Fashion News Alert: Hugo Boss’ Labor Problems, Reed Krakoff Says Goodbye, Marc Jacobs’ and Beyoncé’s New Fragrances, Gisele Retires, and Sayonara Kathy Griffin

As winter weather lightens up, literally, spring is the time when new fragrances hit the market. That said; mega pop star Beyoncé releases her fifth fragrance in the Heat franchise, Hot Wild Orchid, just in time for spring.

With in emphasis on femininity the bottle is in the shape of a wild orchid, reflecting the curves of the feminine body.  The middle notes of the fragrance have the middle scent notes of the Butterfly Orchid. The campaign, shot by Michael Thompson, will feature Beyoncé surrounded by wild orchids.

Heat Wild Orchid will be available in stores for spring 2015 and will range in price from $20 to $59.

Beyoncé is not the only celeb with a new fragrance. Fashion designer extraordinaire celeb Marc Jacobs is releasing a new fragrance, Mod Noir, due to hit Sephora shelves in the US in June 2015 and globally in July.

“When fragrances first started, I was super excited about being able to do it,” Jacobs told WWD, “and I thought, ‘Well, we’ll see how it goes. If it works, then we’ll do more, and if it doesn’t, we’ll try again to do something else.’ The best test is the customer.”

Jacobs has been in the fragrance business for over 10 years, and Mod Noir will reflect Jacobs’ return to his roots. The fragrance will feature green top notes, a gardenia core and musky overtones.

Reed Krakoff suspends operations

According to WWD, a spokesperson for Reed Krakoff has confirmed that, “the company will suspend all future design and production, while continuing to operate its Greene Street and Woodbury Commons stores, as well as the reedkrakoff.com e-commerce site … the company will suspend all future design and production, while continuing to operate its Greene Street and Woodbury Commons stores, as well as the reedkrakoff.com e-commerce site.” The company will focus on the accessible luxury accessory market.

Reed Krakoff was formerly the executive creative director of Coach for 16 years winning the CFDA Accessory Designer of the Year Award in 2012 for his namesake brand. The company will retain 30 staff members through this transition.

Gisele struts her last catwalk

Rumors have persisted for months that Gisele Bundchen is set to retire for runway modeling.

Recently, it has been reported in that the Bundchen, the highest paid model according to Forbes magazine, will retire from the runway during Sao Paulo Fashion Week. Gisele Bundchen has ruled the runway for over two decades and last strutted the catwalk during the Chanel show in Paris in September 2014.

Sao Paulo Fashion Week starts April 13.

Hugo Boss’ labor problems

Clean Clothing Campaign (CCC) has slammed the Hugo Boss brand for violating the labor rights of its worker in factories in Turkey and Croatia that produce its collections. The CCC contends that the Hugo Boss brand has been involved in worker intimidation, union busting, lack of overtime regulation, and sexual harassment.

“‘Made in Europe’ should mean that workers escape from poverty and do not have to be afraid to join a union,” said Bettina Musiolek, spokesman for the CCC. “But on the contrary: ‘Made in Europe’ creates poverty and prevents people from exercising their political freedoms. Hugo Boss can and should step up to put an end to these gross violations. A real BOSS pays a living wage, “as reported in fashionmag.com.

According to fashionmag.com, the brand’s largest production site is in Izmir, Turkey. And the company reports that the payroll of Turkish workers in 2013 (326 euros) was below the poverty threshold (401 euros) and far below a minimum living wage (890 euros).

Adieu Kathy Griffin

After hosting only seven episodes, comedian Kathy Griffin says goodbye to E!’ network’s “Fashion Police.”  Griffin’s raison d’exit was feeling that her comedy was out of step on the “Fashion Police.”

“There is plenty to make fun of in pop culture without bringing people’s bodies into it,” Griffin wrote as reported in vulture.com. “But I do not want to use my comedy to contribute to a culture of unattainable perfectionism and intolerance towards difference.”

Now the big question is who will replace Kathy Griffin as hope or if “Fashion Police” will continue. Joan Rivers you really left us in a lurch!!

—William S. Gooch