fashionologie

Marios Schwab, Harvey Weinstein Both Officially Out at Halston

fashionologie — Fri, 15 Jul 2011 10:34:16 PDT

>> Marios Schwab's fate at Halston didn't sound promising yesterday, and now it's been determined: his contract, which expired, will not be renewed. It sounds like the Halston designer collection, too, is no longer: The brand will reportedly not produce a Spring 2012 collection, and it sounds like it's unclear as to whether the Fall 2011 collection will be delivered to stores.

Harvey Weinstein, who has had an equity stake in Halston for the past couple of years, has also officially split from the brand. As WWD notes, he brought high-profile attention to the brand with his name attached, but: "His role was essentially that of a figurehead with little or no operational responsibility."

Despite all the departures, Halston is still said to have full confidence from parent company Hilco Consumer Capital, which recently invested $7.5 million in the brand more after seeing recent growth at retail. The focus going forward is said to be on the secondary Halston Heritage line.

Marios Schwab's Status at Halston; Plus, Why Sarah Jessica Parker Didn't Work Out

fashionologie — Thu, 14 Jul 2011 14:52:00 PDT

>> On the heels of news that Sarah Jessica Parker and Harvey Weinstein are both on their way out from Halston, the next logical question is: What about Halston creative director Marios Schwab?

According to WWD, there's recently been speculation that Schwab's contract may not be renewed unless he relocates from London, where he designs his eponymous collection, to New York, where Halston is based. Adding fuel to that fire is the fact that Halston owners Hilco Consumer Capital currently seem to be interested in pursuing a licensing model over selling the brand or seeking additional investment to support Schwab.

But where did it go wrong with Parker? WWD points out: "Unlike Victoria Beckham and Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, who have made successful transitions into fashion, Parker never put her entertainment projects on the back burner to focus exclusively on Halston and instead spent months on movie sets when she might have been a fixture in Halston’s showroom . . . In the early days, Parker was very involved in the Halston Heritage design process and, on occasion, sported the label in her public outings. Over time, however, the actress is said to have used her role at the firm to demand the kinds of clothes she wanted for herself, which were often at odds with the positioning of the contemporary Heritage collection and the overall DNA of Halston."

Under Parker's current agreement with Hilco, which is in the process of being terminated, she is said to be entitled to roughly $13 million over the next four years.

Halston May Be For Sale Again Soon

fashionologie — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 09:33:11 PDT

>> Halston, which was acquired by Hilco Consumer Capital and Harvey Weinstein's The Weinstein Company in 2007, is said to be looking for some more funds these days. According to a source familiar with the situation, WWD reports, the brand has hired an investment bank to explore its options, which could range from a cash infusion to a sale of the whole company.

The contemporary Halston Heritage label, of which Sarah Jessica Parker is president and chief creative officer, has been gaining traction since its launch a year ago. It “was definitely a viable business,” says the source, but the company needs more growth capital and the investors don't want to put more money in after four years. It could be tough to do a deal, however, the source warns: “It’s a very complicated structure and dynamic at the board level."

Richard Kaye, EVP and chief marketing officer at Hilco Trading, Hilco Consumer Capital's parent company, had no comment on any future plans for Halston.

Marios Schwab Fall 2011

fashionologie — Tue, 22 Feb 2011 09:49:42 PST

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Models Backstage at London Fashion Week: Neons at Christopher Kane, Coco Rocha at Giles, and More

fashionologie — Wed, 22 Sep 2010 09:38:29 PDT

>> Alessandra Ambrosio has taken a couple of turns on the Spring 2011 catwalks - the latest was at Giles, where she wore her bread and butter: a bikini. "I wake up and read [show stylist] Katie [Grand]'s message on my phone - 'Are you okay wearing a bikini?'" she told The Cut. "I had to think second thoughts about what I was going to have for breakfast. [But] I'm like, 'I guess.' Because I'm Brazilian and I do Victoria's Secret, it wouldn't be polite to say I'm not okay. As long as it's not a G-string, I'm okay. I'm a mom now: I can't [do G-strings]." See Ambrosio, Jessica Stam, and more doing the backstage thing during London Fashion Week - we've got snaps from Christopher Kane, Erdem, Giles, Mary Katrantzou, Matthew Williamson, Marios Schwab, Mark Fast, Peter Pilotto, Pringle of Scotland, Richard Nicoll, Jonathan Saunders, Topshop Unique, and Vivienne Westwood.

Photos: Greg Kessler

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2011 Spring London Fashion Week: Marios Schwab

fashionologie — Tue, 21 Sep 2010 09:31:11 PDT

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London Fashion Week: Marios Schwab Fall 2010

coutorture — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 16:42:46 PST

London 02/22/10 WireImage, Getty

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Marios Schwab Shows Off His First Outing at Halston for Fall 2010

fashionologie — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 22:25:50 PST

>> Last night, in a dimly-lit warehouse space in New York's Hell's Kitchen, Marios Schwab unveiled his first collection for Halston. The house has had a rocky past since its namesake designer died in 1990, not excluding under the current management of Harvey Weinstein; in other words, the pressure was on for Fall 2010, with the feeling very do or die.

The models stood, sat, or lounged in a mirrored set, full of linear and geometric shapes, showing off their largely monochrome looks in a variety of colors. There was plenty of draping to go around, but also a bit of stiffness - one tan dress had a barely detectable pentagon shape coming out of its center. Marios, mingling with the crowd, explained that he was less interested in the Halston archives - he only used his memories of the pieces - and instead focused on the Halston idea of creating timeless pieces for strong women. He said of his Halston girl: "She is open minded. She is the daughter of the original Halston woman.”

Harvey Weinstein and newly-named Halston president and chief creative officer Sarah Jessica Parker, too, were on hand - the latter overheard saying when she arrived, “Excuse me, I have to meet Marios!” before congratulating the designer. Kate Young styled, and Schwab had London-based jeweler Jacqueline Rabun create silver accessories - including ear cuffs - in organic shapes remniscent of Elsa Peretti's work for the original Halston.

Puff-strapped sandals caught the eye of many, but on a whole, Cathy Horyn was still not convinced:

Marios Schwab, the latest designer at Halston, appeared to struggle in his first effort. A handful of fluid silk jersey dresses looked Halston-ish. But it was hard to see how his lineup of stiffly constructed dresses and twisted velvet chemises varied significantly from his own label in London. It’s not that Mr. Schwab has to adapt his style to the heritage of Halston. Who remembers exactly what that was, anyway? But the two sides need to stop fighting so much.

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Confirmed: Halston, Sarah Jessica Parker Go In on Deal

fashionologie — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 15:30:54 PST

>> After reports yesterday, Halston confirmed that a deal with Sarah Jessica Parker has been signed. She's not expected to be involved in Marios Schwab's upcoming designer line for the brand, but will rather be focusing on an active design role - perhaps even as creative director - in Halston Heritage, the brand's contemporary label.

Paper's Mickey Boardman reports of the agreement:

A source at Halston tells us that SJP will actually be a member of the company's board and will receive equity in the company. Company insiders insist all designing will be handled by creative director Marios Schwab and shudder at comparisons to the House of Ungaro which has suffered ridicule for it's affiliation with actress Lindsay Lohan.

Insiders react »

Sarah Jessica Parker to Take On Creative Role at Halston?

fashionologie — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 07:52:40 PST

>> Was Lindsay Lohan at Ungaro just the beginning? As Marios Schwab is preparing to show his first collection at Halston next month, rumors are bubbling up that Sarah Jessica Parker may be brought on in a consulting role at the house, which is owned by Harvey Weinstein's The Weinstein Company.

Originally, it was rumored back in September that Parker was in talks to be the face of Halston - since, the Sex and the City sequel promotional poster has come out, with Parker wearing none other than Halston. But now, titles like design director or creative director are reportedly being thrown around for Parker - so where does that leave Marios?

UPDATE: WWD reports: "sources said that [Parker] will likely focus on the secondary Heritage collection, which recently launched. The arrangement even could include an equity stake or some other executive role, although that could not be confirmed." [WWD]