Here’s a trend to ponder this weekend, if you plan on doing some shopping.
Celebrity-branded clothing increasingly is showing up in stores.
Most recently, chic handbags, tall boots and clothing designed by Ashley Judd, who is an actress and the daughter and sister of country music stars, landed in Goody’s stores. To the left is a marketing shot of her showing off some of the apparel.
The good news is that this merchandise, from skinny jeans to high-heeled pumps and sports wear, is affordable, since it’s carried by retailers that already categorize themselves as discount stores.
Try on some of these local examples for size.
• Steve & Barry’s University Sportswear, with a location at Tanglewood Mall, introduced Sarah Jessica Parker’s Bitten line earlier this year, and last month, it began selling the dear line by Amanda Bynes. Look for Venus Williams’ active wear EleVen apparel to show up on store racks in November.
• Ashley Judd’s collection of casual and dressy blouses and denim is sold at Goody’s stores, including the one at Tanglewood Mall.
• Payless Shoes is carrying handbags and several pairs of footwear created by designer Lela Rose, from short boots to peep-toe pumps. They’re not yet in Roanoke area Payless stores, but they are sold online.
The motto of Parker’s Bitten line is “Fashion isn’t a luxury, it’s a right.” Retailers are using big names to lure customers into their stores, with a mission of affordability. For Bynes’ dear clothing, you’ll find $14.98 jeans, $19.98 v-neck sweaters and $10.98 quarter-sleeve, casual shirts.
We may see this trend for awhile longer. Private-label products are on the rise at many stores, and designer co-branded items are making up a growing chunk of the selection, according to reports by some retail analysis firms.
In 2005, we saw an example in the Roanoke area of how retailers use well-known people to advertise products. Elizabeth “Buffy” Waltrip, wife of NASCAR driver Michael Waltrip, modeled jewelry for Fink’s Jewelers Christmas catalog.
Does this marketing approach work? As a consumer, do you care which celebrity is branding or endorsing clothing, accessories or any other products? Let me know your thoughts.
Comments
[October 7, 2007 11:57 AM]
susan hallIs Roanoke ever going to get a Kolh's Dept. Store?
[October 8, 2007 10:47 AM]
Jenny BooneHi, Susan, Thanks for your question about Kohl's. Unfortunately, there's no official word about Kohl's landing in the Roanoke Valley. There are rumors floating around about the department store chain scouting out locations locally. I'll keep everyone updated if legitimate news surfaces. Right now, the closest Kohl's stores are in Lynchburg and Harrisonburg. Also, Kohl's plans to build a store in Waynesboro. Thanks for reading!
[October 8, 2007 1:09 PM]
Scott : →http://www.traderjoes.comIs the Roanoke area ever going to see a Trader Joe's? Or what rumors that the "grocery" store will be at Keagy Village?
[October 9, 2007 9:08 AM]
Jenny BooneHi, Scott, I haven't heard any news about a Trader Joe's coming to the Roanoke Valley, though I know plenty of people would like to see that store here. And there have been rumors of potential grocers slated for Keagy Village, but none has been reported officially. Last year, news surfaced that Martin's, a Pennsylvania chain, was considering locating there, but apparently, that situation didn't work out. Hopefully, there will be official news about a grocer coming there soon.
Thanks for your comment!
[November 6, 2007 1:49 PM]
Lisa Soltis : →http://www.roanokeshopper.typepad.comHey Jenny...Just to mention one more, how about the Nicole Miller line at JC Penney...may have some great holiday finds!
I will confess that I have been known to purchase clothing that I know some "good" celebrity may be styling...Ann Curry's J.Crew sweater, a blouse that Julia Roberts may just have...it is appealing! And it's especially nice when you have it before they do!! In other words, they copy us! Please remind readers about www.myretailroanoke.com...we are still counting votes and it is all good!
[November 6, 2007 2:17 PM]
Jenny BooneLisa, Thanks for the reminder about the Nicole Miller line at JC Penney. It seems that the number of celebrity fashion lines keeps growing, though I know the Miller line has been available for awhile.