June 20, 2006
HUGO BOSS: Internationally Successful Fashion Brand
HUGO BOSS denotes success, perfection and a style that transcends international borders.
The HUGO BOSS brands encompass all key fashion areas, ranging from classic clothing, evening and leisurewear to functional sportswear and complementary accessories. The Group has been successfully asserting and expanding its position as a global market leader in the upscale fashion market for years.
HUGO BOSS is represented in the fashion market by the BOSS, HUGO and BALDESSARINI brands.
These brand collections and their fashion lines are aimed at various target groups.
BOSS BLACK
The womenswear and menswear collections of the BOSS Black line offer wide-ranging styles. The comprehensive spectrum encompasses elegant business ensembles, casual sports clothing and evening wear designed for special festive occasions. The person wearing these clothes appreciates the flawless look that expresses his or her personality and the high standards of quality.
BOSS SELECTION
The luxurious BOSS Selection Menswear collection embodies the premium tier of the BOSS brand world, implementing the design competence of the BOSS brand using the best materials and the finest workmanship. Hand-stitched details and features of traditional custom tailoring express the line’s exclusive nature and assure its positioning in the upper market segment.
BOSS ORANGE
The BOSS Orange collection offers leisure fashion for men and women who enjoy stylish outï¬ts and an element of surprise. Unusual materials, vibrant colors and intricate details are aimed at customers who like experimenting with fashion and also value good workmanship.
BOSS GREEN
The functional sportswear in the BOSS Green line offers athletic and fashion-oriented men a collection that promises optimum performance from both a sports and fashion perspective.
HUGO
The HUGO brand combines creativity and individuality. It offers self-confident men and women a collection to express their own style. HUGO is unconventional and avant-garde – a fashion defined not by age group, but by attitude.
BALDESSARINI
The BALDESSARINI designer label represents luxury mixed with modern individualism for men with exacting standards.
HUGO BOSS products are available worldwide in over 100 countries. HUGO BOSS subsidiaries guarantee professional knowledge of key local markets.
Edited & Posted by Editor | 2:53 PM | Link to this Post
June 12, 2006
UNITED COLORS OF BENETTON: FALL/WINTER 2006/2007: WOMEN’S COLLECTION
UNITED COLORS OF BENETTON WOMEN’S COLLECTION
Glamorous is the adjective that best describes United Colors of Benetton’s
collections for the next autumn-winter season. Collections focused on fashion
trends without going over the top. Well-established expertise helps to broaden
the knitwear content. Restraint, good taste and an undisputed ability to choose
and offer only what women really want: to be well dressed and very lovely.
Neo Noir for chic minimalists whose femininity shines through even under men’s fabrics and outfits. Straight trousers, Bermudas with turn-ups above the knee, blazers (some with a faux fur collar), simple coats or others with the touch of a thin loose belt, figure-hugging leather bombers, rigorous wool or nylon mid-length jackets. And edgier styles: a short cape, a spencer-bolero with a stand-up collar and a pleated skirt which is also in a surprising puffball version. The knitwear’s main features include large collars, neck openings with or without buttons, combinations of different yarns and wool weights, and black-and-white jacquard. In addition to the colour that gives its name to the range there is a sober brown, a classic charcoal and frivolous touches of white, pale blue and bluey-mauve.
Postcards from ... the dots are obligatory because the inspiring “where” is not well defined: the Los Angeles of Marlowe’s trench coat; the icy north of textured knits; the Paris of light, almost summery little silk dresses; the English countryside of jodhpurs; the yacht clubs of the French Riviera or the Costa Smeralda of the “nautical” caban jackets; the upmarket ski resorts of the down- filled overwear and the knitted waistcoat that brushes the ground like a regal train. The palette is composed of milky-white, golden beige and dun with antique rose seasoned with a light hand and with soft, fleecy knitwear symbolised by the shrug.
Something poetic: the country style’s romanticism and rough sweetness. Material combinations create the mood: tiny silk flowers married to tweed and herringbone; velvet with Shetland wool; tartan with heavy cotton; imitation leather and faux fur mix with striped knitwear. And that’s not all. Even the classic styles mix together: the duffel coat has caban details; the bomber is built like a blazer; the men’s coat is edged with dressing gown-like frills; the hunter’s jacket is made of coated Prince of Wales check. All have the air of a style collector’s classic must-haves given a new creative twist. Knitwear is everywhere with different stitches and yarns, mixtures of lines and modelling and incredible high points – to mention just one, the jacquard cardigan with “rounded” styling, a little bit shawl, a little bit redingote.
Bazaar Kashgar: of the Orient it has the jewel colours –teal, claret and pink-set amidst impenetrable, mysterious black; the silk and floral motifs; the discreet femininity of lace, trimmings, gatherings and sheer effects; the proportions and construction of dresses and blouses always with a high waist and tribal mood. Faux Karakul and textured wool for the main overwear. Lots of knits: layered, draped, low-cut, edged, matched with fanciful scarves.
The way we are is a “young” story of denim trousers, miniskirts, knee-length skirts, pedal pushers and Bermuda shorts wittily matched with important, elegant pieces. The very haute couture pastel hound’s tooth short jacket with a “string” of woollen pearls; the Tyrolean-style boiled-wool spencer; the purple-hibiscus English duffel coat; the black trench coat of the serious New Yorker; the airman’s down-filled bomber jacket; the rapper’s fleece jacket lined with faux fur. Denim blue, black and lots of strong colour underline the brand’s constant theme.
Edited & Posted by Editor | 8:25 PM | Link to this Post
June 4, 2006
Benetton: SISLEY Fall/Winter 2006/2007 Men's Fashions
SISLEY: Men’s Collection.
Benetton has announced the Sisley Men's fashions for winter 2006
No banal “fashion” for the Sisley man in winter 2006, but
something more: sophistication, style, culture and topicality.
Each kind of apparel is rich in content, innovation, creativity
and, of course, elegance – even in those cutting-edge looks that
seem to express themselves through provocation and a break with
tradition. Aesthetic shocks which nonetheless speak of fine
tailoring, of design research and a demanding passion for
beautiful things.
City blues: the cool executive’s formal style lowers its guard
and gives in to sentimentalism. A nostalgic heart beats under
that sober pewter-grey suit, so turtleneck sweaters and pink
shirts appear together with indigo jeans, a coat in a milky-
white shade or with tone-on-tone micro patterns, a blue velvet
blazer, a sand parka and a sleeveless pullover with an
intellectual air, to wear with a white shirt and purple silk
tie.
From Russia with love: the world’s 007s spy no more, the
barriers are down, the iconographies of East and West mingle
together. The result is a tongue-in-cheek blend of denim and
dress uniforms, military shirts complete with medals and urban
bomber jackets, short nylon jackets from beyond the Iron Curtain
and suburban sweatshirts, Red October pullovers and caban
jackets, sneakers on their feet and soldiers’ field service caps
on their head. And permeated throughout with Cyrillic graphics
and post-Soviet symbols.
Revolver: or, even the baddies want to look good. Pitch black
and shiny rain straight from goth comic strips and mystery
science fiction create dark suits, nylon or nappa short jackets,
down-filled blazers, tight jeans, zipped or V-neck pullovers
over gangster-stripe or optical white shirts. Nail buttons,
studs, zips and other nickel details add force to force.
North east: the casual style gets adventurous and starts
exploring, travelling north to absorb local colour: ice, tundra,
birch, embers, salmon. Casual moleskin, wool or corduroy
overwear to wear with garment-dyed tartan trousers, chunky
frogged sweaters. Fleece and jacquard wool jackets are worn
easily with jeans or multiple-pocket army-green cotton trousers.
Mottle flammeÌ sweaters to wear under a musher’s parka. Patchwork
polo shirts and tartan shirts emphasise an adventure style that
most people will wear in town too.
Edited & Posted by Editor | 2:36 PM | Link to this Post
June 3, 2006
Benetton Fashion : SISLEY Fall/Winter 2006/2007
SISLEY: Women’s Collection.
Increasingly acclaimed as a trend-setting brand, each season
Sisley presents cutting-edge styles in tune with the
international fashion mood. Perfectly in harmony with the latest
trends, yet with the good taste and restraint needed to give
pleasure. Femininity is the byword for next winter’s collections
and is seen everywhere, even in the more masculine styles or the
most sporty or casual fabrics.
City chic: an urban look, 24/7 sophistication. Black, blue and
hints of pink colour the whole wardrobe, with updated 19th-
century touches of lace, frills and jabots. Close-fitting coats
with decorative buttons or wrapover, tie-belt cloaks are worn
over clingy skirts and polo-neck sweaters. The Empire-line
sheepskin jacket marries low-waisted trousers. The power suit
opens to reveal sheer jersey sweaters, knotted or frilled, and
the seductive all-day dress goes from knitted fabric to velvet
and from jersey to printed silk crepe to emphasise a tongue-in-
cheek, self-confident brand of femininity.
Uptown girl: the aggressive style acquires a fair amount of
cheekiness. Lingerie T-shirts go with army-style overwear -
especially an updated version of the flying jacket in faux mink
– generously low-cut pullovers, ultra-romantic shrugs, sprayed-
on jeans that leave nothing to the imagination and microskirts
for fantastic legs. The treated and softened wool and cotton
fabrics are coloured in faded shades of grey, teal and purple.
Baby baby: acrobatic creativity, in other words childish
shaping, masculine fabrics and feminine colours. The triple pike
jump is executed perfectly et voilà: a supremely wearable
wardrobe. White and red overwear makes a striking difference: a
little coat worthy of the “clever pupil”; a double-breasted
jacket in herringbone wool with a deep knitted band around the
waist; a Prince of Wales check short jacket with a college look.
Soft low-waisted dresses of printed jersey with a plastron and
dolly styling, or silk crepe with Art Nouveau bouquets. Soft
angora or mohair baby knitwear with inlays and different
stitches.
Crossroads: in other words the point where different moods,
atmospheres and influences, which started from who knows where,
meet together. The colours and style of the English countryside
are seen in the tweed trousers worn with a heavy knitted jacket
with a Torchon collar, and in the high-waisted velvet check
blazer worn with a Prince of Wales check wool/cotton gathered
skirt. Another mood for the rather masculine vintage coat worn
over faded jeans; yet another, vaguely gipsy, for the flouncy
denim skirts worn with loose, floral blouses, or voile skirts
with purple and green flower sprays worn with long, clingy
jersey T-shirts. The colours are earthy with bold dashes of
saffron, sage and sky blue.
Street kick: a style born in the street and worn for fun.
Colours on denim, colours on blue and army green, colour on
tartan and more colour on padded jackets. Wool cloth, heavy
cotton, velvet and fleece together with denim create easy-to-
wear clothes with something of the gym and something of the
army: the tracksuit jacket, the short jacket, the Bermudas, the
warm pullover, the sleeveless cardigan, oversize or leather
trousers.
Edited & Posted by Editor | 2:35 PM | Link to this Post
May 22, 2006
LEVI'S, THE ORIGINAL DENIM BRAND KICKS OFF THE NEXT REVOLUTION IN DIGITAL MUSIC STORAGE
The Levi’s Brand Launches First iPod Compatible Jeans Worldwide.
SAN FRANCISCO: The Levi’s brand is launching a wearable technology revolution with the introduction of new Levi’s RedWire™ DLX Jeans available worldwide in fall 2006. Designed for both men and women, the jeans seamlessly integrate iPod plug and play technology giving music enthusiasts an innovative and fashionable way to enjoy music on the go. The jean is designed to be compatible with most iPod systems and features include a special joystick incorporated into the jeans’ watch pocket to enable easy operation of the iPod.
Invented in 1873 by Levi Strauss, Levi’s Jeans are the original jeans. The Levi’s brand offers the wide range of fitting jeans on the market. Levi’s Jeans have captured the attention, imagination and loyalty of generations of diverse individuals in more than 100 countries around the world.
“The Levi’s RedWire™ DLX Jean is the latest extension of the Levi’s brand leadership position by merging fashion and technology that provides consumers with the most innovative way to enhance their portable, digital music lifestyle,” said Robert Hanson, Levi’s U.S. brand president. “In designing the jeans we considered both function and fashion – the result is a uniquely functional, yet stylish, great fitting jean."
Design features include:
• Easy Pocket Storage – An iPod docking cradle is built into the jeans and is “invisibly” housed within a side pocket. The Levi’s design team took special care to ensure the iPod unit remains neatly and securely stored in the jean, while the iPod “bump” in the pocket is virtually eliminated. The cradle is equipped with sophisticated technology housed in a red conductive ribbon that allows users to quickly and easily remove their iPod from the pocket to view its screen while staying connected. The jean is machine washable once the iPod is removed.
• “Hip” Controls – A special joystick remote control is externally designed into the jeans’ watch pocket to enable operation of the iPod. Four-way controls allow the wearer to easily play/pause, track forward, track back and adjust the volume control without ever removing the iPod from the pocket.
• Handy Wire Retractor – A handy retractable headphone unit has been built directly into the jean to help prevent tangles and efficiently manage the iPod earphone wires.
The new Levi’s RedWire™ DLX jeans have been developed to be practical and leading-edge in their aesthetic. A crisp white leather patch and joystick, bluffed back pockets with hidden stitching, and clean minimalist buttons and rivets allude to the iPod’s famously pure design. Special care has been taken to marry the physical design with a great-fitting jean.
Edited & Posted by Editor | 3:12 PM | Link to this Post
May 15, 2006
L'Oreal Receives International Corporate Diversity Innovation Award
Award for leadership in providing products adapted to the needs of global consumers.
L'Oreal, one of the world's leading cosmetics companies, received the World Diversity Leadership Council's Corporate Diversity Innovation award for product innovation. This is the first time that L'Oreal has received an international recognition for the cultural diversity of its products.
L'Oreal was among four companies honoured for innovation in diversity management during the World Diversity Leadership Summit held in Prague. L'Oreal was selected by a peer group of respected corporate diversity executives who recognised its excellence in leveraging diversity to offer innovative products adapted to a wide range of global consumers, including people of African and Asian origin. The three-day forum was attended by 200 senior corporate, government and non-governmental organisation officials from around the world.
L'Oreal has 18 international brands of American, European and Asian origin including Soft-Sheen, Carson, Shu Uemura, Lancome, Maybelline and Giorgio Armani. L'Oreal has 14 research centres and 13 evaluation centres throughout the world including The L'Oreal Institute for Ethnic Hair and Skin Research in Chicago and the newly inaugurated Pudong L'Oreal Research Centre for Asian hair and skin in China. In 2005, L'Oreal dedicated almost $600 million to cosmetic and dermatological research.
L'Oreal USA, headquartered in New York City, with 2005 sales of over $4 billion and 7,900 employees, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of L'Oreal SA.
L'Oreal's impressive portfolio of brands includes Lancome, Giorgio Armani, Shu Uemura, L'Oreal Paris, Garnier, Vichy, Biotherm, La Roche-Posay, L'Oreal Professionel and Kerastase. The U.S. is the base for the product development, international marketing and advertising for L'OreÌals eight American brands: Maybelline New York, Soft-Sheen.Carson, Kiehl's Since 1851, Ralph Lauren, Redken 5th Avenue NYC, Matrix, Mizani and SkinCeuticals.
Launched in 2004, the World Diversity Leadership Summit has become a high-profile forum for addressing the challenges and opportunities related to diversity management. Douglas Freeman, Co-Chair Selection Committee for the World Diversity Leadership Council said: “L'Oreal has distinguished itself amongst the other candidates in leveraging diversity to offer innovative products to a wider range of global consumers.”
“What makes this award unique is that it really fits with the core of L'OreÌal's business, creating innovative products that address the needs of global consumers,” said Ed Bullock, L'OreÌal USA's Vice President of Diversity, receiving the award on behalf of Sir Lindsay Owen-Jones, President and CEO of L'OreÌal. “We are truly delighted to receive this recognition for our long standing efforts and commitment to the cultural diversity of our products, brands, workforces and communities,” he added.
L'Oreal SA, headquartered in Paris , maintains a diverse, yet complementary, portfolio of 18 international brands, sold in 130 countries. In 2005, L'Oreal reported consolidated sales of $17.53 billion. The group has a global workforce of 52,000 employees.
L'Oreal is the cosmetics industry's largest investor in research with a hi-tech industrial approach that guarantees innovative, high-value-added products.
Edited & Posted by Editor | 11:18 AM | Link to this Post
March 8, 2006
Maria Kirilenko Introduces adidas by Stella McCartney Tennis Range
The Russian newcomer Maria Kirilenko is presenting the new adidas by Stella McCartney tennis range, thus continuing the sport performance design collection. Currently ranked as No. 25 on the WTA tour, Maria has been selected to become the face of the new tennis range and will be playing in apparel and footwear of adidas by Stella McCartney at all upcoming tournaments starting with the Australian Open.
Maria Kirilenko, the latest addition to the adidas tennis family and exclusive face of the adidas by Stella McCartney tennis range, will be wearing the key styles of the tennis line and the Bashasha, an ultra-light tennis shoe based on the successful adidas Feather. The shoe’s very sleek 3 stripes design on the upper offers additional stability whereas the quarter is kept very minimal, thus making the shoe very breathable and light.
The tennis line is completely integrated in the color palette of the spring/summer 2006 collection of adidas by Stella McCartney. Strong shades of reds (pop, calypso, husky pink), yellows (flash, electricity) and a new green (macaw) alongside the traditional tennis color white and toned-down pastels like orchid and the signature color of the collection, dusty rose, from now on will provide unexpected color twists on and off the tennis court.
The new adidas by Stella McCartney tennis range will be available as of mid February in high-end department stores, adidas Sport Performance stores and Stella McCartney stores around the world.
The adidas by Stella McCartney range is part of the adidas Sport Performance division. adidas has built and underlined its leadership in tennis with only one focused mission, and that is to provide every athlete with the best possible equipment and gear. Top athletes such as Andre Agassi, Justine Henin-Hardenne, Marat Safin, Martina Hingis, Anna-Lena Groenefeld and Guillermo Coria as well as adidas ambassadors such as Steffi Graf, Stan Smith and Ilie Nastase wear state-of-the art adidas tennis products.
Edited & Posted by Editor | 6:11 PM | Link to this Post
March 3, 2006
LACOSTE FASHION, VITAMINS FOR THE SPRING SEASON
New York Fashion Show... Among the eighty or so creators who are showing in New York in March 2006, some American labels are all the rage across the Atlantic. But swimming against the tide, the LACOSTE crocodile, boosted by Christophe Lemaire, is one of the few French brands meeting with success in Manhattan.
The 2006 range sends down the catwalk clean-cut boys sporting vitamin-rich hues, in plum colored drainpipe trousers with LACOSTE grenadine worn discreetly under a vermillion parka.
Christophe Lemaire brightens up the pavements of New york, where his street wear wardrobe defies the drab of winter. You meet girls as colorful as Smarties, in velvet knickers or ripped edge miniskirts and boots puffed up like down jackets.
In short, the first Lacoste autumn-winter show puts the accent on city sportswear in lively colors.
In 1933, René LACOSTE and André GILLIER,
the owner and chairman of France’s largest
knitwear manufacturing firm at the time,
set up a company to make the logo-
embroidered shirt designed by the champion
for his own use on the tennis court. Also
marketed were a number of other tennis,
golf and sailing shirts, as can be seen in the
first catalogue from 1933.
This was the first time that a brand name appeared on
the outside of an article of clothing - an idea
which has since become extremely
successful.
This shirt immediately revolutionised mens
sportswear, replacing the classical woven
fabric, long-sleeved and starched shirts
which players had worn on the courts until
then.
The first LACOSTE shirt was white,
slightly shorter than other shirts of the day,
with a ribbed collar and short sleeves, and it
was made of a light knitted fabric called
“Jersey petit piqué”. The qualities of
comfort and solidity upon which it built its
name still shine through today, providing a
different and truly unique product.
Edited & Posted by Editor | 11:37 AM | Link to this Post
February 22, 2006
UNITED COLORS OF BENETTON SPRING/SUMMER 2006 CHILDREN
CHILDREN
Radiant, dazzling and colourful. This is the look of the spring-summer 2006 collection for United Colors of Benetton children.
A kaleidoscopic carousel of traditional children’s styles imbued with fresh creativity to give a new look to all the lines. Accents that make the difference and create an attractively different style for children:
- an abundance of ornamentation: rhinestones, embroidery and jewelled decorations for her; elegant patchwork appliqués for him;
- floral prints for her and multi-coloured overwear for him;
- stripes galore for girls, T-shirts aplenty for boys;
- denim for everyone, from fashionably chic to distressed;
- the season’s must-haves: a gypsy tunic for her, cargo pants for him;
- pretty skirts with matching sandals and, for boys, sports-fan knits.
Girls
Navy, for mini guests lounging on a yacht. White and dark blue with traces of coral and bright grass-green. Sailor trousers and mini sundresses; sweaters with all kinds of stripes and T-shirts with embroidery and Swarovski crystals; little stretch denim dresses and yachtsmen’s lawn blazers.
Etnico talks about flowers, paisley, sparkling embroidery, pastel and bright coloured flounces mixed with beige. T-shirts over gipsy skirts, embroidered jeans with tunics straight from the 70s, boys’ blazers decorated with little-girl romantic touches.
Cutie Girl, deliciously feminine in candy shades; floral trousers and short jackets; hyper-decorated T-shirts; trompe l’oeil double panels with shiny crystals and glitter prints; figure-hugging minis and Capri pants.
Gipsy Surf, a tropical sea with gipsy digressions. Luminous, midday-sun colours mixed at discretion. Rainbow stripes for sweaters, vests and knitted slip dresses; Hawaiian prints for T-shirts to wear over minis and army-look trousers with loads of beach accessories.
Skate Girl, for fresh city rappers. Basic colours are mixed – apparently casually – with strong or acid shades. Vests and T-shirts to wear in layers; light sweaters decorated with mega prints and script motifs; the baggiest trousers of all with an elasticated waist; and minis, including a vaguely Charleston version with big pleats.
Boys
Soft City, the perfect look for the little city slicker: pastel tops, basic pale bottoms. Clean graphics for polo shirts and sweaters; yarn-dyed shirts and textured cotton blazers. Sweaters, T-shirts and shirts worn one on top of the other creating bright colour matches.
Marine. Sailor, ahoy! Bomber jackets, sweatshirts, short jackets, multi-pocket and multi-zip trousers in classic sea colours with added gold-yellow and grass green. Appliquéd decorations, yacht-club script motifs and de rigueur stripes keep us firmly in-theme.
Spring Campus, dominated by pale blue and baby blue. Lots of washed, treated, sewn and re-sewn denim; shirts and loose shirts with yarn-dyed or appliquéd stripes; shirts and Bermudas in classic checks. Over these go short jackets, figure-hugging jackets, patchwork-constructed sweatshirts full of vintage script motifs.
Color Stripes, in other words a softer, appealing army look. Bottoms include multi-accessoried camouflage or cargo pants worn with sweatshirts in ice-cream colours, cartoon-print T-shirts or brightly-coloured shirts.
Spring Hockey, hard play, easy comfort. Fabric or denim tracksuit-style trousers in oversize proportions worn under closed or zipped sweatshirts and sweaters with hockey graphics. Striking contrasts of deep and worn colours.
Summer Basket, unusual pastel tones are out on the court for a striking theme. Striped or check drill Bermudas worn with "sweet" strawberry, pistachio and sky blue T-shirts worn in layers. Racing team script motifs and graphics in soft colours and big sizes.
NEW BORN
A romantic mood; unusual, pretty denim; offbeat stripes; and a sporty trend are the main ingredients of this collection for babies. Still in nappies but already in the latest fashions, United Colors of Benetton babies are never banal and dare to be different in little kids’ outfits.
Layette, in other words, classic basic pale blue, pale pink and lime with "delightful" details: braid trims, embroidered mascots, tiny stripes, tablecloth checks. All in cool, comfortable cotton.
Marine Girl is white, red and blue with pink and light blue touches. Sailor trousers in denim and other fabrics, light windcheater sweatshirts, white-and-blue horizontal-striped "cruise" dresses and T-shirts worthy of a deep-sea fishergirl. Marine Boy adds cornflower blue and medlar to white and uses stripes in all sizes, going in all directions, as the main decorative element for sweaters, shorts and shoes. The very skipper-like polo shirts with a white collar are particularly appealing.
Soft Girl reveals a romantic side: little crushed-cotton flouncy, patchwork dresses with pink flowers, mauve twinsets with pastel embroidery, "tennis" outfits with appliqué flowers, open-work or all-over-printed T-shirts, embroidered stretch poplin cropped pants. Soft Boy mixes white, pale blue and yellow-orange. Ultra-treated, multi-pocketed denim to wear all the time with knitted-sleeve sweatshirts and light cotton vests; seersucker salopettes.
Tonic Girl for pastel-shaded gym maniacs. Short, pleated skirts matched with single-shoulder tops with Lurex stripes; sweatshirts; T-shirts with appliqués and embroidery; multi-stripe zipped cardigans; ripped, windowpane check jeans with floral sashes. Tonic Boy is sportswear in strong colours: yellow, green and cornflower blue. Cotton cropped pants that can be shortened; numbered waistcoats; denim bomber jackets and sweatshirts with a removable hood; layerable T-shirts; playsuits with bands, inlays, overstitching, badges and embroidery that would even make dad envious.
Edited & Posted by Editor | 10:34 AM | Link to this Post
UNITED COLORS OF BENETTON SPRING/SUMMER 2006 MEN’S COLLECTION
MEN’S COLLECTION
United Colors of Benetton’s collections for men are becoming more and more fashion-conscious. The Spring Summer 2006 raises the bar of male elegance: easy and breezy young styles permeated with a very special allure.
UP STREET, destructured elegance with casual hints. Chiefly white and beige, with pink, pale blue and grey for shirts. Close-fitting lines made supremely wearable through the use of soft, floppy fabrics: plain-coloured linen, cotton or gabardine, pinstripes or Prince of Wales check. Suits with tailored two-button jackets, and separates with easy-wear blazers. Shirt-jackets with patch pockets and crisp, straight trousers, or jeans with a moderately worn look. Yarn-dyed shirts; simple pastel knitwear in light wool or cotton jersey.
SPRING FORWARD, urban theme based on treated cotton and denim. The mood is casual but charming; basic, slim-fit trousers are worn with feather-light cotton yarn in strawberry, mint, plum, sunny yellow. The same colours are used for vintage blazers and thin-striped, yarn-dyed shirts.
TRAINING CAMP, a casual theme with army touches seen in the colour palette and minimum details "according to regulations": cotton or denim soft, multi-pocket trousers; T-shirts with in-theme script motifs. The rest is pacific and pacifist: light cotton windcheaters, light hooded sweatshirts, loose shirts with pale-coloured stripes and tiny checks, shirt-collar blazers of heavy cotton. A range of base-camp greens and beiges mixed with pink, fuchsia and purple.
CARIBBEAN LOVE, a leisurely, almost nautical atmosphere. Hawaiian script motifs on T-shirts worn at least two together in bright and soft shades: pink and fuchsia, aqua and turquoise, orange and apricot, bright yellow and lime. Soft, slightly baggy trousers of light, faded denim are worn with floral or check shirts and even with classic-cut blazers that are, however, made of jersey. Long shorts that hover somewhere between pedal pushers and Bermudas, with large pockets and a low waist.
ACCESSORIES AND FOOTWEAR
Accessories in pole position in the race to create a United Colors of Benetton total look. Practical or decorative complementary articles whose creative content, dynamism and sense of humour give greater breadth to distinctive style codes.
The top bag style for him is a flat, canvas or nylon shoulder bag with leather details in army colours. For those with a lot of baggage, there are extra-long canvas backpacks with studs and pockets. World travellers use unisex luggage: gathered, branded nylon or in soft and rigid leather in brilliant colours. Anti-impact design for the work/travel range; textured nylon in black and acid tones.
And on the feet? Sneakers, the timeless classic, and cross-over leather sandals with a colonial feel. Also, moccasins in unusual pastel shades.
Baseball caps in all colours; panamas worthy of a dandy; belts of leather decorated with nautical knots, or patchwork ribbons or engraved leather. These complete the range of men’s accessories, not forgetting the ties in plain colours or jacquard or with tiny embroidery in clear candy colours.
Edited & Posted by Editor | 10:20 AM | Link to this Post
UNITED COLORS OF BENETTON SPRING/SUMMER 2006 WOMEN’S COLLECTION
WOMEN’S COLLECTION
This collection talks about a breezy charm, a kind of feminine glamour caressed with fashion touches, capable of unusual matching and of young ideas that make the United Colors of Benetton style very personal, unique and, above all, unmistakeable.
UPPER EAST SIDE, urban spring mood in skimpy proportions. Slender figures in white, indigo, bilberry and cyclamen. Strong combinations with measure and good taste. Overwear falls longer over the hips and tightens at the waist; cigarette pants cling without constricting; knee-length Bermudas take a leading role and pencil skirts give a soft touch to the overall look. Over these go minimal knits: buttoned, low-cut, layered; fresh and chic striped blouses. Matt fabrics, or with iridescent effects, give touches of elegance.
BEVERLY HILLS, strictly reserved for the young. The accent’s on denim in various weights: tamed, treated, battered and shaped into innovative styles – from the jacket with an off-the-shoulder neckline to the slip dress. Visible zips, ribbing, overstitching, cuts and darning add "real life" details. Trousers are jeans, including coloured jeans in brilliant or faded tones, the same tones found on cotton T-shirts and vests, basic little cardigans of ultra-light wool or lace-stitch sheer shrugs. Dashes of Lurex and sequins here and there.
NATURAL GIRL, the army look is revamped and the usual greens – from camouflage to acid – mix with dark or pale blue, turquoise and lime. Heavy fabrics – canvas, cotton, gabardine – redesign the proportions of trousers – baggy with measure – of overwear – soft and feminine – and of bias-cut and asymmetric skirts.
NEO ROMANTIC, details borrowed from grandma’s trousseau for today’s styles. Pedal pushers with pirate-look button turn-ups, blazers with flounces instead of lapels, blouses ribbed with tiny frills, open-work waistcoats, denim skirts with broderie anglaise hem trims, pleated linen skirts with floral motifs, lingerie-cotton skirts, long gauze gypsy skirts that swirl around the ankles. All in white, cream, lilac, blue-mauve and mauve.
ETHNIC STONES, where details make the mood. Oriental silk, coloured embroidery, shimmering Indian beads, tinkling belts. Colours are bright – purple, turquoise, saffron, apricot – lines are sinuous and clingy. Jeans can even be of faded denim as long as they’re worn with a sheer voile tunic, or a top or tunic with Moroccan embroidery.
DESERT ROSE, in other words, urban chic in high summer. Shell beige, sand grey, angel pink, chocolate brown and date with sophisticated lacquer-red touches. Charming colours interpreted in linen, cotton, satin, muslin and tulle. Skirts with vertical stripes or geometric prints or in plain colours trimmed with lace. Roomy linen trousers and simple pedal pushers with turn-ups are worn with lace-stitch cardigans, severe safari jackets, romantic loose blouses, tiny jackets. A prim and proper air with a few caprices.
ACCESSORIES AND FOOTWEAR
Accessories in pole position in the race to create a United Colors of Benetton total look. Practical or decorative complementary articles whose creative content, dynamism and sense of humour give greater breadth to distinctive style codes.
Women’s collection
Nylon is the material-of-the-moment for bags in Spring-Summer 2006: soft, fluid, rigid, gathered but always branded, in keeping with the fashion for putting logos where they can be instantly seen and immediately recognised. Backpacks, box bags, shoulder bags and mini bags complete with hats and sneakers in pale pastels; leather handles and details.
Alternatively, there’s smooth nylon in va-va-voom colours or in a patchwork with genuine leather, or printed with chintz flowers. The season begs for canvas, linen and cotton decorated with sequins, floral appliqués, geometric window-pane checks, with crochet or pillow lace. It also requires super-decorated shirt fabric, prim and proper denim, rip-stop fabric with an army feel in regulation green or a floral pattern. Fifties’ straw mixed with bamboo or raw for picnic-style box bags; jute is embroidered with silk. Then, of course, there’s leather, best of all if it’s plaited, combined in a patchwork with sahari silk, embellished with charms appliqué embroidery, natural stones.
Closed shoes in pastel colours range from foot-hugging moccasins to branded-nylon ballerinas, from open-sided shoes to broderie anglaise courts including a flat-heeled version. For the summer there are high-heeled sandals with criss-cross laces at the back; leather or fabric flip-flops; Thirties-style cord wedges with split-leather uppers. Fabric flip-flops for the beach and wooden sandals, the season’s new must-have, including a high-heeled version.
Different combinations, assemblies, double lacing, embroidery, decorative buckles, leather belts in various widths. Complex weaves, colour schemes and gathering for the scarves which can also be used as shawls or sashes. In addition to grosgrain or crocheted cotton cloches, headwear includes the wide-brimmed straw hat typical of rice weeders.
Ethnic jewellery of horn, glass and metal around the neck and arms, and enamelled charms tinkle and twinkle everywhere.
Edited & Posted by Editor | 1:10 AM | Link to this Post
January 18, 2006
Revlon - Leading Mass Market Cosmetics Brand
Revlon is a world leader in cosmetics, skin care, fragrance and personal care and is a leading mass market cosmetics brand. Revlon's vision is to provide glamour, excitement and innovation through quality products at affordable prices. To pursue this vision, Revlon's management team combines the creativity of a cosmetics and fashion company with the marketing, sales and operating system of a consumer packaged goods company. Revlon global brand name recognition, product quality and marketing experience have enabled it to create one of the strongest consumer brand franchises in the world, with Revlon products sold in approximately 175 countries and territories. Revlon's brands include Revlon, ColorStay, New Complexion, Revlon Age Defying, Almay, Ultima II and Flex and Charlie.
Unlike companies that still needlessly maim and kill animals to test their products, Revlon, in 1990, became one of the first industry heavyweights to ban all animal testing. Since then, Revlon has grown into an animal-friendly empire, garnering numerous awards for its products, including from popular magazines such as Cosmopolitan, Teen People, Allure, and InStyle. The European Union recently voted to phase out all cosmetics testing on animals, a decision no doubt inspired by Revlon and other companies that have proved that animal tests are archaic and unnecessary.
Testing cosmetics and household products on animals involves blinding and poisoning rabbits, guinea pigs, and other animals. These painful and deadly tests don’t keep harmful products off the market—they merely provide companies with a barrier from potential liability lawsuits.
"By renouncing animal testing, Revlon has sent the message that beauty doesn’t have to come with an ugly side," said PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) President Ingrid E. Newkirk. "Although there are still some holdouts, Revlon’s commitment to compassion has become the standard in the personal-care-products industry."
For blazing the cruelty-free trail with a sensational line of hair-care products, cleansers, perfumes, and makeup, venerable personal-care-products company Revlon has won PETA's "Cutting-Edge Company" Award.
Edited & Posted by Editor | 9:36 AM | Link to this Post
January 15, 2006
Cartier is reclaiming its elitist position as the "king of jewelers and jeweler of kings."
Established in France in 1847, today Cartier is part of Richemont, the Switzerland-based luxury group and owner of numerous globally established brands. Beside Cartier, Richemont manages Van Cleef & Arpels, Piaget, Baume & Mercier, IWC, Jaeger-LeCoultre, A. Lange & Sohne, Panerai, Vacheron Constantin, Dunhill, Lancel, Montblanc, Montegrappa, Purday, Chloe, Hackett, Old England and Shanghai Tang.
Cartier may be credited with numerous innovations that have had an enduring influence. The firm made a large number of jewels that could be worn in more than one way, such as necklaces that could be dismantled to make bracelets. In making jewelry in the Egyptian revival style it was the first to incorporate scarabs and fragments of ancient faience. The firm also pioneered the use of platinum, which was more durable than gold and showed off diamonds to greater advantage. During the art deco period Cartier fashioned dazzling pieces using onyx, ivory, agate, coral, rock crystal, and jade in combination with precious stones, which stemmed from their designers' enduring fascination with India, the Far East, and Russia.
Cartier is on a high, as the jeweler that was one of the first brands to democratize luxury is now reclaiming its elitist position as the "king of jewelers and jeweler of kings."
Cartier's historic store on Rue de la Paix has reopened in January 2006 on two levels behind its black marble façade.
The expanded store has doubled in size, but far from opening up as a vast temple, is banking on intimacy. A line-up of small rooms for special clients has original light oak wood paneling carved with garlands and hung with certificates from England's Edward VII, (in 1905) through the king of Siam and Russian czars. Even the grand new staircase, echoing the modernist Art Deco style that Louis Cartier defined as early as 1899, leads up to tiny, book-lined boudoirs for one-to-one service.
Should you be as wealthy as the Indian maharajahs who helped to create Cartier's fame, you might be ushered into a room where Indian portraits line the walls and offered a tray of 13 exceptional pieces, made today by Cartier's 18-strong design team. Those pieces include a fresh version of the colorful "Tutti Frutti" necklace and a platinum "Chimère" bracelet, set with emeralds and sapphires, in which the mythical beast wraps round the wrist in a miracle of craftsmanship that required 2,000 hours of work.
The adjacent room is dedicated to Jeanne Toussaint, the elegant woman behind Cartier's signature panther designs. On the wall are working drawings and photographs showing society figures such as Daisy Fellowes or the Duchess of Windsor in their bold finery.
Sprinkled throughout the store are more accessible jewelry, scarves and graceful handbags. The heritage director, Pierre Rainero, points out discreet photographs of clients as the Belle Epoque Russians morphed into New World American client from the 1920s to 1960s.
Now customers are multinational. The stairwell beneath the atrium filled up with guests from Japan and China, where Cartier was a pioneer and already has 14 boutiques, competing with Indians and bejeweled Russians. In honor of those jewelry high rollers, the party tent was decorated like a St. Petersburg palace, with a Russian orchestra and a menu of caviar and beef stroganoff, and with vodka flowing as fast as Champagne.
The major development in the global jewelry market over the last decade has been branded lines from fashion houses such as Gucci or Dior, as well as the purchase of historic jewelers by luxury groups. Cartier is part of the Richemont Group, the second largest luxury conglomerate, after LVMH. Working autonomously, but with synergies to the parent company, especially for time pieces, Cartier is now the No. 1 for jewelry sales and No. 2, after Rolex, for watches in the world - although no precise figures are broken out.
Edited & Posted by Editor | 6:17 AM | Link to this Post
January 9, 2006
GUCCI - Leading Luxury Brand
Founded in Florence in 1921, Gucci is one of the world's leading luxury brands. It designs, produces and distributes high-quality luxury goods, including ready-to-wear, handbags, small leather goods, luggage, shoes, gifts, fragrances, eyewear. Gucci manufactures all products in Italy and licenses the production and distribution of eyewear, perfumes and men's ready-to-wear.
Through Gucci Group Watches, located in Cortaillod Switzerland, the company also assembles and distributes in all major markets around the world Gucci brand timepieces, combining outstanding Swiss craftsmanship with modern design aesthetics.
The company directly operates stores in major markets throughout the world and wholesales products through franchise store, duty-free boutiques and leading department and specialty stores.
Gucci Group N.V. is one of the world's leading multi-brand luxury goods companies. Through the brands Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent, Bottega Veneta, YSL Beauté, Boucheron, Sergio Rossi, Bédat & Co., Roger & Gallet, Alexander McQueen, Stella McCartney and Balenciaga, the Group designs, produces and distributes high-quality personal luxury goods.
Edited & Posted by Editor | 5:51 AM | Link to this Post
January 6, 2006
Giorgio Armani Men’s Collection Spring Summer 2006
Armani describes its Men's Spring Summer 2006 collection as follows: MANIA – AN OBSESSIVE IDEA, A FIXATION, AN UNUSUAL PATTERN OF BEHAVIOUR, AS IN SOMEONE “HAS A MANIA FOR TIDINESS”. BY EXTENSION, PASSION, TASTE, EXCESSIVE ATTENTION TO DETAIL (AS DEFINED IN THE DICTIONARY).
ARMANIA – THE QUINTESSENTIAL STYLE AND PHILOSOPHY OF ARMANI. BY EXTENSION, THE PASSION TO WEAR ARMANI.
IN TERMS OF CONCEPTS AND CLOTHES, THIS COLLECTION RETAINS THE ARMANI LOOK, AS WE HAVE LEARNT TO RECOGNISE IT IN THE PAST – DECONSTRUCTED, FREE, SENSUAL, ANATOMICALLY PERFECT TO EMPHASISE THE BODY’S INNATE SUPPLENESS – BUT WITH NEW PROPOSALS. THE FOCUS IS THE RE-DEFINED JACKET. SHORTER ON THE HIPS TO ELONGATE THE FIGURE, WITH NATURAL OR SADDLE SHOULDERS AND PEAK LAPELS TO EMPHASISE THE PHYSICALITY OF THE ULTRA-SLIM LINE, FASTENED BY A SINGLE BUTTON. FRESH AND FLUID, THIS FEATHERWEIGHT JACKET IS ALTERNATED WITH A SOFT AND FITTED DOUBLE-BREASTED VERSION, WORN WITH A TOUCH OF NONCHALANCE. IN SPORTS WEAR THE JACKET RECURS AS A CABAN OR THE MOST CASUAL OF BLOUSONS.
INNOVATIVE, LIGHT AND AIRY, A SUPERIOR NEW QUALITY OF JERSEY IS THE CHOSEN FABRIC FOR SHIRTS – IN BLUE AND WHITE STRIPES ASSOCIATED WITH THE FINEST POPLIN – AND TIES. A TRUE CLASSIC OF THE ARMANI REVOLUTION, THE COLLARLESS SHIRT, FREE AND DECONSTRUCTED. PERFECT, WHEN FASTENED WITH A ZIP AND WORN WITH A METICULOUSLY CUT FORMAL SUIT. AMONG THE ICONIC ARMANI FABRICS: MICRO WEAVES, PRINCE OF WALES CHECKS, SOMETIMES OBVIOUS, SOMETIMES IN A HAZY MIX OF LINEN AND SILK FOR EXTRA RADIANCE, THE VERY LIGHTEST WOOLLEN YARNS. ALWAYS PRESENTED IN FRESH AND UNEXPECTED SHADES, GOLDEN GREY, SMOKY GREEN GREY, MINERAL HUES BETWEEN BEIGE AND GREY – CULMINATING IN A DEEP BURGUNDY THAT BRINGS A DEEP GLOW TO THE SPORTS WEAR, WITH A SPLASH OF LIGHT LILAC EVOKING A TOUCH OF THE EIGHTIES.
SIGNIFICANTLY THE CASUAL WEAR FEATURES FRESH SEERSUCKER IN GARMENT DYED BURGUNDY; SUITS IN DOUBLE WEAVE, LEATHER IN NATURAL COLOURS. A NOTABLE EXCEPTION, THE BLOUSON IN REDUCED PROPORTIONS, CLOSE FITTING, IN NAPPA LEATHER WITH ROUGH, RUSTIC LINEN INSERTS AND CONTRAST SEAMS AS SEEN IN THE KNITWEAR, A WARDROBE CROSSOVER THAT HAS ALWAYS BEEN INTEGRAL TO THE ARMANI STYLE. IN THIS CONTINUOUS INTERPLAY AND EXCHANGE OF GENRES, A RANGE OF TEN JERSEY JACKETS AND STRETCH CABANS LEADS INTO A SHOW OF SENSUAL KNITWEAR. CRAFTED IN THE SOFTEST YARNS, OFFERING THE TACTILE COMFORT OF JACQUARD JERSEY, AND WITH THE SPLENDID ADDITION OF A MACRAMÉ MEDALLION, ALSO REPRISED ON THE JACKET.
Edited & Posted by Editor | 3:07 PM | Link to this Post
Giorgio Armani Women’s Collection Spring Summer 2006
Dedicated to the woman of today: with her glamour, her desire to focus on life’s essentials, her taste for anachronisms. As well as the independence of spirit that prompts her to personalise the fashion that she loves to wear, liking to belong to a group while always projecting her own distinctive look. Here lies the raison d’être of that mixture of styles that constitutes Armani style timeless clothes reinterpreted in the language of our time. Today.
The seductive appeal of contrasts characterises the collection in which short jackets featuring clearly defined small shoulders are teamed with skirts in fluid lines and flowing fabrics (crêpe, organza, satin). The trousers also glide gracefully, sometimes cut on the bias to underline the impeccable tailoring.
A variety of skirts: an inverted tulip with an ethnic accent, wraps like sarongs, in a graduated length that cover the knee at the front and cascading at the back. To emphasise this sense of movement special attention is paid to the edging, pleats and bias.
As if in a new Garden of Eden, the evening gowns are printed with floral motifs and then embroidered, while bird of paradise style brooches perch on the almost molten bodices of the sophisticated jersey dresses. Hats like bouffant hairstyles, stiff black pagodas, or full blown roses, concentrating attention on the face. Like a photographic close up, the eye is drawn to the positive line of the shoulders, emphasised by the jacket or set in relief by the high broad collar of the blouses, falling nonchalantly on the décolleté. The delicate colour palette includes faded shades of greige, putty and cinnamon, with graphic prints, and a range of tropical lagoon jade blues with flashes of Armani red.
Edited & Posted by Editor | 12:59 PM | Link to this Post
January 2, 2006
Avon Perfumes: Avon's Presitge Fragrance Counter
As the largest seller of perfumes in the world, Avon employs the most talented perfumers in the industry to create unique perfume designs. As a "store" with multiple brands, Avon’s high-quality fragrance offerings are beautifully packaged, upscale creations that capture the imagination of Avon enthusiasts around the world. The first fragrance in the newly-launched Today.Tomorrow.Always trilogy, which joins other favorites like Treselle, DreamLife, Perceive, and Far Away Sensual Embrace, is causing a sensation among customers.
Avon Products, Inc. (Avon), incorporated in January 1916, is a global manufacturer and marketer of beauty and related products. Avon's products fall into three product categories: Beauty, which consists of cosmetics, fragrances, skin care and toiletries (CFT); Beauty Plus, which consists of fashion jewelry, watches, apparel and accessories, and Beyond Beauty, which consists of home products, gift and decorative products, candles and toys. Avon has sales operations in 60 countries or territories, including the United States, and distributes its products in 62 more.
During the year ended December 31, 2003, Avon launched in the United States a new global cosmetics brand, focusing on the market for young women. The brand name is mark. and the product line is targeted to young women in the 16 to 24 age group. Mark. is sold both through the Company's core group of representatives and a separate mark. sales force.
Sales are made to the ultimate customer principally through a combination of direct selling and marketing by approximately 4.9 million active independent Avon Representatives, approximately 483,000 of who are in the United States. Representatives are independent contractors or independent dealers, who are not employees of Avon. Representatives generally purchase products at a discount from the brochure price directly from Avon and sell them to their customers. The Representatives are typically the customers of Avon and Avon generally has no arrangement with any end user of its product beyond the Representative.
A Representative contacts customers, selling primarily through brochures that highlight new products and specially priced items for each sales campaign. Sales campaigns are generally for two-week duration in the United States and two-to-four week duration for most markets outside the United States. Product samples, demonstration products and selling aids, such as make-up color charts are also used.
Avon's international operations are conducted primarily through subsidiaries in 59 countries or territories outside the United States and Avon's products are distributed in some 62 other countries. Avon manufactures and packages almost all of its CFT products. Raw materials, consisting chiefly of essential oils, chemicals, containers and packaging components, are purchased from various suppliers. In addition, Avon produces the brochures that are used by the Representatives to sell Avon products. Packages, consisting of containers and packaging components, are designed by its staff of artists and designers. Avon had 14 manufacturing facilities around the world during the year ended December 31, 2004.
In 2004, Avon's most significant product launches included Anew Clinical Deep Crease Concentrate, an at-home alternative to line-relaxing injections, is a targeted treatment that relaxes and fills expression lines, and TodayTomorrowAlways, a beautiful feminine fragrance, and the first in a trilogy of collectible scents. In 2004, Avon Color V was launched globally, anchored by the launch of My Lip Miracle, one lipstick that offers the three benefits of long wear, moisture, color and shine.
Edited & Posted by Editor | 1:58 PM | Link to this Post
January 1, 2006
Sergio Rossi to Open New Boutique on Fifth Avenue
Sergio Rossi Luxury Footwear
New York, NY, USA – Italian luxury footwear house Sergio Rossi is opening its much anticipated 1,200 sq. foot boutique at 694 Fifth Avenue this winter in the heart of one of the most prestigious shopping areas in the world. With 48 stores worldwide, this will be Sergio Rossi's North American flagship.
The new shop will debut brimming with women's and men's shoes as well as handbags from the luxurious fall/winter collection. The must-haves for the season on display will include elegant knee-high riding boots, cherry suede wedges, tricolor python round toe pumps and black lace peep toe evening shoes.
Sergio Rossi Shoes
According to the company, "Thanks to the distinction that Sergio Rossi is the only vertically-organized luxury shoe company that controls the design, fit and production process completely in-house, this collection exemplifies the signature qualities of unsurpassed craftsmanship, comfort, and integrity. Always made in Italy, the products continue to reflect the renowned history of the house and Italian savoir-faire."
The new store design embodies the core values of the brand: sophistication, sensuality, and luxury. It is more than simply a sleek shopping environment: furnished with sofas and armchairs in brown suede and pony skin, taupe carpeting made of pure wool, and large bronze framed mirrors; the retail space creates an atmosphere of a luxury lounge or private club.
A visit becomes a moment of escape with services including an array of Italian refreshments. Rich, warm materials such as the bronzed brass curtains and teak furnishings are offset by cool, grey-white walls to create a comfortable yet luxurious ambiance. The design concept unifies the brand’s image around the world, distinguishing the Sergio Rossi environment as one of contemporary, polished luxury.
From its beginnings in San Mauro Pascoli on Italy’s Adriatic Coast during the 1960’s, Sergio Rossi has grown to become one of the leading names in international fashion today. In 1999, an alliance with the Gucci Group marked the start of a period of worldwide expansion and increased the brand's retail presence in Europe, the United States and Asia. Sergio Rossi has always been synonymous with Italian glamour and has recently outfitted celebrities such as Alicia Keys, Jennifer Garner, Beyonce’ and Terri Hatcher, to name a few.
Edited & Posted by Editor | 2:59 PM | Link to this Post
December 27, 2005
BENETTON KILLER LOOP COLLECTION
The Benetton KILLER LOOP collection is a mosaic of cultural influences and inspirations taken straight from the street. From extreme vintage to gym chic and urban ski. As always, this unisex collection features several cross-collection pieces for those who like to mix styles and colours.
Benetton KILLER LOOP Collection
The most "urban" mood could be called Street Graffiti: a mixture of suggestions borrowed from the street - such as tattoos and spray graffiti - are seen everywhere, from jackets to knits. The fluorescent orange, fuchsia, acid green, turquoise or yellow of "murals" are matched with rather more "concrete" shades such as dun, cement grey, charcoal, black. Canvas, nylon and heavy cottons are the textiles for sewn garments, while jersey and tricot create a range of sweaters, sweatshirts and pullovers - figure-hugging for her, definitely oversize for him. Trousers, skirts, minis, three-quarter jackets, bombers and waistcoats all have multi-pockets, myriad accessories and inlays, and are highly constructed and detailed.
The Graphic theme features cartoon characters in typical Killer mood in a series of placed prints - some with a handmade look - on sweatshirts, T-shirts and polo shirts.
This season’s denim warrants special attention: new shapes and treatments provide a selection of fresh, inventive apparel. Sanding, sponging, whiskers, dirty washes, bleaching and carefully-positioned rips make for highly unusual trousers, skirts and jackets. Styles range from roomy oversize with pockets and multiple stitching to "sprayed-on" figure-hugging 80s-style for her.
The Killer Loop logo appears everywhere on back pockets and always looks hand-embroidered.
Matching accessories - gloves, scarves, bags, sacks and footwear - harmonise with the apparel as essential elements of every total look.
Edited & Posted by Editor | 4:29 AM | Link to this Post
October 3, 2005
UNITED COLORS OF BENETTON
FALL WINTER 2005/2006
The United Colors of Benetton collection of accessories for next winter completes and enriches the brand’s clothing collections. Dynamic, fresh ideas full of creativity and perfectly in tune with the latest fashion trends.
WOMAN FASHION FALL WINTER 2005/2006
Multi-ethnic or stateless, international or global, fashion victim or trend setter, chic or casual, classic or ahead of the times? Questions with several answers, because the United Colors of Benetton woman of next winter will have many faces and multiple choices.
Versatile, chameleonic, glamorous, feminine, with lots of high-fashion touches; she dresses with flair and refinement, in tune with her times.
Defining Chic has a sophisticated background and a skilful blend of explosive Parisian creativity and cool New York chic. Skimpy, light melton coats, faux karakul overwear, and little suits. Other styles are reinterpreted in classic fabrics and worn with the floral silks of brilliant little dresses. Soft or warm colours; dashes of powdery turquoise or pink for very prim and proper knitwear.
Luxurious combinations of Shetland wool, soft country fabrics, classic elegance and a green palette … and it’s In the Irish Garden where casual classics shine with a new light. The cardigan with cables and lace-stitches, the knitted jacquard coat, the tweed knickerbockers, flounced skirt, leather jacket and even the Sixties-style cloak become fresh new styles for the third millennium.
Neo-Heart Breakers wear the clothes of the 70s’ rebellion: psychedelic mixes of turquoise and purple arabesques, sheepskin waistcoats and jackets, coats embroidered like Oriental shawls, velvet miniskirts, distressed jeans, skinny jumpers in strong colours. They pluck at male heartstrings with the same allure whether they wear ultra-feminine voile and lace slips or vintage check melton trench coats cinched at the waist.
A rather unusual play of fabrics and forms for About a Man. Women take a turn in men’s fabrics and styles: blazers that shout sensuality; cheeky, sexy suits. Vicuñas, herringbones and Prince of Wales checks drift from trousers to straight or pleated skirts with unquestioned grace. The obvious black, white and grey are punctuated by hues as colourful as it gets.
Tiny tiny blazers, short short jackets, bright bright duffel coats, tight tight trousers, light and airy padded jackets, super-decorated knits. In other words, Fashion Snapshot, the young line that sums up the Benetton look: strong colours mixed with style and lots of denim or corduroy. In addition to endless innovation.
The evening rises in the East. At least it does for the Moon Dolls, who at night wear jade-green lace, burgundy shot silk, Capri blue velvet, Indian-garden floral silk, Zen Master black satin. Feminine shapes like a delicate souvenir doll: bustier jackets, puffy tulle skirts, skimpy, sparkling cardigans. All worn under severe overcoats with a promise of preciousness, like jewellery cases.
MAN
The spirit of the United Colors of Benetton man for next winter is young, creative, free and sophisticated. The collection suggests, he interprets, mixes, remembers and re-invents. Four lines, four ideas. And all to elaborate on.
A Natural Boy chooses classic colours – black, camel, chestnut – wears tailored-look clothes, prefers luxury fabrics and adopts close-fitting styles that enhance a perfect physique. New ideas include narrow waists emphasised by flares in jackets and coats; bold-striped shirts; large jacquard-patterned knitwear; and, last but not least, sophisticated touches of purples and pinks.
West Coast, in other words snug elegance with the accent on comfort. "Worn-out" moleskin, corduroy or sand-blasted cotton jackets and trousers; easy-wearing leather jackets streamlined with ribs and darts; soft, patterned sweaters in bright colours. Melton overwear gives a comfortable fit despite sleek proportions. Natural colours with hints of midnight blue.
Padded items, colours and denim are the main ingredients of the Cold Mountain recipe. The rest is variety: from waistcoats to long jackets, there’s every kind of padded overwear. From red to green, from yellow to pale blue, from orange to pink, the palette spans the whole spectrum. Decorations, prints, appliqués and stitch patterns give oomph to typically sporty sweatshirts and pullovers. Extreme treatments subdue jeans and corduroy trousers, just as much as the passing of time.
Street Glam is a game of vintage played with pure creativity. Strictly reserved for the younger, it seems like a hunt for everything that’s worn, used, with a period look. Collector’s jackets, cabans and blazers are imbued with today’s freshness; ultra-treated, heavy-detailed jeans for connoisseurs; pullovers with "legendary" jacquard motifs updated through new technologies. Grey and denim blue matched with literally every colour of the rainbow.
ACCESSORIES
The United Colors of Benetton collection of accessories for next winter completes and enriches the brand’s clothing collections. Dynamic, fresh ideas full of creativity and perfectly in tune with the latest fashion trends.
Accessories Woman
Boots are a must for the season. Boots in various lengths, from ankle to knee and even higher, in leather or suede - alone or together - with decorative stretch inserts for an easier fit. Casual or ultra-casual styles as well as elegant, sophisticated boots with delightful trompe l’Å“il details in traditional or bright colours (orange-yellow, pale blue, pink or green). The latest shoes rediscover the round toe and go wild with colour. Sandals are a seasonal fashion for those who have no fear of the cold;
styles featuring interwoven silver and gold, or with a closed toe - to wear from morning to evening with opaque hosiery.
As for bags, we’re seeing double; from two-tones to twinnings between different materials - melton and suede, synthetic and grosgrain, leather and velvet, brocade and leather, leather and suede, satin and velvet. Together with fur, ribbon, satin, opalescent leather, nylon. The range of logo-printed nylon bags is in unusual pastel shades. Shoulder bags with short or long straps, small suitcases, sacks, backpacks and little handbags - there’s really something for everyone.
One accessory we really can’t do without is a belt. The latest fashions oblige us to wear one not only with a skirt or trousers, but over a pullover, coat, blazer or even a blouse. It can be a leather belt with a decorative clasp and details, or patterned fabric, or metal with a buckle and semiprecious stones; wide, narrow, studded, thin or almost invisible - just as long as you’re wearing a belt!
Heads, hands and necks must be snug and warm. So it’s a riot of wool caps with coloured pompoms or rosettes, fabric cloches with tiny buckles and belt loops, boiled-wool berets or broad-brimmed suede hats with decorative stitching; gloves in all kinds of colours, made of fleece, leather or suede with a contrast-colour fur or knitted trim or inverted pleat; scarves and shawls of wool, silk, velvet, bouclé fabric or cashmere - embroidered, printed, decorated with handmade wool flowers or light-hearted pompom fringes.
Accessories Man
An absolute essential for him is the high shoe, ankle-length or higher, be it an ankle boot with a side zip or elastic, a classic brogue or a derby. Boots are de rigueur, but they must be lace-ups. Shoes and boots are of leather or suede in classic shades. Sneakers, on the other hand, step out in bright bold colours and are made of leather, suede and synthetic material, all together, in shades of emerald green, baby pink, coral red, golden yellow or airforce blue in addition to the more restrained beige and chestnut.
There’s a wide range of belts with highly creative buckles. Headwear focuses on caps, above all, although there’s also a choice of other popular styles. Scarves are all ablaze with multicolour weaves, kaleidoscopic knitted stitches, shaded wools and classic tartans. Pastel shades for the new "regimental", plain-coloured or dotted ties, which have become all the range among young adults. Shoulder bags with various pockets, courier bags and minimalist leather, synthetic fabric or suede bags complete the range of men’s accessories.
BABY KID AND JUNIOR
The United Colors of Benetton children’s collection for next winter is particularly rich and exciting: lots of ideas for the many boys’ and girls’ lines.
In addition to the brand’s signature creativity, this season there are also some new, key themes that appear in all the lines and form the creative core, the starting point to observe carefully before entering into the collection’s details:
– Soft wools and warm cottons guaranteed machine washable;
– Boys’ baggy trousers; stretch blazers for girls;
– An abundance of embroidery, decorations and applications;
– "Strong"-treated denim for a natural vintage look;
– Faux furs in all colours for girls;
– Genuine goose feather-padded jackets for kids of all ages.
Girls
White & blue, in other words, all shades of cool for wool or fur overwear; striped or jacquard sweaters typically worn by northern fishermen; tartan kilts interpreted in cooler colours; distressed denim; comfortable stretch corduroy trousers. To emphasise girls’ sense of snow: glitter prints, sparkling pale-blue sequins, frosty graphics dotted across sweatshirts and jersey tops.
Giving in to romance: a Scandinavian look that literally blooms with a profusion of embroidery, decorations, prints and appliqués. Sheepskins as embellished as ethnic shawls, jumpers full of fret patterns or maxi flowers, short skirts scattered with melton buds and shoots. Spring flowers and colours on snug midwinter clothes.
Girls or dolls go to fashion school: the Sparkling Girls of 2006. Lots of pink and just as much red for classic pieces: a little Jackie-O coat, a classic blazer, a scroll-decorated sheepskin, a houndstooth melton mini straight out of Barbarella, "sprayed on" T-shirts with glittering prints and wording.
Colour plus creativity is Harlem: spirited combinations of strong colours, of flowers and stripes, of wool and cotton, of corduroy and nylon, of distressed denim and faux furs. Then there’s handmade inlaid knits, printed sweatshirts, corduroy blazers or shiny bombers, denim miniskirts, bonded-cotton sports skirts. High spirits and movement in a riot of badges, decorations, sequins, pompoms, wool rosettes.
English Mood for quiet little ladies: traditional school attire acquires a softer look and lights up with femininity and glitter. Denim, heavy cotton, tartan and pinstripes worn with exquisite knitwear with touches of classic chic.
When snow starts to fall our wardrobe looks forward to a Colourful Winter and looks back to the 50s. White corduroy worn with soft-coloured knitwear richly embroidered in wave stitch. Tight-fitting T-shirts with graphics borrowed from period greetings cards in addition to hand-knitted pullovers. Super-soft, ultra-warm overwear and matching accessories.
Boys
The clothes of little citizens of the world all speak the same language: classic urbanwear gets the global look. Cool Boys & Babies don casual trousers, striped or check shirts, diamond-patterned pullovers, sweatshirts with city-slick graphics under warm long jackets. Soft shades with pink touches.
Sixties Colors and we’re suddenly in a U.S. TV series. Dads remember and kids discover multicoloured fleece or wool jackets full of wording or numbers, sweaters with our favourite team’s logo, padded jackets, white-collared polo shirts. They’re matched with soft trousers or jeans reinterpreted for the third millennium.
A romantic interlude for girls in a Country Mood. Lumberjacks’ sheepskin bombers over accessorised work trousers or worn-out jeans. Chunky knitwear and Ranger sweaters. Mother Nature provided the palette.
High-spec details, strong colours, sophisticated touches. The Trekking styles focuses on details and laminates trousers; makes jackets reversible; inserts, matches and layers superlative articles worthy of a true connoisseur.
Plucky leaders, Bikers kids give an ironic nod in the direction of the road genre. From shiny black bombers to flight jackets, from ultra-distressed jeans to jersey-inlaid shirts, nothing is by chance. Including the badges, prints and appliquéd embroidery.
NEW BORN
Trendy new-borns already won over by the latest fashions. The New Born collection shifts the spotlight onto a few details to bear in mind, common to all the lines:
– Stripes, mini stripes, bands and fret patterns in myriad colours;
– Delicate handmade embroidery scattered over all the clothes;
– Distinguishing mini mascots: a penguin, a bee, a bear and a little angel
Girls
North for little romantics. Sweet knits in shades of pink with crochet edges or patchwork flounces; warm, pastel sheepskins.
Club, a classic, chic red-white-and-denim-blue theme. Simple styles with a few high-spec details, tiny touches of embroidery and lots of imagination.
Full Color is a play of candy colours hovering somewhere between ethnic and hippy. Stripes and checks, embroidery and prints burst from clothes in wool, corduroy, denim and super-soft sheepskin.
Boys
Ice, cool colours for a cold winter, a strong contrast with warm, soft and oh-so-comfortable fabrics: fleece, wool and goose feathers.
Book for mini intellectuals who already have their eye on university: dungarees and casual trousers under pullovers and T-shirts with an "older brother" look.
Gang: too nice to be naughty, new-born boys are sweetly ironic in their inlaid-fleece bomber jackets, army-green zipped pull-on trousers and street T-shirts.
Edited & Posted by Editor | 1:24 PM | Link to this Post
