Laura Poretzky

Shoe and accessories retailer Payless ShoeSource Inc. said Tuesday that it will begin selling shoes in the Philippines as part of an international expansion. Payless will work with Stores Specialists Inc., which is based in Manila, the capital of the Philippines, to open its first store there by mid-2010. Terms of the partnership were not disclosed. Plans include opening five stores to start and more to follow. Payless, a unit of Collective Brands Inc., also plans to open franchised stores in the Middle East and Russia next year. Shares of Collective Brands, based in Topeka, Kan., rose 65 cents, or 3.3 percent, to $19.99 ... Read Full Story

AP - Shoe and accessories retailer Payless ShoeSource Inc. said Tuesday that it will begin selling shoes in the Philippines as part of an international expansion. See original here: (AP)"> (AP)"> (AP)">Payless ShoeSource to franchise in Philippines (AP) Read Full Story

It’s becoming ever more popular and common for designers to create collections for us regular gals. And why not? We provide a much larger market than those who can afford Manolos or Louboutins. And, we’d like to own more than one defining piece for the season which is all we can afford if we buy couture (if even that!). With Isaac Mizrahi, Vera Wang, and many others, it’s now possible to own designer fashion at reasonable prices . Yes, it IS different than owning a killer pair of Manolo Blahniks or a Prada dress. The quality’s different (it has to be) and you’re more ... Read Full Story

Collective Brands says it plans to open its first Payless shoe stores next year in Russia, its latest market for international expansion. Collective Brands Inc. said Tuesday that it and partner M.H. Alshaya Co. will open five frnachised Payless ShoeSource stores in Russia late next year. It says they hope to open at least 90 stores there in about five years and more than 300 stores total longer-term. The terms of the partnership were not disclosed. M.H. Alshaya is also its partner in the Middle East. That venture was launched earlier this year with stores in Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and Kuwait. Read Full Story

French-born designer Laura Poretzky used postrevolutionary France as her inspiration for Abaete 's Fall 2009 collection. She chose darker colors such as gray & black as her color palette with some of use white as well. I really like the dress in the second photo above--a very chic look paired with the dark tights . I also like the black dress below with the chain belt accessory . I think it gives it uniqueness & flair. How do you feel about the collection? Likes, dislikes? I must say I enjoyed most of the collection. Nice to see a youngin' in the game making quite ... Read Full Story