Ermenegildo Zegna Autumn/Winter 2011 Runway | Source: Style.com

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 to sleek suits and luxurious sportswear. Like most of the Milan menswear season, which closes Tuesday, the Gucci show was nice — but not a knockout.”

Kenneth Cole shuttering 8 U.S. stores (Crain’s)
“The brand, which started 29 years ago, has been struggling in recent years as consumers shunned its trendy wares. Late last year, there were even rumors that namesake designer Kenneth Cole’s younger brother, Neil, who runs Iconix Brand Group Inc., was eying Kenneth Cole as an acquisition target.”

Burberry boosted by China expansion (FT)
“The group said like-for-like retail sales grew by 36 per cent in the quarter after the group took full ownership of 50 stores in China from a franchisee agreement. China recorded like-for-like comparable sales growth of 14 per cent for the period.”

Behind-The-Scenesters: Mel Ottenberg (Style.com)
“‘I don’t want the style to be noticed, per se. I just want the kid who’s reading the magazine to think, wow, that looks great.’ Here, Ottenberg talks to Style.com about his big break(s), his atypical days, and how a little fear can be a very good thing..”

Puma Ad campaign 2009, courtesy of Puma

Puma prepares for ‘volatile’ retail sector (FT)
“Puma, the world’s third-largest sports goods maker, said it expects a challenging second half of the year after posting better-than-expected results for the second quarter on Friday.”

David Reiss and Andy Rogers (Drapers)
“Reiss launches its first sub-brand this week, aimed at a younger, edgier customer. Founder David Reiss and brand director Andy Rogers share their vision for the premium chain’s global future.”

Kenneth Cole posts narrower-than-expected Q2 loss (Reuters)
“U.S. shoe and clothing maker Kenneth Cole Productions Inc posted a narrower-than-expected quarterly loss, helped by tight cost control and inventory management, and forecast a surprise third-quarter loss.”

Investigation into Kaupthing loans to UK retailer’s firm (Guardian)
“Details of loans made by failed Icelandic bank Kaupthing to a company owned by British retail entrepreneur Kevin Stanford have been sent to criminal investigators in Iceland by the local financial regulator amid allegations of market manipulation before the bank’s collapse last October.”

Valley of the Dolls | Jeffrey Turns 10 (The Moment)
“To celebrate its 10th anniversary, the luxury retailer Jeffrey is creating its own “Valley of the Dolls.” Its owner, Jeffrey Kalinsky, tapped the designer Jason Wu (who started out creating fashionable dolls before scaling up the fashion rungs with Michelle Obama’s inaugural ball gown) to create a series of limited-edition dolls, which were in turn sent out to a who’s who of designers to be dressed in the season’s looks.”

Adidas ad camapaign, courtesy of Adidas

Adidas issues profit warning (Drapers)
“Pre-tax profits at the Adidas group sunk by 97% to just €5 million (£4.4m) in the first three months of 2009. Currency-neutral group sales fell 6% to €2.58 billion (£2.28bn), compared to €2.62bn (£2.32bn) in the first three months of 2009.”

The Sui Target (Vogue UK)
“ANNA SUI has become the second designer to participate in discount retailer Target’s Designer Collaboration series.”

Zegna expands business despite downturn (Gulf News)
“Paolo Zegna, spoke to Gulf News on the sidelines of the opening ceremony of his company’s first Global Concept Store in the Middle East designed by world renowned retail architect Peter Marino, at Dubai Mall, which was opened yesterday.”

Kenneth Cole Posts First-Qtr. Loss (WWD)
“Kenneth Cole Productions Inc. on Tuesday posted a first-quarter loss and a decline in revenues.For the three months ended March 31, the company lost $8.2 million.” (Subscription required)