October 17, 2005

Mulberry
Mulberry is a British design company renowned world-wide for its craftsmanship and quality. The brand’s backbone is an extensive line of luxury bags for men and women that combine stylish, stand-out design with the finest leathers and detailing.

In addition to leather goods like the rugged, sexy, Roxanne and the “all rounder” Bayswater which have become covetable fashion classics, Mulberry has grown to encompass womenswear, menswear and interior design . The design ethos, whether a loveable vintage print chiffon blouse, “old friend” soft leather field jacket or weekend bag in distressed Darwin leather, has its roots in the heritage of the company which was established by Roger Saul in the 1970s in rural Somerset.

Then as now, Mulberry employs local craftsmen and artisans to realise the company’s vision of marrying function, fashion and sensual materials to make products that look and feel superb. Materials like the exotic Congo, Darwin and fine glove leathers and classic nubbly Scotchgrain are durable as well as being delightful and friendly to the touch.
source: www.mulberry.com

October 12, 2005

Dolce & Gabbana
Domenico Dolce, was born on August 13, 1958, in Polizzi Generosa, Italy, and Stefano Gabbana was born on November 14, 1962, in Venice, Italy. As students, Gabbana studied graphic design, but Dolce received a fashion education, studying in Venice and working in the small clothing factory his family owned.

In 1980, the duo met when they worked at the same atelier in Venice. They began to do freelance design in 1982, when they began doing business together.

When their first collection was shown in 1986, it received acclaim from around the globe. Four years later, they revealed their premiere menswear collection and opened a women’s boutique in Milan. Also in 1990, they started designing for the Complice line for the Genny Group in Milan.

Recently, the fashion house published a book chronicling 10 years of Dolce & Gabbana history.

Dolce & Gabbana are on the same line of couture houses of Armani, Versace, Gucci, Prada and Moschino.

Dolce and Gabbana announced on the 20th February 2005 that they would split up after 19 years. Stefano Gabbana said that “This is a love split, not a business split,”. Moreover he said “Domenico and I are still very good friends and, as for the working relationship, we are still very much together. Business, in fact, has never been better.”

In 2005, in partnership with Motorola Dolce & Gabbana S.p.A. branded a gold limited edition (1000 produced) RAZR V3i, it is available exclusively through Dolce & Gabbana boutiques. It features Dolce & Gabbana logo, music and customisation, the striking gold design is its main difference to the normal RAZR.

Generally, Dolce & Gabbana is written as previously, however it is spelt by the company when printed as Dolce&Gabbana (without the space), it is only in the logo where there is a space.

Dolce & Gabbana is organized into two central lines for adults. ‘D&G’ and ‘Dolce & Gabbana’. D&G generally forms the groups more casual lines with slightly cheaper prices and follows an urban inspireation. D&G follows the trends of culture of the time and is trend-setting. Dolce & Gabbana centralizes on luxury materials and is consideribly more expensive than D&G. The line does not change as much as D&G, and is influenced by satorial designs, it is described as ‘timeless’ by Dolce & Gabbana. Within each line is beachwear, underwear, eyewear (ophthalmic & sunglasses) and fragrances. The D&G line carries the jewelery and timepieces.

D&G Junior is a separate line aimed at children under the age of 13. D&G Junior follows the ethos of D&G and embodies youth and fun with the styles of its clothes. Each season follows a set-named trend for a season and is named separately for boys and girls. The line contains clothes aimed at different ages of children. D&G Junior is more visibly influenced by popular culture compared to D&G, such as the Ibiza line of D&G Junior. Surprisingly, D&G Junior is distributed to more stores than the adult brands and is available outside of boutiques and department stores.
source: www.answers.com

October 12, 2005

Brighton
The Brighton brand was launched in 1991 with a single collection of belts. But over the years, Brighton has become an accessories company with something for everyone. Handbags were added to the line in 1993, followed by small leather goods, watches, footwear, fragrance, jewelry, home accessories and eyewear. The collection also includes men’s belts, wallets, watches and other leather accessories.

Today Brighton is the only major accessories line featuring products that coordinate from head to toe. A customer might choose a lipstick case that matches a wallet, earrings that match a pair of sunglasses, a handbag that matches footwear, or an entire coordinating collection consisting of multiple accessories. Each piece in the Brighton collection is a unique original design. The company’s design team travels the world seeking new leathers and inspiration for the products one-of-a-kind ornamentation.

Brighton products are available in nearly 6,000 specialty stores nationwide and 50 all-Brighton stores from coast to coast. In keeping with owner and president Jerry Kohl’s philosophy to do business only with stores that offer excellent customer service, Brighton products are not sold in department stores or on the Internet.

Brighton is a division of Leegin Creative Leather Products based in City of Industry, CA. employees to a technologically advanced plant employing more than 600 people. Components for some of the products are manufactured internationally in countries such as France, Italy, Spain, China, Taiwan, Korea and Japan. Although the Brighton brand is only 10 years old, Leegin was founded in 1966 by a young California couple named Lee and Ginny. The business in those days operated out of a warehouse in Redondo Beach and was a diverse one; in addition to belts, Leegin made handbags and sandals.

Jerry Kohl was a Leegin customer at that time. He was concerned about the timeliness of deliveries and felt the situation could be improved. Coincidentally, Lee and Ginny had decided to phase themselves out of the business and so a new partnership was formed. Jerry put his efforts into learning the leather business and two years later Lee and Ginny were able to realize a lifelong dream of relocating to New Zealand.

On November 13, 1972, Leegin was incorporated under its new ownership with Jerry Kohl as president. In addition to Brighton, the Leegin family of brands includes:
Casual and dress belts sold under the Leegin label.
Updated contemporary and fashion forward belts sold under the Onyx and Billy Belts labels.
Honest belts, the basic all-American belt featuring rich heavy cowhides.
Western belts and hatbands sold under the Silver Creek, Justin, and Tony Lama labels.
A myriad of special belts sold to other belt companies and to private label retailers (belts sold under the retailer’s own label name) such as: Lands’ End, L. L. Bean, Eddie Bauer, J. Crew and many more.
Unique styles fashioned of materials collected from the farthest reaches of the globe under the One World label.

Today the business thrives as the Leegin/Brighton national sales force covers every state, and serves customers worldwide. Brighton is acknowledged as an industry leader, recognized for innovative styling, outstanding workmanship, and the use of high-quality materials.
source: www.brighton.com

August 15, 2005

Bulga
It’s all about the woman. Natalia Konovalova, designer behind Bulga, was first introduced to fashion working as a model, but has been in love with women’s wear since she a was a little girl living in the former Soviet Union. Inspired by her mother, Natalia has always been fascinated by exactly what it means to be a “woman” and studied fashion throughout her teens with uncommon interest, searching for how a woman’s sense of style reflects her individual personality.

At the age of twenty, Natalia’s life changed forever when she won “Princess of Kazulkum” and was whisked away to the United States to pursue a career in modeling. It was during this time that she first became acquainted with the fashion industry and was inspired to create something of her own, “It has always been important for me to express myself,” says Natalia, “Fashion was going to be how I finally did it.”

In a courageous move, Natalia enrolled in New York City’s Fashion Institute of Technology and after four years of hard work graduated with a fashion degree in women’s wear. Fresh out of school, Natalia started to examine a fashion market saturated with overpriced hand-bags with “hand-made” looks. That is when she decided the time was right.

She started designing her bags under the name Kono Valova but wanted a name that better matched the inspiration she felt when creating her line. Her answer came one day out of the blue while she was casually glancing over an antique globe: “I was looking at all the old names for towns in my country and my finger came down on a town called “Bulga”. After I looked it up I literally fell out of my chair; the English translation of Latin word “bulga” is leather bag!

Today, Bulga is the culmination of years of experience and outstanding talent. Natalia is creating her handbags for the independent, cultured woman who is well traveled and loves the arts – a woman who is sexy, smart, confident and seductive, who knows what she wants and when and where. “It is not about an age,”insists Natalia, “it’s an attitude!”

Leather is Natalia’s favorite medium and she loves playing with the shapes and colors of her bags. The designs are dependably classic with fun, feminine accents often found inside the bags through the fabric linings. Her tailoring background can be seen in the exquisite silhouettes of the handbags.

Though she loves her designs, handbags are just the beginning. After studying the history of Gucci Natalia decided to start small and hopes that one-day the Bulga name will be a complete line of women’s clothing. Until then, Natalia will continue to focus her keen sense of style on her beautifully crafted bags.
source: www.bulga.com

August 3, 2005

Kooba
Kooba exemplifies the fusion of fashion and function for Fall 2006. Incorporating the hottest runway fashions and transporting them to your arm, this season’s collection offers structured styles, soft Italian leather, a rich color palette and the finest hardware.

Highlighting the new collection is the debut of the Paige, an updated oversized tote with pocket details and belted accents sure to become a classic Kooba silhouette. The Lena, a sophisticated double belted shoulder bag, and the corset inspired styling of Brynne, Annie, and Keira are guaranteed to be favorites of the season.

As always, popular designs from past seasons return in new colors and fabrics. Carla and Ginger, two of Kooba’s signature styles, reappear in soft suede and metallic brown leather; and once again the timeless styling of the Sienna and Frankie are back in deep luxurious hues of raisin, teak and bourbon.

Moving from the shoulder to the waist, Kooba has greatly expanded their belt collection. Distinctive hardware, eyelet details and woven leather characterize these versatile styles and silhouettes.

From the streets of New York City to the Hollywood Hills, the demand for Kooba continues to grow amongst both style icons and Hollywood’s fresh faces. Fans include- Mischa Barton, Sienna Miller, Lindsay Lohan, Scarlett Johansson, Eva Longoria, Courteney Cox, Julia Roberts, Jennifer Garner, Jessica Simpson, Sarah Jessica Parker, Rachel Bilson, Jamie-Lynn Sigler and Jennifer Aniston.
source: www.kooba.com

August 1, 2005

Celine
The French luxury house was launched in 1945 by Celine Viplana, and was originally a made-to-measure children’s shoe business that grew into women’s shoes and accessories. Ready-to-wear debuted in the 1960s, when Viplana designed a line of “couture sportswear” or “fashion for everyone.”

The Look is high-end sporty looks, clean and wearable separates, such as swinging skirts, fitted shirts, and soft knits. The accessories-belts, boots, shoes, and bags-have a distinct sexy, city girl appeal.

Michael Kors helmed the label successfully for seven years until 2004, when the reigns were passed to Italian designer Roberto Menichetti. After a disappointing one-year collaboration, LVMH looked in-house to find a replacement and hired Ivana Omazic, a former consultant for the brand. Croatian Omazic had previously worked with Romeo Gigli, Prada, Jil Sander, and Miu Miu.

Worn by Globe-trotting gals with a taste for classics and clean lines, including Angelina Jolie, Jennifer Aniston, Renee Russo, and Lucy Liu.
source: www.nymag.com

August 1, 2005

Chloe
Luxurious, romantic and quinessentially French, Chloe’s ethos is to make luxury ready-to-wear for stylish women the world over.

Having bought the house in the mid 80s, Swiss luxury group, Richemont, placed Chloe firmly on the international market where it has remained a formidable fashion force since.

Producing iconic fashion and launching Chloe’s eponymous and successful fragrance, Karl Lagerfeld became Chloe’s public image in both the 60s and 90s and was succeeded by Martine Sitbon’s unique modern vision during the late 80s.

Miss McCartney joined as Creative Director in 1997, infusing her classic tailoring with the pulse of the street and securing Chloe as the first name in fashion.

Miss McCartney’s design partner, Phoebe Philo, stepped into her head designer shoes in April 2001. Bringing her sass and street edge to the label, Miss Philo continues to produce coveted ranges, including new additions such as swimwear and casual line or younger line, See by Chloe.

As Creative Director of Chloe, Phoebe Philo becomes next in a line of visionaries to head-up the prestigious French House.Having worked with Miss McCartney for four years, Miss Philo played an essential role in the house’s reinvention, bringing to it a youthful, cool sexiness and rock ‘n roll edge.

Born in Paris in 1973, Miss Philo grew up in a suburb of London, enrolling at Central St Martin’s School of Art in 1993. Clearly a maverick talent, she was invited to Paris to become Miss McCartney’s design partner, less than a year after her graduation.

Miss Philo’s understanding of street culture combined with her tremendous respect for Chloe’s heritage has brought a new sassy edge to the luxury label and with it a new casual range, See by Chloe. A less expensive range than the main line, See comprises of the essential sexiness and street cred for which Chloe has become famous.
source: www.chloe.com

July 1, 2005

Jimmy Choo
The company Jimmy Choo, maker of glamorous accessories favoured by international stars and elegant women worldwide, was launched in 1996.

As accessories editor at Vogue UK, Tamara Yeardye Mellon sensed a real demand for stylish but wearable shoes and approached Mr Jimmy Choo, a couture shoemaker based in the East End of London, recognized for his excellent craftsmanship. Mellon partnered with Mr Jimmy Choo to start the ready to wear company and sourced factories in Italy to produce the shoes on a larger scale. Consequently, plans were made to open the first Jimmy Choo stand alone boutique and to develop the wholesale business throughout the fashion capitals of the world.

In April 2001, the expansion of Jimmy Choo took a significant step forward with the announcement of a new partnership with Equinox Luxury Holdings Ltd. Acquiring Mr Choo’s share of the ready to wear business, Equinox’s Chairman and Chief Executive Robert Bensoussan became CEO of Jimmy Choo. President of J Choo Ltd, President Tamara Mellon said “In Equinox, I have found ideal partners to share my vision for the development of J Choo Ltd. I am very excited about the Company’s prospects and this transaction will enable us to achieve our development goals even more rapidly”.

Within 3 years, the company opened twenty six new stores (in addition to the existing four) and introduced both handbag and small leather goods collections. This was followed on 19th November 2004 with Hicks Muse (Europe) announcing the acquisition of a majority shareholding in Jimmy Choo, in a transaction valuing the company at 101 million. With the ethos in both design and outlook remaining the same, the Company will now look to an expansion programme that will include opening up to 50 stores by 2008.
source: www.wikipedia.com