The Business of Fashion
Agenda-setting intelligence, analysis and advice for the global fashion community.
Agenda-setting intelligence, analysis and advice for the global fashion community.
LONDON, United Kingdom — It was a bad week for legacy American retailers. J.C. Penney, Macy's, Nordstrom and Gap were all part of the bloodbath, posting disappointing first quarter results. Meanwhile, a "winner takes all" battle is taking shape in the online resale market, where a handful of "re-commerce" sites, armed with millions of dollars of venture funding, are gearing up for a make-or-break year.
For "sharing economy" giants like Uber and Airbnb, the future of consumption is access, not ownership. Will it work for fashion? …Meanwhile, in Geneva, Christie's, Sotheby's and Phillips are holding watch auctions amidst a booming vintage watch market.
Print magazine continue to suffer, but Condé Nast has just revamped GQ Style, while Hearst UK is betting on brand extensions, from vitamins to cooking classes... Have you seen Calvin Klein's controversial new ads? Photographer Harley Weir says she's "very happy" with the campaign.
Catch up on these stories and more with BoF’s Week in Review.
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1. Resale Sites Prepare for Battle
Photo Illustration: BoF
Armed with millions of dollars of venture money, a handful of fashion ‘re-commerce’ sites are gearing up for a ‘winner-takes-all’ fight.
2. Alastair McKimm, Fashion's Street-Luxe Alchemist
Alastair McKimm | Photo: Ezra Petronio
BoF talks to the stylist and i-D fashion director — known for his melding of luxury and streetwear — on working with Self Service, Supreme and Saint Laurent incomer Anthony Vaccarello.
3. Will the ‘Sharing Economy’ Work For Fashion?
Rent the Runway offers customers access to an "unlimited" closet | Source: Rent the Runway
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For ‘sharing economy’ giants like Uber and Airbnb, the future of consumption is access, not ownership. Will it work for fashion?
A vintage 1970s Patek Philippe watch | Source: Shop.Hodinkee.com
After a series of record sales in 2015, expectations are high for this year’s vintage watch auctions.
Robert Downey Jr. on the cover of GQ Style's Summer 2016 issue | Source: Courtesy
GQ Style editor-in-chief Will Welch and publisher/chief revenue officer Howard Mittman give BoF a first look at the revamped publication's debut issue and its strategy.
6. Hearst UK Bets on the Brand
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The Good Housekeeping Institute's cookery school | Source: Courtesy
As the market for print magazines shrinks, the British arm of the global publisher is ramping up brand extensions to make money off the back of titles like Cosmopolitan, Good Housekeeping and Men’s Health.
7. Havana Hanging in the Balance
Havana | Source: Shutterstock
Tim Blanks reports from Havana, finding the Kardashians and Kanye West amongst white clad adherents of Santeria in a city on the cusp of a new revolution.
MARKET MOVEMENTS
[ Nordstrom Plunges on Lower Forecast, Adding to Retail WoesOpens in new window ]
[ Zalando Invests in Tech, Cool Spring Leads to Profit TumbleOpens in new window ]
[ Thrifty Tourists, Weaker China Curb Tod's Sales and ForecastsOpens in new window ]
[ Macy’s Cuts Profit Forecast as Sluggish Traffic Weighs on SalesOpens in new window ]
[ Italy's Moncler First Quarter Sales Rise More Than ExpectedOpens in new window ]
[ Gap Plummets After Comeback Plan Fails to Revive Sales GrowthOpens in new window ]
From analysis of the global fashion and beauty industries to career and personal advice, BoF’s founder and CEO, Imran Amed, will be answering your questions on Sunday, February 18, 2024 during London Fashion Week.
The State of Fashion 2024 breaks down the 10 themes that will define the industry in the year ahead.
Imran Amed reviews the most important fashion stories of the year and shares his predictions on what this means for the industry in 2024.
After three days of inspiring talks, guests closed out BoF’s gathering for big thinkers with a black tie gala followed by an intimate performance from Rita Ora — guest starring Billy Porter.