WWD articles from May 2006

WWD archives from May 2006

THE PURPLE STORM.(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... NEW YORK - The time is ripe for people with a purple passion. Rich violet hues are popping up in a vriety of accessories this season. Here, Replay's leather and plastic belt at Modamood, Le Silla's silk satin and rhinestone shoe, Emilio Pucci's...

YOUTH MEETS MATURITY: ST. JOHN SEEKS BALANCE IN NEWEST PHASE.(St. John Knits Inc.)
May 1, 2006... Byline: Lisa Lockwood, With contributions from Marcy Medina and Emili Vesilind, Los Angeles, Holly Haber, Dallas, and Evan Clark, Washington NEW YORK - Get ready for chapter three at St. John. With the abrupt departure last month of...

PRIVATE EQUITY PAYERS EYE CAVALLI.(Roberto Cavalli SpA)(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... Byline: Miles Socha, Amanda Kaiser PARIS - Private equity funds, increasingly active in the fashion and luxury sector, appear to be circling around Roberto Cavalli. Officials at Cavalli declined to comment for this story, so the...

GAP CAMPAIGN EVOKES SUMMER OF '69.
May 1, 2006... Byline: David Moin NEW YORK Though sales gains are elusive, Gap Inc. is gaining confidence in its products and will spotlight summer offerings with a marketing campaign called Rock Color. It's inspired by the summer of 1969, the year...

IN BRIEF: GROWING VINES...ICONIX INKS MUDD TOPS DEAL.(Vineyard Vines formed partnership with Mitchells, Richards and Marshs, Iconix Brand Group signed licensing agreement with The Cayre Group )(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... GROWING VINES: Two of Connecticut's most enterprising families are teaming up. Vineyard Vines has formed a partnership with the Mitchell family, owners of Mitchells, Richards and Marshs, to own and operate a flagship on Greenwich Avenue. The...

CHA-CHING!(fashion show)
May 1, 2006... "Come on, Lindsay, I know you want it!" trilled Barneys New York creative director-cum-auctioneer Simon Doonan of a glittering Martin Katz necklace. La Lohan, in Los Angeles and hitting every party possible, turned up at the Barneys-hosted...

CATCHING UP WITH MARIE GRAY.(Marie Gray, St. John Knits Inc.)(Interview)
May 1, 2006... Byline: Marcy Medina LOS ANGELES - Breaking her silence for the first time since stepping down last July from St. John, the company she cofounded 44 years ago, Marie Gray, who remains a member of its board and retains a minority stake,...

THE ANGELINA JOLIE CONTROVERSY.(St. John Knits Inc.)
May 1, 2006... Byline: Lisa Lockwood NEW YORK- Among St. John's more controversial moves was the dropping of Kelly Gray in its ad campaigns in favor of Angelina Jolie. David Lipman, creative director of Lipman, the ad agency that created the...

THE PERILS OF CHANGING A BRAND.(Allen Questrom)
May 1, 2006... Byline: Lisa Lockwood NEW YORK - Allen Questrom, a turnaround specialist who has headed retail giants such as J.C. Penney, Barneys New York, Neiman Marcus and Federated Department Stores, believes it's difficult to make dramatic changes to...

SWAROVSKI CRAFTS COMPREHENSIVE PLAN.(Swarovski Crystal America Ltd.)
May 1, 2006... Byline: Jennifer Hirshlag NEW YORK - Swarovski is convinced its business has the potential to sparkle more brightly and is looking to its own fashion accessories to burnish the shine. During the next year, the Wattens, Austria-based...

MESA JOINS THE BAG PARADE.(Giovanni Mesa)
May 1, 2006... Byline: Sophia Chabott NEW YORK - Giovanni Mesa doesn't believe in overnight success, but after studying design for just one week at Parsons The New School for Design here, he felt he knew enough to start his own company. "I'm a...

MIZRAHI TAKES HIGH-LOW IDEA TO HANDBAGS.(Isaac Mizrahi's Isaac Isaac Mizrahi collection)
May 1, 2006... Byline: Sophia Chabbott NEW YORK - Isaac Mizrahi, who pioneered the concept of high-low fashion, is at it again. Mizrahi is going into bridge handbags with a collection called Isaac Isaac Mizrahi. The bags will be produced by Accessory...

THEO FENNELL PLANTING SEEDS FOR U.S. GROWTH.
May 1, 2006... Byline: Samantha Conti LONDON - Theo Fennell, the British jeweler known for its sorbet-colored gemstones and bejeweled cross, key and horn pendants, is looking to grow by taking another stab at the U.S. market. The label, founded in...

FINDINGS: THINK PINK...WAIST WATCHER...INDIAN ADVENTURE.(fashion designers)
May 1, 2006... THINK PINK: Tarina Tarantino will paint the town pink this fall. The Los Angeles-based designer, known for her fuchsia tresses and crystal-embellished whimsical accessories, plans to open a 500-square-foot New York flagship in September. The...

RETAILERS TAKE A FAST TRACK ON FALL FASHIONS.(legwear)
May 1, 2006... Byline: Sophia Chabbott NEW YORK - Legwear is on an upswing for fall, with retailers responding well to a range of looks, from optic prints in bright colors to knitted cashmere leggings. "Layering is the new uniform for fall, and...

MAY MARKET'S EVOLVING ENVIRONMENT.(women's clothing)
May 1, 2006... Byline: Karyn Monget NEW YORK - The May innerwear market - the third in the last four months - is straining retailers and manufacturers and comes at a critical time for firms, given the challenging state of retailing. Executives said...

THE SIMPLE LIFE.(lingeries)(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... NEW YORK - For resort, lingerie shapes stay simple, with only a little touch of embroidery here or a subtle floral print there. Caption(s): Silk slipdress from a+eve by adam+eve. / Warner's nylon and spandex bra and panties / La Perla's...

METRO 7 MIAMI POP-UP SHOP ATTRACTS ATTENTION.(Wal-Mart Stores Inc.)
May 1, 2006... Byline: Rebecca Kleinman MIAMI - Wal-Mart made the scene in South Beach last week, attracting socialites and fashion trendsetters to its pop-up store. Women accustomed to shopping at the Bal Harbour Shops elbowed each other as if they...

FASHION SCOOPS: SIENNA MILLER, DESIGNER...DESIGNS ON LONDON...ROCKING THE SLOPES.
May 1, 2006... SIENNA MILLER, DESIGNER: Sienna Miller is set to capitalize on her flair for fashion. The actress, currently the face of denim brand Pepe Jeans London, will develop her own capsule collection for the Madrid-based brand for the fall 2007 season....

SALES RISE AT AVON, BUT RESTRUCTURING SINKS NET.
May 1, 2006... Byline: Meredith DerbyKoji Hirano NEW YORK - Hurt by expenses from its previously announced three-year restructuring program, Avon Products Inc. reported first-quarter net earnings fell by two-thirds, despite sales that increased 6.5...

MEMO PAD: A QUESTION OF TIME...CASEY STRIKES OUT ON HER OWN.(Susan Casey and Jim Kelly left Time Inc.)
May 1, 2006... Byline: Jeff Bercovici, Sara James A QUESTION OF TIME: Regime change is on the way at Time magazine - but don't expect an invitation to Jim Kelly's send-off party anytime soon. While sources said Time Inc. has indeed commenced searching...

WOMENSWEAR PROPELS BOSS.(Boss Womenswear)(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... Byline: Melissa Drier BERLIN - With net income doubling and sales surging 67 percent in the first quarter of 2006, Boss Womenswear made a "crucial contribution" to the company's strong financial performance, the Hugo Boss Group said...

LEGAL BRIEFS.(trademark infringement)
May 1, 2006... Byline: Liza Casabona NEW YORK - The Este Lauder Cos. filed a complaint in Manhattan federal court against Designer Skin LLC and Acme Wholesale LLC, an affiliate of Designer Skin, for alleged trademark infringement of its Spellbound line....

BEBE POSTS 19.5% RISE IN 3Q PROFITS.(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... Byline: Meredith Derby NEW YORK - Bebe Stores Inc. reported a 19.5 percent increase in third-quarter earnings, matching analysts' projections. In the three months ended April 1, the specialty retailer earned $13.3 million, or 14 cents...

WOMEN LEADERS HONORED IN D.C.(Vital Voices honors women human rights leaders)
May 1, 2006... WASHINGTON - A potential presidential candidate, a CIA agent, an actress and two fashion heavyweights might not seem to have much in common. But they were brought together by Vital Voices, a nonprofit group dedicated to increasing women's...

ALL OVER...(Luca Luca celebrates )(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... Luca Luca celebrated the 10th birthday of its store on Madison Avenue at 62nd Street Thursday with a champagne bash where dozens of patrons dressed in Luca Luca, past or present. "When we opened here in the Nineties, everything shown on Madison...

SIMONS TO EXPAND INTO TORONTO, OTTAWA.
May 1, 2006... Byline: Brian Dunn MONTREAL - Simons waited 159 years before it opened its first store outside Quebec City, when it opened here in 1999. Now, the retailer plans to expand across Canada, seeking to capitalize on the uncertainty surrounding...

WHARTON TRAINING RETAIL EXECS OF FUTURE.(University of Pennsylvania. Wharton School of Business offers retail trade education)
May 1, 2006... Byline: Sharon Edelson NEW YORK - Elizabeth Schweitzer is the type of young person the retail industry wants to recruit and nurture. A senior at the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School of Business, she will graduate in May with...

CANADIANS LOOK SOUTH AT MONTREAL FASHION WEEK.
May 1, 2006... Byline: Brian Dunn MONTREAL - The 10th edition of Montreal Fashion Week, held March 20-24 in a huge tent, managed to attract a number of top local designers among the 23 who showed, led by Simon Chang, Parasuco, Rudsak and Mackage, and got...

WEDDING RINGS.
May 2, 2006... NEW YORK - Among the biggest do's at the spring 2007 bridal shows were looks that were more fashion-driven than usual. Oscar de la Renta, for instance, launched a collection - done in-house for the first time - that ranged from prim Sixties...

DREXLER'S LATEST MOVE: J. CREW SET TO LAUNCH MADEWELL CASUAL CHAIN.(Millard Drexler, J. Crew Group Inc.)
May 2, 2006... Byline: David Moin NEW YORK - Millard Drexler is out to rewrite America's casual code once again. The man who catapulted Gap and Old Navy into retail institutions and resurrected J. Crew has been stealthily cooking up a casual brand...

PROTESTS: MIXED IMPACT ON INDUSTRY.
May 2, 2006... Byline: WWD Staff A nationwide, one-day immigrant boycott of jobs and businesses on Monday had an uneven impact on retail sales and productivity, but underscored the debate in Congress over the implications of overhauling U.S. immigration...

IN BRIEF: MOLDING A SCENT...J. JILL MERGER.(J. Jill Group Inc. merges with Talbots Inc.)(Demeter Fragrances and Hasbro Inc. launches new fragrance)(Brief article)
May 2, 2006... MOLDING A SCENT: Call it eau de Play-Doh. At least that's how Hasbro and fragrance producer Demeter are referring to a new limited-edition Play-Doh fragrance the two companies have created. The 1-oz. cologne spray - with which the firms are...

CORRECTIONS.(Correction notice)
May 2, 2006... Specialty store chain Metropark is privately owned. This was incorrect in a caption on page 14 of the California In Depth section, March 22. Designer Jenni Kayne's first name was misspelled in a caption on page 7, April 18.

BANGERS AND BASH.(fashion designers partying)
May 2, 2006... NEW YORK - With friends like Sienna Miller, Emily Mortimer and Victoria Beckham in town for the "Anglomania" festivities at the Met, Burberry designer Christopher Bailey and chef Jamie Oliver seized the opportunity to introduce the tradition of...

LEARNING CURVE.(Eliot Schrefer launches new novel 'Glamorous Disasters')
May 2, 2006... Byline: Vanessa Lawrence NEW YORK - Imagine you are a recent Ivy League college graduate, unsure of your chosen career path and looking to make some easy cash. Sure, there's investment banking or consulting, but the hours are grueling. How...

THE WEDDING MARCH.
May 2, 2006... NEW YORK - Designers at last week's spring 2007 bridal shows proved that there's more than one way to tie the knot. While looks ranged from the simple to the elaborate, the subdued to the sexy, what most had in common was an air of drama. Other...

BRIDES CALL THE SHOTS MORE THAN EVER.
May 2, 2006... Byline: Rosemary Feitelberg, With contributions from Marc Karimzadeh NEW YORK - With more brides-to-be wanting their wedding days to be unlike any others, bridal designers are stepping up to meet their demands. During last week's...

NORDSTROM FOCUSES ON MANHATTAN.
May 2, 2006... Byline: Sharon Edelson NEW YORK - Pete Nordstrom made his intentions about Manhattan perfectly clear on Monday - he wants Nordstrom to have a presence here. The president of Nordstrom Inc. outlined several possibilities for the chain,...

COACH FORTIFIES RANKS FOR ASIAN PUSH.(Coach Japan Inc. promotes Ian Bickley, Peter Emmerson and appoints Victor Luis)(Brief article)
May 2, 2006... Byline: Sophia Chabbott NEW YORK - Coach has big plans for Asia - to the tune of 80 billion yen, or more than $700 million at current exchange, in projected annual sales by 2009. The company, which is the number-two imported handbag...

EDDIE BAUER LOWERS EXPECTATIONS.(Eddie Bauer Holdings Inc.'s sales expectations)
May 2, 2006... Byline: Vicki M. Young NEW YORK - Eddie Bauer Holdings Inc. expects that its sales and earnings will be "significantly lower" in fiscal 2006 than in fiscal 2005, the company said Monday in a regulatory filing. The outdoor lifestyle...

MEMO PAD: THAT'S LIFE...SOUTHERN EXPOSURE...WEB SLINGER.(Time Inc.'s Ann Moore with Laura Bush announces education grants)(Walter Isaacson to head for governor elections, rumors)(Time Inc.'s John Huey met with rapper Chris Bridges at White House Correspondents' Dinner )
May 2, 2006... Byline: Sara James, Jeff Bercovici THAT'S LIFE: So much for those rumors that Walter Isaacson, former CNN chief executive officer and Time magazine managing editor and current president and ceo of The Aspen Institute, has been pondering a...

SYMPHONY FABRICS IN DEAL FOR PAGO.(Symphony Fabrics Corp. acquires Pago Fashion Group)(Brief article)
May 2, 2006... Byline: Ross Tucker NEW YORK - Symphony Fabrics, a Manhattan-based textile converter in operation since 1939, has acquired the Pago Fashion Group. New Jersey-based Pago consists of Pago Fabrics, Rosebar Textiles, Symphony Retail, Set A...

FOREIGN MILLS GAIN GROUND AT L.A. SHOW.(Los Angeles Show)
May 2, 2006... Byline: Khanh T.L. Tran LOS ANGELES - Vendors exhibiting at the Los Angeles International Textile Show last week emphasized novel fabrics for spring 2007 and improved customer service in an effort to stand out in a competitive market. ...

POP HITS.(Printsource and Direction, two textile-design shows)(Brief article)
May 2, 2006... Byline: Daniela Gilbert NEW YORK - Spring flowers may have been blooming outside, but it was geometric patterns that were the most plentiful at Printsource and Direction, two textile-design shows held at the Hotel Pennsylvania last week....

OXFORD SELLS WOMEN'S UNIT TO LI & FUNG FOR $67 MILLION.(Oxford Industries Inc., Womenswear Group )
May 2, 2006... Byline: Vicki M. Young NEW YORK - Oxford Industries Inc. said on Monday that it sold its Womenswear Group to a division of Hong Kong-based Li & Fung in a cash deal valued at $67 million on an after-tax basis. The deal is expected to...

SAAB FLAGSHIP TO OPEN DURING PARIS COUTURE.(Elie Saab)
May 2, 2006... Byline: Katya Foreman PARIS - Elie Saab, the designer known for opulent, second-skin gowns, plans to open an 11,000-square-foot Paris flagship during couture week here next January. Modeled on his sole freestanding store in Beirut,...

GLOBAL BEAUTY SHOW HEADED TO N.Y.(Global Beauty Exhibition & Conference, Anthousa launches 3 new fragrances)
May 2, 2006... Byline: Matthew W. Evans, Marcy Medina NEW YORK - A new beauty trade show will be coming here in the fall of next year. The Global Beauty Exhibition & Conference is set for Oct. 6 through Oct. 8, 2007, at the Jacob K. Javits Convention...

ARNOLD HELMAN, ATLANTA MART VETERAN.(Obituary)
May 2, 2006... Byline: Georgia Lee ATLANTA - Arnold Helman, a pioneer of the big multiline apparel sales firm who ran one of the largest showrooms in the Southeast, died Saturday, April 29, at his home here, apparently of a heart attack, after a bout...

FASHION SCOOPS: BOYS WILL BE BOYS...ARTY PARTY...PITTSBURGH UNDERCOVER.(Willie Ebersol and Elex Michaelson concert to benefit Women's Cancer Research program, Calvin Klein Inc. hosts party for the Whitney Museum, Jeff Goldblum works)
May 2, 2006... BOYS WILL BE BOYS: Frat boys are known to be called many things, but "giving" doesn't usually top the list. That hasn't deterred USC students and Phi Kappa Si brothers Willie Ebersol and Elex Michaelson from teaming up with the Entertainment...

SCAD'S STARRY NIGHT.(Savannah College of Art & Design's SCAD Style Week)(Brief article)
May 2, 2006... Byline: Rosemary Feitelberg NEW YORK - Savannah College of Art & Design is counting on some big-name talent for the inaugural SCAD Style Week this month. During the festivities, May 20-27, there will be social events, lectures by...

SILVER BELLE.
May 3, 2006... NEW YORK - Hollywood glamour is always in style. Simple, sassy and elegant party frocks are sure to liven up the coming holiday season. Here, Nanette Lepore's silk and metallic halter dress, a Head Dress headband and Stuart Weitzman shoes. ...

THE BRITISH INVASION: TOPSHOP AIMS TO OPEN FLAGSHIP IN NEW YORK.
May 3, 2006... Byline: David Moin NEW YORK - Get ready America: Topshop is on its way. British retail tycoon Philip Green wants to make his mark in the U.S. and a Topshop flagship could open in New York as soon as next spring. He already has his eyes...

MARIA D. LOPEZ RESIGNS AT ST. JOHN.(Brief article)
May 3, 2006... NEW YORK - Maria D. Lopez, who was second in command to Tim Gardner, head designer at St. John, resigned on Tuesday. She had been with St. John, the Irvine, Calif.-based firm, for 13 years. Lopez confirmed her resignation, but declined...

ICSC EXPECTING APRIL COMP BLOWOUT.(The International Council of Shopping Centers)(Industry overview)
May 3, 2006... Byline: Meredith Derby NEW YORK - The International Council of Shopping Centers reported Tuesday that April same-store sales are poised to show the biggest year-over-year gain in two years - despite recently intensified worries over higher...

UNILEVER SELLS FINESSE AND AQUA NET.
May 3, 2006... Byline: Molly Prior, With contributions from Andrea Nagel NEW YORK - Unilever has dropped Finesse and Aqua Net from its portfolio, selling the hair care brands to Lornamead Brands Inc. for an estimated $130 million, according to speculation...

IN BRIEF: TAKE A PEEK...LINKS OF LONDON SEEKS BUYER.(fashion designers cosponsoring exhibition)(UBS Wealth Management hired by Links of London)(Brief article)
May 3, 2006... TAKE A PEEK: Fendi and Vogue Italia are pitching in to support the next generation of talent behind the camera lens. The two are cosponsoring the Milan installment of "Peek: The Art+Commerce New York Festival of 24 Emerging Photographers." The...

CLARIFICATION.(Correction notice)
May 3, 2006... Barneys New York will open a flagship in Dallas this fall and one in Las Vegas in the fall of 2007. The company provided incorrect information regarding the time frame for the store openings in a story that ran on page 5, Thursday.

LITTLE BRITAIN.(Metropolitan Museum of Art. Costume Institute)
May 3, 2006... NEW YORK - Welcome to Anna's cotillion. The "AngloMania" gala at The Costume Institute at the Metropolitan Museum of Art was certainly glamorous and star-studded - including Jennifer Lopez, Charlize Theron, Sarah Jessica Parker, Sienna...

FAIR TRADE FASHION TAKES OFF IN EUROPE.(fair trade cotton in demand)
May 3, 2006... Byline: Ellen Groves PARIS - Ethical fashion is broadening its scope as major European retailers respond to heightened consumer concerns about apparel manufacturing that damages the environment or violates human rights. British giant...

SENATE REACHES COMPROMISE ON CONTAINER BILL.
May 3, 2006... Byline: Kristi Ellis WASHINGTON - Republican and Democratic senators agreed to a compromise Tuesday, scaling back a proposal that would have required all U.S.-bound cargo containers in foreign ports to be inspected for radiation within...

JAY DIAMOND SET TO RETIRE.(Brief article)
May 3, 2006... NEW YORK - After almost 30 years with the company, Jay Diamond, chief executive officer of Halmode Apparel Inc., a division of Kellwood Co., will retire at the end of August. Reached by phone Tuesday, Diamond confirmed he will depart at the...

MEMO PAD: TO ELLE WITH ALL THAT...ONLY IN NEW YORK.(Kelly Killoren Bensimon resigns from Elle Accessories)(James Truman appointec at LTB Media)
May 3, 2006... Byline: Jeff Bercovici TO ELLE WITH ALL THAT: Kelly Killoren Bensimon has completed her slow-motion exit from Elle Accessories. Bensimon, who is married to but separated from Gilles Bensimon, was editor of the spin-off's first two issues -...

LACOSTE GAINING POPULARITY AS CHINA EMBRACES CASUAL.
May 3, 2006... Byline: Lisa Movius SHANGHAI - Dressy-casual remains a novelty in China, where flaunting status, however meager, is de rigueur and even construction workers wear suit jackets on the job, complete with labels still on the sleeves. But...

NORTHPARK SHOOTS FOR TOP WITH $225M REVAMP.
May 3, 2006... Byline: Holly Haber DALLAS - NorthPark Center here is ready to raise the curtain on the final touches of a $225 million expansion that is intended to make it the dominant mall in the highly competitive North Texas market. The new...

FASHION SCOOPS: PRE-DANCE RITUAL...ALL DOLLED UP.
May 3, 2006... PRE-DANCE RITUAL: For those not attending the dinner portion of Monday night's festivities, the big question was: What to do before the dance? As many know, the Met's doors open to the junior set the second the heavy-hitters have cleared their...

GAUGING THE IMPACT OF HIGH GAS PRICES.
May 3, 2006... Byline: Evan Clark, With contributions from Katherine Bowers, Boston WASHINGTON - Although gas pump price shock is generating outrage and calls to ease the burden, business professors at top universities said rising fuel costs will...

SYNTHETIC FIBER PRODUCERS FEEL THE HEAT OF ENERGY COSTS.(Brief article)
May 3, 2006... Byline: Ross Tucker NEW YORK - For manufacturers of synthetic fibers, rising fuel prices translate into higher production costs. Synthetics such as nylon and polyester begin as hard polymer pellets that must be melted at high...

TIMBERLAND 1Q NET FALLS 30.9%.
May 3, 2006... Byline: Meredith Derby NEW YORK - Timberland Co. reported a 30.9 percent decline in first-quarter earnings on a slight decline in revenues, which it attributed to soft boot sales and negative foreign exchange impacts. The company also...

SUMMER MOVIES, FASHION AND PROFITS.
May 3, 2006... Byline: Marcy Medina LOS ANGELES - Summer movie season is big business for fashion. Studios are taking movie merchandising, particularly in the top retail tier, to ever-higher levels. In addition, product placement and the influence of...

MALANDRINO ONLINE ADDS E-COMMERCE.(Catherine Malandrino)(Brief article)
May 3, 2006... NEW YORK - Catherine Malandrino's Web site, catherinemalandrino.com, added e-commerce on Friday. The online store offers 41 looks from the designer's Catherine Malandrino collection, including a long pointelle coat for $425, a cropped...

ANALYST OFFERS BEARISH VIEW OF GAP TURNAROUND.
May 3, 2006... Byline: Arthur Zaczkiewicz NEW YORK - Looks like Gap Inc.'s turnaround might have to wait, at least according to one analyst. Mark Montagna, vice president of specialty retail at C.L. King & Associates, initiated coverage on Gap Inc....

HOT LICKS.
May 4, 2006... INDIO, Calif. - The Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, held April 29 and 30, featured Madonna, Depeche Mode, the Scissor Sisters, and James Blunt - not to mention a packed schedule of up-and-comers. But it was the fashionable and...

VERSACE'S LATEST VIEW: LOWER LOSSES IN 2005 REIGNITE TALK ABOUT IPO.
May 4, 2006... Byline: Amanda Kaiser MILAN - Gianni Versace SpA is back on the upswing, and so is talk of an initial public offering. The Italian fashion house on Wednesday issued better-than-expected results for 2005, with a drastic narrowing of...

IN BRIEF: SLIMMING DOWN...TIME CHANGES...MD BEAUTY SAID EYEING IPO.(Federated Department Stores sells stores to Macerich Co and Simon Property Group)(Tourneau Direct Inc. promoted Andrew J. Block)(MD Beauty goes in for an IPO)
May 4, 2006... SLIMMING DOWN: Federated Department Stores agreed to sell 11 stores to the Macerich Co. and nine to Simon Property Group, bringing the retailer closer to its goal of disposing of 80 duplicate locations previously announced for divestiture as a...

MARC BY MARC JACOBS OPENS IN S.F.
May 4, 2006... Byline: Joanna Ramey SAN FRANCISCO - Marc Jacobs' love of surfboards - they've popped up for sale in the designer's Paris and Los Angeles boutiques - has come full circle with the opening today of the City by the Bay's first Marc by Marc...

FASHION SCOOPS: CLOTHING KATE...MISSONI MOMENT...TABLE-HOPPING.(Kate Moss to launch own clothing collection)(Miuccia Prada will shoot for advertising campaign)(Nicole Miller to be honored)
May 4, 2006... CLOTHING KATE: Those rumors about Kate Moss launching her own clothing collection when she hangs up her modeling hat just won't die. But don't hold your breath - and hang onto your JLo duds - because it doesn't look like it's going to happen...

ETRO IN GROWTH MODE.
May 4, 2006... Byline: Amanda Kaiser MILAN - Family-owned fashion house Etro is clocking double-digit growth as it embarks on a retail expansion plan to roll out at least 20 stores over the next few years in cities from Manhasset to Mumbai. Etro's...

GOLDEN BOY.(designer Zaldy Goco dresses Scissor Sisters )
May 4, 2006... Byline: Melissa Schweiger INDIO, Calif. - An hour before the Scissor Sisters were due to hit the stage to close out the Coachella Music and Arts Festival Sunday night, the band's trailer vibrated with energy. The designer Zaldy Goco...

COACHELLA COOL.(hot weather clothing)(Brief article)
May 4, 2006... INDIO, Calif. - Music festivals have long been the stomping grounds of the stylish, since their attendees have a way of mixing the traditional hippie-hipster look with practical accessories. Coachella was no exception, as the desert crowds...

THE HERITAGE FOUNDATION.(Gap Inc.)(Brief article)
May 4, 2006... NEW YORK - Gap is playing up its traditional strengths for fall. Under the leadership of a new design team headed by Charlotte Neuville, the firm is reviving its collection of classic T-shirts and jeans. In that vein, jeans and Ts are offered...

CONTEMPORARY TRADE SHOWS GIVE IMMEDIATE SATISFACTION.(Intermezzo Collections)(D and A Annex shows)
May 4, 2006... Byline: Lauren DeCarlo NEW YORK - Buyers scoped out little black dresses, high-waisted pants and skirts and jersey dresses and tops from contemporary brands at the Intermezzo Collections and D&A Annex shows. D&A Annex kicked off the...

ISAACS HITS TURNING POINT.(I.C. Isaacs and Co.)(Brief article)
May 4, 2006... Byline: Ross Tucker Higher margins and lower costs helped I.C. Isaacs overcome sales declines and eke out a rise in earnings for the first quarter. "We believe that the first quarter of 2006 marked the completion of our turnaround...

GUESS DELAYS 1Q RESULTS.
May 4, 2006... Byline: Ross Tucker Guess Inc. said Wednesday that an inquiry from the Securities and Exchange commission has delayed the release of first-quarter earnings. The Los Angeles-based denim manufacturer had been scheduled to report its...