Italian fashion house Gianfranco Ferre has enough cash to stage fashion shows, launch a shoe and handbag line and roll-out a new logo despite being in administration and hit by the downturn.

Britain's recovery prospects brightened after surveys showed consumer morale jumping, employers hiring again and price pressures absent.

For model-turned-author Tara Moss, being set on fire and choked into unconsciousness is all part of a day's work. Moss, who spent 10 years modelling internationally, says she needs to experience the events that she puts into her crime novels.

Laura Ashley Holdings Plc, the British fashion and homewares retailer, said it was cautiously optimistic after sales increased in the first half despite falling profits.

New York's Fashion Week kicks off on Thursday 10 September with a very simple message for style-conscious consumers - spend, spend, spend.

Norwegian outdoor clothing brand Helly Hansen is speeding up plans to open new stores amid weak property markets and sales that have continued to rise despite the economic downturn.

When it comes to shoes, fashion trumps function and even comfort for many British women, according to a survey by a British medical society.

Expect glamorous belts to be drawn tight when New York's Fashion Week kicks off this Thursday 10 September, with designers and consumers still hurting from the recession.

Two of Britain's oldest and best-known luxury fashion brands were brought under one roof when the team behind Jaeger joined forces to buy Aquascutum from its Japanese owner.

When it comes to swaying the followers of fashion, it's hard to fill the designer shoes of Vogue Editor-in-Chief Anna Wintour this year; Wintour has been crowned 2009's most powerful fashion editor in America in a Forbes magazine ranking.

The administrator for Christian Lacroix hopes owners Falic Group can reach an agreement with Italian businessman Maurizio Borletti on a rescue plan for the French fashion house by the end of the month.

Sudanese women's rights activists scuffled with Islamists and riot police before a court session for Lubna Hussein, who faces 40 lashes for wearing trousers deemed indecent by the authorites.

Citigroup cut teen apparel retailer Abercrombie & Fitch Co to "sell" from "hold," saying sales shortfalls at the company will likely lead to continued negative earnings revisions.

Xstrata has asked its bankers to study the viability of a new 3 billion pounds ($4.90 billion) bid for platinum producer Lonmin.

Associated British Foods nudged up its full-year earnings forecast thanks to a strong performance at its Primark discount fashion chain and its sugar business.