Gilt Group to Launch “Gilt Fuse”

From The New York Times:

Almost every weekday at noon, Eastern Standard Time, 100,000 to 200,000 people log on to Gilt.com, one of a handful of Web sites that offer discounted designer merchandise in an online version of a sample sale, only without the throwing of elbows.

Dresses from Alexander McQueen and men’s suits from Thom Browne are offered at about half their retail price. They go fast. The fastest transaction, said Susan Lyne, the chief executive of Gilt, took all of nine seconds from the time a customer visited the site to checking out with a dress. So it would be fair to call the company, less than two years old and with sales of $100 million, a surprising success during the recession.

Still, not everyone is buying. Of its 1.2 million members, more than half are in their 20s, and of that group, about 250,000 visit the site twice a week or more and never make a purchase, Ms. Lyne said. The reason is pretty obvious. Even on sale, the merchandise is expensive — a Fendi bag offered this week was $1,348. Why hesitate?

So next month, Gilt is introducing a second site, called Gilt Fuse. It’s kind of like the Co-Op floor at Barneys New York, where the trendier, less expensive collections reside. Clothes from Diesel, C&C, Generra and Laundry will be offered for $75 to $150. Ms. Lyne said the company is expecting a big year: Its sales are projected to reach $400 million, or about half the size of Barneys.

“You are getting access to brands you might not ever see in your city,” Ms. Lyne said. “And it’s at a price point that is almost irresistible.”

I am a Gilt addict, but I tend to be a mid-level-ish buyer: think Thakoon, ADAM, Ben-Amun, and so on. Still, I’ll no doubt check out Gilt Fuse as well, especially if they carry my favorite AG jeans. As Mae West said, “too much of a good thing can be wonderful.”

Jimmy Choo Headed for H&M

From Times Online:

High street chain H&M has teamed up with the luxury footwear brand Jimmy Choo in its latest designer collaboration. The fashion retailer has created a collection of shoes and bags with the sought-after brand to appear in 200 shops worldwide on November 14 this year.

President Tamara Mellon follows in the footsteps of Matthew Williamson, Roberto Cavalli and Karl Lagerfeld in the deal with the retail giant. It is H&M’s first collaboration with an accessories brand.

An H&M spokeswoman said the shoes would be limited to selected stores and are expected to cost from £30 for a pair of ballet pumps to £170 for a pair of boots. A pair of ballet flats from this season’s main Jimmy Choo collection cost around £245 and a pair of boots around £650. There will also be a men’s collection of shoes, bags and accessories.

Mellon said: “Jimmy Choo will bring to H&M a sophisticated, fashion forward, accessible and glamorous collection – the perfect party pieces to buy now and wear out that night.”

H&M is not exactly known for its stellar production quality, so fingers crossed that it gets done right with the Jimmy Choo pieces. This collection will also mark Jimmy Choo’s first foray into apparel, so it will be extra interesting to see what they turn out.

One thing is certain: Mellon is a smart cookie to be branching out in different directions given the economy, although I remain slightly more thrilled about the Jimmy Choo Hunter boots.

Cheap(er) Chic: Vena Cava, Alexander Wang, and Albertus Swanepoel for Gap Khaki

After much anticipation on the part of both bargainistas and fashionistas, the limited edition Gap khaki collection went live today. In conjunction with the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund, designs by 2008 winner Alexander Wang, runner-up Albertus Swanepoel, and finalists Lisa Mayock and Sophie Buhai of Vena Cava are now being offered for sale online and at Gap’s brick and mortar stores.

In the past Gap has been somewhat remiss in producing this sort of affordable collection by higher end designers, falling behind retailers like Target, Kohl’s, and JC Penney’s. Here’s to hoping that they keep it up - not only are all the items in the collection under $100, but the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund’s cash prizes and increased exposure helps emerging talent survive in a flailing economy.

I’ve posted some favorites below, and you can see the collection in its entirety here. I’m not necessarily a big khaki person, but I may spring for the Vena Cava Printed Dress - it’s light and summery with a more sophisticated neutral palette. What are your thoughts on the collection?

Vena Cava’s Printed Khaki Dress$88

Vena Cava’s Khaki Zip Dress $88

Alexander Wang’s Khaki Double-Breasted Jacket $88

Alexander Wang’s Khaki Pleated Shorts $49.50

Albertus Swanepoel’s Khaki Bucket Hat $39.50

Albertus Swanepoel’s Pleated Khaki Hat $39.50

Cheap(er) Chic: Forever 21 Goes Plus Size With Faith 21

In the past I’ve been resistant to Forever 21’s low cost charms, namely because a) they rampantly “borrow” from the work of other designers, and b) nothing at that price point could be ethically produced at any level. I’ll also never stop laughing at how they refer to certain items as “silky” - it’s like buying “cheese product.” But hey, the economy is in the pooper and my morals are now as loose as everyone else’s, so viva cheap!

In all seriousness and smug self-righteousness aside, the launch of Forever 21’s plus size line, Faith 21, is nothing but a good thing. The current recession has further diminished the fashion industry’s already tenuous dedication to plus sizes at a time when more Americans are losing money and gaining weight. Furthermore, Forever 21’s primary audience is teenage girls, who need all the body positivity and wardrobe egality they can get. I’ve been a teenage girl. It’s misery.

Faith 21 is for the most part chic, definitely cheap, and treats curves with respect.

Silky Floral Belted Dress $22.80

Dolman Dress With Belt $19.80

Silky Origami Dress $22.80

Plaid Button Down Tunic $19.80

Polka Dot Ruffle Dress $24.80

Japanese Blossom Sleek Dress $24.80

Lace & Ruffle Trim Top $19.80