Showroom Is Keeping the Faith
The Cooper Design Space received a new tenant on its second floor when the Faith and More Showroom moved its five contemporary lines from the seventh floor.
Faith and More—run by Cynthia Sakai and Fares Saleh and named after their black Labrador, Faith—will occupy a space that is 50 square feet smaller than the 875- square-foot space it previously inhabited. But the new location is shaped like two rectangles set side by side rather than like an L, as the previous showroom was, and will seem roomier. The space will feature a chandelier and a long black panel desk set in front of the glass door.
More than half of the new showroom will be devoted to Montreal-based denim label Second, which is designed by Eric Wazana as part of Wazana Clothing Inc. Launched about three years ago, Second is now making a big push in the United States, said Sakai, who began representing the label 21/2 months ago. What distinguishes Second from other products in the crowded premium denim market, Sakai said, is its so-called denim memory, which makes the jeans mold to the body and prevents them from becoming loose and baggy. The jeans, which have a slightly lower price tag than other premium denim brands, also have a silicone dip that acts as a softener for the fabric.
Wholesale prices run from $49 for a fivepocket model to $54 for cigarette pants and $64 for trousers. Second also offers, among other items, $45 twill capris and a $30 polyester jersey halter that has cape-like shoulders and layers falling into an inverted triangle. Sakai said 35 retailers, ranging from Fred Segal Flair in Santa Monica, Calif., to Bittano in Dallas and Active Body in Scottsdale, Ariz., have picked up Second.
The other lines represented by Faith and More are Lula B., a contemporary T-shirt collection designed by musician Stevie Wonder’s niece, Chiara Hardaway; Wifebeater, which consists of beaded tank tops; Waraire Boswell, which produces men’s button-down shirts; and Charlie Choo, a high-end bag line.
Sakai said the new spot on the second floor, near the L-Squared and The Agency showrooms, will help bring in more buyers.
“The Cooper Building is an upand- coming building,” she said. “During market, it would be nice to be here [on the second floor].” —Khanh T.L. Tran
