The ‘Sonia Rykiel Pour H&M’ event will take place in Paris on December 1st.  Preparations for the launch have been underway for over week, and the excitement is palpable.

Fantasy-land is the party theme, a “fairy tale for grown-ups,” says Etienne Russo, the fashion event planner at H&M.  Sonia Rykiel and H&M’s collaboration is being celebrated with a grand Parisiene event at the Grand Palais.  There will be floats to transport the models, and giant bunnies, ducks and balloon trees on hand to complete the fantasy. 

All of this will culminate in the official launch on December 5th, that’s when the lingerie collection hits stores.  The collection will also be sold in Sonia Rykiel’s boutiques.  Pretty and feminine accurately describes the lingerie, which are the hallmark traits of Sonia Rykiel.

The winter 2009 collection is just the first collaboration between Sonia Rykiel and H&M; the second collection due out in spring 2010.  You’ll be treated then to a knitwear and accessories collection.  Until then, enjoy the lingerie for the holidays.

Black Friday is the day after Thanksgiving, and consumers have bargain hunting on their minds.  It is also the busiest shopping day of the year.  Shoppers are hitting the stores in impressive numbers this year.  

Everyone is paying close attention to the retail numbers, and are trying to figure out if the strong numbers on Black Friday will continue throughout the holiday.  Items are  discounted up to 40% off. 

Gone are the deep discounts of up to 75% in luxury retail.  Retailers controlled their inventory this year so they would not find themselves in the same predicament as last year.  Over-supply is not an issue in 2009. 

Consumers have also changed their tactics this Black Friday.  They are more focused with their shopping, and are going into stores seeking specific merchandises; fully equipped with item specifications.  People will do whatever it takes to get the best deals possible.  Fortunately for shoppers, Black Friday will last all weekend at most retail stores.  Until then bargain hunters, shop on, shop on!

Black Friday sales seen strong, but will it last? [Reuters]

Do you like Coco Rocha’ s personal style?  Well now you will have the opportunity to dress like her.  The model has joined the ranks of models who’ve come before, she is set to launch her own fashion line.  It makes sense because she would be the perfect ambassador for her own brand. Further, as a model, she is always surrounded by the finest garments and by top people in the fashion industry.  It isn’t surpising that she would get bitten by the designing bug.  She may have decided to design a collection, but has not settled on a name yet.  So you may have the chance to name her label; Ms. Coco wants you to send her name suggestions.   

Victoria Beckham is relaunching her denim collection with a sleeker new look.  She’s not only changing the look of her jeans, but the name as well.  Her jeans label once known as dVb, has been renamed Victoria Beckham Denim.  The jeans start at $235 a pair.  You will have your choice of leggings and boyfriend jeans, as well as cutoff shorts and denim jackets.  The new collection will be available just in time for spring 2010.

Victoria Beckham’s New Jeans  [Elle UK]

Michelle Obama dazzled in this Naeem Khan gown at the first official State Dinner at The White House.  The strapless design was made in India.  Her dress was handmade, and embellished with sterling silver sequins on silk chiffon.  It was complemented by a flowing chiffon scarf, and a well-dressed date, President Obama.  Mrs. Obama selected the Indian-American designer to welcome the Prime Minister of India. 

Alexander McQueen Spring 2010

Luxury brands like Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Marc Jacobs and Givenchy have not embraced the idea of selling their apparel online.  Marc Jacobs is an American designer, and he is also the creative director of Louis Vuitton.  There appears to be a  divide betweeen U.S. high-end retailers and European retailers; the U.S. companies are far more open to e-commerce.   

European retailers are hesitant to take advantage of the online retail market amid concerns about brand exclusivity and brand dilution.  They are concerned about a deterioration in customer service online as well.  Some retail consultants argue that the ease and convenience of ordering online is really what quality service is all about. 

Many of these brands have certain exceptions like, U.K. based Alexander McQueen.  His website sells everything to his U.S. customers only.  Yves Saint Laurent will only allow accessories to be sold online to its U.S. customers.  Chanel sells its beauty products, and Louis Vuitton sells  leather goods and accessories, but neither will go beyond those specified items.

Luxury brands are not as averse to the Internet as before, many have ventured into the online social networking arena.  It’s a great way to connect with customers in an attempt to better address their needs.  Twitter, Facebook and other sites provide real-time feedback that, if used correctly, can be invaluable to these companies.

“More than 50% of the population has grown up with shopping on the Internet. It continues to be the biggest growth opportunity for fashion, and luxury in particular. They’re not going to see the same level of growth in traditional outlets,” says chief retail analyst Marshal Cohen.  Maybe the question to ask is, can luxury retail continue to shun e-commerce without serious financial implications?

Online Luxury Retail Remains Elusive [BusinessWeek]

You can add Zac Posen to a growing list of high-end designers choosing to launch a diffusion line.  The collection will be sold exclusively at Saks Fifth Avenue.  Z Spoke will be available next spring at prices far lower than the Zac Posen collection. 

Think sportwears instead of the avant garde pieces we’ve grown to expect from this young designer.  The line will be priced between $75 to $675, a mere bargain compared to the Zac Posen collection which sells between $900 and $12,000.  Separates are the foundation of the collection and you will have your selection of knits, cotton and khakis.

Diffusion lines have been the answer in an ailing economy.  We’ve seen lower-priced collections from Alexander Wang, Doo-Ri Chung and Thakoon Panichgul this year alone.  Temperley is also launching a diffusion line due out next spring, at about the same time Z Spoke will be available at Saks.   

Zac Posen’s New Venture [WWD]

Z Spoke (Zac Posen’s Diffusion Line) [The Fashion Spot]

Today is the premiere of The Twilight Saga: New Moon, and it opens nation wide tomorrow, November 20th.  To my surprise, the  Twilight bug has finally bitten me, at least I think it was a bug.  Having already been through the vampire phase several times over in the 1990′s, I was very resistant to a new crop blood suckers.  While many were waxing poetically about the great characters from Twilight and New Moon, I often looked on with a glazed look in my eyes.  That was until I caught a recent interview with one of the stars, Robert Pattinson, and was left with a healthy respect for his, um, talent.  Pattinson is very engaging and extremely likeable, yup, all the right traits to be successful in the vampire business.  He plays Edward Cullen alongside Kristen Stewart, as Bella Swan and their chemistry is off the charts.  No wonder they are constantly plagued by rumors of an off screen romance.  Legend has it that our fascination with vampires is sexual in nature; I’ve never really bought into this theory, until recently.  Now the sceptic walks away a believer, and admittedly, with a bit of a crush.  New Moon makes our Rollcall list this week.  The first movie grossed $383 million worldwide, and this one will rival its predecessor’s box office receipts.  It’s is definitely on my must see list, even if I’m unwilling to brave the crowd of teenage fans this weekend.

Twilight: New Moon [Variety]

“I think high heels empower women,” says Christian Louboutin.  The famed shoe designer believes women are obsessed with shoes, and that’s why heels are getting higher and higher; of course he wouldn’t have it any other way.  Mr. Louboutin appears to have a good grasp on his clientele and their desires, and this skill likely started early while growing up in a house full of women.  He grew up with three sisters and his mother.  When speaking of his beginning, he states, “I wanted to design shoes for showgirls because, at the end of the day, a showgirl is like a bird of paradise.”  That would probably involve making allowances for the grace and movement of a woman.  Thankfully he does not buy into the belief that you have to suffer to be beautiful, comfort is actually a priority with Louboutin.  Take a few minutes to watch this video, it will give you insight into the man and the designer.

Burberry wants to do for shoes and bags what it’s done for the trench.  That is a good thing for the company’s bottom-line as well as its customers in terms of variety.  During these challenging financial times, leather goods have been the savior of many fashion houses.  “There is a huge momentum in this sector (of leather goods),” says Bailey.  Their new emphasis is especially important now that Burberry has reported a profit loss of over $90 million dollars during the first half of the year.  Accessories currently make up a third of the company’s revenues; shoes, bags and belts will be taking on a much larger role.  The shift is among other changes that were recently announced, namely the promotion of Christopher Bailey from creative director to chief creative officer.  It looks like Burberry is making all the right moves to maintain the 153 year old house’s relevance in the 21st century. 

Burberry to expand in shoes and handbags [Reuters]

Burberry Profits Slide 24 Percent [WWD]