A look from Charles James
Tory Burch Said Planning Move Into Men’s As Tory Burch gets set to unveil her fall collection at Avery Fisher Hall today, she could be taking a step closer to another major move: introducing mens wear. Burch has lured Jeffrey Uhl away from Coach Inc., where he was a key member of the team that grew the brand’s men’s business to sales that are currently approaching $700 million. Once on board at Burch, Uhl is said to be taking on both women’s and men’s accessories. He is expected to start in a few weeks. Burch has mentioned in passing her potential interest in developing a men’s collection, perhaps drawing inspiration from her late father Buddy Robinson’s style. The Costume Institute Previews ‘Charles James: Beyond Fashion’ Spring’s “Charles James: Beyond Fashion” is at the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute which stands to live up to its name. Beyond the handful of iconic gowns on display, one of James’ former assistants was available to chat about his former boss; Costume Institute curator in charge Harold Koda detailed the designer’s significance today and a 1969 video showed a James-led retrospective fashion show. But what really stopped the crowd of editors was Elettra Wiedemann wearing a replica of the Clover Leaf ballgown the designer originally made for William Randolph Hearst’s wife, Austine. The remake is being used for multiple stop-animation films that are being shot by Diller Scofidio + Renfro and will be part of the exhibition when it opens to the public May 8. Spanx CEO Laurie Ann Goldman Exits In a surprising change-of-command at Spanx, chief executive officer Laurie Ann Goldman is leaving the shapewear giant. Goldman is credited with a long and successful run building the Spanx business from a spunky start-up into an internationally-recognized household brand. “She took the company from practically nothing to $300 million to $400 million with high profits,” said one retail source. “She’s a strong, terrifically talented leader.”Blakely said Goldman is leaving Spanx “by mutual agreement.” -Mehar Singh Source & photo: WWD