The legwear category has become a hot ticket as ready-to-wear designers push bold tights on the runways to wear with everything from day clothes to evening dresses.
Nicole Miller is getting in on the action with a new license with D2, the brands division of Delta Galil Industries Ltd., which produces Miller’s intimate apparel.
“Legwear is something we have been wanting to do for a long time. It’s the completion of an outfit,” said Bud Konheim, Nicole Miller’s chief executive officer, who added that the company did not join the legwear brigade because of the prevailing trend.
Paul Lavitt Mills, another legwear maker, used to design for Miller, but that license ended last year because of creative differences, Konheim said. Lavitt officials couldn’t be reached for comment.
“Nicole designs what she feels like designing,” Konheim said. “We don’t care what the trends are. A lot of times, we have people that just want great-looking design.”
The tights come in several Peruvian-inspired styles, including basic black, nude and brown jacquard; some were shown on the designer’s runway in February. There are also more lively styles like camouflage and leopard jacquard prints. Miller also created legwarmers to be worn over leggings and pumps.
The legwear hits Miller’s boutiques and specialty doors this fall with retail prices from $12 to $28.
“It used to be that everyone wore black opaque hose, then everyone switched to nude tights for the winter, which drove me crazy,” Miller said. “Because the focus [on legwear] has gotten stronger in the last couple of years, we’re bringing in interesting textures.”