JCPenney Celebrates 10th Anniversary of nicole by Nicole Miller® with Limited Edition Collection

JCPenney and fashion designer Nicole Miller are celebrating a decade of nicole by Nicole Miller® designs with an anniversary collection that pays homage to a brand that appeals to millions of women across the country and across the spectrum. The specialty creations, available for a limited time starting September 4 in 600 stores and on jcp.com, will showcase the enduring popularity of nicole by Nicole Miller and spotlight her modern design aesthetic using eclectic prints, bold colors and sophisticated accents that have become synonymous with Nicole Miller’s signature style.

“In 2005, we introduced nicole by Nicole Miller in response to customers who were seeking chic, yet versatile clothing that offered the fashion credibility of a renowned runway designer. Today, it has grown to be a full lifestyle brand offering everything from dresses and handbags to fashion jewelry and eyewear,” said Liz Sweney, chief merchant for JCPenney. “It was the first time Nicole designed an exclusive line for a department store, and it has since become one of the most iconic labels found in our stores today. We are excited to be celebrating ten years of its success.”

The anniversary collection is inspired by ancient cultural designs and includes city jackets, pencil skirts, ankle pants, leggings, intarsia sweaters and sheath dresses retailing from $38 to $120. The pieces are adorned with tribal prints and gemstone patterns in jeweled tones of purple, blue and yellow on black. The standout fashion pieces feature leopard prints, black and white combinations and luxury embellishments such as intricate beading and faux fur. The anniversary collection is complete with matching handbags, earrings, necklaces, scarves and stationery with commemorative inscriptions by the legendary designer.

“Creating nicole by Nicole Miller exclusively for JCPenney has been a unique opportunity to bring attainable relevant fashion to the everyday woman,” said Nicole Miller. “I am pleased to debut this anniversary collection and celebrate how the brand continues to resonate with women everywhere.”

Back-To-School 2015: Speck Debuts MightyPack, a Backpack Reimagined to Protect and Carry Tech Gear

The same design team that created Speck’s award-winning smartphone cases has created MightyPack and MightyPack Plus, a backpack line designed to protect, organize, and mobilize the tech devices you rely on every day. From the durable Tech Locker top pocket to the crush zone at its triple-padded base, MightyPack is comprised of carefully crafted features that make it safe and easy to carry your laptop, tablet, headphones, battery pack and other tech accessories.

MightyPack is available in three colors. (PRNewsFoto/Speck Products)

MightyPack’s slim profile makes it the perfect size for everyday use. MightyPack Plus has extra capacity for those who could use more space, and is also TSA-compliant which makes traveling a breeze. Some of the standout features that make MightyPack and MightyPack Plus top of their class:

— The Tech Locker is a reinforced top pocket perfect for studio-sized headphones and other large accessories that need extra protection. Its tough, molded EVA foam is lined with a plush vegan fur to prevent scratches and scuffs.

MightyPack by Speck (PRNewsFoto/Speck Products)

– Internal smart compartments flex to fit small or large items, and are made of breathable mesh to keep your electronics cool.

— Dedicated charging pockets and pass-throughs allow you to keep your device within reach or safely in a pocket for mobile charging.

— A stash pocket for your sunglasses makes it easy to store or grab them on the go.

— Quick release straps allow you to effortlessly remove MightyPack in tight, crowded spaces.

— MightyPack Plus is TSA checkpoint-friendly. Unzip your bag and lay it flat through checkpoint screenings – no need to remove your laptop.

“We started from scratch to build a backpack for the everyday digital road warrior,” said Bryan Hynecek, Speck VP of Design. “Every backpack we’d ever used seemed to lack something or add bulk, and with MightyPack we went top to bottom and front to back, optimizing every inch to be highly organized and protective.“

MightyPack retails for $79.95 and MightyPack Plus at $99.95, and both are available now at www.speckproducts.com.

Girls Write Their Own Script With The New Gap X ED Collection

GapKids Collaboration with Ellen DeGeneres and her Lifestyle Brand ED Hits Stores and Online Today

Gapkids X ED Is An Apparel Collection And Social Movement Designed To Help All Girls Realize They Have The Power To Do Extraordinary Things

GapKids has partnered with ED, Ellen Degeneres‘ new lifestyle brand to launch GapKids x ED, a limited edition apparel collection and campaign that encourages girls everywhere to be themselves, do what makes them happy and take pride in who they are.

GapKids x ED Campaign Image (PRNewsFoto/Gap)

ED is an American lifestyle brand inspired by the iconic style, values and personality of founder, Ellen DeGeneres.  With a passion for interior design, architecture and fashion, Ellen brings her unique vision to this beautifully designed, high quality collection of women’s apparel, accessories and decorative home. ED will be available exclusively on EDbyEllen.com.
Launching today in over 25 markets around the world, the collection, and supporting campaign, is

Gap partners with America’s ambassador of individuality, Ellen DeGeneres, and her new lifestyle brand, ED, to celebrate girls being their own heroes (PRNewsFoto/Gap)

rooted in the same core values that Gap brand has stood for over the past 45 years. Individualism and liberation that comes from confidently being your most authentic self are core values Gap shares with American comedian, talk show host, producer, writer and actress, Ellen DeGeneres.

The GapKids x ED campaign features six young girls who have excelled at skateboarding, drumming, robotics and entrepreneurialism, by being true to themselves, regardless of naysayers or outdated stereotypes. These girls, Alexey, Relz, Ryann, Bellatreas, Torrae and Asia, ranging in age from 7 to 12, star in the anthem film and campaign images which all provoke a feeling of strength, empowerment and pure enjoyment. Whether it is the desire to help others like Torrae who builds robotic hands for kids who need them or Alexey’s love for music and her incredible drumming skills, the campaign celebrates girls of all talents for being who they are.  The print ads, which launch in August across the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, China and Japan, as well as select international franchise markets, feature the hero campaign “selfie” image of Ellen with the six girls. In addition to print, the campaign spans outdoor, mobile, direct, social, in store and digital.

The GapKids x ED collection

The GapKids x ED collection

The GapKids x ED collection

The GapKids x ED collection

The GapKids x ED collection

The GapKids x ED collection

The GapKids x ED collection

The GapKids x ED collection

The GapKids x ED collection

The GapKids x ED collection

The GapKids x ED collection (a small selection for boys and adults allows the whole family to join in the fun),with prices ranging from $6.95 to $49.95, features more than 70 pieces and includes outerwear, sweatshirts, leggings, dresses, T-shirts and accessories with a twist: two pieces of iconography — the lightning bolt, a symbol of empowerment, and the speech bubble, a symbol of self-expression. Both the speech bubble and lightning bolt are inscribed throughout the collection including Graphic T-Shirts for Girl’s and Boy’s ($24.95), the Girl’s Quilted Speech Bubble Bomber Jacket ($49.95), and the Adult Zip-up Sweatshirt ($49.95), among other apparel and accessories.

“Partnering with Ellen DeGeneres represents a collaboration between two American style icons,” said Jeff Kirwan, Gap Global President. “Ellen has become a global symbol for inspiring her audiences and fans to take pride in who they are. This is a natural fit with the heritage of Gap, which has long stood for encouraging individualism. We are excited to launch this collection and at the same time come together to champion girls and boys to realize their potential.”

“I know from my own experience that nothing makes you feel better than being who you are and celebrating what makes you unique. I think if we shine a light on real girls doing incredible things, that’ll encourage other girls and boys to do incredible things,” says DeGeneres.  “This opportunity to partner with Gap and my new lifestyle brand, ED, is the perfect way to celebrate girls just for being who they are; and to encourage them to unleash their passions; whether it’s math, soccer, singing, dancing, or simply singing while dancing in their bedroom.”

The collection also encourages kids to express themselves with self-customizable clothing and accessories that they can decorate freely using fabric or chalk markers. A variety of iron-on patches are available for purchase to personalize the customer’s favorite styles, like the iconic (aforementioned) GapKids x ED Denim Jacket ($49.95).
Well beyond the stores, The Gap is aiming to create an environment of positive social engagement. Using the hashtag #heyworld followed by a name, a girl’s friend, mother, father or mentor can issue a call to action for social messages of encouragement and love to any girl in need of positive support, cheering her on through the power of positive words. In addition, there will be a texting opportunity to receive inspiring and encouraging messages from Ellen DeGeneres herself.
In keeping with Gap’s long term focus on youth culture, and the commitment to supporting social causes that allow women to seek out their full potential, The Gap is partnering with select girls’ organizations that share a commitment towards girls and women, including Girls Inc. (North America) and CARE (UK & Japan). Further details on the campaign can be found at Gap.com.