Pop-ups are hot, and we're not talking about websites.

There was a time when "pop-up" referred to the windows of additional information that popped up on websites. Increasingly, though, pop-ups mean branded stores that appear for what seems like just an instant and disappear just as quickly.

Pop-up stores have been growing in, er, pop-ularity over the past few years as retailers and product marketers look for new, breakthrough ways to make an impression on consumers. Part of the reason could be the soft economy.

They've been particularly popular in New York, where brands without a retail presence—such as Target, which doesn't have a location in Manhattan—have successfully launched limited shops in empty stores in high-traffic areas.

Target's spring 2010 tie-in with Liberty of London proved so popular, its midtown NYC pop-up (seen above) attracted celebs including Naomi Watts, and closed early when the cheery floral merchandise sold out ahead of projections.Continue reading...

Coke and high fashion, a match made in (stereotype) heaven. Except, not that coke.

From the brand-extension bizarro world comes the limited-edition Karl Lagerfeld Coca-Cola Light (Diet Coke) box set. The co-branding promotion is done in collaboration with Paris boutique Colette and costs a show-stopping €60.00 (includes bottle opener!) Individual bottles are a more-affordable €3.50. Get yours at Colette.

It's not as crazy a pairing as it might seem on the surface, as there may be no greater Diet Coke brand champion than the slimmed down head of Chanel, Fendi and his own label. Just remember, plebe, that's DIET COKE.Continue reading...

The talents of two clothing empires combined are surely better than one, don't you think? Well, Roxy and Cynthia Rowley have joined forces to find out.

WWD reports that the designer and Los Angeles-based surf label will be collaborating on a new brand called “Cynthia Rowley for Roxy” to launch exclusively at Barneys New York in the US, Colette in Paris, Roxy stores and Cynthia Rowley boutiques worldwide in March 2010.Continue reading...