A style star will be signing at the mall
By now true style gurus know that Sex and the City actress Sarah Jessica Parker debuted her contemporary clothing line, Bitten, in June at Steve & Barry's stores nationwide.
By now true style gurus know that
Sex and the City
actress Sarah Jessica Parker debuted her contemporary clothing line, Bitten, in June at Steve & Barry's stores nationwide.
What may get you up early this morning is that Parker will be signing autograph cards and shaking fans' hands at 10 a.m. at the Steve & Barry's at the Franklin Mills mall.
Today's appearance launches Parker's four-city tour, which includes stops in Cincinnati, Detroit and Chicago.
Time will be tight for the diminutive, curly- (or straight-) maned stylista, as her Cincinnati appearance is scheduled for late this afternoon. So, there won't be any talk about HBO's planned Sex and the City movie. (Darn!)
However, Parker, whom we most lovingly associate with the über-high-end clotheshorse Carrie, will definitely expound upon her latest fashion motto: "It is every woman's inalienable right to have a pulled-together, stylish wardrobe with money left over to live."
That philosophy seems to be at work throughout the Bitten line, where the highest-priced item is $19.98.
With close to 1,000 separates, Bitten fashion appears to be pretty cool. Closely following the fall trends, the line has lots of fitted jackets and well-made trousers with wide legs and pleated details. Three-piece suits and trench coats are featured looks.
Denim is a strong component, in washes that are dark as well as shiny. Those will surely look cute when paired with the horizontally striped tiny T-shirts Parker wears in Bitten Internet promotions.
In addition, there is a collection of easy knit dresses, as well as camisoles, in sizes XS to XXL and 0 to 22. Hobo bags, lacy lingerie and snazzy athletic gear are also a part of the grouping.
All in all, the line is dependable, wearable and, most importantly, affordable.
And marketing-wise, how can you lose with a Web site (www.bittensjp.com) that features the easygoing Parker, her hair haphazardly blowing in the wind, and the pink-lipstick scripted words: "Fashion is not a luxury, it's a right" blipping across the screen?
Steve & Barry's has roots at the University of Pennsylvania. Founders Steve Shore and Barry Prevor opened an on-campus store in 1985 to sell licensed college apparel. In the next 13 years, Steve & Barry's moved to several college campuses before giving non-collegiate apparel a try seven years ago.
Today most of Steve & Barry's 200 stores average about 60,000 square feet. Each has hardwood ceilings and exposed rafters, giving the spaces a warehouse feel.
The Bitten line has a store within each Steve & Barry's store, with 2,000 to 5,000 feet dedicated to the merchandise. Within that area, Parker's voice trills over speakers, telling us how important affordable fashion is. Her image flashes on flat-screen TVs.
Steve & Barry's execs approached Parker in mid-2006 to create the line in hopes of raising the company's profile. Parker chose the name Bitten, as she says she was "bitten" by the high-fashion, low-price concept. (Clever, huh?)
Two lead designers work on the line, and while Parker doesn't actually fashion all the clothes, says Howard Schacter of Steve & Barry's, each piece must have her stamp of approval before it is made.
"We are thrilled," said Schacter, chief partnership officer at the New York-based company. "The fact that Parker wants to go on the road and visit markets like Philadelphia is fantastic."
If You Go
Sarah Jessica Parker will be signing autographs and introducing her clothing line, Bitten, today at 10 a.m. at Steve & Barry's, 1455 Franklin Mills Circle. For information, call 215-637-1543.
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Elizabeth Wellington will interview Sarah Jessica Parker after her local appearance today. Read it at http://go.philly.com/sjpEndText