Aquascutum

Our daily news roundup.

• Ashton Kutcher plays a Karl Lagerfeld-inspired character in a new ad for Pop Chips. Kutcher wears a white wig, dark sunglasses, and plenty of silver accessories as his character Darl talks about what he looks for in a date. "Money creates taste, and I have lots of both," Darl quips. [Styleite]
  

• Bygone couture label Mainbocher and shoe line Herbert Levine, among other shuttered brands, are set to relaunch in the near future thanks to French investor Arnaud de Lummen. De Lummen is known for restarting Vionnet in 2006 before selling it to Matteo Marzotto and Gianni Castiglioni in 2009. "When you relaunch, you already have a story to tell. After a few years, people completely forget that the brand was dormant," De Lummen said. [Vogue UK]
  

• Tom Ford's Spring 2012 menswear lookbook has been called risqué for featuring images of a near-naked male model — and a female model wearing nothing but a towel on her head. [Fashionista]
  

• Balmain launched its first social medial profiles on Twitter and Facebook on Wednesday. "We have product and pictures and creations to show, and we’re ready to communicate with the followers," said the brand's CEO Emmanuel Diemoz. [WWD]
  

• Speaking of social media, model and blogger Hanneli Mustaparta has been tapped as a contributor to Calvin Klein's new Tumblr page. Mustaparta will write about her behind-the-scenes experiences with the brand. [Calvin Klein]
  

• Aquascutum might be saved from bankruptcy thanks to Chinese firm YGM Trading, which has begun taking steps to buy the label. If the sale goes through, YGM would own Aquascutum entirely — it already owns the brand's intellectual property rights and controls sales of Aquascutum in Asia. [The Cut]

Photo courtesy of Tom Ford

>> The 161-year-old label Aquascutum entered administration, the British equivalent of Chapter 11 bankruptcy, on Tuesday.

In a statement, Aquascutum executives attributed the company's precarious financial situation to "challenging conditions in the UK," which has "unfortunately meant that the team have been unable to successfully turn the business around."

The company is now in the hands of FRP Advisory, a British restructuring firm. Geoff Rowley, who is leading the administration efforts, says he hopes he can keep the company's doors open.

"We are conscious of the value of the Aquascutum brand and its long-standing heritage and because of this are keen to enter into early discussions with interested parties open to purchasing the business as soon as possible," Rowley said.

Aquascutum lost over $38 million in 2008, and British Fashion Council chairman Harold Tillman bought the struggling brand in 2009 for an undisclosed price. He appointed Belinda Earl as its CEO and hired designer Joanna Sykes as creative director in May 2010. Sykes's work for the brand was well-received, but didn't translate to the turnaround Aquascutum needed.

If the company can't be saved, the 250 people who work for it will be out of work.

Update: Aquascutum announced on Thursday, April 19 that it will shut down its UK manufacturing plant in Corby, Northamptonshire, due to "loss-making operations and a lack of funding." The factory employed 115 people, all of whom the company says will get help finding new jobs.

"Whilst a difficult decision, it has been necessary in order to stem on-going losses for the business, and to protect the positions of the 135 remaining employees," a spokesperson said. "We plan to provide appropriate assistance to all affected employees . . . All head office and retail operations across the UK and international high street, concession and outlet stores are operating as usual at present."

Photo: The finale of Aquascutum's Fall 2012 runway show.

Duchess Kate Middleton stayed close to hubby Prince William while stocking up on groceries in North Wales. Kate looked cute and casual in a royal purple Ralph Lauren sweater, cropped jeans, and black Frenchsole flats. Her hair and makeup were fuss-free, and she added a plaid scarf for extra warmth. Get Kate's exact sweater with other complementing items now.

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>> Joanna Sykes Is Aquascutum's New Creative Director —After signing the contract on Friday, Armani alum Joanna Sykes is Aquascutum's new creative director; she replaces Michael Herz and Graeme Fidler, who left for Bally in April. Aquascutum won't return to the runway in September; Sykes first full collection will debut next February at London Fashion Week for the Fall 2011 season. But in the meantime, says Aquascutum CEO Belinda Earl, Sykes's "influence on the brand will begin as of now." Sykes, for her part, notes of her aim for the brand: "I want to focus on clothes that are based around classics, and that aren’t too seasonal . . . Aquascutum’s already a revered name. It has to be covetable, desirable, and accessible, too.” [Vogue UK, Vogue]

Fashion's younger designers are increasing their use of fur on the runway, while the older guard like Donna Karan and Ralph Lauren have gone fur free. Even Karl Lagerfeld's fall 2010 show for Chanel used 100% faux fur.

The end of American Apparel could be near.

"Whether you're thin, fat, small, dark, blond, redhead, you wanna be something else. I wanted a fairy godmother to make me look like Marilyn Monroe. I had no boobs, no hips, and I wanted it desperately."—Twiggy on dreaming of having curves in '60s London.

Cindy Crawford's secret to looking young is having the right hair color.

British brand Aquascutum has tapped Beatrix Ong to design accessories and footwear. The womenswear and menswear replacement has yet to be announced.

Shu Uemura exits the U.S. market.

Above: Brian Reyes fall 2010

>> After turning in a well-received Fall 2010 collection — Style.com thought the designs "marked a pivotal moment" between Aquascutum's heritage and modern design sensibility — womenswear designer Michael Herz and his menswear counterpart Graeme Fidler have handed in their resignations, Aquascutum confirmed.

The designers, who have been at the company since 2002 and 2000, respectively, have endured a rollercoaster of management changes — most recently, last Fall, when Aquascutum was purchased by BFC and Jaeger chairman Harold Tillman and chief executive Belinda Earl.  WWD reports an industry source saying that both designers are angling to move on to new projects. "They've had a great time at the brand, but they want to move on, and we fully understand that," said Earl. "We wish them well, and the situation is amicable."

As for their replacements . . . »

Interview magazine is loving Miu Miu spring 2010.

Eric Wilson generously played the video-game version of Project Runway so you won't have to.

Michael Herz and Graeme Fidler announce they are resigning from the creative helm of Aquascutum.

Takashi Murakami is back working with Louis Vuitton for spring 2010. The new collection is called "Cosmic Blossom" and Daisy Lowe will appear in the print campaigns.

Diane von Furstenberg will be designing 20 rooms for Claridge's in London.

Lagerfeld's muse, Baptiste Giabiconi, is working on an album.

Alexa Chung is regularly the number one most searched-for name on eBay.

Halston announces plans to relaunch a menswear collection.