British designer Alexander McQueen is adding a second ready-to-wear collection, called McQ, to his stable of creations. The new collection will launch in the fall of 2006.
Having just unveiled a footwear line for Puma in September, McQueen seems unstoppable, although this may have something to do with the fact that parent company Gucci Group is applying pressure on its smaller brands, including Stella McCartney, to turn a profit by 2007. McCartney will launch her own new venture, a limited collection for high street chain H&M, later this week.
The new denim-based brand, produced by Italian company SINV SpA, will be for both men and women and will include accessories. “The focus of this collection will be younger and more renegade, but always signature McQueen,� said the designer in a statement last week. “This partnership will add a new and inspiring dimension to the McQueen world.�
The new McQueen collection will hit 600 shops, including Harvey Nichols and Neiman Marcus but not the McQueen flagships in New York, Milan and London, in June 2006. Prices will range from £495 for selected knitwear to £60 for a T-shirt. SINV will produce and distribute the collection under a five-year licensing agreement. The Italian company has similar contracts for See by Chloé, DKNY Jeans, Krizia Jeans and Moschino Jeans. SINV generates a turnover of €136 million (£92 million).
“This new license integrates perfectly with the SINV portfolio and boosts our presence in the high quality prêt-a-porter industry,� SINV chief executive Massimo Braglia told the FT.
Click Here: USA Rugby Shop