Ann Demeulemeester Autumn/Winter 2011 | Source: The Cutting Class

The Tribes of Westwood, Owens and Demeulemeester (The Cutting Class)
“While some designers tend to beat to the drum of being on-trend, others have already cultivated their own communities and are even referencing it within their collections. In the recent Ann Demeulemeester, Rick Owens and Vivienne Westwood collections you feel that they are speaking in a language that their customers already know and understand.”

Tokyo’s fashion stores slowly reopen (Relax News)
“‘Tokyo’s fashion business is gradually getting back to usual…Monday’s foot traffic along Omotesando Avenue and Harajuku seemed close to normal levels and shoppers were seen making purchases at Vuitton, Dior and Forever 21. H&M’s closed flagship drew some puzzled looks from passersby.’”

Luxury malls yet to catch on as brands can’t find the right space (Live Mint)
“With little expansion in the luxury mall space, what is emerging is a hybrid retail concept where luxury and premium brands are juxtaposed… For example, while there are pure luxury brands such as Burberry and Armani at Palladium in Mumbai’s Lower Parel, premium brands such as Diesel and Zara on the ground floor.”

Inditex Net Income Rises, Adds Stores in Asia (Bloomberg)
“Inditex… reported profit growth that beat analysts’ estimates and said it will accelerate expansion in stores and online. Fourth-quarter net income rose 14 percent to 553 million euros ($784 million), according to calculations based on today’s full-year results.”

John Lobb Unveils Bespoke Line (Forbes)
“It was created as a celebration of world cities: Eleven teams were assembled in 11 capitals to each create a unique pair of John Lobb shoes. The idea was to make two shoes that embody the spirit of the city, Paul-Dauphin said. He called it ‘around the world in 22 shoes.’”

Joe Zee | Source: Sartorially Correct

Fashion’s Approachable Ambassador (NY Times)
“As fashion has evolved from an insular club to mass-market obsession — helped in part by proliferating Web sites, blogs and TV shows like ‘Project Runway’ — Mr. Zee, 42, has come to epitomize a new form of top-of-the-masthead personality. He is not the aloof style arbiter, gazing out silently behind Frisbee-size sunglasses, but a chatty and approachable ambassador of fashion.”

Tastes of the newly wealthy (FT)
“Both McKinsey and CLSA point to the fact that China’s rich really are different from their western counterparts and the luxury brands themselves are having to adjust their approach. Chinese millionaires, for example, are 15 years younger than their overseas peers and they spend more per transaction.”

Chinese Creativity: Who Are The Emerging Designers? (Jing Daily)
“With Shanghai Fashion Week about to kick off, and Beijing Fashion Week just around the corner, Jing Daily is looking forward to the newest collections by some of the top emerging designers in China. Some we’re watching closely.”

CFDA Fashion Award Nominees Set (WWD)
“This will mark the 10th year that Swarovski is underwriting the awards gala, which will take place on Monday, June 6… As in previous years, the night will also be an occasion for the CFDA to hand out several special awards. Marc Jacobs will receive this year’s Geoffrey Beene Lifetime Achievement Award.”

Westwood’s Lasting Imagery (NY Times)
“Ms. Westwood’s 1980s fashions now are the focus of an exhibition at the Museum at the Fashion Institute of Technology. The show… is highlighted by pioneering looks such as a unisex ensemble in billowing striped cotton from the 1981 Pirates collection, which may well have an effect on designers now experimenting with genderless styles.”

Hobbs Designer Womens Clothing | Source: Hobbs

Equity turns fashionable (Fashion United)
“Investing in something more than a covetable wardrobe is turning to be a trend that arrived to stay. Even more equity and investment firms are looking for opportunities to enter the fashion business, which is proving to be resilient to crisis and financial turmoils.”

Coach to Move Production From China (WSJ)
“Leather-goods maker Coach plans to gradually move some production out of China, where labor costs are rising, and into lower-cost countries, such as India and Vietnam. At the same time, China is proving a boon to Coach’s sales… comparable-store sales grew by double digits in China.’”

How long will Burberry’s success last? (CPP Luxury)
“The ‘democratic luxury” positioning, although it may have a very possitive message during the current recession, it remains to be seen how the consumers will regard it once most of the international market will have recovered from the recession.”

Selfridges: Bright Young Things (Dazed Digital)
“The windows of Selfridges will feature some of the biggest upcoming stars in British fashion and art… 25 young designers and artists [will] create their own displays and showcase their work to millions. They will also design limited edition pieces.”

Vivienne Westwood’s jewellery extravaganza (Telegraph)
“Dame Vivienne Westwood, the high-priestess of punk, will mark the opening of London Fashion Week next month, with an extravagant launch of her precious jewellery at the Wallace Collection.”

Versace Atelier Autumn/Winter 09 | Source: Versace

Versace Cuts a Fourth of Its Work Force (NY Times)
“Versace Group, the fashion house based in Milan, said Wednesday that it would cut 26 percent of its worldwide work force and consolidate its operations as it targeted a return to profitability in 2011.”

Fashion’s Night Out on the calendar for 2010 (AP)
“ShopperTrak, an independent reporter of consumer traffic, estimated a 50 percent jump in retail foot traffic as stores held cocktail parties, offered makeovers, and hosted meet-and-greets with celebrities and designers.”

Tillman firm snaps up Koodos (Drapers)
“E-trader Group, a software development company founded by fashion entrepreneur Harold Tillman, has bought discount fashion e-tailer Koodos.”

China’s Street fashion (CNN)
“It’s a hot august afternoon in Beijing, and student Li Yanan is shopping with a friend at the Joy City mall, in the city’s Xicheng district. The mall offers plenty of Western brand-name stores… But Li, 20, is drawn to the only store displaying a large slogan printed in Chinese characters. Your own style, it reads.”

How jilted Carrie’s wedding became Westwood’s big day (Evening Standard)
“Sales of Westwood labels rose by almost a fifth last year to £17.6million after Sarah Jessica Parker’s character, Carrie Bradshaw, wore one of the designer’s gowns for her ill-fated wedding.”