NEW YORK – September 20th, 2016 – This fall, television gets a much-needed makeover thanks to Executive Producer Whoopi Goldberg. “Strut”, a new Oxygen Media docu-series, will focus on the first modeling agency catering exclusively to transgender models. Spiegel is proud to be part of this groundbreaking show, with model castings and photo shoots that will highlight the company’s newest collections and offer rare behind the scenes looks into what casting and photo shoots are really like. With a rich history of firsts and historical milestones, Spiegel is proud to be the first mass-market catalog to feature a transgender model on its cover.

“We take great pride in our catalog covers by featuring the most beautiful models in the world,” said Richard Lowe, International Creative Director of Spiegel. “We take time to cultivate and share both beauty and meaning with our customers. Our covers share a model’s journey, and allow our customers new ways to understand and appreciate the wider world of beauty and fashion. Spiegel has always been proud to support the LGBTQ community, and with this cover we are able to show our continued support for the models and agencies that are a vital component of our success.”

Following New York Fashion Week, this exciting new series titled “Strut,” will premier on Tuesday, September 20th at 9pm ET/PT. “Strut” will follow transgender models Laith De La Cruz, Dominique Jackson, Isis King, Ren Spriggs and Arisce Wanzer as they embrace their dreams and share their journey with the country. Working hand in hand with Cecilio Asuncion and Cassandra Cass of Slay Model Management, the first exclusively transgender modeling agency, Spiegel will be casting its next great cover girl and working towards increasing the presence of transgender individuals in the modeling community.

About Strut:

Produced by Whoopi Goldberg of One Hoe Productions and 44 Blue Productions, the series follows transgender models Laith De La Cruz, Dominique Jackson, Isis King, Ren Spriggs and Arisce Wanzer as they chase their passions of becoming household names in the fashion world while challenging stereotypes of gender and beauty.

About Spiegel LLC:

Spiegel LLC is a multi-channel, direct-to-consumer retailer of women’s fashion apparel through its three primary brands: Spiegel, Newport News and Shape FX. Each brand reaches its customer base through a combination of specialty catalogs sent to customers throughout the year, as well as offerings via the Internet.

Spiegel has been a household name for 150 years and has continued to evolve its positioning to stay relevant to the new and ageless modern woman. Newport News is a 40-year old brand that appeals to women seeking stylish, yet affordable casual fashions. Shape FX is a revolutionary body-enhancing concept that offers apparel and intimates for women to help them achieve their ideal body type.

Spiegel is a Lynn Tilton company and its business units are headquartered in New York City. For more information please visit:  www.spiegel.com

About Patriarch Partners:

Patriarch Partners, LLC, is an investment firm and holding company managing 74 companies with annual revenues in excess of $8 billion. Founded by Wall Street veteran Lynn Tilton in 2000, Patriarch is dedicated to saving American jobs by saving American companies that have fallen from economic favor. The firm is devoted to rebuilding America one company at a time, one job at a time. Since 2000, through affiliated investments funds, Tilton has had ownership in and restructured more than 240 companies with combined revenues in excess of $100 billion, representing more than 700,000 jobs. Current investments include Dura Automotive, Stila Cosmetics, Rand McNally, Spiegel Catalogs and MD Helicopters. Tilton’s platform is the largest woman-owned business in the country. For more information, please go to www.patriarchpartners.com

SOURCE Spiegel, LLC

From the Fashion Times to Better Homes and Garden, the Spiegel 60609 Sewing Machine continues to garner much media attention for its unique design months after initial launch. The press attribute this media spark, and market saturation, to an appealing design that both disrupts and innovates in what many believed was a dead market segment. 

“As companies such as Singer and Brother saturate the sewing market with existing technologies, and become stagnate, Spiegel will continue to bring cost effective innovation to the market. New versions of our machine will be on shelves nationwide later this year, and we intend to show our customers that they can indeed have more for less,” says Creative Director Richard Lowe.

“We hope our media frenzy will continue,” says Lowe, “by simply allowing magazines and bloggers the opportunity to test the machine for themselves. Once they sew on it, we know they will fall in love with it. Just as we did.” Stay tuned as Spiegel brings even more innovation and ideas to our their sewing machine models and signature Spiegel Social Sewing Application available on iTunes: http://ow.ly/SVj63005vaD

Sample Credit – Fashion Times:

http://www.fashiontimes.com/articles/25418/20160302/5-tech-products-to-buy-with-your-tax-refund.htm

When fashion designer Richard Lowe was appointed as international creative director of Spiegel in 2013, considerable buzz surrounded their women’s fashion brand, Newport News. Namely, what would become of the 30-year-old label beloved by stylish women everywhere? It’s been almost three years since, and by all accounts the label is not only thriving but also growing, expanding to a number of cruise lines where it’s now sold exclusively. We spoke with Lowe in between sketching sessions (his favorite part of designing) to get the scoop on Newport News’ latest collections, his take on cruise fashion and the one piece every woman should own.

How would you describe the fashion you design for Newport News?

Richard Lowe

It’s affordable luxury. I want women to have that Oscar de la Renta beaded moment but at a price that makes it approachable. Think the nicest detailing and the nicest fabrics at prices she can afford. I like to make sure that we can give her the best price and the best quality.

What’s a must-have piece for any woman’s wardrobe?

Richard Lowe

Jumpsuits. She can step into one and in minutes have a full outfit — on board and at home. They’ll never go out of style; you’ll be able to wear them forever. It’s a great investment piece.

What are some of the Newport News staples guests can expect to find on board?

Richard Lowe

Some core items always on rotation are wrap dresses (they’ll never go out of style, thanks to Diane von Furstenberg!) novelty tees and wide-leg palazzo pants. We’ll repeat styles [over various collections], but we don’t repeat colors or prints.

So once a certain style or print sells out, that’s it?

Richard Lowe

We have a lot of repeat cruisers, so the whole idea is for them to get something new every time they go on board — and that they won’t be able to get ever again.

Talk about exclusive! Are your designs tailored to specific cruise lines too?

Richard Lowe

We’re producing a capsule collection for Holland America with a fun art deco theme, for instance. We took design elements from the ships and incorporated it into the fashion.

What else inspires your designs?

Richard Lowe

I love street fashion — walking the streets and seeing what’s going on in the world. We have a customer who’s in the know and wants to shop at a reasonable price. She wants to be current and trendy without looking like she’s trying too hard. [Newport News] stays ahead but not too far ahead.

What can we expect from Newport News in 2016?

Richard Lowe

Incredible prints with a modern edge. We’ve focused on warm, tropical hues and overstated florals, with collections that vary by theme. The spring/summer 2016 capsules feature Casablanca Nights, Castaway Couture, Maritime Madness and Santorini Sunsets. We take into account different locations and design specifically for the customer and what she might need while she’s on board.

What do you shop for on vacation?

Richard Lowe

I shop for prints. I buy a lot of scarves and end up with these bins and bins of scarves because they’re the easiest vehicles of print and color for any brand.

The Newport News collection is exclusively available on board select ships on Carnival Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean International, Holland America Line, Pullmantur, Celebrity Cruises, Costa Cruises nd Norwegian Cruise Line. Sailing on one of these cruise lines? Leave us a comment with the name of your ship and we’ll tell you if the collection is available.

By: Virginia Gil

Credit: OnBoard.com

https://www.onboard.com/cruise-insider/richard-lowe-newport-news

I am so excited to announce that my Newport News resort collection for Spiegel is now featured on 91 Ships navigating the globe! Don’t miss out on these exclusive styles while traveling the world’s most renowned ships! Not to mention, all our onboard COVERS featuring the new collection!!!

Spiegel marked its recent 150th anniversary by continuing its legacy of reaching out to customers with products and services that have a positive impact on their lives. By Jim Harris for Retail Merchandiser Magazine

 Spiegel has touched the lives of millions of people during its 150-year history. The company’s close relationship with its customers extends back to its origins, but truly took a step forward in the early 20th century, when it became known for its extremely liberal credit policies. This included not charging interest for credit and extending credit lines that were quite large for their time.

Advertisements proclaiming “We Trust The People!” and “The People Should Get The Credit” attracted millions of Americans to order from its catalog, which at one point had more than 200 million copies in print.

 “Our customers built the company,” International Creative Director Richard Lowe says. “People came to us because of our quality, and because of the credit we offered they were able to afford the goods they needed to provide for their family.”

 Spiegel was founded as a furniture company in Chicago in 1865. Although the company, which began selling women’s clothing in 1912, is known primarily today as a women’s fashion retailer, it still hears from many of the customers who remember its earlier era.

 One customer letter that particularly touched Lowe was from a 92-year-old man who wrote of his family’s personal experience with the company. “He wrote that he and his family were lifelong customers and stayed loyal because they bought Christmas gifts through our catalog that they otherwise wouldn’t be able to afford without the credit,” he says.

 The family was so loyal to Spiegel that one year they received a phone call from M.J. Spiegel, grandson of company founder Joseph Spiegel, when their Christmas order wasn’t received. M.J. Spiegel led the company during the 1930s and 1940s. “The family had, in fact, placed their order, but it was lost in the mail,” Lowe says. “Spiegel took their order over the phone, and even sent them extra gifts.” This level of attention was common for Spiegel staff, which would regularly check in with customers when their orders weren’t received to “make sure they weren’t disappointed at the holidays,” Lowe adds.

 The letter writer concluded his correspondence by asking for one of the company’s vintage catalogs, a request Lowe quickly filled.

 Another example of the company having a direct impact on its customers came more recently, when it performed makeovers on 200 women on the syndicated TV series “The Doctors” in 2013. “Every woman had a story to tell about our company and how we affected their lives,” Lowe says. “This really hit home for us that we don’t just sell clothing or other merchandise – we sell memories.”

 Out to Sea

The company – now based in New York City – continues to create positive memories for its customers, with more than 10 million people receiving its catalogs each year. Spiegel also offers online shopping as well as specialty stores, giving customers “Brick, Click & Catalog” access to its products. In addition to its own eponymous clothing line, the company also offers apparel under the Newport News and Shape FX brands.

 In 2015, the company made the Newport News brand available exclusively at retail shops managed by Starboard Cruise Services located on cruise ships including those operated by Carnival Cruise Lines, Holland America Line, Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line and Pullmantur. “The cruise ships wanted us,” Lowe says. “We’re selling at twice our forecasted rate, and all of our cruise line partners are very pleased with it. We’ve received pictures online of people wearing the clothes as soon as they buy them, which is a great compliment for us.”

 The company also continues to branch out on social and traditional media. Spiegel recently began working with the Buzzr television network, a classic game show channel that is available as a digital broadcast substation in 30 U.S. television markets. The company has a long history with game shows, as it was a sponsor of many shows including the original “Hollywood Squares.”

 Spiegel’s involvement with the network includes sponsoring “A Betty White Christmas,” a two-week spotlight of game show appearances featuring the veteran actress and comedienne that aired in December. Many of the game shows that included White as a panelist were originally sponsored by and featured products from Spiegel, Lowe notes.

 Product Evolution

To celebrate its 150th anniversary in 2015, the company introduced the Spiegel 60609 sewing machine, named for its historic Chicago zip code. The machine, available in Walmart, features a camera directly over the needle as well as a built-in wireless transmitter, which allows users to send images to any connected device.

 Photos taken by the camera can be shared via the company’s social sewing app, available for iPhone and Android devices. “We wanted to create something truly special for our customers, because so many of them are sewing enthusiasts,” Lowe says. Owner Lynn Tilton inspired the technology and design behind this joint venture between Spiegel and Universal Instruments. “Moving centennial companies into the future takes monumental effort and extraordinary innovation. I believe Spiegel has accomplished that product leadership with its new sewing machine living up to its history as a company of firsts,” said Tilton.

The machine retails for $296, a price Lowe calls “highly digestible” for its customer base. In addition to the machine itself, the company also launched patterns that include QR codes associated with each piece of the garment. When scanned with a smartphone, the user will have access to video instructions that demonstrate how a particular piece is made. The patterns – which have an average retail price of $12.99 – also include trims and buttons needed to complete the garment.

 The sewing machine reflects Spiegel’s corporate focus on design and disruption. “If you’re not disrupting, no one is going to pay attention to your products,” Lowe says.

The company is planning additional product launches in 2016 that include an updated version of the Spiegel Airman, a motorized bicycle originally offered in the 1950s. “We’re finding ways to innovate old products,” Lowe says. “For us, it’s always about finding that next great idea or evolution of an existing product that people didn’t realize they needed or that helps their daily lives in a way they didn’t expect.”

 SIDEBAR:

 A Company of Firsts

During its 150-year history, Spiegel has introduced a number of products, technologies and notable faces to U.S. consumers. “We’ve launched a lot of brands that people take for granted today,” International Creative Director Richard Lowe says.

 The company’s innovations include:

 1909 – The company introduces the teddy bear to the American consumer.

1920s – Spiegel introduces a credit card.

1952 – Spiegel is the first company to begin tracking consumer spending habits, with a computerized system of its own creation later purchased by Sears, Roebuck & Co.

1955 – The company is the first to offer tropical fish in the United States.

1957 – Spiegel becomes the first catalog company to visit the Paris fashion shows.

1995 – The company’s catalog is the first in the United States to feature supermodel Heidi Klum.

1995 – Spiegel is the first major fashion retailer to join the World Wide Web.

1997 – The company is the first major fashion retailer to launch a digital catalog.

Spiegel is proud to announce the creation and introduction of the Spiegel Social Sewing Application. This application has been custom developed to work hand-in-hand with you and our Limited Edition 60609 computerized home sewing machine. The Spiegel Social Sewing application is here to help educate and guide you through the general uses of this exciting sewing machine, and also the educational advantages available within the application itself. Once you download the app you will have free access to sewing tutorials, latest fashion trends and much more. Great for beginners and experts alike, the 60609 is one of the most advanced home electronic Wi-Fi enabled sewing machines on the market. With over 350 built-in stitches, USB charging station, on-board Stitch Cam and its own Wi-Fi station, the 60609 comes fully equipped with the ability to reach a new generation of tech savvy sewing enthusiasts.

Thanks to patent-pending Wi-Fi technology you will be able to enjoy video tutorials and unlock special features on the machine directly from the Spiegel Social Sewing Application. Premium stitches and digital patterns will also be available for purchase on iTunes and Google Play. Utilizing your own Wi-Fi enabled device means you can better enhance the sewing experience. The unique smart sync technology allows you to use a smart phone or tablet, to avoid learning new technologies and changing or updating pesky personal settings.

Spiegel is proud to celebrate 150 years of style, by releasing this limited edition sewing machine and making this wonderful sewing application available to everyone free of charge.

Download the Spiegel Social Sewing App in iTunes

Starboard Cruise Services scored an exclusive deal to bring Newport News, known for casual lifestyle fashions, to sea.

Beginning this fall, the company’s best-selling apparel and accessories collections will be sold exclusively by Starboard, part of the global luxury group LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton.

The partnership was announced as part of the 150th anniversary of Spiegel, the iconic women’s fashion retailer, which bought Newport News in 1993. The resort-wear collection, designed by Richard Lowe, will be on ships in October.

According to Lowe, it offers vibrant prints, elaborate beading and striking silhouettes that will distinguish it from other resort wear.

‘We are always seeking to offer the most fashion-forward, affordable and exclusive choices to our millions of cruise guests and Newport News is one of the most desirable brands we could have chosen,’ said Patrick Gates, Starboard Cruise Services’ chief merchandising officer.

Newport News has been supplying millions of customers with its signature ‘easy style’ collections for more than 40 years. Known for innovation and affordability, the company originated such programs as ‘Build Your Own Bikini’ and ‘One Price Fits All.’

Newport News also was instrumental in introducing some of the most successful models and actresses to the American public. Claudia Schiffer, Heidi Klum, Janice Dickinson, Yasmine Bleeth and Yamila Diaz are examples of those who have graced the covers of Newport News catalogs.

The company will be featured in ship brochures, and original archives from Newport News will travel aboard select ships. Fashion events and celebrity appearances will round out the Spiegel anniversary celebrations.

 Copyright 2015 Seatrade.