FavoriteThe Paris CollectionsInside: Pg. 14 NRDC’S FASHION CEO/3 BEAUTY CHANGE AT CHANEL/9 WWD Women’s Wear Daily • The Retailers’ Daily Newspaper • October 25, 2007 • $2.00 WWDTHURSDAY List Sportswear Puff Love Sometimes fashion is on cloud nine. During the recent collections, a number of designers channeled a dreamy fairy-tale vibe. Case in point: Zac Posen, whose silk chiffon gown was inspired by an actual cloud formation. For more frothy looks, see pages 6 and 7. Happy Days Are Here Again: Wal-Mart’s Scott Sees Solid U.S. Gains By Katherine Bowers for holiday selling and to cope with long-term interest of shareholders. redicting that Wal-Mart a slowing economy. He forecast “continual PStores Inc.’s U.S. division has Scott defended the decision to improvement month-to-month turned a corner, president and focus resources on international over the next three to five years” chief executive officer H. Lee growth during a presentation to in the U.S., adding that he is more Scott said Wednesday the giant financial analysts in Rogers, Ark., confident about the company’s retailer is “properly positioned’’ arguing that it was in the best See Wal-Mart’s, Page 8 PHOTO BY GIOVANNI GIANNONI GIOVANNI PHOTO BY WWD.COM WWDTHURSDAY Sportswear FASHION From fl uttery confections to fanciful gowns, designers fl aunted their ™ 6 romantic sides for spring in gentle, billowing shapes. A weekly update on consumer attitudes and behavior based on ongoing research from Cotton Incorporated GENERAL Wal-Mart president and ceo H. Lee Scott said its U.S. stores will turn 1 around and are well positioned for holiday selling and a slower economy. SPRINGING INTO FALL Susan Davidson on Wednesday was named president and chief Fab Trench Styles and Fabrics Steer April Staple into Autumn 3 executive offi cer of Creative Design Studio. Even if it's not raining or pouring, and April that much-talked-about trend of color and print,” Investors on Wednesday walked away from shares of Talbots Inc. after it showers are half-a-year away, the trench coat is she states. “The cotton-type fabrics are great for 8 forecasted a second-half loss due to weaker fall sales results. on the streets and in the stores this season. Like a all climates until the weather finally gets cold. BEAT: Recent FIT grad Pailin Nitibhon has been chosen as the winner of monarch deferring its migration to Mexico, this Everyone understands and, more importantly, can 12 Cosmogirl magazine’s second annual “Born to Lead” Design Search. quintessentially spring piece has wear this trend.” Roberto Cavalli’s one-off collection for H&M, featuring steamy evening found new life in autumn. Jones New York offers trench 15 looks, will be previewed tonight in Rome’s Palazzo delle Fontane. “Trenches definitely sell beyond coats in all its brands. “In Jones spring now,” says Lord & Taylor’s New York, the offerings are a The House Ways and Means Committee passed a bill that expands a program aiding workers who lose their jobs because of foreign trade. LaVelle Olexa, senior vice- little dressier with elements of 16 president. “We are into October shine,” Metzger says. “Jones New China’s violations of intellectual property rights have worsened since the and we’re still selling trenches very York Signature is more color- 16 U.S. fi led complaints with the WTO, a U.S. offi cial said in Beijing. well. And spring ‘08 trenches will and-print-driven with a polished, start to come in for December.” casual feel.” EYE What’s more, the newest trench At Lord & Taylor, the top- If there was any confusion over who was being honored at the Whitney models have a look and feel that selling jackets include a Calvin 4 Gala, it was cleared up by the time they arrived at the museum. could carry them to the holiday Klein classic stone trench with Classifi ed Advertisements.............................................................19 season if the warmer weather back pleats, a DKNY brown prevails. Because in adopting this crinkle style, a Via Spiga khaki To e-mail reporters and editors at WWD, the address is fi rstname. trans-seasonality, the trench has short trench and a DKNY black [email protected], using the individual’s name. picked up some fun new takes along or khaki trench with seam detail WWD IS A REGISTERED TRADEMARK OF ADVANCE MAGAZINE PUBLISHERS INC. COPYRIGHT the way. Consumers are reaching for at the hem. ©2007 FAIRCHILD FASHION GROUP. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. PRINTED IN THE U.S.A. short models, swing styles, trenches “The trench is now a fashion VOLUME 194, NO. 88. WWD (ISSN 0149–5380) is published daily (except Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, with one with shimmer, as well as those item…” says Olexa, pointing additional issue in January, two additional issues in March, May, June, August, October, November and December, and “Trenches definitely sell three additional issues in February, April, and September) by Fairchild Fashion Group, which is a division of Advance done in autumn-friendly fabrics like out that many present details Magazine Publishers Inc. PRINCIPAL OFFICE: 750 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10017. Shared Services provided by corduroy and denim. beyond spring now.” like pleated hems, grommets, Condé Nast Publications: S. I. Newhouse, Jr., Chairman; Charles H. Townsend, President/CEO; John W. Bellando, Executive — LaVelle Olexa, Vice President/COO; Debi Chirichella Sabino, Senior Vice President/CFO; Jill Bright, Executive Vice President/Human Pina Ferlisi, creative director at and metal accents, “…as well as Resources. Periodicals postage paid at New York, NY, and at additional mailing offi ces. Canada Post Publications Mail Lord & Taylor a practical item to keep you out Agreement No. 40644503. Canadian Goods and Services Tax Registration No. 886549096-RT0001. Canada Post: return Generra, says a trench coat is one of undeliverable Canadian addresses to: P.O. Box 503, RPO West Beaver Cre, Rich-Hill, ON L4B 4R6 POSTMASTER: those classic items that “always feels of the rain.” SEND ADDRESS CHANGES TO WOMEN’S WEAR DAILY, P.O. Box 15008, North Hollywood, CA relevant.” Monitor statistics show 35 91615–5008. FOR SUBSCRIPTIONS, ADDRESS CHANGES, ADJUSTMENTS, OR BACK ISSUE INQUIRIES: Please write to WWD, P.O. Box 15008, North Hollywood, CA 91615-5008, call 800-289-0273, or visit “The seasonality of the trench has changed,” she percent of women purchased an item with water www.subnow.com/wd. Please give both new and old addresses as printed on most recent label. First copy of new declares. “I think a lot of that has to do with the repellency. And 94 percent would purchase an subscription will be mailed within four weeks after receipt of order. Address all editorial, business, and production correspondence to WOMEN’S WEAR DAILY, 750 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10017. For permissions and reprint requests, warmer temperatures we have been experiencing item with this finish again. please call 212-630-4274 or fax requests to 212-630-4280. Visit us online at www.wwd.com. To subscribe to other going into the fall season. Dresses have also Even though the trench has a practical pedigree, Fairchild magazines on the World Wide Web, visit www.fairchildpub.com. Occasionally, we make our subscriber list available to carefully screened companies that offer products and services that we believe would interest our readers. contributed to the trench trend – it’s so easy to layer a many of this season’s styles look anything but If you do not want to receive these offers and/or information, please advise us at P.O. Box 15008, North Hollywood, CA great trench over a dress.” utilitarian. 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, A good many of this season’s trench coats are made The Macy’s floor features an abundance of BUT NOT LIMITED TO, DRAWINGS, PHOTOGRAPHS, AND TRANSPARENCIES), OR ANY OTHER UNSOLICITED of cotton. Which is appropriate, considering 58 “rainwear” that would never be mistaken for MATERIALS. THOSE SUBMITTING MANUSCRIPTS, PHOTOGRAPHS, ART WORK, OR OTHER MATERIALS FOR percent of all women say it is their favorite fabric slickers: corduroy and tartan trenches from Tommy CONSIDERATION SHOULD NOT SEND ORIGINALS, UNLESS SPECIFICALLY REQUESTED TO DO SO BY WOMEN’S WEAR DAILY IN WRITING. MANUSCRIPTS, PHOTOGRAPHS, AND OTHER MATERIALS SUBMITTED MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY to wear, according to Cotton Incorporated’s Lifestyle Hilfiger, a shimmer style from Calvin Klein Jeans. A SELF-ADDRESSED STAMPED ENVELOPE. MonitorTM. In today's warmer fall temperatures, And its INC International Concepts® label has breatheability in a everything from a jacket is sought out Have you purchased an item with the following sexy, satin jacket that by consumers. attributes in the past year? (Those answering "Yes") looks lifted from The cotton trench “Charlie’s Angels,” to In Brief coat’s designers are Wrinkle resistance 54% a black beltless piece bringing to market Water repellency 35% with a sequin-placket ● ST. JOHN LICENSES EYEWEAR: St. John said Wednesday that have very different Stain resistance/defender finish 33% emblazoned down it has signed a multiyear license agreement with Venice-based looks than the Been anti-microbial treated 8% the front. Visibilia SpA for production and worldwide distribution of a traditional “Carmen Generra’s updated sunglass and prescription eyewear collection, which will sell ex- Sandiego” or beltless style has the appeal of clusively in St. John boutiques for spring. The brand will launch styles. the traditional melding with the unexpected. globally for wholesale in May at the MID trade show in Milan.