WWD articles from March 2007

WWD archives from March 2007

FOXY LASSIE.(fur clothing exhibition by Jean Paul Gaultier)(Brief article)
March 1, 2007... PARIS - Fur is all over Paris this season, and not just in incognito linings. Instead, it can't get any bigger or flashier, to the delight of the fashion crowd and the ire of you-know-who, whose denizens have added a new wrinkle, or several, to...

TACKLING COUNTERFEITERS: MAJOR BRANDS TARGET REPEAT OFFENDER.(Timberland Co. and Nautica Apparel Inc. accuse Trendy USA Inc. of product counterfeiting)
March 1, 2007... Byline: Ross Tucker NEW YORK - A lawsuit in federal court here has revealed the seizure of tens of thousands of pieces of branded apparel that were allegedly counterfeit. The case also shows how persistent counterfeiting operations can be...

IN BRIEF: VF HITS ONE OUT...POLO'S GOLF FACE.(VF Imagewear Inc, acquires assets of Majestic Athletic Inc.)(Polo Ralph Lauren chooses Luke Donald as brand ambassador)(Brief article)
March 1, 2007... VF HITS ONE OUT: VF Imagewear Inc., a subsidiary of VF Corp., has acquired most of the assets of Majestic Athletic Inc. and its related companies. With headquarters and manufacturing in Bangor, Pa., Majestic is a global provider of authentic...

CORRECTION.
March 1, 2007... The 34th Street Partnership estimates the average number of pedestrians passing by Macy's at 34th Street and Broadway during its store hours is about 100,000 each weekday. The number was incorrect in a story on page 22, Friday.

RESTRUCTURING COSTS DRAG DOWN LIZ NET.(Liz Claiborne Inc. financial report)(Financial report)
March 1, 2007... Byline: Whitney Beckett NEW YORK - Declines in profits at Liz Claiborne Inc. in both the fourth quarter and the full year, a result of restructuring charges, marked a tough debut for chief executive officer William L. McComb. For the...

STOCK MARKET MOUNTS SLIGHT COMEBACK.
March 1, 2007... Byline: WWD Staff As the stock market rebounded slightly from Tuesday's massive sell-off, analysts said Wednesday that the retail sector will likely recover. Retail stocks are expected to go through a cycle of softness during the...

LIMITED INCOME SLIPS IN QTR.(financial report)(Financial report)
March 1, 2007... Byline: David Moin Fueled by robust traffic at its Victoria's Secret and Bath & Body Works divisions, Limited Brands Inc. cracked $10 billion in sales in 2006 and showed improvements in operating profits throughout the year. However,...

HOME TO ROOST.(annual Winter Ball of The Museum of the City of New York )
March 1, 2007... NEW YORK - The Museum of the City of New York lured bare-legged and train-bedecked ladies up Fifth Avenue to its annual Winter Ball Tuesday night, this year cosponsored by Valentino and Graff. And for the first time, a heated and topiary-dotted...

RADIO DAYS.(dialogue with Eric Bogosian )(Interview)
March 1, 2007... Byline: Jacob Bernstein In his 30-year career, Eric Bogosian has written two novels and more than a dozen plays, in addition to working as an actor with everyone from Woody Allen to Steven Seagal. A revival of his breakout hit "Talk...

HISTORY BOY.(biography of Hugh Dancy)(Biography)
March 1, 2007... Byline: Elisa Lipsky-Karasz There is a common perception that actors ought to stick to their lines if they want to sound intelligent, but that's not true in Hugh Dancy's case. Currently starring in the well-received revival of R.C....

CHLO'S NEW DESIGNER LOOKS TO PUT HIS SPIN ON BRAND.(Biography)
March 1, 2007... Byline: Miles Socha PARIS - He gives colors quirky names like "depressed pistachio"; crafts small, 3-D dress shapes out of paper and Scotch tape, and shuns theater and drama on the runway in favor of real clothes. And Paulo Melim...

MARTINE SITBON RETURNS WITH LAUNCH OF NEW LABEL.(Martine Sitbon launches Rue du Mail fashion brand)
March 1, 2007... Byline: Robert Murphy Martine Sitbon, a stalwart of the Paris fashion scene and a former Chlo designer, knows the winds of change. After all, as she prepares to revive her business, which closed two years ago after a snafu with her Korean...

SIGNATURE NOTIONS.
March 1, 2007... Doing what comes naturally works. Valentino provided looks for every Val Gal, while Jean Paul Gaultier showed towering tartans and Christian Lacroix's embellished styles were beauties. Valentino: Was Valentino's show on Wednesday the last...

FOR A GOOD TIME.(women's clothing exhibitions)
March 1, 2007... Here's hoping that girls just want to have fun this fall. Punkish elements, playful trimmings and even stuffed gloves were all part of the action. Karl Lagerfeld: It's a good thing the day started absolument beau, weather-wise, because...

DIOR'S JUNGLE LOOK.
March 1, 2007... THE BUILD-UP FOR DIOR'S LATEST FINE jewelry collection started in January when the house gave a virtual preview on the Internet's "Second Life." But the unveiling of the jewels - at the Orangerie, surrounded by Monet's Water Lily paintings -...

GETTING SPECIFIC.
March 1, 2007... Extra, extra! Patent collars, appliques, folds and pops of pink were on a few of the special touches designers gave to their detail-oriented collections. Akris: Albert Kriemler knows his customer, and she's not interested in looking...

FASHION SCOOPS: PHILO FACTS...LOVE AND HASTE...HAIR DAY.(Phoebe Philo, Chlo)(Karl Lagerfeld, Chanel)(anti-fur protests at fashion shows)
March 1, 2007... PHILO FACTS: Former Chlo designer Phoebe Philo may be investigating the eventual launch of a signature collection, and meeting with potential backers. But she is said to have a personal project in the works, too. According to sources, Philo and...

BUFFALO LANDS IN LONDON.(Lacoste to market denim brand Buffalo David Bitton in UK)
March 1, 2007... Byline: Nina Jones After testing the waters with a temporary London store in the summer, Canadian denim brand Buffalo David Bitton is making its U.K. presence permanent. The company has opened a stand-alone store on London's...

REPLAY LAUNCHES COLLECTORS LINE.
March 1, 2007... Byline: Ross Tucker Italian denim label Replay launched a limited edition pair of jeans to mark its 25th anniversary last year, and the project has planted the seeds for the company's latest venture. Replay will introduce in its stores...

LEVI'S HONORS WARHOL ANNIVERSARY.(Andy Warhol, Levi Strauss & Co.)(Brief article)
March 1, 2007... Byline: Ross Tucker Levi's marked the 20th anniversary of Andy Warhol's death last week with a runway show for its Warhol Factory X Levi's fall collection. The show was held Thursday at the Gershwin Hotel in New York as part of a...

MINERAL MAKEUP A ROCK FOR BARE ESCENTUALS IN QUARTER.
March 1, 2007... Byline: Molly Prior, Julie Naughton Bare Escentuals sold more women in more places on the mineral makeup concept, resulting in yet another quarterly sales surge. "We continue to make progress on our goal to selectively increase our...

MEMO PAD: HARSH WORDS...STORM IN A B CUP...BUILDING A BIGGER HOUSE.(Jane apologizes to young women)(Bud Konheim talks harshly)(Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia Inc. profits)
March 1, 2007... Byline: Stephanie D. Smith, Irin Carmon, Amy Wicks HARSH WORDS: Vera Wang may be navigating her relationship with New York Times fashion critic Cathy Horyn with caution, but Bud Konheim, chief executive officer of Nicole Miller, has no...

BLUEFLY SALES UP, BUT LOSS WIDENS.(financial report)(Financial report)(Brief article)
March 1, 2007... Byline: Liza Casabona NEW YORK - Despite a 27.5 percent sales gain, Bluefly Inc. said on Wednesday that it posted a widened loss for the fourth quarter ended Dec. 31. Bluefly's loss grew to $3.5 million, or 3 cents a share, from...

AZZARO SETS AMBITIOUS PLAN.(Reig Capital's Sagra Maceira de Rosen talks about Loris Azzaro S.A.'s expansion plans)(Interview)
March 1, 2007... Byline: Robert Murphy PARIS - After engineering a rapid renaissance at the house of Loris Azzaro, designer Vanessa Seward, known for her ultra glamorous evening confections, is spearheading the second phase of the brand's development. ...

A REFRESHINGLY CHIC FALL; THE MOST-VIEWED 2007 NEW YORK FALL COLLECTIONS ON STYLE.COM.
March 1, 2007... Byline: Cecily Hall "New York has gone blatantly, unapologetically, refreshingly chic," noted WWD during the New York shows. "Retailers used words such as 'ladylike,' 'refinement,' 'simplicity' and 'straightforward' to describe a rich,...

LIVING THE HIGH LIFE: VERSACE TO DESIGN HELICOPTER.(Gianni Versace S.p.A. collabrates with AgustaWestland)
March 1, 2007... Byline: Amanda Kaiser MILAN - Versace is expanding its movable feast. The brand, which has already rolled out versions of private jets, yachts and sports cars, is moving into yet another facet of luxury transportation: helicopters. ...

IMPORTERS WARY OF DEMOCRATS' FOCUS ON WORKER RIGHTS.
March 1, 2007... Byline: Kristi Ellis WASHINGTON - Apparel importers who bring billions of dollars worth of clothing and textiles to the U.S. from foreign factories each year are worried about the new trade agenda of Congressional Democrats that places a...

HOUSE ACTION TO CURB CHINA GROWTH GAINS STEAM.
March 1, 2007... Byline: Kristi Ellis WASHINGTON - A bipartisan group of House lawmakers, looking to capitalize on momentum on Capitol Hill to restrain China's growth, reintroduced a bill Wednesday that would add currency manipulation to the list of unfair...

ONE FINE DAY.
March 1, 2007... Every girl loves a little versatility, and this fall's wardrobe is about just that. Looks are polished yet casual - dressed-up enough for big-ticket outings, but sufficiently relaxed for at-home lounging. Caption(s): On The Cover: Twinkle...

SCENE.(Nasher Sculpture Center.)
March 1, 2007... Byline: Holly Haber A New Dimension "Sculpture is the best comment that a painter can make on painting," said Pablo Picasso in 1964. The interplay between two- and three-dimensional art is examined in "Matisse: Painter as...

SPANISH STEPS; A NEW FASHION EXHIBITION ILLUSTRATES THE EVOLUTION AND INFLUENCE OF CRISTOBAL BALENCIAGA.
March 1, 2007... Byline: Holly Haber The elaborate, prescient fashions of Cristobal Balenciaga take center stage through May 27 at the Meadows Museum, the Spanish art gallery at Southern Methodist University in Dallas. "Balenciaga and His Legacy: Haute...

COMFORT AND JOY.
March 1, 2007... It's all about livability this fall. Designers are having fun with looks that are easy, polished and perfect from dawn till dusk. Caption(s): Walter's wool tweed jacket and polyester, rayon and spandex pants at Ritz Group. Cesare Paciotti...

The FIG five; Fashion Industry Gallery opens a handful of permanent showrooms.(Brief article)
March 1, 2007... Byline: Holly Haber If three are good, five are better. A trio of permanent showrooms opened in January on the second floor of Fashion Industry Gallery, and they'll be joined by two more tenants in March, according to FIG director...

FCD MARKET CALENDAR; WOMEN'S & CHILDREN'S APPAREL & ACCESSORIES MARKET; BRIDAL, QUINCEAERA & SPECIAL OCCASION MARKET; MEN'S APPAREL MARKET; SCENE EDITED TEMPORARY SHOW; TEMPORARIES ON 12; INTERNATIONAL WESTERN APPAREL & ACCESSORIES MARKET, AND INTERNATIONAL GIFT AND HOME ACCESSORIES MARKET; MARCH 18-21, DALLAS MARKET CENTER.(Calendar)
March 1, 2007... DAILY EVENTS 8:30 a.m.: Java Jump-start Begin your day with complimentary Krispy Kreme doughnuts and Starbucks coffee, courtesy of Dallas Market Center. 1st floor, World Trade Center, Trade Mart and IFGC, and 15th floor (15900...

THEY'VE GOT MOXIE; TWO FORMER GE-NE REPS OPEN A NEW SHOWROOM AT FASHIONCENTERDALLAS.(Kim Burd, Krista Ward open new showroom Moxie Fashions)
March 1, 2007... Byline: Rusty Williamson The Ge-Ne showroom at the Dallas Market Center may have relinquished lines and floor space when it downsized and changed its name, but owner Nat Ekelman's influence remains palpable in the opening of Moxie...

JERSEY GIRL; DESIGNER RACHEL PALLY WILL BE FETED AT FASHION INDUSTRY GALLERY.(Interview)
March 1, 2007... Byline: Holly Haber Not many designers in business for four years can say they've dressed every celebrity they'd like, except Oprah. But that's the case with Rachel Pally, who will be the featured designer at Fashion Industry Gallery...

THEY GOTTA HAVE IT; SIX DALLAS SHOWROOM OWNERS SHARE THEIR FAVORITE TRENDS FOR FALL.
March 1, 2007... Byline: Rusty Williamson and Holly Haber Sales representatives at FashionCenterDallas and Fashion Industry Gallery are heading into March market with a cavalcade of fall styles to entice buyers. Their must-have lists include bold geometric...

COLLECTORS' ITEMS; THE LATEST COLLECTION-BASED DRESSING LOOKS PULLED TOGETHER WITHOUT LOOKING TOO CONTRIVED.
March 1, 2007... Byline: Kristen Jandoli In today's time-pressed culture, a new kind of collection-based dressing might be the next best thing to having a personal shopper. After all, what dedicated clotheshorse wouldn't like to have a closet full of...

NEW LINES; A LOOK AT THE RECENT ARRIVALS IN DALLAS SHOWROOMS.
March 1, 2007... Byline: Genny Chang DALLAS MARKET CENTER AMBROSIA & CO., Suite 15585 Cielo Los Angeles-based Cielo is a novelty tops-driven line presenting contemporary styles for "modern fit" customers of all ages and sizes. Specializing in...

None-derwear; Nundies provide the latest solution to an age-old fashion faux pas.(single-use disposable panty)
March 1, 2007... Byline: Rusty Williamson Panty lines aren't a problem with Nundies, a new single-use disposable panty that adheres to the inseam of pants. Designed as an alternative to underwear, thongs or G-strings, Nundies are shaped like a small...

BETTER THAN OK; AS OIL-RICH OKLAHOMA CITY GEARS UP FOR GROWTH, VETERAN RETAILERS PREDICT BOOMING SALES.
March 1, 2007... Byline: Susan Grossman Oklahoma City and fashion: two concepts not often found in the same sentence. But as the town long associated with dusty cowboy boots and Wrangler jeans observes its centennial year, it's also experiencing a...

PEARLS OF WISDOM.
March 1, 2007... Accessories designers are reeling in a fresh catch for fall, full of bags, belts and jewelry decked out in pearls. Caption(s): Amy Kahn Russell's bone, mabe pearl, feldspath and sterling necklace at Iris T. / J. Tiras' crystal, glass pearl...

CAREER MOVE; CRAIG CLOVIS RETURNS TO THE WHOLESALE ACCESSORIES BUSINESS.(Interview)
March 1, 2007... Byline: Rusty Williamson Craig Clovis is back in business. Clovis, who owned a popular accessories showroom at FashionCenterDallas for 16 years before closing in 2003 to accept a brand manager position at a sterling silver jewelry firm...

CROWNING ACHIEVEMENT; CORONATION OWNER DAWN BELL RESTYLES VINTAGE REGALIA WITH A MODERN TWIST.
March 1, 2007... Byline: Heather Staible After 25 years of combing the world for timeless vintage clothing, Dawn Bell had big plans for her little shop on Magazine Street in New Orleans. Unfortunately, so did Hurricane Katrina. Her dream of opening a...

THE FULL STORY.(refined look for denim)(Brief article)
March 1, 2007... Wide-leg cuts give the newest denim a refined look for fall. 1. Chip & Pepper's cotton and spandex jeans at Hatch. 2. Hudson's cotton and spandex pants. 3. Seven For All Mankind's cotton and Lycra spandex pants at Linde Lee. ...

ON THE LOOSE.(Stefano Pilati's fall collection)(Brief article)
March 2, 2007... PARIS - Stefano Pilati made a definitive mark at Yves Saint Laurent with a dramatic fall collection in a dark palette with futuristic elements, notably slicker and more focused than his past efforts. Bold volume was key, as illustrated by the...

REVERSING GAP'S TAILSPIN: TO CUT MARKETING, STORES AND COURT OLDER SHOPPER.
March 2, 2007... Byline: David Moin Gap Inc. continued its downward slide on Thursday, reporting a 35 percent drop in earnings and 7 percent decline in comparable store sales in the fourth quarter, and then making it clear to investors there is a long...

LIMITED TO SHRINK APPAREL AND GROW VICTORIA'S SECRET.(Limited Brands Inc. Victoria's Secret Stores Div.)
March 2, 2007... Byline: David Moin Limited Brands is working its real estate as hard as ever. On the agenda for 2007: more downsizing in the apparel division and aggressive expansion for Victoria's Secret, along with moderating inventory levels after...

KOHL'S NET LEAPS IN QTR., YEAR.
March 2, 2007... Byline: Vicki M. Young NEW YORK - Reinforced by robust gross margin increases and strong sales, Kohl's Corp. on Thursday posted double-digit profit gains for both the fourth quarter and for the year end. The retailer also said it was...

QUOTE OF THE WEEK.(Christian Dior opinion on age)(Brief article)
March 2, 2007... "As far as age is concerned, there are only two ages - girlhood and womanhood." - Christian Dior in his "Little Dictionary of Fashion," as quoted in WWDMilestones on Dior's 60th year.

IN BRIEF.(100 percent scanning for cargo containers)(Brief article)
March 2, 2007... SENATE REJECTS 100 PERCENT SCANNING: The Senate defeated an amendment Thursday that would have required 100 percent scanning of all U.S.-bound cargo containers at foreign ports, a measure importers and shippers oppose. Sens. Charles Schumer...

DARK VICTORIES.(Yves Saint Laurent's Stefano Pilati)
March 2, 2007... Cool, clean-cut pieces, Savile Row-tailored looks and even seafaring shapes made an impact for fall, often in dark shades. Yves Saint Laurent: Wow! Stefano Pilati has arrived at Yves Saint Laurent. The first exit of his show on Thursday...

GET DRESSED.(Hussein Chalayan, Emanuel Ungaro, Sophia Kokosalaki)
March 2, 2007... Frocks took many forms for fall, from an LBD in ruched silk to a sleek shift complete with an LED display. Hussein Chalayan: Hussein Chalayan operates on his own wavelength, one on which clothes morph mechanically at the flick of a button...

FASHION SCOOPS: FLIGHT PATTERNS...NAKED TRUTH...BACK IN BLACK.(Stefano Pilati's fall-winter collection)(Louis Vuitton's Camille Miceli poses naked)(Martine Sitbon's collection)
March 2, 2007... FLIGHT PATTERNS: Stefano Pilati, who showed his fall-winter collection for Yves Saint Laurent Thursday night, has also had travel on his mind. He created a still-secret, but ambitious, collection dubbed "24 Hours" that's slated for delivery in...

THEYSKENS TAKING IT ONE STEP AT A TIME AT RICCI.(Olivier Theyskens at Nina Ricci Inc.)
March 2, 2007... Byline: Miles Socha PARIS - Knowing expectations are running high for his Nina Ricci runway debut on Sunday, Olivier Theyskens prefers to characterize it as a "first step." "Each collection is a little bit like a chapter in a book,"...

SYBILLA'S FALL SHOW TO KICK OFF RETAIL EXPANSION.
March 2, 2007... Byline: Barbara Barker MADRID - During Madrid's mad artistic upheaval of the Eighties, Sybilla, the brand and the impish designer behind it, were one and the same - iconic and quirky, long before the word became a part of the fashion...

GALLIANO TO DO SIGNATURE SCENT.(John Galliano signs fragrance licensing agreement with Selective Beauty)
March 2, 2007... Byline: Jennifer Weil and Miles Socha PARIS - John Galliano will soon be sending a message - make that an epic - in a bottle. Twenty-three years after launching his signature brand, the designer - acclaimed for his romantic vision,...

SHISEIDO NAMES DICK PAGE ARTISTIC DIRECTOR FOR COLOR.(Shiseido Company Ltd. appoints Dick Page)
March 2, 2007... Byline: Julie Naughton NEW YORK - There's a new Page in Shiseido's color cosmetics playbook - noted editorial makeup artist Dick Page, that is. Page, a Brit who is currently based in New York, has been named artistic director for the...

FRAGRANCE HOUSES CATER TO YOUNGER AUDIENCE.(Thierry Mugler Parfums plans to launch Eau de Star, Ice Men)
March 2, 2007... Byline: Jennifer Weil PARIS - An increasing number of fragrance manufacturers have young consumers on their radar. That's because people in the 18- to 24-year-old range are still buying scents at a slower pace than older shoppers. ...

FRAGRANCE HOUSES CATER TO YOUNGER AUDIENCE.(Boucheron's "Miss Boucheron")
March 2, 2007... Byline: Ellen Groves "What this means is that there is a huge opportunity to grow the 18- to 24-year-old female segment," Karen Grant, senior beauty analyst for NPD, said in a statement. "The good news is, these young women are thirsting...

COTY UNVEILS NEW SPACE AT LORD & TAYLOR FLAGSHIP.
March 2, 2007... Byline: Julie Naughton Coty Inc. today will unveil a new fragrance bay at Lord & Taylor's Fifth Avenue flagship in Manhattan, with an eye to unite at retail the prestige scents that Coty owns and distributes in U.S. specialty stores. ...

HAIN CELESTIAL'S NATURAL GROWTH.(Hain Celestial Group Inc.)(Company overview)
March 2, 2007... Byline: Michelle Edgar These days, the Hain Celestial Group is recognized as a company that offers a lot more than tea and a bag of chips. Following the January acquisition of Alba Botanica and Avalon Organics from North Castle...

PANPURI LOOKS TO BRING THAI BEAUTY APPROACH TO U.S.
March 2, 2007... Byline: Kavita Daswani LOS ANGELES - With line names like Solitude, Leading Light, Awakening and Beyond Self, Thailand skin care line Panpuri is hoping to tap into the trend in holistic and Eastern-inspired beauty. The brand, which...

SNIPPETS: LUMENE EXPANDS...WANG AT SAKS...TRADE ORGS UNITE.(Vera Wang launches his line of perfume at Saks Inc.)(Cosmetic, Toiletry and Fragrance Association signs regulations)
March 2, 2007... LUMENE EXPANDS: This month, Target will clear room in its beauty department for Lumene, the Finnish beauty brand that CVS Pharmacy introduced to the U.S. market in 2003. Since adding Lumene to its mix, CVS has rolled out the brand to all 6,200...

MASS BEAUTY MAKERS TAKE CUE FROM PRESTIGE, RUNWAY.(Industry overview)
March 2, 2007... Byline: Faye Brookman, With contributions from Andrea Nagel and Michelle Edgar The mass market cosmetics category is undergoing a major overhaul with manufacturers borrowing the best of the best from upscale companies. Major trends include...

MASS BEAUTY MAKERS TAKE CUE FROM PRESTIGE, RUNWAY.
March 2, 2007... Byline: Andrea Nagel The eyes have it, and according to cosmetics executives, the windows to our soul will remain a focus for makeup users throughout 2007, resulting in what may be another year of lackluster sales of lip and nail products....

JEAN MARC PLISSON TO FILL TOP SPOT AT FRESH.(appointment of Jean Marc Plisson )
March 2, 2007... Byline: Michelle Edgar NEW YORK - Jean Marc Plisson has been named chief executive officer of Fresh Inc., succeeding co-founder Lev Glazman at the LVMH Mot Hennessy Louis Vuitton-owned beauty brand. "I want to concentrate on...

PHILOSOPHY TAPS MCNAMARA AS CEO.(appointment of E. Michael McNamara )
March 2, 2007... Byline: Molly Prior Philosophy plans to build its future with a new architect at the helm. The feel-good beauty brand, which was acquired by the private equity firm Carlyle Group in January for an estimated $450 million, has named E....

MEMO PAD: TIMELY EXITS...CLOSING THE DIARY...SHRINKING WORLD.(Fox Broadcasting Co.'s "Dirt")(House and Garden relaunch website)(Style.com Inc., Men.style.com appoint Lisa Ryan Howard)
March 2, 2007... Byline: Stephanie D. Smith, Irin Carmon, David Moin, Sharon Edelson TIMELY EXITS: Time Inc. is less than halfway toward its target number of Guild-protected employees it needs to take buyouts, according to a representative from the...

HOUSE LABOR UNION BILL FACES BUSH VETO.(George W. Bush to use his veto power to oppose labor law)
March 2, 2007... Byline: Kristi Ellis WASHINGTON - The House passed a bill Thursday that would make it easier for unions to organize workers, but President Bush has said he would veto the legislation, bolstering the position of retailers opposed to it. ...

APPAREL SALES BOOST SEARS HOLDINGS' EARNINGS IN 4TH QUARTER.
March 2, 2007... Byline: Vicki M. Young Sears Holdings Corp. said Thursday that fourth-quarter earnings jumped 26.5 percent, beating the consensus earnings per share estimate by 15 cents. Results got a boost from better margins in apparel sales at...

FEATHER-LIGHT.(fashion, Olivier Theyskens' collections)(Brief article)
March 5, 2007... PARIS - Go softly. That was the message Olivier Theyskens delivered in his serene first collection for Nina Ricci, which was done with gentleness and delicacy in cloud colors. The day looks had a distinctive blend of sportiness and femininity....

PLENTY OF EMPTY OFFICES: SPECIALTY SECTOR SEEKS PLETHORA OF TOP EXECS.(specialty stores)
March 5, 2007... Byline: David Moin Across the apparel specialty retail sector this season, "Help Wanted" signs are almost as visible as point-of-sale markdowns, with an unprecedented number of top-level jobs up for grabs. This is the time of year when...

ICONIX AND ROCAWEAR SAID CLOSE TO DEAL.(Iconix Brand Group Inc.)(contracts)(Brief article)
March 5, 2007... Byline: Vicki M. Young, Whitney Beckett Iconix Brand Group Inc. is said to be close to inking a deal with Rocawear. Details of the agreement were unclear at press time. While word in the marketplace from some was that it could be an...

NEIMAN MARCUS UNVEILS NEW CUSP UNIT.
March 5, 2007... Byline: Evan Clark WASHINGTON - Neiman Marcus opened its third Cusp store in this city's Georgetown neighborhood last week and revealed that the fourth location will be launched in Northbrook Court, near Chicago, in July. Neiman's...

CYNTHIA ROWLEY OPENS JAPANESE FLAGSHIP.(Brief article)
March 5, 2007... Byline: Akira Miura TOKYO - Cynthia Rowley, which operates 28 shops-in-shops in department stores in Japan, has opened its first flagship in the Aoyama district here. The 700-square-foot store is owned by Itokin Co. Ltd., an apparel...

IN BRIEF: SAKS TAPS MOVADO EXEC.(appointment of Ernest LaPorte )(Brief article)
March 5, 2007... SAKS TAPS MOVADO EXEC: Saks Inc. has named Ernest LaPorte senior vice president and controller of Saks Fifth Avenue. He will assume a corporate role with these responsibilities in August. LaPorte, a certified public accountant, most recently...

THE DANCING COURTESAN.(Kiran, Pakistani classical dancer)(Interview)
March 5, 2007... Byline: Mahlia S. Lone, Samantha Conti LAHORE, Pakistan - Elizabeth Hurley has planned her upcoming nuptials in meticulous detail. Everything is to be of the best, especially at the opulent five-day-long festivities that kick off Wednesday...

A ROMANCE FOR THE AGES.(Ariel Ricaud's novel Pretty Man)(Interview)(Brief article)
March 5, 2007... Byline: Jennifer Weil PARIS - In romance novels, a twenty- or thirtysomething heroine is generally caught in the grip of love and peers at the world through rose-colored glasses. Her mother, in the meantime, is expected to be home...

FOXY LADIES.(Angel Sanchez, fashion designer)(Brief article)
March 5, 2007... What do Venezuelan fashion and classic British hunts have in common? Not much, but the two managed to coexist harmoniously when Angel Sanchez cosponsored the Frick Collection's annual Young Fellows party Thursday night. The theme this year was...

MEMO PAD: MIDSECTION OBSESSION...CAN KHAKIS SAVE THE DAY?...IN AND OUT.(Dave Zinczenko's The Abs Diet for Women, Gap Inc.'s new television commercial, Mary Berner, Ripplewood Holdings L.L.C.)
March 5, 2007... Byline: Irin Carmon, Stephanie D. Smith, Amy Wicks MIDSECTION OBSESSION: Abs architect Dave Zinczenko has created an empire rivaling Dr. Atkins' around his book "The Abs Diet," including 20 international editions and spin-offs such as "The...

SNOW WHITE WEARS CHANEL...THE DEVIL WEARS MCQUEEN.(Alexander McQueen, House of Chanel)
March 5, 2007... Karl Lagerfeld created a winter wonderland for Chanel, replete with neige and a trs sportif lineup, while Alexander McQueen channeled the Massachusetts witch hunt in a hard, aggressive fashion. Chanel: "Impossible" is not a word Karl...

TAKING FLIGHT.(fashion shows)
March 5, 2007... Aerial motifs won the day at Louis Vuitton, with Marc Jacobs' feathered skirts and flyaway peplums, and at Nina Ricci, where Olivier Theyskens' ethereal gowns evoked the elegance of the house's iconic frosted bird. Louis Vuitton: Marc...

GRAND ALLUSIONS.(fashion shows)
March 5, 2007... At John Galliano, the glamour of old-time Montmartre cabarets held sway, while Jean Paul Gaultier took a page from latter-day bikers for Herms. John Galliano: Welcome back, Monsieur Galliano. After a pared-down, perfunctory spring season,...