News
« August 2006 | | October 2006 »
September 29, 2006
Neiman Plans More Stores As Earnings Rise
Neiman Marcus’s fiscal 2006 earnings rose 7.6% to $450 million on revenue of $4.1 billion.
The department store chain lauded the results, saying it had an outstanding year. Sales of sportswear and designer handbags helped boost sales for the fiscal year ended July 29th.
Neiman said it plans to open at least 50 more stores by 2010, citing continued market demand.
Posted by Blacks at 08:34 AM | Comments (0)
September 28, 2006
Report: Chloe Taps Marni Talent As New Designer
Chloe has finally selected a replacement for Phoebe Philo, according to WWD.
The French fashion house has selected Marni’s Paolo Melin Anderson to be its next design head, according to the report. Chloe has yet to make a formal announcement on the decision, however.
Philo left her coveted spot at Chloe in January, saying she wanted to spend more time with her family.
Posted by Blacks at 09:29 AM | Comments (0)
September 27, 2006
Theory Builds New Bridge Line
Link Theory Holdings Ltd. is launching a new women’s bridge line for spring 2007 called Premise.
The line includes tailored suits, shirts and pencil skirts and items will retail for around $100 to $500.
Big name retailers such as Saks, Nordstrom’s, and Bloomingdale’s have reportedly put in orders, along with better specialty stores.
Posted by Blacks at 08:53 AM | Comments (0)
September 26, 2006
Herrera Opens Melrose Shop
Carolina Herrera has opened a new store on Melrose Ave., offering her New York collection, bridal line and accessories from designers such as Manolo Blahnik and Judith Leiber.
The 3,800-square foot store is designed to evoke an elegant and intimate feel, with European touches.
The location extends Herrera’s Southern California presence; she recently opened a store for her CH Carolina Herrera line in Costa Mesa.
Posted by Blacks at 08:46 AM | Comments (0)
September 22, 2006
Louis Vuitton Opens In Nashville
Louis Vuitton is opening a 5,250-square foot store in Nashville’s Mall of Great Hills today. The new location will feature leather goods, women’s apparel and accessories.
Louis joins jewelry retailer Tiffany & Co. as two of the mall’s upscale brands. Both retailers see Nashville as a lucrative secondary market and predict a sales volume of $1,200 to $1,500 a square foot.
Posted by Blacks at 09:02 AM | Comments (0)
September 21, 2006
LVMH Names New North America Head
LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton has tapped Daniel Lalonde to become the company’s new North America head, effective in January.
Lalonde is currently president and CEO of the company’s watch and jewelry business in North America.
He has led his division to strong sales in recent years, and is expected to do the same with the company’s overall business in the region.
Posted by Blacks at 09:55 AM | Comments (0)
September 20, 2006
Kate Moss To Design For Topshop
Kate Moss has signed a long-term contract to design an exclusive collection for U.K. retailer Topshop.
The supermodel’s line will be available in Topshop stores and on the Web in spring 2007.
The deal is seen as a coup for both Moss, who was just last year embroiled in a drugs scandal, and the retailer. Moss’s status as a fashion icon is sure to make her designs must-have items.
Topshop said that the deal aims to turn the model’s line into a global brand.
Posted by Blacks at 09:42 AM | Comments (0)
September 19, 2006
Holiday Sales To Grow 5%, NRF Says
Holiday sales are expected to grow 5% over last year to $457.4 billion, according to the National Retail Federation.
Although consumers have been discouraged by the housing slump and high gas prices, they are still expected to spend a little extra this season, the trade group said.
Holiday sales are normally measured from November to December, although retailers often register January sales when consumers use gift cards.
Holiday sales increased 6.1% last year to $435.6 billion.
Posted by Blacks at 09:26 AM | Comments (0)
September 18, 2006
Bloomindale's Lands In San Francisco
Bloomingdale’s is set to open a mammoth flagship in downtown San Francisco, a few blocks from Union Square where its main competitors are located.
The 330,000-square foot store will open on Market and Fifth Street on Sept. 28, offering five floors of merchandise. The new flagship is expected to generate $75 million in its first year.
Barneys New York is also planning to set up shop in San Francisco, with a store scheduled to open near Union Square in Fall 2007.
Posted by Blacks at 09:47 AM | Comments (0)
September 15, 2006
Hermès Reports Strong Sales In U.S., Europe
Profit at Hermès surged 7.8% in the first half of the year, reaching $228.4 million.
Strong sales in the U.S. and Europe helped boost the company’s performance, putting it on track to meet its full-year goal of a 7% sales increase. Sales in Japan, where the luxury retailer is expanding its Tokyo flagship location, have also been brisk.
Leather handbags such as the Birkin continue to perform well for the company, outpacing its supply.
Posted by Blacks at 09:15 AM | Comments (0)
September 14, 2006
Retail Sales Inch Up In August
U.S. retail sales increased by 0.2% in August, following a 1.4% climb in July. Although the increase was slight, August sales outpaced economists’ expectations, leading to predictions of a consumer boom over the next few months.
Gasoline prices have fallen 40 cents a gallon since their August highs, leading to more disposable income.
Last month’s unexpected increase was led by sales at food stores, restaurants and bars, while overall clothing sales were down 0.3%, according to the Commerce Department.
Posted by Blacks at 09:24 AM | Comments (0)
September 13, 2006
Diesel Reopens Union Square Store
Diesel is unveiling its renovated Union Square store this evening, following its runway show in New York Fashion Week.
The 11,000-square foot store has been updated to showcase a product range that will appeal to Union Square visitors, such as more accessories.
In fact, the brand renowned for its premium denim is considering opening up accessories-only stores in the near future.
Diesel is also looking to expand its apparel offerings, and is reportedly negotiating with design house Viktor & Rolf to buy all or part of the company. Neither party has confirmed this deal, however.
Posted by Blacks at 09:27 AM | Comments (0)
September 12, 2006
Nina Ricci Scoops Up Theyskens
Nina Ricci confirmed that it has hired former Rochas designer Olivier Theyskens as its new artistic director. Theyskens, 29, will begin at his new post on Nov. 1 and will show his first collection for Ricci at Paris Fashion week in March.
Theyskens found himself out of job in July when Rochas shuttered its doors, despite widespread praise for his work. It wasn’t long before Ricci came calling, with the idea of expanding the French brand under a new design head.
Ricci plans to add new flagships and in-store shops, as well as enter new categories.
Posted by Blacks at 10:09 AM | Comments (0)
September 11, 2006
All Eyes On New York Fashion Week
New York Fashion Week got off to a triumphant start over the weekend, as observers applauded innovative looks from designers such as Alice Roi, Benjamin Cho and Karen Walker.
The Spring 2007 RTW collections are leaning toward light, contemporary styles that play with convention, such as Cho’s white silk dress vented with zippers.
Look or full Fashion Week coverage on Blacks In Fashion later this week.
Posted by Blacks at 09:52 AM | Comments (0)
September 08, 2006
Browne To Design Collection For Brooks Bros.
Brooks Bros. has tapped designer Thom Browne to create a capsule collection of men’s and women’s apparel and accessories for fall 2007, according to a report out Friday.
Browne won this year’s Council of Fashion Designers of America’s Menswear Designer of the Year award. His first RTW collection for Brooks Bros. will offer around 50 pieces, and will be sold at the company’s flagship locations.
The collaboration could be the first in a string of relationships Brooks Bros. forges with guest designers under the capsule concept, WWD reported.
Posted by Blacks at 09:35 AM | Comments (0)
September 07, 2006
Gucci's Sales Soar In First Half Of '06
Strong sales of luxury apparel and accessories sent PPR’s profits climbing 27% in the first half of the year. The French group, which owns Gucci and Yves Saint Laurent, said that luxury sales were ‘exceptional’ during the period.
Sales at Gucci climbed 20% for the six months ended June 30, while its recurring operating income soared 69%.
PPR predicted continued strong sales in luxury for the remainder of the year, noting that sales in July and August had been brisk.
Posted by Blacks at 09:35 AM | Comments (0)
September 06, 2006
Burberry Sets Up Shop In Madrid
Britain’s Burberry has opened its first store in Madrid as part of its retail expansion plan.
The new 6,500-square-foot store will carry men’s and womenswear, as well as children’s apparel and accessories.
The British brand is also targeting U.S. growth, with plans to open a store in Kansas City, Missouri.
Posted by Blacks at 09:34 AM | Comments (0)
September 05, 2006
Armani Reports Banner 2005
Giorgio Armani's profit surged nearly 23% in 2005, to $193 million, on sales that grew 10% to $1.8 billion.
The Italian company benefited from successful business ventures and real estate deals as it continued to grow its brands.
The fashion house introduced the Giorgio Armani Privé couture line last year, and formed a joint venture to expand its A|X Armani Exchange brand, allowing it to attract both ends of the market.
Posted by Blacks at 09:33 AM | Comments (0)
September 04, 2006
Tiffany's Sales Jump While Earnings Slide
Sales at Tiffany & Co. jumped 9% in the second quarter to $575 million.
The jewelry retailer’s earnings slipped to $41.1 million from $50.5 million a year ago, in large part due to a $6.6 million tax benefit it received last year.
The New York-based company also cited slower sales in Japan and higher sourcing costs as reasons why earning slid in the quarter ended July 31.
Tiffany is predicting a mid-single digit earnings increase in the third quarter, before taxes.
Posted by Blacks at 09:36 AM | Comments (0)
September 01, 2006
Brooks Bros. Opens In London, Paris
Brooks Bros. has opened new flagships in London and Paris as part of its aggressive expansion plans.
The 11,000-square foot London store is located on Regent Street and the 8,000-square foot Paris location is situated on the Rue Saint Honore. Both carry men’s and women’s apparel and accessories.
With the expansion, Brooks Bros. is hoping to bring its updated classical style to a more international audience. The brand has experienced a resurgence in recent years, and is now predicting $1 billion in sales by 2008.
Posted by Blacks at 10:40 AM | Comments (0)
