Gap Dismisses Its Design Chief as Sales Falter - Yahoo! Finance
Okay, what's REALLY interesting in this are the comments to this story - sounds like it's not designer problems, it's that they are completing for the same customers that shop at Target,Old Navy and the like.
I'll be honest - I thought they made a HUGE mistake when they 86'ed Forth and Towne. They should have continued to try to reach a wider and more sophisticated audience as Talbots has.
But hey that's just me talking! ;-)
Showing posts with label Forth and Towne. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Forth and Towne. Show all posts
Saturday, May 07, 2011
Monday, May 28, 2007
Forth and Towne...
Otherwise know as Dead Store Walking, is having a summer (aka, pre-closing sale)...
DON'T bother going to their website to get an idea of what you might go looking for...it's CLOSED!!!!!
Okay....I'm so bitter about this that I think I need a time out to put together a sane comment on what I think about the whole Forth and Towne closing and what it says about how both retail and the fashion world in general think about the post 40 woman.
Anyway.....
On the real tip -- if you've got a Forth and Towne within striking distance, get on over and grab some chic grownup clothes - before the body's cold!
DON'T bother going to their website to get an idea of what you might go looking for...it's CLOSED!!!!!
Okay....I'm so bitter about this that I think I need a time out to put together a sane comment on what I think about the whole Forth and Towne closing and what it says about how both retail and the fashion world in general think about the post 40 woman.
Anyway.....
On the real tip -- if you've got a Forth and Towne within striking distance, get on over and grab some chic grownup clothes - before the body's cold!
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
Here's where the fun begins....
Got this in the e-mail this morning....
Forth and Towne Spring Essentials Sale
It was probably planned prior to the announcement that the store is closing. But it does become a calculation of timing - buy something that is just on sale now or wait 'till the liquidation you know is coming?
I have to admit, I'm tempted to go ahead and buy the white blouse -- I've had my eye on it and there should be plenty of size choice right now!
Anyway -- just a heads up!
It was probably planned prior to the announcement that the store is closing. But it does become a calculation of timing - buy something that is just on sale now or wait 'till the liquidation you know is coming?
I have to admit, I'm tempted to go ahead and buy the white blouse -- I've had my eye on it and there should be plenty of size choice right now!
Anyway -- just a heads up!
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
Forth and Towne....
Is toast....
Gap shutting down Forth & Towne chain
Here's The Budget Fashionista's take...
Breaking News: Forth and Towne is Closing...
Sigh...I too am disappointed, but not surprised. When I began reading that the Gap was in trouble I knew that F&T would be the first to go.
I was able, a few weeks ago, to visit the one here in the Chicago area -- and came away very impressed and with a great deal on a lovely navy sweater ($27.00 with tax, down from 128.00!). The physical plant was gorgeous (the dressing rooms are to die for!), the service sublime, and the clothes I felt, contrary to the snarky comment in the MSNBC article, had the kind of mature style women of an age are looking for - chic not dowdy.
I'm not saying that there was not room for improvement. The sizes could go up beyond size 20 -- but even that was a kind of triumph - especially because they did not segregate the larger sizes from the smaller ones!.
At the very least, it was most definitely a store designed for grown-ups - for me it had the feel of what I would envision a modern upscale clothing salon should be.
But in all honesty, the Gap was all too tentative about this attempt at serving the over 35 woman. As far as I could tell, they didn't even start advertising the stores in the major fashion mags until this past Christmas! It was as if they wanted to do it, but didn't really want anyone to know that they were doing it. It was a "secret lover" kind of thing - like the Hermes Kelly bag an oh so rich lover would give -- and then not acknowledge you when he sees you on the street! (Not that I have any experience of that, mind you!)
Personally, I think they are making yet another bad call in closing this chain -- but then they didn't ask me.
Anyway....At least those of us who have a F&T nearby will be able to look forward to one hell of a sale! If you have one in your area, go by and savor what might have been.
Gap shutting down Forth & Towne chain
Here's The Budget Fashionista's take...
Breaking News: Forth and Towne is Closing...
Sigh...I too am disappointed, but not surprised. When I began reading that the Gap was in trouble I knew that F&T would be the first to go.
I was able, a few weeks ago, to visit the one here in the Chicago area -- and came away very impressed and with a great deal on a lovely navy sweater ($27.00 with tax, down from 128.00!). The physical plant was gorgeous (the dressing rooms are to die for!), the service sublime, and the clothes I felt, contrary to the snarky comment in the MSNBC article, had the kind of mature style women of an age are looking for - chic not dowdy.
I'm not saying that there was not room for improvement. The sizes could go up beyond size 20 -- but even that was a kind of triumph - especially because they did not segregate the larger sizes from the smaller ones!.
At the very least, it was most definitely a store designed for grown-ups - for me it had the feel of what I would envision a modern upscale clothing salon should be.
But in all honesty, the Gap was all too tentative about this attempt at serving the over 35 woman. As far as I could tell, they didn't even start advertising the stores in the major fashion mags until this past Christmas! It was as if they wanted to do it, but didn't really want anyone to know that they were doing it. It was a "secret lover" kind of thing - like the Hermes Kelly bag an oh so rich lover would give -- and then not acknowledge you when he sees you on the street! (Not that I have any experience of that, mind you!)
Personally, I think they are making yet another bad call in closing this chain -- but then they didn't ask me.
Anyway....At least those of us who have a F&T nearby will be able to look forward to one hell of a sale! If you have one in your area, go by and savor what might have been.
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
Forth and Towne Inches into the 21st Century....
By offering order by phone!
Look, I love Forth and Towne - even through I've yet to buy any of their clothes. Their clothes offer a quintessential easily polished and poised style - they bring to mind Jackie Kennedy on her best day. Just the kind of togs many 50+ Fashionistas are seeking!
For example - Their Spring Essentials:
I'm instantly in love with the collared blouse:
Sateen Button Down Blouse - $48.00
And the boot cut trousers!:
Bootcut Pant = $98.00
And as you can see, the prices, while not cheap, are certainly within reach.
But they only have a few stores which can only be found out in the far burbs and, up until today, there was no way to order their clothes.
But what should show up in my e-mail today but - ta-da!
Now I don't know why Forth and Towne seems to have such a tentative attitude towards allowing true online ordering on their site. Especially since they are a division of The Gap - on who's site you can order anything shown!
That being said, I'm thrilled at the possibility of at least calling in an order - through I still intend to make the trek up to their Skokie store to check them out in person!
(Note: To those overseas - it's not clear on their site whether or not they will do overseas shipping, but since you'll have to call anyway, be sure to ask that first thing!)
Look, I love Forth and Towne - even through I've yet to buy any of their clothes. Their clothes offer a quintessential easily polished and poised style - they bring to mind Jackie Kennedy on her best day. Just the kind of togs many 50+ Fashionistas are seeking!
For example - Their Spring Essentials:
I'm instantly in love with the collared blouse:
And the boot cut trousers!:
And as you can see, the prices, while not cheap, are certainly within reach.
But they only have a few stores which can only be found out in the far burbs and, up until today, there was no way to order their clothes.
But what should show up in my e-mail today but - ta-da!
Now I don't know why Forth and Towne seems to have such a tentative attitude towards allowing true online ordering on their site. Especially since they are a division of The Gap - on who's site you can order anything shown!
That being said, I'm thrilled at the possibility of at least calling in an order - through I still intend to make the trek up to their Skokie store to check them out in person!
(Note: To those overseas - it's not clear on their site whether or not they will do overseas shipping, but since you'll have to call anyway, be sure to ask that first thing!)
Tuesday, December 19, 2006
And now back to the Chrismas Shopping...
Now back to shopping FOR Christmas....(Okay, maybe a little for you too - just remember those sale shopping tips!):
Forth and Towne (The Gap for grownups) is getting out that last minute sale:
Forth and Towne Holiday Sale
Forth and Towne (The Gap for grownups) is getting out that last minute sale:
Friday, October 27, 2006
Shopping Alert!....
Okay. It's Friday and payday (for somebody, I'm sure!). So if there are any dollars left after the bills get paid.....
Kate Spade's got another sale going on (What, is she taking tips from Macy's?):
Kate Spade Sale
Looks like the Liz C. group is firing with both barrels for fall:
Liz Claiborne Fall Sale
Elisabeth Fall Sale
(Now if you have been reading this blog, you'll notice that I posted the 15% off sale in an earlier post. However, as the e-mail I just recieved stated "up to 60% off" -- so I figure it might be worth it to post it again....)
And Forth and Towne is already getting on their holiday groove....
Forth & Towne
Enjoy!
Kate Spade's got another sale going on (What, is she taking tips from Macy's?):
Looks like the Liz C. group is firing with both barrels for fall:
(Now if you have been reading this blog, you'll notice that I posted the 15% off sale in an earlier post. However, as the e-mail I just recieved stated "up to 60% off" -- so I figure it might be worth it to post it again....)
And Forth and Towne is already getting on their holiday groove....
Enjoy!
Tuesday, September 26, 2006
Shopping Alert!.....
Forth & Towne (The Gap's "grownups" store) is having a 50% off sale on new fall pieces.
Check them out at the following link:
Forth & Towne: New Season, New Elegance
I've not had a chance to check out their stores here in the ChiTown area (but I signed up for their e-mail list - go figure!) -- I'll have to plan a field trip! But the pieces on the website do look lovely. Even better - their sizes range from 2 - 20! Go Gap! (But come on guys -- get an online store going on on this site, okay?)
A few samples:
From their Allegory collection - A great work outfit:
Ruffle shirt and skirt
From their Prize collection - This one would move easily from work to evening:
Silk Blouse and Trouser
From their Vocabulary collection - a simply lovely silk dress:
Silk Dress
As you can see, the Gap is really kickin' it up a notch with the Forth and Towne stores! And the prices don't make you feel like you're choosing between a dress and your rent!
So if you've got a F & T near you, check 'em out -- and let me know if you find something you love!
Check them out at the following link:
Forth & Towne: New Season, New Elegance
I've not had a chance to check out their stores here in the ChiTown area (but I signed up for their e-mail list - go figure!) -- I'll have to plan a field trip! But the pieces on the website do look lovely. Even better - their sizes range from 2 - 20! Go Gap! (But come on guys -- get an online store going on on this site, okay?)
A few samples:
From their Allegory collection - A great work outfit:
From their Prize collection - This one would move easily from work to evening:
From their Vocabulary collection - a simply lovely silk dress:
As you can see, the Gap is really kickin' it up a notch with the Forth and Towne stores! And the prices don't make you feel like you're choosing between a dress and your rent!
So if you've got a F & T near you, check 'em out -- and let me know if you find something you love!
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