Red 23: New Line From Karen Kane
Los Angeles designer Karen Kane has been in the apparel business since 1979, but she is still uncovering new ideas for new labels.
While her eponymous line has been a staple for years at department stores such as Macy’s and Nordstrom, she is expanding into the contemporary world with a casual line of knit tops under the Red 23 moniker. It will be in stores in August for the Fall season.
This comes a few years after she launched Fifteen-Twenty, a contemporary line for women between the ages of 20 and 50 who want a comfortable look for going out on Friday or Saturday nights. Red 23 is even more casual. “Red 23 is for casual times around the house or for hanging out with friends on the weekends,” said Michael Kane, the company’s director of marketing and Kane’s son. Karen’s husband, Lonnie, is the company president.
The line of T-shirts, tank tops, sweaters, jackets and scarves in neutral colors debuted at Project at the MAGIC Marketplace in Las Vegas in February. With wholesale prices ranging from $20 to $40, it will be carried by stores such as Boulmiche and Fred Segal, both in the Los Angeles area,and at Lonnys stores in various locations on Long Island, N.Y., Kane said. The line is being represented by the West Bank Clothing showroom at The New Mart in downtown Los Angeles.
The name Red 23 comes from Karen Kane’s lucky color and number when playing roulette. Michael Kane remembers when his family was at the February MAGIC Marketplace in Las Vegas and Karen placed a roulette bet on red 23. She won on the first try. “It was a sign,” Michael said. —Deborah Belgum
