Cloak to close.

[zamb]

this leaves an extremely distateful feeling in my gut. and i am saying this because i cannot find adequate words to describe my true feelings....

I will have to compse myself.......... before i say more on this. All kinds of thoughts are running through my mind right now as they have been since hearing this news.

 

[Scott]

does anybody actually believe that it hasn't anything to do with the economic pressures on an indie label? the timing is certainly rather odd for it not to.

 

[anaisanais]

how sad so wasn't expecting this - i really liked the old cloak

 

[zamb]

does anybody actually believe that it hasn't anything to do with the economic pressures on an indie label? the timing is certainly rather odd for it not to.

i have a whole lot to say on this subject. there is no question that thev industry is doing a lot to support independent designers (at least some of them) but the question is, are they lending the right kind of support.....

tommorow, im too depressed to post right now.

 

[BaroqueRockstar]

wtf??!!!
why?

 

[BaroqueRockstar]

does anybody actually believe that it hasn't anything to do with the economic pressures on an indie label? the timing is certainly rather odd for it not to.

Do you have any advice for other independent designers?
Get a great lawyer to read through anything you are about to sign.

it seems there might've been some legal issues as well... but law and econ is all interconnected into one big happy family

 

[Marquischacha]

Sorry to see Cloak fold. To be honest I always thought their mark up was a bit too high. The label lacked the cache say Dior has yet they were charging similar prices. Wish they would have brought the pricing down as to make it more accesible.

 

[BaroqueRockstar]

cloak's line for uniqlo for spring also may be cancelled, according to wwd.

now fashionweekdaily.com says the uniqlo line will go forward...hmmn.

does anyone know any more about this???
if uniqlo closes i seriously will cry i really can't survive winter w/o uniqlo...

 

[JJohnson]

Very interesting...it was a great label that truly pushed innovation. I recently did a story about it. I wonder if there was structure problems within the label? I know it was very hard to get information for the press...hmmm...a truly sad day. Ugh! Why does the good stuff have to end? Blah

 

[intensity]

Yes, it certainly is sad to hear this. But let's get real here for a moment.

Isn't this little bit similar to fashion darling Olivier and the hyped Rochas?? Both designers are very talented and got lots of media exposure, but at the end of the day, this is not enough. Cloak wasn't known outside of the fashion circle, did not have a single item priced lower than $200 in store, did not have watered down versions of design and was just too hardcore for the costumer. I absolutely loved Mr.Plokhov's designs, but how many times can you do raw, military clothing? The case with Rochas was, how many dressed does one need? What happened to daywear?? Women go to work..

Also, keep in mind that we are talking about a high end label targeted to men and we all know that there is a VERY, VERY limited amount of men who are willing to spend $1000 on a jacket for going out. They might spend the money on a nice Prada or Armani suit, but definitely not on Cloak. It's quite unfortunate, but that's how fashion is. It has come to the point where you need a more recognized name than talent. I mean, look at Michael Kors and other designers who are OUT there. Proenza is another example but in a positive way with doing designs for Target. Recognition is everything, my darlings!!

 

[JJohnson]

I guess we liked him because of the creativity more so than his marketing It was a really nice line though *sigh*

 

[Meg]

I completely agree intensity. The operation was small so that keeps costs down but doing shows, samples, etc. it eats away at your money and if you aren't covering costs?! Cloak was great, etc. etc. but I hardly ever (maybe not ever) saw them here in London (then again I wasn't on the look out). They are only carried at a select few stores in the states. A small cult following is simply not enough to sustain a label these days. does it suck that a designer with a vision has gone out of business again? Yes. But if you want to play the game for a living you have to make some economical compromises. And if you don't want to then the business will force you out.

 

[morgan38]

Horrible, horrible news.

 

[belletrist]

Also, keep in mind that we are talking about a high end label targeted to men and we all know that there is a VERY, VERY limited amount of men who are willing to spend $1000 on a jacket for going out. They might spend the money on a nice Prada or Armani suit, but definitely not on Cloak. It's quite unfortunate, but that's how fashion is. It has come to the point where you need a more recognized name than talent. I mean, look at Michael Kors and other designers who are OUT there. Proenza is another example but in a positive way with doing designs for Target. Recognition is everything, my darlings!!

This is, unfortunately, true
Cloak's pricing was costumer friendly though...

 

[ilaughead]

I can't say I'm surprised. Cloak had a certain 'look', and it wasn't too versatile.

 

[masquerade]

what a shame. really, my only familiarity with alexandre and the brand was through Seamless but from that I really liked him as a person and respected his views on design and business. other than that, I'm not too familiar with his work or business skills.

its just a shame to see such a talented designer walking away.

 

[darkskinee]

I'm burning all my clothes and start gardening as well.

 

[watchnotch]

I feel that I should frame the pair of Cloak pants that I bought from their marvelous flagship store, and mourn for a month or so. I do no know if I will be able to wear them again without fear of a seam ripping and my grips on Cloak diminishing forever. Yet I shall remain optimistic and know that one day, hopefully in the near future, a brand will emerge with similiar militaristic edge meets old world technique.

 

[haruki]

Perhaps they would still be in business if their buttons didn't fall off. Quality matters when you are asked to pay the prices they charged. I've never owned any Cloak items myself but I have heard many complaints about the quality of the manufacturing.

 

[Hebden]

Depressing...though I do agree that they were overpriced.

Meg

Cloak was great, etc. etc. but I hardly ever (maybe not ever) saw them here in London (then again I wasn't on the look out).

HN had a decent amount a while ago, but maybe they stopped stocking it.