Burberry today announced its results for the year ended 31 March 2008.Angela Ahrendts, Chief Executive Officer, commented: “Burberry’s 18% revenue growth and 14% profit increase demonstrate the robustness of our global luxury business in these challenging times, with consistent performance across our regions, channels and products. Brand momentum remains strong and we are investing in the future, continuing to grow and innovate our iconic outerwear, while developing exciting new businesses such as shoes, jewellery and childrenswear.”Burberry saw consistent double-digit underlying revenue growth by region, channel and product with 26% growth in Europe and Americas; Asia Pacific up 17%. The company saw a 20% growth in retail and wholesale and a 39% growth in non-apparel. (more…)

The new collection of lingerie inspired by “Sex and The City” famous television and now movie.
The collection is composed of four lines, each dedicated to the heroines of serial: Carrie, Samantha, Charlotte and Miranda. This is a luxury lingerie, with a strong emphasis fashion and has recently landed in some exclusive shops and several boutiques selected worldwid

The actor has put an end to its relationship with Sarah Larson that for over a year was his inseparable companion.George Clooney returns single: as revealed by the magazine “People”, has finished the report, which lasted for a year, the interpreter between the plaintiff and Sarah Larson. “I don’t comment the private life of George, Clooney agent, which was requested confirmation of the news. The two was met for the first time four years ago in Las Vegas, where she was at the maid to “Wiskey Bar”, but it was only in June last year, after having reviewed in the same city, which had started to go out together. (more…)

The sales of sporting goods group adidas in Russia and CIS countries are growing by over 50%, and according to Herbert Hainer, CEO and Chairman of adidas, the company is growing so fast in Russia that it potentially will be its most important market in Europe by 2010.
In the first quarter, adidas’ sales in Europe increased 12% and the emerging markets of Russia and CIS countries are a driving force behind this growing development. The adidas Group is the second market leader in Russia. A focus on key accounts and the expansion of mono-brand stores have been the growth driver for both adidas and Reebok. At the end of 2007, the adidas Group operated over 460 stores in Russia and the CIS and is planning to take that number to more than 750 stores in 2008. The adidas Group is also the market leader in the Ukraine and entered the market in Kazakhstan in 2007.
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The release of Sex and the City the movie is taking over the fashion industry, and British department store Marks & Spencer can’t stay behind. M&S has announced an exclusive partnership with Sex and the City stylist Patricia Field, to sell a one-off fashion range in its stores from October. This is the first time M&S has worked with a designer on a range in this way. The collection will be sold not only in M&S’s UK stores and on its website, but also exclusively in its stores in a number of the international markets in which it operates. (more…)

In a new report by Mintel, British women are anything but fashionable when it comes to buying underwear. Grey, saggy knickers, holey vests and fraying bra straps don’t conjure up the sexiest image. But this is what it takes for British women to go out and get themselves some new underwear. In fact, latest research from Mintel finds that 60% of women will only ever buy underwear when it needs replacing. By comparison, just three in ten (31%) splash out on bras and pants for special occasions.”Despite the return of saucy Burlesque shows by Dita von Teese and others, British women still take a functional and practical approach to underwear, and clearly don’t see it as something that can be really sexy and alluring,” comments Katrin Magnussen, senior fashion analyst at MINTEL. (more…)

Gap Inc. on Thursday released its earnings results for the first quarter of 2008 and said net earnings for the company increased 40 percent to $249 million compared with $178 million for the first quarter last year. Earnings from continuing operations for the first quarter of 2008 were $249 million compared with $205 million last year which represents an increase of 21 percent. Earnings from continuing operations exclude the loss from the discontinued operation of Forth & Towne. First quarter net sales were $3.38 billion, compared with $3.55 billion for the first quarter of last year. The company’s first quarter comparable store sales decreased 11 percent, compared with a decrease of 4 percent in the first quarter of the prior year. The company’s online sales for the first quarter increased 21 percent to $236 million, compared with $195 million for the first quarter of last year. “We are pleased with our first quarter results, as we delivered solid earnings growth in a difficult environment,” said Glenn Murphy, chairman and chief executive officer of Gap Inc. “Looking ahead, we are focused on bringing compelling product and shopping experiences to our customers while managing costs tightly. We believe this approach is proving even more prudent given the current economic conditions.” (more…)

In these woeful economic climes a rise in demand for do it yourself clothing seems inevitable. Why splash out on the high street when all it requires is a little time, effort and creativity for you to make your own garments with guaranteed success. The iconic seventies brand Clothkits, the one stop shop for stitch-at-home clothing, has been revived as a growing number of people turn to making their own clothes once again.

After an absence of 17 years, Clothkits is back with a website offering the latest patterns from talented textile designers. The heritage of Clothkits spans 40 years, having been originally set up in 1968 by Anne Kennedy. After a period of hibernation the Sussex based firm have returned with a fresh new collection of outfits for you to cut and sew at home.
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After seeing the movie “furbacchione” by Laurent Cantet, we said: maybe an outsider wins? too many big films and big names, too many reasons to argue in that group of nine jurors, all with a character and taste well-defined and not simple. And Entre les murs seemed suitable to bring peace and agreement among all. The Palme d’Or is returned to France after 31 years, when it was Pialat to take the Croisette with Under the Sun of Satan. Sergio Castellitto, after “explained” to colleagues the complexity and particularity (especially negative, unfortunately) of our democracy in order to better understand the works of Garrone and Sorrentino in the competition, said that Cantet has made a film “generous, to show children “, while the writer Marjane Satrapi described him as” a hit to the heart that talking about school tackles the issues founding of modern democracies. ” And again the president of Sean Penn jury described him as “magical, provocative and well written, cinematic beautiful, and it was what we wanted,” and also universal, if it’s true that the Thai Apichapong said that “it seemed to me to stay in school of my country. (more…)

The director Sydney Pollack died Sunday at the age of 73 years, at his home in Los Angeles, because of a stomach cancer that was diagnosed about 10 months ago. He informed his agent Leslee Dart.

Pollack, born on 1 July 1934, in 1985 had won seven Oscar with the film “My Africa” with Meryl Streep and Robert Redford, including one for Best Director and Best Picture. Among his most famous films as “Tootsie” with Dustin Hoffman. After a long period of inactivity in 2005 was back behind the movie camera to direct Nicole Kidman in the thriller “The interpreter,” and in the same year turned his only documentary, the life of architect - and his personal friend - Frank O. Gehry.
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