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* THE BOTTOM LINE You've Invited the Boss to Dinner--Are You Crazy?! It sounded like a bold career move at the time, but now you're completely panicked. (Deep breaths!) We [...]

This article discusses people on the Forbes Celebrity 100 List. Tom Cruise got pilloried and parodied after pairing up with an ingenue 16 years his junior, yet he rules the box office and this year's FORBES Celebrity 100 list. Angelina Jolie wins praise for protecting children in the Third World, eclipsing gossip about her love life and out-of-wedlock baby. She ranks No. 35 on this year's list, tied with actress Jennifer Aniston, whose husband the tabloids say she stole.

The article focuses on the third quarter financial results of Casual Male Retail Group Inc. for the year 2008. In reporting its third-quarter results, the company revealed that same-store sales had dropped 5.3 percent during the quarter, while sales dropped 5.7 percent to $100 million from $106.1 million last year. Despite the drop in sales, Casual Male managed to trim its net loss for the third quarter to $3.2 million, from a loss of $3.8 million,in the year-ago period.

The article reports on the newly opened Plaza Retail Collection in New York. The new shopping stores offer a wide-selection of high-end brands like Eton, Seize sur Vingt and Arthur. MCM and Stem by David Tutera debuted with Marlies Dekkers lingerie and Viennese baker Demel is scheduled to open for the second week of November 2008. Tony Nicola of Retail Collection explains that the idea was to keep it open and create a more relaxed shopping atmosphere.

The article reports on various entertainment events in New York. The Museum of Modern Art's film department party sponsored by Louis Vuitton and "Men's Vogue" was attended by fashionistas, media and New York society. The Gay Men's Health Crisis organized a runway show to raise funds for HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment. Tim Gunn had emceed the Emery Awards dinner which benefits the Hetrick-Martin Institute.

The article focuses on the effect of the ongoing financial crises on the sale of men's clothing in the U.S. in the month of October 2008. Several companies are talked about in this regard including Wal-Mart Stores Inc., Saks Fifth Avenue and Zumiez Inc. It is reported that Wal-Mart has been gaining market share throughout the downturn. Saks showed a 16.6 percent decline and was the hardest hit. Zumiez Inc. posted a 13.1 decrease and said that men's and boys' clothes showed negative sale.

The article reports that French swimwear maker Vilebrequin is expanding its retail presence with new shops in New York, Brazil and the Caribbean, and has also revealed plans to launch a sportswear line in year 2009. On November 1, 2008 Vilebrequin reopened its Soho shop on West Broadway,New York city, New York after closing for two months to expand into the space next door. The renovation doubled the size of the New York flagship to 700 square feet and also added floor-to-ceiling glass.

The article reports that international luxury accessories brand MCM will open its first U.S. store in New York City, in the second week of November 2008. The 400-square-foot shop, located in the Plaza hotel on Central Park, is set to open its doors on November 12. It is stated that the store will sell MCM handbags, luggage and leather accessories for men and women.

Information about several topics discussed at the conference hosted by Emanuel Weintraub Associates in Bloomingdale, New Jersey is presented. Topics include the financial performance of companies in the clothing industry, how retailers and vendors innovate and reinvent their businesses during though economic times, and the fundamental chain in the psychology of consumers. The event also featured executives in the industry, including Jill Granoff, Kent Anderson, and Peter Boneparth.

Information about the annual holiday conference of the Retail Marketing Society is presented. Topics include the consumer confidence level for 2008, the financial performance of the clothing industry, and importance of exclusives and private label brands. The event also featured executives in the industry, including Andrew Block, Kimberly Grabel, and David Wolfe.

The article announces the recipients of the Fashion Scholarship Fund's AMY awards, including Mindy Grossman, Les Steiger, and Zac Posen.

The article reports on the closure of the 16,000-square-foot shop of Lounge Soho Inc. at the end of January 2009 in Soho, New York City. The space will be taken over by Victoria's Secret and Eastern Mountain Sports Inc. Jack Menashe, owner of Lounge, states that the very good real-estate opportunity offered by both companies has made him decide to move. Menashe also reveals that he is working on the newest version of Lounge at the Aventura Mall in Miami, Florida.

The article offers news briefs related to autumnal party season in the U.S. It states that Gentlemen's Ball gave five charities and its celebrity ambassadors a chance to pay tribute to less-famous men who represent philanthropic ideals. Meanwhile, Donatella Versace and Versace model Patrick Dempsey cochaired the Whitney Museum's gala and studio party. Gant celebrated its branding collaboration with Scott Schuman, also known as The Sartorialist, with a party at its Fifth Avenue Flagship.

The article reports that May Brothers & Co. Ltd. is closing after a year close to its 100th birthday in Bartlesville, Oklahoma. It states that its owner, Michael May, decided to close the store to spend more time with his family. It says that the store is the last remaining branch of a small chain of May Brothers men's wear shop that once stretched across the Midwest.

The article offers information on Banana Republic Inc.'s spring-summer 2009 show in California. It states that outerwear and suits in navy, gray and khaki splashed with brightly colored shorts, sweaters and belts were the highlight of the men's collection at the show. It says that the line marked the first created by Banana's latest creative director, Simon Kneen, who joined the company in January 2008.

The article reports on the acquisition clothing company Harolds by Norton Ditto at the Heights in New York City. Dick Hite, Norton Ditto's chief executive officer (CEO) and principal owner, says that Harolds has an excellent client base and does significant business. It states that the said acquisition is part of Norton's expansion plan in the men and women apparel sector.

The article offers news briefs related to the fashion industry in the U.S. in 2008. Tribeca Liquor Store of J. Crew Group Inc. hosted a book festival in New York. Reed Krakoff has released his photography book "Fighter: The Fighters of the UFC" on October 16 from Viking Studio. A motorcycle accident could not keep Matteo Gottardi from joining his partners Michael Leen and Johannes Mahmood at the opening party for their second store in New York on October 14.

The article reports on the opening of the first retail outlet of Clark's Register in Soho, New York City. It states that the men's wear catalog, formerly owned by John Clark in San Francisco, was purchased by partners Andrew Frost and Joseph Colitti who shuttered the catalog business and moved the retail operations to the East Coast. It adds that the new Clark's Register sells more affordable but trendy clothing with a full array of apparel and accessories found in online catalogs.

The article features the DDCLab boutique, which is a converted warehouse in Soho, New York City, that showcases men's and women's apparel from designers Savania Davies Keiller and Roberto Crivello. It states that the company targets to educate customers on the origin of its product line through educational displays and books that explain the source and construction of the fibers used by DDCLab such as leather bonded with Lycra, silver-reflective, and aluminum-coated fabrics.

The article reports on the equestrian-inspired brand launched by two young French aristocrat brothers Bertrand and Arthur Vicomte. Vicomte Arthur is opening his first store in New York City. The store, which spreads over 1,000-square-foot unit, is being launched in partnership with the proprietor of Elliot Rabin, Peter Elliot, who has converted his outlet shop into the equestrian-inspired brand. In addition, the Upper East Side of the store will sell the entire Vicomte Arthur collection.

The article offers news briefs related to charity and fashion. Ermenegildo Zegna Corp. supported an auction at the Bergdorf Goodman Inc. men's store to raise money for Mount Sinai Medical Center for men's health. WeSC, a Swedish streetwear brand, has celebrated its launch at Bloomingdale's with "Nylon" magazine at the store's New York flagship. Macy's Inc. feted the 26th year of its Passport gala, raising $1.45 million for HIV/AIDS organizations at the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, California.

The article reports on the debut of the first store of Billy Reid in New York City. The store, which spreads over 1,800-square-foot, is furnished with reclaimed materials, including well-worn oriental rugs on the floor and antique portraits on the walls. Men's and women's clothing on the first level is displayed in five large apothecary cabinets, made of dark wood with huge panels of glass rolled up towards high ceilings.

The article reports on the forecast of the National Retail Federation (NRF) for the 2008 holiday sale season in the U.S. The NRF predicted that sales would rise during the holiday season, but the growth will be markedly below the 10-year average holiday sales growth. According to chief economist for NRF Rosalind Wells, the current financial forces and a lack of assurance in the economy will push shoppers to be very cautious with their holiday spending.

The article offers world news briefs related to the fashion industry. Lord & Taylor LLC launched its exclusive men's wear collection at its flagship store in New York in September 18. Lanvin launched its men's store in Savile Row, London, England with a range of trademark bow ties. Chief executive officer of Macy's Inc. Terry Lundgren hosted a welcome party to welcome Paul Kagame, president of Rwanda.

The article offers several fashion magazine features and updates in New York City. Esquire has guested former President Bill Clinton on its 75th anniversary celebration at the Gotham Hall. Best Life magazine's September 2008 issue has given Jon Hamm his first solo cover. L'Uomo Vogue has published a 30-page portrait portfolio of Barneys Inc.'s customers and flagships in its September 2008 issue.

The article reports on the opening of the fashion store Kesner in the West village in New York City. It tells that half-brothers Matthew Simon and Philip Silverman opened the 900-square-foot shop with the unique mix of little-known brands and exclusive designs from Antonio Azzuolo, Marchand Drapier and Melinda Gloss. It adds that Kesner also offers scarcely distributed designer clothing and accessories such as jewelry and bags.

The article reports that American Living will be the biggest brand launch in J.C. Penney Co. Inc.'s history, exceeding $300 million in sales in its first year. Penney's introduced American Living, the exclusive mega-brand created by Polo Ralph Lauren's Global Brand Concepts, in February 2008 to 600 stores across nearly 40 categories, including apparel, accessories and home goods.

The article reports that retail sales continued their decline in the U.S. in August 2008, although men's wear managed to outperform the dismal resulted posted in women's apparel. However, Wal-Mart Stores Inc., Aeropostale and Buckle posted gains of 2.8 percent, 13 percent and 25.9 percent, respectively. Men's and children's were strong performers for Kohl's, which reported a 5.8 percent overall drop in company sales in August 2008, although young men's and juniors' were "more challenging."

The article offers information on Simon Fashion Now, a series of fashion shows and trade shows, to be held in the U.S. in the year 2008.

The article reviews a periodical featuring men's clothes sold by Bergdorf Goodman Inc.