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Fashionista Blog Interviews Shoshanna Gruss about New QVC Line

Leading up to the debut of her new fashion jewelry collection on QVC, Shoshanna Gruss was interviewed by Fashionista, and revealed that she and her fellow designer and mentor, Judith Ripka, share not just the same dog-walking routes on New York’s upper east side, but also the same choice of dog breeds.  They both have Maltese dogs.  There is little new in this short interview, but one tid-bit stands out.  Shoshanna reveals that, as a young woman, she had trouble finding clothing that made her feel good, despite the benefits of a privileged upbringing.  She attributes her success to the making of an inclusive fashion line that can be comfortably worn by women of all shapes and sizes.  Fashionista Aug. 10, 2010

Emmitt Smith to Appear on QVC Monday — After Induction into Hall of Fame this Weekend

Two days after his induction into Football’s Hall of Fame, the NFL’s all-time leading rusher, Emmitt Smith, will appear on QVC Monday night at 11 p.m. ET.  Smith will pitch licensed merchandise, including autographed seat backs from Texas Stadium, Hall of Fame footballs and helmets.  The Dallas Morning News Aug. 5, 2010

TV Shopping “To-Do” Item — Create Mass Market for Men’s Engagement Rings

It seems a growing number of engaged men are taking issue with Seinfeld character George Costanza’s belief that “I’m engaged” is just something that you say … like “I’m going steady … It’s all just stuff you say…”  There is a nascent trend of men wearing engagement rings of their own, instead of simply giving them to their fiances.  As one 20-something man told The New York Times, “In this day and age, [my fiance and I] have an equal partnership in this relationship — we’re in it together [so] it seemed weird to have an imbalance, to say ‘You have to wear a ring to keep those guys away, but I get to go around as if I’ve not made a major life commitment.’”  (This young fellow may feel differently if he misses out on the chance to date Marissa Tomei — “an Oscar winner, Jerry, an Oscar winner!” — but the fact remains that he is walking around with an engagement ring on today.)

So, would Mindy Grossman or Mike George, please, get on the telephone with whoever they know who may know George Clooney and encourage him to wear an engagement ring, once he asks for his Italian girlfriend’s hand in marriage … something that could happen any day now?  I’m a man in my 40s and like to think that I’m not particularly susceptible to the influence of celebrities, but Clooney is an exception.  If he has, does or wears something, well, then I want to have, do or wear it, too.  Come on, people, pick up the phone.

Judith Ripka Mentoring Shoshanna Gruss on her New Fashion Jewelry Line for QVC

Veteran fine jewelry designer Judith Ripka, who has sold her own line on QVC since the late 90s, helped fashion designer Shoshana Gruss with the creation of her first jewelry line, which will debut on QVC, August 10th.  The two designers met several years ago through mutual friends and reportedly see each other while walking their dogs on Manhattan’s upper east side.  About Gruss’s new line for QVC, Ripka said, “Shoshanna is the creative vision, and I mentor her…in the fundamentals of jewelry design.”  When QVC’s executive vice president of design, development and global sourcing, Doug Howe, was asked if Gruss’s new line represented an attempt to target a younger demographic, he demurred.  “It’s not necessarily a concerted effort to be younger…the strategy is to continue to be relevant.”  Women’s Wear Daily Aug. 5, 2010

Wholearth Beauty to Return to ShopNBC this Weekend

ShopNBC today announced that Wholearth Beauty will return to the network’s broadcast schedule this Saturday, August 7, at 2 pm & 8 pm ET and Sunday, August 8, at 10 am & 5 pm ET.  During this weekend’s visits, product line creator Danny Seo will introduce a new product, Wholearth No. 10 Perfume Spray.  The announcement describes the line’s June 30th launch as “wildly successful” with numerous sellouts.  Details about popular items from Wholearth’s certified organic product line appear after the jump. More »

Priscilla Presley to Launch New Jewelry Collection on QVC, August 9th

Actress, author and widow to the King of Rock and Roll, Priscilla Presley is scheduled to introduce The Priscilla Presley Jewelry Collection — featuring necklaces, earrings, rings and bracelets inspired by the style icon’s personal experiences — on QVC next Monday, August 9 at 9 AM (ET).  The line was developed in partnership with bsp, a Los Angeles-based brand extension and business development firm, who announced the premiere in a press release today.  According to the company’s website, their other celebrity-brand clients include: Britney Spears, Sheryl Crow and the AMC’s Mad Men television series.

Mary J. Blige Fragrance Premiere on HSN Sells 60,000 Units in Six Hours of Airtime

HSN CEO Mindy Grossman in a press release said that the “groundbreaking success of My Life on HSN changes the existing business model for a prestige fragrance launch and reinforces [HSN's] role as a retail innovator.”  Grossman expanded on this remark during HSN’s second quarter earnings call this morning, describing the launch as the kind of “appointment-to-view event” that helps the retailer acquire new viewers and maintain interest among its existing customer base.  Rochelle Bloom, president of The Fragrance Foundation, also found significance in the launch, according to the same news release.  She said, “the success of Mary J. Blige’s fragrance and her personal message proves their power to reach out and entice a vast, broad consumer who loves and wants fragrance.  Bravo HSN and Mary J.!”

The launch of My Life shattered the previous record for fragrance units sold on HSN, and 20% of purchasers were new customers.  The launch also resulted in a dollar-per-unit, $60,000 contribution to the Foundation of the Advancement of Women Now (FFAWN), a non-profit co-created by Ms. Blige to assist women in need.  FFAWN’s co-founder is Steve Stoute, chairman & lead investor of Carol’s Daughter, the beauty company that partnered with Blige to create the My Life fragrance.  HSN Inc. Press Release Aug. 3, 2010

Supermodel Christie Brinkley Launches New Jewelry Line on QVC

The Christie Brinkley Jewelry Collection, which premiered on QVC Sunday night, features bracelets, cocktail rings and dangle earrings, adorned with gemstones, such as Sky Blue Topaz and Moonstone, as well as statement necklaces and leather bracelets with floral accents. “This line is a celebration of all the things I love.” Brinkley said in a statement.  Item prices range from $45 to $400.  People Magazine Aug. 1, 2010  Examiner.com Jul. 31, 2010

Jewelry Designer Carolyn Pollack Designs and Donates Necklace for QVC’s Super Saturday Event

Along with some 200 other designers, Carolyn Pollack is donating product from her inventory to QVC for sale during the network’s Super Saturday event, during which viewers will have the chance to purchase items at half the manufacturer’s suggested retail price.  Net proceeds from the items purchased by QVC shoppers will be donated to the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund (OCRF).  Pollack’s gift is a quantity of 440 handcrafted sterling silver and turquoise necklaces produced by her Albuquerque-based company Relios specifically for the event.  The quantity has a retail value of over $100,000.  Last year’s QVC Super Saturday event raised $3.4 million for OCRF.  Carolyn Pollack Jewelry Press Release Jul. 29, 2010

Pamela McCoy Debuts Fall Apparel Collection on ShopNBC Today

Pamela McCoy is debuting her new fall apparel collection today on ShopNBC during a “Meet the Designers” event at 1 pm, and 5 pm ET.  (She has already made three TV appearances — at 12 a.m., 4 a.m., 8 a.m. ET — and a webcast appearance at 1 a.m. ET.)  In an announcedment, the network explained that the event “focuses on the designers behind the collections, and will feature the return of Omar Torres jewelry, plus new arrivals from Anuschka Handbags, Christian Audigier Watches and Gems en Vogue II.”  Details on new items from  The Pamela McCoy Collection appear after the jump.  More »