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Runway Report Part I

Want to know what to save or stash for Fall 2007? We have made cleaning out your closet a whole lot easier with our trend report.

TRENDS: There was a touch of the twenties with drop-waist full skirts, ruffled tiered dresses and sequin adornments. We will also still see influences of the 60’s carry over from Spring 2007. My favorite of all “Parisian Chic”!

COLORS: Muted tones paired with neon brights, black, heather grey, metallics, whites and reds.

MATERIALS: Wool, tweeds and silk.

SILHOUETTES: Dresses, dresses, dresses!! Shorts dresses, trapeze dresses, to-the-knee dresses and the list goes on.... We will also see drop waist mini skirts, loose fitting men’s style trouser pants, cigarette pants, swing coats and blazers.

NOTABLE ACCESSORIES: Add a bit if chic and glamour to any outfit with a “beret” (which was on almost every designer’s runway). Some other spotted items were: the peep toe shoe, lace up ankle boots (“granny boots), mary janes and leather biker jackets.

New York Fashion Week: Fall 2007 Collections

Tomorrow is the kick off of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in New York. Stay tuned for coverage from some of your favorite designers. We will update you on the latest trends and most importantly the gossip!!!!

NEWS /// LEVI’S AGAINST THE WORLD…

Tired of trying to adapt to the current marketplace & widespread trends that drive the modern clothing industry, denim giant LEVI’S has instead decided to file lawsuits against its major competitors for alleged copyright infringement. Looks like Metallica x Napster part II. Check the full report at NYTimes.com…

LEVIS TURNS TO SUING ITS RIVALS

By Michael Barbaro & Julie Creswell
Source: NYTimes

United States Patent and Trademark No. 1,139,254 is not much to look at: a pentagon surrounding a childlike drawing of a seagull in flight.

But the design for a Levi’s pocket, first used 133 years ago, has become the biggest legal battleground in American fashion.

Levi Strauss claims that legions of competitors have stolen its signature denim stitches — two intersecting arcs and a cloth label — for their own pockets, slapping them on the seats of high-priced, hip-hugging jeans that have soared in popularity.So Levi’s is becoming a leader in a new arena: lawsuits. The company, once the undisputed king of denim and now a case study in missed opportunities, has emerged as the most litigious in the apparel industry when it comes to trademark infringement lawsuits, firing off nearly 100 against its competitors since 2001. That’s far more than General Motors, Walt Disney or Nike, according to an analysis by research firm Thomson West.

The legal scuffles offer a rare glimpse into the sharp-elbowed world of fashion, where the line between inspiration and imitation is razor thin. After all, clothing makers’ trade secrets are hung on store racks for all to see, and designs can be quickly copied with small changes to exploit a hot trend.

The lawsuits, which Levi’s says it is compelled to file to safeguard the defining features on its jeans, are not about the money — one settled for just $5,000 in damages. Instead, the company says, they are about removing copycats from stores. Nearly all the cases have settled out of court, with Levi’s smaller rivals agreeing to stop making the offending pants and to destroy unsold pairs.

But those competitors say the lawsuits are the last resort of a poor loser, a company that has lost billions in sales, laid off thousands of workers and flirted with bankruptcy as the denim industry exploded.

“They missed the boat,” said Tonny Sorensen, chief executive of Von Dutch Originals, a six-year-old denim and clothing manufacturer sued by Levi’s six months ago for allegedly borrowing the company’s double arcs for a back-pocket design. “Now they want to make a lot of noise and scare people away.”

Mr. Sorensen said his pocket design “did not look like Levi’s at all” because of subtle differences like placing the arcs “one inch to the left” and stitching a line to resemble “a pirate’s hook.”

Nevertheless, Von Dutch agreed to remove the jeans from dozens of boutiques and destroy hundreds of unsold pairs. “It was one style and it was not that successful anyway, so we made the decision not to fight it,” Mr. Sorensen said.

In the majority of cases, Levi’s accuses competitors of copying its design of two arcs that meet in the center of the pocket or its famous Levi’s tab, a folded piece of cloth sewn into the vertical seam of the garment.

Robert Hanson, Levi’s president for North America, said the company manufactured “a product that a lot of people are copying and copying with a lot of success.”

Instead of relying on Levi’s designs for what he called a “running start,” competitors should “look for other devices that don’t come remotely close to the Levi’s trademarks,” Mr. Hanson said. “Be more innovative.”

But the privately held Levi’s, whose founder sewed together the first pair of jeans in 1873, has been unable to exploit the latest $200-a-pair denim craze — and now claims scores of smaller competitors are riding high because of what it created. When consumers’ tastes shifted toward designer jeans that were bejeweled, torn and frayed, Levi’s was still selling basic $30 pairs at K-Mart.

In this dispute, back-pocket stitching has become the fashion equivalent of ink blots, with plaintiffs and defendants seeing in the new designs what they want, or need, to see. So far, Levi’s view is prevailing.

The company’s team of denim detectives — there are 40 across the world, scouring boutiques and department stores — has spotted what they considered offending stitches on jeans from the biggest names in the clothing business: Guess, Zegna, Esprit, Lucky Brand and Zumiez, to name a few.

Even companies that have painstakingly worked to avoid infringing on Levi’s trademarks have found themselves in the company’s crosshairs. At Rock & Republic, one of the country’s fastest-growing jeans makers, designers intentionally placed a cloth label on the right hand side of a back pocket, not the left, which would violate a Levi’s trademark.

Levi’s sued anyway, arguing its trademarks forbid placing such a label on a vertical seam of a back-pocket. During a tense, five-hour settlement discussion in San Francisco several weeks ago, the chief executive of Rock and Republic, Michael Ball, upbraided Levi’s lawyers for their aggressive tactics.

“I take it personally that you try to dictate how I design my jeans,” he recalled saying. Still, Mr. Ball said he agreed to stop placing the label on the vertical seam of a right-hand pocket for two years to avoid a drawn-out legal battle.

In an interview, Mr. Ball said his back-pocket stitching “was not remotely close to Levi’s” and that he agreed to a settlement, in part, because “I will get bored with that design soon anyway.”

Executives at Levi’s concede they missed important fashion trends as the denim industry ballooned over the last several years, but they deny the lawsuits are connected to any downturn in their business.

Instead, they say they are simply trying to preserve their intellectual property. Like pharmaceutical companies that sue generic drug makers over their patents or technology companies that duke it out over who owns the right to microchip designs, Levi’s says it is trying to protect its most valuable asset, its trademarks.

Clothing companies have battled counterfeiters and each other for decades over design trademarks. Lacoste has defended its alligator, Polo Ralph Lauren fights for its polo player and Nike fiercely protects its famous swoosh.

In that respect, Levi’s is no different. As far back as the 1970s, it sued the firm that made Wrangler jeans over the use of identifying tabs on clothing. “We protected our trademarks when business has been terrific and when it’s been difficult,” said Mr. Hanson.

Yet difficult only begins to describe Levi’s business today, after it failed to exploit the designer denim boom in what is widely regarded as one of the biggest debacles in the American clothing business. Levi’s sales have plummeted more than 40 percent since 1996 to $4.1 billion, forcing it to close dozens of factories and lay off nearly half of its workforce, or 7,600 employees, in the last five years.

The clothing company faced two major problems over the last decade. Its image and brand — button fly, rugged, and all-around bad-boy cool — was largely built for men, its jeans cut boxy and loose- fitting. At the same time, the company, which once distributed its jeans largely through department stores catering to the rich, had shifted into lower-priced retailers like J.C. Penney, Sears and Wal-Mart.

In the mid-1990s, though, the denim industry underwent a seismic shift as small upstarts began designing tight-fitting, feature-flattering women’s jeans and distributing them through luxury boutiques and department stores.

Women suddenly began snapping up jeans from manufacturers like 7 for All Mankind and True Religion that cost more than six times what Levi’s charged. Levi’s did not produce a premium denim line, Capital E, until just last year.

“The emergence of all this denim sold at astronomical prices simply passed them by,” said David Wolfe, creative director of the Doneger Group, a fashion consulting firm in Manhattan. “They should have jumped on the bandwagon but they did not even seem to see the bandwagon rolling, which amazed everyone in the fashion industry.”

The denim manufacturers who recognized the trend openly concede that Levi’s has served as an inspiration, if not template, for their products.

“Everyone is borrowing from them, it’s inevitable,” said Michael Silver, the founder of Silver Jeans, who has had several legal run-ins with Levi’s. “They should be happy that people are copying them,” he said.

But Levi’s is not flattered. “The value of the brand will become diluted if the marketplace becomes crowded with products with similar tabs or stitching to ours,” said Thomas M. Onda, a global intellectual property lawyer for Levi’s.

So employees at Levi’s keep walking into stores and scanning the racks for rivals who dare to stray to close its trademarks, as Steven Shaul, the founder and chief executive of Jelessy Jeans, learned when he slapped several intersecting arcs on a back pocket.

At the time, Mr. Shaul, who loves Levi’s and wears its jeans all the time, was confident his design bore no resemblance to the Levi’s trademark. “It was not even close,” said Mr. Shaul, whose jeans sell for between $200 and $400 a pair.

“It was an original design,” he said. “Why would I use Levi’s stitching? If my jeans sell for $200, I would not knock off $40 jeans from Levi’s.”

Nevertheless, Levi’s sued in 2005. “The first night after I was sued by them I couldn’t sleep,” he said. “The second night, no sleep again. Then I started talking to people in the industry and I realized, hey, everyone’s been sued by Levi’s.”

Relieved, he quickly settled the case, agreeing not to sell jeans with the offending stitches. “I did not even hire a lawyer,” he said.

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Article

Don't Forget That Special Someone This Valentines Day!

This Valentine's Day suprise that special someone in your life with a gift from Rok+Lola. Our staff will help you pick out the perfect Valentine's gift that will melt your love's heart! Check out our website or pay us a visit at the store! But hurry, you only have two weeks left before the most romantic day of the year!

Spring 2007 trends available at ROK & LOLA for MEN.....

MEN’S

NAVY BLAZER
-a nicely cut, spring weight navy blazer is definitely our first among equals this spring
-dresses up casual looks, even shorts; keeps dressy events from being too stuffy
-the deeper the navy tones the more versatile the blazer

WHITE JEANS
-they’re jeans so they’re cool, but they’re white so they’re more polished than your average denim
-try them with a great short sleeve shirt, stands out in a good way
-they take a navy blazer into the sporty zone, champ

SHORT SLEEVE SHIRT
-the tailored shirt got a reprieve from cuffs, just as right, just cooler than before
-you are allowed to pop up the collar but only when you’re alone on the beach with the dogs
-plaids, patterns all in easy-on-the-eye colors

RUGBY SHIRT
-speaking of sporty, in terms of shirts it doesn’t get any more winning than this
-we like the stripes in mixed colors best
-the white collar hooks up with the white jean without looking premeditated

SPORTY SUNGLASSES
-aerodynamics are the key, sleek, hints of motocross styling
-aviators are always right, this spring squared up a bit
-think skiers, skydivers, cyclists, Steve McQueen

STREET SNEAKERS
-when we say street, we’re thinking more urbane than urban
-ergonomics meet foot art, look for organic shapes and colors
-try them with your new seersucker suit for a sporting footnote

CLASSIC SWIMSUIT
-a classic suit is just the right length trunk in a easy-going tropical print
-square cuts and even swimmer suits can be classic, as long as they’re graphic and dark
-check out the new hybrid suits, part swimsuit, part walking shorts

DRESSED UP SHORTS
-put a blazer over shorts and you’ve taken the whole afternoon to the next level
-call it Global Warming, but shorts are more acceptable more places than ever, as long as you’ve dressed them up a bit
-leave the printed t-shirt at home, drop on the tailored short sleeve shirt instead

SEERSUCKER
-seersucker is cool this spring, literally and figuratively
-makes a great blazer for dressing up or down
-in shorts or pants it’s the subtlest way to have a sporting stripe

Spring 2007 trends available at ROK & LOLA for women...

WOMEN’S

CHIC DAY DRESS
-it’s the ultimate in one-piece dressing
-look for extra-feminine details like eyelet, tiny ruffles and soft colors
-short is the sweetest length, from an inch above the knee to as high as you dare to go, just stay in your comfort zone
-remember a mini can be a tad more modest doubling as a tunic over slim pants

COCKTAIL DRESS
-the pretty/posh party dress has returned in the biggest way
-choose short and fluttery or slightly longer and leaner
-a metallic shoe ups the glamour quotient

CRISP WHITE SHIRT
-in a season of ultra-femininity, this tailored classic is a refreshing alternative
-bright white is the light half of the graphic spectator trend
-pair it with a black skirt, trousers, or even a slim city short

FLAT SHOE
-the dancer flat keeps the flightly spring silhouette demurely grounded
-try flats with the mini dress, trousers, almost anything this spring
-here, too, metallics put a little extra glamour into your daytime look

PLATFORM SHOE
-in the transition toward the pretty pump, this is the height of style
-don’t forget heels on a platform are not just for night, try them with jeans
-keep it lively with animal prints or mixed metals

SHORTS
-there’s no stopping women’s love affair with shorts...of all lengths
-the long slim short is spring’s alternative to the skirt or pants
-try an oversized blouse or shirt to give the silhouette balance

HAND-HELD BAG
-the evolution of the clutch, best small and smart
-this is a good spot for a touch of spring’s hot metals
-look for textures, like woven and quilted leathers, and wristlet handles

HIGH-WAISTED BELT
-wear the new belts, as wide as they come, above the natural waist
-it cinches the silhouette of spring, which starts high and stays there
-another strategic way to add a flash of metallics

FLORAL FRAGRANCE
-when ruffles and roses are in the air, a sweet garden-born scent can’t be far behind
-look for notes from subtle exotics like neroli with just a touch of tuberose
-indulge your romantic fantasies more often, wear florals every day

Happy Valentine's 2007!

Join the Rok+Lola Family for our 2007 Valentine's Party and Preview Sale! It's a two day only event, on Friday, January 26th and Friday, February 2nd! The best deals always fly out first so get there early! Parties will be held at the store at 23 East Front Street, Red Bank, NJ 07701!

ROK & LOLA GET'S SOME SUGAR!

Rok+Lola Store Front

by DearSugar

I love this awesome new store that just opened in the cute town of Red Bank, NJ. They carry all the latest clothes at fair prices....oh, and their sales are amazing. If you are ever in NJ, definitely pop in!

TeamSugar

Style Watch!

Rok & Lola in People

Rok & Lola's 1948 Dodge mascot

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www.myspace.com/rokandlola

Rok&Lola

In April 2006, Rok+Lola opened in Red Bank, New Jersey bringing a bit of Soho flair to the already chic Central Jersey town. The family-owned business, with a brother and sister buying team, specializes in seeking out the hippest lines available from LA to Manhattan. With backgrounds in fashion styling, they have the ability to forecast the hottest trends and bring them to Rok +Lola for your convenient one-stop shopping.
Rok+Lola makes those hard to find labels easily accessible for any fashionista's shopping pleasure...and you won't have to leave the guys at home. With Rok symbolizing the cool trends on the men's side of the store and Lola being the stylish women's section, we strive to bring all our customers the best shopping experience in a relaxed environment. Our diverse and experienced staff will help you find anything from that perfect pair of jeans to the season’s most amazing accessories. So what's the secret to our success.....? It is carrying the hottest lines, seeking out the sexiest trends, and superb customer service, of course!