Home Fashion Sarah Jessica launches clothing collection in New York

Sarah Jessica launches clothing collection in New York

Actress Sarah Jessica Parker, best known for her role as the fashion-conscious role Carrie in 'Sex and the City', launched a clothing collection in New York. Hundreds of fans queued to see Parker's Bitten label being unveiled at retail chain Steve & Barry's. "They haven't saturated the market yet but we're getting kind of close," said Marshal Cohen, chief analyst at NPD Group Inc., a Port Washington, N.Y.-based market research firm. "Celebrity branding makes it easy for a company to a sell a brand because it becomes a talking point." So far the lines have done well, but since most are in their first season, there isn't much to compare them with, Cohen said. That mass accessibility is what attracted Parker to the project. "I really loved the idea of making fashion accessible to every woman in this country despite her economic standing, despite her size, her shape and her ethnic background," the 42-year-old actress said. "The idea of the democratization of fashion was extremely appealing to me." At the launch in New York, Parker wore a Bitten outfit - the name comes from being "bitten" by the theater bug - that showed its emphasis on basics: a striped tank, a willow-colored cardigan and gray straight-leg pants. Bitten, however, is based on Parker's belief that it is "every woman's inalienable right to have a pulled-together, stylish, confident wardrobe with money left over to live." Parker worked with two Steve & Barry's designers to develop the line, which includes suit separates, shirts, dresses, lingerie, denim, T-shirts, nightgowns, cashmere sweaters, swimwear and other items. Steve & Barry's held down costs by using virtually no advertising, manufacturing its own clothes and selling in large volume, said Howard Schacter, the retailer's chief partnership officer. Steve & Barry's is based in Port Washington, N.Y., and operates 200 stores in 33 states. Shoppers who showed up at the launch snapped up jeans, shoes and accessories. "I love Sarah Jessica Parker, and the fact that everything is under $20 is amazing," said Peyton Capps, 18, who flew from Tallahassee, Fla., with her mother for the launch. Parker is the most recent celebrity to release her own clothing line. Her peers include singers Madonna and Kylie Minogue (H&M), model Kate Moss (Top Shop) and singer Lily Allen (New Look).

 

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