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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.

  • Coach Vietnam to have its first store

    Coach Vietnam to have its first store

    The first Coach Vietnam store is soon to open in Ho Chi Minh City.

    The American leather-goods brand will make its market debut in the Saigon Center next month, with the store already under construction.

    The first store is set in the concept of ‘Modern Luxury’, and will sell all latest items and collections from the brand, including Coach x Selena Gomez.

    Coach Vietnam is operated by Maison Group, which also distributes other brands such as Christian Louboutin, Karen Miller, Mango, MaxMara and Topshop.

  • Mango India moves offline with store in Delhi

    Mango India moves offline with store in Delhi

    Mango India has moved on to the ground with a store in Delhi in conjunction with its e-commerce business partner Myntra.

    In turn, Myntra has partnered with select retail companies to curate the Spanish apparel company’s offline business and help it expand its omni-channel strategy in India.

    Mango’s expansion plan comprises 25 store openings in India over the next five years. Its first store, at Select Citywalk Mall in Delhi’s Saket district, was launched with an event hosted by model/actress Ileana D’Cruz. The second store will open at Phoenix Mall in Mumbai next month, to be followed by three more openings before year’s end.

    Delhi’s store has advanced technology to provide a seamless shopping experience. It sets the style for the stores to come, featuring integrated inventory and the “endless aisle” concept. Customers can browse the Mango collection on an in-store tablet, check out product details and availability, and have goods from other stores delivered to their home. The tablets also provide personalised recommendations based on purchase history, and advise customers about new products and styles.

    By using the assisted-checkout feature on the tablets, customers will be able to skip queues.

    Mango chose Myntra in 2014 to help develop its online business in India. Already Mango has become one of the five top-selling women’s western-wear brands on Myntra marketplace, with annual growth rates exceeding 100 per cent.

    “Myntra’s expertise has allowed us to reach virtually every corner of India and increase our customer base exponentially,” says Mango executive VP Daniel Lopez. “Following an omni-channel strategy and having physical stores will allow us to generate value for consumers by improving their shopping experience”.

    Founded in 1984, Barcelona-based Mango has stores  in 110 countries. Every year it designs more than 18,000 garments and accessories, and closed its latest financial year with sales of  €2.26 billion (US$ 2.6 billion).

    Myntra marketplace lists more than 2000 fashion and lifestyle brands such as Adidas, Diesel, Ferrari, Harley Davidson, Levi’s, Nike, Puma, Timberland and Wrangler.

  • Record trading year for Fast Retailing

    Record trading year for Fast Retailing

    Uniqlo parent Fast Retailing has had record revenue and profit levels for its latest trading year, to August 31.

    Consolidated revenue reached ¥1.8619 trillion (US$16.6 trillion), up 4.2 per cent year on year, the operating profit soared 38.6 per cent to  ¥176.4 billion while profit attributable to the owners ballooned 148.2 per cent to ¥119.2 billion.
    Net profit expanded by 2.5 times mainly because of profit gains by Uniqlo International.

    Uniqlo Japan: Gross profit margin improves but operating profit down…

    • Revenue up 1.4 per cent to ¥810.7 billion
    • Operating profit down 6.4 per cent to ¥95.9 billion
    • Full-year same-store sales expand by 1.1 per cent (second-half growth of 2.4 per cent, thanks to sales of newsworthy items such as wireless bras and Dry Stretch Kando Pants).
    • Gross profit margin improves by 0.3 points.

    Uniqlo International: Operating profit nearly doubles as Southeast Asia business enters growth stage…

    • Revenue up 8.1 per cent to ¥708.1 billion
    • Operating profit almost doubles (95.4 per cent) to ¥73.1 billion on improved gross profit margins and leaner cost structures regionally, as well as a halving of the operating loss at Uniqlo USA
    • Performance especially strong in Southeast Asia and Oceania, where operating profit doubled year on year.

    Uniqlo Greater China and Uniqlo South Korea also reported large year-on-year profit gains, says Fast Retailing.

  • Diesel Ginza re-opens after top-level redesign

    Diesel Ginza re-opens after top-level redesign

    Launched in 2008, the Diesel Ginza store in Tokyo has re-opened after being restyled by the brand’s own design team.

    A showcase for the Italian brand, the store covers three floors at the 12-storey Ginza Glasse shopping mall. The ground floor, which features a gate-shaped LED screen, matches contemporary elements with rustic-inspired props, such as steel fixtures paired with rugs, concrete flooring with wooden ceilings, and antique furniture.

    This floor and the second level offer the full range of men’s and women’s collections of denim, apparel, bags, shoes and accessories.

    On the third floor are areas dedicated to the Diesel Black Gold and Diesel Living collections, set against industrial furnishings and concrete flooring. The Black Gold section has wallpaper as a backdrop, while the Diesel Living features a boombox and wooden planks.

    The store features exclusive pieces such as leather jackets and denim.

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  • Esprit Holdings shares worth HK$900m given to sisters

    Esprit Holdings shares worth HK$900m given to sisters

    Former Esprit Holdings chairman Michael Ying Lee-yuen has transferred all 211.8 million shares he owned in the fashion group, worth HK$900 million (US$115 million), to his two daughters.

    Ying, the husband of former movie star Lin Ching-hsia, transferred the shares to the company Total Market, according to a Hong Kong stock exchange disclosure of interests filing.

    His daughters Claudine Lauren Ying, 29, and Eileen Ying, 20, each own half of Total Market. Neither daughter has previously owned Esprit shares, but the transactions makes them jointly the brand’s second-largest shareholder with a 10.97 per cent stake.

    Their 67-year-old father no longer owns any Esprit shares. He joined the fashion group in the 1970s and played a key role in building it into a global brand. He stepped down as head in 2006, and had sold most of his stake by 2010.

    Ying has a net worth of about US$2.4 billion, Forbes estimates.

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  • Claudie Pierlot sees Asia as ‘next growth vector’

    Claudie Pierlot sees Asia as ‘next growth vector’

    After consolidating its presence in Europe, fashion label Claudie Pierlot sees strong potential in Asia, particularly China.

    It is the smallest of the three labels owned by SMCP group, with Maje and Sandro already well established. Claudie Pierlot joined the group in 2009, and in the past three fiscal years has grown sales by nearly 30 per cent. It topped the €100 million revenue mark last year.

    Accounting for 16 per cent of the group’s total revenue of €786 million (US$933 million) last year, the label is expected to increase by yet another 30 per cent this year.

    Claudie Pierlot is opening between 20 and 30 retail outlets a year, half of them ‘corners’ and half monobrand stores, most directly owned. This rate of expansion has brought the label’s total network to 200.

    Claudie Pierlot GM Isabelle Allouch says the label is already growing in Asia given its style and accessible luxury positioning.

    After being acquired by Chinese group Shandong Ruyi, SMCP has a solid infrastructure in the region and is pushing hard to speed up brand development there. As a result, Claudie Pierlot has opened 10 stores in the past 12 months, in Hong Kong, Mainland China and South Korea.

    More stores are expected to follow in each of these countries on account of SMCP’s impending stock exchange listing. “The region is clearly our next major growth vector,” says Allouch.

    Claudie Pierlot was previously established in Japan, thanks to partnerships set up by its founder before the label was bought by SMCP. “We are entering countries one by one, so we will first concentrate on China. Japan will come later,” says Allouch.

    As well as working on its retail network, the label is also busy in the accessories category, which it wants to grow to become 10 per cent of the business. As well as footwear, it last month added a signature handbag to its product line.

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  • Sincere Fine Watches showcasing German masterpieces

    Sincere Fine Watches showcasing German masterpieces

    Sincere Fine Watches in Singapore continues its “100” exhibition theme, this time showcasing that number of masterpieces from German watchmaker A Lange & Sohne.

    The series started in 2013 with the “100 Tourbillons” exhibition, bringing together 21 brands in a world-first showcase. In 2015, “100 Complications” featured 22 brands in the best of haute horlogerie.

    For 13 days from tomorrow, Sincere puts the focus on one brand with its “100 Masterpieces”. A Lange & Sohne is known for producing only a few thousand wristwatches in gold or platinum each year, each with proprietary movements, lavishly decorated and assembled by hand.

    This another world-first showcase by Sincere Fine Watches as the never-before-seen collection includes old pocket watches from the brand’s archives, the first four wristwatches created in 1994 when the brand was re-established, and its latest range alongside timepieces from each of its product families.

    The exhibition is at the Sincere Fine Watches flagship boutique at Takashimaya Shopping Centre.

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  • Gucci bans fur

    Gucci bans fur

    Italy’s Gucci will stop using fur in its designs from next year, joining a growing number of fashion houses looking at alternatives after coming under pressure from animal rights activists and changing consumer tastes.

    Gucci, part of Paris-based luxury group Kering, has paraded models down the catwalk in luxurious fur coats in the past and creative director Alessandro Michele brought in loafers and sling-backs lined with kangaroo-fur two years ago.

    But the brand said it would now join an alliance of fur-free companies, adding it would sell off remaining accessories and clothing made with animal fur in a charity auction.

    Gucci has sold some of its mink fur coats for over $US40,000 ($A51,000).

    Marco Bizzarri, Gucci’s chief executive, said the brand would drop fur starting from its spring and summer 2018 collection and that its new approach had been agreed on with Michele.

    Gucci has enjoyed a revival under Michele, whose flamboyant, colourful designs have fuelled sales over the past two years.

    Animal rights campaigners said they hoped the move by the Italian fashion house could have a knock-on effect, although it is far from the first label to stop using fur.

    “Gucci’s decision will radically change the future of fashion,” said Simone Pavesi, manager of animal-free fashion at Italian campaign group LAV.

    “As fashion becomes more and more ethical, supply chains that revolve around animals will be a thing of the past.”

    In June, Yoox Net-A-Porter, a multi-brand online luxury retailer, adopted a fur-free policy on accessories and clothing sold on the site.

    Italy’s Giorgio Armani last year committed to stop using fur, saying technological progress meant there was no longer any justification for cruelty to animals, while US brand Calvin Klein took the plunge in 1994.

  • H&M invests in ‘new unique’ recycling technology

    H&M invests in ‘new unique’ recycling technology

    H&M Group has also invested in new unique recycling technology, after partnering with Swedish company re:newcell whose unique technology recycles used cotton, viscose and other cellulosic fibers into a new, more sustainable dissolving pulp.

    The pulp can be turned into new textile fibers and be fed into the textile production cycle.

    H&M said the partnership is another step towards H&Ms goal to use 100 per cent recycled or other sustainably sourced material by 2030.

    “Re:newcell´s technology has the potential to become a commercial and scalable solution for the industry and accelerate the journey from a linear fashion industry towards a circular one”, said Cecilia Brännsten, acting environmental sustainability manager and circular economy lead, at H&M group.

    Earlier this month, the fast fashion giant reported a quarterly earnings drop after reduced footfall in stores and increased competition in the fashion sector.

    Net profit for the three months to end-August, the third quarter of the retailer’s financial year, came in at 3.84 billion kronor ($470 million), a drop of 20 percent. Sales grew 4.6 percent to 51.23 billion kronor.

    The fast fashion giant recently  confirmed it will open its first Wellington store at Queensgate Shopping Centre in Lower Hutt on October 26.

    Queensgate will be the site of H&M’s third store in New Zealand and span 2,700sqm over two levels.

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  • Taco Bell x Forever 21 fashion collaboration launched

    Taco Bell x Forever 21 fashion collaboration launched

    Styles from fast-food chain Taco Bell’s first-ever fashion collaboration have been released in Forever 21 stores across the US and globally online.

    To launch the Taco Bell x Forever 21 collaboration, both brands invited their fans to a late-night runway show in downtown Los Angeles at which the models were Taco Bell super fans and influencers.

    A mural was created live during by event by artist Lefty Out There, and Taco Bell Feed the Beat artist Cheat Codes also performed.

    A Forever 21 pop-up boutique sold pieces from the collection while a Taco Bell truck dished out signature menu items paired with frozen treats.

    The limited-edition collection features vibrant prints and iconic graphics in the form of tops, bodysuits and cropped hoodies for women, plus for men a sweatshirt, hoodie and anorak jacket.

    In Asia, Taco Bell has stores in India, Japan, South Korea and the Philippines. It withdrew from Singapore nine years ago.

  • Levi’s Cambodia makes Siem Reap debut

    Levi’s Cambodia makes Siem Reap debut

    Levi’s Cambodia has opened its first store in downtown Siem Reap.

    The US denim-focused fashion brand now operates six official stores in the country, with four in Phnom Penh and one at Siem Reap international airport.

    Levi’s Cambodia has been operated by DKSH, the brand’s sole franchisee and distributor, since 2010.

    “We are optimistic about the prospects of Cambodia’s retail environment,” said Peter Hornby, VP for fashion apparel with DKSH Thailand.

    “In particular we have seen strong growth and demand for Levi’s branded products among Cambodia customers, and we plan to continue our retail expansion to 10 or more stores by the end of 2018.”

    The downtown store is also the first stand-alone outlet for the brand, with the other five in centre developments.

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  • Lancome Travel Retail opens airport pop-up

    Lancome Travel Retail opens airport pop-up

    French luxury beauty brand Lancome Travel Retail has opened a Holiday Wonders pop-up store at Singapore’s Changi Airport.

    In partnership with The Shilla Duty Free and Changi Airport Group, it is at the Terminal 3 Departure Transit Hall (Central) until November 10.

    The first of its kind at the airport and a first for the brand, the pop-up celebrates the brand’s new “Declaring Happiness” global campaign and the release of Lancome Advanced Genifique Sensitive. It also introduces Lancome’s augmented-reality virtual makeover app, Virtual Mirror.

    Another digital touchpoint is at the pop-up entrance, where customers can play an interactive game with a chance to win samples of Lancome’s bestselling L’Absolu Rouge lipstick.

    Immersive retail experiences at the pop-up invite travellers on an Parisian escapade. Outfitted with wooden floors and chimney, the store also features a special window with an Eiffel Tower view. Customers can take selfies of themselves “flying” over Paris holding a Lancome floating gift balloon at a custom photobooth.

    A sharing table lets customers experiment with textures and colours, as well as test-drive tailored skincare routines or makeup looks under the guidance of beauty advisors.

    Lancome Travel Retail national makeup artist Vic Tu will host a beauty show at the pop-up on October 14 and 15.

    As well as the experiential offerings, travellers can also take advantage of beauty travel exclusives at the pop-up store as well as at Changi Airport’s online duty-free shopping site, iShopChangi. Buyers of the “Your Perfect Travel Companion” sets at the pop-up store will also receive an exclusive collectible, a Lancome x Singapore luggage tag with complimentary engraving services at specified times.

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  • GuangYuYuan mixes medicine with fashion

    GuangYuYuan mixes medicine with fashion

    In a Paris Fashion Week first, a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) brand, GuangYuYuan Chinese Herbal Medicine, has sponsored a runway show.

    With a history of nearly 500 years, it is the oldest TCM brand in China. GuangYuYuan board chairman Guo Jiaxue says the brand’s Paris Fashion Week campaign is all about connecting with younger consumers.

    “We are the oldest of the ‘big four’ TCM brands, so it’s easy to mistake us for being old fashioned. Today, we are reinterpreting our legacy with innovation and flair.”

    Its global debut in Paris was as a sponsor for fashion designer Liu Qing, also known as Big-King. It was also his first Paris runway show.

    Big-King typifies the young customer GuangYuYuan is seeking out. At the show, he revealed 10 modern looks using elements inspired by traditional Chinese motifs and themes. The event was attended by celebrities such Celina Jade, and representatives from top fashion houses including Gucci and Louis Vuitton.

    Former French Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin presents GuangYuYuan Chairman Guo Jiaxue with an award for “Most Influential and Innovative International Brand” at the 2017 Select Fashion Awards

    The unusual collaboration between a TCM brand and fashion design was the brainchild of new hire Wang Xinyu, GM GuangYuYuan’s brand centre. Wang is leading the company through a marketing modernisation strategy. The runway show was co-organised with tech giant Tencent.

    Founded in 1541, GuangYuYuan was acquired by pharmaceutical conglomerate Xi’an Dongsheng Group in 2003, and in 2006 the Chinese Ministry of Commerce gave the brand its “Time-Honoured Brand” appellation. Two of GuangYuYuan’s oldest products have been declared to be part of China’s intangible cultural heritage, and their formulas have been named national secrets.

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  • Luxury retailer Coach rebrands to ‘Tapestry’

    Luxury retailer Coach rebrands to ‘Tapestry’

    To better incorporate all of the brands it now owns, luxury goods company Coach of New York is changing its name to Tapestry.

    The company that came to prominence in the Mad Men era now owns brands like Stuart Weitzman and Kate Spade & Co as well.

    Chief executive Victor Luis said on Wednesday the name Tapestry is more inclusive.

    Coach acquired Stuart Weitzman in 2015 in a deal valued up to US$574 million. It spent US$2.4 billion for Kate Spade this year, seeking to broaden its appeal.

    The Coach brand of bags and other goods is alive and well, but it becomes one of three brands sold by the company that will be called Tapestry.

    “Three years ago we laid out our vision to transform Coach and announced our intention to grow beyond the Coach brand,” said Victor Luis, CEO of the luxury firm in a statement.

    “Through the execution of our strategic plan and with the acquisitions of Stuart Weitzman in 2015 and Kate Spade & Company just this summer, we have realised these goals.

    “We are now at a defining moment in our corporate reinvention, having evolved from a mono-brand specialty retailer to a true house of emotional, desirable brands, all leveraging our strong operational foundation.”

    Luis said each of brand under the new Tapestry label has a unique proposition and fulfils “different fashion sensibilities and emotional needs within the very attractive and growing $80 billion global market” for premium handbag and accessories, footwear and outerwear.

    “In Tapestry, we found a name that speaks to creativity, craftsmanship, authenticity and inclusivity on a shared platform and values.

    “As such, we believe that Tapestry can grow with our portfolio and with our current brands as they extend into new categories and markets.

    “Most importantly, we are establishing a strong and distinct corporate identity, which enables our brands to express their individual personalities and unique language to consumers.”

    A website with the new name, which becomes official at the end of the month, is up and running.

    The change is part of Coach’s pursuit of younger shoppers who may not feel the same draw to store windows on Manhattan’s 5th Avenue.

    Coach began as a small workshop in Manhattan in 1941, and became a fashion powerhouse in the early 1960s though innovate designs.

    Coach Inc will also be changing its ticker symbol on the New York Stock Exchange from “COH” to “TPR”.

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  • Wines and spirits contribution to LVMH luxury business

    Wines and spirits contribution to LVMH luxury business

    It has been a bubbly nine months for the LVMH luxury business – with the exception of its wines and spirits division, which was hampered by supply constraints.

    Revenue grew by 14 per cent for the period to reach €30.1 billion (US$35.4 billion).

    With organic revenue growth of 12 per cent, the third quarter continues the trend for the year, says the group. The revenue increase was despite a negative currency impact of 5 per cent and a positive structural impact of 7 per cent, reflecting the integration of Christian Dior Couture.

    All business groups recorded double-digit organic growth, with the exception of wines and spirits where growth was 8 per cent. Champagne volumes were up 4 per cent, with particularly strong demand in Europe and Japan. Hennessy cognac had a volume increase of 9 per cent despite a third-quarter decline related to limited supply.

    LVMH’s selective retailing business group had organic revenue growth of 12 per cent. Online sales grew at a steady pace, and DFS had sustained growth, particularly in Hong Kong and Macau. The T Galleria store in Cambodia has also developed well, says the group.

    Organic growth of 14 per cent was recorded by the fashion and leather goods business group. It attributes this to innovation, such as the launch of Louis Vuitton’s first smartwatch.

    “The qualitative development of the distribution network continues, as illustrated by the opening of the Maison Louis Vuitton Vendome in Paris, which brings together under one roof all the savoir-faire of the maison,” says the group.

    Highlights during the period included Fendi opening stores in the US and Rimowa being consolidated. Donna Karan was sold at the end of last year.

    There was also 14 per organic growth in perfumes and cosmetics. Perfumes benefitted from the launch of the eau de parfum Miss Dior. Guerlain rolled out Mon Guerlain fragrance internationally, and Fenty Beauty by Rihanna had an “exceptional” start.

    Watches and jewellery had 13 per cent organic revenue growth, with Bulgari achieving “a remarkable performance” with the rapid growth of its signature jewellery collections Serpenti, Diva and B.Zero1.

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