AND THE WINNER IS…… 10-09-9610-09-96
Related Galleries
AND THE WINNER IS…
ATLANTA — Cool jackets and lean jeans keep spring looking sporty. Here, CK Calvin Klein Jeanswear’s overdyed blue cotton jeans, white cotton and Lycra spandex logo T-shirt and lime green cotton logo jacket. CK Calvin Klein Jeanswear is one of 22 manufacturers and retailers being honored in the new Design Impact Vision Atlanta Awards being given by the Atlanta Apparel Mart and Southeastern Travelers Exhibitors at Westin Peachtree Plaza in Atlanta on Oct. 26. For more on the winners’ circle, see pages 16-22.
ATLANTA — The decisions are in.
The Atlanta Apparel Mart has announced the winners of the first annual Design Impact Vision Atlanta (DIVA) awards, sponsored by the mart and Southeastern Travelers Exhibitors.
The new awards honor retailers and designers in 11 categories. Designers were chosen in a vote by retailers, while retailers were chosen by manufacturers and sales representatives. In addition to design and retail, the Mart will present a humanitarian award to Dixie Carter, star of the television show “Designing Women.”
The winners will be honored at a black-tie gala on Oct. 26, which will be hosted by Carter. Proceeds for the event go to the Design Industries Foundations Fighting AIDS (DIFFA). Here, a look ahead to spring.
Women’s Betterwear
Andrea Jovine
Andrea Jovine is a company on the move. In six months, the New York City-based women’s bridge resource has added eyewear, hosiery and shoes under licensing agreements; increased its large-size business; introduced the AJ Sport sportswear brand as well as AJ Sport Woman for larger size women, and expanded eveningwear, focusing on eveningwear that costs under $400, said Elissa Bromer, president.
The company plans to expand further by adding handbags and some home furnishings, such as bed linens, perhaps as soon as by the end of the year.
Sales, which are running at more than $75 million annually, are nearly double those in 1995, and profits are strong, she said.
“It’s very exciting to win this award, especially having been chosen by the retailers,” Bromer said. “We’re going forward as a major fashion resource. This year is Andrea’s moment.”
Next year also should be her moment in the Atlanta market. The company has a strong customer base in the Southeast and wants to become more important in Atlanta. “We’re definitely focusing on Atlanta as a growth area,” said Bromer.
The line is distributed to bridge retailers, including specialty stores and other better stores, such as Neiman Marcus, Bloomingdale’s and Saks Fifth Avenue, Bromer said. The price point, said Bromer, is on the low side of bridge.
Andrea Jovine studied at the Fashion Institute of Technology. Six years after graduating in 1978, she went to work for Victor Coopersmith as a designer and eventually married him. Coopersmith is the founder and ceo of Coopersmith Enterprises Inc., which owns the Andrea Jovine Company.
The company defines its mission as serving American career women with clean, modern fashions. Jovine designs four collections — sportswear, dresses, petites and large sizes. The label also appears on knitwear and eveningwear.
The collections are sold throughout the U.S., in Canada, England, Spain and Germany. With expansion of international markets a top priority, the company projects 20 to 30 percent of its future sales growth will be in foreign markets. The company expects its developing licensing program to increase sales and profits.
Women’s Contemporary
Sportswear
Max Azria For BCBG
Ask Max Azria what BCBG stands for and he’ll tell you “Good Style, Good Attitude,” and not because the letters stand for Bon Chic, Bon Genre in French, but because it’s truly his vision of the lifestyle of his customer.
“She really is a contemporary woman,” explains Azria, who is designer and president of the company. “She’s not a specific age, but she likes designer looks at a lower price.”
The Los Angeles-based company that expects sales of $90 million this year, has had explosive growth in the past few years, opening 38 of its own stores and launching a footwear division. All of the growth is geared toward a desire to become a true “lifestyle” brand. Next on the list is a jeanswear division and a men’s wear division. In the process of expansion, he says he’ll keep the main focus on the customer and addressing her needs.
Azria says his customer wants easy access to the clothes she likes, which is why the line can be found in both a plethora of small boutiques and large department stores. Azria explains the cross-over is possible because of the breadth of the line. “Our collection is 300 to 400 pieces every season, so the stores don’t have the same things. I did this because the idea is to serve the customer and be in as many places as possible for her.”
The current fall collection has a strong focus on the color brown and incorporates a lot of retro-inspired patterns. There are also lots of shiny vinyl and suede offered in skirts and suits. Azria says the Seventies offered a great deal of inspiration for the fall collection, explaining that in designing, he always starts with a story he wants to tell. “My fabrics are the characters and the designs are the different plots,” he says.
Azria adds that his inspirations range from movies to dreams and events that happen in his life. He says to expect lots of feminine looks in his holiday collection. Why? “I just had my fourth daughter,” he laughs.