CFDA RACE DOWN TO THE WIRE/2 DOLCE & GABBANA IN CHINA/5 WWDWomen’s Wear Daily • The Retailers’MONDAY Daily Newspaper • July 17, 2006 • $2.00 Accessories/Innerwear/Legwear Le Petit Prints LYON, France — Nothing says “vacation” more than little bikinis in bright, cheerful patterns. And that’s just what designers have turned out for this season’s Lyon Mode City fair, Sept. 2 to 4. Just add water. Here, Guia La Bruna’s cotton and elastane number. For more on the event, see pages 6 to 10. A Big Deal in the Bag: Lambertson Truex Finds Partner in Samsonite By Sophia Chabbott NEW YORK — Lambertson Truex, one of the most sought-after independent luxury accessories firms, is entering the big time. The world’s biggest luggage maker, Samsonite, has acquired a majority stake in the eight-year-old New York- based company after an almost six- month courtship. The top priority is to open Lambertson Truex stores around the world, as well as expand wholesale distribution. Company founders Richard Lambertson and John Truex, who each built careers in the fashion industry See Lambertson, Page14 PHOTO BY PATRICK KATZMAN; MODEL: GAELLE H./ELITE PARIS; HAIR AND MAKEUP BY MIKEY/B-AGENCY PARIS; STYLED BY LAURENT FOLCHER STYLED BY MIKEY/B-AGENCY HAIR PARIS; AND MAKEUP BY MODEL: GAELLE H./ELITE PARIS; KATZMAN; PATRICK PHOTO BY 2 WWD, MONDAY, JULY 17, 2006 WWD.COM Showdown Time at CFDA WWDMONDAY By Marc Karimzadeh Accessories/Innerwear/Legwear NEW YORK — Diane or Joseph? THE CANDIDATES That is sure to be the burning question on every FASHION pair of fashion lips today, as the race for the next While the shapes are sleek and spare, the newest bikinis surfacing at the president of the Council of Fashion Designers of 6 Lyon Mode City fair come in bright prints, from paisleys to pineapples. America comes down to the wire. At 12:30 p.m., the black town cars are expected to drive up to the Condé Nast Publications headquarters on Times GENERAL Square, where the board meeting is to take place. Samsonite has acquired a majority stake in one of the most-sought-af- Members from Ralph Lauren to Oscar de la 1 ter, independent luxury accessories fi rms, Lambertson Truex. Renta, Vera Wang and Carolina Herrera will take The race for the next president of the CFDA comes down to the wire, their seats in one of the private dining rooms on 2 with Joseph Abboud and Diane von Furstenberg the top contenders. the fourth fl oor for a lunch and a meeting to dis- cuss the Council’s current issues — not the least DIANE VON FURSTENBERG JOSEPH ABBOUD Dolce & Gabbana, the latest designer brand to discover the possibilities of which will be a vote for the fi rst time in 15 Born: Brussels Born: Boston 5 of the Chinese market, is being patient about expansion there. years for the Council’s next president, to succeed Age: 59 Age: 56 INNERWEAR: Well-being and the feel-good factor will be the theme of Stan Herman. Their choice is between Diane von Personal: Two children, Personal: Married to Lynn Tatianna and Alexandre, with the next edition of Lyon Mode City, running Sept. 2 to 4. Furstenberg and Joseph Abboud. Abboud, daughters Lila 10 fi rst husband, the late Egon and Ari. Napapijri, the colorful Italian casual sportswear brand owned by VF The race between the two strong-willed but very von Furstenberg, and three Known for: Colorful and different contenders has become the topic du jour grandchildren. Wed longtime pattered neckwear, loosened 18 Corp., opens its fi rst store in the U.S. today on Mercer Street in SoHo. of the summer. There has been much gossip of ag- companion Barry Diller in suit shapes. Had brush with 2001. Retailers showed mixed results in June, with specialty stores gaining gressive lobbying tactics, with each contender tak- the FBI after Sept. 11 when Known for: The wrap dress. several box cutters were 20 and department stores losing ground, the Commerce Department said. ing very different routes to secure a win; a touch Annual pre-Oscar luncheons, found on fl ight he took on of controversy with Anna Wintour’s very public great legs, wicked sense of Sept. 10. endorsement of von Furstenberg, and constant humor. Quote: “I must have a pretty EYE analysis of the board members and which candi- Quote: “I always wanted to thick fi le at the FBI. If I was be a working girl, and live a of any help to them, then Prada shook things up by pulling in an eclectic crowd for the West Coast date they’re likely to go for. It’s a race that some man’s life.” I’m happy.” 4 opening of its “Waist Down” exhibit at the Rodeo Drive boutique. fashion types have likened to the 2000 Bush/Gore Closet: Wears own clothes Closet: Casual chic, often nail-biter — sources have speculated that the re- better than anyone. Loves in beige. Collects watches, Classifi ed Advertisements.............................................................21-23 sult could hinge on a mere one or two swing votes. dresses that are fl uid, including 1935 double- comfortable, and allow To e-mail reporters and editors at WWD, the address is fi rstname. The election will determine who will hold one back Rolex and olive metal movement, in colorful prints. Porsche model. [email protected], using the individual’s name. of the most high-profi le jobs in American fashion Author of: “The Beds,” “The Author of: “My Life Behind Bath” and “The Table,” and WOMEN’S WEAR DAILY IS A REGISTERED TRADEMARK OF FAIRCHILD PUBLICATIONS, INC. COPY- for the next two years, with the possibility of being the Seams in the High- RIGHT ©2006 FAIRCHILD PUBLICATIONS, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. PRINTED IN THE U.S.A. reelected for an additional two-year term then, memoir “Diane: A Signature Stakes World of Fashion” VOLUME 192, NO. 9. WWD (ISSN # 0149-5380) is published daily except Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, with one ad- since presidency rules were changed to a four- Life.” ditional issue in January and November, two additional issues in March, May, June, August and December, and three ad- ditional issues in February, April, September and October by Fairchild Publications, Inc., a subsidiary of Advance Publications, year limit last year. Inc. PRINCIPAL OFFICE: 750 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10017. Shared Services provided by Advance Magazine Publishers The common consensus is that von Furstenberg is completed, the contenders will remain outside Inc.: S.I. Newhouse Jr., Chairman; Charles H. Townsend, President & C.E.O.; John W. Bellando, Executive Vice President and could bring a high glamour quotient to the CFDA, to give the board a chance to discuss them. Each C.O.O.; Jill Bright, Executive Vice President_Human Resources; John Buese, Executive Vice President_Chief Information Officer; David Orlin, Senior Vice President_Strategic Sourcing; Robert Bennis, Senior Vice President_Real Estate; Maurie Perl, Senior as well as some of the most powerful connections board member, including von Furstenberg and Vice President_Chief Communications Officer. Shared Services provided by Advance Magazine Group: Steven T. Florio, Advance in fashion, entertainment and the international jet Abboud, will vote in a secret ballot. Kolb and CFDA Magazine Group Vice Chairman; David B. Chemidlin, Senior Vice President_General Manager, Shared Services Center. set, while Abboud, whose profi le has risen as a fre- attorney Jack Hassid will tabulate the votes, and Periodicals postage paid at New York, NY and at additional mailing offices. Canada Post Publications Mail Agreement No. 40644503. Canadian Goods and Services Tax Registration No. 88654-9096-RM0001. Canada post return undeliverable quent on-air visitor to the “Imus in the Morning” should there be a 13-13 tie, there will be re-votes Canadian addresses to: DPGM, 7496 Bath Road, Unit 2, Mississauga, ON L4T 1L2. POSTMASTER: SEND ADDRESS radio and cable show, is considered to be not only until a winner is determined. Once that has been CHANGES TO WWD, P.O. Box 15008, North Hollywood, CA 91615-5008. FOR SUBSCRIPTIONS, driven, but available, since he has little involve- achieved, Herman will announce his successor. ADDRESS CHANGES, ADJUSTMENTS, OR BACK ISSUE INQUIRIES: Please write to WOMEN’S WEAR DAILY, P.O. Box 15008, North Hollywood, CA 91615-5008; Call 800-289-0273; or visit www.subnow.com/wd . Four ment in his men’s wear business. Key members of the fashion industry have very weeks is required for change of address. Please give both new and old address as printed on most recent label. The next CFDA president will not just be a clear ideas as to the qualities they would like the Subscriptions Rates: U.S. possessions, Retailer, daily one year: $109; Manufacturer, daily one year $145. All other U.S., daily one year $205. Canada/Mexico, daily one year, $295. All other foreign (Air Speed), daily one year $595. fi gurehead, but will also work in tandem with ex- next president to possess. First copy of new subscription will be mailed within four weeks after receipt of order. Address all editorial, business, ecutive director Steven Kolb on developing funds, Reed Krakoff, president and executive creative and production correspondence to WOMEN’S WEAR DAILY, 750 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10017. For permissions scholarship programs, charitable endeavors and the director of Coach and a CFDA board member, said and reprint requests, please call 212-221-9595 or fax requests to 212-221-9195. Visit us online: www.wwd.com. To subscribe to other Fairchild magazines on the World Wide Web, visit www.fairchildpub.com. Occasionally, we make recently launched anti-piracy initiative.