Prada Autumn/Winter 2010 | Source: Prada

The chic learn to click (Economist)
“Luxury firms may at last be waking up to the internet, but they have a long way to catch up… It is odd that an industry that would not be seen dead in last season’s colour is wedded to the last century’s technology.”

India’s luxury market remains underdeveloped (CPP Luxury)
“The lack of upscale retail space, high taxes and red tape are the main factors which have been hampering the development of the Indian luxury market. Luxury spending in India… was less than a tenth of that in China last year.”

Harvey Nichols profits up (Retail Week)
“Harvey Nichols… has revealed that the luxury department store will return to record pre-recession profit levels in its current financial year but has warned of a drop in shopper spend in 2011.”

Aquascutum fights to turn things around (Independent)
“The fashion brand Aquascutum is working with a debt advisory firm to raise capital to drive its turnaround, following its acquisition by the owner of Jaeger last September.”

Grow Your Own McQueen Garden With the New Visionaire (QS)
“The nicest touch: it turns into flowers. The issue will include images inspired by McQueen, printed on paper embedded with wildflower seeds. When you plant the pages, water and sun them, they’ll eventually blossom.”

Kate Moss for Topshop Autumn/Winter 09 | Source: Topshop

Arcadia profits soar (Retail Week)
“Sir Philip Green’s Arcadia Group has reported a 13% rise in pre-tax profits, despite the recession. Young fashion brands Topshop, Topman and Miss Selfridge all had record years.”

Harvey Nicks boss says luxury needs to evolve (Drapers)
“Harvey Nichols chief executive Joseph Wan has warned the luxury sector will not recover from the global banking collapse for at least five years after the downturn prompted a “substantial shift” in the mindset of shoppers.”

The Guardian launches online fashion store (Drapers)
“Newspaper group, the Guardian News & Media, has launched an online fashion store. Guardianfashionstore.co.uk links the newspaper’s fashion editorial content and allows Guardian and Observer readers to browse over 150,000 products.”

Nanette Lepore heads up rally to save the garment center (Examiner)
“The fashion district was buzzing yesterday at a rally to save the garment center… Nanette Lepore spoke out about legislation to promote production in the garment center and honor the city zoning for manufacturers.”

Son of Escada founders mounts bid for brand (Drapers)
“The son of Escada’s founding family has teamed up with Maurizio Borletti, chairman of Italian department store La Rinascente, in an to effort rescue the insolvent German womenswear business, according to reports.”