WWD articles from February 2003

WWD archives from February 2003

Is Controversy Good for Fashion?(Brief Article)
February 3, 2003... From Marc Jacobs to Gucci to Bud Lite, provocation is back. Winona Ryder has long been one of Marc Jacobs' most famous, and now infamous, clients - not to mention his cover girl for spring. Here, an image from the designer's spring ad...

DKI Taps Another Oscar Exec.(Donna Karan International hires former Oscar de la Renta executive Maria Viccaro)(Brief Article)
February 3, 2003... Byline: Eric Wilson NEW YORK - Donna Karan International is continuing to recruit high-profile industry players to its executive ranks, including another top official from Oscar de la Renta. Maria Viccaro, who was president of the Oscar by...

Gottschalks Shores Up Finances.(Gottschalks Inc. has developed plan to increase its available capital by $37 million)
February 3, 2003... Byline: Kristin Young with contributions from Vicki M Young, New York WASHINGTON - Management of Gottschalks Inc. told WWD it has developed a plan to increase its available capital by $37 million, trim operating expenses and close six...

Levi Makes Advertising Return to Times Square.(Levi Strauss & Co. has leased a 45-by-45-foot billboard on Times Square)
February 3, 2003... Byline: Valerie Seckler NEW YORK - Times Square's fashion profile is on the rise. Literally. Levi Strauss & Co. has leased a 45-by-45-foot billboard, at 1552 Broadway and 46th Street, on the facade of the T.G.I.F. restaurant. The deal will...

Penney's Floorplan: Accessories First, Cosmetics Second.(J.C. Penney's to expand and upgrade its women's accessories assortment)
February 3, 2003... Byline: Melanie Kletter, Andrea M.G. Nagel and David Moin NEW YORK - J.C. Penney is moving in on categories where it thinks its competition falls short. While Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus, even the single-unit Henri Bendel have built...

Fashion Scoops.(includes, Catherine Malandrino to show fall collection at Long Acre Theater)
February 3, 2003... A SITE FOR SORE EYES: After two seasons of giving new meaning to the concept of an off-site show, Catherine Malandrino has opted to stage her fall collection in a more convenient venue. Malandrino once drew editors to the Apollo...

Penney's French Kiss.(J.C. Penney offers Bisou Bisou collection)
February 3, 2003... Byline: David Moin NEW YORK - Designer Michele Bohbot of Bisou Bisou has attitude and that's just fine for J.C. Penney. "With my European taste very picky eye, Bisou Bisou bring femininity to J.C. Penney, and J.C. Penney will bring...

Coming This Week.(Calendar)
February 3, 2003... Monday: Bush administration releases its proposed 2004 federal budget. FFANY New York Shoe Expo (through Wednesday). Wednesday: Tommy Hilfiger third-quarter earnings; Jones Apparel Group's fourth quarter. Retail Advertising...

Corrections.(Correction Notice)
February 3, 2003... Haggar Corp.'s six-person board of directors includes two insiders, chief executive Joe Haggar 3rd and president Frank Bracken, and four outside directors. The board's composition was reported incorrectly in a story on page 6, Jan 30. ...

Is Controversy Good for Fashion?(controversy in fashion advertising is once again in style)
February 3, 2003... ? Byline: Lisa Lockwood with contributions from Valerie Seckler, Eric Wilson, Jacob Bernstein, Greg Lindsay and Sharon Edelson NEW YORK - Controversy in advertising is chic again - from Marc Jacobs to Bud Lite. In recent seasons, sobriety...

Fear of War Pervades Paris.(fall-winter 2003-2004 Salon International de la Lingerie trade show)
February 3, 2003... Byline: Karyn Monget PARIS - The beat of war drums overshadowed the typically carefree ambience at the fall-winter 2003-2004 Salon International de la Lingerie trade show here. Despite the requisite chocolates, champagne and disco music...

International Audience Up.(at SIL show in Paris)(Brief Article)
February 3, 2003... PARIS - The impact of a possible war didn't seem to affect overall visitor attendance, according to SIL show organizers, who said total attendance was ahead 8.7 percent to 22,365 visitors compared with a year ago. International attendance...

Intimate Notes.(Maidenform Inc. promoted Alba Izcoa to assistant vice president of research and development)(Brief Article)
February 3, 2003... MAIDENFORM EXEC: Alba Izcoa has been promoted to the new post of assistant vice president of research and development at Maidenform Inc. Izcoa had served as assistant vice president of product development and quality assurance for four...

From Red Carpet to Show Floor.(JA New York Winter Show retailers react to Nicole Kidman's red carpet moment by stocking up on large-scale earrings)
February 3, 2003... Byline: Marc Karimzadeh NEW YORK - Nicole Kidman is clearly fashion savvy, but when she put on a pair of oversized Fred Leighton chandelier earrings for the Golden Globes, she proved that she, too, knows how to shake up the jewelry industry....

A New Gem for the Jewelry Crowd.(highlights of the Gem Awards gala)
February 3, 2003... NEW YORK - Judging from the buoyant turnout at its inaugural event on Jan. 10, the new Gem Awards gala sponsored by the Jewelry Information Center is destined to become a key event in the jewelry industry calendar. After a board meeting of...

Rising Expectations.(Fashion Group International's annual Rising Stars luncheon)
February 3, 2003... Byline: Eric Wilson NEW YORK - Fashion Group International's annual Rising Stars luncheon's intentions might be to expose new designers, but this year organizers actually coddled them. Presenters in eight categories at the event on Thursday...

Onward and Upward in Japan.(Onward Kashiyama )
February 3, 2003... Byline: Koji Hirano TOKYO - Onward Kashiyama has made another big step to create a brand distribution empire in Japan. The apparel giant acquired import and distribution rights for Sonia Rykiel, Missoni and Gianfranco Ferre from Elbis, a...

Luxottica Profits Leap 36.2%.(fourth quarter)
February 3, 2003... Byline: Dan Burrows NEW YORK - A small U.S.-dollar sales gain bolstered by favorable currency exchange rates allowed Luxottica Group SpA's bottom line to grow by more than a third in the final quarter of the year. For the three months...

Adidas at High End of Forecast.(Brief Article)
February 3, 2003... Byline: Melissa Drier BERLIN - Adidas-Salomon AG saw net earnings grow 10 percent to $247.8 million and sales rise 7 percent to $7 billion in 2002, according to preliminary figures released last week. Earnings for the Herzogenaurach,...

Chaus Continues to Rebound.(Bernard Chaus Inc. in second quarter)
February 3, 2003... Byline: Vicki M. Young NEW YORK - Boosted by a higher gross profit margin, Bernard Chaus Inc. provided evidence of a turnaround with second-quarter gains that came against year-ago losses. The women's sportswear manufacturer said income for...

In Brief.
February 3, 2003... GOING HOME: After just nine months working as the publisher of Elle, Lori Burgess has jumped ship. Burgess, who had been the publisher of Mademoiselle for two years until it suspended publication in November 2001, rejoined Conde Nast Friday as...

St. John Quarter Up, Year Down.(St. John Knits International Inc. )
February 3, 2003... Byline: Arnold J. Karr NEW YORK - Robust activity at its retail stores allowed St. John Knits International Inc. to record increases in sales and earnings in the fourth quarter, but the bankruptcy of Jacobson Stores dragged down figures for the...

Quite Sorted.
February 3, 2003... Byline: Jessica Kerwin NEW YORK - With his confident manner, high-luster accent and dressed in a perfectly tailored suit, Ben Elliot seems like just the kind of Brit who can sort it all out. But though he's the cofounder of Quintessentially,...

Hallowed Walls.
February 3, 2003... Byline: Alison Oneacre Curator Renee Riccardo was so enamored with the space architect Steven Holl designed for her new gallery that she assembled a show to honor it. "7 Walls, 8 Views," a group exhibition at Arena (at 526 West 26th Street)...

Second Helpings.(three restaurants open: AOC, White Lotus and Cobra Lily)
February 3, 2003... Byline: Marcy Medina Three of Los Angeles' best-known restaurant duos are giving it another go, opening a pack of stylish new eateries around town. AOC Caroline Styne and chef Suzanne Goin, known for their sinfully delicious Lucques,...

JEAN THERAPY.(Brief Article)
February 4, 2003... Low-riders, boot leg, slim cut. These days, there are any number of denim variations to keep a girl happy, and one of the hottest is extreme bleaching for a punk-rocker look.

DOLLARS AND SENSE.
February 4, 2003... Trends may come and go, but being financially savvy is always in style. Along with keeping abreast of the latest industry trends, female visitors to WWDMAGIC will be able to learn the basics of money management during "Women's Financial...

WHAT'S GOING ON.(Calendar)
February 4, 2003... REGISTRATION HOURS Las Vegas Convention Center Feb. 18-20: 7:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Feb. 21: 7:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Sands Expo & Convention Center Feb. 18-20: 8:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Feb. 21: 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. EXHIBIT HOURS Las...

SELLING SANDY; MAGIC'S NEW VP OF SALES IS ON A MISSION TO BOOST THE SHOW ORGANIZER'S PARTICIPANTS.(US)
February 4, 2003... Sandy Hayakawa's new position at MAGIC International, organizers of WWDMAGIC, is a pretty perfect fit. The new vice president of sales, Hayakawa continues to remain in the same milieu and to move in the same circles as she has for much of her...

VIVA VEGAS; FROM LUXE LODGINGS TO A KITSCHY MUSEUM TO A HIPSTER HAUNT, SIN CITY APPEALS TO THE MOST FINICKY OF TRAVELERS.(Las Vegas, Nevada)
February 4, 2003... All Keyed Up It's likely the best $12 you will spend in Vegas. For the price of an oversweetened daiquiri, you can take in The Liberace Museum, one of the most dazzling collections of excess in one place. It's all here: the...

SPECTRUM OF STYLE; FROM NAUGHTY-AND-NICE KNITS TO FEMININE-LOOKING FLORALS, DESIGNERS ARE SEEKING TO CAPTURE YOUNG WOMEN WITH A WIDE ARRAY OF TRENDS.(US)
February 4, 2003... With the last back-to-school shopping season yielding less-than-stellar results for retailers, junior and young contemporary sportswear makers are pulling out all of the stops for fall. Designers are seeking to cast a wider net to reel in...

TUNED-IN TEENS.(survey finds teens' top five favorite TV shows, US)(Brief Article)
February 4, 2003... From anti-chic rocker Avril Lavigne to pop temptress Britney Spears, the music arena has its fair share of style icons. But what about the small screen and the likes of Jennifer Aniston from "Friends" and Alexis Bledel of "Gilmore Girls?"...

NOVELTY'S NICHE; THE PIECES IN CONTEMPORARY COLLECTIONS ARE LIVELY AND ECLECTIC, TARGETED AT THE SHOPPER WHO IS BORED OF THE BASICS.(sportswear trends, US)
February 4, 2003... If there's one design dictum the contemporary sportswear crowd is trumpeting, it's that the category is not heading back to the basics. Given the current lackluster economic climate, customers are holding on to their money, forcing vendors...

RETAIL CHECK: ARDEN B. A LOOK AT WHAT TRENDS ARE COMING DOWN THE FASHION PIPELINE.(US)(Brief Article)
February 4, 2003... Buyers from contemporary retail powerhouse Arden B. are gearing up to descend upon WWDMAGIC, a popular venue for the contemporary crowd. WWD recently caught up with Greg Scott, the 100-unit chain's divisional president, to find out what trends...

THE CHOSEN ONES; CONTEMPORARY DESIGNERS ARE EXPANDING THEIR REACH AT WWDMAGIC WITH A NEW PAVILION DEDICATED TO SHOWCASING A SELECT FEW.(US)
February 4, 2003... The contemporary crowd is expanding its presence at WWDMAGIC with an edgy pavilion called in* dex. Located in the show's contemporary area, the new nook will house about a dozen lines, including American Groove, Angele Batist, Bella Dahl,...

GONE WILD; ACCESSORIES DESIGNERS ARE LIVENING UP THE CATEGORY WITH EDGY PRINTS, STONES AND BEADS.(US)
February 4, 2003... Accessories are getting their groove back. After a couple of seasons of fairly consistent styles and silhouettes, vendors across the board are unleashing their creativity, experimenting with wild prints (hibiscus flowers and martinis),...

GLAMOUR GAL.(Diahann Carroll has huge personal collection of accessories, US)(Brief Article)
February 4, 2003... Diahann Carroll is undeniably an accessories aficionado. The New York-born entertainer's massive personal collection of accessories includes a stash of scarves that numbers around 100 -- including ones from venerable design houses such as...

INDEPENDENCE DAY; DESIGNERS ARE SEEKING TO LIVEN UP THE STYLE-SAVVY TEEN'S WARDROBE WITH ACCESSORIES THAT SPEAK TO HER INDIVIDUALITY.(US)
February 4, 2003... Today's teen is looking to make a statement. She wants accessories that are edgy and that set her apart from her peers. Blame Kelly Osbourne, whose torn fishnet tights, patchwork handbags and larger-than-life mouth proved that nothing these...

DARING TO BE DIFFERENT.(trends in fashion accessories, US)(Brief Article)
February 4, 2003... When it comes to junior accessories, there's often one formula that drives designers: the more innovative, the better. Over the past few seasons, the market has been inundated with unusual accessories, from floral toilet seat covers to...

SIMPLY STYLISH; THE CASUAL LIFESTYLE CROWD IS TOUTING A HANDFUL OF EASY, UNCOMPLICATED LOOKS FOR FALL. .(US)
February 4, 2003... Forget kitschy patio dresses and uninspiring weekend wear. Casual lifestyle apparel is now anything but dull, and designers are livening up the category with more fashion items. Among the most popular looks: Victorian-inspired brocade and...

BOLD AND BEAUTIFUL; WHETHER IT'S A FORTIES-INSPIRED PANTSUIT, AN ETHNIC-PRINT TUNIC OR HENNA-DYED LINEN SEPARATES, THE MODERATE MARKET'S FALL OFFERINGS ARE FULL OF SHOW-STOPPERS.(US)
February 4, 2003... Moderate makers are making a strong statement for fall with collections that have a distinct aesthetic, whether its retro, ethnic or a nature-based look. Retro sportswear is turning back time for fall with elegant and feminine draped and...

BRING IT ON; WHETHER IT'S EMBELLISHMENTS, EMBROIDERY OR AN INFUSION OF COLOR, BETTER SPORTSWEAR DESIGNERS ARE ADDING SEVERAL NEW ELEMENTS TO THEIR COLLECTIONS.(US)
February 4, 2003... Better ain't boring. That's the message buyers are getting from vendors, who are busily embellishing, embroidering and brightening up their collections. Designers are also expanding into new fabrics and styles, as well. "We believe there...

EASY LIVING; DESIGNERS ARE STICKING TO THEIR ROOTS AND TROTTING OUT EASY, BREEZY, LAID-BACK COLLECTIONS.(sportswear trends, US)
February 4, 2003... Resort manufacturers appear to be sold on casual Friday as a daily routine. Instead of trying out new sorts of pieces and silhouettes, makers are sticking with tried-and-true relaxed basics like hooded tops, drawstring pants and easy separates....

WHAT'S SELLING.(trends in resort wear and accessories, US)
February 4, 2003... For decades, decks of cards and cheesy T-shirts were the extent of vacation shopping. Those who ventured beyond the basics were inclined to go with other safe bets from the ubiquitous sundries shop. Read: salt water taffy from Atlantic City or...

RACY AND RIGHT ON; FROM FETISH-INSPIRED GEAR TO MICRO-MINIS, DESIGNERS ARE COURTING YOUNG HIPSTERS WITH SEXY, EYE-GRABBING STYLES.
February 4, 2003... Unlike many creative minds in the fashion world who are pushing carefree, lighthearted looks, designers heading to streetwear show The Edge are offering something a bit darker and subversive. Vendors are tapping into this niche by catering...

THEY ROCK.(rock singers influence fashion trends)(Brief Article)
February 4, 2003... It comes as no surprise that hard-core rockers influence the streetwear crowd. WWD asked a handful of executives from companies exhibiting at The Edge who are the most influential: Gwen Stefani: "She puts together a lot of separates in...

PUMP UP THE VOLUME; JILL STUART JEANS HAS COME A LONG WAY FROM ITS LAUNCH TWO YEARS AGO, ADDING NONDENIM ITEMS AND GARNERING THE ATTENTION OF FASHIONISTAS ON TWO CONTINENTS.
February 4, 2003... Since its launch in spring 2001 -- a season remembered for a number of denim line launches -- Jill Stuart Jeans has been broadening its repertoire of vintage-inspired denim to include novelty knits and wovens. Produced under a...

TAKE FIVE; FROM OFFERING THE RIGHT MIX OF MERCHANDISE TO FINDING THE CEO WHO'S GOING TO BOOST SALES, RETAILERS HAVE A LOT ON THEIR PLATE. HERE, WWD TAKES A LOOK AT FIVE VITAL ISSUES FACING THE INDUSTRY.(consolidation, value equation, fashion trends, globalization and talent shortage at executive level)
February 4, 2003... 1. CONTINUED CONSOLIDATION Retailers are bracing for a real bloodletting that is expected to occur during this year's first quarter, when takeover and liquidation activity accelerates and the still-overstored industry shakes out. Youth...

Twist and Shout.(Jean Paul Gaultier's spring couture collection includes unexpected twists)(Brief Article)
February 4, 2003... PARIS - When compared with the drama of one over-the-top spectacle after another, the notion of real clothes might seem anticlimactic. But the words "wearable" and "day" don't have to read "boring." Instead, a balance can be struck. How about...

Retail Revolving Door: Latest Shakeup Sees Parisian CEO Resign.(Rob Gruen leaves his position as chairman and chief executive)
February 4, 2003... Byline: Georgia Lee and David Moin NEW YORK - It's clearance time at retail. Along with the merchandise, top-level merchants are getting dumped almost daily in the continuing fallout from a tough 2002. Following senior management changes in...

Filene's Basement Names Heywood Wilansky Chief.
February 4, 2003... Byline: Katherine Bowers BOSTON - Former Bon Ton chief executive Heywood Wilansky has taken the top job at Filene's Basement, planning to rejuvenate the 22-store off-price chain and possibly spin it off as publicly traded company within three...

The Bush Budget: Defense Wins Out Over Local Issues.
February 4, 2003... Defense Wins Out Over Local Issues Byline: Joanna Ramey and Kristi Ellis WASHINGTON - President Bush sent Congress his proposed $2.23 trillion federal budget for 2004 Monday that provides no new money for fighting garment sweatshops and...

In Brief.(Fashion industry news briefs)(Brief Article)
February 4, 2003... STEIN MART NAMES CEO: Michael D. Fisher has become chief executive officer of Stein Mart Inc., replacing the retiring John H. (Jack) Williams Jr. The succession plan was announced in June. Fisher, 55, joined Stein Mart in 1993 as executive vice...

Memo Pad.(Fashion industry news briefs)(Brief Article)
February 4, 2003... G+J GETS JARRED: On Thursday, the news broke that Rosie O'Donnell had filed an amendment to her lawsuit against Gruner + Jahr in which her lawyers claimed the company had cooked the proverbial books to keep her from exercising an escape clause...

Seventh on Fifth? Young Designers Go East.(MAO Public Relations unveils MAO Space, a new fashion show venue touting the advantages of Seventh Avenue)
February 4, 2003... Byline: Meenal Mistry NEW YORK - Chalk one up for the kids. Putting on a fashion show just got a little easier. Brothers Mauricio and Roger Padilha, 33 and 30, respectively, owners of MAO Public Relations, are unveiling a new show venue for...

Fashion Scoops.(Fashion industry news briefs)(Brief Article)
February 4, 2003... OLD FRIENDS: What were Stephen Ruzow, president of the women's division of Kellwood, and Allen B. Schwartz of ABS by Allen Schwartz doing wandering around the fashion floors of Barneys New York on Monday? Of course, they both used to work under...

Kmart's Urban Focus.(Urban Direct magazine has been launched)
February 4, 2003... Byline: Katherine Bowers BOSTON - Kmart is looking for minority support in crafting a new identity as it plans its exit from bankruptcy. The Troy, Mich.-based discounter has launched Urban Direct, an urban-lifestyle glossy magazine aimed at...

The Expanding Travels of DVF.(Diane Von Furstenberg)
February 4, 2003... Byline: Joshua Greene NEW YORK - "It's all about la petite valise," said Diane Von Furstenberg. The designer, describing her design philosophy, was talking about the brand's rapidly expanding product range and the recently opened store in...

Badgley Mischka's Bridal Shop at Escada.
February 4, 2003... NEW YORK - In what some consider a confusing branding message, ready-to-wear firm Badgley Mischka opened a 2,500-square-foot bridal salon on the lower floor of the Fifth Avenue Escada store last Wednesday. Badgley Mischka is a unit of...

Currency Talk at Euro Shows.(European trade shows)
February 4, 2003... Byline: Joshua Greene and Daniela Gilbert NEW YORK - With price playing such a key role in today's textile industry, mill executives at the recent round of European trade shows here said the weakened dollar is beginning to create some problems...

Quota Watch: Embargoes.(Brief Article)
February 4, 2003... The U.S. placed embargoes on seven categories of apparel-related imports in 2002. The biggest and most controversial quota action was on cotton trousers from Bangladesh. That country overshipped its 3.8 million dozen quota limit on cotton...

Asian Mills Focus on Economy.
February 4, 2003... Byline: Scott Malone NEW YORK - Concerns about the slow U.S. economy and threat of war with Iraq weighed heavily on the minds of exhibitors at three Asian textile shows held in Manhattan last month. Still, executives said instability is...

Candy Land.(Premiere Vision is slated to get underway shortly)(Brief Article)
February 4, 2003... NEW YORK - Color returns in full force for spring 2004. Textile designers exhibiting at this month's Premiere Vision - which runs Feb. 12-15 at Paris' Parc d'Expositions Nord Villepinte - are promising a bright season in a festive, fun palette....

The Stripe is Right.(Fabric makers are offering striped looks)(Brief Article)
February 4, 2003... NEW YORK - Fabric makers are crossing the line for spring 2004 with a wide selection of striped looks. While some are still largely preppy in feeling, others are more abstract. These include colorful, broken patterns and layered motifs that put...

Neutral Territory.(PV exhibitors)(Brief Article)
February 4, 2003... NEW YORK - Even a bright spring wardrobe needs a dose of neutrals, and exhibitors at PV are answering that call by featuring richly colored fabrics in brown and khaki, softly highlighted by blue and rose. Patterns, meanwhile, are either...

Wear Your Vitamins.(Fuji Spinning Co. develops V-Up, a yarn impregnated with vitamin C)
February 4, 2003... Tokyo-based Fuji Spinning Co. has a new idea for people who can't remember to take their vitamins in the morning. The textile manufacturer has developed a yarn impregnated with vitamin C, called V-Up. While spilling a glass of orange juice on...

Is It Fashion's Time to Return to Square?
February 4, 2003... Byline: Valerie Seckler NEW YORK - A sign of the times? At least one billboard management firm is intent on luring more fashion players to Times Square, the high-voltage, kinetic district whose growing association with financial services,...

Drexler's Pay at J.Crew: $700K, Plus.(J. Crew Group Inc.'s new chairman and ceo Millard "Mickey" Drexler will get cash compensation)
February 4, 2003... Drexler's Pay at J.Crew: $700K, Plus NEW YORK - J. Crew Group Inc. will pay Millard "Mickey" Drexler cash compensation of up to $700,000 a year, plus various options and awards, according to filings released by the Securities and Exchange...

Limited Buying Shares, Adding James to Board.(Limited Brands adds Donna James to its board of directors)
February 4, 2003... Byline: Dan Burrows NEW YORK - Limited Brands on Monday reported it will repurchase more of its shares and increase its annual dividend. Additionally, the Columbus, Ohio-based retail firm reported that it had added Donna James to its board...

The Far Reaches of Fast Fashion.(Hennes & Mauritz and Zara set sights on far away markets)
February 4, 2003... Byline: Robert Murphy PARIS - How far - and how quickly - can fast fashion travel? That's the question being posed as Europe's preeminent "cheap chic" retailers - Sweden's Hennes & Mauritz and Zara of Spain - angle to plant roots in a host...

Just Kidding.(Ryan McGinley's "The Kids Are Alright" exhibition opens)(Brief Article)
February 4, 2003... Photographer Ryan McGinley's exhibition "The Kids Are Alright" opened Friday at the Whitney Museum, making the artist the youngest to show in the photography room and giving his friends, many of whom have posed for him sullenly, drunkenly or...

The Bachelorette.(Christine Peters is single and a movie producer)
February 4, 2003... Byline: Merle Ginsberg NEW YORK - Being single and a grown-up in Los Angeles may be the most non-winning combination since red wine and beige carpet, but producer Christine Peters has made the most of it. Divorced from famed producer Jon...

Chic of the Week.(Manolo Blahnik's retrospective at the London Design Museum opens)(Brief Article)
February 4, 2003... SHOE-IN: Motherhood certainly hasn't affected Kate Moss' fashion sense. Wearing a thigh-baring Lanvin dress, London's most stylish mom greeted Manolo Blahnik at the opening of his retrospective at the London Design Museum on Thursday. "Do I...

Winging It.("The West Wing" cast is in New York)
February 4, 2003... Byline: Susan Watters WASHINGTON, D.C. - The cast of "The West Wing,'' led by Martin Sheen and the show's creator Aaron Sorkin, is giving the city a welcome break from a season of biting cold and partisan bickering. On-set at the Mellon...

The Plush Life.
February 5, 2003... MILAN - For fall, Giorgio Armani is creating sportswear for his Armani Collezioni with plush and lush touches. Along with the chic office and evening essentials that his customer has come to rely on, certain pieces feature unexpected elements,...

Hurdle for Jones: Polo Seeks New Terms for Lauren, Ralph.
February 5, 2003... Byline: Vicki M. Young with contributions from Kristin Larson NEW YORK - The Ralph Lauren-Jones Apparel Group marriage of revenues and royalties is showing signs of strain. Shares of Jones Apparel Group tumbled as many shareholders sold...

Kellwood Adds Briggs Brand.
February 5, 2003... Byline: Kristin Larson NEW YORK - Acquisition hungry Kellwood Co. added another brand to its portfolio Tuesday, buying moderate pants and skirts maker Briggs New York Corp., which had sales of $200 million last year. Hal Upbin, chairman,...

Horowitz Takes Chair at Tommy.(Joel Horowitz; Tommy Hilfiger Corp.)
February 5, 2003... Byline: Evan Clark NEW YORK - Tommy Hilfiger stepped down Tuesday as chairman of the firm that bears his name, passing the reins to Joel Horowitz, who currently is the outgoing chief executive and president. Hilfiger will resume his...

Express Plans to Drop Intimate Apparel Dept.
February 5, 2003... Byline: Karyn Monget NEW YORK - Express is exiting the intimate apparel business. The 23-year-old apparel chain confirmed market reports Tuesday that it is dropping the lingerie category, which has been a mainstay at the specialty retailer...

Armani, Safilo Sign Eyewear License Deal.(14-year eyewear license with Luxottica Group ended)
February 5, 2003... Byline: Luisa Zargani MILAN - Armani Group has found its new eyewear partner: Safilo SpA. Speculation over which company Armani would link up with had risen in the last two months since the designer terminated his 14-year eyewear license...

In Brief.(Warnaco Group emerges from bankruptcy)(Brief Article)
February 5, 2003... WARNACO EXITS: The Warnaco Group on Tuesday emerged intact from its tour of bankruptcy court proceedings, 603 days after initiating them on June 11, 2001. The company makes intimate apparel, sportswear and activewear under the Warner, Olga,...

Fashion Scoops.(Gucci, LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton will open Milan outlets)
February 5, 2003... CELEBRATING GIAMMETTI: Get the vodka ready: Valentino is throwing a five-day birthday bash in Saint Petersburg, Russia, for his longtime business partner Giancarlo Giammetti. The selected party of 15 includes Gwyneth Paltrow, Stella McCartney...

Roopal Patel Returns To Bergdorf Goodman.(new women's ready-to-wear and accessories chief)(Brief Article)
February 5, 2003... NEW YORK - Roopal Patel has returned to Bergdorf Goodman as fashion director, women's ready-to-wear and accessories. This confirms a report on page 12, Jan. 14. The post has been vacant since the September 2001 departure of James...

Suzy.(Emily Brown Negley marries William Roth Martin)
February 5, 2003... Byline: Aileen Mehle Aloha from Hawaii * Nadja's Tattoo Party * Cornelia's Guest Appearance There's a paradise out there in the Pacific, and two social families from two American cities found it on the island of Hawaii when exquisite Emily...