From Pitti to Paris, Men are the New Women

Global Briefing | Intelligence | The Fashion Trail

  • White stripes at Prada Spring/Summer 2013 | Photo: Giorgio Constantine/Bontonis
  • Tropical prints at Versace Spring/Summer 2013 | Photo: Giorgio Constantine/Bontonist
  • Fluoro accessories at Louis Vuitton Spring/Summer 2013 | Photo: Giorgio Constantine/Bontonist
  • Transparent tailoring at Rick Owens Spring/Summer 2013 | Photo: Giorgio Constantine/Bontonist
  • Printed bags at Burberry Spring/Summer 2013 | Photo: Giorgio Constantine/Bontonist
  • Religious iconography at Givenchy Spring/Summer 2013 | Photo: Giorgio Constantine/Bontonist
  • Popping colours at Canali Spring/Summer 2013 | Photo: Giorgio Constantine/Bontonist
  • A flash of yellow at Missoni Spring/Summer 2013 | Photo: Giorgio Constantine/Bontonist

PARIS, France – “Men are the new women,” or so went the refrain of the fashion pack who have travelled from London to Florence to Milan to Paris over the last three weeks, taking in the menswear collections for Spring/Summer 2013. Indeed, according to a recent report by Bain & Company, a consulting firm, the luxury menswear market is growing at almost 14 percent per year, outpacing growth in womenswear by almost double. And, as

…Continue Reading

Are Fashion Brands Underestimating the Importance of China E-Commerce?

Global Briefing

Gap Store on Tmall | Source: Tmall

BEIJING, China — With its burgeoning middle class and status-conscious consumer culture, China remains the primary engine driving luxury market growth, even in a rapidly weakening global economy. But recent reports from China’s National Bureau of Statistics show that even China’s economy is experiencing what one Chinese cabinet member called a “sharp slowdown.” For fashion brands operating in China, this presents a distinct

…Continue Reading

Global Briefing | Could Africa be the Next Frontier for Fashion Retail?

Global Briefing | Intelligence

Westgate Mall, Nairobi | Source: kamalkaur.net

NAIROBI, Kenya — In recent weeks, the media hype around Africa has been remarkable, with several articles in major publications proclaiming the continent “the next Asia.” In fashion, Franca Sozzani even dedicated the entire May issue of L’Uomo Vogue to “rebranding Africa,” while this year’s IHT Luxury conference will discuss “the potential of Africa, both as a producer and ultimately consumer of luxury goods.” But to what extent is

…Continue Reading

Three Women Behind the Scenes of Brazil’s Fashion Industry

Global Briefing

Alice Ferraz

SÃO PAULO, Brazil — For many, Brazil’s body culture, eternal summer, and supermodels — not to mention its successful bids to host both the 2014 World Cup and the 2016 Olympic Games — make it the sexiest of all the BRIC countries. But data released in February by Brazil’s official statistics bureau revealed that the country’s GDP grew by just 2.7 percent in 2011, a dramatic reversal compared to the 7.5 percent surge registered in

…Continue Reading

The Top 20 Movers, Shakers and Decision-Makers in China Fashion

Global Briefing | Shanghai

BEIJING, China — For the past few years, all eyes have been on China. Captivated by the country’s rapidly expanding economy, large population and seemingly insatiable appetite for luxury goods, global fashion brands have focused their efforts on the Middle Kingdom, opening glittering stores in megacities like Beijing and Shanghai, as well as fast growing middleweight cities like Guangzhou, Hangzhou, Shenzhen and Tianjin, and

…Continue Reading

12345