A Michelle Mag Holliday Observation

Separated at birth?… Illinois Attorney General and famed actress turned Urban Cougar Demi Moore. I haven’t seen many look-a-likes lately, since good ‘ol Sarah and Tina. So, imagine my surprise when this little Governor Blagojevich mess cropped up. While I’d say the Governor himself hasn’t a twin I can speak of, his current nemesis, the […]

Louis Vuitton Postpones Chinese Car Rally

Scarlett Jophanson will not be swinging over to Beijing for Louis Vuitton in the near future.

PARIS Amidst prickly relations between France and China over Tibet and the upcoming Beijing Olympics, Louis Vuitton has postponed its high-profile “China Run” car rally scheduled for May 25 to 31 between Chengdu and Kunming. A Vuitton spokeswoman said a new date has yet to be fixed, and declined further comment. Participants in the rally, which were to include Fiat heir Lapo Elkann, were informed of the change this week. It is understood Chinese authorities and organizers also support a postponement to ensure a successful, high-quality event at a later date. Vuitton executives, sponsors and Chinese officials announced the rally at a plush press conference here last month, describing an event likely to attract millions of Chinese spectators eager to catch a glimpse of 45 vintage cars worth north of $125 million. But disruptions to the Olympic torch rally in Paris, and statements of support for the Dalai Lama by French politicians, have fuelled anti-French sentiments in China, leading to protests at Carrefour stores and steps by the Chinese government to quell rising nationalist fervor.

Patricia Uruoila, Oviedo, Madrid Polytechnique Insititutre, ENSCI, De Padova, Achile Catglioni, Lissoni, Alessi, Antares-Flos, Artelano, Boffi, Cappelini, Cassina, Kartelli,B7B, Bosa, DE Vecchi, Fasem, Karteli, Liv?it, MDF, Moltenu & C, Moroso and Tronconi, Mandarin Oriental Barcelona, elle D?r International , Wallpaper magazine NOW! Design a vivre, Barabrao, rancesca Renai, Frederic Bidoyet , Annik, Klein, KX associates, Art LUYten, Xavier Latapie, Monica Paltrinieri, Elaine Wellman Harnnet. Elena Philponovaa, Michaela Dpasmantes,

Playing Exclusives Game: Results Can Be Win-Win But Brands Face Pitfalls

Image: Tommy Hilfiger is becoming exclusive to Macy’s.

Putting all your eggs in one basket ? or, in apparel, your entire collection in one retailer ? is a high-stakes game that is being played more and more.

As stores rush to differentiate themselves, particularly in this difficult economy, they’re increasingly looking for product no one else has. But as often as both parties describe exclusives as a win-win, it just as often results in one side losing.

Vendors must take heed of the dangers to committing exclusively to a single store ? take the fate of O Oscar, which lasted only three seasons at Macy’s before being closed, or Liz Claiborne, which saw its space at Macy’s shrink after it created Liz & Co. for J.C. Penney.

But the rewards can be great. Macy’s Inc. chairman, chief executive officer and president Terry Lundgren pointed to Tommy Hilfiger, which will become exclusive to the retailer come August, as “a home run idea” and “the best example now” of the growing exclusive business at the largest department store in the U.S. This is a far cry from the role Hilfiger had played at Macy’s in the last few years, when the line’s space had been consistently shrinking.

“When the product is exclusive to us ? which makes it one of the most important products we carry in the store because it’s only in our stores ? we want to make sure we can do everything we can do to find success,” Lundgren said. “If we are the only customer, we have a responsibility to make sure this brand is highly successful, so we will want to give it primary space and location, and make sure the advertising is prominent.”

More than 35 percent of the $26.3 billion in sales Macy’s did last year is in brands that are exclusive to Macy’s or in limited distribution, including its private label INC line, Martha Stewart Collection, Donald Trump’s line and diffusion lines such as T Tahari.

Macy’s is not alone. Half of J.C. Penney Co. Inc.’s sales come from its private label offerings, including the new American Living launch by Polo Ralph Lauren Corp.’s Global Brand Concepts, plus exclusive diffusion lines such as Nicole by Nicole Miller, Liz & Co. and the upcoming Fabulosity by Kimora Lee Simmons. Its competitor, Kohl’s Corp., has been bulking up its exclusive offerings as well with Simply Vera Vera Wang, Dana Buchman, Abbey Dawn (a new collaboration with Avril Lavigne) and Fila Sport, in addition to its Ralph Lauren diffusion line, Chaps.

Glamwire’s The Partial Truth

Kenneth Cole Productions Inc. has poached Missoni heiress Margherita Missoni as chief executive officer of the company. Ms. Missoni agreed to change her named To “Jill Granoff” as part of the deal.

This allows Ms Missoni to appropriate the real Jill Granooff’s CMV (“A dream of mine for years” Missoni remarked through a spokeperson in Milan), and Cole is hoping, experience and street smarts. Missoni, now “Granoff, ” who has, as Granoff, been Liz Claiborne’s executive vice president of direct brands, will take over the day-to-day responsibilities for the 25-year-old Kenneth Cole brand, which has been trying to elevate itself for the last few years, from Kenneth Cole, who will give up his career-long title as ceo but continue as chairman and chief creative officer.

Niether the real Ms. Granoff nor Ms. Missoni were availiable for comment. Though Kenneth Cole shouted “Do the Right Thing” at our reporter outside of his Manhatten offices, and then offered the reporter a 1.5 liter bottle of Fiji Water, mumbled something about “Alkaline Balance” and went back inside.

More fashion legends we at Glamwire admire: 0339 Italy, Fashionhaus, 39 sixtyone, Marty Allen, Findings New York, A&G Cashmere, Showroom Seven, Alexandra Lunn, Talulah, Abaete, Poull Brien, Abigal Glaum LathBury, Afshin Feiz, Bijon Notash, Riot Showroom, Aimee G., Akiko Ogawa, Alexander Mcqueen, Libby Estabrook, Mort Sahl, Alexander Wang, The News, Allisa Norton, Mell Ott, Allude, Frank Macgannon, Tom Sachs, Allure Blues, American Retro, And I, Bud Collins, Yanick Noah, Luc Besson, Ani Alvarez Calderon, Dan Lecca, Jeff Beacher, Randy Weiner, Diane Paulus, Beacher’s Comedy madhouse, Victoria Leetsi, Anotonio Berardi, Antonio Marras, The Eden Roc Hotel, Arthur Mendonca, Juju the showroom, Gibo Iris, The Venetian Hotel, AND Richie From Totally Cool Magazine.

GLAMWIRE DATELINE: March 28, 2008

Details’ Chris Mitchell to Wired as Publisher In his return to the title, he succeeds Jay Lauf, who moved to The Atlantic as publisher, and reports to David Carey, group president. Happy Birthday Irvin Quintus Levine President and CEO of Georgia Fabrics turns 87 today. Upcoming birthdays: Alison Goldfrapp, Terron Wood, Tina Livanos, Bruce Ratner, […]

Fierce Fashion DATELINE: March 20, 2008

Hermes Profits Up for Year, Dillard’s Net Falls in Q4 French luxury group net rises 7 percent in 2007; Dillard’s profits down 69.5 percent in year’s final quarter as more store closings are contemplated. In More Irish Fashion News: Holiday Romance, Totally Dublin, Dickie Rock, Waveriders, Los Campesinos, Dublin Film Festival, Shahar Hotnight, Weeping Willows, […]

Four Fashion Headlines: March 19, 2008

Calling Amy

Could Amy Winehouse, who couldn’t make it to the Grammy Awards last month due to visa issues, be crossing the pond for the Costume Institute gala on May 5? The Mirror of London reported on Monday that Winehouse has been offered 500,000 pounds ? or about $1 million ? to perform at the benefit and, according to the tabloid, gala host Giorgio Armani asked co-chairs George Clooney and Julia Roberts to sign her on. Winehouse’s London rep declined comment, but a spokeswoman for the Metropolitan Museum of Art said, “Amy Winehouse is one of a number of artists who have been considered for the entertainment portion for the Costume Institute gala. It’s incorrect that she was offered payment. It’s a benefit, so no one is being paid.”

Despite Stock Market’s Jump, Few Mega M&A Deals Seen in ’08

Retail rode Wall Street’s roller coaster on Tuesday as the Federal Reserve Board’s interest rate cut sent the market zooming. But daily thrill rides aside, the lack of credit could dry up any major deals in the industry for the foreseeable future.

Print Dresses, Colored Trenches Top Spring Sales

Retailers may be worried about the economy and Wall Street’s woes, but the arrival of spring fashions should offer some hope.

In the Trenches: The GLAMWIRE Trench Coat Report

Reed Krakoff and Phillip Lim are out to reinvent the trenchcoat. The two met through the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund. In 2007 Lim won the CFDA Swarovski women’s wear award for his two-year-old contemporary label, 3.1 Phillip Lim. Krakoff is vice president of the CFDA. “He’s not only amazingly talented, but has a great personality,” said Krakoff. “He really understands great American design and the trench is an iconic piece of American outerwear.” The two concocted a long belted suede trench that will retail for $1,798 and a short leather one that will sell for $1,298. Outerwear is a growing category for Coach, which has also partnered with designers such as Lutz & Patmos for knits and Eugenia Kim for hats. “It’s part of our moving forward and staying fresh,” added Krakoff of the burgeoning categories. “We’re starting to add more clothing.” The coats will be available in Coach stores starting in August.

Other headliners today: Ralph Lauren, Gucci, Channel, Louis Vuitton, Clavin Klein, Calvin Klein, prada, Hermes, Dior, Tod’s, In Full bloom, Lisa Perry,David Yurman, General Petreus, Dolce And Gabbana. Hilfiger,Cole Haan, Genevieve Collection. Burberry,Donna KAran, Kate Moss, Botetga Veneta, Miu Miu, Lord & Taylor AND Richie From Totally Cool Magazine

Four Fashion Headlines: March 17, 2008

Eau D’Invisible Man: L’Oreal Signs License To Do Margiela Scent Given Martin Margiela’s conceptual bent, one could imagine him putting out a perfume without any scent – or even an empty bottle. In Love With Eva: Mendes to Be Calvin Klein Underwear’s Face Calvin Klein Underwear will kick off a worldwide advertising campaign with a […]

Four Fashion Headlines: March 11, 2008

All Change at Chloe: MacGibbon Tapped As Creative Director

A young, female designer is back in the driver’s seat at Chloe. Hannah MacGibbon – who worked under Phoebe Philo for five years and helped set the brand’s winning hip-yet-girlish template – will succeed Paulo Melim Andersson as creative director.

CFDA Reveals Nominees

Marc Jacobs, Francisco Costa of Calvin Klein, and Lazaro Hernandez and Jack McCollough of Proenza Schouler have been nominated for the 2008 Womenswear Designer of the Year award by the Council of Fashion Designers of America.

Dolce & Gabbana Faces Tax Probe

Italian authorities have opened a criminal investigation into the Dolce & Gabbana fashion empire following allegations of tax evasion.

Anna Sui President To Retire
Michael Pellegrino, president of Anna Sui Corp. since 1999, will retire from the fashion industry, effective June 30.

Pellegrino has worked in the fashion industry for over four decades. Prior to joining Sui, he ran his own fashion retailing consulting firm, Pellwood Inc., advising small designer companies on financial planning and merchandising.

He was managing director of Carolina Herrera from 1984 to 1996, and then went on to Halston International, where, as general manager, he helped launch that company?s first Halston signature collection.

BONUS: Glamwire Goes Irish in Preparation for St. Paddys Day with : Paddy Power, Tom Dunne, Kitty Gale, Frank Murray, Shane McGowan, PArtick McMullen, Rogues MArche, The Pogues, Trudy Hayes AND Richie From Totally Cool Shannon Magazine