Courtney Love cover, courtesy of Elle

Hachette to Break Through ‘Silos’ As It Restructures Women’s Magazines (WSJ)
“This week, the New York publisher will take what it says is a big step toward fortifying itself, reorganizing its women’s magazines, which make up the bulk of its business.”

J. Crew Group cuts jobs, suspends 401(k) plan (Forbes)
J. Crew will cut 95 jobs and 401k plans to help save on costs.

Niche Web Sites Buck Media Struggles (WSJ)
While old media struggles, online publishers are seeing revenues rise.

Luxe Houses Cut Costs (WWD)
“As the global recession bites into luxury sales, store openings and events are being canceled or postponed, sample collections downsized, advertising budgets slashed, and workforces trimmed.” (Subscription required)

Oscar fashions give no hint of the weak economy (Newsday)
Despite tough times, no one was slumming it at the Oscars.

Factors Drop Barneys Over Sale Uncertainty (WWD)
Factors are no longer approving spring orders from Barneys over its uncertain future. (Subscription required)

London’s ‘cool girl’ starts growing up (IHT)
The perpetual focus on an ever-renewing young generation seems to be the mark of British fashion: always the hip chick, never the adult. But there are signs this London autumn 2009 season that the role model is growing up,” reports IHT.

J. Crew’s Madewell Launching Stores (WWD)
Despite the economy, J.Crew’s Madewell will open more stores. (Subscription required)

Mickey Drexler is probably the most famous merchandiser in the fashion world. Merchandisers are known for their magical ability to combine art and science, analytics and gut feel, experience and predictive skills.

Over twenty years, Drexler built the Gap into a bonafide worldwide business from a struggling 400-store regional chain, using his product and merchandising skills and a 20-piece wardrobe that he kept on a list in his drawer while middling it out in other roles that didn’t inspire him.

I came across this conversation from earlier this year between Mr. Drexler and Charlie Rose, one of America’s most respected and talented interviewers. Charlie Rose says he “wants to go to school” on Drexler’s experience — which exactly what he does, getting underneath the mystery of merchandising through a series of stories and examples from Drexler’s career.