Sunday Scoop - NYFW, latest retail & fashion news and Catalog Chatter
New York Fashion Week is wrapping up, sharing a list of catalogs readers love, the latest Fashion Finds and so many Substacks to Scroll.
Quick Hits:
According to WWD Goop did layoff approximately 39 employees as they are restructuring the business around 3 main pillars (fashion, beauty and food.) The other pillars that are no longer a priority (and therefore were impacted with redundancies) are: wellness, home, travel and sexual wellness. G.label, Goop’s fashion brand is up 51% to LY. Goop Kitchens also just raised $15 million and is valued at $90 million.
Zac Posen, his work on reigniting Old Navy, Gap, Banana Republic etc were featured in Vanessa Friedman’s latest piece for the NYTimes. “Can Zac Posen Reinvent the Gap?” (gift link to read behind paywall.) One idea that many of us can relate to, and take reassurance in, is that CEO Richard Dickson appreciated that Posen had faced failures and obstacles with his previous work. I also loved reading that Posen has brought in Tonne Goodman from Vogue, as a stylist on campaigns and Jacqueline Schnabel to curate Banana Republic stores. Will all of this work turn-around the almost $15 billion company? We have yet to see but I like that they are trying a new strategy and approach.
Chantal Fernandez wrote for The Cut about those cool Alaia “it” mary janes in “Is it Too Late to get the Alaia Flats” The tl;dr1 is maybe if having the most up-to-date cool “it” shoe is. BUT, what really stood out to me in this article were the following words to describe the shoes and the feelings wearers expressed: not slowing down, IYKYK, “passionate luxury shopper who love to stand out”, “not so precious”, “there’s so many ways you can wear them”, “splurge on the real thing and has no regrets”, comfortable, practical, fun and silly (those coming from
). Finally, a stud as a neutral. That I absolutely agree with. If you are still looking for a pair I found a navy pair here (size 40), size 36 black studded here and black on black here, a few sizes here and plenty of options on resale at Vestiaire Collective (perhaps from those looking for the next it shoe.) My $0.02, if you love it - wear it! This is more of a classic style for someone who loves a flat with a little something extra and I like the idea of a shoe bringing you joy.I grabbed the print edition of The Cut. I highly recommend. Loving the articles - especially
“Would You Rather…” and the layering article by Hanna Flanagan “This on Top of This on Top of That” (you know what I’ll say, this is a great way to increase AOV2 - convince the customer to layer more pieces for the textured style. Kidding not kidding.)
NYFW News
Booth Moore wrote a beautiful piece on the Alaia show earlier this week at the Guggenheim Museum for WWD. The Frank Lloyd Wright designed building seemed like the perfect backdrop, but after reading more about the Alaia connection to NYC it felt even more aligned. The garments are architectural masterpieces and seem so delicate at the same time. “Alaia Takes Over the Guggenheim for a New York City Spectacular., Channeling Its Past Unforgettable New York Moments”
Countdown to October 22nd when the Proenza Schouler x Sorel collab is available. This shoe popped up on the runway on 9/4 and on some fashionable feeds (
) right after the Spring/Summer 2025 Runway Show. You can read more about it here from Marie Claire.Nobody does it like
- she shares 6 emerging designers from NYFW to look out for and tries on amazing pieces by the designers at Absolutely Fabrics in Toronto Canada. “6 Emerging Designers To Watch at NYFW + Trying-On Their In-Season Collections at Absolutely Fabrics”Literary Sport, I mentioned in the Deep Dive Thursday stating: “But it appears to feel like The Row, High Sport and Tracksmith got together for a jog and brunch.” And I have a few more details to share. Literary Sport is scheduled to launch 9/27 direct to consumer with a select group of retailers in the future. They're primarily centered on "the pursuit of sport," with an emphasis on running apparel. With a twist – they're drawing inspiration from fashion, literature, and art to create clothes that look sleek while supporting your workout. I’m excited to check out as I’m always looking for fitness wear that's both functional and stylish. I love workout apparel that I don’t feel odd wearing all day (as I start the day with an intention to workout even if I have to slot it in at the end of the day.)
Literary Sport - Runners Take Your Mark for 9.27.24
Catalog Chatter
After we collectively cheered about the return of print and catalogs thanks to J. Crew (I’ll continue to tag
on this one because she’s been pointing out this trend.) I received a request from a reader for other catalogs to enjoy. There were some great mentions (you can read the full recap here in Substack Chats) and here are a few I can recommend too:Me + Em - I also popped into the store and there are so many great new items like this waxed cotton country jacket, these pinstripe jogger pants, a military cropped jacket/blazer and this statement silk midi dress.
Buck Mason - did you know they launched eyewear? I have this top and wear regularly, I also love this stripe top with the same extra wide sleeves.
- asked about the Ikea catalog and also mentioned these favorites: Boden, Neimans (love the holiday catalog!) and Poetry. Also she pointed out that Boden, Me + Em and Poetry are all UK based brands - interesting!)
L.L. Bean was always a classic in my house and now I also enjoy Kule, Jenni Kayne (the chocolate story looks great), Veronica Beard, Cuyana and AYR.
Parachute - and did you see they now pair their robes with these cool Birkenstocks???!! We have a bunch of Parachute bedding and I love it.
I don’t have the data - but I am curious about sustainability efforts for print vs digital. Is one much better than the other? Does anyone have the data to back it up? My quick google search tells me both have environmental impacts and neither are “particularly green.”
Any more catalogs to recommend? Share in the comments so we can check them out.
Fashion Finds
Are you familiar with Tonywack? I saw these jackets at Bergdorf Goodman and I thought they 1) looked great 2) were well priced and 3) aren’t everywhere if you are looking for something different. Tonywack is a line out of South Korea for men and women offering “less is more” in a minimalist design.
Everlane is looking good - I have this Anorak on my radar and while the Everywhere Pant doesn’t have the popular/more trendy barrel leg shape it feels like an easy adjacent option.
Another impressive new Fall delivery, Tanya Taylor. In the store I loved: a pointelle turtleneck (adding to the pointelle round-up here. I keep adding every week so if you don’t have one in your closet yet this is the basic top to add to your fall wardrobe. So universal) If you are looking for interesting tops to wear with jeans or skirts - check this out and this is a beautiful cream dress (I wish it came in black.)
If you are looking for a colorful basic t-shirt, I love this bright and happy color palette from Still Here NYC.
Perhaps the easiest way to add popular Fall 2024 chocolate brown into your wardrobe, these beautiful chocolate and black pointed flats. You will also love the 5mm of plush foam padding in the footbed. It makes a huge difference.
Top links this week:
we love Alex Mill - especially a cozy sweatshirt, the impeccable jacket and a red cardigan as a top.
J.Crew nailed these jackets and the marketing of this Fall delivery. (Did you see their NYFW party? It looked fabulous with plenty of inspiration for how to wear the new delivery.)
A tennis necklace from Dorsey that was made for layering or glitters perfectly as a simple strand.
Releasing on Tuesday September 10th, in advance of the Presidential Debate, La Ligne is releasing a Limited Edition T-Shirt in partnership with Cleo Wade for $65 with 100% of the proceeds going to When We All Vote (a bipartisan organization.) I love the nod to Notting Hill.
La Ligne x Cleo Wade When We All Vote t-shirt
🛍️ Quick note: I write a lot (too much good stuff to share!) so if you’re reading via email only, you may need to click through to the web version or read on the Substack app. I promise it will be worth it. 🛍️
Substacks to Scroll
We have a lot of reading to catch up on. Or at least I did (apparently I’m happily subscribed to 300 Substacks now.)
- did a fantastic write-up all about a love for Chloé right now and suede and studs. She has my attention.
While we are looking for fashion inspo, take it from
with “On My Mind: Vintage Ralph Lauren.”For Labor Day and history of the Russian and Eastern European Jewish women immigrants that worked in clothing factories and the garment industry, I so appreciated this lesson from
“For Tillie” in honor of her great-grandmother.Since I’m not a “horse girl” I appreciate that
broke it down for us in “A History of Equestrian Style.” Love seeing the Coach, Hermés and Burberry logos side by side.I discovered
via Eva Chen’s Instagram Stories and I immediately subscribed (the name of the Substack is Market Appointment - how much fun is that??!!) and this post “Fashion in San Francisco?” I love it.
One last read, looking for another article I came across this 2016 article about the J. Crew Downtown Field Jacket (you’ll remember the jacket - and I found a bunch here, here, here with the original catalog image, here - and is that
in the image!, one more here) and thought it was interesting given the discourse today about individual style. “In Praise of Wearing the Same Thing as Everyone Else.”
Enjoy your Sunday Scoop. xx
Sarah Shapiro
What’s Next
More fun Fashion Week(s) news as we move on to London next (then Milan and Paris…but you know the drill.) I’m hoping to have a few more fun posts next week to dive a little deeper into Retail Strategy and one more with Fall Fashion Trend Forecast. There is a chance your Deep Dive for next week will arrive on Friday instead of Thursday. Hope we can all handle a little adjustment (and when I say “we” I mean me.)
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tl;dr = too long, didn’t read. consider this my Cliff Notes version
AOV = Average Order Volume
Thank you for the shout out!! 💚 And I don’t think I’ve been as excited for a brand launch as I have been for Literary Sport- you got such good intel! (As always) It’s such a gap in my wardrobe believe it or not, even though there are some great athleisure brands out there - it all ends up feeling and looking the same. Curious what the price points might be! If it’s The Row level I sadly may only be buying one piece lol
Oh that La Ligne shirt!!!! So good 🗳️