TORONTO – Lanvin to design exclusive collection for H&M
Lanvin has become the latest top-tier brand to team with H&M.
The famed French fashion house has been announced as the next designer collaboration with the fast-fashion retailer.
The H&M line will be designed by Lanvin’s artistic director, Alber Elbaz, and menswear designer Lucas Ossendrijver.
Both womenswear and menswear collections will be revealed Nov. 2. In a twist, the items will be unveiled through a special film slated to be launched on that date.
The collection will go on sale Nov. 23 in 200 H&M stores worldwide.
“H&M approached us to collaborate, and see if we could translate the dream we created at Lanvin to a wider audience, not just a dress for less,” said Elbaz in a statement.
“I have said in the past that I would never do a mass-market collection, but what intrigued me was the idea of H&M going luxury rather than Lanvin going public. This has been an exceptional exercise, where two companies at opposite poles can work together because we share the same philosophy of bringing joy and beauty to men and women around the world.”
Lanvin follows the likes of designers Karl Lagerfeld and Stella McCartney who have created lines for the brand.
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Jacob says ‘no’ to retouching models’ shapes in photos
Jacob has decided to bid adieu to the practice of retouching photos to alter the shapes of models.
The Quebec-based company is billing the move as the first by a women’s fashion retailer in Canada.
The retailer is publicly committing to no longer digitally altering the bodies of its models in images for both its Jacob and Jacob Lingerie brands as it launches its fall campaign. Non-retouched images will be shown in stores.
The company says it has always felt strongly about women’s issues and respecting its customers, and decided it was time to “take a stand on retouching.”
“As a socially responsible company, Jacob has always made an effort to promote a healthy image of the female body,” spokesperson and communications director Cristelle Basmaji said in a release.
“By adopting an official policy and broadcasting it publicly, we hope to reverse the trend in digital photo manipulation that has become excessive in our industry.”
Despite the move, the company says it isn’t against all forms of touch-ups. Jacob will continue to retouch photos in some regards, noting there will always be a need to calibrate colours for better product representation, to even out skin tone or erase tattoos and scars.
Jacob has more than 150 stores across Canada.
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Wal-Mart Canada launches expansion of George brand
Wal-Mart Canada is broadening its business with the multimillion-dollar expansion of its George brand.
The retailer announced it will retire a number of its private label brands, such as B.U.M., Penman’s and 725, to make one umbrella brand. Wal-Mart Canada also announced the retrofitting of more than 300 stores across the country.
“Our customers told us they wanted a simplified shopping experience,” said senior vice-president Lesya McQueen in a statement. “We responded by streamlining our brand offering so that our customers can easily find not only the basics we are famous for but also on-trend fashions that deliver dependable quality at unbeatable prices.”
The revamped line is divided into seven categories: George Baby, George Kids, G21 designed for teens and young adults, and George, catering to ladies’ and men’s contemporary fashions. Rounding out the list are George Classics for mature adults, a category for full-figured women and a maternity collection.
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Holt Renfrew partners with Canada Goose, Marc Jacobs for charitable collaborations
Holt Renfrew is teaming up with a pair of top-name brands on both sides of the border to help charities.
In a partnership with Marc by Marc Jacobs, a portion of proceeds of a worldwide exclusive tote created by the label will benefit Vision Spring, a non-profit organization that provides low-cost eyeglasses to the developing world. The charity was selected by Marc by Marc Jacobs. The totes, priced at $48, will arrive at the end of the month and will be available until Oct. 10.
In another collaboration, Canada Goose will create a limited-edition tuque exclusive to the retailer that will sell for $50 each. Part of the proceeds will benefit Polar Bears International, a non-profit dedicated to worldwide conservation of the polar bear and its habitat through research, stewardship and education. The tuque is slated to hit stores Nov. 4.
