Update: Read about Bitten by Sarah Jessica Parker on Oprah
Remember that fashion blind item I mentioned several weeks ago about the fashion icon who’s doing a line with the most unlikely of stores? Well…. that icon is none other than Sarah Jessica Parker who is teaming up with the budget sportswear company, Steve & Barry’s, to produce a line for the store called “Bitten” (horrible, horrible name). The collection is to be unveiled today at an ultra exclusive luncheon for top fashion editors who would never be caught dead in a mall, yet alone a Steve & Barry’s. What do you think about this partnership and the whole celeb-doing -a budget-line thing? Do you think SJP can pack the folks in like Madonna, who’s line for H&M is surprisingly good?
Sarah Jessica Parker for Steve & Barry’s: Yea or Nay?
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{ 46 comments… read them below or add one }
This is crazy…..Steve and Barry’s, I would say is at the bottom of the totem pole when it comes to fashion. And the name of the line is “Bitten”. I know she has some other opportunities.NAY!NAY!NAY
Hmmm…I’m gonna have to go with a big ol’ NAY.
Steve and Barry’s? Most cities don’t have a Steve and Barry’s…seven dollar shirts? ten dollar off brand shoes?
I mean, the prices are cheap (which is good) but the quality is crap (not good), having me buy more and spending more in the long run…
SJP for INC or another department store brand, sure, I’d go for it.
But not for Steve and Barry’s.
Eeeewwwww.
How wonderful, kind, and courageous of Sarah Jessica Parker! Steve & Barry’s sell the Starbury shoes for $15 that some NY Knicks wear while playing basketball, it’s about doing something good for the community. I’m sure SJP could have sold her clothing at boutiques for high prices. Selling at Steve & Barry’s means she really cares about us. I’ve bought lots of beautiful things there for men that always lasted, I’ll be very glad to buy my clothing there too!
We just got a Steve and Barry’s store in our town. As a mom of four kids, I think that store is a godsend. I bought my 14-year-old daughter some t-shirts there. Frankly, they are holding up much better than the shirts we’ve bought at Wal-Mart that barely made it through a couple washes.
As for SJP doing a line there, I’m not sure if it a Yea or Nay. Her target audience doesn’t really shop there, do they? In my town, Steve and Barry’s shoppers are a bit younger than that. It would make more sense for Hilary Duff or Ciara to do a Steve and Barry’s line.
We are getting a Steve and Barry’s soon, so I will be anxious to see what all the Hoopla is about. As for SJP…she does nothing for me, so I am not sure what her designs will be like.
And what is up w/stars designing clothes? What gives them the right and/or talent to do so? Just because they dress well doesn’t mean they are capable of designing a Spring Line!
Ok, off my soap box now…
I’ve never even heard of Steve and Barry’s, so I have no idea. I was going to say “wait until you see the clothes,” but if the quality is terrible, then it doesn’t matter what it looks like!
And you’re right, that name is just awful. Come on, SJP, we know you can do better!
i’m going with yea!
I think this is the major overhaul that Steve and Barrys needs…. who knows, has anyone seen the line yet? can anyone judge until they see? Sarah Jessica is a huge star…would she design anything less than something incredibly stylish……just you wait, just you wait…..
What’s a Steve & Barry’s. Nay!! Because I’ve never even heard of the store, let alone have one close by.
I’ve actually never heard of Steve & Barry’s. Is it about equal with something like Fashion Bug? Or is it more like Value City, with discounted name brands?
what the heck is steve and barry’s!?!? i am an obsessive shopper (and new yorker) and if i have never ever heard of it, i’m sure a lot more people haven’t either!
I’m still trying to figure out at what point did Sarah Jessica Parker become a “Fashion Icon”? Because if “Sex and the City” is what established her fashion status, we all know that it was Patricia Fields who did all the styling.
If you consider that “Sex and the City” just hit basic cable in 2004 (a full six years AFTER it debuted on HBO) and is being beamed out to cities and towns (affectionately know as fly-over states) then SJP designing for this line kind of makes sense. This line will be for people who aren’t fashion conscience, are not concerned with industry trends, and do not want to invest piles of cash in a wardrobe.
So yeah, I guess it’s a Yea, but just not my kind of Yea.
I say Yay, only because Steve and Barry need a step up in the fashion game and maybe she could bring some style. Now as far as the title, well that remains to be seen
For those of you who are asking about this store, Steve & Barry’s has mostly very very cheap athletic clothing, my husband likes to buy t-shirts there bc they have logos for every college sports team imaginable. It’s very sporty-themed. They also have tacky/wacky sayings on t-shirts. I’ve also seen ill-fitting jeans for 7 dollars, and other cheap, ill-fitting skirts, shirts, tanks, capris, etc. Sort of like an even cheaper Old Navy. Their big claim to fame is nothing over $10. Yikes. Don’t go there expecting to wear your regular size. Or for anything to last very long. I have a hoodie I bought there last year, and the zipper pull came completely off. If the SJP line comes to my S&B I will check it out, but I don’t have high hopes.
I have never heard of the chain either!
Still, what’s so bad about Bitten?
I think it sounds cute, the clothes probably will not look appropriate to the name… that is mildly disappointing.
*still rocking her Gothic Tan*
I’m saving my yays and nays until I actually see the clothes.
I’ve never even heard of “Steve and Barry’s” and I live in the D.C.metro area – is this a nationwide chain? It’s odd to me to associate SJP with a store that sounds like it’s for men, but if I knew where to find a branch, I’d probably check it out. No high hopes though – I’ve been disappointed by the quality of some of Target’s designer budget lines, so I can’t see one at an even lower price point being too impressive…
Steve and Barry’s is a sports store, and they’re often
YEA!!!! A million times over!!!!
Steve and Barry’s has always stood for great quality, great prices….without the ridiculous markup. For this fashion icon to embrace this concept will stir up the industty, and allow many women to feel better about themselves, without breaking the bank!!!!
Way to go SJP!!!!
I’d have to see it. My husband likes Steve and Berry’s as most guy who don’t like to spend money do. That being said poor quality is poor quality. I’ll have to researve my vote until I see the line.
I don’t know how to feel about this. I like the idea of celebs and designers doing lower-priced lines for the masses (Madonna and H&M, Mossimo and Target, etc.) but SJP at Steve & Barry’s? I don’t know. I have purchased some things, mostly basics, at S&B (I love my $8.99 pleather Canada hockey varsity jacket!!) – they’re good for cheap workout wear – but I really don’t think the demographic is right.
I could see SJP doing a line for Target, who has been “collecting” designers for the past few years and seem to know how to do it right.
Regardless of where SJP’s collection ends up, I will check it out, because I always liked her style, whether it’s “Sex & the City” funky or red-carpet elegant. But “Bitten”? Ugh. Horrible, horrible name. A definite NAY for the name alone!
I have never heard of it before.
Are we really buying it that SJP (and Madonna) are designing clothing? Suddenly they’ve both managed to fit in a few semesters at FIT, maybe between seasons of SATC or between big tours?
I think it’s interesting that here are two over-40 women who’re being used to market to under-21 shoppers. Not sure that it makes much sense, but it’s interesting.
People go to Steve and Barry’s for low budget sports gear. It’s cheap, plain, and thats why people love it. Who wants to spend a lot on sweats to wear around the house..or to the gym? It’s a joke really. In the end will prices go up…because that defeats the whole purpose of S & B’s.
I say YAY! S&B’s is a diamond in the ruff! I love fashion and I shop there all the time for my husband and he looks great! You can find the same clothes there that you see at Polo, Banana Republic, Brooks Brothers – FOR MORE THAN HALF THE PRICE! The clothes are made wonderfully and last forever. I love SJP and can’t wait to see what she has in store for us. I dare you to take a chance and try it!
I say yea. SJP has a great sense of personal style so lets see what she comes up with. Never been into a Steve and Barry’s, there are none around me.
STUPID STUPID move for SJP!!!! Steve and Barry’s is CHEAP….not only in price but the stuff doesn’t last. In the last year the prices just keep getting higher and higher and they have gone away from what they started. The idea of ONE low price is what got customers there and kept them. Now, they have lost not only myself as a customer but many many other I’m sure. I would rather go spend a little more money at another store that I know is going to last….
so I say BAD. Steve and Barry shouldn’t wast the time and money to try and make their store better….because it can’t!
Steve and Barry’s isn’t a bad deal at all. Pretty much nothing is over $10. Bought a pair of $10 black pants over a year ago and they are still going strong. (In fact, they are officially my boyfriend’s favorite pants on me.)
The quality is decent. Not expecting miracles for my $10.
I spent $60 on a knit top from INC and it pilled something awful on the first wearing…so don’t be fooled by price tags.
Steve and Barry’s is a good fit for SJP because it doesn’t have as many locations as an H&M or Target. Guess what? It’ll create an interest in the stores just by her association. In addition, SJP comes from a modest background. This is a great way to bring her fashion sense to the budget conscious.
This is a great move for Steve & Barry’s. They’ve been selling the Starbury sneaker for $15, which my kids love…seems like this is the next step for them. SJP is clearly making a statement with this, that fashion doesn’t have to break the bank. I’m sure the line will be great! I give a ton of credit to SJP and S&B for doing this.
My vote is a big YAY!
What is Steve & Barry’s, is there one in San Francisco? Is it like an H&M?
i think she should definatly stick to wat she’s good at. she’s awsome at the girly and fun clothes. even though she could bring that to sportswear, i still strongly think that she needs to keep at wat she’s doing, and maybe go with a store that is more her style.
Sorry to “butt” in to some of the other comments, but I infact work for Steve and Barry’s and know for sure what this line will do. A lot of people are spoiled in the fashion industry and are not even giving S&B the chance to show what they can do. This is still somewhat of a young company that has just begun a new revolution in fashion. Yes, nothing over $14.98, but for every so-called fashion expert that calls S&B “Cheap”, there are a hundred men, women, and kids that have been waiting for a store like this that sell excellent quality clothing at a very affordable price. Stop buying for the name and begin shopping for the quality. The Starbury shoes are no joke, almost exactly like Reebok and Nike, yet some won’t even give it the chance because of where the shoe can be purchased. I think retailers will begin to see that the new SJP line is truly going to change the industry, and the last 3 years of S&B have only been the beginning of what is to come. For those that are already dumbing down the idea, have you actually seen the line, let alone shopped at the store? I am constantly helping people who are amazed at the quality and price. And no, don’t expect S&B to be a thing of the past in 10 years. Expect it to become bigger that Old Navy, Gap, and others alike.
Maybe the Gap could use SJP as a way to boost revenue, oh wait they already did! oops
As a Steve and Barry’s shopper I think this is going to be GREAT. Why don’t you all try to go to steveandbarrys.com. As for the New Yorkers go to Mannhatten Mall. They are bassed out of New York. The quality is awesome, the prices are even better. The reason you don’t know about them is because they don’t advertise. This way they can save money and in the long run save YOU money! It’s going to be sweet!
If S&B can do with Sarah Jessica Parker, what Stephon Marbury did with his Starbury line at the store, then it will be an awesome line (but the name is still bad)
First off, how the line was named: according to a company release, ?Bitten? was driven by Parker?s reaction when she was first introduced to Steve & Barry?s. ?Parker was blown away by the company?s mission and bitten by the Steve & Barry?s bug after walking into a Steve & Barry?s store for the first time.?
For those of you who think that the name “Bitten” was a poor choice, SJP chose that name for her line because she was bitten by the Steve and Barry’s bug and the message that they are trying to convey with their stores. You do not have to spend hundreds to look good and Steve and Barry’s shows you just that! Also, for those of you that keep saying that we are a sports store or may be mislead be the name Steve and Barrry’s University Sportswear, we actually carry a wide variety of clothing for men, women and children. We have casual, trend, athletic, shoes, accessories, collegiate wear, and a vast aray of t-shirts. Currently S&B has over 200 stores in 33 states. Visit steveandbarrys.com to find your nearest location and check it out. Nothing retails for more than $14.98 with many items starting at only $7.98. We also have a line of basketball shoes and accessories endorsed by NY Knicks player, Stephon Marbury, entitled STARBURY. So, come check it out before you judge it, you might just be suprised….or “bitten” too!
bad move for SJP, but excellent for S&B who i haven’t heard of until now. looks like mismatched pairing.
a resounding YEA! because SJP is so loveable. and she’s a fashion icon because she brought patricia field’s fabulous styling to LIFE. her perfume is Lovely, so maybe she went with Bitten to sort of juxtapose the two?? who knows. never heard of steve & barry’s either. as for the celeb-cum-fashion designer set, i take it on a case by case basis. vera wang for kohl’s? ouch. isaac for target? woohoo!
looks to me like the people defending Steve and Barry’s in these comments pages are reps from the company trying to control the message. i’m an avid online reader and am super curious why S&B wouldn’t want to partner with sites like thebudgetfashionista (one of my faves!) to roll out the line. isn’t that their market? why wouldn’t they come to them first? everyone knows by now that online moves product and buzz much much faster than print and TV!
also am curious to see the line—note: they made fashionista.com take DOWN pictures of the line so you can’t really see it, but again, don’t understand why they wouldn’t just partner up with websites! they’d be better off sending the blogs all the info first to drive interest and create hype and frenzy when line came out like prouenza schouler and target, non?
what do you guys think?
Well, this is interesting. I used to work for Steve & Barry’s and I can tell you that they may have inexpensive clothing but at a cost. While I was working for them I watched discrimination from them on a daily basis.
You can check out their other company 4004 inc. which is based overseas and when THEY advertise for workers they sometimes put right in the ad: Males Only.
They outsource every job they can to India. Trying to speak with IT is impossible. They treated workers serious harrassment complaints through internal investigations and one manager who had at least two sexual harrassment cases against him internally was promoted in 2006 to store director!
You may chose to shop there but I wanted to let you what you are supporting with that choice. I will not shop there no matter HOW cheap they are. I also don’t shop at WalMart for similar reasons.
1. Steve&Barry’s PR peeps. I’m a fan of your store (the Starbury Line rocks), but you really need to stop posting in the comment section. It’s really not the proper thing to do—it’s a bit dishonest and doesn’t help your brand. I highly doubt SJP was like “oh I want to work with Steve Barry’s”. It was probably more like “I want to do a line.. what store will carry and let me have a signficant percentage of the sales”. Not hatin’ on SJP, but don’t try and spin another way on my blog and lie to my readers. Not cool
2. The story behind the “Bitten” name is as bad as the name
3. fashbug- You’re right.. they didn’t come to the fashion blogs because the line is subpar.. plain and simple. And like my friends over at fashionista.com, I was not impressed. I REALLY wanted to be impressed, but just not. It’s also sad that they held an exclusive event for people who never be caught in Steve and Barry and who after wining and dining with them at an expensive place, STILL won’t shop at the store.
4. Isaac Mizrahi was an accomplished, award winning designer, Vera Wang wa s fashion edtior turned designer, and SJP is just a celeb. Her true style came from Patricia Fields. Before Sex and The City was never known for her style. However, I still love her
I can’t believe how obvious the S&B PR people are posting here. Even without revealing themselves it is quite apparent most of the glowing posts are from them.
As for the SJP line, it doesn’t make sense. S&B’s target audience is men and college kids. SJP doesn’t appeal to either segment.
I have know idea how you folks wear or wash your clothes,but there is nothing wrong with these items. Fruit of the loom /Hanes… T-shirts are excelant price. You all must learn to use your washer settings better. Or stop wearing the same clothes everyday. Stupid!!!! Go Steve and Barrys!
I love Sarah jessica parker I think what she is doing is great.So what if its not a high end store if it was people like me who think very highly of her could not afford her clothes.I for one will be at my store on june 15th for the launching.
Thanks ashley
I think what SJP is doing is fabulous, if any of you had the chance to read the article on her and the line in this months Glamour you would understand the name and the concept of the line. “Bitten” as in bitten by the theater bug, something she holds near and dear to her heart. The line itself is offered at Steve & Barrys because she wanted to be able to offer single moms, and non-affluent families that ability to buy a entire wardrobe for their daughters without going broke. I think some of you are going a little overboard with the comments because of the store, this isn’t supposed to be a high end, pictures in a magazine of clothes you would never wear in every day life line. This is down to earth, just like SJP. I think shes doing a great thing, she could be stuck up and only offer something in department or high end stores, but shes not forgotten where shes personally come from or the hand me downs she wore as a kid…
I just watched Oprah and she had SJP with her new line “Bitten” on it. Yes it was named by SJP, her overwhelming feeling when walking into the store of never getting enough of it,- as to be “bitten” by a bug. I found the styles refreshing and very casual, with a nice twist. Her dressy sytle of clothes looked very comfortable and well made. I wish I had a Steve&Barry’s store near me.
Patrisha Canada
All of you people who are knocking the new line Bitten that Sarah Jessica Parker is promoting. Apparently have the money to shop elsewhere. With the price of gas, I hope that you can afford your luxery items. Personally I think that it’s great to have an icon, that is willing to sell her products at affordable prices