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"Des objets uniques, comme le sont des tableaux, mais qui, au lieu d'¡¯otre au mur, sont ¡¯? porter sur soi", explique Daniel Buren..

Luxury retailer has transformed its 84-year-old Christmas catalog into an application for what's anticipated to be this year's hot electronics gift: Apple's .<br><br>By putting the 2010 Christmas Book into an iPad app, Neiman Marcus is keeping up with its customers, said Gerald Barnes, president of the Dallas-based company's catalog and online division.<br><br> That doesn't mean the printed catalog is dead. Neiman Marcus still plans to mail more than 1 million copies to customers, and the entire catalog is viewable on its website.<br><br>The Christmas Book has been online since 2006 and now almost all of the company's direct sales are made on its websites. Its Internet revenue increased 10.7 percent last year, while catalog sales fell 19.2 percent.<br><br>Last year, about 85 percent of Neiman's direct sales were online, up from 80 percent last year and 75 percent in 2008, according to the company's annual financial report.<br><br>Going mobile<br><br>One advantage of an iPad app is customers can browse the catalog from anywhere without an Internet connection once they download it, Barnes said.<br><br>Imbedded in the iPad app and the online catalog are videos showing fantasy gifts, such as this year's his-and-hers gift: a 48-by-12 houseboat with 7-foot ceilings and $250,000 price tag.<br><br>There's also video of this year's car ? a 2011 Neiman Marcus Edition Camaro convertible with a 6.2-liter V8 engine that sells for $75,000.<br><br>Other catalogs also soon will be accessible from the iPad app, Barnes said. "Catalogs continue to be a very important part of our advertising. This is how we get into our households."<br><br>Mailed catalogs are up slightly this year from just less than a million last year, Barnes said. Before the recession, the company mailed 2 million Christmas Books.<br><br>Price ranges<br><br>About half of the 450 items in this year's 163-page catalog are again priced below $250 ? showing the retailer's sensitivity to cost-conscious buyers.<br><br>After skipping the $1 million and up price tag last year, this year the famed book contains a gift costing $1.5 million: International artist Dale Chihuly will transform a swimming pool into an original, private work of art.<br><br>The least expensive item is a $15 silver-plated candlewick trimmer.<br><br>Neiman Marcus extends its reach with catalogs. About 40 percent of its online and catalog customers in the last two years have been from cities where it doesn't operate a store. And customers who shop both stores and online spend about four times more than single-channel customers.<br><br>Last year, Neiman Marcus circulated about 48 million catalogs, down 25 percent from the prior year, as shoppers shifted to the Internet. It also sends out daily e-mails to about 4.7 million customers, alerting them to new merchandise and special offers.<br><br>Even before online shopping took over, catalog represented only about 10 percent of annual catalog sales.<br><br>His and hers<br><br>?<p>British success story Burberry revealed today that it had hit a stumbling block as the luxury brand issued a profits warning.</p><p>In a surprise update, the group said it had been hit by a slowdown in spending across the world.</p><p>The darling of the fashion scene had once enjoyed sales growth in double digits, but today it reported that like-for-like sales ground to a halt in the 10 weeks to 8 September.</p> <p>Chief financial officer Stacey Cartwright said: "In the last two weeks there has been a global slowdown. We have seen this across the board in Asia, the US, Europe and the UK."</p><p>Despite its issues, the brand is gearing up for where it will present its womenswear spring/summer show on Monday.</p><p>Cartwright said: "We have Fashion Week, and the tremendous new flagship on Regent Street that has just opened -- our largest in the world -- while our menswear-only Knightsbridge store will open in a few weeks. Traffic has been down globally but we will not change tack."</p><p>Burberry warned that profits for the full year of 2013 would be at the bottom end of market expectations at about pounds sterling 407 million. Retail sales, including from new stores, were up 6 percent.</p><p>The slowdown compares with strong first quarter trading where retail sales had grown by 14 percent.</p><p>Luca Solca, luxury brands expert at CA Chevreux, blamed Burberry's reliance on very high-end clothing rather than accessories such as handbags. He said: "Apparel -- on which Burberry is more dependent than other mega-brands -- is softer. In difficult times consumers prefer leather goods and hard luxury accessories as they are more visible and work better as status symbols."</p><p>Analyst Kate Calvert at Seymour Pierce downgraded the stock to hold and said: "This news will obviously hit sentiment towards Burberry. However, we still consider Burberry a strong long-term growth story."</p><p>The company has enjoyed a remarkable decade with its shares rising fivefold. Today the stock slid more than 18 percent, down 249p to 1125.5p, on the news.</p><p>However, Mike van Dulken at Accendo Markets said: "This morning's selling may be overdone, providing a short-term trading opportunity."</p><p>___</p><p>(c)2012 London Evening Standard</p><p>Visit the London Evening Standard at </p><p>Distributed by MCT Information Services</p>?<p>Diamond baubles from Cartier glittering in one window, Louis Vuitton's signature leather bags beckoning from across the street and another storefront displaying ' silk scarves.</p><p>Within months this is the scene that will greet visitors to Miami's Design District, as the neighborhood begins its dramatic metamorphosis into the new hot spot for luxury shopping.</p><p>Cartier and have just opened their doors. Louis Vuitton will do so on Oct. 19. Hermes and Men are under construction. Right behind that will be Pucci. By the time and the holiday shopping season arrive, there should be 8 to 10 luxury brands lining the Design District's Northeast 40th Street corridor.</p> <p>These openings are a sign of Miami's ascent as a fashion destination.</p><p>"For most luxury brands Miami is one of the top three markets in , along with New York and Los Angeles," said Valerie Chapoulaud-Floquet, president and chief executive officer of Louis Vuitton North America. "The Miami market has grown quicker than the rest of North America."</p><p>For decades the Bal Harbour Shops offered the only option for luxury in Miami-Dade County. But no longer is having one store in the market enough for these luxury brands.</p><p>"Miami has been under retailed for luxury because of the strength of the local market and the strong growth of tourists coming to Miami," said Emmanuel Perrin, president and chief executive officer of Cartier North America. "This market can support several Cartier boutiques. It was just a question of time before the luxury market evolved. Everyone has been waiting for the right project to come along."</p><p>Louis Vuitton and Cartier both left Bal Harbour Shops last summer because the mall didn't have the space for them to expand. The retailers were also prohibited from opening a second store within 20 miles unless Bal Harbour's owners got a piece of the new store's revenue.</p><p>Now, Louis Vuitton already has opened another store at Mall and Cartier is assessing the market. It's all part of an unfolding game of musical chairs that ends the monopoly of Bal Harbour, which has controlled the luxury retail market since 1965.</p><p>By 2014, developer Craig Robins expects to have 40 to 50 luxury brands spread throughout the Design District, creating a new urban destination for fashionistas. Already committed to the area are about 30 tenants, including , Bulgari, Pucci, De Beers, Zegna, Tom Ford, Burberry and Marc by . They will join the district's original fashion tenants Christian Louboutin, and Martin Margiela.</p><p>"We're starting to build critical mass," Robins said. "We continue to find that more and more brands are interested in coming. This is an exciting moment for the Design District. People are going to feel the transition and the power of integrating fashion with art, design and food."</p><p>Many of the brands are giving up space at Bal Harbour, which the International Council of Shopping Center recently designated the top producing mall in the world. But they say they don't believe the move will have any negative impact on their business.</p><p>"We have made a seamless transition," said Vira V. Capeci, president of Celine. "Our clients have followed us to this exciting location."</p><p>Right now, Cartier's name sparkling against the backdrop of a bronze storefront may look a little out of place as the area undergoes a transition. But soon Louis Vuitton will make a dramatic statement across the street with a storefront covered by an original work of art from graffiti artist Marquis Lewis, known as RETNA.</p><p>There may be growing pains in this gentrifying neighborhood. Will consumers be willing to spend thousands of dollars on jewelry, handbags and clothes just a few blocks away from some of Miami's more impoverished neighborhoods?</p><p>At Cartier a security guard stands close by watching over an offering that includes a rare yellow diamond and a $310,000, diamond-encrusted panther pendant and necklace.</p><p>"I like the idea of an urban neighborhood where you have crackheads here and Cartier over there," said Denia Roth, a Miami resident who was lunching this week at Michael's Genuine in the Design District. "The diversity brings everyone together."</p><p>The retailers have more freedom to design the look of their stores and open bigger showrooms featuring a wider variety of offerings. Cartier's new store is three times larger than what it had at Bal Harbour.</p><p>And these stores are only the beginning. Cartier and Louis Vuitton are among several brands opening temporary locations, until they can design and build flagship stores. When these stores open in 2014, they're expected to be among the brands' largest stores in the U.S. outside of .</p><p>"We want to take our client experience to the next level and serve our clients in comfort," Perrin said.</p><p>Louis Vuitton felt it was important to get into the Design District early.</p><p>"We like to be part of building a story, it's part of our pioneering spirit," Chapoulaud-Floquet said. "We think we're going to be able to communicate with a very different clientele that is younger, more trendy and much more open to art and culture."</p><p>Although it's been a year since Louis Vuitton and others started leaving Bal Harbour, operating partner Matthew Whitman Lazenby says same store sales continue to grow -- up 16 percent for the first six months of the year compared to last year.</p><p>But Lazenby says his family has had a change of heart about allowing tenants to remain at Bal Harbour and still open a second location in Miami-Dade County.</p><p>"You can't deny there has been demand expressed by more than one tenant," Lazenby said. "Miami has reached the point in its evolution where more than one store can be sustained. We are adapting to the marketplace and trying to accommodate the needs of our tenants." ___</p><p>(c)2012 </p><p>Visit The Miami Herald at </p><p>Distributed by MCT Information Services</p>?designer Monica Pedersen can be seen regularly on programs such as "Bang for Your Buck," where she shows homeowners how to maximize their living space and beautify their homes. A well-seasoned traveler, Pedersen &#8212; who lives in the Midwest &#8212; sees the potential in taking trips to Wisconsin, as well as heading overseas for a longer vacation.<br><br>Q: What is your favorite vacation destination?<br><br> A: , Fla. It's a low-key town right next to and about 45 minutes from . It is my go-to spot when I really want to relax. Working on TV for me means being constantly surrounded by the noise of saws and drills. So a vacation with good weather, the comfort of a private home, a charged golf cart in the driveway and no pressure to look presentable is heaven!<br><br>Q: Where are your favorite weekend getaways?<br><br>A: Kohler, Wis., is definitely at the top of my list and is a place my husband and I go at least twice a year. The American Club (destinationkohler.com) is charming, the golf is spectacular and the food is mouthwatering. Another fun place to go in Wisconsin is the Osthoff Lake Resort (osthoff.com).<br><br>Q: What are your favorite hotels?<br><br>A: The Pelham Hotel (pelhamhotel.co.uk) in London has beautifully decorated rooms. The Ritz-Carlton (ritzcarlton.com/neworleans) in New Orleans is comfortable and in a great location. The Four Seasons (fourseasons.com/dublin) in Ireland treated my mom, who was very sick while we were there, like a queen. The Soho Grand Hotel (sohogrand.com) in New York for its location. The bar can be pretty fun as well.<br><br>Q: What are your favorite restaurants?<br><br>A: Il Cantinori (ilcantinori.com) is my favorite restaurant in New York. I love great Italian food! In Las Vegas, definitely the Wynn Hotel and the Bartolotta Ristorante (wynnlasvegas.com/#dining/bartolotta), which is incredible.<br><br>Q: When you go away, what are some of your must-have items?<br><br>A: Comfortable shoes, a variety of outerwear &#8212; like scarves, sweaters and my plaid Burberry rain poncho &#8212; BlackBerry, cheap pair of backup sunglasses, a good book and a small container of moisturizer.<br><br>Q: What are your five favorite cities?<br><br>A: San Francisco is so romantic. It's where my husband proposed to me. New York for its great energy. Napa Valley is sophisticated yet friendly and has great food and wine. I love the details in New Orleans' architecture. Charleston, S.C., is elegant and loaded with Southern charm.<br><br>Q: What kind of research do you do before you go away on a trip?<br><br>A: I talk to friends and do a ton of research online. A Web site I am working with, mastercardmarketplace.com, is a great resource for vacations.<br><br>Q: Where would you like to go that you've never visited before?<br><br>A: Buenos Aires, . I am heading there soon to shoot an episode of a show I work on called "Bang for Your Buck," and I cannot wait. I am also going to track down the balcony where Eva Peron sang "Don't Cry for Me Argentina" and do my own version. I'm kidding!<br><br>For more from the reporter, visit .?&quot;I'M NOT saying I'll never be with a prostitute again. But it's hard. Parts of it are soulless and parts of it are nourishing. It's always a roll of the dice.&quot;<br><br>That's our always candid friend, , talking to Playboy magazine for July/August (&quot;Massive Summer Double Issue&quot; it says, directly above cover girl .)<br><br> Charlie is Charlie. Don't try to make sense of anything he says, because mostly it doesn't. And he knows it. Is it malarkey or the real deal or some wild combination of the two, which seems to be working for him. (His new show, &quot;Anger Management&quot; is doing well.)<br><br>Yet at least he admits to being unfair to his longtime &quot;&quot; co-star , in the heat of Sheen's firing. &quot;I whaled on him unnecessarily ... he's a beautiful man and a fabulous dude and I miss him. I need to repair that relationship, and I will. I will reach out to do whatever is necessary.&quot;<br><br>As for the now-legendary tale of a suitcase full of cocaine being delivered to his house, in the midst of a wild party, Sheen insists it never happened. Nope. He was watching a Dave Chappell sketch on TV and laughed so hard it gave him a hernia. The hernia did not occur because of too much partying and illegal substances.<br><br>Look, that's his story and he's sticking to it. And even if he doesn't, it apparently won't make one bit of difference to the fans who support him.<br><br>WHICH LEADS us to the conundrum of . Tom doesn't smoke (anything) drink, or carouse with hookers. He has never assaulted a woman or been accused of such a thing. He takes care of himself, his popularity has not waned. He is still, according to Forbes magazine, the highest paid actor in the world. And yet, on the front pages of the newspapers, Tom is the devil, scaring poor so much that she has to have a ring of bodyguards surrounding her when she ventures out. What's Tom crime? He's a control freak who belongs to the mysterious and controversial Church of Scientology. OK, maybe that's not pleasant to live with, but the public seems to find his driven personality and religious/spiritual beliefs more unsavory than anything Charlie Sheen does.<br><br>I guess bad boys do, somehow, get more breaks.<br><br>As for Miss Holmes, she will be fine. She's made her point, with her bodyguard photos, and the bits of business that have slipped out; her fears for Suri, etc. Nobody is going to be kidnapped or forced to do anything they don't want to do. She's been clever. I suppose she's had to be.<br><br>Let's not forget, she knew exactly what she was getting into. It's not like Tom became a Scientologist during their marriage. There were plenty of warning signs. But Miss Holmes, apparently, was in love or lust or infatuated with his image and the attention he showered on her. And so it has come to this sorry state of affairs.<br><br>Tom? Another hit movie and people will probably go back to shrugging off his beliefs. Next time (if there is a next time) Tom should marry a nice, docile Scientology girl with whom he can share his religion.<br><br>I WAS chatting with a friend last week about how much Internet technology and computers, cellphones, iPads, etc., have taken over every part of our lives. Everything is controlled and connected it seems to one huge grid. What if everything blanked out one day, even for 24 hours? We've all become so dependant.<br><br>Well, just a day or two later, the had a story about a summer storm in Virginia that took out part of Amazon's &quot;cloud&quot; computing service, in which hundreds of companies store data. It wasn't as bad as it could have been, and Amazon responded pretty well, but this story gave me pause. The Times reported: &quot;The ability to deal with failures has long been a feature of any computing system, but like much else in the cloud, there are no common standards to guide how much protection against disaster is enough.&quot;<br><br>We are so concerned about our borders on the ground. Perhaps we should spend more time with our heads in the clouds. That's where I think the real storm of apocalyptic nightmares stores its &quot;data.&quot;<br><br>WELL, IT's beginning to look like all the fan-whining over is evaporating as &quot;&quot; continues to break records even before this all-important weekend. (But then these days, every weekend is &quot;all important.&quot;) The film, which co-stars , has, as of yesterday, made more than $35 million in the United States. In Asia, the take was more than $50 million and climbing.<br><br>So he was too tall, too gawky, too British, not ? Well, whatever he is or isn't, Mr. Garfield is probably set for two more installments, and set for life financially, as well. That skin-tight Spidey suit is no fun to get into for hours on end. (And it's impossible to wear anything under it.) But in-between films, he'll be able to devote himself to more comfortable Prada, Brooks Brothers, Calvin Klein or Burberry. (He wears Burberry in a deep blue shade on the cover of Teen Vogue. He's paired with Miss Stone, who is supposed to be his real-life girlfriend. Well, at least until the film hits the $500 million mark.)<br><br>NOW THAT has come out, will on be as much smirky, giggling fun as it has been? Oh, you know -- Anderson's friend, comedienne , would come on and tease him relentlessly, implying, but never saying, what everybody knew.<br><br>They've got to cook up a new act.<br><br>(E-mail at .)<br><br>?Shortly before Daniel Hernandez moved from L.A. to Mexico to write a book about its roiling capital, a friend gave him an order. "I don't want to see you back from Mexico City until it's physically altered you, until you are different," Hernandez was told.<br><br> The Western Hemisphere's largest metropolitan area, with about 22 million people, has its existential challenges: toxic air, epic traffic jams, "express" kidnappings. But it also can bestow transformative benefits on those willing to dive headfirst into its urban mosh pit.<br><br> FOR THE RECORD:<br> Daniel Hernandez: An article in the April 28 Calendar section about author-journalist Daniel Hernandez identified Hernandez as a former Los Angeles Times staff writer. Hernandez is a former Los Angeles Times staff writer and a current staff blogger and news assistant in the Times' Mexico City bureau. &#8212;<br> <br><br> During a recent L.A. visit, Hernandez spoke about how his adopted hometown since 2007 has altered him and how he hopes to alter others' perceptions of it with his just-published book, "Down &amp; Delirious in Mexico City: The Aztec Metropolis in the Twenty-First Century" (Scribner).<br><br> "I think as a journalist Mexico City pushed my barometer of crazy in my life," said Hernandez, 30, a former Los Angeles Times and L.A. Weekly staff writer. "But of course sometimes it's overwhelming and you think you're going to pass out, you need a limonada. You need a run out of town."<br><br> Hernandez strives to capture that craziness with a combination of memoir, bildungsroman and an impressionistic essay-album of edgy young lives in a city that often feels perched on the precipice of chaos. Some reviewers have invoked Jack Kerouac and Bret Easton Ellis in characterizing Hernandez's first-person immersion in Mexico City's louche atmospherics. Matt Sledge of the Huffington Post wrote that "Hernandez's book tells the stories that we should know, if for no other reason than American culture is increasingly Mexican culture, as his journey makes clear."<br><br> That journey, of course, is the reverse of one that thousands of Mexicans attempt every year.<br><br> "The irony is not lost on me," writes Hernandez, who'll be appearing at this weekend's L.A. Times Festival of Books. "While millions of Mexicans are migrating northward, I go south. It is an act of rebellion. My parents, who left Tijuana and settled in San Diego in 1976, shake their heads in disapproval."<br><br> Growing up as a bilingual, bicultural U.S. citizen, Hernandez often heard horror stories about Mexico City's crime, smog and corruption. But rather than dissuade him, they aroused a desire to get to know this off-limits part of his cultural heritage.<br><br> What he found, upon arriving, was a cosmopolitan, multilayered city (pre-Columbian, colonial and modern) with a complex web of youth subcultures: emos, "anarco-punks," Condesa scenesters, rich trendy fresas from Polanco.<br><br> "I just kind of went deeper and deeper," Hernandez said. "I was adopting certain aspects of the subcultures. I realized I had to not judge anyone's music or their style or their fashions but [ask] why had they adopted it, and to pinpoint what I see as the contradictions."<br><br>, an English professor at Loyola Marymount University, said that countless young Mexican Americans have made the reverse-odyssey to their ancestral homeland over the decades, but few have written about it in long form with Hernandez's insightfulness. "Daniel is saying that the borders have to be crossed on all levels, including the self," said Mart&iacute;nez, author of "The Other Side: Notes From the New L.A., Mexico City, and Beyond."<br><br> The haunts Hernandez describes in "Down &amp; Delirious" are far from the places most tourists see. He hangs out with graying Marxists at the weekly El Chopo open-air swap meet and parties till sunrise with coked-up chilango teens and twentysomethings in the bohemian Roma neighborhood. He canvases fashion shows, gets swept up in a surging mob at a soccer match and flees an Aztec temazcal (sweat lodge), "gasping for oxygen" and deeply skeptical of whether ancient rituals can act as curatives for the ills of modern life.<br><br> In surreal detail, he recounts pilgrimages to the worship halls of Mexico City's dueling spiritual icons: the beloved Virgin of Guadalupe, the country's church-sanctioned protector since she allegedly appeared to the peasant Juan Diego in 1531, and the fearsome, skeletal Santa Muerte, "Saint Death," the unofficial patron of prostitutes, crime lords and cab drivers working the graveyard shift.<br><br> Some episodes in "Down &amp; Delirious" will ring familiar to readers of Hernandez's blog, , which has a following on both sides of the border, particularly among readers 30 and younger. (Disclosure: Hernandez and I have been casual acquaintances for many years.)<br><br> Just out of UC Berkeley, where he studied English literature, Hernandez first visited Mexico City in 2002 and stayed 10 weeks with relatives, an experience that "recalibrated" his life. Then in 2006, he was assigned by the L.A. Weekly to write a piece about Mexico's upcoming presidential election, which led to the contract for "Down &amp; Delirious."<br><br> Laurie Ochoa, the former L.A. Weekly editor who , said that while "Down &amp; Delirious" touches on Mexican politics and hot-button issues like immigration, its greater achievement is to personalize the phenomenon of second- and third-generation Mexican Americans reconnecting with their cultural roots. "Through his individual story, he's telling the stories of a lot of people," Ochoa said.<br><br> Although his book doesn't dwell on it, Hernandez writes with an awareness of the drug-war mayhem that has swept Mexico since late 2006 and of the toll that the country's economic and social afflictions have taken on its youth. One section deals with the curious persecution of Mexico's ambisexual "emo" youth, whose ambiguous identity aroused the wrath of other urban tribes.<br><br> Perhaps the book's most affecting chapter, "A Feathered Serpent in Burberry Shades," recounts Hernandez's adventures with his late friend, the designer and "semi-androgynous party boy" Quetzalcoatl Rangel Sanchez. "You're dealing with real histories here and real traumas and real violence and real loss," Hernandez said.<br><br> So how has his Mexico City sojourn physically changed him? Hernandez pointed to a pair of tattoos that he's acquired since living in Mexico: "La Libertad" (Spanish for "liberty") and another depicting a symbol for "speak," derived from a . "I'm a nerd, I'm a bookish Berkeley nerd," he said, "but living here has just flipped everything upside down for me."<br><br> For now, Hernandez's plan is to keep getting flipped in Mexico City and maybe inspire other young searchers &mdash; his target audience, he hopes &mdash; to do the same.<br><br> "I think it would make me most happy if it were a younger reader like that, a young reader interested in learning something about Mexico."<br><br>?Dear Answer Angel: I'm a little embarrassed to ask this question. I've been using the same deodorant since I was in high school, and it has always "done the job." Now, many decades later, it isn't working. I was in a crowd the other day, and I started thinking someone near me had not taken a shower after a workout or something. And then I realized that I was the guilty party. The product I'm talking about is the "regular" red label Ban roll-on. When that changed to a green container, I stuck with the roll-on "regular" with a red label. But lately, I've been having not-so-good results. Did I change, or did the deodorant?<br><br>&#8212; Not So Fresh Anymore<br><br>Dear Not So Fresh: Your favorite Ban roll-on has changed. I asked the company and learned that it did make "relatively minor" changes in the formula. But that might not be the cause of your problem. It could be you. Ban research leader Erica Palmer says, "We are learning that as people age, they may need to switch products to compensate for physical changes in body chemistry." Palmer suggests you switch from roll-on to solid. Roll-on is gentler but "not as effective in controlling odor and wetness" as the solid, she says.<br><br>You didn't ask, but others have inquired how to remove the inevitable white deodorant streaks on your sweaters and shirts that you notice just as you're racing out the door. Easy and cheap: Rub the area with dry pantyhose (or knee-highs) or a dry Mr. Clean Eraser household cleaning pad.<br><br>Dear Angel: I have been struggling for years on my quest for a raincoat that's stylish and has a hood. All the stylish raincoats/trench coats I find lack a hood. I carry an umbrella with me on rainy days, but I would still like a hood to protect me from the humidity, not just the water. Are there any affordable waterproof, stylish raincoats/trench coats out there with a hood, or am I asking for too much?<br><br>&#8212; Mary B.<br><br>Dear Mary: In fashion (as in life), you can never ask for too much! The perfect coat &#8212; with a hood &#8212; is out there. But it will require some searching. I like to touch, feel and try on, so online shopping isn't my favorite. But it's the way to go when you're looking for something really specific, such as your perfect coat. An online search for "hooded trench coat" (or leopard rain boot or whatever esoterica is on your wish list) will turn up a ton of options. In your case, I found a high-end lemon sorbet-colored taffeta Burberry for (gulp) $1,295 () and a cute Marc New York in black jersey knit with a hidden hood, $255 at ). Also: Gallery makes cute, colorful coats with detachable hoods, including one in bright spring green for $118 at . Happy hunting.<br><br>Dear Answer Angel: Can you settle this dispute with my wife? We were in a restaurant, and the people at the next table were having a lively discussion about a movie we were about to see. We actually had just purchased the tickets &#8212; for a ridiculous $11 apiece, I might add. I asked them in a pleasant way if they'd change the subject because we were about to see the film and wanted to be surprised. They seemed OK with that. But my wife wasn't. She was mortified and says I was out of line. I say I was just protecting my investment.<br><br>&#8212; Spoiler Alert<br><br>Dear S.A.: I'm on your side. As long as you were nice about it, you're fine. And, because your dining neighbors did stop talking about the movie, they, too, must have been OK with your request. Whether the issue is free upgrades on your cell-phone contract, honoring an expired discount coupon or a change of topic at the adjacent table, I say it never hurts to ask &#8212; politely.<br><br>Dear Answer Angel: I found the perfect jacket at a consignment store. The sleeves had been altered by the previous owner and it fit me perfectly. It's clear that whoever consigned it is exactly my size. Is it possible to find more clothes from whoever my body double is? How?<br><br>&#8212; No more tailoring bills<br><br>Dear No More: Yes! Many consignment stores &#8212; such as the national chain Second Time Around () &#8212; have computer software that can track all the clothes in the store from that same seller. Even without a computer program, managers of consignment stores often know their sellers so well that if you ask (preferably keep tags and receipts with identifying numbers), they can locate all the clothes in their shop from that person.<br><br>Woof. Reacting to my advice to people complaining that their best friends' dogs leave them covered with hair, several e-mailers raved thusly: "Buy your friends a Furminator. Best dog comb ever.&#8230; It is amazing." (furminator.com)<br><br><br><br>Shop, drop, ask for help<br>Yearning for a friend (only better) to tell you what to choose, where to look, how to get good value? Relax, now you've got an angel on your shoulder. Send questions large and small to <br><br>Tattered, precious clothes: Can't bear to throw out your beat-up, beloved favorites? Those jeans? A baseball cap? A shredded sweater? Tell me your stories. Even send a photo! E-mail me at?The proprietor of Handbags in the City has a fashion sense that favors the classical, whether he's wearing a belted Burberry trench coat with a standup collar, lounging in a cashmere sweater or modeling a jacket lined with shearling.<br><br>And Sparky's owner, George Sakellaris, also in Burberry, doesn't look too shabby, either.<br><br> "He's a little old man, and he loves dressing up," says Sakellaris, co-owner of the store at 840 Aliceanna St., the shop where Sparky, a 13-year-old Brussels Griffon, can be found most days.<br><br>"Sparky has worn clothes ever since he was a baby; now he has two coats and about a dozen sweaters. Mostly, we dress him because he's short-haired and he gets really cold when he goes outside. If it's raining, he doesn't like to go out at all, but he minds it less if he's wearing a raincoat."<br><br>Despite the recession, Baltimore dog owners have been snatching up sweaters, coats, raingear and, yes, even booties this winter to help keep Fifi and Fido toasty and dry.<br><br>"You're talking about a passionate product for a passionate consumer, and passion overrides any economic downturn," says Marshal Cohen, chief retail analyst at the NPD Group, the New York-based market research organization.<br><br>"Even during the recession, where the consumer was cutting back, certain items became identified as necessary luxuries. Pet owners wanted to insulate their and cats against the recession in the same way that they wanted to isolate and protect their children."<br><br>For instance, Beth Crisman, who lives in Northwest Baltimore, can't afford designer duds for herself or her dog on what she earns as a practicing artist and part-time professor. (She teaches photography and art history at several area community colleges.)<br><br>But Crisman would no more go without sweaters in winter for Cody, her 3-year-old Boston terrier, than she would go without a coat for herself.<br><br>"Bostons don't do well with either extreme temperatures of hot or cold," she says, adding that she orders Cody's clothes either through online sites or catalogues, spending about $10 on average for a sweater.<br><br>"But he looks really cute, and he loves the attention he gets when we go for a walk. What dog wouldn't?"<br><br>Virginia Byrnes, co-owner of Dogma in Canton estimates that about 30 percent of her canine customers come into her shop wearing attire of some sort. Across town, Chris , co-owner of Pretentious Pooch in , estimates that canine apparel makes up between one-fifth and one-quarter of his winter sales.<br><br>Cohen said that boutique-style stores peaked in popularity about five years ago &#8212; or about the same time that such top labels as , and Coach decided to expand into the pet market.<br><br>Once the recession hit, many boutiques had to branch out into other dog and cat products, such as food and bowls, to remain in the black.<br><br>Baltimore is a city that places a high value on being down to earth, Woodside said, so frou-frou products that sell strongly in such cities as New York, Los Angeles or even Washington do less well here.<br><br>"People in Baltimore are definitely more practical," he says. "It became clear a year or so ago that we were either going to have to morph into selling other products or close the front door."<br><br>Still, there's practical, and then there's "practical." A sweater or coat may be a necessity for short-haired dogs such as chihauhaus, terriers or even Dobermans who walk outside when temperatures are in single digits.<br><br>And if that coat happens to be quilted, beige and made by Gucci (retail value, $280) or a striped Coach cashmere sweater ($148 and up), that doesn't make it less functional.<br><br>For instance, Cathy Brennan, an attorney who lives in Rodgers Forge in , enjoys dressing Dante, the surviving member of a pair of Boston terriers, in sweaters, a cape and bow ties.<br><br>?<p>After their two sons headed off to college, Bill and Carolyn Walter thought the time might be right to downsize. Coming from a large, single-family home in , they wanted something smaller with a strong community association to handle outdoor maintenance, and also in the same area of northern Baltimore County.</p><p>The house-hunting ended when the two came across a lovely villa for sale in the nearby community of Pebble Creek. Carolyn Walter knew instantly she wanted to move into the traditional home that connected to four others on the street, resembling a row of cottages with deeply pitched roofs and front dormers. The interior design, with meticulous attention paid to details such as two wood-burning fireplaces, wide molding and oak flooring, appealed to her taste for traditional furnishings.</p><p>In spite of herself, Carolyn Walter gushed over the great find.</p> <p>"I told her, 'Don't say you love it so much when I'm trying to negotiate price,'" Bill Walter said, decidedly, but with a smile that indicated the outcome was inevitable.</p><p>The Walters, who would be the second owners of the house, paid $410,000 for a two-level, plus finished lower level, 4,000-square-foot home on approximately one-tenth of an acre. </p><p>While the home, built in 1994, was in very good condition, the Walters have made several improvements and upgrades since they moved in in 1998. During the past twelve years, the couple added new kitchen appliances, cabinets and granite countertops, hardwood flooring on the home's second level, and a deck. They had the master bathroom renovated.</p><p>The couple also added a decorator wall from the entrance to the kitchen. In keeping with the traditional aspects of the interior architecture, Carolyn Walter called upon a construction design company noted for its exquisite restoration, renovation and millwork, SouthFen Inc. to create the paneled wall over the original plain one. The raised panels, Colonial in style, are painted the same shade of eggshell found in the living and dining rooms, with the trim painted a deep shade of wheat. The sight of this angled wall, embellished with three brass sconces, upon entering the hall sets the formal tone for the rest of the home.</p><p>"We live in the kitchen and the family room that has two doors out to the deck," said Carolyn Walter. </p><p>These rooms, with walls painted a deep shade of Duron's Burberry Red, contrast in a casually elegant style with her vast collection of Delft pottery and porcelain prominently displayed in every room, on every shelf and wall and in every cabinet. From platters to large bowls, houses, urns, plates and even an umbrella stand, the delicately painted blue and white pieces perfectly accent every room's decor and wall color.</p><p>The formal elegance of the dining room is enhanced by a crystal chandelier that drops from the 23-foot ceiling. A mahogany suite of Chippendale-style furniture features a double pedestal table that will seat 12 and a china closet filled with a Royal Copenhagen service for eight.</p><p>The living room boasts one of the home's two wood-burning fireplaces, while cherry furniture and an entire wall of framed prints depicting various scenes of horse and hound hunts give the room a decidedly English country feel. The look is carried out in the second-floor hallway, where several services of silver sit atop mahogany side tables.</p><p>The second-floor bedrooms, especially the master, which is painted soft yellow, have a distinct, manor style achieved with artwork, artfully placed armchairs and benches, needlepoint pillows and rich fabrics on furniture and beds.</p><p>The finished lower level follows the same circular flow as the two above it. A library filled with hundreds of books segues to a sitting area before moving to a craft studio and finally, a separate office for Bill Walter.</p><p>The couple shares a laugh over the mention of their new home being almost as large as the one they left.</p><p>"Yes, but we're close to everything, and the community has strict covenants when it comes to exterior work," Carolyn Walter said.</p><p>"And it's maintenance-free. We lock the door and go!" her husband added.</p><p>Have you found your dream home? Tell us about it! Send an e-mail to .</p><p>Making the dream</p><p>Dream location: Bill and Carolyn Walter's villa home is located in Pebble Creek, a neighborhood development in Timonium. Though nestled in a wooden area, they are close to the amenities on the York Road corridor.</p><p>Dream design: The homes are painted a light khaki and cream color with wooden trim at windows and doors that feature arched transoms. Chunky stone chimneys, stone half-walls, double-car garages and sloping roofs with prominent gables contribute to the traditional design of each house in the row.</p><p>Dream element: A large, angular entrance hall presents onto a winding oak staircase that sweeps to the open hallway of the second level. The circular flow of the first floor leads to a rear kitchen and breakfast room. The layout is, Carolyn Walter says, "great for parties. Everyone is comfortable, [and] every room is used." </p>?<br><br><br><br>What is it about the British and great fashion?<br><br>Even in his death, 's exhibit drew thousands upon thousands to this year. Effects of the royal wedding are dominating a number of fashion trends for women this season. Lace, fancy hats are still huge. Tartan patterns, tweed, fur accents are a must. Peter-pan collars are regularly sported by personality and British import Alexa Chung, And British songstresses such as Adele, Duffy, and Estelle are red carpet regulars. And let us not forget style icon .<br><br> The British are here to stay. And so are browns, grays, and nudes, which will all be big colors this season. Pop colors such as red and blue will also be everywhere.<br><br>Many of these trends don't come cheap. Yes, you could head to Burberry and dress like one of their mannequins, but what is the fun in that? Be authentic and go vintage for some of those classic looks that top designers are recreating right now. Plus, doesn't it sounds so much better when you can say that a piece of clothing is vintage?<br><br>About the shoot<br><br>b teamed with CoverGirl and Towson Town Center to conduct a regional model search for this Fall fashion spread. The models: Christie Beran, Natalie Hessler, Farrah Palmer, Michael McVearry and Ramar Robinson, were chosen from more than 100 hopefuls. CoverGirl makeup products were used exclusively for the shoot.<br><br>Styling: John-John Williams IVAssistant styling: Adee Lawal and Toria TurnerHair and Makeup: Leah Sarah Bassett, T.H.E. Artist Agency?<p>Punters have donned their tin hats and are feeling defensive today.</p><p>Riskier stocks -- including most of the mining sector -- dived to the bottom of the index with Vedanta Resources and Anglo American falling hard.</p><p>Revelations of a mining scam in India pushed Goa to place a temporary ban on mining. The state is the country's second-biggest iron ore producer and the news has hit Vedanta Resources.</p> <p>Vedanta's Indian arm Sesa Goa is currently merging with Sterlite Industries and both have been hit by the ban. Vedanta lost 45p to 957.75p but experts expect the ban to not impact the business in the long term.</p><p>Anglo American, down 83.5p to 1918.25p, which is facing legal action in the High Court from African gold miners who claim that health and safety conditions have caused their lung diseases, received a downgrade today. It denies liability. Analysts at cut its price target to 1750p from 1900p.</p><p>A cautious feeling swept the City ahead of a German court's ruling on its participation in the planned European bailout.</p><p>Defensive stocks were in favour with British American Tobacco leading the FTSE 100, up 47.5p to 3171.5p.</p><p>Hopes of progress in the eurozone were crushed as a hurdle emerged in the process to sign off the 's bond-buying scheme, causing European markets to stutter.</p><p>The FTSE 100 lost 19.63 points to 5773.57.</p><p>Software giant Sage fell 1.9p to 302.45p despite being given a buy rating yesterday by Galvan Research on rumours of M&amp;A activity. Analysts said there was "the distinct possibility that Sage could be a target of German sector peer SAP".</p><p>At the bottom of the FTSE 100, luxury fashion group Burberry found itself down 249p to 1125.5p, after a profits warning. The 18 percent fall saw this year's share price rise disappear. Its highest point this year came in April when it hit 1586p. But the fall today prompted some traders to start bottom-fishing and buy the shares.</p><p>On Aim, drug discovery company Summit has signed a technology license agreement with US based and its shares gained 0.88p to a healthy 3.38p.</p><p>Sefton Resources, the US focused oil and gas group, reported that oil production increased in the first half but it recorded a loss for the period as costs increased. The California and Kansas-focused explorer saw its shares tumble 0.24p to 1.58p. Unlike many other oil and gas explorers, Kazakhstan-focused Zhaikmunai Group has announced it will pay a dividend but its shares lost 0.46p to 9.14p.</p><p>There was a bad smell in the air for environmental technology group Aerte. It needs more cash after an order of air disinfection products, that it manufactured and delivered in May, were cancelled by the Chinese buyer.</p><p>It found itself at the bottom of the AIM index, losing more than 41 percent, down 0.24p to 0.34p.</p><p>The board said it will be "difficult to recover payment for these devices in the medium term and it is no longer expecting to receive further orders from this distributor".</p><p>___</p><p>(c)2012 London Evening Standard</p><p>Visit the London Evening Standard at </p><p>Distributed by MCT Information Services</p>?&quot;HE'S QUITE ... blessed!&quot; says Calamity Chang, a British burlesque star who appeared with actor/leading man/hunk in some of the many nude scenes in the movie &quot;Shame.&quot;<br><br>Fassbender is the one made a sexy reference to at the -- in case you've been under a rock.<br><br> But the actor, of German and Irish extraction, has a real claim to fame. It is in being one of the hardest-working men in international films. He has completed a 20-month spell of work where he shot six movies.<br><br>I just saw him onscreen being kicked through a door by martial arts expert Gina Carano in the perfectly silly movie &quot;Haywire.&quot; (This is the one your teenage male offspring are so crazy about.)<br><br>WAIT FOR it! The'70s super band is about to release its first new song in 20 years. In April, their first album since 1994 will be out. It's titled &quot;A Twinkling Star to a Passing Angel.&quot;<br><br>&quot;&quot; -- the hit musical based on ABBA songs -- is still seen worldwide, still making money since it opened in 1999 in London's West End.<br><br>UGGIE, the dog from the award-winning silent film &quot;The Artist,&quot; is being retired by its trainer, Omar Von Muller. He doesn't want to put 'Uggie' through anymore long hours. Von Muller says, &quot;He's getting tired.&quot; But does this mean the adorable Uggie won't turn up at the ? Say it isn't so.<br><br>THEY SAY only seven people turned up for actor Nicol Williamson's burial the other day. The bad boy of English theater had not worked since 1997 and had turned down some great offers in his time.<br><br>His obit describes him as a hell-raiser; one of the patron saints of bad behavior, &quot;almost deliberately badly behaved,&quot; prone to walking offstage in mid-performance, throwing things, an exhibitionist and the last of a breed.<br><br>One of Williamson's obits by Roger Lewis refers to the actor as being possibly influenced by and method acting. This led to the story of and in &quot;Marathon Man.&quot; To look sweaty, Hoffman ran around a football field. He was panting when Oliver remarked, &quot;Why don't you try acting, dear boy? It's far easier.&quot;<br><br>I SEE why movie stars like don't like to give interviews. He gave one to the recently in which he cited his &quot;depression&quot; in the 1990s when he was coping with 'the celebrity thing.'<br><br>Depression is serious stuff. But almost everybody suffers from it occasionally. Headlines reporting his remarks make it seem he is seriously &quot;down.&quot; But Pitt seems very happy these days. He has Oscar nods, a stimulating relationship, lots of good charity efforts and six children.<br><br>IN THESE days when the 1 percent is being excoriated, guess what? Even though the global market is shaky and buying of luxury goods is a bit shaky, LVMH is still going strong. Sales of Louis Vuitton and Loewe handbags, Krug champagne and Hennessy cognac, Tag Heuer watches, and other spirits, leather, feather and fashionable goods, including Burberry, seem to be soaring.<br><br>MICHAEL JACKSON began his showbiz career as an adorable, phenomenally gifted child. He didn't need a lot of razzmatazz to showcase his pure voice and amazing dance technique, a technique that even the great would come to admire.<br><br>But as the years rolled on, Michael ramped up the sets, the style and the strangeness. Sometimes he appeared to get lost under the &quot;stuff,&quot; when all he really needed was to sing and dance, period. But when people pay hundreds of dollars for concert tickets, they want spectacle as well as talent. Perhaps more of the former than the latter.<br><br>And spectacle is certainly the attraction of tribute show, titled -- with typical understatement -- &quot;Immortal.&quot; The show features all the usual Cirque bells and whistles: acrobatics, LED screens, huge balloons, animatronic recreations of Michael, and, but of course, his real image and voice, as compelling as ever.<br><br>Apparently, although the show was a huge hit in Montreal and Las Vegas, raking in more than $100 million, some consider it tasteless, overblown, exploitive, especially as the Jackson family is involved. Well, they have to be involved. The Jacksons, in tandem with , control Michael's music and likeness. While Michael was alive, the Jackson family didn't seem to be thriving, nor did their golden goose.<br><br>But now Michael is the most successful dead celebrity ever. His estate has garnered a whopping $450 million since the pop icon's tragic death almost three years ago. Michael, who loved to break records and boast of his accomplishments, would be so happy to know he's still the King of Pop, so crowned by his friend . Michael's children, Prince, Paris and will never know a day of financial need. Nor will anybody else in the family.<br><br>&quot;Immortal&quot; has plans to move on to London and other spots in Europe. As one newspaper review stated, &quot;It's like a Michael Jackson tour, without Michael.&quot; But that seems to be good enough for Michael's fans.<br><br>Oh, and these fans don't care if some condemn the show as &quot;tacky, sentimental and visually overloaded.&quot;<br><br>It's as close to the old Michael Jackson experience as those who adored him can get. They love it.<br><br>(E-mail at , or write to her c/o Tribune Media Services, 2225 Kenmore Ave., Suite 114, Buffalo, NY 14207.)<br><br>?Historically, travel hasn't been fashion-friendly. No matter how you pack, your clothes are destined for Wrinkleville. And that expensive bottle of perfume in your checked bag is likely to arrive broken or not at all.<br><br>But fret not. Designers and cosmetic companies have taken note, launching mini-sized, wrinkle-free or collapsible products that help travelers stay fashionable while jet-setting.<br><br> "So many designers and companies are conscious of travel-friendly fabrics and products," said Stephanie Bradshaw, a stylist based in Cockeysville. "And cosmetics have certainly come a long way &#8212; particularly in the past few years."<br><br>Wrinkle-free clothing has been downright hideous in the past. Not anymore. Designers such as Jude Connally and Desiqual offer colorful, trendy clothes that will hold up to the bumps of travel. And you don't have to go far to find them &#8212; local boutiques have stocked up with plenty of the fashionable threads.<br><br>At Trillium, a high-end boutique in Green Spring Station, some of the best-selling items are travel-friendly, said owner Sima Blue.<br><br>"Most of my customers travel a lot," Blue said. "They go back and forth to their second homes. They travel abroad. They want to look good when they travel."<br><br>Travel-friendly selections at Trillium include wrinkle-free raincoats by Mycra Pac, cashmere ruanas by Minnie Rose and wash-and-go T-shirts by Michael Stars.<br><br>"These clothes are great because they are great on the plane," Blue said. "They are easy to pack. And they don't take up a lot of room."<br><br>Frances Burress, owner of the boutique Caviar and Cobwebs, carries Desiqual, a popular line of clothing based in Spain that happens to be wrinkle-free.<br><br>"The colors are bold and beautiful," Burress said. "They are washable, and they hold up very well."<br><br>She said the line has a distinct European feel that allows wearers to stand out in a crowd.<br><br>"They are contemporary, and they fit people," said Burress, who added that the designer has lines for men, women and children. "Their styles are for folks from 8 to 80."<br><br>Octavia II, a boutique in Cross Keys, carries Jude Connally, an American line that touts its wash-and-wear clothing.<br><br>"You can just throw them in your bag and go," said owner Betsy Wendell, who was wearing one of the designer's dresses. "They don't wrinkle. I've slept in this dress. It looked just the same when I got out of bed. They are perfect for travel."<br><br>In the past, customers would scoff at the thought of wearing wrinkle-free clothing, Wendell said. Those times have changed.<br><br>"The clothes have gotten much better," she said. "These clothes work into everyone's busy lifestyle."<br><br>Cosmetics companies have also made changes to their products, mostly as a result of the attacks on Sept. 11, 2001. Since the Transportation Security Administration limits the amount of liquid passengers can take in their carry-on luggage, a number of companies &#8212; including cosmetics giant MAC &#8212; have launched travel-size products that meet airline regulations.<br><br>Travalo is a fairly new product that allows travelers to transport smaller amounts of perfume on airplanes. Other companies are offering new features aimed at protecting a product's pricey contents. Burberry, the luxury clothing line that also has a line of cosmetics, now offers lipstick packaged in magnetized gunmetal tubes to prevent spillage during travel.<br><br>Stylist Bradshaw likes the new offerings for cosmetics and clothing. She said the latest advances have left travelers with no excuses to look sloppy when they are on vacation.<br><br>"It's just as easy to put on a pretty dress as it is to put on your juicy sweat suits," said Bradshaw, who added that the days of T-shirts, sneakers and khaki shorts are over. "Why not chose to be pretty? Pretty is fun. It also communicates to the rest of the world how you feel about yourself."<br><br><br><br>Miles of style<br><br>Cockeysville stylist Stephanie Bradshaw suggests packing these fashionable and practical items for a trip:<br><br>Scarf: "I always carry a scarf with me when I travel," Bradshaw says. "Sometime you get cold on the plane." When you arrive at your destination, scarves are perfect to dress up an outfit. "You can put a scarf on any outfit and look chic in two seconds," she adds.<br><br>Sensible shoes: Pack the more flexible shoes, and wear the bigger shoes on the plane, Bradshaw says. She also suggests that you put any sparkly shoes in a plastic bag so that the glitter doesn't get on your clothing.<br><br>Fashionable bag with a comfortable handle: "I would like to take something a little more chic," Bradshaw says. Pick a bag with a supple, durable leather handle, according to Bradshaw. "It won't dig into your skin," she says.<br><br>A good cosmetics bag: 's eco-friendly cosmetics bag works because it's a good size for fitting everything for a weekend getaway, says Bradshaw. "It's not too big and not too small. The fact that it is fabric means that it can squish down in your travel bag."<br><br>?With the holiday shopping season already under way, many of the nation's leading retailers say they plan to avoid the kind of deep, across-the-board discounts that gave last year's season an air of desperation -- and crimped profits.<br><br>Instead, many are using more subtle, under-the-radar promotions to lure shoppers this year.<br><br> Several big chains, including and Limited Brands Inc.'s Express division, are cutting back on the number of blockbuster discount events that they've relied on in past years to pack their stores.<br><br>Even , whose buy-one-get-one-free deal helped spark a frenzy of similar activity among rivals last year, insists it's changing course.<br><br>"We think that particular promotion for our store has gotten a bit stale," said , a spokesman for the New York-based chain.<br><br>Wall Street likes the new discipline.<br><br>"The trend has been to rein in harmful promotions," said Todd Slater, an analyst with Lazard in New York. This year, he said, "retailers may be prepared to leave some pockets of business on the table, which is healthy."<br><br>Better outlook<br><br>Retailers can't afford to reprise last year's disappointing holiday season, when sales of apparel, toys, electronics and other gifts rose by a modest 2.2 percent, according to the National Retail Federation in Washington. Early warning signals abounded last year: Sales actually slowed heading into the holiday season, prompting many merchants to rev up the promotional machine in earnest.<br><br>John Morris, an analyst at Harris Nesbitt Gerard who has been tallying holiday discounts for several years, said the number and severity of markdowns increased 10 percent in 2002, on top of a 15 percent rise in 2001.<br><br>This year, thanks in part to a healthier economy, retail sales are accelerating as the holidays near. And despite the better outlook, stores generally have refused to stock up on extra inventory, which means they have the luxury of being more measured in their discounting strategies.<br><br>"It is going to be a less-promotional holiday selling season," Morris said.<br><br>Still, even while they are avoiding undignified 50 percent-off signs, some retailers are encouraging their best customers to come in early with special, targeted discounts.<br><br>"I think people are tired of the all-day sale," said JoAnn Brosi, general manager for the Galleria, a mall in California. "When they're on a mailing list and they're asked to be part of a small promotion, it makes them feel special."<br><br>Invitation-only sales<br><br>Sharon Chortek, a Dallas-based TV producer, has a stack of special pre-holiday promotions she's received in the mail over the past three weeks. Each come-on has a little different twist.<br><br>One, from -- a top-tier Texas mall anchored by Saks Fifth Avenue, Nordstrom and -- offers a $25 to $50 gift check to any number of Galleria specialty stores, including , Coach and Cartier.<br><br>To qualify, shoppers need to spend $200 at the mall. The promotion, which began Nov. 7, runs until supplies last -- a "big incentive to get there early," Chortek said.<br><br>Last week, Chortek was invited to the special three-hour sale at called Private Night, offering 25 percent to 40 percent off on such merchandise and products as Burberry, which rarely go on sale.<br><br>?<p>Things just keep getting sexier along Stevens Creek Boulevard.</p><p>To the north, diamonds and pearls shimmer at the newly expanded Tiffany &amp; Co. inside a Westfield Valley Fair mall that's gone gaga for glitz.</p><p>To the south, 10-year-old Santana Row is bursting with new retail, residential and office projects. There's a new lingerie line at the beefed-up H&amp;M opening this week, a hipper-than-thou Italian coffee joint coming soon, and a high-end rental complex called Misora -- which, for those of you not fluent in Japanese, means "beautiful sky."</p> <p>With the dawning of Valley Fair's and Santana Row's "resort-style" rental apartments packed with status-hungry scenesters, the Stevens Creek corridor near Interstate 880 may well start calling itself the South Bay's Champs-Elysees. And its denizens and visitors are both fueling and feasting upon the region's ever brightening business climate.</p><p>"With the Silicon Valley economy coming around, especially in tech, you've now got 20-year-old entrepreneurs in flip-flops buying Cartier watches," said Valley Fair senior general manager Gavin Farnam, standing near the high-end jeweler, just one in a cavalcade of top-drawer stores settling into the mall's luxury lane. "And it's not just luxury items, but everything. We're at our highest sales level now in the history of the mall."</p><p>This bifurcated boom could cause whiplash for passing motorists. With dozens of projects under way at both</p><p>sites, a tale of two malls is unfolding to the sound of jackhammers and ringing cash registers.</p><p>"This retail expansion is another indicator of the jobs and wage growth helping Silicon Valley lead the rest of the nation out of the recession," said Steve Levy with the Center for Continuing Study of the California Economy in Palo Alto. "And for companies like Apple (AAPL) and (GOOG), employees are seeing their stock worth more, too, so it's kind of a perfect storm, at least within the tech world. People in the valley have more to spend, and that's spilling over into retail."</p><p>Santana Row seems to be firing on all pistons as it celebrates its 10-year anniversary next month. Despite initial criticism that the upscale retail-residential complex would suck the life out of downtown San Jose, and naysayers who questioned whether the European-style village concept would ever work, the project now claims design awards and traffic numbers that would make</p><p>any shopping mall green with envy.</p><p>"It took people a while to sort of get this place," said Collette Navarrette, spokeswoman for the mall's publicly traded owner, . "It was a whole new concept when it opened in 2002 with just 35 tenants and no office space. Ten years later, we have 100 merchants, 403 rental homes and 219 condos, as well as 115,000 square feet of office space."</p><p>As Santana Row's residential occupancy rates push 100 percent, Silicon Valley's boom is reflected in real time inside the erstwhile Borders on the faux village's faux main street. This week, the popular Swedish clothing retailer H&amp;M formally moves a few hundred feet down the Row into the closed book store, tripling in size to 27,000 square feet and adding new lingerie, maternity and children's sections.</p><p>Lifestyle is the Row's middle name. And with a boutique hotel, spas, wine bars and enough luxury retail to satisfy the most discerning shopaholic, its owners are planning yet another phase of the expansion: They're planning to build a 220,000-square-foot office tower, then fill it with employees who can tap into the smorgasbord that surrounds them. Federal Realty's West Coast president, Jeff Berkes, said the tower is part of the economic evolution under way in the region.</p><p>"San Francisco and Silicon Valley are leading the United States through its economic recovery," Berkes said. "We started to see that first in 2009 in the performance of the Hotel Valencia and our restaurants, followed by the occupancy levels and rents we've been able to get for our apartments. Then we saw it in retail. And these are all signs of the confidence people have in the local economy."</p><p>While it pretties itself up with new paint, a beefed-up valet station, and even plusher seating in its common areas, Valley Fair is welcoming a roster of luxury stores to a mall that has seen double-digit sales growth every month this year. Along with Cartier, a new Burberry, TAG Heuer and Wolford are joining the family.</p><p>With business booming on both sides of the boulevard, the two malls say the synergy between them serves both well.</p><p>"Anytime you have retail nearby, it's competition," Farnam said. "But when you have that lifestyle component like you've got at Santana Row, with residential and offices, that brings more people to the area and helps all of us."</p><p>Contact Patrick May at 408-920-5689. Follow him at Twitter.com/patmaymerc.</p><p>A Tale of Two Malls</p><p>Westfield Valley Fair</p>?Spring merchandise has officially hit the stores, and one trend should be immediately noticeable: bright colors. They were everywhere on the spring-summer 2011 runways, including at the show, where candy colors managed to look minimal when shown with crisp white shirts or layered with sleek black coats, and at and Burberry, where various tones of shocking aqua and cobalt were paired for a cool (and somehow punchy) look. Color blocking, as seen on the runway, is another major trend.<br><br>Other designer and contemporary brands explored the color wheel as well. "For spring we bought a lot of color, from acid pinks to orange-red to cobalt blue to tangerine," says Jeannie Lee, owner of 3rd Street's Satine Boutique, which stocks lines from designers including , , and .<br><br> Retailer Hillary Rush, who owns her eponymous boutique, also on 3rd Street, has already starting seeing the color craze take effect with customers. " The oversized raglan shirt from Monrow has totally sold out in the hibiscus color," a coral-orange Rush says. "When a bright color like that sells out before the black or white, it's always a statement that people are wearing color that season."<br><br>On the other end of the spectrum, shoppers are likely to encounter lots of white. The natural, yet luxe look of an all-white ensemble (which also works in winter, but is a lot more practical in the warmer months) looked fresh in the runway collections of , and .<br><br> is also turning out a number of white items, from easy button-downs to wide leg trousers, all in shades of white and off-white and in stores this summer. And there's no shortage of white jeans, which are showing up in the spring and summer lines of J Brand, MIH and 7 for All Mankind.<br><br>Shoppers may also notice a '60s and '70s aesthetic dictating the shape of denim this season.<br><br>"Denim flares are really hot," says Caprice C. Willard, vice president-regional planning manager for Macys, where brands such as and Levi's have incorporated the style. Flared and wide-leg jeans are also big sellers on the boutique level; Satine's Lee says wide-leg jeans have been flying off the shelves.<br><br>On spring-summer 2011 runways such as 's, models wore wide-leg jeans with tucked-in white button-downs and chic wedge sandals. On the street we're bound to see a more relaxed version of the look, with women wearing bell bottom-style jeans with T-shirts and sandals or perhaps flared jeans with a tucked-in tank top and a blazer for evening.<br><br>The other denim trend for spring is a gamine, '60s crop. The pant leg ends at least 2 inches above the ankle. The jeans look great with ballet flats or a low-mid wedge sandal.<br><br>The '70s vibe also includes versions of the maxi-length skirt and dress. Floor-grazing styles were featured in the collections of and Jil Sander and are showing up in stores such as the Gap, and Club Monaco.<br><br> "The maxi-dress is really important this season and we are seeing a resurgence with it," Willard says. "The maxi length actually stays important in Southern California all year long."<br><br>?Holiday travel is right around the corner, and you probably already dread some of the beauty pitfalls.<br><br>Try to breeze through airport security with regular-size beauty products and you may find yourself pulled to the side of the line, in your stocking feet, subjected to a close, personal relationship with the worker giving you a full-body scan with a security wand. Travel by ship, train or car, and loose makeup in your purse can cause a gooey, gunky mess. A lipstick top falls off, an eye shadow shatters and you are left not only with a soiled handbag but often with ruined cosmetics too.<br><br> But organization can turn holiday travel from frenzied to fabulous. A good makeup bag can help, and for everyday use, buy one that's easy to clean. During the holidays, many cosmetic companies include a makeup bag as a seasonal beauty promotion bonus, so whether you go with one of our selections below or receive one with a purchase, this is the time to find a better way to stow your toiletries.<br><br>Carry on<br><br>If you're traveling by air, the first question is whether to carry on or check your cosmetics. First, get acquainted with the Transportation Security Administration's 3-1-1 : liquids, aerosols and gels must be in containers no bigger than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) enclosed in a 1-quart clear plastic zip-top bag, with one bag allowed per person. (It's OK &#8212; and a good idea &#8212; to carry extra 1-quart plastic bags in your purse for emergencies).<br><br>There are many 3-1-1 carry-on kits, but make sure yours comes with bottles that close properly and are made so that the product can be squeezed out readily. The Container Store sells a 3-1-1 Travel Pack ($7.99) that includes a clear 1-quart bag; three wide-mouth, BPA-free 3-ounce bottles, a pump, a mister, one 2-ounce jar, a pill case and labels. They also sell tiny Nalgene leak-proof jars and bottles at about $1.50 each. Bring a sleep/eye mask for beauty sleep.<br><br>Check in<br><br>If you decide to check your beauty bounty in your luggage, make sure the tops on all liquid products close tightly to avoid shampoo or foundation spills all over your clothes. Squeeze out any excess air in plastic bottles. And double wrap your toiletry-makeup bag in something waterproof for extra protection. Tiny hotel toiletry amenities, perfume samples and store-bought beauty minis are terrific for short-trip travel.<br><br>Packable options include the Household Essentials Nylon Hanging Cosmetics-Bag, which folds to fit in a suitcase and is made of easy-clean PVC microfiber with a waterproof vinyl lining ($22.99, ). Baggallini, founded in 1995 by two veteran flight attendants, makes a water-resistant Ripstop Nylon Cosmetic Bag with a detachable bottom pocket for everyday use ($29, Baggallini.com). The hang-able Emilie Sloan Paige Glam Roll ($35, Emiliesloan.com) is a pretty choice made of waterproof fabric in a variety of patterns. It's also a good choice for home use if you're short on space.<br><br>On the case<br><br>Good train case options include Sephora Midnight or Metro Train Cases ($92, Sephora.com), Makeup Creation Pro Series Makeup Case ($99.95, Makeupcreations.com) and Bobbie Brown's &#252;ber-chic Limited Edition Deluxe Travel Kit with a detachable makeup bag ($115, Bobbibrowncosmetics.com). Flight001.com has travel-friendly makeup bags and Pacsafe.com sells the StowSafe Toiletry Bag, which has a secret pocket, tamper-proof zippers and what it says is a TSA-certified padlock to secure expensive face creams and perfume ($39.99).<br><br>The bright side<br><br>A colorful makeup bag is easier to spot in the deep dark well otherwise known as the interior of your handbag, especially with today's extra-large purses. Sportsac and Stephanie Johnson bags allow you to mix and match designs and makeup bag sizes. Examples include the Stephanie Johnson Bollywood Pink Medium Flat Pouch ($26, Stephaniejohnson.com) and SJ Creations Sparkling Snakeskin Orange Pencil Case Cosmetic Bag ($11.99 Ulta.com). Marc Jacobs and Rebecca Minkoff have a few nice, bright cosmetic bags as well.<br><br>Artsy<br><br>Whether your predilections lean toward watercolors, folk art or works by John Singer Sargent or Modigliani, some cosmetic cases prime the painterly mood. A few choices: Toss Designs Medallion Set of 3 Cosmetic Bags ($30, Tossdesigns.com); ProjectArt Peacocks Rounded Cosmetic Case &#8212; it comes with a matching mini-mirror ($48, Endless.com); and Painterly Clutch &#8212; Blue Motif by Stephanie Johnson ($32, Anthropologie.com).<br><br>Classic<br><br>The tried and true &#8212; not trendy &#8212; seduces you. You might go for the Haymarket Check Cosmetic Case in chocolate ($198, Us.burberry.com); Lantern Red Cole Haan Cosmetic Case ($68, Colehaan.com); or Kate Spade Foiled Again Large Black Pouch ($75, Katespade.com). MAC's signature Medium Softsac makeup bag is also a terrific, basic everyday option and is fully washable ($28, Maccosmetics.com).<br><br>Festive<br><br>When it comes to cleaning, these may not be the most practical makeup bags, but they add holiday sparkle or can double as a festive evening clutch. Try the Tory Burch Mirrored Crinkle Small Cosmetic Case with metallic foil finish ($95, Toryburch.com), or Madrid Greta Medium Cosmetic Bag ($38, Stephaniejohnson.com). Bottega Veneta offers the stylish but pricey leather Nero Intrecciato Nappa Cosmetic Case/Clutch ($900, Bottegaveneta.com). Less expensive metallic options include Sephora Havana and Silver makeup bags ($7 and $18, Sephora.com) and Spiegel.com's Relaxed Glamour Signature Cosmetic Bags starting at $5 with a $10 purchase.<br><br>?It was who made me a foreign correspondent.<br><br>Before she turned up, my newspaper career had consisted of listening to Baltimore policemen reminisce about great hangings and covering bush-league statesmen deploring the state of the world.<br><br> I had also covered night rewrite: stickups, accidents, floods, fires, murders, from supper time to 2 in the morning. It wasn't a dead-end job, but neither was there a lot to look forward to except retirement after 40 years of good behavior.<br><br>When the queen assignment came, I was 27 years old. Like all young reporters &mdash; brilliant or hopelessly incompetent &mdash; I dreamed of the glamorous life of the foreign correspondent: prowling Vienna in a Burberry trench coat, speaking a dozen languages to dangerous women, narrowly escaping Sardinian bandits &mdash; the usual stuff that newspaper dreams are made of.<br><br>For this reason I did not say "No" when one of The Sun's more godlike editors invited me to an elegant restaurant for a gin-soaked lunch late in the autumn of 1952 and asked, as the third round of drinks approached, whether I would like to be the paper's next correspondent.<br><br>It was the most extraordinary question ever addressed to me, and I let it bounce round and round in my skull to make sure I had heard it correctly:<br><br>Would I like to be the next London correspondent? That was what he said. He was offering me the job of London correspondent!<br><br>Even under a heavy load of gin, it was possible to feel the earth move. Life was not going to be the same ever again.<br><br>His conversation shifted immediately into discussion of how to cover a coronation, a subject of negligible concern to me until that instant, when it became clear that the pending coronation of an English queen was the cause of my rise to glory.<br><br>The new queen was 27 years old. (I was, and still am, only eight months older.) I thought sending an innocent, ignorant youth to London suggested a management decision to match the tone of the coverage to the youthful spirit of the occasion.<br><br>On the strength of this probably absurd conjecture, I guessed that that the paper wanted more impertinence than it usually got from the London bureau. From the outset, I decided to produce stories more likely to entertain Baltimoreans than the usual London bureau articles about diplomacy and decline of the pound sterling.<br><br>Serious journalism need not be solemn. And so I came to London determined to keep the coverage unsolemn. It would include a look at pop-culture stars such as Danny LaRue, a female impersonator with a vast middle-class family following, and , an American pop singer who made audiences fill the London Palladium with screams of delight as he wept and wailed about a little white cloud that cried.<br><br>The Sun was also present for 's first London revival and for the heroic display in Edinburgh of the largest assortment of Scotch malt whisky ever assembled. Its correspondent checked out Manx cats at a convention on the Isle of Man and traveled to a frigid Scottish town on the Irish Sea to inspect a decaying estate inherited, along with a knighthood, by a Maryland farmer.<br><br>Movie stars, kings, sheiks, chiefs, war heroes, newspaper columnists and Mayor Thomas D'Alesandro the Elder appeared in the cables to Baltimore, along with Prince of Japan, the queen of Tonga and an embalmed whale that was attracting a big, paying audience to a London street corner.<br><br>Despite the heavy file of good-time coverage, the normal meat-and-potatoes diet of political and diplomatic stories did not much decline. There were frequent visits to the House of Commons, where was prime minister again, and I never missed one of Foreign Minister Anthony Eden's briefings for American correspondents, though everybody knew they were a waste of time.<br><br>I saw a consummate piece of Churchill's theatrical oratory at a party political conference in which he succeeded in persuading Conservatives that he was still capable of serving as prime minister in spite of a stroke suffered a few months earlier.<br><br>Reporting the actual ceremony of Elizabeth's coronation, which was the fundamental reason I had been sent from the rewrite desk to the north transept of , was perhaps the least interesting aspect of the assignment. Nowadays a coronation would be reported as just another television spectacle from London, where they do spectacle so well. Sending a print reporter to England would be absurd.<br><br>In 1953, with no satellites to bring the show instantly into American living rooms, the TV networks could only fly their pictures across the Atlantic for showing next day. It was almost surely the last time a print correspondent would struggle with words to give the public an inadequate impression of a show too gaudy for anything but television's best high-def cameras.<br><br>Russell Baker is a retired journalist whose books include "Growing Up," "The Good Times" and "Looking Back." He worked for The Sun from 1947 through 1954 as a local reporter, London correspondent and reporter.?Part 2 in a series of occasional articles.<br><br>In the music video for hit single " the pop diva vamps across several nightmarish tableaux wearing a variety of barely there lingerie get-ups. The flashy clip caused a sensation when it debuted in November and has racked up 85 million views on . &#182; But perhaps its most striking aspect is the unabashed product placement -- conspicuous visual shout-outs to Nemiroff vodka, , Burberry and other brands. &#182; Back in the proverbial day -- say, the era, punk rock's '70s heyday, the slacker-era '90s -- a song was a song and a jingle was a jingle and rarely the twain did meet. But now, with CD sales in free fall and opportunities for radio or television airplay increasingly rare, the rules governing the interplay between and advertising are being rewritten.<br><br> It's no longer possible to "sell out" -- at least, not within a certain time-cherished understanding of the term. Rockers, rappers and up-and-coming pop titans of all stripes are licensing music and image as an integral part of brand-building, which largely has usurped selling music and concert tickets as many musicians' professional end goal.<br><br>Consider 's smash hit "Forever," which cracked the Top 10 in seven countries in 2008 (before his career-derailing assault on ) and went double platinum. At the start of the song's video, Brown is shown sliding a piece of gum into his mouth before heading out for a night on the town. On "Forever's" chorus, he croons: " 'Cause we only got one night / Double your pleasure, double your fun." Turns out the song was commissioned by Wrigley to promote -- you guessed it -- Doublemint gum. Three months after releasing the single, the chewing gum conglomerate aired its "reveal": a TV commercial version of "Forever" featuring Brown singing about gum and dancing with a pack of Doublemint.<br><br>The spot generated outcry among music purists, but marketers greeted the spots with awe. "When the reveal happened, some people got upset," recalled Steve Stoute, founder of the firm Translation Consultation & Brand Imaging. "But the number of spins went up and Doublemint went up in awareness."<br><br>Stoute, who was behind "Forever," also is responsible for 's "I'm Lovin' It" spots for as well as Beyonc&#233;'s endorsement deal for 's True Star perfume and the career game plan to treat "like a brand" in her own right.<br><br> "Using entertainment assets to introduce products is a platform that needed to get exploited," said Stoute, a former executive vice president of Interscope Records. "The lines needed to be blurred. When done correctly, there's consumer acceptance."<br><br>Stoute said his marketing company gets several calls a week from "major artists" in pursuit of their own "Forever." It's not selling out, he argues, if there's an authentic relationship between the music and the product being hawked. "Marketing isn't successful if the consumer feels he or she is being sold something," Stoute said.<br><br>Personal favorite products<br><br> 's most recent CD, "Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel," was accompanied by a 34-page mini-magazine bearing the R&B diva's image and emblazoned with an Elle magazine logo. It's a co-production between Carey's label Island Def Jam Music Group and Elle that features such brands as Angel Champagne, Elizabeth Arden and the Bahamas Board of Tourism intermingled with lighter-than-air Mariah-based editorial featurettes: "VIP access to her sexy love life," "Fantasy: the five-time Grammy winner goes behind the scenes of her new drama."<br><br>Carey pointed out she is personally or commercially invested in everything advertised.<br><br>"Angel Champagne, I guess I'm part owner. The Bahamas, we have a house down there," Carey explained, between bites of caviar at the Polo Lounge. "It all has to do with things that are organic to me. And honestly? I'm a big kid. I thought it would be cute."<br><br>Island Def Jam is exploring similar branded CD booklet deals for artists including , Rihanna and .<br><br> It all makes rollicking 1967 concept album "The Who Sell Out" -- which featured faux commercials and cover art depicting band members shilling for deodorant and baked beans -- appear prescient. (In further irony, the Who's epochal 1965 single "My Generation" is currently featured in a commercial for Flo TV.)<br><br>Scott Lipps, owner and founder of the New York modeling agency One Management, recalls a time not long ago when indie rock acts would sooner pack in their skinny jeans than appear in fashion ads. But now, Lipps has augmented the success of his agency (which represents such A-list glamazons as and ) with its offshoot One (M), dedicated to help place rock and pop stars in precisely such commercial environments. Among them: Alison Mosshart of the Kills and Dave Gahan of , who were featured in ads for the fashion line J. Lindeberg, and the New York pop-rock band the Virgins, who were photographed for a Tommy Hilfiger campaign.<br><br>"People's views on endorsements, doing magazine stuff -- any way to reach fans -- it's all changed. It's not taboo anymore," Lipps said.<br><br>Lipps, formerly drummer for '80s rock group Black Cherry, remains attentive to the alliance of brand and band. "I'm never going to ask a very cool band to do business with a brand that they would never associate with," said Lipps. "It's about finding that right fit."<br><br>After the rock quartet OK Go broke into mainstream consciousness with the homemade video for its 2006 single " (featuring the band members performing a synchronized routine on exercise treadmills), they were bombarded with offers to re-create the sequence for TV commercials. The group developed what frontman Damian Kulash calls OK Go's "hell-no criterion": "If it's a product we feel is demeaning or that cannibalizes the meaning or artistry of our song," he explained.<br><br>Still, the band has remained receptive to overtures from corporate America. Last year, the musicians appeared in print ads and billboards for Banana Republic -- its spring fashion line campaign that also included such artists as , Dashboard Confessional's Chris Carrabba and Sara Bareilles -- attired in natty suits, playing their instruments. "The recording industry has so entirely bottomed out, advertising is one of the only distribution methods that still works," Kulash said after returning from Japan, where he did a photo shoot for the fashion brand Uniqlo. "The music side has a deep ambivalence. It's a pretty major paradigm shift that requires a rethinking of how we see what we do."<br><br>He added: "I wish we never had to get in bed with that stuff. It doesn't feel particularly good to wear the marketing hat. But our record label isn't paying to put up billboards across the country."<br><br>It's become fashionable<br><br>Fashion designer John Varvatos faced a similar reluctance when he approached about appearing in print ads and billboards for his streetwise clothing line in 2005. But after convincing the alt-country singer-songwriter that there would be "nothing fakey about him appearing in the clothes," Varvatos went on to land , members of Velvet Revolver and , Perry Ferrell of and 's for subsequent ads.<br><br>Varvatos said attitudes toward commodifying stardom have changed.<br><br>"I was besieged by people wanting to hook up with us," Varvatos said. "There are a lot of people coming after us now. It's almost the opposite problem now. We have to filter out."<br><br>The designer was quick to dispel the notion, however, that the performers in his ads were selling out their images in return for some hefty payday. "We don't pay the artists much of anything," Varvatos added. "They've got to really want to do this."<br><br>Katie Vogel certainly has no regrets over her decision to star in Sprite's online series "Green Eyed World," a digital marketing push that aired last year. The series used YouTube clips, social networking interfaces and the promotion of soda to help the London native launch her career; she brandishes a Sprite-green guitar in the clips and at times people around her are seen quenching their thirst with a certain lemon-lime-flavored refreshment. Asked if she was concerned that the association with the brand might limit her career prospects, Vogel, who now goes by the professional moniker Katie V., insisted there were no downsides.<br><br>"My music, it's being heard," Vogel said. "Even if one person says, 'She's the Sprite singer,' they've heard my music. So I'm happy either way."<br><br>?<p>The following is compiled from police reports from the Towson and Cockeysville precincts. Our policy is to include descriptions when there is enough information to make identification possible.</p><p>Cockeysville</p><p>Sunnylake Place, between 9 p.m. Dec. 23 and 10 a.m. Dec. 24. Coins stolen from laundry room machines.</p> <p>Bridgelake Circle, unit block, between 2:30 p.m. Dec. 22 and 1 p.m. Dec. 23; and also between 7:30 a.m. and 4:50 p.m. Dec. 23. Coins stolen from two laundry room machines. Coin slots destroyed.</p> <br> <p>York Road, 13800 block, at 10:33 a.m. Dec. 23. Two men entered PNC Bank branch, threatened with a gun and took cash. They left in gray Chevrolet Suburban.</p><p>Northpark Drive, unit block, between 7 p.m. Dec. 21 and 8 a.m. Dec. 22. Two laptops stolen from Pollard &amp; Associates. Rear window pried open.</p><p>York Road, 1600 block, between 3 p.m. Dec. 16 and 11 a.m. Dec. 19. Cookies and cheese stolen from office. Door opened by reaching through mail slot.</p><p>Valley Lake Place, unit block, between 12:30 p.m. Dec. 18 and 5:30 p.m. Dec. 19. Several items moved around but nothing missing.</p><p>Cranbrook Hills Place, 10400 block, between 3 p.m. Dec. 13 and 3:20 p.m. Dec. 17. Coins stolen from laundry room machines.</p><p></p><p>York Road, 1200 block, between 5:30 p.m. Dec. 23 and 9:20 a.m. Dec. 24, two offices broken into. Cash stolen from office of Dr. Jun Park, DDS. Front door pried open. Cash stolen from Dr. Michael Sherlock. Entry through boiler room wall.</p><p>Towson</p><p>Blair Hill Lane, 6300 block, between 6 p.m. Dec. 20 and 2:15 a.m. Dec. 21. Glass in side rear door and office door destroyed in building. Unclear whether anything was stolen.</p><p>Overbrook Road, 400 block, 2:54 p.m. Dec. 20. Two men stole two UPS packages containing two Playstation 3 games, two cookie presses, a camera and a camera bag. Men left in teal Dodge Intrepid with temporary tags.</p><p>Hopkins Road, 400 block, between 9 a.m. Dec. 17 and 6:15 a.m. Dec 20. Two copper rain spouts stolen from house.</p><p>East Joppa Road, 1400 block, between 5 p.m. Dec. 15 and 8:21 a.m. Dec. 19. Two air conditioning units stolen from behind building.</p><p>Southerly Road, 900 block, between Dec. 7 and 5 p.m. Dec. 21. Cell phone, tools and loose change stolen from apartment.</p><p>Southerly Road, 900 block between Nov. 23 and Dec. 8. Safe containing money, topaz earrings, a Burberry watch, Bulgari sunglasses, and Dolce and Gabbana sunglasses stolen from apartment. No sign of forced entry.</p><p>Hampton Lane, 500 block, at 12:21 a.m. Dec. 17. Anonymous called said somebody was stealing rain gutters from Towson United Methodist Church. Police caught and arrested Timothy Poole, 20, from . He had ripped off 75 feet of copper downspouts.</p><p>Valewood Court, 1100 block, between 6:30 p.m. Dec. 21 and noon Dec. 22. Christmas wreath stolen from front door.</p><p>If you have information about any of these crimes, call the Towson Precinct at 410-887-2361.</p>?<p>If you shop at the at , you've probably noticed the plastic hanging up in the shoe department and the smell of paint lingering in the air at times.</p><p>They're all signs of major remodeling taking place at the department store.</p><p>When the upgrades are completed in September the store will get an extended kids and intimates section and new brands in the shoe department, among other enhancements.</p> <p>The store is one of the better performing in the Macy's chain and has been identified by the corporate office as an "extreme growth" location, said Macy's divisional vice president Mike Trafford.</p><p>Hence, all the extra TLC the department store is getting.</p><p>The retailer is also trying to keep up with recent enhancements at Towson Town Center, including the addition of a luxury wing with stores such as Louis Vuitton, Burberry and Tiffany's, Trafford said.</p><p>The improvements will include new carpeting in 75 percent of the store andoverhauled fitting rooms. Brighter lighting will be added to the cosmetics section, which is also the core of the store.</p><p>Children's will move from the second floor to the lower level where it will have more space and more of a selection. The intimates section will also be expanded.</p><p>Macy's will also offer more brands as part of the overall enhancement, although Trafford said the store is still working out the details. He'll let us know more in September, he said.</p><p>So, the renovations may make shopping a little awkward for now. But be patient because Macy's promises a better shopping experience in the fall.</p><p>Trafford said there are no immediate plans for upgrades at any of the others Macy's in the region.</p>?Say "so long" to short skirts and hello (again) to the 1970s. Get ready to banish black from your wardrobe and get creative with color.<br><br>Now that the spring runway shows are over in New York, Milan and Paris, it's up to department store fashion directors and boutique owners to package the big ideas. Chanel's garden party, Balenciaga's punk brigade and Marc Jacobs' 1970s show were all memorable on the runways, but will they make it to store racks?<br><br> Here, retailers offer their takeaways from the season, and ideas about how the trends might trickle down to you.<br><br>Ken Downing, senior vice president and fashion director, <br><br>Big idea: The vintage effect, fueled by the major YSL retrospective exhibition that just closed in August in Paris. On the runway, designers nodded to Saint Laurent's rich peasant look, Orientalism and "le smoking" [his signature tuxedo].<br><br>Must haves: Fluid, sheer fabrics and longer hemlines (just above the ankle or to the floor) as we saw at Lanvin, and wide-leg trousers and a white pantsuit with Bianca Jagger swagger. The tuxedo jacket, it's not just evening wear anymore. For accessories, it's all about flat sandals because as a woman begins to add longer hemlines to her wardrobe, flat sandals work best with the new proportion.<br><br>I'm also loving what I'm calling the "Helmut language" [a reference to Helmut Lang's utilitarian designs from the early 1990s], and the idea of adding a sporty attitude to dressed-up clothing using color-blocking, buckles, straps or parachute fabrics.<br><br>Will punk take to the streets? Not now. We just cycled through a moment when the 1980s were really influential, along with strong shoulders, so punk doesn't look new to me. But where it ends up, we'll have to watch the runways to find out.<br><br>Colleen Sherin, fashion market director, Saks Fifth Avenue<br><br>Big idea: The color story. Bold, bright, vibrant color worked into color-blocked effects and combining colors in unexpected ways.<br><br>Must haves: A longer-length skirt or dress as seen at and Proenza Schouler in New York, D&amp;G and Fendi in Milan and Chanel in Paris. Open-weave knitwear in natural white, ivory or beige crochet, macram&#233;, mesh or fishnet, as seen at Rag &amp; Bone, Alexander Wang, for Tse, Alberta Ferretti and Celine. And a crisp poplin shirt. We saw it with slouchy wide-leg trousers and skirts for a pared-down look. We also saw it as a play on masculine and feminine at Balenciaga, Stella McCartney and Celine. A trench coat looks great with a longer hemline peeking out. I love the sheer organza ones at Phillip Lim and Christian Cota, and the matte python trench at Emilio Pucci.<br><br>In terms of accessories, fringe is everywhere &#8212; on handbags, jewelry and scarves. A shoulder or flap bag is key because it fits into the 1970s trend, as does a pair of platform wedges.<br><br>Will punk take to the streets? Not in a big way. We've done that trend recently with leathers and studs and grommets, and not enough time has passed to go back. But it may be something we will touch on in our contemporary department.<br><br>Stephanie Solomon, fashion director, <br><br>Big idea: Color and print. And this is a serious shift because we've been in love with black for so long.<br><br>Must haves: A dress or skirt with a hemline hovering around the knees or below. In New York, Alexander Wang, Diane von Furstenberg, Derek Lam, Marc Jacobs, and Rebecca Taylor all had great longer lengths. In Milan, we saw it at Versace, Dolce &amp; Gabbana, Jil Sander and Roberto Cavalli. Sometimes these longer skirts have asymmetrical hems or slits, which we saw at Fendi, Yves Saint Laurent, Lanvin and Stella McCartney.<br><br>It sounds like a myth that hemlines matter, but they do because when you go longer, you have to change your shoes and you have to change your coat. You need flat, wedge or platform sandals. And the long trench coat is chicest with this length. I'm also liking boyfriend jackets over longer skirts.<br><br>Will punk take to the streets? In a way. You have to have the rock 'n' roll element, otherwise it would get too boring. I would take a studded leather jacket, something that looks worn and torn and ragged from Burberry Prorsum or Givenchy, and put it over a really frothy feminine dress like we saw at Dior. That dichotomy looks right. Or you can be a punk one day and a virgin the next!<br><br>?Follow 10 Things Before the Opening Bell and never miss an update! <p> Please Note: Business Insider will never share your information with any other companies. You also have the ability to unsubscribe from these newsletters at any time simply by following the unsubscribe link located at the bottom of each email </p>?<p>Another sign of how dependent the world is on China is that nearly one third of luxury shoppers in London are Chinese tourists.</p><p>Chinese tourists account for 30 percent of the luxury goods market in England, CBRE tells the . They are followed by Russians, Arabs and Japanese, with British making up only 15 percent of the market.</p><p>You may noticed the same trend if you go shopping in New York.</p><p>While austerity-stricken Brits can't afford Gucci and Burberry, Chinese has been flooded with money. Shopping abroad Chinese can avoid the high taxes on luxury goods imposed by Beijing.</p><p>High-end stores have started hiring Mandarin speakers to handle the new market, according to the Mail.</p><p>Don't Miss: </p>?<p>If you're wondering why would pay $1 billion for (a company that has no revenue) even though Facebook already has a popular photo-sharing app, the answer is that it's all about advertising revenue.</p><p>We chatted with Simon Mansell, CEO of , a company that sells and manages advertising on Facebook. He gave us these insights into how Facebook might make money from its money-losing deal:<br></p><p>1. People can follow and Like brands on Instagram the same way they do on Facebook. Instagram is one of the few social media where people voluntarily subscribe to brands such as . Brand Pages are enormously important to Facebook, as they're the bedrock and entry-level offering for most advertisers. Adweek adds:</p><p>About a dozen brands, including , are already integrating their Instagram accounts with their Facebook pages through a product released by social media marketing company Vitrue last month. The so-called "tab module" allows brands to import their stream of Instagram pictures directly into their photo-friendly Facebook Timelines.</p><p>2. It allows Facebook to copy . for its promoted tweets, which appear in users' tweet streams even if they don't subscribe to those brands. Instagram will allow Facebook to insert promoted or sponsored posts into Instagram users' photo streams. "Currently, if people you follow on Instagram like stuff you are not following you would NOT see that they liked this," Mansell says. Facebook could change that so that anything you like appears to your followers that it came from the original source&mdash;the advertiser, in this case. If Facebook allowed promoted photos, "people wouldn't think it was weird as they would have started seeing stuff from brands they are not following already."</p><p>3. It keeps people addicted to photos on Facebook, and Facebook makes money by selling ads next to users' photo albums. A huge part of Facebook's stickiness revolves around photos. Who wants to leave the site that contains years' worth of family snaps? Instagram was proving so popular that it threatened that photo storage stickiness. Mansell believes this is why Facebook paid $1 billion to acquire the company even though it has no revenue: "Even if it's just 100th of a threat, and they [Facebook] pay 100th of their value, then it kind of makes sense."<br><br>4. It hurts Twitter and with a single blow. Instagram currently uses the Foursquare's API&mdash;the sign-in thingy, in non-nerd-speak&mdash;for access and location. Mansell believes Facebook will switch that to Facebook's API. That immediately renders Foursquare less relevant. With Facebook/Instagram users continuing to post Instagram pics on Twitter, the new company will now throw off a stream of data about how far its photos reach inside the Twitter environment. That's data Facebook didn't previously have on the micro-blog company. "This gives them more info on whether they're losing market share to Twitter, that's my theory."</p><p>5. It helps Facebook gain local advertisers. "The Instagram/Facebook API creates a lot of location data linked to the identity information Facebook holds, and thus creates new opportunities on the site for advertisers on Facebook to target against. This could be especially interesting for local businesses for example," Mansell says. "They can get more cupcake companies and local retailers advertising on Facebook, and that will be a huge market."</p>See Also:?<p><p></p>Singer Adele is in talks to design a plus-sized collection for luxury brand Burberry, according to a .</p><p>She was reportedly approached by creative director Christopher Bailey about designing a line for "voluptuous" customers, wrote reporter Sarah Karmali.</p><p>As far as we can tell, she would be the brand's first plus-sized spokesmodel.</p><p>Luxury fashion houses have notoriously eschewed plus-sized customers, even as the global population gets bigger.</p><p>Burberry's past spokesmodels have included lithe actresses and models like Emma , Rosie Huntington-Whitely and Agyness Deyn.</p><p>But despite the fashion world's obsession with skinny young people, the people who can afford to buy Burberry and other luxury brands are older&mdash;and probably bigger&mdash;than the women they're hiring to advertise the brand.</p><p>Burberry has fallen on tough times recently, on macroeconomic uncertainty.</p><p>It's possible that catering to a major segment of the population will provide Burberry with the boost it desperately needs.</p><p>Will other luxury brands follow suit? Time will tell.</p>DON'T MISS:<br>?<p><p>AP</p>Slimy Slinky Winfield aka Slinky Sunbeam left Adele... for a Burberry model.<br><br>After the world wondered who the wretched fellow was who broke the beloved Adele's heart so badly that she later won six Grammy awards singing about it, has uncovered the now notorious man who "could have had it all."<br><br>Meet Slinky, the singer/actor who hails from a faded seaside resort town in England and is described by friends as a "popular guy, the life and soul of the party."<br><br>"He&rsquo;s a seriously good-looking guy. He has a great body and likes to wear vests to show it off," a source (Slinky?) close to Adele told the NYP. "And he has this crazy hair which reminds me of Jimi Hendrix&mdash;it&rsquo;s really wild and untamed."<br><br>Slinky and Adele initially met through mutual art world friends in London and bonded over their shared love of music, although his "material is more underground and kind of art-school trendy.&rdquo;<br><br>And as hard as we tried to get over the fact that Slinky apparently has a penchant for wearing vests with nothing underneath, it's this video below that has us seriously questioning Adele's taste in men.</p><p></p><p>But just how serious the relationship was seems to be up for debate.<br><br>&ldquo;They never lived together, and I can&rsquo;t really recall Slinky ever describing Adele as his girlfriend,&rdquo; admits the source.<br><br>Adds a music industry insider, "I&rsquo;m not saying she made it up, but there&rsquo;s a strong suspicion that she&rsquo;s gilding the lily.&rdquo;<br><br>Meanwhile, as Slinky remains under the radar, some hilarious genius has created a parody account under the name, @AdelesExBF.<br><br>The @AdelesExBF handle already has over 4,000 followers and has tweeted gems such as: "One time a black pen exploded in Adele's mouth and she actively did nothing about it," "Adele would print out old transcripts of 'Caroline in the City' and make me watch as she performed every role," and "Adele used to microwave single pieces of bologna because she liked it 'dry.'"</p>?<p>One of the most interesting parts about Raj Rajaratnam's trial at the U.S District courthouse in downtown Manhattan -- ostensibly Clusterstock's second home for the next six weeks -- are the people who won't admit why they're there.</p><p>People who are attempting to go unnoticed; people who say: "I'm just an observer" or "just thought I'd take a look" or "just watching."</p><p>I met my first Observer in line this morning, waiting to be escorted to the courtroom. He was a slim man wearing a felt grey coat, a checked scarf, glasses and he was reading a New Yorker. Watchless and Blackberry-less, I asked for the time and if there was a special area for press.</p><p>Yes, press were already being assembled upstairs, but only those with credentials. My NYPD press credentials still en route (we applied yesterday), I was doomed to wait in the "Raj Rajartnam overflow" line.</p><p>I asked the man if he was credential-less press too. He was not. "I'm just an observer," he said, and went back to reading his magazine.</p><p>"Just an observer?" I prodded.</p><p>"I'm a lawyer." Pause. "I'm part of a group of lawyers for another party... I represent another party that's in the mix."</p><p>In the mix = Raj's trial obviously involves a ton of other defendants, and the wider Galleon probe, even more. This man obviously represented one such person. Or people.</p><p>He went on.</p><p>"There are a lot of people... companies... here."</p><p>Ah. Of course. Characters from companies like Intel to Google to Hilton Hotels (whose stocks were traded based on alleged insider information) to hedge funds including Galleon and Spherix (who's employees are implicated) to corporate behemoths like Goldman Sachs and McKinsey (who's current and former partners may be called to testify), all have an interest in watching this trial with a hawk-eye.</p><p>Suddenly the courthouse took on a sinister spirit -- I felt like there were coated, hatted individuals roaming the halls on every floor, looking for clues and intelligence to take back to more featureless faces at corporate headquarters across Manhattan. Obviously, I've watched too many movies... Or maybe I've just seen to many commercials for the new Matt Damon movie. Either way, I told myself to start thinking about Rajartnam's cherub-like face and contented demeanor before I totally lost my cool.</p><p>Later on, as I was leaving the courtroom, three men in black coats walked out ahead of me. One of the men, with blonde slicked back hair, pressed the button for the elevator, and turned around and said something along the lines of -- what a blast -- drenched of course, in sarcasm.</p><p>"I'm waiting for the all the questions about Wall Street," I said as we stepped into the elevator.</p><p>"Wall Street? Which questions?" the man said.</p><p>"Yeah, there's a part of the questionnaire where they ask jurors if they're biased against Wall Street, and if they think bankers are greedy, and if they think they're dishonest... I cover Wall Street, so I think that will be interesting."</p><p>The man nodded slowly, and said "yeah, it should be interesting."</p><p>On the ground floor, we headed toward security to collect our confiscated electronics and I asked what they were doing here. A man with black, thinning hair -- taller than the other two -- in a Burberry-like tartan scarf said, "just watching."</p><p>"No you're not," I said. "No-one comes here just to watch. And there's three of you. You didn't just drop by."</p><p>"If you don't mind, can I ask who you report for?"</p><p>"Business Insider. Now will you tell me who you work for."</p><p>The man smiled and repeated his earlier refrain about just-being-here-to-take-a-look.</p><p>We walked through the revolving doors out onto Pearl Street.</p><p>"Look," I said. "I know there are a ton of lawyers here for other defendants; people watching for companies. At least tell me which company you work for, off the record."</p><p>He smiled and put on a black beanie, and said, "You'll know who we are, soon enough." And then the trio walked west, phones out and ear-poised, along Pearl Street.</p><p></p>?<p>Skyrocketing social networking andmobile usagehas led many to speculate on the key business model for mobile-social services. </p><p>The most common answer is local commerce.But, checking in is not becoming a mainstream activity (see chart) and local couponing experiments aren't working so well.</p><p>In a from, we analyze how another potential solution, social discovery, could become the future for mobile social-apps.</p><p></p><p>Here's how it could work:</p><p>In full, our:</p><p></p>?<p>Skyrocketing social networking andmobile usagehas led many to speculate on the key business model for mobile-social services. </p><p>The most common answer is local commerce.But, checking in is not becoming a mainstream activity (see chart) and local couponing experiments aren't working so well.</p><p>In a on Mobile and Social from, we analyze how another potential solution, social discovery, could become the future for mobile social-apps.</p><p></p><p>Here's how it could work:</p><p>In full, our:</p><p></p>?<p><p>disneydreaming.com</p>Pre-social media, the biggest benefit of building online stores for large brands like Nine West, Burberry or La Perla has been the ability to listen to customers. <br></p><p>The direct link on the home page, whether it&rsquo;s info@, assistance@ or customerservice@, has opened an easy-to-use communications tool between brand and customer that had not existed prior to the old school suggestion box.</p><p>When launching NineWest.com in 1998, we immediately started getting emails from customers when we moved sandals off the site in September. They were being moved off the selling floor in the Northeastern United States, so why not on the website, which was being managed out of New York?</p><p>Well, we had customers from Texas, California and Florida who had their eyes on sandals on the site, and when we moved the inventory to make room for boots, those customers were very vocal. That was my first lesson in online merchandising- you need to keep in mind customers from varying locales.</p><p>While working at Burberry in 2004, one day we had increased traffic to a trench coat on Burberry.com from a Sony URL. It turns out a rap artist under the label blogged about buying the coat for his girlfriend with a direct link to the product page. Not only did he drive traffic to the page, but we also sold out of the coat. Lesson here is never underestimate the power of influence.</p><p>While managing the e-commerce of LaPerla.com, another lesson learned was to pay attention to cultural influences. In 2009, while reviewing daily analytics and seeing a spike in traffic but flat conversions, when I checked the most popular key words and site referrers on Google Analytics, I noticed traffic and words related to &ldquo;james bond&rdquo; or &ldquo;james bond swimsuit.&rdquo;</p><p>It turns out that three years after the theatrical release of &ldquo;Casino Royale,&rdquo; Turner was celebrating James Bond week and was running the trailer of Daniel Craig coming out of the water, wearing his La Perla swim trunks and looking like a demigod. Unfortunately, we couldn&rsquo;t convert the traffic since we had sold out of the trunks three years prior, and it had also been discontinued. Our team managed to order 20 remaining swim trunks from Bologna in a different style, received the product five weeks later and put them live on the site, where they promptly sold out. It is still unknown to me how many of those swim trunks we could have sold. Lesson learned- you cannot predict demand and supply. Or can you?</p><p>StyleTrek is my vision for where e-commerce is headed: very social and where the influence of many and the few matter. I wanted to utilize the power of viral marketing and social media to promote unknown designers and help them sell their products online, to provide a way for designers to get input from their customers and for customers to be involved in supporting designers, either through posting encouraging and uplifting comments or participating in the creative process. I wanted to apply all my lessons learned to support emerging designers and create a forum where style experts and novices alike can have a say in which designers we feature and what products we sell on StyleTrek.</p><p>Engagement with customers is often unpredictable. For established brands that have invested 50-plus years building a customer base on carefully articulated messaging sometimes based on artful illusion, social media can be intimidating. For emerging designers, social media is an opportunity to be heard, promoted and compared along with more established brands. At StyleTrek we do not fear engagement, we relish in it.</p><p>Within a short timeframe, we were able to find 25 talented designers from five continents through crowd sourcing. As StyleTrek continues to evolve, we look forward to mining data so we may determine not only which designers our customers want the most, but also which trends are passing or here to stay, which colors, patterns, skirt lengths are most desirable. The evolution of e-commerce has come a long way, and StyleTrek plans to be a large part of this movement.--CP</p><p>Editor&rsquo;s Note: StyleTrek CEO Cecilia Pagkalinawan will be a featured speaker at &ldquo;MESA Presents: Social Commerce&rdquo; on Tuesday, March 15 in NYC.</p>?&lt;iframe src=&quot;http://www.businessinsider.com/embed?id=4ea1bbb185b582f765000027&amp;amp;width=600&amp;amp;height=430&quot; width=&quot;600&quot; height=&quot;430&quot; border=&quot;0&quot; frameborder=&quot;0&quot;&gt;&lt;/iframe&gt;?<p>Here&#8217;s a sneak preview of the Burberry Autumn Winter 2011 ad campaign shot by Mario Testino. The winter collection for men and women is ever so British, and ever so Burberry. We are quite in love with the military wintery looks and colours. Do you have a favorite? Share your thoughts in comments below&#8230;</p><p></p><p>Read more posts on </p>?<p>Even companies at the top of the retail food chain are suffering. Luxury brand Burberry is cutting up to 540 jobs (roughly 9% of its workforce) in Great Britain and Spain, despite a 30% rise in revenue at the end of 2008. The fashion label hopes that the cuts will save as much as $50 million a year.</p><p>: Burberry's decision to cut staff reflects broader troubles among makers of luxury goods, which had hoped to be safe from the hardship elsewhere because of their affluent clientele. But while some, such as Compagnie Financi&egrave;re Richemont SA, owner of glamorous brands such as Cartier and Chlo&eacute;, have reported sales declines or laid off temporary staff, Burberry is the first to announce cuts to its permanent workers.</p><p>Analysts say they expect more cuts to come at other luxury-goods companies. "In the same way that we see a trickle-down effect, in retail, we also see a trickle-up effect," said Bryan Roberts, global research director at consultancy Planet Retail in London. "High-end players are less vulnerable to the downturn, but that doesn't mean they are not affected."</p><p></p><p>See Also: </p><p></p><p></p>?<p><p></p>Burberry just warned that its Q2 earnings would come in at the low end of analysts' expectations.</p><p>The stock is getting slammed.</p><p>In a , the luxury goods maker said that sales had decelerated:</p><p>Against strong comparatives last year, retail sales growth at constant exchange rates was 6% in the 10 weeks to 8 September 2012. Of this, new space contributed 6% while comparable store sales were unchanged year-on-year, with a deceleration in recent weeks. Ahead of the key retail trading period in the second half, Burberry currently expects adjusted profit before tax for the twelve months to 31 March 2013 to be around the lower end of market expectations.</p><p>Angela Ahrendts, Chief Executive Officer, commented:</p><p>"As we stated in July, the external environment is becoming more challenging. In this context, second quarter retail sales growth has slowed against historically high comparatives. Given this background, we are tightly managing discretionary costs and taking appropriate actions to protect short term profitability, while continuing to execute on our proven five key strategies.&rdquo;</p>?<p>Here&#8217;s the Burberry Eyewear Summer 2012 collection for men and women. The new collection features timeless aviator eyewear styles for men and women, reflecting the effortless attitude of the English brand. Burberry Eyewear is available from , Burberry stores and selected retailers worldwide from April 2012.</p><p>Also, Burberry presents British musicians One Night Only, Life in Film, The Daydream Club and Marika Hackman. Curated by Burberry Chief Creative Officer Christopher Bailey, the campaign, shot in London, celebrates emerging British talent. The campaign features Burberry&#8217;s iconic eyewear styles and encapsulates the spirit and energy of the brand, music and the British summer.</p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>Read more posts on </p>?<p>, lead by creative director Christopher Bailey, showed its Burberry Prorsum Spring/Summer 2013 collection in Milan earlier today. Guests included British musicians Roo Panes, George Craig and Rob Pryor and British actress Michelle Dockery as well as Nicolas Vaporidis, Giorgia Surina, Elyas M¡ÇBarek, Eros Galbiati and Alex Uhlmann. Burberry ad campaign models Seb Brice, Johnny George and Charlie France walked the runway.</p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>Read more posts on </p>?<p>Burberry Prorsum&#8217;s Womenswear Autumn/Winter 2012 collection hits the runway in London today, and you can watch it live on . The Burberry show starts at 4PM London time, Monday 20 February, 2012. Once it begins, you can watch the Burberry Prorsum Womenswear Autumn/Winter 2012 live stream video directly below ? . Burberry chief creative officer Christopher Bailey is also around the collection, demonstrating (yet again) the that just won the brand International Retailer of the Year honors.</p> <br> embedSyndicatePlayer("syndicate-player-container", width: 560, height: 400, language: "en", country: "gb" ); </p><p></p><p>Read more posts on </p>?<p>Shot in London, here&#8217;s the first look at the Burberry Spring/Summer 2012 ad campaign, featuring new British models Eddie Redmayne and Cara Delevingne. According to Burberry, &#8220;The cast reflects different facets and attitudes of the Burberry guy and girl. The campaign reinforces the brand¡Çs heritage in protection from the weather, showcasing outerwear including trench coats and parka.&#8221; Photos c Copyright Burberry/Testino</p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>Read more posts on </p>?<p>The purveyor of overpriced plaid saw it's stock sink to lows not seen since it's IPO, as it warned of sluggish demand. Burberry's CEO, Angela Ahrendts says, "After 30 years in the industry, I have never been more concerned about the market environment." But it doesn't haver her feeling pessimistic, quite the opposite: "I have never been more optimistic about the prospects for our company."</p><p>What's got her feeling so great? The new line of goods, of course, which includes a $187 denim handbag for the poors, and more stuff with the famous plaid pattern on it, as well as a new shipping method--no more through the air, it's on the sea. How luxurious!</p><p>: Burberry Group Plc fell the most in London trading since going public in 2002 after predicting profit in the lower half of analysts' estimates and slower store openings as the global economic slump saps luxury-goods demand.<br><br>Burberry slid as much as 18 percent, wiping about 160 million pounds ($240 million) off its market value. Pretax earnings may be at the ``mid to lower'' end of analysts' projections in the current fiscal year, and its average selling space will increase less than 10 percent next year, said the London-based company, which reported higher first-half profit as well.<br><br>The clothier also said sales to department stores and other third-party distributors may drop in the current half after predicting no change previously. Demand for luxury goods is slowing as shrinking economies and market turmoil cause even the wealthiest shoppers to cut back, weighing on sales and profits at companies from Bulgari SpA to PPR SA.</p><p>Bummer for some, but this doesn't affect us. The only time we wear Burberry is to swim:</p><p></p><p></p>?<p>L2, a company that conducts research on digital business innovation, has released a study on the most web-savvy designers. Burberry, which this week reported a 30-percent revenue rise for the first half of the financial year mainly due to a boom in the Chinese market, came out on top &#8212; &#8220;proof that digital investments translate to shareholder value,&#8221; according to L2.</p><p></p><p>Judging from its analysis, it is safe to say that those brands that connected the dots between social media and e-commerce fared best in the ranking. Cultivating something extra, like Burberry&#8217;s music division for instance, resulted in one of the top spots.</p><p>Released this week, the report&#8217;s top ten also include Kate Spade thanks to the highest social media score, Gucci with its shoppable video content and recent Tumblr launch, and Tory Burch whose Facebook store leads the &#8220;fashion F-commerce (r)evolution.&#8221;</p><p>¡ÈFrom live streams to runway shows to an arms race on social media platforms,<br>brands are seeking the halo of innovation that comes from inspired online programming. However, most fashion brands still approach digital as a series of pet projects rather than presenting a coherent multi-platform strategy. Although 94 percent of brands in the Index have a presence on Facebook, one in five still lacks e-commerce capability,&#8221; said Scott Galloway of L2.</p><p>Hugo Boss&#8217;s interactive YouTube channel, Louis Vuitton&#8217;s Amble travel app (and a leading performance on Foursquare), as well as Donna Karan&#8217;s social media personality DKNY PR Girl (who&#8217;s up for a Mashable award from the tech website) also resulted in high scores in the ranking.</p><p>The full study can be found .</p><p>Read more posts on </p>?<p>Burberry CEO Angela Ahrendts faces pushback from one of the UK's biggest lobbyist groups, which advised shareholders to take a hard line next week, when the luxury goods company holds its annual meeting.</p><p> that last year Ahrendts took a $9.2 million share payment, about six times her base salary, which Pirc found "excessive."</p><p>Granted, the company is doing well: its stock rose 237% over two years. In May, the London-based company announced plans to double spending on new stores and renovation around the world -- especially in China, where business is up 30%.</p><p>"The luxury market has turned around," Ahrendts in a recent interview. "It's up double digits around the world."</p><p></p>?<p><p></p>For the first time in history, rich people are actually getting poorer, and luxury retailers are freaking out about it.</p><p>The average income for the top 5 percent of people fell from $358,700 in 2006 to$313,298 in 2010,Pam Danziger, president of luxury research firm Unity Marketing said in a report. That means that swanky retailers are furiously vying for customers' discretionary income.</p><p>We saw this trend , whose shares slid 20 percent after the retailer reported sales were down. CEOAngela Ahrendts blamed the trend on the "external environment."</p><p>Danziger explained why declining incomes are hitting the luxury retailer especially hard:</p><p>"Because these same consumers are significantly invested in their high-end lifestyle with income committed to a wide-range of fixed expenses to maintain that lifestyle, it's in discretionary spending where they are going to take their cuts. So that translates into less money to spend each month for clothes, shoes and handbags, jewelry and home decorative accessories. These folks have plenty of all that stuff already, so it is the easiest, most painless way to adjust one's budget when there is less money coming in each month."</p><p>The days of "shop 'til you drop" for the wealthy are long gone, Danziger said. This means that luxury retailers are working hard to figure out how to catch consumers' attention.</p><p>We checked out some luxury retailers for signs of the trend:</p><p>To get the consumer's attention, even the luxury retailers are working harder than ever.</p>DON'T MISS:?<p>If you&#8217;re a big fan of China trademark squatting, or rather stories about the issue, check this out. have done a bit of digging and come up with some good examples of China trademark squatters who have registered famous UK brands:</p><p>Investors in UK companies from Mulberry to Burberry owe much of their recent new found wealth to China¡Çs love of prestige marques. But the country¡Çs love of a name has taken a fresh twist.</p><p>An investigation by the?The Daily Telegraph?has found that it¡Çs not just handbags that the Chinese are snapping up. It¡Çs the names of the brands themselves.</p><p>In a revelation that will shock many UK business leaders, it has emerged that High Street names are being registered by Chinese individuals in their droves.</p><p>Nice article, although if any UK business leaders are shocked at this information, they probably shouldn&#8217;t be leading anyone about anything. This is a well-known story that international business types should already know about.</p><p>Some nice quotes in there by China Law Blog&#8217;s Dan Harris. I think some additional context might have been helpful to explain this one, however:</p><p>Chinese courts look dimly on Western companies who complain their brand has been registered by another party in ¡Èbad faith¡É.</p><p>This is one of those &#8220;it depends&#8221; situations. If you go to court (or, more likely, the Trademark Review and Administrative Board) with sufficient evidence, then TRAB will, eventually, be happy to rule on your trademark cancellation action. It might take a couple years, though, which might be a non-starter for a lot of folks. That&#8217;s why Dan suggests that a re-branding might be necessary. However, for brand owners like Hermes and Chivas, the problem was lack of evidence that they were well-known in China at the time the mark was registered by the squatter.</p><p>Anyway, good stuff. Go read it.</p><p>c Stan for , 2012. Add to<br>Post tags: , , <br></p><p>Read more posts on </p>?<p>China posted yet another quarter of stellar economic growth in the first quarter of 2011, with its gross domestic product (GDP) growing 9.7%. However, analysts are worried about some of the side effects that have accompanied that growth- namely soaring inflation and the emergence of speculative bubbles.</p><p>Inflation in China hit a 32-month high in March, and the country's real estate market is beyond scorching.</p><p>Policymakers in Beijing insist they have the situation under control, and they've been trying to rein in liquidity and curb speculation to prove it. That's why China's economy, accustomed to double-digit growth, is only expected to grow 8% to 9% this year.</p><p>Of course, while China may be experiencing some acute growing pains, its economy regressed the least in the wake of the global financial crisis - and it will continue to operate as the engine of global economic growth going forward, even if the United States relapses into recession.</p><p>In fact, China's GDP will rise from $11.2 trillion in 2011 to $19 trillion in 2016, while the U.S. economy will increase from $15.2 trillion to $18.8 trillion, according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF). That means in five years China will have supplanted the United States as the world's No. 1 economy.</p><p>China's share of the global economy will ascend from 14% to 18% in that time, while the United States' share will descend to 17.7%.</p><p>A Guide to China's Economy<br>The rise of China's economy - now the world's second largest - has been meteoric. But the time has come for the country to evolve from a source of cheap labor and manufacturing to a fully developed economic power with a consumer class that's capable of sustaining domestic growth.</p><p>China already has made some remarkable progress in rebalancing its economy. The country's trade surplus is narrowing and wages are on the rise.</p><p>The central government is targeting an increase in minimum wages of 13% a year through 2015. Additionally, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao aims to increase per capita household income by 7% a year in real terms during that period. He's also pledged to improve the social security and healthcare systems to help low-income households and to raise the personal income tax threshold - all in an effort to give the country's 1.3 billion people more spending power.</p><p>"We will ensure that people's income increases keep pace with economic growth and people's salary growth keeps pace with the productivity rise," Wen said last month in an online chat with the Chinese public.</p><p>China's 31 provinces boosted minimum wages by an average of 24% last year, according to Yin Weimin, China's minister of human resources and social security. Meanwhile, the average monthly income for migrant workers rose 13% to $256.89 (1,690 yuan).</p><p>Six provinces have already raised minimum wages this year, with labor shortages and government mandates likely to compel the remaining 25 to follow suit.</p><p>Rising wages have directly translated to an increase in retail sales, which rose 16.3% to $657.29 billion (4.2922 trillion yuan) in the first quarter, according to the National Bureau of Statistics. Sales in March rose 17.4% from a year earlier, and edged up 1.34% from February.</p><p>"China is trying to rebalance its economy to become more consumer oriented. Wages are rising. People are earning more and will shop more, and that's good news for Chinese retailers," Andrew Sullivan, Director of Institutional Sales Trading at OSK Securities in Hong Kong, .</p><p>Shockingly, the country that for so long has been infamous for its thriftiness </p><p>As of December 2010, sales of luxury goods in China rose to $10.7 billion, or 30% of total global sales, up from $9.4 billion in 2009, according to the World Luxury Association (WLA).</p><p>Luxury brands like Coach Inc.(NYSE: COH), LVMH Moet Hennessey Louis Vuitton SA (PINK: LVMHF), Burberry Group PLC (PINK: BURBY), and Hermes International SCA (PINK: HESAF) have all benefited from China's splurging.</p><p>Coach last week reported a better-than-expected 18% increase in fiscal third-quarter profit, thanks largely to China. China revenue currently totals about $185 million and continues to increase by double-digit percentages, the company said.</p><p>Rolls Royce saw its China sales rise 600% last year, putting it above Britain as the company's second-biggest customer behind the United States.</p><p>China's luxury car sales are expected to rise to more than 909,900 units this year, up from about 727,200 last year, according to forecasts by IHS Automotive. And that number could climb to 1.6 million by 2015.</p><p>China is already the world's largest auto market, with 18 million units sold last year. That figure is expected to grow to 23 million by 2015.</p><p>As further testament to China's newfound consumer wealth, the GroupM Knowledge-Hurun Wealth Report 2011 showed the number of millionaires on the mainland is up 9.7% from a year ago. And the country has 115 billionaires according to Forbes magazine's 2011 list -- second only to the United States.</p><p>Indeed, China's domestic consumption has shown the rapid growth that has become the country's trademark. But more importantly, it's advanced the central government's goal of a more balanced economy by helping to reduce the nation's disproportionate trade surplus.</p><p>China in March posted its first trade deficit - about $1 billion - since 2004.</p><p>Strong demand for imported consumer goods and higher prices for commodities drove the value of China's imports to $152 billion in March. The value of China's imports hit a record high of more than $400 billion in the first three months of the year.</p><p>Last year, China ran a trade surplus of about $15.25 billion a month. However, 2010 also was the second consecutive year in which the trade surplus shrank, falling 6.4% from 2009 to $183.1 billion.</p><p>The State Information Center forecast China's imports to rise 20% in 2011, while exports will increase by 16%. That would trim the trade surplus by 13.2%.</p><p>China wants to double its imports by 2015, reducing the trade surplus to zero and emancipating itself from an export-reliant economy.</p><p>Potential Setbacks to China's Economy<br>Of course, China's rapid transformation has not gone off without a hitch. Inflation remains uncomfortably high, and there are fears of a growing bubble in the nation's red-hot property market.</p><p>The most recent consumer price index showed inflation rising at 5.4% in March, the fastest pace in three years.</p><p>China's inflation rate will likely rise above 5.5% in June, a team of economists at Bank of America-Merrill Lynch said in a report yesterday (Wednesday). However, that's likely to be the peak as Chinese policymakers are working overtime to stifle inflation at the expense of growth.</p><p>The People's Bank of China (PBOC) has raised the benchmark interest rate four times- an increase of 100 basis points - and the reserve requirement seven times since October.</p><p>"Stabilizing prices and managing inflation expectations are critical," the PBOC said in a first-quarter monetary policy report published yesterday.</p><p>Still, China's economy is overheating because capital is flowing into the mainland faster than it is flowing out. China's foreign exchange reserves, having increased by $197 billion in the first three months of the year, now exceed $3 trillion.</p><p>Indeed, huge trade surpluses and the large-scale purchases of U.S. Treasuries - which China makes to suppress the yuan's value - have resulted in a 17-fold increase in the country's reserves over the past decade.</p><p>For every dollar that goes into China's reserves, the country prints 6.5 yuan.</p><p>Furthermore, lending and money supply in the country continue to grow faster than expected.</p><p>China's top four state-owned banks dispersed $40.1 billion (260.6 billion yuan) in new loans in April, slightly higher than the $37.3 billion (242 billion yuan) issued in March, according to local financial news provider Caixin. This is despite the fact that China's biggest banks are required to keep 20% of their deposits on hand as reserves.</p><p>"What China calls &lsquo;total social financing' - conventional bank loans and most other external sources of finance - was still 38% of GDP in the first quarter of 2011, almost as high as in 2009 when China implemented a credit-centric stimulus program," UBS AG (NYSE: UBS) economist . "The credit intensity of growth, or the amount of new credit generated for each unit of GDP growth, has risen from 1-1.3 before 2009 to 4.3 in 2011."</p><p>Many of the new loans are going into China's property market, which is accelerating at a dangerous pace.</p><p>The value of homes sold in the first quarter increased to $132 billion (860.7 billion yuan), the Statistics Bureau said last month, driving overall property transactions 27% higher to $157 billion (1.02 trillion yuan).</p><p>The total value of homes sold in March alone rose to $63.7 billion (414 billion yuan), which is close to the total of the first two months of this year combined. New home construction rose 20% in the first quarter to 310.2 million square meters (3.34 billion square feet), the statistics bureau said.</p><p>Overall investment in China's real estate rose 34% to $136.4 billion (885 billion yuan) in the first quarter, according to the government data.</p><p>Startlingly, these figures suggest that Beijing's attempts to cool the property market so far have been ineffective.</p><p>"While these growth rates are below ones seen in early 2010, they remain high relative to what developers are reporting and what the policy tightening would have suggested," Citigroup Inc. (NYSE: C) analysts said in a report. "We see this as a sign that the tightening probably has not yet been fully implemented at the local level."</p><p>A rising number of institutions are growing concerned about China's real estate market.</p><p>Even China Citic Bank Corp. Ltd. (OTC: CHCJY), the seventh-largest Chinese lender by assets, said yesterday that the country's property market has become too risky and it plans to cut lending to the sector.</p><p>"Citic Bank relatively clearly sees that real estate risk this year is severe," Shi Yuan, the general manager of the bank's risk management section, said on a quarterly teleconference. "We especially are paying attention to risks in the funding chain for developers. We believe as tightening continuously gets stronger, the true real estate risks will appear."</p><p>Still, it's important to remember that while bubbles may be forming - especially in the property market - the overall trend of China's growth is positive.</p><p>"Yes there are probably pockets of bubbles in China and in the real estate market, but against that backdrop you have 500 million people expected to move into Chinese cities by 2020. That means the number of people expected to move into cities is almost double the population of the United States," said Money Morning Chief Investment Strategest Keith Fitz-Gerald. "So in the context of China's explosive growth, what we're looking at are some moderate setbacks over an extended period of high growth."</p><p>China Investment Plays<br>Indeed, China is a growth story too compelling to pass up. However, investors should focus on parts of the Chinese economy more stable than the real estate sector.</p><p>That means playing trends like consumption.</p><p>The Claymore/Alpha Shares China Small Cap ETF (NYSE: HAO) has a large percentage of its holdings in consumer-focused firms. Consumer staples and consumer discretionary sectors represent 9.3% and 15.8%, respectively, of the fund's holdings.</p><p>You might also consider large U.S. multinationals that have a sizeable footprint in China. These companies continue to benefit from China's fast-growing consumer class and are less susceptible to potential setbacks.</p><p>McDonald's Corp. (NYSE: MCD) and Yum! Brands Inc. (NYSE: YUM) are two food operators </p><p>Additionally, the revamped General Motors Co. (NYSE: GM) has a very strong presence in China. GM is expected to retake the crown for most global auto sales from Toyota Motor Corp. (NYSE ADR: TM), which has been devastated by the recent disasters in Japan.</p><p>The company intends to introduce more than 60 new or upgraded models for the Chinese market and aims to double sales to around 5 million units by 2015.</p><p>There's also China Yuchai International Ltd. (NYSE: CYD), which manufactures and sells diesel engines - most of which are distributed in China.</p><p>As mentioned earlier, luxury sales in China continue to rise as well. That stands to benefit luxury brands like Coach Inc. (NYSE: COH), Burberry Group PLC (PINK: BURBY), and Compagnie Finciere Richemont (PINK: CFRUY).</p><p>Finally, Money Morning's Fitz-Gerald likes the Morgan Stanley China A Shares Fund (NYSE: CAF).</p><p>"I particularly like CAF because small business ventures in China have the most to gain and most of those companies are traded only in China A shares," said Fitz-Gerald. "And CAF is the only fund that gives U.S. investors &lsquo;direct access' to the A-shares."</p><p> A recent portfolio allocation of the fund showed 28% of its holdings were in consumer goods and services, 26% were in financials and 18% were in basic materials.</p><p>CAF also holds shares in companies that make auto components and beverages, among other products, and has numerous stocks in the metals and mining sectors.</p><p>This originally appeared at . </p>?<p>American magazine editors, prepare to be jealous of Angelica Cheung.</p><p>The EIC of Chinese Vogue has a great problem: too much advertising.</p><p>"I have to sit down at a desk to flip through it," she the Guardian. "It is going to get very difficult to read. It's too heavy. Maybe it will have to be two magazines in future."</p><p>China has a huge population of millionaires -- almost a million -- and their taste for expensive products is almost exponentially increasing.</p><p>According to the Guardian article, Burberry is building almost 40 more stores in the next five years, and the country will become the world's biggest luxury market in four years.</p><p>All this leads to massive profit for a magazine industry that has seen advertising spending jump from $166m to $450m in a decade.</p><p>Publishers are taking note. Conde in 2009, GQ in October of that year. Hearst also is in China where Harper's Bazaar .</p><p>Soon, Cheung might have some new colleagues with whom to "commiserate."</p><p>()</p>?Follow Closing Bell and never miss an update! <p> Please Note: Business Insider will never share your information with any other companies. You also have the ability to unsubscribe from these newsletters at any time simply by following the unsubscribe link located at the bottom of each email </p>?<p><p>wallstcheatsheet.com</p>In a new note, explains that one of their big investing themes is hot brands in emerging markets.</p><p>The company identified these 20 stocks as being best to capitalized.</p><p>They're based on a an Emerging Consumer Servey. Each stock has the characteristic of becoming more popular among higher income groups, suggesting big opportunities as people get wealthier.</p>?<p><p>AP/Eugene Hoshiko</p> was quick to lower price targets today on eight luxury good conglomerates following the close of Paris fashion week.</p><p>, fears that a slowing Chinese consumer will cut back put pressure on the mostly French firms. AnalystFrancesca DiPasquantonio noted that markets remain focused on 2012 uncertainty as opposed to current healthy returns.</p><p>PPR, the owner of Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent, and Puma saw the deepest cut. DiPasquantonio lowered the $14 billion firm's target price by 17% to&euro;120., holder of iconic brands like Louis Vuitton, Marc Jacobs and Tag Heuer, had its target price cut 8%.</p><p>Smaller brands Salvatore Ferragamo and Burberry took haircuts of 12% and 14%, respectively. Deutsche Bank maintained mostly buy and hold ratings on the sector, expecting segment growth of 6% to outpace global GDP growth of 3% next year.Hermes remained the only company on the list with a sell rating, trading 40% above target.</p><p></p>?<p>Harry Potter has been doing well for all-grown up Emma Watson.</p><p>Emma, a 19-year-old college student in Rhode Island, was doled out $30 million in 2009, more than any other actress in Hollywood.</p><p>She was also the youngest person on the list, which included Cameron Diaz and Sarah Jessica Parker, according to .</p><p>She got $15 million paychecks for both Parts 1 and 2 of 'Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.'</p><p>Watson also has lucrative advertising contracts with fashion companies like Burberry.</p><p>Even though she was the top-paid actress on the list, she was No. 14 on the full list.</p><p>The top ten are:</p><p>1. Michael Bay, producer-director ($125 million)</p><p>2. Steven Spielberg, producer-director ($85 million)</p><p>3. Roland Emmerich, producer-director ($70 million)</p><p>4. James Cameron, producer-director ($50 million)</p><p>5. Todd Phillips, director ($44 million)</p><p>6. Daniel Radcliffe, actor ($41 million)</p><p>7. Ben Stiller, actor ($40 million)</p><p>8. Tom Hanks, actor ($36 million)</p><p>9. J. J. Abrams, producer-director ($36 million)</p><p>10. Jerry Bruckheimer, producer ($35.5 million)</p>?Forexpros ? European stocks closed mixed Tuesday, on slowing German and Chinese industrial output amid Greek debt talk concerns <br>. <br>After the close of European trade, the EURO STOXX 50 gained 0.25%, France's CAC 40 advanced 0.18%, while Germany's DAX slipped 0.16%. Meanwhile, in the U.K. the FTSE 100 dropped 0.03%. <br> <br>Greek Prime Minister Lucas Papdemos is gathering the nation¡Çs leaders to reach consensus on the fiscal cuts required for another European Union led bailout package. <br> <br>Greek policy makers have already agreed on cuts equal to 1.5% of the island nation¡Çs gross domestic product. However, they are yet to agree on how to recapitalize banks, reduce wages and ensure the survival of pension funds. <br> <br>Meanwhile, China¡Çs Ministry of Industry and Information Technology stated that the nation¡Çs industrial output will likely slow this quarter due to the euro zone debt crisis and worldwide economic cooling. <br> <br>Adding to the Chinese bearish projection, the International Monetary Fund stated that China¡Çs economic expansion may be cut in half by the euro zone¡Çs debt crisis. <br> <br>This Chinese crisis would warrant significant fiscal stimulus from the nation¡Çs government. The IMF went on to state that China¡Çs growth would drop as much as four percentage points from the fund¡Çs current projection for an expansion of 8.2% in 2012. <br> <br>German industrial output surprisingly declined the most in three years in December. Production gave back 2.9% from November where is stagnated. <br> <br>Carmakers fell on the negative economic forecasts with BMW slipping 2.7% and Renault giving back 1.3%. <br> <br>The world¡Çs largest watch maker, Swatch fell 4.2% after missing operating profit projections. <br> <br>Luxury company shares followed Swatch lower with Burberry dropping 2.2%, Christian Dior fell 3.2% and Hermes gave back 3.1%. <br> <br>In bullish news, Banco Comercial surged 21% after stating it will sell new shares and draw state funds to boost its capital levels. This is despite the bank posting a full year loss of EUR786.2 million. <br> <br>In the U.S., stocks are higher with the Dow up 0.20%, the S&amp;P 500 gaining 0.17% and the Nasdaq advancing 0.14%. <br> <br>Investors are awaiting Australian consumer sentiment, New Zealand employment, Canadian housing starts, as well as U.S. crude oil inventories on Wednesday.<br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br>&nb<br>Forexpros - Forexpros offers an extensive set of professional tools for the Forex, Commodities, Futures and the including real-time data streaming, a comprehensive economic calendar, as well as financial news and technical & fundamental analysis by in-house experts.<br>Read more on Forexpros.com or Follow us on Twitter at @<p>Read more posts on </p>?<p>Remember long, long ago, when you frequently heard complaints about Europeans coming to New York, treating it as a weak-dollar playground. Right in front of our eyes, they were plundering our homegrown luxury goods, and supposedly even Europeans with a secretary's salary could afford to buy a second home in Manhattan. You might have even met some of these interlopers at cocktail parties, where they could be heard bashing US foreign policy, while bragging that they only return home when the need some free dental work. Once we heard a tale of a high-end real-estate brokerage that listed all of their properties in euros, but that could have been purely apocryphal.</p><p>Here's what the New York Times wrote :</p><p>Jonathan Fletcher, who works in information technology, and Aine Marshall, a dentist, came to Manhattan from London to buy a $1 million investment property. Mr. Fletcher, who is considering buying in the financial district, where he believes there is opportunity for appreciation, plans to put down his deposit money first and wait for the dollar to weaken more before paying for the entire apartment. Even if he does not buy an apartment, the savings from shopping in the United States covered the cost of the trip, he said. They spent a total of $8,000 on clothes, a camera and a $5,000 drum set that would have cost about double back home.</p><p>Foreign buyers often purchase quickly because they largely view these apartments as investments like a bond or a stock. Dorothy Somekh, a Halstead broker, said that in an afternoon a Belgian couple she represented bought a $1.7 million two-bedroom condo at the Sheffield in Midtown to rent out for about $7,500 a month. After the couple signed the contract, they headed to Abercrombie &amp; Fitch to shop for clothes for their daughters.</p><p>Barf, right?</p><p>Anyway, er, good news(?), that's all coming to an end.</p><p>: Sales of apartments by foreign investors are down by at least 50 percent year to date. Industry leaders say that a number of foreigners that bought downtown are being forced to sell residences as a result of the world financial crisis. According to Melissa Cohn, president of Manhattan Mortgage, mortgage financing for foreign investors is very difficult. Commercial banks which previously provided financing to foreign investors are pulling back. Earlier this year, she said she was able to secure financing from at least ten active lenders, but today that number is down to three or four.</p><p>Technically, this doesn't mean that we'll hear fewer foreign accents the next time stop in the Apple store or the Burberry store, but... well, that's exactly what it means. When the sting of reduced commerce, lower-tax revenue and declining home values, we imagine there will be more than a few people who will regret cursing the Euro influx.</p><p>But don't lose hope. The New York Times in 1984(!) offers this hopeful note: .</p><p>. At such stores as Hemispheres, the chic men's and women's clothing store at 1 Boulevard Emile Augier in the fashionable 16th Arrondissement, the clothes can seem like bargains. Where else, for example, can you find four-ply cashmere sweaters for $177?</p><p>Of all the stores in Paris, Hemispheres offers the most satisfyingly proper but unstuffy selection of men's clothes, such as classic English suede zip-front jackets for $330. For women, there are the tailored women's clothes of Peggy Roche, one of the best-kept secrets of Paris fashion. Her navy knit suits, spare, dry and dignified, sell for $300.</p>?Forex Pros ? European stock markets were broadly higher on Thursday, as shares in the financial and raw material sectors led gains, while U.S. futures indexes pointed to a higher open on Wall Street. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;During European morning trade, the EURO STOXX 50 rose 0.22%, France&amp;rsquo;s CAC 40 gained 0.35%, while Germany's DAX 30 edged 0.18% higher.&lt;br /&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;br /&gt;The Financial Times reported earlier that European Financial Stability Facility Chief Executive Officer Klaus Regling said China was &amp;ldquo;clearly interested&amp;rdquo; in buying Portuguese bailout bonds when the EFSF sells them in June.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Meanwhile, Fitch Ratings said that the exposure of German banks to Greece was manageable, boosting lenders across the region.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Commerzbank and Deutsche Bank saw shares jump 2.35% and 1.2% respectively. Shares in Spanish banking giant Banco Santander advanced 1.9%, while Europe&amp;rsquo;s largest financial group BNP Paribas added 1.4%.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Shares in Swiss dental implant maker Nobel Biocare soared 7.35% after Morgan Stanley upgraded the stock two notches to &amp;lsquo;overweight&amp;rsquo; from &amp;lsquo;underweight&amp;rsquo;.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;French tire maker Michelin saw shares gain 1.3% after JP Morgan upgraded the company, saying a 20% drop in natural rubber prices makes tire producers the best medium-term prospects in the automotive sector.&amp;nbsp; &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;In London, the commodity-heavy FTSE 100 rose 0.4% as commodity producers led gains after Deutsche Bank upgraded the raw material sector, saying it expected stocks in the sector to deliver a 20% return on equity this year. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Shares in BHP Billiton climbed 1.1%, while copper producer Xstrata gained 1.3% after Deutsche Bank named them as its top choices in the sector. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;On the downside, luxury retailer Burberry saw shares drop 2.5% after it reported full-year earnings that were broadly in line with market expectations. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;The company said annual earnings rose 39% to GBP297.9 million however the company failed to upgrade its earnings outlook for the current fiscal year, disappointing investors.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;The outlook for U.S. equity markets, meanwhile, was upbeat. The Dow Jones Industrial Average futures pointed to a gain of 0.3%, S&amp;amp;P 500 futures indicated a rise of 0.32%, while the Nasdaq 100 futures added 0.15%.&amp;nbsp; &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Later in the day, the U.S. was to publish revised government data on first quarter economic growth as well as a weekly report on initial jobless claims.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;<br><br><br>ForexPros.com - Forex Pros offers a diverse set of professional tools for Forex, Futures and CFDs. These include real-time data streams, technical and fundamental analysis by in-house experts, and a widely used economic calendar and .<p>Read more posts on </p>?Forexpros ? Forexpros - European stocks retreated in Friday trade, dragged down by inflation concerns and the dimming prospects for a quantitative easing from the European Central Bank.<br>At the end of Friday¡Çs European session, the STOXX 50 Index lost 1.48% to 2,179.66, France¡Çs CAC 40 fell 1.50% to 2,981.96, Britain¡Çs FTSE 100 shed 1.32% to 5,128.48, and Germany¡Çs DAX declined 2.44% to close at 5,502.02.<br>In Thursday trade, U.S. and European stock markets got a lift from a German parliamentary vote approving an expansion of the USD600 billion European Financial Stability Facility.<br>But the release Friday of an unexpected drop in German retail sales sent European shares lower late in the day¡Çs session. <br>Germany¡Çs Federal Statistics Office reported that retail sales fell by a seasonally adjusted 2.9% in August, down from a 0.3% gain the previous month. Market forecasts for retail sales in Europe¡Çs largest economy were for a 0.5% decline.<br>Additionally, the European Union¡Çs Statistics Office reported that euro-zone inflation jumped by 3% in September, up for 2.5% in August, the largest year on year increase since October of 2008.<br>The rise in prices quashed hopes that the European Central Bank would be lowering interest rates any time soon, complicating the ECB¡Çs options for addressing the region¡Çs debt concerns.<br>Among top losers in the session were banks and financial issues, as Europe¡Çs sovereign debt crisis weighed heavy on investor sentiment. In Paris, Societe General SA slumped 5.1%, while Deutsche Bank AG sank 4.9%.<br>The French and German indexes closed out the quarter ending September 30, down 25%.<br>Figures showing a contraction in China¡Çs manufacturing sector, the third monthly drop in a row, took a toll on retailers in the region, as dealers anticipated a drop in sales for luxury goods.<br>Burberry Group PLC fell 2.2% in London, with PPR SA, parent company of Gucci, sank by 6.1%. LVMH Moet Hennessey Louis Vuitton SA dropped 3.4% in Paris.<br>Meanwhile in late afternoon trade on Wall Street, the Dow Jones Industrial Average was down 0.78% to 11,067.29, the Nasdaq Composite Index gave up 1.18% to 2,451.47 and the S&amp;P 500 was lower by 1.04% at 1,148.37.<br>Europe¡Çs Markit Economics was due to release its Manufacturing Purchasing Manager¡Çs Index for the euro-zone on Monday.<br><br><br><br>Forexpros - Forexpros offers a diverse set of professional tools for Forex, Futures and CFDs. These include real-time data streams, technical and fundamental analysis by in-house experts, and a widely used economic calendar and .<p>Read more posts on </p>?Forexpros ? European stock markets fell sharply on Monday, on reports Greece will not be able to meet deficit targets this year, leading the country closer to a potential default.<br><br>During European morning trade, the EURO STOXX 50 fell 2.44%, France¡Çs CAC 40 dropped 2.55%, while Germany¡Çs DAX 30 posted a 2.63% decline.<br><br>European equities were hit after Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou announced on Sunday that the country would not meet deficit targets this year. A draft of the 2012 budget approved by the cabinet on Sunday showed a deficit of 8.5% of gross domestic product for 2011, falling short of a target of 7.6%.<br><br>Inspectors from the European Union, the International Monetary Fund and the European Central Bank held discussions in Athens over the weekend and will soon decide whether the country is eligible to receive further financial assistance. <br><br>Shares in the financial sector led losses, with France's BNP Paribas plummeting 5.67% and Societe Generale tumbling 5.44%, while Germany's Deutsche bank fell 2.74%.<br><br>Belgium's Dexia also saw shares plunge 8.78%, amid media reports that French and Belgian officials are set to meet to discuss a rescue package for the bank, due to its heavy exposure to Greek debt.<br><br>Peripheral lenders also contributed to the fall, with Italy's Unicredit and Intesa Sanpaolo dropping 2.80% and 3.36% respectively, while Spain's Banco Santander fell 2.47%.<br><br>In London, the FTSE 100 shed 2.18% as U.K. lenders shadowed losses posted by their counterparts across the Continent. <br><br>Barclays saw shares tumble 4.67% and Royal bank of Scotland posted a 4.04% drop, while shares in Lloyds Banking fell 2.94%. <br><br>Copper producers Xstrata and Kazakhmys also saw shares decline 2.75% and 2.90% respectively, as copper tumbled to a 14-month low, while mining giants Rio Tinto and BHP Billiton dropped 2.81% and 2.26%.<br><br>The luxury-goods sector also came under pressure, extending the previous week's losses linked to concerns over China's growth. Shares in Burberry's tumbled 4.94%.<br><br>Elsewhere, U.S. equity markets pointed to a lower open. The Dow Jones Industrial Average futures pointed to a drop of 0.53%, S&amp;P 500 futures signaled a fall of 0.52%, while the Nasdaq 100 futures indicated a 0.76% decline.<br><br>Later in the day, the U.S. Institute of Supply Management was to publish data on manufacturing activity.<br><br><br>Forexpros - Forexpros offers a diverse set of professional tools for Forex, Futures and CFDs. These include real-time data streams, technical and fundamental analysis by in-house experts, and a widely used economic calendar and .<p>Read more posts on </p>?<p>Forex Pros &ndash; European stock markets were mixed on Tuesday, as shares in the financial sector led losses amid persistent fears over the euro zone&rsquo;s debt crisis, while U.S. futures indexes pointed to a higher open on Wall Street.</p><p>During European morning trade, the EURO STOXX 50 slumped 0.25%, France&rsquo;s CAC 40 dropped 0.5%, while Germany's DAX 30 edged 0.08% lower.</p><p>Fears that Portugal was close to seeking outside help to resolve its debt problems continued to weigh on shares in the banking sector. Spain&rsquo;s largest lender Banco Santander saw shares fall 1.1%, Societe Generale dropped 2.3%, while Unicredit shares were down 1.3%.</p><p>Also Wednesday, Deutsche Bank saw shares drop 1.95% after the Wall Street Journal reported that the lender would seek a shareholder approval to raise as much as EUR18 billion in fresh capital.</p><p>However, shares in Commerzbank climbed 2.3% after it announced plans to repay nearly EUR14.3 billion of state-aid by June.</p><p>Meanwhile, shares in France&rsquo;s largest utility provider Electricite de France dropped 3.5%, while GDF Suez slumped 1.45% after French Prime Minister Francois Fillon said the government would freeze a planned hike in natural gas prices in July.</p><p>In London, the FTSE 100 added 0.3%, as shares in retail giant Marks &amp; Spencer jumped 5.1% after it said that fourth quarter sales in its U.K. stores rose by 0.1%, defying expectations for a 2.5% drop.</p><p>The upbeat data boosted other shares in the retail sector. Clothing retailer Next saw shares climb 2.9%, while shares in Burberry added 1.7%.</p><p>Meanwhile, shares in miners performed strongly after gold prices rose to a record high. Randgold Resources saw shares climb 1.9%, African Barrick Gold added 1.35%, while shares in silver producer Fresnillo jumped 1.75% after silver prices rose to a 31-year high.</p><p>The outlook for U.S. equity markets, meanwhile, was upbeat. The Dow Jones Industrial Average futures pointed to a gain of 0.18%, S&amp;P 500 futures indicated a rise of 0.19%, while the Nasdaq 100 futures added 0.25%.</p><p>Later in the day, the U.S. was to release a report on crude oil inventories, while the President of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta Dennis Lockhart was to speak at a public engagement.</p><p>ForexPros.com - Forex Pros offers a diverse set of professional tools for Forex, Futures and CFDs. These include real-time data streams, technical and fundamental analysis by in-house experts, and a widely used economic calendar and .</p>?Forex Pros ? pros &amp;ndash; European stock markets were mixed on Wednesday, as upbeat economic data from China eased fears over an abrupt slowdown in the world&amp;rsquo;s second largest economy, while lingering concerns over the euro zone&amp;rsquo;s debt crisis limited gains.&amp;nbsp; &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;During European morning trade, the EURO STOXX 50 eased down 0.1%, France&amp;rsquo;s CAC 40 dipped 0.2%, while Germany&amp;rsquo;s DAX 30 edged 0.2% higher. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Official data released earlier showed that Chinese gross domestic product expanded by 9.5% in the second quarter, broadly in line with expectations. A separate report showed that industrial production rose by 15.1% in June, the most since May 2010, outstripping expectations for a 13.7% increase.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;European exporters with high exposure to China, such as automakers performed strongly. Shares in Volkswagen climbed 1.7%, BMW shares rose 2.2%, while Peugeot saw shares gain 1.3%.&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Meanwhile, Ireland joined Portugal and Greece as the third euro-zone member state to have its credit rating reduced to junk status, following a downgrade by ratings agency Moody&amp;rsquo;s on Tuesday.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Shares in the financial sector were mixed. Bank of Ireland saw shares tumble 4%, Deutsche Bank dropped 1%, while Italian lenders Intesa Sanpaolo and Unicredit gained 3.3% and 2.5% respectively after Italian lawmakers pledged to speed up efforts to approve an austerity package.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Europe&amp;rsquo;s largest semiconductor-equipment maker ASML Holdings sank 4.8% after it said it expected orders to pull back sharply in the third quarter as customers become more hesitant to place big orders.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;In London, the commodity-heavy FTSE 100 rose 0.2% as raw material producers gained after oil and metal prices advanced and as fears over a slowdown in demand from China eased.&amp;nbsp; &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Mining giant BHP Billiton saw shares jump 1.6%, silver producer Fresnillo rallied 6%, while shares of oil major British Petroleum added 0.9%.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Fashion retailer Burberry saw shares advance 2.6% after reporting a 26% jump in second quarter revenue, as sales grew across all regions and categories.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;The outlook for U.S. equity markets was upbeat. The Dow Jones Industrial Average futures pointed to a gain of 0.55%, S&amp;amp;P 500 futures rose 0.65%, while the Nasdaq 100 futures indicated an increase of 0.75%.&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Later in the day, the U.S. was to publish official data on import prices and crude oil inventories, as well as a report on the federal budget balance. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;In addition, Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke is to give prepared testimony on monetary policy before lawmakers in Washington.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;<br><br><br>Forexpros - Forex Pros offers a diverse set of professional tools for Forex, Futures and CFDs. These include real-time data streams, technical and fundamental analysis by in-house experts, and a widely used economic calendar and .<p>Read more posts on </p>?<p>Forex Pros &ndash; European stock markets plunged on Tuesday, as mounting fears over Japan's escalating nuclear crisis sparked a global selloff in equities, while U.S. futures indexes pointed to a sharply lower open on Wall Street. <br><br>During European morning trade, the EURO STOXX 50 dropped 3.46%, France&rsquo;s CAC 40 tumbled 3.33%, while Germany's DAX plunged 4.83%.<br><br>Earlier in the day, Japan's Prime Minister Naoto Kan warned that radiation levels had become &ldquo;significantly&rdquo; higher around the Fukushima Dai-Ichi power plant, following another explosion, this time at the stricken plant&rsquo;s No. 4 reactor.<br><br>Shares in the world&rsquo;s largest maker of nuclear reactors Areva plunged 9.5% amid concerns damage to Japanese nuclear power plants would hurt demand for reactor fuel. The stock has lost nearly 18.5% this week.<br><br>Utility providers linked to nuclear energy also performed poorly, as Germany&rsquo;s largest renewable energy provider RWE AG saw shares tumble 5.7%. Rival E.ON plummeted 6.1% after the Deutsche Presse reported that the German environment ministry wanted to temporarily shut E.ON&rsquo;s Isar 1 nuclear reactor in Bavaria. <br><br>Meanwhile, shares in luxury goods retailers were broadly lower amid concerns over the long-term sales impact of the massive earthquake in Japan, which accounts for nearly 11% of global luxury sales.<br><br>Shares in LVMH dropped 6.4%, rival Hermes slumped 5.8%, while Burberry saw shares plunge 6.7%.</p><p>In London, the commodity-heavy FTSE 100 sank 2.4% as commodity prices retreated amid increased risk aversion. <br><br>Shares in silver producer Fresnillo tumbled 7.1%, copper producer Xstrata dropped 4.05%, while oil giant British Petroleum saw shares slump 4.1%.<br><br>The outlook for U.S. equity markets, meanwhile, was sharply lower. The Dow Jones Industrial Average futures pointed to a drop of 2.39%, S&amp;P 500 futures indicated a loss 2.82%, while the Nasdaq 100 futures pointed to a decline of 2.85%.<br><br>Later in the day, the U.S. was to publish official data on manufacturing activity in the New York region, as well as government reports on import prices and the balance of domestic and foreign investment. <br><br>In addition, the Federal Reserve was to hold its policy setting meeting before announcing its federal funds rate. <br><br>ForexPros.com - Forex Pros offers a diverse set of professional tools for Forex, Futures and CFDs. These include real-time data streams, technical and fundamental analysis by in-house experts, and a widely used economic calendar and .</p>?<p>We couldn't bring ourselves to actually attend the second round of Fashion Meets Finance. Last year's party was still too fresh in our minds. Fortunately, somebody made the New York Press's ace party reporter Matt Harvey go to the thing. He survived and came back with this news: models still want bottles paid for by bankers.</p><p></p><p>Broke bankers and struggling models mobbed the rooftop of the Empire Hotel last night for the latest installment of Fashion Meets Finance. A tipsy brunette on crutches was trying to put her Burberry coat on so she could leave, but guys wearing suits sans ties kept jostling her as they moved past. Struggling to anchor herself with the crutches she told me her deal. &ldquo;I was running to work to get there on time when I fell. It&rsquo;s not funny!&rdquo; As the tiny metaphor hobbled away, a bushy-haired suit eyed my black notebook and smiled. &ldquo;How many numbers you get tonight?&rdquo; With an obscene bro-wink he added, &ldquo;I&rsquo;m just chilling because I&rsquo;m engaged.&rdquo;---</p><p>The party was billed as a return to the halcyon excesses of 2007, and enough unemployed finance types fished the necessary change from their couch to pony up for a bottle of Absolut. Liz, a 20-something fashionista in a low-cut black cocktail dress, eyed them skeptically and said, &ldquo;just look at all the douches in those seats. They&rsquo;re all so broke.&rdquo; A line-up of seven models was in the DJ booth nodding to anemic dance music. One of them, Sabrina Roberts, a six-foot Afro-Chinese stunner wearing a tiny creme-brulee-colored dress&mdash;told me she wasn&rsquo;t giving up on finance dudes. &ldquo;One, they&rsquo;re more interesting; and two, can you imagine if everyone was in fashion?&rdquo; I asked her if she had ever thought of dating so-called normal people. She twirled around, took a sip from her champagne flute and asked happily, &ldquo;How do normal people pay for champagne?&rdquo;</p><p>Did any readers attend this thing? We'd love to hear more about it. Email jcarney@alleyinsider.com</p>?<p>A social media study of FTSE 100 companies from The Group confirms what we found in a last November: firms remain wary of but are exploring the options available to them, especially Twitter.</p><p>[]</p><p>The Group, which has been monitoring corporate use of social media in the UK for just over a year, finds 45 percent now have corporate Twitter accounts, up by 50 percent on a year ago. :<br><br>Twitter is easy to set up, easy to use and, some well-documented failures apart, a fairly foolproof way for companies to connect with various people online. Which explains why, of all the social media channels we&rsquo;ve been monitoring, Twitter use is in the rudest health.<br><br>As you can see from the chart, Facebook and blogs are used far less, however. The low uptake of Facebook is probably down to the cost and effort required to do it right, says The Group.<br><br>YouTube is more popular, being employed by two fifths of UK blue chips. Of the social media channels reviewed by the consultant, however, YouTube is the &lsquo;least well used&rsquo;. More from The Group:<br><br>There are some exceptions &ndash; Aviva and Burberry have both put thought into their YouTube channels. The majority, however, seem content to add the odd video to the (frankly awful) channel template without much thought as to how their content will be consumed.<br><br>For , it helps to broaden your sample and look to continental Europe. Here, companies like SAP and BASF are showing others how to do it with .<br><br>Source: </p>?<p>Investors pulled $15 billion out of the BRICs in 2011 as the European sovereign debt crisis escalated and the world economy decelerated.</p><p>In China, all the chatter was about its problems, its property bubble, and its risk of a hard landing.</p><p>Naturally, investors are anxious about pouring their money into emerging markets. And China, once an emerging market darling, is seeing bearish sentiment on the rise.</p><p>Speaking at the Peter Chiappinelli, portfolio strategist at Grantham, Mayo, Van Otterloo &amp; Co. (GMO) said Wall Street has sold GDP growth as "the road to riches," but argued that there was no correlation between GDP growth and stock market returns. Chiappinelli spoke of a three tier short on China:</p><p>"We've applied a more surgical approach to how we wanted to construct a short. We call it a three tier short. Three themes all tied to infrastructure and real estate.</p><p>Tier 1 would be those names that are directly tied to China real estate, China development, China banks, China cement manufacturers, with an obvious link to China real estate.</p><p>Tier 2 we would describe perhaps as less obvious, think Australian mining.</p><p>Tier 3 even less obvious back to your global comment, everything is tied together. You can play a China short through European luxury goods, through , through Burberry, those kinds of names, vast majority of incremental growth is coming from mainland China. And we think they are very very exposed right now to a potentially dangerous situation. So it's more of a China theme that goes well beyond China's borders."</p><p>Don't Miss: </p>?<p><p>Many companies were disappointed when Google+ rolled out and banned the creation of accounts specifically for businesses and brands. Fortunately, today, , for them to start connecting with customers and followers.</p><p>For an example of what a Google+ Page looks like, check out the one for the :</p><p></p><p>You'll notice that you can +1 the page, see how many followers they have, add them to your circles, and confirm that the page is verified. You can share the page on your own stream. Check out all the differences here on the Google+ support page. (Bonus: are having a hangout at 4PM PST today!)</p><p>Unfortunately, it doesn't look like just anyone can create a Google+ page. This is what I found, when I tried to click on the "Create a Google+ page" button:</p><p></p><p>But you can see what Google+ is trying to encourage in the background. You can define whether your page is for a local business or place, whether it's a product or brand, and whether it's a company or institution. You can also further categorize it in "Arts, Entertainment, or Sports" or "Other". There's a message encouraging you to host hangouts, and create circles, and ask people to +1 you. You can get more advice from the . According to , he's been assured that .</p><p>There's also Direct Connect, which simplifies searching for brands and businesses in Google search. Just go to , and type in the [+] symbol, along with the brand you're looking for. For example, when you search for "+Google", you'll be automatically taken to the . Currently this option only works for a few pages, but more is coming. </p><p>In addition to the brand page, there are also a bunch more Google pages you can follow along with, including , , and . You can check them all out . </p><p>Here are the non-Google brand pages that are now up and running:</p><p>Have you spotted any more great brand pages? (By the way, the . How do you think the page will stack up?)</p> </p><p>Via on .</p><p>Read more posts on </p>?<p>1) Luxurybrands have started out carefully.The article shows a great example of how Burberry back in 2009 created a, but moved cautiously, first with professional photographers then opening it up to the public (and even then maintaining some editorial control).</p><p>What does this mean to you (the local business owner):You too can start out slowly. Forget what the daily deal sales person is telling you. There is so much competition in the daily deal space, you don't have to give away steep margins and creative control to participate. You should choose a vendor that uses professional photography (more cost to them) and will let you approve how the promotion is written. You should also ask the daily deal site to segment their mailing list and give you visibility into what kind of consumer is getting your email offerbeforethey send it. You should absolutely negotiate on margin and limit the number of offers you sell so you can test results.</p><p>2) They've worked hard to maintain the sense of exclusivity.This article gives you a great example of Oscar de la Renta buildingwith the concept of a backstage pass to make consumers feel special.</p><p>What does this mean to you:You don't need to call your promotion a deal. Think of this more as crafting a unique experience for your favorite customers. Many of the daily deal sites now have things like travel escapes, tastings, adventures, tour like bundles so they will have opportunities to package up unique local experiences. Work with your sales person to explore ways you can work creatively with other merchants in town to package a showcase of your business that feels more in line with your brand. Look at,, andas brands doing a good job of this.</p><p>3)They are reaching bigger audiences.Derek Lam knew eBay could help his brand reach millions of new consumers, but these customers wouldn't all be right for his high-end products. So he was careful about which products he promoted on eBay, but he didn't ignore this audience.</p><p>What does this mean to you:Don't avoid the promotion power of daily deal email lists. They can be the most effective way to put your business in front of millions of local consumers. The key is use select inventory. Control and limit your offering so that you showcase your business.</p><p>This economy has made it feel like we only buy what is on sale, but that's not true. Consumers will always buy things that make them feel unique and special. Daily deal sites can get local businesses closer to thousands of local consumers without discounting what makes themspecial. The next generation of these products must deliver on that promise.</p>?<p><p></p><p>This is not the student. </p>Joe Mihalic graduated from Harvard Business School with his MBA&mdash;and $95,000 in student loans&mdash;in 2009. After two years of loan payments, Mihalic resolved to pay them off in 10 months.</p><p>He started a blog, No More Harvard Debt (), to chronicle his experiment in cutting costs and earning more money. In March, he paid the last of hisseveral months ahead of schedule.</p><p>[See.]</p><p>U.S. Newsrecently spoke with Mihalic about his creative cost-cutting strategies. Excerpts:</p><p>When and why did you decide to get more aggressive about paying off your student loans?</p><p>In August 2011, I logged into my student loan accounts and the total came up to somewhere just shy of $91,000. This was after almost two years of paying down the loan at $1,057 every month. I had put over $22,000 into these loans that started out at $101,000. The principle was still at $90,000 because most of thewas going towards interest for the first couple of years. I looked at that total and it blew me away. I realized that I wasn't really happy with that trajectory of those loans. I felt like I was trapped. Emotionally, I felt it would just be better to be debt-free.</p><p>In aclass that I took at Harvard, the professor said that debt was good. They're being held accountable to make a monthly payment to their debtors every fiscal quarter, so it keeps them focused and on track. I agree with that. The question is, "What's the right level of debt for an individual?" I thought that awas plenty of debt for an individual. This student loan debt was a little onerous for me. The pressure was too high.</p><p>Do you think it was worth taking on that much debt to get your MBA?</p><p>I do. I met a lot of really smart, talented, ambitious people who I probably wouldn't have met otherwise. I made great friends. The case method taught me to think in a whole new way. It made me a better decision-maker. Because of that, I was a more effective employee. I really don't think that it was that much debt when you consider that my salary doubled, as well as the fact that I was able to pay most of it down in seven months.</p><p>What steps did you take to cut expenses and boost your income?</p><p>I threw security and common investment wisdom to the wind and I used my life savings to kill a $25,000 loan to start my debt snowball. I stopped contributing to my 401(k), but I still have about $45,000 in my 401(k) that I didn't touch. I also had a $12,000 IRA from my old job. It started out as a 401(k), but I rolled it into an IRA and used it to pay down my loans. I took a hit on it, of course, when I did the early withdraw so it turned into $8,000.</p><p>[See.]</p><p>Certainly, if I had a qualified financial officer, they wouldn't say, "Withdrawing your IRA is the right thing to do," because you'll realize some loss. My situation does not apply to everyone, but it was my choice. Emotionally, I'm in a way better state now than I was this time last year.</p><p>I gave up my privacy and got two roommates on . I also started a landscaping business, which was mildly successful. I also sold my motorcycle for $2,000, and I sold my bicycle for about $1,000. Then I sold some miscellaneous stuff on Craigslist: an , motorcycle accessories, bicycle accessories, even an old pair of Burberry reading glasses that I had sitting around from grad school.</p><p>I saved 74 percent of my income. At the beginning of the challenge, I was making $103,000, which is really only $70,000 after taxes.</p><p>I didn't go home for Christmas or to friends' bachelor parties or weddings. I didn't go on any dinner dates or to the movies. I'd hike around the park. I'd get bagels and coffee, random things that didn't cost a lot of money.</p><p>How did people react in your life to this sudden lifestyle change?</p><p>It takes a certain type of girl to go on a hiking date instead of a dinner date, but that's kind of the girl I'm looking for. As far as my life, I still have a great time. I hang out with friends a lot but I bring a flask to bars, which some of them thought was a good idea.</p><p>For the most part, my friends were pretty frugal. I think I just may have subconsciously chosen frugal friends. Yes, most of them have houses and they do travel, but they don't really throw their money around unwisely. So, when they saw me tighten my belt a little bit they were like, "Yes. We get it. That's cool." They didn't go out of their way to do really flashy things and exclude me. I appreciated that.</p><p>[See.]</p><p>Do you think that the accountability of blogging played a role in helping you reach your goal?</p><p>I'm pretty intrinsically motivated to begin with, but I knew that I would be held accountable at the end of every month with my progress report. "Here's how much I made, here's how much I spent, here's why." Just knowing that at the end of the month I would have to admit to my sins, so to speak, made me think twice about buying things and doing certain things.</p><p>For example, when I quit my pedi-cabbing gig, it was very humbling to report that on the blog. It made me approach future revenuewith a lot more caution. There are so many pedi-cab drivers in downtown Austin just driving around without anybody in their trailers. I should have seen that and made the connection. I was just excited to be a pedi-cab driver. I thought it would be really fun. I didn't really do the due diligence. I had to admit on my blog that I failed in pedi-cabbing. It was kind of humiliating.</p><p>Now that you've paid off your, will you continue some of your cost-cutting measures or go back to the lifestyle you had before?</p><p>The roommates signed their lease until the end of June, so they're entitled to stay there until the end. After that, I'm thinking of renting the house out and getting a studio closer to the city, because the house is really too big for me.</p><p>Spending is pretty similar to when I was paying off the debt. I haven't gone on a dinner date yet. I'm still driving my 12-year-old Honda. I'm still packing a lunch every day. My friends and I are still hitting up the BYOB place before we go downtown. I bought a couple of shirts for the first time in a year.</p><p>I need to build back up mycushion to get six to eight months of living expenses in the bank just in case anything happens. Then I'll have the option to spend more. Right now, I just got used to the lifestyle I was living.</p><p>People who win the lottery, their level of happiness actually returns to the baseline even though they have so much money. People who lose all their money, there will still be some dark days, but they'll rebound. I got used to that lifestyle. So, I haven't been in a rush to go spend crazy amounts of money or do anything really wild.</p>?<p><p>Ethan Miller/Getty</p>Quintessentially British label Paul Smith is attempting to crack China once again, with a flagship store in Shanghai and 24 new boutiques in the pipeline.</p><p>Sir Paul Smith has cited the opening of his first as one the proudest moments of his career, and his foray in the Far East is set to continue as he takes on China next.</p><p>His brand will set up a 5,000 sq-ft store in Shanghai - where European fashion houses Christian Dior, Gucci and Jean-Paul Gaultier have recently staged catwalk shows - in December and add 24 shops in China over the next five years, according to .</p><p></p><p>China&rsquo;s clothing market is predicted to more than triple to 1.3 trillion yuan (&pound;128.3 billion) by 2020 from 400 billion yuan (&pound;39.4 billion) in 2010 as rising incomes fuel demand, Boston Consulting Group Inc found.</p><p>&ldquo;This is the right time to join the race,&rdquo; said Balbina Wong, chief executive officer for ImagineX Group, Paul Smith&rsquo;s Greater China distributor. &ldquo;Chinese consumers are becoming more sophisticated and brand-conscious. China&rsquo;s overall GDP may slow, but the middle-class is growing.&rdquo;</p><p>It is the second time the London Fashion Week label is attempting to crack China. The brand retreated from the country with large losses five years ago, with Smith telling the Financial Times that the Chinese market was &ldquo;extremely dangerous&rdquo; due to its high rents and because the majority of the population only sought &ldquo;clothes to cover their bodies&rdquo;.</p><p>Paul Smith will be taking on earlier entrants Michael Kors and Burberry alongside fellow newcomers, Italian brands Prada and Salvatore Ferragamo.</p><p></p>?<p><p>Screenshot</p><p>How many of these are ads?</p>The future of mobile advertising is display. To clarify: it's not in iAds or other software from OS makers and carriers. Tapping on those teeny-tiny "x"s in pop-ups requires an annoying amount of precision, and users generally ignore the ad content. The versus the enormous time spent on mobile is real, and it exists partially because of these unappealing little ads.</p><p>Instead, the company proving that display advertising works for mobile is Instagram, the photo-sharing app that . Instagram's 27 million users not only look at mobile ads -- they rate them, share them, comment on them, and perhaps even like the brands using them a little bit better.</p><p>Just don't call them ads. Instead, call them pictures, and if you're a brand, make sure they're interesting or beautiful to look at. See for example Burberry's hazy, over-exposed "behind-the-scenes" shots of models and fashion shoots. They're appealing in a way that glossy magazine pictures aren't, because they're not the commoditized images that consumers might expect. Instead, they're a hip, attractive, insider-y collage. And they probably make consumers think of the Burberry brand more favorably.</p><p>You can hear more about smart mobile marketing and ad tactics at the , taking place June 14 in New York, hosted by . are now on sale. The covers everything from in-app experiences and stealth ads like those on Instagram, to content integration, traditional display, and geo-local targeting.</p><p>You'll hear from including:</p><p>They'll dive into the , such as:</p><p>, and join the discussion on June 14 for a day of intense industry insight and valuable networking. Meanwhile, you can follow @BI_Events on for discounts and updates. See you in June!<br></p>?<p>() - Inc, the world's largest home improvement chain, will close all seven of its big box stores and cut 850 jobs in China as the retailer changes its focus in the Chinese market to online and specialty stores and becomes the latest retailer to feel the chill from China's slowing economy.</p><p>Earlier this week, British fashion house Burberry Group Plcwarned a slowdown in China could hit earnings. The profit warning came as recent Chinese data signaled a further slowing of the world's second-largest economy.</p><p>Chinese home appliance retail chain operators such as Suning Appliance Co Ltdand GOME Electrical Appliances Holding Ltd, who are seen by some as China's answer to Co Inc, are also slowing their expansion to focus on raising efficiencies at existing stores and refining their e-commerce operations.</p><p>China's retail sales growth in all consumer goods categories slowed to 13.2 percent year-on-year in August to 1.67 trillion yuan ($263.84 billion) from 18.1 percent in December, official data showed.</p><p>Home Depot will retain two recently opened specialty stores in Tianjin and is "developing relationships with several of China's leading e-commerce websites," it said in a statement late on Thursday.</p><p>"China is a do-it-for-me market, not a do-it-yourself market, so we have to adjust," Home Depot spokeswoman Paula Drake told Reuters late on Thursday.</p><p>The company made its first foray into the rapidly-growing Chinese market in late 2006 through its acquisition of a 12-store Chinese chain called The Home Way.</p><p>However, it has struggled to expand ever since as it was a relatively late entrant into the market behind other international chains such as Britain's Kingfisher Plcwhich ventured into the world's most populous country in the late 1990s. http://r.reuters.com/far62t</p><p>The company expects to incur a $160 million charge in the third quarter as a result of the closures, but said this will not affect its full-year earnings forecast.</p><p>Home Depot said it will continue to employ about 170 associates in China working in the sourcing offices in Shanghai and Shenzhen. Shares of the Atlanta-based company closed up 2 percent at $58.30 on the New York Stock Exchange on Thursday.</p><p>Last week, Suning Appliance announced the launch of a network of super stores to offset slow growth in its core business in China. The super stores will sell home appliances, general merchandise, books, and daily necessities, a move that put it in direct competition with local operators such as Sun Art Retailand Wumart Stores, as well as foreign giants like Walmartand Carrefour.</p><p>($1 = 6.3296 Chinese yuan)</p><p>(Additional reporting by Tej Sapru in Bangalore; Editing by Matt Driskill)</p><p></p>?<p>A baby may be the ultimate accessory, but for women who love designer brands, it can also be an awkward wardrobe fit.</p><p>Okay, we're half kidding--but fortunately for those women, high-end designers such as , Lanvin, Versace, and have all recently launched or plan to launch clothing lines for kids.</p><p>Upscale children's lines started entering the scene about three years ago, but made a surge this season with Fendi showing its collection at its Fifth Avenue store in New York City and Gucci hiring Jennifer Lopez and her twins for its advertising campaign.</p><p>The prices for many pieces, which children will likely only wear for one season, border on ridiculous. For example, a Gucci's , designed for girls ages 2 to 8, costs $595 dollars.</p><p>But as the luxury market makes a slow comeback, the wealthy are willing splurge these items, said the Doneger Group's Creative Director Jamie Ross.</p><p>We spoke to her this week about designer baby fashion became such a trend; here's what she had to say.</p><p>When did we start seeing designer children's clothes become a trend?</p><p>About three years ago, we started to see designer clothes for children enter the market. But the past year, we've seen it enter a good mainstream consciousness. These moms who wear the brands themselves and place their identity in them, and want their children to have matching aesthetics.</p><p>Why is expanding to children's wear smart for designers?</p><p>The fact that they are building costumers base that young, helps them build customers for life. If a child associates themselves early on with a brand, they have a guaranteed customer later on.</p><p>So what are the trends in children's designer fashion?</p><p> It's a take away from the grown-up clothes. Especially Gucci, Lanvin, and I'm sure Versace are all taking trends from their adult lines.</p><p>Is it cost-effective for designers to create children's lines?</p><p>Yes, absolutely. The fact that Fendi had their show at the Fifth Avenue store just generated so much hype for the line and I would say people were more excited for the Lanvin kids line than the woman's. Just generating the buzz helps the designer.</p><p>As the luxury market made a small comeback in the past few years, is this how people are spending their money?</p><p>For the infant clothes, we're seeing them mostly gifted. The doting grandparents are a large part of the people spending on these lines.</p><p>So if the mother of the child is clad from head to toe, is there an etiquette about what type of clothing to buy the child as a gift?</p><p> If it's a known fact that a mom leans in the direction of designer, it's probably best to step up to the plate and buy the designer clothes. If you even think how far diaper bags have come, women don't just carry a basic bag anymore.</p><p>What designer children's line do you like the most right now?</p><p>Looking ahead, Fendi looks good. It's a direct interpretation of their woman's line. The clothes are kid friendly, the prints and colors are just right. They are pushing the envelope forward. The clothes are user-friendly, some of the kids clothes (from other designers) almost look too precious to use. Fendi has utility safari fabrics, others look more washed and comfortable. They have fashion pastels for boys. It looks great, because sometimes compared to the girls, the boys lines can be boring.</p><p>Children are the ones wearing these clothes, so do you think it comes with a level of understanding that the clothes will get dirty?</p><p>If you're a mom and spending on this, you're prepared to have a good dry cleaner as well.</p>?<p><p>Wikipedia</p>When Bill McComb took the helm of in 2007, he laid out an ambitious plan for kate spade new york, Lucky Brand and Juicy Couture: Build each of these marquee labels into a global lifestyle brand.</p><p>Four years later, while in July, we see signs that McComb&rsquo;s vision is paying off&mdash;kate spade&rsquo;s sales are up 64% compared to 2010, and Lucky posted a 13% increase. And McComb says it&rsquo;s only a matter of months before Juicy starts jumping too. Liz Claiborne Inc.&rsquo;s CEO talked to The High Low about these diverse brands&mdash;and the shared strategy that has put all three on the path to double-digit growth.</p><p>The High Low: So direct to consumer sales grew by 77% this quarter. How did you unlock the potential of this 18-year-old brand?</p><p>Bill McComb: The first step was to bring in our brilliant creative director, Deborah Lloyd&mdash;who&rsquo;d had hugely successful runs at Burberry and Banana Republic&mdash;and pair her with Craig Leavitt as CEO. Because kate spade was the last brand acquired under my predecessor, the business wasn&rsquo;t yet caught up in the corporate structure of the parent company &mdash; which was built around sales channels, not brands and, frankly, was beginning to unravel. So I allowed kate spade to remain an independent, yet fully integrated operating company; we kept it highly entrepreneurial, and we kept it small.</p><p>THL: How did this new team rethink the brand?</p><p>WLM: Deborah had a clear road map for kate spade new york in terms of its &ldquo;handwriting&rdquo;&mdash;its visual and product expression&mdash;and a big part of the plan was to introduce apparel, which was a risky venture and not one that many handbag companies had done successfully. In April of 2009 we were looking forward to an exciting apparel launch in the fall, but our stores were still little white handbag museums&mdash;very plain and simple&mdash;and our traffic was plummeting. So I gave Craig, Deborah and their head of marketing, Kyle Andrew, a challenge to remake the small 5th Avenue store [in New York City] with a minimal capital expenditure&mdash;and by minimal I mean $25,000 to $30,000. We would use that store as a lab, and if the concept was successful we would scale it.</p><p>THL: What was riding on this experiment?</p><p>WLM: It&rsquo;s always darkest before the dawn, and April 2009 was 3 a.m. for kate spade. Within six weeks, the team executed a colorful, energetic store format, which immediately drove major increases in traffic. Each store now is designed to look like the kate spade customer&rsquo;s idealized apartment, which meant we defied some laws of modern retail. We actually put walls up and chopped the store up to make it feel like rooms in a home. The fall came, the new product launched, and it all worked together&mdash;centered on a crystal clear target audience definition, a that&rsquo;s written up on a big wall behind the cash registers in every store.</p><p>THL: You refreshed too, but in a different way&mdash;which strategies carried through and which ones did you have to tweak?</p><p>WLM: The recipe is the same: the right leadership, great product, and&mdash;without major capitalization&mdash;new visual merchandising to bring the stores to life. Lucky has always had a clear look and feel, but the stores were poorly edited, which left the brand too wide and uncommitted. Creative director Patrick Wade and CEO Dave DeMattei, who took over in 2009, put a laser focus on denim and the denim lifestyle, but with modern handwriting, not just the &rsquo;70s peace vibe or &rsquo;80s rock-and-roll. The stores now are much more consumer-friendly: it&rsquo;s easier to find and navigate sizes and styles; it&rsquo;s easier to see the array of washes relative to sizes and styles. Second-quarter sales were up 22% compared to 2010.</p><p>THL: is the trendiest of these three brands&mdash;why was it third in line for renovation?</p><p>WLM: The founders left the business only at the end of 2009, and there was a state of suspension, creatively, before I was able to bring in LeAnn Nealz as President and Chief Creative Officer. She&rsquo;s been at , Calvin Klein, Theory, and she came to us from American Eagle&mdash;she really understands the women&rsquo;s contemporary space, she understands the LA girl, and she has an amazing vision of where Juicy needs to go. What Juicy is really about is Southern California casual luxury&mdash;a certain Laurel Canyon, Beverly Hills, Los Angeles look and feel&mdash;that is timeless. And it&rsquo;s a look that transcends global tastes even better than traditional American preppy.</p><p>THL: So what&rsquo;s the new Juicy going to look like?</p><p>WLM: You&rsquo;ll see a &ldquo;re-couturing&rdquo; of the stores this fall&mdash;different properties and elements than what we brought to kate spade, but the same lift and renewal: new art packages, new merchandising systems and, starting with spring 2012, fantastic new product. LeAnn has said that she&rsquo;s going to be celebrating the &ldquo;couture&rdquo; more in Juicy Couture. It&rsquo;s still a casual California lifestyle brand, but the quality is up, and the attention to detail on fit is tremendous. The aesthetic has a whole new beat of relevance&mdash;and the reflects that.</p><p>THL: How big can these brands be?</p><p>WLM: Any of them could join the ranks of Coach, Guess and Ralph Lauren, the very enviable monobrand companies, because I&rsquo;m recruiting people that are uniquely passionate about the brand they are building&mdash;tenured apparel-retail veterans who run their business with a high degree of entrepreneurship and flair. There&rsquo;s an affinity between each team and the product, the lifestyle, the positioning. And what that unlocks is the high double-digit growth we&rsquo;re already seeing in some of these brands&mdash;I believe that globally, each of these brands has the potential to do $1 billion and more in sales.</p><p>This originally appeared at .</p>?<p>Earlier this summer, Mo&euml;t Hennessy won a for its digital magazine, , which it launched in early 2010. <br></p><p>The French fashion house -- and the world's largest luxury company, run by billionaire -- says its content is editorially independent, and calls the site an "information reference." It's reminscent of French or Italian , with multimedia (e.g., the short film "" was popular in fashion circles). <br></p><p>No matter how it's packaged, it's a marketing win for , and follows a new wave of advertising for luxury brands (in 2009, Burberry launched a similar site, the ). <br></p><p> reports that:</p><p>Many luxury-goods companies, for example, have built editorial teams to &ldquo;socialize&rdquo; their brands: they are transforming the customer relationship by producing blogs, digital magazines, and other content that can dramatically intensify both the frequency and depth of interactions.</p><p> on the trend earlier this year, and spoke with Miki Berardelli, chief marketing officer for Tory Burch, about how luxury advertising is changing:</p><p>&ldquo;We&rsquo;re publishing content in an authentic way, and if it&rsquo;s increasing our brand awareness, then it could be defined as advertising. It&rsquo;s a new way of communicating with consumers. It&rsquo;s taking an editorial approach to telling your brand story, and the social media space just lends itself so beautifully to that combination.&rdquo;</p><p>Sites like NOWNESS , but those lines have been blurred since the inception of (1892) -- just a few decades after was born (1854).</p>?<p><p></p>Social networks have changed the way we work&mdash;and live.</p><p>For example, 18 percent of consumers use social networking sites before even getting out of bed, according to a May 2011 Ericsson ConsumerLab study.</p><p>They have also changed the way we travel, morphing business trips from a mundane experience into a data-rich opportunity to make new connections and discover or strengthen relationships. </p><p>"The simplest way to think about it is that you used to fly into a city, and unless you knew someone who was there, there's no chance that you ever got in touch with anyone," notes , the -based head of location-based marketing at , an integrated global communications company.</p><p>"We all tend to hover around in these bigger metropolitan areas and we're closer to so many people we know than we think we are, but we just don't know it. So social media kind of tightens up that six degrees of separation, and it also makes for serendipity."</p><p>But how do you keep it professional and make the most out of your next trip by utilizing social media? Here's what the experts advise.</p><p>How Social Media Has Changed Business Travel: Before You Leave</p><p>Before you ever book your trip, social networks allow you to research, interact, and enhance the experience.</p><p>From a research perspective, some hotels have started to offer room specials exclusively for fans of their page. Morever, travelers can see reviews of properties from trusted colleagues, friends and strangers to make sure it's the right spot long before arriving.</p><p>Lastly, you can figure out where your connections and contacts are staying if they'll be in town at the same time to simplify that process later on (travel-organizing app TripIt makes this easier with its integration into ).</p><p>Travelers can also use Facebook, and LinkedIn to communicate with existing contacts to figure out details about where to stay and what to do while traveling&mdash;including whom else might be in town. You'd be shocked sometimes at where old connections that you haven't seen in years might be living or have lived, allowing you to solicit opinions or schedule meetings with folks you never envisioned.<br><br>"A lot of hotels are adopting this that if they become more social-media friendly, people will start staying there," Strout says.</p><p>"Before I leave, I can figure out if someone I know will be there and then triangulate that data to connect for dinner. You have micro-control of it too, because you can broadcast out what you like or keep things private."</p><p>Social Networks and Mobile Apps to Use Before You Travel:</p><p>&bull; Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn: Let your contacts know you're planning a trip to see what fellow connections are going to be in town so you can schedule meetings&mdash;formal or informal&mdash;and determine places to go and things to do in your down-time. Follow hotels or airlines on the networks to get exclusive discounts not available elsewhere.</p><p>&bull; book your travel wherever you choose, and forward your itinerary to . The free organizational service does the rest of the work, allowing you to access the data anywhere and also telling you if any connections are in the same area.</p><p>&bull; still a relatively new service, GTrot (short for globe-trotting) connects users with Facebook friends who live where you're visiting, have visited there previously or are there at the same tim as you. With one click, you can notify those friends of your plans and solicit input or suggestions.</p><p>&bull; , , or : whatever your car rental needs are, there is a way to access the best deals here. Autoslash and allow you to input dates and times of arrival and departure and then scours the Web for the best deal. With Autoslash, if you book a rental and a better deal comes across the site, it automatically rebooks you at the lower rate. is a well-known service that allows you to rent a car for hours, days or longer, often cheaper than car rental companies and with nicer vehicles (but including a membership fee).</p><p>&bull; part of the rising trend of social car sharing and luxury car services, this is changing the way we get around in town. , the winner of last month in , allows car owners to safely rent out their unused car to trusted drivers when they need it most.</p>?<p>Cyndi Lauper said it best when she stated that &ldquo;girls just wanna have fun.&rdquo; No matter what city you place a group of girls, they will inevitably find something fun to do and is no exception. Often described as a young and diverse city; it has a fascinating vibe that is ready to be explored and the perfect destination for a girls getaway. <br> <br> Purple Cafe and Wine Bar: What better way to enjoy the night than to chat over a few drinks and a warm meal? Purple Cafe &amp; Wine Bar may sound like a simple place to visit, but it is the Mecca for savory dishes and fine . Full of flavorful dishes like Lobster Macaroni and Cheese or Vanilla Bean Creme Brulee, it's worth every calorie. A superb wine list is a fantastic invitation to let loose and order the bubbly. Catch up on the latest gossip and feel like a local at the same time at this chic wine bar.<br> <br> Twist: Since girls just want to have fun, why not look for some boys that want to as well. Even if you are taken, it is fun to flirt at Twist; an upscale bar and lounge. It was recently rewarded for having the best liquor selection with a roster of 150 choices. If you don't fall in love with a cute local, you'll fall in love with their happy hour with no drink priced over $10. This bar can easily feel laid back at first, but as the night progresses it is the perfect spot for a girls night out to enjoy the local scene.<br> <br> Seattle Premium Outlets: What would a weekend be without shopping? Seattle Premium Outlet features all the faves like Coach, Burberry and Calvin Klein. Beware of where you can save even more money; which means you might even have to bring an extra bag with you!</p><p>Salish Spa and Lodge: Live luxuriously at the Salish Spa and Lodge. Only 30 minutes from Seattle, it's close to the fun hustle and bustle of the city, yet close enough to nature. Most rooms have fantastic views of Snoqualmie Falls and other scenic landscapes. Or make a day trip out of it for the full spa experience. Just reading the spa menu is relaxing enough, with choices like the Green Tea &amp; Northwest Seaweed Salt Glow or the Cascade Escape: The Ultimate Salish Spa Experience. Treat yourself from head to toe and enter Seattle like a new woman; a $500 treat that brings the serenity of the mountains right into your very pores.</p><p>Girls Night Out Classic Yacht Cruise: A great way to end your girl&rsquo;s weekend is toasting to good times on an exclusive Ladies Night at Sea yacht cruise. Seattle is known for its dazzling waterfront, shining with city lights and skyline. range from harbor tours to cruising out to Lakes and Islands in the Seattle area.</p>?<p>Silicon Alley Insider is a community news, information, and discussion site. Please participate in any of the following ways: By sending us background tips and ideas, by submitting comments, by posting on our , by joining our room, and/or by becoming a formal contributor.</p><p>Tips. We crave news, rumors, and other info. Please send to tips@alleyinsider.com. Unless you say otherwise, we'll assume you want to remain anonymous.</p><p>Comments. You can publish comments directly on articles or posts. You'll need to provide a valid email address, and please follow our Posting Rules.</p><p> The content on our Community page is contributed by Silicon Alley insiders and other readers (including our staff). Feel free to post questions, news, commentary, job listings, event listings, restaurant and nightclub reviews, and anything else that isn't offensive, moronic, or irrelevant (more info ). Community posts can be anonymous orby-lined--your choice. If you would like to post to our community page, please send your note to post@alleyinsider.com, and we'll get it up as soon as we can.</p><p>. Our page features the latest tweets from some of our writers and readers. If you would like to join, please follow these . (It's simpler than it looks). If you want to participate but don't want to share all your personal tweets, we would suggest creating a separate Twitter account for professional use.</p><p>Articles. If you would like to become a formal Silicon Alley Insider contributorand have relevant things to say, we would love to add you to the team. We will (lightly) edit your submissions,create a by-line and Contributor bio page, and archive what you write. Wewill also link back to your blog or home page. Contributing posts or photographs is a great way to share thoughts, knowledge, andexpertise and build your profile. If you would like tobecome a contributor, please email us a short bio and an initial post. If we like the post, we'llpublish it and give you a password so that you can contribute futureposts directly. Alternatively, you can just let us co-post from your blog (Just send us an email telling us the URL and saying "Please feel free to co-post.")</p><p>Before contributing to or using this site, please read our and . Thank you.</p>?<p><p>Shutterstock.com</p>Global luxury brands usually boast about the superior shopping experience they offer. Their sales staff is supposed to be thoroughly familiar with the products on display and understand the needs of the customer.</p><p>However, this level of professionalism is sadly lacking in India. At the recently concluded CII-ET Dialogue on Luxury in Delhi, Yashovardhan Saboo, CEO, Ethos Boutiques - a retail chain of Swiss watches in India - blamed deeply ingrained social and economic prejudices for the not happy-to-help attitude. Even regular buyers of luxury brands complain that sales staff tends to judge buyers by their appearance. "If a woman wearing a sari walks into a Jimmy Choo store, the attendants will not see her as a serious customer. On the other hand, anyone in a dress and stilettos is paid much more attention," says Ragini Jaiswal, a Mumbai-based entrepreneur.<br><br>Fashion consultant Harmeet Bajaj, who counts her shopping experiences at Max Mara and Marni among the best, says that selling luxury brands is a fine art. "Store attendants have to talk to the customer, understand her background and style. They should never force any product on you. In stores abroad, the attendants know their regular customers and give them personalised care. And if you are new to the brand, they are trained to assess you in a matter of minutes and guide you around. Such inter-personal skills are missing in India."<br><br>When Burberry launched in India in 2008, customers were promised personalised shopping, a USP of the brand. However, when Priyanka Bhattacharya, a freelance beauty writer from Bangalore, walked into a Burberry store in Delhi, she didn't find the staff very forthcoming. "In India if you walk into any luxury store all that the staff tells you is the price of products because that is not mentioned. That does not make the service exclusive. They rarely offer you any style tips - what kind of bag will work for you? Will a short dress suit a short frame? They are not trained to assist shoppers."<br><br>Luxury Stores Not Up-to-Date<br><br>Luxury shoppers also find that the stores are not stocked with the latest collections. This is reported to be especially true for beauty and make-up brands. Even though the autumn-winter collections are out elsewhere in the world, in India you will continue to find lipstick from the last season. It's also been observed that luxury apparel brands prefer to keep more pret-a-porter, or ready-to-wear, collections in Indian stores rather than haute couture lines.<br><br>The recent CII-A T Kearney India Luxury Review 2011 has also taken note of this gulf between customer expectations and supply. Customers, it reports, seem to be saying, "have money, will buy, but please treat me well". The Review further states: "High quality talent continues to be limited. With the entry of new brands and footprint expansion by most companies, luxury players are facing high attrition rates resulting in increasing personnel costs."<br><br>The way out, feel experts, are intensive training programmes for luxury retail professionals. "Right now there's very little investment in retail training. We need to introduce long-term training programmes instead of organising sporadic workshops. It will also help to offer retail professionals opportunities to work abroad," says Saboo.<br><br>Anil Chopra, former CEO Lakme Lever Pvt Ltd, cites the example of the aviation industry to emphasise the importance of right training modules. "On any given flight the same set of crew is servicing passengers in the A class, business and economy class. How do they manage this? It is possible because there are good schools and institutes training them. This can be replicated in luxury retail industry."</p><p>This originally appeared on .</p><p>This story was originally published by.</p>?<p>With the removal of the cap on foreign ownership in single-brand retail, global luxury brands are expected to ramp up their presence in the domestic market.<br><br>"In one stroke, India may have opened the floodgates," said Sanjay Kapoor, managing director of Genesis Luxury, the joint venture partner of Burberry in India, which also represents other luxury brands like Canali, Jimmy Choo and Bottega Veneta.<br><br>Most luxury brands operate through the franchise or licensing route, while some like Louis Vuitton and Burberry have joint ventures in which they own 51 percent shareholding. Many such brands which have silent partners in India may now want to buy out their Indian partners. "A lot of brands were concerned about holding only 51 percent in India. Now, there is a better chance of them coming into India," said Dinaz Madhukar, vice-president at DLF Emporio, in an report.<br><br>India to Become a Preferred Market</p><p>Tikka Shatrujit Singh, chief representative in Asia for French luxury firm , the parent company of Louis Vuitton and many other luxury brands globally, said the appetite to invest in India is bound to grow now. "This was the last frontier to be opened. It will make India a preferred market," he said.<br><br>With the rapid rise in high net worth individuals, Indian luxury market is estimated to triple to $14.7 billion by 2015, from $4.76 billion in 2009. In a recent report, Swiss wealth manager forecast that the number of HNIs in India, with assets of $1 million or more, would more than double to 403,000 by 2015.<br><br>"We expect investments in India from luxury and fashion companies to benefit from this decision and the process of development of infrastructures will improve and boost the growth of luxury industry in India," said Michele Norsa, CEO of Ferragamo Group.<br><br>Luxury Plans for the Country</p><p>"We are waiting for the fine print. If the conditions are favourable, we will look at scaling up our stake from 51 percent to 100 percent in our Indian subsidiary," Damien Vernet, general manager, Middle East &amp; India at Louis Vuitton, said. Louis Vuitton has a 51:49 joint venture in India, with four stores. In contrast, it has 36 stores in China.<br><br>"I expect people sitting on the fence to now make a beeline (for India). After China, India is the next big market for luxury brands. India is expected to be the next China," said Abhay Gupta, executive director of Blues Clothing Company, which has franchise deals with luxury brands like Versace, John Smedley, Cadini and others in India. Just a couple of months ago, , who runs the fashion and leather goods unit at LVMH said the 51 percent cap was holding back foreign investments.</p><p>This originally appeared on .</p><p>This story was originally published by.</p>?<p><p>Instagram</p><p>Kim Kardashian On Instagram.</p>No, there's no dashboard or back-end metrics. And no sales team to support advertisers--yet. But Instagram, the popular photo-sharing service that , is Mecca for brand advertisers.</p><p>Why?</p><p>It's a place where display advertising actually works. Yep, that's right: people want to look at your ads. <br></p><p>Just don't call them ads. Instead, call them images, and make sure they're (actually, truly) interesting or beautiful to look at. One smart angle is the "behind-the-scenes" approach taken by brands such as General Electric, , and Burberry. As a consumer, I don't know much about GE's engineering division, and I might not profess to care. But amazing, color-saturated photos of engines and repairs, which turn my into a portable gallery of industrial-flavored art? Yes, please. CEO has suggested Instagram may be the , and he now has the resources of --expected to IPO at $75-100 billion later this month -- to back him up in developing it.</p><p>So how can you use Instagram and other social platforms smartly? You can find out more at , Business Insider's one-day conference diving deep into the best practices in social-media marketing, sales, branding and engagement.</p><p>The Summit takes place June 7 in Chicago. You can .</p><p>Brand marketers from Walmart, , , Gatorade, and more Fortune 500 companies will convene to share strategies, alongside emerging private companies and leading investors. Speakers include:</p><p>They'll share industry insight on topics including:</p><p>See the and for additional information, and @BI_Events on for updates and discounts. We'd love to in June!</p><p></p>?<p> is the app that every mobile developer dreams of building.</p><p>Since launching last October, the for has gone completely viral, with more than 13 million downloads. It is now adding a million new users every couple of weeks, including celebrity users like Justin Bieber and Taylor Swift. Its runaway success has propelled cofounder and CEO into sudden fame in the tech world, landing him on lists like Fortune's .</p><p>And yet, Instagram has never spent a dime on marketing, and the company is still tiny, with only 7 employees working out of a space in San Francisco's South Park neighborhood.</p><p>We caught up with Systrom last week before Thanksgiving to ask him how he did it and what's next for the company.</p><p>Here's what we learned:</p><p>Here's a transcript of our conversation, lightly edited:</p><p>: How's life? How's business? You guys are up above 13 million users now right?</p><p>Kevin Systrom: It's funny that you say that because you really can swap "life" and "business" in the same sentence. Life's great. We're growing like a weed, both in people joining the company and also in usage. We have over 13 million people now on the app. It's been a crazy year. It's unlike any social network trajectory in the first 12 months and we're really excited to see where it goes.</p><p>BI: Why do you think the app took off so quickly?</p><p>KS:We took a very basic action that everyone does in the world, taking a photo, and we put some meaning behind it, some reason behind it. The reason is suddenly all your friends can see that photo immediately, in an instant. But also we make the photo more beautiful. It doesn't take very much to convince people to do what they do every day anyway and then do it through you're product. Really we're just taking people and shifting them from taking photos anyway to taking them on Instagram.</p><p>But then, because of the encouragement through making photos beautiful, people are taking way more photos than they would have otherwise because there's a reason to share them.</p><p>BI: But what advice would you give somebody to get that initial notice and get that spike in usage?<br> </p><p>KS: It's interesting because I've started to work more closely with startups trying to do exactly this, and a lot of people think it's a marketing game. But really, if you build a quality app you will naturally rise through the ranks. I don't know how many apps are in the App Store, but everyone knows a fraction of a percent are really well done, quality, thought out apps. There are a lot of apps that are fun to use, they're utility apps, they're fine. But there are a fraction of apps that are in the cream of the crop. You just need to be in the cream of the crop to get noticed.</p><p>I think far too many people focus on how many emails can I send the user to get them to come back at the end of the week. If you build something beautiful and useful they will come back. And sure, you should also do those things, but I don't remember the last email I got from saying "hey, you haven't been back to our site in a while."</p><p>There are gimmicks, paying for downloads and stuff. But we've never spent a dime on marketing. Great products sell themselves.</p><p>BI: What does your average user look like? Do you have a few "whales" who are taking tons of photos and then a bunch more casual users, sort of like with games?</p><p>KS: You can split it up into personas. There are definitely people who don't take any photos but like photos and comment on photos. Like people who joined for Justin Bieber -- a lot of them are there for one reason, and the reason is Justin. At the same time, there are people who subscribe to thousands of people and not only like and comment on their photos but take beautiful photos as well.</p><p>BI: You only have 7 employees, right?</p><p>KS: We're going to be 9 pretty soon.</p><p>BI: What are you hiring for?</p><p>KS: Right now we're hiring engineers and designers. That's what we're focused on. We've had a tremendous amount of luck in the last six months finding people that we really love to work with, and the team we've built is unparalleled for what we're doing.</p><p>BI: What's the kind of person you're looking for? Fresh out of college? Lots of experience in mobile?</p><p>KS: Actually I really value passion for the product above experience. Right now, most of the people are within a few years, three to six years out of college. But that's not necessarily true going forward. A lot of people coming aboard are a little more senior than that, and I'm totally cool with that. We just want to build a company that focuses on the love of Instagram.</p><p>BI: It doesn't seem like you need to hire any marketing people.</p><p>KS: It's funny, I was talking to somebody about getting a job as a growth strategist at a company and I started thinking to myself that's the opposite of what we need right now. We need somebody [who can tell us] how do you deal with growth. At the same time, even though we're growing at our peak over one user per second, we still need three or four times that to make us happy. That'll require things like Web, things like Android, a concerted play on those areas.</p><p>BI: What is the next platform?</p><p>KS: The next mobile platform is definitely going to be Android and we've got some cool stuff coming, that's all I can say.</p><p>BI: Are you going to target only the most recent version?</p><p>KS: You mean like versus others? We're going to try to be compatible with all modern phones. I don't know enough, so I can't comment to specifics, I'm not the guy who knows a lot about Android. But in our discussions, there's always a tension between just supporting the latest or supporting a bunch of different ones. We're going to try and support as many as we can.</p><p>BI: There was an , a developer told Rafe Needleman that it's sometimes better to support limited platforms because you get more marketing support.</p><p>KS: The stronger point is not that will give you preferential treatment, because I don't think they do if you're not on Android, it's not that at all. The stronger point is the focus that comes from being on a single platform. We were able to iterate much more quickly than -- I don't think anybody even names any of our competitors anymore. One of the reasons why is we were able to focus on Android and really focus on the experience on the Apple platform. There will always be folks coming up with interesting innovative stuff, I'd never write anybody off, but focusing on iPhone really helped us take that market.</p><p>BI: So you guys see yourselves as a platform, right? I hear that from a lot of startups these days -- everybody wants to be a platform.</p><p>KS: I don't think platform means you support other people, necessarily. A platform is the base from which something big happens. In our case we're an entertainment platform in the sense that there are people signing up like , Burberry, folks like Taylor Swift and Justin Bieber. And why? Because it's their channel to control their entertainment to their fans. Whether you're a brand, whether you're a big artist, or whether you're me, just a photographer, it's a platform upon which to broadcast. What we're seeing is people spending more and more time on these things [picks up his iPhone] and this is where we're consuming entertainment. Instagram is definitely becoming a new entertainment source for people day after day.</p><p>And right now we're still images, right? Imagine what happens when in the future, this really becomes an entertainment platform. I don't want to say this is an entertainment platform in the way TV is a platform because we're not going to go producing content. That being said, you could see where professional producers do produce content, do produce photos of behind the scenes things -- Audi produces gorgeous photos of all their cars and I'm sitting there and flicking through it and I'm addicted. That's very much like people sitting down on a Friday night to watch their favorite show. It's just a different platform, meaning it's a different medium, and they're consuming different kinds of content. But they're engaged, they just sit there and they open it up every 10 minutes. That's the kind of behavior that unlocks the potential of a big advertising business.</p><p>BI: So that's the opportunity -- sponsorships, affiliates, advertising, something like that. Not subscriptions?</p><p>KS: I haven't thought very specifically what form it takes, I've thought very generally about the direction we're moving. I don't think you should ever start a business and move in a direction where you can't see it becoming a business. Those thoughts have crossed my mind, can people buy things from the app, or sponsored things in your feed or whatever. I don't think we've landed on any one, but the good news is we add a million people every two weeks, that's a big number. When you have a big part of someone's time, there's a big opportunity, especially as dollars shift off these traditional entertainment mediums and onto online.</p><p>Search ads is a very specific implementation of advertising. The question is, is there an opportunity beyond group buying, search advertising, to make a whole lot of revenue on the iPhone, on Android. I believe the answer is yes, that's what we're going after.</p><p>BI: When do you have to turn the corner and show revenue? You're showing such fast growth I'm sure you could raise more money whenever you need it, and you have less than 10 people so that's a slow burn rate, but when do you start looking at the business side?</p><p>KS: It was a concern from day one. I don't think it's healthy to ignore it. I look at our numbers every day and I see how much we're spending, and I understand that goes up exponentially as you get bigger. So it's on the top of my mind. It's a good problem to have. I'm not sure there's a specific time we need to turn on the faucet. It's a progressive process.</p><p>We're trying to figure out a lot of things before that. How do we build a team such that we can support partners? How do we build the technology so that every weekend we're not stuck in the office trying to fix things from going out.</p><p>BI: What do you think of native apps for mobile phones vs HTML5 apps? I talk to some people who think HTML5 is the way to build one app that works on multiple platforms.</p><p>KS: I don't buy it, mostly because we started off as HTML5.</p><p>What I don't buy is just your statement. I totally buy HTML5. It's great for some companies. For instance, I think it's awesome for bigger brands who are not technology companies to invest in HTML5. It's much more accessible, the refresh cycle's much smaller, it's just better for the organization to spend their time doing what you do well. If you're a larger brand, having the flexibility to do HTML5 is also great.</p><p>But to do what we do, there's no reason why we should do it in HTML5....We were HTML5 when we were . But there were so many stumbling blocks getting it out to consumers, the second we went native it was the best decision we ever made. I think that's true, for folks to have a strong consumer experience that needs to be completely polished. I don't buy the cross-platform thing.</p><p>BI: What about writing in HTML5 and then wrapping it for each different platform?</p><p>KS: Why would you do that? You might as well learn Objective C. I think the big stumbling block is a lot of developers are worried that they don't know this other language so let's build it in HTML and JavaScript. But it turns out if you spend a couple of days learning Objective C, you can get really far. The experience is great, too.</p><p>BI: You mentioned a Web platform, what's up with that?</p><p>KS: I don't think there's any reason people shouldn't be able to consume photos on the Web. We just focused on mobile first.</p><p>BI: You also hinted at moving beyond photos into video?</p><p>KS: I've been mentioning this a lot lately because I don't want people getting stuck with the idea that Instagram is a photo-sharing company. Instagram is a media company. I think we're about visual media. I explain ourselves as a disruptive entertainment platform that enables communication through visual media. I don't think it's just photos. There's a reason we don't allow you to upload photos on the Web as albums. It's not about taking all these photos off your DSLR putting them into an album and sharing them with your family. It's not about that. It's about what are you up to right now out in the real world, how can you share that with everyone. It's about what's happening out in the world. It's about can I consume media from folks like Taylor Swift. That's really interesting to people. What's not interesting to me is becoming a photo storage platform.</p><p>BI: has that locked up.</p><p> has it, . We're not in the business of making mugs with photos on them. That's not our thing. So the reason I describe is it pushes people's boundaries of what Instagram is. Video is definitely somewhere in our future.</p><p>BI: Video requires a lot more resources.</p><p>KS: Everything does. So does Web. We get six million visits a day to our Web site. Imagine us launching a Web site [for sharing], how much more infrastructure would we need? All of these things are commitments. We have to see where they make sense in our lifecycle?</p><p>BI: So do you want to stay independent as a company?</p><p>KS: You mean versus selling? I'm excited about what we're doing, I love what I do every day I come in to work and get to work with my team, that's what I want to do as long as possible.</p><p>BI: Are you a photographer?</p><p>KS: It's funny, I was a photographer before I was a programmer. But in high school I basically got them to waive a bunch of science requirements so I could take more computer science. I got to college and decided I didn't want to concentrate on computer science for some random reason. But I've always done photography, in the darkroom, and I've always really been into digital photography. If you go on to , you'll see a photo that looks like an Instagram photo, from about 2007. I've always been into taking my photos, cropping them square, putting them through a filter in Photoshop. We just reverse engineered how to do filters, now we opened it up to the masses....</p><p>I've done all our filters except for a few. We worked with , one of our users, who did a fantastic job on Amaro, Rise, and Hudson. He did the first three on the list and they're awesome, I use them 24/7. But we're definitely itching to get new ones out there. We talked about doing limited Christmas holiday ones, or whatever, but we're not Seasons or anything like that yet.</p><p></p><p></p><p></p>?<p><p>Facebook</p>Pressing the like button on a company's Facebook page can have a much more wide-ranging impact than you might have guessed. A new study finds a possible correlation in the relationship between the financialperformance of public companies and their consumer following or fan count on Facebook.</p><p>What the researchers found was that the more popular the company was on Facebook, the better its stock price seemed to do.</p><p>"The results suggest that changes in fan count trends could signal changes in consumer brand company stock prices, creating the potential for new applications of metrics as economic indicators," the researchers said.</p><p>There is an association between a company's and how active its Facebook users are and its stock price, Pace University researcher Arthur O' Connor told BusinessNewsDaily.</p><p>"I am not saying because these are the most popular brands that have the greatest following of consumers on Facebook that that causes stock prices to go up," he said. "The study suggests a relationship between the popularity or greater numbers of people thinking and posting comments or sharing experiences about brands and the economic performance of the brand."</p><p>O'Connor, in association with social media analytic service , which ranks and tracks social media followers, took the 30 most popular brands on Facebook and broke them into two groups. The first group included companies that sell smaller ticket impulse-based purchases and included Abercrombie &amp; Fitch, Adidas, Aeropostale, American Eagle Outfitters, Burberry, , Puma, Coca-Cola, Dr. Pepper, Krispy Kreme Doughnuts, McDonalds, Oreo (), Pepsi, , Taco , , , Whole Foods and . The second group included 11 companies that offered larger ticket purchases including , , , , , Blackberry (RIM), , , Harley-Davidson, JetBlue and Southwest airlines.</p><p>"Fan counts for the most popular brands associated with small ticket and/or impulse purchases were found to have stronger correlation with their respective stock prices than those for the most popular brands associated with larger-ticket items and/or more complex buying processes," the researchers wrote.</p><p>O'Connor believes his research has implications for how brands .</p><p>"The most notable thing is that people need to start to understand that social media really does have some relationship with the conformity of behavior," said O'Connor, an information technology management consultant enrolled in the executive doctoral program at Pace University. "If everyone is thinking about and talking about your brand, that may mean something in terms of your stock price or corporate performance."</p><p>With more than 800 million active Facebook users, the significance of these findings can signal a change in the way companies look at social media and its ability to serve as an indicator and even predictor of economic performance. O'Connor said he believes companies will have to be careful how they wield their newfound social media power.</p><p>"Popularity is a two-edged sword," said O'Connor. "The more people look at you and think about you (especially) if you do well and do right by your customers, it can be a tremendous benefit. However, if you don&rsquo;t do those things, it can work against you in a big way. The one thing you can take away from it is that social media is becoming a more respected and established communication channel with customers, investors and the general public. It is something to take just as serious as shareholder communications, marketing communication or other more established communications."</p><p>This originally appeared on .</p>?<p>SHANGHAI () - Louis Vuitton is courting China's wealthy with one-of-a-kind shoes and bags it is branding as unique works of art to reclaim its exclusive cachet in the luxury market.</p><p>The French luxury brand, a unit of , is set to open its largest China store in Shanghai on Saturday, complete with a gilded spiral staircase and an invitation-only private floor where big spenders can get their hair done while dreaming up designs for custom bags.</p><p>"The made-to-order concept is the ultimate luxury," Louis Vuitton Chief Executive told Reuters during a tour of the store, which the company calls a "maison".</p><p>"It's the same with art. If you are interested in art, the ultimate is to commission an artist rather than buy a piece that is already done," Carcelle said.</p><p>Louis Vuitton routinely ranks among the most admired brands in surveys of Chinese consumers. But ultra-luxury names such as Hermes are making inroads, and some top-tier consumers now look down on Louis Vuitton as too common.</p><p>The company hopes to cement its exclusive luxury status with the new Shanghai store, which boasts steel sculptures and carries a wide array of goods ranging from chic coats and hats to brightly colored bags made from python or alligator skin.</p><p>It also sells carrying cases for tiles used to play the Chinese game mahjong and made-to-order trunks for tea sets.</p><p>China is the world's third biggest market for personal luxury goods, worth at least 160 billion yuan ($25 billion). In the next three years, it is expected to leapfrog over Japan and the United States to take the top spot, with the luxury segment expanding to 180 billion yuan ($28 billion).</p><p>BAD TIMING?</p><p>The Louis Vuitton maison, one of 16 similar boutiques in the world, is located in Shanghai's address for luxury goods: the swanky Plaza 66 mall, where rival brands such as Chanel and Prada also have stores.</p><p>Spanning four levels and with more than 100 staff, the store is currently the only one in China that offers custom bags and shoes. The company declined to say how much it spent on the boutique.</p><p>"Being in this made-to-order market needs sophisticated customers who know what they are talking about and own several bags, if not dozens of bags," Carcelle said.</p><p>"That's why the haute maroquinerie and made-to-order-shoes... are important to demonstrate in China," he said, using the French word for luxury leather crafts.</p><p>"As long as we didn't have this space to show them to our clients, in a world that is changing fast, we were missing our weapons," he said.</p><p>Louis Vuitton's timing, however, may be less than ideal.</p><p>Luxury spending is softening in China as the economy weakens. Economic growth slowed to its lowest level in three years last quarter. Britain's Burberry said last week its sales had been hit by the slowdown in China.</p><p>Carcelle declined to comment on the state of the Chinese economy or its impact on luxury spending, but said he sees more "maisons" opening up in the capital Beijing and Hangzhou, a thriving trade hub in eastern China.</p><p>He said Chinese consumers had rapidly matured into luxury connoisseurs, and the company needed to cater to both first-time buyers and sophisticated shoppers.</p><p>"Maybe in the West, this trend took 20 years but here it takes 5 years from the first purchase to the willingness to have more sophisticated products and services," Carcelle said.</p><p>($1 = 6.3729 Chinese yuan)</p><p>(Editing by Emily Kaiser and Miral Fahmy)</p><p></p>?<p>- A curated list of the good things in life<br>- Contributors from Forbes, TechCrunch, Conde Nast Traveler, Mashable and Luxist<br>- Advertising managed by Halogen Media Group, with initial advertisers including BMW, Coach and Burberry<br>- Upcoming functionality will include community reviews, luxury ranking and on-the-go recommendations with the Pursuitist iPhone App</p><p>Pursuitist, the premiere luxury lifestyle blog, has officially launched at </p><p>While in beta, the Pursuitist editors have diligently curated a rich list of the good things in life to share with affluent readers. With categories that include Arts, Auto, Epicurean, Family, Green, House, Style, Tech and Travel, the Pursuitist aspires to be the &#8220;Huffington Post for Luxury.&#8221; </p><p>Coinciding with the launch, a few of the new contributors sharing their favorite luxuries include Carrie Coolidge (Luxist, Forbes), Paul Carr (Techcrunch, The Guardian), Gretchen Kelly (New York Post), Erica Swallow (Mashable, CosmoGirl.com), Shandana Durrani (Conde Nast Traveler, Glamour) and Leila Cohan-Miccio (Saveur).</p><p>International contributors include Holly Boyle in London and Vilte S. Holstad in Paris, capturing the excitement and pulse of fashion, art and life in these vibrant cities.</p><p>¡ÈPursuitist is luxury redefined. It¡Çs about finding and sharing the good things in life. To inspire, educate and be relevant. Pursuitists are ahead of the curve and authentic,¡É said Christopher Parr, CEO and Publisher of Pursuitist. Parr is an award-winning 10-year luxury online marketing veteran, a frequent speaker at luxury and interactive marketing conferences and a pioneer in web publishing. In 1996, Michael Wolff¡Çs NetGuide named Parr¡Çs inaugural online magazine as ¡ÈThe Best Site of the Year¡É at MacWorld.</p><p>The Pursuitist is also a targeted advertising platform for luxury brands to connect with affluent readers. While in beta, advertisers on the site have included Burberry, BMW, Coach, Broadmoor Hotel, Chase Bank, Audemars Piguet, Cosmopolitan Hotel and Effen Vodka. Halogen Media Group, with offices in San Francisco, Los Angeles and New York, manages advertising for the site.</p><p>&#8220;Bringing on world class content producers exemplifies Pursuitist&#8217;s understanding of influencer media and the importance of providing brand advertisers with an environment where they can interact with consumers alongside relevant content. We&#8217;re thrilled to bring branded content from the world&#8217;s best brands to Pursuitist and its loyal readers,&#8221; said Greg Shove, CEO of Halogen Media Group.</p><p>Luxury fashion brands featured on the site include Prada, Louis Vuitton, Dolce &#038; Gabbana, Hermes, Gucci, Versace, Alexander McQueen, Chanel, Dior, Fendi and Roberto Cavalli. The editors have also highlighted amazing luxury destinations, including Four Seasons Hotel and Resorts, Ritz-Carlton Hotels, Disneyworld¡Çs Grand Floridian, InterContinental Resorts, Conrad Hotels, The Plaza and the Waldorf Astoria. Bentley, BMW, Lexus, Bugatti, Porsche, Rolls-Royce, Audi, Lamborghini, Jaguar and Mercedes-Benz are a few of the luxury auto brands that have been spotlighted on the blog.</p><p>Upcoming functionality to the site will include community reviews, luxury ranking, flash sales, Facebook integration and on-the-go recommendations with the Pursuitist iPhone App.</p><p>On the web at: </p><p>Read below Christopher Parr&#8217;s interview with Luxury Daily, regarding working with BMW, Marc Jacobs and Jimmy Choo:<br></p><p>Read more posts on </p>?<p><p></p>Luxury companies are complacently selling to their established customers while ignoring the next generation of millennials.</p><p>This attitude could jeopardize future business because millennials are "skeptical" about luxury brands like Louis Vuitton and Burberry, according to a report by </p><p>So far, luxury brands have taken the easy way out and marketed to their reliable customers.</p><p>"Luxury marketers face a challenge repositioning their brands for this next generation of highly-educated, soon to be affluent young people," Danziger says."Luxury brands will have to adapt to meet this next generation of luxury consumers in the marketplace."</p><p>Reaching the younger generation is challenging because research shows that young people think that luxury brands are overpriced and aren't worth the expense.</p><p>While millennials aren't making up much of the market now, Danziger predicts that by 2020 many will be affluent and buying more expensive goods.</p><p>Marketing to younger people should be luxury brands' top priority, according to Danziger:</p><p>"Understanding the aspirations of Millennials for a luxury lifestyle is critical for luxury brands, including what money, status, and success means to them. They will need to both innovate with new products, services, marketing strategies and branding concepts, as well as let go of old ideas that will prove ineffective, even counterproductive, for marketing to this new generation."</p><p>DON'T MISS: </p>?<p>Joshua Linam of IGN&#8217;s Askmen.com has named the &#8220;.&#8221; Christopher Parr, Pursuitist CEO &#038; EIC, is included on this great list, which also includes Luis Fernandez, Timo Weiland, Michael Macko, James Andrew and Ryan Cook. The bloggers, designers and luxury marketing gurus showcased on the list share their favorite fashion brands and style advice. Parr, our very own EIC, shares his go-to style staples &#8212; which includes J.Crew, Louis Vuitton, Burberry, Belstaff, TAG Heuer, Cole Haan &#8212; adding &#8220;When traveling, I grab my Belstaff jacket and go with a Barbour bag tossed over my shoulder &#8212; it&#8217;s stocked with my iPad 2, a few Cuban cigars and Johnnie Walker Black flask.&#8221;</p><p>Christopher Parr might be described as the renaissance man of luxury fashion. An award-winning luxury marketer, writer, web-publishing pioneer, and go-to speaker at luxury and interactive marketing conferences, the man stays busy. Presently CEO and chief editor at Pursuitist, Parr launched the site as a curated list of all the good things in life. He recruits contributors from Forbes, TechCrunch, Glamour, Saveur, and more, to share their favorite luxury items and adventures. &#8211; </p><p>For over 15 years, Parr has consulted with brands on , online &#038; buzz marketing to online engagement ? and has been a pioneer in web publishing, content creation, iPad app development, blogs and viral videos. In 1996, Michael Wolff&#8217;s NetGuide named Parr&#8217;s inaugural online magazine as &#8220;The Best Site of the Year&#8221; at MacWorld.</p><p>Read more posts on </p>?<p>Christopher Parr is an industry leader with over 15 years of experience in digital marketing. He is an award-winning veteran, writer, a frequent speaker at luxury and interactive marketing conferences and a pioneer in web publishing. He launched as a curated list of the good things in life, with guest contributors from Forbes, Mashable, TechCrunch, Glamour, Saveur and more sharing their favorite luxuries. Askmen.com recently named him &#8220;,&#8221; his family is featured in , , and Milton Pedraza, CEO, Luxury Institute, calls him &#8220;One of the top expert practitioners in global luxury in marketing with a particular expertise in marketing, selling and engaging customers in the digital world. He is one of those professionals who executes brilliantly. He is innovative while looking out for the return on investment&#8230;&#8221;</p><p>In 1996, Michael Wolff&#8217;s NetGuide named &#8216;s inaugural online magazine as &#8220;The Best Site of the Year&#8221; at MacWorld. He holds a MFA from Brandeis and a BA from Viterbo. </p><p>Here&#8217;s a Q&#038;A with as he shares his digital strategy behind creating an authentic luxury platform to engage affluent readers and connect with luxury brands. It&#8217;s a new age of blogging and editorial intersecting with digital luxury marketing and social media to create online buzz for the world&#8217;s best luxury brands. </p><p>Can you talk a little bit about where you got the idea to start Pursuitist.com?</p><p>The idea of Pursuitist.com was to create a travel, style and leisure destination for affluent consumers. For readers pursuing amazing fashion brands, hotels, restaurants, gadgets, experiences, and autos ? Pursuitist is a destination site that curates the good things in life. We¡Çve brought in world-class content producers ? remarkable writers sharing remarkable experiences. </p><p>How has the experience of the site differed from what you expected it would become?</p><p>It¡Çs been a blast. As I tell my writers ? write about remarkable people, products and experiences. We aspire to go beyond the bling ? Pursuitist is luxury redefined. We focus on the artisans that make amazing handcrafted products ? from a designer at Louis Vuitton to a 2nd generation organic winemaker in Napa. We pursue to tell the story and go behind the scenes. We officially launched in July. While in beta, the Pursuitist editors have diligently curated a rich list of the good things in life to share with affluent readers. Coinciding with the launch, a few of the new contributors sharing their favorite luxuries include remarkable writers.</p><p>How does the site plan to attract affluent individuals?</p><p>To build awareness, we¡Çre launching a 360-degree advertising campaign. To attract and keep the right readers, our strategy includes word-of-month, PR, campaigns with Facebook, Twitter, banner ads on other affluent websites, and email marketing. Facebook integration is also a major tactic ? the sharing, liking, and commenting is exclusively powered by Facebook to help us go viral and obtain more likeminded readers.</p><p>What is your relationship to the brands you write about?</p><p>As we¡Çre able to serve up a targeted audience, luxury brands love our platform. We¡Çre also very selective of the advertisers that appear on our site. Pursuitist is truly a targeted online destination for luxury advertisers to connect and engage with affluent consumers. Advertisers have included Burberry, Coach, Intel, BMW, Chase Bank, Audemars Piguet, Broadmoor Hotel and Cosmopolitan Hotel. The Pursuitist is a great place to be seen ? as our readers are affluent (65% with an annual income of $75k and up) and influencers.</p><p>How do you keep your content authentic?</p><p>There¡Çs a shortage of online destinations for affluent consumers seeking authentic experiences. Plenty of cold bling sites exist, focusing on editorial content with ultra premium and inaccessible luxuries. That¡Çs the void, and why Pursuitist was created ? there¡Çs not another site like us. Pursuitist is one destination site with 9 targeted sections (Arts, Auto, Epicurean, Family, Green, House, Style, Tech and Travel) ? best described as an online mashup of The Huffington Post and Conde Nast.Our editorial is also different ? from our travel journals to our features on amazing artisans and clever destinations. With friendlier and accessible narratives ? our readers tell us they feel like insiders, along for the ride.</p><p>In general, what kind of lift can this kind of content offer brands? Is this something they should focus on getting more of?</p><p>We¡Çve also worked quite closely with other luxury brands to organically integrate and feature their products ? from Four Seasons, Hermes, Patron, Gucci, Prada, Robert Mondavi Wine, Ralph Lauren, Lobel Steaks of New York, to Chanel. As we only focus on premier brands and destinations, we are selective of the brands we feature. It¡Çs a terrific halo effect ? to be ¡ÈPursuitist Recommended.¡É</p><p>Do most brands react to what you write? How do they respond to your content?</p><p>They love it. The brands, from Marc Jacobs, Land Rover to Viking Range prefer to re-tweet and link to our editorial on their social media channels. (See an example of Marc Jacobs leveraging Pursuitist¡Çs editorial .)</p><p>Also read, Luxury Daily News: </p><p>Read more posts on </p>?<p><p></p>Luxury brands including Louis Vuitton and Burberry are having difficulty expanding in China because there isn't enough prime real estate to go around.</p><p>According to a, four out of the five fastest-growing real estate markets are in China. But luxury retailers have trouble finding commercial space that's up to their standards and won't settle for the more up-and-coming neighborhoods.</p><p>Still, China will continue to dominate development, according to the report: eight out of the 10 fastest-growing markets are there. Even though luxury retailers are puzzling over how to expand, middle-class shopping malls are popping up everywhere.</p>?<p>- A curated list of the good things in life<br>- Contributors from Forbes, TechCrunch, Conde Nast Traveler, Mashable and Luxist<br>- Advertising managed by Halogen Media Group, with initial advertisers including BMW, Coach and Burberry<br>- Upcoming functionality will include community reviews, luxury ranking and on-the-go recommendations with the Pursuitist iPhone App</p><p>Pursuitist, the premiere luxury lifestyle blog, has officially launched at </p><p>While in beta, the Pursuitist editors have diligently curated a rich list of the good things in life to share with affluent readers. With categories that include Arts, Auto, Epicurean, Family, Green, House, Style, Tech and Travel, the Pursuitist aspires to be the &#8220;Huffington Post for Luxury.&#8221; </p><p>Coinciding with the launch, a few of the new contributors sharing their favorite luxuries include Carrie Coolidge (Luxist, Forbes), Paul Carr (Techcrunch, The Guardian), Gretchen Kelly (New York Post), Erica Swallow (Mashable, CosmoGirl.com), Shandana Durrani (Conde Nast Traveler, Glamour) and Leila Cohan-Miccio (Saveur).</p><p>International contributors include Holly Boyle in London and Vilte S. Holstad in Paris, capturing the excitement and pulse of fashion, art and life in these vibrant cities.</p><p>¡ÈPursuitist is luxury redefined. It¡Çs about finding and sharing the good things in life. To inspire, educate and be relevant. Pursuitists are ahead of the curve and authentic,¡É said Christopher Parr, CEO and Publisher of Pursuitist. Parr is an award-winning 10-year luxury online marketing veteran, a frequent speaker at luxury and interactive marketing conferences and a pioneer in web publishing. In 1996, Michael Wolff¡Çs NetGuide named Parr¡Çs inaugural online magazine as ¡ÈThe Best Site of the Year¡É at MacWorld.</p><p>The Pursuitist is also a targeted advertising platform for luxury brands to connect with affluent readers. While in beta, advertisers on the site have included Burberry, BMW, Coach, Broadmoor Hotel, Chase Bank, Audemars Piguet, Cosmopolitan Hotel and Effen Vodka. Halogen Media Group, with offices in San Francisco, Los Angeles and New York, manages advertising for the site.</p><p>&#8220;Bringing on world class content producers exemplifies Pursuitist&#8217;s understanding of influencer media and the importance of providing brand advertisers with an environment where they can interact with consumers alongside relevant content. We&#8217;re thrilled to bring branded content from the world&#8217;s best brands to Pursuitist and its loyal readers,&#8221; said Greg Shove, CEO of Halogen Media Group.</p><p>Luxury fashion brands featured on the site include Prada, Louis Vuitton, Dolce &#038; Gabbana, Hermes, Gucci, Versace, Alexander McQueen, Chanel, Dior, Fendi and Roberto Cavalli. The editors have also highlighted amazing luxury destinations, including Four Seasons Hotel and Resorts, Ritz-Carlton Hotels, Disneyworld¡Çs Grand Floridian, InterContinental Resorts, Conrad Hotels, The Plaza and the Waldorf Astoria. Bentley, BMW, Lexus, Bugatti, Porsche, Rolls-Royce, Audi, Lamborghini, Jaguar and Mercedes-Benz are a few of the luxury auto brands that have been spotlighted on the blog.</p><p>Upcoming functionality to the site will include community reviews, luxury ranking, flash sales, Facebook integration and on-the-go recommendations with the Pursuitist iPhone App.</p><p>On the web at: </p><p>Read below Christopher Parr&#8217;s interview with Luxury Daily, regarding working with BMW, Marc Jacobs and Jimmy Choo:<br></p><p>Read more posts on </p>?<p> flagship store in Herald is getting a $400 million facelift, scheduled for completion in 2015.</p><p>The overhaul of the landmark department store, which was built in 1902, will add some 100,000 square feet of space and give the shopping mecca a sleek new look, .</p><p>Some parts of the renovation have already been completed. Macy's recently debuted its revamped shoe section, dubbed "The World's Largest Shoe Floor," which includes a cafe space that serves coffee, Moet &amp; Chandon champagne, and hand-made chocolates from Vosges Haut Chocolate.</p><p>And the store plans to debut its new main floor in time for the upcoming holiday season. It will feature a trio of luxury shops from Burberry, Longchamps, and Gucci that will be "second only in scale to each brand's own flagship location," according to Macy's.</p><p>Macy's shared a few photos of its new shoe department and a rendering of the new main floor with us.</p><p>Here's what the luxury shops will look like when they're completed in December 2012</p><p><p>Courtesy of Macy's</p></p><p>Macy's new shoe department opened earlier this month on the second floor</p><p><p>Courtesy of Macy's</p></p><p>The department offers 280,000 pairs of shoes, according to the AP.</p><p><p>Courtesy of Macy's</p></p><p>The new department is sleek and white, and designers are given top billing.</p><p><p>Courtesy of Macy's</p></p><p></p>?<p>In 2006, the Wisconsin State Journal interviewed Madison web designer, writer, online marketing and social media professional of about web design and marketing for Madison, Wisconsin businesses. Wisconsin State Journal published the interview in the articles: , and . He recently rediscovered the original Q&#038;A with the Wisconsin State Journal reporter &#8212; and is publishing the original interview, in its entirety, as a perspective on the short history of successful online marketing and strategy. </p><p>Q. Why should a Madison business have a website?</p><p>A website is a spoke on the communications and branding wheel. It helps to convey a message, along side of TV, print, mobile, point-of-purchase and enewsletters. An effective company utilizes all of these mediums to their advantage. Consumers have many options, so you can¡Çt just rely on TV or the web to get your message out. Some consumers use the web to perform research, some use magazines. A website helps to complete the picture and capture your audience. </p><p>However, a website is the most engaging medium. TV and print are passive. The consumer can only watch or turn the page. A business can¡Çt tell the whole story with a print ad. Print is great for grabbing attention, but you need to learn more. With a website, on the other hand, consumers can delve further. It¡Çs interactive; they control where to go, what they want to learn. </p><p>Q. What kinds of businesses need what kinds of websites? Are there specific types of sites that fit specific types of Madison businesses?</p><p>A. All businesses, large or small, need a website; from a Fortune 100 company, to a coffee house, to a local artist. For a local company, like a restaurant or coffee house, present hours of operation, directions and the menu. And add interactive components, like the ability to create online reservations or sign up for e-coupons. Everyone is busy, so tell the story of why people should go out of their way to visit your store. And personalize it; incorporate humanistic touches to your site. Computers and most websites are cold, you can¡Çt connect. Add in a greeting from the owner or include a picture of the staff. Make it real. </p><p>In creating an effective website, content is king. Perhaps a coffee house could have a blog; write about new blends or recommendations, stories at the coffee house, feature the baristas. </p><p>My wife, Alison Relyea-Parr, is a children¡Çs book illustration ? she has a website at </p><p>She no longer needs to be based in New York. Publishers search and find her, which is a reversal on the selection process &#8212; when artists would take their portfolios door to door to the publishing houses. The editors find her, and browse her work, at their leisure. </p><p>So from blogs, websites to creating a profile for your business on Facebook, use the web to network with your customers online. The ability to connect to prospects, and nurture your current customer, is key. </p><p>Q. If you had to categorize different kinds of Madison business websites out there, how would you categorize them?</p><p>A. There are 100 different web strategies for 100 different Madison companies. Look at your objectives and business plan. What fits, what doesn¡Çt? If you don¡Çt need to go overboard, don¡Çt do it. Some companies create an informational site to educate consumers and capture leads, so they can remarket to them via email or brochures. E-commerce is the way to go with companies offering tangible goods ? in creating a national customer base. </p><p>Q. What are some common mistakes Madison businesses make when they&#8217;re trying to get on the web? What do people tend to do wrong when they&#8217;re developing a web presence and selecting a Madison web designer?</p><p>A. There can be many mistakes in creating a website. Speed is an issue, creating a slow site will make your customers quickly click away. Many print designers create all graphic sites that uniformly fail; while they can design fantastic brochures, the web is a totally different medium. Spend time on usability and how people access information. It¡Çs the flow of information, hold the hand of your customer and guide them through your website. Don¡Çt make it a mystery. </p><p>Know your audience. Create a site for the customer, not what someone in your company or an agency ¡Èthinks¡É the site should say or do. Also, consider the new visitor ? look at your site with this fresh perspective ? and explain who you are and what you offer at a brief glance.</p><p>Get the facts. You may go with a Madison web designer or developer because you admire one of the sites they created ? but the web designer who created the site is no longer there or it was outsourced. Perhaps they just host the site ? and someone else designed it. Ask who¡Çs working on your project; find out skills and experience; call their clients and ask if they delivered as promised.</p><p>The other mistake is being tied to a proprietary technology which drives your website. You end up getting married to a vendor that will milk the relationship for all it¡Çs worth. Ask for a site that can be completely handed off to your internal staff or to another web firm, if need be. Go open source. Consider WordPress. </p><p>Q. What is something that all Madison businesses should do with their web presence that not a lot do?</p><p>Ideally, use your business to add value to my life. Make it worth my time ? and be creative about it. Even local companies can get into the game. Great examples include Milios and Klinke Cleaners. At milios.com, customers can order their sandwiches online, for pickup or delivery. Over at klinkecleaners.com, customers can download coupons and can be alerted via email when their garments are ready for pickup.</p><p>Q. If you don&#8217;t have an e-commerce section to your website (and you&#8217;d like one) &#8211; how do you know you&#8217;re ready to start it up? And, how do you make that happen?</p><p>E-commerce can be a blessing and curse. If you begin receiving orders, you need to have the infrastructure in place to handle customer service, order status, product availability and delivery. Everyone wants their stuff fast ? you need to meet or exceed their expectations. </p><p>If you¡Çre a larger company, turn to a web consulting firm to implement an e-commerce solution. Ideally, find a company that¡Çs done this numerous times. They should provide a turn-key solution. Always select a web design and development firm with a track record; otherwise, they¡Çll stumble and delay the process ? which will probably cost you more in the long run.</p><p>For smaller Madison businesses, or a one-person business, you can also create an inexpensive e-commerce solution offered from Amazon, Yahoo or Ebay. Their ¡Èstores¡É offer low overhead, wide distribution ? and you don¡Çt need to be on the Geek Squad to set it up.</p><p>, CEO of , is an award-winning writer and online marketing strategist. Since 1995, the Madison, Wisconsin-based internet pioneer and marketer has launched numerous successful web projects, viral videos and online marketing campaigns for Fortune 500 companies. In addition to creating blogging and buzz marketing platforms, services include . In 1996, Michael Wolff&#8217;s NetGuide named &#8216;s inaugural online magazine as &#8220;The Best Site of the Year&#8221; at MacWorld. He holds a MFA from Brandeis and a BA from Viterbo. Visit to learn more.</p><p>&#8220;Does a great job of generating an experience&#8230;&#8221;<br>- Douglas Coupland (author of Generation X)</p><p>&#8220;Delightfully rich and original&#8230;&#8221;<br>- Roger Black (author of Web Sites That Work)</p><p>&#8220;Christopher Parr &#8211; one of the Top 20 Most Influential People in Madison&#8230;&#8221;<br>- Madison Magazine</p><p>Luxury Daily News: </p><p>Askmen.com names Christopher Parr &#8220;&#8230;&#8221;</p><p>NYTimes: </p><p>Wisconsin State Journal: </p><p></p><p>Read more posts on </p>?<p><p></p>Last year, British retailer Marks &amp; Spencer convinced to leave Victoria Secret and promote its new Brazilian-cut underwear.</p><p>The line has been so successful, reports the , that it saved new CEO Marc Bolland from a battle over his pay package, which includes a 250% bonus on his &pound;950,000 base salary.</p><p>There was talk of a shareholder's revolt at the company's annual meeting at Festival Hall on London's South Bank this week, but since lingerie sales jumped by 3.2%, analysts say he was protected against the pushback.</p><p>, a UK lobby group that recently encouraged shareholders to revolt at , was behind the potential revolt.</p><p>The that it wasn't only the underwear sales that appeased shareholders; it was the meeting itself. Guests at Festival Hall were greeted with vanilla ice cream and wine, and a presentation by model Twiggy. The company's chairman also introduced a new edition to the lingerie line.</p><p>At the previous , there were shareholder revolts over CEO pay packages.</p>?<p>If the top luxury brands collided with McDonald&#8217;s, you&#8217;d get a mashup similar to the below. The concepts are created by Access, a design agency from the mind of The Cool Hunter&#8217;s Bill Tikos. Imagine a high-fashion makeover of McDonald&#8217;s &#8212; and you&#8217;d have, ta-da, McFancy&#8230; Who wouldn&#8217;t want a Burberry Burger, Gucci Fries, Paul Smith Sundae, or D&#038;G water&#8230;.?</p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>&#8220;Waiters in tuxedos, silver service, private dining areas, and packaging co-created with the fashion brands that present at Fashion Week ? Burberry burgers, Chanel fries on black packaging, Paul Smith Sundaes¡ÄA bit of fun among the serious business of fashion. A bite of comfort food among all the elaborate cocktail fare, Private dining rooms, a raised catwalk that winds around the perimeter of the space, and with a central bar area providing a dramatic focal point. The ceiling is constructed from stretched fabric, ribbed to provide articulation and define zones. The form of the ceiling is accentuated through the use of LED lighting.&#8221; &#8211; </p><p>Read more posts on </p>?<p><p>Reuters</p><p>Hermes in Mumbai. </p>By Boby Kurian &amp; Reeba Zachariah</p><p>Ever noticed how the staffers at a luxury store look as premium as the products they sell? Maybe that's because they've been powdered and puffed, pampered and indulged enough to ensure they never leave. At Aditya Birla's luxury fashion chain, The Collective, for instance, they are the million-dollar employees - the ones who bring in annual sales worth $1 million. And keeping them in high spirits can only result in more moolah.</p><p>Gone are the days of the over-eager 'salesman' with his oily smile and sweaty handshake. The new store executive is sharp and suave, and effortlessly showcases the product he's selling. Marquee global brands are lavishing attention on picking, training and retaining high-class staff only for the close ties they strike with the upper crest of India's spending class.</p><p>So while some brands offer their employees a retention bonus to stay put, others such as , Ermenegildo Zegna and Dior have gone a step ahead and reinvented the look and feel of their store to attract well-groomed and qualified staff that has now taken on the role of brand custodian and fashion consultant.</p><p>Why Employees Are Pampered<br>Consultancy firm McKinsey estimates that over nine million Indian households are a target for luxury brands, and about 40 per cent of them - some of whom don't mind spending a few lakh rupees on a single store visits - are between Mumbai and Delhi. Not surprisingly, picking the right staff is top priority-luxury brands are focusing on making experienced hires from aviation and hospitality backgrounds while many more CEOs are descending on fashion institutes and finishing schools for campus recruitment. "There's a new store culture attracting staff from good middle-class families," says Tommy Hilfiger CEO Sailesh Chaturvedi. "We make it a point to listen to them and provide them direct access to the top brass. They drive the shopping experience that is crucial to branding these days."</p><p>It pays to be an executive at a high-end store. The store manager of a luxury retailer in Mumbai's Palladium Mall takes home more than Rs. 20 lakh per year, while store staff is paid between Rs. 4 lakh and 6 lakh annually. Retired models and India-returned NRI housewives take up jobs as consultants at some stores, much like students from pedigree institutions and working models in Europe and the Far East take up commission-based work at Gucci or Prada stores on weekends.</p><p>"These people look at life and a career differently," says Shital Mehta, who heads The Collective. "They're not terribly excited about becoming mere store managers; it's interacting with the well-heeled that draws them." And working at a luxury store is a definite step-up in the food chain for any executive. "It connects me with the wealthy," says Navin Sonawanneya, 30, assistant store manager at Tod's which is known for its shoes and bags. "You develop a bond with them, they value your suggestions, and on occasion they call you home."</p><p>Some brands go so far as to prepare a career road map as part of their employee retention strategy. Diesel, for instance, puts every store employee on a professional enhancement programme. "There are store staffers who have gone on to become visual merchandisers, buyers and designing talents," says Darshan Mehta, CEO, Reliance Brands, which operates a JV with Diesel.</p><p>Burberry's country head, Nalini Gupta, argues that India's retail story has become a serious career option as several luxury and high-street retailers like Hermes and upscale men's clothier Tom enter the country, braving economic uncertainties. "A talent pool for selling luxury brands has now started to build up in India," says N S Rajan, partner, Ernst &amp; Young, "and business school grads are adding to the intelligence quotient of their sales personnel".</p><p>This originally appeared at .</p>?&lt;iframe src=&quot;http://www.businessinsider.com/embed?id=5063cc6c6bb3f73b01000015&amp;amp;width=600&amp;amp;height=430&quot; width=&quot;600&quot; height=&quot;430&quot; border=&quot;0&quot; frameborder=&quot;0&quot;&gt;&lt;/iframe&gt;?<p>Perhaps it&rsquo;s the &ldquo;Pinterest Effect&rdquo; &ndash; the social media network that is all about the visual side of life, but more and more brands, especially the big boys on the brand block, arejoining &ndash; the mobile only app that, as per &ldquo;allows users to take a photo, apply a digitalfilterto it, and then share it with other Instagram users they are connected to on thesocial networkas well as on a variety ofsocial networkingservices.&rdquo;</p><p>Originally available only to owners and now available to users as well, Instagram has seen a remarkable growth in the first seven months of 2012 &ndash; going from 15 million users in early 2012 to 80 million in July &ndash; an increase of over 400% in just seven months. Now I was hardly a math major in school but that&rsquo;s some pretty impressive numbers I would say.</p><p>Apparently big brands are taking notice as according to a study conducted by, 40% of the brands listed inTop 100 have set up shop on Instagram.</p><p></p><p>Now obviously the penetration rate for Instagram among the big brands is light years behind the big dogs -Facebook(which happens to own Instagram) and but you have to remember that Instagram is still a young company and is, as previously mentioned, available only via a mobile platform. It&rsquo;s for those reasons Simply Measured referred to Instagram&rsquo;s growth as &ldquo;very impressive&rdquo; and I would surely agree.</p><p>And I would surely agree and recommend that all brand managers and brand marketers, who are not currently active on Instagram on behalf of their brands, get active in a hurry.</p><p>The &ldquo;Good Reason&rdquo; Part Of My Title</p><p>Back in MayI wrote.The rationale behind my statement was for the simple fact that Pinterest was extremely popular among women, AKA the people who make the majority of household purchase decisions.</p><p>And Instagram &ndash; while not yet possessing the same gaudy numbers as Pinterest when it comes to the number of female users or the amount of trust women place in it, does have a user base that is nearly 70% female according to data from.</p><p>According to Simply Measured, the leaders in the Instgram clubhouse right now are luxury brands with Burberry, and Gucci among the brands with highest number of followers. From the chart below you'll also see that andStarbuckshave the highest number of followers overall among brands but upon further review you can see that brands such as Audi and are doing a better job in terms of engagement as witnessed by the number of &ldquo;likes&rdquo; and comments in relation to their overall number of followers.</p><p></p><p>In Closing</p><p>Obviously if you&rsquo;re a brand manager or brand marketer you need to stop what you are doing and set up an Instagram account right away for the future of the free world depends on it.</p><p>Ok, maybe not the entire free world and perhaps I am being a bit melodramatic but the fact remains that consumers &ndash; more and more of them, are using Instagram, just as they are, Twitter,Google+ and Pinterest. And if you&rsquo;re not including Instagram as part of your social media strategies which should be part of your overall, you are missing out on a golden opportunity to move that needle.</p><p>From the conclusion of the Simply Measured study:&rdquo;For brands that continue to hold out and watch as their competition is engaging users and measuring results, 80 million potential customers are being ignored.&rdquo;</p><p>Put that in your marketing hat and smoke it &ndash; 80 million (and growing) potential customers being ignored.</p><p>Sources:,,GoogleImages</p><p>Named one of the(#41) by Social Technology Review and aby Kred,is a freelance copywriter/blogger currently looking for full-time work. He has worked on some of the biggest brands in the world and has over 20 years experience in advertising and marketing. He lives in Philly and can be reached via,,or his.</p>?<p>Readers of New York Magazine's fashion blog The Cut are in for a treat when they check in on the site Monday morning.</p><p>That's when the the company plans to reveal its all new version of the blog&mdash;a standalone website that will move outside its current editorial milieu of style and gossip to take on a wide range of topics that interest women, from sex and relationships to health and media. And it's putting a whole new emphasis on photos.</p><p>"Our goal was to create a mash-up between a high-end fashion magazine and a blog," said , editor-in-chief of New York Magazine.</p><p>From what we saw, The Cut's new format could give traditional print glossies a run for their money. Images on the site appear at a super-high resolution and slideshows will feature a zoom function, meaning readers can get up close and personal with a sexy pair of shoes or a makeup smudge on a runway model's face.</p><p>The site also invested heavily in its image inventory, creating 100 new celebrity Look Books (in the style of the ) and hiring freelance street photographers around the world to capture the looks of the moment.</p><p>Maureen O'Connor, formerly of Gawker, will helm the new site's features section, Love &amp; War, which she said would experiment with "first-person confessionals" alongside commentary and longer pieces. Another new feature we're eagerly awaiting is "Celeberotica," in which a romance novelist is asked to reimagine tabloid stories.</p><p>Altogether, there are now 11 editorial staffers on the website, including seven new hires. The new Cut will also make heavy use of outside contributors, Moss said.</p><p>The launch comes as women's sites in general&mdash;Buzzfeed's , The Grindstone&mdash;are on the rise. Moss said that by expanding outside the sphere of fashion, the website hoped to capture a wider audience.</p><p>It's also a boon for advertisers. Fashion is the largest single advertising category for New York Magazine, up 34 percent from last year, and digital now accounts for 40 percent of its ad revenue, said publisher Larry Burstein. Five advertisers, including Bottega Veneta, Burberry, and Cartier, have signed on for the site's launch, for campaigns that he said would "replicate print ads."</p><p>While the site doesn't have any specific e-commerce plans in place for the launch, that could come next, Burstein said. And it makes sense, considering that another section of the site, Goods, will feature a range of click-to-buy products, from bargain finds to looks straight from the runway.</p><p>We were big fans of The Cut before, and are excited to see what the new version brings.</p><p>Here's a preview of the new homepage, TheCut.com. Click to enlarge.</p><p></p>?<p>One of the first people to go to trial for criminal acts during the London riots is a 31 year old primary school teacher named Alexis Bailey, reports . He plead guilty to burglary with the intent to steal. He's out on bail, but has been given a curfew.</p><p>London Magistrates and their staff have been working around the clock to deal with large numbers of individuals arrested during the riots. But they don't always have the power to sentence them.</p><p></p><p>Chair of magistrates Melvyn Marks told the court many of the cases had aggravating features, occurring "in the middle of a very violent riot", which meant magistrates had insufficient sentencing powers.</p><p>"Because of the nature of this offense and because of the circumstances, we have taken the view that there are too many aggravating features on this case and our powers of punishment are not enough."</p><p>Naturally, most of the crimes that the court has been related to looting -- robbing a , stealing Burberry shirts, two men went to trial for pushing around a shopping cart full of power tools that they had "found".</p><p>Here's a video of Bailey leaving Wood Green Crown Court, where most of the sentencing is being done. He's covering his face with a newspaper, but you can see it clearly around second 7.</p><p></p>?Follow 10 Things Before the Opening Bell and never miss an update! <p> Please Note: Business Insider will never share your information with any other companies. You also have the ability to unsubscribe from these newsletters at any time simply by following the unsubscribe link located at the bottom of each email </p>?<p>Warning: This video (below) is gross.</p><p>Bet she is wishing she had all those high-powered handlers around her now to prevent this embarrassment.</p><p>Even Fox News is covering this.</p><p>Oh, and check out the Burberry scarf she's wearing in the video (below). Fancy, fancy!</p><p>: Alaska Governor Sarah Palin officially pardoned a turkey for Thanksgiving at a farm in Wasilla, Alaska on Thursday, then conducted a television interview as another bird was clearly seen being slaughtered in the background.</p><p>As the former Republican vice presidential nominee spoke with a KTUU-TV reporter about returning to work in Alaska, just a few feet behind her a Triple D Farms worker is seen feeding a turkey into a grinder, periodically turning around to watch the on-going interview.</p><p>Palin, who called the pardoning experience "neat" was reportedly told by the station videographer what was going on behind her, but allowed the interview to continue.</p><p>Pardoning a turkey is tradition for governors in the days leading up to Thanksgiving, following a White House custom that began in 1947.</p><p></p><p><p><p><p></p>?<p>Within the last couple of years GQ&rsquo;s multi-winning designer-of-the-year Paul Smith has opened shops in and , hoping to finally crack that American market. Each of these buildings reflects an architectural through-line back to Paul Smith himself: colorful, drawing influences from sport, history, art, pop-culture or modern architecture. Paul Smith the brand continues to open stand-alone shops throughout the world, including this past month with a new 3-story flagship in Seoul, South Korea, featuring Paul Smith&rsquo;s personal art collection on its walls.<br><br> British designer Paul Smith is not a household name in America; not yet. Where the French have always had a reputation for women&rsquo;s fashion, it is the Brits, well, London&rsquo;s Savile Row specifically, that has the well-earned reputation for turning out men in bespoke suits, fitting the country&rsquo;s elite and sophisticated and, yes, the wealthy in clothes that definitely make the man.<br><br> But, truth be told, these companies churning out high-end men&rsquo;s fashion haven&rsquo;t been &ldquo;British&rdquo; in the strictest sense for decades; they can be, and are often, owned by multinational corporations headquartered in France, Italy or Japan. The designers, and their sense of style, most assuredly rock a British idiom that push past typical Savile Row boundaries, leaving the shores of England as fast as any Virgin airlines jet can whisk them away. <br><br> The globalization of British men&rsquo;s and women&rsquo;s fashion is certainly alive and well from Asia through to America, with the likes of British (and award-winning) designers like Christopher Bailey (), John Galliano (), and recently departed influencing the way men and woman are dressing.<br><br> Bringing us back to the iconic British designer Paul Smith, who is arguably the most successful designer in British history. Knighted by the Queen in 2000, Paul Smith&rsquo;s fashion strengths have always played to a man&rsquo;s sensibility: well-made clothing with just a touch of unique style as seen in his signature multicolored stripes. Sir Paul&rsquo;s fashion house, still independently owned, supposedly has revenues now past $600 million from 48 different countries, including 12 different men&rsquo;s and women&rsquo;s lines, licensing and limited edition deals with Evian water, cameras, Cross pens, Barneys New York, luggage, furniture, skis, and the list and revenues go on (and on).<br><br> In his book Paul Smith: you can find inspiration in everything (2003), Sir Paul says that we should seek to be childlike, not childish; and that the key to staying inspired is to see and to think about the world horizontally, where we can find inspiration from all of the things around us (not other designers). As Paul Smith expansion continues around the globe, his personal inspiration is sure to follow.</p><p></p>?<p> Diamonds, Burberry, Rolex, Lacoste - yes, they may have more sales and inventory problems than 2003, but they are surviving. What can the small business owner learn from these individuals?...</p><p>When in doubt, they're buying the most expensive</p><p>Entrepreneurs, upon going into business frequently make the mistake of lowering the cost of their product or service due to the perception that this is the only way to gain new business. They think that paying the "no profit dues" is the sole means to get in the door.</p><p>As a small business, pricing your product or service correctly is nothing short of critical.</p><p>When it comes to deciphering what you should charge for a given product or service, I've compiled three of the most crucial pricing tips to help your start-up sustain growth, successfully maintain the company's existing client base, as well feel that you are being compensated adequately for your expertise:</p><p>If You Want A Nice Diamond, Go To Tiffany's</p><p>When clients call into a potential vendor, they typically have no idea about the product or service that they are inquiring about. If they did, more likely than not they wouldn't be outsourcing the job.</p><p>Therefore, many clients judge the quality of a product or a service based on its price. After all, the higher the price tag, the better it is likely to be.</p><p>Although logic would say that the aforementioned statement proves to be entirely false, it is what your potential clients are thinking when you answer that RFP with an astonishingly low price.</p><p>Another reason why you should shy away from being the price competitor at first is that the firms that are ultimately going to use you and that are going to become your clients are not going to want to deal with future price raises and are much less likely to be successfully sold on a parallel product or service that you're offering.</p><p>Cheap Clients Don't Like Price Increases</p><p>Don't go into the game thinking that the price increase that is going to strategically be implemented in a few months won't lose you clients.</p><p>Any client, especially the bargain hunter is going to be livid when you convey the news that they had the introductory offer that has now expired. Either be prepared to be known as the cheapest and form your business plan accordingly or begin in the price tier that you believe you have the best chance of competing in.</p><p>If you don't want to be the cheapest, there are a few highly persuasive ways in which you can implement that will result both in you getting the fee that you deserve and will also result in the client feeling that he or she got a fair price.</p><p>Cushioning The Blow - Higher Price 1st</p><p>I like to refer to this tactic as cushioning the blow because upon giving a quote, you always want to give two different options or packages. The first or more expensive package can even be a dummy product.</p><p>Whether the package is real doesn't matter because the buyer is going to often opt for the second mentioned or cheaper package your firm offers to its clients.</p><p>Essentially, what you are doing is easing the blow regarding your costs and mitigating the chances of the potential client leaving to further price shop by stating and describing the more costly package first.</p><p>This way, the regular package that you are seeking you sell them on seems very reasonable and logical to purchase.</p><p>The Non-Exist ant CFO</p><p>Just as you can soften the blow by quoting the higher price first, you can also soften your own image in your client's eyes by relying on a third party to play the bad guy when it comes to pricing.</p><p>If your "CFO" has set a certain price minimum, or if you have otherwise number-based "rules" to follow, it is harder for a client to argue the price.</p><p>Since numbers are what they are, and do not depend on your positive feelings for one client or another, setting up a third party bad cop (you could be the CFO of your start-up, but they don't know that) takes the potential for taking it personally out of the equation.</p><p><br><br></p>?<p><p>AP</p><p>Models walk in the finale for Burberry's Mens Fall-Winter 2012/13 runway, at the start of Milan Fashion Week.</p>Burberry, the British luxury firm known for its iconic check pattern and trench coat, saw revenue surge 21% to &pound;574 million, or $883 million, for the three months ending December 31.</p><p>Top line results were bolstered by 13% comparable sales growth, as London, Paris, Beijing and Las Vegas flagships performed above the company's financial plan.</p><p>"Our investment in flagship markets and digital technology has enabled our global teams to continue to drive customer engagement, enhance retail disciplines and improve operational effectiveness, further strengthening brand momentum," CEO Angela Ahrendts said.</p><p>Burberry saw lift from the launch of its news women's fragrance line, Burberry Body, as well as the opening of six mainline stores, including one in S&atilde;o Paulo.</p><p>However results were again driven by its core outerwear and large leather goods product, accounting for close to half of retail sales. The company said its fastest growing categories were knitwear, men&rsquo;s accessories and tailoring, perfume and watches.</p><p>Burberry showed its men's fall 2012 collection in Milan this weekend to critical review. Following on past success, the company will allow customers to pre-order goods seen on the runway directly after the show, an uncommon practice amongst luxury players.</p><p>Ahrendts' firm has benefitted from this strong online format, which includes the ability to tap demand at its height after a show, and through social media pushes like ArtoftheTrench.com.</p><p>"Looking ahead, we remain focused on executing our proven core strategies to achieve long-term sustainable growth, while staying mindful of the challenging macro environment," she said.</p><p>Burberry will announce full year results on May 23</p>?<p><p>AP</p>Retail sales are expected to climb 3.4% in 2012 to $2.53 trillion, cooling from growth of nearly 5% last year, the .</p><p>The NRF attributes the slowing gains to a stalled employment picture and slow job creation.</p><p>&ldquo;Our 2012 forecast is a vote of confidence in the retail industry and our ability to succeed even in a challenging economy,"NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay said. "Retailers have played a key role in driving growth, but to continue this momentum we need Washington to act on proposals that will spur job creation and unleash the power of the private sector.&rdquo;</p><p>Retailers had mostly finished 2011 on a positive note, with , the owner of brands like T.J. Maxx and Home Goods, posting comparable sale gains of 8%. Others saw similar improvements: , up 7%, (including its high-end Bloomingdale's brand) up 6.2%, and up 8.7%.</p><p>But the industry started off the new year on unstable footing. While luxury players like , other big firms have issued profit warnings. New York &amp; Company, the mid-sized apparel company that has struggled with profitability over the past several quarters, said last week it expected gross margins to erode further.</p><p>Over the Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday weekend, big-box stores including announced near fire sales. Discounts reached up to 80% at the Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin, chain, with ruffle dresses priced at $13.60, from $60.</p><p>If the 3.4% growth estimates hold, the sector would outpace economic expansion in the U.S., with economists now forecasting growth slightly above 2%.</p>?<p>According to local report, Shanda is investing over RMB 2 billion (US$ 309 million) in ecommerce site with two other undisclosed participants. Founded by Ge Binbin, the former head of Goldcool Games, Pinju is set to debut in this Oct. Ge said that Shanda accounts for 40% of the total sum, or US$ 1.23 million.</p><p>Pinju is still under beta testing, the latest comer to the highly crowded and fierce competing Chinese ecommerce market is featuring all kinds of goods ranging from cosmetics, clothes, maternity and baby products, electric appliance, home supplies, health products, 3C products to luxurious brands including Hermes, Prada, Louis Vuitton, Burberry, Armani, Gucci and so on. It seems Pinju is positioned to be an online general store.</p><p>It&rsquo;s known to all that majority of Chinese online shopping sites(except for 360buy, the Chinese B2C giant announced its departure with Alipay because of high commission fee) partner with, using the latter&rsquo;s online payment solution, whereas Pinju will feature, the online payment offering by shanda. That makes sense, just likerefers its customers to, Tencent&rsquo;s approach to online payment.</p><p>Shanda has long been rumored to keep an eye on the lucrative and promising Chinese ecommerce waterfront, according to the Beijing-based market research firm iResearch, the market size will passes RMB 10 trillion (US$ 154.6 billion) by 2013, how can one miss out on a chunk from this.</p>?<p></p><p>Sina has launched a luxury B2C site called Sina Shepin (????)?at the URL?.</p><p>Sina Shepin has different categories such as handbags, apparel, watch and jewelry, covering over 50 brands includes LV?Balenciaga?Gucci?Dior?Burberry. Sina asserts that all products sold on the site are genuine, quality products.</p><p>Sina&#8217;s entry into online luxury follows a number of other Chinese internet giants, including Netease (NASDAQ: NTES) and Tencent (0700.HK). Netease launched its luxury shopping platform,?, in July 2010. Tencent invested in B2C jewelry site? in July 2011.</p><p>Research agency Analysys International finds that luxury e-commerce sales reached RMB 3.45 billion in Q2 2011. Annual sales are expected to reach RMB 16 billion by the end of 2011.</p><p>Original Chinese Source:?</p><p></p> <p>Read more posts on </p>?<p>Burberry is officially the world&#8217;s most popular luxury brand online, having amassed more than 10 million Facebook fans on the social networking site. The London-based fashion house has embraced social media and digital marketing, and they&#8217;ve been rewarded as their revenue has increased 29%. Angela Ahrendts, CEO of Burberry, : ¡ÈBurberry has delivered a strong first half, reflecting our continued investment in innovative design, digital marketing and retail strategies.¡É</p><p>&#8220;Ten million Facebook fans! Thank you so much for all your incredible support,&#8221; Christopher Bailey, Burberry&#8217;s Chief Creative Officer, posted on the Burberry Facebook page (with multiple images and a YouTube video, ). </p><p>10 million Facebook fans is a major achievement for Burberry as they take leadership on the social media platform &#8212; this is almost more than Dior (5,920,960 fans) and Gucci (5,811,295) combined. Chanel is also at 5 million fans, followed by luxury brands Louis Vuitton, Ralph Lauren and Dolce &#038; Gabbana. </p><p>Burberry is regarded as one of the most forward-thinking luxury brands in the world. The New York University think-tank LuxuryLab &#8220;the World&#8217;s most Digitally Competent Luxury Brand&#8221; in October. </p><p>&#8220;From live streams to runway shows to an arms race on social media platforms, brands are seeking the halo of innovation that comes from inspired online programming,&#8221; Scott Galloway, professor and co-founder of LuxuryLab, . &#8220;However, most fashion brands still approach digital as a series of pet projects rather than presenting a coherent multi-platform strategy. Although 94 per cent of brands in the Index have a presence on Facebook, one in five still lacks e-commerce capability.&#8221;</p><p>¡ÈAlmost 100 percent of brands cite Facebook as a source of upstream traffic,¡É Galloway in August, 2011. ¡È[Burberry] is getting more traffic from Facebook than Google. It¡Çs the largest source of traffic to its site. Brands are transitioning from spending money on Google into Facebook programs. All of this [Facebook] traffic and investment is leading towards commerce.¡É</p><p>What can you learn from Burberry?</p><p>Luxury brands need to be focused and targeted online. On Facebook, they¡Çre unique clubs that discerning fans want to join, the opposite of a Walmart for the masses that offers everything for everyone. The attraction, and connection, to a luxury brand is all about affiliation to a unique experience ? it is a dream, a desire and something to aspire to. If you¡Çre a Mercedes-Benz owner, you want to make a connection with that brand on social media channels and share your affiliation. You want to mingle with like-minded friends, share stories and reminisce.</p><p>Luxury brands need to be on the cutting edge, as the affluent consumer is demanding ? and always up on the latest technology, from amazing apps to the latest Apple iPhone. Luxury brands need to create killer content for these devices and social media platforms ? from inspiring videos, cool apps, to exclusive content that offers an insider¡Çs look into the brands. Louis Vuitton has numerous travel apps for the iPhone, with city guides for cities like Paris and New York, featuring Sophia Coppola and Rachel Weisz sharing their favorite restaurants and shops. </p><p>Pull back the curtain and allow customers to have an emotional affinity with the brand. Karl Lagerfeld brilliantly unveils videos on the Chanel Facebook page &#8212; previewing first with teaser images and videos ? and then full-length videos. A luxury brand that basically recycles a TV spot or a magazine ad will ultimately fail at social media and engagement with their fans.</p><p>Affluent consumers are active and vocal. Never passive. They¡Çre in the know, they¡Çre insiders, they love to be engaged and share their favorite fashions, autos and destinations. It¡Çs all about social, and sharing their favorite things with their friends. As a luxury brand, you need to engage your affluent consumers. Invite them in, inspire them ? and in-turn, convert them into brand-advocates.</p><p></p><p>Christopher Parr is an industry leader with over 15 years of experience in digital marketing. He is an award-winning veteran, writer, a frequent speaker at luxury and interactive marketing conferences and a pioneer in web publishing. He launched as a curated list of the good things in life, with guest contributors from Forbes, Mashable, TechCrunch, Glamour, Saveur and more sharing their favorite luxuries. Askmen.com recently named him &#8220;,&#8221; his family is featured in , and .</p><p>Read more posts on </p>?<p>Burberry is officially the world&#8217;s most popular luxury brand online, having amassed more than 10 million Facebook fans on the social networking site. The London-based fashion house has embraced social media and digital marketing, and they&#8217;ve been rewarded as their revenue has increased 29%. Angela Ahrendts, CEO of Burberry, : ¡ÈBurberry has delivered a strong first half, reflecting our continued investment in innovative design, digital marketing and retail strategies.¡É</p><p>&#8220;Ten million Facebook fans! Thank you so much for all your incredible support,&#8221; Christopher Bailey, Burberry&#8217;s Chief Creative Officer, posted on the Burberry Facebook page (with multiple images and a YouTube video, ). </p><p>10 million Facebook fans is a major achievement for Burberry as they take leadership on the social media platform &#8212; this is almost more than Dior (5,920,960 fans) and Gucci (5,811,295) combined. Chanel is also at 5 million fans, followed by luxury brands Louis Vuitton, Ralph Lauren and Dolce &#038; Gabbana. </p><p>Burberry is regarded as one of the most forward-thinking luxury brands in the world. The New York University think-tank LuxuryLab &#8220;the World&#8217;s most Digitally Competent Luxury Brand&#8221; in October. </p><p>&#8220;From live streams to runway shows to an arms race on social media platforms, brands are seeking the halo of innovation that comes from inspired online programming,&#8221; Scott Galloway, professor and co-founder of LuxuryLab, . &#8220;However, most fashion brands still approach digital as a series of pet projects rather than presenting a coherent multi-platform strategy. Although 94 per cent of brands in the Index have a presence on Facebook, one in five still lacks e-commerce capability.&#8221;</p><p>¡ÈAlmost 100 percent of brands cite Facebook as a source of upstream traffic,¡É Galloway in August, 2011. ¡È[Burberry] is getting more traffic from Facebook than Google. It¡Çs the largest source of traffic to its site. Brands are transitioning from spending money on Google into Facebook programs. All of this [Facebook] traffic and investment is leading towards commerce.¡É</p><p>What can you learn from Burberry?</p><p>Luxury brands need to be focused and targeted online. On Facebook, they¡Çre unique clubs that discerning fans want to join, the opposite of a Walmart for the masses that offers everything for everyone. The attraction, and connection, to a luxury brand is all about affiliation to a unique experience ? it is a dream, a desire and something to aspire to. If you¡Çre a Mercedes-Benz owner, you want to make a connection with that brand on social media channels and share your affiliation. You want to mingle with like-minded friends, share stories and reminisce.</p><p>Luxury brands need to be on the cutting edge, as the affluent consumer is demanding ? and always up on the latest technology, from amazing apps to the latest Apple iPhone. Luxury brands need to create killer content for these devices and social media platforms ? from inspiring videos, cool apps, to exclusive content that offers an insider¡Çs look into the brands. Louis Vuitton has numerous travel apps for the iPhone, with city guides for cities like Paris and New York, featuring Sophia Coppola and Rachel Weisz sharing their favorite restaurants and shops. </p><p>Pull back the curtain and allow customers to have an emotional affinity with the brand. Karl Lagerfeld brilliantly unveils videos on the Chanel Facebook page &#8212; previewing first with teaser images and videos ? and then full-length videos. A luxury brand that basically recycles a TV spot or a magazine ad will ultimately fail at social media and engagement with their fans.</p><p>Affluent consumers are active and vocal. Never passive. They¡Çre in the know, they¡Çre insiders, they love to be engaged and share their favorite fashions, autos and destinations. It¡Çs all about social, and sharing their favorite things with their friends. As a luxury brand, you need to engage your affluent consumers. Invite them in, inspire them ? and in-turn, convert them into brand-advocates.</p><p></p><p>Christopher Parr is an industry leader with over 15 years of experience in digital marketing. He is an award-winning veteran, writer, a frequent speaker at luxury and interactive marketing conferences and a pioneer in web publishing. He launched as a curated list of the good things in life, with guest contributors from Forbes, Mashable, TechCrunch, Glamour, Saveur and more sharing their favorite luxuries. Askmen.com recently named him &#8220;,&#8221; his family is featured in , and .</p><p>Read more posts on </p>?<p>Louis Vuitton is by far the most valuable luxury brand in the world, worth $23.577 billion&mdash;a 2 percent increase from last year's value&mdash;according to a new survey from brand consulting firm Interbrand.</p><p>It was a good year for the luxury conglomerate. The company improved its digital experience and launched several apps, entered the fragrance market for the first time, and remained a blockbuster brand in China.</p><p>It even got Michael Phelps to star in a .</p><p>In addition to Louis Vuitton, seven other luxury brands made it onto of the world's most valuable brands. Most experienced major growth, and there were two newcomers to the list.</p><p>Interbrand takes into account brands' financial performance, role in influencing customer choice, and ability to command premium prices.</p><p></p>BRAND2012 RANK2011 RANK2012 BRAND VALUE ($millions)% CHANGELouis Vuitton1718$23,5772%Gucci3839$9,4468%Herm&egrave;s6366$6,18215%Cartier6870$5,49515% &amp; Co.7073$5,15915%Burberry8295$4,34216%Prada84N/A$4,271NEWRalph Lauren91N/A$4,038<p>NEW</p><p>SEE ALSO: </p>?<p>It seems increasingly difficult to find a Hollywood star these days that is equal parts screen icon and fashion muse. There aren¡Çt many Katherine Hepburns or Joan Crawfords running around L.A., which is why the Neiman Marcus Art of Fashion campaign featuring none other than Drew Barrymore is such a breath of fresh air. Rebellious teenager no more, Barrymore is photographed by Norma Jean Ray in the most coveted looks of the season, from Chanel to Valentino. </p><p></p><p>Models like Daria Werbowy and Josephine Skriver are ethereal and gamine beauties to be sure, but there¡Çs something to be said for using a household name in a luxury fashion shoot. Audiences grew up with the Barrymore dynasty and Drew herself has been in the public eye since E.T. Through her film and T.V appearances, people feel as though they know Ms. Barrymore and her quirky personality in a way that few top models are known. </p><p>Shot over the course of 16 hours, Barrymore donned fur-trimmed Burberry Prorsum, stunning Lanvin, tribal-inspired Etro and a show-stopping emerald green Emilio Pucci cut-out gown. The shoot had the potential to be lifeless, but Barrymore¡Çs presence and the artistic feel of the photographs give the clothing- and the overall campaign- a warm, approachable look that almost comes off as more vignette than photo shoot. And it¡Çs a storyline you¡Çll want to keep following. </p><p>For more information regarding the Art of Fashion and the looks featured in the campaign, visit . </p><p>Read more posts on </p>?<p><p></p>Vanity Fair's Maureen Orth on how the Church of allegedly controls Tom Cruise's life and relationships.</p><p>We scored a copy of Vanity Fair at a nearby newsstand (the issue is currently only available in NYC) and read Orth's story.</p><p>Here are some of her most interesting claims:</p><p>The Vanity Fair issue with the full story is scheduled to hit newsstands nationwide on Monday.</p>DON'T MISS:<br>?<p><p></p>I'm greeted by a charging springer spaniel, wet from the morning's rain, tennis ball in mouth -- a dog whose sprightly mug I've seen before inFadermagazine and on the Urban Outfitters blog. Lancey, named for Delancey Street in's Lower East Side, is a wily hound. The dog put a drool-covered tennis ball on the back of my chair on the sly and got my chinos a little wet in the crotch with the same. A good dog.<br><br>You don't typically see a dog with that much room to play in New York, but Michael Williams works out of a relatively massive showroom filled with clothing, shoes and accessories belonging to clients of his PR firm, Paul + Williams, and decorated with pieces of Americana he's picked up while digging around flea markets.<br><br>Michael is wet, too, from the rainy walk between his apartment next to the World Trade Center site to his office in the Soho Building on Greene Street. It's a nice building on a block of expensive retail shops like Louis Vuitton and Adriano Goldschmied. The place looks pretty much how I expected from reading his blog,(ACL): A well-kept hybrid of men's clothing boutique, factory floor and antique barn. The floppy-eared spaniel is almost too much.<br><br>Williams is what you'd call a lifestyle blogger, part of a growing contingent of guys who write about gear, fashion, food, and so on, just like what you'd find in a traditional men's magazine except that instead of a whole editorial staff, it's just one or a few people writing through a more personal lens about a niche, focused topic. Zeitgeisty stuff, mostly things you can buy. Lifestyle.<br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br>Michael Williams on his hit blog, A Continuous Lean</p>The blog should be hyper-focused, niche<p>Talking to successful bloggers, guys who can or could live off of the revenue theirgenerate (directly or indirectly), I whittled down three maxims that can help us understand this whole blog thing: What it is, where it's going, and how to be successful at it -- the wholetelosof the thing.<br><br>Maxim No. 1:The blog should be hyper-focused, niche. ACL was born of Williams' interest in Americana, especially American-made clothing and products. &ldquo;I worked for a Japanese company, so I saw all these Japanese magazine interpretations of Americana,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;I thought it was interesting that they were so into it and that they understood it very well and at the same time didn't understand it at all... And I thought, this is something that I find interesting that's maybe worth exploring.&rdquo;<br><br>You also get the sense that Williams, there having a game of catch with Lancey -- that damn dog is so endearing -- has an abiding interest in America that's deeper than clothes and products. He gets worked up talking about the state of things:<br><br>&ldquo;If you look at companies like, a client of mine, they fought to keep their factories open in the States. Everyone was saying move offshore. The owner was like, &lsquo;I don't care.&rsquo; All these public companies, that sh*t would never fly. This country has a terrible three-month view of the world. It's all based on quarterly earnings. They don't give a f*ck what happens five years from now. There's no skills, no facilities, no infrastructure. What's gonna happen when it's super-f*cking expensive to make stuff in China?&rdquo;</p><p>Thisoriginally appeared at.</p>?<p>An age-old tale: teen throws party at her parents' house, teen guests get out of control, home gets messy and things go missing.</p><p>But when the parent of the teen is Grant &amp; Eisenhofer name-partner Stuart Grant, this scenario ends in a lawsuit.</p><p>Zach Lowe of reviewed the Delaware suit, which alleges the teens ransacked a part of the house they were not supposed to be in, stole a milk jug with $500 worth of coins, snorted prescription drugs they found, and took "household items."</p><p>This one is a lot of he said/she said -- some of the items were returned, the defendants claim they were invited and it's questionable, the report said, whether Grant can get compensatory damages because he hired a private investigator rather than going to the police.</p><p>Lowe's full report is , but needless to say this is one teenage party that ended way worse than with just your run-of-the-mill grounding.</p><p>Note: the teens pictured are not the teen defendants. These are young British people enjoying a night out. The excessive Burberry is the tip-off.</p>?<p><p> &ndash;Morning Notes</p></p><p>- Asian markets closed down over 1% as they were in catch up mode after Monday&rsquo;s weakness on S&amp;P downgrade of US credit rating<br>- In China, the HSBC Manufacturing PMI number came in flat m/m- may suggest growth is stabilizing<br>- In Japan, chipmakers/semi name were weak following TXN&rsquo;s statement yesterday that the earthquake would slow production in Q2<br>- European bourses are trading higher<br>- Fairly strong earnings out of Novartis (NVS) and Burberry<br>- Positive Eurozone Manufacturing PMI number<br>- France Services PMI came in at the highest level since September 2000<br>- Successful Greek bond auction</p><p>click for full article</p><p>http://www.hedgefundlive.com/blog/tuesday-morning-recap-positive-tone-following-solid-housing-numbers-and-gs-earnings</p>?&lt;iframe src=&quot;http://www.businessinsider.com/embed?id=4d20d75549e2ae9005110000&amp;amp;width=600&amp;amp;height=430&quot; width=&quot;600&quot; height=&quot;430&quot; border=&quot;0&quot; frameborder=&quot;0&quot;&gt;&lt;/iframe&gt;?<p>Welcome to a holiday-shortened trading week&#8230;</p><p>In the US, Memorial Day weekend serves as the unofficial beginning of summer &#8211; which typically means lower trading volume, and sleepy action. This is the week when Wall Street portfolio managers start to escape the city and head for the Hamptons, and retail investors focus on travel plans rather than trend lines&#8230;</p><p>But this year, the summer investment environment is a bit different. While US traders used Monday as a chance to take in a ball game or fire up the barbecue, traders in Europe continued to handicap the debt crisis with Spain now challenging Greece for the most sensational headlines.</p><p>On Friday, S&amp;P downgraded 5 Spanish banks, as losses from the country&#8217;s property bust continue to mount. While Prime Minister Rajoy continues to claim that the country will NOT need a bailout, Spain has been urging the ECB to lower borrowing costs so they can roll debt obligations and still manage to keep up with interest payments.</p><p>To be sure, the European debt crisis isn&#8217;t new news. It seems that the continent has been in the slow train wreck process for years now &#8211; and there is still plenty of motivation to continue to prop up failing banks (and countries) in order to avert the inevitable crisis.</p><p>But the problem is that investors are losing faith when it comes to the &#8220;crisis averted&#8221; statements &#8212; and with a more skeptical global investor base, comes the risk of massive capital withdrawals, from both deposit institutions as well as global equity markets.</p><p>So heading into the new trading week, there&#8217;s certainly a possibility for the traditional slow-sleepy trading environment, but we also see plenty of opportunities for sharp price dislocations and significant trading action. It just depends on how the chess pieces in Europe are played &#8211; along with traders&#8217; responses to the political maneuvering.</p><p>Looking at the recent action in US equities, it&#8217;s pretty easy to make a bearish case for stocks. ?All four of the major indices (Dow Jones Industrial Average, S&amp;P 500, Nasdaq Composite and Russell 2000) have broken below key support levels and then consolidated or drifted higher.</p><p>click to enlarge</p><p>Considering the bearish patterns for the major market indices, its no surprise that there is a large number of bearish trade setups in the queue. Below are a few of the areas we are particularly interested in for the coming week:</p><p> Sign Up For the Mercenary Dispatch <p>Get our best content delivered FREE to your inbox!</p><p>Check out the page to learn more.</p></p><p>Luxury Retail Sentiment Drops</p><p>Luxury retail stocks are taking it on the chin as investors adjust to slower growth expectations. ?The group weathered a challenging domestic economic environment relatively well as US and European consumers reined in spending. ?But now that emerging markets are also reporting decelerating economic growth, the group&#8217;s prospects are becoming much less attractive.</p><p>In last week&#8217;s , we made a bearish case for the retail apparel group as a number of key constituents offered disappointing outlooks. ?Luxury retailers are following the same pattern with stocks breaking down as executives outline a distressed environment for selling to high net worth shoppers.</p><p>Consider this, from regarding Tiffany &amp; Co. (TIF)&#8216;s revised earnings outlook:</p><p>Tiffany also said spending by financial sector employees has continued to slow while ¡Èsubstantial competitive discounting¡É remains a problem.</p><p>Meanwhile, shoppers balked at entry-level silver jewelry after Tiffany raised prices to offset the rising cost of materials, from precious metals to diamonds.</p><p>While visitors from abroad still drove sales in the Americas, Tiffany said it saw a drop in sales, especially to European tourists, at its New York store.</p><p>In China, sales have slowed, echoing remarks made by such European counterparts as Burberry and LVMH. Still, Tiffany said its store growth plan there remains on track.</p><p>A worldwide slowdown in luxury spending could set up some tremendous trading opportunities. This month&#8217;s 21% decline in Sotheby&#8217;s (BID) along with Tiffany&#8217;s ominous warning has set up some sharp breakdowns that are now giving way to consolidation or drift patterns.</p><p>, has a pending short trade for Coach Inc. (COH) as the stock has completed a rounding top pattern and is now poised to continue the bearish action with any help from the overall market environment.</p><p></p><p>Facebook Faceplant Creates Social Media Opportunity</p>It&#8217;s hard to overstate the importance of the Facebook Inc. (FB) IPO just over a week ago.</p><p>Not only did the transaction mark the culmination of literally years of hype, the deal was also completely botched by both Morgan Stanley (MS) &#8211; downgrading the stock ahead of the offering &#8211; and Nasdaq OMX (NDAQ) &#8211; screwing up executions on the most highly anticipated IPO in years!</p><p>As noted in last weeks , the fun is just getting started&#8230;</p><p>The actual IPO transaction had the unintended consequence of , and then when the IPO started trading lower it created a cascade effect across the entire social media group.</p><p>This week, we&#8217;re keeping a close eye on social media candidates as the initial breakdown which coincided with the Facebook transaction should lead to a continuation pattern and further bearish action.</p><p>Homeaway Inc. (AWAY) looks particularly vulnerable as the stock has tried repeatedly to break above its $27 IPO price, but has met significant resistance. A fresh breakdown in conjunction with more weakness from the group could be the first step for a much more significant drop.</p><p>And considering the premium multiple investors are currently paying for the stock, there is plenty of room for lower prices before value investors would start getting interested in supporting the stock.</p><p></p><p><p>Gaming Rests Hope on Faltering China</p><p>For the gaming industry, Las Vegas is just another city&#8230;</p><p>The true growth for casino operators comes from China&#8217;s Macau province, where gambling is legalized and throngs of affluent Chinese visit for both the gaming and atmosphere, shops and restaurants&#8230;</p><p>Problem is, with the Chinese growth engine decelerating, investors are starting to worry about the growth expectations for the gaming industry in Macau.</p><p>Of course the industry isn&#8217;t going to evaporate or turn unprofitable overnight. ?In fact, we expect profitability to continue to grow over the next few years &#8211; but at a slower rate than investors have become accustomed to.</p><p>But as China&#8217;s economy approaches stall speed, and economists debate whether the country will experience a soft or hard landing, Chinese consumers are likely to pull back on how much they travel, on their level of luxury spending, and even on how much they wager at the?baccarat?tables.</p><p>Gaming stocks have already completed major topping patterns with capital flowing out of stocks like Wynn Resorts (WYNN) and MGM Resorts International (MGM).</p><p>Las Vegas Sands (LVS) has completely reversed its first quarter breakout, and has spent the last week etching out a narrow wedge pattern. ?A break lower would confirm the bearish trend &#8211; in a sector that has already established a bearish pattern.</p><p></p><p>While US equity markets were closed on Monday, Globex futures markets were relatively active with the S&amp;P contracts advancing marginally and precious metals inching slightly higher.</p><p>Modestly bullish action would not be a surprise, given the light amount of economic data and the absence of catastrophic news out of Europe. We&#8217;re keeping our risk points relatively tight in case we get another euphoric &#8220;all clear&#8221; signal out of Europe. But the majority of our pending setups are on the bearish side of the ledger as we continue to respect the price action and the risks associated with the darkening macro picture.</p><p>Trade &#8216;em well this week!</p><p>MM (mike@mercenarytrader.com) </p>p.s. Like this article? For more,?<br><br>p.p.s. If you haven't already, check out?the <br>Similar articles you might like:<p>Read more posts on </p>?<p>In July of 2011, Parr Interactive, a Madison, Wisconsin-based web design, digital marketing, online strategy and social media marketing company, launched Pursuitist at &#8211; an online travel, style, food and leisure destination site. </p><p>Contributors sharing their favorite luxuries include writers from Forbes, Mashable, TechCrunch, Glamour, Saveur and more. Advertisers on the site have include BMW, Best Buy, Intel, Gucci, Gap, Coach and Burberry. They also kickstarted Intel&#8217;s latest social media campaign featuring the Ultrabook on Intel&#8217;s official YouTube Channel: </p><p>, CEO of , is an award-winning writer and online marketing strategist. Since 1995, the Madison, Wisconsin-based internet pioneer and marketer has launched numerous successful web projects, viral videos and online marketing campaigns for Fortune 500 companies. In addition to creating blogging and buzz marketing platforms, services include . Visit to learn more.</p><p>&#8220;We&#8217;ve created more award-winning web sites, email campaigns, apps, blogs and videos than we can shake a stick at,&#8221; says Christopher Parr. &#8220;We know what works and what doesn&#8217;t. Our projects drive real results. Increase market share, sales and leads. Make an impact.&#8221;</p><p>&#8220;Does a great job of generating an experience&#8230;&#8221;<br>- Douglas Coupland (author of Generation X)</p><p>&#8220;Delightfully rich and original&#8230;&#8221;<br>- Roger Black (author of Web Sites That Work)</p><p>&#8220;Christopher Parr &#8211; one of the Top 20 Most Influential People in Madison&#8230;&#8221;<br>- Madison Magazine</p><p>Bio: After working in the TV, film and theatre industry, Christopher founded Parr Interactive in 1995. As Marketing/Creative Director of the award-winning interactive, digital marketing and e-marketing agency, he developed marketing strategies for many clients, included Insinkerator, Musicnotes, Rayovac, John Deere, Looksmart, Sub-Zero, Credit Union Executives, Microsoft, Bizfilings, WPS Insurance &#038; Epic Insurance. His projects have been featured in numerous publications, including USA Today, Wired, Ad Age and Entertainment Weekly, and case studies featured in Clear Blogging from Apress, Web Sites That Work from Adobe Press and HTML Unleashed from Macmillan Publishing.</p><p>He was also a VP, Marketing/Creative Director for an e-commerce company, working with Warner Bros. Pub., BMG, AOL, leading the marketing team, branding and PR. Christopher also financed and co-owned an internet e-commerce startup, featuring luxury home &#038; garden goods. </p><p>Christopher managed global brand communications, brand ID and guidelines, CRM, interactive, media and planning for Sub-Zero and Wolf, maker of luxury kitchen appliances. From product launches to e-commerce, he also managed B2C, B2B touch points and all things internet; social media marketing, interactive, promotions, media, video, branding, e-newsletters, blogging &#038; podcasts &#8212; and developing campaigns with HGTV, New York Times, Food Network, Oprah and Epicurious. For Sub-Zero, Christopher launched an integrated campaign for Sub-Zero Wine Storage, featuring print ads, brochures, e-newsletters, online banners and a new wine blog, including wine events at Four Seasons, the Ritz-Carlton, with magazine support from Conde Nast Traveler, Wine Spectator and Food &#038; Wine.</p><p>Luxury Daily News: </p><p>Askmen.com names Christopher Parr &#8220;&#8230;&#8221;</p><p>NYTimes: </p><p>Wisconsin State Journal: and , and </p><p></p><p>He&#8217;s also married to .</p><p>Read more posts on </p>?<p>It was a choppy week for the FTSE-100 (UKX) this week. Chancellor George Osborne reportedly blamed the weather for an unexpected half percent contraction in the size of the UK economy during the fourth quarter of last year. Whether or not his assessment was correct, the figures sent a chill through the market. ?Supporting Osborne¡Çs view, the UK¡Çs Office for National statistics blamed December¡Çs snow for a market decrease in pre-Christmas trading, with advisory firm Deloitte calculating that retailers alone lost ¡ò750m of sales because of the weather. With VAT rises, inflation rises and fuel rises all expected to dampen public enthusiasm for getting out to the shops, Deloitte said it expected no growth, and possibly a dip, during the rest of 2011.</p><p>After a bright start on Monday, the FTSE 100 lost ground Tuesday on the GDP data news but went on to rise through the week before jitters set in on Friday ahead of US GDP figures and a return to worries over sovereign debt. In a note to investors on Friday, Angus Campbell, head of sales at trading firm London Capital Group, said concern had shifted away from Europe towards Japan, whose credit rating was cut by Standard and Poor's on Thursday. Japan is one of the worst offenders when it comes to budget deficits, with a public debt that is double the size of economy.</p><p>With this somewhat gloomy backdrop, it proved a good week for the insurance sector. The best FTSE 100 performer was Resolution (LON:RSL), the insurance focused investor focused on buying and merging U.K. life insurers, which saw a 7% gain. The has suffered in the last year?as prospective acquisition targets have rebounded from the financial crisis. However, CEO John Tiner indicated in an interview this week that the Company?will achieve its annual rate of return target even if it doesn¡Çt make another acquisition. Separately, the company announced that Andy Briggs, ex CEO of Scottish Widows, will become chief executive of Friends Provident , joining from Lloyds Banking Group where he is currently CEO of General Insurance.</p><p>Elsewhere in insurance land, while the U.K.¡Çs largest insurer by market value, Prudential (LON:PRU) also had a good week, with the ? CEO, Tidjane Thiam indicated in an interview at the Davos Forum that he was? unconcerned by rising inflation in emerging markets as the company seeks to grow in Asia. He indicated that:</p><p>¡ÈWe are in a sector that is relatively insulated vis-a-vis the macroeconomic situation in Asia¡Ä Our market is so under penetrated we are still in the growth phase. We are lucky we have many, many years of strong growth ahead of us.¡É</p><p>Speaking of Davos, it was a curious week for satellite TV and broadband operator British Sky Broadcasting (LON:BSY), which found itself implicated in numerous headline news stores simultaneously. For shareholders, the big news was that pre-profits in the six months to December 31 soared by 26% to ¡ò467m on revenue up by 15% to ¡ò3.18bn. Those figures served only to heighten speculation about Rupert Murdoch¡Çs desire to buy the 60.9% stake in BSkyB that his News Corp group doesn¡Çt already own. Discussions over a price are understood to have been shelved until all the regulatory (and/or political) issues surrounding the deal have been resolved. Nevertheless, analysts suggested that any bid would need to be close to ¡ò8 per share on the back of the company¡Çs latest figures.?As it was,??during the week and was trading at 767.5p by the end. Murdoch Snr can now only watch and wait for an answer from regulators. In the meantime, the firestorm over phone hacking allegations at Britain¡Çs biggest selling newspaper News of the World, will be an unwelcome distraction. In turn, his son James, the CEO of BSkyB, has is own irritations ? finding a couple of new football pundits for Sky Sports.</p><p>The sector hardest hit this week was banking, with Lloyds (LON:LLOY) the biggest blue chip casualty of the week. This followed the double whammy of the GDP figures? coupled with the news that the government's Independent Commission?on Banking (ICB) was considering splitting up some of the?banks under its remit, creating uncertainty over the future of the banking sector. on the week, although providing some respite was the testimony of the UKFI chief executive Robin Budenburg ?to the Treasury Select Committee that if a ruling similar to the US Glass-Steagall Act was brought in, it would result in 'diminution of value' for shareholders. Currently UK taxpayers own 41% and 83% of Lloyds and RBS?respectively. This uncertainty reduced?, in contrast to it being so buoyant last week.??</p><p> (LON:HSBA) and (LON:BARC) ? which have remained out of state ownership, were in better shape, being flat and down just 0.5% respectively.? HSBC has however been feeling some heat after accusation of tax evasion in the US. It has emerged that federal authorities are considering serving a broad legal summons on HSBC to examine if its bankers sold tax evasion services to dozens or hundreds of its clients. The surprise downgrade to Japan's debt rating drove??down 34p to 1639p at Thursday¡Çs close.</p><p>In mining, the performance of the price of gold looked distinctly lacklustre given its sparkling upward trajectory through 2010. Gold has dipped since the start of the year and is currently trading at around $1,310 ? down from the $1,400 it reached late last November. Those figures were enough to send the (LON:RRS) share price down by 4.3% during the week, making it one of the biggest losers in the FTSE 100. On the same note, the (LON:AFR) and (LON:KAZ) share prices also suffered. Elsewhere,?, performing well but then sliding after news of its profits at its Australian uranium arm sliding badly. On a brighter note, the way was cleared for its ¡ò2.5bn takeover of Australia¡Çs Riversdale after a consortium of Indian mining groups said they would not put up a rival bid. Finally, (LON:AAL) and (LON:BLT) both ended the week flat after seeing early gains wiped out as general sentiment towards miners waned.</p><p>Elsewhere, no news but a great deal of speculation triggered?. Ahead of its full year results on February 1, market chatter focused first on whether CEO Bob Dudley would reinstate the dividend that was scrapped to help pay for the damage caused by last year¡Çs Gulf of Mexico oil spill. Equally, the tie-up between BP and Russian giant Rosneft announced two weeks ago, was in the spotlight. Shareholders in BP¡Çs other (and at times troubling) JV in the country, TNK-BP, launched legal action claiming BP was obligated to carry out activities in Russia primarily through the TNK-BP vehicle.?A resolution to that dispute could be resolved as early as next week.</p><p>This week also saw weakness generally amongst UK listed retailers as investors in the sector grappled with the CGT increase and an uncertain economic outlook. Fashion house Next saw?on the week, having reported earlier in January that the bad weather in the week before Christmas cost it ¡ò22 million of full-price sales. In similar fashion, , amidst concerns also that rising food costs .?One clear exception to this retail malaise was iconic fashion company, Burberry Group (LON:BRBY) which enjoyed further strong gains. following impressive news last week that that its third quarter sales rose 27% to ¡ò470 million, ahead of market consensus of ¡ò434 million.?</p><p>Finally, pharmaceutical heavyweight Astrazeneca (LON:AZN) posted its earnings for the fourth quarter this week ? despite declining profitability due to generic competition. Although it reported a 5% decline in net profit, the results exceeded analyst expectations, and the company also announced a $4 billion stock buyback program for 2011.</p> <br><p>?<p>It's a tough week for retail. Williams-Sonoma announced Wednesday it was cutting 18% of its workforce, which translates to about 1,400 employees. Company execs say they hope the move will reduce costs by $75 million in 2009. But the home company is not alone; several clothing retailers announced major job and price cuts yesterday.</p><p>: Women's retailer Charlotte Russe Holding Inc. said it was considering a sale of the company.</p><p>Phillips-Van Heusen Corp., which owns several clothing brands including Calvin Klein, said it would close about 175 stores and eliminate 400 positions...</p><p>Other cost cutting measures? Price drops.</p><p>Also on Wednesday, Coach executives announced plans to lower prices as much as 15% on handbags and other accessories.<br> <br> Mike Tucci, president of North American retail, told analysts during a conference call that the company would also bring more of its handbag prices into the "sweet spot below $300."</p><p>Time will tell whether "below $300" will be enough of a price drop for consumers.</p><p></p><p>See Also: </p><p></p><p></p>?<p>Balance sheets and profit margins are not the first things that come to mind in the glamorous world of high fashion. In an industry where many of the great fashion houses sacrifice profits for prestige, it can be difficult for anyone interested in investing in fashion to make the right decisions.</p><p>But vintage fashion investment is an increasingly lucrative area, and with substantial public demand for luxury clothes, fashion retail businesses have also seen impressive returns&mdash;so is there still room to get money for old rope?</p><p>William Banks-Blaney, owner ofWilliam Vintagein London, shared his tips with on where to begin in the world of classic couture: "If I was going to start investing in fashion, the key things I would start with would be works by the great masters.</p><p>"Ossie Clarkfor British design,Diorfor French design,Norman Hartnellagain for British design. These are pieces by iconic designers that have a worldwide appeal and audience."</p><p>"Most pieces appreciate quite substantially," he said. "We are finding there is between a 10 and 20 percent year-on-year uplift in good pieces of vintage."</p><p>Kerry Taylor, founder ofKerry Taylor Auctions,stressed unprecedented demand: "There aren&rsquo;t huge supplies for these things any more&mdash;they are running out.</p><p>"Every time I get something special now there is a battle royale between the private collectors, the very rich women who wish to buy to wear, and the museums, and when you get these three different parties all vying for the same lot, the prices escalate."</p><p>Having the right eye for a collectible item is clearly important, and at a fashion auction, the prospective investor could find some real winners.</p><p>Taylor told CNBC the three things to look for: "You should look for things with designer labels, you should look for things that are in good condition that don&rsquo;t need repairs. And you should make sure that they have not been altered."</p><p>A garment with a history is an added bonus. "If it has been owned by someone like Audrey Hepburn or the Duchess of Windsor or Daphne Guinness, that adds a lovely little cachet too and makes it even more desirable and collectible in the future," said Taylor.</p><p>An Audrey Hepburn gown from the film "Roman Holiday" sold for over $130,000, and Princess Diana's engagement dress went in 2010 for a massive $300,000.</p><p>Steven Philip, co-owner of vintage clothes shopRellik,also shared his tips: "Look for a garment that kind of associates with the designer and look for labels.</p><p>"If you were going in forChaneland there was an acid green jacket (just) because the acid green is in vogue, avoid buying it. Go for a more classic piece. It will be more of an investment."</p><p>If it's not vintage fashion investment you're after, business ventures in the retail industry are increasingly taking advantage of the massive boom in e-commerce and sustained public demand for great clothes.</p><p>Sarah Curran, founder and CEO ofMy-Wardrobe.com, the online luxury fashion retailer, told CNBC what is takes to make online retailing pay.</p><p>"I started originally as a boutique in 2003 when I launched the business, so I understood the bricks-and-mortar model and the online and &hellip; they are very different. The logistics behind them are very different. It is impossible to compare," she said.</p><p>Since the launch of the website in 2006, Curran says the online model has gone from strength to strength, and that there are still opportunities for budding online retailers.</p><p>"Naturally because of the sector that we sell which is designers such asBurberry,MulberryandVivienne Westwood, they are very protective about their distribution, so it makes obstacles and barriers to entry quite tough &hellip; but there is still opportunity."</p><p>Online retailing can see huge returns, but Curran warned that it takes a sharp attention to detail to make it work. "It is quite a complex model. A lot of people tend to think that e-commerce is the easy option and the easy route to market, but actually it takes a lot of investment.</p><p>"That investment comes in the ease and navigation and performance of the site, but also in terms of the photography of the site. Equally, it's about a strong customer experience and customer service, from entry to the site to delivery to also handling of returns."</p><p>Curran agreed that prospective investors should be looking to the big fashion houses like Chanel,Dolce and GabbanaandVersacefor those pieces that keep their value. And above all, she said, you shouldn't wear them.</p><p>"It's like if you're going to invest in wine, don&rsquo;t drink it. If you are going to invest in clothing, don&rsquo;t wear it."</p><p>This originally appeared at .</p><br><br><p>This story was originally published by .</p>?101 Christmas gifts for ALL ages and ALL budgets - Part Two<br><p>By <br>UPDATED:10:58 GMT, 11 December 2010</p><p></p><br>UNDER ¡ò100<p></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p>LUXURY BUY<br><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><br>GET IT SENT<br><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><br><p> </p>Go back to part one<br><br><br>?30 SECOND GUIDE: Company makeovers<br><p></p><p>PUBLISHED:08:44 GMT, 30 August 2012 UPDATED:08:50 GMT, 30 August 2012</p><p>Free pedicures? <br></p><p>We're not talking about complimentary pampering for employees. <br></p><p>So what are they? <br></p><p>Company makeovers are when firms try to give themselves a facelift &#8211; by rebranding, changing slogan, or decking out branches or shops with snazzy new furniture. <br></p><p>They can also involve more fundamental changes such as new products catering for a different breed of customers. <br></p><p>Why do firms do this?</p><p> One reason is that they are not doing so well and need to give the business a boost. A takeover is also a prime reason. A company makeover is the corporate version of attention seeking. </p><p>Sounds like an extravagance <br></p><p>Insurance giant Aviva was accused of squandering money when it spent ¡ò80m rebranding subsidiary Norwich Union under the same banner. <br></p><p>This campaign featured celebrity-packed ads starring Bruce Willis, Ringo Starr and Elle Mcpherson. <br></p><p>Surely it must work sometimes? <br></p><p>Some makeovers have involved root and branch reform rather than cosmetic changes. Fashion designer Burberry managed to transform itself from a favourite among chavs and hooligans in the 1990s to a high-end label in the 2000s and beyond. <br></p><p>This has been achieved by new clothing ranges and an advertising push featuring Kate Moss and Emma Watson. </p>?Accolade for Burberry's Bravo<p>By <br>UPDATED:00:00 GMT, 27 February 2002</p><p></p><p>ROSE Marie Bravo, chief executive of Burberry UK, has been named the most successful businesswoman in Europe by the Wall Street Journal. Bravo, who transformed Burberry's distinctive tartan from frumpy to high fashion, shares the top slot with Sari Baldauf, of Finland's Nokia. </p><p>Also in the top 10 is Go airline chief Barbara Cassani at number six. Gail Rebuck, head of publisher Random House, is joint ninth with Kim Winser, chief executive of knitwear company Pringle Scotland. </p><p>US-born Dame Marjorie Scardino, chief executive of Pearson and last year's number two, dropped out of the charts. </p><p></p>?According to Burberry's new shopper system, are you Brit, London or Prorsum?<br><p>By <br>UPDATED:10:39 GMT, 18 November 2009<br></p><p>It fought hard to shake off an unfortunate association with &#8216;chav&#8217; culture. But now Burberry has divided the country into three categories according to how smartly they want to dress.<br></p><p>The luxury fashion house has introduced a new tripartite system, splitting glamour queens who opt for silk catwalk dresses from those more comfortable in scruffy jeans.</p><p> </p><p>Tripartite: Harry Potter actress Emma Watson models Burberry London, left, Burberry Brit and Burberry Prorsurm, right<br></p><p>Under the categories, high-end, high-cost evening wear for fashion gurus will continue under the label Prorsum, which means &#8216;forwards&#8217; in Latin.<br></p><p>A new collection called Burberry London will include day time work outfits such as smart tailored suits, dark suede and dense wools. <br></p><p>The name is designed to reflect the clothes&#8217; cosmopolitan feel.</p><p>Casual dress including denim andsportswear will be branded Burberry Brit to capture the relaxed,scruffier side of the population.</p><p>It will appeal to a younger market with linen jackets and cropped trousers, and a slightly lower price tag than the other ranges, a spokesman said.</p><p>But after ditching its associations with &#8216;chav&#8217; icons such as soap star Daniella Westbrook, Burberry&#8217;s distinctive house check pattern has been toned down.</p><p>An advertising campaign shows Harry Potter actress Emma Watson showcasing all three labels. <br></p><p>Thetrench coat, which she has modelled, will remain Burberry&#8217;s signatureitem. The categories are currently housed in the same shops, butBurberry is looking for locations for stand-alone stores afterlaunching two in New York this autumn.</p><p>Burberry shield: Madonna and boyfriend Jesus prefer to use their trench to hide from paparazzi<br></p><p>A spokesman insisted: &#8216;We&#8217;re not reallytalking about appealing to three different markets. This is supposed tobe Burberry girl, who can opt for evening, work and weekend wear withclear labels to differentiate them. Some department stores will havethree different sections, giving us more space. Burberry is currentlylooking for locations for stand-alone stores.&#8217;</p><p>The new categories will signal a fight-back after Burberry announced a 19 per cent drop in profits yesterday, despite a &#8216;solid&#8217; performance in the UK.<br></p><p>Demand for handbags, &#8216;sling&#8217; shoulder bags, snoods and scarves helped it to reach pre-tax profits of ¡ò78.4m in the six months to September 30 this year.</p><p>But the figure is down from ¡ò97m last year after the effects of discounts hit profit margins and wholesale orders were reduced.<br></p><p>The luxury fashion house won praise after its return to the catwalk at London Fashion Week this autumn.</p><p></p><p>It also said it had seen &#8216;exceptional growth&#8217; in London stores after the weak pound attracted foreign shoppers.<br></p><p>The retailer said its non-clothing ranges represented its biggest growth, contributing more than a third of revenue.<br></p><p>Shoes and childrenswear were also identified as key growth areas, anticipated to grow to make up 10 per cent each of revenues. <br></p><p>The firm, which was founded in 1856, opened a children's store in Notting Hill this year.<br></p><p>Chief executive Angela Ahrendts said: &#8216;Burberry delivered a solid first half performance, reflecting the strength of the brand, business and team. <br></p><p>'We enter the second half confident in our core strategies, capitalising on product, region, channel and operational opportunities.&#8217;<br></p>?October 2012Prize valueWinning bond No.Area¡ò1,000,000176ND537520Overseas ¡ò100,000190YL731192Dudley ¡ò100,00086ZY785587West Sussex ¡ò100,000186AQ461669Derbyshire ¡ò100,000183SA844038Sheffield ¡ò100,0005EJ713506Northern Ireland ¡ò50,000189HA961605Bradford ¡ò50,00017QC030688Nottingham ¡ò50,000150ZZ067504Hertfordshire ¡ò50,000126RT689109Southampton ¡ò50,000111CA212785Greater Manchester ¡ò50,00024JC837905Edinburgh ¡ò50,000110ZL786330Kent ¡ò50,000147QP328139Cumbria?Hurrah! Cherish that crumpled skirt - it's chic to look a mess<br> <p>UPDATED:18:56 GMT, 16 January 2009</p> <p> One of the most enchanting fashion shows of the past season was by Burberry, where Christopher Bailey conjured up, in faded linens, flowerpotmen hats and dusty colours, a vision of Englishness through the prism of fashion. <br></p><p>His models, with their natural-looking skin, slightly dishevelled long hair and even their slight slouchy shuffle, set the mood for one of the big trends of the spring - beautifully worn-looking, crumpled clothes. Add the crumpled satins of Prada's lingerie-style suits and the trend was confirmed - big time. <br></p><p>Of course some of us, in fact probably half the female population, naturally subscribe to this look already and if you scan a room full of women you will see the great divide is between those whose appearance is pristine almost as if they have been dressed with hospital corners and those who, no matter what they might be wearing, will always have made it look slightly rumpled and lived-in. <br></p><p>No matter what the dictates of fashion, our crumpled or our crimped style overrides our dress. If you are a crumpled type of person, you will find a way to make an Armani suit look slouchy, but if you are a crimper you will appear calmly immaculate in the same outfit, just like Condoleezza Rice. <br></p><p>Some women I know appear effortlessly never to have creases on the back of their skirt, wear neatly ironed shirts whose collars stay upright and cuffs remain sharply rolled back, are never seen with scuff marks on their shoes and although their jeans might be as boyfriend baggy as the next girl's, somehow manage to make them look smart. </p> <p>Others can just as attractively and effectively make everything they wear appear comfortable and easy. They rumple up layers of T-shirt sleeves, wear skirts and dresses of soft jersey or linen and even manage to make a gala gown look as natural to be wearing as a pair of pyjamas.<br> </p> <p>That worn-in look is a much more female idea of fashion than male. Men tend to want to make women look perfect - think of Roland Mouret with his fitted dresses, Ralph Lauren with his pared down preppy style or Dolce &amp; Gabbana with their cocktail glamour. Women are far more likely to make a woman look comfortable.</p><p>British designers such as Betty Jackson with her slouchy shapes, Nicole Farhi with her knits and feminine skirts, and the new names like knitwear designer Clare Tough, bring us clothes that have an inbuilt crumple factor to them. </p> <p>Although not British, increasingly popular French middle-market brands from designers such as Vanessa Bruno and Isabel Marandt also possess that immediate lived-in feel. <br> </p> <p>To look the perfect mess takes time and effort - it's not about losing the ironing board. A twist to the cardigan, the right degree of fold in the sleeve, artfully dishevelled hair tied up in a knot - this takes practice, but you could start with a Burberry summer coat.</p>Why a good gossip really is priceless <p>Gossip is the new currency. As everyone's purse strings are tightened, delicious morsels of information are the cheapest way to win your way into someone's affections. </p><p> </p><p></p> <p>With the expansion of the net and personal technology, the speed at which you can discover information and pass it on increases daily. </p><p>One rumour that swept town recently was emailed to me by ten people within an hour.</p><p> People are offering up titbits of salacious chat to those they want to impress and good gossips are top of everyone's guest list. <br></p><p>In offices, those eager to impress vie to be first to Blackberry some breaking news, while others use gossip as a deflecting preamble to some possibly more unwelcome subject matter. It's inexpensive and entertaining - what more could you want. <br></p><p>But beware stale news - it's got to be fresh from the oven or you're a sad loser. <br></p>Now 'ear this: Earrings are back!<br><p>It's no accident that accessories are the big story in fashion. While it's the clothes that create the image of a label, accessories are usually the more affordable 'entry point' to the brand. <br></p><p>If you buy the key ring, you might graduate to the shoes. If you've got the shoes, you'll want the handbag and then, hopefully, you'll soon be saving up for the whole outfit. <br></p> <p> With a certain amount of well-deserved It-bag fatigue, the industry has been looking for new items to tempt us and has come up with a jewellery renaissance. <br></p><p>Last season, enter the bangle. Simultaneously, we have all been learning to love the 'statement' necklace, which dominates the sartorial look with its splendour rather than acting as a retiring bit part, and now we're going to be all over, guess what - earrings. <br></p><p>For years, earrings have been out of fashion. Yes, we've all worn them, and more and more of them, since only people over 40 still have one piercing in their ear, but they haven't been fashionable.</p><p> The death knell of the earring really came in the late Seventies when every hemp-wearing, Marxist-leaning girl I was at university with had huge earrings dangling from her lobes - the only nod in the direction of conventional feminine adornment she was prepared to make. <br></p><p>There was the odd pearl bauble and gold hoop to accompany the power suiting of the Eighties, but then nada. <br></p><p>Earrings as a fashionable accessory went underground. Until now. <br></p><p>At the last Jil Sander show, Raf Simons accessorised his girls with beautiful thin jewel-tipped spears piercing one lobe, creating a cool march of minimal warriors. <br></p><p>Then Marc Jacobs went completely loco and piled on every accessory for his triumphant Louis Vuitton show, including amazing tribal hoops with everything imaginable hung from them. So prepare to be brave. Earrings now are brazen and enormous. They take pole position in your jewellery (there's no way you can wear both them and the show-off necklace), but they are an easy, stylish and enjoyable addition to the spring scene.</p>It's time to have a ball (if you can afford it) <p> No signs of dressing down at the Golden Globes - the first of the red carpet triumvirate that includes the Baftas and the Oscars.</p><p>Kate Winslet might have chosen black, but it was chic YSL, and the host of presenters and other movie stars to a woman wore girlish, feminine, shimmering gala gowns.</p><p>A sense of occasion and the quest for glamour persist no matter what else is happening around. For instance, it has been fascinating to see pictures of the attendees at the recent Parisian Bal de Crillon, the new Queen Charlotte's Ball where girls of 'good' families parade couture and dance with acceptable young bucks.</p><p>When I first heard about the existence of this ball, I couldn't believe that anybody would want their daughter, or indeed son, to take part in this anachronistic occasion.</p><p> I was amazed a few years ago when my friend Nejma, married to American photographer Peter Beard, told me she was taking their daughter to Paris to have a Dior gown fitted for the ball.</p><p> At the last ball, none other than Demi Moore's and Bruce Willis's offspring and Carrie Fisher's daughter (surely Hollywood aristocracy) were debutantes alongside a smattering of the Guinness gang and European aristos.</p><p>It still seems curious to me that such an occasion is flourishing and in particular that any young person should want to play a part in it. But it's possible that now more than ever, people will seek out spectacle and extravagance as an escape and antidote to the gloomy world around them.</p><p>&#8226; The Eighties revival is hitting hard. We've already had to get used to jumpsuits and metallic leggings, and now Bananarama-style mussed-up hair is getting back in the picture, as seen for example at the Topshop Unique show. We must pray that there isn't going to be an Eighties-style music revival, too. Batwing sleeves and ra-ra skirts are perfectly acceptable, but nobody can live through another era of a-ha, Devo and Cyndi Lauper-style sounds. Or can they?</p>Share this article:?Smashing style: Andy Murray and his girlfriend join the fashion set at Burberry runway show<br><p>By <br>UPDATED:09:31 GMT, 22 September 2010</p><p>He's more comfortable with the court than the catwalk. <br></p><p>But Andy Murray was putting on a brave face yesterday as he attended London Fashion Week. </p><p>The tennis star accompanied his girlfriend Kim Sears to the star-studded Burberry Prorsum show, exhibiting a little more style than usual. <br></p><p>Dressed in dark blue jeans and a black felt coat, he cut a respectable figure among the well-dressed crowd. </p><p>Those at the premier show included fashion stalwarts Sarah Jessica Parker and American Vogue editor Anna Wintour. </p><p>Miss Sears, 22, who recently graduated from Sussex University, looked very much at home by the catwalk in her ensemble of a blue mac, black skinny trousers and spike-heeled boots. <br></p><p>Meanwhile Murray admits he is no closer to appointing a new coach ahead of his return to ATP World Tour action next month.</p><p>The world number four had hoped to find a successor to Miles Maclagan, who he sacked in July after two and a half years together, before the China Open in Beijing, which begins next month.</p><p>Murray said: 'The situation is the same as it was before the US Open. I'm still looking into it and trying to find the best person that can help me.</p><p></p>?Will Wimbledon be followed by wedding bells? Kim has loved Andy for seven years and now the talk is of an off-court happy ever after<p> By </p><p>PUBLISHED:23:24 GMT, 11 September 2012 UPDATED:07:46 GMT, 12 September 2012</p><p></p><p>At the moment of victory, sheer unbounded Grand Slam-sized joy was written all over the face of girlfriend Kim Sears.</p><p>That enviable mane of glossy hair was whipped by the wind into a golden crown as Murray made his way, shoeless, to embrace her very much as he did after winning Olympic gold at Wimbledon last month.</p><p>Later he posed with his arms around Kim and the cup &#8211; quite a mark of devotion.</p><p>Kim has loved Andy for seven years and now the talk is that they will find the time to formalise an off-court happy ever after, too. Perhaps a wedding after Wimbledon next summer. </p><p>When asked recently about such rumours, Murray demurred: 'I have no plans to get married right now. I am still fairly young. But we'll see.'</p><p>It was a half admission. If true, it would delight all his family and his team of coaches, moneymen and advisers because Kim is universally recognised as a perfect tennis wife.</p><p></p><p>By her background &#8211; her father is a leading tennis coach &#8211; and by virtue of her polite, uncomplaining nature, she is well fitted to a supporting role. She doesn't chafe at the 35 weeks a year which professional tennis players spend on the road.</p><p>Shy, polite and clever, she attends all major tournaments, but otherwise spends most of her time at home in Surrey.</p><p>A typical 'tennis wife' task was to carefully dry in an airing cupboard the bouquet Andy was given after his Olympic win. It now hangs in her studio office.</p><p>The versatile Kim is known for her domestic skills &#8211; making a mean sloe gin from berries picked by her mother.</p><p>She is 24 but looks younger &#8211; in fact, she was asked to show her ID in her local Waitrose in Cobham when buying a bottle of spirits. And after dabbling in acting, fashion and design, and weighing up a career in publishing, she now makes portraits of dogs and cats for wealthy owners.</p><p>Andy says approvingly: 'She wants to have her own career, not just pose in Hello! magazine.'</p><p>Awaiting her return from New York are commissions for paintings of a cat, a labradoodle and a labrador. (She's believed to charge about ¡ò1,500 per canvas.) <br></p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Her website boasts several apologies to potential clients for her backlog of work. She works in the guest wing of the ¡ò5million home which she and Murray share in the footballer-and-stockbrokers territory of Oxshott, Surrey.</p><p>While Andy's daily life is travel, training, ice baths and Grand Slams, Kim's is a gentle round of activities.</p><p>Painting aside, she takes daily walks with border terriers Maggie May and Rusty. Recently she bumped into footballer John Terry's wife Toni, who was walking their bulldog.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Kim, who was an A-grade student at the private Burgess Hill school in West Sussex, likes to listen to Classic FM, and drink tea.</p><p>An English literature graduate, her circle of friends include a cupcake baker who has made special cakes decorated with pictures of Kim's dogs which she served Andy on the silver tray he got as Wimbledon runner-up this year. </p><p>Theresulting photos were then posted on Maggie May's Twitter page, which Kim runs. (Indeed, she has been asked if she will write a book in MaggieMay's name &#8211; an offer she is considering.)</p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Andy's mum Judy always stays with the couple during the Queen's Club and Wimbledon tournaments in the early summer.</p><p>The two women are firm friends and Judy doesn't see it as a slight that Andy embraced Kim before her after both his Olympic and US Open victories.</p><p>Kim is so sweet-natured that she is happy to put up with anything that makes Andy happy. </p><p>The couple met when she was still a teenager in the sixth-form. Her father Nigel was the head of UK women's tennis coaching and she was visiting him at a tournament in America. Andy wooed her with flowers and texts.</p><p>They moved in together in 2009, but then split briefly for six months &#8211; to give each other 'space'. Both of them were miserable apart.</p><p>In the early days, she used to act as his chauffeur because he couldn't drive &#8211; he bought her a ¡ò40,000 Mercedes as a thank you. </p><p>An associate who had dinner with the couple recently said: 'Kim's just a lovely, young middle-class girl. She is very sweet and quite shy.'</p><p>How long, then, before Andy Murray proposes a romantic game of doubles at the altar?</p><p>VIDEO: A happy man. Murray looked delighted, posing with his US Open trophy in New York</p><p></p>?Murray, Khan, Pendleton and more swap sport for style at London Fashion Week<p> By </p><p>PUBLISHED:09:09 GMT, 18 September 2012 UPDATED:10:09 GMT, 18 September 2012</p><p>Forget about training for a while - it seems like the Burberry Prorsum's London Fashion Week show was the place to be for some of Britain's top sports stars on Monday.<br></p><p>US Open winner and Olympic gold medalist Andy Murray left his racquet behind as he was given a front row seat with his girlfriend Kim Sears at London's Kensington gardens. <br></p><p>Scroll down for video<br></p><p>The Scottish tennis star was not the only Olympic star spotted at the event. Boxing star Amir Khan, who won silver in Athens in 2004 and Victoria Pendleton who retired after the 2012 Games were also present.</p><p>Khan was in attendance with his fiance, Faryal Makhdoom. The boxer has recently split from his coach Freddie Roach after defeats to Lamont Petersen and Danny Garcia but was clearly in a light-hearted mood as he enjoyed some downtime. </p><p></p><p></p><p>Pendleton, meanwhile, took some time out from her Strictly Come Dancing training to make an appearance at the show. She has been partnered with ballroom dancer Brendan Cole in the BBC programme. </p><p>The former Olympic cyclist bowed out after winning gold in the women's keirin in August. </p><p></p><p> </p><p>Paralympic sprinter Jonnie Peacock and Olympic rower Pete Reed also showed up, both having won golds in the summer. </p><p></p><p>The former picked up his medal in the T44 100m sprint and the latter in the men's coxless fours, a category he also won gold in four years before, in Beijing.</p><p> </p><p> <br></p>?Argos and Burberry star at GUS<p>By <br>UPDATED:00:00 GMT, 20 November 2003</p><p></p><p>RECORD results from Argos, Burberry and its Experian credit checking arm helped GUS push its profits up by an impressive 44% to &pound;354m over the first half-year.</p><p> </p><p>Shareholders are rewarded with a 16% increase in the interim dividend payment, to 8p.</p><p>Chief executive John Peace said each of the group's main businesses had continued to perform strongly and there had been 'considerable progress' at the Homebase DIY operation.</p><p>'Although we face some challenges in the second half, we remain confident in the outlook for the future,' he added.</p><p>Group sales for the six months to 30 September were up by 24% to &pound;3.77bn and the 44% profits rise was achieved before goodwill and exceptional items. Even after adjusting for acquisitions and disposals, GUS said the profits increase was 27%.</p><p>Argos continued its stellar performance, with a 14% increase in sales, or 7% like-for-like, to &pound;1.39bn and a 27% profits jump to &pound;73.9m.</p><p>Earlier this week Burberry reported doubled profits and GUS yesterday cut its stake in the luxury goods business by 10% to 67%, raising &pound;180m in the process.</p><p>The cash will initially be used to reduce debt but GUS raised the prospect of a cash return to shareholders.</p><p>GUS said it remained 'a committed investor in Burberry', but did not rule out further sales of the luxury retailer's shares. </p><p>It also signalled the prospect of a further windfall from elsewhere within the group, indicating that the flotation of its South African Retailing business should occur next year. </p><p></p>?Argos and Burberry stars at GUS<p>By <br>UPDATED:23:00 GMT, 15 April 2002</p><p></p><p>CATALOGUE stores chain Argos and the Burberry luxury brands business continue to show strong sales growth for parent company GUS but there has been a slowdown at the group's North American business information arm, Experian. </p><p>A second-half trading update from chief executive John Peace showed an underlying decline of 2% in North American turnover at Experian, although the UK and international operations turned in improved figures. Experian is GUS's biggest profits earner and overall sales were ahead by 2%. </p><p>Burberry, which is scheduled for a partial flotation on the stock market in June, enjoyed a recovery after the 11 September terrorist attacks on America, with like-for-like sales ahead by 5%. But Argos remained the star performer, with like-for-like sales jumping 13%. </p><p>GUS will report its full-year profits at the end of May, when it is expected to give further details of the Burberry float. </p>?Arm candy! Downton's Michelle Dockery surrounds herself with some sexy rising British stars at Burberry show in Milan<br><p> By </p><p>PUBLISHED:21:30 GMT, 23 June 2012 UPDATED:22:33 GMT, 23 June 2012</p><br><p>In real life she lives with her architect boyfriend and on-screen she finally got her man after Matthew Crawley proposed in the snow at Christmas.<br></p><p>But that's not to say that Michelle Dockery doesn't appreciate a bit of arm candy from time to time - and with that line-up, it's hardly surprising. <br></p><p>The Downton Abbey star, 30, was a guest at the Burberry Prorsum catwalk show as part of Milan's Men's Fashion Week and was surrounded by handsome young rising British stars.</p><p>As she took her front row seat at the show for the Spring/Summer 2013 collection by British designer Christopher Bailey, she was joined by George Craig, lead singer of band One Night Only and the former boyfriend of Harry Potter star Emma Watson.</p><p></p><p>He is also a model for Burberry as is Rob Pryer, who sat next to George, and singer songwriter Roo Paynes, who is fronting the fashion house's autumn/winter campaign.</p><p> </p><p>But if Michelle was excited about her handsome fellow attendees, she certainly didn't show it as she sat engrossed in the new collection.</p><p>She was dressed in a very unusual outfit that many could not pull off but looked lovely on her tall, slender frame.</p><p> </p><p>She wore a calf-length dark teal velvet skirt which she accessorised with a skinny tan belt tied in a bow at the front.</p><p>Sheteamed that with a dark grey T-shirt which was decorated with a bejeweled owl design and she wore brown heeled brogues on her feet.</p><p>Michelle was taking a break from filming the third series of Downton Abbey in which she plays Lady Mary Crawley.</p><p>It was last on screen for a Christmasspecial in which Lady Mary finally found love after Matthew Crawley, the heir to her father's fortune, proposed to her in a very romantic moment in the snow.</p><p>And having worn some stunning costumes during the first two series, which were set between 1912 and 1918, Michelle said they had finally moved on to more comfortable attire.</p><p>Shesaid: 'We&#8217;re over halfway through the filming, and we&#8217;re moving into the Twenties now - it&#8217;s very feminine and the corsets are definitely softer. we feel much more free!'</p><p> <br></p><br><p></p>?As Bob Diamond waits on multi-million bonus we reveal other lavish fat cat perks <p> By and </p><p>PUBLISHED:07:37 GMT, 27 April 2012 UPDATED:07:37 GMT, 27 April 2012</p><br><br><p>When the shareholders of Barclays file into the Royal Festival Hall today for the bank&#8217;s annual meeting, they will be heading for a showdown with chief executive Bob Diamond that could prove a watershed for boardroom pay.</p><p>Diamond&#8217;s multi-million-pound jackpot this year has ignited a furious battle with big City investors, and a last-minute attempt by the bank to placate shareholders&#8217; fury by attaching performance conditions to one of his bonus schemes failed to soothe tempers. <br></p><p>It is being predicted that as many as a third of &#8201;shareholders could vote against his pay package today.</p><p>Some leading investors are so frustrated at the bank&#8217;s stubborn behaviour over top pay, which has remained in the stratosphere despite the austerity sweeping the country and Barclays&#8217; poor investment performance, that they are threatening to retaliate.</p><p>Barclays&#8217; controversial decision to make a ¡ò5.75 million payment to the U.S. tax authorities to cover Diamond&#8217;s personal bill was the catalyst for anger from normally quiescent shareholders, some of whom are poised to vote against the bank&#8217;s pay report. <br></p><p>Influential City lobby group the Association of British Insurers has slapped Barclays with an &#8216;amber top&#8217; alert on pay &#8212; the corporate equivalent of football&#8217;s yellow card &#8212; signalling there are serious concerns with its pay strategy. <br></p><p>The tide, it seems, is turning against unfettered rewards for bank bosses even on Wall Street, the birthplace of the monstrous bonus. Earlier this month, shareholders voted down mighty Citigroup&#8217;s pay report, forcing the board to reconsider top executive pay levels.</p><p>Whatever happens at Barclays&#8217; meeting today, the High Street lender has already inflicted serious embarrassment on itself.</p><p>By now, perhaps, we should all be inured to any sense of shock when it comes to the obscene levels of pay in Britain&#8217;s board rooms. After all, the outsize rewards routinely given to bosses, virtually regardless of their performance, have been a stain on corporate Britain for two decades.</p><p>But the truth is that, despite the financial crisis and economic worries enveloping the &#8201;country, the indulgence bestowed on these captains of commerce has not abated one iota.</p><p>In fact, the latest round of pay reports shows them to be more rapacious than ever. Diamond is a case in point of just how ingenious companies have become in finding new ways to milk shareholders &#8212; who are, ultimately, ordinary British pension-fund members &#8212; on behalf of their top management.</p><p>Diamond, who is paid through a U.S. subsidiary, has convinced his board not only that the bank should foot his ¡ò5.75 million personal tax account, but also that it should pay any further tax demands from the U.S. authorities for as long as he remains in his post.</p><p>In addition, as part of a ¡ò474,000 benefits package, Diamond has been given money to spend on personal financial advice &#8212; even though you would expect him, of all people, to understand money management.</p><p></p><p>Barclays&#8217; decision to pay his ¡ò5.75 million tax bill takes the total rewards disclosed in the annual report for Diamond to an astonishing ¡ò26.6&#8201;million, including long-term incentive packages that are linked to performance and pay out over a number of years.</p><p>In 2011 &#8212; a year in which the bank&#8217;s share price fell sharply &#8212; Diamond made ¡ò13 million, if his latest long-term share awards are taken into account, including the ¡ò5.75 million tax payment.</p><p>It is not as if the company has met &#8201;its performance targets &#8212; quite the reverse, in fact. Barclays shares have fallen over the past five years by 70 per cent, and Diamond him-self described the performance as &#8201;&#8216;unacceptable&#8217;. <br></p><p>This greed in executive remuneration makes a nonsense of his public &#8201;commitment during a Radio &#8201;4 interview to &#8216;good corporate citizenship.&#8217;</p><p>It has resulted in howls of outrage from senior political figures. <br></p><p>The bank has also attracted the ire &#8201;of organisations such as the Association of British Insurers and the National Association of Pension Funds, both thoroughly capitalist outfits representing investors, many of whom are appalled by what they perceive as an unconscionable reward for failure. <br></p><p>But then, while hard-working families stump up their tax, make ends meet on modest salaries and pay for their own homes, clothes and children&#8217;s education, life is rather different for pampered executives &#8212; and not just at Barclays.</p><p>And it is not just the seven-figure salaries: the company bosses&#8217; lavish lifestyles are also heavily subsidised by shareholders. Perks such as clothing, housing and travel allowances, even subsidised energy bills, are scattered like confetti at their feet by the fawning pay committees that rubber-stamp their rewards.</p><p>For example, Angela Ahrendts, the impressive chief executive of Burberry, can afford to buy her own trench coats, courtesy of her ¡ò3.5 million package and a ¡ò7.3 million incentive to stay in her job to 2015.</p><p>Yet she receives a five-figure annual clothing allowance &#8212; ¡ò25,000 in 2009, the latest figure available &#8212; plus a hefty staff discount on her purchases from Burberry.</p><p>Sam Laidlaw, chief executive of British Gas owner Centrica, receives a multi-million-pound pay, bonus and long-term incentive package, making him one the few people who can pay his fuel bills without flinching. <br></p><p>That did not stop him from being awarded a staff discount of up to ¡ò684 on his energy bills, even as pensioners shivered because they were too poor to turn up the heat.</p><p>And Mick Davis, chief executive of mining giant Xstrata, received a ¡ò6 &#8201;million pay, pension and bonus award in 2011 after a record year for the company he built. <br></p><p>So it is unlikely he really needs the annual housing allowance of ¡ò114,000 to live in his palatial, art-filled home in Hampstead, North London. <br></p><p>Davis also received ¡ò300,000 for his personal use of a corporate jet, along with a pension contribution of ¡ò2.7 &#8201;million last year.</p><p>Parents struggling with private education costs may grind their teeth to learn Peter Voser, head of Shell, took ¡ò97,000 in benefits including school fees and &#8216;tax compensation&#8217;.</p><p>Similarly, Nicandro Durante, who leads British American Tobacco, took more than ¡ò323,000 benefits including &#8216;home security&#8217; on his homes in Britain and Brazil. <br></p><p>What is most galling is that this tsunami of excess continues unchecked despite endless promises by governments and big investors to curb it. <br></p><p>Even the Institute of Directors &#8212; which, as its name suggests, represents the executive class across the country &#8212; concedes &#8216;people have lost faith in the way company pay is set&#8217;.</p><p>The tragedy is that business leaders have succumbed to a sense of entitlement that has overwhelmed any semblance of common decency. <br></p><p>They are quite unabashed as they cut the pay of employees and slash their pension benefits while luxuriating in their own ever-expanding packages.</p><p>The claim firms make to justify such pay-outs is that they are approved by shareholders &#8212; the individuals, investment firms and pension funds &#8212; that own their companies. But the prevalence of hedge funds that think in the short term, as well as the number of overseas shareholders, means only a small band of long-term British investors can be relied on to act as responsible stewards.</p><p>And even if the shareholders as a whole do vote through the pay awards, they certainly do not win public approval.</p><p>Perhaps that is why some major companies try to sneak out their pay reports at times when they hope the embarrassingly large numbers will slip under the radar. <br></p><p>This year, a number of firms that should know better delivered their reports online on a Friday afternoon, when newspaper business pages have already been written and the City is packing up for the weekend. <br></p><p>They included Centrica and state-controlled Royal Bank of Scotland.</p><p>Of course, there is nothing new about unrestrained greed in the boardroom. Two decades ago, John Major&#8217;s Tories were embarrassed by the huge pay rises for public utility chiefs post-privatisation &#8212; notably the 900pc pay rise over a few short years for British Gas boss Cedric Brown (who retired with a ¡ò5.5 million pension pot).</p><p>Around that time, ministers asked Marks &amp; Spencer chairman Sir Richard Greenbury to examine how best to curb excess. <br></p><p>In his 1995 report, he came up with the idea of long-term incentive plans that would link rewards to performance over several years.</p><p>But instead of displacing the bonus and short-term share awards, long-term share plans became an added extra &#8212; the icing on an already over-rich cake. <br></p><p>Such multi-million-pound, long-term options act like time-release pills, filling the coffers of executives each year, even in economic bad times.</p><p>At the heart of the great pay robbery are the &#8216;remuneration committees&#8217; that set the pay of executive directors.</p><p>These are supposedly independent, but in reality often represent a back-scratching old-boys&#8217; club. <br>At least nine chief executives of the nation&#8217;s top FTSE-100 companies sit on the pay panels of other leading companies.</p><p>Paul Walsh, chief executive of global drinks giant Diageo, earned ¡ò3.2 million last year. He sits on the pay committee of Unilever, where chief executive Paul Polman collected a package of pay, allowances, share awards and other benefits worth almost ¡ò5.5 million in 2011.</p><p>Similarly, Centrica&#8217;s Laidlaw is on the pay committee of global banking giant HSBC, where boss Stuart Gulliver received a ¡ò7.2 &#8201;million pay cheque.</p><p>Research by the High Pay Centre, an independent think-tank set up to monitor rewards at the top of the scale, found that no fewer than 46 per cent of people sitting on the remuneration committees are current or former top executives at other top firms.</p><p>Pay committees invariably set awards by looking at what their equivalents in other FTSE-100 companies or firms in the same sector are paying. The higher they ratchet up the pay-outs at the company where they sit as independent directors, the more likely it is that they, too, will hit the jackpot in their main job.</p><p>Committees also rely heavily on &#8201;highly paid consultants &#8212; who often double up as head-hunters &#8212; to draft their complex pay schemes. <br></p><p>Any consultant recommending a pay cut would be unlikely to last long, so no one has any incentive to advocate restraint.</p><p>Pay in the UK is set using data from around the world, mostly the U.S., where the pay of directors is often off the scale.</p><p>Apple boss Tim Cook recently received a share package worth an astonishing ¡ò236 million.</p><p>By using these transatlantic comparisons, British bosses can argue they are underpaid and must be handed more if they are not to be poached.</p><p>The reality, of course, is that it is only too rare that the boss of a UK firm makes it to the top of a U.S. corporate giant. This so-called global market is something of a fiction.</p><p>Another wheeze the big firms have developed is to put out reports on corporate pay and behaviour, which are screeds of meaningless jargon.</p><p>At HSBC, for instance, the report runs to 25 pages of tiny type, much of it legal gobbledegook. This has made it all but impossible to give a single definitive figure for what any given executive takes home in a year.</p><p>HSBC gives three widely different figures for its boss, &#8201;Stuart Gulliver, for 2011: ¡ò7.1 million, ¡ò6.6 million or ¡ò4.1 &#8201;million, depending on how it is calculated.</p><p>This makes a mockery of the &#8201;idea of transparency and allows corporate PRs to present figures that vastly understate the full rewards as the &#8216;real&#8217; or &#8216;fair&#8217; ones.</p><p>Within the world of chief executives, there does appear to be a slowly growing realisation that the gulf between rewards in the boardroom and pay elsewhere needs to be bridged.</p><p>The bandwagon that saw directors in FTSE-100 companies achieve a 45pc pay rise in 2010 and possibly even more in 2011 &#8212; a year in which the economy barely grew &#8212; needs to be addressed urgently.</p><p>Even some of those who receive big pay-outs recognise the need &#8201;for change, though they will rarely look a gift horse in the &#8201;mouth.</p><p>Sir Andrew Witty heads one of &#8201;the UK&#8217;s most successful enterprises, GlaxoSmithKline, which pours ¡ò5 billion of resources into new research each year. He is one of the Coalition&#8217;s favourite businessmen.</p><p>He accepted a pay freeze in 2009 and 2010, recognising the hardships of those losing their jobs in his own company and the strains on ordinary households.</p><p>But last year the dam burst and &#8201;all the admirable restraint was cast aside as Witty saw his &#8201;pay, benefits and bonus package rise to ¡ò6.8 million, including incentive awards that matured in 2011.</p><p>So who will tackle these corporate behemoths? Director- general of the Institute of Directors, Simon Walker, a former Downing Street adviser, is a powerful voice advocating change. He argues that the old practice &#8216;of signing up retired chief executives&#8217; to serve on pay committees must be stopped.</p><p>U.S. fund management giant Fidelity Worldwide, a big investor in most FTSE-100 companies, is also demanding that City shareholders tackle the problem and use annual general meetings as a chance to vote against big pay &#8201;deals.</p><p>It believes the pay of corporate chiefs should receive the support of 75 per cent of shareholders before approval.</p><p>Thus far, much of the anti-fat-cat venom has been directed at bankers, whose mistakes led to the biggest fall in household income since the Twenties.</p><p>But chief executives in other industries, from retail to mining, have also been paid sums totally divorced from the rest of society. <br></p><p>The clubby atmosphere in the boardroom and the supine attitude of big shareholders have allowed a culture of sheer avarice to flourish.</p><p>It has spawned the most cosseted and grasping generation of bosses ever seen in this country &#8212; and it is time for shareholders to call a halt.</p>?As Burberry snaps up the pretty Harry Potter actress, is Emma Watson the new Kate Moss?<br><p>By <br>UPDATED:22:39 GMT, 14 June 2009</p><br><p>While Kate Moss and Peaches Geldof continue to make headlines every time they unveil an outrageous look, a new British style icon has been gracefully emerging. </p><p>When Emma Watson first appeared as Hermione Granger in Harry Potter, at the age of nine, she was a photogenic schoolgirl. <br></p><p>Ten years later, she's undergone a metamorphosis and for the past few years has been quietly building a modelling portfolio that's beginning to rival her acting career. <br></p><p>In 2008 Chanel appointed her the face of their perfume Coco Mademoiselle, replacing Keira Knightley. <br></p><p>Since then, the fashion house's supremo Karl Lagerfeld has become her new best friend. <br></p><p>A touch of elegance: Emma's smokey eyes and softly tousled hair add to Burberry's sophisticated feel</p><p>Picture perfect: Kate Moss pictured in her 2006 Burberry campaign holds a similar profile to the young and blooming Miss Watson</p><p>Last month, he photographed her for an edgy French magazine. <br></p><p></p><p>'This was a dream come true,' she said. (And that's the other thing about Emma: you won't find her being less than gracious, a welcome contrast to mouthy types such as Lily Allen.) <br></p><p>Emma's latest coup is the lucrative Burberry campaign. With smoky eyes and softly tousled hair (right), she adds a touch of sultry elegance to the British label's signature trench coat. </p><p>Here's hoping she inspires the next generation of teenagers to turn away from tacky tattoos and jeggings. Well, we can dream, can't we? </p><p></p>?As Emma Watson wows at Burberry's London catwalk comeback, we look at the history of the luxury brand<br><p>By <br>UPDATED:10:24 GMT, 24 September 2009</p><br><p> </p><p>It wasn't so long ago that Burberry check was the fabric of choice on council estates, defining chav fashion. <br></p><p>Fast-forward five years, and the luxury brand is virtually unrecognisable. <br></p><p>The label's first show at London Fashion Week for more than adecade was this week's hottest ticket, with a front row bristling withA-listers and fashion editors including Vogue's Anna Wintour, current'face' Emma Watson and long-term fans Victoria Beckham and GwynethPaltrow. <br></p><p>Huge relief, then, for the brand that has endured a somewhatcheckered history since its humble beginnings in a Basingstoke store in1856... <br></p><p>1879</p><p>Thomas Burberry invents gaberdine, the world's first breathable fabric. The beginnings of the label's trademark coat are born. <br></p><p>1914</p><p>During World War I, Burberry designed mackintoshes forofficers of the British Royal Flying Corps, later the RAF. The militarymodel became known as the trench coat, and would later be adopted bycivilians. <br></p><p>1924</p><p>The famous Burberry check, registered as a trademark, was introduced as a lining to the trench coat. <br></p><p></p><p>1983</p><p>The Prince and Princess of Wales (above) are photographed in Burberry ensembles while holidaying in Nova Scotia. <br></p><p>2001</p><p>Designer Christopher Bailey (right) takes the helm and downplays the Burberry check as part of the label's unofficial re-branding.</p><p>2002</p><p>Burberry's heritage chic becomes the look of choice for celebrities from Madonna to Mr and Mrs Beckham, with the check print scarf selling out in stores from New York to Tokyo. <br></p><p></p><p>2004</p><p>Daniella Westbrook and her daughter are 'papped' in head-totoe Burberry. The soap star and some-time cocaine addict is crowned Queen Chav. Her response? 'It's a real compliment.' <br></p><p>2006</p><p>Kate Moss returns as the face of Burberry in a campaign shot by Mario Testino nine months after the fashion house scrapped her campaign following tabloid accusations that she used drugs. <br></p><p>2007</p><p>Burberry discovers model de jour and former fish and chip shop worker Agyness Deyn, who stars in its autumn campaign of this year. </p><p>2008</p><p>Burberry begins its ascent to global adoration. With a 25 per cent jump in profits, the label makes the top five luxury goods brands in the world. <br></p><p>2009</p><p>In A bold move, Harry Potter star Emma Watson (above) becomes the label's new face. Runaway success at London Fashion Week galvanises Burberry's starry future, with the company worth ¡ò1.2 billion. </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> <br></p><p></p>?Asian boom lifts Burberry to new highs<p>By <br>UPDATED:00:13 GMT, 20 April 2011</p><p></p><p>Shares in Burberry soared to anall-time high on the back of strongsales in China, Hong Kong andother emerging markets.</p><p>The 155-year-old fashion retailer,best known for its distinctivecamel, red and black check, beatCity expectations yesterday whenit revealed in a trading update itscore fourth quarter sales had risen33 per cent to ¡ò390million.</p><p> Analysts hadexpected the firm to post revenuesof around ¡ò350million.The London-based businesswent on to raise its full year forecaststo between ¡ò279million and¡ò300million.</p><p> In January it had set arange of between ¡ò250million to¡ò290million.The stock initially rallied 8.6 per cent to1245p, before easing back to closeup 69p at 1215p.The firm also said it planned toboost its retail space by 12 per cent year,and would look at sites in Asia,Latin America and the MiddleEast.</p><p>Burberry opened seven newstores in the second half of thiscurrent year, including Sao Paulo,New York and Milan, and plans toadd 20-25 stores next year, mainlyin China, Latin America and theMiddle East.</p><p></p><p>Chief executive Angela Ahrendtssaid: &#8216;Burberry had a strong finishto the year. While the luxury industryfaces global challenges in theyear ahead, we remain confidentin our team&#8217;s ability tooutperform.&#8217;</p><p>Burberry shares have surgedmore than sixfold over the pasttwo-and-a-half years after thegroup slashed costs during theeconomic downturn and then benefitedfrom a faster-than-expectedrecovery in the luxury sector.</p><p>Richard Curr, an analyst BrandCommunications, said: &#8216;Five or sixyears ago the brand was not seenas being worn by trendsetters inthe UK. But it has since traded onits strong English name in the FarEast and has not looked back.&#8217;Burberry&#8217;s stock was hit after theearthquake and tsunami in Japanlast month raised fears aboutdemand from the world&#8217;s third-biggestluxury goods market.</p><p> </p>?Fashion-forward Emma Watson is a Burberry beauty as she dazzles at pre-BAFTA bash in ¡ò1,700 coat<br><p>By <br>UPDATED:17:11 GMT, 12 February 2011</p><p>She may not be the face of Burberry anymore, but Emma Watson showed her loyalty to them remains last night by stepping out in the luxury label.<br></p><p>The Harry Potter star looked gorgeous in a new take on the brand's iconic trench coat.</p><p>The 20-year-old attended a pre-BAFTA Awards party thrown by movie mogul Harvey Weinstein at Almada bar and restaurant in Mayfair wearing a ¡ò1,700 Burberry Prorsum trench coat with eye-catching leather sleeves.</p><p> </p><p>The party was in honour of Colin Firth and The King's Speech, the runaway success of this year's awards season, which The Weinstein Company produced.<br></p><p>The party continued well into the early hours, with Emma arriving at nearby Mahiki nightclub in the film chief's Rolls Royce.</p><p>When they were accosted by eager autograph-hunters in between parties, Weinstein jumped in to chivalrously guide Emma through the crowd.<br></p><p>For Firth and many of his fellow revellers, who included flame-hairedMad Men star Christina Hendricks (in a stunning low-cut floral print silk gown), it was the start of a party-packed weekend in the run-up to Sunday's BAFTA Awards.</p><p> </p><p>Other stars feted at Almada's included Amy Adams, star of The Fighter, Rosamund Pike, Dougray Scott and Claire Forlani, Neve Campbell, new 'It' girl Felicity Jones, Ralph Fiennes and designer Vivienne Westwood.</p><p>Ronnie Wood spent the night flirting with a variety of young female delights, but left arm in arm with girlfriend Ana Araujo.<br></p><p>Sam Taylor Wood and Aaron Johnson also took in the heady atmosphere along with Noomi Repace, Elizabeth Mcgovern star of TV hit Downton Abbey, Sally Hawkins, Matthew Freud and wife Elisabeth Murdoch. <br></p><p>Appropriately, theatrical knights Sir Derek Jacobi and Sir Ben Kingsley were in attendance.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Sitting chatting with friends was Ricky Gervais, he was keeping a low profile and didn't insult anyone.</p><p>'It's my night off', joked the comic who hosted January's Golden Globe ceremony.<br></p><p>Tom Hooper , director of The King's Speech praised his film's leading man for helping to turn the movie into a global phenomenon.</p><p>'We all hail King Colin', Hooper told guests.</p><p> </p><p>During dinner executives from Momentom Picture, the film's UK distributor, revealed that Friday night's ticket sales for the movie hadpushed the UK box-office takings to well over the ¡ò32 million mark.</p><p>Firth said he would be pacing himself at all the BAFTA festivities. 'People don't come up to me and say, 'Oh congratulations' or whatever. <br></p><p>'They just want to know how I'm coping with all the travelling back and forwards from London to Los Angeles and back again,' the actor laughed.</p><p>'I am now in the possession of so many cures for jet-lag I could open a chemists.'</p><p> </p><p>Firth, who arrived at the soiree in time for dessert, added: 'But in-between going to awards shows I have to fit in the school run when I'm home in London. <br></p><p>'But that keeps you grounded and I love to do things with my family.'</p><p>He and his wife, Livia Giuggioli had their first courses at Cecconi's, where Vogue magazine threw a pre-BAFTA bash.</p><p>On Saturday there are several 'happenings' for the stars in town.</p><p>Momentum are hosting a brunch at the new hotel Corinthia in Whitehall while Charles Finch will be 'at home' at Mark's Club, the private members' dining club in Mayfair.</p><p>On Sunday there are post-BAFTA parties all over town including the Fox and Pathe studios combining to host an after midnight affair at Sketch while Momentum and the Weinstein film company will be in high octane party mode at the new W hotel in central London.</p><p>Do you have a story about a celebrity? Call the Daily Mail showbusiness desk on 0207 938 6364 or 0207 938 6683. For U.S. stories, phone 310 642 2317.</p>?Behind the scenes of Burberry's atmospheric autumn/winter campaign starring Gabriella Wilde and Roo Panes<p> By </p><p>PUBLISHED:16:35 GMT, 1 August 2012 UPDATED:07:00 GMT, 2 August 2012</p><br><p>Burberry is continuing to create a buzz on social networking sites after embracing the power of social media to promote their Autumn/Winter campaign starring Roo Panes and Gabriella Wilde. Since images of the campaign have been released, the fashion house's Twitter and Facebook fans have rocketed whilst also raising Wilde and Panes's profiles.<br></p><p>Now the fashion brand have released behind the scenes pictures of their atmospheric shoot which was filmed at night by Mario Testino under the creative direction of Burberry's Christopher Bailey at the Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich London.</p><p>One of the pictures shows St Trinians actress Wilde in make-up as she prepares for her close-up. Another shows Testino and Bailey behind the camera as the glamorous shoot takes place.</p><p></p><p>Bailey said they were delighted with the resulting pictures and videos that were produced following their night of filming. He said: 'Using London as the backdrop, we shot the series of cinematic, emotive black and white images and short films with the incredibly talented Gabriella Wilde and Roo Panes, who effortlessly bring the campaign and our collections to life across all of our platforms.'</p><p></p><p>The resulting pictures and videos have been cleverly trickled out via social networking sites and Burberry's own website. Today, as well as the behind the scenes pictures, the fashion house also released more pictures of Wilde and Pane modelling clothes and accessories from their range with the titles 'the long wait' and 'footsteps and shadows'. A video called 'London Streets' has also just been released which is a continuation of previous short films starring Wilde and Panes in the classic old Hollywood movie style. <br></p><p> </p><p>The campaign has been well-received with Burberry currently up to 13,180,946 likes on Facebook and1,162,741 followers on Twitter.</p><p>As well as Facebook and Twitter, their cross platform campaign has also been sent directly to Burberry's fans on Burberry.com, YouTube, Google+, Instagram, Pinterest, Sina Weibo, Douban, Kaixin001 and Youku. <br></p><p> </p><p>Thanks to the involvement of Panes, who can add singer-songwriter to his list of talents, Burberry have also released an official soundtrack on iTunes featuring Pane's songs which have also been used on some of the campaign videos. The latest 'London Streets' video however, which you can view below, uses British singer-songwriter Joan Armatrading's 'It Could Have Been Better' as the backing track.<br></p><p>Fans of Panes will hear more from him though as the Burberry campaign continues to be released while Wilde will be seen again on the big screen soon as she is to star in the remake of classic horror film Carrie, which will be out next year.</p> <br><p><br></p><p></p>?Bespoke on a budget: Now you don't have to be A-list to afford made-to-measure<br><p>By <br>UPDATED:09:21 GMT, 1 February 2011<br></p><p>Burberry has announced it is to launch Burberry Bespoke - a website where you can customise one of its iconic macs to make it just the way you like it. <br></p><p>But if you want to put your own stamp on your style, high-end fashion houses aren&#8217;t the only places to go. <br></p><p>There are a host of companies offering you the opportunity to design your very own wardrobe, for a -fraction of the price.</p>CLOTHES <br><p>styleshake.com</p><p>Sick of not being able to find the clothes you want in the sizes, fabrics and styles that you like? <br></p><p>Help is at hand in the form of StyleShake.com, a brilliant website that gives you the chance to design your own dress.<br></p><p>Youcan customise one of their existing designs or start from scratch, choosing the colour, fabric, length, neckline, sleeves and trimmings. <br></p><p>You then choose a standard size or, for an extra ¡ò5, give them your exact measurements and get it made to measure.<br></p><p>Jerseydresses start at ¡ò41, 100 per cent silk frocks at ¡ò71 and you can also make skirts, from ¡ò37, tops from ¡ò41 and matching accessories including shrugs, ¡ò30, and clutch bags, ¡ò30.<br></p><p>Standard delivery (up to ten days) is ¡ò7 and they will even do free alterations to ensure that your outfit fits you perfectly.</p>KNITWEAR <p>granniesinc.co.uk</p><p>Ifyour own grandmother is not much cop with a pair of needles, but you still like the idea of handmade knitwear to your specifications, then atGranniesInc.co.uk you can pay someone else&#8217;s grandma to make you a hat,scarf, snood or wrist-warmers. <br></p><p>You decide on the colours youwant it made in, pick the size and any extras &#8212; a pompom, bow or some -tassels, perhaps &#8212; and then a granny gets knitting for you. <br></p><p>The prices start at ¡ò34 and all items are made from 100 &#8201;per cent British spun merino wool. <br></p><p>Deliverytimes will vary depending on which granny you choose and how busy she is. But expect to have your item within eight days, sent by first-class post for ¡ò3.95.</p>COATS <p>KatherineHooker.com</p><p>A good coat or jacket is the -definition of an investment buy and the right one will last you for years. <br></p><p>But finding a coat off the peg isn&#8217;t easy, which is where Katherine Hooker comes in. <br></p><p>She&#8217;s the woman whom the likes of Kate Middleton, Sarah Brown and Jerry Hall trust for -stylish outerwear. <br></p><p>This -winter&#8217;s -collection has seven coats, ranging from the fashion--forward cape coat to a classic belted coat, ten jackets and two waistcoats. <br></p><p>Choose from a wealth of fabrics and -colours, select the lining and trims, and between four and six weeks later you&#8217;ll have your own designer coat. <br></p><p>Coats start at ¡ò520, jackets at ¡ò470 and waistcoats at ¡ò295. Delivery will cost you ¡ò10.</p><p>Made-to-measure: Examples of a StyleShake.com's dress, a Granniesinc.co.uk scarf and KatherineHooker.com coat <br></p>LINGERIE <p>GildaPearl.co.uk</p><p>Inspired by the sirens of the silver screen, Gilda &amp; Pearl&#8217;s silk and lace confections are Agent Provocateur without the scary dominatrix -overtones. <br></p><p>Whether you want jet black, jewel-like tones of red and -purple or creamy ivory, they&#8217;ve got something to suit. <br></p><p>And if they haven&#8217;t, or you want it without the bow or with an extra ribbon, they&#8217;ll make it for you. Every item they sell is handmade in -Britain, so they can tweak their designs to suit your needs.<br></p><p>The semi-bespoke underwired bras start at ¡ò78, while knickers are from around ¡ò52. You can get a semi-bespoke -garter from just ¡ò22. <br></p><p>Standard delivery is free and -usually takes two weeks.</p>WEDDING SHOES <p>emmyshoes.co.uk</p><p>This luxury, custom-made -wedding shoe venture is the brainchild of Emmy Scarterfield, who started out designing shoes and -accessories for top labels Bottega Veneta and Giorgio Armani.<br></p><p>She later returned to -Britain to set up glamorous accessory ranges for French Connection and Reiss.<br></p><p>Emmy has devised a series of -beautiful -vintage-inspired designs that can be -customised, according to what you want. <br></p><p>So you can choose every tiny detail, from the height of the heel and shape of the toe to whether you want them in cream leather, ivory suede or any number of other luxury materials.<br></p><p>You can also add any embellishments that take your fancy. <br></p><p>Prices start at ¡ò260, but creep up if you decide on Thirties pearl detail or some hand-embroidered -daisies. <br>The delivery charge is ¡ò10 and can take between ten and 12 weeks.</p><p> </p><p>Perfect fit: A GildaPearl.co.uk bra, an emmyshoes.co.uk wedding shoe and a bag from bagsoflove.co.uk<br></p>PHOTO BAGS <p>bagsoflove.co.uk</p><p>We know it was Anya Hindmarch who started the craze for photo bags, but while her offerings are undoubtedly exquisitely made, they do start at ¡ò115 for a washbag. <br></p><p>Instead, check out the far more affordable offerings available from Bags Of Love.<br></p><p>Their make-up bags, which can be personalised with a photo of your choice, start at a more pocket-friendly ¡ò35 (and unlike Anya&#8217;s, which can take up to ten weeks, they&#8217;re ready for delivery in just a couple of days).<br></p><p>You can order totes from ¡ò89 and laptop bags from ¡ò49 &#8212; all personalised with your favourite photographs.</p><p>Standard -delivery is ¡ò3.85.</p>SPORTSWEAR <p>store.nike.com</p><p>At the online Nike store, you can -personalise a whole range of sports kit &#8212; and we&#8217;re not just talking about getting your name printed on the back of a football shirt. <br></p><p>While the Nike ID concept started with trainers, it&#8217;s expanded and you can pick the colours, badges and slogans on <br>a complete range of kit from hoodies, ¡ò65, and sports bags, ¡ò60, through to the -original Air Max trainers, from ¡ò115. <br>Delivery takes a fairly long three to four weeks and costs ¡ò6.50. <br></p><p>But there is -something quite appealing about getting shoes, or a hoodie with whatever you want embroidered on the back.</p>HANDBAGS <p>belenechandia.com</p><p>A handbag created to your specifications in the colours of your choice sounds like the sort of thing only A-listers can get their hands on.<br></p><p>But luxury bag brand Belen Echandia offers that for half the price of your average It Bag. Simply go to the website, browse the archive of handbag styles &#8212; from clutches to totes &#8212; pick one and start to customise.<br></p><p>Prices start at ¡ò400. You can choose the leather and lining, a zip or magnet closure and whether you want an extra internal pocket or studs on the outside. <br></p><p>Your bag is handcrafted in an Italian atelier using traditional techniques.<br></p><p>You can expect to receive it a couple of weeks later and delivery costs ¡ò9.</p>?Now that's what you call a ball-gown! Tennis player Bethanie Mattek-Sands goes Gaga at pre-Wimbledon party in wacky yellow dress<br><p> By <br>Created 11:02 PM on 16th June 2011</p><p>Bethanie Mattek-Sands has described herself as the Lady Gaga of the tennis world due to her flamboyant fashion taste.</p><p>So who better to dress the American tennis player than one of Gaga's own designers.</p><p>The 26-year-old made an attention-seeking entrance at the Women's Tennis Association pre-Wimbledon party in association with Range Rover in London last night in a tennis-inspired dress.</p><p>Scroll down to see a video of how the dress was made<br></p><p>The startling dress included a neon green corset made of parts of tennis balls, with matching shoulder pads.</p><p>More tennis balls were then attached to some neon green chiffon to create a Mohican-style hat.</p><p>Mattek-Sands, who is currently No.31 in the world rankings, commissioned British designer Alex Noble to create her flamboyant gown for the bash at the Kensington Roof Gardens.<br></p><p>Sony Ericsson Xperia Tennis Hotshot Mattek-Sands is no stranger to breaking the style rules, who was fined for wearing a cowboy hat on the court in 2005.<br></p><p>A lover of crazy fashion, Mattek-Sands knows she will have to tone down her wardrobe to adhere to Wimbledon's strict dress code.</p><p>So the pre-Wimbledon bash was the perfect opportunity for her to show her individualism outside the rigid rules of the South West London club.</p><p></p><p>She said last month: 'I don't think I can really challenge the colour rule right now.</p><p>'You know, I got to figure something out. Obviously the white, you got to work with a lot of the cuts. Obviously I'll be wearing my high socks. But yeah, it's always challenging to think of new things for Wimbledon.</p><p>'I think the fans that come to Wimbledon appreciate everything I do. I think it's more probably the members and the people higher up that are tut-tutting me.'<br></p><p>Mattek-Sands and Noble met up in Madrid and Copenhagen earlier this month and was open to his idea of making the gown out of tennis balls.<br></p><p>In an online video following the making of the gown, Mattek-Sands said: 'Fashion has always been super-interesting for me.'</p><p> </p><p>All white on the night: (L-R) Singer Eliza Doolitte wore a daring little white dress, Holly Branson opted for a white, blue and glittery shift, while Holly Valance kept it laidback in a shirt and skirt</p><p> </p><p>Going to the dark side: (L-R) Danish tennis player Caroline Wozniacki wore Stella McCartney, actress Patsy Kensit looked sleek in a long shift, while Sinitta wore a maxi dress and flip-flops<br></p><p>Describing the dress, Noble said the corset section made of tennis balls 'is like an armour, which really suits Bethanie's personality.</p><p>Wondering what the reaction would be on the red carpet, she admitted: 'I like keeping everyone on their toes'.<br></p><p>While lots of guests at the bash were horrified by Bethanie's outfit, some applauded her for her sense of fun.</p><p> </p><p>Feeling blue: (L-R) Spanish model Elen Rivas in a floral maxi dress, Pussycat Doll Kimberley Wyatt in a silk Sixties dress and R&amp;B singer Alexis Jordan in an asymmetrical mini</p><p> </p><p>Leggy: (L-R) Socialite Tamara Ecclestone wore a very tight cream dress, Jelena Jankovic looked red hot in Vivienne Westwood, while retired tennis player Annabel Croft wore a blue summer dress</p><p>Australian player Casey Dellacqua Tweeted her: 'Totally love your dress Bethanie...u look smashing!!!!! :)'</p><p>The event saw 15 female tennis players wearing gowns by the best British fashion designers.</p><p>All the dresses will then be auctioned off during the tournament with proceeds going to WTA charities and the British Fashion Council's Princess of Wales Charitable Trust.</p><p>Guests at the star-studded bash braved the downpour to feast on a summer barbecue and sipped cocktails, champagne, Evian water and Jacob's Creek wine - the official wine of Wimbledon.</p><p>Tennis stars Serena Williams and Maria Sharipova joined Holly Branson, Holly Valance, Tamara Ecclestone and Eliza Doolittle for the raucous party.</p><p>The grey weather didn't dampen the party spirit as the A-listers dancing to old-school tunes on the dance floor until the early hours and play dress-ups in the photo booth.<br></p>?Big spenders help Burberry defy recession<p>By <br>UPDATED:08:36 GMT, 20 January 2010</p><p></p><p>The rich are still spending in spite of the recession according to the latest figures from luxury good retailers. </p><p>Burberry, the 154-year-old maker of trench coats and handbags, yesterday showed that an appetite for designer goods remains strong as it smashed forecasts to report a 10pc rise in underlying sales. </p><p>This compares with analysts' expectations of a rise of 3pc for the three months to December 31. </p><p>The group, famous for its camel, red and black check, has cut costs and jobs and managed stocks to ensure it can perform well through the downturn. </p><p>Shares in Burberry jumped 8pc to close the day 49.5p ahead at 649p as the retailer, which features Harry Potter star Emma Watson in its advertising campaigns, forecast profit growth in 2010-11. </p><p>Evolution Securities analyst Dennis Weber said: 'Burberry is beating its competitors on all counts and the trend is still getting better.' </p><p>The group has enjoyed strong growth in Europe and Asia. </p><p>The news came as upmarket jeweller Theo Fennell said it expected to post only a marginal loss this year following a bumper Christmas with sales up 25% in the three weeks to December 24. </p><p>The company, whose pieces have been spotted on David Beckham and Sir Elton John, has managed to turn itself around after suffering losses of &pound;3m last year. Shares added half a penny to 48.5p. </p><p>Earlier this week, Richemont, the group behind Cartier watches and Chloe fashion house, said shoppers have started splashing out. </p><p>Tiffany recently said that its profits should beat expectations following strong sales. </p>?<p>Thank you for your excellent website, and in particular please thank Joanne Hart and her team for their expert stock picking advice, which is serving me much better than I had even hoped for.<br> - R Jeffery <br>I've followed your column for many years and really appreciate all the good tips. Of course, one can't act upon all the info, but, most recently, I did buy 1,000 Immupharma and was impressed when I saw that they'd won a prestigious award.<br> - David M<br> Midas is the first thing I turn to when we get the paper!<br> - Karen <br> Love the Midas section of the Mail on Sunday - keep up the good work.<br> - Simon P </p>?Blue-chip boards still lack women <p>By <br>UPDATED:08:27 GMT, 2 December 2010</p><p></p><p>The glass ceiling in the UK looks shatterproof: despite efforts by the government and the chairmen of our largest businesses to increase female representation, the number of women at the top of FTSE 100 companies has remained stagnant for the third year in a row. </p><p>The 2010 Female FTSE report from Cranfield School of Management reveals today that women hold just 135 directorships out of 1,076 total board positions in the blue-chip share index, or 12.5 per cent, barely up on last year's figure of 12.2 per cent. </p><p>Of the 135 new appointments to top corporate boards, only 18 were women and there was a net rise of just three female directors over the year, taking the total to 116 women holding 135 positions. </p><p></p><p>One glimmer of hope is that the number of companies with no female directors at all decreased to 21, from 25 in 2009. </p><p>Smaller companies are even worse at promoting women to board level than their bigger brethren, with an 'unacceptable' 52 per cent of firms in the FTSE 250 having all-male directorates. <br></p><p></p><p>The new UK Corporate Governance Code calls on companies to 'pay due regard' to diversity on boards. </p><p>Former trade minister Lord Davies of Abersoch is spearheading a government drive to get more women on boards. Roger Carr, the chairman of Centrica, and Sir Win Bischoff, chairman of Lloyds Banking Group, have founded the 30% Club, a group of chairmen aiming to get that proportion of women around their boardroom tables. </p><p>Leading the Female FTSE 100 is fashion retailer Burberry, led by chief executive Angela Ahrendts, with women as three out of its eight board members, followed by Alliance Trust, whose chief executive is Katherine Garrett-Cox. </p><p>Dr Ruth Sealy, co-author of the report, said women had won positions on executive committees just below board level in 82 of the FTSE 100 companies but too few were making it to the directors' suite. 'These women are a rich resource pool for future board directorships,' she said. </p><p>Equalities minister Lynne Featherstone said: 'Making boards more diverse is not about political correctness - it's about making sure companies draw senior staff from the widest possible pool of talent, which is good for business, good for staff and good for customers.' </p><p>The UK lags behind other countries for boardroom diversity, including Australia, where nearly a third of new appointments this year went to women. </p><p>In France a quota law is in the pipeline stipulating at least 40 per cent of directors must be female. Norway introduced a 40 per cent quota in 2004 in a move that is widely seen in that country as having been successful. </p><p> </p>?Boom time for Burberry as company bucks the trend<br><p>By <br>UPDATED:20:53 GMT, 22 May 2011</p><br><p>The belt-tightening taking place elsewhere in the economy does not appear to have affected luxury fashions, which are going through a boom period.</p><p>Burberry chief executive Angela Ahrendts, pictured, is in line for a ¡ò12m pay and bonus package, thanks to strong demand for her pricey wares. <br></p><p>The group is expected to announce a 40 per cent profit rise to ¡ò300m this week. <br></p><p>And women&#8217;s love of stilettos has proved lucrative for Tamara Mellon, whose 17 per cent stake in the Jimmy Choo brand she founded was valued at ¡ò85m in a takeover by luxury goods group Labelux last night. </p><p>She will reinvest in Labelux and continue as chief creative officer.<br></p>?Bravo poised for Burberry windfall<p>By and <br>UPDATED:23:00 GMT, 23 June 2002</p><p></p><p>BURBERRY'S chief executive Rose Marie Bravo is in line for a windfall of more than &pound;10m, if the float gets off to a good start. GUS, which owns the luxury fashion brand, will today unveil details of a bumper package that will make Bravo the most highly paid female boss of a quoted British company. </p><p>The 51-year old Italian-American already earns about &pound;2m in salary and bonuses each year. The glamorous New Yorker is also paid a clothing allowance of more than &pound;10,000. But these amounts will be dwarfed by the shares and options award that GUS has agreed to give her when Burberry floats. Some argue it is a price worth paying, but the package will inevitably raise questions about excessive executive rewards. </p><p>When Bravo was poached from US department store Saks Fifth Avenue in 1997, Burberry was estimated to be worth just &pound;200m. Now it is worth more than &pound;1bn, with &pound;500m annual sales. Bravo is credited with revamping the brand, now worn by the likes of Madonna and supermodel Kate Moss. </p><p>GUS chief executive John Peace will today defend the award and announce the price range for Burberry shares. The retailer, which also owns Argos, is floating about 25% of Burberry. It is valued at &pound;1.2bn to &pound;1.5bn, though analysts reckon it will be priced at the lower end of the range. </p><p>Bravo gets a large chunk of shares immediately, but her option award will be based around a longterm incentive plan which depends on the performance of the group. </p><p></p>?British luxury brand Burberry to terminate tie-up with Inter Parfums as it seeks more profitable relationships<p> By </p><p>PUBLISHED:20:56 GMT, 27 July 2012 UPDATED:08:34 GMT, 28 July 2012</p><p>British luxury brand Burberry will terminate its tie-up with French fragrance-maker Inter Parfums as it seeks more profitable relationships.<br></p><p>The group, best known for its trademark camel, red and black check pattern and raincoats, yesterday said it had ended talks after failing to agree new terms.<br></p><p> &#8216;Burberry continues to pursue various strategic options to develop fully its fragrance and beauty business in the future,&#8217; Burberry said.</p><p>A week ago the company marked its tenth anniversary on the London Stock Exchange, a decade which has seen its market value leap from ¡ò1.2bn to ¡ò5.6bn &#8211; larger than Marks &amp; Spencer.<br></p><p>Analysts say Burberry (up 6p to 1284p) aims to boost its fragrance and make-up business by developing new products, strengthening control over its brand and enhancing profits.<br></p><p>The group is still a minor player in the fragrance business, which is estimated to be worth only about 2 per cent of its sales.<br></p><p>But perfumes and cosmetics accounted for around 21 per cent of the &#8364;191bn global luxury market in 2011, according to estimates by consultancy Bain &amp; Co and industry body Altagamma.</p><p> </p>?Buoyant Burberry beats forecasts<p>By <br>UPDATED:00:00 GMT, 16 November 2004</p><p></p><p>LUXURY goods group Burberry topped analysts' expectations with an 18% increase in underlying profits to &pound;78.8m over the first half and a big increase in the dividend. </p><p>The group, headed by chief executive Rose Marie Bravo, is also planning to buy back up to &pound;250m shares. </p><p>Its shares responded with a 22p surge to 417p. Womenswear did particularly well, with underlying sales ahead by 18%, and the new Brit fragrance for men also had a successful launch. </p><p>But the group sounded a warning note about the current-state of the retail market. Finance director Stacey Cartright said 'There has been some softness on the retail side, particularly in the United States.'</p><p>She added: 'We are outerwear-dominated, so the mild weather has not been particularly kind to us.'</p><p>Based on this subdued demand, Burberry said it is 'planning retail sales conservatively for the second half'.</p><p>Total sales were ahead by 14%, at &pound;347m and the interim dividend is raised by 33% to 2p. </p><p>A big beneficiary will be retail conglomerate GUS, which holds a 66% stake. </p><p></p>?Buoyant Burberry looking to grow<p>By <br>UPDATED:23:00 GMT, 14 April 2003</p><p></p><p>BURBERRY's underlying retail sales have soared by 30% over the winter half-year, the luxury goods group reported, though the gloss came off the figures after it warned of the effects of the Iraq war and the deadly flu virus Sars. </p><p>The growth figure for its fourth quarter, the three months to the end of March, indicated slowing sales as it came in at 28%. 'During March, various factors increasingly affected performance, particularly in the UK and Hong Kong markets,' the company said. </p><p>The company, which floated last summer, said underlying sales climbed 15% in the six months ended March, with total revenues ahead 30%. </p><p>After opening seven new stores in the past six months, Burberry aims to open another eight this year, including in the fashion capital of the world Milan. The shares rose 15p to 247p. </p>?Burberry beats forecasts with 24% first-quarter growth<p><br>UPDATED:08:17 GMT, 13 July 2010</p><p>Luxury group Burberry beat forecasts with a 24 per cent rise in first-quarter underlying revenue, helped by a bringing forward of wholesale orders and strong demand for outerwear and accessories.<br></p><p>The 154-year-old maker of raincoats and handbags said it made ¡ò282million of revenue, excluding a restructuring at its Spanish arm, in the three months ended June, led by growth in Asia and the rest of Europe.<br></p><p>That compares with an average forecast of ¡ò263million in a Reuters poll of eight analysts.<br></p><br><p>Sales at the group's retail outlets rose an underlying 16 per cent,including a 10 per cent increase at shops open at least a year, whilewholesale revenue leapt an underlying 46 per cent, helped by a pullforward of orders into the first quarter.<br></p><p>Burburry, bestknown for its camel, red and black check pattern, said it was keepingits guidance for a high-teens percentage increase in first-halfunderlying wholesale sales.</p><p></p><p>Luxury goods firms mostly enjoyeda strong start to 2010 as the world economy moved out of recession. Butmoves in several countries to rein in government borrowing, like highertaxes and public spending cuts, have raised fears demand will slowagain.<br></p><p>Burberry weathered the recession better than manyrivals thanks to a quick response which saw it cut costs, jobs, stocksand ranges. In May it announced plans to step up its expansion, with afocus on emerging markets, e-commerce and menswear.<br></p><p>Burberryshares have beaten the STOXX 600 personal goods sector by 25 per centthis year. They closed on Monday at 789.5 pence, valuing the businessat about ¡ò3.5billion.</p><p> </p>?Burberry: 'Float is still on track'<p>By <br>UPDATED:23:00 GMT, 10 July 2002</p><p></p><p>FASHION house Burberry is seeking to dispel fears that it could pull its float on the London Stock Exchange, scheduled for Friday. A spokeswoman said: 'Nothing's changed. The float is still on track.'</p><p>Earlier reports, citing banking sources, said parent GUS could drop the plan if markets kept falling. The retailer wants to float 25% of Burberry, valuing the business at &#163;1.14bn to &#163;1.45bn. </p><p>Brokers Tullett & Tokyo quoted a grey market spread of 239p to 244p for the shares, down from Wednesday's spread of 242p-248p and compared with the indicative price range for the float of 230p-290p.</p><p>The Burberry listing has taken centre stage after several other market hopefuls pulled their plans to float, blaming turbulent markets. SAB Miller, the world's number two brewer, late on Wednesday shelved a share sale to raise about &#163;614m, within hours of unveiling the plan. Irish drinks and snacks firm C&C pulled its float on Monday.</p><p></p>?Trench coats boost for Burberry as movie stars helped attract younger shoppers<p>By <br>UPDATED:07:52 GMT, 19 January 2011</p><p></p><p>A raft of star-studded celebrity backers including actress Gwyneth Paltrow have helped luxury fashion group Burberry boost trading over the key Christmas period, writes Rupert Steiner. </p><p>Endorsements by movie stars helped attract a younger, more aspirational shopper to the 155-year-old firm, which saw underlying sales rise a hefty 14 per cent over the three months to December 31. </p><p>The shares rose 5 per cent after finance director Stacey Cartwright said full-year profits, which analysts forecast at between ¡ò254million and ¡ò291million, would be at the higher end of expectations. </p><p></p><p>Burberry (up 56p to 1115p) has benefited from wealthy tourists splashing out on its trademark camel, red and black check trench coats, boosting total revenues to ¡ò480million from ¡ò380million for the period, and is aiming for continued success with its spring collection, pictured. <br></p><p></p><p>It follows Cartier owner Richemont and France's LVMH in posting stellar festive sales. Cartwright added: 'We are seeing an influx of newglobal luxury consumers in India and the Middle East which counters anyissues in the traditional core market.' </p><p> </p>?Burberry a star for upbeat GUS<p>By <br>UPDATED:23:00 GMT, 10 April 2001</p><p></p><p>BURBERRY, the luxury goods brand best known for its plaid-lined raincoats, continues to pile up spectacular sales gains ahead of its &pound;1bn-plus flotation.</p><p>The business, part of Great Universal Stores, raised its underlying sales by 41% in the second half of the year, with significant growth reported on the wholesale and retail side. </p><p>Burberry was the best-performer in the GUS empire, which ranges from the Argos retail chain to Kay's and Great Universal home shopping catalogues. By far the biggest part of the group, however, is its Experian credit-checking business, which accounts for 40% of profits. </p><p>Experian's progress cheered GUS followers, sending the shares up 43p to 490p. Experian's operations in North America alone account for more than a quarter of GUS's profit and there have been fears about the impact of the US slowdown on the business. </p><p>But GUS said that while the outlook for the US economy remains uncertain, sales at Experian North America had continued to grow in the second half after a better fourth quarter last year. </p><p>Worldwide, Experian sales were ahead by 7%, including a 4% rise in North America, where the group said business was boosted by strong demand for credit reports related to mortgage financing. British sales jumped by 14%. </p><p>Argos pushed like-for-like sales up by 6%, reporting particularly strong sales of mobile phones, furniture and jewellery. Margins also remained firm. In home shopping, sales were down 5%, which GUS said was in line with its plan to reduce the business. Sales per customer increased as the group continued to target more profitable customers. </p><p>GUS has previously indicated that it would float around 25% of Burberry by summer 2002, raising more than &#163;250m for the company.</p><p>Finance director David Tyler dismissed some analysts' fears that the Burberry brand may be fast moving past its peak, damaged by a horde of downmarket imitations. 'Plaid is only one very small part of the Burberry offer,' he said. 'It is less than 20% of what we sell and we are not unduly concerned. Imitation is the price of success.' </p><p>Results for the year to 31 March will be released by GUS on 5 June and the group also promises further news on the Burberry flotation plans. </p><p></p>?Burberry and Argos boost GUS<p>By <br>UPDATED:23:00 GMT, 25 July 2000</p><p></p><p>Burberry continues its remarkable renaissance with sales of the luxury goods business well ahead over the first quarter. Parent company Great Universal Stores also highlighted continued double-digit like-for-like growth for Argos, at 12%, and said margins at the catalogue showrooms chain had also risen. </p><p>GUS's biggest profits contributor, the financial information business Experian, staged a recovery over the first quarter after last year's disappointing performance, while the group's traditional mail order operation saw sales slide by 6%. GUS said the decline reflects continued weakness in the clothing market together with the planned reduction in spending on customer recruitment. </p><p>Overall, the group says, trading for the three-month period is broadly in line with market expectations. </p><p></p>?Burberry and Bailey unveil the thorn birds<p>Last updated at 10:53 14 June 2007</p><br><p>They are the new English roses - only these girls havethorns.</p><p>British models Agyness Deyn, Lily Donaldson, Kiera Gormley andGeorgia Frost have been chosen to front Burberry's newautumn/winter advertising campaign. The results are seen hereexclusively.</p><p>While the models' complexions are pure English rose, theirthorniness derives from the clothes they are parading - thetoughest, sexiest collection to date from erstwhile romanticChristopher Bailey.</p><p>Scroll down for more</p><p>Yorkshireman Bailey has had a long love affair with prim Englishdressing, but for autumn he has traded Princess Margaret for Queen- not our monarch but the rock group.</p><p></p><p>One image is reminiscent of the cover for their 1974 album,Queen II, featuring the four band members' heads on a blackbackground.</p><p>The edgy Burberry pictures, photographed by Mario Testino, arewell suited to the rock-inspired spirit of the campaign, which alsofeatures members of modern bands such as The Paddingtons, The Viewand Larrikin Love and singer-songwriter Patrick Wolf.</p><p>However, it is the pale blonde duo of Donaldson and Deyn thatdraws the eye.</p><p>Both models were featured on the cover of last month's AmericanVogue as two of the influential magazine's 10 most promising modelsof the year.</p><p>The Burberry campaign-one of the most prestigious in the fashionindustry, is likely to cement their reputations.</p><p>Also featured is the new "It" bag for autumn, the Knight, socalled because of its studded, rugged appearance.</p><p>Made of soft nappa leather, it will cost &pound;1,595.</p><p>That may sound expensive, but its predecessor, this season'sManor bag, was sold out within weeks.</p><p>A regular Burberry fixture who does not appear this time is KateMoss. But Bailey insisted her absence was entirely innocent.</p><p>He said: "Although she doesn't feature in every advertisingcampaign, she remains part of the Burberry family."</p>Share this article: <p> </p>?Feisty Adele is just the girl to get Burberry back on song<p> By </p><p>PUBLISHED:00:56 GMT, 16 September 2012 UPDATED:06:57 GMT, 17 September 2012</p><br><p>Singer Adele may be looking forward to the birth of her first child later this month but she&#8217;s already got a new project lined up &#8211; working with Burberry.</p><p> Fashionistas say that Burberry chief Christopher Bailey has approached the Someone Like You singer, offering her the chance to take on a role with the British fashion house.</p><p>This could give Burberry a boost after last week&#8217;s profits warning saw about ¡ò1.3&#8201;billion wiped off its stock market value.</p><p>Bailey &#8211; credited with reinventing a brand that was once linked to &#8216;chav culture&#8217; &#8211; personally wrote to Adele, above, at the start of the year, inviting her to visit his studio, and she has since been working with the firm.</p><p>He is said to be keen for the award-winning singer to take on a consultative role and, along with her stylist Gaelle Paul, create bespoke designs that reflect her position as an ambassador for stylish, curvy women. <br></p><p>&#8216;Adele has always had an interest in fashion and Christopher is keen to get her involved because she knows exactly what suits her and likes to be involved in the creative process,&#8217; says an insider.</p><p>&#8216;He invited her to come to the studio with Gaelle Paul and together they collaborated on creating dresses for the awards season with her.</p><p>&#8216;Adele was hands-on with her dress for the Brits, and she did the same for her gown at the Grammys. There could well be a plus-size collaboration in the future.&#8217;</p><p>Bailey is also seeking Adele&#8217;s backing for the Burberry Acoustic project, which seeks to showcase young British music talent.</p><p>Burberry said: &#8216;It is a private matter that we wouldn&#8217;t comment on.&#8217; </p><p>A spokesman for Adele declined to comment.</p><p>Meanwhile, the Burberry Prorsum dress worn by Samantha Cameron to last year&#8217;s Royal Wedding has popped up on eBay. <br></p><p>The silk teal gown, which was praised by fashion critics, is being sold in aid of Save the Children. <br></p><p>&#8216;I love the dress and am thrilled to donate it to Save the Children&#8217;s Born To Shop auction,&#8217; said Samantha, a British Fashion Council ambassador. <br></p><p>The first bid, placed yesterday, was for just ¡ò12.99 &#8211; let&#8217;s hope bidders get more generous over the next few days!</p><p>Milliner to the stars Philip Treacy will make his catwalk comeback tonight after a ten-year hiatus. <br></p><p>Philip &#8211; the go-to &#8216;hatter&#8217; for royalty and celebrities &#8211; managed to bag all of fashion&#8217;s biggest stars &#8211; Naomi Campbell, Yasmin Le Bon, Kate Moss, Stella Tennant and Christy Turlington &#8211; for his debut in 1993, so big things are predicted for tonight&#8217;s London Fashion Week show at the Royal Courts of Justice in The Strand. <br></p><p>I&#8217;m told Grace Jones, Bryan Ferry, Boy George and Duran Duran will all be at the show and that there will be a few musical surprises in store. <br></p><p>Irishman Treacy, 45, has had a busy few years culminating in his transition into a Royal milliner, although the &#8216;pretzel hat&#8217; he made for Princess Beatrice at last year&#8217;s Royal Wedding wasn&#8217;t well received.</p><p>Wheelchair athlete David Weir received help from an unlikely source on his way to Paralympic glory &#8211; fashion mogul Sir Philip Green. <br></p><p>The 33-year-old, who won four gold medals at London 2012, has received private funding from the Topshop boss since a friend of Sir Philip saw him training in Richmond Park four years ago. <br></p><p>A spokesman for Sir Philip said: &#8216;He was delighted to help. He saw David last Thursday and will continue to keep in close touch with him.&#8217;<br></p>?Burberry axes up to 290 to guard profits<p>By <br>UPDATED:11:55 GMT, 20 January 2009</p><p></p><p>Fashion house Burberry today said it is axeing up to 290 UK jobs to protect profits. </p><p>The luxury goods group is closing its sewing factory in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, as demand sinks for its traditional trench coats. Operations will now be focused on its plant in Castleford, West Yorkshire. </p><p>Burberry, famed for its check design, was locked in a row with unions in 2007 when it decided to shut its poloshirt factory in South Wales. </p><p>Burberry said like-for-like retail sales fell 3% in the final three months of 2008 but total revenues rose 9% to &pound;329m, boosted by heavy discounting in December and an influx of tourists into its London stores, tempted by the weak pound. </p><p>'In a difficult and volatile environment, our performance has been very satisfactory, with menswear and childrenswear doing particularly well,' chief financial officer Stacey Cartwright said. </p><p>Burberry forecasts a decline in the 'high single digits' in revenue at its wholesale arm in the second half of the year as US stores reduce orders.</p>?Burberry baby Mason Disick enjoys designer-clad park date with his parents<br><p> By <br>UPDATED:13:43 GMT, 22 September 2011</p><p></p><p>Most of his famous family have tried their hand at modelling, with the youngest Kardashians Kendall and Kylie set to take the modelling world by storm.</p><p>However 21-month-old Mason, the son of Kourtney Kardashian and Scott Disick, looked ready to give the girls a run for their money when he went to the park with his parents today.</p><p>He wore a checked baby Burberry jumper and some blue pinstripe trousers, along with a pair of tan leathermoccasins, for the family day out.</p><p> </p><p>He accessorised the adorable look with a pair of white-rimmed baby sunglasses, which he sported to cover up his recent injuries after a fall left the toddler with a bandage on his nose and one above his eyebrow.</p><p></p><p>Kourtney, 28, had something of an overreaction when she whisked son Mason off to a plastic surgeon after he bumped his nose.<br></p><p>And worried that he may injure himself further, she has since been seen carrying the energetic toddler around.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p>But today as they filmed an episode for Keeping Up With The Kardashians, stylish Mason was living the life of a normal toddler as he played in the park.</p><p>Kourtney and husband Scott, 28, took Mason for a stroll and the little boy appeared to be good as new as he raced his mother down a double slide in the playground.</p><p>Meanwhile his mother wore a casual ensemble of cream knitted jumper, black leggings and brown and black riding boots.</p><p>But the reality star managed to make the look glamorous with lashings of red lipstick and her brunette locks slicked back in a plait.</p><p> </p><p>The family spent the morning filming for the show in New York.<br></p><p>Kourtneyrushed Mason to the surgery after his fall and kept a blanket covering him when she left her hotel and was snapped by photographers.</p><p>But the reaction appeared to be slightly over-dramatic and Mason needed no more than a bandage.<br></p><p>His parents were back on schedule later on in the day as they stepped out for a romantic dinner date.</p><p></p><p> </p><p> <br></p>?Burberry bags itself a hefty rise in profits<p>By <br>UPDATED:10:31 GMT, 26 May 2011</p><p></p><p>The enduring popularity of Burberry handbags and the fashion house&#39;s allure for Chinese shoppers spurred a 39% rise in annual earnings.</p><p>The luxury goods giant posted an underlying pre-tax profit of ¡ò298m for the year to March 31. Revenue increased 27% to ¡ò1.5bn, and the full-year dividend was hiked 43% to 20p.</p><p>The 155-year-old maker of raincoats revealed sales of its non-apparel goods, such as handbags, jewellery and shoes, grew 35% in the year.</p><p>The firm said its focus on non-apparel had paid off as the sector accounted for nearly half the group's sales growth.</p><p>Burberry and the luxury sector have experienced a more rapid recovery than the rest of the retail industry, as sales are driven up by demand from Chinese shoppers and tourists.</p><p>The company's underlying retail sales increased by 32% in the year, of which 12% was driven by China, where the group has 57 stores.</p><p>Chief executive Angela Ahrendts hailed the strong operational and financial progress achieved during the year.</p><p>&#39;While mindful of global macro challenges in the current year, we will continue to invest to drive growth across our portfolio by channel, region and product,&#39; she said.</p><p>New store openings were focused on emerging markets, which make up 16% of retail and wholesale revenues, including India, Brazil and Mexico.</p><p>The group has accelerated its store growth in the last year - mainly in China and emerging markets - and it has 174 mainline stores, 199 concessions in department stores and 44 outlets.</p><p>Shares in Burberry were down 39p at 1,281p in trading today.</p><p>View from the City</p><p>Kate Calvert, retail analyst at Seymour Pierce, said Burberry operated in a market place with strong long-term growth opportunities.</p><p>She added: &#39;We expect it to deliver continued outperformance relative to its peers.&#39;</p><p>Broker Dolmen Securities noted that growth was quite strong across all of the group&#39;s regions, with Asia Pacific particularly strong. </p><p>&#39;Those invested in the luxury goods sector should also take comfort this morning from Ms Ahrendt&#39;s comments that she sees a modest improvement in the group&#39;s full year operating margin, which is in contrast to Ralph Lauren&#39;s margin warning yesterday,&#39; it commented.</p><p>Analysts at asset manager Investec said the results were slightly better than they forecast given Spanish losses were lower than expected.</p><p>&#39;After a strong run the shares may pause for breath, but we remain buyers for the sustainable growth story,&#39; they said.</p>?Burberry benefits from the Kate Moss effect<p>Last updated at 13:50 11 October 2006</p><br><p>Burberry became the latest fashion house to benefit from theKate Moss effect today after sales of the luxury handbags shemodels soared.</p><p>The London-based firm said retail sales lifted 23 per cent inthe first half of the year amid "extraordinary" demand for its newrange of handbags.</p><p>See also...<br><br></p><p>Among the most popular was the &pound;750 Manor Handbag carriedby Moss in a high profile advertising campaign which also featuredfellow Burberry supermodel Stella Tennant.</p><p>It came just a year after Moss was ditched from an advertisingcampaign by Burberry following allegations that she snortedcocaine.</p><p>Today the company said Moss was an "icon" and insisted she wasalways "part of the Burberry family" as it posted a 10% rise intotal sales to &pound;392 million for the first half of theyear.</p><p>Burberry, famous for its camel, red and black check, said it wasalso boosted by the clamour surrounding its 150th anniversary.</p><p>Chief executive Angela Ahrendts said: "Continued strength inouterwear and womenswear, as well as the extraordinary consumerresponse to the launch of the Burberry Icons Collection of luxuryhandbags, have fuelled excellent retail performance acrossmarkets.</p><p>"Our distinctive 150th year advertising campaign andunprecedented editorial coverage contributed to the salesmomentum.</p><p>"As a whole, performance in the first half is consistent withexpectations for the full financial year."</p><p>Alongside soaring sales at its 300-plus stores and concessionsaround the world, including in New Bond Street, Regent Street andKnightsbridge in London, wholesale revenues lifted 1 per cent inthe six months to the end of September.</p><p>It sent shares up 5% to a record high today.</p>Share this article: <p> </p>?Burberry blazes a pink trail<p>By and and <br>UPDATED:23:00 GMT, 24 May 2004</p><p></p><p>THE great ambition among British upmarket retailers these days is to do a Burberry. You take an old-fashioned British brand, inject it with some design razzmatazz - and bingo, you have a success story. </p><p>If only it were as easy as that. But one suspects Belinda Earl is going to find out at Jaeger that it is far more complicated. </p><p>Burberry's great success under Rose Marie Bravo, the best rewarded woman in British business, is that she proceeds cautiously. </p><p>The radical chic of Burberry stores, from Berlin to Tokyo, has been built around its traditional strengths of quality and outerwear. It is on this base that flair, design, colour and fashion have been added. As a result, it has become one of the most desirable luxury brands in the world. </p><p>With the opening of new frontiers to riches, from Moscow to Beijing, Burberry has been quick to cash in. But it is careful to partner local companies and share the very generous margins, rather than take on too much of the risk itself. </p><p>The formula, which delivered a big advance in profits this year and a 50% lift in the dividend, was based around pink and pastels, a far cry from the dull but staple fawn Burberry check-lined raincoat. </p><p>Somehow Bravo and her team have convinced the fashionable that they need not just one Burberry coat, but several in different colours, and some coatstyle dresses to complete the ensemble. The careful branding has also been usefully passed down through accessories from umbrellas, delicately decorated with flowers, to perfumes. </p><p>Menswear has been a little more tricky but is starting to get the Bravo makeover with the launch of Burberry Brit for men. One of the advantages that Burberry has over its rivals is that it still sources heavily in Britain, with some work done in Italy, which provides consumers with a traditional assurance of quality. </p><p>The capital spend will continue at &pound; 40m to &pound; 50m in the next financial year, demonstrating a belief in the long term by the Burberry board and its main shareholder GUS. </p><p>In any fashion business maintaining momentum, after a splendid year, is difficult. Bravo appears as confident as ever, even introducing the cropped trench coat for the new global warming age. Who knows what the next trick will be? </p><p>Caz choice</p><p>ONE institution having difficulty adapting to modern times is blueblooded stockbroker Cazenove. The 180-year- old broker, which represents many of Britain's top Footsie companies, is struggling since it converted from partnership to corporation. </p><p>The change was seen as essential-so that it could properly pay its staff. But as an investment bank it is struggling to make waves. </p><p>The advice of chairman David Mayhew, 64, is still sought in the City on critical transactions. In fact, Caz was the first financial institution to show Conrad Black the door after it felt it had been let down over a share placement. </p><p>But in the world of the bulgebracket investment banks, Caz is a minnow. The choices it faces are to go ahead with an independent float, valuing it at &pound;800m or so, or to sell itself to one of the big boys. </p><p>The history of merchant banks taken over by international giants is not a happy one. After the initial burst of enthusiasm the accountants, compliance officers and marketing men eventually get the better of the enterprise and the culture is quickly gobbled up. </p><p>That is certainly the case for a range of great British financial names from Flemings to Kleinwort Benson. </p><p>Can Cazenove survive as a free- standing broker? There is no reason why not. Other less illustrious names like Close Brothers have done precisely that. </p><p>In the case of Close, the trick has been to run its businesses as separate independent enterprises and not to be tempted into believing that clients of, say Winterflood, its broking arm, are necessarily going to be corporate advice customers. </p><p>Independence is a far more attractive option than subservience. </p><p>Vanishing reserves</p><p>CAN anyone be sure of Shell? The blue-chip oil giant has been forced to cut its oil reserve levels for the fourth time this year as it has come under pressure from regulators and auditors to clean up its accounts. </p><p>As a result, the company has had to jettison several key executives, including former chairman Sir Phil Watts, has lost its 'triple A' topgrade investment rating, and suffered enormous reputational damage. </p><p>If it wants to salvage its reputation, it has no time to lose in unifying and streamlining its British and Dutch boards. </p><p></p>?Burberry booming in the Far East and outlets expected to grow<p> By <br>UPDATED:00:05 GMT, 18 January 2012</p><p>Burberry, best known for its posh raincoats and handbags, is cashing in on the boom for its pricey wares in China.<br></p><p>Sales in Asia Pacific &#8211; most of which are in China, Hong Kong and Taiwan &#8211; grew by 36 per cent in the final three months of last year, said Burberry yesterday.<br></p><p>Asia Pacific now accounts for well over a third of group sales. The company expects its number of outlets in the region to rise from 60 to 100 within five years and the average size of outlets will double. Burberry predicts it will see continuing increases in like-for-like sales.</p><p>Even in crisis-torn Europe, the rich are continuing to splash out on Burberry&#8217;s goods: sales were up by an underlying 20per cent.</p><p>Burberry, which has recently signed model Cara Delevingne (pictured above) for its summer advertising campaign, said its global sales grew by more than a fifth in the final quarter of the year to reach ¡ò574m.<br></p><p>The only area of the world to see sluggish growth was the Americas, where sales rose only 4 per cent. <br></p><p>But Burberry said that was because it had stopped supplying discount department stores. Burberry shares edged up 1p to 1301p.</p><p> </p>?Burberry boosted by China and Europe<p>By <br>UPDATED:09:19 GMT, 15 October 2009</p><p></p><p>Chinese and European tourists taking advantage of the low pound have boosted Burberry's UK sales. </p><p>The luxury fashion group, famed for its check trench coats, says people are still shopping but are being more discerning about purchases. </p><p>Its shares, which have had a stellar run recently, rose a further 28.5p to 565.5p after it posted a better-than-expected second-quarter performance. </p><p>Total underlying global revenues were down 5% to &pound;343m, hit by a drop in wholesale volumes. Underlying retail revenues rose 5% with a double digit rise in Europe and Asia. </p><p>The Daily Mail City team looks at how the snood - a cross between a scarf and a hood - is driving sales at the likes of Burberry.</p><p>Pardon? </p><p>Think fashion not finance. A snood is a cross between a scarf and a hood. A tubular item, it looks rather like a balaclava without the face hole.</p><p>Traditionally favoured by women trying to protect long hair, a snood can be pulled over the head like a hood, or pushed down around the neck like a scarf that can't come undone.</p><p>A throwback to the '80s?</p><p>Snoods were rather popular among teenagers of 20 years ago. In garish pink or bright jade, they made sure the wearer was always visible after dark, even if they didn't flatter the skin tone.</p><p>But snoods are actually far older than this. The word was widely used in the Middle Ages for cloth or net head coverings.</p><p>Crocheted snoods were popular in the 1940s and '50s to keep women's hair in place while they went about their work.</p><p>Snoods are also popular with Orthodox Jewish women.</p><p>And now? </p><p></p><p>Snoods are making a comeback, albeit on a far grander scale. Luxury goods group Burberry says bumper turnover of snoods and leather handbags is driving sales. But its 'pull on scarves' are nothing like the ¡ò5 snoods found on market stalls in the 1980s.</p><p>These luxury wool and cashmere items, complete with trademark Burberry check, go for ¡ò175 a pop. If you are short of cash, just knit a short fat scarf and sew the two ends together.</p><p></p>?Burberry boss Angela Ahrendts bags big salary and bonus<br><p> By </p><p>PUBLISHED:21:09 GMT, 8 June 2012 UPDATED:09:40 GMT, 9 June 2012</p><p>Angela Ahrendts, the chief executive of Burberry, received a total of ¡ò16million last year in pay, bonuses and long-term incentive schemes that bore fruit in 2011. <br></p><p>She is one of the best-rewarded female bosses in the UK thanks to the stellar performance of the luxury group. <br></p><p>Burberry, famous for its distinctive red, black and beige check, has been one of the best performers in the FTSE 100 under her leadership.</p><p>Ahrendts received a package for 2011-12 that added up to ¡ò3.7million, including a salary of ¡ò990,000, a ¡ò255,000 pension supplement and ¡ò76,000 of benefits. <br></p><p>She receives a five-figure annual clothing allowance &#8211; ¡ò25,000 in 2009, the latest figure available &#8211; plusa hefty staff discount on her purchases from Burberry to help maintain her polished appearance as a global ambassador for the brand. She reinvests her bonus in the business each year.</p><p></p><p>In addition, during 2011 she received ¡ò12.3million of shares and dividends from a Co-Investment Plan awarded in 2008 and an Exceptional Performance Plan awarded in 2007. <br></p><p>Burberry said that under her leadership the company produced &#8216;exceptional returns&#8217; for shareholders in a period of economic turbulence. It added that last year Burberry delivered record revenue and profit, along with job creation in the UK and abroad.</p><p>Michael Spencer, the boss of currency dealer Icap, which suffered a stinging pay rebellion last year, enjoyed a pay and bonus package for last year of ¡ò5.5million and also gained access to shares worth ¡ò4.2million from previous incentive plans, taking the total during 2011 to ¡ò9.7million.</p><p>Spencer&#8217;s pay and bonus deal was reduced by 27 per cent from ¡ò7.6millionlast year. The company has overhauled this year&#8217;s pay scheme after shareholders urged the company to link pay more closely to performance. <br></p><p>According to Icap&#8217;s annual report, directors will face &#8216;higher hurdles&#8217; to reach the criteria for their bonus, with the targets rising each year. <br></p><p>The chief executive of credit checking firm Experian took home a total of ¡ò9.1million from his 2011 package plus incentives maturing last year.</p><p>Don Roberts was awarded a basic salary of ¡ò973,000 and received a bonusof ¡ò1,9million, which he will take in company shares.He also has a company car and petrol allowance, as well as healthcare and life insurance worth a total of ¡ò285,000, including a housing allowance of ¡ò250,000. <br></p><p>Three long-term plans from 2004, 2005and 2006 paid out during the year &#8211; netting him a further ¡ò6million, and taking his haul to ¡ò9.4million.</p><p> </p>?INVESTMENT EXTRA: Burberry boss Angela Ahrendts snaps up shares after 20% plunge<br><p> By </p><p>PUBLISHED:20:51 GMT, 14 September 2012 UPDATED:09:20 GMT, 17 September 2012</p><p>Burberry issued a profits warning this week which immediately knocked over 20 per cent off the value of its shares. <br></p><p>But this led to an interesting response from the luxury goods retailer&#8217;s chief executive, Angela Ahrendts. <br></p><p>She immediately showed her continuing confidence in Burberry by acquiring ¡ò543,000-worth of shares in the group. <br></p><p>A number of other directors bought with her.<br></p><p>Ahrendts has been chief executive of Burberry since 2006. She is reported to have earned a total of ¡ò15.6m last year in salary, bonus, cashing in shares and her clothes allowance. </p><p>The luxury goods giant has enjoyed a sustained period of growth despite the economic downturn. <br></p><p>It blamed this week&#8217;s earnings alert on fewer of its wealthy customers travelling abroad on shopping trips, uncertainty over the eurozone debt crisis knocking consumer confidence and the rich in China spending less as export-led Asian economies slow down due to contracting demand.</p><p></p><br><p> </p>?Burberry boss feels the heat over success of turn-around plan<p> By </p><p>PUBLISHED:21:06 GMT, 5 October 2012 UPDATED:11:33 GMT, 6 October 2012</p><p>Burberry boss Angela Ahrendts is under pressure to set out a series of new initiatives aimed at reversing the fortunes of the luxury fashion chain when she updates on trading next week. <br></p><p>The firm issued a surprise profit warning last month.</p><p>Investors will want reassurance sales have picked up or details of Ahrendts&#8217; self-help plan.</p><p>The American had blamed fewer wealthy customers travelling abroad, and the eurozone crisis denting consumer confidence, for flat sales over the 10 weeks to September 8. <br></p><p>But shoppers appeared to have made it through the doors of rival Hermes, which beat first half forecasts last weekend. </p><p>Burberry admitted trading conditions were &#8216;becoming more challenging&#8217; but it is too early to tell whether theproblems are industry wide or company specific.</p><p><br></p><p> </p>?October 2012Prize valueWinning bond No.Area¡ò1,000,000176ND537520Overseas ¡ò100,000190YL731192Dudley ¡ò100,00086ZY785587West Sussex ¡ò100,000186AQ461669Derbyshire ¡ò100,000183SA844038Sheffield ¡ò100,0005EJ713506Northern Ireland ¡ò50,000189HA961605Bradford ¡ò50,00017QC030688Nottingham ¡ò50,000150ZZ067504Hertfordshire ¡ò50,000126RT689109Southampton ¡ò50,000111CA212785Greater Manchester ¡ò50,00024JC837905Edinburgh ¡ò50,000110ZL786330Kent ¡ò50,000147QP328139Cumbria?Burberry braves tough trading<p>By <br>UPDATED:23:00 GMT, 13 October 2002</p><p></p><p>LUXURY goods group Burberry reported continued sales growth over the second quarter, pushing underlying sales ahead by 9% over the six months ended September. Retail sales, which account for just under a third of the group total, rose 17%, or around 8% like-for-like. </p><p>'These results were particularly notable given the trading conditions,' said chief executive Rose Marie Bravo, although she cautioned that the trading environment remains uncertain. The figures were at the top end of analysts' expectations and compare with underlying growth of 5% in the first three months. </p><p>Burberry opened five new stores in the first half. It will open or replace eight in the second half, including a new store in London's Knightsbridge. </p><p>The group, famous for its beige check, floated on the stock market in July, at 230p, but swiftly fell to a discount and its shares are currently trading at 209p, up 9p. This values the business, in which GUS retains a 77.5% stake, at just over &pound;1bn and Bravo's stake at just over &pound;10m. </p>?Burberry buoyed by strong trading<p>By <br>UPDATED:12:49 GMT, 21 April 2009</p><p></p><p>Sales at fashion chain Burberry showed no signs of wilting in the recession today after the luxury retailer reported improved trading so far this year.</p><p>The group said store-based sales, which account for nearly 60% of its business, were up 3% on a like-for-like basis in the three months to March 31, compared with the fall of 3% seen in the previous quarter.</p><p>Though still challenging, Burberry said its markets in the United States, Europe and Spain all performed better, with operations in Korea and the UK posting 'exceptional' performances in the period.</p><p>With the company also on track to deliver ¡ò50m of annual cost savings, Burberry said it expected results for the 2008/09 financial year to be around the middle of the current range of market estimates.</p><p>Chief executive Angela Ahrendts said: 'Burberry made good progress in the second half.'Shares rose by more than 1% following today's update.</p><p>Burberry said non-clothing ranges delivered the strongest growth, while a move into childrenswear continued to go well after the opening of five trial stores - in the US, the Middle East and one in Notting Hill, London.</p><p>The better performance in retail was offset by second half declines in wholesale and licensing revenues, down 11% and 13% respectively. Burberry said the drop in wholesale business was partly due to conservative inventory management by department stores.</p><p>Numis Securities said the two figures were slightly weaker than expectations and highlighted the tough trading conditions facing the group.</p><p>Analyst Nick Coulter added: 'This release will reassure and offers some evidence that consumer resilience is not confined to the UK. However, we remain extremely cautious on the outlook for the global luxury goods market in 2009/10.'</p><p>Numis raised its forecast for full-year profits to ¡ò174m, with a similar figure expected for the following financial period. </p>?Burberry's talented new models Gabriella Wilde and Roo Panes spark Facebook and Twitter storm with new multi-media campaign<br><p> By </p><p>PUBLISHED:15:02 GMT, 4 July 2012 UPDATED:15:53 GMT, 4 July 2012</p><br><p>It is the social networking world's favourite fashion brand. With 13 million 'likes' on Facebook and well over a million followers on Twitter, Burberry has made the transition from heritage brand to multimedia hero with ease. <br></p><p>And today, as Burberry releases its latest autumn/winter campaign via a dozen different social networking sites, complete with video, and a song composed by the hot young musician starring as model, the British brand scores another massive social media win. <br></p><p>For while other brands drag their feet where modern media is concerned, Burberry have jumped in with both.</p><p>This latest campaign has been launched in what is called in the social media world a cross platform experience, with imagery, video and music sent direct to Burberry's fans on platforms including Burberry.com, Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Google+, Instagram, Pinterest, Sina Weibo, Douban,<br>Kaixin001 and Youku. <br></p><p>In social media terms, Burberry is the most popular kid in the class. <br></p><p>Campaign star Roo Panes, who follows in the footsteps of musician and model George Craig and actor Eddie Redmayne as a Burberry face, wrote the accompanying song 'Indigo Blue' exclusively for Burberry - and it has been released on iTunes as the official soundtrack.</p><p>Of course, it helps that the models Burberry choose to front their campaigns are never just pretty faces. While Panes has his musical talent too, hisco-star in the Burberry campaign, Gabriella Wilde, is one of Britain's most sought-after new actresses. <br></p><p></p><p>Born Gabriella Zanna Vanessa Anstruther-Gough-Calthorpe, she is the daughter of businessman John Austen Anstruther-Gough-Calthorpe and Vanessa Mary Theresa Hubbard - a former model who was photographed by David Bailey during her career. <br></p><p>Wilde - whose moniker, as it sounds, was inspired by the legendary Oscar of the same name - starred in her first film St Trinian's 2: The Legend of Fritton's Gold in 2009 at the age of 20, and is set to play one of Hollywood's most coveted roles alongside Chloe Moretz and Julianne Moore in the 2013 remake of classic horror film Carrie.</p><p>Burberry say that this 'innovative digital experience', which allows visitors to explore and purchase from the campaign through short films, imagery and<br>music, will bring the campaign and collections to life every month. <br></p><p>The 'live' campaigns are a continuation of the brand&#8217;s Runway to Reality concept, which has seen consumers able to buy the Autumn/Winter 2012<br>collection directly through the campaign gallery on Burberry.com for the first time. </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> <br></p>?Burberry checks in big sales rise<p>By <br>UPDATED:00:00 GMT, 13 January 2004</p><p></p><p>LUXURY goods group Burberry today reported further double-digit growth in sales, despite a sluggish performance in Britain, and strong consumer response to its spring/summer ranges. </p><p>Chief executive Rose Marie Bravo, Britain's best-paid businesswoman last year, said sales over the fourth quarter to the end of December were ahead 15% on an underlying basis, with the retail arm up 11%.</p><p>On the wholesale side, the group expects high single-digit growth for the spring/summer season, after a 23% jump over the third quarter.</p><p>Bravo pointed out that the figures were achieved against the 'exceptional' numbers seen in the previous year. With healthy order books, the group 'enters the remaining quarter of the year with continued momentum', she added.</p><p>Growth on the retail side was driven by new stores, with only a 'marginal' performance from existing outlets. New stores were opened in Australia, Malaysia, Hong Kong and Singapore.</p><p>The US market remained strong while Korea was resilient in a 'volatile' environment. In Europe, the UK performance reflected the 'sluggish' market while continental Europe continued to gain momentum.</p><p>There was strong growth in licensing, with an underlying sales rise of 18%, although the important Japanese market was static after two years of substantial gains.</p><p>The group did particularly well in fragrances, following the 'outstanding launch' of its Burberry Brit perfume. </p>?YESTERDAY'S FTSE TRADING: Burberry checks into the FTSE<p>By <br>UPDATED:12:38 GMT, 2 September 2009</p><p>It's a big month for Burberry. The 153-year-old British luxury fashion house will be showcasing its spring 2010 Prorsum collection at the 25th anniversary of London Fashion Week on September 22. </p><p>It will be the first time it has shown its collection on home soil, having decided to switch its show from the catwalks of Milan. <br></p><p>But before then, on September 9, chief executive Angela Ahrendts and the rest of her board should be popping pink champagne corks in celebration of the group's first admission to the elite Footsie index since floating on the London Stock Exchange in July 2002.</p><p></p><p>Trendy tracker funds busily bid for stock in anticipationyesterday, chasing the shares up to 502?p before they closed 5.6pbetter at 489?p.<br></p><p>Burberry, whose trademark black-red-tan tartan is known the worldover, has displayed resilience during the recession. Retail hascontinued to see strong double-digit sales growth in Europe, especiallyin the UK, helped by tourist traffic and Asia. The U.S. and Spain hasremained difficult. <br></p><p></p><p>Following first-quarter figures in July, Investec upgraded its2010 pretax profit forecast from a bottom-end-of-the-range ¡ò161millionto ¡ò171million, and from ¡ò185million to ¡ò202million for 2011. <br></p><p>Historically a weak month for equities on both sides of thePond, September began on a dull note. Some profits were taken off thetable following the recent strong summer advance. The FTSE 100 closed 89.20 points down at 4,819.70 and the FTSE 250 197.83 off at 8,619.68. </p><p>Shanghai's 6.7 per cent fall overnight on concerns that lending curbsin China will dampen growth in the world's third largest economy rockedthe boat. Then dealers heard that broker Credit Suisse had reduced itsweighting on the UK equity market to 5 per cent from 15 per cent. </p><p>Wall Street slumped 152 points in the early stages despite aleading survey showed the U.S. manufacturing sector returned to growth inAugust after a prolonged slump. </p><p>Buyers were all over drugs giant AstraZeneca like arash and the shares touched 2930p before closing 16p better at2855?p. They were excited by news that in a clinical trial, Brilinta,its blood thinning pill, had significantly reduced patients' rate ofsuffering a heart attack or dying from cardiovascular problems whencompared with the blockbuster drug Plavix, sold by Sanofi-Avents andBristol-Myers Squibb. Goldman Sachs raised its AZ 12-month target priceto ¡ò30 from ¡ò28. </p><p>Reports of a pending upbeat circular lifted household goods giant Reckitt Benckiser 27p to 2880p. Growing fears that a ¡ò600million rights issue is on the agenda left insurance group RSA down 6?p to 124.4p. </p><p>Renewed buying in anticipation of pleasing half-year figures later this month helped insurer Gable Holdings edgea fraction higher to 10?p. Chief executive Bill Dewsall's strategy isto tap into profitable niche insurance businesses in a number ofEuropean markets. </p><p>Computer games retailer Game Group zapped 4?p higherto 165p amid industry gossip that the price of Nintendo Wii is about tobe reduced to ¡ò149 from ¡ò199. Altium Securities says were it to happen,it would be the third of the three major consoles to cut its price in alittle over a week. </p><p>Hardy Oil &amp; Gas gushed 21p to 362?p afterdrilling the first well on the group's D9 exploration licence. It holdsa 10pc participating interest in D9 which is operated by RelianceIndustries. It is located in Krishna Godavari basin on the East Coastof India. </p><p>Kiwara cheapened 2p to 40p on profit-taking. Sellersmight well rue the day because rumours doing the rounds last nightsuggested a further upbeat resources statement on its Kalumbila copperprospect in Zambia is imminent. </p><p>Canary Wharf's largest landlord Songbird Estates added1p at 34?p. Qatar Holdings, part of the Gulf country's sovereignwealth fund, has said it plans to become its biggest shareholder.Songbird last week revealed plans to sell shares to institutionsincluding Qatar and China Investment Corporation, to repay an¡ò880million loan. </p><p>Demand ahead of today's interims helped K3 Business Technology climb 7p to 92?p. The provider of retail and manufacturing software to Adidas andRymans said in July that the business remains strongly cash generative. <br></p><p> </p>?Burberry checks out male market<p>By <br>UPDATED:13:22 GMT, 10 July 2006</p><p></p><p>UNDETERRED by the sight of English football fans in Burberry baseball caps, Angela Ahrendts, the new boss of the iconic brand, is planning ' menonly' stores in a move to reach a wider audience. </p><p>The American, who last week replaced Rose Marie Bravo as chief executive of Burberry, downplayed the company's reputation as the brand of choice for 'chavs'. </p><p>'This is a very British notion,' she said, adding that Burberry is perceived as a 'modern classic brand' globally and that different formats, including dedicated accessory stores, will be looked at. </p><p>New ranges for men will be modelled by singer Bryan Ferry's sons Otis and Isaac, as well as members of the band Kasabian. Kate Moss and Stella Tennant will be among the models promoting Burberry's creations when it launches an autumn advertising campaign. </p><p>Ahrendts, former vicepresident of Liz Claiborne in the US, added that she was keen to expand Burberry's presence in North America. </p><p>Burberry will report firstquarter trading on Wednesday. Analysts at JPMorgan expect a 16% rise in sales to &pound;131.6m.</p>?Burberry cuts 300 jobs and closes factory as credit crunch hits luxury brands<p>By <br> UPDATED:11:38 GMT, 20 January 2009</p> <br><p>Luxury clothing brand Burberry said today that it was cutting up to 300 UK jobs and closing one of its factories.</p><p>Burberry said the plant in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, which sews basic outerwear for the label, is to shut with the loss of 170 jobs.</p><p>Further UK staff whose work relates to the Rotherham factory could also lose their jobs.</p><br> <p> </p> <p>Hit by recession: Victoria Beckham steps out in a Burberry headscarf in 2000 while Kate Moss models for the luxury clothing brand in 2003<br></p><p>The cuts could mean the loss of up to 290 UK workers.</p><p>Burberry, which employs 2,000 staff in the UK, said production would be consolidated at its other Yorkshire factory in Castleford.</p><p>Meanwhile there further job losses at a food firm that supplies Marks and Spencer.</p> <p>Dutch-owned Vion said 470 jobs will be lost at its Haverhill site in Suffolk, 200 at Malton in North Yorkshire and 150 at Cambuslang in Scotland.</p><p></p><p>Burberry said the measures were part of a global cost-cutting campaign which will see a total loss of around 540 jobs in the UK and Spain.</p><p>It said the move would save the company between ¡ò30 million and ¡ò35 million.</p><p>Tim Roache, regional officer of the GMB union, said: "This is very bad news for Rotherham. We will want to have a thorough discussion with Burberry on the logic of this rationalisation before we are able to move forward.</p><p>"We have been around the blocks with Burberry before as they sought to move jobs from the UK to China - we want to make sure nothing like that is happening this time."<br></p> <p>Job cuts: Burberry has annonced that it is cutting up to 300 UK jobs and closing one of its factories. Agyness Deyn (middle) pictured in the Spring 2008 campaign</p> <p>In 2006 Burberry announced the closure of its factory in the Rhondda Valley in South Wales, which employed 300 people.</p> <p>The move prompted a celebrity-backed union campaign but the closure went ahead.</p><p>The company, which employs 6,000 staff globally, said it had no plans to leave the UK.</p><p>Burberry said the job cuts were linked to "evolving its supply chain" and were not prompted by the global economic downturn.</p><p>However, Burberry chief executive Angela Ahrendts said: "This will position us to trade through the current difficult environment and emerge even stronger when the global economy recovers."</p><p>The Rotherham sewing facility has been owned by Burberry for less than five years.</p><p>Other UK jobs affected are at the firm's Castleford and Keighley factories, neither of which will close.</p><p>The company said only 7 per cent of its sales were in the UK.</p><p>Burberry also announced today that underlying group revenues grew 9% in the three months to December 31.</p><p>It said profit would be in line with previous guidance, which was in the mid to lower half of market expectations.</p><br><p> </p>?Burberry cuts a fine figure<p>By <br>UPDATED:23:00 GMT, 13 October 2002</p><p></p><p>LUXURY goods group Burberry reported continued sales growth over the second quarter, pushing underlying sales ahead by 9% for the six months to end-September. Sales on the retail side, which account for almost a third of the group total, were up by about 8% like-for-like. </p><p>'These results were particularly notable given the trading conditions,' said chief executive Rose Marie Bravo. Burberry floated on the stock market in July at 230p but swiftly fell to a discount and the shares are trading at around 196p. </p><p></p>?Burberry trench coat and bag sales defy fears of slowdown in demand for luxury goods<p> By <br>UPDATED:10:28 GMT, 12 October 2011</p><p>Burberry has shrugged off concerns about the global economic outlook, stressing demand for its luxury branded coats and bags remains strong.</p><p>The company said bumper sales through its Chinese outlets and flagship stores in London, Paris and New York helped half-year revenues jump by 30 per cent to ¡ò830million in the six months to September 30.</p><p>Although the update beat City hopes, Burberry shares slumped when the markets opened, but they recovered to trade 2 per cent or 29.5p ahead at1,293.5p by mid-morning.</p><p>Burberry, which is famous for its red, black and camel-checked clothes and accessories, said Chinese outlets acquired a year ago showed same store growth of 30 per cent over the past six months.</p><p>Worldwide retail revenues rose by 45 per cent, with like-for-like sales growth up slightly in the second quarter to 30 September to 16 per cent, from 15 per cent in the first three months.</p><p>Total retail growth slowed to 42 per cent in the second quarter from 49 per cent in the first.</p><p>Outerwear and large leather goods accounted for half of the growth, with the Burberry London trench coat range a major contributor.</p><p>Chief executive Angela Ahrendts said the company's first half performance 'clearly demonstrates' the continued global momentum of the Burberry brand, though the group was prepared to 'respond appropriately' if there was any significant change in demand in the luxury sector.</p><p>Burberry said wholesale revenues rose by a better-than-expected 20 per cent excluding China. Shoes, childrenswear, menswear and men's accessories all did well, Burberry said, especially in the U.S. and emerging markets.</p><p>Licensing revenue rose by 4 per cent, but like the retail arm, both licensing and wholesale's growth slowed in the second quarter compared to the first.</p><p>Over the remainder of the year, wholesale revenues are expected to slow again and rise by mid-single digits, against 9 per cent in the first half, with licensing to rise by a similar percentage to the first six months.</p><p>Margins improved slightly over the half with a modest rise expected for the full year.</p><p>Burberry added it expects to add 15 per cent more store space over the rest of the year through between eight and 10 new stores, including a store in Paris and outlets in Latin America and China.</p><p>At the end of September, the group had 187 retail stores, 210 concessions. 44 outlet shops and 52 franchises.</p>View from the City<p>David Jeary, an analyst at asset manager Investec Securities, said concerns about growth in China had been overdone and today's update underlined the strength of the group's strategy. He forecast profits for the year of ¡ò365million.</p><p>Dolmen Stockbrokers, which has a buy recommendation on the shares, said: 'Overall, this is a strong set of sales numbers by the luxury goods retailer who has outperformed the FTSE 100 by 18 per cent year to date and while the stock trades at over 17 time earnings, the brand is still clearly still in vogue.'</p><p> </p>?Burberry defies UK gloom as top global shopping cities hold up demand for luxury goods<br><p> By <br>UPDATED:13:46 GMT, 17 January 2012</p><p>Burberry reported strong trading in the last quarter of 2011, shrugging off concerns over faltering demand within high-end markets thanks to its popularity in the world&#8217;s top shopping cities. <br></p><p>Strong performance in London, Beijing, Hong Kong and Paris helped the luxury brand&#8217;s revenues up 21 per cent in the three months to December 31.</p><p>The luxury brand, famous for its check design and trench coats, said retail like-for-like sales were up 13 per cent thanks to growth in knitwear, men&#8217;s accessories and tailoring, fragrance and watches along with strong sales of traditional Burberry favourites such as jackets and leather handbags. <br></p><p>Overall underlying revenues were 36 per cent higher in booming Asia Pacific markets, offset by more subdued growth of 4 per cent in the Americas.</p><p> In Europe, underlying revenues were up 20 per cent, helping Burberry offset fears of dampened demand for high-end goods in the wake of the eurozone crisis.</p><p></p><p>Chief executive Angela Ahrendts pointed to the brand&#8217;s investments in flagship markets and digital technology as the key to the growth in sales. <br></p><p>She said: &#8216;Looking ahead, we remain focused on executing our proven core strategies to achieve long-term sustainable growth, while staying mindful of the challenging macro environment.&#8217;</p><p>Burberry continued to expand during the period into markets with new-found disposable income for luxury items, such as Brazil, but also consolidated in more traditional shopping cities, with six new stores opening in cities such as Sao Paulo and Paris. <br></p><p>The company also said its social media strategy was helping as it attracted over 10million fans to its Facebook page. <br></p><p> </p>?Burberry enjoys 49% profits rise but shares slip<p>By <br>UPDATED:11:23 GMT, 16 November 2010</p><p></p><p>Luxury goods group Burberry beat forecasts with a 49% jump in first-half profit as fewer markdowns and better management of stock combined with an already-reported rise in sales.</p><p>Chief executive Angela Ahrendts said she expected the group's trademark trenchcoats to sell particularly well this Christmas.</p><p>'We cannot keep them on the shelves. I think trenchcoats are going to be a best seller this year,' she told reporters, adding the 154-year-old firm would launch an online service allowing shoppers to create a bespoke coat early next year.</p><p>Burberry, known for its camel, red and black check pattern, made a pre-tax profit of ¡ò129m in the six months to September 30, beating a forecast for ¡ò114m in a Reuters poll.</p><p>The group's positive tone echoed that of other luxury firms such as LVMH and PPR as the world moves out of recession and high-end companies benefit from a surge in big-spending Chinese tourists.</p><p>However, US consultancy Bain forecast last month that luxury sales growth would slow to 3-5% next year from 10% in 2010, as the basis for comparison becomes higher and currency moves could hamper tourist flows.</p><p>Burberry said last month it expected full-year profit in the top half of analysts' forecast range of ¡ò240-270m , after a 21% rise in first-half revenue boosted by sales of coats and leather goods.</p><p>Finance chief Stacey Cartwright said she did not expect analysts to change their forecasts after upgrades then.</p><p>Citi analyst Thomas Chauvet, however, said he thought the consensus profit forecast would rise to ¡ò280-285m , though he kept a 'hold' investment rating on the shares, saying the good news was largely priced in after recent strong gains.</p><p>Burberry shares, which have surged by around 70% in value this year, periodically boosted by bid speculation, were up 0.5% at 0850 GMT but fell back by 1100 to stand 2p (0.2%) down at 1,018p.</p><p>'The shares may have fallen foul of high expectations in early trade, despite having beaten most analyst forecasts,' said Richard Hunter, head of UK equities at Hargreaves Lansdown Stockbrokers.</p><p>'The increase in both margin and in particular profit is stellar, even if this had been largely trailed at the trading update in October,' Hunter said, but added that the second half may be more difficult.</p><p>The company continued to expand, opening 20 stores in the first half in addition to 43 stores acquired in China as it converted operations from wholesale to retail. Burberry said it plans to open 10 more stores in the second half, with half of them in China.</p><p>Burberry said it had net cash of ¡ò181m, but Cartwright declined to be drawn on how this might be used apart from the already-announced expansion plans, and said the board believed it was right to retain a prudent balance sheet.</p><p>The group, which is opening stores and investing online, lifted its interim dividend by 43% to 5p a share.</p>?Burberry enjoys Asia swing<p>By <br>UPDATED:22:14 GMT, 17 April 2010</p><p>Burberry is expected to confirm on Tuesday that its sales are continuing to boom in Asia. </p><p>Sales in countries such as Japan have jumped by a fifth in the past three months on the popularity of expanded ranges of shoes and childrenswear introduced across the globe. </p><p></p><p>Worldwide own-store sales are believed to have grown by more thanten per cent in the second half of its financial year to March,excluding the impact of foreign currency changes.</p><p>Dennis Weber of broker Evolution Securities predicted 'strong' figures. </p><p></p><p>Analysts expect profits to have grown by 14 per cent to ¡ò200 million on annual sales of ¡ò1.3billion. </p><p> </p>?Burberry enjoys Asia upswing<p>By <br>UPDATED:11:21 GMT, 18 April 2010</p><p></p><p>Burberry is expected to confirm on Tuesday that its sales are continuing to boom in Asia. </p><p>Sales in countries such as Japan have jumped by a fifth in the past three months on the popularity of expanded ranges of shoes and childrenswear introduced across the globe. </p><p>Worldwide own-store sales are believed to have grown by more than ten per cent in the second half of its financial year to March, excluding the impact of foreign currency changes. </p><p>Dennis Weber of broker Evolution Securities predicted 'strong' figures. </p><p>Analysts expect profits to have grown by 14 per cent to &pound;200 million on annual sales of &pound;1.3 billion. </p><p></p>?Burberry entrenches its market share<p>By <br>UPDATED:10:48 GMT, 15 October 2008</p><p></p><p>Shoppers' continuing love affair with Burberry trench coats and its iconic camel check helped the luxury goods retailer rack up a 13% rise in revenues to ¡ò539m for the six months to September. </p><p>Chief executive Angela Ahrendts said she was pleased with Burberry's performance 'against the background of an increasingly challenging external environment'. </p><p>But in a sign Burberry (down 33&frac14;p at 288&frac34;p) may not be recession proof, underlying sales growth slowed from 4.5% in the first quarter to 2.5% in the second quarter.</p><p>In light of the slowing growth, the firm said Christmas would be difficult to judge. </p><p>Stacey Cartwright, Burberry's finance director, was hopeful the group's focus on unique gift items ranging from exotic handbags to jewellery, hats and scarves would help keep sales buoyant. </p><p>'The fact that we are delivering positive like-for-like sales in almost all our markets shows there is still confidence at the higher end. It's not all about gloom,' she said. </p><p>However, the group admitted a lower percentage of merchandise was sold at full price, impacting gross profit margins by around two percentage points. </p><p>Cartwright stressed this was offset by tight control of discretionary expenses and was 'entirely manageable'.</p>?Burberry eyes expansion after robust results<p>By <br>UPDATED:17:09 GMT, 26 May 2010</p><p>Shares in Burberry rose on Wednesday as the luxury goods group posted better than expected results, boosted by new stores and an online marketing drive. <br></p><p>The firm, famous for its camel, red and black check pattern, said profits before tax jumped by 23 per cent to ¡ò215million for the year to the end of March, beating City forecasts of ¡ò205million. <br></p><p>Retail sales increased by 19 per cent to ¡ò748.8million, accounting for 58 per cent of total sales following the opening of 21 outlets in the year and the closure of nine. <br></p><p>'We do believe that Burberry, distinct from what's happening in themarketplace, has got specific momentum in the brand right now,' StaceyCartwright, the group&#8217;s chief financial officer said.</p><p></p><p>Burberry said it would almost double its capital spending to ¡ò130million to support its expansion drive. Its plans include new stores inemerging markets such as Brazil, Mexico and India as well as furtherinvestment in e-commerce and menswear. <br></p><p>Cartwright also said that the company would launch a new digital platform later in 2010 to replace a number of local websites. <br></p><p>The full-year dividend was lifted 17 per cent to 14p a share.</p><p> </p>?Burberry eyes expansion drive after strong end to the year<p>By <br>UPDATED:09:28 GMT, 19 April 2011</p><p></p><p>Shares in Burberry jumped nearly 8 per cent during early trading on Tuesday after the fashion house reported strong results.</p><p>The company, best known for its camel, red and black check, said it expected full-year profits to be at the end of expectations after posting a 32 per cent increase in revenues to ¡ò390million in the three months to March.</p><p> Retail revenues came in 42 per cent higher to ¡ò596million in the six months to March, while wholesale revenues rose 14 per cent to ¡ò214million in the same period. <br></p><p>Burberry said wholesale revenues were driven by soaring sales in China, while the Americas and Asia Pacific also outperformed. <br></p><p>&#8216;Burberry had a strong finish to the year, driven by our design,digital marketing and retail initiatives, as well as good earlyprogress in China,&#8217; said Angela Ahrendts, Burberry chief executive.</p><p></p><p>She added: &#8216;While the luxury industry faces global challenges in theyear ahead, we remain confident in our team's ability to outperform,underpinned by the consistent execution of our key strategies.&#8217; <br></p><p>Burberry also announced ambitious plans to step up its overseasexpansion by increasing store space by 12 per cent to 13 per cent inaverage retail selling space in the financial year to March 2012,mainly in China, Latin America and the Middle East. <br></p><p>Analyst Katharine Wynne, of brokers Investec, said the fashionhouse&#8217;s expectation of full-year profits to March 2011 at the top endof forecasts implies a figure of ¡ò290million.</p><p> </p>?Burberry eyes up Laura Ashley<p>By <br>UPDATED:00:00 GMT, 22 February 2004</p><p></p><p>ROSE Marie Bravo, the chief executive of the Burberry fashion group, is believed to be looking at a bid for beleaguered store chain Laura Ashley. </p><p>Bravo, the highest-earning female boss at a British quoted company - she has a pay and bonus package worth &pound;6m a year - has told close friends she is considering a number of options and is keen to take on a new challenge. </p><p>According to one source, Bravo has sounded out a major US private equity firm, thought to be KKR, about a deal to buy Laura Ashley. </p><p>The company, famed for its floral print dresses, is 43 per cent-owned by Malaysian United Industries. The business has spectacularly failed to return to the black despite millions in investment. </p><p>Laura Ashley reported an eight% fall in fashion sales in the 24 weeks to 10 January, though there was a three% rise for home furnishings. </p><p>Shares ended last week at 11 1/4p - compared with a 12-month high of 17p - valuing the company at slightly more than &pound;84m. </p><p>Though family commitments mean that the American-born Bravo would like to spend more time in her native country, she has also been closely linked with the chief executive post at luxury goods and fashion group Gucci. Pinault-Printemps-Redoute, which owns Gucci, has made repeated offers to Bravo to succeed Domenico De Sole, who leaves in April. </p><p>The latest deal, said to be 'breathtaking', was offered just a few weeks ago, according to another close source. </p><p>Bravo has headed Burberry for seven years and was recently named as the 'most powerful woman in fashion', outranking Vogue's Anna Wintour and fashion guru Donna Karan in a magazine poll. She is credited with turning the 148-year-old Burberry plaid into a style icon, used on everything from umbrellas to ball gowns. </p><p>But although Burberry recently announced an 11% rise in retail sales, the UK market has been tough. Bravo has endured shareholder revolts over the size of her pay package. </p><p>If her contract were to be terminated she would be in line for a &pound;12m pay-off. </p><p>Neither Bravo nor Burberry would comment. </p><p></p>?Burberry fashions bumper trading to shrug off gloom<p> By <br>UPDATED:21:00 GMT, 12 October 2011</p><p>Soaring sales of men&#8217;s shoes and trench coats helped Burberry smash through half-year trading targets.</p><p> The bumper update from the UK&#8217;s biggest luxury goods firm catapulted Burberry&#8217;s stock market value ahead of its more pedestrian rival Marks &amp; Spencer. <br></p><p>The firm &#8211; famous for its camel, red and black check &#8211; has been a stellar retail performer shrugging off the gloom engulfing the High Street as its wealthy followers of fashion, seduced by a raft of fancy new products, continue to spend through the downturn. <br></p><p> The fashion house beat forecasts with a 30 per cent rise in total sales to ¡ò830m for the six months to September 30, with underlying sales at its store network grew 16 per cent. <br></p><p>Revenues from wholesaling rose 9 per cent to ¡ò248m while licensing grew 4 per cent to ¡ò54m. </p><p>Burberry along with rival luxury goods firms LVMH and Richemont has seen strong demand from a burgeoning middle class customer in China and Brazil. <br></p><p>Finance director Stacey Cartwright said while the firm was not immune to the downturn there is &#8216;some insulation for the luxury sector as a result of new wealthy clients you see around the world&#8217;. <br></p><p>She added there was &#8216;no evidence of any slowdown &#8211; what we have seen is consistent strong brand momentum and business growth&#8217;.</p><p>Burberry&#8217;s shares rose 4 per cent or 50p to 1314.03p on the back of the update, pushing its market value to ¡ò5.7bn, well ahead of Marks &amp; Spencer at ¡ò5.2bn. <br></p><p>New products in menswear including trainers, shoes and leather skins for iPads drove sales, along with new store openings and tourists from around the world, including China, Brazil and Russia.</p><p> Spending by travellers accounted for half the revenues seen in flagship Burberry stores in many of the world&#8217;s major cities.</p><p>Over the past six months customers have piled into the firm&#8217;s trademark trenchcoats, which can cost anything from hundreds of pounds to as much as ¡ò12,000. <br></p><p>While Burberry&#8217;s new fragrance for women has also sold well. A slowdown in the Chinese economy, which wiped 16 per cent off the value of Burberry&#8217;s shares earlier this month, has yet to show any sign of affecting sales. <br></p><p>David Jeary, an analyst at broker Investec, said: &#8216;Concerns about Chinese growth have weighed on the shares of late &#8211; we feel this is overdone, and the statement demonstrates the continued momentum of the group and the strength of its strategy. There has been no slowdown in China stores.&#8217; </p>?Burberry fashions fuller figures<p>By <br>UPDATED:23:00 GMT, 23 May 2004</p><p></p><p>TOP fashion outfit Burberry's full-year profits rose 21%, as its colourful new lines cut a dash in a resurgent global luxury goods market.</p><p>Earnings before interest, taxes and amortisation (EBITA) came in at &#163;141.2m, up from the previous year's &#163;116.7m as total revenues rose 15%.</p><p>The 150-year-old company, whose trademark beige check still ranks among the top sellers of a range that now includes candy check pink accessories, said it looked ahead to the current financial year with confidence as its EBITA margins rose to 20.9% from 19.7%.</p><p>Shares in Burberry, which is majority owned by retailer Great Universal Stores, closed at 367 3/4p on Friday. The shares have underperformed the UK retail sector by about 5% this year.</p><p>A final dividend of 3p per share was proposed, making the total payout for the year 4.5p, a 50% increase.</p><p>Burberry shares closed on Friday at 370p, valuing the group at &#163;1.85bn.</p>?Burberry feels the pinch as rivals cut prices<p>By <br>UPDATED:11:31 GMT, 12 January 2005</p><p></p><p>SALES growth slowed at luxury goods group Burberry over the third quarter, hit by a combination of weaker consumer spending in Britain and price-cutting by rival fashion chains.</p><p>Underlying sales, which exclude the impact of currency movements, were ahead by 7% in the three months to 1 January, a performance described by chief executive Rose Marie Bravo as 'solid'. She expects the group to meet City analysts' full-year profit expectations of up to &pound;160m.</p><p>Best sellers over Christmas were charm watch bracelets, small leather accessories and ponchos. For the current season, Burberry's &pound;495 Cinda bag is selling particularly well, with a waiting list at stores. </p><p>US retail sales increased in line with space growth, while in Asia, Korea remained 'volatile' and there was 'vigorous' growth in Hong Kong. </p><p>The UK market, which accounts for around 10% of group sales, was weak. Finance director Stacey Cartwright said Burberry's popularity with so-called 'chavs', who have hijacked its traditional plaid pattern, 'won't have helped'. </p><p>But she added: 'As we move into 2005, it's yesterday's news.' Burberry shares were down 13&frac12;p at 404&frac14;p by mid-morning.</p><p></p>?Burberry finance chief heads for exit<p>By <br>UPDATED:23:00 GMT, 4 August 2003</p><p></p><p>ROSE Marie Bravo's Burberry is losing its chief operating and financial officer, Michael Metcalf, who has decided to 'look for new opportunities' outside the fashion and luxury goods group. </p><p>Burberry dismissed suggestions of any boardroom rift, saying the departure is entirely amicable. Metcalf, who earned almost &pound;1m in pay and bonuses last year, will stay until the end of next March and will not get any compensation payment. The search for a replacement is already under way. </p><p>Metcalf has been with Burberry for five years but, at the age of 51, is thought to be keen to secure a chief executive position. Before joining the luxury goods group, he was chief executive of Thorn. </p><p>Bravo was generous with her praise for Metcalf: 'We will be sorry to see Mike go but we respect both his decision and the thoughtfulness with which he is orchestrating his departure.'</p><p>Burberry braved turbulent markets when it floated last year. Former parent company GUS retains a 77% stake. Burberry shares were today down 3p at 294 1/2p, against the float price of 230p. </p><p>Metcalf will retain options on more than 194,000 shares, exerciseable at the float price. At today's level, they are worth &pound;577,000. </p>?Burberry first quarter in the pink<p>By <br>UPDATED:23:00 GMT, 18 July 2004</p><p></p><p>FIRST-quarter revenues at Burberry made good gains driven by strong retail sales, the British fashion house said on Monday. </p><p>Burberry said sales for the three months to 30 June rose 14% at constant exchange rates as retail sales pushed 15% higher. The company, whose traditional beige check remains a British design icon, did not provide a cash value for its first quarter sales performance. </p><p>'The financial year is off to a good start ... we achieved strong sell-through of remaining spring/summer merchandise and experienced an encouraging initial consumer response to our autumn/winter collections,' Bravo said in a statement.</p><p>Burberry's traditionally conservative image has been radically re-engineered in recent years, and the company said in May new lines such as a pink version of its classic raincoat had helped it post a 21% increase in earnings for the year.</p><p>Burberry shares closed at 398 3/4p in London on Friday.</p>?Burberry flotation on course<p>By <br>UPDATED:23:00 GMT, 6 July 2002</p><p></p><p>FASHION Group Burberry is shrugging off market turmoil and pressing ahead with its flotation this week. The 150-year-old company that trades on its British-ness is said to be attracting a large number of investors because of its strong sales potential in Asia and the USA. </p><p>It recently opened stores in the trendy SoHo district of New York and in Beverly Hills, California.</p><p>Shares are expected to start trading on Wednesday towards the bottom of their 230p-290p price range - probably around the 250p mark, say City bookies.</p><p></p>?Burberry follows Avatar's lead as first label to stream 3D show at London Fashion Week<br><p>By and <br>UPDATED:16:57 GMT, 8 February 2010<br></p><p>Red and green glasses are not much of a fashion statement - but this appears little obstacle for British fashion label Burberry, which is set to make history by broadcasting its upcoming catwalk show live in 3D.</p><p>The 154-year-old brand, which continues to defy the recession with soaring profits, has announced plans to stream its upcoming London Fashion Week show at a string of parties in New York, Paris, Dubai, Tokyo and Los Angeles. <br></p><p>Guests can expect to enjoy something akin to a front row experience - which was limited last season to A-listers including Gwyneth Paltrow, Freida Pinto, Alexa Chung, Mary-Kate Olsen and Liv Tyler - to see details such as the texture of fabrics.<br></p><p>Taking fashion to a new dimension: Burberry will be streaming its upcoming London Fashion Week show in 3D at a string of parties in New York, Paris, Dubai, Tokyo and Los Angeles in February<br></p><p>The parties will be by invitation only, but fans of the label can watch the show like - albeit in 2D - on the Burberry website.</p><p>Christopher Bailey, Burberry&#8217;s chief creative officer, said: 'We are very excited we are hosting the first ever truly global fashion show. <br></p><p>'This unprecedented event will enable people to experience the energy and atmosphere of this show from around the world.</p><p>'3D technology will bring our global audience into the London show space allowing them to see the colours and fabrics, to hear the music and to be a part of that moment when it all finally comes together.' </p><p>By Invitation only: The stars will no doubt steal the show again, as they did last September. From left, Dev Patel, Freida Pinto, Alexa Chung, Mary Kate Olsen, Liv Tyler, Emma Watson, Gwyneth Paltrow and Mario Testino<br></p><p>He added that there would also be pre-show behind the scenes coverage, backstage footage and red carpet arrivals.</p><p>The decision to broadcast the show in 3D follows the success of James Cameron's latest epic, Avatar, as well as Sky's plan to show weekly 3D football matches in pubs from April.</p><p>Burberry's innovative business acumen has resulted in sales soaring to ¡ò380 million in the final three months of last year, following the launch of an advertising campaign starring Harry Potter star Emma Watson, 19 - last week named Hollywood's highest-paid actress. </p><p> The label returned to London last September, after a decade of showing in Milan bringing along an A-list audience, including Anna Wintour.</p><p>The U.S Vogue editor made an appearance at London Fashion Week for the first time to attend Burberry's show. <br></p><p>The upcoming autumn/winter 2010 womenswear collection is to be shown at the Chelsea College of Art on 23 February.</p><p>The British Fashion Council revealed last week that it will be streaming shows live in 2D via the London Fashion Week website.</p><p></p><p>Magic moment: Emma Watson, who is the face of the label, was named Hollywood's highest-paid actress</p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><br></p>?Burberry hits 10 million mark to become most popular luxury brand on Facebook - and unveils new Eddie Redmayne and Cara Delevingne films to thank fans<br> <p> By <br>UPDATED:18:47 GMT, 4 January 2012</p><p>As Burberry today unveils its new spring/summer campaign in store windows and across social media networking sites, millions of ardent fans will be watching.<br></p><p>Just last month, it was announced that the British company had become the world's most successful luxury fashion brand on Facebook and Twitter, with a record 10million fans on Facebook, and almost 700,000 following the brand's regular UK feed on Twitter. <br></p><p>Meanwhile, they have thousands more global Twitter fans following their international feeds and post exclusive content on their own YouTube channel.<br></p><p>Burberry's social media success has grown exponentially - and it is still growing fast. <br></p><p>The secret, say consumer experts, is the fact that Burberry share so much unique content exclusively with their followers on social networking platforms, and post new and different content to each one. What is posted on Facebook will be different from that on Twitter, and dialogues are constantly being carried out across both.</p><p></p><p>Just this morning, Burberry placed three new videos from their latest campaign, starring My Week With Marilyn star Eddie Redmayne and Cara Delevingne, onto their YouTube channel.<br></p><p>And at the news that the brand had reached 10million Facebook fans, Burberry Chief Creative Officer Christopher Bailey uploaded a personal thank you via a video message to the site. Days later, a further 163,000 had joined.</p><p></p><br><br>BURBERRY'S NEWLY RELEASED FILMS FOR SPRING/SUMMER, STARRING EDDIE REDMAYNE AND CARA DELEVINGNE, AND A PERSONAL THANK YOU FROM CHRISTOPHER BAILEY: <br><br><p>About the videos, Bailey says: 'We wanted to capture a moment in the lives of two exciting and inspiring British actors who have been part of the Burberry family for several years. <br></p><p>'The images reflect the mood of the collection through Eddie's and Cara's energy, playfulness and effortless elegance and I have such huge admiration for them both.'</p><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><p>Follow Burberry at www.facebook.com/burberry, www.twitter.com/burberry, www.youtube.com/burberry, www.burberry.com and www.artofthetrench.com. </p>?Burberry hits high note in public debut<p>By <br>UPDATED:00:00 GMT, 19 November 2002</p><p></p><p>LUXURY goods group Burberry delivered an impressive 32% jump in first-half profits today to &pound;55.1m in its first set of results as a publicly quoted company. </p><p>Its &pound;1m-a-year chief executive, Rose Marie Bravo, said there had been good gains in the core womenswear operations and further expansion in the higher-margin accessories business, which now accounts for 28% of sales, up from 25%. </p><p>Menswear also staged a recovery after its recent sluggish performance, benefiting from higher sales of suits and ties. 'Gentlemen are getting back to dressing up again,' said Bravo. </p><p>Group sales for the six months to 30 September were up 15% to &pound;273.7m, including a 32% jump on the retail side, or 17% like-for-like, to &pound;85.6m. Profits, which were at the top end of expectations, excluded costs related to the group's July flotation. After tumbling as low as 150p at one stage, the shares have since bounced back to outperform the market by 15%, and added 3p today to take them to 250p. There is a maiden interim dividend of 1p. </p><p>Although highlighting the uncertain economic outlook, Bravo said: 'There will be a Christmas and people will, as usual, exchange gifts.' </p><p>Top sellers will be cashmere scarves at &pound;150 a throw, as well as handbags and small leather goods. </p><p></p>?Burberry in defiant mood despite growth slowdown<p>By <br>UPDATED:08:21 GMT, 15 July 2008</p><p></p><p>The global credit crunch and the worst retail environment in a decade have not stopped luxury fashion house Burberry - yet. </p><p>The company still best-known for its distinctive check designs says sales continue to rise, but the speed of growth has slowed. Sales in stores rose at 4.5% in the three months to the end of June, against a 6% rise the previous six months. </p><p>Only 7% of Burberry sales are in the UK, meaning the company is hardly a barometer for the health of the British High Street. But analysts will take heart from signs that the luxury industry is defying the downturn. </p><p>The troubled Spanish arm remains the only blot on the success story, with sales in Asia and America continuing to soar. The latest must-have item for the fashion-conscious woman-about-town is the Lowry handbag, which at a mere &pound;1295 is a bargain compared with its predecessor - the &pound;11,000 Warrior. </p><p>Total sales for the period, including new-store openings, are up 22%. Chief executive Angela Ahrendts claims that Burberry remains under-exposed across the world. </p><p>HSBC, which rates the shares a buy, agrees. It said in a note to investors: 'Burberry's less-mature state of development-than its peers in many markets should enable it to gain new clients.' </p><p>It is the only major luxury brand with a British heritage, giving it a niche position. Burberry shares have suffered with the rest of the retail sector, down from a year's high of 681p. Today they fell 3&frac14;p to 393&frac34;p. </p><p>Finance director Stacey Cartwright has been working to improve the company's supply chain, so that goods ship when they should. She said today that while more work remained to be done, 'we have certainly made enormous improvements'. </p><p>Ahrendts said Burberry had made a good start to the year in 'an increasingly challenging environment'. </p>?Call the fashion police! Burberry introduces risque $695 leather dress - for TODDLERS<br><p> By <br>UPDATED:16:48 GMT, 29 October 2011</p><p>They may be most famous for their trench coats, but Burberry is stirring the fashion pot with its fall line that includes a leather dress - for toddlers.</p><p>With a price tag of $695, the dress features a round neckline and a back zipper with a flared skirt that comes just to the girl&#8217;s knees.</p><p>The fashion giant presents the dress as 'finely tailored in buttery soft lambskin from Italy, creates a look of modern luxury.'</p><p>A post on the website TotSnob.com protested that the Burberry frock is 'wrong on so many levels.'</p><p>The rant, posted by 'Bag Snob Kelly,' read: 'A leather dress for a little girl? For real? Burberry, you've gone too far&#8230; Sticky! Uncomfortable! Unbreathable! Sexy! Unseemly!&#8217;</p><p>Burberry, with hundreds of stores across the globe, is likely pushing the dress as its latest attempt to target a younger audience with its brand. </p><p>Fashionista: Harry Potter star Emma Watson poses with her younger brother Alex for Burberry's Spring/Summer 2010 campaign</p><p>In 2009, Burberry inked a deal with Harry Potter star Emma Watson after creative director Christopher Bailey claimed she was the &#8216;obvious choice&#8217; for their campaign.</p><p>Miss Watson described it as the 'biggest ego boost of my life.'</p><p>The British fashion house named Transformers actress Rosie Huntington-Whiteley as the face of fragrance Burberry Body in July 2011.</p><p>And Kiernan Shipka, 11, who plays Don Draper&#8217;s daughter Sally on AMC hit Madmen, was recently photographed donning a Burberry hat. </p>?Burberry is top UK label for foreign rich<p>By <br>UPDATED:09:12 GMT, 30 January 2007</p><p></p><p>Burberry may have had a chequered reputation in Britain, but new research shows the raincoat group's reputation is waterproof with overseas label-hunters. </p><p>Global investment bank UBS has cited 500 international businesses that play to the fantasies of the rich and beautiful. It picks Burberry as the principal UK-listed luxury goods company. </p><p>The research reflects how, with the help of Kate Moss and some stylish advertising surrounding its 150th anniversary, the company has cracked the international market. </p><p>It has also overcome the stumbling block that most customers at the luxury end are wealthy middle-aged people in the US and Japan looking for status symbols rather than clothes. </p><p>Maureen Hinton at retail research group Verdict said: 'Burberry is doing very well at the moment and a lot of the growth there is down to accessories such as the &pound;425 Cinda bag.'</p><p>In Britain, Burberry's image was pulled down after its clothes became essential kit for chavs - street kids obsessed by labels and jewellery. However, the company has recently re-rated itself under new chief executive Angela Ahrendts, and the shares have risen 50% over the past 12 months.</p><p>Most of the companies cited in the 176-page research report are Italian and French but there are 22 British clothes groups ranging from Aquascutum to one-time punk designer Vivienne Westwood.</p><p>Eleven jewellers are also named, including Asprey &amp; Garrard, Bentley &amp; Skinner and Longmire. There are 24 leather goods and shoe groups ranging from the well-known Church's and Mulberry to the recherch&eacute; such as W&amp;H Gidden, plus perfumes and pens such as Jo Malone and Conway Stewart. </p><p>Yasuhiro Yamaguchi, UBS's luxury goods specialist, selected 10 companies, including Burberry, for detailed inspection. He tested the UK company alongside a powerful collection of French and Italian companies-with internationally known names - Bulgari, Christian Dior, Hermes, LVMH, Richemont, Swatch, Tod's, PPR and Valentino. </p><p>Yamaguchi says British companies lag their Continental peers due to diffidence about selling themselves. 'French companies are very good at presenting their heritage and raising the brand value,' he says. 'UK companies make equally high-quality goods but their marketing penetration is weak to non-British customers.'</p><p></p>?Burberry joins the internet revolution<p>By <br>UPDATED:00:00 GMT, 1 November 2004</p><p></p><p>BURBERRY has moved online in order to boost its push into America. </p><p>The luxury goods group's finance director Stacey Cartwright says: 'It is very early days.' But she hints that internet shopping could soon become a massive source of revenue. </p><p>When Burberry's US website started selling goods over the internet in September, the public started buying immediately. </p><p>Cartwright says: 'There are great swathes of the United States where we have no presence. There is a pent up demand.' </p><p>UK customers could be buying over the internet within a year. </p><p>It is hoped that the venture will increase the value of the brand which has soared to &pound;1.9bn compared to just &pound;200m when boss Rose Marie Bravo took over in 1997. </p><p></p>?Burberry keeps rebels in check<p>By and <br>UPDATED:23:00 GMT, 25 May 2002</p><p></p><p>RETAIL group GUS is to press ahead with the flotation of fashion house Burberry, despite fierce opposition from some shareholders. GUS, which declares its full-year results on Wednesday, aims to raise up to &#163;375m from floating 25% of Burberry on the London stock market. </p><p>The listing would value Burberry, which has been made fashionable in recent years by celebrities such as supermodels Kate Moss and Elle Macpherson, at up to &#163;1.5bn. </p><p>According to sources, Burberry is on track to list towards the end of June. GUS is expected to confirm the float on Wednesday. But investors have called for GUS to demerge Burberry. Under a full demerger, existing GUS investors would receive a share in Burberry and one in the remaining GUS group for each share they currently hold. </p><p>A source close to the float told Financial Mail: 'Some shareholders made the management look at the possibility of a demerger. They are worried about Burberry not selling at a high enough price in a difficult market for new share issues.' </p><p>But GUS's management, led by group chief John Peace and Burberry chairman Victor Barnett, are believed to have convinced rebel shareholders to accept a stock market listing. Peace and Barnett believe they can get the right price for Burberry stock in a flotation. </p><p>GUS has hired American investment bank Merrill Lynch to manage the Burberry flotation. Merrill ran the flotation of pubs group Punch last week - which got away successfully at the second attempt. </p><p>Punch priced its shares at 230p, raising &#163;160m. It was hoping for &#163;250m. But sources say Punch marked a turning point and convinced GUS to pursue its flotation. One banking source told Financial Mail: 'The market is wide open as long as the price is right.' </p>?Burberry lifted by new ranges<p>By <br>UPDATED:23:00 GMT, 13 April 2004</p><p></p><p>FRESH evidence the luxury goods market is on the mend came today as Burberry posted a 14% jump in retail sales for the first three months of the year on the back of strong demand for its spring and summer collections. </p><p>The group, best-known for its trademark check design, said business in Britain was picking up after sluggish pre-Christmas demand. It enjoyed 'vigorous' growth in the US and strong orders in Asia. </p><p>Chief financial officer Stacey Cartwright said: 'This time last year, we had Sars and the Iraq war affecting the UK, and certainly as we have gone through the quarter there has been an improving trend.' </p><p>Just 15% of Burberry's clothing now carries its plaid design as chief executive Rose Marie Bravo, one of the best-paid women in the City, continues to rejuvenate the brand. </p><p>She said colour was the 'key catalyst' for sales across the business with womenswear, floral designs and trench coats selling particularly well. </p><p>Retail sales were up 14% in the three months to 31 March - the final quarter of Burberry's financial year - against 11% in the third quarter. Wholesale sales increased 16% in the second half. </p><p></p>?Burberry lifts sales in fine style<p>By <br>UPDATED:07:58 GMT, 12 July 2006</p><p></p><p>BURBERRY'S new chief executive today said global sales were up 12% in the spring and early summer. </p><p>Angela Ahrendts, the former Liz Claiborne boss who started in her post this month, said sales in the UK were among the strongest risers, up more than 10% in April, May and June compared with the previous year. </p><p>The wet start to the British summer is widely expected to have benefited the group famous for its trenchcoats. </p><p>Sales from Burberry stores were also strong on the Continent and in the US. </p><p>Wholesale sales remained sluggish with a 2% increase. Ahrendts has declared that she would be pushing harder to expand the brand in the US. </p><p></p>?Burberry loves Chinese takeaways<p>By <br>UPDATED:15:21 GMT, 13 April 2006</p><p></p><p>A sensational revival of Burberry's fortunes in London has been driven not by chavs but by Chinese. </p><p>Finance director Stacey Cartwright said a new influx of big-spending tourists from China was splashing out on its classy new ranges in London's upmarket Burberry stores. They are rapidly adding to the more established fan base of rich customers from the Middle East and Russia. </p><p>Sales from Burberry's shops in the UK were up 6&#37; in the last three months. The figures will be welcomed by incoming chief executive Angela Ahrendt, who replaces outgoing Rose Marie Bravo in July. </p><p>Burberry's better guesswork on its ranges in the past three months fuelled much of the improvement. A year ago, it put its lightweight spring/summer ranges on the shelves in January, when shoppers were still shivering in snow in many of its key capital cities. </p><p>This time around, it kept its warmer lines out for longer, with the trademark Burberry trenchcoats and outerwear retaining their prominence. 'Cold weather was good for us this time,' said Cartwright. </p><p>Sales at Burberry stores across the world in the six months to 31 March were up 13&#37;, although wholesale takings were down 7&#37;. </p>?Burberry makes debut Down Under<p>By <br>UPDATED:23:00 GMT, 21 October 2003</p><p></p><p>BURBERRY has opened its first stand-alone store in Australia, in an upmarket shopping mall under a Melbourne casino owned by Kerry Packer. </p><p>The London company's products have been distributed in Australia for 15 years through duty-free and wholesale operators, but only now is it dipping its toe into the retail market. </p><p>The company, which is opening stores in Moscow, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore and Hong Kong, also suggested it would look at other sites in Australia. Burberry Group president Thomas O'Neill said in Melbourne he believed the Australian market had the potential to support up to five Burberry stores. </p><p>The company's decision to open in the Crown casino complex comes at a time when other luxury retailers such as Gucci, Tiffany and Armani have left the site on the south bank of the river to move into Collins Street, a stylish central Melbourne shopping thoroughfare. O'Neill said he might consider a Collins Street store too. </p><p>'For luxury brand retailers it's all about opportunities on the real estate side,' O'Neill said. 'We have been looking in Sydney for some time and frankly if something came up on Collins Street in Melbourne we wouldn't discount that.' </p><p>Burberry last week announced revenues up 17% in the first half. Chief executive Rose Marie Bravo attributed the result to three new shops in Milan, Virginia and Las Vegas. The company has 70 stores and its strongest market in the US. Asian operations were hit badly this year by the Sars virus and the Iraq war. </p><p></p>?Burberry may be a luxury bargain<p>By <br>UPDATED:23:00 GMT, 13 July 2002</p><p></p><p>IN the face of turbulent stock markets and after a string of companies pulled their market debuts recently, retail group GUS managed to float its luxury goods business Burberry on Friday. </p><p>But GUS, which also owns Argos, succeeded only by pricing the shares at the very bottom of its planned range. </p><p>Issued at 230p, the shares fell even further and closed at 225p in restricted trading, valuing the whole company at about &#163;1.1bn. Just 22.5% of the company has been floated, with GUS retaining the rest. </p><p>Could the share price mean it is a bargain opportunity for private investors? </p><p>Burberry, which will begin its independent life with &#163;10m in cash, has come to market after a remarkable recovery engineered by its highly paid chief executive, Rose Marie Bravo. Operating profits have surged in the past two years and hit &#163;90m in the year to March. They are expected to top &#163;100m next time. </p><p>This has been achieved by closing loss-making stores, opening outlets in potential growth markets such as East Asia and the US, and taking back control of distribution from licensees wherever possible. </p><p>Compared with other general retailers, the issue price was slightly high given Burberry's earnings. But the group has expanded its range into products such as perfume and is successfully positioning itself as a luxury products group in the same vein as Gucci and Hermes. </p><p>Shares in these luxury groups are typically valued at about 14 times forecast underlying earnings. At its present price, Burberry is valued at just ten times its predicted earnings for 2003. </p><p>But there are dangers for Burberry. First, the sharp rise in profits has so far been brief and some analysts question whether it can sustain anything like that level of growth. </p><p>Second, there is GUS's stake. GUS has guaranteed not to sell more shares for six months - a short period, which could make the market nervous. On the other hand, GUS is unlikely to undermine its own offspring by selling further shares at less than the original issue price. </p><p>&#8226; Midas verdict: Full trading in the shares starts on Thursday, and four days is a long time at present. At current levels, the shares look inexpensive but given the market's jitters they could go still lower. At 210p or below, they are a buy. Otherwise avoid. </p><p></p><p></p><p>Engineer is a haven in times of trouble </p><p>SINCE the technology bubble burst, many investors have turned to old economy companies such as engineers or traditionally defensive sectors such as food and tobacco. Specialist engineer Molins combines both characteristics. </p><p>The group is a key supplier of machinery to the tobacco industry, with most of the world's big cigarette makers, including British American Tobacco and Imperial Tobacco, among its clients. </p><p>Its other line of business is designing and making packaging machinery, and clients include the likes of Unilever. </p><p>Molins' recent performance has been solid. In 2001, sales rose by 11% to &pound;111m, with pre-tax profits up 40% to &pound;9.4m. </p><p>It was not always so good. The late Nineties was a difficult period for the tobacco business, particularly in China, where there was huge overcapacity. But the company has turned round its tobacco division and this was the driving force behind its surge in profits. </p><p>Its packaging business has been less consistent and it made a small operating loss in 2001. But at this year's annual meeting, chairman Peter Byrom said the division was trading ahead of last year and was profitable. </p><p>As an added extra, the company is planning to redevelop 17 acres near its UK factory at Saunderton, Buckinghamshire, as office space. Surveyors have estimated Molins could reap between &pound;13m and &pound;22m from this. </p><p>Shares surged to 400p in early May, but the stock has fallen back and ended Friday at 320p. This is just over eight times historic earnings. </p><p>&#8226; Midas verdict: As a profitable business linked to highly defensive sectors, Molins offers a relatively secure haven in the troubled shares market. </p><p>Assuming that it can realise the value of its property and deliver another year of profit growth as expected, it looks cheap. At 320p, the shares are a buy. </p><p></p><p></p><p>Midas update <br>SINCE Midas recommended Waste Recycling Group in March at 411p, the shares soared to a high of 463p in May before closing on Friday at 397 1/2p. </p><p>But aside from the general stock market slump, there is little obvious reason for this fall. </p><p>Last month, the company announced that chairman Pat Barrett was quitting for 'personal reasons'. While such a sudden departure is not ideal, there is no reason to suspect anything untoward about the announcement. </p><p>Investors should hold their nerve through this difficult patch. Interim results next month should confirm that WRG is in line to hit full-year targets. Investors in Project Telecom, suggested as a buy by Midas in March at 77 1/2p, should also hold tight. </p><p>The shares have dipped to 72p, but nothing fundamental has changed about this cash-rich and profitable company. </p><p>In April it acquired TW Telecom, which manages mobile phone services for a number of organisations in Manchester, including Manchester Airport, and several local councils. </p><p>Like WRG, Project Telecom will release half-year results next month that should show the group still enjoying rising profits. </p><p></p><p></p>?Burberry posts 13% fall in profits<p>By <br>UPDATED:15:24 GMT, 19 May 2009</p><p></p><p>Luxury goods firm Burberry today reported a 13% fall in underlying profits, despite annual revenues topping more than ¡ò1bn for the first time.</p><p>The company has endured one of the most challenging years ever seen in its sector, with profits down to ¡ò174.6m for the year to 31 March.</p><p>Sales, up 21% at ¡ò1.2bn, were more than offset by reduced consumer demand which led to a lower proportion of full price sales.</p><p>Steps taken by Burberry to tackle the global slowdown have included a ¡ò50m inventory reduction and a ¡ò50m efficiency programme.</p><p>To date, some 800 staff have left the group - representing 15% of the total workforce. </p><p>Nearly 300 employees have gone in Spain, with another 400 in manufacturing and the rest from across corporate functions. In January, Burberry announced 170 jobs were going as a result of its plan to close a sewing facility at Rotherham, south Yorkshire.</p><p>Burberry said revenues in Europe increased by 17% on an underlying basis, helped by an 'exceptional' performance in its London stores.</p><p>Retail operations contributed just over half the region's revenues, driven by favourable currency rates and increased tourism, as well as its new store at the Westfield shopping centre in West London and concessions in leading department stores.</p><p>After a strong first half, Burberry said European wholesale revenues declined in the second half due to consumer conditions and store rationalisation.</p><p>For the first half of this financial year, Burberry is planning to reduce its number of small wholesale accounts by more than 200 - as its own retail presence is increased. Retail now generates more than half the company's revenues, following expansion in regions such as the Middle East.</p><p>Today's results were ahead of expectations, but shares fell more than 2% after Burberry outperformed the broader market by 40% in the past quarter.</p><p></p>?Burberry checks into menswear after 26 per cent jump in annual profit <p> By </p><p>PUBLISHED:21:04 GMT, 23 May 2012 UPDATED:21:04 GMT, 23 May 2012</p><p>Burberry said it will trial a stand-alone menswear store in London as it posted a 26 per cent jump in annual profit.<br></p><p>The luxury fashion brand, which started life 156-years ago selling raincoats sporting its trademark camel, red and black check pattern, overcame the general retail malaise to hawk its high end clothing and accessories.<br></p><p>Luxury goods firms have largely been immune from the downturn as wealthy tourists continue to travel and snap up luxury brands. Burberry&#8217;s chief bean-counter Stacey Cartwright said it operated from a different end of the high street than firms like Clinton Cards which recently collapsed into administration.</p><p>Pre-tax profits rose to ¡ò366m from ¡ò295.7m for the year to March 31, in-line with expectations, on sales of ¡ò1.8bn.<br></p><p>But the shares fell 5pc at one point during the day recovering to close down 17p to 1369p over fears that Europe&#8217;s long-running debt crisis could help trigger an economic slowdown in emerging markets such as China. The dividend was lifted to 25p-a-share from 20p.</p><p> </p>?Burberry president quits after two years<p>By <br>UPDATED:13:02 GMT, 15 November 2005</p><p></p><p>FORMER Gucci top man Brian Blake is quitting Burberry as president and chief operating officer after just two years in the job. </p><p>The luxury clothes group said that Blake, who oversaw its wholesale, retail and licensing businesses, was leaving for family reasons. </p><p>He ruled himself out as a possible successor to chief executive Rose Marie Bravo on the same grounds last month. She is to be replaced by New York fashionista Angela Ahrendts, who joins in January on a &pound;19m package. </p><p>A decision as to whether to find a new chief operating officer will be taken once she has her feet firmly under the desk. </p><p>Blake, 50, was paid &pound;1.19m in the year to last March, including a &pound;530,000 bonus. But he will receive no pay-off from Burberry when he leaves at the end of the year. He is not expected to take up another job. </p><p>Bravo said the current cold snap in Europe and the US was welcome as it should trigger sales of the iconic coats and scarves, which had been slow in recent warm weeks. She said: 'With cold weather arriving and the holidays approaching, we enter our most important time of the year with cautious optimism.'</p><p>UK sales have been hit by the slowdown in consumer spending and by the July terror attacks. Europe saw an underlying decline of 1% in sales with Spain and the UK soft but Italy strong. </p><p>The US was the strongest performer with a 5% sales rise. Asian sales were 9% better if Japan, where there was a slight decline, is excluded. Emerging markets such as Turkey, Poland and Saudi Arabia improved sales substantially. </p><p>Sales rose 2% in the six months to end-September with pre-tax profits slipping 1.6% to &pound;78.1m. But before the &pound;3m costs of the Atlas programme to redesign infrastructure, headline operating profits were up 2% at &pound;78.8m. The interim dividend rises 25% to 2.5p. </p><p>? Argos owner GUS will reveal details of the demerger of its 66% Burberry stake, worth &pound;1.9bn, on Thursday. </p><p></p>?Burberry profit warning wipes more than a fifth off shares as China's wealthy shoppers feel the chill<br><p> By </p><p>PUBLISHED:09:17 GMT, 11 September 2012 UPDATED:15:39 GMT, 11 September 2012</p><p>A shock profit alert from luxury fashion house Burberry has knocked a fifth off its share price today.</p><p>Investors fled the stock, wiping ¡ò1billion from its market value, after Burberry admitted sales ground to a halt then started to fall in the past few months, and said profits would come in at the bottom end of current forecasts.</p><p>The luxury goods firm spent much of the year bucking the gloomy trend in the retail sector due to its exposure to robust emerging markets, especially China.</p><p> But an industry analyst said today's warning from Burberry showed it was 'not immune' to current economic conditions, as the lengthy global crisis shakes the confidence of even the most wealthy.</p><p>Burberry chief executive Angela Ahrendts acknowledged the external environment was 'becoming more challenging'.</p><p></p><p>'Given this background, we are tightly managing discretionary costs and taking appropriate actions to protect short term profitability,' she said.</p><p>The flat like-for-like sales in the in the 10 weeks to September 8 are a sharp slowdown from the 6 per cent hike reported for the first quarter to June 30.</p><p>Burberry reported a 24 per cent surge in annual profits to ¡ò366million in its last financial year, while total revenues were also up 24 per cent to ¡ò1.9billion, as key Asian markets showed more strong growth and flagship stores in London and Paris performed well.</p><p>The previous range of market forecasts for the current financial year had been for Burberry to achieve profits of between ¡ò407million and ¡ò455million.</p><p>Burberry has announced plans to add a further 12 per cent to 14 per cent of selling space in this financial year, but did not give details of store openings in today's update.</p><p>The group has been focusing on larger format stores, such as its relocated site in London's Regent Street.</p><p>It is due to issue another trading update on October 11 before its interim results for the six months to the end of September on November 7.</p><p>Shares in Burberry had plunged 287p at 1,088p by late afternoon.</p><p>The firm, which was founded in 1856, has 196 retail stores, 207 concessions, 48 outlet shops and 58 franchise stores worldwide,</p><p>Income shares watch: Burberry hiked its total annual dividend by 25 per cent to 25p when it reported full-year results last May. The shares yield 1.82 per cent.</p>View from the City<p>'Burberry's latest results show that even the top-end of the market isn't functioning at full capacity in the current economic climate,' said Jaana Jatyri, CEO of fashion forecasting company Trendstop.com.</p><p>'The global economic crisis is dragging on and the longer it drags on the less confident even wealthier individuals become. Unfortunately, people lacking confidence do not shop at Burberry.</p><p>'By no means will Burberry implode, as it has an in-built hedge in its high net worth customer base and a CEO with an acute understanding of the market, but these figures show that even it is not immune to market conditions.</p><p>'A percentage of the aspirational buyers that have driven Burberry upwards are starting to run out of steam. In recent years, Burberry has thrived in the emerging markets, where people crave democratic luxury, but even the emerging markets are slowing.'</p><p>Keith Bowman, equity analyst at Hargreaves Lansdown Stockbrokers, said: 'While disappointing, the cautionary update is not a total surprise. The group&#8217;s own "clean-up programme", where management is axing cheaper fashion lines in order to buoy prices, is likely to take some responsibility, while the group&#8217;s exposure to China has already been extensively highlighted.</p><p>'Comparatives have become increasingly challenging, while a still spluttering U.S. economy remains unhelpful.</p><p>'In all, and given the additional profits warning, investor appetite is now being thoroughly tested. The connectivity between the developing and developed markets appears to be making itself clear, while management moves to protect the group&#8217;s long term luxury brand status may now be denting short term performance.</p><p>Investec Securities analyst Bethany Hocking said: 'We have been fans of Burberry, and remain of the view that the strategy, luxury positioning and management team should lead to long-term sector outperformance.</p><p>'Today's statement does, however, imply a significant slowdown and Burberry is not immune from wider macro-economic turbulence.'</p><p> </p>?Burberry profits jump by 24% lifted by strong menswear sales <p> By </p><p>PUBLISHED:12:47 GMT, 23 May 2012 UPDATED:12:47 GMT, 23 May 2012</p><p>Trenchcoat maker Burberry today reported a 24 per cent jump in annual profits helped by good performance in its menswear division and overseas markets. <br></p><p>The luxury fashion group said menswear sales were up 26 per cent thanks to attention to tailoring and enhanced ranges, while non-clothing sales, which include small leather goods, bags and accessories, increased by over 50 per cent. <br></p><p>More strong growth in its key Asian markets as well as in flagship stores in London and Paris helped Burberry&#8217;s total revenues up 24 per cent to ¡ò1.9billion in the year to March 31, with pre-tax profits lifted to ¡ò366million.<br></p><p>The group, which currently has 63 stores in mainland China, accounting for 12 per cent of revenues, said it planned to open 15 new stores over the next year. <br> </p><p>There are plans for up to 10 new stores to be opened in Central and Latin America as the group continues to invest in growing luxury markets such as Brazil and Mexico. Its focus will be on larger format stores such as its relocated site in London&#8217;s Regent Street. <br></p><p></p><p>As well as doubling its number of Facebook fans to 12million at the year end, Burberry has extended its presence on Chinese social media platforms and launched other initiatives such as Tweetwalk during London Fashion Week. <br> </p><p> View from the City <br> </p><p>Richard Hunter, head of equities at Hargreaves Lansdown stockbrokers, described the annual results performance as robust.</p><p>He added: &#8216;A 24 per cent rise in pre-tax profits defies some of the economic gloom, whilst the company&#8217;s exposure to some strong local markets continues to propel prospects.&#8217;</p><p> </p>?Burberry pushes ahead with float<p>By <br>UPDATED:23:00 GMT, 23 June 2002</p><p></p><p>RETAILER GUS has set an indicative price of between 230p and 290p for shares in the flotation of its luxury goods and fashion arm Burberry. It said the shares should start trading on 12 July. The partial float, via a global offer to institutions, will value Burberry at between &pound;1.15bn and &pound;1.45bn and could make its American chief executive Rose Marie Bravo a total of &pound;10m. </p><p>The luxury goods market has been struggling since 11 September, leading some analysts to question the timing and pricing of the float. The market had initially looked for a value of &#163;1.2bn to &#163;1.8bn.</p><p>Last week Gucci posted a worse-than-expected fall in first-quarter profits. Burberry said its autumn/winter sales were likely to be flat, with wholesale orders of the new collection, 'broadly unchanged compared to the prior year'.</p><p>Burberry denied this meant the brand's rejuvenation had been a one-off hit with the public, saying it primarily reflected 'the effect of the current difficult macro-economic environment on the luxury goods sector and soft domestic demand in Spain'. It also warned that the yen-sterling exchange rate would mainly wipe out the expected increases in Japanese licence income. </p><p>Sales at Burberry's retail operations 'enjoyed double-digit revenue growth' in the first 11 weeks of the current financial year, but Burberry offered no information on like-for-like sales. </p><p>Although this is the key measure for UK retailers, Burberry said it should be compared with other companies in the European luxury goods sector such as Gucci and LVMH, which do not reveal these figures. </p><p>Selling 25% of the issued share capital at the mid-point of the price range would raise a net &pound;282m. Most of this will be spent repaying inter-company debt, leaving Burberry with &pound;10m in cash. </p><p>Bravo will be paid a basic salary of &pound;1m with a 100% performance-related bonus. She will be granted shares worth 1% of the company's value and options over another 0.5%, giving her a total package worth up to &pound;10m over the next three years. </p><p>Burberry also named Philip Bowman, group chief executive of Allied Domecq, as a non-executive director alongside the former president and chief executive of L'Oreal USA, Guy Peyrelongue, and GUS finance director David Tyler. </p><p>Burberry will be chaired by GUS chief executive John Peace. Michael Metcalf, who worked with Bravo at Saks Fifth Avenue, is finance director. </p><p>&#149; Analysts said Burberry had been 'priced to go' to get the float away. John Baillie of SG Securities said: 'If you accept it is a luxury brand, and there is some debate on whether it is, it has been priced conservatively.' Burberry would have a price-earnings ratio of 15-19 while Gucci generally trades at 25-30. Burberry is priced at between two and 2.5 times sales but shares in other luxury brand companies are nearer three times. </p><p>Fashion that must check out</p>?Burberry recovers from downturn<p>By <br>UPDATED:23:00 GMT, 13 July 2003</p><p></p><p>LUXURY goods and fashion empire Burberry today reported sales of its distinctive checked clothes and accessories were recovering strongly from the poor start to the year. </p><p>The designer and retailer, which boasts a host of celebrity clients from Madonna to Lyudmila Putin, wife of the Russian president, worried investors in the spring when it warned that like-for-like sales through its stores had fallen in the first seven weeks of the current quarter. </p><p>It blamed the impact of the Sars virus and the Iraq conflict, which stopped upmarket tourists from travelling and splurging on its exclusive merchandise.</p><p>But today, chief executive Rose Marie Bravo was able to deliver positive news on sales, saying that the group's like-for-like sales had turned positive since the first seven weeks, and had ended the quarter on 30 June with same-store sales ahead of last year's. </p><p>Many analysts had been banking on a recovery at the group, saying the pick-up in international travel cited by airlines and hotel companies in recent weeks should follow through to Burberry, which relies on tourists for about a quarter of its sales.</p><p>The statement should take some of the heat off Bravo, who has faced controversy over her potential &pound;12.4m termination contract. At tomorrow's annual general meeting she faces shareholders who have been urged by activists including the National Association of Pension Funds to vote against her terms and conditions. </p>?Burberry reports 13% fall in profits despite sales rise<p><br>UPDATED:10:17 GMT, 19 May 2009</p><p>Luxury goods firm Burberry today reported a 13 per cent fall in underlying profits, despite annual revenues topping more than ¡ò1billion for the first time.<br></p><p>The profits decline to ¡ò174.6million for the year to March 31 came as Burberry endured one of the most challenging years ever seen in its sector.<br></p><p>Sales were 21 per cent higher at ¡ò1.2billion, up 7 per cent on an underlying basis, but this was more than offset by a decline in margins as reduced consumer demand led to a lower proportion of full price sales.<br></p><br><br><p>When including restructuring costs of ¡ò54.9million and balance sheetwrite-downs of ¡ò129.6million, Burberry posted bottom-line losses of¡ò16.1million, against profits of ¡ò195.7million a year earlier.<br></p><p>Steps taken by Burberry to tackle the global slowdown have includeda ¡ò50million inventory reduction and a ¡ò50million efficiency programme.</p><p></p><p>To date, some 800 staff have left the group - representing 15 per cent of the total workforce. <br></p><p>Nearly 300 employees have gone in Spain, with another 400 inmanufacturing and the rest from across corporate functions. In January,Burberry announced 170 jobs were going as a result of its plan to closea sewing facility at Rotherham, south Yorkshire.<br></p><p>Burberry said revenues in Europe increased by 17 per cent on anunderlying basis, helped by an 'exceptional' performance in its Londonstores.<br></p><p>Retail operations contributed just over half the region's revenues,driven by favourable currency rates and increased tourism, as well asits new store at the Westfield shopping centre and concessions inleading department stores.</p><p> </p>?Burberry sales jump on strong Chinese demand<p>By <br>UPDATED:15:31 GMT, 18 January 2011</p><p></p><p>Luxury clothing brand Burberry said on Tuesday it expected full-year profits to be at the top end of forecasts after it reported another better-than-expected rise in third quarter sales.</p><p>The retailer, known for its red, black and camel tartan design, said group-wide retail sales surged by 36 per cent in the quarter to December 31, boosted by a strong performance in the UK and higher demand from Chinese consumers. <br></p><p>Overall revenues jumped by 27 per cent on an underlying basis in the period, while underlying wholesale revenue increased by 15 per cent, the company said. <br></p><p>'As a result, we now expect adjusted profit before tax for the currentfinancial year to be at the top end of market expectations,' said chiefexecutive Angela Ahrendts. <br></p><p>The news prompted Numis Securities to upgrade its pre-tax profitsestimation from ¡ò271million to ¡ò287million, while shares in the companyrose by more than 40 per cent on Tuesday.</p><p></p><p>The fashion group said same-store retail sales jumped by 14 percent, while its operations in Americas, Asia Pacific and Europe alsodelivered double-digit growth. <br></p><p>Burberry added that comparable store growth from stores in China was higher than 30 per cent.</p><p> </p>?Burberry sales lifted by luxury goods boost<p>By <br>UPDATED:20:21 GMT, 26 May 2010</p><p>Burberry is accelerating its growth plans after strong sales helped the luxury goods group to a 23pc jump in profit in the year to March 31. </p><p>The better-than-expected result catapulted the shares to the top of the FTSE 100 leaderboard as they closed the day up 46.5p, or nearly 8pc, at 659p. <br></p><p>Burberry - which this year features Harry Potter star Emma Watson in its Spring/Summer advertising campaign (pictured) - reported pre-tax profits of ¡ò215m. Underlying retail sales increased by 15pc to ¡ò748.8m. </p><p>The result provided further evidence that the market for luxury goods may be rebounding after Prada posted a near six-fold jump in first-quarter revenue on Monday. Both companies benefited from a strong increase in demand among emerging markets. </p><p>The 154-year-old British company said it would almost double capital spending over the next year to ¡ò130m as it announced plans to open between 20 and 30 new outlets over the period, mostly in the Americas and Asia Pacific region. </p><p>Burberry reported ¡ò433.6m of revenues from its wholesale business and ¡ò97.5m from its licensing operation, giving total group sales of ¡ò1.28bn. </p><p></p>?Burberry sales surge to &pound;449m<p>By <br>UPDATED:09:12 GMT, 16 October 2007</p><p></p><p>Recession might be in the air and housing prices could be tumbling, but fashion house Burberry is not feeling the pinch. </p><p>Sales at the check coats to pricey handbags group rose 19% to &pound;449m in the six months to September, as the company continued to re-invent itself as a major player in the luxury market. </p><p>The second quarter was particularly strong, thanks to pent-up demand for Burberry items from the newly rich in China and Russia. </p><p>Finance director Stacey Cartwright said the numbers &#39;reinforce the fact that we have elevated ourselves into the luxury market&#39; - an industry that has &#39;natural insulation&#39; from wider economic downturns. </p><p>Burberry admits a slight problem remains with its supply chain, putting pressure on warehouses. </p><p>Chief executive Angela Ahrendts in the trading statement said: &#39;Our new luxury outerwear, apparel and non-apparel collections have again driven demand in both our retail and wholesale channels.&#39; </p><p>Ahrendts, who took over more than a year ago, remains a low-profile figure but has been meeting investors to explain her long-term strategy. </p>?Burberry sees sales getting 10% smarter<p>By <br>UPDATED:16:04 GMT, 14 November 2006</p><p></p><p>Burberry today upped its sales forecasts after seeing stronger demand from retailers for its quintessentially British fashions. </p><p>It had suffered from dwindling orders from fashion and department stores frustrated by poor supplies and a botched early move to light, warm-weather ranges in icy January 2005. </p><p>But it has built up its retailer customers' confidence since then with a host of successful new ranges and a better supply system. </p><p>Wholesale orders are expected to be close to 10% up on last year. </p><p>Pre-tax profits in the six months to 30 September fell 2% to &pound;74.6m because of the &pound;9.6m costs of a new supply system but sales rose 11% to &pound;392m. </p><p>London store sales are booming in the run-up to Christmas. </p>?Burberry shares cool as eurozone crisis and US slowdown put brakes on emerging market growth<p> By </p><p>PUBLISHED:10:15 GMT, 11 July 2012 UPDATED:10:46 GMT, 11 July 2012</p><p>Shares in Burberry fell 5 per cent today as the luxury giant posted a slight slowdown in quarterly sales amid 'more challenging' trading conditions. <br></p><p>The group, which started life 156 years ago selling raincoats with its distinctive camel, red and black check pattern, said total revenues were 11 per cent higher than the same period last year, at ¡ò408million, in the quarter to June 30.</p><p>The rise was lower than the 15 per cent seen in the previous quarter and below City expectations. <br></p><p>Store sales were up 14 per cent to ¡ò280million, with underlying sales up 6 per cent, boosted by higher prices and a continuing strong demand for its men's clothing and non-apparel range. <br></p><p>Burberry, which posted a 16 per cent jump in annual profit, said it saw growth in the UK, France and Germany,with &#8216;double-digit&#8217; comparable sales growth in China, with particular strength in Beijing, despite recent fears of a slowdown in Asia. <br></p><p>Burberry's and other luxury goods firms' shares have wobbled in recent months over worries about Europe's debt crisis and slowing growth in some emerging markets like China, where runaway demand for high-end goods has offset weaker trends in the United States and Europe. <br></p><p></p><p>Chief Executive Angela Ahrendts said: 'With continued brand momentum, Burberry has delivered a robust first quarter.</p><p>'Building on our balanced business model and strong operational foundation, we continue to invest in our retail, digital and marketing strategies to drive long-term sustainable growth, while remaining responsive to the changing external environment.'<br></p><p>The group, which opened six mainline stores including the fourth store in Brazil and Russell Street in Hong Kong, is set to reopen two large flagships in London and Chicago later this year.</p><p>Burberry said it plans to increase its average retail selling space by 12-14 per cent by 2013, with a shiftfrom smaller to larger format stores, such as its relocated site in London's Regent Street. <br></p><p>Its sales growth compares well against many of its high street counterparts, with Marks &amp; Spencer yesterday reporting a 6.8 per cent drop in non-food comparable sales - its worst performance for more than three years. <br></p><p>However, there are concerns that Burberry's performance will slip as the global economic woes take their toll on some of its markets. <br></p><p>Burberry's US arm delivered the weakest sales growth in the first quarter, at 2 per cent, as it continues to be hit by the planned rationalisation of wholesale distribution. <br></p><p>The group said it expects double-digit percentage growth from its US department store customers, which &#8216;should reassure that demand remains strong in a key market&#8217;, according to Seymour Pierce analyst Kate Calvert. <br></p><p>She said: &#8216;China delivered double-digit comparable growth so there appears to be no weakness there which is a concern that has impacted the wider sector generally.</p><p>&#8216;We consider Burberry a strong long term growth story,&#8217; she added.</p><p>Helal Miah, investment research analyst at The Share Centre said Burberry had a good business model but remained vigilant of the global economic conditions. <br></p><p>'These weaker than expected revenue figures may be a reflection of the worsening confidence in the Eurozone and the Chinese economy experiencing a slowdown. <br></p><p>'Also, the share price has seen an impressive run in recent years and although there has been a moderate pull back in recent months, we continue to recommend investors &#8216;hold&#8217; until valuations become a little more attractive.&#8217;</p>?Burberry shares knocked despite profit rise as fashion brand targets 25 wealthiest cities<p> By <br>UPDATED:11:04 GMT, 15 November 2011</p><br><p>Burberry suffered a share price fall today despite meeting expectations of a 26 per cent rise in first-half profits thanks to resilient tourist spending.</p><p>Luxury clothing and accessory brand Burberry posted a profit before tax and one off items of ¡ò162million in the six months to September 30, and also pledged to pushed ahead with plans to expand in the 25 wealthiest cities in the world<br></p><p>This was slightly ahead of expectations - a Reuters poll had predicted ¡ò159million of profit on this basis.</p><p>However, the result left investors nonplussed and Burberry shares traded lower today. A short time ago they stood 64p, or 4.5 per cent, lower at 1,357p.</p><p>In a statement to accompany the results, Burberry said: 'We remain mindful of, and prepared to react to, any local or global uncertainties'</p><p>The maker of raincoats and leather goods has performed well despite the financial crisis and responded to the 2008-9 economic downturn by cutting jobs and inventories.</p><p>Today it said that it would stick to ambitious expansion plans, saying demand in top cities like Hong Kong, London and New York would prove resilient in any downturn.</p><p>Chief executive Angela Ahrendts said Burberry made 60 per cent of retail revenue in 25 cities that are home to the world's wealthiest individuals and attract high numbers of tourists.</p><p>'Those top 25 markets are much more sheltered during a downturn,' she told reporters.</p><p>Morgan Stanley analysts said while the company had good momentum, there was little scope for profit forecast upgrades.</p><p>Nomura analysts noted Burberry shares trade at 20 times forecast earnings, compared with a multiple of 16 for the luxury sector, and kept a neutral rating on the stock.</p><p> </p>?Burberry shares rise on 16% sales surge<p>By <br>UPDATED:16:05 GMT, 13 July 2010</p><p></p><p>Shares in Burberry rose nearly 3% today after the company posted a big jump in sales.</p><p>The luxury clothes maker and retailer, which has an ad campaign fronted by Harry Potter actress Emma Watson, said it saw strong demand for accessories and outerwear.</p><p>Fresh from a 23% jump in profits to ¡ò215m, for the last financial year, Burberry said revenues were up by a better-than-expected 24% in the first quarter to the end of June. </p><p>The company's share price rose steadily throughout the day to close up 24.5p at 814p - a rise of more than 3%.</p><p>Sales in its stores were ahead 16% on an underlying basis - which excludes new outlets - and included another strong performance from its UK stores.</p><p>Burberry said items such as handbags and other non-apparel items were its strongest performing area of business, while outerwear also did well.</p><p>The company has introduced a pricing policy which has ensured that heritage products such as rainwear and cashmere scarves were never marked down.</p><p>It has also brought greater clarity to its offering through the labelling of Burberry London as its wear to work range and Burberry Brit as casualwear. </p><p>And a larger proportion of its marketing spend has been shifted online, boosting awareness and the reach of the Burberry brand. It has more than one million Facebook followers and its social media site, , has received more than several million page views since its launch in November.</p><p>The company's plans for the current financial year include an increase in capital expenditure to ¡ò130m from the ¡ò70m spent last year. This will feature between 20 and 30 new stores in areas such as the Americas and Asia Pacific, as well as store refurbishments and investment in digital commerce.</p><p>It has also sought to 'purify' the Burberry brand by closing inappropriate wholesale accounts. Meanwhile model and actress Rosie Huntington-Whiteley has been revealed as the new face of the brand while Watson takes a break from modelling.</p><p>'Although it is early in the financial year, forecasts are likely to move up,' says Evolution Securities in a note to clients, keeping a 'neutral' rating on Burberry shares.</p><p>'They need to in order to justify the premium share price rating. The shares are on a 17 times full-year 2011 price-to-earnings ratio, a 5% premium to the sector.'</p><p>Charles Stanley analyst Sam Hart said the near-term trading outlook remains uncertain given the possible impact of austerity measures on global demand. He added: 'Our best guess is that demand will hold up relatively well and continue to slowly recover from the depressed levels of 2009.</p><p>'Longer term prospects remain good, given the iconic Burberry brand and plans to leverage the franchise.'</p><p>Burberry shares gained 170% in 2009 and are up almost 30% this year, compared to a 40% and a 12.5% respective gain for the personal and household goods sector.</p><p></p>?Burberry continues its global march as sales jump 23 per cent<p> By </p><p>PUBLISHED:11:03 GMT, 17 April 2012 UPDATED:11:10 GMT, 17 April 2012</p><p>Strong demand for luxury goods in key markets including the UK, France and China lifted retail sales 23 per cent at Burberry. <br></p><p>Sales of knitwear, men's tailoring and accessories, fragrances and watches were all up, and traditional Burberry favourites such as jackets and handbags also did well. <br></p><p>Like-for-like store sales were 12 per cent higher, bringing in ¡ò743million from the whole 192-shop estate in the six month period to March 31. <br></p><p>Broadly in line with the City's expectations, shares never-the-less dipped slightly in trading today after hitting a record high yesterday. They are currently down 80p (5 per cent) at 1,506p. <br></p><p>The retailer wants to increase its selling space by between 12 per cent and 14 per cent in the current financial year, with growth weighted towards making stores larger.<br></p><p>Across the group and including wholesale markets, revenues were up 18 per cent to ¡ò1.03billion in the half year.</p><p>Burberry's profits are expected to be ¡ò372million for the year just ended, compared with ¡ò295.7million a year earlier, Investec Securities said.<br></p><p>Keith Bowman, equity analyst at Hargreaves Lansdown stockbrokers, added that Burberry's growth was the envy of most other retailers, helped by its expansion in Asia and emerging markets.<br></p><p>He said: 'Burberry's luxury brand status remains undiminished, with the Queen's Diamond Jubilee celebrations potentially providing a boost.'</p><p> </p>?Burberry smashes forecasts after flaunting it at Fashion Week<p><br>UPDATED:09:47 GMT, 14 October 2009</p><p>Luxury goods firm Burberry followed up its successful return to London Fashion Week today by posting sales figures at the top end of expectations.<br></p><p>The group's shares rose by more than 3 per cent after it reported a positive response from shoppers to its autumn and winter collection, with handbags and casual outerwear particularly popular.<br></p><p>Like-for-like sales in its stores rose by 5 per cent in the quarter to September 30, compared with the flat performance seen in the first quarter.<br></p><br><p>The UK was again one of the company's best performing markets as visitors to London took advantage of the weak pound.<br></p><p>Burberry, which was founded in 1856, received praise fromcommentators last month after the fashion house returned to the catwalkat London Fashion Week.<br></p><p>After shrugging off its links with 'chav' culture in the UK in recent years, the brand has regained its upmarket reputation.<br></p><p>Evolution Securities analyst Dennis Weber said: 'Today's statementconfirms our view that the Burberry brand is likely to continue tooutperform the rest of the luxury sector in the current difficultenvironment.'</p><p> </p>?Out of the cold and into the black: How Burberry's snood is behind 10 per cent rise in profits<br><p>By <br>UPDATED:10:55 GMT, 20 January 2010</p><p>If you're a luxury fashion house, it seems there is just one way to beat the recession - and the cold.</p><p>Burberry has attributed strong profits over Christmas to the success of its snood - a cross between a scarf and a hood.<br></p><p>The cashmere garment, which costs between ¡ò175 and ¡ò895, is marketed as the 'new scarf' and was one of the best-selling products in the run-up to a successful December for the business.</p><p>It bears the classic Burberry print and was one of the key pieces behind the 10 per cent rise in like-for-like retail sales over the period.<br></p><p>The snood is supposed to be worn over t-shirts and jeans for a 'casual chic' look.<br></p><p>Harry Potter star Emma Watson modelled it in the autumn-winter collection and stars like Gossip Girl's Blake Lively have been snapped in it. <br></p><p>There are 11 styles in the autumn-winter collection, from tweed cable knit and fair isle knit to reversible wool check, melange check and plain cashmere.</p><p></p><p>Its success has led to high street versions appearing in shops like Warehouse.<br></p><p>Burberry's classic trench coat and accessories such as the Sling and Woolf handbag also helped put the store's profits up.</p><p>Stacey Cartwright, chief financial officer for Burberry, said sales of the snood had risen by five per cent in the three months between October and December compared to the previous three months.<br></p><p>'Snoods landed in stores a few months ago and are proving popular,' she said.</p><p>She added that consumers were 'willing to spend where they feel thatwhat they are buying is an investment piece, rather than something thatis frivolous and of the season.'<br></p><p>'Burberry is positioned well in that environment,' she added.</p><p>The company's annual profits are now predicted to be 'towards the topend of market expectations' - which currently range from ¡ò175million to¡ò200million.</p><p>Meanwhile, Burberry, which has 127 stores throughout the world, is hoping to drum up interest in the brand among the younger generation with high-profile adverts featuring young stars like Emma Watson. It also has more fans on facebook than any other luxury brand.<br></p><p>Britain was one of the key countries behind Burberry's rise in profits, with double-digit growth.<br></p><p>Although the fashion house did not fare as well a year ago when the recession was at its height, its London stores have been bolstered by the weak pound, attracting foreign shoppers. <br></p><p>Tighter stock control has also meant it has discounted fewer items in sales.<br></p><p>The 10 per cent rise will come as welcome news to the business after analysts predicted a rise of just three per cent.<br></p><p>Angela Ahrendts, chief executive officer, said: 'Burberry has delivered a strong performance in both retail and wholesale, as customers around the world responded positively to our collections.<br></p><p>'As a result, we currently expect profit for this financial year to be towards the top end of market expectations.<br></p><p> </p>?Burberry soars 13% as retailer beats the blues<p>By <br>UPDATED:23:45 GMT, 21 April 2009</p><p>The recession has failed to dent demand for luxury goods from Burberry, sending the company's shares soaring more than 13pc. </p><p>Burberry said sales through its own stores, which account fornearly 60pc of its business, were up 3pc on a like-for-like basis inthe three months to March 31. </p><p>In the previous quarter, there had been a 3pc fall.<br></p><p>The company said its markets in the United States, Europe and Spain all performed better, with operations in Korea and the UK posting 'exceptional' performances in the period.</p><p></p><p>With the company also on track to deliver ¡ò50m of annual cost savings, Burberry said it expected results for the 2008-09 financial year to be around the middle of the current range of market estimates. </p><p>Chief executive Angela Ahrendts said: 'Burberry made good progress in the second half.' </p><p>The shares rose 43p to 374.5p, valuing the business at ¡ò1.4bn. </p><p></p>?Burberry sounds sales alarm<p>By <br>UPDATED:23:00 GMT, 12 October 2004</p><p></p><p>BURBERRY, the iconic designer label run by Rose Marie Bravo, today warned that it could see a slowdown in sales in its second half, with wholesaling of its spring/summer range for 2005 likely to show 'mid-to-high single-digit growth'.</p><p>But it said its first-half performance and outlook 'is consistent with expectations for the financial year'.</p><p>Burberry said in a trading update that wholesale sales, which account for 57% of the total, had moved ahead by 13% on an underlying basis, driven by the US and Asia, although this fell to 8% on a reported basis because of the strength of currencies in its main export markets.</p><p>It made no comment on sales of its trade-mark checked baseball caps, which it is reported to have withdrawn after adverse publicity about them being worn by less desirable members of society than Burberry's normal target customers.</p><p>New stores helped drive retail sales up by 12% on an underlying basis in the six months to end-September. Four stores opened in the first half and four more are planned to open in the second. </p><p>The biggest growth came in the smallest division, licensing, which saw a 31% rise in sales thanks in the main to the launch of the fragrance BurberryBrit for men.</p><p>Bravo said: 'We are delighted with our new fragrance licence which will deliver ongoing financial and marketing benefits.'</p><p>The group has signed a new, long-term agreement with Inter Parfums, its existing producer of fragrances. </p>?Burberry steals the show at London Fashion Week with fake showers at Hyde Park<br><p> By <br>UPDATED:13:14 GMT, 21 February 2012</p><br><p>London Fashion Week goers were left open-mouthed today when a rumble of thunder and crash of lightning roared through Hyde Park - followed by a downpour that was not predicted in this morning&#8217;s forecast. <br></p><p>But the heavy showers running down the glass windows of Burberry&#8217;s specially erected show space were not an unexpected weather pattern but the work of a highly-skilled production team. <br></p><p>The effects managed to raise excitement from the most jaded followers of fashion &#8211; even Anna Wintour cracked a smile.</p>Scroll down for video<p></p><p>Countryside colours were muted - burgundy, khakis and mustard tones.</p><p>Bailey also proved a fan of peplum this season, working the trend into jackets and pencil skirts featuring pockets so large and deep you wouldn&#8217;t need a handbag.</p><p>As the last model exited the supersize runway, a moment of silence ensued before the rain started, followed by gold confetti falling on a cacophony of umbrellas for the finale.</p><p>All looks are now available to buy on Burberry&#8217;s website for the next seven days.</p><p>And with clothes like these, you will be praying for real rain. <br></p><p> </p><p>Fashionfront line: 1) Bollywood beauty, Sonam Kapoor; 2) Black Eyed Peas rapper and music producer will.i.am; 3) Model and presenter, Alexa Chung; 4) War Horse star Jeremy Irvine, 5) Birdsong star Clemence Poesy;6) Birdsong actor and Burberry model Eddie Redmayne; 7) Model Rosie Huntington-Whitely; 8) photographer Mario Testino; 9) Actress Kate Bosworth</p><p> </p><p>Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Eddie Redmayne and Kate Bosworth attended the LFW presentation<br></p>?Burberry steps up its Olympic effort at the final hurdle<br><p>By <br>UPDATED:20:40 GMT, 17 April 2011</p><p>Luxury fashion house Burberry is in a sprint to beef up its presence in London ahead of next year&#8217;s Olympics.</p><p>Chief executive Angela Ahrendts said the retailer known for its distinctive check pattern was planning to ramp up purchases of retail space in the capital, in a bid to make London its &#8216;flagship market&#8217;.</p><p>She said the increased number of Chinese visitors to Britain was a key factor in the decision, while the Olympics would bring in millions of foreign shoppers.<br></p>?October 2012Prize valueWinning bond No.Area¡ò1,000,000176ND537520Overseas ¡ò100,000190YL731192Dudley ¡ò100,00086ZY785587West Sussex ¡ò100,000186AQ461669Derbyshire ¡ò100,000183SA844038Sheffield ¡ò100,0005EJ713506Northern Ireland ¡ò50,000189HA961605Bradford ¡ò50,00017QC030688Nottingham ¡ò50,000150ZZ067504Hertfordshire ¡ò50,000126RT689109Southampton ¡ò50,000111CA212785Greater Manchester ¡ò50,00024JC837905Edinburgh ¡ò50,000110ZL786330Kent ¡ò50,000147QP328139Cumbria?Burberry surges 24% with new ranges<p>By <br>UPDATED:13:44 GMT, 17 April 2007</p><p></p><p>Outstanding demand for its spring outerwear ranges, luxury handbags and a much smaller January sale helped Burberry to a stronger-than-expected final quarter. </p><p>Retail sales in the last three months of its financial year to March rose by 24%, matching those of the third quarter. </p><p>Wholesale and licensing growth was as usual slower but still total sales for the year were 15% higher at &pound;850m with much stronger growth in the second half than the first. </p><p>Finance director Stacey Cartwright said the success of the new ranges had cut short the January sales and brought forward the spring and summer ranges. </p><p>She said the closure of the Welsh factory last month had not damaged the brand. </p><p>&#39;We announced the closure in September. Some celebrities gave their views without hearing our side of the story. </p><p>'But if you want to see the impact on the brand just look at the last half 's sales.&#39; </p><p></p>?Burberry takes a tumble as fears Japanese will slash spending spread<p>By <br>UPDATED:22:00 GMT, 14 March 2011</p><p></p><p>Fears the fashion-conscious Japanese will slash spending on luxury goods have wiped more than ¡ò200million off the value of Burberry. </p><p>Its shares fell as much as 6 per cent after investors counted the potential cost of the tsunami. </p><p> </p><p>Japan is the world's third-biggest luxury goods market after the US and China, but the Japanese still spend more on high-end brands when adding overseas purchases.</p><p>Burberry (down 51p to 1122.5p) generates about 7 per cent of its sales in Japan. Concerns over Japan's nuclear crisis hit Amec, down 37p to 1125.1p amid fears of a slowdown at its nuclear services division. </p><p>Investors placed their bets on providers of alternative energy. Shares in BG Group jumped 54p to 1504.66p on hopes that Britain's largest natural gas producer will be able to help fill Japan's energy breach.</p><p> Drax, which operates Britain's biggest coal-fired power station, saw its shares rise 12.4p 408.4p. And Aggreko, which makes temporary power generators, soared 116p to 1483.94p, making it the steepest riser on the FTSE 100. </p><p> </p>?Burberry takes axe to British staff<p>By <br>UPDATED:00:00 GMT, 22 December 2002</p><p></p><p>FASHION group Burberry is axing a quarter of the British workforce that makes its famous check cloth. It is the clearest signal yet that its no-nonsense chief executive Rose Marie Bravo is distancing herself from the beige, red, black and white plaid that has been Burberry's trademark for decades. </p><p>Twenty-four staff at Burberry's factories in Bolton, Greater Manchester, and Keighley, West Yorkshire, are being made redundant and there is speculation that the two sites may be merged. Much of Burberry's manufacturing has already been moved abroad. </p><p>Burberry's stock market flotation in July was seen as a bold move at a time when many other luxury brands were suffering. Investors expressed concern that the fickle world of fashion would soon turn against the Burberry check, which has graced everything from bikinis to raincoats and famously even 'It girl' Tamara Beckwith's dog. </p><p>Bravo, who joined the company in 1997 when it was a subsidiary of mail order giant GUS, has already axed many of the brand's licensees and wholesalers. Sales have more than doubled to &pound;500m in the past three years. </p><p>However, the Burberry check has been a growing area of concern. Though clever designs and a bold advertising campaign by fashion photographer Mario Testino briefly revitalised the check, its popularity was recognised as fleeting. </p><p>And as soon as it became the chosen uniform of some football fans, it was dropped by the fashion elite. The check still accounts for 26% of Burberry's business, but Bravo has tried to move the brand on by creating a 'Burberry stripe'. </p><p>Shares in the firm, which is still 75% owned by GUS, closed on Friday 3p below its flotation price of 230p, valuing the business at &pound;1.1bn. </p><p></p>?Burberry to defy 'chav effect'<p>By <br>UPDATED:07:38 GMT, 13 April 2005</p><p></p><p>LUXURY goods group Burberry will beat profits expectations this year despite sluggish trading in Britain, where its trademark check pattern is a badge of honour among 'chavs'. </p><p>Total sales for the second half, to 31 March, rose 6% on an underlying basis and retail sales were up by the same amount. On the wholesale side, the increase was 5%. </p><p>Describing the figures as 'solid', chief executive Rose Marie Bravo said she expects profits of at least &pound;162m for the year, against expectations of &pound;160m. </p><p>She added: 'We continue to be encouraged by the vitality of the Burberry brand and the opportunities it presents.'</p><p>More new stores are in the pipeline, including outlets in Naples, Florida, San Antonio, San Diego and Atlantic City. In Europe, a new shop will be opened in Madrid. </p><p>Burberry is two-thirds owned by Argos-to-Homebase retailer GUS. It said in January that its UK business had suffered from a lower number of United States tourists visiting London due to the strength of sterling against the greenback.</p><p>It also said the so-called 'chav' factor 'probably had not helped' the previously upmarket brand's UK performance. However, it downplayed their impact on its business, saying the UK accounted for less than 10% of the group's worldwide sales.</p><p>It said its fourth-quarter retail performance had been consistent with that of the third quarter.</p><p>In its US business, as a result of a muted consumer response to early spring women's fashion styles and significant store refurbishment activity, sales growth was driven by extra store space.</p>?Burberry to open in Moscow<p>By <br>UPDATED:23:00 GMT, 13 October 2003</p><p></p><p>LUXURY goods group Burberry, famous for its raincoats and plaid check patterns, is to open its first store in Russia, chief executive Rose Marie Bravo said.</p><p>News of the Moscow store came as the group reported better-than-expected sales for the first half, with underlying revenues jumping 16%.</p><p>Bravo said the group had traded strongly in the six months to 30 September, as the improved conditions of the first quarter continued. It did particularly well in the United States.</p><p>'Our retail investment, geographic expansion and product development strategies continue to deliver excellent results. With this performance, Burberry's trading is clearly in line with market expectations for the financial year.'</p><p>Most analysts expect the group to push full year profits ahead from &pound;85m to &pound;128m.</p><p>Total sales for the six months were up 17%, while underlying retail sales jumped 20% and now account for around a third of the group total.</p><p>Growth was driven by new stores, with only a 'marginal' contribution from existing outlets. While the US performed well, there were 'varying degrees of recovery' in other markets.</p><p>Three new stores were opened during the period, in Milan, in Virginia and a second store in Las Vegas. The group remains on schedule to open six new outlets in the second half.</p><p>The Moscow store, which will be 5,000 square feet, is scheduled to open early next year and will be operated by a third party.</p><p>On the wholesale side, sales rose by 14%, driven by double-digit gains for the autumn/winter season. </p><p></p>?Burberry trench biscuit, anyone? The afternoon tea treats inspired by the latest fashion trends<br><p>By <br>UPDATED:00:55 GMT, 19 December 2009</p><p>Recession or no recession, new designer clothes each season were always out of our price range. <br></p><p>Thank goodness then for the wittily-named Pret-a-Portea at The Berkeley, which features cakes and biscuits inspired by the latest collections as part of its afternoon tea.<br></p><p> For a snip of the price of the real thing, you can dine on Dior macaroons and Matthew Williamson mousse in the hotel's deliciously-named Caramel Room.</p><p>Louis Vuitton bunny ears (a la Madonna) feature in this season's collection, as well as Roger Vivier thigh-high boots complete with signature buckle and concave heel.</p><p> And we adore Mulberry's coveted leopard-print tote, recreated in delicious coconut and white chocolate.</p><p></p><p>Plus, to celebrate Burberry's return to the London catwalk in September, the talented pastry chefs even created a cinnamon trench coat biscuit.<br></p><p>To complete the experience, the stylish confections are served up on Paul Smith china, and Champagne is served in Baccarat crystal flutes.</p><p>It's a truly fashionable experience, but if the winter chill has deterred you from leaving the house, we've got two Pret-a-Portea recipes exclusively for MailOnline readers. <br></p><p>CINNAMON BURBERRY TRENCH BISCUIT</p><p>MAKES 20-25 BISCUITS</p><p>INGREDIENTS</p><p>METHOD</p><p>Mix the butter with icing sugar, add the flour and cinnamon, followed by the egg whites and melted butter. <br></p><p>Put in the fridge to rest for one hour. <br></p><p>With a rolling pin, roll it down to ?cm thick and cut into trench coat shapes.</p><p>Bake in the oven at 180C for approximately 8 minutes. <br></p><p>Use two different colours of icing to create the design.<br><br>TIP: Start with a line of icing on the contour of the coat, let it dry slightly and fill in the middle part. Let it dry completely before adding details like buttons.<br></p><p>WHITE CHOCOLATE AND COCONUT MULBERRY HANDBAG</p><p>MAKES 20-25 CAKES</p><p>INGREDIENTS</p><p>FOR THE GANACHE</p><p>FOR THE MODELLING MARZIPAN<br></p><p>METHOD</p><p>For the ganache, bring the cream to the boil and pour on the chopped white chocolate.</p><p>Let it cool to 35C then add the soft butter and Grand Marnier. <br></p><p>Fold in the toasted coconut and pour on a tray to cool down and become solid. Cut into handbag-sized rectangles.</p><p>Mix all the ingredients for the modelling marzipan together. Let it rest for 1-2 hours then roll very thin. <br></p><p>Cut into a cross shape large enough to put your white chocolate and coconut ganache piece in the centre.</p><p>Fold the sides of the marzipan 'cross' around the ganache, with the uppermost piece last.<br></p><p>Roll a small piece of marzipan for the handle and use edible gold leaf for the clasp.<br><br><br><br></p><p> </p>?Burberry turns fans' love into 'likes' as it beats Dior to become Facebook's most popular fashion brand<br><p> By </p><p>PUBLISHED:20:29 GMT, 19 March 2012 UPDATED:12:00 GMT, 20 March 2012</p><p>Burberry has taken the lead as Facebook's highest fashion label recipient of post 'likes', surpassing previous leader, Dior.<br></p><p>According to market research conducted by , just 18 posts on the British label's page in February, generated 138,537 'likes'. <br></p><p>Dior, which was the second most popular fashion brand, generated 118,387 for the same period.</p><p>Also in the top ten were Coach, Louis Vuitton, Armani and Dolce &amp; Gabbana as well as the lesser-known label Yepme which made a surprise entry in the ranking.</p><p>Butit is the ongoing popularity of streetwear brands like Converse which continue to surprise fashionistas. Fellow footwear brand DC Shoes also made the top ten as well as Nike Football.</p><p></p><p>It was Converse, though, that has the most popular Facebook page (rather than posts), with a mammoth 22.9million page likes. Burberry, by contrast, has just over 11million.<br></p><p>It shows how luxury brands are being outdoneby the sportier labels when it comes to page 'likes'. <br></p><p>Adidas has 13.2million page likes, making it the second most popular Facebook brand. Nike Football has more than 11million and Puma has just under 7million.</p><p> </p><p>Burberry's heightened Facebook presence may be thanks to the label's newest advertising campaign, starring It model Cara Delevingne and British actor Eddie Redmayne, and shot by famed celebrity snapper Mario Testino. <br></p><p>It has also more than doubledits activity on the site since January, when it generated just 61,000 post likes.</p><p>Burberry was also active in the lead up to London Fashion Week,which was staged mid-February. <br></p><p>The brand featured preparation updates for its Fall 2012 women's wear collection on Facebook, and also streameda recording of the show.</p><p> </p><p>Froma marketing perspective, Facebook post likes are a valuable marketing tool. If a Facebook user chooses to 'like' a brand's content, it demonstrates first-hand approval. <br></p><p>Gemma Craven, Head of New York said 'liking' something online can translate to actual sales. <br></p><p>'Brands such as Burberry have realised there&#8217;s a new customer journey - one that is defined by the increasing impact our social networks have on our purchase decisions,' she said.<br></p><p>It is becoming increasingly common for fashion brands to look to Facebook as an indication of product likeability.</p><p>'The business case for being on Facebook is clear,' said Miss Craven. 'Recent numbers show 60per cent of Facebook fans are more likely to recommend brands they follow.'<br></p><p>However, Burberry's current success is undeniable. The label's London Fashion Week showing for Fall 2012 was well-received by critics. Style icons Kate Bosworth and Rosie Huntington-Whitely were both seated front row.</p><p></p><p>As for the show itself, the theatrics seemed endless. Staged inside a glass tent, faux rain poured in an extremely life-like fashion down the side of the glass walls.</p><p>And elsewhere in the web-sphere, Burberry maintains a popular Twitter feed. Followed by more than 853,000 users, it has been reported that the brand relies on divvying up its exclusive content between social media platforms, to attract optimal fans.</p>?Burberry hold star-studded party to launch luxury new watch collection - accompanied by slick Mario Testino campaign<br> <p> By </p><p>PUBLISHED:15:46 GMT, 3 October 2012 UPDATED:16:13 GMT, 3 October 2012</p><br><p>Continuing with his plot for world domination, or at least fashion world domination, Burberry's Chief Creative Officer Christopher Bailey has launched his first collection of super-luxe automatic watches. </p><p>The Britain is a range of slick timepieces created to celebrate 156 years of the brand - harnessing all the core elements that are the essence of Burberry: history, craftsmanship, and quality. <br></p><p>The collection was launched with a stellar party at the new Burberry flagship at 121 Regent Street - 44,000sq ft of prime fashion real estate that has a hydraulic stage and concert-quality sound system. <br></p><p>And that sounds system certainly got tested to its limits last night, as a host of young, beautiful Brits gathered to pay homage to Bailey's latest baby.<br></p><p>Olympic gold medal winner Victoria Pendleton rubbed Burberry-clad shoulders with homegrown actors Olivia Grant and Gemma Chan, and singer Ren Harvieu, who performed at the event. <br></p><p>Stars of the current Mario Testino-lensed watch campaign were in attendance - actress Gabriella Wilde, who is currently shooting a remake of the horror film Carrie in Los Angeles, musician Rob Pryor and art dealer Harry Scrymgeour.</p><p></p><p>Musician Roo Panes, who composed the track for the autumn/winter campaign, again shot by Testino, was also there in his Burberry best.</p><p>'The Britain is the embodiment of our rich, British heritage and all our inspirations,' Christopher Bailey said of the timepiece collection.</p><p>'It is a very personal project that we have been working on for a long time &#8211; The Britain is this powerful balance of modernity and tradition, mixing strong attitude and innovative design with craftsmanship and timeless quality.'</p><p> </p><p> </p> <p><br></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p></p>?Burberry warmed by rising revenues<p>By <br>UPDATED:15:25 GMT, 13 October 2010</p><p></p><p>High street retail was warmed by news that fashion house Burberry revealed a 21% rise in half-year revenues as customers snapped up coats and leather goods. </p><p>The company, which took centre stage at the recent London Fashion Week, said it continued to build momentum with strong performances in markets including Hong Kong, the UK, Italy and France.</p><p>It is also targeting more of the Chinese market after recently agreeing a ¡ò70m deal to buy out its franchise partner in the country.</p><p>The company's retail division posted sales growth of 22% in the second quarter, up from 16% in the first quarter after the addition of new space and the transfer of the Chinese operations.</p><p>Same-store sales rose 8% in the quarter, down from 10% in the previous three months, with outerwear and large leather goods accounting for half the growth. </p><p>Shoes, childrenswear and its Prorsum collection also did well.</p><p>Burberry chief executive Angela Ahrendts said the company expected profits for the full year to be in the top half of market expectations, adding that new products, online and customer service initiatives and the Chinese expansion were helping to underpin confidence. </p><p>However Nick Raynor, investment advisor at The Share Centre, was unconvinced about the figures as Burberry did report that sales were slowing.? </p><p> 'Although Burberry cautiousness is understandable in the current climate, we feel that bid speculation is keeping the share price above 1,000p and current figures are not backing up the share price.? </p><p>'We therefore downgrade Burberry to a sell.'</p><p>This afternoon its shares are down 27p or 2.6% to 1,012p.</p><p></p>?Burberry, Argos good for GUS<p>By <br>UPDATED:23:00 GMT, 11 October 2000</p><p></p><p>Burberry, one of the most globally venerated names in British fashion, has hitched up its plaid skirts and is dashing for growth. In a first-half trading update, parent Great Universal Stores reported that Burberry sales have leapt 38% at constant exchange rates, with wholesale orders for next spring pointing to more growth in the pipeline. </p><p>'Particularly pleasing is how widespread the gains are,' said GUS finance director David Tyler, 'extending to Asia and the US, and from womenswear into men's and accessories such as handbags and ties'. </p><p>The glitterati were clinking glasses to celebrate the launch of the new flagship store in London's New Bond Street. Another big store will open in Tokyo in December, and Burberry is doubling the size of its New York store. </p><p>The other big success has been Argos where, as with Burberry, new GUS chief executive John Peace has shaken up the management. </p><p>Like-for-like Argos sales were up 11% in the half-year to end-September, led by sales of furniture and mobile phones. </p><p>Analysts, concerned by a 16% sales slump in South Africa, are holding full-year profit forecasts at &pound;470m. </p><p></p>?Burberry's Body: Rosie Huntington-Whiteley unveils Brit label's new fragrance<br><p> By <br>UPDATED:14:57 GMT, 1 September 2011<br></p><p>After single-handedly turning the trench coat into a wardrobe staple, it seems Burberry's influence on fashion is going from strength to strength. <br></p><p>So it was only a matter of time before the British label unveiled a new fragrance.<br></p><p>And with Rosie Huntington-Whiteley as the face of the scent, it won't be long before thousands of bottles of Body are flying off the shelves.</p><p>The supermodel features in the new campaign to promote the range, wearing nothing but a gold trench - and a few drops of the scent of course.<br></p><p>Shot by Mario Testino under the direction of Cheif Creative Officer Christopher Bailey, the campaign will be shown online and on TV and Burberry Body will be available in over 160 markets from tomorrow.</p><p>The scent has so far featured on Facebook, giving users a chance to preview the scent.</p><p>The page has had a staggering 8 million 'likes' as the brand continues to push the boundaries of digital media.</p><p>It was the first high-end label to stream its shows live during Fashion Week - setting a new precedent.</p><p></p><p>Bailey said: 'Burberry Body is the most exciting launch that we have ever created and captures the iconic spirit of the brand today in a striking and sensual way. <br></p><p> </p><p>The supermodel wears nothing but a trench - and drop of Burberry Body<br></p><p>'Rosie's effortless style and her staggering beauty made her the natural choice as the first Burberry Body.'</p><p>The Transformers actress, who has also been busy starring in the new M&amp;S campaign, was announced as the face of Burberry in 2010.</p><p>She said: 'It&#8217;sa huge honour to be working with Burberry again, a brand that put my career on the map and helped launch me. To be asked to be the first 'Burberry Body' is an amazing compliment.'</p><p>CLICK PLAY TO WATCH THE BURBERRY BODY COMMERCIAL...</p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p>CLICK PLAY TO WATCH BEHIND-THE-SCENES FOOTAGE OF ROSIE...<br></p>?Burberry's distinguished decade as luxury fashion brand goes from strength to strength<p> By </p><p>PUBLISHED:21:00 GMT, 19 July 2012 UPDATED:21:00 GMT, 19 July 2012</p><p>Burberry chief executive Angela Ahrendts opened trading at the London Stock Exchange yesterday, ten years after the luxury fashion brand first listed on the bourse, and capping a decade of outstanding growth.<br></p><p>Over that time Burberry has grown into a fashion powerhouse, using its English heritage to generate sales in Asia, the Middle East and the US.<br></p><p>When Burberry first listed on the LSE in July 2002 at 230p, its market capitalisation was ¡ò1.2bn. Yesterday the shares closed up 57p at 1289p, a 460 per cent increase since it floated, giving the fashion house a stock market worth of ¡ò5.6bn &#8211; larger than M&amp;S.</p><p>Ahrendts, pictured centre, said the last ten years were &#8216;a remarkable chapter&#8217; for the business that was formed in 1856.<br></p><p>Burberryfinance director Stacey Cartwright received stock worth ¡ò1.7m as part of a reward scheme dating back to 2009. She sold shares worth ¡ò1.5m. After buying stock worth ¡ò456,000, she was also gifted shares worth ¡ò1.9m.</p><p> </p>?Burberry's fashion hothouse: Young talent stars in spring campaign<br> <p>By <br> UPDATED:17:02 GMT, 10 December 2008</p> <p>Winning a place in the Burberry advertising campaign is a little like winning the X Factor. <br></p><p>The unknowns who are cast in it often go on to great things, such is the exposure from one of the most prestigious gigs in the fashion business. <br></p><p>There is no better indication of who will make it big. <br> </p> <p>And according to Burberry's spring 2009 campaign, pictured above, it could well be Eden Clarke. <br> </p> <p>It is only 18 months since the 19-year-old was spotted at a festival on her native Isle of Wight but she was on the cover of last month's British Vogue with new Model of the Year Jourdan Dunn and is now with a quintessentially British brand that has boosted the likes of Kate Moss, Agyness Deyn and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley. <br> </p> <p>Joining her in the Burberry line-up is 18-year-old Alexina Graham - the Nottingham teenager got her break after winning a modelling competition. <br> </p> <p>Lily Donaldson, 20 - discovered in Camden market - is in her eighth season with the brand.</p><p>Also photographed are 19-year-old George Craig, from Yorkshire band One Night Only, and Tooting photographer Emily Hope, 23.</p><p>Photographed by Mario Testino in a Richmond greenhouse, the campaign sees Burberry revert to basics. <br> </p> <p>"This reflects the true heritage of Burberry outerwear, the iconic check and our British attitude," said brand creative director Christopher Bailey. "I wanted the mood to be gentle, relaxed, romantic and about a quiet, beautiful sense of luxury." </p><p> </p> <p>Alexina Graham, George Craig, Eden Clarke and Donaldson in outfits marking a return to the brand's heritage as a designer of outerwear the fashion business</p><br><br><p> </p>?The walk-in website for fashionistas: Burberry&#8217;s hi-tech new superstore opens in London's West End ahead of Fashion Week<br><p> By </p><p>PUBLISHED:13:32 GMT, 13 September 2012 UPDATED:14:34 GMT, 13 September 2012</p><br><br><br><p>As the global fashion pack move from New York to London tomorrow all eyes are on our capital city.</p><p>With this in mind, classic British brand Burberry have pulled out all the stops to revamp their flagship store.</p><p>The existing store on Regent Street has undergone a fashion fabulous facelift and has been turned in to a walk-in website, mirroring the label's fashion forward digital world and offering a totally new shopping experience for the West End.<br></p><p> </p><p> Just in time for this season's biggest fashion show, the label has created 'Burberry World Live' which has been designed to mirror their website.<br></p><p>It boasts nearly 500 speakers and 100 screens and notes to accompany the store launch describe it as merging fashion with technology and having many functions: serving as both and events space and innovation hub ... meaning that shoppers can expect exciting digital add-ons like virtual rain showers and mirrors transforming into runways while they browse the beautiful trench coats. </p><p>There will be musical talent on display too with the launch of Burberry Acoustic: a live stage hosting creative talent.</p><p>And for those of us not lucky enough to join celebrities and fashionistas at the shows, satellite technology means that fashion fans can experience live streamed events direct from the store.</p><p> </p><p>The store itself is rich in history. Constructed in 1820 for the Prince Regent, the building has housed galleries, a cinema, livery stables and a radio broadcaster over the course of 200 years. <br></p><p>'Burberry Regent Street brings our digital world to life in a physical space for the first time, where customers can experience every facet of the brand through immersive multimedia content exactly as they do online. <br></p><p>'Walking through the doors is just like walking into our website. It is Burberry World Live.</p><p>We call Burberry a young, old company: forever moving forward while never forgetting our 156-year heritage. The fusion of history and innovation in Burberry Regent Street is the brand&#8217;s most comprehensive creative and commercial expression,' said Angela Ahrendts, Burberry Chief Executive Officer.</p><p> Christopher Bailey, Burberry Chief Creative Officer added: 'We are so excited to launch Burberry World Live at our new Regent Street flagship, bringing our physical and digital worlds together to create amazing experiences that encompass everything from fashion, to heritage, to music, to the Burberry Foundation.</p><p>Burberry Regent Street is one of the most architecturally and culturally significant projects we have undertaken. <br></p><p> In renovating this iconic London building we have worked with some of the UK&#8217;s finest craftsmen to restore a wealth of historic features, at the same time as pushing the boundaries of digital technology. <br></p><p>Theresult is a space defined by contrasts: at once imposing and intimate, its juxtaposition of craft and innovation is designed to delight, surprise and entertain.</p><p> It is a reflection of how we approach everything at Burberry - revealing the different layers of the brand's heritage within a modern context, and forever celebrating design and expert craftsmanship.' </p><br><p><br></p><br><br><br><p> </p>?Feel like you are on the front row for Burberry's London Fashion Week show as it's streamed live on the FEMAIL channel<br><p> By </p><p>PUBLISHED:12:56 GMT, 17 September 2012 UPDATED:13:56 GMT, 17 September 2012</p><p>Fashionistas don't need to worry if they haven't been able to get a ticket to Burberry's London Fashion Week show.<br></p><p> The British brand are harnessing the latest technology to stream their Prorsum Spring/Summer 13 show live so fans around the world can tune in to view the catwalk display where ever they are. </p><p>The show will be streamed as it happens via their website from 4pm and you can also view it at the.</p><p>Scroll down to watch teaser...<br></p><p> </p><p></p><p>Burberry's new collection will be previewed by more than 1500 guests at the brand's custom-built show venue in London's Hyde Park. A host of celebs are expected to be on the front row and you can see them arriving for the anticipated event before the catwalk show begins via the live stream.<br></p><p>Fashionistas will have more access to the show than ever before via their mobiles as they will be able to connect to the show via Facebook and Twitter for exclusive content and share what they like with friends.</p><p> </p><p>Guests at Burberry's recently re-opened flagship store in London's Regent Street will also be able to feel like they are at the event by experiencing it live from 'Burberry World'.</p><p>The show will be streamed simultaneously onto the tallest retail screen in the world at their West End store.</p><p>The Hyde Park, Regent Street store and social media show experiences will be linked via an advanced social stream, integrating real time content from the London events, Facebook, Twitter and<br>Instagram.</p><p> </p><p>Burberry say their aim is to 'blur the physical and digital' by bringing all the facets of their live show to a global audience via their personalised cross channel viewing experience.</p><p>Guests at over 35 Burberry Retail Theatre events and those watching through Burberry World will then be able to purchase the runway collection exclusively for one week immediately after the show, before the products go on sale globally eight weeks later.</p>To watch the Burberry Prorsum Spring/Summer 13 show from 4pm click to visit the.<br><p>See the show teaser here... </p><p><br><br></p><p><br></p><p></p>?Burberry's profits boosted to ¡ò196million as rich Texans and Arabs buy their wives handbags and shoes<br><br><p>By </p><p>Last updated at 2:02 PM on 28th May 2008</p><br><br> <p>Cool Britannia: The Spring Summer 2008 advertising campaign by Mario Testino, featuring Agnes Deyn, has helped boost Burberry's sales by 25 per cent. Picture by Testino/Burberry </p> <p> </p> <p>Burberry, the British fashion house with an American chief executive, unveiled a credit crunch-defying jump in sales and profits today as wealthy women across the globe continued to shop with abandon.</p><p>Burberry - famous for its trademark check design - said wholesale revenue doubled from markets such as China, the Middle East and Russia, while North America underlying sales rose 26 per cent.<br></p><p>The luxury handbags, belts and clothing group enjoyed a 25 per cent jump in profits to ¡ò196million on the back of a 17 per cent rise in revenue to ¡ò995million for the year ending in March.</p><p>Angela Ahrendts, approaching the end of her second year at the helm, insists Burberry has much further to grow, especially in markets such as Russia where rivals LVMH and others have more exposure.</p> <p>'Compared to our luxury peers, we are significantly under-penetrated,' she said. 'It will be quite a few years before those markets are tapped out.'</p><p>Burberry has been around since 1856, and continues to promote itself as a luxury brand with a particularly British sensibility. But it is a global concern now, and its iconic West End store is merely the UK flagship. <br></p><p>Although much of the retail sector is struggling of late, the luxury end has so far not suffered from the downturn.<br></p><p>Finance director Stacey Cartwright said: 'Our luxury positioning gives us some insulation, but we are not saying we are completely immune.'</p><p>The problem for all luxury businesses is how to grow while retaining an exclusive feel. Until Ahrendts arrived, Burberry was opening five new stores a year at best. Now it is more like 15.</p><p> Although the statement warned about "an external environment that became increasingly challenging during the second half", Ahrendts sees no reason to slow down.</p><p>The debt on the balance sheet fell by ¡ò25million to ¡ò64million, although this figure is expected to rise next year.</p><p>Burberry tended in the past to be run as a series of fiefdoms, with businesses in different countries pursuing their own designs and developing their own supply chains.</p><p>Ahrendts has been working on turning Burberry into a single company with common advertising.</p><p>This is probably an attempt to take greater control of the brand and avoid past mistakes that for a while saw Burberry associated with Essex girls - a temporary boon to sales that was a potential long-term disaster.<br><br>The most recent marketing gambit has focused on the film of Sex and the City - Burberry is one of the brands favoured by the character played by Sarah Jessica Parker. <br></p><p>New product lines in the works include luggage, while shoes and childrenswear are just starting out. <br></p><p>The dividend is up 14 per cent to 12p. The shares have fallen sharply from a year high of 707p, but today put on 11/2p to 5081/2p. That values the company at about ¡ò2 billion.</p><p> </p> <br>?Forget the It bag: Male satchels boosts Burberry's sales by 27%<br><p>By <br>UPDATED:14:34 GMT, 19 January 2011<br><br></p><p>Forget the It-bag, it's now the man bag helping fashion brands boost profits.<br></p><p>Burberry has reported a 27 per cent rise in sales in part due to the trendy piece.</p><p>And it seems the item made a popular gift choice in the run up to Christmas.<br></p><p>The totes, selling for between ¡ò295 and ¡ò895, have proved particularly popular with Chinese and Asian shoppers.</p><p>Chief financial officer Stacey Cartwright said: 'In China and the rest of Asia &#8212; where Burberry has a big fan base &#8212; men&#8217;s accessories are a huge market'.<br></p><p>The latest menswear collection features brightly-coloured bags with Sixties-style duffel coats and transparent ponchos and was unveiled in Milan on Saturday. <br></p><p>Total sales in the three months to the end of December hit ¡ò480 million, meaning Burberry expects annual profits to come in at the top end of City forecasts.</p><p>Analysts are pencilling in pre-tax profits of almost ¡ò290 million for the 12 months to the end of March. <br></p><p>Cartwright said its stores in the UK and on the east coast of the US suffered during the snow, but she was 'delighted' with the performance of London&#8217;s stores where almost a third of customers come from China. <br></p><p>Shoppers from the Middle East, Russia, the rest of Europe and Brazil also helped to drive up sales. </p>?The luxury brand with a chequered past, Burberry's shaken off its chav image to become the fashionistas' favourite once more <p>Last updated at 9:17 AM on 02nd June 2008</p> <p>Profitable fashion. It's a difficult balancing act, one only a handful of labels have been able to achieve: how to keep your brand exclusive and cutting-edge, but at the same time shift enough of your product to keep the accountants happy.</p><p>Make your brand too famous and it will inevitably fall into the wrong hands, ensuring your high-end customers - always in search of the Next Big Thing - desert you in droves.</p><p>Become too niche, and while the girls who worship Vogue might hanker after you, the rich wives of Russian oligarchs will turn up their newly chiselled noses. <br></p><p>In the late Nineties, Burberry , once a staid store selling raincoats, decided it wanted a piece of the burgeoning mania for designer labels. It upped its advertising budget and used its trademark check not just as a discreet lining but plastered over absolutely everything.</p> <p>Reinvented classics: Burberry's Spring/Summer 2008 collection<br></p><p>Unfortunately, Burberry became too ubiquitous for comfort, and soon the distinctive house check was adopted as a badge of honour for the newly emerging chav generation.</p> <p>The day that former soap star Daniella Westbrook and her daughter stepped out head to toe in Burberry sounded the death knell for the company's credibility. It had to change, and it had to change fast.</p> <p>News released last week confirms it has done just that. Burberry enjoyed a 25 per cent jump in profits to ¡ò196 million on the back of a 17 per cent rise in revenue to ¡ò995million for the year ending in March. It is now one of the top five luxury goods brands in the world.</p> <p>It's interesting that the Burberry renaissance has been driven by two canny American businesswomen: Rose Marie Bravo, who left the most prestigious job in fashion - as president of Saks - to head up Burberry in 1998; and Angela Ahrendts, who took over two years ago having cut her teeth at Donna Karan.</p> <p>What the women have in common is that they are both anglophiles who fell in love with the history of the company.</p> <p>Founded in 1856, Burberry dressed not only Sir Ernest Shackleton for his exploration of Antarctica, but also provided Army officers with the raincoats they wore in the trenches of World War I (hence the term 'trench coat') and clothed debutantes in floor-length duchesse satin.</p> <p>The straight-talking Bravo recognised that this unique slice of Englishness could be successfully marketed around the world. In 2001, she hired the down-to-earth Yorkshireman Christopher Bailey to reinvent the label and put the chavs firmly off the scent.</p> <p>Bailey grew up in Halifax, the son of a carpenter and a Marks &amp; Spencer windowdresser. His love of fashion came from his grandmothers, who were both seamstresses. <br></p><p> </p> <p>After graduating from the Royal College of Art in 1994, he worked for, among others, Donna Karan and Gucci. One of the first things Bailey did at Burberry was to spend months poring over the archives, before reinventing the classics, fashioning a military jacket out of gold sequins, say, or buttery soft leather.</p> <p>With the younger label Burberry Prorsum (Latin for 'forwards'), he has come up with numerous trends: the balloon sleeve, the cocoonshaped overcoat, the liberal use of metallics and, of course, the trench coat in ever more luxurious fabrics. <br> </p> <p>His collection for winter 2008 includes myriad exquisite variations, covering the simple trench with tiered feathers and leather leaves; the ¡ò3,000 chevron coat has even made it onto the back of Sarah Jessica Parker in the new Sex And movie. <br> </p> <p>And while Bailey, talking about his label's chavdom, is keen not to sound elitist - 'I'm proud we had such a democratic appeal' - he has been instrumental in returning to the brand its coolness, while at the same time sending top-end sales soaring.</p> <p>He was at the forefront of the money-spinning mania for vertiginous shoes (Burberry sold more than 300,000 pairs at more than ¡ò300 a pop last year), and for the hugely expensive handbag, fashioned from exotic skins.</p> <p>This spring's Warrior bag, which, despite its ¡ò13,000 price tag, sold in its hundreds, added nicely to the bank balance, while its success had a knockon effect: the dizzying height of the Burberry price range enabled the brand to increase the average price of its bags by more than 25 per cent, the resultant buzz helping to push Burberry accessories to make up 31 per cent of total sales.</p> <p>The ad campaigns have been instrumental in the brand's success, too. Shot in black and white by Mario Testino, they look more classically beautiful than ever before, use models who might actually be members of the British aristocracy - such as Stella Tennant, granddaughter of the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire - or merely look as if they are, such as new Brit stars Agyness Deyn and Georgia Frost.</p> <p>It is an inspired conceit. But that is exactly what it is: a conceit. The English countryside, as depicted by Testino, no longer really exists.</p> <p>Nobody in the countryside actually wears this stuff, or carries the new Burberry Beaton bag (only 8 per cent of Burberry sales are in the UK). But it is the illusion that we do that has helped propel the latest sales figures, and enabled Ahrendts to open 15 new stores in developing markets.</p> <p>Burberry continues to trade on its 'Englishness', of course it does. Bailey cites as his inspiration the warmly-coated figures depicted by the artist L. S. Lowry, and says proudly, 'We have two factories in Yorkshire - in Rotherham, which we saved from closure, and Castleford, where we make the iconic rainwear. We still use fabrics from the traditional cloth mills. I love those solid English cloths.'</p> <p>But you wonder how long it will be before Burberry - which closed down its factory in South Wales last year, at the cost of 300 jobs - is forced, or tempted, to move all its production to China.</p> <p>The big challenge for the next few years will not be whether a D-list celebrity has got hold of your clothes, but whether consumers will stomach the poorly-paid worker churning out ever more expensive 'things' that are supposed to remind us of a more gentle, bygone age, all in pursuit of that all-important bottom line.</p> <p> </p> Share this article:?Burberry&#8217;s future isn&#8217;t so Rosie <p>UPDATED:00:09 GMT, 19 October 2008</p> <br> <p>Supermodel Rosie Huntington-Whiteley has been dropped by leading fashion house Burberry following the publication of a picture of her with what appeared to be a drug pipe.</p><p>Sources close to Rosie, right, who is dating Rolling Stone Ronnie Wood&#8217;s son Tyrone, say she was not approached to appear in the latest Burberry campaign, which was shot last week.</p><p>Dropped by Burberry: Rosie Huntington Whiteley</p> <p> <br></p><p>The snap of 19-year-old Rosie with the pipe was printed by The Mail on Sunday in July.</p><p>&#8216;Rosie thought she was doing two or three seasons for Burberry,&#8217; I&#8217;m told. &#8216;But they asked Eden Clark and Alex Pettyfer to do the shoot.&#8217; <br></p><p>Burberry said: &#8216;The campaign is not finalised. We don&#8217;t release information until the official launch.&#8217;</p><p> </p> Share this article:?Celebrity style finder: Where can I find Eva Longoria Parker's dress and Sienna Miller's boots? <p>By <br></p><p>UPDATED:11:27 GMT, 20 August 2009</p>From Kate Bosworth's trench and Nicole Richie's jewellery to Alexa Chung's handbag, we show you how to get A-list looks at a fraction of the price.<br><p>EVA LONGORIA PARKER'S DRESS</p><p>Ever the diva, Eva hit the redcarpet at the Emmy Awards in Los Angeles wearing this dazzling,strapless fringed Marchesa dress with an embroidered bodice (¡ò3,300,marchesa.com or net-a-porter.com) a season before it was in the shops. <br></p><p>Make a similar statement for a fraction of the price at goddiva.com (¡ò35), which specialises in copying celebrity outfits. <br></p><p>SIENNA MILLER'S BOOTS</p><p>We love Sienna's laidback boho style, with an edge - and these slouchy, studded brown suede biker boots epitomise her wearable look. <br></p><p>We tracked them down to Russell and Bromley (¡ò295, russellandbromley.co.uk). As ankle boots are a trend that's here to stay for autumn we think they're worth investing in, but you can also get cheaper versions in Miss Selfridge and Kurt Geiger for a more affordable ¡ò75-¡ò100.</p><p>ALEXA CHUNG'S BAG</p><p>We adore Alexa's power satchel,which glams up even the grungiest outfit and holds everything you couldever need. Alexa's is the Daria satchel from 'It' bag designer labelMulberry and costs ¡ò550 (mulberry.com) - if you can get to the front ofthe waiting list, that is. <br></p><p>Fortunately, Vanilla Paris does a double-take version in a range of colours from ¡ò70 (vanilla-paris.co.uk). <br></p><p></p><p>NICOLE RICHIE'S NECKLACE</p><p>Knownfor her quirky retro style, Nicole Richie is never seen without hersignature bold jewellery. <br></p><p>You can bag her look with this House ofHarlow gold and resin Triangle necklace (¡ò68, asos.com) which Richiedesigned herself in collaboration with jeweller Mouawad, or find acheaper version at Freedom for Topshop, where chunky necklaces costaround ¡ò20. <br></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p></p><p>KATE BOSWORTH'S TRENCH COAT</p><p> If you don't have a trench coat already, trust us, they'll be everywhere come October. Kate Bosworth made sure she wasn't caught out on a wet Manhattan day recently in this dip-dyed Burberry Prorsum trench coat, a modern update on their classic mac. <br></p><p>It's an eye-watering ¡ò1,195 (burberry.com), but we've seen fantastic trench coats everywhere from Zara to H&amp;M (349). If you want one with the checked inside, Topshop has a stylish number for ¡ò195.</p><p> </p>?Chav-tastic coat of paint for wacky artist's house turned into Burberry shrine<br><p>By <br>UPDATED:17:43 GMT, 19 November 2009</p><br><p>Once a symbol for all things chav, Burberry had successfully re-branded itself as one of the UK's most sophisticated fashion labels.</p><p>But a Norwegian artist looks set to undo all of their hard work after painting the exterior of his house - a former public toilet - in the brand's signature check.</p><p>Jens Werner, 33, covered the entire building in the famous beige, black and red tartan design. The re-painting of the building in Larvik took several weeks at a cost of thousands of pounds.</p><p>A gathering place for happy people: Artist Jens Werner painted his house in Burberry's signature beige plaid</p><p> </p><p>Fashion house: Mr Werner on the windowledge of his home, which he painted in the famous check because he thought it would be 'a fun idea'</p><p> </p><p>The makeover of the property was part of an effort to turn Jens'home into a 'gathering place for happy people, peace-on-earth-mentalityand art-loving people'. </p><p>He explained how he came up with the idea after waking up onemorning and thought that it would be 'a fun idea' to repaint thebuilding, which he has owned for six years.</p><p>Burberry, which is over 150 year old, is a favourite with fashion-forward celebrities including Alexa Chung and Agyness Deyn.</p><p>It became famous for its raincoats after the label was commissionedby the War Office to adapt its officer's coat to suit the conditions ofcontemporary warfare. After the war, the garment became popular withcivilians.</p><p>The company's signature print, the Haymarket check, becameubiquitous in the Nineties among football hooligans and the new chavgeneration.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Fashion forward: Agyness Deyn, Alexa Chung and Emma Watson all regularly wear Burberry designs<br></p><p>Its popularity sparked thousands of imitations and the print wasreplicated on everything from baseball caps to shoes. The label'sluxury status was dealt its final blow when former EastEnders actressDaniella Westbrook stepped out with her young daughter, bothhead-to-toe in the house tartan, complete with matching buggy.</p><p>After fighting hard to shake off its unfortunate associations with&#8216;chav&#8217; culture the firm has divided the country into three categoriesaccording to how smartly they want to dress.</p><p>The luxury fashion house has introduced a new tripartite system,splitting glamour queens who opt for silk catwalk dresses from thosemore comfortable in scruffy jeans.</p><p>It was U.S. businesswoman Rose Marie Bravo who transformed thebrand's image when she joined the company in 1998, spearheading arenaissance that saw the likes of Kate Moss, Rachel Weisz and EmmaWatson star in its advertising campaigns.</p><p>Mr Werner is not the first to have turned his home into a tribute to a fashion label.</p><p>Footballer Philip Neville turned his 18th century grade II-listedhome into a Versace-themed palace after he bought it ten years ago.</p><p>The decor featured gold-panelled ceilings and monogrammed gates sparking widespread ridicule.</p><p>The property was on the market for a year before selling for ¡ò1.5million below its ¡ò4million asking price earlier this year.</p><p>Renaissance: Kate Moss starred in advertising campaigns for Burberry after its re-brand</p><br><p></p><p> </p>?Chequered results for Burberry<p>By <br>UPDATED:06:00 GMT, 25 May 2005</p><p></p><p>EVEN Burberry's much-loved raincoats are not immune to the retail gloom in Britain, but its Asian stores are growing strongly.</p><p>Finance director Stacey Cartwright blames a 'lack of US tourists' for an estimated 5% drop in underlying sales in the UK in the fourth quarter.</p><p>The retailer said group profits before tax rose from &pound;140m to &pound;164m in the year to March. Gross margins improved from 57.9% to 59.3%. Turnover rose 6% to &pound;715m.</p><p>China and Hong Kong now account for 6% of sales and are growing at more than 30% a year, though analysts fear progress could be slow in Burberry's more established markets. </p><p>Accessories are growing strongly, thanks to new Candy and Bluebell handbags - a modern version of the traditional trademark check. Cartwright reckons the next big seller will be the new Haymarket range.</p><p>Investors were rewarded with a 50% jump in the final dividend to 4.5p. But concerns that majority shareholder GUS may sell some of its shares are hanging over the stock.</p><p>Burberry also unveiled plans to spend &pound;50m over the next three years to upgrade its computer and supply systems. Cartwright says: 'This will enable us to spot global trends that much faster.' </p>?China helps Burberry to 32% revenue growth<p>By <br>UPDATED:09:48 GMT, 19 April 2011</p><p></p><p>No hard-up retail story from Burberry as it plans to expand store space by more than 10% following a bumper finish to its financial year.</p><p>Reporting a 32% surge in revenues to ¡ò390m in the three months to March, the fashion house predicted full-year profits would ring in at the top end of expectations.</p><p>The 155-year-old maker of raincoats and handbags best known for its camel, red and black check, said it would increase store space by 12% to 13% by March next year, mainly in China, Latin America and the Middle East.</p><p>Burberry and the luxury sector has experienced a more rapid recovery than the rest of the retail sector, driven by demand from Chinese shoppers and tourists.</p><p>Angela Ahrendts, Burberry chief executive, said: 'Burberry had good early progress in China.'While the luxury industry faces global challenges in the year ahead, we remain confident in our team's ability to outperform, underpinned by the consistent execution of our key strategies.'</p><p>The group said retail revenues were up 42% to ¡ò596m in the six months to March, while wholesale revenues gained 14% to ¡ò214m in the same period. Retail growth was driven by its new stores in China, but all regions experienced double-digit growth. It said its Burberry Prorsum and Burberry London brands outperformed. </p><p>The company opened seven stores in the final six months of the year, in New York, Milan, Beijing and Shenzhen in China, Delhi, Sao Paulo and Puebla in Mexico. Wholesale revenues were similarly driven by a surge in sales in China, but the Americas and Asia Pacific also outperformed.</p><p>The company's licensing division saw revenues decline 5% to ¡ò50m, but this was in line with expectations, as growth was offset by the planned termination of the Japanese leather goods licence in 2010. It warned licensing revenues in Japan, where a licensed dealer sells Burberry goods to about 800 outlets, would be broadly flat throughout the year.</p><p>Shares in the FTSE 100-listed company gained 67p (5.8%) to 1,213p after today's update.</p><p>Katharine Wynne, an analyst at brokers Investec, said Burberry's expectations of full-year profits to March 2011 at the top end of expectations implies a figure of ¡ò290m.</p><p>Ms Wynne added there was also scope to revise upwards its forecast for the year to March 2012.</p>?China's passion for British fashion sees Burberry sales soar<p> By </p><p>PUBLISHED:20:26 GMT, 14 April 2012 UPDATED:10:10 GMT, 15 April 2012</p><p></p><p>British luxury giant Burberry will reveal this week that sales have soared over the past six months as more wealthy Chinese buy the brand. <br></p><p>The popularity of the label with shoppers at the fast-growing number of luxury department stores in the country and its promotion by actresses such as Fan Bingbing meant global sales rose by nearly a fifth to more than ¡ò1billion in the six months to the end of March.<br></p><p>Chinese and Russian tourists across Europe have also helped lift sales nearer to home, Burberry will report on Tuesday. <br></p><p>Global Blue, which tracks spending bytourists from outside Europe, said the number of purchases by Chinese visitors to Britain rose 35 per cent in the first three months of the year compared with the first quarter of 2011.<br></p><p>And the value of each transaction for which they claimed back VAT rose 20 per cent to ¡ò747.</p><p></p><p>&#8216;Young tourists are coming to Britainto buy designer labels. They are also looking for products that won&#8217;t be available in China so they can stand out from the crowd when they gethome,&#8217; said a spokeswoman for Global Blue, which will also publish figures this week. <br></p><p>China now accounts for a fifth of non-European shopping in the UK and was second only to the Middle East in the first quarter.</p><p> </p>?Chinese customers' demand fuel Burberry boom <p>By <br>UPDATED:01:38 GMT, 17 November 2010</p><p></p><p>Burberry is the latest fashion retailer to record a boom in half-year profits following a surge in demand from Chinese customers.</p><p> The retailer, famous for its camel, red and black checked raincoats, pictured, has benefited from the same increased consumer confidence that lifted Cartier owner Richemont last week and rival French fashion house LVMH.</p><p> Chief executive Angela Ahrendts unveiled better-than-expected profits for the first half of ¡ò117.7million, up from ¡ò78.4million, on sales of ¡ò641million.</p><p> The business has net cash of ¡ò181million and Ahrendts hiked the interim dividend from 3.5p to 5p.</p><p> She said the star performer of the first half has been leather handbags. Burberry (down 16p to 1004p) has been focused on driving sales of accessories so the firm is not so dependent on high-fashion items.</p><p></p><p>Customers have snapped up its range of &#8216;heritage&#8217; handbags that will not be changed with the trends of the season, which will underpin its offering. <br></p><p>Finance director Stacey Cartwright said Burberry will absorb any hikes in the cost of raw materials. </p><p> </p>?Chinese demand boosts Burberry sales<p>By <br>UPDATED:21:41 GMT, 13 October 2010</p><p></p><p>A surge in demand for Burberry's iconic trenchcoats among wealthy Chinese tourists helped boost half-year sales at the upmarket retail chain. </p><p>The fashion group shrugged off the downturn to post a 17 per cent rise in underlying group sales for the six months to 30 September at a time when many of its High Street rivals are struggling to woo customers. </p><p>Finance boss Stacey Cartwright said performance at its network of 50 stores in China was particularly strong along with a pick-up in demand from fashionconscious Chinese men, like Hong Kong actor and popstar Eason Chan. </p><p></p><p>Revenues in the past quarter rose 12 per cent to ¡ò359million, up from¡ò282million in the previous three months, prompting the firm to say profits would be at the top half of expectations. <br></p><p></p><p>But its shares fell 31p to 1008p on disappointment that the firm did not lift its forecast even further. Cartwright was upbeat on future trading saying Burberry would not be affected by a spike in cotton prices. </p><p> </p>?CITY DIARY: Retail sector under the spotlight <p> By </p><p>PUBLISHED:14:46 GMT, 18 May 2012 UPDATED:14:46 GMT, 18 May 2012</p><p>The retail sector will come under the spotlight this week when Marks &amp; Spencer, ASOS, Mothercare and Burberry will update on how they are coping in tough economic conditions.</p>Monday <p>Ryanair will publish its final year results. <br></p>Tuesday<p>High street bellwether Marks &amp; Spencer will suffer its first fall in annual profits for three years as the squeeze in its customers&#8217; living standards hits home. <br></p><p>Profits had smashed through the ¡ò1billion barrier for the first time in a decade in 2008 but the financial crisis hurt shoppers and heralded an era of fierce discounting on the high street. <br></p><p>In that time, the UK&#8217;s biggest clothes retailer has come under pressure from the success of budget retailer Primark, while Next has grown sales online to make up for a fall in store sales. <br> </p><p>And its food sales are competing against fierce discounting in the supermarkets, prompting it to launch a new 500-strong Simply M&amp;S value range to appeal to austerity Britain. <br></p><p></p><p>The group, which has more than 700 stores in the UK, will report a 3 per cent fall in pre-tax profits to ¡ò694million in the year to the end of March, according to City forecasts. <br> </p><p>Like-for-like sales of general merchandise are expected to have fallen by about 1.7 per cent in the year, but food sales have put in a much stronger performance, with margins set to have grown slightly. <br> </p><p>Booming demand for mobile internet access in the UK and strong growth in emerging markets will help Vodafone weather the financial storm in southern Europe. <br> </p><p>The mobile phone giant&#8217;s shares approached their pre-financial crisis peaks in early 2012 but have weakened in recent months amid fears that its stellar growth is beginning to slow. <br> </p><p>The Newbury-based firm&#8217;s performance has been hit by recessions in Spain and Italy, while the fees it can charge for connecting mobile calls are being reduced in markets such as the UK.These effects are offsetting gains from its rapid growth in India and Turkey, and from growing demand for data as people use smartphones to get online. <br> </p>Wednesday <br> <p>Angela Ahrendts&#8217; star will continue to shine when luxury goods group Burberry reports that profits have risen by a quarter. <br> </p><p>The brand, famous for its red, black and camel-coloured check design, has remained resilient in the face of the worsening global economy, helped by strong demand in key markets including the UK, France and China. <br></p><p>Under the leadership of chief executive Ms Ahrendts and creative director Christopher Bailey, the group has tapped into demand from well-heeled travellers for high-end British fashion.</p><p>Burberry recently allayed fears that the slowdown in China would hurt its growth when it reported that sales from its retail estate, which includes 192 shops and 208 concessions, rose 23 per cent to ¡ò743million in the six months to March 31. <br> </p><p>As well as sales of traditional Burberry favourites such as jackets and handbags, the company reported strong growth in knitwear, men&#8217;s tailoring and accessories, fragrances and watches.</p><p>The City expects profits for the year of about ¡ò376million, compared to ¡ò298million a year ago.</p>Thursday<p>More details on the rescue plan for Mothercare&#8217;s UK operation will be unveiled when new chief executive Simon Calver presents full-year results. <br> </p><p>Mr Calver joined Mothercare at the end of April from internet movie rental company Lovefilm and is expected to endorse the transformation strategy announced by executive chairman Alan Parker last month. <br></p><p>Alongside a drive for more online business and continued overseas expansion, Mr Parker revealed plans to cut the number of stores in the UK from 311 to a core 200 profitable stores by 2015.</p><p> It follows months of weak trade, including a 9.5 per cent drop in like-for-like sales in the 12 weeks to March 31. <br> </p><p>Panmure Gordon stockbrokers analyst Jean Roche said annual profits were likely to dwindle to just ¡ò1.1million, driven by the impact of competition from supermarkets, specialist chains and Amazon. <br> </p><p>Asos will shrug off fears about its growth when it reports a 40 per cent rise in profits to ¡ò40.3million in the year to the end of March - in-line with City expectations - helped by margin improvements. <br> </p><p>Sales are expected to rise 46 per cent to ¡ò495million in the year, after it continued to expand its reach overseas with new websites in Spain, Italy and Australia. <br> </p><p>The group, which also sells fashion favourites such as River Island, American Apparel and Ralph Lauren, is expected to repeat that it is on-track to hit its target of growing sales to ¡ò1billion by 2015. <br> </p><p>The company&#8217;s website now attracts 18.5million unique visitors a month and has some seven million registered users from 191 countries. <br> </p><p>Retail sales and adjusted GDP figures will be published along with BBA Mortgage Approvals data. <br></p>Friday <br><p>No major economic or corporate news is scheduled. </p><p> </p>?City news in brief: Burberry, Amec<p>By <br>UPDATED:07:27 GMT, 16 October 2009</p><p></p><p>A roundup of the shorter news stories from the Financial Mail on Sunday...</p><p>Burberry magic is still alive</p><p>Still basking in the glow of its success at London Fashion Week last month, Burberry is this week expected to show that it continues to steal luxury market share from rivals, even though like-forlike sales are likely to be flat.</p><p>Analysts at investment bank Nomura say the brand should post a solid performance on Wednesday for the three months to the end of September.</p><p>The label took London by storm with its catwalk show, where guests of honour included Emma Watson, the Harry Potter star and Burberry model.</p><p>Jenks owners sued for debt</p><p>A former marketing director of Abbey bank is being sued for ¡ò150,000 after his sales and marketing company went into administration earlier this year.</p><p>Ambrose McGinn is being sued, along with Ross Beattie, after their business, Jenks Sales Brokers, went bust in May owing more than ¡ò10m.</p><p>The directors, who each owned 50 per cent of the company, are being sued by Venture Finance, a factoring company that helps businesses manage and collect debts.</p><p>According to a High Court writ filed last month, Venture Finance claims its is owed ¡ò10.4m by Jenks.</p><p>It also claims that Beattie and McGinn had signed guarantees making them personally responsible for ¡ò150,000 each of the company debts to Venture.</p><p>Jenks acted for leading High Street brands in their dealings with supermarkets. Clients included Mars and DelMonte.</p><p>Profits warnings halved over year</p><p>The number of companies issuing a profits warning has halved in the past year, but could rise again sharply if they become overconfident, according to accountant Ernst & Young.</p><p>Its survey of profits alerts published this weekend showed 52 UK quoted companies issued a warning in the three months to the end of September, down from 111 in the same period last year.</p><p>But the authors said the drop was not necessarily a sign that the economy was bouncing.</p><p>Companies may have become more realistic in their forecasts after last year's financial shock.</p><p>Government lending schemes and low interest rates were also providing a short-term lift, it suggested.</p><p>The drop was limited to those companies with a turnover of ¡ò1bn or more.</p><p>Landing craft could net shipbuilders 30 orders</p><p>It is a bizarre mixture of catamaran and hovercraft, but a contract for a high-tech military vessel could mean multi-million pound orders for its maker, Griffon Hoverwork.</p><p>The ¡ò6m craft, called the Pascat, which is undergoing trials for the Ministry of Defence, can travel at twice the speed of similar craft and carry twice the payload for a vessel of its size.</p><p>The trial vessel, destined for use by the Royal Marines, has been bought by defence group QinetiQ on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.</p><p>If the trials are successful, orders could be placed for 30 more.</p><p>Griffon, based in Woolston, Hampshire, is leading a team made up of Aluminium Shipbuilders, BMT Nigel Gee and BMT Marine Projects to build the Pascat.</p><p>The trial vessel, which took 18 months to build, is designed to offload a number of armoured vehicles and troops in waters as shallow as 2ft thanks to its hovercraft capability.</p><p>The Pascat is powered by twin waterjets, driven by diesel engines, which lets the craft travel at speeds of up to 25 knots.</p><p>A decision on orders will be made 'within months', said a QinetiQ spokesman.</p><p></p><p>Amec joins India's drive for reactors</p><p>Engineering and project management group Amec has joined forced with Hindustan Construction, one of India's biggest construction firms, to spearhead a multi-billion-pound nuclear building programme.</p><p>The two have signed a memorandum of understanding that will harness Amec's nuclear expertise to design and provide safety systems for nuclear power stations.</p><p>The agreement follows India's announcement of plans to build hundreds of reactors over the next 40 years as it starts to bridge the energy gap and replace oil and coalfired power plants. </p><p>At present, 400m people in India have no electricity and the country is dependent on oil for most energy needs.</p><p>The country plans to boost its nuclear output 100-fold.</p><p>Amec is involved with French energy giant EDF in Britain's nuclear power plant programme. </p><p>TV football row grows for Ofcom</p><p>The premier League has told media regulator Ofcom that the proposal to force BSkyB to offer its top-flight football and film rights to rivals at regulated prices is a mistake.</p><p>Ofcom said earlier this year it wanted the pay-TV satellite broadcaster to offer its premium services on a regulated wholesale basis to rivals to 'ensure consumers have an increased choice of supplier and platform'.</p><p>BSkyB has owned most of the rights to live Premier League matches since the league's foundation in 1992 and paid ¡ò1.8bn for the rights to most of the live games for the three years beginning in 2010.</p><p>Ofcom's proposals that BSkyB should now offer this programming cheaply to its rivals has infuriated the broadcaster, which has threatened legal action to defend its position against what it called 'unwarranted intervention'.</p><p>The Premier League has told Ofcom that it also believes the proposals are 'fundamentally flawed'.</p><p>'Forcing BSkyB to wholesale Premier League rights to live games would remove any element of competition when it comes to bidding for rights,' said a Premier League spokesman.</p><p>'If BSkyB is forced to wholesale the rights, competitors will be able to pick up Premier League rights in a risk-free, low-value manner. We believe we should encourage as much competition as possible.'</p>?Claws come out as Burberry blondes start acting up...<p> By </p><p>PUBLISHED:00:40 GMT, 17 June 2012 UPDATED:13:18 GMT, 17 June 2012</p><p>A battle of the blonde models has broken out between the two recent faces of the Burberry fashion house.<br></p><p>Leggy beauties Cara Delevingne, and Gabriella Wilde, are said to be at loggerheads as a rivalry between the rising young stars grows.<br></p><p>&#8216;Cara is adorable, talented and very friendly but she and Gabriella are too alike to get on,&#8217; says a fashion insider.</p><p>&#8216;A distinct rivalry has brewed between them, based as much on their acting as their blossoming fashion careers. They are both looking for a big break in films.&#8217;<br></p><p>Gabriella, 23, has appeared in two children&#8217;s movies and will star in a remake of Carrie opposite Julianne Moore.</p><p>But Cara, 19, is set to make a serious acting debut in a new film version of Anna Karenina alongside Keira Knightley. <br></p><p>&#8216;They are competing with each other and the claws are out,&#8217; says the stylist.<br></p><p>Cara&#8217;s reign as the face of Burberry came to an end when she was replaced by Gabriella earlier this summer.</p>Brothers rewarded in birthday honours<p>Thomas Hughes-Hallett, right, has been rewarded for being one of Britain&#8217;s most generous philanthropists with a knighthood from the Queen.</p><p>And the recently retired chief executive of Marie Curie Cancer Care won&#8217;t be going to Buckingham Palace alone &#8211; his brother James has also been named on Her Majesty&#8217;s Birthday Honours list.</p><p>Eton-educated Tom, 57, ran Marie Curie for 12 years, giving up a highly paid banking job to join the charity.</p><p>Last year he helped Marie Curie &#8211; whose yellow daffodil badges are widely recognised &#8211; raise ¡ò130&#8201;million and he is Hugh Grant&#8217;s favourite philanthropist after the actor&#8217;s mother was helped by Marie Curie nurses.</p><p>Tom was last year chairman of the Philanthropy Review &#8211; a body set up to boost charitable giving in the UK &#8211; and his knighthood is for services to palliative care.</p><p>James, 62, is chairman of export company John Swire &amp; Sons. He has been made a Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George for his services to British business interests in Asia and Australasia.</p><p>Actor Nicholas Hoult had Prince William in stitches after swapping tips on horse-riding technique.</p><p>The pair met at last month&#8217;s Audi polo tournament&#8217; and X-Men star Nicholas, 22, says: &#8216;I told him I had to learn to ride for my last role, but when it came to filming the scenes they wouldn&#8217;t let me get on a horse because the insurance didn&#8217;t cover me.</p><p>'So I had to get on an oil barrel instead and use some rope as reins pretending to ride it as if it was a real horse. William found that very funny.&#8217;</p>?Coats and leather goods boost Burberry's half-year revenues <p>By <br>UPDATED:09:41 GMT, 13 October 2010</p><p></p><p>Fashion chain Burberry said on Wednesday it expects full-year profits to be in the top half of market forecasts after posting a 21 per cent jump in half-year revenues. <br></p><p>The luxury clothing brand said it was benefiting from robust performances in markets including Hong Kong, the UK, Italy and France. <br></p><p>It is also eyeing a larger share of the Chinese market following its recent ¡ò70million deal to buy out its franchise partner in the Asian country.</p><p>Higher demand for coats and leather items resulted in a 8 per centincrease in same-store sales in the second quarter, down from 10 percent in the first three months.</p><p></p><p>Burberry's retail division reported sales growth of 22 per cent inthe last three months, up from 16 per cent in the first quarterfollowing the addition of new space and the transfer of the Chineseoperations. <br></p><p>Angela Ahrendts, Burberry's chief executive, said that theintroduction of new lines, online and customer service initiatives aswell as the expansion in China boosted the group's confidence.</p><p> </p>?Concern as Burberry's new Kate Moss is pictured clutching a VERY suspicious pipe <p>By <br> UPDATED:00:18 GMT, 27 July 2008</p> <br><br><p>As the new face of Burberry, she is following in the footsteps of Kate Moss and tipped to be the next big thing in the fashion world.</p><p>But a curious picture showing Rosie Huntington-Whiteley holding what appears to be drug paraphernalia may be cause for concern for the clothing label&#8217;s bosses.</p><p>The company has already been dragged into a drugs scandal, after Ms Moss was pictured apparently snorting cocaine, so will be keen to avoid any further adverse publicity.</p> <p>Worrying photo: Rosie Huntington-Whiteley pictured with the bong and fellow models Jennifer Pugh, Alexsandra Rastovic at the party</p> <p>The picture of Rosie enjoying herself at a party with friends has appeared on a fashion industry website. Casually dressed in jeans and a gilet, the rising star is seen clutching what appears to be a bong. Also known as water pipes, bongs are used to smoke tobacco, cannabis or other herbal products. </p><p>They are filled with water which cools smoke before it enters the lungs, making it easier to inhale. Users can therefore draw in a large amount of smoke quickly, rather than smaller, more frequent puffs on a pipe or cigarette.</p><p>With her head thrown back and mouth open, the model is pictured huddled with fellow models Jennifer Pugh and Aleksandra Rastovic, who is the face of Armani and Calvin Klein. As Croatian-born Aleksandra, 20, looks on, American Jennifer leans towards Rosie and poses provocatively with her tongue out.</p> <p>Close: Rosie Huntington-Whiteley with her boyfriend Ty Wood</p> <p>Rosie, who has been dating Rolling Stone Ronnie Wood&#8217;s art dealer son Tyrone, 24, since last year, was snapped at a friend&#8217;s private party a couple of years ago. The picture was later posted on fashion industry website supermodels.nl, attracting several comments from the models, bookers and fans who use the website&#8217;s open forum. </p><p>Last month, 21-year-old Rosie was unveiled as the new face of Burberry. She appears in their autumn/winter campaign, shot by Mario Testino, alongside British actor Sam Riley.</p><p>The fashion giant has a history of turning unknown models into international catwalk stars and was one of the first to sign Kate Moss in 1998. They dropped her from a planned advertising campaign in the wake of the &#8216;Cocaine Kate&#8217; scandal, but reinstated her when police charges against her were dropped.</p> <p>Work: Rosie in the Burberry campaign with actor Sam Riley</p> <p>The Burberry contract has already caused problems for Rosie, leading to tensions with Agyness Deyn, whom she replaced.</p><p>Rosie grew up the eldest of three children in Quither, a four-house hamlet near Tavistock in Devon.</p><p>The family owned a farmhouse where they grew organic vegetables and kept chickens, ducks, pigs and sheep. But Rosie said she knew from an early age that she was destined for bigger things.</p><p>&#8216;I was made for the city,&#8217; she said. &#8216;I knew that I was going to leave Devon and that, whatever I did, it would be big.&#8217;</p><p>She first posed for the camera five years ago after she was discovered as a 15-year-old GCSE student doing work experience at London model agency Profile. She got her first big break in January 2004 when she appeared in a New York fashion shoot for Teen Vogue, and she made her catwalk debut the same year.</p><p>Speaking three years ago, she said: &#8216;I&#8217;m pretty level-headed and down-to-earth. I had a regular upbringing . . . that keeps me pretty normal.&#8217;</p><p>Now signed to Models 1, she has been photographed for Chopard perfume, Clinique, Jaeger, DKNY, Abercrombie &amp; Fitch, Ralph Lauren and Tommy Hilfiger. </p><p>She has been seeing Tyrone &#8216;Ty&#8217; Wood since meeting him at a Rolling Stones concert in Barcelona last year.</p><p>In a recent interview, Ty said he was &#8216;madly, deeply in love&#8217; with her, while she has said: &#8216;I think it&#8217;s serious. There&#8217;s a healthy future ahead of us.&#8217;</p><p>Rosie says she is the &#8216;luckiest girl&#8217; because of her lifestyle, adding: &#8216;I have some great memories and experiences, and look forward to achieving even more. I&#8217;m truly blessed and fortunate to be in my position.&#8217;</p><p>Burberry declined to comment on the photograph, but a friend of Rosie&#8217;s said: &#8216;She is aware of the picture&#8217;s existence, but she was 18 or 19 when that was taken. She&#8217;s just turned 21 so it&#8217;s two or three years old.&#8217;</p><p>Speaking from the family farmhouse yesterday, Rosie&#8217;s mother Fiona, a personal trainer, confirmed it was her daughter in the picture. </p><p>But she added: &#8216;I really cannot say anything about it, my darling. Isn&#8217;t it lovely that someone so young is doing so well?&#8217;</p><p><br></p><br><br><p> </p>?A very sweet move by Mr Fry as chocolate heir Cosmo marries for the third time<p> By <br>UPDATED:09:07 GMT, 25 January 2012</p><p>His first marriage lasted six weeks, his second around six years. So it&#8217;s hardly surprising chocolate heir Cosmo Fry has taken his time about exchanging vows for a third time.</p><p>But, at 53, Old Etonian Cosmo has taken the plunge again and wed his long-time lover, former fashion writer Lulu Anderson. <br></p><p>The couple, who were this week at a party for the revival of Alan Bennett&#8217;s play, The Madness of George III, have a ten-year-old son, Jude, and live in Somerset, where Cosmo is a director of Bath&#8217;s Theatre Royal. <br></p><p>Cosmo tells me: &#8216;I&#8217;ve got married after 15 years of being with Lulu. I&#8217;m not sure why after all this time we decided to marry &#8212; after all, having been wed twice before I am aware of the pitfalls. But all good things come to those who wait!&#8217;</p><p>Unlike his first marriage to the Marquess of Londonderry&#8217;s daughter Lady Cosima Somerset, which was at smart St Peter&#8217;s church in Eaton Square and had 500 guests including Zac and Jemima Goldsmith, his latest nuptials took place at a Bath register office with just a few close friends.</p><p>He and Lulu had the union blessed at a church and, some days later, held a party for 200 at their home, where guests included Richard E. Grant and Jasper Conran.</p><p></p>How to Cruz into Hollywood<p>Flamboyant turban-wearing socialite Amanda Eliasch, who married the multi-millionaire pal of Prince Andrew, is on the move.</p><p>Two years after selling the Belgravia house she shared with her ex-husband, sportswear tycoon Johan Eliasch, she has a canny addition to her extensive property portfolio.</p><p>For she beat other hopefuls to buy the Hollywood mansion that was formerly owned by film star Penelope Cruz.</p><p>Artist and playwright Amanda, 51 &#8212; the granddaughter of the late St Trinian&#8217;s film director Sidney Gilliat &#8212; snapped up the three-bedroom house for around ¡ò2.5&#8201;million.</p><p>It is a mere snip compared to her other homes in London and Paris. She has since spent a further costly sum renovating the property and moved in this week.</p><p>&#8216;The house is transformed,&#8217; says Amanda. &#8216;I adore it. I fell in love with the house and I fought to get it. I just knew it was for me.&#8217;</p><p>Amanda, who has two sons, adds: &#8216;I begged Penelope to sell it to me.&#8217; <br>Meanwhile, Amanda, who is hoping for her semi-autobiographical play, As I Like It, to premiere on Broadway, has put her Grade II-listed house in London&#8217;s Cheyne Walk up for sale.</p><p>She says: &#8216;I love the house, but it&#8217;s too big. Nicky Haslam, who decorated it for me, says it&#8217;s the most romantic house in Chelsea.&#8217;</p><p>After a somewhat turbulent past, during which his aristocratic wife left him for a tattooed gamekeeper, James Hervey-Bathurst found happiness second time round with the Duke of Rutland&#8217;s cousin, Lucy Manners, a pal of the Duchess of York.<br></p><p>He also worked hard to turn his 97-room Eastnor Castle in Herefordshire into one of the nation&#8217;s best countryside attractions hosting weddings, conferences and shooting parties.<br></p><p>But, alas, James, 62, will be counting the cost after organisers of the Big Chill musical festival, held in the castle&#8217;s 5,000-acre grounds, decided to cancel this summer&#8217;s event.</p><p>&#8216;It&#8217;s bound to have a huge knock-on effect,&#8217; says a friend of James. &#8216;I gather the organisers decided not togo ahead because it clashed with the Olympics and, presumably, that means James is set to lose his fee for the use of his grounds.&#8217;<br></p><p>Thissetback comes nine years after father-of-five James was left by his wife Sarah, after her Lady Chatterley-style romance with gamekeeper Mark Smith, who worked on the grouse moor of her father Viscount Ingleby&#8217;s Snilesworth estate in Northallerton, North Yorkshire.</p><p>Their love affair fizzled out. Meanwhile, James fell for Lucy, an interior designer, who was a one-time lady-in-waiting to Fergie. The couple have since married and have two children &#8212; to add to his three children by his first wife. <br></p><p>Two years ago, his daughter, Isabella, then a third-year student at Trinity College, Cambridge, was voted &#8216;fittest girl&#8217; at the university.</p><p>James, affectionately known to his friends as Dirty Bathwater, has various business schemes to help pay for the hefty upkeep of the Norman-style turreted castle, which has a twin-towered gate-house, arboretum and lake. <br></p><p>It has been used as a backdrop for various TV shows, including Bargain Hunt and Simon Cowell&#8217;s Red Or Black gameshow. Land Rover has also used the estate for off-road testing. <br></p><p>Last year&#8217;s line-up for the Big Chill included The Chemical Brothers and Kanye West.<br></p><p>Suddenly, handsome Birdsong star Eddie Redmayne is everywhere. And theOld Etonian friend of Prince William yesterday picked up yet another award &#8212; this time for being Best Shakespearean Actor.</p><p>Redmayne was as stylish as ever when he received the gong at the prestigious Critics&#8217; Circle Theatre Awards dressed head to foot in Burberry. &#8216;Yes, these are lovely clothes, but they&#8217;re not mine,&#8217; he says. &#8216;I have to give them back afterwards. It&#8217;s all Burberry.&#8217; Cambridge-educated Eddie, who is appearing in Richard II at <br></p><p>London&#8217;s Donmar Warehouse, can be seen cavorting with model Cara Delevingne in the latest Burberry campaign. </p><p>Redmayne, who has female TV viewers swooning at his role in the Sebastian Faulks&#8217;s World War I novel, adds: &#8216;I&#8217;m back to work later filming Les Miserables at Pinewood.&#8217;<br></p><p> ..........................................................<br></p><p>Growing political instability in Yemen is posing significant problems for a new film set in the country starring Emily Blunt, Kristin Scott Thomas and Ewan McGregor. <br></p><p>Salmon Fishing in the Yemen, based on the book by Paul Torday, is due for release in March, but I gather producers are increasingly nervous aboutwhether it will be appropriate to premiere the comedy, as the situationin the benighted country worsens. It tells the story of a British scientist who becomes involved, somewhat reluctantly, in a project to bring salmon fishing to the wadis of the highlands of dirt-poor Yemen.</p><p>Former mercenary Simon Mann has been relating how he survived five years in two of Africa&#8217;s toughest prisons &#8212; by carrying on solitary conversations in different voices in his cell for hours on end. </p><p>&#8216;I became skilled at imitating Peter Sellers directing air traffic control as Inspector Clouseau,&#8217; Mann told guests at The Tabernacle in Notting Hill. </p><p>The Old Etonian former SAS soldier, whose self-penned book of his incarceration was published last year, says libel laws prevented him naming the figures behind his failed coup in Equatorial Guinea.</p><p>PS She's game for most challenges, but former Tory minister Ann Widdecombe, touted as a possible police commissioner for Devon and Cornwall, has ruled herself out &#8212; because the role doesn&#8217;t offer enough power. <br></p><p>The former Strictly Come Dancing star says: &#8216;It&#8217;s all very well being able to hire the Chief Constable, but if you then have these silly differences about who&#8217;s in charge of operations or policy, it&#8217;s no good. I would do it if I thought I would be able to say we will have zero tolerance. No crime will be too small. Unless you can do that, you&#8217;re never going to get on top of the problems. I&#8217;m afraid it won&#8217;t be me.&#8217;<br></p>?Is that appropriate for a family lunch? Cristiano Ronaldo and Irina Shayk share passionate embrace at the table<br><p>By <br>UPDATED:09:07 GMT, 26 May 2011</p><p></p><p>When dining with their boyfriend's parents, many women would be concerned with their manners in front of potential in-laws.<br></p><p>Irina Shayk clearly feels at home with her footballer beau Cristiano Ronaldo's family, as the pair got down to some serious kissing at the table during lunch in his hometown, Funchal, Madeira.</p><p>But while the gorgeous Russian model was wrapped up in her boyfriend's embrace, laying her head back and closing her eyes, Cristiano appeared a little distracted.</p><p>The Real Madrid player looked over Irina's head as the pair embraced, before pulling his head away.</p><p>Irina did not appear happy with the snub, playfully pouting and trying to pull Cristiano's face back towards her.</p><p>Their comical interaction was witnessed by the footballer's family and Cristiano's little boy Cristiano Jr, who they have been spending time with in the Ronaldo's home town on the Portuguese island.<br></p><p>The good-looking duo are enjoying their down time, with Irina going casual and make-up free.</p><p>As an in-demand model, she spends most of her time coiffed and preened to perfection, but Irina was happy to step out in a simple white vest and jeans, with tousled, natural hair and not a scrap of make-up on her beautiful face.</p><p>Cristiano, 26, was typically decked out in designer gear in a Gucci cap.</p><p> The day before, Cristiano was pictured for the first time with his baby son.</p><p>And, in the first shots of 10-month-old Cristiano in many months, the resemblance between the father and son is uncanny.</p><p>With a head of downy black hair and olive skin, little Cristiano looked adorable as he was carried by his proud father.</p><p> </p><p>Thebaby also appeared to have taken after his father in terms of his love of designer fashion, as he was wearing a Burberry checked shirt, denim jacket and matching Burberry baseball cap - which he wore backwards to make it more trendy.</p><p>And it seems Irina has adapted well to the family style of life, as she was seen cuddling up to her boyfriend's super-cute son in the back of the car.</p><p>Irina has remained loyal to Ronaldo despite the revelation last year that he had become a father. The baby was allegedly born to a 20-year-old British student following a fling with the star after they met in a London club.<br></p><p> </p><p>The Portuguese star stunned the world when he announced out of the blue last July that he had become a father.<br></p><p>The winger said from the start that the child would be under his 'exclusive guardianship'. But his mother Dolores is helping to raise the child.</p><p>After announcing the birth on Facebook, Ronaldo wrote: 'It is with great joy and emotion that I inform I have recently become father to a baby boy. <br></p><p> </p><p>He said recently: 'Of course something like this affects you. It's a different type of responsibility.<br></p><p>'Maybe I feel more comfortable. I'm comfortable when things are going well: my family, the club, my friends,that gives me important support for everything else.<br></p><p>'Of course I change the nappies. It's not the thing I like best in the world, but I do it.'</p><p>Do you have a story about a celebrity? Call the Daily Mail showbusiness desk on 0207 938 6364 or 0207 938 6683. For U.S. stories, phone 310 642 2317.<br></p>?Pictured: Football superstar Cristiano Ronaldo takes charge of his baby son... and girlfriend Irina Shayk gets a cuddle too<br><p>By <br>UPDATED:10:46 GMT, 24 May 2011</p><p></p><p>Cristiano Ronaldo has been pictured for the first time with his baby son Cristiano on a day out in Portugal over the weekend.</p><p>And, in the first shots of 10-month-old Cristiano, the resemblance between the father and son is uncanny.</p><p>With a head of downy black hair and olive skin, little Cristiano looked adorable as he was carried by his proud father.</p><p>Thebaby also appeared to have taken after his father in terms of his love of designer fashion, as he was wearing a Burberry checked shirt, denim jacket and matching Burberry baseball cap - which he wore backwards to make it more trendy.</p><p> </p><p>Also on the outing was Ronaldo's girlfriend Irina Shayk, who looked chic in a tight pair of grey trousers, black vest top and white blazer jacket.</p><p>And it seems Russian model Irina has adapted well to the family style of life, as she was seen cuddling up to her boyfriend's super-cute son in the back of the car.</p><p>Irina has remained loyal to Ronaldo despite the revelation last year that he had become a father. The baby was allegedly born to a 20-year-old British student following a fling with the star after they met in a London club.<br></p><p> </p><p>The Portuguese star stunned the world when he announced out of the blue last July that he had become a father.<br></p><p>The winger said from the start that the child would be under his 'exclusive guardianship'. But his mother Dolores is helping to raise the child.</p><p>After announcing the birth on Facebook, Ronaldo wrote: 'It is with great joy and emotion that I inform I have recently become father to a baby boy. <br></p><p> </p><p>'As agreed with the baby&#8217;s mother, who prefers to have her identity kept confidential, my son will be undermy exclusive guardianship.'</p><p>And while Ronaldo's mother Dolores isessentially raising the baby between Madrid and Portugal due to the football star's career commitments, Ronaldo spoke recently about how hislife had been affected by becoming a father.</p><p>He said recently: 'Of course something like this affects you. It's a different type of responsibility.<br></p><p>'Maybe I feel more comfortable. I'm comfortable when things are going well: my family, the club, my friends,that gives me important support for everything else.<br></p><p>'Of course I change the nappies. It's not the thing I like best in the world, but I do it.'</p>?City news in brief: New Star, Chrysalis, Burberry<p>By <br>UPDATED:08:44 GMT, 16 April 2008</p><p></p><p>We round up the shorter business and finance stories from the Daily Mail City pages.</p><p>Pound battered on poor housing survey</p><p>Sterling took a pounding after a gloomy housing survey, while oil leapt to a record high as investors tried to hedge against a weak US dollar. The pound dropped to $1.96 against the greenback and hit a low of 80.65p per euro. </p><p>A Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors survey which showed a fall in the key house price index to a 30-year low has increased hopes that there will have to be a series of interest rate reductions. Weak retail sales and steady inflation has also reinforced hopes for a cut. </p><p>Meanwhile, oil rose above $113 per barrel, touching a high of $113.93 in the US before easing back again. Prime Minister Gordon Brown, who travels to Washington today for talks with President Bush, called on oil producers to act to calm prices. </p><p>New Star fund boss has a Pease of the action</p><p>New Star's top fund manager Richard Pease pocketed a whopping &pound;5.7m last year, up from &pound;4.7m in 2006, despite a slump in the group's share price. Pease, who earned a basic salary of &pound;197,000, got the bulk of his money from managing a hedge fund, which gave him &pound;5.5m in performance fees. Though his own performance has been strong, investors may still not be best pleased at the huge payout since New Star's share price has tumbled by 75% in a year. The stock closed up 2&frac34;p to 112&frac34;p yesterday. </p><p></p><p>Boris gets a Diamond</p><p>Barclays executive Bob Diamond, one of the best-paid men in the City, has agreed to be an adviser to Conservative candidate Boris Johnson if he is elected Mayor of London. American, Diamond, whose Barclays pay package was worth &pound;21m last year, has agreed to help Johnson find sponsors for a Mayor's Fund designed to tackle youth crime and social problems in the capital. Diamond could use his extensive network of City contacts to help find corporate and individual donors for the fund. </p><p>Chrysalis rejects Hands</p><p>Guy Hands suffered another setback after music business Chrysalis rejected a &pound;104m takeover from his Terra Firma private equity firm. Chrysalis, which controls the publishing rights for writers including Gnarls Barkley, The Raconteurs and Feeder, said Terra Firma's 155p-a-share offer significantly undervalued the company. It is no longer in bid talks. Chrysalis fell 20p to 115p. Hands, who also controls EMI, was set on driving consolidation in the music industry. </p><p>Burberry brushes off credit concerns</p><p>Fashion conscious consumers appear to have shrugged off credit fears to keep on buying luxury items from Burberry (up 42&frac12;p to 438&frac12;p). Retail sales in the three months to March 31 rose 20% to &pound;121m, while total sales for the period increased 12% to &pound;292m. The other end of the high street remains gloomy. Icelandic retail investor Baugur has raised the 'for sale' sign over MK One, the struggling cut price fashion retailer which made a &pound;17.4m loss last year. </p><p>BE hit by shutdown</p><p>Bid target British Energy (down 11p at 730p) has again been undone by its ageing portfolio of nuclear power stations as it shut down Unit 1 of its Torness reactor in Scotland because of a 'small leak'. The latest problem follows an outage at the facility in December and January and another weeklong outage at Unit 2 in February. </p><p>¡ò25bn debt chaos</p><p>Banks face a &pound;25bn mountain of 'problem' unsecured debt as the credit crunch forces more people to default on their loans, warned a leading credit analyst. TDX says up to one million Britons are in danger of falling behind on their loan and credit card repayments. Those opting for Individual Voluntary Arrangements could double to 800,000 in 2008. </p><p></p>?Debut-day drop for Burberry<p>By <br>UPDATED:23:00 GMT, 11 July 2002</p><p></p><p>INSTITUTIONS that backed the &pound;1.15bn flotation of fashion group Burberry were left with bloody noses today as the shares slumped on their stock market debut. </p><p>They slid 2% from the offer price of 230p to 224p. The issue was already at the bottom end of the expected range, so City bookmakers had expected it to trade at least 10p higher than the starting price by the end of the day. </p><p>The fall means Italian-American chief executive Rose Marie Bravo's &pound;11.5m stake has already fallen in value by nearly &pound;250,000. </p><p>However, brokers praised owner GUS for getting the float away in a turbulent market that has seen a host of share offers being axed. </p><p>One trader said: 'You've got to hand it to the GUS management. They've been saying for 12 to 18 months that they'd offload Burberry and they've done it. If they hadn't managed to do it now, they would have come in for some major stick.' </p><p>In its capacity as stabilisation manager, Merrill Lynch went into the market to buy shares after they tumbled as low as 219p at one stage. </p><p>Investors who were bullish about Burberry said the offer price, of 15 times prospective earnings, was a 40% discount to luxury goods businesses such as Louis Vuitton Moet Hennessy, Gucci and Bulgari. </p><p></p><p></p>?Burberry remains confident despite 20% profit slide<br><p>By <br>UPDATED:22:51 GMT, 17 November 2009</p><p>Luxury goods firm Burberry has posted a 19 per cent profits fall but said its performance was 'solid', helped by strong demand for handbags and scarves.<br></p><p>Burberry said pre-tax profits were ¡ò78.4million in the six months to September 30, down from ¡ò97million last year as the effects of discounting hit margins and wholesale orders were reduced.<br></p><p>The firm - praised by commentators after the fashion house returned to the catwalk at London Fashion Week this autumn - said it had seen 'exceptional growth' in London stores after the weak pound attracted foreign shoppers.<br></p><p>Burberry said it now planned to split its clothing brands into three distinct categories - casualwear will come under the label Burberry Brit, workwear and tailoring will be known as Burberry London and its catwalk collection will continue as Prorsum.<br></p><p>After shrugging off its links with 'chav' culture in the UK in recent years, the brand has regained its upmarket reputation.<br></p><p>The firm, which was founded in 1856, opened a children's store in Notting Hill during the period.</p><p>It said its policy of focusing on its retail stores had started to pay off, with this now accounting for 54 per cent of all sales.<br></p><p>The retailer said its non-clothing ranges represented its biggest growth area in the first half, contributing 34 per cent of revenue.<br></p><p>The firm said larger handbags, 'sling' shoulder bags and accessories like snoods and scarves had all proved increasingly popular as it looks to diversify its offering.<br>Shoes and childrenswear were also identified as key growth areas, anticipated to grow to make up 10 per cent each of revenues in the medium term.<br></p><p>Like-for-like sales across the business were up 2 per cent over the half year, improving to 5 per cent in the second quarter.</p><p></p><p>Chief executive Angela Ahrendts said: 'Burberry delivered a solid first half performance, reflecting the strength of the brand, business and team.<br></p><p>'We enter the second half confident in our core strategies, capitalising on product, region, channel and operational opportunities.'<br></p><p>Cost cutting measures helped limit the fall in underlying profits to ¡ò82.6million, from ¡ò95.3million a year earlier.<br></p><p>The firm has cut 1,000 roles as part of moves to save ¡ò50million a year, which also involved improving its infrastructure.<br></p><p>The retailer now expects to grow its selling space between 8 per cent and 10 per cent for the full year, with plans to open a further 15 stores in the period mainly in Asia and the Americas.<br></p><p>Meanwhile, the firm expects wholesale revenues to fall around 15 per cent at constant currency in the second half, with about half due to Burberry's own actions, while stockists also move to cut their inventories.</p>?The awkward moment when Will.i.am and Denise Lewis arrive at the Burberry show wearing the same trench coat<p> By <br>UPDATED:13:25 GMT, 21 February 2012</p><p>It's a wardrobe must-have associated with the label.</p><p>But perhaps heptathlete Denise Lewis and Will-i.am should have consulted one another before donning their Burberry trench coats today.</p><p>For the designs were exactly the same.</p><p>And the designer's highly-anticipated - not to mention star-studded - London Fashion Week show was the worst place to make such a fashion faux pas.<br></p><p>The stylish, beige number, which comes in a men's and women's style, featured the usual double-breasted design with black buttons and piping.</p><p>Either star could have easily chosen another trench coat from Burberry's vast collection.</p><p>The label would have no doubt sent the coats to the pair along with an invite for the front row of the show at Kensington Gardens.<br></p><p>Black Eyed Peas rapper Will.i.am, 36, - real name William Adams - paired his coat with jeans and stylish trainers and some gold-rimmed glasses.</p><p>Former Strictly Come Dancing star Denise, 39, who won gold at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, wore red velvet tights under hers, along with open-toe black boots.<br></p><p>Will.i.am kept his fans updated throughout the show, via Twitter.<br></p><p>He said: 'The @burberry fashion show in london was amazing...christopher is an amazing designer, angela is CEO with vision #embracetechnology.'</p><p>He added later: '@Burberry is leading the future of fashion social connectivity...they do it all...great art &amp; leadership...http://bit.ly/wIsgV1.'</p><p>VIDEO: Will.i.am chats after the Burberry catwalk</p><p><p><p><p><p><p>?Sell-out celebs: Seen a star in a High Street frock you love? Hit the shops quick - or they'll all be gone<br><p> By </p><p>PUBLISHED:22:56 GMT, 7 June 2012 UPDATED:09:54 GMT, 8 June 2012</p><br><p>This week, Marks&#8201;&amp;&#8201;Spencer announced that one of its dresses has sold out in just two weeks, after actress Denise Van Outen was pictured wearing it at a party. </p><p>The ¡ò37.50 green hummingbird print dress from the M&amp;S Limited Collection range flew off the shelves in 14 days - prompting more than 200 calls to customer services from people desperate to buy it. The store says it will reissue a new version of the must-have, in an owl print, next month. </p><p>But this isn&#8217;t the only time a celebrity has caused a stampede after being spotted in an item of High Street clothing. From pop stars to politicians, we look at the other celebs who made us hit the shops...</p><p> </p><p>ALESHA DIXON TOPSHOP DRESS: After Alesha Dixon wore a ¡ò350 'lampshade' dress by Mary Katrantzou for Topshop for the Britain's Got Talent auditions this February, left, the dress promptly sold out online and vanished from stores within a day. Alesha wasn't the only star spotted in the dress, from the Greek designer renowned for vibrant prints. A month earlier, Poppy Delevigne, centre, wore it to the Elle Style awards and former Made In Chelsea cast member Amber Atherton, right, wore it on the front row of the Fashion East event. The dress is now on sale for upwards of ¡ò499 on eBay</p><p></p><p> </p><p>EMMA WATSON CRUMPET SCARF: As the face of Burberry and fan of high-end designers, Emma Watson has become something of fashion darling &#8212; but most of her A-list wardrobe is out of our reach. However, when she was spotted walking down the street in a Scottie-dog print cashmere scarf by a British knitwear company called Crumpet in September, left, Harry Potter fans took note. The ¡ò179 scarf sold out within a week. Over the next three weeks, sales of all the firm&#8217;s scarves increased by 62 per cent</p><p>KATE MOSS TOPSHOP PANTHER PRINT DRESS: Everything Kate Moss wears becomes an instant fashion hit. When she wore a piece from her own Topshop collection, a panther claw print dress, centre, on a night on the town, the design sold out within 15 minutes of being put on sale at the Oxford Street superstore. The ¡ò100 dress, which was part of her Christmas 2008 collection, sold out online within two hours &#8212; and within a day it was being sold on eBay at double the price. Topshop reissued it in 2010. <br>In June, her power to shape what we wear was demonstrated again, when the 38-year-old borrowed a poncho from a friend during her hen-do at the Isle of White festival. The ¡ò18 Aztec print Primark piece sold out within days</p><p>ALEXA CHUNG RUSSELL AND BROMLEY LOAFERS: British shoemakers Russell and Bromley had been quietly making their sensible loafers since 1873, but when TV presenter Alexa Chung started being spotted in them in 2008, right, the store&#8217;s ¡ò125 flats soon sold out<br></p><p> </p><p> </p><p>CHERYL COLE WOLFORD BONDAGE TIGHTS: Cheryl Cole may have started some stylish fashion trends, but there is one look we don&#8217;t thank her for &#8212; bondage tights. After she wore the Wolford hosiery on the X Factor in October 2010, left, the tights sold out online within hours. All 600 pairs vanished from stores the next day. But the tights were neither flattering nor classy &#8212; they were soon seen on the likes of Katie Price and Chantelle Houghton</p><p>TWIGGY M&amp;S SEQUIN BLAZER: When Twiggy designed a collection for M&amp;S, she was photographed at the launch in April wearing a ¡ò79 silver sequined jacket, centre. It sold out within two hours of going online and vanished from stores within two days. It was not the first time the store had benefited from the Twiggy effect. In 2011, M&amp;S sold ten times more macs in one week than ever before &#8212; after Twiggy modelled a ¡ò39.95 trench</p><p>YASMIN LE BON WALLIS DRESS: Back in 2009, the great and the good flocked to Hampton Court for a lavish fundraiser organised by Mikhail Gorbachev. But while most were wearing couture dresses worth thousands, model Yasmin Le Bon wore a full-length yellow gown from her own collection at Wallis, right. The ¡ò120 Peridot evening dress sold out within a week and that year Harpers magazine voted the 48-year-old model the fourth best-dressed woman in Britain<br></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p>?How brolly inconvenient! Dita Von Teese drops her umbrella at LFW show... and waits patiently for someone to pick it up<br><p> By and </p><p>PUBLISHED:22:30 GMT, 17 September 2012 UPDATED:06:58 GMT, 19 September 2012</p><br><p>Dita Von Teese narrowly avoided an embarrassing error as she turned up to the Burberry Prorsum show at London Fashion Week on Monday. <br></p><p>The burlesque dancer gave off an air of sophistication ready for her photo opportunities at the starry event.</p><p>But she almost had to face bending down in her figure hugging dress in front of the waiting paparazzi who were ready to catch the move when she accidentally dropped her umbrella on the ground.</p><p>Scroll down for video...<br></p><p> </p><p>She then took her seat on the front row when she was inside, but was joined by a rather unlikely companion next to her.</p><p>One Direction's Harry Styles showed of his fashion credentials as he attended the high fashion event.</p><p>While to her right Aaron Paul sat next to her as she posed perfectly with the umbrella in its position.</p><p> </p><p>American dream: Dita Von Teese and Breaking Bad actor Aaron Paul caught up before the show</p><p>Fashion's other finest names turned out to witness the Burberry Prorsum London Fashion Week show and model Tali Lennox led the way with her undeniable style.</p><p>The teenage model showed a much more mature side as she stood out from the crowd at Kensington Gardens, London, on Monday afternoon.</p><p>Tali, 19, arrived looking every inch the style icon as she bravely wore brown and blue in the same ensemble and managed to pull it off.</p><p> </p><p>With his cheeky smile and messy hair the One Direction member looked like a young gent as he smiled for the cameras.</p><p>In contrast Tali kept her make-up simple as she let her mane fall elegantly over her shoulders.</p><p>Having modelled for Prada, Roberto Cavalli and Burberry, Tali knows the fashion scene well and fitted in with the front row despite normally being on the catwalk herself.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p>The 35-year-old wore a black dress with a pair of leather boots but bizarrely also wore a huge V medallion with a pair of sunglasses that had the word 'vogue' on the lenses.</p><p>American actor Aaron Paul, best known for his role of Jesse Pinkman in TV show Breaking Bad, was looking exceptionally dapper in a black and white suit.</p><p>Reality TV star Olivia Palermo made a stylish entrance in a brown jacket and chocolate colour trousers, while Alison Mosshart made less effort in a leather jacket.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>US Open champion Andy Murray arrived with his stunning girlfriend Kim Sears on his arm while many more athletes also attended the show.</p><p>Olympian Victoria Pendleton looked lovely in a lilac peplum dress with her hair down and her slim figure on show.</p><p>Fashion royalty also rocked up to the show in the form of Anna Wintour and Mario Testino. The style stalwarts were in good spirits as they joked and laughed their way into the venue.<br></p><p> </p><p> </p>VIDEO: Harry Styles attends the Burberry show?Do your clothes reveal your character flaws? <br>That's what a leading clinical psychologist claims. I puts her to the test...<p> By </p><p>PUBLISHED:22:19 GMT, 25 April 2012 UPDATED:14:13 GMT, 26 April 2012</p><p></p><p>Clothes are one of my greatest pleasures, but also the source of much anxiety. Faced with any social occasion, I invariably go over the top, agonising for months about what to wear. I never, if I think about this honestly, feel comfortable in what I&#8217;m wearing. <br></p><p>And this isn&#8217;t just because I work in fashion and am surrounded by women who look incredible in the latest must-have clothes. While I often experience extreme envy when I see a catwalk model &#8212; a craving that makes me forget my age, bank balance and shape &#8212; this lack of self-confidence stems from earlier in my life.<br></p><p>I grew up, the youngest of seven children, in a family where money was tight. Consequently, I wore hand-me-downs from my three elder sisters and clothes that were made by my mum: little checked pinafores and rough, hand-knitted sweaters.</p><p>So, from an early age, I craved beingable to buy clothes from shops. I was painfully shy and believed I was ugly. It&#8217;s no surprise that, as a teenager, I was in thrall to fashion magazines. I soon got into debt buying expensive clothes because I had been so miserable always being the poor relation.</p><p></p><p>I realise I go over the top in my bidfor perfection. When I was asked by the BBC to report live from a banquet held at Buckingham Palace in honour of President Obama, I boughta black Alexander McQueen trouser suit, new shoes and a bag. I felt I had to wear something British, and spare no expense. </p><p>This is me all over: I thought my commentary would be pedestrian and halting, and so I had to make up for my inadequacies somehow. <br></p><p>Because I also feel ugly, I never dress provocatively: I never show my legs, arms or cleavage (even on my wedding day I wore a cream tuxedo suit, not a dress). <br></p><p>So, I choose expensive items because I grew up poor. I dress like a man at work because I think I&#8217;m stupid. I cover up because I believe I&#8217;m repulsive. I have long understood that the way I dress is my shield, my solace, my safety net.</p><p>But can someone else tell that just by looking at me? What&#8217;s more, can anyone help me with the issues behind my wardrobe choices? <br></p><p>U.S. clinical psychologist Jennifer Baumgartner, author of new book You Are What You Wear, says so. Baumgartner paid her way through university by working in a Ralph Lauren store, where she noticed how many women are confused about their identity, and act out their neuroses by spending inappropriately.<br></p><p>&#8216;Often, wardrobe mishaps are simply our inner conflicts bubbling to the surface,&#8217; she says, wisely. Baumgartner claims that by just looking at a woman she is able not only to diagnose what is wrong, but fix her psyche &#8212; in what she calls the &#8216;psychology of dress&#8217;. <br></p><p>But does her method really work? Can Jennifer not only identify my deep-seated problems just by looking at my four signature outfits, but also, more importantly, offer me help?</p><p> </p>EVENING WEAR<p>Black strapless gown and clutch by Bottega Veneta, peep-toe sandals by Louboutin<br></p><p>JENNIFER SAYS: Why has Liz, with a knockout figure, allowed herself to be swallowed by this great sloppy satin beast? She allows only a glimpse of her inner sparkle with her metallic shoe. <br></p><p>The oversized outfit makes me think she is unaware of her body shape. I am waiting for Liz, like someone after a makeover, to rip off this dress to reveal a better one. <br></p><p>If I had thick, lustrous hair like this, I would not hide it in a messy updo. She is also weighed down by the eye make-up on the lower lids.</p><p>LIZ SAYS: This dress is not too big for me: it&#8217;s a size 8, and the integral corset means I can hardly breathe! <br></p><p>But Jennifer is right: I hate my body, and try to hide it at all times and at great cost. When I wore this dress to an awards ceremony, I added a metallic Aquascutum jacket. <br></p><p>It&#8217;s strange that she mentions my heavy eye make-up without apparently understanding why I wear it. Isn&#8217;t it obvious that I&#8217;m hiding behind a mask?</p>CASUAL<p>Jaeger London trousers, M&amp;S Cashmere sweater, Burberry patent platforms<br></p><p>JENNIFER SAYS: I&#8217;m getting a university student vibe from this outfit and Liz&#8217;s hair style. It conveys a youthful energy. <br></p><p>The colours are bold, bright and fresh, and she is not afraid to mix and match them, but unfortunately they work against each other. <br></p><p>She seems to be comfortable with being noticed in a crowd, as the bright pink of the jumper will stand out. I&#8217;d team the jumper with white skinny jeans and either nude flats or colourful sandals. <br></p><p>I&#8217;d alter the trousers to eliminate bagging, and pair them with a tweed blazer and boots and throw in a printed silk scarf or load up on gold accessories.<br></p><p>LIZ SAYS: She is half right. I do have youthful energy. I am passionate and hard-working. I try my best all the time.</p><p> She says I am comfortable being noticed in a crowd, but this is not true at all. I might wear a raspberry Sloppy Joe jumper, but this belies my deep-set neuroses.</p>DATE<p>Gold lace skirt by Suzannah, white T-shirt and sandals by Prada<br></p><p>JENNIFER SAYS: Liz&#8217;s make-up gives all the evolutionary indicators of fertility &#8212; pink cheeks and lips, and glowing skin &#8212; but then she lets us down with a very non-seductive, plain white T-shirt. <br></p><p>This outfit suggests Liz is relatively conservative and the pieces don&#8217;t match, suggesting Liz may have pulled the outfit together in a rush. She should wear this skirt with a fitted black top, a black patent leather belt and stilettos. <br></p><p>I would shorten the skirt to right below the knee, and nip it in slightly to create a more streamlined silhouette. This outfit begs for accessories, too.<br></p><p>LIZ SAYS: Oh dear. I chose this outfit to cover all the things I hate about myself. Jennifer says I am conservative, when, in fact, I am very shy, afraid of being sexy, feel unattractive and I hate my knees. <br>Just telling me to wear a sexier top is unhelpful.</p><p> She should have said: &#8216;This woman has problems with self-esteem and has no idea of her own worth,&#8217; which I could have told her.</p>OFFICE<p>Black Alexander McQueen trouser suit, Burberry patent platforms<br></p><p>JENNIFER SAYS: Liz&#8217;s smart, tailored outfit says she is a no-nonsense go-getter, but the shoes suggest a fun side. Black is a no-frills colour for work, where people feel they are taken more seriously in dark colours.</p><p> The shoes are quite different. Research says people associate platforms &#8212; especially red ones &#8212; with women who are not very intelligent, and possibly promiscuous. <br></p><p>Liz sidesteps these associations by wearing them with a conservative outfit. She should try skinny trousers, instead of cropped, or a skirt, and try a daintier shoe to complement her frame and update her look, as the days of the platform are over, or so says designer Manolo Blahnik.<br></p><p>LIZ SAYS: She is pretty spot on. I am ambitious and I also have humour. I disagree about my shoes. I bought these in 2003, still love them, and don&#8217;t think I should change to suit Manolo Blahnik. <br></p><p>To me, this outfit screams my deep insecurity: &#8216;Please don&#8217;t sack me!&#8217; and that I spend too much on clothes.<br></p>HOW COULD SHE GET ME SO WRONG?<br><p>The verdicts on the way I dress in no way show that Jennifer Baumgartner has spotted my deep-seated insecurities. <br></p><p>She missed that I am borderline anorexic, have body dysmorphic disorder, fear ageing, men and sex, that I am in awe of clothes rather than know how to enjoy them, and that I spend way too much money.<br></p><p>She should have deduced, as a therapist who claims to use only clothes to make her diagnosis, that I am divorced, that I hate my body, am hugely stressed, and &#8212; oh! &#8212; that I&#8217;m broke! <br></p><p>Reading her book, I&#8217;ve found Jennifer&#8217;s prescription for someone like me who struggles with self-loathing is to &#8216;filter my media&#8217; &#8212; restrict the magazines I read and websites I look at &#8212; to go out in a crowded shopping centre wearing only a tight-fitting top and skinny jeans, to be more assertive and to choose bright colours. But it all sounds a bit simplistic, a bit Gok Wan to me. <br></p><p>When addressing disorders in her book, she writes: &#8216;Life is too short for such silliness.&#8217; <br></p><p>A clinical psychologist should know better. Wearing a bright sleeveless top exposing my arms is not going to begin to cure me. </p><p>You Are What You Wear: What Your Clothes Reveal About You by Dr Jennifer Baumgartner is published by Da Capo Life Long, priced ¡ò10.99.<br></p><p> </p>?Double digit growth for Burberry in Europe and Asia offset by difficulties in U.S.<p><br>UPDATED:14:05 GMT, 15 July 2009</p><p>Harry Potter actress Emma Watson has cast her spell on Burberry sales in the UK since featuring in an ad campaign for the fashion house. <br></p><p>It posted an 'exceptional' performance in Britain, with sales at stores including key outlets in Regent Street and Knightsbridge up 12per cent in the past three months.</p><p>But growth in Europe and Asia was offset by weakness in other markets. <br></p><p>Burberry said customers had responded well to its Spring/Summerranges, particularly mens tailoring, denim, sport and childrenswear.</p><p></p><p>The firm added: 'Europe and Asia both delivered double-digitpercentage growth, with exceptional performances again in the UK andKorea (both helped by favourable currency movements).'</p><p>Meanwhile Burberry's wholesale business saw sales drop 28per cent ascustomers face the recession by slashing the amount of stock held,while Burberry is also restructuring its wholesale division and closingsome operations.</p><p>Angela Ahrendts, the retailer's chief executive, said: 'Burberry hasmade a solid start to the year in what remains a challengingenvironment.'</p><p>Burberry plans to add between 10 and 15 stores to its portfolio this year.</p><p>A new American headquarters and showrooms were opened on Madison Avenue in New York during the quarter, as well as three franchise stores in emerging markets, including the first Burberry store in Bahrain.</p><p>The firm said as of the end of June it had 118 retail stores, 253 concessions and 84 franchise outlets in over 25 countries.</p><p>Burberry said its cost cutting initiatives were delivering the expected results.<br>Steps taken by Burberry to tackle the global slowdown have included a ¡ò50million inventory reduction and a ¡ò50million efficiency programme.</p><p>The company endured a 13per cent fall in underlying profits last year, despite annual revenues topping more than ¡ò1billion for the first time.</p><p>The firm shed around 15per cent of its workforce in the last financial year.<br>In January, Burberry announced 170 jobs were going as a result of its plan to close a sewing facility at Rotherham, south Yorkshire.<br></p><p> </p>?Doubts raised over Burberry float<p>By <br>UPDATED:23:00 GMT, 10 July 2002</p><p></p><p>THE Burberry float could be dropped tonight if markets keep falling, banking sources said. Owner GUS, which is due to float up to 25% of the luxury brand company on Friday, does not want itss debut to be a flop. </p><p>A decision will be taken at the last minute, but Wednesday's stock market slide is adding to pressure to delay. The shares are trading at 241p-248p in the grey market and have generated much interest. This is within the 230p-290p indicative price range, but GUS must consider whether they would fall after the placing. </p><p>It would be very damaging to the public perception of an upmarket consumer brand such as Burberry if the shares slumped in the after market. </p>?Kate in command: Duchess of Cambridge does dress uniform as she carries out first military role as a royal<br><p> By <br>Created 11:26 AM on 25th June 2011</p><p>The Duchess of Cambridge took on her first military role as a royal today as she handed out operational medals to members of the Irish Guards.</p><p>Alongside the Duke of Cambridge, who is Colonel of the Irish Guards, Kate presented medals to soldiers who have recently returned from serving in Afghanistan.</p><p>A royal aide said the Duchess was very pleased to be undertaking the role for a regiment 'so close to her husband's heart'.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>The 1st Battalion Irish Guards returned in April from a six-month tour in Afghanistan where they were deployed to 22 different locations in Helmand Province, tasked with developing the Afghan Army.</p><p>Sixsoldiers returned home two weeks before the royal couple's wedding day and had ceremonial duties to perform in London on the day.</p><p> The Duke of Cambridge spoke of his &#8216;pride and humility&#8217; today as he presented the medals.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Private Nadine Gwendu, 25, from Newhaven, Brighton, who is originally from Zimbabwe, said meeting the Duchess was &#8216;like a dream come true&#8217;.<br></p><p>&#8216;Now I have seen her, and she has shaken my hand it is something different,&#8217; he said.<br></p><p>&#8216;She was very calm and down to earth, you wouldn't think she is a duchess because she is so down to earth.<br></p><p> </p><p>&#8216;She asked me what it was like livingwith so many men in Afghanistan and I told her that it was all right because I was like a priority to them. From the time I joined everyone has been great, from the Guardsmen to the highest rank.<br></p><p>&#8216;Also it was so important for William, the Colonel, to present our medals and we all really appreciate that.&#8217;</p><p>Six soldiers from the 1st Battalion, Irish Guards, swapped their combat uniforms for ceremonial dress participate in the Royal wedding, with a handful returning to the UK just seven days earlier.</p><br><p> </p><p>The Duke of Cambridge paid tribute today to the &#8216;extraordinary&#8217; soldiers like Sergeant Paterson,who within days of returning from fighting in Afghanistan, took part in his marriage celebrations.</p><p>William said: &#8216;As Catherine and I rode through the centre gate of Buckingham Palace on our wedding day, there you were, formed up as the Queen's Guard with your commanding officer at your head.</p><p>&#8216;If ever there was an illustration of why the Foot Guards, and the Micks in particular, are special, that was it.</p><p>&#8216;To exchange combat kit for ceremonial uniform in the space of two weeks is nothing short of remarkable.</p><p>&#8216;To be amongst the most proficient in the world wearing both is just simply extraordinary.&#8217;<br></p>?There's a supermodel behind you! Eddie Redmayne only has eyes for his Birdsong co-star Clemence Poesy as Rosie Huntington-Whiteley is ignored at Burberry <br><p> By <br>UPDATED:13:17 GMT, 21 February 2012</p><p></p><p>They played young lovers in this year's hit BBC film Birdsong.</p><p>And could life be imitating art of Eddie Remayne and French actress Clemence Poesy?</p><p>The pair looked smitten in the front row for Burberry at London Fashion Week yesterday.</p><p>Scroll down for video<br></p><p> </p><p>Despite gorgeous supermodel, and Eddie's fellow Burberry model, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, sitting beside him, he only had eyes for his blonde co-star.</p><p>They looked deep in conversation as Clemence continued to clap as the model strutted in front of her at Kensington Gardens.<br></p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Birdsong, which premiered last month, was an adaptation of the Sebastian Faulks novel of the same name.</p><p> The two-part series saw Eddie as Stephen Wraysford and Clemence as married Isabelle Azaire with whom he had an affair.<br></p><p>Set during Work War I, the story is told in flashbacks.</p><p> </p><p></p><p> </p><p></p><p> </p><p>Also on the guest list was Will Young, who played it safe in a blue jumper and black trousers.</p> <p></p><p> </p><p>English model Laura Bailey was seen wearing a floaty yellow and green dress that was also donned by one of the models on the catwalk.</p><p>The women even wore similar brown heels, but the catwalk model added a pair of black studded leather gloves.</p><p> </p><p>Rising model Cara Delevigne, sister of socialite Poppy, led the other models on the massive white runway, holding umbrellas as fake snow fell.</p><p>Hundreds backed the venue, photographing and admiring the latest collection.</p><p> <br></p><p>VIDEO: See all the celebs at the Burberry catwalk show </p>?The new Brit Pack: Rising stars Roo Panes and Tali Lennox join Eddie Redmayne to help Burberry celebrate first men's fashion weekend <br><p> By </p><p>PUBLISHED:15:14 GMT, 18 June 2012 UPDATED:15:21 GMT, 18 June 2012</p><br><p>British brand Burberry celebrated the first weekend-long event dedicated to men's fashion with a cocktail party attended by a number of rising young stars.<br></p><p>Attendees included Roo Panes, a singer-songwriter not many people have yet heard of, who fronts their autumn/winter campaign, and one of their catwalk models, Tali Lennox, who is currently only recognisable thanks to being the daughter of the famous Annie Lennox.</p><p>But Burberry are confident the pair will soon become household names in their own right - and they haven't been wrong before.</p><p>The brand were the first to sign Harry Potter actress Emma Watson, who has gone on to be a major fashion icon, and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley who has gone from the catwalk to starring in major Hollywood blockbusters including the third Transformers film.</p><p></p><p>Their eye for spotting talent has already been proven this year after they used actor Eddie Redmayne in their spring/summer campaign. He is currently in demand for acting roles as well as modelling work following his starring turns in the Oscar nominated film My Week With Marilyn and acclaimed BBC production of Birdsong.</p><p>Redmayne helped Burberry mark the first men's fashion weekend by hosting a cocktail party at their store in Knightsbridge, London, on Sunday with the British brand's chief creative officer, Christopher Bailey.</p><p>The event was well-supported by a number of the new bright youngs things from the showbiz world. As well as Lennox and Panes, model David Gandy, comedian Jack Whitehall and actor Russell Tovey rubbed shoulders, while indie music star Miles Kane, formerly of The Last Shadow Puppets, provided entertainment as he performed a set of his solo material.</p><p>Not to be outshone by the up-and-coming stars, Sir Elton John also attended with his partner David Furnish. The singer chose not to blend into the crowd by wearing a shiny fuchsia pink suit with clashing bright metallic green loafers and yellow rimmed glasses.</p><p>The Burberry party was part of the first London Collections: Men, a weekend-long event dedicated to men's fashion organised by the British Fashion Council. The aim of the weekend was to put the spotlight on men's clothing which is often overshadowed by women's wear collections at established fashion weeks.<br></p><p>The weekend featured shows, exhibitions and digital programming from top fashion brands and was launched by Prince Charles at St James Palace on Friday.<br></p><p> <br></p>?How fame lost its magic for Hermione (that's despite Emma Watson's ¡ò30million in the bank)<br><p>By <br>UPDATED:11:10 GMT, 17 May 2010</p><p>While several hundred flashbulbs are fizzing in unison to mark the arrival of Emma Watson at New York's hottest red-carpet event, just a few feet away, a rather less glamorous spectacle is drawing a sizeable crowd of its own. <br></p><p>The driver of the Harry Potter starlet's limousine is involved in a heated and vaguely comical exchange with one of the event's parking supervisors. </p><p>Amid much rancour, the official is accusing the actress's car of blocking the arrival of her fellow A-list guests, who include Sienna Miller and boyfriend Jude Law, Mick Jagger and Renee Zellweger, outside the city's Metropolitan Museum of Art. </p><p>But her chauffeur is refusing to budge. The reason: he insists he has been specifically instructed by the British actress to remain close at hand should anything untoward happen to her stunning, specially created Burberry gown.</p><p>He is on red alert, he is saying, in the event that a careless reveller spills red wine or inadvertently drops a crab puff on Emma's handmade, white, floor-length frock. </p><p>Whereupon he will be expected to race inside on a mercy mission clutching an exact copy of the stunning gown, deposited in the boot for just such a calamity. </p><p>Clearly the focused Emma is in no mood to leave anything to chance. This may explain why her 'plus one' for the Met Ball fashion gala two weeks ago was not her new Spanish boyfriend, but Burberry's chief creative officer Christopher Bailey. </p><p>Who better to have on hand should the off-the-shoulder, slashed-to-the-thigh frock need any final tweaks? </p><p>For, despite her tender years (she celebrated her 20th birthday last month), the determined Miss Watson is very much hands-on when it comes to the subject of her public image. </p><p>Witness the actress's over-the-top reaction this week when she called in her lawyers to remove doctored pictures from an obscure website that appeared to show her naked. </p><p>At the same time, her spokesman issued a statement insisting: 'If you look at it you will see that the head is marginally too big for the body and the angle of the face is physically impossible with the body in that position.' </p><p>Presumably this might equally apply to just about any of the faked naked pictures of female celebrities that litter the murkier reaches of cyberspace. <br></p><p>Would it not have been wiser for Emma, who plays schoolgirl witch Hermione Granger in the Harry Potter films, just to ignore such nonsense rather than draw attention to it? </p><p>The single-minded Miss Watson is not, however, inclined to take such liberties lying down. </p><p>Despite her movie stardom and assured public appearances (she is paid more than ¡ò1 million a year to promote Burberry at fashion events), Emma, it is said, is still struggling to adjust to being public property. </p><p>This dilemma is neatly illustrated by her rather schizophrenic approach to her public and private worlds. Take, for example, the morning after that glamorous fashion gala in New York. </p><p>Emma was whisked from her five-star Manhattan hotel in a gleaming black Cadillac SUV to the airport to make the short flight to Providence, Rhode Island, where she is about to finish her first-year studies at the prestigious Brown University. </p><p>But by the time she arrived back on campus, her transformation from international film star and designer fashion icon to freshman student was complete. <br></p><p>Dressed down in jeans and a simple green top, she returned to the dormitory she shares with other first-year students at the Ivy League college and the tiny room, complete with two single beds, in which she bunks down with a female member of the athletics team. </p><p>All of which might seem a tad surprising for a young woman who this year was officially declared the best-paid actress in the world, outdoing Angelina Jolie and Julia Roberts with the ¡ò20 million she earned from filming the final two in the series of Hogwarts movies. </p><p>Particularly as back home in London, Emma has invested some of her growing fortune in a ¡ò3 million townhouse in North-West London and a ¡ò1 million Swiss ski chalet. </p><p>But Emma, who turned down a place at Cambridge in order to study women's European history and acting at the American university, insists she wants to lead a normal student life. Frustratingly, however, that has not always been possible. </p><p>Fellow students told me this week that after arriving on campus last summer, Emma was persuaded by a male member of the university rowing team to become coxswain of the college's varsity eight crew. </p><p>Soon, the dainty Emma was a regular sight at the club boathouse or coxing the crew's boat on the Seekonk river. </p><p>But it is understood that she was forced to give up her role after the university discovered their insurance did not cover having on board someone who is conservatively said to be worth ¡ò30 million. </p><p>Nonetheless, the college authorities have issued strict instructions to their students that their famous fellow undergraduate must be allowed her privacy. </p><p>At times, however, this well-meaning policy has been taken to rather farcical extremes. <br></p><p>Two months ago, Emma appeared in her first amateur college production of the Chekhov play Three Sisters put on for free at the university. </p><p>Her performance won her a standing ovation. But the reviewer sent to cover the event by the college newspaper, the Brown Daily Herald, was barred from even mentioning that the character of Irina in the am-dram production was played by one of the world's most famous actresses. </p><p>'We've been told that we mustn't say anything about Emma,' Oona Curley, a fellow member of the theatre group told me. 'We're banned from talking about her.' </p><p>Unsurprisingly perhaps, Emma, who was brought up in Oxford and London by her divorced parents, lawyers Jacqueline and Chris, has been the victim of jealousy from some students at college. </p><p>At one point towards the end of last year, she was even considering giving up the course and coming home. </p><p>This month, she told Vanity Fair magazine she has found the experience a difficult one: 'It was just awful,' she said. 'I thought I must be mad. Why am I doing this? I felt as if I'd walked into an American teen movie.' </p><p>But despite her homesickness, there have been compensations in the shape of acting student Rafael Cebrian, whom Emma has been dating on and off since November. </p><p>The Spanish-born Cebrian, 20, who is the drummer in up-and-coming rock band The Monomes, was spotted kissing the actress at an ice hockey match at New York's Madison Square Garden at the end of last year. </p><p>The dark-haired Cebrian is certainly well connected. This year, he was voted the fifth most eligible bachelor in Spain and is the son of Juan Luis Cebrian, the owner of a media conglomerate and co-founder of El Pais newspaper. </p><p>But troublingly for Emma, the would-be rock star is known to have a reputation in his home country as a ladies' man who has dated a string of beautiful women, including actress Mercedes Sanchez and singer Ana Lopez. </p><p>It is for this reason that he is said to be viewed with some suspicion by Emma's parents, who had tried to persuade their daughter to continue her education in Britain where they could keep a watchful eye over her. </p><p>They have had to step in once before to call a halt to Emma's fledgling flirtation with Johnny Borrell, the inappropriate singer and guitarist with indie band Razorlight. <br></p><p>They are said to have gone up the wall two years ago when Emma was photographed partying with the self-confessed former heroin addict, who is not only ten years her senior, but also a former friend of Pete Doherty. </p><p>Not least because the actress has a strict good behaviour clause in her contract with Warner Bros who own the billion-dollar franchise to the screen versions of the huge-selling JK Rowling books. </p><p>And Borrell, who claimed he was 'a smackhead' at 16 and has previously dated Hollywood starlet Kirsten Dunst, clearly did not fit the squeaky-clean bill of her ideal suitor. </p><p>He was quickly replaced in her affections by well-bred financier Jay Barrymore, until she called time on that relationship two months ago. <br></p><p>It had been claimed that her affair with the square-jawed, 28-year-old London University graduate fizzled because he remained in London while she has been in the U.S. </p><p>But, in fact, Barrymore, who is an expert in renewable energy and clean technologies, also left Britain at the end of last year to begin a new job with a non-profit organisation in India. </p><p>The couple tried to keep the long-distance relationship going, say their friends, and after splitting up twice had a miserable make or break holiday at the exclusive Round Hill resort in Jamaica at the end of last year. <br></p><p>And while their relationship foundered, Emma - who shot to fame at the age of 11, appearing opposite Daniel Radcliffe in the first Harry Potter film - was becoming ever closer to the charming Cebrian. </p><p>Meanwhile, Emma, who will finish her degree in 2013, has been busy preparing for life after Hermione when the final film, Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows II, is released next year. </p><p>But sources close to her say that she has yet to be offered the bigbudget starring roles they had expected would be rolling in. </p><p>Instead, Emma has been bemoaning the lack of decent offers. </p><p>'The scripts all have happy endings, they're really badly written and they are sending them to an English literature student,' she says, rather sniffily of the parts she has so far been offered. </p><p>But it is generally accepted by crew members on the Potter set that Emma is the least naturally talented of the three co- stars (Radcliffe and Rupert Grint, who plays Ron Weasley). <br></p><p>Indeed, despite her big-screen success, she told an interviewer last year: 'There's no burning passion to act.' </p><p>I am told by her friends she may yet consider quitting films in favour of starting a career away from showbusiness. Whatever she does, there is one thing that Miss Watson - the somewhat reluctant movie star - can be sure of: she is never likely to need the money. </p>?Emma Watson enjoys a magical night at the theatre with fellow Burberry model Georgie Craig<br><p>By and <br>UPDATED:11:53 GMT, 10 June 2010</p><p></p><p>Just last week she appeared distraught while filming the final scenes for the last of the Harry Potter films. </p><p>But life goes on, as they say, and Emma Watson is getting on with everyday life taking time out to watch a production of Michael Morpurgo's War Horse at the New London Theatre. </p><p>And she was accompanied by a male companion to watch the new play, a friend who was definitely not her most recent boyfriend Rafael Cebrian. <br></p><p>Her male companion was in fact one of the models she worked with on a recent Burberry campaign, George Craig. <br></p><p>The 19-year-old is also frontman for rock band One Night Only, for whom the drummer is his brother James - one time drummer for indie band Joe Lean And The Jing Jang Jong.</p><p>Emma and Georgie can be seen working closely together in a behind the scenes video from the Mario Testino shoot, and they appeared to get on famously. <br></p><p></p><p>Relative unknown Craig and his band's debut album Started a Fire was released in February 2008, and charted at No. 10 on the U.K. Top 40 Album Chart.</p><p>Burberry designer and creative director Christopher Bailey, a self-proclaimed fan of George's band was so impressed by Craig that he cast him in the 2009 ad campaign alongside Emma. <br></p><p>He is also featured in the campaign for men's fragrance Burberry The Beat For Men.<br></p><p></p><p>Bailey has said: 'He&#8217;s an incredibly talented young British musician. I love George&#8217;s energy and his effortless style.</p><p>'He&#8217;s also a joy to work with, and it just so happens that he comes from my native Yorkshire in England.'<br></p><p>Last night Emma went for a laid back look in a bold shoulder leopard print top with tight black skinny jeans and heels. </p><p>While musician and model Georgie looked cool in a blue mac, black jeans and a striped T-shirt.</p><p>The pair rocked up to see War Horse, a production adapted by Marianne Elliott and Tom Morris for the stage,billed as a 'thrilling and spectacular production' based on Morpurgo'scelebrated novel.</p><p></p><p></p><p>Set in the First World War it is a tale of the extraordinary bond between a young recruit and his horse.</p><p>Theactors in the production work with life-sized puppets, created by theinternationally renowned Handspring Puppet Company, to take audienceson a journey through history.</p><p>Emma is certainly enjoying the single life since her split from boyfriend Jay Barrymore.</p><p>Up until last month she was dating fellow Brown University student Rafael Cebrian. <br></p><p>Dark-haired Cebrian was voted the fifth most eligible bachelor in Spainearlier and is the son of Juan Luis Cebrian, the owner of a mediaconglomerate and co-founder of El Pais newspaper.</p><p>The Spanish-born 20-year-old is also a musician, playing drums in rock band called The Monomes. <br></p><p>Emma and Cebrian were spotted kissing at an ice hockey match at New York's Madison Square Garden at the end of last year.</p><p>The young actress who earned ¡ò19million in 2009 and was ranked number 6th on Forbes magazine's list of Most Valuable Young Stars was pictured filming the final scenes of the last of the Harry Potter movies in Stevenage last week.</p><p> </p>?Thanks, big sis! It's a Watson double act as Emma recruits her brother for Burberry<br><p>By <br>UPDATED:01:23 GMT, 7 January 2010</p><p></p><p>She is a star of film and fashion and has flown the nest to study in the U.S. but Emma Watson hasn't forgotten her roots. </p><p>The 19-year-old actress appears to have secured her brother a job modelling alongside her for Burberry's Spring/Summer 2010 collection. </p><p>Executives at the brand signed up 17-year-old Alex for their latest national advertising campaign, shot by Mario Testino. </p><p>Scroll down to see a behind-the-scenes video</p><p></p><p>It is the second campaign for Burberry that the 19-year-old has takenpart in, and looks as though it will be as successful as her first.</p><p>Also appearing in the campaign are George Craig, frontman of indie band One Night Only; Matt Gilmour, the son of Pink Floyd&#8217;s David Gilmour; and model, Max Hurd, a grandson of the former Foreign Secretary, The Lord Hurd of Westwell.</p><p>The adverts feature three of the Burberry fashion brands, Prorsum, London and Brit, all designed by Christopher Bailey, the current British designer of the year. <br></p><p>But the aspirational high-fashion brand which has undergone a renaissance in recent years after the iconic print became a favourite among 'chavs' is hardly affordable for most people Emma's age.</p><p><br></p><p>Spoilt for choice: Emma cuddles closer to Matt Gilmour, the son of Pink Floyd&#8217;s David Gilmour, while Max Hurd (r) - grandson of former Foreign Secretary Douglas Hurd - strikes a pose</p><p> A woman's classic trenchcoat starts from an eye-watering ¡ò625, and the same goes for the pricey menswear modelled by Emma's equally youthful brother.</p><p>Emma, best known for her role as Hermione Granger in the HarryPotter movies, said during the shoot: 'Today is really special for mein a number of different ways.</p><p></p><p>'It's so nice to see Mario and Christopher again. They also shot my brother in the campaign. <br></p><p>'He's having such a great time. He's so psyched.'</p><p></p><p>It is the first modelling assignment for Alex, who has also appeared as an extra in Harry Potter And The Order Of The Phoenix, but he has now been snapped up by London model agency Storm.</p><p>He said: 'It's such an honour to be a part of this. It's really exciting.'</p><p>Christopher Bailey, Burberry's chief creative officer, said they were thrilled to be working with Emma again.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p>'We'veworked again with Emma Watson who has a classic, effortless beauty andis incredibly talented,' he said. </p><p> 'We wanted this kind of eclectic but very cool crowd of people.'</p><p>He added: 'We always talk about how much fun we have making theseimages and I wanted to capture some of the excitement that you feel onset when all these different creative attitudes and personalities cometogether. <br></p><p>'Mario has shot these as both stills and video so we can sharesome of that energy with a wider audience.'</p><p>Burberry Spring/Summer 2010 campaign<br>behind-the-scenes video</p><br>?Speed read: The Mackintosh is back so let it rain!<br><p>By <br>UPDATED:12:55 GMT, 22 January 2011</p><br><p>This week sees the opening of the first ever Mackintosh store in London&#8217;s exclusive Mayfair, nearly 200 years after the classic British Mac was invented. </p><p>Loved by everyone from Audrey Hepburn to the Queen, the stylish waterproof was created by a Scottish scientist called Charles Macintosh in 1823. He invented the process of spreading rubber onto cotton to make it resistant to the wettest of weather &#8212; and now, almost two centuries on, it&#8217;s a fashion classic. </p><p>Nor is Mackintosh the only name in town: thanks to Emma Watson&#8217;s glossy ad campaign, Burberry trenches are also enjoying a fashion moment, and are an off-duty staple for stars such as Gwyneth Paltrow and Victoria Beckham. So stop moaning about the weather: let it rain, let it rain, let it rain! </p><p> </p><p>HOW TO WEAR</p><p>SHOPPING LIST<br></p><p> </p><p> <br></p><br><p></p>?Move over Harry... how Emma Watson has her sights on megastardom<p>By <br>UPDATED:09:36 GMT, 17 March 2011</p><br>As she quits college to be a style icon, the awesome ambition driving her...<br><p>They are wondering, in the rooms she shared at Brown University on Rhode Island, what their most famous student plans to do with her &#8216;things&#8217;.</p><p>A jumble of books and clothes &#8212; cream Prada pumps, suede Louboutin platforms and piles of Agnes B casual wear &#8212; remain. The girls in her dorm, who include Scout Willis, the daughter of Demi Moore and Bruce Willis, expect she will send someone to pack.</p><p>They are already saying how much they will miss Emma Watson, the unassuming star of the Harry Potter films, who bunked down in a single bed in a shared room for the past year and a half.</p><p>She started studying history at the college in September 2009, and was on course to complete her degree in 2013. That has been deferred, she says just by a few terms, though many believe she won&#8217;t be back at all.</p><p>And the reason, it seems, is that Emma &#8212; 21 next month &#8212; is confident she can put the Potter films behind her and become a star in her own right.</p><p>This week, it was announced she has been anointed the face of Lancome, succeeding Julia Roberts. It is a huge role that will not only net her millions, but ensure her face is on billboards all over the world. Lancome said: &#8216;Emma Watson has become the icon of her generation.&#8217;</p><p>She is emerging from her shell. After a couple of years of uncertainty, Emma no longer feels crushed by her ¡ò30&#8201;million wealth or embarrassed by her success.</p><p>Whenshe first found out how much money she had made, aged 18, she says she felt physically sick. It seems it has taken her all this time to get used to it.</p><p></p><p>After ten yearsof playing Hermione Granger and, she says, sacrificing her childhood and normality on the altar of the Warner Bros agenda, she was ready to give it all up. That, though, has changed.</p><p>She&#8217;s learning to enjoy the pleasures of success. You&#8217;ll see her taking a spa break with friends in Thailand and propping up the bar in top London clubs. <br></p><p>Home is a ¡ò3&#8201;million pad in North London, where her Toyota Prius is proudly parked outside. </p><p>She has had cookery lessons from celebrity chef Joel Robuchon as she is tired of paying caterers for her dinner parties. It&#8217;s all rather grand.</p><p>Her friends are starting to include the glitterati, and she has shown a particular interest in making an impression on all of the more important people in fashion, such as Burberry&#8217;s Christopher Bailey and Antoine Arnault, son of LVMH (Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton) boss Bernard. She&#8217;ll soon shoot a campaign for Joel Robuchon with Mario Testino.</p><p>One who knows her socially said that all her friends know to never mention Harry Potter. &#8216;She pulls a bad smell face if you even say the name,&#8217; she said.</p><p>Come Bafta season this year, she was the most flirtatious of all the starlets, parading in a series of carefully chosen outfits, and working the room at the best parties.</p><p>Film mogul Harvey Weinstein, the man who helped to make the careers of Gwyneth Paltrow and Cate Blanchett, was among those she dazzled.</p><p>&#8216;For ten years she has been this schoolgirl in the Harry Potter films and now you see her as a woman for the first time,&#8217; he said. </p><p>&#8216;She has an elegance about her &#8212; she looks like Jean Shrimpton &#8212; plus she has a gift for comedy and drama, and we&#8217;re just starting to see her range. I feel we&#8217;re going to work together a lot in the future.&#8217;</p><p>This week, her starring role in a new film is to be announced &#8212; possibly a project with Weinstein.</p><p>She has already filmed a small part in My Week With Marilyn about Marilyn Monroe, starring Michelle Williams, and from May she will be shooting the film Perks Of Being A Wallflower.</p><p>Over the summer, she will have to fit in a final hit of promotional activity for the last instalment of Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows &#8212; a task which, it seems, may not fill her with delight.</p><p>For Emma has moved on. When the cast and crew held a wrap party after shooting the final set of re-shoots around Christmas, she didn&#8217;t go. Co-stars Daniel Radcliffe and Rupert Grint did. </p><p>While the three key actors were genuinely good friends during the making of the early films, the bond seems to have loosened considerably during the last movie. Perhaps there was resentment over the way Emma took her time signing for the final two films. <br></p><p>Her contract came up for renewal in 2006, but while Daniel and Rupert signed for five years without a second thought, she admitted in an interview this year that she &#8216;agonised&#8217; before deciding that she would, and was considering giving up being an actress.</p><p>So why the sudden change of heart about her film career? People who know Emma say it&#8217;s simply a question of having had some time to catch her breath &#8212; she needed to get some space away from the Potter juggernaut and to decide whether she wanted a life in the public eye.</p><p>Friends say the revival of her career ambition is also partly down to the sage counsel of her father, lawyer Chris Watson.</p><p>An Oxford graduate who works at a senior level for one of the larger London firms, he has supported her every step of the way. He has often been with her on publicity junkets and film premieres around the globe. She adores him, and takes his advice on everything. Significantly, his views were the first she sought on that haircut &#8212; the pixie crop she had to celebrate the end of her Potter years. </p><p>She says: &#8216;He said: &#8220;Don&#8217;t get carried away. You&#8217;re not Audrey Hepburn yet.&#8221; But he loves it now, and so he&#8217;s eating his words.&#8217;</p><p>He and Emma&#8217;s mother Jackie were divorced in 1995. He has since remarried, to Elizabeth Green, and they have three further children, Toby and twins Nina and Lucy. Their North London home is a five-minute stroll from Emma&#8217;s.</p><p>Her one financial splurge &#8212; a ¡ò1&#8201;million ski chalet in France &#8212; was made with her father in mind. He is a passionate skier.</p><p>Those who know her from the Potter days say that, even though she lived with her mother, her father&#8217;s influence was paramount.</p><p>She was, though, troubled from time to time by their &#8216;wringingly awful&#8217; divorce.</p><p>And it was even whispered that her parents had opposing views on whether she should make the Deathly Hallows films at all.</p><p>&#8216;All I can tell you is that there was a lot of unhappiness connected with the parents,&#8217; says a Potter source.</p><p>Will she ever go back to university? She says she &#8216;fully intends&#8217; to return to Brown and her academic career is &#8216;very important&#8217; to her.</p><p>But there is rather a lot of cynicism about that on the Ivy League campus, where it has also been noticed that she chooses to hang out with only the wealthiest and best-connected girls. <br></p><p>Her best friend is Scout Willis &#8212; she went to her home over New Year. She&#8217;s also close to Madison Utendahl, a glamorous young lady whose banker father is stepping out with supermodel and TV personality Tyra Banks.</p><p>Her college romance was again with someone connected to the fringes of stardom &#8212; a Spanish acting student named Rafael Cebrian, who is the son of the co-founder of El Pais newspaper.</p><p>He was also the drummer in The Monomes. It seems Emma has a weakness for rock musicians. Take her flirtation with Johnny Borrell at a Fashion Week party in 2008 or her romance last summer with George Craig, singer of pop band One Night Only.</p><p>They did Glastonbury together, and were spotted snogging in hospitality tents across the site. But it didn&#8217;t last &#8212; Emma says she is starting to wonder if her wealth is an issue.</p><p>&#8216;I hope it doesn&#8217;t complicate relationships for me,&#8217; she says. &#8216;I think it can make guys quite uncomfortable. I do have to be sensitive.&#8217;</p><p>She probably needn&#8217;t worry too much. Because the direction in which she is heading means that pretty much everyone she meets from here on will be wealthy, famous or both.</p><p></p>?Golden girl Emma Watson upstages Victoria Beckham at Burberry's London catwalk comeback<br><p>By and <br>UPDATED:09:39 GMT, 23 September 2009</p><p></p><p>When they signed her up for their ad campaigns, Burberry might have wondered if it was a risk too far.<br></p><p>But as Harry Potter star Emma Watson arrived at London Fashion Week, she proved she is worth her weight in gold.<br></p><p>Wearing a stunning metallic Burberry minidress and towering black heels, the 19-year-old actress turned heads as she arrived at the Burberry show.</p><p>She even managed to upstage the perennially glamorous Victoria Beckham, who arrived in an understated black knee-length dress.</p><p>Emma wore dark eye make-up and styled her hair in a loose up-do, proving she was perfectly at ease among the fashion know-how.<br></p><p>&#8216;Emma got the look just right,&#8217; one eyewitness said. &#8216;It would have been a big mistake to try an over the top outfit. Her dress wowed the crowds but looked sophisticated at the same time.&#8217;</p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Other attendees included Slumdog Millionaire stars and off-screenlovers Freida Pinto and Dev Patel, who are now happily flaunting theirrelationship after a spell of camera-dodging.</p><p>Agyness Deyn turned up in a ruffled mint green dress and black stockings while actress Liv Tyler opted for black leggings.</p><p></p><p>Earlier in the evening, fashion giant Burberry announced it was'thrilled to be back' in London as top industry names gathered tonightfor one of the most eagerly-awaited catwalk shows of the year.<br></p><p>The sunglasses are back: American Vogue editor Anna Wintour, MTV presenter Alexa Chung and Donna Air dress to impress<br></p><p>The brand switched its fashion show to London from Milan to help celebrate 25 years of fashion in Britain.<br></p><p>American Vogue editor Anna Wintour was among a host of leadingfashionistas watching the show, which will help bring this year's eventto a close.<br></p><p>Angela Ahrendts, Burberry's chief executive, said the company -which has enjoyed a surge in popularity over the past year - was doinggood business at the show.<br></p><p>Of the decision to switch the brand's show to London, Ms Ahrendtstold Sky News: 'You know it just felt like the right time for us. Thecity is celebrating 25 years of London fashion.<br></p><p>'It's been unbelievable the support we have had. We are thrilled to be back.</p><p>'A tremendous amount of business is done here. It is a halo for the brand.'<br></p><p>Burberry was founded in the mid 1800s when a 21-year-old draper'sapprentice opened a small outfitter's shop in Basingstoke, Hampshire.</p><p> </p><p></p><p>After shrugging of its links with 'chav' culture in the UK in recentyears, the brand has regained its reputation as an elite brand,featuring in the Sex And The City film.<br></p><p>The eagerly-awaited spring/summer collection for Burberry Prorsum,designed by the Yorkshire-born Christopher Bailey, marked the firsttime that the global fashion brand has shown on the LFW catwalk sinceMr Bailey became creative director.</p><p>Miss Watson, who plays witch Hermione Granger in the Potter films,took time out from university in the United States to attend the Burberry catwalk show.</p><p>The actress is studying at Brown University in Rhode Island, and started her English Literature course this month.</p><p>Althoughshe is likely to have to get used to having a mini fan club on campus,she has said she hopes the novelty will wear off.<br></p><p>&#8216;I do hopethat it will only be a short time before I am known as &#8220;Emma Watson,the student from the UK&#8221; rather than &#8220;Emma Watson who starred in thoseHarry Potter films".'</p><p> </p><p>It is unlikely, however, that her fellow students will be able to forget her rise to fame quite so soon.<br></p><p>MissWatson will have to return to the studio during her university holidaysto film the last two instalments in the Harry Potter series.</p><p>MissWatson was unveiled as the new face of Burberry in June this year,joining a roster of past stars that includes Kate Moss, Rachel Weisz andAgyness Deyn. <br></p><p>She modelled their autumn/winter 2009 collection for an estimated six-figure fee.</p><p> </p><p>Earlier this month Miss Watson and her Potter co-star DanielRadcliffe were named as the highest-grossing actors of the decade afterconjuring up billions of pounds each.<br></p><p>While Radcliffe, 20, made the studios an average of ¡ò537 million afilm for the first five movies in the series, Miss Watson saw heraverage reach ¡ò544.88 million per film.<br></p><p>She earned more than her co-star following the success of animated hit Tale Of Despereaux, in which she voiced a main character.<br></p><p>The figures were revealed in the latest edition of the Guinness Book of World Records.</p><p> </p><p>Spring showing: Catwalk queens model the eagerly-awaited spring/summer collection for Burberry Prorsum designed by Christopher Bailey</p><p> </p>?Model chic: Emma Watson steps out in studded-sleeve trenchcoat<p>By <br>UPDATED:22:48 GMT, 16 November 2010</p><p>She's making a name for herself with an increasingly individual and eclectic fashion sense.</p><p>And Emma Watson didn't disappoint yesterday when she stepped out in New York wearing a very stylish Burberry trench coat with studded sleeves.</p><p>She also carried a matching black studded bag to complete the whole edgy look.<br></p><p>She wore a very unusual thigh-skimming ink blot minidress underneath that showed off her gamine figure to perfection.</p><p>And the Rorsache test-inspired design shows that the Harry Potter star isn't afraid to play with unusual and untraditional looks.</p><p>Emma wore the dress and the Burberry jacket as she arrived at the New York studios for the David Letterman show, where she was a guest last night.</p><p>And for the show itself, she changed into a vibrant sparkling red and black dress.</p><p> <br></p><p>It looks like the 20-year-old is developing a real passion for fashion - she recently revealed that she will be collaborating with design house Alberta Ferretti.</p><p>With an established line for People Tree already to her name, this will be her second design venture.</p><p>Emma says &#8216;She [Alberta] wrote to me and said, "I saw what you did with People Tree and I think it&#8217;s a great idea and will you do something with me?"'</p><p>The actress also appeared on Live With Regis &amp; Kelly this morning to promote Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.</p><p>Wearing a green knee-length dress and black boots, she looked stunning.</p><p>And she wasn't afraid to poke fun at herself either, joking that she was engaged to co-star Rupert Grint.</p><p>She said: 'OK fine, we're getting married, and we're going to have little ginger-haired kids, and we're going to live in a beautiful house.'</p><p></p><p>She then pretended to show off an engagement ring on her left hand.<br></p><p>The actress made headlines when she dramatically cut her hair into a crop.</p><p>But she won't be doing anything more to change her look.</p><p>'The hair is as dramatic as it goes,' she told E! News. 'I think I'd have to shave it to get any more dramatic.'</p><p>'I'm loving it. I don't really miss it. I'm not going to lie. I can wash my head, in a basin, in a sink. Takes me like five minutes to get ready. It's great.'</p><p>Meanwhile her Harry Potter co-star Daniel Radcliffe appeared on the Jimmy Fallon show last night in a smart green suit, to promote new film Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.</p><p> </p><p> <br></p>?Classic beauty Emma Watson swaps her Hogwarts scarf for Burberry check<br><p>By <br>UPDATED:13:21 GMT, 9 June 2009</p><p>Well, it&#8217;s nicer than her Hogwarts uniform. <br></p><p>After weeks of speculation, Emma Watson was today unveiled as the face of Burberry. <br></p><p>Photographed by Mario Testino, Watson looks extremely grown up in trench coats from the autumn/winter collection.</p><p>Despite persistent rumours linking her to Chanel, and her ubiquitouspresence at international fashion shows, Burberry is the first majoradvertising campaign that the 19-year-old Harry Potter star has landed. <br></p><p>And it's predicted the prestigious contract will boost her estimated ¡ò8million fortune by sixfigures.</p><p>Shot by Mario Testino in Westminster, close to Burberry'sheadquarters at Horseferry House, the images capture Watson in a collection inspired by Virginia Woolf and the Bloomsbury set.</p><p></p><p>Burberry&#8217;s creative director Christopher Bailey told The Evening Standard: 'Having known and admired the lovely Emma Watson for quite some time,she was the obvious choice for this campaign.</p><p>'Emma has a classic beauty, a great character and a modern edge. Hercharm, intellect and brilliant sense of fun made the whole shoot feellike a picnic on the Thames.'</p><p>He added: 'I felt Emma would be strong enough to hold the campaign as the only girl, and I loved the idea of her being surrounded by these young, cool British guys.'<br><br>Watson first appeared as Hermione Granger alongside Daniel Radcliffe and Rupert Grint in Harry Potter And The Philosopher's Stone in 2001.<br><br>The sixth film Harry Potter And The Half-Blood Prince is released on 15 July.<br></p><p> <br></p><p> </p>?Emma Watson's new six-figure deal for Lancome proves that there is life after Hermione<p>By <br>UPDATED:19:03 GMT, 13 February 2011</p><br><p>Emma Watson is about to sign a six-figure deal to become the latest ambassador for Lancome.</p><p>The campaign is to be shot by celebrated fashion photographer Mario Testino next month, and will feature Emma as the face of the French beauty brand in posters and TV advertising.</p><p>&#8216;It&#8217;s so exciting, I can&#8217;t wait to start shooting,&#8217; </p><p>Emma, 20, said. &#8216;Although I don&#8217;t wear much make-up I&#8217;m a big fan of Lancome products, especially their mascara.&#8217;</p><p> </p><p>The fresh-faced actress will be quite a change from Lancome&#8217;s previous thirtysomething ambassadors, who have included Juliette Binoche, Uma Thurman and Julia Roberts. <br></p><p>The deal comes as Emma prepares to bid farewell to the Harry Potter series, in which she has played Hermione since she was ten, with the final film out later this year. <br></p><p>The star &#8211; who cut her hair short to mark the end of life as Hermione &#8211; will fit her Lancome role around studies at Brown University in America.<br></p><p>Emma was being her usual stylish self on Friday night at a party at the Almada bar in London's Mayfair in honour of Colin Firth and The King's Speech, the runaway success of this year's awards season, accompanied by movie mogul Harvey Weinstein. <br></p><p>Hollywood giant Weinstein produced the Oscar-nominated film which is tipped for BAFTA glory tonight.<br></p><p>The party continued well into the early hours, with Emma arriving at nearby Mahiki nightclub in the film chief's Rolls Royce.</p><p>When they were accosted by eager autograph-hunters in between parties, Weinstein jumped in to chivalrously guide Emma through the crowd.<br></p><p>For Firth and many of his fellow revellers, who included flame-hairedMad Men star Christina Hendricks (in a stunning low-cut floral print silk gown), it was the start of a party-packed weekend in the run-up to tonight's BAFTA Awards.</p><p> </p><p>Other stars feted at Almada's included Amy Adams, star of The Fighter, Rosamund Pike, Dougray Scott and Claire Forlani, Neve Campbell, new 'It' girl Felicity Jones, Ralph Fiennes and designer Vivienne Westwood.</p><p>Ronnie Wood spent the night flirting with a variety of young female delights, but left arm in arm with girlfriend Ana Araujo.<br></p><p>Sam Taylor Wood and Aaron Johnson also took in the heady atmosphere along with Noomi Repace, Elizabeth Mcgovern star of TV hit Downton Abbey, Sally Hawkins, Matthew Freud and wife Elisabeth Murdoch. <br></p><p>Appropriately, theatrical knights Sir Derek Jacobi and Sir Ben Kingsley were in attendance.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Sitting chatting with friends was Ricky Gervais, he was keeping a low profile and didn't insult anyone.</p><p>'It's my night off', joked the comic who hosted January's Golden Globe ceremony.<br></p><p>Tom Hooper , director of The King's Speech praised his film's leading man for helping to turn the movie into a global phenomenon.</p><p>'We all hail King Colin', Hooper told guests.</p><p> </p><p>During dinner executives from Momentum Pictures, the film's UK distributor, revealed that Friday night's ticket sales for the movie hadpushed the UK box-office takings to well over the ¡ò32 million mark.</p><p>Firth said he would be pacing himself at all the BAFTA festivities. 'People don't come up to me and say, 'Oh congratulations' or whatever. <br></p><p>'They just want to know how I'm coping with all the travelling back and forwards from London to Los Angeles and back again,' the actor laughed.</p><p>'I am now in the possession of so many cures for jet-lag I could open a chemists.'</p><p> </p><p>Firth, who arrived at the soiree in time for dessert, added: 'But in-between going to awards shows I have to fit in the school run when I'm home in London. <br></p><p>'But that keeps you grounded and I love to do things with my family.'</p><p>He and his wife, Livia Giuggioli had their first courses at Cecconi's, where Vogue magazine threw a pre-BAFTA bash.</p><p>On Saturday there are several 'happenings' for the stars in town.</p><p>Momentum are hosting a brunch at the new hotel Corinthia in Whitehall while Charles Finch will be 'at home' at Mark's Club, the private members' dining club in Mayfair.</p><p>On Sunday there are post-BAFTA parties all over town including the Fox and Pathe studios combining to host an after midnight affair at Sketch while Momentum and the Weinstein film company will be in high octane party mode at the new W hotel in central London.</p><p>Do you have a story about a celebrity? Call the Daily Mail showbusiness desk on 0207 938 6364 or 0207 938 6683. For U.S. stories, phone 310 642 2317.</p>?Emmys 2010: Mad Men girls' hourglass silhouettes herald fashion trend for curves<p>By <br>UPDATED:09:00 GMT, 31 August 2010</p><p></p><p>The hourglass silhouette will be de rigueur for fashionistas next season - and if any further proof was needed, it was all over the red carpet at the Emmys last night.</p><p>Mad Men stars Christina Hendricks, January Jones and Elisabeth Moss all wore figure-hugging gowns that made the most of their famous curves.</p><p>January Jones's shimmering blue Atelier Versace dress played on the retro look with a fitted waist and full skirt, while Christina Hendricks wore a plunging lavender gown by Zac Posen with ostrich feathers at the sleeves and skirt.<br></p><p> </p><p>Elisabeth Moss wore a cream Donna Karan gown with a flattering ruched waist and bustline.</p><p>She said of the designer: 'I've always been a big fan,' but admitted that posing in it was not as easy as it looks.</p><p>'I'm just thinking about trying to make the dress look good. I'm just trying to pose right and put my feet where they're supposed to go,' she said.</p><p>But Armani was clearly the label of the night - Jon Hamm, who plays Don Draper in the series, and his girlfriend of 12 years, Jennifer Westfeldt, both wore the classic Italian label, while Claire Danes shimmered in a gold sequinned Armani Prive gown. <br></p><p>Oscar de la Renta was also a favourite, and Glee's Lea Michele did the designer proud in a sculpted strapless navy gown with cascading ruffles.</p><p>Kim Kardashian, who wore a whiteGrecian-style Marchesa gown was quick to praise the starlet's choice ofdress, admitting she was 'freaking out' over it. <br></p><p>Tina Fey, who was nominated for 30Rock, also chose Oscar de la Renta - a silver embroidered number with ahigh neckline and fishtail skirt. She told reporters: 'I feel fancy!' </p><p></p><p>Emmy debut: Glee's Lea Michele did Oscar de la Renta proud in a strapless navy gown with cascading ruffles</p><p></p><p>While on the red carpet, Kim was quizzed about her relationship status, but refused to reveal any details - despite being seen out and about with NFL star Miles Austin.</p><p>When asked whether she was 'taken' by E! presenter Ryan Seacrest, the curvy brunette said: 'I don't know, I don't know. I'm dating.'</p><p></p><p>And even though she looked immaculatein the figure-hugging number, Kim complained of difficulties choosing the right dress because she felt bloated from overeating the previous day.</p><p>That didn't appear to be a problem for Heidi Klum, who wore an embellished black Marchesa minidress.</p><p> </p><p>Golden girls: Anna Paquin (left) in Alexander McQueen, Sofia Vergara in Carolina Herrera (centre) and Claire Danes (right) in shimmering Armani Prive</p><p> </p><p>Back to black: Eva Longoria Parker in Robert Rodriguez (left), Heidi Klum in Marchesa (centre) and Kelly Osbourne in Tony Ward Couture (right)</p><p>The supermodel, who attended with husband Seal, proved that being a mother-of-four had not harmed her figure in the slightest, showing off acres of long tanned leg.</p><p>And she wasn't the only one to be flaunting her figure. Being single certainly hasn't done Kelly Osbourne any harm, as she looked phenomenal in a couture gown by little-known designer Tony Ward.</p><p>Working a similar Jessica Rabbit silhouette was Eva Longoria Parker, who wore a black Robert Rodriguez gown embellished with roses.<br></p><p></p><p></p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Newlywed True Blood co-stars Anna Paquin and Stephen Moyer both wore Alexander McQueen, with Paquin in a flowing black gown with almost gladiatorial gold embellishment at the neckline. The dress was part of the late designer's final collection.</p><p>Navy was a strong trend throughout the evening. Glee's Jayma Mays, who plays schoolteacher Emma Pillsbury, looked a far cry from her dowdy on-screen character in Burberry Prorsum, while Padma Lakshmi, who presents U.S. show Top Chef, accessorised her Carolina Herrera gown with a necklace from her own jewellery range.</p><p> </p><p>The Good Wife actress JuliannaMargulies also went for a navy gown, in a L'Wren Scott dress that wascovered in shimmering inky-blue sequins. 'Apparently navy is the colour,' she said. <br></p><p>Glee cheerleader Dianna Agron was as pretty as a princess in a pale pink and black lace Carolina Herrera gown. She accessorised with over ¡ò1million worth of Cartier diamonds.</p><p>'I'm a very lucky girl,' she commented.<br></p><p>But the Emmys were not without the odd flash of colour. Julia Ormond's fuchsia gown made an eye-catching statement, while Glee's Jenna Ushkowitz went for a red halterneck style with black and gold strapless platform sandals.<br></p><p> </p><p>Colour me happy: Julia Ormond in fuchsia Escada, Jenna Ushkowitz in a red Kevin Hall creation and Emily Deschanel in Max Azria Atelier<br></p><p> </p><p>Bones star Emily Deschanel went for abold ruffled purple number by Max Azria Atelier - and she wasn't theonly one to choose the regal hue. She was in good company with JaneLynch, who won the award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedyfor her role as Sue Sylvester in Glee, and Kyra Sedgwick, who wore aprincess-like Monique L'Hullier number.</p><p>But almost as many stars opted for white - from Kim Kardashian to Rose Byrne, who also went for a Grecian style in a Gucci column dress.</p><p>Pretty Dexter actress Julie Benz also worked a similar look in a gown by Pamella Roland - though we weren't sure about the cut-out detail at the hip. Neither was she by the look of it - she appeared to be covering it in most of the photos.<br></p><p> </p><p>All white on the night: Reality television star Kim Kardashian in Marchesa (left), Troy actress Rose Byrne in Gucci (centre) and Dexter's Julie Benz in Pamella Roland (right)</p><p>Like Hendricks, The Devil Wears Prada actress Emily Blunt also went for a lavender-coloured gown - though hers was by Christian Dior. <br></p><p>The pretty applique flowers were a nod to the label's couture show earlier this summer, which was a riot of flower-inspired dresses inspired by the summer garden of Dior's childhood home.</p><p>Actress Toni Collette also went for a floral theme with a delicate Valentino gown that appeared to have been hand-painted.</p><p> </p><p>Another to break the style mould was Tom Hanks' wife Rita Wilson, who wore a Prada dress draped with a crystal overlay - but it was less successful than some of the other red carpet ensembles.</p><p>The actress and producer, 53, had obviously put some effort into the outfit though, as her shoes were embellished with the same crystals as her dress. <br></p><p>Butthe clear straps of the lucite sandals looked cheap, and the teardropcrystals should really have been left on the chandelier.</p><p> </p><p></p><p>It was a small fashion blip on the red carpet landscape though, which was relatively free of fashion faux pas.</p><p>There were some brave choices - AnnaPaquin and January Jones win points for that in particular, though therest were classic rather than safe. <br></p><p>And for the most part, dresses were cut to fit, flatter and play on curves, proving that designers next season really are working towards impressing consumers with timeless shapes that will genuinely look good on every woman - not just on the red carpet. Now if only we could afford them...<br></p><p><p><p><p><p><p>Visit msnbc.com for , , and </p>?End of season... and the beginning of another means a lot is changing in the fashion world <p> By UPDATED:12:28 GMT, 1 February 2012</p><p>Fashion, known for its ever fleeting nature, doesn't boast of having too many constants in its repertoire. </p><p>These pieces, that exist like old family traditions give fashion a structure to rest its ever changing younger props on. </p><p>The LBD from Chanel, the bandage dress from Herve Leger, Aviator glasses from Rayban, traditional weave saris from South India, jodhpurs and precious jewellery from Jaipur, the travel trunk from Louis Vuitton, red soled heels from Louboutin are some of the items that have made to the list. </p><p>The Burberry Trench is one such piece that has stood the test of time. To celebrate the iconic fashion item, an exhibition titled Art Of The Trench, curated by Burberry Chief Creative Officer Christopher Bailey, will showcase streetstyle images captured in India by local photographer Manou of wearabout. </p><p>Here's a sneak preview of the images on display from the 3rd-12th of Feb at the new Burberry store at Hotel Oberoi, Gurgaon. <br></p>The fashion award goes to the traditional sari for elegance<br><p>The Sari is getting all the awards from popular to critics this award season. Giving a break to the flowy gowns and bandage dresses, most B-town beauties are being spotted in different sari styles at several red carpet dos. <br></p><p>While some like Karisma, Vidya and Anushka stuck to traditional designs, the others such as Priyanka, Katrina and Deepika experimented with more of contemporary styles like nets and georgettes. <br></p><p>The sari has had a style boost recently with, international TV host Oprah Winfrey choosing a kanjivaramfor her recent visit and style acer Sonam Kapoor donning it to polo matches and couture outings. </p><br> <p>Anushka (pictured left) looks stunning in a velvet sari from Sabyasachi, actress Vidya Balan (pictured centere) dressed in a silk traditional weave, while Priyanka keeps it minimal and classy in an all white ensemble (pictured right) </p>?End of the super-rich boom?: Why the good times at Burberry have shuddered to a halt <p> By </p><p>PUBLISHED:22:00 GMT, 11 September 2012 UPDATED:12:13 GMT, 12 September 2012</p><p>It was only ever going to be a matter of time before the downturn permeated through to the super-rich.<br></p><p>Since the beginning of the recession the world&#8217;s biggest luxury goods firms had appeared immune to the economic conditions battering their more pedestrian rivals. But that all came to a crashing halt yesterday.<br></p><p><br></p><p>Burberry&#8217;s first profit warning since the demise of investment bank Lehman Brothers in 2008 sent a shock wave through the sector, wiping more than 21 per cent, or ¡ò1bn, off its market value.<br></p><p>The earnings alert is being seen as a clear signal the wheels have come off the luxury goods sector&#8217;s diamond-encrusted shopping trolley.<br></p><p>Rivals LVMH, PPR &#8211; the firm behind Gucci &#8211; and Cartier-owner Richemont all saw their shares tumble as the quintessentially British firm, famous for its raincoats decked out in a camel, red and black check, warned underlying sales have fallen in all of its markets over recent weeks. Even China, the powerhouse of growth for the luxury goods market, has been affected.<br></p><p>Burberry has been hurt by fewer of its wealthy customers travelling abroad to indulge in high octane shopping trips.</p><p>Uncertainty over the eurozone debt crisis has also knocked consumer confidence and the rich in China are spending less as export-led Asian economies slow down due to contracting demand.<br></p><p>It&#8217;s a powerful cocktail of gloom that is beginning to filter through to the tills.<br></p><p>Burberry said total sales grew 6 per cent for the 10 weeks to September 8 but this was due to its aggressive expansion plan.</p><p>Underlying sales from the same number of stores open as the previous year, and excluding new space, were flat.<br></p><p>That represents a marked slowdown from first-quarter retail revenue growth of 14 per cent and comparable store sales up 6 per cent.<br></p><p>It also noted a &#8216;deceleration in recent weeks&#8217; and warned: &#8216;Burberry currently expects adjusted profit before tax for the 12-months to March 31 2013 to be around the lower end of market expectations.&#8217;<br></p><p>The shares fell 287p to 1088p yesterday.<br></p><p>Analysts had expected Burberry to post pre-tax profit for the year to March 2013 of between ¡ò407m and ¡ò451m with a consensus of ¡ò433.2m, according to Reuters.<br></p><p>The retail group&#8217;s finance director Stacey Cartwright said the firm is not alone in taking a hit to earnings: &#8216;Luxury has been insulated from the downturn but it is certainly not immune and we don&#8217;t believe we are alone.<br></p><p>&#8216;We pick up trading trends on the ground and know others, not everyone, but others have been impacted. This is not just about Asia and China, the last couple of weeks we have seen a slowdown in trading &#8211; underlying sales slipping into negative territory &#8211; in Asia, Europe, and the Americas.&#8217;<br></p><p>So could this be the beginning of the end for the luxury players?<br></p><p>During the past few years bling has been in. <br></p><p>Asian markets have driven growth, particularly China and Hong Kong, but also Latin America, especially Brazil and Mexico.<br></p><p>The Chinese market is undoubtedly maturing but it is still growing 4-5 times more than America and Western Europe. In May management consulting firm Bain warned that &#8216;established brands are starting to see flattening like for like growth&#8217; and that has now been borne out.<br></p><p>However it doesn&#8217;t mean the fundamental drivers behind the long term growth of the sector are dead.<br>Sam Hart, an analyst at broker Charles Stanley, said the key drivers of growth remain.<br></p><p>&#8216;There are rising disposable incomes amongst expanding middle-class populations in emerging markets, a growing number of high net worth individuals; the rising spending power of working women; and a growing propensity to travel,&#8217; he said.</p><p>&#8216;Burberry is well placed to benefit from the trend, given its iconic brand and action being taken to leverage the franchise into new product areas. Clearly, however, demand for luxury goods is being held back in the short term by the uncertain global macro-economic environment.&#8217; <br></p><p>Chief executive Angela Ahrendts said yesterday she has taken tight control over costs and taken &#8216;appropriate actions to protect short-term profitability&#8217;.<br></p><p>This won&#8217;t mean the American is taking the axe to the ¡ò200m earmarked for new projects which include a second Knightsbridge store in London.<br></p><p>But she will put a cap on executive travel costs, hiring additional staff, and spend on new IT projects.<br></p><p>The future for Burberry seems to be a period of cutting its coat according to its cloth.<br></p><p>It will be something of a new concept for the fashion house after enjoying the luxury of a period of stellar growth.<br></p><p>It remains to be seen whether it will be enough.</p><p> </p>?Fashion for life: Why so now is so over<p>By </p><p>UPDATED:12:43 GMT, 14 October 2010</p><p></p><p>I can tell you right now that I won&#8217;t be wearing an aviator jacket this winter. It&#8217;s such an emblem, so try-hard. And besides, if I was going to wear one, I ought to have been doing it way back in February when I first got wind that this shearling beast of a mega-jacket was being touted as the big-ticket buy of the season. The Burberry version was all set to be the one cracking purchase that would peel you apart from the sheep and make you look the business as you strolled from Halloween party to Christmas fayre and back again; its huge fluffy, flappy collar proving that you were on <br>the money and in the know. <br></p><p>Except that we&#8217;ve been in the know for ages. Aeons. And that&#8217;s the problem here. We&#8217;ve known for months of its coming, its way prepared by endless editorial, advertising, blog chats and RSS feeds direct to your mobile phone. And, in knowing, we&#8217;re more than a trifle bored by the time the weather actually calls for an enormous fat flying jacket that could withstand a hurricane and perform a loop-the-loop at 6,000 feet. Besides (needless to say, harumph), the Burberry version sold out way back in August, despite a ¡ò1,895 price tag. Call me po-faced, but this just seems wrong, like eating steak-and-kidney pudding around the pool as the temperature hits the middle 80s.</p><p>It&#8217;s like going straight to orgasm with no foreplay, or straight to fudge cake with no main course</p><p>Looked at in this light, you could argue that fashion is eating itself. The high-speed dissemination of trend information, from designer&#8217;s dream-board to catwalk to iPad, in what seems like a matter of minutes, means that when the time comes to actually buy the blessed thing, we humans, encumbered as we are with the attention span of a gnat, are over it and on to something else. We&#8217;re thirsty for the next and the new without even tasting the now. <br></p><p>I&#8217;ve felt this way about countless trends lately &#8211; the triumphant return of kitten heels, Mad Men circle skirts, all those fizzy pops of style that I should be drooling about right now. If gratification is instant, at the click of a mouse and a flick of the credit card, then a whole layer of waiting and wanting is eliminated from the equation. It&#8217;s like never having to wait until Christmas to open your presents. And where&#8217;s the fun in that?<br></p><p>Ironically, of course, it was Burberry Prorsum that staged its web-streaming coup back in February by making 20 pieces (and all the bags) in its autumn collection immediately available online. Customers had a seven-day window to place orders, and then only six weeks or so to wait for delivery. Last month&#8217;s show repeated the stunt &#8211; and while the Burberry balance sheet probably showed a spike from the fashion-hungry hordes, you have to wonder what the long-term gains will be. It&#8217;s like going straight to orgasm with no foreplay, or straight to fudge cake with no main course. Quite where this leaves retailers is anybody&#8217;s guess. But it certainly <br>amounts to a shake-up of the way the fashion industry has run for decades. Exciting? Perhaps. Crazy? I&#8217;ll say.</p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p>FIRST-CLASS COAST</p><p><br></p><p>Think of Coast as a one-stop shop for an LBD or wedding outfit? Think again. This season, we&#8217;ll be hotfooting it to our nearest store to check out its sharp tailored separates in luxe camel and grey. Coast&#8217;s latest designs embody the grown-up aesthetic we&#8217;re adopting this autumn.</p><p><br></p><p>TOP, ¡ò75, and TROUSERS, ¡ò85, both Coast, tel: 0845 899 1119, coast-stores.com</p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p>SUNDAY'S BEST</p><p><br></p><p>Finger-on-the-pulse River Island has hired hot new pop sensation Sunday Girl (aka Jade Williams) to be the face of its latest Design Forum collection, which is <br>created by super-talented fashion graduates from the class of 2009.</p><p>JUMPER, ¡ò49.99; LEATHER SKIRT, ¡ò69.99; HAT, ¡ò17.99, and TIGHTS, ¡ò12.99, all River Island Design Forum, tel: 020 8991 4904</p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p>It&#8217;s darling!</p><p><br></p><p>BAG, ¡ò1,200, from Louis Vuitton&#8217;s new Monogram Empreinte range, louisvuitton.com </p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p></p><p><br></p>?Fashion Forward: London's burning hot<p>By </p><p>UPDATED:20:00 GMT, 13 March 2010</p><p></p><p>Yes, we know that spring has barely sprung, but we couldn&#8217;t resist this sneak peek at the autumn/winter 2010 trends that rocked the runways at London Fashion Week. Take your front row seat</p><br><br>LEATHER<br><br><p>It&#8217;s already one of spring&#8217;s biggest trends, and leather&#8217;s reign is set to continue into autumn &#8211; it was one of the hottest catwalk stories at both London and New York. Opt for black biker chic or the simplicity of a shift dress.</p><p> </p><p>From left: Hakaan; Christopher Kane; Amanda Wakeley</p><p>VELVET</p><p>The luxury fabric of choice for trousers and party dresses alike, velvet will bring a nostalgic elegance to your winter wardrobe.</p><p> </p><p>From left: Antonio Berardi; Burberry Prorsum; Richard Nicoll</p><p><br></p><p>COLLAGE</p><p>This is one of the freshest new trends emerging from Planet Fashion, with the Brit pack leading the way. A collage of complementary fabrics, prints and textures creates clothing that is anything but lacklustre.</p><p> </p><p>From left: Peter Pilotto; Julien Macdonald; Mary Katrantzou</p><p><br></p><p>LONGER LENGTHS</p><br><p>Good news for anyone wanting to cover their knees with something more than opaque tights. Skirt and dress lengths headed south, with elegant calf-skimming designs at Roksanda Ilincic and floor-skimming maxis at Aquascutum.</p><p> </p><p>From left: Jonathan Saunders; Marios Schwab; Roksanda Ilincic</p><p>THE BLOUSE</p><p> The biggest sign that fashion is moving into a more ladylike realm, shirts and blouses were a key feature at many of the shows. In delicate lace at Burberry and signature print at Erdem, most were worn demurely, buttoned to the collar.</p><p> </p><p>From left: Burberry Prorsum; Erdem; Daks</p><p><br></p><p>AUTUMN COLOURS</p><p>When October arrives we&#8217;ll all be blending in nicely, with a colour palette that&#8217;s strong and mellow in equal measure. From burnt umber to old gold, what&#8217;s not to fall for?</p><p> </p><p>From left: Pringle; Jasper Conran; Betty Jackson</p><p><br></p><p>PLEATS</p><p>Most beautifully conceived at Pringle on mini kilts and at Topshop Unique in sheer chiffon, pleats have been given a modern makeover. This easily translatable trend is sure to be a big hit on the high street.</p><p> </p><p>From left: Nicole Farhi; Topshop Unique; Pringle</p><p><br></p><p>THE AVIATOR JACKET</p><p>Championed by Christopher Bailey at Burberry, the aviator will be the only jacket required come autumn. After being caught cold by this winter&#8217;s big freeze, we&#8217;re already digging that shearling lining and oversized collar.</p><p> </p><p>From left: Burberry Prorsum; Mulberry; Julien Macdonald</p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><br></p>?Fashion Forward: Our future is Brit!<p>By </p><p>UPDATED:19:01 GMT, 3 October 2009</p><p></p><p>The glitter has barely settled on the most exciting London Fashion Week ever, and we're still buzzing with the thrills - and origami frills - of it all. Here are the trends that'll put the zing into spring</p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p></p><p><br></p><p>SUGAR RUSH</p><p><br>Spring&#8217;s shades are candy-sweet pastels: think lemon sherbet, marshmallow pink and parma violet.</p><br><p><br>PEEK-A-BOO</p><p><br>Sheer panelling, exposed corsetry and conical bra cups that paid homage to 80s Madonna&#8230;underwear as outerwear is spring&#8217;s most seductive trend.<br></p><p> <br></p><p>STATEMENT SWIMWEAR<br></p><p><br>Banish the bikini &#8211; the only swimwear choice for the next sunny season is a statement one-piece. Fiercely sexy with cutout details, they are sure to send temperatures rising.</p><p> </p><p><br>SHORTS CIRCUIT</p><p><br>From micro-mini at Twenty8Twelve to chic culotte style at Jaeger, shorts will bring your legs back into focus for spring. The unifying factor? A high waist and A-line shape.</p><p> </p><p><br>MOLTEN METALLICS</p><p><br>These are not for the faint-hearted! There is nothing subtle about the new metallics. The liquid lame that rippled down the catwalks is set to make summer 2010 blinding.<br></p><p> </p><p><br>TOUCHY-FEELY</p><p><br>Crumpled, gathered, corrugated, concertinaed, gauzy, perforated, origamied&#8230;textured fabrics bring a whole new dimension into play.</p><p> </p><p><br>PEPPY PRINTS</p><p><br>It&#8217;s been a sizzling trend for some time now, but spring&#8217;s prints will be the most vivid by far. Abstract and psychedelic at times, they brought a kaleidoscope of colour to the LFW catwalks.</p><p> </p><p><br>DIG THE TRENCH</p><p><br>Aquascutum&#8217;s long-standing presence on the London catwalk and, of course, Burberry&#8217;s welcome return ensured that the trench, one of our wardrobe staples, took centre stage. They were most traditional at Margaret Howell and reinvented in lace at Erdem.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p>?First Lady of British fashion: Samantha Cameron hired by BFC to promote UK designers<br><p>By <br>UPDATED:16:48 GMT, 21 September 2010</p><br><p>Her innate sense of style has propelled Samantha Cameron to the top of Vanity Fair's best dressed list.</p><p>Now the British Fashion Council is to harness some of that SamCam glam in its efforts to promote the UK fashion industry.<br></p><p>Downing Street confirmed today that the Prime Minister's wife will be working as an adviser for London Fashion Week from next February.</p><p>Mrs Cameron, who has been absent from many of this week's shows following the birth of her daughter Florence, will take an informal, unpaid role working with the BritishFashion Council, using No. 10 as a showcase for the country's design talent.</p><p>She said: 'London Fashion Week is extremely important to the fashionindustry in the UK and I look forward to being fully involved from nextseason.<br></p><p>'We have so much young talent that needs to be supported and nurturedto ensure we are building brands and businesses for the future.'</p><p>Mrs Cameron, 39, stepped down from her position as creative director ofluxury stationer Smythson earlier this year, after herhusband became Prime Minister. She is planning to return to work forthe company two days a week as a consultant.<br></p><p>British Fashion Council chief executive Caroline Rush said: 'We aredelighted that Samantha has agreed to play a role in helping us growand develop London Fashion Week and know how much she will contributewith her considerable experience and creative sensibility.'</p><p>BFC chairman HaroldTillman joked that Mrs Cameron would not be taking his job, and thatthe role would be an unpaid ambassadorial one.</p><p>He said: 'She is going to facilitate events and functions at DowningStreet. She will be the person she really is - she's got great fashionsense, dresses very well and she has great taste.</p><p>'She will host Downing Street receptions, probably wear clothes byyoung British designers and be involved in charity fundraising. </p><p> </p><p>'As soon as [the current] London Fashion Week is over we will sit down and decide exactly what the role entails.'</p><p>Since her husband became leader of the Tory party, and later PrimeMinister, Mrs Cameron has found herself under the fashion spotlight.</p><p></p><p>She has won praise for her effortlessly elegant fashion choices,mixing British labels such as Sykes and Emilia Wickstead withHigh Street finds from Zara and Jigsaw.</p><p>Earlier this year she joined Carla Bruni and Michelle Obama on Vanity Fair's best dressed list.</p><p> </p><p>SamCam glam: The 38-year-old's elegant, fashion-forward style has earned her a place on Vanity Fair's best dressed list<br></p><p>Daily Mail fashion expert Liz Jones believes that Mrs Cameron is perfect for the BFC role.</p><p>'I think she is the best thing to happen to British fashion since Diana,' she said.<br></p><p>'She wears young British designers like Erdem, has a great sense of colour, and isn't afraid to experiment, as in that Marc Jacobs apron dress. <br></p><p>'Sometimes she gets it wrong - as in those platform shoes on election night - but she cheers me up. She isn't a fashion victim, like Queen Sofia of Spain, so won't alienate ordinary women.'<br></p><p></p><p></p>?Freida Pinto and Dev Patel can't keep their hands off each other at catwalk show<br><p>By <br>UPDATED:15:17 GMT, 23 September 2009</p><p>The stars of Slumdog Millionaire were just as interested in each other as they were in the Burberry show at London Fashion Week. <br></p><p>Freida Pinto and Dev Patel showed they are loved up off-screen while enjoying front row seats for the catwalk. <br></p><p>A glowing Freida, 24, sat hand-in-hand with Dev, 19, at the Burberry Prorsum Spring/Summer show and shared comments about the clothes on display.</p><p>The couple now seem happy to flaunt their relationship publicly after months of dodging the cameras they are together. <br></p><p>And it is clear that Dev is already devoted to the Indian actress, looking at her adoring as they posed for photographers and accompanying her to a show that had a predominantly female audience.</p><p>The actor looked a little uncomfortable and out of place seated along a row of the world's top female celebrities who included Victoria Beckham, Gwyneth Paltrow, Emma Watson - who models for thelabel - Alexa Chung, Liv Tyler and Agyness Deyn.</p><p> </p>?French giant PPR checks out Burberry<p>By <br>UPDATED:07:58 GMT, 8 June 2011</p><p></p><p>Burberry was in the limelight yesterday amid market talk it could be the target of a bid from French retailer and luxury goods giant PPR.</p><p>The shares closed up 5p at 1312p, despite PPR ruling out any takeover on the grounds that it was not looking for a large acquisition. </p><p>The French group insists it is only on the hunt for small to medium-sized businesses that have potential to grow, such as its recent acquisition of Californian skate and snowboarding brand Volcom for ¡ò370m.</p><p>Burberry has a market capitalisation of almost ¡ò6bn, way out of PPR's league. Meanwhile, Burberry has unveiled young actress Felicity Jones as its new face.</p><p>The fashion house's chief creative officer Christopher Bailey said Jones, who made her breakthrough on Radio 4's The Archers as Emma Carter, was chosen because of her retro 1960s look.</p><p>Burberry's Autumn campaign was inspired by ads from its own archives starring Jean Shrimpton. </p>?French giant PPR checks out English rose Burberry<br><p> By <br>UPDATED:00:14 GMT, 8 June 2011</p><br><p>Burberry was in the limelight yesterday amid market talk it could be the target of a bid from French retailer and luxury goods giant PPR. <br></p><p>The shares closed up 5p at 1312p, despite PPR ruling out any takeover on the grounds that it was not looking for a large acquisition. <br></p><p>The French group insists it is only on the hunt for small to medium-sized businesses that have potential to grow, such as its recent acquisition of Californian skate and snowboarding brand Volcom for ¡ò370m. <br></p><p>Burberry has a market capitalisation of almost ¡ò6bn, way out of PPR&#8217;s league. Meanwhile, Burberry has unveiled young actress Felicity Jones (pictured) as its new face. </p><p>The fashion house&#8217;s chief creative officer Christopher Bailey said Jones, who made her breakthrough on Radio 4&#8217;s The Archers as Emma Carter, was chosen because of her retro 1960s look. <br></p><p>Burberry&#8217;s Autumn campaign was inspired by ads from its own archives starring Jean Shrimpton.<br></p>?From banks to Burberry - e-protests that are causing a stir<p>Last updated at 17:36 23 February 2007</p><br>Bank charges<br>www.moneysavingexpert.com<br>www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk<br>Slogan:<p>'Your bank owes you money'<br>What it wants: to ensure bank charges levied oncustomers are fair.<br>What has it achieved? &pound;7.8 million has beenreturned to 5,500 people by the Consumer Action Group.<br>What you can do: Use the websites' letters toreclaim unlawful charges for overdrafts, bounced direct debits,etc.<br></p><p>Gas-guzzling cars<br>www.stopurban4x4s.org.uk<br>Slogan: '4x4? Y?'<br>What it wants: to drive gas-guzzlers off the roadby increasing road tax and the C-charge in London, and to banadvertisements for them.<br>What has it achieved? Ken Livingstone hasannounced plans for a &pound;25 congestion charge for 4x4s alongwith discounts for cleaner cars.<br>Prominent supporter: Thandie Newton.<br>What you can do: wear the T-shirt, and issue spoof4x4 parking tickets.<br></p><p>Burberry<br>www.keepburberrybritish.com<br>Slogan: 'Keep Burberry British'<br>What it wants: to prevent the closure of thefirm's factory in Treorchy, Wales with the loss of 300 jobs, andstop production moving to China.<br>What has it achieved? Unlikely to prevent theclosure but a payment has been made by Burberry to the Treorchycommunity and the proposed redundancy payments have been doubled.<br>Prominent supporters: Emma Thompson, Rachel Weisz,Tom Jones.<br>What you can do: Emphasise that it is theBritishness of the brand that attracts you as a shopper.<br></p><p>Road pricing<br>www.notolls.org.uk<br>Slogan: 'No tolls'<br>What it wants: To scrap planned vehicle trackingand road tolls.<br>What has it achieved? 1.8 million Britons signedthe online petition protesting against road pricing, promptingTransport Secretary Douglas Alexander to cancel the launch of a newclimate change campaign.<br>Prominent supporters: Richard Hammond, JeremyClarkson.<br>What you can do: drive the fight for your freedomof movement forward by signing the petition against tolls.<br></p><p>Tesco<br>www.tescopoly.org<br>Slogan: 'Every little hurts'<br>What it wants: new rules to curb Tesco?s power.<br>What has it achieved? Stopped the planned openingof a Tesco Express in Tolworth near Kingston this week.<br>Prominent supporter: Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall.<br>What you can do: support small shops, order actioncards to lobby local MPs, visit the website and email your concernsto the Competition Commission.<br></p><p>Mobile phone masts<br>www.mastsanity.org<br>Slogan: 'Calling for a safe communicationsnetwork'<br>What it wants: to stop the insensitive siting ofmobile phone and Tetra masts in the UK.<br>What has it achieved? Has highlighted the healthrisks of wi-fi.<br>Prominent supporter: Jasper Carrott.<br>What you can do: threaten to change to a differentnetwork.<br></p><p>Fur<br>www.caft.org.uk<br>Slogan: 'Fur is dead'<br>What it wants: to abolish the fur trade.<br>What has it achieved? Has persuaded dozens ofshops to stop selling real fur.<br>Prominent supporters: Stella McCartney, HeatherMills.<br>What you can do: refuse to buy real-fur products,making your reasons known to the shop.<br></p><p>Heathrow's third runway<br>www.notrag.org<br>Slogan: 'No third runway'<br>What it wants: to prevent the third runway atHeathrow being built.<br>What has it achieved? Has highlighted the impacton homes, wildlife, roads and schools, but the 2003 White Paperproposes the runway will be built by 2020.<br>What you can do: help by displaying posters,stuffing envelopes and attending demonstrations.</p>Share this article: <p> </p>?FTSE 100 close: Anglo-American down, Burberry up<p>By <br>UPDATED:16:07 GMT, 15 October 2009</p><p></p><p>The London market was slightly down today as figures from Goldman Sachs failed to inspire trans-Atlantic stocks.</p><p>The FTSE 100 closed 33.2 points down at 5,222.9 after Goldman Sachs revealed a jump in third-quarter profits to $3.03bn (¡ò1.96bn). </p><p>Despite the 278% profit leap investors had perhaps been expecting more after JP Morgan's exceptionally good showing yesterday: the Dow Jones was 15.3 down at 10,000.5 at the London close.</p><p>The FTSE 100 has surged more than 51% from a six-year trough in March, but is still 3.3% below its level in mid-September 2008 before the collapse of Lehman Brothers.</p><p>Shares in J Sainsbury stood out by jumping amid market talk of renewed interest from the Qatari sovereign wealth fund.</p><p>The supermarket group leapt to the top of the risers' board with a 10% increase, ahead 31.4p to 342.5p, as traders cited rumours that the Qataris may be looking to increase their existing estimated 26% stake in the chain.</p><p>Miners fell as profit-takers moved in, led lower by Anglo American, off 95p at 2,216p, after rival Xstrata said it will not make a formal takeover offer. Xstrata was 21p off at 1,010p.</p><p>Oil stocks were among the leading losers after gains this week, with Cairn Energy 74p down at 2,976p, and Royal Dutch Shell B shares down 31p at 1,785p.</p><p>The Financial Times reported the government would not underwrite a planned rights issue by Lloyds Banking Group. And fund manager Rathbone Brothers said it was in talks with Lloyds about buying wealth management assets from Britain's largest mortgage lender. </p><p>Lloyds shares inched 1.65p higher at 91.41p and Rathbone shares were 15p up at 930p.</p><p>Retail chain Burberry was high on the risers board, up 1.95% or 11p to 576.5p, as investors continued to cheer yesterday's upbeat trading statement.</p><p></p><p>In a busy session for updates in the FTSE 250 index, WH Smith rose 4% after it posted better-than-expected full-year profits of ¡ò81m and announced the return of ¡ò35m to shareholders. The stock, which has beaten an 18% retail sector rise in the past six months by surging 22%, was up 20.4p at 517.5p.</p><p>Mothercare shares were less popular today after it said total group sales including international business had risen 7%, helping to offset increases in costs and the impact of the weak pound on imports. </p><p>The babycare chain, which has seen its 17th quarter of growth in a row, said strong internet sales and the successful addition of Early Learning Centre ranges has led to a like-for-like UK sales increase of 4.1%. The shares fell 17p to 600p.</p><p>Seymour Pierce analyst Freddie George kept his 'sell' rating on the stock and told Reuters: 'We are warming to the international opportunity, which accounts for about 20% of trading profits, but we believe the potential has been fully factored into the share price. In addition, the UK business is now looking more mature.'</p><p>Drinks firm Britvic moved in the opposite direction, down 11.5p to 374.5p, as broker Shore Capital downgraded the stock in the wake of a 'slightly disappointing' fourth-quarter trading update.</p><p>Meanwhile citywire.co.uk revealed Caledonia investments has ramped its exposure to Rightmove, the UK's No.1 property listings website, from 4.88m shares to 6.01m. The shares fell 10.5p to 570.5p.</p><p>News of an investigation by the Office of Fair Trading into how companies use behavioural targeting to price products had implications for Phorm. It specialises in online behavioural technology. Its shares tanked 4% in early trading but steadily recovered throughout the day to rise 15p to 185p.</p><p>TOMORROW'S CITY DIARY </p><p>&#149; Admiral, the group behind Elephant, Diamond and Confused.com, updates the market on trading tomorrow. Investors will be keen to hear how price comparison website Confused.com is faring.</p><p>&#149; Wall Street titan Bank of America Merrill Lynch continues the reporting season for the US investment banks, with third-quarter figures.. </p><p></p>?FTSE close: Anglo down, Burberry up<p>By <br>UPDATED:17:17 GMT, 19 February 2010</p><p></p><p>17.15:</p><p>Encouraging US inflation news did little to ease volatility on the FTSE 100 Index today as the market struggled to lift out of the red.</p><p>The Footsie was under pressure after the US Federal Reserve unexpectedly raised interest rates for emergency bank loans overnight.</p><p>Figures showing America's rate of inflation barely rising, up 0.2% in January, failed to provide a significant boost, with the FTSE 100 up one point at 5326.1.</p><p>The news likewise did not limit losses on Wall Street's Dow Jones Industrial Average, down more than 40 points soon after opening.</p><p>The Fed's overnight move led to fears that ordinary US borrowing costs could also be hiked, slowing the recovery in the world's largest economy.Its quarter-point rise in the 'discount' rate strengthened the dollar and put miners under pressure in London.</p><p>The pound fell to a nine-month low against the dollar, also knocked by a surprisingly big fall in UK retail sales last month as markets bet the Bank of England could wait for longer before tightening monetary policy.Among retailers, Tesco fell 5.15p to 424.8p and Argos owner Home Retail Group eased back by 2.2p to 263.5p after recent rises.</p><p>Meanwhile, luxury fashion group Burberry, which announced a shake up of its troubled Spanish business earlier this week, added 1.5p to 642p.</p><p>Miners accounted for many of the Footsie's heaviest fallers in the wake of the Fed decision as the strong dollar sent oil prices down to near 78 US dollars a barrel.</p><p>Fresnillo was the biggest faller - off 21.5p at 764p, or 3% - while Anglo American fell 57.5p to 2444.5p as the miner's results beat forecasts, but disappointed investors by not paying a final dividend.</p><p>British Airways failed to see much gain despite victory in a court battle with cabin crew.</p><p>Shares were 0.5p lower at 209.2p after the workers today lost their High Court bid for a permanent injunction preventing the airline from imposing cost-cutting proposals.</p><p>But pharmaceutical firm Shire was enjoying a better session, ahead 62p at 1372p, after it reiterated targets to secure mid-teen revenue growth on average between 2009 and 2015 and reported 2009 revenues that were ahead of expectations.</p><p>In the FTSE 250, pest control to delivery firm Rentokil Initial was rewarded with a 10% or 11.6p rise to 129.6p after it set its sights on 'modest' growth and reported good progress on turning around the struggling parts of the business.</p><p>Fellow second tier stock Millennium & Copthorne also advanced after the global hotels operator impressed with better than expected results and news that sales growth had returned in the first five weeks of 2010.Shares rose 12%, or 46p to 422.5p.</p><p>10.00:</p><p>Royal Bank of Scotland, scheduled to post results next week, is up 0.1p to 33.84p. RBS's revised long-term reward plan for top executives will be fully agreed with shareholders before it is put to the market, a top investor said, a move to avoid a revolt on the issue.</p><p>The Dow Jones industrial average ended 0.8% higher last night, but after the US close the Fed announced a quarter percentage point increase in its discount borrowing rate, whcih saw US stock futures fall.</p><p>'This is one of those things that will give the market a bit of a pause for thought for a day or two, but the more serious rate hikes are still a long way off,' said Peter Dixon, economist at Commerzbank.</p><p>Defensive stocks were in favour as investors' risk appetite dwindled. British American Tobacco was one of the top Footsie risers, up 33p to 2,203p after a target price hike from Nomura.</p><p>Consumer goods giant Unilever rose 19p to 1,915p after Swiss peer Nestle beat forecasts for 2009.</p><p>On the second line, Rentokil Initial topped the leaders' board, adding 8.1p to 126.1p after the pest control to parcel delivery firm reported sharply higher profit.</p><p>The FTSE 100 was 2.7 points down 5,322.4.</p><p>'I think the FTSE will trade more or less sideways for the near term,' said Commerzbank's Dixon. '(This is) primarily because on valuation grounds I think there are good reasons for the market to go up, but on fear factor grounds we could see a bit of a sell-off - balancing those forces together it's a fairly dull outlook.'</p><p>09.15:</p><p>The FTSE 100 index edged higher today despite the US Federal Reserve hiking the rate which it lends to banks.</p><p>The quarter-point rise in the Fed's 'discount' rate - which does not affect consumer lending - strengthened the dollar and put miners under pressure in London.</p><p>The Footsie however ticked 7.3 points ahead to 5,332.4 early on with little to drive trading in a quiet session for corporate news.</p><p>Anglo American was the top-flight's leading faller, down 43p to 2459p as the miner's results beat forecasts but disappointed investors by not paying a final dividend. The sector accounted for the Footsie's six heaviest fallers.</p><p>Luxury fashion group Burberry, which announced a shake up of its troubled Spanish business earlier this week, topped the risers' board, adding 8.5p to 649p.</p><p>Pest control to delivery firm Rentokil Initial however was rewarded with a 7% or 8.2p rise to 126.2p in the FTSE 250 after it set its sights on &#39;modest&#39; growth and reported good progress on turning around the struggling parts of the business.</p><p>Fellow second-liner Millennium & Copthorne also advanced after the global hotels operator impressed with better than expected results. Shares rose 28.5p to 405p.</p><p></p>?FTSE close: BP, Burberry up; Barclays down<p>By <br>UPDATED:16:12 GMT, 16 July 2010</p><p></p><p>17.00 (close)</p><p>London's blue chip share index closed deep in the red for a third straight session today after disappointing bank earnings on Wall Street sparked a late sell-off.</p><p>Sentiment was knocked on both sides of the Atlantic after Bank of America Merrill Lynch and Citigroup revealed that investment banking revenues dropped in the second quarter.</p><p>This sent British blue chips plunging, with the FTSE 100 Index closing down 52.4 points at 5158.9.</p><p>America's Dow Jones Industrial Average fell nearly 2% within the first few hours of opening, with investor nerves also frayed after worse-than-expected second quarter earnings growth from Google and poor US consumer confidence data.</p><p>In currency news, the pound gave back some of the gains made earlier this week against the US dollar.</p><p>Sterling sunk 0.8% against the greenback, to $1.53, while it fell 0.7% to 1.18 euros.</p><p>Today's stock market falls came despite gains for BP after it revealed latest efforts had succeeded in temporarily stopping the flow of oil into the Gulf of Mexico for the first time since the disaster struck in April.</p><p>BP had been as much as 8% higher at one stage, while the wider Footsie was also around 50 points higher in early session trading.</p><p>But investor cheer soon faded as second quarter earnings figures from BoA Merrill Lynch and Citi showed both suffered lower trading revenues. </p><p>This overshadowed news of overall higher earnings within the two banks as loan losses fell.</p><p>JP Morgan Chase reported a similar trend yesterday, confirming that major banks have been hit by the stock market's plunge this spring.</p><p>Banks fell on the FTSE 100 Index as investors also anticipated a disappointing second quarter reporting season from the UK sector.</p><p>Barclays fell 5% - down 15.7p to 284.7p - HSBC dropped 15.9p to 621.6p and Lloyds Banking Group shed 2.3p to 59.6p.</p><p>BP lost much of its earlier gains amid the afternoon sell-off, leaving it 1% or 5.4p higher at 407.2p.</p><p>Another big rise in the top flight was achieved by luxury goods group Burberry after it announced plans to buy out its franchisees in mainland China.</p><p>It will pay about ¡ò70m to take full control of 50 stores in 30 cities, including nine stores in Beijing and four in Shanghai. The move was welcomed by investors as shares jumped 9p to 799.5p after Burberry said the move should add ¡ò20m to operating profits by the 2011/12 financial year.</p><p>Elsewhere, babycare retailer Mothercare shed 6p to 524p in the FTSE 250 following news it is in talks to buy a 25% stake in Headline, which operates the Mothercare and Early Learning Centre franchises in Australia and New Zealand. The move should enable Headline to accelerate growth in the region.</p><p>The biggest Footsie risers were Essar Energy up 10.1p to 458.2p, BP ahead 5.4p at 407.2p, Invensys up 3.5p at 265.3p and Burberry group up 9p at 799.5p.</p><p>The biggest Footsie fallers were Barclays down 15.7p to 284.7p, Fresnillo off 41p at 1060p, Lloyds Banking Group down 2.3p to 59.6p and Royal Bank of Scotland down 1.5p to 43.7p.</p><p>15.30</p><p>A rapid reversal for the Footsie this afternoon after the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell more than 1% in early trade.</p><p>The FTSE 100 Index turned from a 50-point advantage this morning to a 35-point deficit at 5,175.7 after a drop in investment banking revenues at Wall Street giants Bank of America and Citigroup knocked sentiment on both sides of the Atlantic.</p><p>Investor cheer from BP's stemming of its oil leak soon faded as second-quarter earnings figures from BoA Merrill Lynch and Citi showed both suffered lower trading revenues. This overshadowed news of overall higher earnings within the two banks as loan losses fell.</p><p>JP Morgan Chase reported a similar trend yesterday, confirming that major banks have been hit by the stock market's plunge this spring.</p><p>Banks fell in London as investors also anticipated a disappointing second-quarter reporting season from the UK sector. Barclays fell 6% - down 17p to 283.4p - HSBC dropped 17.4p to 620.1p and Lloyds Banking Group shed 2.4p to 59.5p.</p><p>14.30</p><p>Weaker-than-expected revenue figures from Bank of America, Citigroup, and General Electric have dampened sentiment on Wall Street, wiping out most of the gains for Dow Jones futures.</p><p>The Footsie's gain has been cut to 15.7 points at 5,227.</p><p>A broker upgrade for British Airways helped the group add 5.5p to 209.1p - a rise of 3%.</p><p>Elsewhere, babycare retailer Mothercare shed 7p to 523p in the FTSE 250 following news it is in talks to buy a 25% stake in Headline, which operates the Mothercare and Early Learning Centre franchises in Australia and New Zealand.</p><p>11.45</p><p>Among small and mid-cap movers, PayPoint shares soared 73.5p or nearly 30% to 337p after the National Lottery Commission turned down an application by Camelot to offer payments services through its network of terminals.</p><p>'It is a very important decision and the market is reacting accordingly,' said Numis Securities analyst David McCann. 'Our valuation of 380p set in April for this scenario therefore kicks in and we rate the stock as a strong buy with a 45% upside.'</p><p>And Spectris has risen 64.5p to 900p after the electrical engineering firm rasied its profit forecast.</p><p>But Caledon Resources has shed 5.5p to 40.5p after strong gains yesterday on the back of a bid approach for the coal producer.</p><p>09.30</p><p>Signs that BP may finally have plugged its Gulf of Mexico oil leak boosted the troubled energy giant's shares and the wider London market today.</p><p>The blue-chip stock was up 5% early on after it revealed it had placed a temporary cap on the leaking well.</p><p>That alone added almost 16 points to the FTSE 100 index, which was 13.5 points up at 5,224.8.</p><p>Asian markets were mostly lower overnight due to mixed economic news in the United States, while Google's second quarter earnings failed to inspire investors despite a rise in revenues and profits.</p><p>'Investors are buying back in on the dips but the rally feels empty with thin volumes, disappointing corporate data and uncertainty over the recovery in the U.S. and China lurking in the background,' said Jimmy Yates, head or equities at CMC Markets.</p><p>BP shares were 12.75p up at 414.5p. The stock had been below 300p at one stage last month, the lowest point since 1996.</p><p>The biggest rise in the top flight was achieved by luxury goods group Burberry after it announced plans to buy out its franchisees in mainland China.</p><p>It will pay about ¡ò70m to take full control of 50 stores in 30 cities, including nine stores in Beijing and four in Shanghai. The move was welcomed by investors as shares jumped 31.5p to 822p.</p><p>Barclays endured another disappointing session after results yesterday from JP Morgan Chase showed a steep slide in income from bonds - an area of strength for the blue-chip firm in the United States. Shares fell 5.6p to 294.75p, while HSBC dropped 7.6p to 629.9p.</p><p>Goldman Sachs sent airlines higher with a bullish note on the sector, with British Airways up 5p to 208.6p after the broker repeated its 'buy' rating, and mid-cap peer easyJet up 12.5p to 427p as Goldman upped its rating to 'buy' from 'neutral'.</p><p>The broker also lent its backing to property firms, with British Land standing out, up 5.5p to 454.3p as Goldman raised its rating to 'buy' from 'neutral'.</p><p>Invensys was also a good performer, up 1.5 percent as the engineer benefitted from an upgrade to 'buy' from 'neutral' by UBS.</p><p>Attention later turn to the latest US inflation numbers, due at 1330 GMT.</p><p>'The fear is that the U.S. CPI data could well come in lower than expected and yet again send investors running worried of a slowdown in the US economic recovery,' CMC's Yates said. </p>?FTSE CLOSE: Burberry biggest blue chip faller as markets struggle to make headway<p> By </p><p>PUBLISHED:07:31 GMT, 11 July 2012 UPDATED:16:56 GMT, 11 July 2012</p><p>17.10 (close): A disappointing sales update sent Burberry shares into the red today after the luxury fashion group posted lower-than-expected sales growth and warned over trading conditions.</p><p>Burberry was the biggest blue chip faller as shares sunk 7 per cent, while the wider FTSE 100 Index struggled to make headway - up 0.4 points at 5664.5 - as traders nervously awaited key minutes from the US Federal Reserve.</p><p>Wall Street's Dow Jones Industrial Average was around 20 points lower, despite news from the US Commerce Department that the country's trade deficit narrowed slightly in May.</p><br><p>Most investors were looking to the Fed's minutes for any signs of further stimulus measures from the central bank, which could help boost the world's biggest economy.</p><p>Meanwhile, Spain unveiled further austerity measures including a 3 per cent risein VAT and a cut to local government spending which, while needed, sparked fears over growth in the recession-hit country.</p><p>With the euro still under pressure since the European Central Bank lowered its deposit rate to zero last week, the pound rose to a three-and-a-half-year high against the single currency, at 1.27 euros. Sterling also lifted to 1.55 US dollars.</p><p>In London, Burberry's 6 per cent sales hike only marginally missed analyst expectations, but nervous investors saw the news as the latest sign of waning consumer confidence.</p><p>The group said total revenues were up 11 per cent to ¡ò408 million and that stores in important cities such as Beijing were trading well, but this was not enough to prevent shares from falling 95p to 1189p.</p><p>Retail bellwether Marks &amp; Spencer dropped another 3 per cent, down 9.6p to 318.2p, following a 2 per cent decline yesterday after it reported its worst non-food sales performance for more than three years.</p><p>Under-fire bank Barclays was 2.4p lower at 164.7p as it continued to suffer the fallout from its interbank rate fixing scandal.</p><p>The Treasury Select Committee announced that former Barclays chief operating officer Jerry del Missier will be among the next witnesses called to give evidence on the scandal.</p><p>Outside the top flight, drinks maker Britvic slumped 13 per cent - down 40.1p to260.1p - after it said the profit impact of recalling packs of Robinsons Fruit Shoot with a new cap design was set to rise to up to ¡ò25million.</p><p>Britvic recalled all bottles of the children's drink and spin-off Fruit Shoot Hydro featuring the new design earlier this month as a precautionary measure.</p><p>Recruitment firm Hays was another FTSE 250 stock in the red as it reported a drop in net fee income in its final quarter due to increasingly challenging market conditions.</p><p>Hays shares fell 3 per cent, or 2.5p to 70.6p.</p><p>Pubs group JD Wetherspoon was enjoying better fortunes, up 4 per cent or 16.2p to 437.9p, after revealing a 6.1 per cent hike in quarterly sales thanks to the Queen's Diamond Jubilee and Euro 2012.</p><p>The biggest Footsie risers were Glencore International up 5.8p to 316.3p, Arm Holdings ahead 7.5p to 488p, Aviva up 4.4p to 290.8p and Xstrata up 12.5p to 839p.</p><p>The biggest Footsie fallers were Burberry down 95p to 1189p, Polymetal International off 43p to 834p, Aggreko down 89p to 1993p and Weir group down 63p to 1516p.<br></p><p>15.35: The Dow Jones is broadly flat after the U.S. Commerce Department said the country's trade deficit narrowed slightly in May.</p><p>But most investors were looking aheadto the release of the Federal Reserve's minutes to detect signs of further stimulus measures from the central bank, which could help boost the world's biggest economy.</p><p>The Dow is down 4.8 points at 12,648.3, while in London the FTSE 100 is lagging 6.2 points at 5,657.9.</p><p>Meanwhile, Spain has unveiled further austerity measures including a 3 per cent rise in VAT and a cut to local government spending which have sparked fears over growth in the recession-hit country.<br></p><p>13.30: <br></p><p>The FTSE 100 has clawed back some earlier lost ground but is still trading 3.8 points lower at 5,660.3 after a weak start to the U.S. earnings season.</p><p>Ishaq Siddiqi of ETX Capital commented: 'The poor showing from U.S. corporates does not bode well for the rest of the season, prompting markets to scale back recent earnings estimates. <br></p><p>'Worse still, deterioration in U.S. earnings tend be somewhat of a precursor of what is likely to come from European counterparts.</p><p></p><p>'The first half of this year has seen the US economy growing, albeit rather slowly, but European growth contracting further.'</p><p>Simon Denham of Capital Spreads said: 'With all the major economies slowing more than many had predicted those firms that had been gearing up to take advantage of the predicted recovery will have reined in projects and investments and will also be looking at other ways to reduce costs. <br></p><p>'The biggest cost to firms of course are its people and whilst we&#8217;ve seen unemployment in the UK peak and even in the U.S. it has declined in the last few months the chances of more people losing their jobs is becoming ever more possible.'</p><p>Denham added that U.S. Federal Reserve minutes due to be released after the London close today would make interesting reading given the central bank's willingness to keep the door open to more quantitative easing.</p><p>'With their remit being focused on the labour market it&#8217;s clear to all that things there are not as rosy as they would like and so it&#8217;s seen as only a matter of time before they pull the trigger again and tonight might shed more light on just when that could be,' he said.</p><p>On the Footsie, retail bellwether Marks &amp; Spencer dropped another 8.6p to 319.2p after yesterday's report of its worst non-food sales performance for more than three years .</p><p>Scandal-hit Barclays was 0.9p lower at 166.2p as it continued to suffer the fallout from the Libor-fixing debacle.</p><p>The Treasury Select Committee announced that former Barclays chief operating officer Jerry del Missier will be among the next witnesses called to give evidence on the scandal. <br></p><p>Recruitment firm Hays was in the red as it reported a drop in net fee income in its final quarter due to increasingly challenging market conditions.</p><p>Hays shares fell 2 per cent or 1.7p to 71.4p.<br></p><p>11.45: <br></p><p>An uncertain start to the U.S. quarterly earnings season has knocked London stocks - the FTSE 100 is down 24.7 points to 5,639.4.</p><p>Results from aluminium giant Alcoa beat analyst expectations, but chipmaker Advanced Micro Devices jolted markets by reporting an 11 per cent sales drop due to weaker trading in markets including China.</p><p>With attention now fixed on upcoming figures from JP Morgan and Google, the Dow Jones in New York closed 0.6 per cent lower last night, although futures trading points to a recovery when the market reopens this afternoon.</p><p>Ben Critchley, sales trader at IG Index, said: 'As company after company queues up to report earnings, it is becoming increasingly apparent that the eurozone crisis has taken a heavy toll of confidence. <br></p><p>'Weaker forecasts from US companies are a sign that the global economy is beginning to feel the pinch from the problems afflicting the euro. Companies across the board are expecting continued difficult times, as we continue to wait for a real solution to be crafted by eurozone politicians. <br></p><p>'Speaking of which, Spanish prime minister Mariano Rajoy was busy this morning, unveiling new austerity measures that will amount to &#8364;65billion in cuts. <br></p><p>'This runs the risk of deepening Spain's already significant recession, but Mr Rajoy has to embark on these measures if he is to retain the support of his European partners.'</p><p>In UK corporate news, Burberry fell after its latest trading update failed to match the high expectations of City investors.</p><p>The luxury goods group said total revenues were up 11 per cent to ¡ò408million and that stores in important cities such as Beijing were trading well, but this was not enough to prevent shares from slipping 60.5p to 1223.5p, a drop of 5 per cent. <br></p><p>Outside the top flight, drinks maker Britvic slumped 17 per cent after it said the profit impact of recalling packs of Robinsons Fruit Shoot with a new cap design was set to rise to up to ¡ò25million.</p><p>Britvic recalled all bottles of the children's drink and spin-off Fruit Shoot Hydro featuring the new design earlier this month as a precautionary measure. The stock was down 50.1p to 250.1p. <br></p><p>Strong trading during the Queen's Jubilee fortnight and Euro 2012 has boosted recent takings at Wetherpoon's pub chain.</p><p>Like-for-like sales rose 6.1 per cent in the 11 weeks to July 8, compared to a 2 per cent rise in the previous quarter.</p><p>The shares were up 2 per cent or 9.35p to 431.05p. <br></p><p>8.35:The FTSE 100 has opened down 28.3 points at 5,635.77 on lacklustre U.S. corporate earnings updates and renewed concerns over the eurozone crisis.</p><p>A sales warning from U.S. engine maker Cummins on top of earlier weak forecasts from chipmakers Applied Materials and Advanced Micro Devices led to U.S. share losses and and dented investor sentiment globally.</p><p>The pessimism from U.S. companies compounded worries that the sluggish world economy was taking a toll on profit growth across the Atlantic.</p><p>A eurozone summit yesterday also failed to offer clarity about how Greece would get through its next bond redemptions following a delayed loan to the country, or about the timing for setting up a banking supervisor for the single currency region.</p><p>The mood was further darkened by comments from Italian Prime Minister Mario Monti suggesting his country could be interested in tapping the eurozone's rescue fund for bond support.</p><p>Monti is coming under intense market pressure to reform Italy's economy and avoid being drawn into the centre of the debt crisis.</p><p>Another source of uncertainty for investors was a decision by the German Constitutional Court to set no date for its verdict on whether the eurozone's bailout fund and planned changes to budget rules were compatible with German law.</p><p>'Risk appetite remains fragile as U.S. earnings worries and various unanswered questions in Europe weigh on sentiment,' commented French bank Credit Agricole.</p><p>The FTSE 100 closed up 36.74 points at 5,664.07 points yesterday, recovering from two consecutive sessions of losses that took more than 1.1 percentage points off the index.</p><p>But volumes were thin, indicating a lack of conviction in the rally due to fears over the eurozone debt crisis and the weak global economy.</p><p>London copper crawled higher after recent losses, but metal prices were stuck in a tight range on caution ahead of this week's GDP data from top consumer China, which is expected to yield fresh trading cues.</p><p>Brent crude rose above $98 a barrel, recovering slightly from the previous session's losses ahead of U.S. inventory data that is likely to show crude stocks shrinking for a third week in the world's largest oil consumer.<br></p>Stocks to watch today include:<p>Chemring: The defence contractor rose yesterday on rumours U.S.-based firm General Dynamics, the fourth largest defence contractor in the world, was gearing up to launch a ¡ò868million or 450 pence-a-share bid, according to the Daily Mail market report.</p><p>Rolls-Royce: The engine maker announced it has won a $280million order from Avianca.</p><p>Xstrata: The miner set September 7 as the date on which shareholders will vote on its proposed merger with Glencore.</p><p>Royal Dutch Shell: The oil major signs a share purchase agreement to acquire Gasnor.</p><p>GlaxoSmithKline: An experimental once-daily AIDS drug from GlaxoSmithKline and its partner Shionogi proved superior to Gilead's Atripla in a late-stage clinical trial, increasing hopes for the new product.</p><p>Burberry: The luxury goods firm reports first-quarter revenue up 11 per cent.</p><p>ICAP: The interdealer broker said a fall in electronic broking activity dragged revenue down 9 per cent in its first quarter.</p><p>Hays: The recruitment firm reported fourth quarter group net fee growth of 2 per cent versus the prior year, with growth in its international business offseting a weaker performance in the UK and Ireland.</p><p>The firm expects overall conditions to remain challenging but says growth opportunities do still exist.</p><p>JD Wetherspoons: British pub operator JD Wetherspoon said cost pressures from Government legislation would weigh on what has so far been a solid performance boosted by major events this year.</p><p>Barratt Developments: The housebuilder said it expects to deliver a profit before tax and exceptional items of around ¡ò110million for full year 2011/12, a 158 per cent increase on the prior year.</p><p> </p>?FTSE close: Burberry down, miners up<p>By <br>UPDATED:16:14 GMT, 26 May 2011</p><p></p><p>17.10 (close)</p><p>Fashion house Burberry was the top faller in the FTSE 100 Index today as its stellar annual results were overshadowed by a bout of profit-taking.</p><p>The chain reported a 39% increase in underlying pre-tax profits to ¡ò298 million, in line with City expectations, but shares dropped 60p to 1260p after some investors cashed-in on its recent hot run of form.</p><p>Despite the performance of Burberry shares, the FTSE 100 Index edged ahead, up 10.9 points to 5881 after being boosted by a strong performance from mining and energy stocks.</p><p>London's blue chip index was also not derailed by a 0.3% fall in the Dow Jones Industrial Average after the world's biggest economy received disappointing news about unemployment and the pace of its recovery.</p><p>The pound was up at 1.63 against the dollar, which came under pressure following disappointing economic figures. Sterling was also up against the euro, at 1.16, after the single currency lost value as a result of on-going eurozone debt fears.</p><p>Mining and energy companies defied a slight dip in some commodity prices to post gains. Copper giant Antofagasta was among the top risers, up 42p to 1258p, after a 29% rise in first quarter revenues, while platinum producer Lonmin cheered 38p to 1534p.</p><p>Pumps and valves firm Weir was the top riser after it lifted 5% or 100p to 1984p following a positive broker note.</p><p>Man Group, the world's largest listed hedge fund by market value, was another leading riser after annual pre-tax profits of 599m US dollars (¡ò367m) came in higher than forecasts of 560m US dollars made by the company in March. Shares were up more than 2% or 5.9p at 245p.</p><p>Meanwhile, Lloyds Banking Group shares received a boost after a report said Virgin Money was planning to put in a bid for its 600 available branches.</p><p>Lloyds was up 0.6p at 51.3p, while elsewhere in the sector Barclays was down 0.5p at 271.3p and Royal Bank of Scotland dropped 0.4p to 40.9p.</p><p>In other corporate results, United Utilities rose 5p to 622p after it defied the winter weather to meet its leakage target for the last financial year. Operating profits from its water arm were down 17% however, caused by lower prices imposed by regulator Ofwat.</p><p>Outside the top flight, defence products firm Qinetiq was down 2.4p to 115.4p after it returned to profit at a statutory level and said a strong performance in its products division offset tough trading in UK and US services.</p><p>And Daily Mail & General Trust slid 2% - down 10.5p to 490.5p - after it reported a slide in advertising revenues amid 'volatile and uncertain 'conditions for the newspaper sector.</p><p>The biggest Footsie risers were Weir Group up 100p at 1984p, Antofagasta ahead 42p at 1258p, Lonmin up 38p at 1534p, and Man Group ahead 5.9p at 245p.</p><p>The biggest Footsie fallers were Burberry down 60p at 1260p, Carnival off 61p at 2395p, Whitbread down 29p at 1620p, and Shire off 25p at 1850p.</p><p>16.00: US stocks have plunged - the Dow is trading 70.3 points lower at 12,324.4. </p><p>Back in London, the Footsie has seen earlier gains scaled back. It is 12.6 points up at 5,882.7 as today's session draws to a close.</p><p>14.40: </p><p>The Dow Jones has opened 11.9 points lower at 12,382.8 as US investors digest weaker than expected data that casts doubt on the strength of the economic recovery across the Atlantic.</p><p>The Footsie is up 25.3 points at 5,895.5.</p><p>13.50: </p><p>The official estimate of first quarter US GDP was left unchanged at 1.8% - significantly undershooting forecasts that it would be revised upwards to 2.1%.</p><p>The latest US jobless figures brought further disappointment, with an unexpected rise in claims over the past week.</p><p>The FTSE 100 is up 23.6 points at 5,893.7.</p><p>12.40: </p><p>The Footsie is on the move again, up 25 points at 5,895. </p><p>Man Group, the world's largest listed hedge fund by market value, topped the risers' board, after annual results beat expectations. It reported pre-tax profits of ¡ò367m, higher than forecasted in March. </p><p>Shares were up more than 4% or 9.7p at 248.8p.</p><p>The banking sector received a boost after a report said Virgin Money was planning to put in a bid for 600 Lloyds Banking Group branches.</p><p>Sir Richard Branson, head of the Virgin Group, told the Financial Times he is planning to make a bid for the outlets, which European regulators require Lloyds to sell after it received a bailout from the government during the financial crisis.</p><p>Lloyds Banking Group was up 0.9p at 51.7p, Barclays was ahead 2.1p at 273.9p and Royal Bank of Scotland advanced 0.2p at 41.5p.</p><p>Qinetiq rose after it returned to profit at a statutory level and said a strong performance in its products division offset tough trading in UK and US services.</p><p>The company is braced for another challenging year, but shares still rose 3.2p to 115.2p. We've got a . </p><p>11.00: </p><p>We have , including reaction from City analysts.</p><p>The enduring popularity of its handbags and the fashion house's allure for Chinese shoppers spurred a 39% rise in annual earnings. </p><p>But profit-taking sent the stock down 43p to 1,277p in morning trading.</p><p>We also have a from United Utilities.</p><p>Revenues from its regulated operations fell 4% to ¡ò1.48bn in the year to March 31, while operating profits dipped 17% to ¡ò580m. </p><p>The utilities firm praised the 'extraordinary efforts' of staff who battled extreme winter weather to ensure the company met its annual leakage target. </p><p>Its shares are 3p lower at 614p.</p><p>The FTSE 100 has given back some of its gains and is up 11.2 points at 5,881.4.</p><p>Ben Critchley, sales trader at spreadbetter IG Index, commented: 'With no domestic economic data to speak of, it seems that London&#39;s leading shares are taking direction from the commodity markets once more.'</p><p>Looking ahead to the US GDP data due later (1.30pm London time), he added: 'Expectations are for the figure to be upwardly revised, which would certainly help to quell some of the negative sentiment that has been dogging the markets this week.'</p><p>The initial estimate of annualised US GDP growth in the first quarter was 1.8%. But a Reuters survey of economists' predictions shows they expect it to increase to 2.1%.</p><p>Brent crude is trading at around $113.50 a barrel today. Gold was fixed this morning at $1,521.50 an ounce compared with $1,526.25 at the previous close. </p><p>09.40: </p><p>The FTSE 100 moved higher today as commodity stocks welcomed a weaker dollar, while traders waited on US GDP data and Burberry reported improving profits.</p><p>The tentative recovery following London's sharp sell-off on Monday continued today after mining stocks benefited from a rise in commodity prices.</p><p>Dollar weakness drove the resurgence for metals and led to a rise of 23.5p to 1239.5p for Antofagasta and 19p to 1369p for silver miner Fresnillo.</p><p>The FTSE 100 Index reflected the improvement, with the top flight up 32.8 points at 5903.5 after a positive session for markets in Asia overnight.</p><p>The improvement came despite a bout of profit-taking for shares in luxury fashion house Burberry, which reported full-year results today.</p><p>The chain's 39% increase in underlying pre-tax profits to ¡ò298m, after a 27% rise in revenues to ¡ò1.5bn, was in line with market expectations but shares still dropped 2% or 25.5p to 1294.5p.</p><p>Analysts said the fall reflected the fact that shares have risen by around 116% over the last year.</p><p>In other corporate results, defence products firm Qinetiq rose after it returned to profit at a statutory level and said a strong performance in its products division offset tough trading in UK and US services.</p><p>The company is braced for another challenging year, but shares still rose 5.05p to 117.05p.</p><p></p>?FTSE close: Burberry up; M&S & Vodafone down<p>By <br>UPDATED:16:27 GMT, 1 June 2011</p><p></p><p>17.10 (close)</p><p>The London market closed in the red today after disappointing jobs data in the US reignited fears over the strength of the global economic recovery.</p><p>Private employers in the US added just 38,000 jobs in May, down from 177,000 in April, according to payroll processor ADP.</p><p>The FTSE 100 index, already weighed down by disappointing manufacturing figures in the UK, closed 61.4 points down at 5928.6 as the US data pushed it lower.</p><p>The Markit/CIPS Purchasing Managers' Index showed a further slowdown in manufacturing activity in May, which fell to a 20-month low.</p><p>This weighed on the pound which was down at 1.63 against the US dollar and 1.13 against the euro.</p><p>The top flight was also impacted by a number of companies going ex-dividend, meaning they are trading without the right to the latest shareholder payout.</p><p>Those fallers included Vodafone, which dropped 7.4p to 161.6p, while Marks & Spencer was down 12.5p to 386.4p, a decline of 3%.</p><p>On a brighter note, sentiment towards fashion label Burberry remained strong in the wake of its recent full-year results, which showed a 39% increase in underlying pre-tax profits to ¡ò298m. Shares were 7p higher at 1326p.</p><p>Other risers included security services group G4S, which topped the risers board, after a broker upgrade lifted shares 5.1p to 291p.</p><p>Miners were lifted by the impact of a weaker dollar on commodity prices.Those on the way up included Rio Tinto, which lifted 10p to 4255p, while Fresnillo added 20p to 1478p.</p><p>Outside the top flight, Tate & Lyle rose 5% as analysts continued to applaud last week's figures from the sweetener group that showed underlying annual profits rose by 34%. The shares were up 31p to 651.5p.</p><p>In corporate news, Bathstore owner Wolseley and floor coverings firm Topps Tiles were both under pressure amid tough trading conditions in the UK.</p><p>Updates from the pair highlighted the ongoing squeeze on spending levels among consumers, leading to disappointing sales figures in both cases.</p><p>Wolseley shares were nearly 2% lower or 37p cheaper at 2021p, after UK profits fell by 10% to ¡ò28 million in the three months to April 30. </p><p>However, this was offset by stronger-than-expected trading in the United States.</p><p>Topps Tiles was 6% lower in the FTSE 250 Index, declining 3.8p to 63.8p, after it said like-for-like sales decreased 2.1% in the last seven weeks, compared with an increase of 1.8% over the six months to April 2.</p><p>While Topps said its performance was 'not significantly' different from expectations, analysts pencilled in lower full-year forecasts as a result of the guidance, which came as the company posted interim profits of ¡ò7.2m.</p><p>The biggest Footsie risers were G4S up 5.1p at 291p, Hammerson ahead 6.8p at 486.3p, Fresnillo up 20p at 1478p and Aggreko ahead 15p at 1882p.</p><p>The biggest Footsie fallers were National Grid down 30p at 596p, Vodafone off 7.4p at 161.6p, Lloyds Banking Group down 1.9p at 50p and Glencore off 17.2p at 513.9p.</p><p>15.25: Shares in Topps Tiles are 6% in the red after recent sales stumbled and the firm conceded that customer spending was likely to come under ongoing pressure. </p><p>Topps' stock fell 4p to 63.5p as the company unveiled adjusted half-year pre-tax profit of ¡ò7.2m against ¡ò7.8m during the equivalent trading period a year earlier</p><p>We have including analyst reaction.</p><p>The Dow has racked up further losses and is trading down 101.9 points at 12,4676.9. Weak jobs data today has compounded disappointment over yesterday's house price figures, which revealed the US property market has hit a double dip.</p><p>The FTSE 100 is 41.4 points lower at 5,948.6.</p><p>Brent crude is trading at around $115.50 a barrel. Gold was fixed this morning at $1,532.25 an ounce compared with $1,536.50 at the previous close. </p><p>14.40: </p><p>Over on Wall Street, the Dow Jones is 44.12 points lower at 12,525.67.</p><p>It follows on from weak .</p><p>Bank in London, the FTSE is 21.04 points down at 5968.95.</p><p>13.40: </p><p>At lunchtime, the FTSE is losing the fight after gloomy manufacturing and mortgage lending data knocked sentiment, with ex-dividend factors also taking a toll. </p><p>After breaking even for much of the morning, the FTSE 100 is now 22.58 points lower at 5967.41.</p><p>UK manufacturers added to the worries after the latest Markit/CIPS Purchasing Managers' Index - where a reading of more than 50 indicates growth in overall activity - , from a downwardly revised 54.4 in April.</p><p>The top flight was also impacted by a number of companies going ex-dividend, meaning they are trading without the right to the latest shareholder payout.</p><p>Those fallers included Vodafone, which dropped 5p to 163.9p, while Marks & Spencer was down 9.1p to 389.8p, a decline of 2%.</p><p>On a brighter note, sentiment towards fashion label Burberry remained strong in the wake of its recent full-year results, which showed a 39% increase in underlying pre-tax profits to ¡ò298 million. Shares were 20p higher at 1339p.</p><p>Other risers included security services group G4S after a broker upgrade lifted shares 5.2p to 291.1p.</p><p>And miners were lifted by the positive impact of a weak US dollar on commodity prices, as investors prepared for more disappointing figures from the American manufacturing sector.</p><p>12.25: </p><p>We have Wolseley, where strong overseas trading has allowed it to shrug off a difficult quarter in the UK market. </p><p>Gains in its US, Nordic and French arms helped lift Wolseley's operating profit by 30% to ¡ò131m in the three months to April 30. Like-for-like revenue was up 6% at ¡ò3.27bn. </p><p>But the firm reported lower UK revenues and profits after a tough quarter for its brands Bathstore and Plumb Center.</p><p>Its shares are 2p lower at 2,056p. This follows gains yesterday on rumours that it is putting three UK units ? Build Center, Electric Center and Encon - up for sale.</p><p>The FTSE 100 is off 14.7 points at 5,975.3. </p><p>11.15: </p><p>The Footsie is swinging about this morning but is currently about level - 2.97 points lower at 5987.02.</p><p>In economic news today, Mortgage lending slumped during April with lenders blaming the bank holidays for the lowest level of loans since December, according to the Bank of England.</p><p>Net lending, which strips out redemptions and repayments, rose slightly compared with the previous month but remained muted at ¡ò739m, well down on pre-credit crunch levels of more than ¡ò9bn a month.</p><p>.</p><p>09.40: </p><p>The FTSE 100 clawed back ex-dividend losses with miners higher, although Wolseley and Topps Tiles fell after profits and sales disappointed.</p><p>Ex-dividend factors knocked a hefty 16.83 points off the FTSE 100 index on Wednesday with Capital Shopping Centres, Intertek, Marks & Spencer, National Grid, Vodafone and WPP all trading without their payout attractions.</p><p>But the FTSE 100 weathered the worst of these losses and by 09.35 was 1.9 points lower at 5988.15.</p><p>Miners set the pace, with Rio Tinto up 59.5p at 4304.5p, Lonmin 20.5p stronger at 1620.5p and Anglo American 31.75p higher at 3061p.</p><p>Shares in Bathstore owner Wolseley and floor coverings firm Topps Tiles were both under pressure today amid tough trading conditions in the UK.</p><p>Updates from the pair highlighted the ongoing pressure on spending levels among consumers, leading to disappointing sales figures in both cases.</p><p>Wolseley shares were 1% lower, off 24.5p to 2033.5p, after pressure on its Bathstore and Plumb Center brands meant UK profits fell by 11% to ¡ò28 million in the three months to April 30.</p><p>And Topps Tiles was 5% lower in the FTSE 250 Index, declining 3.75p to 63.75p, after it said like-for-like sales decreased 2.1% in the last seven weeks, compared with an increase of 1.8% over the six months to April 2.</p><p>While Topps said its performance was 'not significantly' different from expectations, analysts pencilled in lower full-year forecasts as a result of the guidance, which came as the company posted interim profits of ¡ò7.2m.</p><p></p>?FTSE Close: Burberry, Barclays up; Aggreko down<p>By <br>UPDATED:16:22 GMT, 24 September 2010</p><p></p><p>17.15 (close)</p><p>Stocks resumed their rally today as traders were encouraged by positive economic data from the US and Europe.</p><p>The US Commerce Department reported a higher-than-expected rise in orders for manufactured goods, excluding the volatile transportation sector, while a surprise jump in business confidence in Germany also tempered worries about economic recovery.</p><p>The FTSE 100 Index received a late session boost and closed 51 points up at 5598, while Wall Street's Dow Industrial Average was ahead 1.5%.</p><p>Positive data from Germany also helped sentiment, with the Munich-based Ifo research institute reporting a rise in its business-sentiment index to 106.8 in September, defying expectations for a drop.</p><p>The positive data from the eurozone saw the pound drop against the euro to 1.17, while it was up against the dollar at 1.58.</p><p>UK banking stocks clawed back early losses after a Government inquiry confirmed it would look at the possibility of a break-up of the major high street players.</p><p>The Independent Commission on Banking said it would look at separating retail and investment banking operations and added it was also considering ways to improve high street competition, which could see the largest banks forced to offload assets.</p><p>HSBC was also in the spotlight as reports said chief executive Michael Geoghegan will quit by the end of the year under a shake-up that is expected to see finance director Douglas Flint succeed outgoing chairman Stephen Green.</p><p>Earlier this week, HSBC dismissed speculation that Hong Kong-based Mr Geoghegan had threatened to resign unless he was promoted to chairman as "nonsense" and "offensive". But reports overnight suggested an announcement over his departure could be made as early as next week.</p><p>HSBC was 2.3p higher at 666.3p, despite the rumours over its boardroom plans.</p><p>Elsewhere in the sector, Barclays rose 5.5p to 311.75p, part-nationalised Lloyds Banking Group dropped 1.5p to 76.6p and Royal Bank of Scotland also recovered from a weak start to stand 1.3p higher at 49.3p.</p><p>ARM Holdings was the Footsie's best-performing blue-chip on renewed bid speculation surrounding the chipmaker.</p><p>American software firm Oracle was rumoured to be the most likely candidate for takeover, following comments from the US giant's chief executive that he was keen on new acquisitions and ARM was a potential target. Shares jumped 23.8p to 414.6p.</p><p>Shares in fashion firm Burberry gained to reach a new high, with traders citing market talk of bid interest from a US private equity firm. Shares closed 56.5p up at 1002p.</p><p>In another quiet session for corporate news, oil and gas explorer Dana Petroleum's days on the stock market looked to be over after South Korea's national oil company came closer to gaining control in a ¡ò1.87bn takeover.</p><p>Korea National Oil Corporation said its hostile bid for Aberdeen-based Dana had won support from 64.3% of Dana's shareholders, leaving it on the brink of being able to delist the firm. Dana shares rose 4p to 1797p, just below the 1800p a share offer price.</p><p>The Footsie's biggest risers were ARM Holdings, up 23.8p at 414.6p, Burberry Group, ahead 56.5p at 1002p, Hammerson, up 17.1p at 406.2p and Standard Chartered, ahead 67.5p at 1929p.</p><p>The Footsie's biggest fallers were Antofagasta, down 30p at 1181p, Randgold Resources, off 75p at 6485p, National Grid, down 5.5p at 543p, and Aggreko, off 11p at 1534p.</p><p>14.35: Relief from across the pond. The Dow has opened higher today.</p><p>The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 124.69 points to 10,789.11 in early trading on Wall Street.</p><p>That perhaps helps to explain why, in London, the FTSE 100 has seen a stunning turnaround. Some 71 of the 100 blue chip firms are now in positive territory.</p><p>13.10: </p><p>Following the confirmation of the , banks have suffered today.</p><p>Barclays fell 2.8p to 303.4p and part-nationalised Lloyds Banking Group dropped 0.5p to 74.6p but Royal Bank of Scotland recovered from a weak start to stand 0.4p higher at 48.4p.</p><p>HSBC was 1.1p lower to 662.9p as rumours swirled over its .</p><p>In another quiet session for corporate news, oil and gas explorer Dana Petroleum's days on the stock market looked to be over after South Korea's national oil company claimed control in a ¡ò1.87bn takeover.</p><p>Korea National Oil Corporation said its had won support from 64.3% of Dana's shareholders, leaving it on the brink of being able to delist the firm. Dana shares rose 4p to 1797p, just below the 1800p a share offer price.</p><p>Fellow oil explorers Tullow Oil and Cairn Energy also moved forward, adding 16p at 1281p and 6.9p at 454.3p respectively.</p><p>Overall, the FTSE 100 is 44.62 points lower at 5507.29.</p><p>12.10 Dana Petroleum shares are up 4p to 1,797p as it was announced the UK oil and gas explorer .</p><p>The FTSE 100 is down 20.1 points to 5,526.9. </p><p>10.45: </p><p>On the currency markets, the pound this mornign was worth $1.5693 compared to $1.5719 at the previous close.</p><p>Against the euro, the pound was worth ?1.1726 compared to ?1.1779 at the previous close. </p><p>In equities, the FTSE 100 is 44.62 points lower at 5507.29.</p><p>We've also got more on the Government's , which it was today confirmed would consider whether banks needed to be broken up.</p><p>09.45: </p><p>The FTSE 100 headed lower today with banks under pressure after an inquiry was confirmed that will look at breaking them up, while miners fell after poor US jobs data.</p><p>HSBC was also in the spotlight as reports suggested chief executive Michael Geoghegan would quit by the end of the year under a shake-up that will also see Douglas Flint succeed the outgoing chairman Stephen Green.</p><p>The wider Footsie fell into the red - down 24.5 points to 5522.6 - as mining stocks fell after worrying US jobless data sparked concerns over the strength of recovery in the world's biggest economy.</p><p>A mixed session in Asia followed falls overnight on America's Dow Jones Industrial Average after data yesterday showed US unemployment benefit claims jumped by 12,000 last week.</p><p>Amid fears over global demand, London blue-chip miners such as Kazakhmys and Antofagasta saw falls, down 51p to 1377p and 39p to 1172 respectively.</p><p>But banks were in sharp focus amid the HSBC speculation and after the Independent Commission on Banking (IBC) revealed the agenda for its probe into banking reforms.</p><p>It confirmed it would look at separating retail and investment banking operations and added it was also considering ways to improve high street competition, which could see the largest banks forced to offload assets.</p><p>Barclays fell 3.5p to 302.8p, while part-nationalised Lloyds Banking Group dropped 0.6p to 74.5p and Royal Bank of Scotland shed 0.4p to 47.6p.</p><p>HSBC was 0.1p lower to 663.9p as rumours swirled over its boardroom plans.</p>?FTSE close: Burberry, M&S up; ITV down<p>By <br>UPDATED:16:10 GMT, 11 May 2011</p><p></p><p>17.05 (close) </p><p>The London market closed in the red today as a weaker outlook for UK growth and a widening US trade deficit painted a gloomy picture of the global recovery.</p><p>The Bank of England said UK GDP would only rise 1.7% in 2011, compared with a previous forecast of 2%, and it also revised next year's growth to 2.2% from 3%.</p><p>The FTSE 100 Index clung on to yesterday's gains in early trading but closed 42.9 points lower at 5976 after it followed Wall Street downwards in afternoon trading.</p><p>The US market slumped after figures showed the trade deficit widened more than expected in March. In the UK, the Bank also said inflation will rise to 5% this year and will not fall back to its 2% target next year as previously thought.</p><p>But the Bank's prediction of an interest rate rise in the third quarter helped boost sterling which was up against the euro at 1.14 and the dollar at 1.64.</p><p>Sainsbury's delivered solid annual profits of ¡ò665m, an increase of 9%, which saw its shares rise 1.3p to 357.1p. This was despite chief executive Justin King's warning that he expected another challenging year.</p><p>Marks & Spencer was also up nearly 1%, or 3.3p to 499.2p, after JP Morgan Cazenove increased its target price to 460p and said the company's proactive pricing strategy was reaping rewards in the tough climate.</p><p>But Morrisons shares slumped after the company went ex-dividend, meaning new investors will no longer be eligible for a payment. Shares dropped 5.5p to 301.7p.</p><p>Meanwhile, British Gas owner Centrica was boosted by chatter that the Qatari Investment Authority may be eyeing a buy-out, helping shares to jump 3p to 311.7p.</p><p>Broadcaster ITV sank to the bottom of the index after it reported an 11% rise in first quarter revenues but warned it may under-perform the market over the first half of the year due to comparisons with a strong period last year. Shares were 4p lower at 71.9p, or 5%.</p><p>HSBC was also under pressure after it put its US branch network and credit cards business under review as part of a multi-billion dollar cost cutting plan.</p><p>The group also confirmed it will exit Russia and focus on wealth management and retail banking in newer markets such as Mexico, Brazil and Turkey. Shares were down 10.1p to 646.1p.</p><p>Outside the top flight, shares in supermarket delivery firm Ocado slumped nearly 10% or 22p to 211p after a trading update fuelled concerns in the City that trading conditions have toughened for the stock market newcomer.</p><p>It reported sales growth of 21% for the half-year but said the second quarter was weaker due to capacity constraints and the additional bank holidays.</p><p>The biggest Footsie risers were Burberry up 36p at 1365p, Shire ahead 43p at 1922p, International Power up 5.9p at 330p and Reed Elsevier ahead 10p at 559.5p.</p><p>The biggest Footsie fallers were ITV down 4p at 71.9p, Fresnillo off 60p at 1411p, BG Group down 45.5p at 1367p and Kazakhmys off 36p at 1265p.</p><p>15.45: The Footsie is headed lower, 48.11 point down now at 5970.78.</p><p>14.45: </p><p>Over on Wall Street, the Dow Jones has disappointed, falling 50.33 popints to 12,71.03.</p><p>That has not imporved the mood in London, where the Footsie is now 23.49 points lower at 5995.40.</p><p>12.30: </p><p>Confidence has been knocked a bit by a more hawkish tone from the bank of England.</p><p>The implied today that interest rates will probably rise later this year, and the Bank admitted inflation will creep higher than expected in the next few months.</p><p>The Bank said that rising utility prices mean there is &#39;a good chance inflation will reach 5% later this year and it is more likely than not to remain above the 2% target throughout 2012&#39;.</p><p>That may bring interest rate rises closer. </p><p>The FTSE 100 has levelled out in response and is now just 1.17 points higher at 6020.06.</p><p>In other corporate news, HSBC plans to slash costs by ¡ò1.5bn-¡ò2.1bn under sweeping changes instigated by new boss Stuart Gulliver.</p><p>The banking giant revealed this morning that its key costs to income ratio surged to over 60% in the first three months of 2011. And it aims to bring that down to within its target range of 48%-52% by 2013.</p><p>HSBC's shares are down 1% or 5.2p at 651p in trading today. .</p><p></p><p></p><p>11.25: </p><p>More woe from the High Street today.</p><p>Redundancies are imminent at eletricals chain Comet as owner Kesa Electricals expects to close up to ten stores this year after suffering another slide in sales.</p><p>With Comet closing between five and 10 stores by 2012, Kesa said it expects to cut 150 UK staff. Here's .</p><p>Weaker sales will have been factored into the share prices of many reatilers and so it is with Kesa, where shares rose 0.9p (0.7%) in early trading to 138.2p as traders reacted to the smaller than expected sales slump and the restructuring plans. </p><p>Overall, the FTSE 100 is 8.12 points higher at 6027.01. </p><p>11.05: </p><p>Sainsbury's shares are moving in and out of negative territory as traders weigh up its better than expected annual profits and its guarded forecast about the future outlook.</p><p>The stock was up 0.2p at 356p in late morning trading. There's on the Sainsbury's results, including analysts' verdicts.</p><p>The FTSE 100 is 11.2 points higher at 6,030.1. </p><p>Futures trading points to a higher open on the Dow Jones later. US investors are awaiting March trade figures. </p><p>Meanwhile, Disney missed quarterly sales and earnings expectations.</p><p>10.10: </p><p>Marks & Spencer set the pace in the FTSE 100 after a positive broker note helped the high street bellwether steal the limelight from rival Sainsbury's.</p><p>While M&S raced ahead with a gain of 2% or 9.3p to 405.15p after JP Morgan Cazenove increased its target price to 460p, the supermarket group saw its shares slip 1.15p to 354.65p as chief executive Justin King warned that he expected another challenging year - despite solid annual profits of ¡ò665m, an increase of 9%. </p><p>And giving the slip to expectations of a rise, the Footsie dipped 8 points to 6,010, weighed down by some big ex-dividend considerations and by weakness in banks after HSBC's strategic review failed to excite investors. </p><p>'The 6,000 level is holding for now, with only the technical effect of ex-dividends keeping the FTSE negative,' said Mic Mills, head of electronic trading at ETX Capital. </p><p>'But there is still not much momentum about, and investors have plenty still to be concerned about.' </p><p>BP, Inmarsat, Morrison Supermarkets, Randgold Resources, Rexam, Royal Dutch Shell, Sage, Unilever and Whitbread are all losing payout attractions.</p><p>Banks were a big sectorial drag on the blue-chip index, led by global heavyweight HSBC, down 5.2p (0.8%) to 650.9p, after the publication of a strategic review, hot on the heels of Monday's first-quarter results. </p><p>Europe's biggest bank will look to slash up to $3.5bn in costs by cutting the scale of its wealth management and retail banking businesses. HSBC also appointed Richard Bennett as group managing director, reporting to chief executive Stuart Gulliver.</p><p>Broadcaster ITV moved in the opposite direction after it reported an 11% rise in first quarter revenues but said it may be under-perform the market over the first half as a whole due to comparisons with a strong period last year.</p><p>Its shares topped the fallers board with a drop of 2.05p to 73.8p, or 3%.</p><p>Outside the top flight, shares in supermarket delivery firm Ocado slumped 17.7p (7.6%) to 215.3p after a trading update fuelled concerns in the City that trading conditions have toughened for the stock market newcomer. It reported sales growth of 21% for the half-year but said the second quarter was weaker due to capacity constraints and the additional bank holidays.</p><p>Shares in TT Electronics jumped 12.5p (7%) to 190p to touch their highest level in nearly four years after the electronic components supplier says it expects full-year results to beat its previous expectations.</p><p>'The group also has significant headroom for acquisitions to further drive earnings growth,' Peel Hunt analyst Dominic Convey says in a note, the broker raising its full-year pretax profit forecast by 11% to ¡ò30m and maintains its 'buy' rating and 230-pence price target on the stock.</p><p>Shares in BowLeven soared 33.7p (11.8%) to 318.5p after the Africa-focused oil explorer said it found oil in another well drilled off the coast of Cameroon. It must now carry out a test to measure the rate at which oil will flow from the site. </p><p>Royal Bank of Scotland analyst Phil Corbett, who has a 'buy' rating on the stock, said: '[This] supports management's thesis that there could be quite a lot of recoverable oil on this block,' Corbett says.</p><p>The FTSE Small Cap index is flat in early trade, outperforming the midcaps, 0.2% weaker.</p><p>Sportingbet climbs 0.3p (0.6%) to 46.3p after the online gaming firm said it is in advanced talks to buy Australian peer Centrebet International to expand its presence in the country.</p><p>Shares in Restaurant Group shed 18p (5.5%) to 311p after the company's latest trading update, which broker Shore Capital describes as disappointing and says, given the outlook, the market might be pricing in too much growth.</p><p>Restaurant Group, which owns of Garfunkel's and Frankie & Benny's chains reported a 5.5% rise in sales in the first 18 weeks of the new financial year and broadly flat margins, and said trading conditions during 2011 look set to continue to be similarly challenging to those experienced during 2010.</p><p>'We have a hold stance on Restaurant Group, but a further re-rating appears unlikely,' Shore Capital says in a note.</p>?FTSE CLOSE: China growth offsets eurozone fears; Burberry and Dixons Xmas updates<p> By <br>UPDATED:17:15 GMT, 17 January 2012</p><p></p><p>17.05 (close): A round of successful debt auctions across Europe lifted the London market today in the latest sign that a series of credit rating downgrades have been broadly shrugged off by investors.</p><p>The FTSE 100 Index closed 36.5 points higher at 5693.95 after debt auctions by Spain, Greece and Europe's bailout fund drew solid interest from investors, while the Dax in Germany advanced 1.8 per cent and France's Cac-40 added 1.1 per cent.</p><p>The optimism on markets came despite Standard &amp; Poor's decision to downgrade the credit ratings of several eurozone countries, including France, and a similar downgrade to the European Financial Stability Fund (EFSF).</p><p>Meanwhile, resource stocks gave support after Chinese economic data came in above expectations, with Chinese retail sales jumping 18.2 per cent and fourth quarter gross domestic product growth beating expectations at 8.9 per cent.</p><p>The pound dropped against the euro to 1.20, as the single currency was strengthened by the successful bond auctions. However, sterling was up at 1.53 against the dollar, as traders ditched the safe-haven greenback amid optimism over the global outlook.</p><p>Royal Bank of Scotland's shares pared gains but still closed 1.7 per cent higher following the sale of its aircraft leasing business for nearly ¡ò5billion, while Shore Capital improved its recommendation for the stock from 'sell' to 'hold'.</p><p>RBS shares climbed 0.4p to 24.9p and added 14 per cent since last Thursday when the bank unveiled significantrestructuring plans at its investment arm, a move dubbed by Shore Capital analyst Gary Greenwood as 'another step in the right direction'.</p><p>Burberry managed to claw its way back into the black after spending most of the day on the back foot.</p><p>Shares added 1p to 1301p after the company said traditional Burberry favourites such as jackets and handbags, together with growth in knitwear, men's accessories and tailoring, fragrance and watches, helped retail like-for-like sales grow13 per cent.</p><p>Elsewhere in the sector, Dixons Retailpleased analysts by limiting the drop in its like-for-like sales for the 12 weeks to January 7 to 5 per cent.</p><p>Chief executive John Browett added that the PC World and Currys owner had gained market share in the UK over the period. The FTSE 250 Index stock was 11 per cent or 1.1p higherat 10.95p.</p><p>Meanwhile, investors backed plans by Mr Kipling and Hovis firm Premier Foods to cut 600 jobs - 5 per cent of its workforce - in a bid to save ¡ò40million by next year as shares surged more than 14 per cent.</p><p>The debt-laden group, which was recently given extra time by its banks to get its finances in order, said it wants to reinvest the savings in growing its eight key brands, which also include Batchelors, Ambrosia, Oxo and Bisto. Shares were 0.8phigher at 6.6p.</p><p>The biggest Footsie risers were Polymetal International up 38p at 1129p, Rio Tinto ahead 105p at 3694p, Intercontinental Hotels Group up 35p at 1255p and Fresnillo 46p at 1753p.</p><p>The biggest Footsie fallers were EssarEnergy down 45.4p at 127p, Man Group off 3.2p at 107.1p, Admiral down 16p at 862p and Icap off 5.8p at 325.6p. </p><p>15.20: Successfuldebt auctions by Spain, Greece and Europe's bailout fund drew solid interest from investors and helped to ease eurozone concerns today.</p><p>Theimproved news from Europe and upbeat Chinese economic growth data helped the Dow Jones to soar 111.9 points to 12,534 this afternoon.</p><p>The FTSE 100 remains in the black but has trimmed gains to trade 24.8 points higher at 5,682.2.</p><p>The optimism on markets comes despite Standard &amp; Poor's decision to downgrade the credit ratings of several eurozone countries, including France, and slap the European Financial Stability Fund (EFSF) rescue fund with a similar penalty.<br></p><p>13.55: <br></p><p>A key U.S. manufacturing activity survey, the Empire State factory index, jumped by more than expected in January, improving investors' mood ahead of the Wall Street open.</p><p>The FTSE 100 is 44.4 points higher at 5,701.9.</p><p> </p><p>11.10: <br></p><p>Inflation in the UK dropped to 4.2 per cent in December as slowing food, gas and petrol prices held back the increasing cost of living for British households.</p><p>The consumer prices index rate of inflation fell at its fastest rate in three years from 4.8 per cent in November, according to figures today from the Office for National Statistics. <br></p><p>The FTSE 100 is 51.1 points higher at 5,708.5 as traders digest heartening evidence that the Chinese is still growing strongly.</p><p>'China has proven today to some degree that the argument between a soft and hard landing is slowly being won by the soft camp,' said Simon Denham of Capital Spreads.</p><p>'Their GDP figures overnight were always going to be a focal point of trade today as we remain heavily reliant on the Asian economies to fuel global growth.</p><p>'So when the number came in at 8.9 per cent, higher than the expected 8.7 per cent, it took the market a little by surprise and resulted in a strong rally for base metals which has followed through to mining stocks so far this morning.'</p><p>And he added 'With the world&#8217;s second largest economy still growing near 9 per cent the prospects of a global recession are limited, even if things in Europe continue in the fashion they are going.'</p><p>Joshua Raymond, chief market strategist at City Index, said: 'There remain significant concerns over slowing Chinese growth and the fact that GDP has not slowed quite as quickly as most had expected helps to cool those fears. <br></p><p>'What remains less transparent is whether this data will influence Chinese monetary policy, which has changed tack of late to help support slowing growth. <br></p><p>'The gains we are seeing across the board for resource stocks may be scuppered should this data change the pace at which the Chinese authorities attempt to stimulate growth, though that potential appears far from the mark at present.'</p><p>In the mining sector today, BHP Billiton is up 56p at 2,136p, Rio Tinto is ahead 95.25p at 3,684.25p, and Kazakhmys is 27p higher at 1,094p.</p><p>Retailers announcing Christmas trading figures are experiencing mixed fortunes today. Burberry is 5p lower at 1,295p despite reporting strong trading in the last quarter of 2011. <br></p><p>A doubling in sales of iPads and Kindles helped festive business at Currys and PC World owner Dixons Retail, though it failed to prevent an overall slide in trading over Christmas.</p><p>Its shares have boomed 15 per cent or 1.49p to 11.38p. </p><p>9.30: <br></p><p>Investor sentiment is holding up in the wake of sweeping European credit downgrades by Standard &amp; Poor's, which added the eurozone rescue fund to its hit list last night.</p><p>The FTSE 100 is nevertheless trading 52.5 points higher at 5,709.9 as traders focus instead on better than expected Chinese growth figures.</p><p>The news from China showed that despite the problems in Europe its economic growth remained fairly robust, said Michael Hewson of CMC Markets. <br></p><p>Regarding the eurozone rescue fund downgrade, he commented: 'If European leaders were harbouring any faint hopes of implementing plans to leverage up the EFSF, these have now pretty much gone up in smoke, with EU policymakers resorting to name calling, and focusing on bringing forward the (ESM) European Stability Mechanism, as soon as possible.</p><p>'The immediate concern remains Greece and the recently stalled debt talks, with fears about an imminent default never too far away.'</p><p>Royal Bank of Scotland was the top riser in London today after it completed the sale of its aircraft leasing business to a Japanese bank for $7.3billion (¡ò4.8billion). <br></p><p>Shares improved 0.8p to 25.3p as the largest single disposal since its 2008 bail-out was accompanied by a broker upgrade from Shore Capital.</p><p>Burberry was the biggest faller in the FTSE 100, even though its latest update allayed fears that demand from high-end customers was tailing off.</p><p>Underlying revenues were up by 21 per cent in the three months to December 31 but shares retreated after a recent strong run to stand 28p lower at 1272p.</p><p>Elsewhere in the sector, Dixons Retail pleased analysts by limiting the drop in its like-for-like sales for the 12 weeks to January 7 to 5 per cent. <br></p><p>Chief executive John Browett added that the PC World and Currys owner had gained market share in the UK over the period. The FTSE 250 stock was 7 per cent or 0.7p higher at 10.6p.</p><p>Debt-laden Premier Foods got a 15 per cent boost of 0.86p to 6.60p after it announced plans to slash 600 jobs in a cost-cutting initiative aimed at saving ¡ò40million.</p><p>The company, which was recently given extra time by its banks to get its finances in order, wants to reinvest the savings in growing its key brands. </p><p>8.30: <br></p><p>The FTSE 100 has opened 56.9 points higher at 5,714.4 as upbeat Chinese growth data prompted a renewal of investor risk appetite.</p><p>On the continent, Germany's DAX was up 81.4 points at 6,301.4 while France's CAC 40 was ahead 26.3 points at 3,251.</p><p>Stan Shamu, market strategist at IG Markets, said the data out of China would be highly supportive of risk assets.</p><p>And he added: 'Most analysts feel S&amp;P&#8217;s downgrade for the EFSF [eurozone rescue fund] is a non-event and will not do much to hamper sentiment. <br></p><p>'France managed to launch a successful bill auction where the one-year yield actually fell despite the S&amp;P downgrade. This largely spurred yesterday&#8217;s gains. <br></p><p>'Investors are likely to now focus more on European Central Bank president Mario Draghi&#8217;s speech which took place post market close and the prospect of a Greek default.' <br></p>Stocks to watch today include: <br><p>Rio Tinto: The global miner has reported near-flat production growth of iron ore in the fourth quarter, undershooting market expectations amid concerns that Chinese demand is softening. <br></p><p>Royal Bank of Scotland: Japan's Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group and Sumitomo Corp are buying the aircraft-leasing business of Royal Bank of Scotland in a deal worth $7.3billion, in the most aggressive acquisition by a Japanese lender since European banks began offloading non-core assets. <br></p><p>Tesco: Shareholders want the British food retailer to tighten rules on when its executives can trade shares, after a senior manager sold stock eight days before the company issued a profit warning that hammered its share price. <br></p><p>WM Morrison: British retailer Wm Morrison's interest in Iceland Foods is cooling, raising doubts about whether the UK's fourth-biggest supermarket chain by market share will mount a ¡ò1.5billion bid for the frozen food specialist, the Financial Times reports. <br></p><p>Cove Energy: The oil and gas explorer's shares rose on growing speculation that Oil India, the second-largest state-owned oil explorer in India, is ready to roll out an agreed cash bid for Cove, according to the Daily Mail Market Report. <br></p><p>BAE Systems: Europe's largest defence contractor is in talks with Brazil and Turkey to secure orders for the company's most advanced warship in the hopes it could save its UK shipyards from closure, according to the <br>Financial Times. <br></p><p>Burberry Group, Experian, Dixons, Greene King, Taylor Wimpey, Intermediate Capital Group, Record: Trading updates.</p><p>IG Group: The spreadbetting group posts first-half results. <br></p> <p> </p>?FTSE CLOSE: Dashed hopes for Brussels 'growth summit' triggers slump; Burberry down despite profits jump <p> By </p><p>PUBLISHED:07:28 GMT, 23 May 2012 UPDATED:16:17 GMT, 23 May 2012</p><p></p><p>17.05 (close): Doubts over the ability of EU leaders to deliver measures to ease the region's debt crisis triggered a 2.5 per cent slump for London's leading shares index today.<br></p><p>With a summit of 27 countries in Brussels unlikely to produce a concrete plan to deal with the fall-out from a Greek exit from the euro, the FTSE 100 Index gave up all of Tuesday's gains to close 136.9 points lower at 5266.4.<br></p><p>The meeting will also discuss how to get Europe growing again, but with Germany opposed to the idea of Europe-wide bonds markets were lower across the world, with the Dax in Germany and France's Cac-40 sliding more than 2 per cent and Wall Street's Dow Jones Industrial Average 1 per cent lower at London's close.<br></p><p>The euro fell against most major currencies including the pound and US dollar, while the price of crude oil also tumbled in line with equity markets. <br> </p><p>Sterling bought almost 1.25 euros, but it continued to fall against the safe haven of the greenback as it bought just over 1.57 dollars.<br></p><p>Fears over Asian powerhouse China were also to the fore after the World Bank cut its economic growth forecast for this year.<br></p><p>The heavily weighted mining sector suffered severe losses amid the increased eurozone uncertainty and Chinese fears with Vedanta Resources off 9 per cent or 95.5p at 951.5p, Kazakhmys down 58p at 679.5p and Xstrata 46.7p lower at 926.2p.<br></p><p>And having attracted bargain hunters yesterday, banks were under pressure with Barclays off 8.4p to 180.5p and Lloyds Banking Group down 1.1p to 26.5p.<br></p><p>Luxury goods group Burberry was among the other fallers, even though its full-year revenues rose 24 per cent to ¡ò1.8 billion and it reported underlying pre-tax profits of ¡ò376million, an increase of 26 per cent.<br></p><p>Chief executive Angela Ahrendts said the company will continue to invest in its flagship markets including London, Chicago and Hong Kong, but with Goldman Sachs calling the results slightly disappointing shares fell 17p to 1369p.<br></p><p>BSkyB was one of only three top flight risers after the Competition Commission reversed an earlier ruling that there was too little choice for consumers in the pay-TV movies market.<br></p><p>The regulator had been expected to propose a series of remedies but is now not expected to do so after finding that newcomers to the market such as Netflix have widened the choice for consumers. Shares were 2.5p higher at 693p.<br></p><p>Outside the top flight, FirstGroup shares were 7 per cent or 15.2p higher at 220.1p as analysts said a 1 per cent fall in pre-tax profits to ¡ò271.4million represented a reassuring performance after two profits warnings in 18 months.<br></p><p>It also unveiled a strategy to turnaround its bus division, which has seen profitability squeezed by fuel prices and government subsidy cuts.<br></p><p>There was comfort for long-suffering investors in grocery delivery firm Ocado, which rose 6p to 107.8p in the wake of a trading update.<br></p><p>It reported sales growth of 13 per cent for the 12 weeks to May 13, a performance which Panmure Gordon stockbrokers said was better than expected.<br></p><p>The biggest FTSE 100 risers were Smith &amp; Nephew up 2.5p at 594.5p, BSkyB ahead 2.5p at 693p and Aberdeen Asset Management up 0.1p at 241.3p.<br></p><p>The biggest fallers were Vedanta Resources down 95.5p at 951.5p, Kazakhmys off 58p at 679.5p, Man Group down 4.55p at 73.1p and Polymetal International off 45.5p at 794p.</p><p>14.55: The Dow Jones has slid 85.6 points to 12,417.2 as eurozone woes weigh on investors across the Atlantic.</p><p>A disappointing revenue forecast from computer maker Dell is also dampening the mood on U.S. markets.</p><p>Facebook shares have bounced to $31.98 in early trading on the Nasdaq, but this is still well below the $38 listing price last Friday.</p><p>Back in London, the FTSE 100 is down 93.2 point at 5,310.1.</p><p>Meanwhile, it emerged that retail sales fell at their fastest pace for two years in April after the petrol panic in March resulted in a record drop in fuel sales in the weeks that followed.</p><p>The Office for National Statistics reported today that retail sales values fell by 2.8 per cent in April, with sales volumes falling 2.3 per cent. </p><p></p><p>13.25: <br></p><p>The U.S. looks set to join the global sell-off when Wall Street opens shortly.</p><p>Stock futures point to a sharp fall on the Dow Jones, in tandem with the heavy losses racked up on Asian and European markets today.</p><p>Investors are growing increasingly concerned at the unlikelihood of any concerted action to tackle the eurozone debt crisis being agreed at tonight's EU summit.</p><p>German Chancellor Angela Merkel, with Austria at her back, appears determined to scupper a French plan for joint eurobonds to prop up weaker eurozone members.</p><p>The FTSE 100 was trading 89.5 points lower at 5,313.7 at lunchtime.<br></p><p>Mining stocks were battered in the face of the uncertainty, with Vedanta Resources off 60.5p at 986.5p, Kazakhmys down 38.5p at 699p and Xstrata 49.1p lower at 923.8p.</p><p>And having attracted bargain hunters yesterday, banks were under pressure with Barclays off 7.2p to 181.7p and Lloyds Banking Group down 0.9p to 26.7p.</p><p>BSkyB was one of the few risers after the Competition Commission reversed an earlier ruling that there was too little choice for consumers in the pay-TV movies market.</p><p>The regulator had been expected to propose a series of remedies but is now not expected to do so after finding that newcomers to the market such as Netflix have widened the choice for consumers. Shares were 3.75p higher at 694.25p.</p><p>There was also comfort for long-suffering investors in grocery delivery firm Ocado, which rose 4.9p to 106.7p in the wake of a trading update.</p><p>It reported sales growth of 13 per cent for the 12 weeks to May 13, a performance which Panmure Gordon stockbrokers said was better than expected.<br></p><p>11.45: <br></p><p>A two-day market recovery has slammed into reverse as investors steel themselves for another inconclusive EU summit tonight.</p><p>With the Greek debt saga still raging, leaders gathering in Brussels are under pressure to come up with proposals that balance economic growth with austerity.</p><p>But a French proposal to introduce common euro bonds to help the most debt-stricken eurozone members has run up against strong opposition from Germany and Austria.</p><p>Fears that Greece is on the brink of crashing out of the eurozone were also heightened after ex-prime minister Lucas Papademos appeared to suggest preparations for an exit were underway, although he later denied such comments.</p><p></p><p>The FTSE has plunged 103.7 points to 5,299.6, while on the continent Germany's DAX and France's CAC 40 were both down 2 per cent.</p><p>On the corporate front, luxury goods group Burberry was among the fallers even though its full-year revenues rose 24 per cent to ¡ò1.8billion and it reported a 26 per cent jump in pre-tax profits to ¡ò376million.</p><p>Chief executive Angela Ahrendts said the company would continue to invest in its flagship markets including London, Chicago and Hong Kong, but with Goldman Sachs calling the results slightly disappointing shares fell 69p to 1317p.</p><p>Miners dominated the rest of the fallers board, while Barclays was 7p lower at 181.9p as the banking giant reversed gains seen yesterday.</p><p>Outside the top flight, FirstGroup shares were 10.5p higher at 215.45p as it reported a 1 per cent fall in pre-tax profits to ¡ò271.4million and unveiled a strategy to bolster profitability at its under-pressure bus division.<br></p><p>8.25: The FTSE 100 has dropped 66.2 points to 5,337.1 as hopes fade that an EU meeting will bring any far-reaching new measures to resolve the eurozone crisis.</p><p>This is likely to erase most of the gains made yesterday, when blue chip index closed up 98.80 points at 5,403.28 points as bargain hunters moved in following a five-day losing streak.</p><p>European leaders are due to explore ways of breathing life into their stricken economies at a summit in Brussels later today.</p><p>The issue of eurozone bonds and whether they can help alleviate two years of debt turmoil will dominate the meeting, but Germany is strongly opposed to the idea. </p><p>Chris Weston at IG Markets said: 'It seems to be consensus now that while we should hear some radical initiatives, many of which market participants feel would be a huge step in the right direction, the summit will be big on rhetoric, but fall very short on agreement. </p><p>'Indeed perhaps the most likely agreement would be one of a growth pact, something which has been well flagged and largely priced into markets.' <br></p><p>Greek banks are back in focus again, after the country's bank stability fund approved an &#8364;18billion injection to rescue its four largest institutions. <br></p><p>Meanwhile, sources suggested the Spanish government was poised to outline its plan to restructure the recently nationalised Bankia and announce how much additional money it will pump into the lender. <br></p><p>Adding to investors' concerns, right-wing Dutch politician Geert Wilders, who aims to turn a September 12 election into a referendum on the euro and EU membership, filed a lawsuit on Tuesday aimed at postponing the Dutch parliament's ratification of Europe's permanent bailout fund until after the vote. <br></p><p>Brent crude slipped as a potential deal between Iran and the U.N. nuclear watchdog eased fears of oil supply disruptions, while concerns over the debt crisis in the eurozone and a slowing Chinese economy weighed on demand. <br></p><p>Copper prices retreated ahead of the EU meeting, with investors wary that a failure to tackle the region's debt crisis will hit global demand for industrial metals just as China is slowing and the U.S. recovery remains fragile. <br></p><p>Retail sales numbers for April, minutes from the Bank of England's May meeting and the CBI trends-orders survey for May will be released later.</p><p>Stocks trading without the entitlement to their latest dividend will clip 0.52 points off the FTSE 100 today, with Carnival Corp and International Power both trading ex-dividend. <br></p>Stocks to watch today include:<p>Barclays: The bank will sell its near 20 per cent stake in U.S. asset manager BlackRock at $160 per share, a 2 per cent discount from its Tuesday closing price of $163.37 on the New York Stock Exchange. <br></p><p>London Stock Exchange: Italian banks UniCredit and Intesa Sanpaolo said they were selling their combined 11.5 per cent stake in the London Stock Exchange, as they both move to shed non-core assets and boost their capital. <br></p><p>BP and Royal Dutch Shell: A top 10 investor has called for changes in the way oil companies produce shale gas, in a further sign of shareholder disquiet about the environmental impact of fracking, the Financial Times said. <br></p><p>Getty Images: The owners of the world's largest distributor of stock photos, video and other digital content, have retained bankers to examine a possible sale or public offering of the business they took private four years ago for $2.4billion, the Financial Times said. <br></p><p>BURBERRY GROUP posts full-year results. <br>FIRSTGROUP unveils full-year results. <br>GREAT PORTLAND ESTATES reports full-year results. <br>PARAGON GROUP OF COMPANIES unveils first-half results. <br>SHAFTESBURY delivers first-half results. <br>INNOVATION GROUP reveals first-half results. <br>TELECOM PLUS posts full-year results. <br>HOGG ROBINSON GROUP posts fourth-quarter results. <br>HICL INFRASTRUCTURE unveils full-year results. </p><p><br></p><p> </p>?FTSE CLOSE: Eurozone back in crisis as Spain debt costs spike; M&amp;S and Burberry updates<p> By </p><p>PUBLISHED:07:29 GMT, 17 April 2012 UPDATED:16:30 GMT, 17 April 2012</p><p></p><p>17.15 (close): Marks &amp; Spencer and Burberry featured on a shortened fallers board today as the wider London market made decent gains following an encouraging debt auction in beleaguered Spain.</p><p>The FTSE 100 Index closed 100.7 points higher at 5766.9 as better-than-expected corporate earnings and strong homebuilding data from the US also lifted sentiment.</p><p>Burberry took the top spot on the fallers board despite revealing a surge in revenues, while M&amp;S disappointed investors with an unexpected drop in the first three months of the year.</p><p>In the US, Goldman Sachs, Coca-Cola and Johnson &amp; Johnson all reported results above expectations while the Commerce Department provided further cheer as it said builder requests for new project permits hit a three-and-a-half year high in March.</p><p>The pound was up against the euro at 1.21 as the single currency continued to be undermined by fears over Spain's creaking public finances. Sterling was also up against the US dollar at 1.59.</p><p>Banks were the beneficiaries of the improved sentiment, after slumping yesterday on fears that Spain's implied cost of borrowing is creeping higher towards unsustainable levels.</p><p>The mood was helped by a decent debt auction in Spain, which saw the yield on the country's 10-year bonds ease from the 6 per cent mark seen yesterday.</p><p>Barclays lifted 9.8p to 220.6p amid hopes that the forthcoming UK banking sector reporting season will not be as bad as some have feared, while Royal Bank of Scotland was 0.9p higher at 25.2p and Lloyds Banking Group added 1.3p to 30.95p.</p><p>Insurer Aviva was also doing well, with a gain of 9.3p to 307.6p.</p><p>Marks &amp; Spencer shares were in thespotlight after chief executive Marc Bolland reported like-for-like sales fell 0.7 per cent in the 13 weeks to March 31, disappointing the City after growth in the previous quarter.</p><p>He blamed supply problems that left itshort of popular womenswear lines and despite profit expectations remaining in place the company's shares were 2 per cent or 9p lower at 358.7p.</p><p>There was an even bigger fall for luxury goods firm Burberry, although the decline in the wake of second half sales figures followed a record high for the stock on Monday. The company said retail revenues were up 23 per cent to ¡ò743million in the six months to March 31 and added that it planned to grow store space by up to 14 per cent in the current financial year. The sales update was broadly in line with forecasts but shares still fell 6 per cent or 94p to 1492p.</p><p>Daily Mail &amp; General Trust was thebiggest faller in the FTSE 250 Index after it disappointed investors bywarning that profits for the first half of its financial year will be lower than in 2011.</p><p>Part of the reason for the decline will be lower advertising revenues, higher average newsprint costs and additional digital promotion costs at its Associated national newspapersdivision.</p><p>DMGT said the outlook for the full year remains unchanged but shares still fell 5 per cent or 21.3p to 423.3p.</p><p>The biggest Footsie risers were Antofagasta up 56p at 1176p, Barclays ahead 9.8p at 220.6p, Anglo American up 101p at 2328.5p and Vedanta Resources ahead 52p at 1214p.</p><p>The biggest Footsie fallers were Burberry down 94p at 1492p, Marks &amp; Spencer off 9p at 358.7p, Imperial Tobacco down 31p at 2447p and Sage Group off 3.2p at 283.2p.</p><p>15.00: The Dow Jones has leapt 102 points to 13,023.4 as U.S. investors welcomed today's easing in Spain's borrowing costs.</p><p>Better than expected first quarter results from Goldman Sachs and Coca-Cola have also improved investors' mood.</p><p>The FTSE 100 has extended earlier gains and is 63.6 points higher at 5,729.9.</p><p>13.35: The FTSE 100 is holding onto gains, up 43.7 points at 5,710, despite ongoing concern about Spain's cost of borrowing creeping towards unsustainable levels.</p><p>A decent auction of short-term debt in Spain helped the interest rate on the country's 10-year bonds ease below the 6 per cent mark to 5.84 per cent - at least for now.</p><p></p><p>A sale of two and 10-year Spanish government debt on Thursday is expected to prove a better gauge of sentiment towards the debt-stricken euro member.</p><p>Official inflation figures showed the first rise in the cost of living for five months with households squeezed by higher food costs and clothing costs.</p><p>The consumer price index rose to 3.5 per cent in March, up from 3.4 per cent in February, according to the Office for National Statistics. </p><p>With Barclays due to kick off the first quarter results season next Thursday, its stock lifted 9.7p to 220.1p. Royal Bank of Scotland was 0.6p higher at 24.9p and Lloyds Banking Group added 0.6p to 30.3p.</p><p>Insurer Aviva was also doing well, with a gain of 6.7p to 305p.</p><p>Marks &amp; Spencer is still 3 per cent or 10.45p lower at 357.25p after a disappointing sales update.</p><p>Strong demand for luxury goods in key markets including the UK, France and China lifted retail sales 23 per cent at Burberry.</p><p>The shares hit a record high yesterday but were 5 per cent or 78.5p down at 1,507.5p today. <br></p><p>Two dairy closures could see nearly 500 jobs axed by supermarket milk supplier Dairy Crest.</p><p>To reduce costs in 'extremely challenging' market conditions the firm is proposing closing sites at Aintree and Fenstanton in Cambridgeshire. Its shares fell 1.15p to 308.85p. <br></p><p>Daily Mail &amp; General Trust shares fell after it disappointed investors by warning that profits for the first half of its financial year would be lower than in 2011.</p><p>Part of the reason for the decline will be lower advertising revenues, higher average newsprint costs and additional digital promotion costs at its Associated national newspapers division.</p><p>DMGT said the outlook for the full year remains unchanged but shares still fell 6 per cent or 26p to 418.6p.<br></p><p>11.50: <br></p><p>Markets have bounced today on relief Spain's debt auction didn't go any worse and a ZEW survey of German business confidence that beat expectations.</p><p>The FTSE 100 has gained 44.9 points to 5,711.2 while Germany's DAX was ahead 66.8 points at 6,692 and France's CAC 40 rallied 50.5 points to 3,255.8.</p><p>Spain's benchmark 10-year bond yields or interest rates have eased back below 6 per cent but are still at a worryingly high 5.87 per cent today. Italy's are at 5.47 per cent. Greece, Portugal and Ireland sought bailouts when their yields hit an unsustainable 7 per cent.<br></p><p>Stock futures are pointing to a higher open on the Dow Jones later.</p><p>'With the U.S. earnings season in full flow, there is plenty to keep investors occupied,' said Chris Beauchamp, market analyst at IG Index.</p><p>'Amongst the big names reporting today will be Goldman Sachs and Coca-Cola in advance of the market open, with Intel bookending the day with earnings after the closing bell. Also up today are U.S. housing starts and building permits, and industrial production.'</p><p>Meanwhile, the euro has steadied after yesterday's losses against the dollar and the pound. It's at $1.3151 and ¡ò0.8237 (&#8364;1.2141).</p><p>'News that the [Spanish] Rajoy government will be really tough on those fiscal miscreants at the regional level has helped the tone in part,' said Michael Derks, chief strategist at FXPro. <br></p><p>'Also, better-reasoned analysis of the funding situation in Spain suggests that the country might muddle through. As a sovereign, Spain is roughly 50 per cent pre-funded. Also, most Spanish banks have still not used their LTRO money [cheap loans from the ECB], the ECB is considering the purchase of Spanish bonds as part of its Securities Market Programme, European leaders have bolstered the size of their firewall to around &#8364;800billion and the IMF may yet be prevailed upon to supply additional funds. <br></p><p>'Should Spanish concerns flare up again then we can expect the single currency to be under downward pressure once more.'<br></p><p>10.05: <br></p><p>The FTSE 100 has gained 26.3 points to 5,692.6 as stocks hold firm despite renewed concerns about the fate of the eurozone.</p><p>Spain managed to offload all the 12 and 18-month debt it hoped to get away this morning, but had to pay much higher interest rates than the last time it sold similar bonds.</p><p>Its benchmark 10-year bond yield is back below 6 per cent and hovering at around 5.89 per cent today.</p><p>Japan has lifted the mood by pledging to loan $60billion to the International Monetary Fund today in an effort to ensure the debt crisis in some European economies will not spread.</p><p>IMF chief Christine Lagarde welcomed the move and encouraged other fund members to do the same.</p><p>Back in the UK, the rate of CPI inflation rose unexpectedly to 3.5 per cent in March from 3.4 per cent in February, halting five months of declines.</p><p>Banks have benefited from slightly improved sentiment, after slumping yesterday on fears that Spain's cost of borrowing is creeping higher towards unsustainable levels.<br></p><p>Barclays lifted 7.6p to 218.4p, Royal Bank of Scotland added half a penny to 24.8p and Lloyds Banking Group improved by the same amount to 30.2p.</p><p>Marks &amp; Spencer shares were in the spotlight after chief executive Marc Bolland reported like-for-like sales fell 0.7% in the 13 weeks to March 31, disappointing the City after growth in the previous quarter.</p><p>He blamed supply problems that left it short of popular womenswear lines and despite profit expectations remaining in place the company's shares were 3 per cent or 11p lower at 356.7p.<br></p><p>There was a similar fall for luxury goods firm Burberry, although this was more to do with the fact that shares were at a record high on yesterday. <br></p><p>The company said retail revenues were up 23 per cent to ¡ò743million in the six months to March 31 and added that it planned to grow store space by up to 14 per cent in the current year. Shares fell 4 per cent or 65p to 1521p</p><p>'This morning&#8217;s corporate numbers are retail focused and don&#8217;t make for very good reading,' said Simon Denham of Capital Spreads. <br></p><p>'High Street bellwether Marks and Spencer may not be the biggest retailer in the UK but today&#8217;s numbers come as rather a shock. For a stock that had until this morning appreciated some 20 per cent so far this year some investors will be nursing a bit of a loss after their dire numbers. <br></p><p>'At the other end of the retail spectrum we&#8217;ve seen numbers from luxury brand Burberry which have also missed estimates. Their share price is also down but by over 4 per cent as doubts creep in about the ability of the stock to play on the emerging and Asian market over the longer term.</p><p>'Although the two firms are very different the message is pretty similar in that consumers are feeling the pinch, particularly in the UK.' <br></p><p>8.25: <br></p><p>The FTSE 100 has opened down 0.1 points at 5,666.2 as concerns about Spain's rising cost of borrowing limits risk appetite ahead of an auction of Spanish debt later. <br></p><p>Madrid's sale of 12- and 18-month treasury bills is expected to see yields or interest rates jump from the previous tender, reflecting a shift in market concerns over its deficit and banking sector.</p><p>Spain's benchmark 10-year bond yield has soared above 6 per cent, threatening a dangerous new crisis in the eurozone. <br></p><p>Its debt problems have been exacerbated by sluggish economic growth and austerity measures, and yesterday it emerged a contraction in GDP for the second quarter in a row would send Spain into recession.</p><p>The central government may also be forced to intervene in Spain's regions in return for financing help as soon as next month if they do not toe the tough line necessary to help allay fears over the country's debt. </p><p>The blue chip Footsie closed 14.49 points higher at 5,666.28 yesterday, helped by narrow gains from defensive stocks and positive U.S. retail sales data, although rising debt yields for Spain kept banks on the back foot. <br></p><p>Basic resources shares will be under scrutiny today after the world's second biggest producer of iron ore, Rio Tinto, reported worse falls than expected in iron ore and copper production in the first quarter. <br></p><p>Of further interest to miners, a powerful 6.5 magnitude earthquake struck near Chile's port of Valparaiso early today, shaking buildings as far away as the capital Santiago. <br></p><p>London copper has stayed below $8,000 a tonne for a third day running as investors worried about the outlook for global demand and Spain's surging borrowing costs.</p><p>Brent crude has slipped to $118, continuing its steep decline from the previous session. Gold hovered above a key support level at $1,650 an ounce, off a one-week low hit in the previous session.</p><p>Inflation data is due to be released later. <br></p>Stocks to watch today include: <br><p>Rio Tinto: The miner reported a 10 per cent drop in attributable iron ore production in the first quarter, citing a series of weather-related disruptions to ports and mines in Australia. <br></p><p>BP: A federal judge has given BP Plc and lawyers for individuals and businesses who claimed they were harmed by the 2010 Gulf of Mexico oil spill more time to file details of their proposed settlements.</p><p>Burberry: Luxury goods group Burberry said second-half revenue rose 18 per cent to ¡ò1.03billion with 12 per cent growth in comparable store sales, and sees mid single-digit percent growth in wholesale revenue for first-half 2012/13. <br></p><p>Marks &amp; Spencer: In a fourth-quarter trading update, the British high street retailer said group sales were up 0.8 per cent. The firm said it was confident of delivering full-year profit in line with expectations, despite challenging near-term trading conditions. <br></p><p>Eros: The Film entertainment company announces a 1 for 3 share consolidation prior to its de-listing from the AIM market and its debut on the New York Stock Exchange. <br></p><p>Daily Mail &amp; General Trust: The firm keeps its outlook, and says operating profits and profit before tax for the first half of the year are expected to be lower than in 2011. <br></p><p>Dairy Crest: The group proposes the closure of two of its dairies, but said the loss of its Tesco contract will not impact the firm's profitability. <br></p><p>Afren: The oil explorer annonces a major discovery in Kurdistan. <br></p><p>Sepura: The digital radio maker sees full-year profit beating view. <br></p><p>NCC Group: The firm says 10-month revenues were up 25 per cent year-on-year and it is on course to deliver strong levels of growth and profitability. </p><p></p><p> </p>?FTSE close: London dives; Burberry down<p>By <br>UPDATED:17:23 GMT, 14 March 2011</p><p></p><p>17.15 (close):</p><p>World markets followed Tokyo's Nikkei index into the red today as shares suffered further declines in the wake of the Japanese earthquake disaster.</p><p>London's FTSE 100 Index closed nearly 1% lower, down 53.4 points to 5775.2, having held its nerve for most of the day until a late-session sell-off sparked by heavy falls on Wall Street.</p><p>The Dow Jones Industrial Average in America dropped more than 140 points in early trading, while markets across Europe also fell despite a weekend agreement over a broad package of measures to ease the eurozone debt crisis.</p><p>The pound fought back from near-four month lows against the euro, later standing 0.3% higher at 1.16 euros as it firmed against most currencies. Sterling edged 0.6% higher to $1.62.</p><p>There were significant losses for some of Japan's leading companies amid fears about the economic impact of Friday's disaster, including power shortages that could disrupt factory output. Car makers were badly affected with Toyota down 8%.</p><p>Oil prices fell on expectations that weaker Japanese economic output will depress demand for crude. </p><p>The price of Brent crude dropped to around 113 US dollars a barrel, while the price of oil futures on the New York Mercantile Exchange was below 100 US dollars a barrel at one stage.</p><p>However the price of liquefied natural gas (LNG) for summer delivery has leapt 7% since Friday to 65p a therm - the highest since October 2008 - as fears mounted that imports to Britain would be hit as cargoes are diverted to stricken Japan following its earthquake and nuclear crisis.</p><p>The spectre of higher gas prices saw shares in London alternative energy stocks jump higher, with coal-fired UK energy producer Drax soaring as much as 7% at one stage. It later stood 12.4p higher at 408.7p, a gain of 3%.</p><p>Gas exploration giant BG Group was also higher, up 4% or 54p at 1514p, as wholesale gas prices rose. Other risers included temporary power supplier Aggreko, which climbed 8% or 116p to 1523p on expectations that its generators will be in demand throughout Japan.</p><p>But energy and mining engineering company Amec, which provides services to the nuclear sector, suffered a 3% drop, down 37p to 1115p.</p><p>The biggest fall in London's top flight came from Burberry, which generates a large slice of its sales from Japanese customers. </p><p>Shares were 4% lower, off 51p to 1123p, although broker Nomura noted that the company was well placed to plug the gap following recent strong growth in Chinese markets.</p><p>It was another weak session for retailers as analysts continued to fret about rising costs and fragile consumer confidence.</p><p>With the sector's reporting season about to get into full swing, B&Q owner Kingfisher fell 3.5p to 236.5p and Next dropped 32p to 1868p.</p><p>The biggest Footsie risers were Aggreko up 116p to 1523p, BG Group ahead 54p to 1514p, Vedanta Resources up 36p to 2230p and Serco up 6p to 581.5p.</p><p>The biggest Footsie fallers were Burberry down 51p to 1123p, Amec off 37p to 1115p, Aviva down 13.9p to 440p and Morrisons off 7.5p to 278.5p.</p><p>15.45: US markets have fallen sharply, with the Dow racking up a three-digit loss as investors try to assess the consequences of the Japan crisis.</p><p>The leading US index is down 129.7 points at 11,914 as the possible financial impact sinks in.</p><p>The fear is proving contagious, with the FTSE 100 plunging 53.1 points to 5,775.6 as the end of the London session approaches.</p><p>Julian Jessop, chief international economist at Capital Economics, said the renewed possibility of recession and fiscal crisis in Japan represented another important threat to the global economic recovery.</p><p>He added: 'We can't help feeling that the markets are being too sanguine about the implications of what is happening in Japan. For a start, private domestic demand was already fragile before the disaster struck and the public finances in a dire state. </p><p>'The chances of a rapid economic recovery are slim but the chances of a major fiscal crisis have increased. Given Japan's importance as a global investor, this could have major repercussions around the world.'</p><p>14.45: </p><p>The Dow Jones has opened 78.7 points lower at 11,965.7 as investors worry about the impact of the Japan devastation on global demand.</p><p>Shares in companies with links to Japan and the nuclear industry have been worst hit - led by General Electric which designed the reactors at Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant. </p><p>The FTSE 100 is 23.8 points down at 5,804.8.</p><p>13.05: </p><p>At lunchtime, the FTSE 100 has dodged a major fall in the aftermath of the Japanese earthquake and tsunami but is still 20.34 points lower at 5808.33.</p><p>Investors in Europe and other parts of Asia have refused to hit the panic button, but there were sharp movements for individual stocks in London, including luxury goods firm Burberry and temporary power supplier Aggreko.</p><p>Some of Japan's leading companies suffered heavy losses amid fears about the economic impact of Friday's disaster, including power shortages that could disrupt factory output. Car makers were badly affected with Toyota down 8%.</p><p>The price of liquefied natural gas (LNG) has leapt 7.4% to 74 pence a therm - the highest since November 2008 - as fears mount that imports to Britain will be hit as cargoes are diverted to stricken Japan following the earthquake and nuclear crisis.</p><p>This could leave gas as the &#39;fuel of no choice&#39; for countries in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), analysts at Societe Generale cautioned.</p><p>The spectre of higher gas prices saw shares in London alternative energy stocks jump higher, with coal-fired UK energy producer Drax soaring as much as 7% at one stage. It later stood 16.15p higher at 412.45p, a gain of 4%.</p><p>Gas exploration giant BG Group was also higher, up more than 2% or 36.75p at 1496.75p, as wholesale gas prices rose. Other risers included Aggreko, which climbed 79.5p to 1486.5p on expectations that its generators will be in demand throughout Japan.</p><p>But energy and mining engineering company Amec, which provides services to the nuclear sector, suffered a 2% drop, down 22p to 1130p.</p><p>11.35: </p><p>Investors are keeping a sharp eye on the oil price today, trying to assess how far it might fall in the wake of the Japanese disaster.</p><p>Brent crude is 2% down at $111.6, which represents a significant cooling since the price hit $120 on February 24 on fears of serious supply disruption due to the violence in Libya. </p><p>Movers today include Bovis, up 11.2p at 440.8p after it announced it last year.</p><p>The woes of care home provider Southern Cross have deepened as it warned markets about its trading outlook and an impending bank covenant breach. </p><p>The firm's shares are down 62% or 9.75p at 6p after it revealed it had .</p><p>In currency, the pound at 9am was $1.6073 compared to $1.6031 at the previous close. Against the euro, the pound was at ?1.1542 compared to ?1.1567 at the previous close. </p><p>The FTSE 100 has drifted downwards and is off 15.7 points at 5,813. </p><p>Futures trading points to a lower open on US markets following the heavy share losses in Japan overnight.</p><p>10.00: </p><p>The FTSE 100 is trading flat as investors digest a 6% plunge on Japan&#39;s Nikkei index following the country&#39;s catastrophic earthquake and tsunami.</p><p>News that the Bank of Japan had injected a record ¡ò114bn and increased its asset-buying scheme to stabilise the money markets helped to calm worldwide fears about the impact of the crisis.</p><p>London's blue chip index slid into the red after the opening bell, but has since regained ground to trade just 2.2 points lower at 5,862.5.</p><p>However, despite the central bank support in Japan the Nikkei slid 633.94 points, or 6.2%, to 9,620 overnight, extending losses from Friday when the index finished 1.7% lower. </p><p>Shares in major names such as Honda, Toyota and Toshiba fell sharply as the consequences of the disaster became clearer.</p><p>Oil prices continued to fall on expectations that weaker Japanese economic output will depress demand for crude. The price of Brent crude dropped to around $111 a barrel, while the price of oil futures on the New York Mercantile Exchange was below $100 a barrel.</p><p>Luxury goods maker Burberry, which is heavily exposed to the Far East, dropped 6% or 68p to 1106p during another poor session for retail stocks.</p><p>With the sector's reporting season about to get into full swing, B&Q owner Kingfisher fell 2.05p to 237.95p and Next dropped 24.5p to 1875.5p.</p><p>Rio Tinto climbed 80p to 4,043.5p as it drew closer to gaining control of coal producer Riversdale Mining, with more shareholders accepting the offer after a sweetened bid.</p><p>Shares in Diageo shed 12p to 1,168.00p following a Daily Mail report it had got through to the second round of a ¡ò500m auction for Stock, central Europe's biggest drinks firm.</p><p>Southern Cross Healthcare Group plunged 66%, or 10.25p, to 5.5p after sale talks fell through and it warned it may breach its banking covenant.</p><p>Bovis Homes Group rose 10.4p to 440p as its underlying profits more than doubled on increased average selling prices.</p>?FTSE close: Burberry, miners up; Inflation<p>By <br>UPDATED:17:14 GMT, 18 January 2011</p><p></p><p>The FTSE 100 Index pushed to a new two-and-a-half year high today, buoyed by reports that Europe's bailout fund may be enlarged.</p><p>The Footsie rallied more than 1% or 70.7 points to 6056.4 as banking and mining stocks recovered from yesterday's losses.</p><p>The market was boosted by talk that finance ministers from some of the richest nations in Europe had agreed to pump extra money into European Stability Fund at a meeting in Brussels.</p><p>The reports helped reassure investors that the eurozone would be able to deal with another debt crisis.</p><p>Fears surrounding the ongoing debt woes on the continent have troubled European markets for months, as uncertainty mounts over the future of other key economies, including Portugal and Spain.</p><p>There were also successful bond auctions in Spain and Greece that added to confidence about the eurozone.</p><p>Barclays, which is heavily exposed to the Iberian peninsula, moved slightly ahead by 1.2p to 307.8p, while HSBC added 5.8p at 709.3p. But Lloyds lost earlier gains, slipping 0.3p to 67.8p.</p><p>The euro strengthened on the back of the improved sentiment, and was up against the pound at 1.19. But the pound was up against the dollar at 1.60 after official figures revealed UK inflation surged to 3.7% in December.</p><p>Fashion house Burberry topped the risers' board after it delivered another forecast-beating trading update.</p><p>The retailer surged more than 5%, up 56p to 1115p, after underlying revenues rose 27% in the third quarter and it guided the market towards full-year profits at the top end of City expectations.</p><p>The rebounding price of many commodities helped miners recover from yesterday's losses, which were sparked by uncertainty around China's plans for monetary tightening. Kazakhmys was up 49p at 1665p and Eurasian Natural Resources was ahead 29p at 1101p.</p><p>On a shortened fallers board, GlaxoSmithKline fell after yesterday's announcement that the cost of settling legal disputes over controversial diabetes drug Avandia will hit a record ¡ò2.2bn and wipe out profits for the fourth quarter. Shares fell 23.5p to 1181.5p, a drop of nearly 2%.</p><p>Among other trading updates, FTSE 250 Index stock Taylor Wimpey rose 8% after it confirmed takeover approaches for its US division and said it continued to trade in-line with expectations in the UK during the second half of 2010. Shares rose 2.9p to 38.1p.</p><p>Taylor Wimpey's update spurred on the housebuilding sector, with Bovis Homes up 17.2p at 458.4p and Persimmon up 24p at 459.7p.</p><p>Carphone Warehouse added 4.3p to 389.3p after it said slower growth in its European mobile phone arm was offset by its partnership with American electronics giant Best Buy.</p><p>The UK retailer lifted its full-year earnings guidance due to expectations that a profit-sharing agreement with Best Buy's mobile phone retailing operation in the US will now generate up to ¡ò100m for the company.</p><p>The top Footsie risers were Burberry up 56p at 1115p, ARM Holdings ahead 22p at 536.5p, Petrofac up 67p at 1685p, and BG Group ahead 52.5p at 1366p.</p><p>The top Footsie fallers were Essar Energy down 70.7p at 6056.4p, GlaxoSmithKline off 24.5p at 533p, Rexam down 4.3p at 345.2p and African Barrick Gold off 4p at 560p.</p><p>16.15: The FTSE 100 is up 64.6 points at 6,050.33 as the end of the session approaches.</p><p>The Dow Jones has shrugged off its downbeat open and put on 60.1 points to trade at 11,847.5.</p><p>14.50: </p><p>The Dow Jones in New York got off to a shaky start but is now trading moderately higher, up 28.2 points at 11,815.6. </p><p>US investors are jittery after banking giant Citigroup reported lower than expected profits. The announcement by Apple's Steve Jobs that he is taking more medical leave is also dampening the mood.</p><p>Shares in housebuilder Taylor Wimpey are buoyant after it reported buyer interest in its US arm and upbeat full-year profit expectations. The stock rose 9%, or 3.07p, to 38.22p. </p><p>The FTSE 100 is up 58 points at 6,043.7. </p><p>13.30: </p><p>We have on luxury fashion brand Burberry, which has soared 47p to 1,106p after a robust bulletin on third quarter trading that overshot City expectations. </p><p>The Footsie is trading 57 points higher at 6,042.7. </p><p>12.45: </p><p>At lunchtime, the FTSE 100 is 68.18 points better off at 6053.88.</p><p>Banks have joined the ranks of risers today. They are enjoying news that EU governmwents are ready to shore up further the mechanisms to prevent debt defaults among the eurozone nations.</p><p>It was reported that governments which enjoy a 'triple-A' credit rating on international borrowing markets resolved in private talks to boost lending capacity for more troubled partners.</p><p>Barclays, which is heavily exposed to the Iberian peninsula, moved more than 1% or 4.1p to 310.6p, while HSBC added 10.2p at 713.7p and Lloyds edged ahead 0.4p to 68.5p.</p><p>The euro strengthened on the back of the improved sentiment, and was up against the pound at ?1.19. But the pound was up against the dollar at $1.6 after official figures revealed UK inflation surged to 3.7% in December. </p><p>10.45: </p><p>The FTSE 100 is holding onto gains from the very start of trading today.</p><p>The blue chip index is 62.8 points better off at 6048.52.</p><p>On Wall Street later today, American markets will reopen following the holiday to celebrate Dr Martin Luther King yesterday. The futures markets have a dream that the Dow Jones will rise when New York gets under way this afternoon.</p><p>09.50: </p><p>The FTSE 100 has risen today with commodity stocks ahead on the back of rising metal prices and Burberry boosted by good trading numbers.</p><p>The FTSE 100 was up 66.77 points, back above 6,000 at 6052.47, in early trading today. Overall, 89 of the 100 blue chip stocks were in positive territory.</p><p>Inflation data came in higher than expected - - and this may drag on shares as the day goes on. Check back for updates on how the City interprets the inflation news, and the threat of higher interest rates.</p><p>Burberry led a rally after the fashion chain delivered another forecast-beating trading update.</p><p>The group topped the risers board with a gain of 4%, up 40p to 1099p, after underlying revenues rose 27% in the third quarter and it guided the market towards full-year profits at the top end of City expectations.</p><p>Burberry took its place alongside miners at the top of the leaderboard. Metal price rises helped Ferrexpo, 19.2p higher at 450.5p, Vedanta, 76p up at 2513p, and Kazakhmys, up 39p better off at 1655p.</p><p>Other stocks on the front foot included SABMiller after the brewing giant's third quarter beer volumes beat expectations, causing shares to rise by 3% or 64.5p to 2236.5p.</p><p>On a shortened fallers board, GlaxoSmithKline fell after yesterday's announcement that the cost of settling legal disputes over controversial diabetes drug Avandia will hit a record ¡ò2.2bn and wipe out profits for the fourth quarter. Shares fell 21p to 1184p, a drop of 2%.</p><p>Among other trading updates, FTSE 250 Index stock Taylor Wimpey rose 4% after it confirmed takeover approaches for its US division and said it continued to trade in line with expectations in the UK during the second half of 2010. Shares rose 1.5p to 36.6p. </p><p>In currency, the pound at 9am was at $1.5966 compared to $1.5909 at the previous close. Against the euro, the pound was at ?1.1935 compared to ?1.1967. </p><p></p>?FTSE close: RBS, Lloyds up; Burberry down<p>By <br>UPDATED:17:13 GMT, 21 January 2011</p><p></p><p>The FTSE 100 Index staged a mini-fightback today on the back of gains made by banking and mining stocks but it was still more than 100 points down on the week.</p><p>The Footsie took a pasting on Wednesday and Thursday, dropping 188 points in two days, amid fears that China would increase its interest rates.</p><p>But it rebounded 28.3 points to 5896.3 today as fears about overheating in Asia began to subside. Despite the rise, the index was still well below last Friday's close of 6002.1.</p><p>Economists are predicting an imminent interest rate hike in China, as the country battles with stubbornly-high inflation - a move that would choke Chinese demand for commodities.</p><p>The speculation saw commodity stocks drop, while ongoing fears over the eurozone debt crisis and a weaker-than-expected show from American banks hit financials.</p><p>But these concerns eased today as investors shrugged off the weak sentiment and were boosted by yesterday's strong earnings report from US bank Morgan Stanley.</p><p>Royal Bank of Scotland soared more than 6% after the Financial Times reported the part-nationalised bank and Treasury officials were examining ways in which the bank could secure an early exit from the government's asset protection scheme. Shares were up 2.8p at 44.9p.</p><p>Morgan's 80% jump in fourth quarter profits also lifted the sector, with Lloyds up 0.6p at 67.4p, although Barclays was down 2.4p at 300.9p.</p><p>Miners, which were also boosted by marginally improved metal prices, made gains, with Anglo-Swiss group Xstrata up 13.5p at 1402p, platinum miner Lonmin ahead 9p at 1753p.</p><p>Investors shrugged off official figures from the Office for National Statistics, which revealed retail sales volumes declined 0.8% last month - the worst December on record.</p><p>Blue-chip retailers saw gains despite the report, with B&Q owner Kingfisher up 3.2p at 267.4p, Marks & Spencer ahead 1.1p at 368p and Primark owner Associated British Foods adding 7p to 1086p.</p><p>National Grid reversed earlier gains to finish up 3p to 542p after New York regulators granted a smaller-than-requested rate increase in the state.</p><p>Outside the top flight, shares in outsourcer Mouchel jumped 20% or 22.8p to 136.5p after construction firm Costain revealed a third takeover proposal worth more than ¡ò170m.</p><p>And luxury goods group Mulberry continued its run of form, rising 55p to 1305p after forecasting profits ahead of market expectations.</p><p>Finsbury Food, a supermarket cake supplier involved in this month's contaminated egg scare saw shares drop 0.3p to 24.3p after it said its insurer was disputing a claim over product withdrawal costs.</p><p>Finsbury, whose Cardiff-based Memory Lane cake business was caught up in the toxic egg fears, saw retailers pull some of its products from shelves but with no risk to public health found its insurer is challenging its claim for costs.</p><p>The pound was up against the dollar, at 1.60, as traders were prepared to blame the retail figures on the impact of the snow. But sterling was down against the euro, at 1.18, after the single currency was buoyed by the strongest German business confidence survey for 20 years.</p><p>The biggest Footsie risers were Royal Bank of Scotland up 2.8p at 44.9p, Autonomy ahead 56p at 1480p, Weir Group up 36p at 1653p and African Barrick Gold ahead 11p at 529p.</p><p>The biggest Footsie fallers were Man Group down 12.1p at 282p, Standard Chartered off 34p at 1673p, Burberry down 14p at 1031p and British Land off 7p at 516.5p</p><p>14.35: We have on Royal Bank of Scotland, which is topping the FTSE 100 riser board on reports it might seek an early exit from the Government's toxic asset insurance scheme.</p><p>The shares are up 7%, or 2.93p, at 45.12p.</p><p>The Dow Jones has opened up 63 points at 11,885.8. US investors are mulling Bank of America earnings that missed forecasts, and General Electric and Google results that came in ahead of expectations.</p><p>The Footsie is trading up 40.7 points at 5,908.6.</p><p>12.50: </p><p>A lunchtime update - the FTSE 100 is 35.1 points better off at 5903.01.</p><p>Miners, boosted by marginally improved metal prices, have made gains today, with Anglo-Swiss group Xstrata up 23p at 1411.5p, platinum miner Lonmin ahead 27p at 1771p and copper and zinc firm Vedanta Resources advancing 37p to 2409p.</p><p>Investors seem to have shrugged off official figures from the Office for National Statistics, which revealed retail sales volumes - the worst December on record.</p><p>10.50: </p><p>The picture has improved for shares this morning, with the FTSE 100 now 47.78 points higher at 5915.69.</p><p>Better results from Morgan Stanley overnight improved sentiment in the US, and global markets have responded. However, the futures markets are predicting a flat opening for the Dow Jones later today.</p><p>09.30: </p><p>The FTSE 100 struggled to stage a fightback today after a 3% fall over the previous two sessions, with RBS rising and National Grid lower.</p><p>The Footsie was 12.11 points higher at 5880.02 in early trading.</p><p>A resilient session on Wall Street following a jump in profits at Morgan Stanley meant the top flight lifted 26.1 points to 5893.9, after falling 2% on Thursday amid fears that China will have to cool economic growth.</p><p>Those worries continued to hamper Asian markets as the Nikkei 225 in Tokyo fell more than 1% and Hong Kong's Hang Seng index also dropped.</p><p>Banks set the pace in London after Morgan Stanley's 80% rise in fourth quarter profits and as the Financial Times reported that Royal Bank of Scotland and Treasury officials were examining ways in which the bank could secure an early exit from the government's asset protection scheme.</p><p>RBS jumped 5% or 2.1p to 44.3p, while fellow part-nationalised bank Lloyds Banking Group added 1.4p to 68.2p and Barclays improved 1.1p to 304.35p.</p><p>National Grid was one of the leading fallers, down 7p to 532p after New York regulators granted a smaller-than-requested rate increase in the state.</p><p>Outside the top flight, shares in outsourcer Mouchel jumped 19% or 21.25p to 135p after construction firm Costain revealed a third takeover proposal worth more than ¡ò170m.</p><p>And luxury goods group Mulberry continued its run of form, rising 59p to 1309p after forecasting profits ahead of market expectations.Sterling slipped to a two-week low against the euro on Friday as the single currency rallied and investors awaited a reading of UK retail sales later in the day.</p><p>Euro gains helped to support the pound against the dollar, but sterling was still down from an eight-week high hit earlier in the week, as some investors tempered speculation that higher UK inflation will prompt a rise in interest rates within months. </p><p>Higher-than-forecast UK inflation data drove the pound up earlier this week as investors brought forward expectations for a first Bank of England hike to as early as May.</p><p>In early trade, the pound rose 0.2% on the day to $1.5935. Earlier in the week, it rallied to $1.6060, its strongest since late November, and is poised to end the week 0.5% higher against the dollar.</p><p>The euro gained 0.4% to 85.13p against the pound, its strongest since January 5.</p><p></p>?FTSE CLOSE: Stocks gain despite Slovakia setback; Burberry and BAE Systems up<p> By <br>UPDATED:16:17 GMT, 12 October 2011</p><br><p>17.10 (close): London's top flight index hit a fresh two-month high today as investors were spurred on by plans unveiled by the European Commission president to help banks in Europe.</p><p>The FTSE 100 Index closed 46.1 points higher at 5441.8 despite ongoing uncertainty over the EU bail-out process after Slovakia yesterday voted down an expansion of the rescue fund.</p><p>EC president Jose Manuel Barroso's call for the launch of a permanent bailout fund, the European Stability Mechanism, to come into force in mid-2012, one year ahead of schedule, offered hope the eurozone debt crisis would be stemmed sooner than thought.</p><p>Elsewhere, the president pledged support for stricter accounting of European banks' exposure to sovereigndebt and for banks to hold more capital lifted markets higher.</p><p>His comments spurred on traders acrossEurope with the DAX in Germany adding 2.2 per cent and France's Cac-40 advancing more than 2 per cent.</p><p>A surprise rise in eurozone industrialproduction in August boosted the mood with industrial output up by 1.2 per cent in August against economists' forecasts for a 0.8 per cent decline, while traders suggested that the decision by Slovakia's lawmakers will be reversed.</p><p>The pound was down against the euro at1.14 as the single currency was lifted by further optimism in Europe. Sterling was up against the US dollar at 1.57, however, as the greenbackwas depressed by a poor start to the US quarterly earnings season.</p><p>Aluminium producer Alcoa's third quarter trading update came in short of analysts' expectations amid sluggish demand from car makers.</p><p>In London, a disappointing trading update from silver miner Fresnillo added to the gloom in the commodities sector.</p><p>Fresnillo lowered its production guidance for this year following a 5.8 per cent drop in third quarter silver output. Its shares dropped 2 per cent or 34p to 1665p.</p><p>Elsewhere in the top flight, BAE Systems shares were 0.9p higher at 282p after it said it was trading in line with expectations, although it repeated its warning over uncertain prospects for US defence spending.</p><p>A reassuring trading update boosted Burberry's shares, which have dropped more than 20 per cent since July on fears of a slowdown in China.</p><p>Burberry said half-year revenues jumped by 30 per cent to ¡ò830million and even though growth in the second quarter was slightly weaker than in the first, the luxury brand group's shares rose 44p to 1308p.</p><p>Hedge fund group Man Group slid again as it reported a poor week for its flagship AHL fund. The share price has tumbled by a third since September when it revealed it had been hit by a rush of investors withdrawing funds. The shares today fell by 6 per cent, or 9.9p, to 156.3p.</p><p>In the FTSE 250 Index, builders merchant and Wickes owner Travis Perkins gained ground as like-for-like sales overall rose by 5.9 per cent in the nine months to September 30, compared with a 7.2 per cent rise in the first six months.</p><p>Analysts said the performance was resilient given the tough trading backdrop and a slump in sales of kitchens and bathrooms at Wickes due to the consumer spending squeeze. Travis shares rose by 64p to 865p.</p><p>The biggest Footsie risers were Eurasian Natural Resources up 46.5p at 671.5p, Antofagasta ahead 74p at 1151p, Barclays up 11.3p at 187p and Aviva up 18.2p at 343.5p.</p><p>The biggest Footsie fallers were Man Group down 9.9p at 156.3p, Tullow Oil off 54p at 1343p, British AmericanTobacco down 67p at 2751p and Fresnillo off 34p at 1665p.</p><p>16.15: Stocksare ending the day on buoyant form after European Commission president Jose Manuel Barroso told the European Parliament that the region 'must urgently strengthen the banks'.</p><p>He called for coordination of effortsto recapitalise banks, transparency on banks' sovereign exposure and temporary higher capital requirements if necessary.</p><p>The FTSE 100 is ahead 53.5 points at 5,449.2 and the Dow is 92.5 points higher at 11,508.8.</p><p>'Barroso&#8217;s speech on bank recapitalisations didn&#8217;t really contain anything earth shatteringly revolutionary, but markets seem to be buying into the optimism and pushing to their highest levels since early August,' said Michael Hewson of CMC Markets.</p><p>'Markets have been led higher by basic resource stocks on firmer copper prices, due to fairly robust demand out of China and ahead of Chinese trade data later this week, with some speculation that China could well ease monetary policy quite soon.'</p><p></p><p>15.35: <br></p><p>The FTSE 100 is nudging the 5,450 level as optimism grows that the eurozone is getting to grips with its debt crisis.</p><p>London's top index is up 54.1 points at 5,449.75 in late-session trading.</p><p>On the continent, the German DAX and French CAC 40 have both added more than 2 per cent, while the Dow Jones in the U.S. has surged 130.9 points to 11,547.2.</p><p>14.50: </p><p>The Dow Jones has jumped 74.9 points to 11,491.2 on the open. The FTSE 100 is 25.5 points higher at 5,421.15.</p><p>'Despite a "No" vote last night from Slovakia, a poor start to third quarter earnings and rising unemployment in the UK, equities continue to push towards the top of the range,' said Manoj Ladwa, senior trader at ETX Capital. <br></p><p>'Given the way the market is ignoring any negative news would lead one to believe that the current mini-bull run still has potential to squeeze higher, despite the relatively low volume.'</p><p>Brent crude is trading at $109.09 a barrel and gold is at $1,689 an ounce today.</p><p>13.55: <br></p><p>Futures trading is signalling a higher open on the Dow Jones, tracking gains on European markets.</p><p>On the corporate front, PepsiCo earnings per share and revenues beat analyst expectations. <br></p><p>The FTSE 100 is holding onto gains, trading 19.4 points up at 5,415.1.</p><p>Joshua Raymond, chief market strategist at City Index, said: 'The FTSE 100 is nudging closer to the 5450 level which could signal a make or break time in the FTSE&#8217;s current charge higher. </p><p>'There is key resistance at the 5450 level being a 50 per cent retracement from the year's high to August lows and as such, could prove pivotal in determining whether the rally we have seen over the last week is running out of steam or whether a bullish change to the near term trend of the FTSE could be on the cards.'</p><p>12.25: <br></p><p>The FTSE 100 has gained 26.8 points to 5,422.5 after reversing early losses.</p><p>A surprise rise in eurozone industrial production in August improved sentiment and eased concerns that the region is set to slip back into recession.</p><p>Eurostat, the EU's statistics office, said industrial output increased by 1.2 per cent in August against economists' forecasts of a 0.8 per cent decline.</p><p>Traders also suggested that yesterday's no vote by Slovakia's lawmakers could be overcome and the EU bail-out fund expanded.</p><p>Hedge fund group Man Group slid again as it reported a poor week for its flagship AHL fund. The share price has tumbled by a third since September when it revealed it had been hit by a rush of investors withdrawing funds. <br></p><p>The shares today fell by 5 per cent, or 9.4p, to 156.8p.</p><p>In the FTSE 250, builders merchant and Wickes owner Travis Perkins gained ground as like-for-like sales overall rose by 5.9 per cent in the nine months to September 30, compared with a 7.2 per cent rise in the first six months.</p><p>Analysts said the performance was resilient given the tough trading backdrop and a slump in sales of kitchens and bathrooms at Wickes due to the consumer spending squeeze. Travis shares rose by 38p to 839p. </p><p>10.25: <br></p><p>London shares have edged 4.6 points into the black to trade at 5,400.26 after a disappointing start to the session.</p><p>The mood has been dampened by a weak start to the US earnings season and Slovakia's vote to reject the expansion of Europe's bail-out fund.</p><p>This led to lacklustre performances for Asian and Wall Street markets overnight.</p><p>While there are still hopes that the European rescue fund can be expanded, the decision by Slovakia's lawmakers added to fears over the potential fall-out from a debt default by Greece.</p><p>'It goes to show just how difficult it is for monetary unions to exist in such circumstances particularly when you&#8217;re asking one of the poorest nations to stump up cash that might be gobbled up by the richer nations,' said Simon Denham of Capital Spreads. <br></p><p>'But all is not lost. There is another vote in Slovakia, yes, yet another vote and this could mean the measures are passed but this all delays things when speed is of the essence. <br></p><p>'Bank after bank is being nationalised and more funds are being withdrawn from the money markets causing liquidity to dry up.'</p><p>Traders were also unsettled by U.S. aluminium producer Alcoa's third quarter trading update, which came in short of analysts' expectations amid sluggish demand from car makers.</p><p>Fresnillo added to the gloom in the commodities sector after it lowered its production guidance for this year following a 5.8 per cent drop in third quarter silver output. <br></p><p>Its shares dropped 5 per cent or 85.5p to 1613.5p.</p><p>Elsewhere in the top flight, BAE Systems shares were 4.25p lower at 276.85p after it said it was trading in line with expectations, although it repeated its warning over uncertain prospects for US defence spending.</p><p>And a reassuring trading update failed to reinvigorate Burberry's shares, which have dropped more than 20 per cent since July on fears of a slowdown in China.</p><p>Burberry said half-year revenues jumped by 30 per cent to ¡ò830million but with growth in the second quarter slightly weaker than in the first shares were flat at 1264p.<br></p><p>8.40: <br></p><p>The FTSE 100 has opened on the back foot, down 31.8 points at 5,363.9, as investors assessed the implications of Slovakia's rejection of the eurozone bailout expansion plan.</p><p>Germany's DAX was 39.2 points lower at 5,825.8 while France's CAC 40 was off 30.4 at 3,123.2.</p><p>Cameron Peacock, market analyst at IG Markets, said markets appeared to be pausing for breath right now following the solid start to the week, with few reading much into the news from Slovakia.</p><p>'With the Troika (EU, IMF and ECB) having suggested that Greece will be awarded the next tranche of bailout funds anyway, perhaps a degree of consolidation isn't unsurprising,' he said.</p><p>'But with a lot of surplus cash still kicking around and the calendar year-end looming, it does seem as if the buyers may simply be lingering on the sidelines, waiting to time their next foray into the market.</p><p>Burberry slid 14p to 1,250p after issuing a trading update.</p>Stocks to watch today include:<p>Burberry: The luxury goods firm issues a trading update. <br></p><p>Fresnillo: The Mexico-based silver miner issues a trading update. <br></p><p>Glencore: The commodities trader is in advanced talks with Indonesia's Bakrie family to secure more rights to sell coal and an option to buy shares in miner Bumi, in exchange for refinancing a $1.35billion loan, sources with knowledge of the deal said.</p><p>BHP Billiton: The firm cleared another hurdle for a giant expansion of its Olympic Dam copper and uranium mine on Wednesday, further clearing the way for its board give a final go-ahead by June 2012. <br></p><p>BP: BP is making contingency plans to fight the largest oil spill in history, as it prepares to drill more than 4,000 feet down in the Atlantic in wildlife-rich British waters off the Shetland Islands, The Independent said. </p><p>Aviva: Aviva's Taiwan partner expects the British insurer to offload its stake in their tie-up in phases beginning as early as the end of 2011, but approval from Taiwan regulators is the key factor for the planned sale, an executive said on Tuesday.</p><p>Tobacco: Australia's government may have to delay plans for the world's toughest anti-tobacco laws after conservative opposition lawmakers on Wednesday postponed a final vote on the controversial legislation in parliament.</p><p>Scottish &amp; Southern Energy: Scottish and Southern Energy will break ranks with rival utilities companies by offering its electricity for sale to any UK household supplier this week, the Financial Times reported on Wednesday.</p><p>BSkyB: A leading shareholder at British Sky Broadcasting has called for James Murdoch to resign as its chairman as investor concerns increase in the wake of the phone-hacking scandal at News International, the Financial Times reported. </p><p>BAE Systems: The defence and aerospace manufacturer could be the target of a possible 13 billion pounds, or 400 pence a share cash offer from EADS , the European aeronautic defence and space company, according to the Daily Mail market report. <br></p><p>Standard Life: The insurer holds an investors meeting.</p><p>SABMiller: The brewer holds an investors meeting in New York.</p><p>Travis Perkins: The building materials retailer issues a trading update. <br></p><p>Ceres Power: The alternative energy firm posts full-year results. <br></p><p>Monetise: The mobile money firm holds its annual general meeting. <br></p><p>Cambium Global Timberland: The timber company holds its annual general meeting. <br></p><p> </p>?FTSE in-depth: Burberry soars on bid rumours<p>By <br>UPDATED:08:29 GMT, 9 December 2010</p><p></p><p>The cold weather may be deterring shoppers from the High Street, but if City gossip is anything to go by companies are preparing for a massive shopping spree.</p><p>Barely a day seems to go by without bid rumours driving up a stock and yesterday it was the turn of luxury goods group Burberry.</p><p>Burberry's shares jumped 26p, or 2.3%, to close at 1,159.8p as traders in London and Frankfurt speculated about a ¡ò15-a-share bid for the maker of posh raincoats and handbags.</p><p>It's certainly not the first time the 154-yearold Burberry has been mooted as a target, but yesterday the talk gained momentum, as rising demand from Asia pushes up profits at luxury goods makers.</p><p>'The main attraction is its free float and it's not got a controlling family shareholder. It's the only luxury group that is independent. It's a good company, actually, very well run,' said one trader. </p><p>However, some analysts wonder if much value can be squeezed out of Burberry, whose shares have more than doubled this year on the back of strong results and takeover speculation.</p><p>They question whether there is much scope for private equity firms to turn a profit on a deal and point out that rivals such as Gucciowner PPR and LVMH have historically struggled to wring value from mergers and acquisitions.</p><p>J Sainsbury and Kesa Electricals have also been the subject of takeover rumours in recent days.</p><p>But over in the healthcare sector Smith & Nephew was another beneficiary of bid speculation leading the FTSE 350 risers following a report yesterday in this column that the maker of knee and hip replacements could shortly receive an ¡ò8-a-share cash offer from a US consortium of private equity players. The group's shares soared by 55.0p, or 9.0%, to close at 640.5p.</p><p>Takeover talk was also behind the 4.75% share price jump at Security services group G4S, making it the FTSE 100's second biggest riser. Industry gossip suggested that a private equity consortium, led by America's KKR, was mulling a 350p-a-share offer for the company. </p><p>G4S ended the day 11.3p higher at 249.4p. At least some of the rise, however, is likely to be down to the fact that Merrill Lynch cleared a big overhang of the company's shares.</p><p>The security group also benefitted as the City welcomed its acquisition of Guernsey Air Conditioning, a building services contractor in the Channel Islands, for an undisclosed sum. In a flat day of trading overall the mining companies were the hardest hit sector as a sharp rise in US bond yields pushed the greenback higher.</p><p>The rising dollar forced down the value of commodities such as copper and gold - traditionally viewed as a safe haven when the US currency is falling - from their recent record highs, in turn putting mining stocks under pressure. </p><p>Rio Tinto (down 135.0p at 4.370p), Anglo American (down 91.50p at 2,970.5p), BHP Billiton (53.0p lower at 2,428p), Randgold Resources (down 205p at 5,700p), Eurasian Natural Resources Corporation (down 13.50p at 931.0p) and Kazakhmys (down 31.0p at 1,523.0p) were among the biggest losers from the sell-off in US bonds. </p><p>It was prompted by President Obama's proposed move to extend tax cuts, which some analysts say could increase America's deficit by up to ¡ò570m.</p><p></p><p>Among the biggest gainers on the FTSE100 was Prudential, which saw its shares tick up by 22.5p to 632.15p after an upbeat note from UBS, which added the insurer to its 'key calls' list. </p><p>'The Pru's Asian footprint is unique in the sector. The prospect of meaningful remittances from the Asian unit to the centre means that each of the group's four operations will be more able to stand on its own two feet by 2013,' UBS analysts said in a note.</p><p>Shares in Northern Petroleum, the EU-focussed oil and gas exploration company, continued a good run yesterday when it announced an agreement to farm-out an interest in the eastern part of the Pro Valley Basin in Italy to Orca Exploration Group. The shares rose by 4.25p to close at 104.25p.</p><p>Shares in Medavinci, the medical technology investor turned mineral explorer, rose by 2.2% ahead of an update by the group today on its Serbian gold project. The company is also expected to announce a new chairman and chief executive, as well as plans to call early the option it has to buy the remaining 49% of Orogen Gold Ltd, the exploration company, that it doesn't already own. </p><p>Medavinci will also announce today that it's name is changing to Orogen Gold Plc. Shares in Medavinci rose 0.01p to close at 0.45p.</p>?More dash than cash: Get glossy style on a budget<p><br>UPDATED:09:47 GMT, 5 October 2009</p><p>Want to look like you've just stepped out of the pages of Vogue but can't afford to? Here, we reveal its tips for bargains... <br></p><p>A</p><p>ANTIQUES FAIRS</p><p>Fashion photographer Tim Walker is often spotted sifting through the stalls at Ardingly Antiques Fair in West Sussex. It's a great destination for vintage eiderdowns, cushions and furniture. Next dates, October 27 and 28, dmgantiquefairs.com. <br></p><p>Cath Kidston sends her scouts to Sunbury Antiques Market for inspiring vintage clothes. Entrance is free. Next dates, October 13 and 27. Kempton Park Racecourse, Middlesex, 01932 230946. <br></p><p>AFTERCARE</p><p>Hasthe buckle on your Burberry trench bust? Is your Prada handbag zip lessthan zippy? Many designer labels offer an aftercare service. Prada willrepair any items, while Burberry is happy to replace buckles, belts andbuttons. Gucci even has an aftersales department in which to'hospitalise' damaged goods. </p><p>B</p><p>BEAUTY</p><p>Marcia Kilgore, founder of Bliss spas, claims that her Soap &amp; Glory Make Yourself Youthful Serum is probably the best anti-ageing product she has ever made. And, at ¡ò13, we're inclined to agree (blisslondon.com). <br></p><p>Sally's Hair And Beauty wholesalers has got to grips with all your hair and beauty needs. Pick up anything from curling tongs to tweezers (08456 014861, sallyexpress.com). </p><p>BORROW</p><p>If only more people would allow you to borrow something before you're made to part with your pennies. Knitwear designer Keep &amp; Share will do exactly that - it will even refund your postage if you decide to return the item (keepandshare.co.uk). <br></p><p></p><p>C</p><p>CHARITY SHOPS</p><p>There are more Oxfams in Britain than you can throw a shrunken cashmere sweater at. Here are a selection worth travelling to: Edinburgh's Nicolson Street store is great for designer seconds - items by Armani, D&amp;G and Missoni have all been spotted instore recently (0131 662 4498). <br></p><p>For homeware, head to the Truro branch (01872 278792). The hottest tip is Manchester's Oldham Street branch, where WAGs deposit their unwanted Ginas and Versaces (0161 228 3797). <br></p><p>Eastbourne's charity shops are bursting with vintage treasures. Best of the bunch are the British Red Cross (01323 412787), the British Heart Foundation (01323 640213) and Help The Aged (01323 412485). </p><p>CUSTOMISE</p><p>'If you have a leather jacket, but have over-worn it, then cut the arms off, turn it into a waistcoat and hammer some studs into it,' says designer Alice Temperley. </p><p>Designers Katie Walsh and Fiamma Poltock, say: 'Transform an old LBD by visiting The Cloth House in Berwick Street, London W1, stockedwith wonderful silk chiffon. Buy two metres of one colour, or fourhalf-metres of some tonal colours, and make two sets of ruffles to sewon to the dress's shoulders.' (020 7437 5155, clothhouse.com.) </p><p>D</p><p>DYE</p><p>Fashion designer Sara Berman adores Dylon dyes. 'They're great for updating tired garments,' she says. Dylon dyes are ¡ò4.80 each, at John Lewis, 08456 049049.</p><p>E</p><p>EXCHANGE</p><p>Could you squeeze into one of Kylie's cast- offs? The diminutive songstress is a fan of DeuxiEme, a swap-shop on the New King's Road stocking designer and vintage items. Sell on your own goodies to earn credit (020 7736 3696; deuxieme.co.uk). </p><p>Or try going along to a Swishing party, provided you bring at least one quality garment to swap. Private parties can also be organised - after all, you might want to know who exactly got that Chanel jacket. (swishing.org).</p><p>F</p><p>FLOWERS</p><p>'Head to New Covent Garden Market in Vauxhall (020 7720 2211) for orchids before hosting a dinner party,' says Pringle creative director Clare Waight Keller. 'They're so affordable, you can get double the normal amount and create a fantastic arrangement.' </p><p>FRINGING</p><p>'Buy fringes and add them in sections to a top or a jacket to create a very cool look,' advises designer Emilio de la Morena. We recommend a looped fringe, 95p a metre, at ribbonmoon.co.uk. <br></p><p>G<br></p><p>GOLD PLATING</p><p>'Gold or silver plate your High Street jewellery to give it longevity,' says designer Joanna Sykes. It costs between ¡ò10 and ¡ò40 at City Gold Plating, Leather Lane, London EC1 (020 7831 8825; goldplatingspecialist.co.uk). <br></p><p>H<br></p><p>HABERDASHERY<br></p><p>Spinster'sEmporium is a delightfully designed site. Vintage fabric costs from ¡ò4a half-metre, with free p&amp;p, and there's a gift service(spinstersemporium.co.uk). </p><p>Buy sewing and knitting machines, from ¡ò129, at outlet site discountsewing.co.uk and learn how to use them at Just Sew, 33 North Road, Brighton (01273 689108). </p><p>'Feathers add luxury to your wardrobe,' says designer Katie Eary. 'Barnett Lawson Trimmings, London W1, has all colours, sizes and species.' (020 7636 8591, bltrimmings.com.) </p><p>Channel the spirit of Givenchy's autumn/winter 2009 collection and create feathered headwear with spectacular plumage, ¡ò4.95 a metre, at Bedecked in Hay-on-Wye (bedecked.co.uk). <br></p><p>I</p><p>INTERIORS</p><p>Vogue fashion director Lucinda Chambers has taken old favourites from her wardrobe and had them transformed into lampshades by Caroline Ashworth. What better way to continue enjoying clothing you no longer wear? (01986 874417, or email lampshades@ carolineashworth.com.) </p><p>SkinFlint in Falmouth, Cornwall, sells reclaimed and salvaged lighting from 1900 to 1960. The industrial fittings look fresh and distinctive, and cost far less than a designer shade (01326 314528, skinflint design.co.uk). </p><p>Zara Home (zarahome.co.uk) has bold prints, vibrant colours and good-quality furnishings that belie their price - the nursery range is excellent. </p><p>Personalise your stationery with a stamp commissioned from Blade Rubbers in Bury Place, London WC1 (020 7831 4123. bladerubberstamps.co.uk). <br></p><p>J</p><p>JEWELLERY</p><p>Rock 'n Rose is perfect for those coveting quirky charms and fauxvintage pendants. Look out for the 'Can't speak French' gold pendants spelling 'oui' and 'non', the octopus and the pocket-watch locket. From ¡ò10 (rocknrose.co.uk). </p><p>You've set your heart on a ¡ò20,000 diamond ring, but your head is advising you otherwise. Timothy Roe Fine Jewellery of South Street, Chichester (01243 538313), will craft designs to suit a more modest budget, working in any precious metal or gemstone.</p><p>K</p><p>KNITTING</p><p>Stitch &amp; Bitch London is just one branch of the popular knitophiles' network. Members encourage others to 'knit fast, purl young' (stitchandbitch london.co.uk). </p><p>Not only does North London-based yarn specialist Loop sell all your knitting needs, it also offers troubleshooting clinics, classes, and rails of knitwear from international designers (020 7288 1160, loopknitting.com). <br></p><p>L</p><p>LINGERIE<br></p><p>Want to channel the simple chic of a Galliano slip dress? Pick up a perfect-bias-cut slip at Blackout II, Endell Street, London WC2 - its lingerie collection dates back to the 1930s. Better still, pick up several and dye them in the jewel colours of autumn (020 7240 5006; blackout2.com). <br></p><p>The Vogue fashion team often visits whatkatiedid.com for vintage-reproduction lingerie for its photoshoots. We love the beautiful 1950s-style satin Harlow Bullet bra, ¡ò27.50. <br></p><p>M</p><p>MILLINERY</p><p>Create your own flower fascinator using wired ribbon, from VV Rouleaux ( 020 7224 5179, vvrouleaux.com) or The Sewing Rooms (020 8780 0126), bent into the shape of a flower. Fix on a comb and add lace, gems or feathers. <br></p><p>N</p><p>NIGHT CLASSES</p><p>TheAlison Victoria School of Sewing in Leicester offers beginners' classesin customising, alteration, recycling denim and creating bags. Coursesare just ¡ò35 for a half-day, or you can book a private tutorial for ¡ò65an hour (schoolof sewing.co.uk). <br></p><p>Or try mastering the art of the perfect smoky eyes or vermilion lips with an online make-up tutorial. Try Illamasqua's Art Of Application videos at illamasqua.com and Kevin Murphy's podcasts at kevinmurphystore.com. </p><p>At West Dean College's Upcycle programme in Chichester, students can learn anything from simple basics, such as How To Make A Skirt, to the more outlandish Machine Embroidery Inspired By Klimt (westdean.org.uk). <br></p><p>O</p><p>OUTLET OFFERS</p><p>Factory Shop in Bath (01749 O340583) offers discontinued lines and factory samples of ready-to-wear collections and accessories. Swathe yourself in cashmere at the factory outlet of Begg Scotland in Ayr (01292267615). Scarves start from ¡ò15, while throws go for just ¡ò80.</p><p>Le Creuset (0845 313 7502) has several outlets, but the store atGunwharf Quays, Portsmouth, is one of the largest. The classiccast-iron cooking pots are marked at 30 per cent off its retail price,while discontinued lines go for up to 50 per cent less. </p><p>P</p><p>PATTERNS</p><p>Vintagesewing patterns are a delight - even if you can't so much as thread aneedle, you can enjoy the pretty packaging. Buy yours at Masqueryde inRyde, Isle of Wight (01983 566333, masqueryde.co.uk). </p><p>Q</p><p>QUILTING</p><p>Thisseason's Chanel 2.55 quilted handbag will set you back ¡ò1,715. For aless eye-watering investment, Banana Republic's mini-purse on a goldchain caught Vogue's eye. It's only ¡ò85. For branches, phone 020 71491300. <br></p><p>R</p><p>REPAIRS</p><p>Breathe new life into long-forgotten shoes and bags at Mayfair Cobblers. Vogue fashion assistant Verity Parker had her Chanel handbag rejuvenated for just ¡ò25. For branches, phone 020 7491 3426. <br></p><p>The Queens of Vintage (Queensofvintage.com/category/make-mend) website has a special section dedicated to teaching customisation and repair techniques. Check it out before you chuck it out. <br></p><p>S</p><p>SHOES</p><p>KateKanzier's ¡ò15 sandals saw a stampede of Vogue girls descending on herLeather Lane emporium. Her bags, from ¡ò20, are equally on-trend, andhighly covetable (020 7242 7232, katekanzier.com). </p><p>'Add something special tosimple courts, strappy sandals or ballet flats with shoe clips,' saysshoe designer Charlotte Olympia. </p><p>'It's easy to make them from old trimmings, silk flowers and costume jewellery. For something more permanent, try embellishing an old pair of Converse trainers with studs and rivets.' <br></p><p>SHOULDER PADS</p><p>'Add shoulder pads to your boyfriend's cashmere sweater,' say Preen designers Justin Thornton and Thea Bregazzi. 'Go see the shoulder-pad lady at John Lewis (08456 049049) for an instant, effortlessly cool look.' <br></p><p>T</p><p>TAILORS</p><p>Agnews of Spring Street, Brighton (01273 739441), will take up and hand-finish a pair of men's smart trousers for just ¡ò13. Owner Adrian Kenward is usually dressed head-to-toe in 1940s garb, and is an excellent source of information about caring for your own vintage items. </p><p>Have your High Street denim altered and customised for a fit worthy of a designer at Mo's Tailoring, South Molton Street, London W1 (020 7493 9718). A taper and cuff will cost you between ¡ò16 and ¡ò25. <br></p><p>U</p><p>USEFUL BOOKS</p><p>Orchids On Your Budget, by MarjorieHillis (Virago Press, ¡ò10), has tips for thrifty living which are asrelevant today as when they were first published in 1937. Departmentstore John Lewis has refreshed its famous wartime pamphlet ofmoney-saving tips for keeping house - Make Do And Mend (¡ò5) - which isfilled with crafts, nifty repairs and fashion fixes. </p><p>How To Feed A Man With Love, byStasha Butterfly ( Krackencreative, ¡ò20), is a curiously compelling andessential guide for Stepford Wives-in-waiting. </p><p>Kid Made Modern-52 Kid-FriendlyProjects Inspired by Mid-Century Modern Design, by Todd Oldham (AmmoBooks, ¡ò15), will get your children recycling through projects thatwill also keep them away from Messrs Disney and Nintendo.</p><p>V</p><p>VINTAGE</p><p>Wardrobe,the vintage clothing store, of Upper North Street, Brighton(01273202201), is like a showgirl's dressing room - dazzling. Sequined,embroidered and marabou-trimmed gowns hang alongside a covetablecollection of Art Deco jewellery. </p><p>Naomi Thompson's website Vintagesecret.com's stockof Frank Usher, Alice Pollock and Emilio Pucci vintage caused such astir, she now offers bespoke tea and dinner parties for her fans.</p><p>W</p><p>WEDDINGS</p><p>Want to exchange your vows in something old? Natasha Bailie sources vintage dresses and accessories from all over the world. She's also happy to find your heart's desire if she doesn't already have it (020 3286 7337; natashabailie.com). <br></p><p>XYZ<br></p><p>XL</p><p>Do your bit for the environment by cutting down on packaging and buying your favourite beauty products in bulk: Purity Cleanser by Philosophy, ¡ò30 for a litre, at qvcuk.com; Aveda Shampure Shampoo, ¡ò26 for a litre, at aveda.co.uk; Dermalogica Pump Size Special Cleansing Gel, ¡ò38 for 500ml, 0800 591818. <br></p><p>ZIPS</p><p>The Sewing Rooms, of Lacy Road, Putney, Southwest London (02087800126), has got every type and colour of zip you'll need. It's an open and shut case.</p><p>The Conde Nast Publications Ltd. See the full A-Z directory in the More Dash Than Cash issue of VOGUE (below right), out on Thursday. <br></p><p></p>?Goddess of glamour: Rosie Huntington-Whiteley's signature style is full length and fabulous<br><p> By <br>UPDATED:17:55 GMT, 7 July 2011</p><p>There's a new style fashion icon in town, and her name is Rosie Huntington-Whiteley.</p><p>No matter that reviews for her role in Transformers were less than flattering. When it comes to style, the 24-year-old Burberry model and Victoria's Secret Angel can do no wrong. <br></p><p>She has a modelling CV that is as long as her endless legs: Aside from being Burberry's golden girl, she is a Vogue cover star, Pirelli girl and Prada runway model. But it is since pairing up with British actor Jason Statham and landing her first film role - taking over from Megan Fox in the third Transformers movie - that we've been seeing a lot more of Rosie. <br></p><p> </p><p>Sophisticated: On the red carpet Rosie wears long dresses with flowing trains, baring arms, shoulders, back or a glimpse of thigh. Left, in custom-made Burberry; centre, red Antonio Berardi; right, silver Naeem Khan</p><p>Now, each time the 5'9" model sets foot on the red carpet, her arrival is heralded by the incessant poppingof flashbulbs. Men want her, women want to be her.<br></p><p>The girl from Tavistock, Devon, bullied at school for her flat chest and big lips (oh, the irony!) is a natural born star. </p><p>As her star has ascended, so has her style. Already at home on the best-dressed lists, now that Rosie has gone stellar she has developed a signature look for the red carpet, showcased over the course of the Transformers premieres. <br></p><p></p><p>Almost invariably she chooses ultra-glamorous, sophisticated column gowns with trains that pool at her feet. Rarely showing more than aglimpse of leg with a thigh split, Rosie instead ramps up the sex appeal with a plunging neckline or cut-out back. <br></p><p>She favours a few choice designers: Burberry, naturally - the label custom-made her midnight blue satin evening gown - as well as Antoni Berardi, Stella McCartney, Naeem Khan and Armani - all sophisticated labels that focus on exquisite tailoring and fabrics. <br></p><p> </p><p>Signature style: Left, Rosie wears chartreuse one-shouldered Gucci for the Moscow premiere; centre, in Valentino Haute Couture with studded platforms, right, in hot pink Michael Kors for another Moscow event<br></p><p>Shoes tend to be nude - she loves her Christian Louboutin pumps - and always high.<br></p><p>Even off the red carpet, Rosie's dresses follow form. For nights on the town, she chooses well-tailored, form-fitting dresses with knee-length or just shorter hemlines - never thigh-skimming minis - and vamps it up with plunging neck or cut-out back, at the most, conceding to a judicious split.</p><p>Off-duty, her dress-down days involve palazzo pants with silk shirt or shell, summer dresses with pumps, or for a dash of rock n roll edge, leather trousers - and these days the model is rarely seen without a bag from Burberry's nude collection.<br></p><p>Fortunate enough to not know the meaning of a bad angle, she is never the victim of a wretched photograph: there's never a shiny forehead, a grimace or a hair out of place, yet her make up is always natural. To the untrained eye, she might even be described as bare-faced. <br></p><p> </p><p>Even Rosie's evening looks away from the red carpet demonstrate a 'look': Demure hemline, form fitting - but with either a deep plunge or cut-out back that reveals flawless skin. Left, in Burberry Prorsum; centre, Stella McCartney with nude Louboutin pumps; right, backless MaxMara</p><p>Those in the know are aware that this dewy look is the result of hours in make up - but don't be fooled: even without make up, Rosie is flawless. </p><p></p><p>She has fans in high places, with fashion photographer Rankin devoting a book entirely to her titled, Ten Times Rosie. Huntington-Whiteley puts diversity back into fashion, he says.</p><p> 'We&#8217;ve been looking at very, very skinny, almost masculine girls for a long time. [Rosie] really is the model of the moment. She&#8217;s the actress of the moment. <br></p><p>'She&#8217;s definitely going to become something much, much bigger.'</p><p>He's right. There's a magnetic allureto Rosie that is felt by both men and women (and, judging by the Transformers gig, teenage boys). <br></p><p>Film flop or not, it looks like Rankin's words could be strangely prophetic.</p>?Gucci top man in move to Burberry<p>By <br>UPDATED:23:00 GMT, 6 May 2004</p><p></p><p>GUCCI, the luxury goods company recently taken over by French retailer Pinault-PrintempsRedoute, suffered yet another high-level defection as executive vice-president Brian Blake quit to become chief operating officer of Burberry. </p><p>Blake, 48, will also have the grandiose title of worldwide president at the 148-year-old London-based company, although he will report to chief executive Rose Marie Bravo. He replaces Thomas O'Neill, who resigned last month to become chief executive of Harry Winston, the New York diamond retailer. </p><p>In his 17 years at Gucci, Blake has had many jobs, including heading its watches and American division. </p><p>Details of his salary were not being released but O'Neill was paid a total of &pound;1.2m last year. </p><p>He joins Burberry in June and is expected to be put on the board by the autumn. </p><p>His departure follows those of Gucci chief executive Domenico De Sole, creative director Tom Ford and finance director Robert Singer. </p><p>Blake said: 'Burberry has such a strong foundation to build upon and such a compelling strategy in place. </p><p>'It is exciting for me to have the opportunity to work with Rose Marie Bravo and the team to continue the momentum and challenge the business through its next phase.' </p><p></p>?GUS checks out of Burberry<p>By <br>UPDATED:10:37 GMT, 25 May 2005</p><p></p><p>HIGH Street retailer to business services group Great Universal Stores surprised the City this morning with plans to demerge Burberry, the clothing chain in which it holds a 66% stake. </p><p>A &pound;1bn-plus windfall from the deal failed to placate GUS investors with the shares failing 28&frac12;p to 860p in early trading. Burberry shares were down 9p at 370p.</p><p>The group, which also owns DIY retailer Homebase and catalogue store Argos, had been expected to sell off Experian, its credit rating and business services unit. But GUS said today that although separation in the future would happen it believed that the business will benefit from further investment and support as part of the group. </p><p>Burberry, which yesterday reported a 21% rise in annual profits and 10% increase in sales, will be demerged later this year. GUS said it will consolidate its shares at the same time though it gave few details. </p><p>Last week GUS raised &pound;142m through the sale of its remaining 50% stake in Lewis Group, the South African retail business. News of a further break-up at GUS will go down well in the City. </p><p>Many pundits believe a break-up of the group, with Experian, the business services unit, sold or demerged, is the best way to deliver shareholder value. Earlier this month GUS beefed-up Experian, spending up to $380m on Californian-based website business LowerMyBills.com. </p><p>Chairman Sir Victor Blank said that a strategic review had concluded that there was no strategic logic in keeping Argos Retail Group, Experian and Burberry together under the same corporate roof. He said that precise timing of the Burberry demerger would be announced in due course. </p><p>Blank was talking after GUS unveiled record profits at all three businesses, but group pre-tax profit was little changed at &pound;693m after exceptional charges. These included a &pound;16.2m hit to cover a fine on Argos by the Office of Fair Trading two years ago after finding that the company had worked with Littlewoods to fix the prices of toys and games. </p><p>In April the Competition Appeal Tribunal ruled that the penalties imposed on the companies were fair and proportionate. Today, however, GUS confirmed that it is seeking leave to appeal against the ruling which it described as an 'unfair decision'. </p><p>Although headline profits were up at Argos, the retail business reported its first fall in underlying quarterly sales for six years back in April, starkly illustrating the downturn in UK consumer spending. The company said it is extending the store chain to more than 750 over the next four years. </p><p>The Argos Extra format is being rolled out as well. Argos extra has over 4,000 more product lines than the main Argos catalogue's 13,300 lines. The roll-out of Argos Extra is expected to add 2%-3% to sales in the first full year as consumers become more aware of the extended ranges. </p><p>&#149; </p>?GUS lines up Burberry float<p>By <br>UPDATED:00:00 GMT, 29 November 2001</p><p></p><p>GREAT Universal Stores is pushing ahead with the &pound;2bn float of its Burberry fashion arm by bringing its Asian licensing arrangements in-house. </p><p>GUS chief executive John Peace, reporting a healthy 11% jump in group half-year profits before tax and exceptionals to &pound;206m, said up to 25% of Burberry would be floated by next June. </p><p>Burberry is close to completing the purchase of most of its Asian licence and distribution arrangements outside Japan, a deal that will simplify the group and give it more control over the familiar chequered brand. </p><p>Burberry lifted sales by 30% and profits by 50% in the half-year and the management has been strengthened by the appointment of Tom O'Neill from luxury goods group LVMH to run the key Asian operations. </p><p>Peace said Burberry might seek a secondary listing in New York as well as a primary listing in London. GUS shares put on 48p to 633 1/2p as the company revealed it had been resistant to the 11 September fallout. </p><p></p>?GUS pushes on with Burberry float<p>By and <br>UPDATED:23:00 GMT, 11 July 2002</p><p></p><p>WHETHER brave or foolhardy, retailer GUS is going ahead with the Burberry float today. It has priced the shares at 230p, at the bottom of the 230p-290p range. The decision to proceed despite market turmoil will puzzle some City experts. </p><p>But GUS finance director David Tyler said there were few signs the market would improve if the float were delayed. 'Clearly we would have liked a higher price, but we did not have to squeeze every penny out of this deal,' he said. 'It is very difficult to put off flotations without it being inferred that there was no support for it. The institutions have shown they support it.' </p><p>GUS is floating 22.5% of the company. It has given Merrill Lynch an option to issue another 3% if demand is high. The float values Burberry at &pound;1.15bn and raises &pound;258m. Burberry boss Rose Marie Bravo gets a 1% stake worth &pound;11m, plus options over another 1%. </p><p>If Burberry had been priced at 290p, another &pound;67m would have been raised. 'This is the equivalent of just 7p on the GUS share price,' said Tyler. 'I think the shares would have fallen more than that if the float had not gone ahead.' </p><p>GUS is one of the only companies willing to brave the current market. Focus Wickes and Yell have scrapped their floats. GUS fell 15 1/2p to 556p. </p>?GUS says Burberry float will go ahead<p>By <br>UPDATED:23:00 GMT, 10 October 2001</p><p></p><p>SALES at Burberry shops have slumped in the wake of last month's terrorist atrocities in America but Great Universal Stores, which owns the luxury business, insists it is pressing ahead with plans for a partial float in the next eight months. </p><p>Burberry, best-known for its plaid-lined trench coats, has been the star performer in the GUS stable, which includes the Argos shops chain and Kay's home shopping catalogues. But the biggest part of the group, accounting for about 40% of profits, is credit checking operation Experian, which GUS said has also been hit by the terrorist fallout. </p><p>The Burberry business turned in another sparkling first-half sales performance, with underlying turnover storming ahead by 31% in the six months to 30 September. But between 11 September and 30 September, sales at its 60-strong shops chain, which had been running about 10% higher, slumped by 15%. </p><p>Despite that, the group said the partial float will go ahead by June next year 'subject to market conditions'. Finance director David Tyler said a large proportion of the Burberry business remains robust. 'Around two thirds of its sales come from domestic operations in Japan and Spain, where we have no shops, and we have been entirely unaffected there,' he said. </p><p>Analysts have put a price tag of between &pound;1bn and &pound;2bn on Burberry but the figure is now likely to be toward the lower end of the range. </p><p>Experian's North American sales for the five months to end-August had been 4% ahead but the September slump takes the six-month figure to 1%. </p><p>'We had been rather pleased with the way things were going,' said Tyler. 'But the effect of the attacks was immediate. In that climate, nobody wants to put leaflets through doors offering people things like insurance policies.'</p><p>The picture is brighter outside North America. Experian in the UK has been unaffected and Experian International sales were 11% ahead over the first half. </p><p>Like-for-like sales at Argos romped ahead by 13%. Tyler said consumer demand remained strong, with furniture, electricals, consumer electronics and white goods among the best performers. In home shopping, sales were 3% lower although spending per head was up as the group concentrates on its more profitable customers. GUS will publish its interim profits on 29 November. </p>?GUS spells out Burberry demerger terms<p>By <br>UPDATED:08:03 GMT, 17 November 2005</p><p></p><p>BURBERRY will be handed over to GUS shareholders early next month through a special dividend. </p><p>The demerger sees the Argos-to-Homebase stores group give its 66% stake in the luxury goods brand, worth &pound;1.2bn, to its own shareholders. </p><p>On present share valuations, GUS shareholders will be given 305 Burberry shares and 895 new GUS shares for every 1000 old GUS shares they hold on 13 December. </p><p>The final ratio will be decided based on both share prices averaged over the four days to this Friday. But the company warned the immediate outlook for Argos and Homebase was tough. </p><p>GUS chief executive John Peace said: 'We are planning on the assumption that over the next 12 months like-for-like sales will remain in decline for the non-food and non-clothing markets as whole. </p><p>'The steps we are taking will see Argos Retail Group emerge from this downturn in a stronger competitive position.'</p><p>He also said that the board remains committed to splitting up its consumer credit arm Experian and Argos Retail Group, which Peace believes 'will enhance shareholder value further'. </p><p>He would not indicate the timing or method of this demerger. Analysts believe it is unlikely to happen until at least the second half of next year. </p><p>Chairman Sir Victor Blank wished Burberry and its management well and said: 'This is another major step in focusing GUS on fewer activities. Distributing our stake to existing GUS shareholders will enable them to participate directly in the exciting growth opportunities we see at Burberry.'</p><p>Earlier this week, the iconic check clothes and accessories group, which will shortly take on its new chief executive Angela Ahrendts, reported a modest slip in profits to &pound;78m on a 2% rise in sales.</p><p>Since GUS floated 34% of Burberry in mid-2002, the shares have soared from a low of 150p to their current 393&frac12;p but the growth in Burberry's value has never been fully reflected in its parent's share price. </p><p>Back at GUS, Peace highlighted the growth at Experian: 'I am delighted with its performance. It earned &pound;200m profit for the first time in a half-year and delivered its seventh consecutive six-month period of double digit sales and profit growth.'</p><p>He admitted the retail businesses were finding the going tough, although both Argos and Homebase had gained market share and improved gross margins. </p><p>Headline profits dropped from &pound;407m to &pound;376m after an expected &pound;20m of exceptional costs at Argos and a &pound;12m loss on the sale of the Lewis stores. </p><p>Sales, as already reported, were up only 2% at Argus Retail Group and moved into negative territory in the second quarter with Argos like-for-likes down 2% and Homebase's down 6%. </p><p>Peace does not intend to update the market on sales now until after Christmas. </p><p></p>?GUS takes over Burberry Spain<p>By and <br>UPDATED:23:00 GMT, 2 July 2000</p><p></p><p>Luxury clothes group Burberry, owned by catalogue retailer Great Universal Stores, has taken control of its Spanish stores in a &#163;132m deal, it has been announced.</p><p>The deal will see GUS buy Burberry's Spanish licensee - Spain is Burberry's second largest market behind Japan.</p><p>Burberry Spain, which last year generated sales of &#163;127m, is presently run by the Mora family, who will continue to manage the business in the future.</p><p>The move is part of GUS's strategy to regain control of the Burberry brand, and follows the group renewing its licence arrangement in Japan earlier this year.</p><p>Rose Marie Bravo, chief executive of Burberry, said: 'We are delighted to work in total collaboration with this most successful partner and look forward to continuing our brand development in merchandising and marketing in the vibrant Spanish market.'</p><p>Ms Bravo, who took the helm in 1997, has been credited with turning round the Burberry business and vastly improving profits. John Peace, chief executive of GUS, said: 'The acquisition of Burberry Spain is another step towards the reorganisation of Burberry by its new management team as a truly global company. Building on Burberry's successful new ranges, as well as the new Japanese licence agreement which is now adding greatly to profits, this acquisition in Spain further enhances the value of Burberry for GUS shareholders.'</p><p>Under the deal, Burberry will also take on &#163;5m debt and will pay a further consideration of up to &#163;26m dependent on performance.</p>?GUS to cash in on Burberry revival<p>By <br>UPDATED:00:00 GMT, 30 November 2000</p><p></p><p>Retail conglomerate Great Universal Stores is to cash in on the spectacular performance of its revitalised Burberry brand, with plans for a partial flotation likely to value the luxury goods business at more than &pound;1bn. </p><p>Chief executive John Peace said the move was designed to enhance shareholder value and that GUS has decided on a partial float rather than outright sale 'because we believe there's still plenty of growth to come and we want our shareholders to benefit from that.' </p><p>Shares in GUS have been buoyant in recent weeks on Burberry float hopes and confirmation of the decision saw them add another 11 3/4p to 528p. </p><p>Around 25% of the Burberry business is likely to be offered within the next 18 months, raising more than &pound;250m for GUS. The company, Britain's biggest home shopping group, also owns the Argos catalogue showrooms chain.</p><p>Famous for its beige check raincoats, Burberry has been transformed by its American chief executive, Rose Marie Bravo. She was parachuted in a couple of years ago from Saks Fifth Avenue to shake up the ailing business, bringing in more-fashionable, younger products, and has succeeded in transforming its performance. </p><p>Interim results showed Burberry profits surged from just &pound;4.3m to &pound;26.6m in the six months to 30 September, on sales ahead from &pound;94.1m to &pound;185.4m. </p><p>'Rose Marie and her team have done a great job - and Kate Moss in her bikini helped quite a bit too,' said Peace. The supermodel fronted a glossy Burberry advertising campaign which helped revitalise the brand. </p><p>Interim results for the group as a whole were unspectacular, but slightly ahead of analysts' expectations at &pound;181m pre tax against &pound;176m. Earnings were virtually unchanged at 13.7p and the half-time dividend was held at 6.2p a share. </p><p>Its credit information business, Experian, showed improvement after last year's disappointing performance in North America, pushing its contribution ahead from &pound;97.2m to &pound;105.7m. </p><p>Argos continued its good performance, with profits up from &pound;31.7m to &pound;35.7m, and GUS said the business was on course to achieve its planned cost savings. </p><p>Home Shopping remained in decline, with sales down by another 5% to &pound;702m, and operating profits tumbling by 15% to &pound;8.3m. The group said the market remains difficult, particularly in clothing, where fashion sales were down by 11%. Cost savings of some &pound;16m were made in the first half. </p><p></p>?October 2012Prize valueWinning bond No.Area¡ò1,000,000176ND537520Overseas ¡ò100,000190YL731192Dudley ¡ò100,00086ZY785587West Sussex ¡ò100,000186AQ461669Derbyshire ¡ò100,000183SA844038Sheffield ¡ò100,0005EJ713506Northern Ireland ¡ò50,000189HA961605Bradford ¡ò50,00017QC030688Nottingham ¡ò50,000150ZZ067504Hertfordshire ¡ò50,000126RT689109Southampton ¡ò50,000111CA212785Greater Manchester ¡ò50,00024JC837905Edinburgh ¡ò50,000110ZL786330Kent ¡ò50,000147QP328139Cumbria?Red-carpet touch-up for Emma Watson before she weaves her black magic at Harry Potter premiere in New York<br><p>By <br>UPDATED:15:02 GMT, 1 December 2010</p><br><p>Emma Watson brought a little black magic to the red carpet at the New York premiere of Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows last night.<br></p><p>The actress dazzled onlookers in a slinky floor length dress and heels, with a gold glittery clip in her new pixie hairdo as she arrived at the Alice Tully Hall in Manhattan.</p><p>She was joined on the red carpet by her Harry Potter co-stars Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Tom Felton.<br></p><p> </p><p>Watson is currently studying at Brown University in the US where history classes are her favourite. <br></p><p>She admits it can be tricky juggling her education with fame.</p><p>'It is pretty tough,' she says. 'But I have to be very organised with my time and just do my best.'<br></p><p>Meanwhile, Radcliffe has been preparing for the Broadway revival of How to Succeed in Business WithoutReally Trying, which opens in March. <br></p><p>'I'm doing a huge amount of singing lessons and dancing lessons,' he said. </p><p> </p><p>'Before I started work on [the film The Woman in Black], I was doing nine hours a week of dance and eight hours a week of singing, so if I screw up, it's not for lack of trying.'</p><p>Radcliffe dismissed rumours there could be another Harry Potter book from J.K. Rowling, revealing the author sent him a text after last week's London premiere.</p><p>'Basically, it amounted to thefact that she felt I had been very good in this Harry Potter film, and as a reward for that, she wasn't going to [write] any more Harry Potter [books], he revealed to MTV News.</p><p>'I'm sure she will be writing other books,' he continued. 'But I can pretty much guarantee that Harry will not be a feature.'</p><p> </p><p> </p>?Now Harry Potter star Emma Watson wants a spell as a fashion designer<br><p> By <br>Created 9:59 PM on 23rd July 2011</p><p></p><p>Harry Potter actress Emma Watson has proved a hit in frontof the camera by modelling for Burberry, but now she wants to show off herskills as a fashion designer.</p><p>The 21-year-old, who also plans to continue herstudies at Oxford after cutting short her time at Brown University in Amer-ica,has been taking fabric-cutting, design and sewing classes, I'm told.</p><p>'Emmawants to challenge herself creatively.</p><p>'She's obsessed with art at the moment,'says a mole.</p><p>'She's already designed a line of T-shirts and wants toexpand her skills to create bespoke eveningwear.</p><p>'She looks up to designers such as Georgina Chapman andSarah Burton.</p><p>'She has also been studying the work of Joan Miro to inspireher.'</p><p> </p><p> </p>?Emma Watson to work her fashion magic on Alberta Ferrettifollowing success of her Fair Trade clothing line <br><p>By <br>UPDATED:16:17 GMT, 15 November 2010</p><p>She's starring in the blockbuster movie of the year, attends an Ivy league US University, and was a hit when she became the face of Burberry last year.</p><p>Now it seems Emma Watson is developing a reputation as a fashion powerhouse, as she so impressed the industry with her clothing line for Fair Trade label People Tree, she is now set to create an organic collection with Italian designer Alberta Ferretti.</p><p>Watson says the collection will be 'classic' with a 60s style.</p><p>'We are doing an organic clothing range. I can't reveal the name yet but there will be more information about it soon,' she told US Magazine.com.</p><p></p><p>Watson, who plays Hermoine Granger in the hugely successful Harry Potter movies, says the designer approached her after learning of her involvement with People Tree.</p><p>'She wrote to me and said, 'I saw what you did with People Tree and Ithink it's a great idea and will you do something with me?' she added.</p><p>'I will put it out there that I will work for anyone for free if they are prepared to make their clothing fairtrade organic.'</p><p>The star is currently studying at Brown University and has admittedthat she finds life as a student 'liberating' in comparison to thegruelling schedules while filming the wizard franchise, particularlythe latest installment Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.</p><p>'Itwas so liberating. I'd be smiling to myself and friends would say,'Emma, what's wrong?' and I'd say, 'I'm just happy'. I take pleasure inthe smallest thinks. Like, I'm going to wake up at 10 o'clock if I wantto. Or, I'm going to eat a sandwich now.<br><br>'I have such astructure when I'm working on Potter. I get told what time I getspicked up. I get told what time I can eat, when I have time to go tothe bathroom. Every single second of my day is not in my power.'</p><p>Watson has said that she's unsure whether she'll continue acting nowthe Harry Potter series has ended, and her latestventure has left manywondering whether she'll be swapping movies for a career in fashion.</p><p> </p><p> </p>?How Emma Watson helped Burberry lose its chequered past <br><p>By <br>UPDATED:09:59 GMT, 14 July 2010</p><br><p>Once everyone was wearing it. </p><p>Which, when you have built your name on quality and exclusivity, simply won't do. <br></p><p>But it seems that Burberry may at last have put its days as the chav uniform of choice behind it. <br></p><p>The girl it has to thank, apparently, is the magical Miss Emma Watson. <br></p><p>Fresh-faced, quietly confident, and world- famous thanks to her role in the Harry Potter films, she has seen the firm's fortunes skyrocket since she starred in its advertising campaigns. <br></p><p>That 2002 memory of former soap star and cocaine addict Danniella Westbrook kitted out head-to-toe in Burberry check - a moment which saw demand for the design plummet - can now be filed away under corporate nightmares.</p><p><br></p><p>The company, founded in 1856, has had to fight hard to protect its upmarket image against both counterfeiters and popularity with less-than-exclusive customers. <br></p><p>At one stage, cheap fakes flooded markets, leading to the designs becoming known as 'council house chic'. Burberry has also ended a number of deals supplying certain wholesalers amid concerns that its products were finding their way into discount outlets. <br></p><p>It was last year that the wholesome Miss Watson, 20, and her brother Alex, 18, featured in a series of moody images taken for Burberry by Mario Testino. <br></p><p>While that campaign revitalised the brand, sales figures responded with a 23 per cent jump in profits to ¡ò215million for the last financial year.</p><p>Yesterday that success showed no sign of slipping with the release of the company's latest figures. <br></p><p>Burberry said revenues were up by a better-than-expected 24 per centin the three months to the end of June. Sales in its stores were up 16per cent. <br></p><p>As well as enlisting Miss Watson, who plays Hermione in the HarryPotter movies, it has shifted a lot of its marketing to the internet. <br></p><p>The company has more than a million Facebook followers </p>?Harry Styles' rumoured model girlfriend Cara Delevingne takes New York Fashion Week by storm<p> By </p><p>PUBLISHED:14:50 GMT, 11 September 2012 UPDATED:17:08 GMT, 11 September 2012</p><p>Harry Styles' rumoured girlfriend Cara Delevingne has been non-stop during New York Fashion Week.</p><p>The 20-year-old British socialite-turned-model has starred in a number of shows after being recruited by designers including Jason Wu, Donna Karan, Marc Jacobs and Carolina Herrera.</p><p>She was recently described by Vogue as the 'star face' of this year's catwalk season and once again she has proved to be a hit with industry players.</p><p> </p><p>On Friday she appeared at the Jason Wu show, wearing a black floral-print dress with her lips rouged and herhair neatly pinned back.</p><p>Whilemany of the models including Carolyn Murphy wore sexy leather ensembles, Miss Delevingne's outfit from the spring / summer 2013 collection had a suitably sophisticated and young feel.</p><p></p><p>On Sunday the 5ft 9in Brit sported a preppy look for DKNY wearing roomy denim shorts along with a crisp white shirt and blazer.<br></p><p>Andyesterday she made two appearances, first at 10am for Carolina Herrera and again in the evening for U.S. designer Marc Jacobs.</p><p>At CarolinaHerrera's presentation blonde-haired Ms Delevingne starred alongside Karlie Kloss andLindsey Wixson working a duck egg blue shirt and black belted mac,which featured white piping. </p><p>But for the Marc Jacobs event shestepped out revealing a more glamorous guise, with penciled brows, a beehive hairstyle and a silk mini-dress which showed off her enviably long legs.<br></p><p>Immediately after the show Supermodels-Online took to Twitter exclaiming: 'Caradelevingne rocked the runway last night for Marc Jacobs #NYFW.'</p><p>While Vogue.com Tweeted: 'Oh @Caradelevingne, how we love your brows.'</p><p>Her older sister Poppy has been offering support during fashion week, attending the majority of the shows with friends.</p><p>Ms Delevingne received much attention after being unveiled as the face of Burberry's Spring Summer 2012 campaign alongside actor Eddie Redmayne, which was shot by Mario Testino,</p><p>Earlier this year at fashion week shewalked the runway for brands such as Shiatzy Chen, Jason Wu, Oscar de la Renta, Burberry, Dolce &amp; Gabbana, Fendi, Stella McCartney and Chanel and he is currently ranked #25 on models.com's 50 Top Models.</p><p>It was reported in August that she is dating One Direction star Harry Styles, after she was spotted leaving the Olympic VIP club at Omega House in London with him. In response to the rumours she Tweeted, 'please just stop guessing, you don't need to know'. <br></p>Showbiz roundup! Watson nip slip, Pink's giant knickers and the Duchess dazzles <p></p>?Has Burberry missed the float boat?<p>By <br>UPDATED:23:00 GMT, 28 May 2002</p><p></p><p>BASINGSTOKE is not, perhaps, best known as the centre of the fashion universe but it was there, almost 150 years ago, that 21-year-old Thomas Burberry laid the foundations of what was to become one of the world's hottest fashion labels. </p><p>The former draper's apprentice opened his first shop in the Hampshire town in 1856, later going on to wow 19th-century fashionistas with his invention of gabardine, a ground-breaking new fabric that was breathable but waterproof. Trenchcoats followed, although it was not until the 1920s that they were given the famous check lining that has since become the symbol of the Burberry group. </p><p>Today, parent company GUS pushed the button on a partial float that will value the Burberry business at more than &pound;1bn. It was backed by figures showing a surge in profits from &pound;10.7m in 1999 to just over &pound;90m last year, on worldwide sales a whisker away from &pound;500m. </p><p>Only five years ago, Burberry was languishing almost unnoticed within the GUS empire, which was more famous then for its rather less than stylish mail order catalogues. As for the fashionistas, they wouldn't have been seen dead in plaid. </p><p>The story of how Burberry transformed itself from purveyor of sturdy raincoats to elderly Japanese businessmen into a to-die-for designer label for the likes of style icons Kate Moss and Madonna is already the stuff of fashion legend, a casebook study in how to transform a brand. It began in 1997, when Rose Marie Bravo was brought in as chief executive. The elegant, energetic 51-year-old Italian-American, poached from Saks Fifth Avenue, is the driving force behind the resurgence of the Burberry business, both on the catwalk and in the City. GUS knows her worth - she is thought to earn &pound;1.2m a year, second only to group chief executive John Peace. </p><p>Fuelled by a stylish advertising campaign, the results were spectacular. By the time GUS announced its intention to float the business, the Burberry brand was hot, hot, hot. At one stage, over-excited analysts talked of a value approaching &pound;2bn. But that was 18 months ago - a lifetime in the fashion world and even longer in the world of finance, which since then has been badly shaken by the sharp slowdown in the luxury goods market post-11 September. Now, as the merchant bankers put the finishing touches to the share sale, the Burberry brand is not quite so hot. </p><p>With Burberry bikinis, shoes, wallets, dog coats, perfume and even prams, critics fear Bravo has simply stretched the brand too far. Copycat designs drawing heavily on the famous plaid can be bought up and down the High Street - even at the discount end of the market. Not the sort of thing that slips past the Style Police. </p><p>Bravo points to the fact that just 20% of the range still sports the trademark check but in the City the nagging feeling that Burberry may have left it too late has been heightened in recent weeks by the lukewarm response to new issues such as Punch Taverns and HMV. At the same time, rival fashion firm Prada, dusting off its own initial public offering plans, is now also jostling for investors' attention. </p><p>Peace has a robust response to those who say Burberry has missed the float boat, pointing out that many analysts had been urging GUS to sell it for only &pound;200m a few years ago. Now, it will raise that figure and more while still retaining as much as 75% of the shares. And, at &pound;1bn-plus, it is not a bad valuation for the firm founded by young Thomas Burberry - when GUS bought the business in 1955, it paid only &pound;1m. </p><p></p>?Helena Christensen loses the au naturel look for full on glamour to attend Burberry bash<br><p>By <br>UPDATED:09:59 GMT, 29 May 2009</p><p>She stepped out yesterday barefaced, and looking mournful.</p><p>But last night model Helena Christensen was back to her best as she arrived to attend a party thrown by fashion house Burberry in New York to celebrate Burberry Day.<br></p><p> </p><p>Helena joined over 300 guests including theOlsen twins, Mary-Kate and Ashley, Kirsten Dunst and Orlando Bloom to watch the Burberry logos on its new building being lit for thefirst time.</p><p></p><p>Yesterday the supermodel was snapped in New York looking rather less thanthe $10,000 she and her fellow catwalk queens used to demand to get outof bed.</p><p>Helena, 40, had puffy skin, bags under her eyes and an uneven complexion as she ran errands.</p><p>Her down-beat appearance proved even supermodels need professional help to look their best.</p><p>The model and photographer still has an enviable figure, despite giving birth to son Mingus nine years ago.</p><p>Last month, the Danish model was spotted in a tiny purple bikini as she holidayed in St Barts.</p><p>Helena joined a roll call of celebrities including actor Orlando Bloom, Gossip Girl star Blake Lively. who attended the party to celebrate Burberry's new American headquarters on Madison Avenue in New York City. <br></p><p>Presenter Alexa Chung provided music for the evening witha DJ set.</p><p>New York's Mayor Michael Bloomberg declaredyesterday as 'Burberry Day' in honour of the new store.<br></p><p></p>?High Street sales growth is languishing at half the pre-crisis levels, study says<p> By </p><p>PUBLISHED:21:17 GMT, 23 September 2012 UPDATED:21:17 GMT, 23 September 2012</p><p>Sales growth on Britain&#8217;s struggling High Streets is languishing at half the pre-crisis levels, claims gloomy new research from the British Retail Consortium. <br></p><p>The figures show average sales growth of 2.3 per cent so far this year, compared with 4.8 per cent in 2006. <br></p><p>They underline the difficulties facing retailers, with household names Burberry (pictured) and French Connection among those falling on tough times.</p><p>Stephen Robertson, director general of the BRC, called on the government to scrap the January rise in fuel dutyand freeze taxes on businesses to provide a much-needed boost to the retail sector.</p><p> </p>?How Burberry bagged itself a success story<p>By <br>UPDATED:10:08 GMT, 12 July 2007</p><p></p><p>How Burberry bagged itself a success storyA handbag modelled by Kate Moss has helped drive a 30% rise in Burberry's sales. </p><p>The fashion house has credited its latest trading successes with the Beaton - named after the society photographer Cecil Beaton. </p><p>The bag, which costs &pound;1,095, was central to an advertising campaign featuring Miss Moss with the sons of singer Bryan Ferry and Sir Richard Branson. </p><p>In another shot she was pictured with Rolling Stone Keith Richards's daughters. </p><p>The Beaton, which comes in patent leather and python skin patterns, has been carried by celebrities including Victoria Beckham. Burberry said yesterday that the Beaton and another bag, the Ashcombe, were at the forefront of positive sales. The Ashcombe, similar in size and style to a child's school pencil case, sells for &pound;295.</p><p> > </p><p>It has been carried by the actresses Sienna Miller and Demi Moore on the red carpet. </p><p>The company's &pound;1,595 Knight bag goes on sale this month. </p><p>Burberry told the City that it saw a 30% rise in underlying sales in the three months to June 30. </p><p>Chief executive Angela Ahrendts said the financial year was off to a 'good start' and the group's performance was on track with expectations. </p><p>The company's upbeat trading figures pleased City analysts. Seymour Pierce analyst Andrew Wade said: 'This was an excellent performance through what has been a difficult period for the fashion retailers.' </p>?How Emma Watson rescued Burberry<p>By <br>UPDATED:08:40 GMT, 6 August 2010</p><p></p><p>Once everyone was wearing it. Which, when you have built your name on quality and exclusivity, simply won't do. </p><p>But it seems that Burberry may at last have put its days as the chav uniform of choice behind it. The girl it has to thank, apparently, is the magical Miss Emma Watson. </p><p>Fresh-faced, quietly confident, and world-famous thanks to her role in the Harry Potter films, she has seen the firm's fortunes skyrocket since she starred in its advertising campaigns. </p><p>&#149; <br>&#149; </p><p>That 2008 memory of former soap star and cocaine addict Danniella Westbrook kitted out head-to-toe in Burberry check - a moment which saw demand for the design plummet - can now be filed away under corporate nightmares. </p><p>The company, founded in 1856, has had to fight hard to protect its upmarket image against both counterfeiters and popularity with less-than-exclusive customers. </p><p>At one stage, cheap fakes flooded markets, leading to the designs becoming known as 'council house chic'. Burberry has also ended a number of deals supplying certain wholesalers amid concerns that its products were finding their way into discount outlets. </p><p>It was last year that the wholesome Miss Watson, 20, and her brother Alex, 18, featured in a series of moody images taken for Burberry by Mario Testino. </p><p>While that campaign revitalised the brand, sales figures responded with a 23% jump in profits to &pound;215m for the last financial year. </p><p>Yesterday that success showed no sign of slipping with the release of the company's latest figures. </p><p>Burberry said revenues were up by a better-than-expected 24% in the three months to the end of June. Sales in its stores were up 16%. </p><p>As well as enlisting Miss Watson, who plays Hermione in the Harry Potter movies, it has shifted a lot of its marketing to the internet. </p><p>The company has more than a million Facebook followers. </p>?How stars are making a mint from fashion's front-row seats<br><p>By <br>UPDATED:19:24 GMT, 10 February 2010</p><br><p>London Fashion Week begins in a few days' time - bringing with it the annual scrum for publicity. <br></p><p>The front row of the high-profile shows will be crammed with celebrities. And while one or two might be genuinely interested, the rest will have been paid by the designers to appear. <br></p><p>So just how much do these front-row celebrities get? </p><p>Star-studded: Burberry's front row last season included Dev Patel, Freida Pinto Mary-Kate Olsen, Liv Tyler, Emma Watson and Gwyneth Paltrow</p><p></p><p> </p><p>High-earners: Rihanna, Blake Lively and Beyonce all command high fees for front row appearances<br></p><p> </p><p>For more celebrity rates at fashion shows, visit</p><p></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p> </p>?Hot to crop: How the Emma Watson haircut can be a serious career booster (just ask Posh)<br><p>By <br>UPDATED:09:55 GMT, 12 August 2010</p><br><p>Whether it is curly, blonde, frizzy or redhead, most women will admit that her hair is part of her identity. So a radical change in cut or colour will always be a major statement about how she wants to be seen.<br></p><p>When Emma Watson debuted her new pixie-style crop last week, she declared it 'the most liberating thing ever.'</p><p>We can only guess at the sort of message she was trying to put across,but with the Harry Potter series of films finally at an end, the formerchild star is probably trying to cultivate a new grown-up image.</p><p>'She is clearly making a big style statement and experimenting with her hair and look,' said Toni &amp; Guy International Artistic Director, Cos Sakkas.</p><p></p><p> 'It strikes me as a coming of age and mature step away from her long pretty look and embraces something far edgier that opens her up to new acting roles.'<br></p><p>But he warned that it could be an unforgiving style on the wrong person: 'Of course with an extreme, short cut likes this you need to facial features to pull it off - which Emma clearly has,' he added.</p><p>But Emma is not the first celebrity to lose her hair in an effort to boost her career or change the way we see them.</p><p> </p><p>Carey Mulligan's acting career took off after she cut her hair for WallStreet: Money Never Sleeps,garnering comparisons with Audrey Hepburn, while Hayden Panettiereadmitted that she 'doesn't like being cute' when she showed off asevere new do back in April.</p><p>And it's not just emerging young starlets going for the crop. Nancydell'Olio went for a radical feathered do after she split from formerEngland manager Sven-Goran Eriksson in 2007.</p><p>When Victoria Beckham finally gave up the extensions in favour of acrop that would eventually become the 'Pob', it marked the beginning ofher graduation from WAG to fashionista (as you can never be one and thesame).</p><p> </p><p>And Michelle Obama went for a super-sleek Rihanna style after herhusband became U.S. President, raising her profile in turn as a styleicon.</p><p>It's no coincidence that a simple modern haircut is bang on trend at the moment.</p><p>Spearheaded to great effect by supermodel Agyness Deyn, who is a firm fan of the crop, it's an effortlessly cool look that is refreshing in comparison with the over-styled image of many footballers' wives.<br></p><p>'WAGs have looked ridiculous for ages now,' hairdresser Luke Hersheson told The Times.</p><p>'Anything overdone is starting to look cheap - including really long hair.'<br></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><br><br>?Hundreds of designer bags must be won<p><br></p><p>We are all finding things tougher with the rising cost of living, but even in these difficult times our inner fashionista still craves the buzz of a little luxury. <br></p><p>The Daily Mail has launched its very own fashion boutique offering thousands of gorgeous clothes and accessories at up to 80% off. Why not take a look now. Simply click on the bag shown here and start shopping! <br></p> <p>Featuring more than one hundred different designer brands including Jimmy Choo, Valentino, Prada, Yves Saint Laurent, Miss Sixty, Made in Heaven, Superfine, Gucci, Nicole Fahri and Nike, to name but a few. <br></p><p><br>Plus with prices that start at under ¡ò20, it is a great place to shop for gifts to spoil your friends and family or to treat yourself. <br></p><br>How To Win A Designer Bag<br><p><br></p><p>To celebrate our exciting new launch we are offering you the chance to win one of 200 designer bags all this week. For your chance to win a designer bag, simply</p><p><br></p><p>Once you have entered you will be returned to the main promotions page. Usual promotions rules apply. <br></p><br><br><p> </p>?'It was a womb issue for me': Hunger Games star Elizabeth Banks opens up about using a surrogate mother to have her son Felix <br><p> By <br>UPDATED:07:57 GMT, 4 January 2012</p><p>Elizabeth Banks has opened up about her struggle to become a mum, revealing that she needed someone to carry her baby. <br></p><p>The blonde actress has spoken to Lucky about her quest to have a child with her husband Max Handelman. <br></p><p>Elizabeth - who appears on the front cover of the February edition of the US magazine - says: 'It was a womb issue for me.<br></p><p>'Embryos wouldn't implant.'</p><p>The couple asked a woman to carry their son, who was conceived using Elizabeth's egg and her husband's sperm. <br></p><p>'It's a big leap, inviting this person into your life to do this amazing, important thing for you,' she says.</p><p>'But our surrogate is so extraordinary, and she's still in our lives. She's like an auntie.' <br></p><p>The couple's first child Felix was born in March last year.</p><p>He may just be three months shy of a year old, but Elizabeth is already looking forward to her son's teens.</p><p>The actress says she has mapped out his 15th birthday.<br></p><p>'My plan is that when Felix is 15, we'll go skydiving together. <br></p><p>'I mean, the guy is fierce and fearless and I'm hoping he stays that way, because I want to be that mum. <br></p><p>'The one who takes her kid skydiving.'</p><p>It'snot a surprising statement from a woman who says she was such a tomboy she spent her childhood toying with cars. <br></p><p>The oldest of four says: 'We played baseball and fixed cars, because that's what Dad liked to do with us.'</p><p>Speaking of her daring childhood she says: 'Fun was jamming a stick into a beehive and running.'</p><p>Elizabethappears on the front cover of the magazine wearing a Stella McCartney dress but she insists that she was not always a fashionista. </p><p>She says: 'I was kind of late to the party. I mean, I have always appreciated fashion. <br></p><p>'But I'm a girl who loves a bargain. <br></p><p>'I'll shop at [US chain] Forever 21 and H&amp;M.'</p><p>Despite her ability to spot a bargain, Elizabeth says she does appreciate designer clothes. <br></p><p>'I love Prada shoes. I cannot get enough of them,' she says. 'Or Valentino. <br></p><p>'I wore gold-studded Valentinos at the shoot today - they were amazing. <br></p><p>'I'm always impressed by the craftsmanship and beauty of shoes.'</p><p>However, the young mum admits she hasn't got as much time to pamper herself these days. <br></p><p>'Normally for photo shoots I get a full wax,' she tells the magazine, 'some tanning, a facial. <br></p><p>'But this time I've done nothing.' <br></p><p>To read the full interview with Elizabeth Banks go to </p><p> </p>?Introducing the Burberry babes of 2008<p>Last updated at 13:11 07 January 2008</p><br><p>'Hot' lists are de rigueur at this time of year but if you wantto know who is truly boiling for 2008, there is arguably no moreaccurate a barometer than the Burberry advertising campaign.</p><p>According to its latest campaign for this spring, those whosestar is in the ascendant include Coco Sumner, daughter of Sting,Merlin Ferry, son of Bryan, actors Alex Pettyfer and EddieRedmayne, golfer Liam Wade and musicians Will Cameron and JackBevan.</p><p>Scroll down for more...</p><p>Oh, and not forgetting model Agyness Deyn, linchpin of thecampaign for the third year running, who is joined by a supportingcast of new young British models including Laura Fraser, EdieCampbell and Alice Gibb.</p><p>Deyn, who models silk trenchcoats, skinny dresses and amilitary-style coat, is starting the year on a high after a stellar2007 which saw her crowned Model Of The Year at the British FashionAwards.</p><p></p><p>Photographed by Mario Testino, the colour images are a departurefrom the black and white shots that were the brand's trademark inthe days when Kate Moss led the campaigns.</p><p>The fashion house's designer, Christopher Bailey, said:"Movement, energy and character are the defining spirit of this newcampaign. I wanted to work with an eclectic and talented group ofthe best British musicians, actors, models and sportspeople who arenew additions to the Burberry family."</p><p>A keen music fan, Yorkshireman Bailey prides himself on hissupport for young British music talent. Last month he launched anew Burberry perfume, The Beat, at a rock venue in Camden with alive performance by The Fratellis.</p><p>Of course, the real star of the show is not the lead singer of aband, or even crop-haired model Deyn - it is the new Burberry Itbag.</p><p>Following in the footsteps of the Manor, a favourite withVictoria Beckham, and the Knight, beloved by Sienna Miller, is theWarrior, a crescent-shaped titan sprinkled with metal studs inkeeping with the tough lines of the new clothes.</p><p>With a starting price of &pound;1,595 for the basic leatherversion, those women hoping that handbags might be cheaper thisyear are in for a disappointment.</p><p>If there is a recession looming, nobody told Burberry'scustomers, who bought with such alacrity that the firm posted a 31per cent rise in profits last year.</p><p>Top performers were handbags costing between &pound;800 and&pound;2,600, which only 18 months ago accounted for five per centof all handbag sales, a figure that has now risen between 50 and 60per cent.</p><p>So strong is the demand for ultra-expensive bags that the newWarrior will also come in gold alligator, with a price tag of&pound;13,000. There will also be lizard and python versionscosting up to &pound;11,000.</p>Share this article: <p> </p>?Is Rosie Huntington-Whiteley the only woman horizontal stripes DON'T make look fat? Model looks slimmer than ever in bodycon dress<br><p> By <br>UPDATED:16:40 GMT, 2 December 2011</p><br><p>They say that women should steer clear of horizontal stripes, but Rosie Huntington-Whiteley obviously ignores that advice.</p><p>The 24-year-old model and actress needn't worry about the unflattering pattern making her look bad as her figure still looks rather trim.</p><p>The Transformers star showed off her slender self at the grand opening of the Burberry store in Paris last night and her body was certainly centre of attention.</p><p> </p><p>Wearing a knee-length stripy bodycon skirt and a teal coloured top - both by the designer - Rosie looked the slimmest she's ever been.</p><p>The Victoria's Secret model elongated her slender frame by wearing a pair of black pointy stilettos and emphasised her waist with a chunky belt.</p><p>But also noticeable in the strappy dress was her bony shoulders and her collar bone, which jutted out quite dramatically.</p><p>However, Rosie didn't seem bothered by her bones sticking out and laughed as she arrived at the event.</p><p>Showing off her natural beauty in minimal make-up and just a hint of lip gloss, the star wore her hair in a loose style and posed for the cameras confidently.</p><p>Rosie spent time having her photo taken with Chief Creative Officer at Burberry, Christopher Bailey, at the new French store.</p><p>The model was relatively unknown in the fashion industry up until 2008, chief creative officer Bailey, casther replacing Agyness Deyn for the brand's Autumn/winter campaign with actor Sam Riley.</p><p>But it's not just clothes that Rosie models for the designer as in July this yearshe was unveiled as the face of their newest fragrance, Burberry Body.</p><br><br><br><br><br><br>?Is this the next Emma Watson? Straight-A schoolgirl joins Rosie Huntington Whiteley in Burberry model line-up<br><p>By <br>UPDATED:08:40 GMT, 2 September 2010</p><p>Nina Porter may have just been awarded six A* and five A grades in her GCSEs, but the schoolgirl landed an even more impressive coup earlier this summer, as the new face of Burberry.<br></p><p>The 16-year-old, who is the face of the brand's debut make-up range, follows in the footsteps of Emma Watson and Kate Moss, joining new Transformers star Rosie Huntington-Whiteley in the current campaign, which was shot by Mario Testino. <br></p><p>Porter, who returns to school this week to study A-levels in art, photography and textiles, said that she was equally excited about both achievements.</p><p>She told the Evening Standard that modelling was 'a hobby on the side' and that she was hoping to study fashion design at university.</p><p>'Modelling is really good because it helps me to understand the fashionindustry,' she said. <br></p><p>'My parents, who have been really supportive,pointed out that modelling would be a good way to meet people who havedone what I would like to do.'</p><p></p><p>She told Vogue.com how she bumped into the top fashion photographer soon after her casting.</p><p>She said: 'I went to the Frieze Art Fair, and [Mario Testino] wasthere. He recognised me and came over for a chat - that was great as Iwas to shoot the campaign a few days after. </p><p>'He is always charming and friendly which makes it much easier to relax and enjoy the experience.'</p><p>She added that the other models on the shoot, which included LilyDonaldson, who also attended Camden School for Girls, were both 'reallyeasy to work with'.<br></p><p>Porter was spotted by a scout from Selectmodel agency at the Clothes Show two years ago. Since then, she hasappeared in a campaign for Miu Miu as well as both British and USVogue. <br></p><p>Emma Watson featured in a series of images for Burberry last year along with her brother Alex.</p><p>The campaign has been credited revitalised the brand, with sales for that year soaring by 23 per cent.</p><p>Watson has since taken a break from her modelling duties to concentrate on other acting projects as well as her degree at Brown University in the U.S. but is expected to work with the label again in the future.<br><br></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><br></p>?Isn't she a bit young for you? Harry Styles, 18, proves he's over the cougars as he enjoys second date with model Cara Delevingne, 19<p> By </p><p>PUBLISHED:10:59 GMT, 5 August 2012 UPDATED:07:15 GMT, 6 August 2012</p><p>He's known for his penchant for older women after having romanced the likes of Caroline Flack and DJ Lucy Horobin in the past. <br></p><p>But it would seem Harry Styles has made the decision to find a girl more his own age if his latest squeeze is anything to go by.<br></p><p>The 18-year-old singer caused a stir when he was spotted leaving the exclusive Olympic VIP club at Omega House in London's West End with Burberry model Cara Delevingne in tow.</p>Scroll down for video<p> Leaving the nightspot in his Range Rover together, the One Direction hunk has reportedly been texting the 19-year-old beauty ever since they first met earlier this summer during a night out at Mayfair club Le Baron.</p><p>A source told The Sun: 'Lots of people saw them leaving together but they didn&#8217;t care. They only had eyes for each other.'<br></p><p>But in romancing Cara, it could be that Harry has sparked a spot of sibling rivalry.</p><p> The model's elder sister, Poppy Delevingne, has previously admitted to having a crush on the curly-haired cutie.<br></p><p>She told Grazia magazine: 'I want to sit on Harry Styles&#8217; lap.<br></p><p>'I have a total crush on him. He walked past me at the Aquascutum show recently and I was salivating. I like his curly hair and he looks like a little cherub.'<br></p><p>Harry caused controversy when he dated Xtra Factor presenter Caroline Flack - who, at 32, was 15 years his senior at the time - earlier this year.<br></p><p>It was then revealed he had romanced married DJ Lucy Horobin, who is also 32.<br></p><p>But in recent months, the singer's penchant for older women seems to have waned somewhat, with him linked to Made In Chelsea beauty Caggie Dunlop, 23, The Inbetweeners bombshell Emily Atack, 22, and US model Emma Ostilly, 18.</p><p> </p><p><br> </p>?Japan set to spurn Burberry luxuries<p>By <br>UPDATED:08:05 GMT, 15 March 2011</p><p></p><p>Fears the fashion-conscious Japanese will slash spending on luxury goods have wiped more than ¡ò200m off the value of Burberry.</p><p>Its shares fell as much as 6% after investors counted the potential cost of the tsunami.</p><p>Japan is the world's third-biggest luxury goods market after the US and China, but the Japanese still spend more on high-end brands when adding overseas purchases.</p><p>Burberry (down 51p to 1122.5p) generates about 7% of its sales in Japan. Concerns over Japan's nuclear crisis hit Amec, down 37p to 1125.1p amid fears of a slowdown at its nuclear services division.</p><p>Investors placed their bets on providers of alternative energy. Shares in BG Group jumped 54p to 1504.66p on hopes that Britain's largest natural gas producer will be able to help fill Japan's energy breach. </p><p>Drax, which operates Britain's biggest coal-fired power station, saw its shares rise 12.4p 408.4p.</p><p>And Aggreko, which makes temporary power generators, soared 116p to 1483.94p, making it the steepest riser on the FTSE 100. </p>?From high street to high fashion: Model Jourdan Dunn who was discovered in Primark is the new face of Burberry<br><p>By <br>UPDATED:18:18 GMT, 2 February 2011<br><br></p><p>She took a break from her career to concentrate on motherhood after her first child was born.<br></p><p>But now Jourdan Dunn is back - as the new face of Burberry.</p><p>The 20-year-old, from London, was shot on Brighton Beach for the new campaign by renowned photographer Mario Testino alongside fellow model Sacha M'Baye.</p><p><br></p><p>Jourdan, looking stunning in a biker jacket by the British label, was discovered at the Hammersmith branch of Primark and went on to win Model of the Year in 2008.</p><p>Walking in Burberry's show last season, she clearly attracted attention and was chosen to star as half of the 'February couple' in the new campaign.</p><p>Chief Creative Officer Christopher Bailey said: 'We wanted to create a dynamic campaign that reflects the diversity of our broad global consumer, revealing new British cast members each month, all with their own identity, embodying the different attitudes of the Burberry guy and girl. <br></p><p>'We shot on Brighton beach to celebrate the great British outdoors and our history of supporting emerging talent and to bring to life the emotion behind protection from the elements.'<br></p><p>Jourdan has appeared in numerous high fashion editorials including the cover if Italian Vogue in an issuedevoted entirely to black models.</p><p>Shealso landed a starring role in YSL's beauty campaign last month after her sabbatical following the birth of baby boy Riley in December 2009.</p><p>The 5ft 11in star, who was the first black model to feature in a Prada show in over ten years, has insisted alot could be done to make the industry more diverse. <br></p><p>She said:'I go to castingsand see several black and Asian girls, then I get to the show andthere's just me and maybe one other coloured face.'</p><p>Jourdanhas attracted attention surrounding the lack of black models in the industry and has been labeled as the face of the future of the industry.</p><p>Sarah Doukas, head of her agency Storm Management, said: 'I have felt that our industry has badly needed aninteresting and new model star. <br></p><p>'In my opinion Jourdan is the girl andlike all the great models before her, she is exciting and original.</p><p>'I feel, if she does have great success, she will have a big effect on the way people look at different kinds of beauty.'</p><p>CLICK PLAY TO WATCH VIDEO OF JOURDAN...<br></p>?Just like Daddy! Kourtney Kardashian and Scott Disick's son Mason is a dapper little dude in Burberry scarf and loafers<br><p> By </p><p>PUBLISHED:08:17 GMT, 24 April 2012 UPDATED:09:14 GMT, 24 April 2012</p><p></p><p>He might only be two years old, but Kourtney Kardashian and Scott Disick's son Mason is already proving to be quite the trendsetter.</p><p>The two-year-old was seen out and about in New York yesterday with his famous parents, looking very dapper in a white sweater and jeans, paired with a Burberry scarf and eye-catching tan patterned loafers.</p><p>It seems Mason is taking after his father in the style stakes, as Scott is rarely seen wearing anything other than suits, neckerchiefs and ties.</p><p> </p><p> The little boy also seems to be following his dad with his lengthy locks - which were blown around by the New York wind as the family headed out in Manhattan.</p><p>Obviously Mason's mother Kourtney hasmore than a little input in her son's outfits, and she admitted in a recent interview that there's nothing she likes more than picking out outfits for the adorable tot.</p><p>She said: 'I love dressing Mason morethan dressing myself. It&#8217;s so much fun picking out his clothes and making outfits and giving him style.</p><p>'I&#8217;ll pick one item to start dressing &#8230; and then I&#8217;ll build his outfit from that.'</p><p>And now Kourtney is pregnant with herand Scott's second child, a little girl, she is sure to be preparing topick out some gorgeous outfits for her baby daughter.</p><p>Yesterday, Kourtney highlighted her growing baby bump in a cream smock-style top and black leggings with boots as she joined her long-term boyfriend and Mason as they shot scenes for their new reality show.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p>The family are in New York as Scott launches his new restaurant in the Big APple.</p><p>And ahead of the opening last night, Kourtney wrote on her blog: 'Off to NYC to meet my family for Scott&#8216;s restaurant opening and some fun in the city before my traveling days areover for a while.'</p><p>But before the launch Scott tecided to keep Mason entertained with a trip to the toy store, where the tot appeared very enamoured with a red spotted giraffe.</p><p>Later in the evening, Scott and Kourtney left Mason at home for the launch, with Kourtney looking stunning in a full-length animal-print gown, while Scott looked as smart as ever in a black suit and checked shirt, with a paisley tie and pocket square.</p><p><br></p>?He's a talented teen: Justin Bieber shows off his piano skills at New Year's Eve Party<p> By and <br>UPDATED:10:49 GMT, 2 January 2012</p><p>Justin Bieber is known for his catchy pop tunes and heartthrob looks.</p><p>But the 17-year-old showed that he is also a talented musician as he tinkered the ivories during his New Year's Eve performance in Times Square last night.</p><p>He belted out the Beatles classic Let It Be while while playing the piano and was accompanied on guitar by the legendary Carlos Santana.</p><p>SCROLL DOWN FOR VIDEO<br></p><p>Justin spoke about New Year's resolutions but said, 'What is done is done' before putting in a great performance of the track which was released in 1970, 24 years years before he was even born.</p><p>The pint-sized pop star donned a bright red beanie, a camel coloured coat, a Burberry scarf and maroon jeans for the occasion for his performance. <br></p><p>Santana kept the chill away by rocking a Bob Marley hooded sweater. <br></p><p>Justin performed solo for the first minute before Santana joined in for the riff.</p><p>He tweeted: 'Performed with Carlos Santana. Honored. #letitbe #happynewyear!'</p><p>Also performing on the night was Lady Gaga, Pitbull, Drake and Cee-Lo Green.</p><p>Meanwhile, Bieber has released a new song with best friend Jaden Smith aptly titled Happy New Year which he posted on his Twitter page last night.</p><p>'2012 is a year to be better strong and closer to the people around you,' the Baby singer voiced midway through the track. 'So grab someone special, and just, you know...'</p><p>The tune is a mid-tempo love song that opens with a stringed orchestra and a rap by Jaden who is Will Smith's youngest son.</p><p>Justin and Jaden have worked together before on the song, Thinking About You.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p>?The Kate effect: Burberry benefits from Middleton's style, selling out of her trenchcoat within a day<br><p>By <br>UPDATED:09:02 GMT, 17 March 2011</p><p>Burberry bosses must have done a little jig for joy when Kate Middleton wore one of their latest coats to a pancake-tossing session (amongst other official engagements) in Belfast on Tuesday.</p><p>The future princess' wardrobe choices have had a well-documented positive effect on sales of whatever she wears - and cheaper imitations - and her ¡ò650 Burberry trenchcoat was no exception.</p><p>Sales of the trend-setter's sleek, double-breasted beige wool model with a frilled, flared hem sold out online in sizes four, six, eight and 10 within a day of Kate stepping out in the coat.</p><p>A ¡ò22 Asda imitation saw sales soar by 300 per cent over the same period and Burberry's grey version of the coat has also sold out in sizes four, six and 10.</p><p>The trenchcoat is part of Burberry's London, spring/summer 2011 collection which is available in shops and online.<br></p><p>Kate wore hers buttoned right up to the top and with the belt stylishly looped over and hanging down over her waist.<br></p><p>She accessorised with black suede shoes (and her famous black boots, when she headed to the countryside) with a matching clutch bag.<br></p><p>Dedicated Kate-followers might still find smaller versions of the coat in Burberry stores, but only the larger sizes are still available on their website - and probably not for long.</p><p>Being a royalty favourite is a very welcome development for the British fashion label that, 10 years ago, was a byword for tackiness. <br></p><p>Being seen wearing the infamous Burberry check became a big no-no when it was appropriated by teenage yobs who couldn't get enough of the print.</p><p>The fashion house worked hard at turning its image around. And most of its success is down to their chief creative officer, Christopher Bailey, who joined the firm as creative director in 2001.</p><p>Bailey's skill at mixing traditional and modern styles has made him a favourite with everyone from the Queen to Kate Moss.</p><p>His show at London Fashion Week last month was easily the most well-attended and was also the first to be streamed, live, to a screen in Piccadilly Circus.<br></p><p>Beautifully-shot advertising campaigns featuring Agyness Dean and Harry Potter's Emma Watson also helped convince young people that it was OK to wear Burberry again. <br></p><p> </p><p>So seeing fashion's latest one-to-watch, Kate Middleton, stepping outin one of Burberry's trademark designs was only a matter of time.</p><p>Meanwhile,other designers will be following Victoria Beckham's lead and flooding Prince William's bride-to-be with clothes in the hope that when she nextheads out in public, it will be their sales that are dramatically boosted.</p>?Burberry's sales boom, but is it thanks to Kate Middleton or Facebook?<p> By <br>UPDATED:23:45 GMT, 17 January 2012</p><br><p>When a pre-royal wedding Kate Middleton stepped out in a ¡ò650 flared Burberry Trench coat last year, it sold out in almost every size within 24 hours.</p><p>But her sartorial choice also seems to have had a longer-term effect. By drawing attention to the luxury brand, the Duchess of Cambridge is being credited with triggering a rise in its popularity.</p><p>Burberry's famous red, black and camel-coloured check design used to have more down-market associations. But when it was worn by a future queen, it instantly became more wearable.</p><p>The fashion label, unsurprisingly, plays down theinfluence of the young royal, instead crediting a market-leading social networks policy, and having shops in all the right places.</p><br><br><p>Either way, strong performances in London, Beijing, Hong Kong and Paris boosted revenues by 21 per cent in the final three months of 2011.</p><p>Retail sales brought in more than 70 percent of Burberry's revenues in the three months up to December 31, an underlying increase of 23 per cent.</p><p>But the underlying wholesale revenues also grew by 15 per cent due to improvements in the supply chain.</p><p>The positive figures are helping Burberry offset fears of dampened demand for high-end goods in the wake of the Eurozone crisis.</p><p>Burberry chief executive, Angela Ahrendts, pointed to the brand&#8217;s investments in flagship markets and digital technology as the key to the growth in sales.</p><p>Looking ahead, the firm said it would be seeking 'long-term sustainable growth' in the challenging economic environment.</p><p>Burberrycontinued to expand during the period into markets with new-found disposable income for luxury items such as Brazil but also consolidated in more traditional shopping cities, with six new stores opening in cities such as Sao Paulo and Paris.</p><p>The company's imaginative social media strategy must also be helping. It has attracted more than 10 million fans to its Facebook page.</p><p> </p><p>Burberry now focuses on younger, luxury-focused customers and the high-end tourist market, insulating it from the rising raw material and other costs pressures that have hit other retailers.</p><p>The brand's recent fragrance&#8217;s launch party in Beverly Hills was attended by stars such as Burberry model Rosie Huntington-Whiteley and American actress Kate Bosworth.</p><p>But it is the other Kate who Burberry leaders are hoping will drop into another of their stores very soon.<br></p>?The Kate effect: Her impact on fashion is huge (and she's not even a princess yet!)<br><p>By <br>UPDATED:09:02 GMT, 17 March 2011</p><p></p>Fights over her earrings. The ¡ò650 trench coat that sold out within in a day. The red twinset that caused a stampede in a shop. With waiting lists for her outfits, how Waity Katie took on a whole new meaning...<p>When Kate Middleton wore a Burberry trench coat last week, designer Christopher Bailey &#8212; the brains behind the label &#8212; must have been rubbing his hands with glee. <br></p><p>For within hours of her appearance, the trench coat had sold out across the country &#8212; proof that Kate&#8217;s fashion star is on the rise. <br></p><p>And Burberry isn&#8217;t the only one to enjoy the benefits of her seal of approval. <br></p><p>Ever since Kate appeared on the scene as Prince William&#8217;s girlfriend at St Andrews University, interest in her has been feverish &#8212; and that includes her sartorial selections. <br></p><p>Kate&#8217;s fashion influence became clear as far back as 2007 when a dressshe wore for her 25th birthday (a ¡ò40 Topshop tunic) sold out within 24 hours. <br></p><p>It was a turning point for Kate who, until that point, had been criticised as being frumpy in a &#8216;lamb-dressed-as-mutton&#8217; way. <br></p><p>Before long, Waity Katie &#8212; as she was dubbed before her engagement &#8212; started being braver with her fashion choices. <br></p><p>Gone were the knee-high suede boots, pashminas, cashmere cardies and knee-length skirts and dresses that were once her wardrobe staples. <br></p><p>In their place have come fitted, nipped-in jackets, silhouette-hugging dresses and timeless accessories that are elegant and regal, yet age-appropriate to boot. <br></p><p>Now, her style is much coveted &#8212; Kate has the power to spark a fashion stampede simply by wearing something once. <br></p><p>She often plumps for British designers such as Temperley, Mulberry and Burberry, meaning her choices have been a good blend of patriotic and classic. <br></p><p>But Kate&#8217;s fondness for the High Street stores Reiss, Jigsaw and Topshop also show she&#8217;s a girl who&#8217;s not afraid to mix and match affordable pieces with designer labels. <br></p><p></p><p>She is fast becoming the most famous woman in the world, with a figure that looks great in clothes, so it&#8217;s no wonder that designers are desperate for a little sprinkling of Middleton magic. <br></p><p>Below, you can see the rise and rise of Kate&#8217;s fashion successes and the resulting effects on the lucky labels she has chosen. </p><p>BURBERRY TRENCH</p><p>Kate looked effortlessly chic when visiting Belfast, choosing a classic Burberry signature trench coat for the occasion. Within a day, all sizes of the double-breasted beige wool model with a frilled, flared hem had sold out online. </p><p>Not only that, a far more purse-friendly Asda version &#8212; at ¡ò22, a snip of the original&#8217;s ¡ò650 price tag &#8212; saw sales soar by 300 per cent.</p><p>LIBELULA COAT</p><p>Kate attended a wedding in January, wrapping up against the winter chill in a velvet black Dulwich coat, ¡ò310, by British label Libelula.</p><p>Within hours of the picture being published, the coat had sold out and the company had thousands of hits on its website from around the world, with interest from the U.S. particularly high.</p><p>There is a waiting list of 300 for the coat, and Libelula is expecting a bumper delivery of stock in the next week.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Kate chose a cream silk Reiss dress for her official engagement photographs by Mario Testino, which looked as chic as any designer number. <br></p><p>It was from the autumn collection and had sold out before the pictures were even released. <br></p><p>Keen to cash in, Reiss relaunched the Nanette dress, ¡ò159, which has been selling like hot cakes ever since.<br></p><p>Another delighted brand was Links of London &#8212; Kate wore its Hope white topaz earrings, ¡ò275, for the officialengagement picture. <br></p><p>In the New York Links store, a fight broke out between two women over the last pair.The earrings were launched in 2006 and have been a bestseller for the brand, but with Kate&#8217;s seal of approval, sales have doubled.</p><p> <br></p>?Kate Moss at Burberry fashion show<p>Picture 1 of 9:Supermodel Kate Moss stepped back into the spotlight to take a front row seat at the Burberry Prorsum fashion show to celebrate the label's 150th anniversary in Milan. See the pictures!<br>Picture: Reuters</p>?Kate Moss effect boosts Burberry<p>by SEAN POULTER</p><p>Last updated at 08:18 17 January 2007</p><br>The Kate Moss effect has helped Burberry reclaim its fashion reputation, boost sales and put a dagger through the heart of the Chav.<p>The famous Burbery check became something of a uniform for working class lads and ladettes, a factor that bosses at the company feared cheapened the designer label.<p>At one stage Burberry style baseball caps even became de rigeur for a certain brand of football hooligan.<p>However, a decision to bring back supermodel Kate Moss - who disappeared from the brand's advertising after being accused of drug taking - has apparently helped to rekindle its fortunes.<p>The company reported that same store sales rose 13per cent in the three months to December 31 compared to a year ago.<p>While total sales, including the impact of new stores, rose 25per cent to &#163;206 million.<p>Burberry said the retail boost was driven by 'excellent demand' for its new handbags, alongside a number of updated styles.<p>One of Burberry's best sellers in the past year has been its &#163;750 Manor Handbag.<p>It was carried by model Kate Moss in a high profile advertising campaign which also featured fellow Burberry model Stella Tennant.<p>The success of Burberry has turned a spotlight on the company's controversial decision to close a factory in Treorchy, south Wales, and shift production to China.<p>Actress Emma Thompson and opera star Bryn Terfel have joined local politicians and the GMB union in criticising the cost-saving move.<p>'Burberry is doing untold damage to its reputation around the world because of the extraordinary meanness it has demonstrated to its workers in Treorchy.' <p>However, Burberry's chief financial officer Stacey Cartwright said there is no chance of a reprieve for the factory and its 300 employees.<p>'It is a regrettable situation. But we can't make it (the plant) commercially viable... At the end of the day, it is a consequence of globalisation and the need to reduce costs,' she said.<p>Critics claim that moving production to China will rob the brand of its quintessential Englishness and risks tarnishing its luxury image.<p>However, Miss Cartwright said the vast majority of production would still be sourced from the UK, while the design and marketing of the brand was 'entirely British'.<p>The group continued its international expansion during the three months to December 31, opening stores in California, Vienna in Austria, five concessions and one outlet store.<p>It plans to open a further four stores in the fourth quarter of its financial year, in Manchester, Seville in Spain, Prague in the Czech Republic, and an outlet.<p>Recently-appointed Burberry chief executive Angela Ahrendts said: 'This outstanding quarter has been led by Burberry's strong retail performance.<p>'These results are a credit to the extended efforts of the team in executing our core strategies, specifically in innovating outwear, intensifying the luxury accessory offering and implementing operational enhancements.'<p>City analysts at Merill Lynch hailed the Burberry performance as 'one of the most promising stories in the sector'.<p>It predicts that Burberry's annual sales could pass the &#163;1 billion mark by March 2009.Share this article: <p> </p>?Kate Moss helps give Burberry a sales boost<p>Last updated at 14:50 16 January 2007</p><br><p>Demand for luxury branded handbags and accessories helped liftBurberry's sales growth into double digits, the group has said.</p><p>One of Burberry's best sellers in the past year has been its&pound;750 Manor Handbag, which was carried by model Kate Moss in ahigh profile advertising campaign which also featured fellowBurberry model Stella Tennant.</p><p>The retailer, famous for its hallmark plaid fabric, reportedretail sales -accounting for 70 per cent of its total revenue - up13 per cent on a comparable store basis.</p><p>Burberry said the retail boost was driven by "excellent demand"for its new handbags, alongside a number of updated styles.</p><p>It said that total revenues increased 25 per cent on anunderlying basis.</p><p>The group continued its international expansion during thequarter ended December 31, opening stores in California, Vienna inAustria, five concessions and one outlet store.</p><p>Burberry plans to open a further four stores in the fourthquarter of its financial year, in Manchester, Seville in Spain,Prague in the Czech Republic, and an outlet.</p><p>Recently-appointed Burberry chief executive Angela Ahrendtssaid: "This outstanding quarter has been led by Burberry's strongretail performance.</p><p>"These results are a credit to the extended efforts of the teamin executing our core strategies, specifically in innovatingoutwear, intensifying the luxury accessory offering andimplementing operational enhancements."</p>Share this article: <p> </p>?Looking ace! Kim Sears swaps sport for style as she dazzles in white at Burberry Prorsum's LFW show with Andy Murray<br><p> By </p><p>PUBLISHED:16:49 GMT, 17 September 2012 UPDATED:08:17 GMT, 18 September 2012</p><p>She's usually seen cheering on her boyfriend from the side of the tennis court in relatively dressed-down attire.<br></p><p>But fresh from Andy Murray's win at the US Open earlier this month, Kim Sears has swapped sport for style by joining the fashion pack at Burberry Prorsum's London Fashion Week show. <br></p><p>The 24-year-old English Literature looked simply stunning in a chic white dress as she posed up a storm at London's Kensington Gardens earlier today (Monday).</p><p>Scroll down for video</p><p>And despite her partner being dressed relatively casually, Kim and the tennis champion even managed to bag a coveted front row seat alongside US Vogue editor Anna Wintour. </p><p>Murray kept it simple when it came to his own style, opting for a grey V-neck jumper, crisp white shirt and jeans. <br></p><p>Meanwhile, Kim, looked more at home with the London fashion pack, with her sophisticated cream V-neck dress with tan double belt detail seemingly paying homage to her boyfriend's tennis whites.<br></p><p> </p><p>The artist accessorised with a tan clutch bag and nude stilettos, with her trademark light brunette locks tumbling around her shoulders. <br></p><p>The couple, who have been dating for seven years, looked like love's young dream as they cuddled up on the white carpet - before making their way inside to the best seats in the house. <br></p><p>While Kim and Anna Wintour cast a discerning eye over the spring/summer 2013 Burberry looks being showcased, Andy looked a little baffled as the models made their way down the red carpet.<br></p><p>But the tennis champion wasn't the only sports star who turned out to the fashion event. <br></p><p>Olympic cycling gold medallist Victoria Pendleton looked a far cry from her days on the track as she stepped out in a chic mauve peplum dress, with the same double-belt detailing as Kim's ensemble.<br></p><p>Taking time out from her training for Strictly Come Dancing, the brunette beauty fitted in with the fashion pack a treat, pairing her stylish outfit with beige heels and an oversized black handbag. </p><p> </p> VIDEO: Victoria, Andy and Dev Patel dazzle at Burberry...?Meet my Burberry boy! Kristin Cavallari dresses little Camden in designer gear for first Twitter picture<br><p> By </p><p>PUBLISHED:21:15 GMT, 26 September 2012 UPDATED:14:05 GMT, 27 September 2012</p><p>Kristin Cavallari introduced her newborn baby boy to her Twitter fans in style. <br></p><p>The former star of MTV rich kid reality shows The Hills and Laguna Beach, dressed her son Camden Jack in a designer outfit for his first picture on the social networking site. <br></p><p>The 25-year-old took a snap of the child, who was born August 8, staring wide-eyed at his mother as he kicked back in cot.<br></p><p> </p><p>The adorable baby wore a white Burberry print onesie and matching Burberry striped beanie hat for the amateur photoshoot, which also gave a glimpse of his fluffy booties. <br></p><p>In another image, probably favoured by his Chicago Bears quarterback father Jay Cutler, Camden showed that he clearly takes after his sportsman dad.<br></p><p>Not only was he wearing a mini team kit with &#8216;Cutler is my dad&#8217; and the number six printed on the back, but as he cosied up to sleep in a blanket, he displayed a bonnet of full brunette locks.<br></p><p> Kristen joked about the snap on Twitter: &#8216;He has a sweet comb over huh?! Haha&#8217;</p><p>However the first thing Cutler, 29, noticed when gazing down at his newborn son wasn&#8217;t his thick tresses.</p><p>Kristin revealed to : &#8216;He pointed out right away how big his feet are! And his hands were massive - he&#8217;ll sure be able to hold a football.&#8217;</p><p> After a relatively easy pregnancy she said her new priority became even clearer once she held her offspring in her arms for the first time.</p><p>Cavallari commented: &#8216;I like having this life that I&#8217;m responsible for. It&#8217;s exciting and so rewarding. It&#8217;s also a little scary!</p><p>&#8216;It was the most incredible moment I&#8217;ve ever felt. With Camden, I&#8217;ve realised what really matters. We&#8217;re a family.&#8217;</p><p> </p><p> </p>Showbiz Roundup! Presley does Panto... + Styles'/Watson spat! <p> <br></p>?Latest from Milan: Burberry Prorsum takes us back to Dickensian times with a collection that makes workhouse wear chicBy <br>UPDATED:15:17 GMT, 24 September 2008<br><br> <p>Fans of the film Zoolander, a brilliant parody on the fashion industry, will struggle to suppress a smile, but, in the spirit of Derelicte, Zoolander's 'homeless chic' collection, Christopher Bailey's latest collection for Burberry Prorsum had more than a touch of Victorian workhouse about it. </p><p>Pale models, seemingly devoid of makeup, trudged out in a collection made up almost entirely of muted taupes, khaki, stone and mushroom, wearing hats pulled down over their eyes.</p> <p>Down, down, down: Workhouse chic at Burberry Prorsum embraced the atmosphere of the economic slump<br></p> <p>In stark contrast to the trend for bright colours that have dominated thus far, the models wore dark oversized, masculine blazers, creased and with sleeves rolled up; grey slouchy ankle socks, and grey floppy hats made from what looked like salvaged shopping bags. </p><p>Necklaces were chunky and on long strings, wooden bangles heavy on slim wrists; dresses loose but with volume which, when paired with the blazers and those socks, gave an air of the orphan Annie in borrowed clothes.</p><p>At London Fashion Week, designers Julien Macdonald and Jasper Conran showed saucy, optimistic collections, saying fashion is a way to bring happiness during a credit crunch. <br></p> <p> </p><p>Agyness Deyn in a 'ragdoll' shape dress on the Burberry Prorsum catwalk; <br></p><p>Christopher Bailey, himself a Brit, went quite the other way, embracing the zeitgeist for all things sombre.</p><p>Peering through the gloom though, the quality and cut of beautiful separates shone through. <br></p><p>And let's not forget, to lift a look straight from the catwalk means you really deserve to look like orphan Annie. <br></p><p>Break out the individual pieces and there are some summer staples introduced by Burberry Prorsum that will have real longevity.<br></p> <p> </p><p>A silk trench over shift dress looks to be one of summer's big trends; a classic trench gets a makeover with applique flowers, or a bottle green embroidered fabric<br></p><p>Those fabulous chunky necklaces on long strings will be the way to transform any outfit from this summer. <br></p> <p>Maxi dresses, shirts - even plain T-shirts - will get a new season makeover from this simple addition; it totally transforms the neckline. <br></p> <p>Take too the oversized blazers, and in fact, the crumpled, 'undone' look. Worn with cigarette pants or over a long slip dress, they instantly create a fresh silhouette.</p> <p>The palette, while sombre when paraded as the entire collection at once, will offer a wonderful foil to the paintbox brights and mish-mash of prints we've been promised from most other designers.</p><br> <p> </p><p>Three models, including Agyness Deyn, left, in looks that proves Burberry's expertise for luxe separates<br></p> <p> </p><p>And the finest touch of all was seen in the luxe neutrals Bailey worked into the collection. Wonderfully rich tones of blush, oyster and fawn were layered together for a look that oozed sophistication. <br> </p> <p>Necklaces and bangles in coral, mahogany and ebony plus rich tan leather totes completed the effect.<br> </p> <p>This is one look the High Street finds it so hard to emulate, and where high end fabrics and tailoring just shine.</p> <p> </p><p>Left, Agyness Deyn in one of Burberry's hats, seemingly made from salvaged shopping bags. Right, US Vogue editor Anna Wintour with Burberry's British Creative Director, Christopher Bailey<br></p><p> </p> <p>Not forgetting Burberry's eternal staple, the classic trench was given a twist with a new tactile fabric, some with applique flowers, another with bottle green embroidery.</p> <p>Green, it seems, is a shade to look out for, as too are those stalwart Seventies tones but with a softer touch - a gentle mustard and smooth rust tone.<br> </p> <p>And beneath those blazers was a new shape of dress to look out for: Full hemline, lined, ruched skirt, loosely contoured at the waist, gently fitted at the top. Less babydoll, more Raggedy Ann ragdoll. Perfect with flats, or, indeed, with heels and those slouchy socks. <br></p><p>So can workhouse chic really make it to the High Street next summer? <br></p><p>If anyone can make it happen, Burberry can. <br><br>Watch this space.</p><p> </p>?LIZ JONES: The Fashion Addict wears the trousers<br><p>Women will be wearing the trousers this winter - but will it be pegs, high-waisted or ankle skimmers? Our expert gets into her stride <br></p><p>UPDATED:19:04 GMT, 1 September 2008</p> <p> </p><p>There are two types of women in this world. The type who sleep with married men and don't even say sorry, and the type who have morals, and standards.</p><p>No, sorry, that is a different article. I got a bit confused there. The two types of women I am going to talk about today are those who wear trousers, and those who are only ever seen in skirts and dresses.</p><p>I am most firmly in the first camp (no, not the trollopy one, the one that wears pants). </p> <p>Time to leg it: Givenchy, Ferragamo and Burberry Prorsum set the scene for the season's statement strides</p><p>Not because I hate my legs, although that is the reason most people think women wear trousers (I actually think trousers are much more forgiving if you are worried about your bottom or hips), but because I hate what wearing a skirt says about you: that you are feminine, a pushover, flirty with men and liable to burst into tears at the slightest provocation.</p><p>In a skirt or dress you don't stride purposefully, you teeter around, worrying about showing your knickers in a strong wind.</p><p>Well, thanks be to the Lord, but this autumn, skirts and dresses are declasse.</p><p>For so many seasons now, the dress has been everything, sold to us by the theory that when you wear a dress, you can just throw it on and not have to worry about being co-ordinated.</p><p>That is nonsense. A dress throws up all sorts of awkward questions: have I waxed my legs? Should I wear opaque or sheer tights? What if I am cold? A jacket often looks weird over a dress, a coat is invariably the wrong length and a cardigan over a print dress hopelessly twee.</p><p>WHAT TO WEAR AND HOW TO WEAR THEM</p><p>The best trousers around this winter are in wool, and often in soft brown or moss tweed. They sit either on the waist or just above, are cut generously in the leg without being too sail-like, and have a turn-up.</p><p>To avoid looking 'swamped' in this new style, you need to make sure you don't wear them too long.</p><p>What most annoys me about buying trousers is they are invariably made for women who are 7ft tall, which means you always have to get them turned up (only M&amp;S does a good job of varying the length of the inside leg).</p><p>When faced with over-long trousers, do as I do, and insist the sales assistant pins them on you at the right length, with the shoes you plan to wear, and that she gets them turned up professionally for you, at no extra cost (the customer is now king, remember, in these cash-strapped times).</p><p>It is really important you spend as much as you can on a pair of trousers - otherwise they just won't fit properly.</p><p>Gap used to be great for simple tailored trousers for work, but the new-season collection of tweedy, mannish trousers uses fabric that is too thin to ever hang or wear well.</p><p>Far, far better are the trousers in Zara, which, after a few seasons in the doldrums, chasing every passing fashion trend, is back doing what it does best: the working woman's wardrobe. I really liked the mannish, soft tweed trousers with turn-ups at only ¡ò49.</p><p>If you are worried you are the wrong shape for trousers, then visit Banana Republic, where staff have been trained to fit trousers properly, and can offer three different shapes.</p><p>If you don't want to look too businesslike (although please, please, please do not buy one of the many pairs of taupe, wide, drawstring linen monstrosities in all the shops right now; you will resemble an elephant) then trousers can be infinitely softened.<br><br>MY CHOICE THIS SEASON</p><p>At present, I am wearing my wide, cropped Margaret Howell pants with a very fine knit, close-fitting raspberry cardigan from Zara and raspberry patent Burberry platforms: far sexier, I think, than a floral puffball skirt.</p><p>I always think, too, that unless you are Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, wide trousers need a feminine heel, either chunky or stiletto.</p><p>Margaret Howell also has a gorgeous pair of khaki peg trousers. I do like this new shape for winter, but as it is a bit baggy on the thigh, tapering on the ankle, if you are in the least bit pear-shaped, far more flattering is a pair that is wide all way down, or gently flared.</p><p>I have already chosen my perfect winter outfit: a navy tuxedo with wide trousers that skim my ankle bone - a too-long trouser covering your heel is way too Victoria Beckham - a high waist, and a curvy jacket, all from the YSL sale.</p><p>But in case you are still worried that the only option this winter is to dress in a masculine, tailored suit, fear not. </p><p> </p><p> </p> <p>There are lots of colourful, ' hippie' trousers about to land in the shops: I love the purple satin flares at Burberry Prorsum (these look great under a long tunic top if you hate your bottom), and the purple velvet slouchy ones at Ferragamo.</p><p>If your style is more grungy, the other trouser available this winter is the skinny drainpipe, part of the daftly named 'soft goth' look that will be everywhere. The best way to wear this shape (Topshop's black leather pants are perfect, and really soft) is with chunky heels, a long, tailored jacket with its sleeves pushed up, and loads of costume jewellery at your neck, following the lead of Riccardo Tisci at Givenchy, whose black leather trousers made every other designer's offerings seem hopelessly tame.</p><p>A great alternative, too, is to wear jodhpurs. Hobbs has a lovely chocolate wool pair that look great tucked into this season's knee-high boots; the best I have found are proper chunky riding boots, from Mountain Horse.</p><p>Funky, too, is the new 'biker' trouser, with all sorts of padding at the knee (J Brand has a reasonably priced pair of skinny bikers): these look fabulous with either strappy heels, or with proper biker boots by Miu Miu or, to be more authentic, by Norton or Triumph.</p><p>The short skirt and black tights 'little girl' look of last winter is as out of date, thankfully, as last summer's uniform of Ugg boots with shorts and bare legs.</p><p>The best thing about wearing trousers is that you will look grown up, and be taken seriously. What more could you ask, really, of a simple garment? </p><p> </p> Share this article:?LIZ JONESFASHION THERAPYFrom Barbour jackets to Hunter wellies, can we townies EVER pull off the country look?<p> By <br>UPDATED:21:06 GMT, 7 March 2012</p><p>A few years ago, I was invited to lunch by Stella Tennant at her lovely manor house in the Borders. Stella is not only a supermodel, but the granddaughter of the Duchess of Devonshire.<br></p><p>To say I was worried about what to wear would be an understatement. As Stella was also, at that time, the face of Burberry, and starring in the billboards shot by Mario Testino, I decided to wear head-to-toe Burberry, as a sort of homage.<br></p><p>Burberry, patented in 1888, and which forged its reputation designing waterproof coats for British soldiers in World War I (the reason the garment became known as the &#8216;trench&#8217;), would be perfect for a visit to somewhere that was bound to be cold, windy, rural and fashionable. <br></p><p>I put on a Burberry sweater, a box-pleated skirt, and a navy, nylon coat with the trademark chequered lining. Imagine my disappointment, then, when Stella pulled up at Stirling railway station in a battered old estate car, littered with rubbish and her dry cleaning, and wearing jeans, Converse sneakers, and a jumper that looked as if it had once seen service in a dog bed.</p><p>She looked beautiful, of course, with her gamine haircut and unmade-up face with her luminous blue-grey eyes. But she showed me that the posh, the truly posh, are just not that interested in fashion &#8212; even if they make it their living. <br></p><p>The house was like something out of a fairytale, but like Stella and her car it had a lived-in, careless air: the boot room, stuffed with wellies and several generations&#8217; worth of Barbour jackets, had the aroma not of Burberry Body, but good, well-walked labrador. As Mary Quant notes in her new autobiography, the truly posh look down on those who have to buy their own furniture, used as they are to having things &#8216;passed down&#8217;. <br></p><p>They look down on those who buy lots of new clothes, too. Everything is top-notch quality and, therefore, given the landed gentry&#8217;s dislike of spending money, is never thrown away. This accidental eco-friendliness explains why our so-called &#8216;heritage&#8217; brands are enjoying a sales boost, while cheaper, less durable High Street and even luxury Italian labels are, at best, flatlining. <br></p><p>But the reason they are now fashionable among those who hail from trendy urban Hackney, and not rural Herefordshire, is not only because they are made (mostly) in the UK, and use the best fabrics and craftsmanship. It is also about buying into a super-confident outlook, where a garment is worn casually, without a care in the world. <br></p><p>Take Barbour, which started life as a maker of oilskin jackets for fishermen and dock workers in 1894. It is still a family firm, still made in the factory in South Shields, with 72-year-old Dame Margaret Barbour at the helm. Once the preserve of the hunting, shooting and fishing set, it is now worn by fashion darlings such as model and presenter Alexa Chung.<br></p><p>At Port Eliot in Cornwall last summer, there were so many Barbours on narrow, youthful backs, I thought I was at a three-day equestrian event rather than a literary festival. The most popular Barbour is the International, followed by the Liddesdale, which starts at ¡ò80 and rises to ¡ò150 for one with down quilting. Sales of Barbour coats for women were up a staggering 400 per cent in 2011 compared with 2010.</p><p>Barbour, though, has not remotely &#8216;done a Burberry&#8217;, refusing wholeheartedly to cross over into high fashion. It is little changed, merely adding a few fashionable colours, such as pink, emerald and blue for summer 2012, say, or a small collaboration with designer Alice Temperley. <br></p><p>Neitherhas it courted celebrity, stating proudly it even insists members of the Royal Family pay full price, although when Helen Mirren wore a greenBedale to portray the Queen in the 2006 film, sales of that particular style tripled.</p><p>Pringle is yet another &#8216;heritage&#8217; brand that is seeing sales soar. Founded in 1815 and still manufactured in Hawick, in the Borders, it not only invented the twinset &#8212; a Great British Posh Staple (remember it as worn by Joan Fontaine in the 1940 film of Rebecca?) &#8212; but was way ahead of its time, being one of the first brands to court celebrities, including British actress Margaret Lockwood, and use them in its advertisements back in the Forties and Fifties. </p><p>Hunter wellies, too, despite the price tag of ¡ò79 for the Original Green (a style that first saw the light of day in 1956), have seen sales soar (up 30 per cent in 2011 in Selfridges alone). In February, during New York Fashion Week, I lost count of the number of fashionistas in Hunter wellies trudging through the slush. <br></p><p>While I now live on Exmoor, deep in green Barbour-wearing country, I never dress &#8216;posh&#8217;. I find Barbours simply not warm enough for the reality of looking after horses in winter, while a flat cap might make me look as though I condone shooting and fishing, which I most certainly do not. I tend to dress in a much more eccentric and townie fashion, with Prada jodhpurs, a Helmut Lang frock coat for walking my four dogs, and a Topshop parka for mucking out. <br></p><p>I still fit into a Harry Hall tweed hacking jacket I&#8217;ve owned since a child, but it&#8217;s too precious to be covered in the green slobber from the horses. <br></p><p>The adoption of the uniform of the posh by fashion style-setters and pop stars &#8212; add-ons include tweed flat caps from Bates on Jermyn Street, Harris Tweed jackets, Hilditch &amp; Key shirts, Swaine Adeney Brigg jodhpurs and hand-made brogues from John Lobb at almost ¡ò3,000 a pair (I love the fact Lobb still sells &#8216;felt bath slippers&#8217;) &#8212; is not just about the economy, or buying less, but buying better. <br></p><p>It is also because posh pretenders have a new poster girl in the Duchess of Cambridge, who has shown how the middle-class can transcend their roots. But, unfortunately, even Kate has not managed to get the look quite right, largely because she does not have the correct attitude. <br></p><p> While Diana was truly aristocratic &#8212; and when first in the public eye stuck to her Sloane Ranger uniform of white collar peeping over her sweater, an Alice band, a string of pearls and navy courts &#8212; Kate has verged too close to the High Street and high fashion. <br></p><p>She has a careful, uptight air and could never sling a Barbour over her shoulders with quite the right nonchalance, nor leave home with bed-head hair. I doubt her car ever has rubbish in the footwell, but rather something small and green and smelling of pine.</p><p>And I still don&#8217;t understand how posh people manage to preserve their clothes so impeccably: I had my eye on my mum&#8217;s embellished, silk-lined Pringle cardi, but was disappointed to find it had been ravaged by moths.<br></p><p>Even grubs privileged enough to inhabit the netherworld of the posh turn out to be very different indeed.</p><p>A complete range of Barbour products is available from </p>?LIZ JONES MOANS: Who wants to fill up their own car with petrol while wearing heels and cream Burberry?<p>UPDATED:10:18 GMT, 20 August 2009</p><p>Lots of things annoy me. The people who work on 118 000 who ask, when you ask for the number for the Houses of Parliament: 'In which town?' <br></p><p>The DJs on Radio 2 who repeat, every few seconds: 'Online, on digital, on FM.' We know, we get it. Stop saying that! <br></p><p>But most of all I hate buying petrol. Do you know what I think we should do with all those young people not in work or education? <br></p><p>We should make them become petrol-pump attendants.</p><p> I mean, who wants to get out of their car, in heels and cream Burberry, and grub around among really smelly bins and buckets, searching in vain for plastic gloves? <br></p><p>You then wait for what seems like hours while the men who work inside, in the warm and dry, finish their conversation about, ooh, I don't know, which flavour is their favourite Mars Planet, and actually notice you have, while balancing on your shoes and trying to not get oil on your skirt, stuck the hose in the petrol hole thing. <br></p><p>When you finally stagger in to pay, they ask you which pump you were at. <br></p><p>How on earth would I know? Then you put your card in, key in about a million numbers, and they ask if you have a loyalty card. <br></p><p>'No, I don't. I have too many things in my wallet and I DON'T WANT A NECTAR CARD!'</p>Celeb brain dead moment of the week <p>Ryan 'tact is my middle name' O'Neal <br></p><p>'I think Farrah [Fawcett] was going through some kind of change,' said Ryan O'Neal of his decision to temporarily split from his late partner as she hit the menopause. <br></p><p>'They are hard work, these divas.'</p><p></p>Crime against fashion <p>Watch out, Dannii, that outfit will give you DVT!</p><p> </p><p>Wouldn't we enjoy watching Dannii Minogue at the airport?</p><p> Skinny moth-eaten jeans, biker jacket, Beatle cap, Oliver Peoples sunnies, Mary-Janes and a Gucci traveller? <br></p><p>What's the betting the jeans give her DVT before she lands? </p><p> </p><p> </p>?London Fashion Week: Burberry makes history with world's first star-studded catwalk streamed live in 3D <br><p>By <br>UPDATED:08:22 GMT, 24 February 2010<br><br></p><p>British fashion label Burberry made history today as it broadcast its catwalk show live in 3D. <br></p><p>The London Fashion Week event played host to a who's who of Hollywood as A-listers sought refuge from the drizzly sky under a canopy of check umbrellas ahead of the much-hyped show. <br></p><p>The 154-year-old brand streamed the new collection from five simultaneous private events in New York, Paris, Dubai, Tokyo and Los Angeles. <br></p><p>Front row action: (From left) Mary-Kate Olsen, Kate Hudson, Kirsten Stewart and Claire Danes concentrate on the catwalk today during Burberry Prorsum's show for London Fashion Week at the Chelsea College of Art <br></p><p> </p><p>Burberry Cadette Girls: Christopher Bailey's military-inspired show featured textured pieces in earth tones<br></p><p>But while guests abroad sportedretro red and green glasses, enjoying a simulation front rowexperience, the red carpet was dotted with stars.</p><p>KateHudson, dazzling in a bottle-green sequin dress, stopped to chat tobackstage presenter Greg James and no doubt viewers all over the worldgreatly appreciated the 3D view.</p><p>Twilightstar Kirsten Stewart, fashionista Mary-Kate Olsen and Claire Danes wereamong the celebrities that poured into the hall waiting to view ChristopherBailey's inspired creations.<br></p><p>As anticipation inside reached feverpitch, the lights went out, music queued and models showcased amilitary-inspired collection, entitled Burberry Cadette Girls.<br></p><p>And one key piece stood out, promising to be a hit among the fashion elite next season - the Burberry coat.</p><p>Thisyear's staple is all about texture. From leather to sheepskin, beltedand embellished, outerwear is a must-have to be seen in.</p><p>Taking fashion to a new dimension: Twilight star Kirsten , Mary-Kate and Claire<br></p><p>Burberry fans all over the worldattended parties, by invitation only, or caught the show - albeit in 2D- on the label's website.</p><p>Bailey, the label's chief creative officer, said: 'We are very excitedwe are hosting the first ever truly global fashion show. <br></p><p>'This unprecedented event will enable people to experience the energy and atmosphere of this show from around the world.</p><p>'3D technology will bring our globalaudience into the London show space allowing them to see the coloursand fabrics, to hear the music and to be a part of that moment when itall finally comes together.'</p><p>Baileyhas selected outerwear and accessories from the upcoming collection tobe available to order from their website immediately after the show took place.</p><p>Thedecision to broadcast the show in 3D followed the success of JamesCameron's latest epic, Avatar, as well as Sky's plan to show weekly 3Dfootball matches in pubs from April.</p><br><p> </p><p>Textured: The collection featured coats, a winter staple, in sheepskin, fur and leather</p><p>WATCH THE BURBERRY AUTUMN/WINTER 2010 CATWALK SHOW BELOW...</p><p></p><p></p><p></p> <p> <p> <p> <p> <p> <p>?Burberry is officially top fashion brand on Twitter with 21,000 Fashion Week tweets trumping Victoria Beckham's 17,000 (thanks to a little help from Harry Styles) <p> By </p><p>PUBLISHED:10:41 GMT, 27 September 2012 UPDATED:12:23 GMT, 27 September 2012</p><p>Burberry won the social media battle at London Fashion Week this month, generating over 21,000 mentions on Facebook, Twitter and other blogs.<br></p><p>But while two thirds of the comments were about the label's clothes, 25 per cent focused on One Direction heartthrob Harry Styles, who took pride of place on the front row beside burlesque star Dita von Teese.</p><p>Burberry's stellar guest list - including TV presenter and model, Alexa Chung, and Paralympic champion Johnnie Peacock - was a major part of the appeal, according to business information group Precise.</p><p>The brand enjoyed double the exposure of its nearest rival, Topshop, whose Unique show attracted around 10,000 mentions.</p><p>Unlike Burberry, however, most of the conversations about Philip Green's label were fashion-focused.</p><p>In terms of social networks, Twitter was the most popular site for fashion commentators, followed by blogs and Facebook.</p><p>Burberry and Topshop racked up the largest number of tweets - with 20,924 and 9,161 respectively - VivienneWestwood came next with 3,031, followed by Matthew Williamson in fourthwith 2,228, and Erdem in fifth with 1,402.</p><p> </p><p>Burberry and Topshop also came first and second when comments on all blogs were taken into account, while third place was taken by Philip Treacy and Lady Gaga, with 8,000 betweenthem.</p><p> </p><p>Fourth and fifth places went to Greek-born designer Mary Katrantzou, who accrued 2,700 comments, and Henry Holland's House of Holland, which racked up 2,500.</p><p></p><p>Singer Lady Gaga attracted over 5,000 mentions on social networking sites in the wake of her appearance on thecatwalk at Philip Treacy, although the designer himself only received 3,000.</p><p>James Withey, Head of Brand Insight at Precise said: 'The massive growth in social media buzz around this year' event shows how importantsocial media now is to the fashion world. </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Runners-up: Model Cara Delevigne takes to the catwalk for Mary Katranzou, left, while House Of Holland's show, right, racked up 2,500 comments on social networking sites.<br></p><p>'Where once a brand could rely on having a few key editors on-side, today's arbiters of a brand's success or failure are the thousands of enthusiasts who follow them closely. <br></p><p>'This year's exhibitors will doubtless be pleased to know that over 95 percent of the posts we have tracked over the past week were positive.'<br></p><p>He continued: 'What also stood out about this year's event was the extent to which the 'front row celebrities' have shaped these conversations &#8211; even overtaking the brand completely at times. <br></p><p>'Will such big spikes help these brands cement their reputations with target consumers? Only time will tell.</p><p>'Meanwhile, it has been encouraging to see many up-and-coming designers harnessing social media with a different rule book &#8211; using their events to widen the awareness and appeal of their work.'</p><p> </p><p> Burberry's social media success comes in the wake of Victoria Beckham's triumph at New York Fashion Week.</p><p> Beckham racked up a whopping 57,000 new Twitter followers over the five-day event, and was mentioned 17,173 times on social networking sites.</p><p>Also popular in New York was Louis Vuitton supremo Marc Jacobs, whose show for his eponymous line resulted in 8,813 mentions.<br></p><p>Veteran designer Diane von Furstenburg came in third place with 8,608 tweets, followed by Alexander Wang with 6,767.</p><p> </p><br>?Dispatches from the front row: Samantha Cameron graces London Fashion Week at Christopher Kane and Erdem's shows alongside Anna Wintour and Alexa Chung<br><p> By </p><p>PUBLISHED:15:32 GMT, 17 September 2012 UPDATED:20:39 GMT, 17 September 2012</p><br><p>Being the former creative director for a luxury leather goods brand Smythson and ambassador to the British Fashion Council, it's no surprise Samantha Cameron takes her role as first lady of fashion extremely seriously.</p><p>And for her first London Fashion Week appearance she graced the front row of Christopher Kane as models paraded down the catwalk in a Frankenstein inspired show.<br></p><p>The Prime Minister's wife was spotted wearing a knee length Michael van der Ham dress in a melange of blue hues which she donned with a fitted black waist belt and classic black shoes. <br></p><p>Scroll down for videos<br></p><p> </p><p>Mrs Cameron has long been an ardent fan of Christopher Kane's collections, wearing his designs on numerous occasions in the past. <br></p><p>Sheseemed delighted by today's show, smiling and laughing as she took in the almost Gothic collection. </p><p>Models strutted down the catwalk wearing mugler shoulders and embossed roses on white leather biker jackets.<br></p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Candy-shaded ruffled iridescence gave way to gorgeous sugar-spun sparkles and as ever, he managed to add a fresh twist.</p><p>The colour palette was one of bubble gum pinks with gaffa tape and plastic bolt marks.</p><p>Samantha then dashed to the front row of Canadian-born, British-based designer Erdem (the label chosen by the Duchess of Cambridge for her debut outfit on her Canadian tour with William).<br></p><p>Other celebrities who took up seats on the much-coveted front row included Vogue editor Anna Wintour, Alexa Chung and Laura Bailey.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Apt setting: Lace appliques were order of the day at Erdem's show in Manchester Gardens</p><p> <br></p><p>Impressive: Chunky block heels were donned in the dome style catwalk which revelers dubbed as one of their favourite shows</p><p>Samantha and Anna were spotted chatting and laughing following the show.<br></p><p>Florallace appliques, pastel block heel platforms and fluorescent plastic laces were key themes at the show as well as snakeskin and studding detail.</p><p>Classic, feminine shapes in soft sunset colours were shown off before the eyes of fashion's biggest fans.</p> <br>AND ELSEWHERE AT LONDON FASHION WEEK...<p>First up this morning was Pringle of Scotland and it was a relaxed event in the Roosevelt suite at Brown&#8217;s Hotel, with the collection presented on rails for close inspection by buyers and fashionistas alike whilst models walked around the bustling room.</p><p>The result was a beautiful collection of soft knitwear (all made in Scotland, of course) in hues of sherbet lemon, pale blue and dusty pink, jade and citrine.</p><p> </p><p>Olivia Palermo and David Gandy were on hand to witness Antonio Berardi follow Mary Katrantzou and Peter Pilotto's lead with graphically-cut and sever-silhoutted designs at his spring/summer 2013 show this morning.</p><p>Sequins and beads from cerulean to neon pink scattered the catwalk in geometric style. Splashes of cobalt blue, khaki green and cream were the colour staples and tunic-style topsand statement jackets were in force.</p><p> </p><p> Michael van der Ham, the Central SaintMartins and Fashion East alumni, offered his signature cut-and-collage aesthetic on cute dresses and collared shirts in a variety of soft watercolour florals with heavy print detailing.</p><p>Pixie Lott and model boyfriend Oliver Cheshire took the front row for David Koma's tennis-themed catwalk show where the models wore tennis dresses and had net-printed nails and bright white eyeliner to reflect court-side style.</p><p> </p> Watch video of Pringle of Scotland's show below...<br>Watch Christopher Kane's runway show <br><p> </p>?London Fashion Week: Sarah Jessica Parker is back in high spirits as she attends Burberry show<br><p>By <br>UPDATED:07:56 GMT, 22 September 2010<br><br></p><p>After an emotional day at Alexander McQueen's memorial yesterday, Sarah Jessica Parker wiped her tears and appeared back in high spirits as she attended London Fashion Week.</p><p>The Sex and the City star looked the picture of glossy perfection at Burberry's show today, where she was was joined by presenters Cat Deeley, Donna Air and Alexa Chung.</p><p>The front-row fashionistas were all sporting the label showing off military chic at its finest in khaki and camel, this season's hottest colours.</p><p>Green queens: Sarah Jessica Parker, left, Cat Deeley and Alexa Chung, right, attend the Burberry show at London Fashion Week today, wearing autumn/winter 2010 and pre-season spring/summer 2011<br></p><p>Tennis aces Serena Williams and Andy Murray, who was no doubt encouraged by girlfriend Kim Sears, was also in attendance - as well as Peaches Geldof, Sir Phillip Green and daughter Chloe.</p><p>The father and daughter were witness to a nasty fall by one of the models during the show, who tripped on her super-high heels and fell on her knees in front of them.<br></p><p>The unfortunate incident occurred as the last outfit was unveiled.<br></p><p> </p><p> </p><p>But the faux-pas did nothing to hinder the impressive show, that yet again proved Burberry is fast becoming the hottest label around. <br></p><p>After last season's much sought-after aviator, ChristopherBailey has now moved onto the biker.</p><p>The chief creative officer, who has been on Twitter discussing the show with former Burberry model Emma Watson Tweeted: '@EmWatson Will really miss you tomorrow Emma but v excited to see you - can't wait X CB'</p><p>And it seems Emma missed an exciting fashion line-up. <br></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p>?London Fashion Week: So who came out on top in the great Burberry style battle? Our verdict on the good, the bad and the ugly as the stars go all out<br><p>By <br>UPDATED:07:32 GMT, 24 September 2009</p><br><p>Lastnight's Burberry show was one of the highlights of London Fashion Weekand drew all the famous faces, some looking a little more fashionablethan others.</p><p>VictoriaBeckham opted for a black taffeta number while actress Liv Tyler wentfor the uber-cool rock chick look in leggings and a boyfriend jacketand Vogue's Anna Wintour showed why she's been dubbed the high priestess of couture in a metallic jacquard satin dress. </p><p>Here Femail's fashion expert Karen Kay gives her verdict on who dressed to impress - and who should be sacking their stylist.</p><p> </p><p>Leading the way: Being the face of Burberry has given Emma Watson the courage to carry off the brand's metallic mini-dress. And great shoes on youthful limbs (left). Freida Pinto is a pretty young thing being just that - without trying too hard. Remember Kate Moss of yesteryear? Well, girls, here's a new style icon</p><p> </p><p>Sack the stylist: Model Agyness Deyn seems to be wearing a pair of Hilda Ogden's pop socks. She's bang on trend with those brogues and flyaway shoulder pads, but as an overall look this a definite no-no (left.) Donna Air looks more yummy granny than yummy mummy in this bronze Lurex number, which makes a pretty girl look bland</p><p></p><p>Rock chic and glamour puss: Liv Tyler's tousled locks are the perfect accompaniment to her uber-cool rock chic ensemble of leggings and boyfriend jacket (left). Vogue's Anna Wintour shows how to wear metallic jacquard satin with panache. Great that she's abandoned the shades - for this picture at least!</p><p> </p><p> </p><p>The bad and the ugly: Victoria Beckham looks like an extra from the Frocky Horror Show in this poorly-fitting and bland black taffeta number (left). Oh dear. The Andrex puppy has wrapped itself around Gwyneth Paltrow's legs. And that t-shirt should stay in her gym bag.</p><p> </p><p>Standing out: Twiggy - Oh dear! At 60, she might still be in demand as a model - but it doesn't mean she has to wear her whole wardrobe at once (left). Samantha Cameron shows off the simple style she favours, sporting a silver shift with satin platform stilettoes, and au-naturel hair.</p><br><p> </p><p> </p>?Best of British: Vintage year predicted for London Fashion Week as it opens tomorrow <br><p> By <br>UPDATED:17:17 GMT, 15 September 2011</p><br><p>As the curtains close on New York's catwalk shows tonight, on this side of the Atlantic frantic preparations are underway for tomorrow's launch of London Fashion Week.<br></p><p>The six-day celebration of style will cast a spotlight on British design, which has had a shot in the arm of late, thanks to its new ersatz ambassador, the Duchess of Cambridge. <br></p><p>In the five months since the royal wedding, the Duchess of Cambridge has become one of the UK's most stylish names, gripping fashion followers both home and overseas with her wardrobe choices.</p><p>A clutch of her favoured designers - Montreal-born, London-based label Erdem, in whose designs Kate was photographed on her summer tour of Canada - and Issa, by Brazilian designer Daniellla Helayel, who has long been firm favourite of the Duchess of Cambridge - will be showing this week, with Issa on Saturday evening, and Erdem Monday afternoon.<br></p><p>Kate chose a sapphire blue dress by the designer to announce her engagement to the then Prince William, again on the night before her wedding and also during her Canada visit, placing Issa - already a successful brand - even higher on the global radar.<br></p><p> </p><p>Star quality: Since showing in London, Burberry has attracted famous faces including Sarah Jessica Parker, Emma Watson and Alexa Chung<br></p><p>Fashion experts anticipate the so-called 'Kate effect' may popularise British fashion across the board -and in particular, the new polished style she has adopted since becoming a modern day duchess.</p><p>The collections of British favourites Giles, Jonathan Saunders, Burberry and Christopher Kane are eagerly awaited, as well as the first on-schedule London appearance of U.S. designer Tom Ford.</p><p>Taking lead from New York's bold colours, prints and retro inspiration, we can expect a similar feel for the London shows - but with the quirky flourishes we've come to expect from the adventurous sibling from the fashion weeks.</p><p>Jane Bruton, editor-in-chief of Grazia magazine, predicted a vintage season.</p><p>She said: 'Every season London Fashion Week raises the standard that it set six months before,' she told PA.<br></p><p>'It always seems impossible, but our home-grown talent manage it every time. I'm looking forward to seeing what Jonathan Saunders and Mary Katrantzou have to offer this season, asthe print masters are currently our most talked-about designers not only here, but internationally too.</p><p>'Christopher Kane, Erdem and Roksanda Ilincic are already catering to high-profile clients such as the Duchessof Cambridge, Michelle Obama and Samantha Cameron so there will be a huge buzz around their collections.'</p><p>And with the celebrities in the audience of the shows generally as much of a draw as the collections themselves, she tipped Burberry as the one to watch for its 'A+++ list' front row.</p><p>She added: 'The return of Tom Ford is giving London Fashion Week serious high gloss this season too, and Gilesis always a personal favourite of mine. I have a feeling it's going to be a vintage season.'</p><p>One of the highest profile fashion events in the world, the shows are expected to generate orders in the region of ¡ò100 million and to contribute some ¡ò20 million to the London economy.</p><p>Visitors from many countries routinelyflock to the city for the biannual fashion week, which features 50 or so catwalk shows on the official schedule alone and another 45-plus staged off-schedule. </p><br>?<p> </p><p>Just visiting: Kate Bosworth, Anna Wintour and Rachel Bilson popped in from the U.S.<br></p><p>Kate was pictured across town attending a private party at Downing Street.<br></p><p>Burberry's new face Jourdan Dunn walked the catwalk, sporting the new Burberry coats sure to be a hit next winter.</p><p>Featuring fur, leather and animal prints, the British label have come a long way since the demure trench coat that put them on the fashion map. <br></p><p>Model behaviour: Lily Donaldson, Jacquetta Wheeler and Douglas Booth add more glamour to the show<br></p><p> </p><p> The show, apart from being streamed liveacross the globe, was also shown on Piccadilly's main screen, attracting onlookers and tourists to stop and take in the show.</p><p>The fashion house, formerly fronted by Harry Potter actress Emma Watson, will also make the pieces available to buy online for seven weeks.</p><p>Christopher Bailey, Burberry's Chief Creative Officer, said:'Whether you are at home online, watching in Piccadilly Circus, using amobile device or in our store in Beijing everyone will be able to feel the energy and attitude of the brand and the excitement of the show.'</p><p></p><p>Star-studded front row: Rachel Bilson, Kate Bosworth, Douglas Booth, Stella Tennant and Mario Testino</p><p> </p><p>Coat check: The collection featured outerwear prominently and included animal print, fur and checks<br></p><p> </p>?That's a Conservative look for fashion week, SamCam! PM's wife wears sober trouser suit to Christopher Kane show (but her top fits the bill)<br><p> By <br>UPDATED:19:51 GMT, 13 March 2012</p><p>It was a sober look for Samantha Cameron as she made her debut appearance at London Fashion Week today. <br></p><p>The first lady of British fashion wore a very conservative black trouser suit as she sat front row for the Christopher Kane catwalk show at central London's One New Change shopping centre. <br></p><p>The Prime Minister's wife, who is ambassador to the British Fashion Council, wore a Joseph suit with cropped black trousers. <br></p><p>The only concession to the season's trends was a vivid green shirt by Jonathan Saunders, a British designer who showed last night.</p><p>Scroll down to see the Christopher Kane show<br></p><p>She also sported a pair of wedged black high shoes that revealed the small blue tattoo on her right ankle. <br></p><p>It was an understated look for SamCam, who in the past has made some daring fashion choices - not least a Christopher Kane galaxy print skirt she chose last year for the annual fashion party she hosts at Number 10, or the bright green Burberry dress she wore for the royal wedding. <br></p><p>Today though, Mrs Cameron, who is an ambassador for the British Fashion Council, perhaps wanted the focus to remain on the designers to which she has been so loyal. <br></p><p></p><p>Mrs Cameron has long been an ardent fan of Christopher Kane's collections, wearing his designs on numerous occasions in the past. <br></p><p>She seemed delighted by today's show, smiling and laughing with BFC joint chief executive Caroline Rush as they took in the colourful collection. <br></p><p>The models paraded past the PM's front row seat wearing brightly coloured dresses in purple, red and blue, shot through with metallic prints. <br></p><p>Later today she is expected to attend fashion shows by Canadian-born, British-based designer Erdem (the label chosen by the Duchess of Cambridge for her debut outfit on her Canadian tour with William) and Burberry - two other labels Samantha Cameron regularly wears for public appearances. </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>AND AT THE BURBERRY SHOW...</p><p>After making her London Fashion Week debut at the Chriistopher Kane show in east London this morning, Samantha Cameron headed west for the Burberry presentation in Hyde Park.</p><p>Perched next to the chairman of the British Fashion Council, Harold Tillman and dressed in the same Joseph and Jonathan Saunders ensemble she looked on as Christopher Bailey presented the label's autumn / winter collection.<br></p><p>Attendees were left open-mouthed as heavy showers erupted on the catwalk thanks to the work of a highly-skilled production team.</p><p>But the models weren't perturbed by the stage effects as umbrellas sheltered them from the downpour.</p><p></p>?Burberry's all-star cast as Sienna, Rosie, Kanye and SamCam line the front row at Brit favourite's London Fashion Week show<br><p> By <br>UPDATED:06:39 GMT, 20 September 2011<br></p><p>It was London Fashion Week's hottest ticket, and the Burberry Prorsum show this afternoon didn't disappoint.</p><p>Kanye West, Rosie Huntington-Whitely, Gemma Arterton, Andy Murray, Peaches Geldof and Sienna Miller were just a few of the guests on the label's very star-studded front row.</p><p>Samantha Cameron, Sir Philip Green and Anna Wintour made up the fashion heavyweights, while celebrity stylist Rachel Zoe added a touch of Hollywood glamour.<br></p><p> </p><p>For rainy days, the trench has been given an overhaul - now in bright colours and bold prints.</p><p>The tribal theme was unexpected but provided a refreshing change.</p><p>And for those who didn't get a chance to attend the show, the collection is available to buy online now to receive next season.</p><p>Twitter users had afirst look at the Spring Summer collection - before it was evenunveiled at the Hyde Park show venue.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p>In the trenches: Annie Lennox's daughter Tali (left), supermodel Laura Bailey (centre) and heptahlon star Denise Lewis (right) all wore twists on Burberry's signature piece<br></p><p>Every look was shared on the social networking site, allowing followers to view the collection moments before anyone else. </p><p>Burberry CCO Christopher Bailey said: 'Twitter is instantaneous and I love the idea that streaming a show can be in many different forms. <br></p><p>'This collection is all about the most detailed hand crafted pieces and fabric innovation, creating a beautiful physical experience that is communicated digitally in dynamic and diverse ways and I love balancing those two worlds.'</p><p> </p><p>Not so summery: The trench coat gets an update and is perfect for British weather<br></p><p> </p><p>Hat's off: Burberry unveils a new must-have for Spring, the bobble cap, in a tribal-themed show<br></p><p></p>?What no ego? He is the fashion world's biggest star, lauded by his stellar front row... so how DOES Burberry's Christopher Bailey remain the nicest man in fashion?<br><p> By </p><p>PUBLISHED:21:31 GMT, 17 September 2012 UPDATED:14:17 GMT, 3 October 2012</p><p>His is the hottest show in town at London Fashion Week, with precious passes rationed like Willy Wonka's golden tickets and a star-studded front row to boot.<br></p><p>But Burberry Chief Creative Officer Christopher Bailey does not let the pressure get to him.</p><p>Gracious, charming and relaxed, he is also unfeasibly humble for a man who is behind the transformation of what is arguably the world's biggest fashion brand.</p><p>Greeting guests backstage after the show, some of whom were Olympic champions (he says his front row consists of people he admires, and who do 'incredible things') - Bailey was more excited about getting to hold rower Pete Reed's gold medal than he was about his own rapturous reception.</p><p> to hear from Christopher Bailey</p><p>'I never thought I'd get to do something like this, it's incredible,' he enthused. <br></p><p>Speaking of incredible, Bailey's collection, his most colourful to date, was said by the designer to be inspired by British fashion photographer Norman Parkinson's work from the 40s and 50s, whose trademark pops of colour made for the palette of rich, saturated hues of fuchsia, scarlet, forestgreen and indigo.<br></p><p></p><p>'I wanted to do something really playful, really fun. I wanted to make people smile, for the colours to be exciting and pop, to be juicy, he said. 'When you see colour, it changes the way you see the world. It makes people happy. It just felt the right moment to do it with this collection - for it to be sexier and sassier.'<br></p><p>Hisconfident use of colour is testament to how assured he is in his Chief Creative Officer role - the title he has held since 2009.<br></p><p>Bailey dares to dabble where angels wouldn't, taking the iconic Burberry trench and shifting itup a gear, then up again - transforming it into a glittering peacock creation, rendering it in metallic pink pleats, or working it over in green lace.</p><p>He achieves that, he says, by respecting the legacy of the brand. <br></p><p>'It's really important that you stay trueto your history and your DNA,' he said. 'I look a lot to the archives and our history, but I also want to make sure that it is right for now and for this moment.'<br></p><p> </p><p>His admirers were out in their droves to take in the spectacle.</p><p> Anna Wintour sat front row alongside Olympic tennis champion Andy Murray and his girlfriend Kim Sears; Victoria Pendleton took in the show alongside Dita von Teese, Gabriella Wilde and Roo Panes (stars of the last Burberry campaign). There was Dev Patel, Harry Styles (who said he loved the men's trousers and the blue trench) and Harvey Weinstein, who declared the show wonderful.</p><p>Dita von Teese, dressed head-to-toe in autumn/winter Burberry and carrying an umbrella with fox head, said she was a huge admirer of Bailey's work. </p><p></p><p>'It was beautiful,' she told us backstage. 'The peacock trench was stunning, and I loved all the colour.'</p><p>Despitethe apparent ease with which this man creates, Bailey, who has just celebrated the opening of a new flagship store on London's Regent St - a four floor temple to Burberry he says offers the customer a 'living experience' of Burberry.com - is not a man to coast.</p><p>At the same time as he was designing the Prorsum 2013 collection we saw today, he had Burberry London, eyewear, accessories and menswear on the go too. <br></p><p>Meanwhile, he oversaw the entire renovation of the historic building that houses the new store, an old cinema dating back to 1820, looking back to old plans for original architectural detailing and commissioning traditional British craftsmen to recreate or restore its beauty.</p><p>He'sat the forefront of technical innovation too - uniting millions of fansglobally via social networking sites and kitting out his stores with interactive mirrors, concert-quality sound systems and the world's largest screen (of its type), among other wizardry.<br></p><p>Bailey reworked the classic trench in metallic hues, ruffles, lace or sequins</p><p>But for all the technology at his fingertips, Bailey says preserving the heritage of the brand is crucial. <br></p><p>'What is important is we stay very true to our journey, our heritage - but also add excitement,' he said. 'That's what the shows are about, that's what the Regent Street store isabout.</p><p>'It's a very ambitious project. We are just about to open a standalone menswear shop in London, another store in Chicago. We have lots of long-term plans we've been working on -and it's important that we keep working towards those long-term goals.'</p><p>'It's about believing in the heritage, believing in the team, believing in the vision. <br></p><p>'And it's aboutdoing something that makes people smile, that makes people want to engage, whether it's online, whether it's physical, whether it's at the show like this.'</p><p>With fans based across the globe from here to Hong Kong and back again, it's important for him to make the show - and the stores - appealing on a global scale too.</p><p></p>?Long Tall Alice; the girl taking the fasion world by storm<p>By JANE GORDON</p><p>Last updated at 16:18 08 March 2008</p><br><p>Alice Gibb possesses the kind of looks that inevitably invitecomparisons with Lily Cole - although it&#39;s not a good idea tomention that to the 17-year-old schoolgirl currently being hailedas the British supermodel&#39;s &quot;successor&quot;.</p><p>Ridiculously tall (&quot;I&#39;m 6ft and half an inch and stillgrowing&quot;), with long red hair and a slightly medieval air (hereyelashes and eyebrows are so fair they are virtually invisible),Alice is rather bemused by her success and slightly irritated bythe way in which she has been tagged &quot;the next Lily Cole&quot;(she is, she says, &quot;the first Alice Gibb&quot;).</p><p>But it isn&#39;t just in the area of looks that Alice echoesLily.</p><p>While the highly academic Lily has a deferred place atCambridge, last summer Alice achieved nine A-star grades at GCSE(plus an A in advanced maths) and is in the process of studying forA-levels in maths, English, French and history at the privatePortsmouth Grammar School near her home in Hampshire.</p><p>Scroll down for more...</p><p>Add to that an imminent grade 8 exam on the piano (we meet atthe end of an impressively frantic practice session at her home)and it&#39;s hard to imagine how this sweet and rather shy girl hasmanaged to find time for photo shoots with Mario Testino (she is inthe current Burberry ad campaign alongside Agyness Deyn and LilyDonaldson) let alone stints on the catwalk in New York, London,Paris and Milan.</p><p>&quot;I think there are girls at my school who might be jealous,but actually I don&#39;t know why because modelling isn&#39;t thatamazingly glamorous.</p><p>&quot;You have to sit around for hours waiting for fittings, forexample, and they never have shoes big enough for me at catwalkshows so I always have blisters on my feet.</p><p>&quot;But my friends don&#39;t see the bad things; they justhear that I stayed in an apartment in New York by myself and theysay, &#39;Wow, that must have been so cool!&#39; when actually itwas a bit lonely,&quot; she says with a hesitant smile.</p><p></p><p>Switching between school and catwalks is not an easy task, noris it one that Alice ever really thought she would have tomaster.</p><p>Although friends and relatives had always told her she could bea model, she had never believed them.</p><p>&quot;I was a bit apprehensive about the idea - it justwasn&#39;t my world - and I wouldn&#39;t have gone to any agenciesif it hadn&#39;t been for a friend at school who wanted to be amodel.</p><p>&quot;My dad took the two of us to London when we were 14 andsaid to me, &#39;I don&#39;t think anyone will like you, it&#39;sjust a bit of fun.&#39;</p><p>&quot;But the first agency we went to - Premier, whicheventually signed me - really liked me, and every other agency tookPolaroids of me but none of my friend.</p><p>&quot;It must have been difficult for her, but we are still goodfriends,&quot; she says with a grin, before adding, &quot;and, ofcourse, Dad was amazed.&quot;</p><p>It isn&#39;t difficult to see that Dad is a pivotal (andabsolutely adored) figure in her life.</p><p>The consultant neurologist has raised Alice and her elder sisterKaty, 19 (who is studying medicine at Sheffield University), on hisown since their mother Helen, who was a nurse, died of breastcancer a little over ten years ago.</p><p>It cannot have been easy for William to care for his youngdaughters, and Alice is full of praise for his achievement.</p><p>&quot;It&#39;s quite amazing how he has managed to bring usup,&quot; she says.</p><p>&quot;He had no idea how to look after us when Mum first died,but he&#39;s brilliant now. He cooks dinner every evening andsupervises homework and everything.&quot;</p><p>Scroll down for more...</p><p>But there is one area in which her father&#39;s parenting skillsfailed to impress his daughter.</p><p>Until Alice was discovered (she was just 14 when she wasphotographed by Mario Testino for Vogue for her first modellingjob), she didn&#39;t know anything about fashion.</p><p>&quot;My dad didn&#39;t have much idea about dressing girls. Iusually got my sister&#39;s hand-me-downs and when he did buy meanything new it was always in a garish shade because he absolutelyloves bright colours.</p><p>&quot;I remember him buying me a pair of brilliant orangecorduroy trousers and a yellow denim skirt and matching jacket.Terrible, terrible?&quot; she says with a peal of laughter.</p><p>Alice concedes, though, that her father&#39;s lack of interestin fashion and his emphasis on the importance of studies has playeda big part in keeping her size 8 (&quot;and growing&quot;) feet onthe ground, ensuring she has a healthy contempt for the dangersthat young models can face (unsuitable men, drugs and, mostparticularly, eating disorders).</p><p>&quot;My dad makes sure I eat sensibly when I am at home, and myagents at Premier are always saying to me, &#39;Have you eatentoday?&#39; or, &#39;Time for something to eat, Alice,&#39; when Iam working,&quot; she says.</p><p>&quot;But I am aware that a lot of models do have eatingdisorders - some of them never seem to eat anything at all.</p><p>&quot;When I was in New York recently I overheard a girl at fiveor six in the evening saying quite proudly that all she had eatenthat day was an apple. That&#39;s bad. I really love myfood.&quot;</p><p>Scroll down for more...</p><p>Being propelled into such a competitive - and often decadent -world at such a young age has not corrupted Alice.</p><p>In fact she possesses a gentleness and an unworldliness that israrely encountered in the modelling profession.</p><p>She doesn&#39;t, for instance, have a boyfriend - not justbecause so few of the boys at her school &quot;are my height&quot;but also because she finds them &quot;immature&quot;. Besides, asshe quickly points out, there is little time for anything apartfrom her schoolwork and her modelling.</p><p>Her most high-profile photographic job so far is the Burberrycampaign, with its cast of &#39;cool Brits&#39; (including actorsAlex Pettyfer and Eddie Redmayne, Sting&#39;s daughter Coco andBryan Ferry&#39;s son Merlin) picked by the brand&#39;s creativedirector Christopher Bailey.</p><p>&quot;The Burberry photo shoot was cool and there were somereally nice guys,&quot; she says.</p><p>&quot;I haven&#39;t done shoots with guys before and I foundthem much easier to talk to than the boys at school.&quot;</p><p>Alice - like Lily Cole before her - has managed to establishherself as a successful model while still attending school fulltime.</p><p>But turning down jobs (which Alice admits is a littlefrustrating) because she has school the next day has not held herback.</p><p>On the contrary, her agents at Premier - who are encouraging herto continue with her studies - believe it has only added to herappeal.</p><p></p><p>They predict a huge future for Alice as a catwalk andphotographic model (there is even talk of acting roles) and sheplans to spend her gap year modelling full time.</p><p>Already, working only in the school holidays and at weekends,Alice has appeared on the catwalk for Marc Jacobs, Louis Vuitton,Alexander McQueen, Alberta Ferretti and Jil Sander, and has becomea favourite of photographers Mario Testino and Steven Meisel.</p><p>&quot;It can be exciting backstage at the shows, but it&#39;salso sometimes totally nerve-racking.</p><p>&quot;In Paris I opened for Alexander McQueen and I was reallyscared. The collection was full of mad hats and I had on a greysuit with this metal contraption on my head,&quot; she says.</p><p>Practical and prudent (all her earnings go straight into thebank), Alice prefers high street to designer (she wears Topshop forour interview) and claims the only expensive item in her wardrobe -which is rather more muted than it was when her father was incharge - is a Marc Jacobs handbag (a gift from the designer).</p><p>She is unsure what she will study at university and uncertain asto whether modelling will be her ultimate ambition (although she issure she won&#39;t ever follow her father and sister intomedicine).</p><p>In fact, for now her hopes for the future are more in line witha schoolgirl than a supermodel; she would like a distinction in hergrade 8 piano exam, she would like to give up maths after thissummer&#39;s AS levels (&quot;although I don&#39;t think the schoolwill let me&quot;), and she would like her father to remarry&quot;at some point soon&quot; because she worries about him beinglonely when both she and her sister are at university.</p><p>&quot;My dad is as proud of us as we are of him.</p><p>&quot;He was very surprised by my modelling success at first,but he thought it would be a good thing for me to do, just as longas it doesn&#39;t interfere with my schoolwork.</p><p>&quot;He is always saying, &#39;It&#39;s so important to getreally good exam results.&#39;</p><p>&quot;And that&#39;s my main priority now, because I would hateto let him down.&quot;</p>Share this article: <p> </p>?Luxury brand Burberry basks in global demand<p>By <br>UPDATED:12:27 GMT, 18 January 2011</p><p></p><p>The worldwide popularity of Burberry Group&#39;s distinctive luxury coats and handbags saw it beat City sales hopes in the last quarter of 2010.</p><p>The company reported a 27% rise in total revenue to ¡ò470m ? excluding the discontinuing Spanish business. </p><p>Its stock jumped 4%, or 41p, to 1,100p on the results, which overshot an average City forecast of ¡ò434m in revenue.</p><p>Chief executive Angela Ahrendts said Burberry had seen &#39;strong, consistent growth in both retail and wholesale and in every product division and region&#39;.</p><p>&#39;As a result, we now expect adjusted profit before tax for the current financial year to be at the top end of market expectations,&#39; she said. </p><p>&#39;Ongoing initiatives in retail, digital, product development and new markets underpin our confidence in the future.&#39;</p><p>Burberry&#39;s retail arm saw a 36% rise in sales in the quarter to December 31. New space generated 8% of this growth while China ? which was incorporated into the retail division in September ? contributed 14%</p><p>The firm said China, previously part of its wholesale business, produced a 30% rise in comparable store sales.</p><p>It opened a flagship store in Beijing during the third quarter, along with other outlets in locations including Brazil, Mexico, and Milan in Italy.</p><p>Asset manager Investec commented to Reuters: &#39;The shares deserve a premium as they offer one of the few convincing global growth stories within our universe and continue to compare favourably with the best of the luxury and retail growth stories.&#39;</p><p>Burberry, which was founded in 1856, had 173 retail stores, 175 concessions (excluding Spain), 46 outlets and 59 franchise stores at the end of 2010. </p>?Luxury makes a comeback as Burberry smashes revenue forecasts <p>By <br>UPDATED:15:15 GMT, 19 January 2010</p><p>British luxury fashion label Burberry surpassed third quarter revenue forecasts and today predicted a full-year profit at the top end of market expectations.<br></p><p>The goods group, famed for its camel, red and black check, reported a fashionable 12 per cent rise in total sales to ¡ò380million in the three months to December 31, a vast <br>improvement on analyst expectations of three per cent and the first-half decline of five <br>per cent.<br></p><p>Improved consumer confidence also boosted Burberry's wholesale revenue which oustripped the market expected decline of 16 per cent, rising instead by 5 per cent. <br></p><p>The firm's wholesale revenues have been in decline for several monthsand so a positive result prompted it to raise wholesale guidance todown between 10 and 12 per cent from down 15 per cent previously.</p><p>Still in decline was the group's licensing revenue, earned on licensedfragrances and eyewear, which fell 3 per cent in the three monthsto December 31, prompting Burberry to reiterate guidance that full-yearlicensing sales will drop between 5 per cent and 10 per cent.</p><p></p><p>Margins at the 154-year-old maker of upmarket raincoats and handbagswere affected last year when poor sales forced the firm to discountheavily in the run up to Christmas. As a result, Burberry has beenstreamlining efficiency, stripping out unprofitable lines, expandingthe successful accessories range and building the brand. <br></p><p>The firm said today that it expected further profit growth in2010/11. Shares in Burberry, which have nearly trebled over the lastyear, jumped 31p this morning to630.5p, a gain of 5%. </p><p> </p>?Luxury retailer Burberry entrenches its market share <p><br> UPDATED:07:45 GMT, 15 October 2008</p> <p>Shoppers&#8217; continuing love affair with Burberry trench coats and its iconic camel check helped the luxury goods retailer rack up a 13 per cent rise in revenues to ¡ò539million for the six months to September.</p><p>Chief executive Angela Ahrendts said she was pleased with Burberry&#8217;s performance<br>&#8216;against the background of an increasingly challenging external environment&#8217;.<br></p><p>Looking good: Burberry revenue up 13 per cent in the six months to September<br></p> <br> <p>But in a sign Burberry (down 331&#8260;4p at 2883&#8260;4p) may not be recession proof, underlying sales growth slowed from 4.5 per cent in the first quarter to 2.5 per cent in the second quarter. <br> </p> <p>In light of the slowing growth, the firm said Christmas would be difficult to judge.</p> <p>Stacey Cartwright, Burberry&#8217;s finance director, was hopeful the group&#8217;s focus<br> on unique gift items ranging from exotic handbags to jewellery, hats and scarves<br> would help keep sales buoyant.</p><p></p> <p>&#8216;The fact that we are delivering positive like-for-like sales in almost all our markets<br> shows there is still confidence at the higher end. It&#8217;s not all about gloom,&#8217; she said.<br> </p> <p>However, the group admitted a lower percentage of merchandise was sold at<br> full price, impacting gross profit margins by around two percentage points.<br> </p> <p>Cartwright stressed this was offset by tight control of discretionary expenses<br> and was &#8216;entirely manageable&#8217;.</p> <p> </p>?Luxury stores ready to reap Peking pound as China eases travel restrictions for New Year<br><p> By <br>UPDATED:08:40 GMT, 23 January 2012</p><br><p>Luxury stores are preparing for thousands of wealthy Far Eastern shoppers to coincide with the start of the Chinese Year of the Dragon.</p><p>The easing of travel restrictions in China means the turn of the year has become a time for international travel and shopping for the country&#8217;s elite.</p><p>They will be looking for British brands such as Burberry and Mulberry, and international brands such as Prada and Gucci.</p><p>Spending by Chinese tourists in UK stores rose by 64 per cent last year, say retail analysts Global Blue, and totalled ¡ò165million. </p><p>Bond Street shops have hired Mandarin-speaking staff while Harrods has installed 75 tills for Chinese shoppers and the UnionPay card, which is China&#8217;s only domestic debit and credit card.</p><p>And yesterday, the store unveiled commemorative investment gold bars, each incorporating an Oriental Dragon, in a bid to appeal to the tourists.</p><p>Richard Brown of Global Blue said: &#8216;Chinese New Year reflects an important cultural shift in China with families now travelling abroad as an alternative to celebrations at home.&#8217;</p><p>&#8216;Retailers are bracing themselves for a significant uplift in Chinese shoppers and hope to repeat staggering growth.</p><p>&#8216;Luxury brands are set to benefit the most from this uplift, with Chinese shoppers spending on average ¡ò729 per tax free transaction favouring handbags, jewellery and watches.&#8217; </p><p>Mark Di-Toro, from VisitBritain, said: &#8216;The first half of 2011 witnessed a record high in outbound tourism from China. The UK is already benefitting from these high spending visitors who are coming to Britain to shop in their droves. </p><p>&#8216;In the West End, Chinese shoppers are reported to spend an average ¡ò1,310 during a trip with half of Burberry&#8217;s sales in London coming courtesy of Chinese tourists.&#8217; <br></p><p>Burberry benefits from the fact that the Duchess of Cambridge has been seen wearing a number of the brand&#8217;s trademark coats.</p><p>Gordon Innes, chief executive of London &amp; Partners, the capital&#8217;s official promotional organisation, said: &#8216;With its large population, strong economic growth and growing social mobility, China is viewed as a lucrative tourism prospect.</p><p>&#8216;In the year ending September 2011 visitor arrivals increased by about 40per cent with the average stay length among Chinese visitors twice the average of all overseas tourist - making them prodigious spenders.&#8217;<br></p>?Makeover starts to pay off for Burberry<p>By <br>UPDATED:08:27 GMT, 24 May 2007</p><p></p><p>Fashion house Burberry may have finally shrugged off the Essex-girl image that was damaging the brand, as it revealed a strong set of results that pleased the City. </p><p>Sales at what is now a booming international concern rose 14% to &pound;850m as trend watchers in the US, Asia and elsewhere snapped up its distinctive range of check clothing and luxury handbags. Profits edged up 2% to &pound;157m. but better returns are expected under new chief executive Angela Ahrendts. </p><p>The 46-year-old American took over last July from Rose Marie Bravo, who began the process of turning Burberry from a staid outfit into a fashion leader. </p><p>Pictures of Kate Moss in a Burberry bikini kick-started the revolution - with some negative side-effects. To its horror, Burberry became associated with label-hungry football yobs, prompting fashion gurus to say that if you saw someone in camel, red and black check, you could expect to be mugged. </p><p>Finance director Stacey Cartwright said today: &#39;It wasn't helpful at the time but we have moved on. We stayed core to our true principles. We have always been very democratic, and customers love the fact that we are a true luxury British brand.&#39; </p><p>Flagship stores on Bond Street and in Knightsbridge prove popular with tourists but Burberry can now be found on posh High Streets across the globe. </p><p>Cartwright, who joined three years ago from internet bank Egg, admits that Burberry has had a supply problem lately. </p><p>&#39;It's been a question of keeping up with demand. We are pedalling to catch up. It was a stellar year,&#39; she said. </p><p>Burberry, which celebrated its 150th anniversary in 2006, seems to reinvent itself every few years. Its latest overhaul sees a radical pruning of its product line, one of Ahrendts' first initiatives. </p><p>It is a question of evolution rather than revolution, Ahrendts said. &#39;We advanced the luxury component of the brand, accelerated retail expansion and continued to evolve the operating model. We face the current year with confidence.&#39; </p><p>Cartwright discovered that 80% of Burberry's sales came from just 20% of its goods, prompting management to conclude that customers were confused and that simplicity was needed. The 6000 styles will be cut to about 4000, and designers will be told to work more closely together to ensure the brand is cohesive. </p><p>Counterfeiting is also an issue for Burberry, and the company is pledging to step up its enforcement of copyright as it seeks to protect its image. </p><p>A dividend of 10.5p will be paid, up from 8p a year ago. The shares were today at 692&frac12;p, valuing the company at &pound;3bn. </p><p></p>?TOWIE star turns to Church: Maria Fowler puckers up to boyfriend Craig with very public display of affection <br><p> By <br>UPDATED:08:28 GMT, 10 August 2011</p><br><p>You can always count on the TOWIE crew to court the cameras.</p><p>And despite London descending into chaos last night, Maria Fowler was no exception.</p><p>The ITV2 reality star locked lips with boyfriend Craig Church in a public display of affection, just in time to be snapped by photographers.<br></p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Clutching her beau, the 24-year-old kissed him outside the Mayfair Hotel and in the back of their taxi for all to see.</p><p>The pair were still dressed in the same clothes they had been wearing during the day for a visit to the MYA Clinic.</p><p></p><p>Despite her trim physique, the redhead visited a surgeon to discuss her upcoming Advanced Laser Liposuction procedure to get rid of a small pocket of fat on her bottom.</p><p>Craig, who looks unusually like her co-star Kirk Norcross, went along to support his girlfriend - who couldn't contain her feelings, gushing on Twitter about the nightclub owner.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> <br></p>?MARKET REPORT: Alcoa in a solid start to the season<p>By <br>UPDATED:09:25 GMT, 9 October 2009</p><p>Make no mistake about it, dealers expect the third-quarter earnings and forecasts that come out of Wall Street in the coming weeks to have a big influence on the market's direction through to the end of the year. </p><p>Major US conglomerates largely beat modest earnings forecasts in the second quarter by cutting costs and streamlining operations. For the third quarter, analysts and investors will be looking for actual growth in revenue and sales to provide more evidence of economic recovery. </p><p>Aluminium giant Alcoa, first of the Dow's 30 constituents to report, got the season off to a storming start late on Wednesday. With number crunchers forecasting a third-quarter loss, it reported a third-quarter profit helped by climbing metal prices and job cuts. </p><p></p><p>Mining buffs were buoyant as Alcoa's performance, a record goldprice of $1,055.60, or ¡ò676 an ounce, and further good gains in otherprecious metals as the dollar weakened, helped the sector drive the Footsie higher. It rallied 45.74 points to 5,154.64, while the FTSE 250 advanced 147.09 points to 9,373.44. </p><p>Wall Street put on 60 points at the outset, additionally helpedby a drop in US jobless claims and some upbeat sales reports from topretailers, including Abercrombie &amp; Fitch. </p><p>News that the Bank of England had kept interest rates on holdat 0.5 per cent for the eight consecutive month and the limit of the plannedasset purchase unchanged at ¡ò175billion came as no surprise. </p><p>However, there will be uncertainty next month when theMonetary Policy Committee has a new set of Inflation Report forecastsand the Bank of England will have met the current quantitative easingtarget. <br></p><p></p><p>Kazakhmys led miners north with a gain of 54p at 1,152p. Antofagasta put on 37p to 834.5p, Eurasian Natural Resources 41p to 942.5p, Xstrata 40.5p to 965.5p and Lonmin 63p to 1,609.75p. Gold stocks glittered with Anglo American up 84.5p at 2,182.5p and Rio Tinto 102p better at 2,840.5p. </p><p>Trendy fashion group Burberry rose 28p to 532.5p after Nomura advised clients to buy ahead of Wednesday'ssecond-quarter trading statement. The Japanese love its trademarkblack-red-tan tartan trenchcoats and hats. so the broker is confidentthat Burberry can continue to gain market share while improving itsprofitability. </p><p>Lloyds Banking Group, 43 per cent owned by the UK taxpayer,slipped 1.35p to 94.31p on continuing fears that a ¡ò15billion capital raisingis on the horizon. Oriel Securities estimates the equity required torebuild Lloyds' core tier 1 ratio to 8 per cent without using the government'sAsset Protection Scheme would be in excess of ¡ò18billion. </p><p>Housebuilders erected good gains after Morgan Stanley turnedbullish, believing constrained housing supply should drive house priceshigher. Its preferred stocks are Barratt Developments, 17.4p up at 266.8p, and Taylor Wimpey, 1.76pbetter at 45p. Meanwhile, speculation persists that TW has lined up abuyer for its North American housebuilding operations. </p><p>KBC Peel Hunt lifted its Victrex target price 50p to800p after the chemicals company gave a positive trading update.Theboard expects 2009 profits to be in line with expectations. </p><p>AIM-listed wave power company Ocean Power Technologies, rose5p to 322.5p following its entry into the Japanese market via a tie-upwith blue chip local companies for a 10MW wave power station. The newsprecedes an institutional roadshow in London next week hosted by NomuraCode. </p><p>Patagonia Gold added 0.75p at 16.25p after rolling outa resource estimate on its Cap Oeste gold/silver project in Argentina.It now shows a total of 655.932 ounces of gold, an increase of 90pc onthe last estimate. Adding on the estimate from the neighbouring Lomadaproject, the company has now established around 893,000 ounces of goldand expect to top 1m ounces before the end of the year. </p><p>Copper and nickel explorer Discovery Metals firmed 1pto 25.25p after announcing a joint venture with Japanese state-ownedmining agency, Japan Oil Gas and Metals National Corporation, for itsDikoloti nickel project in north-east Botswana. </p><p>After a hefty overhang of 71m shares were cleared, Nostra Terra Oil &amp; Gas edged up 0.02p to 0.35p. <br></p><p>Coms buzzed 0.25p higher to 9.5p after it was selected tosupply HelpAge International with a telephone system that will save thecharity in excess of 25 per cent of its monthly telecoms budget. </p><p> </p>?MARKET REPORT: Burberry price closes in fashion on FTSE 100<br><p>By <br>UPDATED:21:42 GMT, 23 September 2009</p><p>Burberry strutted its stuff on the Footsie catwalk, striding imperiously forward to touch 511.5p before closing 25.9p higher at 502.5p. <br></p><p>The shares were en vogue after the 153-year old British luxury fashion house on Tuesday brought the 25th anniversary of London Fashion Week to a spectacular close. <br></p><p>All of the industry was out in force to see Burberry's spring 2010 Prorsum collection. Excitement reached fever pitch among the glamorous celebrities in attendance as it was the first time Burberry has shown the collection on home soil, having decided to switch it from the runways of Milan. <br></p><p>City heads were turned by comments about buoyant current trading made by chief executive Angela Ahrendts after the show. <br></p><p>She waxed lyrical about how the UK business was 'on fire' in recentmonths, thanks to the weak pound. Tourists have flocked to their storesin their droves. The Japanese, in particular, love its trademarkblack-red-tan tartan trenchcoats and hats. <br></p><p>Elsewhere, news of renewed cash calls worth a combined ¡ò1.45billionraised fears in some City quarters that the market is now definitelylooking a bit 'toppy' and due a healthy correction following itsspectacular performance this quarter and since the March low. <br></p><p>Up 36 points initially after the CBI proclaimed the UK recession wasover, the Footsie retreated on profit-taking to close 3.23 points lowerat 5,139.37. The FTSE 250 declined 31.66 points to 9,217.01. <br></p><p>Wall Street dipped 14 points as New York traders awaited theconclusion of the two-day Federal Open Market Committee meeting. TheFederal Reserve is expected to leave US interest rates unchanged at0.25%, but dealers will pore over the accompanying policy statement forany hints about future moves. <br></p><p>Cazenove moved Prudential to 'outperform' from 'in-line', helpingshares of the insurance giant climb 22.5p to 587p. The broker saysthere is good potential for a re-rating, given the strong earnings anddividend track record recently. Pru simply looks too cheap. <br></p><p>Reports of a pending upbeat circular lifted international bank Standard Chartered 64p to 1544p.</p><p></p><p>Lloyds Banking Group, 43 per cent owned by the UK taxpayer, firmed1.2p to 108p.8p on a buy recommendation from Execution Research. Thebroker says the Government's Asset Protection Scheme is a sub-optimalway to recapitalise the sector and should be reconsidered. Such actionwould require Lloyds to raise ¡ò16billion in a rights issue - viewedas achievable and hugely positive. <br></p><p>On the other hand, Execution rates Royal Bank of Scotland (0.95p offat 52.4p) a 'sell'. It would need an estimated ¡ò35billion of capital toescape the APS scheme - nearly impossible to raise in a rights issue.It says RBS will remain loss-making in 2011 and is worth 38p a share. <br></p><p>Revived US takeover gossip accompanied a speculative 7p gain to 183.4p in Chloride. <br></p><p>Shares of pub groups were as flat as a pint of homemade scrumpyafter UBS warned that leased and tenanted pub margins are unlikely toreturn to former highs following the impact of the smoking ban andrecession. The sector has been overvalued since November 2008. <br></p><p>Enterprise Inns shed 11.2p to 132.26p as the broker downgraded tosell, while Marston's eased 2p to 104.6p for the same reason. Mitchells&amp; Butlers lost 14.4p to 284.1p on nervous selling ahead of today'strading statement. <br></p><p>Reflecting an Oriel Securities buy recommendationin the wake of thebetter-than-expected interims, Gulfsands Petroleum gushed 7.5p to251.5p. Regal Petroleum rose 15p to 117p after striking gas in theUkraine. Bank of America/Merrill Lynch says it is still the cheapeststock in the sector. <br></p><p>Dealers expect biotech company Osmetech (0.375p off at 2.125p) tonow make progress after a line of 20m shares were cleared in themarket. <br></p><p>Revitalised by entrepreneur Richard Griffith's purchase last week ofa 10 per cent stake, Coms edged up 0.5p further to 12.5p. The providerof internet telephony services has launched an innovative videoconference service based upon the Polycom CX5000 video conferencingphone developed in partnership between Polycom and Microsoft. <br></p><p>Stockbroker Canaccord closed flat at 550p despite making its firstacquisition since floating on AIM in 2005. It has acquired Intelli, acorporate advisory and broking boutique, from Midas Group, a small UKfinancial services business.<br></p><p> </p>?MARKET REPORT: Burberry soars on bid rumours <p>By <br>UPDATED:10:58 GMT, 10 December 2010</p><p>The cold weather may be deterring shoppers from the High Street, but if City gossip is anything to go by companies are preparing for a massive shopping spree. <br></p><p>Barely a day seems to go by without bid rumours driving up a stock and yesterday it was the turn of luxury goods group Burberry. <br></p><p>Burberry's shares jumped 26p, or 2.3pc, to close at 1,159.8p as traders in London and Frankfurt speculated about a ¡ò15-a-share bid for the maker of posh raincoats and handbags. <br></p><br><p>It's certainly not the first time the 154-year-old Burberry has beenmooted as a target, but yesterday the talk gained momentum, as risingdemand from Asia pushes up profits at luxury goods makers. <br></p><p>'The main attraction is its free float and it's not got acontrolling family shareholder. It's the only luxury group that isindependent. It's a good company, actually, very well run,' said onetrader. <br></p><p>However, some analysts wonder if much value can be squeezed out ofBurberry, whose shares have more than doubled this year on the back ofstrong results and takeover speculation. <br></p><p>They question whether there is much scope for private equity firmsto turn a profit on a deal and point out that rivals such as Gucciowner PPR and LVMH have historically struggled to wring value frommergers and acquisitions. <br></p><p>J Sainsbury and Kesa Electricals have also been the subject of takeover rumours in recent days. <br></p><p>But over in the healthcare sector Smith &amp; Nephew wasanother beneficiary of bid speculation leading the FTSE 350 risersfollowing a report yesterday in this column that the maker of knee andhip replacements could shortly receive an ¡ò8-a-share cash offer from aUS consortium of private equity players-The group's shares soared by55.0p, or 9.0pc, to close at 640.5p. <br></p><p>Takeover talk was also behind the 4.75pc share price jump at Security services group G4S,making it the FTSE 100's second biggest riser. Industry gossipsuggested that a private equity consortium, led by America's KKR, wasmulling a 350p-a-share offer for the company. G4S ended the day 11.3phigher at 249.4p. At least some of the rise, however, is likely to bedown to the fact that Merrill Lynch cleared a big overhang of thecompany's shares. <br></p><p>The security group also benefitted as the City welcomed itsacquisition of Guernsey Air Conditioning, a building servicescontractor in the Channel Islands, for an undisclosed sum. In a flatday of trading overall the mining companies were the hardest hit sectoras a sharp rise in US bond yields pushed the greenback higher. <br></p><p>The rising dollar forced down the value of commodities such ascopper and gold - traditionally viewed as a safe haven when the UScurrency is falling - from their recent record highs, in turn puttingmining stocks under pressure. <br></p><p>Rio Tinto (down 135.0p at 4.370p), Anglo American (down 91.50p at 2,970.5p), BHP Billiton (53.0p lower at 2,428p), Randgold Resources (down 205p at 5,700p), Eurasian Natural Resources Corporation (down 13.50p at 931.0p) and Kazakhmys (down 31.0p at 1,523.0p) were among the biggest losers from the sell-off in US bonds.</p><p> It was prompted by President Obama's proposed move to extend taxcuts, which some analysts say could increase America's deficit by up to¡ò570m. <br></p><p>Among the biggest gainers on the FTSE100 was Prudential,which saw its shares tick up by 22.5p to 632.15p after an upbeat notefrom UBS, which added the insurer to its 'key calls' list. 'The Pru'sAsian footprint is unique in the sector. <br></p><p>The prospect of meaningful remittances from the Asian unit to thecentre means that each of the group's four operations will be more ableto stand on its own two feet by 2013,' UBS analysts said in a note. <br></p><p>Shares in Northern Petroleum,the EU-focussed oil and gas exploration company, continued a good runyesterday when it announced an agreement to farm-out an interest in theeastern part of the Pro Valley Basin in Italy to Orca ExplorationGroup. The shares rose by 4.25p to close at 104.25p. <br></p><p>Shares in Medavinci, the medical technology investor turned mineral explorer, rose by <br>2.2pc ahead of an update by the group today on its Serbian gold project. <br></p><p>The company is also expected to announce a new chairman and chiefexecutive, as well as plans to call early the option it has to buy theremaining 49pc of Orogen Gold Ltd, the exploration company, that itdoesn't already own. Medavinci will also announce today that it's nameis changing to Orogen Gold Plc. Shares in Medavinci rose 0.01p to closeat 0.45p. <br></p><p>Shares in Cyan Holdings (up0.15p to 0.975p) jumped 18pc after the maker of wireless modules tomonitor and control outdoor public lighting announced a key order fromChina. <br></p><p>The contract is initially for 10,000 modules, with the eventualnumber supplied likely to be much higher, Cyan says. It is from anunnamed Chinese lighting manufacturer, which has just won a contract toreplace 200,000 street lights in a Chinese city. </p><p> </p>?MARKET REPORT: Investors check in to luxury goods giant Burberry<p> By </p><p>PUBLISHED:21:15 GMT, 7 June 2012 UPDATED:21:15 GMT, 7 June 2012</p><p></p><p>It was the British brand that became a national joke. Burberry&#8217;s ubiquitous camel, red and black check was more at home in Canning Town than Chelsea &#8211; a badge of honour for the chav generation.<br></p><p>But yesterday the luxury goods giant was top of the FTSE leader board, up 5.89 per cent after Credit Suisse likened it to arch rival Louis Vuitton. It marks a remarkable turnaround for the fashion brand, up 68p to 1392p following a broker upgrade.<br></p><p>Burberry, which started life in 1856 dressing Sir Ernest Shackleton for his exploration of Antarctica, has been riding high on bumper trading as it cashes in on a penchant for brands from the newly rich in Asia.<br></p><p><br>Most thought the shares have been trading at a premium for some time after the City had factored in almostevery conceivable new growth stream. But investors piled in yesterday after Credit Suisse suggested the stock had further to go.<br></p><p>Research conducted among 20 top department stores around the world showed that most retailers see the Burberry brand outperforming its peers with many planning to allocate more space accordingly.</p><p></p><p>Around 16 out of 20 questioned indicated that the brand image is now at least &#8216;similar&#8217; to luxury labels such as Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Prada, Hermes or Chanel.<br></p><p>This is in stark contrast to the daysgone by when Z-list celebrities such as former soap star Daniella Westbrook dressed her daughter head to toe in Burberry.<br></p><p>Rogerio Fujimori, an analyst at Credit Suisse, said: &#8216;Our call today is about highlighting Burberry as arelative sector outperformer. The brand looks healthier than ever to navigate through an uncertain environment as it has become more retail driven and more exposed to Asia.&#8217; Burberry&#8217;s investment in new computer systems means that it has kept a tighter grip than expected on its storeroom and supplies boosting margins.<br></p><p>Fujimori said: &#8216;Burberry&#8217;s superior brand image in fashion apparel has been sustained in this year&#8217;s survey with more than 90 per cent of the respondents considering Burberry&#8217;s brand image as &#8220;similar&#8221;, &#8220;slightly better&#8221; or &#8220;better&#8221; than competitors like Armani, Zegna, Ralph Lauren or Hugo Boss.&#8217;<br></p><p>But this is not uniform around the world, and chief executive Angela Ahrendts has work to do in the developed countries.<br></p><p>Burberry&#8217;s brand image might be the strongest in Asia but about a quarter of European and American retailersstill perceive Burberry&#8217;s brand cachet as inferior to its top European peers. The luxury goods firm was not the only retailer to receive a boost. Marks &amp; Spencer rose 9.6p to 340.5p on rumours that it is to take on the high street banks with mortgages and current accounts.<br></p><p>Its M&amp;S Money arm already has 3million credit card customers and offers savings accounts through a joint venture with HSBC.<br></p><p>But within the next few months chief executive Marc Bolland is set to launch Marks&#8217;s own banks situated within certain stores, and it will start off with 50. It is an obvious move for Bolland the banker who is seeking to cash in on the trusted M&amp;S brand.<br></p><p>Shares on the Footsie index of leading firms continued to rebound yesterday after China announced its first cut in interest rates since 2008.<br></p><p>This triggered a rise in mining shares as investors hoped the move would boost manufacturing.<br></p><p>Rio Tinto, up 115.5p to 3015p led theway followed by BHP Billiton up 44p to 1820p and Xstrata which rose 28.2p to 966.8p. Glencore was also up 13.45p to 361.2p on the same day that chief executive Ivan Glasenberg bought 2,900,000 shares worth ¡ò9.9m. While this helped the Footsie jump 100 points in early trading the scale of the rally was muted after Ben <br></p><p>Bernanke, chairman of America&#8217;s Federal Reserve, disappointed in his testimony before Congress. <br></p><p>Investors were hoping he would hint at further stimulus measures to kick start growth. When he didn&#8217;t this pared the gains on the Footsie which closed up 63.68 to 5447.79.<br></p><p>The banks were also top performers, boosted by renewed confidence that Europe will offer support to Spain&#8217;s banking sector. <br></p><p>Chancellor George Osborne said &#8216;people were working very hard&#8217; on finding a solution. Lloyds Banking Group increased 0.96p to 28p, while Barclays was up 5.05p to 192.85p. Royal Bank of Scotland was also a riser up 11.2p to 224.4p.<br></p><p>Chemicals and platinum producer Johnson Matthey was also a big riser up 107p to 2304p after it posted bumper annual profits and announced a special dividend.<br></p><p>A report that housing prices grew boosted home builders Barratt Developments up 7.2p to 127.8p and Bovis Homes up 19.5p to 422.5p.</p><p>- A busy day for Synergy Health, the services group that sterilises equipment forhospitals. Its final results highlighted the impact of improving margins &#8211; revenues were ¡ò312million below consensus of ¡ò317.7million. The firm (up 40.5p to 864.5p) also took a bold step in to the US market acquiring hospital sterilisation services business Surgical Express for ¡ò24.9million. And to round the day off it announced a ¡ò24million share placing representing around 5 per cent of the stock.</p><p> </p>?MARKET REPORT: Rescue plan has the markets purring<br><p> By <br>UPDATED:20:25 GMT, 15 September 2011</p><p>While central bankers struggled to shore up market confidence in Europe, Britain&#8217;s biggest luxury goods maker Burberry managed to sail above the fray making strong gains yesterday. <br></p><p>Burberry was one of the biggest risers on the Footise, shooting up 90p to ¡ò14.57 on talk that the 155-year old firm, which recently hit a billion pounds in annual sales, could benefit from a reduction in luxury goods taxes in its key Chinese key market. <br></p><p>Chinese newspaper National Business Daily refuelled a long-running debate, reporting that import duties on luxury items may be cut by the end of the year. <br></p><p>China accounts for 20 per cent of sales of the firm&#8217;s famous bags and trenchcoats. <br></p><p>Kingfisher made it a good day for retailers with a rise of 11.5p to 251p after the owner of B&amp;Q saw its interim results beat forecasts, posting a 24 per cent rise in first-half profits to ¡ò439million.</p><p> These chains bucked latest retail price figures from the Office of National Statistics which showed a fall of 0.2 per cent in August compared with July as rioting across England shut shops and a high inflation rate of 4.5 per cent hit consumer spending power. <br></p><p>But the market was dominated by the late afternoon news that five of the most important central banks across the world, including the Bank of England, would provide commercial banks with loans to help ease funding pressures arising out of exposure to debt-ridden countries such as Greece. <br></p><p>The central banks were moved to act because over recent weeks European banks had become reluctant to lend to each other, creating the risk of short-term lending problems for those most exposed, particularly the French lenders. <br></p><p>The FTSE 100 index rose 110.52 points as a result of the intervention to close at 5,337.54, marking a third day of gains. <br></p><p>In New York, the Dow Jones index rose 131.35 points to 11,378.08 in early trading for the fourth straight session in a row, boosted by the central bank manoeuvre. <br></p><p>Not surprisingly banks reacted strongly with Lloyds Banking Group rising 2.4p to 36p, Barclays gaining 6p to 158p, Royal Bank of Scotland adding 1p to 24p and HSBC jumping 19.6p to 521p. <br></p><p>Insurer RSA was being talked about by traders as a possible bid target, and rumours of a potential 180p-a-share bid pushed the firm up 4.1p to 113.9p. <br></p><p>RSA has often been the subject of bid speculation, this time Swiss rival Zurich is being mentioned as a potential predator. <br></p><p>Fuelling the noisy bid chatter about RSA was the decision of analysts at Nomura to upgrade the insurer&#8217;s rating to &#8216;buy&#8217;. <br></p><p>However, many of the wisest market observers remained sceptical about an actual bid coming forward. <br></p><p>Gold prices slipped below $1,800 an ounce as stock markets extended gains, with assurances from Germany and France about keeping Greece in the eurozone boosting appetite for assets seen as higher risk, at the precious metal&#8217;s expense. <br></p><p>Spot gold was down 2.3 per cent to $1,783.80 an ounce. Gold stocks in London were down across the board FTSE 100 firm Randgold Resources tumbled 205p to ¡ò67.30, African Barrick Gold slipped 22p to 594.4, and Petropavlovsk fell 8.5p to 838p. <br></p><p>Shares in nickel mine developer ENK shot up 2.3p to 16.5p as it unveiled a deal to sell its Caldag project in Turkey for ¡ò25m to an unnamed local firm. <br></p><p>Work on Caldag, which is projected to deliver 20,000 tonnes of nickel when operational, was put on hold last December after the company experienced persistent delays in getting a forestry permit. <br></p><p>Aim-listed ENK - formerly known as European Nickel &#8211; said it will use the cash to develop its Acoje project in the Philippines. Fairfax analyst John Meyer said: &#8216;The deal allows ENK to move on and leave the problems of permitting Caldag in Turkey to a local group.&#8217; <br></p><p>Britain&#8217;s biggest cash and carry wholesaler Booker rose 4.6p to 73.7p after it reported a sharp rise in sales in its second quarter trading, boosted by strong demand for fresh fruit and vegetables. <br></p><p>The firm, which has over 170 branches supplying retailers and catering firms, said on Thursday its total sales rose by 7.6 per cent in the 12 weeks to the beginning of September. <br></p><p>Associated British Foods advanced 17p to ¡ò10.83. The company, which said earlier this week that second-half earnings are likely to meet its expectations, was upgraded by UBS to &#8216;buy&#8217; from &#8216;neutral.&#8217;</p>?MARKET REPORT by Geoff Foster: Why there was no logic in sales<p>By <br>UPDATED:09:02 GMT, 21 May 2010</p><p>Worried investors who sold Logica, 4p lower at 119p, during yesterday's panic could soon be kicking themselves. <br></p><p>Whispers suggest the Reading-based IT services group is on Infosys Technologies' shopping list. <br></p><p>The Indian IT giant is said to be lining up a ¡ò2.9bn or 180p a share cash offer for the company, which has a good public sector track record and apparently has some useful contacts within the new Conservative/LibDem coalition government. <br></p><p>Speculation about a possible bid from an Indian source coincides with a recent bullish note from Panmure Gordon. <br></p><p>Analyst George O'Connor reckons an unnamed Indian plc is 'consciousthat it needs a Trojan Horse in the UK' to win and deliver UK publicsector contracts. With immigration such a key issue, offshore vendorsare now politically sensitive choice.</p><p>Infosys is India's second-biggest software firm and is sitting on amountain of cash. Europe contributes almost 26pc of its total revenues,with 14pc coming from the UK. <br></p><p>Logica, which has made a solid start to the year reportingfirst-quarter revenues slightly ahead of consensus at ¡ò939m, would be aperfect strategic fit. <br></p><p>Uncertainty and fear continued to grip the City in the wake ofGermany's ban on naked short-selling, seemingly without consultationwith the rest of Europe. <br></p><p>Worries about possible strong divisions within the eurozone andfears that other countries could yet follow Germany's lead, draggedshares lower. <br></p><p>Selling later accelerated when dealers heard about a leap in USjobless claims last week, which raised concerns about economic recoveryin the US. <br></p><p>The day had got off to a good start with news that Dubai World, thestate-owned conglomerate, had reached a deal in principle-torestructure ¡ò16.4bn in debt with core lenders, prompting a Footsie'relief' rally of 72 points. Then the roof caved in. The bluechip indexfell away sharply to touch an intra-day low of 5,000.76 before closing84.95 points down at a three-month low of 5,073.13. Wall Street was inthe doghouse too, plummeting 300 points or so in early trading. <br></p><p>Giant utility National Grid, 43.5p down at 576.5p, was the Footsie'sbiggest casualty after wheeling out a ¡ò3.2bn rights issue which wentdown like a lead balloon with some shareholders. <br></p><p>Drinks giant SAB Miller was not far behind with a fall of 123p to1912p following full-year results which did not come up to scratch. <br></p><p>A downbeat circular from Bank of America/ Merrill Lynch, which citedpotential China monetary tightening and European sovereign debt issueshitting demand for metals, exerted further downward pressure onheavyweight miners. <br></p><p>The broker downgraded Rio Tinto to neutral from buy and the sharesdropped 172.5p further to 2812p, making a two-day collapse of 386p. <br></p><p>Nervous offerings ahead of Wednesday's full-year results left luxury goods group Burberry 34.5p lower at 646.5p. <br></p><p>Broker Shore Capital says a strong gross margin recovery is expectedin the second half given significant discounting last year. It is anunder-exploited brand and a fantastic long-term growth story. <br></p><p>Despite a swing back to profitability at the halfway stage and theresumption of dividend payments, Grainger shed 9.6p to 105.4p. Thecompany, which owns more than 13,000 homes in Britain and 7,000 homesin Germany, achieved ¡ò79m sales in the six months to the end of Marchat prices around 6pc higher than in September. <br></p><p>A combination of broker upgrades in the wake of impressive resultsand ongoing speculation about a possible bid from Google led to anotherhefty trade in video search engine company Blinkx. Up 6.25p onWednesday, the shares closed a further 5.75p or 29pc higher at 25p onturnover of 15m-plus. <br></p><p>Magazine publisher Future firmed 1.25p to 19.5p after much lowerfirst-half losses in the US offset weaker UK profitability and highercentral costs. Net debt has been slashed by 50pc to ¡ò11.5m andsecond-quarter improvements in trading are expected to continue intothe third-quarter. Altium Securities upgraded to buy from hold. <br></p><p>After signing another agreement with a private company in WesternOklahoma to recover iodine from its water disposal sites in the richAnadarko basin, Iofina rose 1.5p to 36.5p.<br></p><p>Confirmation of a placing at 5p a share to raise ¡ò5.7m left investment company Niche <br></p><p>Group 0.575p easier at 4.925p on profit-taking. It also announced aninvestment in a major onshore Turkish gas discovery and has appointedDonal Boylan as a director. <br></p><p>Boylan has worked extensively in the Middle East where Niche,together with Oman Resources, is seeking investment opportunities inthe oil and gas sectors. </p><p> </p>?Hayden Panettiere surfaces for shopping trip oblivious to fury over Meredith Kercher murder movie<br><p>By <br>UPDATED:16:16 GMT, 4 February 2011</p><br><p>She plays Amanda Knox in the controversial new TV movie depicting the murder of Meredith Kercher.</p><p>But as fury over the graphic scenes rise - with Miss Kercher's father John branding scenes as 'absolutely horrific' - Hayden Panettiere seemed oblivious to the outrage as she shopped in L.A. yesterday.</p><p>Dressed in a casual outfit of grey jeans an oversized nude jumper teamed with Jimmy Choo UGG boots the 21-year-old actress breezed into a Burberry shop to pick up a few items.</p><p>And instead of keeping a low profile following the anger that has surfaced regarding her new film, Hayden happily posed for pictures outside the boutique. <br></p><p>Later in the afternoon the former Heroes star ditched her UGGs and popped on a pair of beige wedged boots for a quick to a coffee shop. <br></p><p>Hayden grabbed a large caffeine drink from the Beverly Glen Mall and headed for home.</p><p> </p><p> But as the actress was enjoying her lazy day in L.A. anger at her new movie which depicts the 2007 murder of the British student has been growing.<br></p><p>In graphic scenes that have proved distressing for the family and friends of the student, Amanda Fernando Stevens, who plays Miss Kercher, is seen pinned to the floor by the three people convicted of her murder.</p><p> </p><p> Miss Kercher's father John said the images in the U.S. film are 'absolutely horrific'.</p><p>'It's so awful what these film people have done. Your imagination runs riot as it is about what happened but to actually see it like this is very different and very distressing,' he said.</p><p>'I'm also surprised they went that far in the film. I was told the original brief and synopsis of the film was to take it up to the point of the killing but not actually show the killing itself.</p><p>Scroll down to watch the trailer<br></p><p>Graphic: The moment Meredith (Amanda Fernando Stevens) is pinned down by Amanda Knox (Hayden Panettiere), Raffaele Sollecito (Paolo Romio) and Rudy Guede (Djirbi Kebe) in Amanda Knox: Murder on Trial in Italy</p><p> </p><p>'It's obvious from these pictures they are showing the killing.'</p><p>He added that the makers of Amanda Knox: Murder On Trial In Italy were in danger of being sued by the convicted people's lawyers.</p><p>The film sees Heroes actress Hayden Panettiere play American exchangestudent Amanda Knox, who was convicted of murder three years ago.</p><p>The film, which broadcasts on the Lifetime channel in the U.S. on February 21, comes as Knox, 23, appeared in court last month to start her appeal.</p><p>The hearing was delayed to give an independent forensic team time to re-analyse disputed DNA traces found on a knife and on the clasp of MissKercher's bra.</p><p>On trial: Marcia Gay Harden (right) plays Amanda's mother Edda Mellas, who continues to fight for her daughter's release</p><p>The trailer poses the question whether Amanda is 'kind and gentle' or 'evil', claiming 'there are two sides to every story'.</p><p>In the scene depicting her murder, she is set upon by Knox, her then-boyfriend Raffaele Sollecito and Rudy Hermann Guede.</p><p>Despite Knox's conviction and 26-year prison sentence, she has alwaysprotested her innocence, and this new film appears to raise the question of whether or not she did it.</p><p>The film features a recreation of Knox's trial and the progress of the appeal by her family and friends to prove what they believe is her innocence.</p><p>Oscar winner Marcia Gay Harden joins Hayden as her mother Edda Mellas, who has appeared on many TV shows insisting her daughter is innocent.</p><p>In a scene from the trailer, Edda tells police: 'You have no evidence!'</p><p>'My conscience is clear': Panettiere as Knox during her trial</p><p>The Kerchers' family lawyer said they were unhappy a film had been made about their daughter's murder.</p><p>Francesco Maresca said: 'It is inopportune as the trial is still on going with two further appeals.'</p><p>Four months ago, Meredith Kercher's mother, Arline, said: 'I don&#8217;t see how they can make a film called The Amanda Knox Story when the storyis really all about my daughter. It&#8217;s all very odd.'</p><p>Meredith, an exchange student from Coulsdon, South London, was found dead in her bedroom at the house she shared with Amanda in Perugia, Italy, on November 2, 2007.</p><p>Police found she had died of a stab wound the night before, but had also been sexually assaulted.</p><p>Under suspicion: Knox and Sollecito joined other mourners on the steps of Perugia Cathedral before their arrest</p><p>Passionate: The film depicts the brief romance between Knox and Italian student Sollecito</p><p>Miss Panettiere had wanted to meet the killer but her request was rejected by Italian authorities.</p><p>Knox&#8217;s lawyers fear the film, to be shown on U.S. channel Lifetime, could prejudice her appeal against her 26-year sentence.</p><p>It emerged during the trial of Knox and Sollecito that the couple hadonly known each other six days before Kercher's death after meeting at amusic concert.</p><p>Reports claim the computer science student was 'mesmerised' by the American exchange student during their week-long relationship leading upto the fateful night in 2007.</p><p>They were both convicted of the murder in December 2009. Knox was sentenced to 26 years in prison and Sollecito to 25 years.</p><p>It started so innocently: Amanda and Meredith lived in the shared house with two other students for several weeks leading up to the 21-year-old's murder</p><p>Rudy Guede was convicted in a separate, earlier, trial and sentenced to 30 years in prison - which was cut to 16 years on appeal. All three have maintained their innocence.</p><p>In an interview with BBC Newsbeat, Panettiere said she had not met Knox: 'I wish. I know the Italian government is being pretty protective of her, her lawyers are being protective of her, which is pretty understandable.</p><p>'It's something I would like to do (meet her) but I'd be more surprised if it happened than if it didn't.'</p><p>Explaining her portrayal of Knox, Panettiere said: 'My character, theway its written, is the way she went through it with this innocence andwhy she can't believe people would think of her like this.<br></p><p>'The script is pretty fact driven. It's difficult to play a character when you don't know what the truth is, but my job is to play innocent.</p><p>'I think, I hope, the family aren't upset about the way it was put together.'</p><p>Director Robert Dornhelm said: 'Meredith's story is tragic for all those involved, for the youngsters but also for their parents.</p><p>'What counts above all is that two mothers have lost their daughters, one in death and the other in jail.</p><p>'What interests me more is the psychology and personality of the protagonists rather than the blood of the crime and the search for thoseresponsible. The world is not black and white. anyone can find themselves in the wrong place at the wrong time.<br></p><p>'It's not surprising that in this day and age someone's dark side can emerge and they are capable of doing something terrible.'</p><p>Filmmakers decided against shooting in the city of Perugia where the murder took place and instead filmed it in a Rome suburb.</p><p>Knox's lawyer Carlo Della Vedova expressed reservations about the film when it was first announced last September.<br></p><p>'We find it very inopportune that a film is being made when proceedings in the case are still active and there is an appeal taking place.</p><p>'As a lawyer I feel that the silence of the court should be respectedand we are against any exploitation of the situation whether it is in film or by book.</p><p>'There is no way that this actress can meet with Amanda while she is in jail. Amanda knows about the film because she read about it in the newspaper but she is not in agreement with it and she is surprised.'</p><p></p>?Met's Operation Burberry causes fury at fashion house<p>Last updated at 20:51 15 September 2006</p><br><p>Bosses at Burberry must have thought that the company was atlast beginning to shed its unwanted association with Chavs.</p><p>No longer would their upmarket brand and its distinctive checkpattern be instantly linked to downmarket wannabes and wideboys.</p><p>But then along came the Metropolitan Police. Senior officersdecided to call a crackdown on football hooligans OperationBurberry.</p><p>Caps in the check pattern, or at least fake copies, had becomepart of the hooligan uniform.</p><p>Burberry is furious at the use of its name and has demanded thatthe Met stop using it or face legal action.</p><p>Especially galling is the fact that the crackdown is aimed atMillwall, a club whose supporters have a particularly bad</p><p>reputation. An insider at the fashion company described the useof the brand for a clampdown on thugs as 'an embarrassment toofar'.</p><p>He added: "Burberry is now synonymous with Chavs and thugs -this is an image we are desperately trying to put behind us.</p><p>"To have the police, of all people, using our name like this hasundone all the good work we have done. Burberry cannot let this lieand its legal team will be contacting the police forceinvolved.</p><p>"We were not consulted on this and would never have allowed thepolice to use our name in such a way."</p><p>The firm - which this year celebrates its 150th anniversary -was hit by a downturn in sales when it became the favoured labelamong Chavs.</p><p>It was also hijacked by down-market celebrities such as formersoap star Danniella Westbrook, glamour model Jordan and Jade Goodeyfrom Big Brother.</p><p>Those wearing the check were banned from some pubs and clubs.Even though many of the designs were actually counterfeit goods,Burberry had to fight hard to avoid a backlash from its traditionalwealthy clientele.</p><p>Prince William further reinforced that image this year when hisfriends dressed in Burberry for a Chav fancy dress party.</p><p>But Burberry - which stresses that 90 per cent of its sales areabroad and are therefore relatively immune the Chav connection -has bounced back, not least by jealously guarding itscopyright.</p><p>A spokesman for the firm said: "Our Burberry name is aregistered trademark. Anyone who uses it without our permission isinfringing our trademark and will hear from our lawyers."</p><p>Copyright experts said proving infringement of trademark mightbe difficult for Burberry.</p><p>Michael Coyle, from Lawdit Solicitors, said: "Burberry wouldhave to prove its brand was being used in the course of trade,which it clearly isn't.</p><p>"But they could also argue that associating it with hooliganswould have a detrimental effect, although proving that is one thingand putting a figure on the damage caused is quite another."</p><p>The Metropolitan Police said it was looking into thedispute.</p><p>A spokesman said: "Operation Burberry is an ongoing drive totackle disorder at Millwall football matches. A number of peoplehave been arrested and charged under Operation Burberry."</p><p>Burberry was founded in Basingstoke, Hampshire, in 1856, and hasbecome an international brand. It is two thirds owned by GUS,parent company of Argos.</p>Share this article: <p> </p>?It's the women who wear the trousers in this special relationship: Michelle Obama and SamCam sport dazzling dayglo in first joint outing<br> <p> By and </p><p>PUBLISHED:21:42 GMT, 13 March 2012 UPDATED:02:49 GMT, 15 March 2012</p><p>Forget the special relationship, this is the dayglo alliance.</p><p>America's First Lady welcomed Samantha Cameron, the British Prime Minister's wife, to Washington DC yesterday and one thing was clear - they may be married to two of the world's most powerful men, but it's them who wear the trousers.</p><p> Confident and fashion-conscious both, each decided 'pants' and bright tops were the perfect opening outfits for the three-day tour as they watched a mini Olympics staged at the American University in the capital.</p><p>SamCam looked relaxed and comfortable in the First Lady's company as she joked with students and sports players <br></p><p>Scroll down for video</p><p> </p><p>Supportingthe best of British designers, SamCam, 40, paired her black Joseph trousers and navy suede LK Bennett pumps with a fuschia top - as worn to a recent British Fashion Council event - by Roksanda Illinic. Her black belt is by Emilia Wickstead. <br></p><p>At her side was Mrs Obama, 48, striking as ever in an embellished bright yellow knitted cardigan by L'Wren Scott. She paired the chartreuse and cream beaded cashmere top with a flower print ruffle-necked shirt by the same designer and wide-legged white trousers.</p><p>Both ladies wore heels, despite the sporty surroundings.</p><p>The fashion-forward couple put differentspins on the wardrobe faithful of smart, tailored trousers on the firstof their official engagements on the short relationship-strengthening trip.</p><p>Mobama played tennis with a group of children, holding her own among the young, enthusiastic sports players. <br></p><p>Despite wearing kitten heels as part of her smart outfit, the 5' 11" keen sportswoman threw herself into the activity with gusto and cheered as she hit the ball. <br></p><p> </p><p>Her peer watched on as she congratulated her team-mates at the end of the knockabout. <br></p><p>It is certain that all eyes will be on the fashionable first ladies at Wednesday evening's black tie state dinner - and designers of the womens' chosen gowns are sure to enjoy global exposure from the honour.<br></p><p>Earlier today, Mrs Cameron flew the flag for British designers as she chose a Burberry coat, pairedwith the same Joseph trousers and LK Bennett shoes for her debut outfiton the first day of her husband's U.S. state visit. <br></p><p>Lookingthoroughly chic in the all-black ensemble, she may have regretted buttoning her coat all the way to the top.</p><p>The Camerons' British Airways flight landed in unseasonably warm weather this afternoon at the Baltimore, Maryland Airforce base, where temperatures reached towards the eighties. <br></p><p>The cropped trench, worn by Mrs Cameron and neatly belted in the middle, is from British fashion house Burberry's current Spring/Summer 2012 collection, and retails for around ¡ò595 ($935).</p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Her trousers, slim-cut cigarette pants from upmarket high street store Joseph, are one of the PM's wife's favourite styles. </p><p>She has worn them on many previous occasions - including to Burberry's most recent fashion show, where she sat front row. <br></p><p>The shoes are by British high street label LK Bennett, afirm favourite too with both the Duchess of Cambridge, who frequently wears LK Bennett on official engagements, and her sister Pippa Middleton. </p><p> </p><p>MrsCameron also famously chose to go hat-free for last year's royal wedding, a move that while criticised by some traditionalists as disrespectful, was regarded by many as proof that Mrs Cameron is a thoroughly modern woman with her own strong sense of style. <br></p><p>Mrand Mrs Cameron's trip to Washington is part of a three-day visit, where the Prime Minister will engage in talks with U.S. President BarackObama.</p><p>David Cameron will join President Obama this evening at a NCAA basketball playoff game in Dayton, Ohio, while Samantha Cameron will join Michelle Obama for further social engagements.</p><p>VIDEO: A colourful Michelle Obama and Samantha Cameron join Olympians and Paralympians in a mini-Olympic competition in Washington D.C. </p><p></p>?MIDAS: Share tips for 2012 include Futura, Burberry and Wolf Minerals <p> By <br>Created 6:42 PM on 31st December 2011<br></p><p>In two days&#8217; time, the New Year will begin in earnest for financial markets.</p><p>The festive season will be over, brokers, analysts, traders and bankers will return to work and stock markets round the world will be open for business. <br></p><p>What will 2012 bring?<br></p><p>Even the most committed optimists find it difficult to feel excited about the next 12 months. <br></p><p>Britain is struggling, Europe appears to be going nowhere fast and the US is little better. <br></p><p></p><p>Only emerging markets continue to grow and develop, but even in these sunny regions there are fears that Western stagnation could impede their progress. <br></p><p>A grim picture then for consumers, businesses and investors. <br>As always, however, there are pockets of hope. <br></p><p>Many shares have fallen over the past few months, offering the opportunity to pick up some juicy bargains. <br></p><p>Other companies are on course for significant growth in 2012 whatever the economic environment, so their shares, too, should see big gains.</p><p>Midas has selected three tips for the coming year, which should deliver on either front or both. <br></p><p>Different in size, stature and sector, they offer investors a broad choice for 2012. <br></p><p>Our first company is Alternative Investment Market stock Futura Medical, whose main products are virtually recession-proof and may even benefit from the economic blues.</p><p>Futura makes gels and potions that work directly on the area to which they are applied. <br></p><p>The company has two divisions, one involved in the treatment of aches and pains and the other in sexual health. <br></p><p>Futura has spent ten years researching and developing its lotions but this year should see the launch of two major products &#8211; a condom that helps maintain and even enhance erections and a spray for men suffering from occasional premature ejaculation. <br></p><p>Research has shown that up to a third of men find their sexual performance is impaired when they use a condom, so many simply choose not to wear one. <br></p><p>Futura&#8217;s condoms should deal with this problem. <br>Having developed the product, Futura has licensed it to Reckitt Benckiser, which owns Durex, the world&#8217;s biggest condom maker. <br></p><p>The new condoms are expected to go on sale in the next few months and Futura will receive royalty payments for each one sold. <br></p><p>Futura has also signed a licensing agreement with Australian healthcare giant Ansell, which makes Mates condoms. <br></p><p>Ansell will distribute Futura&#8217;s premature ejaculation spray and sales are expected to start in the near future. <br>Both the spray and the condoms will be available over the counter and should prove extremely popular. <br></p><p>But Futura is developing other products, too, ranging from a gel for erectile dysfunction to a cellulite-reducing cream to a pain relief product, already licensed to GlaxoSmithKline. <br></p><p>Like many small drugs companies, Futura is loss-making. But it has money in the bank to see it through the next two years, by which time royalties should be flooding in from the deals with Ansell and Reckitts. <br></p><p>The company also scored a coup last month with the appointment of GSK veteran John Clarke as chairman designate. Clarke spent more than 35 years with GSK, most recently as president of its consumer healthcare division. <br></p><p>He assumes his new position in February and should propel Futura to a new phase in its development. <br></p><p>Midas verdict: Futura shares are 82p and should motor over the next year or two. People are rarely too strapped for cash to spend money on better sex or fewer aches and pains. Buy.</p><p>Our second company, Burberry, could not be more different from Futura.</p><p>The British brand can trace its history back to the 19th Century and invented staples such as gabardine and the trench coat. <br></p><p>For years the company was seen as old fashioned and its fortunes waned. But over the past decade it has been renovated, restructured and reborn as a global luxury brand. <br></p><p>Under chief executive Angela Ahrendts, the company has moved into the 21st Century and taken far greater control of its brand. <br></p><p>Before, its products were mainly sold in department stores or through concessions. Now the group is keen to sell through specially designed stores, where consumers receive a full Burberry experience. <br></p><p>The company also has a state-of-the-art IT system and is at the forefront of social networking, with nine million Facebook followers, eight million hits on YouTube and an active Twitter site.</p><p> During London Fashion Week, for example, the company showed all its clothes on Twitter before they hit the catwalk. Such ideas may sound like gimmicks but they reinforce Burberry&#8217;s position as a forward-looking brand. <br></p><p>Profits for the year to March 31 are expected to increase from ¡ò375 million to ¡ò412 million and the dividend from 24.7p to about 26.5p. Further growth is expected in 2013 and beyond as the group drives sales in emerging markets. <br></p><p>Midas verdict: Burberry shares suffered over the summer amid worries the company would suffer from the economic downturn. No sign of this has yet emerged and other luxury brands have shown themselves to be relatively immune to the prevailing gloom. At 1185p, the stock has real potential. Buy. <br></p><p>Our third stock involves a British adventure that could go far. Wolf Minerals has secured the rights to a tungsten mine in Cornwall. <br></p><p>Tungsten is particularly valuable to industry. It has the highest melting point of any metal, it is very heavy, and combined with carbon it is almost as hard as diamonds. <br></p><p>China is the world&#8217;s biggest producer, but it has moved from an exporter to an importer so there is a need to develop mines elsewhere. Wolf&#8217;s could become one of the world&#8217;s largest tungsten resources and should start production soon. <br></p><p>The group is committed to preserving the environment and is enthusiastic about bringing mines back to the South West, which was a centre for tin mining for centuries.</p><p> Chief executive Humphrey Hale raised ¡ò55 million in project finance last month and talks are being held to raise more money from supporters. <br></p><p>Midas verdict: Wolf needs money to get into production. Some might need to come from shareholders, which may unsettle the shares, now 193&#8260;4p. <br></p><p>Against that, the stock could prove exciting in the long term. Tungsten is in demand and millions of tons are buried beneath England&#8217;s soil. Wolf was founded in Australia but its future lies here. A stock for the patriotic. Buy.<br></p>?Mike Ashley opens &pound;1 shop at Burberry<p>By <br>UPDATED:09:43 GMT, 14 June 2009</p><p></p><p>Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley has opened a discount warehouse in the former home of Burberry in London's upmarket West End. </p><p>The store, plastered with signs for Nike, adidas, Puma and Lonsdale goods going for as little as &pound;1, is set to infuriate the Crown Estate, which blocked a bid by TK Maxx to open a store in nearby Piccadilly Circus, where Ashley's Lillywhites store is also holding a massive sale. </p><p>'Ashley seems intent on bringing down the tone of the whole area,' said one observer. </p><p>The store began its fall from grace six months ago when Burberry sold it to Paul Kemsley's Rock Investments. Ashley, a friend of Kemsley, moved in just days before Rock collapsed two weeks ago. </p><p>Rails of Kangol and No Fear stock, brands owned by Ashley, sit alongside more mainstream brands over three floors of the dimly lit interior. </p><p>Ashley's Sports Direct chain is understood to be using the store to clear stock returned to it by JJB earlier this year. </p><p>He is also thought to have agreed to take stock from nervous sports brands before JJB agreed new financing. </p>?Miles apart: Saif and Kareena spotted on different continents as wedding day nears<br><p> By </p><p>PUBLISHED:19:31 GMT, 18 September 2012 UPDATED:19:31 GMT, 18 September 2012</p><br><p>Kareena Kapoor was in the Capital on Tuesday to promote her upcoming film, Heroine, which opens on Friday.<br></p><p>And husband-to-be Saif Ali Khan was spotted at the London Fashion<br>Week attending the Burberry SS13 Collection at West Albert Lawns in Kensington Garden on Monday.<br></p><p>Even as Saif&#8217;s mother Sharmila Tagore has sent out the invitation cards<br>are out and the trousseau is being designed, the actors are still mum about their much-anticipated wedding on October 16.<br></p><p>&#8220;Whenever Saif and I do it, our fans will 100 per cent know. Nobody knows about my wedding. I want people to talk about my film instead. Whenever we decide it is the right time, we will tell the world about it. And currently,<br>this is not the right time,&#8221; Kareena said.<br></p><p>Reportedly, Hollywood superstar Brad Pitt has congratulated Saif and Kareena for their upcoming nuptials.<br></p><p>&#8220;I am honoured that Angelina and Brad have wished me luck for my wedding. They are lovely people and I would definitely like to meet them,&#8221; Kareena said.<br></p><p>One isn&#8217;t too sure whether Saif is there to get a break from all the hype and hoopla, shop for some wedding goodies or just have a bachelor<br>vacation while his bride-tobe is busy promoting her next big release.<br></p><p>Kareena is currently excited about the upcoming film where she is playing the lead character of Mahi Arora.</p><p>&#8220;It&#8217;s a performance-oriented film and I am playing such a character for the first time which has got so many layers in it. It will definitely break my image of portraying the girl-next-door in films,&#8221; she said.<br></p><p>&#8220;I never had any mental pressure. I always wanted to work with Madhur Bhandarkar. When I came on the set I didn&#8217;t have any pre-conceived notions about him. I came with an open mind and tried to give my best possible shot,&#8221; Kareena added.<br></p><p>Saif was seated on the front row at the London event. The actor looked<br>dapper in an elegant black tuxedo teamed with a polka-dotted neck-tie.<br></p><p>He also sported a beard at the show.</p>?Model feud as Agyness's former pal bags Burberry contract from under her nose<br> <br><p>By <br> Last updated at 12:41 PM on 28th June 2008</p> <br><p>Her cropped blonde hair and individual sense of style have made her a household name - but Agyness Deyn's modelling career may be on the wane. </p><p>She has been replaced as the star of Burberry by Rosie Huntington-Whiteley in the firm's new autumn/ winter campaign, unveiled yesterday. </p><p>The decision to give the role - one of the most prestigious in the fashion industry - to the relative newcomer seems to have driven the once-close friends apart.</p> <p>Still fragrant: Agyness Deyn will continue to promote Burberry perfume; Huntington-Whiteley (right) will front the autumn/ winter campaign<br></p><p> </p><p> Huntington-Whiteley, 21, who is dating Rolling Stone Ronnie Wood's son Tyrone, has complained that Deyn, 24, no longer speaks to her, and launched a lightly-veiled attack on her rival's personal style. <br></p><p>"Agyness was really sweet and we used to hang out all the time but when she became big she dropped me," the model said recently.</p><p> "I tried being her friend and texted her repeatedly for six months but she never replied, so I just gave up.</p><p> Personally, I think Agy's look is a one-off season look but she has been so publicised and has such a big profile she'll make it in the long term now. I wish her well."</p><p>Cover girl: Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, 21, stars in the latest Burberry advertising campaign with actor Sam Riley. The campaign is seen as a launch pad to international success for young, relatively unknown models </p> <p>Huntington-Whiteley, a distant relative of Queen Victoria and recently named by the London Evening Standard as one of the 1,000 most influential people in London, appears in the campaign alongside actor Sam Riley, 28, star of Anton Corbijn's film Control.</p><p>Among the bags featured is the ¡ò1,295 ruched leather Lowry - a bargain compared with current favourite, the ¡ò11,000 Warrior. </p><p>The Burberry campaign has a history of turning young, unknown models into celebrities. As well as helping to launch Deyn, it was one of the first international brands to sign up Kate Moss, in 1999. <br></p><p>Photographed by Mario Testino, the adverts afford global exposure to any models who star in them and almost guarantee success in a notoriously competitive industry.</p> <p> </p><p>But there is good news for Deyn. She continues as the face of Burberry's perfume, The Beat, and stars in the new Jean Paul Gaultier fragrance campaign as well as ones for Armani, Shiseido and Printemps, France's equivalent of Selfridges. </p><p>'Agyness is a huge part of the Burberry family and a personal friend,' said Burberry's creative director Christopher Bailey. <br></p><p>'We've worked with her for several years and I am thrilled she will continue to star in our fragrance campaign.' </p><p>The model, who has been photographed with Strokes guitarist Albert Hammond Jr, also provides backing vocals on Who, the new single by New York rockers Five O'Clock Heroes. </p><p> </p>?Moss and the new Burberry rockocracy<p>Last updated at 15:58 04 January 2007</p><br><p>The "cocaine Kate" scandal may have seen one Burberry contractbite the dust, but Kate Moss is firmly back in the fashion house'sgood books - and at the heart of the British rockocracy.</p><p></p><p>Burberry's trademark check was, of course, adopted as thefavourite of chavs - mainly rip-off copies. But there's nothingchav-like about Moss - just look at the company she keeps in the adcampaign for Burberry's spring collection, shot by MarioTestino.</p><p>The line-up is like a Who's Who of hip London society. Moss, 32,features with up-and-coming British model Georgia Frost, BryanFerry's sons Isaac and Otis, Keith Richards's daughters Theodoraand Alexandra, Jesse Wood, son of Ronnie Wood, and RichardBranson's son, Sam.</p><p>The campaign's images were inspired by Cecil Beaton, the iconicsociety photographer who famously captured the artists, rock starsand royalty of his time.</p><p>"We agreed the look we wanted to achieve was a mix of Beatonimagery and the 60s feeling in London, reinterpreted with thepeople and the vigour of today. It's the new swinging London,"Testino said. This is the tenth time Moss has starred in a Burberrycampaign. The brand's designer, Christopher Bailey, was the firstto stand by her when other brands dropped her after allegations ofcocaine use surfaced in September 2005.</p><p></p>Share this article: <p> </p>?Moss urged to join battle to save Burberry factory<p>Last updated at 18:08 09 January 2007</p><br><p>Top model Kate Moss is the latest celebrity being urged to joina campaign to persuade clothes firm Burberry to reverse acontroversial decision to close a British factory and moveproduction to China.</p><p>The GMB union said the model should distance herself from thefirm even though she has been signed up to model Burberryclothes.</p><p>Actress Emma Thompson became the latest in a line of celebritiesto slam the company after it told 300 workers it would be closingthe plant in Treorchy, south Wales, in March.</p><p>Actor Ioan Gruffudd, the star who played Hornblower in thetelevision series and who grew up in nearby Aberdare, has alsothrown his weight behind the campaign to keep the factory open.</p><p>Other high-profile backers of the campaign have included NottingHill star Rhys Ifans, opera singer Bryn Terfel and the Prince ofWales, who contacted the Government asking how he could help.</p><p>GMB official Mervyn Burnett criticised a recent photo shoot topromote Burberry's Spring collection, which was held in London.</p><p>He said today: "In the circumstances, it may have been moreappropriate for the shoot to take place in Beijing."</p><p>Mr Burnett attacked redundancy terms he said worked out at&pound;1,000 per employee, adding: "This would not buy one of thenew range of quilted handbags."</p><p>Burberry has pointed out that it would retain a strongmanufacturing capability in the UK, making its iconic trench coatsin Yorkshire.</p>Share this article: <p> </p>?Mulberry and Burberry boom as the fortunes of Britain's luxury goods sector continue to sparkle<br><p> By <br>UPDATED:21:35 GMT, 9 October 2011</p><p>The mood may be darkening on the High Street but the fortunes of Britain&#8217;s luxury goods sector continue to sparkle.</p><p> Firms such as Mulberry, the retailer famed for its ¡ò3,500 handbags, are thriving thanks to soaring sales in the shopping malls of booming Asia. <br></p><p> Burberry is set to underline this glaring retail divide. Results from the group are likely to show a rise of 28 per cent in first-half turnover to ¡ò831m. </p><p>Boss Angela Ahrendts is expected to signal that Burberry&#8217;s growth plans are on track despite fears that the eurozone malaise could spread to China. </p>?One to watch: My Week with Marilyn actor stars in the new Burberry campaign<br><p> By <br>UPDATED:15:31 GMT, 14 December 2011<br></p><p>Being the first major high-end brand to sign Emma Watson and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, it seems Burberry have a knack for spotting the next big thing.</p><p>And now that the British label has unveiled the new campaign for Burberry Prosurm - starring Eddie Redmayne - it will only be a matter of time before the rising star becomes a household name.<br></p><p>The My Week With Marilyn actor was cast alongside model Cara Delevingne for the images shot by Mario Testino.<br></p><p>The pair are captured in a playful embrace, wearing the classic trench coat of course.</p><p>And it isn't the first time the actor has worked with Burberry. He also posed for the brand in 2008.<br></p><p>The full campaign will officially launch across in the first week of January.</p><p> Meanwhile, Eddie, 29, will be filming a large scale film production of Les Miserables and model Cara is set to star in Anna Karenina, currently in production. </p><p>Eddie has been under the Hollywood radar, appearing mainly in theater productions and televisions series.</p><p>He also had minor parts in The Other Boleyn Girl and The Good Shepherd.</p><p>Eddie, who also studied at Eton, won the part of Colin Clark in My Week with Marilyn by virtue of his personal life.<br></p><p>Producer David Parfitt said: 'It's a devilishly tricky part to find the right person because Colin went to Eton, studied at Oxford and flew for the RAF.'</p><p>Luckily it was a case of art imitating life for the Cambridge graduate, who also studied at Eton.<br></p><p>Eddie said: 'I am a huge fan of (chief creative officer) Christopher Bailey. <br></p><p>'He is a brilliant designer and a brilliant man. <br></p><p>'The fashion world can be a tad intimidating but Christopher remains a kind, grounded gem of a man.<br></p><p>'I have worked with Burberry before and its always a fantastic experience. <br></p><p>'Christopher wanted something playful from the shoot and so Cara and I had a genius couple of days fooling around. <br></p><p>'Hopefully the enjoyment we had is reflected in the campaign.</p>?New Burberry boss checks in for &pound;19m<p>By and and <br>UPDATED:06:51 GMT, 12 October 2005</p><p></p><p>FEW things come cheap at Burberry - and that includes the new boss. Yesterday, Angela Ahrendts was named the fashion label's next chief executive, in the process becoming Britain's best-paid female executive. </p><p>Over the next five years, the 45-year-old New Yorker could earn &pound;19m in salary, bonuses and perks. </p><p>The company behind the world's most famous check spared no expense in its attempts to lure Mrs Ahrendts - and her husband and three young children - over to London. She will earn a basic salary of &pound;743,000, with a pension of &pound;223,000 a year. </p><p>But that's just for starters. Every year, she could earn a bonus of up to &pound;1.2m. Then there's a 'golden hello' of &pound;2.3m, paid over the next two years. And, if she stays in the job for five years, she will be entitled to &pound;2.2m in shares. </p><p>For the upheaval of moving from New York to London, she gets an annual overseas allowance of around &pound;350,000 for the next five years. </p><p>And finally, she will get an annual clothing allowance of &pound;14,300 - presumably to make sure she wears the label's trademark red, camel, black and white checks. Mrs Ahrendt's gold-plated pay package makes her the best paid woman boss at any of Britain's publicly-listed companies. </p><p>So it was hardly surprising that she said yesterday that she was 'very excited' about joining the business. </p><p>Burberry insisted that Mrs Ahrendt, currently executive vice-president of US clothing company Liz Claiborne and recently voted the fifth most powerful woman in fashion by Time magazine, will be worth every penny when she joins the company on 9 January. </p><p>'She will only get exceptional rewards for exceptional performance,' said a spokesman for the company. It is not the first time Burberry has broken records with its generous approach to rewarding top executives. </p><p>But few question current chief executive Rose Marie Bravo's &pound;2.2m annual pay package after she turned round the business in her nine years at the helm. </p><p>The success of the 54-year-old, also a New Yorker, in reinventing a tired business selling unfashionable raincoats as an internationally-renowned luxury label led to the coining of a new phrase - 'doing a Bravo'. </p><p>Today the Burberry check is everywhere, from the heels of Victoria Beckham's stilettos to Liam Gallagher's luggage and even the lining of deluxe Silver Cross prams. </p><p>With Miss Bravo at the helm, even a bikini managed to create its own mini-hysteria as people rushed to add their names to the waiting list to buy one. </p><p>Miss Bravo, whose New York friends used to dismiss her job as 'selling raincoats in London', stays on as vice-chairman with an impressive pay package to match. </p><p>For just 12 days work each month, she will get a basic salary of &pound;370,000 plus an annual bonus which could be worth the same amount again. </p><p>Over three years, she will also get a 'long-term incentive plan' worth &pound;2.3m. </p>?New mother Kristin Cavallari limbers up for a workout as she continues mission to burn the baby weight <br><p> By </p><p>PUBLISHED:15:40 GMT, 27 September 2012 UPDATED:09:56 GMT, 28 September 2012</p><p></p><p>It's coming up to two months since Kristin Cavallari gave birth.</p><p>And while the former MTV reality star's body is already bouncing back, by her own admission she still has a little way to go.</p><p>The Hills star was spotted out in Los Angeles on Wednesday, limbering up for a workout in her exercise gear.</p><p>Kristin was casual and make-up free, slipping into a pair of tight blue HotPants, teamed with a baggy grey top.</p><p>Last week Cavallari - who gave birth to son Camden Jack on August 8 - hit back at reports she had lost all of her baby weight.</p><p>She tweeted: 'I haven&#8217;t lost all my baby weight yet. That's sending the wrong message to women.'</p><p> </p><p>Over the past several week Kristin - who is engaged to NFL star Jay Cutler - has been working out with a trainer in a bid to get shift the extra pounds.</p><p>Yesterday she introduced her baby boy to her Twitter fans in style, dressing him in a designer outfit for his first picture on the social networking site. <br></p><p>The 25-year-old took a snap of the child staring wide-eyed at his mother as he kicked back in his cot.<br></p><p> </p><p>The adorable baby wore a white Burberry print onesie and matching Burberry striped beanie hat forthe amateur photoshoot, which also gave a glimpse of his fluffy booties. <br></p><p> </p><p>In another image, probably favoured by his Chicago Bears quarterback fatherJay, Camden showed that he clearly takes after the sportsman.<br></p><p>Not only was he wearing a mini team kit with &#8216;Cutler is my dad&#8217; and the number six printed on the back, but as he cosied up to sleep in a blanket, he displayed a bonnet of full brunette locks.<br></p><p> Kristen joked about the snap on Twitter: &#8216;He has a sweet comb over huh?! Haha&#8217;</p><p>However the first thing Cutler, 29, noticed when gazing down at his newborn son wasn&#8217;t his thick tresses.</p><br>Showbiz Roundup! Presley does Panto + Styles/Watson spat...?Nine months after drug claims, Kate is back in Burberry<p>By JAMES TOZER, Daily Mail</p><p>Last updated at 08:31 27 June 2006</p><br><p>It is a defiant message to those who wrote off her modellingcareer after the cocaine allegations.</p><p>Staring directly at the camera, Kate Moss appears to revel inthe very public endorsement of yet another major fashion house.</p><p>This time it is Burberry which has welcomed her back, only ninemonths after seemingly dumping her when pictures showed herapparently snorting cocaine.</p><p>But now the shamed model is the focus of Burberry'sautumn/winter campaign, launched yesterday.</p><p>Wearing a Sixties-style lace coat, she is photographed on arooftop by Mario Testino along with model Stella Tennant and herdaughter Jasmine and Bryan Ferry's sons Otis and Isaac.</p><p>Burberry was one of the companies which distanced itself fromMiss Moss after the pictures of her alleged drug-taking emerged inSeptember.</p><p>The firm cancelled a planned 'project' with Miss Moss - joiningthe likes of Roberto Cavalli, Rimmel and H&amp;M - and giantposters of the supermodel at Burberry's flagship Knightsbridge shopwere removed.</p><p>There were predictions that her career was doomed, but Miss Mosseventually apologised and spent a month in rehab.</p><p>Her return to the fold caps a spectacular six months for the32-year-old which has seen her escape prosecution and earn morethan &pound;10million.</p><p>Only weeks after the drugs scandal broke, Burberry insistedreports that it had dumped Miss Moss were "nonsense", saying themodel remained "part of the Burberry family". The first publicsigns of her return came in February when she took a front seat ata Burberry show.</p><p>But her place at the centre of yesterday's campaign launchrepresents the clearest possible signal that all is forgiven.</p><p>Anti- drugs campaigners have condemned the haste with whichfashion companies have brought her back.</p><p>Peter Stoker, director of the Drug Prevention Alliance, said:"Burberry could have publicly said that what Kate Moss did hadinfluenced an awful lot of people and she should straighten up heract, whereas instead they're trivialising the impact of druguse."</p><p>Burberry is by no means alone. A one-year contract with Nikonwill earn Miss Moss &pound;1.5million, on top of a &pound;500,000deal with Calvin Klein.</p><p>In addition, contracts with the likes of Virgin Mobile andStella McCartney have more than doubledher earnings since beforethe drugs furore. A &pound;250,000 investigation into her allegedcocaine abuse ended in farce this month with the news that shewould not be charged because police could not prove what drug itwas.</p><p>But a leading Crown Prosecution Service lawyer said the footagewas an 'absolutely clear indication' that she had been using drugsand providing them to others.</p>Share this article: <p> </p>?No check in annual sales for Burberry<p>By <br>UPDATED:15:37 GMT, 17 January 2010</p><p></p><p>Burberry should report strong trading on Tuesday if, as expected, it has shared in the sales growth reported from luxury goods retailers and department stores firms in Asia and the US.</p><p>The 154-year-old fashion brand, famous for its distinctive checked pattern, was initially expected to say sales improved by 3.3 per cent on last year to ¡ò341m, but that could now be higher.</p><p>The share price has tripled in the past 12 months and closed up 1.6% on Friday at 590p.</p><p>Earlier this month Harry Potter star Emma Watson, returned to work her magic for Burberry's spring marketing campaign, which also features her brother, Alex.</p><p>Other retailers reporting this week include online fashion phenomenon Asos, which is forecast to report a rise in sales of at least 20 per cent, slower than previous years.</p><p>Growth has been forecast to slow down as the company becomes larger and expansion is more measured. </p>?No sign of a check on sales at Burberry despite fresh gloom from China<p> By <br>UPDATED:08:48 GMT, 8 October 2011</p><p></p><p>Luxury fashion firm Burberry is expected to shrug off concerns that demand has slowed in its key Chinese market when it delivers a strong second quarter update on Wednesday.</p><p>Analysts forecast the firm will post a healthy 29 per cent rise in half year sales to ¡ò828million. <br></p><p>Burberry &#8211; famous for its trademark camel, red and black check design and its trench coats &#8211; has so far managed to escape the downturn unscathed but its shares took a hit last week following fresh gloom from China.</p><p>All eyes will be on Burberry after investors took fright that the world&#8217;s second-largest economy is not immune to the global crisis. <br></p><p>China&#8217;s manufacturing sector contracted for a third consecutive month last week. More than 16 per cent has been wiped off Burberry&#8217;s shares over the past three months.</p><p>Edouard Crowley, an analyst at BNP Paribas, said there is no signs of a slowdown in Chinese sales among the luxury goods firms.</p><p></p><p>&#8216;Against a volatile macro environment, luxury goods should have continued to fare well in Q3 2011, corresponding to Burberry&#8217;s Q2 endingSeptember,&#8217; he said.</p><p>&#8216;From that perspective, Burberry&#8217;s trading update should be watched carefully as it should set the tone of the forthcoming results season. But no sign of slowdown is expected.&#8217; <br></p><p>Burberry (up 34p to 1240p) is expected to show strong like-for-likes in retail up 11 per cent in Q2 after a 15 per cent rise in Q1, driven by China, digital marketing and new flagship stores. <br></p><p>Shares have also fallen at online fashion retailer ASOS as investors fear falling consumer confidence sweeping the High Street may have made the leap to the internet.</p><p>ASOS which also delivers its second quarter update next week has seen 44.51 per cent wiped off the value of its stock in the past three months.</p><p> </p>?Of all the ads in all the world... Humphrey Bogart's son sues Burberry - claiming they 'illegally' used images of the screen icon to sell coats <p> By </p><p>PUBLISHED:21:21 GMT, 9 June 2012 UPDATED:21:21 GMT, 9 June 2012</p><br><p>The son of film legend Humphrey Bogart is suing British fashion brand Burberry for allegedly using a photograph of the star illegally to promote its coats.</p><p>In what is being hailed as a landmark case, Stephen Bogart &#8211; the son of the late star and Lauren Bacall &#8211; filed a lawsuit again Burberry at Los Angeles Superior Court last month. <br></p><p>He claims the company used an image of his father from the 1942 movie Casablanca to plug its products on social media sites including Facebook and Twitter.</p><p>Burberry has filed a counter- claim saying the picture of &#8216;Bogie&#8217; was a historical reference protected under America&#8217;s First Amendment, which guarantees freedom of speech.</p><p>In a statement, Stephen, 63, said: &#8216;This is such a disrespectful action by Burberry. </p><p>&#8216;It is important brands are not allowed to commercially use my father&#8217;s name or image without our permission.&#8217;</p><p>He also cast doubt on whether Bogart is wearing a Burberry in the picture, taken from the closing scenes of Casablanca as Bogart&#8217;s character Rick Blaine says goodbye to his lover, played by Ingrid Bergman. </p><p>&#8216;It is well known my father was a loyal Aquascutum customer in his personal life,&#8217; he said.</p><p>Bogart died in 1957, aged 57, but continues to earn millions in death through lucrative licensing deals, including a furniture range. </p><p>Lawyer Michael Crain, representing the Bogart estate, said last night: &#8216;This case is historic because the role of social media in advertising is new.&#8217;</p><p>In its lawsuit, Burberry states: &#8216;Burberry&#8217;s use of the image was not directly connected to the sale of any merchandise but rather was a historical positioning of the image within an educational project along with numerous other photographs.&#8217;</p><p>The Bogart estate is seeking &#8216;unspecified damages&#8217; that could run into millions. Burberry last night declined to comment.</p><p> </p>?'Oi, mate gimme some more': Charles Dickens's classics translated into 'yoof speak'<br><p>By <br>UPDATED:12:45 GMT, 3 June 2010</p><br><p>An author who has re-written some of Charles Dickens's classics in 'yoof-speak' for the text generation.</p><p>Martin Baum is sure to annoy traditionalists with his re-working of the texts, including The Tale of Two Cities that he has redone as 'Da Tale of Two Turfs'.</p><p>One of English literature's most famous opening sentences now reads: &#8216;It was da best of times, and not being funny or nuffing, but it was da worst of times, to be honest.&#8217; </p><p>Oliver Twist - or Oliva Twist - has also been given the treatment and the orphan's famous line of 'please sir, can I have some more?' has changed to 'oi mate, gimme some more!' </p><p>Other works that have been adapted in 'chav-speak' include Da Christmas Carol, Well Good Expectations, Barney Rudge, Da Pickwick Papers and Da Well Suss Mystery of Edwin Drood.</p><p>Mr Baum, who two years ago re-wrote some of Shakespeare's classics, has shortened 16 Dickens' novels to form his book which is entitled 'Oi, Mate Gimme Some More!' and has now been published.</p><p>The book follows his previous take on the works of Shakespeare which is called 'To Be Or Not To Be, Innit' and has sold about 10,000 copies to date.</p><p>Mr Baum said he hopes his books make classic works more accessible and comprehensible to many teenagers.</p><p>The 50-year-old, from Verwood, Dorset, sought help from his son Josh, 15, and his mates for some of the terminology to use.</p><p>He said: &#8216;After doing Britain's greatest dramatist I decided to do Britain's greatest novelist.</p><p>&#8216;When you try and get kids into literature they often just don't get it.</p><p>&#8216;This is aimed at breaking some of the barriers and making some of the text less intimidating while still retaining the beauty of the original stories.</p><p>&#8216;It is not meant to replace the original works but to encourage young people who are unfamiliar with the novels.</p><p>&#8216;Kids today have invented their own language and I use this language to try and engage them.</p><p>&#8216;My son Josh and his mates helped and told me of words that I shouldn't use and some that I should.</p><p>&#8216;The stories are about nine or ten pages long and I've used some modern words like Asbo and Chavs, but I remain true to the story.&#8217; </p><p>His Da Tale of Two Turfs opens with the line: &#8216;It was da best of times, and not being funny or nuffing, but it was da worst of times, to be honest.</p><p>&#8216;Da year was 1775 and fings were looking well suss in da French turf coz da peasants were minging, or rather they was revolting, and not just coz they was Frogs, innit.&#8217; </p><p>And his version of Oliver Twist begins by describing poverty-stricken London the orphan was born into.</p><p>It reads: &#8216;Hundreds of years ago da England turf was full of badass hoodies, living on da frontline and giving it loads. Dese geezas were well tasty...and larging it big time.&#8217; </p><p>It continues: &#8216;Oliva's life was so screwed after his muvva popped him out of da womb and then came over all dead.</p><p>&#8216;Even his own farva had legged it, da swine, which meant that not only was da poor kid up da creek without da paddle, but dere was no other choice but to dump him in da workhouse for unwanted nippas and it sucked.&#8217; </p><p>Mr Baum said: &#8216;I was criticised by some people for my last book on Shakespeare, but many more congratulated me and a prison education officer said how useful it had been.</p><p>&#8216;Some people see it as a joke but it isn't. I just want to break down barriers and it is better that children are reading something rather than nothing.&#8217; </p><p>Martin lives with wife Liz and son Josh and wrote most of the book in his beach hut in Bournemouth.</p><p>The book costs ¡ò7.99 and is published by Authors Online.</p><p><br></p><p></p>?Oscar-winning actress slams 'inauthentic' Burberry for closing UK factory<p>Last updated at 15:51 07 January 2007</p><br><p>Burberry bosses have come under criticism today from anOscar-winning actress over their decision to close a Britishfactory and move production to China.</p><p>Emma Thompson is the latest in a line of celebrities to slam thecompany after they told 300 workers at their plant in Treorchy,south Wales, that they would be closing it in March.</p><p>Thompson warns that Burberry will appear 'inauthentic' if itexports jobs to China, and that the company is engaged in the'bastardisation' of its brand.</p><p>She said: "At a time when it behoves all businesses to set theirethics in order and put honourable practice above profit, I callupon Burberry to reconsider their decision to move out of theRhondda Valley.</p><p>"When I buy clothes, I always check to see where they aremade.</p><p>"When an item that is so clearly branded as British (to thecore) is "Made in China", I'm afraid that I often put that articlestraight back, suspecting corporate greed and unacceptably low wagepackets for the producers of that article.</p><p>"Burberry should not make this move - it will brand itself asgreedy, unethical and - perhaps most importantly for the profile ofthe company - inauthentic."</p><p>Actor Ioan Gruffudd, the star who played Hornblower in thetelevision series and who grew up in nearby Aberdare, has alsothrown his weight behind the campaign to keep the factory open.</p><p>His intervention is all the more embarrassing for the company ashe and actress Rachel Weisz were recruited as the brand's globalfaces in 2005.</p><p>Other high-profile backers of the campaign have included NottingHill star Rhys Ifans, opera singer Bryn Terfel and Prince Charles,who contacted the government asking how he could help.</p><p>Thompson added: "By staying in Wales and honouring a contractthat has long been held with the workers there, it will retain itscode of decency and high standards.</p><p>"Anything else is a betrayal of the workforce and abastardisation of the brand."</p><p>Local politicians have also joined the campaign to keep thefactory, which represents one third of Burberry's manufacturingoperation in Britain, open.</p><p>MEP Glenys Kinnock said: "Burberry markets itself as adistinctively British luxury brand, yet it's planning to moveproduction to China - to factories where the company has admittedit does not know how much - or indeed, how little - the workerswill be paid.</p><p>"The move is completely unnecessary. Burberry's six-monthlyprofits stand at a healthy &pound;84m and sales are on therise.</p><p>"There is no reason for the company to pull out of the RhonddaValley."</p><p>Rhondda Welsh Assembly Member Leighton Andrews said: "Burberrysells itself around the world on being a British brand - if itwants to be seen as British it needs to keep manufacturing jobs inBritain, not shunt them off to China."</p><p>Rhondda MP Chris Bryant has also urged an inquiry into how RoyalWarrants are issued in the wake of the proposed factoryclosure.</p><p>He said: "Paying slave wages should not be the way that aBritish businesses that have a Royal Warrant should behave.</p><p>"The idea behind an inquiry is to try and enforce stricterethical standards on British companies that have RoyalWarrants."</p><p>A spokesman for Burberry said: "We are proud to retain a strongmanufacturing capability in the UK. We make our iconic trench coatsin Yorkshire and have no plans to change this."</p>Share this article: <p> </p>?Ryan Seacrest fails to see the funny side as Sacha Baron Cohen's fake dictator pours ashes of King Jong II all over his tuxedo<br><p> By <br>UPDATED:18:40 GMT, 28 February 2012</p><br><p>Sacha Baron Cohen used the Oscars to pull off yet another audacious publicity coup to promote his latest movie, The Dictator. <br></p><p>Initially banned by the Academy from pulling such a stunt, bosses finally relented and allowed the British comedian to take to the carpet dressed as General Aladeen, who promptly tipped an urn containing 'the ashes of Kim Jong II' over a furious Ryan Seacrest. <br></p><p>Cohen was quickly bundled away from the angry E! presenter in an unceremonious fashion. But what he lacked in dignity he made up for in humour. </p><p>Scroll down for video...<br></p><p> </p><p>Guerilla promotion: Sacha Baron Cohen arrived dressed as the star of his next movie, The Dictator, General Aladeen, carrying an urn he joked contained the ashes of the late Kim Jong II <br></p><p>Flanked by sexy military assistants carrying flowers, Sacha Baron Cohen's antics were a massive hit with everyone apart from his po-faced victim.<br></p><p>Cohen's latest creation received the biggest cheer of the night, and made himself the hottest topic of conversation in a matter of mere seconds. <br></p><p>Stars like Tina Fey waited in line to pose by the powder, and over at the Vanity Fair bash - Olivia Wilde mentioned in an interview that she hoped Cohen would bring the ashes to the party later. <br></p><p>It all started tamely for Seacrest when asked: 'Who are you wearing?'<br></p><p>Cohen replied gamely: 'I'm wearing John Galliano, but the socks are from K-Mart! As Saddam Hussein once said to me, socks are socks, don't waste money.'</p><p> </p><p>But then he added: 'I love it here because it gave me an opportunity to bring my dear friend and tennis partner, Kim Jong-il.</p><p>All the while showing a gold urn with the North Korean leader who died in December emblazoned on its front.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p>He said: 'It was my dream to come to the Oscars and be sprinkled over the red carpet and Halle Berry's chest again.'<br></p><p>Then he appeared to stumble and poured the contents all over Seacrest's Burberry suit.</p><p>The mixture, which turned out to be Bisquik pancake mix, coated Seacrest quite liberally, and he didn't see the funny side. <br></p><p> </p><p>Cohen undeterred and no doubt happy his stunt had worked wonderfully, added: 'Now when people ask what you're wearing, you will say Kim Jong-il!"<br></p><p>'Part of me thought he would be up to something!' said Ryan, 'He was either going to do that to me or George Clooney, right?'</p><p>Seacrest then wrote on his Twitter page: 'My mom always told me to pack two jackets for red carpets, always wondered why. Now I know.'</p><p>He later added: 'A lot of people hitting up afterparties tonight...me? I'm hosting a pancake breakfast tomorrow.'<br></p><p>His co-presenters Kelly Osbourne and Giuliania Rancic were delighted, however.</p><p>Osbournechuckled and said it was 'priceless,' while Rancic tried to comfort Seacrest by reminding him that he will be trending worldwide. <br></p><p> </p>?Our London Fashion Week Blog: Day Five<p>By and </p><p>UPDATED:17:50 GMT, 26 February 2010</p><p></p><p> <br></p><p>DAY FIVE is finale day at LFW, and a dose of Burberry and Peter Pilotto were just what the fashion fairy ordered!</p><p><br><br></p><p>Singing star de jour Paloma Faith was working it at the Ashish show in blue sequined 'skyline' trousers from the designer&#8217;s spring/summer collection. A huge Ashish fan, before the show Paloma told us that she &#8216;lives in sequins, I&#8217;m a bit of a magpie&#8217;. In which case she&#8217;ll have loved the autumn/winter looks &#8211; multicoloured sequined pieces, this time offset with tweeds and chunky knits, making the collection a little more subdued than in previous seasons. The overall look was more mature and edgy.</p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><br><br><br><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p>More capes and more grey at LFW stalwart Amanda Wakeley. Our pick was a heavily beaded oyster gown that we&#8217;d quite happily pop on for the Oscars next week &#8211; should we get our hands on an invite. On a less glamorous note &#8211; Christopher Biggins was front row&#8230; </p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p></p><p>Burberry, the charmers, provided handsome men to escort us under logo-emblazoned umbrellas to the show&#8217;s venue at Chelsea College of Art and Design. It was a nice touch and made us feel a little bit A-list at what was always going to be London&#8217;s glossiest show.</p><p>Front row and fashion darling Mary-Kate Olsen donned giant sunglasses (surely, regardless of famous you are, if ever there's a day when sunnies are not required it's a grey, damp London day in February) to join Twilight's ever-sullen Kristen Stewart, a glowing Kate Hudson, Anna Wintour, Twiggy, Claire Danes, Samantha Cameron, Mario Testino, Philip Green, The Kooks&#8230; <br><br></p><p><br></p><p>Save the best seats...</p><p>A fine act to follow: Actresses Mary-Kate Olsen, Kate Hudson, Kristen Stewart, Claire Danes and Mia Wasikowska front row at Burberry<br></p><br><p>But sorry, we digress, for we were, of course, here to watch a fashion show. And what a show! According to Caroline Baker, the key look to take home will be the sheepskin flying jacket (&#8216;We&#8217;ll all be wearing them&#8217;) and also the buckled sheepskin-lined ankle boots in black. We were all mentally scanning our existing wardrobes to work out how much navy and khaki we already own, because it just looked so damn good on the catwalk.</p><p>This was the perfect collection for British weather &#8211; the rainstorm soundtrack couldn&#8217;t have been more apt. Clever Burberry. On a geeky note &#8211; this was the first catwalk show to be broadcast in 3D with screens set up in Paris, New York City, Dubai, Tokyo and Los Angeles. Not exactly Avatar but most definitely a leap into the future. Clever, clever Burberry. <br><br></p><p><br><br></p><p>At Issa Princess Beatrice and Pippa Middleton were front row (playing fashion spies, perhaps, for Kate Middleton &#8211; this is her go-to label). We saw a collection that had Middleton sisters written all over it: elegantly printed wrap dresses in khaki, lilac and red, styled with long-length fur gilets and dark glasses. We&#8217;re not sure the Royal set will be digging the quiffed hair, but for the rest of us it might prove the best way to pull-off an Issa dress without looking too sloaney. <br><br><br><br><br></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p>Time out...<br><br></p><p>The cream of the fash pack (including our own Caroline Baker) enjoyed moments of calm thanks to Mercedes-Benz, who provided a chauffeur driven service from show to show. Each car featured a snack hamper by London foodie haven Villandry, with chocolate, luxury jelly babies and fruit-infused tea drinks. <br><br>London&#8217;s May Fair Hotel, continuing it&#8217;s tenure as the fashion week hotel, provided a &#8216;Hub&#8217; card for discounts on all hotel services, including pedicures for rest-deprived feet and a cupcake tea for mid-afternoon sugar top-ups. So the hotel was full of the Beautiful People&#8230; At the Baftas we spoke to one top US film producer staying there who bemoaned the fact that the hotel was full of cutie-pie fashionistas (&#8216;I tell ya, it&#8217;s killing me!&#8217;). <br><br>Also attracting the fashioned-out crowd was Buddha Bar on Victoria Embankment, which had designed a two-course calorie-controlled Fashion Fuel menu (which runs until end of March) for those needing time out from the goings-on around the corner at Somerset House. We stopped off for seaweed salad (132 cals) and steamed seabass (220 cals). The YOU team rarely feel so virtuous. <br><br>Models, on the other hand tend to rely on grabbing whatever is provided backstage. At Pringle someone had done a burger run, and at Christopher Kane takeaway salads were piled tower high.</p><p>LFW on the go...</p><p><br></p><p> </p><p>From left: A model with milkshake and The Great Gatsby; it was all about extra-volume hair at John Rocha; make-up was kept natural at Hakan, and Henry Holland was hands-on behind the scenes at his show<br></p><p><br></p><p>And so to bed...<br>It's always a little bit worrying when we start wishing for next winter to just hurry up and start when this year's is still drizzling on, but that's what February Fashion Week will do to you! We have talked about it non stop and walked around it non stop and, now that it's over, we can reflect on it non stop...or at least until we realise that in the real world it's spring/summer that we really should be focusing on. For Caroline Baker, the highlight of the past five days was the Burberry Prorsum show and the khaki, oversized, sheepskin jacket ( also the rhubarb cake at the TopShop Newgen cafe). Katie Lester is still day dreaming of the Peter Pilotto draped panelled dress. Her one personal order if she was allowed to pick. While our Style Notes Editor Bettina Vetter was seduced by the Berardi show. Amy Williams has her eyes on a full-length Erdem number for her next red-carpet stint, and Sinead, well, forget falling in love with the Aquascutum collection or bumping into Carine Roitfield &#8211; she still can't get over Christopher Biggins on the front row at Amanda Wakeley!With that, this season's LFW blog has come to an end....for now. We hope you feel a little bit more informed and a lot more excited about 2010's future trends. And watch this space, we'll be back. <br><br><br><br></p><p><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br></p>?Our profits don't depend on China, says Burberry chief Angela Ahrendts<p> By <br>UPDATED:22:59 GMT, 15 November 2011</p><p></p><p>Burberry boss Angela Ahrendts has played down the firm&#8217;s dependence on the Chinese market despite meeting forecasts with a 26 per cent rise in half-year group profit. <br></p><p>Speaking for the first time since fears of a slowdown in its key Asian market sent shares tumbling last month, the luxury goods boss said China was just one of 25 flagship markets.</p><p>Asked if she was confident the luxury goods market would not be impacted by the third consecutive contraction in manufacturing in China, Ahrendts said: &#8216;I don&#8217;t think it&#8217;s about being confident. The good news is China only represents 10pc of our total revenue.</p><p> &#8216;We&#8217;re not overly dependent on one country. Around 65 per cent of our business is in 25 markets around the world, and only two of those 25 arein China (Beijing and Shanghai). <br></p><p>&#8216;We focus on the things we can control, and right now the brand has tremendous momentum. There is tremendous innovation coming out of our products, that the customers areresponding to.&#8217; <br></p><p></p><p>Burberry, which is now bigger than Marks &amp; Spencer by market value, has seen the price of its shares triple over the past three years. <br></p><p>Soaring demand for its designer clothing and accessories from the new rich in developing countries helped pre-tax profit rise to ¡ò158.7million from ¡ò128million for the sixmonths to September 30.</p><p>The firm said a raft of innovations, including a bespoke trench-coat with 12million variations, and a new advertising campaign was behind a 37 per cent rise in menswear sales and 24 per cent increase in childrenswear. <br></p><p>Burberry, famous for its camel, red, and black check pattern, saw total sales rise 29 per cent to ¡ò830millionand hiked its interim dividend 40 per cent to 7p-a-share. <br></p><p>Luxury goods firms such as Burberry (down 74p to 1347p), French giant LVMH, and Swiss group Richemont, have seen a muted impact from the drop in consumer confidence that has battered the more pedestrian players on the high street. <br></p><p>But City analysts fear that it is only a matter of time. David Jeary, at broker Investec, said: &#8216;Burberry is unlikely to be immune from any slowdown in the global economy.&#8217;</p><p>All eyes were on any changes to Burberry&#8217;s strategy, or margin, but the firm stuck to full year guidance, including a ¡ò200million sum earmarked for capital expenditure. <br></p><p>Ahrendts said the business was &#8216;cushioned&#8217; from the down- turn in key markets such as London and New York because of extremely rich shoppers and wealthy tourists.</p><p> </p>?Frowistas: Peaches Geldof and Nicola Roberts top our list of London Fashion Week's best dressed front row guests<br><p> By <br>UPDATED:08:31 GMT, 22 September 2011<br></p><p>London Fashion Week has been as star-studded as ever this year, with everyone from Pippa Middleton to Anna Wintour squeezing onto the low benches.</p><p>But while a celebrity-led attendance was always on the cards, our favourite dresses came from an unexpected source - the FROW (Fashion Front Row).<br></p><p>Peaches Geldof showed off her svelte figure in two beautifully cut dresses at the Sass and Bide and Temperley shows. Both were nipped in at the waist with simple belt that emphasised her thin waist.</p><p>While Peaches had nailed a simple, classic style, though, Nicola Roberts was a bit more adventurous.</p><p>The Girls Aloud singer wore a simple black peplum mini-dress to Bora Aksu at Somerset House. She accessorised with some brown tassled booties and a tiger-print bag.</p><p></p><p>The same bag made a reappearance at the House of Holland show, this time worn with a long sparkly skirt and a grammatically incorrect T-shirt emblazoned with the slogan 'To bear or not to bear!'</p><p>The tiger bag was left at home for the Topshop show at Waterloo's old Eurostar terminal. The colourful Africa-inspired catsuit Nicola wore to the show needed only very minimal accessories.</p><p> </p><p>Singing her praises: Nicola Roberts dresses up a simple black peplum mini-dress with a tiger-print bag, which she also wore with her casual House of Holland outtfit. She also bravely chose a colourful catsuit for Topshop</p><p>Erin O'Connor made an equally impressive impression with her selection of of figure-skimming maxi dresses and skirts.</p><p>She wore a low cowl-necked abstract print dress to to Samantha Cameron's party at Downing Street, a purple patterned top to Christopher Kane's show and a beige maxidress to Mulberry.</p><p>The supermodel was prepared for anything the English weather would throw at her, with a cardigan or jacket always close at hand.</p><p> </p><p>Fashion royalty: Erin O'Connor wore a beautiful collection of figure-skimming dresses to Samantha Cameron's party at Downing Street (left), Christopher Kane's show (centre) and Mulberry<br></p><p>The Burberry show also saw the fashion-conscious pulling off their best casual-chic looks.</p><p>The latest face of the label, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, wore a long orange mac over black leather trousers. <br></p><p>Gemma Arterton and Florence Brudenell-Bruce also wore black skinny trousers, black shoes, big jackets and carried fun handbags. <br></p><p>Casual chic: Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Gemma Arterton and Florence Brudenell Bruce at the Burberry show</p><p> </p><p>Olivia Palermo went for the androgynous look for the Jaeger show at Somerset House. The reality TV star turned up in a classy black and white double-breasted tuxedo jacket over her monochrome shirt and black flowy skirt.<br></p><p>She accessoried with an electric blue bag and big black sunglasses - despite the dark grey sky.</p><p>Olivia picked a more colourful shiny red skirt for the Topshop show, which she wore with another smart jacked.<br></p><p>Fashion's first lady, Samantha Cameron, was very on trend in her Peter Pilotto navy blue shirt and black Joseph trousers and Anya Hindmarch coat.<br></p><p>She wore the same outfit to Peter Pilotto, Burberry and Erdem's shows on Monday.<br></p><p>The Prime Minister's wife looked even prettier in the gorgeous black and deep red Jonathan Saunders gown she wore while hosting a Fashion Week closing party in Downing Street last night. <br></p><p> </p><p>Fashion's First Lady: Samantha Cameron wore Peter Pilotto, Joseph and Anya Hindmarch for the front row, where she met up with Phillip Green, last night she wore a Jonathan Saunders gown</p><p>The American fashion first lady, Vogue editor Anna Wintour, was a bit more hit and miss.</p><p>She disappointed in an oversized multicoloured snakeskin jacket. But she also surprised by wearing the same pretty blue and white dress to Samantha Cameron's reception that she wore to Rodarte's show in New York last week.</p><p>Maybe she is adapting to Kate Middleton and Sam Cam's habit of wearing outfits more than once? Or maybe not.<br></p><p> </p>?Posh, Kate and Liz go head-to-head at the biggest fashion night of the year<p>By and <br>UPDATED:15:13 GMT, 5 May 2009</p><p>It was survival of the fittest last night as three red carpet icons went head-to-head at the fashion event of the year.</p><p>Kate Moss, Liz Hurley and Victoria Beckham battled for supremacy as they arrived draped in designer couture at the annual Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute Gala in New York.</p><p>The trio were on quirky form as they joined a host of A-listers in a guestlist to rival the Oscars including Cindy Crawford, Gisele Bundchen, Justin Timberlake, Bruce Willis, Heidi Klum and Kate Bosworth.</p><p>Supermodel Kate, who was co-hosting the event, looked like a Greek goddess in her gold lame asymmetrical toga dress and matching metallic turban by milliner Stephen Jones.<br></p><p>Glittering: Kate Moss arrived with Marc Jacobs in his gold lame toga creation at the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute Gala in New York last night<br></p><p> The 35-year-old was accompanied on thered carpet by designer Marc Jacobs, who created Kate's gown and was'honorary chair' of the party.</p><p>The gala evening at the Metropolitan Museum of Art ushered in the museum&#8217;s spring 2009 exhibition which takes the theme of &#8216;The Model as Muse&#8217;.</p><p></p><p>Referring to her turban, the model said: 'My hair in under here somewhere.'<br></p><p>There was stiff competition, however, from a host of stars at what is regarded as the Big Apple's party of the year and the biggest fashion night of the year.<br></p><p>Having been accused of dressing too old for her age at last year's event, former Spice Girl Victoria, 35, went for full-on glamour this time around.</p><p>The mother-of-three showed off her skinny figure in a asymmetrical polka dot dress with a sweeping train by Marc Jacobs, high heels by Louis Vuitton and a Chopard ruby ring.</p><p>Estee Lauder model Liz Hurley, 43, snubbed her usual slashed-to-the-thigh and her favourite designer Versace for a princess-like flowing peach gown by Lebanese designer Elie Saab.</p><p>Like Victoria, Madonna also opted for Marc Jacobs by Louis Vuitton, who she recently modelled for,apparently having opted for humour over glamour.</p><p> </p><p>Coupled up: Justin Timberlake's girlfriend Jessica Biel (L) wore a sweeping Versace red dress while Eva Longoria, with husband Tony Parker, wore a peep-hole Diane von Furstenberg black dress<br></p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Newlyweds: Supermodel Gisele Bundchen (L), on the arm of new hubby Tom Brady, kept it short and sweet in a Versace mini, while Bruce Willis and new wife Emma Heming, in Donna Karan, went for matching black<br></p><p>The 50-year-old outfit, consistingof thigh-high boots, a tiny ruffled dress and a strange blue headdress,could have been inspired by Puss In Boots.</p><p>Actress Jessica Biel graced the redcarpet with boyfriend Justin Timberlake, who was also hosting theevent, along with the editor-in-chief of American Vogue, Anna Wintour.</p><p>Jessica wowed the waiting crowds in aSpanish-style red gown by Versace Atelier whichshowed off her legs but also featured a dramatic train.</p><p>Prize for most fabric would have gone to pregnant supermodel Heidi Klum, who made quite an entrance in a lavish, midnight blue dress by J Mendel that took a month to make.</p><p>Stunning: Pregnant supermodel Heidi Klum wowed the crowds in a huge J. Mendel midnight-blue gown</p><p> </p><p>Eccentric: (L-R) Anne Hathaway went for the '80s look in a Marc Jacobs taffeta mini dress, Claudia Schiffer opted for sheer Versace and Leighton Meester wore a eclectic jumpsuit by Louis Vuitton<br></p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Fellow Brit Kate Beckinsale also went for a sweeping train in a feathered creation by Marchesa.</p><p>English designer Stella McCartney was well represented at the event and arrived with actress friends Kate Hudson, Liv Tyler and Kate Bosworth all wearing her designs.</p><p>Lord of the Rings star Liv joked she was forced to wear her Eighties-style sparkly blue dress with shoulderpads by Stella: 'I didn't have any choice. She made me wear it.'<br></p><p>Oscar winner Rachel Weisz arrived with designer Vera Wang in one of her creations, a blush pink hand-painted gown.</p><p>Girls night out: (L-R) Kate Hudson, Stella McCartney, Liv Tyler and Kate Bosworth all wore dresses by the British designer</p><p> </p><p>Doubled up: Twiggy and Agyness Deyn flew the flag for Britain in Burberry (L), while W. actress Elizabeth Banks looked chic in a mini-prom style black sequin and navy taffeta dress by designer Alberta Ferretti (R)<br></p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Show-stopping: Kate Beckinsale wore a sweeping feathered skirt and bejewelled top by Marchesa</p><p>Teaming the feminine outfit with dark lipstick, the Constant Gardener beauty said: 'I feel like a punk princess.'</p><p>Blue appeared to the dominant colour last night, with Cindy Crawford, Donatella Versace, Katy Perry, BrookeShields and Blake Lively all wearing gowns in thatcolour.</p><p>Blake, 21, showed off her body in a figure-hugging Versace gown slashed to the hip and gown metallic heels.</p><p>The actress, who plays Serena Van Der Woodsen in Gossip Girl, admitted the high slit was unnerving to wear: 'You can imagine... Especially when I'm walking up the stairs.'</p><p> </p><p>I Kissed A Girl singer Katy went for anEgyptian-style dress by Tommy Hilfiger, admitting: 'He chose it for me.I feel like Cleopatra and, also, I got my hair cut like Anna Wintour soshe'll like me.'<br></p><p>The new Models as Muse exhibit at theMetropolitan Museum of Art celebrates some of the world's mostbeautiful women yet it shows how ideals of beauty have evolved toinclude the rest of women as well, its curator said on Monday.</p><p>Opening this week at the museum'sCostume Institute, the exhibit traces high fashion and its models frompost-World War Two haute couture to grunge and minimalism of the 1990s,with iconic photographs, magazine covers, advertisements, clothes,music and film clips to illustrate each distinctive era.<br></p><p> </p><p>Couples watch: Kanye West and his new girlfriend Amber Rose (L), wearing a Louis Vuitton tuxedo and Carolina Herrera red dress respectively and rocker Bono and wife Ali Hewson played it safe in black<br></p><p> </p><p>Style setters: Hilary Swank wore a burnt orange asymmetrical Calvin Klein gown, Iman shimmered in a champagne Donna Karan dress, while Marisa Tomei opted for a vintage Adrian ivory crepe gown <br></p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Colour injection: (L-R) Rosario Dawson wore a strapless coral Diane Von Furstenburg gown, Rachel Bilson in a green silk chiffon Bally dress and Claire Danes in an Armani Prive asymmetrical gown<br></p><p> </p><p> </p><p>The show explores the power of clothing, fashion photography and models to project images of beauty over the years, its curators said at a preview for the media.<br></p><p>The exhibit, 'Models as Muse: Embodying Fashion,' is on view from May 6 to August 9, 2009. <br></p><p> </p><p>Strapess: Renee Zellweger wore her favourite designer Carolina Herrera, Jessica Alba wore a cobalt blue Jason Wu mini dress and Rachel Weisz wore a sweeping Vera Wang blush pink corset gown<br></p><p> </p><p>All that glitters: (L-R) Actress Eva Mendes in Calvin Klein, Israeli supermodel Bar Refaeli in a Marchesa mini and Christian Louboutin heels and Oscar winner Marion Cotillard in Christian Dior <br></p><p> </p><p>Fashion's elite: US Vogue editor Anna Wintour (L) in Chanel co-hosted the event, her daughter Bee Shaffer in Nina Ricci (C) and Winona Ryder looked sombre in black Marc Jacobs<br></p><p> </p><p><br></p><p> </p>?Pupils act out 'chav hunt' - hunting pinks on horseback, their prey in Burberry caps<p>Last updated at 13:21 13 August 2007</p><br><p>Pupils at a public school set up a "chav hunt" for the videocamera - and now images of the chase in the grounds of GlenalmondCollege been posted to the internet.<br><br></p><p>Class Wars shows current and former pupils at the school inPerthshire dressed in hunting pinks and on horseback chasing their"prey" across country before "shooting" them.</p><p>The prey is a group of chavs dressed in the "uniform" that marksthem out - Burberry caps, tracksuits and designer trainers.</p><p>The video - which has been posted to YouTube - reaches a finaleas "chavs" running across the school lawn are "shot" by awax-jacketed hunter with a double-barrelled shotgun.</p><p>Scroll down for more ...</p><p>The whole video is set to Clockwork Orange-style classicalmusic.</p><p>Roseanna Cunningham, the Scottish National Party MSP for thearea, told the Times: "I suppose this video could be billed as therevent of Monty Python's upper-class twits.</p><p>"Doubtless it is intended as humour and irony but it comesacross as brash, crass and arrogant."</p><p>The school, which charges up to &pound;22,500 a year forboarders and was attended by Robbie Coltrane, the Duke of Argylland Lord Falconer, has said any action would be taken when pupilsreturn after the summer holidays.</p><p>But Ms Cunningham added: "Is that really what their parents arepaying for when they send their privileged offspring to anexclusive school like Glenalmond?"</p><p><p><p></p>Share this article: <p> </p>?Watch out, Burberry . . . here comes Bercow-ware! <p>By <br>UPDATED:20:37 GMT, 25 June 2009</p><p>Try as some might to prune the thing, Squeaker Bercow's ego is sprouting as fast as Clematis montana. <br></p><p>There sat the springy little fella yesterday, presiding over discussions with his pouchy smile of intense satisfaction.</p><p>When they reprint the illustrated tourist guide to the Palace of Westminster it is possible the photographs of Mr Squeaker in action will include a large, red arrow saying 'this is me!'.</p><p>Anyway, shortly after 11am a Labour MP, Madeleine Moon (Bridgend), appeared at the side of Mr Bercow's high Chair. She handed him a couple of copies of Hansard - the soft-bound report of previous days' debates. <br></p><p>The Squeaker whipped out a pen and, barely looking at Mrs Moon, airily autographed them before handing them back to her.</p><p>Mrs Moon reversed away, bowing, scraping, practically tugging her fringe as she clutched her booty. Oh thank ye, good Master Bercow.</p><p>Signing autographs in the Chair is a bizarre new low. Is this really what the Commons voted for when it elected this twerp on Monday to be the tribune of parliamentary pomp? Did MPs think they were voting for a statesman and in fact end up with a wannabe pop star/celebrity footballer?</p><p>There is already a tradition of specially bottled 'Mr Speaker's Malt Whisky' but if Bercow has his way we could have a whole range of Bercow-ware: Bercow tennis shorts, Bercow shortbread, Bercow desk pens. Watch out, Burberry.</p><p>Mrs Moon has a slender majority. She will no doubt put the signed copies of Hansard to quick and judicious use. <br></p><p>Will they be sold for charity? Will they be placed on eBay? Might they even possibly end up as a lot at some Labour Party fundraising auction? <br></p><p>No doubt Mrs Moon voted for Mr Bercow on Monday. But how many more favours will have to be done before this Speaker puts away the plaything of friendship and concentrates on duty?</p><p>A long stream of mainly Labour MPs yesterday continued to waddle up to Mr Bercow to shake his hand and offer good wishes. Yesterday they included a minister, Phil Woolas, who gave him an informal little wave.<br></p><p>If Mr Bercow keeps up this familiarity he may find it hard ever to assert himself as a figure to be feared.</p><p>Bob Laxton (Derby N) showed what he thought of protocol under the new Speaker. He sat on the Labour benches open-necked. Why bother with a tie when the Squeaker thinks it unimportant to dress up in anything but a 'business suit'?</p><p>Natascha Engel (Lab, NE Derbyshire), sitting not far behind ministers, was eating something. Chomp, chomp, chomp. It might have been the time of day for elevenses but could she not have stepped outside for her chow?</p><p>The Squeaker, aware of the need to smarm up to Tory MPs now that they are plotting to unseat him, permitted an Urgent Question.</p><p>This meant Home Office minister David Hanson (expendable) had to come to the Chamber to discuss cyber security. <br></p><p>The only MP to cut through the jargon was Tom Watson (Lab, West Bromwich E), who said that GCHQ in Cheltenham needs 'a spy school for geeks who are more cunning than their Chinese counterparts'. Why can't others speak with this eloquent bluntness? <br></p><p>We heard two defeated Speakership candidates, Ann Widdecombe and Sir George Young, complain about a proposed-criminal law which will mean MPs must declare each and every present they ever receive.</p><p>Sir George (Con, NW Hants) said that if he attended an event and his wife was given a bouquet of flowers he would have to declare them or he could face going to prison. 'And if I ask her to give the flowers back I will be in even deeper trouble.'</p><p>The House's laughter was, I felt, tinged with regret. A sense of what might have been had Sir George won on Monday. Effortless humour is one of the things Squeaker Bercow so palpably lacks. Everything about him, even his wit, is by numbers, worn heavily, as though out of a book. They may soon tire of him.</p>?<p>By <br>UPDATED:11:31 GMT, 15 February 2010</p><p>Agyness Deyn was left red faced last night when she tripped over on the catwalk twice during a fundraiser for the relief effort in Haiti.</p><p>The model caused a stir when she slipped and fell in her enormous Burberry platform heels early in the show.</p><p>Ever the professional, she picked herself up and continued on, only to fall again a few steps later.</p><p> </p><p>A smiling Deyn promptly removed the offending shoes and walked the rest of the way barefoot.</p><p>Ironically the show was put together by supermodel Naomi Campbell who famously fell over on the catwalk during a Vivienne Westwood show in 1993.</p><p></p><p>A couple of hours after the show Deyn Tweeted: &#8216;1st show of fashion week! Took a tumble! Got up! Fell again. Should have stayed down the 1st time. Twice! WTF! Ouch my knees!'</p><p>Campbell had called together her model, designer and celebrity friends for the fundraiser but the most poignant moments of this event, held as part of New York Fashion Week, was the finale tribute to Alexander McQueen.</p><p> </p><p>McQueen was discovered dead on Thursday in London. While he wasn't known to have many close friends in the fashion industry, Campbell, a fellow Brit, was in his inner circle. <br></p><p>At the end of the runway show, Campbell walked backstage with tears in her eyes and clutching the hand of fellow model Angela Lindvall.</p><p>The last seven outfits in Fashion for Relief were McQueen's, modeled by Campbell, Helena Christensen and Karen Elson, among others &#8212; all wearing impossibly high heels by the designer, including one pair of platforms that didn't actually have any heels.</p><p>The audience - mostly paying ticketholders instead of the editors, stylists and retailers that normally fill the seats at fashion shows - applauded loudest for celebrities like Chris Brown and Kelly Osbourne, and designers Donna Karan, Diane von Furstenberg and Georgina Chapman of Marchesa. <br></p><p>Actor Alan Cumming wore a kilt, and Duchess of York Sarah Ferguson took a spin in a black gown with gold beading after doing an opening speech about charities such as CARE and the White Ribbon Alliance that fight maternal mortality.</p><p>She praised Campbell as a loyal and generous friend. "When Naomi Campbell calls you and says, 'Hi Fergie, can you turn up on the 12th?' You turn up on the 12th," she said.</p><p> </p><p>But the crowd clearly came to see Campbell, who did not disappoint. The 39-year-old showed why she was once queen of the catwalk, making a short, black sequined flapper dress practically do its own dance.<br></p><p>Campbell said before the show that she's always nervous before walking the runway, 'but just doubly nervous' for the relief show because she had depended on friends to collaborate and wanted everyone to enjoy it.</p><p>American Express, which sponsored the show, said 950 tickets - at $100-$150 each - were sold out within three days.</p><p> <br></p><p><br><br></p><p> </p>?It's magic: Rihanna shows off new red-hot pixie-style cropped hairstyle as she confirms Britney collaboration<br><p>By <br>UPDATED:12:58 GMT, 11 April 2011</p><p>She changes her hairstyle about as often as some of us change shoes - and Rihanna was showing off yet another new do at the weekend.<br></p><p>The 23-year-old star was seen leaving the rather inappropriately named Giorgio Baldi restaurant in Santa Monica with the new crop, although it's not clear whether it's the singer's own hair or a very convincing wig. <br></p><p>Just days ago, the What's My Name star was spotted sporting cascading curls - but still in her signature bright red. <br></p><p>Scroll down for Rihanna's track with Britney...<br></p><p>She debuted her new short do last week at the Academy Of Country Music Awards, but is now wearing it more spiky compared to the Beatles-style moptop cut of the weekend before.</p><p></p><p>Italian restaurant Giorgio Baldi meanwhile is something of a celebrity favourite, with highly-praised dishes including pumpkin ravioli in a white truffle sauce and Dover sole with lemon and herb sauce.<br></p><p>The star was looking stylish in a tight white dress, cork-effect Louboutins, snakeskin handbag and a Burberry Prorsum leather and mesh jacket.</p><p>However, the star ran into problems later that night when she went clubbing after dinner and moaned on her Twitter: 'Thanks to my bffs I'm leavin the club in a brand new white dress, accessorized with red wine stains!!!! Don't u HATE that???'<br></p><p>When someone asked whether she was sure the stains were courtesy of her drinking partners, she retorted: 'I was drinkin vodka soda- go figure'.<br></p><p>Meanwhile, the Bajan beauty has confirmed that Britney Spears will appear on a remix of Rihanna's track S&amp;M - and says the results are 'sexy'.<br></p><p>Rihanna tweeted: "I got a #SEXY collabo comin your way supa dupa soon!!!! OH YEAH!!! By popular demand... Its BRITNEY BITCH!!!! (sic)" <br></p><p>Do you have a story about a celebrity? Call the Daily Mail showbusiness desk on 0207 938 6364 or 0207 938 6683. For U.S. stories, phone 310 642 2317.</p>?<p>Model behaviour: Burberry fans will be able to get up close and personal with the cast including actor Douglas Booth, second from right, using motion responsive images and video that can be clicked, rotated, paused and dragged 180 degrees</p><p>Fresh-faced Rosie, 22, strikes a sultry pose, sporting Burberry's new collection including leather and sheepskin inspired by aviator chic, in a series of images co-starring models, actors and musicians shot by Mario Testino.</p><p>The cast includes up and coming actor Douglas Booth, who starred in the BBC2 drama Worried about the boy, based on the life of Boy George.</p><p>This is the first time fully immersive andinteractive technology has been used for a global luxury fashionadvertising campaign. <br></p><p>Burberry made fashion history at London Fashion Week by streaming their show worldwide across New York, Dubai, Paris, Tokyo, and Los Angeles in February.<br></p><p> </p><p>CCO ChristopherBailey said: 'The campaigns have always been characterized by the dynamicBritish cast and I wanted to express the individuality and the energybehind each of their different creative expressions. <br></p><p>'Burberrywas founded on innovation and outerwear and I want anyone who sees thecampaign not just to see images, but to feel a part of what we havecreated; connecting people through technology, music, the collections,the attitude, and the emotion captured.'</p><p>Meanwhile, Burberry's favourite poster girl Emma Watson has taken a break from modelling duties to concentrate on other acting projects as she studies for her degree at Brown University in Rhode Island, but will continue to work with the label in the future.</p><p>CLICK PLAY TO WATCH A DEMONSTRATION OF THE BURBERRY CAMPAIGN DIGITAL EXPERIENCE....</p><p>For more information, visit</p>?<p> By </p><p>Created 9:42 AM on 27th June 2008</p><br><p>Her cropped blonde hair and individual sense of style have made her a household name - but the image below could be the first sign that Agyness Deyn's modelling career is on the wane.</p> <p>She has been replaced as the star of Burberry by Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, seen here in the firm's new autumn/ winter campaign, unveiled today.</p><p>The decision to give the role - one of the most prestigious in the fashion industry - to the relative newcomer seems to have driven the once-close friends apart.</p><p>Huntington-Whiteley, 21, who is dating Rolling Stone Ronnie Wood's son Tyrone, has complained that Deyn, 24, no longer speaks to her, and launched a lightly-veiled attack on her rival's personal style. 'Agyness was really sweet and we used to hang out all the time but when she became big she dropped me,' the model said recently. <br></p><p></p><p>'I tried being her friend and texted her repeatedly for six months but she never replied, so I just gave up. Personally, I think Agy's look is a one-off season look but she has been so publicised and has such a big profile she'll make it in the long term now. I wish her well.' Huntington-Whiteley, a distant relative of Queen Victoria and recently named by the Evening Standard as one of the 1,000 most influential people in London, appears in the campaign alongside actor Sam Riley, 28, star of Anton Corbijn's film Control. Among the bags featured is the ¡ò1,295 ruched leather Lowry - a bargain compared with current favourite, the ¡ò11,000 Warrior.</p> <p> </p><p>Still fragrant: Agyness Deyn will continue to promote Burberry perfume; Huntington-Whiteley with boyfriend Tyrone Wood<br></p><p>he Burberry campaign has a history of turning young, unknown models into celebrities. As well as helping to launch Deyn, it was one of the first international brands to sign up Kate Moss, in 1999. Photographed by Mario Testino, the adverts afford global exposure to any models who star in them and almost guarantee success in a notoriously competitive industry.</p> <p>But there is good news for Deyn. She continues as the face of Burberry's perfume, The Beat, and stars in the new Jean Paul Gaultier fragrance campaign as well as ones for Armani, Shiseido and Printemps, France's equivalent of Selfridges.</p><p>'Agyness is a huge part of the Burberry family and a personal friend,' said Burberry's creative director Christopher Bailey. 'We've worked with her for several years and I am thrilled she will continue to star in our fragrance campaign.'</p><p>The model, who has been photographed with Strokes guitarist Albert Hammond Jr, also provides backing vocals on Who, the new single by New York rockers Five O'Clock Heroes.</p><p> </p> <br>?After the glamour... Rosie Huntington-Whiteley and Christina Ricci nurse their hangovers by dressing down after Met Gala<br><p>By <br>UPDATED:16:32 GMT, 4 May 2011</p><p>They were dressed to the nines the night before at the Met Gala in New York City, but Rosie Huntington-Whitely and Christina Ricci looked quite the opposite yesterday.<br></p><p>An array of celebrity guests who attended the annual ball held in aid of the Costume Institute at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, were spotted looking dishevelled and no doubt hung-over the morning after. <br></p><p>The Victoria&#8217;s Secret model had been dressed to kiss in a Burberry Prorsum cherry pink gown by Christopher Bailey on the big night.</p><p>But she was snapped yesterday without a hint of make-up as she appeared to be nursing a hangover in loose black trousers and baggy white shirt.<br></p><p>Rosie, who has topped this year&#8217;s Maxim 100 hot list, clung onto a bottle of Evian water to rehydrate after the big night and quickly slipped on her oversized sunglasses to disguise her fatigue.</p><p></p><p>The 24-year-old, who attended the event with her boyfriend Jason Statham, still managed to match her nude heels with her handbag though while strolling around Manhattan.<br></p><p>Meanwhile, Christina Ricci was barely recognisable when she arrived at LAX yesterday in a baggy top and messy hair following the event which launched an exhibition of Alexander McQueen&#8217;s key pieces.</p><p> </p><p>The actress had arrived at the Met Gala in an usual black and nude Zac Posen gown, which resembled a spider&#8217;s web and continued the glamour with slicked back hair and earrings.<br></p><p>Australian actress Isabel Lucas was another star who flew into Los Angeles from New York yesterday, again without any make-up.<br></p><p>The 26-year-old looked stunning at the Gala in an ethereal Louis Vuitton coral pink gown with an Indian-inspired headpiece and matching earrings.<br></p><p>But she swapped her gown for jeans, a casual white shirt and a white head band as she strolled through the airport with her Chanel shoulder bag.</p><p>Supermodel Karolina Kurkova decided to stay in the Big Apple after the night though and was also taking a walk around Manhattan in khaki trousers and a red blazer following her night in a black and white lace gown.<br></p><p>Rashida Jones left her New York hotel in a similar shade of fuchsia than the night before, just down the road from Demi Moore and Ashton Kutcher.<br></p><p>The Hollywood couple were extremely dressed down in jeans, while Kutcher was sporting long hair and a five o&#8217;clock shadow as he held his wife&#8217;s hand.</p><p> <br></p>?That's not a good Transformation: Rosie Huntington-Whiteley displays her noticeably slimmer frame in a form-fitting dress<br><p> By <br>UPDATED:13:43 GMT, 27 October 2011</p><p></p><p>She's one of the most sought-after models in the world, and is under constant pressure to look good.</p><p>But it seems Rosie Huntington-Whiteley has taken her desire to maintain her slim figure a bit too far, judging by photographs of the 24-year-old model at a Burberry event in Beverly Hills last night.</p><p> </p><p>TheBritish model, who embarked on a strict diet and exercise regime to getin shape for her role in Transformers: Dark Of The Moon, looked noticeably thinner than she did last year.</p><p>Rosie's negligee-style dress highlighted her tiny waist and skinny arms as she arrived at the Burberry store in Beverly Hills.</p><p>The stunning model, who is dating Jason Statham, spoke earlier this year about how hard she works to maintain her figure.</p><p> </p><p>Slender in satin: Rosie's form-fitting negligee style dress highlighted her tiny waist and slim figure</p><p>She said: 'Ittakes lots and lots of hard work. I have three personal trainers - James Duigan in London, Jason Walsh in Los Angeles and my friend Justin in New York. <br></p><p>'That means there&#8217;s no excuse not to be in the gym wherever I go.'</p><p> </p><p>And referring to what she eats to stayslim, Rosie said: 'Everything starts with exercise. Then you want to look after yourself and put good food in your body.</p><p>'Ihave a really good response when I cut out carbs so that&#8217;s something I always do before a great event. I eat a high-protein diet and lots of greens.'</p><p>A spokesperson for the actress previously told MailOnline that staying healthy is a huge part of Rosie's life.</p><p></p><p>She said: 'Rosie is very health conscious and always has been (her mother was a fitness instructor) and likes to eat well and keep trim.'</p><p>Rosie, who is the face of the designer fragrance named Burberry Body was joined by a whole host of familiar faces at the Burberry boutique in Beverly Hills. <br></p><p>Talking about why Rosie was named the face of Burberry Body, ChiefCreative Officer Christopher Bailey said: 'Rosie's effortless style andher staggering beauty made her the natural choice as the first BurberryBody.' <br></p><p> </p><p>Mixed group: Glee star Jayme Mays, Beyonce's sister Solange Knowles and Lily Aldridge also attended the party<br></p><p>And Rosie added: ''It&#8217;s a huge honourto be working with Burberry again, a brand that put my career on the map and helped launch me.</p><p>'To be asked to be the first 'Burberry Body' is an amazing compliment.'<br></p><p>The model-turned-actress is once again separatedfrom her actor boyfriend, who lives in London, after the couple have spent most of their summer apart due to work schedules. </p><p>Earlier this month the couple were seen enjoying a rare date night in the English capital heading to Nobu for dinner. <br></p><p> </p><p>Party people: Erin Heatherton, Lady Victoria Hervey, Cat Deeley and Alice Eve <br></p><p>But tonight it was back to work for Rosie who joined Bailey to help host the event. </p><p>Guests including actress Kate Bosworth, Glee star Jayme Mays, Beyonce's sister Solange Knowles and Lily Aldridgewere in attendance.</p><p>While stylist Rachel Zoe, TV presenter Cat Deely as well as a number of familiar faces also attended the party. </p>?Rosie Huntington-Whiteley has 'same effect on men as cocaine'<p> By <br>UPDATED:01:56 GMT, 30 September 2011<br><br></p><p>She's a Victoria's Secret model with a flawless figure and face to match.<br></p><p>So it's no wonder Rosie Huntington-Whiteley is most men's dream woman.<br></p><p>But new research has revealed the Transformers star's power over the opposite sex is so strong, it is similar to the effects of cocaine.</p><p>It is Rosie's baby-face features that give men that same type of rush, Men's Health reported<br></p><p>The study, conducted by Harvard University researchers, found the face of an attractive woman triggers the same reward centres in a man's brain as the narcotic.<br></p><p>Test subjects were shown images of attractive females, and brain imaging scans revealed that reward circuitry fired off when they looked at comely faces. <br></p><p>A prominent curved forehead, eyes, nose and mouth located relatively low, large eyes, round cheeks and a small chin were among the features men found most attractive.</p><p>Rosie, whose signature pout has propelled her to fame, is aware of her special powers.<br></p><p>Speaking to the latest issue of Australia's Maxim magazine, the stunning 24-year-old says: 'They&#8217;re funny, because they change colour with my mood. <br></p><p>'They get really, really red when I&#8217;m angry or passionate and pale when I&#8217;m miserable or tired. </p><p>'They have a life of their own. They get me in trouble. You know mood rings? I've got mood lips.'</p><p>Rosie adds: 'The rest of my body requires a lot of upkeep, but the lips are one thing I don&#8217;t have to work on.'</p><p> <br></p>?Rosie Huntington-Whiteley inspires Burberry revival as label posts bumper sales<br><p> By <br>UPDATED:14:22 GMT, 12 October 2011</p><br><p>Ten years ago it would have been almost inconceivable to think that Burberry could reinstate itself towards the top of the list of UK luxury brands.</p><p>The fashion label's image suffered as its trademark beige tartan became a symbol of the 'chavs'.</p><p>But Burberry's sexy autumn campaign, spearheaded by the stunning Rosie Huntington-Whitely, shows that its comeback is complete.<br></p><p>The label's return to high fashion has also, unsurprisingly, been reflected in its sales figures - its half-year revenues have jumped up by 30 per cent.</p><p>The fashion label's image suffered a lot in the Nineties and Noughties when Burberry's trademark beige tartan became a symbol of the infamous 'chav' movement. But the firm's comeback has been swift and well executed.</p><p>By employing Christopher Bailey as a creative director in 2001, and getting top British celebrities including Rosie Huntington-Whitely, Kate Moss, Agyness Deyn and Emma Watson to model for the brand, its image shifted rapidly back upmarket.</p><p>A pioneering use of digital media - including tweeting images of catwalk looks before they hit the catwalk at their latest show - has also helped boost Burberry's profile.<br></p><p></p><p>And financial rewards have followed - even despite the global uncertainty.</p><p>The company, which is famous for its red, black and camel check, said bumper sales through its Chinese outlets and flagship stores in London, Paris and New York helped half-year revenues jump by 30 per cent to ¡ò830 million.</p><p>However, despite revenue figures being higher than hoped, shares have dropped more than 20 per cent since July due to fears of a slowdown in China.</p><p>Burberry said its Chinese outlets, which it acquired a year ago, showed store growth of 30 per cent over the past six months.</p><p>Worldwide retail revenues rose by 45 percent, with like-for-like sales growth up slightly in the second quarter(to 30 September) up to 16 per cent, compared to 15 per cent in the first three months of 2011.</p><p>Outerwear- including Burberry's trademark trench coat - and large leather goodsaccounted for half of the growth, with the Burberry London range was also a major contributor.</p><p>Chiefexecutive Angela Ahrendts said the company's first half performance 'clearly demonstrates' the continued global momentum of the Burberry brand, though the group was prepared to 'respond appropriately' if thereis any significant change in demand in the luxury sector.</p><p>David Jeary, an analyst at Investec Securities, said concerns about growth in China have been overdone and today's update underlines the strength of the group's strategy. <br></p><p> </p><p>He forecasts that Burberry's profits for 2011 will reach ¡ò365 million.</p><p>Burberry said wholesale revenues rose by a better-than-expected 20 per cent excluding China. <br></p><p>Shoes, childrenswear, menswear and men's accessories all did well, especially in the United States and emerging markets.</p><p>Licensing revenue rose by per cent, but like the retail arm, both licensing and wholesale's growth slowed in the second quarter compared to the first.</p><p>Burberry added it expects to add 15 per cent more store space over the rest of the year.</p><p>They plan to open between eight and ten new stores, including a store in Paris and outlets in Latin America and China.</p><p>At the end of September, the group had 187 retail stores, 210 concessions. 44 outlet shops and 52 franchises.</p><p></p>?Heaven scent: Rosie Huntington-Whiteley manages to make a trenchcoat looks sexy in risque perfume ad<p> By <br>UPDATED:08:27 GMT, 13 July 2011</p><p></p><p>It may be iconic, but the Burberry trenchcoat isn't exactly renowned for being a sexy item in a woman's wardrobe.</p><p>But in the advertisement for new perfume Burberry Body, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley achieves the impossible and gives the trenchcoat a racy makeover.<br></p><p>Recently named the World's Sexiest Woman in a magazine poll, the 24-year-old leaves little to the imagination in the risque ad, which was shot by acclaimed photographer Mario Testino.</p><p>Lying on the floor of a studio, the open trench shows off the Devonshire model's toned body as she smoulders at the camera.</p><p>While good genes obviously helped Rosie, she insists she has to work hard to maintain the flat stomach on show in the ad.</p><p>She said: 'Nobody lands on earth with a body like this.</p><p>'We all work very hard to maintain a healthy body. I have to do many thousands of sit-ups.'<br></p><p>Although she's one of the Victoria's Secret Angels, Huntington-Whiteley admits she needs help to boost her 34B cup size.</p><p>She told the Times: 'I do believe in chicken fillets. I&#8217;m not saying you have to use them, but if anyone knows me and sees me in a photoshoot, well, there are friends in there.</p><p>'You do need a lift with a sexy dress, so do what you&#8217;ve got to do, girls - shove them in there. I&#8217;ve been known to have three in at a time for shoots - plus padding.'</p><p>Huntington-Whiteley has a special place in her heart for Burberry after the British fashion house helped catapult her to fame in their 2008 campaign when she replaced Agyness Deyn.</p><p>She wore several dresses by the brand during her recent promotional campaign for Transformers 3: Dark Of The Moon.</p><p>Fashion insiders are predicting the ad will cause controversy for pushing the boundaries with nudity, like previous fragrance campaigns for Calvin Klein and Yves Saint Laurent.</p>?Rosie Huntington-Whiteley shows off her Burberry Body in plunging suit while beau Jason Statham cosies up to J-Lo on set<br><p> By <br>UPDATED:13:32 GMT, 13 September 2011</p><p>She is the face of the new fragrance Burberry Body and it&#8217;s not hard to see why. <br></p><p>Rosie Huntington-Whiteley showed off her amazing figure in a plunging neckline nude tuxedo suit, with nothing underneath, as she launched the signature scent at Macy&#8217;s in Herald Square yesterday. <br></p><p>The model, 24, was dressed in the daring Burberry ensemble with satin detail and just a thing gold chain around her neck to present the latest beauty launch from the British brand. <br></p><p>Rosie had her sun-kissed locks in loose waves around her shoulders and natural makeup for the launch.<br></p><p>While the Victoria&#8217;s Secret model was working in New York her man Jason Statham was on the set of his new film Parker with Jennifer Lopez in Louisiana. <br></p><p>And with many considering newly single J-Lo to be one of the most beautiful women in the world, there are few ladies who wouldn&#8217;t feel threatened by their men spending considerable time with their man. <br></p><p>But while Rosie and Jennifer were wearing similar-coloured ensembles Rosie managed the almost impossible by making J-Lo look dowdy in comparison to her.<br></p><p>The crime-thriller sees Jason star as a thief who lives by a code of honour while Jennifer takes on the role of Leslie. <br></p><p>But her ensembles in the film have been far from her show-stopping sexy stage outfits. <br></p><p>Jennifer, who split from husband of seven years Marc Anthony recently, has been on a date with Limitless hunk Bradley Cooper.<br></p><p>The couple enjoyed a romantic dinner at trendy restaurant Per Se in New York over the weekend.</p><p> <br></p>?Royal seal of approval helps Burberry shares soar to all-time high<br><p> By <br>UPDATED:12:48 GMT, 13 July 2011</p><br><p>Shares in luxury clothing brand Burberry were up almost five per cent today as the group smashed its sales forecasts.</p><p>Demand for man bags and children's trenchcoats helped shares soar to a record high as retail sales rose 49 per cent in the three months to June 30, with half of the growth coming from leather bags and raincoats as new lines flew off the shelves.</p><p>The 155-year-old firm said the new ranges in men's accessories, men's tailoring, shoes and children's wear had also boosted its wholesale division.</p><p>Shares rose 78.5p on the news to 1,492.5p - a new all-time high.<br></p><p>The group, which in March revealed it sold out of one style of ladies' trenchcoat the day after the Duchess of Cambridge wore it, saw total sales rise by 34 per cent to ¡ò367million over the three months.</p><p>Katharine Wynne at Investec Securities described the first quarter results as a 'blockbuster performance', with underlying sales growth of 34 per cent against consensus expectations of 24 per cent growth.</p><p>Burberry's focus on younger, luxury-focused customers and the high-end tourist market has insulated it from the rising raw material and other costs pressures that have hit other retailers.</p><p>Burberry Prorsum and London, two of its key ranges, were both able to push through double-digit average selling price increases over the past three months, it said.</p><p>The group's efforts to boost its business in Asia meant 20 per cent of the increase in retail sales came from China with a further 14 per cent from new stores elsewhere.</p><p>The luxury clothing firm, famous for its red, black and camel check, added that wholesale revenues rose by 11 per cent to ¡ò95million, while licensing income increased by 6 per cent.</p><p>Freddie George at Seymour Pierce added 'Burberry not only operates in a market place with strong long-term growth credentials but has significant geographical and product mix opportunities with operational leverage to come.'</p><p>At the end of June, Burberry had 181 stores, 197 concessions, 45 outlet stores and 52 franchises.</p>?Royal warrant warning over Burberry switch<p>Last updated at 15:31 23 January 2007</p><br><p>A parliamentary review into the awarding of Royal Warrants wasdemanded by a Labour MP today.</p><p>The call came from Chris Bryant, MP for Rhondda, who saidBurberry should lose its warrants unless it guaranteed there wouldbe 'no slave wages or child labour' when it outsourced polo shirtproduction from Treorchy in south Wales.</p><p>The luxury clothes firm has two Royal Warrants from the Queenand Prince of Wales.</p><p>Mr Bryant said there was a 'strong argument' for revoking thelatter if it went ahead with the proposed closure of its Rhonddafactory.</p><p>The MP wants a joint committee of MPs and peers to considerimposing new criteria for the coveted accolade.</p><p>He believes these should include environmental stipulations andfair employment policies.</p><p>Royal Warrants are granted to people or companies who havesupplied goods or services for a minimum of five consecutive yearsto the Queen, Duke of Edinburgh or Prince of Wales.</p><p>Some 800 companies currently hold them.</p><p>Opening a Westminster Hall debate, Mr Bryant argued: "A RoyalWarrant is not just a Royal Warrant any more.</p><p>"It's been so successful - because of the prestige with which orRoyal Family is esteemed around the world - that I think it is alsoeffectively a national seal of approval.</p><p>"It's one of the determining factors around the world, in termsof trade, of what counts as Britishness."</p><p>However, the system was regarded as 'secretive andself-perpetuating', Mr Bryant said.</p><p>"Most recommendations that come for new warrant holders onlycome from the Warrant Holders Association - which is a body ofpeople who already hold Royal Warrants."</p><p>Mr Bryant said a joint committee would produce an annual reporton the performance of warrant holders.</p><p>It would also make recommendations for improvements - but finaldecisions would remain with the royal issuing the warrant.</p>Share this article: <p> </p>?Sales rise lifts Burberry<p>By <br>UPDATED:10:56 GMT, 13 July 2005</p><p></p><p>FASHION house Burberry delivered a 10% rise in first quarter sales today as it benefited from the impact of newly opened and refurbished stores.</p><p>The City welcomed the update, with Burberry shares surging 29&frac14;p to 441&frac14;p shortly before midday. </p><p>The group, which generates less than 10% of its sales in the UK, described the three months to 30 June as 'successful' and reported an encouraging initial response to its new autumn and winter ranges.</p><p>Business generated from the company's worldwide stores rose 9% to &pound;60.8m, although Burberry called the market in the UK - where it has eight stand-alone shops and another eight sites within department stores - as soft.</p><p>The opening of four concessions in Spain and Korea and the reopening of several refurbished stores, including those in Boston, Denver and Washington DC, were mostly responsible for the 9% improvement in retail sales.</p><p>There were also marginal gains from existing stores, helped by strong performances in the United States and Asian markets, where the company operates a large number of sites.</p><p>In the wholesale division, sales rose 5% to &pound;38.7m, while revenues generated from licensing activity lifted 28% to &pound;14.2m. Overall sales were 10% stronger at &pound;113.7m, with the figure 9% higher when calculated using constant exchange rates.</p><p>In May, Burberry said updated versions of its trademark check helped drive a 17% hike in annual profits to &pound;164.4. The group, which has been moving away from its traditional beige pattern in recent years, said blue and pink versions of the print had refreshed its collections.</p><p>Chief executive Rose Marie Bravo said she drew encouragement from the latest quarterly results performance. She added: 'Burberry has had a successful first quarter. We largely completed the seasonal transition of our stores and are encouraged by the initial consumer response to autumn and winter merchandise.'</p><p>Ms Bravo said the company had also strengthened its brand presence in Asia by finalising terms for the acquisition of its distributors in Taiwan.</p>?TOWIE's Sam Faiers almost upstages Transformers' Rosie in a jaw dropping red silk dress at <br>Huntington-Whiteley's premiere<br><p> By <br>UPDATED:10:27 GMT, 27 June 2011</p><p>It was a night where Rosie Huntington Whiteley was meant to steal the limelight at her London Transformers 3 premiere, but Sam Faiers managed to turn a few heads too.<br></p><p>The Only Way Is Essex star wowed in a jaw-dropping red silk dress and six inch black stilettos.<br></p><p>Her provocative plunging Alexander McQueen frock matched her scarlet red lips perfectly as she posed for the cameras on the blue carpet.</p><p>And after being styled in the Alexander McQueen dress, Sam tweeted: 'haha I'm royalty now', after Pippa Middleton wore the designer's ivory bridesmaid dress with a similar cut to the Royal Wedding in April.</p><p>The 20-year-old reality TV star headed to the IMAX cinema in Waterloo last night for the special occasion alongside her on and off screen boyfriend Joey Essex.<br></p><p>And as Sam caught attention in her rouge ensemble, Transformers 3: Dark Of The Moon actress Rosie, 24, went for a more elegant look in a custom made backless Burberry gown.</p><p></p><p>Sam tweeted after her outing: &#8216;Home time! Transformers 3 was amazing, and so was Rosie.&#8217;<br></p><p> </p><p>Also from Miss Faiers&#8217; Essex crew was Maria Fowler and Jessica Wright, who both opted for floor-length creations.</p><p>Miss Fowler, 24, showed off her figure in a long black dress that boasted thigh-high splits up each leg.<br></p><p>While Jessica looked pretty in pale pink as she strutted along to the premiere in her palazzo pant suit.<br></p><p>Before hitting the blue carpet, Maria tweeted: &#8216;Woo hoo arrived for Premiere with @loulabell_7 were early so having a drink nearby in our long dresses lol!&#8217;</p><p>And their male co-star Joey Essex looked &#8216;reem&#8217; in an unbuttoned blue shirt and fitting black trousers with a tan belt.<br></p><p>Otherstars at the premiere included chat show host Jeremy Kyle, Golden Compass star Dakota Blue Richards, fashion designer Christopher Kane andreality TV stars Calum Best and girlfriend Georgia Salpa.</p><p>Despite Victoria&#8217;s Secret model Rosie Huntington-Whiteley being the leading lady of the film, her boyfriend Jason Statham didn&#8217;t accompany her to the event.<br></p><p>But that didn&#8217;t seem to hinder her having a great time and changed into a Grecian white dress and tan sandals for the after party.<br></p><p>Transformers 3: Dark Of The Moon opens in cinemas in the UK on 29 June.</p><p> <br></p>?Samantha Cameron donates Burberry dress she wore for Royal Wedding to be auctioned off for charity<br> <p> By </p><p>PUBLISHED:16:27 GMT, 18 September 2012 UPDATED:19:08 GMT, 18 September 2012</p><p>She attracted gasps of horror from sticklers for tradition when she turned up at the Royal Wedding without a hat - but one thing the buttoned-up brigade couldn't criticise was Samantha Cameron's green Burberry dress.</p><p>The pleated silk shift was the perfect choice for the day - colourful, elegant and the right side of demure without sacrificing style.</p><p> </p><p>And now, in honour of the charity Save The Children, Samantha Cameron is set to part with the dress.</p><p>The PM's wife is to auction the dress as part of the new #bidboutique initiative, set up by eBay UK in partnership with the British Fashion Council.</p><p></p><p>The dress, on sale via eBay UK, has attracted 22 bids so far, with bidding reaching ¡ò310, although the final amount is set to be far higher though, with a flurry of last-minute bids expected to flood in.<br></p><p>Otheritems to be auctioned include dresses by Temperley and Peter Pilotto, a Jimmy Choo bag,a Mawi necklace and an Alexander McQueen lace dress.</p><p>The auction runs until 23 September. Bid on Samantha Cameron's Burberry dress at </p><p><br></p><p><br></p>?A smart choice! Samantha Cameron goes British in Burberry trench coat and cropped trousers as she lands in U.S.<p> By </p><p>PUBLISHED:19:17 GMT, 13 March 2012 UPDATED:23:01 GMT, 13 March 2012</p><p>Samantha Cameron flew the flag for British designers today as she chose a Burberry coat, Joseph trousers and L.K. Bennett shoes for her debut outfit on the first day of her husband's U.S. state visit. <br></p><p>The Prime Minister's wife looked thoroughly chic in the all-black ensemble - though she may have regretted buttoning it all the way to the top given the sweltering heat at the Baltimore, Maryland Airforce base the Camerons' British Airways flight landed at this afternoon, where temperatures reached towards the eighties. <br></p><p>The cropped trench, worn by Mrs Cameron neatly belted in the middle, is from British fashion house Burberry's current Spring/Summer 2012 collection, and retails for around ¡ò595.<br></p><p>Her trousers, slim-cut cigarette pants from upmarket high street store Joseph, are one of the PM's wife's favourite styles. <br></p><p>She has worn them on many previous occasions - including to Burberry's most recent fashion show, where she sat front row. <br></p><p>The shoes are by British high street label L.K. Bennett, a firm favourite too with both the Duchess of Cambridge, who frequently wears L.K. Bennett on official engagements, and her sister Pippa Middleton. </p><p>The style worn by Mrs Cameron today is the bestselling ¡ò185 Harper - a detail that will be of added interest to the American audience following this week's news that the British high street brand has expanded Stateside with the opening of a number of new stores.<br></p><p>Today's outfit, with its trendy trousers and designer trench, proved that Mrs Cameron remains very much a21st century consort. Unfettered by stuffy etiquette, her choice of outfit is confident and contemporary. <br></p><p>MrsCameron also famously chose to go hat-free for last year's royal wedding, a move that while criticised by some traditionalists as disrespectful, was regarded by many as proof that Mrs Cameron is a thoroughly modern woman with her own strong sense of style. <br></p><p>Mrand Mrs Cameron's trip to Washington is part of a three-day visit, where the Prime Minister will engage in talks with U.S. President BarackObama.</p><p>David Cameron will join President Obama this evening at a NCAA basketball playoff game in Dayton, Ohio, while Samantha Cameron will join Michelle Obama for further social engagements.</p>?'SamCam&#8217;s no Michelle', tweets leading U.S. fashionista as Britain&#8217;s 'First Lady' touches down in trousers<p> By </p><p>PUBLISHED:07:42 GMT, 14 March 2012 UPDATED:02:49 GMT, 15 March 2012</p><p>&#8216;Samantha Cameron is NO Michelle Obama&#8217; tweeted one outraged American fashionista upon seeing the British PM&#8217;s wife arrive at the Andrews Air Force Base yesterday, clad head to toe in black and dark blue.</p><p>Others likened her rather sombre ensemble to Chairman Mao or a ninja.<br></p><p>But things were all bright on the night when stylish Sam Cam whipped off her black Burberry coat at a mini-Olympics event in Washington for her first fashion head-to-head with America&#8217;s First Lady of fashion Michelle Obama.</p><p> Underneath the sombre exterior, Sam had indulged in a riot of colour, teaming her dark navy blue Joseph cigarette pants with the bright pink Roksanda Ilincic top she wore to the party she threw to celebrate London Fashion Week last month.</p><p>Style, is of course, all in the details, and the PM&#8217;s wife had accessorised with a waist-cinching navy belt and a pair of navy LK Bennett heels.</p><p>Michelle, on the other hand, had stayed true to form in a pair of wide-legged cream trousers by L&#8217;Wren Scott, with low heels beneath, and a mustard yellow and cream embellished cardigan and a frill-necked blouse &#8211; possibly from her favourite store, J Crew.<br></p><p> Forget the politics of the &#8216;special relationship&#8217;, what most of us want to know is exactly what&#8217;s been packed in Samantha Cameron&#8217;s weekend bag for her two-day trip to the States with Dave.<br></p><p>This is a fash-off of the highest level. The PM&#8217;s wife&#8217;s style supremo Isabel Spearman is well aware that Sam Cam can&#8217;t be outshone by her trendy American counterpart, famed for her love of bright dresses and prints.<br></p><p> As the ambassador of the British Fashion Council, Samantha will undoubtedly use the world stage to continue to fly the flag for home-grown designers for the duration of her trip &#8211; as did the Duchess of Cambridge, our other great fashion export, on her trip to the U.S. last summer.<br></p><p>Now all eyes will be on what &#8211; or who &#8211; Sam Cam will wear to the White House&#8217;s black tie state dinner tonight.</p>?Sam vs Sarah: Who wins in the First Wives fashion stakes?<p>By <br>UPDATED:12:03 GMT, 11 September 2009</p><p>The battle is usually between their husbands, but last night it was Sarah Brown and Samantha Cameron who went head-to-head, this time in the style stakes.</p><p>The pair were both attending a star-studded party at the Burberry store on Bond Street hosted by Vogue magazine. <br></p><p>Both had made an effort for the stylish occasion, which counted Claudia Schiffer, Tess Daly, Daisy Lowe and Pixie Geldof among its guests.</p><p> Sarah's simple navy smock-style dresswas a fashion triumph. The high neckline and military-inspired buttonson the shoulder were demure, and appropriate for her position as thewife of the Prime Minister - but with a hemline just above the knee,she showed that she knew when, and how to take a fashion risk.</p><p>Accessories were kept simple, with statement black earrings and simple court shoes, while her hair was beautifully blow-dried making for a polished look. She later wore the same ensemble to attend a charity dinner with her husband at Claridges hosted by Gordon and Tana Ramsay.</p><p>Samantha, already well-established onthe style scene thanks to her role as creative director of luxury brandSmythson, also stretched her fashion muscles in a vibrant floral dress.</p><p>Party people: Sarah talks style with Burberry creative director Christopher Bailey</p><p>A mannish black blazer lent the look an eveningwear feel. Like Sarah, she also opted for black patent court shoes, the only difference being a tiny dolphin tattoo peeking from the heel of her right shoe.</p><p>Their efforts added fuel to rumours of a growing PR war between the two women. As Sarah is tipped to be the new face of M&amp;S, (the Evening Standard today reported that she had been chatting enthusiastically with Sir Stuart Rose who 'would not leave her alone') Samantha is already being hailed as a pretender to her First Lady crown.</p><p>Friends speaking to The Daily Telegraph were already comparing her to former Prime Ministers' and Presidents' wives: 'She may not be politically ambitious like Hillary Clinton or Cherie Blair, but she is not Norma Major either,' said one.<br></p><p>Both were seen hobnobbing with fashionindustry movers and shakers at the event, including Vogue editorAlexandra Shulman, and Burberry creative director Christopher Bailey.</p><p>Some of the world's most famoussupermodels were in attendance, and both ladies held their own as theyposed for photographs alongside the leggy beauties, most of whom,appropriately, were dressed in Burberry Prorsum.</p><p> </p><p>While Samantha has long been anaccepted member of the fashion community, Sarah's presence among theindustry's movers and shakers is a relatively new thing.</p><p>This summer her classic, elegantstyle came to the fore, first alongside Michelle Obama during the G20conference in London, and later, when she made an unlikely appearanceat <br>Glastonbury in fashion-forward Hunter wellies with Naomi Campbell.</p><p>Last night she was more than a matchfor the party's fashionistas, and measured up well next to the stylishSamantha. Our verdict on the First Wives? It's a tie.</p><p>Pixie Geldof also attended the event, lookingeerily like her late mother Paula Yates. The 18-year-old had clearlygone for the 'just got out of bed' look with dishevelled peroxideblonde hair.<br></p><p>The party girl wore a figure-hugging black dress, huge platform heels and a large crucifix necklace.</p><p>Enjoyinga mother-daughter night out was Yasmin Le Bon and her equally stunningdaughter Amber Le Bon, who signed to the Models 1 agency earlier thisyear.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Other guests at the party included actress-turned-fashion designerSadie Frost, whose pale pink ensemble was at odds with her black pumps. Strictly Come Dancing presenter Tess Daly flaunted a fantastic post-pregnancy figure in a silver draped minidress.<br></p><p>The party, hosted by Alexandra Shulman and Christopher Bailey, was to mark Vogue's Fashion Night Out, a shopping event which takes place in 13capital cities around the world.</p><p>This year's event coincided with the release of The September Issue, a fly-on-wall documentary about the American edition of Vogue, which hits cinemas today.</p><p> </p><p> </p><br><p></p><p> </p>?Schroder UK Alpha Plus fund: Buxton concentrates on eclectic shares mix to cope with market uncertainty<br><p> By </p><p>PUBLISHED:11:06 GMT, 16 July 2012 UPDATED:11:07 GMT, 16 July 2012</p><p>A decade of doing things differently has led to solid returns for investors in the Schroder UK Alpha Plus fund.<br></p><p>The fund is ten years old this month and manager Richard Buxton, Schroder's head of UK equities, says it has been run from the start to cope with uncertain market conditions.<br></p><p>'There are fewer money-making ideas about when stock markets are moving sideways, so that means building a concentrated portfolio around a limited number of firms,' he says. 'We typically hold 35 companies in the fund.' <br></p><p>By contrast, other funds commonly have 60 to 80 investments.<br></p><p>Big holdings include sugar firm Tate &amp; Lyle, phone and broadband group Virgin Media and fashion brand Burberry. But other market giants, such as HSBC and Vodafone, do not feature.<br></p><p>With this eclectic shares mix, investors have to be prepared for a bumpy ride. The fund has sometimes underperformed its benchmark index - the FTSE All-Share - but in the long term it has outstripped it.<br></p><p>The fund has been in the top quarter - the best 25 per cent of funds - for 27 out of 40 three-month periods over the past decade. Overall, it is almost 70 per cent ahead of the index since launch.<br></p><p>Buxton says: 'We are either in the top or bottom quarter of our fund sector for investment performance. I can't do average because it's not in my DNA.' <br></p><p>Adrian Lowcock of fund broker Bestinvest says: 'Buxton is a good manager and we rate him highly. But investors need to go in with their eyes open because it is such a concentrated portfolio and investment returns will be volatile.' <br></p><p>Buxton slowly builds stakes in companies that he feels have longterm potential. He is then happy to wait years for these bets to pay off.<br></p><p>For example, investing in stores group Debenhams and construction firm Taylor Wimpey has now come good. Buxton says: 'We started buying the shares in 2010 and built holdings through the year because we felt they were so cheap relative to these companies' potential. In the past six months we have seen the market finally react.' <br></p><p>Lowcock says: 'Buxton has historically outperformed most rivals in rising markets. Investors should aim to buy in after the fund has a rocky patch.' <br></p><p> <br></p>?Shareholder anger at Burberry boss Angela Ahrendts' bonus<p> By <br>UPDATED:08:07 GMT, 6 July 2011</p><p>Britain's biggest luxury goods maker Burberry could face a shareholder revolt over an eye-watering retention reward handed to American boss Angela Ahrendts.<br></p><p>The firm has fallen foul of investor groups by offering Ahrendts 500,000 in shares worth ¡ò7.3m if she hits unquantified targets and stays with the firm until 2016.<br></p><p>The Association of British Insurers has issued what it terms as an &#8216;amber top&#8217; alert ahead of the annual meeting next week. This is intended to flag up possible corporate governance breaches in resolutions requiring shareholder approval at the meeting.<br></p><br><p>The ¡ò7.3m figure is based on yesterday&#8217;s closing price of ¡ò14.75 (down 9p on the day) and is in addition to her ¡ò3.5m pay package. The firm said: &#8216;Following consultation with the company&#8217;s major shareholdersthe remuneration committee granted Angela Ahrendts a one&#8211;off nil cost option over ordinary shares.&#8217;<br></p><p>It has been made amid speculation she was considering a move back to her homeland. Burberry denied the rumours, saying it wanted to lock its chief executive in for the next five years because of the crucial role she has played in its revival.<br></p><p>Ahrendts has been the architect behind Burberry&#8217;s dramatic transformation from a brand whose distinctive house check became synonymous with the &#8216;chav&#8217; generation.<br></p><p>The publicity shy boss already has a reputation as one of the UK&#8217;s best paid female executives with a ¡ò485,000 allowance to cover expenses for living overseas, school fees and clothes. <br></p><p>On top of this, Ahrendts is entitled to an 80pc discount on any anything she fancies from the racks of the business famous for its classic check designs and advertising campaigns featuring Harry Potter star Emma Watson. <br></p><p>The ABI has sounded the alert highlighting the general principle thatit believes retention payments rarely work at main board level. Its objections were echoed more forcefully and in greater detail in a separate report by PIRC, another organisation that advises institutionalinvestors with assets of over ¡ò1.5 trillion. <br></p><p>PIRC said: &#8216;The chief executive has received a large one-off stock award during the year under review, worth 584pc of her base salary, which is subject to unquantified performance conditions.<br></p><p>&#8216;Termination provisions for the chief executive include unearned bonuses which are not considered appropriate.&#8217;<br></p><p>It also raised concerns over an &#8216;excessiveness&#8217; and imbalance in &#8216;incentive and reward&#8217;, saying &#8216;we recommend that shareholders oppose the remuneration report&#8217;.</p><p> </p>?Shares slump in Burberry as slump takes a bite out of the luxury goods market <p><br> UPDATED:16:39 GMT, 18 November 2008</p> <br><br> <p>First signs that luxury goods group Burberry could be hit by the recession emerged today when it admitted trading is on the slide. <br></p><p>Although it boosted profits by 3 per cent to ¡ò98million in the six months to the end of September, it is nervous about Christmas. <br></p><p>Investors were advised today that profits for the year will probably be in the 'mid to lower half' of market expectations. <br></p><p>The shares fell 15?p to 185p and City analysts took the red pen to profit forecasts, slashing them by up to 10 per cent.</p><p></p><p>Sales rose 13 per cent to ¡ò539million as tourist demand for the iconic camel, red and black goods stayed high. The interim dividend is held at 3.35p.</p><p>And BurBerry today insisted it will keep investing in London, despite signs it is being seriously impacted by the recession. <br></p><p>The luxury goods group is planning to move into the new giant shopping mall at White City and is close to unveiling the renovations at its Knightsbridge store. <br></p><p>Chief executive Angela Ahrendts said these are 'flagship markets' and despite a 'challenging environment' London remains central to the group's plans. <br></p><p>The company also unveiled a joint venture in the Middle East with The Jashanmal Group, a long-standing franchisee. <br></p> <p>Ahrendts added: 'The fundamentals of Burberry remain strong.' </p> <p>Nervous: Despite profits rising, a weak Christmas could undo good work<br></p> <br><br><p><br></p> <p> </p>?Shares spotlight: DSG International and Burberry<p>By <br>UPDATED:13:25 GMT, 21 May 2008</p><p></p><p>Graeme Dickson is a sales trader at Lite Financial, an independent brokerage. He has been trading the financial markets for nine years, and is a regular contributor to several leading investment periodicals.</p><p>Here he focuses on one stock of note from the last few days' trading, and highlights one to watch out for in the coming week.</p><p>One you might have missed</p><p>Last week, the stock that stood out as a glaring short was DSGI International (DSGI), the owners of Currys Digital and PC World. </p><p>The stock recently rallied to as high as 78p on hopes that Best Buy of the US will buy it out or that the ¡ò1.1bn it injected into Carphone Warehouse will be used to buy a division of DSGI. </p><p>A week later, after the initial excitement of takeover activity died down, the shares drifted from 78p to just 69&frac14;p. On 15 May the company announced a business review and trading statement, stating that conditions remain challenging while halving the dividend. </p><p>On the business strategy front it said that it will focus on the customer, its store portfolio, transform UK and Italian operations, drive online growth and cut costs. Before the market opened, Seymour Pierce, the broker with a particularly strong reputation for its views on retail stocks, slapped a sell note citing concerns for a lack of strategy on the underperforming PC World brand.</p><p>The stock gapped down to 67p at 8am. Anyone who has 'Direct Market Access' (DMA) on contracts for difference (CFDs) or can access the auction via spread-betting can open a trade in the opening and closing auction. </p><p>Within one hour the stock was trading at 61&frac12;p, an 8.8% return with limited risk based on reacting after the news, rather than taking a punt the day before and hoping that DSGI&#39;s strategy works in your favour.</p><p>One to watch out for</p><p>On Wednesday next week, luxury international brand Burberry (BRBY), will announce its preliminary results. The company announced last month that it expects to meet full year analyst expectations, with underlying sales up 12% in its fourth quarter. It is also benefitting from a weak pound against the euro.</p><p>Considering that we are in the middle of a credit crunch, the fact that a luxury brand like Burberry can deliver an impressive set of sales figures while middle-of-the-road retailers such as Next and Marks & Spencer are struggling, suggests that the better-off members of society are prepared to depart with their cash, provided the brand ticks all the right boxes, regardless of the economic backdrop.</p><p>The company has also been mooted as a takeover target by US-based competitor Coach. Coach has a market cap of about $12.5bn with zero debt while Burberry is capped at $4.28bn. Coach has since stated it is not interested in making acquisitions but is focusing on investing in its own business.</p><p>The stock has risen 26% since 14 April and eyes will be on not so much the actual results, since it has already stated it will meet expectations, but what the outlook is for the balance of 2008. Any hint in the outlook that the trading environment is challenging or cautious going forward and the traders&#39; will rip through the stock like piranhas going though a fresh piece of meat. </p><p>If the company can deliver both in terms of results and outlook, we would expect the stock to carry on drifting upwards, slowly taking out the remaining short sellers. On examining data from Crest, only 6% seems to be on loan, so there is limited scope for a short-covering rally. </p><p>In summary, keep an eye on the outlook when the stock announces next week. If it is weak, then you may find yourself with an excellent short-selling opportunity. If the outlook is upbeat then given the strong rally the stock has already achieved in the last month, you may find better long opportunities elsewhere.</p>?She is one foxy lady! Dita Von Teese parties at the Dover Street Arts club - carrying a Burberry fox head clutch<p> By </p><p>PUBLISHED:14:15 GMT, 19 September 2012 UPDATED:17:50 GMT, 19 September 2012</p><p>As if we didn't already know she was one of the foxiest among the fashion pack, Dita von Teese appeared at the Dover Street Arts Club last night clutching a Burberry clutch featuring that fox head.</p><p>The model looked as striking as ever with her black lace bra peeping over the khaki-green, patterned fifties-style dress. <br></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>She clearly has a fondness for the fox head as she carried an umbrella featuring the same icon on Monday at London Fashion Week. <br></p><p>The clutch from the iconic British luxury brand costs ¡ò895. <br></p><p>Featured on the Burberry website in pink, it is described as a 'country animal suede nubuck clutch bag'. <br></p><p> Burberry details the design and materials as grainy nubuck leather and suede clutch with polished metal fox head.</p><p>Dita Von Teese avoided the embarrassment of bending over in her figure-hugging dress when she dropped her valued Burberry umbrella on Monday thanks to a public relations officer who stepped in. <br></p><p> <br></p><p><br></p>?Sky rescues Bafta party after pullout by Burberry<p>Last updated at 16:53 02 February 2007</p><br><p>Bafta's eve-of-ceremony party was saved today after Sky steppedin to replace under-fire Burberry as the main sponsor.</p><p>The star-studded event had faced cancellation when Burberrypulled out after unions pledged to picket the venue over theclosure of one the fashion group's British factories.</p><p>More here...<br> &bull; <br>&bull; <br>&bull; <br></p><p>It would have been a major blow to Bafta in one of the mostsuccessful seasons for British film in years.</p><p>More than 800 guests, including nominees such as Dame HelenMirren and Daniel Craig, were due to attend the party at theNatural History Museum on 10 February.</p><p>Bafta chairman Hilary Bevan Jones said today: "We are delightedthat Sky has saved the day and will ensure the nominees party takesplace."</p><p>Burberry has faced fierce protests over plans to close itsfactory in Treorchy, South Wales, and transfer production to China,with the loss of 300 jobs.</p><p>A campaign by the GMB union to "Keep Burberry British" has wonhigh-profile support from Emma Thompson, Sir Tom Jones andothers.</p><p>The GMB had planned to transport hundreds of people to picketthe Bafta party.</p><p>Burberry chairman John Peace withdrew sponsorship over fearsthat the protests, beamed to millions of viewers around the world,would be a public relations disaster.</p><p>The decision to pull out is a sign of the damage the dispute isdoing to the brand. Workers have already demonstrated outsideBurberry stores in New Bond Street and Regent Street and theprotests have attracted media in key Far Eastern markets.</p><p>The GMB is now planning to fly pickets around the world toprotest outside shops in Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York andParis.</p><p>Burberry will retain its Yorkshire manufacturing plant. TheBafta awards ceremony itself will take place at the Royal OperaHouse in Covent Garden on 11 February, and there will be a partyafterwards as well.</p><p>Among those up for awards are Dame Helen for her role as themonarch in The Queen, Dame Judi Dench for Notes On A Scandal, MerylStreep for The Devil Wears Prada and Daniel Craig for CasinoRoyale.</p><p>Competing for best film are Babel, The Departed, The Last KingOf Scotland, Little Miss Sunshine and The Queen.</p>Share this article: <p> </p>?Slowdown in sales at Burberry spooks market and sends shares down 7%<p> By </p><p>PUBLISHED:20:48 GMT, 11 July 2012 UPDATED:06:39 GMT, 12 July 2012</p><p>burberry slump checks market<br></p><p>A slowdown in sales at luxury fashion chain Burberry spooked the market sending shares in the trench coat maker down 7 per cent.<br></p><p>The firm, which recently hired English supermodel Rosie Huntington-Whiteley to front a new advertising campaign (pictured below), posted a healthy 11 per cent rise in first quarter sales but this was a fall on the 15 per cent seen over the previous quarter.<br></p><p></p><p>Burberry has pinned growth plans on expanding into developing countries, but its key Chinese market has goneoff the boil and the retailer&#8217;s sales have struggled to keep up the momentum. </p><p>Finance director Stacey Cartwright said it was wrong to think trading had peakedand the only way was down from here: &#8216;We are not saturated in China &#8211; we don&#8217;t have any concerns about China &#8211; the message we are giving todayis steady as she goes.&#8217;<br></p><p>Thefirm (down 95p to 1189p) also posted total revenues of ¡ò408m up 11 per cent and has hiked the cost of its raincoats with the average price bursting thought the ¡ò1,000 mark for the first time.<br></p><p>Retailexpert Ivailo Jordanov said: &#8216;The brand risks being a hostage to fortune if it focuses too heavily on one, albeit very large market.&#8217;</p><p> </p>?Slump set to take a bite out of Burberry<p>By <br>UPDATED:09:54 GMT, 18 November 2008</p><p></p><p>First signs that luxury goods group Burberry could be hit by the recession emerged today when it admitted trading is on the slide. </p><p>Although it boosted profits by 3% to &pound;98m in the six months to the end of September, it is nervous about Christmas. </p><p>Investors were advised today that profits for the year will probably be in the 'mid to lower half' of market expectations. </p><p>It also unveiled a joint venture in the Middle East with The Jashanmal Group, a long-standing franchisee. </p><p>Chief executive Angela Ahrendts said: 'The fundamentals of Burberry remain strong despite the very challenging environment.' </p>?'My three-year-old asked if I was getting married!' Sophie Ellis-Bextor's son mistakes her chic maternity number at Burberry for a wedding dress<br><p> By <br>UPDATED:07:11 GMT, 21 February 2012</p><p></p><p>At one of the most highly-anticipated shows of London Fashion Week, pregnant Sophie Ellis-Bextor was probably hoping to get her look just right.<br></p><p>But she probably hadn't counted on the inquisitive mind of her three-year-old giving her a complex.</p><p>The singer's son Kit was quick to comment on his 32-year-old mother's flowing silver dress before she left for the Burberry Prorsum show.<br></p><p>Sophie tweeted on her way to Kensington Gardens: 'En route to Burberry LFW show. My 3 year old just asked me if I'm wearing my long silvery dress 'because I'm getting married'?'</p><p>She looked gorgeous nonetheless in a low-cut silver maxi-dress with T-shirt sleeves.</p><p>She paired it with black heels and a black satchel bag.</p><p>Her musician husband Richard Jones joined her on the white carpet, looking fashionable in a black trench coat.</p><p>The couple joined a host of stars at the show, including Kate Bosworth, Will.i.am, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Holly Valance and Anna Wintour.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Sophie is expecting her third child with Richard. The couple have another boy, Sonny, seven.<br></p><p>Last week, she showed off her bump in a polka dot dress that clung to her curves as she walked the red carpet at the Elle Style Awards at the Savoy Hotel in London.</p><p>The stylish star accessorised her black and white dress with white pumps and a black handbag with gold chain.<br></p><p>Smokey eye make-up and coral lipstick completed the fun, fuss-free ensemble.<br></p><p>Sophie announced back in October that she and bassist Richard were expecting their third child.<br></p><p>Shemade the announcement on Twitter, writing: 'I am having another baby. Due in Spring. A little brother or sister for Sonny and Kit. Family e-b-jones are happy and excited. It's a lovely thing.'<br></p><p>While she is excitedly looking forward to the impending birth of baby number three, the Groovejet singer has been struggling to find chic maternity wear.<br></p><p>In January, Sophie tweeted: 'Went shopping for clothes to fit my huge tum this week. Wow, maternity wear is mainly rubbish. Anyonegot tips? Aside from 'wear bin bag'.'<br></p><p>Bothproved to be difficult pregnancies for Sophie as Sonny was born eight weeks premature by emergency cesarean section after she developed pre-eclampsia.<br></p><p>Kit was also premature, weighing just 2lb 10oz when he arrived nine weeks early.</p><p></p><p> </p><p> </p>?Speed read: Batik is hot to trot<br><p> By <br>UPDATED:11:40 GMT, 16 February 2012</p><br><p>Bold, colourful batik-inspired prints stole the show at Burberry Prorsum recently (pictured, right) and now the Far Eastern print is cropping up on the High Street. <br></p><p>Batik is a form of dyeing using wax, which originated in Indonesia. <br></p><p>The natural dyes for batiks would come from blends of spices and leaves, and the wax designs would be applied by hand using thin copper pipes.</p><p> Intricate designs take up to three months to make. <br>In Indonesia, the pattern you wear denotes your position in society &#8212; at a wedding, the groom might wear an arrow design to &#8216;target&#8217; his wife-to-be, while government officials wear stripes symbolising power. What print will you wear? <br></p><p> </p><p>HOW TO WEAR IT</p><p> </p><p> <br></p><p> </p>?Speed read: Wear raffia this summer for a care-free look <br><p> By </p><p>PUBLISHED:00:09 GMT, 29 March 2012 UPDATED:00:09 GMT, 29 March 2012</p><br><p>Raffia is always a hit when the sun starts to shine. <br></p><p>Invest now and you&#8217;ll be ahead of the game, especially since Burberry Prorsum, Michael Kors and Anya Hindmarch featured it heavily in their collections. </p><p>Raffia is a straw-like woven fibre made from palm tree leaves and is soft, pliable but strong. <br></p><p></p><p>The rough texture gives a care-free, bohemian, crafty feel to whatever it decorates. <br></p><p>Wear it this season and you can be sure you&#8217;re barking up the right sartorial tree.</p>HOW TO WEAR<br>SHOPPING LIST<p> <br></p>?Spring 2009 fashion special: Trench notes<p>By <br>UPDATED:20:00 GMT, 7 March 2009<br></p> The classic mac gets an on-the-button makeover. The perfect marriage of fashion and functionClick on an image for details <br><p><br> </p><br><p><br> </p><br><br> Neck knack The statement necklace continues its reign. The bigger, the better for spring 09 <p><br></p> <br><p></p><br><br><p> </p> <br>?Yesterday?s trading: Burberry defies credit crunch<p>By and <br>UPDATED:06:27 GMT, 1 May 2008</p><p></p><p>Flogging alligator-skin Warrior handbags, the ultimate in 'arm candy', to wealthy Japanese and American tourists at &pound;13,000 a time is helping Burberry defy the consumer spending downturn caused by the credit crunch. </p><p>The 150-year-old luxury fashion group saw sales rise 18% in the second half of the year and it is confidently forging ahead with plans to open 158 stores in the current year. </p><p>Its outperformance in an otherwise struggling retail sector prompted speculation that it could yet attract an overseas bid. The shares responded with a leap to 491&frac14;p before they closed 21&frac14;p better at 483&frac34;p. </p><p>Turnover swelled to 4m-plus as punters piled in on revived gossip that a bid from American luxury handbag manufacturer Coach could be on the cards. </p><p>Valued at around &pound;6.7bn, the New York-based group has 281 stores in the US and its products are sold at 900 department store locations in the US and 140 international departments stores. It could easily afford to swallow Burberry which would probably cost in the region of &pound;3bn. </p><p>American Angela Ahrendts took over from Rose Marie Bravo as chief executive of Burberry two years ago and has masterminded its steady progress in the luxury branded marketplace. </p><p>Should Coach decide to launch an offer, she would probably be favourite to stay and head the enlarged group. </p><p>Carphone Warehouse buzzed 9&frac14;p higher to 271&frac34;p on continuing gossip that it will soon buy Tiscali's UK broadband business for up to &pound;600m after selling off its mobile phone shops to US firm Best Buy. Carphone already owns Talk Talk and should it acquire Tiscali, would become the UK's largest internet service provider. Responding to a Kaupthing recommendation, Marks &amp; Spencer advanced 12p to 380&frac12;p. The broker said results are due in three weeks time and boss Sir Stuart Rose could deliver pre-tax profits close to, or up to, &pound;1bn despite consensus having slipped back to &pound;970m. </p><p>Wall Street's early leap of 125 points on GDP data which showed the US economy grew at a faster pace than expected in the first-quarter thus allaying recession fears, helped the Footsie retrieve an initial 53 point loss to trade 30.9 higher by 3pm. Late profit-taking ahead of the expected &frac14;% cut in US interest rates to 2% left the London close 2.1 points easier at 6,087.3. </p><p>Insurer Admiral rose 50&frac12;p to 871p after Citigroup upgraded to buy from hold and lifted its 2008 profit forecast to &pound;194m from &pound;183m. By the year end Admiral will have entered three new markets. </p><p>Miners were hit by lower commodity prices and disappointing first-quarter output figures from Kazakhmys, 66p lower at 1582p. Vedanta Resources, India's largest copper producer, slumped 105p to 2245p. </p><p>Still plagued by fund-raising rumours, plumbing giant Wolseley lost 16p further to 507&frac12;p. </p><p>Talk of a bid approach north of &pound;10 a share lifted international energy services provider Hunting 24p to 890p. </p><p></p><p>Shares of Chloride, the international provider of secure power solutions, advanced 6&frac34;p to 211&frac34;p on whispers it is attracting the attention of a larger European competitor. </p><p>Consumer credit company Cattles added 22&frac12;p at 239&frac34;p and British Insurance 15&frac12;p at 245&frac14;p following their entry into a high dividend index, the Stoxx Select Dividend 30. </p><p>Mobile satellite communications services company Inmarsat jumped 18&frac12;p to 462&frac12;p ahead of the AGM. </p><p>Bullish comments from Canaccord Adams and a target price of 299p helped Plethora Solutions rise 9&frac12;p to 65p. </p><p>The broker says the biotech company expects to have six products to out-license by the end of the year and does not plan to spend more on research and development, on the current pipeline. It has &pound;2.6m in the bank. </p><p>Skyepharma improved &frac12;p to 10p after announcing that its Phase III efficacy study evaluating Flutiform for the treatment of asthma in adolescent and adult patients, has met its primary endpoints. </p><p>Recruitment software provider Bond International Software gained 4p to 115&frac12;p on contract news. It has won a six-figure contract with ATS Euromaster, the largest comprehensive tyre service provider in the UK, to implement its Bond Talent online recruitment and talent management software. </p>?Strong year-end boosts Burberry<p>By <br>UPDATED:08:38 GMT, 21 April 2010</p><p></p><p>Upmarket clothing retailer Burberry has signalled a return to the high-spending ways of the wealthy, after saying a strong finish to the year will push profits above expectations. </p><p>Sales of Burberry's distinctive check-patterned garments were up 6% in the last six months of the year, prompting the firm to predict it would beat analysts' forecasts of a &pound;199m pre-tax profit for the year. </p><p>Chief executive Angela Ahrendts said the 154-year-old company (down 6p to 695.5p) would look to increase its investment in new regions and ramp up its online offering in a bid to combat uncertainty about the economic recovery.</p>?Style classic: The Burberry trench coat has transformed from army attire to A-list staple<br><p> By </p><p>PUBLISHED:07:42 GMT, 1 October 2012 UPDATED:07:42 GMT, 1 October 2012</p><br><br><p>There can't be many style stalwarts that are beloved of the Army, the Queen and Victoria Beckham- in fact, the Burberry trench may well be the only one.</p><p>Now an A-list staple, the oft-copled belted coat was deigned in 1895 for British men fighting in the Boer War.</p><p>Its popularity and innovation lay in the ingenious new fabric from which it was, and still is, created.</p><p>This tightly-woven cotton gabardine, invented by former draper's assistant Thomas Burberry, was tough, rip-proof and rain resistant and a brilliant alternative to the heavy greatcoats that weighed soldiers down.</p><p>Although the cut has been tweaked, the basics of the design were fixed in 1914- a storm flap on the right shoulder that buttons over to keep the rain out, shoulder straps upon which epaulettes indicating rank could be attached and a D-ring belt to cinch the waist.</p><p>The next major Burberry check, which was added as a lining in 1920 and later officially trademarked.</p><p>But it wasn't until the Forties that the trench came into vogue with civilians- and stylish women.</p><p>An icon of laid-back, weekend chic, the coat has since won fans including Audrey Hepburn, Gwyneth Paltrow and Diana, Princess of Wales (she and Charles wore his and her coats for public appearances).</p><p>Since his debut at creative director of the fashion house in 2001, Christopher Bailey has endlessly reinvented the iconic coat- for the recent London Fashion Week, the jaw-dropping finale saw an army of models marching down the catwalk in a rainbow of metallic trenches.</p><p> </p>?Suits you, minister! David Walliams shows Mandy how to shine in a natty grey suit<br><p>By <br>UPDATED:11:19 GMT, 23 September 2009</p><p></p><p>London Fashion Week certainly brings all sorts out of the woodwork.<br></p><p>A-listers, film stars, style icons, supermodels and It girls all jointhe merriment in the capital - but once in a while rather more unlikelycharacters join the throng. Even politicians.</p><p>Business Secretary Peter Mandelson, 54, found himself performing a merry act with David Walliams, 38, in their shiny grey suits.</p><p>But while the comic is a regular on the party circuit and lookedperfectly at home in the company of fashionistas and fellow celebs,Labour's King of Spin must have taken a wrong turn out of Whitehall.</p><p><br></p><p>He was a surprise visitor to the Burberry Spring/Summer 2010 Show atRootstein Hopkins Parade Ground, where Harry Potter actress Emma Watsonwas the star turn in a dazzling gold dress.</p><p>He took along U.S. editor of Marie Claire Joanna Coles for company, whopresumably provided a shield from the usual endless questions he hasto face about the recession.</p><p>As he bumped into Walliams - also seen gettingpally with Donna Air - , the Little Britain star put a friendly arm around Mandy and they bothsmiled broadly.</p><p>Recalling Walliam's infamous Little Britain character Sebastian, aide to the Prime Minister who was the object of his unrequited affections.</p><p>Walliams, who of course recently won GQ's Best Dressed Man title(although he collected the award in a diving mask and cut-off shorts)was wearing a sharp white suit and black tie with his monochrome Rupertthe Bear-style suit - complete with turn-ups.</p><p>And Mandy is well known for his off-duty attire, as he was snapped on holiday wearing blue suede shoes and trendy chino trousers.<br></p><p>He later spent time with Topshop boss Sir Philip Green before squeezinginto the front row of the show alongside the Mail's own columnist JanetStreet Porter.<br></p><p>Walliams enjoyed a rare quiet night after leaving the show, while Mandyalso slipped quietly off into the night to prepare for further attackstoday on the Govenment's reduction in the levels of public spending.</p><p> </p>?Tali Lennox and One Direction's Harry Styles lead the A-list fashion pack at the Burberry Prorsum show<br><p> By </p><p>PUBLISHED:16:01 GMT, 17 September 2012 UPDATED:06:44 GMT, 18 September 2012</p><p>Fashion's finest names turned out to witness the Burberry Prorsum London Fashion Week show and model Tali Lennox and One Direction star Harry Styles led the way with their undeniable style.</p><p>The teenage model showed a much more mature side as she stood out from the crowd at Kensington Gardens, London, on Monday afternoon.</p><p>Tali, 19, arrived looking every inch the style icon as she bravely wore brown and blue in the same ensemble and managed to pull it off.</p><p>Scroll down for video<br></p><p> </p><p>With his cheeky smile and messy hair the One Direction member looked like a young gent as he smiled for the cameras.</p><p>In contrast Tali kept her make-up simple as she let her mane fall elegantly over her shoulders.</p><p>Having modelled for Prada, Roberto Cavalli and Burberry, Tali knows the fashion scene well and fitted in with the front row despite normally being on the catwalk herself.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p>The 35-year-old wore a black dress with a pair of leather boots but bizarrely also wore a huge V medallion with a pair of sunglasses that had the word 'vogue' on the lenses.</p><p>American actor Aaron Paul, best known for his role of Jesse Pinkman in TV show Breaking Bad, was looking exceptionally dapper in a black and white suit.</p><p>Reality TV star Olivia Palermo made a stylish entrance in a brown jacket and chocolate colour trousers, while Alison Mosshart made less effort in a leather jacket.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>US Open champion Andy Murray arrived with his stunning girlfriend Kim Sears on his arm while many more athletes also attended the show.</p><p>Olympian Victoria Pendleton looked lovely in a lilac peplum dress with her hair down and her slim figure on show.</p><p>Fashion royalty also rocked up to the show in the form of Anna Wintour and Mario Testino. The style stalwarts were in good spirits as they joked and laughed their way into the venue.<br></p><p> </p><p> </p>VIDEO: Harry Styles attends the Burberry show?All made up! Blogger becomes YouTube sensation attracting more than two million visitors to her online tutorials each month <br><p> By <br>UPDATED:08:10 GMT, 18 January 2012</p><br><p>When Tanya Burr started a make-up artist course soon after leaving school, only in her wildest dreams would she have imagined that in a few years time she would be invited to showbiz parties all over the world.</p><p>But if the 22-year-old's success has come as a big surprise - even to her - it is all down to hard work.</p><p>Miss Burr made her name by setting up a YouTube channel and posting regular make-up tutorials online. <br></p><p>She would record videos after getting back from her job on the beauty counter in a department store, and her no nonsense tips now attract 2 million visitors every month.<br></p><p>However, while her job now takes her to celebrity parties from London to Dubai, the homebird insists that she will never leave her quaint barn conversion in Bramerton, near Norwich, for the bright lights of a big city.</p><p></p><p>Miss Burr says that the last six years of her life have been 'totally unexpected'. </p><p>She added: 'I had no idea any of this would happen - it's been a total whirlwind.'</p><p>After leaving school, Miss Burr did a make-up artist short course and began working on a beauty counter in Jarrold's in Norwich city centre. <br></p><p>'I would come home from work and record videos to post to YouTube. <br></p><p>'Early on, they were mainly celebrities' looks, where I could give step-by-step tutorials on how to recreate famous faces.' <br></p><p>She left her job after two years to focus on the booming success of her blog and tutorials, using social media platforms such as Twitter to heighten her profile.</p><p>YouTube advertising revenues leapt as her army of fans grew day by day. <br></p><p>'I am still so flattered that people like me enough to watch me every day and it makes doing the videos so rewarding,' said Tanya. <br></p><p>However, despite having a frantic business calendar, with meetings in London several times a week, Tanya has vowed to stay in leafy Norfolk. <br></p><p>Living in Bramerton with her boyfriend Jim Chapman, 24, of Attleborough, she said: 'It's so important being close to my family in Norwich and I love the chilled-out lifestyle here.' <br></p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Despite the firm grounding she has in her local roots, Miss Burr is no longer just a make-up artist, but a trend-setter too. <br></p><p>Even the clothes and accessories Miss Burr wears are closely observed. A Mulberry handbag she recently showed off saw the Mulberry website bombarded by a massive surge in hits. As a result thrilled Tanya was invited to the Mulberry fashion show and after party. <br></p><p>'I get to do such amazing things. But I really want to remain someone people can relate to and my tutorials professional and full of instructions,' she said. <br></p><p>'The most important thing is to give viewers what they want and to keep the videos unique and professional.' <br></p>?Teenage modelling sensation suffers a 'Naomi moment' as she makes her catwalk debut in front of the world's media<br><p>By <br>UPDATED:19:34 GMT, 22 September 2010</p><p></p><p>As one of the stars of Burberry's high-profile advertising campaigns, Nina Porter has been tipped as the modelling world's next big thing.</p><p>But the 16-year-old, who walked the catwalk for the first time at the label's London Fashion Week show yesterday, attracted attention for all the wrong reasons after she stumbled and fell in the middle of the runway.</p><p>The schoolgirl, whose trip was reminiscent of Naomi Campbell's famous fall in 1994 during a Vivienne Westwood show in Paris, modelled three looks from next season's spring/summer 2011 collection.</p><p>She was chosen to close the show - a coup for any model, let alone a fledgling one - but the towering platform heels proved too much of a challenge on the highly-polished catwalk, and she fell to her knees in front of Topshop owner Sir Philip Green and his daughter Chloe, who were sitting in the front row.</p><p>Guests at the show, which also counted SarahJessica Parker, tennis players Serena Williams and Andy Murray andpresenters Cat Deeley, Donna Air and Alexa Chung, sympathised with themodel.</p><p></p><p>Indeed Parker's Sex and the City character, Carrie Bradshaw, also had a catwalk fall in one episode.<br></p><p>A witness said: 'She modelled three outfits, and each time shecame out I thought, "Don&#8217;t fall" because she couldn&#8217;t walk in theshoes. Her final outfit closed the show, so all eyes were on her. <br></p><p>'Twoother girls tripped, but they didn&#8217;t fall. One got a cheer when shetook her shoes off. The clothes were amazing but the show feltunpracticed.'</p><p></p><p>Challenge: Two other girls tripped during the high-profile show, but Porter was the only one to fall </p><p>But Porter, who joins Rosie Huntington-Whiteley and Lily Donaldson in the current Burberry campaign, was not the only model to struggle with footwear in this month's fashion shows.</p><p>In what appears to be proof that challenging footwear is here to stay, supermodel Alek Wek fell during the Z Spokes by Zac Posen show, while another girl fell during the Betty Jackson show on Saturday.</p><p>And that's nothing compared to the Prada show two years ago when one girl after another slipped and fell following a last-minuted decision to have the models wear pop socks with their platform heels, leaving them with no grip.</p><p>Porter, who describes modelling as a 'hobby on the side', has just been awarded six A* and five A grades in her GCSEs,and is currently studying for her A-levels in art, photography and textiles.</p><p>Her father, Neil Porter, is one half of landscape architectsGustafson Porter, responsible for the memorial fountain to PrincessDiana in Hyde Park.</p><p>She told the Evening Standard that she was hoping to study fashion design at university.</p><p>'Modelling is really good because it helps me to understand the fashionindustry,' she said. <br></p><p>'My parents, who have been really supportive,pointed out that modelling would be a good way to meet people who havedone what I would like to do.'</p><p>Porter was spotted by a scout from Selectmodel agency at the Clothes Show two years ago. Since then, she hasappeared in a campaign for Miu Miu as well as both British and USVogue. <br></p><p>She has been hailed as 'the new Emma Watson', after the Harry Potter star, who featured in a highly successful campaign for Burberry last year.<br><br></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><br></p>?The new glass ceiling: How top companies are still keeping women out of the most senior positions <p> By </p><p>PUBLISHED:09:27 GMT, 28 August 2012 UPDATED:10:04 GMT, 28 August 2012</p><br><p>Fewer than five per cent of executives appointed by top companies in the past two years have been female.</p><p></p><p>While Britain&#8217;s biggest companies may have heeded calls to end the male dominance of boardrooms, there is a new glass ceiling in place which means women are not getting top executive positions.</p><p>There are currently only 20 female executive directors employed by Britain's 100 biggest firms, new figures show.<br></p><p>Despite moves by the Government to encourage large companies to recruit more senior women, only four out ofthe 87 chief executives appointed by FTSE 100 companies in the past twoyears were female.</p><p>According to data compiled by BoardWatch, which tracks the appointments of females to UK boards, none of the 18 executives who joined FTSE 100 boards this year has been a woman.</p><p>The figures could prompt calls for Britain&#8217;s biggest companies to face quotas to recruit more women at senior management positions.</p><p>Listed companies in the share index include Tesco, Sainsbury&#8217;s, Vodafone Group, Aviva and Royal Bank of Scotland.</p><p>Experts said the recent figures show companies are not doing enough to nurture women at an earlier stage of their careers.</p><p>Jane Scott, UK head of the Professional Boards Forum, which compiles the BoardWatch data, said the lack of female executive appointments was &#8216;great cause for concern&#8217;.</p><p>Ms Scott told The Times: &#8216;The pipeline in the executive world seems to be broken.'<br></p><p>Only6.5 per cent of executive directors, such as chief executives and finance directors, in the FTSE 100 are women, according to recruitment consultancy Norman Broadbent. This drops to 4.5 per cent in the FTSE 200, the next tier.</p><p>The number of FTSE 100 female executives has increased from 5.6 per cent, the level before Lord Davies of Abersoch published his Women on Boards report in February 2011. </p><p>But while there has been a hike, experts say the increase has been slow.<br></p><p>Thelast woman appointed to a top management role at a FTSE 100 company wasTracy Robbins, who was made human resources director of Intercontinental Hotels Group in August last year, said Neil Holmes, director at Norman Broadbent, to The Times.</p><p>And of those companies in the FTSE 250, not a single woman executive has been appointed in the last three months.</p><p>Lord Davies of Abersoch was appointed by ministers to investigate the lack of women in boardrooms. <br></p><p>His report published last year called upon FTSE 100 companies to reach a minimum target of 25 per cent of female representation on the board by 2015.</p><p>He rejected the option of setting quotas, which exist in countries such as Norway.<br></p><p>The listed companies have stepped up their hiring of female non-executives.<br></p><p>Since March, a year-on from the release of the report, 24 women have been appointed to FTSE 100 boards and only 20 men.<br></p><p>As a result, the overall proportionof female directors has risen from 12.5 per cent before the Davies report to16.7 per cent. <br></p><p>In 1999 just 6.9 per cent of directors in the FTSE index of Britain's 100 biggest firms were women.<br></p><p>Experts believe that the report&#8217;s targets are on track to be metahead of the 2015 deadline.</p><p>However, of nine executives appointed since March, all were male, according to BoardWatch.</p><p>Ms Scott told MailOnline: 'We are now seeing a brighter spotlight directed towards the challenge of growing the pipeline of women senior executives and Executive Directors in UK businesses.</p><p>'All the companies we talk to are developing strategies to increase the ranks of senior women in their top executive teams as well as looking for gender balance and diversity in the boardroom' </p><p>Only four of Britain&#8217;s 100 biggest companies are run by women, including Angela Ahrendts at Burberry and Dame Marjorie Scardino at Pearson, the education and publishing group.<br></p><p>Many companies are trying to address the problem, by introducing flexible working arrangements and insisting that shortlists of potential new appointments feature women candidates.<br></p><p>Earlier this year a report by the School of Management at Cranfield University, Bedfordshire, said firms are good at hiring young women to junior jobs, but few make it to the top.<br></p><p> </p>?The new Middleton style icon? It Asda be Carole! How Kate's mother is the inspiration for supermarket clothing collection<br> <p> By </p><p>PUBLISHED:21:03 GMT, 8 September 2012 UPDATED:07:08 GMT, 10 September 2012</p><p>One daughter is a global fashion icon who is married to a Prince, the other has the world&#8217;s best-known derriere.<br></p><p>Now Carole Middleton is following in the footsteps of Kate and Pippa &#8211; as the inspiration for a new collection of supermarket clothing based on her wardrobe.<br></p><p>The range was created for Asda after customers said they wanted to emulate 57-year-old Mrs Middleton&#8217;s &#8216;elegant&#8217; style. It includes a ¡ò35 blue coat which resembles a coat-dress the former air hostess wore to Ascot in 2010.</p><p> </p><p> The original ¡ò139 Reiss dress was such a success Kate, 30, borrowed it in March when she visited The Treehouse children&#8217;s hospice in Ipswich, Suffolk, to deliver her first public address. <br></p><p>Asda is also selling a black belted dress, costing ¡ò14, which is similar to the wrap dress Mrs Middleton, wore to the Royal Wedding after-party in April last year.<br></p><p>The collection also includes a ¡ò20 red lace dress based on a ¡ò650 Collette Dinnigan design the mother-of-three wore to the Royal Academy&#8217;s Summer Exhibition in London in 2009.</p><p>Asda&#8217;s George label has already benefited from the &#8216;Kate effect&#8217;. Sales of its ¡ò22 beige mac soared by 300 per cent after the Duchess of Cambridge was spotted wearing a ¡ò650 Burberry version. <br></p><p>The supermarket also saw a five-fold increase in sales of nude tights after Kate wore a pair. <br>Now it is hoping Mrs Middleton, who runs mail-order company Party Pieces with her husband Michael, will have a &#8216;Carole effect&#8217;. <br></p><p>George&#8217;s brand director, Fiona Lambert, said: &#8216;Carole Middleton is someone who always really gets it right for her age. She&#8217;s elegant and stylish, but with a fashion-forward edge. <br></p><p>&#8216;Our new range has been designed with this sophisticated and ladylike feel in mind. Her style is a perfect example of how you can look great when you are over 40.&#8217;<br></p><p>While her outfits have generally been well-received, Mrs Middleton was deemed to have made a fashion faux pas in sporting a fur headband while skiing in Meribel, France, earlier this year. </p>?Top teen model Lindsey Wixson takes a tumble at Versace (and in those shoes, could anyone blame her?)<br><p> By <br>UPDATED:09:11 GMT, 26 September 2011</p><br><p>Walking the Versace show would be a career high for any young model. So when Lindsey Wixson came crashing down at the label's Milan show this evening, she must have been crushed.<br></p><p>The 17-year-old, who had been wearing towering transparent platforms with her evening gown, stumbled in the challenging footwear as she made her return trip down the runway.</p><p>But to her credit, she appeared to have a sense of humour about the situation, raising her arms in victory once she was back on her feet.</p><p>Scroll down for a history of runway tumbles...<br></p><p> </p><p>It is an admirable attitude. But this is not the first time the teenager, from Witchita, Kansas, has fallen at a high-profile show.</p><p>Earlier this year she made headlines when she fell several times at Naomi Campbell's Fashion for Relief fundraiser in Cannes.</p><p>The performance was so dramatic that many believed she had fallen on purpose for effect, but Lindsey insists this was not the case.</p><p>But few girls could survive such a faux pas, as one model agency insider revealed to us this week.</p><p>Our source, who was speaking after one unfortunate model tripped on her dress during the Amanda Wakeley show in London this week, admitted that falling on the catwalk can be career-threatening.<br></p><p>'It's quite common for girls to be quietly dropped by their agents after tripping or falling during a show,' they told MailOnline.<br></p><p>'As far as the designers are concerned the model's job is to make the clothes look fantastic. That's compromised when she starts stumbling down the catwalk like a drunk.</p><p>'If the girl is what the model industry calls a 'new face' it could terminate her career before she's even really got started. Walking is how new faces launch or raise their profile in order to land moneyed jobs like advertising campaigns.'</p><p></p><p>Catwalk moment: It is not the first time Lindsey has tripped on the runway - in May, she fell several times at Naomi Campbell's Fashion for Relief fundraiser in Cannes</p><p> </p><p>Dramatic: The performance was so extreme that many believed Lindsey had fallen on purpose for effect</p><p>They added that many models lived in fear of falling on the runway, and often had tricks to avoid it happening.</p><p></p><p>'I know girls who will do anything to avoid it, include asking for shoesa bone-crushing size too small to ensure there is no chance of their high heels coming loose half way down the catwalk,' they revealed. <br></p><p>'I came across one girl who carried sandpaper in her Gucci handbag and used it to rough up the bottom of her show shoes to give her extra grip.'</p><p> </p><p>The source admitted that the more well-known models were less likely to be affected: 'If the model has an existing profile and clientele then she will probably survive a few stumbles - look at Naomi Campbell.'</p><p>Indeed, Lindsey, who was bullied at school for her unusual looks, is the fashion world's darling and unlikely to be affected by the more unforgiving side of the industry.</p><p>Since making her debut, she has appeared in campaigns for Alexander McQueen, Miu Miu and Mulberry, among many others.</p><p>FALL COLLECTION: A HISTORY OF RUNWAY STUMBLES</p><p> </p><p> </p>?Stunning in sapphire: Rosie Huntington-Whiteley breathtaking in barely-there blue gown at London premiere of Transformers 3 <br><p> By <br>UPDATED:10:22 GMT, 27 June 2011</p><br><p>She's had enough practice as her years as a model on the catwalk - and it seems that Rosie Huntington-Whiteley is turning her movie red carpet outings into something of an art form. </p><p>The ravishing Victoria's Secret model, 24, had the crowds gasping at the London screening of her debut film Transformers 3: Dark Of The Moon last night when she turned up in a risque midnight blue gown.</p><p>The backless satin dress, custom-made for her by Burberry, was slashed almost to her navel with only modest drapes of material over her breasts to keep her decent.</p><p>Scroll down to see Rosie in the trailer for Transformers 3: Dark Of The Moon...</p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Yet the star, who had her hair in a chic up-do, managed to look classy at the same time - quite a feat.</p><p></p><p>It appears that some judiciously-placed toupe tape on her top half was most definitely keeping the star from revealing more of her curves than she intended. <br></p><p>She had looked equally incredible in a sparkling silver gown for the German premiere of her first ever movie in Berlin.</p><p>She's been pushing out all the stops to get maximum coverage for her role in the movie, which she wrested from Megan Fox, by wearing a series of show-stopping outfits over the past few weeks while promoting to film around the globe. <br></p><p>She was joined on the scarlet carpet at the IMAX cinema in London's Waterloo by a host of the cast of The Only Way Is Essex. <br></p><p>Red headed glamour model Maria Fowler tried to give Rosie a run for her money in a strappy black and silver floorlength dress with thigh slashes, but pretty as she is, it was no contest.</p><p> </p><p>TOWIE in London: Sam Faiers was wearing a plunging figure-hugging scarlet dress, Maria Fowler in a strappy black and silver number with slashes at the thighs, and Jessica Wright in a white palazzo pant suit <br></p><p>She was joined by her TOWIE co-star Sam Faiers who was wearing a revealing capsleeved scarlet that revealed her impressive cleavage, and Jessica Wright in a white palazzo pant suit.<br></p><p>Sam was squired by her equally 'reem' boyfriend Joey Essex, who had ditched the skinny jeans for once and looked smart in slacks, open-necked shirt and tan loafers. <br></p><p>Other stars at the premiere tonight including chat show host Jeremy Kyle, Golden Compass star Dakota Blue Richards, fashion desinger Christopher Kane, and reality TV stars Calum Best and girlfriend Georgia Salpa. <br></p><p>Calum and Georgia met on the set of Irish reality show Celebrity Salon earlier this year. <br>Transformers 3: Dark Of The Moon meanwhile opens in the UK on 29 June.<br></p> <p>Red carpet style: Rosie has been ramping up the glamour as she promotes the movie in Moscow (left and centre) and Rio DeJaneiro (right) </p>?Transformer: Rosie Huntington-Whiteley flies the flag for Burberry in two revealing gowns by the designer in one night<br> <p> By <br>UPDATED:11:40 GMT, 27 June 2011</p><br><p>She earns a generous pay cheque for her work as one of the faces of Burberry.</p><p>And Rosie Huntington-Whiteley proved excellent value for money by flying the flag for the iconic British designer in not one, but two stunning creations by the brand.</p><p>After dazzling in a daring blue satin gown at the premiere of her film Transformers 3: Dark of the Moon in London last night, the gorgeous model, 24, changed into a chic white and gold dress by Burberry Prorsum for the after-party.</p><p>Scroll down to see Rosie in the trailer for Transformers 3: Dark Of The Moon</p><p> Rosie began modelling for Burberry in 2008, and was loyal to the company for one of the biggest nights in her career so far, as she celebrated her big screen debut on home soil.</p><p>The Victoria's Secret Angel, 24, had the crowds gasping at the London screening of her debut film Transformers 3: Dark Of The Moon tonight when she turned up in a risque midnight blue gown.</p><p>The backless satin dress, custom made for her by Burberry, was slashed almost to her navel with only modest drapes of material over her chest.</p><p>Rosie chose a more covered-up, yet equally daring dress for the after party later in the evening at Morton Members Club in Mayfair.</p><p>Her white frock had a high slit that showed off her enviable legs and a slashed front, revealing her decolletage.</p><p>The dress featured fierce shoulder detailing and was teamed with tan strappy heels, also by Burberry.<br></p><p> </p><p> </p><p>The model, who is dating fellow Brit Jason Statham, appeared pleased with how the evening went, giggling and smiling in the back of her car as she left the after party.</p><p>Just last night, she looked equally incredible in a sparkling silver gown for the German premiere of her first ever movie in Berlin. <br></p><p>She's been pushing out all the stops to get maximum coverage for her role in the movie, which she wrested from Megan Fox, by wearing a series of show-stopping outfits over the past few weeks while promoting to film around the globe. <br></p><p>Rosie replaced Fox as the female lead in the film franchise after Megan made derogatory remarks about the director Michael Bay, likening him to Hitler.</p><p>She had worked with Bay on a Victoria's Secret advertisement shoot in 2009, and has told how later the director invited her to audition for the role. <br></p><p>Rosie told Elle magazine in May that despite the stigma of models branching into acting, she was determined to make the most of the opportunities given to her.</p><p> </p><p>She said: 'I love being part of the fashion industry but, after almost nine years as a model, I&#8217;d be a real fool to turn down the chance to try something different.</p><p>'Now I have another amazing opportunity and I need to make the best of it.'<br></p><p>Other stars at the premiere included TheOnly Way is Essex stars Sam Faiers, Joey Essex, Jessica Wright and Maria Fowler, Golden Compass star Dakota Blue Richards, fashion desingerChristopher Kane, and reality TV stars Calum Best and girlfriend Georgia Salpa. <br></p><p>Transformers 3: Dark Of The Moon opens in the UK on June 29.</p><p>Red carpet style: Rosie has been ramping up the glamour as she promotes the movie in Moscow (left and centre) and Rio DeJaneiro (right) </p>?Two women at top in Burberry<p>By <br>UPDATED:00:00 GMT, 18 November 2003</p><p></p><p>INTERNET bank Egg's former finance director Stacey Cartwright has resurfaced at luxury goods group Burberry, giving the near-&#163;2bn business a female top two in the boardroom. </p><p>Cartwright, 39, will take over from finance chief Mike Metcalf who steps down next March. The move comes two months after Cartwright said she was leaving Egg to 'seek fresh challenges'.</p><p>Burberry chief executive Rose Marie Bravo said she was delighted with the appointment. 'I am confident Stacey will make a great contribution to Burberry in the years ahead,' she added.</p><p>Cartwright joined Egg in 2000 after 12 years at Granada Media, where she rose to the position of commercial director. She picked up &pound;472,000 in wages and bonuses last year. </p><p>Her appointment was revealed as Burberry reported a 21% jump in underlying earnings to &pound;66.9m for the first half of the year to 30 September on the back of strong sales of its famous beige, black and red plaid designs.</p><p>Revenue rose by 17% to &pound;321.3m with underlying retail sales growth of 20%. The fastest growth came in menswear while the group was also seeing strong demand for its new Brit fragrance.</p>?The right way to wear a mac! Victoria Beckham is a caped crusader in chic coat <br><p> By </p><p>PUBLISHED:00:31 GMT, 25 June 2012 UPDATED:09:14 GMT, 25 June 2012</p><p>It's a twist on a classic style - and one Leona Lewis managed to fumble earlier this week. <br></p><p>But Victoria Beckham proved she was up to the task of wearing a cape-style trench coat today as she strut through Los Angeles International Airport. <br></p><p>The pop star-turned-fashion designer prepared for her flight to London in chic outerwear, stiletto sling-backs and oversized sunglasses. <br></p><p>Victoria had earlier taken to Twitter to ask her fans their thoughts on her wardrobe for the day.</p><p></p><p>She wrote: 'What is the weather like in London? I heard it was cold!!!! and rainy!! what should I wear? X vb.'</p><p>Hours later, she emerged in the creation from Japanese luxury label Comme des Garcons, telling her followers: '#todayimwearing [designer] Junya Watanabe, see u in London! xvb.'</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>She wrote on Twitter yesterday about a 'big event' in London, asking fans to choose which of two outfits she should wear. <br></p><p>The Viva Forever musical, produced by Mamma Mia's Judy Craymer, will launch the musical at London's Piccadilly Theatre on Tuesday.<br></p><p>The show will feature around 16 numbers associated with the Spice Girls line-up Victoria, Geri Halliwell, Emma Bunton, Melanie Chisholm and Melanie Brown, respectivelyPosh, Ginger, Baby, Sporty and Scary Spice.</p><p> </p>?One of the benefits of being an Olympian! Victoria Pendleton showcases yet another talent as she sprints in stilettos at LFW <br><p> By and </p><p>PUBLISHED:21:29 GMT, 17 September 2012 UPDATED:06:44 GMT, 18 September 2012</p><p>She wowed the UK when she won a gold medal for Team GB in the London 2012 Olympic Games. <br></p><p>And after taking up a place on this year's series of Strictly Come Dancing, Victoria Pendleton has impressed onlookers with yet another talent to add to her already impressive list of skills. <br></p><p>Stepping out at Burberry Prorsum's London Fashion Week show at Kensington Gardens this afternoon (Monday), the cycling champion proved she is the envy of most women on planet earth after having mastered the tricky art of running in heels. <br></p><p> </p><p> After posing up a storm on the white carpet in a mauve peplum dress with double belt detail, the 31-year-old athlete seemed to sprint off into the venue with relative ease, despite wearing towering strappy sandals.</p><p>And the brunette beauty fitted in perfectly with the London fashion set after hanging up her trainers earlier this summer when she retired from the sport. <br></p><p>Victoria was joined by a whole host of stars as she turned out to London fashion week, and was joined on the front row by the likes of Harry Styles, Dita Von Teese, Alice Eve and Dev Patel.<br></p><p> </p><p>Some of fashion's finest names turned out to witness the Burberry Prorsum event and model Tali Lennox and One Direction star Harry Styles led the way with their undeniable style.</p><p>The teenage beauty showed a much more mature side as she stood out from the crowd at Kensington Gardens, London, on Monday afternoon.</p><p>Tali, 19, arrived looking every inch the style icon as she bravely wore brown and blue in the same ensemble and managed to pull it off.</p><p> </p><p>With his cheeky smile and messy hair the One Direction member looked like a young gent as he smiled for the cameras.</p><p>In contrast Tali kept her make-up simple as she let her mane fall elegantly over her shoulders.</p><p>Having modelled for Prada, Roberto Cavalli and Burberry, Tali knows the fashion scene well and fitted in with the front row despite normally being on the catwalk herself.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p>The 35-year-old wore a black dress with a pair of leather boots but bizarrely also wore a huge V medallion with a pair of sunglasses that had the word 'vogue' on the lenses.</p><p>American actor Aaron Paul, best known for his role of Jesse Pinkman in TV show Breaking Bad, was looking exceptionally dapper in a black and white suit.</p><p>Reality TV star Olivia Palermo made a stylish entrance in a brown jacket and chocolate colour trousers, while Alison Mosshart made less effort in a leather jacket.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Fashion royalty also rocked up to the show in the form of Anna Wintour and Mario Testino. The style stalwarts were in good spirits as they joked and laughed their way into the venue.</p><p> </p>?<p>Published by Associated Newspapers Ltd</p><p>Part of the Daily Mail, The Mail on Sunday &amp; Metro Media Group</p>?War, flu take the shine off Burberry<p>By <br>UPDATED:23:00 GMT, 14 April 2003</p><p></p><p>LUXURY fashion label Burberry has warned sales are being hurt by the war on Iraq and the deadly flu virus Sars.</p><p>The company, which floated last summer, said underlying sales climbed 15% in the six months ended March, with total revenues ahead 30%. </p><p>But the war and Sars hit the retail performance through March, particularly in the UK and Hong Kong. The virus has killed over 140 people so far and infected more than 3,300 others in parts of Asia, Europe and North America. High Street sales in Hong Kong.</p><p>Retail sales at constant exchange rates and excluding acquisitions climbed 30% in the six months. Burberry added that it planned 8 new stores in the current financial year. </p>?<p>When choosing a winter coat don't get frozen out<br></p><p>By </p><p></p><p>UPDATED:20:00 GMT, 10 October 2009</p><p></p>Thankfully, fashion or big coats moves in slow-mo - so it's OK to blow your budget on one. To stay ahead of the curve, go for double-breasted cashmere, slanted fronts, grey and, er... tartan? <br><p>Grey double-breasted coat, ¡ò175, bananarepublic.com; trousers, ¡ò45, gap.com; Red Herring check scarf, ¡ò12.50, debenhams.com; Canali shoes, ¡ò310, mossbros.co.uk</p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Camel double-breasted coat, ¡ò599; gantuk.com; shirt, ¡ò65, sweater, ¡ò105, and grey check trousers, ¡ò115, all tommyhilfiger.co.uk; Polo Ralph Lauren tie, ¡ò75, mywardrobe.com; Brooklyn shoes, ¡ò125, geox.com </p><p> </p>?Who needs a ticket to London Fashion Week? Burberry set to stream live show on iconic screen in Piccadilly Circus<br><p>By <br>UPDATED:17:54 GMT, 17 February 2011<br><br></p><p>Not everyone will have a ticket to London Fashion Week but it seems everyone will have a chance to take in a show.</p><p>British label Burberry will be the first ever label to stream all the runway action live on the iconic 32 metre digital screen in Piccadilly Circus, London.</p><p>The interactive show, set to take place on Monday in Kensington Gardens, will also be streamed across 150 countries.</p><p>The fashion house, formerly fronted by Harry Potter actress Emma Watson, will also make the pieces available to buy online for seven weeks.</p><p>Christopher Bailey, Burberry' Chief Creative Officer, said: 'Whether you are at home online, watching in Piccadilly Circus, using a mobile device or in our store in Beijing everyone will be able to feel the energy and attitude of the brand and the excitement of the show.'</p><p>Burberry's interactive shows have helped generated worldwide interest in London Fashion Week, including getting the attention of American Vogue editor Anna Wintour, who started attending for the first time when the label moved to London in 2009.</p><p>It was also the first high fashion label to stream their shows live and was further catapulted to fame when Emma Watson fronted their campaign.</p><p>Since then, stars have included Jourdan Dunn and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley.</p><p>Fashion Week, which kicks off tomorrow, will also see one of the week's other most sought-after shows from Issa London on Saturday after Miss Middleton wore one of the British-based label's gowns to announce her engagement to Prince William.</p><p>American Tom Ford will be making a high-profile appearance after announcing he will show his womenswear collection for the first time in London.</p><p>He has opted out of staging a full catwalk show and will instead hold a series of private appointments with fashion editors.<br></p><p>Other shows includeMulberry, Julien Macdonald and Vivienne Westwood.</p><p>But industry figures have already criticised the fashion world's obsession with perfection.</p><p>Giles Deacon, the British creative director of Parisian fashion house Emmanuel Ungaro, said the industry could be ageist and 'really sexist'.</p><p>And model Erin O'Connor joined other industry figures in calling for industry regulation to end digital manipulation of images of models.</p><p>Mr Deacon argued that women were being asked to meet an unrealistic standard of beauty.</p><p>He told the Sunday Telegraph: 'I've seen it in certain studios I've worked in and I've never liked it as a way of working or being with people.'</p><p>Ms O'Connor, who was speaking as part of a panel at All Walks Beyond The Catwalk, said: 'Fashion is built on a perpetuating fantasy. There is a sense of uniformity. We have forgotten how to be individuals.'<br></p>?Wholesale takes shine off Burberry Xmas<p>By <br>UPDATED:09:24 GMT, 11 January 2006</p><p></p><p>BURBERRY, the upmarket fashion house finally spun out of GUS last month, had a strong Christmas in its shops but a weak third-quarter outcome from wholesaling. </p><p>Chief executive Rose Marie Bravo, who hands over to Angela Ahrendts in July, said she was was pleased with the Christmas results. </p><p>She added that the company has begun its 150th year with 'a favourable initial response to early spring deliveries across all categories.' </p><p>Retail, which makes up two-thirds of the business, saw underlying sales up by 11% in the three months to December. </p><p>The wholesale business, which accounts for just over a fifth of the operation, saw a 21% fall in underlying sales in its traditionally weakest quarter. </p><p>In part this reflects the firm's decision to take over 12 shops in Taiwan which were formerly concessions. Total group sales for the period rose by 5% to &pound;168m. </p><p></p>?Wholesale the star as Burberry looks good<p>By <br>UPDATED:09:58 GMT, 15 January 2008</p><p></p><p>Luxury clothes and handbags group Burberry, whose clothes-hangers include Jennifer Lopez, continued to power ahead in its third quarter - the crucial three months run-up to Christmas - with overall sales up 26%. </p><p>The group saw particularly strong demand on its wholesale side, supplying other stores and concessions, with more restocking and earlier deliveries. Both the October gift range and the spring accessories, including the &pound;1600 Medal Studs Warrior handbag were key drivers - notably in emerging markets, and particularly Russia. </p><p>Finance director Stacey Cartwright said: &#39;Given the global economic circumstances, we are delighted to have achieved double-digit growth via all routes to market. Europe and, perhaps surprisingly, the US were both strong.&#39; </p><p>Burberry today upped its forecast for second-half wholesale sales growth from the mid-teens to more than 20%. </p><p>Third-quarter retail sales grew14%. Cartwright admitted that was slightly below targets because of leftover Christmas stock. That will now be sold through factory outlets next autumn. </p><p>Cartwright said: &#39;We had a little bit more inventory left over than we would have had ideally, and we have decided to be quite open about it but it's not a problem.&#39;</p>?Why Burberry's check may bounce<p>By <br>UPDATED:23:00 GMT, 26 June 2002</p><p></p><p>YOU sometimes wonder where people get their names from - Rose Marie Bravo is an example. Bravo is not the kind of family name that you see handed down over generations. You get the feeling it is the type of name you would give yourself if you were brought up in the great American dream and your career was focused on marketing and reaching targets. </p><p>Well, wherever the name came from, I am sure there will be shouts of Bravo! coming from the GUS boardroom if she pulls off the flotation of Burberry at anywhere near the &pound;1.45bn price tag. </p><p>The company has experienced valleys and mountains in performance over the years. As part of the GUS group its last claim to fame was in the early 1980s when the distinctive beige raincoat with check lining captured the imagination of the young and wealthy. It was all the rage to be seen in one of these macs, complemented of course by a cashmere scarf using the same check pattern. </p><p>But like all fashionable things, when the whole world and its brother were seen out in it, it became very un-chic, in fact it got to a stage where you were considered a geek if you still wore it. A bit like men who wear flared trousers now. </p><p>The problems at the time were further compounded by the counterfeit market. As the sales drive was based on every article in the range being hallmarked with the famous check, it was quite easy for counterfeiters to copy the stuff. Copy handbags, ties and scarves were being sold from market stalls. For a layman looking from a distance it was hard to tell what was real and what was fake. </p><p>Having lived through this era, some of the old-timers on the GUS board must think their boat has come in. They have been sitting with a subsidiary going nowhere for the past 15 years or so, and suddenly someone is talking about floating it for &pound;1.5bn. No wonder they will be screaming Bravo! Bravo! </p><p>The resurrection of the brand was masterminded by Bravo, a New Yorker weaned by Saks Fifth Avenue. Given the task of relaunching the range, she did what most fashion houses do, recruit the services of the young, rich and famous. </p><p>Posh and Becks, as well as Madonna, were seen out and about wearing the stuff. This started a bums' rush, as everyone who thought they were a star or celebrity wanted to jump on the bandwagon. There is no doubt about it, the marketing was good, it worked. </p><p>The range of products this time round is much more diverse and does not rely on one or two items as it did before. It is on the shelves of all the posh shops, not just in England but all over the world. But you can't get away from the fact that most of it relies heavily on the famous check. </p><p>Somehow you get the feeling that like most things in fashion this is simply another fad. Burberry is tied to its birthmark and has to include it on everything it makes, whereas others such as Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Hermes and Gucci are free to adapt in style and colour every season. They mainly rely on their respective logos. </p><p>You know the writing is on the wall when you see the promo advert for the fly-on-the-wall Sky TV series Ibiza Uncovered. Drunken screaming skinheads on the run, one of them wearing a ripoff Burberry bandanna. </p><p>At a flea market or on the promenade of a seaside resort you see vendors offering an array of fake items in what looks like the famous check, some not even sold by Burberry. I would imagine the diehards and old warhorses at GUS are sweating at the moment. They are not daft, they have been around a long time and have seen fashion items come and go. The quicker they can get the float away the better. What surprises me is that they are selling only 25% of the company. </p><p>As for Bravo, she deserves every penny in bonus and shares of the rumoured &pound;15m she will be paid. She has taken an ailing asset and turned it into a windfall for her bosses. </p><p>When the fund managers and analysts pour out of the City presentation meeting, depending on the venue, they may pick up an Evening Standard from one of the corner street vendors and be greeted by: 'All right guv, a bit nippy today, eh? Don't suppose I can interest you in one of these scarves?' I am not sure which banker is going to sponsor this float, all I can say is when the applications come back and the money rolls in, there may be a double meaning to the expression a bounced check. </p><p>&#149; Sir Alan Sugar has donated his fee to charity </p>?Why is Burberry so appealing?<p>By KAREN KAY</p><p>Last updated at 10:31 16 October 2006</p><br><p>Burberry is the label that has defied the rules of fashion. Atonce derided by style critics for its chavvy ubiquity and covetedfor its Vogue-ish chic, it has managed to straddle the sartorialdivide with finesse ? and fiscal success.</p><p>Last week the company announced an impressive 10 per centincrease in year-on-year sales, figures that envied by retailers atboth ends of the style spectrum.</p><p>And those results are even more staggering given the uniqueposition Burberry holds in the wardrobes of the world, dressing amore diverse range of people than any other.</p><p>So what is it that makes the many faces of Burberry unite tocreate a 21st-century marketing phenomenon?</p><p>At the trend-setting end of the business, creative directorChristopher Bailey has plundered Burberry's heritage and revivedfashion classics for a cool set. The launch of the limited editionBurberry Icons Collection, created to celebrate the brand's 150thanniversary, has been a huge success.</p><p>This has seen the &pound;790 quilted leather Manor Bag ? whichis favoured by Sienna Miller, who Bailey is hoping to woo as thenew face of the label ? becoming the must-have item of the season.And if you're after one, you're almost certainly out of luck: theysold out globally within three weeks.</p><p>Another hot piece is the &pound;2,465 lace double-breastedtrench coat ? a 21st-century take on a Burberry classic.</p><p>The marketing campaign was shot by Mario Testino and starsfashionistas including contemporary icons Kate Moss, StellaTennant, Lily Donaldson and Bryan Ferry.</p><p>Add in the appearances of hip faces such as legendary Sixtiesmodel Penelope Tree, singer-songwriter Louis Eliot, Ferry's sonsOtis and Isaac and rock band Kasabian and the label undoubtedlybenefits from oodles of street cred among the in-crowd.</p><p>"The Burberry name is quintessentially British and isaspirational for that reason, like Bentley or Rolls-Royce," sayscelebrity stylist Ceril Campbell.</p><p>"But it is Christopher Bailey's modern styling that the chiccrowd are buying into ? his Prorsum range is definitely amust-have. Most of that set wouldn't wear the check in an obviousway, as the chav set do, who have adopted it as their own."</p><p>Indeed, alongside Burberry's iconic status in elite fashioncircles goes the rather more dubious position of being the chav'sbrand of choice.</p><p>This was epito-mised by the matching head-to-toe ensemblesparaded by former soap star Danniella Westbrook and her child (andthe baby's pushchair) a few years ago.</p><p>And after Victoria Beckham proudly declared that she and husbandDavid snuggled under the covers in matching Burberry check pyjamas,who would have thought it would still be credible to covet thebrand?</p><p>Indeed, it was only 18 months ago that Burberry was banned fromthe chain of All Star Bars and a number of other venues because itepitomised yob culture.</p><p>Yet while this should have been the kiss of death for a catwalklabel, the adoption of the check by a downmarket clientele has notdampened the enthusiasm of a more discerning customer.</p><p>Then there's the near-obsessive bulk-buying by the Japanese. InAsia, the label has a cult following which is set to grow with therise of newly affluent and fashion-conscious Chinese customers.</p><p>"It is the Britishness of the brand that the Japanese love,"says Campbell. "They have a fascination with Britishness, which yousee in brands such as Vivienne Westwood and Paul Smith."</p><p>As if the fashion cognoscenti, the chav brigade and the Far Eastmarkets weren't enough to boost the balance sheets, theuber-polished Euro-set, led by Elle Macpherson, trip through theworld's airports in their Burberry classics.</p><p>It's enjoyed enduring appeal among the Home Counties set, too,with a new generation of affluent youngsters ? led by PrincesWilliam and Harry ? hanging out in kit their ancestors might haveworn.</p><p>Such a diverse customer base is all good news for AngelaAhrendts, the 46-year-old New Yorker lured to London in January tosteer Burberry into more lucrative waters.</p><p>Ahrendts had the questionable job of stepping into the shoes ofcompatriot Rose Marie Bravo, who crossed the Atlantic in 1997 andwas credited with transforming a fusty old raincoat maker with aRoyal Warrant into a contemporary luxury label.</p><p>For the time being, it looks like we'll continue to see thisworld-dominating label on the terraces at Roman Abramovich'sChelsea football club as well as in the Chelsea restaurants wherehis wife lunches with the jet-set.</p>Share this article: <p> </p>?Yesterday's trading: Burberry checks into FTSE<p>By and <br>UPDATED:07:26 GMT, 2 September 2009</p><p></p><p>It's a big month for Burberry. The 153-year-old British luxury fashion house will be showcasing its spring 2010 Prorsum collection at the 25th anniversary of London Fashion Week on September 22.</p><p>It will be the first time it has shown its collection on home soil, having decided to switch its show from the catwalks of Milan. </p><p>But before then, on September 9, chief executive Angela Ahrendts and the rest of her board should be popping pink champagne corks in celebration of the group's first admission to the elite Footsie index since floating on the London Stock Exchange in July 2002.</p><p>Trendy tracker funds busily bid for stock in anticipation yesterday, chasing the shares up to 502&frac12;p before they closed 5.6p better at 489 1/4p. </p><p>Burberry, whose trademark black-red-tan tartan is known the world over, has displayed resilience during the recession. Retail has continued to see strong double-digit sales growth in Europe, especially in the UK, helped by tourist traffic and Asia. The US and Spain has remained difficult.</p><p>Following first-quarter figures in July, Investec upgraded its 2010 pretax profit forecast from a bottom-end-of-the-range ¡ò161m to ¡ò171m, and from ¡ò185m to ¡ò202m for 2011.</p><p>Historically a weak month for equities on both sides of the Pond, September began on a dull note. Some profits were taken off the table following the recent strong summer advance. The FTSE 100 closed 89.20 points down at 4,819.70 and the FTSE 250 197.83 off at 8,619.68.</p><p>Shanghai's 6.7% fall overnight on concerns that lending curbs in China will dampen growth in the world's third largest economy rocked the boat. Then dealers heard that broker Credit Suisse had reduced its weight-ing on the UK equity market to 5% from 15%.</p><p>Wall Street slumped 185.68 points to 9310.60 despite a leading survey showed the US manufacturing sector returned to growth in August after a prolonged slump.</p><p>Buyers were all over drugs giant AstraZeneca like a rash and the shares touched 2930p before closing 16p better at 2855&frac12;p. They were excited by news that in a clinical trial, Brilinta, its blood thinning pill, had significantly reduced patients' rate of suffering a heart attack or dying from cardiovascular problems when compared with the blockbuster drug Plavix, sold by Sanofi-Avents and Bristol-Myers Squibb. Goldman Sachs raised its AZ 12-month target price to ¡ò30 from ¡ò28.</p><p>Reports of a pending upbeat circular lifted household goods giant Reckitt Benckiser 27p to 2880p.</p><p>Growing fears that a ¡ò600m rights issue is on the agenda left insurance group RSA down 6&frac14;p to 124.4p.</p><p>Renewed buying in anticipation of pleasing half-year figures later this month helped insurer Gable Holdings edge a fraction higher to 10&frac12;p. Chief executive Bill Dewsall's strategy is to tap into profitable niche insurance businesses in a number of European markets.</p><p>Computer games retailer Game Group zapped 4&frac12;p higher to 168&frac12;p amid industry gossip that the price of Nintendo Wii is about to be reduced to ¡ò149 from ¡ò199. Altium Securities says were it to happen, it would be the third of the three major consoles to cut its price in a little over a week.</p><p>Hardy Oil & Gas gushed 21p to 365p after drilling the first well on the group's D9 exploration licence. It holds a 10% participating interest in D9 which is operated by Reliance Industries. It is located in Krishna Godavari basin on the East Coast of India.</p><p>Kiwara was unchanged at 42p on profit-taking.Sellers might well rue the day because rumours doing the rounds last night suggested a further upbeat resources statement on its Kalumbila copper prospect in Zambia is imminent.</p><p>Canary Wharf's largest landlord Songbird Estates added &frac12;p at 34&frac12;p. Qatar Holdings, part of the Gulf country's sovereign wealth fund, has said it plans to become its biggest shareholder. Songbird last week revealed plans to sell shares to institutions including Qatar and China Investment Corporation, to repay an ¡ò880m loan.</p><p>Demand ahead of today's interims helped K3 Business Technology climb 9&frac14;p to 94&frac34;p. The provider of retail and manufacturing software to Adidas and Rymans said in July that the business remains strongly cash generative. </p>?Yesterday's trading: Burberry price closes in fashion<p>By and <br>UPDATED:07:17 GMT, 24 September 2009</p><p></p><p>Burberry strutted its stuff on the Footsie catwalk, striding imperiously forward to touch 511.5p before closing 25.9p higher at 502.5p. </p><p>The shares were en vogue after the 153-year old British luxury fashion house on Tuesday brought the 25th anniversary of London Fashion Week to a spectacular close. </p><p>All of the industry was out in force to see Burberry's spring 2010 Prorsum collection. </p><p>Excitement reached fever pitch among the glamorous celebrities in attendance as it was the first time Burberry has shown the collection on home soil, having decided to switch it from the runways of Milan. </p><p>City heads were turned by comments about buoyant current trading made by chief executive Angela Ahrendts after the show. </p><p>She waxed lyrical about how the UK business was 'on fire' in recent months, thanks to the weak pound. Tourists have flocked to their stores in their droves. The Japanese, in particular, love its trademark black-red-tan tartan trenchcoats and hats. </p><p>Elsewhere, news of renewed cash calls worth a combined ¡ò1.45bn raised fears in some City quarters that the market is now definitely looking a bit 'toppy' and due a healthy correction following its spectacular performance this quarter and since the March low. </p><p>Up 36 points initially after the CBI proclaimed the UK recession was over, the Footsie retreated on profit-taking to close 3.23 points lower at 5,139.37. The FTSE 250 declined 31.66 points to 9,217.01. </p><p>Wall Street dipped 14 points as New York traders awaited the conclusion of the two-day Federal Open Market Committee meeting. The Federal Reserve is expected to leave US interest rates unchanged at 0.25%, but dealers will pore over the accompanying policy statement for any hints about future moves. </p><p>Cazenove moved Prudential to 'outperform' from 'in-line', helping shares of the insurance giant climb 22.5p to 587p. The broker says there is good potential for a re-rating, given the strong earnings and dividend track record recently. Pru simply looks too cheap. </p><p>Reports of a pending upbeat circular lifted international bank Standard Chartered 64p to 1544p. </p><p>Lloyds Banking Group, 43% owned by the UK taxpayer, firmed 1.2p to 108p.8p on a buy recommendation from Execution Research. The broker says the Government's Asset Protection Scheme is a sub-optimal way to recapitalise the sector and should be reconsidered. Such action would require Lloyds to raise ¡ò16bn in a rights issue - viewed as achievable and hugely positive. </p><p>On the other hand, Execution rates Royal Bank of Scotland (0.95p off at 52.4p) a 'sell'. It would need an estimated ¡ò35bn of capital to escape the APS scheme - nearly impossible to raise in a rights issue. It says RBS will remain loss-making in 2011 and is worth 38p a share. </p><p>Revived US takeover gossip accompanied a speculative 7p gain to 183.4p in Chloride. </p><p>Shares of pub groups were as flat as a pint of homemade scrumpy after UBS warned that leased and tenanted pub margins are unlikely to return to former highs following the impact of the smoking ban and recession. The sector has been overvalued since November 2008. </p><p>Enterprise Inns shed 11.2p to 132.26p as the broker downgraded to sell, while Marston's eased 2p to 104.6p for the same reason. Mitchells & Butlers lost 14.4p to 284.1p on nervous selling ahead of today's trading statement. </p><p>Reflecting an Oriel Securities buy recommendationin the wake of the better-thanexpectedinterims, Gulfsands Petroleum gushed 7.5p to 251.5p. Regal Petroleum rose 15p to 117p after striking gas in the Ukraine. Bank of America/Merrill Lynch says it is still the cheapest stock in the sector. </p><p>Dealers expect biotech company Osmetech (0.375p off at 2.125p) to now make progress after a line of 20m shares were cleared in the market. </p><p>Revitalised by entrepreneur Richard Griffith's purchase last week of a 10% stake, Coms edged up 0.5p further to 12.5p. The provider of internet telephony services has launched an innovative video conference service based upon the Polycom CX5000 video conferencing phone developed in partnership between Polycom and Microsoft. </p><p>Stockbroker Canaccord closed flat at 550p despite making its first acquisition since floating on AIM in 2005. It has acquired Intelli, a corporate advisory and broking boutique, from Midas Group, a small UK financial services business.</p>?Does one have a new haircut? Zara Phillips reveals her new 'Pob' look<br><p>By <br>Created 12:40 AM on 4th March 2011</p><p>When Victoria Beckham chopped off her locks to showcase a shorter bob style it was called the Pob &#8211; the posh bob.<br></p><p>And now the haircut has been given the royal seal of approval with Zara Phillips the latest to try out the trend. <br></p><p>As she arrived at the Ice and Diamonds Send-Off Ball in London she showed off her shorter locks, which had been cut to just below her jawline as she took to the red carpet in a black asymmetrical LBD. <br></p><p> But with her wedding to fiance Mike Tindall thought to be taking place on July 30 in Edinburgh perhaps she is testing out the different style ahead of her nuptials.</p><p>Also in attendance Yasmin Le Bon, 46, looked flawless in a flowing black maxi dress with cut-out panels on the side as she posed on the black and snowy carpet.</p><p>While Miss Phillips' fiance Mike Tindall was nowhere to be seen, Le Bon was supporting her husband Simon, whose band Duran Duran were providing the entertainment.</p><p>And she certainly looked like their number one fan as she showed her support on the dance floor as the band took to the stage.<br></p><p>Rob Sandwich: Rob Byrdon looked happy to be sat in between Yasmin and Sharleen before the entertainment kicked off <br></p><p> The expedition will see injured servicemen, who have lost limbs to amputation, travel to the Arctic unaided next month.</p><p>Among the team is Simon Daglish, Edward Parker, Guy Disney, Martin Hewitt, Jaco Van Gass, Steve Young and Inge Solheim.</p><p>They are aiming to raise ¡ò2million for education projects and training courses to help physically and mentally injured servicemen and women.</p><p>The team will constantly be walking on moving ice with an average thickness of 150cm in temperatures between -15C to -50C</p><p>To donate, visit .<br></p><p> <br></p>?<p>Third wheel: Brendan's Strictly Come Dancing partner Victoria Pendleton joins the expectant couple and indulges in a glass of Champagne</p><p>He enjoyed a glass of Champagne for the both of them as they checked out the new watch collection by the British design house.</p><p>The expectant couple were joined at the event by Brendan's Strictly partner Victoria Pendleton, who made the most of a break away from training. <br></p><p>The former Team GB cyclist and Olympic gold medalist will be hoping to continue her success on the Strictly dancefloor.</p><p>However, Victoria's outfit was a far cry from the revealing costumes worn on the BBC talent show, swapping her lilac flapper for a black shift dress, grey jacket and sensible black court shoes.</p><p>Another BBC star in attendance was Sherlock Holmes actress Gemma Chan who, fresh from attending the Burberry London Fashion Week show a few weeks ago, arrived in the label's signature trench coat to the Regents Street event.</p><p>The double-breasted peplum coat gave the actress - who is also the girlfriend of funnyman Jack Whitehall - a gorgeous hourglass figure.</p><p>Gemma finished off the vintage look with a tweed skirt, black opaque tights and black lace up ankle boots.</p>?<p>Just when I was starting to get cozy with neutrals, my love affair with was stoked by a beautiful coat that strutted down the runway yesterday. And when I went off to check out that vibrant Express trench (again) that we all fell in love with, I found this much cheaper one. Nice! Check out the inspiration and some other lookalike options after the jump. </p>?<p></p><p>From the waist up, I like what she has going on. And I can appreciate the concept of the wide leg pants here (ie, she was going for balance with a simple, slim fitting tank and statement necklace), but in terms of pure volume, I'm a bit overwhelmed. I can't tell if she's meant to be posing on the red carpet in these or setting up her sleeping bag inside of them. What do you guys think? Has she taken the trend a little too far? What are some other ridiculous fashions you've seen a lot of lately?</p><p> <br> ()</p>?<p></p><p>It&#8217;s football season, and where I&#8217;m from (it&#8217;s Ohio State Buckeye territory, folks), the entire city is dead serious about tailgating. Seriously, it&#8217;s like a roundup of thousands of hot dudes getting all fired up and excited. Score! How in the world have I not managed to meet any guys through all this yet? Oh right, because half of them are in college and I&#8217;m 30. Ew.</p><p>Anyway&#133;if you find yourselves at a tailgate, or a game, or just watching at a bar with a roomful of good-looking and hopefully age-appropriate men (and a plate of fries), you might need to take some action. So here&#8217;s a list of pick up lines* you can use. Yes, they're all totally groan-worthy, and no, I don't care. ?</p><p>*Thanks to a couple friends for consulting with me on football terminology (my knowledge is kind of limited). Sorry most of your suggested lines were too dirty to actually use in this post. :)</p><p>And remember, when in doubt that your line hasn't gone over well, just repeat it. It's what our would do (OK, this isn't exactly a line, and it's about a basketball, not a football but I kind of think "leather pumpkin" could work for either and plus, it's hilarious):</p><p></p><p>OK, OK, fine, maybe you would never actually say these things, but did you at least laugh at little? What's your best suggestion for a football-appropriate pickup line?</p><p>A line for every occasion (not necessarily a good one, but still):<br>*<br>*<br>*</p><p><br>Photo: Thinkstock</p>?<p></p><p>Make your outfit monochrome. , but Burberry managed to make it totally wearable and un-scary by doing it in a neutral khaki (). Just make sure your khakis match as closely as possible, choose a few different textures to keep things from looking flat (a chunky knit, a soft chiffon, a stiff pressed cotton), and then feel free to go wild with your accessories. </p><p></p><p>Sign up for Glamour.com&#8217;s and newsletters! </p><p></p><p>Put a belt on it. Every single last look that came down the runway at Burberry was cinched at the waist--many with an unexpected, contrasting belt in utilitarian-looking brown leather. Not only is it , but it adds instant definition to your more shapeless frocks. I've got a closet full of so-last-season tent dresses that suddenly have a whole new silhouette thanks to a little old belt. </p><p></p><p></p><p>Mix your most expensive and least expensive pieces in one outfit. It's no secret that (head-to-toe designer is so boring!), and it looks like Gwyneth agrees. She sat front row in a skirt from the collection that was being shown on the runway, but paired it with a lived-in looking T-shirt and a pair of edgy ankle boots. Why not give those fancy skirts in your own closet the same treatment? Throw on a vintage T and some fun costume jewelry, and you've got a wear-anywhere outfit instead of a special occasion look you only bust out once in a while! </p><p></p><p>What do you guys think of these styling tricks from the Burberry spring 2010 show? Have you already tried any of them out? Are you tempted to reconsider what's in your closet? Which look do you like best? Discuss! </p><p>More Ways to Get Glamour<br>You could win $50,000 just for or to Glamour.com!<br><br></p>Photos: courtesy of style.com;?<p></p><p>Gussy up a T-shirt. You've already got a drawer full of cute graphic Ts, now put 'em to work beyond pajamas. Pairing a super-casual top with a few polished elements--like the pencil skirt, gloves, and fur-collared coat here--will instantly up the style ante. </p><p></p><p>Go neutral...with a pop! It's February, which means you're probably deep into a season of wearing navy, black, gray, and brown. But it doesn't have to be dull! Isn't it amazing how this teeny yellow belt totally transforms this look? (Oh, and did we mention they're one of the most affordable accessories you can buy!?). </p><p></p><p>Flatter your figure with a peplum. The peplum is everywhere this season, and apparently, it'll be big for fall, too. Here's why we love it: that extra layer of fabric actually conceals a little tummy or hips you'd prefer to hide (they have the function of those skirted granny swimsuits, but um, without the hideousness). A cropped jacket will show off your newly svelte-ified midsection.</p><p>What do you gals think of these styling tips? Will you try 'em out this winter? Which look is your favorite? See the full Burberry Prorsum fall 2012 collection now at , then discuss! </p>Photos: via style.com;?<p>A little bit of leather or spikes can go a long way, making you not only look, but feel, like a total badass. We all need that some days, right? I've come up with some ideas for every kind of gal to test out the look. No matter how preppy or super-feminine you may like to dress, I know y'all have some attitude. </p><p><p>Topshop faux fur gilet, $110, , Monserat De Lucca crossbody bag, $119, , J Brand jeans, $220, , Rebecca Minkoff boots, $191, </p></p><p>Girly + Glam: What better time to add a little edge than on a night out? This look includes a few of my favorite fall staples: leather-like jeans (in the hottest color for fall), faux fur, and studs. The vest is totally , and would look fab thrown over a simple black tee. The little ankle booties will have you tearing up the dance floor for hours, too. Cue "Moves Like Jagger." </p><p><p>Topshop jumper, $160, , Lucky Brand python fedora, $50, , Charlotte Russe boots, $42.50, , MOTO jeans, $76,, Fallon Classique bracelet, $150, </p></p><p>Comfy + Casual: Somehow getting dressed on the weekend isn't always as simple as it should be. I've found that a few edgy pieces can completely tie together a basic ensemble. And let's face it: monochrome is always chic. Every rockstar needs an awesome hat, and this fedora will make the even the worst Sunday morning bedhead look hot. Add a gold or silver bangle and you'll be the girl at brunch with that certain je ne sais quoi. </p><p><p>Karl leather skirt, $175, , Iris & Ink blouse, $125, , Fallon leather bracelet, $125, , House of Harlow necklace, $70, , Dolce Vita boots, $137, </p></p><p>Sleek + Sweet: What's more rock 'n' roll than black on black? A girly skirt and fussy blouse is made stage-worthy when rendered in satin and leather. These sky-high leopard ankle boots add a pop of pattern (and would look great with jeans too!). Since it's awfully chilly outside here in NYC, I would throw on some black tights, and don't forget your heavy metal jewels like this studded bracelet and funky necklace. </p><p>Which of these looks would you wear? Do you dig rock 'n' roll style? <br></p>?<p>I love when the air at night gets colder because it makes me want to snuggle up with a loved one at night, and maybe just stay there half the next day, drinking hot chocolate and watching movies in bed. Swoon. !</p><p>Anyway, I've been doing a lot of pretend shopping for the perfect cozy bedding to pretend snuggle up in with my pretend boyfriend. Want to join me? Pick your fave:</p><p>A trendy chevron in warm fall colors:<br><p>This is all beautiful West Elm products.</p><br>Could these colors scream "autumn" any more? No, they could not. The color is even called cinnamon! I'm thinking apple cider donuts served for breakfast in bed with this one.</p><p>Crisp white with a luxurious blue throw:<br><p>This is all from West Elm.</p><br>Clean white bedding is a year round classic, but that dreamy looking blue throw makes me want to curl up under it until it's spring again.</p><p>Leafy keen:<br><p>West Elm's .</p><br>What says fall more than leaves? Well, pumpkins do, but they don't make for such an elegant pattern on your bedspread.</p><p>Pumpkin spice:<br><p> from Anthropologie.</p><br>What's that you say? There must be a classy way to make your bed an ode to the great pumpkin? You're right. This gorgeous orange set should do the trick.</p><p>Super rich and textured:<br><p>The "" set is from Anthropologie.</p><br>Not only is this set in (although, could we please not say the word "oxblood" in bed? Yuck!), the endless texture-y ruffles feel so romantic, don't they?</p><p>Simply poetic:<br><p>Anthropologie's .</p><br>Maybe this doesn't obviously scream fall, but let me explain: Summer is for reading outside under a big leafy tree, but fall is for laying in bed while your guy reads out loud to you from your favorite novel or book of poetry. I'm dying to pair these sheets with a fluffy comforter and get back in touch with my inner bookworm this season.</p><p>Which of these six bedding sets do you want to snuggle up under this fall? Are you all about cozy bedtime snuggling when it gets colder? Do you wish you could redecorate every season? I do!</p><p>More bedroom makeovers:<br>*<br>*<br>*</p><p><br>Photos: West Elm, Anthropologie</p>?<p>OK, take a look and tell me what you think:</p><p>Carrot cake in a jar:<br><p>Source: via on </p></p><p>This salmon quinoa salad looks really elegant (and tasty!):<br><p>Source: via on </p></p><p>These cute little meal packs are actually for a wedding that was a picnic (all the guests sat on blankets on the ground!):<br><p>Source: via on </p></p><p>Oatmeal casserole (it's gluten-free! And easier than schlepping a sloshy bowl around):<br><p>Source: via on </p></p><p>Instead of having an antipasti platter, you could just bake it all into a loaf:<br><p>Source: via on </p></p><p>Pizza bites:<br><p>Source: via on </p></p><p>Single-serving pumpkin pie in a jar:<br><p>Source: via on </p></p><p><br>More :<br>* <br>* <br>*</p><p><br>Photos: Thinkstock; Pinterest</p>?<p>Take a cool printed, beaded, or patterned t-shirt and pair it with a body-con skirt in a luxe fabric, like velvet or lace. Finish the look with leather accessories that bridge the gap between the casual t-shirt and the fancy skirt and - poof! - awesome outfit. Observe... </p><p><p>Michelle Dockery</p></p><p><p>Giorgia Surina</p></p><p>Like this idea? Here's my under $150 version:</p><p>What do you think of this look? Would you wear a casual t-shirt with a fancy skirt?</p>Photos: Getty Images?<p></p><p>The easiest way to incorporate feathers into your look is with accessories. Nothing looks more now than a pair of superskinny black jeans, a simple black sweater, high heel booties, and a feathered headband. Grab a feathered clutch (if you leave the lipstick at home, Forever 21's wallet, below, will work just fine!) to inject instant chic into your LBD evening look, or let a pair of peacock earrings dangle just above an off-white sweater. Shop the look now: </p><p></p>?<p> &copy; 2012 Cond&eacute; Nast. All rights reserved<br> Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our (effective 3/21/12) and (effective 3/21/12). <br> <br> The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Cond&eacute; Nast. </p>?<p></p><p>This ceviche recipe is from --it's got a cool fall-ish feel (and uses new , of which I'm fast becoming a fan). He says:</p><p>"Usually the fish in a ceviche is trimmed into large chunks, but for scooping up this tangy-sweet version with brightly flavored and spicy chili limon tortilla popchips, I've trimmed the fish into small cubes, 1/4- to 1/2-inch in size. The result not only makes a ceviche that's perfect for scooping, but also a speedy version that 'cooks' in the fresh lime juice in less than an hour."</p><p>1 pound fresh halibut filets (or any firm-fleshed white fish, such as haddock, red snapper or sea bass), diced into 1/2-inch cubes<br>1 cup fresh lime juice (from approximately 8 to 10 limes)<br>1 fresh red Serrano chili, seeds discarded, chili thinly sliced<br>1 teaspoon salt<br>1 small mango, cut into 1/4-inch cubes<br>1 scallion, white and green parts thinly sliced<br>2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro<br>1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil<br> <br>1. In a medium-sized glass bowl, combine the fish with the lime juice, Serrano and salt. Cover and refrigerate for 3 to 4 hours. The fish cubes will "cook" in the lime juice until they are opaque.<br> <br>2. Half an hour before serving, stir the mango, scallion, cilantro and olive oil into the ceviche. Cover and refrigerate 20 minutes to let the flavors meld. Serve with chili limon tortilla popchips for scooping up the ceviche.<br> <br>Makes 6 servings.<br> <br>(Oh, and he also suggests enjoying it with a bottle of Bud Light!)</p><p>Are you a ceviche fan? What's your favorite tailgate fare?</p><p>More on :<br>* <br>* <br>*</p><p><br>Photo: Thinkstock</p>?<p> &copy; 2012 Cond&eacute; Nast. All rights reserved<br> Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our (effective 3/21/12) and (effective 3/21/12). <br> <br> The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Cond&eacute; Nast. </p>?<p>Hey guys. Thanks to my job here at GLAMOUR, I was lucky enough to reconnect with my old friend Danny, who&#8217;s now a big wig at Banana Republic corporate in San Francisco. He&#8217;s been with BR for quite awhile&#8212;we used to work at the store together while in high school in Wichita, Kansas! I attribute those years spent helping customers in the fitting room with my (relative) expertise in fit and flattery. Who&#8217;d have thought that my teenage job folding chinos would prove so useful in the workforce? Anyway, here&#8217;s Danny.</p><p>Hey Glamour gals,</p><p>So, I&#8217;m kind of obsessed with Ashley&#8217;s blog. Okay, REALLY obsessed! Ash and I are fashion friends from our Kansas days. And I, too, am a slave to fashion! As such, I thought I would let you know that there is an amazing Vivienne Westwood exhibit happening at the De Young museum in San Francisco. Simply titled, Vivienne Westwood: 36 Years in Fashion, the exhibit closely details the design legend&#8217;s immense impact to the world of fashion; from her humble beginnings outfitting the Sex Pistols (think skinny jeans, leather jackets and lots of hardware) to her current reign as purveyor of cool (think tartan plaids with a twist and exaggerated silhouettes).</p><p>To celebrate the opening, the De Young museum threw a huge bash on Saturday that could only happen in San Francisco. The minions of San Francisco (think me) brushed shoulders with the city&#8217;s ultra-elite in what can only be described as a fashion showdown. It was the tame and pretty versus the dark and deviant. I fell somewhere between those two. But first, the ladies&#8230;</p><br><br><p>Now, as for me, I think I may have been a bit of a fashion don&#8217;t (what&#8217;s life without risks)! I hopped on the men&#8217;s legging trend (check out Vivienne&#8217;s autumn/winter 07 collection) and paired it with Club Monaco shorts, American Apparel tank and my favorite Burberry cardigan. What do you guys think?</p><p>And of course, don&#8217;t forget to check out the Vivienne Westwood exhibit at the De Young museum until June 10, 2007. Check out for more information!</p><br>?<p>Yesterday&#8217;s post, well, it never posted! So it will be below today&#8217;s.</p><p>While packing up to leave Amsterdam, I checked in again with the Glamour team, who are just now finishing up in Milan, to see what&#8217;s rocking their world on the passerella. (That&#8217;s Italian for runway.)</p><p>Sasha, in addition to getting meta and pointing out some early 90s Isaac Mizrahi moments like this&#8230;</p><br><p>&#8230;agrees with me that the easy dress is the number one object of Spring &#8216;08 pining.</p><br><p>This was her number one &#8220;yes please&#8221; dress so far:</p><br><p>Glamour&#8217;s fashion market director Sarah Meikle, meanwhile, found much to love in Jil Sander&#8217;s use of neon:</p><br><p>Sarah&#8217;s heart is also with: how Burberry combined thin-ish studded belts with ruched chiffon dresses, the full skirts at Marni and Prada, the skinny cropped pants at Gucci, and the long hippie florals at D&G. (Aside: D&G was very different in mood from Dolce & Gabbana, which was A LOT more structured. I think &#8220;bridge lines&#8221; like Marc by Marc Jacobs, D&G and DKNY have finally, fully developed their very own, totally individual identities as opposed to being signature collection-lite.) And Rae Ann Scandroli Herman (that&#8217;s a lot of names!), Glamour&#8217;s accessories director, is feeling the patent leather accessories at Marni, especially. Ah, patent! If this continues at Paris, I&#8217;m going to have a light wallet come next winter, when this stuff finally gets into shops. Waterproof, scratch-proof, wear-proof, patent is my favorite substance in the world.</p><p>OK, sorry again about the traffic jam of posts today. Will be back again Monday, as Paris gets started for real.</p>&#8212;Alex?<p></p><p> gave us the best of both worlds by going uber-glam in a sequined on the bottom and covering up with a menswear-inspired tweed coat with fur lapels on top. It's a great way to temper the flash factor and show off your eclectic side. </p><p></p><p> took the slightly more understated route in this ruched beige dress from . She gave the look a little edge with a saddle-colored leather belt and chunky open-toed shoes. </p><p>Sign up for Glamour.com&#8217;s and newsletters! </p><p></p><p> also wore Burberry--her knotted silk skirt and sheer chiffon top came from the same collection, and she chased the London chill by throwing a black overcoat on top. She's been --does this look win you over? </p><p></p><p>And then we have , who proves that . Check out those insane accessories--killer patent ankle boots, , and a bright clutch. This is why she's a fashion icon, people! </p><p>Time to dish, dolls! Which front-row darling had your favorite look at Burberry? Which of these outfits would you actually wear yourself? And who needed another look in the mirror? Discuss! </p><p><br>()<br></p><p>More Ways to Get Glamour<br>You could win $50,000 just for or to Glamour.com!<br><br></p>Photos: Mike Marsland/WireImage?<p></p><p>Now all women can master the immaculate, sculpted, sexy look their supernaturally stunning models (Hey there, Jourdan Dunn!) are known for, and no one could possibly be happier than I. In fact, I popped by the Burberry Beauty counter inside of a few weeks ago to play around with the new SKUs, and was shocked to learn that my complex complexion could be perfectly matched to Trench No. 12 for foundation and Amber No. 5 for concealer.</p><p>At $40 for the Sheer Luminous Concealer, $52 for the Sheer Luminous Fluid Foundation, and $55 for the Sheer Luminous Compact Foundation, yes&#8212;it's certainly a pretty pricey investment... But for seamless, flawless-looking skin on a daily basis, isn't the higher price well worth it?</p>?<p>The New York City skyline will be forever changed tonight when Burberry's new Madison Avenue headquarters officially lights up for the first time. I'll be there with Blake Lively and Penn Badgley, Mary-Kate Olsen, and Helena Christensen to watch it all unfold from the 54th floor of the New York Palace Hotel (home to Serena Van Der Woodsen!), but you can get a sneak peek now: Check out a very cool time-lapse video of the transformation, and then read on for our interview with Christopher Bailey:</p><p><p><p><p></p><p>Slaves to Fashion: How exactly did Burberry Day come about? And do we have to celebrate by wearing plaid?<br>Christopher Bailey: Burberry Day really came from the mayor, Mayor Bloomberg, because we were speaking to him about all of the different investments we&#8217;re doing in New York City, and he was really excited about it. We have our new headquarters here in New York, we just put the sign up here, we&#8217;re opening new stores in Manhattan, and tonight we&#8217;re giving a grant to the Robin Hood foundation for half a million dollars, which will be matched by a private donor, to make a total contribution of a million dollars to the Robin Hood Foundation []. New York is such an important city for us, we wanted to give back as well. Mayor Bloomberg thought it was significant enough a contribution that he wanted to declare it Burberry Day, just like a little birthday! </p><p>STF: You know, the sign really looks like it's been here forever, like it's part of New York.<br>CB: That&#8217;s exactly what I said. I was a bit worried that it would stand out too much, but actually it feels like it&#8217;s been here forever, and I hope it will be here for a long, long, long time to come. I love that we&#8217;re part of the New York skyline. It&#8217;s so iconic in the world, that skyline, and I love that and we&#8217;re a part of it now.</p><p>STF: What's your relationship with New York like?<br>CB: I've been coming to New York for years and years. Well I lived here for three years when I worked for Donna Karan, I lived in Murray Hill, and I've still got friends here, and I come really regularly. In the last month I think I've been here maybe three times. I have a good relationship with New York. It's a fast, exciting city. </p><p>STF: What are your favorite things to do when you're here?<br>CB: My favorite thing to do, it&#8217;s kind of weird but I always go straight to the Apple store on Fifth Avenue. I get such a buzz when I'm there. Even though I already have everything I could possibly need, I just love it. I also just love walking around. Uptown, downtown, there&#8217;s such a mix and a juxtaposition. That&#8217;s what&#8217;s incredible about New York, there are so many different facets and possibilities and everyone has their own neighborhood, they&#8217;re like little villages and communities and I think that&#8217;s specific to New York. I&#8217;ve lived so many cities around the world and it&#8217;s only like that here.</p><p></p><p>STF: Do you think New Yorkers, or maybe Americans in general, perceive Burberry differently than Brits? <br>CB: We're such a global company that there&#8217;s a different perception everywhere in the world. In New York, we&#8217;re really the trench coat company. We have a strong tradition, but there's a trench coat for everyone--the traditional one, the younger, more fashion-forward one.</p><p>STF: But you've done a lot since you arrived at Burberry to change that image--does it bother you that you're still thought of that way here? <br>CB: Yes, it&#8217;s a big heritage company, we&#8217;re 153 years old, but it wasn&#8217;t moving forward anymore. Thomas Burberry, the founder of Burberry, was incredibly modern and he was somebody very international and he was a real entrepreneur and I felt that had gotten lost a little. I sometimes describe Burberry as a diamond that&#8217;s been trodden into the ground a little and all I had to do was shine it and polish up all those facets.</p><p>STF: you're bringing Burberry's runway show back to London in September for the spring 2010 collection. What was the thinking behind that?<br>CB: It just felt like the right time. Right now there&#8217;s such a great energy there and the British Fashion Council and London Fashion Week is celebrating its 25th anniversary and I felt if there&#8217;s ever a moment to do it, this is it. </p><p>STF: London Fashion Week has changed so much even in the last five or six years. Do you think your arrival there will transform things even more?<br>CB: Burberry is the biggest fashion brand in the UK and I really think it will add a gravitas to fashion week. It&#8217;s good to get big brands back there. We can hopefully draw more press into London, more buyers into London. There is so much young talent in London now, and these small designers today are the big brands of tomorrow, so we need to be thoughtful of that. </p><p>STF: Well thanks for bringing the London weather with you...<br>CB: Happy Burberry Day! </p><p><br><br></p>Photo: courtesy of Burberry?No! "My twin sister died in my arms because a guy had a rifle."<p>A little over a year ago, my twin sister, Ashley, and I were hanging out watching TV and eating pistachios at the Lambda Chi frat house at Florida State University, where we attended school. Around 1:15 A.M. Ashley went to the bathroom&#8212;the exact moment that one of the guys in the next room, Evan Wilhelm, was showing off his rifle. Just as Ashley came out, the gun went off accidentally. She never made it past the doorway.</p><p>I'm still in shock. Ashley was my identical twin. I was born with her. We ate together, we shared our clothes&#8212;that night she was wearing my pants, and I had on her Burberry scarf.</p><p>Guns are not permitted at FSU, and Evan has been charged with manslaughter [he has pleaded not guilty]. But since Ashley's death, my father helped defeat a proposed Florida law that would have made some firearms legal on campuses. [They're allowed at more than 220 colleges and universities in other states.] I want to speak out too. Making guns legal would only result in more tragedies like our family's. Firearms are just not appropriate in a college setting. Even when trained to use one, too many young people think they're invincible and don't make good decisions. There are other ways to protect yourself: pepper spray, a whistle, a flashlight.</p><p>Since Ashley's death, we've set up a scholarship in her name. But I've lost the person I loved most in the world. That shouldn't happen to anyone else.</p>Yes! "If I'd had my gun, I might have stopped my rapist."<p>By the time I turned five or six, my dad had me at target practice. At 22 I got my conceal-and-carry permit and my own Glock. I really wanted that firearm because on a tall day I'm only 5'2", and I knew it would be the one equalizing factor for me if I were ever attacked. Which I was.</p><p>After a night class during my junior year at the University of Nevada, Reno, I was heading to my Nissan in a campus garage when a man jumped out from between cars. He put a pistol to my temple and clicked off the safety&#8212;I knew that sound. He told me to keep quiet before he brutally raped me.</p><p>Of course, I didn't have my gun; UNR, like most schools, bans them. And after he attacked me, that man, James Biela, raped at least one other woman and went on to kill a third. I testified at his trial and at the sentencing that dealt him the death penalty.</p><p>Would things have gone differently if I'd had my weapon? I think so. True, you can carry pepper spray, but chances are you've never used it before and it may not work fast enough, and whistles work only if help is nearby. Women talk about "choice" over what they do with their body; well, I consider it the ultimate choice to decide how I'm going to defend mine. As it is now, criminals know they'll be unmatched when they enter university grounds. Had I been able to stop Biela, more rapes could have been prevented. And a young woman might still have her life.</p>Choose your side. Comment below to tell us where you stand.?<p> &copy; 2012 Cond&eacute; Nast. All rights reserved<br> Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our (effective 3/21/12) and (effective 3/21/12). <br> <br> The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Cond&eacute; Nast. </p>?<p><br><p>Catherine Malandrino and Mary J. Blige.</p><br>I stopped by the Catherine Malandrino Maison soiree. &#8220;I wanted it to feel like home,&#8221; the French designer said of her new two-floor boutique in West Hollywood, which features cozy touches such as a fireplace and a cafe. In case you're not familiar with her line, one of the many great things about Catherine&#8217;s clothes is that they work on everyone, whether it&#8217;s the designer herself, her young step-daughter who&#8217;s an intern at a NYC PR firm (and looks like she could be an extra on Gossip Girl) or Mary J. Blige, who was chilling out on the patio as guests sipped cocktails. &#8220;I love her fur vests,&#8221; she revealed. (Who can blame her?)<br><br><p>Sanaa Lathan at Malandrino's store opening party.</p><br>Next up, onto Burberry&#8217;s Beverly Hills&#8217; store. (I wasn&#8217;t the only social butterfly out that night: Maria Menounos and Sanaa Lathan hit up both the Burberry and Malandrino party too!) At Burberry, Christopher Bailey&#8217;s rocker-chic aesthetic was on full view at the re-opening of the store. Famed fashion shutterbug Mario Testino and hottie DJ Ryan Gosling stood in as the evening&#8217;s hosts. <br><br><p>Mario Testino and Christopher Bailey.</p><br>As this was the London-based Bailey&#8217;s first trip to L.A. since he was first appointed creative director in 2001, his Hollywood admirers turned out in full force to greet him---including super-stylish singletons Kate Hudson and Liv Tyler. (Both dressed in head-to-toe Burberry, natch.)<br><br><p>Liv Tyler and Kate Hudson at Burberry.</p><br>While the ladies looked lovely in Bailey&#8217;s designs, I couldn&#8217;t help but be tempted by the menswear: I somehow resisted the urge to shoplift a crocodile man-bag. Fortunately, Bailey generously gifted all of his guests with a goody bag&#8212;it wasn&#8217;t croc, but it did contain the most glamorous journal that I&#8217;ve ever seen. Perfect for taking notes at fashion parties!<br><br><p>Mischa Barton at Burberry.</p><br>If you could go on a shopping spree at Catherine Malandrino Maison or Burberry, which boutique would you pick? What would you grab first?</p>Photo: GettyImages?<p></p><p>Burberry's trim, long-sleeve floral dress was given a tough, city girl update with the addition of black accessories. What a good mix!</p><p></p><p>Hel-lo fierce. At Jonathan Saunders, coral red accents popped against a negative black and white floral motif dress. </p><p></p><p>Neon purple Deco-era florals appeared in Christopher Kane's fall collection. This leather-trimmed dress would be way chic for day or evening. </p><p></p><p>For all you girly girls, here's a gorgeous full skirt frock from Erdem complete with matching floral pumps. </p><p></p><p>The flirty floral dress was all grown up (and ready for the red carpet) on Peter Pilotto's fall runway. </p><p>So dolls, which of these sexy, serious dresses would you wear? Are you into the fall florals trend?</p>Photos: Jonathan Saunders, Christopher Kane; Getty Images, Erdem, Burberry, Peter Pilotto via?<p>If our cat sweater wasn't enough encouragement to get your hands on an animal knit stat, let the horse, owl, and tiger versions spotted in the past few weeks at Altuzarra, Burberry, and Kenzo's Fall shows inspire you to shop these versions today. I love 'em layered over a crisp white button down, paired with wide leg trousers as part of an ultra-chic work look.<br></p>?<p>Hey all, so sorry for the late-ish post today. Caught up in meetings, et cetera. ANYWAY: I've been thinking about fall stuff, and how desperately I want some of it, after giving some of my fave fall picks to a local newspaper. Why, oh why, do I crave this, even when it's 80 degrees? <p><p>. Too Paris Hilton?<p><p>This . Yes, you heard me - sweater.<p><p>This . Because it rained this weekend, and I needed it.<p><p>Has anyone else bought fall stuff yet?<p>?<p> &copy; 2012 Cond&eacute; Nast. All rights reserved<br> Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our (effective 3/21/12) and (effective 3/21/12). <br> <br> The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Cond&eacute; Nast. </p>?<p></p><p>Last week in Los Angeles, Burberry hosted a garden party to launch their new beauty brand, and showed her support for the label in this nude lace dress from their pre-fall 2010 collection. She complemented the ladylike shape with an array of neutral accessories. </p><p>Sign up for Glamour.com&#8217;s and newsletters!</p><p></p><p>Back in February, wore the same dress, in black, to the Elle Style Awards. Some of the details get lost on her version, but the lacy sleeves have a more dramatic feel. Simple black pumps and a soft updo were her only additions to the look.</p><p>Which version do you dolls prefer? Kate's springy, neutral take, or Claire's LBD? How would you have accessorized each? Cast your vote now, then discuss!</p><p><br><br><br><br>PLUS! More fabulous Fashion Faceoffs:<br><br><br></p><p>Glamour stylists answer your fashion questions at . Ask away!<br>You could win $50,000 or to Glamour.com!<br>Visit for cute stuff starting at just $10!<br></p>Photos: Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images; Charley Gallay/Getty Images?<br><p> asked me to pick my top 5 shows to review on their "Best of" series so I got to spend my morning going through my favorite shows on . I decided to go for Balenciaga, Prada, Burberry, Valentino and J Mendel. I love when designers challenge themselves and adore anything modern that pushes the envelope. Sometimes I see a collection that I know would never wear but it becomes my favorite because I wish I were the girl who would. For example: Balenciaga's floral armor suits. How amazing would it be to wear that to your next party?</p> - Photo: Chris Moore/Getty Images?<p></p><p>Serena Williams was looking...how shall we put this...rather, um, voluptuous when she had her photo taken just outside of the show. This feels like the perfect opportunity to play "Five Words or Less", doesn't it? You know the game: Just fill in the blank in under five parts of speech:</p><p>When Burberry asked Serena Williams to sit front row, she figured she'd bring her _____ .</p><p> and get the best of our fashion blog, delivered straight to your inbox!</p><p>Want more "Five Words or Less" fun?<br><br><br></p>Photo: Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images<p>Can't get enough of STF's celebrity style coverage? </p><p></p>?<p></p><p>Amazing, right? And so different from the brand's classic (and beloved!) khaki trench. Obviously, I'm really into the metallic clothing, but the space-agey extras like oblong cat eye glasses, transparent jewel tone , and chromey silver really sent us over the edge. The fashion team had a collective "ooh, aah," over these pics yesterday. </p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>What do you guys think? Are you into it, or do you prefer the classic Burberry look?</p>Photos: Style.com<p><br></p>?<p> &copy; 2012 Cond&eacute; Nast. All rights reserved<br> Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our (effective 3/21/12) and (effective 3/21/12). <br> <br> The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Cond&eacute; Nast. </p>?<p>GLAMOUR: In Adam, you play a sensitive dude who falls for his neighbor, played by Rose Byrne. Are you as much of a softy in real life?</p><p>Hugh Dancy: As a character, Adam wears his heart on his sleeve. In real life, I try to be honest but not overshare. There are people that turn every conversation into a therapy session and you want to start charging them.</p><p>GLAMOUR: What&#8217;s the difference between men and women when it comes to style?</p><p>HD: I think that women don&#8217;t bother disguising their desire and pleasure in dressing up, and that men, for whatever reason, tend to be a little more embarrassed. </p><p>GLAMOUR: How would you describe your style?</p><p>HD: Hit and miss.</p><p>GLAMOUR: What are the hits and what are the misses?</p><p>HD: Well, there&#8217;s a part of me that wants to look nice and occasionally wants to be snappy, and the other part of me that just wants to wear the same sweater until I die. And I&#8217;m in constant conflict between those two sides. </p><p>GLAMOUR: Does Claire like your style?</p><p>HD: If she&#8217;s got strong opinions, she very tactfully keeps them to herself!</p><p>GLAMOUR: Do you have a red-carpet regimen?</p><p>HD: I get dressed two minutes before I leave, and then I try to get my friends to go have a drink. I prefer to keep that time free for a glass of champagne. I try to keep it personal.</p><p>GLAMOUR: What&#8217;s a great outfit for a woman to wear on a date?</p><p>HD: No one has ever mistaken me for someone who should be giving fashion advice, but I will say I&#8217;m always impressed by women who have kind of figured out their own style and comfort. That&#8217;s what I find attractive. </p><p>GLAMOUR: You starred in the Burberry campaign with Kate Moss. What was it like standing next to one of the most famous models in the world?</p><p>HD: I had a really good time, but it was not something that completely rocked my world. </p><p>GLAMOUR: So you don&#8217;t aspire to be a male model?</p><p>HD: Exactly.</p><p>GLAMOUR: What did you think of what the model wore in our shoot?</p><p>HD: All I remember is we were walking along in a field [right] and she was wearing shorts with a coat and I was very concerned that her legs must be freezing. Also, I was focusing my energy on trying to grow four inches&#8212;she was so tall!</p><p>GLAMOUR: How tall are you?</p><p>HD: Not as tall as her! </p>?<p>People had many reactions to the news last year that Katie Holmes was pregnant: happiness, bewilderment, shock. Me, I cried. My husband came home to find me curled up on our bedroom floor, whimpering and waterlogged, a stupid celebrity magazine clutched to my empty, empty belly. Katie&#8217;s baby, you see, was due about the same time as the one I had just miscarried.</p><p>It had taken me 14 months to get pregnant, the last five of which were a flurry of blood tests, sonograms and hormone injections, some administered to my midriff by my husband after excusing ourselves briefly and mysteriously from dinner parties. Because I was 36 and the incidence of chromosomal abnormalities increases with age, we&#8217;d chosen to undergo chorionic villus sampling (CVS), an invasive diagnostic test available earlier than amniocentesis that carries a less than one percent risk of miscarriage. After the amniotic fluid gushed from between my legs in the hospital cafeteria a half-hour later, after a week of petrified bed rest, after the doctor, frowning at the ultrasound, murmured, &#8220;No fluid, no heartbeat,&#8221; we joined that one percent. The baby, test results later confirmed, had been perfectly healthy.</p><p>Friends sent flowers, which were lovely and appreciated. Some, out of habit, signed their cards with their kids&#8217; names, which made me cry even harder. And then there was Katie. And Angelina. And Gwyneth. They got to watch their &#8220;bumps&#8221; grow after a doctor removed from mine the tiny being that would have been my baby. They got to shop for cute Liz Lange maternity camisoles while I had to slink, defeated, back to the fertility clinic. When they finally gave birth last spring, it was relatively speaking, a relief: It felt to me like they had all been pregnant for years.</p><p>I know. I should not care about Katie or Angelina or Gwyneth. I should concentrate on my own wellness and nurture hope for the future. Should, yes. The problem is, the frenzy over pregnant celebrities is only one symptom of a larger phenomenon that&#8212;for fertile and infertile women alike&#8212;is nearly impossible to ignore: The world has become baby obsessed. &#8220;What we&#8217;re witnessing in our culture is a rampaging, almost hysterical fixation on pregnancy and babies and how having them will transform your life and allow you to reach nirvana,&#8221; says Susan J. Douglas, Ph.D., professor of communication studies at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor and coauthor of The Mommy Myth. &#8220;For infertile women, it&#8217;s like a giant megaphone of guilt and shame.&#8221;</p><p>It&#8217;s not that people are having more kids; the national average is still two per family. It&#8217;s that kids seem to have become a Really Big Deal. You know what I mean: celebrity magazines featuring belly-bulge updates, designer diaper bags and million-dollar photos of Hollywood newborns. Fleets of tricked-out strollers blocking your way to a seat at Starbucks. Big-box stores with names that sound like commands (whose idea was Buy Buy Baby?). Cult cable TV shows like A Baby Story and Maternity Ward and fawning blogs like babyrazzi.com. Baby showers and kiddie parties with Spielberg-level production values. Stores displaying got baby? T-shirts and 7 for All Mankind $255 expandable-waist jeans.</p>?<p>This morning the fashion and accessories department set up the fashion closet for Senior Sittings Editor, Maggie Mann's Street Chic shoot to appear in the November issue. I always love looking in the closet before the run-through and trying to predict which four items will appear in 'the book' (that's slang for the magazine). I asked Maggie what she was thinking for the shoot and she said, "Punk, schoolboy, sailor, 80's NYC - everything that I love."</p><p>For inspiration check out </p><p>And the studded shoes from </p><p>These are the four pieces that I think will come back shot. What's your take on the studded Manolos? </p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><br></p>?<p>I'm a control freak and a nervous wreck; as such, I can't leave the house without a watch. Unfortunately, my current one no longer works. It's scratched, old and generally too big. Here, a few I'm craving. <p>The classically gorgeous <p><p> - perfect for the tough girl! <p><p>This is very of the moment <p><p><p><p> with a splash of pink for versatility, style and a great deal<p><p> is super sleek<p><p>Which ones of these, if any, do you like? Or are you just not a watch girl?<p>?<p></p><p>Sign up for Glamour.com&#8217;s and newsletters! </p><p>View photography by The Sartorialist, use Facebook Connect, and share stories of Burberry love with other fans of the brand ()</p><p>Heidi Klum is the new face of Ann Taylor! ()</p><p>Calvin Klein is causing shock and awe with yet another racy billboard ()</p><p>Thakoon is adding jewelry and menswear to his already-substantial resume ()</p><p>Oprah Winfrey made Prabal Gurung's dreams come true! ()</p><p>PLUS</p><p>Are Victoria Beckham and American Idol honcho Simon Fuller starting a modeling agency together? ()</p><p>More Ways to Get Glamour<br>You could win $50,000 just for or to Glamour.com!<br><br></p>?<br> <p>When my little cousin was eight, she asked me if Burberry&#8217;s plaid was trademarked. On a family vacation to the Connecticut coast, she skipped the kayaking and opted to stretch out on the sofa and flip through Vogue. Needless to say, now that she&#8217;s 12, she&#8217;s a full-fledged fashionista (though her taste is more A&F than D&G). All of this is well and good until we get to gift-giving season. A pre-teen with a Marc Jacobs bag is just a little too &#8220;Gossip Girl&#8221; for me. But she does love fashion, and she also loves to read, so I&#8217;m all for combining her passions. I recently attended the launch party for a new teen lit novel called , by Melissa Walker. The pile of books in my office is out of control, but Melissa freelances for Glamour, so I was curious. And seriously, I couldn&#8217;t put it down! It&#8217;s the story Violet Greenfield, a small-town wallflower who gets discovered at her local movie theater and moves to NYC to become a model. Like Shandi from &#8220;America&#8217;s Next Top Model,&#8221; you&#8217;re kind of rooting for her to make it big, and kind of rooting for her to just go home before the biz ruins her. One holiday present down, 25 to go&#8230;</p> <p>Suze will be back on Monday&#8212;it was nice blogging with you!</p>&#8212;Anne?<p></p><p>Kate and paid a surprise visit to Northern Ireland this morning, where they schmoozed with the crowd and flipped pancakes for something known as "Shrove Tuesday." She was looking simultaneously sophisticated and modern in this classic double-breasted coat with a ruffled hem. While her version retails for around $1,000, those of us on a non-princess budget can score the same look for a lot less--every trench here is under $100!</p><p> and get the best of our fashion blog, delivered straight to your inbox! </p><p>Do you have your spring trench yet? Did Kate finally convince you that you need one? Share!</p><p>PLUS...<br>- <br>AND!<br>- </p><p>What's With All the Spam in the Comments Section?<br>Sick of all those annoying ads in the comments section lately? So are we! We police the site regularly and delete spam as soon as we can, but recently, the volume of spam has increased dramatically. We're working on a way to block them permanently, so please bear with us, and know that we're as eager as you are to get read of these pests.</p><p>Meanwhile, please continue to use the Report Abuse button to flag spam--it really does help!-- and continue to leave your brilliant feedback below. If you have any urgent questions about the spam, please .</p>Photo: Chris Jackson/Getty Images Europe<p>Want even more celeb style? Get more juicy scoop via </p><p><br> </p>?<p></p><p>The deep side part/heavy kohl combo was also worn by New York NJ Leigh Lezark--of course. You might not have heard of her, but she's sort of known for always rocking this same hair/makeup look (and for not smiling).</p><p></p><p>Alas: All-the-way-around black liner looks too abrupt on my heavy lidded eyes (actually, even does), and my part can go sleek but not very far to either side due to cowlicks. Still, love this whole gothy look right now. It's sort of perfect for this perpetually sucky weather. </p><p>What about you: Do you ever trace black liner completely around your lids? And can you do the deep-side-part thing? Like Claire's look here? Anybody else in a bleak state of mind this Friday?</p><p>Related:</p><p>* ().</p><p>* . </p><p>* </p><p>More Cool Ways to Get Glamour.com Wherever You Go!<br>, , or .</p>Photos: Getty Images?<p>These are the times that I wish for long hair as opposed to my wash-and-go short cut. I don't think Mary Kate has ever looked better&#8212;and is she almost cracking a smile here? Love the understated brown smoky eyes, pink matte lips, and subtle glow to her cheeks. We may be looking at the spring clothes on the runway, but if this is what fall looks like than bring it on! </p><p>Photo: Chris Jackson/Getty</p><p>To get un-fussy waves, hair pro Ben Skervin suggests hitting perfectly curled hair with a blow dryer on the lowest speed for soft, beachy texture.</p><p>Sign up for Glamour.com&#8217;s of the Week and of the Day newsletters!</p><p>Seen any front row beauty looks that have caught your eye lately? Do Mary Kate's touchable, ladylike waves inspire you to whip out your curling iron and a hair dryer? Discuss!</p><p>More Ways to Get Glamour<br>You could win $50,000 just for or to Glamour.com!<br>Add Glamour to your . <br>Follow us on .</p>?<p></p><p></p><p><p>Burberry loafers, Zara pants, vintage denim shirt, Ray ban sunglasses</p></p><p>What's your perfect pair of flats look like? </p><p>More Ways to Get Glamour:<br>Get the latest fashion updates via Twitter on <br>Check out !<br>Read Glamour magazine &#8212;print subscribers, it&#8217;s now part of your subscription plan!<br>Like freebies? Enter !<br> for our fashion and beauty newsletters to get easy style tips (it'll make your inbox 10x sexier, we promise).<br>And, did you know you can read ?! It&#8217;s the ultimate boredom buster.</p>Photos: Ruy S.?<p>Here she is in New York City, promoting her Lifetime movie, Abducted.<br></p><p>A few days before that she attended Teen Vogue's 10th Annual Young Hollywood party as a brunette.<br></p><p>Which hair color do y'all like more? I'm team brunette as I think it's fresher and makes her look more youthful. I'm sure you guys can't wait to weigh in, so vote below and then discuss! </p><p><br></p><p>PS...Remember when ? And when Emma Stone first ? </p> Photos: Getty Images?<p></p><p>The British Fashion Council is working on getting even more big names to London Fashion Week ()</p><p>But here in New York, the iconic DKNY wall in Soho has been painted over to make way for the new Hollister space--sad! ()</p><p>Paris got a little love from Mrs. Obama and her daughters earlier this week--want to see what she wore on her shopping trip? ()</p><p>Meanwhile, the Venice Biennale is a who's who of fashion folks ()</p><p>And Marc Jacobs may be in Italy this week, but his heart is in Rio--or at least his Resort 2010 collection is! ()</p><p><br><br></p>Photo: George Rose/Getty Images?<p>I started styling people when I was just eight years old, without even knowing what a stylist was. One of my guy friends wore only soccer clothes to school, and it bugged me because his family was very well-dressed&#8212;they always wore Ralph Lauren&#8212;and I knew he had better clothes! So I went to his house one day and set up looks for Monday through Friday. I laid them out head to toe with shoes and everything. Isn&#8217;t that weird for an eight-year-old to do? But he wore them and was so handsome.</p><p>Fashion, style, taste&#8212;I know it&#8217;s all subjective. But at the end of the day, I think we&#8217;re all just trying to achieve that Pretty Woman moment when we go from God-knows-what-we-were-wearing to total princesses. Shouldn&#8217;t every woman feel like she has red-carpet moments? Just saying, shouldn&#8217;t we all live the dream? It doesn&#8217;t matter if you&#8217;re going to an office party or dinner with your boyfriend. It&#8217;s about feeling great in that moment and having a picture you can look at later and say &#8220;I turned it out that night.&#8221;</p><p>So here are my DOs and DON&#8217;Ts for style like that every day&#8212;and what I&#8217;ve learned about living a happy life to go with it. </p>DO tread lightly on trends. <br><p>You have to interpret what&#8217;s hot to make it work on yourself. If tweed suits are in but you&#8217;re not a suit kind of girl, wear the jacket with jeans and a pair of Converses. The idea is that you wear it the way that becomes the most you. For example, skinny jeans couldn&#8217;t be more in style, but they make my legs look really short, so I only do them with thigh-high boots. </p>DON&#8217;T wear pants the wrong length.<br><p>Something that&#8217;s very painful for me is when people wear pants that are too short. I can&#8217;t, you know what I mean? Here&#8217;s the rule: Unless they&#8217;re cropped to ankle length on purpose, your pants should always skim the ground, like just a quarter-inch above the bottom of your foot. In the luxurious life, we would have different pairs of the same style hemmed for heels and hemmed for flats, but most of us don&#8217;t, so you have to choose. If you&#8217;re going to make the commitment to wear heels, your pants have to skim the ground. Please just commit. I can&#8217;t bear too-short pants. They make me crazy!</p>DON&#8217;T mix hardware<br><p>Let&#8217;s say your bag has silver metal, but your jacket and your belt and your shoes have gold. No. I don&#8217;t love mixing. </p>?<p></p><p>1. Teresa Regrets the Way She Treated Danielle Staub<br>Why? Because she claims she was bullied by Caroline this season. Caroline demands at least one example. Teresa claims it was the "whole season!" Caroline keeps pushing, Teresa insists her example is the "whole season."</p><p>2. Caroline Was So Hurt to See Her Sister Dina on the Show<br>Teresa, again, laments how hurt she was that Melissa and Kathy signed on to be on the RHONJ without telling her. To which Caroline asks how it was any different to bring on her sister Dina--something Caroline did not know about--this season? "It was a knife in my heart to see Dina," Carolina says. "Why was it okay to bring my sister on show to talk about me?" We're still waiting for Teresa's response.</p><p>3. Melissa Doesn't Lip Sync--and Her Songs Are About Teresa?<br>Melissa, God bless her patience, literally starts singing like she's auditioning for Pitch Perfect. Why? Because Teresa bullied her into doing it! Teresa kept claiming that Melissa lip syncs and to shut her up--Melissa belted out a song right then and there. It still wasn't good enough for T who had to sing a few lines of "On Display"--which Teresa swears Melissa wrote about her and the paparazzi that T is constantly battling.</p><p></p><p>4. Teresa Doesn't Cook Her Own Food<br>According to Melissa, T has her mom cook all the "fabulous" meals she Tweets about and shows in her cookbooks.</p><p></p><p>5. The Real Reason Joe and Melissa Sold Their House . . .<br>They didn't want their kids going to school with Teresa's kids. "I see where this is going and I only have one little girl," Melissa tearfully revealed.</p><p>And then Joe Giudice came out onto the couch to speak his piece and clear a few things up. Not that I want to single him out, but he gets his own list of shockers.</p><p></p><p>1. Joe chugged a Red Bull--in front of a horrified Andy Cohen--before things got going. He also looked disheveled and like he hadn't slept in days.</p><p>2. He won't watch the RHONJ episodes but he did watch Teresa on the Celebrity Apprentice (PS--Caroline watched too!)</p><p>3. Oh, that phone convo in Napa? The one where he called Teresa a "see you next Tuesday?" (no, I will not say it or write it) He was talking to an old friend and promises it wasn't an old girlfriend. If it was an ex or mistress, he would have just ripped the mic off. Phew, that makes me feel so much better about his behavior!</p><p>4. Teresa was hurt when she watched that fateful scene but "not going to divorce him over it." Joe was pissed the scene aired at all because it "cost him a lot of money." In apology jewelry to Teresa that is . . . and Joe was such a mensch about the whole thing that he even went back and forth to the jewelry store until Teresa was happy with what he picked out. Usually she just has to accept whatever he gives her and get over it.</p><p>5. Apparently, Teresa thinks that Chris cheated on Jacqueline--a claim that Jacqueline vehemently denies. But if we're all gonna be honest here? Jacqueline was pretty adamant that Joe calls Teresa horrible names all the time, they hit each other during their fights and that T caught Joe with the baby-sitter and his secretary, just to name a few . . .</p><p>AHHHH! What did you think of all the craziness tonight? Who are the real victims and who is full of you know what? And what do you think will happen next week when Teresa and her brother are face to face for the first time in a year?</p><p>More reality TV we can't get enough of!<br>* <br>* <br>* </p><p>P.S. Want more Obsessed? that features the latest celebrity gossip, TV news, hilarious Internet sensations, and more! </p>Photos: Bravo<p></p><p><br></p>?<p></p><p>We know she was wearing all Burberry makeup&#8212;makes sense, since she's a spokesmodel for &#8212;but what I really wanted to know was what lipstick Rosie was sporting. It was just so... perfectly rosie!</p><p>I love a lip that looks matte and just-ever-so-slightly-darker-than natural, you know? Especially with fuller lips, it's hard to wear lipstick and matte color otherwise&#8212;sometimes a matte color looks too intense on a full mouth.</p><p>Anyway, the exact color Rosie is wearing in this photo is Burberry's </p><p>What do you think? Are you looking for more natural-looking or matte lip colors this spring? Tell me what your favorite colors are! Lately, I've been using a lot of Maybelline's Baby Lips tinted lip balm (in ) and, of course, my from Burt's Bees.</p><p>PLUS...<br>&#183; <br>&#183; <br>&#183; </p>Photo courtesy Burberry?<p><br>Women's Lightweight Surplus Jacket, $17.99 at </p><p>Are you into these jackets STF? Which style is your fave? How will you wear it? And remember, if you've got a question about how to wear something or just a good 'ole fashion crisis, we're here to help! Send us your winter fashion Q's (it's never to early to think about holiday dressing, right?) and you just may see yours answered in an upcoming issue of Glamour!<br></p><p></p><p>More Ways to Get Glamour:<br>Chat with celebs, VIP fashion stars, beauty pros and more on our Facebook page! Visit for this month&#8217;s schedule <br>Get the latest fashion updates via Twitter on <br>Check our chic ! <br>Read Glamour magazine on your &#8212;print subscribers, it&#8217;s now part of your subscription plan! <br>Like freebies? Enter the latest Glamour ! <br>Sign up for our fashion and beauty to get easy style tips<br>And, did you know you can read glamour.com on your ?! </p>?<p></p><p>Believe it or not, the most-seized counterfeit item by U.S. Customs & Border Protection in 2011 was fake "Sex and the City" perfume. Yes, fake "Sex and the City" perfume.<br><br>WWD :CBP&#8217;s Intellectual Property Rights &#8220;National Targeting and Analysis Group&#8221; in Los Angeles focused on 138 commercial shipments of perfume for possible trademark infringement and 52 of the shipments were seized for infringing on the &#8220;Sex and the City&#8221; trademark. The combined seized shipments contained more than 1 million bogus perfume items and were valued domestically at $8 million, Customs said. The same authentic items selling at retail would have been more than $45 million.<br><br>To be completely honest, the first thing I thought when reading this story was, "Wait, is there a 'Sex and the City' perfume? Like, a real one?"<br><br>Is there? I'm still not sure. Googling around turned up a slew of fake fragrances for sale on legit sites such as and . How do we know they're fake? Well, they're called "Sex in the City"&#8212;yeah, FYI counterfeit dudes, getting the name of the TV show wrong pretty much gives it away.<br><br>Are you surprised that fake "Sex and the City" fragrances were the most-seized counterfeit items at the border last year? Seriously, I though it'd be Vuitton bags or something like that...</p>?<p>The bombshell is also the face of the fragrance Burberry Body, which means she has full access to the British brand's enviably chic collections, and she's been taking advantage of them with jaw-dropping results. </p><p></p><p>She sat front row at the spring 2012 show earlier this week, and we were floored by how she put a few simple pieces together to make one statement-making outfit: Perfect-fitting , a bright coat, and accessories that don't overwhelm, but perfectly complement, all come together to make basics suddenly seem totally fresh. </p><p></p><p>She also hit the red carpet during London Fashion Week at the Moet & Chandon Etoile Awards, and totally stole the spotlight in this equal-parts-ethereal-and-sexy plunging gown, also by Burberry. Her styling choices really seal the deal here: , , pumps and a touch of sparkle, courtesy of Chopard jewels. Stunning, huh? </p><p></p><p>Just a week earlier, she was at for the Burberry Body fragrance launch and managed to look both sexy and laidback in this perfectly tailored . When you've got a body like hers, going shirtless is not only an option, it's a genius wardrobe choice. </p><p>Are you gals as obsessed with Rosie's wardrobe as we are? Do you think she's one to watch on the red carpet? And which of these looks is your favorite? Discuss!</p><p>PLUS...<br>- <br>AND!<br>- </p><p>More Ways to Get Glamour:<br>Chat with celebs, VIP fashion stars, beauty pros and more on our Facebook page! Visit for this month&#8217;s schedule<br>Get the latest fashion updates via Twitter on <br>Check out !<br>Read Glamour magazine &#8212;print subscribers, it&#8217;s now part of your subscription plan!<br>Like freebies? Enter !<br> for our fashion and beauty newsletters to get easy style tips (it'll make your inbox 10x sexier, we promise).<br>And, did you know you can read ?! It&#8217;s the ultimate boredom buster.</p>Photos: Getty Images<p>Want even more STF? </p><p> </p>?<p><p>Is this what a sugar daddy looks like? As if I would have any idea.</p></p><p>...It's apparently where wealthy men are the most promiscuous. , asking them how many sexual partners they had per year. If a man had more than seven, he was deemed "promiscuous" (no word on what determined that number as the standard). And the cities with the highest percentage of guys who are promiscuous is as follows:</p><p>The least promiscuous? New York and San Francisco were among them, with less than 15% of their sugar daddies having seven-plus partners a year. Yep, NYC and San Fran: where men will basically pay for women to be their girlfriends, but not seven of them a year. Way to have standards!</p><p>Obviously, the statistics probably aren't relevant to the average man in Chicago or Atlanta or wherever, since the average guy probably isn't a member of this particular type of dating website. But still, it's an interesting breakdown of the guys who are, right? When I think of Chicago guys, I pretty much just picture a bunch of , not a bunch of promiscuous sugar daddies. But hey, those beefy dudes are more my style anyway.</p><p>Any surprises here? Anybody know any Chicago playboys? Are you surprised the Big Apple has such non-promiscuous sugar daddies?</p><p>Sex and all the cities:<br>*<br>*<br>*</p>?<p> &copy; 2012 Cond&eacute; Nast. All rights reserved<br> Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our (effective 3/21/12) and (effective 3/21/12). <br> <br> The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Cond&eacute; Nast. </p>?<p>Burberry's Spring 2012 lineup was filled with rich, autumnal colors and cute transitional pieces like parka jackets and hand-worked knits that a gal getting dressed in 50-degree temps could totally work with. </p><p></p><p>Many of the fab runway outfits consisted of a patterned top or sweater tucked into a high-waist A-line skirt. The color combos were off-the-hook - navy and plum or rust and jade green, for instance - and everything had a hand-worked quality that gave a retro, back-when-we-made-our-own-clothes feel. </p><p></p><p>Some of those looks were finished with a little cropped parka which added a sportier element and intensified the color block-action. These outfits were my fave because they blended ladylike elegance with a young, urban feel. What a good combo!</p><p>Are you into it too? Here's my take on the look for less, <br></p><p>Dolls, what do you think? Do you like these outfits as much as I do? Would you wear a look like this for fall? Have any styling thoughts to share? Do tell! </p><p>More Ways to Get Glamour:<br>Get the latest fashion updates via Twitter on <br>Check out !<br>Read Glamour magazine &#8212;print subscribers, it&#8217;s now part of your subscription plan!<br>Like freebies? Enter !<br> for our fashion and beauty newsletters to get easy style tips (it'll make your inbox 10x sexier, we promise).<br>And, did you know you can read ?! It&#8217;s the ultimate boredom buster.</p>Photos: Getty Images<p> </p>?<p>Comedian Mike Birbiglia was concerned for the other Sesame Street occupants after all of . <br><p>I'm not offended, but there was no mention of Grover in the debates.</p>&mdash; Mike Birbiglia (@birbigs) <br></p><p>Judging from this tweet, Kelly Oxford's daughter is wise beyond her years and also hilarious. Maybe she's the next ?<br><p>"I like that they're saying 'a trillion dollars' and it isn't hyperbole." -11 yr old daughter </p>&mdash; kelly oxford (@kellyoxford) <br></p><p>I so want this to be true! Especially .<br><p>Mitt Romney's sons are secret service agents.</p>&mdash; Neal Brennan (@nealbrennan) <br></p><p>I think we can all agree with on this one (side note: If you haven't seen his movie Safety Not Guaranteed with Aubrey Plaza and Jake Johnson, get on that. It will restore your faith in humanity.)<br><p>I don't want to live in a world where a wee 10" pizza is 2000 calories. That hurts my feelings.</p>&mdash; Mark Duplass (@MarkDuplass) <br></p><p>Rebel Wilson rocks. That's all.<br><p>I got brownies FO FREE for doing Leno tonight </p>&mdash; Rebel Wilson (@RebelWilson) <br></p><p>Eek, don't tell Brooklyn about this confession from .<br><p>Turns out I&#8217;m allergic to all gluten free products. ?</p>&mdash; Jim Gaffigan (@JimGaffigan) <br></p><p>Rock the vote this week...on which tweet you liked the most! Let me know in the comments, k?</p>?<p>*Note to self: Buy stock in David's Bridal.</p><p>I'll post the official photos of the latest collection once they're in, of course, but I got to go to the showroom yesterday to see the new dresses in person six new , six new , and two new bridesmaid colors&#8212;yowza! and I just HAVE to share a couple cruddy iPhone pics of my favorite-ist dress, which comes in three colors!</p><p></p><p><br></p><p><br>Eeeeee!</p><p>Sorry! I just LOVE it! And doesn't the coloring of the pink one remind you of Anne Hathaway's? (Not the shape, obviously.) If you didn't know that Anne Hathaway's wedding dress had pink in it, </p><p>And in the back of the bottom photo, you can see one of my favorite bridesmaid dresses! Here's a better look: </p><p>The SWEETEST bridesmaid dress! One of six from @'s latest collection for @! </p>&mdash; Kimberly Fusaro (@KimberlyFusaro) <p>I'm assuming the Instagram photo will show up in the tweet above, but if it doesn't, click your way through! It's worth it!</p><p>So, thoughts on what you've seen of this collection? Are you SO excited to see more?</p><p>You should be!</p><p><br>More from Bridal Market: <br>* </p>?<br><p>Ok it might look painful, but if you want to look like an editor this is an instant "in" to the club: the high heel gladiator chunky sandle. The more painful it looks the better. Think French Vogue's Carine Roitfeld (or every other fashion editor in the business!) I'll show you examples but I should warn you they're going to cost you!</p> <p></p><p></p><p></p>Photo: Billy Farrell/PatrickMcMullan.com?<p></p><p>Drop-dead gorgeous, right? Wendy Rowe, 's lead makeup artist, created the rich red lip with a velvety finish by using their in a new shade called Siren Red.</p><p>I'm obsessed with it because it's an ever-so-slight departure from the classic cherry color we're used to seeing, without it being or a .</p><p>And here's a bonus: The beautiful cranberry/brick red hybrid looks stunning on all complexions. Check out how stunning it looks on Cara Delevingne and :</p><p></p><p>Do you love it too? What do you think about the slightly darker twist on the popular red lip?</p>Photo Credit: Getty Images?<p>Because even if you DO hold your breath for the duration of this one-minute video&#8212;which I did&#8212;you're not going to get to see more than a few snippets of Claire Pettibone's latest . But it's SO worth a watch, if you can handle the anticipation! </p><p><br> <p> from on .</p></p><p><br>Flowers! Lace! Ribbons! I can't WAIT to see more!</p><p>Are you excited to check out Claire Pettibone's newest collection?</p><p>The show's not for more than a week&#8212;I might just die of anticipation! </p><p><br>More from Bridal Market: <br>* <br>* <br></p>?<p><br>At the show () in London last night, guests like Gwyneth Paltrow, Freida Pinto and Posh Spice watched as the house's designer Christopher Bailey sent a bevy of trench-clad models scampering down the runway in teetering platform sandals worn with slouchy little socks&#8212;majorly showing. Honest to the gods of fashion: I love socks and sandals. It has a certain young, downtown, very London feeling that I've always aspired to. Plus, cool girls totally sport this look (Need proof? Kate and Chloe, right here).</p><p></p><p></p><p>So, what do you think, will you be rocking this uber-edgy trend come spring or does it say "fashion victim" to you (Or worse, remind you of ye old camp counselor, who wore socks and Birkenstocks to canteen every night?) And girls, if you do opt to try it (which I hope you do), I seriously encourage you to invest in a few pairs of anti-skid "grip" socks. Sources close to us&#8212;who also happened to be front-row at Burberry&#8212;report that the models looked a bit, er, wobbly, in their socks and high-heels last night. Good luck, brave fashion souls!</p>Top to bottom: Getty Images, Bauer-Griffin, INFPhoto?<p>At last night's Moet & Chandon party in Moscow, Scarlett matched her eye makeup to her gorgeous green dress. </p><p></p><p></p><p>Wow, right? Now, I must include a disclaimer that the light in this photo is quite green itself (unless Scar actually has green hair dye in her hair roots, which would probably have been just a TAD too leprechaun with this outfit). So the dress and the eye makeup are popping more bright green here than they actually were. . We're really talking more a moss green than the emerald it appears as here--either way, such a wonderful fall makeup idea, don't you think? I want to wear some green shadow this weekend, but I'm afraid my only plans are for an extended-family dinner, and this might be a bit much!</p><p>What do you think of Scarlett Johansson's green eye makeup? Would you wear green on YOUR lids?</p>Photo: Getty Images?<p></p><p>I was also really swept away by the other uber important character in the show&#8212;the Hamptons! Now, unless you&#8217;re a member of the Grayson family and have a Grayson sized trust fund, living it up like they do in South Hampton isn&#8217;t quite so attainable. But Montauk, home of Jack Porter&#8217;s cozy Stowaway Tavern, is just as glamorous, has a bit more character and screams beach town charm. I actually spent a few weekends in Montauk over the summer and it&#8217;s the perfect hideaway to escape the drama of your everyday life (you know, like when you&#8217;re hiding your identity and exacting revenge on people that killed your dad) and indulge in the good life.</p><p></p><p>I caught up with some true Montauk experts to fill us in on what the setting for &#8220;Revenge&#8221; is really like and where to go to channel your inner Emily, Jack, Daniel, Ashley, Charlotte, Declan--you get the idea! Lloyd Van Horn is the General Manager of and actress Debi Mazar and her husband Gabriele Corcos are Montauk regulars&#8212;Gabriele is a chef who even designed the MYC&#8217;s summer menu! </p><p>"This area is known for the beaches and space which make it the perfect playground for the young set,&#8221; Lloyd explains. &#8220;Add to that the abundance of nightlife in this area as well as an increasing culinary element and you have a great stage to host the affluent.&#8221;</p><p>Must-Visit Spot #1:<br>Ditch Plains Beach AKA The Perfect Backdrop to Watch Jack&#8217;s Boat Sail Away</p><p></p><p>Says Llyod: "Ditch Plains is what captures the surf set for sure. It is the place that everyone has to go to see what draws people to the area of all walks of life."</p><p><br>Must-Visit Spot #2:<br>Hideway AKA The Low Key Bar That Jack Might Frequent When He Needs a Break From the Stowaway:</p><p></p><p>Says Lloyd: &#8220;Hideaway is a casual place with good atmosphere and food.&#8221; It also is known for it&#8217;s abundant tequila selection!</p><p><br>Must Visit Spot #3<br>South Edison AKA Where Emily and Nolan Would Meet for a Power Lunch</p><p></p><p>Says Debi and Gabriele: &#8220;One of the best local eats, hands down. The atmosphere is genuine and the vibe is absolutely lovely and relaxed, nothing feels better than walking off the beach into South Edison's bright and simple main room and order one of their special Pickle Martinis and an appetizer from their raw bar.&#8221;</p><p><br>Must Visit Spot #4:<br>Navy Beach and Surf Lodge AKA Two Hot Spots Where Emily and Charlotte Could Have a Killer Girls Night Out!</p><p>Says Lloyd: &#8220;Navy Beach, you can dine with your feet in the sand and have a gorgeous view.&#8221;</p><p></p><p>Says Debi and Gabriele: &#8220;If you are in the mood for a real crowd&#8212;Surf Lodge will definitely please you! You will discover yourself peaking into other patrons' dishes, and wondering if you still will have room in your stomach to try something else after you have finished what's in front of you... or you will have simply to come back another time.&#8221; </p><p></p><p><br>Must Visit Spot #5<br>Montauk State Park AKA Where Emily and Jack Could Have a Really Romantic Proposal (I know, I know&#8212;a girl can dream)</p><p></p><p>Says Debi and Gabriele: &#8220;The walk around is glorious either in summer or winter. Views of the ocean are stunning, and with some luck you can see all the way to Rhode Island. It&#8217;s the perfect spot for an impromptu picnic.&#8221;</p><p><br>Must Visit Spot #6:<br> AKA Where Emily Could Have Her Dream Wedding to Jack (again, a girl can dream)</p><p></p><p>Says Lloyd: &#8220;This area has such a large diversified list of things to do that it makes it a natural choice for these events. Add to that you can have paddle board or surfing lessons, and be in flip flops all day. Then you can proceed to get dressed up and have a sophisticated dinner.&#8221;</p><p>PS--Stars that have stayed at the include A, , , , and !</p><p>Have you visited Montauk? Where of these places would you most want to go? And lets def talk about how awesome last week's premiere was while we are at it, okay?<br></p><p>More Revenge!<br>*<br>* <br>* </p><p>P.S. Want more Obsessed? that features the latest celebrity gossip, TV news, hilarious Internet sensations, and more! </p>Photos: Montauk Yacht Club, Montauk Tourism, ABC?<p></p><p>I was also really swept away by the other uber important character in the show&#8212;the Hamptons! Now, unless you&#8217;re a member of the Grayson family and have a Grayson sized trust fund, living it up like they do in South Hampton isn&#8217;t quite so attainable. But Montauk, home of Jack Porter&#8217;s cozy Stowaway Tavern, is just as glamorous, has a bit more character and screams beach town charm. I actually spent a few weekends in Montauk over the summer and it&#8217;s the perfect hideaway to escape the drama of your everyday life (you know, like when you&#8217;re hiding your identity and exacting revenge on people that killed your dad) and indulge in the good life.</p><p></p><p>I caught up with some true Montauk experts to fill us in on what the setting for &#8220;Revenge&#8221; is really like and where to go to channel your inner Emily, Jack, Daniel, Ashley, Charlotte, Declan--you get the idea! Lloyd Van Horn is the General Manager of and actress Debi Mazar and her husband Gabriele Corcos are Montauk regulars&#8212;Gabriele is a chef who even designed the MYC&#8217;s summer menu! </p><p>"This area is known for the beaches and space which make it the perfect playground for the young set,&#8221; Lloyd explains. &#8220;Add to that the abundance of nightlife in this area as well as an increasing culinary element and you have a great stage to host the affluent.&#8221;</p><p>Must-Visit Spot #1:<br>Ditch Plains Beach AKA The Perfect Backdrop to Watch Jack&#8217;s Boat Sail Away</p><p></p><p>Says Llyod: "Ditch Plains is what captures the surf set for sure. It is the place that everyone has to go to see what draws people to the area of all walks of life."</p><p><br>Must-Visit Spot #2:<br>Hideway AKA The Low Key Bar That Jack Might Frequent When He Needs a Break From the Stowaway:</p><p></p><p>Says Lloyd: &#8220;Hideaway is a casual place with good atmosphere and food.&#8221; It also is known for it&#8217;s abundant tequila selection!</p><p><br>Must Visit Spot #3<br>South Edison AKA Where Emily and Nolan Would Meet for a Power Lunch</p><p></p><p>Says Debi and Gabriele: &#8220;One of the best local eats, hands down. The atmosphere is genuine and the vibe is absolutely lovely and relaxed, nothing feels better than walking off the beach into South Edison's bright and simple main room and order one of their special Pickle Martinis and an appetizer from their raw bar.&#8221;</p><p><br>Must Visit Spot #4:<br>Navy Beach and Surf Lodge AKA Two Hot Spots Where Emily and Charlotte Could Have a Killer Girls Night Out!</p><p>Says Lloyd: &#8220;Navy Beach, you can dine with your feet in the sand and have a gorgeous view.&#8221;</p><p></p><p>Says Debi and Gabriele: &#8220;If you are in the mood for a real crowd&#8212;Surf Lodge will definitely please you! You will discover yourself peaking into other patrons' dishes, and wondering if you still will have room in your stomach to try something else after you have finished what's in front of you... or you will have simply to come back another time.&#8221; </p><p></p><p><br>Must Visit Spot #5<br>Montauk State Park AKA Where Emily and Jack Could Have a Really Romantic Proposal (I know, I know&#8212;a girl can dream)</p><p></p><p>Says Debi and Gabriele: &#8220;The walk around is glorious either in summer or winter. Views of the ocean are stunning, and with some luck you can see all the way to Rhode Island. It&#8217;s the perfect spot for an impromptu picnic.&#8221;</p><p><br>Must Visit Spot #6:<br> AKA Where Emily Could Have Her Dream Wedding to Jack (again, a girl can dream)</p><p></p><p>Says Lloyd: &#8220;This area has such a large diversified list of things to do that it makes it a natural choice for these events. 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