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L.A.M.B.

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L.A.M.B.
Company typeCorporation
IndustryConsumer goods
Founded2003
HeadquartersUSA
Key people
Gwen Stefani
ProductsApparel
Handbags
Watches
Shoes
Fragrance
This article is about the clothing line. For the Gwen Stefani album, see Love. Angel. Music. Baby. For her back-up dancers who use the same names, see Harajuku Girls.

L.A.M.B. is a fashion line by American singer Gwen Stefani, the lead vocalist of the rock band No Doubt and a solo artist. The line manufactures apparel and fashion accessories. The line was founded in 2003 but made its runway debut the following year in 2004. The fashion line manufactures accessories like shoes, watches, bags and a fragrance called "L" as well. The name is an acronym of her debut solo album Love.Angel.Music.Baby.

The line is influenced by a variety of fashions cultures, including Guatemalan, Japanese, Indian and Jamaican styles. Stefani came from a line of seamstresses. This further inspired her to launch her own fashion line. The line achieved popularity among celebrities and is worn by stars such as Teri Hatcher, Nicole Kidman, Paris Hilton and Stefani herself.

The fashion line made a runway debut in the spring collection of 2004,[1] and achieved mainstream success at New York Fashion Week in 2005 and currently makes an annual gross income of $90 million. The line, as well as the fashion shows were well received by critics and appreciated the indulgence of a celebrity into the fashion world. An additional fashion line was also launched by Stefani called Harajuku Lovers intended for those who, like her Japanese back-up singers, share a love for Kawaiiness.

History

Stefani first came face to face with designing clothes when she and her mother would sew clothes for themselves when she was young. Stefani comes from a long line of seamstresses, as even her great - grandmother would sew clothes. Stefani made most of the things she wore onstage during concerts herself. When she became successful and began to tour constantly, she felt she lost her way. Then she met the stylist Andrea Lieberman. Lieberman introduced her to haute couture clothing.[2] Later Lieberman became her creative consultant and Zaldy Goco took over as the head designer.[3] Goco later parted ways with L.A.M.B.[4] L.A.M.B. started out as a collaboration with LeSportsac in 2003.[5] The name L.A.M.B. is an acronym which stands for Love. Angel. Music. Baby., which is also the name of Stefani's first solo album.

Products

The fashion line manufactures clothes, shoes, bags and a fragrance called "L". The brand started out as a line for women, but claims the track items are unisex. The clothes are manufactured by Ska Girl LLC, which was founded in 2003 by Ken Erman, President of L.A.M.B. While for its other products, L.A.M.B has been more of a collaborative fashion line. L.A.M.B joined with Royal Elastics for the shoe line. Stefani is also widening her footwear line for adults to include boots and stilettos.[6] L.A.M.B collaborated with Coty Inc. for the fragrance and with LeSportsac for handbags in 2003. Stefani went on to design a new line of handbags with Shifter and Partners in 2006.The bags feature LeSportsac's signature rip-stop nylon along with a variety of antiqued metal hardware, leather trims and colorful linings.[5] Stefani plans to design lingerie as well as make-up products for L.A.M.B. L.A.M.B. partnered with Vestal Group on a line of women's watches. The line consists of 39 timepieces.[7]

L.A.M.B. products are relatively expensive,[8] with apparel priced $55 to $1100, handbags priced $80 to $825,[5] and watches priced $125 to $995.[9]

Fragrance

File:L bottle 01.jpg
The fragrance bottle.

Coty Inc. announced a global licensing agreement with Stefani, to develop and market fragrances for L.A.M.B. Catherine Walsh, senior vice president, American Fragrances, Coty Prestige, said in a statement - "From the packaging to the bottle design to the distinctive scent itself, we will be working very closely with Stefani to ensure that her signature fragrance captures her rare spirit, style and warmth,"[10] Stefani said, "Creating a fragrance is one of the most prestigious things a designer can do."[11]

The fragrance called "L" was launched in September, 2007 at Soho House in New York. Stefani worked with perfumer Harry Fremont to develop the scent. Stefani described the fragrance as "it's another thing you can wear and another thing I can be part of creatively. I created it for myself -- it's like me shrunk into a box." The perfume is a blend of the aromas of hyacinth, white freesia, fresh pear, violet, jasmine, rose, lily, sweet pea, orange blossom, peach, frangipani, heliotrope and musk.[12] The perfume is available in 50 ml and 100 ml bottles.[13]

Promotion and fashion shows

Just wait 'til you get your little hands on L.A.M.B.
—In Stefani's song Harajuku Girls

Stefani frequently refers to her clothing line in her music, as one of the brand's promotional strategies.[14] Stefani refers to her clothing line in her songs "Wind It Up," "Harajuku Girls," and "Crash" (which even incorporates the brand's slogan, "I want you all over me like L.A.M.B.").[15] Stefani is often seen wearing her own designs, especially when making public appearances. A thirty-second commercial directed by Sophie Muller was also released to promote the brand's fragrance.[16]

File:Fahion week.jpg
A model presenting her "Schoolgirl" theme.

L.A.M.B. has participated in the Spring/Summer 2006, 2007, and 2008 New York Fashion Weeks. Stefani described her first line, which debuted on September 16, 2005, as "a little Sound of Music, some Orange County chola girl, some Rasta, and a bit of The Great Gatsby."[17] The highlights of the show were purple cars bouncing using hydraulics while Stefani's song "Wind It Up" made its debut as the models walked the runway.[18][19]

For Spring/Summer 2007, Stefani opted for a presentation rather than a catwalk show.[20] The models, all donning identical blond wigs, wore designs Stefani said were inspired by Michelle Pfeiffer's role as Elvira Hancock in the 1983 Scarface.[20] The show included some of Stefani's trademark tracksuits and extensively referenced prints from Guatemala, India, and Japan.[21][22][20] On September 5 , 2007, L.A.M.B opened New York's Spring/Summer 2008 Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week. The collection "looked like the sixties as seen by someone who grew up in the eighties" and incorporated influences from Stefani's ska roots.[23] Fashion week organizer Fern Mallis said that celebrity designers provided synergy and energy to the fashion industry, which made Stefani's collection a desirable opener.[24]

Critical reception

The line was mostly well received by critics and Stefani was appreciated for taking fashion seriously even though she is a celebrity. Fern Mallis of IMG praised the line and Stefani as well and said, "the L.A.M.B. line is clearly at the top of these lines and is as unique and individual as Gwen herself."[24] The shoes were well received by the critics, though considered to be pricey. Desiree Stimpert of About.com said, " ... these shoes aren't for everyone, but will most definitely appeal to fans of Ms. Stefani's music and fashion - sense."[25] Tim Stack of Entertainment Weekly said, "L.A.M.B.'s embellished tracksuits, Rasta-inspired knits, and gaucho-heel combos deliver the edge"[26] Nicole Phelps of Style.com said, "The collection, which looked like the sixties as seen by someone who grew up in the eighties, was altogether more wearable and on trend."[27] Fashion journalist Cathy Horyn of The New York Times differed and said, "If ever there was a reason for a pop star to concentrate on her vocal skills, it was Gwen Stefani’s fashion meltdown."[28]

Commercial success

The brand is sold in 275 stores worldwide[29] and is worn by celebrities including Teri Hatcher, Nicole Kidman, Paris Hilton, and Stefani herself.[30][31] L.A.M.B sales have expanded from $40 million in 2005[26] to a predicted $90 million in 2007.[8] According to a Nordstrom spokesperson, the debut of L.A.M.B.'s watch line, which sold out in two days, was the store's most successful watch launch ever.[8] The brand's designs have appeared in W, Marie Claire, Elle, Lucky and InStyle.[32]

References

  1. ^ Van Meter, Jonathan"The First Lady of Rock"Vogue Retrieved October 12, 2007
  2. ^ "First Lady Of Rock" Vogue Retrieved 24 September, 2007
  3. ^ "Billboard News" Billboard Retrieved October 13,2007
  4. ^ "Gwen Stefani’s L.A.M.B., clothing line loses head designer" frillr Retrieved October 14,2007
  5. ^ a b c Moss,Corey"Gwen Stefani's Fabric Kingdom Starts With Handbags, Wallets" MTV Retrieved November 8, 2007
  6. ^ "Stefani includes Baby Shoes in L.A.M.B line" Contactmusic Retrieved October 13,2007
  7. ^ "Weekly E-News, Issue #169, July 11, 2006" Licencemag.com Retrieved October 12, 2007
  8. ^ a b c Greenberg, Julee"Gwen Stefani keeps close tabs on L.A.M.B.(Company overview)" Retrieved September 29, 2007
  9. ^ Marsh, Lisa "Gwen Stefani: June 30, 2006" Elle Retrieved November 8, 2007
  10. ^ "Briefs: Stefani adds perfume to L.A.M.B. offerings" Pittsburgh Tribune Retrieved October 13,2007
  11. ^ "Gwen Stefani & L.A.M.B Partner With Coty to Create Signature Fragrances" TeenHollywood.com Retrieved 20 September, 2007
  12. ^ Flanagan,Noreen"Elle Canada" Elle Canada. Retrieved September 14, 2007
  13. ^ "Ebay Product Details Ebay Retrieved September 14 , 2007
  14. ^ Pytlik, Mark "Review : The Sweet Escape" Pitchfork Media Retrieved October 14, 2007
  15. ^ "Crash lyrics Retrieved October 13, 2007
  16. ^ "L" Fragrance Commercial by Gwen Stefani AOL Retrieved October 13, 2007
  17. ^ "L.A.M.B" Style.com Retrieved October 19, 2007
  18. ^ Cohan, Sarah. L.A.M.B Collection 2005 Chicago Maroon Retrieved 23 September, 2007
  19. ^ Official "Fashion Show video" Retrieved 23 September, 2007
  20. ^ a b c "L.A.M.B Fashion shows" Style.com Retrieved November 11, 2007
  21. ^ Maxwell, Alison; Freydkin, Donna; and Barker, Olivia. "Stefani tends to her L.A.M.B." USA Today. September 15, 2006. May 30, 2007.
  22. ^ Borelli, Laird"Runway Review L.A.M.B" Style.com Retrieved September 29, 2007
  23. ^ "L.A.M.B" Style.com Retrieved October 19,2007
  24. ^ a b "Stefani’s L.A.M.B. gains Fashion Week respect" msnbc.com Retrieved September 16, 2007
  25. ^ Stimpert, Desiree"L.A.M.B Shoes Retrieved 25 September, 2007
  26. ^ a b Stack, Tim"L.A.M.B. Shop" Entertainment Weekly Retrieved October 14,2007
  27. ^ Phelps, Nicole"L.A.M.B Spring 2008 Ready - to - wear" Style.com Retrieved October 18, 2007
  28. ^ Horyn, Cathy"Spring Rolls and Arm Candy" The New York Times Retrieved October 18, 2007
  29. ^ "L.A.M.B To Make $90 Million By End Of Year" Retrieved October 12, 2007
  30. ^ McGibbon, Rob. "No natural born popstar". The Daily Telegraph. May 13, 2007. Retrieved June 2, 2007.
  31. ^ Eliscu, Jenny. "Gwen Cuts Loose". Rolling Stone, issue 966. January 27, 2005. Retrieved April 17, 2005.
  32. ^ Critchell, Samantha"Gwen Stefani: just a girl with a new fashion line" Seattle Times Retrieved October 13, 2007

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See also

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