Adam Lippes Buys Back Namesake Label
After a streak of designers parting ways with their eponymous labels (see: Simon Spurr, Doo.Ri Chung), it's refreshing to see one fashion talent regaining control of his name.
That'd be Adam Lippes, who has purchased his namesake label back from Kellwood for an undisclosed amount following months of negotiations, Women's Wear Daily reports.
After two years under the control of Kellwood—which also owns fashion brands like Rebecca Taylor and Vince.—Lippes has bought back his name and intellectual property, and gotten himself out of a noncompete clause. He is also discontinuing his Love Adam line for HSN.
"We’re not interested in the very big commercial business where more is more, more, more," he tells WWD, citing the departure of former Kellwood CEO Michael Kramer as a major factor in his decision to split with the group.
"I want to go back to how we started out, which was more about friends and family. I want to go back to almost taking the ego out of it. I want there to be an appreciation for what we do. The business had lost its charm and intimacy. We are able to really think about the brand and do it as we think it should be instead of having all of these other big voices coming and telling us what to do."
Now it's time to get back to business. In February, the designer will stage a presentation for his main Adam Lippes collection in lieu of a runway show, while women's and men's basics under the Adam label are in the works. A line of bags and belts will also be introduced.
And thus order was restored ....
