Shopkeepers' Nation

Agent Provocateur Named in CoolBrands Top 10

Agent Provocateur has been named in the top ten of the CoolBrands Top 500 for the second year in a row. Coming in at number 8 on the list, AP is the only apparel brand listed in the top ten.

The CoolBrands list is an extension of Superbrands in the UK, an organization focused on consumer opinion and branding which tracks the hottest brands chosen by independent resources each year.

Agent Provocateur has just launched its "Lessons in Lingerie" campaign starring Maggie Gyllenhaal. Visit the AP website to view the campaign and get a taste of the coolest apparel brand on the market.

In addition to Agent Provocateur, Dallimore & Co. had five other clients making the Top 500 CoolBrands List--7 For All Mankind, Anya Hindmarch, Farrow & Ball, Reiss, and Smythson of Bond Street.

Hobbs to Begin Worldwide Expansion

British fashion favorite Hobbs is making plans to bring its popular womenswear stores to an international audience, as recently reported in the UK trade publication Retail Week. Nick Samuel, chief executive for the brand, plans to begin exloring opportunities in India early next year. Further expansion consideration is being given to China, Japan, and Korea as well.

As part of their global expansion enterprise, Hobbs has retained Dallimore & Co. to represent them in the U.S. market. The brand plans to open their first stateside stores within the next 12 months.

Reiss is taking it's already-award-winning store design to the next level with its upcoming London flagship. Recently profiled in Design Week, the Barrett Street location will function as the Reiss world headquarters and a residential development in addition to the ground-floor store. Universal Design Studios has been hired to design the interiors of the facade, which has been in development for three years.

"The look is cool and crisp, though definitely not minimal. We’ve gone for colour, texture, tiles and patterns, with a number of signature pieces over the three floors," says Universal's director Jonathan Clarke. The space will also include a sculptural staircase and glass vitrines running from the basement to the ground floor and from the top floor to the ceiling.

Smythson Accessories in the Spotlight

Smythson has been renowned for their luxury stationery and leather-bound diaries for more than a century. Now, the esteemed brand is drawing attention for their newer accessories line as well. Recently covered in Women's Wear Daily, the Smythson accessories range includes jewelry cases, photo albums and, most notably, the Nancy collection of handbags that are launching in stores this fall.

The popularity of Smythson accessories has been growing steadily, solidifying their reputation as a luxury accessories brand with room to expand. Smythson currently operates two stores within the United States, including their most recent opening on Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills. The brand is looking to keep expanding, with an eye toward opening ten more stores in the United States by the end of 2012.

Lucky Loves Reiss

Lucky magazine picks Reiss as one of it's four favorite labels for fall. We couldn't agree more.

VF Corp. Acquires 7 For All Mankind

Branded lifestyle apparel leader VF Corporation has officially announced its acquisition of 7 For All Mankind in a recent press release. 7 For All Mankind, along with recently acquired women’s active lifestyle brand Lucy, will comprise VF Contemporary Brands, a new coalition for the company. Mike Egeck, the current CEO of Seven, will serve as president of VF Contemporary Brands as well.

“This is an exciting time for the 7 For All Mankind brand,” states Egeck. “With access to VF’s strong infrastructure of resources, we will be able to supercharge our growth initiatives. We are confident that 7 For All Mankind will evolve the category and continue to remain the benchmark of excellence in the premium denim industry.”

Known as the leader in premium denim, 7 For All Mankind has expanded its product range to include sportwear, footwear, handbags, and a children's line. The brand is sold in luxury retail stores as well as high-end boutiques, and can be purchased online at www.7forallmankind.com.

Maggie Gyllenhaal to Become New Face for Agent Provocateur

Agent Provocateur is creating a buzz with the selection of actress Maggie Gyllenhaal as the newest face for the lingerie label. The promotional campaign will feature Ms. Gyllenhaal as Miss AP, described by the UK's Telegraph as "a glamorous, scarlet-lipsticked and scantily-clad disciplinarian at an academy in Hollywood, where she schools young girls in ‘lessons in lingerie’."

AP co-founder Serena Rees sees Gyllenhaal as a natural choice for the brand, telling the Telegraph, "Maggie is not an obvious sex symbol and she has a particular quality that lends itself to the 'mistress' role. . . .She is a strong, intelligent and beautiful woman. She is confident and in charge of her own sexuality, and this makes her appealing to both men and women."

Look for Lessons in Lingerie starring Maggie Gyllenhaal as Miss AP to launch on the Agent Provocateur website this Friday.

Candy Cover Girl

Dylan Lauren--founder of Dylan's Candy Bar--is currently gracing the cover of the most recent issue of Hampton Style. The magazine caught up with the original candy girl to discuss her newest "mini-bar" shop that just opened in East Hampton as well as her thoughts on all things related to candy.