CLOAK to shut down after Spring 07

[Goldengloves]

Thought some of you might find this interesting. I for one am kind of surprised at the brands ending. "December 18, 2006—Friday was a sad day in menswear, as one of New York's most lauded indie designers, Alexandre Plokhov, announced he would be shuttering Cloak after Spring 2007 shipments were delivered. Reasons for the move are still murky, though it's clear both partnership disputes and sales played a role. Plokhov declined to speak about the news on Friday, but did agreed to answer a few questions over email. The news comes as quite a surprise. How long has this been in the works? I have been thinking about exiting Cloak for about a year. However, the final decision to pull the plug was made two weeks ago. What does it say about the state of fashion when even a CFDA award–winner such as yourself can't stay in business? The decision to end my involvement in Cloak was mine only—it had nothing to do with the state of contemporary fashion. I think fashion is in rather good shape. What comes out of Paris and Tokyo continues to fascinate and surprise me. Looking back, is there anything you would've done differently? Aesthetically, I am very proud of what we had accomplished—I would not alter a single stitch or change a single look. Whatever came down the runway or made its way to the retailers was a product of occasional inspiration, sheer determination, and hard work. On another note, Spring 2007 was probably my best collection to date—we had a great time doing it. The fact that a tiny group of single-minded individuals (Cloak's staff has never numbered more than five people) can make their voice heard is still amazing to me. Do you have any advice for other independent designers? Get a great lawyer to read through anything you are about to sign. So what now? It's hard to say, but learning a foreign language as well as developing a hobby would make for a good start. I always thought that gardening is very chic!" — Staff Taken from men.style.com

 

[poly800rock]

this pic of him is just priceless. kind of shows his disdain already.

 

[ghulkhan]

damn that sucks guess its time to blow some money at the cloak shop this spring

 

[Goldengloves]

Yea he doesn't look too stoked in that picture that's for sure.

....Wonder what kind of sales this is going to bring....hmmm...

 

[LabelKing]

That's a shame.

 

[Brian SD]

What does it say about the state of fashion when even a CFDA award–winner such as yourself can't stay in business?
The decision to end my involvement in Cloak was mine only—it had nothing to do with the state of contemporary fashion. I think fashion is in rather good shape. What comes out of Paris and Tokyo continues to fascinate and surprise me.

Pretty stupid question. He answered it tactfully though.

 

[Analog]

Too much talent to just simply disappear - I'm sure he'll be back in one form or another.

 

[DNW]

Do you have any advice for other independent designers?
Get a great lawyer to read through anything you are about to sign.

It's a business disagreement, which is a shame.

I'm sure he'll resurface under a different name. The business disappears, not the designers.

 

[nairb49]

maybe he'll take over HL.

 

[Rye GB]

He would have been perfect to head up Helmut Lang!.

Helmut Lang in the hands of The Theory Group is like handing the keys to your new Bentley to a blind man!.

 

[giantreptile]

Originally Posted by Rye GB

He would have been perfect to head up Helmut Lang!.

Helmut Lang in the hands of The Theory Group is like handing the keys to your new Bentley to a blind man!.


in the case of the demise of cloak: one benefit of naming your label something other than the designer's name is best seen when others take over the likes of helmut lang or jil sander and besmirch it. how weird that must be for your name to be all over something that you didn't design.

 

[MyMindSpray]

this has been in the works for a very long time...rumours were all over the place before fall/winter 06/07...there were rumours that he wanted to take the Cloak name, however his business partner was unwilling to let go...there were also rumours that he'll continue to design under his own name...let's hope that's the case...it's really a shame, with the Dior Homme and Nom De Guerre moving more and more into the mainstream and exploding in terms of popularity, you could almost sense that Cloak was on the cusp of really blowing up...

 

[poly800rock]

Originally Posted by MyMindSpray

this has been in the works for a very long time...rumours were all over the place before fall/winter 06/07...there were rumours that he wanted to take the Cloak name, however his business partner was unwilling to let go...there were also rumours that he'll continue to design under his own name...let's hope that's the case...it's really a shame, with the Dior Homme and Nom De Guerre moving more and more into the mainstream and exploding in terms of popularity, you could almost sense that Cloak was on the cusp of really blowing up...


you would have thought cloak would have more weight than nom de guerre...

 

[rach2jlc]

As others have said, he's far too creative and "hot" right now just to disappear. As well, it was a business decision not a personal one, so he may take a season or two off (or may have to because of a non-compete clause), but I'm sure he'll be back quickly.

I just hope he doesn't pull a Jil Sander or a Helmut Lang and retire off to his giant estate and raise chickens (Lang) or tend his gardens (Sander).

 

[Flame]

Originally Posted by rach2jlc

I just hope he doesn't pull a Jil Sander or a Helmut Lang and retire off to his giant estate and raise chickens (Lang) or tend his gardens (Sander).
Her