The LVMH-Hermès Battle Steps Up A Gear

THE ongoing legal battle between LVMH and Hermès has stepped up a gear - with LVMH filing another lawsuit against the French label. The luxury conglomerate filed charges on Tuesday against a civil manager at Hermès - in response to his comments made, which implied that LVMH had conducted "fraudulent" activity.

It's believed that the case concerns Patrick Thomas, CEO of Hermès International, who alleged that the company had obtained its controversial 22.6 per cent stake in the brand in a deceptive manner, during Hermès' annual meeting earlier this week. He accused the conglomerate of either acting "fraudulently" or being "so disorganised" for not knowing how it came to obtain its initial 17.1 per cent stake. "I'll let you decide," he concluded.

LVMH vice president, Pierre Godé, was quoted as confirming the new charges in French newspaper Le Figaro yesterday, saying that they had filed the suit "following what was said by the manager". WWD reports that he then added: "Hermès' campaigns are aimed to destabilise us. Our patience has its limits. It's time that the public learns the truth."

The news comes just days after France's regulation authority, the  Autorité des Marchés Financiers (AMF), recommended that LVMH be fined €10 million (£8.5 million), over its stake in Hermès - the maximum charge given the timing of the gains. A final decision will be made by July 31.

The AMF accused the luxury company of concealing its gradual acquisition of Hermès, which now stands at 22.3 per cent, through cash-settled equity swaps dating back to 2001. LVMH did not announce news that it had a stake in the brand until October 21, 2010.

Hermès  branded the acquistion "an attack" and feared an attempted takeover. LVMH strongly denies investing via questionable means. The case continues.

Get Ready For Haider Ackermann Menswear

HAIDER ACKERMANN will join Paris' menswear schedule for the first time for spring/summer 2014. The designer will show a "men's wardrobe" during the city's Men's Fashion Week on June 26, WWD reports.

The designer unveiled his first menswear offering in 2010 at Pitti W in Florence, a collection that was consequently sold at retailers including Barneys in New York. He is best known for his controlled drama, strong silhouettes and draping techniques, with fans including Tilda Swinton.

It was announced this week that the label has split ways from its parent company, also shared by Ann Demeulemeester, to become an independent label - signifying a new stage of growth.

M&S Boss Faces Million-Pound Pay Cut

MARKS & SPENCER chief executive Marc Bolland has had his pay cut by a third to £2.1 million, following a decrease in the company's sales. His annual salary of £1.3 million remained unchanged, while his £829,000 bonus (half of its potential full amount), took his overall earnings to £2.1 million, compared to £3.2 million in 2012.

However, the businessman - who joined the high street chain in May 2010 - could see an increase in his fortunes this year if M&S' recently rejuvenated clothing categories are as lucrative as expected, the Guardianreports. Former Jaeger designer Belinda Earl unveiled her debut collection for the company last month to much fanfare, launching for autumn/winter 2013-14. The brand's menswear line is also going in a luxury direction, with plans to stage its first inaugural menswear presentation at London Collections: Men later this month. 

Lacoste Turns 80 In Luxury Style

NINE of France's most luxurious brands, from Hermès to Boucheron, have come together to create a gift to celebrate Lacoste's 80^th anniversary. The collection, although unavailable to buy, will go on display from June 10 until June 15 at Colette in Paris.

Each present, as Lacoste describes them, embodies the spirit of the heritage tennis brand, as well as the collaborator's signature aesthetic. Hermés has created a crocodile skin suitcase bag, with a special space for a tennis racket, while jewellery label Boucheron has designed two exclusive emerald and diamond crocodile-shaped brooches. Baccarat has made a crystal vase in Lacoste's signature green and gourmet food company Fauchon has baked high-fashion eclairs that come covered in chocolate shells to recreate the texture of pique polo shirts.

If only every birthday came with the same luxurious accoutrements. 

Click on the gallery to see Lacoste's anniversary collection.

Is This The Net-A-Porter Of The Vintage World?

TORI STEINBERG and Sophie Scrimgeour of vintage mecca Elvira Vintage are on a very special mission - to create the Net-A-Porter of the vintage world, through the launch of their debut e-commerce site. The duo's carefully edited collection of Celine, Saint Laurent and Valentinois now available to buy online for the first time.

"Visually, every product is presented in a way that shows our viewer how they can blend vintage pieces into the average high street-heavy wardrobe," said Steinberg. "The pieces offered on elviravintage.com are designer vintage pieces sourced internationally - each piece has a story and has been discovered with a careful eye."

The pair - who first met during their teens - first set up their company in April 2012, travelling the world to find and sell designer vintage pieces to a small number of British-based customers. In October, they hosted a London pop-up store for two months, offering a tightly-edited collection of affordable pieces, as well as a consultancy and a consignment service - where customers have the chance to re-sell designer items - which is also available online.

"With a gap in the market for edited vintage, we thought that we could bring a new approach to vintage shopping to the London scene," said Scrimgeour. "The collection is targeted at fashion-focused women, and not just vintage-lovers."

Next up is the launch of Roma Rivera - a diffusion line inspired by vintage pieces from the team's personal wardrobes. The inaugural collection is expected to go on sale later this year.

"The starting point for it came after we first sold pieces that we had become very attached to," explained Steinberg. "We decided that we wanted certain designs to be more accessible to our customers. Roma Rivera is about preserving design elements of certain pieces from the Elvira Vintage collection, which we've adapted to suit the requirements of current fashion culture."

Stylist Annabel Tollman Dies

STYLIST Annabel Tollman has died at the age of 36. It's reported that she passed away suddenly in her sleep in her New York apartment after suffering from a blood clot, according to New York Magazine. Further details surrounding her death have yet to be confirmed.

The former fashion editor of Interviewmagazine was best known for her work with celebrity clients including Scarlett Johansson, Liv Tyler and Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, and was in the process of developing a reality television show for US network Bravo. Born in Brussels, the stylist was raised in London and New York and studied at Central Saint Martins. A spokesperson for eBay Fashion, Tollman was named one of the 25 most powerful stylists by the Hollywood Reporter in 2011.

Tributes have already started flooding in, with L'Wren Scott and Hilary Rhoda among the first to express their condolences.

"Sad news to hear [about] the glamorous Annabel Tollman," Tweeted Scott. "RIP my beauty and glamour gal, the ever chic and stylish, always smiling and happy. So special."

"So sad to hear about Annabel Tollman," wrote Rhoda. "Such a beautiful, witty, soul with that wonderful infectious personality."

'Last Man Standing's' Kaitlyn Dever Joins Keira Knightley in Dark Comedy 'Laggies' (Exclusive)

Kaitlyn Dever has joined the dark comedy, "Laggies," TheWrap has learned exclusively.

Dever will play Misty, loyal best friend to Annika (Chloe Grace Moretz), who's often criticized for being outspoken and not thinking much about the future.

"Laggies" is the story of a woman (Keira Knightley) stuck in permanent adolescence who lies to her fiance in order to spend time with her teen friends.

The movie also stars Sam Rockwell.

Also read: Magnolia Pictures Picks Up Worldwide Rights to Lynn Shelton's 'Touchy Feely'

Aside from starring on ABC's "Last Man Standing" and FX's "Justified, Dever's film credits include "Short Term 12," which won the SXSW Grand Jury Prize, and "The Spectacular Now."

She's also currently in talks to join "Grass Stains," a coming-of-age tale written and directed by Kyle Wilamowski.

"Laggies" is directed by Lynn Shelton -- who also directed "Touchy Feely and "Humpday," as well as episodes of Fox's "New Girl," "Ben and Kate," and AMC's "Mad Men."

See photos: Sundance 2013: TheWrap Industry Panel on How to Make and Sell Your Film

Written by Andrea Siegel, the Anonymous Content film started shooting in the Seattle area this week.

Dever is represented by United Talent Agency and Felker Toczek Gellman Suddleson.