Global Vibes
EUROPE: Global denimwear brand Levi Strauss has launched a new range of eco jeans. Made with 100 per cent organic cotton denim, the jeans come complete with a coconut shell button on the waistband and non-galvanized metal fly buttons. Its indigo finish has been created from potato starch, mimosa flower and Marseille soap. The jeans are based on Levi's popular 570 range for women and 506 range for men. It is understood the company is producing at least 30,000 pairs of the new jeans to launch across Europe.
Berlin blitz
GERMANY: The owners of Australian Fashion Week have set Germany in their sights by launching the country's first fashion week in Berlin. The global sports, entertainment and media company has joined with sponsorship partner Mercedes-Benz to host the inaugural event, expected to make its debut July 12 to 15. While details have yet to be finalised, it's understood the event will take place at the city's historic Brandenburger Gate.
Cotton push
UNITED KINGDOM: Department store chain Marks & Spencer (M&S) has announced plans for a large fair trade cotton push, increasing the number of garments sold each year from 500,000 to 20 million within the next 18 months. The move, part of the brand's plans to become carbon neutral by 2012, would give it control of one third of the world's fair trade cotton as. The retailer is thought to be looking at how it can create a more co-ordinated sales approach for organic clothing, rather than offering single items. Other initiatives include launching organic linen menswear and developing organic wool, as well as expanding organic cotton and selling polyester clothing made from recycled plastic bottles.
Burberry blueblood?
UNITED KINGDOM: Luxury British brand Burberry is at risk of losing its royal warrants following a row over its closure of its south Wales factory and the loss of 300 jobs. The move, which follows the brand's decision to manufacture mostly off shore, has prompted a local MP to write to the Lord Chancellor to demand MPs have a say in which firms get the warrant. Currently only the Queen and the Prince of Wales have a say in the matter. For its part, the brand maintained it had no choice but to move to a cheaper location and that it still has a small manufacturing presence in the UK.
Online moves
UNITED KINGDOM: Sales of fashion clothing and footwear online have increased by a massive 461 per cent over the past five years, new research out of the UK shows. According to figures from research company Mintel Oxygen (UK), online sales reached £1.2 billion in 2006, with retail sales of online clothing and footwear set to increase by a further 138 per cent between 2006 and 2011, to £2.9 billion. The research shows retailers previously not involved with online fashion are now joining the trend creating a new value-led area in the market with stores such as New Look and Tesco planning to sell their clothing ranges online this year. In total, online spending on clothing and footwear is estimated at only around 3 per cent of the total for the category in 2006.
Elle of a range
UNITED KINGDOM: Australian-born London-based businesswoman Elle McPherson has unveiled a fresh range of burlesque-inspired innerwear. Dubbed Boudoir, the sexy new range features suspenders, garter belts, quarter cup bras and torsolettes in a colour palette dominated by pinks, lemons and olives. Launched in Australia in January, the new range is expected to hit UK stores in time for St Valentine's Day and will be available from Selfridges, Harvey Nichols and Harrods.