Inditex (Zara’s parent company) recently overtook Gap in sales. Because I associate Gap as such an iconic global brand, this news was surprising, and took a few moments to process.

According to UK publication, The Guardian:

“Spanish fashion chain Zara has ­expanded so rapidly in recent months that it has overtaken its main US rival Gap to become the world’s largest clothing retailer. Beloved by proponents of fast-fashion, Zara has spread its reach across the globe at a time when Gap has suffered from plummeting consumer spending in the US.

Inditex, Zara’s parent company, recorded a 9% increase in sales to €2.218bn in the first quarter of its financial year. It also benefited from the strength of the euro to edge slightly ahead of Gap which saw its revenues fall by 10% and recorded sales of €2.169bn in the same period. The difference may be tiny, but ­Inditex claims it is significant: for the first time the Spanish group has inched past its American rival.”

The tactics behind Zara’s rapid expansion and growth are interesting to further explore. Advertising is rare, but instead the chain relies on its physical store locations to act as billboards for the product and brand.

The Guardian continued, “…it follows the same ‘oil stain’ pattern when moving into a new market. This involves opening one ‘insignia’ store aimed at building up its name in a new location, before setting up smaller shops of different brands to reach a certain density of outlets that allows it to create economies of scale and boost profit margins. For a company which spends very ­little on advertising, its shops have always been its principal marketing tool, so many are purpose-built to look like fashion boutiques.”

At Gap’s 3100 stores globally vs. Intidex’s 3900, the Gap has made recent changes in efforts to boost profits and re-focus the brand. Speaking of global efforts — just this week, the UK Telegraph announced that Patrick Robinson, head designer for Gap brand, will also design for Europe going forward. This is intended to both push U.S. styling forward, portray a consistent global aesthetic, and assist in cost-cutting efforts. Read more and see many comments on Fashionista.

Despite tough times, hopefully the American chain can re-live the glory days experienced in the 1990’s…this would bring joy to many of our hearts!

Add Your Comments

Speaking of Olympic fashion, I’ve spent most of the weekend watching the games. Beyond the opening ceremonies, the athletes are rarely seen in fashionable attire; uniforms of all sorts are the obvious focus on camera. The athletes (both summer and winter games) select uniforms to enhance their athletic performance, and withstand tough weather conditions.

Interestingly, the Financial Times recently covered the trend of runway clothing encompassing performance and ‘intelligent’ fabrics, such as Gore-Tex, Neoprene, and Ecopelle. Immediately, images of wetsuits, swimcaps, and weather-resistant jackets come to mind. But for the runway?

The article shared that various men’s wear lines are including these looks: “Recent men’s wear collections from Raf Simons, Burberry Prorsum, Jil Sander and Prada have featured Neoprene, Teflon, Gore-Tex and new sci-fi treatments on a wide range of garments, from tailored suits to footwear.”

A few of the intelligent fabrics along with the designers who are incorporating these include:

• Ecopelle, a combination of cotton and nylon, but with the appearance of leather — used by Miuccia Prada for her men’s and women’s collections.
• Rubberised, feather-light silk — used in Burberry Prorsum men’s wear trenches from Christopher Bailey, a long-term fan of Neoprene.
• Windbreaker fabrics for dress shirts and Neoprene tailored suits — used in past lines from designer Kim Jones (recent creative director at Alfred Dunhill).
• Gore-Tex coated conservative pea coats — used by Japanese designer Hiroki Nakamura in the Visvim line.
• Fabric made from Gore (usually used for alpine trekking) for blazers and parker coats — used in Adidas’s sports label, Y-3 by Yohji Yamamoto.

The use of these high-spec fabrics supposedly justifies a higher price-point, due to the fact that they are more durable, breathable, and weather-resistant than their cheaper alternatives.

“In the past, people shied away from man-made fabrics because of their cheap connotations. But lifestyles are transforming. People need comfort and performance,” says Ligaya Salazar, curator of the Fashion V. Sport exhibit at the London based Victoria & Albert museum. As Catwalk Queen tells us, the Fashion V. Sport exhibit is digging deeper into the link between sportswear and its influence on fashion, including the use of athletic details in high fashion. The exhibit will run through January and showcases 60 outfits, features design drawings, photographs and movies of how athletic details have influenced high-fashion.

Personally, I can easily see these intelligent fabrics playing a larger role in menswear collections, but am left more puzzled imagining the equivalent in women’s wear…especially in this fall’s environment of softer and ultra-feminine looks (ruffles, bows, chiffon, layers, purple everywhere). Very tough to imagine without seeing photos, but I for one am excited to see how these performance-based fabrics come to life on the runway!

Add Your Comments

Tonight kicks off the start of the 2008 Summer Olympics, and Fashion and Athletics certainly are blending together!

Project Runway’s challenge this week was to create a womens-wear look for the opening ceremony of the Summer Olympics. Tonight, we’ll not only see the interpretations of rising artists, but we’ll see fashion from a true pro, as the U.S. team will be outfitted in apparel from Ralph Lauren’s collection.

Trendsetter “My It Things” shared more:

“As the official outfitter of the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic teams, Ralph Lauren will have a greater presence at the Games than any other designer. Members of the U.S. teams will wear apparel from his collection during the opening and closing ceremonies. The opening-ceremony outfits are reminiscent of the classics reflected in the 1920s and ’30s, while the closing ceremony outfits have a much sportier feel and edge.”

USA Today elaborated on the details of what we’ll see tonight: “the uniforms for the 650 athletes marching in tonight’s Olympics opening ceremony in Beijing are a crisp contrast to the short-sleeve jackets and shorts worn four years ago in Athens: tropical wool navy blazers emblazoned with oversized Polo ponies, off-white wool trousers, white cotton broadcloth shirts, white twill newsboy caps and striped silk neckwear - ties for the men, scarves for the women.

The goal was to create “something simple enough for the athletes to put together, yet stylish enough to elevate us as a country,” says David Lauren, the designer’s son and the company’s senior vice president of advertising, marketing and corporate communications.

Each competitor is receiving a pamphlet that details how to wear the clothes well - from how to button a blazer to how to tie a tie to how to “walk and talk in them,” says Lauren. There are other challenges when it comes to turning out tailored clothing for everyone from gymnasts to basketball players. “It’s not an easy task, fitting clothes on someone who’s 5 feet tall or less and someone who’s over 7 feet tall,” Lauren says.

Apparently, RalphLauren.com and Ralph Lauren stores will be selling nearly 200 non-personalized jackets for $695 after the opening ceremony. My Salemail today had a slew of similar Ralph styles with similar patriotic flair!

Unite Polo $85.00 Now: $39.00

Zip Front Sweater $165.00 Now: $39.99

Valonia 3/4 Sleeve Polo $69.50 Now: $29.99

Add Your Comments

Just in time for Back-To-School, we’ve added many new Kids brands to Shop It To Me! Adjust your Salemail preferences to capture the best discounts on kids clothing, shoes, bags, and more.

Brace yourself…the list is long!

New Girls Brands:
Converse, Diesel, Disney, Ella Moss, Guess Kids, Gymboree, Hannah Montana, Harajuku Lovers, Kenneth Cole Reaction Kids, Kors Kids, New Balance, Puma, Skechers, Stride Rite, Vans, Paul Frank, Petit Bateau, Havaianas, Roxy, Junk Food, Joe’s Jeans, Little Marc Jacobs, Apple Bottoms, Camper, Ed Hardy, Frye, Geox, Mark Ecko, Nautica, Dr. Martens, etnies, Robeez, Hunter, Timberland, Sam Edelman…and more!

New Boys Brands:
Timberland, Sean John, Kangol, Jordan, Converse, Diesel, Disney, Dr. Martens, Guess Kids, Gymboree, Kenneth Code Reaction Kids, New Balance, Puma, Skechers, Stride Rite, Vans, Paul Frank, Reef, Havainas, Nautica, Camper, Ed Hardy, Frye, Geox, Mark Ecko, Junk Food, etnies, Hunter, Robeez…and more!

Add Your Comments

This year, fall fashion is big on plaid, lace, and ruffles. It’s all about crazy textures with a sophisticated twist. Taking these bold trends to an everyday look can be tricky, and it can be difficult not to go too far and become Audrey Hepburn straight out of My Fair Lady (even if she is one of the most revered style icons of all time, lets face it, her look might be a little much for an office job or a school day)!

Denise ruffled blouse Reg: $1,598.00 Now: $499.00

I would opt for these slightly toned down ruffled blouses instead, and they just happen to be in two of this fall’s hottest colors, purple and navy blue. Enjoy!

Robert rodriguez racerback ruffle top Reg: $297.00 Now: $177.90

Regina sleeveless ruffle top Reg: $69.50 Now: $39.99

3 Comments, Add Yours

Everyone has been to a Hawaiian themed party at some point.

Take a look at this Men’s shirt found in a recent Salemail — it would be perfect for this type of extravaganza. But then look at the price-tag — even on sale, that’s one pricey costume!

Capri silk floral
Reg: $995.00
Now: $299.99

If attending as a couple, the female counterpart could flaunt this Hawaiian top from J.Crew. Not quite as outlandish, but still possesses that floral spirit!

Hawaiian floral caterina top
Reg: $68.00
Now: $19.99

1 Comment, Add Yours

Just another part of fall we’re looking forward to — seeing Scott Schuman represent Gap’s new Fall 2008 collection.

Take a look at Mr. Schuman (from The Sartorialist) in the ad below and check out his post on his experience at the shoot!

Thanks to Fashionista.com for the picture!

1 Comment, Add Yours

We’ve added even more new brands, so you can be sure to score their SALES! Be sure to log in and edit your preferences to include some of these great additions:

For Men - Geox and Vince

For Women - Opening Ceremony, 18th Amendment, Alexander Wang, Richard Chai, DVB Denim by Victoria Beckham, Brass Plum, Paul & Joe, Felix Rey, John Fluevog, New York & Company, American Rag, Bandolino, BC Footwear, Carlos Falchi, and Madison Marcus

As always, let us know your brand recommendations by writing to feedback@shopittome.com, if they aren’t already captured in our list.

…more to come!

2 Comments, Add Yours