GERMAN DEBUT: Chloé is saying Guten Tag to Germany. The Paris-based fashion house said Monday it would open a 750-square-foot boutique in Munich at 22 Maximilianstrasse at the end of June. The boutique, Chloé’s first in Germany, will carry ready-to-wear and accessories, with an emphasis on handbags and shoes. The decor, under the direction of designer Phoebe Philo, will be modeled after the London flagship that bowed last year on Sloane Street. Chloé operates eight retail locations worldwide. Besides London, others are in Paris, New York, Monaco, Hong Kong, Taipei, Seoul and Dubai.
VANDEVELDE’S M&S: One M&S apparently is not enough for Marks & Spencer chairman Luc Vandevelde. He wants two. Vandevelde is part of a group in talks to buy a Dutch women’s apparel retailer, also called M&S. The Dutch chain, which recently changed its name from M&S Mode to M&S, is part of VendexKBB, a Dutch retail group. Last week, VendexKBB said it is in exclusive talks with a private equity consortium led by Kohlberg Kravis Roberts. Change Capital Partners, the private equity firm chaired by Vandevelde, is a minority investor in that consortium.
Related Galleries
GOOD RELATIONS: Limited Brands was a big winner at the IR Magazine U.S. Awards 2004, sponsored by IR magazine and Barron’s on Wednesday. In the mid-to-large cap category, Limited won best senior management communications, best investor relations Web site, best investor relations officers (Tom Katzenmeyer and Amie Preston) and the “grand prix” for best overall investor relations.
WARNACO TAPS TURPIN: Warnaco Group on Monday named former Limited executive Cheryl N. Turpin to its board, increasing membership to seven. Turpin last served as president of Limited Stores. During her time at the retailer, she also was president and chief executive of its Lane Bryant chain.
PERRY ELLIS WATCHES: Perry Ellis International said Monday it entered a licensing agreement with SII Marketing International, a division of Seiko Instruments USA Inc., to make and distribute men’s and women’s fashion watches. Perry Ellis Chronology will be sold under the Perry Ellis, Perry Ellis Portfolio and Perry Ellis America brands and will bow for the holidays. The line will be launched during the August accessories market, targeting department and jewelry stores. SII Marketing also holds such licenses as Issey Miyake, Alessi and Disney.