The High Price of Denim

You can never have too many jeans. But, at thousands of dollars a pair, you may need to limit your selection.

High-priced jeans are a trend that has hit the fashion scene and refused to leave. According to an article on Forbes.com, Marshal Cohen at NPD Group, a retail-industry consulting firm, said “This is a trend that has been hot for almost five years now, which in the fashion industry is very rare. Denim has become not only a staple in the wardrobe, but it's become a premium product. It's at an all-time high in price and in prestige. Until something really comes along that can take its place, it's here to stay."

Designers like Gucci and Escada continue to produce embellished jeans with gold or silver rivets and diamond buttons. A single pair of this luxury denim can cost anywhere between $3,000 and $10,000.

For those consumers who can do with diamond-encrusted jeans, a good pair of Levi’s might just do the trick.

Dreaded Pantyhose Aim to Please

Most women would rather walk over hot coals than put on a pair of pantyhose. The promise of sleek, smooth, eye-catching legs falls short in the face of the immense discomfort that ensues just moments after pulling the evil hosiery on.

But could this all change? Could there be such a thing as user-friendly pantyhose? Believe it or not, teams of scientists across the nation are working to achieve this implausible feat. By using scientific tricks like high-tech fibers, lavender-scented “microcapsules,” and vein-constricting weaves, top designers are hoping to see an increase in their ever-decreasing hosiery sales.

It seems unlikely that any chemistry experiment could make panty hose a marketable item here in sunny Florida. You’d be hard pressed to find an adequate supply of socks, let alone a pair of dreaded pantyhose.

Fantasy Fashion

Fantasy Football, meet your match.

The Fantasy Fashion League, described by the Detroit Free Press as the “girly version of fantasy football,” has arrived.

Founded just two months ago by Erica Salmon, a mother of two, the online game allows women from all over the world to create teams and compete for prizes like shopping sprees and spa vacations.

So, how does it work? Players chose celebrities and designers to create their team. Players earn points when their celebrities or designers are spotted at events, in magazines or in daily trade publications.

Immediately popular, the game gained the attention of InStyle magazine. The marketing potential of this game is great, as it allows the fashion industry to bring its designers and styles directly into the homes of the consumers.

Technology with Style

The technology industry continues to produce new gadgets that are always just a little bit faster, smaller or better than the gizmos preceding them. Speed and size, however, are not the only factors that matter to today’s consumer. Some of us want our technology to be “pretty” or even “cute.”

In response to this demand, companies like Sony Ericsson and Toshiba are creating products that they hope will appeal to the fashion conscious. Sony Ericsson’s new cell phone, the Z300a, has a sleek design and appealing color scheme in addition to its other features. The design and color scheme for Toshiba’s updated MP3 players follow a similar strategy.

Color and style are an important element of any product, and the technology industry has done well in recognizing its market potential.

The Angels are Back

Men, prepare your TeVos. The Victoria’s Secret fashion show is set to air Dec. 6 on CBS. The show will also be available on the Victoria’s Secret Web site.

Janet Jackson’s exposure at the Super bowl was enough to cancel the show last year. This year, however, Limited Brands Inc. has put quite a bit of stock in the success of the show.

Limited, the parent company of Victoria’s Secret, has recently struggled with disappointing sales. As one of the strongest companies within the brand, Victoria’s Secret has the potential to help the company.

Can supermodels and underwear really save a failing company? It seems like it might take a miracle—or maybe just a few angels.

Angelina Jolie Signs with St. John

St. John selected Angelina Jolie as the new “face” of the luxury label. Jolie will replace Brazilian Victoria's Secret model Gisele Bundchen who was featured in the company’s fall ads.

Known for outfitting a conservative, older crowd, like Sen. Hillary Clinton and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, St. John now hopes to appeal to a younger client. Jolie will be featured in the company’s 2006 spring advertising campaign.

Richard Cohen, CEO of St. John, said in a press release, “Angelina Jolie embodies so many qualities of what St. John represents. She is strong, independent and dynamic. She’s a mother, actress and a philanthropist. With this partnership we hope to mark another exciting step toward making St. John the ultimate American luxury brand.”

A Little Style

For many petite women, shopping has become more frustrating than fun. The hunt for a well-fitted blazer or the perfect-length pant can seem just about futile. Lisa Jones Townsel of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch recently complied a collection of the petite clients’ most common shopping complaints. According to these shoppers, the biggest challenges they face are:

· Finding age-appropriate clothing
· Finding pieces that fit all parts of the body
· Finding fashion-forward pieces.

Recognizing the buying power of the petite client, several retailers have incorporated petite sizing into their collections. Ann Taylor and Talbots have both developed successful petite lines. It is important to note that these petite sizes are not simply smaller or shorter, but are proportioned differently to ensure the best fit for the petite client. It would be fitting, then, for fashion retailers to recognize the petite client and all of her sizing needs, big or small.