excerpt and pics from wwd
LeSportsac is upbeat about its new collaboration with Stella McCartney, projecting the 18-month deal will deliver $50 million to $70 million in sales at retail.
The 17-piece, limited edition nylon handbag and luggage collection that was shown to select retailers late last month is signature McCartney: sporty, feminine and utilitarian.
Ready to give birth to her third child, McCartney has motherhood on the brain. Each bag contains compartments for cosmetics and baby wipes and insulating compartments for baby bottles.
The Mum Tote, for instance, comes in a dusty pink nylon with a changing pad and a laptop sleeve. In an e-mail, McCartney said she was focused on making the bags "user-friendly, yet attractive...bags with a point of difference in lightweight travel, not just black; bags that complement your personality and your lifestyle."
Wholesale prices range from $42 for a cosmetic case to $204 for one of the luggage pieces.
Another McCartney hallmark is being environmentally conscious. All the fabrics are made from 100 percent recyclable materials and even the paper hangtag is made from recycled paper. The plastic dust bags in which the handbags come are completely biodegradable.
"We tried to be eco-friendly wherever possible," added McCartney.
"We're trying to take our brand to the next level of high-end style and design," said Steve Jacaruso, president and chief operating officer.
While the contract between McCartney and LeSportsac is for 18 months, there is an option to renew for another six months, Jacaruso said.