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The men's magazine Esquire has returned to the elements that contributed to its original success, according to publisher Alan Stiles. Editor-in-chief Ed Kosner, appointed in 1993, has helped revitalize the magazine, and a number of fashion advertisers have returned to Esquire since Kosner's appointment. Circulation reached 739,828 from Jan-Jun, 1994, the highest for five years, and advertising pages are up 20% for Sep, 1994, compared to the same month in 1993., Esquire, once considered the quintessential gentleman ' s magazine, began in the last decade devolving into an amorphous potpourri. Readers were confused by it, advertisers abandoned it, and competitors had [...]

Many jeanswear executives believe that the strong sales the category is enjoying will continue for more than two years. They say that the previous pattern of two years of strong sales followed by two years of weak sales is over. The executives attribute their optimism to such demographic factors as the vast numbers of baby boomers who grew up wearing jeans, and the availability of jeanswear with varied fashion and design silhouettes., NEW YORK -- Jeanswear traditionally has been an up-and-down business: two years of good sales, two years of flat sales or declines. But the last four years have seen the [...]

NEW YORK -- It could be hotter than any fire sale. When Saks Fifth Avenue takes to the tube for its home shopping debut on QVC in May, it expects [...]

NEW YORK -- It isn't just zirconium rings any more. A lot of designers and retailers think there could real gold on television's home shopping networks. And though the atmosphere [...]

The Gap, a 1,322-unit clothing store chain, has been an outstanding performer in past years but recently has recorded lower earnings. Its 3rd qtr 1992 earnings were $62 million, down 12.4% from the year before, although volume increased 17.8% to $827.2 million and same-store sales increased 7%. Industry observers attribute the earnings decrease to mark-downs in response to increased competition. The casual/basics style that The Gap is known for is now widely replicated by other vendors. The Gap is attempting to sell more fashion items and add variety and analysts say that the chain's fundamentals are sound., NEW YORK -- No one doubts that The Gap is one of retailing;s great success stories. But in recent months, the 1,322-store chain seems to have stumbled with an earnings [...]

Earnings in the 1992 3rd qtr for major retailers were largely positive and possibly indicate that 1992 Christmas sales will be strong. J.C. Penney's posted an increase of 59.5% to $186 million, with sales increasing 10.3% to $4.3 billion. Nordstrom's reported a 20.6% earnings increase to $23.4 million on sales of $737.3 million, a 7.3% increase. Wal-Mart had a 24% profits increase and reported a sales increase of 28.8%. Earnings reports from other major retailers are included., NEW YORK (FNS) - As additional third-quarter retail results continued to roll in Tuesday, they added more reasons for stores to believe they might actually enjoy Christmas this year. J.C. [...]

NEW YORK (FNS) -- Apparel retailers and manufacturers have flocked to the public market over the past year, and the rush has paid off handsomely: they raised a whopping $4.5 [...]

PARIS -- Paris, unusually deserted by tourists due to the ceaseless rain of recent days, has become a pleasant place to shop. There's so little business that shop assistants seem [...]

NEW YORK (FNS) -- As the recession wears on, apparel manufacturers hav become increasingly sophisticated about running their operations, and bankers are playing a bigger part in business decisions. 'The [...]

NEW YORK -- Some stores closed for business within moments of hearing about the World Trade Center tragedy. Some never opened at all. Retailers, most still in their offices early [...]

PUBLIC DISPLAY: Anna Wintour and beau Shelby Bryan will mark their first public co-chairing duties with a benefit for New Yorkers for Children. The party benefits foster children and promises [...]

ANDRE SPEAKS: The inimitable Andre Leon Talley is slated to close on a 'substantial' six-figure book deal in the next couple of days, sources say. Word is that five different [...]

COVER FLAP: It hasn't even launched, and already Ron Perelman and David Pecker's new fashion mag, Style 24/7, is roiling with internal and external controversy. Sources tell Scoop the mag's [...]

BAD CHI?: The feng shui at Donna Karan is great, but some (paranoid?) staffers sense dark energy looming. Insiders say the company's calming eggshell walls are doing nada for nervous [...]

DOUBLE DIP?: While last week's addition of Tommy Hilfiger Corp.'s two chairs -- Silas K.F. Chou and Lawrence Stroll -- has no doubt livened up the conversations in the search [...]

SILENT SCREAM: Stella McCartney has yet to say anything -- publicly, at least -- about the new tannery that parent company Gucci bought in Italy this week. But insiders say [...]

FUR FLYING: Linda Evangelista sure is pulling out all the stops for her planned comeback. The supermodel, who's slated to grace the front of Vogue's September issue -- her first [...]

KNOT AMUSED: Some of the good folks at Hermes were un peu froid over Simon Doonan and his New York Observer column last week on how to 'hiply integrate' Hermes [...]

STAYING PUT: With all the drama surrounding embattled New York publicity queen Lizzie Grubman's horrific Hamptons crash last weekend, you'd think competing PR vultures would be circling in swarms, trying [...]

BAD BLOOD: Recently widowed Veronica Hearst can't seem to catch a break from the five daughters of husband Randolph Hearst. When the newspaper scion died in January, his girls -- [...]

ON GARDE: All you well-heeled New York partygoers can kiss your last-minute clothes crises goodbye, thanks to former Calvin Klein/Gucci/Sergio Rossi veteran Carlos Rodriguez and Brazilian designer Luiza Schmidt. In [...]

BAD FORM: Pals of Kate Betts were annoyed to see an innocuous little Q&A appear in an online interview as her 'final words' in the days following her ouster from [...]

STAGE HANDS: The CFDA has nailed down its list of presenters for tonight's American Fashion Awards, adding actors Brendan Fraser, Heather Graham and Chris Noth to a roster that already [...]

POSH FROCKS: Voyage -- the chic London boutique that recently showed Naomi Campbell the door after one of her infamous temper tantrums -- yesterday signed Posh Spice as its new [...]

CROSS OVERS: Add R&B girl group Destiny's Child and pop diva Christina Aguilera to the list of recording artists likely to launch eponymous clothing labels. (Seeing the kind of ink [...]

SHOPPING SPREE: He may have been booted from Donna Karan, but John Idol is laughing all the way to the bank. Spies say the outgoing Donna Karan International ceo, a [...]

HIGH FLYER: Look for British Airways bookings to skyrocket -- the airline has just hired Julien Macdonald, known for his barely there dresses, to design new uniforms for its 40,000-person [...]

EAU, BOY: Perfumer Jo Malone could have a new poster child in Boy George. After the shindig toasting Malone's new U.S. flagship in the Flatiron District, Elisabeth Kieselstein-Cord and Nikki [...]

NADA, PRADA: New York sculptor Robert Gober has reportedly given Prada a big Bronx cheer. According to art insiders, Gober, who will represent the U.S. at the ultra-prestigious Venice Biennale, [...]

VAL'S PLACE: Valentino has more closets to fill. Word from across the pond is that the designer shelled out about $12 million for an eight-bedroom house in west London's Holland [...]

Men's Health UK will market its first issue in Jan 1995. The publisher is Nick Williams and the editor is David Hale. The magazine will be sold for the equivalent of $3 US, will be issued every other month and will be oversized. The content in the UK magazine will be the same as the US version in 50% of cases. The UK men's periodical market is one of the most exciting periodical markets outside of the US., Men's Health is Britain-bound. Fueled by resounding success stateside, the men's fitness/lifestyle magazine is launching a British edition -- the premiere issue of Men's Health UK hits newsstands today. Men's [...]

Competition for fashion and retailing advertising dollars has intensified between men's magazines. Newer contenders in the category include Details, Men's Journal, Men's Health, Rolling Stone in addition to older titles like Esquire and GQ. Men's Health reported a 52% increase in advertising pages from Oct 1993 through Oct 1994 to 374.4 pages. The newer men's magazines emphasize editorial content on music, sports, adventure travel, fitness and other 'quality of life' topics., Not since the early 1980s -- when GQ, Esquire, Playboy and Penthouse squared off -- has there been such fierce competition in men's magazines. Titles like Details, Rolling Stone, Men's [...]

Are the niche players chipping into the old guard? NEW YORK -- Not since the early Eighties -- when GQ, Esquire, Playboy and Penthouse squared off- has there been such [...]

There's another fashion TV show slated to hit the airwaves this fall, but unlike most of this growing breed, Main Floor will be broadcast on the networks, not cable. 'In [...]

The Neiman Marcus Group Inc posted much lower losses in the 4th qtr 1993 than in the 4th qtr 1992 and registered a 116% increase in revenue for the entire year before preferred dividends. The improvements were fueled by a 66.2% increase in Bergdorf Goodman's operating profits to $12.8 million and a 10% increase in sales for the year. The Neiman Marcus division also boosted revenue with a 44.5% increase in operating profits to $122.4 million and a 12.7% rise in sales for the year., NEW YORK -- Helped by strong gains in its Bergdorf Goodman and Neiman Marcus specialty stores, the Neiman Marcus Group Inc. substantially narrowed its losses, after preferred dividends, in the [...]

Ann Taylor Stores Corp announced its projected 3rd qtr 1993 earnings will be lower than previously estimated due to a significant decrease in Aug 1993 sales. The company expects 3rd qtr earnings to be in the range of 20 to 22 cents per share and 1993 annual earnings to be around 72 to 76 cents per share. Ann Taylor is engaged in a program expanding its line of outlet stores and will introduce an improved point-of-sale system later in 1993 that will cost $1.5 million., NEW YORK -- Citing a 'sharp' drop in business in late August, Ann Taylor Stores Corp. said Wednesday it expects third-quarter earnings to be substantially lower than current Wall Street [...]

Analysts predict that menswear will perform the same as the first half of 1993, or better, with a 4.8% rise in sales recorded during this period. Although the first half was adversely affected by bad weather and an anxiety about the new Bill Clinton administration, the second half could improve since these conditions have passed. Growth has been attributed to replacement buying, new fashions and a trend toward casual clothes could result in even more sales. Off-priced retailers will do well during this period., Analysts expect men's biz to show some gains; see it continuing to outperform women's wear NEW YORK (FNS) -- It looks like men's wear will continue to hold its own [...]

Fashion designers will carefully watch Donna Karan Co's initial public offering because it is a rare occurrence in the volatile fashion industry. Donna Karan is performing spectacularly well and it is unlikely that other high-fashion companies will imitate the move. The success of Yves Saint Laurent's offering in 1989 was short-lived. Other apparel companies that went public, such as St. John Knits, are experiencing stock declines., NEW YORK -- Can Wall Street go designer? Analysts predict an early run on Donna Karan's planned initial public offering but wonder whether investors will hang in for the long [...]

NEW YORK -- After almost a year and a half of on-again, off-again negotiations, QVC Network Inc. has made a formal bid to take over rival Home Shopping Network Inc. [...]

Financial analysts have downgraded earnings estimates and ratings for many retailers' stocks. The decreased forecasts result from poor sales and continuing restraint in consumer spending. Consumer confidence is unlikely to improve until proposed changes in tax legislation become finalized. Retail sales performance was weakened in Mar-May 1993 due to bad weather conditions. Sales of apparel continue at a weakened pace despite an improvement in weather late in May 1993., NEW YORK (FNS) -- In the face of lackluster sales and pressured margins, Wall Street analysts have cut estimates and lowered stock ratings on a large group of retailes. Among [...]

Analysts are lowering their expectations from up to 1% to 20% for the retail industry during the second half of 1993. Stock ratings and earnings will be lower, due to less consumer activity. June retail activity will vary, with mall specialty stores making fewer sales and department stores and strip center stores recording more. June retail sales picked up some as consumers bought summer weather clothes. Overall retail sales for 1993 should be level or up slightly., NEW YORK -- Wall Street analysts have cut earnings estimates and lowered stock ratings for a large group of retail stores. Reductions in earnings estimates range from less than 1 [...]

NEW YORK -- Led by a determined new management team, Home Shopping Network is out to clean up its tarnished image and put its $1 billion TV retail business back [...]

NEW YORK -- If anybody is still wondering why Barry Diller dumped Hollywood for home shopping, just take a look at what QVC is doing for his net worth. Diller [...]

The men's business is one improving part of the financially shaky Crystal Brands Inc's operations. The firm is focusing on turning the company around by 1994, after suffering big losses and a cash crunch that caused the company to seek temporary financing. Interim Chmn Gordon E. Allen is searching for a permanent CEO, and will also try to reverse the losses and pull the company together. The firm has also decided to sell its 50% stake in Lacoste Alligator SA., Although Crystal Brands, Inc.'s financial condition continues to be precarious, there has been some improvements in its men's operation. Interim chairman Gordon E. Allen told the annual meeting Wednesday that [...]

Liz Claiborne Inc will advertise its products on QVC Network's Fashion Channel in May 1993. Labeled the largest women's apparel firm in the US, Claiborne will enter the enormous $2.5 billion television shopping market. The show will feature merchandise from the firm's First Issue retail chain, and First Issue's product development manager Jessica Mitchell will host the presentation. Claiborne officials are hoping that the show will boost sales at the stores., NEW YORK -- Liz Claiborne is taking it to the tube. Chairman Jerome Chazen told shareholders at the company's annual meeting Thursday that the apparel maker will feature merchandise from [...]

NEW YORK -- Donna Karan is about to take a giant step toward going public. A filing for an initial public offering -- a move that has been hotly rumored [...]

NEW YORK -- Don't touch that dial. The gathering storm at Home Shopping Network -- which last week caused majority shareholder Liberty Media Corp., a spinoff of cable giant Tele-Communications [...]

Clothing manufacturing firms' stocks have been adversely affected by the Leslie Fay Cos accounting scandal and the subsequent drop in its stock price. Liz Claiborne Inc dropped 10.4%, Jones Apparel Group declined 17.3% and He-Ro Group fell 25.5% during that same period. Some analysts put the blame on the Leslie Fay situation, while others believe that it may only be part of the problem. Some smaller firms waiting to go public may have to wait until recent problems are better., NEW YORK -- In the midst of the Leslie Fay debacle, the price of fashion stocks have taken a hit. Between Feb. 1, when the company's accounting scandal was revealed, [...]

NEW YORK -- Japanese consumers may be sporting jeans and pocket T's from The Gap if talks between the retail giant and Tokyo-based Fujita Co. work out. Fujita -- the [...]