Fashion News Alert: Ann Taylor’s Collaboration, Kate Makes List, and Estée Lauder Expands to Africa

Tapping into Sub-Saharan Africa’s middle class Estée, Lauder has plans to expand its presence in the region by promoting two of its most lucrative brands, Clinique and MAC. There appears to be a demand for luxury cosmetics by the region’s middle class. “”Our target consumer is the emerging middle class, the established middle class and that affluent African consumer who’s probably extremely well-traveled and very brand savvy,” says Sue Fox, Estee Lauder’s managing director of Sub-Saharan Africa.

Estée Lauder’s sojourn into Sub-Saharan Africa comes on the back of its MAC launch this past February in Nigeria. “There’s massive interest from the consumers there in international brands,” says Fox. “We’re very excited about the potential of MAC in Nigeria. That’s led us to pursue a strategy with MAC that will ensure that we’re able to bring the brand to consumers in other markets.”

Estée Lauder is targeting African cities and countries with the biggest growth potential. Those cities include, but are not limited to, Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt in Nigeria, as well as the capitals of Ghana, Kenya, Tanzania, Mozambique and Angola.

Kate Is Still Best Dressed

Vanity Fair has placed the Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton, on the best dressed list for the fourth time. This time out Middleton shares the list with Kerry Washington, Beyonce, Justin Timberlake, Rolling Stone’s Keith Richards, LeBron James, quarterback Tom Brady, Brooke Shields, Victoria Beckham, among others.

Vanity Fair admitted that Middleton’s inclusion on their best-dressed list this fourth time is a culmination of her style leading up to the birth of the royal couple’s first child.

Ann  Steps it Up with Vince

Ann Taylor’s collaboration with Vince Camuto for a fall line of shoes may not be as obvious as it should be.  According to WWD, the new line of shoes will not carry Vince Camuto’s name.

The 30 to 40 pairs of shoes are an attempt to turn Ann Taylor into a “complete lifestyle brand for the modern woman,” with Ann Taylor overseeing production. Hmm, sounds a little bit like private labeling!!

At any rate, the fall line will include caged booties, kitten heels, leopard prints and ballet flats; something for every stylish shopper.  Now, the question is will Kate Hudson be impressed!!

—William S. Gooch