• Critics just don’t know what to say of this season’s round of offerings for YSL by Hedi Slimane. It seems the designer was going for a youthful, rebellious vibe, exhibited in the downtown, grunge-y pieces he presented. While critics wager the collection will sell, to them it is still unclear how this aesthetic fits in with the history and brand recognition of the label. Journalists and editors reactions have ranged from “‘It’s like bad Topshop!,” (said an anonymous retailer at the show), to Lisa Armstrong from The Telegraph saying, “So we get it. Slimane is remaking Saint Laurent. It’s young. It’s sexy. It’s très rock and roll. A gazillion girls who love Urban Outfitters’ signature homage to Seattle Grunge will adore this luxed-up version.” She added, “… But he needs to have more faith in the enduring allure of beautifully engineered pieces — and riff on them some more next season. Neither he — nor Saint Laurent — requires the styling tics of a 20-year-old teenage music revolution.” It’s also not like they can ask Slimane himself to explain his vision. Journalists are still banned from asking the designer questions backstage. So, I guess it’s up to us to interpret what the heck Slimane was trying to serve for fall. What say you, bombers? Were you feeling the collection? (The Cut)
• Amancio Ortega, chairman at Zara is the third richest man in the world, according to Forbes magazine. The retail boss topped the list with a net worth of $57 billion, having gained a cool $19.5 billion dollars in growth last year. “You’re welcome,” say Zara addicts across the globe. (Forbes)
• Forever 21‘s tapped Sky Ferreira as the face of their spring 2013 festival collection. The pouting singer broods in Coachella-approved wares for the campaign: eyelet crop tops, flowy frocks, the obligatory pair of short shorts, and more. Take a look! (WWD)
• As part of a grand re branding scheme, Barneys New York is eliminating a few of its Co-Op stores, with plans to reestablish them as satellite Barneys New York locations. While they may get rid of the entire Co-Op offshoot, for now, only their stores at 2151 Broadway, on the Upper West Side, and The Grove in Los Angeles will undergo the changes. In addition. the Grove and Broadway stores will no longer sell menswear, to make room for a larger women’s ready-to-wear selection. (WWD)
• It looks like the once floundering American Apparel is getting back into stride once again. The brand, which as of late has been riddled with financial difficulties, has actually turned a profit this year, thanks to a 9.8% jump in sales. (WWD)
~Jihan
March 5, 2013 2:37 pm
AA jump in sales becuase everbody was buying those disco shiny pants. I cant front i love love love AA high waist easy jeans.
March 5, 2013 3:41 pm
I feel that Barney’s is one bad quarter away from filling from bankruptcy.
March 5, 2013 4:01 pm
This guy is going to damage the ysl brand when I think ysl I think classic not grunge!
March 5, 2013 4:36 pm
AA should thank Rihanna! lol. Dang! Zara sales are like that smh, only making the rich richer…Im not mad though.
March 5, 2013 5:26 pm
“The pouting singer broods in Coachella-approved wares for the campaign”
THE SHADE Jihan, THE SHADE. I literally died @ Coachella-approved. I’m done, finished, over, simply done.
March 5, 2013 5:29 pm
AA = crop tops and high waisted everything. therefore, they will excel for the next couple of seasons at least.
March 5, 2013 6:28 pm
I love the new YSL collection however I do agree with Lisa Armstrong that it just doesn’t fit with the brand at all.