PPR Has an ‘Excellent’ 2011

French luxury and retail company, PPR, said Thursday that its 2011 revenue rose 11.1 percent, year-over-year, to 12.2 billion euros ($15.86 billion).

The Paris-based company—whose brands include Gucci, Bottega Veneta, Yves Saint Laurent, Alexander McQueen, Balenciaga, Brioni, Stella McCartney, Boucheron and Girard-Perregaux—reported that its recurring operating income rose 16.9 percent to 1.6 billion euros ($2.08 billion) and its recurring net income, group share, surged 26.4 percent to 1.05 billion euros ($1.36 billion). Net income, group share, rose 2.3 percent to 986 million euros ($1.3 billion).

“PPR’s results for 2011 are excellent,” said François-Henri Pinault, PPR chairman and CEO. “Our Luxury and Sport & Lifestyle brands command leading positions in the fastest-growing segments of the apparel and accessories market and are well placed to respond to and anticipate new consumer trends in both mature markets and emerging countries. The transformation of PPR into a more cohesive, integrated group will make us stronger and enable us to fully exploit the huge growth potential of each of our brands. In the uncertain economic climate of early 2012, the core strengths underpinning PPR’s robust 2011 results will continue to propel our performance this year. PPR is confident that 2012 will be another year of sustained revenue growth and improvements in our operating and financial performances.”

The company divides its operation into three division: Luxury (Gucci, Bottega Veneta, Yves Saint Laurent, Alexander McQueen, Balenciaga, Brioni (acquired in January), Stella McCartney, Boucheron, Girard-Perregaux, JeanRichard, Sergio Rossi); Sports & Lifestyle (Puma, Volcom, Cobra, and Electric); Fnac, the French books and music retailer; and Redcats, a fashion and home group of companies that PPR is selling.

Luxury division revenue rose 22.6 percent to 4.9 billion euros ($6.36 billion). Gucci revenue rose 17.9 percent to 3.14 billion euros ($4.08 billion), Bottega Veneta revenue surged 33.7 percent to 682.6 million euros ($887.1 million), and Yves Saint Laurent revenue increased 31.4 percent to 353.7 million euros ($459.6 million).

Puma revenue rose 11.2 percent to 3.01 billion euros ($3.91 billion) for the year. Fnac sales were down 3.2 percent to 4.16 billion euros ($5.4 billion).

Buckingham Palace to Exhibit Kate’s Wedding Ensemble and the Royal Fabergé Collection

Photo Credit: Getty Images

The Duchess of Cambridge’s wedding dress along with her wedding tiara and earrings will go on display at Buckingham Palace during its annual summer opening. As big as this display is for much of the world (an estimated 3 billion saw the British royal wedding), it may be overshadowed by what is considered by many to be the world’s greatest collection of Fabergé pieces that will also be part of the same opening of the official London residence of Britain's sovereigns.

The exhibition will run from July 23 till October 3, so if you are planning to visit London during this time it’s a good idea to book your tickets now as this double-dose of British royal artifacts will no doubt draw huge crowds from around the world.

The former Kate Middleton’s wedding dress, designed by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen, is made from ivory and white satin-gazar (stiffened organza). The shape of the skirt, with arches and pleats, echoes an opening flower, and the ivory satin bodice, which is narrowed at the waist and padded at the hips, draws on the Victorian tradition of corsetry—a hallmark of Alexander McQueen’s designs. The back of the dress is finished with 58 gazar- and organza-covered buttons fastened by Rouleau loops. The underskirt is made of silk tulle trimmed with Cluny lace. The train is nearly nine feet in length.

The lace appliqué for the bodice and skirt was hand-made by the Royal School of Needlework, founded in 1872. The lace was produced using the Carrickmacross lace-making technique, which originated in Ireland in the 1820s. Individual flowers were hand-cut from lace and hand-engineered on to ivory silk-tulle to create a design that incorporates the rose, thistle, daffodil and shamrock. Each lace motif was applied with tiny stitches every two to three millimeters. The bride’s veil, made of layers of soft, ivory silk-tulle with a trim of hand-embroidered flowers, was also embroidered by the Royal School of Needlework.

Photo credit: Ben StansallGetty Images

The veil was held in place by the Cartier ‘Halo’ tiara, which was lent to The Duchess by the queen. The tiara is formed as a band of 16 graduated scrolls set with 739 brilliants and 149 baton diamonds, each scroll being divided by a graduated brilliant with a large brilliant at the center. The tiara was made in 1936 and purchased by The Duke of York (later King George VI) for The Duchess of York (later Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother) three weeks before he succeeded his brother as King. The tiara was presented to Princess Elizabeth (now The Queen) by her mother for her 18th birthday.

The duchess’s earrings were commissioned by the Middleton family as a personal gift to the bride from her parents. They were created by the London-based jewelers Robinson Pelham. The design, stylized oak leaves with a pear-shaped diamond-set drop and a pavé-set diamond acorn suspended in the center, was inspired by the Middleton family's new coat of arms.

The duchess’s wedding shoes, also part of the display, were hand-made by the team at Alexander McQueen, of ivory duchesse satin and lace embroidered by the Royal School of Needlework.

In addition, the duke and duchess’s wedding cake created by Leicestershire-based cake designer Fiona Cairns will be shown in the State Dining Room. The multi-tiered traditional fruit cake was hand-made using British ingredients and decorated with sugar flowers.

Colonnade Egg

Royal Fabergé
More than 100 pieces from what many consider to be the finest collection of Fabergé in the world will be the other big draw of Buckingham Palace’s public opening. The display will chart the Royal Family’s passion for the work of the great Russian jeweler and goldsmith, Peter Carl Fabergé, over six generations—from Queen Victoria, to Queen Elizabeth and Prince Charles.




A number of works will go on display for the first time, including a complete miniature tea set (above) originally belonging to Queen Alexandra is made of gold and enamel to give the impression of porcelain. Each lid is decorated with a tiny ruby.

Other highlights include an Imperial Easter Egg (left), the Basket of Flowers Egg, commissioned by Tsar Nicholas II for Tsarina Alexandra Feodorovna in 1901. It was kept in the Tsarina’s study at the Winter Palace before being confiscated during the Russian Revolution in 1917. It is decorated with gold and rose diamonds and moss made of green gold and was acquired by Queen Mary in 1933. 

In addition, the only known Fabergé figure of a Chelsea Pensioner (left), acquired by King Edward VII on his last visit to Fabergé’s London branch, will also go on display.

All Fabergé photos courtesy of The Royal Collection © 2011

McQueen Stops Selling Hells Angels-Themed Merchandise

Alexander McQueen will stop selling its Hells Angels brass and silver knuckle duster rings.

It only took eight days for the folks at the Alexander McQueen brand and a couple of retailers to bend to the fierce pressure applied by the Hells Angels.

The notorious motorcycle gang has settled its trademark infringement lawsuit Tuesday against Alexander McQueen, Saks Fifth Avenue and Zappos.com over the sale of Alexander McQueen merchandise bearing the winged skull logo and the Hells Angels’ trademarked name, Women’s Wear Daily reports.

Under the terms of the agreement the three companies have removed the Alexander McQueen knuckle-duster rings, clutches, jacquard dress and pashmina, retailing for between $495 and $2,329, from their Web sites and stores, Hells Angeles attorney Fritz Clapp told WWD. The companies also agreed on Tuesday to recall merchandise that has already been sold and destroy it.

The Hells Angels also requested financial damages based on profits earned by the fashion companies on the merchandise, Clapp reportedly said. However, there is currently no estimate on the exact number of items that were sold.

Hells Angels Sue Alexander McQueen Over Skull and Wing Design

Alexander McQueen's ring that's under dispute by the Hells Angels.

There was a time when the Hells Angels would beat the piss out of anyone who they believed was stealing from them. Now they go to court.

The notorious motorcycle gang has filed a trademark infringement suit against the design brand Alexander McQueen and retailers who are selling the designers’ disputed products, according to media reports.

At issue is the skull design used for McQueen's Hell’s Knuckle brass and silver knuckle duster rings, Professional Jeweller reports. In addition, the suit is targeting a clutch bag, scarf and dress by the designer that feature a similar design.

The Hells Angels are claiming that Alexander McQueen used its patented skull and wing motif without permission. It is also suing Saks and online retailer Zappos.com that sell the items.

The motorcycle group registered patents for its motif in 1984 and has since authorized its use on clothing and jewelry for promotional purposes, according to Professional Jeweller. The suit claims Alexander McQueen did not receive permission.