Headlines This Week 2/13
February 13, 2009 by kristenk
- We were a little surprised to see Michelle Obama on the front cover of Vogue. On the campaign trail, the new First Lady wore clothes by labels like H&M that everyday people could relate to — things we never see in Vogue. Yet here she is, the second First Lady to grace Vogue’s cover, after Hillary Clinton. And, unsurprisingly, the woman, who said being a fashion icon is “hard,” looks awkward. NYM
- The fashion world heads into next week’s shows amidst a steady drip feed of bad news. Guest lists have been cut in half. Alexander Wang, Calvin Klein, and even Marc Jacobs canceled their parties. Obedient Sons & Daughters, Searle, Bill Blass, and Kira Plastinina went broke. Tracey Ross’s store closed. Neiman Marcus, Saks, Chanel, and Burberry have all seen layoffs. Big names like Vera Wang, Betsey Johnson and Monique Lhuillier are forgoing the extravagance of the Bryant Park tents for something quieter. NYM
- Rachel Zoe trademarks “I die” and “Bananas.” We thought Paris Hilton bogarting the phrase “I’m hot” was the worst offense of trademark’s history. But claiming the genus of an edible plant? If we are indeed now in a time when people can just go around claiming others can’t use the images and names of tropical fruits without permission because you told your lawyer it was yours first, we choose pineapples. NYM
- The IT Holding Company, which owns the Gianfranco Ferre fashion house, has put one of its subsidiaries into bankruptcy protection, and has warned that it too, risks bankruptcy, says MSNBC. Ittierre, which has four licenses to produce Versace Sport and Just Cavalli among others, filed for bankruptcy protection on Monday.
- According to New York Magazine, the Wall Street Journal announced it would close its New York–based fashion-and-retail group. A total of fourteen were laid off, while eleven took a buyout, Forbes.com reports. Managing editor Robert Thompson said the paper would maintain fashion coverage. However, the fashion department will be downsized from a full-time staff of nine people, to five.
