Nowadays, luxury brands suing and publicly slandering mass market and contemporary labels for knocking-off their designs has become common.
Allen Schwartz, founder and designer of the contemporary label A.B.S., is one of the original knock-off masters. After every major awards show, you can always find A.B.S. versions of the night’s most memorable dresses available in stores at lightning speed .
The brand has enjoyed tremendous success and has been able to keep a good name. Now comes the news that Allen Schwartz and his label are branching into the missy market with licensing partner P2F Holdings. Schwartz’s new line will be called ‘Essentials by A.B.S.’ and will hit Dillard’s and Nordstrom.com in the fall of 2009.
The line will consists of 180 pieces – blouses, skirts, jackets, and a variety of dresses in bold colors and prints. Prices will range from $65 to $129. Most dresses and jackets will be priced at $99.
The Los Angeles-based Schwartz remarked that the venture is a whole new category and partnership for his brand and that since he has been doing a lot of licensing, the new line was a natural choice. As for P2F, they have said that the partnership was a chance for them to make their mark in the women’s wear market (they’re mainly known for working with private label lines for young men’s streetwear and premium denim).
So far, the wears look easy to wear and versatile, but we’ll have to wait till the fall to see the full line-up.
