Halston: Is India On The Plan Of Attack?

Halston's new C.E.O. Bonnie Takhar has laid out her plans for the brand's launch to Women's Wear Daily. As reported, Halston was acquired by Harvey Weinstein and Hilco at a price considered by just about everyone in the business to be too high -- some $20 million. Everyone that is except Hilco's C.E.O. who told the New York Times he thought it would go for over $100 million if it had gone to auction.

Jimmy Choo's founder Tamara Mellon and stylist Rachel Zoe are helping to guide the brand which recently announced Takhar as C.E.O and Marco Zanini as designer.

The debut collection will be shown in New York in February and they're going all out. Halston brand shoes and handbags will accessorize the clothes, which will run the gamut from day to evening including coats. They're also going global. Takhar said, "As a part of a piece of the business, we plan to roll out franchises in key markets where we have established relationships to do such an operation, with partners that have luxury retail experience."

Want to know where Halston is launching globally and with whom? Then pay particular attention to the "we have established relationships." Halston of course has no relationships. The brand is basically dead. But Takhar came from Jimmy Choo and boy do they have relationships!

I recently met the man responsible for bringing Jimmy Choo to India, Mohan Murjani. Although he said he thought it would be hard for Western eveningwear brands to succeed in India, he did express admiration for the Halston brand and was effusive about the potential of the project. He also said an announcement of their next brand was coming shortly. Could it be that he'll be brining Halston to India? Let's not forget, Takhar is Indian -- she may want a store in her home country. And she's also the one who initiated the Choo deal with Murjani.

In any case I think it is wise that they are going so big, so fast. They've really got no choice if they have any hope of recouping that investment. If the collection is a hit, they'll be sitting pretty. But if not . . . ? A strong fashion heritage is no guarantee for success. Just look at how Biba is struggling with its re-launch.

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