WWD articles from March 2005

WWD archives from March 2005

FRENCH LEGION.(academy awards)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2005... HOLLYWOOD -- It wasn't quite a full-scale invasion, but the Paris Patrol couldn't be missed at this year's Oscars. Valentino, Guy Laroche, Lanvin, Chanel and Christian Dior were among the houses that landed many of Moviedom's most desirable...

MACY'S COAST-TO-COAST: FEDERATED-MAY DEAL FORGES NEW RETAIL GIANT.
March 1, 2005... Byline: David Moin, Vicki M. Young, Meredith Derby, Joanna Ramey NEW YORK -- Now the tough part. Federated Department Stores confirmed Monday it will buy May Department Stores for a total of $17 billion in equity and debt, embarking...

MACY'S COAST-TO-COAST: FEDERATED-MAY DEAL FORGES NEW RETAIL GIANT, CONTINUED.
March 1, 2005... FEDERATED'S NEW RETAIL LANDSCAPE Federated Department Stores Inc.; May Department Stores Co.; New Markets; Overlap Total Alabama: 2; --; --; --Alaska; --; --; --; --Arizona: 6; 9; --; 15 Arkansas: --; --; --; --California: 113; 47;...

GIVENCHY APPOINTS TISCI AS DESIGNER.
March 1, 2005... Byline: Miles Socha PARIS -- As widely expected, LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton said Monday it has tapped the relatively unknown Riccardo Tisci as Givenchy's fifth designer in 10 years. This confirms a report in WWD last month...

IN BRIEF: WAL-MART SLIDES... PERRY GOES TROPICAL... NEW POST AT TESTONI.
March 1, 2005... WAL-MART SLIDES: Wal-Mart slipped into fourth place from first place the last two years in Fortune's annual ranking of "America's Most Admired Companies." Taking over the first-place slot was Dell (which last year came in at number five),...

GHESQUIERE'S REALITY CHECK.
March 1, 2005... Byline: Miles Socha PARIS -- Nicolas Ghesquiere, one of the most influential designers of his generation, has been asked to experiment with something new at Balenciaga: profits. And he says he's more than up to the challenge of...

LUNDGREN AT TOP OF RETAIL HEAP.
March 1, 2005... Byline: Sharon Edelson NEW YORK -- Terry Lundgren just expanded his own workload -- and became king of the American department store in the process. Once the merger with May Department Stores is consummated, Lundgren, chairman,...

PRESENT AT THE CREATION; WHAT INSPIRES THEM? PARIS DESIGNERS HAVE FALLEN UNDER A VARIETY OF INFLUENCE THIS SEASON, FROM THE CONCRETE TO THE ENIGMATIC. ROMANCE AND BOHEMIA ARE ONGOING THEMES, BUT SO ARE ARTISTIC FLIGHTS OF FANCY.
March 1, 2005... "The sinuous lines of Art Nouveau, the jewelry of Lalique and Tiffany, the sumptuous extravaganza of Paul Poiret and the interiors of William Morris. This Art Nouveau movement was considered the bridge between the `old' 19th-century world and...

CASSINI'S GUIDE TO LIFE.(Oleg Cassini)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2005... Byline: Rosemary Feitelberg NEW YORK -- Instead of touting his many milestones in the fashion business, Oleg Cassini used his most recent honor to clue in admirers to the secret of his longevity. After picking up an award of...

FULL STEAM AHEAD WITH ISAAC.(Isaac Mizrahi)
March 1, 2005... Byline: Rosemary Feitelberg NEW YORK -- Peripatetic at best, Isaac Mizrahi isn't about to rest. Ricocheting around his showroom during a photo shoot of his new shearling-based fur collection last week, the designer tried to stay on...

ALPHA MOM LIZ LANGE READIES FOR HER CLOSE-UP.(Brief Article)
March 1, 2005... Byline: Rosemary Feitelberg NEW YORK -- With three maternitywear labels, three freestanding stores and two children, Liz Lange was a natural pick to host programs on Alpha Mom, a 24/7 network aimed at time-starved parents that bows in...

MEISTER UNVEILS MADE-TO-MEASURE FOR OSCARS.(Brief Article)
March 1, 2005... Byline: Rosemary Feitelberg NEW YORK -- David Meister used the Oscars as a springboard for his new collection of gowns. Twice a year, the designer will unveil 20 or so pieces for celebrities to wear to awards shows, black-tie affairs...

FIRST MASTER'S IN EXHIBITION TO BOW IN U.S. AT FIT.(Brief Article)
March 1, 2005... Byline: Rosemary Feitelberg NEW YORK -- The School of Graduate Studies of the Fashion Institute of Technology is trying to help students land in the museum world. Beginning this fall, a master's degree in exhibition design will be...

CHANGE IN THE WIND AT AAFA'S MEETING.(American Apparel & Footwear Association)
March 1, 2005... Byline: Kristi Ellis PALM BEACH, Fla. -- Apparel executives are adapting to a quota-free environment as they deal with major retail mergers and long-term price declines that threaten profits. Talk of a more robust economy during the...

ABER SALE LIFTS TIFFANY NET.(Tiffany & Co.)(Aber Diamond Corp.)
March 1, 2005... Byline: Ross Tucker NEW YORK -- Tiffany & Co.'s fourth-quarter and year-end earnings soared after a one-time gain from the sale of its equity stake in a diamond company. For the three months ended Jan. 31, the New York-based jewelry...

FASHION SCOOPS: OLD LANG SIGN... WHY NOT?... HIGH STAKES...
March 1, 2005... OLD LANG SIGN: The fashion pack moved on from Milan to the first Paris season in years without a Helmut Lang collection. A Prada Group spokesman confirmed Monday that it will not show the press the fall line this week, instead taking...

GETTING ON THE DOUBLE DUTCH BUS.
March 1, 2005... Byline: Rosemary Feitelberg NEW YORK -- An avant-garde group of Dutch designers descended on the Big Apple last week for their first joint fashion show in the U.S. Organized by the Dutch Fashion Foundation and held at the nightclub...

SHINING STARS.(Academy Awards)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2005... The show might not have been one of Oscar's brightest, but the celebrities certainly did their part to hike the glam quotient at Sunday's Academy Awards. Here, Natalie Portman oozes Grecian cool in Lanvin and Fred Leighton jewels.

RED-CARPET CAMPS.
March 1, 2005... HOLLYWOOD -- If you think the Italians have had it tough, just wait and see how the French react. With buzz heightening that next year's Academy Awards could be bumped a week forward into March, the calendar clash that so conflicted with...

RUSH WEEK.
March 1, 2005... HOLLYWOOD -- To outsiders, it may look like every night of the year is a party in Los Angeles, but things really heat up in the week leading up to the Academy Awards. "It's like Hollywood spring break," said Quentin Tarantino on Saturday....

THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL.
March 1, 2005... Accessories are no longer content to take a backseat to gowns, especially on Oscar Sunday, when this year's looks bellowed "Vive la variete" rather than "Follow the leader." Standout trends included bold earrings such as Virginia Madsen's...

SURVIVAL OF THE FITTEST.
March 1, 2005... Sunday not only marked actress and screenwriter Julie Delpy's first time at the Academy Awards -- where she, Richard Linklater and Ethan Hawke were nominated for their adapted screenplay for "Before Sunset," also starring her and Hawke. It...

OSCAR SCOOPS: SOHO, SO CLOSE... MILLER TIME.(Brief Article)
March 1, 2005... SOHO, SO CLOSE: Forget The Ivy, The Chateau and Koi. The Oscar goes to Soho House for drawing in the most A-list names per square foot during Oscar Week in its second annual temporary Los Angeles outpost. The weeklong chic-fest, held in a...

COSTUME PARTY.(awards for costume designers)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2005... LOS ANGELES -- At a time when fashion brands and their marketing machines are increasingly grabbing the spotlight and credits for costuming, the real creators of a film character's look are the costume designers. And this year they received...

FREE SPIRITS.
March 1, 2005... The Sundance Film Festival has been co-opted by corporate America and major studios now back most independent film distributors, so it's not surprising that the Independent Spirit Awards, which took place in Santa Monica on Saturday, have...

MEMO PAD: KICKING & SCREAMING... RATING THE CRITICS... TIME KEEPS ON TICKING.(Time Style & Design)
March 1, 2005... Byline: Jeff Bercovici, Sara James KICKING & SCREAMING: It seems that Jane Freiman's "scorched earth" management style wasn't a good fit for no-frills Bauer Publishing. Freiman, hired in November to be deputy editor of Life & Style Weekly,...

GLOBE TROTTING.
March 1, 2005... NEW YORK -- Goodbye girly, hello sophisticate. Prints at next week's Premiere Vision -- running from March 9-12 at Parc D'Expositions Nord Villepinte in Paris -- will be relatively neutral in tone and will feature global influences, most...

NATURE WALK.
March 1, 2005... NEW YORK -- The mood for next spring is au naturel. Textile designers are returning to craftier, more organic looks that feature cotton, linen and hemp blends. Faint plaids, stripes and small tonal jacquards add texture, while tones of ivory,...

LOVELY IN LACE.
March 1, 2005... NEW YORK -- It's fun to play dress-up. And that's exactly what's happened to lace for spring. Textile designers are decorating the perennial favorite with metallic threads, beads, chiffon and metal. The feel is festive, sophisticated and...

TRADE BARRIERS REMOVED, BUT WALLS REMAIN.
March 1, 2005... Byline: Scott Malone NEW YORK -- Two months after World Trade Organization countries dropped quotas on textiles and apparel, the anticipated jubilation of importers instead has turned to figuring out how to navigate the remaining hurdles...

KAVANAUGH READY TO CALL IT A CAREER.(Ed Kavanaugh)
March 1, 2005... Byline: Joanna Ramey WASHINGTON -- Ed Kavanaugh is proof that beauty and politics needn't be odd bedfellows. Kavanaugh is set to retire next month as chief of the Cosmetic Toiletry and Fragrance Association, the beauty and personal...

OVER 700 SHOES, BAGS & MORE.(Brief Article)(Buyers Guide)
March 1, 2005... THE ULTIMATE GUIDE FOR SPRING 2005 REGAL VS. REBEL Which One Are You? EXOTIC! Wild Hides to Seek THE TRENDS THAT COUNT Easy Naturals to High-Voltage Glam Caption(s): Christian Louboutin cotton and patent leather...

NATURE'S WAY.
March 1, 2005... Does the definition to the left ring a bell? Admit it. You have a compulsive need for those sky-high Manolos. You have a serious Prada habit. Last season's Vuitton bag? The initial, breathless thrill has mellowed into tender tolerance (as...

CONTRIBUTORS.(Directory)
March 1, 2005... Photographer Stephen Lewis, whose dramatic work can be seen throughout this issue, shoots for publications including W, Elle Decor, House Beautiful, Town & Country, GQ, Martha Stewart Living and O, The Oprah Magazine and advertising clients...

RUNWAY.(Brief Article)
March 1, 2005... Spring was most brilliant at opposite ends of the spectrum: a breezy boho spirit or prim elegance. Caption(s): Gypsys, Tramps and Thieves: Cacharel / Laura Biagiotti / Emanuel Ungaro / Stella McCartney / Kenzo / Hermes / Costume National /...

EXTRAS: HARD BODIES... ISLAND LIFE... THAT 70'S SHOW.
March 1, 2005... Byline: Emilie Marsh, Ellen Burney, Michelle Baran Hard Bodies There's something satisfying about snapping your valuables into a tough little box. This season's rigid handbags, in unusual shapes and materials, double the pleasure....

EXTRAS: MADE IN THE SHADES.(Interview)
March 1, 2005... Byline: Marc Karimzadeh Pharrell Williams, half of the hit-making production duo The Neptunes and a member of chart-topping band N.E.R.D, has worked with stars like Jay-Z, Usher, Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake. Just recently, he...

EXTRAS: SOLE SISTER... TONY RANDALL... RAINY DAY WOMAN.
March 1, 2005... Sole Sister Actress Sarah Polley is only one of the famous names drawn to the custom-made shoes of Toronto-based Sarah Rotering (416.596.9854). The designer specializes in footwear with a vintage flair (she made Polley's boots for the epic...

EXTRAS: BANANA APPEAL... TRUNK SHOW... BAGGING IT...
March 1, 2005... Byline: Emily Holt, Robert Murphy Banana Appeal Last fall, it seemed everyone and his mother rolled out a collection of vintage-inspired brooches and baubles. But few did it as well as Banana Republic (bananarepublic.com). The brand...

EXTRAS: SPECIAL DELIVERY.
March 1, 2005... Byline: Sarah Taylor What woman wants flowers or a bottle of wine delivered to her doorstep when she can have a knock-out pair of pumps instead? That was Ashley Dearborn's big idea when the young designer launched her Shoe of the Month...

EXTRAS: EMBELLISH ME...PAGE TURNER...ANCIENT ARTS.(Lara Bohinc.,)
March 1, 2005... Byline: Jennifer Mooney, Elisa Anniss, Courtney Colavita Embellish Me The latest fashion collaboration? Shoe designers and jewelers. Olivia Morris, for example, has collaborated with London jewelry company Lara Bohinc 107 to create...

EXTRAS: GOOD SPORTS...AYE,MATEY...ALL IN THE FAMILY.
March 1, 2005... Byline: Emilie Marsh, Alessandra Ilari, Elisa Anniss Good Sports Sporty types, rejoice! Designers haven't forgotten you. Chanel (800.550.0005), for example, serves up red-and-silver in-line skates ($1,195) and a sleek boomerang ($225),...

EXTRAS: BRIT PACK...TOP OF THE BLOCK...TUSCAN SON.(Product/Service Evaluation)(Buyers Guide)
March 1, 2005... Byline: Elisa Anniss, Brian Russak, Luisa Zargani Brit Pack The best new British shoe designers are now just a click away. Recently launched U.K. Web site Viva La Diva (vivaladiva.com) has devoted a special section to homegrown stars...

EXTRAS: SUPERSIZE ME...HEELING POWERS.(Directory)(Product/Service Evaluation)
March 1, 2005... Byline: Marc Karimzadeh, Lydia Sargent Supersize Me Blame it on the Olsen twins. When Mary-Kate and Ashley enrolled at New York University last fall, they hit the city's downtown social scene with a vintage-bohemian style topped off...

EXTRAS: STAR TECH...LOVELY LOLITA...JEWEL IN THE CROWN.(Product/Service Evaluation)(Buyers Guide)
March 1, 2005... Byline: David Yassky, Elisa Anniss, Ellen Burney Star Tech Those who just can't live without their cell phones or their daily dose of fashion will relish flamboyant new takes on high-tech. The Jawbone ($150, jawbone.com) is a...

EXTRAS: FAKE IT TO MAKE IT.(Buyers Guide)
March 1, 2005... Byline: Alessandra Ilari, With contributions from Katya Foreman Diamonds may be a girl's best friend, but if you're seeking a low-maintenance summer love, tuck the carats into your safe and pile on the terrific costume jewelry that European...

EXTRAS: FRUIT LOOPS...GEN NEXT...IN THE JEANS.(Buyers Guide)
March 1, 2005... Byline: Katya Foreman, Emilie Marsh, Luisa Zargani, Marc Karimzadeh Fruit Loops For her new Paris boutique, accessories designer Laurence Hersant (33.1.4478.0887) began with an old laundromat and stripped it down to the cement floors...

EXTRAS: CHAIN GANG...BOLLYWOOD BAGS...UNFURLING.(Product/Service Evaluation)(Buyers Guide)
March 1, 2005... Byline: Katya Foreman, David Yassky, Alessandra Ilari Chain Gang Metallic chain necklaces added a bit of drama to this spring's feminine collections. Chanel (800.550.0055) showed a tangle of black and white pearls intertwined with...

HIGH AND MIGHTY; BOLD WEDGES TAKE SEX APPEAL SKY-HIGH.(Buyers Guide)
March 1, 2005... Cesare Paciotti suede and basket weave wedge, $450, at Cesare Paciotti, New York (212.452.1222) and Los Angeles (310.273.3220). Dior by John Galliano leather and cork wedge, $490, at select Dior boutiques (800.929.DIOR). Alberta...

GARDEN PARTY; SPRING PROMISES EARTHLY DELIGHTS, FROM BUTTERFLIES TO BLOOMS.(Buyers Guide)
March 1, 2005... Jean-Michel Cazabat suede sandal, $405, at La Bella Shoes, Long Beach, Calif. (562.856.3720). Andrea Pfister leather and vinyl sandal, $1,072, at Antonia, Las Vegas (opening April 28)(702.733.4444). Coach burlap, leather, suede and...

JEEPERS PEEPERS; THESE SEXY PEEP-TOES ARE WORTH A PEEK.(Brief Article)(Buyers Guide)
March 1, 2005... Narciso Rodriguez suede and patent leather pump, $560, at Bagutta, New York (212.925.5216). Agent Provocateur patent leather pump, $395, at Agent Provocateur, New York (212.965.0229). Estelle Yomeda kidskin pump, $440, at Only Hearts,...

BOWED OVER; FEMININE ELEMENTS LIKE RIBBONS AND BOWS ADD A GIRLY TOUCH TO SPRING.(Brief Article)(Buyers Guide)
March 1, 2005... Alberta Ferretti silk satin slide, $420, at Forty Five Ten, Dallas (214.559.4510). Rene Caovilla satin and Swarovski crystal sandal, $1,130, at Bergdorf Goodman, New York (212.753.7300). Anna Sui linen and leather stacked heel, $335,...

SHEEN GODDESS; SHIMMERING METALLICS LIGHT UP THE NIGHT.(Brief Article)(Buyers Guide)
March 1, 2005... Vivia by Vivia Ferragamo leather and crystal T-strap, $520, at Antonia, Newport Beach, Calif. (949.644.6910). Pierre Hardy lizard peep-toe slingback, $1,045, at Barneys New York, New York (212.826.8900). Sonia Rykiel calfskin T-strap...

SEMIPRECIOUS MOMENTS; A TROVE OF SPRING'S MOST GLITTERING GEMS.(Buyers Guide)
March 1, 2005... Bettye Muller kidskin sandal with jeweled ornament, $335, at La Bella Shoes, Long Beach, Calif. (562.856.3720). Christian Lacroix leather, silk satin and strass sandal, $520, at Neiman Marcus nationwide (800.937.9146). BCBG Max Azria...

COME SAIL AWAY; CANVAS ADDS LIGHT, SPORTY TOUCH TO HANDBAGS.(Brief Article)(Buyers Guide)
March 1, 2005... CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: Jimmy Choo linen and calfskin bag, $950, at Jimmy Choo, New York (212.759.7078) and jimmychoo.com. Tod's cotton, linen, suede and ponyhair bag, $745, at Tod's nationwide (800.457.TODS). Chloe cotton and...

MINI SPREE; TINY EVENING BAGS ARE A BIG IDEA.(Buyers Guide)
March 1, 2005... Juicy Couture leather bag with goldplated hardware. $78, at Saks Fifth Avenue stores nationwide (877.551.SAKS). Dolce & Gabbana python bags with goldplated hardware, $735 and $535, at Dolce & Gabbana nationwide (877.70.DGUSA). Donna...

IN THE QUIRKS; WHIMSICAL RETRO PRINTS ARE A HIT FOR SPRING.(Brief Article)(Buyers Guide)
March 1, 2005... Old Navy cotton bag, $16.50, oldnavy.com and 800.OLD.NAVY. Echo handbags cotton twill and leather bag, $82, 888.966.6722. Prada leather-trimmed cotton canvas bag, $770, at select Neiman Marcus stores (800.937.9146). LeSportsac...

WHITE HEAT; ONE OF THE HOTTEST COLORS THIS SEASON IS NO COLOR AT ALL.(Brief Article)(Buyers Guide)
March 1, 2005... Y-3 leather bag, $385, at Yohji Yamamoto, New York (212.966.9066). CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: LAI leather tote, $385, at LAI, New York (877.778.4355) and luxuryaccessories.com. Cole Haan leather bag with leather paillettes, $295, at Cole...

CHARMED I'M SURE; FASHION'S STILL IN LOVE WITH PLAYFUL CHARMS.(Brief Article)(Buyers Guide)
March 1, 2005... Rebecca Taylor leather bag with geode charms, $437, at Rebecca Taylor, New York (212.966.0406). Inge Christopher silk taffeta bag with papier-mache charms, $150, zappos.com. Christian Lacroix cotton canvas bag with metal and brass...

BABY'S GOT BACK; BACKPACKS AND FANNY PACKS ARE JUST THE TICKET FOR URBAN ADVENTURE.(Brief Article)(Buyers Guide)
March 1, 2005... Louison cotton fanny pack, $80, at Bergdorf Goodman (212.753.7300) and Takashimaya (212.350.0100), New York. Bliss Lau lambskin fanny pack, $245, at Opening Ceremony, New York (212.219.2688) and blisslau.com. Slim NYC vinyl, nylon and...

POCKET SCIENCE; LOOSE CHANGE NEVER HAD IT SO GOOD.(Brief Article)(Buyers Guide)
March 1, 2005... LAI leather coin purse, $45, at LAI, New York (877.778.4355). Furla leather coin purses, $65 each, at 888.FURLA.US. Betsey Johnson leather-trimmed cotton canvas bag with rubber and metal charms, $59, at Shoes n' More, Greenwich, Conn....

BIG DEAL; OVERSIZED AND DRAMATIC, THIS SEASON'S SHADES ARE REAL EYE-POPPERS.(Brief Article)(Buyers Guide)
March 1, 2005... Selima Optique plastic sunglasses, $250, at Selima Optique, New York (212.343.9490). Kenneth Cole Signature plastic sunglasses, $85, at Kenneth Cole New York nationwide (800.KENCOLE). Nour acetate sunglasses, $167, at Nour, Chicago...

LINKS MINX; SCORE A HOLE IN ONE WITH THESE SPORTY LOOKS.(Brief Article)(Buyers Guide)
March 1, 2005... Camper leather shoe, $165, at www.camper.com. Amaterasu suede and calfskin wedge, about $283, at Barneys New York, New York (212.826.8900). Yves Saint Laurent suede bag, $1,095, at select Yves Saint Laurent boutiques (800.832.3485),...

REGATTA GET 'EM; HIT THE SEAS WITH MARITIME EASE.(Brief Article)(Buyers Guide)
March 1, 2005... Marc by Marc Jacobs cotton canvas wedge, $295, at Marc Jacobs, New York (212.924.0026). Kate Spade cotton canvas and leather handbag, $375, at Kate Spade nationwide (800.519.3778). Versace leather wedge, $810, at Versace nationwide...

SPICE MARKET; THE SPRING AIR IS FILLED WITH ENTICEMENTS. FROM EXOTIC TO EARTH-FRIENDLY TO ULTRA-GLAM, THERE'S A LOOK FOR EVERY TASTE.(Brief Article)(Buyers Guide)
March 1, 2005... Calvin Klein Collection silver-toned metal and enamel clutch, $1,495, at Calvin Klein, New York (212.292.9000). Roger Vivier silk satin shoe with wood and crystal beading, $1,350, at select Neiman Marcus stores (800.937.9146).

ALL SEWN UP; DELICATE OR BOLD, DECORATIVE EMBROIDERY EMBELLISHES THE SEASON'S LUSHEST LOOKS.(Buyers Guide)
March 1, 2005... FROM LEFT: Moschino embroidered cotton bag, $1,095, at Forty Five Ten, Dallas (214.559.4510), and Blue Bee, Santa Barbara, Calif. (805.965.1956). Bettye Muller silk and raffia pump, $345, at Step, Charlotte, N.C. (704.376.1275), and...

RAW GOODS; WORKED INTO SOPHISTICATED SHAPES, NATURAL-TONED WOOD AND LEATHER GIVE URBANE STYLE AN EARTHY EDGE.(Buyers Guide)
March 1, 2005... FROM LEFT: Anna Sui leather sandal, $301, at Anna Sui, New York (212.941.8406). Jean Paul Gaultier calfskin and cotton canvas tote, $985, at Chantelle, Palm Desert, Calif. (760.568.0086). Alexandra Neel calfskin shoe with lace-up...

SUGAR SUGAR; TODAY'S SWEETEST ACCESSORIES COME IN TEMPTING SHERBET HUES.(Buyers Guide)
March 1, 2005... FROM LEFT: Sergio Rossi leather pump, $430, at Sergio Rossi nationwide (212.941.0529). Betsey Johnson pink metal-studded calfskin bag, $150, at Bloomingdale's, New York (800.555.SHOP), and select Macy's stores (macys.com). ...

GLOBAL VILLAGE; THIS SEASON'S GRAND TOUR DRAWS FROM FAR-FLUNG INFLUENCES FOR INTRIGUING PRINTS AND FLOURISHES.(Buyers Guide)
March 1, 2005... FROM LEFT: Gucci crocodile and silk velvet bag, $3,790, at select Gucci boutiques (800.234.8224). Olivia Morris leather pump with cotton rosette, $570, at Kirna Zabete, New York (212.941.9656). Adele Clarke cotton and leather...

NEWPORT NEWS; SPRING IS GREENWICH MEAN TIME, WITH PREPPY GINGHAMS, CHECKS AND FLORALS.(Buyers Guide)
March 1, 2005... FROM LEFT: Givenchy cotton canvas tote, $1,335, at Givenchy, New York (212.688.4338). Alexander McQueen cotton and leather mary jane, $805, at Alexander McQueen, New York (212.645.1797), and Satine, Los Angeles (323.655.2142). ...

WEB SIGHTS; DESIGNERS SPIN A TALE OF INTRIGUE WITH WOVEN LOOKS IN LEATHER, RAFFIA, STRAW AND EVEN GOLD.(Buyers Guide)
March 1, 2005... FROM LEFT: Moschino Cheap and Chic patent-trimmed raffia shoe with plastic charms, $395, at select Saks Fifth Avenue stores (877.551.SAKS). Cole Haan straw tote with plastic beading, $275, at Cole Haan nationwide (800.201.8001). ...

WILD THINGS; BOOST YOUR ANIMAL MAGNETISM WITH EXOTIC SKINS AND BOLD TREATMENTS OR COLORS.(Buyers Guide)
March 1, 2005... FROM LEFT: Givenchy ostrich T-strap, $700, at Givenchy, New York (212.688.4338). Zac Posen leather clutch, $590, at select Neiman Marcus stores (800.937.9146). Gullaume Hinfray python pump, about $462, at Percorsi Obbligati,...

MINERAL RIGHTS; DONE UP WITH NATURAL ELEMENTS -- CORAL, SHELL, STONE -- HIGHLY EVOLVED SHAPES FLAUNT A PRIMITIVE VIBE.(Buyers Guide)
March 1, 2005... FROM LEFT: Matthew Williamson cotton and shell belt, $557, at select Marshall Field's stores (800.MFIELDS). Dior Fine Jewelry coral, diamond and 18k yellow gold floral ring (in front of belt), $9,700, at Dior Fine Jewelry nationwide...

HAT TRICKS.(Brief Article)(Product/Service Evaluation)
March 1, 2005... Picture Jodie Foster in Taxi Driver, dolled up to the hooker nines: platforms, short-shorts and petulant stare. But where would the iconic woman-child be without her signature wide-brim hat? What once was an etiquette must-have, the chic...

SHEAR CHIC.(Brief Article)
March 2, 2005... PARIS -- Not every reality romance is short-lived. At Christian Dior, for example, John Galliano's spring flirtation with real clothes continued to flourish into fall. There were lots of beautiful looks, from big striped sweaters worn as...

BUILDING NEW TITANS: MORE MERGERS SEEN IN THE CHASE FOR SCALE.(Industry Overview)
March 2, 2005... Byline: Evan Clark NEW YORK -- As the industry digested the news of the Federated-May combo, one question whirled through offices on Tuesday: Who's next? The industry has been rife with speculation in the last few months over who's...

OSCARS, PARIS SQUARE OFF ON DATES.
March 2, 2005... Byline: Marcy Medina BEVERLY HILLS -- The Paris shows will have some competition next year -- with Oscar. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences confirmed on Tuesday that the 2006 Oscars will take place March 5 -- the...

IN BRIEF: O SOLE MIO... RETRO FOX ADDS LICENSEE.(Holt, Renfrew and Company Ltd.)(Billant Apparel)(Brief Article)
March 2, 2005... O SOLE MIO: Holt Renfrew & Co. Ltd. has ended its 14-year lease agreement with Browns Shoes. The Toronto-based Holt Renfrew, considered Canada's premier luxury chain, will transition to operating its own shoe division by February 2007. Browns...

CORRECTIONS.(Correction Notice)
March 2, 2005... Under Armour's marketing campaign, "Protect This House," made its debut in 2003 and has received numerous advertising awards. The name of the campaign was incorrect in a story on page 12, Thursday. In a Memo Pad item on page 16, Friday,...

VIKTOR & ROLF AIMS FOR NEW PEAKS.
March 2, 2005... Byline: Miles Socha PARIS -- Viktor Horsting and Rolf Snoeren just moved into sprawling new headquarters in Amsterdam, so large that everyone gets their own office -- except the men whose initials are above the door in the form of a...

COSTUME NATIONAL BRINGS C'N'C TO THE STATES.
March 2, 2005... Byline: Lauren DeCarlo NEW YORK -- Ennio Capasa, head designer for Milan-based Costume National, knew there was only one place to look for inspiration for the company's contemporary collection. He turned to the streets. From there,...

SUZY: TOM FORD'S FUTURE: HIS OWN LINE AND WINE, TOO?(Eleanor Lambert's best-dressed list passed on the Vanity Fair )
March 2, 2005... Byline: Aileen Mehle When Eleanor Lambert, one of the great innovative forces in American fashion, died in 2003 at 100 years of age, she bequeathed her treasured possession, the annual International Best-Dressed list, which she founded,...

YOHJI'S NEW MAN.(Keizo Tamoto, chief executive of Yohji Yamamoto)
March 2, 2005... Byline: Miles Socha PARIS -- The Yohji Yamamoto, Y's and Y-3 collections all mixed up in the same store? Why not, says Keizo Tamoto, the new chief executive at Yohji Yamamoto, who is bringing a blast of change to a troubled business...

SOPHISTICATED REALITIES; FOR FALL, JOHN GALLIANO CONTINUED HIS LOVE AFFAIR WITH REALITY AT CHRISTIAN DIOR WITH LOOKS THAT FEATURED STYLISH CONTRASTS OF MATERIALS, WHILE NICOLAS GHESQUIERE, TOO, SHOWED A SURPRISINGLY COMMERCIAL BENT WITH HIS MODERN VERSION OF HIGH GLAM FOR BALENCIAGA. YOHJI YAMAMOTO, FOR HIS PART, WORKED A SOBER VEIN ONCE MORE, IN AN INTRIGUING COLLECTION FULL OF GREAT BLACK PIECES.
March 2, 2005... Christian Dior: Oh, the proverbial spring fling. In John Galliano's case, it grew into something more -- it being last season's romance with reality. The designer exposed his starry-eyed fascination once again with every look of his fall...