We're in the world of fashion. It’s always hard to tell or prove something like that. You can’t really patent a design, which can be frustrating. ... You lend someone a sample, or even sending certain samples to stores and they don’t necessarily pick you up. You just never know. To an extent you can take it as a compliment, because sometimes there isn’t much you can do
”She told Styleite
Charlotte Ronson's collections and collaborations always do well at retail but the downside of her big retail appeal is her propensity to produce predictable collections. Fans of Ronson will like her white lace dresses and lace detail along the bust of printed styles developed from her interest in Victorian era and the presence of her signature boho aesthetic on patchwork jeans that were a modern take on the 70s staple but despite that, the collection felt a bit samey. Yes there some good pieces like a denim jumpsuit styled over a simple lightweight blue tee which added a more masculine edge to an otherwise flirty feminine collection, but I couldn't help but feel disappointed that Ronson isn't taking more risks.
Despite still being labelled as an up-and-coming brand, Charlotte Ronson's success since launching her brand back in 2005 says quite the opposite. Aside from calling Gisele Bündchen and Nicole Richie fans, her collaborations with brands JCPenny and Urban Outfitters have brought in well over $30million. But it doesn't end there. This week she announced that she is expanding in beauty and will launch her first collection in Sephora stores as soon as September.
The beauty collection is already going downa treat with her celebrity pals. Rashida Jones, Lake Bell and Nicole Richie are only a few names amongst the list of stars that came out to Il Sole this week to try out the collection. Their support is definitely noted as Ronson has decided to name several pieces from the collection after her celebrity friends, which will undoubtedly boost sales. “A lot of my friends and family inspire me. You learn. If my friend has a great lipstick, you want to know what she’s wearing. Some people know how to wear makeup and some don’t. I am inspired by strong women who also give a lot to this world,” she told Fashionista. “I was very hands-on with everything. You have to be because it needs to have your essence in it beginning to end. I have no concept of time, but I feel like it’s been at least two years since the initial conversation about this, so it’s been a long time coming! My heart and soul is in this.”
Russell Simmons thinks Charlotte Ronson's collection "smells" like it will sell [The Cut]
Butter London introduces an 'All Hail McQueen' nail varnish [Nylon]
Get personal with model Liu Wen [Refinery29]
Is ordering straight from fashion week the new trend? [NY Times]
Would you wear matte lipstick? [Style.com]
Despite being one of the most famous Ronson siblings on the fashion scene, designer Charlotte Ronson's interview with The Telegraph's Helena de Bertodano makes for a rather uncomfortable read, and from what we can gather, it was a rather uncomfortable interview sitting, too. Opening with a somewhat pessimistic approach to her final piece, de Bertodano explains that Ronson rolls up to their appointment half an hour late - and best yet, it's because she's having lunch with her PR, Matt.
Things continue to get more awkward throughout the piece, as Matt the PR sits in - "In my 15 years of doing interviews, only a handful of people have needed baby-sitters – the Queen of Jordan, the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Dalai Lama… And now Charlotte Ronson", de Bertodano writes. On Ronson's attitude to the interview, she explains "Outside the fashion world Charlotte Ronson is not a name that is instantly recognisable, yet she behaves as though she has been interviewed to death," continuing, "The first few minutes are awful, so bad that I find myself telling Ronson, 32, that she looks really fed up and asking if she hates interviews. Luckily, this has the effect of galvanising her. 'I just don't like talking about myself. An hour is a long time.'
The Charlotte Ronson girl is a '70s gypsy this season. Traveller-chic was the order of the day at the designer's Fall 2010 show. Despite showing turbans that felt a bit contrived, Ronson showed ditsy floral print dresses and knee-high velvet boots and long scarves. The designer worked last season's trend of sheer details and underwear as outerwear with black tops layered under cardigans, showing just enough skin for Fall.
Amongst the dark colour palette were flashes of colour. A bright-red pleated trouser was styled with a black square-neck knit top and sleeveless coat, and block colours also materialised on harem pants.
