Alexander McQueen Spring/Summer 10 | Source: SHOWstudio

Techno Revolution (New York Times)
“The most dramatic revolution in 21st-century fashion took place this week under the sweeping eyes of two giant robots. As they rolled down the stage at the Alexander McQueen show, the machines cast their cameras in diverse directions to project images on to the ever-changing kaleidoscope of a backdrop.”

Hermès Chief Thomas Says China Booming, U.S. Market Positive (Bloomberg)
“Hermès International SCA Chief Executive Officer Patrick Thomas said the French luxury-goods brand’s sales are “booming” in China and elsewhere in Asia, while the U.S. market is ‘slightly positive.’”

Retail Vacancies Hit Multiyear Highs (WSJ)
“When consumers start their holiday shopping in earnest next month, they will find fewer stores competing for their business as vacancy rates at malls and shopping centers have risen to multiyear highs.”

Age of Bling is over as Japanese dress down (Times)
“The Japanese consumer — a wealthy arbiter of good taste, a dedicated follower of fashion and once the world’s most reliable buyer of all things foreign and expensive — may have fundamentally changed her view on what it means to look good.”

Shoppers With Money to Spend Find Less to Buy at Saks, Neiman (Bloomberg)
“Jennifer Prentice spent half of what she usually does when she and a friend shopped at Neiman Marcus Group Inc., Saks Inc. and Nordstrom Inc. stores on a recent business trip to San Francisco. They weren’t cutting back. They just didn’t find much to buy.”

Alexander McQueen F/W 09, courtesy of Coutorture

McQueen Leaves Fashion in Ruins (New York Times)
“With a runway of broken mirrors surrounding a garbage heap made of props from his own past collections, Mr. McQueen created a stage to symbolize the sudden crash of luxury exuberance.”

Hilary Riva is to step down as chief executive of the British Fashion Council (Drapers)
Riva to shift roles, “as part of a management restructure initiated by chairman Harold Tillman.”

Bulgari Profits Fall 45 Percent (WWD)
Emblematic of the economy’s toll on luxury, Bulgari’s profit took a significant fall. (Subscription required)

On Style: What Is A Fair Price For Luxury? (WSJ)
“Now it’s your turn to speak up. What is a fair price for luxury – and what sort of service and quality do you expect of it?”

Alexander McQueen to collaborate with Target (Drapers)
Alexander McQueen creates a range for Target geared towards a “slightly older customer.”

Online Retailers: Slower Growth Expected This Holiday Season (WSJ)
Online retailers are resilient when it comes to the economy, but they’re not immune,” according to Scott Silverman, Shop.org’s executive director.

What Moves During An Economic Downturn (JC Report)
“One might assume that demand for timeless basics would be on the rise in such uncertain times, many retailers report that it’s the exact opposite.”

Jean Paul Gaultier Said to Tap New President (WWD)
Veronique Gautier is said to be the new president of Jean Paul Gaultier.

Alexander McQueen, photo courtesy of Alexander McQueen.