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Category: Fashion

Retail News Asia is committed to providing both local and global retailers with the latest Fashion news throughout the Asian market. This on a daily base.

  • Zalora Group appoints new CMO

    Online fashion retailer Zalora Group has appointed a new chief marketing officer to help boost its Asia-wide profile.

    Elias Pour joins Zalora Group from Red Bull, where he was head of digital managing the brand’s digital marketing, content production and e-commerce sales in Asia-Pacific. At Zalora, he will lead a team of more than 150 people, overseeing the online fashion retailer’s entire marketing operations.

    Prior to his time with red Bull, Pour worked in both Sweden and Denmark, holding key management positions for Volvo, Danske Bank and Telenor. He has been based in Sydney, Australia, for the last eight years, working for Adobe and Commonwealth Bank of Australia before joining Red Bull.

    Patrick Schmidt, Co-CEO of Zalora Group’s parent Global Fashion Group, said Pour would help the company as it enters a new period of growth.

    “I am confident that under his leadership, Zalora will continue to provide fashion consumers in Asia, the best online and mobile shopping experience possible and achieve its full potential as the region’s fashion retail powerhouse.”

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  • House of Garrard debuts in Beijing

    House of Garrard debuts in Beijing

    British jeweller House of Garrard is set to launch in Beijing.

    The new 100sqm outlet opens this month in a prestigious location in centrally positioned landmark Emperor Group Centre skyscraper on Chang’An Street. It is the brand’s second boutique in China, featuring three private VIP rooms where prospective buyers can examine items away from prying eyes.

    Garrard’s creative director Sara Prentice said: “It’s been a pleasure creating jewels for customers in China since we opened our Shanghai flagship last year. Now with a presence in Beijing, we’re in an even better position to explore how our heritage and craftsmanship can come to life for the sophisticated women who want to wear our designs.”

    The heritage brand has been manufacturing bespoke jewellery since 1735. It was famously commissioned to design Princess Diana’s sapphire cluster engagement ring.

    A rare 118.88 carat sapphire will be on show at the store’s launch event.

  • Penhaligon’s upgrade stores for better customer experience

    Penhaligon’s upgrade stores for better customer experience

    Luxury British perfumery brand Penhaligon’s relaunches two of its most prestigious stores in Asia.

    After extensive renovations, Penhaligon’s at the IFC Mall in Hong Kong, and Penhaligon’s at Marina Bay Sands in Singapore, have once again flung open their doors to the public – unveiling a new design concept and enriched amenities which are sure to intrigue and delight.

    Established in 1870, Penhaligon’s is an iconic British perfume house still adored today for its illustrious scents; born of the finest quality ingredients and whimsically imaginative formulations.

    The distinguished legacy of Penhaligon’s has earned the brand a loyal following around the world, including in Asia where the brand has maintained a presence at the IFC Mall in Hong Kong for five years and The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands in Singapore for seven years.

    Penhaligon’s quintessentially British history and heritage are reflected in the stores’ refreshed design. The eye-catching exterior detailing draws inspiration from the classical façade of the Penhaligon’s shop at Burlington Arcade, London – architecture dating back to the 1820s. Inside, heritage fluted plaster wall details echo the Penhaligon’s London Flagship store, located on Regent Street.

    Exclusive amongst perfumers, the newly designed Penhaligon’s stores will feature an updated fragrance profiling table inspired by the London Olympic Cauldron, and providing an interactive digital screen for immersive fragrance match-making. Like nothing else of its kind, the digital profiling gives customers a captivating opportunity to define their perfect fragrance, with assistance from Penhaligon’s masterful fragrance consultants.

    In its IFC store, the digital touchpoints in the store facilitate the encounter between customer and brand, narrowing down the selection of fragrances based on personality tests.

    The immersive experience in the new store design takes customers to Britain and tells the story of each fragrance by explaining the relationship with the brand’s country of origin. Each scent is created to remind places, and recall memories. They are designed to appeal to all, but in a different way for each individual. Isn’t it customisation?

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  • Innisfree ready to open Philippines store

    Innisfree ready to open Philippines store

    Innisfree Philippines is opening its first doors, at SM Mall of Asia in Manila.

    The store is currently being fitted out, but the corner site on the ground floor of the mall already carries signage of the South Korean beauty brand.

    While the opening day has not yet been revealed, Filipino fans can look forward to the company’s cosmetic products, including Green Tea Seed Serum, Jeju Volcanic Pore Clay Mask, Orchid Enriched Cream, and No Sebum Mineral Powder, as well as its makeup lines.

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  • American Vintage brings French Pétanque to Causeway Bay

    American Vintage brings French Pétanque to Causeway Bay

    For the launch of its autumn/winter 2018 campaign, American Vintage has created a vibrant hotspot in Causeway Bay from 15 to 21 October.

    True to its roots, the French brand is bringing one of its local sport, “La Pétanque”, to introduce it to the world of Causeway Bay for the week along with unique wardrobes to be presented on Paterson Street.

    Not only bringing a truly French experience to its customers, the brand has also brought the big theme of the design inspiration of its latest collection called “Les Bois”.

    From mid-day to 10pm until the 21st of October, American Vintage invites everyone to discover and play Pétanque.

    Announcing the debut of its new retail concept in Causeway Bay, the French brand is always committed to the use of brushed cotton, roll-up and raw-cut hemlines, creating a characteristic loose fit.

    Surrounding by the French-style fence and romantic lavender, the Pétanque sand pool is set for 7-day long.

    Sitting on a wooden chair and enjoying the leisure time, feel like being in the garden of
    southern France, the origin of the brand. The soul and the spirit of the collection are exemplified through exuberant takes on timeless American Vintage styles.

    To start the game, one of the players throws “Le Cochonnet” (the little ball to aim with the Pétanque Ball). The player tries to get closer to the Cochonnet by shooting or pointing the ball of the previous player.

    Walking along the Paterson Street, two unique wardrobes are tailor-made to showcase the latest collection and the main color “Parma” of this season.

    The new collection returns to the basic earth tone and green colours. The use of natural materials, quality feel of fabrics and vintage treatment give depth and life to the pieces and the meticulous craftsmanship produces a truly sensory experience.

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  • Harvey Nichols bucks high street trend with profit rise

    Harvey Nichols bucks high street trend with profit rise

    Upscale UK department store Harvey Nichols doubled its pre-tax earnings this year to £14.7 million – a stark contrast to rival chains.

    Group sales rose 9 per cent to £210 million during the year to March 31, the retailer’s high-end positioning seemingly shielding it from the challenges facing companies like House of Fraser, John Lewis and Debenhams, all struggling to achieve growth or profitability.

    Harvey Nichols says its Kensington flagship store delivered a “strong performance” following refurbishment, but that trading generally remained tough.

    “We are extremely pleased to see a strong financial performance last year, and our ambitious Knightsbridge store refurbishment plans have had a positive impact,” said joint COOs Manju Malhotra and Daniela Rinaldi.

    “However, the retail environment remains challenging and competitive. With this uncertain outlook, we are focused for the remainder of this year on continuing to drive sales and delivering an omnichannel experience for our customers.”

    The revamp of the flagship commenced two years ago with the menswear department and the company has just completed the womenswear international section.

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  • Hong Kong sees a 3D revolution in jewelry making

    Hong Kong sees a 3D revolution in jewelry making

    Ejj Jewellery is a top brand that has become the first firm in Hong Kong to print out creative 3D designs to make affordable jewelry.

    Designer Elaine Shiu had never thought of opening a jewelry business until she worked as an interpreter at an international jewelry conference in Hong Kong.

    After a year, she decided to quit her job to start her own company. She was the CEO of Shanshu Jewelry, which focuses on selling jewelry made from precious corals, from 2010-2015.

    Ejj Jewellery is Elaine Shiu’s second company, started with two others. Her partners are responsible for business development and marketing, while Elaine’s focus is on researching designs and creating new products.

    She searched for new material and focused on application of digitization. In 2017, Ejj launched jewelry products created with a 3D printer, becoming the first brand in Hong Kong to utilize this new technology in jewelry making. It took her a year of study, research and experimenting before the creation of the first product.

    The company started with the aim of conquering the Hong Kong and China markets. To compete with individual designers, as well as top jewelry corporations, Elaine Shiu opted for product diversification. A special feature of Ejj is that the shine of Italian silver jewelry depends not on the gemstones, but on the cutting technique.

    Before the product is loaded into a specialized printer, it is designed entirely through digital graphic applications like Autodesk Fusion 360, SketchUp and Rhinoceros. This allows Elaine to fine-tune every detail, control the parameter as well as the size of the product so that it suits many customers.

    Then, the design is entered into the 3D printer to create shape, and color according to pre-determined settings. After finishing this part of the process, the product’s surface is treated and added gems to create highlights. Thanks to the elasticity of the material, finished products like bracelets can be easily adjusted to fit the size of the wearer by lightly squeezing it 1-2 times.

    With the application of technology and reducing the manual process, the product price, ranging from HKD 750 to HKD 1,500 (equivalent to USD 96 – USD 192), is quite reasonable and suitable for young people.

    Elaine also uses 3D printers to create innovative designs for silver and gold jewelry, shortening production time but still able to deliver unique designs.

    “Jewelry made with 3D printers is still a new thing, and even though it has not been received as well as the traditional products, sales are still impressive compared to our company’s initial expectations. We’re confident that this product line will grow due to its unique advantages,” said Elaine Shiu.

    For achieving breakthroughs in the use of new material and designs, Ejj was honoured with the “Hong Kong’s Most Innovative Jeweler 2017” award. Elaine Shiu also received the “Asia-Pacific Enterprenuer of the Year 2017” award, given by NGO Enterprise Asia.

    Ejj Jewellery’s products are being distributed through Design Gallery chains managed by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC). The brand has also extended its reach to major cities in mainland China, including Shenzhen, Shanghai, Chengdu and Chongqing.

    In 2017, Ejj successfully cooperated with luxury hotel group Banyan Tree in Bangkok, Thailand. Currently, the company has started negotiations or franchising, which has the potential to raise the number of its stores to hundreds. Elaine Shiu also lists Vietnam as a market with high potential, given its population of more than 90 million and many similarities with Thailand.

    On September 20-21, Ejj Jewelry was officially available in Vietnam via the In Style – Hong Kong Exhibition.

    Elaine Shiu said that she hopes to find a right partner to expand her market.

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  • Kenzo Kids makes debut in Hong Kong

    Kenzo Kids makes debut in Hong Kong

    Kenzo Kids is commencing its physical store roll out in Asia, opting for Hong Kong as its debut market, with plans to open more stores in Asia, according to Fashion Network.

    The children’s arm of French luxury label Kenzo has officially opened a flagship store in Hong Kong’s Ocean Terminal shopping centre. In partnership with Semir-backed Kidiliz, which has been Kenzo Kids’ licensor since 2006, the 40-square-metre store carries Kenzo’s collections for boys and girls aged 0 to 16 years old.

    “Hong Kong was chosen for its dynamism and potential. We held a pop-up store for Kenzo Kids at Ocean Terminal in 2017, which is one of the busiest and most dynamic malls in Asia. The pop-up was a success and it was the logical next step to open a flagship store this year,” Maud Rascle, creative director of the Kidiliz group, told Fashion Network.

    Kidiliz is a strong link for the Parisian house. In 2017, China’s Semir Group entered into exclusive negotiations with Kidiliz last May to revive the group, which also distributes British premium brand Paul Smith Junior and Lili Gaufrette.

    The new Kenzo Kids store is just the beginning signs of international growth for the label. The children’s wear label has already reaped great rewards with its new creative directors Carol Lim and Humberto Leon, the founders of Opening Ceremony, who took over the design helm at Kenzo in 2011. Kenzo Kids has since seen its annual growth sit between from 20 to 30 percent each year.

    Kenzo Kids collections are currently sold across 850 counters across the globe.

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  • Lumine revealed Indonesia expansion

    Lumine revealed Indonesia expansion

    Japanese urban retail concept Lumine is set to open its first store in Jakarta in December.

    Opened in partnership with local retailer Time International, the store at the Plaza Indonesia mall will be Lumine’s second overseas location. The launch is timed to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Indonesia and Japan.

    President and CEO of Lumine Yuji Morimoto said: “We are very excited to launch our second overseas store, to collaborate with a leading retailer Time International, in Plaza Indonesia. For both Indonesia and Japan, this year is a meaningful anniversary. We hope to become a place that stimulates the sensibilities of our customers, not just a place where they can purchase products.”

    The approximately 1200sqm specialty store offers chic Japanese lifestyle and fashion brands.

    Offerings include womenswear, menswear, miscellaneous lifestyle goods, and a café. Its main target customers are independent women with a global outlook who are sensitive to trends and possess unique and distinctive styles.

    Lumine operates 15 branches in Japan and one in Singapore, which opened last November.

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  • Anya Hindmarch Harbour City opens

    Anya Hindmarch Harbour City opens

    Anya Hindmarch opens a new store in Harbour City, Hong Kong.

    Anya Hindmarch has become renowned for its production and creativity, and was the first accessories designer to hold an on-schedule London Fashion Week show. Highlights include shows with models emerging from within a giant space-age Amphitheatre, an artful suburban house that revealed a giant disco ball and pop-ups such as the Service Station at Selfridges London.

    Anya Hindmarch’s Chubby Hearts campaign is a love letter to London that saw the brand suspend 24 giant heart shaped helium balloons above London landmarks – gained international recognition.

    Creativity, modern craftsmanship and personalisation sit at the heart of everything Anya Hindmarch does. The launch of Sticker Shop shaped a global cult of leather stickers, allowing customers to create their own personal artwork.

    Taking an obsession with craftsmanship and personalisation a step further, the Build a Bag and Pimp Your Phone collections allow the customer to design their own bag or phone case from thousands of potential combinations. Launched in 2017, the Anya Smells fragrance collection recreates everyday scents using the finest materials.

    Anya Hindmarch is now ready to bring its colorful soul to Kowloon with this new store.

    The 581 square foot store opened its doors on September 19th in Harbour City, the renowned shopping mall in Kowloon.

    The opening of the store overlapped with the launch of the AW18 key collections including the Chubby collection, Build a Bag, and the Eyes.

    The gallery-like space features signature design of Anya Hindmarch flagship stores with luxurious mirrored shelving, vintage vitrines in a clean contemporary style.

    Tables, wingback chairs and side table all designed by Italian designer Martino Gamper exclusively for Anya Hindmarch.

    Anya Hindmarch founded her business in London in 1987 and it has since grown into a global brand with over 30 stores – including flagships in New York, London and Tokyo.

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  • House of Masaba to host pop-up shop in Singapore

    House of Masaba to host pop-up shop in Singapore

    Designer Masaba Gupta’s House of Masaba will open a pop-up shop in an Indian restaurant, Yantra, on Saturday (September 22).

    Located in Singapore’s Tanglin Mall, the store will present the brand’s latest collection and provide shoppers with a chance to meet the designer.

    Shoppers at the one-day long event, which closes at 6pm, will have the opportunity to meet Gupta and discuss styling options for her designs as well as ask about her inspirations.

    Gupta has held pop-up shows this year in several countries, including the US, Thailand, Canada and Hong Kong.

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  • Citychamp eats up luxury watch brand

    Citychamp eats up luxury watch brand

    Listed Hong Kong watch & jewellery group Citychamp has bought a majority stake in Ernest Borel Holdings.

    The transaction, which saw Citychamp taking a 58.22 per cent shareholding in the heritage Swiss watch manufacturing brand, was completed on Tuesday.

    Ernest Borel, an award-winning brand even in its early days of business in the mid to late 19th century, is noted for its traditional focus on export markets outside Europe. It was first purchased by a group of investors from China in 1997.

    Citychamp currently distributes more than 25 international brands within major cities in Mainland China. Its brands include Rossini, Corum, Eterna, Rotary, Ebohr, J&T Windmills, Kana and Dreyfuss & Co.

    The news comes just a day after international fashion brand Chanel acquired a 20 per cent stake in the parent company of luxury Swiss watch brand F P Journe.

  • Innisfree second store in Australia opens soon

    Innisfree second store in Australia opens soon

    Korean beauty brand Innisfree will open its second store in Australia at Westfield Doncaster shopping centre in Victoria on October 5.

    The store will feature over 600 products across skincare, make up, body care, hair care and home fragrances, which are formulated with an average of 80 per cent naturally-derived, responsibly-sourced ingredients.

    The company said it will invite customers to discover some of its most-loved products, creating a customised shopping experience.

    “Customers will be invited to discover some of Innisfree’s most-loved products around the world, including the Green Tea Seed Serum, Jeju Orchid Enriched Cream, Super Volcanic Clay Mousse Mask and My Real Squeeze Masks,” the company said in a statement.

    Innisfree opened its first store in Australia in Melbourne Central shopping centre in June. The Doncaster store demonstrates the company’s commitment to the Australian market, according to Innisfree general manager Brian Jeong.

    “We have many exciting developments planned for our Australian consumers and opening the second Innisfree store in Westfield Doncaster shows our commitment to this market,” Jeong said.

    Innisfree is offering exclusive gifts and eco-friendly tote bags to the first 800 people who visit the Doncaster store and spend more than $50.

    Customers who sign up to the beauty brand’s loyalty program will receive free samples with their purchase, as well as loyalty points.

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  • H&M sales rise during third quarter, despite logistics hitches

    H&M sales rise during third quarter, despite logistics hitches

    Global H&M sales rose 9 per cent during the third quarter to August 31 as the fast-fashion retailer made the most of a new supply chain system put in place in Europe and North America.

    On a constant-currency basis, sales rose by a more modest 4 per cent.

    According to a brief announcement, which did not include any geographical breakdown of the company’s quarterly performance, sales excluding VAT reached SEK 55.821 billion (US$6.26 billion).

    “The H&M group’s continuous transition, to face the major shift within the industry, has contributed to a gradually improved sales development and increased market share in many markets in the third quarter,” the company said.

    “However, sales and cost development in some of the group’s important markets such as the US, France, Italy and Belgium were in the third quarter considerably affected by the issues that emerged during the implementation of new logistics systems in the spring.”

    The new logistics systems enable a faster and more efficient supply chain as well as a continued integration of store and online.

    A more detailed set of figures is expected with the release of nine-month results on September 27.

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  • Forex storm hurt Bossini further

    Forex storm hurt Bossini further

    Foreign exchange losses hobbled the recovery of Hong Kong-headquartered fast-fashion label Bossini.

    In full-year results just released, Bossini reported a 3 per cent decline in total revenue to HK$1.958 billion (US$249.6 million), largely due to a decrease in sales from the export franchising business. However gross margin rose rose two percentage points to 53 per cent.

    While same-store profit rose by 1 per cent, the company reported a loss attributable to shareholders of $29 million, compared with a profit of $5 million last year.

    Mainland China and Taiwan were standout same-store sales performers, recording 6 per cent and 3 per cent growth for the year respectively. Bossini’s export franchising business added three new markets during the year: Laos, the Czech Republic and Rwanda, taking its footprint to 25 countries.

    In a stock exchange filing, Bossini said its operating profits from its retail businesses in Hong Kong, Macau, Mainland China, Taiwan and Singapore all improved. Hong Kong and Macau account for about 50 per cent of the brand’s sales.

    “Nevertheless, the group’s profit attributable to owners posted a decline mainly due to the foreign exchange fluctuation arising from Renminbi,” wrote chairman Man Kuen Bess Tsin.

    “The decrease in the profit derived from the export franchising business, as a result of the continuously weak and competitive apparel retailing environment, was another reason for the drop.”

    Same-store sales by market

    Same-store sales in Hong Kong and Macau slipped 2 per cent and in Singapore by 5 per cent – well below the respective falls of 9 per cent and 11 per cent the previous year.

    Same-store sales in Mainland China and Taiwan grew by 6 per cent and 3 per cent, a turnaround from drops of 5 per cent and 7 per cent last year.

    Company-wide same-store sales fell 1 per cent compared with an 8 per cent drop last year.

    As at June 30, Bossini had 938 stores internationally, 284 directly managed and 654 franchised. Its Hong Kong and Macau network held steady at 40.

    During the year, it opened one new store in Taiwan, taking its network there to 64, and it closed two in Singapore, for a net 16.

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