Bolstering Profitability: Est?e Lauder to Sell Stila In Cost-Cutting Initiative

Estee Lauder’s first quarter was a tough one, but the firm is working on bolstering profits, including the sale of Stila and a cost-savings plan.

Third-quarter results at Jones Apparel Group were hurt by restructuring charges, but it didn’t appear to have any major implications for fiscal 2005.

Anna Sui is getting in touch with her masculine side.

A brief look at some of the day’s stories.

Former president Bill Clinton, securing this year’s title for least likely person to make an in-store appearance, touched down in the Polo Ralph Lauren store here Tuesday night to rally young voters.

Corner offices across the TV news business emptied out early Tuesday night as their occupants gathered to congratulate Mike Wallace on the publication of his new book, “Between You and Me.”

Fashion parties all over town, from Chanel to Rochas to Alberta Ferretti at Bergdorf Goodman.

Tonight, the Fashion Group International will celebrate luminaries from the design community.

Following its recent opening on Rome’s Via del Corso, LTB by Littlebig is set to roll out 35 stores across Europe in the next three years.

Jet Lag, a Berlin-based men’s premium denim brand, is looking to attract fashion-savvy women willing to pay for premium denim with a new line that will hit stores this spring.

U.S. Design Group is looking to capture a piece of the moderate junior denim market with Z Co., a new line launched during Los Angeles market week.

Juicy Couture is launching Couture Couture for spring, with styles such as a jeweled dress with organza underskirt and a lace strapless dress.

The fast-growing retro sportswear label Original Penguin by Munsingwear is stepping up the pace in retail.

Carson, Calif.-based swimwear company Beach Patrol Inc. has named Michelle Mohlere executive vice president of merchandising.

Bloomingdale’s flagship opened the second half of its third-floor renovation for bridge merchandise, rolling out about a dozen new designer shops.

Wal-Mart is redefining regional management by decentralizing into nine regions, allowing it to be more nimble and respond faster to market shifts.

Holiday 2005 will be challenging for retailers.

Paris’ top spring collections based on the number of Style.com page views during the first 12 days they were posted online.

A court here declared Fin.part bankrupt, ending a two-year saga of financial difficulties that included the resignation of founder Gianluigi Facchini, mounting debts, bond defaults and investigations into alleged insider trading.

From a commercial perspective, Roland Mouret couldn’t have picked a worse time to quit his company.