Zac's gotta new Gig: Posen to be the next limited-edition designer for Target

Fashion designer Zac Posen is next in line to do a limited edition collection for Target's Go International series, reports Women's Wear Daily.

Go International focuses on young or emerging designers and has previously featured collections by, amongst others, Erin Fetherston, Jonathan Saunders, Thakoon and Rogan, and next month the chainstore introduces a line by Rodarte. Previous Go collections have been priced in the $14.99 to $149.99 range, but the company would not disclose any prices for Posen's collections.

In spring Posen will also be launching his own lower-priced line, Z Spoke, which will retail exclusively at Saks Fifth Avenue and be priced from $78 to $675.

Source:Stylesight

Bergdorf Goodman's men's fashion director Fazio quits to take President post at Spurr

Tommy Fazio, Men's Fashion Director of Neiman Marcus and Bergdorf Goodman, has resigned from his job after just over two years in the role, reported Women's Wear Daily, without citing its sources. The executive has accepted a new post at the upscale men's label Spurr where he will serve as President.

Fazio joined Neiman Marcus in January 2006, succeeding Michael Bastian, who left to launch his own men's wear collection. At Bergdorf, Fazio was in charge of all of men's fashion direction, visual and merchandising. He reported to Margaret Spaniolo, Senior Vice President and GMM of the men's division, and Linda Fargo, Vice President of Visual Presentation and Imaging.

source-Stylesight

Gucci Group sponsors new Ph.D. scholarship

With an eye to future experimental textile technologies, the Gucci Group said it will sponsor a new Ph.D. scholarship devoted to innovations in sustainable fashion and textiles in cooperation with two London schools: Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design and the University of the Arts London, reports Women's Wear Daily.

The three-year £30,000 scholarship underscores Gucci Group’s contention that sustainable technology is key for luxury brands as concerns mount about the environment and climate change.The first scholarship is to commence in September 2010, with applications due around January.

Source: Stylesight

Gotta new Gig! André Warren named as VP & Chief Merchandising Officer for Advanstar Fashion Group

Advanstar Communications Inc. has tapped André Warren as Vice President and Chief Merchandising Officer for its Fashion Group, according to Women's Wear Daily.In the new role, Warren will head up merchandising strategy for the company’s MAGIC, Project, WWDMagic and Pool trade shows.Warren has over two decades of apparel and retail experience, including stints as a men’s wear buyer at Fred Segal Fun and Ron Herman.

Advanstar Communications Inc. is a leading worldwide media company providing integrated marketing solutions for the Fashion, Life Sciences and Powersports industries. Advanstar serves business professionals and consumers in these industries with its portfolio of 147 events, 68 publications and directories, 267 electronic products and Web sites, as well as educational and direct marketing products and services. Market leading brands and a commitment to delivering innovative, quality products and services enables Advanstar to “Connect Our Customers With Theirs.” Advanstar has approximately 1,000 employees and currently operates from multiple offices in North America and Europe.

Source: Stylesight

Gotta new Gig! Maria Sharapova's latest volley is in the world of fashion!

NEW YORK, /PRNewswire- Just days before taking the court for the US Open Championships, twenty-two year old tennis star Maria Sharapova unveiled her Maria Sharapova by Cole Haan collection of handbags and footwear - at Rockefeller Center in New York City.

"Everyone loves Maria. It's great to be working with her and adding a new dimension to Cole Haan's history," states Jim Seuss, Chief Executive Officer.

Sharapova's collaboration with Cole Haan began with sketches, mood boards, and inspirations from the tennis star. Maria's on-the-go, international lifestyle inspired this chic collection. Maria infused aspects of her playful personality into every detail of the line from the polished buckles of the shoes, to the leather wrapped chain straps of the handbags.

"It's my hope that other young women will embrace the spirit of the collection; it's fun, chic, fashionable and most importantly, able to take you from day to night," says Sharapova.

The Maria Sharapova by Cole Haan footwear collection, featuring Nike Air technology, includes a ballet flat, an ankle-wrapped stiletto, a flat over-the-knee boot, an ankle bootie and a strappy platform sandal. With prices ranging from $138 - $328, the collection offers luxe options at an attainable level.

Highlights of the handbag offering include a small frame clutch, a lambskin hobo, and Maria's signature chain-link satchel in a range of eye-catching colors. Each silhouette is characterized by an oversized pleating detail, creating a luxe, yet casual feel. Prices range from $248 for a convertible clutch to $428 for a lambskin hobo.

SOURCE Cole Haan

Kanye West interns with Gap

Following supermodel Chanel Iman's stint at Teen Vogue, songwriter-artist Kanye West is the latest celebrity to intern at a fashion company, reports Vogue.com, citing various reports that West has been working at the Gap's head office. A company spokesperson later confirmed the rumors for Vogue.com and said that West is working closely with Gap creative director Patrick Robinson to further his knowledge of the industry. "He works all the time, and one Friday night recently, he stayed until 12 am," one source told US Weekly magazine. "He's learning the fashion business from the inside and trying to do it quietly."

...I'm very impressed by Kanye's willingness to get in the trenches and learn the business from behind the scenes. Interns, take note: if Kanye can stay late at his internship, you should too! Reminds me of my days at WWD-I'd be there until 10pm some nights!

Retail News:Kmart to offer discounts to unemployed Michigan residents

I was born and raised in Detroit, so this news story really hit my heart. Times are hard back home and my hats go off to the folks at Kmart for making this happen....

Retailers are pulling out all the stops in an attempt to drum up business. Discount retailer Kmart has launched a discount program for unemployed people in the state of Michigan, which has the highest unemployment rate of any U.S. state – 14.1% in May, compared with a national average of 9.4%. The Detroit metropolitan area has the highest unemployment rate of any U.S. city, at 14.9%.Kmart says it will issue people who are registered as unemployed in the state a “Smart Assist Savings” card, valid for six months, entitling them to 20% reductions on Kmart’s private label goods, including toilet paper, baby products, cleaners and some basic groceries.Kmart has indicated it will continue to issue cards to customers until January.

For the full press release, click here.

Source:Stylesight

L'Oreal plans philanthropy efforts

You know I'm REALLY big on giving back to the community, so this article made my heart smile today :-) Way to go L'Oreal!

(Stylesight) L'Oreal chief executive Jean-Paul Agon has expressed new optimism in the cosmetics market. Reuters is reporting that at a press conference in Paris organized to celebrate the company's 100th year in business, Agon told reporters that the market had bottomed out and that things would improve over the next few quarters. Agon said growth in the beauty market should be zero or slightly positive this year. He added that the world's largest cosmetic company continues to gain market share and plans to expand further in Central Asia, India and the Middle East, while forging ahead in research and development. Research spending is expected to exceed sales growth.

Agon also revealed several new projects marking the company's 100-year anniversary, including 100 citizen projects based on the three central axes of L'Oreal's corporate philanthropy: education, encouragement of self-esteem and the promotion of scientific research. Examples include a scientific discovery program in 10 underprivileged junior high schools in Indonesia and a project to help 100 visually-impaired people in Indonesia cultivate personal beauty habits and techniques.

Wal-Mart promotes career advancement

(Stylesight) Under pressure by labor-backed critics to maintain fair labor practices, Wal-Mart Stores Vice Chairman Eduardo Castro-Wright promised shareholders at its annual meeting that it would press for greater diversity in the workforce and create more career opportunities for advancement, reported the Associated Press.

"In the year ahead, we will take bold steps. We will not confuse efforts with results," Castro-Wright said, adding that the company would do more to help associates, including hourly associates, advance in the workforce and get competitive pay. He also stated that 40% of regional general managers are "of color," while 20% of that group are women.

The announcement follows recent efforts to improve the company image and business practices by cutting waste from operations and reducing health care costs through store clinics. So far, Wal-Mart has greatly benefited as a result of shoppers switching to cheaper options in a recession and of re-emphasizing low prices and a right mix of merchandise and marketing.

The AP suggests that Wal-Mart's challenge is to maintain new shoppers when the economy improves. Already, the company is said to be remodeling 500 of its 3,600 stores in the US this year, adding better displays of electronics and lower shelves, and earlier this week debuted a new fashion line with teen star Miley Cyrus and BCBG Max Azria for the back-to-school season.