USA: Alaïa Reported To Be In Talks With Prada Or Pegasus

Azzedine Alaïa, the Tunisian-born fashion designer, is rumoured to be in talks with a major American fashion group, according to Fashion Net.Alaïa, who discovered supermodels Naomi Campbell and Cindy Crawford and whose clients have included Greta Garbo and Cécile de Rothschild, is thought to be considering a tie up with Prada or fledgling fashion conglomerate the Pegasus Apparel Group.If the deal goes through, Alaïa's new partner will allow him to expand his atelier, founded 21 years ago, while also taking care of business.Both Prada and Pegasus have been named as potential partners, but it is unlikely that an agreement will be reached until at least November, Fashion Net predicted.Pegasus, which has been described by the New York Post as an LVMH in the making, has snapped up designers Daryl K, Pamela Dennis, Cynthia Rowley, John Bartlett, and Miguel Adrover (who won the 2000 CFDA's Best New Designer award) so far this year. "We bring everything but the design talent," said Pegasus Apparel Group CEO Stephen Ruzow. Ruzow, a veteran fashion executive who has worked for Donna Karan and Warnaco, says that he plans to buy eight to 10 companies and is hoping to pull in revenues of $400m a year.