Global Vibes

Hardy eyes UK
FRANCE: American designer denim brand Ed Hardy will begin its European expansion by opening a store in Paris followed by a London flagship - in what will be the brand's first foray into the UK. It is understood the next cab off the rank will be Spain after which it will look for flagship sites in several other European countries. The brand, founded by French designer Christian Audigier already has concessions around the world as well as flagship stores in Australia, the US, Taiwan, Dubai, Singapore, Korea, Japan and Thailand.

Men only
INDIA: Industry association The Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI) is planning a fashion week dedicated solely to menswear. While a date for the event has yet to be scheduled, it is hoped it would help to "establish a menswear fashion industry" in the country that would rival the popularity of womenswear. FDCI is also planning to collaborate with the Haywards Black International Men's Fashion Fair (HBIMFF), taking place in Bangalore, by providing organisers the technical "know-how" on how to target the fashion market. The council is also planning to start a separate India couture week for promoting the country's traditional wear.

Nike sprint
UNITED KINGDOM: Sports brand Nike has reached an agreement to acquire listed 70-year-old UK-based football brand Umbro. The acquisition will significantly expand Nike's global leadership in football. Currently, Umbro sells products directly or through licensees in more than 90 countries. The brand will sit in the Nike stable alongside Converse, Cole Haan and Hurley International. The news follows Nike's opening of a NikeiD studio in London that allowing customers to personalise their own footwear, apparel and equipment in-store. The store allows customers to use the online NikeiD.com design process to create their items with the products then individually made and delivered either via the store or direct to a home address, while the designs themselves can be stored online and shared with others.

G-star stoush
HOLLAND: International women's, men's and childrenswear retailer Espirt has been found guilty of copying four designs from G-Star's autumn 2007 range including one blazer, one T-shirt, one jacket and a pair of jeans. Esprit was ordered to stops selling the products immediately across the EU and pay compensation to G-Star.

Accessories chain planned
SPAIN: Spanish retailer Inditex - the parent company of women's, men's and childrenswear chain Zara - has said it is working on a project to launch a new chain of fashion accessory stores.  According to Spanish newspaper La Voz de Galicia, the company plans to call the chain Uterque, a name Inditex already owns. A date has not yet been set for the launch. Accessories, including bags, shoes and belts, are significant product categories at Zara, as well as among its other core stable of brands including Massimo Dutti and Bershka.