Evine’s President Resigns After Four Months at Job

We’ve been so busy at work that we totally missed this home shopping bombshell: Anne Martin-Vachon, Evine’s president of just four months, has resigned.

Minnesota-based Evine, a long No. 3 in the home shopping wars, reported on Martin-Vachon’s exit in a filing Wednesday with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

With her departure, Martin-Vachon would be getting $251,902 under a separation agreement that went into effect Jan. 1.

She will also be entitled to up to $15,000 to move back to Canada from her leased apartment in Minnesota.

Apparently Evine CEO Bob Rosenblatt will take back her duties.

Martin-Vachon joined Evine, which is struggling, last August from the Canadian multiplatform e-commerce company Today’s Shopping Choice.

Amazon Looms, New Evine Prez, Beekman Boys to HSN ?

Because of family and work duties, we haven’t had time to blog. But here’s playing some catch-up.

E-commerce behemoth Amazon dipped its toe into home shopping show it had, “Style Code Live.” It pulled the plug on that but has not given up.

GearBrain.com reported that Amazon has filed a patent for “a live online shopping service where viewers watch products being demonstrated and can buy them with a click of their mouse or tap of the screen.”

https://www.gearbrain.com/amazon-live-tv-shopping-patent-2579439933.html

Seems this is what will be part of a service called Amazon Live.

On another note, talk has surfaced again that those goat herders the Beekman Boys, who sell natural products created from the milk of the horned beasts, are heading to HSN after recently leaving Evine.

And speaking of Evine, we used to get all its press releases. No more. So this snuck by us earlier this month: The network has named a new president, Anne Martin-Vachon, who joins the company Aug. 1.

She will report to CEO Bob Rosenblatt. Chief Merchandising Officer Michael Henry and Chief Marketing Officer Nicole Ostoya will report to Martin-Vachon, who is coming from TSC – Today’s Shopping Choice, a division of Rogers Media.

The boilerplate on her says:

She spent the last two years there as president and is credited with the operational and sales turnaround of the company. Her expertise lies in cultivating a high-performing team, leading brand transformations that resonate with customers, the instinct to curate a product assortment that shoppers want, and keen attention to top-and-bottom-line growth – all with the customers’ experience at the center.

With passion, experience, and business savvy, Ms. Martin-Vachon is uniquely suited to lead Evine’s next chapter.

“Evine has now entered the third year of its three-year turn around,” said Rosenblatt. “Anne is the perfect fit to continue to grow our sales and merchandising organization and deliver on our strategy to grow both sales and profit this year. She has a great track record and brings a balance of creative and operational strength to the position. She also has the unique position to have strong partnerships already in place with many of the brands that are here at Evine, that also appear on TSC, and will be hitting the ground running.”

During her Canadian tenure, Ms. Martin-Vachon rebranded the company (from The Shopping Channel to TSC -Today’s Shopping Choice), grew the customer base, re-energized the merchandise portfolio, and improved the broadcast and digital content experience to deepen customer engagement. Operationally, she reorganized the company, simplified processes, focused on flawless execution to deliver a better end-to-end customer experience, transformed the digital marketing strategy, and reduced inventories by 30 percent.

“Ms. Martin-Vachon has been able to leverage her considerable experience over the last couple of years with the impressive work she has done with the TSC turnaround,” said Landel Hobbs Chairman of the Board at Evine. “Her results are a testament to her focus, growing sales and margin at TSC by double digits and delivering record results during her tenure there.”

“I love the multiplatform digital retail experience – this is my sweet spot,” said Anne Martin-Vachon, incoming President, Evine. “We are storytellers. The story of great brands told by expert storytellers, and that unique trust we create with our customer. Now, as I join the company, I am looking forward to shaping the exciting next chapter in the Evine story – it’s going to be a great one!”

Prior to her appointment as President of TSC, Ms. Martin-Vachon was Chief Merchandising, Planning and Programming officer at HSN, The Home Shopping Network.

Before joining HSN, Ms. Martin-Vachon held various executive positions in the consumer package goods and retail industry including Chief Marketing Officer at Nordstrom, Inc., a leading fashion specialty retailer, Chief Executive Officer at Lise Watier Cosmétiques, Inc., a Canadian-based beauty and skincare company, and Chief Marketing Officer at Bath & Bodyworks, LLC, which operates retail stores for personal care products.

Ms. Martin-Vachon began her career at the Procter & Gamble company where she spent more than 20 years in a variety of marketing and general management leadership positions across the company‘s portfolio of beauty, personal care and household brands.

Shaquille O’Neal Brings New Watch Line To HSN

Basketball legend Shaquille O’Neal is coming to HSN Sunday shilling Drone Precision Timepieces, a new collection of men’s and women’s watches, the network said Thursday.

“The collection of 18 styles represents a new generation of timepieces fueled by passion and the pursuit of precision, style, and sophistication,” according to HSN press release.

The watch collection for men features detailed over-sized cases, intricate dials and military inspired designs, and there are women’s watches, as well,

The timepieces have leathers, carbon fiber, stainless steel, mother of pearl, and crystals from Swarovski, with prices ranging from $149 to $295.

“We’re thrilled to welcome Shaquille O’Neal back to HSN and expand our current watch portfolio with the addition of his exquisite Drone Precision Timepieces,” Anne Martin-Vachon, HSN’s chief merchandising officer, said in a canned statement. “The collection arrives just in time for the holidays and offers both men and women sophisticated, yet wearable pieces that are the perfect gift for those who seek attainable luxury.”

A portion of all proceeds will go to support the Wounded Warrior Project, which honors and empowers wounded service members and their families – a valued cause for Shaquille, who grew up on an army base and an organization that aligns with the mission of HSN Cares.

Cronuts, Raul And Cooks Hawking Books On HSN

We won’t be watching, since we don’t cook, just eat, but HSN will have a 24-hour “Cooks” event Nov. 2, featuring network newcomer Robert Irvine, cronuts and either El Gordo or La Flaca, we’re not sure which.

There will be a live audience, of guess who? HSN Credit Card customers. These folks should get a free show, they are paying an exorbitant interest rate on that plastic.

In addition to Irvine, “Iron Chef” judge and Zagat’s “Hostess with the Mostess” Donatella Arpaia will offer recipes for live on-air fun from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.; and celebrity chefs and restaurateurs Ming Tsai and Lorena Garcia will appear together from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.

“HSN is excited to have these culinary greats come together to present stellar products and cooking tips during one of our most memorable cooking events ever,” Anne Martin-Vachon, HSN chief merchandising officer said in a canned statement. “HSN continues to redefine the shopping experience by offering highly entertaining events such as these that are fun and informative for our customers.”

Cronut connoisseur Dominique Ansel will also be on-air demoing delicious recipes from his first-ever cookbook, “DOMINIQUE ANSEL: The Secret Recipes” (Simon & Schuster Hardcover), launching on HSN.

Ansel shares the secrets of transforming humble ingredients—flour, butter, sugar—into the most tempting and satisfying pastries imaginable.

Also launching a new cookbook, “Chopped” judge and “The Next Iron Chef” winner, Geoffrey Zakarian, will be appearing on-air demoing recipes from his much anticipated, “My Perfect Pantry” (Clarkson Potter Hardcover).

Foodies everywhere can shop both of these celebrated cookbooks, of which autographed versions will be available for sale. “Top Chef Duels” most recent winner, CJ Jacobson, will be making an appearance during the event.

New to HSN’s “Cooks” event, co-host of Univision’s “El Gordo y la Flaca,” Raul de Molina, will be a special on-air guest host and lifestyle contributor.

De Molina will be interacting with the celebrity chefs and guiding shoppers through the international fusion of recipes that will be prepared during the live audience portion of the event.

HSN is a lead

Gwen Stefani Coming To HSN With Harajuku Fragrances

Pop singer Gwen Stefani will personally introduce a new limited edition collection of her doll-shaped Harajuku Lovers fragrances, the POP ELECTRIC collection, on HSN this Thursday, the home shopping network said Monday.

Stefani will be offering five new scents “packaged in vibrantly colored bottles that look like they’ve been dipped in molten chrome,” according to the press release.

The fragrance’s bottles “are whimsical pieces of pop art inspired by Stefani’s love of modern street art and contemporary sculpture, HSN said.

Gwen Stefani’s Harajuku girls

Stefani will introduce the new collection exclusively on HSN during a 2-hour live primetime special at 7 p.m.

“We are excited to share this completely reinvented collection of Harajuku Lovers with not only our customers at HSN, but with the millions of fans that have been following Gwen for many years,” Anne Martin-Vachon, HSN’s Chief Merchandising Officer, said in a canned statement.

“Gwen’s creativity transcends music to fashion and beauty and I can’t wait for her to share her Harajuku story and this captivating new line of fragrances with our customers when she appears on HSN this Thursday.”

The new Harajuku Lovers POP ELECTRIC collection was manufactured by GS Fragrance Group.

“It was a real pleasure working with Gwen to bring the new collection of fragrances to life,” GS Fragrance Group CEO Phil Zellner said. “It was a fun challenge executing her creative vision for the dolls and making it a reality. The final products are beautiful pieces of art that hold amazing fragrances that we are all very proud of and excited to share with the world!”

The fragrances are:

LOVE: A mouthwatering fruity floral, featuring juicy apple, dewy pear, surrounded by jasmine, cashmere woods and creamy musks.

LIL’ ANGEL: Irresistibly addictive, this fragrance features juicy berries blended with candied violet and sugared rose, laced with a lollipop accord and rich amber.

G: A creamy modern gourmand featuring a delectable whipped coconut accord, enveloped in soft florals and musky woods.

MUSIC: This vibrant fragrance opens with crisp apples and crushed berries and unfolds into a water floral wrapped in sensual amberwood and luminous musks.

BABY: Soft and comforting, this sophisticated, powdery fragrance features a baby soft musk accord, which blends with delicate florals and nuzzly vanilla.

The new collection of five fragrances, originally introduced in 2008, features the Harajuku Girls dressed with a pop electric vibe. Dipped in molten chrome in vibrant jewel tones, they are individual pieces of whimsical pop art.

HSN will offer a set of five 30mL dolls in a gift box for $124.90; a $200 value. Additional items from the collection include fragrance singles in 30mL and 50mL, along with gift sets (body lotion, EDP and a key chain).

Harajuku Lovers “POP ELECTRIC” Fragrances are available for purchase now, on HSN.com. Fans can call in for an opportunity to speak with Stefani on-air during her live show.

The Harajuku Lovers brand was founded in 2005 by Grammy-winning musician and fashion icon Gwen Stefani.

Here’s per the press release:

Always notable for her unique and iconic personal style, Stefani’s lifelong admiration of Japanese street fashion and youth culture inspired the Harajuku Lovers fashion and fragrance line.

The popular and innovative brand is much loved for it’s playful and pop art inspired designs. Harajuku Lovers Fragrances has won the prestigious FiFi Awards for both Best Women’s Luxury Fragrance and Best Women’s Luxury Fragrance Packaging.

Emma Fox Debuting With Kelly Osbourne On HSN

HSN’s annual fall fashion series, “The Fashion Edit,” will be the event where Kelly Osbourne and Emma Fox handbags will debut on the home shopping network, according to a press release Wednesday.

That was pretty much the only news, folks, in the release.

“‘The Fashion Edit’ is HSN’s ultimate shopping event,” HSN Chief Merchandising Officer Anne Martin-Vachon said in a canned statement.

“This year we have curated an exciting collection of brands and merged seasonal trends with essential classics to help our customer revive her fall wardrobe. We are excited to share the collections of all our eminent brands and thrilled to be the exclusive launch partner for Stories … by Kelly Osbourne!”

Here’s the description of Osbourne, whose mother Sharon, one kind reader reminded us, briefly had a jewelry line on HSN.

Celebrity fashion icon, Kelly Osbourne, will make a splash this fall on HSN with the launch of her debut ready-to-wear collection, Stories … by Kelly Osbourne.

Made to combine Kelly’s unique Brit-influenced style with her desire to “make fashion fair,” the line offers an assortment of trend-driven designs for woman of all ages, shapes, and sizes at accessible prices.

Stories…by Kelly Osbourne will feature a wide array of selections, from tops and bottoms to jackets and dresses, all offered in sizes 0 to 24 and constructed with quality fabrics and impeccable fit.

From vintage-inspired to Brit-eclectic designs, the HSN customer will be delighted to mix and match her pieces to create endless styling options. Watch Kelly live on HSN Thursday, September 25th, at 10 pm EST and Friday, September 26th, at 1pm and 2pm EST.

The handbag brand Emma Fox will also make its debut during The Fashion Edit, with an assortment that ranges from $24 to $299. The handbags feature drum-dyed leather with signature gold hardware.

Smashbox Cosmetics Skips From QVC To HSN

Well butter our buns and call us a biscuit: Smashbox Cosmetics has defected from QVC to HSN!

Well, let’s put it this way: Smashbox will now be selling its wares on HSN. Whether that was the cosmetics maker’s decision, or QVC didn’t renew its deal with it, is unknown. But HSN trumpeted the company’s debut on its airwaves Wednesday.

Smashbox will premiere today, Thursday, at 7 p.m., and again throughout the day on July 14 and 15.

“Smashbox Cosmetics is a leader within the makeup industry and I am thrilled to welcome them to our growing portfolio of top-tier beauty brands,” Anne Martin-Vachon, HSN’s chief merchandising officer, said in a canned statement.

“Our customers are extremely savvy when it comes to beauty and constantly searching for products that will help them achieve their perfect look. I am confident they will find it when Smashbox debuts on HSN in July.”

Smashbox will give HSN shoppers a two-day exclusive preview of its new Photo Finish Pore Minimizing Primer and Be Legendary Longwear Lip Lacquer on July 14 as part of HSN’s month-long 37th birthday celebration.

“HSN is an incredible platform in the beauty industry and our new partnership creates endless possibilities to grow our business,” said Smashbox founder Davis Factor. “We’ve admired HSN for many years and look forward to building a robust relationship while sharing the Smashbox story with customers nationwide.”

“Admired HSN”? Is that a dig at QVC?

HSN will offer an assortment of products at launch, featuring Smashbox favorites, exclusive configurations and exciting new additions to the line.

The full launch assortment will include:

Photo Finish Pore Minimizing Primer ($39)
Be Legendary Longwear Lip Lacquer ($24)
Liquid Halo Foundation with Travel Classic Primer ($42)
Full Exposure Mascara Duo ($24.50)
Always Sharp Eyeliner Duo ($30)
Always Sharp Lip Liner ($20)
Full Exposure Shadow Palette ($49)
Brow Tech To Go ($27)
Photo Finish 24-hr Eye Shadow Primer ($20)
Halo Hydrating Perfecting Powder ($59)
Telephoto Brush ($39)

Actress Sofia Vergara debuts fragrance on HSN

What out, another celebrity perfume has arrived.

Gorgeous Latina Actress Sofia Vergara launch her first fragrance, Sofia by Sofia Vergara, as HSN’s Today’s Special Thursday.

“Sofia by Sofia Vergara is designed for the woman who wants to feel irresistible and truly enjoys being a woman,” Vergara said in a canned statement. “I wanted to bring a little bit of who I am, my ethnicity and create a fragrance that is a true reflection of me.”

According to HSN’s florid press release, “The luxurious new, juicy oriental floral fragrance embodies the actress’ vibrant personality, innate charm and exotic beauty. From choosing the notes to designing the bottle, Sofia Vergara took part in every detail during the fragrance development.”

HSN’s Chief Merchandising Officer Anne Martin-Vachon said, “This fragrance truly embodies Sofia’s captivating personality. She is smart, glamorous, sophisticated, sensual and highly accessible to her fans…all great qualities to have for a successful beauty launch at HSN.”

The Eau de Parfum will retail for $55 (100ml) and $48 (50ml) and a Shimmer Body Lotion for $30.

HSN Bringing Byron Lars, Christos Garkinos And Jose Eber On-Board

HSN is gearing up its spring fashion programming, with its debuts of BYRON Byron Lars and EUREKA by Christos Garkinos, as well as a new makeup line titled Carmindy & Co and hair care tools from Jose Eber.

During “The Fashion Edit” from Feb. 13 through March 22, HSN will premiere a curated assortment of beauty, fashion, accessories, and jewelry collections.

“HSN’s ‘The Fashion Edit’ is the ultimate shopping event, created to help our customer update her wardrobe for Spring,” HSN Chief Merchandising Officer Anne Martin-Vachon said in a canned statement. “We’ve done all the leg work for her and paired together seasonal trends with classic essentials so she can walk out the door feeling confident and stylish.”

Byron Lars and model

HSN is also kicking off “The List with Colleen Lopez” on March 20, and every Thursday night from 9 p.m. to 10 p.m. Lopez will present her fashion, accessory and jewelry favorites and introduce new brands.

Fashion veteran Bryon Lars will debut his exclusive HSN collection on Feb. 27, a line that includes dresses and button-down shirt. He has dressed women such as First Lady Michelle Obama, Natalie Portman, Taylor Swift and Kim Kardashian. The prices for his HSN line will range from $69.90 to $119.90.

Then “The Robin Hood of Fashion,” Christos Garkinos, will launch EUREKA by Christos Garkinos on March 20. The collection features knit peasant blouses, a column dress and a Chanel-inspired cropped jacket ranging in price from $59.90 to $119.90.

After her continued success as the resident “What-Not-To-Wear” makeup artist, Carmindy will bow her HSN exclusive beauty line on Feb. 27. Ranging from $32 to $59, the collection features a smoky-eye palette, a five-minute face kit, and a crayon lip trio.

Beverly Hills hair stylist Jose Eber on Feb. 26 he will debut a new line of hair styling tools that range from $119 to $169, as well as a collection of products that range from $17.50 to $22 that will be exclusive to HSN and his salons around the country.

On Feb. 27 Eber will appear on the “Beauty Report” with Carmindy, where they will both be making over women from a live studio audience.

The HSN Spring Fashion series will also feature new styles from established HSN designers and brands such as RJ Graziano, Fern Mallis, Steven by Steve Madden, Hal Rubenstein, Lancome, Benefit, OPI, Giuliana Rancic, Diane Gilman, Liz Lange, IMAN, PL by Padma Lakshmi, Iris Apfel and others.

As we’ve previously reported, Kyle Richards of “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” will launch Kyle by Kyle Richards on Feb. 26. The eight-piece collection ranges in price from $69.90 to$199.90.

‘Iron Chef’ Judge Donatella Arpaia Replaces Emeril On HSN

HSN didn’t take long to find a younger replacement for celeb chef Emeril Lagasse.

The home shopping network Wednesday said that Donatella Arpaia — “Iron Chef” judge, restaurateur, author and “culinary personality” — was doing a kitchen and culinary collection. It debuts Monday and will include stoneware, table linens and Italian food items.

This news came a day after QVC announced the Lagasse, who has been on HSN for years, was coming comng over to the No. 1 home shopping channel.

Donatella Arpaia

The HSN hype is as follows:

Named by Zagat as the “Hostess with the Mostess,” Donatella Arpaia has a reputation of fusing Italian tradition with modern, glamorous style. Her new collection brings added sparkle to the kitchen with a chic home pizza oven and luxurious rhinestone stoneware including platters, ceramic dishes and ramekins.

Additionally, Donatella has taken the guess work out of traditional Italian cooking with her authentic Italian food offerings, featuring a variety of fresh pasta sauces, flavorful pizza crust mixes and her award-winning meatballs. With food preparation and presentation already made easy, the collection is completed with sets of cotton placemats and napkins on tear off rolls.

“Donatella Arpaia is a perfect addition to our lineup of award-winning chefs,” HSN Chief Merchandising Officer Anne Martin-Vachon said in a canned statement. “She is not only a well respected culinary personality with a tremendous story to tell, but also an icon of style and glamour, which comes through in this beautiful new line. We are thrilled to be introducing her first ever kitchen collection at HSN.”

Prices will range from $24.95 – $129.95 and will be available on HSN.com following Arpaia’s HSN appearance Monday.