Stockings and suspenders back in fashion as sales soar

Stocking and suspenders appear to be back in fashion for the first time in almost 50 years as retailers report a dramatic rise in sales.

Kylie Minogue and Lady Gaga
Kylie Minogue, left, and Lady Gaga Photo: REX

Sales of suspenders are booming as women copy celebrities such as Kylie Minogue and Lady Gaga, whose alluring use of “underwear as outerwear” has made them fashionable again.

The combination with recent cool weather appear to have led to a resurgence in their popularity, said Debenhams, the High Street retailer.

The store said that black suspender belts, with embroidery, sequins and bows were most in demand with sales soaring by 238 per cent over the past month alone.

As a result the store said it has been forced to change its “buying patterns to accommodate customer demand”.

Experts said the increased demand for the traditional style of lingerie, reversed the universal popularity of tights, which captured the lion share of the market in the early 1960s.

They say women fell out of love with stockings and suspenders with the arrival of self-supporting tights after the Second World War.

Ruth Attridge, a Debenhams spokeswoman, said the recent unpredictable weather appeared to have been one of the major factors behind the rise.

She also said that the growing number of celebrities using underwear as outerwear, such as Kylie Minogue, Lady Gaga, Rihanna, Katy Perry and Dita Von Teese were also behind its resurgence in popularity.

"The unpredictable spring and summer weather as well as a growing number of celebrities showcasing their stockings on stage and at star-studded events may be behind the trend," she said.

"Our British summer has started in the traditional way with frequent spells of sun and rain in the same day, leaving British women up in air about what to wear.

"Stockings and suspenders, just like leggings, have become the popular alternative to tights. They provide coverage for legs on an unexpectedly chilly day, but at the same time are cooler than tights and far more comfortable to wear in overheated City offices."

She added: "We've had to change our buying patterns to accommodate customer demand.”

She added that black stockings from J by Jasper Conran and Jonathan Aston were the most popular.

Read more...

Corduroy And We Work Present Cheesecake For Charity

We Work and Corduroy magazine are throwing down at Milk Studios tonight, celebrating the pub’s Spring/Summer issue with an all-star jam session and a silent auction of photographs that will benefit women’s microfinance organization Kiva. Leigh Lezark (above), is one of many women lensed for the sale by a photographer pal (in her case, Dan Martensen). Check out more exclusive preview images of Irina Lazareanu by Alexandra Carr (slightly NSFW), Lily Aldridge by Johnny Giunta, and Paz de la Huerta by Richard Kern, below.





Photos: Dan Martensen (Lezark), Alexandra Carr (Lazareanu), Johnny Giunta (Aldridge), and Richard Kern (de la Huerta)/All Courtesy of Corduroy Magazine

Read more...

Stockings and suspenders back in fashion as sales soar

Stocking and suspenders appear to be back in fashion for the first time in almost 50 years as retailers report a dramatic rise in sales.

Kylie Minogue and Lady Gaga
Kylie Minogue, left, and Lady Gaga Photo: REX

Sales of suspenders are booming as women copy celebrities such as Kylie Minogue and Lady Gaga, whose alluring use of “underwear as outerwear” has made them fashionable again.

The combination with recent cool weather appear to have led to a resurgence in their popularity, said Debenhams, the High Street retailer.

The store said that black suspender belts, with embroidery, sequins and bows were most in demand with sales soaring by 238 per cent over the past month alone.

As a result the store said it has been forced to change its “buying patterns to accommodate customer demand”.

Experts said the increased demand for the traditional style of lingerie, reversed the universal popularity of tights, which captured the lion share of the market in the early 1960s.

They say women fell out of love with stockings and suspenders with the arrival of self-supporting tights after the Second World War.

Ruth Attridge, a Debenhams spokeswoman, said the recent unpredictable weather appeared to have been one of the major factors behind the rise.

She also said that the growing number of celebrities using underwear as outerwear, such as Kylie Minogue, Lady Gaga, Rihanna, Katy Perry and Dita Von Teese were also behind its resurgence in popularity.

"The unpredictable spring and summer weather as well as a growing number of celebrities showcasing their stockings on stage and at star-studded events may be behind the trend," she said.

"Our British summer has started in the traditional way with frequent spells of sun and rain in the same day, leaving British women up in air about what to wear.

"Stockings and suspenders, just like leggings, have become the popular alternative to tights. They provide coverage for legs on an unexpectedly chilly day, but at the same time are cooler than tights and far more comfortable to wear in overheated City offices."

She added: "We've had to change our buying patterns to accommodate customer demand.”

She added that black stockings from J by Jasper Conran and Jonathan Aston were the most popular.

Read more...

Corduroy And We Work Present Cheesecake For Charity

We Work and Corduroy magazine are throwing down at Milk Studios tonight, celebrating the pub’s Spring/Summer issue with an all-star jam session and a silent auction of photographs that will benefit women’s microfinance organization Kiva. Leigh Lezark (above), is one of many women lensed for the sale by a photographer pal (in her case, Dan Martensen). Check out more exclusive preview images of Irina Lazareanu by Alexandra Carr (slightly NSFW), Lily Aldridge by Johnny Giunta, and Paz de la Huerta by Richard Kern, below.





Photos: Dan Martensen (Lezark), Alexandra Carr (Lazareanu), Johnny Giunta (Aldridge), and Richard Kern (de la Huerta)/All Courtesy of Corduroy Magazine

Read more...

Model students rewarded at Graduate fashion week gala

Rebecca Thomson from the Manchester School of Art claims the top prize in the gala show at Graduate fashion weekRebecca Thomson's designs at Graduate fashion week

Rebecca Thomson's designs at Graduate fashion week. Photograph: PR

Rebecca Thomson, a 22-year-old graduate of the Manchester School of Art, claimed top prize in the gala show at Graduate fashion week last night for a collection that mixed hand-pleated details with jogging bottoms - a look the designer dubbed "casual couture".

The judges praised Thomson's work, above, for its contemporary feel. Other winners included Thomas Crisp of Ravensbourne College for menswear. Crisp, who offered a mix of metallic pieces and interesting tailoring, was singled out by the judges for his "skills as a modern menswear designer with a good commercial edge".

Rhea Fields of Northbrook College won best womenswear while Anna Lee of De Montfort University took the Zandra Rhodes textiles award for her kaleidoscopic prints worn with jumbo animal necklaces.

Lorraine Candy, editor of Elle and on the judging panel, said the standard of work was high. She praised an overall move to more accomplished designs that were less "out there". This more grown-up approach reflects the fashion zeitgeist. In February, during Londonfashion week, commentators said the shows were slicker and less edgy.

The designer Alberta Ferretti, also on the judging panel, employs British-schooled graduates in her design studio. She thinks the fashion education in this country strikes a perfect balance between "the fantasy of fashion" alongside skills such as tailoring.

Dame Vivienne Westwood has been spotted checking out the next generation of talent at the event, which is in its 19th year and has helped launch careers of designers such as Stella McCartney.

Candy said 2010 hasn't been any tougher than normal. "It's always really tough for graduates," she said. "But in times like this creativity thrives - the will to do something brilliant has to be very strong."

Read more...

Model students rewarded at Graduate fashion week gala

Rebecca Thomson from the Manchester School of Art claims the top prize in the gala show at Graduate fashion weekRebecca Thomson's designs at Graduate fashion week

Rebecca Thomson's designs at Graduate fashion week. Photograph: PR

Rebecca Thomson, a 22-year-old graduate of the Manchester School of Art, claimed top prize in the gala show at Graduate fashion week last night for a collection that mixed hand-pleated details with jogging bottoms - a look the designer dubbed "casual couture".

The judges praised Thomson's work, above, for its contemporary feel. Other winners included Thomas Crisp of Ravensbourne College for menswear. Crisp, who offered a mix of metallic pieces and interesting tailoring, was singled out by the judges for his "skills as a modern menswear designer with a good commercial edge".

Rhea Fields of Northbrook College won best womenswear while Anna Lee of De Montfort University took the Zandra Rhodes textiles award for her kaleidoscopic prints worn with jumbo animal necklaces.

Lorraine Candy, editor of Elle and on the judging panel, said the standard of work was high. She praised an overall move to more accomplished designs that were less "out there". This more grown-up approach reflects the fashion zeitgeist. In February, during Londonfashion week, commentators said the shows were slicker and less edgy.

The designer Alberta Ferretti, also on the judging panel, employs British-schooled graduates in her design studio. She thinks the fashion education in this country strikes a perfect balance between "the fantasy of fashion" alongside skills such as tailoring.

Dame Vivienne Westwood has been spotted checking out the next generation of talent at the event, which is in its 19th year and has helped launch careers of designers such as Stella McCartney.

Candy said 2010 hasn't been any tougher than normal. "It's always really tough for graduates," she said. "But in times like this creativity thrives - the will to do something brilliant has to be very strong."

Read more...

Sao Paulo fashion week

A model presents a creation from Movimento's Summer 2010/11 collection during Sao Paulo Fashion Week. -- PHOTO: REUTERS

THE Sao Paulo Fashion Week (SPFW) is a fashion event, held at Ibirapuera Park, in Sao Paulo.

It began in 1996, when the event was known as Morumbi Fashion Brazil. It won the current name in Jan 2001.

Today, the event is the most important fashion show in Latin America and appears among the major fashion weeks in the world, along with Paris, Milan, New York and London.

We bring you the glamour and high-end fashion in the pictures below.


CLICK FOR LARGER IMAGE:
Picture 1Picture 2
Picture 1Picture 2
Picture 1Picture 2
Picture 1Picture 2

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Sao Paulo fashion week

A model presents a creation from Movimento's Summer 2010/11 collection during Sao Paulo Fashion Week. -- PHOTO: REUTERS

THE Sao Paulo Fashion Week (SPFW) is a fashion event, held at Ibirapuera Park, in Sao Paulo.

It began in 1996, when the event was known as Morumbi Fashion Brazil. It won the current name in Jan 2001.

Today, the event is the most important fashion show in Latin America and appears among the major fashion weeks in the world, along with Paris, Milan, New York and London.

We bring you the glamour and high-end fashion in the pictures below.


CLICK FOR LARGER IMAGE:
Picture 1Picture 2
Picture 1Picture 2
Picture 1Picture 2
Picture 1Picture 2

Read more...

Fashion firms' rags to riches

Asos and Zara have shown rivals a clean pair of heels by revealing a surge in profits.

The fashion firms yesterday posted bumper results, proving shoppers are still willing to splash the cash if the price is right.

Online store Asos defied the recession by announcing that profits had jumped 44% - to £20.3million in the year to April - as sales soared 35% to £223m.

And business is getting stronger, with takings up 36% in the UK and a whopping 118% overseas during the last nine weeks.

Asos has prospered by targeting the 16-34 age range with a combination of its own fast fashion and almost 900 big-name brands. Launched a decade ago, it is now valued at almost £500m - more than French Connection, Moss Bros and Mulberry put together.

The site, which handled almost four million orders last year, has 1.6 million regular customers who spent an average of almost £63 on each cyber shopping trip.

Delighted bosses at the store reacted to the news by setting themselves a target of hitting £1billion of sales within five years.

The firm took on 177 extra staff last year and is building a new £20m distribution depot in Barnsley.

Founder Nick Robertson said: "We are more confident than at this time last year, with both UK and international sales accelerating well."

He announced plans to allow customers to collect online orders at an as-yet named high street chain after rival retailers enjoyed success with their "click and collect" offers.

The firm is also adding an eBay-style "marketplace" section on its website for shoppers to sell unwanted clothes.

It came as Zara revealed plans to launch its own online store in the UK this September after enjoying storming high street success.

Spanish owner Inditex's profits have soared 63% to £249m during the last three months as sales rose 14% to £2.2bn.

The fashion giant, with more than 4,700 shops in 77 countries, recently opened its first store in India.

Read more...

Fashion firms' rags to riches

Asos and Zara have shown rivals a clean pair of heels by revealing a surge in profits.

The fashion firms yesterday posted bumper results, proving shoppers are still willing to splash the cash if the price is right.

Online store Asos defied the recession by announcing that profits had jumped 44% - to £20.3million in the year to April - as sales soared 35% to £223m.

And business is getting stronger, with takings up 36% in the UK and a whopping 118% overseas during the last nine weeks.

Asos has prospered by targeting the 16-34 age range with a combination of its own fast fashion and almost 900 big-name brands. Launched a decade ago, it is now valued at almost £500m - more than French Connection, Moss Bros and Mulberry put together.

The site, which handled almost four million orders last year, has 1.6 million regular customers who spent an average of almost £63 on each cyber shopping trip.

Delighted bosses at the store reacted to the news by setting themselves a target of hitting £1billion of sales within five years.

The firm took on 177 extra staff last year and is building a new £20m distribution depot in Barnsley.

Founder Nick Robertson said: "We are more confident than at this time last year, with both UK and international sales accelerating well."

He announced plans to allow customers to collect online orders at an as-yet named high street chain after rival retailers enjoyed success with their "click and collect" offers.

The firm is also adding an eBay-style "marketplace" section on its website for shoppers to sell unwanted clothes.

It came as Zara revealed plans to launch its own online store in the UK this September after enjoying storming high street success.

Spanish owner Inditex's profits have soared 63% to £249m during the last three months as sales rose 14% to £2.2bn.

The fashion giant, with more than 4,700 shops in 77 countries, recently opened its first store in India.

Read more...

The Next Chapter In Grandma Chic

Noticed at the Resort shows: an unlikely bit of styling, borrowed from old ladies on spring break—sunglasses dangling from chains. At Balenciaga (left) and Louis Vuitton (right), shades hung on cords the likes of which our great aunt used to favor. Will it work on the street? That’s debatable, though you’ve got to hand it to the able stylists at the two houses; they made it look fresh and chic. Still, it does remind one a little of Michael Kors’ quip about one of the Resort season’s aliases, Cruise: It’s “some woman in a warm-up suit at a buffet table.”

Read more...

Marisa Tomei Isn’t Into Sweat Pants

The new movie Cyrus started out as a bunch of dudes. Directors Jay and Mark Duplass wrote the part of a down-and-out single guy specifically for John C. Reilly, then cast Jonah Hill as the clingy, weird, full-grown son of the woman he falls for.

And then? “Honestly, we had a little bit of a freak-out,” Jay Duplass explained at last night’s Blackberry-sponsored Cinema Society screening of the film at the Crosby Hotel. “We had these two guys who are just really funny, brilliant minds, and we were like, we’ve got to find a girl who can hold her own.”

Enter Marisa Tomei (left, with Jay Duplass). “What I enjoyed was that it was a fuller picture of a woman than a lot of times we get to see,” said the actress, who came by the screening in a Lela Rose dress and Brian Atwood heels. Tomei did decide to tweak the character’s wardrobe, though. “The guys were wanting it to be really low-key—serious low-key, like sweat pants. But she’s the muse to this really creative, eccentric child. I just thought she was more of a creative person and that it would be expressed somewhat more through her style.”

“She was really picky about what she wore,” Duplass confirmed. But the gents were happy to oblige. “Once we realized the level of her heightened awareness of clothes, we were like, girl, just go with it. We don’t even need to approve it, just pick what you want. That’s awesome.”

Read more...

Mugler Pursues Pugh, Alexander Wang Buys (And Not On The Lower East Side), Steven Klein Talks “Alejandro,” And More…

Is this the new face of Thierry Mugler? Rumors are swirling that Gareth Pugh (pictured) will be tapped to head the French label, though no official announcement has been made yet. [WWD]

Alexander Wang bought a new, $2 million Tribeca apartment with a history of fashionable tenants: Its previous owner was Holly Brubach, a former style editor at The New York Times. [NYO via Racked]

Steven Klein says he agreed to direct Lady Gaga’s “Alejandro” video because her show “felt like performance art in the nineties. And I had not seen anything like that in a while.” Good to know. Also of note: The scene where she eats rosary beads represents “the desire to take in the holy.” Amen! [Fashionologie]

And meet the newest winners of England’s NEWGEN sponsorship: David Koma, Holly Fulton, Mary Katrantzou, Louise Gray, and Joanna Sykes. [Vogue U.K.]

Read more...

The Next Chapter In Grandma Chic

Noticed at the Resort shows: an unlikely bit of styling, borrowed from old ladies on spring break—sunglasses dangling from chains. At Balenciaga (left) and Louis Vuitton (right), shades hung on cords the likes of which our great aunt used to favor. Will it work on the street? That’s debatable, though you’ve got to hand it to the able stylists at the two houses; they made it look fresh and chic. Still, it does remind one a little of Michael Kors’ quip about one of the Resort season’s aliases, Cruise: It’s “some woman in a warm-up suit at a buffet table.”

Read more...

Marisa Tomei Isn’t Into Sweat Pants

The new movie Cyrus started out as a bunch of dudes. Directors Jay and Mark Duplass wrote the part of a down-and-out single guy specifically for John C. Reilly, then cast Jonah Hill as the clingy, weird, full-grown son of the woman he falls for.

And then? “Honestly, we had a little bit of a freak-out,” Jay Duplass explained at last night’s Blackberry-sponsored Cinema Society screening of the film at the Crosby Hotel. “We had these two guys who are just really funny, brilliant minds, and we were like, we’ve got to find a girl who can hold her own.”

Enter Marisa Tomei (left, with Jay Duplass). “What I enjoyed was that it was a fuller picture of a woman than a lot of times we get to see,” said the actress, who came by the screening in a Lela Rose dress and Brian Atwood heels. Tomei did decide to tweak the character’s wardrobe, though. “The guys were wanting it to be really low-key—serious low-key, like sweat pants. But she’s the muse to this really creative, eccentric child. I just thought she was more of a creative person and that it would be expressed somewhat more through her style.”

“She was really picky about what she wore,” Duplass confirmed. But the gents were happy to oblige. “Once we realized the level of her heightened awareness of clothes, we were like, girl, just go with it. We don’t even need to approve it, just pick what you want. That’s awesome.”

Read more...

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