If Stella could trump Karl in sales, imagine the impact of Miuccia Prada! Though unconfirmed, word came late Wednesday that H&M and Prada are said to have had initial discussions about the possibility of collaborating on a capsule collection of clothing and accessories. A Prada spokesperson had no comment on the matter.

[...]

Why Miuccia Prada�the woman who built a billion-dollar fashion empire from a line of woven nylon bags�would have any desire to partner with a retailer of chic mass clothing is anyone�s guess. But according to company sources, Prada is undergoing several internal corporate changes. The company recently announced that it would be moving its Miu Miu show from Milan to Paris, perhaps in a strategic attempt to distinguish it from the Prada collection, but also to afford itself a path should a possible partnership with H&M solidify.

If this it were to happen the Manolo would consider it not only terribly exciting, but also and more importantly, one of the milestones in the continuing democratization of the fashion.

Prada Holding is parting with the German fashion house Jil Sander after an on-again-off-again relationship.

Change Capital Partners, a private- equity company headed by the former Marks & Spencer Group chairman, Luc Vandevelde, said Thursday that it was buying the clothier.

[...]

The sale ends several years of accumulated losses and personality clashes between Prada’s chief executive, Patrizio Bertelli, and Sander, who left her own company twice.

Prada is focusing on its own brands after being weighed down by losses at Jil Sander and Helmut Lang, which were bought in a 1999 acquisition spree.

“This is good news for Prada,” said Carlo Pambianco, founder of the Milan fashion consulting company Pambianco Strategie di Impresa. “This could be the start of a new growth phase for the company.”

This it is not the surprise to the Manolo, as there had long been the rumors and the stories about the clash of personalities. Patrizio he has the fiery temper, an is not the easy man to work with.

While the Manolo is getting his house in order, here is the astute assessment of this week’s show in Milan from the Papier Doll.

The look was composed of an unfussy monochromatic palette and baggy clothing, fitting the needs of the serious grad student who refuses having to be bothered with coordinating her wardrobe (because she has other things on her mind), and who demands comfortable, easy to wear clothing (but whose stylistic refinement wholly rejects sweatpants).

Collection Highlights

The bubbled jackets and skirts creates a voluminous form that presents the impression that the look is intentionally unkempt rather than unintentionally frumpy. Cinched waists (such a fall runway clich� by now) further indicate that the wearer is deliberate in creating a polished style.

Go look at the whole thing. There are pictures!

P.S. Do not worry, the Manolo he has not abandoned this blog. He will be back shortly with much more.

A dramatic fire overtook four floors of a landmark retail building in New York on Saturday night, forcing Prada and American Eagle Outfitters to shut up shop. The cause of the fire at 575 Broadway, which injured three out of approximately 150 of the firefighters who worked at the scene, is not yet known. Neither fashion house made any comment as to the extent of the damage to their business, nor estimated when their stores might reopen. International make-up artist Bobbi Brown, whose studio and offices have been housed on the fourth floor of the building for the last four years, was surrounded by a crowd as she stood, visibly shaken, outside with some of the salvaged equipment. “Somebody called me this morning and told me,” she told WWD. “Some employees have been here since 3am. My people are fine and my archives are fine. Thank God I could save my archives. But the third floor is destroyed. It’s a mess.”

This store it was the magnificent Rem Koolhaus designed masterpiece, one that cost the Prada $40 million of the American dollars.

Apparently, beyond the damage caused by the smoke and the water, the structure of the store itself it was not overly damaged. There was, however, much damage to the clothes of the spring collection which had just arrived.

There are pictures of the disaster at the Verbose Coma Blog.

Here is the Julianne Moore in the Prada dress, one that appeared on the runway several months ago, for this year’s Fall-Winter line.

Both items have the sort of old-fashioned, utilitarian handsomeness that the Manolo adores, and the brass lock it is indeed most super fantastic!

Both bags they are available at the discount at the Bluefly

Manolo says, here is another of the Prada tricks suitable for stuffing into the stocking of the loved ones.

Manolo says, here is the dramatic picture of our muse the Miuccia Prada, it is the picture that accompanies the interview in the Vogue magazine website. Here is the interesting excerpt that explains why the Miuccia peeks out from behind the curtain as she does.

Q: Why the timid runway appearance at the end of the catwalk each season � when other designers stride the length of the catwalk to huge applause?

A: “Historically I tend to refuse any of the clich�s of my job. Besides I’m not stupid � I don’t want to compete with all the gorgeous models who have just appeared before me!”

Manolo says, here is the Prada keychain available at the greatly reduced prices, in the variety of the colors. It is the mere $24.89 at the Amazon.

Manolo says, here is the Prada bag that the Manolo thinks is indeed most smart, with the many amusing grommets and the soft, semi-structured suede.

This it would be the perfect gift for the stylish woman to wear with the jeans and the boots on the weekend.