Aquascutum
Following its decision earlier this week to enter administration, Aquascutum has decided to close its UK manufacturing plant in Corby - due to "loss-making operations and a lack of funding" - with a loss of 115 jobs.
"Whilst a difficult decision, it has been necessary in order to stem on-going losses for the business, and to protect the positions of the 135 remaining employees," a spokesperson for the adminstrators said this morning. "We plan to provide appropriate assistance to all affected employees, including liaising with Jobcentre plus and helping with claims to the Redundancy Payments Service. All head office and retail operations across the UK and international high street, concession and outlet stores are operating as usual at present."
Celines london return!
CELINE is set to reopen in London, after helping lift LVMH first quarter profits by 25 per cent. The French label, helmed by British designer Phoebe Philo, has signed a deal to open a store on the site of the Jordan International Bank at 103 Mount Street.
The label becomes the latest in a long line of big-name designer brands to open on the street: Lanvin, Bottega Veneta, Loewe, Marc Jacobs, Christian Louboutin and Balenciagaalready have shops there - and earlier this week,Oscar de la Renta confirmed it will occupy a unit previously owned by hairdresser Nicky Clarke. Property investor Grosvenor, which owns almost every key property on Mount Street, is reportedly in talks with labels including Givenchy, Alaïa, Chloe, Yves Saint Laurent and Erdem to open stores on the street.
Celine closed its only UK store, on London's Bruton Street, in July 2009 - shortly after new creative director Phoebe Philo showed herfirst collection for the label; for pre-spring/summer 2010. At the time the label remained tight-lipped about the strategy behind the closure, but it was suggested that Philo wanted to allow time to put her stamp on the brand, before opening a new raft of stores in keeping with her pared-back vision.
Mirrandas hidden talent
Miranda Kerr's secret singing talent suggests that a music career wouldn't be outside the realms of reason.
"I have recorded a couple of songs, actually, that no one knows about!" she told us, although she remained very coy about track titles or music genre. "You probably won't hear them but I love to sing! I'm doing so much at the moment, modelling obviously, I have Kora Organics, my books, and my family, so I have quite a lot to focus on for the time being!"
Dates resolved
The British Fashion Council and the CFDA have confirmed their Fashion Week show dates for the next two years, following debates over a spring/summer 2013 schedule clash involving all four fashion capitals.
"Both the BFc and CFDA are confident that this confirmation will ensure the smooth running of both Fashion Weeks and allow for designer brands and businesses in all four fashion capitals - New York, London, Milan and Paris - to successfully plan for the long term," a statement from the British Fashion Council read today.
Show dates are as follows:
SPRING/SUMMER 2013
New York: September 6 -13, 2012
London: September 14 - 18, 2012
AUTUMN/WINTER 2013-14
New York: February 7 - 14, 2013
London: February 15 -19, 2013
SPRING/SUMMER 2014
New York: September 5 - 12, 2013
London: September 13 - 17, 2013
AUTUMN/WINTER 2014-15
New York from February 6 - 13, 2014
London from February 14 - 18, 2014
SPRING/SUMMER 2015
New York from September 4 - 11, 2014
London from September 12 - 16, 2014
Hindmarch Triumph
Anya Hindmarch has been announced as the winner of this year's Veuve Clicquot Business Woman Award. The London-based accessories entrepreneur - who was up against stiff competition in the form of Helena Morrissey, CEO of Newton Investment Management; and Ruth Rogers, founder of the River Café - was surprised and delighted to accept the prize.
"It is the greatest honour to win the Veuve Clicquot Business Woman award in its 40th year," Hindmarch said. "It is a very real compliment to be deemed to share some of the qualities of Veuve Clicquot herself - who was clearly a brave and pioneering woman - but also to even be considered amongst my fellow finalists, Helena Morrissey and Ruthie Rogers, who are both brilliant businesswomen and lovely people."
Simoens At LVMH
Maxime Simoens has joined the LVMH fold: not as a designer for one of the conglomerate's many major brands - as was rumoured in recent weeks when the Dior job was still vacant - but because Bernard Arnault has invested in the young designer's label. Simoens left his role at the helm of French label Leonard earlier this month to focus on his eponymous couture collection. Although neither the size of the investment nor the stake has been revealed, insiders have confirmed the acquisition.
"They do believe in him, and want to finance him," a source told WWD, before suggesting that the luxury group wishes to forge ties with promising designers who could one day take on its bigger brands.
Marant Wait
Wails of consternation are sure to be heard across the UK today, as Isabel Marant delays the opening of its London store. The French label, which has become one of the fashion set's go-to brands for effortless chic, will now open in September - rather than in July as originally projected.
A spokesperson for the brand confirmed the delay, citing "unforseen circumstances" today. Isabel Marant will host what will surely be a star-studded opening party - perhaps attended by some of the label's high-profile fans including Alexa Chung, Kate Moss and Sienna Miller - in November or December following the opening.
