What's Next: Luxury Products (WSJ)
"Pierre-Alexis Dumas embraces innovation. But as the sixth-generation member of his family to lead, in his case, the creative end of the French luxury house Hermès, he must uphold tradition, as well."

John Lewis Adds to Evidence Of February Sales Bounce (NY Times)
"Bellwether retailer John Lewis posted another double-digit percentage rise in weekly sales as wet weather drove customers to its stores, adding to evidence consumer spending bounced back in February."

Balmain produces this year's template for the high street (Independent)
"High-street bosses will be on the look out for inspiration for their autumn/winter 2010 designs, and the Balmain show will have been the focus for much of their attention. The French label... has been heavily copied by mass-market brands over the last year."

Creating the World of Tomorrow? (IHT)
"A definitive exhibition of the work of Yves Saint Laurent, whose masculine/feminine vision dominated the wardrobe of the 20th-century woman, and a book celebrating 60 years of Pierre Cardin, fashion's eternal futurist, gives pause for thought."

Gianni Versace, a life lived as a 90s fashion icon (Reuters)
"'House of Versace: The Untold Story of Genius, Murder, and Survival,' by Deborah Ball tells the story of how Gianni, with his flamboyant sister Donatella as muse, not only became the cutting edge of 90s fashion but symbolized the era."