AnnTaylor Stores, known for providing women’s business attire, has ventured into casual wear which generated additional revenues for the company. The retail giant reported decline in sales on its business attire for the past two years, citing the trend where women invest their money on necessities for their families.
For the past two quarters last year, the company reported slight profits. For fourth quarter alone, a mere $41,000 in profits has been reported by the company. Despite this, analysts said that this is still a positive development considering that a year ago, the company lost a staggering $375.6 million or about $6.66 per share.
This led the officials to expand its line by going beyond the business attire collection. The company is set to offer casual wear and other items that fit the women’s needs.
Now this is a friendly neighborhood retail store you’d want to go to.
The Cache Fashion Store in Cape Coral offers a number of business clothes, apparel, accessories and other items at reasonable prices. Owner Ed Valero said that their clothing items alone won’t cost beyond $20.
Valero acknowledged that the economy is not in good shape at this point in time. He said that this led him to offer reasonably-priced clothing that still looks good. He said that he did not opt to offering branded clothing in his store because the prices are staggeringly high and he wants to stick to “what counts.”
The store opened in January and has so far reported positive response from the public.
Valero said that with this strategy, he gets to have more customers and it guarantees that they will return to buy some more. He said that they have new arrivals every week to continue piquing the interest of the public.
Billionaire television personality Oprah Winfrey has decided to auction off some of her accessories including items which have featured on the show but not been worn like designer clothing, sportswear, big bras and unwanted women’s business clothing for charity.
Winfrey has put up around 150 items which is composed of the aforementioned items plus designer bags and shoes for sale via the internet auction site eBay. The details of the auction have been outlined at her signature O Magazine.
Interested buyers can bid for the items starting March 1 with the target end date on March 11, 2010.
The proceeds of the sale will all go to Winfrey’s Leadership Academy Girls School situated in South Africa.
Winfrey is currently busy with her final few seasons of her eponymous talk show which has been announced to end soon. She’s been venturing to other modes of businesses and is believed to start her own talk show at her own television network.
Rumors are swirling that multiple Grammy winner Madonna is set to design a professional clothing line for Macy’s. The speculations arose during the New York Fashion Week recently. Aside from that, the pop star may also venture into the lingerie line as well.
As of press time, Madonna has yet to confirm the developments. Her rep has refused to make comments about the issue, as well as the representatives from Macy’s and brand management firm Iconix.
There have been reports that the fashion line may be called “Material Girl” or “Truth or Dare.”
Should the report confirm this, the pop icon may have a busy year. Aside from managing the line, she’s also in talks to shoot a film about a love affair between American socialite Wallis Simpson and King Edward III.
Madonna has collaborated with H&M in 2007 for her spring line called “M.”
A court has fined a business clothes company over the injury incurred by its two employees from chemical burns.
According to reports, clothing company Flame Safe Fabric Specialists was fined $135,000 by the Worksafe Victoria court after the latter determined that the company failed to give adequate protective gears and equipment to its staff. That also includes the lack of appropriate training to handle these situations.
One of the employees suffered burns after chemicals splashed into his eye while another one suffered more burns to his face.
Acting Executive Director Stan Krpan said that this case should serve as a reminder for employers to give a safer workplace to its employees in order to avoid these dangerous incidents.
He added that it is easy to comply with the law since the standards set in place are very clear and commonsense.
Business clothing giant Marks & Spencer PLC has hired a new chief executive in the name of Marc Bolland, who happens to come from rival William Morrison Supermarkets PLC.
The 50-year old Dutchman will be taking over the business effective immediately. Marks & Spencer is a 125-year old department store chains that has expanded to other businesses such as high-end food stores.
The new chief executive will now have his hands full when it comes to challenging the younger shoppers to purchase the store’s products. Marks & Spencer currently has 1,010 stores and last year posted £9.1 billion in revenues.
Bolland has successfully boosted the market share and sales of William Morrisons for the past three years and that experience had caught the eye of Marks & Spencer’s officials. He’s also chosen among the many aspirants due to his marketing experiences, among others.
Actress Hilary Duff was seen recently sporting on a number of casual business attires for her latest film.
Understandably, her role for the upcoming film “The Business of Falling in Love,” requires the former teen star to wear casual business attire. Magazine reports revealed that the clothes were tastefully selected to fit the young actress.
According to reports, Duff looked beautiful on several array of secretary which ranged from block pink and red skirt ensemble, leopard print pencil skirt, a little lingerie and many more. These were seen during the filming of the movie on the set.
Movie buffs likened the story of the film on the famous “Sex and the City” movie because Duff will be portraying a role of a freelance journalist who’s seeking for love in New York City. Her role seemed familiar with Carrie Bradshaw of the “Sex and the City” fame played by Sarah Jessica Parker.
Hard times call for adjustments, especially in the fashion industry.
The Winter Park’s Fashion Week will now be more accessible to the public as the organizers decided to reduce the ticket prices in a bid to attract more audience. The tickets are said to cover the entire week of fun events plus the fact that viewers get to see two shows this year as compared to a year ago when there was one.
Harriet’s Park Avenue Fashion Week Director Jess Cearley revealed that they had to divide the show into two in order to feature daytime and evening outfits.
The Emerging Designers Contest will also take place where aspiring fashion designers get to showcase their creations to the public for the first time.
In a store located in Winter Park, a Dress for Success drive will be taking place in anticipation of this grand event. Eileen Fisher store owner Karri Baumgardner said that she’s encouraging her customers to donate gently used business attire, bags and other accessories to held those who are in need.
Have you ever experienced looking at your wardrobe and see nothing to wear to work for the next day? If you have, you are not alone because women’s business attire can really be a challenge for most working women like you. You may have a lot of clothes but most of them don’t work together well. Here’s the perfect solution for you.
Basic Ingredient of Women’s Business Attire:
A few classic and simple pieces in basic colors that suit you will do. For example, jacket with skirt or pants in neutral color like brown, black, navy or grey is such a perfect match.
Hint:
Look for the trendy shapes. For this season, the trend is cropped jackets with fitted or legged trousers. For casual days, you can wear you cropped jackets with slim pants or leggings.
The icing:
Sweaters and shirts in two colors are enough to make you look professional and great. You can wear them in raspberry or red if you have a dark skin color or cream or pastel if you have fair skin.
The process:
Mix the items as needed, using a little fantasie. You can have a silky top, blouse or shirt under the suit or jacket for an evening look. Pair these with sandals or open shoes. Pick up an over coat or trench coat when traveling and have a great finishing with jewelry or scarf for more .
It is always easier to travel light especially during corporate affairs. You would only have a harder time to move around with heavy baggage. However, you also would not want to bring the wrong set of clothes for the event. Good news is you can avoid business clothing mistakes
by knowing the basic things that you need. First, you have to ask why you are going to that business trip. What is it all about? That way, you can prepare the appropriate travel clothes.
Depending on the occasion, you can choose to wear business casual clothes that are neat and crisp. You should bring clothes that are wrinkle free so that you would not have to worry if you are running late for the event. These clothes are usually made of cotton or spandex. They will still give you the panache look that you want without any hassle of preparing.
There are also a few things that you have to consider like weather. For your convenience, it would be best to check the weather advisory so that you can prepare clothes that will be appropriate for the weather condition. Do not fail to bring a few accessories that will match your clothes. Just be careful in choosing your accessories so as not to overdo it.
