WWD: Cheap Accessories

A new accessories customer has emerged, molded by the recession, fast fashion and Internet shopping. As a result, there is renewed focus by brands on costume jewelry, as well as lower-price handbags, eyewear and other products. Accessories vendors and retailers attending the New York trade shows this month said conditions had compelled them to target … Continue reading »

WWD: Milly Branches Out With Accessories

Flirty sportswear brand Milly has launched a nautical-inspired handbag line and is ramping up its profile in jewelry. “I set out…with the same philosophy and aesthetic as my ready-to-wear collection: smart, sexy and glamorous…a modern sensibility with a vintage vibe,” said the brand’s designer, Michelle Smith. The handbags, which eventually will include 19 silhouettes, including … Continue reading »

WWD: Toms Shoes Nears Milestone

Blake Mycoskie founded Toms Shoes in 2006 based on the idea of giving away much of his product for free in order to help children in need. Next month, Mycoskie will measure the success of his enterprise when the company delivers its one-millionth pair of shoes to a child in Argentina. He said it’s just … Continue reading »

WWD: Accessories Shows Highlight Challenges

NEW YORK — Accessories vendors and retailers attending trade shows here last week said navigating through still treacherous economic conditions has forced them to seek ways to reduce costs yet offer product that delivers innovation and value. Industry representatives at JA, Accessorie Circuit and AccessoriesTheShow expressed hope that the recession had passed, despite warning signs … Continue reading »

WWD: Judith Ripka Pairs With Shoshanna Gruss for QVC Jewelry Line

After forging a friendship, Judith Ripka and Shoshanna Gruss are going into business together, creating a costume jewelry line called Shoshanna. Ripka, who has designed fine jewelry for more than 35 years, has taken accessories ingenue Gruss under her wing to launch the 15-piece collection that will launch exclusively Tuesday on QVC. The line has … Continue reading »

WWD: Ke$ha and Casio

KE$HA AND MORE: Casio unveiled several new watch models at the Hammerstein Ballroom in Manhattan on Monday night, but Ke$ha was the headliner at the third annual “Shock the World” event. The singer went through a slew of wardrobe changes and, while praising her Baby-G watch as “indestructible,” lamented the state of her love life. … Continue reading »

WWD: Q&A With John Varvatos

John Varvatos spoke with WWD about the company’s past, present and his less-than-predictable plans for the future. WWD: What was the John Varvatos brand concentrated on 10 years ago? John Varvatos: We were caught up in the excitement of launching, and we launched big. We got a great response to our first runway show, and … Continue reading »

WWD: Accessories Council: A Vital Player

NEW YORK — The Accessories Council, which began as a small trade organization to give voice to the needs of an overlooked retail sector, has matured into a vital supporter and player in the fashion industry. Its annual Accessories Council Excellence Awards have become a high-profile celebration of the sector and its advocacy has become … Continue reading »

WWD: A Golden Era for Sunglasses

Thanks to a heavy celebrity showing and the lure of limited edition luxury, gold-lensed sunglasses are shining brightly. Continue reading »

WWD: Fendi Launches Patented Timepiece

Fendi’s new Crazy Carats watch is part futuristic fine jewelry, part classic timepiece and part mood ring. The luxury brand’s latest addition to its offerings has its own patent, based on the watch’s rolling mechanism that allows the wearer to change the color of the precious or semiprecious stone settings on the dial three times. … Continue reading »