Luxury group PPR reported solid operating and financial performances with net income up 141%. François-Henri Pinault, Chairman and CEO, commented: “Our solid performances in the first half can be attributed to the favorable balance of our Group profile and the strength of our global brands. PPR has always been able to take advantage of periods of slower growth and the present case is no exception. We are determined to further improve our commercial effectiveness and optimize our operational structure in order to benefit from a decisive and immediate competitive advantage as soon as there is an upturn in growth.
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IIn the first half of fiscal 2008, retail brand Hugo Boss showed a positive trend and operating income, the fashion group’s sales went up by 5% to EUR 831 million. In Europe, sales adjusted for currency effects increased by 4% in the first six months of 2008, with Germany showing a decline in sales of EUR 174 to EUR 177 million last year. By contrast, sales in the rest of Europe rose by 4% to EUR 299 million. In particular Hugo Boss’ own retail stores continued to be the driving force for the sales development in the first half of 2008. (more…)

The principal theme of the Bulgari accessories collection is its synthesis of the maison’s historic memory and characteristically innovative spirit. This is expressed in the search for unusual chromatic contrasts and absolutely unconventional treatment of skins.The palette of colors is inspired by Renaissance art, where the uncustomary and captivating tones of slate blue and orchid violet are applied to a base of neutral nuances, which include brown, ebony, walnut, and carob tones. The brown nuances are substituted by sulfur yellow and malachite green on the evening bags only, to highlight their dynamic and surprising contrasts.
The result is a collection suffused with a sophisticated and elegant light that is both luxurious and refined. (more…)

Jean Charles de Castelbajac’s AW08 catwalk collection is dominated with the iconic 70s smiley face logo. The French fashion and accessories brand Smiley Collection has teamed up with French designer Jean Charles de Castelbajac and the line is referred to as Jean Charles de Castelbajac + Smiley.The clothing and accessory collection, for both men and women, features the Smiley logo on knitwear and jersey pieces staying true to the non-conformist identity of both brands. This collaboration is part of four collaborations working with Smiley for 2008. In addition to Jean Charles de Castelbajac, denim label Religion, global fashion brand Tommy Hilfiger and French jewellery label N2 will incorporate Smiley in their designs as well. (more…)

The classic griffe setting is reworked in a contemporary interpretation in the Corona ring: the setting holds the diamond solitaire in a solid embrace. The name evokes the distinctive design of the jewel, which is inspired by the forms of the corona (Italian for “crown”) and soft contours of a flower, which have both been symbols of the wedding tradition since ancient Roman times, when the bride, dressed in white and covered by the velarium flammeum (orange colored veil) appeared at the altar with her head girded by a delicate crown of flowers. The ring is paired with a solid platinum or yellow gold wedding band, whose sensual “V” rounded profile is perfectly adapted to the sinuous form of the ring. The wedding bands are available in versions decorated with set diamonds or pavé diamonds, in both the platinum and yellow gold models. Necklaces with pendants, earrings, and bracelets complete the collection.
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Landed in mysterious ancient spaces, like in the most romantic and charming medieval histories, among dames and riders, fairies and wizards, lights and shades, it belong from the deep and secret box of fashion creativity of the artist the enchanting EPICURE N°1, necklace belt by Manuel Bozzi’s “Zighidi Collection”. The marvellous jewel of the Italian fashion designer expresses with its original and personal inventiveness the magical results of the contrasts through a unique piece for its elegance and sophistication. (more…)

Armani Exchange steamed up the windows of its new London flagship with some sexy entertainment last week. The A/X brand marked the launch of its Pima men’s underwear collection with a show of live models wearing the latest range.

Staying true to its advertising campaign, 10 god-like bronzed models were on hand to show customers the capsule collection first hand, wearing not much more than Armani pants. Seven of them could be seen in the window, whilst the others handed out free wristbands. Crowds gathered at the store to get a glimpse for the action and buy the new range, which cost from 12 pounds to 15 pounds.

One of Europe’s fastest growing fashion designers, Cold Method, is teaming up with Retail China Ltd. of Hong Kong to expand in China and Southeast Asia. The firms announced an exclusive 20-year deal for Retail China to introduce and develop retail channels for Cold Method in China, Hong Kong, Macau and Singapore. The retail company is looking to develop a combination of channels including retail China owned and operated Cold Method flagship shops, department store shop-in-shops, online retailing and distribution agreements through retail chains in Hong Kong and Singapore. Retail China plans to open and operate 20 flagship stores and 23 shop-in-shops in China over the first 3 years.

European fashion designer Cold Method is growing globally and recently entered the US, Canada and is available in more than 500 selling points in Europe. For 2008, Cold Method feature continuous capsule ranges that include apparel and a full range of accessories. It’s the brands first Asian business venture and gives access to the world’s fastest growing, and youngest middle class.
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An eclectic collection that fuses the two sides of a person: active and leisure. Prada’s lifestyle line of eyewear offers a selection of models in the most innovative materials. Prada sunglasses for summer 2008 fuse details “stolen” from the sports world with objects that are ideal for daily use, while the essential, rigorous style is the basis for models designed for athletic activity.

The new Prada leisure sunglasses offer essential shapes - wrap-around, sporty, classic drop-style or mask - embellished with elegant metal textures.The dominant color, stemming from the collection’s sporty inspiration, is classic black, often paired with ends in vivid, bright colors orange, yellow, red for a look that is at once simple and surprising.
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As a Hong Kong exporter and wholesaler since 2004, Sourcingmap continues to expend their business. Recently the company rolls out its biggest ever fashion trend for the forthcoming summer season – a whole series of fashion sunglasses. Mainly designed for women, these sunglasses feature bright colors and cheap prices available now on its virtual web store.
Currently, there are over 300 different styles and colors sunglasses divided into 5 categories. They are fashion sunglasses, sport sunglasses, women’s sunglasses, metal sunglasses and plastic sunglasses. “We have no conclusion that these will be all” said Louis Chen, Founder and President of Sourcingmap.Ltd, “one thing is sure that if this batch sells well, we of course will add on”. (more…)