Paris's Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré is getting some sole later this month with a new, high-profile boutique by Christian Louboutin.
[photo] Louboutin

A Louboutin shoe, with its signature red sole.

Although the red-bottomed Louboutin shoes have developed a cult following in recent years, the French designer has kept distribution limited in his native country. He has two other boutiques in Paris, but his shoes aren't sold at any of France's department stores. In the U.S., he has stores in cities such as New York, Las Vegas and Los Angeles, and department stores including Bergdorf Goodman and Barneys carry his collection. The label will soon open a store in California's South Coast Plaza mall.

The 100-square-meter Paris store will feature a county-fair theme, with a big wheel on which shoes will be displayed. Mr. Louboutin has also decorated the new space with vintage chairs and a large crayfish sculpture. In addition to shoes, the shop will sell Mr. Louboutin's line of handbags.
Robert Graham Is Fit to Be Tied

Robert Graham, known for its colorful, patterned sport shirts, is launching a new tie collection. Head design director Robert Stock says the ties, which will retail for $100 to $250, will be "colorful, eclectic, with lots of weave and surface interest." The ties will include touches to let consumers know they are from Robert Graham, including embroidery, loops, appliqués and the red script Robert Graham signature. "Treasure-hunt kind of stuff," he says.

Mr. Stock says the ties, which will be made by Phillips-Van Heusen Corp., are a logical extension for the company, which makes its signature men's shirts and pants plus women's shirts, dresses and jackets. The ties will be manufactured in California and Italy and will be carried at department stores such as Nordstrom and Saks Fifth Avenue and 200 specialty stores in the U.S. and abroad beginning early next year.
Gilt for Kids

Gilt.com, the members-only Web site that offers major discounts on designer clothes, is moving into children's clothing. Starting July 15, the site will sell a Lucy Sykes collection for kids, from infants to 12-year-olds, at 50% to 70% off retail prices, depending on the item. In the future, the site will offer sales on brands including Kico Kids, Hickey Freeman Boys and Cacharel. The sales all last 36 hours. Consumers can join Gilt, which sells steeply discounted men's and women's designer clothing, by requesting a logon and password at  . Upcoming sales will be announced through Gilt Groupe's Web site and a newsletter.
Bloomie's Magical Mystery Tour
[photo] Bloomingdale's

A Beatles-themed scarf that Bloomingdale's will be selling around the holidays.

Bloomingdale's will be reviving the 1960s this holiday season with an assortment of apparel and accessories tied to the Beatles. The department-store chain signed a contract with Apple Corps., the London-based company that owns the Beatles music library, allowing it to sell exclusive Beatles-themed merchandise in its stores. The products -- including scarves, T-shirts, sweatshirts and a limited-edition Beatles iPod loaded with every Beatles song ever recorded -- will hit stores in mid-October. "There's also such a '60s music influence in fashion right now," says Bloomingdale's men's fashion director Kevin Harter.

Most of the apparel will be for men: For example, a velvet jacket lined with images of Paul, John, George and Ringo was designed by the brand Theory, which is also reliving the Age of Aquarius. Theory has launched an exhibition of memorabilia from the musical "Hair" in several of its stores, including New York City, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Aspen.