Daily Update

Thursday, 11 May 2017

The designer on why he will not dress Ivanka and Melania Trump—and what fashion designers need to do to survive today. — Zac Posen on fashion, fame, and why he won’t design clothes for Ivanka and Melania Trump
"A lot of the shopping for clothes that takes place today in wealthy countries, such as the US, isn’t about the clothing. Rather, it’s the act of purchasing—the temporary buzz of acquiring, and the symbolic value we project onto the item—that is often the point.". — Fast fashion’s sad cycle of compulsive shopping, guilt, and regret has spread to Asia
"Jimmy Choo seeking buyer, like Kate Spade found Coach. Both JC/KS brands are heavy on marketing, low on authenticity". — Kate Spade and Jimmy Choo: What's a luxury brand worth that 'ain't got no soul'?

Thursday, 24 Nov 2016

"According to BRP’s Merchandise Planning Survey, luxury brands and retailers are not equipped to provide the all around experience consumers are looking for in today’s on-demand market, with 71 percent retailers lacking a formal omnichannel process". — 71pc of retailers have insufficient omnichannel processes: BRP
"The San Francisco-based Le Tote is betting big on data". — The subscription box that knows more about you than you do
"It is the beginning of the holiday shopping season on Fifth Avenue, even if the festive spirit is dampened a bit by the long guns of stationed police officers and the regular presence of bomb-sniffing dogs". — How Fifth Avenue is coping

Wednesday, 23 Nov 2016

"Everyone from Karl Lagerfeld to Comme des Garçons' Rei Kawakubo have created their own designer emojis, because even your messy group chat could use a touch of glamour". — Fashion designers can't get enough of emojis (and who can blame them?)
"Luxury brands are breaking off pieces of their full inventory to turn them into standalone, tightly focused specialty stores". — Beauty boutiques and shoe standalones: The rise of the luxury specialty store
"As China’s online live-streaming platforms have seen record levels of engagement in the past year, beauty brands have been quick to adopt them in order to reach Chinese consumers—especially millennials". — Live-Streaming goes mainstream in China as two-thirds of beauty brands sign on
"While online heavyweights are quick to boast about the environmental impact of e-commerce, this holiday shopping season millions of eco-conscious consumers face a largely unanswered question". — Is E-Commerce really better for the environment than traditional retail?

Monday, 21 Nov 2016

"Stitch Fix provides a glimpse of how some businesses are already making use of AI-based machine learning to partner with employees for more-effective solutions. A five-year-old online clothing retailer, its success in this area reveals how AI and people can work together, with each side focused on its unique strengths". — How one clothing company blends AI and human expertise
"Snapchat’s Spectacles have been making the rounds. The company’s latest offering, which hit the streets just over a week ago, is a hit among marketers, with brands and agencies like Sour Patch Kids, Mountain Dew, VaynerMedia and Space150 already trying them out". — Marketers like what they see in Snapchat Spectacles
Is online luxury rental a logical next step in a sharing economy or is it going to cannibalise sales? — Valentino and Vera Wang for 400 RMB: China’s fashionistas flock to online luxury rental
Behind the scenes and inside the mind of Fawaz Gruosi, founder and owner of the luxury jewellery and watch maker, de Grisogono. — At de Grisogono, it’s all gems and glamour

Tuesday, 13 Sep 2016

"Simons' move to Calvin Klein, is largely considered as an opportunity to restore Calvin Klein to its position as an agenda-setting fashion brand and add creative credibility to New York's fashion scene, which is widely derided as overly commercial." — Can Raf Simons save New York?

Monday, 4 Jul 2016

"Warby Parker launched in 2010 as a bold challenge to the traditional eyewear industry. The four founders didn’t see why a good-looking pair of glasses had to be so expensive, and figured they could improve the shopping experience, too." — How the co-CEOs of Warby Parker set their sights on success and impact
Justin O’Shea has a bold new plan for Brioni, but is it right for the brand? — The new Brioni, shaken and stirred
As the once-disruptive business model of bypassing wholesale and going direct-to-consumer via e-commerce becomes commonplace, brands must do more to differentiate themselves. — Direct-to-consumer labels sharpen their brands

Thursday, 16 Jun 2016

"Russia’s Gosha Rubchinskiy and all-American Levi’s have forged an alliance, and the result is a capsule collection". — Gosha Rubchinskiy puts a spin on two Levi’s classics
" Japanese clothing chain Uniqlo has leveraged its prowess in mass production to build a fashion empire filled with shelves upon shelves of affordable, good quality items like down jackets, underwear and T-shirts. Now the 17-nation, 1,734-store retailer is on a quest to beat Western giants like Gap, H&M and Zara to become the world's biggest apparel maker". — Uniqlo's search for self... and global dominance
"From artificial intelligence to virtual reality, emerging technologies are rewriting the retail playbook at a rapid pace, suggests J. Walter Thompson Intelligence in a new report called Frontier(less) Retail". — Future of retail: Artificial intelligence and virtual reality have big roles to play

Wednesday, 15 Jun 2016

"Being able to return an item from a department store six months after buying it may be convenient for you, but it could take money out of a retail worker’s paycheck". — How flexible return policies are hurting retail workers
"Facebook wants to prove that its ads lead to actual purchases". — Facebook’s new ads will track which stores you visit
In short? "London is still interesting, but this somewhat lethargic season shows that it still has a way to go before it catches up with the polished slickness of Paris". — Is London still the most interesting menswear city in the world?

Tuesday, 14 Jun 2016

"Malls are in trouble, but this doom and gloom forecast hasn’t stopped Nyx Cosmetics, the affordable and highly pigmented makeup brand that launched in 1999, from opening its first ever brick and mortar stores in a series of malls on the east and west coasts, as well as abroad". — How Nyx is trying to conquer your local mall
"While 3-D printing is helping the fashion industry take steps to curb overproduction and increasing localized sales, industry sources also said that the fashion industry can’t on its own solve industrial sustainability problems". — Fashion’s fraught relationship with 3-D printing
"As the global luxury market drifts, Luca Solca identifies four investment strategies for the sector". — LVMH, Kering, Richemont? Where to place your bets.

Monday, 13 Jun 2016

"One of the most promising design talents of his generation — and cover star of BoF's latest print issue — reflects on a peripatetic life juggling J.W. Anderson and Loewe, and the cultural cut-and-paste of his creative process". — Jonathan Anderson's cultural cut-and-paste
"The market's latest trend? Pajamas you can wear inside AND outside your house". — These companies dream of becoming the Lululemon of the pajama industry
"In the DIY sneaker world, where custom can mean anything from Sharpie swooshes to complex reconstructions, Ferrato offers a unique service: He dreams up new shoe designs and stitches them together from scratch". — Go inside the workshop of the custom-sneaker king

Friday, 10 Jun 2016

"Plus, why he thinks designers who can't handle the pace of fashion should do something else". — Pierre Hardy talks Bella Hadid and the challenges of producing shoes quickly
"Technology has changed, if not improved, every facet of the fashion industry. Finding inspiration, trying on clothing, making purchases — it’s all been brought into the digital age. So why does sustainability in fashion still lag so far behind?". — What’s holding fashion back from becoming sustainable
"The fear of regret can be powerful". — How retailers use emotion to make you spend more

Wednesday, 8 Jun 2016

"Shanghai Village opens near Disneyland, as China’s shoppers wooed by upmarket outlet destinations close to home". — The rise of China’s shopping villages
"Will a 'subscribe' button be a boon for traffic?". — Snapchat's redesign is aimed at attracting more eyeballs for publishers and brands
"Iconic apparel company Ralph Lauren has been in a years-long rut, its profits sinking and sales lagging at a time when the fashion industry has been upended by new e-commerce players and retailers able to quickly deliver the latest styles to shop shelves". — Big changes are ahead at Ralph Lauren

Monday, 6 Jun 2016

"Amid one of the country’s most severe recessions, how can consumer-goods companies and retailers succeed in Brazil?". — Meet the new Brazilian consumer
“As handbags become more easily traceable, and values continue to increase, more collectors are seeing their handbags as assets”. — Who would pay $300,000 for a handbag?
"The concept of the concept store is nearly 40 years old. What currency does the genre have in a digital age and how are these highly individual emporiums staying ahead of the game? ". — Evolution of the concept store

Wednesday, 25 May 2016

"The Mercedes Benz fashion week kicked off last week with some sparkly media coverage but it soon fizzed out – why can’t we write well about fashion?". — Fashion is a big business in Australia – but you wouldn't know it from the news
"Young British designers are increasingly coupling with centuries-old brands in an unlikely fusion of hitherto dusty heritage and the strikingly contemporary. It’s a mutually beneficial marriage, and proof opposites can prove very attractive". — Something old, something new - the lure of historical brands for a new generation of fashion designers
"What does Instagram's new algorithmic feed mean for the platform's lucrative influence economy?". — How Instagram's new feed will impact brands and influencers

Tuesday, 17 May 2016

"The lumberjack schoolboy days are over". — Menswear retail’s minimalist movement
"A report by British tabloid The Sun says the line is being made at least in part by young women who earn barely enough to survive and work in sweatshop conditions". — Report alleges Beyoncé’s “celebrate every woman” clothing line is made by women in sweatshops
"Even though his strategy a few years ago to reinvent J.C. Penney sent the department store chain’s annual sales down $6 billion and caused a major cash crisis, former CEO Ron Johnson maintained on Monday that the retailer would have been better off sticking to his plan". — Ex-CEO Ron Johnson says J.C. Penney should have stuck with his plan

Monday, 16 May 2016

"Research shows that three quarters of us are using the wrong beauty products for our skin. Welcome to the world of bespoke beauty". — Bespoke beauty: Meet the brands who'll design your dream products
"Jonathan Saunders is in at Diane von Furstenberg, where he will serve as chief creative officer, according to a statement from the New York-based brand". — Jonathan Saunders named as Chief Creative of Diane von Furstenberg
"At the Copenhagen Fashion Summit, economic growth and social and environmental responsibility were not seen as opposing ideas". — Sustainability is out, responsible innovation is in

Thursday, 12 May 2016

"The subtly creepy, slyly effective Facebook ads everyone has gotten used to—the ones that show unpurchased items left in the online shopping cart—are now coming to Instagram." — Why items from your shopping cart may start showing up in your Instagram feed
"Condé Nast announced that it will be launching a "new, socially-led beauty franchise," called #TheLookIs. As the hashtag suggests, this new project will target a millennial audience". — Condé Nast is launching a ‘beauty network’
"High-end bags and shoes no longer define luxury; today’s consumers want authentic experiences. What does this mean for traditional brands?". — How travel is changing the fashion industry

Tuesday, 10 May 2016

"After a series of record sales in 2015, expectations are high for this year’s vintage watch auctions". — The vintage watch boom
"All is not well on Britain's high street.Bellwether Next lowered its sales forecasts for the second time this year last week, and warned that this might not just be down to recent cold weather -- there could be a broader consumer slowdown going on too". — How Rolex and Lidl go great together
"The way we think about brands need to change. In the past, they were objects or concepts. You had a relationship with a brand. But in this social age, brands are the relationships. By defining a brand’s particular kind of relationship, companies can create greater engagement, differentiation, and loyalty". — Build your brand as a relationship

Monday, 9 May 2016

"Gucci has followed Michael Kors in departing the International Anti-Counterfeiting Coalition - the non-profit organisation that aims to combat the production of copies in the fashion industry". — Gucci departs anti-counterfeiting coalition
"In the future, “customer service” won’t be something consumers dread having to call, it will be something that builds powerful relationships with consumers. The best marketing is great customer service, and chatbots are a great step forward". — Bots, Messenger and the future of customer service
"Systems will shrink so small that they can be embedded into an electronic contact lens. Talk about a vision for the future!". — Why a smart contact lens is the ultimate wearable

Friday, 6 May 2016

"Manus x Machina: Fashion in an Age of Technology is the Metropolitan Museum of Art's new exhibition". — From sewing machines to 3D printers
"Italian luxury good group Tod's said on Thursday that its Creative Director Alessandra Facchinetti would leave the company after three years in her position". — Tod's says creative director Facchinetti to leave company
"Staging an elite fashion show in a country with an annual salary of £3,000 is rife with complications, but it’s also classic Lagerfeld". — Chanel's Havana show: controversy, communism and Tony Castro

Wednesday, 4 May 2016

"Fashion eyewear business Warby Parker seeks to nearly double its retail presence across the country". — Warby Parker: How to limit risk when you try to double your size
"American clothing retailers including Gap, J.Crew, Abercrombie & Fitch, and a slew of department stores are suffering. Mall traffic is down. Shoppers are spending less on clothes and looking for discounts when they do. Amazon and fast fashion are stealing their customers". — The rise of athleisure is eating into the profits of regular clothes
"Brands are working harder than ever to forge personal relationships with top-spending clients, often earning higher margins along the way". — The growing business of private clients

Monday, 2 May 2016

"Unraveling the powerhouse brands’ self-serving relationship". — Vogue and Apple: A love story
"Negotiating sales of excess inventory into the "off-price" market hadn't changed since the Excel spreadsheet came out". — This new tool wants to make the off-price clothing business easier
Mary Portas, the founder of creative communications agency Portas that advises retailers worldwide, believes that we need a great dose of Moral Capitalism. — To survive on the High Street, shops must prioritise experience and ethics

Friday, 29 Apr 2016

"Government is an accomplice in the BHS whodunit". — Britain’s retail assassins
"Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, has signed on to sponsor 17 of the WME/IMG fashion events around the world, including fashion weeks in New York, London, Milan and Berlin". — Fashion gets its first official airline
"Tiffany & Co. has enlisted Grace Coddington as its first outside creative partner. The former Vogue creative director has styled and wrangled celebrity talent for the American jeweler’s fall campaign, presently in production in New York". — Tiffany & Co. hires Grace Coddington as creative partner

Thursday, 28 Apr 2016

"As China grew richer and more innovative, people assumed it would counterfeit less. Think again". — Stamping it out
Mukesh Bansal, the founder and former CEO of Myntra, India’s largest online fashion retailer, is making a new start. — Bansal's next adventure: CEO of India's largest fashion retailer makes an exit
"According to WWD, Andrea Pompilio and the brand have mutually decided to not renew their creative partnership". — Canali, Andrea Pompilio mutually opt not to renew contract

Wednesday, 27 Apr 2016

"Coach has told analysts it was considering pulling goods out of certain department-store locations. It didn't mention names but said it would no longer participate in certain store-wide sales and promotions at the strained chains". — Coach's warning to department stores
"Once, the Topshop supremo could do no wrong. But with the collapse of BHS, the lavish lifestyle of this brash outsider who parties with Kate Moss, owns three yachts and commutes by jet from Monaco is now under scrutiny". — How Philip Green, the £3.2bn king of the high street, lost his shine
"The British Fashion Council is transforming its annual fashion awards into a global event, positioned as ‘a mix of the Academy Awards and the Met Ball'." — BFC unveils Global Fashion Awards

Friday, 22 Apr 2016

"Some of the world's most popular clothing brands, including Forever 21 and Michael Kors, have been slammed by a new report for not being upfront with customers about their supply chains". — Prada, Chanel, and more big-name fashion brands called out for secret supply chains
"Luxury consignment site The RealReal, which focuses on authenticated, high-end resale items for women, men, and the home, announced it has raised an additional $40 million in Series E financing". — The RealReal grabs another $40 million to expand its luxury consignment business
"Chinese global shoppers are to remain a lucrative market for international retailers, despite the recent turbulence witnessed". — China remains #1 global shopper market

Thursday, 21 Apr 2016

And it looks like there's no end in sight. — Counterfeit trade still worth billions
Deal between Avery Dennison and Evrythng will see 10 billion pieces of apparel “born digital.” — Internet of clothing is coming through huge label deal
"Amazon.com’s push to become a bigger fashion player has it streamlining its efforts and shuttering its member-based myhabit.com site". — Amazon shuttering Myhabit.com

Wednesday, 20 Apr 2016

"The move is part of a new global creative strategy, unifying all Calvin Klein brands under one creative vision, and paves the way for Raf Simons to take the reins, an appointment that has been widely rumoured for several months". — Costa and Zucchelli out at Calvin Klein, Raf Simons to take reins?
How will VR transform retail experiences? — 'VR isn't scalable': Bursting the in-store digital tech bubble
"Vetements’ DHL T-shirt, first dispatched on to the Paris catwalk, sold out in weeks, despite costing £185. But what message does this surprise package deliver?". — Scam or subversion? How a DHL T-shirt became this year’s must-have

Tuesday, 19 Apr 2016

Mr Bizzarri thinks that the logo is not gone yet. — Marco Bizzarri: China's luxury consumers aren't 'ashamed' to wear logos
Are we truly moving into a "fashion is timeless" direction? — Fashion's new luxury means never having to say you're wearing last season
"The days when we will be printing high-fashion dresses in our homes are coming—but aren't quite here yet". — The future of fashion is 3D printing clothes at home
"Yoox Net-a-Porter is setting its sights on the Middle East by selling a 100 million euro stake to Alabbar Enterprises". — Yoox Net-a-Porter sells stake to Middle East retail giant

Monday, 18 Apr 2016

"Turns out that returning online shoppers garner a big chunk of sales for retailers. They also spend more money". — Data analysis shows online return customers account for 23% of total sales
"H&M probably talks about sustainability more than any other fast-fashion brand, but critics have questioned how much the brand actually mitigates the massive and growing company’s environmental impact". — Is H&M misleading customers with all its talk of sustainability?
"Magazines are not suffering anything like the circulation declines experienced by newspapers, according to Nicholas Coleridge, one of Britain’s leading magazine chiefs". — Why our magazines are defying digital erosion

Friday, 15 Apr 2016

"Spanish apparel and accessories label Loewe has launched an international award to celebrate excellence in craftsmanship". — Loewe Foundation looks to set new standard for future of craft
Even more trouble for the ailing retailer... — American Apparel makes mass redundancies
It's not just the men's fashion industry that is in turmoil, but hasn't always fashion been about change and finding a new approach to things? — Why is the men’s fashion industry in such turmoil?

Thursday, 14 Apr 2016

"Some analysts estimate the oil-rich Islamic Republic of nearly 80 million people has more than 3 million high net worth individuals who are major and regular buyers of luxury goods". — Italy's fashion industry signs deal to build ties with Iran
"Online fashion retailer to enhance operations in key markets after reporting 25% rise in UK sales over six-month period". — Asos will use £2m from China exit to bolster UK, US and Europe
"Upmarket fashion retailer Reiss has stitched together a sale with private equity firm Warburg Pincus in a deal that values the chain at £230m". — Reiss is perfect fit for Warburg Pincus as it snaps up £230m fashion chain

Tuesday, 12 Apr 2016

"Alessandro Michele of Gucci and Demna Gvasalia of Balenciaga and Vetements are making clothes that capture the zeitgeist". — These two guys are changing how we think about fashion
Is Amazon getting ahead of the fashion retail game? — Amazon making waves in fashion business - key brands sign on to sell directly on marketplace
"Condé Nast International is narrowing its lens for the second annual Luxury Conference, concentrating 2016’s event on South Korea and its neighbours, China and Japan". — Condé Nast International Luxury Conference vets Seoul as “Future Luxury” hub

Monday, 11 Apr 2016

"Italian fashion company says short-term forecast uncertain, while profit missed analysts' estimates in 11 of past 12 quarters". — Prada CEO under pressure as profit falls to five-year low
"Alongside his own fashion label, Raf Simons' talent continues to find expression in a collaborative range of beautiful furnishing fabrics". — Raf Simons on how the relentless pace of fashion is killing creativity
"Older consumers will reshape the business landscape". — The grey market
And we can't really say that the fashion world is over enthusiastic about it either... — A year after its launch, it’s now clear that pretty much no one needs an Apple Watch

Friday, 8 Apr 2016

Surely, an impressive collection. — LACMA’s ‘Reigning Men’ exhibit showcases 300 years of men’s fashion
"Reed Krakoff has commented publicly for the first time on the suspension of his eponymous label". — Reed Krakoff on why he suspended his label
"Artificial intelligence can help businesses align supply and demand, scale personal service and design better products". — Is fashion ready for the AI revolution?

Thursday, 7 Apr 2016

Alexander Wang and Balenciaga are amongst the top brands. — What designer bag has the best resale value?
"Changing cultural attitudes have given men ‘permission to groom,’ but beauty brands still struggle to make them spend". — Can grooming brands get ‘low maintenance’ men to buy beauty?
Curious to see if Grace Coddington's fragrance can become a commercial success... — Grace Coddington: The fragrance
"The Jewish Museum is hosting a retrospective of the designer’s clothes—and what impresses is his longevity and originality". — The fashionable magic of Isaac Mizrahi

Wednesday, 6 Apr 2016

"Amazon is funneling resources into its fashion business, but to attract luxury brands to its platform, it’s going to have to undergo a major overhaul". — How Amazon could become the next big luxury fashion retailer
"Although China’s slower economic growth has ended the days of breakneck growth for the country’s luxury market, the global brands invested there are not panicking". — When it comes to luxury, China still leads
"Brands must bring consumers into the buying process and build new production capabilities, so demand for new designs can be fulfilled in days, not months." — ‘Buy now, build now’ is the real revolution
Can Dov Charney make lightning strike twice by doing a sequel to American Apparel? — Dov Charney seeks redemption in south central L.A. garment mill

Tuesday, 5 Apr 2016

After seven years, Giorgio Armani is returning to Moscow. Does that signal that the Russian luxury market is showing signs of improvement? — Giorgio Armani to visit Moscow, hold fashion show
As expected, the Belgian designer is now the boss at Saint Laurent. What's next for the legendary fashion house? — Anthony Vaccarello exits Versus Versace, takes helm at Saint Laurent
"Farfetch has launched luxury footwear brand Manolo Blahnik’s first global ecommerce site today, marking the first venture under new business unit Farfetch Black & White". — Farfetch launches Manolo Blahnik website

Monday, 4 Apr 2016

Luxury-goods makers are catering to New York and Hong Kong residents, as spending by tourists has stagnated in the wake of terror attacks. — Versace to Bottega court local shoppers as jet-set demand cools
Interesting comparison between two very strong and often defiant personalities. — Hedi Slimane: The Steve Jobs of fashion
"As Steve Rowe takes over from Marc Bolland at the retail institution, here are the tasks he must tackle to win back customers and investors". — The challenges facing Marks & Spencer's new chief

Tuesday, 19 Jan 2016

Brands could do well to look at what they consider their arch nemesis to learn about the future of e-commerce. Because Alibaba, and the retailers it enables, have a lot to teach brands about selling online. — Why are luxury brands cowards online?
Fashion’s luxury megabrands have long struck a delicate — and highly lucrative — balance between exclusivity and accessibility. But as digital media, globalisation and off-price retailing reshape the industry, are they in danger of losing the balance that made them so successful? — The luxury brand balancing act
The target is the 'post-digital generation' but AdWeek finds this approach obvious and tired. — Diesel awkwardly stuffs every online obsession into a new global ad campaign

Friday, 8 Jan 2016

Twitter is not the easiest platform to deal with when it comes to luxury brands, but Tiffany seems to have found a way. — How Tiffany found its Twitter voice
No momentum for wearables in sight, according to Mona Bijoor, founder and CEO of JOOR. — Why the fashion world hates wearables
BBDO Worldwide made its first foray into the world of high fashion this week by acquiring a majority stake in Wednesday Agency Group. — BBDO expands its focus to fashion and luxury

Thursday, 7 Jan 2016

Under Armour is trying to build the most comprehensive ecosystem of fitness products around and make athletes better. — How Under Armour plans to turn your clothes into gadgets
In what seems like a bold marketing move, the app will live-stream the FW16 men’s wear show of J. W. Anderson as it hits the runway at London — Grindr, the gay dating app, hooks up with fashion
Hudson’s Bay Co. is preparing to pay $250-million (U.S.) cash to buy Gilt Groupe Holdings, Inc., a membership-based online retailer that caters to shoppers in the millennial generation. — HBC to buy online shopping business Gilt for $250-million

Tuesday, 5 Jan 2016

She started with a signature product, her $200 ballet flats, and built a multi-billion-dollar brand in a decade. What can women entrepreneurs learn from her? — How fashion mogul Tory Burch is investing in women entrepreneurs
Can Nike outsmart its competition and win the race in wearables as well as customised footwear? — A first look at Nike’s idea for a “smart” sneaker
The department store business model is being challenged by a variety of factors. How will it fight back? — What’s next for the American department store?

Monday, 4 Jan 2016

John Lewis has been named the ‘top mobile retailer’ of 2015 for the second consecutive year. — John Lewis retains ‘top mobile retailer’ title
The influence of Instagram on fashion has gone beyond mega-models getting thousands of ‘likes’. Instagram is now the place where sales are made and retailers discover new designers. — Instagram: How the hashtag changed #fashion
The high street is facing competition from retail parks and shopping centres, with footfall declining. Can this trend be reversed? — The high street lost out to retail parks and shopping centres
How Moncler and Canada Goose managed to turn puffy winter coats into sought-after luxury items. — It’s Going Down

Friday, 1 Jan 2016

From Hong Kong to Italy, these are the biggest markets for luxury. Once again, accessories were the most popular among personal luxury goods categories, while watches struggled. Will this trend continue? — The world's biggest luxury markets in 2015
Will the ailing retailer manage to turn things around? — American Apparel is granted extension for reorganization
Investment dressing isn't new, but the more we discuss about it the better. — Quality or quantity? The mathematics of investment shopping
As expected, athleisure was the buzz word of the year. — See fashion’s most-searched for trends in 2015

Monday, 5 Oct 2015

Interesting report based on BrandWatch's research, however they have not included Instagram or SnapChat accounts... — Here’s how luxury brands are doing social media very wrong
Another blow for print media? — Emap brand to be scrapped as all its titles move digital-only
It's hard to deny Olivier Rousteing's power on social media. Balmain is clearly a brand that talks to Millennials. — Olivier Rousteing’s glamour army

Tuesday, 4 Aug 2015

Mr Wang wants to focus on his own label and it looks like it's the right thing to do. — Alexander Wang is already making his next move
Polyvore's success did not happen overnight. — How Polyvore CEO Jess Lee got started
Two words: hard work. — How can independent brands succeed in 2015?

Friday, 31 Jul 2015

Great news for one of London's most popular shopping destinations. — Liberty announces expansion
Is the world of fashion ready for this bold move? Let's hope so! — Meet the world's first transgender modeling agency
Online stores will generate more sales this year, however "the challenge for purely online stores will be to provide the levels of service that store-based retailers are able to offer". — Internet-only stores to overtake retail giants' online sales this year
How will the merger between Yoox and Net-A-Porter play out? — Yoox sees business growth in 2015 as it gears up for NAP merger

Thursday, 30 Jul 2015

While I still believe that "affordable" and "luxury" don't go well in one sentence, offering a platform for developers could mean some interesting new apps in this promising brand. — Vector plans developer platform for its ‘affordable luxury’ smartwatch
Does Mr Wang want to focus on his own label or is Kering not happy with Balenciaga's performance? — Alexander Wang, Balenciaga and the dismaying trend of leaks
The sober, minimalist and more refined brother of H&M is quietly expanding its reach. — Quiet high-street rebel Cos accelerates global expansion

Thursday, 14 May 2015

With the global menswear market growing constantly, it makes sense for jewellery brands to catch up - and adapt to new trends. — Changing tastes in men's jewelry
If big brands can do it, why not? — H&M expands into beauty with a whopping thousand products
Because we like Donatella. — Donatella Versace on Britpop, Instagram and why elitist fashion is over

Tuesday, 12 May 2015

Thanks but no thanks, Mr Scott. — From the car park to the catwalk: how fashion embraced street art
Forget about smartwatches, smart fabrics are the way to go! — Wearable electronic cloth a step closer to reality with new technique
How will the rise of Alibaba going to affect Amazon's business model? — Alibaba’s unparalleled rise has changed the face of global business
Omni-channel is here to stay, but really curious to see how this collaboration will turn out. Browns is an influential player, but it doesn't have a large network of stores. — Browns acquired by Farfetch as part of omni-channel growth strategy

Tuesday, 21 Apr 2015

Technology and fashion are getting closer, however it's important that this blending is as seamless as possible. The less visible the tech part of the garment or accessory, the better. — Get yourself connected: is the internet of things the future of fashion?
But it's still not a luxury item. — Changing tactics, Apple promotes Watch as a luxury item
Fast fashion, fast food? — Junk food hits the catwalk: The unlikely fusion of fast food and high fashion

Friday, 17 Apr 2015

Her influence is undeniable, but how will this collaboration go? Judging from some of her rather provocative editorials, my bet is on some sexy outfits. — Will Carine Roitfeld + Uniqlo be more or less than the sum of its parts?
Menswear grew faster than womenswear in 2014, but will it ever manage to dominate the fashion world? — The business of menswear is booming, so will it always be in womenswear's shadow?
It looks like Mr Galliano is here to stay, this time. — John Galliano is back and ready to take over the fashion world
Very interested to see how this could play out. — Can Dubai ever become a fashion capital?

Thursday, 16 Apr 2015

Vogue continues to be a leader on social media, but how does this translate when it comes to their revenues? — The fashion magazines that are winning on social media
More money pouring in for this promising app. — Spring, the shoppable Instagram, closes $25M in series B
There are always some geeks behind every successful online venture! :) — These guys help fashion labels get the web

Thursday, 9 Apr 2015

What's worth noting is that the majority of the reviews treat it as a tech gadget and not a fashion accessory. No surprises here. — The Apple Watch reviews are in, and they’re uncharacteristically meh across the board
Music and fashion have always gone hand-in-hand, so it makes perfect sense for brands to capitalise on the success of festivals. — The music festival explosion and how fashion is cashing in
Is the beauty industry going to be disrupted? — Digital beauty businesses aim for breakthrough

Tuesday, 7 Apr 2015

Do cartoons and fashion really get along? Moschino seems to be betting on that. — When did the catwalk become a kids' club?
There is more to wearables than gadgets, argues fashion technologist Amanda Parkes. — Fashion can win the wearables war
Difficulties ahead for the Los Angeles-based retail brand. — Nasty Gal's uncertain future

Thursday, 2 Apr 2015

Milan's fashion scene has still plenty to offer, despite what some people say. — In defence of Milan and the Italian new wave
Are there any fashion brands out there that are still in denial? — Chanel finally admits that its future includes e-commerce
Brands produce too many clothes that are hardly worn, according to the French designer. Probably a valid point, but who is listening? — Gaultier on Madonna and saying "au revoir"

Wednesday, 1 Apr 2015

An interesting point of view about Haute Couture. — The enigma of Haute Couture
Men are consuming more and more fashion, so this can only be a good thing, right? — Suits you, sir: the latest fashion is... men
What does the merger between Yoox and Net-A-Porter mean for luxury brands? — Why luxury retailers have finally given in to digital

Friday, 27 Mar 2015

Shoes are the fastest-growing category in fashion and the question is: will this trend last? — An interesting theory about the shoe bubble, courtesy of Jimmy Choo
As it creates new interest for watches. — Some luxury watchmakers are actually cheering on the Apple Watch
Well, it's part of the strategy after all... — Apple store employees will give you fashion advice

Thursday, 26 Mar 2015

Denmark wants to tackle this problem by using peer pressure. Will it work? — Denmark steps into the skinny model debate
This is not a joke. I repeat, this is not a joke. — McDonald's launches fashion line
Amazon hasn't managed to crack fashion yet, but it looks like they will buy someone who has. — Amazon to buy Net-a-Porter.com?

Tuesday, 24 Mar 2015

For designers wanting to expand their business, childrenswear seems like a good idea. — Alexander Wang, Lagerfeld and Lanvin tap the mini-me market
Small brands are more innovative when it comes to sustainability, but that's not the case with the bigger players. — Can big brands catch up on sustainable fashion?
After the successful investments in Valentino and Hugo Boss, Permira is on the market again for brands that will benefit from its cash. — Permira eyes next fashion investment

Monday, 23 Mar 2015

Prime for disruption, fashion is being targeted by more and more tech companies that wish to crack things like logistics and wearables. — Reinventing fashion with a Silicon Valley twist
Stitch Fix is projecting more than $200 million in revenue this year, but the model of subscription-based purchases through a 'personal' stylist is facing some difficulties. — Why Sephora’s digital boss joined Stitch Fix, the personal stylist startup that’s growing like mad
How will Gap manage to get its groove back? — Inside Gap's plan to get back into your drawers

Thursday, 19 Mar 2015

Dealing with logistics is an important issue for any retailer, and these two companies want to deal with it properly. — Forget flash sales—Flipkart and Snapdeal have a new obsession
Dolce & Gabbana's rising PR problem has the potential to alienate an important group of customers. — Dolce & Gabbana comments trigger public outrage... and uncomfortable silence
Another magazine is going digital-only, more to follow... — 'Nylon Guys' is going out of print

Wednesday, 18 Mar 2015

"Apple’s gargantuan sales means that even if it shifts millions of units, the watch could still be seen as a failure". — The Apple Watch: do entrepreneurs love it or loathe it?
The number of followers on social media can take or give work from models. Is this the new norm and do we have to embrace it? — Karlie Kloss says fashion’s obsession with social media is not as good as it seems
Chinese designers are on the rise, as the market there matures. — Fashion wars: China takes on the West

Monday, 16 Mar 2015

As long as these 'clothes' are great at hiding all their geeky bits, then the answer is probably yes. — Are ‘smart’ clothes the wearables of the future?
And more will follow, as the lines between content and commerce will get even more blurry. — Glamour's the next women's magazine to get into e-commerce
How do you measure a brand's success on social media? — Social media’s elusive goal: return on investment

Thursday, 12 Mar 2015

Chanel's show surely compete with Hollywood productions. — Fashion's creative catwalks; from the Great Wall of China to a Paris carousel
Robin Givhan is one of the few critics that speak their mind. — These are good times for fashion. So why weren’t the clothes more interesting at Paris Fashion Week?
How difficult will it be to put the “wear” in wearable? — The wear, why and how

Tuesday, 10 Mar 2015

Mulberry continues its efforts to turn things around, hopefully the new CEO will help. — Mulberry could have new CEO by July
Some critics are not really keen with Slimane's work at Saint Laurent, but sales have been growing for the brand. What matters most? Time will tell. — Saint Laurent goes punk at Paris Fashion Week. Does luxury have a place for ripped stockings?
Hardly any surprises for me here. This could become a useful gadget, but I can't see how someone can perceive it is a fashion accessory. — Apple's watch hasn't impressed the fashion world

Monday, 9 Mar 2015

This is not the first time that Dame Westwood is accused of hypocrisy. — Vivienne Westwood accused of hypocrisy over offshore tax base
"Roberto Cavalli expects Russian sales to drop 20 percent this year, while LVMH's Hublot has already seen sales decline 20 percent in Russia". Unfortunately, this trend is likely to continue. — Tourism and luxury firms count cost of Russia's recession
Yes, we've all been waiting for it. My first thought? That it's a potentially interesting fitness device but not a luxury item. — The Apple Watch Is Here. You Have $17,000? (Or $349?)

Friday, 6 Mar 2015

"The fact is most creative designers, if they work for a big brand, have to strike a balance between being efficient and giving a mere taste of newness. Realistically, they don’t have time to do more". — The rise of mobile fashion is making everything flatter
All creative talents need someone to support them in their first steps. — Fashion's fairy godparents
A truly mobile retail concept, could it catch on in Europe though? — Mobile fashion trucks, the latest US shopping sensation

Thursday, 5 Mar 2015

Whenever in doubt, a nipple or two could make a difference, I suppose? — New designers turn to nudity to make a splash at Paris Fashion Week
Things might get crowded soon! — Men's clothing is outpacing cameras, computers, and beer in growth of online sales
Mr Wang admires Ralph Lauren for managing to touch entirely different audiences without doing any compromise. I feel this gives us an idea about how he would like to grow his brand. — Fashion superhero Alexander Wang on style, sportswear and never going to the gym
Brands like Samsung and HTC are taking advantage of fashion weeks to promote their products to the fashion crowd. Will it work? — Style iCons: how technology has become glamorous in the fashion world

Wednesday, 4 Mar 2015

Jean Paul Galtier will create a capsule collection of affordable that is going to be available only in Japan. — Jean Paul Gaultier moves on
Love him or hate him, Mr Lagerfeld's interviews are always a very, very interesting read. — Karl Lagerfeld on fur (yea), selfies (nay) and keeping busy
FarFetch joins the European startup's billionaire club. — Fashion marketplace Farfetch raises $86 million

Tuesday, 3 Mar 2015

"Even though ecommerce still makes up a relatively small percentage of all retail sales, the trends lines are clear: many retail segments are under assault by cheaper, more convenient retailers selling online". What happens when you offer interesting, unique in-store experiences? — Retail reaches a tipping point
Great read about the rise and fall of two influential brands. Can't help thinking how they will manage to turn things around. — The fall of the hipster brand: Inside the decline of American Apparel and Urban Outfitters
Men are the new big spenders in fashion and this European version of Trunk Club would like to be part of the trend. — Outfittery raises further $20M for its curated shopping service for men’s clothing
If you like sneakers and charts, then this will make your day. — On the front foot: charting the rise of trainers in fashion

Monday, 2 Mar 2015

Karl Lagerfeld wants to showcase Fendi's finest fur designs in their first ever Haute Couture show. — Fendi to debut Haute Couture collection
Following American Apparel, another big retailer is trying to find the right way to move forward. — Gap’s identity crisis is getting uglier
Alta Sartoria was the best way for Dolce & Gabbana to express their love for Italian tradition. — Dolce & Gabbana launches couture line for men

Friday, 27 Feb 2015

Miuccia Prada managed to surprise everyone, once again. Love her or hate her, one thing is certain: she it totally unpredictable (in a cool way) and that's one of the biggest assets a fashion brand can have. — Prada’s Milan fashion week show goes for heightened femininity
Sporty outerwear is most of the time too bulky (or too stiff). I'm hoping this new fabric technology can offer better designs - and maybe revamp the urban casual winter jackets we love to hate. — New fabric tech could be outerwear's biggest advance in 40 years
Either Mr Johnson was not given enough time to turns things around at J.C. Penney or his plan was not suitable for the retailer. Either way, he is back. Nasty Gal is a brand with a much younger audience so let's see what happens. — Former Apple retail boss Ron Johnson leads $16 million investment in Nasty Gal

Thursday, 26 Feb 2015

The next frontier for fashion startups? Underwear! — Underwear startups have investors hot and bothered
Despite its mentioned 'shortcomings', I still see Milan as the centre of commercial fashion (in a good way). — Cheerleading for Milan

Wednesday, 25 Feb 2015

Is he? Time will tell and the stakes are high for Kering's biggest cash cow. All eyes are definitely on Mr Michele. — Alessandro Michele makes small steps in the right direction
Changes continue to happen at Condé Nast, and it seems that the company is clearing the inventory 'left' from Fairchild Fashion Media. I'm really curious to see what they are planning next, as NowManifest hosted the sites of some seemingly successful bloggers. — Condé Nast closes blog network NowManifest

Monday, 23 Feb 2015

With 50% of buying decisions influenced by what consumers hear or see online when it comes to luxury goods, there is still a lot of potential for brands to grow. — The opportunity in online luxury fashion
This is a very interesting development regarding Conde Nast's efforts to step up their online game. — Conde Nast takes a page from the BuzzFeed playbook — by hiring BuzzFeed’s data dude

Friday, 20 Feb 2015

India seems to be a popular destination for the e-commerce. Amazon is expanding there and now Bangalore-based startup Wooplr wants to ignite social commerce. — Wooplr lands $5 million for its fashion discovery service in India
More changes ahead for the troubled retailer, this time at the creative department. — American Apparel shakes up creative team under new CEO

Wednesday, 18 Feb 2015

Brands want to transform all these eyeballs during fashion weeks into potential transactions. — British brands enabling fans to shop real-time
Warby Parker is getting bigger and stronger. How will Luxottica respond to this? — Warby Parker sees the future of retail

Tuesday, 17 Feb 2015

Kering wants to see some results from Gucci's new artistic approach, while Hedi Slimane has helped Saint Laurent increase its sales. Despite the criticism he has received (creative-wise), Hedi is a winner at the moment. — Luxury did well globally: Kering CEO Pinault
Always happy to hear that Public School is getting positive reviews, it's one of my favourite American brands at the moment. — Why Public School’s designers are rising stars
Gilt is still not profitable so it seems that an IPO won't come anytime soon. The company is planning to use the funding for international expansion. — With IPO on hold, Gilt Groupe raises $50 million investment

Friday, 13 Feb 2015

Things could look bad for Android-based wearables... — Apple Watch is about to crush Android’s toehold on the wearable market
An interesting development if rumours are true... — Is Sergio Rossi for sale?

Thursday, 12 Feb 2015

On the exact opposite of designer like Tom Ford, there is a new breed of talent that does not seek the spotlight. — A new generation of designers chooses anonymity
Following the steps of Net-A-Porter and blurring the lines between commerce and editorial even more. Who is next? — Barneys is publishing its own magazine

Tuesday, 10 Feb 2015

Amazon has been trying to crack fashion for quite some time (L2 think tank had some interesting insights a while ago). This is definitely an interesting development. — India may become launchpad for Amazon's fashion label
Let's see how the brand new Lucky Shops website will fare... — Lucky layoffs signal much deeper woes

Monday, 9 Feb 2015

And the lines between editorial and e-commerce became a little more blurry. — 'Lucky' launches Lucky Shops, its new e-commerce venture
It looks like that either Marco Zanini or Massimo Giorgetti are going to replace Peter Dundas at Pucci. — Marco Zanini said headed to Pucci

Friday, 6 Feb 2015

"Lifestyle brands like Under Armour prefer to buy a solution than try to develop technologies they want in-house". Makes sense if you've got the cash to spend... — Lifestyle brands are acquiring their way to becoming tech companies
I'm sure more and more fashion brands will attempt to crack wearables, especially once Apple's Watch goes on sale. — Michael Kors is getting into wearable tech

Thursday, 5 Feb 2015

The older woman comes at the forefront of fashion advertising in an effort to lure an audience with money to spend. — The fine-wine theory of fashion advertising
Great news, but will it manage to attract visitors? — Men's New York Fashion Week will launch this summer

Wednesday, 4 Feb 2015

Niche fragrances are getting more and more popular, and this has gotten the attention of the big industry players as well. — In the fragrance industry, a whiff of change is in the air
Your clothes will soon reveal more things than your cleavage... — High-Tech fashion redefines meaning of revealing clothing
What are the most recent developments regarding New York Fashion Week? — How New York Fashion Week is being remade

Tuesday, 3 Feb 2015

They can try selling it as a luxury item, but will this strategy work? — Apple stores will implement jewelry store practices to help sell the Apple Watch
The famous duo wants to focus on couture (and things that make money, like fragrances?). — Viktor & Rolf hop off the ready-to-wear treadmill

Monday, 2 Feb 2015

More and more brands place designers that have worked their way up inside a company, rather than hiring an outsider, a 'celebrity' for their top positions. What does this mean for creativity? — Where have fashion's big personalities gone?
How does “the one percent of the one percent” shop? — Inside Dolce & Gabbana’s diamond-spiked Alta Moda weekend in Milan
The trend of using mostly white models continued during Paris Fashion Week, even though the designers were not shy of questioning normality, notes Mr Porter. — Paris Fashion Week: menswear round-up

Thursday, 29 Jan 2015

"Weakness in the global economy, a strong U.S. dollar and ongoing geopolitical issues are contributing to a slowdown among consumers who live overseas". Let's hope that as Japan is climbing out of recession and retail sales are rising, this will help reverse any negative trends. — The biggest threat to luxury brands' rapid growth
More changes for the troubled retailer... — Rebekka Bay exits Gap

Wednesday, 28 Jan 2015

Gender neutrality is the new black! But in all seriousness, it's a great concept that can make headlines and shows that you keep up with the times. — Selfridges is bringing a gender neutral shopping experience to its stores
Nobody really wants to deal with 'unsexy' subjects like plus sizes, but the market is out there and the demand seems to be huge. — Why Target's new plus-sized line could redefine $17.5 billion, underserved market
Tough times ahead for Russian designers and socialites... — The Russians aren't coming, the Russians aren't coming

Tuesday, 27 Jan 2015

Very interesting roundup from the latest Haute Couture offerings in Paris. — Fearless France – the muse of Paris couture
Target is closing shop in Canada, while Unqlo has decided to try its luck there, but it will move very cautiously. — Uniqlo goes where others have been burnt: Canada
This does not come as a surprise. Print ad pages have been declining for Conde Nast, while its competitors have started working with brands already. — Conde Nast editors to create articles, videos for advertisers

Monday, 26 Jan 2015

Is privacy going to be the new luxury? — 82pc consumers think online advertisers obtain too much personal information
"After years of decline, the number of catalogs mailed in the United States increased in 2013, to 11.9 billion". As someone who grew up loving shopping catalogues, I am hoping that print will continue to be part of a company's marketing mix (when needed, of course). — Catalogs, after years of decline, are revamped for changing times
With sales representing less than 1 percent of the company’s total revenue, Gap has decided to pull the plug on its multibrand footwear destination. — Gap to close Piperlime website and store

Friday, 23 Jan 2015

A strong brand and flagging sales. Can Paula Schneider turn the company around? — New CEO Paula Schneider: How I'll fix American Apparel
"In retail, the old guard is clunky and slow-moving and has millions of dollars tied up in inefficient stores". Still, if you look at companies like Bonobos, you can't deny the allure of physical stores - as long as you offer an interesting in-store experience to your customers. — Why are e-commerce startups bullish on retail?
Is there such a thing as overexposure for some of the top models out there? — Cara Delevingne to front Tag Heuer ads

Thursday, 22 Jan 2015

A stronger Swiss Franc means higher prices and another headache for luxury watchmakers. — Swatch lifts watch prices to counter franc's surge
Just when you thought you had seen it all on the catwalks... — Penises on the fashion catwalk – a flesh flash too far?
After the decision to spin off PayPal, the company is planning a restructuring - presumably before a possible sale or IPO. — Ebay to axe 2,400 jobs in corporate restructuring

Wednesday, 21 Jan 2015

With China being "the only male-driven luxury goods market", what does this mean for European brands that want a bigger share of the market? — Here's the difference between the Chinese and Japanese luxury booms
Will Mr Vaccarello revamp Versace's diffusion line? I'd like to think so! — Anthony Vaccarello named Versus creative director
Well, it's now official! WWD was the first one to break the news, let's see what Mr Michele has in mind for the Italian powerhouse. — Gucci appoints Alessandro Michele as new creative director

Tuesday, 20 Jan 2015

Like him or not, Justin Bieber has a massive (and rather vocal) fan base, and that has helped Calvin Klein boost its social media presence. Is this move good for the brand in the long term though? — Justin Bieber helps Calvin Klein's social status
Jason Biggs believes that fashion watches that will suffer more from the arrival of Apple Watch, and Swiss luxury watchmakers will have to become even more exclusive to survive. — How the watch industry will save itself
Welcome to the world of Fast Fashion where sales cycles are short and product development cycles need to keep up. — Wet Seal whipped: Expect more casualties as fast fashion retailers take over teen market

Thursday, 15 Jan 2015

Swiss watchmakers have to deal with sluggish sales in China, and with the Swiss Franc being out of control things could get tougher for them. — Luxury watch sales hit by ‘weak China market and Hong Kong protests’
The Council of Fashion Designers of America want to remake New York Fashion Week, and the Fashion Calendar is one of the first things to be updated. — The CFDA debuts a remodeled fashion calendar
What's next for the emerging French fashion designer? — Maxime Simoëns part ways with LVMH

Wednesday, 14 Jan 2015

Is ethical fashion possible on a larger scale? — 11 things we learned about achieving a zero-waste fashion industry
As the luxury segment is growing, the paper is adding a new print section devoted to men’s fashion and lifestyle. — New York Times to launch new section
I think the key thing for luxury brands is here: "Smartwatches are poised to change the watch category, but luxury brands are better off retaining their positioning than trying to compete". — Luxury requires a balancing act between authenticity and relevancy

Tuesday, 13 Jan 2015

Such a brave move from Sophia Amoruso who is stepping aside to allow Sheree Waterson to take over. — Nasty Gal founder hands over CEO role at cutting-edge online fashion retailer
Ebay is betting on omnichannel and is about to launch its Retail Associate Platform. — Ebay unveils retail platform: All about omni
It was only a matter of time before it happened! — H&M is launching an official Coachella collection

Monday, 12 Jan 2015

Functional luxury is the new black. — The definition of luxury retail is being ‘shattered’
Have British fashion designers found the sweet spot between being creative and commercial? — A wealth of ideas, but what are they all worth? The most impressive menswear stars in London deserve to sell
The return of John Galliano at the helm of Maison Martin Margiela has been welcomed, even though "he may not have so much new to say". — Suzy Menkes: John Galliano, the return

Friday, 9 Jan 2015

I think this sums it up greatly: "Even a store that sells nothing has to stay adaptable if it wants to keep customers who want what they want when they want it, however it ends up in their hands". If your customers want to touch your items before they buy them, somehow you have to give that experience to them. — Long live retail: fashion startups finally learned why physical stores still matter
32 catwalk shows scheduled with Coach, Aquascutum and Todd Lynn showing for the first time in London. — London Collections: Men - the menswear shows in numbers
I still remember the ads in the magazines...such a legendary store. — Louis Boston to close after more than 85 years

Thursday, 8 Jan 2015

Prada announced a nine-month decline in net profit and it's planning to delay or cancel the opening of 80 stores worldwide. Again, lack of innovation is being cited as a problem, as well as overexposure... — It's time to admit that Prada's in decline
Sessions on shopping apps on iOS and Android devices increased by 174% year-over-year, including 220% on Android alone. Will this trend continue? — Shopping apps are now the fastest growing thing in mobile
The former global head of video at Vice-owned i-D magazine joins Condé Nast UK, the publishing brand wants to expand its online offerings - and possibly focus on video? — Condé Nast Britain hires i-D’s Danielle Bennison-Brown as first video content chief ahead of video push

Wednesday, 7 Jan 2015

The quest for the Karls and Toms of tomorrow continues... — LVMH launches second annual prize to find new talent
The online retailer (aimed at people aged 16 to 24) blamed the warm autumn weather for a profit warning that wiped more than 40 per cent off the value of its shares. Asos's shares also dipped. Are more youth-oriented companies in trouble? — Boohoo shares almost halve as the online fashion retailer warns on profits following poor winter sales
When in doubt, always take the easiest route: pick a popular (yet controversial) celebrity to advertise your products and create some headlines. — Justin Bieber to be featured in Calvin Klein ads

Tuesday, 6 Jan 2015

Will a new stainless steel holder be enough to make this product appealing to the fashion world? Hmmm... — CES 2015: Sony hops on fashion train with stainless steel SmartWatch 3
With a 54% increase in significant financial distress among UK retailers compared with last Christmas, things aren't rosy for the high street. — Bank Fashion collapses, putting 1,500 high street jobs at risk
New venue, new name, and the acquisition of rival fashion week MADE, signal a new era for New York Fashion Week. Excited? — All change for New York Fashion Week with a new location and a new name

Monday, 5 Jan 2015

Russia did a last minute cancellation due to the financial crisis. How painful will this crisis be for luxury companies? — Russia, guest of honour, cancels on Pitti Uomo
“Luxury brands lose half of their top customers every year. The biggest reason why a consumer won't come back isn't the product – it's a rude or inattentive salesperson.” Great read about really knowing who your customer is. — The customer comes first
Selfridges' Bright Old Things focuses on 14 mature talents who have swapped successful careers for something new. Our beloved Nick Wooster is included in this list, don't miss it if you are in London! — New talent blooms in the university of life

Friday, 2 Jan 2015

With consumers over 60 controlling more than 70 percent of many developed nations’ wealth, which brands will get to their hearts (and wallets) first? — Bright old things and the silver spend
Approximately 400 to 600 3-D printer brands are available right now (with prices from $200 to $5,000). As they become more available, fashion and design will change permanently. — 4 amazing things you can do with 3-D printers very soon
Montblanc is joining the wearables race and I feel their approach is better than Apple's. The e-Strap is adding the tech element but without the geekiness. — Montblanc reveals smart strap for analogue watches

Wednesday, 24 Dec 2014

Yes, ugly Christmas sweaters are a thing and apparently they make a lot of money too. — The big business of ugly Christmas sweaters

Tuesday, 23 Dec 2014

Multichannel campaigns create touch points for consumers using a wide range of mediums. From Prada to Dior, brands have been experimenting with different kinds of initiatives and stories trying to create additional buzz. — Top 10 luxury multichannel efforts of 2014
But does this mean that it will compete with luxury brands or will it create a new market for health and sports-related products? — Apple set to totally dominate the wearable tech sector
After the Moncler scandal, Gucci is the latest brand to be targeted for its manufacturing practices. — Gucci says to strengthen supplier checks after TV allegations

Monday, 22 Dec 2014

Email is one of the most effective digital marketing tactics, and Tommy Hilfiger seems to be getting this right. — Tommy Hilfiger most personal on email
Despite the rumours, Ben Kirchhoff and Edward Meadham are not shutting down their label. They are, however, trying to restructure the way they are doing business. — Meadham Kirchhoff not closing
China's counterfeiting companies are like Hydra. Brands should try to educate customers while at the same time collaborate with customs officers. — Online enforcement of counterfeit luxury goods: the China problem
From store refurbishments to different creative collaborations, department stores are trying to compete with the conveniences of online shopping. — How New York's department stores are fighting back against e-commerce

Friday, 19 Dec 2014

While there are a few success stories of boutiques that successfully transitioned into global e-tailers (like Luisa Via Roma and Matches Fashion), it's certainly not an easy task and it has involved hiring people in every department. — From local boutiques to global e-tailers
Almost half of individuals who use wearable technology feel more intelligent, while 61 per cent felt more informed, according to a research by Samsung. Of course, there's a distance between feeling intelligent to actually being. — Is wearable tech making us smarter?
Angel Chen, J Moon, Kim Stevenson and Minju Kim are on Fashion Scout's list of emerging designers, who will show their collections during London Fashion Week. — Fashion Scout: ones to watch

Thursday, 18 Dec 2014

Puma's former creative director was Hussein Chalayan. Now it's Rihanna. What does this say about the brand's new business approach? — Puma explains its new creative director: Rihanna
One of the most promising talents to emerge from the British fashion scene talks about his unisex-minded designs, luxury, and Loewe. — Interview with Jonathan Anderson
Who would have thought that an imaginary trend could hit the runways and become real? Fashion can be irrational after all... — Normcore: how a spoof marketing term grew into a fashion phenomenon
With 45% of affluents planning to shop online only and mobile devices as the basic tools for searching, luxury fashion brands have to offer a seamless experience on any medium. — 'Tis the season for affluent online shoppers

Wednesday, 17 Dec 2014

I think that not even all the diamonds in the world can make Apple Watch desirable for true connoisseurs, but let's see if I'm proved wrong. — Company offers $30,000 diamond-encrusted Apple Watch for preorder
Harper’s Bazaar US and lots of Vogue international editions have failed to use any models of colour this year, making them the 'whitest' fashion magazines out there. — Diversity report: fashion magazine covers still pretty white in 2014
Is stealth gear the next big thing in fashion? The Affair, a new label for men, is offering clothes with a secure pouch that blocks all radio signals making you untrackable. — The Affair: the fashion brand making stealth tech stylish
The newest designer who's been added to the list of Gucci contenders is Hedi Slimane. Tabitha Simmons is also seen as a possible successor to the throne. — Hedi Slimane is the latest name thrown into the Gucci ring

Tuesday, 16 Dec 2014

We've said it before and will say it again. If wearables aren't desirable for their design, their tech features won't matter so much to the fashion-conscious consumers. — Wearable technology gets a fashion makeover
Prada has lost over a third of their value this year and the company might have to re-evaluate its positioning. — Is Prada going out of style?
Can a single piece of plastic be transformed into a dress actual people could wear? It looks like it with the Kinematic dress, which can be wearable straight out of the printing machine. — Inside the 3D-printed dress that may be the future of fashion
Gucci probably needs to decide first if it wants to take the Hermès route or to continue playing the 'sexy' card, but in a more contemporary way. Riccardo Tisci seems like the hottest contender, if he can break free from his LVMH contract. Katie Grand, who's also mentioned, would be a big surprise. — Who is set to succeed Frida Giannini at Gucci?

Monday, 15 Dec 2014

"The high-profile celebrity front row has definitely become much more of a focus now than it used to be," claims Amanda Wakeley in her interview, while brands have to deal with so many ephemeral celebrities. — Wakeley: the power of the FROW
Discover platforms for fashion based on visual search engines have the potential to solve a lot of problems for shoppers, with ASAP54, Slyce and Snap Fashion leading the way. — Snap Fashion extends its visual search engine app into men’s clothes
And that gap is Muslim customers, according to some studies done by Euromonitor. With limited offerings, there isn't a single brand that can serve this market segment on a global scale. It's probably complicated for a Western brand to design clothes taking certain technicalities into account? — This fashion sector has a huge market gap
Gap wants to reduce dependence on North America and plans to use Zalando's European network for this. Plus, it is aiming to open 40 stores in India. — Fashion chain Gap in deal with online retailer Zalando

Friday, 12 Dec 2014

Which are the top brands that get the lion's share of online traffic when it comes to fashion? — The other wealth gap: 5 luxe brands outpace online
According to this story, "consumers are willing to spend just as much on their smartphone as on their desktop”. And those who offer a seamless mobile experience will be the big winners of this race. — Fashion and luxury purchases are 33pc of all mobile transactions
Personalisation, offering unique experiences (even to clients with smaller budgets), and great storytelling will continue to be major factors in making a luxury brand successful. — Experience counts: providers of luxury need to offer more than expensive baubles to take advantage of a growing market
You won't find a bigger story today than this. Gucci's numbers (and runway reviews) have not been good lately, so this move shouldn't come as a surprise. Who's next at this hot seat? — Frida Giannini departs Gucci

Thursday, 11 Dec 2014

Indian e-tailers Jabong and Myntra are showing 3-digit and 4-digit growth figures. What can we learn from their success? — Fashion e-tailers like Jabong and Myntra clock up impressive numbers
Fashion bloggers need to step up their game if they want to continue being relevant. Posting selfies and street style photos just won't cut it anymore. Rumi Neely is the latest blogger who is expanding into clothing, let's see if she can pull off a Chiara Ferragni level of success into this venture. — Fashion blogger Rumi Neely launching contemporary line
Who isn't curious about how wearables are going to turn out? I'm very excited (and a bit sceptical) about this trend as I am certain we have a lot more to see from this pairings between tech companies and fashion brands. — High-tech meets high fashion: the new look of wearable technology
Major fast fashion chains are expanding their production chains beyond Asia and into eastern Europe. Is this a new chapter for fast fashion or more of the same, just closer to home? — Fast fashion's fickle market demands manufacturers closer to home

Wednesday, 10 Dec 2014

Soraya Darabi, founder of ethical clothing business Zady, uses technology to show the world the entire supply chain process. Surprise of the day: while the company is targeted at millennials, it has been very popular with an older audience. — How data can make fashion ethical
With online sales up 17% and physical retail down 11%, brands want to figure out the best possible ways to integrate technology and retail experiences. Great in-store experiences will always beat convenience shopping! — Fashion and tech companies merge online and offline sales
Apple's poaching of fashion and luxury executives continues, as the company wants to strengthen its image as a luxury retailer. — Apple Stores recruiting fashion and luxury experts ahead of Apple Watch debut
How is Nick Robertson, CEO of ASOS, going to deal with a stronger pound and a decline in worldwide sales? — Asos sales soar in the UK, not so much everywhere else

Tuesday, 9 Dec 2014

A new era for Abercrombie & Fitch? CEO Mike Jeffries is retiring, and the company's approach to retail is changing. No more 'club aesthetic' at the stores, less visible logos on items for the North American market. — Abercrombie CEO Is Out
Russ Somers of Invodo argues that mobile first is not the right approach to take when designing for visual commerce. — Does mobile-first leave the customer behind?
It's never too late to jump the wearables bandwagon, especially if you are Tag Heuer. How will traditional luxury brands respond to Apple's threat? — Tag Heuer working on a smartwatch
Alexis Martial helped Iceberg get its groove back; let's see what he can do for Carven if the rumours are true. — Could Iceberg's Main Man Be Carven Bound?

Monday, 8 Dec 2014

What does the future hold for the 'Amazon of fashion'? — Success Draws Competition for Luxury E-Retailer Yoox