Morning Hemlines: Gap Inc., Sunglasses, Levi's, Louboutin, Polo & School

Gap is eschewing TV ads and targeting an older demographic under the guidance of former Banana Republic president Marka Hansen, but will June's sales figures show her strategy is helping the ailing retailer? (WSJ)

Designer sunglasses replace "It" bags and shoes as the must-have for young Americans, even as the average price of a pair rises. Eyewear market saw a ten percent increase in sales in the last year. (NY Times)

Levi's stumbles with production costs up and consumer spending down. Profits fell 98.5% to under $1 million for the three months ending May 25. (WWD)

Christian Louboutin to debut country-fair themed shop on Paris' Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré, his third in the city, later this month. (WSJ)

California lawsuit against Polo Ralph Lauren granted class-action status; upscale retailer accused of employee mistreatment in a case similar to the one Wal-Mart lost a few weeks ago. (DNR)

Back-to-school season looking bleak for retailers--job scarcity for teens and economic burdens for parents expected to cut into fall shopping. (WWD)

by Sean Santiago