Designer fashion group Cruise in main re-launch

Glasgow-based designer fashion chain Cruise, which was enforced to shut three of its stores last year, has embarked on a main relaunch.

The group has also selected a new chief executive.

James Pow, who has worked at Mulberry, Aquascutum, and Pringle, said he intended to re-establish the retailer at the cutting edge of designer fashion.

Cruise, which has 10 UK stores, was acquired from administration by management last May.

Mr Pow has invested a six-figure sum in the business and is control the refurbishment of its seven flagship stores in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Belfast and Newcastle.

He has also enrolled London-based fashion photographer Julia Kennedy – who has efforted with pop stars Mary J Blige and The Black Eyed Peas – to re-launch the retailer’s Spring/Summer 2010 collection.

He said: This is a very thrilling time for both the business and the brand. The business had become sluggish and was no longer breaking new ground. We’re determined to change that and ensure Cruise retains its rightful place at the extremely cutting edge of British retailing.

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Alexander McQueen interment: fashion world bids farewell to designer

Fashion royalty turned out in force in London for the memorial service of designer Alexander McQueen.

Supermodels Kate Moss and Naomi Campbell and fellow designer Stella McCartney joined members of McQueen’s family to say a last farewell to the flamboyant fashionista.

About 100 mourners gone to the funeral of McQueen, real name Lee, at St Paul’s Church in leafy Knightsbridge, west London.  The congregation, with Ms Moss and Ms Campbell who were both dressed completely in black, spent around an hour inside the church before the coffin – laden with pink, white and red roses – was carried out by four pallbearers.

It was laden into a waiting hearse with “Lee” in white flowers on the back. The hearse troop off and gradually followed by two black stretch Jaguars carrying Mr McQueen’s family. Ms Moss, wearing a black knee length dress teamed with sunglasses, a black fur stole and black five inch Louboutin heels, looked distress as she got into a waiting car dressed.

She was followed with her close friend Ms McCartney who wore black pleated trousers, knee high boots and a short windjacket.

McQueen’s father Ronald was together by his five children at the ceremony which came two weeks after the 40-year-old’s death. He was discovered hanged in a wardrobe at his £2 million Mayfair home by his cleaner on the eve of his mother’s funeral on February 11th.

McQueen is the son of an East End cabbie, had three sisters and two brothers. His sister Janet McQueen, from Hornchurch, who was among the mourners today, recognized his body. McQueen’s life is due to be memorized through his clothes at Paris Fashion week on March 9th.

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Johnny Weir desires to Design; Buyers Pleased with New York Fashion Week

Johnny Weir wants to go to F.I.T. and become a fashion designer while his figure-skating career ends: I want to create things as I have time on earth, and the art of costume and culture has always inspired me. I think being in the public eye can merely help me launch into the world of fashion.

Buyers seemed satisfied with the fall collections in New York and see the fall season as a retail comeback. [WWD]

EBay will launch the Fashion Vault in March, which will be flash sales like to those on Gilt Groupe and Ideeli. The company is trying to improve fashion sales this year. [WWD]

Net-a-Porter currently stocks wedding dresses in its new Wedding Boutique. [StyleList]

Jeweler Alexis Bittar opened new store on Madison Avenue last week. [WWD]

A behind-the-scenes image from Candie’s spring 2010 shoot by Terry Richardson, Mark Seliger, and Annie Leibovitz has surfaced. [Just Jared]

Henry Holland on his fashion icon: I love Mary-Kate Olsen, because she has the most desirable wardrobe of all time. [Independent UK]

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