Hermes Autumn/Winter 2011 | Source: Hermes

Luxury Market Surges While the Rest of the Economy Sputters (Atlantic Wire)
“Economic news these days is pretty bleak: job growth is anemic, retail sales are stagnating, and consumer confidence is plummeting. But the luxury goods market is another story… According to Reuters, investors are now pouring money into luxury stocks.”

UK brands: retro in new markets (FT)
“Clamour for British brands among emerging market consumers has been the making of luxury brands like Burberry and Mulberry… Appetite for retro British brands is sure to continue in the Bric economies – although there’s only so much tomorrow’s consumers can stomach.”

Topshop Rolls the Retail Dice in Las Vegas (Forbes)
“Sir Philip Green… Is gambling that Topshop’s latest collection, Dress Up, will have him in the chips when the retail chain’s flagship store opens… The Las Vegas location is just one part of a larger expansion plan for the chain that includes Toronto… Chicago… Another outpost in New York City and a new shop in Miami.”

Gilt Groupe’s Richardson Discusses Online Retail (Bloomberg)
“Nate Richardson, vice president of Gilt Groupe Inc, discusses the opening of four new markets of the online luxury retailer.”

Inside a Pending Deal for a Stake in It-Label Proenza Schouler (Thread NY)
“Enter Andrew Rosen, who is said to have started eyeing Permira’s stake in Proenza Schouler late last year. His acquisition of the brand will be separate from his role as co-founder and CEO of Theory and related to an investment group that he is leading.”

Derek Lam | Source: Derek Lam

Derek Lam launches crowd-sourced collection on eBay (The Cut)
“Upon the collection’s initial unveiling, anyone with Internet access will be able to vote immediately for their favorite looks online to determine what goes into production.”

U.S. luxury, dept stores set for Xmas bounce (Reuters)
“Luxury and department stores will be the biggest beneficiary of expected growth in the U.S. retail market this holiday season, according to the head of the National Retail Federation.”

Gilt City acquires Bergine.com (Luxury Daily)
“Gilt City has acquired Bergine.com to combine two local leaders of luxury services and experiences. The acquisition is a first for Gilt City’s parent company, Gilt Groupe Inc. It accelerates Gilt City’s West Coast expansion.”

LVMH says will continue to buy Hermès shares (Reuters)
“LVMH said… it planned to buy more Hermès shares and disclosed to French regulators that it built up its 17.1 percent stake in Hermes partly through derivatives, called equity swaps.”

Moss’ final Topshop collaboration (Independent)
“As she prepares to unveil her last [collection] – what has the high-profile partnership done for the fortunes of the model, the mogul – Topshop owner Sir Philip Green – and the crowds who have bought into Brand Moss?”

Kate Moss for Topshop, Autumn 2009 | Source: Topshop

Kate Moss and Topshop to end design deal (BBC)
“A three-year design partnership between Kate Moss and Topshop is to end later this year. When the supermodel unveils her autumn and winter range in October – it will be her 14th and last collection for the chain.”

Gucci opens its new luxury digital flagship store (Fashion and Runway)
“Following an 18 month architectural renovation under the direction of Gucci Creative Director Frida Giannini, the new online retail destination takes advantage of the most innovative technologies available today.”

Bulgari Recovers Its Luster (Wall Street Journal)
“Though jewelry lies at the heart of Bulgari’s business, Mr. Trapani’s decision to diversify into watches, perfumes and accessories over the past 20 years has “radically changed” the company he joined in 1981, he says. These lines now account for almost 50% of the company’s sales.”

Hugo Boss Sees Sales Rebound (Bloomberg)
“Hugo Boss AG’s sales rebound will gather pace in the second half of 2010 as its U.S. business benefits from a shift by customers toward less-expensive luxury items, according to Chief Financial Officer Mark Langer.”

It is Gandhi-wear vs bridal-wear in Kolkata (Times of India)
“With one paying tribute to Mahatma Gandhi’s simple dressing style and another showcasing lavish bridal wear, the city is set for a double delight this September as two fashion weeks clash on the same date.”

Chanel Haute Couture Spring 2010 | Source: Ledefile

Bonjour Couture (Vogue.com)
“Just as Haute Couture Fashion Week begins the high fashion market has posted some very positive sales news. Top Parisian labels, including Chanel, Dior and Jean Paul Gaultier, have revealed a marked increase in both sales and demand.”

Cosmetics from Burberry and Topshop (FT)
“Fashion brands are often able to make that transition from clothes to fragrance, but with make-up it is harder. Women will still want to go to the brands that specialise and are seen as beauty experts.”

Consumers consider paid, sponsored bloggers less trustworthy (Biz Report)
“Is content by paid or sponsored bloggers seen as any more or less trustworthy than that provided via ‘earned’ media? Apparently so. But this won’t stop the growth of social media sponsorship.”

Vogue is first European fashion magazine available on the iPad (iPad News Tracker)
“The Vogue iPad app from Condé Nast is a fusion of glossy magazine and up-to-date content. The application can be downloaded with immediate effect from the iTunes store, making Vogue the first-ever fashion publication to be available on the iPad in Europe.”

Beautiful and Islamic: the new look on the catwalk (Independent)
“Welcome to the world inhabited by the ‘Hijabistas’, a trendy set of up and coming Muslim fashion designers who are doing their bit to forge an indigenous British Islamic identity.”

Even Luxe Buyers Expect Discounts (Adweek)
“We examine some other aspects of the luxury-buyer mind-set, including attitudes toward discounting and brands’ use of the Internet, as well as the post-recession outlook.”

The New Must-Have Accessory (WSJ)
“Amid a recession that’s clobbering sales of designer apparel, growing numbers of designers are rushing to embrace mobile-device technology in hopes of winning fans among younger consumers.”

Topshop Beats U.S. Curse on U.K. Chains (Bloomberg)
“Topshop is bringing new merchandise into its SoHo store every four to six weeks, and because Green has knocked out so many middlemen, he’s able to deliver the clothes at a more affordable price.”

Consumer confidence at 18-month high (Drapers)
“Consumer confidence is at its highest level for 18 months, despite people remaining anxious about the prospect of unemployment.”

Edun: Fashion, hope and charity (Independent)
“The label’s mission is to create sustainable employment in developing economies and to act as a voice encouraging the fashion industry to trade with Africa. Its focus is ethical rather than eco, but Hewson is working towards using more organic cottons in her collections.”