Z Zegna in Holt Renfrew's S/S 2011 Campaign | Source: Fashionising

For Holt’s, luxury regains its proper place (Globe and Mail)
“The full-price model is part of Mr. Derbyshire’s five-year business plan to strengthen Holt’s results following a period of stagnation caused by the economic slump… His efforts seem to be paying off: Privately held Holt’s enjoyed a record profit in 2010 – double that of its next best year, 2006.”

Tommy Hilfiger Changes his Stripes (WSJ)
“‘It’s my formula. It’s my vision,’ Mr. Hilfiger says. ‘But I wanted someone to come in who respects the vision but would want to maybe modernize it a bit.’ The hires are part of Mr. Hilfiger’s broader effort to refresh his 26-year-old label’s image in the U.S., particularly among luxury consumers.

Kurt Geiger sale to Jones Group (Guardian)
“‘We’ve had a brilliant ride with private equity but now we’d like to park the company for the long term and not look over our shoulders every three or four years. It’s been a great journey but we now want to think about the next 10 years.’”

Gucci Turns 90! (Dazed Digital)
“The glamorous Italian brand celebrates its 90th birthday this year in grand style as we show images from an exclusive editorial shot at the Palazzo Alberini in Rome and speak to creative director, Frida Giannini.”

A New Look at the Art of Prada (WSJ)
“Miuccia Prada the designer—she of the black nylon backpacks, whose Italian label is often called fashion’s most intellectual—keeps art and fashion separate. ‘Definitely fashion for me isn’t art… Art is a place for ideas without any other direct concerns. If I’m a good fashion designer, it’s because I sell.’”

Allen Edmonds' Redan shoe | Source: Allen Edmonds

At Their Feet, Crafted by Hand (NY Times)
“It has not been lost on workers at Allen Edmonds, or those at about a half-dozen shoe companies that still produce in the United States, that the craft of shoemaking is experiencing something of a renaissance. Over the last few years, as heritage brands have been rediscovered by a new generation of customers, especially young men.”

Jones Group one of bidders for Jimmy Choo (Reuters)
“Clothing maker Jones Group is one of three potential buyers for upscale shoe and handbag maker Jimmy Choo… Jones Chief Executive Wesley Card told Reuters in February that his company was looking to buy brands that would help extend Jones’ reach, particularly into overseas markets.”

How Far Off Are Local Chinese Luxury Brands? (Jing Daily)
“Luxury brands are born out of two main factors, one being history and the other a mature consumer base. However, there are virtually no domestic Chinese luxury brands that have these two characteristics… The establishment of a brand requires a lot of time and money, two things that are in short supply when a brand is first starting out.”

Museums Are Finding Room for Couturiers (NY Times)
“The big-city shows have helped legitimize fashion for smaller museums and provide a template for how to raise funds. And pop culture highlights fashion’s allure. ‘A hit show like ‘Project Runway,’ whose viewers are young females, underscores the passion for fashion among a key demographic that is also crucial for museums.’”

Rise: Gabriella Marina González (Dazed Digital)
“More powerfully dark than ever, the latest collection by Miami-born London-based designer, Gabriella Marina González, represents a new display of the most sinister poetry, a fresh twist to the most hard-core drama…. Leather masks and harnesses with metallic rivets, sky-high wedges and loose knits give shape to The Cyclops Apprentice, her proposal for next summer.”

Givenchy's Autumn/Winter 2010 Campaign | Source: Givenchy

Tisci’s Trans Europe Express (WWD)
“Givenchy designer Riccardo Tisci has taken the whole idea of ‘coed fashion shoot’ to another level: The designer is using a transexual among the cast for the house’s fall-winter ad campaign.”

Jones Apparel to buy Stuart Weitzman (Reuters)
“Jones Apparel Group Inc. said it will buy designer shoe company Stuart Weitzman Holdings for an initial cash payment of $180 million, in a bid to expand its reach into luxury goods.”

Fast Retailing Shares May Fall After Uniqlo Sales Drop (Bloomberg)
“Fast Retailing Co., Japan’s largest clothing chain operator, may fall in Tokyo trading after the company blamed cold weather for a domestic sales drop at its Uniqlo chain.”

Tory Burch interview: America’s new fashion sweetheart (Telegraph)
“You might not recognise the chic, Hitchcock-esque blonde sitting poker-straight in Claridge’s tea room in London, but to millions of Americans she is a veritable style icon.”

Katie The Genius (Dazed Digital)
“The much lauded London-based menswear designer Katie Eary is now participating in the first ever public fashion funding scheme from Catwalk Genius.”

Robert Rodriguez Spring/Summer 2010 | Source: Robert Rodriguez

Jones Apparel Acquires L.A. Designer Label (Apparel News)
“Jones Apparel Group Inc., the… corporation that has been on the hunt for brands, acquired Los Angeles womenswear contemporary label Robert Rodriguez for $28 million. Jones Apparel is hoping to expand the Robert Rodriguez name in other categories and other doors.”

US retail groups continue to recover (FT)
“Spending by US shoppers continued to bounce back from last year’s post-crash lows, with retailers ranging from luxury department stores to teen fashion boutiques yesterday reporting stronger sales in January.”

LVMH struggles to prise open purses of wealthy (Times Online)
“The luxury brands group, which markets Christian Dior perfume and Tag Heuer watches as well as Louis Vuitton luggage, failed to raise its game over the Christmas period. Sales in the final quarter of 2009 were flat or declining in every sector at LVMH.”

Hermès ups its 2009 profit forecast as sales excel (Reuters)
“French luxury group Hermès on Friday raised its own profit expectations for 2009 after posting forecast-beating full-year sales on the back of strong Christmas trading.”

Which Stars Sell Fashion? (WSJ)
“With the Academy Award nominations out this week, fashion designers are already jockeying to dress the stars for their big night. But rather than trying to pick the Oscar winners or the most fashionable celebrities, designers should be asking another question: Who will be the most effective at getting viewers to buy the clothes they see on the red carpet?”