Global vibes

World first?
UNITED STATES: Los Angeles is laying claim to have the world's only Certified Couture Fashion House. Dubbed ROMP, the store features designs by London designer Nina Morgan-Jones. Located in the heart of the city's trendy boutique district at West Third Street, the store features organic and sustainable leather and suede jackets, bags, shoes, and luggage as well as organic cotton jeans, fashion T-shirts, suede jumpsuits and home interiors. The ROMP line is the culmination of a five-year project led by ROMP CEO Greg Sturmer, in collaboration with a government owned tannery in Slovenia. Sturmer has developed a reputation for eliminating toxic dyes, metals, and other chemicals typically used in the leather tanning process.

Westwood honour
SCOTLAND: Dundee University has decided to award an honorary degree to Vivienne Westwood, whom it claims is one of the UK's most influential fashion designers for three decades. Westwood, who became a dame in 2006 for services to fashion but has continued to take the occasional poke at the Establishment through her work with civil rights group Liberty, has also created her own cultural manifesto-featuring dialogues between characters as diverse as Greek philosopher Aristotle and the Mad Hatter-that she and students will perform during her visit in June. The university called Westwood a "true icon" in her field that its own students could aspire to.

Japanese push
JAPAN: The Japanese fashion industry has embarked on a new strategy to promote the Japanese fashion industry to the global marketplace by making use of fabrics that have been nurtured by the country's long traditions. The Fashion Strategy Forum, a group of designers, manufacturers and representatives from the apparel and retail industries plans to strengthen the organisation and focus on nurturing human resources. It also plans to launch a new project to pick out talented designers both at home and abroad. The group says Japanese-made fabrics will play a key role in promoting the Japanese fashion industry overseas. Luxury brands that are fashion trendsetters such as Louis Vuitton and Lanvin of France and Jil Sander of Germany frequently use Japanese fabrics for both men's and women's clothing.

Stella's single mind
UNITED KINGDOM: Well known vegetarian designer Stella McCartney is set to take her love of ecology one step further by launching a eco-friendly line in the UK. McCartney, who uses wind powered energy in her studio and has an e-commerce site where orders can be delivered carbon neutral last year designed an exclusive all organic collection for high-end department store Barney's. The new 20-piece collection will feature loose tunics, slouchy suits, knits and versatile coats in muted tones, taupe, blush pink, grey and stone. The collection is expected to debut at Harvey Nichols and her flagship store in London in June.

Cavalli for sale
ITALY: One of Milan's favourite design sons Roberto Cavalli is set to sell his business to the highest bidder. Private equity houses Blackstone Group Holdings, Candover, The Carlyle Group, Cinven and Valentino Fashion Group-owner Permira are among the list of potential suiters, according to US trade bible WWD. The magazine says recent estimates value Cavalli in the region of 1.2 billion euros ($A2.02 billion) however it is believed this is well short of the 2 billion euro ($A3.38 billion) price tag the designer put on the 40-year-old business. Cavalli is also understood to want to maintain a majority stake in any prospective deal.