Céline's creative director leaving label
December 26, 2017 December 23, 2017 / takeherlead	/ Leave a comment
After 10 years of serving as creative director for one of the most recognizable luxury brands, Phoebe Philo is moving on from her post at Céline.
According to Glamour, WWD confirmed the news of her departure last week, citing the label's Fall 2018 collection as her last for the French brand. In statement sent to her staff, WWD reports that Philo described her time with the company as "exceptional" and "amazing," also sharing her gratitude for working with "an incredibly talented and committed team."
This isn't Philo's first stint as a brand's creative director, says Glamour; previously, she worked under Stella McCartney at Chloé and eventually became their creative director in 2001 and later left in 2006. She was also named the British Fashion Council's Designer of the Year in both 2005 and 2010, according to Glamour.
While her replacement has yet to be announced, Philo's future plans also remain a mystery, as Glamour speculates that she may take a gap between projects like she did when she left Chloé, taking a two-year respite to raise her children.
But wherever she ends up, we know one thing's for sure: Philo will be a success in whatever her next venture may be.
Nordstrom to expand extended size offerings
October 4, 2017 October 2, 2017 / takeherlead	/ Leave a comment
It's one small step for the fashion industry, and one giant leap for shoppers of all kinds.
According to WWD, Nordstrom is seeking to increase its range of sizes sold (which includes plus and petite), with a goal of offering "extended sizing in 60 or more brands in ready-to-wear, outerwear, lingerie and swimwear" by spring 2018. Glamour reports that this change will begin to take root with the opening of Nordstrom's Century City location in Los Angeles on Oct. 3, where its denim department will "feature all of its brand partners, from straight to extended sizes, merchandised together," which means "no more having to go to a separate section to find your size."
Additionally, the Century City location will also display mannequins of more diverse sizes, says Glamour, with this particular store displaying denim and lingerie on mannequins sized 0 to 12. Executive Vice President of Women's at Nordstrom Tricia Smith shared with Glamour that the change won't be wide sweeping yet, but it is certainly a move to incite change in the industry.
"There are a lot of brands that only sell between sizes 2 and 12, and we said, 'That is not OK,'" Smith explains. "In the past, if you were a brand, you had to decide if you were going to be a plus-size brand or not, and that doesn't have to be the case anymore."
What also shouldn't be the case, Smith told Glamour, is having petite and plus sizes considered "other" sizes.
"We don't believe petite and plus should be categorized—they're just sizes," she said. "I think the fashion industry in general needs to commit itself to inclusivity and I strongly believe it's about time, to be honest. And hopefully, all brands and retailers will learn to pay closer attention to their customers."
García to be new EIC of ELLE
September 13, 2017 September 12, 2017 / takeherlead	/ 1 Comment
Time for a little upgrade for Marie Claire's Nina García.
According to WWD, García is set to become the glossy's newest editor in chief following the sudden departure of Robbie Myers. Previously, García served as the fashion director at ELLE from 2000 to 2008, says The Cut, while she most recently acted as the creative director for Marie Claire.
Speaking on her new position, García shared in the announcement that she is excited to return to her roots at ELLE and help launch it into the future.
"Elle is close to my heart, and this is a very special homecoming," she said, according to WWD. "This is Elle's moment to be out in front, inspiring and informing readers in every area. Fashion and beauty are at Elle's core, as are culture, politics, health and new media. I'm excited to work with this incredibly talented team to set the pace for women who are moving as fast as the times we live in."
Congrats, Nina! We are rooting for you!
Conrad to add plus sizes to Kohl's line
Lauren Conrad's Kohl's line is slowly becoming more inclusive, first with maternity clothing and now with plus sizes.
According to WWD, Conrad's LC Lauren Conrad brand is expanding to include plus-size offerings, with her entire limited-edition runway capsule collection debuting at New York Fashion Week on Sept. 6. Now featuring sizes 0X to 3X, Glamour reports the brand launched its new plus styles in a partnership with blogger Loey Lane, who starred in a photoshoot to show off some of the new looks from the runway collection.
Lane also shared her frustrations with plus clothing, says WWD, writing, "Can't I just wear whatever I want? Why wouldn't anyone just wear what makes them comfortable and happy and not think about how others feel about the garments they're putting on their own bodies?"
Ready for Conrad's latest collection? Glamour says the new styles will include "holiday-ready velvet, metallics, and faux fur," and will retail between $12 and $154.
Lawrence stars in new Dior video
May 29, 2017 May 25, 2017 / takeherlead	/ Leave a comment
Jennifer Lawrence is set to take centerstage in a brand new video for Dior.
According to WWD, the project, which is a follow-up to her pre-fall ad campaign where she donned a "We Should All Be Feminists" T-shirt, is shot by French photographer Brigette Lacombe and is directed by Fabien Baron.
Called "La Fille Américaine," WWD reports that the black-and-white video "features Lawrence ('La Fille') with her Dior bag ('Le Sac'), a flower ('La Fleur'), playing with a canary in a birdcage, sitting in a chair texting 'Le Texto,' staring into the camera, applying lipstick, looking sad and looking happy."
The plot doesn't pick up much from there, says WWD, but a behind-the-scenes video shows Lawrence discussing how it feels to work with female professionals.
"It's exciting to work with a woman photographer because, frankly, there aren't very many," she said. "Whenever I think of a feminist, I think of a confident woman."
'Goop' to go to print with Condé Nast
May 1, 2017 April 30, 2017 / takeherlead	/ Leave a comment
For a digital platform to take on a print form in our web-based era is almost unheard of, but Goop is set to go to print, thanks to a new partnership with Condé Nast.
According to Variety, Gwyneth Paltrow's " female-focused digital lifestyle brand" has "teamed up with Condé Nast in a partnership anchored around a print magazine that will encompass content on digital and social media."
The magazine will be released quarterly starting in September, reports WWD, and will feature both print content from Goop as well as creative and design input from Condé Nast. Centering on themes of health and wellness, WWD says that the concept for a print-version of Goop came to life following a conversation between Paltrow (Goop's founder and CEO) and Editor in Chief of Vogue and Condé Nast artistic director Anna Wintour.
Variety says the quarterly glossies will be branded as "premium, collectible editions."
Welteroth officially 'Teen Vogue' EIC
April 29, 2017 April 29, 2017 / takeherlead	/ Leave a comment
It's official: Elaine Welteroth is now the editor in chief of Teen Vogue.
According to WWD, Welteroth will now be "charged with expanding Teen Vogue's presence through new consumer experiences and products." Previously, she served as the magazine's beauty and health director and eventually held the title of editor, overseeing "digital director Phillip Picardi and creative director Marie Suter," says WWD.
For Artistic Director of Condé Nast and Editor in Chief of Vogue Anna Wintour, Welteroth was a natural fit for the role of Teen Vogue editor in chief, according to WWD.
"Elaine is incredibly in tune with the Teen Vogue audience and has used that unique insight to engage and connect with her readers on a very personal level," Wintour said. "Over the last year, she has demonstrated a fearless leadership in her pursuit to make Teen Vogue the voice of a new generation, and we look forward to all she will accomplish in her expanded role as Teen Vogue's new editor in chief."
Suter and Picardi also have new roles, WWD reports, with both extending their reach to Allure magazine; Suter will work on the creative brand of the glossy while Picardi will oversee its digital report.
Welteroth replaces previous editor in chief, Amy Astley, who WWD says shifted to the same position at Architectural Digest.
Forever 21 to debut new plus offerings
April 13, 2017 / takeherlead	/ 1 Comment
Everyone should be able to find clothing that suits their style, and Forever 21's newest offerings are helping to make that happen.
According to WWD, the fast-fashion retailer "plans to relaunch its plus-size collection on Friday, tapping models Barbie Ferreiraand Lulu Bonfils to appear in marketing for the revamped offering."
Originally launched in 2009, Forever 21 Plus is getting a makeover in order to provide women of all sizes with styles that invoke current trends, says WWD, which includes '90s-style clothing like "chokers, boots and rose-colored sunglasses along with studded and patch detailing on motorcycle jackets and tops."
But the relaunch isn't just focusing on apparel; it's also providing plus-size swimwear, reports WWD, which has made headlines this spring for its sexy styles.
With sizes ranging from XL to 3X and costing no more than $78, Forever 21 Plus seems to be on a mission of providing accessible fashion for all sizes and budgets.
MAC moves to Ulta
March 13, 2017 March 12, 2017 / takeherlead	/ Leave a comment
Sold exclusively through their own outlets, MAC Cosmetics are about to become a little more accessible.
According to WWD, the major beauty brand will soon be adding their stock to Ulta Beauty stores, first making its debut "via the beauty specialty store's e-commerce platform ulta.com in May and then via about 25 stores in June."
The move to make MAC more accessible comes after a February announcement that beauty fanatics could shop their products at Birchbox, says Refinery29, an unexpected move that preceded an even bigger announcement. But when MAC finds a home away from home within Ulta stores around the country, they certainly won't be holding anything back.
Refinery29 reports that in addition to popular products like "Kylie Jenner-approved lip pencils" and "Studio Fix Fluid foundation," MAC will open up their own makeup service counters within Ulta stores.
One of Ulta stores' most requested brands, according to David Kimbell, chief merchandising and marketing officer at Ulta, WWD says that by the end of 2017, MAC products will make their way to more than 100 Ultas around the country.
SJP launches handbag line
March 9, 2017 March 6, 2017 / takeherlead	/ Leave a comment
For Sarah Jessica Parker, fashion seems to be as much a part of her identity as her famous Sex and the City character, Carrie Bradshaw. First designing shoes and then a line of little black dresses, the multi-hyphenate is now launching a handbag line.
According to WWD, Parker released a new handbag line called The Seven Essentials, which will be sold at Bloomingdale's and on Amazon Fashion. Part of her SJP Collection, WWD says the seven-piece line ranges in price from $395 to $695.
While this launch is an exciting addition to her current fashion offerings, WWD reports that this isn't the first foray into handbags for Parker; in fact, her collection included handbags in 2014, but her new designs not only offer more versatile styles, they are also manufactured in the United States.
As for the silhouettes included in the Essentials collection, Allure says that there is truly a style for everyone available: "There's a slouchy gray tote ready to become your go-to carryall, a flamingo pink clutch ready to liven up your next happy hour, a poppy red shoulder bag perfect for the weekend, a slouchy bucket bag, a timeless hobo, a sparkly pill clutch, and even a supertrendy backpack."
Ready for some SJP in your life? Pre-order your favorite handbag at Bloomingdale's here.