The end of an era: Henri Bendel closes after 123 years in business

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What really closed Henri Bendel, the once icon brand?

by Yvette E

The rise of the internet, poor sales and a withering hashtag (#bendelgirl) are all the reasons some given for the demise of the brand but after shopping the brand in the last few weeks, we saw all the signs of a dead brand. So here were the signs…

Overpriced & Manufactured

Over the years, Henri Bendel went from curating brands to carry in store to a manufactured brand but retained the price points. In today’s market like Wish, Alibaba and other companies, consumers now have a direct line to manufacturers. Also, who is buying $200 charm bracelets that are not gold plated?

Even at 60% off, the products were still too expensive to purchase.

No Social Media Presence

#Bendelgirl sported 8,900 shares which has just reached 28.5K shares today after it closed yesterday. Of course, we will hear how everyone all of a sudden is or was #bendelgirl today.

Too Busy

The LF brand that owned at one time The Limited (closed); Amcrombie & Fitch (bought itself out in 2011) and Lane & Bryant (was sold) is also the owner of Victoria Secret which probably takes up the company’s time as it makes it the most money.

As a sidenote, no fixtures were sold on closing day and the “see ya soon” message smells of rebranding.

Lets cross our fingers!

Happy Friyay!!💋

H&M and Eytys: Unisex collaboration

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Is America ready for the first unisex collection collaboration available in a mainstream store?

By Yvette E
The Eytys x H&M line will feature genderless shoes, clothing and accessories for adults and a selection for kids, designed in collaboration with the H&M in-house team.

The Swedish unisex clothing line is known for its footwear (starting at 180) more than its clothes that feature t-shirt and jean ethos. The brand’s website seems void of human images as well.

Ad campaigns seem to focus on the brands baggy roomy jeans and we are sure that will be part of the H&M collaboration that hits stores January 24.

Backstory

In 2014, Jonathan Hirschfeld and Max Schiller managed to turn their fledgling Swedish sneaker brand, Eytys (pronounced ’80s’ and spelled with Ys in reference to Generation Y) to a cult following revenue of $2 million in just one year. A big surprise since they only produced 1 product, chunky soled sneakers called “mother”.

There is no story on when the brand began making clothes but at just 6 years old, it could not been very long.

If you do buy anything from this collection, run to the sneakers which start at $380 normally.

There is no information on the price points but here is the only image we have of possible looks

Happy Friyay!!

💋

Meeting the future Inlaws?: 5 trends to skip at Thanksgiving

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We are often told we are what we eat but no one says “we are what we wear”. First impression is really important especially when you want your sig other to be your future mate. Here are 5 trends not to wear for the best impression.

By Yvette E

Animal Print

Animal print is so hot right now but it can come off as being wild and untamed. Not good if you want to look like you are ready to commit.

Alternative: Stick to small prints especially florals which give off an innocent vibe.

Cold Shoulder

Showing skin above the knee makes you seem unconfident in other features you process including intelligence.

Alternative: Wear a cardigan or a shawl to accent the neck. A necklace with a simple bespoke pendant can make you appear sentimental.

3D Sparkle

Don’t make it all about you. Sparkle says center of attention and you don’t want people to think your self centered or selfish.

Alternative: Keep the sparkle in the accessory. A sparkle bag or shoe says you are into self care but it’s not your main focus.

Bright Plaid

As if…Too bright plaid makes you appear juvenile and unfocused.

Alternative: Stick to plaids with a neutral background like window pane or herringbone.

Bright tights

To pull this look off, you need to showcase your legs and you just don’t want to seem like a girl always on the go.

Alternative: Stick to neutral tights and keep the color in your ears with bright earrings.

Happy Turkey day!💋

Casual Attraction: Can brands bring out the new rules of attraction to loungewear?

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Fenty by Puma was the first brand that attempted to bring sexy to sportswear. Other brands are attempting to do the same. But can they replicate the results?

by Yvette E

We are the most single generation in American history and though several factors play a role (return of male egotism, the 5th wave of feminism and social inequality) our clothes could be playing the biggest one.

It’s not about sex appeal

The rise of loungewear wasn’t about removing sex appeal but being comfortable in your own skin and hence extruding confidence. Of course, we care about our bodies but more about health and less about how our butt looks like in a pair of jeans.

We still want to attract the right guy, just for the right reasons.

The struggle is real

So how are brands honing in on the simple new attraction? The attraction of interest and commonality are what girls want now. They want thier clothes to show that interest and their values. This fall brands took a “through everything at wall and see what sticks” approach with too many trends to count and missed the mark but one brand may be on its way to solving the age old question: Can loungewear be attractive?

Victoria’s Secret

We walked into VS the other day and fell in love with their Fall collection. It is yet to make it online other than the velour pieces but it’s promising.

As always comnent below if you have any information about other brands in this market

Happy Wednesday 💋

3 looks are not a collection and other stories from alternate Fashion Weeks

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New York Fashion Week has be stretched and perverted by smaller venues competing for the same press as the big boys but if the designers they show are not serious nor the show’s promoter then what’s the point.

By Yvette E

Shows like Style Fashion Week and Art Heart have used the designers they show complete with the right venue and press to become shows worthy of being alternative fashion venues.

Others have not followed such a recipe. Here are three misconceptions that ran rabid this season and possibly hurting New York’s fashion capital status:

Fashion week is not 1 day

Shows like Style Fashion week not only occur after official fashion week ends but are only 1 day and 1 location. That’s not fashion week which spans Thursday to next Thursday.

3 looks is not a collection

I suppose they think we must be stupid after paying for seats at these shows that we won’t notice that you are presenting the same looks in different colors and patterns.

GD swimwear at Street Style fashion week (1 night only) did just that and even colluding their show with things they did not make to create more looks which was just confusing.

Temiti Sportswear at Above Time also pulled the same stunt with just 3 looks in 6 colors and patterns.

[declaimer: I was contacted by the owner and it being a small family owned business. Apparently they only manufacture products their customers love. It’s a great strategy and they really did not need a fashion week].

You’re venue is important

I am sure every show planner knows how many tickets are sold versus how much the venue can hold but Street Style Fashion week seemed clueless selling 5,000 seats to a 3,000 seat venue. I know eventbrite allows you to cap ticket numbers so this was definitely pure greed.

Once more tickets were sold then anticipated, they had 2 options: Divide the show into 2 days and create a program for both days and let people RSVP for day 1 or 2 or move the venue. Instead, they lied about the show being over not only denying the designers press but also leaving people outside.

Conclusively, all these small venues do is destroy the entire fashion week magic and is probably why fewer designers are showing here.

Wake up CFDA, NY is loosing its fashion capital status.

Happy Mundane 💋

Taoray Wang adds color for S/S 2019

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Taoray Wang, famous for her monochromatic tailored looks, adds hues of pink and yellow to her S/S 2019 collection.

By Yvette E

The lastest collection by Wang Tao is inspired by the duality of resilience and beauty say the paper that most people sat on (al la seat cushion) as they waited 48 minutes for a Trump kin to be seated and 2 front row guest had to give up their seats to her secret service. This scenario left the pit photographers so peeved that they began to heckle the audience so they can get the perfect shot with minimal editing.

By the time the show started, everyone was in a salty mood and others lost interest. I could see people taking front row selfies as models began to parade down the runway.

But at last I am a fashion writer so her is a rundown of the collection.

Pop of color

Millennial pink popped up this year which is a surprise since it has been focasted that Fuchsia is replacing it as Millennials hit their 30s.

Yellow was also added to to grey assembles including suit jackets and skirts.

PINSTRIPES

Stripes have made a resurgence this year in thick mutli-color hues, but Wang kept them classic with thin lines and neutral hues.

WHITE IS STILL THERE

The designer is famous for making white look interesting and this collection is no exception. The collection feautures cold shoulder looks, dramatic sleeves and bustier silhouettes.

Accessories stole the show

I have to admit that the clothes were not earth shattering but the accessories ruled the show. From super thin and long pink studded belts to the large bow bags, they seem to fit more into the collections theme then the clothes (resilient beauty).

Happy Monday 💋

Frye: Not just boots anymore

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Frye is the oldest shoe company in America and now it has branched into clothes after 155 years in Accessories. Will the gamble pay off?

by Yvette E

I always wanted a pair of Frye boots but can never seem to make it to thier SoHo location but this fall, it is a must but not just for the shoes.

Frye just launched its first ready to wear collection for both men and women choosing fall no doubt to pair the looks with their best sellers, boots.

In a nut shell, the looks take Ralphen Lauren Americana with the style of the midwest keeping with classic patterns and neutrals. Luckily plaid and Western Americana are on trend but to find a real voice, the brand should stay clear of trends.

Here are some looks from the collection via WWD:

Frye Collection

Please note the collection is yet to appear on their website.

Happy Monday 💋

What’s next for Claire’s?

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UPDATE: The 36th street Claire’s has reopened after a cease and decease notice halted their reconstruction.

Most stores that file for bankruptcy have massive sale where products are highly discounted but Claire’s went out with a whimper.

By Yvette E

So we all expected some mass Claire’s sale so we could stock up on blind bags and cat ears but a quick Google search shows that all locations are already closed.

So what’s next for the Tween brand? We ran over to twitter and all we got was a link to thier European stores twitter page suggesting the brand just cleared out of America.

In any case, Claire’s Europe must be running the website which is still online even though both accounts have not been updated in months. But all hope is not lost. I recently stopped by 37th and 7th Ave Claire’s in NYC and had a sign stating “closed for renovations”. Possibly, the store may be rebranding itself.

Stay tuned for more information about Claire’s and if you have information about your local store, drop it in the comments below.

Happy Friyay 💋

The Bum Bag Redox

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We see those fanny packs everywhere but with a new name and way to wear them; they are back in fashion. Here’s why.

by Yvette E.

So the bum bag keeps coming back season after season. We wondered about the obession behind these little bags that make things so accessible.

Origins of bags on belts
Bags attached to belts have been in use since antiquity in many cultures. One origin was the Native American buffalo pouch which was used instead of sewing pockets into clothing. Buffalo pouches may also be worn on the wrist or carried on the front of the chest via a neck strap or lanyard (via wikipedia). In fact the first belt bag dates back 5,000 years.

Want more info, check out the Men health article here.

So here are 3 reasons it’s back in style..

Security

Just has the bag originally was for tourist to keep important articles safe, we need the same feature in our bags today. Even though homicides have decreased, theft of every kind have increased. The hard to open bum bag with its circular zipper, makes it easy to notice if someone opens it other than you. Not to mention its close proximity to your body.

Unisex

Men and women have always worn this bag so the new gender fluency atomosphere most likely played a role. Beside tote bags, no other bag has this option. To further separate the sexes, men and women have taken wearing them differently. Men prefer backpack style (wearing on the back) while women prefer crossbody style (nestled under the breast).

Versatility

I do not mean the look but the style. The design of the bag is so simple, it can be rendered into any look and feel by just changing the fabric. This means designers can easily incorporate the bum bag into any season by switch fabric.

Even though the design of the bum bag has been around for thousands of years, it’s initial resurgence in the 90s remains unexplained.

Happy Monday, 💋

#tfgbb to all your bum bag picks to be featured on our instagram page.

Candytopia comes to NY

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By now, we all aware of the various instagram driven photo fun houses popping up nationwide. Some have mostly been a disappointment but we have gotten a sneak peak of this one and it could be the best one to hit the east coast.

Candytopia is an outrageously interactive candy wonderland

It first debuted in May in Santa Monica, CA and bills itself has a dream world of sweets. Think Willy Wonka themed fun. Candytopia features more than one dozen unique rooms and larger-than-life interactive art installations inspired by pure, sugary bliss.

Guests are treated to candy samples throughout the entire experience including sours and gummies, chocolate treats, nostalgic favorites, and many sweet surprises.
Candytopia’s first location in Santa Monica drew sold-out crowds during its limited run and amassed a huge following among locals of all ages and A-list celebrities alike including Drew Barrymore, Gwyneth Paltrow, Josh Duhamel, Christina Aguilera, James Corden, Wiz Khalifa, Hilary Duff, Alessandra Ambrosio, and more.

The fun launches here on August 15 at Penn Plaza (145 W 32nd St.) and tickets are on sale tomorrow and are $34 for adults.

Happy Hump Day,

Yvette 💋