Christian Lacroix Fall Couture 2009

PARIS — Workers at Christian Lacroix, which is in administration, breathed a sigh of relief Thursday as an Ajman sheikh tabled a formal offer to purchase the troubled couture house.

The offer from Al Hassan Bin Ali Al Nuaimi, in cooperation with the couturier, must still meet the approval of the commercial court here. However, the Paris administrator told Agence France Press it is “likely” to meet approval because it would preserve jobs and pay third-party debts. A date for a hearing has yet to be fixed, but is expected around Oct. 20. It is understood Bernard Krief Consulting and Financière Saint-Germain also have submitted bids.

If the sheikh’s offer prevails, it would see ownership pass from Florida’s Falic Group to a nephew of the ruling emir of Ajman, the smallest of the seven emirates comprising the United Arab Emirates.

According to sources, the sheikh is involved in a variety of business, including finance, real estate, resort development and yachting.

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Is there an emoticon for rolling eyes?

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y., Sept. 22 /PRNewswire/ — After the blockbuster launch of the Live Young(TM) campaign this summer, Evian((R)) Natural Spring Water continues its celebration of youth just in time for the holidays by partnering with one of the most current and creative fashion designers, known for his sense of fun and optimistic attitude – Paul Smith.

The new bottle is designed in vibrant colors with a festive theme and a nod to the famous Paul Smith stripes, which elegantly underlines the purity of the natural spring water from the French Alps. It also captures the youthful and
optimistic mindset of the brand’s new signature message, Live Young(TM).

via Reuters.com

I refuse to link the Evian retail site where you can buy this $14 bottle of marketing tripe. If you buy into this nonsense, I’ve got an even better deal for you: Buy a pony online – exclusively for cool people! Just send one hundred bucks to my paypal account, F U at pay me dotcom.

Smith is not the first, BTW. Lacroix designed a bottle last year. Not sure if the Haute Couture version was actually produced or if it was just for the promo shots. Now THAT would make sense.