In other financial news, Forbes Magazine recently reported that supermodel Gisele Bundchen is still the world’s top-grossing model. According to the publication, she earned almost $33 million US last year, while former model-turned talk show host Tyra Banks raked in $18 million, and Kate Moss and Heidi Klum brought in $9 and $8 million, respectively.
Designer collaborations with not-so-high-end labels are no big surprise in the fashion industry these days, but many might argue that the best partnerships thus far have come from Swedish mega-retailer H&M (though Proenza Schouler for Target comes in at a very close second – perhaps only because the chain is not available in Canada). This fall, Roberto Cavalli will follow in the footsteps of designers such as Stella McCartney, Karl Lagerfeld and Viktor & Rolf and will design a capsule collection with H&M consisting of 20 menswear pieces and 25 womenswear pieces, including lingerie and matching accessories for both. The Roberto Cavalli at H&M collection will land at approximately 200 stores worldwide on November 8, and, as H&M’s first Italian designer, the collection will surely evoke the “intense sensuality” and “exuberant, successful lifestyle” synonymous with Cavalli’s name.
On the Canadian fashion scene, Western shoe and clothing emporium Gravity Pope is celebrating its 17th birthday this year. Besides its annual shoe sale extravaganza beginning in July, the retailer also recently opened its first Gravity Pope Tailored Goods store in Edmonton, Alberta, specializing in men’s and women’s fashions at every price point, from Free People to Borne, Rodebjer and Paul Smith.
Another Canadian shopping institution, the Hudson Bay Company, has increased its selection of better brands (including high-end designer clothing and footwear labels) in select stores across the country. Now, due to overwhelming, positive customer response, the organization will further ramp up its presence in the designer shopping marketplace with a well-edited selection of both international and Canadian labels, including Norma Kamali and Tara Jarmon.
Toronto retailer Rk has expanded, opening its first store west of Ontario in Vancouver. With its new location, which opened in June in the prestigious Oakridge Centre, the retailer is confident it will see success in its new market since its sleek and sophisticated styling will appeal to Vancouver women looking for a fashion-forward blend of simplicity and classicism. Trendsetting stars like Natalie Portman have been spotted wearing the label, and trend-driven pieces, such as those from summer’s “Riviera Redefined” and fall’s “Sinfully Noir” collections, have been a hit on the east coast. Will the same be true in the West? Only time will tell.
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