Luxury Stores Trump Chain Stores In September

The spending power of wealthy Americans seems stable as luxury stores posted better September numbers than the usual big box retailers. Last week, the Financial Times reported that U.S. luxury department stores beat the rest of the retail industry in September. Neiman Marcus said sales increased 4.7% last month, against September 2009, with big movement [...]

Madonna & Team Release “Material Girl” Campaign

A mother-daughter clothing line–such is the life of the celeb child. Madonna and her first born, Lola (Lourdes), have released the ads for the upcoming Macy’s junior brand, The Material Girl. The collection is the product of a joint venture between the queen of pop and Iconix Brand Group. The ads, shot by photographer Tom [...]

Madonna Inks Clothing Deal

Madonna and Iconix Brand Group have created a joint venture called MG Icon LLC (MG Icon) that will develop and acquire global consumer brands. Iconix will own half, with the other 50% owned by Madonna and Guy Oseary.   “Our strategy is to introduce brands formed through the joint venture in multiple countries and organically expand worldwide,” said [...]

Rachel Roy Announces Africa Initiative

Many designers are inspired by African cultures but Rachel Roy is helping to create jobs for women through a new partnership that will source accessories from Africa. Designer Rachel Roy has partnered with Fairwinds Trading to integrate hand crafted items by female-owned businesses in Africa into her collection. Via her label, Rachel Rachel Roy, a [...]

Bloomies Eyes Bargain Hunters

It seems Bloomingdale’s is going the way of the masses with its announcement that it will join the ranks of retailers in the outlet shopping arena. Mass outdoor shopping venues banking on Americans’ desire for a bargain, even if they didn’t head there with any needs in mind to fill—this is what outlet shopping is [...]

Niche Film Festivals Gay Lesbian Film FestivalsWhat:A guide to this year’s remaining GLBTQ film festivals.

The Dirt:Movies and television are likely to be Americans’ main source of entertainment as the nation attempts to pull itself out of a financial freeze. While the main film festivals have passed, any New York or Los Angeles resident knows there are always more film festivals. Enter the gay lesbian cinema sector. Why GLBTQ (gay [...]

Retail & Celebrity Charity News September 15

NY Fashion Week reflected a growing “green” consciousness from designs using biodegradable fabrics, recycled threads and organic materials, to the steel bottles of tap water provided by Aveda at several Bryant Park shows. The debate remains, however, whether sustainability in fashion is a lasting movement or merely a trend, Reuters reports. The key to making [...]