While we were teased with the news that designer of all things downtown and chic, Alexander Wang, could be taking over Balenciaga yesterday, today they’re heating up even further. It’s rumored the 28-year-old designer will be announced next week as the one to assume control over the creative direction of the brand. If so, he would succeed Nicolas Ghesquière who was at the company’s design helm since 1997. [GlamChic]
As popular as J. Crew — and creative director Jenna Lyons — is, it’s a wonder that the brand only has brick and mortar stores here in the states. Well, in 2013, that is going to change! The company, known for its quintessential preppy, preen look, is opening up its first shop abroad on London’s Regent Street. [VOGUE UK]
It looks like Rent the Runway won’t be slowing down any time soo! The e-renter of luxury attire just received a $20 million boost in its third round of financing. This is $5 million more in investments that the company received in 2011, which helped the site increase its brand stock from 140 designers to its now 200 different clothing lines. [WWD]
Fast fashion retailer ZARA has made a big eco-friendly announcement. The company has pledged to “detox” and eliminate all toxic fashion practices in its supply chain model by 2020. This act comes after Greenpeace International released an eyeopening investigation into hazardous chemical by-products that are released into the environment by high street brands. [Telegraph]
Fast Retailing Co., the parent company to Uniqlo and Theory, has purchased SoCal denim dealer J. Brand. The $300 million sale gives Fast Retailing 80% control over the jean line and could potentially mean a high-low collaboration between Uniqlo and J. Brand is in the near future. [MarketWatch]
English-Irish boy band One Direction has stayed “Up All Night” with you, and in their sophomoric attempts, pleaded to “Take Me Home.” For Fall 2013, you can smell like them too… or at least how they’d want their girlfriends to. The five-man band is working with Olivann Beauty to produce a fragrance aimed at their legions of lovely lady fans. [WWD]