L.A.M.B.

L.A.M.B. is a fashion line by American singer Gwen Stefani, the lead vocalist of the rock band No Doubt. The line manufactures apparel and fashion accessories. It was founded in 2003 and made its runway debut in 2004. The fashion line manufactures accessories like shoes, watches, bags and a fragrance called "L." The name is an acronym of her debut solo album Love. Angel. Music. Baby.

L.A.M.B.

Type	Corporation
Industry	Consumer goods
Founded	2003
Headquarters	United States
Key people	Gwen Stefani
Products	Apparel Handbags Watches Shoes Fragrance

The line was influenced by a variety of cultures fashions, including Guatemalan, Japanese, Indian and Jamaican styles. Stefani came from a family of seamstresses. This further inspired her to launch her own fashion line. The line achieved popularity among celebrities and was worn by stars such as Teri Hatcher, Nicole Kidman, Paris Hilton and Stefani herself. The fashion line made a runway debut in the spring collection of 2004[1] and achieved mainstream success at New York Fashion Week in 2005. At one point, its annual gross income was $90 million. The line, as well as the shows at which it was displayed, were well received by critics and appreciated the indulgence of a celebrity into the fashion world. An additional fashion line, called Harajuku Lovers, was subsequently launched by Stefani.

History

Stefani first came face to face with designing clothes when she and her mother would sew clothes for themselves when she was young. Stefani comes from a long line of seamstresses, as even her great-grandmother would sew clothes. Stefani made most of the things she wore onstage during concerts. When she became successful and began to tour constantly, she felt she lost her way. Then she met the stylist Andrea Lieberman. Lieberman introduced her to ready-to-wear clothing. Later Lieberman became her creative consultant and Zaldy Goco took over as the head designer.[2] Goco later parted ways with L.A.M.B.[3]

L.A.M.B. started out as a collaboration with LeSportsac in 2003. The name L.A.M.B. is an acronym which stands for Love. Angel. Music. Baby., which is also the name of Stefani's first solo album.

Products

A L.A.M.B. label wedge-heel shoe.

The fashion line manufactures clothes, shoes, bags and a fragrance called "L". The brand started out as a line for women but claims the track items are unisex. The clothes were manufactured by Ska Girl LLC, which was founded in 2003 by Ken Erman, president of L.A.M.B.

The eyewear collection launched in January 2016. It won 3 of 20/20 - Vision Monday Reader's Choice awards: Frame Brand Introduced 2016, Sunglass Brand Introduced 2016 & Frame Brand – Women.[4]

L.A.M.B joined with Royal Elastics for the shoe line. Stefani then started to widen the footwear line for adults to include boots and stilettos.[5] L.A.M.B collaborated with Coty Inc. for the fragrance and with LeSportsac for handbags in 2003. Stefani went on to design a new line of handbags with Shifter and Partners in 2006. The bags feature LeSportsac's rip-stop nylon along with a variety of antiqued metal hardware, leather trims and colorful linings. Stefani planned to design lingerie as well as make-up products for L.A.M.B. L.A.M.B. partnered with Vestal Group on a line of 39 women's watches.[6]

L.A.M.B. products were relatively expensive,[7] with apparel priced $55 to $1100, handbags priced $80 to $825, and watches priced $125 to $995.[8]

Fragrance

Coty Inc. announced a global licensing agreement with Stefani, to develop and market fragrances for L.A.M.B. Catherine Walsh, senior vice president, American Fragrances, Coty Prestige, said in a statement - "From the packaging to the bottle design to the distinctive scent itself, we will be working very closely with Stefani to ensure that her signature fragrance captures her rare spirit, style and warmth,"[9] Stefani said, "Creating a fragrance is one of the most prestigious things a designer can do."[10]

The fragrance called "L" was launched in September 2007 at Soho House in New York City. Stefani worked with perfumer Harry Fremont to develop the scent. Stefani described the fragrance as "it's another thing you can wear and another thing I can be part of creatively. I created it for myself -- it's like me shrunk into a box." The perfume is a blend of the aromas of hyacinth, white freesia, fresh pear, violet, jasmine, rose, lily, sweet pea, orange blossom, peach, frangipani, heliotrope and musk.[11]

Promotion and fashion shows

	Just wait 'til you get your little hands on L.A.M.B.
—In Stefani's song "Harajuku Girls"

Stefani frequently referred to her clothing line in her music, as one of the brand's promotional strategies.[12] Stefani refers to her clothing line in her songs "Wind It Up," "Harajuku Girls," and "Crash" (which even incorporates the brand's slogan, "I want you all over me like L.A.M.B.").[13] Stefani is often seen wearing her own designs, especially when making public appearances. A thirty-second commercial directed by Sophie Muller was also released to promote the brand's fragrance.[14]

L.A.M.B. had participated in the Spring/Summer 2006, 2007, and 2008 New York Fashion Weeks. Stefani described her first line, which debuted on September 16, 2005, as "a little Sound of Music, some Orange County chola girl, some Rasta, and a bit of The Great Gatsby."[15] The highlights of the show were purple cars bouncing using hydraulics while Stefani's song "Wind It Up" made its debut as the models walked the runway.[16]

For Spring/Summer 2007, Stefani opted for a presentation rather than a catwalk show.[17] The models, all donning identical blond wigs, wore designs Stefani said were inspired by Michelle Pfeiffer's role as Elvira Hancock in the 1983 Scarface.[17] The show included some of Stefani's trademark tracksuits and extensively referenced prints from Guatemala, India, and Japan.[17][18][19] On September 5, 2007, L.A.M.B opened New York's Spring/Summer 2008 Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week. The collection "looked like the sixties as seen by someone who grew up in the eighties" and incorporated influences from Stefani's ska roots.[20] Fashion week organizer Fern Mallis said that celebrity designers provided synergy and energy to the fashion industry, which made Stefani's collection a desirable opener.[21]

Critical reception

The line was mostly well received by critics and Stefani was appreciated for taking fashion seriously even though she is a celebrity. Fern Mallis of IMG praised the line and Stefani as well and said, "the L.A.M.B. line is clearly at the top of these lines and is as unique and individual as Gwen herself."[21] The shoes were well received by the critics, though considered to be pricey. Desiree Stimpert of About.com said, " ... these shoes aren't for everyone, but will most definitely appeal to fans of Ms. Stefani's music and fashion - sense."[22] Tim Stack of Entertainment Weekly said, "L.A.M.B.'s embellished tracksuits, Rasta-inspired knits, and gaucho-heel combos deliver the edge"[23] Nicole Phelps of Style.com said, "The collection, which looked like the sixties as seen by someone who grew up in the eighties, was altogether more wearable and on trend."[24] Fashion journalist Cathy Horyn of The New York Times differed and said, "If ever there was a reason for a pop star to concentrate on her vocal skills, it was Gwen Stefani's fashion meltdown."[25]

Commercial success

The brand was sold in 275 stores worldwide[26] and was seen worn on celebrities including Teri Hatcher, Nicole Kidman, Kelly Ripa, Paris Hilton, and Stefani herself.[27][28] L.A.M.B sales had expanded from $40 million in 2005[23] to a predicted $90 million in 2007.[7] According to a Nordstrom spokesperson, the debut of L.A.M.B.'s watch line was the store's most successful watch launch ever.[7] The brand's designs have appeared in W, Marie Claire, Elle, Lucky and InStyle.[29]

References

1. Van Meter, Jonathan "The First Lady of Rock" Archived 2008-01-20 at the Wayback MachineVogue, retrieved October 12, 2007
2. "Billboard News" Archived 2014-10-02 at the Wayback Machine Billboard Retrieved January 28, 2017
3. "Gwen Stefani's L.a.M.B., Clothing Line Loses Head Designer". All Women's Talk. 2007-04-03. Archived from the original on 2018-03-24. Retrieved 2018-03-24.
4. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2017-11-07. Retrieved 2017-10-31.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
5. "Stefani includes Baby Shoes in L.A.M.B line" Archived 2008-06-02 at the Wayback Machine Contactmusic Retrieved October 13, 2007
6. "Weekly E-News, Issue #169, July 11, 2006" Archived June 5, 2008, at the Wayback Machine Licencemag.com Retrieved October 12, 2007
7. Greenberg, Julee "Gwen Stefani keeps close tabs on L.A.M.B.(Company overview)" Archived 2012-10-20 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved September 29, 2007
8. Marsh, Lisa "Gwen Stefani: June 30, 2006" Archived March 3, 2008, at the Wayback Machine Elle Retrieved November 8, 2007
9. "Briefs: Stefani adds perfume to L.A.M.B. offerings" Archived 2007-11-14 at the Wayback Machine Pittsburgh Tribune Retrieved October 13, 2007
10. "Gwen Stefani & L.A.M.B Partner With Coty to Create Signature Fragrances" Archived 2008-06-02 at the Wayback Machine TeenHollywood.com Retrieved 20 September 2007
11. Flanagan, Noreen "Elle Canada" Archived 2008-06-02 at the Wayback Machine Elle Canada. Retrieved September 14, 2007
12. Pytlik, Mark "Review : The Sweet Escape" Archived 2007-10-24 at the Wayback Machine Pitchfork Media Retrieved October 14, 2007
13. "Crash lyrics Archived 2007-10-11 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved October 13, 2007
14. "L" Fragrance Commercial by Gwen Stefani AOL Retrieved October 13, 2007
15. "L.A.M.B" Archived 2007-10-22 at the Wayback Machine Style.com Retrieved October 19, 2007
16. Official "Fashion Show video" Archived 2007-03-13 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved 23 September 2007
17. "L.A.M.B Fashion shows" Archived 2007-10-11 at the Wayback Machine Style.com Retrieved November 11, 2007
18. Maxwell, Alison; Freydkin, Donna; and Barker, Olivia. "Stefani tends to her L.A.M.B." Archived 2009-02-20 at the Wayback Machine USA Today. September 15, 2006. May 30, 2007.
19. Borelli, Laird "Runway Review L.A.M.B" Archived 2007-10-11 at the Wayback Machine Style.com Retrieved September 29, 2007
20. "L.A.M.B" Archived 2007-10-11 at the Wayback Machine Style.com Retrieved October 19, 2007
21. "Stefani's L.A.M.B. gains Fashion Week respect" msnbc.com Retrieved September 16, 2007
22. Stimpert, Desiree "L.A.M.B Shoes Archived 2007-10-16 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved 25 September 2007
23. Stack, Tim "L.A.M.B. Shop" Archived 2008-10-13 at the Wayback Machine Entertainment Weekly Retrieved October 14, 2007
24. Phelps, Nicole "L.A.M.B Spring 2008 Ready - to - wear" Archived 2007-10-11 at the Wayback Machine Style.com Retrieved October 18, 2007
25. Horyn, Cathy "Spring Rolls and Arm Candy" The New York Times Retrieved October 18, 2007
26. "L.A.M.B To Make $90 Million By End Of Year" Archived 2008-06-05 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved October 12, 2007
27. McGibbon, Rob. "No natural born popstar" Archived 2007-05-19 at the Wayback Machine. The Daily Telegraph. May 13, 2007. Retrieved June 2, 2007.
28. Eliscu, Jenny. "Gwen Cuts Loose" Archived 2009-05-01 at the Wayback Machine. Rolling Stone, issue 966. January 27, 2005. Retrieved April 17, 2005.
29. Critchell, Samantha "Gwen Stefani: just a girl with a new fashion line" Archived 2008-06-02 at the Wayback Machine Seattle Times Retrieved October 13, 2007