Latest news stories in fashion.

Jimmy choo launches perfume

Accessories and stiletto brand Jimmy Choo is expanding its shoe and bag emporium by launching a perfume.

The two companies have signed a massive 12-year global fragrance licensing agreement with global fragrance producer Inter Parfums SA. A favorite of the fashion set, Inter Parfums also produces fragrances for Lanvin, Burberry, Paul Smith, and Christian Lacroix.

The licensing agreement begins on January 1 2010. Jimmy Choo signed a previous fragrance licensing deal with Investindustrial but no scent was ever launched.

Timberland Partners with Wyclef Jean:

To promote the protection of the reforestation in Haiti, Timberland is teaming up with Grammy award-winning musician Wyclef Jean.

Wyclef is one of six Earthkeeper Heroes within the company's 2009 Earthkeepers program, which aims to catalyze a movement of environmental and social activists.

In 2005, Wyclef founded Yéle Haiti, a foundation to build global awareness for Haiti while helping to transform the country through programs in education, sports, the arts and environment. Similarly, Timberland supports global social justice and environmental stewardship, planting more than one million trees and greening 300 communities throughout the world.

Versace pulls out of Japan:

In fashionomics, the art of bling loses its appeal during economic woes and fashion houses have been careful to take on board the public mood so as to sell their collections and stay relevant in tougher times. The luxury downturn has not bypassed Japan and one fashion house is finding its wares a difficult sell.

The Italian label's withdrawal, which included the closure of four standalone stores and its Tokyo office, appears to confirm the consumer slump currently being experienced by one of the world's largest luxury markets – and hints that the recovery may not be swift.

M&S Investor update:

Around 80 leading retail analysts and investors will gather in west London this week for an update on Marks & Spencer's progress and plans.

The event, which is being hosted at a fake store in White City used for staff training and testing new store layouts, is described by one analyst invited as "a bit of a marathon". It starts at midday and includes an afternoon seminar and dinner with senior executives. Investors will be given presentations from clothing head Kate Bostock, finance director Ian Dyson and food boss John Dixon, regarded as the internal candidates for the post of chief executive next year when executive chairman Sir Stuart Rose moves to a non-executive role next year.

Open model casting:

Aspiring models will have the chance to be discovered on 23rd October by Ford Models. The UK team will be at London's Il Bottaccio for an open casting from 2:00pm – 5:30pm. Girls aged between 16 – 21 years can apply to compete in the international model competition. The UK winner will go on to compete for the world title, with the chance to win a modeling contract from Ford Models.

Ford Models was founded in 1946 and is one of the world's first model management company. The model company has represented recognizable faces in fashion such as Twiggy, Jerry Hall, Elle Macpherson, Christy Turlington, Naomi Campbell, Erin O'Connor, Yasmin Le Bon, Chanel Iman and Lizzy Jagger.

The UK final will take place in November at Il Bottaccio.

Top 50 online retailers in the UK:

 

1. Amazon UK                                                     
2. Play.com
3. Argos
4. Tesco.com
5. Apple Computer
6. Dell EMEA
7. Amazon.com
8. Marks & Spencer
9. Tesco Direct
10. Next
11. HMV.co.uk
12. Expedia.co.uk
13. Thomson Holidays
14. lastminute.com
15. Currys
16. Ticketmaster UK
17. John Lewis
18. RyanAir
19. easyJet
20. British Airways
21. Comet UK
22. Woolworths UK
23. GAME
24. PC World
25. Boots
26. O2 Shop
27. Symantec Store
28. Debenhams
29. ASOS
30. Ebuyer
31. Toys 'R' Us – UK
32. B&Q
33. The Orange Shop
34. Littlewoods
35. QVCUK.com
36. ASDA
37. Carphone Warehouse
38. Topshop
39. Odeon Cinemas
40. Screwfix Direct
41. HP
42. River Island
43. IKEA
44. M and M Direct
45. Sainsbury's
46. Dixons
47. Apple iTunes
48. Thomas Cook
49. bmibaby
50. Thomsonfly

Matalan up for sale?

Matalan could be put up for sale next year with a £1.5 billion price tag. A sale would net hundreds of millions of pounds in profits for its founder John Hargreaves, who took the business private in an £827m deal backed by £410m of debt three years ago.

It is understood the sale plans are at a very preliminary stage and no bankers have been formally appointed, but Matalan boss Alistair McGeorge has held several meetings with advisers in the past few weeks to discuss strategic options for the chain.

The group has kept a low profile since it left the stock exchange but in June it released its latest financial figures, which revealed solid profits, a sharp rise in sales and a steep reduction in borrowings to £247.4m.

Adidas nine month result:

Sports giant adidas Group noted sales grow of 11% for the third quarter. The revenues grew on a currency-neutral basis, driven by double-digit sales growth in the adidas and TaylorMade-adidas Golf segments. While adidas revenues increased 15%, TaylorMade-adidas Golf sales grew 12%. Revenues in the Reebok segment declined 1%. Currency movements negatively impacted Group sales in euro terms. Group revenues grew 5% to € 3.083 billion in the third quarter of 2008 compared to € 2.941 billion in 2007.  

Miss Sixty announces plans for Indian Market:

Together with Gupta H.C. Overseas, the Miss Sixty Group is opening accessory stores and a wholesale distribution network in the main cities of India. The first boutique will open its doors in Delhi on 7th October inside the DFL Saket shopping centre. The new store is set over an 80 square-meter space, and Sixty's interior designers team created a mix of vintage elements and details representing the Miss Sixty brand.

New cult brand Uzoo:

We've heard through the grapevine that a new cult t-shirt and lifestyle label will make its way from London and Los Angeles to stores for Spring 2010. Called Uzoo, (and pronounced 'you-zoo'), the hotly anticipated launch of its stylish T's and hoodies are a spring must-have, according to LA sources.

Designed by Rafal Antos, formerly of Gap Europe and Giorgio Armani mainline, Antos has created a unisex range of wardrobe staples with an unmistakable edge. Inspired by the backdrop of California, the Uzoo brand fuses 70's beach culture with Japanese attention to detail resulting in everyday clothes that are relevant, non-generic and considered.

Rhona Noel.