PETA members around the world rejoiced to hear that Stella McCartney would be collaborating with former Smiths frontman, Morrissey, on a collection of leather-free footwear.

‘I’m working with Morrissey on a line of leather-free shoes which I’m really excited about,’ Stella told theDaily Mail last week ‘we are still in the early stages but the shoes could be launched next year.’

The famously vegan singer gave the name Meat Is Murder to a classic 1985 Smiths album, and is known for banning any food that "used to have a face" from his tours. So passionate is Morrissey that, earlier this year, he threw a temper tantrum at the Coachella music festival and stormed offstage in disgust over the smell of cooking meat wafting from a nearby food cart. McCartney is equally as uncompromising, and has refused to employ leather in any designs since the creation of her fashion line 15 years ago.Continue reading...

Known almost as much for his personal life (Salma Hayek's new husband, he's profiled in today's Wall Street Journal) as his public one, PPR owner François-Henri Pinault is looking to sell some of his less glamorous brands in an effort to pay off debts. The businesses that will be pushed aside happen to generate 70% of group sales, but Pinault's goal is to focus on the clothing and accessories brands within its luxury Gucci Group and Puma. FT reports:

He is not interested in slimming PPR down to a pure luxury player and is looking to replace the lower-margin retail businesses with mid-market brands.

Out with the old and in with the new, wouldn't you say?Continue reading...

They may once have sung "All You Need Is Love." But in case that's not enough, the Beatles unveiled on Monday a high fashion bag collection, in collaboration with Rei Kawakubo of Comme des Garçons.

The collection of bags and shirts come simply spattered with apples and polka dots, the former en homage to Apple Corps, the company controlling the rock stars' legacy. The latter is merely a favorite pattern of the Japanese designer.

“I want to develop the ‘Beatles by CDG’ collection in a strong conceptual way,” said Ms. Kawakubo through an interpreter. “Instead of making many unnecessary items that may come to resemble a Beatles souvenir shop, I think it is better to concentrate on one strong idea.”

The 10 bags are sure to be a hit with the vegan crowd; all are non-leather (consistent with the passion of Paul McCartney's late wife Linda and their daughter, designer Stella McCartney), and are made of embossed polyurethane and printed PVC material. Kawakubo explained the graphic patterns as “deliberately undesigned” and “prototypical shapes.”Continue reading...

Stella McCartney has proven herself to be the busiest and most fashionable bee of them all. Most recently, the rockstar offspring expanded her brand with a collaboration with Gap. She continues to do so by debuting her first intimates collection for spring/summer 2010 featuring vintage-inspired styles. As WWD reported today:

“This season we looked at the Twenties and Fifties, which comes through the range in silhouette and specially developed embroidery and gold retro hardware,” said McCartney, who added she thinks of lingerie as “really handmade precious pieces.” She believes lingerie is important when it comes to making a woman feel beautiful and empowered.Continue reading...

As many designers are left flailing in an ocean of depression, Tom Ford is stepping on the ferryboat.

The ex-Gucci and YSL creative director, who has lately focused on menswear (and filmmaking), recently confirmed to WWD that he will soon try a return to womenswear. Yes, you heard right, he's doing both sexes.

With an expected fall 2010 launch date, Ford and his business partner, Dominco De Sole, are still looking for financial backing. But is a venture such as this feasible in our current dark times?Continue reading...

It seems that consumers have discovered quite a taste for collaborations between designers and mass retail outlets. You'll notice that for the most part, the younger generation has been slighted.

Stella McCartney will change all that with her children’s line for Gap Kids and Baby Gap, which will hit stores next month. W magazine's first preview of the collection reveals mini hoodies, jackets, and other wardrobe staples.Continue reading...

Call it battle of the “nude” rocker relatives.

Nude Brands, founded by Ali Hewson, wife of Paul Hewson – better known as U2 front man Bono – failed to block last weekend’s launch of STELLANUDE, a perfume by fashion designer Stella McCartney – Paul's daughter, of course – whose eponymous company is part of cosmetics/beauty giant L'Oréal Group.Continue reading...