Balenciaga is a fashion house founded by Cristóbal Balenciaga, a Spanish designer, born in the Basque Country. He had a reputation as a couturier of uncompromising standards and was referred to as “the master of us all” by Christian Dior. His bubble skirts and odd, feminine, yet ultra-modern shapes were trademarks of the house.

Today the brand is most famous for its line of motorcycle-inspired handbags, especially the famous “Lariat.” Balenciaga has four exclusive boutiques in the United States. One Balenciaga store is located on 22nd St in New York,NY. A second store is located in Los Angeles, CA on Melrose Avenue. Recently, a third store opened at the famous shopping center South Coast Plaza, in Costa Mesa, CA. This store is 1200 square feet and includes coffin-like inset displays. The New York and Los Angeles boutiques carry both men’s and women’s ready-to-wear, while the South Coast Plaza boutique carries only women’s clothing. The most recent store, located in Las Vegas inside Caesers Palace, carries only accessories.

Balenciaga Woodbury Commons is coming sometime in April, 2009. Follow Woodburycommons on Twitter to be the first to know!

While we do not yet know what special features the Woodbury Commons store will have, if it is anything like the other stores it will truly be amazing! Here is an additional description of each unique store:

The central concept of each Balenciaga store is a futuristic and luxurious environment, a landscape to wander through and discover. A geometric, graphic and organic atmosphere reigns in the stores, consistent with the collections developed by Nicolas Ghesquière.  The stores feature a mix of natural, raw and artificial materials. The light changes in the artificial sky, giving an impression of climatic, seasonal and time changes — from sunrise to noon, from cloudy to sunny, a concept developed by Benoit Lalloz. White modular display structures, made of metallic lacquered poles, are placed throughout the landscape. Common elements of designs include the artificial “black asteroid” used as cash register, and the “iceberg” used as an accessory display.  

The Paris flagship features a cave animated by asteroids and lit by sparkling colored lights, with an underground “pool passage”.

The New York flagship store picks up on the concept of interactive rocks and lightning, but within a much more raw environment reflective of the industrial character of the store’s 22nd Street location.

The Milan Balenciaga flagship is an unrivaled luxury experience in Milan: 400 square meters on two levels, with Indian gold marble paving stones in random geometric shapes. While keeping to the historic features of the building such as the wood painted ceiling, an innovative lighting system has been carefully elaborated, articulated around a metallic beam, inspired by space shuttle robotic arms,  for the first floor.  On the ground floor, the lighting is set up as to recreate a starlit sky. Both floors are connected by a futuristic metallic staircase.

The House of Balenciaga creates women’s and men’s ready-to-wear, shoes and accessories, sold worldwide.

Designed with sophistication in mind, Tommy Bahama offers relaxed sportswear that looks as good as it feels. Easy fitting pieces in comfortable, luxurious fabrics bring a sense of casual elegance to any occasion. Prints are tropical in inspiration yet sophisticated in their execution. From golf to dinner, luxurious wovens & knits complete the casual offering for the well-heeled man.

Designed with sophistication in mind, Tommy Bahama offers relaxed sportswear that looks as good as it feels. Easy fitting pieces in comfortable, luxurious fabrics bring a sense of casual elegance to any occasion. Prints are tropical in inspiration yet sophisticated in their execution. From golf to dinner, luxurious wovens & knits complete the casual offering for the well-heeled man.

Carving a niche and denim-inspired at its core, Indigo Palms is laidback and discriminating in style. Casual denim bottoms are complimented by an assortment of woven button down shirts and knits that range from funky and fun to simple and classic. Let the draw of premium fabrics and a full range of styles keep your look classic or ever-changing with the trends.

Carving a niche and denim-inspired at its core, Indigo Palms is laidback and discriminating in style. Casual denim bottoms are complimented by an assortment of woven button down shirts and knits that range from funky and fun to simple and classic. Let the draw of premium fabrics and a full range of styles keep your look classic or ever-changing with the trends.

Tommy Bahama Golf 18 launched in January 2006 at the PGA Show in Orlando, FL, taking the luxury island lifestyle brand from the clubhouse to the links. This highly innovative collection embodies vibrant, sun drenched colors and a relaxed attitude with technical fabrics. The Tommy Bahama Golf 18 product offering is a full collection of golf apparel for both men & women, available at green grass shops and golf resorts nationwide.

Tommy Bahama Golf 18 launched in January 2006 at the PGA Show in Orlando, FL, taking the luxury island lifestyle brand from the clubhouse to the links. This highly innovative collection embodies vibrant, sun drenched colors and a relaxed attitude with technical fabrics. The Tommy Bahama Golf 18 product offering is a full collection of golf apparel for both men & women, available at green grass shops and golf resorts nationwide.

Capturing the relaxed elegance of the Tommy Bahama lifestyle, the Swim collections are perfect to take with you to the pool, beach or your favorite getaway. Exquisite fabrics are utilized in one and two-piece silhouettes and cover-ups that are sexy and sophisticated.

The Company owns or licenses the brand names under which most of our products are sold. Our portfolio of brand names includes Perry Ellis®, John Henry®, Axis®, Manhattan®, PING® and Mondo di Marco® for dress casual wear, Cubavera®, the Havanera Co.®, Natural Issue®, Munsingwear®, Farah®, Savane®, Tricots St. Raphael®, and Grand Slam® for casual sportswear, Perry Ellis America® and Natural Issue® for jeans wear, PING®, Perry Ellis® and Munsingwear® for golf sportswear, Pro Player® and Perry Ellis America® for active wear, and Jantzen®, Southpoint®, and Nike® brands for swimwear and swimwear accessories.

Perry Ellis’ distribution channels include regional, national and international department stores, national and regional chain stores, mass merchants, green grass (i.e., golf related), specialty stores and corporate wear distributors through the United States, Puerto Rico and Canada. Our largest customers include Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., J.C. Penney Company, Inc., Mervyn’s, Kohl’s Corporation, and Sears Roebuck & Co.

The Company also licenses its proprietary brands to third parties for the manufacture and marketing of various products, some of which Perry Ellis does not sell, including men’s and women’s footwear, fragrances, underwear, active wear, loungewear, and outerwear. In addition to generating additional sources of revenue, these licensing arrangements raise the overall awareness of the brands.

Through its “family of brands” marketing strategy, Perry Ellis develops and enhances a distinct brand, styling and pricing strategy for each product category within each distribution channel and target consumer. The Company also produces goods sold under the private label program of its various retail customers. In all, Perry Ellis markets its brands to a wide range of segments, targeting consumers in specific age, income and ethnic groups.

Perry Ellis believes that its competitive strengths position it well to capitalize on several trends that have affected the apparel sector in recent years. These trends include the consolidation of the department and chain store sectors into a smaller number of stronger retailers, which represent some of our most important customers; the increased reliance of retailers on reliable suppliers with design expertise and advanced systems and technology; and the continued importance of strong brands as a source of product differentiation.

Perry Ellis primarily contracts for the manufacture of its products through a worldwide network of quality manufacturers. The company currently uses approximately 130 independent suppliers, located in the Far East, other parts of Asia, Africa and South and Central America. Perry Ellis believes that its extensive sourcing experience enables it to obtain quality products on a cost-effective basis.

History

Benetton is available in 120 countries around the world with a strong italian character whose style, quality and passion are easily seen in its brands: the casual United Colors of Benetton, the glamour oriented Sisley, Playlife American college style and Killer Loop streetwear.

The Group has a total yearly production of about 160 million garments and a distribution network of more than 5,500 stores, mainly managed by independent partners, generating a total sales of over 2 billion euro.

Established in 1965, Benetton is now controlled by Edizione Holding (a holding company wholly owned by the Benetton Family) with a 67% stake. It listed on the stock exchanges in Milan in 1986 and in Frankfurt in 1988.

Cultural and Social Activities

Benetton has a long history of attention to ethical values and involvement in social and cultural initiatives. Surely the most visible are their institutional campaigns, touching social themes of wide international significance and often in cooperation with renown international organizations. Their social commitment, in fact, goes beyond these campaigns, with initiatives of both international and local impact. These include, on an international level, the Leleque Museum in Patagonia, or the Pivano Library, dedicated primarily to American literature. Locally, the Benetton Foundation focuses on issues relating to the preservation and promotion of local heritage, reflecting the strong links which the Group has traditionally maintained with its territorial roots.

Sport also plays an important role in Benetton with their commitment ranging from rugby to volleyball to basketball and our now sold Formula One racing team.

Brands

United Colors of Benetton
A global brand, and one of the most well known in the world, United Colors of Benetton has an international style that combines color, energy and practicality. The womenswear, menswear, childrenswear and underwear collections offer a total look for everyday, for work and for leisure, in the city and outdoors.

The brand is broadening its horizons, expanding into new areas of merchandise from the exclusive eyewear line (Dress Your Face!) to perfumes, from Home Collection to baby products. The above products are available in select specialized shops worldwide.

Undercolors of Benetton
An extension of the Benetton brand, featuring underwear, beachwear and sleepwear collections, as well as accessories for women, men and children. A wide selection of recurring basic colors is enriched every season with the latest trends.

Undercolors is available in its own chain of stores which now has more than 500 locations in thirty countries and in selected Benetton Shops.

Sisley
This is the Group’s most trend-setting brand, at the forefront of fashion. Season after season, its bold, forceful collections full of fashion ideas set the trends for young, dynamic women and men. Its creative artists and sales team concentrate their efforts on its image and on strong-impact advertising campaigns.

Playlife
This is the Benetton sportswear brand that redefines a style. Its clean and elegant collections display a blend of the American college, exclusive sports clubs and a strong sense of individuality. The brand’s new store concept reflects the same values and highlights their emotional content.

Killer Loop
A fashion brand for young adults, with a resolute and distinctive style. It is inspired by teenagers’ favorite role models and icons. Killer Loop is the Benetton brand that edgily interprets “street” vibrations.