‘Downton’ effect: Lingerie brand sells out after show mention
October 17, 2012 by admin
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Lucile
Lingerie brand Lucile was founded by British aristocrat Lady Duff Gordon in the early 20th century. Now the recently resurrected company, which sells pieces like this cream-colored robe, is getting some help from Downton Abbey.
By Rachel Elbaum, TODAY contributor
A media mention can bring in loads of new sales for any company, and one U.K. lingerie company had an unexpected surprise several weeks ago. A brief reference to old-time lingerie brand Lucile on the popular period series “Downton Abbey” has sent the company’s fortunes soaring.
The hit show recently started its third season in the U.K. (set to air on Jan. 6 on PBS in the U.S.) and now takes place in the early 1920s. Without giving too much away, during one recent episode Dowager Countess of Grantham (Maggie Smith) and daughter in-law Lady Cora (Elizabeth McGovern) briefly mentioned the old-time lingerie brand Lucile for a newlywed’s wardrobe.
What obviously wasn’t mentioned on the show — and what many viewers already knew — was that this vintage brand was resurrected just this year.
The passing reference was enough to send hundreds of fans to Lucile’s website, sending sales skyrocketing 48 percent and website traffic up 60 percent, the company said.
Nick Briggs / Masterpeice Theater
Downton Abbey, featuring Dan Stevens as Matthew Crawley and Michelle Dockery as Lady Mary, is praised for it’s style.
“My phone has rung continuously since then, and we have had to beg our fabulous factory to clear some time for more production,” Camilla Blois, Lucile’s managing director, and great-great granddaughter of Lucile’s original founder, told TODAY.com. “Our gift boxes have been really popular and there’s now a waiting list for the Duchess of Warwick kimonos.”
Blois decided to bring back the brand after falling in love with a recent exhibition featuring Lucile’s archives and old design books. Originally founded by British aristocrat Lady Duff Gordon in the early 20th century, Lucile hit its height of popularity in the 1920s. The “Downton Abbey” series starts in 1912 and reaches the 1920s in its third season.
Lucile
Fit for a Crawley? Lucile’s Long Georgette gown sells for a cool £695 ($1,117).
The newfound popularity of the brand comes despite the high price tag of many of its pieces. The sold-out kimonos sell on the site for £499 ($802), while the Long Georgette Gown goes for £695 ($1,117). The pieces are all hand cut and made in England. For those looking for something even more unique, a bespoke service is available.
“I think a lingerie set which can make you feel like a million dollars is priceless and it brings with it a certain feeling of inner confidence,” Blois told TODAY.com. “Times are not easy at the moment but great lingerie is just as important as shoes and handbags, if not more so.”
More: Dress like the ladies of ‘Downton Abbey’
PBS pulls ‘Downton Abbey’-inspired jewelry after show objects
Legendary 76-carat diamond could fetch more than $15 million
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Halloween Costume Options Let Adults Get Their Party On
October 17, 2012 by admin
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Halloween costumes for adults are leaning a little bit sexy, a little bit spooky, a little bit super, a little bit … stuffed?
According to Sandy Hawkins, an associate at the Spirit Halloween store in Hixson, a popular costume among adult males is Ted, the titular crass-talking teddy bear from the movie starring Mark Wahlberg. A fully committed partygoer can purchase a full suit for around $79, while the casual Halloweener might choose fuzzy hood and gloves for $29.99.
Ted is not the only pop-culture hero cropping up at costume stores. Outfits representing characters from “Glee,” “Edward Scissorhands” and “Where’s Waldo” are only a few of the beloved screen- and page-inspired costumes on the shelves. Superhero costumes also are being sold at high volume.
Traditional Halloween-themed costumes, like witches, cats and zombies, continue to be popular.
According to the National Retail Federation, witches are projected to be the No. 1 costume for adult women this season.
Marie Bogart, a flight attendant who lives in North Chattanooga, has worn several incarnations of witch costumes, she wrote in an email.
“I’ve been the scary one, gruesome one and sexy one or good one. Luckily you can transform witches into many different kinds, like Glinda the Good Witch or her evil sister on “The Wizard of Oz.”
Bogart wrote she has always been a Halloween enthusiast.
Other Top 5 adult costumes are vampires, pirates, Batman characters and zombies.
“Zombies are hot,” Hawkins said, “and they’re fairly cheap to do.”
A full zombie costume retails for about $50. Plenty of makeup, including fake blood and scars, is available as well.
For women, Halloween can be a time to show a little skin. Even traditional costumes come in racy versions, such as naughty nurse or sexy witch.
Companies such as Leg Avenue, which sells lingerie and burlesque wear as well as costumes, offer titillating options for costumes perhaps not always associated with more prurient desires. Sexy ladybug? Naughty Strawberry Shortcake? Or perhaps a reference to the TV show “How I Met Your Mother,” slutty pumpkin? All ready and available, ranging from about $30 to $80.
“They’re all pretty seductive,” said Inez Gutierrez, associate at Spirit of Halloween.
For men who don’t mind leaving little to the imagination, Gutierrez said Super Skins, one piece head-to-toe body suits, are flying off the shelves.
“We just restocked, and this is what we have left,” she said, indicating the nearly bare shelves. Both solid-color and patterned versions are available, with themes such as American flag, skeleton and The Flash. Inflatable options, called Blimpz, also are on hand.
At Spirit, most full costumes, including outfit and accessories, range from $35 to $80 retail. For those choosing costumes on a budget, Spirit sells Halloween accouterments such as ears, tails, wings and wigs, which can be combined with homemade costumes or worn with street clothes for just a touch of spooky spirit.
Oftentimes, a touch of creativity can be just as important as cash to spend on a costume.
In response to a Facebook query, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga alumna Meghan Morrison wrote she is creating her own voodoo doll costume by sewing a heart onto a brown dress she already owns.
“Add homemade push pins and face paint (think X’s over the eyes) and voila!”