The kerfuffle stems from a deal the two companies struck in 2007. Tiffany’s and Swatch entered into a 20 year deal in which Swatch would design, manufacture and distribute Tiffany watches worldwide. Swatch terminated the agreement in Spetember 2011, accusing the famed jeweler of “systematic efforts to block and delay the development of the business.”

Tiffany & Co. has countersued the Swiss watch retailer for a rather paltry $589.4 million in damages. It claims Swatch “failed to provide appropriate distribution for Tiffany branded watches in the luxury space,” as well as neglected its brand management and product design obligations.

Swatch is expected to earn some payout from Tiffany’s when arbitration begins in October. [WWD, sub req'd]

- Celebrities are clamoring to spice up their red carpet lives by wearing Victoria Beckham to this year’s Oscars. [Daily Mail]

- Victoria’s Secret Angel Kylie Bisutti apparently took her title too seriously and quit VS because god doesn’t care for that kind of behavior in his heavenly hosts. [Vogue UK]

- Ellen DeGeneres took the moral high road in responding to the One Million Moms group that wanted JC Penney to dump her for being a big ole lez. I, however will continue skipping merrily along on the low road by saying, “Suck on that, trash.” [EW]

- Christian Siriano may have been denied membership to the CFDA, but he’s “fine” with not being “a Wang or a Wu” as long as he has wads of cash to wipe his tears. [NYT]

- Kanye West is showing his sophomore collection on March 6 at 9:30 pm during Paris Fashion Week. Anna Wintour is expected to leave at 9:31. [WWD]

- Hey, Linds, your tit’s out. Oh, nevermind, you’re with Terry Richardson. Carry on. [Terry's Diary]

Macy’s is fighting to stave off a deal Martha signed with JC Penney — allegedly behind their back — while trying to keep the brand all to themselves. Stewart had sold a 16.6% stake in its company to J.C. Penney back in December to begin selling there in February 2013, directly after the deal with Macy’s was set to expire. However, Macy’s decided to extend its contract with the brand for another five years on January 23, the same day it also decided to sue Martha and co. Macy’s is now seeking a preliminary injunction to prevent Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia from going any further in its deal with Penney’s, though that deal is still a year away.

“MSLO’s announcement of its deal with J.C. Penney…devalued the Martha Stewart products that Macy’s is currently selling, in ways that are not calculable,” Macy’s claims in its breach of contract suit. “MSLO has severely damaged the ‘crucial connection’ between Macy’s and Martha Stewart that Macy’s has devoted years and tens of millions of dollars to developing; it has destroyed the public perception that Macy’s is the only place a consumer can turn to to purchase Martha Stewart home products in key categories.”

The suit also makes reference to that dark, poncho-filled time in Martha’s life when she was sent to prison and her company’s image and reputation were subsequently tarnished: “At the time Macy’s negotiated and entered into the agreement in 2005 and early 2006, the ‘Martha Stewart’ brand was under pressure by very public proceedings and their aftermath involving Ms. Stewart.”

Well, if Macy’s wins this case, things are going to be super awkward at the dinner table and no amount of parsley can garnish away the things said in the heat of battle. [WWD, sub req'd]

Macy’s’ deal with Martha was apparently set to expire at the end of the month, and perhaps to rain all over Penney’s and new CEO Ron Johnson‘s parade, Macy’s decided to renew it agreement with the lifestyle guru for another five years. MSLO also released a statement confirming the renewal of the Macy’s contract.

Johnson, Apple‘s former retail chief, had planned to use Marth Stewart Living as a platform to relaunch, revamp and reinvent the struggling chain. Meanwhile, as part of the lawsuit, Macy’s is seeking an injunction to prevent Martha from breaking the contract — but where this leaves JC Penney is anyone’s guess. [WWD]

It took me a long time to find a size 2 among the racks. There are, however, abundant size 10’s, 12’s and 16’s. The dressing rooms are big, clean and well tended. I tried two fairly cute items: a modified domino-print swing dress with padded shoulders by American Living (a Ralph Lauren line created for Penney’s) and a long psychedelic muumuu of a style generally worn by Rachel Zoe. Each was around $80; each fit nicely and looked good. I didn’t buy either because I can do better for $80, but if I were a size 18, I’d have rejoiced.

Ouch. That’s harsh.

[I]t has the most obese mannequins I have ever seen. They probably need special insulin-based epoxy injections just to make their limbs stay on. It’s like a headless wax museum devoted entirely to the cast of “Roseanne.”

Wow, even worse.

A good 96 percent of the Penney’s inventory is made of polyester. The few clothing items that are made of cotton make a sincere point of being cotton and tell you earnestly about their 100-percent cottonness with faux-hand-scribbled labels so obviously on the Green bandwagon they practically spit pine cones.

Who do you think you are Cintra Wilson?  Do you guys think this was a fair review?

LINK LOVE: NY Mag

GALLERY: RUNWAY RUNDOWN: Vivienne Westwood Red Label Fall 2009

LINKAGE: NY Mag

When Jillian Lewis looks out her Long Island City apartment window, she sees railroad lines, graffiti and a hazy New York skyline. When we looked at  Lewis’ Fall 2009 collection, we saw rib and cable knits, graffiti leggings and smoky sheer tights and blouses. Although it was an obvious and novice theme, Lewis’ attempt at New York inspired grunge couture definitely had it’s innovative moments. Lewis’ collection was impressive in the fact that it is completely wearable, but has enough edge to make a dramatic statement. The sheer/opaque tights, a-symmetrical tiered ruffle jackets, knit headgear and graffiti leggings are some of our favorites. The cable knits, on the other hand, are questionable. The models might have made them look high fashion, but throw a cable knit on your average, everyday girl and you’ve got a JC Penney sweater gone totally wrong. For those of you who watched Jillian Lewis on Project Runway Season Four, the preppy, feminine designer you once knew is gone. Long gone. Hello edge. 

I’ve always associated J.C. Penney with oxford shirts and penny loafers. Why, you ask? Because Catholic grade school required that we wear them. I’ve never considered the department store as fashionable, but I never complained because a trip to that particular mall meant a trip to Deb. And if you don’t remember the glory days of Deb, it was where I bought everything to resemble the style of Cher Horowitz. Regardless,  this advertisement for J.C. Penney featuring the Charlotte Ronson line isn’t half bad (even though the clothes really aren’t that cute). Now if only Deb would come out with a Clueless line, I’d be set for life.

Thanks to The Wall Street Journal for the photo.

I may not be the biggest fan of collaboration lines that lack designer aesthetic for the sake of affordability, but Charlotte Ronson definitely didn’t sacrifice her style for the JC Penney collaboration. Come February 2009, Ronson’s boring, mainstream and lackluster designs will hit the shelves of JC Penney in her collaboration collection ‘I Heart Ronson.’ Well, I’m sure you can already tell that I don’t ‘Heart Ronson.’ More floral print, more stripes, more plain sweaters…great…I can get this stuff anywhere looking ten times better! You may disagree with me completely and think these photos look great, but take into account the styling! Wear any of these pieces alone and yeah, it will look like you spent $9.99 for it at JC Penney. Come on fashion industry, bring me a collaboration i’ll actually like for once!

Thanks NYLON!