Total sales at H&M rose 12% for first nine months of the year, but like for like sales over the period were flat. http://www.drapersonline.com:80/news/2008/09/hm_sales_rise.html;jsessionid=8009983E3FCB634EF34D9BCBC08C93AC http://www.drapersonline.com:80/news/2008/09/hm_sales_rise.html;jsessionid=8009983E3FCB634EF34D9BCBC08C93AC Marino Donati 30 September 2008 08:30 http://www.drapersonline.com:80/images/H%26M-AW08web_resized_70_tcm12-1882731.jpg Mexx has appointed Tom Fitzgerald as interim chief executive and John Moore as consulting vice president creative, to accelerate the turnaround of the business in Europe. http://www.drapersonline.com:80/news/2008/09/mexx_bolsters_management_team_to_accelerate_turnaround.html;jsessionid=8009983E3FCB634EF34D9BCBC08C93AC http://www.drapersonline.com:80/news/2008/09/mexx_bolsters_management_team_to_accelerate_turnaround.html;jsessionid=8009983E3FCB634EF34D9BCBC08C93AC Ana Santi 29 September 2008 16:39 http://www.drapersonline.com:80/images/mexx_resized_70_tcm12-820314.jpg Gucci is as Gucci does: commercial, commercial, commercial. The Italian mega-brand kicked off yesterday's Milan Fashion Week proceedings with a parade of vibrant shrunken-silhouette suits with designer Frida Giannini's signature tapered, neat trousers sitting just above the ankle. http://www.drapersonline.com:80/news/2008/09/guccis_glamour_at_milan_fashion_week.html;jsessionid=8009983E3FCB634EF34D9BCBC08C93AC http://www.drapersonline.com:80/news/2008/09/guccis_glamour_at_milan_fashion_week.html;jsessionid=8009983E3FCB634EF34D9BCBC08C93AC Charlotte Marrion 25 September 2008 11:03 http://www.drapersonline.com:80/images/cw085615_23015_resized_70_tcm12-1873356.jpg Textured surfaces have been impossible to ignore on the spring 09 runways. From Nathan Jenden's all-over cocktail-umbrellas dress in London, to D&G's pleated gold lame tops and skirts in Milan, one of the season's most widely evident themes to emerge so far has been a crumpled metallic aesthetic. http://www.drapersonline.com:80/fashion/2008/09/prada_ticks_trend_boxes_in_milan.html;jsessionid=8009983E3FCB634EF34D9BCBC08C93AC http://www.drapersonline.com:80/fashion/2008/09/prada_ticks_trend_boxes_in_milan.html;jsessionid=8009983E3FCB634EF34D9BCBC08C93AC Khabi Mirza 24 September 2008 09:38 http://www.drapersonline.com:80/images/PRADA%20SPRING%2009_resized_70_tcm12-1871468.jpg James Bidwell, the former marketing director at Selfridges and former chief executive of Visit London, has been appointed managing director of Anthropologie Europe. http://www.drapersonline.com:80/news/2008/09/james_bidwell_to_head_anthropologie_europe.html;jsessionid=8009983E3FCB634EF34D9BCBC08C93AC http://www.drapersonline.com:80/news/2008/09/james_bidwell_to_head_anthropologie_europe.html;jsessionid=8009983E3FCB634EF34D9BCBC08C93AC Jessica Price Brown 24 September 2008 09:19 http://www.drapersonline.com:80/images/james_bidwell_resized_70_tcm12-1871442.jpg Gap is to buy the US women's sports and activewear mail order business Athleta for around $150 million (£80.9m). http://www.drapersonline.com:80/news/2008/09/gap_acquires_athleta_sports_chain.html;jsessionid=8009983E3FCB634EF34D9BCBC08C93AC http://www.drapersonline.com:80/news/2008/09/gap_acquires_athleta_sports_chain.html;jsessionid=8009983E3FCB634EF34D9BCBC08C93AC Jessica Price Brown 23 September 2008 09:29 http://www.drapersonline.com:80/images/Athleta_resized_70_tcm12-1867276.jpg The man who has claimed Americana for his own tells Drapers how he has retained his popularity with fans of fashion all over the globe and how he intends to reclaim the exclusive appeal of his own-named brand. http://www.drapersonline.com:80/international/driv/2008/09/the_drapers_interview_tommy_hilfiger.html;jsessionid=8009983E3FCB634EF34D9BCBC08C93AC http://www.drapersonline.com:80/international/driv/2008/09/the_drapers_interview_tommy_hilfiger.html;jsessionid=8009983E3FCB634EF34D9BCBC08C93AC Lauretta Roberts 22 September 2008 17:52 http://www.drapersonline.com:80/images/Tommy-Hilfiger_resized_70_tcm12-1867067.jpg There has never been a better time to take a fresh look at your business processes and understand how leading retailers are adapting their business in the face of economic uncertainty. This year's Drapers Fashion Summit will look at how you can drive your business forward and overcome the effects of the economic downturn. http://www.drapersonline.com:80/news/2008/08/retail_leaders_to_lead_drapers_fashion_summit.html;jsessionid=8009983E3FCB634EF34D9BCBC08C93AC http://www.drapersonline.com:80/news/2008/08/retail_leaders_to_lead_drapers_fashion_summit.html;jsessionid=8009983E3FCB634EF34D9BCBC08C93AC 12 August 2008 08:59 http://www.drapersonline.com:80/images/Fashion-summitnew_resized_70_tcm12-1827526.jpg Inditex, the owner of Zara, saw sales rise 14% to €4.5 billion (£3.5bn) and net profit rise 7% €406m (£322.2m) for the first six months of the year. http://www.drapersonline.com:80/news/2008/09/inditex_reports_strong_first_half.html;jsessionid=8009983E3FCB634EF34D9BCBC08C93AC http://www.drapersonline.com:80/news/2008/09/inditex_reports_strong_first_half.html;jsessionid=8009983E3FCB634EF34D9BCBC08C93AC Jessica Price Brown 17 September 2008 08:53 http://www.drapersonline.com:80/images/zara%20spring%2008_resized_70_tcm12-1542375.jpg Mark Lee, chief executive and president of Gucci, has stepped down after more than 12 years at the luxury brand. http://www.drapersonline.com:80/news/2008/09/gucci_ceo_steps_down.html;jsessionid=8009983E3FCB634EF34D9BCBC08C93AC http://www.drapersonline.com:80/news/2008/09/gucci_ceo_steps_down.html;jsessionid=8009983E3FCB634EF34D9BCBC08C93AC Ana Santi 17 September 2008 09:09 http://www.drapersonline.com:80/images/Mark%20Lee_resized_70_tcm12-1855793.jpg Buyers from more than 40 countries have arrived in the capital for London Fashion Week, which kicked off yesterday. http://www.drapersonline.com:80/news/2008/09/international_buyers_flock_to_lfw.html;jsessionid=8009983E3FCB634EF34D9BCBC08C93AC http://www.drapersonline.com:80/news/2008/09/international_buyers_flock_to_lfw.html;jsessionid=8009983E3FCB634EF34D9BCBC08C93AC Ana Santi 15 September 2008 10:04 http://www.drapersonline.com:80/images/Topshop%20Unique%20spring%2009_resized_70_tcm12-1847057.jpg As the economic downturn worsens, London Fashion Week’s reputation for originality and creative energy could provide buyers with the means to get shoppers spending again. http://www.drapersonline.com:80/youngfashion/analysis/2008/09/news_analysis_buyers_look_for_inspiration_in_london.html;jsessionid=8009983E3FCB634EF34D9BCBC08C93AC http://www.drapersonline.com:80/youngfashion/analysis/2008/09/news_analysis_buyers_look_for_inspiration_in_london.html;jsessionid=8009983E3FCB634EF34D9BCBC08C93AC Ana Santi 11 September 2008 17:13 http://www.drapersonline.com:80/images/Temperley-London-analysis_resized_70_tcm12-1845405.jpg The brains behind J Brand jeans tells Lauretta Roberts how her love of dark denim contributed to the LA label’s success in a crowded market. http://www.drapersonline.com:80/international/people/2008/09/this_fashion_life_susie_crippen.html;jsessionid=8009983E3FCB634EF34D9BCBC08C93AC http://www.drapersonline.com:80/international/people/2008/09/this_fashion_life_susie_crippen.html;jsessionid=8009983E3FCB634EF34D9BCBC08C93AC Lauretta Roberts 05 September 2008 11:50 http://www.drapersonline.com:80/images/susie-crippen_resized_70_tcm12-1837840.jpg Gap saw sales sink 5% to $1.14 billion (£647.4 million) and like-for-like sales fall back 8% during August.  http://www.drapersonline.com:80/news/2008/09/gap_sales_fall_5_in_august.html;jsessionid=8009983E3FCB634EF34D9BCBC08C93AC http://www.drapersonline.com:80/news/2008/09/gap_sales_fall_5_in_august.html;jsessionid=8009983E3FCB634EF34D9BCBC08C93AC Jessica Price Brown 05 September 2008 08:51 http://www.drapersonline.com:80/images/gap%20liv%20tyler%20autumn%2008%20campaign_resized_70_tcm12-1797664.jpg The fashion sector is facing the prospect of massive price hikes following the collapse of sterling against the dollar. http://www.drapersonline.com:80/news/2008/09/price_hikes_likely_as_sterling_weakens.html;jsessionid=8009983E3FCB634EF34D9BCBC08C93AC http://www.drapersonline.com:80/news/2008/09/price_hikes_likely_as_sterling_weakens.html;jsessionid=8009983E3FCB634EF34D9BCBC08C93AC Jessica Price Brown 03 September 2008 09:08 http://www.drapersonline.com:80/images/dollar%20against%20sterling_resized_70_tcm12-1827338.jpg Jil Sander's private equity owner Change Capital is to sell the brand to Japanese clothing group Onward Holdings for €167 million (£135.4m). Onward's European subsidiary Gibo, will take over the business. http://www.drapersonline.com:80/news/2008/09/jil_sander_sold_to_japanese_clothing_group.html;jsessionid=8009983E3FCB634EF34D9BCBC08C93AC http://www.drapersonline.com:80/news/2008/09/jil_sander_sold_to_japanese_clothing_group.html;jsessionid=8009983E3FCB634EF34D9BCBC08C93AC Marino Donati 01 September 2008 12:15 http://www.drapersonline.com:80/images/jil%20sander%20spring%2008_resized_70_tcm12-1767311.jpg Italian clothing retailer Benetton increased net revenues by 2.9% to €996 million (£803m) and boosted EBITDA by 15.7% to €156m (£125m) over the first half of 2008. http://www.drapersonline.com:80/news/2008/08/benetton_increases_profit_and_ebitda.html;jsessionid=8009983E3FCB634EF34D9BCBC08C93AC http://www.drapersonline.com:80/news/2008/08/benetton_increases_profit_and_ebitda.html;jsessionid=8009983E3FCB634EF34D9BCBC08C93AC Laura Weir 29 August 2008 16:16 http://www.drapersonline.com:80/images/benetton_resized_70_tcm12-767073.jpg Luxury group PPR reported sales growth of 11.8% to €9.58 billion (£7.7bn) for the half year to June 30. http://www.drapersonline.com:80/news/2008/08/profits_rise_at_ppr.html;jsessionid=8009983E3FCB634EF34D9BCBC08C93AC http://www.drapersonline.com:80/news/2008/08/profits_rise_at_ppr.html;jsessionid=8009983E3FCB634EF34D9BCBC08C93AC Marino Donati 29 August 2008 16:16 http://www.drapersonline.com:80/images/gucci%20spring%2008%20webh_resized_70_tcm12-1743685.jpg After scrapping its European design team after just two years, Gap’s strategy is back in the spotlight as it returns to classic US product in a bid to turnaround its fortunes. http://www.drapersonline.com:80/international/analysis/2008/08/analysis_team_europe_fails_to_close_the_sales_gap.html;jsessionid=8009983E3FCB634EF34D9BCBC08C93AC http://www.drapersonline.com:80/international/analysis/2008/08/analysis_team_europe_fails_to_close_the_sales_gap.html;jsessionid=8009983E3FCB634EF34D9BCBC08C93AC Marino Donati 27 August 2008 09:29 http://www.drapersonline.com:80/images/gap%20spring%2008_resized_70_tcm12-1503197.jpg Gap saw net earnings rise 51% to $229 million (£122.5m) for the second quarter ended August 2. http://www.drapersonline.com:80/news/2008/08/gap_profits_rise_after_cost_cuts.html;jsessionid=8009983E3FCB634EF34D9BCBC08C93AC http://www.drapersonline.com:80/news/2008/08/gap_profits_rise_after_cost_cuts.html;jsessionid=8009983E3FCB634EF34D9BCBC08C93AC Jessica Price Brown 22 August 2008 09:02 http://www.drapersonline.com:80/images/gap%20spring%2008_resized_70_tcm12-1503197.jpg