Global vibes

Kmart gets clever
UNITED STATES: Value department store Kmart's American arm has launched a new website that offers viewers a behind-the-scenes of the brand's design philosophy. The series of unscripted webisodes - filmed as documentaries out of Kmart Design studios in New York and Chicago - follow the brand's 200-strong design team designers throughout Europe as they went on their bi-annual "trend trip" for the spring 2010 line. Other features include profiles, image galleries and trend information created by the designers themselves.
The video content, which also appears on the group's Twitter site, is shared with design and fashion blogs and is also uploaded to multiple video-sharing sites.

Choo goes to H&M
SWEDEN: Multi-national retail chain H&M has signed on for its first accessories collaboration, teaming with British luxury footwear brand Jimmy Choo. In celebration of the new bag and accessory collaboration, Choo said it would "extend its design vision" to create a women's clothing line. The collection will also feature a men's collection of shoes, bags and men "gadgets". The range will appear across 200 shops worldwide on November 14.

Indian compromise
INDIA: The two warring factions of the Indian fashion industry, the Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI) and the Fashion Foundation of India (FFI) have put aside their differences and agreed to stage one fashion week this year instead of the usual two. In the past the two sectors had staged their own events - Delhi Fashion Week and Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week, which ran concurrently forcing buyers and designers to choose between them. It is understood those responsible for the mediation will now enter into talks with Lakme India Fashion Week, held in Mumbai, seeking a possible merger.

McCartney's Gap year
UNITED STATES: British womenswear designer Stella McCartney has announced plans to design her first childrenswear line with high street retail chain Gap. Expected to launch later this year, the collection will be carried in select Gap Kids and Baby Gap stores in the US, Canada, the UK, France, Ireland, Japan, as well as online in the US. McCartney has previously collaborated with a range of retailers including Adidas and Swedish-headquartered chain H&M.