>> In the wake of the 23 percent decline in first-half profits it announced Monday, LVMH plans to postpone or suspend marketing and promotions for its brands that failed to be top performers, according to CFO Jean-Jacques Guiony.  

He did not specify which brands would receive the "selective investments" still being made, but its wines, spirits, watches, and jewelry businesses were hurt in the past few months and seem like contenders for those being passed over. This new withholding strategy is part of LVMH's cost containment plan for the remainder of 2009.

So which fashion brands might be affected? »

>> Gisele Bundchen Definitely Has a Baby Bump —It's a regular case of now-you-see-it-now-you-don't: although she's never confirmed her pregnancy (don't hold your breath) and London Fog retouched her baby bump away from shots taken this month, the bump is in full display in this paparazzi shot taken on July 20, with Gisele in a bikini, printed in this week's People — photo at the source. [Fashin]

>> Rumors are flying after the New York Post reported via an anonymous source this morning that Hachette Filipacchi owner Lagardere is in talks with Harper's Bazaar publisher Hearst about taking over the US operations of Elle. The source stated that if a deal went through, a joint venture or long-term licensing agreement would be made, similar to the deal Lagardere and Hearst have made for Marie Claire, and would only apply to the American version of Elle.

The Post estimates that Elle is valued around $200 million, whereas Hearst's profits hovered around $225 million last year and are expected to fall lower this year.

So far, they're denying it »

>> Ferragamo's Menswear Designer To Take Over Womenswear —Cristina Ortiz, who was hired by Ferragamo in August 2007 and has since received less-than-stellar reviews, is being replaced by the house's menswear designer Massimiliano Giornetti, who will continue to uphold his current responsibilities. Ortiz is expected to exit the company after showing her Spring 2010 collection, and Giornetti, who has been at the house for nine years and never done women's clothing before, is already at work on the Fall 2010 collection. [WWD]

>> Though a spokesman denies it, Vogue is rumored to be getting a revamp — but don't expect more black to play a part in the purported new look. In The September Issue, Grace Coddington wonders of a black leather jacket: "Will Anna [Wintour] like this one?" "It's black," an assistant points out. "That's true," Grace says. "You'd get fired for that."  

Fashion insiders are notorious for their tendency towards all-black — Grace Coddington included — but for Anna, not so much.  A quick flip through her ensembles in the past year reveal that she will wear a black coat, boot, or dress every once and a while, but it's always embellished or paired with color.

Her staff — Grace aside — is hardly known for its riffs on all-black the way Team Vogue Paris is. 

And that's the way Anna likes it »

>> Christian Lacroix Will Keep Couture Line If Berlotti Wins Bid —On Monday, Christian Lacroix submitted a joint bid with Italian retailer Berlotti to acquire the Lacroix label; it was deemed most "serious" out of those received.  Although the question of Lacroix's future as a couture-based business remains in the balance until September when a decision is made, Lacroix says the Borletti proposal would keep the couture and licensing business, but also would look to develop a luxury ready-to-wear line. He also added that if the bid is successful, he would become a shareholder in the company. [WWD]

>> Rad Hourani Launches Secondary Line —If there's anyone who could give Alexander Wang a run for the edgy, downtown crowd, Rad Hourani would be him.  Yesterday, the stylist-turned-designer presented a secondary collection, dubbed Rad by Rad Hourani, of 15 looks — all unisex just like his runway collection — and with the same grayscale palette and angular silhouette. "In the main line, we use leather, cashmere, and all of these luxury, high-end fabrics,” explained Hourani. “This is just more relaxed and easier to wear in cotton and jerseys.” The collection runs $100 to $400 and debuts in stores and online in late November. [Style File, Jak and Jil]