Tissot launches web watch
The Swiss watchmakers Tissot have launched a new web-ready wristwatch. The new High T features a touch screen on the watch's dial. This "exclusive tactile technology" allows the wearer of the watch to surf the web with simply a touch. News, weather, sports updates; all are available through this watch.
Tissot have hooked up with MSN to provide the web data. Oddly enough the watch operates on FM radio signals, instead of through the more novel wireless technology. However the watch does provide the wearer with constant local time, in whichever time zone he might be.
The watch will be available in the US this month, but will not be in the UK until 2005. Those who are keen to purchase the watch are left with only one other option: Ebay. Currently there is one High T for sale for $ 600.
www.widemedia.com
14 October 2004
No Muslim fashion parades
The Paris suburb of Montreuil-sous-Bois banned two fashion shows last week featuring veiled Muslim women.
Two fashion shows were closed because they could possibly disrupt public order. The shows, in which items such as the hijab and the burqa would have received a great deal of attention, were closed to men. Officials were worried that the events might cause severe unrest. According to them the town, under the leadership of Communist-linked mayor Jean-Pierre Brard, made the decision to block the shows following a number of complaints from pro-secularism organisations.
13 October 2004
Pink's the ticket
Anyone in the vicinity of Sloane Square on Wednesday evening should make a stop at Links of London. Anytime after 4pm visitors will be given a free Pink Ticket, which entitles the bearer to a wide range of treats from shops around Sloane Square and the Duke of York Square. The majority of proceeds from purchases made this evening will go to the Breast Cancer Haven.
Free gifts include T-shirts from Agnes B and Jigsaw, scented candles, Smythson books, John Smedley scarves and goody bags from Peter Jones and the White Company. To top it all off, Jo Malone is offering free hand and arm massages.
Links of London is providing shoppers with pink champagne, a manicure and a 10% discount for all purchases. Furthermore, until the end of this year Links of London is donating £ 25 from the sale of every limited edition Booby Trap charm to Breast Cancer Haven.
www.breastcancerhaven.co.uk
12 October 2003
Richard Avedon dies
The legendary fashion photographer died last week at the age of 81. He was on
assignment in San Antonio, Texas, when he suffered a brain haemorrhage.
Avedon was jointly responsible for the creation of the supermodel, many of whom he worked with in his career. He began his career in fashion working for Harper's Bazaar, and later for Vogue. His photographs were groundbreaking in that he moved from the formal and austere to the more fluid and relaxed pictures that we associate with fashion photography today.
He was also known for his portraits, which were polar opposites of his fashion photographs. His portrayal of his subjects was stark and confrontational, yet many celebrities wanted to be captured by his lens. Avedon was a great innovator in the art of photography.
www.news.bbc.co.uk
4 October 2004
Missing Sock Theory
According to the New York Times a million theories aim to explain the missing-sock phenomenon; from the rational (porous lint traps in dryers) to the fantastic (sock-swiping elves).
What if the victim decided to reject fashion orthodoxy, and its emphasis on harmonious hosiery? Such thoughts led to the founding of LittleMissMatched, a company in San Francisco that sells colour-drenched socks to girls in their tweens, meaning somewhere around the age of 11.
The socks come in packs of one, three, or seven, but never in matching pairs, and are being sold by retailers including Nordstrom and Linens 'n Things.
5 October 2004
Geoffrey Beene dies
The legendary American couturier died yesterday at age 77. He passed away in his home on the Upper East Side in Manhattan.
Beene launched his company in 1963 and it quickly became an enormous success with the Park Avenue set. Initially, he had planned on becoming a doctor. Ironically he designed his first collection, which was used in a Joan Crawford movie, during medical lectures.
Beene was known for his sumptuous, yet wearable designs. He was obsessed with light and free designs and refused to follow trends.
www.nypost.com
29 September 2004
Alek Wek In Turbulance Over African Event
International fashion icon and African beauty Alek Wek's company is being asked
to return USD10 000 to an events company after failing to arrive and fulfil
her role as the Face of Cape Town Fashion Week. Event organisers, Leisureworks
GRC sent a letter to Wek's company, Alek Wek 1933 Limited, last week demanding
repayment of the money that was sent to her to secure her
appearance.
Wek had been billed as the Face of Cape Town Fashion Week last month. She was scheduled to showcase the best of South African fashion, while the 43 designers involved had designed special garments for the Sudanese model. After missing a number of flights and giving no explanation to organisers, show convenor Rajah issued a release saying that Wek was in breach of contract.
28 September 2004
Dolce & Gabbana Stay On The Streets
Twenty years after they first met, Italian design duo Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana are still inspired by the same sources. They create their unabashedly sexy collections from street fashion, Sicily and stylish stars. "The street is a rich source of inspiration for us, and clubs are also among our favourite places to observe," says Dolce, a native of Sicily.
"Beyond these informal sources, we're also inspired by religion and popular obsessions; neo-realist masterpieces shot by Rossellini and timeless icons," he says.
27 September 2004
Hide & Chic
This season, Mock-crock and fake fur are a key trend. Be bold, be flash, and wear them with real style. Karen Millen does a beautiful 50s inspired stole. Wear it over dresses for the look of the season. Stoles and tippets are the new pashmina.
11 August 2004
Waist Away
At the autumn/winter shows, the body part most obsessed over by designers was the waist. As worrying as that may sound, the good news is, there are plenty of outfits with the potential to make wasp-waisted goddesses out of all of us.
Skirts and trousers are narrowly cut (the pencil skirt is key) and high-waisted, accentuated by cropped jackets and tucked-in shirts. The waist-centric trend most likely to filter down the high street is the narrow, snugly fitting belt worn high on the waist over layered outfits. According to the catwalk, this is well-nigh compulsory If you plan on wearing a cardigan, jacket or coat this autumn - Prada, Louis Vuitton, Miu Miu and just about everybody else showed how to do it.
3 August 2004
A Friend In Tweed
This autumn, chunky textured tweed is definitely the fabric for daywear. Suits and coats come in all shades from berry pinks to blues and creams.
Go for flatteringly cut single breasted jackets worn with skirts that just skim the knee to keep the look ladylike. Retailer Next do beautiful chunky tweed jackets for GBP 69,99. Available nationwide or to order online at www.next.co.uk.
27 July 2004
All Things Equestrian
You may already have the jodhpurs or crop, but this season it is the riding boots and hacking jacket which are key pieces for autumn. Wear the boots with jeans or under a tweed suit. For a more feminine look, team with a pussy-bow blouse or cashmere beaded jacket.
22 July 2004
Volvo Fashion
Volvo is poised to join forces with the designer behind clothing label Diesel. The car manufacturer linked up with Swedish-born fashion designer Johan Lindeberg to work on a variety of promotional products and possibly use Lindeberg's ideas on the design of new or special edition cars.
5 July 2004
White Right
Wearing white is special in winter and stunning in summer. The perfect trouser or jacket will be your wardrobe staple this summer.
For ultra-chic try Gucci's zip and pleat detail leather jacket (GBP 2,160).
Madeleine Press also cuts a beautiful jacket - her tailoring has long been favoured
by the Chelsea set - and you needn't remortgage the house to shop there. Jackets
from GBP 285.
Gucci, 34 Old Bond Street, 18 Sloane Street
Madeleine Press, 90 Marylebone High Street
18 June 2004
Ballet Babe
This season, all things balletic are wardrobe staples. From the dance studio
to the streets, pink pumps and tutus will keep you ahead in the style-stakes.
Think Royal Opera House, Romeo & Juliette and Fame for some fabulous ballet fashion. Head to Top Shop for your Audrey Hepburn inspired leather pumps, or to Portobello Market in Notting Hill for those irresistible legwarmers.
2 June 2004
The Future's So Bright
The future's so bright you have to wear shades! If you joined either the 50s or floral brigade for spring and gave way to those bright zinghy colours, you'll be craving a pair of shades to match the trends.
For ultra bling, Christion Dior diamante wrap-around glasses will certainly keep out the light while being on top-fashion-form(GBP 695). For ladylike glasses try Dolce e Gabbana's eyewear in pastel colours (from GBP175) or TopShops retro 1950s sunglasses to complement that Prada tie-dye skirt (from GBP15).
28 April 2004
Flamenco Moments
Some might say its cante is an acquired taste, but on hot summer nights a neo flamenco revolution may well make its way to your wardrobe. Sultry dresses, knee-highs and leather sandals will capture those atmospheric moments. Wear flowers in your hair or pinned to your waist and tango your way into the night.
22 April 2004
The Power Of Dressing
Now
that the dress is officially back, dressing up is the new trend in town. Power-dressing;
an American phenomena who's name was coined from eighty's films such as Working
Girl, describes the razor sharp dress sense of ambitious secretaries who set
out to achieve upward mobility in men's dominated industries. The trend for
tailoring has made its way to London City, albeit in a more subtle and discretional
manner.
If the recent press surrounding the fraudulent secretary, Joyti De-Laurey, who embezzled GBP4.4 from her Goldman Sachs bosses accounts, power dressing will lend you the no nonsense status to show you are consistent in your thinking, exuding you are highly organised, efficient, but also feminine and fashionable. Perhaps De-Laurey took the term power-dressing a little too far - a dress for success phrase which is not related to buying flashy cars and villas on your bosses corporate credit card - rather it is about being confident and constant in your appearance.
Think smart jackets, pencil skirts, fabulous handbags (the most expensive one you can afford as Lisa Armstrong, fashion columnist, recently quipped) and always wear high heels. Ditch the cardigan for a sweater instead (opt for comfortable over frumpy) and no blouses unless they are crisp white cotton tailored a la Dolce & Gabbana.
Remember, too, that power dressing is not about revealing too much of your body. You can highlight your best assets but do not show too much cleavage. That gives power dressing an entirely different connotation.
21 April 2004
Flower Power
You can't escape this season's floral prints. Take the hint from Dolce & Gabbana and match your blooming flower prints with bright tights. Alternatively team up your denim with a floral-printed chiffon top to brighten any mood.
16 April 2004
Catwalk To Closet
All those pretty dresses you saw on the catwalk for spring are now in the shops. For beautiful evening dresses in the richest of hues of green, blue and yellow, head straight to French-classic label Lanvin (available at Harrods.) If green is your thing, both Marni and Chloe have great pieces, both for day and evening in the softest of silhouettes.
The biggest trend on the catwalks was bright, bold colour. Wear them to liven up your neutrals and black, they have an almost alchemic effect on a tired wardrobe.
16 April 2004
Stay Cool This Summer
Cool label Cloak has produced some very cool vests with prints based on Russian prisoner's tattoos. Summer's NYC essential, they are available at Liberty. For Olympic inspiration look out for Y-3 limited edition Hero pieces, some of which picture Yohji Yamamoto himself.
5 Aprill 2004
Prints This Spring
If bold optics are your thing, you'll love the fact that prints are back this spring. New fashion darling Jonathan Saunders is hugely responsible.
His collection of geometric patterns was lapped up by the style world. Pucci swirls will also be big as will paisley (by Etro), op art (by Paul Smith) and leopard print (by Iceberg.) Wear them loud, proud and preferably clashing.
17 February 2004
Urban Outfitters
If you like your underwear urban and sexy, newly launched men's and women's label King Underapparel draws inspiration from hip hop, skatewear and all things urban.
This spring, wear your underwear as outerwear, as designers like King have put vest-tops, slips and fancy straps back on the catwalks.
www.kingunderapparel.com
16 February 2004
Green Party
If you are thinking of turning over a new leaf this month then grab something green off the rails.
At Lanvin, Chloe and Ralph Lauren, the catwalk was awash with apple green, nestling next to forest tones and citrus blends, and naturally the who's who list of celebrity have been seen in the big apple trend.
19 January 2004
S-Club Singer Fronts Pretty Polly
Former S-Club singer Rachel Stevens has been signed up by hosiery firm Pretty Polly to front its new advertising campaign.
The 25-year-old who regularly fronts the covers of glossy magazines and was recently voted FHM's sexiest women of the year, has posed for several revealing photos in what is reportedly a GBP100,000 contract.
29 December 2003
Penguin To Launch In UK
US brand Penguin will launch its first womenswear collection exclusively in Selfridges for spring. The women's vintage collection will be launched to other stores next autumn.
Penguin, which is owned by US company Munsingwear, has around 50 accounts for its men's collection, including Harvey Nichols and Urban Outfitters.
22 December 2003
Second Open In Glasgow
Open, the John David Group's format fashion store, began trading in Glasgow last week. Open debuted in Liverpool late last year and showcases the top end of its casualwear offer.
16 December 2003
Tickled Pink
Thomas Pink has launched a made-to-measure service, called Personally Pink, with a choice of over 100 fabrics. The shirts are priced at GBP125 and Thomas Pink's tailors are offering to visit customers for consultations in London's West End or in the City. Collars and sleeves are made-to-measure with a choice of five collars and four cuff options, and a choice of classic and tailored fits.
10 December 2003
River Island Raises Money For Charity
River Island managing director Richard Bradbury used an opening party at its Oxford Street flagship to present Fashion Targets Breast Cancer with a GBP500,000 cheque.
Grandstand and Superstars TV presenter Suzi Perry was there to help hand the money, raised by member of staff over the past year, to Breakthrough Breast Cancer Chief executive Delyth Morgan.
8 December 2003
Gift Ideas For the Hotshot
What do you give at Christmas if your partner is a high-flying power player or successful businesswoman? Low-key, luxury presents that are practical and understated, is the answer.
For her, try a Chanel handbag for those power meetings (from GBP500, Chanel 020 7493 5040), or a stylish personal organizer from Louis Vuitton (from GBP270, 020 7399 4050).
For him, something a little more contemporary, like the Grantley weekend bag from Mulberry for those last-minute business trips (GBP595, Mulberry 020 7491 3900) or some great grooming gifts from Aqua di Parma. Try their aftershave, it's divine (GBP35, 020 7563 8800).
1 December 2003
Red, Hot & Sexy!
This season, the 60s influence is strong with a heavy accent of 80's punk. The mood is captured by minidresses and skirts with a punk twist, such as cut-off tights, stilettos and accessories such as leather cuffs.
Let the look come alive by mixing creams and matt-black with pillar-box red.
26 November 2003
River Island Is City's Paradise
Winter is a great season for dressing up. You can be totally glam, urban streetwise, a sixties sweetheart, or even a vamped up punk. If you don't have the time to trawl the highstreet for the latest looks, surf to www.riverisland.co.uk for the newest in fashion. You can order newly arrived merchandise online, as well as the editor's choice of the coolest looks and the latest fashions.
Pea jacket is GBP49.99 at River Island.
21 November 2003
London Edge Dates Set
If alternative fashion and clubwear strike your chord, the London Edge exhibition will certainly be an exhibition worthwhile of a visit. The show will be held from the 6th through the 8th of February 2004, at the Commonwealth Institute on Kensington High Street. See www.londonedge.com for more information.
20 November 2003
Barbour To Open Heathrow Store
Barbour will open a 400 sq ft store at Heathrow Airport's Terminal 2 later this month. The store will stock Barbour's wax jackets, shirts and accessories, and a selection of woolen and cashmere knitwear. Bally and Timberland also have stores at Terminal 2.
12 November 2003
Lee Launches New Ad Campaign
The latest ad campaign from Lee takes a look at what goes on behind the scenes of celebrity culture. The print campaign, made by Swedish creative agency Storakers McCann, spotlights the unsung heroes who make life a little easier for today's stars.
Characters taking centre stage include Kylie's pet care director and Robbie Williams' fan mail co-ordinator. The campaign will be used by Lee across Europe for this year and next.
27 October 2003
Hoopers For Men Opens In Harrogate
Department store group Hoopers unveiled its Harrogate menswear store last week. The shop, which is spread over 3 floors, features a contemporary design with limestone and walnut floors with brushed steel.
Merchandise includes the edgy additions Two Flowers, Man Save The queen and Liberty Rose, alongside familiar brands such as Armani Jeans, Gant, Hugo Boss, Cerruti Jeans and Polo Ralph Lauren. A limestone staircase leads to a formal area with the likes of Boss, Sand, Pringle and Duchamp. The basement is give up to fashion-led homeware.
15 October 2003
Brioni Opens on Bruton Street
James Bond's tailor Brioni opened its flagship store at 32 Bruton Street, London, last week. The store, around 5,000sq ft, is trading over four floors and sells its entire range, which includes made-to-measure men's tailoring, menswear, womenswear and casual clothing.
14 October 2003
Madonna In Lawsuit Over Boudin Images
Madonna's latest video 'Hollywood' bears a striking resemblance to 70s fashion photographer Guy Boudin's images. So much so that the estate is suing the rockstar for overtly copying his compositions.
With his work recently shown at the V&A in London, Guy Boudin, who died in 1991 was a ground-breaking image maker and had a profound influence on today's fashion photography.
Madonna, who was recently seen touring his exhibition, commented on Boudin's work: "so sick and interesting." Perhaps a little too interesting after all.
3 October 2003
Frost French Back on Form
Frost French, the celebrity fashion pack of Sadie Frost and Jemima French, are back on form and showed their best collection to date at the Royal Horticultural Hall in London. Guests, who included Kate Moss and Rosemary Ferguson, saw Forties-style dresses in faded rose prints, puff-sleeved chiffon blouses and lace-trimmed camisoles. Still girly, but more sophisticated than before.
And while Sadie's estranged husband Jude Law was absent from the show, Frost's ex-husband Spandau Ballet member Gary Kemp, was on site to show support.
24 September 2003
Dunhill to Close London Flagship
Alfred Dunhill will close its Old Bond Street flagship in February 2004, less than three years after it opened.
The London store was launched in mid-2001 as part of a drive to make the label more contemporary, and was intended as a template fore future openings.
Max Mara is favourite to take on the Old Bond Street store, according to property sources. It is taking its wholesale distribution in-house and intends to expand.
3 September 2003
Fashion Company Using Swastikas
European diplomats have lashed out at a Hong Kong fashion company for using swastikas and other Nazi party symbols. The firm, http://www.izzue.com., designed a range of clothes with Nazi symbols and launched new decorations this past week in its 14 stores.
The company's marketing manager, Deborah Cheng, said the Nazi-themed decorations and clothes were not intended to cause an outcry and may be withdrawn. She said the company had received a few complaints from customers. Cheng added that the designer wanted the clothes to have a military theme and did not realize that the Nazi symbols would be considered offensive.
Israeli Consul-General Eli Avidar was quoted as saying: "It is unbearable to think that anyone can design a marketing campaign that desecrates the deaths of millions of people."
12 August 2003
Sex sells for Top Shop
Top Shop is planning to launch a sex shop and underwear boutique within its London Oxford Street store this autumn. It will be competing with Ann Summers and other high street retailers like Agent provocateur.
A Top Shop spokeswoman says concepts are being worked on, but naming, branding and interior details are being kept secret.
The concession will feature illustrations from artist Kavel Rafferty who is based at London's Cockpit Arts.
9 July 2003
Accessorize opens London Flagship
Accessorize is due to open a new flagship store on Regent Street, London, in July. The store is the chains biggest yet and has 1,492sq ft trading area split over two floors.
It will also carry the largest dedicated area for Monsoon childrenswear of any Accessorize store.
23 June 2003
Fairy Tale
If you think high fashion has something in common with fairy tales, then Tallulah
Dreams, an exhibition of photographs by Tim Bret-Day at the Blink Gallery may
confirm your suspicions. Bret-Day's beautiful pictures owe as much to such influences
as Aesop's Fables, the Brothers Grimm and the Victorian children's illustrator
Arthur Rackham as they do to his own digital wizardry.
The show finishes on Wednesday. Blink Gallery, London W1 (020 7439 8585)
26 May 2003
Flight of Fashion
Ever fancied travelling First Class with British Airways? Aside from the sheer comfort of the flight, the airline's washbags are the chicest in the skies. Designed by accessories guru Anya Hindmarch, the gorgeous canvas bags are packed with treats such as Eve Lom cleanser, Carmex lip balm and aromatherapy sleep enhancers.
14 May 2002
Eight
letters Princess Diana wrote to the late fashion editor Liz Tilberis will be
sold at auction later this week. The letters are unusually warm, said James
Cyr, whose Cyr Auction Gallery will offer the correspondence this week as part
of a 600-lot sale.
"Diana was a fairly prolific letter writer and she wrote lots of cordial
little notes, thanking people for their interest in the Royal Family. But these
letters were personal," said Cyr.
Some 200 to 300 people are expected to attend the auction and phone bidders are lining up from New York, Europe and Kansas. The auctioneer could not confirm a report that one of the phone bidders was from the family of Diana's companion, Dodi Al Fayed, who died in the 1997 Paris car crash that also claimed her life.
Liz Tilberis, was editor of British Vogue and New York Harper's Bazaar. She
died in 1999 and was well-known for her friendship with Diana. Some 300 items
in the auction are from Tilberis' estate, and they include numerous items from
the fashion editor's other celebrity pals. Among them: A collection of Versace
china, called "The Voyage of Marco Polo;" four Versace tops labelled,
in French, "For the editor of British Vogue," a sketch of Tilberis
by designer Karl Lagerfeld, as well as paintings, designer clothes, and pewter
plates by Calvin Klein.
<Reuters>
April 30, 2003
Claire's Stores sees key growth potential in Europe
Claire's Stores, Inc. on Thursday announced sales for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2003, which ended February 1, increased 15 percent to USD 322.4 m. Sales for the full year increased 9 percent to USD one billion compared with USD 918.7 million in fiscal 2002. Claire's Stores currently operates 454 stores in the UK.
Income from continuing operations for the fourth quarter was USD 42.5 million or USD 0.87 per diluted share compared with USD 29.8 million or USD 0.61 per diluted share last year. Income from continuing operations for the twelve months ended February 1, 2003 was USD 78.0 million or USD 1.59 per diluted share compared to USD 41.1 million or USD 0.84 per diluted share in the prior year.
Marla Schaefer, Vice Chairman of Claire's, said, "Fiscal 2003 was an unusually difficult year in which to do business. Weak consumer confidence led to a very weak retail environment. Despite these challenges, we delivered financial results that exceeded our plan and showed an improvement from the prior fiscal year."
Bonnie Schaefer, Vice Chairman of Claire's, added, "Our goals for fiscal 2003 were to improve our financial performance with increasing sales and operating margins. Clearly we accomplished what we set out to do. We are planning for a positive 3-4% same store sales growth for fiscal 2004. Our store-opening plan is for 150 new stores with 89 store closings. Going forward, the majority of our store openings will be concentrated in Europe."
March 14, 2003
www.clairestores.com
Claire's Stores sales increase
Claire's Stores, Inc. reported on Thursday that sales for the four weeks ended February 1, 2003 increased 14 percent to 57,451,000 USD compared with 50,395,000 USD reported in the same period last year. The Company's same store sales increased eight percent.
Claire's Stores, Inc., is a leading international specialty retailer offering
value-priced costume jewellery and accessories to fashion-aware teens and young
adults through its two store concepts: Claire's Accessories (North America and
Europe) and Icing by Claire's.
"We completed fiscal 2003 by exceeding a billion dollars in sales for Claire's
Stores, a significant milestone. In addition, January's same store sales was
the ninth consecutive month of positive same store sales comparison, a phenomenal
feat in this economic and retail environment." said Marla Schaefer, Vice
Chairman of Claire's.
February 7, 2003
Prada To Delay IPO Because Of Terrorist Attacks
Prada, Italian fashion house, will indefinitely delay its initial public offering because of the affect recent attacks on the US may have on the world economy, FT.com reported.
After Tuesday's terror attacks on New York and Washington, Prada's chief executive Patrizio Bertelli is likely to rule that the IPO should should not take place this year, the Financial Times' website quoted people familiar with the company as saying.
The IPO has been sceduled for months, and earlier this month Bertelli was quoted
as saying he hoped to float the stock "soon". Prada hoped to float shares on
the Milan stock exchange to raise some two billion euros ($1.8bn) through the
sale of around one third of the company.
17 Sep 2001 Source: Reuters
M&S Creates 360 Jobs With £9m Store Expansion
Marks & Spencer, is closing its branch in Salford City Shopping Centre and opening a new £6m state-of-the-art store in the famous Trafford Centre near Manchester.
The Salford store will close in the spring and the new 36,000 sq ft store at the Trafford Centre is due to open this summer. Three hundred new jobs will be created with the opening of the new Trafford Centre store. In late spring, M&S is also opening a new £3m food store in Sale, creating a further 50 new jobs. The two projects will bring the total investment in the Manchester region this year to £9m.
Regional manager, David Eyre, said: "The time is now right for us to open in the Trafford Centre. It's a great opportunity and our customers want us to be there." He added: "The decision to close our store in Salford was not taken lightly, but the fact is that many of our Salford customers are now shopping in the city centre or at the Trafford Centre."