Davyd Hawk may seem like your typical bedroom music geek, but the prodigious programmer exists in a category all his own. As a teen he went by the alias Memory Cassette before converting to Weird Tapes as he got into sampling. As his experimentation matured, however, Hawk decided to combine the two monikers into Memory Tapes. This new title is well-suited to his debut release, Seek Magic, which combines the youthful verve of his early efforts with the dexterity of his later work into an album of of beautiful electronic pop.


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Rolex's Oyster, photo courtesy of Rolex.

"Heading into the end of a difficult year, in which it has confronted a sudden change of leadership and declining sales worldwide, Rolex, perhaps the most immediately recognized name in Swiss watchmaking, remains bullish about the future." (New York Times)

In Britain, "retail sales volumes were up for the second month running in November, and further growth is expected next month." (Drapers)

In New York, a number of independent stores have opened with fresh new ideas about retail. (New York Times)

Patrick Li is the art director and graphic designer of emerging designers such as Alexander Wang and Philip Lim. (New York Times)  read more »

Tag Heuer's The Meridiist, photo courtesy of the New York Times.

High-end mobile phones show staying power in luxury circles. (New York Times

"Luxury goods sales will return to growth next year with profitability increasing more than revenues thanks to strong cost containment policies in 2009." (Washington Post)

Luxury outlets are bright spots in retail going into the holiday shopping season. (Fortune)

Ron Burkle, the supermarket mogul, just bought Barney's debt. (Washington Post)
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For the latest feature in our Beauty Guru series, Geoffrey Rodriguez lets us in on the best secrets to good beauty sleep.

Nothing contributes to a healthy, productive and active lifestyle like being well rested, but catching up on or even getting enough "beauty rest" unfortunately can often be a challenge. Of course, having a deep tissue massage followed by a hot bath bubbling with relaxing essential oils, the scents of aromatherapy candles and herbal tea are all ideal remedies for a perfect night's sleep, but the following products are more realistic—though equally effective ways—to ensure a perfect night of sleep anytime and anywhere.
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François-Henri Pinault and wife Salma Hayek, photo courtesy of Top News.

François-Henri Pinault, PPR CEO, is "stripping the company of its once-core French retail business in order to focus entirely on global consumer and luxury brands, such as its high-end Yves Saint Laurent and mass-market Puma labels." (WSJ)

Although sales in November are slow compared to October, retailing analysts say "the declines were minor and that many consumers were saving their powder for the day after Thanksgiving, the blowout shopping day known as Black Friday." (NYT)

"Switzerland proposed tighter rules to define the 'Swiss-made' label as it seeks to protect the country's reputation for quality goods from watches to cheese and penknives." (Plush Asia)

In Sydney, Prada bags worth thousands of dollars were stolen. (The Australian)
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With a new Hot Chip record around the corner, it's impressive that the band's main rhythm man, Joe Goddard, has found time to release a solo album. But in the wake of his bandmate Alexis Taylor's own recent solo effort, Rubbed Out, this additional output is a testament to the five-piece outfit's creative constituent parts. Goddard's Harvest Festival reaffirms this prolificacy, while giving space to his compositional dexterity.


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Montblanc opening in the Middle East

The Middle East is proving to be a haven for luxury brands amid a global economic slowdown. (Mena FN)

Although its international sales are down, Gap's sales rose by 25% in the US market. (Drapers)

"PPR is looking to dispose of retail businesses, which generate 70% of group sales or €14 billion (£12.6bn), to focus on PPR's existing Gucci Group and Puma businesses, and to help finance new brand acquisitions." Although its international sales are down, Gap's sales rose by 25% in the US market. (Drapers)

"The fashion industry is finally thinking outside the box when it comes to e-commerce." (The Fashion Beat)
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Franklin and Gower is a prominent intersection on the way to the iconic Hollywood sign, but the name has now acquired a new cultural meaning. Though the symbolic address is home to some of the oldest studios in Hollywood, the name has also been adopted for a newly launched, LA-based label. Spearheaded by Eduardo Braniff and Christopher McCauley, Franklin + Gower is a mostly menswear line that offers more than 1,200 combinations of pants and shorts.
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Burberry a/w '09-'10 ad campaign

Burberry plans to expand its presence in India's promising market via a joint venture with a local retailer called Genesis Colors. (UK Times)

"While consumers will spend less on presents this year, they’ll be indulging in decadent goodies—i.e., food and drink—as a coping mechanism." (FT Beat)

"The growing demand for tangible assets and portfolio diversification has led to the launch of a number of diamond investment funds this year, which believe they can achieve double-digit returns for investors." (WSJ)
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Street style websites are a bittersweet phenomenon. On the one hand it’s exciting to marvel over an outfit worn in Helsinki or Cape Town or Dubai, but, on the other hand, there’s no attainable way to get a hold of the pictured items. Until now, that is.  read more »