Sonia Rykiel Outlines Development Plans

  

SONIA RYKIEL has outlined a new three-stage development strategy. The fashion house will focus on modernising the mainline ready-to-wear collection, repositioning the younger Sonia by Sonia Rykiel diffusion line and accessories production expansion, reports WWD.

The growth plans come alongside a period of significant change for the brand, now under the helm of new CEO Eric Langdon - who joined in April - and new majority owner Fung Brands Ltd. The fashion house is also awaiting the arrival of new creative director, Geraldo da Conceicao - previously Louis Vuitton's womenswear design director.

"The Rykiel woman is desirable, intense, playful and intelligent," said Langdon. "We want to emphasise the modernity of the Rykiel woman, not only in terms of this typically Parisian chic, but also in terms of values, which are now very modern and international."

The CEO has set the plans in motion by starting up a completely separate office for the Sonia by Sonia Rykiel contemporary label.

"Sonia by Sonia Rykiel was somewhat cannibalizing the main Sonia Rykiel line," he told WWD. "Customers were turning away from the main collection in favour of Sonia by Sonia Rykiel, because it was seen perhaps as a younger, more accessible and very qualitative expression of the values of Sonia Rykiel."

Alongside these plans, the label is also focusing on growing its leather goods production - the responsibility of new product and merchandising director Sophie Templier, who joined from Chloé - as well as the launch of a new e-commerce site in November 2013. Customers can expect to see more of an online presence from the brand for 2013.

"I want to implement a content-oriented digital strategy, because this house is very rich in content," said Langdon. "It has a lot of depth, and it's important we share this history on the web in a way that gives it a modern spin."

Hot Stuff by Fashiondella

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Naomi Campbell Is Suing Over Elephant Polo Accusations

  

Naomi Campbell is suing The Daily Telegraph over an article last month that claimed she made plans for an elephant polo tournament in India.

Campbell had reportedly organized the games as part of a lavish birthday party she threw for her boyfriend, Russian real estate mogul Vladimir Doronin, at a 15th-century fort in Jodhpur last month.

"The simple truth is that there was no plan for elephant polo," said the supermodel's lawyer Gideon Benaim. "Ms. Campbell did not cancel it because it was never going to happen in the first place. We have as yet no idea where the false claims originated from; perhaps the Telegraph will let us know in due course."

The real luxuries at the party included a live performance by Diana Ross and private planes chartered to fly in guests like Kate Moss and Edward Enninful. But animal rights groups blasted Campbell when the Telegraph claimed the party would also include elephant polo — with three celebrity attendees to a team — and Campbell roundly denied the allegations. The paper has since removed the story from its website.

It's not known what kind of damages Campbell's suit seeks, but when she sued The Daily Mirror for invasion of privacy in 2001, the case was eventually settled for £500,000 —about $806,000 at current exchange.

Christian Louboutin Sweety Charity Calf Hair and Python Shoulder Bag

 Christian Louboutin’s embellished ‘Sweety Charity’ shoulder bags are as iconic as his red-soled shoes. This miniature version of the popular shoulder bag features zebra-print and neon-yellow calf hair with a bright-orange python panel and neon pink leather trim. Fully lined in red twill it also features an internal pocket. Visit Net-a-porter.com to Purchase .

Noor Fares Jewellery

Paris-born Lebanese designer Noor Fares has created one of the fashion set’s most covetable new jewellery collections. Combining Left-Bank chic with Middle Eastern glamour and mystique, Fares pieces mix classic structure with contemporary bling. Fans include super stylist Giovanna Battaglia. N.oor is sold at Michel Klein – see NoorFares.com for more information.

The Paseo bag by Loewe

Spanish fashion house Loewe has released its latest handbag, the Paseo, inspired by the Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art in Jerez, Spain.

Loewe's legendary leather craftsmanship is the result of 165 years of artisan practice, and now the Spanish house is set to launch their latest labor of love, the Paseo bag. After visiting the Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art, a prominent European horsemanship academy and home to the distinguished Andalusian breed, creative director Stuart Vevers drew inspiration from equestrianism for this mid-sized bag, whose adjustable strap recalls a horse's bridle and reigns. Fashioned from soft buffalo leather with a suede lining, the Paseo is available in a sophisticated palette of cream, beige, black and navy blue. In stores now.

John Galliano Signs New Licensing Deal

  has signed a three-year licensing deal with Ittierre SpA. The Italian manufacturer will produce and distribute the menwear, womenswear and accessories on behalf of the fashion house from autumn/winter 2013-14, reports WWD.

Ittierre SpA counts other high-end labels such as Tommy Hilfiger, Karl Lagerfeld Paris and Pierre Balmain within its portfolio. Most recently, the company announced a new licensing deal with Jean Paul Gaultier - including the release of its debut streetwear line - and the distribution of two new lower price lines with Guy Laroche

Buckingham Palace To Stage Catwalk Show

  

 A CATWALK will be built in the gardens of Buckingham Palace next year, as part of the four-day Coronation Festival - which will celebrate the 60^th anniversary of the Queen's coronation. The catwalk, which will be available for public viewing, will showcase the products of royal warrant holders - companies and businesses that have supplied goods or services to Her Majesty, the Duke of Edinburgh and the Prince of Wales for five years or more.

The display will be an eclectic one - featuring brands such as Savile Row tailors Gieves & Hawkes and Dege & Skinner, alongside Hunter wellingtons, Milborrow chimney sweeps and the bespoke Tom Smith Christmas crackers bought by the Queen for celebrations at Sandringham, reports The Evening Standard. The event, which will take place between July 11 and July 14 - will serve as a candid insight into the products the royal family use and love.

Tickets, which start at £30, will go on sale on Sunday at coronationfestival.com

Topshop Makes Its Hong Kong Debut

TOPSHOP will open its first Hong Kong shop next year, in partnership with department store Lane Crawford. The move marks the first time that the British high street brand has had a strong presence in Asia.

"I am delighted to be launching Topshop in Hong Kong in 2013 with Lane Crawford as our chosen partner," said Topshop boss Sir Philip Green. "Their team's expertise in the Chinese market is invaluable to us."

The store, which will be located within Asia Standard Tower, will cover 12,000 square foot over two floors. The space will house the chain's women's ready-to-wear, accessories, a shoe lounge, make-up line and a personal shopping area. Topshop currently operates in 39 countries, including Australia, the US, Brazil and South Africa.

"This is certainly a very exciting step in the continued growth of Topshop as a global, yet uniquely British, brand," said Green. "I am confident that the fashion-loving Hong Kong customers will enjoy the retail experience and fantastic product offer that Topshop will deliver for them."

Opening to the Centrefold

The eighth edition of cult U.K. magazine Centrefold landed on our desk today, and we think the issue, which celebrates Storm Model Management’s 25th anniversary via provocative editorials with supermodel clients like Cindy Crawford, Style.com/Print cover girl Cara Delevingne, Lily Cole, Alec Wek and Jourdan Dunn, is worth a look. Of course, it was Kate Moss’ raw cover shoot with Venetia Scott that first caught our eye. But from thick, finger-pleasing paper stock to smart layouts on oversized pages, the latest from Centrefold is yet another reminder that print is alive and well.

Giorgio Armani and Sean Penn team up for charity campaign

Italian designer Giorgio Armani and Oscar-winning actor Sean Penn wappear together in a print campaign to highlight Penn's Haitian Relief Organization.
He's usually the man behind the campaign images, but for a very special cause Giorgio Armani is stepping in front of the camera to become the star.
The septuagenarian Italian designer has teamed up with actor Sean Penn and his J/P Haitian Relief Organization to pose for a charity campaign that will unveiled globally later this month in select newspapers, reports WWD .
In the ad, both Armani and Penn can be seen looking dapper in tuxedos (Armani, we assume) against the backdrop of Cannes, where the picture was taken during the annual film festival.

The pair hosted a fundraising dinner in the French town back in May that raised $2 million for the foundation, which Penn founded in 2010 after the country was hit by a devastating earthquake. Together they launched a year-long humanitarian collaboration, which the new campaign is part of.