Communication company BT is launching an integrated multichannel ordering and returns solution for retailers. This strategy recognises the demands placed on retailers by continued growth of online sales. According to Verdict Research, in 2007 this represented 5.2% of all UK retail sales which was up from 3.8% in 2006. The BT customers who adopted the phase one multichannel solutions have experienced to differentiate integrating product, pricing and location by channel. BT Expedite, the retail specialist division of BT, has implemented this solution at Mosaic Fashions, Thomas Pink and Phase Eight.
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Outstanding street wear brand adidas Originals is proud to announce a unique tri-collaboration project for the fall/winter season 2008. It will launch two sneakers to coincide with the global release of the Hellboy II ‘The Golden Army’ movie in August 2008. The collaboration brings together adidas Originals, Universal Studios & Guillermo Del Toro, the film’s director, and Dark Horse Comics & Mike Mignola, the original comic book artist of Hellboy. Together, this tri-project has produced two outstanding sneakers: the Forum c and the Stan Mid-Hellboy.
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The National Basketball Association and adidas today announced the six European host cities for the adidas NBA 5IVE Tour 2008, a grassroots event combining outdoor 5-on-5 tournaments with pick-up games and interactive basketball elements. The event tips off in Berlin, Germany, July 12-13, before traveling to Moscow, Russia, July 26-27; Istanbul, Turkey, August 30-31; Rome, Italy, September 6-7, Paris, France, September 13-14 and culminating in Madrid, Spain, September 20-21 or 27-28.“Together adidas and the NBA have created a grassroots event that succeeds in embodying everything great about the game of basketball.” Frank Denglos, Vice President of Sports Performance for adidas Region Europe/Middle East/Africa continued, “5-on-5, grassroots basketball is about the team, the bond, the Brotherhood that is created on the court. This ideal is at the heart of adidas Basketball, and also at the very heart of the adidas NBA 5IVE Tour.” (more…)

Germany based fashion company s. Oliver is going to regulate its price scheme across Europe. Currently, the prices in Germany are lower compared to the rest of Europe, mainly due to the lower transport costs. Looking at the international growth of the brand, s. Oliver wants to introduce the same price all over Europe. From 2005, the German company is stimulating its expansion by focusing on the presentation of the collection on the shop floor. The price change will be a new factor within s. Oliver’s growth strategy. “The proposed price changes will give further growth opportunities,” says Michael Doerell, country manager of s. Oliver Benelux. The brand is also looking launching more flagship stores. (more…)

Burberry Prorsum sent out a collection called “Crumpled Classics” during Milan Men’s Fashion Week. Spring Summer 09 will see the British House moving on from its surf inspired outerwear to paper-fine coats, elongated cardigans and floppy panama hats.Burberry’s creative director Christopher Bailey referenced Derek Jarman, the late British cineaste, as an inspiration, blending his signature romance with his love of the English countryside and heritage. (more…)

Supermodel Naomi Campbell has been ordered complete 200 hours of community service after being found guilty of assaulting police at Heathrow’s Terminal 5.

Campbell, who this week appeared on the catwalks of Dolce & Gabbana’s menswear show in Milan, appeared admitted to charges relating to a row over a lost bag that saw her thrown off a Los Angeles-bound flight in April.

The 38-year-old model pleaded guilty to charges of two counts of assaulting a police officer, one count of disorderly conduct likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress and using threatening, abusive words or behaviour to cabin crew.

Campbell was further ordered to pay a fine of £650 for a public order offence and £1,650 for using insulting and abusive words towards cabin crew.

At the time of the incident, her spokeswoman blamed the incident on the chaos that had engulfed the new terminal at Heathrow.

Versace and Lamborghini, collaborators since 2006, have announced the launch of the new Lamborghini Roadster Versace and a unique collection of accessories. Versace’s designers joined forces with engineers from the Lamborghini Design Centre and have created an “as personam” project. This programme allows individual clients to create personalised sports cars; choosing their preferred equipment technology, personalised colours and interior fittings.The limited edition luxury car will be produced to order and displays the Versace logo on the lower part of the door. The cradle seats are clad in black and white leather, while opulent full grain soft nappa leather are hand-embroidered with the Versace logo.
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Jil Sander caused at stir at Milan fashion week on Saturday, delivering one of the most directional shows we have seen in recent seasons for its Spring Summer 2009 collection. Moving away from the Pollock-esque graphic and paint-splattered tailoring, Raf Simons made strong references to eighties colour blocking and silhouette contrasts, breaking up surfaces with fabric and colour interplay, such as a two-tone jacket or trouser. (more…)

London Fashion Week is getting ready for fresh fashion meat, and with the announcement of The British Fashion Council’s (BFC) New Generation sponsorship winners we know who will be the ones to watch. Twenty of the UK’s most talented young designers have received the NewGen Award, supported by Topshop, for their catwalk show or their exhibition stand at London Fashion Week September 2008. (more…)

Bulgari presents an extraordinary special edition of optical frames and sunglasses to celebrate the tenth anniversary of its first collection of eyewear.The source of inspiration this time is the new and original floral motif of High Jewelry.
Like exploding fireworks, a series of precious rhinestones expand outwards from the center across the temples, giving them a bright and unexpected brilliance.The undisputed protagonist of this collection is color. Vivid, alluring, and transparent hues of red, lilac, and peach and nuances of more classic colors such as brown, beige, and black play on the frames.
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