Zara forced to remove bags from sale

The ill-fated Zara bag
The ill-fated “Zara” bag.
Photo:: © dailymail.co.ukSpanish fashion giant “Zara” was widely criticized in Great Britain to be selling homespun-style handbags with swastikas embroidered on them and almost caused a political scandal. The store removed the “Ј39” bag from sale after being deluged with complaints.

Each one of the bags, that cost 78 USD and is showered with usual Hindi-symbols including swastikas because it was produced by an Indian manufacturer. A spoke person officially has announced that the company hadn’t known about the existence of the swastikas at the ends of the bags.

“After the first complaints we decided to remove the bag from market”, added from “Zara”.

Read: 836 times © Fashion Lifestyle Magazine, issue 3, October 2007

David bechkam with a new calling

The newest Hollywood star
David Bechkam is confronting
a serious challenge.
Photo: © shoes.about.com

“Versace” has recently denied rumors that Donatella Versace will design stage outfits for The Spice Girls reunion tour.

The latest news is that the girls look for a stylist a little closer to home.

David Bechkam himself – husband of Victoria (Posh Spice) will take over the role. A source revealed that the stylish footballer has been checking out Julien Macdonald's collections for inspiration.

Read: 829 times © Fashion Lifestyle Magazine, issue 3, October 2007

McDonald's with new interior design

New "McDonald's" in north London.
Photo: © McDonald's

Imagine simple round tables, egg armchairs, swan chairs and geometric lampshades. Everything is in brown or beige, with occasional splashes of white. No, it’s not a spa-center, a hotel’s lobby or strange garden furniture. It is the “McDonald's” on Edgar Road in London, where the company is testing a new design formula. If this project works, it could be rolled out across Europe.

And the other news is that “the swans” and “the eggs” are made by the great Danish architect Arne Jacobsen, according to iht.com. He died in 1971 but left a rational mark in architecture and design. He designed subtly modernist buildings like “St. Catherine's College” in Oxford and the National Bank of Denmark in Copenhagen.

There are lots of comments about this choice and they are not in favor of “McDonald’s”. The furniture of the great architect is expensive and is not convenient for this kind of restaurants, where hundreds of “fast consumers” pass a day. It gets quickly dirty and it’s difficult to clean it. It will have to change it in short periods of time. People who appreciate Arne Jacobsen worry about the possibility for devaluation of his work. According to them, the managers of the “calories generator” try to improve the company’s image but the problems with the harms of fast food and bad hygiene remain.

Photo: The new “McDonald’s” restaurant in north-eastern London

Read: 834 times © Fashion Lifestyle Magazine, issue 3, October 2007

Valentino quits fashion industry

Valentino on the celebration of
the 45-th birthday of the brand
Photo: © AP Photo/Pier Paolo Cito

This news ended speculations that has buzzed around the fashion house since a star-studded gala in Rome in July celebrating the iconic Italian couturier's 45 years in the business. Valentino has personally announced that he would leave the company he founded with Giammetti after his ready-to-wear show in Paris in October and his couture collection next January.

75-years old designer said: “This is the most appropriate moment for me to say goodbye to fashion. My future will be filled with new interests and challenges. Some may be linked to fashion, as I have a strong desire to create and support institutions to promote the study of fashion design, and to preserve the history of the art of fashion." Valentino Garavani himself was trained in Paris, ultimately rose to the dizzying heights of Italian haute couture and has become a fashion legend. He dressed the famous, from Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis to Sophia Loren.

The brand has been controlled since earlier this year by “Permira“, the private equity group based in London. “Permira“ is in the process of completing the €2.6 billion, or $3.5 billion. It was assumed that “Permira“ would look for younger talent. Speculation has recently centered on Alessandra Facchinetti, 35, an Italian former designer at “Gucci“. Valentino will continue his activity perhaps as a consultant.
Photo: Valentino celebrating the iconic Italian couturier's 45 years in the business
Video:: Timeless Valentino

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