Melanie Apple Returns With New Shirt and Belt Collections
Melanie Apple hopes to mark her return to the fashion industry after a two-year hiatus with a crystal-clear bang.
For Fall 2005, the 12-year apparel veteran, who previously designed full collections under the name Apple, is launching an eponymous collection of novelty shirts as well as a line of belts under the label Toro. Tying the tops to the belts will be strands of crystals used to embellish the items with fanciful designs such as pink flowers and phrases stating “love hurts.”
The shirts and belts are intended to coordinate with jeans, which are dominating fashion and the retail market. But the tops also serve as an alternative to the ubiquitous T-shirt. “If someone is tired of wearing T-shirts, especially for Fall, it’s a nice new look,” Apple said.
The shirts are woven from a French-imported stretch fabric that Apple began using 10 years ago. Thanks to her experience with the material, she is able to cut it into three styles: a top with three-quarter sleeves, a French-style shirt with princess seams, and a cowboy shirt. All the shirts have vertical stripes.
Apple said she did not go overboard combining the stripes and crystals and that she focused on tonal colors. For instance, she layered a pink hand-embroidered flower on pink crystals on a predominantly pink-striped top.
Retailer Teddy Zach ordered Apple’s belts for his two Body boutiques in Encino and Beverly Hills, Calif. While he has seen plenty of embellished clothing, he said nothing has been adorned with writing in crystals. “They are so cool,” he said.
Nordstrom Inc.; Montage Resort & Spa in Laguna Beach, Calif.; Luxe in Scottsdale, Ariz.; and stores in Spain, Japan and Indonesia have also placed orders for Apple’s products.
The shirts wholesale from $105 to $135—more than double the price of the shirts in Apple’s earlier collections—primarily because of the crystal embellishments. Apple also offers candy-colored ribbed tanks featuring cactus, cowboy boots and other designs created from crystals, yarn and fabric inlay. The tanks wholesale for $22.
Wholesale prices for the belts are $45 for children’s versions and $90 to $150 for adult models.
Melanie Apple and Toro are represented by the Elizabeth French Showroom in The New Mart. For more information, call (213) 488-5115. —Khanh T.L. Tran
