moda operandi

There's more reason to covet Moda Operandi now that the luxury site has just announced in-season shopping. Just in time for the holiday shopping season, the luxury online retailer, known for supplying fashion die-hards with access to designer collections months before they're available anywhere else, will be launching seven gift shop themes available for immediate delivery. So just what should you expect? Think high-fashion brands like J. Mendel, Loewe, Nancy Gonzalez, Eddie Borgo, Peter Pilotto, and Alexandra von Furstenberg. Meanwhile, expect to see an even heavier addition of designer goods (around 50 more brands) when the full launch is completed next month, just in time for Resort season shopping.

>> Mark Lee, who joined Barneys as CEO in September, has implemented his first management change — he's named Daniella Vitale, who he worked with at Gucci, as chief merchant and EVP overseeing all of women's and Barneys.com.

Vitale, who was president of the Americas at Gucci, succeeds Barneys veteran Judy Collinson, who was EVP and general merchandise manager of women’s at Barneys. The retailer said that Collinson, as well as SVP and women's fashion director Julie Gilhart, have both left the company to pursue other opportunities.

>> Olivier Theyskens, who began working with Theory in May, is strengthening his ties with the brand; he was just named artistic director and will take over design responsibility for the entire Theory brand.

Theyskens first began working with Theory on a capsule collection under the moniker Theyskens' Theory, which he debuted during New York Fashion Week in September. Now, in addition to designing the Theyskens' Theory label, which is launching for Spring 2011, Theyskens will also be designing Theory, with his first collection for the Fall 2011 season. In his newly-created artistic director role, Theyskens is expected to give Theory a fashion slant while still appealing to the brand's existing customer.

>> New Creative Director Named for McQ —Just days after new Alexander McQueen creative director debuted her first collection for the brand — menswear in Milan — to a generally encouraging response, a new creative director has been named for McQueen's diffusion brand, McQ. Pina Ferlisi, who was most recently creative director at Generra and previously has experience as EVP of design at Gap and creative director at Marc by Marc Jacobs, is filling the role and will reportedly work under Burton. [Vogue UK]

>> This week seems to the week of designer appointments: Olivier Theyskens partnering with Theory, Christophe Lemaire replacing Jean Paul Gaultier at Hermes, Giles Deacon taking over at Emanuel Ungaro, and now Sarah Burton, head of womenswear design at Alexander McQueen, has been named creative director at the label.

Burton had worked with Lee Alexander McQueen since 1996 and was promoted to her current position at the brand in 2000.  She was saddled with completing McQueen’s final collection — the 16 pieces of which were 80 percent finished at the time of the designer's death. Burton said in a statement of her appointment: “The creation of modern, beautifully crafted clothes was at the heart of Lee’s vision. I intend to stay true to his legacy.”

That's just the way the McQueen execs want it »

>> Less than a year after Lindsay Lohan and Estrella Archs were brought on to design at Emanuel Ungaro, Giles Deacon has been signed to revamp the brand once again. Deacon plans to continue his own line and will show his first collection for Ungaro — likely in presentation format — during Paris Fashion Week in October, for the Spring 2011 season.

In fact, Deacon said that his first two shows for Ungaro will be off the catwalk, adding: "Nothing is set in stone yet, but I want to be able to get my head into it before considering a catwalk show. Plus, a presentation can be a much more interesting way to show — I can walk people through the designs and discuss the ideas with them. It makes it a much more personal experience."

Katie Grand's coming, too »