Vivienne Westwood catches the “Kando” spirt

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Can a brand survive pitching that customers should “buy less”?

by Yvette E

We attended an event in Vivienne Westwood NY location (no press events here, only in the UK..🤨) where a performance of a finnish singer with Tibetan singing bowls as instruments was the main attraction. We asked if other promotions were happening tonight and we were answered by a hippie-ish employee that “Vivienne only allows those she likes to play in her store” and “believes in buying less”. What? Can a brand really survive on a “Kando” attitude towards sales?

According to Fashion United, Vivienne Westwood Limmited saw an increase of 8.67% turnover and 28% in gross profits but that is mostly contributed to the fact the brand has entered new markets, namely China and US.

Also, higher prices on goods could easily lead to more profits without having to seek a new customer base. And who is the base consumer for VW anyway?

According to issuu brand report, the consumer profile is “middle to higher earners who are concious of the environment and other concerns” i.e. the concious rich.

It has to be noted that this profile was 2 years ago and my sister (a middle earner) was able to buy an item. At today’s price points, only the rich can afford them.

So can a brand survive on a Kando attitude? Sure, if it was only pitching to those you already have too much and with elitist prices to top it all off.

Another elitist brand hiding behind a noble statement.

Happy hump day!!💋

#flashbackfriday: Dermalogica Pop up

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Just a couple of blocks from their SoHo location, Dermalogica open an instagram mecca to appeal to Millennials.

By Yvette E

Dermalogica was always to me a GenX brand that was on top of the beauty industry in paraben free and using science in skincare before any one else. Their lack of advertising though and little social media have them behind in the game.

Flash forward to their 2 day pop up which offers their new sunblock, free facials and a two Instagram booths, the brand may finally be reaching the next generation.

The product of the moment was the new Prism Spf30, a light-activated multitasking moisturizer provides broad spectrum defense while preventing future signs of skin damage.

We were unable to get down the stairs to fully appreciate the instagram pods but they were apologetic about it.

The price of the prism is $19 for the .4 oz and $65 for the 1.4 oz. A little goes along way.

Stop by the actual store to see more products in different sizes making the budget friendly.

Store: 110 Grand St #B, NY, NY 10013

They also offer facials with their products.

Happy Friyay! 💋

Robert Cavalli Fallout: When is trust too much?

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Companies trust their CEOs too much, having access to every point of the business but when is it too much?

The retail and fashion industry have been in shambles since 2000 reared its head and millenials became the most dominant shoppers.

To be fair, the problems are not with the changing consumer, its with the companies themselves.

Roberto Cavalli and Charolette Russe both closed this weekend but Roberto Cavalli was the biggest surprise because it was unexpected.

Roberto Cavalli’s rash decision to close all US stores and give only a week’s paycheck to his 93 employees says he knew little about what was happening in his own company and in fact relied on another to pull profit where he was just the face and designer (did he or was the clothes manufactured?).

And the corporate branch knew March 22 while employees were taken by surprise and escorted out by security!!

This is problem facing the fashion industry, too many collections based on too many trends…Do you need those 7 collections a year..or just 1 collection that spands all 2 seasons (basically cold and hot).

So why did he fail? Why is Gucci and Fendi the only Italian brands not fazed?

Cavalli only owns 10% of his namesake brand meaning he had little say in its direction. In 2015, he sold 90% to a private equity firm a mistake we see often…Toys R Us, Radio Shack and so many companies are using them as investors but as soon as the profit sinks, they are quick to file for bankruptcy.

Secondly, Cavalli was no longer designing…he resigned 4 years ago…and Peter Dunas took over for 19 months and then Paul Surridge…who resigned a week before the brand collapsed.

How could you sell your namesake brand and then someone else design for it? No wonder the pieces became so gaudy and unoriginal.

If you have any more info on this saga, comment below…

Happy April’s Fool’s day 💋

The fall of Mall Fast fashion: What happened?

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579, Wet Seal, The Limited and now Charlotte Russe…in the age of fast fashion, why are the orginators failing..TFG investigations.

By Yvette Estime

The closure of NY Charlotte Russe that just opened last year was the nail in the mall fast fashion so why in the era of fast fashion are the originators failing? Here is our opinion.

Never left the Mall

Mall visitors have steadily declined since the rise of the internet and gaming. People went to mall as something to do in the 80’s and 90’s but with the rise of other forms of entertainment, people just don’t need the mall anymore.

With fewer traffic, there isn’t enough people to sustain the cost of a mall mortgage.

Solution: Rainbow was never a mall brand and now is the biggest fast fashion provider in the US. Charolette Russe left the mall too late.

Customer needs changed but they never changed thier marketing strategy

The mall customer included moms who went shopping for their kids and wanted to pick out something for themselves. Not only are 60% of people now single but most stores have a kid section built right in. So, these customers no longer exist which also effected Gymboree which closed all their stores and now will be selling clothes at retailers instead.

I can now go to Zara and pick up clothes for me, my significant other and any kids in one spot.

Solution: In next 10 years, brands have to push kids clothes or make kids clothes while changing the look and feel of products that seem to cater to youth and not to working set. More women are entering the workforce with 53% of women working today but clothes are still focusing on teens and college students.

Products remained the same

The products of mall clothes remained the same and looking at the fact that Charolette Russe can’t offload their shoes is an example of product development failures. Who is wearing stilettos anymore in 6+inches?

If you sell boots regularly…then why aren’t you making more of them?

Resistance to change is the biggest issue facing American companies and they rather merge than look for new ways to attract customers or push the same tired products.

So if you want sell to gen X and millenials, vary your products, make leisure friendly items and adopt a principle.

Happy Wednesday, 💋

Yvette

Global Collective: Mrhua Mrshua F/W

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Sometimes trying to embrace your heritage when living in another culture can have disastrous consequences. This designer is about to show us why.By Yvette EThe colors were bold with hues of goldenrod, fuchsia, turquoise and rich blues. The use of textured fabric also gave a quilt vibe but those were the only highlights of a boxy collection with too many Asian elements.For men, the designer did think “out of the box” but ot seems that some elements should have been left behind.

The boxy suits would have worked without the unnecessary embellishments. The trim on the pant leg seems added as an afterthought.

The Chinese luck badges seem out of place. This collection makes us think the “less is more” mantra of a normcorist may have some truth.

Then we have the Harajuku badges of Japanese fame where there should be pockets.I want that hat though.For women, each piece can be worn separately better than together where it becomes more like a costume then clothes.

The Harajuku badges are misplaces on the chest bringing attention to the an area most women don’t want men to focus on.The pant skirt combo is a great concept and we don’t mind the Chinese embroidery fabric but the skirt with fringe, and a very floral (India) motif is overwhelming.

I liked the designer’s smile but he needs to realize that being Asian Canadian means that you are a part of two worlds and nothing is wrong; pick an identity and your designs will be a true representation of yourself.

Happy Friyay! 💋

Michelle Elizabeth: F/W 2019

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It was like the pink wave hit fashion week, with so many women showing collections. Michelle Elizabeth showcased acid wash patterns on breezy fabrics and so much more..

By Yvette E

When Canada choose to scout 7 up and coming designers, and invite them to showcase at Pier59, we did not know what to expect nor that most of the designers would be female.

The interesting part of this collection lies in its seemingly simplicity but if you look closer there is alot of pattern work despite only featuring 3 colors: Black, White and Grey.

The acid wash on black causes the brown hue and the result is beautifully gothic.

The jackets have a Military feel with double breasted buttons and piping accents suggesting the idea of mixing work with play.

Then the tongue in cheek prints with the face of the designer becoming one with the clothes. It is so designer sharing the fame of the clothes movement happening now. Although instead of a caricature, they is a chic simplicity as if she is still asleep and yet to reach her full potential.

We hope to see more from this designer.

As always check out our facebook page for more images, thefashiongoddessblog and our Instagram, @tfgnyc. We will have the runway roll on IGTV and Youtube later today.

Happy Hump Day!💋

Global Collective: Kristen Ley F/W 19

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Canada evades NYFW with this 6 part series. Today, we feature structured leather work from Kristen Ley.

By Yvette E, February 15, 2019 6:21am

NAISSANCE’, representing the birth, or ‘rebirth,’ of her label as an official Parisian fashion house gave life to classical French couture techniques while maintaining modern, avant-garde silhouettes.

I do not know if Kristen Ley Studios is certified couture as the qoute above suggests but we do know that all the fabric manipulation was done by hand.

She had a way of crumpling leather as if it was paper and giving texture to tulle as concrete. This trick of texturing fabric to change its perspective made this show the most memorable of fashion week.

The collection also featured a combination of delicate fabrics and harsh silhouettes as if to juxtaposition between a woman perspective and how others see her. The line is just 2 years old but the concept is so unique, it is no surprise that we have been hearing this name everywhere.

We did want to see more but she has yet to add any collections to her website. Check out the runway on our instagram (Tfgnyc) and youtube. All images will be posted on facebook.

Happy Friyay!!💋

Global Collective: Faun

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Canada plants its flag at NYFW showing 6 homegrown designers. Today we cover Faun’s primary colors and neutral sportswear looks.

By Yvette E

The biggest issue of a group show is how little you actually get to show. Faun’s looks seem to focus on 3 things: patchwork, A tongue on cheek winter meets spring and outerwear.

The yellow and red jacket is the only patchwork item in the collection and seemed out of place. It would of been great if some digital lookbook of the full collections were available. Alas we will never know if this was a technique she used throughout the collection. Needless to say, we want more.

We do not know if the designer was showing 2 seasons at once or if she was adding light fabrics to a heavy fall wardrobe. We hope its the latter. We love light fabrics usually reserved for warmer months popping up in fall. The styling of the sheer top over the sweater seems to suggest that Faun’s light fabric in fall was no accident.

Outerwear is an important part of every fall collection and here we were not happy. We do see some patchwork effects but mostly seems lost to the light fabric motifs which to me was the best in the show.

To see all eight looks, check out our facebook page. We would love to hear thoughts about the collection! DM us on Instagram and you may post your comnents on our feed!

Happy hump day!!💋

Hogan McLaughlin NYFW

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It’s all about the sleeves at Mclaughlin’s fall collections with a witty nod to Norwegian Folklore.

By Yvette E

The sleeves went on forever in a collection that seemed like over styled sportswear.

Of course, there were some good moments on outwear which followed from the shoulders in one stunning capelet and from the waist.

The colors were supposely taken from nature so we weren’t surprised about the green hues but the orange which no one thinks is a natural color was one.

All in all the show was overstyled sportswear with muted nature themed colors with orange thrown in. The outerwear made the show INTERESTING.

See all images from the show on our Facebook page and the runway roll on IGTV and our youtube channel.

Happy Monday!💋

Jiri Kalfar NYFW

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People are questioning fashion week’s relevance but when I see a show from a designer like this one, the reason its clear. It’s the platform from emerging to up & coming.

By Yvette E

Sparkles and lace adorned the garments of Jiri Kalfar which is the say the combination seemed spiritual with a luxury feel like a nebula in outerspace, airy and starry.

I can imagine the night sky as the inspiration of this collection.

What seemed like textile gimmicks of the fashion trade (lace, tulle, sparkly beads) were given a new purpose.

Lace was lovely layered over darker and heavier textiles which increased its visibility.

Heavily beaded fabrics were paired with lighter fabrics so not to appear weighty or overpowering.

Reds and oranges walked beside black and white as if night was over as dawn approached.

All in all of the three shows I saw, this one had the most wearable looks even though not the most original which still goes to Kamal.

Go to our instagram page to see more images of the show and our instachannel to see the runway roll.

Happy Friyay!💋