Trump's Fashion Brand Shutters

Despite this being potentially fashion or dressing-related, I am placing it in the OT section because it might be viewed as controversial. Ivanka Trump's fashion line is closing.

This is fabulous news (for me)! Although Trump had formally separated herself from the line when entering the White House, she still received certain financial information and some profits from the company. The article explains that while sales did go up during the 2016 election, they have since plummeted.

"Online sales of the Ivanka Trump brand sold at Amazon.com, Macy’s Inc., Bloomingdale’s and Zappos.com fell nearly 55% in the 12 months to June..."

This is a link to the article from WSJ (I tried to find a "news" source that people would not perceive as biased, though I realize that some people see biases in all places). Although it will come up with a window asking you to subscribe when you click on it, you can X that out and read the article if you wish.

https://www.wsj.com/articles/i.....1532452229

Honestly, it has been VERY difficult to maintain the boycott of places that sold her products. While I maintained the boycott of most retailers, my DH did order from Amazon occasionally, so we weren't perfect. But I haven't purchased from Macy's or Zappos or Overstock and many others since the election.

7 years ago

Anonymous

It is a shame when ethics must be “encouraged “ by boycotts but apparently ethics is not taught in some families and the homes of their “friends “. I remember when ethics and civics were an important part of education both in school and in the home. Educate yourself and vote! And thanks for your part Echo.

cindysmith

Veteran

That's some comics justice right there LOL

Brava! I commend you. No way could I ever wear anything with the Trump name. To boycott is so hard, as is living in an area that embraces the orange moron. My son cannot return from Japan under such an administration. I have to say "Not My President.", Worse than I ever thought it could be, and Reagan was close.

Janet

(website)

Good riddance, as far as I'm concerned.

I strongly suspect her "commitment to her work in the white house" is her angling for a future career in politics. No thanks. One Trump was more than enough, and we can't be rid of him fast enough, IMHO.

Tangent: These tariffs are going to impact a LOT of American businesses. I've been talking with a contractors in various construction businesses lately (especially roofing), and they say they're bracing for -- one contractor's words, a direct quote -- the "Trump Tariffs" because so much wood is imported from British Columbia and China. Expect construction costs to go up significantly, and that can have a big impact on the housing market. This can snowball badly. Every day I get more anxious about the future.

I don't like to applaud the demise of another woman's business, but in this case , all bets are off. YAY. Every single time I walked past the section of her clothes in a store, I marvelled that anyone would still be buying it. Often I came thisclose to wanting to throw a bucket of paint over the whole lot.

And I agree with Janet, it will be spun (and already is) as her prep for political life and running for a seat in the Senate or something other horrible thing.....and not a business failure.

RobinF

I have to say it's a scary time right now. I never thought I'd see the day when Congress and the American people let the President act as he does - just crazy. I work in the auto industry (accounting for a tool and die shop) and the tariffs have everyone on edge but of course that is only one of many issues.

While I didn't boycott businesses that sold the line, I would never buy any of the pieces. Sorry to see a woman-owned business go under but in this case not sorry at all.

Thistle

Like Robin and Janet said, the tariffs are brutal.

We're looking at moving all production of parts that aren't sold in the US to our foreign facilities.

So all the stuff we make and export now, that creates hundreds of American jobs, will all be moved so we can compete.

And, US consumers will soon be seeing large price increases as we, and every other manufacturer, pass along the cost of the tariffs. *shakes head*

rachylou

I just have to say there is a deep, bitter irony that farmers voted him in and they’re at the front of the line for a) being hit with tariffs and b) social welfare that’s to be handed out to them to offset the effect of the tariffs - getting exactly what they voted against: loss of jobs and socialism. Really, Russian style communism.

But it’s more bitter irony for the rest of us, because they won’t own to that.

Sal

This letter is tongue in cheek (sort of) but sums up my views pretty nicely. If you are a fan of Trump it might not be a comfortable read.

https://www.theguardian.com/fa.....d-her-fash

This is an aside: my mum just went to Canada on a seniors trip and met a Real Live Trump supporter in the wild. Lol. I’ve just come from supper with mumsey and she told me all about it. One must remember we’re from Northern California, so that’s like seeing a real live unicorn... or a moose. Says it was very interesting. The lady (~60 yrs) knew about the internment camps for Japanese Americans but dismissed the news now about what’s happening at our southern border as fake news. The lady was from an upper Midwestern state, so not a southern border state like Cali. She had been a working woman - JC Penney before they shut her store down. Irish/Scottish, from the potato famine wave of immigration... which is modern US history really and when you got the first ‘Irish need not apply’ signs sort of thing. So very interesting indeed.

Suz

I'm pleased that the boycotts had an effect. We haven't completely managed it (like your husband, Echo, we made some Amazon purchases) but I was vigilant about not shopping at Hudson's Bay, which finally stopped selling her line shortly before her announcement that it was folding. Ordinary people can make a difference with concerted efforts.

JAileen

Rachy, I’ll introduce you to my next door neighbors if you’d like. I simply do not talk politics with them. It’s necessary for a harmonious life.

Lol, J’Aileen. I wouldn’t mind. When people give me rye bread, I say, ‘German food! That’s so great, you’ve held onto your ethnic traditions! Sprechen Sie Deutsch?’

I’m insidious

I wonder if shes going to try rebranding though, she was recently talking to China.....

Politics aside

Naming your company with your own name can be tricky. It seems common in fashion eg Chanel, YSL, Ralph Laurent etc....so I can see there is a tradition. I know lawyers and accounting firms do it too. If you want to sell, or there is a stigma attached to your name - it becomes an issue.

Whereas often most general consumers do not know who owns Target or J Crew or whoever - what their politics are, what nationality they are etc..

In Trumps case the name has promoted/brought the brand attention and sales over the years I am sure - with associations with money and luxury and power. So overall the name has been beneficial I suspect until the last year or two.

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