Financial Firms in Lead as Barneys Bidding Enters 2nd Round

From bags to baubles to scarves, there was no dearth of accessories on the New York runway.

Major retailers have dropped out of the bidding for Barneys New York, according to financial sources. Now the focus is on investment firms.

Tommy Hilfiger USA Inc. is the target of an ongoing criminal investigation conducted out of the U.S.

Michael Glasser, one of the founders of Citizens of Humanity jeans, has split with his partner, Jerome Dahan, and left the firm.

Monday: Milan Fashion Week continues (through Sunday).
Atelier, Pacific Designer Collections, Designers & Agents, The Train, New York (through Wednesday).
Designers at the Essex House, New York (through Thursday).
Executive Technology…

N.Y. EXTENDS SALES TAX: New York State’s sales tax on clothing and footwear costing less than $110 will remain in place through June 1, 2005, the Department of Taxation and Finance said Friday. It noted there will be a one-week exemption…

Consumers may sense subtle changes at Anne Klein since it was acquired by Jones Apparel Group. The new parent has a pragmatic strategy.

MILAN — Ralph Lauren feted his new flagship here, his first store in Italy, with a megabash last Thursday that attracted a mix of fashionistas, aristocrats, Mandy Moore and some seriously coiffed Milanese society — think Upper East Side…

City Chic was the dress code for the Museum of the City of New York’s annual benefit.

School Ties.

Antique Boutiques.

Retailers report that demand for high-end intimate apparel is taking off, reflecting consumer enthusiasm for “hidden luxury.”

NEW YORK — Attracted by a bargain price tag of $250 million, about five strategic and financial buyers have been busy checking out Casual Corner.

Financial sources close to the bids declined to reveal the names of interested parties. But…

Bally is starting to refurbish its flagship stores, and the company unveiled the new, no-frills look at its London location last week.

NEW YORK — After a four-year hiatus, Tonya Hawkes has returned to Donna Karan International as creative director for DKNY shoes and accessories.

In the newly created post, Hawkes reports to Jane Chung, executive vice president of DKNY…

NEW YORK — On Nov. 1, the Accessories Council will hand out eight awards to accessories makers at a glittering black-tie gala held at Cipriani 42nd Street here.

Gordon Thompson III, executive vice president and creative director at Cole…

Fragrance supplier Symrise has reorganized its management, changing the roles of Kathy Cullin and Roger Schmid.

NEW YORK — In a week of uninspired activity on Wall Street, the WWD Stock Index closed down 0.2 percent to 1,080.33 from 1,082.62 a week ago, while the broader S&P 500 fell 1.6 percent to 1,110.11 from 1,128.55.

Of the few…

NEW YORK — Hoping to fill a need by private equity firms for in-depth information about trends in the merchandising sector, investment banking firm Financo Inc. is sponsoring its first Merchandising Equity Investors Conference next…

NEW YORK — Dennis Publishing U.S. fired as many as 15 people on Friday in the biggest purge in the company’s brief history.

Andy Pemberton, editor in chief of the music magazine Blender, was ousted and replaced by his number two,…

NEW YORK— When Generra was relaunched 13 months ago, creative director Tony Melillo and Dan Shamdasani, chief executive officer of Public Clothing Co., its parent firm, knew that denim was in its future.

“When we initially created…

ARMANI’S AGENDA: Giorgio Armani has a full itinerary for his upcoming visit to New York next month. The designer, whose last visit to the Big Apple coincided with 9/11, is staging a fashion show Oct. 26 of his spring-summer 2005…