In this week's Retail Therapy, I'm going to examine the ever-fascinating power of celebrity in retail. And no, I'm not talking about Beyoncé's new athleisure line, Ivy Park.
Both Rihanna and Kate Middleton this week sprinkled their fashionable pixie dust on a handful of retail brands, helping produce free press for some traditional (printed dresses) and not-so-traditional (furry sandals) apparel and accessories.
This, and more, make up our list of some of the most interesting retail reads from around the web.
Fuzzy footwear
Would you wear furry, slipper-like sandals that cost you $80? How about if Rihanna wore the same pair on a magazine cover? Puma said that they will release “The Fur Slide” later this month, the third shoe collaboration the brand has produced with the R&B singer.
A photo posted by PUMA (@puma) on Apr 11, 2016 at 6:04am PDT
Furry, flawless, AND functional. That’s the real triple threat.
Royal treatment
In case you haven’t heard yet, Kate Middleton was in India this week. As always, she looked fabulous participating in varied activities, such as archery, cricket, and feeding baby rhinoceroses. As always, many of her looks—compiled together here by Racked—have already sold out.
Day Four of Kate and Will's India tour featured the royal couple playing with baby rhinos. https://t.co/R4ZSerdQ9t pic.twitter.com/8H8UGYlFLo
— ForbesLife (@ForbesLife) April 14, 2016
Kate accessorized all her outfits with her ever-fashionable go-to: Prince William.
New year, new car
The Geek Squad is getting a makeover.
The electronics installation and repair brand owned by Best Buy announced Monday that it will be switching all of its branded cars from VW Beetles to Toyota Prius c hybrid vehicles. According to a press release, the Geek Squad selected the Prius because of “its innovative engineering and environmental advantages.”
A wee problem
Ever been on the go and realized you had to go, NOW?
Skirt Sports has the answer to that problem with its Gotta Go running skirt, made for female runners that need to go—quickly. The skirt features a convenient "trap door and relief hatch" that can be used when a bathroom is not available but nature is calling. The New York Times has a full rundown of the skirt, and its use cases, here.
The article is just one of the pieces penned recently about active women and the inevitable rise—and possible fall—of retail's hottest trend, athleisure. Or, as this hilarious video likes to call it, ACTIVEWEAR.