Talbots: Searching for a New Identity … Again

Recent brand-saving efforts to go young crashed and burned.

Posted by Janelle Nanos on 12/7/2011 at 12:01PM | 1 Comment

So that whole “we’re going to reinvent ourselves” thing that Talbots was doing in an effort to save their brand? It doesn’t seem to be working out so well, as the company recently announced that it’s letting go of its CEO, Trudy Sullivan, after her four years at the helm of the struggling brand. This comes on the tail of their announcement in September that they’d be firing Michael Smaldone, their chief creative officer, who was in charge of the overall vision of the company. In their statement announcing Sullivan’s departure, the Talbots’ reps said that they’d be cutting 100 jobs from their Hingham headquarters and will be putting their advertising on hold as well (that means, sorry, no more Julianne Moore ads). READ MORE

Talbots CEO’s Sweet Severance Package On Her Way Out The Failing Red Doors

Posted by daily feed on 12/7/2011 at 8:52AM | No Comments

Talbots CEO’s Sweet Severance Package On Her Way Out The Failing Red Doors. The once-mighty clothing line is clearly on its way out, facing a new — and all things considered, pretty generous — takeover bid by a New York investor group. But this won’t stop Trudy Sullivan, the CEO once meant to save the dying brand, from walking away with a $5 million cash payment.  [Boston Business Journal]

Black Friday in Boston

Shopping deals and tips for your local retail loves.

Posted by boston daily on 11/17/2011 at 7:00AM | No Comments

iStockphoto

Walking shoes? Check. Emergency trail mix? Yep. Water bottle? Grab another — it’s important to stay hydrated and pumped on Black Friday, if you’re going to have any chance of keeping up with the stampede of early Christmas shoppers. Fortunately for you, late planners, we’ve rounded up a host of different shops around Boston that are ready to offer deep discounts and brilliant gifts for everyone on your list – from your hipster friend to the holiday extremist in your family. – Becca Fox and Meara Hamidiani

 

Magic Beans: For Babies and New Parents
As the holiday season sneaks up on us, it’s about that time to start shopping for toys, car seats, diaper bags, strollers, cribs, and anything toddler or baby-related because – let’s face it – it’s all about them. With locations in in Brookline, Hingham, Cambridge, and Wellesley, Magic Beans children’s store is offering a 20 percent discount on purchases of up to $200 made through AisleBuyer on Black Friday weekend, and is extending a 10 percent discount until December 24. So take advantage of the sale next weekend, or check out the website and peruse the baby gear top 10 list – Itzy Ritzy “Wet Happened?” zippered wet bag, anyone?

312 Harvard Ave., Brookline and other locations. Visit mbeans.com for more info.

Salmagundi: For Your Hipster Friend
If you’re on the hunt for hats, choose from a selection of more than 8,000 at Salmagundi in Jamaica Plain. While the store offers the largest and most eclectic selection of customizable hats in New England, it also prides itself on offering an array of jewelry, scarves, gloves, bow-ties, coats, dresses, belts, wallets, and – for that extra kick of holiday cheer – flasks. Salmagundi already claims to have competitive prices and doesn’t usually have sales, but throughout Black Friday weekend, everything in the store will be 10 percent off.

765 Centre St., Jamaica Plain. Visit salmagundiboston.com for more info.

Second Time Around: For the Clothes-Lover (Possibly You)
Hark! We’ve found another excuse for you to put a Newbury Street dent in your wallet. From 7-9 a.m. on Black Friday, pop into any Second Time location for 50 percent off everything in the store, and enjoy at least 30 percent everything from Black Friday through Sun., November 27. Find the latest trends by some of the most renowned designers without wiping out your bank account. Double win!

176 Newbury St., Boston and other locations; Visit secondtimearound.net for more info.

Blues Jean Bar: Your Boyfriend Whose Beloved Jeans Are Finally Falling Apart
Feeling denim crazed? The Blues Jean Bar, located on Newbury Street, features more than 40 different designer jean lines for men and women, as well as other apparel, shoes, and accessories. In store, you can “order up” a particular brand, size, wash, and style at the central bar made from old growth wood and surrounded by wooden barstools. What’s more, on Black Friday, the Blues Jean Bar will be offering 20 percent off everything.

85 Newbury St., Boston; Visit thebluesjeanbar.com for more info.

Zinnia Jewelry: For Your Mom
Zinnia, a family owned jewelry store located in Cambridge and Burlington, Vt., boasts a fine, hand-picked variety of jewelry from sterling silver rings to colorful Bohemian-type beaded necklaces. Whether you are looking to snag a bunch of low-priced stocking stuffers or treat your loved ones (or yourself) to high-end designer accessories, Zinnia could have just what you are looking for. During Black Friday weekend, the store is offering half off selected fashion and sterling silver items.

1300 Mass. Ave., Cambridge. Visit ilovezinnia.com for more info.

Holiday Boutique: For Anyone who likes Ruffles
Since its 2002 opening by proprietress Jessika Goranson, Holiday Boutique has offered “all things pretty” – women’s apparel and accessories by various designers, including Alicia Bell, Eryn Brinie, Geren Ford, Mimi & Coco, Lauren Moffatt, and so many more. Holiday’s signature collection features handmade skirts, dresses, and tops of all different materials and colors. From now through the end of fall, the boutique is having a 50 percent off fall merchandise sale. Are you ready, ladies?

53 Charles St., Boston. Visit holidayboutique.net for more info.

Moxie: For Shoe-aholics
For footwear on a dime, check out Moxie on Charles St. They’re coining their Black Friday sales as “Flat Friday”, offering 20 percent off all flats in the store. It doesn’t stop there — all Tori Burch flats are 10 percent off (and you know they never go on sale!), so show those feet some love.

51 Charles St., Boston. Visit moxieboston.com for more info.

Photo by Jared Leeds, originally published in our August 2011 Best of Boston issue.

Forty Winks: For Yourself or Your Girlfriend
For those looking to sidestep Black Friday entirely, try ‘Small Business Saturday‘ — a retail holiday held the Saturday after Thanksgiving, kickstarted by American Express and trying to make inroads into Boston. Boston’s top lingerie store Forty Winks won’t be doing anything special for Friday, but they will be offering customers 10 percent off their entire purchase on between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m on Saturday. It’s a good way to get a slightly higher chance at parking and fantastic holiday sleepwear and unmentionables for the cold nights ahead.

56 JFK St., Cambridge. Visit shopfortywinks.com for more info.

Blackstone’s of Beacon Hill: For the Christmas Extremist
Go for seasonal décor, raffles every hour, and a chance for guests to pay a $5 fundraising token for a chance to win a $600 bag from by Mad Bay Designs. Friday also offers up a book signing for The Last Shepard & Tales of the Tenth Ornament, written by co-owner Marc Duffield and illustrated by his sister (both to be in the store). The signing continues on Saturday, but American Express cardholders can also enjoy 10 percent off all purchases. Kitchenwares by Blackstone’s on Newbury St. will share the 10 percent discount.

46 Charles St., Boston. Visit blackstonesbeaconhill.com for more info.

 

Belichick, Enough with the Cut-Off Hoodies

Posted by Courtney Hollands on 9/15/2011 at 11:16AM | 7 Comments

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: Enough with the cut-off hoodies, Bill Belichick. How many sweats will have to die for your fashion crimes? It’s frustrating enough to watch you pacing the sidelines in the same grubby bro-wear every week, so you can imagine my shock and horror when the NFL network dressed several of the Boston’s famed statues — including Mayor James Michael Curley, John Singleton Copley, and oddly, the tortoise and the hare in Copley Square — in matching sweatshirts sans arms (of course) yesterday to promote the premiere of “Bill Belichick: A Football Life” tonight. (Clearly this was a play ripped from the Bruins fans’ book; who could forget the “Make Way for Ducklings” statue suited up in mini jersey-capes before the Stanley Cup Finals?) READ MORE

Tonight: First-Ever Fashion’s Night Out Along Newbury Street

Posted by daily feed on 9/8/2011 at 8:13AM | No Comments

Tonight: First-Ever Fashion’s Night Out Along Newbury Street. For the first time in 15 years, Newbury Street will shut down to motorists as retailers and designers open their doors for a night of parties, cocktails, and special deals. The event, founded in NYC by Anna Wintour, will set the tone for Boston Fashion Week, which kicks off Sept. 23.  [MyFoxBoston.com]

Talbots Posts Huge Losses; and, BTW, Is Looking for a New Creative Director

Posted by daily feed on 9/7/2011 at 5:29PM | No Comments

Talbots Posts Huge Losses; and, BTW, Is Looking for a New Creative Director. It seems like those two statements go hand-in-hand. Looks like those styles might not be saving the retailer after all.  [WWD.com]

GQ Strikes Again, This Time for Zuckerberg and Priebatsch

Posted by Shannon Fischer on 8/9/2011 at 9:28AM | No Comments

GQ, yes, the painfully-fashionable publication that recently took issue with Boston’s collective wardrobe, is back at it. This time, it’s technical: specifically, 15 of the worst-dressed men in tech, including our very own Seth Priebatsch and our briefly-own Mark Zuckerberg, both known for their social tech platforms and their respectively eye-shatteringly orange and blue/gray-and-denim wardrobes.

Honorable mentions include Bill Gates, Steve Jobs, and Ben Huh, of ICanHasCheezburger (and, apparently, also of 80′s throwback cat T-shirts). READ MORE

Deal Hunters: Unite!

Posted by Courtney Hollands on 8/4/2011 at 2:22PM | 3 Comments

As if your inbox weren’t crowded enough with the crush of daily emails from local deal sites Groupon, Eversave, Buy With Me, LivingSocial, et al., Fort Lauderdale company Saveology has jumped into the mix. The start-up is currently in 28 markets and has amassed more than 4.5 million followers, according to a press release — recent deals have included iTunes and Dunkin’ Donuts gift cards (a no brainer in these parts).

In other frugal news: Boston-based Rue La La is expanding its city-specific deals platform Rue Local to San Francisco, Miami, and Chicago. (It’s already live in Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, New York City, Philadelphia, Seattle, and Boston, of course.) Rue’s offerings are a bit more luxe than coffee cards — today’s deal is a $100 facial and massage package at Daryl Christopher Wellness Salon and Spa. READ MORE

Finally, A Little Love for Boston Street Style

Posted by daily feed on 7/29/2011 at 8:03AM | No Comments

Finally, A Little Love for Boston Street Style. After all of the hating Boston got from GQ, CNN deems Boston’s style “practical and whimsy” in a photo feature/Q&A on fab fashion outside of NYC, Milan and Paris. [CNN.com]

Why Don’t Abercrombie & Fitch Models Show Their Faces?

Posted by Rachel Slade on 7/29/2011 at 7:00AM | No Comments

As Grampa Simpson once said: “I used to be with it, but then they changed what it was. Now what I’m with isn’t it, and what’s it seems weird and scary to me, and it’ll happen to you, too.”

So true, Gramps. I recently boarded a crowded train, settled into my two-square-feet of available space, then spent the next 10 minutes face-to-abs with a guy so enraptured by his belly button that he forgot to close the barn door. It’s that Abercrombie & Fitch fellow. I know, I know — it’s summertime on the T — but most of us figure out how to keep cool without exposing our, um, pubic outer boroughs. It seems that while I was busy deciphering ESRB ratings on my kids’ video games, ad folks co-opted the male torso to sell everything from tween clothes to Vaseline. READ MORE
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