Industry News – April 22nd, 2016

Curated fashion industry news links for Friday, April 22nd, 2016…

BEYOND THE PURPLE: PRINCE’S INFLUENCE ON THE FASHION WORLD– Vogue
“Throughout his career he could be seen writhing onstage shirtless in fringe pants or shredding on his guitar, hips thrusting, in a metallic brocade suit. He dispensed with clothing altogether on his Lovesexy album cover, and the backless yellow jumpsuit he wore to the 1991 VMAs was enough to inspire a generation of risk-takers on the red carpet. Never in my life have I seen an arena full of people so transfixed by the simple flip of a black-and-white cape, as when Prince unexpectedly took the stage during the opening set of his Welcome 2tour performance in New Jersey’s Izod Center in 2010. Even from the nosebleeds, his commanding stage presence was the kind of thing that gives a girl chills. With his Neo-Edwardian suits, passimenterie jackets, draped velvet tops, and oversize silk blouses, Prince was as legendary as style icons come.”

BALENCIAGA SETS FIRST MEN’S RUNWAY SHOW – FootwearNews
“Balenciaga is ramping up its menswear department. The storied French maison said it would stage a runway show on June 22 during Paris fashion week — a first for the 99-year-old brand. Previously, collections had been shown by appointment in a presentation format. “The show will debut the masculine vision of Balenciaga’s new artistic director Demna Gvasalia,” the company said in a statement issued today. Gvasalia joined the brand last fall, succeeding Alexander Wang. He staged his first show for Balenciaga in March during the women’s ready-to-wear week, receiving largely positive reviews.”

GREAT BRITAIN COURTS CHINESE FASHION CONSUMERS – WILL IT PAY OFF?– Forbes
“Fully aware of the power of the renminbi, the country has been playing hard at courting Chinese shoppers on its home soil with over the last three years – the strategic ease of visa application processes for Chinese visitors being a case in point for such efforts – all while peddling British fashion and luxury as ideals of conspicuous consumption. It’s paying off: China is now the highest spending foreign nation in the UK, representing 25 percent of total international tax free spend, and offering a huge opportunity for British retailers.”

GAP PULLS T-SHIRT AFTER INDIE ROCK BANDS PROTEST– TheWallStreetJournal
“Gap Inc. is pulling T-shirts displaying the names of two indie rock bands from store shelves after the musicians accused the retailer of selling the items without their permission. The two groups, Cold War Kids and The Shins, discovered the items last month and notified fans that the apparel chain wasn’t authorized to sell the shirts.”

UNUSUAL UNDERGROUND MARKETPLACE OPENS IN NYC SUBWAY STATION– RetailingToday
“A major Manhattan subway station concourse that had been closed since 2009 has been transformed into a lively shopping and dining destination. TurnStyle, an underground marketplace inside the Columbus Circle 59th Street subway, is now open to the public. Financing for the project was provided by Goldman Sachs, through its Urban Investment Group. The 30,000-sq.-ft. $14.5 million project, located within a completely renovated 325-ft.-long passageway, features 39 retail and food vendors including 12 boutique shops, 20 gourmet eateries, and a series of pop-up vendor kiosks offering everything from hats to flowers, dumplings to doughnuts, cell phone cases to sunglasses, and much more in between.”