Louis Vuitton store in Chengdu | Source: Forbes

Chasing Luxury Dreams – A Tale from Chengdu (Forbes)
“It’s one thing that the Chinese government spearheads infrastructure projects such as massive railway development; it’s another thing that it promotes luxury consumption. Yes, that is exactly what the government of Chengdu, a second-tier city in south-west China, has proudly done… According to Chengdu Retail Industry Association, Chengdu is home to 80 percent of international luxury brands and ranked third behind Beijing and Shanghai in luxury sales.”

Tory Burch markets minority stake; could be planning IPO (FT)
“Tory Burch, the New York-based apparel company, is selling a minority stake… Chris Burch, company co-founder and ex-husband of its namesake designer, has been shopping part or all of his stake in the New York-based women’s fashion company… The move by Chris Burch, as well as the company’s reported search for a new COO and CFO, will pave the way for the company to IPO in 12-18 months, the two industry bankers said.”

Why the Wealthy Will Stop Spending (WSJ)
“Luxury (at least in the U.S.) is no longer a stable industry. It is increasingly becoming the most manic segment of our consumer economy, as it follows the hyper swings of the stock market rather broader economic growth. The new normal for luxury means there is no more normal. As financial markets, wealth and luxury spending become more intimately linked, luxury will be prone to more sudden spikes and crashes.”

Nordstrom in New York to Use an Alias (NY Times)
“Called Treasure & Bond, the new store will open Friday in SoHo and will be less than a tenth the size of a typical Nordstrom department store. In fact, it is a big experiment that will not even contribute to Nordstrom’s bottom line, as the profits have been committed to charity… Retail analysts said it was sensible for the Seattle-based chain, which for years has been trying to figure out the New York market before formally opening a full-fledged department store.”

Andrej Pejic, the top model who won’t get out of bed for less than $50 a day (Telegraph)
“Willowy, blonde-haired Pejic, 19, was catapulted into modelling high-end women’s fashion by none other than Carine Roitfeld, the revolutionary former editor of Vogue Paris. ‘Put him in Fendi!’ is what Pejic recalls Roitfeld saying unexpectedly on the shoot she was styling for the magazine.”

The Fred Hayman Place sign, Los Angeles | Source: Fred Hayman Archives

Fred Hayman: The man behind Rodeo Drive (LA Times)
“He’s been called the godfather of Rodeo Drive. And it’s not all hyperbole. Before Beverly Hills was the land of designer logos… Hayman was an architect of luxury in Los Angeles, bringing high fashion, a social shopping atmosphere and white glove service to what was still a sleepy main street when he went into retail in 1967.”

Prada IPO five times subscribed (Reuters)
“Italian fashion house Prada, which is seeking to raise up to $2.6 billion through a Hong Kong IPO, has generated five times demand for its offer… The Milan fashion house, known for its leather handbags, brightly-coloured shoes and long boots, launched the retail portion of the IPO on Sunday.”

Tory Burch Awarded $164 Million in Anti-Counterfeiting Suit (Thread NY)
“The company has been ceded control of the fake-product domain names, and given power to disable future websites set up by the offenders… The victory marks a significant step towards combatting the problem of trademark infringement in the fashion industry.”

Philip Treacy on Ascot (WSJ)
“Treacy has been the last word in hat making since graduating from the Royal College of Art in 1990, thanks to initial ‘sponsors’ like the late, great Isabella Blow, Madonna and, more latterly, Lady Gaga. But since the Royal Wedding he says he has been unable to keep up with demand both here and in the U.S.”

Feting an Ending, and a New Start (IHT)
“Why has ‘Saint Martins’ become a by-word for excellence? It is one of many colleges showing in London last week. All have in common the concept of nurturing creativity and individuality to push fashion forward and to allow the students to make work that is a mirror image of an ever-changing world.”

Tory Burch Boutique in Seoul, Korea | Source: Tory Burch

Tory Burch’s Many Second Homes (WSJ)
“Business or pleasure? Both. As her empire grows globally, Tory Burch designs each shop differently, but all are inspired by her own home.”

Black, White and Plaid All Over (NY Times)
“This season has brought plaid of a more restrained stripe just for them: shadow plaids — that is, subtler patterns rendered in blacks, grays and whites. A kind of mash-up of vanguard and rear guard, of Antwerp and Edinburgh, they offer some of the dandyish charm of tartans while paying homage to the black mood that never goes out of fashion.”

Temperley Time (Vogue.co.uk)
“Temperley London is coming back to the capital for February’s London Fashion Week. Launched in 2000, the label went on to show in New York between 2005 and 2008 but returned to London to show the spring/summer 2009 collection.”

Todd Lynn – Dressing the Rock n Roll Elite (Clash Music)
“Todd Lynn has been dressing the rock ‘n’ roll elite for years. Legends of the music world seek creations by the masterful tailor. He has dressed the Stones, Marilyn Manson, Bono and Courtney Love.”

Fashion Triumph: Deflecting the Male Gaze (NY Times)
“Since April, Ms. Medine, 21, has been publishing photos of herself wearing these pieces on her blog, the Man Repeller, as well as shots of similarly challenging recent runway looks: fashions that, though promoted by designers and adored by women, most likely confuse — or worse, repulse — the average straight man.”

Givenchy's Autumn/Winter 2010 Campaign | Source: Givenchy

Tisci’s Trans Europe Express (WWD)
“Givenchy designer Riccardo Tisci has taken the whole idea of ‘coed fashion shoot’ to another level: The designer is using a transexual among the cast for the house’s fall-winter ad campaign.”

Jones Apparel to buy Stuart Weitzman (Reuters)
“Jones Apparel Group Inc. said it will buy designer shoe company Stuart Weitzman Holdings for an initial cash payment of $180 million, in a bid to expand its reach into luxury goods.”

Fast Retailing Shares May Fall After Uniqlo Sales Drop (Bloomberg)
“Fast Retailing Co., Japan’s largest clothing chain operator, may fall in Tokyo trading after the company blamed cold weather for a domestic sales drop at its Uniqlo chain.”

Tory Burch interview: America’s new fashion sweetheart (Telegraph)
“You might not recognise the chic, Hitchcock-esque blonde sitting poker-straight in Claridge’s tea room in London, but to millions of Americans she is a veritable style icon.”

Katie The Genius (Dazed Digital)
“The much lauded London-based menswear designer Katie Eary is now participating in the first ever public fashion funding scheme from Catwalk Genius.”

Tory Burch Sells Minority Stake to Tresalia (WWD)
“Tory Burch has found a new partner. After a yearlong search for additional financing, the designer has sold a minority stake in her more than $200 million firm.” To view the video of Tory Burch’s Spring 2009 presentation click here.

Shiny Media: my thoughts on its demise (Telegraph)
Katie Lee, co-founder of Shiny Media, discusses the rise and fall of the UK’s first blog network.

Born by Ted Baker eyes younger market (Drapers)
“Ted Baker is aiming to take a slice of the younger market with a new directional, lower-priced casualwear sub-brand called Born by Ted Baker.”

Hermès to open 1st Brazil store this year (Reuters)
“Paris-based Hermès will open its store in the upscale Cidade Jardim shopping mall in Sao Paulo by mid-September, Valor said, citing Guillaume de Seynes, deputy managing director at Hermès and a member of the company’s founding family.”

Fashion sales suffer as swine flu rocks consumer confidence (Retail Week)
“Retail like-for-like sales were down 4.1 per cent in the week ending July 19 as swine flu shook consumer confidence.”