Talbots (Q9288)
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American specialty retailer and direct marketer of women's clothing, shoes and fashion accessories
- The Talbots, Inc.
- Talbots, Inc.
| Language | Label | Description | Also known as |
|---|---|---|---|
| English | Talbots |
American specialty retailer and direct marketer of women's clothing, shoes and fashion accessories |
|
Statements
After shying away from patterns of late, Talbots is bringing them back in response to customer demand. Considering the plentitude of printed pants and sheaths on view at its Spring presentation, it's safe to say that the brand will be giving its shoppers all they want and then some next season. "We've never given up on paisley," one Talbots employee explained at the preview. That practice paid off—the paisley silk palazzo pants, priced to sell at $119, were by far the collection's standout piece.Dresses are consistently best sellers for Talbots, and there were several that should be hits, including a vibrant color-blocked frock with a full skirt, which was cited as having "Michelle Obama potential" in the navy and white, nautical combination. Also of note were the affordable accessories (everything here is sub-$150). Raffia sling-backs with a kitten heel, for example, are ideal for the sensible Talbots woman who still wants to wear heels but is too no-nonsense to totter around in five-inchers.
27 October 2011
For Fall, Talbots chief creative officer Michael Smaldone showed a collection inspired by Old Hollywood that hit on many of the season's key runway trends in a way that was accessible but not too watered down. That menswear feeling? Check. A Katharine Hepburn-esque pinstripe three-piece suit was styled just like the editors do it—with a long topper slung casually over the shoulders. How about statement-making fur? A Mongolian lamb vest and platform sandals with flirty fur trim kept things au courant. Which brings us to the terrific accessories, like the oversized pony-hair clutch in a variety of animal prints. A pebbled leather satchel may owe a debt to those structured Celine bags from last Fall, but all the Talbots customer will care about is that it looks great slung over her shoulder with some of the label's updated classics. In the latter category, Smaldone showed plenty of flattering trousers and A-line cocktail dresses (aimed, he said, at Michelle Obama) that should please the brand's core client base.
20 March 2011
Move over, Granny, there's a new Talbots customer in town. Julianne Moore is the face of the company's Spring campaign (sorry, no controversial nudity or lion cubs in these ads), and approaching 50 with indie film cred fully intact, she's the kind of modern woman the brand with the big red doors is trying to tap into by upping its hip quotient. Yes, we said "hip." Chief creative officer Michael Smaldone, previously at Anne Klein and Elie Tahari, is the man behind the design facelift Talbots has been undergoing the last few seasons. He's broadening the label's appeal to suit a younger set, with fashion-forward pieces like the suede paper bag-waisted shorts and cropped burlap blazer Moore modeled during her Mert & Marcus-snapped shoot. According to the designer, the actress wore that outfit home.Smaldone's inspiration for his Spring collection was the 1950's and the spiritual setting was Paris, so the silhouette is hourglass and the palette is macaroon bright. An abstract floral-print dress hits on the season's sheer trend, but the Talbots' take comes with a convenient slip to be worn underneath. The accessories are the unexpected high note of the makeover. Crocodile-stamped lightweight wedges and a small snake box bag with oversize ball clasps would fit right into any twentysomething's wardrobe (they'll like the under-$200 prices). But not to worry, Talbots has no intention of alienating its core audience. The classic blazer, cardigan, and white shirt are all still here, but with updated, "Grandma, can I borrow this?" fits.
24 October 2010