Seeking Russian Gold: Despite Turmoil, Brands Rus to Booming Market

In Milan, Prada went tailored, Burberry Prorsum got citified, Karl Lagerfeld showed variety at Fendi and Angela Missoni hit the right notes.

Fashion and retail firms are heading to Russia in droves, attracted by a vibrant economy, a free-spending elite and a demand for style and status.

FINALIZED DEAL: In an effort to increase its off-mall expansion, Sears, Roebuck and Co. said Wednesday that a prior agreement with Kmart Holding Corp., in which it will acquire ownership or leasehold interest in 50 Kmart locations for $575.9…

The U.S. textile industry plans to file China safeguard petitions as early as Oct. 7 against 20 import categories valued at over $2 billion last year.

NEW YORK — Scott Barnes, makeup artist to stars such as Mary J. Blige, Sarah Jessica Parker and, until last June, Jennifer Lopez, is about to share his products, and his penchant for “making women look expensive,” with a more…

“Desperate Housewives” is a throwback to the prime-time soaps of the Eighties.

The Parker hotel rises in the desert.

Teen Vogue’s PYTs.

NEW YORK — Bloomingdale’s has been in a festive mood lately, staging parties at both its uptown and downtown stores here. The SoHo location recently toasted the cast of “Will & Grace” to celebrate the NBC show’s…

NEW YORK — Wal-Mart Stores Inc. named Lucy Cindric as senior vice president and general merchandise manager of its ladies’ wear division, replacing Celia Clancy, who was named vice president of brand strategy.

The company also said…

NEW YORK — Shares of Wal-Mart Stores Inc. may be subject to significant volatility as fund managers adjust their portfolios after ratings firm Standard & Poor’s shifts the weighting of the S&P 500 Index, said Deborah Weinswig,…

Miuccia Prada took her Prada collection in a tailored and sporty direction…Christopher Bailey’s Burberry Prorsum line was stylishly citified…and Karl Lagerfeld’s Fendi looks were creatures of considerable variety.

At Bottega Veneta, Tomas Maier showed looks with a low-key luxury…at D&G, the theme was “Blue Hawaii”…and Anna Molinari did glam-rock looks.

BLONDE AMBITION: There’s a new calm attitude chez Versace these days. The ultrasvelte Donatella clocks in every morning by 10, getting straight to work. She’s also changing her collection m.o. just a bit. In addition to…

NEW YORK — Let’s face it, Ann Taylor has never been an emporium for the perennially hip. I haven’t shopped there with any sort of zeal since my college formals and, sadly, that was about a decade ago. Occasionally over the years…

A few freshly minted retailers get set to greet the fashion crowd.

Paris has long been a hotbed for young design talent. Here’s a look at a few new names vying for the spotlight.

Anahita Vessier, 28, gives reworked vintage clothing a new spin, combining ethnic frills with an element of Parisian…

A few spots for relaxing, dining, shopping and appreciating culture during collections.

BABY BOOM: Celesta, a trendy new boutique in the Marais, believes a taste for fashion starts early: from newborns to age eight. “The…

Azzedine Alaia is a relatively discreet presence on the Parisian fashion scene, prone to working at any and all hours of the day or night — breaking only to share meals in his massive kitchen with a far-flung group of fashion friends.

And…

Could Lancel become the French Coach?

The 128-year-old accessories firm’s president, Isabelle Guichot, certainly hopes so, and she has set the ball rolling by revamping designs, introducing snappier advertising (featuring Liz Hurley for…

The following is the ready-to-wear show schedule.
Times and locations are subject to change. Attendees are encouraged to confirm information.

Monday, Oct. 4
9:30 a.m.: Isabelle Ballu, Bastille Design…

When did the handbag become a fashion fetish? It started with the sexual revolution in the Seventies and snowballed as women came out of the kitchen and into the workplace.

At least that’s the answer proposed by “Le Cas du…

Smaller firms and niche brands, facing the dominance of Nike, Adidas and Puma, are embarking on strategies to pump up business.

Spring was in the air at two trade shows in Manhattan, the venerable Fashion Coterie and newbie The Train New York.

After the critics have spoken, consumers have a chance to weigh in. They cast votes for spring 2005 by visiting the Web pages of designers on Style.com, the site of Vogue and W, which, like WWD, are both part of Advance Publications Inc. For several…

With the first debate between President Bush and Sen. John Kerry set for tonight, where they stand on the issues will further crystallize with voters.

NEW YORK — The ranks of luxury stores in SoHo are thinning.

Ferragamo on Monday said its downtown store, a 5,200-square-foot space on two levels, is being actively marketed by CB Richard Ellis.

“Ferragamo USA Inc. has placed…

NEW YORK — “I’m going to see the Navy. I hope somebody shows up. That’s all I care about,” quipped Pamela Anderson Wednesday on her way to officially unveil her line of licensed lingerie to a crew of 3,200 aboard the…

HEALTH CARE
Bush: Create tax-free medical savings accounts to cover what insurance doesn’t, while increasing deductible after which insurance coverage begins. Intended to lower health costs and increase the number of insured by lowering…

Calvin’s Choice in denim…Carhartt jeans on auction…Mavi steps it up…Lee Denim Day eyes $7.5M…YMI’s ad push.

Shareholders have filed at least five federal lawsuits against Tommy Hilfiger Corp. after the company said last week that its Tommy Hilfiger U.S.A. subsidiary is the target of a criminal investigation by U.S. prosecutors in Manhattan.

The…

Is this a Tony Duquette moment? It would seem so, with a book by Wendy Goodman about the Hollywood decorator and his fantastical tastes in the pipeline for next year. Meanwhile, a line of Tony Duquette furniture is being readied for late 2005, and…