Source: Associated PressDUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Just a few years ago, Gulf Arab women usually only felt comfortable showing off their fashion sense at ladies-only parties or family gatherings. In public, at least in their home countries, the standard all-black abaya — a simple floor-length covering and accompanying head scarf — was the only culturally accepted option.
H&M Holiday Campaign | Source: Fashion Gone RogueBig brands lead charge (China Daily) “Major brands from across Europe are looking toward China’s second- and third-tier cities as the country’s domestic market continues to grow outside of Beijing and Shanghai. With a foothold already established in China’s biggest cities, multi-national European brands as diverse as Ikea and Louis Vuitton are moving inland in search of new customers.” Warm weather
[caption id="attachment_2689" align="alignnone" width="500" caption="Olivier Theyskens and Lily Donaldson at the conclusion of Nina Ricci A/W 2009"][/caption] Theyskens, Ricci Part Ways (WWD) "Olivier Theyskens and Nina Ricci are officially divorced." Fashion Deflation (Forbes) In anticipation of consumers' budget cuts, expect lower prices from designers and retailers. H&M unveils full concept store in Moscow (Fibre2Fashion) Despite the global recession, H&M opens up shop in Moscow. London retail sales hold up (Drapers) "London retail sales rose 5.9% on a like-for-like basis in February outperforming the rest of the UK, which recorded a 1.8% fall in like-for-like sales over the month."
The Last Balmain, courtesy of Style.comPARIS, France — I’m in Paris for the collections, after sitting last season out. It’s funny the way everything looks different when you’re actually here. Take Balmain, for instance. I assumed, from what I read in the press after last season’s showing by designer Christophe Decarnin, that it was the collection du jour; the one that everyone adored, adored, adored. It turns out that well, this is not really
Theyskens at Nina RicciIn the Black, YSL Plots Ambitious Growth (WWD) “While the global economic crisis has thrown many high-flying luxury brands into a tailspin, operating under trying circumstances is old hat for the folks at Yves Saint.” (Subscription required) Rumors Swirl: Is Fall 2009 Olivier Theyskens’ Last Collection for Nina Ricci? (WSJ) “Since Mr. Theyskens arrived at Nina Ricci in 2006, he has been hailed as a genius by
