Shapewear brands vary in their collaborative activity, with the category overall being a comparatively infrequent player in licensing and other forms of partnership. But there have been some pairings of note this year and last that demonstrate the viability of brand alliances in the sector. Some are traditional-style collaborations, while others veer more toward the […]
Archive | Fashion
Bringing the Bling to the Eyewear Category
Jewelry and eyewear have long been compatible products that come together through licensing and collaboration deals. Both fall into the realm of fashion accessories, and partnerships with like-minded companies help them fill out their offerings within that broader category. In addition, blinged out sunglasses and optical frames tend to be popular—with ups and downs over […]
Chefs Stir Up Streetwear Collabs
Celebrity chefs have occasionally lent their names and expertise to chef-related workwear, including chef’s coats, shirts, and shoes; these typically comprise pieces that are functional, comfortable, and protective, while also fashionable. More recently, as more chefs have built mainstream followings through their social media presences as well as their restaurants, cookbooks, and TV appearances, famous […]
One Size Doesn’t Fit All
Plus-size apparel collaborations started to take off in earnest more than a decade ago, around 2014, with designers and celebrities like Isabel Toledo, Lela Rose, Ashley Graham, and Gabi Gregg leading the charge. The trend evolved quickly, moving from addressing a gap in the marketplace with the creation of specialized plus-size collections to including plus-size […]
Cheesy Fashion Choices
Food imagery in fashion has been a hot topic over the past few years, with the trend coming to a peak in 2024 and interest continuing into 2025. Licensed brand names are part of it, from Kate Spade’s M&Ms and Heinz ketchup bags to Huemn’s shirts, t-shirts, and hoodies with Lay’s. The idea is to […]
Fashion Labels Shoot and Score with Hockey
As is true of almost all property types, sports IPs have increasingly been collaborating with designers and fashion brands. These are collections that are more fashion-forward or otherwise innovative, and typically more premium-priced, than traditional licensed fanwear ranges. Hockey—which is, in North America, currently deep in the first round of the National Hockey League (NHL) […]
Luxury Labels Wage A Charm Offensive
Bag charms have been a notable accessory in the luxury handbag sector over the last year or so, part of a broader ongoing trend pairing fun with high-end fashion. The craze has also been driven by the industry’s current focus on Y2K-era retro styles. Miu Miu and Balenciaga were among the labels that notably highlighted […]
The Grass is Greener
The fashion business is constantly affected by changes in artistic leadership, as creative directors come and go fairly regularly. But over the past 12 to 15 months the pace of turnover has been picking up, especially among luxury labels. Members of the fashion press have described 2024 as a record year for new creative directors […]
Luxury Brands Run Toward Barefoot Shoes
An increasing, albeit still small, number of collaborations—especially in the luxury space—are focused on barefoot shoes, a type of footwear that took off with runners in the 1970s and is making a comeback of sorts today. With thin, even soles and no elevation at the heel; a lightweight and flexible construction throughout; no padding or […]
Political Winds Blow on Black History Month
By Karen Raugust on February 27, 2025 in Demographic groups, Diversity/Inclusion, Fashion, House and home, Licensing
Black History Month 2025—the first since corporations in the U.S. began pulling back on their D.E.I. programs and plans in a big way—winds down tomorrow. Many brands, including the likes of Target and Walmart, have recently ended programs to support Black-owned brands at retail, among other initiatives, that began in the wake of the 2020 […]