Penney teams up with Elle Macpherson for lingerie

NEW YORK (AP) – J.C. Penney is hoping that some supermodel magic will win over shoppers in the lingerie department.

The beleaguered department store chain is launching an exclusive lingerie collection in the U.S. with a partnership with Elle Macpherson, who along with Christy Turlington, Cindy Crawford and others became part of a new generation of supermodels in the 1980s.

The collection will be in 300 of Penney’s 1,100 stores starting April 11. Penney says it will wait to see how the brand fares before deciding whether to roll it out to its other stores.

The collection, called The Body by Elle Macpherson, which refers to her nickname, offers bras and panties in mostly cotton. Its emphasis is on the smoothest, most precise fit that can be worn every day.

The collection builds on Macpherson’s lingerie business that she founded in 1990 with the launch of an collection of lacy and silk lingerie that’s sold at upscale stores here and abroad including Bloomingdale’s and Harrod’s.

The Body Bras top out at around $50, while bras in the Elle Macpherson Intimates Collection can go as high as $150. The bras have four distinct silhouettes designed to suit varying needs and body shapes: the push up, a sporty demi-cut version, an unlined alternative, and a subtle lift.

“I created this for myself, because I thought there was a gap,” Macpherson told The Associated Press. “I really wanted to address this idea of shape.”

Macpherson, who is creative director for a series of fashion business ventures, said Penney offers the opportunity to design for a wider audience.

The collection comes as Penney is trying to recover from a botched transformation spearheaded by its former CEO Ron Johnson, who was fired in April 2013 after 17 months on the job. That month, Mike Ullman, Johnson’s predecessor, returned to the helm and has restored frequent sales events and basic merchandise to help reverse plunging sales and massive losses.

A key focus: revitalizing its lingerie business. The partnership with Macpherson was forged under Johnson’s regime. But under the former Apple executive, Penney got rid of bra specialists and its store brand Ambrielle, a conservative line of lingerie. In February, Penney brought back the specialists and Ambrielle.

Also, more than 600 Penney stores will see their lingerie areas refreshed with new graphics and special fixtures.

Penney executives said Victoria’s Secret benefited the most from Penney’s woes when it came to lingerie sales.

“By offering the best brands, a greater level of service and an inspiring environment, J.C. Penney is making the necessary improvements to reclaim its market share,” said Ivy Spargo, a senior vice president for Penney.

Macpherson’s collection will be at the high end of Penney’s offerings. Bras are priced anywhere from $40 to $49, while panties will be priced at $12 to $14.

Spargo says Penney shoppers will be able to relate to Macpherson outside of being a celebrity.

“She’s a working mom. She’s a business owner,” she said.

Macpherson, who is based in London but travels around the world, says she’s “passionate” about lingerie. It began in 1990 with her partnership with Bendon Limited Apparel, the same manufacturer that is producing the line for Penney. It marked one of the first examples of a model becoming a fashion brand.

Macpherson said she created her original collection back then because she saw a void between European-style lingerie and the comfort that American brands offered.

“As a model, I was constantly getting undressed,” Macpherson added. “I wanted to make sure I looked good.”

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It’s time for another Trash Brats reunion

When the music world turned to flannel shirts and grunge in the early ’90s, there was a remarkable rebellion happening in Detroit. A band made up of guys who wore makeup, had big hair and dressed in women’s lingerie was a formidable force on the local music scene. I’m talking, of course, about the Trash Brats.

Formed in 1987 and inspired by ’70s glam bands like the New York Dolls and T. Rex, the Trash Brats leaned heavily on the glam genre but also drew on elements of rock, punk and pop. Members never conformed to any trend and never bothered with the naysayers or the haters, but by the time the ’90s rolled around, they were filling the area’s biggest venues and poised to be the next breakout band from Detroit.

Sure, the big hair and fishnet stockings made the band stand out from the pack, but they aren’t what made it significant. The real appeal was an arsenal of well-written, hook-laden songs, including gems like “3873 Marlborough St.,” “Downtown Nowhere” and “S.M.U.T.” Even 20-plus years later, the tunes stand the test of time.

After several albums and a multitude of tours, the Trash Brats disbanded in 2002. The group reunited in 2008 and has continued to play shows at the pace of about once every year and a half. On Saturday, it will perform again at Small’s in Hamtramck.

“At times I think we are almost overwhelmed by how good the reunions are going,” says guitarist Ricky Rat. “It’s pretty much been packed houses every time, and right away, when we’re done playing, people are like, ‘When’s the next one?’ I don’t know if we expected it to be quite that good.”

Fans from all over the country are expected at Saturday’s show. Rat says people from Canada, Ohio, Indiana and even a carload from Atlanta are planning to make the drive. “I’ve really been surprised this time about how many people are really excited about it and have bought tickets in advance.”

He says the band is planning to dig out a few songs it hasn’t done in a while and is stocking the merch booth with a batch of new shirt designs and new buttons, along with some of the band’s old CD’s, singles and show posters.

The Trash Brats are Ricky Rat (guitar), Brian McCarty (vocals), Tony Romeo (bass) and Troy Toma (drums).

Opening Saturday’s show will be the Dewtons and the Dives. Doors at 8 p.m. for all ages. Small’s, 10339 Conant, Hamtramck. 313-873-1117. $10 advance, $12 door.

For more: www.facebook.com/#!/events/672262816127788/

Get your fuzz on: Rock ’n’ roll isn’t dead, and the organizers of Fuzz Fest are prepared to prove it with 33 Michigan bands performing on two stages over three nights at Woodruff’s in Ypsilanti.

Fuzz Fest will take a look at a variety of styles from sweaty swaggering rock to blistering metal and indie rock. The aim is to present a collection of killer local bands of all genres on one bill.

Among the performers are the Ruiners, the Muggs, Blue Snaggletooth, the Boss Mustangs, the Wild Savages, Beast in the Field, Bad Indians, Bison Machine, Destroy This Place, Caveman Woodman, Lava Moth, Amino Acids and more.

Doors open at 7 p.m. Thursday-Saturday. The music starts at 8 p.m. Woodruff’s, 36 E. Cross, Ypsilanti. $7 per night, $10 ages 18-20, $15 for a three-day pass.

For more: www.facebook.com/michiganfuzzfest

Get your roots on: The second installment of the Gardenia Bluegrass Roots Festival returns to the Royal Oak Farmers Market on Friday for an evening of bluegrass, folk and roots music from Keller the Keels, the Ragbirds, the Crane Wives, Catfish Mafia and Whiskey Shivers.

A variety of craft brews and spirits will be offered as well as food from local eateries. Proceeds will benefit Camp Casey, a Royal Oak charity that offers horseback-riding programs for children fighting cancer.

Doors at 6:30 p.m. VIP, 7:30 p.m. general admission, music at 8 p.m. Royal Oak Farmers Market, 316 E. Eleven Mile, Royal Oak. 248-246-3276. $25 advance, $35 door, $50 VIP.

The official afterparty featuring Whiskey Shivers runs 12:30-1:45 a.m. at Royal Oak Brewery, 215 E. Fourth, Royal Oak. Free.

For more: www.gardeniafestival.com

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