America's new heritage, Testing the recovery, Cautious spending, Booming accessories, Katie Grand's next step

Is L.L. Bean Driving the Runway? (WSJ)
"So-called 'new heritage' brands, created by youthful designers and inspired by iconic outdoor apparel companies, are opening their doors with Gold Rush speed."

Italian fashion houses see 2011 as key test for recovery (Reuters)
"The luxury industry will only see in 2011 whether a full recovery is under way... with one predicting global sales could double in the next 10 years helped by emerging countries."

Luxury Spending Up, But Wealthy More Cautious (Media Post)
"Despite lingering concerns about the economy, a new report from American Express Business Insights says luxury sales are up, gaining 9% in the second quarter."

Fashion houses to raise accessories offer (Reuters)
"Sales of high-end accessories, which are easier to wear and offer higher sales margins than clothes, have boomed during the downturn, helping fashion houses offset the falling demand for more costly luxury goods."

What Katie Grand did next (Guardian)
"Yet Grand's influence is so forcible, she can take anything, or anyone, and make them interesting to a different audience. 'Sometimes I think it's good to not be as highbrow... Often fashion is quite lofty. It's good to use different people.'"