Levi's Curve ID Ad | Source: Levi's

No Ifs or Buts: Jeans Ads Get Blunt (WSJ)
“In what could be called a race to the bottom, some denim companies are breaking language taboos, not backing away from using crude language to describe the backside.”

How to Bring in Luxury Shoppers (JCK)
“For a while, it seemed the ‘new normal’ for the luxury market would resemble the old one. Upscale retailers… logged impressive sales jumps in the first half of 2010, reflecting pent-up demand… But then something changed.”

Net-a-Porter snaps up Koodos.com (Vogue UK)
“Following a strategic review of its business, E-trader Group, which runs stockshifters.com the UK’s leading trade clearance site, have decided to dispose of the assets of Koodos.com to theOutnet.com.”

Neiman Marcus embraces Gilt Groupe model with flash sale (Luxury Daily)
“The sale was available for the two hours specified or until merchandise sold out. Once the sale was over, the consumer was prompted to shop for Neiman Marcus items at full price.”

Why pop-ups pop up everywhere (Guardian)
“Temporary shops and restaurants were once a way for artists to subvert empty urban spaces. Now, they’re just as likely to be part of a corporate marketing strategy.”

Versace Atelier Autumn/Winter 09 | Source: Versace

Versace Cuts a Fourth of Its Work Force (NY Times)
“Versace Group, the fashion house based in Milan, said Wednesday that it would cut 26 percent of its worldwide work force and consolidate its operations as it targeted a return to profitability in 2011.”

Fashion’s Night Out on the calendar for 2010 (AP)
“ShopperTrak, an independent reporter of consumer traffic, estimated a 50 percent jump in retail foot traffic as stores held cocktail parties, offered makeovers, and hosted meet-and-greets with celebrities and designers.”

Tillman firm snaps up Koodos (Drapers)
“E-trader Group, a software development company founded by fashion entrepreneur Harold Tillman, has bought discount fashion e-tailer Koodos.”

China’s Street fashion (CNN)
“It’s a hot august afternoon in Beijing, and student Li Yanan is shopping with a friend at the Joy City mall, in the city’s Xicheng district. The mall offers plenty of Western brand-name stores… But Li, 20, is drawn to the only store displaying a large slogan printed in Chinese characters. Your own style, it reads.”

How jilted Carrie’s wedding became Westwood’s big day (Evening Standard)
“Sales of Westwood labels rose by almost a fifth last year to £17.6million after Sarah Jessica Parker’s character, Carrie Bradshaw, wore one of the designer’s gowns for her ill-fated wedding.”