Uniqlo: Cheap and Very Cheerful (WSJ) "Uniqlo came into being as Unique Clothing Warehouse in Hiroshima in 1984. The company, founded by current group president Tadashi Yanai, was based on the tailoring store that Yanai's father opened in 1949 in Yamaguchi... The company changed its name to Fast Retailing Co. in 1991 and, in what seems like self-fulfilling prophecy, is now one of Asia's fastest-growing retailers."

Tumi Surges After Raising $338M in IPO (BusinessWeek)
"Tumi Holdings Inc., the luggage maker owned by Doughty Hanson & Co., surged more than 50 percent after raising $338 million in its initial public offering, pricing higher than the proposed range."

Flash Sale vs. Local Sale: One Model Outperforms (WWD)
"When it comes to fashion online, it might be better to think national rather than local. That appears to be the growing consensus among fashion brands and industry observers as the battle rages on between local-sale sites such as Groupon Inc. and flash-sale ones like Gilt. Right now, it appears the Gilt model is winning."

Superdry owner Supergroup issues profit warning (BBC News)
"Shares in the company behind the Superdry fashion chain have plunged by more than a third following another profit warning. It expects pre-tax profit for the year to 29 April to be £43m."

Tabitha Simmons walked many paths before designing shoes (The Star)
"Shoe designer Tabitha Simmons has the kind of super stylish life and career that induces envy... Adding to her busy resume, she also designs a luxury collection of whimsical girly shoes with such details as hand-embroidered silk, which comes from an English company that makes silk for the Queen's coronation coaches."