L.A.M.B.

Infobox_company| company_name = L.A.M.B.
company_
company_type = Corporation | company_slogan = "I want you all over me."
foundation = 2003
location = USA
key_people = Gwen Stefani
industry = Consumer goods
products = Apparel
Handbags
Watches
Shoes
Fragrance|
homepage = [http://www.l-a-m-b.com/ http://www.l-a-m-b.com]
[http://www.lambshoes.com/ http://www.lambshoes.com] otheruses4|the clothing line|the Gwen Stefani album|Love. Angel. Music. Baby|her back-up dancers who use the same names|Harajuku Girls

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

The line is influenced by a variety of fashions cultures, including Guatemalan, Japanese, Indian and Jamaican styles. Stefani came from a line of seamstresses. This further inspired her to launch her own fashion line. The line achieved popularity among celebrities and is 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, [Van Meter, Jonathan [http://www.style.com/vogue/feature/032204/page2.html "The First Lady of Rock"] "Vogue" Retrieved October 12, 2007] and achieved mainstream success at New York Fashion Week in 2005 and currently makes an annual gross income of $90 million. The line, as well as the fashion shows were well received by critics and appreciated the indulgence of a celebrity into the fashion world. An additional fashion line was also launched by Stefani called Harajuku Lovers intended for those who, like her Japanese back-up singers, share a love for Kawaiiness.

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 herself. 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 haute couture clothing. [ [http://www.style.com/vogue/feature/032204/page2.html "First Lady Of Rock"] "Vogue" Retrieved 24 September, 2007] Later Lieberman became her creative consultant and Zaldy Goco took over as the head designer. [ [http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1001050435 "Billboard News"] "Billboard" Retrieved October 13,2007] Goco later parted ways with L.A.M.B. [ [http://www.frillr.com/?q=node/2711 "Gwen Stefani’s L.A.M.B., clothing line loses head designer"] "frillr" Retrieved October 14,2007] L.A.M.B. started out as a collaboration with LeSportsac in 2003.Moss,Corey [http://www.mtvasia.com/News/200301/31002882.html "Gwen Stefani's Fabric Kingdom Starts With Handbags, Wallets"] "MTV" Retrieved November 8, 2007] 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

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 are manufactured by Ska Girl LLC, which was founded in 2003 by Ken Erman, President of L.A.M.B. While for its other products, L.A.M.B has been more of a collaborative fashion line. L.A.M.B joined with Royal Elastics for the shoe line. Stefani is also widening her footwear line for adults to include boots and stilettos. [ [http://www.contactmusic.com/new/xmlfeed.nsf/mndwebpages/stefani%20includes%20baby%20shoes%20in%20lamb%20line_29_04_2006 "Stefani includes Baby Shoes in L.A.M.B line"] "Contactmusic" Retrieved October 13,2007] 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 signature rip-stop nylon along with a variety of antiqued metal hardware, leather trims and colorful linings. Stefani plans to design lingerie as well as make-up products for L.A.M.B. [ [http://www.fibre2fashion.com/news/fashion-news/newsdetails.aspx?news_id=16492 "USA : Tennis shoes for babies from Gwen Stefani"] Retrieved 28 September, 2007] L.A.M.B. partnered with Vestal Group on a line of women's watches. The line consists of 28 timepieces. [ [http://www.licensemag.com/licensemag/article/articleDetail.jsp?id=357466 "Weekly E-News, Issue #169, July 11, 2006"] Licencemag.com Retrieved October 12, 2007]

L.A.M.B. products are relatively expensive, with apparel priced $65 to $850, handbags priced $80 to $550, and watches priced $195 to $650. [Marsh, Lisa [http://www.elle.com/TheWeekInFashion/8942/gwen-stefani-june-30-2006.html "Gwen Stefani: June 30, 2006"] "Elle" Retrieved November 8, 2007]

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," [ [http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/living/fashion/s_483192.html "Briefs: Stefani adds perfume to L.A.M.B. offerings"] "Pittsburgh Tribune" Retrieved October 13,2007] Stefani said, "Creating a fragrance is one of the most prestigious things a designer can do." [ [http://www.teenhollywood.com/d.asp?r=138127&c=1055 "Gwen Stefani & L.A.M.B Partner With Coty to Create Signature Fragrances"] TeenHollywood.com Retrieved 20 September, 2007 ]

The fragrance called "L" was launched in September, 2007 at Soho House in New York. 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. [ Flanagan,Noreen [http://www.ellecanada.com/Beauty/face/splash-dance-gwen-stefani-s-new-fragrance-n239255p1.html "Elle Canada"] Elle Canada. Retrieved September 14, 2007 ] The perfume is available in 50 ml and 100 ml bottles. [ [http://cgi.ebay.com/Gwen-Stefani-L.A.M.B.-L-Bracelet-Sealed-In-Box_W0QQitemZ130151986688QQcmdZViewItem "Ebay Product Details] Ebay Retrieved September 14 , 2007 ]

Promotion and fashion shows

Stefani frequently refers to her clothing line in her music, as one of the brand's promotional strategies. [ Pytlik, Mark [http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/record_review/40049-the-sweet-escape "Review : The Sweet Escape"] "Pitchfork Media" Retrieved October 14, 2007] 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."). [ [http://www.seeklyrics.com/lyrics/Gwen-Stefani/Crash.html "Crash lyrics] Retrieved October 13, 2007] 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. [ [http://video.aol.com/video-detail/l-fragrance-commercial-by-gwen-stefani/177687335 "L" Fragrance Commercial by Gwen Stefani] "AOL" Retrieved October 13, 2007]

L.A.M.B. has 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." [ [http://www.style.com/fashionshows/collections/S2006RTW/review/LAMB "L.A.M.B"] "Style.com" Retrieved October 19, 2007] 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. [Cohan, Sarah. [http://maroon.uchicago.edu/online_edition/voices/2006/02/21/couture-du-jour%C2%97february-21-2006/ L.A.M.B Collection 2005] Chicago Maroon Retrieved 23 September, 2007] [ [http://www.lambfashionshow.com/ Official "Fashion Show video"] Retrieved 23 September, 2007 ]

For Spring/Summer 2007, Stefani opted for a presentation rather than a catwalk show. [http://www.style.com/fashionshows/collections/S2007RTW/review/LAMB "L.A.M.B Fashion shows"] "Style.com" Retrieved November 11, 2007] 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". The show included some of Stefani's trademark tracksuits and extensively referenced prints from Guatemala, India, and Japan. [Maxwell, Alison; Freydkin, Donna; and Barker, Olivia. [http://blogs.usatoday.com/fashion/2006/09/stefani_tends_t.html "Stefani tends to her L.A.M.B."] "USA Today". September 15, 2006. May 30, 2007.] [Borelli, Laird [http://www.style.com/fashionshows/collections/S2007RTW/review/LAMB "Runway Review L.A.M.B"] "Style.com" Retrieved September 29, 2007] 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. [ [http://www.style.com/fashionshows/collections/S2008RTW/review/LAMB "L.A.M.B"] "Style.com" Retrieved October 19,2007] 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. [http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20589285/ "Stefani’s L.A.M.B. gains Fashion Week respect"] msnbc.com Retrieved September 16, 2007 ]

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." 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." [Stimpert, Desiree [http://shoes.about.com/od/celebrityshoes/a/gwen_stefani.htm "L.A.M.B Shoes] Retrieved 25 September, 2007] Tim Stack of "Entertainment Weekly" said, "L.A.M.B.'s embellished tracksuits, Rasta-inspired knits, and gaucho-heel combos deliver the edge"Stack, Tim [http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,1111192,00.html "L.A.M.B. Shop"] "Entertainment Weekly" Retrieved October 14,2007] 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." [Phelps, Nicole [http://www.style.com/fashionshows/collections/S2008RTW/review/LAMB?mbid=msnfw "L.A.M.B Spring 2008 Ready - to - wear"] "Style.com" Retrieved October 18, 2007] 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." [Horyn, Cathy [http://runway.blogs.nytimes.com/2007/09/06/spring-rolls-and-arm-candy/index.html?hp "Spring Rolls and Arm Candy"] "The New York Times" Retrieved October 18, 2007]

Commercial success

The brand is sold in 275 stores worldwide [http://www.chcmedia.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=5366&mode=linear "L.A.M.B To Make $90 Million By End Of Year"] Retrieved October 12, 2007] and is worn by celebrities including Teri Hatcher, Nicole Kidman, Paris Hilton, and Stefani herself. [McGibbon, Rob. [http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,21706422-5006011,00.html "No natural born popstar"] . "The Daily Telegraph". May 13, 2007. Retrieved June 2, 2007.] [Eliscu, Jenny. [http://www.rollingstone.com/news/coverstory/gwen_cuts_loose "Gwen Cuts Loose"] . "Rolling Stone", issue 966. January 27, 2005. Retrieved April 17, 2005.] L.A.M.B sales have expanded from $40 million in 2005Stack, Tim [http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,1111192,00.html "L.A.M.B. Shop"] "Entertainment Weekly" Retrieved October 14,2007] to a predicted $90 million in 2007.Greenberg, Julee [http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-151442380.html "Gwen Stefani keeps close tabs on L.A.M.B.(Company overview)"] Retrieved September 29, 2007] According to a Nordstrom spokesperson, the debut of L.A.M.B.'s watch line, which sold out in two days, was the store's most successful watch launch ever. The brand's designs have appeared in "W", "Marie Claire", "Elle", "Lucky" and "InStyle".Critchell, Samantha [http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/living/2002456156_gwenstefani30.html "Gwen Stefani: just a girl with a new fashion line"] "Seattle Times" Retrieved October 13, 2007]

References

ee also

* Harajuku Lovers, L.A.M.B.'s Kawaii sister line

External links

* [http://www.l-a-m-b.com/ l-a-m-b.com] , official website