Bear chef wins 'Next Great Baker'

Herbert, whose nickname is "Sugar Daddy," is the head chef of the Delaware River and Bay Authority and also runs his own pastry business, Desserts by Dana, in New Castle. "I've been dreaming of this moment ever since I started this competition," Herbert said on the show. "I am the next great baker but that doesn't mean I'm going to stop working hard. You can't." Herbert won the first two competitions of the night. The first involved cleaning the Hoboken Bakery's grease trap, and he got the biggest bucket of gunk the fastest. In the "Beat Buddy" contest, the contestants baked all night to sell goods at 7 in the morning to show fans, using tickets instead of cash. Herbert sold the most -- 432 tickets to the competition's 388 and 244. In the finale, Herbert and finalist Megan Rountree baked cakes for the city of Hoboken. The judges split, with Buddy's mom voting for Dana's cake and the mayor voting for Megan's. That left it up to the Cake Boss to pick the winner, and he named Herbert. Herbert, a 1998 University of Delaware graduate, is known for his ability to create cakes that resemble Gucci and Chanel handbags, Frankenstein's monster, toy soldiers, corseted wedding gowns and Lamborghinis. Herbert was one of 10 contestants chosen to star in the TLC series that was filmed over a three-week period last September at Hudson County Community College in Jersey City, N.J. In addition to the money, Herbert also has the opportunity to work at Valastro's family business, Carlo's Bakery, in Hoboken, N.J. But Herbert isn't sure if he can fit it into his schedule. "My availability is limited," the busy chef has said. In addition to his full-time job and pastry business, he and his wife, Netesha, are expecting their first child, a daughter, in less than a month.

Gucci releases third image for ‘Forever Now’

Coinciding with the start of its 90th anniversary year, Gucci will this month release the third image in its “Forever Now” worldwide advertising campaign, conceived by Creative Director Frida Giannini. Originally launched in February 2010, the campaign celebrates the traditions and values that have helped to make the Gucci name synonymous for quality, Italian craftsmanship and fashion authority. The campaign once again features an original black and white photograph of Gucci artisans in its historic Via delle Caldaie building in Florence, taken by Foto Locchi in 1953. While the two previous campaign images have shown male artisans at work, the new creative depicts the contribution of female artisans. The single and double page spreads will appear in newspapers and lifestyle and business magazines for the first six months of the 90th anniversary year complementing the seasonal fashion campaign. Founded in Florence in 1921, Gucci is one of the world's leading luxury fashion brands. With a renowned reputation for quality and Italian craftsmanship, Gucci designs, manufactures and distributes highly desirable products such as leather goods (handbags, small leather goods, and luggage), shoes, ready-to-wear, silks, timepieces and fine jewellery.

Melbourne mum Duvelle Jeffrey nicked $890,000 to buy bags and shoes

"Once I started I just couldn't stop," Jeffrey told the police. Prosecutor Amina Bhai told the County Court Jeffrey gave money to her parents, sisters and friends, and took them on overseas holidays. The 31-year-old was then earning $3000 a week from companies in the Comunicom Group for contract bookkeeping services. One company, Powerhouse International, lost $204,000 and went under. Ms Bhai said Jeffrey was responsible for all payments into and out of the companies, including wages, marketing service fees and weekly commissions for sales staff. When Powerhouse International's managing director complained about a lack of money in company accounts, Jeffrey said his business practices needed to improve. Defence barrister Greg Barns said the items found in Jeffrey's home were worth $150,000-$200,000. He said she worked from a serviced office in Hawthorn with very little supervision, and when her crimes were detected she felt a sense of relief. "There was an opportunity for creative accounting, and she took it," he said. Jeffrey and her husband sold their East Doncaster home for $1.1 million last year, and she paid her share of $219,000 to her victims. The mother of a four-year-old and a one-year-old now lives in a rented home in Point Cook. She pleaded guilty to seven counts of theft of sums ranging from $3544 to $414,000. Mr Barns said Jeffrey had a troubled upbringing in Singapore. In 2005, she decided to help out her mother, who she'd been told owed $170,000 in gambling debts. Mr Barns accepted Jeffrey had to go to jail, and faced the prospect of deportation. The plea hearing was to continue on February 10.

Bella Bag Presents Authentic Pre-Owned Designer

Bella Bag presents authentic pre-owned designer handbags as an alternative to bootleg replicas. Fashionistas on a budget can find legitimate Louis Vuitton handbags for less at Bella Bag. Authenticity is top priority for the in-house experts at Bella Bag. Each Louis Vuitton consignment bag is reviewed and analyzed by a step-by-step process called the "13 Point Authenticity Inspection." From commonly known to obscure, all pertinent authenticity elements are reviewed. Consumers feel reassured of buying authentic Louis Vuitton handbags. The Bella Bag website boasts, "We always make sure our customers get the real deal." Coveted Louis Vuitton handbags are only one of the impressive selections at Bella Bag. Other pre-owned designer handbags include Chanel, Prada, Gucci, Hermes, Burberry, Fendi and more. Bella Bag sells hundreds of new, like new, gently used and vintage handbags, shoes and accessories from leading designers. With new arrivals every week, there are always exciting accessory options. Shoppers, looking for a change, sell or trade designer bags through Bella Bag. Recipients of Louis Vuitton handbags use Bella Bag's authenticity service to see if they are the real thing. Discerning consumers on a budget now have access to pre-owned designer handbags for less. Gone are the days of wishing or settling for unattractive fakes with the real deal just a few clicks away. Bella Bag understands the hesitancy to shop for designer goods online, stating, "We know that shopping on the web for an expensive item is not easy. Our mission is to create a secure, simple, and exciting shopping experience. Every girl should know that feeling that carrying a fantastic accessory creates."

Mulberry fashions 66% rise in trade from handbags

Mulberry, whose handbags adorn the arms of celebrities including Gemma Arterton and Kate Moss, became the latest fashion brand to defy the "age of austerity" as it reported bumper holiday sales. The company, which designs bags that sell for more than £1,000, said the new year was also looking strong as wholesale orders for spring were already twice their level of 2010, with three months of the season remaining. The news follows strong sales reports from luxury brands such as the fashion label Burberry, Louis Vuitton-owner LVMH and jeweller Mappin & Webb. Mulberry's sales in the six weeks to 15 January were 66 per cent higher than in the same period the year before, it said yesterday. While it is best known for handbags, it sells other leather goods, jewellery and womenswear. The Alexa bag was a particularly good seller over the festive period. It is named after the model, television presenter and former Independent columnist Alexa Chung, a confirmed fan of the brand. A spokeswoman for Mulberry said its Bayswater bag was another popular design. The luxury goods market seems largely unaffected by the financial crisis and Government spending cuts. It was worth €153bn (£130bn) worldwide in 2009, according to research by Altagamma and Bain Consulting, but the figure rose to €168bn last year.

Louis Vuitton fall 2011 menswear handbags Paris Fashion Week

Louis Vuitton sent their fall and winter 2011/2012 menswear collection down the Paris Fashion Week runway yesterday and the collection was filled with red and black ensembles as well as a large collection of handbags for men. Louis Vuitton paired corduroy pants, leather jackets, warm wool coats, chunky knit sweaters and suede gloves with luxurious crocodile clutches, red leather mini-bags and bold red, oversized doctor bags. Louis Vuitton showed classic styles such as the pea coat in what seems to be one of fall 2011’s most prominent colors; red. In addition to red pants, jackets, coats and shirts, Louis Vuitton created red handbags that blurred the lines between structured women’s handbags and men’s carrying cases. The crocodile clutches that the male models carried down the Paris Fashion Week runway featured a wristlet strap and were shown in deep brown and black. The non-exotic leather handbags, such as the mini-bag and oversized doctor bag, were shown in bold and bright red paired with red pea coats, red overcoats and red suiting. The fall/winter 2011/2012 Louis Vuitton catwalk featured one of the largest handbag collections for men to debut on the Paris Fashion Week runway. It should be interesting to see if men carry exotic clutches off the runway and on the city streets in Europe, England and America.

Bella Bag Presents Authentic Pre-Owned Designer Handbags

Bag presents authentic pre-owned designer handbags as an alternative to bootleg replicas. Fashionistas on a budget can find legitimate Louis Vuitton handbags for less at Bella Bag. Authenticity is top priority for the in-house experts at Bella Bag. Each Louis Vuitton consignment bag is reviewed and analyzed by a step-by-step process called the “13 Point Authenticity Inspection.” From commonly known to obscure, all pertinent authenticity elements are reviewed. Consumers feel reassured of buying authentic Louis Vuitton handbags. The Bella Bag website boasts, “We always make sure our customers get the real deal.” Coveted Louis Vuitton handbags are only one of the impressive selections at Bella Bag. Other pre-owned designer handbags include Chanel, Prada, Gucci, Hermes, Burberry, Fendi and more. Bella Bag sells hundreds of new, like new, gently used and vintage handbags, shoes and accessories from leading designers. With new arrivals every week, there are always exciting accessory options. Shoppers, looking for a change, sell or trade designer bags through Bella Bag. Recipients of Louis Vuitton handbags use Bella Bag's authenticity service to see if they are the real thing. Discerning consumers on a budget now have access to pre-owned designer handbags for less. Gone are the days of wishing or settling for unattractive fakes with the real deal just a few clicks away. Bella Bag understands the hesitancy to shop for designer goods online, stating, “We know that shopping on the web for an expensive item is not easy. Our mission is to create a secure, simple, and exciting shopping experience. Every girl should know that feeling that carrying a fantastic accessory creates.”

Apple thrives on customers' love

The company didn't create the MP3 player, the smartphone or the tablet computer, yet Apple products dominate each of those categories. Advertisement The iPod is so prevalent that it's commonly used as a generic name for any MP3 player. An iPhone is a status symbol of sorts, like a Louis Vuitton handbag, even though one version of the smartphone is now sold for $49. And the iPad reinvigorated a long-struggling category and turned this year's International Consumer Electronics Show into a tablet fest. Apple fanboy? Try Apple fandom. Consumers generally point to two aspects of the Cupertino, Calif.-based company's products that set them apart: sleek design and ease of use. The former is connected to the hardware, the latter to the software. Unlike most consumer technology companies, Apple controls both. "They have more control than any other consumer tech company has over their product lines — over the way their products are created, built and marketed," said Stephen Baker, vice president of industry analysis for NPD Group, a market research firm based in Port Washington, N.Y. Google's Android mobile operating system has surpassed Apple's iPhone iOS in market share, but the online search giant doesn't make handsets, partnering with manufacturers such as HTC, Samsung and Motorola. That's led to a mishmash of Android-based phones. Though some have sold well, such as the HTC Evo and Motorola Droid X, none have come close to supplanting the iPhone's supremacy — even while it's been tied to the oft-criticized AT&T network. The iPhone 4 and iPhone 3GS were the top-selling smartphones during the six months that ended in November, according to the NPD Group. Competitors such as BlackBerry- maker Research in Motion and Hewlett-Packard are now eyeing Apple's unique business model. "RIM is building an operating system that is going to scale between both their phones and their tablets as they go forward," Baker said. HP acquired Palm for $1 billion last year and appears set to release a tablet that runs on Palm's software. With control over the brains and design of a product, Apple has been able to take bold risks that have paid off. "They buck the conventional wisdom," said Dan Burcaw, a former Apple employee who now heads Double Encore, a Denver-based app development firm. "They oftentimes choose to remove features or remove things that maybe the industry takes for granted or believe is an essential minimum requirement." Apple was the first computer manufacturer to do away with the floppy disk drive. Unlike most other consumer electronics, Apple's iPods, iPhones and iPads have batteries that can't be removed. While that's drawn some criticism, the move has created "a better consumer experience because the iPhone's battery is significantly better than many of the smartphones on the market," Burcaw said. The iPod, released in 2001, set in motion Apple's transformation from essentially an afterthought in the personal-computer market to the technology giant it is today. It came with more storage, an attractive navigation click wheel and an easy way for consumers to buy music via the iTunes store. Roughly 70 percent of MP3 players purchased today are iPods, according to NPD.

Go on, treat yourself at the sales

The sales are on. You will have seen the images on television, of people standing all night by Burberry, or lying outside Gucci in a sleeping bag, waiting for the opportunity to buy a shoe. It looks like the end, or perhaps the beginning, of a war. It is a feeding frenzy, where the shoppers eat not cows, but leather goods. We have evolved a bit. I am not talking about the queues outside Next, which are beyond analysis. Nor am I talking about electrical goods, because I don't believe that buying a new washing machine is an act of delusion so significant that it needs to be separated into its constituent parts. It is the designer goods sales that obsess me, because the objects are hideous and the desire to possess them is accelerating. You used to be able to shop in the first week of January for your plunder, but these days the shelves are empty by 27 December. And yet the personal debt of the citizens of Britain rises and rises, like a Dior receipt buffeting in the wind. It is now, on average, £9,731, excluding mortgages, or, if you prefer, 14.62 Mulberry Alexa Hobo Plum Loopy Leopard Quilted Denim handbags. For your money you get a stupid name, with a lick of irony thrown in. Hobo means vagrant, don't ya know? Ha! I go to the sales every year and I am always surprised by how pointless the goods are, although I shouldn't be, because I suck down the advertising like everyone else. I would not mind buying, in that old wife's cliche, something of good quality that lasts for ever – a gravestone perhaps? But that is not the point of this junk. It is sort of fashion anti-matter – clothes that do not warm, shoes you cannot walk in, and handbags too heavy to carry. Selfridges, for instance, is stocking a high-heeled trainer. I forget the price, but this object is utterly useless, and it happily screams its uselessness, as if the design house marketing monkeys are laughing at us, which they probably are. If I could persuade a consumer to sleep outside my shop in a sleeping bag, so they could buy a £665 handbag named after a penniless vagrant (down from £950!), I would laugh too. The shops, of course, claim that advertising is neutral. If that is so, why do they spend so much money on it? To make the Mulberry Alexa Hobo Plum Loopy Leopard Quilted Denim handbag feel good about itself? So why do the shoppers queue like refugees in need of leather goods? I do try to ask, but asking sales shoppers why they are shopping is like asking alcoholics why they drink. Incapable of evaluating their own behaviour, they reply only in babble: "I want to treat myself." They are temporarily deranged, and their testimony is not to be trusted.

Little Ferry man sentenced for conspiring to bribe officials

Borough resident Michael Hanna, 29, was sentenced to five years in federal prison on Jan. 6 for conspiring to bribe U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials with more than $700,000. Using bribe money, Hanna, who was not authorized to import or sell luxury items from China in New Jersey, sought the cooperation of port officials in bringing counterfeit designer merchandise from China into the Port of Newark, among other area ports, U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman said in a Jan. 6 news release. The release noted that in filed documents as well as court statements, Hanna admitted that between June 2008 and March 2009 he worked with others to import counterfeit handbags, pocketbooks and sneakers that were made in the likeness of Coach, Chanel, Gucci, Louis Vuitton and Nike products. Hanna also admitted paying more than $700,000 in cash to an undercover law enforcement agent, who he believed was acting on behalf of a crooked Customs and Border Protection official. Hanna made the payments in an effort to gain the assistance of port officials in guaranteeing that a minimum of 15 shipping containers carrying the counterfeit items would not be seized or detained. Hanna admitted delivering the cash bribes, including $20,000 hidden in a Remy Martin cognac gift box, to the undercover officer at diners and New Jersey Turnpike rest stops, Fishman said last year in a March 3 news release. Originally arrested and charged on March 18, 2009, Hanna was indicted on Aug. 4 of the same year by a federal grand jury and charged with conspiracy, bribery and trafficking in counterfeit goods relating to the 15 shipping containers, Fishman said in the March 3 release. Hanna, who went by the aliases of "Mike Nova" and "George Flores," pleaded guilty on March 3, 2010, to one count of conspiracy to commit bribery of public officials and to traffic in counterfeit luxury goods, Fishman said. "Port Newark and Elizabeth Marine Terminal are the primary container-ship facilities for goods entering and leaving not just the New York-New Jersey metropolitan region, but also the entire northeastern United States," Fishman said March 3. "We will continue to use all appropriate investigative and prosecutorial tools to ensure that our ports are secure." Along with the five-year prison term, Hanna was sentenced to three years of supervised release, Fishman said Jan. 6.

Heritage chic: Work-wear brands capitalize on Made-In-USA cachet

Tom Sega missed the hunting opener for the first time in 30 years in November, but you won't hear him complaining. Instead of hunkering down in a deer stand, the president of Minnesota-based Duluth Pack was standing in the Barneys New York flagship store in Manhattan, promoting a new line of canvas bags designed specifically for the iconic luxury retailer. The 128-year old Duluth Pack built its name making canoe packs and other gear for the rugged wilderness, but it is riding a new wave of popularity from style-conscious urbanites who have a taste for Made in the USA craftsmanship. "There's a lot of buzz around 'heritage' right now," said Sega, who took over the slumping company in 2007 and has restored it to profitability. "We've made a conscious decision to ride that horse for everything it's worth, because we can truly claim it." Duluth Pack and a host of other Minnesota workhorse brands are hitting the high end. Red Wing Shoes are now carried in Brooks Brothers and Nordstrom. St. Paul's J.W. Hulme's briefcases and women's handbags also can be found in Barneys. Bemidji Woolen Mills, Frost River and Pierrepont Hicks have made inroads around the country, most notably in New York. "Minnesota is exporting cool," said Michael Williams, a New York-based men's apparel marketer and expert in the "heritage brands" trend. His blog, "A Continuous Lean," often features Minnesota companies. "I don't know what's in the water in Minnesota, but these companies have stayed true to their roots. That's something fairly rare." Their success comes from a convergence of factors, Williams said. The recession caused many consumers to rethink their throwaway lifestyles and to invest in things that last. The shop-local movement helped raise awareness of organic food and locally made goods. And the rugged-but-tailored look became fashionable. "Being patriotic and being 'Made in the USA' used to be a truck driver thing," Williams said. "Now all these creative young people are doing it. That's a seismic shift." Men's retail in general has weathered the economic downturn better than women's apparel stores. Men shop with purpose, not as an indulgence, and more are shopping for themselves, according to NPD Group. During the thick of the recession in 2009, a survey of wealthy households by the American Affluence Research Center found that 23 percent of men said they hadn't reduced spending, compared with 14 percent of women. Coach, Hermes, Ralph Lauren and J. Crew recently have opened upscale men's-only stores.

Avelle, Seattle Startup, Flounders Now That Few Rent Gucci Bags for $500 a Month

​Few people have ever gone broke overestimating the American people's appetite for frivolous crap they don't need. Avelle, the heavily invested-in Seattle startup also known as Bag Borrow or Steal, rents luxury handbags, jewelry, watches, and shades to people for anywhere from $20 per week for some Tom Ford Georgette shades to $495 per month for a Gucci hobo bag. But it turns out that perhaps people don't put fancy handbags as high on their priority list during the ol' Great Recession. TechFlash writes today about quite the shakeup at the company, which over the last three months has lost pretty much its entire management team, save one person, Russ Blain. Mike Smith, the company's departing CEO, is the former CEO of Lands End and Classmates.com and a current board member for REI. As we said, Avelle rents high-end fashion items like handbags, watches, and jewelry to people who don't want to shell out $3,770 to buy a pair of Judith Ripka earings, but somehow still have $236 per week to rent them. Here are a couple other deals.

Heritage chic: Work-wear brands capitalize on Made-In-USA cachet

Tom Sega missed the hunting opener for the first time in 30 years in November, but you won't hear him complaining. Instead of hunkering down in a deer stand, the president of Minnesota-based Duluth Pack was standing in the Barneys New York flagship store in Manhattan, promoting a new line of canvas bags designed specifically for the iconic luxury retailer. The 128-year old Duluth Pack built its name making canoe packs and other gear for the rugged wilderness, but it is riding a new wave of popularity from style-conscious urbanites who have a taste for Made in the USA craftsmanship. "There's a lot of buzz around 'heritage' right now," said Sega, who took over the slumping company in 2007 and has restored it to profitability. "We've made a conscious decision to ride that horse for everything it's worth, because we can truly claim it." Duluth Pack and a host of other Minnesota workhorse brands are hitting the high end. Red Wing Shoes are now carried in Brooks Brothers and Nordstrom. St. Paul's J.W. Hulme's briefcases and women's handbags also can be found in Barneys. Bemidji Woolen Mills, Frost River and Pierrepont Hicks have made inroads around the country, most notably in New York. "Minnesota is exporting cool," said Michael Williams, a New York-based men's apparel marketer and expert in the "heritage brands" trend. His blog, "A Continuous Lean," often features Minnesota companies. "I don't know what's in the water in Minnesota, but these companies have stayed true to their roots. That's something fairly rare." Their success comes from a convergence of factors, Williams said. The recession caused many consumers to rethink their throwaway lifestyles and to invest in things that last. The shop-local movement helped raise awareness of organic food and locally made goods. And the rugged-but-tailored look became fashionable. "Being patriotic and being 'Made in the USA' used to be a truck driver thing," Williams said. "Now all these creative young people are doing it. That's a seismic shift." Men's retail in general has weathered the economic downturn better than women's apparel stores. Men shop with purpose, not as an indulgence, and more are shopping for themselves, according to NPD Group. During the thick of the recession in 2009, a survey of wealthy households by the American Affluence Research Center found that 23 percent of men said they hadn't reduced spending, compared with 14 percent of women. Coach, Hermes, Ralph Lauren and J. Crew recently have opened upscale men's-only stores. Duluth Pack is trying to ride that wave. At the century-old headquarters and factory in Duluth, Minn., six sewing stations have been added to handle an order for 5,100 Safari duffels, which must be shipped out by March 1 to an East Coast retailer the company wouldn't name. "We're hustling," said Sue Oja, a 20-year Duluth Pack veteran, with stacks of the company's signature olive-drab fabric surrounding her. It's Duluth Pack's single largest order, and it comes on top of 11 percent growth last year. Aside from the collaboration with Barneys, Duluth Pack is making bags for Urban Outfitters and for Vancouver-based editor and fashion curator Ryan Willms' Inventory. The company has been featured in GQ, Outside, Redbook and Country Living magazines. A child's pack sells for $65, a utility backpack for $165 and a leather duffel for $325. A Barneys exclusive leather and canvas Wanderer Pack goes for $595. "We've gone from survival mode the first couple of years to total growth mode," said Sega, who expects to add to his 35-person production crew this year.

Little Ferry man sentenced for conspiring to bribe officials

Borough resident Michael Hanna, 29, was sentenced to five years in federal prison on Jan. 6 for conspiring to bribe U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials with more than $700,000. Using bribe money, Hanna, who was not authorized to import or sell luxury items from China in New Jersey, sought the cooperation of port officials in bringing counterfeit designer merchandise from China into the Port of Newark, among other area ports, U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman said in a Jan. 6 news release. The release noted that in filed documents as well as court statements, Hanna admitted that between June 2008 and March 2009 he worked with others to import counterfeit handbags, pocketbooks and sneakers that were made in the likeness of Coach, Chanel, Gucci, Louis Vuitton and Nike products. Hanna also admitted paying more than $700,000 in cash to an undercover law enforcement agent, who he believed was acting on behalf of a crooked Customs and Border Protection official. Hanna made the payments in an effort to gain the assistance of port officials in guaranteeing that a minimum of 15 shipping containers carrying the counterfeit items would not be seized or detained. Hanna admitted delivering the cash bribes, including $20,000 hidden in a Remy Martin cognac gift box, to the undercover officer at diners and New Jersey Turnpike rest stops, Fishman said last year in a March 3 news release. Originally arrested and charged on March 18, 2009, Hanna was indicted on Aug. 4 of the same year by a federal grand jury and charged with conspiracy, bribery and trafficking in counterfeit goods relating to the 15 shipping containers, Fishman said in the March 3 release. Hanna, who went by the aliases of "Mike Nova" and "George Flores," pleaded guilty on March 3, 2010, to one count of conspiracy to commit bribery of public officials and to traffic in counterfeit luxury goods, Fishman said. "Port Newark and Elizabeth Marine Terminal are the primary container-ship facilities for goods entering and leaving not just the New York-New Jersey metropolitan region, but also the entire northeastern United States," Fishman said March 3. "We will continue to use all appropriate investigative and prosecutorial tools to ensure that our ports are secure." Along with the five-year prison term, Hanna was sentenced to three years of supervised release, Fishman said Jan. 6. Hanna’s attorney, Brian J. Neary, did not return messages seeking comment.

eattle Startup, Flounders Now That Few Rent Gucci Bags for $500 a Month

Few people have ever gone broke overestimating the American people's appetite for frivolous crap they don't need. Avelle, the heavily invested-in Seattle startup also known as Bag Borrow or Steal, rents luxury handbags, jewelry, watches, and shades to people for anywhere from $20 per week for some Tom Ford Georgette shades to $495 per month for a Gucci hobo bag. But it turns out that perhaps people don't put fancy handbags as high on their priority list during the ol' Great Recession. TechFlash writes today about quite the shakeup at the company, which over the last three months has lost pretty much its entire management team, save one person, Russ Blain. Mike Smith, the company's departing CEO, is the former CEO of Lands End and Classmates.com and a current board member for REI. As we said, Avelle rents high-end fashion items like handbags, watches, and jewelry to people who don't want to shell out $3,770 to buy a pair of Judith Ripka earings, but somehow still have $236 per week to rent them.

Gucci Spring/Summer 2011 Handbags

In the same minimalist style vision also echoed in the past seasons, designers managed to keep up the interest of the fashion pack for unique and high class still simplistic accessories. The Gucci Spring/Summer 2011 handbags presented a multitude of clutches and bags decorated with intricate women leather patterns as well as other refined details. Drop a glimpse on the most exquisite pieces of the collection. The Spring Summer 2011 Gucci collection featured all the top models of the moment armed up with the most stunning style creations drenched in an infinite color palette. The classy Italian fashion house dominated the must see-collection top thanks to the versatile tailoring patterns of the complete ensembles as well as the matching accessories that would definitely steal the heart of all glamor pusses who are eager to stuff their wardrobe with statement designs in a wider color palette. Inspired by the northern African culture we had the chance to feast our eyes on feminine dresses and stylish suits tinted in turquoise, red, orange and golden tones. Frida Gianini as the style guru behind the Gucci brand decided to break out of the box of minimalism and add a tint of refinement to the handbag selection launched on the runway. The versatile parade of shoulder bags, carry all satchels as well as clutches serve as the best source of inspiration for those who consider accessories as tools that would give an extra glam factor to an apparel. Take a closer view at the Gucci Spring/Summer 2011 handbags to enter a magical world of glittery glam and also vintage-chic inspired shapes and textures. Morocco proved to be the perfect inspiration for Frida Gianini, however she claims that this collection is in fact about celebrating “who we are, and what we do”. The vibrating tones are limited to the metallic shades when it comes of handbags. However gold, silver and copper still managed to create the same mesmerizing impression when paired with the sophisticated women leather details, tassels as well as studs that further contributed to the unique look of these evening and should bags. Indeed one of the greatest advantage of the most prominent pieces of the Gucci collection is that these would definitely would serve as wardrobe staples in your closet, allowing to combine them both with casual as well as extra-glam outfits.

Coach Launches A New Brand

In IBD's database, Coach (COH) has an Earnings Stability Factor of 6 on a scale of 1 to 99, with 1 representing those with the stablest profit growth. How does Coach score such high stability in profit in the fickle industry of women's and men's apparel and accessories? Step into a Coach store frequently and you'll see that it is a master in constantly introducing new items in its signature category of handbags and purses. It never stops innovating with fresh designs, materials, shapes and colors. Coach also sells new handbags in limited quantities and keeps prices much lower than Louis Vuitton or Gucci, encouraging repeat customers. Until now, Coach hasn't tried to dress its customers completely from head to toe. Selling shirts, pants and sweaters would force it to spend more on real estate and inventory. Coach would also have to compete with a broader range of apparel firms. But it has recently launched a new brand of luxury bags, shoes and a dash of clothing bearing the name of its creative director Reed Krakoff. It has three RK stores in New York, Las Vegas and Tokyo. It also sells items in Saks Fifth stores and other boutiques. Coach's profit has grown every year since fiscal 2002 except in 2009, down 7%.

Gucci Spring/Summer 2011 Handbags

The Spring Summer 2011 Gucci collection featured all the top models of the moment armed up with the most stunning style creations drenched in an infinite color palette. The classy Italian fashion house dominated the must see-collection top thanks to the versatile tailoring patterns of the complete ensembles as well as the matching accessories that would definitely steal the heart of all glamor pusses who are eager to stuff their wardrobe with statement designs in a wider color palette. Inspired by the northern African culture we had the chance to feast our eyes on feminine dresses and stylish suits tinted in turquoise, red, orange and golden tones. Frida Gianini as the style guru behind the Gucci brand decided to break out of the box of minimalism and add a tint of refinement to the handbag selection launched on the runway. The versatile parade of shoulder bags, carry all satchels as well as clutches serve as the best source of inspiration for those who consider accessories as tools that would give an extra glam factor to an apparel. Take a closer view at the Gucci Spring/Summer 2011 handbags to enter a magical world of glittery glam and also vintage-chic inspired shapes and textures. Morocco proved to be the perfect inspiration for Frida Gianini, however she claims that this collection is in fact about celebrating “who we are, and what we do”. The vibrating tones are limited to the metallic shades when it comes of handbags. However gold, silver and copper still managed to create the same mesmerizing impression when paired with the sophisticated women leather details, tassels as well as studs that further contributed to the unique look of these evening and should bags. Indeed one of the greatest advantage of the most prominent pieces of the Gucci collection is that these would definitely would serve as wardrobe staples in your closet, allowing to combine them both with casual as well as extra-glam outfits.

harity needs bags of help with its auction

A LICHFIELD charity which offers refuge to women escaping abusive relationships is appealing for donations of handbags for its fund-raising auction. The Pathway Project is planning the event for June and hoping the district's women will show their support both by donating handbags and attending. "We need good quality designer handbags, or indeed brands such as Radley or Fiorelli, that we can sell at the auction," said manager Jan White. "Bags from River Island or Next in good condition would also be great. "If we get a really classy designer bag to auction – Gucci for example – we will put a reserve price on it." As well as providing accommodation, Pathway helps women get on with their lives. "We do self-help groups not only in refuges but in the community as well," said Jan. "These include life skills such as budgeting, things that women may have been excluded from by their former partners. When you have been called stupid for years, you start to believe it. "These activities help to build self-esteem," said Jan. Pathway Project is only part-funded by the Government – it has to raise money to deliver its services which are managed at The Hope Centre at 71-73 Upper St John Street. "We run a 24-hour helpline service which women can call," said Jan. "We can get them out of situations very quickly. "Some women flee in the middle of the night – they pick up their kids and arrive in pyjamas. "Money raised at the auction will help buy food and clothes for them – funds are vital to the work we do." The Pathway Project is asking for handbags to be dropped at the Hope Centre. Alternatively call Jan on 07870 283032 and she will arrange for them to be picked up. "We are also accepting accessories – old jewellery, scarves and belts that we can sell," said Jan. Further details about the handbag auction will be published in the Mercury.

Battle of the bags

We have all found ourselves pinching pennies and sweeping loose change under the living room carpet just to save a dollar and it's no news that the economic crisis has put a huge strain on our pockets. While those with a disposable income continue to splurge on life’s best and others can’t help but avoid unneccessary spending and the battle of keeping a plump piggy bank seems to never end. This is the same across the board where ever you go. When the economy wasn’t as turbulent we all had an opportunity to indulge in that one purchase the would satisfy our inner diva, I mean come on that “It hand bag “ that you fell in love with in the shop window while sipping a nearly watered down Starbucks frappuccino. You know the one that is going to put a huge dent in you bank account and cause your wallet to whistle because you’re so strapped, yes that one! While you splurge on that fine handcrafted Louis bag that took hours to confect others have looked towards internet sites like Allthebesthandbags.com to purchase fake designer handbags all for the sake of saving the all mighty dollar all the while hurting the reputation and exclusivity of coveted luxury leather goods brands. 　 The International Chamber of Commerce has estimated that 7 percent of our annual world trade — more than $600 billion — is in counterfeit or pirated goods. Experts believe that the fake trade costs legitimate businesses up to $250 billion in lost revenue every year in the U.S. alone. While some sites claim that they are selling you the “real thing” others admit to selling designer replicas. The word luxury has meaning quality, beauty and exclusivity with a valued life long reputation for craftsmanship and shouldn’t be tainted with unlawful acts of piracy and counterfeiting. replica-hermes.co is a site that helps and highly promotes the fight against luxury counterfeiting by holding events and conferences that bring awareness to consumer and businesses about the harsh reality of counterfeiting. So the next time you want to save a few dollars keep in mind that the real thing is always the most stylish way to go.

Retailer pleads guilty to counterfeit sales

A Murphys business owner pleaded guilty to trafficking counterfeit designer handbags and other items Dec. 10 after being indicted by a federal grand jury in June. Dana Lanthier, Hathaway Pines, owner of Sac A Main in Murphys, could be fined millions of dollars and put in state prison for up to 10 years at her sentencing March 25. Between April 2007 and March 22, 2010, Lanthier intentionally trafficked counterfeit purses, sunglasses, wallets, cell phone covers and other items, the indictment said. According to Sgt. Chris Villegas of the Calaveras County Sheriff’s Office, in 2007 a customer alerted the sheriff’s office that there were counterfeit purses being sold at Sac A Main. “A deputy warned the store owner to stop selling them,” Villegas said. “She said she would stop selling them.” The sheriff’s report on the incident stated that Lanthier told the deputy that she had brought a shipment of handbags back from Little Italy in New York in early May 2007. The report said Lanthier told the deputy that she advised customers that the handbags were replicas, not originals. “We got another report about a year later saying she was still selling counterfeit purses,” Villegas said. This time, Detective Wade Whitney of the Calaveras County Sheriff’s Office paid Lanthier’s store a visit. Whitney noticed a variety of high-end purses being sold for between $25 and $80, the report said. “We then turned the investigation over to the Federal Bureau of Investigation,” Villegas said. FBI Special Agent John W. Ogden took over the investigation and gathered enough evidence to obtain a search warrant for Lanthier’s business, home and vehicles. Ogden visited Sac A Main on Nov. 24, 2009, and confirmed that Lanthier was still selling wallets and handbags with Dolce & Gabbana and Prada emblems on them, the report said, adding that Lanthier told Ogden that she had “lots of fakes” for sale, the report said. The next month, Ogden and Senior Deputy Heather Camisa of the Sheriff’s Office purchased several items from the store. Ogden noticed that the mark on a fake Dolce & Gabbana wallet he had purchased was loose. “I asked Lanthier if she had another,” Ogden said. “Lanthier took the wallet from me and used what appeared to be pliers to remove the mark from the bag. Lanthier then made the statement, 'I make these things, you know.'” Ogden said Lanthier then took another Dolce & Gabbana emblem from a plastic bag containing a number of them and affixed it to the wallet. Evidence gathered by Ogden was given to an investigative consultant named Victor Murillo, who is an expert in identifying counterfeit merchandise.

From Pucci to Prada, consignment goes couture

As value-conscious fashionistas continue to tighten their belts, they can still find their favorite designer labels, without breaking the bank, at a new luxury consignment shop at 97 Broad St. The borough’s downtown is now home to doubletake, a high-end consignment boutique featuring the top runway names in designer apparel, handbags, accessories and jewelry at a fraction of original retail prices. “It’s phenomenal,” said Marci Kessler, CEO of Doubletake Consignment Corp., which opened the doors to its Red Bank location this month. “First of all, people walk in and they say, ‘I cannot believe this is a consignment shop,’ because it doesn’t look like what people think of when it comes to a consignment shop. That’s what makes us unique.” From prêt-a-porter to couture merchandise, the consignment shop offers a boutique shopping experience that debuts items from 25 to 35 percent off retail prices and sales are split 50/50 with consignors, Kessler said. “If it’s something like a Chanel bag that’s current, or Louis Vuitton, we’ll price them up to 50 or 60 percent of retail,” she said. “We are looking for more current merchandise. We still pick some really interesting vintage handbags or jewelry, but we generally look for current merchandise that’s in perfect condition that’s already been dry cleaned and very wearable.” Before Kessler set up shop in Red Bank, the first doubletake location opened in May 1992 in Short Hills after she gained experience working as a buyer and a saleswoman for wholesale fashion companies. With the success of the Short Hills location, Kessler launched three new locations in Bergen and Monmouth counties, hoping to generate buzz in the neighborhoods as well as in surrounding communities like Rumson, Little Silver and Middletown. “We looked for demographics that are similar to Short Hills,” she said. “We are also in Englewood, Ridgewood, and we thought Red Bank was a great town. It fit in with the demographic of what we were looking for, and it’s a great town. We love the area and we thought it was a really perfect spot.” Due to the recession, highend consignment shops are becoming popular destinations for women looking to recycle their wardrobes, earn extra cash and save money on designer jeans, shoes and handbags, all while maintaining the quality and level of service a customer would experience in a luxury department store or a chic Manhattan boutique, Kessler explained.

Nicole Richie owns 30 Chanel handbags

Nicole Richie has admitted to being the proud owner of 30 Chanel handbags. The newlywed said she has so many because she likes to 'experiment' with her style. She told Lucky: ' I stole a lot of them from my mum! To me, fashion is about fun. I don't wear dainty jewellery. I like it to be a little over-the-top. I've always experimented. I dyed my hair purple, and I dyed my hair green, and I went through a Punky Brewster phase, a preppy phase, a goth phase, a girly phase, a grunge phase. I'm sure my style won't stop here.' The 29-year-old added she would not be able to live without Alexander McQueen designs or her Notepad. She explained: 'Alexander McQueen scarves are the most perfect accessories ever, and my Notepad - I'm a total Virgo, obsessed with making lists. I really believe you can't make a mistake with vintage. It's all in how you wear it.'

Kate is Sharon’s style icon

Sharon Leal says her style icon is Kate Moss. The ‘Why Did I Get Married Too?’ star admits her fashion choices are inspired by the supermodel and in her eyes the British beauty can do no wrong with her clothing ensembles. The 38-year-old actress is also an admirer of designer Stella McCartney’s creations. Sharon said: “I love Kate Moss. She can do no wrong. I also love Stella McCartney. I think her stuff is really cool and edgy and still elegant. I also like Chanel and Louis Vuitton. I love Chloe.” Although the ‘Dreamgirls’ star loves high end fashion she won’t sacrifice her comfort to look good. She added in an interview with mystyle.com: “It's always comfort first. But for the most part, I like classic with a bit of pop. I like to fuse different elements, like a classic line with a little sparkle.” Sharon – who appears alongside Ashley Tisdale in cheerleading TV series ‘Hellcats’ – has also revealed she has a weakness for expensive handbags and shoes and can’t resist splashing her cash on the latest styles. She said: “I'm like every girl, I love shoes and handbags. I get into a lot of trouble buying one too many of each.”

Former C-Mart moving to Cockeysville

Keith Silberg, whose uncle and father opened C-Mart in Harford County in the 1970s, said he was looking to move closer to the retailer's core customer base and into a more modern building. The commute also will be easier, says Silberg, who lives in Baltimore County. Silberg said the old building was antiquated. The new one has 20-foot ceilings and is more conducive to the auction side of the business, which Silberg added in 2009. A car dealership door has been added to the new building, where cars and other big-ticket items can be rolled in for display during auctions. "It is a dream location," Silberg said. Auctions will be held on Wednesdays. The Company Store, which is the part of the business most like the old C-Mart with its haphazard shelves of bargain clothes, will be open every day. The goods come from insurance company salvage lots, which collect items from stores trying to get rid of damaged goods. Silberg also gets merchandise from sample sales and liquidations. Rene Daniel, a principal with Baltimore retail brokerage Trout Daniel & Associates, said the new location will make the business more accessible to potential customers. "Because they had good market penetration in Baltimore County, this is probably closer to their market," Daniel said. "This location is convenient to more people." But Daniel said all the changes in the business during the past few years may have created a "confusing identity." He said consumers are no longer sure what the company sells or what it stands for. "I don't think people know who C-Mart is anymore," Daniel said. In its original incarnation, C-Mart was forced out of business in 2008 after attempts by new owners to modernize during a bad economy failed. The store was a largely paper-and-pencil enterprise with old-fashioned cash registers, while the new owners wanted to computerize and begin an e-commerce division. Silberg reopened the business as an auction house in 2009 but no longer had rights to the C-Mart name, hence the name change. Last year, he brought back the retail side of the business. "I think they'll have to redefine themselves to people," Daniel said. Silberg said he doesn't worry about losing customers with the move. When he changed the name of the company, he said, people still came because of the prices. "At the end of the day, it's been about deals, and if the deals are good, customers will come," Silberg said. "When we moved to the Harford County location years ago, there was absolutely nothing out there. We made that location relevant for people who came." For those looking for a taste of the old C-Mart, the store will open with an auction of designer vintage handbags from names such as Louis Vuitton, Burberry, Gucci, Prada, Chanel, DKNY, Marc Jacobs, Michael Kors and others. Proceeds will benefit Komen Maryland.

Vegas' grand designs

When it comes to shopping, Las Vegas is on its way to becoming the fashion capital of the West. Even through the recession, luxury brands have continued to pour money into the $28.2-billion retail market, adding to what is already a smorgasbord of high-end offerings. Though the state's recovery will likely lag for months behind the rest of the country, Lanvin, Tom Ford, Donna Karan and Reed Krakoff all opened stores in Las Vegas in 2010, banking on exposure to the city's nearly 40 million annual visitors. Other brands such as Louis Vuitton and Prada built new, supersized boutiques, adding to the number of outlets they already have here. These stores aren't targeting locals; they're targeting wealthy and foreign tourists. (Twelve percent of visitors to Las Vegas come from overseas.) The assortment of merchandise is sophisticated, even avant-garde at certain boutiques. And customer service can be over the top. "Retailers look upon Las Vegas as one of the markets to be in," says Stephen P.A. Brown, director of the Center for Business and Economic Research at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. And he adds that the Caesars Palace Forum Shops still has the highest sales per square foot - $1,400 - of any shopping mall in the U.S. (In 2009, average sales per square foot at U.S. malls were $420, according to data from investment research firm Green Street Advisors that was reported in U.S. News and World Report.) Opening a store here has also become a way to create brand awareness, Brown says, and having multiple locations in Las Vegas isn't so outrageous when you consider how difficult it is to move up and down the Strip. (Louis Vuitton has four stores in Las Vegas, Tiffany & Co., Dior and Chanel each have three, and Prada and Hermes have two.) "You can't look at Las Vegas as one point in time. You have to look at it in terms of the long stretch," says Krakoff, the creative director of Coach who started his own namesake luxury brand in 2009. He opened his third boutique in the world at the Forum Shops in November, offering such items as a $1,790 beaver fur cardigan. "Las Vegas is great for a brand in its early phase. You have captive customers who are inclined to want to see something new." If the experience of shopping in Las Vegas feels different, that's the point. You're likely to get an enthusiastic "Hello!" before you've stepped 5 feet into a luxury store, even if you happen to be toting a strawberry daiquiri. "The training for salespeople is different," says Terri Monsour, a retail consultant who has worked with the Wynn Resorts and the Cosmopolitan. "First thing they teach you is not to judge a book by its cover. And always follow up a sale with a letter. ... This is a city where you can meet someone once and they will be your customer for life." There seems to be nothing salespeople at luxury boutiques won't do. One evening, the manager of a designer boutique at the Forum Shops took a selection of pants to a guest's room so he could shop from his bubble bath, says Maureen Crampton, marketing director of the Caesars Palace mall. Efforts to personalize the shopping experience even extend to the window displays, which are often switched out depending on the headliner in town. There's "more flash when there's a headlining boxing match, for example," Crampton says. "If there is a crazy special item, and only three were produced, most likely one of them is sitting in a Las Vegas boutique," says Jenna Doughton, a personal shopper whose clients include locals and tourists. And a lot of business is done over the phone. "It's not uncommon for salespeople to get phone calls at 10 or 11 p.m. at night. A woman in New York can't sleep and she's obsessed with a dress. She's calling Las Vegas because it's the only place left in the world she can shop," Doughton says. Although Vegas has always had numerous places to shop, it has only recently earned its place on the world fashion map. Kicking off the luxury boom in 1992, the kitschy, Roman-themed Forum Shops now has a high-low mix of tenants, including two Coach boutiques, the largest H&M store in the world, Cartier, Versace and Ugg Australia, where you can buy $800 Vegas-themed, Swarovski crystal-encrusted sheepskin boots.

16,000 python skins destroyed

The 16,000 pieces of python skins alleged to have been exported illegally to Singapore in 2007 have been destroyed by the Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority (Ava) of Singapore. According to documents sent by the importer from Singapore, AVA of Singapore had destroyed the snake skins as they were considered forfeited under the Endangered Species (Import and Export) Act of Singapore and the forfeiture was upheld by the High Court of the republic in 2008. “The python skins have since been destroyed,” said a statement from Ava of Singapore made available to The Borneo Post here yesterday. The letter was addressed to the advocate of the importer, with a carbon copy of it sent to Singapore’s attorney-general’s chambers. The importer, Murugesh R Ramu, in his letter to Post stressed that he was seeking legal assistance on the matter. When asked for its comment, the Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC) reiterated that it did not have the ownership or jurisdiction over the seized snake skins. “Therefore, we have no say over how the Singapore authorities handle the matter,” it said in a statement. Meanwhile, the police were still investigating the alleged loss of documents from SFC’s office, which were later used to export the snake skins back in 2007. Post first published the article on the 16,000 pieces of confiscated Borneo Python on Dec 22, 2010 while the second article was published on Dec 28, 2010. The estimated market price of the seized items was said to be at least S$200,000 (RM500,000). In our previous reports, SFC had issued a statement that the transhipment of the python skins which was seized by Ava of Singapore was as a result of the notification of theft of the Convention on International Trade on Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) Permit No.005400 posted by SFC to CITES Secretariat at Geneva on April 12, 2007. The CITES Permit No.005400 which was reported lost from SFC’s office here was subsequently used to export snake skins which were later seized in Singapore on July 4, 2007. When asked his comments after the news was published by Post on Dec 22, State Commissioner of Police Datuk Mohmad Salleh promised that the police would leave no stone unturned. A source from SFC hoped that the police could nail the culprit soon for having smeared the name of SFC in the eyes of the international community. It added that Murugesh had repeatedly requested a retrospective permit to be issued to enable him to legitimise this illegal transshipment of python skins. However, SFC repeatedly turned down his requests because of absence of means to verify the origin of the seized skins. Besides, the CITES Secretariat of Geneva had also been advised against the issuance of such a retrospective permit. “Mr Ramu has been advised to seek redress from the exporter who had perpetrated the illegal transshipment in the first place,” added SFC’s statement. Among others, the documents alleged the python skins had been exported by a Sarawak-based company in 2007. It is understood that the buyer had since sought various means to legalise the shipment. The documents also cited that a police report had been made by SFC regarding the loss of the CITES permits and security stamp from its office.

From Pucci to Prada, consignment goes couture

As value-conscious fashionistas continue to tighten their belts, they can still find their favorite designer labels, without breaking the bank, at a new luxury consignment shop at 97 Broad St. The borough’s downtown is now home to doubletake, a high-end consignment boutique featuring the top runway names in designer apparel, handbags, accessories and jewelry at a fraction of original retail prices. “It’s phenomenal,” said Marci Kessler, CEO of Doubletake Consignment Corp., which opened the doors to its Red Bank location this month. “First of all, people walk in and they say, ‘I cannot believe this is a consignment shop,’ because it doesn’t look like what people think of when it comes to a consignment shop. That’s what makes us unique.” From prêt-a-porter to couture merchandise, the consignment shop offers a boutique shopping experience that debuts items from 25 to 35 percent off retail prices and sales are split 50/50 with consignors, Kessler said. “If it’s something like a Chanel bag that’s current, or Louis Vuitton, we’ll price them up to 50 or 60 percent of retail,” she said. “We are looking for more current merchandise. We still pick some really interesting vintage handbags or jewelry, but we generally look for current merchandise that’s in perfect condition that’s already been dry cleaned and very wearable.” Before Kessler set up shop in Red Bank, the first doubletake location opened in May 1992 in Short Hills after she gained experience working as a buyer and a saleswoman for wholesale fashion companies. With the success of the Short Hills location, Kessler launched three new locations in Bergen and Monmouth counties, hoping to generate buzz in the neighborhoods as well as in surrounding communities like Rumson, Little Silver and Middletown. “We looked for demographics that are similar to Short Hills,” she said. “We are also in Englewood, Ridgewood, and we thought Red Bank was a great town. It fit in with the demographic of what we were looking for, and it’s a great town. We love the area and we thought it was a really perfect spot.” Due to the recession, highend consignment shops are becoming popular destinations for women looking to recycle their wardrobes, earn extra cash and save money on designer jeans, shoes and handbags, all while maintaining the quality and level of service a customer would experience in a luxury department store or a chic Manhattan boutique, Kessler explained.

Make a tidy profit by decluttering

FROM clothes that don't fit to those you wouldn't be seen dead in. From bags and shoes that you've fallen out of love with to all that clutter and junk that we all have. It's too good to give away, but what if there was some way to get shot of it AND earn ourselves a little cash? Of course, if you've half a lifetime to spare uploading photographs to eBay, then you could always join the online auction brigade. ADVERTISEMENTBut wouldn't it be so much simpler if you could get someone else to do the selling for you? Smart sellers are finding Edinburgh has a collection of places who'll do just that - and savvy shoppers are raking in the bargains. So, if Santa brought you too much of what you don't want, or if you're just plain fed up with too much junk and not enough cash, check out our Edinburgh guide to clearing out - and cashing in. HANDBAGS, SHOES AND ACCESSORIES The shelves in Janice Wardlaw's Montagu Terrace boutique heave with desirable designer names from Dolce and Gabbanna to Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Prada and Dior. Since opening Xchange Handbags two years ago, she's sold more than 4000 items making money for her customers and helping clear space in their cupboards. "We've been busy recently with the post-Christmas rush - people bringing in things they don't need or want and are keen to sell on," she says. "I've got a Smythson handbag just now that is like brand new. It would cost around £1400, but I'm selling it for £695, and a Dolce and Gabbana one that would be £900, but is £450." In return for selling customers' bags, accessories, pashminas and cashmere scarves, jewellery, boots and shoes - even unopened perfume and beauty items - she takes 50 per cent of the selling price. But as her store runs on a "not for profit" basis, any cash left over goes to local charities. "People come in, buy a bag, use it a couple of times then bring it back to sell on," she adds. "I have a couple of bags that I've sold three times!" Her regular customer Christine Simpson is hooked on the idea: "I'm a bag freak, I have about 50 so I have to sell on to make space for new ones. I've sold a couple of Mulberry bags, a Vyella and a Jaeger bag using the shop.

2010 Edition -- New Report by Koncept Analytics

Handbags represent one of the key accessories completing the wardrobe of women for ages, which also serve as a major driver behind the growth of the fashion world. Changes in the key trends in the handbag market result mainly because of the changes in the fashion and luxury market. Fashion designers and boutiques are increasingly including handbags in their new collections as designer handbags generate high margins. Designer handbags are registered a high growth in the prices for the last several years. The US handbags market witnessed a decline in growth in 2008 and 2009 because of the global economic slowdown. The financial recession not only caused a fall in domestic demand, but also led to a fall in exports. The EU handbags market consists of six major markets - Italy, France, the UK, Germany, Spain and the Netherlands – which collectively account for the majority share in sales and production of handbags. In EU, handbags are mainly sold through specialist chain and independent retailers. The US and EU handbag market is all set to witness a growth in the coming years as result of huge export demand from countries like China and India and also as a result of improving economic conditions in their domestic as well as international markets. Competition has been one of the major characteristics of the handbag market with numerous independent designers launching their own stores. The premium handbag companies mainly include luxury brands as well as private label retailers. For a long time, Europe is the largest market for luxury handbags with brands like Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Gucci and Prada; but American designers are giving it a touch competition with new strategies and branding initiatives. Companies like Coach Inc, Louis Vuitton SA, Burberry Group Plc and Hermes International SCA have shifted their attention to under-penetrated markets with huge growth potential, like China and India. Also, companies have realigned their distribution channels to cater to customer needs more efficiently and reduce their operational costs at the same time.

SPECIAL REPORT-Vietnam's capitalist roaders follow China's trail

Study Mandarin," he said, referring to the main Chinese dialect. In the northern capital of Hanoi, Dao The Vinh also has a taste for China. The 38-year-old chief executive of Golden Gate Trade & Service, a fast-growing restaurant chain operator, is modelling his business on China's Little Sheep Group Ltd which has more than 350 chain stores around the world. "That is our case study," he said, "But of course our culture is different and we have to find our way of doing things." Five years ago, Vinh and two friends set up a restaurant specialising in "mushroom hotpot" -- a savoury mix of mushrooms, meat and vegetables boiled in a salty broth and eaten from a gas-fired vessel. Within two years, he had six shops. By last year, he had 34. "Our vision is in the next three years to increase profits 40-50 percent a year, and at the end of 2013 to have about 90 or 100 restaurants," he said. His rival, seven-year-old Pho 24, a network of soup noodle shops that has become the biggest restaurant chain in Vietnam with 60 stores, has expanded abroad with 19 restaurants. Founder and chief executive Ly Qui Trung said he expects the number of franchised stores to double or triple in the next five years. But mom-and-pop shops still hold sway over the Vietnamese consumer . In congested Ho Chi Minh City, a city of about eight million people, shoppers elbow their way through crowded Saigon Plaza, whose two floors of small rented stalls sell everything from clothing and jewellery to knock-off handbags and children's toys. "There's a lot of variety here and the prices range from low to high. Best of all, you can bargain," said Te Vinh Loc, a 34-year-old designer as he snaked his way through a maze of second-floor stalls on a Thursday afternoon. "Sometimes I look at the high-end places, but they don't have what I'm looking for so I come here." A few shops away, saleswoman Quynh Thi Bich Lai sells a blue-and-white soccer shirt with the Adidas logo for $6. "It's just good business," said Quynh, who moves about 200-300 units of clothing a month in a stall no bigger than 2 sq metres. Retailers at Saigon Plaza pay rent of about $600 a month and generate about $2,000 in revenue, pocketing about $500 a month in profit. Down the street, at the sparkling new Vincom Center, store attendants sat quietly in mostly empty stores, some thumbing messages on their phones. At a Versace store, women's handbags were on sale for around $2,600 each - more than double the annual salary of an average Vietnamese worker. Business is "not good but ok," said salesman Nguyen Anh Tuan. The shop attracts about 50 shoppers a day, he said, though only about five make purchases. But the potential for future growth means the luxury brands can't afford not to be in Vietnam. In usually staid Hanoi, paparazzi at a rope line snapped celebrities arriving in stretch limos for the September opening of a Gucci store opposite the landmark century-old opera house and Hanoi stock exchange building. Most days, however, shoppers are scarce.

Bargainistas: the women who look chic at half the price

I used to have awful fashion sense. Growing up I wore tracksuit bottoms, football shirts and slicked-back hair. Then I went to university and discovered fashion. My greatest moment was finding eBay - I realised I could get designer pieces on the cheap. Within months I'd frittered away my student loan. One of my first buys was a pair of Gina heels. I ended up buying six pairs. Every free hour I had was spent on the site searching for luxury bargains. When my career kicked off in the showbusiness world I knew I wanted to fit in but still stand out. I didn't have the money to walk into Harrods and kit myself out in fancy labels, so I upped my game in the search for online discounts. Now I'm registered with countless sites. On secretsales.com I can often get up to 80 per cent off Chloé , Christian Dior and Dolce & Gabbana . replica-hermes.co is amazing - I found a beautiful pair of Miu Miu heels for £120, but you need to act fast before the sizes go. replica-hermes.co is also great. It's your go-to site before you hit the shops, letting you in on any new sales or offers everywhere from Matches to Browns. Plus, if there's a specific item you like you can tag it and Lynku will alert you when it goes on sale. Amazing! I love replica-hermes.co. I'd been eyeing up a beautiful Jonathan Saunders maxidress on asos.com when up popped an email from the Outnet announcing the sale of that exact dress. The original price was more than £300 and I bought it for just £62.55. I also found a gorgeous pair of Alexander McQueen sandals for £90 and two pairs of Louboutins. One for £60; the other £120. I now own more than 250 pairs of shoes, many of which are designer. None, however, were bought at full price. I adore my red Alexander McQueen heels that I bought for £100 on eBay, along with my Chanel pumps, Biba platforms and shoes by Dolce & Gabbana, Zandra Rhodes and Jimmy Choo. I have four wardrobes full of clothes but I genuinely feel as if I've worked for every item I own. When I met my favourite designer, Vivienne Westwood (I have three of her bags, one I bought for just £100), she actually said I had a really great sense of style. That alone made my fashion addiction completely and utterly worthwhile.

Large Handbags

San Diego Jewelry Buyers™ (SDJB), the company thousands of San Diegans trust when selling gold, diamonds, Rolex watches, and other luxury gift assets, has now become the county’s most prominent buyer of used designer handbags, with a commercial currently running on Fox-5 TV for its subsidiary company San Diego Handbag Buyer. By branching into this niche of the fashion accessory market, SDJB now provides women who want to sell handbags with a lucrative alternative to San Diego consignment stores. “We buy handbags from the most sought-after designer brands in the couture industry,” says Carl Blackburn, owner of San Diego Jewelry Buyers. “And unlike traditional San Diego consignment shops, we buy handbags immediately from our customers. And we pay top dollar based on their resale value.” At SDJB’s downtown showroom in the city’s Gaslamp Quarter, the company also provides women who want to buy affordable, like-new, designer handbags a new alternative to shopping at San Diego consignment stores, thrift stores, and vintage clothing shops. However, Blackburn states that his company fully supports these other businesses: “San Diego consignment shops and similar stores play an important role in the community, and unlike us, they sell a full array of fashion accessories and clothing.” “But when it comes to second-hand luxury handbags, it seems that we can never buy enough Louis Vuitton, Gucci, and Chanel handbags and purses,” says Blackburn. “The demand for these brands is always strong, so that means the prices that we pay for these used handbags are very good. In fact, in recent months the demand for every designer brand that we buy has been high, as more women are seeing the value of buying a slightly worn authentic luxury handbag versus purchasing a cheaply made one which will wear out quickly.” Another way that San Diego Jewelry Buyers™ is different from San Diego consignment stores and vintage clothing shops is that women can not only sell handbags to them but also pawn handbags. “Once again, because current demand is so strong for used designer handbags, we can offer higher amounts to women who want to pawn handbags and receive a hassle-free instant cash loan, without the worry of a credit check. Because we are San Diego’s most recognized luxury pawnbroker and precious asset buyer, San Diegans sell and pawn thousands of dollars worth of gold jewelry, diamonds, timepieces, and handbags with us every day.” San Diego Jewelry Buyers™ emphasis on customer service and satisfaction is supported by its A+ rating with San Diego’s Better Business Bureau and dozens of five star customer reviews on Yelp, InsiderPages, Yahoo Local, and Google Reviews. When it comes to educating customers on how to pawn and sell luxury assets smartly, SDJB also has taken the lead among San Diego estate asset buyers and pawn shops. The company’s website SanDiegoJewelryBuyers.com is filled with informative consumer help articles. To experience how SDJB provides an alternative to San Diego consignment shops, call them toll free at 800-557-9413 or drop by their downtown offices and showroom inside the historic Beaumanor Building, which is located at 907 6th Ave., on the NE Corner of 6th Ave. and E Street, Downtown San Diego.

Duluth Pack and other Minnesota workhorse brands hustle

Tom Sega missed the hunting opener for the first time in 30 years in November, but you won't hear him complaining. Instead of hunkering down in a deer stand, the president of Duluth Pack was standing in the Barneys New York flagship store in Manhattan, promoting a new line of canvas bags designed specifically for the iconic luxury retailer. The 128-year old Duluth Pack built its name making canoe packs and other gear for the rugged wilderness, but it is riding a new wave of popularity from style-conscious urbanites who have a taste for Made in the USA craftsmanship. "There's a lot of buzz around 'heritage' right now," said Sega, who took over the slumping company in 2007 and has restored it to profitability. "We've made a conscious decision to ride that horse for everything it's worth, because we can truly claim it." Duluth Pack and a host of other Minnesota workhorse brands are hitting the high end. Red Wing Shoes are now carried in Brooks Brothers and Nordstrom. St. Paul's J.W. Hulme's briefcases and women's handbags also can be found in Barneys. Faribault Woolen Mills, Frost River and Pierrepont Hicks have made inroads around the country, most notably in New York. "Minnesota is exporting cool," said Michael Williams, a New York-based men's apparel marketer and expert in the so-called heritage brands trend. His blog, "A Continuous Lean," often features Minnesota companies. "I don't know what's in the water in Minnesota, but these companies have stayed true to their roots. That's something fairly rare." Their success comes from a convergence of factors, Williams said. The recession caused many consumers to rethink their throwaway lifestyles and to invest in things that last. The shop-local movement helped raise awareness of organic food and locally made goods. And the rugged-but-tailored look became fashionable. "Being patriotic and being 'Made in the USA' used to be a truck driver thing," Williams said. "Now all these creative young people are doing it. That's a seismic shift." Men's retail in general has weathered the economic downturn better than women's apparel stores. Men shop with purpose, not as an indulgence, and more are shopping for themselves, according to NPD Group. During the thick of the recession in 2009, a survey of wealthy households by the American Affluence Research Center found that 23 percent of men said they hadn't reduced spending, compared with 14 percent of women. Coach, Hermès, Ralph Lauren and J. Crew recently have opened upscale men's-only stores.

The sincerest form of flattery

In many Asian countries, perhaps all, imitation products are available wherever you look. Whether it’s fake Louis Vuitton handbags (of which Taiwan is cited in this book as having five different grades, some more expensive than the originals), Gucci shirts or Adidas running shoes, pirated Harry Potter books, DVDs or CDs, all are more or less openly on sale on every hand. At first glance, and to some extent in the final analysis too if Marcus Boon’s In Praise of Copying is to be believed, this is not altogether a bad thing. The rich nations, whose creations it is that are almost invariably being copied, may howl in protest, and demand promises to clean up the infamous trade at high-level intergovernmental meetings, but at street level, especially where there are tourists in evidence, things carry on to almost everyone’s satisfaction. The tourists are delighted by the low prices, the traders are making good money, and the police are pocketing their bribes and looking the other way. Once a month everyone shuts up shop for 10 minutes while the authorities slowly pace the streets, then write reports saying they’ve seen no counterfeit goods being sold in their area, reports that are then presumably forwarded to the Western nations as proof that the Asian governments’ anti-piracy measures are indeed taking effect. Meanwhile, copyright warnings are prominently displayed even on the duplicated goods themselves (“violations will be prosecuted according to the civil law and the penal code”). But what copyright precisely is, and who decides who it is that has the exclusive right to make copies, is one of the many questions this book attempts to answer.

Handbags Market Report: 2010 Edition -- New Report by Koncept Analytics

Handbags represent one of the key accessories completing the wardrobe of women for ages, which also serve as a major driver behind the growth of the fashion world. Changes in the key trends in the handbag market result mainly because of the changes in the fashion and luxury market. Fashion designers and boutiques are increasingly including handbags in their new collections as designer handbags generate high margins. Designer handbags are registered a high growth in the prices for the last several years. The US handbags market witnessed a decline in growth in 2008 and 2009 because of the global economic slowdown. The financial recession not only caused a fall in domestic demand, but also led to a fall in exports. The EU handbags market consists of six major markets - Italy, France, the UK, Germany, Spain and the Netherlands – which collectively account for the majority share in sales and production of handbags. In EU, handbags are mainly sold through specialist chain and independent retailers. The US and EU handbag market is all set to witness a growth in the coming years as result of huge export demand from countries like China and India and also as a result of improving economic conditions in their domestic as well as international markets. Competition has been one of the major characteristics of the handbag market with numerous independent designers launching their own stores. The premium handbag companies mainly include luxury brands as well as private label retailers. For a long time, Europe is the largest market for luxury handbags with brands like Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Gucci and Prada; but American designers are giving it a touch competition with new strategies and branding initiatives. Companies like Coach Inc, Louis Vuitton SA, Burberry Group Plc and Hermes International SCA have shifted their attention to under-penetrated markets with huge growth potential, like China and India. Also, companies have realigned their distribution channels to cater to customer needs more efficiently and reduce their operational costs at the same time.

Special Report-Vietnam's capitalist roaders follow China's trail

Nguyen Duc Tai was on a mission one sweltering January morning in Vietnam's commercial capital, Ho Chi Minh City. Flush with cash from his annual bonus, he wanted to buy his wife a new mobile phone, a gift for the coming Tet lunar new year holidays. In a county where the average annual income is about $1,100 (£698.70), a good phone is a big investment. Tai wanted to make the right choice with his 5 million dong ($250). "It was so confusing. I went to two shops, but no one could give me the full picture of what I could get for my money. They showed me one or two phones. That's not enough. If they could show me 10 at similar prices I could make a decision. The 35-year-old smelled opportunity. "I said to myself, 'There's something wrong here. I have money. I'm willing to pay. But I cannot find what I want. There is a mistake somewhere and if I can fix that. The customers will support me'." Fast-forward six years and Tai is chief and co-founder of Mobile World, Vietnam's largest cellular phone retailer, part of a new breed of fast-growing companies tapping a swelling middle class in the Communist-run country of nearly 90 million people. Vietnam has emerged over the past decade from the hangover of war to play a central role on Asia's factory floor, producing everything from footwear to computer parts. An economy once built around carpet-bombed rice paddies now boasts gleaming shopping malls and towering skyscrapers. BMWs and Rolls Royces jostle for space on streets clogged with motor-scooters and bicycle rickshaws. As northern neighbour and former imperial ruler China begins the transition from sweatshop economy to consumer society, Vietnam hopes to follow. Companies such as Mobile World could lead the way. But in recent months, Vietnam's problems have overshadowed its promise - from spiralling inflation to a stumbling currency, red tape, a debilitating trade deficit and creaking infrastructure. Policymakers face critical choices in the next few years that could either make Vietnam the world's next emerging-market star or deepen its economic malaise. That forms a sober backdrop to the ruling Communist Party congress that began on Wednesday, where delegates will give their nod to maintaining policy goals aimed at delivering economic growth of up to 7.5 percent a year for the next five years. Addressing Vietnam's urgent problems is not on the formal agenda, although stabilising the economy is a hot topic behind the scenes. Even without bold reforms, nimble companies are shaking up the private sector, led by executives inspired by success stories from China. Despite Vietnam's chronic economic problems, Mobile World for instance has grown from seven stores to more than 70 over the past three years with nearly 4,000 staff. Revenue doubled last year to $150 million and is projected to double again this year. Net profit, $5 million last year, is expected to triple this year to $14 million. "We don't care about politics," laughs Tai. "We care about the customer." Interviews with business executives, investors and independent analysts reckon Vietnam's burgeoning prosperity trails China's by a decade or so. Young executives, and the overseas' investors who back them, have settled on a simple premise: what works in China, should work in Vietnam. "China is basically five to 10 years ahead of Vietnam. So it is a good leading indicator for what's coming," said Chris Freund, managing partner at frontier-market investor Mekong Capital, whose funds invest in 21 Vietnamese companies including Mobile World.

108 detained in fakes clampdown

A Crackdown on fake goods has led to 108 people being detained in the past three months for allegedly manufacturing and selling counterfeit luxury products, police said yesterday. More than 210,000 fake products were confiscated from 29 manufacturing workshops and 55 storehouses. The products were worth an estimated 196 million yuan (US$29.5 million), according to police. Some counterfeiters are said to have had accomplices in other areas. In a recent case, Hongkou District police said factories in Sichuan Province and Guangdong Province were raided for manufacturing fake Louis Vuitton and Gucci handbags. Police started the investigation at a clothing market on Qipu Road, a well-known place in town for cheap clothes. They found most of the fake branded bags and purses were supplied by two people. One was identified as Jiang and the other as Li, said Xi Jiarong, chief of economic crimes of the district police. "The sellers in the stores were all hired migrant workers and we wanted to find the bigger names," Xi told reporters yesterday. Both of the suspects were detained. Officers found the goods originated from factories in Sichuan and Guangdong, and contacted police there. On December 2, police raided a factory in Sichuan and found 2,000 kilograms of partly made fake wallets. A week later, two manufacturing dens in Guangdong were targeted with a different suspect also surnamed Jiang detained, Xi said. In the meantime, two stock houses in Shanghai, one in Yangpu and the other in Minhang, were also raided and 20,000 fake purses were found, Xi added. The value of the confiscated goods is still under evaluation, police said. The crackdown is part of a national campaign by the State Council.

Stopping illegal file sharing a low priority for DOJ?

But after reading reports from the FBI and Department of Justice about efforts to protect the nation's intellectual property, I was stunned to find so few cases involving online file sharing. Among the "significant" prosecutions the DOJ listed in 2010, only one involved the illegal distribution of digital media over the Web. In April, the DOJ won a conviction against the operator of USAwarez.com, a site that the feds claim used the Web to distribute pirated movies, games, and software. The man was sentenced to more than two years in jail. Contrast this one conviction with the scores of sites that stream pirated movies and the millions of people around the world who use peer-to-peer networks to access unauthorized copies of films, TV shows, e-books, and games. Media companies say piracy costs the U.S. economy billions and kills jobs, harming actors and musicians as well as caterers and truck drivers. Entertainment companies spend millions on lobbying efforts and all the government can muster is one "significant' digital-media prosecution. A DOJ representative did not respond to an interview request. The DOJ's 28-page report raises all kinds of questions for me. Is the commercial pirating of films and music online harder to prosecute? Are media companies hurt by this as much as they say? (The credibility of the studies that film and music sectors have cited on the impacts of piracy were called into question by the U.S. Government Accountability Office last year.) How much support in Washington do entertainment companies possess?

The Lady Bag makes a comeback for fall 2011

The Lady Bag, which is a top handle satchel or small tote, is making a comeback after a one season absence from the runways. Fall 2010 was an important season for the Lady Bag as it blended well with the vintage trend which was all over the fall 2010 runways in New York, Milan, Paris and London. The spring 2011 runways shied away from the Lady Bag as the overall vibe was less structure and more movement. As the pre-fall 2011 presentations come to an end, the fashion world has been provided a snapshot of what is to come for fall 2011; structure is returning and the Lady Bag is back with a vengeance. Roberto Cavalli and Gucci, to name a couple, showed various style of the iconic Lady Bag on their pre-fall runways. Although more casual than Fall Fashion Week, the pre-fall presentations have given Fashionistas a bird eyes view into what will be hot for fall 2011. The Lady Bag was everywhere and was shown in a wider range of colors than fall 2010. Gucci presented the Lady Bag in fall colors such as military green and classic tones such as chambray. In addition to colors, designers showed varying shades of brown and of course classic black. Fabrications on the pre-fall Lady Bags were ostrich, crocodile and smooth leather. The Lady Bag is being shown once again in single top handle and double top handle styles. The detachable shoulder strap is also reappearing on the Lady Bag adding to the versatility of the handbag as a whole. With the long should strap trend, a detachable strap on a Lady Bag is key to allowing versatility in a handbag. Another trend making a comeback? Looks like Military green will be back on store shelves for fall 2011. As you comb through your closet and store your fabulous fall items, make sure you properly store your Lady Bags and military green handbags. You will be right on trend for fall when you pull them back out of storage in August.

Bernard Arnault lays siege to Hermès and its founding family

ON HIS way to creating the world’s biggest luxury group and becoming the richest man in France, Bernard Arnault has made a career of swallowing grand, family-owned businesses. Over the years he has picked many a fight with founders of luxury firms, or their heirs, who were unwilling to sell. He also fought bitterly and unsuccessfully with François Pinault, his archrival, over the takeover of Gucci, an Italian fashion house. The French press called it the “handbag war”. Three months ago Mr Arnault began what may become his longest, most spectacular takeover battle yet. At the end of October his group, Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton (LVMH), announced that it had amassed a 17.1% stake in Hermès, a family-owned maker of silk scarves and expensive handbags. On December 21st LVMH said it had increased its stake to 20.2%. Mr Arnault’s offensive took the descendants of Thierry Hermès, a saddlemaker who founded the company in 1837, by surprise. LVMH built the stake through cash-settled equity swaps with three banks that dated back to 2008, when the luxury industry was in a deep crisis. The use of these derivative contracts allowed LVMH to skirt disclosure requirements and produced a nice profit for Mr Arnault, who had bet on Hermès’s stellar rebound. The five dozen heirs who own 73% of Hermès are not happy about the intruder. They want the company to remain independent and keep its tradition of craftsmanship, which they fear would be lost in a big, commercially minded group like LVMH. On December 5th the family said they would create a holding company into which they would put 51% of Hermès’s shares. It would have the right to buy out any member wanting to sell his stake. This involves a financial sacrifice, since those who put their shares into the holding will surrender part of their dividends so they can be used to buy out other members. Mr Arnault insists that his intentions are amicable. LVMH is aiming to be a supportive long-term shareholder of Hermès, and wants to contribute to the preservation of the group’s Frenchness and its family-firm attributes. The family retorts that if his intentions were amicable, he would sell and go away. Patrick Thomas, the chief executive of Hermès, maintains that it does not need help or advice from LVMH, pointing out that Hermès shares have done better than those of LVMH since Hermès went public in 1993. However united the Hermès heirs appear to be in their opposition to Mr Arnault, his prowling seems to have alarmed them, and it is conceivable that their united front may crumble. And to create the holding company they will need an exemption from having to make a mandatory tender offer for all shares from France’s Financial Markets Authority (AMF). Colette Neuville, an influential French advocate of shareholder rights, has called on the AMF to block the family’s move, arguing that it would put non-family minority shareholders at a disadvantage because the value of their shares would be reduced if a majority of the shares were locked up. After Mr Arnault’s latest swoop, only about 7% of Hermès’s shares are traded on the stockmarket. Since the AMF has a duty to protect minorities’ interests, the regulator may indeed block the plan. “By continuing to buy, Mr Arnault piles up pressure on the family to delist Hermès, for which they may not have the wherewithal,” says Luca Solca, a luxury analyst at Bernstein Research. Or Mr Arnault may be playing a long game. Analysts at HSBC, a bank, say that he knows that he cannot take over Hermès without the approval of about 15 members of the fifth generation who are aged roughly 65-75; the analysts speculate that he is positioning LVMH for the succession of the sixth generation. Bertrand Puech, chairman of Hermès and a family member, says the sixth generation is as committed to the continued independence of the maison as their forefathers were. But so were the heirs of Louis Vuitton, whose business became one of Mr Arnault’s prize conquests.

Vegas' grand designs

When it comes to shopping, Las Vegas is on its way to becoming the fashion capital of the West. Even through the recession, luxury brands have continued to pour money into the $28.2-billion retail market, adding to what is already a smorgasbord of high-end offerings. Though the state's recovery will likely lag for months behind the rest of the country, Lanvin, Tom Ford, Donna Karan and Reed Krakoff all opened stores in Las Vegas in 2010, banking on exposure to the city's nearly 40 million annual visitors. Other brands such as Louis Vuitton and Prada built new, supersized boutiques, adding to the number of outlets they already have here. These stores aren't targeting locals; they're targeting wealthy and foreign tourists. (Twelve percent of visitors to Las Vegas come from overseas.) The assortment of merchandise is sophisticated, even avant-garde at certain boutiques. And customer service can be over the top. "Retailers look upon Las Vegas as one of the markets to be in," says Stephen P.A. Brown, director of the Center for Business and Economic Research at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. And he adds that the Caesars Palace Forum Shops still has the highest sales per square foot - $1,400 - of any shopping mall in the U.S. (In 2009, average sales per square foot at U.S. malls were $420, according to data from investment research firm Green Street Advisors that was reported in U.S. News and World Report.) Opening a store here has also become a way to create brand awareness, Brown says, and having multiple locations in Las Vegas isn't so outrageous when you consider how difficult it is to move up and down the Strip. (Louis Vuitton has four stores in Las Vegas, Tiffany & Co., Dior and Chanel each have three, and Prada and Hermes have two.) "You can't look at Las Vegas as one point in time. You have to look at it in terms of the long stretch," says Krakoff, the creative director of Coach who started his own namesake luxury brand in 2009. He opened his third boutique in the world at the Forum Shops in November, offering such items as a $1,790 beaver fur cardigan. "Las Vegas is great for a brand in its early phase. You have captive customers who are inclined to want to see something new." If the experience of shopping in Las Vegas feels different, that's the point. You're likely to get an enthusiastic "Hello!" before you've stepped 5 feet into a luxury store, even if you happen to be toting a strawberry daiquiri. "The training for salespeople is different," says Terri Monsour, a retail consultant who has worked with the Wynn Resorts and the Cosmopolitan. "First thing they teach you is not to judge a book by its cover. And always follow up a sale with a letter. ... This is a city where you can meet someone once and they will be your customer for life." There seems to be nothing salespeople at luxury boutiques won't do. One evening, the manager of a designer boutique at the Forum Shops took a selection of pants to a guest's room so he could shop from his bubble bath, says Maureen Crampton, marketing director of the Caesars Palace mall. Efforts to personalize the shopping experience even extend to the window displays, which are often switched out depending on the headliner in town. There's "more flash when there's a headlining boxing match, for example," Crampton says. "If there is a crazy special item, and only three were produced, most likely one of them is sitting in a Las Vegas boutique," says Jenna Doughton, a personal shopper whose clients include locals and tourists.

The fight against fake

Laundry soap did seem an unusual product for someone to counterfeit. Rolex watches, Gucci handbags, Tiffany jewelry or Windows operating systems are the kinds of goods that you imagine in the counterfeit world. But fake Tide detergent? In September, 5,000 boxes of the phony stuff were seized by U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents in Seattle after being unloaded from a ship that had arrived from China. That shipment, the agency estimates, would have generated a profit of at least $4,000 on the Tide-labeled detergent and an additional 3,600 bags of Ariel-labeled detergent also found in the container. A favorite abroad, Ariel is sold here in such places as Mexican groceries. If there is a profit to be made, however small, somebody will try to sneak it in. And it all adds up. Two weeks later, 52,160 packages of fake Ariel were confiscated from the same importer, for which the profit would have been more than $24,000. “A detergent does seem a little weird,” Judy Staudt, a Customs import specialist, said of counterfeiting Tide or Ariel. “But you understand that it's 300 or 400 percent profit.” Nationwide, 95 percent of our overseas cargo moves through Seattle's ports, Customs officials say. A million of those 40-foot metal containers, the agency says, arrived by ocean in Seattle and Tacoma in fiscal 2009. And they have to be checked out. Counterfeiting costs U.S. businesses $200 billion to $250 billion annually, according to the International Anti-Counterfeiting Coalition, composed of affected companies. These days, the same techniques implemented after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks to look for terrorist weapons also nab that counterfeit detergent. Customs and Border Protection now is the largest law enforcement agency in the country, with some 58,000 employees. The old Immigration and Naturalization Service, Border Patrol, U.S. Customs and federal agriculture inspectors were combined in 2003. Its search for illicit goods includes: » Sending the containers through a radiation portal monitor that looks a bit like a toll booth. The monitors record and rank any radiation emanating from the container. Ceramics, for example, emit naturally occurring, harmless radiation. But a neutron alert might come from something like oil-drilling equipment. Or it could come from plutonium to make a nuclear weapon.