China Xiniya Fashion Limited Announces 2% Increase in Sales Fair Purchase Orders

China Xiniya Fashion Limited ("Xiniya" or the "Company" NYSE: XNY), a leading provider of men's business casual apparel in China, today announced that the total value of purchase orders for its 2013 Spring and Summer Collection showcased during its biannual sales fair held in September 2012 in Xiamen, China increased by 2% as compared to the total value of purchase orders placed last fall.

This year's sales fair incorporated elements of Parisian design. Focusing on the business casual market segment for upwardly mobile male professionals, Xiniya displayed three design concepts across several product sets, including jackets, suits, shirts and casual pants: "elegance", "leisure" and "simply fashionable". Delivery of the orders is expected to commence in January 2013, and is usually completed over the course of seven months.

While the Company's order value has continued to increase from year to year, the lower percentage increase in order value from 2011 to 2012 as compared to 2010 to 2011 reflects the cautious approach taken by distributors and authorized retailers as a result of the broader economic softening in China and expected economic challenges in 2013. In an effort to ensure the long-term, sustainable development of its authorized retail outlets, Xiniya reduced the price on its 2013 Spring and Summer Collection by an average of 2.2% to improve the price competiveness of its products beginning in 2013. As a result, the Company's gross margin will decline by approximately 2.2%. This move is expected to improve product turnover for authorized retail outlets and reduce both existing and new inventories in the Company's retail channels.
"The new collection and slight increase in order value, is once again a demonstration of Xiniya's strength in creativity and design," said Mr. Qiming Xu, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "

As leader in China's business casual apparel, Xiniya has consistently been determined to promote its concept of business travel apparel that is suitable for all occasions. Despite the challenging economic environment in China and the prudent approach taken by distributors and authorized retailers in placing orders, we expect long-term growth to continue. It is with this in mind that we implemented a new strategy to improve the competitiveness of our 2013 Spring and Summer Collection by reducing the gross margins of these products. With Mr. Tiande Liao taking over as Chief Designer last month, we are focused on continuing the momentum we have gained and look forward to another strong selling season. With the menswear industry in China continuing to show strong growth potential, we are confident that our strategy to expand our retail network and increase brand recognition over the long term will continue to show promise."

Safe Harbor Statement
This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and as defined in the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as "will," "expects," "anticipates," "future," "intends," "plans," "believes," "estimates," "target," "going forward," "outlook" and similar statements. Such statements are based upon management's current expectations and current market and operating conditions, and relate to events that involve known or unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, all of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond the Company's control, which may cause the Company's actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Further information regarding these and other risks, uncertainties or factors is included in the Company's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required under law.

Semir Shares Fall 1% As Another Big Chinese Fashion Retailer Reports Earnings Drop

Shares in Shenzhen-listed Zhejiang Semir Garment, one of China’s largest home-grown fashion retailers,  fell 1% at the Shenzhen Stock Exchange yesterday after the company said its net profit in the three months to September plunged by 39%.

Semir said yesterday it made $36 million in the third quarter, on sales that slid 5.5% to $75 million. Earnings were off due to intense competition, high inventory levels, and spending on new products,  among other factors, the company said.

The fall is the latest sign of trouble in the country’s retail industry amid slowing economic growth that was also evidenced on the 2012 Forbes China Rich List announced earlier this month.

On Friday, Shenzhen-shares in Shanghai Metersbonwe Fashion and Accessories, another Chinese fashion retail giant, dropped 9.8% at the Shenzhen Stock Exchange after the company posted a double-digit drop in third-quarter earnings.

Semir’s chairman Qiu Guanghe, together with his family, ranked No. 37 on the 2012 Forbes China Rich list with wealth of $1.95 billion. Metersbonwe’s chairman Zhou Chengjian ranked No.19 on the same list with wealth of $2.7 billion.

Even as business has become more difficult in China’s retail industry this year, foreign companies facing larger problems at home are looking to expand in China.  Laura Ashley of London is in talks with a potential partner in China to open its home furnishing and fashion stores in the country as soon as “possibly by the first quarter of next year,” business development manager Kai Xiang Teo said on the sidelines of the Forbes Global CEO Conference in Dubai  last week.

The Gap, Calvin Klein, Iconix  and Wal-Mart are among the U.S. businesses targeting China for retail business growth.

Fashion honored at Night of Stars

Fashion may have been the focus of the Night of Stars gala in New York, but actress Sarah Jessica Parker was more interested in talking politics.

"I think there's an enormous amount at stake, it concerns me," said the "Sex and the City" star of the U.S. presidential election. She said she would be in "great despair" if President Barack Obama lost the vote to Republican Mitt Romney.

"I'm speaking up for the 47 percent," she said. "For women in this country who rely upon social programs -- not because they're lazy, not because they don't want to work hard, not because they feel entitled -- but because they need access to basic health care that we all, the privileged few or many of us, sort of take for granted."

Parker was at the downtown soirie to present the Lord & Taylor Fashion Oracle Award to designer L'wren Scott, a celebrity favorite and staple of the red carpet.

Carolina Herrera won Fashion Group International's top honor, the Superstar Award, presented by her longtime friend and client Renee Zellweger.

"I'm really lucky. We've collaborated for so many years and she's helped make the experience of being an actress and going to public events just extraordinary. Every event is memorable because of what she brings to it and the gift of these gorgeous gowns to help celebrate the occasions," said Zellweger.

Past recipients of the Superstar award include Donna Karan, Giorgio Armani, Valentino, Karl Lagerfeld and Oscar de la Renta.

Actress Viola Davis presented Nicola Maramotti of Italian fashion house MaxMara with the night's Heritage Award. But the Academy Award nominee said she is by no means a fashionista.

"No, not at all," said Davis. "I can answer that immediately. I have a very good stylist."

Toronto fashion week: Day 2

The weather on Day 2 of Toronto Fashion Week was dark and rainy, making inside an extra comfortable place to be. Combined with how much useful information I gathered, this was the closest I’ve felt “back to school” all Fall.

I arrived early to the tents to listen in on a round-table discussion on the business of Canadian fashion, hosted by one of fashion week’s sponsors, DHL. As expected, there was some emphasis on how important shipping and distribution are to a fashion designer’s success but there was also an emphasis on the importance of having sound business management skills. However, I found the most enlightening answers came in response to questions asked by the audience, a collection of designers still trying to make it in Canada.

Pam Shainhouse, the president of Allistyle, a Canadian curvy-girl line of fashion her daughter - who unfortunately passed away due to cancer - started after realizing little clothing she loved fit her body properly. Pam asked the panel why she’s had a more difficult time finding success for Allistyle in Canada than she has in the US, where business is better. Another lady in the audience who runs a network of fashion blogs for petite women asked a similar question - why is still so difficult for non ”standard” fashion to get recognized?

What was suggested was that women still like to peruse and purchase what’s “in”, and when a designer has a limited budget and needs to make a return, you have to make what you’re most likely to sell. I find relief in the underlying message that the recipe to success includes equal parts creativity and business savvy, something the subject of my next interview knows very well.

In a conversation with the brand manager for TFW’s nail polish sponsor, essie, I learned that Ms. Essie Weingarten continues to create every single shade of polish that makes it into her collection herself, all alone. She has full access to a lab, and loves to put on her white coat, mix pigments and give new blends a kooky name. Aha! A woman who has a passion and equal parts creativity and business savvy, and has become very successful.

Read my interview with Essie Weingarten

Essie’s prerogative has always been for essie to be the standard for runway nails. As the official nail polish sponsor of Toronto Fashion Week, it was cool to visit one of Toronto’s own (and very rad) nail artists, Rita Remark, in fact the lead nail artist for essie at TFW.

I spoke to Rita after she finished affixing twelve sets of nails for twelve models walking in the Ashtiani runway show, inspired by ‘60s France and painted graphically with soft pink, deep burgundy and grey. The nails were seriously show-stopping and I even spotted a rare site following the show - models leaving for home with their nails still on display!

My last chat was with Dan Levy, former MTV personality and current contributor to FLARE Magazine. Dan was selected by Target as their spokesperson for Toronto Fashion Week, and I was dying to know how he felt about collaborating with the massive American retailer.

Dan’s answer wasn’t juice or even remotely apologetic, it was admirable. Referencing Target’s collaborations with designers like Isaac Mizrahi and Proenza Schouler to make “designer” fashion more available, Dan maintains the ethic that all fashion should be perceived as is friendly and available and a tool with which to illicit happiness. Brands and trends? Not as important.

Tuesday at Toronto Fashion Week was a good day to feel positive about fashion as a dynamic profession. I think my favourite take-home quote came from the DHL round-table: “The beauty of fashion is evolution”.

Wednesday is a big day at Toronto Fashion Week! We'll be seeing shows by Lucien Matis, Korhani, the decor company who has crossed the line into fashion, and Joe Fresh. Following the Joe Fresh show, we'll be releasing an exclusive video with Adrienne Shoom, stylist for Joe Fresh, as she walks through the collection and picks out the BEST pieces for spring.

Is Anna Wintour pressuring designers to steer clear of Ann Romney?

"Honored to see First Lady Michelle Obama wearing our Spring 2013 dress at the final presidential debate," boasted the Twitter account of fashion label Thom Browne soon after Monday night's debate. Yet over at the Twitter account of OscarPRGirl, the official publicist for Oscar de la Renta, not a word was uttered about the fact that Ann Romney had donned a dark teal dress from the designer's collection.
But that's nothing new.

Designers, stylists and fashion industry publicists routinely clamor to outfit First Lady Michelle Obama, with press releases flying out the door any time she sports a certain brand. Fashion publications praise her designer selections and several books have been published that are solely devoted to analyzing her style and taste.

However, the fashion world has remained particularly quiet on the Ann Romney fashion front, with many questioning whether or not outspoken Obama supporter Anna Wintour is keeping stylists and designers away, silently threatening their standing should they endeavor to promote their outfitting of the wife of a Republican presidential hopeful.

Over the past year, the Vogue matriarch – who many say has enough power to make or break fashion careers – has become one of President Obama’s leading financiers. Wintour has raised over half a million dollars for the incumbent, hosted numerous lavish dinners in his name and even enlisted designer pals like Marc Jacobs and Thakoon Panichgul to design pro-Obama products.

“Wintour’s connections and influence in Hollywood, fashion, and society aren’t merely pretty, shiny things to have around; they have become vital to the financial success of the campaign,” wrote Noreen Malone in the November edition of The New Republic. “She is in search of something more than a victory in November; she wants politics to take fashion seriously.”

And according to fashion industry pros we talked to, no one wants to risk annoying Wintour.
Hayley Phelan of Fashionista.com pointed out that during last month’s political conventions, the site received several notices pertaining to Michelle Obama’s wardrobe, while not a single word was uttered from Oscar de la Renta’s PR team when Ann wore one of the American designer’s gowns. And after Romney sported a Diane von Furstenberg wrap dress, the DVF team went as far as to distance themselves from Romney by reportedly claiming that they were unsure how she obtained the dress. Clearly, it wasn’t sent to her in a nicely-wrapped package with a note of gratitude.

According to Women’s Wear Daily, 53.9 percent of fashion industry campaign donations went to Obama, while only 45.9 percent went to Republicans. “The fashion industry is predominantly on the left,” said fashion publicist Lee Everett of LaunchPad PR, noting that many brands and designers fear being associated with the GOP. “It’s such a disservice to so many brands who could benefit, to the other ’50 percent’ of the country. For the sake of the fashion industry, it should remain apolitical.”

Yet others doubt Romney is getting the cold shoulder from the predominantly liberal fashion world, or that Wintour’s own political preferences have instilled fear in any designer who dares dress the GOP nominee’s wife.

“It is just that Michelle brings such a unique, vibrant and youthful style and the average woman can see herself wearing many of her outfits, so designers want everyone to know that she is wearing their clothes,” explained entertainment/lifestyle commentator Valerie Greenberg. “And even though Anna Wintour has a reputation for being tough, I don’t think she would let her political views dictate the designers she chooses to feature in the pages of Vogue."

Emmy-winning stylist and author David Zyla, who has previously outfitted political figures including Hillary Clinton, said that is simply hard for anyone to measure up to Michelle Obama, who roused the industry after the eight years of the simple style preferred by former First Lady Laura Bush.

“Unfortunately whoever came along in 2012 as a First Lady contender was going to have a tough fight winning in the fashion arena,” he said. “It does not appear that Ann Romney is being snubbed by the fashion industry, but designers do seem to be employing a bit of caution in their approach of her. Perhaps it is due to the fact that we have yet to get a comprehensive glimpse into Mrs. Romney’s fashion personality, or that designers are skittish not about how she will appear in their clothes, but more importantly how she will style and accessorize them.”

Irrespective of whether or not Wintour and the fashion industry are indeed dismissing Ann Romney, there's no way they can continue to ignore her if she becomes America’s First Lady.

“Anna Wintour will have no power to block Ann if her husband is elected President, it will be a totally different ball game. I think then we will see the Carolina Herrera’s and Oscar de la Renta’s coming out. Let’s face it, regardless of whether you are a Republican or Democrat, everyone wants to dress the First Lady,” said celebrity stylist Amanda Reno. “It is like an actress who comes to Hollywood. No one cares about her until she gets her first big movie, then all of the designers will fall over themselves to dress her. For Ann Romney, getting into the White House is like getting that big movie.”

Toronto Fashion Week: What you need to know

World MasterCard Fashion Week may be undergoing many changes, but the giant white tent erected in David Pecaut Square is not among them.

The layout of the fashion week hub is similar to last season with a single tent divided in half. One side features the main runway, which seats 800 people, and the other the smaller “studio” runway seats 240, with standing room for 100.

The large backstage area caters to both runways, so hair and makeup artists don’t have to sprint between them, as in previous years.

What’s new? No longer will runway spectators languish in bleacher style seats — real chairs are being used this time.

And good news for fashion fans left out in the cold. The popular wall of floor-to-ceiling windows is back, offering passersby on King St. W a glimpse into the tent’s “studio” runway section where designers like Ashtiani, Adrian Wu and Triarchy will be showing off their latest creations.

For those on the inside, the so-called “fashion environment” mingling area of the tent will feature hair and makeup artists from Maybelline New York and Redken 5th Avenue offering quick touch-ups. Nibbles and beverages will be provided by the Ritz-Carlton.

Need to know

When: Oct. 22 to 26

Where: David Pecaut Square on King St. W. between John and Simcoe Sts.

Tickets: $25 for studio shows, $50 for shows on the main runway and $175 for a day pass. Buy online at worldmastercardfashionweek.com and pick-up your tickets on-site. You must be 19+ to attend.

Getting there:

By car: Take the QEW/Gardiner Expressway to the York St. exit. Go north on York to King St., then west to Simcoe St. Underground parking is available at Roy Thomson Hall, Metro Hall and Metro Centre. Metered street parking is an option — but be warned that in the bustling Entertainment District it can be hard to find a spot.

By TTC: The closest subway stop is St. Andrew on the north-south University Line. Exit onto King St. W and head west for a few minutes.

Bathrooms: You’ll find them in Metro Hall, on the west side of David Pecaut Square.

Los Angeles hopes to make a fashion statement

What does the rest of the world picture when it thinks of Los Angeles? Hollywood. Celebrities. Palm trees. Perfect weather.

Fashion capital? Not so much.

Yes, our celebrities are certainly well-dressed. Yes, the L.A. area is the mecca of youth culture, the surf-skate industries and the premium denim scene. It is also home to many of the midrange fashion labels that fill the racks of department stores, including David Meister, Tadashi Shoji, Karen Kane, BCBG, Guess and Robert Rodriguez. There's mass manufacturing, T-shirts (American Apparel) and fast fashion (Forever 21). On the other end of the spectrum is an impressive high-end designer culture that includes Monique Lhuillier and Rodarte.

And yet, L.A.'s fashion scene does not have the same cachet as New York.

Local designers and organizers have struggled for years to pull together a cohesive fashion week, but their goal remains elusive. "Fashion Week" consists of a crazy-quilt of events stretching across three weeks twice a year.

Now Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa — who says the city's contributions to apparel design and manufacture should be as instantly recognizable as its flora and famous folk — is weighing in. The goal? To brand Los Angeles as a city perfectly positioned to take fashion production seamlessly from mood board to shipboard and raise the city's apparel manufacturing profile overseas.

The first step toward that goal came Monday, when the mayor unveiled a new "Designed/Made in Los Angeles" garment hangtag logo; versions of it could appear on clothing that is designed or manufactured in L.A. within a couple of months.

"With 10,000 fashion-related companies employing 100,000 people, our city has the tools to get you from pattern design to movie premiere," the mayor said during a news conference at the Cooper Design Space in downtown L.A.'s fashion district. "The goal of the Designed/Made in Los Angeles initiative is to help this industry continue to grow and thrive."

The mayor's initiative was announced on the first day of Los Angeles market week, when buyers traditionally flock to showrooms to place spring orders. It comes during a time when consumers are more conscientious than ever about the provenance of the things they consume, such as the sustainable line-and-pole-caught tuna on their dinner plates or the iPhone 5s in their pockets. The buy local trend, tied in part to labor and environmental abuses abroad, is also tied to job growth in the U.S. In the last few months, fashion brands big and small, including Brooks Brothers and Will Leather Goods' flagship store in Venice, have been using "Made in America" as a selling point.

Can something similar happen in Los Angeles?

The logo hangtags, Villaraigosa said, will go a long way toward establishing L.A. as a consistent and memorable "brand."

The initiative is part of a larger, five-pronged program conceived by the mayor to generate support for L.A. fashion labels to exhibit at major trade shows, create an online resource guide to local manufacturing, identify export opportunities for fashion brands and promote workforce development.

Funding will come from a variety of sources, according to the mayor's office, but officials declined to detail specifics. What is known is that the hangtag logo program will be the responsibility of the Los Angeles Regional Export Council, a group that relies on both public and private funding.

So far, 19 local designers and manufacturers, including American Apparel, have given a thumbs up to the effort. Marty Bailey, the company's chief manufacturing officer who was standing next to Villaraigosa during Monday's announcement, said American Apparel has long included the words "made in downtown L.A." on its hangtags, and that now, more than ever, consumers are paying attention. But, he cautions, "Made in Los Angeles or made in the USA might be a deciding factor in selling a garment the first time, but it's going to be ... the product itself that's going to sell it the second time."

Clayton and Flavie Webster, who design the fledgling luxury leather line Cerre, with a store and atelier on Melrose Avenue, are also supporting the initiative.

"This is a good manufacturing and production city. Hedi Slimane [of Yves Saint Laurent] is moving his design team right down the street from our store," Clayton said. "This [initiative] will help solidify momentum for producing and designing here. L.A. should be known as a great city to produce a fashion line."

And promoting the fact that something is made here can affect the bottom line, he said.

"We do get customers who say, 'I was looking at a jacket at Barneys, but I realized it was $3,000 and made in China.' There is a conscious customer, especially in the luxury market, who cares about where things are made. Made in L.A., New York or made in the USA is a stamp of approval that you are not abusing anyone and that there is fairness in the costing."

But others aren't so sure what the logo will mean.

"I will look into it," said Rozae Nichols, who designs and manufactures 100% of her Clover Canyon line in Los Angeles and has been a big proponent of manufacturing locally in the nearly two decades she has been in the apparel business here. "I'm all for raising awareness for the community.... But I don't know what all the mayor's intentions are. I'm sure he's as concerned as anyone about fair labor policies. But 'Made in L.A.' is not a magic bullet that signifies everything is OK just because it's made here. Just like 'Made in China' isn't necessarily always a bad thing."

CMH Fashion Week’s main attractions

The number of fashion designers who call Columbus home: 518. That’s according to a study by The Global Language Monitor in Austin, Texas. The media-analytics company recently ranked the top fashion destinations in the country, and Columbus catwalked in at No. 3.

The annual celebration of that heralded Columbus fashion community and the industry’s local stars, CMH Fashion Week, kicked off last week, but the main attractions are in the next couple days.

Friday is the fashion runway finale show. Ten local lines will send collections down the runway. Among them are dapper men’s line Jones Select, understatedly sexy women’s line Dirty Laser, and the glamorous, nationally recognized Genoveva Designs.

The CMH Fashion Week finale will be dressed to the nines in the brand-new Hilton Columbus across from the Columbus Convention Center. Mayor Michael “Get Swagger” Coleman and CMH Fashion Week co-founder Thomas McClure will present the collections.

On Saturday, CMH Fashion Week closes out with Swaggertown Marketplace, a roundup of Columbus fashion lines and brands all in one place (Arena District’s EndZone Entertainment Complex) for your shopping pleasure. S.W.A.G.G. Revolution Apparel is hosting the pop-up shop extravaganza, which will include live music, OSU tailgating and local celebrity and designer meet-and-greets. The Marketplace will benefit Nationwide Children’s Hospital and the CMH Fashion Week Scholarship Fund.

James Van Der Beek and Krysten Ritter Star in Fashion Photoshoot at FIDM for Los Angeles Magazine

Los Angeles Magazine chose the award-winning interior of FIDM/Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising for a fashion shoot with the stars of ABCs Don’t Trust The B---- in Apt 23, James Van Der Beek and Krysten Ritter.

Los Angeles, CA (PRWEB) October 13, 2012
When the editors of Los Angeles magazine decided to create a fall fashion layout entitled “Power Plays,” they came up with the idea of a modern take on the 1940s classic His Girl Friday, which features a fast talking female reporter who gets things done. The stars of ABCs Don’t Trust The B---- in Apt 23, James Van Der Beek and Krysten Ritter, starred in the photo shoot and online feature with FIDM/Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising’s Downtown Los Angeles campus as a backdrop.

“We decided to do the shoot at FIDM because we found these amazing spaces designed by [architect] Clive Wilkinson,” said photo editor Amy Feitelberg. They shot the actors in the fashion college’s classrooms, design studios, and computer labs. Along with the photography team of Sara Hirakawa and Mark Williams, the magazine staff wanted to create cinematic scenes that would show off the power suits and dresses for women along with telling a story of female empowerment.

In the workplace-inspired shoot, Krysten wears fall 2012 looks from Lanvin, Louis Vuitton, Fendi, and Donna Karan, while James dons Ermenegildo Zegna and Prada suits. “Both Krysten and James did an amazing job playing out their parts,” said Hirakawa, who wanted the men in the photos to look slightly scared of Krysten’s character. A behind the scenes video of the photoshoot is featured on Los Angeles’ website.
FIDM/Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising is the West Coast’s premiere fashion college dedicated to educating students for the Fashion, Graphics, Interior Design, and Entertainment industries. Known as a one of the top fashion design schools, FIDM is also a leading graphic design school and interior design school. Visit fidm.edu for more information.

Three 'Tennessean' writers rate 'Nashville' on food, fashion and music

The music

Dave Paulson, Tennessean music writer: Though we don’t venture out of twangy territory in the first episode of “Nashville,” the series has already done a fine job at showing its audience that modern country music takes on countless forms these days, from the sparse and spooky folk of the closing number, “If I Didn’t Know Better,” to polished pop (Hayden Panettiere’s “Love Like Mine”) and lonesome ballads (Charles Esten’s “Back Home.”)

Those three songs are the first from the show to be released this week as commercial singles on iTunes and ABC’s website, thanks to a partnership with Nashville’s Big Machine Records. All three are smartly assembled tunes that not only could blend into certain radio formats, but also have a fighting chance on the charts.

“Nashville’s” music is being guided in part by super-producer T Bone Burnett and local Americana star Buddy Miller, and it might be Nashville’s rootsiest fare that makes for big hits. Folky acts like Mumford & Sons, The Lumineers and Of Monsters and Men are suddenly staking a claim on the pop charts, and “Better” (co-penned by the Civil Wars’ John Paul White) has garnered the lion’s share of attention so far.

With future episodes set to feature music by Elvis Costello, Lucinda Williams and the Black Keys’ Dan Auerbach, it looks like “Nashville” will continue showing viewers multiple sides of Music City. We’ll just have to wait and see which side will strike a chord with listeners.

The fashion

Cathi Aycock, Tennessean Shopping Diva: I was supposed to watch the new ABC series “Nashville” with an eye toward critiquing their fashion choices. But I got so caught up in the storyline, I had to rewind a few times.

Basically, that means the fashion was so true to Nashville it never distracted from the story arc. I never did a mental hands-on-hips and thought, “Taylor or Faith or (insert country star here) would never wear that.”

The only character that did not ring true to me in terms of fashion was Powers Boothe’s character, the megalomaniac power broker. He was dressed in a pretty flamboyant top coat, vest and fedora in one scene. The look was much too fashion-forward for a Nashville politician.

But I am nearly giddy with relief that the show portrays Connie Britton’s character, Rayna Jaymes, a 40-something country artist, as a woman who looks amazing in boot-cut denim and a sequined tank or a sleek pencil skirt and mile-high heels. No gingham. No Honey Boo Boo back-wood Southern clothes.

Hayden Panettiere’s Juliette Barnes, the young upstart crossover artist looking to replace Rayna, also rings true. Yes, she is always in body-conscious clothes, but there are fashion references to Barnes and a Vogue cover shoot

The role image plays in the country music industry today is obvious throughout — further proof that in Music City, like L.A. and New York, music and brand go hand-in-hand.

The food

Jennifer Justus, Tennessean food writer: Even though we’re only one episode into ABC’s “Nashville,” I’m betting Rayna James is an Arnold’s Country Kitchen kind of girl.

She’s probably not eating meatloaf, like, every week (judging by her figure), but it’s an old-school and down-home place. Very Nashville.

After all, Rayna wears a Loveless Cafe T-shirt in an early scene. (And we’ll just look past the part where she suggests a drink at Tootsie’s. ABC surely has to play to a few tourist favorites. Otherwise I would hope she’d be drinking at Robert’s Western World.)

Rayna’s guitar player, Deacon,seems like a burger-at-Brown’s-Diner kind of guy. And you’ll find her husband talking politics in the pilot at a certain restaurant in a 100-plus-year-old hotel downtown.

As for future episodes, I kind of hope someone fuels up on a bean roll at the Gold Rush before a show at Exit/In. And if the alt-country-indie character plays at the 5 Spot, will he brunch at Marche?

Whatever these characters wind up eating, it looks like it will be juicy. And I’m not talking about the fried chicken.

Spring 2013 Fashion Week in New York City - Behind the Scenes with Chado Ralph Rucci

Fashion weeks in four countries just wrapping up with a bang. Designers showing Spring 2013 collections in Paris, New York, London, Milan and Paris.

As a cable news producer, I don't get a lot of experience in the world of fashion. That changed this year, when I had an only-in-New York moment . I got to see a fashion show in the #NYFW events at Lincoln Center in New York City. It was the Chado Ralph Rucci show, and it was quite a spectacle.

Ralph Rucci has been designing for more than 30 years. All Rucci's clothes are designed, developed and made in New York City, and he's been called an American couturier.

The collection was heavy on new and innovative materials in crowd pleasing combinations. The designer featured bright colors including neon pink, orange and yellow. Among the celebrities in attendance were Paula Abdul, Martha Stewart, and octogenarian supermodel Carmen Dell'Orefice.

Socialite Tatiana Sorokko helps to run the Serge Sorokko art gallery in San Francisco where Rucci will be showing his paintings later this year. Sorokko, a model and Rucci muse in her own right, was also at the show. She called it "one of the best collections of the season. He is true to his fashion vocabulary of extreme luxury and elegance."

Just a great chance to see a little New York City magic "behind the scenes."

Virginia Fashion Week irons out the kinks

After back-to-back years at Waterside Festival Marketplace, Virginia Fashion Week is moving its two hallmark days of events to another Norfolk landmark near the river: the Selden Arcade.

The move is part of changes the annual fashion extravaganza has made for its slate of events, which take place Oct. 17-21.

"I feel like we've upped our standards and our venue, bringing us back to our roots," said Ann Leister, creator of Virginia Fashion Week and owner of Splash Model Management. "It gives it a more artistic feel."

Leister is speaking to the fact that the inaugural Virginia Fashion Week in 2007 was held at Virginia Beach's Contemporary Art Center of Virginia. Selden Arcade has transformed into an art house, serving as home of the interactive arts attraction d'Art Center.

Organizers of Fashion Week have been lauded for igniting activity at the struggling Waterside. Last year the city issued a proclamation honoring the event for the pool of talent it showcases and its contributions to economic development. Like Waterside, Selden Arcade is synonymous with Norfolk's downtown waterfront, but has a much deeper history. The structure, built in 1931, connects Main and Plume streets.

Among the marquee designers returning to participate are Willie Hall, Michael Taylor, Azi Blas, Mikasa La'Charles, Stephon Stallings and Brehon Williams. Also expected to be shown is April Spring's latest collection of Foxers lingerie and loungewear, a favorite among celebrities such as Alicia Keys. In all, works from about 30 designers will be shown over the five days, Leister said.

Virginia Fashion Week also has partnered with Norfolk's Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. During a component of the Saturday and Sunday shows, models will rip the runway with kittens that will be available for on-site adoption.

Making a return from last year's Fashion Week is the kids' fashion feature, which will be held on Saturday afternoon at the Todd Rosenlieb Dance Theater on Granby Street in Norfolk. However, gone is the hair and makeup competition. Also eliminated from this year's Fashion Week is the bridal component.

"We've tried to address some of the things that didn't work out last year," Leister said.

That includes the emerging-designer competition, which turned out to be an evening only God could forgive. Aside from the patience-trying late start, the competitors were not screened. And horror of all, the wrong winner was announced.

Not this year, Leister said. The emerging designers have been prequalified and the pool significantly narrowed. It will be more of a showcase than a competition, she said.

While Norfolk remains the base for the showings of sophisticate and couture wear presented on Saturday and Sunday, events also will be held in Chesapeake and Virginia Beach. A VIP party at Terebinth Patisserie & Bistro in Chesapeake will kick off the week on Wednesday, Oct. 17. Lifestyle fashions and live music will be the central components of the Fashion Rocks! night Oct. 18, at Peabody's in Virginia Beach. And on Oct. 19, model competitions, Bra-ha-ha on the Runway and young designers will be featured at the Lesner Inn Catering Club in Virginia Beach.

The Wednesday VIP party is invitation-only or for VIP season-pass holders, and admission is free to Thursday's Fashion Rocks! night. A ticket is required for the Friday, Saturday and Sunday events; pricing varies.

Bling in the dark

Shanghai embraces Anna Wintour's Fashion Night Out for a second year.

The global late-night shopping event, Fashion's Night Out, hit Shanghai on Sept. 7, drawing thousands of shoppers out for a sleepless night. The event also marked the start of a month-long shopping festival in the city.

Along with 18 other cities around the world including Paris, London and Milan, Shanghai has been taken over for a second year in a row by the annual shopping extravaganza, initiated by world style guru Anna Wintour in 2009.

A total of 14 popular shopping destinations in the city - and over a hundred brands, both international and domestic - signed up for the event, offering discounts, giveaways, exclusive designs and, most importantly, late-night open hours.

A galaxy of A-list celebrities and fashion models joined the shoppers for the carnival night.

Major brands like Chanel and Lanvin introduced limited-edition T-shirts and bags for the first time for the event. A double-decker bus runs between different venues during the festival, ferrying fashionistas and shoppers.

"Last year, daily sales went up by 30 per cent on the night," says Angelica Cheung, editor-in-chief of Chinese Vogue magazine, the co-organiser of the event.

"It proves the power of shopping, and we want to celebrate it and make it fun," she adds.

But for Cheung and her Vogue team, the evening means more about brand building for Chinese designers than racking up sales.

"As a fashion magazine, we always see our role as an ambassador for promoting, or saving the industry," says Cheung. "That's why Ms Wintour initiated the shopping festival to restore customer confidence and boost the economy in times of recession in 2009."

"While in Shanghai, a city that is enjoying a two-digit growth rate in retail sales every year, the problem is more about the lonely Chinese-born designs," she says.

"It usually takes quite a long time for customers to take a fancy to a brand," concurs Li Hongyan, the founder of Chinese fashion brand Helen Lee. "The event provides a good platform for us to make a step closer to our customers by telling what we are like."