Global Vibes

Benetton does Bollywood
INDIA: Italian apparel giant United Colors of Benetton has set its sights on the Indian market with 30 new stores scheduled to open throughout the country over the next year. The company is planning to strengthen its retail presence to 170 outlets across 53 metro and tier-two cities, with 30 per cent of these expected to be company owned. The largest outlet, set to be in the city of Chandigarh, will measure at 1,100 sq m. The Benetton Group is present in over 120 countries and produced 130 million garments per year. 

Girl Power
ITALY: Florence trade show Pitti Uomo has added a new category to its January instalment. Originally set up as a menswear show only, organisers have now introduced a women's section that focuses on spring collections. Staged from January 9 to 12 at the Customs House on the Via Volfanda, the show will be represented by around 40 fashion brands. The Pitti Uomo 2007 instalment attracted fewer visitors with 26, 316 trade show visitors compared to 27, 522 in 2006.

Mature Girl Power
NEW ZEALAND: Former Christchurch city councillor Ruby Fowler has given older women something to smile about. The 88 year old New Zealander has just launched a new label, 45+ Frocks for the Mature, for the mature womenswear market. Priced from $120 to $150, the debut collection includes dresses and coats which have long sleeves, hit below the knee and can be made-to-measure. The budding designer's launch party had all the fashion perks – including a runway show which featured former Christchurch deputy mayor Lesley Keast.

London crime spree
UK: A string of upmarket boutiques in London have been raided by a gang on motorbikes. Around twenty handbags were stolen from British designer Luella Bartley last month along with cashmere rugs and sweaters from luxury brand Brora. This is the seventh such occurrence after royal jewellers Asprey, designer label Avakian and shoe label Roger Vivier were also hit this year.