Success is always in fashion.....

OPRAH WINFREY AND DISCOVERY COMMUNICATIONS TO FORM NEW JOINT VENTURE:

noreply@blogger.com (VB) — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 22:40:00 +0000

OWN - Oprah Winfrey Network- Wow! don't you just love to hate this woman. She is just so amazing!This is one of the reasons why when she makes a wrong move, we are so gleeful.

Chicago, IL and Silver Spring, MD — Tuesday, January 15, 2008 — In an unprecedented deal, Oprah Winfrey and Discovery Communications announced plans today to create OWN: The Oprah Winfrey Network. The new multi-platform media venture will be designed to entertain, inform and inspire people to live their best lives. OWN will debut in 2009 in more than 70 million homes, on what is currently the Discovery Health Channel.

The venture will also include the award-winning digital platform, Oprah.com. "Fifteen years ago, I wrote in my journal that one day I would create a television network, as I always felt my show was just the beginning of what the future could hold," said Oprah Winfrey, who will serve as chairman of OWN.

"For me, the launch of The Oprah Winfrey Network is the evolution of the work I've been doing on television all these years and a natural extension of my show."

Well done, Ms Winfrey.

read more

TIFFANY SHARES LOSE THEIR LUSTRE

noreply@blogger.com (VB) — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 03:08:00 +0000

Tiffany, the world's second-largest jewelry retailer, reduced its profit forecast Jan. 11 after same-store sales declined 2 percent. The New York-based retailer, known for its robin's-egg-blue gift boxes, said it may consider lowering 2008 targets.

Internet holiday spending climbed 19 percent in 2007, the slowest growth on record, Reston, Virginia-based ComScore Inc. said on Jan. 7. The results for November and December trailed its forecast of a 20 percent gain compared with a 26 percent gain a year earlier.
Wal-Mart, Costco Wholesale Corp., the largest U.S. warehouse-club chain, and retailers that sell food and essential clothing will fare best in 2008, Davidowitz said.
'They are selling things that you have to have versus things you want to have,'' Davidowitz said.
Tiffany’s shiny quarter didn’t satisfy investors who pulled down shares of the luxury retailer.

By early-afternoon Friday, shares of the New York-based company were down 2.4%, or $1.16 cents, to $47.59.
For the third quarter, which ended on Oct. 31, Tiffany & Co. (nyse: TIF - news - people )’s sales increased 18.0% to $627.3 million from the $531.8 million reported during last year’s corresponding period.
Based on generally accepted accounting principals, earnings rose 239.9% to $98.9 million, or 71 cents per share, from $29.1 million, or 21 cents per share, posted last year.
Although impressive at first glace, Tiffany’s results include the sale-leaseback of its flagship store in Tokyo, which contributed 48 cents to the per share total. When excluding charges and gains, the company’s earnings were 27 cents per share.

IPOs Are Fashionable: Hilfiger Offering Seen First of Many in 2008

noreply@blogger.com (VB) — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 07:58:00 +0000

LONDON — Despite a sagging stock market and a slowdown at retail on both sides of the Atlantic, 2008 is shaping up to be the year of the fashion initial public offering.

Tommy Hilfiger Group may well be the first to take the plunge, with industry sources saying its planned IPO is on track for the first half of the year.

Hilfiger is expected to be followed by Prada, which, if it goes ahead this time, will likely wait until the second half.

Ferragamo also has unveiled plans to go public this year, and is expected to elaborate on them later this month. Industry sources here said Hilfiger's IPO is on track to take place on Euronext, the pan-European stock exchange that counts LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton, PPR, Hermès, Christian Dior and Clarins among its listed companies.

The flotation is expected to value the American sportswear company at $3 billion to $4 billion.And Hilfiger, which is owned by the U.K.-based equity fund Apax Partners, has been rapidly getting its house in order in advance of going public.

First, last October, it inked a major deal with Macy's Inc., which will be the exclusive retailer of Tommy Hilfiger sportswear in the U.S. beginning this fall.

Avon Signs Orman As Financial Adviser

noreply@blogger.com (VB) — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 19:11:00 +0000

NEW YORK, Jan. 3 /PRNewswire/ -- Avon Products, Inc. announced today a special partnership with Suze Orman, renowned personal finance expert, award winning television host and best-selling author.

Ms. Orman will work with Avon to advance their shared missions to provide financial empowerment to women around the world. In this capacity, she will serve as a Special Personal Finance Advisor to the Avon Representatives to offer money management advice and strategies for success. A first of its kind in the direct selling industry, the program will launch this month to the company's nearly 500,000 Avon Representatives in the U.S., with plans to expand globally in the future.

At Avon, we truly believe that the single most effective way to create positive change in the world is by helping to improve the lives of women everywhere," said Andrea Jung, Avon's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "For over a century -- thirty-four years before women won the right to vote -- Avon has been providing women the opportunity to earn money and achieve economic independence. Suze shares our deep commitment to empower women, and working together, we can form a powerful partnership to continue to advance this important agenda."

Ms. Jung noted that Avon had conducted a worldwide opinion poll of women in 16 countries in early 2007, and the findings overwhelmingly showed that worries about money were at the top of the list of women's concerns. "Having enough money to live right and pay the bills" was cited by women as the number-one factor that would change their lives for the better.

"No company is more committed than Avon to helping women achieve economic independence," says Suze Orman, "and this is certainly what my life and work are all about. The partnership with Avon is a logical and natural extension of everything I believe in. We both want to motivate women to be more, so that they can have more, for themselves and their families. I am confident we can make a huge difference toward the goal of empowering women and helping them achieve their financial hopes and dreams."

As part of the partnership, Avon Representatives and employees will be provided with unprecedented access to Ms. Orman. An "Ask Suze" mailbox feature on the YourAvon.com intranet site has been created so Avon Representatives and employees can submit personal questions to Ms. Orman for individualized advice and guidance. Critical financial management tools will also be provided to determine FICO scores, create a will and trust, evaluate insurance and guard against identity theft. Ms. Orman will also be featured at key events, webinars and taped webcasts

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The New Year's Blahs: Retail Shares Decline On Downbeat Outlook

noreply@blogger.com (VB) — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 21:11:00 +0000

It's a new year, but the same old stock market story.On 2008's first day of trading, retail shares fell sharply as oil prices reached $100 a barrel for the first time ever. And, after 12 months of steep erosion in the value of retail shares, this year is looking like it will be even more of an uphill battle. Read more

Arden Inks Beauty Deal With Rocawear, Moves to Profitability in First Quarter...

noreply@blogger.com (VB) — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 20:22:00 +0000

Elizabeth Arden, Inc., a global prestige beauty products company, has entered into an exclusive global licensing agreement with Iconix Brand Group, Inc. for the development, marketing and distribution of men's and women's fragrance, cosmetics, and skincare products with the leading lifestyle apparel brand Rocawear.

A debut fragrance is planned to launch in the fall of 2008. Rocawear?s co-founder, Shawn 'Jay-Z' Carter, will provide the creative vision for the collections."Elizabeth Arden and Iconix have a successful history together, and we are thrilled to grow our relationship with this dynamic collaboration," said E. Scott Beattie, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Elizabeth Arden.Iconix purchased the Rocawear brand in March of 2007.

Rocawear is a dominant lifestyle brand with a wide range of customers and categories including sportswear, footwear, outerwear, handbags, belts, loungewear, big & tall, headwear, jewelry, sunglasses and children's clothing. Since its inception in 1999, its appeal has expanded beyond national borders to become a brand of international significance with annual retail sales of over $700 million. Rocawear co-founder Shawn Carter spearheads all product development, marketing and licensing for Rocawear.
"The Rocawear name connects with the customer we want to attract. Adding Rocawear to our lineup of lifestyle fragrance brands allows us to further diversify our multi-dimensional brand portfolio and expand our reach to a young, modern consumer. Elizabeth Arden's leadership in fragrance, coupled with the creative involvement of Shawn "Jay-Z" Carter and the team at Rocawear and Iconix, will provide us with a strong platform for success," added Beattie.

Commenting on the new launch, Shawn Carter, stated, "We are excited to partner with an industry giant such as Elizabeth Arden. The combination of their expertise in fragrance and our ability to affect popular culture will produce some incredible products and breathe excitement into the category."Neil Cole, Chairman and CEO, Iconix, stated, "We are excited about the launch of the first ever Rocawear fragrance next fall.

This is a significant step in the evolution of the Rocawear brand and a large long-term growth opportunity. The excitement and advertising surrounding the launch next fall will make Rocawear more visible than it has ever been and benefit the entire brand franchise.
Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

PRADA GOES PUBLIC?

noreply@blogger.com (VB) — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 18:17:00 +0000

Prada SpA, the Italian fashion label that makes Miu Miu bags and Church's shoes, hired Goldman Sachs Group Inc., Intesa Sanpaolo SpA and UniCredit SpA to arrange an initial public offering planned for next year.

PRADA Womens footwear. Available at YOOX.COM

The proposed listing will depend on ``market conditions,'' the Milan-based company said in an e-mailed statement today. Law firm Bonelli Erede Pappalardo will act as legal adviser.

An IPO may value Prada at about 5 billion euros ($7.2 billion) and would be the biggest in the luxury goods industry, a person familiar with the plan said last month. Prada, which has scrapped three listing attempts this decade, is focusing on Miu Miu, Church's and its namesake brand after selling the unprofitable Jil Sander and Helmut Lang labels. Read more

The 12 days of Christmas

noreply@blogger.com (VB) — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 00:03:00 +0000

Back in 1984, as a lark, PNC created the “Christmas Price Index,” which took “The Twelve Days of Christmas” song and calculated the amount it would cost someone to purchase the items for their True Loves.

As it turns out, the Christmas Price Index frequently mirrors that other, more famous CPI, the Consumer Price Index.

This year if you wish to buy your True Love the items in the song, it will cost $19,501, up 3% over last year and in line with the overall increase in the CPI of 3.5%.

Among the items driving up the index:
• Gold Rings are up 21.5%

• Geese are up 20%

• And, because of the increase in the federal minimum wage, milkmaid labor costs have increased 13.6%

All kidding aside, PNC’s Christmas Price Index is an excellent way to see how much inflation – even in small annual increments – can erode purchasing power over time. When the index began, buying your True Love the goods and services from “The Twelve Days of Christmas” would have cost $12,371.

Women helping Women - Empowerment Funds

noreply@blogger.com (VB) — Tue, 13 Nov 2007 21:27:00 +0000

As I sit at my desk and try to think of the number of women in business and those running million dollar businesses, I get stumped.
I wonder at the number of women out there who are brilliant, have brilliant minds but somehow are stuck. I have cinsistently toyed with the idea of setting up a womens fund and have women contrubute to women all over the world, who share a passion and a mind for business. Like a scholarship fund.
My initiative would be aimed at women who can give at the million-dollar level and above but every gift at every level is important.
The hope is to create greater commitment to women and girls and every gift matters. Also, we do want to start getting used to thinking about the word "million." Some women can write a million dollar check, but five hundred women can each write a $200 check.
We can pool our resources! Women all across the socio-economic spectrum are uniting their dollars in women's funds. We are amplifying each other's impact and leveraging each other dollars. But let's all raise our thinking!
We have a chance to create a contagion of meaningful gifts for women and girls. Whatever your level of giving, fund women first. In doing so, we're making history.

Women's funds bring me hope. It is bringing to the foreground a greater chance for peace on earth and the prosperity of all. As donors and activists come together to make funding decision, we sharpen our thinking and our solutions have greater impact. Instead of programs that keep people in a perpetual victim cycle, I see programs being developed that are breaking the cycle of poverty.
Funding women first and raising the bar on our giving makes it all possible.

Make mine a million $ business.

noreply@blogger.com (VB) — Sat, 10 Nov 2007 17:08:00 +0000

While checking in on my news subscriptions, as I try to every morning. I ran across this piece of information.

The program began in 2005 by Count Me In, a New York-based operation offering micro loans to startup businesses run by women. Founder and president Nell Merlino was dismayed to learn women-owned businesses were not growing faster or more lucrative in the three decades they have been in the work force. Only 3 percent of 10.4 million women-owned companies achieved or surpassed the $1 million mark. A vast majority, according to Merlino, made $50,000 or under.

Make Mine a Million $ Business is a program of Count Me In for Women’s Economic Independence — and founding partner, OPEN from American Express®. The program provides a combination of money, mentoring, marketing and technology tools that women entrepreneurs need to help grow their businesses from micro to $millions.

What a concept- their goal is to support women in small businesses and encourage them to seek out growth in their business and make a million dollars.

Understandably as a woman in business, support is ever so limited and everyone just thinks it is a hobby. With the demands sometimes of family etc. it almost becomes hopeless to see an end.

The program is full of women from different parts of the business world.

Says one of the awardees “As part of Count Me In, you are the sum of a whole. You are constantly in touch with women who are achieving a lot. It makes you want to make the best of each day.”

Nandini says that her ongoing goal is to live life on her terms. She defines success as “the freedom to make my choices, attain my goals and work toward my dreams—taking my future in my own hands.”

Do check this out. There is a conference in Burbank, California in 2008. I will be attending. It will be like a revival- I am sure.

$135,000 in debt and spends $400/month on Starbucks? and you thought you were hopeless.

noreply@blogger.com (VB) — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 18:17:00 +0000

This mom has $135,000 in credit card debt and spends $400 a month on Starbucks. See her on Oprah where on a scale of 1-10 of financially disastrous situations, Suze Orman ranked her 1,000.
Her daughter says "When I grow up, I want to be just like Mommy"
A lesson for us all.

Where do I start? Trading for dummies...

noreply@blogger.com (VB) — Mon, 05 Nov 2007 20:04:00 +0000

Now, I know for a fact, that most women are like me and not at all savvy about this financial investment stuff. When the dow rises, we just hope it does not mean the bread is ready for the oven.
My option to navigate this market ever so gingerly, is fashion. I am in this business, it interests me and I can read up on it for quite a while before I turn glassy eyed. Pick your industry - my sister is a Pharmacist and I suggested she track drugs" You just do drugs" I gently advised. I truly hate these dummy books- they are stating the obvious.

My friend Shirley is into wines - You just do wines first - I insist. None of these advise quite sounds right.
I opened a dummy portfolio on Yahoo Finance while I continue to research those publicly traded companies and the non. This just means you cannot buy the shares if they are not publicly traded. Hmmm- so, go easy on that Chanel Bag, clothing etc.- they won't give you anything back. On the other hand, Luxottica which handles Chanel sunglasses and prescriptions is.
Also note, a lot of companies that sound vastly different are owned by the same company e.g Kellwood owns Baby Phat, Koret, Claibourne, Nautica,XOXO,Hollywould etc.
While Limited owns Victoria Secret, Limited among many other brands.
In short, do your research!!

Track my starting portfolio - Wow! Retail truly is lousy. Yikes.

Tommorrow, I sign up online.

I'll be a bag lady. A Fendi bag lady, but a bag lady..

noreply@blogger.com (VB) — Sun, 04 Nov 2007 16:23:00 +0000

.....Discussing this with her friends, Carrie declares, “Vacate? I’m homeless. I’ll be a bag lady. A Fendi bag lady, but a bag lady.” Here Carrie highlights her problem that will be the theme throughout the rest of the episode. Carrie has invested all her money in fashion, so while she may have a magnificent wardrobe, she’ll have no place for it because she has no money, no savings, to put a down payment on her apartment.
Now, we must invest differently ...........What are the best places to put our money. What money, you ask? You are living on air. How do you begin? How do you even begin to make that money you wish to invest. Now, this section may not be useful for those with enormous or suficient capital to do that. This, is for those of us who would like to- those who envision having our own money. Mind you, we are not broke(we actually look really good) but we have nothing.
We are going to be extremely disiplined. Remember, this will be a gradual process.
Step #1. Find another outlet to make money. There are lots of business opportunities out there. These also involve fashion. I will list a few of them here.
Sell clothing, shoes or accessories to your friends - you know how to put a spin on that. "I found this great clothing line"
Even Jones New York is capitalizing on it with Million Wishes - a direct network shopping line.
Essential Body Wear, The Carlisle Collection and an up and coming line Vivre by Vivre Boutique involving building around a caspular wardrobe,Juliana
For other suggestions, please email me at stocksandstilettos@yahoo.com
#2. Affiliate Marketing - There are dozens of companies out thre - Fashion companies who are looking for affiliates. All you are required to do is work really hard and diligently. As we all know, nothing good comes easy. "By leveraging the power of your affiliate network, you will turn your monthly income into annual income." Email for more info - stocksandstilettos@yahoo.com
#3. Do not spend this money. This is your get rich money. We will harness all these extra funds and direct towards an investment in due course.

Calling all female stockbrokers and money managers..

noreply@blogger.com (VB) — Sun, 04 Nov 2007 15:58:00 +0000

Who are we writing for ?
Remember that episode of Carrie Bradshaw in Sex and the City where she had a lot of Manolo's but there was a huge chance she would be homeless? She had spent over $40,000 on shoes and had no down payment for a place. In our opinion, that was the closest they came to reality on that show.
This is the place for the woman who is scared to ask questions and for the woman who always has the answers.
Whether you are the woman drowning in debt, or investing in the stock market, self-educating or taking responsibility of your financial destiny; no matter where in the spectrum you fall you have the power to inspire others.

We are here for the woman who is just starting out and for the woman who masks her unhappiness with the perfect shoes and bag.
We are here for the woman who has a lot of discretionary income, but spends her money on liabilities and the mother who fills her child’s bedroom with extravagant toys, void of any plan for college savings.

We are here for all women who are ready to step up and take control of their financial lives. Majority of women in my opinion, myself included would love to make money somehow but somehow, it does not matter how bright we are, we seemingly lag behind men in accumulating wealth. Why is this? We hope to share that knowledge somewhere down the line with this blog.

We are looking for female stockbrokers and women money managers to share your expertise with us and guest on this blog. We hope that those of you who know will be gentle with those of us who do not have a clue. Taking gradual steps will set a platform for success rather than taking drastic measures that tend to backfire.
Wealth is a mindset - ready to change yours?

Stock Index for fashion Minded Investors

noreply@blogger.com (VB) — Sat, 03 Nov 2007 06:05:00 +0000

Abercrombie & Fitch (NYSE: ANF)
Armani

Bebe Stores (Nasdaq: BEBE)
Bluefly BFLY
Cartier
Chanel

Chico's (NYSE: CHS)
Chloe

Coach Inc. (NYSE:COH)

Coldwater Creek (NYSE: CWTR)

Dooney and Bourke
Gap (NYSE: GPS)
Gucci GUCG.PK
Guess? (NYSE: GES),
J.C. Penney (NYSE: JCP

Kellwood Co (NYSE:KWD) Paby Phat, Perry Ellis, Liz Clairbourne, Nautica, Hollywould, Calvin Klein

Kenneth Cole Productions Inc. (KCP)
Limited Brands Inc. (NYSE:LTD) - Victoria Secret ,The Limited, Bath and Body Works

Louboutin, Christian

LVMH - Louis Vuitton
Luxottica - Sunglasses- Prescription ( Chanel, Bvlgari etc.)

Nordstrom Inc(NYSE: JWN).

Saks (SKS)
Target (NYSE: TGT)

Wal-Mart (NYSE: WMT)

TIFFANY AND CO (NYSE:TIF)
Versace
Zumiez (Nasdaq: ZUMZ)

Canadian Fashion Business- Myth or Reality

noreply@blogger.com (VB) — Sat, 03 Nov 2007 04:12:00 +0000

In the dog eat dog world of fashion, Is Canada really a factor??? Is Canada being left behind? You decide.

For the first time, Canadian apparel suppliers and retailers will have access to a cost efficient means to secure information/feedback directly from consumers. The information is a result of a new interviewing service to be launched by the Apparel Development Centre and Trendex North America on January 3, 2008.

The service, to be called Canadian Consumer Apparel Insights will be based on online interviews conducted twice a year by Trendex North America with a nationally representative sample of 2,000 Canadian adults.

Randy Harris, President of Trendex North America noted, “just looking at the last few months, with the increase in cross-border shopping, it is essential that both retailers and suppliers understand Canadian consumer shopping patterns.”

“For too long, Canadian apparel suppliers and retailers have wanted to talk with consumers about their brand perceptions and shopping patters for their products, but were unable to do so for cost reasons,” said Elliot Lifson, President of Canadian Apparel Federation. “This new service couldn’t have come along at a better time. It offers companies a highly affordable, effective and timely mechanism for obtaining this valuable information.”

About Trendex North AmericaTrendex is the largest supplier of marketing information to the Canadian apparel industry. Its Canadian Soft Goods Index consumer apparel purchase tracking study provides ongoing information to in excess of fifty of Canada’s major apparel retailers and suppliers. For more information on Trendex, please visit www.trendexna.com or www.trendexmexico.com