A trip to the Loden Dager sample sale, taking place today and tomorrow in an industrial loft on West 29th Street, should only be considered if you are above a size medium and/or a fan of seersucker jackets. The space they're holding the sale in is strange—Dager staff shares the loft with other businesses—so shoppers are forced to ignore office workers typing away on their computers at desks facing the racks. But let's move past that little oddity, and on to the clothing. Extra large and large were the dominant sizes in button-down shirts and jackets, but if you're in the market for a parka, the selection was pretty good. Similarly, most pants and shorts ranged from size 34-36, but there were a few smaller sizes scattered about.
Label:Loden Dager Deal: Serious markdowns on the menswear brand's updated classics; cash only When/Where:Tuesday, July 29th and Wednesday, July 30th. Daily noon—6pm. 147 W 29th St between Sixth and Seventh Aves, fifth floor (212-502-1824).
Sent moments ago from a tipster: "Lunchtime lull! At the very moment, I am virtually the only person perusing the Wang wonders! Only about 6 different dresses offered, but at Uniqlo prices and no bumrush of Wang-ites, its def worth a quick trip." [Racked Inbox]
We've just left the scene of Alexander Wang and Loden Dager's debut at Uniqlo and it's clear from the morning's turnout that it is really Alexander Wang's day. The slim designer made an early appearance, welcoming friends and press while the store was still closed off to regular customers. Shoppers waited patiently in line while VIPs entered early to enjoy drinks and snacks and to shop the racks of gray, black and white dresses (priced around 50 to 70 dollars apiece). Thankfully, the store was still fully stocked when staffers began letting regular folks in at about 9:50am.
Though Racked has been compelely obsessed with Uniqlo and its Designers Invitation Project for as long as we've been around, the feeling doesn't really seem to be mutual. The retailer's PR team has made it difficult, if not impossible, to get information about and photos of any of the collaborations Uniqlo's done with designers. Thankfully, a Racked informant has stepped up to fill the void. He writes:
After seeing some pics of Tim Hamilton and Juliana Jabour collection from Uniqlo (partially and cropped off) on your blog and others, it makes me wonder what's going on with Uniqlo's PR firm even more. I used to work for Uniqlo and know how much they worship fashion editors and press (hint tragic sample sale). The collections are going to sale around the end of this month and they still didn't release the news to media or internet officially or even on the always confusing and useless US website. Enough bitching lol. Here is what I found on Uniqlo Japan promotional website. It has the launch date, collection pics, designer interviews and profiles. Too bad they are all in Japanese. This is what the US site should wake up and follow.
Slowly but surely, despite the Uniqlo PR team's best efforts to keep a lid on things, photos of the company's soon-to-be-released designer collaborations (Alexander Wang, Loden Dager, Juliana Jabour) have leaked onto the net. Today, We Are The Market previewsTim Hamilton's efforts for the retailer with four tiny, tiny photos that we've posted for you above. According to Tim, his inspiration for the project was 'the modern, playful images of Bruno Munari’s photo-reportage.' Expect to find 'workmen’s shirts rendered in fine cottons, t-shirts given elevated details', bias-cut knits and, from the look of things, lots of cardigans. The line will launch at Uniqlo on March 28th, to be followed by Wang's and Dager's on May 30th.
· Tim Hamilton For Uniqlo [We Are The Market]
· Uniqlo Confirms Wang, Jabour for Designer Invitation Project [Racked]
· Loden Dager for Uniqlo, Previewed [Racked]
SOHO—British fast-fashion chain Topshop has begun recruiting for its first US store at 478 Broadway in Soho. They are "looking for the best retail talent to open and run this exciting new venture." You must love skinny jeans, Kate Moss. [RackedWire]
SOHO—A well-informed Racked tipster checks in with some much-appreciated info on Uniqlo's upcoming designer collections: "BTW, the launch date for Tim Hamilton for Uniqlo is March 28th and Loden Dager+Alexander Wang are May 30th. I got the inside info from the company." Expect serious lines, especially for the latter. [RackedWire Inbox]
MIDTOWN EAST—The strangerumblings surrounding Brioni's midtown shops continue. A Racked source reports that it's the women's store that the company is trying to offload, and that the men's is staying put. "Right now they have three shops, one on 52nd Street and two on 57th Street. From what I hear, they are looking to get out of the lease for the women's store at 67 E 57th. Maybe women's isn't selling as well?" This could also have something to do with the mysterious departure of designer Cristina Ortiz, who quietly left the company for a position as chief designer at Ferragamo. [RackedWire Inbox]
Japanese chain Uniqlo has finally publicly confirmed the rumor that Alexander Wang has put together a collection for the retailer. The news comes in this morning's issue of WWD, which, disappointingly, doesn't feature any photos of Wang's designs, but does give readers a peek at the work of lesser-known (in the States at least) Brazilian designer Juliana Jabour (pictured above), whose clothes will hit stores this month. You'd think that the trade rag, with their ability to score exclusives, would run some more images (or larger ones, at least), but that's neither here nor there. Anyway, Jabour and Wang will of course join Tim Hamilton and Loden Dager for Uniqlo's Designer Invitation Project, which boasts alums like Phillip Lim and Alice Roi. From the article:
[Juliana Jabour] created a bubble dress and boatneck dress in sophisticated prints. She also designed a low-waisted tunic and sleeveless top to be worn with jeans. Hamilton's men's collection also hits stores this month. In May, Wang's color-blocked pleated dresses and tucked sleeveless dress will be available, as well as Dager's bright separates for men. Items in the capsule collections range from $29 to $79. Each will remain in stores for one month and will feature eight looks.
Building on the success of previous Designer Invitation Projects (3.1 Phillip Lim, Alexandre Plokhov, Alice Roi), Uniqlo is about to debut two more designer collections. The first comes to us from Loden Dager, the second from Tim Hamilton (which will hit stores in April). Material Interest has photos of Loden's tailored six-style menswear line, which includes "basics like trousers, button-down shirts, polos, and over-the-knee shorts, as well as a truncated, notch-lapel two-button blazer with shirting material lining the sleeves—each available for under 80 bucks." The company has not acknowledged the rumors that Alexander Wang may also be putting together a low-priced line, but it wouldn't surprise us at all if they had an ace up their sleeve.
· An exclusive first look at Loden Dager for Uniqlo [Material Interest]
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SOHO—British fast-fashion chain Topshop has 
