fashionologie

Aquascutum Pulls Out of Fashion Week, Christian Audigier Showing in Paris

fashionologie — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 10:19:31 PDT

>> Designers have been flocking back to London Fashion Week for Spring 2010 to help celebrate the event's 25th anniversary - the latest convert is Jasmine Di Milo - but London is also losing a few headliners: first Giles Deacon, and now Acquascutum. The latter brand, which has been under turmoil as of late after a failed buyout attempt led by former CEO Kim Winser - who promptly left the company afterwards - has been up for sale by parent company Renown since last year.

Renown is currently in advanced talks with its Chinese licensee YGM Trading Ltd, but today released this statement: “While Renown awaits a sale of Aquascutum, they are consolidating their investment in the business during this period, and will therefore not show this September.”

Meanwhile, Paris Fashion Week is said to be getting a little Los Angeles flavor: Christian Audigier says he's showing there for Spring 2010 this October and promises a performance by an unnamed "big celebrity" name.

fashionologie — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 14:30:12 PDT

>> INSIDER WIRE -Two houses are experiencing tumultuous times: As expected, Versace CEO Giancarlo Di Risio stepped down today and will stay on temporarily as the company transitions; no successor has been named. And Aquascutum geared up for layoffs yesterday in the aftermath of former CEO Kim Winser's unexpected resignation. [WWD, Times UK]

After Much Turmoil with Donatella, Versace CEO to Resign Friday

fashionologie — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 15:30:22 PDT

>> After weeks of speculation, Versace CEO Giancarlo Di Risio, who has been with the company since 2004, is expected to hand in his resignation at a board meeting on Friday. Despite the fact that Di Risio worked closely with Donatella Versace to make her collections less flashy and returned the house to profit, the company has been under strain from declining sales, and its board recently approved a restructuring plan which effectively sidelines the chief executive.

Di Risio is said to have clashed with Donatella on a number of levels - he disagreed with her lavish lifestyle, according to recent articles in the Italian media, and pushed her to simplify her designs so that the house could introduce accessories and clothes with lower prices.

Donatella wanted to spend $140K a day on Mario Testino, Di Risio didn't. »