Weekend Fashion News Alert: Alexander Wang Jumps Ship, Cindy Crawford’s “Modeling Wars,” the Skinny on Men’s Jeans, and Jones New York Acquired

Are you tired of modeling shows? Aren’t we all!! Well, Cindy Crawford’s new television series “Icon” is far removed from the fashion reality television shows that have oversaturated the market.

“Icon,” which is still in development, is a television series based on the model agency wars of the 1980s. You know, Ford Models versus John Casablanca’s Elite Model Management.

Crawford will not star in the series; she will act as a producer. “Icon” is slated for NBC; however, the air date as yet to be set.

Alexander Wang leaves Balenciaga

On Friday the House of Balenciaga confirmed that Alexander Wang would leave his post of creative director after a near three-year stint. Wang came to Balenciaga in late 2012 after the departure of Nicholas Ghesquiere.

“Balenciaga and Alexander Wang today announce their joint decision not to renew their contract beyond its initial term,” Balenciaga and its holding company Kering said in a statement. “Alexander Wang will show his final collection for spring/summer 2016 women’s wear on 2 October 2015 in Paris,” Balenciaga said, adding a new creative director would be named “in due course” as reported in fashionmag.com.

Men show your legs

The NDP Group recently reported that while the sale of skinny jeans to women is down 14%, male consumer spending on skinny jeans has increased by 30 percent. Skinny jean sales for men increased 30% from $100 million to $130 million for the 12 months ending in April 2015.

Though there has been a push this season toward the athleisure trend. It appears that this fixation on athletic wear as daywear has not put a damper on male skinny jean phenomenon. Hmm, I guess that means more time on the elliptical machine. Darn!!

Oh Canada

All 35 Jones New York stores in Canada have been acquired by Grafton Fraser, Inc, with the Canadian-based men’s retailer looking to keep all 400 employees and grow the number of retail stores in Canada. Grafton Fraser, Inc. has also signed a long-term contract with Authentic Brands Group, LLC (ABG), the holding company of Jones New York in the US and other countries. Jones New York reports retail profits of $750 million in Canada, the US, Latin America, the Middle East, and Europe.

We are very excited to add Jones New York women’s clothing stores to our growing fashion retail portfolio,” confirms Dave McGregor, President and CEO, Grafton Fraser Inc. in a fashionmag.com article.  “For more than two decades Jones New York has been a trusted fashion brand in Canada that women …We bring 100+ years of experience to Canadian fashion retail, and see Jones New York as a perfect fit for Grafton.”

—William S. Gooch