Industry News – January 24th, 2017

Curated fashion industry news links for Tuesday, January 24th, 2017…

ONLINE FASHION RETAILER TO TRY ON BRICK-AND-MORTAR – ChainStoreAge
“Although only a three-month lease was signed, Eloquii executives see the store as a test to determine the potential for a brick-and-mortar strategy, the report said.”

VIVIENNE WESTWOOD: PUNK? YES. POLITICAL? MAYBE. – TheNewYorkTimes
“She would probably agree: The most moving messages are not for sale, and the most impressing outfits are often put together when the wearer does not yet have words for what she is feeling.”

WARBY PARKER TO OPEN 25 STORES THIS YEAR, CO-CEO SAYS – TheWallStreetJournal
“Warby Parker plans to open at least 25 retail locations this year, a rare brick-and-mortar expansion amid store closures at several chains.”

MARIA GRAZIA CHIURI MADE HER DIOR COUTURE DEBUT AMID AN ENCHANTED FOREST SET – TheCut
“Maria Grazia Chiuri’s first show for Dior was a feminist statement that came out swinging. But her couture debut for the house today in Paris was much softer, even fairy-tale-like.”

THE COCKTAIL ESPADRILLE IS OFFICIALLY A THING, SAYS GIAMBATTISTA VALLI – FootwearNews
“We’re now accustomed to a cocktail flat, whether it be a sneaker or a bejeweled slide. However, Valli upped the ante and introduced us to the cocktail espadrille. As luxe as you like, it came in butter soft leather the color of putty and was tied oh-so-casually around the ankle with contrast black ties that had the look of grosgrain ribbon.”