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MEMBERS ONLY Revamps And Refreshes

Over 20 years ago MEMBERS ONLY strutted into the fashion world in a fresh, James Dean I-don't-try-to-be-cool-I-make-cool manner, enveloping the shoulders of men all over the world and turning them into fashion icons. The coveted piece was the bomber jacket. Now under the direction of Creative Director/Designer Kelli Delaney, the brand has relaunched into a star-studded collection of pieces for trend-setting, sexy women.

The Spring 2008 collection is a chic compilation of tailored jackets, leather vests, knit dresses and, of course, bomber jackets. "There are about 36 pieces in the line," says Delaney. "I wanted to make sure that it felt exclusive and special."

A former fashion editor, stylist and editor-in-chief, Delaney has found a way to fuse together her talents and create a high-end collection that speaks to both Hollywood's elite and a more urbane, hipster crowd. "It is a unique experience in what I can bring to the table as a designer, after styling covers for Conde Nast's Glamour and Allure," she says. "I learned what clothes and styles worked."

Paying attention to different body types, the luxurious leather and hardware behind the line will fit almost any woman and body type. Delaney has redefined the MEMBERS ONLY customer.

"She is the girl obsessed with finding the hottest new designers and buying the latest style status symbol," says Delaney. "She builds her closet by discovering who's wearing what." She is the girl everyone wants to be: most likely glamorous beyond comparison and a trend-setter among her social group. Describing it as "covetable," Delaney has successfully made a collection so strong, that there really isn't a piece in there worth ignoring. "I predict that the most popular piece in the line will be Gold Metallic Bomber; it's distinctive," the brands' designer adds.

Very few labels have the ability to live to see multiple decades the way MEMBERS ONLY has. From a historical perspective, it's been the quintessential cool jacket for men, and Delaney has kept the brand's iconology. "From a branding standpoint, I don't think that [it] needed to be completely reinvented; [just] refreshed," Delaney says. After recognizing this as a unique opportunity to bring the label into an upscale and contemporary fashion arena, she followed her gut and will most likely create a new characterization for MEMBERS ONLY - James Dean's girlfriend (if he ever had one); the girl that made him so cool. MEMBERS ONLY will debut, quite fabulously, at Kitson on Robertson.

For more information and stores www.membersonlystyle.com

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