SwimMates Intro3

[Sponsored] Lands’ End Launches #SwimMates with Twitter Chat & Giveaway

Just a few month’s after their holiday “Pin it to win it” contest on Pinterest, Lands’ End is ready for summer fun on social media. Today marks the offical launch of the new swim LE collection, SwimMates™, with a media showcase in NYC and a two-hour Twitter event following the launch. More than 50 Lands’ End Gift Cards will be given out to those who participate in the Twitter chat from 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. EST using the hashtag #SwimMates. LE has also tapped @momtrends and @nycpretty to help facilitate the conversation about the brand’s new swimwear concept. Labeled the “4-Piece Bikini,” SwimMates™ are swim layers that let women transform swim looks seamlessly. The concept starts with a two-piece bikini foundation and then offers layering swim pieces including a cami, swim shorts or swim skirt.

Dive in along with the entire LandsEnd PR team from 2-4 today: @LandsEndPR @LEprMichele @LandsEndprAdam @LEprMolly and @LEprMariella.

 

 

mishka_2009_fall_loveless_m65_jacket_05

How Global Streetwear Brand Mishka Deals with Negative Comments on Social Media

Mishka is a popular clothing brand based in New York City that was started by Greg Rivera and Mikhail Bortnik in 2003. Originally a t-shirt company, Mishka has grown into a global streetwear brand with stores in New York, Los Angeles and Tokyo. Their success is owned in large part to developing a cult following and engaging that following with social media. For example, the Mishka blog covers  streetwear, art and music, with 50 different bloggers posting 8-10 times a day. The blog gets 8-10k unique visitors a day and over 200,000 unique visitors a month.

In the latest Grovo Expert Series, a recurring webisode of live-action interviews that shed light on the evolving world of Web 2.0 and viral branding, Greg explains how his t-shirt company has used social media, including blogging and Twitter, for company success.

In the series, Greg explores:

  • Creating a Web Presence
  • Cult Following
  • The Power of E-Commerce
  • Driving Traffic Through Social Media
  • Dealing with Negative Comments
  • Social Media Editorial Calendar
  • Staying True to Your Brand

Check out the trailer or view the entire series.

Fashion PR HL Group Tadashi 2012

Post Fashion Week Strategy with Tadashi Shoji’s HL Group Fashion PR Team

This season, I had the pleasure of attending Tadashi Shoji’s Fall 2012 show at Mercedes Benz Fashion Week. Inspired by the Golden Age of Shanghai, Shoji utilized rich, delicate and opulent colors and fabrics to set an ominous tone. The collection incorporated Chantilly and Venetian lace, high necklines, beaded embroidery, scalloped sequins and chiffon along with rich velvet.

With such a powerful fashion week collection, it’s no surprise that the designer was asked to dress a notable red-carpet starlet at this year’s Oscars. Drawing upon this season’s series of pale nude beaded dresses, ‘Best Supporting Actress’ winner Octavia Spencer, donned a custom hand-beaded, ivory silk and tulle draped cap sleeve gown that was absolutely perfect for her big moment.

After the fashion week madness, I caught up with the ladies at Tadashi Shoji’s top-notch PR powerhouse, HL Group. The Tadashi Shoji PR team consists of Kimberly Flaster (Managing Director), Kelly Ricci (Senior Account Manager) and Zeba Rashid (Account Coordinator). We were curious as to what these PR Mavens do after fashion week:

What designers, shows or events did HL Group represent this fashion week?

HL Group produced 19 shows during NYFW. Some of which included Tadashi Shoji, Rachel Roy, Oscar de la Renta, Elie Tahari, Dennis Basso, Marchesa and BCBG.

How many fashion weeks have you executed? What do you love most about it?

Amongst the three of us, we have over 15 years of experience planning, producing and executing shows. We look forward to prepping and completing each show for our clients because we know in the end our hard work is demonstrated with the successful press outcome.

What was your favorite fashion week outfit that you wore this season? (Can you send a picture of it?)

Poppin Fashion Week Survival bag, Royal Blue Tadashi Shoji dress, seating chart and of course a smile! (See Kelly pictured in the Poppin bag below.)

From left Zeba Rashid (Account Coordinator), Kelly Ricci (Senior Account Manager) and Kimberly Flaster (Managing Director).

How do you decompress after fashion week? Any essential remedies? Or, do you even get a chance to de-stress?

Luckily enough, we had a long holiday weekend right after fashion week, which was lovely. We got to catch up on much needed sleep, caught up with our friends and family as we haven’t spoken to them in a month and of course eat a proper meal!

What are a fashion publicist’s core responsibilities post-fashion week?

A publicist’s responsibilities never end when it concerns fashion week. Immediately following shows, we have to work on recaps, compile media alerts, service images and follow up with scheduled press print and broadcast interviews. Additionally, we have a two week break, then it’s on to planning Press Days for editors.

When do you start planning the next fashion week?

We are always planning the next fashion week but for Spring 2013 we will get hands on in July.

How does HL Group use social and digital media to complement your PR efforts post fashion-week?

It comes from all angles. Most of us at the agency have our own social media logins and help support and promote our clients internally. Some of our clients handle their own social media and some hire agencies that specialize in managing their social channels. We all work together to successful promote in a timely manner.

Thank you HL Group for taking the time to chat with PR Couture, can’t wait to catch up with you lovely ladies next season!