The Shophound

Collaboration News: Jil Has A New Label +J At UNIQLO This Fall

OK, Technically this is not a collaboration because Jil Sander is actually a UNIQLO employee, but WWD has announced that her special collection for the Japanese retailer now has a title. +J will grace the discreet labels of the line when it makes its début at UNIQLO flagships this fall. Because Sander's actual name is owned by Onward Holdings Co. Ltd. which produces the Jil Sander label, the company and designer had to think up something that would refer to her as a person without directly referencing her name. Longtime Jil customers may remember that at one point her labels included a faint plus sign, which may serve as a subtle reference, but not likely enough to cause legal action. As for the logo design, it resembles an abstracted winking smile, which is an unusually cheery image for the normally severe and minimal Sander, but fits in well with UNIQLO's upbeat aesthetic. Hangtags will include the message:

Open the future
Luxury will be simplicity.
Purity in design, beauty and comfort for all.
Quality for the people.
Basics are the common language.
The future is here. +J

We're such UNIQLO and Jil Sander fans that this counts as big news for us. So far no pictures have been released yet, so, except for the tiny glimpse of a trim shirt-collar at right, we can only guess what the final product will look like for now.
In our mind it's looking totally fabulous.
Jil Sander's Collection For Uniqlo Will Be Called +J (WWD)

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More Collaborations: Jimmy Choo X H&M Coming This Fall Including Label's First Clothes

They say that cheap shoes will ruin even the most well assembled outfit, but Jimmy Choo is out to disprove that maxim this Fall.
On November 14th, H&M will release its latest collaboration collection with the luxury shoe label in only 200 stores (several of which are likely to be in Manhattan). The collection will include shoes, bags and accessories for men and women as well as clothing, a category the brand is neither known for nor, as far as we know, has ever produced at all.
Like Matthew Williamson, whose recent H&M collaboration includes his first menswear, Jimmy Choo appears to be using H&M to test the waters for potential product expansions.
More importantly, we will all be looking to see if H&M will be able to successfully translate Choo's opulent designs at what will have to be a dramatically lower price point.
Reserve your places in line now.
H&M to Collaborate with Jimmy Choo by Miles Socha (WWD)

Collaboration Launch: Gap Design Editions Previews Today On Fifth Avenue

Today's the day Fifth Avenue shoppers get a preview of this year's Gap Design Editions collaborations featuring exclusive khaki capsule collections by current darlings and CFDA Fashion Fund Finalists Alexander Wang, Vena Cava's Lisa Maycock and Sophie Buhai (pictured above) and Albertus Swanepoel. The collection gets released to stores tomorrow, but the designers along with Gap Creative Director Patrick Robinson will be at the midtown flagship store today at 10:30 AM to launch the initiative. Though the designer roster is smaller this year (and there's no menswear) the individual collections appear to have been broadened, and the choice of a Khaki theme is right in Gap's wheelhouse while allowing the designers a few more design options than the white shirts of years past. The collections are ONLINE  TODAY, and will launch in the rest of the chain tomorrow. Get there fast. This group of merch looks like it will sell swiftly.
Gap Design Editions (Official Site) Flagaship at 54^th Street & Fifth Avenue

Today In Collaborations: Muji Forges Partnership With Historic Furniture Maker

This month, Japanese cult retailer MUJI launches a new capsule collection made in collaboration with Thonet, the German furniture maker famous for perfecting bentwood construction techniques. The tiny group includes a classic beech chair and table as well as items in bent steel pipe.
We're happy to see MUJI expanding their furniture offerings in its New York stores (the line will be sold in the Times Square and Flatiron locations). The downside? While bentwood furniture was popular for being inexpensive in the 19^th century when it was introduced, that's not so much the case now, with the beech chair priced at $495.75 and the table at $795.75 –not horribly extravagant, but somewhat higher than we have come to expect from MUJI. Quality is the priority here, however, as the pieces are all being made in Thonet's German factories (hence the higher prices).
On a related note, limited time discounts will be offered on other items through the end of June including 20% off of pocketed coil mattresses with legs and mold urethane sofa components. Need more enticement? Selected business bags and accessories will also be discounted this month, so a visit within the next two weeks should be in order.
MUJI (Official Site)

More McCartney: Stella X GapKids Set For Yearend

What drives us nuts about designer children's wear is the ridiculous prices for clothes that, most of the time, are barely noticed by the people wearing them.
Now Stella McCartney, individualist that she is, has joined the children's scene for a one-off collection that promises to offer a more affordable price point because it is being offered in conjunction with GapKids and BabyGap at the end of this year.
It will include clothes for boys and girls, and it appears that Stella feels the same way we do about kid's clothes. WWD reports:

"For years I’ve wanted to create a collection for kids,” McCartney stated. “It’s something I’ve often been asked about. I believe that this one-off collaboration will be a great way for customers to be able to participate in the Stella McCartney brand. I believe that kids’ clothing should be more accessibly priced, which is particularly important at the moment, given the current climate.”

Stella has become something of a collaboration queen without tarnishing her brand's prestige in the least. Could this be a sign of more Little Stella to come? Time will tell, but if this works out it will probably be a safe bet. The line will be available in yet to be announced selected GapKids and BabyGap locations in the U.S. and internationally as well as online.
Gap, Stella McCartney Sign Kids’ Deal (WWD)

A Moment for Our Feet: J.M. Weston Launches Exclusive Collaborations

Last week, the fine folks at J.M. Weston invited The to The Flag Art Foundation in Chelsea to launch the exclusive French shoemaker's special collaboration collection, "Humeurs" featuring five designers' interpretations of its classic models. As much as we love shoes, we might love our Westons the best. We once described them to someone unfamiliar with the brand as the men's shoe version of an Hermès Kelly Bag, so we were happy to lace up our oxblood demi-chasses and trek out to West 25th street for cocktails & hors d'oeuvres (of course, we are always happy to trek out for cocktails & hors d'oeuvres, but anyway...).
Our favorite pair was Dior Homme designer Kris Van Assche's subtle take on a wingtip oxford (pictured above), but the collection also included Michel Perry's whimsical argyle blucher and modern architect Frank Gehry's unlikely reproduction of an ankle boot with white spats as well as styles from Martin Szekely and Clémence Krzentowski. The seven styles are available for special order through J.M.Weston's boutiques, and we are guessing the prices will fall squarely into the four figure range. For what it's worth, we have a pair of Westons that we have been wearing for 15 years that look better than ever, so the investment value is definitely there.
J.M. Weston 812 Madison Avenue at 68^th Street, Upper East Side

More images after the jump

Fast Fashion Surprise: In Which We Finally Drag Ourselves To H&M To See Matthew Williamson's Collection (Again) But Find Something Better

We're already over Matthew Williamson's two-part capsule collection for H&M, but finally made our way over there this afternoon to give it the once-over (more on that later). While we were there, we decided it wouldn't be a bad time to take a quick look at some of the other fine products the place had to offer. Upon our arrival on the second floor in the men's department, we discovered that most of it was closed off with apologies so the folks at H&M could "create a stylish new look". That made the browsing faster, and though what we found was pretty much what we expected, our magical shopping radar drew us to something that made our trip all worthwhile: Superhero Underpants!
Yes, it appears that H&M is selling its own version of Underoos just for grown-ups.
Now, we all know that there are any number of reasons why these are an inadvisable purchase. Here's a just one: Is it wise to wear underwear that begs an unfavorable comparison between one's own torso and Batman's, or The Hulk's? We say no. Never mind the effect these briefs could have on an impromptu sexual encounter (that would be abruptly ending it, if you didn't get our insinuation). Even though we eye them with morbid fascination, we ultimately took a pass.
As for Williamson, It looks like there is plenty to be had for both genders, so don't rush. The women's group is more casual with tropically colored bathing suits and loose dresses (some for higher prices than you would expect). The men's line, Williamson's first, ranges from fairly appealing to so garish it could only be suitable to wear while introducing the acrobats and lion tamers.
Frankly, we have seen so many internet previews of this collection that we're already bleary-eyed. For those less jaded than we (which would be nearly everybody) there appears to be an abundance, so enjoy.
Matthew Williamson for H&M (Official Site)

Today's Collaborations: Gilded Age and Shipley & Halmos Quietly Premiere At UNIQLO

We don't know if it's Designer Collaboration fatigue, lack of promotion, or just the continuing gloomy weather, but the second half of UNIQLO's Designers Invitation Project for this year made a very low-key début today at UNIQLO this morning. Perhaps it's because all the designers chosen this year have a more classic aesthetic, but ultimately, we're pretty sure the collections will wind up doing just fine. We heard actual squeals coming from the dressing room (really, we're not kidding) while one eager customer tried on a bunch of items from Shipley & Halmos' women's collection (pictured at right) during the press preview. Their line was light, young and summery with loose crepe-de-chine dresses and even a little satin shorts romper for the daring.
Gilded Age's men's capsule is probably the most accessible collaboration the Japanese chain has done yet, with some easy khaki's and plaid shorts and ever popular thermal henley tees. UNIQLO continues to do an excellent job of translating the more expensive brands' details at a very affordable price point, so Gilded Age's washed oxford shirts still have contrasting, trapunto stitched cuff linings, and the terry polo we walked away with has the brand's flat metal buttons and a retro styled printed label. At $19.50, it is still quite the bargain especially compared to the often jaw dropping prices of the brand's regular line.
As for the rest of the store, there's still plenty else to love including even more printed t-shirts than last week and lots of colored jeans for both genders  at the throwaway prices most of us were expecting to see from Topshop. Look for a bigger crowd when the sun comes out this weekend.
Designers Invitation Project at UNIQLO, 546 Broadway between Prince & Spring Streets, SoHo

More pictures after the jump

New Collaborations: Anna Sui To Bring Gossip To Target This September

She may be losing Bendel's business, but Anna Sui will be gaining a new audience this fall as she becomes the second designer to participate in Target's Designer Collaborations series this fall. The designer has created a special collection for the mass retailer that will début in September.
This program is not to be confused with Target's popular Go International collections which is meant to feature young, less well known designers. "Designer Collaborations" has been created for the retailer to work with more established names like her predecessor, Alexander McQueen, whose McQ for Target collection was released earlier this year. Like McQueen, Sui has chosen a particular muse to inspire the line, and hers are the four female lead characters from the TV series "Gossip Girl", who have already worn the designer's clothes onscreen. Never accuse Sui of not being media savvy. At the very least, we can now count on another glittery preview party in New York, where the four actresses who play the characters will be busy filming the show in September. Sui tells WWD:

When I was in Asia last year, all the young girls kept asking me about the different locations in New York City where the characters from ‘Gossip Girl’ live. I liked the idea of creating a collection reflective of each characters’ style, sensibility and unique approach to fashion. By combining the elements of art, city, spirit, punk and glamour, we created a collection that exudes New York City fashion.

We have no word yet on whether or not there will be a special Manhattan pop-up outlet to kick off the collection, but we think it's a pretty safe bet. We only hope, however, that they find a more convenient venue than the West Side Highway warehouse that housed McQueen's temporary store.
Your opportunity to dress in Sui's vision of Blair, Serena, Vanessa or Little J. (or will it be Lily?) begins on September 13^th and and will run through October 17^th.
Target Signs Designer Anna Sui (WWD)

More Collaborations:GAP's CFDA Line Slowly Leaks

Gap hasn't really officially announced much about its Design Editions collaborations for 2009 featuring the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund finalists, but images from the line continue to quietly float through the magical interwebs from generous "tipsters". This year, the focus has moved from the iconic white shirt to the iconic khaki pant, which should offer some more variety. We're not even sure who the all participating designers will be yet, but Patrick Robinson dropped hints about an "incredible motorcycle jacket" from current darling (and last year's winner) Alexander Wang at the Havaianas Urban Beach Flip-Flop Shop party last week, and today, our friends at RACKED have a photo of that likely to be coveted item (pictured above). This comes hot on the heels of spilling some shots of graphic printed dresses from Vena Cava on Friday. Apparently, there will also be an abundance of 1920's style cloche hats as well. Interesting.
We're looking forward to the full reveal, which should be sometime this month, but it's usually only a few weeks ahead of the launch, which happens on June 16^th.
Collabs: Gap Design Editions Has Everybody in Khaki, Alexander Wang Included (RACKED includes slideshow)