Olivier Theyskens and Lily Donaldson at the conclusion of Nina Ricci A/W 2009

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.”

Balmain A/W 2009, courtesy of Style.com

PARIS, 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 the case.

The talk amongst the fashion intelligentsia before and after the show centered around one key point – and that point was not: “Isn’t Decarnin a genius?”, but rather “Who can actually buy this stuff?” … Continue Reading

YSL Autumn/Winter 1966-1967 and Yves Saint Laurent with Betty Catroux and Loulou de la Falaise, courtesy of YSL

In 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 critics. But perhaps in these tough economic times, genius isn’t enough.”

February retail sales crash (Drapers)
In the UK, “like-for-like fashion sales fell by 9.7% in February according to BDO Stoy Hayward’s Like-for-Like Club.”

Retail Sales Show Signs of Life (WSJ)
Americans have started spending again – at discount stores like Wal-Mart.

Nina Ricci Pre fall 2009, courtesy of WWD

Nina Ricci: Theysken’s Beat Goes On (WWD)
Olivier Theyskens will be staying put at Nina Ricci with an “expanded accessories line, particularly handbags.”

Retail Stocks: Sizing Up 2009 (Seeking Alpha)
Seeking Alpha lists the reasons why 2009 will be an ugly year for many brands.

Retail’s winners and losers (Just-Style)
Wal-Mart was a retail winner in 2008, but Gap and Abercrombie & Fitch were amongst the big losers.

Wal-Mart CEO Sees New Consumer Mind-set (WWD)
“The economy will turn around some day — but don’t expect conspicuous consumption to make a comeback.”