C&C California: Playing Up the California Angle
In the beginning, C&C California took the fashion world by storm with its brightly colored T-shirts that had a buttery feel.
When talk-show host Oprah Winfrey named them as “one of her favorite things” after the company launched in 2002, the simple tops became an overnight success as a must-have basic.
Today, the C&C California label encompasses many aspects of the clothing world, from dresses and sweaters to childrenswear and men’s shirts.One of the latest additions to the label’s lineup is swimwear, which seems a natural because C&C has always epitomized the California lifestyle.
C&C California’s swimwear line debuted for Spring ’09 with two basic silhouettes and several color schemes. It is accompanied by an assortment of casual coverups and beachwear that could almost double as sportswear. There are caftans, butterfly tops, maxi dresses, tunics, pull-on pants, shorts and capris.
“The collection takes you from being at the beach to being on your deck in Malibu in a coverup, having cocktails,” said Stephen Cox, vice president and general manager of C&C California, located in Commerce, Calif.
The swimwear line has been on the drawing board for some time but got a boost when Liz Claiborne Inc. sold the label to Perry Ellis International in early 2008. Perry Ellis, headquartered in Miami, has a lot of experience producing swimwear under such labels as Jantzen, Jag and Nike Swim.
C&C’s swimwear line, made of nylon spandex, is for the contemporary woman between the ages of 18 and 45. The two basic silhouettes consist of a halter top paired with a hipster bottom or a string bikini with a side-tie bottom. The suits come in dip-dye, ombreacute;, mosaic or star prints. Bathing-suit sets wholesale for $57. The beachwear collection wholesales for $25 to $65.
For more information, call Mode Studio in Los Angeles at (213) 438-0850 or in New York at (212) 354-2615. —Deborah Belgum
