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July 31, 2006
Donegar Group Names New Fashion Head
Fashion merchandising and consulting firm The Donegar Group has named Roseanne Morrison as its new fashion director.
Morrison has a long history with research and consulting firm Tobe, which Donegar purchased last year.
In her new position she will coordinate between the merchandising and creative sides of the business, as well as serve as a fashion spokesperson.
New York-based Donegar began as a buying office and now offers merchandising and trend consulting.
Posted by Blacks at 06:30 PM | Comments (0)
Sigerson Morrison Sells Stake To Marc Fisher
Footwear and handbag firm Sigerson Morrison has sold a majority stake to Connecticut-based Marc Fisher LLC with the hope of growing its brand.
With the sale, Sigerson is looking to expand into eyewear and fragrances as well as extend its retail locations. Marc Fisher’s chief executive and namesake is the son of Jerome Fisher, a co-founder of Nine West.
Sigerson will remain based in New York but has plans to add more stores both domestically and abroad as it strengthens its footwear business. The company already has wholesale deals with big name retailers such as Bergdorf Goodman, Harvey Nichols and Stanley Korshak.
Posted by Blacks at 09:07 AM | Comments (0)
July 30, 2006
San Francisco Readies For Fashion Week
San Francisco fashionistas turned out for the city's Fashion Week pre-party on Saturday, where looks ranged from prom-inspired to punk.
Held under Morroccan tents in the swanky shopping corridor of Maiden Lane, the pre-party was a chance for designers, models, event organizers and fashion fans to mingle in anticipation of Fashion Week.
The majority of guests opted for designer looks such as Versace suits, Pucci prints and black frocks. However, there was a more innovative contingent, such as one guest who wore a vest emblazoned with the Virgin Mary, with a red painted tear streaming from one eye.
One New York transplant sported a fedora, short tie, and fur stole, replete with an apple red, old-style telephone handset attached to cell phone.
Hopefully we'll see more creativity during Fashion Week, taking place Aug. 23- 27.
Posted by Blacks at 09:35 AM | Comments (0)
July 28, 2006
Neimans Gets On The Cusp
Neiman Marcus opened the first in a line of new concept stores called Cusp, offering contemporary clothes for customers in their 20s and 30s.
The debut store, located in McLean, Virginia, features a spacious open-plan layout with steel fixtures and wooden furniture, offering a modern feel.
Retailers such as Intermix and Scoop have already found success with the youth-oriented concept.
Neimans plans to open three more pilot stores in the next year, with locations in Century City, Los Angeles, and Georgetown.
Posted by Blacks at 09:29 AM | Comments (0)
July 27, 2006
Gucci, Bottega Boost PPR
Stellar sales at Gucci and Bottega Veneta helped boost PPR’s second-quarter results beyond analysts’ expectations.
The French conglomerate reported a 6.2% sales increase to $5.05 billion for the quarter ended June 30.
Sales at Bottega Veneta jumped 81% during the quarter, while Gucci rang in a 25% sales gain. Even Yves Saint Laurent, which has been posting losses, managed to increase sales by 29% in the quarter.
Posted by Blacks at 09:17 AM | Comments (0)
July 26, 2006
Jones Reports Second Quarter Slide
Jones Apparel Group’s second quarter revenue slipped 8.7% to $1.07 billion, while income dropped 33.2% to $33.6 million.
Despite the declines, Jones said it was pleased with strength in certain areas of its business, namely the performance of Barneys New York.
The company pointed to the sale of its Polo Jeans business, completed in the first quarter of the year, as a reason behind the revenue drop.
Posted by Blacks at 09:35 AM | Comments (0)
July 25, 2006
LVMH Signals Continued Life In Luxury
Luxury group LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton reported a 10.5% jump in second quarter sales to $4.3 billion Tuesday, led by sales of handbags, watches and champagne.
Results at the Paris-based company signal continued strength in the luxury goods sector.
LVMH said that it saw strong growth across all categories and geographical regions, boosting its quarterly sales beyond analysts’ expectations.
Posted by Blacks at 10:59 AM | Comments (0)
July 24, 2006
Zale Appoints Burton As Permanent CEO
Zale Corp. has appointed interim CEO Mary “Betsy” Burton as its permanent top executive. The jewelry retailer forced the resignation of its previous CEO Mary Forté earlier this year, after her strategy to target more upscale clientele failed.
Burton, who has served as a director for the company since 2003, has pledged to return Zales to its traditional focus on value marketing.
The Irving, Texas, company reaped $2.38 billion in sales in its last fiscal year.
Posted by Blacks at 10:35 AM | Comments (0)
July 20, 2006
Lemaire To Relaunch With Two New Stores
Lacoste Creative Director Christophe Lemaire is bringing back his self-named label, and plans to make a splash by opening two new stores later this year. One store will open in Paris in October and the other will debut in Tokyo in December.
The new Lemaire line will offer both men’s and women’s apparel, and a variety of unisex styles. The designer said the look is aimed at the stylish urban customer.
The collection will be available wholesale sometime next year.
Posted by Blacks at 09:19 AM | Comments (0)
July 19, 2006
U.S. Consumer Prices Continue To Climb
U.S. Consumer prices continued to rise in June, leading to speculation that the Fed will raise interest rates again when it meets next month.
The U.S. Consumer Price Index climbed 0.2% in the month, following a 0.4% rise in May.
Meanwhile, June wholesale prices for U.S. –made apparel and textiles increased 1.3% compared to a year ago.
Posted by Blacks at 08:27 AM | Comments (0)
July 18, 2006
Rochas's Fashion House To Fold
Rochas owner Proctor & Gamble is shutting down the French fashion house, according to a report in WWD.
P&G will continue to sell fragrances under the Rochas name, but has decided that fashion is too far out of its core business. The move comes despite industry acclaim for the fashion house; Rochas designer Olivier Theyskens was named International Designer of the Year by the Council of Fashion Designers of America earlier this year.
The brand’s fall/winter RTW collections will continue to ship, according to WWD.
Posted by Blacks at 11:43 AM | Comments (1)
Report: St. John Designer To Resign
St. John Creative Director Tim Gardner will reportedly leave the company at the end of the month.
Speculation is that Gardner has come under pressure after his efforts to redesign the company’s collection for a younger audience resulted in slowed sales. At present, there doesn’t appear to be anyone in line to take his place.
Gardner joined St. John last year and was named creative director after head designer Marie Gray stepped down in August.
Posted by Blacks at 10:10 AM | Comments (0)
July 17, 2006
Levi's Names New CEO
Levi Strauss & Co. Asia-Pacific veteran John Anderson will takeover as president and CEO of the company in November. Anderson will succeed current CEO Phil Marineau, who announced his resignation earlier this month.
The executive shuffle comes as part of larger changes at Levi’s, including a reduction of its executive board.
The San Francisco-based jeans maker has been trying to restructure itself for some time as it’s faced increased competition in the denim market.
Posted by Blacks at 03:49 PM | Comments (0)
Update: Von Furstenberg To Lead CFDA
The Council of Fashion Designers of America selected Diane von Furstenberg as its new president on Monday.
Von Furstenberg beat out Joseph Abboud to succeed long-time CFDA President Stan Herman.
It was a hotly contested election, with each candidate receiving support from different areas of the fashion community. Abboud was seen as a likely champion for menswear designers while von Furstenberg promised to bring more glamour and attention to the post.
When Von Furstenberg takes over in October she will be in charge of steering industry initiatives such as anti-piracy, as well as developing scholarship funds and serving as a figurehead for the fashion community.
Posted by Blacks at 08:43 AM | Comments (0)
July 16, 2006
Report: Prada Sells Company Stake
Prada Group is selling a 5% stake in the company to Italian bank Banca Intesa, according to a report out Sunday.
Sale of the $126.5 million stake would open Prada up to influences outside of the family business and possibly lead to a market listing.
The move follows recent efforts to improve Prada’s books by selling off underperforming brands such as Jil Sander and Helmut Lang.
Posted by Blacks at 10:44 AM | Comments (0)
July 14, 2006
Retail Sales Slip In June
Retail sales dipped a surprising 0.1% in June as consumers curtailed their spending in the face of higher gas prices and interest rate pressures.
The drop came as a bit of a shock to economists who had predicted growth of 0.4% for the month.
Despite the disappointing figure, June sales were still 5.9% higher than a year ago, ringing in at $363.8 billion.
Posted by Blacks at 09:24 AM | Comments (0)
July 13, 2006
New Stores Boost Burberry Revenue
First-quarter revenue at Burberry surged 18.4% to over $248 million, driven by the opening of new retail locations.
Retail sales for the period ended June 30 rose 61% while the company’s wholesale business dropped 2.6%.
The results are sure to bolster the company’s recently announced plans to open new retail locations in the U.S.
Posted by Blacks at 08:50 AM | Comments (0)
July 12, 2006
Report: Top Donna Karan Exec Plans Exit
Donna Karan International President Jeffry Aronsson could be leaving the company in a matter of days, according to WWD.
His departure would come as little surprise given that DKI parent LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton has been meeting with possible replacements over the last year.
Since purchasing DKI in 2001, LVMH has been unable to turn the business around, and has gone through a succession of CEOs. It remains to be seen if the next DKI head can stabilize the business.
Posted by Blacks at 09:40 AM | Comments (0)
July 11, 2006
Federated Sells Boston Landmark, Filene's
Federated Department Stores has sold its downtown Boston Filene’s property to Vornado Realty Trust for $100 million.
The first floor of Filene’s will be shuttered over the next few months, to make way for another big name retail player, such as Target or Kohl’s.
However, Filene’s Basement, located two floors below the flagship, has a different owner and will remain open.
Federated’s sale of Filene’s comes as part of a larger cost-cutting strategy to pair down its locations.
Posted by Blacks at 09:37 AM | Comments (0)
July 10, 2006
Report: Federated Mulls Mall Epicenters
Federated Department Stores is considering a new mall concept called “Epicenters,” where consumers can view and buy products from online and catalogue companies, according to a report out Monday.
Epicenters could potentially take up vacant space at mall locations and offer consumers a variety of shopping alternatives. As part of the concept, consumers would be equipped with handheld devices called “buy-pods” that would allow them to purchase items from Epicenter vendors.
Retail and entertainment entrepreneur Sheldon M. Gordon developed the Epicenter concept and could announce a deal with Federated soon, according to WWD.
Posted by Blacks at 07:28 AM | Comments (0)
July 07, 2006
Ahrendts Plans Design, Retail Changes At Burberry
New Burberry CEO Angela Ahrendts has some bold plans for the company, starting with its trademark plaid.
The American executive wants to play down the plaid by adding other signature designs in an effort to counteract overexposure. An equestrian knight and the signature of company founder Thomas Burberry may be added to the company’s design scheme.
Ahrendts, who has been on the job for less than a week, also has big plans for the company’s retail structure. She hopes to open more independent stores in the U.S., rather than rely on department stores, and is considering selling through specialty stores.
The new chief executive is also making a push to sell more accessories, shoes and leather handbags.
Posted by Blacks at 09:07 AM | Comments (0)
July 06, 2006
Neimans Tests New Cusp Concept
Neiman Marcus is opening a series of contemporary, youth-oriented concept stores called Cusp. Four pilot stores will be opening in the next year, featuring traditional Neiman service in a smaller format.
Neimans is hoping to attract hip shoppers who may have overlooked their luxury flagships in the past. The stores will feature modern décor and merchandise will be displayed more organically, according to trend and color.
The chain is testing the idea by opening stores in different venues, such as in a traditional mall, an outdoor fashion mall and a street location.
The first Cusp will open later this month in McLean, Virginia, with locations to follow in Century City, Los Angeles, and Georgetown.
Posted by Blacks at 08:47 AM | Comments (1)
July 05, 2006
Van Norton Plans Paris Store
Belgian designer Dries Van Noton is saying “bonjour” to Paris with the opening of a new 2,800-square foot boutique.
The store, due to open in 2007, will carry women’s ready-to-wear, shoes and accessories.
To date, Van Norton has taken a rather exclusive approach, with a flagship in Antwerp, a location in Hong Kong and a deal with Barneys New York.
Recent strong sales have allowed the deisgn house to up its ante, however, and more retail locations could be in the works.
Posted by Blacks at 10:29 AM | Comments (0)
July 03, 2006
Menswear Shows Strut Through Paris
The fashion world turned its attention from Milan to Paris over the weekend, where the spring/summer 2007 menswear shows are reaching full strut.
Reports so far point to a continuance in the pale palette and shorts theme we saw in Milan, although bright colors and ‘80s styles are also making a showing in the French capital.
Look for a full report in Blacks’s upcoming In Fashion wrap-up.
Posted by Blacks at 10:11 AM | Comments (0)