Derek Lam who has been designing a small ready-to-wear collection for
Tods for the past few seasons has been named the creative director for the Italian accessory firm. Lam's responsibilities will now expand to include overseeing a more fashion-driven collection of shoes and bags that will launch for Fall 2007. While Lam's own line remains a small, exclusive business, Tod's also holds the license for his shoe and handbag lines, putting him in a position similar to that of
Marc Jacobs when he started working for
Louis Vuitton. While there is no word on whether Tod's chief Diego Della Valle has made an investment in Lam's own label, but the move signals a new emphasis on developing an apparel division at Tod's. Lam elaborated on his responsibilities to
WWD, saying, "They still have their bread-and-butter, the driving loafers, and eventually I will be working on them, as well. Both Diego and I feel very strongly about being very focused and having a strong message, from the conceptual stage to design, as well as how you retail the products and advertise them." Watch for the big brand to go mega in the next few seasons.
No Longer a Little Lam: Tod's to Name Designer As Its Creative Director (WWD)
Stylish starlet
Sienna Miller has made the leap into fashion by joining forces with her sister Samantha to launch
Twenty8Twelve by s. miller, an 80-piece ready-to-wear line which will appear in stores for Fall 2007. While it might be easy to dismiss the actress as a dilettante, her sister attended
Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design in London, and the line is being backed by Carlos Ortega of
Pepe Jeans, whose advertising Sienna is contracted to appear in through Spring 2008. The label has been cleverly named for Sienna's birthday, but ambiguously credits both sisters with one name. "I'm not about to become a brand. I won't be releasing an album, perfume and knickers next year," Sienna says, "Because
of my job, people are willing to invest in the business, but my
sister's an incredible designer, and it's a great opportunity for me to
work with her."
Sienna on the Catwalk (Vogue UK)
