Global vibes

Diffusion done
ITALY: The Italian production and licensing house behind diffusion labels including Just Cavalli and Galliano has filed for bankruptcy. Milan-based group Ittierre, a subsidiary of Italian-based company IT Holding, which owns the Gianfranco Ferre brand, filed for the equivalent of Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection to allow the group to be "restructured" and continue trading after it missed a loan payment in October and an extension two months later. The company, which also owns the Ferre label and Malo cashmere brand, is also in arrears in paying royalties to a host of designers.

Denim done well
UNITED KINGDOM: The George fashion line at supermarket chain Asda has released a range of in-between-sized jeans for those who don't fit into standard sizes. Retailing for £12 ($A26) per pair, the denim range is available in sizes of 11, 13 and 15. Currently a standard size ten in the UK equates to a 28-inch waist, a standard 12 is a 32-inch waist and a standard 14 usually a 34-inch waist. Asda's relaxed fit size 11 has a 30.9-inch waist, its size 13 has a 32.9-inch waist and its size 15 has a 34.8-inch waist. The concept was developed by George brand director Fiona Lambert.

Barneys not for sale
UNITED ARAB EMIRATES: Dubai's government investment agency has denied claims it is in talks to sell luxury retailer Barneys New York. According to international news service Reuters, the chairman of Dubai World told journalists no talks are ongoing involving Barneys. The news follows reports last month that suggested the Barneys' owner was seeking to sell the retailer for not less than the $US942 million ($A1.4 billion) it paid for it in 2007, and that the state-owned fund had had calls from potential buyers and would sell its entire stake.

Brown cuts staff
UNITED STATES: American footwear company Brown Shoe Co, which this year celebrated its 131st birthday, has announced it intends cutting about 13 per cent of its domestic work force. It is believed the move will save the company, whose other brands include Dr Schools and Franco Sarto, around $US28 to $31 million ($A41 million to $46 million) per year. The job cuts would come from its Far East sourcing operations, stores and distribution centres, with other staff forced to swallow pay cuts. The company has also lowered planned capital expenditures for 2008 through 2011 by an additional $US35 million ($A52 million).