J. Crew Holiday Gift Guide | Source J. Crew

J. Crew more than doubles profit in 3Q (AP)
“J. Crew Group Inc., seller of clothes, shoes and accessories, said Tuesday its profit more than doubled in the third quarter as sales rose by a double-digit percentage. The results sent its stock surging in after-hours trading after the retailer beat Wall Street consensus estimates for profit and revenue.”

Michael Kors: The fashion designer who fits and flatters (Independent)
“The recession has been disastrous for the fashion business. But one man has weathered the storm – and kept his tan.”

Baugur founder seeks investment (Drapers)
“Jon Asgeir Johannesson, the founder of collapsed Icelandic investment vehicle Baugur, has approached former colleagues seeking investment for his Icelandic retail business Hagar.”

Why MaxMara is having a moment (The Times)
“With its purist approach to design and branding, MaxMara is seeing its camel coat become a recessionista favourite.”

Michelle Obama’s dinner gown, made in India by an Indian (Economic Times)
“First Lady Michelle Obama glowed in a silver-sequined, strapless gold and cream gown Tuesday night at the first state dinner hosted by her husband in honour of Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. She owed her dazzling appearance to the Indian-born US-based designer Naeem Khan.”

Michael Kors S/S 09 ad campaign, courtesy of Michael Kors

Michael Kors: an upbeat, uptown guy in a downturn (The Times)
“Michael Kors, one of fashion’s great survivors, is still selling in Manhattan and Palm Beach, despite the Madoff effect, and London is set to follow”

Delhi gets fashion pie, Mumbai the crumbs! (The Times of India)
Could India finally be getting it’s fashion act together or is it just another acronym to add to India’s fashion scene? “The Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI) and Fashion Foundation of India (FFI) which organise Wills India Fashion Week and Delhi Fashion Week respectively – will come together under The Fashion and Design Promotion Council umbrella…”

Fashion stretches to fit plus-size teens (CNN)
“While companies across the country are downsizing, some in the fashion world have decided that it’s time for a bit of upsizing. This spring, the cheap chic emporiums, Target and Forever 21, will launch plus-size lines for teenagers.”

An interview with Karl Lagerfeld (Interview Magazine)
Karl Lagerfeld discusses life and work with supermodel Sigrid Agren, backstage before his Paris Fashion week show earlier this year.

Michael Kors Spring/Summer 2009, courtesy of Michael Kors

Michael, Macro (Fashion Week Daily)
The Michael Kors brand just keeps on growing as it plans to open 25 stores in Europe in the next three years.

Are The Glossies Losing Their Lustre? (JC Report)
“By continuing to focus on the highest of fashion, are magazines alienating a readership for which luxury is an aspiration more out of reach than ever?,” asks the JC Report.

Retailers Still Expanding in China (WSJ)
Even though data suggests a “slackening” of sales, retailers such as Wal-Mart, Tesco are expanding in China. (Subscription required)

Recession’s Impact on New York Fashion Week (WSJ)
Affected by the recession, three designers are combining a runway show during New York Fashion Week.