2019 E! People’s Choice Awards: Gwen Stefani to receive Fashion Icon Award

October 8, 2019

Gwen Stefani
Gwen Stefani (Photo by Trae Patton/NBC)

The following is a press release from E!:

E! announced today that multi-platinum recording artist and global superstar Gwen Stefani will receive the “E! People’s Choice Awards” Fashion Icon Award at this year’s telecast. The three-time Grammy Award winner and four-time coach on NBC’s hit musical competition series “The Voice” has seamlessly translated her magnetic style into a series of successful lifestyle brands for all ages, including her fashion line L.A.M.B., its sister label Harajuku Lovers, her eyewear line gx by Gwen Stefani and the award-winning Harajuku Mini for Target. The “E! People’s Choice Awards” will broadcast live from Barker Hangar in Santa Monica on Sunday, November 10 from 9:00-11:00pm ET/PT.

“It’s an incredible honor to receive this year’s Fashion Icon Award at the ‘E!’s People’s Choice Awards,’” said Gwen Stefani. “As an artist, musician and entrepreneur, fashion has always served as a creative outlet for me to express my personality and music. I am so grateful to receive this award and continue to be inspired by those who stand apart and embrace their unique style and individuality.”

“Gwen Stefani is a global music artist, whose unique signature style and individuality has transcended time,” said Jen Neal, General Manager, E! News, Live Events and Lifestyle Digital. “She has effortlessly evolved her success in music to fashion and beauty launching numerous popular lifestyle brands, and for all her many accomplishments we’re proud to name her our 2019 ‘E! People’s Choice Award’ Fashion Icon honoree.”

Stefani has achieved global success as a multi-platinum solo performer and frontwoman for the rock band No Doubt, whose honors include four MTV Video Music Awards, two Billboard Awards, an American Music Award and a Brit Award. To date, she’s sold more than 50 million units worldwide, including her five-times-platinum debut solo album “Love.Angel.Music.Baby.” – a 2004 release delivering the hit singles “Rich Girl,” “What You Waiting For?,” and the Pharrell Williams-produced No. 1 hit “Hollaback Girl.”

One of pop culture’s most magnetic style icons, Stefani has also emerged as the first global celebrity artist to translate music stardom into a series of massively successful lifestyle brands including L.A.M.B., Harakjuku Lovers, gx by Gwen Stefani and Harajuku Mini, brilliantly merging modern glamour with fashion-forward streetwear. L.A.M.B. and gx eyewear are available in over 3000+ doors in the United States. Harajuku Lovers, the pop-art-inspired apparel and accessories brand, has had broad appeal with collaborations including the award-winning Harajuku Mini for Target and beauty accessories for Sephora. Her brands have amassed more than $1 billion in retail sales, solidifying her stamp on the fashion industry.

In addition to her successful music and fashion career, Stefani currently serves as a coach on four-time Emmy Award-winning “The Voice,” which airs Mondays and Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET/PT on NBC.

In 2018, Stefani debuted her first exclusive headlining residency show “Gwen Stefani – Just a Girl” at Zappos Theater at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino. Designed exclusively for Zappos Theater and promoted by Live Nation and Caesars Entertainment, the eye-popping spectacular celebrates the breadth of the star’s illustrious musical career with fan-favorite hits, including “Hollaback Girl,” “The Sweet Escape” and “What You Waiting For?” Stefani returns to Las Vegas this fall for an additional run in October and November and recently announced the final performances in February and May 2020. Tickets for all dates through Nov. 2 are on sale now at www.ticketmaster.com/gwen.

The “E! People’s Choice Awards” will be broadcast live from Barker Hangar in Santa Monica on Sunday, November 10 starting at 9p ET/PT, with “E! Live From The Red Carpet: The E! People’s Choice Awards 2019” kicking off at 7p ET/PT.

“Live From The Red Carpet: The E! People’s Choice Awards 2019” and the “E! People’s Choice Awards” are both produced by Den of Thieves with Executive Producers Jesse Ignjatovic, Evan Prager and Barb Bialkowski.

About E! Entertainment

E! is the only global, multi-platform brand for all things pop culture. The network is currently available to 91 million cable and satellite subscribers in the U.S and 161 countries globally. E! programming includes popular series “Keeping Up with the Kardashians,” “Very Cavallari,” “Total Divas,” “Total Bellas,” “Botched,” and “Dating #NoFilter;” topical series “Nightly Pop,” and the return of the “E! True Hollywood Story.” “E! News” airs nightly on the network and is the leading multi-platform publisher delivering breaking entertainment news and pop culture coverage 24/7 across EOnline.com and all digital and social media. The brand’s robust digital programming slate includes “E! News’ The Rundown,” “Face Forward” and “What The Fashion” on Snapchat. E!’s “Live from the Red Carpet” signature events keep fans connected to their favorite stars on pop culture’s biggest nights and E! is also home to the “E! People’s Choice Awards,” the only award show for the people, by the people. E! is a network of NBCUniversal Entertainment & Lifestyle Group, a division of NBCUniversal, one of the world’s leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production, and marketing of entertainment, news and information to a global audience. For more corporate information, visit www.nbcuniversal.com.

About Den of Thieves

Den of Thieves (DoT) is a television live event, scripted and non-scripted production company founded in 2007 by Jesse Ignjatovic and Evan Prager. Since its inception, DoT has become one of the most highly regarded and sought-after production companies in the industry. DoT is the production company of record for the MTV Video Music Awards for the past 13 consecutive years and also holds Executive Producer credits for the “Taylor Swift: Reputation Stadium Tour” concert special for Netflix, the People’s Choice Awards on E!, The Gong Show on ABC, the iHeartRadio Music Awards for Turner Broadcasting, the Peabody Awards, and Ken Jeong’s Netflix comedy special “You Complete Me, Ho” directed by John Chu. Aside from spearheading some of the world’s leading premier event shows and specials, DoT is the name behind the production of comedy specials and documentaries for Netflix, Comedy Central, and Apple – to name a few. Beyond that, DoT also produced the multi-network broadcast of Hand in Hand: A Benefit for Hurricane Relief in September 2017, in addition to the digital stream of March for Our Lives in March 2018.

 

Victoria’s Secret launches exclusive lingerie collection with For Love & Lemons

September 20, 2019

Grace Elizabeth in lace underwire bra and thong (Photo courtesy of Victoria’s Secret)

The following is a press release from Victoria’s Secret:

Victoria’s Secret, the world’s most famous lingerie brand, introduces their new collaboration with Los Angeles-based fashion label For Love & Lemons. Launching today, Victoria’s Secret will serve as the exclusive third-party retailer of For Love & Lemons lingerie collection available at select Victoria’s Secret stores in the US and at VictoriasSecret.com, as well as select stores in the UK beginning September 27.

To celebrate the launch, For Love & Lemons founders Laura Hall and Gillian Rose Kern and collection muses entrepreneur Devon Lee Carlson and model Solange Van Doorn hosted a dreamy garden luncheon yesterday in New York City. Carlson and Van Doorn are joined by models Grace Elizabeth, Winnie Harlow, Hailey Clausen, and Jasmine Saunders in the romantic and captivating For Love & Lemons for Victoria’s Secret campaign.

A woman-owned and women-led business based out of Los Angeles, For Love & Lemons started as a lemonade stand in a small country town in Wyoming in 1996. Their business concept of loyalty, female camaraderie and ambitious drive has remained with them throughout their adulthood career. Confidence, femininity and individuality are the defining principles of their DNA.

Meant for individuals who take risks, forge their own way and embrace a bit of adventure; For Love & Lemons at Victoria’s Secret includes an array of bras, panties, lingerie, sleepwear and lifestyle pieces. From custom trims and prints to meticulously sourced fabrics, every piece in the collection is carefully thought out and intentionally constructed. Romantic lace meets feminine florals for the ultimate luxury. Colorful floral-embroidery, and rich jewel tones for every moment and every curve. Stunning corsets and edgy black lace sets are timeless additions to your wardrobe.  It’s not just a collection, it’s a love letter from Los Angeles to you.

The Victoria’s Secret Fifth Avenue (New York City) and New Bond Street (London) Flagship stores will provide a unique store design experience via For Love & Lemons branded shop-in-shops, transporting customers into the playful and feminine world of the coveted fashion label.

#FLLforVS     @VictoriasSecret

Shop the collection: https://www.victoriassecret.com/vs/newarrivals/for-love-and-lemons

Rihanna’s Savage X Fenty fall/winter 2019 show headed to Amazon Prime Video

August 26, 2019

Rihanna (Photo by Miguel Pereira/Getty Images) 

The following is a press release from Amazon Prime Video:

Amazon Prime Video presents the highly anticipated second annual Savage X Fenty Show, a runway show celebrating the new Fall/Winter 2019 collection from music and fashion icon Rihanna. The extraordinary fashion experience will take place during New York Fashion Week in conjunction with NYFW: The Shows and will feature a combination of models, actors and dancers wearing the latest savage styles, offering up a new type of sexy, where attitude meets individuality. Savage X Fenty Show will stream exclusivelyon Amazon Prime Video in more than 200 countries and territories worldwide beginning Friday, September 20.

As a follow up to last year’s ground-breaking event, this year’s Savage X Fenty Show is raising the bar. The star-studded evening is set to be a radical departure from tradition, a one-of-a-kind event blending music, fashion and culture. With exciting surprises around every corner, including performances from some of the hottest acts in music, the show debuts Savage X Fenty’s bold and fearless Fall/Winter 2019 collection.

“I couldn’t be more excited that everyone will have full access to The Savage X Fenty Show this year! We are working on creating a bold, sexy, super energetic experience for our viewers,” said Rihanna.

“Rihanna has conquered the worlds of music, film, beauty and fashion. She has re-invented the idea of what fashionable lingerie should be for a global customer. The brand authentically reflects empowering statements of inclusivity, body positivity and fun! The Savage X Fenty Show promises to be a ground-breaking and truly unique experience and we’re thrilled to give our global customers an exclusive front row seat,” said Jennifer Salke, Head of Amazon Studios.

Following the live show, this year’s Savage X Fenty Show will be available to stream exclusively on Amazon Prime Video worldwide giving audiences both in-person and at home a door into the world of Savage X Fenty, as well as the chance to relive the experience again and again. The Amazon Prime Video special will also feature an exclusive look behind the scenes at the making of the show.

The Savage X Fenty Show was created under the artistic direction of Rihanna and Savage X Fenty, and is executive produced by Rihanna and produced by PRODJECT and Endeavor Content’s non-scripted group.

ABOUT SAVAGE X FENTY

Music and fashion icon Rihanna embarks on her newest venture: lingerie designer. Inspired to create a line of intimates that complements a variety of shades and shapes, Savage X Fenty celebrates fearlessness, confidence, and inclusivity. In partnership with TechStyle Fashion Group, the label has disrupted and redefined the marketplace with its accessible price point and extensive assortment. “We want to make people look good and feel good,” explains Rihanna, who approaches Savage X with the same mentality she does all her projects—to make something new and fresh that everyone can relate to and feel confident in. “We want you to feel sexy and have fun doing it.” With sizes from 32A – 46DDD in bras, and XS-3X in undies and sleepwear Savage X Fenty is available for purchase at www.SavageX.com.

ABOUT AMAZON PRIME VIDEO

Amazon Prime Video is a premium streaming service that offers customers a vast collection of digital videos—all with the ease of finding what they love to watch in one place.

  • Included with Prime: Watch thousands of popular movies and TV shows, including our critically-acclaimed Amazon Originals including the Emmy Award-winning The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan, Homecoming, Hanna, Fleabag, Good Omens, The Boys, Donald Glover’s Guava Island, the Academy Award-winningManchester by the Sea and The Salesman, Academy Award-nominated The Big Sick and Cold War, and the critically-acclaimed Beautiful Boy, exclusives, live sports including Thursday Night Football and licensed and self-published content available in more than 200 countries and territories worldwide.
  • Watch more with Prime Video Channels: Prime members can add 150+ channels in the US like HBO, Cinemax, STARZ, SHOWTIME, CBS All Access, NBA League Pass and MLB.tv—no extra apps to download, and no cable required. Only pay for the ones you want, and cancel anytime. View the full list of channels available at amazon.com/channels.
  • Rent or Buy: Enjoy hundreds of thousands of titles, including new-release movies and entire seasons of current TV episodes, available for all Amazon customers to rent or buy.
  • Instant access: Watch where and when you want with the Prime Video app on your smart TV, mobile device, Fire TV, Fire tablet, Apple TV, Chromecast, game consoles, Comcast X1 or from the web. For a complete list of compatible devices, visit amazon.com/howtostream.
  • Enhanced experiences: Make the most of every viewing with 4K Ultra HD- and High Dynamic Range (HDR)-compatible content. Go behind the scenes of your favorite movies and TV shows with exclusive X-Ray access, powered by IMDb. Save it for later with select mobile downloads for offline viewing.

In addition to access to movies and TV shows included with Prime, the Prime membership includes unlimited fast free shipping options across all categories available on Amazon, more than two million songs and thousands of playlists and stations with Prime Music, secure photo storage with Prime Photos, unlimited reading with Prime Reading, unlimited access to a digital audiobook catalogue with Audible Channels for Prime, a rotating selection of free digital games and in-game loot with Twitch Prime, early access to select Lightning Deals, exclusive access and discounts to select items, and more. To sign-up for Prime or to find out more visit: amazon.com/prime.

About Amazon

Amazon is guided by four principles: customer obsession rather than competitor focus, passion for invention, commitment to operational excellence, and long-term thinking. Customer reviews, 1-Click shopping, personalized recommendations, Prime, Fulfillment by Amazon, AWS, Kindle Direct Publishing, Kindle, Fire tablets, Fire TV, Amazon Echo, and Alexa are some of the products and services pioneered by Amazon. For more information, visit amazon.com/about and follow @AmazonNews.

UPDATE: Here are videoclips from the show

2019 MTV Video Music Awards: Missy Elliott, Marc Jacobs to receive special prizes

August 12, 2019

Missy Elliott
Missy Elliott (Photo by Derek Blanks)

The following is a combination of press releases from MTV:

MTV has announced music icon Missy Elliott will receive the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award at the 2019 VMAs. She will also perform live, returning to the VMAs stage for the first time since 2003. With a legacy that spans three decades, Elliott is one of the most influential musicians known for elevating other music artists.

“Missy’s impact on the music landscape is indelible,” said Bruce Gillmer, Head of Music and Music Talent, Viacom and Co-Brand Head, MTV International. “Her creative vision across production, performance and songwriting is unmatched.”

Elliott is a groundbreaking solo superstar, pioneering producer, songwriter, singer, rapper and cultural icon who has transformed the global music scene. The five-time GRAMMY® Award winner has achieved unprecedented success and sold over 30 million records worldwide. Known for classic hit singles, “Work It,” “Get Ur Freak On” and “WTF (Where They From),” Elliott leads the field in her innovation, creativity and influence on other artists. Earlier this year, she was named the first female hip-hop artist inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. Elliott has an honorary doctorate from Berklee College of Music, and is the only female rapper to have six studio albums certified platinum, including her debut 1997 album “Supa Dupa Fly,” and 2002 blockbuster “Under Construction.” She joins a prestigious list of past Vanguard recipients, including Jennifer Lopez, Beyoncé, Justin Timberlake, Madonna, Guns N’ Roses, Britney Spears, Kanye West, Rihanna and P!nk.

MTV is partnering with PEPSI® to host a pop-up fan event, “MTV & Pepsi® Celebrate the Museum of Missy Elliott,” in New York City on August 24-25th that will highlight this unapologetic icon who helped redefine hip-hop. As fans walk through the installations, they will be completely immersed in some of Elliott’s most groundbreaking music videos and costumes. Location and ticketing information to be revealed at a later date. Additionally, the brands will celebrate Elliott’s legacy through celebrity and fan tribute videos leading up to her Vanguard performance.

In partnership with the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA), MTV today announced Marc Jacobs as the first-ever recipient of the MTV Fashion Trailblazer Award. The new award will honor a fashion designer who has made an indelible impact within the world of music-artist fashion.

Jacobs and music are inextricably linked, from tapping Cher and Missy Elliott for his ad campaigns, to dressing fashion icons Lady Gaga, Cardi B and Nicki Minaj. With a legacy that spans over three decades, Jacobs is a preeminent figure in fashion and music, perfectly embodying the spirit of the Fashion Trailblazer Award.

As part of the 2019 “VMAs,” Jacobs and his design team are working with MTV to create a multimedia activation on the red carpet highlighting his creative vision. The on-the-ground experience will have a dedicated photographer and highly-stylized elements designed to travel across social platforms.

Comedian, actor and best-selling author Sebastian Maniscalco will host the 2019 VMAs live from Prudential Center in Newark, NJ on Monday, August 26, 2019. The show will air across MTV’s global network of channels in more than 180 countries and territories, reaching more than half a billion households around the world. Music’s biggest stars and fans will celebrate the year’s most iconic videos with electrifying performances, viral moments and a new, first-of-its-kind immersive fan experience.

Official sponsors of the 2019 “MTV Video Music Awards” include Extra® Refreshers Gum, PEPSI®, Taco Bell®, the 2020 Toyota Corolla, and truth®.

Follow @MTV and @VMAs on social to keep up with all-things #VMAs.

 

Bruce Gillmer and Den of Thieves co-founder Jesse Ignjatovic are Executive Producers for the 2019 “VMAs.” Barb Bialkowski is Co-Executive Producer. Jackie Barba, Joe Buoye and Alicia Portugal serve as Executive in Charge of Production. Amani Duncan is Executive in Charge of Music.  Wendy Plaut is Executive in Charge of Celebrity Talent.

About MTV:
MTV is the leading global youth media brand in 180 countries, reaching 450 million households in nearly 30 different languages across every platform. A unit of Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ: VIAB, VIA), MTV operations span cable and mobile networks, live events, theatrical films and MTV Studios.

Victoria’s Secret blasted by models, who sign open letter demanding protection from sexual misconduct in workplace

August 7, 2019

by Daphne Sorenson

Victoria’s Secret models backstage at the 2018 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show. (Photo by Heidi Gutman/ABC)

More than 100 models and several of their allies (including Models Alliance and Times Up) have signed an open letter to Victoria’s Secret CEO John Mehas to demand an end to the sexual abuse and sexual harassment that has allegedly been running rampant against Victoria’s Secret models.

The letter reads, in part: “In the past few weeks, we have heard numerous allegations of sexual assault, alleged rape, and sex trafficking of models and aspiring models. While these allegations may not have been aimed at Victoria’s Secret directly, it is clear that your company has a crucial role to play in remedying the situation.  From the headlines about L Brands CEO Leslie Wexner’s close friend and associate, Jeffrey Epstein, to the allegations of sexual misconduct by photographers Timur Emek, David Bellemere, and Greg Kadel, it is deeply disturbing that these men appear to have leveraged their working relationships with Victoria’s Secret to lure and abuse vulnerable girls.”

Most of the models who signed the open letter are not very well-known in the industry or are well-known models who are over the age of 30, such as Milla Jovovich, Emme, Doutzen Kroes, and Carolyn Murphy. Noticeably absent from the letter are supermodels who’ve been steadily employed by Victoria’s Secret in recent years, such as Gigi Hadid, Bella Hadid, Kendall Jenner, Behati Prinsloo, Jasmine Tookes, Barbara Palvin and Taylor Hill. Adriana Lima, who retired from Victoria’s Secret runway shows in 2018, was also not on the list of people who signed the letter.

L Brands (based in Columbus, Ohio) is the parent company of Victoria’s Secret.  The letter was published just two days after L Brands chief marketing officer Ed Razek publicly announced he was leaving the company. Wexner and Razek had close ties to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, who was arrested again in July 2019, for sex crimes, specifically, for sex trafficking of women and underage girls.

Razek came under fire in 2018, when he said in a Vogue interview that Victoria’s Secret was not interested in hiring plus-sized or transgender models. In August 2019, Victoria’s Secret hired its first transgender model: Valentina Sampaio, who posted the news on her Instagram account.

The open letter blasting Victoria’s Secret is the latest blow to the company, which officially canceled the 2019 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show only a few months after it was announced that the show would not be televised anymore. Victoria’s Secret and its Pink spinoff brand have also been experiencing a sharp decline in sales in recent years.

August 10, 2019 UPDATE: Convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein was found dead in his jail cell at the Metropolitan Correctional Center in New York City on August 10, 2019. According to the Associated Press, he died in the morning of an apparent suicide by hanging. The Associated Press also reports that although Epstein, who was 66, had been on suicide watch in the weeks leading up to his death, he was not on suicide watch at the time he was found dead. He had been denied bail while waiting to be put on trial on charges of sex-trafficking of underage girls. Of course, Epstein’s sudden death has fueled conspiracy theories that he might have been murdered to prevent him from exposing who his rich and powerful clients were in the sex crimes that Epstein was accused of committing.

Barneys declares bankruptcy, joins growing list of fashion retailers in financial crisis

August 7, 2019

by Daphne Sorenson

Barneys New York logo

Barneys New York (also known as Barneys), one of fashion’s best-known luxury retailers, has filed for bankruptcy, and has announced plans to close 15 of its 22 stores in the Untied States. According to Bloomberg, “Barneys said it secured $218 million in financing and will continue to operate until it finds a buyer.”

Three of the cities that will continue to have brick-and-mortar Barneys stores are New York, Los Angeles and San Francisco. Barneys will close its stores in Chicago, Seattle and Las Vegas.

Barneys, which opened its first store Manhattan in 1923, has joined the growing list of fashion retailers on a steep financial decline, with store closures and bankruptcy filings. Casualties in the luxury retail business in the past year have included Lord & Taylor and Henri Bendel.

Non-luxury fashion retailers have also been victims of the “retail apocalypse,” which has been largely blamed on the rise of online shopping. Fashion retailers that have announced a massive percentage of store closures in 2018 and 2019 include Ann Taylor, Dressbarn, Victoria’s Secret, Gap, Kohl’s, Abercrombie & Fitch, Children’s Place, Gymboree, Foot Locker, David’s Bridal and Payless ShoeSource. A few fashion retailers (such as Charlotte Russe and Bebe) have emerged from bankruptcy and are slowly trying to build back their business under new ownership. Department stores that carry fashion (such as Macy’s, JC Penney and Sears) have also been closing stores.

 

Bebe fashion retailer teams up with Bebe Rexha to launch body-positive ‘Bebe Loves Bebe’ campaign

August 5, 2019

(Photo courtesy of Bebe)

The following is a press release from Bebe:

Grammy-nominated artist Bebe Rexha has partnered up with fashion brand Bebe, to debut an empowering national marketing campaign ‘BEBE LOVES BEBE.’ The campaign was created to celebrate the powerful idea of loving and accepting yourself, feeling incredible at any time, all the time.  Rexha appears in the brand’s Fall 2019 campaign, which will debut throughout the U.S. on social, out of home, and in print with the launch of Vogue’s September issue.

The campaign was inspired by Rexha, her honest unveiling of the fashion community and their injustice when she was nominated for a Grammy earlier this year. In an empowering video on Instagram, Rexha called out designers who failed to dress all celebrities, and those who do not fit “a runway size.” Rexha urged women and men to love their bodies and feel beautiful at any size, hence the campaign hashtag, #LoveYourself.

“It’s incredible to be part of this Bebe campaign, it’s not only about me loving the brand, but more importantly about me loving myself!  I hope to inspire and empower women all over the world with this message of self-love, I believe it is super important,” commented Bebe Rexha. “I grew up wearing Bebe, it was the coolest piece of fashion you could have, so to be able to mix fashion and my music is so fun,” Rexha added.

Joey Gabbay, CEO of Bluestar Alliance and manager of the Bebe brand commented, “The bebe brand has a passionate consumer following, one that loves the brand and all it has to offer. Similarly, Bebe Rexha has passionate fans around the world that love her, her music and what she stands for. Beyond sharing a name, this was a natural partnership as Bebe is a longtime fan of the brand herself.”

Rexha will be making a personal appearance at Macy’s Herald Square on November 7, to promote the Bebe Fall/holiday collection.  The collection includes sportswear, outerwear, swimwear, active footwear, handbags, watches, jewelry, eyewear, accessories and kids. The full 2019 Bebe collection is available at department stores nationwide, as well as online at Bebe.com.

“Bebe is a full lifestyle brand, and continues to garner a strong following: it’s clothing is sexy yet comfortable, and can take any customer from day to night,” comments Ralph Gindi, COO of Bluestar Alliance. “The Bebe customer, after all, is a notoriously loyal one, and stays true to the brand by accessorizing its apparel, from head-to-toe, with all its product offerings.” The Bebe brand has consistently remained true to its DNA since its inception, known to accentuate the customer’s body, but also fit into one’s lifestyle with ease.

For exclusive behind the scenes photos and video please visit www.bebe.com. To stay up to date with the latest news from Bebe follow us at @bebe_stores on Instagram and become a fan of Bebe on Facebook at www.facebook.com/bebe.

About Bebe:

Bebe is the go-to destination for chic, contemporary fashion. The brand evokes a mindset – an attitude, not an age. It’s a true original, always defining fashion’s next stride forward. Designed for the confident, sexy, modern woman, Bebe is a global  lifestyle brand that embodies a sensual, sophisticated lifestyle.

About Bebe Rexha

Two-time Grammy®-nominated New York City native Bebe Rexha is a musical force to be reckoned with.  She has accumulated over 12 million overall single sales, over 6 billion total global streams, and a radio audience over 10 billion.  Her debut, RIAA Gold album, Expectations (released June 2018) contained the massive single “I’m a Mess” and global chart-topping smash “Meant To Be” (featuring Florida Georgia Line), now RIAA Certified 7x Platinum.  #1 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart for a record-setting 50 straight weeks, the longest reign ever by a female lead artist, “Meant To Be” won Best Collaboration at the 2018 iHeart Radio Music Awards.  It was subsequently nominated for Best Country Duo/Group Performance at the 61st annual Grammy Awards® in February 2019, where Bebe was also nominated for Best New Artist. Most recently, Bebe debuted her newest single, “Last Hurrah,” which sets the stage for her upcoming second album release. Reviewing the song, Billboard said, “’Last Hurrah’ is also a triumphant sequel to Rexha’s last single, ‘I’m a Mess.’” Rexha will debut new music this summer, with her new album coming early next year.

One of the youngest artists to receive the Songwriters Hall Of Fame’s prestigious AbeOlman Scholarship award (2012), Bebe formally burst onto the scene the following year, when she wrote “Monster,” a worldwide hit for Eminem and Rihanna that was certified 6x-platinum by the RIAA.  Bebe went on to co-write and carry the instantly recognizable hook for the 3x-platinum “Hey Mama,” by David Guetta, Nicki Minaj and Afrojack, nominated for a Billboard Music Award for Top Dance/Electronic Song.  Bebe also hit #1 on the Billboard Pop and Rap charts with her RIAA platinum “Me, Myself & I” with G-Eazy. In 2017, Bebe released the critically acclaimed EPs, All Your Fault: Part 1 (with “I Got You”), and All Your Fault: Part 2 (with “Meant To Be”). Now in 2019, Bebe has amassed over 2 billion YouTube views and counting. In conjunction with Grammy® Week 2019, Bebe launched the Grammy® Music Education Coalition’s (GMEC) national campaign on behalf of its new All-Star Ambassador program, whose members also include Luis Fonsi, Rita Ora, Kristin Chenoweth, Regina Spektor, War on Drugs, and others.

About Bluestar Alliance LLC

Founded by Joseph Gabbay and Ralph Gindi in 2006, Bluestar owns, manages, and markets a portfolio of consumer brands that span across many tiers of distribution from luxury to mass market. This portfolio consists of major department store retail brands including Brookstone, Tahari, Bebe, Kensie, Catherine Malandrino, Nanette Lepore, Joan Vass, Michael Bastian, English Laundry and Limited Too.

Each brand is uniquely positioned maintaining the brand heritage and equity, considering new categories and current tiers of distribution. Bluestar’s current network of international and domestic partners offers the opportunity to take a niche brand to a visible worldwide lifestyle brand. Since its inception, Bluestar has acquired select brands with current retail sales exceeding $3.0 billion.  The company manages a current portfolio of over 300 licensees and a growing branded retail platform of over 100 stores worldwide throughout North America, Europe, Australia, South America, Asia, United Arab Emirates, Middle East, India and Russia.

 

Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show canceled for 2019

July 31, 2019

by Daphne Sorenson

Victoria’s Secret’s models at the 2018 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show
(Photo by Jeff Neira/ABC)

The annual Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show has been canceled for 2019. At this point, it is unknown how long this hiatus will last or if the show will never come back. The news comes after the May 2019 announcement that the show was not going to be televised after ending its partnership with ABC.

Victoria’s Secret model Shanina Shaik told Australia’s Daily Telegraph: “Unfortunately, the Victoria’s Secret Show won’t be happening this year. It’s something I’m not used to because every year around this time I’m training like an Angel.”

Shaik was a Victoria’s Secret Angels model at the show in 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015 and 2018.

It’s the latest blow to Victoria’s Secret, which has been experiencing declining sales and store closures.

TV ratings for the annual Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show had also been on a rapid decline. The show, which debuted in 1995, wasn’t televised until 2001, when it got 12.4 million U.S. viewers on ABC. It remains the highest-rated Victoria’s Secret show for a single TV network, according to Nielsen. CBS televised the show in 2002, 2003 and from 2005 to 2017. During those years, the ratings ranged from 10.5 million U.S. viewers (in 2002) to 5 million U.S. viewers (in 2017). ABC picked up the show in 2018, when it had 3.3 million U.S viewers.

In addition, Victoria’s Secret (whose parent company is L Brands) has been losing goodwill due to widespread complaints over bad customer service, decreasing quality of products, and an outdated modeling image that pushes the idea that only very thin women can be “sexy.”

L Brands chief marketing officer Ed Razek came under fire when he admitted to Vogue in 2018 that Victoria’s Secret discriminates against plus-sized models and transgender models by excluding them from them campaigns and shows, because he said that these types of models don’t fit the Victoria’s Secret image. He stood firm in saying that Victoria’s Secret had no plans to change these hiring practices to include plus-sized or transgender models.

[August 5, 2019 UPDATE: Victoria’s Secret has hired its first transgender model: Valentina Sampaio, who posted the news on her Instagram account.]

In July 2019, L Brands chairman/CEO Les Wexler faced scrutiny when the New York Times revealed that from the early 1990s to 2007, he had close business and personal ties with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, who pleaded guilty in 2007 to hiring a prostitutes (underage and over the age of 18). Epstein was arrested again in July 2019 on charges of underage sex trafficking. According to the New York Times report, Wexler named Epstein a trustee of several of Wexler’s foundations, and he gave Epstein power of attorney over much of his financial assets for a number of years. Their business relationship ended in 2007.)

Epstein, who was also a close associate of Razek, used his position of influence to be a VIP guest at numerous Victoria’s Secret events in the 1990s and 2000s, according to the New York Times. So far, L Brands has not publicly commented on the New York Times’ reports of Epstein’s connections to at least two of the company’s senior-level executives.

August 8, 2019 UPDATE: Razek has resigned from L Brands. Meanwhile, Wexner has written a letter to one of his foundations stating that Epstein “misappropriated” at least $46 million from Wexner and his personal interests. Wexner did not allege that Epstein embezzled any funds from L Brands.

August 10, 2019 UPDATE: Convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein was found dead in his jail cell at the Metropolitan Correctional Center in New York City on August 10, 2019. According to the Associated Press, he died in the morning of an apparent suicide by hanging. The Associated Press also reports that although Epstein, who was 66, had been on suicide watch in the weeks leading up to his death, he was not on suicide watch at the time he was found dead. He had been denied bail while waiting to be put on trial on charges of sex-trafficking of underage girls. Of course, Epstein’s sudden death has fueled conspiracy theories that he might have been murdered to prevent him from exposing who his rich and powerful clients were in the sex crimes that Epstein was accused of committing.

DSW launches inaugural Runway Redone fashion show; women invited to apply through Boots for All Casting Call

July 17, 2019

Runway Redone

The following is a press release from DSW:

DSW Designer Shoe Warehouse (NYSE: DBI), a leading branded footwear and accessories retailer, announced today that it is teaming up with female powerhouse Create & Cultivate to launch Runway Redone: Boots for All Casting Call. Hosted by body activist and model Hunter McGrady, Runway Redone will shake up fashion week and reinvent norms by inviting women of all backgrounds to walk the runway in New York Citythis Fall. Submissions for the digital casting call are open now throughJuly 31, 2019.

Runway Redone kicks off DSW’s Fall 2019 campaign celebrating inclusivity, individuality, and self-expression. Participants of Runway Redone will showcase DSW’s expansive Fall collection of boots and will be featured in DSW’s Fall marketing campaign.

“DSW is a warehouse of possibilities for every style and personality, so this Fall we wanted to create an experiential moment that celebrates and encourages self-expression through shoes,” said DSW CMO Amy Stevenson. “We think Create & Cultivate is the perfect partner to bring this to life with us because of their inclusive-focus and highly-engaged, diverse female following.”

“I’m excited to host Runway Redone because I love the idea of giving women a platform to show off their individuality and confidence on a stage normally reserved for a select few,” said Hunter McGrady. “I’m looking forward to inspiring our participants to embrace themselves during this once-in-a-lifetime experience.”

Women across America are invited to digitally enter the Runway Redone: Boots for All Casting Call at www.createcultivate.com/dsw-runway-redone between July 17 and July 31, 2019, to enter for the chance to win the following:

  • Walk in the Runway Redone show in NYC on September 4, 2019 wearing DSW’s new Fall collection alongside DSW influencers and associates
  • Get styled by celebrity stylist Samantha Brown and prep for the show with a full day of expert-led workshops designed to inspire style, self-expression, and confidence
  • Be featured in DSW’s 2019 Fall marketing campaign
  • Round-trip airline tickets to NYC
  • Hotel in NYC for two nights

“At Create & Cultivate, we work to advance inclusive conversations and champion equal representation for all. We’re excited to join forces with DSW to bring this messaging to the runway during one of the most prominent fashion events of the year,” shares Create & Cultivate CEO and Founder Jaclyn Johnson.

Learn more and enter Runway Redone: Boots for All Casting Call by visiting: www.createcultivate.com/dsw-runway-redone or https://www.dsw.com/en/us/content/dsw-boots-for-all-casting.

To sign up to be a DSW VIP member, visit www.dsw.com/en/us/vip.

Join the conversation on social media by following @DSW @CreateCultivate and using #MyDSW and #DSWRunwayRedone.

ABOUT DSW
DSW Designer Shoe Warehouse is a leading branded footwear and accessories retailer offering a wide selection of brand name and designer dress, casual and athletic footwear and accessories for women, men and kids. DSW operates more than 500 locations in 44 states and operates a robust ecommerce website at www.dsw.com, a mobile site at m.dsw.com and via mobile app. Founded in 1991, DSW is a division of Columbus, Ohio-based Designer Brands Inc.

ABOUT CREATE & CULTIVATE
Create & Cultivate is the leading online platform and offline conference women looking to create and cultivate the career of their dreams. Led by CEO and founder Jaclyn Johnson, the nationwide conference gathers the best in the business including CEOs, content creators, and celebrities like Martha Stewart, Ashley Graham, Jessica Alba, Meghan Markle and Kim Kardashian.  Through their online platform and curated events, Create & Cultivate offers a 365-day conversation around entrepreneurship and works to advance inclusive conversations that empower women.

Amazon Prime Video announces fashion-competition series ‘Making the Cut,’ hosted Heidi Klum and Tim Gunn

June 26, 2019

by Carla Hay

Tim Gunn and Heidi Klum (Photo courtesy of Lifetime)

Amazon Prime Video has announced details of its fashion-competition show starring Heidi Klum and Tim Gunn, the Emmy-winning former hosts of “Project Runway.” The show is called “Making the Cut,” and it will premiere sometime in 2020.  British supermodel Naomi Campbell, fashionista Nicole Richie, journalist Carine Roitfeld and fashion designer Joseph Altuzarra will be judges or guest judges on the show, which began auditioning contestants in January 2019. There will be 12 contestants (whose identities are to be announced) on the first season of “Making the Cut,” according to an Amazon Prime Video press release.

The executive producers of “Making the Cut” are Klum, Gunn, Sara Rea, Page Feldman and Jennifer Love. The show’s production company is SKR Productions.

The show’s grand prize has not yet been announced, but designs that win a challenge in each episode will be available for purchase on Amazon. The grand prize will also likely include some kind of deal where Amazon will sell the clothes of the winning designer.

“Making the Cut” joins a growing list of fashion-competition shows for contestants who are designers. Gunn and Klum were part of the original “Project Runway” team when the show debuted in 2004, and the duo left in 2017.

The “Project Runway” reboot in 2019 included the show moving from Lifetime back to Bravo (the show’s original network) and an almost complete recasting of the show’s stars. Karlie Kloss is now the host of “Project Runway,” which added mentor Christian Siriano (a former “Project Runway” winner) and new judges Brandon Maxwell (fashion designer) and journalist Elaine Welteroth. Nina Garcia, who has been a judge on “Project Runway” since the beginning, has remained with the show during its numerous changes.

Netflix also has a fashion-competition series: “Next in Fashion,” hosted by fashion expert Tan France (of “Queer Eye” fame) and model Alexa Chung. There will be a rotating group of guest judges. Elizabeth Stewart and Eva Chen are the guest judges announced so far. The premiere date for “Next in Fashion” is to be announced.