Banana Republic wants shoppers to know that the Tall Trench Dress no longer costs $175. Now, in a very special offer, it's $225. Writes a baffled Megan McCardle, "This is something I've never seen before—a website advertising a $50 price increase on a dress. (A dress which—foo!—I myself was hoping to own when it went on sale.) I'm trying to figure out what the advantage is of not merely raising the price, but flashing the price increase in red." It's got to be a mistake, right? [Megan McCardle via Joseph Weisenthal]
Our friends over at Refinery29's bog Pipeline just posted an interesting rumor about designer Jane Mayle's next step after shuttering her much-loved ladies line Mayle. "In these days of non-disclosure contracts and non-competes, it's entirely probable that Mayle has already found a new home at a larger corporation. After some office speculation, names like Cacharel and Chloé (it's been rumored before) popped up. Large home brands—think Missoni Home or even Anthropologie—could satisfy her interest in 'creating atmospheres,' while big-box retailer Target could offer her a world of lifestyle possibilities as a creative director...Even with all those names in the very theoretical mix, there's one that stands out to us as a perfect balance of broad, mass-market appeal with a touch of the old-world style Mayle has perfected—Banana Republic. That's right, Banana Republic." Hm. Do they know something we don't? It sure sounds that way. [Pipeline; Previously]
Time for a fun new game, folks. We've picked the highest-ranked Street Scenes subjects of the past week from Racked NY and Racked LA; now you decide which coast has the best style.
On the left, we have our NYC contender Joao (63.6% Perfection!/22.1% I feel strangely ambivalent about it./14.3% Who did this to you?) dressed in a shirt from "80's Brazilian designer" Mr. Wonderful, Trovata shorts, Flossy shoes and Super sunglasses. On the right, we have our LA contender Lorena (39% Perfection!/31.4% So close./15.2% I feel strangely ambivalent about it./14.3% Who do this to you?) wearing a Banana Republic dress and bag, Montego Bay Co. sandals, H&M belt, Forever 21 scarf, and glasses by JF Rey.
Today's Street Scenes subject is Marlon, shot on Bergen Street between Nevins and Third Avenue in Boerum Hill. Feel free to vote on whether you like or dislike his outfit below—your choices are 'Perfection!,' I feel strangely ambivalent about it,' or 'Who Did This To You.'
Former Gawker blogger Josh Stein guests at The Moment today with a piece on a fragrance luncheon for the relaunch of Banana Republic's perfume Classic: “'The brand has come a long way,' Banana Republic’s general manager for personal care Laure De Metz told the crowd. 'We’re no longer so colonial. We’re global.' She was, she told us, wearing Classic. Back in the safari-jacketed days of 1995, she explained, Banana Republic Classic was an eau de toilette. De Metz was very excited to be able to announce that today’s Classic was a more concentrated eau de parfum. The editors clapped politely." [The Moment]
Today's Street Scenes subject is Anthony, shot in the Court Street subway station in Brooklyn. Feel free to vote on whether you like or dislike his outfit below—your choices are 'Perfection!,' I feel strangely ambivalent about it,' or 'Who Did This To You.'
Banana Republic's Monogram boutique on Bleecker Street
The Wall Street Journal spends some time discussing the recession today—specifically, how this is not the best time for brands like Banana Republic and Ann Taylor to be launching higher-end lines. Apparently, the response to Ann Taylor's pricier Collection line has been "tepid" and although Banana Republic won't disclose how its Monogram effort is doing, we weren't impressed when we visited the company's test boutique on Bleecker Street last month. What does this mean for you, the consumer? More sales, of course.
· Retailers Downscale Their Luxury Lines [WSJ]
· Now Open: Monogram Bows on Bleecker [Racked]
Before kicking off your Saturday, take a moment to peruse the top Racked stories of the past week.
1) Fort Green: Brownstoner's Brooklyn Fleakicked off with a bang. There was food, antiques and plenty of silk-screened tees, but sadly, no dogs.
2) West Village: The execs at Banana Republicunveiled their puzzling new concept store, Monogram.
3) Midtown West: With a massive press conference and a pop-up store, Starbucks debuted their new Pike Place Roast in Bryant Park. It tastes slightly less bitter than their regular coffee!
You have to wonder what, exactly, Banana Republic is thinking with its new Monogram boutique (and line in general). BR hasn't sunk as low, sales-wise, as sister brands Gap and Old Navy and BR clothing is generally of decent quality. So why mess with a good thing by introducing a new, "refined" line? For the unfamiliar, a description of Monogram from WWD: "The line focuses on better fabrics and tailoring at prices about 30 to 40 percent higher than the brand's core collection." Today the Monogram store at 205 Bleecker Street, the only one in the nation to be completely focused on Monogram line (also currently available on BananaRepublic.com) debuted to a modicum of curious shoppers. The staff has clearly been instructed to be as hands-on as possible, which means shoppers are greeted at the door, checked in upon multiple times and given bottles of water to drink while they browse.
Monogram 205 Bleecker St at Sixth Ave;
(212) 473-9570
Mon—Sat 11am—8pm; Sun noon—7pm
Banana Republic's experimental Monogram boutique opens today at 205 Bleecker Street in the West Village. The space, which had previously housed a regular BR, now features the brand's pricier Monogram duds only. "The line focuses on better fabrics and tailoring at prices about 30 to 40 percent higher than the brand's core collection...The store environment is more sophisticated, too, with residential furniture such as Billy Baldwin sofas and chairs covered in glazed linen the color of sand. That same fabric is used for heavy drapes that partially cover the large windows, giving the store a sense of intimacy. Gray sisal rugs trimmed with black leather anchor the seating areas and black lacquer Niedermaier mirror screens bring the scale of the high-ceilinged store down to human size." Also, your Monogram sales associate would prefer to be called a 'stylist.' [WWD; previously]
GREENWICH VILLAGE—Is it curtains for the Banana Republic store on Bleecker Street and Sixth Avenue (the one that's transitioning into a Monogram boutique as we speak)? According to this brochure (warning: .pdf) from real estate company Staubach, the storefront at 205 Bleecker is on the market. [RackedWire]
LIC—According to blog liQcity, Long Island City is about to get a fine foods store—"Think Zabar’s, not Gristedes." Does this mean that things are finally looking up over there? [liQcity]
Before the weekend begins, check out a quick rundown of the top ten Racked stories of the past five days.
1) Lower East Side: A "Who Killed Obama" top was spotted in an Orchard Street boutique. Tasteless? Yes.
2) West Village: The Banana Republic on Bleecker Street will soon reopen as a store called Monogram. Catchy, huh?
3) Bowery: Hamptons boutique Blue & Cream's plans for Bowery beach chairs were revealed.
4) Bowery: More Bowery boutique news: Work on the John Varvatos store rising in the old CBGB's space finally resumed after an unexplained months-long break.
Yes, the Banana Republic at 205 Bleecker Street and Sixth Avenue in the West Village is closed, but that doesn't mean another retailer is moving in. Instead, the clothing chain is turning the storefront into an outpost for their new, high-end Monogram line ("The mark of distinction"). New executive vp and creative director Simon Kneen had remarked back in January that he wanted to expand on the store's pricier offerings, and he's starting on Bleecker, which is probably the best bet for this sort of thing. After all, Coach has their Legacy shop there and Tommy Hilfiger's trying out his women's-only boutique nearby, so Banana's in good company.
Today's Street Scenes subject is Emily, shot in Madison Square Park in the Flatiron District. Feel free to vote on whether you like or dislike her outfit—your choices are 'Perfection!,' I feel strangely ambivalent about it,' or 'Who Did This To You.'
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