Morning Hemlines: Retail, American Eagle, China, Gareth Pugh, Estee Lauder and Burberry

Dearth of compelling product and flagging consumer confidence leads to retail market crash; apparel loses out to gas and food. (WWD)

American Eagle Outfitters president to decamp in January; compounded with unmarketable styles and stiff competition from Aeropostale, company's stock drops. (MSN Money)

China could become the world's second-largest retail market by 2012, replacing Japan as the Asian country most susceptible to luxury advertisers. (DNR)

Rising fashion star Gareth Pugh wins prestigious ANDAM award, takes prize money and says "au revoir" to London. (UK Telegraph)

Tradingmarkets.com says beauty giant Estee Lauder is a safe stock; shares have not been priced below $40 since January and are rising in the broader market.

New Burberry campaign drops up-and-coming supermodel Agyness Deyn in favor of Control actor Sam Riley and lesser-known model Rose Huntington-Whiteley to capture "the poetic melancholy and romance of the winter collections." (Vogue UK)

by Sean Santiago