Coquette International

Retailer Interview: Karries Costumes and Dance Supplies

PR — Mon, 07 May 2012 20:22:26 +0000

Tell us about Karries Kostumes.

Karries Kostumes and Dance Supplies has been serving Edmonton and area for 30 years this coming August! We are located at 2001 Tudor Glen Place in St. Albert, AB. We have all sorts of costumes for rent and for sale and we also sell dance wear and accessories. We are busiest at Halloween for all the party goers, teachers and halloween enthusiasts, but are busy all year round. We also have dance supplies so we provide all the dance needs for students, teachers and performers. We have a lot of theatre groups, schools and makeup artists that shop at our store.

What costume style do your customers prefer? Cute? Fun? Sexy?

Depending on the occasion we have customers that want all sorts of costumes. The theatre groups and school drama clubs want historically correct costumes, guys and girls want funny and sexy costumes for Halloween, photographers want accessories that will make their clients smile! We even have a zombie walk twice a year in the city that dresses up for the food bank.

Are plus sizes in demand?

Plus sizes are definitely in high demand. We have a pretty big plus size selection and customers are always telling us how grateful they are that we have costumes of all sizes.

How do you have fun with the costumes when merchandising the style?

We like to put all sorts of accessories with certain costumes to show people that you can wear them many ways. Sometimes accessories make the costume, so if it’s displayed right people can get the idea of what they will look like.

How do you keep costumes and accessories popular all year round?

There are tons of theme parties, corporate events, themed weddings etc., to keep us busy. We advertise in different dance and theatre programs, give donations to many silent auctions and team up with radio stations and bars so people know we’re around if they ever have a creative idea for costuming that would make their event special!

What are your most requested items?

We have a lot of requests for time periods such as the 20′s, 50s, 70′s and 80′s. We also have many people come in looking for pirates, superheros, burlesque and medieval costumes.

What is the best way for you to stay in contact with your customers?

We stay in contact with our customers via our website, facebook, twitter and our monthly e-newsletter.

Tell us about your staff – what’s the team like?

We have an amazing team at Karries Kostumes. We have an expert in every area, a seamstress, a makeup artist, an expert in fashion history, a detailed costume addict, and a few dancers. We have all learned a lot of the other areas from each other and love to work together to make things happen.

What advice do you give to customers about personalizing their costumes?

We have many different options for accessories that can make their costume more personal. We carry a wide selection of items in each genre. We try to let each customers costume experience unfold for itself.

Other than the obvious – Halloween – what is your favourite holiday and why?

At Karries Kostumes we love christmas! We have lots of different christmas themed costumes, such as Elves, Mrs. Clause, Reindeer, Gingerbread men etc., and we rent out about 20 Santas every weekend for all of November and December! The staff all dresses up for the last week before the holidays, and our customers love coming in to be helped by an elf!

Coquette Shines at International Lingerie Show in Vegas

PR — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 20:25:52 +0000

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Erin Sue
Media and Public Relations Coordinator
Coquette International Inc.
Office: (519) 623-9881 ext.288
Mobile: (519) 591-7824
Email: pr@coquette.com

COQUETTE SHINES AT INTERNATIONAL LINGERIE SHOW IN VEGAS
-Castle Megastore wins trip for two to Hawaii-

Cambridge, Ont. April 11, 2012 (Coquette International Inc.) – Coquette is pleased to announce their success at the International Lingerie Show March 26th to 28th at the Rio Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. Coquette has been in attendance showing their collections since the creation of the show in October 1996.

The Coquette booth was decorated by beautiful, larger-than-life media shots of the best-selling pieces from each collection. Highlighted were the cover pieces from Main, Darque and Masquerade all of which showcased under the Coquette logo that could be seen throughout the show above the other booths. Definitely a main attraction, Coquette saw a constant flow of international buyers, retailers and media, all of whom stopped in for a visit. The team on location discussed Coquette’s current designs and the many new features to expect within the year. Design was also on hand to discuss the inspiration behind the collections, what’s trending and “why we love it” aspect of the lines.

The sales representatives received orders from all their customers and created many new accounts. Feedback was strong for customer service, product quality and the approachability of the Coquette team. Many retailers commented on the amazing Coquette models and their extensive knowledge of the product line and the positive atmosphere they helped to create within the booth. Both ladies discussed what they loved about each piece and a variety of ways that they could be worn, all the while available for media shots, interviews and videos.

“This show was steady with all of our loyal customers who made the trip to the show here in Vegas,” said owner Peter Horea. “All of our customers who stopped by the booth placed an order so we found to have a good response from them and positive feedback on our new collections.”

While in attendance at the show, Coquette showcased 10 outfits in the Monday night lingerie fashion show, three Masquerade costumes, two Darque pieces and five outfits of the best-selling lingerie lines. Retailers and distributors packed the room to be entertained by dancers and the newest fashions by exhibitors. The show included costumes, shoes and lingerie pieces that were grouped by company name and showcased through dance routines.

During each International Lingerie Show Coquette has a giveaway promotion that one lucky buyer can win through a draw done on the Tuesday night. This past show the prize was a trip for two to Hawaii. This fabulous vacation will send the winners to Oahu where they will stay at a Sheraton Resort for one memorable and exotic week. Buyers were given a ballot for every $3,000 order placed. This year the winner of the trip was Castle Megastore who has been a Coquette client for over 10 years.

“We were extremely thrilled to have pulled Castle Megastore as the winner of this trip,” said sales manager Dave George. “Our relationship with this company is very strong and they have remained loyal to Coquette and our designs for over a decade. We look forward to sending them on this exceptional vacation as a token of our appreciation for all the business we have done with them over the years.”

As another successful show has winded down, Coquette has already booked their attendance for the fall show September 10th to 12th, 2012 at the Rio in Las Vegas. Retailers and buyers alike can look forward to the official launch of the 2013 Kissable & Nutz Collection catalog as well the 2013 Spring/Summer Collection. These two new lines are currently in the works and the company is eager to debut them this fall.

INTERNATIONAL LINGERIE SHOW
The ILS is one of the largest lingerie shows in the United States occurring biannually in March and September. This show caters to designers and is free for qualified buyers to attend. Showcasing over three days are the major lingerie distributors in the industry along with swimwear, dancewear, club wear, shoes, hosiery and adult novelty items. http://lvlingerieshow.com

CASTLE MEGASTORE
Castle Megastore Group, Inc. is the nation’s leading retailer of adult merchandise and opened its doors in 1987. For over two decades, Castle has grown throughout the west coast with stores located in Arizona, New Mexico, Oregon, Washington and Alaska. Castle is known throughout the industry for the exceptional level of customer service, vast selection and inviting store environments. Stores range in size from 5,000 to 16,000 square feet and are designed carefully with the customers in mind. Our focus is to create a fun, friendly, shopping experience that is safe and well lit. www.castlemegastore.com

COQUETTE INTERNATIONAL INC.
Coquette is an international distributor of lingerie and costumes founded in Canada. Since 1979, the company has delivered high quality collections that entail diversity of styles while captivating a realistic feminine appeal.

Coquette has become the largest manufacturer and wholesaler of lingerie in Canada and has expanded into the international market as a major distributor of intimate apparel, serving over 64 countries.

What makes Coquette unique is the diversity of styles featured in its collections that fit any lifestyle, occasion, figure or taste. Coquette is proud to offer delicate and uniquely designed lingerie in its collections, ranging in styles from romantic to risqué.

COQUETTE COLLECTIONS
Main Collection
Coquette’s Main collection is comprised of a wide variety of lingerie styles, including a full bridal collection, club, lounge and novelty wear.

Masquerade
Coquette’s Masquerade Collection is comprised of Halloween and special occasion costumes. Unique to Coquette, the collection also features role-play costumes which are costumes that include an interactive element with sexy lingerie underneath.

Darque
Coquette’s Darque Collection is comprised of an array of sleek, stylish club wear with a playful fetish flare.

Holiday
The Holiday Collection includes Christmas, Valentine’s Day and New Years themed lingerie, available in holiday colors and a variety of styles.

For more information on Coquette and its products, visit us online at www.coquette.com.

Retailer Q&A: Lingerie Diva

PR — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 15:47:42 +0000

Tell us about LingerieDiva.com

LingerieDiva.com has been online since 2005, and since then we have strived to become a leader in the lingerie retail market, and one of the top lingerie e-commerce sites. Our mission is to help women feel beautiful and confident and get in touch with their sensual side through the lingerie we carry. We also want our products to be something all women can enjoy, which is why we have such a large variety of price points and sizes.

How do you determine which styles to buy?

Our buyers carefully follow the latest lingerie trends, keeping in mind what our customers are looking for. We also look for high quality products and a good variety. Our buyers work closely with the brands’ sales reps to determine which pieces will best suit our customers. In the cases with our bigger brands, such as Coquette, we typically carry the entire line because we know we’re getting high quality lingerie and that they always sell well.

Are there particular styles or pieces that are always in demand?

Corsets have continually been one of our biggest sellers. Our customers also really like any lingerie style that has a halter top neckline. We’ve also seen that unique and bright colors, like oranges, greens and blues, are popular because they can be hard to find. And, of course, the traditional lingerie colors of red, black and pink are always in demand.

How do you stay connected with your customers?

We have become very focused on connecting with our customers via social media. Lingerie Diva has a very active Facebook page, as well as a Twitter account, a blog and various other social media accounts. We try to establish a presence wherever we think customers – both current and future – are meeting online, and be available to answer any questions or provide any information we can.

How does Lingerie Diva stay on top of the market and how is it different from other sites?

As I mentioned before, our buyers work very closely with the brands’ sales reps to stay on top of the trends. We also pay close attention to what our customers are asking for and what they’re searching for on our website. We’re currently working to expand our plus size and men’s selections because we’ve seen that there are growing demands for these among our customers.

We’re different from other sites because we offer the most variety as far as styles, colors and sizes (going up to 6X in some styles). Our social media presence also makes us stand out from our competitors because we take the time to really interact with and engage our customers, which makes them feel more connected to our brand.

Tell us about the team and its dynamic at Lingerie Diva.

We have a great team that is very involved in all parts of the process. Everyone, from our president to our managers to the customer service and warehouse staffs, is committed to making sure everything runs smoothly so we can get our customers what they want in a timely manner. There’s a lot of interaction between the departments and it’s a very fun and friendly environment.

Your site sells lingerie but also has a resources section. What was the thought behind this?

We wanted to offer a general information section, so those who were new to buying lingerie could make an informed decision about their purchases. The resources section is also a great place for customers to go and get answers to more personal questions that they might not feel comfortable asking in a public online setting, such as one of our social media accounts.

Interview: Carrie

PR — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 15:06:08 +0000

We interviewed our makeup artist on location during the 2013 Holiday Collection photo shoot. She gave us the rundown of prepping our models for shoots, walking us through her application process and what her focus is throughout the day.

Interview: Gabriella

PR — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 20:55:40 +0000

During our 2013 Holiday Collection photo shoot we were able to chat with our model Gabriella who discussed her modeling experiences and time with us. On location is a great time to get out the video camera and do some behind-the-scenes footage to show what really happens on our photo shoots.

Coquette Gets Set for the Spring 2012 International Lingerie Show

PR — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 22:02:26 +0000

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Erin Sue
Media and Public Relations Coordinator
Coquette International Inc.
Office: (519) 623-9881 ext.288
Mobile: (519) 591-7824
Email: pr@coquette.com

COQUETTE GETS SET FOR THE SPRING 2012 INTERNATIONAL LINGERIE SHOW
-Darque 2012 / Coquette on the runway /Trip for 2 to Hawaii-

Cambridge, Ont. March 9, 2012 (Coquette International Inc.) – It’s that time of year again and Coquette is gearing up to head to Las Vegas for the International Lingerie Show March 26-28 held at the Rio Hotel and Casino.

This year, buyers should expect nothing less than quality designed lingerie, new color themes and exceptional customer service from the sales team on location. The Coquette booth will be filled with samples from the recent collections that will be featured on models during the show, while the sales team will be available to discuss the company and its collections with retailers. The booth will feature the most recent media shots of the lingerie manufacturer’s best selling pieces.

“We are excited to be launching the 2012 Darque Collection at this upcoming show,” said national sales manager Dave George. “This line is beautifully shot with outstanding designs. We are eager to share this line with our retailers and the amazing incentive that we have lined up for one lucky buyer.”

The International Lingerie Show will be the official platform to release the Coquette 2012 Darque catalog. The designers have created a collection that uses fabrics such as stretch lace and, new to Coquette designs, pleather and matte wetlook.

The matte wetlook has the appearance of leather however is extremely soft, stretchy and is like a second skin when on. It is breathable and formfitting for all sizes. Pleather offers the pieces shape and definition. This heavier fabric is durable which works well to create more versatile pieces. This material is flattering for all body sizes compared to the wetlook. These materials that make up the 2012 Darque Collection make it completely unique within the lingerie industry in a way that the garments can be worn as intimate apparel or outerwear. Compared to last year’s collection this line has a more futuristic look that is harder and edgier. Some of the line has topstitching details that offer a 50’s retro appeal. The new materials speak to outerwear marketing trends for 2012.

“We wanted to design a collection that used the popular demands of last season and incorporate them into our new look,” explained senior designer Elaine Carson. “Our stretch lace detailing was very popular so we took those concepts into consideration when designing this collection. We have also expanded on our panties from Darque and added new wetlook stockings with stretch lace at the top.”

The Monday night fashion show will feature the anticipated bestsellers from Coquette’s Darque, Main and Masquerade Collections beginning at 6 p.m. Retailers, buyers and distributors alike will be in attendance to see the newest designs by the international manufacturers. Coquette expects to share this experience with many of its valued retailers on March 26.

As an incentive during the International Lingerie Show, Coquette will be giving away a trip for two to Hawaii. The winner plus a guest will be flown to Honolulu to enjoy a seven night stay at a luxurious Sheraton Resort. Retailers planning on visiting the Coquette booth at the show will have a chance to win. For every $3,000 order that buyers place they will receive a ballot. The draw will take place at 5 p.m. on Tuesday March 27, 2012 at the Coquette booth (No. 724). The winner must be in attendance at the time of the draw.

With less than a month to the show appointment times are booking up fast to meet with the sales representatives. Coquette urges any buyers who plan on attending the show and have not yet scheduled a time to do so as soon as possible.

The March International Lingerie Show is the larger of the biannual show. Coquette looks to impress as always and have an opportunity to meet with existing and new retailers.

Coquette has become the largest manufacturer and wholesaler of lingerie in Canada and has expanded into the international market as a major distributor of intimate apparel, serving over 64 countries.

For more news, upcoming events, blog and publicity please visit, www.coquette.com/news

COQUETTE COLLECTIONS
Main Collection
Coquette’s Main collection is comprised of a wide variety of lingerie styles, including a full bridal collection, club, lounge and novelty wear.

Darque
Coquette’s Darque Collection is comprised of an array of sleek, stylish club wear with a playful fetish flare.

Holiday
The Holiday Collection includes Christmas, Valentine’s Day and New Years themed lingerie, available in holiday colors and a variety of styles.

To view the complete collections and to download the catalogs please visit us online at, www.coquette.com.

Staff Spotlight: Jacqueline – Designer

PR — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 20:39:38 +0000

How long have you been with Coquette?

Since October 2010.

Where do you find inspiration for your designs?

Mainly from fashion magazines and the media.

Out of all the pieces you have designed this year which one is your favorite?

It would have to be the fuchsia corset from the 2013 Holiday Collection. It’s made with satin and twill, it’s figure flattering and it features cups with an underwire.

What is the most rewarding part of your job?

During photo shoots we get to see our designs on the models giving them shape and personality. Once our catalogs have gone to print and you see the finished product, having been shot on location or in studio, it is extremely rewarding to be able to say that you’ve designed that piece.

What is your personal style?

I like to accessorize a lot. On most days I wear some form of heel and I tend to wear a lot of black.

Fun hobby:

I love to bake themed cakes. I recently made a football birthday cake for one of the guys I work with.

Staff Spotlight: Ashley – Designer

PR — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 20:26:30 +0000

How long have you been with the company?

Since September 2010.

How do you stay on top of current trends in the industry?

We monitor industry blogs and fashion forecasting sites.

Where do you find inspiration for your designs?

I find inspiration all over the place. Definitely from celebrities and movies, fashion shows and trade publications.

What is your favorite piece that you’ve designed and why?

I would have to say I’m in love with the emerald green corset [style #1063] which is fully boned with a lace over satin detailing, and in such a rich colour. The fit is form forgiving and comes in sizes small to 3X/4X.

What is the most rewarding part of your job?

It’s for sure seeing the final product in stores and other people loving it.

Describe your personal style.

Skinny jeans, a simple top and heels. I’m pretty plain jane!

What are your big plans for 2012?

I got engaged last July so this year is just a ton of planning for our wedding in October.

Coquette Feeling Festive for Their Recent Photo Shoot

PR — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 22:17:24 +0000

Waterloo, Ont. (Coquette International Inc.) – This week the Coquette designers and creative team were on location shooting the newest Holiday Collection.

This line of regular and plus size lingerie encompasses Christmas, New Years and Valentine’s Day themed pieces. The collection is made up of reds, pinks and black which are the traditional colors associated with major holidays. With all the added sparkle this collection speaks for itself when it comes to celebrating the holidays.

“In this collection you will find more versatile pieces that can be worn throughout the year and on other occasions,” explains senior designer Elaine Carson. “We wanted to provide a variety of pieces that can work well with other looks and will compliment everyone.”

The hair was kept to big loose curls and the makeup bold and dramatic featuring purples, greens and silvers. The beautiful and glamorous models elevated this book to the next level. The team created a festive environment for these shots with decorations and candles to completely set the scene and the mood. The creative focus of the shoot was to tell a story of a woman getting ready to go out, and to capture the warmth and the spirit of the holidays.

“This was our best shoot to date. Shooting on location and the angles that our team was able to capture very much created the ambience that we were after,” said vice president of sales and marketing Marcus Horea.

For a sneak-peek of the behind-the-scenes photos please visit our Facebook page, www.facebook.com/coquetteinternational. The 2013 Holiday Collection is scheduled to officially be released this June.

Coquette has become the largest manufacturer and wholesaler of lingerie in Canada and has expanded into the international market as a major distributor of intimate apparel, serving over 64 countries.

COQUETTE COLLECTIONS
Main Collection
Coquette’s Main collection is comprised of a wide variety of lingerie styles, including a full bridal collection, club, lounge and novelty wear.

Darque
Coquette’s Darque Collection is comprised of an array of sleek, stylish club wear with a playful fetish flare.

Holiday
The Holiday Collection includes Christmas, Valentine’s Day and New Years themed lingerie, available in holiday colors and a variety of styles.

For more information on Coquette and its products, visit us online at www.coquette.com.

Erin Sue
Media and Public Relations Coordinator
Coquette International Inc.
Office: (519) 623-9881 ext.288
Mobile: (519) 591-7824
Email: pr@coquette.com
www.facebook.com/coquetteinternational
www.twitter.com/coquetteapparel

Coquette Launches Complete ‘News Page’ Within Website

PR — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 20:54:00 +0000

Cambridge, Ont. (Coquette International Inc.) – Coquette announced the launch of their new public relations website today that can be found within their company’s current page through the ‘news’ button. The site features all their media shots, news, upcoming events, publicity, portfolio and blog.

The new informational section of their webpage will showcase everything the international lingerie manufacturer is and has been doing. With constant monitoring and updating this site offers retailers, buyers and individuals a medium to interact with Coquette by learning about the company.

“We wanted to create an outlet to better educate our retailers and the general public about who we are as a business,” said vice president of sales and marketing Marcus Horea. “This is a significant stage in our company’s rebranding strategy that opens the door to cultivate relationships with our existing and potential customers offering them a platform to interact with us on a more personal level.”

Viewers can find where Coquette has been published, plugged and shown throughout mainstream media and trade publications. The site includes a section where the logos of the top retailers and suppliers with the company can be found and an area on the main site that will link to their various webpages.

The website will also house the current and archived news releases, upcoming events and tradeshows, and will allow readers to view the most recent newsletter. Coquette wants to provide its clientele with the most up-to-date information on the company while building excitement about the changes and events taking place. Visitors can link to the social media sites that Coquette frequents and connect through those platforms where they can chat, get quick updates or simply check out the, ‘Look of the Day.’

“This website will engage our viewership by moving beyond the typical information overload to encompassing an educational, approachable and reader-friendly environment,” explained web designer Shawn Steinman. “The site is image oriented which is more visually appealing, while presenting company information in a variety of methods that allow the individual to choose how they interact and acquire their news about Coquette.”

In a more informal discussion the site features a blog that will contain interviews, behind-the-scenes photos, lingerie and costume trending, and fun facts about the business.

Coquette is pleased to announce the launch of this new section of their website and encourages feedback from its viewers. As a continual way to improve on customer service, company knowledge and the Coquette brand, the company is enthusiastic of having introduced the newest strategy of their communications and marketing plan. Please visit, www.coquette.com/news to have your sneak peek of their website.

Coquette has become the largest manufacturer and wholesaler of lingerie in Canada and has expanded into the international market as a major distributor of intimate apparel, serving over 64 countries.

COQUETTE COLLECTIONS
Main Collection
Coquette’s Main collection is comprised of a wide variety of lingerie styles, including a full bridal collection, club, lounge and novelty wear.

Darque
Coquette’s Darque Collection is comprised of an array of sleek, stylish club wear with a playful fetish flare.

Holiday
The Holiday Collection includes Christmas, Valentine’s Day and New Years themed lingerie, available in holiday colors and a variety of styles.

For more information on Coquette and its products, visit us online at www.coquette.com.