It would be a considerable understatement to say that the past 15 months have been a turbulent ride for the Alexander McQueen brand.

The suicide of its founder — the inimitable designer known to friends as "Lee" McQueen — in February of last year left the fashion world devastated by the loss of one of their most irreverent and precocious talents. Then, just a mere month later, the house revealed its Fall 2010 collection in Paris, a beautiful showing that introduced even industry insiders for the first time to Sarah Burton, McQueen's longtime right hand, who was named creative director of the company in May 2010.

Now, in a surprising twist of fate, it is the modest and little-known Burton who has presided over two of the brand's greatest publicity coups to date: the design of Kate Middleton's bridal gown, seen by billions in what will surely be remembered as one of the most iconic royal weddings of all time; and the opening of a landmark McQueen retrospective, "Savage Beauty," at the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute. That exhibit was feted last week at Vogue's annual Met Gala, one of the New York social calendar's most glamorous affairs.

And so far, even with the high stakes involved, Burton has more than held her own.Continue reading...

Wal-Mart is the "best corporate symbol of America today" in a 60 Minutes and Vanity Fair survey. [NY Times]

Procter & Gamble goes green, with large-scale marketing campaign aimed at mainstream consumers seeking sustainable versions of familiar products. [Financial Times]

French mobile operator Orange signs deal with Apple to sell iPhones in Britain in time for Christmas. [Times of London]

Sprint moves to regain market share as first telecom retailer on the 4G network. [NY Times]

Starbucks launches Via instant coffee with SNL season premiere ad barrage. [AdAge]

McDonald's eyes expansion in India with new stores and expanded value menu. [Warc]

Ford announces plans to build third car car assembly plant in China. [WSJ]

(More headlines: Gap founder dies, HSN product placements, Gucci.)Continue reading...