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Daily News: A Global Round Up

Robert Cordero — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 08:42:34 -0600

Cao Fei, Hugo Boss Prize 2009 finalist.

As an ongoing effort to support emerging artists, Hugo Boss and the Guggenheim Museum have announced their finalist for the 2009 Hugo Boss Prize which includes Cao Fei of China. (Flavorpill)

"Although October sales patterns typically don't predict holiday sales trends, retail executives point to signs of pent-up demand and a gradual return of shoppers." (WSJ)

"Italian luxury shoe and bag maker Tod's SpA (TOD.MI) could post full-year results that are above market expectations if the Christmas period goes well." (Reuters)

Consumers will spend 10% more on apparel and accessories this year compared to last year. (The Fashion Beat)

Polo Ralph Lauren boosted its profits in the second quarter. (Drapers)

—Staff

Put A Record On: Julian Casablancas Is All Grown Up

chelsea — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 08:35:21 -0600

Julian Casablancas, the frontman of NYC's hipster-rock outfit The Strokes, has finally caved in and recorded a solo album. While loyal fans await his group's fourth studio album, Casablancas has appeased our eager ears with Phrazes For The Young, a short but sweet collection of pop songs.

Despite being off the musical radar for the past few years, Casablancas has not been completely inactive— he's recorded collaborations with Pharrell Williams and Danger Mouse, while keeping a finger on the pulse of New York's ever growing music scene. Phrazes For The Young sees him trying concepts and song ideas that must have been discarded as not Strokes-y enough, but also belie a newfound maturity that suits him well.

With the successful solo careers of former bandmates Albert Hammond Jr. and Fabrizzio Moretti, it's now Casablancas' turn to enter a new phase of his musical sound and breadth. Though a few songs might fit comfortably onto The Strokes' breakout debut This Is It—most notably "River Of Brake Light—there's plenty of innovative experimentation to go around. The eight songs put together with Bright Eyes' partner Mike Mogis, have an epic and euphoric sound that shows a new side to the grown-up frontman.

"Ludlow Street" is arguably one of the albums best tracks. In this ode to the Big Apple, Casablancas manages to dwell on the city's proud history while lambasting the greedy yuppies, who, he claims, are destroying its reputation. Phrazes For The Young is another notch in the bedpost as the Strokes and its members steadily work towards musical world domination.

Phrazes For The Young is out now. For more information, see www.juliancasablancas.com.

—David Hellqvist

JCTV Talks: Jason Campbell And David Anderson

chelsea — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 07:40:41 -0600

Jason Campbell talks to David Anderson of Swedish jewelry line David & Martin about his two-year-old store, the beauty of minimalism and the connection between geometry and the natural world.

Daily News: A Global Roundup

Robert Cordero — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 06:58:40 -0600

Prada s/s '10, photo courtesy of Fabsugar.

"Italian fashion house Prada is shortening temporary suspensions for some workers by three weeks after orders for its spring/summer 2010 clothes exceeded expectations by 10 percent." (Reuters)

"Middle East will be a bright spot for future growth, with 30 per cent of the estimated 300 new luxury boutiques to be opened worldwide going to the region." (The National)

"Affluent consumers are joining in the national skittishness about spending money during a deep recession." (Adweek)

Consumers are typically looking for special deals, but "a select group of premium hotels around the world are bucking the trend, expanding rather than curtailing their indulgent offerings." (Newsweek)

—Staff

JCTV Interviews: Byredo Perfumer Ben Gorham

chelsea — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 07:43:45 -0600

In honor of the opening of Byredo's first flagship store today in Stockholm, Jason Campbell speaks with the man behind it all, Ben Gorham, about the new shop, his introduction to perfumery, and the connection between fragrance and memory.