Festival pulls out the big, expensive fashion guns

  It is said living well is the best revenge, which is exactly what Perth Fashion Festival has done for its new campaign.

Following the establishment of a rival fashion focused event this year, the PFF plans to put "boom town" on the fashion map by recruiting some of Australia's leading taste makers to set the mood of the 2012 event.

Creative consultant Michelle Jank, who was discovered by Elle boutique's Wendy Marshall, has joined forces with PFF to add some international spunk to this year's showcase.

She is one of Australia's most successful stylists who now splits her time between Sydney, London and Paris.

Since collaborating with Sex and The City stylist Patricia Field, Jank has gone on to design jewellery and couture collections, been praised by Vogue editors around world and now produces shows for Myer and Sportsgirl.

Jank, along with renowned Australian fashion photographer Pierre Toussaint, M.A.C's senior makeup artist Nicole Thompson and hair stylist to the stars Brad Ngata, produced the new PFF campaign in Sydney over the weekend.

Model of the minute Nicole Pollard and star of the campaign – swathed in WA fashion labels Ellery, Poppy Lissiman and Reny Kestel headpieces, will be the official Face of the Festival.

The 17-year-old strutted the catwalk for Rachel Roy at New York Fashion Week and was a favourite "model-off-duty" subject for street-style bloggers and editors at the recent Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Australia.

It's the first time organisers have chosen an ambassador who doesn't hail from WA.

"Attracting a tremendous level of national and international industry attention, Nicole is the perfect Face to take PFF to new heights in 2012 and as one of Chic Management's most in-demand models, it is great to have the opportunity to work with a model who is destined to be Australia's next superstar," festival director Mariella Harvey-Hanrahan said.

"We are always looking to build on the festival's past successes by building the brand both nationally and internationally to provide WA's designers with an entry into new and exciting markets."

Jank's creative direction for the 2012 campaign is the first time she has worked with the PFF team in the event's 13-year history.

It is yet to be confirmed if she will work on other aspects of the festival.

"I believe there is something really special that comes from the isolation of growing up in Perth. It teaches one to be resourceful and to strive for your dreams.  I am always proud to hear of Western Australians' successes and I think it's important for Western Australian's in the industry to support each other," Ms Jank said.

 Designer Kallol Datta’s Twitter handle describes him as “India’s heaviest fashion designer”. Going by the volume of congratulatory messages pouring in from his clients, friends and well-wishers after his selection as the grand finale designer for the Winter Festive 2012 season of Lakme Fashion Week (LFW), it seems that he is on his way to become an industry heavyweight as well. Datta will share this honour with husband-wife designer duo Pankaj and Nidhi Ahuja.

“It took a while to sink in, but now I am worried about finishing the collection on time as there’s so much to do in just two months,” says Dutta, adding that he considers himself lucky to be “at the right place at the right time”. For a designer who started his career as a GenNext designer at LFW in 2007, a finale so soon is a big achievement.

“I had never even dreamed of making it as a finale designer. When I started out, the plan was to stay true to my sensibility rather than give in to market demands. A part of me was ready to accept that things might not go my way and that I would have to start working on bridal collections,” he says.

Like Datta, the career plans of Pankaj and Nidhi, too, have got a shot in the arm after LFW announced its decision. The duo, who met while working under veteran designer Rohit Bal, have won people over with their well-researched collections since 2006 — be it Japanese knitting or the Polish paper-cutting technique. Interestingly, this is their first time at LFW. “We couldn’t have opened the LFW account in a better way,” says Pankaj. A few weeks ago, when they first sent in their designs to Lakme and IMG Reliance, an event management company that puts together the show, they expected a regular berth. “The decision to have us present one of the finale segments was a pleasant surprise. As younger designers, there’s a lot more riding on us,” he adds.

... Contd.

Cannes Film Festival fashion: See what the stars are wearing

Berenice Marlohe, the newest Bond girl, has been making the red carpet look like a day at the beach. One day it was a gold lame gown by Emilio Pucci with a black lace insert on the halter top; on another it was a black lace Roberto Cavalli with a deep V-neck complemented by a chainlike Swarovski crystal necklace.

Also getting a lot of attention is Naomi Watts, who has shown a deep closet full of custom-made looks: a Marchesa gown in champagne with feathers and embroidery, a blush-colored Calvin Klein gown with spaghetti straps, a sleeveless cocktail dress with a gray iridescent top and ostrich-feather skirt from Gucci, and a floral-print, sequin-dotted Cavalli with a gold-detailed black blazer.

The Marchesa gown had custom-dyed, hand-stitched feather flowers "cascade down the dress to create an airy and ethereal effect,'' said designer Georgina Chapman.

Kirsten Dunst had a very feminine moment in a demure, white dress by Dolce & Gabbana. She wore her hair swept in an updo decorated with flowers.

For the nighttime screening of her new film "On the Road," Dunst was in fuchsia Dior.

Many runway models are part of Cannes' fashion show, too, among them Karolina Kurkova in a paillette-covered, V-neck halter by Cavalli with a mermaid hem and long, dangling ruby-and-diamond earrings by Bulgari, and Erin Wasson in a multi-colored beaded-fringe gown by Oscar de la Renta. Irina Shayk wore a cream-and-silver sequined Cavalli minidress with a fringed hemline.

Some fashion statements are coming from the men, especially with their shoes. Brad Pitt paired white lace-ups with his khaki Gucci suit, and Ewan McGregor wore spectator brogues with his navy Marni striped jacket and trousers. 

italian majors gucci, armani plan stores in india

Terming India’s decision to allow 100 per cent foreign direct investment ( FDI) in single-brand retail as a ‘revolution’, Italian Trade Commissioner Erica Di Giovancarlo said, businessmen of both the countries can collaborate in sectors like automobiles, fashion and textiles through joint ventures. And many Italian companies are showing interest in setting up stores in India.

“This decision (allowing 100 per cent FDI in single–brand) of the government is a revolution in this market. I am sure it will catch interest of lot of companies…,” Giovancarlo says. The decision has paved the way for global Italian chains like Armani, Gucci and Prada to have full ownership of their India operations. 

Italy, a world leader in fashion designing, is interested in setting up businesses here. “Italy is known for fashion. Indian designs are growing very fast. It will be interesting to see how two countries can match. We are working hard on this,” she said. She added that in order to bolster trade ties between the two countries, Italy is also organising a three-day ‘Expo Riva Schuh Fair’ here from July 5, 2012.

The exhibition will offer high-end products which include bags, belts, footwear and leather accessories. “It’s a good meeting point of local needs and Italian products,” she said. However, the third-largest economy in Europe, will wait for the economic situation to recover in its region, before making investments here. The Italian companies, mainly the SMEs are facing tough situation due to slowdown. “We have to wait as situation in Italy is very tough but the interest in this country (India) is very high,” Giovancarlo added. Gilateral trade between India and Italy stood at $ 8.8 billion (over Rs 48,000 crores) during 2010-11. 

Chanel Cruise 2012/13

There are shows, and then there are Chanel shows. The sheer scale of the French house's sets are enough to slacken the jaws of even the most jaded fashion editor and yesterday's vision for Cruise 2012/13 lived up to expectation.

Held at the Chateau de Versailles, Lagerfeld took us back to the venue's most decadent era, with benches encased by festooned tents and piped music mixing with the sound of the imperious fountains.

Model of the moment Cara Delevingne - those eyebrows! - was first out, dispelling any lingering doubts that the court of Louis XVI was in session. The backstage dream team of make-up artist Peter Phillips and hair stylist Sam McKnight transformed the fresh faced models - the likes of Lindsey Wixon and Bazaar cover star Georgia May Jagger joining Delevingne - into powder-puffed maidens (the beauty spot is back), coloured hair pieces secured by ribbons.

And if the models were new girls taken back in time by their maquillage, the clothes were classic French structures pulled forward to the present - courtiers decked out in denim (one complete with quilted watering can), petticoated panniers juxtaposed by brothel creepers. The overall feeling was of a playful youthfulness, of which Marie Antoinette would no doubt have approved.

Post-show, and after King Karl had emerged to wave to his audience, guests moved to a chandelier filled orangery, where Vanessa Paradis, Tilda Swinton, Haider Ackermann, Sam Taylor Wood and Laura Bailey watched Chanel's latest face, Alice Dellal, perform an energetic set with her band.

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE BEST DRESSED A-LISTERS ON THE FRONT ROW

The real discussion point, though, centered around whether Lagerfeld was actually powerful enough to have pre-ordered the sun, which made its first appearance in weeks just in time for the al fresco show. I wouldn't bet against him.

Chicago: cops start preemptive arrests on the eve of NATO Summit

Authorities in Chicago are gearing up for a weekend of anti-NATO activity in the Windy City, but it's already being reported that law enforcement there might be a little too eager to begin arrests. The home of known activists was raided Wednesday.

The National Lawyers Guild confirms that law enforcement agents broke down the door of a 6-unit apartment building in the Chicago, Illinois neighborhood of Bridgeport at around 11:30 pm on Wednesday. Once inside, they entered the apartment of known activists with guns drawn and then cuffed the residents.

For two hours, tenants were shackled and questioned by officers with the Organized Crime Division of the Chicago Police Department. The Chicago Tribune writes that police reports detailing the incident have been obtained by the newspaper and confirm that nine people were arrested in the raid for allegedly making or possessing Molotov cocktail explosives. Police sources add to the paper early Friday, however, that none of the suspects had been charged.

Attorneys for the accused attest to the innocence of their clients. The reason they cannot prove that they were making Molotov cocktails, they say, is because they weren’t — instead, police saw and seized equipment used for home brewing beer.

Austerity-only cure for crisis out of fashion, but growth rhetoric covers difficult realities

WASHINGTON — On paper at least, European leaders agree: They need stronger growth measures to help their economies expand out of their 2½-year-old government debt crisis. Figuring out exactly what those new steps might be will be the hard part.

Under urging from U.S. President Barack Obama and French President Francoise Hollande at the Group of Eight summit, German Chancellor Angela Merkel signed onto a statement that called for mixing painful cutbacks with growth-promoting measures to deal with a crisis that threatens the global economy.

The leaders warned that budget deficits have to come down. But they also acknowledged that an approach that’s based mostly on austerity and long-term reforms can’t help countries out of recessions this year or next. That’s the approach that has dominated the continent’s German-led attack on the crisis since it erupted in late 2009, when Greece admitted its finances were broken.

“Our imperative is to promote growth and jobs,” leaders said in their final declaration after Saturday’s summit. While they “commit to fiscal responsibility,” the leaders also supported spending on education and public works. They also said heavily indebted countries should have the chance to fix their budgets in ways that take into account how well their economies are doing at the moment and support “confidence and economic recovery.”

They said little about specific steps and left exactly what to do up to individual countries, saying they recognize “the right measures are not the same for all of us.”

The statement comes as markets look ahead to an informal European summit meeting Thursday, and to a June 17 election in Greece. An indecisive poll May 6 left no Greek party with enough votes to govern.

Cornell University economist Eswar Prasad said the statement papers over divisions among the leaders and said Merkel, a chief advocate of austerity, had not altered her stance. The language “is cautious and guarded and leaves much room for difference of opinion so that each of the G-8 leaders can go back and say they got the other leaders to agree.”

“There is no consensus there and it comes across very clearly in the statement,” he said. “Market expectations for the summit were quite low and those expectations have been met.”

At the summit, Merkel openly rejected any sense that a pro-growth stance meant stimulus spending. It’s a stance fed by annoyance among voters at home that Germany, which supports the biggest share of the European bailout fund, is helping rescue countries that were not careful with their finances. Germany faces national elections next year.

So where will growth come from?

Despite their fudging, European leaders were in effect recognizing limited steps that are already taking place. It’s clear that the slack economy in Spain, for instance, means the country will not reach its target deficit of 3 percent of gross domestic product by next year, in effect taking more time to meet EU budget rules.

The slipping target underlines the austerity trap: To keep borrowing money by selling bonds to investors, Spain must show it is reducing its deficit, which was 8.9 percent of GDP last year. So it is severely cutting back spending. That removes stimulus from the economy. Partly as a result, the economy sank into recession. And as companies and people make less money, they pay less in taxes. The cutbacks make balancing the budget even harder.

In China’s Luxury Market, “There Is Still Plenty Of Potential”

Still-booming growth in China’s [URL=http://www.fashionluxurygoods.us/]fashion luxury goods[/URL] market, which has it on track to surpass Japan as the world’s top spender on high-end goods by 2015, has seen major brands continue to invest in nationwide expansion, but issues such as a shortage of suitable retail space have made some question whether the market is seeing early signs of saturation. Despite these concerns, on-the-ground statistics indicate that, while the market is evolving and the consumer is becoming gradually more sophisticated, demand remains high. According to CNN, LVMH’s first-quarter sales jumped 25 percent this year, “thanks to China,” adding, “While Chinese buyers are Louis Vuitton’s biggest customers already, the market is far from saturated.” As Wendy Trevisani, a portfolio manager at Thornburg Investment Management, put it, “China’s consumer is still in its infancy,” and consumer spending is growing “pretty much without hesitation.”

This week, IW Magazine speaks to Swiss watch veteran Marc Bernhardt, who now works for the Chinese luxury group VASTO, who, like Trevisani, feels that the vastness of China’s interior — and the potential of consumers in third- and fourth-tier cities far from Beijing or Shanghai — means the market remains one of the most enticing in the world. VASTO, which currently operates around 300 points of sale throughout China, as well as shops in Switzerland and the Middle East and plans to expand to France and the US, positions itself as the “Brooks Brothers of China,” sells apparel, Swiss-made watches, French-made pens and Italian leather goods. From Bernhardt’s interview:

IW: Tell us about the Chinese luxury market.
Marc Bernhardt (MB): China is a huge country with a population of 1.4 billion, but is made up of made very different markets of which differences may be as large as exist between Scandinavia and Italy. However, the “standardization” as evidenced by similar looking malls with uniform global brand marketing campaigns is leveling the playing fields. Based on the development and penetration (of international) brands, the market is largely divided into first, second, third and even fourth tier areas. First tier markets include Shanghai, Beijing and Guangzhou, which have modern infrastructure and a Westernized consumer. Other tier cities will include cities with a population of around 1 million each. Western brands usually enter China through tier one and two and then work their way down.
It is amazing to already see particularly the presence of some of the Swatch brands (Tissot, Rado, Longines) in fourth tier areas. So the notion that there is still virgin territory with ignorant consumers can slowly be dismissed.

Top 10 winter fashion trends

Such is life on planet [URL=http://www.fashion-goods.us/]fashion goods message[/URL] that as next summer's hot trends are being showcased now on the runways at Australian Fashion Week, back in the real world, with the mercury dropping daily, we're busy planning our winter wardrobes. Consider this your official winter wish list.
LACE: One of winter's chicest trends, look to lace blouses and mini-dresses for a glam look by day or night.  This season however lovely lace doesn't just come in traditional black – or navy for that matter – but pale shades like cream and white and the prettiest pastels – icy blue, mint green, yellow and fairy floss (al la Louis Vuitton's stunning Autumn/Winter 2012 collection).  Or if you're feeling really adventurous go for gilt – even Collette Dinnigan is championing the look.
LUXE LEATHER: Call it the Lisbeth Salander effect but tough leather - and lots of it – is set to rock the winter radar.  Work the look in black, or go for luxe shades of chocolate and tan.  A leather motorbike jacket, leggings (go on be brave we spied a hot pair at Sass & Bide), a chic ? skirt (the new length), or even a leather shift dress (thank you Celine) will give you serious fashion cred.

EMERALD CITY: Making for a glamorous jewelled statement is the shade of the season – emerald green.  Livening up the winter landscape, a bold shot of Emerald courtesy of a tailored jacket, trench coat, satin shirt, or any all-out frock screams on trend.
COLOUR POP: It's no secret classic shades of black, grey and brown prevail in winter, but no wardrobe is complete without the necessary pop of colour. Brighten up your outfit instantly – and avoid overkill – with the help of a poppy bright scarf - go sunny yellow, bright orange, hot pink or green. Rainbow coloured jeans – think red, cobalt, orange and pink (still going strong for winter) will also help you fly the flag for colour.
IN THE TRENCHES: What woman doesn't covet a classic like a Burberry trench in enduring camel?  A can't-live-without winter staple – whether you cover up with a fashion favourite trench, a tailored jacket, a cute pea or a sexy swing coat, there's only one colour – camel.
IT BAG: Touting a summer bag won't do in winter, but there is more to life than boring black. This season embrace the latest twist on noir and opt for a rich chocolate or sultry grey. As for the shape? Structured without being stiff is where it's at.  Take inspiration from the likes of Prada, Jerome Dreyfuss and Givenchy but be savvy and shop it on the high street.

ANKLE BOOT: As they love to say on planet fashion if you only buy one thing this winter make sure it's ... an ankle boot. Practical but with a fashion forward edge, look for your bootie in luxe leather or chic suede (black or tan is the way to go – or why not both?). A hint of a heel (wooden will break things up) is seriously chic. Oh and in case you've missed it, the other boot to covet right now is the posh gumboot (yep really!). Look to brands like Hunter and Burberry or head to your local Bunning's to pick up the real deal. And yes you can wear them with your skinny jeans and a chic blazer anywhere.
SHAPE UP:  One of the most exciting – and sexy – silhouettes to emerge for this season is the peplum.  Not to be feared, this new incarnation is an ever so subtle detail on dresses, jackets and skirt and top sets.  Big on impact, but totally wearable even the Duchess of Cambridge has adopted the look– and when it comes to style wherever Kate treads the rest of us will be sure to follow.

COZY KNIT: It wouldn't be winter without beautiful knitwear. Moving on from the bulky boyfriend styles, this season knit comes long and streamlined. Look to luxe yarns like cashmere and merino and consider a long cardigan a great alternative to a tailored jacket.  Or add a take you anywhere knit dress to your wardrobe.
CAMOUFLAGE: Consider army accents your canvas when creating your winter wardrobe.  Army greens, khaki, camel, brown and grey are the key shades for basics like slouchy pants, cargo and cropped jackets, while military inspired pieces – think satchels, pea coats, belts, boots and accessories like sunglasses will help you win the war on fashion.

LEWIS PR Wins Platinum Hermes Creative Award

SAN FRANCISCO, CA, May 16, 2012 (MARKETWIRE via COMTEX) -- LEWIS PR, a global PR and digital communications

agency, announced it has won a Platinum Hermes Creative Award. LEWIS PR was honored in the book publication category

for the agency-authored title, 'The Changing Face of Communications.' The annual awards are administered and judged

by the Association of Marketing and Communication Professionals (AMCP).

The award-winning e-book shares a series of 12 articles on modern day digital techniques for PR and communications

professionals. Written by LEWIS PR's in-house digital communication practitioners, 'The Changing Face of

Communications' covers how-to topics ranging from SEO techniques to social media management, blog development and

more.

The Hermes Platinum Award recognizes LEWIS PR's outstanding work in developing expert-quality, creative resources

for communications professionals within the industry.

To learn more about 'The Changing Face of Communications,' visit the LEWIS PR Resource page to download a free

electronic copy.

About LEWIS PR LEWIS PR is a global PR and digital communications agency. In addition to traditional media and

analyst relations, LEWIS specializes in social media, digital marketing and creative services. It works with

organizations to implement integrated communications programs on an international scale. LEWIS works with leading

and emerging brands across multiple sectors, including automotive, consumer, government, healthcare, insurance,

legal, non-profit, technology and telecom. LEWIS has more than 25 wholly-owned offices across the US, EMEA and Asia

Pacific, with regional headquarters in London, San Francisco and Singapore.

Image Available: http://www2.marketwire.com/mw/frame_mw?attachid=1984973

Calvin Klein's Costa stirring more attention

NEW YORK—Francisco Costa has waited—patiently—to make his big splash. He jumped in as creative director for womenswear at Calvin Klein with both feet when he was handpicked by Klein almost a decade ago, but he's been a behind-the-scenes player, slowly, steadily building up his portfolio and profile while staying true to the house's DNA of minimalist, modern design.

He has scored some big awards, including twice being named best women's designer by the Council of Fashion Designers of America and winning a national design award from the Smithsonian's Cooper-Hewitt Museum. He's also had some memorable red-carpet moments

—Gwyneth Paltrow and Jennifer Lawrence wore his designs at last year's Oscars and Emily

Blunt was dressed in Calvin Klein at the Met Gala last week—just to name a few. Still, he doesn't make a lot of noise, and he doesn't generate the gossipy whisper campaigns that the fashion crowd often eats up. When Costa took over, there wasn't the industry intrigue that surrounded the recent appointments of Raf Simmons at Christian Dior or Hedi Slimane at Yves Saint Laurent, although in the world of American fashion, Calvin Klein is one of the best-known pioneering names. Beyond some mixed reviews early on, there hasn't been the succession struggle that has occurred at other venerable U.S. houses such as Bill Blass or Halston.

His runway is now appointment viewing during the crowded schedule of New York Fashion Week,

attracting a front row of A-listers such as Rooney Mara and Katie Holmes in recent seasons, and the clothes almost always leave a lasting impression. But a household name, he is not. 

Costa has no complaints.

"The company has given me a lot of freedom from Day 1, and I have always been able to express myself. It's all gone superfast," he says. "I don't think about it as almost 10 years, I feel like I'm just starting."

Among insiders, Costa has reached the point where he no longer needs that comma and clause after his name that explains he took over for Klein when the designer sold the business. This week, he will be introduced to a much larger audience as a limited edition of dresses under the Francisco Costa for Calvin Klein label lands at Macy's stores as the centerpiece of a big retail campaign focusing on the sites, styles and colors of Brazil.

Costa, 48, was born and raised in Brazil, and it's not all the wild party atmosphere of Rio de Janeiro's Carnival, he says. He grew up in Guarani, in the state of Menais Gerais, with a backdrop of lush rainforests.

"We all stereotype Brazil as a republic of banana and pineapple prints," Costa says, "but I think of it as simple and sophisticated."

Luxury goods demands grow in smaller cities

Consumers in second-tier Chinese cities are becoming more keen on luxury goods, according to a survey released by

the advertising company Publicis Groupe's consumer communication agency Starcom MediaVest Group on Tuesday.

Second- and third-tier Chinese cities have become battlefields where rivals in the luxury-goods industry compete for

market share, the survey found.

"Lower-tier consumers are having their first taste of buying 'obvious luxury', that is, prominent and socially

accepted status symbols, and are hungry for knowledge in an attempt to move beyond price comparison," said Jeffery

Tan, director of Starcom MediaVest Group China's National Research and Insights.

He said Chinese shoppers in first-tier cities have become sophisticated enough to no longer want luxury goods merely

for the purpose of showing off. They instead want them for their inherent quality.

The survey, named "Luxe", was conducted among 1,002 respondents who live in 43 first- to third-tier cities and make

a minimum income of at least 20,000 yuan ($3,160) a month and who spend more than 10,000 yuan a year on luxury

goods.

"As to the luxury brands themselves, such as Louis Vuitton, they have reached a saturation point in cosmopolitan

cities such as Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou," Tan said. "If they want to seek further growth, it becomes a must

for them to reach out to second- and third-tier cities."

Bertilla Teo, the CEO of Starcom MediaVest Group in China, said the brands are well-positioned to move into

additional markets.

"They will complete all the preparation work before they make the move," Teo said.

Ouyang Kun, director of the World Luxury Association's China Office, said luxury brands have recently been affected

by bad publicity.

"But to our great surprise, the negative news has somehow boosted the sales of these luxury brands," Ouyang said.

In smaller cities, people are more likely to give gifts to associates or acquaintances than people in the cities.

Forty percent of the survey respondents in second-tier cities said they had given luxury goods as gifts to such

people, a greater proportion than in first-tier cities.

"The close proximity to first-tier cities has helped second-tier cities to catch up," said Angie Chan, associate

director of Starcom MediaVest Group China's National Research and Insights.

Celebrities are meanwhile exerting a greater influence on luxury shoppers in second-tier cities. Of the respondents

from such places, 122 said they would buy a popular brand that they saw endorsed by a celebrity. In first-tier

cities, 88 respondents gave the same answer, as did 101 in third-tier cities.

Shoppers in second-tier cities are using Internet search engines more and more to buy luxury goods.

Data from the China Internet Network Information Center in April suggested that 356 million people in China were

using mobile Internet devices by the end of 2011, up 122 million year-on-year. Meanwhile, 190 million people in the

country were using smartphones.

On average, the Chinese used Internet mobile devices for 109 minutes a day.

China Auto Logistics 2012 First Quarter Revenues Climbed Past $100 Million on 33% Year Over Year Growth in Luxury Auto Sales

TIANJIN, CHINA, May 15, 2012 (MARKETWIRE via COMTEX) -- China Auto Logistics Inc. (the "Company" or "CALI")

/quotes/zigman/88983/quotes/nls/cali CALI +1.45% , one of China's leading developers of websites for buyers and

sellers of imported and domestic automobiles, a top seller in China of imported luxury cars, and a leading provider

of auto-related services, reported today that first quarter revenues in 2012, benefitting from the continuing strong

demand in China for luxury vehicles, rose 31.7% to $107.45 million compared with $81.57 million a year earlier. At

the same time, the Company continued to shift its focus from web-based advertising sales to further reshaping its

online platforms into springboards for increased auto sales and high margin auto related services growth.

Consequently, despite continued growth in the Company's other auto-related services businesses, including a 186%

increase in finance services revenues, lower results in web-based advertising sales led to an approximately 24%

decline in net income to $1,581,477, or $0.07 per share in this year's first quarter, from $2,077,134 or $0.11 per

share in the first quarter of 2011.

The per share figures also reflect a year over year increase in diluted weighted average shares outstanding from

19,163,427 shares in last year's first quarter to 22,163,427 shares in 2012.

Regrouping At a High Level of Achievement

Mr. Tong Shiping, CEO and Chairman of the Company, stated, "While I would have liked to continue the long string of

quarterly profit gains we achieved in recent years, we have paused to regroup at a very high level of achievement

with an aim to grow more strongly and steadily in the future, utilizing our web platforms." He added, "Of particular

note, our quarterly revenues now exceed the annual revenues we had when we went public in November 2008. We also

have dramatically expanded our web presence from a sole focus on auto importers, in a single city, to the full

spectrum of China's auto buying public, with a presence in 50 cities across the country. Additionally, we have

developed very strong banking relationships that should serve us well in future expansion efforts, while continuing

to make strides in developing new high margin on-line services."

From Monte Carlo to Venice: The Louis Vuitton Classic Run races through Italy

A few months ago we discovered the surprising passion of designer Ralph Lauren towards cars. It has led him to collect authentic museum specimens throughout the years, up to the point of organising an exclusive exhibition of his collection in the Louvre museum of Paris. 

The relationship between the vehicle and fashion is, actually, very close, and it will be seen this week in the most watched and elegant classic of the circuit: the Louis Vuitton Classic Run. The race of vintage cars organised by Louis Vuitton has explored the most well-known roads of the world throughout the years, and returns to Italy from April 23 to 28. 

A total of 43 of the world's most coveted vintage cars will wind through the picturesque countryside from Monte Carlo to Venice, in a fascinating route that was used by the high society at the beginning of the 20th century. In total 1,300 kilometres through the Alps, with elegant urban views, secondary streets, romantic lakes, buildings from the Belle Epoque and villas of the Riviera of Brenta. 

The art of travelling with elegance has become one of the label's most powerful initiatives within the fashion industry, since the Maison created its first collection of trunks, rigid suitcases and adaptable hatboxes for cars in 1897. The most famous: the Sacs Chauffeurs of 1905, that, besides filling the exact gap beside the spare wheel, it also conveniently worked as a place to fit up to five women's hats. 

In order to pay homage to these memorable adventures, Louis Vuitton has decided to organise the Classic Run races in modern times: a tribute to the world of luxury automobiles but also to the Maison’s pioneering spirit. In previous editions the race has taken this curious convoy though exotic and difficult routes like the jungle in Malaysia in 1993, the vineyards and historic cities of Tuscany in 1995, and the oak forests of Budapest, Prague and Vienna during the LV Classic Boheme Run in 2006.

Haiku Reviews: From Louis Vuitton Waffles To A Shepherd's Documented Journey (PHOTOS, VIDEO)

HuffPost Arts' Haiku Reviews are regular features where we invite critics to review exhibitions and performances in short form. Some will be in the traditional Haiku form of 5x7x5 syllables, others might be a sonnet or even a string of words. This week George Heymont, Laurence Cheap Louis Vuitton Bags Vittes and Peter Frank capture the best of the art world now New Louis Vuitton Bags 2011.

Pavel Haas Quartet How Much Are Louis Vuitton Bags
April 21, Samueli Theater
Orange County Performing Arts Center
Costa Mesa

Britten: Three Divertimenti
Pavel Haas: Quartet No.2
Where To Buy Louis Vuitton Bagsfont-size: 10.5pt;">Smetana: String Quartet in E Minor, "From My life"

Both Czech Republic and Slovakia have a long history of producing string quartets of extremely serious virtuosity and insightful music making. The young Pavel Haas Quartet is one of the latest in the line of succession, in this case "descended" from the famous, extremely serious Smetana Quartet whose violist, Milan Skampa, seemingly continues to tutor every young quartet in sight. The Quartet takes its name from the Czech composer Pavel Haas (1899-1944), who was imprisoned at Theresienstadt in 1941 and murdered at Auschwitz three years later. Quartets like these are very important to the health (strength?) of the classical music industry, and there are a lot of good ones out there ready to be snapped up right now. The leader of the Quartet, a strikingly beautiful blond named Veronika Jaruskova who was the original founder of the quartet, features a distinction common to all great Czech and Slovakian quartets, of being able to blend the first violin line in with the others so that the music is like you see it on the page when you're reading the score: All the lines are always there, before your eyes and thence your ears. The 12-minute Britten Divertimenti were originally called Go play, boy, play, and it's an invigorating early work which audiences will be eager to hear. Haas's Second Quartet is earnest, ardent, young and pregnant with fate. Veronika took over in the Smetana and kept it magnificently tight-lipped all the way. A large audience in wonderful Samueli Theater warmed to the serious nature of the Quartet's and the music's love and devotion.

By Laurence Vittes (drawing of Veronika Jaruskova by Larisa Pilinsky)

Luxury goods makers brush up well

High quality global journalism requires investment. Please share this article with others using the link below, do not cut & paste the article. See our Ts&Cs and Copyright Policy for more detail. Email  to buy additional rights.  the French retail and luxury goods group, helped trigger a rally throughout the luxury goods sector this week.

Chanel Bags Neiman Marcus was among the biggest risers in Paris, gaining 8.2 per cent to €127.25 after its first-quarter results came in above expectations, with a 17.8 per cent jump in sales in its profitable luxury division.

Eva Quiroga, analyst at UBS, said: “[PPR’s] luxury numbers were exceptionally strong. The fact that Gucci had nice double digit growth in PPR’s results went down really well – as did the impressive growth at Bottega Veneta and YSL.”

PPR’s results sparked gains across the sector. Chanel Bags Bloomingdales rallied 5.5 per cent to €266.55, while in Milan, Salvatore Ferragamo, the Italian luxury goods manufacturer, jumped 12.8 per cent to €17.35 over the week

Credit Suisse was one of a number of brokers to increase its target price on the stock following the results, raising it to €180 from €155.

Arndt Ellinghorst, an analyst at Credit Suisse, said: “Investor focus seems to be on one-time costs, potential efficiency gains and other special issues in Volkswagen. In our view this overshadows the simple fact that Volkswagen is selling more cars [and] growing more strongly than we [and] consensus expected.”

Volkswagen’s peer Chanel Bags Nordstrom ended the week up 0.6 per cent at €35.68, after a slump in European sales in its latest results weighed on the stock. Shares in the French car company have fallen by almost a fifth from their 2012 peak.

Luxury Hotel in Pune, Hinjewadi Takes a Green Lea

PUNE, INDIA, Apr 27, 2012 (MARKETWIRE via COMTEX) -- Undertaking consistent and relentless environment conservation efforts and working in sync with the brand policy of Spirit to Preserve and Spirit to Serve, the Courtyard by Marriott Pune Hinjewadi celebrates April as the Environmental Awareness Month. With various environment friendly activities planned, Hinjewadi extended stay hotel conducted a 'Green series' of events to spread awareness amongst the hotel associates as well as guests, urging them to 'Go Green.'

The series of Green activities commenced with the interdepartmental 'Best out of Waste' theme based competition. The associates honed their green creativity to make message depicting, environment conservation models made out of recyclable materials. A sapling plantation with the hotel's associates was organized to add a splash of Green to the hotel's surroundings.

Spreading the green wave beyond, the corporate clients were given saplings as a gesture of green encouragement. Commemorating the Earth Day, the Pune 4 star hotel organized a walkathon in Hinjewadi and to spread the message far and wide. The enthused participants walked as Green ambassadors reaching out to extend the message of 'Go Green'.

General Manager of Mumbai Pune expressway hotel, Ms. Ranju Alex said, "We at Marriott have always been ardent advocates for environmental and community causes. We are proud to do our bit to spread the social message of environmental conservation. We hope our green path encourages more and more corporates to come forth and save our environment thereby making way for sustainable development."

Courtyard by Marriott, Pune Hinjewadi kick started its Green run with participation in the Earth Hour 2012. Marriott's environmental vision is to be the global hospitality leader that demonstrates how responsible hospitality management can be a positive force for the environment and create economic opportunities around the world, and by our example, inspire personal action in the communities where we live and work.

When visiting the eco-friendly Courtyard Pune Hinjewadi, be sure to check out the available hotel deals in Pune. Marriott is offering a new India-wide promotion throughout the summer. Guests booking 2 or 3 night stays can take advantage of the You Play, We Pay offer and receive a credit at the hotel. Credits can be used on everything from everything from room upgrades, minibar purchases and high-speed Internet access to dining, spa treatments and laundry service. For more information on this limited time offer, visit  http://ourfanshion.weebly.com/ .