RACHEL ALLAN “Chic City” Gets New Designer Edge

By: Ramon Lazaro

 

CHICAGO, IL- For 29 years a sleeping giant in the fashion industry has been quietly building its brand as one of the foremost prom gown and dress designers in the special occasion industry. But that is not enough for Alan Tandon, president of the successful Party Time Formals who operates from nondescript design studios in the Chicago suburb of Burr Ridge. So this month the brand is starting anew and rebranding the entire company under the designer Rachel Allan moniker, as well as introducing two new collections of red carpet and runway-inspired cocktail dresses and evening gowns. Why change something that is already successful? It’s a move meant to signify the company’s strong commitment to providing a more designer driven image to complement the evolving tastes and support their growing number of international retailers and consumers. The name change, according to Tandon, “will take the brand into a new era, while respecting the original principles and ideals on which we founded the company.” He continued, “We started the company as a manufacturer of special occasion apparel and built a strong following. Across the board, we have evolved to a more designer-influenced brand, setting trends with our silhouettes, high-end fabrications and attention to detail. We wanted our brand name to reflect that same fashion-forward evolution.” The new name Rachel Allan is the combination of the first names of Alan’s wife, Rachel, and Tandon himself. Both co-direct the company’s design and merchandising teams. The Rachel Allan label represents innovative fashion trends, quality craftsmanship, exceptional fit and an attention to detail, including beading, sequins and embroidery all designed to enhance every stage and lifestyle of the contemporary woman. The new Rachel Allan collections were introduced formally with a runway show on the weekend of July 11-13th. The brand is flying in 60 top retailers from around the country for a series of fashion runway shows and events to debut the first Rachel Allan Collections for Spring/Summer 2015. Pageant titleholders including Miss Illinois Teen USA Miranda Fenzau, Miss Mississippi Teen USA Vaeda Mann, Miss South Dakota Teen USA Madison McKeown and Miss Iowa USA Carlyn Bradarich will walk the runway for Rachel Allan. An entire new print marketing campaign was introduced, as well as a brand new hangtag and label program, new corporate website and social media portals. For more information please contact Carol Ientile, cientile@ civisions.com, or Angela Petersen, apetersen@civisions.com, at 212- 477-4755.