Most-ViewedThe Paris ShowsInside: Pg. 17 BANANA REPUBLIC HITS LONDON/3 ASME FINALISTS/3 WWD WWDWomen’s Wear Daily • TThehe RRetailers’THURSDAYetailers’ DaDailyaily NeNNewspaperewsw pap pep r • March 20, 2008 • $2.00 List Sportswear Lean Machine Leather leggings were all the rage on the Paris streets during collections, and designers on this side of the pond are right on trend with their own versions for fall. Here, Miss Sixty’s cotton blazer, Mark and Estel’s cotton T-shirt and Blue Notch’s cotton and polyester leggings. Body chain from Low Luv by Erin Wasson; clutch from The Jack Rabbit Collection; Silpada ring. For more, see pages 6 and 7. Guess Does It Again: Brand’s Profits Soar, Retail Rollout Ahead By Jeanine Poggi urmoil in the financial markets, the ASHION ASSISTANT: AYSE CUETO; STYLED BY KIM FRIDAY CUETO; STYLED BY AYSE ASHION ASSISTANT: Tweak dollar, rising unemployment, soaring gas prices and sagging consumer confidence aside, there are a few brands out there still expanding aggressively — and Guess Inc. is one of them. The specialty retailer reported strong results on Wednesday and revealed plans to open 245 stores in the current fiscal year, including 185 internationally and 60 in the U.S. The retail expansion comes on top of opening 184 stores last year. “We strongly believe we have See Guess, Page 9 PHOTO BY THOMAS IANNACCONE; MODEL: KATIE/MAJOR; HAIR BY KATY YUNG; MAKEUP BY SOUHI LEE AT DE FACTO FOR GIORGIO ARMANI BEAUTY; F FOR GIORGIO ARMANI BEAUTY; DE FACTO SOUHI LEE AT YUNG; MAKEUP BY KATY HAIR BY THOMAS IANNACCONE; MODEL: KATIE/MAJOR; PHOTO BY WWD.COM WWDTHURSDAY Sportswear ™ FASHION A weekly update on consumer attitudes and behavior based Tough jackets with a hard rocker vibe are the perfect match for fall’s on ongoing research from Cotton Incorporated 6 selection of long, lean leggings. GENERAL EASY-PEASY Guess Inc.’s fourth-quarter earnings soared 20.3 percent to $55.2 Daytime Dresses Bring a Dash of Uncomplicated Charm to Spring 1 million, while sales jumped 30.3 percent to $488.1 million. Banana Republic opens on London’s Regent Street today in what will be It’s 7 a.m. The clock is ticking and the idea of Popular styles at H&M right now include 3 a litmus test for further expansion of the brand across Europe. mixing and matching an impeccable work ensemble the volume dress, the couture-inspired dress and is, shall we say, daunting. Enter one of this season’s the tunic. EYE: Audrey Tautou charmed American audiences in “Amélie” and reveals a more conniving side in “Priceless,” which opens in the U.S. next week. romantic daytime dresses. At Una, a boutique in Portland, OR, owner Gio- 4 “The ease of dressing in dresses can’t be beat,” says vanna Parolari says dresses comprise most of the A group of 15 current and former female employees fi led a class action Tim Gunn, chief creative officer at Liz Claiborne items in her store right now. “I try to make my 5 suit against Sterling Jewelers charging a pattern of sex discrimination. Inc., and veteran mentor on Bravo dress choices elegant and com- LETTERS: The economy, credit markets and the courts are challenges, TV’s “Project Runway,” who adds fortable at the same time,” Paro- 10 but nothing, including a tornado, can stop development in Atlanta. that dresses are very important for lari says. “Here in Portland, it Groupe Clarins’ Thierry Mugler Parfums unit signed a worldwide license the label this spring. “Especially seems like they’ve always been the 18 deal to produce beauty products for Austrian crystal giant Swarovski. in warmer weather when all you thing to wear, despite the rainy need is a dress, shoes and a bag, weather. Women wear them to Classifi ed Advertisements............................................................19 and you’re out the door.” parties and they wear them to the To e-mail reporters and editors at WWD, the address is fi rstname. Uncomplicated apparel grocery store. You can throw on [email protected], using the individual’s name. choices are extremely valuable to a dress with Wellingtons (rain WWD IS A REGISTERED TRADEMARK OF ADVANCE MAGAZINE PUBLISHERS INC. COPYRIGHT women, considering 60% select boots or shoes) to dress it down, ©2008 FAIRCHILD FASHION GROUP. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. PRINTED IN THE U.S.A. their clothing when they wake or put on heels and go out some- VOLUME 195, NO. 1. WWD (ISSN 0149–5380) is published daily (except Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, with up, rather than before they go where nice.” one additional issue in January, October and December, two additional issues in March, April, May, June, August and November, and three additional issues in February and September) by Fairchild Fashion Group, which is a division of to sleep the night, according to Parolari stocks Una with Advance Magazine Publishers Inc. PRINCIPAL OFFICE: 750 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10017. Shared Services provided Cotton Incorporated’s Lifestyle dresses made of mostly of all- by Condé Nast Publications: S. I. Newhouse, Jr., Chairman; Charles H. Townsend, President/CEO; John W. Bellando, Executive Vice President/COO; Debi Chirichella Sabino, Senior Vice President/CFO; Jill Bright, Executive Vice President/ Monitor™. “In warmer weather … all you need natural fibers, including a shiny Human Resources. Periodicals postage paid at New York, NY, and at additional mailing offi ces. Canada Post Publications The appeal of daytime dresses is a dress, shoes and a bag, and cotton navy piece from Rodebjer Mail Agreement No. 40644503. Canadian Goods and Services Tax Registration No. 886549096-RT0001. Canada Post: is long-appreciated. To wit, an you’re out the door.” with buttons running down the return undeliverable Canadian addresses to: P.O. Box 503, RPO West Beaver Cre, Rich-Hill, ON L4B 4R6 POSTMASTER: item from The New York Times front, and brightly colored and SEND ADDRESS CHANGES TO WOMEN’S WEAR DAILY, P.O. Box 15008, North Hollywood, CA — Tim Gunn, 91615–5008. FOR SUBSCRIPTIONS, ADDRESS CHANGES, ADJUSTMENTS, OR BACK ISSUE reads: “Natty little frocks in cotton Liz Claiborne & Bravo TV’s patterned styles from Catherine INQUIRIES: Please write to WWD, P.O. Box 15008, North Hollywood, CA 91615-5008, call 800-289-0273, or visit www.subnow.com/wd. Please give both new and old addresses as printed on most recent label. First copy of new voiles, some of them semi-tailored “Project Runway” Andre. The prevalence of cotton subscription will be mailed within four weeks after receipt of order. Address all editorial, business, and production and close fitting, are proving very options is in keeping with Monitor correspondence to WOMEN’S WEAR DAILY, 750 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10017. For permissions and reprint requests, popular with women generally…. It is thought that data that reveals the majority of women (about 61%) please call 212-630-4274 or fax requests to 212-630-4280. Visit us online at www.wwd.com. To subscribe to other Fairchild magazines on the World Wide Web, visit www.fairchildpub.com. Occasionally, we make our subscriber list the vogue of last Summer is going to last through are willing to pay more for natural fibers such as available to carefully screened companies that offer products and services that we believe would interest our readers. another season.” The item is dated April, 1918, yet cotton. If you do not want to receive these offers and/or information, please advise us at P.O. Box 15008, North Hollywood, CA could very well be describing modern trends. At Liz Claiborne, a bevy of spring dresses are made 91615-5008 or call 800-289-0273. WOMEN’S WEAR DAILY IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE RETURN OR LOSS OF, OR FOR DAMAGE OR ANY OTHER INJURY TO, UNSOLICITED MANUSCRIPTS, UNSOLICITED ART WORK (INCLUDING, This spring, day styles include shirtdresses, belted of cotton. Gunn says that while the different designs BUT NOT LIMITED TO, DRAWINGS, PHOTOGRAPHS, AND TRANSPARENCIES), OR ANY OTHER UNSOLICITED sheaths, wrap dresses that come in prints or solids, appeal to a woman’s mindset, rather than her age, MATERIALS. THOSE SUBMITTING MANUSCRIPTS, PHOTOGRAPHS, ART WORK, OR OTHER MATERIALS FOR CONSIDERATION SHOULD NOT SEND ORIGINALS, UNLESS SPECIFICALLY REQUESTED TO DO SO BY WOMEN’S WEAR bold brights and muted natural tones. Overlays, cro- there are styles that are appropriate for everyone. DAILY IN WRITING. MANUSCRIPTS, PHOTOGRAPHS, AND OTHER MATERIALS SUBMITTED MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY chet details and lace trim add to their femininity. “Shifts, which expose arms, can work for younger A SELF-ADDRESSED STAMPED ENVELOPE. Milly designer Michelle Smith sees dresses as the women, while a shirtdress interpreted in a seasonal quick and simple option for women pressed for time. color or modern print can be more appropriate for “Dresses are very easy to wear,” she says. “You just slip more mature women,” he explains. one on; you don’t need to coordinate a whole outfit. Liz Claiborne’s dresses range from clean shifts to In Brief I think women appreciate this.” flowing shirred models, in bold graphic prints and Smith also points out that her daytime dresses bright solids. are retailing very well this spring because feminine “Regardless of the style, we are always mindful ● PROXY FIGHT AT DILLARD’S: Barington Capital Group and colorful looks are trending of the principles of silhouette, on Wednesday said it notifi ed Dillard’s Inc. that it will nomi- nate four people for election to the retailer’s 12-member right now. Popular Milly When Do Women Select proportion and fit,” Gunn board. Barington represents a group of investors that control styles this season include the Clothing for the Day? says.