WWD articles from February 2002

WWD archives from February 2002

U.S., HUNGARY INK DEAL.(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... WASHINGTON -- Hungary and the U.S. have signed a comprehensive trade deal that will lower duties on $180 million in imports to Hungary, including cosmetics, beginning in April. "As a result of this agreement, U.S. exports will be more...

BON VOYAGE TO ONCE-HOT BRITISH BOUTIQUE.(Fashion retailer Voyage)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... LONDON -- A trendy fashion label here has come to the end of its journey. Fashion retailer Voyage, which has found favor among such celebrities as Madonna, Nicole Kidman and Julia Roberts, is going into liquidation after racking up debts...

SUZY.(Glitterati Notes From All Over)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... Glitterati Notes From All Over: Voici une carte de Paris: Paris has been un tourbillon lately without a moment to catch one's breath. La mode, vous savez. Le crazy couture. What seemed like at least half of le tout New York were perched on...

WAGE SUIT GOES AHEAD.(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... NEW YORK -- A federal district court judge in Brooklyn last month ruled that factory workers can continue their lawsuit against a sportswear maker to recover minimum wages and overtime. The lawsuit by Fen X. Chen and others was filed in...

TOD'S 2001 SALES JUMP 26.6%.(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... MILAN -- With vigorous double-digit growth in all divisions and markets, Tod's SpA finished 2001 with a 26.6 percent sales increase. Pushed by sales in its own stores, product diversification and global expansion, the Italian luxury...

SALE OF FILA SAID NEAR.(sporting goods firm based in Italy)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... NEW YORK -- Continental Partners, an investment company, is closing in on the purchase of Fila and expects to wrap up the deal within the month, according to industry sources. The company is expected to be purchased for "less than $100...

CHAUS LOSS INTENSIFIES IN QUARTER.(Bernard Chaus Inc.'s second quarter)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... NEW YORK -- Second-quarter sales were off slightly as Bernard Chaus Inc. slipped more deeply into the red. The New York-based company reported Thursday that its net loss for the three months ended Dec. 31, 2001, reached $5.3 million, or...

PLAYING IT SAFE IN PARIS.(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... PARIS -- Soothing styles for dicey times? That seemed to be the message from retailers and vendors at the giant Pret-a-Porter trade show, which ended its four-day run here Monday. With the economic repercussions of Sept. 11 still...

MEMO PAD.(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... REBUTTAL: Last week's story polling advertising execs on which magazines were vulnerable obviously hit a nerve. Nylon magazine took umbrage with Sam Shahid's comments that the magazine is fringe and could get hurt in the current economic...

CALVIN KLEIN GOES GAGA OVER GRAPHICS.(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... NEW YORK -- Calvin Klein ads have been called a lot of things over the years, but patriotic has never really come to mind. Until now. For his spring Collection and CK Jeans campaigns, which break in March magazines, Klein unveils a new...

MARIO'S MAGIC.(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... LONDON -- The celebrities were first-string, the portraits were literally larger than life and the champagne flowed like the Thames. Tuesday night's cocktail party to kick off Mario Testino's "Portraits" exhibition drew a crowd so glittering,...

INNOCENCE IS BLISS.(French ad campaigns change their tone in 2002)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... PARIS -- Adieu to raunch and sex, bonjour to innocence and femininity. That's the message in French ad campaigns for spring 2002, which have ditched the hard-edged in favor of a Snow White approach -- in some cases literally. Louis...

MIX AND MATCH.(Skin care cream)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... NEW YORK -- Jo Malone, who made her mark in fragrances, has applied her penchant for mixing, matching and layering products to skin care by developing a new line that will be launched this spring. For more, see page 4.

TOP NOTES.(Hans-Joachim Honigfort has been named president of Coty Beauty Europe)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... COTY APPOINTMENT: Hans-Joachim Honigfort has been named president of Coty Beauty Europe, the European mass market fragrance, cosmetics and toiletries division of Coty Inc. Honigfort was previously regional vice president, Health & Personal...

A CHANGE IN DEP PERCEPTION.(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... LOS ANGELES -- With a new line, new products and a new look, Dep is marking the new year with a triple-threat initiative the mass brand hopes will gel with consumers. A modified logo and streamlined packaging copy illustrates the changes of...

MODEL JEAN PATCHETT, 75.(Dies)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... NEW YORK -- Jean Patchett Auer, an iconic model who established a look among her contemporaries known as the "composed Face of the Fifties," died Jan. 22 in La Quinta, Calif., at the age of 75. The cause was emphysema, said Eileen Ford,...

LANCOME, VICHY SHOW SOME SKIN.(New skin care products)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... PARIS -- Skin is in at L'Oreal, with two of the French beauty giant's brands -- Lancome and Vichy -- gearing up for skin care launches. Lancome is scrubbing up for summer with a new line of five masks and three exfoliants being added...

DEL LABS: NAILING THE BUSINESS.(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... UNIONDALE, N.Y. -- In the spirit of the "little train that could," Del Laboratories stealthily chugged over the rough terrain of 2001, building up enough steam along the way to leave Revlon nail polish in the dust. As William McMenemy,...

BEAUTY, HEALTH HELP PROCTER & GAMBLE'S NET BEAT ANALYSTS' EXPECTATIONS.(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... NEW YORK -- Record unit growth, especially in its health and beauty care business, combined with stringent cost-cutting measures lifted Procter & Gamble's second-quarter earnings 9.2 percent and above analysts' expectations. Additionally, the...

JO MALONE TURNS TO SKINS CARE.(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... NEW YORK -- Jo Malone, who made her mark mixing exotic combinations of fragrances, is applying her knack for product layering to the category that gave the English entrepreneur her start: skin care. She has expanded a handful of products...

DIOR PLANS FOR SWIMSUIT SEASON AND BEYOND.(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... PARIS -- Wary of baring all in an itsy-bitsy-teeny-weeny-yellow-polkadot bikini this summer? Parfums Christian Dior thinks it has the solution: Bikini, a trio of new slimming products. While Dior executives refused to divulge numbers,...

BERNARD EXITS THE LIMITED.(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... NEW YORK -- Rob Bernard, president and chief executive officer of The Limited Stores, resigned on Thursday, triggering a search for a new ceo of the division and other management changes. Diane Holtz has been named president of The...

IN BRIEF.(H and M allows people to perform in window for Valentine's Day)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... V-DAY EXPOSED: Valentine's Day can be a rough time for the not-in-love, and it's probably even tougher for loveless exhibitionists. H&M has hit on a combination window display and ad concept that may take some of the sting away. On Friday, the...

CLARIFICATION.(Glenda at Harper's Bazaar)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... A quote from Kim Vernon, senior vice president of advertising at CRK Advertising, Calvin Klein's in-house agency, about Harper's Bazaar was incomplete in a story on page 13, Jan. 18. She said, "I think Glenda's doing a great job. I think it had...

NEWS OF LOAN VIOLATION PUMMELS ARDEN ISSUES.(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... NEW YORK -- Shares of Elizabeth Arden Inc. plunged more than 28 percent Thursday after the beauty product maker said that it would be in violation of loan covenants, incur a fourth-quarter loss and cut one-tenth of its U.S. workforce. ...

NUXE HITS THE U.S. MARKET.(Barney's Inc.)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... NEW YORK -- French company Nuxe is giving U.S. retail another go. The hair and skin line, which made brief appearances in such stores as Fred Segal Essentials in Santa Monica and Sephora's SoHo store in the late Nineties, is set to...

BARNEYS: GROWING ITS BEAUTY BUSINESS FROM THE GROUND UP.
February 1, 2002... NEW YORK -- Barneys New York is literally building the foundation to become a player in cosmetics and fragrances. Driven by top-line concerns and a hunger to convert non-selling space to selling space, Barneys is scheduled to open in...

RAIN DAMPENS FORUM PROTEST.(Union of Needletrades, Industrial and Textile Employees protests against Gap Inc.)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... NEW YORK -- The cold, wet weather in Midtown Manhattan may have been reminiscent of Seattle on Thursday, but that was the only similarity that could be seen around the meeting of global and business leaders. Demonstrators near the World...

HBA NEWS BRIEFS.(Richardson-Vicks Inc. Pantene Co. activities, Burt's Bees Inc. and Dove products)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
February 1, 2002... VOICE IT: Pantene drew hundreds of people to Eugene's nightclub on Wednesday, to celebrate the kickoff of the second annual Pantene Pro-Voice music competition, a national contest that provides an opportunity for unsigned female solo artists...

HANSFORD ENTERS U.S. IN LAMAUR DEAL.(Larry Pesin of Lamur Corp. signs licensing deal with Jo Hansford)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
February 1, 2002... NEW YORK -- It's not often a hair care company can justifiably tout that it's first-to-market with a shampoo concept. That's why Larry Pesin, chief executive officer of the Lamaur Corp., is grinning. Pesin has signed a three-year U.S....

L'OREAL PUTTING ON FRAGRANCE PUSH.(L'Oreal S.A. Prestige et Collection International launching Giorgio Armani S.p.A. perfume)(Statistical Data Included)
February 1, 2002... PARIS -- L'Oreal's Prestige et Collection International (PCI) is putting the pedal to the metal this winter for the launch of Giorgio Armani Parfums' Armani Mania fragrance for Men and Parfums Cacharel's Gloria scent for women. The...

SWEET TALK.(Brief Article)
February 4, 2002... A girl can never have enough pretty things, especially flirty dresses. Right now, the spotlight is on the details: ruffles, ribbons and candy colors.

WHAT'S GOING ON.(Brief Article)
February 4, 2002... WWDMAGIC, Feb. 19-22, 2002, Sands Expo & Convention Center, Las Vegas. The Edge: Progressive Trends & Lifestyle, Feb. 19-22, 2002, Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC). REGISTRATION Sands Expo & Convention Center Feb. 19-21:...

WHAT A NOVEL IDEA; FROM DAZZLING DENIM TO KITSCHY T-SHIRTS, NOVELTY ITEMS ARE WHAT'S DRIVING THE CONTEMPORARY MARKET.(Geek Boutique, Metro 6, Troo, Sunde Co.)(Brief Article)
February 4, 2002... The contemporary market often has its finger on the pulse of the hottest trends -- and this year is no different, as its style-savvy sensibility continues to wow buyers. So it comes as no surprise that novelty pieces are playing a major...

VINTAGE VEGAS; GET INTO THE SIN CITY SPIRIT BY PLANNING A VISIT TO SOME OF ITS MOST CELEBRATED RELICS, AS WELL AS SOME NEW HOT SPOTS INSPIRED BY THE GOLDEN YEARS.(locations in Las Vegas)(Brief Article)(Directory)
February 4, 2002... Stall-ing for Time Located at the intersection of East Charleston Boulevard and Main Street, at the end of a deserted stretch of warehouses, the Red Rooster Antiques Mall is a bargain hunter's paradise. From furniture and floor coverings...

GIRL POWER; NOVELTY FEMININE LOOKS, BACKED BY TRUSTY BASICS, ARE THE BETTER VENDOR'S RECIPE FOR SUCCESS THIS FALL.(better sportswear)(Brief Article)
February 4, 2002... I am woman, hear me roar. That's one of the messages better sportswear firms are trumpeting for fall. From prairie-style skirts to ruffles, lace and beading details, feminine looks are key. Vendors said denim separates and stretch fabric...

EASY LIVING; CASUAL LIFESTYLE MAY SOUND LIKE A SUBDUED CATEGORY, BUT ITS OFFERINGS ARE ANYTHING BUT BASIC.(women's apparel offerings)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
February 4, 2002... Simple doesn't always mean boring, and casual lifestyle designers are polishing their less-is-more outlook with styles that exude glamour and romance. Embroidery, beading, lace and pinstripes are among the featured details that dress up...

TOTALLY TROPICAL; BATIK PRINTS AND SHEER LOOKS LEND A BREEZY EASE TO THE RESORT/SWIM CATEGORY.(women's clothing offerings)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
February 4, 2002... Batik prints are a key look for resort this season, as the category continues to draw inspiration from the flora and fauna of the tropics. Netted and sheer fabrics are also much in evidence, seen in mesh cover-ups, fishnet tops and crocheted...

THE REAL WORLD; JUNIORS ARE REACTING TO THE POST-SEPT. 11 WORLD BY OPTING FOR PIECES THAT COMFORT THEM AND DISPLAY PATRIOTIC SENTIMENTS.(trends in accessories)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
February 4, 2002... The junior shopper's fashion sensibility has changed since Sept. 11, and accessories vendors are courting the lucrative demographic with looks that speak to the style-savvy generation. Junior accessories vendors said teenagers are on the...

BURSTING AT THE SEAMS; FROM ITS INAUGURAL NATIONAL AD CAMPAIGN TO EXPANDED DISTRIBUTION, TODD OLDHAM JEANS IS IN EXPANSION MODE.(Brief Article)
February 4, 2002... In coming up with its first-ever national print advertising campaign, slated to bow in the spring, Todd Oldham Jeans opted for good, old-fashioned simplicity. So instead of featuring gangly models posing provocatively in a stark studio,...

COUNTING ON CROSSOVER APPEAL; JUNIOR AND YOUNG CONTEMPORARY VENDORS ARE TURNING TO ACTIVE-AND DENIM-BASED LOOKS TO TEMPT THE TEEN FASHION PALATE.
February 4, 2002... Junior and young contemporary vendors know that to stay in the game, they have to stay on top of the next big trend. Whether it's a simple pair of fleece sweatpants or a glittery halter top, fashion-hungry juniors continue to be lured by the...

PUTTING THE 'MOD' BACK IN MODERATE; THE TRADITIONALLY SEDATE CATEGORY MOVES TOWARD SEXIER SILHOUETTES AND BOLDER DETAILS.(women's clothing offerings)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
February 4, 2002... Moderate doesn't have to mean matronly, and apparel vendors are out to prove it with a renewed focus on trendier, sexier styles. Lifting moderate out of the doldrums is a common goal among vendors, as the misses' customer clamors for trendy but...

A MIXED BATCH; ACCESSORIES VENDORS AREN'T BOUND TO ANY ONE PARTICULAR TREND. INSTEAD, THEY'RE OFFERING A CHEST FULL OF VARIOUS TREASURES.(Statistical Data Included)
February 4, 2002... Accessories remain one of the fashion world's hottest categories, and there are plenty of new trends on tap to keep even the most discerning accessories aficionado happy. While seasons past have witnessed the dominance of one hot style --...

LIVING ON THE EDGE; WHAT'S THE WORD ON THE STREET FOR URBANWEAR VENDORS? ECLECTIC.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
February 4, 2002... Thongs adorned with Seventies-inspired decals, T-shirts with abstract musical motifs and high-heeled white shoes embellished with safety pins -- if there is one thing that unifies designers showing at streetwear show The Edge, it's that...

ARDEN'S NEW FACE: ZETA-JONES.(Elizabeth Arden signs Catherine Zeta-Jones as spokesperson)(Brief Article)
February 4, 2002... NEW YORK -- Elizabeth Arden is apparently hoping a new face will reverse its ailing financial fortunes. The struggling cosmetics company reportedly has hired actress Catherine Zeta-Jones, aka Mrs. Michael Douglas, to succeed Amber...

HOUSE OF VALENTINO: STILL HAS POTENTIAL, BUT NEEDS MAKEOVER.(Brief Article)
February 4, 2002... MILAN -- There is now a three-way bidding war for the House of Valentino, and above it all hangs one major question: Is it worth it? After a year of speculation about the future of the luxury goods company, there is a newfound interest in...

APPAREL HAS DECEPTIVE JOB RISE.(January 2002 shows increase in jobs)(Brief Article)
February 4, 2002... WASHINGTON -- In a case study of how statistics can be misleading, retailing and apparel manufacturing posted seasonally adjusted job gains in January, but economists attributed the increases to the lack of hiring in the fourth quarter, not...

MAY CO. BOOSTS BRIDAL PORTFOLIO.(May Department Stores Co. acquires Priscilla of Boston assets)(Brief Article)
February 4, 2002... NEW YORK -- Adding a better element to its rapidly expanding bridal specialty business, The May Department Stores Co. said Friday that it acquired the assets of upscale bridal gown retailer Priscilla of Boston from Patricia Kaneb for an...

JACOBSON'S APPROVED FOR $100M DIP.(Jacobson's Stores Inc. approved for financing facility)(Brief Article)
February 4, 2002... NEW YORK -- Bankrupt Jacobson Stores Inc. last week received interim approval from a Detroit bankruptcy court for a one-year debtor-in-possession financing facility of up to $100 million. A final hearing on the DIP is set for Feb. 26. ...

CHANEL EXPANDS IN JAPAN.(buys building in Ginza shopping district)(Brief Article)
February 4, 2002... TOKYO -- Chanel has taken another big step in the Ginza. The brand's Japanese arm, Chanel K.K., bought a building in the popular shopping district from Daiei, once Japan's largest national chain, but now under a restructuring plan. ...

E-TAILERS MINING RICHFX.(online retailers enhancing graphics)(Brief Article)
February 4, 2002... NEW YORK -- The money is in the details: E-tailers are taking aim at high-tech graphics in order to enhance their merchandising and online sales. Coach.com, for one, is expanding its use of a RichFX virtual merchandising technology to a...

HELEN ROSALYN GELL, 82.(obituary)(Brief Article)(Obituary)
February 4, 2002... NEW YORK -- Helen Rosalyn Gell, owner of the Northwest specialty store Helen's Of Course and a pioneer among women retailers, died Wednesday at the Seattle home of her daughter, Jeri Rice. Gell, 82, succumbed to an infection, said Rice....

DVF'S IMPRINT ON LESPORTSAC.(Diane Von Furstenberg, LeSportsac to unveil new line)(Brief Article)
February 4, 2002... NEW YORK -- Diane Von Furstenberg and LeSportsac are ready to unveil the fruits of their collaboration. Last Wednesday, the dress designer and Tim Schifter, LeSportsac's president, met at the accessories firm's Fifth Avenue headquarters...

CHANGES AFOOT AT GOLD TOE.(company looks to department stores and beyond for growth)(Brief Article)
February 4, 2002... NEW YORK -- Legwear brand Gold Toe is looking both inside and outside department stores for future growth. Among its initiatives are: A new line of performance athletic socks, marking the first time it has entered this category. l...

HSN BUOYS USA RESULTS.(Home Shopping Network, USA Networks)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
February 4, 2002... NEW YORK -- Sparked by 9 percent topline growth at HSN, among other gains logged by five of its six interactive operating units, USA Networks slashed its pro forma, fourth-quarter net loss to $34 million, or 8 cents a share, from a...

INTIMATE NOTES.
February 4, 2002... NATORIOUS NIGHT: It's become a tradition for Josie Natori, chief executive officer of Natori Co., to throw a cocktail and dinner soiree at her Paris home for American and French retailers and manufacturers, who enjoyed champagne and a variety...

SHOW STOPPERS.(some highlights from various trade shows)(Brief Article)
February 4, 2002... NEW YORK -- The recent round of couture shows in Paris didn't skimp on accessories. The spring lineup had everything from intricate earrings to chunky belts and furry boots. Some designers took a feminine approach, including Karl...

GLEAM ON.
February 4, 2002... NEW YORK -- Why do pearls fascinate us? They're elegant, luminous and versatile. This season, jewelers are showcasing these classics in fresh, modern designs.

REINVENTING VALENTINO.(fashion company sees good results)(Brief Article)
February 4, 2002... MILAN -- "Valentino is a brand destined to live," states Fabio Giombini, chief executive of the luxury goods company. "The label is still vital and is looking for new ways to appeal to a new and younger customer." While the fashion...

LINGERIE AMERICAS COMES TO N.Y.(trade show)
February 4, 2002... PARIS -- The exclamations of ooh la la at the sprawling Salon International de la Lingerie at the Porte de Versailles weren't just about the plethora of trends and new concepts for fall-winter 2003 or the battalions of buxom models in tight...

KELLWOOD NAMES MOGAN UNIT HEAD.(Kellwood Co.'s Intimate Apparel Division names James Mogan president)(Brief Article)
February 4, 2002... NEW YORK -- James Mogan has been appointed president of the Intimate Apparel Division at Kellwood Co., succeeding Charles Rumbley, who left to pursue other opportunities, according to a spokeswoman. He will report to Bob Skinner, chairman...

WEF PROTESTS MILD, PEACEFUL.(World Economic Forum conference)(Brief Article)
February 4, 2002... NEW YORK -- The official events of the World Economic Forum may be clustered around the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel, but for the demonstrators here to protest globalization, the streets were the place to be. Several thousand protestors marched...

IN BRIEF.(several apparel industry news briefs)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
February 4, 2002... GALOTTI TO GQ: As Tom Florio moves into the Vogue publisher's office this morning, he leaves a gaping hole at GQ. According to sources, Ron Galotti is expected to be named publisher of GQ this week. In fact, sources said he was still...

ALL AGLITTER.(spring couture from Oscar de la Renta)(Brief Article)
February 4, 2002... PARIS -- Season in and season out, Oscar de la Renta focuses on his customer. And his notably pretty spring couture collection for Balmain offered her plenty of what she wants: flattering and wearable looks, infused this time with a youthful...

SOUTH OF THE BORDER.(new skirt and blouse by Stiletto)(Brief Article)
February 5, 2002... LOS ANGELES -- In a fashion moment rich in global influences, Angelenos are looking to Mexican history and culture for inspiration. Celebrated artist Frida Kahlo is their muse for summer, right in time for the fall release of the biopic...

DELIA'S TO POST LOSS IN FOURTH.(Delia's Corp., fourth quarter 2001, forecast for 2002)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
February 5, 2002... NEW YORK -- While Delia's Corp. expects to post losses for its fourth quarter and full year ending this month, 2002 is another story. The fashion marketer to teens and young adults rubber-stamped Wall Street's estimates that operating...

PENNSYLVANIA FASHIONS FILES FOR BANKRUPTCY.(Brief Article)
February 5, 2002... NEW YORK -- Pennsylvania Fashions on Monday filed a Chapter 11 bankruptcy court petition in Trenton to restructure its operations. The Warrendale, Pa.-based company said the filing was necessary to address financial challenges resulting...

EYE SCOOP.(several fashion industry-related news briefs)(Brief Article)
February 5, 2002... On Saturday, restaurateur Keith McNally celebrated his marriage to Alina Johnson with a reception at Chez Es Saada in the East Village. The guests were also regulars at McNally's Balthazar and Pastis -- including Julian, Olatz and Stella...

CUSTOMS SPENDING GETS BOOSTS BY BUSH.(George W. Bush; federal budget)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
February 5, 2002... WASHINGTON -- The fight against terrorism gets a hefty chunk of President Bush's $2.3 trillion budget proposal, but he's managed to squeeze out a few hundred million for customs and trade-related issues. The rest of the federal...

SINGLED OUT AT H&M.(Hennes & Mauritz, Valentine's Day promotion)(Brief Article)
February 5, 2002... NEW YORK -- For those who see Valentine's Day as a `couples-only' holiday marketed doggedly by greeting card and boxed-chocolate companies, take heart. Hennes & Mauritz, that Swedish import and purveyor of cheap chic, sees it differently....

THE WOMAN WHO HOLDS THE WHIP.(profile of Nancy Pelosi, House minority whip)
February 5, 2002... WASHINGTON -- Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D., Calif.), best known in the apparel world as a staunch opponent of expanding trade with China because of its rocky human rights record, is settling into her new job as House minority whip with an acute...

VON FURSTENBERG RECEIVES INDUSTRY AWARD.(Diane Von Furstenburg)(Brief Article)
February 5, 2002... NEW YORK -- It was a busy week for Diane Von Furstenberg, receiving and presenting awards for two industry organizations. On Monday night, Von Furstenberg accepted an award in her honor from Shenkar College in Israel at a ceremony here at...

GUILFORD NAMES APPAREL HEAD.(Guilford Mills Inc., Lee Lunsford)(Brief Article)
February 5, 2002... NEW YORK -- Guilford Mills Inc. last month named Lee Lunsford to the new post of president of its global apparel business. Part of the reason for creating the position is that the Greensboro, N.C.-based company is trying to send the...

LUXURY RETAIL STRASSES HEAT UP BERLIN.(Friedrichstrasse in Berlin, Germany emerges as shopping hub)(Statistical Data Included)
February 5, 2002... BERLIN -- It's been a long time coming, but Friedrichstrasse is finally taking shape as the city's newest high-status, high-fashion shopping street. In the past few months, Hugo Boss, Hermes and Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche have all...

FTC GIVES NOD TO DOW'S PLA.(Federal Trade Commission rules on generic name for Cargill Dow's corn-based polyester fiber)(Brief Article)
February 5, 2002... WASHINGTON -- Cargill Dow's polyester fiber made from corn got the federal government's imprimatur Friday, while DuPont began the process to gain similar recognition for its new-generation polyester. In ruling on the Cargill Dow fiber's...

PONDERING LUXURY AT PITTI.(market speculation at Italian yarn industry show, Pitti Filati)(Brief Article)
February 5, 2002... FLORENCE, Italy -- Exhibitors at last month's Pitti Filati were focused on two main concerns: when the global economy would start improving and how the luxury market is changing. While few had concrete ideas about the former, there was a...

A BRUNETTE'S BLUES.(interview with actress Selma Blair)(Brief Article)
February 5, 2002... Selma Blair has a problem with on-screen nudity -- not with doing it, but with audiences never being allowed to see it. Her latest film, Todd Solondz's "Storytelling," has become a cause celebre less for the film itself than because a...

SPANISH ROSE.(profile of Julia Argyros, wife of U.S. ambassador to Spain, George Argyros)(Brief Article)
February 5, 2002... In terms of style and sophistication, Julia Argyros, a Southern California resident for over 40 years, has always been far from the stereotypical Newport Beach blonde. But since her husband, George, was confirmed in November as the U.S....

FILENE'S TO REMAIN IN VALUE CITY.(Value City Department Stores Inc. calls off divestment of Filene's Basement Inc.)(Brief Article)
February 5, 2002... NEW YORK -- Filene's Basement Inc. will stay under the umbrella of Value City Department Stores Inc. The Columbus, Ohio-based Value City said Monday that it has terminated the Aug. 23 letter of intent for Schottenstein Stores Corp. to...

IN BRIEF.(Brief Article)
February 5, 2002... WAL-MART'S WATCHING: Wal-Mart Stores Inc. has filed a request to receive all notices and documents in the Kmart Corp. bankruptcy. According to court records, Wal-Mart said it had an interest because it "is a party to numerous real property...

HUNSINGER TO HEAD UP CONDE BRIDAL.(Peter King Hunsinger)(Brief Article)
February 5, 2002... NEW YORK -- It looks like Peter King Hunsinger, former executive vice president and chief marketing officer of Conde Nast Publications, isn't leaving the company after all. Last week, Hunsinger quit the firm after being replaced by Richard...

CLARINS SALES UP 4.6%.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
February 5, 2002... PARIS -- France's Groupe Clarins reported consolidated net sales for 2001 up 4.6 percent to $756.68 million at average exchange rates. On a like-for-like basis, that rise would have been 4.5 percent. All figures are converted from the...

AKRIS EXPANDS IN U.S.(Brief Article)
February 5, 2002... BEVERLY HILLS -- Akris designer Albert Kriemler believes in the power of human contact, whether it involves hand-finishing inseams or personally shaking hands with the women who wear his tailored, understated suits and dresses. To that...

COSMO NAMES BRITNEY `FUN AND FEARLESS' GIRL.(Britney Spears)(Brief Article)
February 5, 2002... NEW YORK -- "When I was growing up, this is the only magazine I ever read," said Britney Spears, the 20-year-old pop sensation, referring to Cosmopolitan. "To be named the Fun, Fearless Female of the Year is amazing," added the singer,...