Microsoft signs patent deal with Foxconn to get cut of Android production. 

Dove uses forensic sketch artist to "beautify" women.

Tesco expected to announce the sale or closure of 199 of its Fresh & Easy stores in the US.

American Apparel comes under fire again for "offensive" ads in UK.

Apple has been ordered to remove obscene content from its App Store by Chinese government officials.

Bank of America struggles for growth.

BBC Worldwide partners with Foxtel to build BBC brand in Australia.Continue reading...

Will American soldiers have their nipples exposed? Will the neon make them easier targets? Those were just two of our questions when we heard the news that American Apparel—thanks to its "Made in the USA" mantra—had been chosen to supply jackets for the U.S. Army.

But in this case, American Apparel is not American Apparel because it's American Apparel.Continue reading...

While your humbled (by Sandy) editor's NYC apartment is still without power, I've made it to a power outlet and Wi-Fi and finally catching up with some of the impact of the storm on the U.S. and Canada, with 107 people dead and an estimated $20 billion in damages and $30 billion in lost business:

• FCC estimates that storm took down 25% of cell towers in 10 states
• FTC warns consumers to avoid home repair and charity scams
• JFK and Newark airports have reopened for some flights as airlines pin hopes on Thursday flights
• NYC mayor Mike Bloomberg reopened the New York Stock Exchange in first post-Sandy trading day
• NYC subway stations in lower Manhattan are still underwater as MTA estimates it's losing $18 million/day
• NYC schools remain closed
• President Obama stops at FEMA en route to New Jersey to assess damage
• Ford Motor Company donates $50,000 to relief efforts
• Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac vow to aid those whose homes were damaged or destroyed
• NYC-based tech startups including Foursquare grapple with keeping their businesses going
• Con Edison is working around the clock to restore power, as calls for free public Wi-Fi increase
• Some NYC stores, restaurants and businesses (at least above 23rd Street) see surge in business, along with e-commerce sites
• Fast food restaurants and other businesses in Sandy's path struggle in aftermath
• American Apparel criticized for hosting Sandy online sale, while Urban Outfitters offends with Sandy tweet

American Apparel has been selling its wares in Japan for six years, generating enough sales and attention that the L.A.-based clothing manufacturer has been asked to participate in Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in Tokyo, which kicks off on Oct. 15.

"We wanted to do something new this year and Tokyo is a city that is very open-minded to new, creative ideas, particularly when it comes to fashion,” stated Katherine Johnson, American Apparel's Japan operations manager. “We are honored to be one of the first brands without an appointed designer to show at a high-profile Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week like this." 

American Apparel operates four stores in Japan as well as an online and mobile store and an e-commerce platform with Amazon Japan, while “sales for the company are up 50% over 2011" in the market.

The brand has been under fire in its home market in recent years, but things appear to be calming down as it evolves from fashion weak to Fashion Week. The company posted a sales uptick of 24 percent in its retail stores and 19 percent in e-commerce sales in August, according to the Associated Press.

With less than two weeks to go before the Summer Games kick off, London Olympics organizers have suddenly discovered that they’ve got a major problem on their hands: Security. And rain. A backlash to the so-called "brand police." And what to do with thousands of tetchy journalists?

Post-Cool Brittania, We Stand on Guard for Thee

After spending years prepping to make the Olympics a shining moment in the city’s history that should help make its brand shine, London is hurting for security help. Nick Buckles, the head of the firm that is providing what security will exist, G4S, admits that the whole thing has been a “humiliating shambles,” according to the Guardian. Even so, London city officials are hoping that somehow they can turn things around quickly in hopes of rescuing the city’s brand.Continue reading...

American Apparel is no stranger to controversy over the years, showcasing its "Made in America" (for now?) garments on young models, risqué poses, nudity and other provocative images that have given the brand and its Canadian founder, Dov Charney, a bad reputation — most of all as a businessman, with a lifeline investment by billionaire George Soros making headlines earlier this year.

Whether it's another way to be provocative or at least unexpected, the brand has been expanding its casting calls for models, staging a (disastrous) contest for plus-size models, hiring its first transgender model (in partnership with GLAAD, no less) and now upturning ageism with the new face for its "advanced basic" line: 60-year-old actress Jacky O’Shaughnessy, who was spotted by an AA staffer in New York.Continue reading...

Maybe he's a fan of the disco pant. Or maybe he's tired of advancing his "one world" socialist government crusade. Whatever's driving him, it seems George Soros is ready to bail out American Apparel.

According to the American Apparel of the newspaper business, The New York Post, "Crystal Financial, a Boston-based firm that boasts Soros’ hedge fund as its lead investor, will immediately replace and expand a $75 million revolving credit line from Bank of America." Of course, the paper did not pass up a chance to note that Soros, like American Apparel founder Dov Charney, shared a penchant for sexual harassment litigation.

But, like the billionaire's attempts to prop up the Obama regime, is it too little too late?Continue reading...

American Apparel may have a knight in shining armor: George Soros.

American Express sees millions of Twitter Sync coupons redeemed within first five days.

Ann Taylor tweaks brand lineup.

Apple finds iPhone falling behind Samsung in China.

BBC America bets on New Yorkers as tastemakers for new cooking show.

Barnes & Noble tests Penguin publishing boutiques in its stores.

CNN reportedly in talks to acquire Mashable.

Chevrolet shows off networked car at SXSW.

Chevron plays catch-up in shale gas.

Chipotle gets a big bang for the little buck.Continue reading...