New Home for New York Fashion Week

New York City's biannual Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week events are moving to the Lincoln Center from September 2010 after outgrowing their current space in Bryant Park.

The new venue at Damrosch Park, which is managed by Lincoln Center, will provide about 87,000 square feet of space - around 25% more than the existing location.

The five-year agreement to stage the event at Lincoln Center marks the end of a 15-year tenure at Bryant Park.

Since 1993, the number of shows has grown from 35 to 70 per season, with the two annual events attracting 232,000 attendees.

New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg said the move would help ensure the industry's long-term success, and "is more important than ever as we work to retain and create jobs during these difficult times and diversify the City's economy."

New York City's fashion industry provides 175,000 jobs, $1.6bn in annual tax revenue and $10bn in total wages.

More than 800 fashion companies are headquartered in New York City, more than double the number headquartered in Paris, its next closest competitor.

Actress Hilary Duff to co-design DKNY Jeans Line

Actress and recording artist Hilary Duff is co-designing a collection of special pieces with DKNY Jeans called Femme for DKNY Jeans.

The collection mixes "rocker chic with a soft touch", and will debut in fine department and specialty stores across the US in August 2009.

The line will be versatile too, with sweater tunics having removable cowl scarves, tees with detachable and printed necklaces, and skinny jeans with adjustable belt loops for thin or wide belts.

"I took time finding the right fashion house to collaborate with in a design partnership," Duff said. "I have always adored and worn DKNY Jeans, so it made perfect sense to reach out to them."

M&S launch Portfolio brand

Marks and Spencer is introducing a new women's wear brand called Portfolio, which it hopes will boost sales by bridging over a gap between collections.

Portfolio, which will be in the retailer's Spring 09 collection, is aimed at women in the mid-forties and over age group.

The collection, officially launched in stores and online next will include casual and smartwear pieces.

Kate Bostock, director of clothing, said: "We're always talking to our customers to find out what they do and don't like. Over the past year or so this group of customers have increasingly been asking for their own 'collection' in one area and we realised there was a gap between Limited, Autograph and Classics."

M&S said new items would be introduced to the Portfolio range every six weeks.

Burberry secures shoes, accessories deal in Japan

Burberry has given just-style further details of its venture with business partners in Japan - designed to bolster its non-apparel offering in the country through new store openings.

The UK luxury goods firm first announced its joint venture agreement with Japan's Sanyo Shokai and Mitsui to sell shoes, belts and accesories in a bit to "intensify non-apparel development" in November

Burberry will look to open more than 50 stores in Japan over the next five years, with most as concessions and store-in-store formats.

Burberry views Japan as the largest luxury accessories market in the world.

Earlier in the month Burberry announced plans to cut up to 540 jobs in the UK and Spain as the company restructures its European manufacturing base in the face of the economic downturn.

Roberto Cavalli to sell 15-20% stake

Italian fashion house Roberto Cavalli is prepared to sell a minority stake in the company to a private equity firm, it has been reported.

According to a Reuters report citing the Il Sole 24 Ore publication, owner Roberto Cavalli has agreed to sell 15-20% of the business to Italian investment firm Clessidra.

Licensebox signs licensing agreement with D&G

LicenseBox Inc, a wholly owned subsidiary of multimedia group Moda Entertainment, has signed a licensing deal with Italian fashion designer Dolce and Gabanna.

LicenseBox completed the licensing deal on behalf of its client, Greta Garbo, with Dolce & Gabbana for a limited series of men's and women's long and short sleeve T-shirts.

The T-shirts are expected to be part of Dolce & Gabanna's Fall/Winter 09 Collection and are to be sold worldwide by Dolce & Gabbana.

Lord & Taylor to receive $60m finance injection

Department store chain Lord and Tailor has been boosted by a US$60m lifeline cash injection from owner NRDC Equity Partners, reported the New York Post.

The retailer, which operates more than 45 stores in the US, needs the funds after a disappointing Christmas period and continued pressure from lenders, according to the newspaper.

Federated Department Stores, now Macy's, sold the Lord & Taylor chain to NRDC for nearly $1.1bn in October 2006.

Victoria Beckham models for Armani underwear campaign

Italian fashion giant Giorgio Armani has unveiled the first images of celebrity Victoria Beckham appearing as its official worldwide model for Emporio Armani Women's Underwear.The shots will coincide with Armani's Spring Summer 2009 advertising campaign, the company said.

Its first advertising campaign featuring Victoria Beckham, also known as Posh Spice, will roll out in Spring around the world in fashion and lifestyle magazines and on signature billboards in major cities such as New York, Los Angeles, London, Milan, Rome, Paris and Tokyo.

Giorgio Armani said: "I chose Victoria Beckham to launch our new global Emporio Armani Women's Underwear campaign because she is a stylish and intriguing woman."

"Great underwear is alluring and provocative, and so I wanted to work with someone who would make a real impression. I'm sure Victoria's presence will generate great excitement and contribute to the continued international growth of our Emporio Armani Women's Underwear business."

True Religion uses Oracle to streamline supply chain

Upmarket denim brand True Religion Apparel is streamlining its supply chain and financial operations to meet growing international demand for its American-made jeans and sportswear.

The investment in the Oracle E-Business Suite Release 12 is intended to support long-term growth, and is part of a broader strategic initiative to expand product collections and improve inventory management.

To gain access to industry-specific functionality, True Religion chose the Oracle Accelerate solution, a pre-packaged application bundle designed for midsize companies.

The E-Business Suite incorporates day-to-day business flows and best practice processes drawn from the retail sector.