Keeping Fast Fashion Fresh, and Profitable (IHT)
“It is not often that the Grand Palais… hosts a giant Ferris Wheel, a spinning swing, a shimmering mini Eiffel Tower, and a parade of scantily clad models showing lingerie on a catwalk resembling the Champs-Élysées. In the center of this adult amusement park stood Karl-Johan Persson, 34, in his new role as chief executive of H&M Hennes & Mauritz.”

Hermès and Gucci Press Equestrian Advantage (NY Times)
“The heart of the sponsorships is not commerce but the soul of the brands. Hermès has never deviated from its noble, officer-and-gentleman image. But this is a good time to reinforce that classy conception, at a moment when luxury has become associated with a period of extravagance and excess… Last weekend’s event may turn out for Gucci to be a Masters not just in jumping, but also in handling its heritage.”

John Galliano to start men’s wear line (Independent)
“Italian fashion giant Ittierre will license John Galliano’s first men’s wear range. While Galliano is responsible for the creative direction of French luxury fashion house Dior (in addition to his own label, John Galliano), this new line will be down-to-earth in comparison, with the designer eyeing a ‘contemporary-priced, ‘urban casual’ sportswear line.’”

Tough to let go for 70-something fashion designers (Reuters)
“The passing of the artistic torch is one of the most discussed subjects in the fashion world as it can make or break the survival of the brand — but no fashion house is willing to talk about it officially. Aside from Armani, the clock is ticking for a number of other fashion companies headed by 70-something designers including Ralph Lauren and Oscar de la Renta in the United States and Karl Lagerfeld at Chanel in France.”

A fashion icon, unwrapped (Chicago Tribune)
“Meeting Diane von Furstenberg, we weren’t sure what to expect. After all, this is a woman who married a prince, made millions, graced the cover of Newsweek at age 29 and hung out with Andy Warhol… Definite diva potential. Instead, DVF …was decidedly un-diva like. No big sunglasses. No handlers. No swish of the fur à la Meryl Streep in ‘The Devil Wears Prada.’”

Sonia Rykiel

H&M signs Sonia Rykiel (Drapers)
“Swedish clothing chain H&M has signed French fashion veteran Sonia Rykiel to design a range of lingerie and related accessories to be launched on December 5.”

Job Wanted — and Pay Would Be Nice (New York Times)
“Many of Britain’s most successful brands may be rich in creativity, but they are poor in revenue. So when a collection appears on the catwalk, often those remarkable clothes are created, at least in part, by unpaid interns.”

Fashion chain New Look models idea of flotation (Guardian)
“High street fashion chain New Look is expected to trigger a rush of flotations on the London Stock Exchange after it emerged the private equity-owned retailer has held talks over a possible £1.7bn listing before the end of the year.”

When artists meet designers (FT)
“When Zac Posen was asked why New York artist Rosson Crow was interested in collaborating on his recent spring/summer 2010 collection, the designer observed: ‘Throughout history fine artists have been funded by the greatest luxury brand of them all: Christianity.’ Why, he asked, in today’s more secular climate, should anyone be surprised they have simply moved on from a religious brand to fashion brands?”

The role of the muse in fashion (FT)
“What is a fashion muse? An amazing meteor that holds the eye and seduces for a second before vanishing? Or something more? Thanks to the cult of celebrity, we have become confused between names we know,such as Victoria Beckham, Kate Moss and Yasmin Le Bon, and the real muses of the fashion pantheon. Behind every great creator there is a muse in the shadows, but they have never been given the attention they deserve.”

DNR RIP, men’s fashion trade paper dead at 116 (LA Times)
DNR, the Fairchild owned menswear trade publication has succumbed to the econommy and “parental neglect” is now dead.

Dresner Checks Out: Park Ave. Retail Icon Succumbs to Economy (WWD)
New York retail institution, Linda Dresner, is to shutter its doors at the end of December.

H&M signs Matthew Williamson (Drapers)
Matthew Williamson is the latest designer to link up with H&M.

Sonia Rykiel: Designer for the independent woman (IHT)
The International Herald Tribune profiles Sonia Rykiel, the legendary French designer who is a subject of an exhibition in Paris.

Issues of DNR, photo courtesy of DNR.