Stefani's L.A.M.B. Bags Go Luxe
Gwen Stefani's L.A.M.B. label is adding high-end handbags to its roster.
The
four-year-old firm, whose accessories are produced in partnership with
Schifter + Partners, has launched a Black Label line called Aston,
hitting stores this fall.
The collection retails from $525 for a clutch to $1,495 for a limited
edition carryall and is inspired by vintage British sports cars. With
style names such as the Lotus and Winston, the Aston bags feature
special detailing such as layers of perforated and pebble-grain leather
mixed with patent leather piping and suede strips. Each of the eight
styles is equipped with black and gray striped lining, gunmetal
hardware and matte black hangtags.
Tim Schifter, chairman and
chief executive officer of Schifter + Partners, projects the collection
will generate approximately 10 percent of L.A.M.B.'s total handbag
sales in its first year. He describes the collection, as well as the
entire L.A.M.B. brand, as "irreverent luxury."
"Gwen designs
prints that push the envelope, and she does things that are so
differentiated from the rest of the market," Schifter said. "And the
crazier and more irreverent they are, the better they do. The bags
really resonate with consumers and retailers."
The Aston
collection will be available in limited distribution at the top 35 of
L.A.M.B.'s 250 doors, including certain Nordstrom and Bloomingdale's
locations as well as Intermix and Henri Bendel. The collection will
also establish L.A.M.B.'s presence internationally, premiering in such
stores as Tsum in Moscow, Lane Crawford in Hong Kong and Harvey Nichols
and Villa Moda in the Middle East. The bags will also sell on
eluxury.com as well as appear in the luxury catalogue Vivre.
"Having
an upscale collection allows us to differentiate our assortment of
various retailers," said Schifter, whose firm also produces accessories
for Jill Stuart, Harajuku Lovers and Kidrobot. "And we believe that
adding the Black Label collection as an upper tier is a very sensible
approach to fashion today. The retail conditions that exist always
demand high-end product that is not only sophisticated, but produced
and distributed in limited edition."
The Aston collection is priced approximately 30 percent above the
average L.A.M.B. handbag. For fall, Schifter also added a new line as
the brand's opening price point, the Soft Signature collection, which
retails from $295 to $395.
"I love the designing process for the
handbags," said Stefani. "It's always evolving and changing each
season. This season I loved mixing different materials like leather and
suede and then putting the L.A.M.B. twist on it....I look forward to
expanding the L.A.M.B. brand even more."
