Barneys’s New Chief Explains Those Changes

“I’m a worker, not so much a talker,” Mark Lee, the chief executive of Barneys New York, said Friday morning, explaining his reluctance these last few months to publicly discuss his makeover plans for the store. Mr. Lee, the former chief executive of Gucci, arrived at Barneys in September. Still, his changes have been hard to miss. They include the dismissal in December of Barneys stalwarts Judy Collinson and Julie Gilhart and the hiring of Daniella Vitale, a former Gucci colleague of Mr. Lee’s, as chief merchant and executive vice president; and the somewhat unconventional choices of Dennis Freedman as creative director — responsible for windows and visual displays, among other things — and Amanda Brooks as fashion director. Mr. Freedman is best known for his work at W magazine, while Ms. Brooks, a onetime Vogue editor, was fashion director at William Morris Endeavor Entertainment. As it turned out, Mr. Lee had a lot to say over breakfast with a few journalists. Joining him were Ms. Vitale, Mr. Freedman and Tom Kalendarian, the chief merchant for men’s fashion. Mr. Lee stressed that his mission for the luxury retailer was to make it surprising and dynamic. “But,” he added, “there’s never going to be a day when we say ‘ta-da’ and drop the curtain.” The changes will be a work-in-progress over the next few years, he said. The most obvious will be the renovation of the main floor of the Madison Avenue store, which will be completed in early 2012. There will also be changes on the Co-Op floors; the men’s Co-Op will move to the eighth floor and connect to the women’s side. Mr. Lee declined to elaborate on the redesign since an architect has not been announced. The Beverly Hills store will also be updated, but Mr. Lee did not expect changes at newer Barneys locations. (He also said that no flagship stores would be closed.) A new advertising campaign will start this Sunday, called “Backstage” and based on images taken during the last round of shows in New York and Europe by photographers like William Klein, Nan Goldin and Juergen Teller. Mr. Lee said he recalled the graphic sharpness of some of Barneys’s early campaigns — indeed, from a time before newspapers switched to color — and the backstage pictures were a way to do something visually interesting during a transition period. On Monday, the store will add “The Window” to Barneys.com, with news about what’s happening at Barneys and its vendors.

Shopping for ladies’ handbag

There is one accessory that many women cannot do without - a handbag. In fact, they consider it a necessity. That explains why there is a hot demand for ladies’ handbags in the market. From the designer ones to the ‘no names’; from brand new to fairly used! Every woman has her own sense of style and taste. Therefore, she will tend to buy ladies’ handbags that reflect that. For some women, they only buy designers ladies’ handbags, which are crafted from the finest materials and carry the names of some of the most celebrated designers in the world. Names like Gucci, Escada, Versace, channel, Fendi, Calvin Klein, Dolce and Garbana, Givenchy, Next, Esprit, prada, among others, top the list. Designer ladies handbags are quite expensive but this class of women views them as fashion statement, portraying their class or high taste. They visit some specialty boutiques in choice places to purchase them. Another purchase venue is online retailing. There are many websites that sell brand name designer ladies handbags and will deliver right to your door .This often allows the customer the biggest selection and a chance to compare prices. But it is important to be careful when buying this way because of fear of imitations from China/Thailand. Visiting your local boutiques and departmental stores is a wonderful idea to find less -expensive ones. Most of these stores do not cater for women who are looking for a pricey handbag. Instead, they have a varied selection of reasonably priced but attractive ladies handbags, imported from Dubai and Asia and branded in these known designer names (imitation/ replica). One of the most popular types of ladies handbags are those crafted from leather. Leather handbags are available in several shades of colours .But many women prefer a neutral shade such as black or brown. And if you are looking for something unusual, then you must opt for one that is red, blue or yellow. A handbag in a bright colour is a great fashion accessory in the spring or summer. As there are many colours of ladies handbags, there are as many styles as you can get- over the shoulder design, small clutches or even a few that can double as briefcase. Many of these handbags have detachable handle which give it versatile look. The size of ladies handbag is really dependent on your individual preference. It is over - powering for a petit woman to carry a handbag that is oversized. She would want to choose one that is relative to her size. The same applies for a taller/fat woman, when she is browsing for a handbag. A bigger size will compliment her body frame better.

Geek Handbags Launches Its Perfect Collection of Designer Handbags

Geek handbags has launched its wonderful collection of designer handbags. You can find some of the best designer bags at this online store including Coach handbags, Michael Kors handbags, Black handbags as well as Gucci handbags. In each type of these accessorcoach handbagsies you can find scores of options in terms of sizes, shapes, styles, colors and designs. You can also find bags from other popular brands such as Prada, Gucci, Tommy Hifier, Fendi and Chanel at this online store. Keeping in view that fashion has become the need of the day, it is imperative for every lady to buy a handbag that best suits her persona and her outfit. This is why women look for unique bags that complement their personality in a perfect manner. An online resource that provides you with a wide array of accessories is certainly a blessing as it allows you to explore as many options in these accessories as you like. This is why Geek handbags is a great store that helps you to choose from the best designer handbags. Different women belong to different status. Some can afford to buy costly bags while others look for more cost effective options. Geek handbags offer bags from various designer brands. This is why it is easy to come across the bags that are according to your individual budget. You can browse through its various options and settle on a handbag that best suits your need and liking. Those who are in love with Michael Kors handbags, Black or Gucci handbags can find wonderful choices at this online store. You can get various shapes, sizes and designs in these bags. You can find funky as well as formal handbags at Geek handbags Also, you can get bag office or college use from this online store. No matter what your individual need be or what your budget is you can find a perfect match for yourself at Geekhandbags.com. There is no need to roam from store to store or browse different online stores to discover the kind of bag you love the most as this online resource has it all. Buyers with different needs, likings and fashion taste can make their dream come true at Geek handbags.

Fake branded bags seized from Worli mall

The Worli police raided three high-profile stores at a plush mall in central Mumbai and seized duplicate bags and accessories worth more than Rs70 lakh bearing the tag of Louis Vuitton. Investigators said that these products were then sold as original to the customers. Three people have been arrested in the case so far. According to an estimate, branded companies and the government (by way of tax evasion) in India lose hundreds of crores annually due to duplicate products sold in the market. Police records show that based on a tip-off from an anti-piracy agency, the raids were conducted on shop number 157, 159, and 163, which are located inside the mall. On inspection, investigators found duplicate handbags, trolley bags, luggage bags, wallets, cufflinks, belts, key chains, card holders, and sunglasses bearing Louis Vuitton’s tag. “The fake are so craftily made that it is difficult to distinguish them from the original. Only an experienced eye could have identified the difference,” said an officer. Officials said that they are in the process of investigating from where these products were brought to the store. “We are also trying to trace other boutiques and stores, which sell fake products of reputed brands,” added the officer. The accused have been charged under various sections of the Copyright Act, 1957. Officials said that similar raids have been conducted on other shops and malls in the past by the anti-piracy agencies with the help of the local police, and counterfeit products worth crores have been seized. It has been observed that though these shop owners shut their shops for some time, they re-start after a while, thus giving a setback to the efforts of curbing counterfeiting.

Louis Vuitton fall 2011 menswear handbags Paris Fashion Week

Louis Vuitton sent their fall and winter 2011/2012 menswear collection down the Paris Fashion Week runway yesterday and the collection was filled with red and black ensembles as well as a large collection of handbags for men. Louis Vuitton paired corduroy pants, leather jackets, warm wool coats, chunky knit sweaters and suede gloves with luxurious crocodile clutches, red leather mini-bags and bold red, oversized doctor bags. Louis Vuitton showed classic styles such as the pea coat in what seems to be one of fall 2011’s most prominent colors; red. In addition to red pants, jackets, coats and shirts, Louis Vuitton created red handbags that blurred the lines between structured women’s handbags and men’s carrying cases. The crocodile clutches that the male models carried down the Paris Fashion Week runway featured a wristlet strap and were shown in deep brown and black. The non-exotic leather handbags, such as the mini-bag and oversized doctor bag, were shown in bold and bright red paired with red pea coats, red overcoats and red suiting. The fall/winter 2011/2012 Louis Vuitton catwalk featured one of the largest handbag collections for men to debut on the Paris Fashion Week runway. It should be interesting to see if men carry exotic clutches off the runway and on the city streets in Europe, England and America.

LVMH’s Net Income for Year Soars 73%

Less than two years after the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression, indulgence is back in style. Bernard Arnault, creator of LVMH Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy, is one of the biggest beneficiaries. Consumers sipped Dom Pérignon Champagne, donned Hublot watches and sported Louis Vuitton handbags in record numbers last year, especially in Asia, driving sales at LVMH, the world’s largest luxury goods company, to new heights and sharply lifting profitability. At a news conference on Friday, Mr. Arnault said sales in 2010 rose 19 percent to 20.3 billion euros ($28 billion). Operating profit jumped 29 percent to 4.32 billion euros ($5.9 billion), while net income surged 73 percent to 3 billion euros ($4.1 billion). The group increased its 2010 net dividend to 2.10 euros ($2.89) from 1.65 euros ($2.27). Revenue from fashion and leather goods surged about 20 percent, matching sales from wines and spirits and from retail outlets like Sephora and Duty Free Stores. Watches and jewelry are the company’s least profitable products, though sales of high-end watches skyrocketed last year, a trend that LVMH expects to continue. Demand from the newly affluent, especially in Asia, is driving much of the rebound in the luxury industry after overall sales slumped around 8 percent in 2009, according to research by Bain & Company. As China transforms itself into an economic juggernaut, Chinese shoppers are spending as never before on luxury goods. Sales of expensive trinkets are jumping on the Chinese mainland and in nearby regions like Macao and Taiwan, as well as overseas, where Chinese tourists crowd exclusive boutiques from the Champs-Élysées to Fifth Avenue. Like almost every producer of luxury goods these days, LVMH is betting on even greater growth in China, particularly as the Japanese economy remains in a holding pattern. The company has positioned itself over the years by turning a constellation of names, including Dior, Fendi and Marc Jacobs, into top sellers by cultivating their development and tailoring sales strategies to a range of pocketbooks. While a Guerlain perfume can be found in any duty-free shop, for example, a Louis Vuitton bag can be purchased only at one of the brand’s boutiques, imbuing it with what Mr. Arnault described as an “extraordinarily elitist” quality that makes it a must-have item among the rising ranks of the wealthy. Still missing from the company’s offerings, though, are goods from the fashion house Hermès, in which Mr. Arnault took a stealthy 20 percent stake last year, largely through the use of derivatives. On Friday, Mr. Arnault responded to a barrage of questions about his intentions by declaring that LVMH was “surprised” to find itself a large shareholder in Hermès, a position that he said had been “imposed” on LVMH because of conditions underlying the derivatives contracts. Since the stake was revealed, the Hermès family has reacted bitterly and called on Mr. Arnault to sell, which he said he was not inclined to do. He repeatedly pledged that LVMH would remain a “peaceful” investor in Hermès but said he would nonetheless press to collaborate with the family. On Thursday, Hermès, whose $10,000 Kelly bags and other top-quality leather goods make it an immensely profitable company, said it would pay an interim dividend of 1 euro ($1.37) a share for the first time, after posting a 25.4 percent increase in annual revenue. The family’s 72 shareholders, together with Mr. Arnault, will get almost all of that payout.

Blinged-up Mini has 185kW in the bag

It may look like a handbag on wheels, but there's a serious performance car under the Louis Vuitton-style bling. This John Cooper Works Mini has been completely covered by tuning house CoverEFX with a special leather-textured foil wrap in royal blue, emblazoned with gold monograms not dissimilar to that of the iconic luggage house, and runs on matching matte black and matte gold metallic 17” OZ alloy rims shod with 205/40 rubber. Under the gold-trimmed bonnet CoverEFX has fitted an extra-large sports air filter, a Miltek downpipe and an authoritative 65mm diameter exhaust system with a free-flowing sports catalytic convertor - plus an ECU upgrade that pushes power from 155 to 175kW and torque from 280 to 350Nm. A second-stage tune with even more aggressive ECU software pushes that to 185kW and 382Nm, while a short-shift gearbox kit and stainless-steel KW Variant 3 suspension help get all that muscle down on to the tar. Unless your credit card is the same colour as the logos it's unlikely to survive the conversion process - and neither will the Mini's warranty.