Innovation on the surface, Galliano crisis at Dior, Ferré expansion, Training tailors, Middle East impact

| Daily Digest

L-R Bottega Veneta, Jil Sander, Marni | Source: Style.com

Surface Attraction (IHT) “Sculpted shapes, clean lines and modernist architecture — why is the fashion ‘streamlining’ of today any different from its previous incarnations of the 1930s to the 1990s?… The answer lies on the surface. A combination of hyper-modern fabrics and imaginative decoration is giving 21st-century style a third dimension.” Galliano counter-sues over racist allegations (FT)

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Old is new again, China at the fore in 2020, Investing in Italy’s jewels, A virtual fit, Cat in the hat is back

| Daily Digest

The women of AMC's Mad Men | Source: AMCTV

This Old Thing? Actually, It’s New (NY Times) “‘People used to laugh at me when I tried to sell these kinds of clothes when I started’… said Alicia Estrada, 39, founder and chief executive of Stop Staring!… the pioneer in reproduction vintage clothing. ‘Now my clothes are sold in 40 countries and more than 1,000 boutiques.’” Dipped in gold, China to be world’s top luxury market

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The rise of edvertorial, Everyday Escada, Formichetti’s cyberimage, Valuing ‘Made in Italy’, Designers anonymous

| Daily Digest

http://www.youtube.com/embed/Knbj6NaBRN8"

Social Media Breeds Edvertorial (WWD) “‘It’s a new way of communicating with consumers… an editorial approach to telling your brand story, and the social-media space just lends itself so beautifully to that combination.’” Everyday Escada? Life After ’80s Power Dressing (WSJ) “Over the past two years, in an effort to add new customers, Mr. Sälzer cut Escada’s prices by 20%…

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Brands increase spending, MFW wrap-up, Kenneth Cole struggles, Burberry’s boost, Mel Ottenberg’s scene

| Daily Digest

Italian Luxury-Goods Makers to Follow Clients in Spending More (Bloomberg) “Ermenegildo Zegna, Salvatore Ferragamo and Roberto Cavalli will increase investment in 2011, signaling greater confidence among Italian luxury-goods makers as demand continues to rise.” Milan: Heritage, Showmanship, Theater (IHT) “But even the face-paint effects for the Facebook generation… did not give that extra kick of excitement

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The trouble with Italian fashion, Dusting off Loewe, PRL looks abroad, Revamping Liz, Bunmi Olaye’s big break

| Daily Digest

Detail, double breasted Luciano Barbera suit | Source: The Satorialist

Is Italy Too Italian? (NY Times) “The bolts of wool and cashmere produced at [Carlo Barbera] mill, can indeed be described as high performance, among the finest in the world… The financial performance of the mill that creates this fabric, on the other hand, is far from stellar.” Spanish Brand Focuses on Functionality as It Re-Enters the U.S. (WSJ) “From 2005 to 2007, Stuart Vevers was known for creating

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