Global Vibes

Fake Fuss
FRANCE:Online auction site Ebay might be facing some heat from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission over its controversial Paypal-only payment system, but it is not getting much relief in Europe. The online auction site has been ordered to pay luxury goods group LVMH over $60 in damages by a French court over the sale of counterfeit products through its service. It is understood Louis Vuitton Malletier will receive some $32m in damages while Christian Dior will receive $28m. It must also pay over $5m to perfume brands Christian Dior, Guerlain, Kenzo and Givenchy for sales in violation of its authorized authorised network. Last month, Ebay was forced to pay $33, 000 in damages to French luxury group Hermes due to the sale of fake products.

CR Africa bound
MELBOURNE: Fashion and lifestyle brand Country Road has announced plans to enter a wholesale supply arrangement with parent company Woolworths of South Africa. The brand has been successfully trialled in four Woolworths stores in South Africa - two in Johannesburg and two in Cape Town - and discussions are currently underway to launch it initially into 12 Woolworths stores and two standalone stores.

Eco-textile fair
HONG KONG: Textile trade fair Interstoff Asia Essential has invited leading eco-textiles certification bodies and ecology experts to present the most up-to-date knowledge and solutions at the Interstoff Asia Essential fair, to be held from October 8 to 10 at the Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre. Suppliers of fashion, eco and functional fabrics will participate along with more than 200 exhibitors. Eco-textiles were a long-term global trend that had sparked demand for standardized growing and production processes, a spokesperson for the event said.

New Border
INDIA:A legion of European and American clothing brands are set to hit the Indian market. British retail giant Arcadia Group has signed a franchise agreement with Indian retailer Trent Ltd to launch its Topshop and Topman fashion chains throughout the country. It is understood Arcadia was also in discussions with realty major DLF for its Indian roll-out strategy. American childrenswear brands Carter's and OshKosh B'Gosh will join Topshop and Topman in the Indian market, with news the brands will be sold through store-in-stores in department store Debenhams, which is set to open its second store in Mumbai next month.

Dashing Duo
USA:American retail giant Gap has partnered with iconic Paris-based boutique Colette to create a temporary retail site in New York. Due to be open from September 6 to October 5, the store will be dubbed Collete x Gap and located next to Gap's flagship site in Fifth Avenue. It will offer consumers limited-edition, customized garments from Gap and artists such as Anne-Marie Herckes, Olympia Le Tan and graffiti guru Andre. The product offering will also include candles and home fragrances along with collaborative pieces from Hello Kitty, Asics, Le Labo and Oakley.