Gilt Groupe Announces Launch of Men's Luxury Retail Site PARK & BOND

NEW YORK, Aug. 8, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Gilt Groupe, Inc., an innovative online shopping destination, announced today the launch of its standalone luxury retail site for men, PARK & BOND (www.parkandbond.com). Built from the ground up to reflect the way men shop, PARK & BOND merges a curated selection of the world's best brands with a continuously updated mix of editorial content designed to give guys the inspiration and advice they need to look their best.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110808/NY48873LOGO )

Led by President John Auerbach, the PARK & BOND team includes divisional merchandising manager Brooke Cundiff; head of editorial and creative Tyler Thoreson; director of editorial content Andy Comer; style director Josh Peskowitz; and head of business operations Brian Shaw.

"PARK & BOND is tailored to the specific needs and wants of the American male luxury customer," said Auerbach. "The site provides a unique one-stop shopping experience, giving men immediate access to their favorite brands alongside a wealth of trusted information and guidance to help them look and feel their best."  

The name references two of New York's most stylish streets — Park Avenue and Bond Street — and encapsulates the mix of classic and contemporary that is core to the PARK & BOND philosophy. "Being well dressed in 2011 isn't necessarily about following the rules or painting by numbers," said Thoreson. "It's about having the knowledge and confidence to put pieces together in a way that works for you."

Among the more than 100 brands launching with the site are Alexander McQueen, Isaia, Etro, Paul Smith, N.Hoolywood, A.P.C., Thom Browne, Thomas Pink, Todd Snyder, Vince, Theory, Common Projects, Brooks Brothers, and Florsheim by Duckie Brown.  Designer Simon Spurr, whose eponymous collection will be sold on the site, said of PARK & BOND's launch, "It's nice to be a part of an American-based website that will showcase menswear to the extent that PARK & BOND will. With the group of talent launching PARK & BOND, customers can expect a well-edited assortment of designers."

Much of the merchandise on PARK & BOND is curated as part of a full look and accompanied by editorial content to give men a context for their shopping experience.  The site also offers exclusive merchandise from the world's best designers; a free personal shopping service geared toward helping customers build the perfect wardrobe; and an ever-expanding lineup of "P&B SHOPS": virtual boutiques — curated by industry tastemakers — offering exclusive selections of vintage watches, one-of-a-kind garments, hard-to-find men's grooming products, and more.  

Launching on August 16th to coincide with GQ magazine's September issue, PARK & BOND will host a GQ online store that will feature a selection of products handpicked from the pages of the magazine by the editors of GQ.  The picks will be designated in-book as well as compiled on GQ.com, driving readers directly to the GQ online store on PARK & BOND to purchase instantly.  

Editorial content on PARK & BOND will be woven throughout the site and will have its home base in "The Intersection," where new content will be added daily.  Recurring and fully shoppable content will include in-depth brand features, profiles of buzzed about "Men of Style" (designers, chefs, athletes, actors, and other notables), lushly produced trend stories, and a robust and ever-expanding "how-to" section.  

As symbolized by the ampersand in its name, PARK & BOND is committed to the art of assembling various elements into a cohesive look, and a weekly feature called "Mixology" will educate and inspire guys in the art of the combination, from conservative to the cutting edge. Later this summer, a new feature called "Dress the Part" will allow men to shop complete looks by occasion, from "weekend in the country" to "big pitch meeting."

Additionally, PARK & BOND will be the first U.S.-based retailer to offer Fits.me technology, a virtual fitting room service that customizes FitBot mannequins based on shoppers' individual measurements so they can see how clothes from select brands look on them before they buy.  

About Gilt Groupe, Inc.

Gilt Groupe (www.gilt.com) is an innovative online shopping destination offering its members special access to the most inspiring merchandise, culinary offerings and experiences every day, many at insider prices. Gilt continually searches the world for the most coveted brands and products, including fashion for women, men, and children; home decor; artisanal ingredients; hotels and travel experiences on every continent; and unique activities in a growing list of cities and destinations. We believe that every day is an opportunity to inspire and be inspired.

SOURCE Gilt Groupe, Inc.