I snapped the above photo from the seventh row of Rock & Republic in September 2008. Despite my unfortunate placement on Bryant Park's totem pole at the time, I devoured this show, the music, and its theatrics like a fat Santa with Christmas cookies. While this US-born denim brand was never a revolutionary game-changer, it always seemed to successfully capture what the stylish American woman wants to be, not what she already is.
Rich but reckless, smart but carefree -- Every brand on the fifth floor of Saks has attempted this winning formula, but most just missed the mark. Rich and Skinny is a notable example of such a brand that faded from near-glory without a fight. Yet, Rock & Republic survived. That is, until now.
It is no news that R&R was in some serious debt -- it was a bad year for true denim, the brand was being led by the audacious CEO Michael Ball, and our economy was not supporting the higher-end of mass market. As Rock & Republic's business continued to falter, rumors started swirling -- which caused ultra-corporate vultures saviors to swoop in and save the day.
[Cue VF Corp.]
$57 million dollars later, VF acquired, and in turn, saved Rock & Republic late last month. Or did they?
“The Rock & Republic name still has cachet. What VF does with that is another story,” said denim guru, Michael Glasser.
So, will the brand finally return to the runway? Or will it drown in mediocrity between uninspiring racks of Wrangler's at Marshall's? I guess we'll just have to wait and see...
Post by Amanda LaMela
