J.Crew A/W 09, courtesy of J Crew

Despite Fourth-Quarter Loss, J. Crew Sees Room to Grow (WWD)
“Tightfisted consumers and rising costs may have pushed J. Crew Group Inc. to a $13.5 million loss in the fourth quarter, but the retailer still has cautious expansion.” (Subscription required)

Has spring sprung for US retailers? (Just-Style)
Though February sales have improved, this is an unlikely sign of a total recovery.

Simon Fuller to launch fashion retail portal (Drapers)
“Pop mogul Simon Fuller and Sojin Lee, formerly Net-a-Porter.com, are to launch a fashion style website which will be affiliated with brands and retailers via pop-up shops and advertising.”

Stefano Pilati Gets The Season’s Shoulder Just Right at YSL (WSJ)
The power shoulder is one of the biggest trends this season, but Stefano Pilati at YSL, offerred the “2009 version of 1985.”

John Lewis profits fall 27% (Drapers)
“John Lewis saw operating profit fall back 26.8% to £146 million for the year ended January 31, but sales were flat at £2.81 billion.”

YSL Autumn/Winter 1966-1967 and Yves Saint Laurent with Betty Catroux and Loulou de la Falaise, courtesy of YSL

In the Black, YSL Plots Ambitious Growth (WWD)
“While the global economic crisis has thrown many high-flying luxury brands into a tailspin, operating under trying circumstances is old hat for the folks at Yves Saint.” (Subscription required)

Rumors Swirl: Is Fall 2009 Olivier Theyskens’ Last Collection for Nina Ricci? (WSJ)
“Since Mr. Theyskens arrived at Nina Ricci in 2006, he has been hailed as a genius by critics. But perhaps in these tough economic times, genius isn’t enough.”

February retail sales crash (Drapers)
In the UK, “like-for-like fashion sales fell by 9.7% in February according to BDO Stoy Hayward’s Like-for-Like Club.”

Retail Sales Show Signs of Life (WSJ)
Americans have started spending again – at discount stores like Wal-Mart.