New Lines From Dina Bar-el
Designer Dina Bar-el is introducing two new lines for Fall 2004: Dina Bar-el Couture and Bridal and Dina B., a young contemporary special-occasion line.
The Los Angeles–based designer, who entered the apparel business more than 20 years ago with a vision to start her own label, is ready to make the leap with support from retailers including Neiman Marcus, Bloomingdale’s and Lord & Taylor.
Bar-el’s couture and bridal collection uses 100 percent silk charmeuse and silk chiffon to create glamorous retro looks from the ’40s and ’50s. The five-piece collection features elegant V-neck and ruched bra-top gowns with details such as sheering, pinning, low backs, bustles and fishtail gathering. Bar-el chose a palette of purple, fuchsia, ivory, dusty pink, dusty mint, ombre, tangerine, emerald green, gold and black. Wholesale price points start at $228
“It’s a really incredible collection that you have to see on a figure,” said Bar-el, who launched her signature special-occasion dress line three years ago in Los Angeles.
Bar-el said her gowns have received attention from celebrities such as Alicia Silverstone and Jennifer Garner, who like the designer’s clean, sexy design technique. “Celebrity attention is good for my business,” Bar-el noted.
Case in point: The company sold 25,000 units of a yellow silk V-neck gown after actress Kate Hudson wore the elegant dress in the film “How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days.”
Interest in Bar-el’s designs is growing, especially with the launch of her new collections. Since its January debut, the couture and bridal collection has booked almost $3 million in orders from upscale department stores and boutiques, according to Bar-el, who said she expects to double that figure by the end of the year. Retail price points will be about 40 percent more than those of Bar-el’s primary line.
Special-occasion dress buyer Jane Berkowitz of Neiman Marcus, where Bar-el’s dresses retail for $400, said the designer is mostly known for her ability to create dramatic silhouettes using fine-quality satin fabric. Berkowitz said she plans to place several Fall orders for the line. “Dina does a fine job with body-conscious evening gowns—she cuts them just right so they hang very well,” she said.
Bar-el’s Dina B. line is made with matte jersey fabric imported from Italy. Silhouettes include a halter style with tie-front ruching, a halter wrap, a V-neck dropped-waist dress and an asymmetrical-hem dress in full, knee and mini lengths. Jeweled buckle hardware is among the collection’s details. Wholesale price points range from $138 to $198.
Early Fall deliveries for both collections will run from June 30–Aug. 30.
For more information, contact (213) 622- 6677. —Claudia Figueroa
