Drapers
20 January 2012
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Accessories
The finishing touches are always important and autumn 12 is no different. Backpacks are still on trend, updated via new shapes and patterns in muted autumnal palettes. Chestnut browns set the general tone, broken up by bright colour pops on bold socks peeking from ankles. -
Administrators request money from Life & Style directors
The joint administrators of defunct fashion and homewares chain Life & Style have requested that the retailer’s previous directors return money they “incorrectly used” or face the threat of court action. -
Agent Provocateur like-for-likes climb over Christmas
Luxury lingerie chain Agent Provocateur has reported an 8.1% increase in like-for-like sales over the key Christmas trading period. -
Asda to boost George online customer experience
Asda is on the lookout for an digital agency to help it deliver a “more exciting customer experience”, as it aims to increase customer engagement with its George clothing line. -
Asda to open George in the Middle East
Asda is to take its George brand to the Middle East and the Channel Islands. -
Asos sales and margin up in third quarter
Fashion etailer Asos UK sales were up 10% to £62m in its third quarter. -
Benetton deputy chair crowned top business entrepreneur
The executive deputy chairman of Italian fashion group Benetton has been awarded a top business accolade for his contribution to the Benetton business. -
Best returns to Radley as Mason and Gaede depart
Former Radley chief executive Roger Best is to return to the handbag and accessories brand as chairman and interim chief executive following two key departures. -
Bestseller appoints UK sales reps to drive wholesale
Danish brand house Bestseller, which operates young fashion chains Jack & Jones and Vero Moda, has appointed three new sales reps for its brands. -
BFC to launch London Menswear showcase
The British Fashion Council will launch a London menswear showcase in June for the spring 13 season. -
Bonmarché bought out of prepack by Sun European
Bonmarché has been bought by private equity firm Sun European Partners in a prepack administration deal. -
Boss selects Made to Measure in the UK
Boss Selection will launch a made-to-measure service in the UK from May at its Sloane Street and Bond Street stores in London, before rolling it out to other locations. -
Boudoir Femme grows into bigger store
Cambridge indie Boudoir Femme will double its store space and bring in a selection of new brands when it relocates later this month. -
Boxfresh MD Daniel Morris steps down
Boxfresh managing director Daniel Morris has left the Pentland Group-owned brand. -
British Fashion Council names first Fashion Forward menswear winner
The British Fashion Council has named Henry Holland, Louise Gray, Mary Katrantzou this year’s winners of its young design talent initiative, Fashion Forward, with James Long its first menswear recipient. -
Christopher Raeburn
Fresh from winning a British Fashion Award, Raeburn is proving that sustainable clothing can turn heads in retail’s temples of style such as Barneys and Liberty. -
Christopher Shannon
The menswear designer and former Kylie stylist tells Graeme Moran why he’s in a menacing mood for autumn 12. -
Clearance drives strong John Lewis sales
Sales at John Lewis soared last week as its Clearance sale drove strong online custom. -
Coach posts jump in Q2 profits
US bag and accessories brand Coach has posted a 14.5% jump in its second quarter profits to $347.5m (£223.4m) up from $303.4m (£195.1m) in the same period last year. -
Contrast Textures
Autumn 12 -
Credit insurer will not extend cover for UK retail sector
Europe’s biggest trade credit insurance company Euler Hermes has said it will not extend levels of cover to the UK retail sector. -
Crocs snaps up La Senza's Chan
Footwear brand and retailer Crocs has hired former La Senza retail operations director Ann Chan to join as European retail director. -
CSM cashmere checks in at Passport
German mainstream womenswear brand Passport has launched a 25-piece cashmere sub-brand for autumn 12. -
Deadline for Peacocks bids looms as other retailers target the stores
Private equity firms including Permira and Cinven have ruled out buying Peacocks, while other investment firms and retailers eye its stores. -
Decathlon eyes up Best Buy stores
French sportswear retailer Decathlon is reportedly looking to take over several of the Best Buy stores as it plots to open 100 UK stores. -
Douglas Hood departs William Hunt
Douglas Hood, sales manager at Saville Row tailor William Hunt has left the business. -
Drapers Ecommerce Conference 2012
This year’s Drapers Ecommerce Conference 2012 will discuss and evaluate the changing dynamics of the digital age and the massive potential this has for fashion retailers. -
Europe boss reviews Rocket Dog stockists
Rocket Dog, the women’s young fashion footwear brand, has kicked off a review of its UK stockist base following the appointment of a new European managing director. -
Evans bolsters premium offering with Clements Ribeiro launch
Evans is bolstering its premium offering, launching its first designer capsule collection with Clements Ribeiro at the end of March. -
EXCLUSIVE: Alexa Chung unveiled as creative director and face of Superga SS12 campaign
Italian plimsoll brand Superga has unveiled model and presenter Alexa Chung as the creative director and face of its spring 12 campaign. -
Fashion retailer Select to double stores
Value fashion retailer Select is embarking on an aggressive expansion push as it aims to more than double its store portfolio to 300 over the next three to five years. -
Final deadline for Etail Awards imminent
All entries for the PayPal Etail Awards, honouring the best in online retailing, must be submitted by the end of this week as the entry deadline has been extended until January 27. -
Firetrap adds kids’ range and capsule collection
Young fashion brand Firetrap’s pricing architecture will be expanded for autumn 12 with the launch of a more fashion-forward capsule range. -
Flecked Effect
Autumn 12 -
Footwear and Accessories awards deadline extended
The deadline for entries for the Drapers Footwear & Accessories awards, honouring the best in the footwear and accessories industry, has been extended until this Friday, February 3. -
Forest Hues
Autumn 12 -
Former Day Birger head of design launches own label
The former head of design at Day Birger et Mikkelsen, Michala Wiesneck, is launching her own brand for autumn 12. -
H&M profits dip in tough climate
H&M, the Swedish fast fashion chain, said profits for its fourth quarter dropped 2.4% as the retailer experienced one of the “toughest years for a long time for the fashion retail industry”. -
Half of Peacocks head office staff axed
Almost half of Peacocks’ head office staff have been made redundant after the value clothing retailer collapsed yesterday. -
Hentsch Man
As it expands into a full clothing offer, this classic brand still retains the cut and detail of its signature shirts. -
Hereford Apparel up for business award
Clothing manufacturer Hereford Apparel has been shortlisted as a finalist in a local business competition fronted by Dragons’ Den entrepreneur Deborah Meaden. -
High street link-up could suit Dress2kill
Bespoke tailor Dress2kill, which recently dressed the wedding party for Richard Branson’s daughter’s big day, is finalising major plans to expand onto the high street. -
How to be a Junior buyer at a private Sales etailer
Advice from Gemma Wood, Operations manager at CVUK -
Humör founder creates new men’s brand Anerkjendt
Per Johansen, founder of men’s young fashion brand Humör, has launched a second menswear brand for autumn 12. -
IMAGE GALLERY: Karl by Karl Lagerfeld
Karl Lagerfeld’s diffusion line launched on Net-a-Porter yesterday with crowds queing in London’s Covent Garden to get a peek at the Karl pop-up window. -
IMAGE GALLERY: Kate Moss models for Mango's spring 12 campaign
Mango unveiled Kate Moss as the face of its spring 12 campaign at its flagship store on London’s Oxford Street today. -
Introducing Autumn 12
There’s a rather hackneyed old observation that some fashion commentators level at the world of menswear. -
Jimmy Choo makes trade show debut
With its men’s footwear now in its third season, luxury footwear brand Jimmy Choo made its trade show debut with a much-expanded range, including a foray into brogues. -
Karl Lagerfeld diffusion line launches today
The long awaited diffusion line from designer Karl Lagerfeld will launch today with items from just £20. -
Kidswear chain Pumpkin Patch hits the buffers
Kidswear retailer Pumpkin Patch has fallen into administration. -
Klout versus PeerIndex
Like many social media tools, both Klout and PeerIndex have generated plenty of buzz about themselves. -
Knitwear: Heritage heroes
The influence of country heritage survives yet another season, with these sleeveless vests and gilet cardigans standing out in colourful Fair Isle patterns. Drapers also likes the blazer cardigans featuring lapel collars. -
Knitwear: Pattern panels
Autumn 11’s patterned trend carries over into next winter, with intarsia, Fair Isle and novelty snowflake designs covering both jumpers and cardigans. Drapers also spots a move towards patterns worked in blocked, panelled and yoked styles. -
Knitwear: Speckled flecks
The trend for flecked pieces comes through particularly strongly on knitwear, adding interest to basic jumpers and cardigans. -
Lorna Dunne
Junior buyer, BrandAlley -
Lotus Originals to expand retail portfolio
Lifestyle brand Lotus Originals is to open a 4,800 sq ft flagship store on Regent Street this year ahead of expansion via internatioanl franchise stores. -
Louboutin YSL dispute reaches appeal court
The dispute between luxury footwear designer Christian Louboutin and Yves Saint Laurent over the use of red-soled shoes was heard yesterday at the appeals court in New York. -
Maria Grazia Chiuri & Pier Paolo Piccioli
Valentino’s creative directors spoke to Ana Santi after the designer label showed its menswear range at Pitti for the first time. -
Menswear Autumn 12 - The Shoot
It’s country estate meets housing estate as this season texture gets richer while heritage classics are reworked in the look that’s ruling menswear right now. -
Menswear Autumn 12 - The Shoot
Tailoring gets tweaked as suits and blazers become everyday wear, so stick your out-of-office on for a fresh perspective on smart. And not a cufflink in sight… -
Menswear Mainstream Indicator, January 20 2012
Access Drapers’ unique source of sales information from menswear retailers, revealing the best-selling brands, the hottest products and the latest issues to affect menswear by clicking on the PDF’s -
Mothercare to widen price guarantee
Mothercare plans to extend its price match guarantee across more key lines after the tactic helped contribute to a 5% rise in like-for-like sales in December. -
Mulberry posts soaring like for likes over Christmas
Luxury goods retailer Mulberry delivered a strong Christmas, with like for likes rocketing 35% in the six weeks to January 14. -
My-Wardrobe plans international launch
Premium fashion etailer My-Wardrobe.com is to launch internationally next month as it revamps its website and prepares to unveil a loyalty scheme. -
Net-a-Porter makes three key appointments
Luxury etailer Net-a-Porter has announced appointments for the three key roles of fashion director, group head of brand relations and a newly-created group publishing director position. -
Off the record, January 20 2012
Drapers gets the lowdown on the latest gossip and reports back from the hottest parties and events. -
Outerwear: Duffle shuffle
The duffle is a banker for the season – look out for updates with metal clasps refreshing the traditional wooden toggle. -
Outerwear: Face the panel
Usually seen on sports styles, panelling is used on smarter wool and leather options. Sections on yokes are key and are also echoed in knitwear trends. -
Outerwear: Hi, tech!
Spring 12’s love affair with sports continues into autumn as performance fabrics translate perfectly in outerwear through technical inserts. -
Outerwear: Woolly warmers
With that old smart casual thing coming through so strongly this season, the classic wool coat is given the db treatment. Military influences are also noted with the use of neat epaulettes. -
Peacocks’ tale is a cautionary one
Another week, another high street name hits the financial buffers. -
Pitti Uomo Autumn 12
If the mood and collections at menswear trade show Pitti Uomo – the first major event on the buying calendar – are anything to go by, then autumn 12 should be a good season all round. -
Primark Northern Irish workers back call for strike
Primark staff in Northern Ireland have overwhelmingly backed industrial action in protest at the retailer’s attempt to impose a second year of pay freezes. -
Primark optimistic for 2012 after strong sales
The squeeze on consumers will lessen in 2012, directors of Primark’s parent company believe. -
Primark reports strong Christmas trading
Primark, the value retailer has reported strong Christmas trading and double-digit growth for its first quarter. -
Private equity firms eye Peacocks
A host of private equity firms are circling collapsed fashion retailer Peacocks. -
Quilting
Autumn 12 -
Religion, Notting Hill
Will west London shoppers be worshipping at this cult young fashion brand’s Portobello Road store? -
Retail employment edges up 0.5% but outlook remains gloomy
Retail employment rose by a “modest” 0.5% in the final quarter of 2011 but the outlook remains downbeat, as 38% of retailers prepare to cut staffing levels this quarter. -
Retailers enjoy December sales rise
Retailers enjoyed a strong Christmas as sales rose 6.2% by value in December, according to figures from the Office for National Statistics. -
Ross returns with retail consultancy
Howard Ross, the former UK and Republic of Ireland country manager for German womenswear brand Gerry Weber, has set up a consultancy called Retail Brand Connection. -
Selfridges unveils exclusive designs for jubilee and Olympics celebrations
Selfridges has unveiled a host of exclusive products by UK labels including Mulberry, Gieves & Hawkes, Barbour and Fred Perry for its jubilee and Olympics celebrations later this year. -
Selfridges’ axe falls on Nigel Hall
Nigel Hall, owner of the eponymous menswear brand, has told Drapers he is “shocked” at Selfridges’ decision to close his concession in its London store, a move that places the future of the brand in jeopardy. -
Shapps: Portas’s recommendations alone are not enough to save UK’s high streets
Action beyond the recommendations set out in Mary Portas’s review is needed if the UK’s high streets are to recover quicker, according to housing minister Grant Shapps. -
Shirts: Denim does the job
Utility touches update simple denim shirts, with multi-pocket detailing bringing a workwear twist to basic styles. -
Shirts: Grandad knows best
Vintage-inspired shirts come through as a key trend, updated with fresh mini collars for a look that mixes traditional designs with a modern twist. -
Shoedazzle UK to close after four months
The UK arm of Shoedazzle, the online footwear, handbag and jewellery styling service co-founded by US reality TV star Kim Kardashian, is to close. -
Shop Direct chief executive Newton-Jones to exit
Shop Direct chief executive Mark Newton-Jones is to leave the home shopping giant. -
Sienna and Savannah Miller step down from Twenty8Twelve
Sienna and Savannah Miller have stepped down as co-creative directors of womenswear brand Twenty8Twelve, which they launched with Pepe Group in 2007. -
Strong online sales drives John Lewis growth
John Lewis sales rose 11.4% this week compared to the same week last year, driven by a “cracking” online performance. -
Sun European combines Irisa and Jacques Vert businesses
Private equity owner Sun European Partners has merged the two mainstream womenswear businesses Jacques Vert and Irisa with immediate effect. -
SuperGroup eyes efficiency savings with new warehouse
SuperGroup is to move to a new distribution centre which is set to make its operation more efficient. -
Tailoring: Check mate
Windowpane and Prince of Wales check patterns are seen on sb suits for a nod to traditional 1940s and 1950s looks, updated with slimmer-fitting jackets. Charcoal and slate lead the way as variations of grey come out on top. -
Tailoring: tux lux
The traditional dinner suit influences blazers for the season as tux lapels set aspects of formalwear in a more casual context. -
Tesco creates new Saudi franchise for F&F
Tesco has created a new franchise model to enter Saudi Arabia as it looks to turn its F&F fashion label into a major global brand. -
The four faces of True Religion
US denim brand True Religion has unveiled its spring 12 ad campaign, inspired by four personalities – the wanderer, the bohemian, the maverick and the rebel. -
The tweet smell of success
Miista’s innovative social network campaign gives Twitter users a discount for tweeting about its products. -
Tillman slams ‘inaccurate’ reporting of Jaeger results
Jaeger and Aquascutum chairman Harold Tillman has hit back at recent national press coverage of the company’s financial results as “misleading”. -
Tops: Contrasting views
A single pocket is still the most on-trend, often with a contrast in pattern, colour or both. Speckled patterns continue to add interest to classic shapes. -
Tops: Graphic scenes
A return to placement motifs sees animal and photographic images translate to the humble T-shirt, leaving garish slogans behind for a more refined aesthetic. -
Topshop to continue sponsorship of Newgen
High street retailer Topshop has announced that it is to continue to sponsor the British Fashion Council’s Newgen scheme. -
Trousers: Clean jeans
Drapers notes a move towards clean and crisp denim in the deepest, darkest indigo washes. This simpler and often wider-legged look replaces the heavy treatments seen in recent seasons, with an absence of distressed or bleached finishes. -
Trousers: Very berry
Maroon, crimson, burgundy and mulberry reds are the key shades for trousers, complemented by mossy greens and rusty oranges, as spring 12’s colours are toned down for autumn. -
True gents
Pitti’s charming men showed off their fashion credentials both in and around the show. -
Tween unveils Black capsule collection
Tween has launched a 30 to 40-piece capsule collection called The Black Line that reflects emerging trends. -
UK buyer numbers rise at Pitti Uomo
The number of UK buyers visiting last week’s autumn 12 edition of Pitti Uomo was up 8% on January 2011, in contrast to an overall decline in visitors to the show. -
Victorinox teams up with Raeburn again
Following last autumn’s collaboration between Swiss brand Victorinox and British designer Christopher Raeburn, the pair have launched Protect, a seven-piece range featuring sustainable and recycled materials, including Repeloff cotton nylon, wax cotton nylon twill and matt recycled polyester. -
VIDEO: Drapers Menswear Autumn 12
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Visitor numbers 'tremendous' at Premium
Visitor numbers at Berlin tradeshow Premium surpassed expectations last week as the fashion industry descended on the German city for a plethora of tradeshows. -
Womenswear Mainstream Indicator, 20 January 2012
Access Drapers’ unique source of sales information from womenswear retailers, revealing the best-selling brands, the hottest products and the latest issues to affect womenswear by clicking on the PDF’s
