RIP, Phi: Label Shutters

fashionologie — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 10:57:26 PST

>> 2009's victim count is still rising: Phi, the downtown label founded in 2003 with quite the cult following - Erin Wasson, Carine Roitfeld, Natasha Poly, Lauren Santo Domingo, and Vanessa Traina among the fans - is the latest fallen to the recession.

"It's a really challenging climate right now for luxury goods," said Phi CEO Julia Hansen told WWD. "There is not so much confidence in that market going forward."

The Spring 2010 collection will not be delivered; the pre-Spring 2010 delivery, which arrived in stores this month will be its last. Staffers were informed today of the label's closing, and no word on what critically acclaimed creative director Andreas Melbostad plans to do next.

fashionologie — Tue, 05 May 2009 14:55:49 PDT

>> INSIDER WIRE -There were a lot of designers missing from last night's festivities - Karl Lagerfeld, Stefano Gabbana, Domenico Dolce, Christopher Bailey among them - but even more notable was the lack of certain designers on the red carpet: Balenciaga, Prada and Miu Miu weren't represented at all (though Dasha Zhukova wore vintage Prada), and typical heavyweight Giorgio Armani had one sole wearer - Claire Danes. Meanwhile, Phi emerged as a dark horse - watch out Proenza Schouler, Andreas Melbostad is taking over your crowd - Erin Wasson, Natasha Poly, Lauren Santo Domingo, and Vanessa Traina all chose the label last night. [Style File]