Lingerie Maker Looks to Cover Expensive Tastes

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EDITOR’S NOTE: This story has been changed from the print version to correct the opening date for City Target to Oct. 14.

Lingerie company Frederick’s of Hollywood Inc. wants to show off its finer attributes.

The Hollywood company announced last month that it has launched a label for a line of luxury lingerie called Harriett. The label is named after the late founder Frederick Mellinger’s longtime lover and fashion muse: his wife.

The Harriett collection, made from high-end fabrics and materials such as silk and fine lace, are more expensive than the average Frederick’s underwear. Panties from the Harriett collection cost $29, while other Frederick’s panties cost between $4 and $18.

The company said the luxury line will be more than just lingerie. Eventually, it’ll include clothing and high-end accessories.

The collection will be for sale in only one brick-and-mortar store, the Frederick’s flagship location on Hollywood Boulevard, as well as online at Harriett.com.

Tracy McCourt, director of marketing for Frederick’s, said the development of the Harriet line is an effort by the company to attract new customers who have a more expensive taste than Frederick’s previously targeted.

“We had an opportunity to expand our product assortment by developing a luxurious line of lingerie, clothing and accessories not only to satisfy current customers, but to introduce ourselves to new customers with similar needs,” she said in a statement. “This is a significant step in creating a revitalized brand landscape and customer experience.”

Revolving Doors

Grill and wine bar Seasons 52, a chain owned by Orlando, Fla.-based Darden Restaurants Inc., will launch its first L.A.-area restaurant Nov. 12. The 8,500-square-foot eatery will open on Santa Monica Boulevard at the Westfield Century City mall. A second Seasons 52 restaurant is scheduled to open in Santa Monica early next year. … City Target, a smaller-format store by the Minneapolis retailer designed for urban areas, will open to the public Oct. 14 after months of construction at open-air shopping center Figat7th. … L.A. interior designer Susan Devall opened home furnishing and accessories store Devall Design Home on Larchmont Boulevard earlier this month. … Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar will open a 7,200-square-foot restaurant in Beverly Hills in November. The restaurant is expected to employ up to 80 people and will be the first new location for the Newport Beach restaurant chain in more than four years. … U.K. company Lush Cosmetics, known for its soaps and bath treatments, will open a store at Valencia Town Center later this month. Another store for the chain will open later this year in Thousand Oaks. … Santa Monica restaurant company Blue Plate Dining Group opened its third restaurant, Blue Plate Taco, at the year-old Shore Hotel in Santa Monica last week. The Mexican restaurant is the first on-site eatery for the hotel. … Dallas restaurant and gaming chain Dave & Busters Inc. signed a 15-year lease with landlord Passco Co. LLC of Irvine for 40,000 square feet at the Howard Hughes Center on Sepulveda Boulevard in Los Angeles. The venue is scheduled to open next spring. … Actor and producer Duane Martin opened Xen Lounge, an American-style restaurant, in Studio City last month. … Danish fashion designers Carsten Schlamovitz, Annika H. Olsen and Susan Ankersen will open retail store Casmaine on Main Street in Santa Monica on Thursday. … Susan Disney Lord, Walt Disney’s niece, will reopen her restaurant Bel Air Bar and Grill on Sepulveda Boulevard next month after closing it for 18 months for renovations.

At Your Service

El Segundo toy company Mattel Inc. has named Jessica Dunne general manager and senior vice president of consumer products. Dunne will oversee licensing for Mattel’s biggest toy brands, including Barbie, Hot Wheels, Monster High, Fisher-Price and American Girl. Dunne moved to Mattel from Walt Disney Co., where she worked as executive vice president of licensing for Disney Classic Characters and Disney Baby. … Discover Torrance Visitors Bureau named Ralph Witsell executive director earlier this month. Witsell came to Torrance from Reno, Nev., where he worked for a decade, most recently as executive director of tourism. … Fashion retailer Hot Topic Inc. announced earlier this month that Jerry Cook, chief store officer, will resign effective Feb. 28. Cook is leaving the City of Industry company to move to Texas with his family, where he plans to pursue other professional opportunities. The publicly traded company has begun a search to find a replacement for Cook.

Staff reporter Bethany Firnhaber
can be reached at [email protected] or (323)549-5225, ext. 235.

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