The Mall at Millenia, Orlando | Source: Marbella South

Luxury Goods Will Regroup as Economy Recovers (Apparel News)
“Discounters and off-price stores were the real winners in 2009 as bargain-hungry shoppers gobbled up inexpensive clothing and sale items. Meanwhile, luxury goods were pariahs, stuck on shelves as well-to-do consumers re-evaluated their stock portfolios and played it conservative. But that scenario could be turned upside down this year.”

Macy’s on the hunt for more fashion brands (Crain’s NY Business)
”Department store Macy’s is taking a fashion cue from its upscale sister Bloomingdale’s. Next month, the famous department store will host its first Open Call event, where fashion houses not currently selling at Macy’s can showcase their wares for a possible slot on the selling floor.”

Search Engines Deliver Wealthy Consumers (Earth Times)
“More than three-fourths of wealthy consumers use search engines when shopping for luxury goods and services. They perform an average of 14 daily searches, and 89% report that they made an online purchase as a direct result of a search.”

Mainland rich spend 15 percent less in 2009 (Shanghai Daily)
“Millionaires on the Chinese mainland spent 15 percent less last year than in 2008 and this lower spending caused luxury brands to target second- and third-tier cities for further expansion.”

A Shirt’s Tale: From cuff to collar and yoke to gusset; devil is in the details (WSJ)
“A lifetime connoisseur of shirts… [Brian Clarke] is also passionate consumer. Most customers don’t understand about 75% of the elements that go into making a high-quality shirt, he says.”

Macy's Herald Square Advertisement, 1906 | Source: Gjenvick

Macy’s to shut five underperforming stores (Reuters)
“Macy’s Inc. said on Tuesday it was closing five of its namesake department stores, affecting about 307 employees, as it pares underperforming locations. Macy’s said it would offer jobs at nearby stores to displaced employees when possible.”

Prada: Not for Sale (Business Week)
“Prada SpA, the luxury company which has called off four attempts at an initial public offering in the last 10 years, denied a New York Post report that it is in talks to sell a stake to Financiere Richemont.”

Armani opens first design hotel in March (Independent)
“More hotels are planned for Milan, New York, Tokyo, Shanghai and London, although no dates have been specified at this point… Overall, Armani ‘plans to open at least ten hotels and resorts within the next ten years,’ according to a statement.”

Merci: A Concept That Slowly Spells Itself Out (NY Times)
“But Merci isn’t a pointed exercise in high-low, some clash of Chanel and Gap. It’s more like a place that reflects what people actually like and how they actually want to shop. Heartened not just by the selection but by a sense of aesthetic freedom, I found even more eccentric delights…’It’s like Colette for grown-ups’.”

Venetia: Great Scott (Ponystep)
“Venetia Scott is the stylist who stripped away the impenetrable veneer of fashion in the early 90’s. Together with photographer Juergen Teller, her sense of spirit dismantled existing preconceptions of glamour and brought personality as well as earthy grit to dressing.”

Rachel Roy A/W 09, courtesy of Style.com

Jones to sell exclusive Rachel Roy line at Macy’s (WSJ)
“Jones Apparel Group Inc., which has a 50 percent stake in designer Rachel Roy, said it’s launching a contemporary line called Rachel Rachel Roy to be sold exclusively at Macy’s Inc.”

Bulgari CEO Sees First Loss Since 1999, Then Rebound (Bloomberg)
“Bulgari SpA Chief Executive Officer Francesco Trapani said he expects the Italian luxury company to post a first-quarter loss, followed by a gradual recovery in demand for the label’s Assioma watches and Allegra jewelry.”

Fashion sales rise 10.5% for week to April 12 (Drapers)
“Fashion sales rose 10.5 percent for the week to April 12 compared to the same week last year, according to BDO Stoy Hayward’s High Street Sales Tracker.”

Prepping for a Vionnet Exhibit (WWD)
“A 72-year-old Madeleine Vionnet halterneck gown, a crumpled heap of brittle tulle and silk flowers, has been laid out for inspection in the restoration rooms of Les Arts.” (Subscription required)

Gucci S/S 09 advertising campaign

Gucci CEO sees satisfactory Q1-report (Reuters)
“Fashion house Gucci has had a satisfactory trend in the first quarter.”

‘Project Runway’ Will Move to Lifetime (WSJ)
“Nearly a year of litigation between General Electric Co.’s NBC Universal and Weinstein Co. over “Project Runway” ended Wednesday with an agreement that allows Weinstein to move its popular reality-TV show to Lifetime Networks.”

Macy’s CEO got 2008 compensation of $14.82 million (AP)
“Macy’s Inc.’s Chief Executive and Chairman Terry Lundgren received compensation valued at $14.82 million in 2008, much of it in stock compensation, according to an Associated Press calculation of figures disclosed in a regulatory filing.”

Hermès to Open in the Hamptons (WWD)
The French luxury brand will take up temporary residence in a 2,000-square-foot space specialising in beach attire. (Subscription required)

Bottega Veneta Invests in Cruise (WSJ)
In a difficult time for luxury retailers, Bottega Veneta is launching a glitzy marketing campaign.

Returns on the Rise–Retailers Are Rolling Out More Flexible Return Policies (WSJ)
According to the Wall Street Journal, “Retailers are expected to see the value of
merchandise returned in 2008 increase a whopping 23%.”

LVMH Stresses China Growth (WWD)
LVMH “issued a statement saying its business in China remained strong.”

Macy’s Posts $44M Loss in Q3 (DNR)
In its Q3 ending in the 4th quarter, Macy’s posted a $44M loss.

Bottega Veneta’s Cruise campaign, photo courtesy of Bottega Veneta.