Archive for May, 2007

Tom Ford’s Manhattan Diggs

Tom Ford of Gucci fame has just opened his own store in Manhattan. The iconic designer personally netted over $250 million while masterminding the legendary turnarounds at Gucci and Yves Saint-Laurent (both owned by French luxury powerhouse PPR) and has put some of that cash to work by striking out on his own. Mr. Ford sure has his eccentricities about him: he had an orange tractor at his New Mexico property spray-painted black because he couldn’t stand the color, it takes half an hour to drive from the gate to his house (15,000-square-feet!), and he’s hired a half-dozen young models dressed as French maids and butlers in gray suits and white gloves just to stand against the walls of his Manhattan boutique trying to blend in. For the rest of the craziness that is Tom Form, peep the article:

New York Magazine Article
Tom Ford Website

Via FashionInvestor.com 

Wednesday, May 30th, 2007 Business, Fashion, Gotham No Comments

In The Spotlight: Tailorbyrd

Tailorbyrd Sport Shirt
Launched in 2002 to critical acclaim, upscale shirtmaker Tailorbyrd has prospered with their button-ups, serving a sport-casual niche with bright colors and refined cuts. Tailorbyrd’s sport shirts all share thick, high quality fabrics, double-barreled cuffs, and a quintessentially British spread collar. To add flavor, some pieces sport colorful patterned trim inside the cuffs and collar. We like Tailorbyrd’s direction; it’s been spot-on with trends since its inception and it spices up the dress shirt just as much as necessary without being over-elaborate. Sr. VP Michael Sheinfield gave us the low-down on their plans:

TFI: Is your firm privately-held? Where are you based?
MS: “Yes, we’re privately-held, based out of New York and Seattle.”
TFI: What are Tailorbyrd’s plans for the future?
MS: “Our goal hasn’t changed: use the best materials possible. We won’t waver-that’s the mindset.”
TFI: What are your plans for expanding your current line-up?
MS: “We’ve got boys sport shirts available now, women’s shirts, swimsuits, even t-shirts and golf wear. Our women’s line is expanding into dresses and jackets. That’s not to say that we’re losing our focus; you won’t be seeing any Tailorbyrd bicycles anytime soon. We’ve been all over…we even did specialty vests at one point. We’re selling online now, and a boutique store is something we’d consider-no idea is off the table.”
TFI: How’s the business doing?
MS: “I won’t go into specifics-let’s just say that each and every growth target is met and exceeded.”

Link: TAILORBYRD Website

Via FashionInvestor.com

Tuesday, May 29th, 2007 Business, Fashion, Gotham, Seattle No Comments