WWD articles from January 2009

WWD archives from January 2009

Independents Take A Hit.
January 5, 2009... Byline: David Lipke For independent retailers such as Thomas George, who owns the three E Street Denim stores in Illinois and Wisconsin, the deep discounting this holiday season by big retailers like Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus,...

In Brief.(John Galliano has been appointed a chevalier of the French Legion of Honor)(Kira Plastinina stores is liquidating)(Brief article)
January 5, 2009... GOOD KNIGHT: Christian Dior's John Galliano has been appointed a chevalier of the French Legion of Honor. The designer's name appeared on the list of beneficiaries published by France's government on Jan. 1. BLASS COUTURE FILES CHAPTER 7:...

In The Clutch.(Lauren Merkin)(Interview)
January 5, 2009... Byline: Caroline Tell In 2002, Lauren Merkin stepped onto the accessories map with the launch of her classic clutch collection. Now, the designer is focused on growing her business into a premier contemporary brand replete with totes,...

Joining Up.(Tre Vero)(Dea Moda)(CeeBee)
January 5, 2009... A sour economy isn't keeping designers from entering the handbag market. Here, a look at three lines to keep an eye on in 2009. TRE VERO WHO: Jennifer Eby Furio came up with the concept for Tre Vero in the fall of 2006. "I decided to...

WWD TUESDAY.
January 6, 2009... Ready-to-Wear/Textiles Women's Wear Daily acents The Retailers' Daily Newspaper acents January 6, 2009 acents $3.00 Global Issue CAPTION(S): A Shore Thing The better market is setting sail for summer with looks that have...

Pakistan's Textile Crisis: Sector Mulls Shutdown To Protest Rising Costs.
January 6, 2009... Byline: Mahlia S. Lone With contributions from Liza Casabona, Washington LAHORE, Pakistan The Pakistani textile industry is on the verge of a national shutdown to protest the country's energy and interest rate policies. The All...

Goody's Said Liquidating.(Goody's Family Clothing Inc.)(Company overview)
January 6, 2009... Byline: Vicki M. Young With contributions from Evan Clark The retail Graveyard appears to have claimed its first victim of 2009: Goody's, the moderately priced family apparel retail chain operating primarily in the Southeastern U.S. Sources...

Daily Quote.(Quotation)
January 6, 2009... "What I have learned from the last year is that every day is a gift and you can't take anything for granted, whether it be business, health or anything else." Designer Dennis Basso on the lessons of 2008. Page 10.

Today On WWD.COM.
January 6, 2009... More photos of designers and celebrities on holiday Featured images Global breaking news Daily stock prices CAPTION(S): Adrian Grenier swims with the dolphins on vacation.

Travel Agents.(Photograph)
January 6, 2009... Call it denial, call it escapism, call it a craving for the holidays-as-usual. Whatever the reason, the chic set employed a simple strategy this financially dismal season when it came to planning their vacations: hit the beach (the exception...

Gedalio Grinberg, Founder Of Movado.(Obituary)
January 6, 2009... Byline: Sophia Chabbott Gedalio "Gerry" Grinberg, founder and chairman of Movado Group Inc., the Paramus, N.J.-based watch company, died Sunday in New York at age 77. The company did not reveal a specific cause of death, but noted it...

By Land Or By Sea.(Brief article)
January 6, 2009... Byline: Antonia Sardone Designers in the better market are turning out seaworthy fare with everything from quirky anchor embroidery to nautical stripes on sexy cuts. CAPTION(S): Donna Degnan's rayon, nylon and Lycra spandex...

Taking Stock In Lessons Learned.
January 6, 2009... Byline: Rosemary Feitelberg Retail analysts have warned that one of the lasting effects of 2008's fiscal upheaval will simply be consumers' memory of it. But designers and other industry executives have also taken last year's lessons...

Louis Vuitton Heads To Soho For Sprouse Launch.(Stephen Sprouse collection)
January 6, 2009... Byline: Marc Karimzadeh NEW YORK Like the artist and designer who inspired the new collection, Louis Vuitton is heading downtown for its new Stephen Sprouse collection. This week, the company's boutique on SoHo's Greene Street...

N.Y. Textile Fairs Brace For Buyers On Tight Budgets.
January 6, 2009... Byline: Ross Tucker With contributions from Court Williams NEW YORK Organizers of international textile shows here next week said registration levels are holding steady, but are preparing to face buyers whose budgets have been slashed...

Obama Starts Outlining Stimulus Plan.(Barack Obama)
January 6, 2009... Byline: Kristi Ellis With contributions from Liza Casabona WASHINGTON President-elect Barack Obama conferred with congressional leaders Monday on his economic stimulus package amid the fallout from New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson's...

In Brief.(Robert Graham has finalized a deal with Paramount Apparel International, which will make accessories for the brand under license)(Skechers brand has signed a licensing agreement with New York's Adjmi Apparel Group )(Brief article)
January 6, 2009... LI & FUNG ON KB TOYS: Hong Kong-based sourcing giant Li & Fung Ltd. said Monday that it "suffers" an exposure of about $5 million to KB Toys, which recently filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. "As one of the largest creditors of KB...

Deutsche Bank Lowers HermA[umlaut]s Forecast.(Brief article)
January 6, 2009... Byline: Miles Socha PARIS With a worsening outlook for luxury, Deutsche Bank has cut its earnings forecasts on HermA[umlaut]s International by 10 percent and projects slim fourth-quarter sales growth of 7.5 percent, or 0.7 percent in...

Fashion Scoops.(Brief article)
January 6, 2009... FIRST AND LAST: If you're hoping to catch a glimpse of Carla Bruni-Sarkozy during Paris couture week later this month, you're in luck but you might have to stay an extra day. Although France's glamorous First Lady has yet to attend any high...

Stone Bold.(Ariane Zurcher)(Interview)
January 6, 2009... Byline: Venessa Lau Ariane Zurcher's EntrA[c]e into the jewelry business was decidedly unconventional. Although she had worked as a freelance knitwear designer and graduated from Parsons School of Design (now known as Parsons The New...

Arafa Takes Stake In Gruppo Forall.(Brief article)
January 6, 2009... Byline: Luisa Zargani MILAN Gruppo Forall, which manufactures and distributes the Pal Zileri men's wear brand, has teamed with a partner, Arafa Holding of Egypt, in a bid to further develop its business. Arafa has taken a 35...

AA[c]roports De Paris, Nuance Venture Ok'd.(Brief article)
January 6, 2009... Byline: Katya Foreman PARIS Signaling a more fashion-focused era for travel retail here, the European Commission recently approved a joint fashion and accessories retail venture between Nuance Group, the Swiss airport operator, and...

Christiane Celle Returns With Clic.(Clic Bookstore and Gallery)
January 6, 2009... Byline: Rosemary Feitelberg Calypso founder Christiane celle is back on the retail scene with Clic Bookstore & Gallery. Still tied by a noncompete agreement, she has turned her attention to photography and art with a shop at 189...

Memo Pad.
January 6, 2009... TRYING AGAIN: Marie Claire is hoping the third time's a charm. The magazine is getting ready to relaunch its Web site to offer more content channels and, more importantly, hopefully attract more advertisers. Marieclaire.com which has been...

Lab Series Gets 'Active' With Body Additions.(Active Body Wash and Active Hand Cream)
January 6, 2009... Byline: Matthew W. Evans Lab series skincare for men is delving deeper into body care with the aim of bolstering the brand's hair and body portfolio. The EstA[c]e Lauder Cos. Inc.-owned firm will launch two products, Active Body Wash and...

Waterford Wedgwood Files For Administration.
January 6, 2009... Byline: Nina Jones LONDON Waterford Wedgwood plc is the latest British firm to fall victim to the credit crunch. The Ireland-based company that produces Wedgwood tableware, Royal Doulton china and Waterford crystal placed its...

Burglary At Showroom Seven.(Brief article)
January 6, 2009... Byline: Khan T.L. Tran LOS ANGELES Showroom Seven, the bicoastal fashion showroom co-founded by Karen Erickson and Jean-Marc Flack, said robbers stole nearly $300,000 worth of merchandise from its Los Angeles office in the Cooper...

Japan Retail Off To Slow Start.(Brief article)
January 6, 2009... Byline: Koji Hirano TOKYO Despite long lines and crowds at many retailers here, Japan's discounting season is not getting off to a strong start. Isetan's flagship in Shinjuku saw revenues drop 8 percent year-on-year on Jan. 2,...

Jacobs Makes Moves In West Village.(Marc Jacobs)
January 6, 2009... Byline: Sharon Edelson NEW YORK Marc Jacobs is getting ready to expand his West Village empire, even as he tinkers with the existing store lineup. Jacobs, the first designer to plant a flag in the neighborhood in 2000, has...

Paco Rabanne Taps Thilloy, Set To Expand Its Offering.(Vincent Thilloy )
January 6, 2009... Byline: Jennifer Weil PARIS Paco Rabanne is the latest fragrance franchise plotting a fashion comeback. The French brand, owned by Puig Beauty and Fashion Group, has appointed Vincent Thilloy as vice president, overseeing its...

Barbershop Firm Reamir Expanding NYC Footprint.
January 8, 2009... Byline: Matthew W. Evans As trendy barbershops and men's salons have cropped up in New York City in the past several years, one firm, called Reamir & Co., has quietly built an infrastructure of numerous unassuming barbershops that mix old...

New Cfo At Coty.(Sergio Pedreiro as Coty Inc.'s chief financial officer)(Brief article)
January 8, 2009... Byline: Molly Prior Michael fishoff has left his post as coty Inc.'s chief financial officer. Fishoff, who joined the beauty firm in 2002, left Coty at the end of last month and will be replaced by SA[c]rgio Pedreiro, who most recently...

Good Skin In Tangle With U.K. Standards Authority.(Brief article)
January 8, 2009... Byline: Brid Costello LONDON Good Skin Labs, which was created by the EstA[c]e Lauder Cos. Inc.'s BeautyBank division, is involved in a wrangle over wrinkles with the U.K.'s Advertising Standards Authority. The advertising watchdog...

Memo Pad.
January 8, 2009... LOOKING AWAY: As fashion brands continue to pull back their ad spending, it leaves fewer dollars on the table to divvy up across a plethora of magazines. And the result is another victim of the downturn: New York Look, the biannual spin-off...

Dem Leaders Unveil Agenda.(Democratic leaders unveiled the top 10 bills on their legislative agenda)
January 8, 2009... Byline: Kristi Ellis WASHINGTON Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and Democratic leaders on Wednesday unveiled the top 10 bills on their legislative agenda, with a huge economic recovery package as the centerpiece. In addition to...

WWD Men's.(Brief article)
January 8, 2009... Pitti Uomo Preview WHAT CAN BROWNE DO FOR YOU? THOM BROWNE HEADS TO PITTI TO DELIVER HIS INFLUENTIAL AMERICAN MEN'S WEAR MESSAGE TO A GLOBAL MARKET. Plus: Luxury Brands Grapple With Economic Woes Pitti Newcomers ...

Lens Crafter.(Roger Deakins)
January 8, 2009... Byline: Elisa Lipsky-Karasz Roger deakins might be the most famous man working in film that you've never heard of. The Coen brothers rarely make a movie without him when he isn't working for other directors such as Ron Howard, Paul...

Cuckoo For Cocoa.(Directory)
January 8, 2009... Byline: Chantal Goupil THREE REVERED FRENCH CHOCOLATIERS OPEN HIGH-END SWEET SHOPS IN PARIS FRANCOIS PRALUS 35 Rue Rambuteau; +33-1-48-04-05-05 HERITAGE: Pralus, the son of chocolate master Auguste Pralus, who opened his own...

Eye Scoops.
January 8, 2009... CIAO, CIPRIANI: It seems that not only bankers are casualties of the current economy. Harry Cipriani's longtime, much-loved maitre d' Hassan el Garrahy clocked his last day at the haute eatery on Monday, a spokesman for the restaurant...

Hart Schaffner Marx Launching Obama-Inspired Collection.(Barack Obama)
January 8, 2009... Byline: Brenner Thomas Suit maker translates tailored clothing made for the president-elect into in-stock program. AND THEY SAY ONLY FIRST LADIES INFLUENCE FASHION. This month, Hart Schaffner Marx will debut a line of in-stock...

Woolrich John Rich & Bros. To Hit U.S.
January 8, 2009... Byline: Jean Scheidnes Woolrich fell so far off fashion's radar that when the 178-year-old brand found a new life in Europe 10 years ago, many Americans continued to overlook it. But it became impossible to visit Milan, Paris or London...

European Luxe: Putting The Alpha Back In Male.
January 8, 2009... Byline: Emilie Marsh Citing opportunities in men's, brand leaders seek to grab a share of a contracting luxury market. MILAN Since the economic meltdown, executives at European fashion houses have been sounding off about a return...

Directional Signals.(Brief article)
January 8, 2009... Byline: PHOTOS BY DANIEL GARRIGA AMID TALK OF A RETURN TO BASICS, PITTI IS HEADING THE OTHER WAY, SHARPENING ITS OFFERINGS WITH NEW BRANDS AND A FRESH, CONTEMPORARY EDGE. TAILORED CLOTHING IS STILL IMPORTANT, BUT JACKETS ARE CROPPED,...

The Browne Doctrine.(Thom Browne)
January 8, 2009... Byline: Jean Scheidnes Thom Browne heads to Pitti with a simple credo: Everyone loves a man in uniform. Thom browne, New York's most theatrical and polarizing men's wear designer, makes his European debut next week, showing his fall...

Thom Browne's Florentine Favorites.
January 8, 2009... Byline: Jean Scheidnes The opportunity to present his collection at Pitti Uomo afforded Thom Browne an excuse to get better acquainted with Florence. Here's where you can find him. EATING: Cibreo "They prepare things in a way...

Chester Barrie To Wholesale At Pitti.(Brief article)
January 8, 2009... Byline: Samantha Conti LONDON Savile Row tailor Chester Barrie is jumping back into the wholesale market under its new owners, Prominent Europe, a division of the Japanese company Itochu. The tailor, which once dressed Frank...

Made-To-Measure Still Strong.
January 8, 2009... Byline: Emilie Marsh With contributions from Stephanie Epiro Though the category's growth is slowing, men continue to favor custom looks. MILAN Don't expect men to compromise on made-to-measure. According to experts here, the...

New At Pitti: Ones To Watch.(List)
January 8, 2009... Byline: Emilie Marsh With contributions from David Lipke and Jean Scheidnes Allegri After collaborating with Viktor & Rolf, A.F. Vandevorst and Martin Margiela, Allegri has tapped 33-year-old Naples-born designer Francesco...

Accessories Firms See Advantage In Men's.
January 8, 2009... Byline: Luisa Zargani MILAN The economy isn't stopping accessories brands from expanding their men's collections, or, for companies that had targeted only women until now, to venture into new territory. Case in point: Furla,...

Premium Blend.(clothing collection)
January 15, 2009... Byline: David Lipke Project and Capsule will showcase over 400 directional men's brands. Indie designers, premium denim and contemporary sportswear are the focus at the Project and Capsule shows in New York next week, with the former...

Rough Cut.(Brief article)
January 15, 2009... Distressed leather, beefy knits, buffalo plaids sportswear at Project New York has adopted a rugged look for fall, as a workwear influence shows up in everything from jeans to jackets. CAPTION(S): Artful Dodger's leather jacket, 55...

Forward March.(Brief article)
January 15, 2009... Advanced fashion will set the pace at the rapidly growing Capsule show. Still, the mood this season is retail-friendly. Among the key pieces to look for: thick knits, shawl-collar jackets and mackintosh coats. CAPTION(S): Fiber &...

Pitti Kicks Off Fall.(Pitti Immagine Uomo)
January 15, 2009... Byline: Emilie Marsh and Jean Scheidnes As exhibitors target a younger, more fashion-forward consumer, the latest edition of Pitti Uomo reflects a trade show in transition. FLORENCE Dawn has broken over fall 2009 as the first...

GQ Names Finalists In Men's Wear Competition.
January 15, 2009... Byline: David Lipke GQ is unveiling the finalists of its second annual Best New Menswear Designers in America project in its February issue, on newsstands today. The initiative is in collaboration with the Council of Fashion Designers of...

Survival Of The Fitters.(tailoring)
January 15, 2009... Byline: Brenner Thomas For those who see tailoring as a dying craft, suit makers have a solution: Think global. There is an old guard of tailors in New York city who will tell you tailoring is a dying art. They fit a common profile:...