Text, Vivian G. Kelly
Images all, Judith Ecochard except for group portrait, courtesy of Harrison & Schriftman PR
WHAT: A COMING OUT PARTY IN NYC FOR KIRA PLASTININA’S US LAUNCH
TWEENS EVERYWHERE, GET READY! KIRA PLASTININA ANNOUNCES HER ARRIVAL TO THE BIG APPLE.
WHEN: Wednesday, January 13th, 5:00pm
WHERE: Starlight Studios
WHY: Because we can always use another fashion-forward contemporary clothing and accessory resource that retails at H&M prices!
ABOUT KIRA PLASTININA
THE US PLAN: Remember those social study/history classes in Middle School when you learned about “manifest destiny”? That’s similar to Ms. Plastinina’s plans for her brand in the US. She will start her US rollout in Manhattan, in more than one location, and rightfully so. These days, with the over-crowded marketplace and vendors screaming for attention, the hard reality is that you have to be willing to spend some money to build a brand, The necessary package includes: the services of a top of the line PR firm – check – she’s retained Harrison & Shriftman, a top strategic consultant – she’s got none other than the legendary Marvin Traub of Marvin Traub Associates, storefronts in prime real estate space – check – she’ll be opening in Soho, NYC and in the trend Robertson Avenue area in LA. Last but not least, there’s bound to be an advertising campaign, which reflects the designer’s undiluted vision of his/her brand. We look forward to seeing when it breaks.
WHO’S BEHIND THE BRAND?
Sergei Plastinin, is the main creator and financier behind his daughter's line. He’s also the co-founder and shareholder of Russian dairy and fruit company Wimm-Bill-Dann Foods, publicly traded company [NYSE: WBD] with a market capitalization of $4.4 billion.
He founded Kira Plastinina, in 2006. So far there are 20 stores in Russia, [nine in Moscow] and $20+ million in sales in the first year. 20 more stores are scheduled to open in the next 12 months.
Starting in spring 2008, Mr. Plastinin plans to expand globally beginning in the U.S. The brand will open ten to twelve stores in New York and Los Angeles and an additional fifty stores stateside in the next three years. The first stores will open in downtown NYC [Houston and Broadway] and in LA’s trendy Third Street Promenade.
HIGHLIGHTS:
Lots of pink and pastels with plenty of sequin embellishement. A perfect example – Ms. Plastinina’s party frock – a short pink and silver sequined tank dress over a white tee.
While the all-pink styled “dream bedroom” and fun designs at the party spoke of a lighthearted teenage girl, Ms. Plastinina appears to be taking her namesake company quite seriously. She will be spending the summer studying at Central St. Martin’s College in London, an excellent idea for someone who plans on making a career in fashion design.