WWD articles from August 2006

WWD archives from August 2006

EMPIRE STATE.
August 1, 2006... NEW YORK - All eyes are on the waist - the Empire waist, to be exact. Designers are big on the style for resort, delivering it in soft pastel shades with details that shimmer and shine. Here, Nicole Miller's cotton, polyester and metal gown,...

CHASING BIG SPENDERS: STORES STEP UP SERVICES FOR KEY LUXE CUSTOMERS.
August 1, 2006... Byline: Sharon Edelson NEW YORK - The top 20 percent of shoppers will help propel the luxury goods market to $1 trillion by the end of the decade - and U.S. retailers are doing everything they can to snare them. Stores such as Neiman...

AVON REPORTS 54% NET DROP.
August 1, 2006... Byline: Molly Prior NEW YORK - Six months into its three-year turnaround program, Avon Products Inc. continues to feel the pinch of its cost-cutting efforts and few of its rewards. The direct seller reported Monday that its...

LANVIN GETS COZY WITH PARIS BOUTIQUE.(Brief article)
August 1, 2006... Miles Socha PARIS - Like his delicate silk cocktail dresses with heavy zippers, Alber Elbaz's new retail concept for Lanvin blends elements of romantic French style and no-nonsense modernism. "Industrial and emotional," Elbaz said in...

IN BRIEF: BELK DIVISION...NEW BOARD MEMBERS.(Dennis S. Hersch and Jeffrey H. Miro at Limited Brands Inc.)
August 1, 2006... BELK DIVISION: Belk Inc. has formed a fine jewelry division at its Charlotte headquarters to operate its own fine jewelry departments. The chain has purchased the assets of Migerobe Inc., which leased and operated fine jewelry departments in 35...

CORRECTIONS.
August 1, 2006... Nine Anne Klein New York stores are opening nationwide; two in New York City. This was incorrect on page 14, Thursday. The image at right is Roxywear's rayon, spandex and metallic top. It was misidentified on page 7, July 24. ...

GOOD SPORTS.(polo)
August 1, 2006... "I'm a polo widow. It's my life. I live next to a polo field," sighed Cosima Pavoncelli before heading off to watch England beat New Zealand 9-7 for the Coronation Cup at the annual Cartier International Polo day at Windsor Great Park. ...

KORS' CASUAL LUXE MAKES DALLAS DEBUT.(Michael Kors)
August 1, 2006... Byline: Rusty Williamson DALLAS - Michael Kors' spin on casual luxury has arrived at NorthPark Center here in a new 2,000-square-foot store. "Even heiresses need T-shirts," Kors said at the opening Friday of his first freestanding unit...

PASTEL SOCIETY.(newest eveningwears)(Brief article)
August 1, 2006... NEW YORK - Lemon, melon, grape. The newest eveningwear comes in a range of luscious sherbet shades, all decorated with pretty little pleats, folds and embellishments. Caption(s): CD Greene's rayon jersey dress with a bronze chain and...

'PROJECT RUNWAY': FANTASY TV.(fashion shows)
August 1, 2006... Byline: Julee Greenberg, With contributions from Marc Karimzadeh NEW YORK - "Project Runway" may be more entertainment than fashion reality, but the show's fan base has heightened awareness of the industry. This, in turn, has high school...

RESOURCE SHIFT STRAINS COUNTERFEIT FIGHT.
August 1, 2006... Byline: Ross Tucker NEW YORK - Protecting intellectual property rights and preventing counterfeit goods from entering the U.S. have been secondary to national security since the 2001 terrorist attacks, a government official testified last...

SWATCHES: BARUFFA EXIT.(resignations)(Brief article)
August 1, 2006... Byline: Stephanie Epiro BARUFFA EXIT: Siblings Massimiliano and Mila Zegna Baruffa have parted ways with their family's yarn mill, Zegna Baruffa Lane Borgosesia SpA. Cousins Maria Elisabetta and Alfredo Botto Poala bought the pair's...

VALENTINO BEGINS SELLING ON WEB.(Valentino.com)
August 1, 2006... Byline: Marc Karimzadeh NEW YORK - Valentino merchandise is now just a mouse click away. Today, Valentino.com is scheduled to go live with e-commerce. The U.S. division of the Rome-based fashion house has partnered with Neiman Marcus...

MINIMUM WAGE, CAFTA BILLS REACH SENATE.(Central American Free Trade Agreement)
August 1, 2006... Byline: Kristi Ellis WASHINGTON - The Senate is set to vote on two bills this week that would increase the minimum wage and mend loopholes in the Central American Free Trade Agreement, but the prospects for their passage are unclear. ...

MEMO PAD: STORY OF O...DOLCE'S DRAMA...THOSE COLLEGE DAYS.(Dolce and Gabbana's advertising campaign)(O, The Oprah Magazine)(Adam Nagourney's fake blog adamnagourney.com)
August 1, 2006... Byline: Irin Carmon, Valerie Seckler STORY OF O: The Oprah juggernaut has been setting its sights on fashion recently - and its magazine arm is no exception. Oprah Winfrey's TV show has featured designers such as Marc Jacobs, Karl...

GERMAN MID-MARKET SHAKES OFF STUFFY IMAGE.
August 1, 2006... Byline: Damien McGuinness DUSSELDORF - Moderate women's wear companies were out to shake off their staid image at this year's CPD show. The exhibition, which ran alongside a men's wear and a bodywear fair, saw traffic rise 5 percent...

FASHION SCOOPS: TIMBERLAKE GETS SOCIAL...MISCHA FLIES SOUTH...DINNIGAN'S KIDS.(Justin Timberlake, Mischa Barton)
August 1, 2006... TIMBERLAKE GETS SOCIAL: No stranger to tearing up the dance floor, Justin Timberlake will take over the runway on Oct. 17 when he will present the spring 2007 collection for his men's and women's lifestyle label, William Rast, at the...

ICONIX IN RAMPAGE SUIT.(Iconix Brand Group Inc.)(Brief article)
August 1, 2006... NEW YORK - Iconix Brand Group Inc. filed a lawsuit in Manhattan federal court against the former license holders of the Rampage brand, alleging breach of contract in connection with information over licensing revenue. Iconix charged that...

AS TIERS GO BY.(clothing of Cynthia Steffe)(Brief article)
August 2, 2006... NEW YORK - The eternal party girl favorite - the little black dress - makes a fanciful appearance for holiday in delightfully flirtatious renditions. Here, Cynthia Steffe's duchesse satin dress, Dinosaur Designs earrings, Colette Malouf...

HANDBAGS, COST-CUTTING DRIVE PRADA SPA PROFITS TO FIVEFOLD GAIN IN 2005.
August 2, 2006... Byline: Luisa Zargani MILAN - Prada SpA said Tuesday that growth across the board, in all its brands in all markets, coupled with cost-cutting helped propel the luxury group to a fivefold increase in net profits in 2005 on a 10 percent...

STRONG SALES BOOST COACH NET 31%.
August 2, 2006... Byline: Vicki M. Young NEW YORK - Consistently bringing to market fashionable handbags and accessories drove Coach Inc.'s fourth-quarter sales up 23 percent and pushed profits up nearly 31 percent. The strong performance bolstered...

CERRUTI SOLD, CEO AND DESIGNER NAMED.(Cerruti 1881 S.A.)(chief executive officer)(Philippe Cleach)
August 2, 2006... Byline: Miles Socha, With contributions from Courtney Colavita, Milan PARIS - The troubled fashion house Cerruti has a new owner, designer and chief executive. Private equity firm MatlinPatterson, a $3.8 billion fund with offices in...

IN BRIEF: VERSACE, MITSUI END PACT...COHEN JOINS NEW COOKIE.(Gianni Versace SpA buys Mitsui and Co. Ltd.)(Barry Cohen joins New Cookie Corp.)(Brief article)
August 2, 2006... VERSACE, MITSUI END PACT: Gianni Versace SpA said it has bought out its Japanese partner Mitsui & Co. Ltd., giving Versace 100 percent control of its Gianni Versace Japan Co. Ltd. subsidiary. Versace did not disclose financial details of the...

CORRECTIONS.
August 2, 2006... Architect Peter Marino designed only the 360-square-foot stand for Chanel fine jewelry at the forthcoming Biennale des Antiquaires in Paris, not the entire exhibit, which was incorrectly stated in a story on page 13, Monday. A headline on...

RUGBY HEADED TO GREENWICH.(opening of new store)
August 2, 2006... Byline: Lisa Lockwood NEW YORK - Rugby is bringing its preppy clothes for the collegiate set to Greenwich, Conn., in November. The store will open in a 4,500-square-foot space at 195 Greenwich Ave., joining neighbors such as J. Crew,...

HILFIGER TAPS COLLEEN KELLY.(Tommy Hilfiger USA)(Brief article)
August 2, 2006... Byline: Lisa Lockwood NEW YORK - Colleen Kelly, president of Calvin Klein Jeans at Warnaco Inc. for the past four years, has been named group president of the wholesale division at Tommy Hilfiger USA. She will be responsible for the...

COCKTAIL HOUR.
August 2, 2006... NEW YORK - When it comes to black, it's all about shape. Some of holiday's best offerings feature serious structure, while others are gently draped forms. Caption(s): Chace's wool dress. Carolina Amato gloves; Dinosaur Designs earrings;...

ADS REFLECT BETTER LINES' REBIRTH.
August 2, 2006... Byline: Whitney Beckett NEW YORK - Retailers are receiving the first shipments of three reincarnated women's better sportswear lines, and soon consumers will get their own introductions. Sizable ad campaigns for the fall relaunches of...

SIMON PROPERTY PROFITS FALL.(Simon Property Group)
August 2, 2006... Byline: Amy S. Choi NEW YORK - Buoyed by robust operational and sales growth in its second quarter, Simon Property Group, the country's largest retail real estate investment trust, laid out grand plans for its portfolio. For the second...

FASHION SCOOPS: GO PROENZA...DRESSING DEREK...PLAYING THE PART.(Derek Jeter)(Ashley Judd signs contract with Brazilian jeweler H.Stern)
August 2, 2006... GO PROENZA: Behnaz Sarafpour's collection for Target's Go International program won't hit the retail floor until the holiday selling season, but the mass retail chain already seems to be working on its next Go guest designer. Make that two,...

MACPHERSON TO FRONT NEW MODELCO PRODUCT.(Elle Macpherson)(Boots Group plc and Alliance UniChem plc announced Monday their merger is complete )
August 2, 2006... Byline: Michelle Edgar, Brid Costello NEW YORK - Supermodel Elle Macpherson has partnered with Australian beauty marketer ModelCo to promote Erase Those Fine Lines, an antiaging serum the firm plans to launch globally, including at Henri...

MEMO PAD: GLAMOUR GIRL...DOMINO'S PILING UP.(Jessica Joffe, Lauren Goodman)
August 2, 2006... Byline: Irin Carmon GLAMOUR GIRL: Dubbed Vogue's "Girl of the Moment" in December, former New York Observer writer Jessica Joffe evidently has moved on to Glamour (owned, liked WWD, by Cond Nast Publications) for her next phase of fame....

VIETNAM TRADE STATUS GOES TO SENATE.
August 2, 2006... Byline: Kristi Ellis WASHINGTON - Legislation to grant Vietnam permanent normal trade relations status goes to the full Senate with bipartisan support after receiving the unanimous approval of the Senate Finance Committee on Monday night....

SHINE ON.(Gap Inc.'s activities)(Brief article)
August 2, 2006... NEW YORK - Gap shimmers for holiday. Gold metallics and foil weave themselves throughout the line this season. "We've been bunkered down getting momentum," said president Cynthia Harriss. "We're getting back to the key categories." That means...

FRESH PRINTS.(Brief article)
August 2, 2006... Designers are livening up resort with an assortment of charming patterns. Expect bright colors, bold motifs and fluid shapes. Caption(s): Terani's silk charmeuse dress at Lori Veith. Judith Jack necklace.

DRESS IS MORE.(Brief article)
August 2, 2006... Dresses are back in a big way for resort - and some of the best come in fun, vibrant printss. Caption(s): Flora Kung's silk dress at Lori Veith. / Lynn Ritchie's silk dress at Mike & Co. / Yoana Baraschi's silk dress at Ritz Group. /...

PACKAGE DEAL; THE DALLAS MARKET CENTER PROMOTES MORE THAN ITS FASHION OFFERINGS.
August 2, 2006... Byline: Holly Haber THE CREATION OF FASHIONCENTERDALLAS IN March 2004 to replace the International Apparel Mart was so successful that it won a prize last month from ReBrand 100 Global Awards, a juried international competition that...

DMC MARKET CALENDAR; WOMEN'S AND CHILDREN'S APPAREL AND ACCESSORIES MARKET, AUG. 17-20, 2006, FASHIONCENTERDALLAS AT THE WORLD TRADE CENTER.
August 2, 2006... MARKET HOSPITALITY 8:30 a.m. daily: Good Morning Buyer Breakfast Get started the right way at market with complimentary Starbuck's coffee and Krispy Kreme doughnuts. While supplies last. First floor 8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. daily:...

LOOK OUT BELOW; FIG CONSIDERS EXPANDING INTO ITS BASEMENT.(Fashion Industry Gallery )
August 2, 2006... Byline: Rusty Williamson FASHION INDUSTRY GALLERY IS LOOKING DOWN to build up. The boutique fashion mart in downtown Dallas, which accents designer, contemporary, bridge and accessories categories, has tentative plans to convert all or...

FIG MARKET CALENDAR; WOMEN'S HOLIDAY/RESORT APPAREL AND ACCESSORIES MARKET, AUG. 17-20, FASHION INDUSTRY GALLERY.
August 2, 2006... Thursday, Aug. 17 9-11 a.m.: Coffee Bar Wake up and smell the coffee and tea, courtesy of Globex. 11 a.m.-5 p.m.: Beauty Bar Neiman Marcus features Laura Mercier cosmetics and makeup artist Allison Lachney-Soileau. 2...

DOING THE DEED; DAVID DARTNELL RETURNS WITH A NEW MISSES' LINE.
August 2, 2006... Byline: Holly Haber DAVID DARTNELL IS BACK. THE DEISGNER WHO BUILD DAVID DART, SOLD it to Kellwood Co. and watched it grow to a $70 million business has created an updated misses' sportswear label called Deed. "I didn't think I wanted...

BUSTING ITS BUTTONS; A LARGER SPACE SETS THE TONE FOR EXPANSION AT FINLEY SHIRT CO.
August 2, 2006... Byline: Sonya Castex THE SPACE WAS DRIVING THEM CRAZY. AFTER almost 10 years in cramped quarters at the corner of Canton Street and Malcom X Boulevard, Finley Moll and Heather McNeill were working on top of each other. Their business,...

DUTCH TREAT; ST. MAARTEN USA CONNECTS UNDISCOVERED EUROPEAN CONTEMPORARY LINES WITH AMERICAN RETAILERS.
August 2, 2006... Byline: Rusty Williamson ST. MAARTEN USA, A DALLAS-BASED DISTRIBUTOR OF SEVERAL EUROPEAN contemporary sportswear lines, wants to help retailers beat big-box competitors as well as the store down the street. By offering European vendors...

NEW LINES; THE LATEST RESOURCES TO APPEAR AT THE DALLAS APPAREL MARTS.(Directory)
August 2, 2006... Byline: Genny Chang DALLAS MARKET CENTER AMBROSIA & CO., Suite 15585 Elvis Based in Commerce, Calif., Elvis Presley Clothing Co. introduced a men's and women's contemporary line of premium denim and knit separates just over a...

CONTEMPORARY ARCHITECT; IN RETAIL-SATURATED DALLAS, STANLEY KORSHAK HAS BUILT A TRENDY ADDITION.(Th Shak)
August 2, 2006... Byline: Holly Haber As fashion retail competition here climbs to daunting levels, Stanley Korshak plunged into the fray this month with The Shak, an 11,000-square-foot temple of trendy fashion with a young, sexy attitude and lower prices...

REMAKING THE MALL; A NEW LUXURY CORRIDOR AT NORTHPARK CENTER IS A MAGNET FOR UPSCALE RETAIL.(Salvatore Ferragamo Firenze S.p.A.)
August 2, 2006... Byline: Holly Haber SALVATORE FERRAGAMO will open its first Dallas store in mid-October at NorthPark Center as the luxury firm continues to expand its retail presence in the U.S. and the mall keeps augmenting its roster of luxury stores....

PLAY TO WIN.(Dallas Fashion Awards)(Brief article)
August 2, 2006... dallas fashion awards At this year's Dallas Fashion Awards, 24 fashion firms, in eight different categories, are vying for prizes. Winners will be announced on Oct. 28. Here, a white beaded cotton guipure dress from Contemporary nominee...

AND THEY'RE OFF.(Dallas Fashion Awards)
August 2, 2006... Let the games begin. This year, 24 designers and companies are competing in eight different categories at the 31st annual Dallas Fashion Awards. Now through Sept. 29, retailers can cast their votes at dallasmarketcenter.com or at...

CUTOUTS GET CUT; SUPERSEXY STYLES ARE LEFT OUT IN THE COLD FOR PROM NIGHT.
August 2, 2006... Byline: Kristen Carr Jandoli CONCERNED PARENTS, PRINCIPALS AND RETAILERS, take note: The prom fashion pendulum is swinging away from Paris Hilton-worthy gowns now that skin-baring cutout styles have been banned at some schools nationwide....

GETTING RICH.(Brief article)
August 2, 2006... Designers are having a grand time this season with accessories in opulent tones of black and gold. Caption(s): 1. Maxx New York's patent leather and acrylic handbag at Rosanne Saginaw; Judith Jack's vermeil, marcasite and sterling cuff at...

LEAPING LEOPARDS; BETSEY JOHNSON JUMPS INTO HANDBAGS WITH A NEW LICENSE.(Daniel M. Friedman & Associates)
August 2, 2006... Byline: Rusty Williamson BETSEY JOHNSON'S EXUBERANT EMPIRE continues to grow with a new handbag and leather accessories line called Betseyville that was launched for spring. The handbag line will be shown by Michael V. Associates in...

BELT ONE OUT; ON THE BIG SCREEN AND ON THE STREET, IT'S BEEN A BLOCKBUSTER YEAR FOR BELTS.(Sandy Duftler Designs)
August 2, 2006... Byline: Rebecca Kleinman LANVIN'S ALBER ELBAZ SEALED IT when he sent obi-inspired "pressure" belts down the runway for spring 2006: This is the year of the belt. "There's a belt in every scene of 'The Devil Wears Prada,'" said Sandy...

SCENE.
August 2, 2006... Byline: Holly Haber, Rusty Williamson WINNING COMBINATION Opened in June, W Dallas Victory Hotel and Residences is unique within the luxury hotel chain. It's the only one to house condos and outposts of New York's Craft restaurant and...

RUFFLED AND READY.(Giorgio Armani's new jackets for Armani Collezioni Calze)(Brief article)
August 3, 2006... NEW YORK - Giorgio Armani's new jackets for Armani Collezioni are short and sleek but still feminine, with details such as stylized frills. Other spring looks range from chic coats to slim cocktail dresses - all in a neutral palette with a pop...

STRIDING TOWARD AN IPO: FERRAGAMO EYES LISTING, TAPS NORSA AS NEW CEO.(initial public offerings, Michele Norsa appointed to Salvatore Ferragamo Firenze S.p.A.)
August 3, 2006... Byline: Luisa Zargani MILAN - An initial public offering is on the horizon for the Salvatore Ferragamo Group, and the company is going outside the family to help get it done. Ferragamo on Wednesday appointed Michele Norsa as its new...

IN BRIEF: PINK RIBBON SWEATERS...KORS E-COMMERCE...ELLEN TRACY SHOES.(Neiman Marcus Group Inc., Breast Cancer Research Foundation and Anne Klein and Associates Inc.'s breast cancer research fund raising)(Michael Kors Inc.'s e-commerce)(Ellen Tracy Inc.'s licensing agreement with Modern Shoe Co. LLC)(Brief article)
August 3, 2006... PINK RIBBON SWEATERS: Anne Klein New York, Neiman Marcus and The Breast Cancer Research Foundation have teamed up to raise awareness and funds for breast cancer research. Anne Klein New York, a division of Jones Apparel Group Inc., has designed...

CORRECTION.(Correction notice)
August 3, 2006... As part of a philanthropic effort launching in October, Gap will donate 50 percent of the profits from specially designed merchandise to the Global Fund, which fights disease in Africa. Due to misinformation from the company, the amount was...

BELK TO ACQUIRE PARISIAN FOR $285M.
August 3, 2006... Byline: David Moin NEW YORK - Belk Inc. has agreed to purchase Parisian from Saks Inc. for $285 million. The transaction, involving 38 Parisian units generating $723 million in sales last year, furthers Belk's department store buildup...

STRONG REVENUES LIFT GUESS EARNINGS IN 2ND QUARTER, HALF.
August 3, 2006... Byline: Ross Tucker NEW YORK - Propelled by rising sales in the North American and European markets, Guess reported Wednesday that earnings soared in the second quarter and first half of the year, For the three months ended July 1, the...

THOROUGHLY ENGLISH HELENA.(Helena Bonham Carter's performances)
August 3, 2006... Byline: Vanessa Lawrence Anyone acquainted with actress Helena Bonham Carter's oeuvre probably expects corsets and bustles to accompany her every role. But recently the diminutive star has been putting her regal bone structure and posh...

WWD POSTCARD.
August 3, 2006... What's up y'all? This is your boy Sean "Diddy" Combs checking in from the SS Unforgivable in Saint-Tropez. I'm here with my mom, my boys and Kim Porter to celebrate the success of my fragrance, Unforgivable, in style. I'm also on the French...

MEMO PAD: ANNA REDECORATES...LOVE IN FOOD.(Anna Wintour of "Vogue")(Colman Andrews of "Saveur ")
August 3, 2006... Byline: Irin Carmon ANNA REDECORATES: Though Meryl Streep took care to say that she wasn't basing her "The Devil Wears Prada" performance on Anna Wintour, the film's production designer made no such distinctions. Side-by-side photos of the...

PROCTER & GAMBLE EARNINGS RISE ON GILLETTE ACQUISITION.
August 3, 2006... Byline: Molly Prior, With contributions from Melissa Drier, Berlin, and Amy S. Choi, New York NEW YORK - Procter & Gamble reported Wednesday that fourth-quarter earnings surged 36 percent, boosted by the acquisition of Gillette, the razors...

THE HEAT OF FASHION.(hot weather clothing)(Brief article)
August 3, 2006... NEW YORK - Hot town! Summer in the city means staying cool and looking cool all at once. The streets of Manhattan are teeming with color, texture and all kinds of combinations, from black-and-white ensembles to looks in acid-toned motifs -...

ZAFU GUIDES QUEST FOR FIT.(Emeryville's new website)
August 3, 2006... Byline: Cate T. Corcoran With hundreds of denim brands offering thousands of styles, the task of finding the perfect fit is a daunting one for many women. A new Web site launched Tuesday by Emeryville, Calif.-based Zafu aims to help women...

FORNARI'S U.S. EXPANSION.
August 3, 2006... Byline: Luisa Zargani With a new head of Fornari USA in place, a flagship to open in New York next year and a focus on developing the East Coast market, owner Lino Fornari is moving ahead with an ambitious expansion plan for the Fornarina...

BUILDING THE INDIE VIBE AT HOUSE OF CASSETTE.(Peter James Lee's fashion designing)
August 3, 2006... Byline: Katy Brandes Peter James Lee, the former creative director at Hudson Jeans, is bringing his experience to the premium denim offerings of his new lifestyle label, House of Cassette. Launching for spring, House of Cassette will...

PRADA OFFERS SILK, LINEN.(Brief article)
August 3, 2006... Byline: Stephanie Epiro Prada has given denim a luxury gloss for next summer with new styles woven from pure silk yarn. The new offerings, dubbed "silk denim" by the Milan fashion house, will include a classic front-seamed pant, a...

LILLY BLOSSOMS BEYOND PRINTS.(Lilly Pulitzer Inc.'s growth)
August 3, 2006... Byline: Julee Greenberg NEW YORK - When Lilly Pulitzer started her juice stand in Palm Beach, Fla., more than 50 years ago, little did she know that today, her name would be connected with a lifestyle brand. The King of Prussia,...

HOT FLASH: ANALYSTS SEE SULTRY WEATHER WITHERING COMPS.(forecasts of consumer spending )
August 3, 2006... Byline: Jeanine Poggi NEW YORK - Analysts predicted scorching weather across the nation dried out consumer spending in July, and will weaken same-store sales, which retailers report today. But the good news is shoppers who did make it...

JUDITH LEIBER STREAMLINES BRAND NAME.(renamed to Leiber)(Brief article)
August 3, 2006... Byline: Sophia Chabbott NEW YORK - Judith Leiber, hoping to add an air of coolness and attract young male and female customers, has changed its brand name to Leiber. The 43-year-old firm, based here, wants to be known for more than...

SHIFTING APPAREL LANDSCAPE; TOP APPAREL-PRODUCING NATIONS RANKED BY U.S. IMPORTS FOR THE 12 MONTHS ENDING MAY 31.
August 3, 2006... Byline: Constance Gustke, Evan Clark This is the age of Asia, including in apparel production. Indonesia, Cambodia and especially China are winning business away from Central America at an impressive clip. Even the passage of the Central...

TEXTILE-STATE SENATORS STALL VIETNAM TRADE STATUS BILL.
August 3, 2006... Byline: Kristi Ellis WASHINGTON - The Bush administration's effort to grant Vietnam permanent normal trade relations status appears to have hit a roadblock over protections for the U.S. textile industry. Sen. Lindsey Graham (R., S.C.)...

THE BOMBSHELL.(swim suits)(Brief article)
August 3, 2006... Swimwear Designers channel Sixties siren Brigitte Bardot this season with pale pastels and retro shapes Caption(s): Abaete's polyester and elastane swimsuit and cotton robe.

SHORE THINGS; FORGET THE HAMPTONS. EUROPE AND CALIFORNIA HAVE THEIR OWN SPOTS FOR PERFECT SUMMER FUN.(Dalmatia, Croatia)(Ile de R)(Laguna Beach)
August 3, 2006... Byline: Katya Foreman, Emilie Marsh, Katharine Brandes TREASURE ISLAND Hvar, the fourth-largest Dalmatian island along Croatia's Adriatic coastline, is making waves as Europe's hottest sun-and-sea destination. And the recent influx of...

TIDE SOCIETY; FASHION FANS ARE TAKING THEIR DESIGNER LOOKS WITH THEM TO THE.
August 3, 2006... Byline: Caperton Gillett FASHIONISTAS ARE FOLLOWING THEIR favorite designers from the runway into the water. As the importance of swimwear as a fashion category has grown, consumers have begun to seek out looks from those designers who...

TIMING IS EVERYTHING; AS SWIMWEAR BECOMES MORE OF A YEAR-ROUND CATEGORY, RETAILERS MUST REEVALUATE THEIR METHODS.
August 3, 2006... Byline: Marcy Medina PERHAPS MORE THAN ANY OTHER APPAREL CATEGORY, swimwear depends on Mother Nature to propel sales. When it's cold and rainy, women don't buy suits, and when the beaches heat up, they do. So in the middle of a hot summer...

COVERING NEW GROUND; COVER-UPS HAVE GROWN FROM AN AFTERTHOUGHT INTO A FULL-FLEDGED COLLECTION OF SWIM CLOTHING AND ACCESSORIES.
August 3, 2006... Byline: Georgia Lee FUELED BY A FASHION INFUSION AND STRONG RETAIL SALES, SWIMWEAR COVER-UPS ARE stealing the show - not bad for a category that has become obsolete. Swimwear manufacturers agree that a garment designed only to cover a...

DOING PALE TIME.(dressses for women)(Brief article)
August 3, 2006... Part ingenue, part sexy siren, the suits of the season are a little bit of both, just like Brigitte Bardot in "And God Created Woman." Nostalgic notions like feminine eyelet and flirty side-ties dominate swim looks, adding a subtle sexiness to...

TAKING THE PLUNGE; AS THEY SEEK TO MEET CUSTOMERS' EVERY FASHION NEED, MORE VERTICAL RETAILERS ARE OFFERING SWIMWEAR.
August 3, 2006... Byline: Kristin Larson BLAME IT ON TOM FORD'S FINAL RUNWAY SHOW AT GUCCI, featuring swimsuit-clad models on the catwalk, or Eva Longoria donning a revealing Shay Todd one-piece swimsuit at the MTV Video Music Awards. Whatever the...

BUMPS ON THE BEACH; WITH BIKINIS, BRIGHT PRINTS AND EMBELLISHMENTS, EXPECTANT MOTHERS FIND STYLISH SELECTIONS FOR SWIM SEASON.
August 3, 2006... Byline: Melanie Lasoff Levs THANKS TO CELEBRITIES SUCH AS ANGELINA JOLIE, GWEN Stefani, Heidi Klum and Katie Holmes, it's chic and trendy to be pregnant. Maternity clothing makers are riding the wave, designing hot styles to match. ...

GLADIATOR GLAMOUR; FASHIONISTAS STEP OUT FOR SUMMER IN K. JACQUES SANDALS.(Brief article)
August 3, 2006... Byline: Emilie Marsh FORGET THE IMAGE OF A BAREFOOTED BRIGITTE BARDOT. K. Jacques, the Saint-Tropez sandal firm, has fashionistas strapping up in summer sandals inspired by antiquity. "My father was first inspired by Greek and Roman...

SPACE AGE.(House of Chanel)(Lancme patents an antiage molecule, ProXylane)(Brief article)
August 4, 2006... NEW YORK - It will be a brave new world for prestige come September. Lancme patented an antiage molecule, ProXylane, which will be added to the brand's Absolue franchise. Meanwhile, Chanel harvested a rare variety of vanilla, then used a...

REVLON LOSSES JUMP TO $87M IN 2ND QUARTER, SALES INCH AHEAD.
August 4, 2006... Byline: Molly Prior NEW YORK - Revlon Inc. significantly boosted its display space this year, but the increase failed to stem the troubled beauty firm's mounting losses. Revlon said Thursday that net losses for the second quarter ended...