Burberry Black Label A/W 2010, courtesy of Burberry

Best of British: Why Burberry has the fashion business all wrapped up (Times)
“It fought the fakers, weathered an image crisis and resisted recession to become the darling of the FTSE 100. On the eve of Burberry’s return to London Fashion Week, Susannah Frankel checks out how a trenchcoat company became the British design phenomenon of the decade.”

Gianfranco Ferre defies crisis with major revamp (Reuters)
“Italian fashion house Gianfranco Ferre has enough cash to stage fashion shows, launch a shoe and handbag line and roll-out a new logo despite being in administration and hit by the downturn, its CEO said.”

Recession forcing retailers to think small (AP)
“The Great Recession and Americans’ retreat into thriftiness are teaching retailers a new lesson: How to survive when consumers are focused on ‘needs’ rather than ‘wants.’”

Global luxury sales to end this year 10 pct down (AFP)
“The global luxury market has been badly wounded by the financial crisis and will not fully recover for at least another three years, an international conference on the sector heard in Brazil on Wednesday.”

A Design Generation Rising (New York Times)
“At New York Fashion Week, which begins today, 25 Asian-American fashion designers plan to hold shows or presentations, nearly double the number five years ago. To explain the sharp increase in their numbers, many young Asian-American designers point to a cultural shift within their communities that has liberated them from traditional career expectations.”

Apriori S/S 09 ad campaign, courtesy of Apriori

Escada sells off Apriori, Cavita and Laurèl (Drapers)
“Escada has sold off its Apriori, Cavita and Laurèl womenswear brands which operate under its Primera subsidiary, to German investment firm Mutares.”

Ferre and Damiani announce cooperation (Forbes)
“The Gianfranco Ferre fashion house, which suffered the death of its founder and the bankruptcy of its holding company in the span of two years, said Tuesday it was starting a jewelry line to be produced by Damiani as part of its relaunching efforts.”

Fashion Legend Miuccia Prada On CNN’s Talk Asia (CNN)
“She’s one of fashion’s greatest icons, pioneering her own style at the top of the industry for decades. This week, TALK ASIA sits down for a rare interview with Miuccia Prada at an exhibition of her work in Seoul.” Miuccia Prada’s interview will be available online here after the first airing on May 27 at 8.30pm.

Evisu hires chief executive (Drapers)
“Denim brand Evisu has hired denim aficionado Scott Morrison as global chief executive. Scott Morrison, the co-founder of denim brands Paper Denim & Cloth and Earnest Sewn, has been charged with reinvigorating the brand. He left Earnest Sewn just two months ago.”

Gianfranco Ferre S/S 2009, courtesy of Christopher Moore

IT Holding’s Ittierre Unit to File for Bankruptcy (Bloomberg)
Ittierre, the parent company of Malo and Ferré files for Bankruptcy

Discounting drives January sales (Drapers)
In the UK, deep discounts drove January sales but clothing sales dropped to its lowest rate.

Phoebe Philo is redefining soul of Céline (IHT)
With Phoebe Philo at the helm, “the focus is to redefine the soul of Céline, which started out as a children’s shoe supplier.”

American Eagle Sues Citi Over ARS (WSJ)
“American Eagle Outfitters Inc. sued Citigroup Global Markets Inc. and accused it of fraudulently inducing it to buy $258 million worth of auction rate securities.”

Twitter Speeds Up Fashion Trends (Consuming PR)
“Now, with the use of twitter, fashionistas everywhere can consume fashion 24/7.”

American Apparel billboard on Sunset Blvd, courtesy of Deborah K

The Complicated World of American Apparel (WWD)
Amid one of the most dismal retail environments on record, American Apparel has posted a 3% profit.

New Info Shoppers (WSJ)
Over the past few years, a new class of strapped consumers has been poring over product spec sheets, third-party reviews and expert blog sites to find the best value. Hail the “new info shopper.”

Wave of Bankruptcy Filings Expected From Retailers in Wake of Holidays (WSJ)
With consumer confidence in the doldrums, retailers, “are expected to begin a wave of post-holiday bankruptcy filings, altering the landscape at malls and on main streets across the country.”

Gianfranco Ferre Mens to Debut in Milan (Fashionista)
Tommaso Aquilano and Roberto Rimondi, newly-appointed Gianfranco Ferre design heads, will unveil a menswear range on January 18th during Milan men’s fashion week.