Image courtesy of fashionnetwork.com
Barbie is not just inspiring a new movie starring Margot Robbie, the iconic doll is also the reference for a new fashion collaboration with The Gap and Barbie’s parent company, Mattel. The collaboration launches on May 23 in select Gap stores and online at gap.com about two months from the opening of the new “Barbie” film.
“We are excited to partner with Gap to combine Mattel’s iconic brand portfolio with Gap’s signature products,” said Josh Silverman, chief franchise officer and global head of consumer products at Mattel, as reported in fashionnetwork.com. “We look forward to working together to offer our fans fun, quality clothing for the entire family, plus a new way to embrace their favorite Mattel brands, franchises, characters and stories.”
“Gap’s partnership with Mattel represents two iconic brands collaborating on products that customers can wear as a family, pets included, and have fun,” added Christopher Goble, head of merchandising at Gap. “Each launch will celebrate our optimistic spirit of individuality and connection through creative expression and play. I can’t wait for people around the world to create memories with Gap x Mattel.”
This collaboration launches in contingent with the Gap x Barbie collection. The Gap x Barbie collection is an offering of tees, skirts, logo hoodies, denim, button-downs and accessories as well as pet apparel, all designed on Gap’s product icons featuring classic Barbie branding and Gap’s signature arch typeface.
Image courtesy of dutyfreehunter.com
Tommy and Andy
Tommy Hilfiger and Andy Warhol appear to be compatible bedfellows. Once again, Hilfiger is paying homage to Warhol with a new capsule collection.
This past fall, Hilfiger created the ‘Tommy Factory,’ a creative experimental workspace modeled on Warhol’s ‘The Factory’ from the 1960s. Consumers experienced the creative of the ‘Tommy Factory,’ evidenced in Hilfiger fall 2022 campaign.
“Andy [Warhol]’s fascination with pop culture always captured the heart and spirit of the American society. His ability to connect with what was most relevant has never ceased to inspire me in everything I do,” said Tommy Hilfiger in a fashionnetwork.com article, about the launch of Tommy Factory, back in August.
The 28-piece homage collection offers garments for both men and women, inspired by the ease and artistic energy of Montauk, Warhol’s famous seaside retreat. Product span tops and shorts, swimwear, footwear, and accessories like hats and bags. Pieces embrace a nautical theme with inspired prints and sunset hues and ocean blues.
Image courtesy of thenationaldesk.com
Mary Quant transitions
British fashion designer Mary Quant, a key contributor to the British fashion invasion of the 1960s, has died. As a part of the Swinging Sixties and the women’s revolution in fashion, Mary Quant is best remembered as one of fashion designers that ushered in the minidress.
After studying fashion illustration at Goldsmiths University, with her husband and a friend Archie McNair, Quant opened the store, Bazaar, in London in 1955. The store Bazaar was an avant-garde store that housed fashion, art, music, and a bar. Quickly Bazaar became a meeting place for London’s artistic set and celebrities.
By the mid-1960s there were three stores and Quant began showing her designs in the stores. Early on the stores carried her overall minidress and red plastic mackintosh with a white collar. By the end of the 1960s, JC Penny was carrying Quant’s designs.
Later, Quant segued into the cosmetics market. Her cosmetic products were so popular in the 1960s, 70s, and 80s, that it was unlikely that beauty mavens did not own a product from Quant’s makeup line. Quant’s cosmetic line was bought by a Japanese company in 2000 and is still manufactured.
Mary Quant was 93 years old at the time of her death.
William S. Gooch
