Paweł Lewandowski
Lisa Dengler
Cassy Bhairo
IVANA J
Steve Frous
S Kumars Nationwide Limited (SKNL), one of the major textile companies of the country, intends to launch two new brands in its ready-to-wear segment this fiscal, said Nitin Kasliwal, SKNL's Vice-Chairman and Managing Director to PTI.
The company plans to launch Kruger (casual premium) by the end of current fiscal, and another brand World Player (economy brand) by the month of December in pan-India format, he added.
SKNL is the foremost listed and organized company to start a mass brand segment, which has enough scope in the market. The company will target around 250 million people of the country under this segment, informed Kasliwal.
Further more Kasliwal also added that, the company had launched the economy brand in South India during the early months of the ongoing year. Through this segment, the company expects to generate a business of Rs 5 billion over the next 3-years.
The quality apparel under World Player brand will be available in around 6,000-7,000 multi-brand outlets. T-shirts of this brand will be sold at Rs 99, while clothing for suiting and shirting is priced at Rs 450.
Country’s youth class is SKNL’s target for Kruger brand, which covers out-of-office premium casual wear, designed by renowned Italian designer Renalto Grande.
Calvin Klein Underwear, the largest designer underwear brand in the world introduces its X Global Underwear line.
Inspired by the love of sport and the passion for football, these low rise trunks represent different countries in their respective flag colors along with the graphic of the country name, written at the back in its native language. The bold X waist band is colored to match the body of the garment.
Support your favorite team with this exciting new range of trunks that blend the comfort of cotton and modal with added stretch to fit like a dream.
Models present creations from Giulia Borges' 2010/2011 summer collection during the Fashion Rio Show in Rio de Janeiro, May 31, 2010.
Hotter Comfort Concept, UK shoe manufacturer, is bucking high street trends by opening three new stores to provide shoppers with the ultimate shoe shopping experience.
Since they opened their doors the new stores, in Eastbourne, Bromley and Chichester, have provided record company sales, fuelling the company's decision to commit to a revitalized store launch programme. With stores currently located in York, Chester, Southport, Bournemouth and Kendal the Lancashire based shoe manufacturer plans to strengthen its high street presence, by creating a portfolio of 25 Hotter stores across the UK within two years.
Hotter shoe stores stand out on the high street by offering good old fashioned customer service along with quality, stylish shoes which are designed to offer improved comfort. With more than 50 years experience in looking after people's feet, Hotter prides itself on the quality of each shoe produced and the levels of comfort that accompany them. Every shoe comes with smooth internal seams to avoid rubbing, along with deep toe boxes to allow extra room for toes to move around and flex.
Sales Director at Hotter Comfort Concept, Clive Leverett commented: "We're the biggest shoe manufacturer in the UK and are proud to be expanding this year with a programme of new store openings. We're excited to have secured a significant presence along the south coast in prime high street locations and we are delighted with our first few weeks of trading, in fact our stores are breaking our own opening sales records time after time.
"We have made a significant investment in creating the right concept for our stores, from the new softer branding with its timeless, unisex appeal to the nature-inspired colour palette which conveys a sense of freedom and an active lifestyle. Most importantly we have put together strong teams of committed staff who understand our passion for comfortable shoes and have been trained to fit shoes properly - good old fashioned customer service back on the high street at last".
Julie Jobe, manager at Hotter's new Bromley store, commented: "The Hotter team here is thrilled to be part of the store launch programme and plan to create an enjoyable shopping experience for both new and existing Hotter customers. We have an extensive range of both mens shoes and womens shoes including stylish daywear, tasteful eveningwear, extra wide shoes, laid back leisure, womens sandals and a range of Gore-Tex walking boots for outdoor pursuits."
Hotter Comfort Concept manufactures 1.3 million pairs of Comfortable Shoes each year at its headquarters in Skelmersdale, Lancashire and has a passion for in built comfort. Through continual reinvestment in the business, Hotter has seen its shoe collections expand rapidly and has invested millions of pounds to produce one of the most advanced shoe making facilities in the world.
Goenka Diamonds and Jewels Private Limited launched a range of jewellery collections for youngsters under the brand G-WILD. The collection is a perfect fusion of classic jewellery with innovative designs based on international standards.
The G WILD range has timeless pieces of elegant diamond pendants, necklaces, bracelets, earrings and rings. Mr. Nitin Goenka, Managing Director, Goenka Diamond and Jewels Limited elaborated on the collection, “G WILD has been specially designed keeping in mind today’s woman. The designs are subtly blended with contemporary and timeless class with the best quality diamonds. This collection is perfect for all occasions whether it is a formal business meeting or cocktail party.”
THE G WILD COLLECTION:
Diamonds in Motion: The range flaunts an array of products showcasing style and class with innovative and contemporary styling of pendants and earrings. Finely crafted diamonds pendants in shape of amulets, lucky charms and symbols, along with an exclusive array of stunning diamond earrings defines the generation-next fashion. The entire range is framed to suit any occasion dawning grace and elegance.
Colours of Life: The collection ‘Colours of Life’ incorporated in rings, personifies positivity in life. The collection uses stones of different colours, signifying moods of life.
Chandelier Collection: The chandelier collection promises to dazzle in the crowd. The Chandelier is a wide collection of earnings, ideally suited for that special evening!
The G WILD collection comes with an assurance of quality par excellence and a Certificate of Authenticity is given on the purchase of any jewellery. The store also provides with 100% Buy Back and 100% Exchange policies.
Goenka Diamond & Jewels Ltd is in the business of Diamond and Diamond Studded Jewellery manufacturing & marketing globally that includes import-export, diamond cutting, polishing, jewellery design, manufacturing and retail sale in India and overseas. The Company was founded by Mr. Nand Lal Goenka in 1990.
IN its decade on the market, the Spanx line of modern girdles has become both a must-have undergarment and an easy punch line. Celebrities like Tyra Banks, Janeane Garofalo and Wanda Sykes declare their allegiance to Spanx, even as they joke about it.
BREATHING OPTIONAL An ad for Sculptees, a men’s “shapewear” brand with brisk sales.
Elizabeth Lippman for The New York Times
THERAPY Robert Hytner says Equmen tees ease back pain.
“It sucks all that stuff in,” Ms. Sykes said recently. “It’s so funny that when you take them off you just become a blob. You look in the mirror, and it’s like, hey, now I’m an amoeba.”
The snickering rose a decibel level in February, when Spanx introduced its first products for men. On “Jimmy Kimmel Live,” the host was nearly ejected from his own Handsome Men’s Club after Rob Lowe accused him of wearing Spanx. Cue giggles from the audience and a horrified look from another club member, Matthew McConaughey, his tight abs unexposed for once.
Steve Carell, who received an early sample of a men’s T-shirt, said in a deadpan interview at the Golden Globes, “I have no unsightly bulges but an excellent product I’m sure.” Wink-wink.
The inside joke? Spanx for Men has been a huge retail hit.
“We are selling them as quickly as Spanx can make them,” said Nickelson Wooster, the men’s fashion director at Neiman Marcus, which was until recently the only department store carrying them. (This month Spanx for Men arrived in Bloomingdale’s, Saks Fifth Avenue and Nordstrom, and at Web sites like freshpair.com.) “Men may not be talking about it, but they’re buying it.”
Men’s “shapewear” is “the next big thing,” declared Michael Kleinmann, the president of Freshpair, which sells underwear to both sexes. Already, compression garments from brands like Equmen and Sculptees, to name two, have been selling briskly.
Eighteen months ago, when Freshpair got Equmen’s compression T-shirts, “we sold out,” Mr. Kleinmann said. Men’s torso-enhancing T-shirts are part of a revolution in men’s underwear that has been taking place over the last decade, he said. Another popular but hush-hush product is profile-enhancing underwear, which he called “the equivalent of a push-up bra” for men.
The success of Equmen, an Australian label, is one reason department stores and online retailers have been eagerly awaiting Spanx for Men. At Saks Fifth Avenue, Equmen has been sold for less than a year and has already become one of the store’s best-selling underwear, said Eric Jennings, vice president for men’s fashion at Saks.
“It’s pretty remarkable,” Mr. Jennings said, adding that Equmen is neck and neck with better-known brands like Hugo Boss and 2(x)ist. Its robust sales are even more remarkable considering that Equmen isn’t cheap: tanks are $89, T-shirts up to $109. By contrast, Spanx’s men’s undershirts go for $58, its tanks for $55. The body-sculpturing tops from Ript Fusion are $58 to $62.
Just as it took time for men to embrace beauty rituals they considered effeminate — remember when moisturizing used to be a metrosexual thing? — so has there been a learning curve for shapewear. “The biggest obstacle is to get a guy to understand it’s a new category, and it’s O.K. to wear it,” Mr. Kleinmann said. “It is still a little taboo.”
Not surprisingly, some bashful shoppers are going online. “We’ve noticed, as good as in-store sales are — and they are good — the online sales are better,” said David Witman, the men’s general merchandise manager for Nordstrom. Men “might be embarrassed to ask for it, but they want it,” he said.
Some clever semantics may help. Mr. Wooster of Neiman Marcus suggested that one way for men to think of a foundation garment (as he called Spanx) is that it is about “problem solving, and another way of feeling secure and prepared for life.”
Stephen Viscusi, a career coach, couldn’t agree more. He thinks that all men over 40 should wear Spanx to job interviews. “When you feel good about the way you look, you interview well,” said Mr. Viscusi, the author of the book “Bulletproof Your Job.”
Although Mr. Viscusi is 39, he wears Spanx T-shirts routinely. He recently wore them to see executives from Bravo and VH1. “It gave me pecs, gave me definition, it gave me confidence,” he said.
Others want to hide more than a growing paunch. Some men have told Mr. Jennings that they’re “self-conscious about their nipples” and buy Equmen tops for camouflage.
And men in their 40s and 50s buy them to look more streamlined, Mr. Jennings said. “Shirts are fitting closer to the body. You want to make your physique look as flattering as it can be.”
Keith Peer, a 43-year-old software executive in Medina, Ohio, owns six Spanx crewnecks, which he credits with improving his posture and helping him look better in tapered shirts. “It enhances your figure, it fits tight, sucks you in,” he said.
Mr. Peer, the chief executive of Central Command, said he was fed up with undershirts that bunched up. With those, he said, you look “like you have a tire around your waist.”
Sara Blakely, the founder of Spanx, said that her products weren’t aimed at men with beer bellies and women with muffin tops. Stars as lean as Gwyneth Paltrow wear Spanx, said Ms. Blakely, who says she was a Size 2 when she invented it. The brand was never for “the hugely overweight,” she said.
Nor are people who buy shapewear necessarily middle-aged. Seventy-five percent of Equmen customers are 37 to 43, according to Corie Chung, a founder. “When men’s bodies start to change and life catches up with them,” she wrote in an e-mail. However, the products can’t work miracles. Some people think that by putting on shapewear “you’re going to shed pounds,” said Michael Vallarelli, a customer service representative at freshpair.com. It can smooth out a man’s midsection, but “it’s not going to flatten anyone out by any means,” he said.
While women tend to gush about what has been called the “flesh-compressing miracle of Spanx,” men are more likely to point to how super-tight tees relieve their back pain. Robert Hytner, a 51-year-old former defense contracting executive in New York, turned to Equmen shirts after a back injury, and then got hooked because they improved his silhouette. “Whatever garment I put on top, I had a tight look,” he said of his 10 Equmen undershirts. He says his back pain is gone, too.
Still, undergarment trickery has its pitfalls, especially on dates. Men have been known to express surprise when a Spanx-compressed woman disrobes in the bedroom only to reveal a less svelte figure. Now women can complain, too.
“Spanx for Men is all good, until you meet a chick,” one skeptic warned on Twitter. “You gain 45 lbs when you get naked.”
MANGO launched its Fall/Winter 2010 men’s and women's collections at Madrid’s Círculo de Bellas Artes. The MANGO chairman, Isak Andic, welcomed the numerous celebrities who attended the catwalk, one of the most eagerly-awaited events of the season, to discover the Spanish firm’s latest proposals.
This important fashion event was also attended by numerous celebrities from the world of society, film, music and television.
Among others, on view were Poppy Delevigne, Elettra Wiedemann, Naty Abascal, Covadonga O’Shea, Genoveva Casanova, Rafa Medina and Laura Vecino, Luís Medina, Cari Lapique and Carla Goyanes, Boris Izaguirre, Jaime de Marichalar, Álvaro de Marichalar y Ekaterina, Olivia de Borbón, Carla Royo Villanova, Konstantin of Bulgaria, Alejandra de Rojas, Patricia Olmedilla and Gonzalo de la Cierva, the Duchess and Duke of Terranova, José Miguel Fernández Sastrón, Amelia Bono, María García de la Rasilla, Arancha de Benito, Natalia Álvarez, Paloma Lago, Alaska and Mario Vaquerizo, Bebe, Ton Pernas and Maite de la Iglesia, Almudena Cid, Gema Ruiz, Mónica Martín Luque, Toni Acosta, Nerea Garmendia and Jesús Olmedo, Marta Nieto, Kira Miró, Carla Nieto, Marc Clotet, Amanda Hearst, Alba Carrillo, Helen Lindes, Lorena van Heerde and Matilde Borromeo.
During the event, the names were announced of the ten finalists of the third edition of the international event, the El Botón-MANGO Fashion Awards, who are competing for 300,000€ in prize money, the largest prize awarded to date in an event of this kind. From the 50 projects selected from over 200 received in the first round, the Jury has selected the 10 finalists with the most talent and international projection, who will now compete to be proclaimed the winners of this edition. The finalists are: Motonari Ono from Japan, the Spanish duo Zazo y Brull (made up of Javier Zazo and Clara Brull), the British duo of Matthew Cunnington and John Sanderson, the Belgians Harvey Bouterse and Helena Lumelski, Rocco Iannone from Italy, the Italian duo Leitmotiv (made up of Fabio Sasso and Juan D. Caro), the British Jean Pierre Braganza, Michael Sontag from Germany and the Austrian designer Isabelle Steger.
After the catwalk, MANGO held a party on the spectacular terrace of the Círculo de Bellas Artes, which featured an exclusive performance by Coco Sumner. The guests enjoyed a special cocktail for the occasion, served by Caritina Goyanes’ famous catering service Six-Sens.
DECLARATIONS
Elettra Wiedemann
Elettra Wiedemann was born and grew up in New York. The daughter of the actress and model Isabella Rossellini and John Wiedemann, she studied in Boston. Her first appearance was in the German edition of Vogue. Since then, she has appeared on numerous covers of Vogue, Teen Vogue, Glamour, Ten, Harper’s Bazaar, Elle, Grazia, the Italian edition of Vanity Fair and GQ, among others. She has also worked with top photographers and has appeared on the catwalks of New York, Milan and Paris for designers such as Catherine Malandrina, Cartier, Diane von Furstenberg, Custo Barcelona, Salvatore Ferragamo, Alberta Ferretti and Morillo, among others.
“I really like MANGO and its collection, because it is very colourful and versatile. It gives off a lot of energy and at the same time it is a sexy and sensual collection with an air of sophistication".
“Thanks to my work, I am able to work with top brands like MANGO. I’m really happy”.
“Although my mother was a model, from a young age my parents have kept me at a distance. I took the decision to enter the world of fashion on my own".
Poppy Delevigne
Born in the United Kingdom, Poppy is the daughter of the model Pandora Delevigne. After being discovered by Sarah Doukas, she has become one of the most sought-after faces in the fashion world. She has featured in prestigious advertising campaigns, such as those for Anya Hindmarch, Laura Ashley, Astley Clarke and Bambord&Sons, and has appeared on the covers of British Tatler, L’Officiel, the New York magazine WWD and various issues of Harper’s Bazaar, the American edition of Vogue and the UK edition of Elle, among others.
“For me it is an honour to be able to work with brand like MANGO, given its major presence worldwide”.
“The MANGO woman represents an independent and strong woman who I identify with”.
“My favourite garment from the collection is the pleated dress I chose for the catwalk, I love it!”
Coco Sumner
Coco Sumner is the daughter of Sting and the leader of the group I Blame Coco. At 15, she began her career as a model and now focuses exclusively on the music business.
“This is the second time I have visited Spain and I am delighted to be here with MANGO. It is a very well-known brand in London and personally I discovered it a long time ago”.
“I have just finished our album “The Constant” and right now we are promoting it”.
MANGO FALL/WINTER 2010 TRENDS
In this new collection, MANGO takes a fresh look at the timeless classics of British country style: trench coats, double-breasted jackets and tailored coats, without forgetting, in knitwear, the basics and thicker garments with a handmade look.
Very rich textures such as tweed, corduroy and leather, together with sheer silks and gold details, create a contrast between the masculine and the feminine, giving new meaning to the classics. The search for timeless classics is also reflected in the range of colours. The perfect combination between the traditional and elegant camel, grey and navy blue make up the colour palette this season, accentuated with country-inspired tones, such as warm browns and wintery reds.
The male wardrobe is back and bolder than ever and introduces two clearly-differentiated lines: City Workers and Retro Mountain. The first is a clean line which reinterprets the utilitarian uniform in an urban environment, based on a palette of greys and blues. The second H.E. range, Retro Mountain, is inspired by mountain sports classics, producing a casual and relaxed look.
Under the luminous stars at the luxurious pool deck at The Venetian Resort-Hotel-Casino in Las Vegas, Simon G. Jewelry presents SUMMER SOIREE, an exclusive star-studded musical evening on Saturday, June 5 at 7:00p.m. Melissa Rycroft-Strickland hosts the invitation-only event at this exquisite venue, as Robin Thicke brings his signature sultry R&B sound poolside at The Venetian. Thicke will be accompanied by emerging Las Vegas country artist CJ Goldner, Dr. Hollywood and a highly anticipated performance by Jessica Lowndes, who is best known for her role in the CW's hit drama 90210.
Recently receiving the LEED-EB Gold Certification (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design for Existing Buildings) by the U.S. Green Building Council, The Venetian and its beautiful pool is the perfect setting to showcase world renowned designer Simon G.'s sustainable collection of jewelry, while at the same time supporting the vision of Global Green USA. Global Green USA, an American arm of Green Cross International (GCI), is a national, environmental non-profit organization striving to create green low-income housing, neighborhood schools, and city buildings across the nation in an effort to combat global climate change. Global Green works towards solving the world's most urgent environmental crises through their technical expertise, advocacy, and education. In support of Global Green's initiatives, Simon G. Jewelry has created a sustainable line of jewelry that connects fashion to the environment and allows consumers to add to their jewelry wardrobe while supporting the work of Global Green.
"Simon G Jewelry has always been conscious of their environment and strived to produce their award winning designs in the most eco friendly environments, using sustainable material," said jewelry designer Simon G. "It is with great pride that Simon G Jewelry's award winning design team presents their latest collection of affordable, sustainable statement pieces of fashion jewelry that benefit the work of Global Green."
The Venetian is home to a world-class lineup of culinary gems and its latest sensation, e-Brand's Timpano Tavern, will serve delicious tastes of modern American cuisine at the event along with a signature SUMMER SOIREE cocktail. Additionally, invited guests, performers and celebrities are expected to attend the official after-party at TAO Nightclub.
When Big captures the heart of Carrie Bradshaw in a final scene of the highly-anticipated Sex and the City 2 film and presents the NYC diva with an eye-popping 5 carat black diamond ring and tells her "because you are not like anyone else," movie-goers reach for the tissues. But, who could take their eyes off that rock?! The buzz is already swirling about the scene with what is arguably the most significant piece of jewelry in the movie's entirety: a 5 carat black diamond ring by designer Itay Malkin.
Itay Malkin is no stranger to the Sex and the City movie and its stars. Sarah Jessica Parker wore the designer's pieces in the first film and countless other celebrities are fans. During prep of SATC2, the search was on for black diamond rings. Itay Malkin submitted two rings anonymously and both Parker and writer/director, Michael Patrick King, chose one of Malkin's designs to be the "ever important ring" in the movie. His unique ring was chosen above twenty other leading name jewelry designers.
Malkin worked in collaboration with Sarah Jessica Parker and world-renown Costume Designer, Patricia Field, on the final design: the 5 carat black diamond ring set in 18 karat white gold surrounded by 80 round natural white pave diamonds equaling 0.35 carats. The Itay Malkin ring is the only piece of jewelry that has been held to secrecy due to its importance in the plot. It will truly be debuted for the first time on the big screen.
"It was an honor to have my design chosen for such an emotionally important scene," says Itay Malkin.
The fashion in SATC2 sets global trends, and for "Carrie-inspired" women around the world, the ring is quickly becoming a must-have. Itay Malkin will identically produce the ring in a limited edition series, each stamped with the limited edition serial number and certificate.
Launching a career in fine jewelry design in 2002, Itay Malkin's collection quickly became an overnight sensation. His collection with black diamonds caught the attention of the Hollywood circuit and has been seen on A-listers such as Vanessa Williams, Adrian Grenier, Kanye West, Mary Louise Parker, Sandra Bullock and Sarah Jessica Parker. Though many of his signature pieces feature black diamonds, his collection includes a wide range of styles including one-of-a-kind pieces. In select retail stores nationwide, Malkin has a number of private clients where he takes their visions and brings them to life through collaboration and custom jewelry design. Mr. Malkin has showrooms in New York, Beverly Hills and Miami.
Iconic global denim brands are feeling the heat of the ever increasing prices of raw cotton, which is the main raw material for manufacturing denim fabric.
The brands are caught in a catch -22 situation as the present market situation does not them to increase consumer prices, due to which they have to absorb the prices increases adopted by denim fabric producers.
While on the other hand denim fabric manufacturers have also been bogged down by the flare up in cotton prices which have risen by between 35-40 percent, to touch 15-month high’s.
Normally denim fabric prices are contracted at the beginning of the cotton season, with a volatility of 10-15 percent taken in to account. But this time the high volatility has taken everyone by surprise.
Retailers, who are still facing tough times, are solidly resisting any increase in prices by the denim brands, leaving the brands to bear the increase in cost of the denim fabric.
