News
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September 28, 2007
New Tommy Hilfiger Store Dedicated To Women's Wear
Tommy Hilfiger is opening its first store dedicated to women’s wear on New York’s Bleecker Street. The 825-square foot unit offers ready-to-wear, sportswear, accessories and vintage pieces.
Part of the company’s goal is to showcase its more expensive and fashion forward runway line, which is not as easy to sell wholesale.
If it’s a success, the company could be opening similar units in the future.
Posted by Blacks at 07:11 AM | Comments (0)
September 27, 2007
James Pearse Opens In Beveley Hills
Designer James Pearse has opened a new flagship store in Beverly Hills which includes lifestyle goods such as bedding and books in addition to his signature t-shirts and cashmere sweaters.
The 5,000 square foot store has a calming, minimalist design and includes categories such as loungewear and intimates.
Pearse has three other locations – in Malibu, San Diego and New York – and plans to open a home furnishings and surfwear store in Malibu next summer.
Posted by Blacks at 06:53 AM | Comments (0)
September 26, 2007
Dsquared Opens Milan Store; Plans Expansion
Dsquared is officially launching its first retail store in Milan this week, corresponding with the city’s fashion week. The 5,000 square foot location houses menswear, women’s wear, accessories and even a champagne bar. The store has a woodsy theme and is made of timber blocks, with touches such as a plasma screen fireplace.
Dsquared plans to launch up to 25 additional retail stores over the next three years in fashion capitals such as New York, Paris and London as well as other major cities.
Posted by Blacks at 10:11 AM | Comments (0)
September 25, 2007
Prada's Earnings Soar 40% In First Half
Prada SpA’s earnings rocketed 40 percent in the first half of this year to nearly $190 million, primarily on the strength of its Prada and Miu Miu brands. Sales for the period ended July 31 grew 18 percent to over $1 billion.
The Italian fashion house said that it saw strength in the U.S., Asia and Europe despite the strong euro.
Prada recently revamped and upgraded its Miu Miu brand and the effort has paid off with increased sales of the line at higher rice points.
Posted by Blacks at 10:56 AM | Comments (0)
September 24, 2007
Old Navy Taps Todd Oldman As Creative Director
As part of a turnaround plan, Old Navy has hired designer Todd Oldham as its new creative director. In addition to owning his own design studio, Oldham has appeared in a number of design-related TV shows and has licensed his name to a number of home products.
The 45-year old designer is seen is having mass appeal and could be a good fit for the struggling retail chain.
When he takes his post Oct. 1, Oldham will begin working on Old Navy’s core product line and will eventually create a Todd Oldham collection to be sold exclusively at the stores.
Posted by Blacks at 09:21 AM | Comments (0)
September 21, 2007
Dior Couture Appoints New U.S. Head
LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton executive Pamela Baxter has been named the new president of Christian Dior Couture in the U.S.
Baxter replaces Patricia Malone, who took the post just a year and a half ago. Moore is leaving to pursue other interests, according to the company.
Baxter currently heads up LVMH’s perfume and cosmetics division and counts on over 30 years of experience in the cosmetics industry. She will assume her new position at Dior on Oct.1.
Posted by Blacks at 09:30 AM | Comments (0)
September 20, 2007
DKNY Jeans To Open Doors In Asia, Europe
Donna Karan International plans to open 11 standalone DKNY Jeans store in Europe and Asia by the end of this year. The retail push is a result of a deal Donna Karan made with Club 21 Retail Holdings to manufacture and distribute DKNY Jeans.
The new stores will be sprinkled across England, Turkey, China and Thailand. Liz Claiborne Inc. still holds an exclusive license for DKNY Jeans in North and South America.
Posted by Blacks at 10:01 AM | Comments (0)
September 19, 2007
Report: Abboud Forging Design Deal With L&T
Designer Joseph Abboud is working with Lord & Taylor to create an exclusive menswear line, according to a report out Wednesday. The possible deal comes just a few months after Abboud reentered the fashion business to launch a new line called Jaz, which he plans to distribute in upscale department stores.
It is unclear what relationship Abboud is forging with L&T and whether the retail chain will be investing in the designer’s new business venture.
Abboud left his own eponymous company in 2005 when the label was bought by JA Apparel.
Posted by Blacks at 10:06 AM | Comments (0)
September 18, 2007
Gap Sued For Allegedly Copying T-Shirt Design
French brand Zadig & Voltaire is suing Gap for allegedly copying a popular T-shirt design. The spar is over a T-shirt dubbed the “Tunisien,” which features decorative buttons and a curved neckline. According to the claim, the French label sells its shirt for 79 euros, or $110 at today’s exchange rate, while the Gap sells its version for $29.
Zadig is taking Gap to commercial court over the matter with claims of counterfeiting and unfair competition.
Posted by Blacks at 10:55 AM | Comments (0)
September 17, 2007
London Fashion Week Is Bolder, Brighter
London kicked off its fashion week over the weekend with shows by Paul Costelloe, Peter Jensen and Gareth Pugh. Already the talk is about the brighter, bolder looks of London compared with New York.
Also stealing headlines is British designer Luella Bartley’s return to London after showing in New York for the last five years. Her latest collection is being described as “cartoon chic,” featuring items such as sequined miniskirts, capes and masks.
For the latest news on London Fashion Week, keep reading Blacks online.
Posted by Blacks at 05:05 PM | Comments (0)
Gant's Fifth Ave. Flagship Gets A Makeover
Gant reopened its Fifth Avenue flagship this week after a major revamp that gave the store an additional 2,000 square feet, designer architectural details and a dedicated women’s wear space.
The four-story location is the first to show off Gant’s full collection of offerings, including its extensive men’s wear collection, its women’s lines and children’s clothes.
The space is designed to evoke a museum-like feel, with a spiral staircase reminiscent of the Guggenheim and a gallery that shows off the history of the brand.
Posted by Blacks at 08:57 AM | Comments (0)
September 14, 2007
August Retail Sales Come In Lower Than Expected
Retail sales of clothing slipped 0.1 percent in August, according to U.S. Commerce department figures. Meanwhile, department store sales fell 0.2 percent, disappointing analysts who expected higher returns.
Total retail sales rose just 0.3 percent after a drop of 0.4% in August.
Posted by Blacks at 09:51 AM | Comments (0)
September 12, 2007
Buyers Move From Fashion Week To Coterie
With New York Fashion Week coming to a close buyers are already preparing for the Coterie trade show which will open in the Big Apple Sept. 18. Better, bridge, evening wear and shoe lines will be shown at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center while contemporary and accessory lines will be housed at Piers 90, 92 and 94.
Over 15,000 attendees are expected to turn out for what’s considered as one of the most important buying shows of the year. Coterie will run until Sept. 20th.
Posted by Blacks at 06:42 AM | Comments (0)
September 11, 2007
JA Apparel Sues Abboud Over Trademark Issues
JA Apparel is suing Joseph Abboud for using his name to launch his new Jaz men’s wear line. The group claims that designer’s promotion of Jaz violates its trademarks on the Joseph Abboud name.
Although Abboud signed a two-year non-compete with JA Apparel after he left the company in 2005, he claims that he has the right to use his own name. The group disagrees and is seeking a permanent injunction that would prevent the designer from using his name for marketing and promotional purposes.
Posted by Blacks at 09:07 AM | Comments (0)
JA Apparel Sues Abboud Over Trademark Issues
JA Apparel is suing Joseph Abboud for using his name to launch his new Jaz men’s wear line. The group claims that designer’s promotion of Jaz violates its trademarks on the Joseph Abboud name.
Although Abboud signed a two-year non-compete with JA Apparel after he left the company in 2005, he claims that he has the right to use his own name. The group disagrees and is seeking a permanent injunction that would prevent the designer from using his name for marketing and promotional purposes.
Posted by Blacks at 09:07 AM | Comments (0)
September 10, 2007
Report: Retailers Move Away From Monthly Comps
Some mainstream retailers are choosing not to report monthly same store sales, according to a recent news report. Retailers such as Bebe, Guess and Talbots are opting to report quarterly sales instead, saying that monthly comps fail to take calendar shifts and seasonal disruptions into account and often miss larger trends.
If the movement away from comps continues it may be harder for stockholders and industry watchers to gauge the current temperature of the retail market. However, some retailers feel that the quarterly numbers better represent market activity.
Posted by Blacks at 08:53 AM | Comments (0)
September 09, 2007
Fashion Week Kicks Off In New York
New York Fashion Week swung into full gear over the weekend as buyers gathered for shows from Lacoste, Catherine Malandrino, Max Azria and Cynthia Rowley.
One of the most anticipated events was Ralph Lauren’s celebration of 40 years in business, which was feted with a runway show and black-tie after party on Saturday night.
Stay on top of the week’s events as Blacks online covers the shows from the front rows in New York.
Posted by Blacks at 10:10 AM | Comments (0)
September 07, 2007
Dept. Stores Report Strong August Comps
Upscale department stores reported better than expected same store sales for August, driven by men’s wear, accessories, shoes and jewelry.
Saks Fifth Avenue reported a same store increase of 18.2 percent while Nordstrom saw a 6.6 percent gain.
Mass market retailers showed more mixed results. The Gap was up 2 percent in August, Banana Republic showed a 7 percent gain and Old Navy slipped 4 percent.
Posted by Blacks at 11:01 AM | Comments (0)
September 06, 2007
BCBG Max Azria Opens New Melrose Door
BCBG Max Azria opened its twelfth store in L.A. this week at 8400 West Melrose Ave. The 3,200 square foot store will carry the brand’s ready-to-wear, runway, eveningwear, footwear and accessories.
The new location is part of a greater expansion plan that will see 25 more stores opened in the next year, including one in Boston and one in Manhattan.
Posted by Blacks at 09:43 AM | Comments (0)
September 05, 2007
Valentino Names Facchinetti As Successor
Valentino Fashion Group has tapped former Gucci exec Alessandra Facchinetti as its new creative director. The news comes on the heels of the surprise announcement that Valentino Garavani is retiring from his namesake company in January.
Facchinetti won high accolades in her role as designer of women’s ready-to-wear at Gucci and will be given the title of creative director of women’s wear at Valentino.
Posted by Blacks at 06:03 PM | Comments (0)
Jimmy Choo Plans Long Strides
Jimmy Choo is stepping into new markets through retail partnerships in Russia, China, India, Malaysia, Turkey and South Africa. Over the next six months the luxury shoe brand will open eight new stores in these countries.
Choo is also conquering California with a new flagship in Beverley Hills and a store in San Diego’s Fashion Valley Mall.
The company said its aims to be a worldwide luxury fashion brand and not solely a shoemaker.
Posted by Blacks at 10:55 AM | Comments (0)
September 04, 2007
Valentino To Resign After 45 Years Of Fashion
Valentino Garavani is stepping down as a designer after 45 years of making his mark as one of the industry’s top talents.
Valentino will retire from his post in January 2008 after finishing his Paris ready-to-wear collection and haute couture line.
The designer’s exit leads to speculation over who will fill his shoes at the Valentino design house. Rumor has it that a younger, edgier designer may be tapped to take his place.
Posted by Blacks at 08:54 AM | Comments (0)
