The fluorescent Satchel | Source: Dover Street Market

British satchel maker takes fashion world by storm (Guardian)
“A traditional chestnut-coloured unisex leather satchel, made in the UK by a mother-and-daughter team, has unexpectedly taken the fashion world by storm. The Cambridge Satchel Company has become 2011′s accidental multimillion-pound global hit, and is competing for popularity with international mega-league brands.”

How Prada became the biggest name in fashion (Independent)
“While the Western world is still reeling from the effects of the 2008 economic crash, business at Prada… appears to be booming. On 17 June… The expected listing price of HK$36.5 to $48 a share values Prada higher than its European peers including even France’s largest and most powerful luxury goods conglomerate, LVMH.”

Cacharel Attempts to Revamp With New Designers (Fashionista)
“It goes without saying that the brand needs a dual shot of stability and modernity; enter French-educated Chinese design partners Ling Liu and Dawei Sun… they will now be joint artistic directors for all the brand’s lines, including womenswear, childrenswear, menswear and accessories.”

Bears charge in on news of Supergroup voucher (Independent)
“Supergroup continued to slump yesterday amid fears that the retailer behind the Superdry brand might be losing its edge with customers. The worries first surfaced on Friday, when traders learnt that in a break from past practice, the group had sent discount vouchers to online shoppers.”

CFDA Awards: And the Winners Are… (WWD)
“There was no shortage of fashion at Monday’s CFDA Awards, but the one style matter everyone was wondering about was that of Lady Gaga’s grand entrance… she arrived fashionably late, a turquoise-hair-topped tower of black custom Thierry Mugler beaded tulle and lace over her spiked leather and mesh bodysuit.”

Rodarte Spring Summer 2011 | Source: Rodarte

Post-Recession, the Rich Are Different (WSJ)
“Bentleys and Hermès bags are selling again. Yet the wealthiest Americans are emerging from the financial downturn as different consumers than they were… What’s showing up in the latest research is a broad-based caution—a sudden aversion to salespeople, a tepid response to ads focused on brand images, and a new interest in price-shopping.”

Vente Privée Founder Explains AmEx venture (Business Insider)
“This is a tremendous opportunity. Amex is one of the world’s best brands, with 42 million card holders. We can combine our specific know-how with their reach… we have the same values around customer service, and creating great offers for members. We have been working on this project for over a year and a half, with thousands of pages of legal documents. It’s a big undertaking.”

A Stitch in Time… at the Speed of Smartphones (WSJ)
“New multitasking sewing machines strive to be as accessible as a smartphone. Modern machines have added decorative stitches, automatic threading and touch screens for easier use. There are smartphone apps for matching thread to fabric and software that digitizes embroidery designs. With the USB port on the latest embroidery machines, users can transfer an image from laptop to sewing machine.”

Supergroup shares hit as sales growth slows (BBC)
“Shares in Supergroup, the company behind the Superdry fashion brand, have slumped 23% after a slowdown in its sales growth… Its chief executive Julian Dunkerton said… the slowdown in sales was merely a blip, and that the firm was now looking at entering the Chinese market.”

The New Sirens of Statement Shoes (JC Report)
“As platforms and spikes have lined our closet floors, cobblers continuously prove that standing on a pair of uniquely soled shoes will never go out of style… Joanne Stoker and Lislie Yeung, two new statement-making designers, will readily compete with even your most prized Valentinos for space in the closet.”

Tom Ford's Spring/Summer 2011 presentation | Source: Nitrolicious

‘Less Is More’ Is Mattering Most (NY Times)
“‘Why would you want to spend hundreds of thousands on a show when everybody’s on their BlackBerry and the clothes seem secondary… Intimacy, exclusivity and a chance to see the clothes: those are our priorities. We like exposure, but we want a more controlled exposure.’”

Mulberry designer Emma Hill has men’s accessories in the bag (The Australian)
“After a decade-long obsession with women’s ‘it’ bags, could men’s bags become the next powerhouse sellers for luxury brands? The likes of Brioni, Tom Ford and Zegna have recognised… an emerging market for men’s accessories.”

Leading China’s voguish revolution (Telegraph)
“China is shaping commerce, but Asia as a whole is inspiring aesthetics. There has been an ongoing East/West dialogue in fashion since Poiret in the Twenties, but it is again taking hold of the imagination in a manner not seen since the late Eighties.”

Supergroup’s rapid expansion boosts sales (FT)
“The ever-growing popularity of Superdry branded T-shirts, hooded sweatshirts and jackets helped Supergroup nearly double its retail sales in the third quarter. Supergroup, which owns the Superdry… said sales at its retail division grew by 92 per cent to £61.4m.”

Anya Hindmarch announces record year (Telegraph)
“Anya Hindmarch, Britain’s ‘handbag queen’ and one of the Prime Minister’s business ambassadors, has announced record 2010 results for her luxury own name brand, and further growth and expansion in 2011.”

Burberry Autumn/Winter 2010 | Source: Burberry

Burberry to buy out Chinese franchises (FT)
“[Burberry] said it would buy out its Chinese franchises in a £70m deal that will see it take direct control of its 50 stores on the mainland. The deal came in the same week China reported 10.3 per cent growth in the past quarter.”

Hello Tommy (Vogue.com)
“Tommy Hilfiger is adding a new lifestyle label to its repertoire, entitled Tommy. Aimed at twentysomething men and women, the line will move away from the preppy styles for which the brand has become known, instead focussing on handmade and distinctive details.”

Superdry fashion label boosts profit at SuperGroup (Independent)
“The fashion retailer SuperGroup has tripled its annual profits and vowed to step up international expansion. The owner of the Superdry brand said it would open 20 stores in the UK this year and 38 overseas.”

H&M Revenue Growth Weakens (Bloomberg)
“Europe’s second-largest clothing retailer, said revenue growth weakened in the final week of June, causing same-store sales for the month to miss analysts’ estimates.”

New stars and welcome returns for London Fashion Week (Telegraph)
“The Swedish design powerhouse, Acne, and the NewGen hot talents, Holly Fulton, David Koma and Michael Van Der Ham, will all make their catwalk debuts at London Fashion Week in September… [Giles Deacon] will also return to the LFW scene.”

Diesel Be Stupid S/S 2010 | Source: The Inspiration Room

TPG agrees 300 mln stg Republic fashion deal (Reuters)
“U.S. buyout firm TPG [TPG.UL] is to buy British fashion retailer Republic in a deal worth about 300 million pounds ($445 million) from rival private equity house Change Capital Partners.”

Zegna at 100: From the Alps to the World (IHT)
“Ermenegildo Zegna — the company that celebrated its centennial Monday during Milan’s menswear week…is the incarnation of the Italian dream. It is a family company, now embracing its fifth generation, with a global reach, but its heart beats in a paternalistic home in northern Italy.”

Superdry brings online outlet in-house (Retail Week)
“SuperGroup, the young fashion business which owns brands Superdry and chain Cult, has brought its online outlet for Superdry in-house as it looks to boost its online sales.”

Get a degree in sales from Harrods (Guardian)
“Harrods is known for purveying some unusual items in its vast gilt halls… Now it has entered a new market – one not usually associated with extravagance – education. From this summer, Harrods will be Britain’s first retailer to offer an honours degree in sales.”

Dressing Men: A Delicate Balance (WSJ)
“Dolce and Gabbana build one of the biggest and most successful men’s businesses. Half of the company’s €1.2 billion ($1.48 billion) in 2008 sales was generated by its men’s collection, a balance few other major fashion houses have achieved.”