COLOR ME RETAIL: For spring, Bloomingdale’s is getting color inspiration from Crayola and has designers working with crayons instead of fabrics. Twelve contemporary designers, housed in Bloomingdale’s Selective department, have created exclusive ready-to-wear styles in Crayola colors that were assigned to them. Then Bloomingdale’s fashion office took the concept one step further by encouraging seven of the designers to get really artsy-craftsy and cloak mannequins in Crayola crayons in sculptural ways, reflecting the ready-to-wear.
The project is part of the ongoing 100% Bloomingdale’s campaign promoting exclusive looks each season. “This has been one of the most fun projects I’ve worked on,” said Brooke Jaffe, Bloomingdale’s operating vice president of fashion direction for ready-to-wear.
Those creating both the Crayola ready-to-wear and sculptures were Nanette Lepore, who was assigned to use “unmellow yellow;” Rebecca Taylor, who designed in “midnight blue,” and Ronny Kobo used “bittersweet orange.” Cynthia Rowley worked in denim, while Parker worked in “jungle green.” Rebecca Minkoff used “banana mania,” and Clover Canyon was assigned “mountain meadow.”
Just sticking to the ready-to-wear were Trina Turk, who worked in “sunset orange;” Milly designed in indigo; Twelfth Street worked in “laser lemon;” Charlie Jade designed in “mango tango,” and Amanda Uprichard used “illuminating emerald.” Events with the designers will be held Thursday at the 59th Street flagship and March 12 at Bloomingdale’s SoHo.