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.”

Emanuel Ungaro fitting a model | Source: NY Times

The Fall of the House of Ungaro (NY Times)
“Ungaro was losing roughly $15 million a year, and [the Ferragamos] signaled to their bankers to look for a buyer. Abdullah was the only serious buyer who turned up. That was in 2005, and as you probably guessed, he had no experience in fashion.”

Barneys Appoints New CEO (Market Watch)
“Barneys New York, the luxury retailer, with the support of its shareholder Istithmar World, today announces the appointment of Mark Lee to the Company as Chief Executive Officer, effective September 1, 2010.”

Social Media Fashion Statements (Ad Week)
“Visit the sites of major fashion names like Louis Vuitton and Gucci and you’ll find pretty much the digital equivalent of Vogue: lots of glossy photos and little in the way of interaction.”

Levi’s Expands in China, With Western Fits (WSJ)
“The new Levi’s brand, called Denizen.. was — prior to the launch — reported by trade publications to be specifically designed for Chinese body types… [but] that’s not the case. Denizen is a global brand for men and women, and its tailoring… remains unchanged.”

Retiring CEO Burt Tansky Leaves a Legacy of Luxury (Dallas News)
“Burt Tansky discovered a customer who loved luxury in 1974…For the next three and a half decades, he never left her side… His 49-year retailing résumé includes serving as president of Saks Fifth Avenue and CEO of Bergdorf Goodman.”

House of Holland for Levi's Spring/Summer 2010 | Source: Levi's

Levi’s Shoots for the High-End Hipster (WSJ)
“The 157-year-old company is trying to reinvent itself as not just a purveyor of basics but as an edgier brand suitable for the fashion cognoscenti.”

Polo Ralph Lauren: The Winning Streak Continues (Smart Trend)
“Shares of Polo Ralph Lauren traded near a new 52-week high yesterday, touching a price of $90.89. Approximately 758,000 shares traded hands yesterday vs. average 30-day volume of 1.1 million shares.”

The go-to girl for fortysomething fashion (Times)
“Jenna Lyons, 41, the creative director — and according to many saviour — of J. Crew, the American clothing chain to which Michelle Obama, among others, turns when she needs a chic wardrobe reality check.”

Alexander McQueen: First Book to go on Sale (Telegraph)
“Entitled “Alexander McQueen, Genius of a Generation”, the 128-page volume traces McQueen’s remarkable life story, from a child… to his final, fabulous – but unfinished – fall/winter 2010/11 collection.”

Prabal Gurung: Not About the Fame (Fashionologie)
“‘I came from the school of thought [where] I believe in paying your dues, learning your craft, knowing what it takes to make a good collection… it’s been ten-plus years of hard work.’”

Levi's S/S 09 Ad campaign, courtesy of Levi's

Levi’s sees Q1 profits slashed (Drapers)
“Net income at denim brand Levi’s sank by 50% to $48 million (£32m) in the first quarter ended March 1.”

Istithmar provides ‘significant’ loan for Barneys (AP)
“Istithmar World Capital says it has provided a “significant” level of additional capital to support upscale retailer Barney’s New York.”

H&M March Same-Store Sales -3%, Misses Expectations (WSJ)
“Hennes & Mauritz Wednesday posted March sales below expectations, though the broader fashion retail market is showing tentative signs of recovery in some of H&M’s key countries.”

Debenhams set to sign Henry Holland (Drapers)
“Debenhams is in talks to sign up London Fashion Week designer Henry Holland to join its Designers at Debenhams roster.”