Kate Spade News

WWD reported that J. Crew is planning to open it's fourth London outpost in Sloane Square. The 4,500 square-foot store will open its doors in September with Tiffany & Co., Kate Spade, Smythson and Cartier as neighbors.

Kate Spade and Jack Spade took to Twitter this morning to announce a holiday collaboration with Gap Kids. Kate Spade Tweeted: We've been scheming with @gap and our collaboration with #gapkids is launching this november.

Fashion One LLC., a premiere fashion, entertainment and lifestyle international broadcaster, is set to release five new specials showcasing the top fashion trends and the most stylish celebrities in this year's first season. The fashion network's top picks will highlight the best-dressed stars on the red carpet, the most stylish men and couples of recent times and the most sought after styles in menswear for 2014 and also the Spring/Summer 2014 collections. Which celebrities made it to their lists? What trends are a must wear this season? Join them on our countdowns!

Fifth & Pacific Companies, Inc. announced that it is changing its name to Kate Spade & Company to reflect the Company's mono-brand focus. In addition, William L. McComb, Chief Executive Officer of Fifth & Pacific Companies, Inc., will be stepping down from his role and will be succeeded by Craig Leavitt, currently Chief Executive Officer of Kate Spade. George Carrara, currently Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer of Fifth & Pacific Companies, will be promoted to President and Chief Operating Officer of Kate Spade & Company; Deborah Lloyd continues in her role as Chief Creative Officer of the renamed Company. Additionally, Mr. Leavitt and Ms. Lloyd will join the Company's Board of Directors. The corporate name change and management transition are scheduled to take place following the release of fourth quarter earnings results on Tuesday, February 25, 2014, at which time the Company will begin trading as NYSE:KATE.

Fifth & Pacific Companies, Inc. announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to sell Lucky Brand Jeans to an affiliate of Leonard Green & Partners, L.P. (LGP) for total consideration of $225 million, with $140 million of the sale price to be paid in cash at closing and the remaining $85 million to be financed in the form of a three year seller note. The seller note can be repaid by LGP at any time prior to the end of its three year term, bears cash interest of $8 million per year, and provides for additional interest of $417 thousand per month, resulting in a $100 million maximum payment obligation at maturity. Further, the note will be secured by a first priority lien on the Lucky Brand trademark and also by a second priority lien on the other assets of Lucky Brand that are expected to be pledged to third party lenders. Under LGP's ownership, Lucky Brand Jeans will also assume the proportionate share of FNP's sourcing contract with Li & Fung in addition to other FNP obligations. This $225 million purchase price reflects a multiple of over 7 times the brand's latest twelve months pro forma adjusted standalone EBITDA (inclusive of corporate costs estimated to run the business on a standalone basis). Consummation of this transaction is subject to customary closing conditions and is expected to occur in the first quarter of 2014.

Kate Spade Saturday opened two stores in this week in NYC: the first is their much anticipated Soho store and the second is a high tech pop-up inside JetBlue's Terminal at JFK Airport. The pop-up will be open from December 9th through the 20th while the Spring Street store joins the existing pop-up in Meatpacking District.

Safilo Group, a leader in the premium eyewear sector and Kate Spade LLC, owned by Fifth & Pacific Companies Inc., jointly announced the signing of a five-year North American eyewear licensing agreement for the design, production and distribution of Jack Spade, and the three-year extension of the current kate spade new york international licensing agreement. Both agreements are in effect through December 31, 2018.

On Monday, November 11 the CFDA and Vogue announced the recipients of the tenth annual awards from the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund (CVFF).

Broadway's long running hit Mamma Mia! celebrated 5,000 performances at its new home at The Broadhurst Theatre with a special performance yesterday, November 9th. Check out a look back at the celebration with the cast, crew, and creators below!

Savvy travelers also have something to look forward to, as well. Now through Dec. 31, 2013, the San Ramon Marriott will offer guests the chance to embark on a shopping spree during their stays.

Grab your girlfriends for an evening of shopping, pampering and more at the Sassy City Chicks shopping event today, October 17, 2013 from 5 to 10 p.m. at Briza on the Bay, 1717 N. Bayshore Drive, Miami, Fla. Admission: $40.00.

Luisa Delgado has been appointed as the new CEO of Safilo Group and Safilo Spa, as anticipated by the Company on June 19, 2013. Roberto Vedovotto will remain on the Board of Safilo Group as a non executive Director.

American Repertory Ballet's 50th Annual Nutcracker Season will run November 23 through December 22 at venues across New Jersey. ARB's Nutcracker is a holiday classic featuring Tchaikovsky's score and a cast of over 100 performers. The Company has been performing Nutcracker for 50 consecutive years, making it the longest-running Nutcracker production in New Jersey and one of the longest consecutively-running in the United States next to a very few, including New York City Ballet, Ballet West, Ballet Austin, San Francisco Ballet, and Washington Ballet.

The Jewish Museum's diverse program offerings in October include gallery talks with artists Elaine Reichek and the avant-garde fashion collective threeASFOUR; an author talk with feminist writer and artist Helene Aylon; a behind-the-scenes tour of threeASFOUR: MER KA BA with Assistant Curator Rebecca Shakyin; and a re-examination of Karl Marx's philosophy in a discussion moderated by communications scholar Liel Leibovitz. These programs are part of an expanded series of lectures, conversations, and events presented by the Museum throughout the fall.

Authentic Brands Group has acquired the Juicy Couture brand from Fifth & Pacific for $195 million reports WWD.

Grab your girlfriends for an evening of shopping, pampering and more at the Sassy City Chicks shopping event on Thursday, October 17, 2013 from 5 to 10 p.m. at Briza on the Bay, 1717 N. Bayshore Drive, Miami, Fla. Admission: $40.00.

Saks Incorporated's Saks Fifth Avenue OFF 5TH (NYSE:SKS) announced today that it plans to open a second store in Orlando, Florida on Thursday, October 3, 2013. The new 26,000 square-foot store is located in Orlando Premium Outlets - Vineland Avenue. The new location will be at The Promenade and will be designed after Saks OFF 5TH's 'luxury in a loft' concept. The boutique-style store will hold over 800 world-renowned luxury designer labels at an exceptional value, including the latest trends in sportswear, footwear, accessories and fine jewelry.

Kate Spade opened it's new Upper West Side on Columbus Ave earlier this month. This shop joins the recently opened Madison Avenue flagship as well as their Fifth Avenue store and Soho boutique. This new shop stands apart from the the others as it is the first in the Kate Spade collection to be clothing centric.

Beginning today, September 15, 2013, the adventurous fashion collective threeASFOUR will present its latest project, MER KA BA, a multimedia installation fusing avant-garde couture, architecture, and video projections, at The Jewish Museum.