Retail versatility, Vuitton tops ranking, D&G mentorship, Lincoln Center vs. Bryant Park, Mulberry’s Emma Hill

Prabal Gurung Spring/Summer 2011 Runway | Source: Style.com

Stores Cheer Versatile Designs (WSJ)

“Nearly two years after the bottom fell out of the luxury business, retailers are selectively increasing their spending budgets, targeting fashions their core customers will splurge on and key pieces that the still-wary aspirational consumers will find compelling to buy.”

Louis Vuitton tops fashion brand rankings (Just Style)

“The LVMH-owned label maintained its 16th place in the 11th annual rankings of the Best Global Brands, increasing its value by 4% to US$21.9bn.”

Dolce Mentoring (Vogue UK)

“Dolce & Gabbana is launching a new platform highlighting the collections of emerging designers. Opening in Milan this weekend is Spiga2 – a new retail outlet that will house the work of the [designers'] favourite up-and-coming talents.”

A New Location That’s All in How You Use It (NY Times)

“The tents are larger and certainly cleaner than those in Bryant Park, but they don’t necessarily improve the presentations. If [the]smallest, most intimate space at Lincoln Center can’t help the audience engage in the clothes, what hope is there… for American fashion?”

Emma Hill, the Mulberry designer (Guardian)

“Mulberry is a high end but also a quintessentially British brand. Hill herself, though, has spent most of her working in life in New York, designing bags for the likes of Marc Jacobs and Calvin Klein.”