Nov. 10 (Bloomberg) -- Talbots Inc., the U.S. clothing chain targeting women 35 and older, hired an adviser to help it refinance about $225 million in debt, according to two people familiar with the situation.

Talbots hired Perella Weinberg Partners LP, according to the people, who declined to be identified because the decision hasn’t been made public.

The chain, based in Hingham, Massachusetts, has posted losses for the past five quarters, including a loss of $24.5 million in the three months ended Aug. 1. Chief Executive Officer Trudy Sullivan has made three rounds of job cuts since 2008, with the company saying in June it would eliminate 20 percent of its corporate positions.

“It is the company’s policy not to comment on speculation,” Julie Lorigan, a Talbots spokeswoman, said in an e-mail yesterday. A representative for New York-based Perella Weinberg declined to comment.

Talbots advanced 69 cents, or 8.1 percent, to $9.19 yesterday in New York Stock Exchange composite trading. The shares have risen almost fourfold this year.

Aeon USA Inc., a unit of Japanese retailer Aeon Co., held 54.3 percent of Talbots’ outstanding shares as of April 2, Bloomberg data show.

Aeon, Japan’s largest supermarket retailer, posted a first- half loss of 14.7 billion yen ($163 million) in the six months through August.

“There is no change in our support to Talbots,” said Koji Tsusue, an Aeon spokesman.

To contact the reporters on this story: Lauren Coleman-Lochner in New York at llochner@bloomberg.net; Jonathan Keehner in New York jkeehner@bloomberg.net.

Last Updated: November 10, 2009 00:00 EST