From Middle America To The World: Lands’ End’s New CEO Talks To Yahoo! Finance
June 8, 2015
Yahoo! Finance talks to Federica Marchionni, formerly an executive at Dolce & Gabanna, who became CEO of Lands’ End in February.
This makes Lands’ End another in the list of American brands to come under foreign leadership. “My mission is to transform this incredible American iconic company into a meaningful global lifestyle brand,” Marchionni says in the interview.
Apparently the land only ends when they run out of it. — CC
I bought some LE ‘Traditional Fit’ cords last year and the rise was so low that even a gigolo with a low rise fetish would have been embarrassed. I’ll never buy from them again.
The damage to LE was already done before this lady’s arrival.
I used to love Lands End. The clothes were of good quality at reasonable prices. I still have some Lands End stalwarts from the early 2000s in my wardrobe. However, in recent years, they’ve jumped on the skinny bandwagon, and I can no longer count on them to deliver the goods.
I tried buying a pair of swim trunks from them recently. Had to return them—they’re defaced with a logo!
I used to love Lands End as well, but I have finally realized that a lot of what I loved about Lands’ End is gone and it isn’t coming back anytime soon.
“It’s crucial today to appeal to different kinds of customers. ” So, cheap bling, track suits, and singlets/tank-tops like you see low rent guys all over the UK, Europe, and the US wearing then. Oh, puke. Of course, not that this kind of move is surprising. LE today is a different beast from even 15 years ago. . . not to mention 30-40 years ago..
I *love* LE! To me, they’re the poor man’s Polo. As of today, however, their product offerings are schizophrenic. Alongside $19.99 “Not Quite Perfect” button-downs are $189 “Around the World” collection shirts made from Japanese fabric.
LE’s heritage has always been value (quality+price) and personalized customer service. Calling Lands’ End a “distant second” to L.L. Bean is mildly insulting. The quality of design and attention to detail is world-class. They are in a class of their own.
Best of luck to Ms. Marchionni as she expands the “Around the World” collection. Please: no skinny ties, flashy jewelry, or leopard-print velvet blazers.
Arrivederci, LE. Thanks for the many lovely memories.
“Where did your long hair go
Where is the girl I used to know
How could you lose that happy glow
Oh, Lands’ End no
Who took that look away
I remember how you used to say
You’d never change, but that’s not true
Oh, Lands’ End you
Break my heart
I want to go and cry
It’s so sad to watch a sweet thing die
Oh, Lands’ End why
Could I ever find in you again
Things that made me love you so much then
Could we ever bring ’em back once they have gone
Oh, Lands’ End no”
I buy clothes from LE from time to time, but usually limited to items I know and trust. One example: LE turtlenecks. (Do guys outside of New England still wear T-necks?) They are well-made, fit nicely, and are one of my ‘go-tos’ under a sweater in winter. I prefer LE T-necks over LL Bean. Bean’s always shrink to an unwearable size.
Does anyone think that’s it’s rather bizarre that she is speaking at something called the “Milken (an ex-convict) Institute” and her former employers, Dolce and Gabanna are also convicts?
Thanks for the warning, Christian.
I will stock up on polos and chinos before Ms. Marchionni changes their cut to match “global” taste.
Gigolo collection coming soon!
I bought some LE ‘Traditional Fit’ cords last year and the rise was so low that even a gigolo with a low rise fetish would have been embarrassed. I’ll never buy from them again.
The damage to LE was already done before this lady’s arrival.
I used to love Lands End. The clothes were of good quality at reasonable prices. I still have some Lands End stalwarts from the early 2000s in my wardrobe. However, in recent years, they’ve jumped on the skinny bandwagon, and I can no longer count on them to deliver the goods.
I tried buying a pair of swim trunks from them recently. Had to return them—they’re defaced with a logo!
I used to love Lands End as well, but I have finally realized that a lot of what I loved about Lands’ End is gone and it isn’t coming back anytime soon.
The Land Ends Ahead: http://oxfordclothbuttondown.com/2014/04/the-land-ends/
“It’s crucial today to appeal to different kinds of customers. ” So, cheap bling, track suits, and singlets/tank-tops like you see low rent guys all over the UK, Europe, and the US wearing then. Oh, puke. Of course, not that this kind of move is surprising. LE today is a different beast from even 15 years ago. . . not to mention 30-40 years ago..
Best Regards,
Heinz-Ulrich von B.
I *love* LE! To me, they’re the poor man’s Polo. As of today, however, their product offerings are schizophrenic. Alongside $19.99 “Not Quite Perfect” button-downs are $189 “Around the World” collection shirts made from Japanese fabric.
LE’s heritage has always been value (quality+price) and personalized customer service. Calling Lands’ End a “distant second” to L.L. Bean is mildly insulting. The quality of design and attention to detail is world-class. They are in a class of their own.
Best of luck to Ms. Marchionni as she expands the “Around the World” collection. Please: no skinny ties, flashy jewelry, or leopard-print velvet blazers.
Lounging around the apartment in white buttondown and blue batik shorts from LE, current season.
Arrivederci, LE. Thanks for the many lovely memories.
“Where did your long hair go
Where is the girl I used to know
How could you lose that happy glow
Oh, Lands’ End no
Who took that look away
I remember how you used to say
You’d never change, but that’s not true
Oh, Lands’ End you
Break my heart
I want to go and cry
It’s so sad to watch a sweet thing die
Oh, Lands’ End why
Could I ever find in you again
Things that made me love you so much then
Could we ever bring ’em back once they have gone
Oh, Lands’ End no”
I buy clothes from LE from time to time, but usually limited to items I know and trust. One example: LE turtlenecks. (Do guys outside of New England still wear T-necks?) They are well-made, fit nicely, and are one of my ‘go-tos’ under a sweater in winter. I prefer LE T-necks over LL Bean. Bean’s always shrink to an unwearable size.
http://www.zacks.com/commentary/47706/bear-of-the-day-lands-end-le
Good news: Lands’ End chinos are available in “long rise”. (This corresponds to “regular rise” of the good old days).
Does anyone think that’s it’s rather bizarre that she is speaking at something called the “Milken (an ex-convict) Institute” and her former employers, Dolce and Gabanna are also convicts?
http://www.forbes.com/sites/kellyphillipserb/2014/04/30/court-uphelds-prison-sentence-for-dolce-gabbana-on-tax-evasion-charges/