IT’S A TROPICAL, ‘MILLENNIAL PINK’ SUMMER AT DEBENHAMS
Summer is all about the tropics at Debenhams, so it’s tailor-made for our clime and attitude.
The British retailer recently launched its spring-summer 2018 collection, and there was something for everyone in the colorful, playful mix.
WOMENSWEAR
According to general manager of Rustan Specialty Concepts, Inc. Catherine Huang, womenswear is the top-selling category at Debenhams, and it’s easy to see why. “This summer womenswear is all about bright and contrasting colors combined together to create one look,” says Pia Vale, merchandise manager for womenswear. Think teal with lemon yellow, or hot pink with red — anything goes. Tropical and floral prints also abound, but if you’re the more romantic type, there are softer pieces with ruffles and embroidery in trendy fabrics like mesh.
Women’s accessories are right in step with bags in primary-colored leather and fun shapes like a camera bag.
When it comes to shoes, “Blush is the new nude,” says Janice San Pascual, merchandise manager for women’s accessories. “Sometimes we call it millennial pink.”
Sneakers and slides come in this youthful hue, while there are classic mules in black for the more mature set.
MIXING CORE AND DESIGNER BRANDS
Debenhams is a mix of designer brands and core brands like the trend-driven Red Herring, which caters to a younger market.
Principles is a smart-casual brand for everyday attire that can take you from work to the weekend.
Collection is another line of everyday basics you can mix and match to create unique OOTDs, while Maine New England offers more relaxed daywear like sweatshirts and lounge-worthy trousers.
Then there’s Designers at Debenhams, collaborations with British designers like John Rocha and Jasper Conran. Star by Julien Macdonald is made for partying and stepping out, with its glitzy, out-there flamboyance, bold prints and bright colors. Matthew Williamson has a collection in both home and swimwear, where his colorful, boho aesthetic is seen in tropicalprint caftans and beaded bikinis. Debenhams swimwear has an added, unseen bonus: built-in tummy control for all the moms out there.
MENSWEAR
The color palette is more subdued in menswear. In addition to staple brands like Red Herring, John Rocha and Jasper Conran, Debenhams has a new men’s brand: Racing Green, which was launched last year in the UK.
“It’s very casual but still refined, focusing on polos, shirts, T-shirts, and shorts,” according to marketing manager Tessa Catacutan.
I loved the collar details and prints on the shirts, which exude preppy cool.
In terms of bags, the bestselling “man purse” is the cross-body bag made of Italian leather, though there are larger leather satchels and backpacks. Garrison belts are in, also crafted from Italian leather.
KIDSWEAR
Debenhams offers apparel for newborn babies up to teens aged 14 from two brands: Bluezoo and Jasper.
“Bluezoo is more on the fun graphics,” says merchandise manager for kids Jing Buan. “Jasper is more classic, prim and proper, with occasion dressing suitable for weddings.”
Bluezoo was definitely fun: the most popular pieces were a boy’s dinosaur shirt and girl’s fringed flamingo tee that moms wanted to snag straight from the rack.
HOME
Debenhams’ current home collection is called Cosmopolitan, “a mix of baby pinks and pastel blues with a hint of gold for glamour,” says Ira Bobadilla, assistant merchandise manager for home. “They’ve also added pom-pom details for a fun mix.”
Hastings is another collection — nautical but with a modern, fresh twist. “Aside from blue they’re mixing it with greens and oranges that give it a fresher look,” she adds.
In the lighting collection the standouts are the bunny and koala lamps by Abigail Ahern, while designer picture frames are available from Jasper, Rocha and Collection.
SLEEPWEAR
Sleepwear has also gone pink, light lilac and floral. “The trend comes from womenswear but they’ve modernized it so it looks millennial pink,” says Fiona Ong, assistant merchandise manager for lingerie.
Millennial pink in the womenswear, accessories, bed linens and lingerie?
Looks like Debenhams has come of millennial age.
Rustan Specialty Concepts, Inc. (RSCI) is the official franchise holder of Debenhams in the Philippines. Debenhams is located at Shangri-La Plaza Mall, Glorietta 4–Rustan’s Makati, TriNoma, Estancia at Capitol Commons and Abreeza Mall in Davao. Debenhams home line is available in Glorietta 4-Rustan’s Makati. RSCI is a member of SSI Group, Inc.