by The Editors on October 22, 2012
Looks like the Frends headphone line has swerved from its former mission of only targeting dirty shreds to also offering a high-end fashion headphone line specifically aimed at women. The website update features super models and glossy photos from photographer Kenneth Capello to help make the push. Girlfrends?
The new headphones feature “jewelry inspired designs, genuine leather and hand crafted metal, soft touch fabrics, memory foam ear cushions and premium 40 mm drivers.” The Taylor Rosegold headphone sells for $199. The Ella Gold earbuds sell for $99.
Well, the product looks solid and they are differentiating themselves from that other headphone company. Oh, wait. . .
[Link: Frends]
by The Editors on October 22, 2012
The Australian Shareholders Association was forced to take back a few things it said about why Billabong founder Gordon Merchant and Colette Paull should be voted off the board after Billabong’s largest shareholder had lawyers contact the ASA, according to a story in the Sydney Morning Herald.
The ASA has now said: ”It was not correct for the ASA to state that Mr Merchant ‘effectively prevented’ the board from ‘accepting an offer of $3.30’.” . . It also accepts that the board made a unanimous decision not to allow due diligence by TPG when it made a $3.30 a share indicative offer and said: ”It is incorrect for the ASA to suggest that Mr Merchant should have known of any ‘perilous financial position”’ before his decision to reject the original offer in February.
With those retractions the ASA still believes Merchant and Colette Paull should be removed from the board for the good of the company.
[Link: Sydney Morning Herald]
by The Editors on October 22, 2012
Don’t let the financial trouble at Billabong and Quiksilver suggest that all is not well in the action fashion industry. There’s no problem if you’re VF Corp. In financial results released today VF says they’re total revenues are up 14 percent, their gross margin is up to a record 46.7, their operating margin has reached 17.5 percent and that all adds up to a record quarter. And the “Outdoor & Action Sports group helped out.
Excluding Timberland, Outdoor & Action Sports operating income rose 16 percent and operating margin increased 220 basis points to an all-time high of 25.7 percent compared with 23.5 percent in the 2011 period. On a GAAP basis, operating income for the coalition increased 29 percent with a flat year-over-year operating margin, reflecting the impact of Timberland. . . Double-digit constant dollar revenue growth in Outdoor & Action Sports should continue in the fourth quarter, driven by strong performance by The North Face® and Vans® brands. Both brands should benefit from new store openings, and comp store and e-commerce growth, supported by higher levels of marketing spending in key regions. For the full year, Outdoor & Action Sports revenues are expected to grow at the higher end of the 25-30 percent range provided in February 2012, with constant dollar organic revenues growing at a mid-teen percentage rate.
Take that everyone else. Follow the jump for the rest of the official word, or click here for full financials. Oh, and as usual Reef did not even earn a mention in the quarterly report. [click to continue…]
by The Editors on October 19, 2012
There are some pretty serious hitters in this little edit offering from Stance. See if you can spot them all. . . the uncommon thread, indeed.
[Link: Stance]
by The Editors on October 18, 2012
The surf wear giant Quiksilver is reportedly expanding its online retail presence with stores inside eBay’s Fashion Mall, according to a story on Insideretailing.com.au.
Gary Wall, GM of Quiksilver Australasia, said the move reflects the ongoing evolution of the online marketplace. . . “It is important to understand that eBay has evolved from an auction and secondhand marketplace to a serious full price channel and today the majority of eBay listings are fixed price and new product sales,” Wall said. . . “EBay is one of the biggest online clothing sellers and customers have been purchasing our products on eBay for many years but unfortunately from unauthorised sellers where we cannot guarantee authenticity of the product or appropriate customer service levels.
eBay would seem to streamline right in with Quik’s TJ Maxx, Ross, and Tuesday Morning distribution channel.
[Link: Insideretailing]
by The Editors on October 18, 2012
Worried about not getting a large enough dose of Rob Dyrdek in your vein’s this holiday season? Would you like him up and rubbing all over your body? Soaking up your sweat? Massaging your feet and, keeping you sheltered from the coming storm? Fret not young fashion victim, the international skateboarding promotional celebrity sensation is dropping an entire collection of DC shoes product just in time for your mall shopping pleasure domes.
Designed exclusively by Rob Dyrdek, the collection is inspired and driven by the DC legacy of classic athletic skate heritage. Within the entire Dyrdek Collection there are two signature shoes and five mini apparel collections: The Alumni Collection, Baseline Collection, Covert Collection, Heritage Collection, and USA Collection, each with their own individual take on Rob’s signature style.
For more information (and photographic evidence) on this groundbreaking collection of Dyrdekness, follow the jump. [click to continue…]
by The Editors on October 18, 2012
Interior decorators hoping to tap into modern youth design (and maybe spice up junior’s Pottery Barn room) have created a skateboard pendant light, according to a post on Technabob.
Though with its thin 24″ acrylic deck and narrow aircraft cables suspending it from its chrome canopy, I wouldn’t recommend trying to hop on it, unless you’re a hamster – or maybe a kitten.
Thing would probably look great hanging over a chrome and smoked glass dinning room table, too. We picture the table surrounded by hairy, mustachioed men in leisure suits and women in flouncy polyester Donna Summer dresses. Yes, the 70 are back. The light is available from eLights for only $178.00.
[Link: Technabob]
by The Editors on October 16, 2012
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and Spy has taken the opportunity to add to their collaboration with the Keep A Breast Foundation with a couple new shades that add to the Spy + Keep A Breast Zed snow goggle. For instance the new Keep A Breast Helm.
“The crew at Keep A Breast are innovators when it comes to incorporating health education into the lives of active people,” says Kevin Casillo, SPY marketing manager. “SPY aims to give back wherever we can, and it doesn’t get any better than partnering with a local non-profit that’s causing world-wide awareness about an issue that impacts millions every year.”
Spy will donate $5 from every sunglass to Keep A Breast. Follow the jump from more on the complete Spy + Keep A Breast collaboration. [click to continue…]
by The Editors on October 16, 2012
Spy is stoked to announce that they have someone to manage their elite surf team. It’s Chris Abad.
A respected and experienced pro surfer, Abad brings added authenticity to SPY’s booming eyewear business, which has seen tremendous growth over the last year and a half. . . “If you can’t out-surf Abad, you may be taken off our roster,” laughs Devon Howard, SPY marketing director. “In all seriousness, his former team manager roles, Surf Ride retail experience, and event marketing at SPY this past year make him a natural fit. But he’s more than just another guy with a great resume. Everyone loves Abad—he’s good people.”
Congrats, Chris. For the official word, follow the jump. [click to continue…]
by The Editors on October 15, 2012
Seeing as five of Plan B’s skaters also ride for Nixon, both crews thought it would be awesome to put their heads together. The result is The Soundclash Project.
The Soundclash Project is made up of new pro model boards representing Paul Rodriguez, Torey Pudwill, Ryan Sheckler, Danny Way and Colin McKay. Each board features pre-applied custom grip tape, corresponding custom wheels and a custom color update to Nixon’s TPS (mobile speaker). This collar is now available on nixon.com/soundclash and select skate shops worldwide in limited quantities and once they sell out, they are gone forever.
A skate deck, wheels, and a Nixon TPS. Click here to snap one up now, or follow the jump from more info and photos. [click to continue…]
