16 - Sunday, July 31, 1994 - North Shore News

FASHION Get the inside scoop

HERE ARE a few recent bits of truth and trivia within the fashion business, compiled from the Toronto-based trade publication /uside Fashion,

By Carol Crenna Contributing Writer

Marks & Spencer continues in neutral

Though London-based Marks & Spencer did major restructuring in 1992 and managed to make a profit last year, the company continues to struggle.

The department store chain reported an impressive profit for its Operations worldwide for 1994, but the Canadian stores have not lived up to expectations. The stores only managed to break even across Canada this year.

Since it was introduced in Canada 22 years ayo, Marks & Spencer has only made a profit three times — last year and in the ‘80s.

The company has no plans to abandon its Canadian business, however it does have plans to con- tinue changing its image and mer- chandise to improve its perfor- manice.

Designs on Heme Shopping Channel

Ladies’ wear designer and manu- facturer Mr. Leonard is selling dresses on the Canadian Home Shopping Channel. The dresses are promoted by and labelled after the famous fashion critic Mr. Blackwell. known for his Worst-Dressed List.

Blackwell made a personai appearance on the Home Shopping

Channel to introduce the dress, Which is the first aa series of pleees that will bear his mame.

Blackwell completed ning hours ot selling on television and sold 1.000 dresses in that time.

The stccess was beyond the expectations of Mr. Leonard. and is is now creating @ line of Uimeless pieces exclusive to the shopping channel. The president of Mr, Leonard, Lorne Gertner, states that home shopping is probably the fustest growing business in Canada.

The classie palvester knit dress, simply referred to as “the Blacnwell dress” is sold for $159.99,

Women cun now say they are Blackwell dressed. and in black — well dressed.

The reincarnation of Ports

The founders of Etac Sales, who dragged Alfred Sung’s and Ports international’s names through the dirt several months ago. have been given another chance.

Though they may have to sell the labels far away from Canada, the company’s Asian founders now con- trol the same garment factory in China and have acquired a 50-year license to use Ports and Tabi labels in Asia.

The new developments mean that they do not have to pay back more than $5 million owed and they have been granted a fresh start. They can sell the two labels in 24 countries including Australia and those in the Far East.

The Canadian Ports and Tabi operations have recently been pur- chased by Etac’s former chief exec- utive Donald Evans.

Alfred Sung is already back on its feet since it was purchased by its former owner eurlier this summer.

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