Text, Vivian G. Kelly
Images, J. Ecochard
Time & Place: mid-afternoon, Wednesday, April 23rd, at the Studio and offices on West 41st Street
We loved the easy presentation that Atelier Creative Services helped arrange that perfectly showcased the new Joseph Abboud® Components men’s sportswear label. The label was officially unveiled a few months earlier, back in February at MAGIC in Las Vegas.
The tableau of male models posed in the entrance of the showroom made a statement from the get go. Presentations such as these are our favorite way to view a collection. Unlike a traditional runway show, at a presentation, you can ask the models how the clothes fit and have a close look at the details. We were lucky enough to get a run through of the new Joseph Abboud®Components line with ALAN NEEDLEMAN, the Vice President of design.
LYRA MAG: What is Components all about?
ALAN NEEDLEMAN: It’s the spirit of what Joseph would do but made available at a traditional department store prices. We were thinking, English Country Gentlemen, light”.
LYRA MAG: Who is he targeting with this line?
ALAN NEEDLEMAN: Joseph kept the same demographic, the 35-50-something year old guy who has excellent taste but isn’t keen on keeping up with all the trends.
LYRA MAG: At first glance, it looks very Joseph Abboud, there’s lots of brown.
ALAN NEEDLEMAN: We kept to the Abboud color palette, lots of brown and some olive too.
LYRA MAG: Frankly, we’re amazed by the price points, and very pleasantly surprised.
ALAN NEEDLEMAN: Yes there’s very good value here. The bonded wool [“double face” in designer speak] blazer retails at $275. It’s also those little extras, like outerwear cuffs on a blazer that add value and interest.
With other pieces such as the bonded wool blazer and our favorite, a 3 gage lambswool cable sweater with a fun animal friendly faux fur lining, we predict that Components is going to do well at retail, even in these rough times. The sweater retails for under $200, and at that price point, customers may not hesitate to pick it up in all 3 colors.
WHEN & WHERE TO GET IT:
Available at traditional department stores beginning 7/25, when the first delivery hits the retail floor. Mr. Needleman is well aware that today’s consumer has become used to fast deliveries, partially due to masstige retailers such as H&M and Target who seem to have a new shipment on the floor every time you blink. For that reason, Components will have one delivery per month, “to introduce a new color palette and to keep things fresh.”
For more information on Joseph Abboud®Components, tel: 212.822.3100