Australia : Mr. Edward to join lifestyle footwear brand EMU

Although the actual bird, genus Dromaius, has always been flightless, EMU Australia Lifestyle Footwear is getting ready to soar under the direction of new CEO, Edward C. Houston Jr. (Ted).

Houston's first flight command is to lead EMU's growth in Canada, USA and Central and South America.

Houston comes to EMU from People's Liberation and William Rast, where as President of People's Liberation Inc, he ran the companies and was responsible for strategic direction. Earlier, with premium denim and lifestyle brand Rock and Republic, Houston as COO oversaw sales increase of 400%.

Some of Houston's other high-flying achievements include growing C & C California knitwear from a $4 million company to a $24 million company, while also being instrumental in its 2005 sale to Liz Claiborne.

At Dickies Girl, Houston increased specialty store business by 75% in one year, and was responsible for success at the national women's retail brand BEBE, from the grassroots level by overseeing supply chain initiatives focused on merchandising, product development, production and distribution.

The union of Houston and EMU Australia commences October 2007 with Houston landing at the brand's San Clemente, CA office.

EMU Australia is the authentic Australian lifestyle footwear brand. Dubbed "the most comfortable shoes in the world," the company's product line ranges from traditional sheepskin boots and slippers to fashion forward footwear and stylishly comfortable leisure footwear.

Distributed worldwide, EMU is headquartered in Geelong, Australia with North American Corporate offices in San Clemente, CA.

EMU Ridge Australia

USA : Costume jewelry designer Kenneth Lane Jewelry at RISD

Catch a rare glimpse of the work of Kenneth Jay Lane [RISD ’54, Advertising Design], the major American maker and designer of costume jewelry who continues to lead the industry.

Fabulous Fakes: Jewelry of Kenneth Jay Lane
October 26, 2007-January 27, 2008
The RISD Museum

Lane, a stalwart of the fashion world, is widely credited with making costume jewelry as glamorous as million-dollar baubles. Hundreds of his creations - the likes of which have been worn by Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, Nancy Reagan, Diana Vreeland, Britney Spears and countless other women from every walk of life - are featured.

Rhode Island School of Design (RISD), founded in 1877 in Providence, RI, is a vibrant community of artists and designers that includes 2,200 students from around the world, approximately 350 faculty and curators, and 400 staff members. Each year more than 200 prominent artists, critics, authors and philosophers visit our historic College Hill campus.

Rhode Island School of Design

USA : Joe's Jeans to buy Joe's Brand

Joe's Jeans Inc announced that it has closed the previously announced merger of JD Holdings Inc. into the Company to acquire the Joe's brand. This merger was voted on and approved at the Company's annual shareholder meeting held on October 11, 2007.

Marc Crossman, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, stated, "We are extremely pleased to announce the closing of this merger, which gives us ownership of one of the best premium denim brands in the market.

The completion of this acquisition will now allow us to focus on growing and expanding the Joe's brand into a full contemporary collection as we move into 2008, which we firmly believe will bring long-term value to our shareholders."

Joe's Jeans Inc designs, produces and sells apparel and apparel-related products to the retail and premium markets under the Joe's brand and related trademarks.

Joe's Jeans Inc