Dubai wielding Istithmars against US
Finally, angry consumers are given a reason why the designer burqas sold out so quickly at the last Barneys sale (yes, the D & G spring line is maim-resistant, primarily because it's acid-washed already). After months of negotiation, the Jones Apparel Group is close to inking a deal that would sell Barneys to the Dubai government-backed PE firm Istithmar. Jones CEO Peter Boneparth was integral in the purchase of Barneys three years ago for $400mm, but was criticized for the move at the time, with several insiders saying the deal was like paying full retail for a Prada dress.
The sale is partly in response to struggles in Jones Apparel Group's moderately priced apparel brands and flagging shoe business through the Nine West chain.
Istithmar, taking advantage of oil prices and weakness in the dollar, continues to gobble American assets that now include discount retailer Loehmann's, the NY branch of the Mandarin Oriental and a couple of note to self: non-targets NYC buildings (230 Park and 450 Lexington).
DUBAI FIRM CLOSE TO BUYING BARNEYS [New York Post]
Comments
Seeing as how your benevolent government had no problem with bringing down their own skyscrapers in broad daylight, it's not possible that one would be safer in an Arab-owned NYC tower. The safest thing to do is to simply never broach the subject.
Posted by: Anonymous | June 13, 2007 10:06 AM
That's the worst comment I ever heard.
Posted by: Loving America | June 13, 2007 10:17 AM
The equivocation between Islamic terrorists and Muslims is not amusing.
Posted by: Ali Choudhury | June 13, 2007 10:45 AM
I don't think he was making that connection at all. If anything statements like that are commentary on the way things are dealt with under Shari'a or Shari'a backed "courts."
UAE isn't one of the prime acid-maiming, honor killing zones, but its citizens sure like to flog a woman when given the chance, and the country has a special problem with human trafficking, especially young male "camel jockeys."
Read the official state department report here:
http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/hrrpt/2002/18291.htm
Also, those buildings probably are "safe," ironically.
Posted by: anon | June 13, 2007 11:03 AM
bravo keith disgusting post and about as witty as a gawker posting
Posted by: mini ballerette. | June 13, 2007 11:16 AM
Do people still think the US Government was involved in 9/11? God I hope you're on the other end of my trades.
Posted by: dumbass | June 13, 2007 11:49 AM
wow terrorists and no sense of humor
Posted by: Anonymous | June 13, 2007 12:11 PM
whatever. if you had balls you would have put your name on that comment:)
Posted by: mini ballerette. | June 13, 2007 12:16 PM
this article is total bullshit.
shame on dealbreaker.
Posted by: your father | June 13, 2007 01:08 PM
this article is total bullshit.
shame on dealbreaker.
Posted by: your father | June 13, 2007 01:09 PM
Hilarious. Don't listen to those PC losers drivel
Posted by: JDub | June 13, 2007 02:15 PM
God forbid someone link Muslims and terrorists. Except those in madrassas.
BTW feel free to rip on Jews and Italians (aka Vinnys) but don't ever insult a Muslim it is just plain wrong.
Posted by: Mep | June 13, 2007 02:26 PM
Comedy. Let's all take a deep breath, pick up the dictionary, and look up satire.
Posted by: Goo | June 14, 2007 12:41 AM