Fashion luminary Stella McCartney, fresh from her success at 429 West 14th Street, New York, where she opened a 370 square metre outlet in September this year, is inexhaustible. Backed by Gucci CEO Domenico de Sole and long-standing partner for Gucci and YSL eyewear, Safilo SPA, her first ever collection of sunglasses is set to launch in spring 2003.
Stella started out with a gig at Chloe, where she set to work rejuvenating the flagging fashion house before launching her own collection. And what a long way she has come. This year, the opening of her boutique in the Meatpacking District in New York was dubbed by some the biggest party of the Fashion Week. With success like that, it is no wonder Gucci continues to pump so much money into her brand image.
Gucci president Domenico de Sole, who in less than a decade built a US$2.3 billion luxury stable out of the bankrupt tatters of the Florentine fashion label, evidently considers the promotion of his labels – which include Alexander McQueen and Yves Saint Laurent – to be more important than his immediate profit margin. His splashy store openings of late have precipitated something of a slide in Gucci´s financial stability, although shareholders are assured that the company will reach earnings of $2.55 to $2.95 for the year.
In keeping with the recent spate of Gucci´s indulgence is a line of more sunglasses, this time by another of Gucci´s subsidiaries, Bottega Veneta. The line is designed by creative director Tomas Maier and is set to coincide with Stella´s own collection, both opening early next year. “Stella and Tomas have developed unique collections that fit very well with the respective brand images,” said De Sole. “The launches of these new exciting eyewear lines will perfectly complement Stella McCartney´s and Bottega Veneta´s presence in the marketplace. I am happy to see the pace at which both of these brands are developing their business, and I am sure that Safilo will help us to make these launches a great success.”
Photo: © Alphapress.com
Photo: © Alphapress.com
