Fri, 03/27/09 — 02:16:22 PM
>> While $11,410 Balmain jackets are still selling out in less than 24 hours on parent site Net-a-Porter, The Outnet is preparing for launch next month by taking members, although no specific launch date has been announced yet.
Net-a-Porter founder Natalie Massenet promises a lineup of more than 200 luxury brands including Christian Louboutin, Alberta Ferretti, Chloe, Oscar de la Renta, Diane von Furstenberg, and Herve Leger when the proverbial doors open, a mix of merchandise from past seasons, classic pieces, and bestsellers resurrected from designers’ archives, all with average discounts of 40 to 60 percent. For customers, “It’s going to be about ‘the find,’ and giving them what they may have missed buying in previous seasons,” Massenet said, adding that the company also plans to give some items away for free.
The site will offer one-off “pop-up sales” as a kind of online outlet for smaller labels like Temperley London, and fresh stock — in the categories of ready-to-wear, accessories, lingerie, and swimwear — will be added weekly.
*image: source
Wed, 03/18/09 — 05:33:27 PM
>> One of Valentino Garavani's favorite models, Natalia Vodianova, missed the big premiere of his documentary; she was in London for the launch of the 2009 Fashion Fringe search for emerging British design talent — the UK's version of the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund award — instead. In celebration of this year's honorary chairperson, Donatella Versace, who flew in from Milan for the event, guests like Claudia Schiffer, Roland Mouret, Jonathan Saunders, and Jacquetta Wheeler were served "Donatella Delight" cocktails. Net-a-Porter founder Natalie Massenet is also on the judging panel this year, as is Jimmy Choo founder Tamara Mellon, who is overseeing the introduction of Fashion Fringe's first accessories prize. The four as yet unnamed finalists will show capsule collections during Spring 2010 London Fashion Week, and the winner — who in the past has been Basso & Brooke and Erdem — receive upwards of £100,000 for a follow-up show.
*image: source
Tue, 01/20/09 — 10:56:05 AM
>> IN PRODUCTION —Natalie Massenet is pulling a Topshop on us and pushing back the launch of her designer discount site, The Outnet, from February to April. Instead of discounting pieces that didn't sell on sister site Net-a-Porter, Outnet will "snap up ready-to-wear clothes that have been ordered — and then cancelled — by department stores as the recession bites. Brands will be placed on special offer on different days, and surplus stock will be sold at up to 80% off." [Times UK]
Tue, 12/30/08 — 01:34:17 PM
>> IN PRODUCTION —Natalie Massenet, founder of Net-a-Porter, has been promising her off-price "outlet for Net-a-Porter” site, The Outnet, since April. She's been coy with details so far, except to promise designer goods at heavily reduced prices, but it looks like we've finally got a launch date: February 2009. Until then, the site is up for those who want email updates. [Telegraph UK]
Fri, 10/24/08 — 02:07:15 PM
>> After missing out on the Chanel Mobile Art opening and the Versace-hosted Whitney gala earlier this week, Anna Wintour was back in fine form — with Karl Lagerfeld at her side and Chanel on her person — at the Fashion Group International's Night of Stars last night. It was a night of family — Donatella Versace picked up the Superstar Award as Allegra Beck Versace looked on, Franca Sozzani was honored with her son Francesco Carrozzini in attendance — and friends — honorees Christopher Bailey and Francisco Costa brought Kate Bosworth and Ashley Olsen, respectively. Host Simon Doonan kept it light, at one point joking that Carla Sozzani had to make it back to the Marriott Marquis in time for a speed-dating session.
*image: source, source
Tue, 04/29/08 — 05:07:00 PM
>> Even online, sample sales create a frenzy. In order to keep up with the proliferation of online sample sale sites like Gilt Groupe and HauteLook, Net-a-Porter founder Natalie Massenet announced today that she is launching TheOutnet.com (which I assume is a play on "outlet"), a high end designer sale site that is set to go live by the end of the year. Let the games begin.
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