Page 4 .
Victoria's Secret 2008
Fantasy Bra
With the holiday season approaching, Victoria's Secret unveiled its annual jewel-encrusted "Fantasy Bra" with this year's lingerie creation totaling more than 1,000 carats and valued at $5 million.
Jeweler Martin Katz crafted the 2008 Black Diamond Fantasy 
Miracle Bra using 3,575 black diamonds, 117 certified one-carat round diamonds and 34 rubies.
The piece de resistance of the bra's design, however, is two black-diamond drops totaling 100 carats.
Dubbed "the ultimate fantasy gift" by the intimate apparel company, the bra, modeled by supermodel Adriana Lima, is adorned with 3,900 gems and totals 1,500 carats.
Victoria's Secret has been partnering with jewelers to create an over-the-top bedazzled bra since 1996.
Past Fantasy Bra creations include 2006's "Hearts On Fire Fantasy Bra," a balconet-style brassiere with more than 2,000 diamonds weighing a total of 800 carats and modeled by Karolina Kurkova.
That bra's estimated value was $6.5 million and marked the 10th anniversary of the Fantasy Bra.
10/15/05
Organic Cotton Production
Increases 152%
The amount of organic cotton grown by farmers around
the world increased by 152% in 2007/08, a new report says, driven mainly by the growing demand for organic
cotton from retailers around the world.
According to the 'Organic Cotton Farm and Fiber Report 2008,' produced by Lubbock, Texas-based Organic
Exchange (OE), organic cotton production rose to 145,872 metric tons (MT) (668,581 bales) grown on
161,000 hectares in 22 countries worldwide.
Approximately 60% of the total represents expansion of known projects while the remaining 40% comes from new
projects becoming certified or that were previously unknown.
"Farmers and retailers are starting to work hand in hand to drive the conversion to and expansion of the
organic cotton market," said LaRhea Pepper, OE executive director.
Simon Ferrigno, OE Farm Development Program director and lead author of the report, added that: "With
forward contracts, price security, and increased research and education, the amount of organic cotton
production will continue to increase rapidly."
India, Syria, Turkey, China, Tanzania, USA, Uganda, Peru, Egypt and Burkina Faso were the top ten organic
cotton producing countries in order by rank, with India taking over Turkey's long-time standing as the number
one producer.
The majority of the increased organic cotton production took place in India. Organic cotton production has
grown to an estimated 0.55% of global cotton production, the report said.
050107
CURVENY Fashion Show
Continued
CURVENY continued
on page 5
The Piano Player
A grade school teacher was asking students what their parents did for a living. "Tim, you're first," she said. "What does your mother do all day?"
Tim stood up and proudly said, "She's a doctor."
"That's wonderful. How about you, Amie?" Amie shyly stood up, scuffed her feet and said, "My father is a mailman."
"Thank you, Amie," said the teacher. "What about your father, Billy?"
Billy proudly stood up and announced, "My daddy plays piano in a whorehouse."
The teacher was aghast and promptly changed the subject to geography. Later that day she went to Billy's house and rang the bell. Billy''s father answered the door. The teacher explained what his son had said and demanded an explanation.
Billy''s father said, "I'm actually an attorney, but how can I explain a thing like that to a seven-year-old?"
6/12
Mervyn's to Close
Remaining Stores
Bankrupt department store operator Mervyn's is to shut
down its remaining 149 stores, beginning liquidation sales of stock immediately.
The sales will last about eight weeks, with some stores closing sooner.
The process will be conducted by a joint venture group of companies including Great American Group, SB Capital
Group, Tiger Capital Group and Hudson Capital Partners.
"During its nearly 60 years in business, Mervyn's has become a south-west landmark, known to consumers for
style, quality and value," said Harvey Yellen, chairman of Great American Group.
"The going out of business sale will offer the general public, as well as the thousands of loyal Mervyn's
customers, a final opportunity to acquire the quality merchandise that Mervyn's was known for, all at
significant discounts."
The department store chain, which filed for bankruptcy in July this year, said it had completed a thorough
analysis of its options, including the possible sale of the company, prior to its decision to wind down.
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Frederick's of Hollywood's
Q4 Loss
Intimate apparel firm Frederick’s of Hollywood Group has widened its fourth quarter loss to US$7.19m, from a
loss of $2.57m in the prior year period.
The group, which was formerly called Movie Star Inc, merged with its parent company, FOH Holdings, in a
reverse acquisition in January.
Net sales for the quarter rose 28.2% to $42.09m from $32.83m.
Peter Cole, executive chairman of the company, said: "As the macroeconomic environment continues to present
challenges to both our retail and wholesale divisions, our efforts are focused on reducing operating
expenses."
He added that the company has cut its catalogue circulation and will roll out a new e-commerce system
in early 2009.
It has also revised its retail store expansion plans for fiscal 2009 to include only three store openings
and one store remodeling.
Cole added: "Although we believe that we are taking the steps necessary to build this company to be a prominent
player in the intimate apparel business, in view of the current state of the economy and its anticipated impact
on consumer spending, we cannot be certain that these initiatives will produce positive operating results in
fiscal 2009."
For the fiscal year, the company swung to a loss of $15.66m from a profit of $441,000 the year before,
despite a 17.4% jump in net sales to $182.23m from $155.24m.
End of page 4
The McPete Sez
Lingerie Newsletter & Women's Wear Journal
