Gap Enters The Luxury Market

HIGH STREET giant Gap has bought high-end US retailer Intermix for $130 million (£80.4 million). The move marks the first time the iconic American brand has entered the luxury market. Intermix - which has 32 stores in the US, as well as an extensive ecommerce site - stocks designer labels such as Jimmy Choo, Chloe, Bottega Veneta, Valentino and Stella McCartney. The acquisition will see the brand become part of Gap's growing portfolio, which includes Banana Republic, Old Navy and Piperlime. "Intermix has a distinctive position in this growing market with clear competitive advantage," Gap Inc chairman and CEO Glenn Murphy told WWD. "Their record of merchandising with a keen eye towards mixing multiple designer labels, complemented with exclusive product, is appealing to their loyal customers. This strategy reflects the strength of their brand vision and leadership team." Gap plans to help grow Intermix's "core business" and to open new stores in the US. International expansion is in the distant pipeline in the future. "We're always looking for new brands," said Intermix co-founder and CEO Khajak Keledjian. "In partnering with Gap, that will enable us to have more time to focus on growth. One reason for our success is [being] an incubator for new designers and new talent. [Partnering with Gap] will let us focus more on product, merchandising and innovation."











03 JANUARY 2013 ELLA ALEXANDER
http://www.vogue.co.uk/news/2013/01/03/gap-buys-intermix--$130-million-luxury-deal

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Israel’s Underweight Models Ban Launches

ISRAEL's new law banning unhealthily thin models has come into effect. The new legislation, which was first passed in March last year, bans models with a body mass index - a calculation based on height and weight - of less than 18.5 from appearing in adverts. This means that a model who is 5-foot-8 can weigh no less than 119 pounds (8.5 stone). The law also requires publications and brands to disclose when they use manipulated images of models to make them look thinner than they really are, The Wall Street Journal reports. Additionally, models will have to provide medical proof of their weight when they go up for castings. Vogue launched The Health Initiative in May last year, a pledge among all international editions to solely use models "who are healthy and help to promote a healthy body image".









 03 JANUARY 2013 ELLA ALEXANDER
http://www.vogue.co.uk/news/2013/01/03/israels-underweight-models-ban-launches---new-health-law

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This Week In Pictures - 17/12/12

THE annual Sports Personality of the Year Awards took place this weekend - reminding us all what a fantastic year of sporting achievement Great Britain has had. The Duchess of Cambridge and David Beckham were on hand to present the prizes to winner Bradley Wiggins and runner-up Jessica Ennis. Meanwhile, across the pond in the US, Lady Gaga joined The Rolling Stones on-stage in New Jersey, while Marc Jacobs enjoyed some downtime in New York with his dog. Click through the gallery on the left to see all the pictures we're talking about this week so far.











17 December 2012 Sarah Karmali
http://www.vogue.co.uk/news/2012/12/17/this-week-in-pictures---sports-personality-of-the-year-lady-gaga-rolling-stones

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H&M Declines To Comment On Reports Of Poor Margiela Sales

H&M has declined to comment on rumours this morning that its Maison Martin Margiela collection hasn't sold as well as expected. Online speculation reports that buzz for the high street range didn't translate into sales, with a high proportion still available in stores - a rarity for H&M collaborations. "H&M never comments on the selling of specific collections or items," a spokesperson from the brand told us. A US H&M representative stated that the Swedish chain had produced a larger number of items than ever before for one of its limited-editon lines - after customers complained that the much-coveted high street-designer collaborations always sold out too quickly. The New York Post reported that insiders thought that high prices and the avant-garde designs were to blame for the excess stock - an argument that was quickly dismissed by the brand. "[Our] philosophy is to provide fashion for everyone at affordable prices. For Margiela, H&M offered this collection in larger volume," said the spokesperson.










17 December 2012 Ella Alexander
http://www.vogue.co.uk/news/2012/12/17/hm-margiela-collection-poor-sales speculation

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Italian Labels Battle To Register Brand Names In China

DSQUARED2, Costume National and Iceberg have been denied the right to register their labels in China, because their brand names have already been unrightfully used in the country by an unnamed single party. Italy's governing fashion body, The Camera Nazionale della Moda Italiana, is currently fighting for the decision to be reconsidered. "The impediment of the legitimate brand owners to operate in China and develop their markets on international grounds is an extremely serious matter that has forced the Camera Nazionale della Moda Italiana to reach out for the help and collaboration of the Chinese institutional bodies that have always contributed to a positive mutual relation between the two countries," a statement from the Italian organisation read, The Telegraph reports. The release went on to add that the three Italian labels should be recognised as separate entities from the company that has current ownership of the brand names.









22 NOVEMBER 2012ELLA ALEXANDER
http://www.vogue.co.uk/news/2012/11/22/dsquared2-costume-national-and-iceberg-lose-name-rights-in-china

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Sarah Brown Joins Harrods

SARAH BROWN, wife of former Prime Minster Gordon Brown, has joined Harrods as a non-executive director working within the department store's marketing and corporate social responsibility division. "I look forward to my return to business in joining the Harrods Group board and welcome the opportunity to work on the marketing and corporate social responsibility plans for this world-renowned British brand," said Brown. Brown is known for her charity work and is a patron of the White Ribbon Alliance, which promotes safe motherhood, and Women's Aid - an organisation aiming to prevent domestic violence. A spokesperson for Qatar Holding, the company that owns Harrods, told The Independent that Brown would offer "input and insight into the company's strategic initiatives and overall business".










22 NOVEMBER 2012ELLA ALEXANDER
http://www.vogue.co.uk/news/2012/11/22/sarah-brown-named-harrods-non-executive-director

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Markus Lupfer Unveils Collaboration With ASOS Black

MARKUS LUPFER has teamed up with online retailer ASOS as a guest designer on an affordable leather collection. The capsule range features a selection of printed dresses, separates and accessories in a colour palette of black and navy. "The pieces are contemporary, fun and easy-to-wear - a combination of separates that go right through from day to night, and have something for everyone, which is something I always try to provide," the designer told us. "The printed leather is new for [the brand], I wanted the collection to feel new, fresh and modern - which is something that the very graphic print provides. The leather elevates the feel of things to a more luxury place and gives the very wearable pieces a slightly more special edge." The London-based designer explained that he thrived on the opportunity to work on a project that was a "nice departure" from his mainline collection. "It's a really great way to get our brand to a different audience and a challenge to provide for a new market, and you get the chance to work with some lovely people," he said. "You just have to consider a slightly different customer and be aware of presenting something that reflects your design style whilst being aware of any cost restrictions." Lupfer revealed that the skater dress is his personal favourite piece, while the printed biker jacket is also proving popular within his office - both items that reflect the signature aesthetic of his eponymous label. "With this collection we were designing for a combination of our customer and the ASOS customer," he explained. "A fashion-conscious girl who likes something contemporary and wearable but with a unique slant." The Markus Lupfer for ASOS collection launches on November 12.










09 November 2012 Sarah Karmali
http://www.vogue.co.uk/news/2012/11/09/markus-lupfer-asos-collection---leather-dress-jacket-skirt

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Savannah Miller On Going Solo

SAVANNAH MILLER has revealed that she's happy to step out of her sister Sienna's shadow. Speaking at the launch of her eponymous label Savannah last night in London - an intimate party providing the backdrop - the designer revealed: "I've been hiding behind my sister for long enough. It was really time to stand on my own two feet." The collection - her first solo project since she departed Twenty8Twelve in January where she was co-creative director with Sienna - is a momentous move for the designer. "This is so different, this is really me," she revealed. "No big team, just the two of us sitting down together," referring to her new head of design, Gudrun Kloepsch. With a BA in knitwear from Central Saint Martins and an impressive history in fashion - she has previously worked with both Alexander McQueen and with "best friend" Matthew Williamson - she certainly has the credentials to go it alone. "I am just so excited to have my own label - I can't quite believe it," she said. It seems like she's found the perfect fit - the collection is a cool blend of must-have party dresses, sumptuous knits and bohemian detailing - and she still gets to split her time between the country and the capital: "That's always how I've done it. It's really important for me to be able to pick my kids up from school at least two nights a week. I'm a mother first." The designer is clearly in her element. Authentic, affordable and independent, this is Savannah. Savannah is now available exclusively at nelly.com









09 November 2012 Scarlett Kilcooley-O'Halloran
http://www.vogue.co.uk/news/2012/11/09/savannah-miller-clothing-collection---launch-party

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