Publications - WWD.com

WWD 09/15/2004

The Evolution of Guess: New Label, Accessories Lead Firm's Retail Push

Guess Inc. is striving to regain footing in the fast-fashion market the founding Marciano brothers helped pioneer 22 years ago.

The Evolution of Guess: New Label, Accessories Lead Firm's Retail Push

At age 22, Guess Inc. is striving to regain its footing with a new contemporary unit, accessories chain and a fresh distribution formula.

— Sep 15, 2004

Fashion Scoops: No Comment ... Cause Celebre ... Another Entrant ...

NO COMMENT: For those who attended the Marc Jacobs show and accompanying fragrance launch on Sept. 10, 2001, the Marc Jacobs show on Monday night and ensuing party was a serious case of déjà vu: same time, same place, different...

— Sep 15, 2004

In Focus - Carlos Miele, Rachel Comey, Patrick Rzepski, Geová, Cat Swanson, Donald Deal, David Rodriguez, Rosita & DiSarno, Fusha and Fiandaca

NEW YORK - Don't overreach. That seemed to be the mantra this week, as the more successful collections stayed focused - and pretty - while those that didn't work were overwrought and overthought.

Carlos...

— Sep 15, 2004

Chanel's Chiquet on Hand at Bloomingdale's

NEW YORK - Chanel Inc. unveiled a new counter design at Bloomingdale's Tuesday morning and showed off its new president-elect, Maureen Chiquet, in the process.

Chiquet will not officially begin her duties as president and chief...

— Sep 15, 2004

Beauty Beat: Beauty's Web Revitalization

NEW YORK - With two new dot-com endeavors just under way - and multiple efforts within the last year - beauty's presence on the Web is gradually making a comeback from its late Nineties boom and bust.

The Body Shop, for...

— Sep 15, 2004

Store Exclusives: Raising the Cost of Doing Business

The push by vendors and merchants to create exclusive brands has raised the cost and risk of doing business on Seventh Avenue.

— Sep 15, 2004

Strenesse Sets Sights on U.S. Growth

BERLIN - Strenesse Gabriele Strehle is riding a wave of growth in the American market.

For the spring 2005 season, the German contemporary fashion house expects to expand its U.S. retail distribution to 120 doors from 84. "We...

— Sep 15, 2004

French Connection Net Gains 12.9%

Profits at French Connection climbed 12.9 percent in the first half, thanks to healthier margins and a vigorous wholesale business in the U.K.

— Sep 15, 2004

Boss, Valentino Help Marzotto To Triple Profit

MILAN - A strong performance of the Hugo Boss brand and the return to profit at Valentino and the textile division helped Marzotto more than triple its net profits to 29 million euros, or $34.8 million, in the first half of 2004.

This...

— Sep 15, 2004

Active Fashion Gets Serious at ASR

Brands at the ASR trade show in San Diego focused on catering to the maturing surfer girl who wants more fashionable looks.

— Sep 15, 2004

Anthropologie Going to the Dogs

NEW YORK - Anthropologie has a new vendor: Sons & Daughters of Bitches.

SDOB is helping the division of Urban Outfitters expand its line of merchandise for pooches to include scarves.

The 58-unit chain already sells a fair isle...

— Sep 15, 2004

Olympus Fashion Week Calendar

WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 15
9 a.m.: Ralph Lauren (10 a.m. and 11 a.m.), TBA.
2 p.m.: Lydia St. Claire International & Franklin Rowe International (women's and men's), Gotham Hall, 1356...

— Sep 15, 2004

Girls About Town - Betsey Johnson, Ellen Tracy, BCBG Max Azria, Halston, Rebecca Taylor and Douglas Hannant

Yes, those ubiquitous pretty misses won the popularity contest at Betsey Johnson, BCBG and Rebecca Taylor. But a few collections did venture beyond the season's girly mandate, including Ellen Tracy with its quiet chic and Halston with glitz.

— Sep 15, 2004

On the Artsy Side - Vivienne Tam, Reem Acra, United Bamboo, Kulson, Twinkle by Wenlan, Y & Kei and Nom*D

Vivienne Tam was inspired by China's Miao people...Reem Acra tried her hand at ruching and draping...Miho Aoki and Thuy Pham evoked Seventies California for United Bamboo...and Lisa Kulson featured bohemian ikat patterns.

— Sep 15, 2004

The Tweed Life

The New York Collections hit the home stretch, with shows from designers such as Donna Karan, Marc Jacobs, Michael Kors and Ellen Tracy.

— Sep 15, 2004

Aug. Retail Sales Show Drop in Apparel

The Commerce Department reported that retail sales at clothing and accessories stores in August fell a seasonally adjusted 1.4 percent against July.

— Sep 15, 2004

J. Crew to Restate Results, Posts Loss

As J. Crew said it will be restating its financials, the retailer swung to a second-quarter loss from a profit a year ago and widened its loss for the first half.

— Sep 15, 2004

In Brief: Bahrain FTA Inked ... Execs Back Kerry ... NY&Co. Sets IPO Price

BAHRAIN FTA INKED: The U.S. and and the Middle East island nation of Bahrain on Tuesday penned a free trade agreement that must be approved by Congress. The two countries traded about $900 million in goods last year. Bahrain's apparel...

— Sep 15, 2004

Suzy

Bobby Short's friends gather to celebrate the crooner's 80th…The jet set descends on Mykonos…Top Dog Gala ahead.

— Sep 15, 2004

Bright (and Dark) Young Things - Marc Jacobs, Donna Karan and Michael Kors

Marc Jacobs celebrated "youth and beauty" on the runway…Michael Kors worked Greek chic…and, for something completely different, there was Donna Karan.

— Sep 15, 2004

Leiber Factory Workers Go on Strike

About 200 unionized workers at Judith Leiber's Manhattan factory went on strike Tuesday, nearly five months after their contract expired.

— Sep 15, 2004

Gottschalks Bullish at 100

NEW YORK - As Gottschalks Inc. celebrates its 100th anniversary this week, management expects 2004 to be a banner year, with 2005 and beyond shaping up to be equally impressive.

The Fresno, Calif.-based retailer said it will achieve...

— Sep 15, 2004

Memo Pad: Show Times ... Uninvited Guests

SHOW TIMES: The New York Times' Cathy Horyn said in Monday's front-page story about the spring 2005 collections, "There are 169 shows on the eight-day bill, and to see them all you would need eyes not only in the back...

— Sep 15, 2004

Vitals to Launch Women's Version

NEW YORK - Turns out Fairchild's new luxury lifestyle magazine Vitals is a cross-dresser.

Fairchild president and chief executive officer Mary Berner will today unveil a significant development in the positioning of the...

— Sep 15, 2004

D&G Brings New Look to America

NEW YORK - Dolce & Gabbana's seven-year itch clearly rendered its SoHo outpost makeover ready, as the store just received a major overhaul seven years to the month after it first opened.

The store, at 434 West Broadway, has been...

— Sep 15, 2004