What Drives Stella McCartney (NYT)
"She may be one of the most interesting designers in the world today, but when she started out, the fashion world didn't have many nice things to say about Stella McCartney... Where she has succeeded since then is in designing for exactly who she is. Now 40 years old, she has developed a witty, down-to-earth approach to dressing women like her."

Cucinelli Upbeat Ahead of IPO (WWD)
"Earlier this month, entrepreneur Brunello Cucinelli started the process to list on the Italian Stock Exchange and on Wednesday, at his brand's fall presentation, he seemed unfazed by the challenging economy and the fluctuating markets."

Gucci: From Sexy to Sensual (NYT)
"Frida Giannini did a volte face at Gucci on Wednesday, from sexy to sensual, making a bold and beautiful start to the Milan winter 2012 season... This Gucci show had as much depth and variety in the decorative clothes as in the music, which ranged from light romance to grand opera."

Let's hear it for the boys: menswear charms London (Reuters)
"Menswear was the focus of autumn/winter 2012 London Fashion Week Wednesday with designers of classic Savile Row suits and avant garde Fashion East casual wear saying that London was still a synonym for quality in men's clothing."

Manolo Blahnik: The Shoe Sculptor (NY Times)
"In 2013, Manolo Blahnik will celebrate 40 years in shoe design — since he came to England from the Canary Islands in the 1970s and was encouraged by the Vogue supremo Diana Vreeland to focus not on fashion but on 'extremities.'"