The house of Rochas closed operations two years ago owing to financial difficulties, but Procter & Gamble is bringing it back. New Rochas ready-to-wear will debut in March 2009, and word on the street is Marco Zanini is in talks to head-design. You may recall Zanini presented the first collection for revived Halston back in February. He then got sacked in July, even though he was said to have designed the spring 2009 collection that walked last month. Bigwigs at Procter & Gamble say they're looking at a number of candidates for the position. But considering Zanini's Halston wares sold well overseas despite mixed reviews, he might not be a bad choice.

Marco Zanini in Play for Rochas [Fashion Week Daily]
The Return Of Rochas [British Vogue]

Confirming speculation, Narciso Rodriguez and Liz Claiborne just announced plans to terminate their partnership. The deal marks the first time Rodriguez will operate without a parent company. Claiborne bought a 50 percent stake in the Rodriguez label in 2007 from Aeffe SpA. Neither Rodriguez nor Claiborne CEO William L. McComb would discuss the financial terms of the deal, but industry folk speculate Rodriguez will buy back Claiborne's stake at the price they paid of $12 million. However, where Rodriguez will come up with that kind of cash remains unclear. He told WWD that before Claiborne invested, he struggled financially and Donna Karan used to send over rolls of fabric to help out.

Claiborne was excited to have a luxury label under its umbrella when it bought a stake in Rodriguez last year, but they had different ideas about how to grow the brand. Rodriguez told WWD, "We did not find enough common grounds and jointly have concluded that the Narciso Rodriguez brand could be developed more effectively outside of this partnership.” But the breakup seems amicable. Claiborne plans to support a smooth transition in part by producing and shipping Rodriguez's critically acclaimed spring collection without delay. Aw.

Claiborne, Rodriguez Terminate Partnership [WWD]
Related: Liz Claiborne and Narciso Rodriguez May End Partnership

When we heard Michael Phelps was headlining Bowlmor Lanes bowling alley’s 70th anniversary last night, we were there faster than you could say "world record." We just wanted to maybe touch his body a bit as we took our new Facebook picture with him. Was that so much to ask? Apparently it was, since every other woman in this city and quite a few gay men wanted to touch Michael’s body too. As cameras started flashing on the red carpet, a crush of girls thrust toward the action. “Oh my God — is that Michael Phelps?!” one trilled. "Get on your knees, bitch!" her friend replied.

We pushed through a gaggle of reporters from teen magazines and managed to snag an interview (regrettably hands-free). Michael explained his new goatee was a product of laziness. “I cleaned it up a little bit. But I just didn’t feel like [shaving] all of it,” he said. With security guards literally holding back a throng of ladies behind us, we asked if any overzealous fans had ever, say, thrown a bra in his face. “I had the funniest time at the welcome-home parade. There was this girl who had a sign up that said, 'I’m legal in four years.' I thought that was pretty original.” Clearly he didn't hear the "on your knees" girl. But sadly for her, Michael added he’s not dating anyone right now and won’t until the time is right. “You guys know everything else so I got to keep something to myself,” he said.