Never-before-seen SPOYLT samples - didn't go into production

[spoyltone]

So I was surprised today to get an email from a SPOYLT eBay seller who recently sold me a rare "Radiance" lingerie bag from the Eternity collection (this one, which I had never seen before I found this listing):



He has some samples from Spoylt designs that never went into production. Apparently one of his friends works for Spoylt and gave him the samples to sell, since there weren't enough to have a real "sample sale."

Here is the Romance babydoll that never went into production. Apparently he also has matching thongs, cosmetic bags, and even hangers that were never sold:



Here is a set he calls "Sophia" that I have NEVER ever seen before. It looks similar to some of Spoylt's other collections, especially the lace-back panty and the party garter, but the print is completely different! I have also never seen them use that model before. However, I have no doubt it really is Spoylt, as they have their matching trademark lingerie bag:



I just thought it was interesting to see "what might have been" in the current Spoylt line-up. I wonder why they decided not to produce these items, after they had several samples made up and had even staged elaborate photo shoots? Does anyone here who works in lingerie production and design know why they would decide not to produce certain items?

I guess maybe they went to lingerie trade shows and no one was interested in buying these items. I'm just curious how that all works.

[Mandolina]

Wow that's some great info! Thanks for the update!!!

[Kelly]

What a shame! those are all beautiful!
_________________
Lingerie is the poetry in a woman's wardrobe.
-Ellen Lewis

[TheodanUK]

Oh what a shame .. that "Sophia" set is so gorgeous.

[GigiGirl]

Back when Spoylt was actually selling to stores in the states, we had the travel bag on order. It never shipped, like you said. They had a bunch of stuff that didn't ship that season. It was so disappointing.
When it was supposed to ship was around the time things went downhill for Spoylt. They closed their NYC office and I don't even know how they are doing now. They don't sell to boutiques in the US like they were doing before. It stinks because they are such a fun brand.
I wrote a post for TLP about awesome merchandise that never gets made. Crazy how the cutest stuff never makes its way into a store.
http://www.the-lingerie-post.com/2008/02/the-lingerie-you-will-never-buy/
_________________
Life is short. Wear pretty underwear.
www.GigisCloset.com

[spoyltone]

That's interesting, Gigi...how long ago was that?

Spoylt has had their end-of-season 50% off sale going on for about...oh I don't know...5-6 months now? For awhile they had a deal where if you spent $200 you got a free Halcyon Days lacquered mirror. It really seems like they want to push out their old stock but it's not selling.

I keep on waiting for them to unveil a new collection, but maybe they aren't going to.

[GigiGirl]

Oh, I didn't exactly comment on the question about non-production. There are a bunch of reasons why products don't get made. If you read the post you can see the reasons.

Sometimes it has to do with the fabric or trim is too expensive to keep the profit margin where it needs to be. Sometimes the garment is redundent in the group and gets cut, like there is already a red chemise, so don't make another one. Sometimes the vendor of the fabric or trim can't produce what is needed or the fabric turned out to be poor quality, doesn't dye well.
And, with fashion lingerie, many garments are cut-to-order, if not enough of a style gets bought, it will get cut. This happens all the time with smaller designers. Their orginal line sheet had 25 designs and by the end the sheet in down to 12. It just stinks when a store buys a design and it gets cut. It is just part of the business. We then have to scramble to find something just as fabulous to fill the hole within the merchandise. This is tricky because many items are cut to order so a lot of times the desingers don't have enough stock left over to cover a full order. This is also why if a store gets burned by being "short shipped", they may not get furture business. I know we are weary of ordering again from a brand that had issues. Ordering gets done months in advance and a store needs to be able to depend on the vendors. (I think I referenced this in a tia lyn post)
Presently, so many garments are made in China, and that is causing many brands a lot of issues in customs. Right now, there are a ton of Spring lines that are supposed to be in stores, but are stuck in customs. Remember when China had that crazy snow storm, they are still feeling the effects of that. (This is one of the reasons we shy away from buying merchandise made in China, btw) And, why quality lingerie from France and the like is expensive but so worth it.

With regards to Spoylt however, I believe they ran into deep finacial problems. Cash flow is a big factor with manufacturing, and I think that the cash flow stopped. I think I remember hearing they filed for the equivilent of Chapter 11 in England. I think they were also having issues with their vendors and getting the merchandise made. I don't think they have made anything new in several seasons. I think they are just selling off what they produced on their website, but not making anything new.
_________________
Life is short. Wear pretty underwear.
www.GigisCloset.com

[spoyltone]

That's really interesting. I had somehow missed your blog post so I'm glad you linked to it. If only we could see some of the designs that never get made! I have a feeling that too many stores and manufacturers want to play it safe, when what really gets me interested in buying (as a consumer) is the really unique stuff. Every store always seems to have the same old stuff, but when I find a place with something different, I am much more likely to buy!

Then again, though, with the recession, I'm buying a lot less luxury items and focusing more on paying the bills. I imagine a lot of Americans are doing this, and it's probably hurting the lingerie business a lot. I guess people aren't going to splurge on the unique, high-end stuff as much.

By the way - I love your site, and I love your buying philosophy! Are you finding that sales have gone down recently?

And it's too bad to hear about Spoylt

[Kelly]

Oh no, Spoyltone - you'll be out of a namesake soon, it looks like! But that is really such a shame if Spoylt is going down the drain. I hadn't heard anything about it until your post, gigigirl, so thanks for that! Spoylt just has so much pretty, elegant stuff, that they'll be missed. And yeah, that half-price sale has been going on forever. I've been wondering about that.

But don't worry about the lingerie companies going out of business. I've been doing enough luxury shopping for all of us lately
_________________
Lingerie is the poetry in a woman's wardrobe.
-Ellen Lewis

[spoyltone]

I was so upset about Spoylt that I emailed Danae (from Knickersblog.com) and she said that the company had been bought out by two investors, who basically are trying to clear out all the old stock - thus, the 50% sale and free worldwide shipping. Apparently it happened like Gigigirl said...not enough cash flow, a lot of stock that was produced in China that they could never pay for...apparently they just grew too quickly.

I am beginning to think that a lot of the Spoylt I buy on eBay from Hong Kong is this overstock. That would explain why it is all brand new in the original packaging and is so dirt cheap. Ah well. As much as I hate to see Spoylt go, I would never have been able to afford most of their stuff, even at 50% off, if they were not having serious financial difficulties!

It is a shame we won't get to see any more Spoylt collections though.

[spoyltone]

I have one more pic: the Sophia robe! Isn't it lovely?

[Kelly]

that is gorgeous! I can't believe that didn't make the cut!
_________________
Lingerie is the poetry in a woman's wardrobe.
-Ellen Lewis