Not Quite a Fever, But Industry’s LBO Tempo Could Pick Up

PARIS — Doll hats, snoods, platforms, cherry-print dresses —in his whimsical, upbeat fall collection John Galliano revisited the Forties in his own inimitable way. That meant, of course, nothing too literal, but plenty of playful Boogie…

Fashion stocks could be back in fashion, as several private equity investment firms specializing in LBOs are taking a closer look at this sector.

A war with Iraq might not be so terrible for retailers after all, but if it does impact business. Observers say effects will likely be felt disproportionately by channel.

Retail prices for apparel continued to fall in February, even though overall consumer prices rose sharply as energy prices surged.

NEW YORK — Apparel’s deflationary price spiral unwound sales of women’s casual sportswear last year.

A 4 percent decline in the average price of women’s casual sportswear, to $19.46 last December, from $20.35 in…

JACK’S PAYDAY: Jack Stahl, chief executive officer of Revlon Inc., was paid $1.12 million in salary and a $1.3 million bonus in 2002. He also received restricted stock valued at $3.1 million. In addition, Stahl was given a $1.8 million loan for…

Wholesale prices for Calvin Klein collection outerwear range from $158 to $1,000. Prices were incorrect in a story on page 8, March 18.

Kelly Gray is the chief executive officer of St. John. Her title was incorrect in an item on page…

Monday: Unilever reports on first-quarter results.

Tuesday: Interstoff Asia spring, Hong Kong (through Thursday).

Wednesday: Levi Strauss & Co. first-quarter earnings.

Intima Japan, Tokyo (through…

William Klein, the cranky old man of American photography, has a new book, “Paris + Klein,” in which he captures street life in the City of Light.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Famed photographer Margaret Bourke-White’s favorite style in the Thirties and Forties was utilitarian trousers at a time when few women wore them. And she had a steel mill to thank for it.

Starting out as a…

PARIS — A year ago, the in crowd was slavering to reserve tables at the burgeoning list of trendy “design” restaurants here, outposts known for their ultrastylish decors and fabulous clientele — but not always for the quality of their…

NEW YORK — The offerings were varied and lively, from belly-dancer jingle belts and Asian-inspired handbags to Indian embroidered tunics and basic sportswear looks at FAME, which ended its three-day run at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center…

AND THE WINNING DRESS IS … : Carolina Herrera was counting on some key Hollywood exposure at the Oscars Sunday night. She planned to dress actresses Renée Zellweger and Salma Hayek, as well as Eve Weinstein, wife of Miramax honcho Harvey…

FRETTE HEIST: More than $70,000 of luxury at-homewear, bedding and home accessories by Frette was stolen last week on its way from customs to the Frette showroom in New York, said Filippo Arnaboldi, U.S. director of marketing for the Frette division…

PARIS — As one of France’s most avid game hunters, French financier Alain Dumenil invites friends a dozen times a year to stalk critters on his property in the Loire Valley. Now, as the newest name to enter the luxury fray by acquiring…

PARIS — Caution prevailed at Première Classe, the accessories trade show that ended its four-day run March 16.

Retailers, at the show before war broke out, had already made tough choices on budgets and purchases for next fall. As a…

A report from the Première Class show in Paris, a look at Valentino’s new watches, Bendel’s kicks off spring.

MILAN — Valentino’s first line of watches features a mixture of luxurious details with everyday styling.

Marzotto, Valentino’s parent, signed an agreement last year with Sector Group SpA for a line of luxury timepieces for…

Facing a continued decline in department store sales for five straight years, major Japanese retailers are reworking their strategies to regain ground.

CLAIRE’S NET CLIMBS: Strong sales propelled Claire’s Stores Inc. to major profit gains in the fourth quarter. For the three months ended Feb. 1, the Pembroke Pines, Fla.-based specialty retailer reported net income swelled 161.5 percent to…

If mass fashion retailers were royalty, billionaire Philip Green would rule Britannia. Here’s what’s new in his world.