<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss version="2.0"
	xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/"
	xmlns:wfw="http://wellformedweb.org/CommentAPI/"
	xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/"
	xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom"
	xmlns:sy="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/syndication/"
	>
    
	<channel>
    	<title>CPP-LUXURY</title>
        <atom:link href="http://cpp-luxury.com/feed/en" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml" />
        <link>http://cpp-luxury.com/en</link>
        <description>CPP-LUXURY business of luxury</description>
        <pubDate>Thu, 11 Mar 2010 02:08:57 +0200</pubDate>
        <generator>http://cpp-luxury.com</generator>
        <language>en</language>
	<item>
		<title>TOD'S launches ''su misura'' service</title>
		<link>http://cpp-luxury.com/en/tod-s-launches---su-misura---service_625.html</link>
		<pubDate>Wed, 10 Mar 2010 10:04:04 +0200</pubDate>
        <dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>

		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>

        <guid isPermaLink="false">
        	http://cpp-luxury.com/en/tod-s-launches---su-misura---service_625.html
        </guid>

		<description><![CDATA[
			Italian luxury shoes and bags leather manufacturer TOD'S has launched in its Paris flagship store the first corner dedicated to ''su misura'' products. The custom made shoes corners will be developed in other stores internationally in Milan, Los Angeles,...		]]></description>
        <content:encoded><![CDATA[
			Italian luxury shoes and bags leather manufacturer TOD'S has launched in its Paris flagship store the first corner dedicated to ''su misura'' products. The custom made shoes corners will be developed in other stores internationally in Milan, Los Angeles, Tokyo and Hong Kong. This latest offer will therefore address top wealthy consumers, thus completing the wide range of consumer target base of the Italian brand.        ]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>''Front door exit from the crisis'' - the main speakers' panel topic at BUSINESS OF LUXURY FORUM 2010</title>
		<link>http://cpp-luxury.com/en/front-door-exit-from-the-crisis-----the-main-speakers--panel-topic-at-business-of-luxury-forum-2010_624.html</link>
		<pubDate>Wed, 10 Mar 2010 08:19:43 +0200</pubDate>
        <dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>

		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>

        <guid isPermaLink="false">
        	http://cpp-luxury.com/en/front-door-exit-from-the-crisis-----the-main-speakers--panel-topic-at-business-of-luxury-forum-2010_624.html
        </guid>

		<description><![CDATA[
			CPP, organizer of BUSINESS OF LUXURY FORUM 2010 edition annouces the main topic of the speakers' panel.
The main speakers&amp;rsquo; panel will be moderated by Oliver Petcu, Managing Director CPP and Andreea Ionescu, Managing Partner of ConsultWare. The panel will...		]]></description>
        <content:encoded><![CDATA[
			CPP, organizer of BUSINESS OF LUXURY FORUM 2010 edition annouces the main topic of the speakers' panel.
The main speakers&amp;rsquo; panel will be moderated by Oliver Petcu, Managing Director CPP and Andreea Ionescu, Managing Partner of ConsultWare. The panel will be made up of all international luxury brands executives, many of them being unable to have an official speech due to their company policies, some of these companies having as official speakers the CEO and/or the Creative Director / Designer.
The main speakers&amp;rsquo; panel will be organized during the BUSINESS OF LUXURY FORUM, on March 16th and will take place in the &amp;lsquo;&amp;rsquo;1880&amp;rsquo;&amp;rsquo; Restaurant on the groundfloor of CAPITAL PLAZA HOTEL. The panel will address the following issues and ideas:
- developing offers for a secondary target ready to interact aspirationally with luxury brands
- is there an exact timing for the exit from crisis
- the importance of innovation and heritage
- the importance of &amp;lsquo;&amp;rsquo;Made In&amp;rsquo;&amp;rsquo;
- the personal impact of the crisis on the speakers from the panel
- snobism versus the real pleasure in interacting with the luxury brand and the implications this has in the choice and service of the consumer clients
- the dangers posed by the diversification temptation
- the impact and importance of sexuality in designing global communication strategies
- opportunities generated and created by the crisis in each luxury industry sector
- the major changes in consumer profile by regions: Central and Eastern Europe, Middle East and North Africa, South America, U.S.A, Europe and Asia
&amp;nbsp;
To register for BUSINESS OF LUXURY FORUM, access event web site or call Paul Magureanu on + 40 727 315 794        ]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>While Porsche Romania has no more test drive cars, FERRARI reports 15 orders for Romania</title>
		<link>http://cpp-luxury.com/en/while-porsche-romania-has-no-more-test-drive-cars--ferrari-reports-15-orders-for-romania_623.html</link>
		<pubDate>Wed, 10 Mar 2010 07:30:03 +0200</pubDate>
        <dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>

		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>

        <guid isPermaLink="false">
        	http://cpp-luxury.com/en/while-porsche-romania-has-no-more-test-drive-cars--ferrari-reports-15-orders-for-romania_623.html
        </guid>

		<description><![CDATA[
			Crisis is deepening in the auto sector in the Central and Eastern European region too. AUDI's official importer PORSCHE ROMANIA&amp;nbsp;is no longer able to offer test drive cars in its showrooms. Other major luxury car dealers haven't sold any...		]]></description>
        <content:encoded><![CDATA[
			Crisis is deepening in the auto sector in the Central and Eastern European region too. AUDI's official importer PORSCHE ROMANIA&amp;nbsp;is no longer able to offer test drive cars in its showrooms. Other major luxury car dealers haven't sold any new cars in months,&amp;nbsp;That is why, it&amp;nbsp;comes as a suprise to learn from the ex Minister of Health, the owner of the FERRARI dealership for Romania, that they cannot cope with the demand from the Romanian market. In a highly publicized press release, Forza Rossa, the Ferrari dealer for Romania announced yesterday it has 15 car orders for 2010.
FERRARI launched earlier this year in Poland, within a large showroom in the capital city of Warsaw. In Ukraine, the Ferrari Store&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;is the largest store of Ferrari branded men's, women's and children's clothes and accessories in Central and Eastern Europe. Other Ferrari dealerships are present in: Budapest (Hungary), Prague (Czech Republic), Ljubljana (Slovenia),        ]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>Small luxury brands flourish during crisis</title>
		<link>http://cpp-luxury.com/en/small-luxury-brands-flourish-during-crisis_622.html</link>
		<pubDate>Tue, 09 Mar 2010 06:51:58 +0200</pubDate>
        <dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>

		<category><![CDATA[Opportunities]]></category>

        <guid isPermaLink="false">
        	http://cpp-luxury.com/en/small-luxury-brands-flourish-during-crisis_622.html
        </guid>

		<description><![CDATA[
			GOYARD, ASPREY and BERLUTI&amp;nbsp;are just three of the leading small luxury brands which are likely to take advantage of the current crisis which has made luxury consumers not only more price sensitive but also more attentive and selective when...		]]></description>
        <content:encoded><![CDATA[
			GOYARD, ASPREY and BERLUTI&amp;nbsp;are just three of the leading small luxury brands which are likely to take advantage of the current crisis which has made luxury consumers not only more price sensitive but also more attentive and selective when it comes to quality of manufacturing and raw materials. French luxury brand GOYARD which specializes in luxury hand made leather bags and accessories has been expanding discreetly internationally and its products have been increasing in demand.
British luxury brand ASPREY which used to be struggling just before the debut of the crisis is also showing stable sales and an increasing attractiveness of its products among discerning consumers especially in Asia and Europe.
Although member of a large group (LVMH), luxury shoe maker BERLUTI has remained focused on its top quality manufactured products. BERLUTI shoes are mostly sold in luxury department stores, corners and speciality luxury shoe multibrand stores worldwide.
Smaller shoe manufacturers from emerging countries such as Romania (SAINT CRISPINS, GREVE and MAFTEI) are also steadily developing their consumer base, most of their hand made top quality shoes being sold worlwide in luxury department stores and showrooms.        ]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>Japanese luxury consumer profile suffers major changes </title>
		<link>http://cpp-luxury.com/en/japanese-luxury-consumer-profile-suffers-major-changes_621.html</link>
		<pubDate>Tue, 09 Mar 2010 08:17:24 +0200</pubDate>
        <dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>

		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>

        <guid isPermaLink="false">
        	http://cpp-luxury.com/en/japanese-luxury-consumer-profile-suffers-major-changes_621.html
        </guid>

		<description><![CDATA[
			In a recent interview to Italian daily IL SOLE 24 ORE, Mr Francesco Formiconi, COO of GIORGIO ARMANI SpA for Japan, explained the major chages brought about by the crisis in the Japanese luxury consumer profile. He speaks about...		]]></description>
        <content:encoded><![CDATA[
			In a recent interview to Italian daily IL SOLE 24 ORE, Mr Francesco Formiconi, COO of GIORGIO ARMANI SpA for Japan, explained the major chages brought about by the crisis in the Japanese luxury consumer profile. He speaks about shame, guilt and fear of arrogance as the main factor which continues to keep Japanese consumers away from luxury stores, both highstreet and department stores. He gave the example of Takashimaya, Tokyo's largest luxury department store and the luxury district of Ginza, pointing out to several examples of Japanese luxury consumers who prefer to buy discreetly luxury branded products such as Armani, while ''allowing'' themselves to&amp;nbsp;a 'treat'' at H&amp;amp;M and ABERCROMBIE, both&amp;nbsp;brands&amp;nbsp;showing spectacular sales&amp;nbsp;increases in&amp;nbsp;Japan.&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;        ]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>PVH Group, one step from purchasing TOMMY HILFIGER</title>
		<link>http://cpp-luxury.com/en/pvh-group--one-step-from-purchasing-tommy-hilfiger_620.html</link>
		<pubDate>Tue, 09 Mar 2010 08:05:19 +0200</pubDate>
        <dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>

		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>

        <guid isPermaLink="false">
        	http://cpp-luxury.com/en/pvh-group--one-step-from-purchasing-tommy-hilfiger_620.html
        </guid>

		<description><![CDATA[
			After including CALVIN KLEIN in its portfolio, American apparel giant PHV (Philips Van Heusen) Group is one step away from taking over TOMMY HILFIGER. This new acquisition would bring PHV's turnover to USD 3 billion. The strategy of PVH...		]]></description>
        <content:encoded><![CDATA[
			After including CALVIN KLEIN in its portfolio, American apparel giant PHV (Philips Van Heusen) Group is one step away from taking over TOMMY HILFIGER. This new acquisition would bring PHV's turnover to USD 3 billion. The strategy of PVH seems to be closely linked with APAX Investment Fund which is supposed to make the first move.        ]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>L'OCCITANE makes its IPO on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange to further expand in Asia </title>
		<link>http://cpp-luxury.com/en/l-occitane-makes-its-ipo-on-the-hong-kong-stock-exchange-to-further-expand-in-asia_619.html</link>
		<pubDate>Tue, 09 Mar 2010 07:54:25 +0200</pubDate>
        <dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>

		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>

        <guid isPermaLink="false">
        	http://cpp-luxury.com/en/l-occitane-makes-its-ipo-on-the-hong-kong-stock-exchange-to-further-expand-in-asia_619.html
        </guid>

		<description><![CDATA[
			French premium cosmetics group L'OCCITANE which also includes OLIVIERS&amp;amp;CO annouced its listing on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. Its first IPO is set to raise more than EUR 700 million which will therefore finance its aggressive expansion in Asia.
As...		]]></description>
        <content:encoded><![CDATA[
			French premium cosmetics group L'OCCITANE which also includes OLIVIERS&amp;amp;CO annouced its listing on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. Its first IPO is set to raise more than EUR 700 million which will therefore finance its aggressive expansion in Asia.
As included in several previous analysis, CPP believes L'OCCITANE's over-expansion endangers not only the quality of its products but also the positioning of the brand. From the point of view of luxury positioning L'OCCITANE has been advancing through its strategic partnership with hotel chains such as FOUR SEASONS, yet at the same time, its wide availability and positioning near L'OREAL and NIVEA in all major international airports has been compromising its luxury positioning. Recently, L'OCCITANE expanded its products range into a full line of make up.
CPP-LUXURY.COM revealed late 2009 that although L'OCCITANE state all their products are Made in France, we have discovered L'OCCITANE products Made in Egypt.
L'OCCITANE's sister brand OLIVIERS &amp;amp;CO remains in a luxury market positioning, most of its corners and stores being present only in select locations.        ]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>OSCARS 2010 honors talent and not politics</title>
		<link>http://cpp-luxury.com/en/oscars-2010-honors-talent-and-not-politics_618.html</link>
		<pubDate>Mon, 08 Mar 2010 06:48:01 +0200</pubDate>
        <dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>

		<category><![CDATA[Review]]></category>

        <guid isPermaLink="false">
        	http://cpp-luxury.com/en/oscars-2010-honors-talent-and-not-politics_618.html
        </guid>

		<description><![CDATA[
			Sunday night Oscars have once again shined in full Hollywood style. An impressive elegant decor with many 70's touches. In a long time, many could grasp ''this is about talent and not politics'' as Winner of the Best Supporting...		]]></description>
        <content:encoded><![CDATA[
			Sunday night Oscars have once again shined in full Hollywood style. An impressive elegant decor with many 70's touches. In a long time, many could grasp ''this is about talent and not politics'' as Winner of the Best Supporting Actress Mo'Nique said in her acceptance speech. I would also add, the 2010 edition was not about Haute Couture and the ''standard'' diva. Young Gabourey Sidibe, the leading actress of the movie PRECIOUS was the ''BEST DRESSED''&amp;nbsp;and the&amp;nbsp;winner in the hearts of millions, in a ''cinderella role'' as Oprah said in her presentation speech. Sandra Bullock who actually won ''BEST ACTRESS in a leading role'' deserved her prize fully !
The Academy has eventually given in to public likes and followed the instincts of opinion makers such as Oprah Winfrey. If it was not for Oprah, PRECIOUS would not have been pushed to stardome.
Tom Ford has once again proved he&amp;nbsp;is not only the BEST DRESSED male figure but also the most talented designer at understanding what people look for in luxury fashion. Demi Moore was the most elegant and sexy female at this year's Oscars, looking better than she used to, at the helm of her career more than a decade ago.
Kate Winslet wore a dress which seemed purposely chosen to highlight the most amazing diamond necklace.
Least inspired gowns: Mery Streep, Charlize Theron, Jennifer Lopez, Vera Farmiga
Worst dressed: Sarah Jessica Parker, Tina Fey, Maggie Gyllenhaal        ]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>BALENCIAGA makes another strategic move and maintains top position</title>
		<link>http://cpp-luxury.com/en/balenciaga-makes-another-strategic-move-and-maintains-top-position_617.html</link>
		<pubDate>Sun, 07 Mar 2010 06:22:57 +0200</pubDate>
        <dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>

		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>

        <guid isPermaLink="false">
        	http://cpp-luxury.com/en/balenciaga-makes-another-strategic-move-and-maintains-top-position_617.html
        </guid>

		<description><![CDATA[
			Legendary French fashion label BALENCIAGA, one of the best performing GUCCI GROUP companies, has been flourishing under the creative direction of Nicolas Ghesquiere who is also accreddited with the revival of the French brand. Much like Christopher Bailey at...		]]></description>
        <content:encoded><![CDATA[
			Legendary French fashion label BALENCIAGA, one of the best performing GUCCI GROUP companies, has been flourishing under the creative direction of Nicolas Ghesquiere who is also accreddited with the revival of the French brand. Much like Christopher Bailey at BURBERRY, Ghesquiere has been drawing on the brand's heritage while constantly adding innovative designs, products, fabrics and new marketing techniques. During last week's Fashion Week in Paris, Balenciaga presented a collection which perfectly blended nylon, cashmere and wrapping materials. And Ghesquire has been doing this without compromising the brand's awareness and strength.        ]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>Why luxury brands fail to produce coherent communications campaigns</title>
		<link>http://cpp-luxury.com/en/why-luxury-brands-fail-to-produce-coherent-communications-campaigns_616.html</link>
		<pubDate>Sun, 07 Mar 2010 05:47:49 +0200</pubDate>
        <dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>

		<category><![CDATA[Analysis]]></category>

        <guid isPermaLink="false">
        	http://cpp-luxury.com/en/why-luxury-brands-fail-to-produce-coherent-communications-campaigns_616.html
        </guid>

		<description><![CDATA[
			Those of you&amp;nbsp;who frequently abroad, irrespectively of age, gender or sexual preference, have at least once noticed how different you are regarded in each country. For instance,&amp;nbsp;Asian women prefer foreigners versus locals, therefore an American male in Tokyo or...		]]></description>
        <content:encoded><![CDATA[
			Those of you&amp;nbsp;who frequently abroad, irrespectively of age, gender or sexual preference, have at least once noticed how different you are regarded in each country. For instance,&amp;nbsp;Asian women prefer foreigners versus locals, therefore an American male in Tokyo or Beijing has a definite advantage over a local when it comes to social networking and dating. The same applies to a Japanese lady travelling to the UK where she might be more ''successfull'' in dating British handsome men than any local British women. There is also the example of European gay men who travel to the Middle East and who are preferred by locals over locals. The same applies vice versa, for a handsome Middle Eastern gay man who has higher chances of dating a&amp;nbsp;handsome local.&amp;nbsp;
Is&amp;nbsp;it just a matter of how different we all&amp;nbsp;see beauty&amp;nbsp;and what&amp;nbsp;we perceive as being beautiful? Or is it a new revolutionary trend in social networking brought about&amp;nbsp;by&amp;nbsp;all the means which bring&amp;nbsp;all of us closer together, such as affordable travel and&amp;nbsp;the internet&amp;nbsp;?
I would incline towards the second assertion and the defining argument&amp;nbsp;would be&amp;nbsp;that, beyond physical appearance we all act a part in the movie which is our life. By acting, I am referring not only to the behavioural part but also to the ''outside shell'' we all wear, whether it is a clothing, make up or embelishment item. This is the very essence of the mechanism luxury brands rely on, when addressing consumers worldwide. Apart from the quality, exclusivity and design features, a luxury product is meant to differenciate ourselves from each other and mark our territory as well as&amp;nbsp;reflect our social status. Whether we are considering an aspirational consumer or a connaiseur, at the end of the day, they all have the same motivation for buying a luxury product or a luxury service. For some it is a matter of overt show off, while for others it is the subtle way of ''showing off''.
Coming back to our initial argument, does this mean that we also dress and behave differently depending on where we are or where we travel? Is there a ''universal'' luxury code? In my opinion, before the current crisis, we had such ''universal'' codes, in major brands such as LOUIS VUITTON, GUCCI, PRADA, ARMANI&amp;nbsp;which have stores worldwide.
The financial crisis which made its first debut early 2008 triggered a very complex change in the way consumers regard luxury, whether it is a product or a service. ''Belonging'' to a club or wearing a particular brand does no longer suffice. Neither is the ''anti-luxury'' trend a response for all those who can no longer afford luxury or who never found a luxury brand as a personal statement. Mention should be made that ''anti luxury'' applies to all those&amp;nbsp;who mix and match&amp;nbsp;mass market brands&amp;nbsp; with luxury brands or who deliberately wear fake luxury products as a resentiment to luxury.
It all becomes clear why&amp;nbsp;luxury brands have to pay attention to the way we express our sexuality and the way we interact with each other. Louis Vuitton grasped brililiantly on this idea by introducing ''The Journeys'' collection of advertising both in print and tv. Recently, Prada followed suit and launched a series of clips based on the journeys concept. Unfortunately, none of the two brands pursued the concept. Catherine Deneuve's voice on the Journey movie, which Louis Vuitton dedicated to the famous French actress, has a much deeper and longer lasting effect on the auditor than the actual photos taken of her by Annie Leibovitz. The other Louis Vuitton Journeys actors, Andre Agassi with Steffi Graf and Michail Gorbachov have only partly touched the subtle concept which makes the Vuitton brand an international passport recognized all over the world.
What both campaigns missed, was the every day issues of&amp;nbsp;nowadays constantly and effervescently changing environment. And I believe,&amp;nbsp;sexuality&amp;nbsp;in itself and the way we all express it, is a&amp;nbsp;must&amp;nbsp;in drawing up any&amp;nbsp;marketing strategy for a luxury brand in both&amp;nbsp;products and services.&amp;nbsp;
Oliver Petcu&amp;nbsp;        ]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>ESCADA reborn under the new ownership of the Mittal family</title>
		<link>http://cpp-luxury.com/en/escada-reborn-under-the-new-ownership-of-the-mittal-family_615.html</link>
		<pubDate>Tue, 09 Mar 2010 08:06:21 +0200</pubDate>
        <dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>

		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>

        <guid isPermaLink="false">
        	http://cpp-luxury.com/en/escada-reborn-under-the-new-ownership-of-the-mittal-family_615.html
        </guid>

		<description><![CDATA[
			Former CEO of Hugo Boss and current CEO of ESCADA, Mr Bruno Salzer commented on his decision to joing ESCADA which he considers very inspired, considering the stability the new owner, the&amp;nbsp;Indian steel billionaire family Mittal. The Mittal family...		]]></description>
        <content:encoded><![CDATA[
			Former CEO of Hugo Boss and current CEO of ESCADA, Mr Bruno Salzer commented on his decision to joing ESCADA which he considers very inspired, considering the stability the new owner, the&amp;nbsp;Indian steel billionaire family Mittal. The Mittal family paid EUR 60 million to buy ESCADA at the end of&amp;nbsp;2009 when the German&amp;nbsp;luxury brand was facing&amp;nbsp;bankruptcy.&amp;nbsp;The injection&amp;nbsp;of an extra&amp;nbsp;EUR 30 million&amp;nbsp;at the beginning of this year is already making positive advancements for Escada.&amp;nbsp;Mr Salzer is positive&amp;nbsp;about improving sales&amp;nbsp;in Asia and&amp;nbsp;estimated the&amp;nbsp;company will return to profit&amp;nbsp;as early as 2011. &amp;nbsp;        ]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>Pierre Berge and Yves Saint Laurent, une histoire d'amour</title>
		<link>http://cpp-luxury.com/en/pierre-berge-and-yves-saint-laurent--une-histoire-d-amour_614.html</link>
		<pubDate>Sat, 06 Mar 2010 08:29:54 +0200</pubDate>
        <dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>

		<category><![CDATA[People]]></category>

        <guid isPermaLink="false">
        	http://cpp-luxury.com/en/pierre-berge-and-yves-saint-laurent--une-histoire-d-amour_614.html
        </guid>

		<description><![CDATA[
			Pierre Berge met Yves Saint Laurent in 1958, in Paris. At the time, Yves Saint Laurent was working with Christian Dior. In less than a year, Pierre Berge convinced Yves Saint Laurent to set up his own ''maison''. Those...		]]></description>
        <content:encoded><![CDATA[
			Pierre Berge met Yves Saint Laurent in 1958, in Paris. At the time, Yves Saint Laurent was working with Christian Dior. In less than a year, Pierre Berge convinced Yves Saint Laurent to set up his own ''maison''. Those were the early days of the YSL brand but also the start of an incredible love story. They worked together, they breathed together...they depended on each other. With the love of his life by his side, Yves Saint Laurent was to make history and it has !
In a recent interview to the French media, Mr Pierre Berge gave a very blunt reply: ''Haute Couture no longer exists...today's maisons do no longer respond to the needs of the customer of this century''. He also spoke highly of his boyfriend and life time partners '' Yves Saint Laurent made history...his creations revolutionized the fashion world in the same&amp;nbsp;manner as Miss&amp;nbsp;Coco Chanel did''.
Last week, for the first time&amp;nbsp;in over a decade especially since&amp;nbsp;the death of his partner, Pierre Berge first attended a fashion show. He chose to attend the GIVENCHY&amp;nbsp;show as he believed&amp;nbsp;the designer&amp;nbsp;Ricardo Tisci&amp;nbsp;has been delivering exceptional&amp;nbsp;creations which are revitalizing the famous&amp;nbsp;French brand. Mention should also be made that Mr Pierre Berge, a very wealthy and influential figure of French high society is also a big philantropist donating millions to AIDS charities. One his most favorite businesses for the past decade has been TETU, the leading lifestyle magazine for gay men in Europe.&amp;nbsp;Published in France, TETU is sold in all French speaking countries and in&amp;nbsp;a relatively short&amp;nbsp;existance has reached the&amp;nbsp;highest status&amp;nbsp;among gay mens magazines. TETU is both fashionable and social,&amp;nbsp;dealing with all social issues which&amp;nbsp;still discriminate and isolate gay men from the rest&amp;nbsp;of society. &amp;nbsp;
Mr Berge refuses to speak about the current state of the Yves Saint Laurent which is owned by the GUCCI GROUP. As reported by CPP&amp;nbsp;at the beginning of March, the YSL has been for more than 5 years the worst performing brands of GUCCI GROUP, accummulating huge debts. Although Pierre Berge and Mr Yves Saint Laurent did not approve of TOM FORD, YSL thrived during his creative work. Italian Stefano Pilati followed in the steps of Tom Ford and has been for more than 3 years the Creative Director and designer of YSL. Despite his exceptional talent and creativity he hasn't managed to produce sellable collections, the mens line being has been pulled out of many flagship stores.
&amp;nbsp;        ]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>Carla Bruni Sarkozy, a muse and inspiration for top luxury brands </title>
		<link>http://cpp-luxury.com/en/carla-bruni-sarkozy--a-muse-and-inspiration-for-top-luxury-brands_613.html</link>
		<pubDate>Sat, 06 Mar 2010 07:12:56 +0200</pubDate>
        <dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>

		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>

        <guid isPermaLink="false">
        	http://cpp-luxury.com/en/carla-bruni-sarkozy--a-muse-and-inspiration-for-top-luxury-brands_613.html
        </guid>

		<description><![CDATA[
			Famed French luxury shoe manufacturer ROGER VIVIER has unveiled this week its Carla Bruni inspired bag. The bad which is made of calf skin is called Miss Viv' and designers have drawn on Carla Bruni's impecable first lady look...		]]></description>
        <content:encoded><![CDATA[
			Famed French luxury shoe manufacturer ROGER VIVIER has unveiled this week its Carla Bruni inspired bag. The bad which is made of calf skin is called Miss Viv' and designers have drawn on Carla Bruni's impecable first lady look for the creation.
The First French Lady has also attracted tabloid criticism over her gown choice at the gala dinner attended&amp;nbsp;by&amp;nbsp;Russian&amp;nbsp;Prime Minister Putin at the Elysee Palace&amp;nbsp;last week.&amp;nbsp;She wore a very elegant evening dress without&amp;nbsp;wearing a bra and enraged some of her most fervant critics.&amp;nbsp;At the same time, top&amp;nbsp;fashion critics have praised&amp;nbsp;her daring choice and called&amp;nbsp;it ''very elegant French glamour''.&amp;nbsp;
A former top model, Mrs&amp;nbsp;Sarkozy has been recognized as&amp;nbsp;the new Jackie Kennedy, also highly praised&amp;nbsp;for her very elegant&amp;nbsp;attires.&amp;nbsp;The other comparison with Grace&amp;nbsp;Kelly&amp;nbsp;is also a flattering one and despite the inherent criticism,&amp;nbsp;Mrs Sarkozy&amp;nbsp;is likely to evolve further.&amp;nbsp;
It remains to be seen whether Hermes or Vuitton will create a bag with her name...&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;        ]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>HERMES pulls out of yacht deal</title>
		<link>http://cpp-luxury.com/en/hermes-pulls-out-of-yacht-deal_612.html</link>
		<pubDate>Sat, 06 Mar 2010 06:58:11 +0200</pubDate>
        <dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>

		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>

        <guid isPermaLink="false">
        	http://cpp-luxury.com/en/hermes-pulls-out-of-yacht-deal_612.html
        </guid>

		<description><![CDATA[
			The much anticipated yacht project of HERMES realized jointly with shipbuilder WALLY has recently culminated with the withdrawal of the top luxury French brand. Hermes indicated the lack of experience as the main reason for the withdrawal. However, the...		]]></description>
        <content:encoded><![CDATA[
			The much anticipated yacht project of HERMES realized jointly with shipbuilder WALLY has recently culminated with the withdrawal of the top luxury French brand. Hermes indicated the lack of experience as the main reason for the withdrawal. However, the yacht project will go ahead as planned, yet it will not bear the signature of Hermes.        ]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>CPP Management Consultants Ltd presents the first comprehensive luxury market reports on SYRIA and MOROCCO</title>
		<link>http://cpp-luxury.com/en/cpp-management-consultants-ltd-presents-the-first-comprehensive-luxury-market-reports-on-syria-and-morocco_611.html</link>
		<pubDate>Sat, 06 Mar 2010 06:53:17 +0200</pubDate>
        <dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>

		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>

        <guid isPermaLink="false">
        	http://cpp-luxury.com/en/cpp-management-consultants-ltd-presents-the-first-comprehensive-luxury-market-reports-on-syria-and-morocco_611.html
        </guid>

		<description><![CDATA[
			With the occasion of the 2010 edition of BUSINESS OF LUXURY FORUM,&amp;nbsp;the annual luxury industry event dedicated to emerging markets, CPP will present the first luxury market reports on SYRIA and MOROCCO. These will be the first such market...		]]></description>
        <content:encoded><![CDATA[
			With the occasion of the 2010 edition of BUSINESS OF LUXURY FORUM,&amp;nbsp;the annual luxury industry event dedicated to emerging markets, CPP will present the first luxury market reports on SYRIA and MOROCCO. These will be the first such market reports ever made on the two fast growing emerging markets. CPP's reports analyze each luxury industry sector in both countries, highlighting opportunities, challenges and trends. A detailed luxury consumer analysis is also part of the two reports.        ]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>PERMIRA looking to sell VALENTINO and PROENZA SCHOULER</title>
		<link>http://cpp-luxury.com/en/permira-looking-to-sell-valentino-and-proenza-schouler_610.html</link>
		<pubDate>Tue, 02 Mar 2010 09:30:09 +0200</pubDate>
        <dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>

		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>

        <guid isPermaLink="false">
        	http://cpp-luxury.com/en/permira-looking-to-sell-valentino-and-proenza-schouler_610.html
        </guid>

		<description><![CDATA[
			Several luxury industry market sources indicate as imminent the sale of Valentino and Proenza Schouler by its owner, British investment fund Permira which has a majority stake in Valentino Fashion Group. The VFG also includes HUGO BOSS, which is...		]]></description>
        <content:encoded><![CDATA[
			Several luxury industry market sources indicate as imminent the sale of Valentino and Proenza Schouler by its owner, British investment fund Permira which has a majority stake in Valentino Fashion Group. The VFG also includes HUGO BOSS, which is the largest business within the group and the only to have had a positive performance in 2009.
In 2009 Permira and the former owners Marzotto family created Red &amp;amp; Black Luxe sarl which has a 100% in Valentino and 70% stake in Hugo Boss.        ]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>Tears of joy or sadness at DOLCE GABBANA show ?</title>
		<link>http://cpp-luxury.com/en/tears-of-joy-or-sadness-at-dolce-gabbana-show_609.html</link>
		<pubDate>Mon, 01 Mar 2010 08:47:24 +0200</pubDate>
        <dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>

		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>

        <guid isPermaLink="false">
        	http://cpp-luxury.com/en/tears-of-joy-or-sadness-at-dolce-gabbana-show_609.html
        </guid>

		<description><![CDATA[
			Italian fashion brands DOLCE GABBANA delivered a highly emotional show this weekend at the closing of the Milan Fashion Week. The show paid homage to the hundreds of atelier workers and show ended with a parade of models wearing...		]]></description>
        <content:encoded><![CDATA[
			Italian fashion brands DOLCE GABBANA delivered a highly emotional show this weekend at the closing of the Milan Fashion Week. The show paid homage to the hundreds of atelier workers and show ended with a parade of models wearing a jacket and a short skirt. This also marks a draw on DOLCE GABBANA&amp;rsquo;s earlier years when it introduced this particular look. Many journalists and staff left the room in tears. Were they tears of joy or sadness? DOLCE GABBANA like many other luxury fashion brands have been deeply affected by the current crisis. The financial difficulties have only been worsened by the two strategic decisions taken just before the debut of the crisis: to take back the production and commercial of the D&amp;amp;G line and to buy out many private manufacture ateliers which used to work for Dolce Gabbana, especially shoes and bags.         ]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>CPP launches this Fall 24 hour online luxury travel service CPP-TRAVEL.COM</title>
		<link>http://cpp-luxury.com/en/cpp-launches-this-fall-24-hour-online-luxury-travel-service-cpp-travel-com_606.html</link>
		<pubDate>Sun, 28 Feb 2010 12:55:55 +0200</pubDate>
        <dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>

		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>

        <guid isPermaLink="false">
        	http://cpp-luxury.com/en/cpp-launches-this-fall-24-hour-online-luxury-travel-service-cpp-travel-com_606.html
        </guid>

		<description><![CDATA[
			CPP Management Consultants Ltd, sole Central and Eastern European management consultancy launches this Fall CPP-TRAVEL.COM, an online 24h subscription based luxury travel service. The&amp;nbsp;service will&amp;nbsp;also be available on Blackberry and Iphone platforms and will&amp;nbsp;provide instant luxury travel services: hotels,...		]]></description>
        <content:encoded><![CDATA[
			CPP Management Consultants Ltd, sole Central and Eastern European management consultancy launches this Fall CPP-TRAVEL.COM, an online 24h subscription based luxury travel service. The&amp;nbsp;service will&amp;nbsp;also be available on Blackberry and Iphone platforms and will&amp;nbsp;provide instant luxury travel services: hotels, transfers, car rentals. All services will be individually designed. Through direct partnership with the top international luxury hotel chains, CPP-TRAVEL.COM will provide lower rates than online or any other GDS and wholesale system.        ]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>KEMPINSKI at its lowest standards, in their home country</title>
		<link>http://cpp-luxury.com/en/kempinski-at-its-lowest-standards--in-their-home-country_608.html</link>
		<pubDate>Mon, 01 Mar 2010 08:41:16 +0200</pubDate>
        <dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>

		<category><![CDATA[Review]]></category>

        <guid isPermaLink="false">
        	http://cpp-luxury.com/en/kempinski-at-its-lowest-standards--in-their-home-country_608.html
        </guid>

		<description><![CDATA[
			Besides its superb location on leading highstreet Maximilianstr., the KEMPINSKI Vier Jahreszeiten Munich has failed in every aspect !
I walked into the hotel carrying my luggage and noone bothered to greet me, let alone assist with luggage. At check...		]]></description>
        <content:encoded><![CDATA[
			Besides its superb location on leading highstreet Maximilianstr., the KEMPINSKI Vier Jahreszeiten Munich has failed in every aspect !
I walked into the hotel carrying my luggage and noone bothered to greet me, let alone assist with luggage. At check in, I advised I had sent an email requesting an upgrade and after a 40 minute search for my booking and verification of voucher,&amp;nbsp;I was eventually&amp;nbsp;upgraded to an Executive room, which, on the hotel website says it is the largest of all room categories.
When arriving in the room, I was shocked to discover a 3 star standard room with old carpets and curtains, an old humming tv set and a large bathroom, yet with many flaws, of which the most striking were the stains from unproper cleaning and the set of cheap branded tolietries (Kempinski branded), made by the same company which supplies hotels such as the IBIS or HOLIDAY INN chains.
I was down in reception in 10 minutes and expressed my huge disappointment. The most superior ranking staff&amp;nbsp;was the Assistant Guest Relations Manager who informed me that if I wanted to switch to a renovated room of the same size, I would need to pay extra, about EUR 200. Most disturbing were not only the actual facts conveyed, but the attitude of the staff which could not care less as to whether I am leaving or not. And I left...        ]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>TECHNOGYM supplier to top luxury hotels and most famous sports celebrities</title>
		<link>http://cpp-luxury.com/en/technogym-supplier-to-top-luxury-hotels-and-most-famous-sports-celebrities_607.html</link>
		<pubDate>Sun, 28 Feb 2010 01:48:09 +0200</pubDate>
        <dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>

		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>

        <guid isPermaLink="false">
        	http://cpp-luxury.com/en/technogym-supplier-to-top-luxury-hotels-and-most-famous-sports-celebrities_607.html
        </guid>

		<description><![CDATA[
			Leading Italian luxury wellness equipment company TECHNOGYM has been the chosen supplier of most of top luxury hotel chains such as MANDARIN ORIENTAL and FOUR SEASONS.
Mandarin Oriental Munich, the top luxury hotel in the Bavarian capital has set up...		]]></description>
        <content:encoded><![CDATA[
			Leading Italian luxury wellness equipment company TECHNOGYM has been the chosen supplier of most of top luxury hotel chains such as MANDARIN ORIENTAL and FOUR SEASONS.
Mandarin Oriental Munich, the top luxury hotel in the Bavarian capital has set up a state of the art temporary fitness club for the ARGENTINA national football team. The Argentina team will face Germany&amp;nbsp;in the 3 rd of March friendly football game ahead of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. Stars such as Lionel Messi and Maradona will be staying in the German city for several days.        ]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>FAIRMONT opens luxury hotel in KIEV this year</title>
		<link>http://cpp-luxury.com/en/fairmont-opens-luxury-hotel-in-kiev-this-year_605.html</link>
		<pubDate>Sat, 27 Feb 2010 10:19:28 +0200</pubDate>
        <dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>

		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>

        <guid isPermaLink="false">
        	http://cpp-luxury.com/en/fairmont-opens-luxury-hotel-in-kiev-this-year_605.html
        </guid>

		<description><![CDATA[
			Premium five star chain FAIRMONT HOTELS is to open a 257 room hotel in Kiev, Ukraine's capital. The hotel is situated downtown and will&amp;nbsp;mostly cater to the business travellers.
Unfortunately, the opening could not have come at the worst time...		]]></description>
        <content:encoded><![CDATA[
			Premium five star chain FAIRMONT HOTELS is to open a 257 room hotel in Kiev, Ukraine's capital. The hotel is situated downtown and will&amp;nbsp;mostly cater to the business travellers.
Unfortunately, the opening could not have come at the worst time for the FAIRMONT in Kiev, considering the dramatic losses of the other five star hotels such as InterContinental and Radisson. Even with the new president officially sworn in this week, the political instability of the country continues to put pressure on the already deeply affected economy. The new President Mr Yanukovic has announced he would call for early elections in an effort to oust his campaign rival. very smart Iulia Timoshenko.        ]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>Most of Central and Eastern European luxury markets to recover by the end of 2010</title>
		<link>http://cpp-luxury.com/en/most-of-central-and-eastern-european-luxury-markets-to-recover-by-the-end-of-2010_604.html</link>
		<pubDate>Sat, 27 Feb 2010 10:03:56 +0200</pubDate>
        <dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>

		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>

        <guid isPermaLink="false">
        	http://cpp-luxury.com/en/most-of-central-and-eastern-european-luxury-markets-to-recover-by-the-end-of-2010_604.html
        </guid>

		<description><![CDATA[
			With the occasion of the 2010 edittion of the BUSINESS OF LUXURY FORUM, the yearly luxury event organized by CPP Management Consultants Ltd, CPP will present exclusively the latest luxury market reports for all the countries it covers in...		]]></description>
        <content:encoded><![CDATA[
			With the occasion of the 2010 edittion of the BUSINESS OF LUXURY FORUM, the yearly luxury event organized by CPP Management Consultants Ltd, CPP will present exclusively the latest luxury market reports for all the countries it covers in the CEE region. Most of the reports indicate a clear recovery of the luxury markets especially in markets such as Poland, Serbia, Czech Republic, Slovenia and Romania. Ukraine, Bulgaria and Hungary will reach stability by the end of the year.        ]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>ROBERTO CAVALLI to open this spring one of the largest showrooms in Milan</title>
		<link>http://cpp-luxury.com/en/roberto-cavalli-to-open-this-spring-one-of-the-largest-showrooms-in-milan_603.html</link>
		<pubDate>Sat, 27 Feb 2010 09:57:24 +0200</pubDate>
        <dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>

		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>

        <guid isPermaLink="false">
        	http://cpp-luxury.com/en/roberto-cavalli-to-open-this-spring-one-of-the-largest-showrooms-in-milan_603.html
        </guid>

		<description><![CDATA[
			&amp;ldquo;The major recession is over&amp;rdquo; for luxury goods, Gianluca Brozzetti said in an interview yesterday before the Just Cavalli fall 2010 women&amp;rsquo;s wear runway show in Milan. &amp;ldquo;Still, 2010 will be a year of transition.&amp;rdquo;
Revenue at Cavalli declined 22...		]]></description>
        <content:encoded><![CDATA[
			&amp;ldquo;The major recession is over&amp;rdquo; for luxury goods, Gianluca Brozzetti said in an interview yesterday before the Just Cavalli fall 2010 women&amp;rsquo;s wear runway show in Milan. &amp;ldquo;Still, 2010 will be a year of transition.&amp;rdquo;
Revenue at Cavalli declined 22 percent to 174.7 million euros in 2009, hurt by unpaid royalties from the Just Cavalli line in the first half of the year and a 27 percent drop in sales in the U.S., Brozzetti said. Revenue fell 9 percent in the rest of the world. Just Cavalli is manufactured under license by Ittierre SpA, a unit of IT Holding SpA, which went into government-backed administration last February.
This Spring, ROBERTO CAVALLI will open&amp;nbsp; a new showroom for its first line, one of the largest luxury fashion showrooms in Milan. The showroom will be situated in downtown Piazza San Babila and will cover almost 2.000 sqm.
from Business Week &amp;amp; CPP        ]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>Cashmere, the key to success for several luxury brands</title>
		<link>http://cpp-luxury.com/en/cashmere--the-key-to-success-for-several-luxury-brands_602.html</link>
		<pubDate>Sat, 27 Feb 2010 09:47:39 +0200</pubDate>
        <dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>

		<category><![CDATA[Review]]></category>

        <guid isPermaLink="false">
        	http://cpp-luxury.com/en/cashmere--the-key-to-success-for-several-luxury-brands_602.html
        </guid>

		<description><![CDATA[
			BALLANTYNE, PRINGLE, BRUNO CUCCINELLI and LORO PIANA are the top players of a niche of fashion which some call ''the cashmere brands''. The recently annouced positive results of LORO PIANA and BALLANTYNE are clearly showing that the current crisis...		]]></description>
        <content:encoded><![CDATA[
			BALLANTYNE, PRINGLE, BRUNO CUCCINELLI and LORO PIANA are the top players of a niche of fashion which some call ''the cashmere brands''. The recently annouced positive results of LORO PIANA and BALLANTYNE are clearly showing that the current crisis has made consumers be focused on classic, high quality apparel and accessories. Cashmere is not only luxury but also extremely comfortable to wear and long lasting. The other huge advantage of these brands during the current crisis is the classic design of their collections, collections changing from season to season in colors and less in actual design, therefore customers are able to wear their garments and accessories not only in various occasions but also in seasons.
Owned by the CEO of FERRARI, Italian luxury brand BALLANTYNE has been drawing on this demand and has been producing very high quality collections with some innovativ,&amp;nbsp;yet&amp;nbsp;very wearable&amp;nbsp;pieces. British brand PRINGLE has been showing positive results too, its creative team designing modern, yet with classic twist collections. LORO PIANA, which we consider the ''Italian HERMES'' has been strenghtening on accessories and its collections are received very well by customers throughout the world. LORO PIANA is opening this Spring a flagship in Istanbul's top luxury mall Istynie Park and several other openings are scheduled for 2010.
The most classic of all these brands is BRUNO CUCCINELLI, an Italian institution of luxury timeless fashion. While most of luxury brands register lowering sales in USA, BRUNO C. have been showing increasingly positive results.        ]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>The very smart campaign of BVLGARI</title>
		<link>http://cpp-luxury.com/en/the-very-smart-campaign-of-bvlgari_601.html</link>
		<pubDate>Sat, 27 Feb 2010 09:34:14 +0200</pubDate>
        <dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>

		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>

        <guid isPermaLink="false">
        	http://cpp-luxury.com/en/the-very-smart-campaign-of-bvlgari_601.html
        </guid>

		<description><![CDATA[
			Since launching its new advertising campaign featuring A list&amp;nbsp; American&amp;nbsp;actress Julianne Moore, BVLGARI has been sensibly running a paralel PR campaign. The choice of Julianne Moore was also a very smart one, considering her image of an elegant and...		]]></description>
        <content:encoded><![CDATA[
			Since launching its new advertising campaign featuring A list&amp;nbsp; American&amp;nbsp;actress Julianne Moore, BVLGARI has been sensibly running a paralel PR campaign. The choice of Julianne Moore was also a very smart one, considering her image of an elegant and sophisticated diva has been reaching new heights in the past one year. Her role in Tom Ford's ''A single Man'' has also added to her spotlight presence.
BVLGARI have taken full advantage of all this and are running indirect PR campaigns in all major glossy magazines internationally, featuring the same look of Ms Moore as the one in the campaign. Moore is&amp;nbsp; front cover of Vanity Fair Italy and UK, Vogue and International Herald Tribune STYLE magazine.
While other luxury brands have been more focused on the internet, BVLGARI seems to have found the ideal recipe in print media, taking advantage of the lower tariffs and PR opportunities.        ]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>GALERIA EMPORIUM in Ljubljana to open without major luxury brands</title>
		<link>http://cpp-luxury.com/en/galeria-emporium-in-ljubljana-to-open-without-major-luxury-brands_599.html</link>
		<pubDate>Fri, 26 Feb 2010 12:39:30 +0200</pubDate>
        <dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>

		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>

        <guid isPermaLink="false">
        	http://cpp-luxury.com/en/galeria-emporium-in-ljubljana-to-open-without-major-luxury-brands_599.html
        </guid>

		<description><![CDATA[
			Developed by Slovene mass market retailer MAGISTRAT, the GALERIA EMPORIUM downtown shopping center is to open in September 2010 without any major international luxury brand. In spite of market rumours and PR generated by the company, the shopping center...		]]></description>
        <content:encoded><![CDATA[
			Developed by Slovene mass market retailer MAGISTRAT, the GALERIA EMPORIUM downtown shopping center is to open in September 2010 without any major international luxury brand. In spite of market rumours and PR generated by the company, the shopping center has failed to attract any major luxury brands. The only luxury brand confirmed so far is Roberto Cavalli, with a first line multibrand space.
Despite its exceptional location and beautiful classic architecture, Magistrat have not managed to present a viable and feasible project to luxury fashion and accessories, the biggest problem being the long time concept guarantee as well as the right mix.
The project will likely open with the same mix Magistrat has in its Galeria multibrand store within the City Park complex: KENZO, MARELLA, MAX MARA Weekend, PENNY BLACK, S. OLIVER, STEFANEL, WALLIS etc        ]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>SPORTINA Group opens largest luxury multibrand store in Slovenia</title>
		<link>http://cpp-luxury.com/en/sportina-group-opens-largest-luxury-multibrand-store-in-slovenia_598.html</link>
		<pubDate>Fri, 26 Feb 2010 12:29:53 +0200</pubDate>
        <dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>

		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>

        <guid isPermaLink="false">
        	http://cpp-luxury.com/en/sportina-group-opens-largest-luxury-multibrand-store-in-slovenia_598.html
        </guid>

		<description><![CDATA[
			Leading Slovene fashion retailer SPORTINA GROUP opens&amp;nbsp;on March&amp;nbsp;2nd the largest luxury multibrand accessories&amp;nbsp;and fashion store in&amp;nbsp;Ljubljana, the capital city of Slovenia. Branded&amp;nbsp;XYZ, the store&amp;nbsp;follows the already operating 2000 sqm XYZ store&amp;nbsp;opened in March 2009 in Belgrade,&amp;nbsp;Serbia.&amp;nbsp;
The XYZ in Ljubljana...		]]></description>
        <content:encoded><![CDATA[
			Leading Slovene fashion retailer SPORTINA GROUP opens&amp;nbsp;on March&amp;nbsp;2nd the largest luxury multibrand accessories&amp;nbsp;and fashion store in&amp;nbsp;Ljubljana, the capital city of Slovenia. Branded&amp;nbsp;XYZ, the store&amp;nbsp;follows the already operating 2000 sqm XYZ store&amp;nbsp;opened in March 2009 in Belgrade,&amp;nbsp;Serbia.&amp;nbsp;
The XYZ in Ljubljana is located within the&amp;nbsp;highest traffic shopping mall in Slovenia, namely the CITY PARK MALL and covers a surface of 1.800 sqm. The store&amp;nbsp;will include shop in shops&amp;nbsp;and multibrand areas of EMPORIO ARMANI, D&amp;amp;G, HUGO BOSS, Z ZEGNA, JOHN GALLIANO, ARMANI JEANS etc.&amp;nbsp;
Sportina will open a similar store in Zagreb, the capital of Croatia, also within a mall.        ]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>BOTTEGA VENETA to produce before receiving orders </title>
		<link>http://cpp-luxury.com/en/bottega-veneta-to-produce-before-receiving-orders_597.html</link>
		<pubDate>Fri, 26 Feb 2010 12:19:04 +0200</pubDate>
        <dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>

		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>

        <guid isPermaLink="false">
        	http://cpp-luxury.com/en/bottega-veneta-to-produce-before-receiving-orders_597.html
        </guid>

		<description><![CDATA[
			Along with GUCCI, BOTTEGA VENETA has been one of the best performing brands of the GUCCI GROUP and recently announced it will no longer produce after receiving orders. Therefore, BOTTEGA VENETA will decide ahead of the buying which items...		]]></description>
        <content:encoded><![CDATA[
			Along with GUCCI, BOTTEGA VENETA has been one of the best performing brands of the GUCCI GROUP and recently announced it will no longer produce after receiving orders. Therefore, BOTTEGA VENETA will decide ahead of the buying which items to produce and in what volumes and send the merchandise directly to its stores. This way, BOTTEGA collections will reach stores earlier reducing delivery times.         ]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>BURBERRY steps ahead of its major competitors, again!</title>
		<link>http://cpp-luxury.com/en/burberry-steps-ahead-of-its-major-competitors--again_596.html</link>
		<pubDate>Fri, 26 Feb 2010 12:16:40 +0200</pubDate>
        <dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>

		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>

        <guid isPermaLink="false">
        	http://cpp-luxury.com/en/burberry-steps-ahead-of-its-major-competitors--again_596.html
        </guid>

		<description><![CDATA[
			BURBERRY presented its Fall Winter collection yesterday in a 3D show which was broacast live in all major capitals worldwide. Burberry is the first luxury brand to present its collection exclusively in a 3 D presentation. Designer Christopher Bailey...		]]></description>
        <content:encoded><![CDATA[
			BURBERRY presented its Fall Winter collection yesterday in a 3D show which was broacast live in all major capitals worldwide. Burberry is the first luxury brand to present its collection exclusively in a 3 D presentation. Designer Christopher Bailey was ''present'' through a 3D interview in which he described his inspiration for the collection. The most important and at the same time the most sensible was to present details of fabrics and finishes. While the collection did not include the traditional Burberry checks, it was a very Burberry collection.        ]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>TRUE RELIGION sales up 36%</title>
		<link>http://cpp-luxury.com/en/true-religion-sales-up-36_595.html</link>
		<pubDate>Fri, 26 Feb 2010 09:40:39 +0200</pubDate>
        <dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>

		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>

        <guid isPermaLink="false">
        	http://cpp-luxury.com/en/true-religion-sales-up-36_595.html
        </guid>

		<description><![CDATA[
			The recovery from the crisis seems closer and closer for many premium and luxury brands. One such recent example is TRUE RELIGION specialized in jeans which reported a sales increase of 36%, thus compensating for the declining sales in...		]]></description>
        <content:encoded><![CDATA[
			The recovery from the crisis seems closer and closer for many premium and luxury brands. One such recent example is TRUE RELIGION specialized in jeans which reported a sales increase of 36%, thus compensating for the declining sales in U.S. This is also yet another proof that brands which have a very clear identity and strategic quality and design focus are the first to emerge from the international crisis.        ]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>GUCCI launches new campaign on craftmanship and continues to draw on its heritage</title>
		<link>http://cpp-luxury.com/en/gucci-launches-new-campaign-on-craftmanship-and-continues-to-draw-on-its-heritage_594.html</link>
		<pubDate>Wed, 24 Feb 2010 10:37:03 +0200</pubDate>
        <dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>

		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>

        <guid isPermaLink="false">
        	http://cpp-luxury.com/en/gucci-launches-new-campaign-on-craftmanship-and-continues-to-draw-on-its-heritage_594.html
        </guid>

		<description><![CDATA[
			GUCCI's brilliant creative director Frida Geannini confirmed in an interview to the Italian media that she will continue to draw her inspiration from the vast heritage of the GUCCI brand which has remained in all its history a brand...		]]></description>
        <content:encoded><![CDATA[
			GUCCI's brilliant creative director Frida Geannini confirmed in an interview to the Italian media that she will continue to draw her inspiration from the vast heritage of the GUCCI brand which has remained in all its history a brand deeply rooted&amp;nbsp;in&amp;nbsp;Florence and which will never produce&amp;nbsp;outside Italy. She also mentioned the new advertising campaign which features b/w photos of GUCCI artisans at work during the 50's.&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;Ms Giannini also added that the huge archives of GUCCI in Milan will continue to provide invaluable inspiration and creative direction for her.        ]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>CERRUTI closes monobrand in Bucharest</title>
		<link>http://cpp-luxury.com/en/cerruti-closes-monobrand-in-bucharest_591.html</link>
		<pubDate>Tue, 23 Feb 2010 11:52:03 +0200</pubDate>
        <dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>

		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>

        <guid isPermaLink="false">
        	http://cpp-luxury.com/en/cerruti-closes-monobrand-in-bucharest_591.html
        </guid>

		<description><![CDATA[
			French fashion brand CERRUTI closed last week its monobrand franchised location in Bucharest, Romania. Located on main highstreet Calea Victoriei, CERRUTI franchise was owned and operated by the Romanian mass market retailer&amp;nbsp;which&amp;nbsp;run the franchise stores of brands such as...		]]></description>
        <content:encoded><![CDATA[
			French fashion brand CERRUTI closed last week its monobrand franchised location in Bucharest, Romania. Located on main highstreet Calea Victoriei, CERRUTI franchise was owned and operated by the Romanian mass market retailer&amp;nbsp;which&amp;nbsp;run the franchise stores of brands such as RAMSEY and ORSAY. The shop was opened&amp;nbsp;mid 2008. &amp;nbsp;        ]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>PAL ZILERI and CERRUTI to emerge from crisis under the same ownership </title>
		<link>http://cpp-luxury.com/en/pal-zileri-and-cerruti-to-emerge-from-crisis-under-the-same-ownership_593.html</link>
		<pubDate>Tue, 23 Feb 2010 08:11:16 +0200</pubDate>
        <dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>

		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>

        <guid isPermaLink="false">
        	http://cpp-luxury.com/en/pal-zileri-and-cerruti-to-emerge-from-crisis-under-the-same-ownership_593.html
        </guid>

		<description><![CDATA[
			The newly formed Italian French holding company owned by businessman Matlin Patterson which includes PAL ZILERI and CERRUTI announced this week 2010 is a transition year towards stable results, and a return to profitability is expected in 2012. The...		]]></description>
        <content:encoded><![CDATA[
			The newly formed Italian French holding company owned by businessman Matlin Patterson which includes PAL ZILERI and CERRUTI announced this week 2010 is a transition year towards stable results, and a return to profitability is expected in 2012. The group is currently reviewing licenses of PAL ZILERI and are looking for a licencee for the 1881 women's line of CERRUTI. The group CEO Mr Florent Perrichon also announced the CERRUTI brand will not produce menswear, instead focusing on women's line.        ]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>W HOTELS names a Fashion Director </title>
		<link>http://cpp-luxury.com/en/w-hotels-names-a-fashion-director_592.html</link>
		<pubDate>Tue, 23 Feb 2010 06:08:22 +0200</pubDate>
        <dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>

		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>

        <guid isPermaLink="false">
        	http://cpp-luxury.com/en/w-hotels-names-a-fashion-director_592.html
        </guid>

		<description><![CDATA[
			Putting a new spin on the term &amp;quot;designer hotel,&amp;quot; boutique chain W Hotels is hiring a fashion director to amp up its style credentials and its profile within the fashion industry.
After a two-year search, the chain is planning to...		]]></description>
        <content:encoded><![CDATA[
			Putting a new spin on the term &amp;quot;designer hotel,&amp;quot; boutique chain W Hotels is hiring a fashion director to amp up its style credentials and its profile within the fashion industry.
After a two-year search, the chain is planning to announce next week&amp;mdash;on Feb. 11, the opening day of New York Fashion Week&amp;mdash;that it has hired stylist Amanda Ross in what is very likely a first for the hotel industry. W Hotels, which operates 36 properties worldwide.
This comes as yet another innovation sparked by the current crisis, W HOTELS being in direct competition not only with independent hotels network DESIGNER HOTELS as well as trendy luxury hotel chains.
from Wall Street Journal &amp;amp; CPP        ]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>Romanian cinema triumphs once again at BERLIN film festival</title>
		<link>http://cpp-luxury.com/en/romanian-cinema-triumphs-once-again-at-berlin-film-festival_590.html</link>
		<pubDate>Mon, 22 Feb 2010 06:26:52 +0200</pubDate>
        <dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>

		<category><![CDATA[Opportunities]]></category>

        <guid isPermaLink="false">
        	http://cpp-luxury.com/en/romanian-cinema-triumphs-once-again-at-berlin-film-festival_590.html
        </guid>

		<description><![CDATA[
			International media has applauded the first prize won by Romanian young director Florin Serban at BERLIN Film Festival with his movie ''When I want to whistle, I whistle''. UK's The Guardian daily has called the movie a ''work of...		]]></description>
        <content:encoded><![CDATA[
			International media has applauded the first prize won by Romanian young director Florin Serban at BERLIN Film Festival with his movie ''When I want to whistle, I whistle''. UK's The Guardian daily has called the movie a ''work of art'' and other media cites the series of successes registered by what they call the ''new wave'' of Romanian cinema. Another Romanian director Cristian Mungiu won the Palme D'Or at the Cannes film festival in 2009 with his stunning movie ''4321''.
Young Romanian actress Maria Dinulescu winner of ''Un Certain Regard'' at Cannes Film Festival in 2007 with the Romanian movie ''California Dreamin'' has been chosen to be part of the jury of Mons International Film Festival which takes place in Belgium this February.
Instead of focusing on tabloid and TV celebrities, major premium and luxury brands in a large emerging market such as Romania should see in this&amp;nbsp;new cinema wave an impecable image promotion opportunity with stunning new actors and actresses.        ]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>Will YVES SAINT LAURENT survive?</title>
		<link>http://cpp-luxury.com/en/will-yves-saint-laurent-survive_589.html</link>
		<pubDate>Sun, 21 Feb 2010 11:17:22 +0200</pubDate>
        <dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>

		<category><![CDATA[Analysis]]></category>

        <guid isPermaLink="false">
        	http://cpp-luxury.com/en/will-yves-saint-laurent-survive_589.html
        </guid>

		<description><![CDATA[
			For the fourth consecutive year, YSL has continued to be the black sheep of the GUCCI GROUP, with losses which have amounted in 2009 at EUR 10 million. Since the departure of Tom Ford as chief designer, the famous...		]]></description>
        <content:encoded><![CDATA[
			For the fourth consecutive year, YSL has continued to be the black sheep of the GUCCI GROUP, with losses which have amounted in 2009 at EUR 10 million. Since the departure of Tom Ford as chief designer, the famous French fashion brand has been underperforming. It is not only a creative direction issue but also a strategic management one.
Despite Stefano Pilati's inspired womens' creations especially innovative accessories such as shoes or bags, YSL has continued to lose money. Was Anna Wintour right in calling the YSL line as ''boring'' in her September Issue documentary ?
When Tom Ford was at the creative helm, YSL was often associated with sexy glam and&amp;nbsp;chic accessories. Today, the YSL&amp;nbsp;lines are the most expensive among its sister&amp;nbsp;fashion brands within the GUCCI GROUP,&amp;nbsp;in many cases&amp;nbsp;even more expensive than Gucci. The stores design remains from the ''Tom Ford days'' and to many it may seem outdated and lacking any unique characteristic. In a recent interview&amp;nbsp;to WWD, Mr Francois Pinault, CEO of&amp;nbsp;GUCCI&amp;nbsp;GROUP admitted YSL was the&amp;nbsp;brand with the biggest problems which led to the closure of certain&amp;nbsp;YSL stores, especially in mature markets.&amp;nbsp;
&amp;nbsp;The&amp;nbsp;most&amp;nbsp;striking aspect about the brand's&amp;nbsp;performance is that, despite its constant presence in&amp;nbsp;all th top&amp;nbsp;fashion magazines such as VOGUE, the brand&amp;nbsp;sales have&amp;nbsp;been&amp;nbsp;dropping&amp;nbsp;constantly.&amp;nbsp;It could be that the Stefano Pilati YSL has lost&amp;nbsp;a clear identity. From season to season,&amp;nbsp;the past half decade for YSL has been lackluster, without appealing to a specific consumer target.&amp;nbsp;It is clear that the Gucci&amp;nbsp;or Louis Vuitton client is not buying YSL and&amp;nbsp;so it is clear that the Hermes&amp;nbsp;or Ralph Lauren client is not buying YSL either. Who is then&amp;nbsp;buying? Maybe the Lanvin&amp;nbsp;or Balenciaga client&amp;nbsp;could only be a random customer, especially due to the fact that Stefano Pilati does not have the huge media power that Alber Elbaz or Nicholas Ghesquiere have nowadays.
There is also another problem which the YSL has been facing and that is the fact that GUCCI GROUP has never really managed to ''make peace'' with&amp;nbsp;Mr Yves Saint Lauren himself who&amp;nbsp;often criticized the direction of the YSL brand after he sold it to the&amp;nbsp;Pinault family. Even after&amp;nbsp;the death of the designer last year, the management at&amp;nbsp;GUCCI GROUP have not yet realized how important the draw&amp;nbsp;on heritage&amp;nbsp;is at YSL, especially now&amp;nbsp;during the crisis, which has prompted&amp;nbsp;many top brands to look back at their heritage and concentrate on quality and craftsmanship.&amp;nbsp;
If immediate measures are not taken, the YSL brand&amp;nbsp;might&amp;nbsp;face the same fate as Christian Lacroix or Escada.&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;        ]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>World renowned soprano ANGELA GHEORGHIU, more than a Diva</title>
		<link>http://cpp-luxury.com/en/world-renowned-soprano-angela-gheorghiu--more-than-a-diva_588.html</link>
		<pubDate>Sat, 20 Feb 2010 11:35:56 +0200</pubDate>
        <dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>

		<category><![CDATA[People]]></category>

        <guid isPermaLink="false">
        	http://cpp-luxury.com/en/world-renowned-soprano-angela-gheorghiu--more-than-a-diva_588.html
        </guid>

		<description><![CDATA[
			Born with a humble background in the small town of Adjud in &amp;nbsp;Romania, Angela Gheorghiu&amp;nbsp;has&amp;nbsp;not only been&amp;nbsp;one of the top worlwide sopranos of all times but also a true celebrity. She graduated from the Music Academy in Bucharest and...		]]></description>
        <content:encoded><![CDATA[
			Born with a humble background in the small town of Adjud in &amp;nbsp;Romania, Angela Gheorghiu&amp;nbsp;has&amp;nbsp;not only been&amp;nbsp;one of the top worlwide sopranos of all times but also a true celebrity. She graduated from the Music Academy in Bucharest and made her worlwide debut in 1992. In less than 18 years, Ms Gheorghiu has built an impecable reputation for her talent and her constant struggle for perfection.
At times, her obsession with perfection has also drawn criticism especially from media and music management companies. Rarely, one could come accross a disappointed loyal fan of Angela Gheorghiu, as they are all aware that every single move or decision Ms Gheorghiu makes is for the sake of her art and her unique reputation. Yes, she has cancelled shows or she did not show up at a rehearsal but there were very few instances which could have generated suspicion of a whim.
In her talent as well as her impecable image she&amp;nbsp;represents what Meryl Streep is for the world cinema. Work has always come first and despite numerous temptations, none&amp;nbsp;of the true Divas has ever&amp;nbsp;played in a L'Oreal or&amp;nbsp;Dior commercial.&amp;nbsp;Much like Mery Streep, rarely do audiences know what brand they are wearing as their presence at any type of event is beyond the jewelry or the dress.
Along with her sister Elena Dan, she sang opera music from an early age. At age 14, Gheorghiu began to study singing at the National University of Music Bucharest. &amp;nbsp;Her graduation in 1990 coincided with the overthrow of Nicolae Ceauşescu, enabling her to seek an international career immediately. Her professional opera debut took place at the Cluj Opera as Mim&amp;igrave; in La boh&amp;egrave;me in 1990, the same year she won the Belvedere International Competition.
Gheorghiu made her international debut in 1992 at the Royal Opera House as Zerlina in Don Giovanni.She debuted at the Vienna State Opera as Adina in L'elisir d'amore and at the Metropolitan Opera as Mimi in La boh&amp;egrave;me. In 1994, she was auditioned by the conductor Sir Georg Solti for a new production of La traviata at the Royal Opera House. Her debut as Violetta led her to international stardom.&amp;nbsp;
A soprano with a large range and a dark coloured voice. Ms Angela Gheorghiu is also able to sing spinto roles. She sang in her first Tosca at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, in 2006. Her performance was an overall success, although because the famous Zeffirelli production of 1964 was replaced by a new production (which premiered with her), there was comparison between the Toscas of Gheorghiu and Maria Callas, for whom the Zeffirelli production was designed.        ]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>GUCCI GROUP overcomes the financial crisis</title>
		<link>http://cpp-luxury.com/en/gucci-group-overcomes-the-financial-crisis_586.html</link>
		<pubDate>Wed, 24 Feb 2010 04:25:11 +0200</pubDate>
        <dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>

		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>

        <guid isPermaLink="false">
        	http://cpp-luxury.com/en/gucci-group-overcomes-the-financial-crisis_586.html
        </guid>

		<description><![CDATA[
			World's&amp;nbsp;third largest&amp;nbsp;luxury group,&amp;nbsp;GUCCI GROUP, reported this week a positive closure of 2009, with a o,8% increase, to a turnover of EUR 3,39 billion. The only loss making brand of the group remains YVES SAINT LAURENT, with losses of EUR...		]]></description>
        <content:encoded><![CDATA[
			World's&amp;nbsp;third largest&amp;nbsp;luxury group,&amp;nbsp;GUCCI GROUP, reported this week a positive closure of 2009, with a o,8% increase, to a turnover of EUR 3,39 billion. The only loss making brand of the group remains YVES SAINT LAURENT, with losses of EUR 10 million. GUCCI, the group's flagship brand closed 2009 with a 2,7 % increase, to a turnover of EUR 2,27 billion. All other brands (Alexander McQueen, Stella Mc Cartney,
All emerging markets have performed a 20% increase for GUCCI GROUP in 2009, while Japan, U.S.A and Europe all registered negative results.        ]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>The most odd five star hotel </title>
		<link>http://cpp-luxury.com/en/the-most-odd-five-star-hotel_587.html</link>
		<pubDate>Sat, 20 Feb 2010 11:46:37 +0200</pubDate>
        <dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>

		<category><![CDATA[Review]]></category>

        <guid isPermaLink="false">
        	http://cpp-luxury.com/en/the-most-odd-five-star-hotel_587.html
        </guid>

		<description><![CDATA[
			Have you ever stayed in a luxury five star hotel where you wouldn't want to&amp;nbsp;be upgraded to a larger room? Have you ever stayed in&amp;nbsp;a hotel which opens its swimming pool and acqua facilities, which happen to be mind...		]]></description>
        <content:encoded><![CDATA[
			Have you ever stayed in a luxury five star hotel where you wouldn't want to&amp;nbsp;be upgraded to a larger room? Have you ever stayed in&amp;nbsp;a hotel which opens its swimming pool and acqua facilities, which happen to be mind blowing,&amp;nbsp;at 10 am? Have you ever been to a hotel where you have instantly felt the most odd thing about it was its furniture, lighting and carpets ? (throughout the entire hotel).
I have ! And this is the&amp;nbsp;87&amp;nbsp;rooms &amp;nbsp;AURELIUS HOTEL in the mountain resort town of POIANA BRASOV in the heart of Transylvania.
Location and facade architecture are the only two features of the hotel which cannot be questioned. It is situated on an&amp;nbsp; artificial lake in the heart of Poiana Brasov, and its facade resembles a true Alpine resort hotel, with many wood accents.
On welcome, one would be surprised to notice there is no security and no bell staff. The front office is actually made up of one staff who performs several other duties. Even though we booked through a travel agent and had a voucher, it was striking that I was not asked for any ID and no form needed to be completed.
Rooms are huge by size, and I mean really huge, with a standard double at&amp;nbsp;100 sqm. I got a twin with two king beds. Due to the height of the room (over 2,5 meters) and the very large windows everything in the room seems tiny. One has the feeling the room lacks furniture or other decor pieces otherwise seems empty. As throughout the hotel the room are decorated in the same ''classic kitch'' style - cheap crystal chandeliers, basic curtains with no blackouts and white laminated wood&amp;nbsp;furniture (all new). The furniture is so new that cupboards and wardrobe need to be key locked to&amp;nbsp;remain closed. There is no airconditioning or wireless internet and the TV set is from the mid 90's and a limited low resolution channels. There&amp;nbsp;are&amp;nbsp;minibars in the rooms, yet&amp;nbsp;they are all&amp;nbsp;empty. Other important features: lack of a services booklet, TV guideor room service menu. Room service is also inexistent as a service.
The same contrasts meet guests at the SPA facilities which are again huge...two indoor swimming pools, whirlpool, 2 dry saunas and a large sitting lounge area, all windows facing the mountains. Despite the incredible facilities and cleanleness, there is no shower gel or soap in any of the 6 showers by the pool. There is no attendant or supervisor on the premises or any other means of communications i,e, a phone that would connect to the front desk (just in case someone has a heart attack).&amp;nbsp;Towels are available on request and&amp;nbsp;one has to go all the&amp;nbsp;way through to the reception desk to ask that they send someone.&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;On a more serious note,&amp;nbsp;one would instantly notice there are&amp;nbsp;no health&amp;nbsp;or security instructions and no information on the pool depth and temperature. The other odd thing is that the pools open from 10 am. There is a well equipped gym, part with Technogym, yet facilities look deserted - no water, towels, music, not to mention lack of a trainer or supervisor.
Restaurant is as striking as the rest of the hotel. There are fixed timings for breakfast, lunch and dinner, outside those hours there is no service. Breakfast is extremely good, with a large variety of hot and cold buffet dishes and beverages with the exception of coffee which is by request and at extra charge.
While the hotel is beautiful, I am sure you all agree with me :
- how can the owner invest so much in a property such as this one and operate it like a newspaper kiosk
- with another sister property in the city of Sibiu (Imparatul Romanilor Hotel) which has been operating for many years - why not bring staff from there?
- why would the Ministry or Tourism Authority, wherever in the world,&amp;nbsp;formally rate a property like this at 5 stars ?
&amp;nbsp;- if the owners had no experience in management, why they did not employ an experience manager or management company ?
All these questions deepen the mistery surrounding the hotel....otherwise a favorite of both the governing party PDL as well as the leading opposition one PSD...        ]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>SILVER MOUNTAIN project in an upscale Romanian mountain resort to cancel deal with RADISSON and E'SPA</title>
		<link>http://cpp-luxury.com/en/silver-mountain-project-in-an-upscale-romanian-mountain-resort-to-cancel-deal-with-radisson-and-e-spa_585.html</link>
		<pubDate>Thu, 18 Feb 2010 11:38:26 +0200</pubDate>
        <dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>

		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>

        <guid isPermaLink="false">
        	http://cpp-luxury.com/en/silver-mountain-project-in-an-upscale-romanian-mountain-resort-to-cancel-deal-with-radisson-and-e-spa_585.html
        </guid>

		<description><![CDATA[
			The very publicised luxury mountain resort project of SILVER MOUNTAIN in Poiana&amp;nbsp;Brasov&amp;nbsp;owned by Romanian business entrepreneur Dan Fischer, has been struggling for the past 6 months. The owner has already changed the architecture and layout of the project and...		]]></description>
        <content:encoded><![CDATA[
			The very publicised luxury mountain resort project of SILVER MOUNTAIN in Poiana&amp;nbsp;Brasov&amp;nbsp;owned by Romanian business entrepreneur Dan Fischer, has been struggling for the past 6 months. The owner has already changed the architecture and layout of the project and the already signed franchise agreement with RADISSON BLU might be cancelled.
The same fate will face E'SPA which have had an agreement to develop a SPA. It remains to be seen how clients who have already purchased a residential unit in the complex will find acceptable the architecture changes and lack of luxury facilities.        ]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>Executives of PORTO MONTENEGRO, most luxurious marina  in Eastern Europe to attend BUSINESS OF LUXURY FORUM 2010</title>
		<link>http://cpp-luxury.com/en/executives-of-porto-montenegro--most-luxurious-marina--in-eastern-europe-to-attend-business-of-luxury-forum-2010_584.html</link>
		<pubDate>Thu, 18 Feb 2010 11:31:27 +0200</pubDate>
        <dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>

		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>

        <guid isPermaLink="false">
        	http://cpp-luxury.com/en/executives-of-porto-montenegro--most-luxurious-marina--in-eastern-europe-to-attend-business-of-luxury-forum-2010_584.html
        </guid>

		<description><![CDATA[
			PORTO MONTENEGRO, also known as the Monte Carlo of Central and Eastern Europe is the largest and most luxurious marina development in the CEE region. Executives of the project, which is partly owned by Bernard Arnault of LVMH, have...		]]></description>
        <content:encoded><![CDATA[
			PORTO MONTENEGRO, also known as the Monte Carlo of Central and Eastern Europe is the largest and most luxurious marina development in the CEE region. Executives of the project, which is partly owned by Bernard Arnault of LVMH, have confirmed their presence at BUSINESS OF LUXURY FORUM, 2010 edition which will take place on March 16th in the Romanian capital of Bucharest. CPP Management Consultants Ltd will also extend its collaboration with PORTO MONTENEGRO for several countries in the CEE region.        ]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>My luxury journey</title>
		<link>http://cpp-luxury.com/en/my-luxury-journey_583.html</link>
		<pubDate>Fri, 19 Feb 2010 10:12:27 +0200</pubDate>
        <dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>

		<category><![CDATA[People]]></category>

        <guid isPermaLink="false">
        	http://cpp-luxury.com/en/my-luxury-journey_583.html
        </guid>

		<description><![CDATA[
			Year 1995.
I was 18 and just got my first car and driving licence. First, there was a trip to London and an effervescent shopping spree on New and Old Bond Street. The Landmark Hotel was my ''home'' away from...		]]></description>
        <content:encoded><![CDATA[
			Year 1995.
I was 18 and just got my first car and driving licence. First, there was a trip to London and an effervescent shopping spree on New and Old Bond Street. The Landmark Hotel was my ''home'' away from home - at the time, one of the finest London hotels. Versace was the top luxury brand with a packed flagship store. There was also Thierry Mugler and Gianfranco Ferre. It was all about bling, shine and luxury. A relationship with a local designer was also a huge stimulent to show off.
Year 1996.
I left my family business, creating a huge scandal within the family and got a job at THE top fashion brand JANINE, co-owned by Janine herself and media millionaire Adrian Sarbu, today the CEO of one of the largest media companies in the world. His first question? - what's your motivation and my answer came instantly - I am willing to work for free for at least 2 months and a hand shake sealed what was to become my future life career, hobby and passion.
Year 1997.
Ignoring my law university studies, my job at Janine was soon taking over my life entirely. Adrian Sarbu was there for me whatever training or information I needed. I would never forget a marketing idea I had at the time and that was to run a campaign on the Romanian National TAROM airline carrier, which was at that time under the direct supervision of the Minister of Transport, today, the President of Romania. A phone call made it all happen. All I needed was an original idea and to prove my skills. 1997 was also my first ''wake up call'' for being a ''fashion victim'' and also marked the 1998 transition to loving luxury brands for the business behind and not the glitz, shine or show off potential they would have.
Also in 1997 I coordinated the launch of the first premium fragrance ever produced by a Romanian fashion designer - J DE JANINE, made by a famous manufaturer in the French ''fragrance town'' of Grasse. Then, there came several exceptional collections and projects www.janine.ro&amp;nbsp;
Year&amp;nbsp;1998
The&amp;nbsp;unfortunate, yet &amp;nbsp;predictable divorce between Janine Stefan and Adrian Sarbu was not only making headlines but was signalling the 1999 closure of the Janine Fashion House. My father was also very sick and his operated lung cancer was getting worse.
Year 1999
As always, I somehow managed to move on....after months of being depressed. The end of my Janine career also brought the end of my personal relationship, which had nothing to do with my career, I guess&amp;nbsp;just a matter of timing.&amp;nbsp;On December 4th, while on a business trip in London and after having breakfast in my room at the Park Lane&amp;nbsp;InterContinental, &amp;nbsp;I got&amp;nbsp;the most scary and frightening phone call in my life - it was my mum saying I had to go back home as my father was admitted to hospital and our family friend and cardiologist said he only had hours to live. I got on the first flight to Bucharest, yet it was a connecting one, in Zurich. I shall never forget that while I was checking the weather delays on the airport board, my mum called and said he died. And he died desperately asking ''Where is he ?'' So, I guess, after so many years,&amp;nbsp;the reason I never had the chance to say good bye is that&amp;nbsp;he never actually left me. He's always been there for me, no matter what I&amp;nbsp;am talking to him in my dreams all the time....&amp;nbsp;
to be continued....        ]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>LORO PIANA, the ''Italian HERMES'' annouces positive results</title>
		<link>http://cpp-luxury.com/en/loro-piana--the---italian-hermes---annouces-positive-results_582.html</link>
		<pubDate>Thu, 18 Feb 2010 07:50:05 +0200</pubDate>
        <dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>

		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>

        <guid isPermaLink="false">
        	http://cpp-luxury.com/en/loro-piana--the---italian-hermes---annouces-positive-results_582.html
        </guid>

		<description><![CDATA[
			Italian luxury apparel and accessories brand LORO PIANA annouced this week a better than expected sell-out for the first semester of 2010. Suprinsingly, the US market, otherwise underperforming for most of luxury brands, is one of the strongest regions...		]]></description>
        <content:encoded><![CDATA[
			Italian luxury apparel and accessories brand LORO PIANA annouced this week a better than expected sell-out for the first semester of 2010. Suprinsingly, the US market, otherwise underperforming for most of luxury brands, is one of the strongest regions for LORO PIANA. Orders in January were up 10 to 20% compared to the same period last year.
The Italian brand is also considered by many the 'Italian Hermes'' especially considering its exclusive Italian manufacturing of its products and very high quality standards, using the best materials. Loro Piana is also known for its fine cashmere products.        ]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>L'OREAL annouces negative results for 2009, yet shows optimism about 2010</title>
		<link>http://cpp-luxury.com/en/l-oreal-annouces-negative-results-for-2009--yet-shows-optimism-about-2010_580.html</link>
		<pubDate>Tue, 16 Feb 2010 10:35:50 +0200</pubDate>
        <dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>

		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>

        <guid isPermaLink="false">
        	http://cpp-luxury.com/en/l-oreal-annouces-negative-results-for-2009--yet-shows-optimism-about-2010_580.html
        </guid>

		<description><![CDATA[
			World leader in the cosmetics industry, French giant L'OREAL announces an 8% drop in profits for 2009 to EUR 1,79 billion for a turnover of EUR 14,47 billion.
A company press release also explains that the drop in profit margins...		]]></description>
        <content:encoded><![CDATA[
			World leader in the cosmetics industry, French giant L'OREAL announces an 8% drop in profits for 2009 to EUR 1,79 billion for a turnover of EUR 14,47 billion.
A company press release also explains that the drop in profit margins is due to the higher expenditures on advertising and promotion. The company expresses a return to higher levels of profits in 2010. 
&amp;nbsp;
In 2009, the most affected regions for L'OREAL have been EUROPE (6,3% drop) and USA (3,4% drop).        ]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>CPP annouces seminar topics at BUSINESS OF LUXURY FORUM, 2010 edition</title>
		<link>http://cpp-luxury.com/en/cpp-annouces-seminar-topics-at-business-of-luxury-forum--2010-edition_581.html</link>
		<pubDate>Tue, 16 Feb 2010 03:03:44 +0200</pubDate>
        <dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>

		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>

        <guid isPermaLink="false">
        	http://cpp-luxury.com/en/cpp-annouces-seminar-topics-at-business-of-luxury-forum--2010-edition_581.html
        </guid>

		<description><![CDATA[
			CPP Management Consultants Ltd, sole Central and Eastern European consultancy specialized in luxury industry annouces the topics of the four seminars which will be organized with the occasion of BUSINESS OF LUXURY FORUM, 2010 edition - Bucharest - March...		]]></description>
        <content:encoded><![CDATA[
			CPP Management Consultants Ltd, sole Central and Eastern European consultancy specialized in luxury industry annouces the topics of the four seminars which will be organized with the occasion of BUSINESS OF LUXURY FORUM, 2010 edition - Bucharest - March 16th.
A Customer service experience
B Crisis Management
C Consumer profiling
D Database marketing
The seminars are free of charge for all paying attendees, only subject to availability - first booked, confirmed to attend. Details for registrations can be found on the event web site www.businessofluxuryforum.com        ]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>MANDARIN ORIENTAL Hotels nearing perfection in luxury hospitality worldwide</title>
		<link>http://cpp-luxury.com/en/mandarin-oriental-hotels-nearing-perfection-in-luxury-hospitality-worldwide_577.html</link>
		<pubDate>Fri, 12 Feb 2010 09:58:42 +0200</pubDate>
        <dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>

		<category><![CDATA[Review]]></category>

        <guid isPermaLink="false">
        	http://cpp-luxury.com/en/mandarin-oriental-hotels-nearing-perfection-in-luxury-hospitality-worldwide_577.html
        </guid>

		<description><![CDATA[
			BARCELONA and LAS VEGAS, the latest openings of the Hong Kong based MANDARIN ORIENTAL HOTEL Group have not only set new standards in luxury&amp;nbsp;but have also brought a wealth of innovations, leaving behind competitors such as Four Seasons and&amp;nbsp;Park...		]]></description>
        <content:encoded><![CDATA[
			BARCELONA and LAS VEGAS, the latest openings of the Hong Kong based MANDARIN ORIENTAL HOTEL Group have not only set new standards in luxury&amp;nbsp;but have also brought a wealth of innovations, leaving behind competitors such as Four Seasons and&amp;nbsp;Park Hyatt.
The already unsurpassed customer service level of Mandarin Oriental Hotels is brought to a new level by the two new properties.&amp;nbsp;Throughout the&amp;nbsp;hotels, one could not help but notice the genuine warmth&amp;nbsp;of the staff who will go the extra mile to please customers. Of all nationalities and from sometimes very different cultures, the Mandarin Oriental staff&amp;nbsp;could not be more proud of working for Mandarin and this shows !&amp;nbsp;The reputation&amp;nbsp;built by Mandarin worldwide has had an impact not only on its&amp;nbsp;guests and customers but also hospitality industry professionals.&amp;nbsp;Staff&amp;nbsp;who had worked for more than&amp;nbsp;a decade at the Four&amp;nbsp;Seasons in Las Vegas and are now with Mandarin Oriental could not help but show their enthusiasm in&amp;nbsp;having the&amp;nbsp;privilige to work at the Mandarin&amp;nbsp;Oriental. They have no attitude ! I have encountered in Las Vegas the same warmth&amp;nbsp;as at&amp;nbsp;the Mandarin Oriental in Barcelona, where I have discovered&amp;nbsp;that Spanish hospitality professionals&amp;nbsp;can be different than all those in other&amp;nbsp;five star Spanish hotels I&amp;nbsp;have previously stayed at.&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;
Being under the same ownership as the&amp;nbsp;neighbouring 4.000 room ARIA HOTEL RESORT &amp;amp; CASINO,&amp;nbsp;the&amp;nbsp;Mandarin Oriental Las Vegas will rely even more on its incredible staff to attract luxury hotel staying&amp;nbsp;guests. The reason ? - the owners, MGM Mirage had the uninspiring idea to use&amp;nbsp;the same suppliers&amp;nbsp;for the rooms in&amp;nbsp;both hotels, therefore, except for design features&amp;nbsp;and the valet closet, most of the rooms and suites&amp;nbsp;at ARIA are very similar to the ones at the Mandarin&amp;nbsp;Oriental, thefore&amp;nbsp;placing the differenciation&amp;nbsp;even more on service and quality. Probably the most challenging sales and marketing will&amp;nbsp;be conventions and conferences, as in today's economic environment most corporations will likely choose a&amp;nbsp;cheaper hotel which offers the same standard of&amp;nbsp;rooms and conference rooms.&amp;nbsp;
LOCATION
The view from the Sky Lobby on the 23rd floor at Mandarin Oriental Las Vegas is unique, daytime and night time. The Mandarin is right on Las Vegas Boulevard within a five minute taxi ride from the Bellagion and 10 minutes walk from all major attractions. Another unique feature of the location is the proximity (few steps)&amp;nbsp;toARIA, the latest Hotel Resort and Casino in Vegas and the CRYSTALS luxury mall which houses the new Las Vegas flagship stores of LOUIS VUITTON, GUCCI, PRADA, BVLGARI, FENDI, VERSACE, ROBERTO CAVALLI, TOM FORD, HERMES etc. The Mandarin is 10 minutes from Las Vegas Intl Airport. Take the hotel airport transfer service and you will be swept off your feet by the latest custom made S Klasse Mercedes Benz and the relaxing Mandarin Oriental relaxation music played during your ride.
WELCOME
The main entrance of the hotel is on a lower level, within a courtyard which leads to the main hotel parking and flasghip stores of fashion brands KITON and CAROLINA HERRERA. The original heated&amp;nbsp;black stone&amp;nbsp;umbrellas at the entrance provide such a comfortable pass from your car&amp;nbsp;to the entrance. There are never less than four people at the door, even during the night, not to mention&amp;nbsp;they all&amp;nbsp;greet you by name.&amp;nbsp;I wish&amp;nbsp;the&amp;nbsp;New York Mandarin&amp;nbsp;Oriental, where I&amp;nbsp;had stayed prior to my&amp;nbsp;trip to Vegas, would &amp;nbsp;be able to maintain a similar standard of welcome and greeting. Unfortunately, on my late evening arrival from JFK after a 12 hour flight, there was no-one at the door of the hotel. The one very important factor missing in both Vegas and New York is the original Mandarin scent which is usually flowed through the AC system of the hotels. That is why, you might often smell food&amp;nbsp; (New York) or other newness of construction in Las Vegas, unlike Barcelona or The Landmark where the ''Mandarin scent'' can be felt from the street, not to mention throughout the hotel.
ROOMS
The Mandarin Oriental boasts the largest deluxe rooms in Las Vegas and feature the latest in room technology. The all in one environment control (curtains, lights, air conditioning, tv) is impressive and flawless. I have experienced the same service at Mandarin's Hong Kong flagship property THE LANDMARK. Unfortunately, due to the location within a historical building,&amp;nbsp;it was difficult&amp;nbsp;to implement the same technology in the Barcelona Mandarin.&amp;nbsp;And it is so easy to get use to it and wake&amp;nbsp;up with a pre set environment....&amp;nbsp;I hope other properties such as&amp;nbsp;Mandarin&amp;nbsp;Oriental&amp;nbsp;New York realize how important it is to implement this latest technology in the rooms, as guests&amp;nbsp;staying at both&amp;nbsp;properties will immediately notice the difference.&amp;nbsp;
The beds at the Las Vegas Mandarin are as comfortable as&amp;nbsp;at THE LANDMARK, MANDARIN ORIENTAL PRAGUE&amp;nbsp;or&amp;nbsp;MANDARIN&amp;nbsp;ORIENTAL MUNICH and more comfortable than the ones at MANDARIN ORIENTAL NEW YORK&amp;nbsp;and MANDARIN&amp;nbsp;ORIENTAL BARCELONA. Beds are not only large but also&amp;nbsp;have a unique feather down layer which&amp;nbsp;makes you feel so warm,&amp;nbsp;cosy and comfortable.&amp;nbsp;I was even thinking to ask the management whether I&amp;nbsp;could buy the pillows and mattress with the down layer... The New York Mandarin does not have the pillow&amp;nbsp;selection of the Las Vegas property, housekeeping needing to make&amp;nbsp;big efforts to accommodate more discerning guests.
Bathrooms&amp;nbsp;are huge and&amp;nbsp;flooded with day light - views are floor to ceiling and a subtle&amp;nbsp;airconditioning system&amp;nbsp;keeps&amp;nbsp;the bathroom&amp;nbsp;warmer than the bedroom. Regular room amenities are by Aromateraphy Associates and BVLGARI in the suites. The bathtubs are very comfortable at both properties and Gilcrest &amp;amp; Soames bath&amp;nbsp;salts are&amp;nbsp;provided daily (very relaxing).&amp;nbsp;The built&amp;nbsp;in mirror TV in Las vegas&amp;nbsp;MO&amp;nbsp;is such a treat,&amp;nbsp;with a full selection of TV stations - make sute you zapp for the 2 heavenly Mandarin Oriental channels which feature the 2&amp;nbsp;spectacular videos.&amp;nbsp;As&amp;nbsp;it was buily more than 5&amp;nbsp;years ago, the Mandarin in New York&amp;nbsp;only has an LCD&amp;nbsp;with a&amp;nbsp;limited number of channels and&amp;nbsp;rather poor sound quality. I sure hope, they will improve this during the next renovation and refurbishment.&amp;nbsp;One big&amp;nbsp;plus for the New York MO&amp;nbsp;bathrooms is the Japanese&amp;nbsp;toilets which are available&amp;nbsp;in all suites,&amp;nbsp;while Las Vegas only features them in the signature suites. &amp;nbsp;
The carpets are soft and firm at the same time and most of the floor is made of mohogany wood, adding to the lavishness of the room. Design is spectacular, a blend of modern contemporary with Asian influences - all furnishings are extremely comfortable. This is one of the great similarities with other properties such as the New York Mandarin.
Unfortunately, probably due to the fact they are located within larger office and residential buildings, none of the two properties (New York and Las Vegas) are fully soundproof. In New York I have been woken up by fire sirens while in Las Vegas, during the day, you may hear the loud music played in the open air market in front of the Polo Towers nearby.
Technology wise, both properties are well equipped, Las Vegas having an advantage as its newly built. A business kit is available with adaptors, cables etc. Until they upgrade their internet system, you will most likely&amp;nbsp;experience&amp;nbsp;wi-fi connection problems at the MO in New York, especially due to the poor signal in many rooms and public spaces.
The SPA
I have been quite disappointed with the SPA at New York, noticing a big difference compared to my previous visit i 2006, when it was all brand new.&amp;nbsp;Besides&amp;nbsp;charging guests for the&amp;nbsp;use of the relaxation pool and saunas, which I find unacceptable,&amp;nbsp;reception service is rushed&amp;nbsp;and impersonal. When I had my treatment, the relaxation area&amp;nbsp;was a mess, with pillows on the floor and unmade&amp;nbsp;beds.&amp;nbsp;I did not know which&amp;nbsp;one I could use.&amp;nbsp;The&amp;nbsp;Swedish massage I had was also average, especially considering the massage beds, which I am sure have&amp;nbsp;not been changed or improved since&amp;nbsp;the opening of the hotel.&amp;nbsp;
As for the&amp;nbsp;SPA at MANDARIN ORIENTAL LAS VEGAS, I could just sum&amp;nbsp;it up as PERFECT ! - spectacular (free&amp;nbsp;of charge use) relaxation pool,&amp;nbsp;impecable treatment&amp;nbsp;rooms,&amp;nbsp;not to mention the service...PERFECT. Be sure to book a Time Ritual treatment which will allow you to have a combination of techniques while paying by duration. My only suggestions for improvement - use the complete line of AROMATERAPHY ASSOCIATES, including candles, instead of the many outdated products of E'SPA. It would be ideal if both New York and Las Vegas could have the same mix of products in the SPA Boutique, not to mention the weird opening hours of the SPA Boutique in New York which needs to be updated.
DINING
The New York Mandarin is my favorite for all dining options, from breakfast to lunch and dinner both in venues as well as room service. Quality of food, most of it organic, and service are top notch. I am sure, in time, the Las Vegas Mandarin will reach the same standard.&amp;nbsp;I do understand the&amp;nbsp;reason for implementing a purely&amp;nbsp;a la carte menu for the breakfast, yet&amp;nbsp;the breakfast buffet at the Barcelona Mandarin is heavenly. It&amp;nbsp;is&amp;nbsp;a treat for the eyes as well as taste&amp;nbsp;buds !
CONCIERGE
Of all the three properties (Barcelona, New York and Las Vegas), the one which stands out is BARCELONA MANDARIN ORIENTAL. Being a smaller property, they&amp;nbsp;are able to offer a more attentive service and whenever you approach the desk whether Luis is on duty or any of his colleagues, you will&amp;nbsp;never see them&amp;nbsp;stressing out while holding for&amp;nbsp;tens of minutes on the phone&amp;nbsp;to book theatre tickets of flights.&amp;nbsp;
''THE BEST CHOICE&amp;nbsp; factor''
Mandarin Oriental BARCELONA is the best luxury hotel in the Spanish city. The property appeals to both those preferring a more classic property and those which go for modern, contemporary.
Mandarin Oriental LAS VEGAS is the best luxury non gaming hotel in the gaming capital of the world.
Mandarin Oriental NEW YORK is the best luxury modern and contemporary hotel in Manhattan.        ]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>One of the greatest designers of the past half century, Alexander McQueen, dies at 40</title>
		<link>http://cpp-luxury.com/en/one-of-the-greatest-designers-of-the-past-half-century--alexander-mcqueen--dies-at-40_576.html</link>
		<pubDate>Fri, 12 Feb 2010 08:22:34 +0200</pubDate>
        <dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>

		<category><![CDATA[People]]></category>

        <guid isPermaLink="false">
        	http://cpp-luxury.com/en/one-of-the-greatest-designers-of-the-past-half-century--alexander-mcqueen--dies-at-40_576.html
        </guid>

		<description><![CDATA[
			Born in a very modest family in London to a driver who was a taxi driver, Alexander Mc Queen graduated from London's Central St Martin's school of fashion design to become one of the most acclaimed fashion designers of...		]]></description>
        <content:encoded><![CDATA[
			Born in a very modest family in London to a driver who was a taxi driver, Alexander Mc Queen graduated from London's Central St Martin's school of fashion design to become one of the most acclaimed fashion designers of the past 50 years. He earned the title of BEST BRITISH&amp;nbsp;DESIGNER of the year and signed legendary collections at the house of GIVENCHY, then launching his own label which is now owned by GUCCI GROUP. A headline maker , Mc Queen brought something new and innovative in each of his collections.
The UK SUN newspaper reports he hanged himeself and was found dead in his London home on February 11th. His mother had died on February 2nd and his close friends said he had been devastated, although he was trying to put up a brave attitude. His last tweet on Sunday ''now i have to some how pull myself together ...&amp;quot;.
In a statement, Anna Wintour of VOGUE praised Alexander Mc Queen &amp;quot;He brought a uniquely British sense of daring and aesthetic fearlessness to the global stage of fashion. In such a short career, Alexander McQueen's influence was astonishing -- from street style, to music culture and the world's museums. His passing marks an insurmountable loss.&amp;quot; One of the most interesting comments came from designer KARL LAGERFELD: '' I did not know him personally but I knew his work which was never dull...who knows what made him flirt with death...death finishes by luring you...''
&amp;nbsp;        ]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>MARIELLA BURANI officially declared bankrupt</title>
		<link>http://cpp-luxury.com/en/mariella-burani-officially-declared-bankrupt_578.html</link>
		<pubDate>Fri, 12 Feb 2010 03:51:33 +0200</pubDate>
        <dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>

		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>

        <guid isPermaLink="false">
        	http://cpp-luxury.com/en/mariella-burani-officially-declared-bankrupt_578.html
        </guid>

		<description><![CDATA[
			Thursday, judges at a Milan court declared officially bankrupt the B.D.H. Holding which indirectlty controls MARIELLA BURANI Group. For months, the Italian group has been seeking soutions with financing banks, which refuse to proceed unless the Burani family shows...		]]></description>
        <content:encoded><![CDATA[
			Thursday, judges at a Milan court declared officially bankrupt the B.D.H. Holding which indirectlty controls MARIELLA BURANI Group. For months, the Italian group has been seeking soutions with financing banks, which refuse to proceed unless the Burani family shows it has at least EUR 50 million available as part of a capital increase of EUR 83 million.
Mariella Burani includes apparel RENE LEZARD, MARIELLA BURANI and accessories BALDINI and COCCINELLE.
Directly affected will also be the worlwide franchisees of Mariella Burani Group brands. In Central and Eastern Europe, monobrand franchise brands of the groups are present in Bucharest&amp;nbsp;(Mariella Burani, Coccinelle), Warsaw (Baldini, Coccinelle)&amp;nbsp;Kiev (Baldini, Mariella Burani),&amp;nbsp;Sofia (Baldini), Ljubljana (Baldini), Chisinau (Baldini), Bratislava (Baldini), Prague (Baldini, Coccinelle), Zagreb (Baldini), Skopje (Baldini)        ]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>Prada reports better than expected results and continues expansion</title>
		<link>http://cpp-luxury.com/en/prada-reports-better-than-expected-results-and-continues-expansion_575.html</link>
		<pubDate>Thu, 11 Feb 2010 12:45:37 +0200</pubDate>
        <dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>

		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>

        <guid isPermaLink="false">
        	http://cpp-luxury.com/en/prada-reports-better-than-expected-results-and-continues-expansion_575.html
        </guid>

		<description><![CDATA[
			Italian luxury group PRADA reported this week an 18% increase in sales in 2009. However, the press release did not elaborate on each brand of the group. The release also indicates that the company has managed to self finance...		]]></description>
        <content:encoded><![CDATA[
			Italian luxury group PRADA reported this week an 18% increase in sales in 2009. However, the press release did not elaborate on each brand of the group. The release also indicates that the company has managed to self finance its EUR 120 million expansion plan in 2009, with 32 boutique openings.
Due to its high debts&amp;nbsp;and&amp;nbsp;constraints put&amp;nbsp;by the financing consortium&amp;nbsp;of&amp;nbsp;the banks, PRADA has been expanding&amp;nbsp;internationally with directly operated store&amp;nbsp;and is closely following the LOUIS VUITTON&amp;nbsp;model, hoping&amp;nbsp;soon&amp;nbsp;to reach a similar number&amp;nbsp;of stores worldwide. Despite rumours of take overs by various groups including Richemont, the company remains independent and has not sold any of its brands: CHURCH's, CARSHOE, MIU MIU.&amp;nbsp;
PRADA recently opened in Prague (October 2009), Singapore (November 2009) and Istanbul (November 2009) &amp;nbsp;and is soon to open a large store in LAS VEGAS within the CRYSTALS shopping center. Media in the Middle East has been reporting that PRADA might re-enter the Dubai market by the end of 2010.        ]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>Las Vegas continues to suffer from the crisis, yet luxury seems to have found it way</title>
		<link>http://cpp-luxury.com/en/las-vegas-continues-to-suffer-from-the-crisis--yet-luxury-seems-to-have-found-it-way_574.html</link>
		<pubDate>Thu, 11 Feb 2010 12:27:09 +0200</pubDate>
        <dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>

		<category><![CDATA[Analysis]]></category>

        <guid isPermaLink="false">
        	http://cpp-luxury.com/en/las-vegas-continues-to-suffer-from-the-crisis--yet-luxury-seems-to-have-found-it-way_574.html
        </guid>

		<description><![CDATA[
			The World Capital of gambling and entertainment, the legendary American city of LAS VEGAS has been strongly hit by the financial crisis, with a direct impact on both gambling and hotel revenues. Particularly affected have been the large scale...		]]></description>
        <content:encoded><![CDATA[
			The World Capital of gambling and entertainment, the legendary American city of LAS VEGAS has been strongly hit by the financial crisis, with a direct impact on both gambling and hotel revenues. Particularly affected have been the large scale properties downtown and the ones outside Vegas. Ritz Carlton announced the closing down of its property in Las Vegas by May this year, laying off hundreds of employees. MGM MIRAGE, the largest casino and hotel operator in Las Vegas has also had to cut its work force gradually since the debut of last year. In a recent interview to a local tv station, Mr Jim Murren, CEO of MGM MIRAGE admitted his company has been hard hit by the crisis, the most difficult issues to&amp;nbsp;deal with being the employee lay offs. However, he also expressed his belief that&amp;nbsp;Vegas will recover gradually and he cited December 17th 2009&amp;nbsp;as one of the few recent positive moments as a turning point. On that date,&amp;nbsp;MGM opened the&amp;nbsp;4.000 room hotel and casino ARIA as well as the MANDARIN ORIENTAL Hotel. Both properties are co-owned with troubled UAE investment fund DUBAI WORLD.
Clearly the opening of the new properties has created several thousand jobs, yet occupancy rates continue to remain low, pushing down rates both leisure and corporate. According to analysts, nowadays gambling revenues equal gaming revenues, which makes it even more difficult for management to pursue a long term strategy.
The two new hotel openings are also directly affected by the lessening number of shows, in particular top music stars like CHER or CELINE DION no longer performing in Las Vegas, although rumours indicate they might be back. Therefore, non gaming travellers do not have many entertainment options, except dining and a limited number of night clubs.
Both hotels have also opened spectacular SPA's, yet the traditional Las Vegas traveller is not an obvious consumer target. It will take time for both SPA's to create awareness as well as educate certain loyal Vegas customers as to this relatively new leisure option in the city.
Despite the effects of the crisis especially on hotels and casinos, the luxury retail sector has been showing great signs of improvement, especially with the opening in December of the first luxury stand alone shopping center called CRYSTALS (by the Mandarin Oriental) which is dedicated to luxury fashion, accessories and jewelry brands. LOUIS VUITTON, VERSACE, BVLGARI, TOM FORD, HERMES, ZEGNA, ROBERTO CAVALLI, DE GRISOGONO have already opened impressively lavish&amp;nbsp;outlets and PRADA, DIOR, GUCCI set to open by Spring 2010. A smaller luxury shopping gallery was also opened on the groundfloor of the Mandarin Oriental Hotel, CAROLINA HERRERA opening a flagship&amp;nbsp;store.
Mention should also be made that, despite these new opening, the luxury retail sector in Vegas is still suffering and that is why, brands such as HERMES have closed their previous location at Bellagio Hotel to open a new one at CRYSTALS. Oliver Petcu of CPP believes there will be further movements, several other important fashion and accessories brands will relocate their shops from the Bellagio to the CRYSTALS.
The most important consumer target for luxury fashion and accessories brands is Asian travellers, who visit Vegas especially for gambling. However, since the spectacular boom of the casino city of MACAO in Western China, more and more Asian tourists are lured there. One of the biggest advantages of MACAO is the proximity to all major Asian cities.
It remains to be seen how LAS VEGAS will compete with MACAO for the Asian travellers as well as continue attracting its loyal American customer base.        ]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>Bernard Arnault, owner of VUITTON searching for inspiration or just checking up on competition ?</title>
		<link>http://cpp-luxury.com/en/bernard-arnault--owner-of-vuitton-searching-for-inspiration-or-just-checking-up-on-competition_573.html</link>
		<pubDate>Wed, 10 Feb 2010 10:17:21 +0200</pubDate>
        <dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>

		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>

        <guid isPermaLink="false">
        	http://cpp-luxury.com/en/bernard-arnault--owner-of-vuitton-searching-for-inspiration-or-just-checking-up-on-competition_573.html
        </guid>

		<description><![CDATA[
			Tuesday late evening together with CEO of Dior, Mr Sidney Toledano, Mr Bernard Arnault, owner of Louis Vuitton and the LVMH Group was spotted inspecting the site of a closed HERMES boutique within the luxury shopping gallery at the...		]]></description>
        <content:encoded><![CDATA[
			Tuesday late evening together with CEO of Dior, Mr Sidney Toledano, Mr Bernard Arnault, owner of Louis Vuitton and the LVMH Group was spotted inspecting the site of a closed HERMES boutique within the luxury shopping gallery at the Bellagio Hotel in Las Vegas. He actually took the time to enter the closed store, which was most probably left open accidentally.
HERMES which is ten times smaller than Vuitton has not only been showing strong financial performances&amp;nbsp;but&amp;nbsp;has continued its expansion strategy, without making any efforts to strengthen its brand awareness as quality and craftmanship are part of its DNA.&amp;nbsp;Mention should be made that Vuitton has been running aggressively for the past 2 months its campaign showcasing the quality of its hand made products, which has been met with&amp;nbsp;mixed reviews by the connaiseurs as well as luxury industry specialists.
As for Las Vegas, the crisis has taken its toll on both luxury hotels and retail sales at luxury stores. With the arrival of Mandarin Oriental Hotel and Aria Hotel the five star market has become overcrowded, many hotels showing dropping occupancy rates. The Ritz Carlton has even decided to close its property in Las Vegas this Spring. The main shopping area at the Bellagio has been losing out to CRYSTALS, a new shopping mini mall with a stand alone street location on&amp;nbsp;Las Vegas Boulevard. Louis Vuitton already opened a 6 storey shop in Crystals and Hermes relocated&amp;nbsp;to Crystals&amp;nbsp;its boutique&amp;nbsp;from Bellagio. GUCCI is set to open a&amp;nbsp;500 sqm store in Crystals by the beginning of summer.&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;
Oliver Petcu , CPP        ]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>UKRAINE's luxury market continues downfall, creating opportunities for other countries in the region</title>
		<link>http://cpp-luxury.com/en/ukraine-s-luxury-market-continues-downfall--creating-opportunities-for-other-countries-in-the-region_572.html</link>
		<pubDate>Mon, 15 Feb 2010 08:56:48 +0200</pubDate>
        <dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>

		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>

        <guid isPermaLink="false">
        	http://cpp-luxury.com/en/ukraine-s-luxury-market-continues-downfall--creating-opportunities-for-other-countries-in-the-region_572.html
        </guid>

		<description><![CDATA[
			The newly elected Ukraine President&amp;nbsp;Viktor&amp;nbsp;Ianukovici.&amp;nbsp; faces a daunting task&amp;nbsp;to take immediate action to revitalize&amp;nbsp;an economy which&amp;nbsp;many consider as&amp;nbsp;nearing bankruptcy.&amp;nbsp;The world financial crisis, the strained relations with Russia and the political instability have brought&amp;nbsp;down Ukraine's economy in less than 3...		]]></description>
        <content:encoded><![CDATA[
			The newly elected Ukraine President&amp;nbsp;Viktor&amp;nbsp;Ianukovici.&amp;nbsp; faces a daunting task&amp;nbsp;to take immediate action to revitalize&amp;nbsp;an economy which&amp;nbsp;many consider as&amp;nbsp;nearing bankruptcy.&amp;nbsp;The world financial crisis, the strained relations with Russia and the political instability have brought&amp;nbsp;down Ukraine's economy in less than 3 years,&amp;nbsp;at the&amp;nbsp;time one of the most dynamic markets.&amp;nbsp;The luxury sector saw a boom&amp;nbsp;until 3 years ago, with&amp;nbsp;the majority of international luxury brands opening stores&amp;nbsp;in Kiev, Ukraine's capital city. With the exception of CHANEL and&amp;nbsp;HERMES which&amp;nbsp;proved to be more cautious, all other&amp;nbsp;major&amp;nbsp;luxury brands&amp;nbsp;such as LOUIS VUITTON, GUCCI,&amp;nbsp;DOLCE GABBANA, VALENTINO, YVES&amp;nbsp;SAINT LAURENT, SALVATORE FERRAGAMO opening monobrand boutiques and corners in&amp;nbsp;the&amp;nbsp;3&amp;nbsp;luxury department stores of which Sanahunt is&amp;nbsp;the most luxurious.&amp;nbsp;All major&amp;nbsp;luxury&amp;nbsp;car brands also opened dealerships and showrooms&amp;nbsp;while hospitality saw&amp;nbsp;the arrival of InterContinental and Radisson, with several other luxury projects in construction.&amp;nbsp;
The luxury sector in&amp;nbsp;Ukraine has&amp;nbsp;also been one of the most affected economic sectors, with sales dropping by up to 40 and 50 %&amp;nbsp;on all product and services categories, the remaining&amp;nbsp;top wealthy consumers preferring to buy abroad at lower prices. The red tape and continuously changing legislation and customs regulations have&amp;nbsp;been making&amp;nbsp;impossible for retailers to&amp;nbsp;forecast feasible business plans.&amp;nbsp;Financing&amp;nbsp;also remains blocked, with many&amp;nbsp;banks&amp;nbsp;expecting governmental actions.&amp;nbsp;
The&amp;nbsp;crisis of the Ukraine luxury&amp;nbsp;market is likely to create opportunities for&amp;nbsp;regional countries, especially&amp;nbsp;Romania, Poland and Serbia, all&amp;nbsp;three economies&amp;nbsp;boasting an underdeveloped luxury market in many sectors. The opportunities&amp;nbsp;are&amp;nbsp;mainly in hospitality,&amp;nbsp;SPA and&amp;nbsp;fashion/accessories retail.&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;
Oliver Petcu, CPP        ]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>World's first luxury mobile hotel</title>
		<link>http://cpp-luxury.com/en/world-s-first-luxury-mobile-hotel_571.html</link>
		<pubDate>Mon, 08 Feb 2010 06:55:49 +0200</pubDate>
        <dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>

		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>

        <guid isPermaLink="false">
        	http://cpp-luxury.com/en/world-s-first-luxury-mobile-hotel_571.html
        </guid>

		<description><![CDATA[
			Italian luxury hotel owner and developer Alessandro Rosso has come up with a unique luxury hotel concept which will be implemented in several major Italian cities. The&amp;nbsp;hotels comprise of&amp;nbsp;numerous luxury rooms all street&amp;nbsp;level, in most cases former retail spaces.&amp;nbsp;The...		]]></description>
        <content:encoded><![CDATA[
			Italian luxury hotel owner and developer Alessandro Rosso has come up with a unique luxury hotel concept which will be implemented in several major Italian cities. The&amp;nbsp;hotels comprise of&amp;nbsp;numerous luxury rooms all street&amp;nbsp;level, in most cases former retail spaces.&amp;nbsp;The rooms would all have a&amp;nbsp;different design and&amp;nbsp;offer the full range of five star facilities.&amp;nbsp;
The developer of the concept is the owner of the seven star luxury hotel Townhouse Galeria in Milan, an entrepreneur with a vast experience&amp;nbsp;in hospitality.&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;
The&amp;nbsp;financial&amp;nbsp;crisis has made luxury hotels come up with innovative ideas to save&amp;nbsp;costs while maintaining&amp;nbsp;the same level of service. Such innovations are paying off, for instance&amp;nbsp;THE ADDRESS Hotels&amp;nbsp;chain in Dubai is charging guests&amp;nbsp;for a 24 hour stay from the moment they check in and THE MONARCH Hotel&amp;nbsp;(also in Dubai) is auctioning its rooms online, guests being able to bid&amp;nbsp;for rooms.&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;
Other examples of&amp;nbsp;hotel chains which&amp;nbsp;are offering extra complimentary services&amp;nbsp;- PARK HYATT Hotels offer complimentary internet access and frehs fruits daily to suite guests and SHANGRI LA Hotels offer complimentary internet in all room types.        ]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>Only 2 luxury industry companies make it to the Fortune Top 100 Best Companies to Work For</title>
		<link>http://cpp-luxury.com/en/only-2-luxury-industry-companies-make-it-to-the-fortune-top-100-best-companies-to-work-for_570.html</link>
		<pubDate>Sun, 07 Feb 2010 09:28:22 +0200</pubDate>
        <dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>

		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>

        <guid isPermaLink="false">
        	http://cpp-luxury.com/en/only-2-luxury-industry-companies-make-it-to-the-fortune-top-100-best-companies-to-work-for_570.html
        </guid>

		<description><![CDATA[
			Mercedes Benz and Four Seasons Hotels are the only two luxury industry companies to make it to the 2010 Fortune Top 100 ''Best Companies to Work For'', ranking 49 and 58 respectively. While regarded by many as one of...		]]></description>
        <content:encoded><![CDATA[
			Mercedes Benz and Four Seasons Hotels are the only two luxury industry companies to make it to the 2010 Fortune Top 100 ''Best Companies to Work For'', ranking 49 and 58 respectively. While regarded by many as one of the most glamorous&amp;nbsp;domains to work in, luxury industry is also one of the most underpaid and lacking employee incentives. From hospitality to travel, from fashion to fragrances, few companies are compensating their employees in comparable terms with other industries.        ]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>GALERIES LAFAYETTE gains pace in international expansion leaving behind direct competitors</title>
		<link>http://cpp-luxury.com/en/galeries-lafayette-gains-pace-in-international-expansion-leaving-behind-direct-competitors_569.html</link>
		<pubDate>Sun, 07 Feb 2010 04:02:22 +0200</pubDate>
        <dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>

		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>

        <guid isPermaLink="false">
        	http://cpp-luxury.com/en/galeries-lafayette-gains-pace-in-international-expansion-leaving-behind-direct-competitors_569.html
        </guid>

		<description><![CDATA[
			Frech upmarket department store GALERIES LAFAYETTES continues international expansion after Lebanon and United Arab Emirates with a store opening in Beijing this year. The company is also in discussions for stores in Morrocco and Tunisia.
Galeries Lafayettes has thus gained...		]]></description>
        <content:encoded><![CDATA[
			Frech upmarket department store GALERIES LAFAYETTES continues international expansion after Lebanon and United Arab Emirates with a store opening in Beijing this year. The company is also in discussions for stores in Morrocco and Tunisia.
Galeries Lafayettes has thus gained competitive advantage internationally against its direct rivals Harvey Nichols, Saks Fifth Avenue and newcomer Bloomingdales which is set to open this year its first international location in Dubai Mall, the leading Mall of UAE.
While this might be the ideal sollution for such retail developers considering ebbing sales in their home countries, over-expansion internationally can have a long term&amp;nbsp;damaging&amp;nbsp;effect on their reputation and brand awareness.&amp;nbsp;Many of the Galeries Lafayette international locations&amp;nbsp;include a&amp;nbsp;less upscale mix of brands and&amp;nbsp;the low customer service levels are striking when compared to flagship locations such as Paris and Berlin.
Another such negative example is the Harvey Nichols store in Istanbul, Turkey which, despite an ownership change in 2009 is losing ground to local operator Beymen which recently opened a second flagship location in the Nisantasi downtown upscale shopping district.        ]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>Despite the challenging economic environment, private jet travel presents numerous opportunities</title>
		<link>http://cpp-luxury.com/en/despite-the-challenging-economic-environment--private-jet-travel-presents-numerous-opportunities_567.html</link>
		<pubDate>Sat, 06 Feb 2010 11:43:10 +0200</pubDate>
        <dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>

		<category><![CDATA[Opportunities]]></category>

        <guid isPermaLink="false">
        	http://cpp-luxury.com/en/despite-the-challenging-economic-environment--private-jet-travel-presents-numerous-opportunities_567.html
        </guid>

		<description><![CDATA[
			One of the automatic assumptions made by both media and luxury industry professionals that the&amp;nbsp;premium sector of the airline&amp;nbsp;business is doomed for&amp;nbsp;a gloomy future.&amp;nbsp;While commercial scheduled&amp;nbsp;airlines fly with empty seats in their business class sections, some private jet brokers...		]]></description>
        <content:encoded><![CDATA[
			One of the automatic assumptions made by both media and luxury industry professionals that the&amp;nbsp;premium sector of the airline&amp;nbsp;business is doomed for&amp;nbsp;a gloomy future.&amp;nbsp;While commercial scheduled&amp;nbsp;airlines fly with empty seats in their business class sections, some private jet brokers and operators&amp;nbsp;are taking advatage of this opportunity. Business men and wealthy private individuals still travel and they still need to get as fast as possible to their destinations. What has then changed ? Customers of premium air travel have become more discerning and demanding. Thefore, those brokers which manage to provide a higher customer service and most flexible pricing options will emerge as winners from the current crisis.
One such broker is JET UNLIMITED, a Dutch based private jet broker which has recently spread its international reach by adding Geneva and Bucharest as main ''hubs'' to serve the growing potential of Central as well as Eastern Europe. The key to their success? - 24 hour availability, dedicated sales consultants, a wide offer of planes and a complex array of ground services such as hotel accommodation and aiport transfers. Flexibility also means the most competitive pricing for all services and this has been made possible by a series of strategic partenerships with operators, hotels, travel agents. One of the recent such partenership is with Accor Hotels, which includes the Sofitel and Novotel chain of hotels. Another important strategic business area is marketing, successful private jet brokers coming closer to their target base. This is done through partnerships as well as niche events which gather both direct&amp;nbsp;customers and potential partners and&amp;nbsp;referals. One&amp;nbsp;such event&amp;nbsp;is CPP's BUSINESS of LUXURY FORUM,&amp;nbsp;the yearly luxury industry event in Central and Eastern Europe. The 2010 edition will take&amp;nbsp;place in Bucharest on March 16th, followed by a second edition in Warsaw,&amp;nbsp;Poland in November 2010.&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;        ]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>HERMES CEO reveals secret behind the continuing success of the French brand</title>
		<link>http://cpp-luxury.com/en/hermes-ceo-reveals-secret-behind-the-continuing-success-of-the-french-brand_568.html</link>
		<pubDate>Sat, 06 Feb 2010 03:19:48 +0200</pubDate>
        <dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>

		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>

        <guid isPermaLink="false">
        	http://cpp-luxury.com/en/hermes-ceo-reveals-secret-behind-the-continuing-success-of-the-french-brand_568.html
        </guid>

		<description><![CDATA[
			Interviewed by the French daily Le Figaro,&amp;nbsp;Patrick Thomas, the&amp;nbsp;CEO of French luxury brand HERMES, did not appear surprised by the recently&amp;nbsp;reported 8,9 % growth of&amp;nbsp;the company's turnover in&amp;nbsp;2009. When asked about the source of the exceptional result,especially considering the...		]]></description>
        <content:encoded><![CDATA[
			Interviewed by the French daily Le Figaro,&amp;nbsp;Patrick Thomas, the&amp;nbsp;CEO of French luxury brand HERMES, did not appear surprised by the recently&amp;nbsp;reported 8,9 % growth of&amp;nbsp;the company's turnover in&amp;nbsp;2009. When asked about the source of the exceptional result,especially considering the economic environment, Mr Thomas explained the brand relies on the high degree of loyalty of its customers which value the creativity and craftsmanship behind every Hermes product.
Mr Thomas also explained that the launch of the Shang Xia brand by the Hermes Group in China has nothing to do with the production facilities of Hermes. He insisted the Chinese brand was not created to fill up production capacities which are already fine tuned to the DNA of the Hermes brand. He also added that the Shang Xia brand will draw on Chinese traditions and&amp;nbsp;cultural&amp;nbsp;values and will have no connection with the Hermes brand.&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;Mr Thomas also expressed caution for the 2010 year citing the imminent bankruptcy of Greece and Iceland.
By contrast, LOUIS VUITTON, which is ten times bigger than HERMES reported a 1% drop in its turnover and a 13% drop in profits for 2009. Founder and owner, Bernard Arnault showed confidence at the annoucement of the figures, attributing the positive results to the growth of the brand in Asia.        ]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>First signs of trouble at VUITTON ?</title>
		<link>http://cpp-luxury.com/en/first-signs-of-trouble-at-vuitton_566.html</link>
		<pubDate>Sat, 06 Feb 2010 07:43:10 +0200</pubDate>
        <dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>

		<category><![CDATA[Analysis]]></category>

        <guid isPermaLink="false">
        	http://cpp-luxury.com/en/first-signs-of-trouble-at-vuitton_566.html
        </guid>

		<description><![CDATA[
			In an&amp;nbsp;anticipated remark, LVMH boss Bernard Arnault confirmed to Reuters : 'bling, bling' was out, while&amp;nbsp; sales have been&amp;nbsp;improving for the French luxury group, particularly in spirits, champagne and watches. Mr Arnault also said the crisis had led consumers...		]]></description>
        <content:encoded><![CDATA[
			In an&amp;nbsp;anticipated remark, LVMH boss Bernard Arnault confirmed to Reuters : 'bling, bling' was out, while&amp;nbsp; sales have been&amp;nbsp;improving for the French luxury group, particularly in spirits, champagne and watches. Mr Arnault also said the crisis had led consumers to look for authentic and genuine luxury more than ever, a trend which analysts say tends to benefit strong and well established brands.&amp;quot;With the crisis, 'bling, bling' is largely passe ... and something which someone should not show off,&amp;quot; Arnault said.
Oliver Petcu of CPP Management Consultants Ltd, a luxury consultancy, begs to difer insisting that even if sales of Vuitton are showing signs of recovery, the LOUIS VUITTON brand is way behind direct rivals such as HERMES and GUCCI in regards to the strategy of returning to heritage. It could be that the executives of VUITTON have thought that unrolling a worlwide campaign illustrating manufacturing would suffice as to this essential positioning towards quality and heritage. On the contrary! &amp;nbsp;Many specialists have argued that the campaign is going too far, considering less than 50% of&amp;nbsp;production processes&amp;nbsp;is hand made when it comes to Vuitton bags or shoes, which has the total opposite&amp;nbsp;illustration in the advertising campaign.
If bling is out, what about the predictable logo driven designs ? Although there is no clear definition of bling from a luxury point of view, Mr Petcu defines it as ''showing off logo branded products''.Could&amp;nbsp;be the Vuitton non sale policy be a heritage&amp;nbsp;matter ?&amp;nbsp;How many clients are, for instance, aware that parts of a Vuitton bag are made in an automated factory in Romania,&amp;nbsp;precisely near the city&amp;nbsp;of Sibiu&amp;nbsp;?
None of the above issues can be raised when it comes to Gucci or Hermes ! The two rivals have instead focused on quality, without necessarily insisting on the actual production process. Mr Petcu also believes that the two rivals have 2 timely advantages over Vuitton: Gucci has a lower international exposure due to its balanced retail network of directly operated stores versus franchised ones ; Hermes is launching a Chinese brand which will address all Asian consumers.
There&amp;nbsp;are also common challenges which&amp;nbsp;need to be addressed by&amp;nbsp;all the three brands, especially customer service. More and more stores both franchised and directly operated employ staff speaking the launguages of the top consumer profiles. At first, this seems like a very smart decision but how many times have you entered a Vuitton or Gucci store and found yourself being ignored or spoken to by staff with limited knowledge of English? In most of the cases, such staff need to call on colleagues who speak better English, some even admitting they serve a particular nationality target group. For instance, over half of the staff of the Gucci and Vuitton stores in the Dubai store are Russian speaking. Not only is the language barrier disturbing but also the way a customer is approached. This is even more widely spread at brands such as Dolce Gabbana, Versace and Giorgio Armani.        ]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>RALPH LAUREN annouces second Paris flagship with restaurant and expands collections</title>
		<link>http://cpp-luxury.com/en/ralph-lauren-annouces-second-paris-flagship-with-restaurant-and-expands-collections_565.html</link>
		<pubDate>Fri, 05 Feb 2010 06:41:55 +0200</pubDate>
        <dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>

		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>

        <guid isPermaLink="false">
        	http://cpp-luxury.com/en/ralph-lauren-annouces-second-paris-flagship-with-restaurant-and-expands-collections_565.html
        </guid>

		<description><![CDATA[
			During an inteview to the American media, Mr Ralph Lauren has expressed joy over the expansion of its existing lines, the Purple line being one of the key lines. The annoucement comes at the same time with the positive...		]]></description>
        <content:encoded><![CDATA[
			During an inteview to the American media, Mr Ralph Lauren has expressed joy over the expansion of its existing lines, the Purple line being one of the key lines. The annoucement comes at the same time with the positive financial results also annouced this week. Mr Lauren also spoke about the growing success of RLX, an&amp;nbsp;entire line dedicated to the anti-luxury consumer target which has been growing especially since the debut of the crisis.&amp;nbsp; Worldwide sales dropped by 4% againts the 5% previously estimated. Retail and online sales have grown by 13%, while wholesales&amp;nbsp;at multibrands dropped by&amp;nbsp;6%.&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;
Ralph Lauren will open in Paris this year a second flagship store with restaurant in the chic district of Saint Germain. Other flagship stores such as the one in New York will include dedicated Purple line floors.
We, at CPP believe Mr Lauren has discovered a very smart strategy which not only puts the focus on its full concept flagship stores but also addresses otheriwise ignore target segments. The focus on the large store concepts, altough detriment to the visibility of the widely present Polo stores and corners, is likely to define Ralp Lauren's allignment to the world success trend&amp;nbsp;which is&amp;nbsp;returning to heritage.        ]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>French luxury online retailer expects 25% sales increase in 2010</title>
		<link>http://cpp-luxury.com/en/french-luxury-online-retailer-expects-25--sales-increase-in-2010_564.html</link>
		<pubDate>Fri, 05 Feb 2010 06:23:15 +0200</pubDate>
        <dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>

		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>

        <guid isPermaLink="false">
        	http://cpp-luxury.com/en/french-luxury-online-retailer-expects-25--sales-increase-in-2010_564.html
        </guid>

		<description><![CDATA[
			VENTE-PRIVEE, the number one French luxury online retailer annouces a 25% growth expectation for 2010. After conquering France, the e-store has been making advances in Germany, UK, Italy and Spain. Turnover for&amp;nbsp;2010 will exceed EUR 850 million&amp;nbsp;and the company...		]]></description>
        <content:encoded><![CDATA[
			VENTE-PRIVEE, the number one French luxury online retailer annouces a 25% growth expectation for 2010. After conquering France, the e-store has been making advances in Germany, UK, Italy and Spain. Turnover for&amp;nbsp;2010 will exceed EUR 850 million&amp;nbsp;and the company is likely to focus&amp;nbsp;on its existing key markets. The&amp;nbsp;largest e-store for luxury goods in Europe is UK's NET-A-PORTER which covers deliveries all over Europe. &amp;nbsp;
from FrashionMag        ]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>Gucci boss on the rise of the shrewd customer</title>
		<link>http://cpp-luxury.com/en/gucci-boss-on-the-rise-of-the-shrewd-customer_563.html</link>
		<pubDate>Fri, 05 Feb 2010 06:13:27 +0200</pubDate>
        <dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>

		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>

        <guid isPermaLink="false">
        	http://cpp-luxury.com/en/gucci-boss-on-the-rise-of-the-shrewd-customer_563.html
        </guid>

		<description><![CDATA[
			Robert Polet, boss of Gucci Group has said he has seen a shift in the way customers are approaching the purchase of luxury good.
Speaking to the BBC at DAVOS Forum about retaining customer trust in a brand, he said:...		]]></description>
        <content:encoded><![CDATA[
			Robert Polet, boss of Gucci Group has said he has seen a shift in the way customers are approaching the purchase of luxury good.
Speaking to the BBC at DAVOS Forum about retaining customer trust in a brand, he said: &amp;quot;People want to know does the promise you give as a brand really stands up&amp;quot;.        ]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>CPP announces leading speaker at BUSINESS OF LUXURY FORUM 2010</title>
		<link>http://cpp-luxury.com/en/cpp-announces-leading-speaker-at-business-of-luxury-forum-2010_562.html</link>
		<pubDate>Fri, 05 Feb 2010 05:53:21 +0200</pubDate>
        <dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>

		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>

        <guid isPermaLink="false">
        	http://cpp-luxury.com/en/cpp-announces-leading-speaker-at-business-of-luxury-forum-2010_562.html
        </guid>

		<description><![CDATA[
			Founder of the top international luxury SPA brand which bears her name, CORNELIA SPA, Mrs Cornelia Zicu has become an international authority in luxury SPA development. Currently, she is the Worldwide Chief Creative Office of RED DOOR SPA. Mrs...		]]></description>
        <content:encoded><![CDATA[
			Founder of the top international luxury SPA brand which bears her name, CORNELIA SPA, Mrs Cornelia Zicu has become an international authority in luxury SPA development. Currently, she is the Worldwide Chief Creative Office of RED DOOR SPA. Mrs Zicu returns to her native country of Romania with the occasion of the event and will share with the audience her incredible story and the secret to success. 
&amp;nbsp;
A more complete profile on CPP-LUXURY.COM People Section        ]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>VERSACE continues major restructuring </title>
		<link>http://cpp-luxury.com/en/versace-continues-major-restructuring_561.html</link>
		<pubDate>Thu, 04 Feb 2010 08:38:20 +0200</pubDate>
        <dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>

		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>

        <guid isPermaLink="false">
        	http://cpp-luxury.com/en/versace-continues-major-restructuring_561.html
        </guid>

		<description><![CDATA[
			Since becoming CEO of Versace SpA in 2009, Gian Giacomo Ferraris has been pursuing relentlessly the restrutcuring plan of the Italian group which registered losses of EUR 30 million in 2009. After closing all its stores in Japan, Versace...		]]></description>
        <content:encoded><![CDATA[
			Since becoming CEO of Versace SpA in 2009, Gian Giacomo Ferraris has been pursuing relentlessly the restrutcuring plan of the Italian group which registered losses of EUR 30 million in 2009. After closing all its stores in Japan, Versace SpA will also shut down its accessories factory in Burago near Milan laying off more than 350 employees. The general restructuring plan includes laying off 1300 employees in the following years. The positive news this month is the launch of the first women's VERSACE COLLECTION line which will be more accessible than the main line, with 30% lower pricing.
&amp;nbsp;        ]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>After Venice, BURBERRY opens in Paris</title>
		<link>http://cpp-luxury.com/en/after-venice--burberry-opens-in-paris_560.html</link>
		<pubDate>Wed, 03 Feb 2010 08:20:59 +0200</pubDate>
        <dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>

		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>

        <guid isPermaLink="false">
        	http://cpp-luxury.com/en/after-venice--burberry-opens-in-paris_560.html
        </guid>

		<description><![CDATA[
			After the opening last month of a 600 sqm store in Venice, BURBERRY is preparing the opening of its second&amp;nbsp;Paris location at the end of this month on the chic St Germain District.&amp;nbsp;While the Venice store&amp;nbsp;includes all lines, the...		]]></description>
        <content:encoded><![CDATA[
			After the opening last month of a 600 sqm store in Venice, BURBERRY is preparing the opening of its second&amp;nbsp;Paris location at the end of this month on the chic St Germain District.&amp;nbsp;While the Venice store&amp;nbsp;includes all lines, the Paris boutique will provide&amp;nbsp;a selective mix of the Burberry lines.&amp;nbsp;Both stores are directly operated and owned by the British brand.
Mid March 2010, Burberry is opening&amp;nbsp;its&amp;nbsp;fourth store in Central and Eastern Europe in the Serbian capital of Belgrade. Burberry stores are already opened in Budapest, Warsaw, Kiev and Prague.        ]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>TOD'S confirms positive results for 2009</title>
		<link>http://cpp-luxury.com/en/tod-s-confirms-positive-results-for-2009_559.html</link>
		<pubDate>Tue, 02 Feb 2010 08:14:48 +0200</pubDate>
        <dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>

		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>

        <guid isPermaLink="false">
        	http://cpp-luxury.com/en/tod-s-confirms-positive-results-for-2009_559.html
        </guid>

		<description><![CDATA[
			TOD'S Group confirmed this week its 2009 sales were up 0,8 % compared to 2008. The positive results have been driven by its strong sales of shoes in Italy and Asia, which have grown by 5,5% and 7,5% respectively....		]]></description>
        <content:encoded><![CDATA[
			TOD'S Group confirmed this week its 2009 sales were up 0,8 % compared to 2008. The positive results have been driven by its strong sales of shoes in Italy and Asia, which have grown by 5,5% and 7,5% respectively. The rest of Europe and USA registered negative results, sales dropping by 6,4% and 6,5% respectively.
Considering the current economic conditions, TOD'S feable sales increase may be seen as an exceptional performance. Along with other brands such as Vuitton, Hermes and Gucci, TOD'S has grown due to its core emphasis on quality and craftsmanship as well as the fact its products are mostly made in Italy.
In Central and Eastern Europe, TOD'S expansion has been much slower than in other geographic areas such as Asia or South America. Most of the high potential capital cities in the CEE region are not on TOD'S distribution list, not even in wholesale.        ]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>Laurence Graff, the Diamond King</title>
		<link>http://cpp-luxury.com/en/laurence-graff--the-diamond-king_558.html</link>
		<pubDate>Sun, 31 Jan 2010 07:33:07 +0200</pubDate>
        <dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>

		<category><![CDATA[People]]></category>

        <guid isPermaLink="false">
        	http://cpp-luxury.com/en/laurence-graff--the-diamond-king_558.html
        </guid>

		<description><![CDATA[
			The Diamond King, as Laurence Graff is sometimes called, has a regal air. Sporting an impeccably cut navy suit and tie (made by his tailor in London, rather than his one in Milan) with matching silk handkerchief tucked into...		]]></description>
        <content:encoded><![CDATA[
			The Diamond King, as Laurence Graff is sometimes called, has a regal air. Sporting an impeccably cut navy suit and tie (made by his tailor in London, rather than his one in Milan) with matching silk handkerchief tucked into his jacket pocket, he is the picture of restrained elegance.
It is an image reinforced by his surroundings - the Mayfair headquarters of Graff Diamonds, the company he founded in the 1960s, are high-ceilinged and cream-walled, the perfect backdrop for his modern art collection, which includes Damien Hirst, Andy Warhol and Roy Lichtenstein. Disappointingly, the man also known as &amp;quot;The King of Bling&amp;quot;, who has made billions over the years selling jewellery and gemstones and has five homes in different countries (his main residence is Gstaad, Switzerland), is not done up like a Christmas tree. In fact, the only gem in evidence is a tiny diamond on his watch.
Yet, beneath the refined surface are traces of the tough working-class kid he used to be. &amp;quot;Your personality in life doesn't really change,&amp;quot; he grins.
On occasion, he insists, his uppermiddle-class voice slips to reveal the accent of his youth. &amp;quot;I was a cockney,&amp;quot; he says.
Born a year before the second world war in the East End of London to Jewish immigrants from eastern Europe who ran a tobacconist, he says he &amp;quot;became street-smart very early&amp;quot;. It sparked an interest in trade: &amp;quot;I saw people [in the local market] buying and selling . . . counting cash. I saw as a young boy that people could make something out of nothing.&amp;quot;
The environment made him aware of the importance of diamonds. &amp;quot;Jews have always had to move. Then it was a bad time, people were paranoid. What you do if you're paranoid is put your money somewhere safe: diamonds.&amp;quot; He describes himself now as &amp;quot;proud to be a Jew&amp;quot; but not religious.
As a child, he could not have dreamt how things would turn out. (&amp;quot;When you have nothing, the first &amp;pound;10 is a fortune. You can't imagine &amp;pound;1bn.&amp;quot;) Now his personal fortune is, according to the 2009 Sunday Times Rich List, estimated to be &amp;pound;1.2bn ($1.9bn, &amp;euro;1.4bn); Graff Diamonds has more than 30 retail outlets worldwide, selling high-end jewellery and gems to the likes of Oprah Winfrey and the Beckhams. Unlike other high-end jewellers, such as Cartier, Graff Diamonds is involved at every level of the diamond business from mining (through shares in Gem Diamonds, an African miner) to cutting and polishing in offices in Antwerp, Johannesburg and New York (through his controlling stake in the South African Diamond Corporation). In 2008, the group's global turnover was $1bn.
It is hard to imagine what the young Mr Graff would have made of his trip this week to Washington for the unveiling of the Wittelsbach-Graff diamond at the Smithsonian Institution. He shelled out $24.3m (almost $10m more than the expected price and the most ever paid for a diamond at auction) for the gem at Christie's in London in 2008.
Originally from India, the diamond was taken to Europe in the 17th century - in 1664, King Philip IV of Spain gave it to the Infanta Margarita Teresa to mark her engagement to Leopold I of Austria before passing in the 18th century to the Wittelsbachs, members of Bavaria's ruling house.
Mr Graff says the purchase was a savvy investment. Critics have, however, doubted the wisdom of his next step - repolishing it to eliminate the chips and improve the clarity but reducing the stone from 35.52 carats to 31. The move has been likened by purists to making the Mona Lisa prettier. The decision prompted a rare moment of self-doubt - approximately 10 minutes he says, admitting: &amp;quot;It was a risk.&amp;quot; But he beams with pride contemplating the outcome: &amp;quot;It's a ball of fire; it's beautiful.&amp;quot;
His drive to &amp;quot;hunt&amp;quot; for top-end diamonds and open new stores derives, he says, from his &amp;quot;big ego&amp;quot;. He is unabashed. &amp;quot;Those who don't have an ego couldn't do what I'm doing. I am the best; I will remain the best. OK. That's ego, but it drives me.&amp;quot;
Even as a teenager he had a swagger. After leaving school at 14, he became an apprentice at a jeweller in Hatton Garden, London's historic jewellery trade centre, before being fired three months later. He then got another job repairing rings and making small pieces of jewellery.
At the age of 17, he decided to go it alone when the business he was working for collapsed. He took his designs on the road, knocking on the doors of jewellers all over England. &amp;quot;I knew I could sell, I knew I could do anything, I knew I could fly,&amp;quot; he grins. In 1962, at the age of 24, he opened Hatton Garden's first retail shop.
After years of travelling, selling his wares overseas, in 1973 he decided to establish a store in Knightsbridge. &amp;quot;The oil explosion in the 1970s meant all of these sheikhs were coming over with more money than they'd ever had. We didn't have time to count [their cash] and so had to weigh it,&amp;quot; he says. Then, he recalls, the oil boom dried up. Was he disheartened? &amp;quot;As one door closed another opened . . . Brunei became a major country and the royal family became important customers,&amp;quot; he explains. &amp;quot;Money just changes hands.&amp;quot;
Seeing regions' economies rise and fall has given Mr Graff perspective on the recent financial meltdown, which triggered a crisis in the diamond industry, as owners closed mines rather than sold diamonds at reduced prices. &amp;quot;When you are in a business like diamonds, whether you sell today or tomorrow it doesn't matter. I don't mind about profits from year to year.&amp;quot; In 2008, the most recently recorded financial year, profits from UK operations were $77m, down from $117m in 2007. He believes turnover for 2009 is down a further 20 per cent but declines to disclose earnings aside from saying, &amp;quot;We are in profit.&amp;quot;
This focus on the long-term means Mr Graff would never float his company. He tried it once in the 1970s. After a few years, he bought all the shares back and took it private again. &amp;quot;I couldn't stand up at an annual general meeting and say 'your company'. I was doing all the work,&amp;quot; he says.
He is confident of the outlook now diamond production has restarted and prices have increased. His eye is fixed on China, describing it as &amp;quot;the biggest thing for my company&amp;quot;. He has opened one store in Shanghai, and more are planned for Beijing.
Mr Graff's energy shows no signs of abating - he plans to take the Graff brand beyond jewellery through his latest venture, Delaire wine estate in Stellenbosch, South Africa. On the question of his age, he is coy. &amp;quot;Old enough,&amp;quot; is all he says. (He is 71.)
Quite why the trim and youthful Mr Graff is bashful is a mystery. Perhaps his reticence is due to the inevitable next question: when will he retire? &amp;quot;Never, never.&amp;quot;
He denies his refusal to stop working is a source of frustration for his son, Fran&amp;ccedil;ois, the company's managing director and next in line to run Graff Diamonds. The operation is a family concern - Laurence's brother Raymond runs the workshops and his nephew Elliott supervises production.
Family is clearly important. He was close to his mother who died at the age of 98 in 2008.
&amp;quot;My mum was a very lovely woman. To the last day she'd ask, 'Is everything OK? You're not doing anything wrong are you?' &amp;quot; And was he? &amp;quot;No. Not in business anyway.&amp;quot;
That leads to the rather vexed subject which has been splashed across the tabloids: the birth of his daughter five months ago, the result of an extramarital relationship. His voice softens. &amp;quot;I saw my daughter yesterday; I see her whenever I can. She's supported very well. Who knows, she might become chairman of Graff Diamonds one day,&amp;quot; he jokes.
He remains with his wife, Anne-Marie, to whom he has been married for 47 years. While we are in difficult territory, does he not worry about the origin of some of his clients' wealth? Imelda Marcos, wife of Ferdinand Marcos, the corrupt former president of the Philippines, was a valued Graff customer, for example.
He recalls spending an evening with her and the actor George Hamilton on the bed of her suite at the Waldorf Astoria in New York looking through her jewels. &amp;quot;There will always be rogues in the world,&amp;quot; he says. &amp;quot;Who am I to judge? I'm a trader.&amp;quot;
Crime is a subject he is all too familiar with. Last year, armed raiders stole gems worth &amp;pound;40m from his London New Bond Street shop in Britain's largest jewel heist. Nine people, according to Mr Graff, are awaiting trial. &amp;quot;It was a huge loss financially, our insurance premiums have gone up considerably. We haven't got the jewels back.&amp;quot; Typically, the raid did little to dent his confidence. His eyes light up explaining the reason for the robbery: &amp;quot;[Thieves] want the best.&amp;quot;
The CV
Born: June 1938, in the East End of London.
Education: Left school at 14.
Career: At 14, he got his first job as an apprentice (&amp;quot;a dogsbody&amp;quot;) at a Schindler's workshop in Hatton Garden, the jewellery district in London. Three months later, he was sacked. He got another job where he learnt how to repair rings and make small pieces of jewellery.
At 17, he decided to go into business alone. At 24, he owned two small jewellery shops.
In 1974, he set up in Knightsbridge, selling to buyers from the Middle East, enriched by the oil boom. This brought him into contact with serious money for the first time.
Interests: Collecting modern art, skiing, travelling.
from the FINANCIAL TIMES        ]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>Top international natural luxury cosmetics brands</title>
		<link>http://cpp-luxury.com/en/top-international-natural-luxury-cosmetics-brands_557.html</link>
		<pubDate>Sat, 30 Jan 2010 02:20:57 +0200</pubDate>
        <dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>

		<category><![CDATA[Review]]></category>

        <guid isPermaLink="false">
        	http://cpp-luxury.com/en/top-international-natural-luxury-cosmetics-brands_557.html
        </guid>

		<description><![CDATA[
			L'Occitane, Molton Brown, Crabtree &amp;amp; Evelyn along with Aromatherapy Associates have established themselves as leading international natural cosmetics brands, most of them with a focus on products inspired and made of natural ingredients.
But how natural are these products ?...		]]></description>
        <content:encoded><![CDATA[
			L'Occitane, Molton Brown, Crabtree &amp;amp; Evelyn along with Aromatherapy Associates have established themselves as leading international natural cosmetics brands, most of them with a focus on products inspired and made of natural ingredients.
But how natural are these products ? Is natural synonim to bio or organic ?
Each of the brands uses these terms on most of their products, yet, a more attentive review of the labels, one would notice that none of these products are entirely natural, bio or organic. Why ? - the answer of the producers is the need for preserving products and the need to extend expiration dates. Aromatherapy is the only of the four brands to include specific indications on which ingredients are organic. In their case, most of the organic ingredients are the essential oils.
Another issue which comes up in any review of such products is the exclusiveness and the extent to which they can still be considered luxury. One of the aspects is the availability of these products: most of the brands are widely available in thousands of hotel rooms worlwide. Crabtree &amp;amp; Evelyn at HILTON Hotels, Aromatherapy Associates at MANDARIN ORIENTAL, Molton Brown at KEMPINSKI and other chains, L'Occitane at FOUR SEASONS Hotels.
First the presence in these hotels was for some of the brands especially L'Occitane and Aromatherapy Associates&amp;nbsp;like a launching pad internationally reaching a very wide audience, mostly five star hotel travellers, especially&amp;nbsp;considering the hotel chains were not restricting usage of their name&amp;nbsp;too on the products.&amp;nbsp;However,&amp;nbsp;with the growth of each luxury hotel chain, the presence of these brands has been increasing geographically but also bringing drawbacks. For instance, for L'OCCITANE to be present in certain Four Seasons locations has accepted for its products to be ''made in'' other countries than France,&amp;nbsp;its&amp;nbsp;French origins beging part of the core value of&amp;nbsp;the brand.&amp;nbsp;In&amp;nbsp;other cases, such as Crabtree and Evelyn, the size of the&amp;nbsp;Hilton chain worldwide&amp;nbsp;has brought the cosmetics brand into many four star rated hotels, therefore losing its ''five star'' status.
As for the quality of the products, the only brands which has managed to maintain its level of quality despite the production in large volumes is Aromatherapy Associates. For how long&amp;nbsp;? - it remains to be seen. The other brands, especially L'Occitane&amp;nbsp;have&amp;nbsp;been increasing their production to such levels year on year, that it makes it very difficult&amp;nbsp;to believe&amp;nbsp;its products are hardly&amp;nbsp;natural,&amp;nbsp;not to mention their&amp;nbsp;Provence (South of France) origins.
In the case of Molton&amp;nbsp;Brown, since the&amp;nbsp;take over by a large Japanese cosmetics two years ago, has been slowing down its&amp;nbsp;expansion,&amp;nbsp;therefore&amp;nbsp;limiting availability. This&amp;nbsp;could&amp;nbsp;have been a&amp;nbsp;strategic decision or a situation&amp;nbsp;created by the international crisis. The biggest asset of Molton Brown&amp;nbsp;remains its origin&amp;nbsp;in the U.K., the brand being widely recognized and known as&amp;nbsp;being British. &amp;nbsp;        ]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>GUCCI vintage products are now certified by Christie's</title>
		<link>http://cpp-luxury.com/en/gucci-vintage-products-are-now-certified-by-christie-s_556.html</link>
		<pubDate>Sat, 30 Jan 2010 08:06:45 +0200</pubDate>
        <dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>

		<category><![CDATA[Opportunities]]></category>

        <guid isPermaLink="false">
        	http://cpp-luxury.com/en/gucci-vintage-products-are-now-certified-by-christie-s_556.html
        </guid>

		<description><![CDATA[
			Christie's auction house is offering online and in select location a valuation and certification service for the owners of GUCCI vintage products, especially bags. Considering the reputation which is usually enhanced by the certification of a major auction house,...		]]></description>
        <content:encoded><![CDATA[
			Christie's auction house is offering online and in select location a valuation and certification service for the owners of GUCCI vintage products, especially bags. Considering the reputation which is usually enhanced by the certification of a major auction house, this new service is likely to prove as an excellent PR and image tool for GUCCI, not only for its loyal customers but also for prospective ones.
&amp;nbsp;        ]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>Sales of luxury goods and services online remain at very low levels</title>
		<link>http://cpp-luxury.com/en/sales-of-luxury-goods-and-services-online-remain-at-very-low-levels_555.html</link>
		<pubDate>Sat, 30 Jan 2010 07:51:15 +0200</pubDate>
        <dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>

		<category><![CDATA[Analysis]]></category>

        <guid isPermaLink="false">
        	http://cpp-luxury.com/en/sales-of-luxury-goods-and-services-online-remain-at-very-low-levels_555.html
        </guid>

		<description><![CDATA[
			According to Precepta research firm, online sales of luxury brands in 2009 represented only 3% of the total sales, the estimate for 2010 being at 3,8% in 2010 and 4,7% in 2011. The figures apply to a worlwide luxury...		]]></description>
        <content:encoded><![CDATA[
			According to Precepta research firm, online sales of luxury brands in 2009 represented only 3% of the total sales, the estimate for 2010 being at 3,8% in 2010 and 4,7% in 2011. The figures apply to a worlwide luxury market of EUR&amp;nbsp; 7 billion.
The research also highlights the importance of online sales considering the lowering offline sales due to the international crisis. The main reason behind this slow process is the fear of luxury brands not to diminish the reputation of their brands and encourage sales of counterfeited goods.
Today, ''one of two luxury brands do not have an online offering'' explains Delphine Ancel, the author of the research. The situation is different from sector to sector, the most developed being fashion (couture, pret a porter, leather goods and shoes) as well as cosmetics &amp;amp; fragrances. Ms Ancel also adds that one in 5 brands is sold online through third parties, the biggest winners being those with new collection offerings.        ]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>Paris Men's Fashion Week signals recovery from crisis</title>
		<link>http://cpp-luxury.com/en/paris-men-s-fashion-week-signals-recovery-from-crisis_554.html</link>
		<pubDate>Wed, 27 Jan 2010 09:09:36 +0200</pubDate>
        <dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>

		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>

        <guid isPermaLink="false">
        	http://cpp-luxury.com/en/paris-men-s-fashion-week-signals-recovery-from-crisis_554.html
        </guid>

		<description><![CDATA[
			The recently concluded men's Paris shows have brought the first concrete signs of recovery from the crisis for the battled luxury fashion sector,&amp;nbsp;buyers placing orders 15% higher than&amp;nbsp;previously.&amp;nbsp; Lavin, Balenciaga, Louis Vuitton, Raf Simons, Rick Owens, Christian Dior, Comme...		]]></description>
        <content:encoded><![CDATA[
			The recently concluded men's Paris shows have brought the first concrete signs of recovery from the crisis for the battled luxury fashion sector,&amp;nbsp;buyers placing orders 15% higher than&amp;nbsp;previously.&amp;nbsp; Lavin, Balenciaga, Louis Vuitton, Raf Simons, Rick Owens, Christian Dior, Comme des Garcons have been particularly praised for delivering wearable and salable collections, thus responding to a tough consumer environment. Key trends included tailoring and variations on workwear
from WWD        ]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>BUSINESS of LUXURY FORUM 2010 - 2010 edition</title>
		<link>http://cpp-luxury.com/en/business-of-luxury-forum-2010---2010-edition_553.html</link>
		<pubDate>Mon, 01 Feb 2010 12:24:45 +0200</pubDate>
        <dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>

		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>

        <guid isPermaLink="false">
        	http://cpp-luxury.com/en/business-of-luxury-forum-2010---2010-edition_553.html
        </guid>

		<description><![CDATA[
			BUSINESS OF LUXURY FORUM, the yealy luxury industry event organized by CPP Management Consultants Ltd will take place in Bucharest, Romania on March 16th 2010 at the Capital Plaza Hotel.&amp;nbsp;
The confirmed media partners for Romania are: SAPTAMANA FINANCIARA, FINANCIARUL,...		]]></description>
        <content:encoded><![CDATA[
			BUSINESS OF LUXURY FORUM, the yealy luxury industry event organized by CPP Management Consultants Ltd will take place in Bucharest, Romania on March 16th 2010 at the Capital Plaza Hotel.&amp;nbsp;
The confirmed media partners for Romania are: SAPTAMANA FINANCIARA, FINANCIARUL, ANTENA 1, ANTENA 3, JURNALUL NATIONAL, DELUXE LIFESTYLE, WALL-STREET.RO
The international media parteners are: LUXURYSOCIETY.COM, LUXUO
The 2010 edition partners are: CANALI, OLIVIERS &amp;amp; CO, JET UNLIMITED, AUDI, EDEN SPA, HOROLOGIVM, MAURICE LACROIX, L'ARMOIRE, TECHNOGYM.&amp;nbsp;
Further sponsors&amp;nbsp;will&amp;nbsp;be annouced&amp;nbsp;by mid February 2010. &amp;nbsp;        ]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>Crisis drives luxury jewellers to the catwalks</title>
		<link>http://cpp-luxury.com/en/crisis-drives-luxury-jewellers-to-the-catwalks_551.html</link>
		<pubDate>Mon, 25 Jan 2010 05:59:35 +0200</pubDate>
        <dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>

		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>

        <guid isPermaLink="false">
        	http://cpp-luxury.com/en/crisis-drives-luxury-jewellers-to-the-catwalks_551.html
        </guid>

		<description><![CDATA[
			For the firs time since 1929, five of the top luxury jewellers with flagship stores in Paris' Place Vendome took to the catwalks last week during the Paris Haute Couture fashion week. The international crisis has only only forced...		]]></description>
        <content:encoded><![CDATA[
			For the firs time since 1929, five of the top luxury jewellers with flagship stores in Paris' Place Vendome took to the catwalks last week during the Paris Haute Couture fashion week. The international crisis has only only forced luxury jewellers to develop cheaper lines but also to change their advertising strategies. Some of the top jewellery brands which took part in the catwalk shows: Van Cleef Arpels, Chaumet, Chanel.
Luxury jewellers have also confirmed unanimously that buying habits have changed, one of the most important new characteristic being that it is no longer men buying jewelry for women but women buy for themselves.        ]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>Cocor Luxury Store in Bucharest to become mass market</title>
		<link>http://cpp-luxury.com/en/cocor-luxury-store-in-bucharest-to-become-mass-market_550.html</link>
		<pubDate>Sun, 21 Feb 2010 01:47:32 +0200</pubDate>
        <dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>

		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>

        <guid isPermaLink="false">
        	http://cpp-luxury.com/en/cocor-luxury-store-in-bucharest-to-become-mass-market_550.html
        </guid>

		<description><![CDATA[
			In its final stages of completion, the project which was supposed to open as COCOR LUXURY STORE is set to become a mass market shopping center. COCOR is a former communist department store which has undergone extensive renovations including...		]]></description>
        <content:encoded><![CDATA[
			In its final stages of completion, the project which was supposed to open as COCOR LUXURY STORE is set to become a mass market shopping center. COCOR is a former communist department store which has undergone extensive renovations including a spectacular media facade during the past two year.&amp;nbsp;The current economic crisis have made it impossible for COCOR to attract luxury brands, neither individually, nor a luxury department store operator. Cocor is owned by Cocor S.A. a Bucharest Stock Exchange listed company which is partly owned by NCH Advisors.        ]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>Prada losing grounds to competitors Vuitton, Hermes and Gucci</title>
		<link>http://cpp-luxury.com/en/prada-losing-grounds-to-competitors-vuitton--hermes-and-gucci_549.html</link>
		<pubDate>Thu, 21 Jan 2010 07:31:05 +0200</pubDate>
        <dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>

		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>

        <guid isPermaLink="false">
        	http://cpp-luxury.com/en/prada-losing-grounds-to-competitors-vuitton--hermes-and-gucci_549.html
        </guid>

		<description><![CDATA[
			Since the&amp;nbsp;spectacular art project developed in South Korea in 2009, PRADA has only been making headlines&amp;nbsp;with its financial difficulties -&amp;nbsp;banks reluctant to restructure the almost EUR 1 billion financing &amp;nbsp;and rumours of a take over by the Qatar Royal...		]]></description>
        <content:encoded><![CDATA[
			Since the&amp;nbsp;spectacular art project developed in South Korea in 2009, PRADA has only been making headlines&amp;nbsp;with its financial difficulties -&amp;nbsp;banks reluctant to restructure the almost EUR 1 billion financing &amp;nbsp;and rumours of a take over by the Qatar Royal family and Richemont Group. Of these news, a possible take over by Richemont Group has been making headlines since the beginning of 2010.
Although unofficially confirmed, PRADA has been looking to copy the Vuitton expansion strategy and that is to open directly operated store. This seems like a questionable strategy taking into account the current international crisis which is not showing signs of major improvements.
In some key markets such as DUBAI or ISTANBUL this strategy has made PRADA lose ground to its direct competitors Vuitton and Gucci. Almost 2 months ago the only PRADA store in Dubai closed at the Burjuman Mall and since, the brand has no presence in Dubai. Mention should be made that the Burjuman store was a franchised operation. In ISTANBUL, Prada opened in November 2009 their directly operated store in a location which has been losing its attraction, the downtown streets of Nisantasi district, while most of the top luxury brands are making the majority of their sales at the leading luxury mall ISTINYE Park.
Another region where PRADA is absent is Central and Eastern Europe,&amp;nbsp;having been&amp;nbsp;terminating agreements with many multibrand stores and without replacing them with&amp;nbsp; directly operated stores. Prada is therefore absent from Bucharest (Romania)*, Budapest (Hungary)**, Kiev (Ukraine)***, Prague (Czech Rep)****.
Competitor brand presence (monobrand stores):
*Louis Vuitton
**Louis Vuitton, Gucci
***Louis Vuitton, Gucci
****Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Hermes
CPP believes this situation is caused by two factors: the lack of experience of Prada's commercial team to develop directly operated stores and the confusing international strategy, most likely in disagreement with financing banks.        ]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>Burberry and Richemont Group post better than expected results</title>
		<link>http://cpp-luxury.com/en/burberry-and-richemont-group-post-better-than-expected-results_548.html</link>
		<pubDate>Wed, 20 Jan 2010 12:26:32 +0200</pubDate>
        <dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>

		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>

        <guid isPermaLink="false">
        	http://cpp-luxury.com/en/burberry-and-richemont-group-post-better-than-expected-results_548.html
        </guid>

		<description><![CDATA[
			The new year seems is finally bringing some good news for the troubled luxury industry with BURBERRY and RICHEMONT GROUP reporting better than expected results.
BURBERRY turnover rose by12% to GBP 380 million (EUR 433 million) for the period of...		]]></description>
        <content:encoded><![CDATA[
			The new year seems is finally bringing some good news for the troubled luxury industry with BURBERRY and RICHEMONT GROUP reporting better than expected results.
BURBERRY turnover rose by12% to GBP 380 million (EUR 433 million) for the period of October - December 2009. Analysts initially predicted an average 3% growth for the period and the actual increase has been of 5%.
The world's second luxury group RICHEMONT (Cartier, Mont Blanc, IWC, Chloe) also reported an unexpected 2% sales increase, the growth being registered by its main brands Cartier and Montblanc.
Earlier this week, Richemont made an offer for Rodenstock, with the intention of getting a majority stake. Banks are demanding fresh equity Rodenstock as the Munich-based eyeglass-frames maker seeks to renegotiate its debt.&amp;nbsp;
Richemont Group also made headlines at the end of 2009 with rumours indicating a potential take over of Italian luxury brand PRADA. Last year, Prada approached Richemont about a possible partnership, but the brand was turned down because of its USD 3.8 billion price tag and USD1.7 billion debt.        ]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>34% of wealthy Russians to cut their luxury spending budgets, Dubai is directly affected</title>
		<link>http://cpp-luxury.com/en/34--of-wealthy-russians-to-cut-their-luxury-spending-budgets--dubai-is-directly-affected_547.html</link>
		<pubDate>Tue, 19 Jan 2010 03:26:39 +0200</pubDate>
        <dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>

		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>

        <guid isPermaLink="false">
        	http://cpp-luxury.com/en/34--of-wealthy-russians-to-cut-their-luxury-spending-budgets--dubai-is-directly-affected_547.html
        </guid>

		<description><![CDATA[
			According to a research by Boston Consulting Group quoted by the Financial Times, 34% of wealthy Russians cut their spending budgets on luxury goods in one or more categories in 2009. The percentage is by 11% higher than in...		]]></description>
        <content:encoded><![CDATA[
			According to a research by Boston Consulting Group quoted by the Financial Times, 34% of wealthy Russians cut their spending budgets on luxury goods in one or more categories in 2009. The percentage is by 11% higher than in 2008 which sends worrying signals regarding the solidity of the Russian luxury goods market. The same study also reveals more than half of wealthy Russians are likely to cut their spending on travel which implicitly means cutting their spending budgets. The same article quotes the head of COTY Russia saying the crisis has set back the Russian economy by at least 2 years, sales being down more than 20% in 2009. 
As the market where Porsche sold more luxury cars than in USA, Russia&amp;rsquo;s wealthy remain deeply affected by the crisis. CPP Management Consultants Ltd estimated that sales to Russians in Dubai, one of their top international luxury spending destinations have dropped by 30% in 2009 compared with 2008. It would have been previously unseen for the largest and most luxurious mall in Dubai (Dubai Mall) to open without a PRADA boutique and one of the smallest GUCCI stores in the Middle East. Russians who used to be the second largest nationality to buy luxury residential units in Dubai are now replaced by Chinese and Indian customers. 
With Russian society having adopted Western shopping and lifestyle culture, it remains to be seen which luxury brands will be able to maintain their strong sales to Russians on the long run, especially considering their changing tastes and motivations.&amp;nbsp; 
&amp;nbsp;        ]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>Robert Polet, the man at the helm of GUCCI GROUP</title>
		<link>http://cpp-luxury.com/en/robert-polet--the-man-at-the-helm-of-gucci-group_546.html</link>
		<pubDate>Mon, 18 Jan 2010 11:12:16 +0200</pubDate>
        <dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>

		<category><![CDATA[People]]></category>

        <guid isPermaLink="false">
        	http://cpp-luxury.com/en/robert-polet--the-man-at-the-helm-of-gucci-group_546.html
        </guid>

		<description><![CDATA[
			In a recent interview to the FINANCIAL TIMES, Robert Polet, CEO of GUCCI GROUP speaks about his experience at the third largest luxury group in the world and his passion for technology. Formerlly the head of the Unilever icea...		]]></description>
        <content:encoded><![CDATA[
			In a recent interview to the FINANCIAL TIMES, Robert Polet, CEO of GUCCI GROUP speaks about his experience at the third largest luxury group in the world and his passion for technology. Formerlly the head of the Unilever icea cream division, Mr Polet took over from power duo Domenico de Sole and Tom Ford with a clear mandate from owner Francois Pinault to rationalize the entire Gucci Group. Without any previous experience in luxury, few gave Mr Polet a chance, yet he seems to have found his own recipe for the success of GUCCI Group.
He says the key to the current stability of the group lies in delegating to his brand managers and allowing each group brand to follow its own strategy and identity. Mr Polet also talks about how internet is becoming the most important communications tool for all the brands of the group, be it in the form of an IPOD application like in the case of Gucci or an online store where clients can create their jewelry in the case of Boucheron.
However, one could not overlook the ironic tone of the article, especially when Polet is speaking about his obsession for technology. One statement seems rather arrogant and odd for a CEO of his caliber and that he ordered his IT department not to allow any of its managers to buy a mobile phone or gadget before he actually owns that particular gadget. The interviewer also insists on the latest technology installed in Mr Polet's office as well as his wardrobe which has changed since his days at Unilver.
There is no mention about the departure of Gucci's former CEO Mark Lee at the beginning of last year and about the fact that Tom Ford is actually launching is own womens line this year, many pointing at the Gucci Group as the cause of&amp;nbsp;the delay behind this launch. Also, there is no mention about the Gucci bag launched by the heirs of the Gucci family and the opening of the Elisabetta Gucci hotel in Dubai, herself also an heir of the Gucci family.
It remains to be seen how the GUCCI Group will weather the current crisis and how each of the individual brands will find the most appropriate business strategy to further develop.        ]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>Mr Giorgio Armani firmly denies remours he intends to sell his company</title>
		<link>http://cpp-luxury.com/en/mr-giorgio-armani-firmly-denies-remours-he-intends-to-sell-his-company_545.html</link>
		<pubDate>Mon, 18 Jan 2010 10:46:24 +0200</pubDate>
        <dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>

		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>

        <guid isPermaLink="false">
        	http://cpp-luxury.com/en/mr-giorgio-armani-firmly-denies-remours-he-intends-to-sell-his-company_545.html
        </guid>

		<description><![CDATA[
			In an interview to Italian daily Corriere de la Serra, Mr Giorgio Armani, now 75, firmly denies any intentions to sell his company, despite mounting rumours about his health which has kept him away from the media spot in...		]]></description>
        <content:encoded><![CDATA[
			In an interview to Italian daily Corriere de la Serra, Mr Giorgio Armani, now 75, firmly denies any intentions to sell his company, despite mounting rumours about his health which has kept him away from the media spot in the past three months. He clearly stated that as long as he felt healthy, he would like to remain involved in every aspect of his business and he has no desire or need to sell. The most rumoured potential buyer has been L'Oreal Group which already has an extensive licensing agreement with the Armani group for its fragrances and cosmetics lines.
In March 2010,&amp;nbsp;Mr Armani&amp;nbsp;confirmed he will personally attend to the opening of the first ARMANI HOTEL in Dubai within the world's tallest building Burj Khalifa. The Milan Armani Hotel is also due to open later this year.        ]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>How can the ''24 hour charge'' per night help luxury hotels ?</title>
		<link>http://cpp-luxury.com/en/how-can-the---24-hour-charge---per-night-help-luxury-hotels_543.html</link>
		<pubDate>Mon, 25 Jan 2010 10:38:04 +0200</pubDate>
        <dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>

		<category><![CDATA[Analysis]]></category>

        <guid isPermaLink="false">
        	http://cpp-luxury.com/en/how-can-the---24-hour-charge---per-night-help-luxury-hotels_543.html
        </guid>

		<description><![CDATA[
			Many luxury brands, irrespective of the luxury industry field have been desperately seeking for innovative measure to counter the effects of the crisis. The aim of such measure is to maintain and add value without compromising on quality.
The luxury...		]]></description>
        <content:encoded><![CDATA[
			Many luxury brands, irrespective of the luxury industry field have been desperately seeking for innovative measure to counter the effects of the crisis. The aim of such measure is to maintain and add value without compromising on quality.
The luxury hotel industry is yet to come up with innovative sollutions until now the only measures applied being cost cuttings and cutting of&amp;nbsp;staff. One of the most innovative ideas which, at first, gives the impression of a excessive measure is the 24 hour charge&amp;nbsp;per night. The&amp;nbsp;24 hour is counted from&amp;nbsp;the moment the guest checks in. While this may seem&amp;nbsp;as&amp;nbsp;adding&amp;nbsp;time to guest stays and therefore providing more services, the&amp;nbsp;situation&amp;nbsp;is to the contrary. Over 70% of the luxury hotel guests are unlikely to stay longer as they&amp;nbsp;are usually connected&amp;nbsp;to their travel schedules so they will not necessarily take advantage of the extra time.&amp;nbsp;However,&amp;nbsp;other guests which&amp;nbsp;have&amp;nbsp;been longing for a late check out will now discover there is real value in this new type of counting&amp;nbsp;and registering the&amp;nbsp;night stays.&amp;nbsp;
Such measures will also greatly benefit the hotel's awareness and image as&amp;nbsp;one which is&amp;nbsp;striving to maintain the same quality&amp;nbsp;of services&amp;nbsp;and is making efforts&amp;nbsp;to do so.&amp;nbsp;
Although any customer service study indicates how important to guests is the free internet, many luxury chains are still reluctant to introducing a complementary offer. Park Hyatt for instance have introduced a 2 hour free type of daily fee while Mandarin Oriental and Four Seasons still charge huge internet rates. The only luxury chain which has recently introduced a worldwide free internet policy is Shangri La.
&amp;nbsp;        ]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>Top luxury hotels in Dubai</title>
		<link>http://cpp-luxury.com/en/top-luxury-hotels-in-dubai_544.html</link>
		<pubDate>Sat, 16 Jan 2010 12:10:28 +0200</pubDate>
        <dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>

		<category><![CDATA[Review]]></category>

        <guid isPermaLink="false">
        	http://cpp-luxury.com/en/top-luxury-hotels-in-dubai_544.html
        </guid>

		<description><![CDATA[
			CPP's team has recently&amp;nbsp;completed a&amp;nbsp;review of five star hotels in Dubai, in most of them having stayed&amp;nbsp;on serveral occasions both&amp;nbsp;for business and leisure.&amp;nbsp;Here&amp;nbsp;are the&amp;nbsp;reccommendations as to which hotel is&amp;nbsp;suitable for various trip purposes and target audiences.
BEST STANDARD ROOMS -...		]]></description>
        <content:encoded><![CDATA[
			CPP's team has recently&amp;nbsp;completed a&amp;nbsp;review of five star hotels in Dubai, in most of them having stayed&amp;nbsp;on serveral occasions both&amp;nbsp;for business and leisure.&amp;nbsp;Here&amp;nbsp;are the&amp;nbsp;reccommendations as to which hotel is&amp;nbsp;suitable for various trip purposes and target audiences.
BEST STANDARD ROOMS - The Address (Burj)&amp;nbsp;
BEST SUITES - Park Hyatt
BEST HOTEL RESTAURANT - Atlantis The Palm
BEST FOR BUSINESS - The Fairmont
BEST SPA - Park Hyatt
BEST SWIMMING POOL - Park Hyatt
BEST FOR FAMILIES - Jumeirah Beach
BEST BEDS - Ritz Carlton
BEST CHAUFFEUR SERVICE - Ritz Carlton
LARGEST ROOMS - Park Hyatt
BEST FOR RELAXATION - One &amp;amp; Only Mirage
BEST FOR SHOPPING - The Address Dubai Mall
&amp;nbsp;
Undoubtedly the PARK HYATT DUBAI claims its top spot, despite new comers such as The Address or The Atlantis Palm. Situated 10 minutes from the international airport and 20 minutes from Burj Khalifah, Park Hyatt Dubai&amp;nbsp;is a private retreat, more&amp;nbsp;like an island within the very busy city of Dubai. The hotel which was opened in 2005 impresses with is lush exotic gardens, stunning pool and top rated SPA. The hotel boasts the largest rooms and suites of any international five star chain in Dubai, all of its rooms being located in low rise buildings which cover a considerable surface of land, just by the Dubai Creek marina area.
Despite its rapid development, the young city of Dubai proves it has matured and the Dubai Creek marina is a testiment to that. While the new Dubai Marina which just opened by the world's tallest building Burj Khalifah attracts a lot of visitors especially tourists, the older Dubai Creek marina has its own loyal boat lovers and travellers. One would believe the Park Hyatt could have easily lost its charm through the constant flash of new developments, yet the property continues to draw a solid base of loyal customers both business and leisure. The secret behind its success? - impecable services throughout the hotel.
Most of the rooms offer marina views, with flowing views of the Dubai skyline, yet the best views are from the terrace suites. Rooms are&amp;nbsp;large and&amp;nbsp;comfortable, modern and functional. Bathrooms are particularly impressive not only in size but also layout and space - a large classic bathtub, walk in shower with rain shower facilities. All rooms have separate dressing area with generous space for personal items.
&amp;nbsp;        ]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>The first Gucci hotel, another PR nightmare for the GUCCI GROUP</title>
		<link>http://cpp-luxury.com/en/the-first-gucci-hotel--another-pr-nightmare-for-the-gucci-group_542.html</link>
		<pubDate>Thu, 14 Jan 2010 02:19:38 +0200</pubDate>
        <dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>

		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>

        <guid isPermaLink="false">
        	http://cpp-luxury.com/en/the-first-gucci-hotel--another-pr-nightmare-for-the-gucci-group_542.html
        </guid>

		<description><![CDATA[
			Elisabetta Gucci, heir to the Gucci family, has annouced the opening of its first luxury hotel in DUBAI at the end of 2010. The Gucci family has lost rights over the Gucci brand when PPR acquired the brand more...		]]></description>
        <content:encoded><![CDATA[
			Elisabetta Gucci, heir to the Gucci family, has annouced the opening of its first luxury hotel in DUBAI at the end of 2010. The Gucci family has lost rights over the Gucci brand when PPR acquired the brand more than a decade ago. However, since then, the GUCCI Group has dealt with embarassing situations such as a collection of Gucci branded bags lauched by Alessandro Gucci and now a hotel which is named Gucci.
This will proved to be yet another challenge to the Gucci Group especially considering the group has affirmed on several occasions it does not plan to span the name into mobile phones or hotels.        ]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>Three top luxury hotel openings in Paris in 2010</title>
		<link>http://cpp-luxury.com/en/three-top-luxury-hotel-openings-in-paris-in-2010_541.html</link>
		<pubDate>Thu, 14 Jan 2010 02:05:08 +0200</pubDate>
        <dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>

		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>

        <guid isPermaLink="false">
        	http://cpp-luxury.com/en/three-top-luxury-hotel-openings-in-paris-in-2010_541.html
        </guid>

		<description><![CDATA[
			Despite the current crisis, the French capital claims its top spot for new luxury hotels worldwide, with three major deluxe openings: MANDARIN ORIENTAL, SHANGRI LA and RAFFLES. Paris is the European capital which has held a constant pricing among...		]]></description>
        <content:encoded><![CDATA[
			Despite the current crisis, the French capital claims its top spot for new luxury hotels worldwide, with three major deluxe openings: MANDARIN ORIENTAL, SHANGRI LA and RAFFLES. Paris is the European capital which has held a constant pricing among its deluxe hotels during 2009 at an average of EUR 600/night(single), while other major European capitals have cut prices. Plaza Athenee Hotel of The Dorschester Collection Hotels has the highest priced suite in Paris, at EUR 30.000.
The move by French authorities to introduce the five star rating has also been welcomed by the hotels. Until 2009, the most luxurious hotels in Paris would only hold the French four star, at maximum deluxe.
The highest ranking chain hotels in Paris have been Four Seasons and Park Hyatt, yet the arrival of Mandarin Oriental is most likely to change the top hierarchy.        ]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>BUSINESS OF LUXURY FORUM 2010 - the leading luxury event dedicated to Central and Eastern Europe</title>
		<link>http://cpp-luxury.com/en/business-of-luxury-forum-2010---the-leading-luxury-event-dedicated-to-central-and-eastern-europe_540.html</link>
		<pubDate>Tue, 12 Jan 2010 12:14:30 +0200</pubDate>
        <dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>

		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>

        <guid isPermaLink="false">
        	http://cpp-luxury.com/en/business-of-luxury-forum-2010---the-leading-luxury-event-dedicated-to-central-and-eastern-europe_540.html
        </guid>

		<description><![CDATA[
			CPP MANAGEMENT CONSULTANTS LTD, sole Central and Eastern European consultancy specialized in luxury annouces the date of 16th March for the 2010 edition of its B2B event BUSINESS OF LUXURY FORUM, organized annually since 2004. The event is a...		]]></description>
        <content:encoded><![CDATA[
			CPP MANAGEMENT CONSULTANTS LTD, sole Central and Eastern European consultancy specialized in luxury annouces the date of 16th March for the 2010 edition of its B2B event BUSINESS OF LUXURY FORUM, organized annually since 2004. The event is a platform for networking for luxury industry executives from all over the world who are interested in expanding in CEE or are already present in some of the CEE countries as well as local and regional luxury industry executives. The uniqueness of the event is that it also attracts a considerable number of very wealthy luxury consumers from Eastern Europe of whom many are also potential investors.
The countries covered and represented are: Bulgaria, Romania, Hungary, Serbia, Ukraine, Poland and Slovenia.&amp;nbsp;With the occasion of the event, we shall present the &amp;nbsp;Luxury Market Reviews - our annual reports on each market, which analyze in-depth each luxury industry segment and the luxury consumer profile, highlighting opportunities. Over half of the speakers will be from the other countries (not Romania) and we shall have three leading speakers (CEO's of major international luxury brands)

Also attending will be media (lifestyle and business) from all the countries represented, there is a media partner in each country. For Romania, as it is the host of the event, the coverage will be more extensive wih INTACT Antena 1 group ensuring the media partnership. 
&amp;nbsp;
The event is an excellent opportunity for exposure and awareness for:
&amp;nbsp;- luxury brands which plan to enter the CEE markets
- luxury brands interesting to expand their existing retail in CEE
- luxury brand from all sectors targetting the wealthy consumers attending
- private banking representatives
- suppliers for the luxury industry - IT, security, lawyers, designers/architects, HR companies etc
A fee of EUR 90 is applied to standard quests, except media. There are still some speaker opportunties. For further information: www.cpp-luxury.com/forum2010 or email office@cpp-mc.com&amp;nbsp;        ]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>Giorgio Armani SpA takes a risky bet on Emporio Armani line in Central and Eastern Europe</title>
		<link>http://cpp-luxury.com/en/giorgio-armani-spa-takes-a-risky-bet-on-emporio-armani-line-in-central-and-eastern-europe_539.html</link>
		<pubDate>Mon, 11 Jan 2010 08:49:35 +0200</pubDate>
        <dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>

		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>

        <guid isPermaLink="false">
        	http://cpp-luxury.com/en/giorgio-armani-spa-takes-a-risky-bet-on-emporio-armani-line-in-central-and-eastern-europe_539.html
        </guid>

		<description><![CDATA[
			Despite the unfolding crisis, 2009 has been a very dynamic year for Giorgio Armani SpA having&amp;nbsp;opened 2 monobrand franchised stores of EMPORIO ARMANI (Warsaw and Budapest) and signing 2 agreements for openings in Belgrade and&amp;nbsp;Bucharest. Distribution of the first...		]]></description>
        <content:encoded><![CDATA[
			Despite the unfolding crisis, 2009 has been a very dynamic year for Giorgio Armani SpA having&amp;nbsp;opened 2 monobrand franchised stores of EMPORIO ARMANI (Warsaw and Budapest) and signing 2 agreements for openings in Belgrade and&amp;nbsp;Bucharest. Distribution of the first line Giorgio Armani remains very limited.
As CPP has expressed on several occasions in 2009, this is a very risky strategy taken by Giorgio Armani Group, especially considering all stores are franchised. The Budapest and Warsaw stores have been underperforming compared with direct rival Burberry, present in both capitals. While the Budapest store has an excellent location on the main luxury highstreet Andrassy, the location chosen in Warsaw (Poland) is on mass market retail street Nowy Sviat. The building in Warsaw is also lackluster, the store having a striking interior design compared with the basic exterior which resembles an old residential building in 70's style. The choice to enter the 2 markets has most likely been motivated by Burberry, yet, we see it very unlikely that Emporio executives have taken into consideration the local luxury consumer is not drawn to brands such as Emporio Armani. The Budapest store will most likely rely over 50% on foreign travellers while the Warsaw store relies more than 80% on locals, Warsaw not being a tourism destination.
Belgrade (Serbia) is the only market which we believe Emporio will be successfull, especially considering the low penetration of luxury brands. However, the highstreet location chosen will very much depend on the development of the entire area. Currently the best performing luxury store is located within the leading Mall which is located downtown Belgrade. As for the Bucharest opening, we believe the opening will also be challenging, this time not because of the potential of the market which is very high but because of the difficulties ahead faced by the chosen franchisee which has 3 other underperforming brands in franchising.
Mention should also be made that Giorgio Armani SpA has already had a sad experience in Central and Eastern Europe, Sofia (Bulgaria) being among the 2 Emporio Armani franchised stores closed in the past 3 years. Like in the case of other openings in Eastern Europe, Emporio Armani executives have rushed to open in Sofia, without a previous feasibility analysis of the market and the chosen local partner, which seemed as the obvious choice at the time of signing the agreement.
We at CPP believe that, in the case of Armani, the best strategy to secure&amp;nbsp;the right positioning, it would have been very important to open a&amp;nbsp;monobrand of the first line in paralel with the Emporio openings.&amp;nbsp;Although much more expensive, the first line is the only Armani line to&amp;nbsp;be produced exclusively in Italy and to reflect Armani's image (Emporio Armani is&amp;nbsp;80% produced outside Italy, mainly in Asia)&amp;nbsp;. It is obvious why the first line of Giorgio Armani is avoided by the&amp;nbsp;local luxury retailers due to the costs of the franchise which are three times higher than in the case of an Emporio.&amp;nbsp;Although, apparently, Emporio Armani and Burberry share a similar client target especially considering the pricing,&amp;nbsp;Burberry has the key advantage that it does&amp;nbsp;not make a separation of its lines&amp;nbsp;which are all sold in the same stores.&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;        ]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>Meryl Streep, The True Hollywood Diva </title>
		<link>http://cpp-luxury.com/en/meryl-streep--the-true-hollywood-diva_538.html</link>
		<pubDate>Sun, 10 Jan 2010 06:41:35 +0200</pubDate>
        <dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>

		<category><![CDATA[People]]></category>

        <guid isPermaLink="false">
        	http://cpp-luxury.com/en/meryl-streep--the-true-hollywood-diva_538.html
        </guid>

		<description><![CDATA[
			Hollywood has always been about glamour, luxury and glitz. Fashion and jewellery have always found inspiration in Hollywood but have also helped shape the image of an actor or actress to become a true cinema star. From Audrey Hepburn&amp;nbsp;...		]]></description>
        <content:encoded><![CDATA[
			Hollywood has always been about glamour, luxury and glitz. Fashion and jewellery have always found inspiration in Hollywood but have also helped shape the image of an actor or actress to become a true cinema star. From Audrey Hepburn&amp;nbsp; to Angelina Jolie and from Robert de Niro to George Clooney, actors have always been lured by fashion, watches and jewellery brands to wear their products and directly or indirectly endorse them. Whether it was Givenchy in the case of Audrey Hepburn or recently Asprey for Angelina Jolie and Armani mostly for male actors, many luxury brands have created trends and sold their collections with the help of celebrities, especially from the cinema world. 
&amp;nbsp;
For decades,&amp;nbsp; the undisputed number one female actress, Meryl Streep has proven the opposite. At 60, Meryl Streep, twice Oscar winner and&amp;nbsp; the female actress with the highest number of Oscar and Golden Globe nominations has been named by the Vanity Fair magazine in its 2010 January issue&amp;lsquo;&amp;rsquo;the greatest American actress&amp;rsquo;&amp;rsquo;. The VF January lead story on Meryl Streep features a unique collection of pictures of Meryl Streep taken throughout her career by famed French photographer Brigitte Lacombe. For the first time in many issues the cover of VF is not shot by celebrity photographer Annie Leibowitz and the reason is the fact that Mrs Lacombe is the only privileged photographer to have shot Mrs Streep from the very beginning of her career till today&amp;rsquo;s cover of the VF. 
&amp;nbsp;
Magazine covers and pictorials of celebrities are always featuring luxury brands, from make up, to clothing and accessories. Not in the case of Meryl Streep who wears a Prada sweater, yet it could very well be a Zara or an H&amp;amp;M one as no one would have noticed. The make up Mrs Streep wears on most of the photos is almost inexistent and she takes pride in never having done any cosmetic or surgical intervention on her face. In most of the photos one could notice how Mrs Streep proudly highlights her wrinkles, yet somehow the photos are a testimony she hasn&amp;rsquo;t aged at all. The one photo which stands out is the one shot by Mrs Lacombe when Meryl Streep completed Kramer vs Kramer, the movie which brought her the first Oscar. The photo taken in 1979 is almost identical with the one on the January 2010 edition of the VF &amp;ndash; the same hairdo, very light make up. She is actually wearing the same pair of white pearl earings. Almost 31 years apart, the 2 photos also reflect the source of her incredible talent and that is her &amp;lsquo;&amp;rsquo;art&amp;rsquo;&amp;rsquo; of managing happiness. The end of the article in VF is also suggestive of this, the diva saying how grateful she is to be alive and healthy. 
&amp;nbsp;
According to the latest figures published in the VF article, Mrs Streep has also become not only the famous actress to have attracted the largest audiences worldwide for her movies but also the best paid actress, having registered blockbuster success with movies such as Mamma Mia and The Devil Weats Prada. And yet, she has never been featured in any L&amp;rsquo;Oreal , Estee Lauder or Revlon ad and she has never been the &amp;lsquo;&amp;rsquo;face&amp;rsquo;&amp;rsquo; of Chanel,&amp;nbsp; Louis Vuitton or Armani and these are brands which are spending billions on advertising worldwide. Is it because the marketing gurus of these brands have never seen her potential to represent their brands or is it rather the case that Mrs Streep has all but turned down all such requests? 
&amp;nbsp;
She had, however, been featured at Oscar or Golden Globe awards wearing dresses of famous designers. In the interview to VF, Mrs Streep speaks about how she doesn&amp;rsquo;t like to have her picture taken and also Mrs Lacombe how she has always felt that Mrs Streep never enjoyed having&amp;nbsp; her picture taken. I could only come up with one reason for this and that is Mrs Streep likes to play different parts only in the movies and does not accept to be featured as someone who she is not in reality. And the reality is that she wears no make up or jewellery and&amp;nbsp; in all the photos I could find on the internet she has never worn more than a back pack type of leather or canvas bag. Then there comes to our mind her philosophy of her entire career and that has always been to wait and that is how all the major parts have actually &amp;lsquo;&amp;rsquo;come &amp;lsquo;&amp;rsquo;to her. But she is waiting for parts and opportunities that enrich her life and keep her going....and it seems luxuries are not part of her wishes or dreams....        ]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>Luxury cosmetic salons, an opportunity for start up business in Central and Eastern Europe</title>
		<link>http://cpp-luxury.com/en/luxury-cosmetic-salons--an-opportunity-for-start-up-business-in-central-and-eastern-europe_537.html</link>
		<pubDate>Sat, 09 Jan 2010 10:57:16 +0200</pubDate>
        <dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>

		<category><![CDATA[Opportunities]]></category>

        <guid isPermaLink="false">
        	http://cpp-luxury.com/en/luxury-cosmetic-salons--an-opportunity-for-start-up-business-in-central-and-eastern-europe_537.html
        </guid>

		<description><![CDATA[
			The first such cosmetic salons were opened over a decade ago by ESTEE LAUDER in Budapest, Bucharest and Prague. They have been operating in the flagship store of ESTEE LAUDER as small salons with facial and body cosmetic treatments,...		]]></description>
        <content:encoded><![CDATA[
			The first such cosmetic salons were opened over a decade ago by ESTEE LAUDER in Budapest, Bucharest and Prague. They have been operating in the flagship store of ESTEE LAUDER as small salons with facial and body cosmetic treatments, most of them with 2 or 3 treatment rooms.
Recently such branded salons have opened in Warsaw (Poland), the leading ones being DIOR, SHISEIDO and KANEBO. They are monobrand salons with small treatment rooms. Unlike Estee Lauder which is operated directly by the US company, these salons are franchised with local partners.
Speaking to owners of&amp;nbsp;these salons we were recently told they are fully booked sometimes talking more than a week&amp;nbsp;for a lady to set up an appointment for a treatment. The majority clients are women in&amp;nbsp;their mid 40's but there are also men who are clients&amp;nbsp;of such salons.&amp;nbsp;
These salons are obsviously different than the salons which only use the&amp;nbsp;products of the known luxury cosmetics brands. They present the advantage that they&amp;nbsp;provide a luxurious environment which reflects the philosophy of each brand with their original furniture and branding.&amp;nbsp;Unlike the regular&amp;nbsp;salons, they&amp;nbsp;also offer more&amp;nbsp;confidence to customers as they are certain to get a quality service by personel which have been trained by the top luxury brands.&amp;nbsp;
The investment in such as salon is around EUR 2.000/sqm and there are royalty and franchise fees which are paid to the brands. These fees are calculated depending on the estimated turnover and of course potential of the market they are in. This is a winning business model for cosmetic companies as they can position themselves are more upmarket therefore distance themselves from the regular shelves at Sephora's or Douglas's.&amp;nbsp;
Further details&amp;nbsp;can be obtained by emailing us: office@cpp-luxury.com        ]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>HERMES takes another smart move and opens first men's store</title>
		<link>http://cpp-luxury.com/en/hermes-takes-another-smart-move-and-opens-first-men-s-store_536.html</link>
		<pubDate>Fri, 08 Jan 2010 08:00:38 +0200</pubDate>
        <dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>

		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>

        <guid isPermaLink="false">
        	http://cpp-luxury.com/en/hermes-takes-another-smart-move-and-opens-first-men-s-store_536.html
        </guid>

		<description><![CDATA[
			Early next month HERMES opens its first ever men's only store in New York on Madison Avenue. The move comes as the top luxury brands have become aware of the importance of quality and craftsmanship in nowadays turbulent economy....		]]></description>
        <content:encoded><![CDATA[
			Early next month HERMES opens its first ever men's only store in New York on Madison Avenue. The move comes as the top luxury brands have become aware of the importance of quality and craftsmanship in nowadays turbulent economy. Customers are looking for top quality products and services and the brands which can draw on their manufacturing reputation will be the most successful. Other luxury brands which have been enjoying stable sales are VUITTON, GUCCI and BURBERRY.&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;
The origin of products and manufacturing is a crucial element that should be embraced in the strategic development by all top luxury brands which want to emerge successful from the crisis. For instance, ARMANI are still pushing expansion of their EMPORIO ARMANI and EXCHANGE lines (all made in Asia and Africa) over the expansion of their first line GIORGIO ARMANI, which we believe is a losing strategy on the long term.        ]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>Founder and owner of cosmetics group SISLEY, Countess D'Ornanon prides her Polish origins</title>
		<link>http://cpp-luxury.com/en/founder-and-owner-of-cosmetics-group-sisley--countess-d-ornanon-prides-her-polish-origins_535.html</link>
		<pubDate>Thu, 07 Jan 2010 11:32:55 +0200</pubDate>
        <dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>

		<category><![CDATA[People]]></category>

        <guid isPermaLink="false">
        	http://cpp-luxury.com/en/founder-and-owner-of-cosmetics-group-sisley--countess-d-ornanon-prides-her-polish-origins_535.html
        </guid>

		<description><![CDATA[
			Countess and Count D'Ornano come from great aristocratic families. Izabella D'Ornano has Poland's Queen Barbara Radziwilliwna among her ancesters.
They were both born in Poland, but war sent their families abroad. However, they have not forgotten the Polish language and...		]]></description>
        <content:encoded><![CDATA[
			Countess and Count D'Ornano come from great aristocratic families. Izabella D'Ornano has Poland's Queen Barbara Radziwilliwna among her ancesters.
They were both born in Poland, but war sent their families abroad. However, they have not forgotten the Polish language and keep close ties with friends and relatives in Poland. Moreover, they support Polish living abroad and they sponsor artists and students. They now live in Paris in a luxurious apartment, adorned with artworks by many Polish artists.
&amp;nbsp;Mr Huberto D'Ornano confesses: ''Cosmetics are our family tradition. My father Guillaume d'Ornano left his diplomatic career and decided to run a business. By a stroke of good luck he et the famous perfume maker Francois Coty and in 1935 they opened the LANCOME cosmetic company together. Later me and my brother established the brand of ORLANE in 1954. When my brother went into politics I sold ORLANE. I set up SISLEY in 1976 as a different cosmetic brand with beauty products based on plant extracts. The company was in profit already in its fifth year''
Mrs Izabella D'Ornano adds: ''Our family controls the entire business... I think of myself as a Pole, despite the fact that I lived abroad most of my life. I have fondness for my native country and I am very much attached to it''.
from Look &amp;amp; Life magazine        ]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>Luxury perfume brands becoming more and more ''mass market''</title>
		<link>http://cpp-luxury.com/en/luxury-perfume-brands-becoming-more-and-more---mass-market_534.html</link>
		<pubDate>Thu, 07 Jan 2010 09:39:24 +0200</pubDate>
        <dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>

		<category><![CDATA[Analysis]]></category>

        <guid isPermaLink="false">
        	http://cpp-luxury.com/en/luxury-perfume-brands-becoming-more-and-more---mass-market_534.html
        </guid>

		<description><![CDATA[
			Who would have estimated that famous fragrance brands such as CHANEL or GUERLAIN would one day be available in every mall and mass market shopping center, even hypermarket shopping galleries. The boom of retail development in the past decade,...		]]></description>
        <content:encoded><![CDATA[
			Who would have estimated that famous fragrance brands such as CHANEL or GUERLAIN would one day be available in every mall and mass market shopping center, even hypermarket shopping galleries. The boom of retail development in the past decade, in many cases uncontrolled, especially in countries where operating under franchise has turned retail chains such as SEPHORA or DOUGLAS into perfume supermarkets available everywhere.
For instance, in many countries in Central and Eastern Europe there is&amp;nbsp;no Carrefour, Cora or Auchan hypermarket gallery without a Sephora or Douglas shop. Service has become impersonal&amp;nbsp;and self service is all about browsing shelves occupied by the various brands.&amp;nbsp;As it usually happens&amp;nbsp;tester perfume bottles are running out or simply&amp;nbsp;there&amp;nbsp;is no sample paper.&amp;nbsp;
Take for instance Romania, where you cannot miss the tall, usually&amp;nbsp;overweight&amp;nbsp;and odd uniformed body guards that follow each client to the shelves to prevent any theft. And of course, due to cost cutting, the cheapest security firm is employed.
In the past three years, small perfumery boutiques have opened up selling private label brands not available in Sephora or Douglas. There are 4 such boutiques in Warsaw (Poland), 5 in Bucharest (Romania), 2 in Budapest (Hungary) and 4 in Prague (Czech Republic). And some of you have thought - luxury perfumery is saved. Yet, as I was browsing myself through these boutiques, I have started to understand the mass market philosophy is being pushed on to the boutiques by wholesalers. That is why, the portfolio of certain boutiques are identical and there seem to be exclusivities. Which is ok up to a point. When more and more boutique have the same portfolio, aren't we all witnessing the creation of a new Sephora chain?
There are fewer and fewer luxury perfume brands which have a direct exclusive distribution. Discussing with the owner of such a boutique in Warsaw, she was telling me how difficult it is becoming for her to buy directly from manufacturers as wholesalers are banging on her door.&amp;nbsp;
ANNICK GOUTAL, CLIVE CHRISTIAN, KILIAN, AMOUAGE, ETRO, CARTHUSIA, EAU D'ITALIE&amp;nbsp;are more and more available and while they are sold&amp;nbsp;in boutiques&amp;nbsp;providing&amp;nbsp;a high quality of service,&amp;nbsp;they are sold in boutiques which sell them as they were&amp;nbsp;selling&amp;nbsp;regular perfumes, without staff bothering to&amp;nbsp;make a brand presentation and assist the client with thorough and expert advice.
It remains to be seen how this dangereous trend is evolving once again shading a luxury segment with centuries of tradition. One's perfume is an intimate personal luxury which reflects one's mood and personality and luxury perfumes need to be sold in a particular exclusive environment. In case SEPHORA&amp;nbsp;or DOUGLAS&amp;nbsp;come up with the idea of buying such a wholesaler,&amp;nbsp;it will&amp;nbsp;be a matter of days till ''luxury corners'' will be created in the regular SEPHORA's and DOUGLAS's while the small boutiques will be closed one&amp;nbsp;by one. &amp;nbsp;        ]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>INTERCONTINENTAL loses ground in Central and Eastern Europe </title>
		<link>http://cpp-luxury.com/en/intercontinental-loses-ground-in-central-and-eastern-europe_533.html</link>
		<pubDate>Thu, 07 Jan 2010 08:51:35 +0200</pubDate>
        <dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>

		<category><![CDATA[Review]]></category>

        <guid isPermaLink="false">
        	http://cpp-luxury.com/en/intercontinental-loses-ground-in-central-and-eastern-europe_533.html
        </guid>

		<description><![CDATA[
			InterContinental is one of the international hotel chains with the widest presence in Central and Eastern Europe. There are InterContinental hotels under management agreement in Bucharest (Romania), Budapest (Hungary), Kiev (Ukraine), Prague (Czech Republic) Warsaw (Poland) and Vienna (Austria)....		]]></description>
        <content:encoded><![CDATA[
			InterContinental is one of the international hotel chains with the widest presence in Central and Eastern Europe. There are InterContinental hotels under management agreement in Bucharest (Romania), Budapest (Hungary), Kiev (Ukraine), Prague (Czech Republic) Warsaw (Poland) and Vienna (Austria). Most of the hotels, with the exception of Kiev and Warsaw have been open for more than 20 years and located within lackluster 70's and 80's architecture buildings. The newest hotels are in Kiev (2008) and Warsaw (2003), both standing out from the rest of the region, especially considering the design of the buildings and larger size of rooms.
The notable absences from the region are Sofia (Bulgaria) and Belgrade (Serbia), in the latter having terminated the agreement due to the low standards of the property of which the owners would not commit to a major renovation.
In the top tourist destinations of Prague and Budapest, the InterContinental is regarded more of a four star level hotel especially due to the high standards set&amp;nbsp;by Four Seasons (both capital) and Mandarin Oriental (Prague). Although recently renovated, the Budapest InterContinental remains the five star rated hotel in the Hungarian capital with the smallest rooms.
One of the properties with the lowest ratings and reviews is the Bucharest InterContinental, which due&amp;nbsp;to changing its ownership in the past decade has still not completed&amp;nbsp;a vital renovation&amp;nbsp;process.&amp;nbsp;The hotel which&amp;nbsp;held a monopoly position&amp;nbsp;during the Communist era being the only five star hotel in the Romanian capital has failed to maintain its leadership when Romania&amp;nbsp;emerged from communism.&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;
Warsaw and Kiev are the only InterContinental locations which hold leading positions in the market. The rooms at Warsaw InterContinental are bigger than in the entire region and provides a good level of services especially for business travellers. The health club including the swimming pool are the best in the region, offering spectacular views of the Warsaw skyline. The top position as far as services and room furnishings are concerned, is held by the InterContinental in Kiev. The Warsaw property also leads as having the best Club InterContinental lounge.
Unless major strategic measures are taken, InterContinental risks to become a four star standard chain, at least in the Central and European region. This threat seems even closer due to the current economic crisis which makes some of the hotel owners take desperate cost cutting measures and postpone indefinitely any kind of renovation and refurbishment investments.        ]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>HUGO BOSS closes factory in U.S. but unlikely to relocate production in Eastern Europe</title>
		<link>http://cpp-luxury.com/en/hugo-boss-closes-factory-in-u-s--but-unlikely-to-relocate-production-in-eastern-europe_532.html</link>
		<pubDate>Tue, 05 Jan 2010 09:15:32 +0200</pubDate>
        <dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>

		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>

        <guid isPermaLink="false">
        	http://cpp-luxury.com/en/hugo-boss-closes-factory-in-u-s--but-unlikely-to-relocate-production-in-eastern-europe_532.html
        </guid>

		<description><![CDATA[
			Just before the Christmas holidays, HUGO BOSS AG have announced the closure of the mens suit factory in Cleveland, U.S.A. and will pay the 300 employees only until end of April 2010. Rumours have indicated early January that the...		]]></description>
        <content:encoded><![CDATA[
			Just before the Christmas holidays, HUGO BOSS AG have announced the closure of the mens suit factory in Cleveland, U.S.A. and will pay the 300 employees only until end of April 2010. Rumours have indicated early January that the factory might be relocated to Eastern Europe, Romania being the most tipped country. The information was also circulated on banners at the demonstration held by workers at the end of 2009.
HUGO BOSS already produces in lohn in Romania at a major factory in Miercurea Ciuc, a small town in the center of the country. Due to the unfolding international crisis, it is highly unlikely that HUGO BOSS&amp;nbsp; purchases the factory, owned by Romanian millionaire Joseph Seroussi who owns several&amp;nbsp;other factories. Should HUGO BOSS decide to relocate the production from&amp;nbsp;the US&amp;nbsp;factory, the best candidate would be Turkey or Morocco with&amp;nbsp;half the production costs of Romania. &amp;nbsp;        ]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>London's SELFRIDGES defies crisis and reports 16% sales increase over Christmas holidays</title>
		<link>http://cpp-luxury.com/en/london-s-selfridges-defies-crisis-and-reports-16--sales-increase-over-christmas-holidays_531.html</link>
		<pubDate>Tue, 05 Jan 2010 09:04:30 +0200</pubDate>
        <dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>

		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>

        <guid isPermaLink="false">
        	http://cpp-luxury.com/en/london-s-selfridges-defies-crisis-and-reports-16--sales-increase-over-christmas-holidays_531.html
        </guid>

		<description><![CDATA[
			One of the leading London luxury department stores SELFRIDGES has reported a 16% increase in sales over the Christmas season, outperforming other department stores such as LIBERTY, JOHN LEWIS (Oxford Street) and MARKS &amp;amp; SPENCER'S (Marble Arch). Market analysts...		]]></description>
        <content:encoded><![CDATA[
			One of the leading London luxury department stores SELFRIDGES has reported a 16% increase in sales over the Christmas season, outperforming other department stores such as LIBERTY, JOHN LEWIS (Oxford Street) and MARKS &amp;amp; SPENCER'S (Marble Arch). Market analysts attribute the growth not only to the strong increase in sales to affluent British nationals but also tourists mainly from Asia and Middle East.        ]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>BURJ DUBAI is inaugurated with Armani Hotel still not opened and over half of residentials for still for sale </title>
		<link>http://cpp-luxury.com/en/burj-dubai-is-inaugurated-with-armani-hotel-still-not-opened-and-over-half-of-residentials-for-still-for-sale_530.html</link>
		<pubDate>Tue, 05 Jan 2010 08:51:51 +0200</pubDate>
        <dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>

		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>

        <guid isPermaLink="false">
        	http://cpp-luxury.com/en/burj-dubai-is-inaugurated-with-armani-hotel-still-not-opened-and-over-half-of-residentials-for-still-for-sale_530.html
        </guid>

		<description><![CDATA[
			The wold's tallest building BURJ DUBAI was inagurated today in Dubai amid the growing concerns about the economy of the Emirate which recently borrowed over EUR 10 billion from neighbouring Abu Dhabi in order to avoid collapse.&amp;nbsp;
One of the...		]]></description>
        <content:encoded><![CDATA[
			The wold's tallest building BURJ DUBAI was inagurated today in Dubai amid the growing concerns about the economy of the Emirate which recently borrowed over EUR 10 billion from neighbouring Abu Dhabi in order to avoid collapse.&amp;nbsp;
One of the highlights of the BURJ DUBAI is the first ARMANI HOTEL initially annouced to open in 2009. Today, the building was inagurated&amp;nbsp;but the Armani Hotel was&amp;nbsp;still not&amp;nbsp;open. The Armani Hotel is majority&amp;nbsp;owned by EMAAR, one of the flagship companies of the ruler of Dubai, which has been&amp;nbsp;under immense&amp;nbsp;pressure due to its huge debts.&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;The newly annouced date for the opening of the ARMANI HOTEL Dubai is March 18th 2010, days&amp;nbsp;before the set date for the opening of the&amp;nbsp;ARMANI HOTEL&amp;nbsp;in MILAN. &amp;nbsp;
Over half of the residentials in BURJ DUBAI are still for sale and prices have been slashed by over 50% compared to the levels of 2008 when the first residences were sold. The price per sqm reaches an average of EUR 1.300.        ]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>New EMIRATES daily direct flight to Prague to boost local luxury market</title>
		<link>http://cpp-luxury.com/en/new-emirates-daily-direct-flight-to-prague-to-boost-local-luxury-market_529.html</link>
		<pubDate>Thu, 31 Dec 2009 03:15:57 +0200</pubDate>
        <dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>

		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>

        <guid isPermaLink="false">
        	http://cpp-luxury.com/en/new-emirates-daily-direct-flight-to-prague-to-boost-local-luxury-market_529.html
        </guid>

		<description><![CDATA[
			EMIRATES airlines have annouced this week the start of a daily non stop service between Prague and Dubai. The new route will commence on July 1st 2010. The luxury market in Prague, much like the one in Budapest&amp;nbsp;has been&amp;nbsp;heavily...		]]></description>
        <content:encoded><![CDATA[
			EMIRATES airlines have annouced this week the start of a daily non stop service between Prague and Dubai. The new route will commence on July 1st 2010. The luxury market in Prague, much like the one in Budapest&amp;nbsp;has been&amp;nbsp;heavily depending on foreign travellers.Korean Air is the other major Asian airlines operating direct flights to Prague, many Koreans shopping for luxury branded goods in Prague.
EMIRATES has been in discussions with authorities in Serbia&amp;nbsp; this year for the start of a direct flight from Belgrade to Dubai, yet a final annoucement has not yet been made.
Mention should also be made that the direct flight from Prague will also benefit wealthy Eastern Europeans, Czech Airlines CSA being one of the leading airlines in the region with excellent connection to all major cities. Dubai has become in past three years a favorite destination for shopping for wealthy Eastern European.        ]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>Louis Vuitton - best selling luxury brand in Hungary</title>
		<link>http://cpp-luxury.com/en/louis-vuitton---best-selling-luxury-brand-in-hungary_528.html</link>
		<pubDate>Thu, 31 Dec 2009 03:11:25 +0200</pubDate>
        <dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>

		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>

        <guid isPermaLink="false">
        	http://cpp-luxury.com/en/louis-vuitton---best-selling-luxury-brand-in-hungary_528.html
        </guid>

		<description><![CDATA[
			According to the figures registered at the Hungarian fiscal authorities, Louis Vuitton is the best selling luxury brand in Hungary, with only one store&amp;nbsp;in the capital city of Budapest.&amp;nbsp;Vuitton's yearly turnover exceeded by 30%&amp;nbsp;figures registered by Gucci. Vuitton opened...		]]></description>
        <content:encoded><![CDATA[
			According to the figures registered at the Hungarian fiscal authorities, Louis Vuitton is the best selling luxury brand in Hungary, with only one store&amp;nbsp;in the capital city of Budapest.&amp;nbsp;Vuitton's yearly turnover exceeded by 30%&amp;nbsp;figures registered by Gucci. Vuitton opened 2 years ago a directly operated store on Budapest's leading highstreet Andrassy Ut. We would not disclose exact figures due to confidentiality.
Due to the current crisis, the Hungarian economy has been one of the most affected in the entire Central and Eastern European region. The local luxury market has been particularly affected considering over 70% of sales rely on foreign travellers, both business and leisure the number of which has diminished dramatically in 2009.
Other brands which are operating with mono brand stores in Budapest&amp;nbsp;are D&amp;amp;G (franchised), BURBERRY (franchised), GUCCI (directly operated store), ERMENEGILDO ZEGNA (franchised), ESCADA (franchised), ZILLI (franchised), FURLA (franchised), EMPORIO ARMANI (franchised).
CPP has indicated&amp;nbsp;as early as 2007&amp;nbsp;that some top international luxury brands have rushed to open on the Hungarian market, without being aware of the dependency of sales on foreigners and ignoring regional markets with a much higher potential such as Serbia and Romania. Faced by the financial crisis, many of these brands have no other choice but to enter such countries by franchising.
Although most of the existing luxury brands have chosen Andrassy Ut Street &amp;nbsp;for their flagship location in Budapest, the highstreet is far from a luxury look and environment, many buildings have been left unrenovated and many mass market small shops are still mixed with premium/luxury shops.        ]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>Luxury market in Poland picking up </title>
		<link>http://cpp-luxury.com/en/luxury-market-in-poland-picking-up_527.html</link>
		<pubDate>Wed, 30 Dec 2009 05:25:03 +0200</pubDate>
        <dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>

		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>

        <guid isPermaLink="false">
        	http://cpp-luxury.com/en/luxury-market-in-poland-picking-up_527.html
        </guid>

		<description><![CDATA[
			Eastern Europe's largest economy, Poland is also the least affected country in the region by the international crisis. However, despite the wealth of its economy, the Polish luxury market has been developing at a very slow pace during the...		]]></description>
        <content:encoded><![CDATA[
			Eastern Europe's largest economy, Poland is also the least affected country in the region by the international crisis. However, despite the wealth of its economy, the Polish luxury market has been developing at a very slow pace during the past decade. This is mainly due to two factors: the very wealthy consumers prefer to buy abroad and&amp;nbsp;a luxury consumer profile which is less driven by show off and social status emphasis. Polish people are more conservative, much like Slovenians and Hungarians, paying&amp;nbsp;placing value in good&amp;nbsp;quality goods and services but not necessarily branded. That is why, many luxury fashion brands&amp;nbsp;have had sad experiences on the&amp;nbsp;Polish market.&amp;nbsp;
However,&amp;nbsp;this week,&amp;nbsp;there came two important annoucements - the opening of the&amp;nbsp;first ROLEX monobrand shop&amp;nbsp;in Poland by local retailer Vistula and the opening of the first FERRARI showroom.&amp;nbsp;Both are to be open in downtown locations in the capital city of&amp;nbsp;Warsaw.&amp;nbsp;Ferrari estimates&amp;nbsp;to sell 10 to 15 cars in 2010&amp;nbsp;which is similar to the levels of&amp;nbsp;a smaller regional country, Romania.&amp;nbsp;
CPP Management Consultants Ltd will&amp;nbsp;conduct the first LUXURY MARKET REVIEW on Poland in January 2010,&amp;nbsp;the first research of&amp;nbsp;its kind for the Polish market. The review will&amp;nbsp;include an in depth&amp;nbsp;analysis of the Polish luxury consumer and of the existing luxury industry segment, highlighting potential&amp;nbsp;for development.&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;        ]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>CPP announces first luxury market report on SLOVENIA</title>
		<link>http://cpp-luxury.com/en/cpp-announces-first-luxury-market-report-on-slovenia_526.html</link>
		<pubDate>Fri, 25 Dec 2009 10:48:04 +0200</pubDate>
        <dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>

		<category><![CDATA[Analysis]]></category>

        <guid isPermaLink="false">
        	http://cpp-luxury.com/en/cpp-announces-first-luxury-market-report-on-slovenia_526.html
        </guid>

		<description><![CDATA[
			During the month of December 2009, CPP Management Consultants Ltd, sole Central and Eastern European luxury industry consultancy, has conducted a thorough research of the Slovenian luxury market with the aim of identifying its potential. CPP has research all...		]]></description>
        <content:encoded><![CDATA[
			During the month of December 2009, CPP Management Consultants Ltd, sole Central and Eastern European luxury industry consultancy, has conducted a thorough research of the Slovenian luxury market with the aim of identifying its potential. CPP has research all luxury market segments in Slovenia - hospitality, fashion, accessories, jewelry &amp;amp; watches, organic/gourmet, travel and auto.
A market of only 2 million inhabitants, Slovenia has been one of the most successfull economies in Central and Eastern Europe, being the first and until now only economy in the region to have adopted the EURO as its national currency. However, the Slovenian luxury market presents less opportunities than many other markets in Central and Eastern Europe, such as Serbia, Romania or Bulgaria.
With the right business models and the&amp;nbsp;right marketing &amp;amp; sales strategy, the luxury market segments with biggest potential for development in Slovenia are: hospitality, fashion &amp;amp; accessories, organic/gourmet and travel. Segments such as perfumery/cosmetics, auto, fine wines &amp;amp; spirits and watches &amp;amp; jewelry&amp;nbsp;are already fully developed most international luxury brands being already present.
Particular attention should be paid to the luxury consumer profile in Slovenia which is very different from other Central and Eastern European countries. In comparison with Hungary and Czech Republic, Slovenia's luxury market targets over 70% locals and the rest foreigners, while in the other 2 countries the percentages are reversed. While Prague and Budapest benefit from a solid segment of wealthy foreign travellers, the Slovenian capital of Ljubljana and its major holiday destination towns&amp;nbsp;such as Portoroz and Bled attract a medium level clientele, mainly from Italy, Netherlands, Germany. For instance there is only one five star hotel in Ljubljana owned and managed by a local company and no other international luxury chains. The few five star hotels in Bled or Portoroz also attract a medium to superior client base, rates being lower than many other destinations in the region.
In comparison with Romania, Bulgaria and Serbia, the Slovenian local luxury consumer is motivated more by the quality and investment features of a luxury branded product or service rather than the show off, social identification factors. That is why, the most successful fashion brands in Slovenia are those which have strong accessories collections and high quality products using quality materials such as leather etc. Special consideration should be paid to the lifestyle of the wealthy Slovenian consumers which, due to the lack of local presence of many top luxury brands, prefer to travel to make their shopping abroad. Also, social life&amp;nbsp;is less glamorous and many Slovenians attending opera,&amp;nbsp;theatre&amp;nbsp;or&amp;nbsp;charity gala events would not&amp;nbsp;dress up&amp;nbsp;such as their counterparts in the other Eastern European countries.&amp;nbsp;
A summary version of the SLOVENIA LUXURY MARKET REVIEW is available on request. E-mail office@cpp-mc.com        ]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>CPP announces the first research on the luxury market in SLOVENIA</title>
		<link>http://cpp-luxury.com/en/cpp-announces-the-first-research-on-the-luxury-market-in-slovenia_525.html</link>
		<pubDate>Fri, 25 Dec 2009 10:43:32 +0200</pubDate>
        <dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>

		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>

        <guid isPermaLink="false">
        	http://cpp-luxury.com/en/cpp-announces-the-first-research-on-the-luxury-market-in-slovenia_525.html
        </guid>

		<description><![CDATA[
			During the month of December 2009, CPP Management Consultants Ltd, sole Central and Eastern European luxury industry consultancy, has conducted a thorough research of the Slovenian luxury market with the aim of identifying its potential.
&amp;nbsp;CPP's&amp;nbsp;Luxury Market Review&amp;nbsp;Slovenia includes an...		]]></description>
        <content:encoded><![CDATA[
			During the month of December 2009, CPP Management Consultants Ltd, sole Central and Eastern European luxury industry consultancy, has conducted a thorough research of the Slovenian luxury market with the aim of identifying its potential.
&amp;nbsp;CPP's&amp;nbsp;Luxury Market Review&amp;nbsp;Slovenia includes an analysis of all luxury market segments in Slovenia - hospitality, fashion, accessories, jewelry &amp;amp; watches, organic/gourmet, travel and auto, &amp;nbsp;a comprehensive luxury consumer profile and&amp;nbsp;a&amp;nbsp;highlight of the&amp;nbsp;opportunities for further development.&amp;nbsp;
Details in our ANALYSIS section.        ]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>HERMES launches a new brand</title>
		<link>http://cpp-luxury.com/en/hermes-launches-a-new-brand_523.html</link>
		<pubDate>Wed, 23 Dec 2009 03:46:43 +0200</pubDate>
        <dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>

		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>

        <guid isPermaLink="false">
        	http://cpp-luxury.com/en/hermes-launches-a-new-brand_523.html
        </guid>

		<description><![CDATA[
			For the first time in its history, the HERMES Group launches a new brand with a dedicated line of products. The new brand called SHANG XIA will be launched in China and will have its own identity with products...		]]></description>
        <content:encoded><![CDATA[
			For the first time in its history, the HERMES Group launches a new brand with a dedicated line of products. The new brand called SHANG XIA will be launched in China and will have its own identity with products made from materials and design&amp;nbsp;rooted in the&amp;nbsp;Chinese traditions.
The move comes as a strategy of HERMES to take advantage of the Chinese luxury market boom in 2010 therefore proposing a new brand with lower priced products. At the same time, many analysts point out that Hermes's strategy also comes as an effort to recuperate its slower development on the Chinese market.The brand will also be distributed in Paris in one of the large department store.
This move seems to have all its business strategic motivations, yet HERMES risks its brand reputation as the new brand will surely cross into other markets.&amp;nbsp;It will be&amp;nbsp;practically impossible for the new&amp;nbsp;brand not to be associated with&amp;nbsp;Hermes, many clients will most likely consider it&amp;nbsp;the ''cheaper''&amp;nbsp;line of the reputed French brand. &amp;nbsp;        ]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>Karl Chanel Lagerfeld</title>
		<link>http://cpp-luxury.com/en/karl-chanel-lagerfeld_522.html</link>
		<pubDate>Tue, 22 Dec 2009 11:45:48 +0200</pubDate>
        <dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>

		<category><![CDATA[People]]></category>

        <guid isPermaLink="false">
        	http://cpp-luxury.com/en/karl-chanel-lagerfeld_522.html
        </guid>

		<description><![CDATA[
			He is perhaps the most recognizable man in fashion, almost never seen without his dark glasses, a silver ponytail and fingerless gloves.
And while the German-born fashion designer has been the creative force behind fashion house Chanel for more than...		]]></description>
        <content:encoded><![CDATA[
			He is perhaps the most recognizable man in fashion, almost never seen without his dark glasses, a silver ponytail and fingerless gloves.
And while the German-born fashion designer has been the creative force behind fashion house Chanel for more than a quarter of a century, he's still thriving on new ideas, designs and what the future may hold.
&amp;quot;I don't look back... Life is not something made by order, we have to fit in the pattern of what life is all about now, and I'm a person who fits easily into this kind of situation because I like change,&amp;quot; he told CNN in Shanghai.
While his own image is enduring, he is the creative force of the Chanel fashion house, whose eponymous designer, Coco Chanel created some of the most iconic outfits of the 20th century.
He may have upset the traditionalists when he first took over the reins, but for the forward-thinking Lagerfeld, it was not a concern.
&amp;quot;My job is to put in people's brain the idea what Chanel was all about, even if it was not about such a large choice of things... I pushed [Coco Chanel's] symbol, like the change of pearls, in a way much more than she did herself. I could play with everything and mix it with everything that's going on in fashion because fashion is about that. It's not retrospective, it has to be something you want to wear now,&amp;quot; he said.
As for the notoriously harsh world of fashion, Lagerfeld sees it merely as a reflection of the way the world works.
&amp;quot;This is a world with no pity or that you can complain, 'I couldn't do it because things are against me.' No, things are against nobody, if you have something to offer, or if you can be something,&amp;quot; he said.
&amp;quot;If you want to be successful in the fashion world, as well as the movie world and music world, it's something else that you need, but you cannot decide that you have it. It's up to you to sew it, but it's up to the others to use it. In a way it's the worst of worlds, but if you made in the world, it's beyond pleasant.&amp;quot;
Confident and unabashed Lagerfeld is looking forward to more creative inspiration and hard work. His contracts with Chanel and Fendi are for life.
&amp;quot;Chanel died doing her last collection in her 90s, so I have time. I don't think like this. It's my projection, always six months, six months, six months. I don't know. People laugh at me to disappear but I'm not ready for that one.
&amp;quot;I am born for the battlefield. Competition is healthy you know. Some people would like the idea of no competition so they can keep the position for the rest of their lives, but no, there has to be a kind of danger all the time. I think it's very healthy, it makes you better.&amp;quot;
from CNN        ]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
    </channel>    
</rss>