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How The Luxury Fashion Industry Became All Business

Models walk the catwalk in March 2009 during one of Alexander McQueen's last shows, Ready-to-Wear Autumn/Winter 2009, in Paris. McQueen was one of several fashion designers elevated to prominence by Bernard Arnault, the French tycoon who transformed the business of high fashion. Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images hide caption

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The Seams

How The Luxury Fashion Industry Became All Business

Once family-owned, luxury fashion houses have been gobbled by conglomerates. Industry watchers say designers have suffered from a pressure-cooker environment that focuses intensely on the bottom line.

How The Luxury Fashion Industry Became All Business

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Business

Copycat Couture: Knockoff Business Booms

From illegal counterfeits — products with forged logos hawked by street vendors — to legal knockoffs — copycat designs with non-designer labels sold in stores — imitation couture is a controversial, multibillion-dollar industry.

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Your Money

High-End Fashion Names at a Low-End Price

Vera Wang, the high-end fashion designer, is launching a low-end line of clothing for the retailer Kohl's early next month. She's following in the footsteps of dozens of other luxury makers.

High-End Fashion Names at a Low-End Price

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