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Three veterans of fashion public relations are partnering to launch a new firm based in New York. NFHF Projects opens April 3 under the stewardship of Silvia Negri Firman, Libby Haan and Anne Fahey-Storment, all of whom have been working in fashion and design public relations for 20-plus years with a combined former client list that includes power brands such as Chanel, Calvin Klein, Prada, Jil Sander and Marni.
NFHF is headquartered at 110 Greene Street in SoHo in Negri Firman’s former offices. It was she who approached Haan about potentially coming on as a partner in the business and Haan subsequently introduced Negri Firman and Fahey-Storment. Negri Firman had worked with Haan at Karla Otto before they both started their own boutique agencies, the former launching in 2008 in Milan and eventually New York in 2012, and the latter launching in 2010.
“I was coming to New York every month, but it wasn’t enough,” said Negri Firman. “I couldn’t see my venture in New York growing as I wanted and Milan was getting bigger and bigger. Then, one day I thought, ‘Why don’t I look to do things in a different way? Why don’t I look for a partner instead of

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US department store retailer Target Corp has unveiled the first design elements of its store overhaul plans – including elevated, cross-merchandise apparel displays – as part of its strategy to create a smart network, with stores, digital channels and supply chain all working cohesively.

The UK Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 2.3% in February, up from 1.9% in January, according to figures released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS). This is the highest rate since September 2013, having steadily increased since late 2015.

The World Bank has committed US$57bn in financing for sub-Saharan Africa over the next three years in a move designed to change the development trajectory of countries in the region.

The UK government has said it will trigger the renegotiation process for Britain to leave the European Union (EU) on 29 March, Downing Street revealed this week.

Calls for the formal registration of the Orchid Sweater Workers Union in Bangladesh have garnered support from affiliates of the IndustriAll global union.

The show notes for House_Commune’s first-ever runway presentation said that designer Mihoko Shitanaka wanted to express new ways of “modern survival” through her collection. In this case “survival” might not be the most appropriate word, but the clothes were certainly modern, with a lovely combination of elegance and urban edge.
Shitanaka chose her show venue well. The concrete floor and architecturally striking sloped glass ceiling of the rooftop at Tokyo’s Andaz Hotel formed the perfect backdrop and subtle contrast to a collection of fluid dresses and draped tops. Even the weather seemed to cooperate, with the gray sky and chilly air making the luxe textiles seem more appealing.
The designer turned out wide-legged pants, puff-sleeved shirts and ankle-length skirts in neutral tones of navy, gray, camel and ivory. The silhouettes were easy and comfortable, never sloppy, for a look that was graceful yet effortless. Wide leather obi belts gave shape to a gray pantsuit, an oatmeal-colored sweater dress and a puffy nylon coat. A chunky red sweater and a burgundy faux fur coat added just the right amount of contrast in both color and texture, but a pair of salmon-pink satin pants and a matching shirt felt out of place.
Standouts included a trench coat

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MILAN — The Prada Group held its first conference on sustainability, called “Shaping a Creative Future,” in partnership with Yale School of Management and Politecnico di Milano School of Management.
The two-day event was held at Fondazione Prada on the first day on Monday, and at the brand’s headquarters in Milan, where the show is held, the second day.
Focusing on the relation between sustainability and innovation, the conference was made up of conversations, debates and discussions with leading international academic, creative and business figures, moderated by the two universities.
The first day saw representatives from leading businesses meet with Yale School of Management and Politecnico di Milano School of Management professors and alumni for discussions on sustainability and innovation.
The discussions over the two days hinged on brand heritage and market value; design for sustainability through innovation and tradition; sustainability and value creation, and driving creative excellence.
“One of the universal fundamental virtues is creativity,” said Prada chairman Carlo Mazzi. “Positive creativity requires equality and liberty, and we need courage and a strong mind. Where creativity is focused on the good and beauty [there] is also sustainability.”
The first speech centered on brand heritage and market value and Yale Professor Ravi Dhar explained how “products are more

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MILAN — Fendi is once again turning its attention to the arts.
The Rome-based company will support the Italian Pavilion and the exhibition “Il mondo magico [The magical world]” at the 57th International Art Exhibition of the Venice Biennale. The exhibit will be curated by Cecilia Alemani, who invited three Italian artists — Giorgio Andreotta Calò, Roberto Cuoghi and Adelita Husni-Bey — “to represent Italy through works and languages that are closely tied to Italian culture, but forge a dialogue with international art,” Fendi said. The Biennale will run May 13 to Nov. 26.
Pietro Beccari, president and chief executive officer of Fendi, expressed his pride in the project, defining the Venice Biennale as “one of the world’s most important and prestigious international showcases for contemporary art.” Beccari said the brand “increasingly feels that one of its guiding principles, as well as its duties, is to value and support Italian art around the world, with all its outstanding achievements and talent.”
“The magical world” draws its title from a book by Neapolitan anthropologist Ernesto de Martino, which studies how various cultures and populations employ magic as a tool for responding to crises that undermine their power to grasp and shape the world around

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FLYING THE FLAG FOR BRITAIN: It’s not only the young royals who are making a grand tour of Europe this year: The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall are also packing their bags in preparation for a trip early next month that will see them visit Italy, Romania, Austria and the Holy See.
See Also: Brexit Britain’s Secret Weapon? The Young Royals >>
During the Italian leg of the visit, Prince Charles will speak at an event at Palazzo Pitti in connection with The Campaign for Wool, the global initiative he founded that raises awareness about the benefits of the fiber.
The prince, the campaign’s royal patron, will speak about using wool in fashion. He will also be the guest of honor at a dinner to mark the centenary of the British Institute of Florence. The prince will be presented with a Renaissance Man of the Year Award, an annual accolade given by the Palazzo Strozzi Foundation.
On a visit to Naples, the Duchess of Cornwall will visit the E. Marinella tie and scarf manufacturer, which sources its silks from Macclesfield, near Cheshire, England.
During their tour, the royal couple will meet Pope Francis, while the prince will travel to Amatrice in central Italy to

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