresh sushi, fresh-made salads, sandwiches, hot sandwiches, soups, pizza and wings, as well as hot Asian cuisine options. The onsite dining room, featuring a Sushi Bar and Champagne-Oyster Bar at Astor Place, will be opening in the first half of 2024.

To Your Health and Beauty

Aesop will open a ground-floor flagship at 53 Gansevoort Street in the Meatpacking District. Sephora has signed its first lease in Upper Manhattan at 121 West 25th St., the transformation of a blockthrough site into a mixed-use complex featuring office, retail, residential and cultural spaces. Also coming to the site are Pandora (also its first lease in Upper Manhattan) and Trader Joe’s. Sephora and Pandora will open in the winter of 2023. Empire State Realty Trust (ESRT) has signed two new leases for Club Pilates and Salon A Cut Above 7 at 501 Seventh Ave. Club Pilates signed a new lease for a 1,805-square-foot retail space. A Cut Above 7 signed a new lease for a 3,198-square-foot space.

Emerging hot yoga franchise concept Real Hot Yoga continues its expansion, awarding three new units in locations including Dallas, Phoenix and Essex County, New Jersey (its fifth site in the north part of the state). In total, this brings the brand to 15 locations, including its six corporately owned studios.

That’s Entertainment

Puttshack, the upscale, tech-infused mini golf experience, is continuing its expansion with the signing of a new lease in Maryland at Baltimore’s

Harbor East retail, dining and entertainment destination. Puttshack’s Baltimore outpost will be the company’s first in Maryland and is projected to open in late 2024. The almost 25,000-squarefoot space will feature three highly competitive, tech-driven nine-hole mini golf courses powered by the brand’s patented Trackaball technology, which elevates the gameplay by keeping track of your score.

Around the U.S.

Primark continues its march across the United States, making its debut in Hanover, Maryland at Arundel Mills this month. Los Angeles-based Staud is opening its fourth store at Bal Harbour Shops, joining units in Soho, Los Angeles and Dallas. Convenience store Mapco has launched its second checkout-free store in Nashville, Tennessee. The Grabango-powered store allows shoppers to skip the line instead of waiting to check out. No, North Carolina, all that pink isn’t from Barbie — T-Mobile is ramping up its presence in the state with 12 new stores coming online during 2023 and 2024, seven of which are already open.

Talk about an upgrade: Hermès has opened a 7,500-square-foot store to anchor a luxury wing at Westfield Topanga in Southern California. The wing formerly was home to Sears (you’re reading this right). The boutique has a dedicated entrance with valet parking to appeal to the uberwealthy who reside nearby in Malibu, Calabasas and Hidden Hills. At 371 North Beverly Drive in Beverly Hills, L’Agence debuted its third U.S. store.

Debra Hazel

Debra Hazel Communications

North Las Vegas, NV

Tel: (201) 618-5247

The origins of streetwear as a distinct fashion genre are a blend of intricacy and obscurity. The notion of distinguishing street attire from other types of clothing raises a paradoxical query: has this differentiation been inherent all along or did it materialize at a specific juncture in history?

Potentially shedding light on this is Elise Brisco’s article titled “From Streetwear to Street Couture: How Hip-Hop Revolutionized Fashion” in USA TODAY. Brisco posits that the inception of hiphop, ignited by DJ Kool Herc five decades ago, introduced a fresh cultural epoch that left an indelible mark on music and fashion.

As Brisco elucidates, hip-hop’s affinity for apparel is unmistakable in song titles like “My Adidas” and “Versace.” Beneath the surface of this emergent musical movement, communities of color on the East and West Coasts, as well as the South, played a pivotal role in propelling urban fashion to the forefront of American style.

Brisco also underscores the metamorphosis of plain shirts and hoodies into exclusive “bespoke” pieces through the craftsmanship of airbrush artists, imbuing them with vibrant hues and distinctive artwork. Rappers embraced selfexpression by adorning themselves with custom necklaces, rings, and belt buckles. Brands previously unassociated with music, such as Kango and Adidas, were seamlessly woven into the fabric of the hip-hop movement.

STREETWEAR TODAY

By Benjamin S. Seigel, Esq.

Conversely, Rails magazine offers an alternate viewpoint. The publication showcases women’s dresses adorned with striking prints, knits, intricate lace-like trim, and diverse global styles, prompting contemplation on whether this aligns with the notion of streetwear.

Brisco maintains that styles like camouflage fatigues, Dickie’s dungarees, Carhart, and Timberland found their roots in working-class communities, reflecting the nascent trends of hip-hop fashion—a movement driven by the very communities it served, rather than being dictated by artists.

In the pages of the August 3, 2023 edition of Vogue, an article penned by Jose’ Criales-Unzueta and Laia Garcia-Furtado delves into the evolution of street style photography. Originating as an amateur pursuit, this photographic form underwent transformation under the guidance of figures like Phil Oh and Tommy Ton.

These aficionados of fashion harnessed their curiosity and discerning tastes to capture scenes extending beyond the confines of main fashion events. Pioneers like Bill Cunningham, who contributed to the New York Times from 1978 to 2016, and Chichi Aoki, the visionary behind the renowned street style publication FRUITS, chronicling the progression of Japanese street fashion, paved the way. Oh and Ton’s blogs, “Mr. Street Peeper” and “Jak & Jil,” granted them access to a once-exclusive and niche realm.

A decade later, street style has evolved into a worldwide sensation. The journey for Oh and Ton led them from blogs to venerable fashion publications, with Tommy now contributing to Vogue Runway and Phil becoming a valued contributor at Runway. Brands were swift to take notice, allocating substantial resources to outfit public figures at their shows. Amid their pursuit of genuine moments, these two photographers

remain steadfast.

During a candid conversation on Vogue’s The Run-through podcast, Oh and Ton’s dynamic comes to the fore. Their unparalleled familiarity with each other’s work transcends their differing personalities. While Ton primarily identifies as a fashion enthusiast and secondarily as a photographer, Oh’s entry into photography was somewhat serendipitous. Their exceptional bond mirrors the unique spaces they’ve carved for themselves in the realm of fashion.

In essence, the concept of streetwear evades definitive constraints. It encompasses the realm of informal, comfortable attire, both within private spaces and out in the open. Denim, an ageless emblem of streetwear, effortlessly complements not only short- and long-sleeved dress shirts, but occasionally also sport jackets. A shift in the dress code of air travelers epitomizes changing norms—where once formal attire was the norm, it has now given way to shorts, sleeveless tops, and sandals. This transformation beckons introspection about the last instance when such travelers indulged in a shower or bath.

At its core, street dress remains unbound by rigid definitions. It encapsulates the individual’s preferences and an indifference toward external judgments. As you traverse streets worldwide, whether in the United States or any corner of the globe, take notice of the myriad sartorial choices people make. What unfolds before you can be aptly dubbed as streetwear.

BenjaminS.Seigel,Esq.Isanattorneyspecializing in matters related to the textile, manufacturing, and apparel industries. He is of Counsel to firm G&B Law, LLP. He can be reached at benseigel@ msn.com.

When the show’s over, the brands come home to THE NEW MART

For the ultimate buyer experience, spend the day among our permanent showrooms and shop the complete collections of more than 500 world-class fashion brands.

• Parking adjacent to building

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• Generous buyer amenities

Otis College Training the Next Generation of Designers

ByDebraHazel

The next generation of fashion designers needs more than just a dream and talent — they need solid training in both tried-and-true craftsmen such as cutting and patternmaking as well as the latest technologies. Then they need a chance, said faculty and recent graduates from Otis College of Art and Design at the August edition of Sourcing at MAGIC in Las Vegas.

Established in 1918, the Los Angeles College offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in design (including a BFA in fashion design), media and visual and applied arts, taught by faculty who are working professionals. Mentors volunteer to work with senior students, providing guidance as they produce collections. The result is that approximately 86% of each graduating class are employed as assistant fashion designers within three months of graduation, the college said.

The curriculum has changed over the years, said Jill Zeleznik, chair of the fashion department, a faculty member for 26 years and a graduate of Otis, which at one point was affiliated with Parsons School of Design.

“The changes are pretty drastic in just a few short years,” she observed. “As far as technology and advancement, always looking to be flexible in the curriculum. What we have uniquely done is continue teaching our students and graduates how to be designers. One of the tenets the fashion department believes in focusing on craftsmanship, pattern making, true design from fabrication to implementation and learning how to take direction.”

Illustrations that were done by hand are now done with the Procreate software program. “I start with the sketch,” said student Chelsea Yang. “I capture what appears in my mind,

then can embellish it with details. As a young generation of fashion designers, we’re already in the digital age”

And the college is now focusing on 3D design, Zeleznik said. But software can only do so much.

“If you draw well and utilize the software, it’s mind-blowing how great it is,” Zeleznik said. “But you still need to know how to build it and fit it.”

Fit is paramount for recent graduate Wirt (Qi) Li, who focuses on menswear.

“I want the garment to fit the person while bringing in sustainability and technology,” Li added.

Theatrical and film costume design is a particular interest for another recent graduate, Sabrina Leigh-Thomas.

“I start with a strong emphasis on color, try to combine as many different things as possible,” she said, utilizing Otis’ libraries to research patterns and seam lines.

Sustainable: New and Not

The recent focus on sustainability is nothing new at Otis, which first added eco-friendly projects in 2007, Zeleznik said.

“We teach lots of different principles, including how to build a design that you can move in that takes just one or one and a half yards and how to have a garment function in two different ways,” she said.

“This is the way of the future for us,” Li said. “We can’t let pollution keep going on.” Among the many sustainable practices include sustainable dyes from other fabrics and more, David observed.

“Ready-to-wear might move completely into

slow fashion, rather than fast fashion,” said Thomas, who said she hopes to incorporate sustainable design in the entertainment industry. “And special occasion and couture could move into the AI space. There’s no waste.”

Technology also can be utilized to save the planet and the bottom line, and probably comply with future regulations.

“We’re no longer making tons of samples, which saves money as well as the environment,” David said. “Start your sustainable mind now because legislation will force you to.”

And at least one graduate wants to spread the message of sustainability.

“In five years, I want a master’s degree and to work sustainable fashion brand more efficiently,” said Yang, a native of Northern China, adding that the awareness of sustainability is not all that high back home.

The college also offers courses in business to help those budding entrepreneurs, overseen by David, also a graduate of Otis, who was an entrepreneur for a time after graduation and admitted it was a challenge. The program also includes field trips to manufacturing facilities and covers merchandising and the “business of fashion” including developing a brand, costing and more.

“We cover the whole thing,” David says. “Sometimes it scares them.”

But the challenge is part of the experience at Otis.

Photo courtesy of Stephen Walk

Dixie D’Amelio and her father Marc D’Amelio Photo courtesy of Debra Hazel

Photo courtesy of Debra Hazel

Photo courtesy of Stephen Walk

Photos courtesy of Las Vegas Apparel/ANDMORE

STRONG ORDER WRITING AND QUALITY CONNECTIONS REPORTED AT AUGUST 2023

LAS VEGAS APPAREL MARKET

ANDMORE’s Las Vegas Apparel market connected buyers and sellers as part of August 2023 Las Vegas Fashion Week offerings, with reports of heavy order writing, quality buyer and brand connections and solid traffic, August 6 – 9, at the Expo at World Market Center Las Vegas.

“Las Vegas Apparel continues to earn high marks from exhibitors and attendees for its ease of sourcing, buyer amenities and hospitality and range of product offerings,” said Caron Stover, ANDMORE SVP, apparel. “ANDMORE has curated a sourcing event that not only is inviting, but also provides space to create meaningful connections and order-writing with brands our buyers know they can find here.”

Attendees visited Las Vegas Apparel from 44 states and Puerto Rico, as well as six international countries, with Western, Midwest and Southwest-based buyers making up 74% of total market attendees.

Las Vegas Apparel showcased its 100+ lines across apparel, accessories, gift and lifestyle items and more in a curated, easy-to-shop environment over four days, with rave reviews from buyers and sellers alike for ease and efficiency to discover products and write orders.

Returning Las Vegas Apparel buyer, Jennifer Markwell, owner of Kopers Boutique in Morehead, KY, attended the show for two days to make sure she discovered all the products Las Vegas Apparel had to offer.

“This was our second time sourcing at Las Vegas Apparel and it has been wonderful. We came on Sunday to see everything and came back Tuesday to make sure we had everything we wanted and write all of our orders,” said Markwell. “The show is super easy to shop, very organized and not intimidating; we really feel like we belong and we can’t wait to come back in February.”

The Downtown Las Vegas apparel venue also welcomed a wealth of new buyers, including Marlo Meredith, owner of Miss Cocky Boutique, with three locations across Columbia and Chapin, SC.

“We are sourcing for Game Day products and have already written so many orders. At Las Vegas Apparel, we had the opportunity to discover so many new brands, create great connections and secure so many new products that we can’t wait to get in stores. We will definitely be back.” Brands exhibited the same enthusiasm regarding order sizes and quality of buyers coming to shop.

“We had a record-breaking first day here at Las Vegas Apparel” said Joe Song, owner of young contemporary brand, GLAM. “We always have great shows here because of the high quality buyers we connect with and the size of the orders they place. We’re looking forward to showcasing again in February.”

First time exhibitor, Meredith Jurica, CEO of Makeup Junkie Bags was elated with results after just one day of the market.

“This was our first time showcasing with Las Vegas Apparel and we outsold our last Vegas show on the first day here,” said Jurica. “We are so content with our sales that everything we did through the end of the show was just icing on the cake.”

Positive reaction to Las Vegas Apparel and WWIN co-location announcement

Brands and buyers across both Las Vegas Apparel and Womenswear in Nevada (WWIN), as well as the fashion industry at large, reacted positively to the announcement of the two markets’ co-location beginning in February 2024.

Las Vegas Apparel and WWIN buyer, Kelley Sherman, owner of Threads Boutique in Cincinnati, OH, added, “Las Vegas Apparel and WWIN are both so well-run and customer-centered. We look forward to WWIN joining Las Vegas Apparel in February to create an even stronger buyer-focused co-location to source from.”

Las Vegas Apparel – ANDMORE’s West Coast fashion sourcing market – adds a curated mix of young contemporary apparel and accessories to Las Vegas Fashion Week offerings each February and August at the Expo at World Market Center Las Vegas. Las Vegas Apparel is owned and operated by ANDMORE, formerly International Market Centers. For more information, visit LasVegas-Apparel.com.

WWIN is the most comprehensive destination amid Las Vegas Fashion Week for retailers to source women’s apparel and accessories. True to its strong reputation, WWIN offers attendees a unique experience through unparalleled hospitality, networking, workshop-style education, and appointment-setting programs, which carefully introduces compatible buyers and exhibitors to drive order writing. Connect with the entire industry in February and August during Las Vegas Fashion Week and discover what our all-inclusive brands have to offer including women’s contemporary apparel, missy-modern, plus, petite, tall, specialty fashion, accessories, footwear and more. wwinshow.com

About ANDMORE: Formerly International Market Centers, ANDMORE is an Omnichannel Wholesale Marketmaker that fuels opportunities for wholesale buyers and sellers to connect, grow and prosper through physical markets, design centers and digital channels. The company owns and operates more than 20 million square feet of premium event and showroom space, hosting live events in Atlanta, High Point, N.C., Las Vegas and New York City. By pairing face-to-face events with always-on digital tools, ANDMORE provides truly omnichannel business platforms for its global wholesale customer base.

On Continent: The Legacy of European Fashion

To understand the story of modern fashion is to examine its influences in Europe. From iconic Italian craftsmanship from the 1940s to today, to the way menswear has been defi ned in British 20th-century advertising, Europe’s apparel aesthetic is a legacy that lives everywhere from runways to red carpets, from retail shelves and window displays to your shopping bags and closets. Opening the pages of these titles will take you on the European fashion tour you never knew you needed.

Advertising Menswear: Masculinity and Fashion in the British Media since 1945 (Dress and Fashion Research)

by Paul Jobling (Author)

May 8, 2014

In what was a golden age of British advertising, the notion of the “peacock male” was a strong theme in fashion promotion, reflecting new affluence and the emergence of stylish youth cultures. Based on a detailed study of rich archival material, this pioneering study examines the production, circulation and consumption of print, television and cinema publicity for men’s clothing in Britain during the second half of the 20th-century. The study explores design issues and period style in advertising, the role of market research and consumer psychology in determining target audiences, the idea of the “new man” in representing fashionable masculinities and the various ways that menswear retailers and brands dealt with sex and gender, race, class and age. From Y-fronts to Austin Reed suits to Levi’s jeans, menswear advertising epitomized the themes, stereotypes, contradictions and ambiguities of masculinity in an age of great social change. This meticulously researched and detailed work of scholarship will be essential reading for students and scholars of fashion, history, sociology, advertising, media and cultural and gender studies.

European Fashion: The Creation of a Global Industry (Studies in Design and Material Culture) 1st Edition by Regina Lee Blaszczyk (Editor), Véronique Pouillard (Editor)

April 1, 2018

The fashion industry has seen a transformative era since 1945. Over the course of 78 years, the fashion world has moved from celebrating the craftsmanship of haute couture to reveling in ever-changing fast fashion. This volume examines the transition from the old system to the new in a series of case studies grouped around three major themes. Part I focuses on Paris as a creative hub, aiming to understand how the birthplace of haute couture adapted to late 20th-century developments. Part II considers the retailer’s role in shaping taste, responding to consumer expectations and disseminating fashion merchandise. Part III looks at alternative visions of the European fashion system that have appeared in unexpected places. The volume is highly interdisciplinary, covering design history, cultural anthropology, ethnography, management studies and the cultural history of business.

Italian Style: Fashion Since 1945

by Sonnet Stanfill

October 21, 2014

“Made in Italy” is an internationally recognized mark of style. From the 1940s to the present day, Italy’s fashion achievements—haute couture design and innovative readyto-wear, artisanal leather and fur production, high-end textiles, knitwear and fi ne tailoring—are undeniable. Featuring designers and labels of the highest caliber alongside bespoke tailors and ready-towear menswear specialists, this book offers an unparalleled look at the inspiration, marketing, skill and craftsmanship behind the fi nest Italian labels. Specially commissioned essays are paired with stunning fashion photography, archival material and previously unseen objects from private collections to illuminate the secrets of Italy’s la bella moda. Sonnet Stanfi ll’s fashion expertise breathes in this book; over the last decade, she has curated fashion exhibits at the Victoria and Albert Museum.

Fashion in European Art: Dress and Identity, Politics and the Body, 17751925 (Dress Cultures)

by Justine de Young (Editor)

August 30, 2017

Extensively illustrated, “Fashion in European Art” explores the significance of historical dress over this period of upheaval, as well as the lived experience of dress and its representation. Drawing on visual sources that extend from paintings and photographs to fashion plates, caricatures and advertisements, the expert contributors consider how artists and their sitters engaged with the fashion and culture of their times. They explore the politics of dress, its inspirations and the reactions it provoked, as well as the many meanings of fashion in European art, revealing its importance in understanding modernity itself.

Photos courtesy of Amazon Books

CROSSWORD PUZZLE

Puzzle by Myles Mellor

Video podcast created by fashion reporter and style connoisseur Annabelle Kajbaf, 3 words

Round, oval, cushion and princess, concerning

Le ___, former Cirque du Soleil show Organic gem, referred to as a stone

Jewelry and accessories brand for the archetypal

Long-standing company creating activewear for

Home to the world’s most unique diamonds

Renowned online destination for wedding

NYC’s “AIRE Ancient Baths” for example

For answers, please visit http://mannpublications.com/fashionmannuscript/crossword-answers-september-2023/ September 2023 FM |

SOCIAL SAFARI: ON THE RED CARPET

Hope for Depression Research

Brooke Shields’ 17-year-old daughter, Grier Henchy, was the Teen Grand Marshal of the Hope for Depression Research Foundation’s Eighth Annual Race of Hope in the village of Southampton. Grier said, “This race was all about making it safe to talk about mental health with our families and peers.” The event’s hosts included the foundation’s Founder Audrey Gruss, Board Member Arthur Dunnam and Hayden Lucas, the leader of the newly formed Teen Task Force. Also in the mix was Deb of the Year and influencer Sofie Mahlkvist and mother-daughter lawyer duo Martha Cohen Stine and Harriet Newman Cohen. One hundred percent of the revenues from the race go to research into the root causes of depression and new treatments. hopefordepression.org

Louise Nevelson X Galerie Gmurzynska

Isabelle Bscher’s Galerie Gmurzynska, at 43 E 78th St, has opened a new show featuring 18 works by the late and legendary Louise Nevelson, a sculptor known for her monumental, monochromatic, wooden wall pieces and outdoor sculptures. The legendary New York artist famously said, “The freer that women become, the freer men will be. Because when you enslave someone, you are enslaved.” Bscher said, “Nevelson is one of the most important female artists of the 20th-century and she is fi nally getting the recognition she deserves. Her work remains extremely contemporary as do her beliefs.” The show runs through September 30. gmurzynska.com

Hamptons Fine Art Fair

An edition of the iconic Astor Place Alamo Cube, who’s permanent home is in the East Village, was sold for $250K to The Pauline and Austin Neuhoff Foundation in Dallas, Texas; it was the fi rst of nine editions by the late sculptor, Tony Rosenthal. The original Astor Place Cube was moved to the Southampton Fairgrounds for the 4th Annual Hamptons Fine Art Fair, where Rosenthal was posthumously honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award. The original is now back in its iconic spot downtown. Over 10,000 people attended the four-day event, which featured over 1,000 artists and 300 galleries, including M.S. Rau, which sold a 5.5-million-dollar Picasso. In the mix were photographer Patrick McMullan and Social Life Magazine’s editor-in-chief, Devorah Rose. hamptonsfineartfair.com

Rufus Wainwright & Murmrr Productions

Rufus Wainwright celebrated his 50th birthday with a benefit concert for the Montauk Lighthouse, which was produced by Brian Kelly of Murmrr Productions. Also performing was Jimmy Fallon, who joked about a sparkly serpent brooch he said he wore in honor of Wainwright. Other attendees included Julianne Moore, Susan Sarandon, Cynthia Nixon, Katie Couric and Christie Brinkley, who snuck in bottles of her Bellisima Prosecco and startled people by drinking it straight from the bottle like the rock star she is. murmrr.com

Aspen Art Museum

Philanthropists Kimberly Paige Bluhm and Donna Slade hosted a Friendship Luncheon in Aspen, Colorado at Casa Tua. “The idea was to slow down and recognize how important friendships are,” said Bluhm. “We wanted to uplift these women and to remember how fortunate we are to have each other.” Topics of conversation included the Aspen Art Museum’s ArtCrush Gala chaired by Jamie Tisch. This year’s theme was “Disco in the Woods,” with an auction featuring works by Chase Hall, Peter Halley, Spencer Lewis and the Haas Brothers. The event honored Nairy Baghramian. Bluhm sits on the Museum’s National Council and is an avid supporter of the arts, as is her real estate and casino magnate husband, billionaire Neil Bluhm. aspenartmuseum.org.

Isabelle Bscher

Photo courtesy of PMC Rufus Wainwright, Jimmy Fallon

Photo courtesy of BFA

Audrey Gruss, Grier Henchy Photo courtesy of Dan Bassini

South Fork Natural History Museum

Liev Schreiber, Julia Haart and Andy Sabin, who founded the South Fork Natural History Museum (SOFO) in Bridgehampton, hosted their 34th annual Gala. The night honored Yvon Chouinard, Dan and Rae Emmett, Basil Seggos and Annette Sabin, who inspired her son Andy to establish the museum in 1988. Guests included Carole Crist, the former First Lady of Florida, Sergio Nicolosi and Milestone Scientific’s Arjan Haverhals. The night benefitted SOFO’s educational and environmental programs. sofo.org

The Parrish Art Museum

Billionaire heirs Ivy Getty and Larry Milstein co-chaired the Parrish Art Museum’s Midsummer Dance, which celebrated the institution’s 125th Anniversary. Narcissister, a Brooklyn-based performance artist, brought an avant-garde show to the gala. The artist fi rst appeared as a wolf on all fours and proceeded to strip down to a masked, doll-like figure with clown shoes. She proceeded to tie helium-fi lled balloons to the ribbon and attach the ribbons to poles throughout the room. She eventually pulled the balloons back to her and sat on them, crushing them until they popped. The young crowd cheered her on while others ran for the bar. The Parrish has gotten cool and very edgy; I can’t wait to see how they’ll top this next year. parrishart.org

Kyra Sedgwick X Manhattan Movie Stu-

dio

Kyra Sedgwick and Method Man have just wrapped the Jewish comedy “Bad Shabbos” with fi lmmaker Zack Weiner’s Manhattan Movie Studio. He is also releasing a fi lm starring NBA star Evan Mobley called “Magic Money,” which is about a multi-million-dollar Nike sneaker deal gone awry. Weiner and Bitcoin pioneer Nick Spanos have just acquired a space at 2307 Broadway on the Upper West Side. They plan to turn it into a Gen Z version of Andy Warhol’s famous downtown Factory that turned out iconic fi lms such as Andy Warhol’s “Frankenstein” with 70’s bombshell Monique Van Vooren. The studio is also releasing a documentary called Citizen Weiner about Zack Weiner’s unsuccessful city council run against Gale Brewer. manhattanmoviestudio. com

Christie Brinkley, Devorah Rose

Photo courtesy of Rob Rich_Society Allure

Sofie Mahlkvist

Photo courtesy of PMC

Kyra Sedgwick

Photo courtesy of PMC

Candace Stark, Kimberly Paige Bluhm. Photo courtesy of Kimberly Paige Bluhm

Julia Haart, R. Couri Hay

Photo courtesy of Rob Rich_Society Allure

Narcissister

Photo courtesy of David Benthal_BFA

SUMMER’S LAST DANCE

By Michèle Gerber Klein

At summer’s end in Amagansett, Elizabeth Jacoby and Richard Brand hosted a casual and luxurious party for American Ballet Theatre star Chloe Misseldine and Ukrainian dancer Vsevolod Mayevsky, who executed their own pas de deux for the delectation. Assembled guests included Carrie Barrett, Bonnie Comley and Stewart F. Lane, Renee Cox, Tinu Naija, Emily Reifel and Alexis Tobin. All had gathered to celebrate Youth America Grand Prix (YAGP), the largest global network of dance. See below for a glimpse at the event.

Chloe Misseldine, Vsevolod Mayevsky

Michèle Gerber Klein

Renee Cox, Elizabeth Jacoby

Roger Eulau, Sherri Donghia

Jason Amis, Carrie Rebora Barratt

Photos courtesy of Richard Lewis

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THE SOUTHEAST FASHION FOCUS

By Shanna Forrestall, Founder, Chattanooga Fashion Expo

The southeastern United States may be known primarily for food, music and rich culture, but over the past 20 years, a changing fashion industry is also pushing the region to the forefront.

Fueled by an increase of creatives returning to their original hometowns during the Covid crisis, as well as an ever-evolving industry impacted by digital design and work trends, an increasing number of talented creatives are able to live and work in their preferred cities without the pressure to relocate to overcrowded, traditional hubs.

In an effort to bring additional exposure to these talents working in the region, Fashion Mannuscript will shine a focus on individuals, organizations and events in the region to keep our readers up-to-date on the latest in fashion in every corner of the South.

In this issue, we’ve decided to start with a look at some of the region’s most established and exciting fashion events coming to these colorful cities in the Southeast this fall.

ATLANTA FASHION WEEK

Atlanta Fashion Week (ATLFW) is a platform for creative expression. Highlighting future designers committed to creating their own rules and setting new trends that will shape American fashion in the years to come, the primary goal is to create an interactive hub for fashion designers where trend-setting work is celebrated before it reaches a mainstream audience.

From curated innovative experiences, runway shows, fashion presentations, fashionable art exhibits, talks, pop-up shops and live performances, the brand partners play an integral role in igniting discovery, making new connections with attendees and contributing directly to the ATLFW community.

The next major event will be held from October 5-8, 2023. Learn more at atlantafashionweek.co. IG: @atlfashionweek

Molly Robinson wearing the Design Competition Winner Dress by Knot me Jewels

Becca Lucca wearing custom painted jacket by Lo Design Art

CHATTANOOGA FASHION EXPO

Chattanooga Fashion Expo (CFE) was launched in 2021 during the Covid pandemic after a need was discovered for more high-quality fashion industry education, networking, mentorship, showcase and competition opportunities for regional creatives. The event works throughout the year to create a career “runway” to launch emerging and established regional creatives to larger key markets and greater success.

CFE is focused on creating a truly inclusive experience and the first two years were a lively success, drawing emerging and established professionals from Chattanooga, Atlanta, Nashville, Knoxville, New Orleans, LA and other key cities. This year’s event will include additional opportunities for creatives of all types to gather to learn, network, showcase, compete and to find mentorship, employment, brand building and sales opportunities.

The next major event is from November 17-18, 2023. Learn more at chattanoogafashionexpo.com. IG: @chafashionexpo

NASHVILLE FASHION IS FOR EVERY BODY

Putting diversity and inclusion at the forefront is the founding priority of this groundbreaking organization. Fashion is For Every Body (FIFEB) creates opportunities and products, especially for those with a range of body types and physical abilities.

FIFEB uses fashion as a “language to promote body positivity and self-esteem while seeking inclusion for adults of all ages, sizes and physical abilities in the fashion industry.” They work to facilitate partnerships between designers, models and other creatives and host annual events in and around the Nashville area.

The next major event is September 9, 2023. Learn more at fashionisforeverybody.com. IG: fashionis4everybody

NASHVILLE FASHION WEEK

Nashville Fashion Week was conceived in 2010 to foster Nashville’s heralded community spirit and concentration of creative, fashion-forward and entrepreneurial talent, to create a one-of-a-kind event that is uniquely Nashville.

Nashville Fashion Week was co-founded by a collaboration of fashion, media and marketing professionals that partnered to combine their passion and resources to create a completely volunteer-led, -run and -managed event that spotlights Nashville’s growing fashion community with an ongoing, sustainable focus for philanthropic support of our creative community. Ticket proceeds benefit the Nashville Fashion Forward Fund of The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee.

The next major event featuring Joseph Altuzarra will be held on September 28-29, 2023. Learn more at nashvillefashionweek.com. IG: @nashfashweek

NEW ORLEANS FASHION WEEK

New Orleans Fashion Week (NOFW) is celebrating over a decade of work in the South and prides itself on being a “catalyst that unites fashion professionals in a series of high-end runway shows, presentations, pop-up boutiques, networking opportunities and social experiences.”

The organization, helmed by founder Tracee Dundas, believes that fashion is an important contributor to New Orleans culture and should be celebrated in conjunction with the city’s legendary cuisine, music, art and film. After a hiatus during Covid, the event returns at full power this fall.

The next major event is September 19-23, 2023. Learn more at neworleansfashionweek.com. IG: @nolafashionweek

Photos courtesy of David Tedder

Costace Frank Wearing Custom Upcycle by Lo Design Art

Tammy Irwin wearing Sokana Rose

TREASURES FROM THE PAST

BY KRYSTAL PEGUERO

Step into a world where the past intertwines with the present, where nostalgia and style converge in a harmonious dance of fashion history. In this edition of Closer Look, we highlight the enchanting realm of vintage fashion. Our spotlight is fixed on two iconic destinations for vintage enthusiasts: Jean Vintage and Allison’s Archive.

In an era dominated by fast fashion, these hidden gems stand as testaments to the enduring charm of yesteryears’ clothing. Take a look at the selected pieces curated for the collections of Jean Vintage and Allison’s Archive. Whether you’re a seasoned collector, a fashion connoisseur, or simply captivated by the allure of the past, Jean Vintage and Allison’s Archive have something extraordinary currently in stock. So, prepare to immerse yourself in the allure of vintage fashion - where every garment is a portal to a different era, and every stitch tells a tale of history, style, and the everlasting magic of fashion’s journey through time.

About the Brands

Jeàn Vintage, an opulent luxury boutique nestled in the heart of the UK. Devoted to the allure of aesthetics, a seductive sense of nostalgia, and the realm of high-fashion, Jeàn Vintage stands as a bastion of exquisite taste. Distinguished by an exacting authentication process, the assurance of authenticity accompanies every treasured piece offered for purchase. The ethos of Jeàn Vintage centers on an audacious reimagining of opulence, infusing a contemporary flair into the tapestry of high fashion. Curated from the far reaches of the globe, their dedicated team scours for the most exclusive fashion-forward pieces, held dear for their uniqueness. Check out the vintage selection and original designs on jeanvintage.co.uk

Keep an eye out for Allison Dickerman, a vibrant 24-year-old from the bustling streets of NYC. She takes the reins of fashion and enterprise with her brainchild, Allison’s Archive, an internet emporium brimming with coveted designer vintage pieces and a curated selection of contemporary styles spanning the iconic eras of the 80s, 90s, and 2000s. Kicking off her venture in January of the present year, Allison embarked on a digital retail odyssey, marking her territory through the realms of Instagram and a dedicated website. The results were swift and resounding—her online presence blossomed into a social movement, as her alluring array of offerings captivated hearts and closets alike. Yet, the allure didn’t end there; she ventured beyond the virtual realm, fostering connections with her encounters at local flea markets and enticing pop-up events. You can check out her curated pieces at allisonarchive.shop.

Louis Vuitton Pleaty Bag $2,545.76 March 2006 in Spain jeanvintage.co.uk

Vivienne Westwood Vintage 1990s Wool Tartan Blazer Jacket with Velvet Trim $2,500 allisonarchive.shop

Dolce & Gabbana Crushed Velvet Graphic Tank $150 allisonarchive.shop

Chanel Pointed Toe Mules with Silver Trim + Bow $329 allisonarchive.shop

Diesel Cargo Dress $125 allisonarchive.shop

2000s Chloé Beaded Bracelet Bag - Blue $1,750 allisonarchive.shop

Gucci Boots $510.43 Circa 2000 jeanvintage.co.uk

Jean Paul Gaultier Blush Pink Tiered Skirt $315 allisonarchive.shop

Vintage Dior Sport 2 sunglasses $606.13 Circa 1990s jeanvintage.co.uk

5351 Purple Metallic Ruched Party Dress $125 allisonarchive.shop

Vintage Dior Sport 2 sunglasses $606.13 Circa 1990s jeanvintage.co.uk

Vintage Manolo Blahnik lizard heels $242.45 Circa 2000 jeanvintage.co.uk

Dolce & Gabbana Shopping Makes Me Feel Better Beaded Tank $110 allisonarchive.shop

2000s Chloé Beaded Canvas Hobo Bag $525.00 USD allisonarchive.shop

Tom Ford Gucci Farewell Collection Gold Studded Heels $491.29 2004 jeanvintage.co.uk

Vintage Versace red long sleeve top $153.13 Circa 2000s jeanvintage.co.uk

Dior Pink Monogram Terry Cloth Mini Bag $365 allisonarchive.shop

Dior Gothic Swimsuit $1,205.89 jeanvintage.co.uk

MEET RACHEL LITIATCO OF ELLERALI , THE MARINE BIOLOGIST-TURNED-FASHIONISTA

By Laurie Melchionne

In 2018, Ellerali tackled the fashion industry’s notorious dark side: air pollution, water waste and landfill pile ups. According to a recent study conducted by the European Union’s European Parliament, textiles contribute to 20% of water pollution thanks to chemicals used in dyeing and finishing. Synthetics alone account for 35% of microplastics that clog oceans, deteriorate marine habitats and endanger countless sea life species.

For marine biologist Rachel Litiatco, who loves both ocean conservancy and fashion, this is unacceptable.

By launching Ellerali, the sustainable lifestyle brand rooted in zero-waste, water conservation and ethical upcycling production, Ellerali took a career in marine biology to the next level by producing ethical fashion backed by science.

Aesthetically, Ellerali’s first collection blended upcycling Litiatco’s personal items to contribute to the brand’s signature, made-to-order T-shirt customization service among other items. From unused curtains to scraps from an old scarf, Ellerali elevates upcycling to a whole new plateau of self-expression through style. The best part? No sea animals are harmed in the making.

Fashion Mannuscript sat with Litiatco in this exclusive Q&A.

What came first, your passion for marine biology or that of fashion?

Unconsciously, my passion for fashion came first. Growing up I would remake clothes and my mom would sew some of my clothes. I fell in love with marine mammals around high school and graduated with a Bachelors of Science in Marine Biology. This led me to caring for a variety of marine mammals such as dolphins, otters and sea lions, becoming an avid diver and an advocate for our oceans and environment. Because of my love for the oceans, I learned about the detrimental effects of fast fashion and began upcycling curtains, bedsheets and fabric I found at home.

Photos courtesy of Arlene Easterwood

From doing this, I started to attract conversation with what I was wearing, and that is how Ellerali started.

Why did you choose fashion as the vessel to spread your message about the importance of environmental protection?

Fashion is fun, creative, expressive and unique to each person. I always enjoyed being unique, so upcycling gave me the opportunity to creatively express myself in a way that made me feel “cool and fresh” without creating more waste. Upcycling is a way to reduce items going into landfill. We just have so much stuff.

How does your background in marine biology give Ellerali an advantage in the sustainable fashion sphere?

Sustainability is the root of Ellerali; it’s my heart. I’ve worked with marine mammal stranding organizations, I’ve helped rehabilitate animals back into the wild and I’ve dived in various locations removing trash. Being surrounded with a community of scientists, environmentalists, animal specialists and educators, my heart space is different compared to my peers in fashion.

I feel grounded in Ellerali’s mission in sustainability. And I pray I continue to be focused

on ways to reduce waste, and make fashion more circular and sustainable and soon, be known as one of the leaders in sustainable fashion.

What are some of the top ways that Ellerali conserves water and makes up for any waste produced during manufacturing?

Upcycling clothes conserves water compared to working with new fabric because we do not have to worry about dyeing or pre-shrinking fabric. Most of the water consumption we use comes from washing the pre-owned clothes as they arrive in the studio which we wash and dry in large batches before cutting.

In our upcycling process, we recreate out of the items as is, repurpose as much as we can and transfer scraps from one piece to another. What I love about being a small business is that it allows me to monitor waste and environmental impact.

Walk us through the “recreate with your own T-shirts” service. What makes this different from other custom-designed brands?

My favorite thing to do with Ellerali is this custom service because there’s something so special about recreating out of your own

shirts. To request a custom order, you would need to decide what Ellerali style to choose from. The number of shirts to use varies from four to six, depending on the style you choose. You would mail them over; I would then suggest design options and from that you would choose your design and I would make it. What makes working with Ellerali awesome is receiving back an item recreated just for you, supporting a mission in sustainability and knowing that you’re supporting a small business.

What are some results that tell consumers that Ellerali is making an impact on reducing waste in fashion?

I’m proud to say that Ellerali has diverted at least 800 lbs of clothing and textile waste from landfills. In recreating these pieces, we hope to inspire a new way to re-love your clothes. We look forward to expanding the team to make a greater impact for the future of fashion and our environment.

Anything exciting in store for the future? Yes! At the moment we are expanding the team and working on manufacturing pieces to scale to allow more people and companies to upcycle with us. We are excited for the partnerships underway and looking forward to opening a Recreate The Created Upcycle Store in the future!

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