Stella McCartney’s Fashion Message (On the Runway)
“Stella McCartney appears in a new video by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, released today. It’s worth watching. The subject is animal suffering in the leather industry and the risks to human health and the environment from tanneries.”

At Fashion Week, a Peek at a New Tactic for Marketers (NY Times)
“Made Fashion Week’s mobile app… has been designed to listen for specific sound waves that will be played over the speakers during runway shows throughout the week. The app will then automatically pull up a photograph of the outfit — taken by a photographer on the scene — as well as the designer’s name, biography and contact information.”

Models form rights group ahead of New York Fashion Week (Reuters)
“Fashion models in the United States launched a rights group on Monday ahead of New York Fashion Week to seek workplace standards including backstage privacy to stop unauthorized nude photos and a program to provide confidential advice on dealing with sexual harassment.”

Startup of the Week: Lux Fix (Wired)
“Lux Fix is an e-commerce site that works with designers to offer super-curated luxury fashion with members-only discounts… We are the only site which is able to provide its customers with current season offers from top luxury fashion brands; this is possible because we provide marketing and sales generation for our designer partners’ brands and websites.”

French Vogue embraces the digital age with website relaunch (Guardian)
“Vogue magazine has stayed at the pinnacle of fashion. From launching the careers of designers to creating trends and showcasing the latest in culture, Vogue has always been seen as the taste maker in an industry dedicated to the creation of taste makers… Today sees a new website launch from French Vogue.”

Thinking, and Literally Looking, Very Big (IHT)
“Of all the performer’s covers, this Visionaire production, with its photograph of a slinky, shimmering mermaid Gaga with a tar-covered fish tail, has to be the most flamboyant. The magazine is two meters high and 1.5 meters wide, or 6 feet high and 4.8 feet wide.”

Luxury conquers its CSR fear (FT)
“An interesting policy shift is creeping through the luxury industry: after long being terrified of talking about environmental/corporate social responsibility initiatives except in the most covert whispers, a number of voices are now slowly being raised.”

Saks Beefs Up Online Content (WWD)
“Saks Fifth Avenue is making a major push to get closer to its customers. The upscale retailer today unveils its redesigned Saks POV Web site, featuring richer editorial content, such as designer profiles, coverage of brands carried at the store and lifestyle pieces highlighting the coolest restaurants, exhibits and cultural events.”

Stella McCartney to show at London Fashion Week for the first time (Telegraph)
“For the first time ever, Stella McCartney is to show the latest collection from her eponymous label at London Fashion Week… The Saturday night “special fashion presentation” on February 18 next year will, her office emphasised, be to showcase a “one-off” Stella McCartney collection.”

Abraham Moon: the name on everyone’s lips – and labels (Telegraph)
“Over the past few years everyone from Ralph Lauren to Dolce & Gabbana has descended on the place… The thing that draws them is a 174-year-old woollen mill in a sprawl of sooty Victorian stone buildings either side of the Netherfield Road. There etched on to a black vitreous panel by the entrance are the words Abm Moon & Sons Ltd.”

London Fashion Week, Somerset House | Source: Zimbio

Battle of the catwalks as Milan clashes fashion week with London (Telegraph)
“Milan has announced that its fashion week next September will overlap those of New York and London, meaning that if no solution can be found, department store buyers and fashion magazine editors would be forced to choose one city over another.”

Burberry slumps on fears of end to Asian boom (Guardian)
“Shares in the British superbrand Burberry took a fresh pummelling as investors worried that the sun was setting on the luxury goods sales boom in Asia. Nearly £2bn has been wiped off Burberry’s market value in the past three months on fears that the Chinese economy has started to splutter.”

Stella McCartney Keeps It in Perspective (NY Times)
“Ms. McCartney also does not have that designer problem of reducing a woman’s life to one or two moments: work, a fancy party. She also makes outfits that strongly hint of home, like a piped pajama shirt worn with a matching foulard-dot pantsuit, or a loose sweater or easy all-in-one to wear to a casual dinner. And they are done with a slightly wacky sense of humor that one assumes reflects her own life and those of the people on her staff.”

H&M Targets Expansion in Asia (Bloomberg)
“Hennes & Mauritz, Europe’s second- largest clothing retailer, plans to step up the expansion of its new brands in Asia, anticipating that Chinese consumers will favor more-expensive labels such as Monki and COS… H&M is adding stores in China more rapidly than anywhere else, turning to the world’s fastest-growing major economy to help reverse falling profit.”

Christian Louboutin retrospective to open in London (Telegraph)
“Launching at the end of March 2012, London’s Design Museum will host an exhibition detailing the story of the shoe designer’s rise to the top of the glamorous footwear game, from his launch in 1991 to the present day, when he dresses the feet of everyone from Victoria Beckham to Lady Gaga.”

Louis Vuitton Facebook Page | Source: Facebook

Why Some Of The World’s Biggest Brands Still Don’t Get Facebook (Forbes)
“Just because a brand has big marketing prowess or is known globally doesn’t necessarily mean it’s active or even gets social media–namely Facebook, that is.”

Luxury Brands Hobbled By Poor Management (Jing Daily)
“As major luxury brands continue their march into China’s second- and third-tier cities in an attempt to tap increasing spending power, many companies are finding their progress in these markets stymied by a management ‘talent shortage.’”

Stella McCartney’s Russian return a boutique affair (Reuters)
“The comeback, via a partnership with TSUM, was more subdued than the grand opening of McCartney’s own store in 2007, which closed after only 18 months when the financial crisis halted Russia’s seemingly insatiable demand for expensive clothes.”

Top brands reconsider India strategy (Fashion United)
“Some top international fashion and lifestyle brands which exited the Indian market during the economic downturn are returning to India, albeit with revised business strategies, more suited to the Indian environment.”

One-on-one with fashion designer Thakoon Panichgul (Globe and Mail)
“The fashion arena is verging on overload when it comes to ambitious young designers with a point of view and a passion to succeed. But every once in a while, one does manage to break through the din of excess and not only get noticed by those who matter, but woo the world with a sartorial sensibility that’s both arresting and right for the times.”

Carine Roitfeld at Paris Fashion Week | Photo: Tommy Ton

Carine Roitfeld Resigns from French Vogue (Vogue.co.uk)
“French Vogue editor Carine Roitfeld has resigned after ten years of service. She will leave the magazine at the end of January. Roitfeld has decided to concentrate on personal projects.”

Bonobos, a Web Retailer, Raises $18.5 Million (NY Times)
“On Thursday morning, Bonobos announced it had raised $18.5 million in a financing round, led by the venture capital firms Lightspeed Venture Partners and Accel Partners. Bonobos has 25 employees and a full menu of menswear, including fitted oxford dress shirts, wool cashmere suits and boat shoes.”

Luxury spending higher than pre-recession levels (Luxury Daily)
“Luxury retail spending has eclipsed pre-recession levels as affluent consumers continue to regain confidence, according to a study from American Express Business Insights.”

Stella McCartney launches iPad app (New Media Age)
“The free app, available from the Apple App Store today, features latest news on the brand, latest collections and video interviews. ”

A Few Boring Ways to Spend $300,000 (NY Times)
“Pocketing $300,000 from the CFDA/Vogue Fund in mid-November, Billy Reid did not consider (a) having a Paris runway show; (b) spitting out some dresses for the Oscars; or (3) inviting his friends over for beer and shrimp.”