Posts Tagged ‘Bulgari’

7 April, 2010 by BoF Team

BoF Daily Digest | Trapani’s choices, Entrepreneuring women, Lilly Pulitzer’s true colours, UK Property tax hit, Toronto’s troubles

Francesco Trapani photographed by Marco Di Lauro | Source: NY Times

Francesco Trapani | Source: NY Times

Strategic changes at Bulgari – Francesco Trapani (Europa Star)
“In a watchmaking landscape that is seeing a shuffling of cards (economic crisis, the announcement by Nicolas Hayek that the Swatch Group is stopping distribution of component parts), what is Bulgari’s strategy?”

Two women, two businesses, one £450m British success story (Independent)
“One began by selling a few posh frocks in cyberspace. The other flogged retro crocks from a second-floor shop in west London… Natalie Massenet and Cath Kidston were yesterday united by cashing in… on their status as the originators of two of Britain’s most successful recession-busting brands.”

Lilly Pulitzer: Fashion With a Colorful Narrative (NY Times)
“Wes Anderson movies and J. D. Salinger novels both portray hyper-colorized worlds of civilized affluence. The characters are all a little too wonderful, attractive and brilliant to be believed… Let us take this feverish color palette and apply it to casual resort-wear.”

Property tax threatens UK retailers (Fashion United)
“A series of new property tax increases threatens to harm retailers’ ability to support the millions of jobs they provide. From the 1st of April several property tax hikes, such as business rates revaluation, come into effect.”

Toronto Fashion Week: A Fragmented Fall (Huffington Post)
“This season Toronto Fashion Week kicked off late, trailing behind a smattering of shows thrown independently by designers who didn’t need (nor want) the Fashion Design Council of Canada’s runway.”

17 March, 2010 by BoF Team

BoF Daily Digest | Acquisition frenzy, Bulgari posts loss, Moody’s upgrades Saks, Liberty agrees flagship sale, Russian luxury declines

Tommy Hilfiger Spring/Summer 2010 | Source: Tommy Hilfiger

Tommy Hilfiger Spring/Summer 2010 | Source: Tommy Hilfiger

A big takeover brings cheer to gloomy fashion retailing (Economist)
“PVH’s acquisition of Tommy Hilfiger has aroused widespread interest, because it is a sign of life in an ailing industry. Analysts are predicting that more deals will follow this year. The cutbacks fashion companies have made in the past two years have left some of them with cash to spend on takeovers.”

Cost-cuts take shine off Bulgari (FT)
“Bulgari sank yesterday after the Italian watch and jewellery maker posted a €13.6m fourth-quarter loss in spite of an improving luxury goods sector. Analysts said the numbers were the result of poor fundamentals, adding that the company should expect downgrades.”

Moody’s lifts Saks outlook to stable (Business Week)
“Moody’s Investors Service lifted its outlook for Saks Inc. on Tuesday, saying the luxury retailer is likely to fatten operating income over the next two quarters.”

Retailer Liberty agrees sale of flagship store for £41.5m (Guardian)
“Liberty, the department store group, has agreed a sale and leaseback deal on its Tudor-style building in London’s West End… [the company] has exchanged contracts to sell the building for £41.5m to Sirosa Liberty, with the proceeds used to pay off its debt.”

Luxury Brands Declining Demand in Russia (Pravda)
“Decrease in demand for products of Luxury, Premium and Upper Middle segments in Russia in 2009 amounted to… 40-45% because of the exchange rate difference. Most luxury operators had stopped their expansion and focused on the development of their existing projects in large Russian cities.”

9 October, 2009 by BoF Team

BoF Daily Digest | Yohji files for bankruptcy, Bulgari sees improvement, US retailers gain, Uniqlo boom, Lacroix offer on table

Yohji Yamamoto

Yohji Yamamoto

Designer Yamamoto files for bankruptcy protection (AP)
“Japanese fashion design house Yohji Yamamoto said Friday it has filed for bankruptcy protection, citing slumping sales amid a global downturn.”

Bulgari CEO Says Sales Are Improving, Led by Asia, Handbags (Bloomberg)
“Bulgari SpA, the world’s third- largest jeweler, said sales improved in the second part of the year, led by gains in Asia, its biggest market, and higher demand for handbags.”

US retailers in first monthly sales gain since 2008 financial collapse (FT)
“Leading US retailers yesterday reported their first monthly sales gain since the financial collapse of September 2008, although most still saw lower sales than a year ago as shoppers remained focused on bargain hunting.”

Fast Retailing sees record profit on Uniqlo boom (Forbes)
“Japan’s Fast Retailing forecast a 10.5 percent rise in operating profit this financial year as its Uniqlo casual clothing chain draws cost-conscious consumers away from rivals and it aggressively opens new stores in China.”

Gulf investor bids for fashion house Lacroix (Reuters)
“Gulf investor Hassan bin Ali al-Nuaimi, a nephew of the ruler of Ajman, part of the United Arab Emirates, submitted an offer for Christian Lacroix on Thursday, the administrator for the French fashion house said.”

10 June, 2009 by Khaleed Juma

BoF Daily Digest | Inditex Q1 loss, Net-a-Porter profits treble, Bulgari issues bond, China may escape, Ferraris to Versace

Zara S/S 09 ad campaign, courtesy of Zara

Zara S/S 09 ad campaign, courtesy of Zara

Inditex 1Q Net Pft Down 16%; May Trading Resilient (WSJ)
“Inditex SA (ITX.MC), Europe’s largest fashion retailer by revenue, Wednesday said its first quarter net profit fell 16 percent on a slump in consumer spending in Europe, but its stock rallied after it reported resilient clothing sales in May and the first week of June.”

Net-a-Porter demonstrates strength of business model as profits treble (FT)
“According to accounts filed with Companies House, the privately held London- based business increased sales by 47.8 per cent to £81.5m in the 12 months to January 31.”

Bulgari to issue 130 mln euro bond (Reuters)
“Bulgari SpA plans to issue a 130 million euro ($183.4 million) bond, the Italian jewellery maker said on Wednesday. The bond would have a coupon between 5.25 percent and 5.75 percent and mature in 2014, it said in a statement.”

China’s Luxury Goods Market May Escape the Worst (Seeking Alpha)
“As the effects of the economic crisis ripple across the global economy and demand for expensive products plummets, luxury brands face gloomy prospects in North America and Europe. Except in China which saw 15 percent retail sales growth in Q1, consumer spending is in sharp decline as consumers retrench, look for value in their purchases and cut back on non-necessities.”

Versace appoints new chief (FT)
“Gianni Versace has named Gian Giacomo Ferraris, the luxury goods veteran who has led Jil Sander since 2004, as its new chief executive.”

13 May, 2009 by Khaleed Juma

BoF Daily Digest | Bulgari sees gain, Fashion copycats, Selfridges gets personal, Phillip Lim optimistic, The story of Gisele

Bulgari S/S 09 ad campaign, courtesy of Bulgari

Bulgari S/S 09 ad campaign, courtesy of Bulgari

Bulgari sees improvement in April after Q1 loss (Reuters)
“Italy’s Bulgari posted improved sales in its own stores in April after a first-quarter net loss, hurt by the financial crisis sapping demand for luxury jewellery, watches and perfumes.”

Fashion icon pays up in copycat spat (Toronto Star)
“A struggling Toronto fashion label is getting an undisclosed financial settlement from fashion icon Diane von Furstenberg for appropriating the design of their vintage-looking, tea-dyed, floral jacket.” This is not the first time a young designer has accused Von Furstenberg of stealing their designs, as reported on BoF in April of last year.

Selfridges’ Heiress-In-Chief (Forbes)
“Alannah Weston is the daughter of a billionaire, she’s arty and she’s charged with running London’s superstore into its next 100 years.”

Out on a Lim: Phillip Lim’s Three Product Launches (WWD)
“Phillip Lim is optimistic. ‘We’re not fearful of the economy,’ he says, a bit zenlike considering the impact of the recession on his four-year-old line, 3.1 Phillip Lim.” (Subscription required)

Gisele Bündchen: The charmed life of the mega-model (The Independent)
“There are supermodels – and there is Gisele Bündchen. How did the girl from Brazil become the biggest star in fashion history?”

17 April, 2009 by Khaleed Juma

BoF Daily Digest | Rachel Roy at Macy’s, Bulgari’s Q1 loss, Fashion sales rise, Prepping for Vionnet

Rachel Roy A/W 09, courtesy of Style.com

Rachel Roy A/W 09, courtesy of Style.com

Jones to sell exclusive Rachel Roy line at Macy’s (WSJ)
“Jones Apparel Group Inc., which has a 50 percent stake in designer Rachel Roy, said it’s launching a contemporary line called Rachel Rachel Roy to be sold exclusively at Macy’s Inc.”

Bulgari CEO Sees First Loss Since 1999, Then Rebound (Bloomberg)
“Bulgari SpA Chief Executive Officer Francesco Trapani said he expects the Italian luxury company to post a first-quarter loss, followed by a gradual recovery in demand for the label’s Assioma watches and Allegra jewelry.”

Fashion sales rise 10.5% for week to April 12 (Drapers)
“Fashion sales rose 10.5 percent for the week to April 12 compared to the same week last year, according to BDO Stoy Hayward’s High Street Sales Tracker.”

Prepping for a Vionnet Exhibit (WWD)
“A 72-year-old Madeleine Vionnet halterneck gown, a crumpled heap of brittle tulle and silk flowers, has been laid out for inspection in the restoration rooms of Les Arts.” (Subscription required)

12 March, 2009 by Robert Cordero

BoF Daily Digest | McQueen ruffles feathers, BFC shuffle, PR for Wal-Mart, Bulgari profits fall, Price of luxury

Alexander McQueen F/W 09, courtesy of Coutorture

Alexander McQueen F/W 09, courtesy of Coutorture

McQueen Leaves Fashion in Ruins (New York Times)
“With a runway of broken mirrors surrounding a garbage heap made of props from his own past collections, Mr. McQueen created a stage to symbolize the sudden crash of luxury exuberance.”

Hilary Riva is to step down as chief executive of the British Fashion Council (Drapers)
Riva to shift roles, “as part of a management restructure initiated by chairman Harold Tillman.”

Bulgari Profits Fall 45 Percent (WWD)
Emblematic of the economy’s toll on luxury, Bulgari’s profit took a significant fall. (Subscription required)

On Style: What Is A Fair Price For Luxury? (WSJ)
“Now it’s your turn to speak up. What is a fair price for luxury – and what sort of service and quality do you expect of it?”

8 December, 2008 by Robert Cordero

BoF Daily Digest | Luxury losing edge, Boucheron in NY, Online shopping, Conscious consumption

08luxury-pic.550

Luxe is losing its edge (International Herald Tribune)
Luxury goods companies such as Bulgari are employing cost cutting methods that are modifying “their traditional focus on glamour and glitter.”

Video: Boucheron Attempts to Crack New York’s Luxury Market (Wall Street Journal)
At a time when luxury goods companies are cutting back on spending, Boucheron plans to open a private boutique in New York.

Retailer’s prepare for biggest online shopping day (Drapers)
Today is the biggest online shopping day in the UK, and shoppers are expected to spend £320 million.

Flaunting Days Are Over as Consumers Cut Back (WWD)
According to Faith Popcorn, “conspicuous consumption is over and conscious consumption is starting.”

Bulgari party in Paris, photo courtesy of the International Herald Tribune.

7 November, 2008 by Robert Cordero

BoF Daily Digest | Sales rise at Hermes, US same store sales plummet, Thé Vert scent, Cashing in Obama’s dress, Brands & Bollywood

BlackDiamondBirkin

Hermes Q3 Sales Rise 4 Percent (WWD)
Though Hermes Q3 sales rose, the French luxury brand sees a tough road ahead

US Stores reporting double-digit sales declines (IHT)
Neiman Marcus reported that same-store sales were down 27.6 percent in October.

Scent Notes | Eau Parfumée au Thé Vert by Bulgari (NY Times)
The New York Times traces the history of Eau Parfumée au Thé Vert, Bulgari’s wildy successful scent.

Cashing in on The Sasha Obama Connection (WSJ)
Gerson & Gerson plans to cash in on the dress Sasha Obama wore on election night.

Media brands look to Bollywood movies to promote their product (Live Mint)
In India, the upcoming movie “Dostana could be the beginning of a trend where brands are integrated seamlessly into a script.”

Hermes bag, photo courtesy of bagsnob.com.