UNITED KINGDOM: Casualwear business Henri-Lloyd took out the top gong at the 2007 UK Fashion Export Awards in London earlier this month. The brand was named exporter of the year and menswear brand of the year in the keenly contested awards. Other winners included Pistol Panties (lingerie and beachwear), Tickittyboo (childrenswear), Sarah Arnett (womensewar) and Ciel (ethical fashion) and Goat (new exporter award).
Fendi on war path ITALY: The battle against counterfeit luxury goods has taken a new turn after Fendi and Sam's Club, a division of Wal-Mart, settled a dispute that claimed the value retailer sold fake handbags and leather goods with the Fendi logo. Under the agreement, settled out of court, Sam's Club agreed to pay the Italian luxury firm an undisclosed sum to dismiss the action, which had seen the retailer charged with selling "significant quantities" of counterfeit items valued "in the millions of dollars". Sam's Club is also offering its customers a full refund for any counterfeit Fendi bags, wallets and scarves they purchased. Fendi has also filed action against five other US retailers including Burlington Coat Factory and Ashley Reed.
