WWD articles from February 2004

WWD archives from February 2004

ADAM'S EVE.(trends in lingerie)(Brief Article)
February 2, 2004... NEW YORK -- When it came to getting dressed, Adam and Eve knew all about the basics. So Adam Lippes couldn't resist paying tribute to fashion's original minimalists when naming his new company, an underwear-sportswear hybrid. Launching for...

BATTLE OF THE BIG BOX: SUPER STORES FACING BACKLASH OVER SIZE.
February 2, 2004... BOSTON -- Wal-Mart isn't the only big-box retailer under pressure. The world's largest company already is battling negative publicity over illegal workers, pay and unionization. Now it, like Target, Kmart, Costco, Sears, Best Buy and...

CONE MILLS TAKES ROSS BID.
February 2, 2004... NEW YORK -- Bringing financier Wilbur Ross a step closer to his second textile acquisition, Cone Mills Corp. has accepted his $90 million bid for the bankrupt company. Ross said Friday the bid by his investment concern, New York-based...

MCDONALD LEAVES POST AT LVMH SUBSIDIARIES.(Camille McDonald)
February 2, 2004... NEW YORK -- Camille McDonald has confirmed market reports that she has left her position as president and chief executive officer of Parfums Givenchy Inc. and Guerlain Inc., two U.S. subsidiaries of LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton. ...

OBITUARY: SPECIALTY RETAILER EDWIN MITCHELL, 98.(Obituary)
February 2, 2004... NEW YORK -- Edwin Mitchell, founder of Mitchells of Westport which became one of the nation's top independent specialty retailers by emphasizing customer service, died Saturday. He was 98. With the help of his first wife Norma, Mitchell...

COMING THIS WEEK.(clothing industry events)(Brief Article)(Calendar)
February 2, 2004... Monday: New York Fall II market (through Feb. 20). Barcelona Fashion Week (through Friday). Wednesday: Polo Ralph Lauren Corp. reports on its third-quarter earnings. Pitti Immagine Filati yarn fair, Florence (through Friday). ...

IN BRIEF: H.K. IN N.Y....PUMA ROARS...BEBE NAMES WAMBACH.(Brief Article)
February 2, 2004... H.K. IN N.Y.: A contingent of 11 Hong Kong-based designer lines plan to show their fall collections at Bryant Park on Friday as part of New York Fashion Week. Arthur Lam, Blanc de Chine, Bleu de Chine, Dorian Ho, Flora Zhang, Tian Ai, Harrison...

SHOPPING IN THE SKY.(Time Warner Center set to open)
February 2, 2004... NEW YORK -- Amid the barricades, scaffolding and electrical cords strewn across the marble floor, construction workers scurried late last week to put the finishing touches on the $2 billion Time Warner Center, which is opening to the public...

FASHION SCOOPS: SNOW DAY...IF THE SHOW FITS...JUMPING THE BUMPS.(Column)
February 2, 2004... SNOW DAY: Last week's ice capades couldn't stop financiers Richard and Jeanne Fisher from hosting an intimate dinner in Manhattan to reintroduce Roberto Menichetti to a handful of editors and socialites at the home of Paul Nurse, president of...

ALL ABOUT EVE...AND ADAM.(new lingerie line from adam+eve L.L.C.)
February 2, 2004... NEW YORK -- Forget about the fig leaves -- Adam and Eve are about to enter the underwear arena. Sort of. The new men's and women's undies, branded as a+dam for men and a+eve for women, are the brainchild of Adam Lippes, chief executive...

UNDRESSING FOR SUCCESS.(trends in lingerie fashion shows)(Brief Article)
February 2, 2004... PARIS -- "Putting very undressed women on fashion runways is happening right now, very much the thing," said Chantal Thomass, following her first lingerie fashion show since 1998. "When I did it 20 years ago people were shocked." In...

THE COMFORTS OF HOME.(trends in lingerie)
February 2, 2004... PARIS -- There was a renewed vigor and thirst for fashion and innovative product at this year's fall-winter 2004/2005 Salon International de la Lingerie. Unlike previous editions, where the ultrafeminine, lavishly embroidered bra and...

KAO LOOKING TO BUY KANEBO COSMETICS BIZ.(Brief Article)
February 2, 2004... TOKYO -- Kao Corp. is now in talks with Kanebo Ltd. to buy the latter's cosmetics business in a bid to become Japan's second-largest beauty company. In October, the two Japanese giants unveiled plans to merge their cosmetics businesses...

MEMO PAD: STAFF ETC...THE HORSE'S MOUTH.
February 2, 2004... STAFF ETC: Hearst's upcoming magazine, Shop Etc., may be borrowing its market niche and editorial conceit from Conde Nast's Lucky (like WWD, owned by Advance Magazine Group), but at least it's looking for staff elsewhere. Editor Mandi Norwood...

PROFITLOGIC SIGNS AE.(American Eagle Outfitters)(Brief Article)
February 2, 2004... NEW YORK -- ProfitLogic, whose suite of "merchandise optimization" solutions helps retailers plan, allocate and price merchandise, has signed American Eagle Outfitters to the program. The youth-oriented casual apparel retailer, which has...

SEAN JOHN TAPS KAHN TO FILL POST.(Todd Kahn named executive vice president)(Brief Article)
February 2, 2004... NEW YORK -- Todd Kahn has joined Sean John as executive vice president and chief operating officer of the men's sportswear label. Kahn began his post two weeks ago. He reports to Sean "P. Diddy" Combs, president and chief executive...

OBITUARY: FORMER DEPARTMENT STORE CEO, MERWIN BAYER, 88.(Obituary)
February 2, 2004... NEW YORK -- Merwin Bayer, former president and chief executive of the Arnold Constable Corporation, died Jan 22 at Lenox Hill Hospital in Manhattan due to complications from pneumonia. He was 88. Bayer joined Arnold Constable department...

EUROPE WATCH: LOW GEAR...BERLIN WALL.(Brief Article)
February 2, 2004... LOW GEAR: Etam, the French fast-fashion firm, last week reported a 6.7 percent slide in fourth-quarter sales, deflated by unfavorable currency exchange rates and store closures. Sales in the quarter dropped to $404.7 million, or 318.7 million...

GOLDEN INSPIRATIONS AT JA SHOW.
February 2, 2004... NEW YORK -- The stars continue to shine brightly for jewelers -- on the red carpet, that is. Jewelry makers recall too well how Nicole Kidman triggered a nationwide chandelier craze at the Golden Globes last year, and they took a good...

FINDINGS: CELEB CHOICES...TIFFANY'S NEWEST 'I DO...GOLFING STYLE.
February 2, 2004... CELEB CHOICES: When in search of that hot new accessory, shoppers often look to the stars for cues, so WWD decided to ask a few to reveal their spring must-haves. Here are the results: Hope Davis: "A Hermes Kelly or Birkin, but I am a New...

COLUMBIA PROFITS GAIN 10.5%.(Columbia Sportswear Co.)
February 2, 2004... NEW YORK -- Robust sportswear and footwear sales bolstered slower outerwear growth to propel Columbia Sportswear Co. to double-digit bottom- and top-line growth in the fourth quarter, leaving the company just shy of the $1 billion revenue...

DESPITE RECORD SALES, DELTA 2Q HITS RED.(Delta Apparel records losses)(Brief Article)
February 2, 2004... NEW YORK -- While a new acquisition helped drive Delta Apparel to record sales for the second quarter, costs associated with the move ultimately pushed the company to a loss. For the three months ended Dec. 27, the Duluth, Ga.-based...

CHAUS POSTS LOSS AS SALES RISE.(Bernard Chaus Inc.)(Brief Article)
February 2, 2004... NEW YORK -- Bernard Chaus Inc. on Thursday posted lackluster second-quarter results, but at the same time said its recent Cynthia Steffe acquisition represented opportunities for the second half. For the three months ended Dec. 31, the...

PARIS FANTASY.
February 2, 2004... "Do you like my tail?" Hermes chairman Jean-Louis Dumas asked last Tuesday night in Paris. Dressed as a tuxedo-wearing squirrel to celebrate the luxury firm's 2004 theme -- color and fantasy -- he hosted a costume ball peopled with pirates,...

A BOLD MOVE.(Brief Article)
February 3, 2004... NEW YORK -- Creating a line that's modern but also references vintage looks requires a major balancing act, but Cole Haan is up for the challenge. Its new, higher-priced Cole Haan Collection features plenty of luxed-up materials such as mink,...

COUNTDOWN TO 2005: DEVELOPING NATIONS FEAR MILLIONS OF JOB LOSSES.
February 3, 2004... NEW YORK -- For the past decade, the coming end of quotas on apparel and textiles was pitched as a great development opportunity for much of the Third World. But private and public sector leaders are now raising concerns that rather than...

MORGAN STANLEY EQUITY ARM TAKES 20 PERCENT STAKE IN A&G GROUP.
February 3, 2004... LONDON -- Morgan Stanley Capital Partners, the bank's private equity arm, has taken a 20 percent stake in A&G Group Ltd., parent of the Asprey and Garrard brands. A&G Group said in a statement Monday that the fresh injection of capital...

MACY'S INSTITUTES NATIONAL DRIVE AGAINST WOMEN'S HEART DISEASE.
February 3, 2004... NEW YORK -- For the first time, Macy's is going national with a cause-related campaign called "Go Red for Women." It's geared to help prevent heart disease, the number one killer of women over 25, and generate goodwill and increased...

JOHN EDWARDS FOCUSES ON JOBS IN S.C. PRIMARY.
February 3, 2004... WASHINGTON -- Today's South Carolina primary is the Democratic presidential candidates' first test in the South, and Sen. John Edwards from neighboring North Carolina is hoping his background as the son of a textile mill worker will help him...

IN BRIEF: FACTORY'S CASH BOOST...CHICO'S CHIEF.(Brief Article)
February 3, 2004... FACTORY'S CASH BOOST: Bankrupt Factory 2-U on Monday said a Delaware bankruptcy court has approved its $45 million debtor-in-possession financing facility, giving it a much-needed injection of liquidity. Along with the cash proceeds from...

BUSH UNVEILS $2.4T FEDERAL BUDGET.
February 3, 2004... WASHINGTON -- President Bush sent Congress his proposed $2.4 trillion budget for 2005 on Monday that puts the squeeze on government programs to battle record deficits, but also includes some uplift in enhanced funding for international trade...

PROMOTING THE PRIZE-FIGHTERS.
February 3, 2004... NEW YORK -- With an increasing roster of companies looking to give emerging designers a hand, catching on to their spotlight -- even for a moment -- has become a cutthroat business. Two events orchestrated to highlight young designers...

TYLER EARNS WINGS WITH DELTA.
February 3, 2004... LOS ANGELES -- For Richard Tyler, the sky really is the limit. Delta Air Lines has hired the designer to create a new look for 30,000 of its personnel. The new style will be unveiled by Tyler and Delta executives today at a press...

HAMISH MORROW LEAVES KRIZIA.
February 3, 2004... MILAN -- The revolving door at Krizia just keeps on turning. South African designer Hamish Morrow has left the house after just two seasons there, a Krizia spokeswoman confirmed Monday, without elaborating on the motivations for the...

LORDS OF THE RIINGO.
February 3, 2004... NEW YORK -- Riingo, the name of chef Marcus Samuelsson's new sushi restaurant in Midtown's Alex Hotel was inspired by the Japanese word for "apple" -- and Samuelsson is adamant about the fact that he's opening it in New York, the biggest...

STAR POWER.(Phil Spector works with Starsailor.)
February 3, 2004... NEW YORK -- A band must be doing something right in order to tempt a rock legend like Phil Spector out of 20 years of retirement. And Starsailor, a quartet of early twentysomething lads from Wigan in northern England, struck a chord with the...

THREE CHEERS.
February 3, 2004... Oscar de la Renta, Eliza Bolen and Lauren du Pont raised a glass to bride-to-be Alexandra Hamilton and her beau, Billy Kimball, at an engagement party thrown by Paul Wilmont and Adam Lippes last Thursday. "Working at Oscar de la Renta, all you...

COLE HAAN STEPS OUT.
February 3, 2004... NEW YORK -- Cole Haan has taken the reverse route of many brands and developed a more upscale collection of accessories and outerwear. And its ambitions are celestial. The luxury offering, priced from 35 to 60 percent higher than its...

BARNEYS TIES ONE ON.
February 3, 2004... NEW YORK -- Once a staple with film noir private eyes, the trenchcoat has gotten an overhaul from Ramosport by E2. E2 designers Michele and Olivier Chatenet have teamed up with Ramosport to design seven one-of-a-kind trenchcoats. They are...

SEARLE CROSSES OVER TO QUEENS.
February 3, 2004... NEW YORK -- Searle has gone the way of MoMA, in that it now calls Queens home. The 21-year-old wholesale and retail company has crossed the East River, moving from the Garment District to a 30,000-square-foot office, design space and...

LONDON FOG UNVEILS THREE GROUPS.
February 3, 2004... NEW YORK -- London Fog doesn't want shoppers to be murky about its offerings. Having undergone major restructuring and layoffs within the past seven months, the company is repositioning its women's business this fall with three new...

LEVY'S NORTHERN EXPOSURE.
February 3, 2004... NEW YORK -- The Levy Group, an outerwear powerhouse, is heading north with its licensed Liz Claiborne coats. The company has signed a joint venture deal with Freed & Freed, an 80-year-old Montreal-based company, to distribute Liz...

GADZOOKS BANKRUPTCY SEEN IN `COMING DAYS'.
February 3, 2004... NEW YORK -- Gadzooks Inc. is likely to to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy court protection soon, according to a published report. Reuters, citing two sources, said that the filing would be in the "coming days." A telephone call to Jerry...

MEMO PAD: ROOTED OUT AT THE SOURCE...IT'S WHETHER YOU WIN OR LOSE.
February 3, 2004... ROOTED OUT AT THE SOURCE: Crusades are generally bloody affairs, and the staff of The Source has discovered theirs is no different. The magazine's February issue -- which features Eminem and a CD containing his racist raps from a decade ago...

NEW DELHI, NEW FASHION.(Brief Article)(Calendar)
February 3, 2004... India's National Institute of Fashion Technology, with support of the Ministry of Textiles, has established dsyn 04, an international trade event intended to showcase the design, textile and apparel manufacturing expertise of the Indian fashion...

FASHION SCOOPS: IN THE SKY...LIFE AFTER POLITICS...SHE MAY NOT BE NOMINATED, BUT...
February 3, 2004... IN THE SKY: The much-awaited Time Warner Center -- which combines a corporate headquarters with soaring hotels, condos, a grocery store, in-the-sky shops and high-caliber restaurants -- opens with a gala for 5,000 people on Wednesday night,...

CHRISTIAN BRETON COMES TO U.S. WITH EXCLUSIVE BENDEL LAUNCH.
February 3, 2004... NEW YORK -- Christian Breton, one of the hottest players on the French beauty scene, is coming to America. His 250-stockkeeping-unit color line is slated to make its U.S. debut in April with an exclusive launch at Henri Bendel. "The line...

THE PRELUDE.(Brief Article)
February 4, 2004... NEW YORK -- Who says black and white doesn't pack a punch? Simple and elegant, these bold tones create a stark contrast of looks that can spice up any silhouette. Here, for example, Armani Collezioni's tailored wool jacket and deep-V silk...

MACY'S EXECUTIVE PARADE: KAHN TO RETIRE, KLEIN NAMED CEO.
February 4, 2004... NEW YORK -- The retail ceo landscape here continues to change. Following management displacement at Saks Fifth Avenue and Bergdorf Goodman, Federated Department Stores Inc. said Tuesday that Hal Kahn, the 58-year-old chairman and chief...

GADZOOKS FILES CHAPTER 11.
February 4, 2004... NEW YORK -- Gadzooks, moving quickly to bring its house in order, has filed for bankruptcy court protection and is seeking to oust its president and chief merchandising officer, Paula Masters. As expected, the teen retailer filed its...

AVON UP IN QUARTER, TAPS HAYEK AS FACE.
February 4, 2004... NEW YORK -- Salma Hayek will be the new face of color cosmetics and fragrances at Avon Products Inc., beginning in the third quarter. That development came Tuesday, as Avon reported it had delivered a 35.4 percent gain in its...

CFDA'S ARNOLD: BRINGING MORE TO THE MEMBERS.(The Council of Fashion Designers of America.)
February 4, 2004... NEW YORK -- More than two years into his drive to center the focus of the Council of Fashion Designers of America on its designer members, Peter Arnold divides his accomplishments as the organization's executive director largely into two...

IN BRIEF: POLO'S ELEVEN...TOMMY HILFIGER ADDS TWO...PHATTENED UP.
February 4, 2004... POLO'S ELEVEN: Myron E. Ullman 3rd has been appointed to Polo Ralph Lauren Corp.'s board of directors, bringing the number of board members to 11. Over the past 15 years, Ullman has led major corporations in the U.S., Asia and Europe, most...

CLARIFICATION.(Correction Notice)
February 4, 2004... Michael Kaye, the winner of the Fashion Group International Rising Star award for women's wear, introduced a custom-made, designer-priced collection under his name in 2001. An article on the awards on Feb. 3, page 3, did not mention his former...

SUZY: UP NEXT FOR CHARLIZE...ISN'T BRITNEY LOVERLY?...GWYNNIE AND THE GRANDPARENTS.
February 4, 2004... There's no folk like showfolk and aren't you glad? The hot hot hottest name in Hollywood right now is Charlize Theron, the South African-born star who won the Golden Globe as best actress for "Monster" and is the favorite to win an Oscar as...

THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL.(Brief Article)
February 4, 2004... NEW YORK -- Whether it's a men's wear-inspired tailored jacket or a flouncy and flirty skirt, designers are seeing things in black and white for pre-fall. There are graphic details, color-blocked pieces and frilly black shapes that show off a...

DE CASTELBAJAC FASHION HOUSE ACQUIRED BY MARCHPOLE HOLDINGS.
February 4, 2004... PARIS -- French designer Jean-Charles de Castelbajac's colorful, offbeat style has won him a suitor. On Tuesday, U.K. clothing manufacturer Marchpole Holdings plc said it had acquired de Castelbajac's fashion house, with immediate plans...

FOOTWEAR, APPAREL AID TIMBERLAND.(Brief Article)
February 4, 2004... NEW YORK -- Bolstered by double-digit gains in its footwear business as well as 3 percent revenue growth in apparel and accessories, Timberland Co. delivered robust earnings for the fourth quarter ended Dec. 31. Net income for the...

NEW ORACLE SOFTWARE TO INCLUDE RFID.(Brief Article)
February 4, 2004... SAN DIEGO -- Oracle is introducing a new version of its warehouse management software next summer that will include radio frequency identification and electronic product code capabilities, the company said last week. Wal-Mart and the...

COTTON INC. TO SPONSOR FASHION SHOWS IN N.Y., L.A.(Brief Article)
February 4, 2004... NEW YORK -- Cotton Incorporated said Tuesday it has signed on as a sponsor of the spring and fall 2004 editions of Olympus Fashion Week in New York and of the Mercedes-Benz Shows in Los Angeles. "These venues give Cotton Inc. the...

PROCTOR & GAMBLE, WELLA SQUABBLE REACHING CRITICAL MASS.
February 4, 2004... BERLIN -- The showdown between minority shareholders and Wella's management and majority shareholder, Procter & Gamble, escalated from a high-noon to a possible high-midnight scenario at an extraordinary shareholders meeting held in Frankfurt...

BUYER SAID FOUND FOR JANE COSMETICS.(Brief Article)
February 4, 2004... NEW YORK -- Estee Lauder's Jane Cosmetics brand could be in the hands of a new owner as early as this week, according to industry sources. The new parent is expected to be a junior fashion company, not a cosmetics firm. A senior marketing...

MAYBELLINE-GARNIER TAPS FONDU.(Brief Article)
February 4, 2004... NEW YORK -- Karen Fondu has been named president of Maybelline-Garnier U.S. She had been general manager of the L'Oreal division since February 2001. Fondu joined L'Oreal 24 years ago in L'Oreal's Retail division and over the years has been...

CARIBBEAN JOE ON THE GO.
February 4, 2004... NEW YORK -- It is tempting to imagine the purveyors of the laid-back Caribbean Joe brand as lounging around on an island somewhere drinking from coconuts. Well, Ken Sitomer, a principal at Apparel Holding Group, which owns the brand, and...

OBITUARY: STEVEN L. OSTERWEIS, FORMER AMC HEAD.(Obituary)
February 4, 2004... NEW YORK -- Steven L. Osterweis, former chairman of the Associated Merchandising Corp., died Jan. 23 at his home in Sarasota, Fla. He was 91. The cause of death was a stroke, according to his son, John. Osterweis joined AMC in 1966...

OBITUARY: HAIRSTYLIST RAY ALLINGTON, 46.(Obituary)
February 4, 2004... LOS ANGELES -- Celebrity and fashion hairstylist Ray Allington died Jan. 29 in London of liver failure, according to his agent. He was 46. Although his most recent credits include working on Naomi Watts, Nicole Kidman, Salma Hayek,...

COTTON EXEC RICHARD ABES.(Obituary)
February 4, 2004... NEW YORK -- Richard Abes, a retired Cotton Incorporated executive, died last week in Bellmore, N.Y., according to the company. He was 73 and had suffered a long illness. Abes was among the first employees hired by Cotton Inc. when he was...

SWAROVSKI'S LATEST DESIGNER SPARKLE.
February 4, 2004... LOS ANGELES -- Swarovski crystals on a tiara might be a no-brainer -- but on a pink rubber swimming cap? Some of the world's avant-garde designers -- including Lorenz Baumer, Boudicca and Gurmit -- were asked by Swarovski to take...

RETAIL STRUGGLES WITH NEW TEEN BEAT.
February 4, 2004... HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif. -- For fashion-driven teen retailers, it's become all about the niche. As apparel retailers struggle with the lack of a strong fashion trend, weak mall traffic and the increasing teen spending on electronics and...

TARGET TO DISCONTINUE CATALOGUES.(Brief Article)
February 4, 2004... BOSTON -- In another sign that wired is the way forward, Target Corp. will fold five print catalogues, a spokeswoman confirmed. The affected titles include several Marshall Field's books; I Love a Deal, which liquidates sale and clearance...

ADIDAS ADS SCORE STAR ATHLETES.(Brief Article)
February 4, 2004... NEW YORK -- Adidas-Salomon has snared some big-name athletes to appear in its newest advertising campaign, which will be unveiled Thursday in Manhattan. Soccer superstar David Beckham, boxing great Muhammad Ali and daughter, Laila,...

SWEET THING.(Color.)(Brief Article)
February 5, 2004... NEW YORK -- Cotton candy and bubblegum hues reign supreme this season, as designers tint their leathers in the sweetest of colors. They're also creating girly ruffled shapes and adding playful patterns such as dots. Here, a feminine look from...

FASHION'S STORY OF O: OSCAR AND KELLWOOD INK DEAL FOR MODERATE LINE.
February 5, 2004... NEW YORK -- Move over, Oprah -- there's a new O in town. Oscar de la Renta, through a licensing deal with Kellwood Co., will bring his designs to the moderate customer with the new O Oscar line launching for fall. "We wanted to...

IN BRIEF: NO DIDDY...CFO FOR TJX...KREITZMAN NEW VP.
February 5, 2004... NO DIDDY: Sean John will not show its fall collection during New York Fashion Week this season so executives can concentrate on its aggressive expansion plan, beginning with the launch of two new collections, Sean John sportswear, a high-end...

CORRECTION.(Correction Notice)
February 5, 2004... Richard Hastings is vice president, retail sector for credit rating and analysis firm Bernard Sands. A story that began on page one on Monday misattributed his company affiliation.

TOMMY HILFIGER CORP. EXCEEDS ESTIMATES.
February 5, 2004... NEW YORK -- Shares of Tommy Hilfiger Corp. shot up 12.2 percent in trading on Wednesday following the firm's report of third-quarter earnings, which exceeded Wall Street's expectations. The shares closed at $14.28, up $1.55, in Big Board...

LF BRANDS' TRADEMARKS AUCTION SET.
February 5, 2004... NEW YORK -- Let the bidding begin. Leslie Fay Licensing Enterprises Corp., wholly owned by the now-defunct LF Brands, said that an auction for the company's trademarks will be held Feb. 12 at the law firm Jenkens & Gilchrist Parker...

POLO FOCUSES ON RETAIL.
February 5, 2004... NEW YORK -- Polo Ralph Lauren Corp. Wednesday cemented its focus on a retail strategy for growth as it reported lower third-quarter profits, which matched Wall Street's expectations. For the three months ended Dec. 27, income was down...

FASHION SCOOPS: FORD WALKS...CELEB WATCH...GRAMMY GROOVE.
February 5, 2004... FORD WALKS: Good thing the Beverly Hills City Council doesn't have to concern itself with matters of national security. At a meeting last week, when talk turned to requests for street closures, no less, it slipped out that the next honoree of...

REJIG GIVES NESTLE 26.4% OF L'OREAL.
February 5, 2004... PARIS -- L'Oreal has announced it plans to merge with Gesparal, a holding company owned by the French beauty giant's two major shareholders, Nestle and the Bettencourt family. Although L'Oreal touted the move as a means to improve...

ARMANI, ELLE TO SING A SONG OF STYLE.
February 5, 2004... MILAN -- Giorgio Armani is connecting to the new beat. Mirroring the designer's strong links to Hollywood, Armani is launching a new media program that links his group to a record company and a fashion magazine. Armani has asked Elle's...

DEMOCRATS' UNELECTED PARTY OF FASHION.
February 5, 2004... WASHINGTON -- With the race for the Democratic presidential nomination now in full swing and the field of candidates narrowing, it's time to take a peak at the other side of the story: their wives. The four wives of the leading...

LILLY PULITZER'S NEW PAD.
February 5, 2004... NEW YORK -- A little spilled juice has gone a long way -- to a $50 million fashion force. Lilly Pulitzer began her business when she was encouraged to develop a hobby outside of the home. As the story goes, Pulitzer, a young, sassy New...

AVONDALE POSTS LOSS.(Brief Article)
February 5, 2004... Citing continued soft demand and pressure from foreign competitors, denim maker Avondale Mills Inc. reported a $3.6 million net loss for its fiscal first quarter. That compares with net income of $1.4 million a year earlier. Sales for the...