Juliette Longuet

Spanish fashion chain Zara has expanded so rapidly in recent months that it has overtaken its main US rival Gap to become the world’s largest clothing retailer. Beloved by proponents of fast-fashion, Zara has spread its reach across the world at a time when Gap has suffered from plummeting consumer spending in the US.
Zara’s parent company Inditex doesn’t spend much on advertising, but it does follow the sinister-sounding “oil stain” model of growth, following the opening of one big store in each new market with a number of smaller shops.

Zara is opening a store on 42nd Street and Fifth Avenue. This makes six Zara stores for Manhattan; their rival in the quest for world retail domination, the Gap, has twenty.

It’s official: Thakoon Panichgul is to design for Hogan. Rumours had been rife in the fashion world that the young New York design talent would work with the brand following the revelation that he was engaged in talks with Tod’s boss Diego Della Valle, who owns the label. Although Thakoon will not take on such a full-time role as creative director, he will work on a collaborative project - due to launch for autumn/winter 2008-9 - for Hogan.

The area around the Port Authority Bus Terminal is about to get more sexy in the Fall. MUJI, the Japanese retailer known for its minimalist goods, announced that it will open its flagship American store in The New York Times building on 8th Ave between 40th and 41st Streets. Currently, MUJI only has two “stores” in the United States, both small sections at MoMA stores in New York. The company’s full name, Mujirushi Ryohin, translates to “No Brand Quality Goods”.

The president of Muji USA, Hiroysohi Azami is planning to open 20-30 U.S. stores. He believes the store will attract some tourists, but most shoppers will be New Yorkers.

For a sampling of what they sell, check out the MoMA store online or MUJI’s online store.

Apple is reporting that two new Apple Stores have been confirmed for The Big Apple. First, the borough of Brooklyn will host a store, either in the downtown area or in Williamsburg.

The location of the 2nd store is more certain. Earlier this week, it was all but confirmed that a store will be built at 23 Wall Street.

The bankers are going to be able to spend all their breaks to relax into the Apple stores, very smart Apple!