Hermès Autumn/Winter 2009, courtesy of Hermès

Jean Paul Gaultier Said to be Leaving Hermès (Fashion Week Daily)
“Change is brewing at Hermès, and it’s starting with Jean Paul Gaultier. The designer is said to be resigning from the company; his last collection for the house is due to bow in Paris this October.”

Liberty linked to Target collaboration (Drapers)
“Liberty, the iconic London department store, is reported to be in talks with US value chain Target about a collaboration on clothing next year.”

Escada Draws Interest From Several Investors, Handelsblatt Says (Bloomberg)
“Several investors are interested in buying German luxury clothing maker Escada AG, which filed for insolvency this month, Handelsblatt reported, without saying where it got the information.“

Fashion World Moves to Damp Sale Frenzy (Wall Street Journal)
“Next week begins the media blitz for Fashion’s Night Out—a global pep rally sponsored by two fashion icons, Anna Wintour and Diane von Furstenberg.”

Prada store on Rodeo Drive, Los Angeles

Luxe Redux (Reuters)
“Lavish. Silent. Undisturbed. Visiting luxury boutiques these days can seem like stepping into a time capsule, and in a sense, you are, as retail and marketing plans and products conceived during the bully days of early 2008 are still on display and feel, in this post-luxury age, as anachronistic and appealing as Zeppelin travel after the Hindenburg disaster.”

Let crisis inspire haute couture, says Gaultier (Reuters)
“Fashion designer Jean-Paul Gaultier said on Wednesday tough times were triggers to think out of the box and that way haute couture will weather the world financial crisis.”

Uniqlo reveals details of Jil Sander sub-brand (Drapers)
“Jil Sander’s debut collection for Uniqlo this autumn will be called +J. The collection will feature around 40 pieces for men and 100 pieces for women. Price information and an actual launch date have not yet been released.”

Retailers focus on standout items to spur spending (AP)
“At luxury merchant Neiman Marcus, employees are explicitly asking shoppers about what their wardrobes already include, instead of just helping them stuff their closets with new things. But persuading financially squeezed shoppers to open their wallets without dangling fat discounts continues to be challenging.”

"Love of Pink" perfume ad, courtesy of Lacoste

Luxury marketing plays by a different set of rules (FT)
“The present economic crisis has forced all companies to question their strategies and practices, and this has never been more crucial than for luxury brands and marketing.”

Bernard Arnault: How to manage the transition into quality (FT)
“Bernard Arnault, chairman of Möet Hennessy Louis Vuitton, the largest luxury company in the world, does not like the word ‘luxury’. ‘I prefer to think of it as quality,’ he says, a caveat that may seem semantic, but is, in fact, significant: it speaks to the permanent change in the industry that he sees occurring post-recession.”

Jean Paul Gaultier’s Long, Slow Tease (Luxe Chronicles)
“By the looks of things, the fashion and luxury crowds are passionately embracing Web 2.0 as a marketing tool. Hot on the heels of Dior’s The Lady Noir Affaire, French couture’s enfant terrible Jean Paul Gaultier has followed suit with a campaign to celebrate the first anniversary of his Madame fragrance.” Watch the video here.

Britain’s got new fashion talent (Independent)
“The economy may be floundering, but at last week’s graduate shows, creativity flourished. Harriet Walker rounds up the highlights of the student season.”

Alexander McQueen to collaborate with Target (Drapers)
Alexander McQueen creates a range for Target geared towards a “slightly older customer.”

Online Retailers: Slower Growth Expected This Holiday Season (WSJ)
Online retailers are resilient when it comes to the economy, but they’re not immune,” according to Scott Silverman, Shop.org’s executive director.

What Moves During An Economic Downturn (JC Report)
“One might assume that demand for timeless basics would be on the rise in such uncertain times, many retailers report that it’s the exact opposite.”

Jean Paul Gaultier Said to Tap New President (WWD)
Veronique Gautier is said to be the new president of Jean Paul Gaultier.

Alexander McQueen, photo courtesy of Alexander McQueen.