Ralph Lauren | Source: American Book Center

Ralph Lauren: New in an Old World (IHT)
“Standing shoulder to shoulder at the Élysée Palace, the French president, Nicolas Sarkozy, and the American legend Ralph Lauren held a mutual admiration society.”

New York’s Fifth Ave. Sets Record with Uniqlo Lease (Bloomberg)
“New York’s Fifth Avenue is claiming a city retail record: Japanese clothier Uniqlo agreed to pay $300 million over 15 years to bring its affordable fashions to the world’s most expensive shopping area.”

Outnet sale shows hunger of internet shoppers (Lakestar)
“Online fashion retailer Outnet showed that sometimes an online marketing campaign can be a little too successful when it launched a £1 sale last week.”

Ex-employee to sue Prada Japan over alleged harassment (Plush Asia)
“A former employee of Prada Japan who claims she was harassed by the local unit of the Italian fashion house for being ugly.”

Design Vertigo (T Magazine)
“Design Miami and Fendi’s 2010 collaboration, ‘Design Vertigo,’ at Spazio Fendi… aim to highlight the ways in which designers are venturing outside the bounds of traditional practice and joining forces with unlikely partners.”

Outnet homepage, courtesy of Net-a-Porter

Net-a-Porter gives details of discount venture (Drapers)
As revealed in BoF’s exclusive interview with Natalie Massenet in November, Net-a-Porter will launch a discount e-Commerce venture called Outnet.com.

Milan’s Choice: Appeal to Reason or the Gut? (WSJ)
In order to lure customers, designers in Milan employed polarising design strategies.

Mulberry to beat expectations (Drapers)
According to Mulberry, the holiday sales rush will help it beat market expectations.

Luxury Players Battle Changes in Online Rules (WWD)
Changes in European regulation, could dictate how luxury players operate their e-Commerce businesses. (Subscription required)