FASHION NEWS
LIZ CLAIBORNE TO CHANGE NAME
Liz Claiborne, which sold its namesake brand last year, is changing its name to Fifth & Pacific Companies in a nod to the fashion hubs of New York and California. Shares in the company, whose main remaining brands are Juicy Couture, Kate Spade and Lucky Brand, will begin trading as Fifth & Pacific Companies around 15 May. The move follows a spate of name changes among top fashion brands and retailers in the last 15 months, including Jones Apparel becoming Jones Group.
H&M PREPARES FOR VERSACE 2
H&M is preparing for the second installment of its blockbuster Versace collection. A new collection is set to go live from 19 January to lift the winter blues of fashion-conscious high street shoppers. The first Versace collection for H&M saw queues form around the block as fans waited for hours to get their hands on the designer pieces.
QUEEN HONOURS FASHION
The Queen made a nod to the UK’s thriving fashion scene with her new year honours list this year, with several British designers making the grade. Biba founder Barbara Hulanicki (left) was made an OBE, while shoe designer Emma Hope and Fashion East founder Lulu Kennedy were both made MBEs. Vivienne Westwood was made a dame in 2006.