Prada Is Aiming at a Valuation of More Than $4.9 Billion (Bloomberg)
"Prada is aiming for a valuation of over 4 billion euros ($4.95 billion), while bankers estimate the Italian fashion label is worth between 3 billion euros and 4 billion euros."

Takashimaya Says It Will End U.S. Operations (Bloomberg)
"Takashimaya Co., a Japanese department-store operator, said it plans to terminate its U.S. operations to relocate resources to faster-growing markets in Asia."

Managing the Distribution of Content as a Luxury Brand (Fashion's Collective)
"The reality is that viral marketing for high end brands already exists, and it's lucrative... it's bloggers [and] fashion fanatics that passionately write about the pieces and brands they love."

Luxury Shopping Tours Gain Popularity (Red Luxury)
"In France, Chinese tourists surpassed all other nationalities as the biggest shoppers according to a recent French government survey. As a result, French travel companies are developing more shopping programs for the Chinese."

Radical Surgery on Regular Menswear (IHT)
"Off with the coat sleeves! Cut away the collar! Snip at pants until they morph into shorts! Split the seams and close them with zippers! Radical surgery on regular menswear was the message of the Paris summer 2011 season that ended Monday."