From The Straits Times    |

Tamara Mellon launching a lifestyle brandIndustry sources have claimed Tamara Mellon has plans to launch an eponymous lifestyle brand. 

The founder and chief creative officer of high-end footwear label Jimmy Choo has remained silent since her resignation from the company was revealed on Sunday, November 13.

Mellon is scheduled to leave Jimmy Choo at the end of this month, with WWD Tuesday reporting sources have claimed funding is lined up for a Tamara Mellon brand.

Another industry source added that Mellon’s ambitions had always reached further than Jimmy Choo, which was sold to the luxury goods group Labelux back in May.

London-born Mellon had always been at the front of the footwear brand, which was founded in 1996 and has branched into handbags, eyewear and perfume, even modeling in its advertising campaigns.

In an interview with UK publication The Telegraph last year, Mellon had spoken about the importance of an all-encompassing company.

“We have a wish list. There’s a lot of growth out there – in Asia, especially China – and a lot of new product lines. This isn’t just about shoes and bags, it’s about a whole lifestyle – the Jimmy Choo woman,” she said at the time.

As creators such as Tory Burch and Tom Ford have proven, lifestyle brands can be highly lucrative. Ford, previously creative director of Gucci and YSL, launched the Tom Ford brand in 2005, which now boasts men’s and womenswear, a cosmetics and fragrance line and an eyewear license.

Meanwhile, former Vera Wang employee Burch launched her own fashion label in 2004. Specializing in caftans, sequined cardigans, tunics, swimwear, jewelry, handbags, shoes, and sunglasses, the lifestyle brand has become closely associated with television show Gossip Girl, where Tory Burch products often appear.

It was also revealed Sunday that Jimmy Choo’s chief executive officer Joshua Schulman will also be departing the company after the transition period into 2012. Schulman has not commented on his plans for the future.

“I have nothing to announce now. I’m going to take my time to explore new opportunities. I’ll be working with the Jimmy Choo team in the meantime, and helping to ensure an orderly transition,” he is quoted as saying. — AFP RELAXNEWS