Cadillac and the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) announced the launch of the Retail Lab, an innovative program providing tangible value to designers who are driving the fashion industry forward. The main component of Retail Lab will be a custom retail shop located on the ground floor of Cadillac’s global headquarters in New York. Participating designers, selected through a competitive application process, will gain valuable retail experience under the tutelage of fashion industry experts.
Six designers will be part of the 2016/2017 term, each opening their respective retail shop for three months while under the mentorship program. The inaugural fashion designer is Timo Weiland, whose shop will open to the public in early July.
Since Timo Weiland launched the brand with Alan Eckstein and Donna Kang in 2010, the collection, which is built around the ethos of clothes to live in, has developed a following with celebrities like Kerry Washington, Elizabeth Banks, Elijah Wood, and Andrew Garfield.
“Our ongoing partnership with the CFDA represents Cadillac’s unwavering commitment to the fashion community and its growth,” said Melody Lee, Director, Brand Strategy & Planning at Cadillac. “Retail Lab will give designers a space in the heart of Cadillac’s headquarters, along with the tools, training and inspiration to take their business to the next level.”
The Retail Lab program is funded by Cadillac and features key elements integral to success in retail, including business development, marketing and PR. In addition to covering costs associated with a retail space, such as real estate, display units, mannequins, signage and point of sale system, Cadillac will provide each designer with a $75,000 grant to put towards wholesale buys, sales support and marketing.
The CFDA and Cadillac have assembled a team of experts across fashion, retail, business and technology to comprise the Advisory Board, who will curate the program curriculum, develop a Retail Lab handbook and provide valuable mentorship guidance throughout. The Advisory Board consists of Billy Reid; Bobby Schuessler, Who What Wear; Darcy Penick, Shopbop /East Dane; Jan-Hendrik Schlottmann, Derek Lam; Jay Silver, CBiz; Josh Peskowitz, Magasin; Julie Gilhart; Kelli Adams, Redscout; Liz Rodbell, Hudson Bay Company; Marigay McKee, MM Luxe Consulting; Matt Marcotte; Melody Lee, Cadillac; Rachel Besser, Market Editor, Refinery29; Rachel Shechtman, STORY; Reed Krakoff; Robin Kramer, Kramer Design Group; Robin Zendell, Robin Zendell LLC; Simon Doonan, Barneys New York; Stacey Bendet Eisner, Alice + Olivia, and Steven Alan.
“The CFDA is always looking for meaningful programs that help strengthen the impact of American Fashion,” said Steven Kolb, President and CEO of the CFDA. “Every designer aspires to a freestanding retail experience that allows them to tell their brand story and connect directly with consumers. Cadillac’s commitment to the industry will help the selected designers make this a reality.”
The Retail Lab application process will be open from April 6th through May 6th. Five designers will be chosen by the Advisory Board and announced at the end of May for the 2016/2017 term. Eligible designer will need to meet the following criteria:
Must be 18 years of age or older
Be American or have established a primary design business in the United States
Be in business for a minimum of 3 years
Be a designer of demonstrable talent, i.e. have garnered substantial editorial coverage
Have support (orders) from notable wholesale retailers
Be able to demonstrate sales growth during their time in business
Does not have current stand-alone retail location
Be able to occupy the Retail Lab space for a maximum of 3 months, inclusive of producing and providing inventory for the store
Open to womenswear, menswear, or accessory designers
Open to both CFDA and non-CFDA members
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ABOUT CADILLAC
Cadillac has been a leading luxury auto brand since 1902. Today Cadillac is growing globally, driven by an expanding product portfolio featuring distinctive design and technology. More information on Cadillac appears at www.cadillac.com. Cadillac’s media website with information, images and video can be found at media.cadillac.com.
ABOUT THE CFDA
The Council of Fashion Designers of America, Inc, (CFDA) was founded in 1962 and aims to strengthen the impact of American Fashion in the global economy. In addition to hosting the CFDA Fashion Awards, the organization owns the Fashion Calendar and stages the bi-annual New York Fashion Week: Men’s. Other initiatives include the CFDA {Fashion Incubator} and the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund as well as several Scholarship and charitable programs. For more information, please visit www.CFDA.com, facebook.com/cfda, twitter.com/cfda, cfda.tumblr.com, and youtube.com/cfdatv.
ABOUT TIMO WEILAND
Co-founded in 2010 by Timo Weiland, Alan Eckstein and Donna Kang, Timo Weiland is a New York based Womens and Menswear brand. Built around the ethos of creating clothes to live in, the collections are inspired by the multifaceted lifestyles of the designers and those around them. Drawing from a shared love of music, travel and contemporary culture, Timo Weiland presents an updated take on classic American sensibilities. Known for eclectic combinations of fabrics and detailing, the collection places focus on quality and wearability, while injecting touches of the designers’ distinct brand of playfulness. Modern prep meets streetwear, with a touch of romance, the brand encompasses the adventurous spirit of New York City.
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