Ralph Lauren opens 1st NYC restaurant

Ralph Lauren opened the Polo Bar in January around the corner from his iconic flagship store on 55th St in midtown Manhattan, this past January. The Polo Bar offers a casual yet refined setting for food and drink. The equestrian inspired decor pays homeage to the distinguished sporting lifestyle synonymous with the RL brand. The menu is American cuisine inspired by Ralph's personal favorites. To drink there are a number of classic cocktails and a diverse selection if wines. The waitstaff is outfitted in custom RL clothing and shoes. 

The Polo Bar is Lauren's 3rd restaurant, joing RL, which opened in Chicago in 1999 and Ralph's, opened in Paris in 2010. So far the restaurant has been widely received.

Saturdays Surf NYC

Saturdays Surf opened their doors in Soho in 2009.  Co-founders Colon Tunstall, Josh Rosen and Morgan Collett were determined to create a lifestyle brand that incorporated surfing, living and working in New York City.  The company began selling boards and wetsuits while sourcing and selling books, fine art and other lifestyle accessories.  Today, the so called surf company creates, designs and produces their own menswear line which focuses on high-quality craftsmanship, authenticity and traditional styling.

www.saturdaysnyc.com

TOMS at Target

 TOMS partnered with Target to create a new holiday collection of clothes, shoes, and home goods, all with price tags under $50. The TOMS for Target collection features more than 50 items and is in U.S. and Canadian stores as well online starting November 16th. Each purchase generates a donation of shoes, a blanket or meals in partnership with charities including the American Red Cross, Feeding America, Canadian Red Cross Disaster Relief and Food Banks Canada.

Just when you thought the TOMS brand couldn’t get any more widespread, the Buy One Give One model goes even more mainstream with a hefty presence at Target. The TOMS name has become synonymous with the “one for one” model, carrying instant consumer recognition. This partnership is a smart bet for Target, which can capitalize on the TOMS brand affinity to drive sales and simultaneously polish their existing cause.

causeupdate.com/.../cz8owtk3w2xprvgs5...

Amuse Society hits the floor...

Mandy Fry and Summer Rapp have officially dropped their line into our world! Amuse Society hit a local account here in the Mid Atlantic and was given its own small t-stand. Time will tell if the brad will make it in the world of Women's Surf. Amuse Society is meant to be combination of pretty and tough. The brand is coining the term "beach vida bling" to express the lifestyle of the Amuse girl. 

Something new for sweatpants?

Urban brand Trukfit is now offering a kangaroo pouch pocket, usually found on sweatshirts, on their sweatpants.  This offers the customer something different from the standard side pockets, that are seen everywhere these days. The printed one shown here retails for $78. 

Casual Drawstring Pants Trending

I have noticed in North Florida that casual drawstring pants seem to be trending.  They were either in the window with marketing POP support or on front aisle table.  Stores from Pac Sun, Tillys, American Eagle Outfitters, and Express Men.  Prices range from $30-$60.

Instagram Sale

While doing my usual IG feed check I came across a post from a local Hawaii based store.  The Butik will be having their first IG sale.  Customer simply register at the store website, then look for the "buy now" symbol, #SOLD, and a invoice will be sent to.  Retailers are using almost every avenue possible to make shopping a cinch!