Guess Autumn/Winter 09 | Source: Guess

Guess Sets Its Sights on Europe (Business Week)
“The iconic maker of fashion jeans and other apparel is expanding fast in Europe with a new retail push and tighter control of its brand.”

A Not-So-Guilty Pleasure (NY Times)
“For months now, consumers have been hunkering down in an economic storm, buying only what they need to survive, like groceries, diapers, medicine — and shoes.”

Luxury brands are back to wooing Indian customer (Business Line)
“Niche luxury retailers are putting expansions back on track after a brief hiatus. Despite foreign direct investment restrictions, companies such as Versace, Oakley and Nike Golf are increasing area and product assortments to draw consumer interest in what they consider one of the biggest markets in Asia.”

Debenhams acquires Danish retailer Magasin for £12.3m (Drapers)
“Department store group Debenhams is to push into mainland Europe following the £12.3m acquisition of Danish department store business Magasin du Nord.”

Brioni joins forces with the Royal College of Art (Drapers)
“Luxury Italian menswear brand Brioni has signed a three-year deal with the Royal College of Art that will see one of the brand’s master tailors work with menswear fashion design students.”

A teacher explains the art of tailoring to a student at the Brioni tailoring school

Brioni, Suitmaker to Presidents, Adapts to Crisis (New York Times)
“The fashion house Brioni is best known for dressing James Bond in black tie and creating hand-sewn custom suits that start out at $4,000 and run as high as $47,000. But this fall it is adding something a lot more humble to its lineup: a T-shirt.”

Escada Plummets as Bankruptcy Looms on Last Day of Bond Exchange (Bloomberg)
“Escada AG dropped 26 percent in Frankfurt trading on concern the company will have to file for insolvency protection this week because it failed to win enough backing from shareholders to exchange a bond.”

Clothing sales drop back in July (Drapers)
“Clothing sales slowed in July, despite a strong response by customers to new autumn ranges.”

Luxury retail still strong (Straits Times)
“With consumers hesitant to spend, and visitor arrivals dwindling, it is no surprise that retail sales have been on a downward slide in recent months. But a stroll down Orchard Road reveals one segment of the industry that still shines: luxury retail.”

Raf Simons a/w '09-'10, photo courtesy of The New York Times

Fashion: How Do You Sell in Paris? With Romance (The New York Times)
In Paris, “unless the economic crisis worsens, designers are not likely to react in a meaningful way. That’s because men’s fashion has enjoyed an incredible run among young consumers in the last decade, with some of the strongest interest directed to tailoring.”

The $43,000 Recession Suit (WSJ)
With many retailers staying conservative amid the recession, some luxury companies such as Brioni are still peddling products with exorbitant price tags.

A Leaderless Barneys seems Fit To Be Sold (NY Post)
Isthismar, the Dubai based investment firm that bought Barneys last year, has now replaced Howard Socol as CEO.

Shoe Retailer Barratts Files for Administration (AP)
One of the UK high street’s most beloved shoe institutions files for bankruptcy, in the latest sign of the worsening economic climate.

Japan slips into recession (FT)
According to FT, “the Japanese economy entered its first recession in seven years.”

Brioni Seeks Minority Investor (WWD)
Brioni is said to be selling a 20-25 percent stake of its company.

The Green revolution: Sir Philip Green (The Scotsman)
Sir Phillip Green will have his eye on the many high-street fashion companies up for sale next year.

Will London’s First Luxury Mall Spur Spending? (Ad Age)
A faltering economy and the fact that malls are not a huge part of the European shopping culture could make Westfield London a tough sell.

Street scene in Shibuya, Tokyo courtesy of  Guwashi99, under Creative Commons.