Publications - WWD.com

WWD 04/11/2005

Designing Strategy: Bill Blass Hires Bank to Explore a Sale

Fashion house Bill Blass has been approached by a would-be suitor and is exploring its options. A financial source familiar with the negotiations confirmed the for-sale rumblings, but declined to provide the name of the suitor or a purchase price.

Designing Strategy: Bill Blass Hires Bank to Explore a Sale

Fashion house Bill Blass has been approached by a would-be suitor and is exploring its options.

— Apr 11, 2005

Sherry Baker Exits Victoria's Secret

COLUMBUS, Ohio - Limited Brands Inc. said late Friday that Sherry Baker has decided to step down as president of Victoria's Secret Beauty and her exit is accompanied by a corporate reorganization.

Jill Granoff, who has been the...

— Apr 11, 2005

ShopKo Acquired for $1.05B

ShopKo Stores is being acquired for $1.05 billion by an affiliate of private equity firm Goldner Hawn Johnson & Morrison that will take it private.

— Apr 11, 2005

In Brief: Green Buy ... Marras Quits

GREEN BUY: English retail tycoon Philip Green has purchased the struggling U.K. arm of the French retailer Etam for an undisclosed price. Green, owner of retailers such as Topshop, Miss Selfridge and British Home Stores, purchased...

— Apr 11, 2005

Coming Soon

Monday: The International Lingerie Show, Las Vegas (through Wednesday).

Los Angeles Majors Market (through Wednesday).

Tuesday: Levi Strauss & Co. reports on first-quarter sales and...

— Apr 11, 2005

The Legend of Zelda

Talking with daughters of famous fathers: Zelda Williams, making her film debut in "House of D."

— Apr 11, 2005

Golden Girl

Talking with daughters of famous fathers: Linda Powell, starring in "On Golden Pond."

— Apr 11, 2005

SFA Adds Vivier Boutique

NEW YORK - Saks Fifth Avenue will seek to advance its remerchandising strategy and challenge the competition today by officially opening the first Roger Vivier shop in the U.S. at its flagship here.

Bergdorf Goodman also sells the...

— Apr 11, 2005

Francisco Costa: Material Man

Following Calvin Klein creative director Francisco Costa as he worked through the textile development process for his fall collection.

— Apr 11, 2005

Fashion Scoops: V-Day ... Baby Boom ... Poiret De Deux ...

V-DAY: After Madonna, could Demi Moore be the new face of Versace? It certainly looks that way. Moore, Ashton Kutcher, Donatella Versace, Mario...

— Apr 11, 2005

Ghurka Opens New York Flagship

Leather goods specialist Ghurka is turning 30 and is embarking on a major retail push and comprehensive image update.

— Apr 11, 2005

Crystallizing Lingerie Trends

NEW YORK - Swarovski is lending a new sparkle to lingerie.

The crystal specialist presented what it described as a couture collection of crystal-embellished lingerie and swimwear at the Swarovski Creative Service Center here on Wednesday....

— Apr 11, 2005

Avon Products Ring in Plus-Size Collection

Avon Products Inc. is entering the plus-size business with a full range of innerwear bearing the Avon Style Plus label.

— Apr 11, 2005

A Bronx Retail Tale

The Related Cos. has a $330 million plan for a mixed-use center in the South Bronx that includes a mall, park, hotel, bike track and badminton center.

— Apr 11, 2005

Syms Sees Net Quintuple, Declares Special Dividend

NEW YORK - Off-pricer Syms Corp. parlayed a single-digit sales pickup into more than a fivefold increase in net income during the fourth quarter and declared a special $1-a-share dividend. During the 13 weeks ended Feb. 26, net income vaulted to...

— Apr 11, 2005

Survey: April Spending to Rise

NEW YORK - Despite soft comparable-store sales results for March and rising gas prices, market research firm Retail Forward predicts retail spending will bounce back in April.

The Columbus, Ohio-based company's Future Spending Index...

— Apr 11, 2005

WWD Stock Index inches up

NEW YORK - Despite rising gas prices and sluggish spring sales, consumer confidence remained steady, edging industry stocks out of their four-week slump to end on a slight upswing.

The WWD Composite Stock Index rose 0.65...

— Apr 11, 2005

Vendors Step Up Efforts in Counterfeit War

When it comes to the global fight against counterfeit goods, luxury goods vendors know the best defense is a strong offense.

— Apr 11, 2005

Mergers Lead to Layoffs

Sears Holdings' layoffs will likely affect 500 workers at its suburban Chicago headquarters, while May Co. is also preparing workers for pink slips.

— Apr 11, 2005

Memo Pad: No Longer Free Lance

NO LONGER FREE LANCE: David Pecker seems to have a thing for collecting out-of-work magazine executives. First the American Media chairman took in ousted Primedia chief Tom Rogers, then Gruner +...

— Apr 11, 2005

Boyds' Expanding Scope

PHILADELPHIA - Kent Gushner is a man on a mission.

"Our store has always been known as the premier upscale men's store in Philadelphia," said Gushner, president of Boyds. "Now we want to be known as the premier...

— Apr 11, 2005

Business Suffers in Rome Despite Crowds

ROME - As an estimated two million pilgrims began their journey home over the weekend - following an extraordinary display of homage to Pope John Paul II on Friday - Romans were quietly but eagerly waiting for their city to return to...

— Apr 11, 2005

Pirelli Signs Licensing Deal

MILAN - Pirelli is banking on a new, five-year license with apparel firm IN.CO.M SpA to rev up its PZero brand.

The Italian tire and cable manufacturer, which has built a following with its hip, urban sportswear launched in January 2002,...

— Apr 11, 2005

Stussy Sues Fresh Jive Over Logo

LOS ANGELES - Stussy Inc., the streetwear company that has parodied the logos of enterprises from Louis Vuitton to the New York Knicks, is suing Fresh Jive Manufacturing for unauthorized use of its stylized graffiti logo on T-shirts set to hit...

— Apr 11, 2005

Strong Traffic, Tight Budgets at Dallas Show.

DALLAS - The first anniversary of FashionCenterDallas at the World Trade Center here was marked by strong traffic and orders at the four-day market ended April 3.

Sales representatives said business met or exceeded the results of an...

— Apr 11, 2005