Pop Diva Mariah Carey’s ‘Lifestyle Brand’ To Debut On HSN: Does That Mean Too Tight Dresses And Mucho Cleavage?

We knew, and have written, that pop tart Mariah Carey was going to be doing more than just selling her CDs on HSN, that she also had a jewelry and shoe line planned, etc.

Well, with Carey making news with her pregnancy, HSN Friday decided it was the perfect time to announce all the details of the busty singer’s “lifestyle brand” and partnership with with the home shopping network.

Grammy-award winning artist Carey will be on HSN Nov. 29 to debut her products. That date is Cyber Monday, the Monday after Thanksgiving that always racks up huge online sales.

Mimi will be on HSN Cyber Monday

Carey has done an exclusive collection of jewelry (including butterflies, which we predicted) and footwear for HSN, as well as a limited-edition fragrance.

This go-around of products follows the recent introduction of Carey’s holiday album “Merry Christmas II You,” which premiered on HSN Oct. 20 as part of an exclusive CD/DVD bundle and will also be available on HSN throughout the holiday season.

And here’s the canned statement that we are supposed to believe is from Carey, not a PR person.

“I am always eager to push my creativity into new directions,” Carey said. “After meeting Mindy Grossman, I jumped at the opportunity to develop my own collection of shoes and baubles, and to enhance my fragrance offering.”

And here is HSN CEO Grossman’s canned response.

“We are thrilled to launch on HSN a lifestyle brand that captures Mariah’s creative sensibility as well as the different facets of her life,” Grossman said. “From the moment we met her, there was a great connection and a shared passion for beautiful products and entertaining experiences. This lifestyle collection is a reflection of her unique personal style.”

Here’s the description of Carey’s items from her premiere collection straight from the release:

Jewelry: Stylish with a feminine flair, Mariah’s intricate jewelry designs speak to her love of pave detailing and colorful stone accents. Highlights include a pave-set initial pendant that hangs from a delicate stone-by-the-yard chain and crystal accented, butterfly earrings, available in pink or blue hues. Prices range from approximately $39.99 to $199.95.

Footwear: In an assortment of colors and unique design styles, Mariah’s footwear collection includes rhinestone encrusted sandals and quilted winter boots. Other highlights are right on trend for the season, including the suede peep-toe boot with a platform wedge and the fur trimmed booties. Prices range from approximately $69.90 to $199.90.

Limited Edition Fragrance: Mariah will offer her successful Luscious Pink fragrance in a special limited edition bottle, exclusive to HSN customers. Additionally, 25 bottles of her Luscious Pink Deluxe Edition Parfum will feature exquisitely detailed, Swarovski Elements crystal-studded butterfly caps, packaged in a gold cosmetic case and available for $275. Each of these 25 treasured keepsakes will contain a personal note from Mariah herself and will be available on a first-come basis.

CD/DVD Bundle: Mariah’s highly anticipated holiday album, Merry Christmas II You, will be bundled with a 30-minute exclusive DVD. Merry Christmas II You contains original material and holiday classics, including a re-record of Mariah Carey’s original self-penned #1 Christmas classic “All I Want for Christmas is You,” as well as her new single “Oh Santa.” The DVD will feature exclusive behind-the-scenes footage of Mariah recording her second Christmas album, candid interviews and never-before-seen personal photos and festive Christmas videos. Price of the CD/DVD bundle is $14.95

Carey is currently scheduled to appear on HSN on Nov. 29 at 12 a.m., 1 a.m., 8 a.m., 11 a.m., 2 p.m., 5 p.m., 9 p.m. and 10 p.m.

Designer Isaac Mizrahi Is Way Out Of The Closet: Will QVC Shoppers Take Offense?

We were burning the midnight oil last night, and had QVC on while we were writing a story.

Designer Isaac Mizrahi, who has Wednesday’s Today’s Special Value, was on with fat-mouth host Shawn Killinger, who we find frightfully annoying.

But in any event, Mizrahi was talking about how he likes to stay home during the upcoming holidays and relax, with his boyfriend. He said “my boyfriend” at least twice.

Not that there’s anything wrong with that, at least in our book. But the only designer on home shopping that we recall being so out of the closet is the late-great Wayne Scot Lukas, when his appearances — filled with double entendres — on HSN cracked us up.

We couldn’t help but wonder if QVC viewers in the heartland, as we Easterners call it, would take offense at Mizrahi. And then we chided ourselves for making assumptions about the rest of America, when a young gay Rutgers University student committed suicide after his scumbag roommate secretly videotaped him kissing a man in their room.

Our own home state of New Jersey shamed us for that anti-gay tragedy: Who are we to cast stones at the Midwest when our own state is homophobic?

As it turns out, there was something really shocking during the Mizrahi-Killinger show late last night.

At one point, at 1 a.m., Mizrahi and Killinger were both in the sack, covered by cotton cashmere flannel sheets that the curly-topped designer was hawking.

“Oh, we’re in bed together, Shawn,” Mizrahi said. The video is here.

Now that picture really disturbed us, for some reason, much more than seeing Mizrahi in bed with his boyfriend would have.

‘The Insider’ Goes Inside HSN, But Not Too Far

Lara Spencer chatted up Wolfgang Puck at HSN's studios

Yippee, as we’ve noted before, the traditional media has finally figured out that home shopping is not still about selling can openers and cubic zirconia anymore. Jeez, even Oprah Winfrey shops on HSN! (We’ll explain later.)

CNN woke up and made it official when it did a segment on QVC’s large role in Fashion Week in Manhattan this year. And this week “The Insider” sent the vapid and extremely annoying Lara Spencer down to HSN’s headquarters in St. Petersburg, Fla., to do a story on how celebrities are flocking to sell goods on home shopping networks.

The story was a couple of minutes, which for “The Insider” is like an investigative report, even though it stated the obvious to anyone who knows the home shopping industry. But it was a great plug for HSN, that’s for sure.

The segment showed a clip of Liza Minnelli’s disastrous appearance, and there were also interviews with celebrity chef and pot peddler Wolfgang Puck, as well as Bill Brand, HSN’s executive vice president of programming, marketing and business development.

The segment said that HSN started in 1977 on AM radio selling electronic can openers. While there was once a “stigma” to appear on HSN, now celebs are calling the TV network to get on, we’re told.

“This world had changed and it’s been focused on finding those personalities that are popular, that are interesting but also very credible and authentic and are experts in their field,” Brand said to Spencer.

Spencer noted that Puck would be on the air for 10 hours, “not a single minute of it with a teleprompter,” the day she was in Florida shooting her segment.

“Welcome to a very tasty HSN,” Puck told Spencer.

She noted that as Puck was selling his cookware, HSN producers were watching how many people were calling in and buying, and then they told Puck through his earpiece whether to keep talking or move on.

There was also a clip of Sean “Diddy” Combs from his appearance on the home shopping network to sell his fragrance.

“I made it,” Combs said. “I’m on HSN, Ma.”

His fragrance, “I Am King,” sold out in 14 minutes, product that was meant to last for a two-hour show.

Brand also talked about singer Mary J. Blige debuting her new perfume exclusively on HSN. “That was really a first for the business,” he said.

“The Insider” also showed Oprah Winfrey calling in while Blige was on the air on HSN.

“I am supporting her and waiting on my shower gel,” Winfrey told Blige and HSN host Callie Northagen.

“You even have Oprah shopping on HSN, so it’s no surprise that HSN brings in $2 billion a year in revenue,” somebody whose name we didn’t catch said.

As for Spencer, she told us “it is not your grandmother’s HSN.”

No sh-t.

Actress Kathy Najimy Joins Vendor Parade On HSN, But We’re Not Quite Sure What She’s Selling

Kathy Najimy

Who next on HSN, Betty White?

The No. 2 home shopping channel has been spewing out press releases in a torrent, and Monday came the announcement that actress Kathy Najimy was debuting ‘Ch’Arms’ at HSN on Tuesday.

HSN explained that Ch’Arms, invented by Najimy, is a “lightweight accessory, designed to be worn under short sleeve or sleeveless tops” and “is designed for women seeking coverage for their arms while keeping the integrity of their outer garment intact.”

Sorry, we can’t quite figure out what that looks like, and its not on HSN.com yet.

“Ch’Arms is a garment problem-solver,” Najimy said in a canned statement. “For those of us who love the look of short sleeve or sleeveless garments but sometimes choose to have our arms covered, Ch’Arms gives us the best of both worlds. No more bulky layers either under or over your cute shirt or dress. Ch’Arms is lightweight and seamless and allows its wearer to feel comfortable and confident, covering your arms without covering your garment or body!”

Needless to say, but yet HSN says it, the network is “thrilled” to be partnering with Najimy.

“We’ve admired Kathy’s work for years, and to be able to bring her innovative design concept to our engaging customer base is an exciting opportunity for us all,” said Chuck Anderson, HSN’s senior vice president of merchandising.

Just last week HSN announced that “Grey’s Anatomy” and “Private Practice” star Kate Walsh was doing a perfume line called Boyfriend for the network.

Najimy’s collection, which will launch in six colorways — black, white, nude, grey, mocha and plum — comes in three distinct fabrications that include cotton, control spandex and evening sheer mesh.

Sheer evening mesh Ch’Arms has been designed by Najimy to blend seamlessly into the background, allowing a woman’s top or dress to stand out. Control Ch’Arms is constructed to minimize the arms and midriff, while cotton Ch’Arms provides a more casual option and can be worn with a multitude of garments.

The Ch’Arms Comfy Cotton and Ch’Arms Spandex Control will both retail for $29.90 and be available exclusively at HSN, http://www.hsn.com and via HSN Mobile.

For 14 seasons, Najimy performed the voice of Peggy Hill, on the Emmy-winning Fox TV hit “King of the Hill,” (Annie award & 2 Women In Film awards) and for three seasons she starred opposite Kirstie Alley as Olive on NBC’s “Veronica’s Closet,” (American Comedy Award).

Najimy is known internationally for her portrayal of Sister Mary Patrick in the blockbuster movies “Sister Acts” 1 and 2, (ACA Awards, Hollywood Press discovery of the Year Award), as well as starring roles in the cult hits “Hocus Pocus” and “Ratrace.”

As well, as the “Sister Act” movies, Kathy has appeared in over 20 films including “The Wedding Planner.”
most recently can be seen in Step Up 3D.

For television, as well as “Veronica’s Closet,” Najimy starred as series regular Millie Finch, the head of the University, on the CBS hour drama “Numb3rs.”

For the stage, Najimy starred on Broadway as Mae West in “Dirty Blonde” (Outer Critics Circle Best Actress Award), and starred in her original off Broadway hit: “The Kathy and Mo Show” (Obie Award) for more than 20 years, which turned into two award-winning HBO TV specials (American Comedy award, Ace award). Najimy was named Ms Magazine’s “Woman of the Year” in 2005.

HSN Has Started Streaming HSN2 Live On HSN.com

You can now watch HSN’s spinoff network, HSN2, live online.

The live video stream has been added to HSN’s website.

The second network launched on Dish Network Aug. 1, but that’s the only distribution it has so far.

According to the original press release on HSN2, it
is “designed to offer customers a curated assortment of encore airings of HSN’s must-see shows, products, brands and personalities.”

The announcement also said, “Programming for the new channel, which will be either complementary or counter to the programming on HSN, will be developed in unique and different ways to excite customers. The channel will also serve as a platform to test different ideas and develop new business opportunities for the company.”

Actress/Perfumier Kate Walsh Wants You To Take Your ‘Boyfriend’ Anywhere You Go: What If You Don’t Want To?

Another celebrity is jumping on the perfume bandwagon, an unlikely one as far as we’re concerned: Actress Kate Walsh of “Grey’s Anatomy” and “Private Practice.”

We’ve loved Walsh ever since she blew Meredith’s mind on Season 1 of “Anatomy” when she showed up in Seattle and announced that she was McDreamy’s wife.

Now Walsh will join vendors like Mary J. Blige, Sean “Diddy” Combs and soon Jennifer Stallone who are peddling perfume on HSN, the home shopping network said Friday.

Walsh’s women’s fragrance and product line is named “Boyfriend” and will launch exclusively on HSN and at hsn.com on Nov. 11 and 12.

The five-piece collection will employ a viral marketing campaign, and photographer Terry Richardson shot the brand advertising campaign.

Kate Walsh, Photo by Roberto D'Este

“For the launch of Boyfriend, Kate sought a partner that understood her creative vision and connected with a broad base of engaged women on a personal level,” the press release says.

“I’m super excited about my launch partnership with HSN,” Walsh said in her canned statement. “They’ve been incredibly enthusiastic about Boyfriend, and particularly supportive of my creative vision.”

And Michael Henry, HSN’s senior vice president of merchandising, got his two cents in.

“As part of our strategy to have a dominant position in the fragrance industry, we are thrilled to take the next step and offer our consumers this new and exciting line of products,” Henry said. “Our partnership with Kate on Boyfriend illustrates both HSN’s role as a retail innovator across all of our market categories, as well as our commitment to delivering unique products that resonate with women.”

We’re not quite sure we follow the logic behind this perfume.

The press release says, “In the fragrance creation process, Kate was inspired by the scent of a ‘guy on a girl,’ and combined notes of amber and woods, with a bright floral scent that women love. The fragrance has a bright muguet floralcy with dark plum and myrrh on top, with night blooming jasmine.”

Mmmmm, you lost us on some of those ingredients.

We are told that to ensure that “women can take their Boyfriend wherever they go,” Kate created “The Boyfriend” kit, a black train case inspired by a classic vintage design retailing for $79.95.

It features Deluxe Miniature Fragrance Spray 15ml, Body Creme 50mlm, Dry Body Oil 30ml, Votive Candle 24 grams and
Pulse Point Oil 5ml.

Following the initial launch, select products from the kit will be offered in individual full-sized packaging featuring the 50ml EDP.

The Boyfriend story will be told through a viral campaign that will consist of branded videos or “webimercials.”

The “webimercials” will feature Walsh and different Boyfriend scenarios.

“Just as you tune in every week to watch your favorite television shows to follow the story line…there will continually be a new boyfriend story to entice the customer,” says Walsh.

Additionally, consumers will have the chance to engage with the brand and tell their own boyfriend stories via uploaded videos. This user-generated content will be integrated into Boyfriend marketing creating a truly unique call to action for the consumer.

Founded in 2010, Boyfriend LLC is a newly launched beauty and lifestyle company, owned by actress Kate Walsh. Boyfriend LLC will launch its first product this November with HSN to be followed by a retail launch in Sephora stores nationwide in January.

Boyfriend LLC will continue to roll-out new Boyfriend fragrances through 2012 with the plan of expanding into the lifestyle market. Givaudan and perfumer MaryPierre Julien created the juice, Consultant Pamela Vaile, worked with Kate to develop the product line, the marketing plan and distribution strategy, Bentley Laboratories LLC created the formulas and Chad Lavigne LLC produced the package design and branding imagery.

HSN, Lucky Magazine Reunite To Debut New Designer Capsule Collection

HSN and Lucky magazine are teaming up to present a new one-of-a-kind capsule collection with three fashion designers.

The exclusive collection consists of limited-edition clothing, shoes, handbags and accessories created by LP by Linea Pelle, Thread by Thread Social, and Matt Bernson Special Project, and will be available during a four-hour live television special on HSN next Tuesday. The three designers will appear alongside host and Lucky editor Elise Loehnen.

“HSN’s has transformed its fashion business with the addition of exclusive new collections from some of the world’s top designers,” Lynne Ronon, HSN’s executive vice president of merchandising, said in a canned statenent. “Our partnership with Lucky has been a key component of that transformation as we work together to introduce exciting new fashion discoveries to our customers from some of the industry’s brightest stars.”

“The capsule collections capture the flair and aesthetic of each designer and are available at accessible prices,” HSN crowed in its press release Thursday.

Lucky got its canned quote in, too.

“Because it’s been a great partnership between Lucky and HSN and such a meaningful arena for designers to get exposure to a wider audience, this latest installment of the Designer Capsule Collection is filled with even more gorgeous clothing and accessories,” Lucky Editor-in-Chief Brandon Holley said. “It’s a thrill to have such talented designers on board and we expect that the collection will sell out quickly.”

Items from the premiere capsule collections include:

Linea Pelle: two leather belts in two-to-three colorways per style, one zip-top wallet (could double as a clutch) in six color options; and three roomy leather bags in three color options each.

Thread by Thread Social: Five day-to-night dresses offered in three-to-five color options; one sweater with oversized satin bow offered in fourcolorways; and one pair of slim-fitting charmeuse pants.

Matt Bernson: two different styles of clogs in two-to-three colorways each; one ballet flat with cap toe in five color options; two different fold-over booties in two-to-three colorways each; and one flat, rugged boot with faux fur lining in two colorways.

Shoppers can get a sneak peek at the collection during a special preview sale going on now by logging onto http://www.hsn.com/luckyshops.

In addition, shoppers can text “Lucky” to HSNtv (47688) for a coupon for free shipping & handling on one item of their choice.

Lucky readers can view the collection in the magazine’s November issue before it goes on sale live on HSN on Oct. 19 and also at the annual Lucky Shops event in New York City on Nov. 4 to 6.

HSN To Report Third Quarter Results Nov. 3

HSN will release its third quarter results Nov. 3 at 8 a.m., before the market opens, the home shopping network said Thursday.

CEO Mindy Grossman and Judy Schmeling, executive vice president and chief financial officer, will hold a conference call at 9 a.m. to review the results. Going forward, HSN will host its earnings conference call at 9 a.m. following the release of its quarterly results.

There will also be a simultaneous audio webcast available via the company’s website at http://www.hsni.com.

A replay of the conference call can be accessed Nov. 17 by dialing 800-642-1687 or 706-645-9291, plus the passcode 17713726 and will also be hosted on the company’s website for a limited time.

QVC Parent Liberty Media To Issue Third Quarter Results Nov. 5

Liberty Media Corp., parent of QVC, will release its third quarter earnings Nov. 5 at noon, the company said Wednesday.

Greg Maffei, Liberty Media’s president and CEO, will host the call. Maffei will discuss the company’s financial performance and outlook and may discuss the previously announced split-off of the Liberty Capital and Liberty Starz tracking stock groups.

Replays of the conference call can be accessed through 3 p.m. on Nov. 12, by dialing (888) 203-1112 or (719) 457-0820 plus the passcode 4402387#.

In addition, the second quarter earnings conference call will be broadcast live via the Internet. All interested participants should visit the Liberty Media website at http://www.libertymedia.com/events to register for the webcast.

Links to the press release and replays of the call will also be available on the Liberty Media website. The conference call and related materials will be archived on the website for one year.

HSN Teams With TLC, Kelly Ripa For New ‘Homemade Millionaire’ TV Show

It looks like HSN is dipping its toe in the traditional TV programming business, by joining forces with TLC and Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos’ company, Milojo Productions, on a six-part series that gives women entrepreneurs a chance to make their visions reality.

The show, “Homemade Millionaire,” debuts Nov. 19 at 10 p.m., and in part will feature HSN vendors like Emeril Lagasse and jean queen Diane Gilman.

“The series offers aspiring female entrepreneurs the potential opportunity of a lifetime – to have their innovative ideas sold on-air and online through interactive multichannel retailer HSN,” the press release Monday said. “With product sales on HSN topping $2 billion a year, a deal with HSN could change these women’s lives overnight.”

Here are the canned quotes, folks.

“We are super excited to be working with TLC and HSN on this project,” Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos said, apparently in remarkable unison. “We’re sent so many innovative products from women every day, and to be able to help them get into the marketplace is a dream come true for us. These inventors have worked so hard in this show. We’re beyond proud of them.”

And from TLC…

“’Homemade Millionaire’ provides an opportunity to those ‘kitchen-table inventors’ to get their creative ideas out to the masses,” Nancy Daniels, TLC’s senior of production and development, said. “We are thrilled to be partnering with Kelly and Milojo Productions, and believe HSN is the perfect outlet for these hard-working women to showcase their inventions.”

Each hour-long episode of “Homemade Millionaire” will follow three women competing for a chance to sell their inventions on HSN.

Open calls were held throughout the country, and thousands of women showed up with their unique products in hand, with the hopes of being part of this experience.

“We are very excited to work with Kelly Ripa and TLC to help these inventors realize their dreams,” Bill Brand, HSN executive vice president of programming, marketing and business development said in his canned statement. “HSN is all about great products and amazing storytellers and that is what this series will deliver to our customers.”

The inventors were had to perform a series of tasks designed to get their product ready for consumers. Helping Ripa coach these women are two “business experts,” Wendy Robbins and Ed Evangelista, who serve as mentors for these would-be business women as they evolve their product and build a unique marketing strategy to present to HSN.

Wendy Robbins, founder of Nowhere To Millionaire LLC and author of “Why Marry a Millionaire? Just Be One!”, worked her way out of debt to make millions with her invention the Tingler head massager. She is also a leading expert on mastering the millionaire mindset, and how to manufacture and market ideas to millions.

Ed Evangelista became the first advertising executive embedded into entertainment content when he served as a judge, juror, and executioner on ABC’s “American Inventor.” Evangelista has created award-winning advertising, marketing and alternative content for some of the world’s largest consumer brands from diamonds and liquors, to automobiles, finance and bubble gum.

Alongside Ripa on the judges’ panel are two HSN executives – Jennifer Cotter, senior vice president of television, and Chris Nicola, vice president of product development – who draw upon their vast experience in television and retail to evaluate each product.

Each episode also features HSN vendors and lifestyle journalists including Emeril Lagasse, Jennifer Flavin-Stallone, Colin Cowie, Ingrid Hoffmann, Diane Gilman, Stacey Schieffelin, Jeffrey Banks, James Mischka and Mark Badgley, Skip Borghese, Carolyn Forte, Good Housekeeping Research Institute, Allie Lewis, food editor, Real Simple Magazine and Lori Bergamotto, fashion editor for Lucky Magazine

“Homemade Millionaire” is produced by Milojo Productions and Discovery Studios for TLC.