NEW YORK — Thread, the bridesmaid dress business, is spinning out Thread Gold, its first cocktail dress collection.
During an interview Monday in their West 17th Street showroom, co-owners Beth Blake and Melissa Akey said they are applying what they have learned from the bridesmaid dress business to eveningwear by creating sophisticated dresses with just a touch of sex appeal. They noted that many brides need multiple dresses for rehearsal dinners, multiple engagement parties and post-wedding brunches. A recent trend has some women changing into a second dress before the wedding reception or during it. There are also the friends and family members attending the events who need something to wear.
“We’re trying to find our voice, but it has to be a new voice,” said Blake, who worked at Vogue and Chanel before starting Thread six years ago.
“We have the ability to dress everyone,” she added.
In addition to Thread Gold and the bridesmaid dress business, Thread, which generates $2 million at retail annually, is designing wedding dresses and shirts for groomsmen. Thread Gold bows for spring and will consist of three deliveries of about 18 styles. Among the key looks for spring are a strapless dark green dress with brown chiffon pleated insets, a long floral dress and a long polkadot dress with an eyelet bust.
Wholesale prices will range from $200 to $400, and first-year wholesale volume should exceed $725,000, Blake said. The line will be sold in about 35 stores and special orders will be taken at Thread’s New York, Chicago and Los Angeles showrooms.