Aussie street wear babel The Cassette Society, just debuted with their first collection in the U.S. Inspired by the Punk Rock era of the 60’sand 70’s the collection Born Free stands for sex appeal, liberation and freedom. With a mix of tough and soft, masculine and sensual, subtle and daring the collection offers everything to take you from the streets to the dance floor. Watch out!
This is interesting, Urban Outfitters has issued a statement responding to the much-covered charges that it stole a design idea (see one example above–it’s a state featuring a heart cut out) from jewellery designer Stephanie Koerner. Here is an excerpt:
In her recent blog post and on Twitter Koerner claims that Urban Outfitters stole her designs or was inspired in some way by the items in her Etsy shop for our I Heart Destination necklaces. In fact, a quick search on Etsy for ‘state necklace’ reveals several other sellers with similar products (as seen here on Regretsy) who offered their wares as much as a year earlier than Ms. Koerner. We are not implying that Koerner stole her necklace idea from one of these other designers, we are simply stating the obvious—that the idea is not unique to Koerner and she can in no way claim to be its originator. Normally we would not respond publicly to Koerner’s allegations, but we believe the media response to her campaign is threatening to impact the dozens of independent designers we work with on a daily basis.
I could see where UO would want to make a statement. Certain stories spread like flash floods on the fashion blogs and this was definitely one of them, which eventually became a trending topic on Twitter. You see the story picked up on one blog and then suddenly it’s everywhere, and given the nature of blog reporting (a skeletal staff and an insane pace) very little is done to fact check to see if the story is actually true.
I don’t believe this UO statement puts an end to the story that it would steal from an independent–actually I believe in the past it has, which is why this story had legs, but I personally know four independent designers who have sold to UO and I specifically asked each one if they every experienced UO ripping off their designs during or after their relationship with the company ended. They all said UO looks for margins that are almost painful but overall their experience with the company was a good one. So while UO may not be perfect, my belief is that it’s also not as evil as it’s currently being represented on blogs.
On the very real side of fashion as a business, big corporations like Urban Outfitters are known for many things. On the Snob side of things not all the descriptive terms to define them would be flattering. However, its recent initiative “Designed By..” which highlights a select group of talented and sought after designers, we see a step in the right direction. The capsule collections features brands like like Billy Kirk, Yaya Alflalo, our beloved A Peace Treaty and many more. Enjoy the clip and view the collections here.
There is a very detailed (and fascinating if you follow retail) story in today’s WWD on Urban Outfitters’ bridal format, Bhldn, which launches on Valentine’s Day with an etail site. Bhldn wedding gowns are priced from $1,000 to $4,000 and event dresses, $200 to $600, and yes, much like Anthropologie, the format it was spawned form, everything has a vintage, alternative feel to it. According to the article:
The Web site will launch with apparel, accessories, lingerie, jewelry and shoes. Tabletop, cake pedestals, place cards and everything for decorating a venue will bow on the site in May. Invitations, using letter press or engraving techniques, will be introduced next year with artists creating limited time collections.
Part of the article focus includes the Urban campus and building No. 15, an impeccably-styled incubator space, in which the BHLDN brand is located. Have a look see on the next page and you’ll quickly understand why, according to the article, the company’s “digs have contributed to employees’ creativity and the company’s ability to recruit talent.”
Urban Outfitters early spring catalog hit mailboxes this week, and clearly it speaks to changing fashion winds the company has said were coming. Photographed in Tel Aviv, it features more polished than in the past shots of models in silky high-waisted trousers, blouses and tanks for a look that is definitely lighter and easier than the punk-inspired, grungy looks that have dominated the chain for the past few years. We give it a giant thumbs up but wonder how it will be received by the regular UO customer who still adores her straight-leg jeans and jeggings. More images on the next page.
Howard Stern conducts a fascinating, hour-long interview with Jay-Z, in which he discusses his upbringing, choosing Alicia Keyes over Mary Blige for “Empire State Of Mind,” meeting Rhianna for the first time and his views on the Kanye/Taylor Swift dust up, plus tons more, all in the name of promoting his book, “Decoded” (cover image above), which went on sale today. –Youraudiofix
The recession recedes to the rear view mirror with Urban Outfitters and Burberry, among others, reporting kick-ass quarters.–CNBC
Like it or not, it’s that time of year again and Refinery does its part by putting together a great list of 40 holiday gifts under $100. –Refinery
WAH nails and Abu Dhabi Grand Prix are a bit of an odd combo, but the resulting Formula 1 nail art designs are totally fly.–WAHnails
Denmark-born designer Peter Jensen, who has created the PJ by Peter Jensen line (image above) for Urban Outfitters was recently interviewed by the company. In the interview he talks about his signature bunny rabbit, his feelings on Christmas and why he doesn’t live in Denmark fulltime. Here’s his response to a question on his favorite holiday traditions:
“I always go back to Denmark for Christmas and I love all the traditions. We all have Christmas trees with real candles on there, not these rubbish electric ones they have in London. We sing songs and dance around the tree and we have dinner and presents on the 24th, roast duck and then rice pudding with cherry sauce. Yum. I once stayed in England for Christmas and it was just not the same—I really missed all the Danish traditions.”
If there’s a person in the fashion world who doesn’t find fashion blogger Susie Bubble charming and adorable, I haven’t met her yet. Thus Ms. Bubble was an excellent choice for Urban Outfitters to collaborate with on a tee. On the UO site, there’s also an interview with Bubble, in which she chats about a bunch of stuff, including food favorites: “I crave properly fried chicken wings (Hong Kong style…) and Portuguese custard tarts quite frequently – sometimes both at the same time.” Cute!
Urban Outfitters is getting in on the nail art trend with its own version of Minx nails, with a brand called Nail Fraud. Available in four different colors, floral, python (above right), dollar bill (above left), and peacock, each pack comes with two sets of 20 nails. They’re made of a flexible film and the only trick is fitting them to your nail and filing off the excess. Via Notcot.
The long awaited collaboration between Urban Outfitters and Sonic Youth’s Kim Gordon has finally dropped both in stores and online. Titled Mirror/Dash, the collection is small with under 10 pieces ranging in price from $54 to $98 dollars. The collection is very simple and the colors are subdued. It’s a good line to mix in with louder pieces from your wardrobe to keep things chic. I’m curious about what you all think of this collaboration? Thoughts?
