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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.

  • Grana Singapore pop up opens

    Grana Singapore pop up opens

    Fast-growing Hong Kong-based online fashion business Grana has opened a pop up store in Singapore.

    The Grana Singapore pop up is its second – and this one is located in the heart of the city’s retail zone, on Orchard Rd.

    Grana is the creation of Australian Luke Grana, who was inspired by the high quality of t-shirts he came across during a trip to Peru. The site was developed with a unique business model in mind – in Grana’s own words “high-quality fashion at disruptive prices”.

    Last week, Grana announced it had received US$1.5 million in fresh funding led by Golden Gate Ventures which would be invested in expanding the business and running more short term pop up stores in Asian markets to boost brand awareness.

    The Singapore Grana pop up is located on Level 1 of Orchard Central, and will trade until August 5 from 11am – 10pm daily.

    Grana’s business model is a little different to more high profile brand fashion chains.

    “We deal directly with fabric mills instead of going through distributors or agents. Also, by operating online, we don’t have to pay rent,” says founder Luke Grana.

    “So when fashion retailers put in mark-ups along the way, our pricing is really simple: each of our shirts cost US$6, we retail that for US$12; jeans are US$20, we sell that for US$40. It’s a really honest and transparent pricing model and I think that’s what our, Generation Y customers prefer.”

    Grana plans to triple its range of styles, expand its online marketing into more countries and open more pop-up stores, which have proven hugely successful in building brand awareness in Hong Kong.

    This year, Grana is expanding into China, Europe, Japan, South Korea and Dubai. It will also expand its range into new apparel categories: Mongolian cashmere sweaters, Irish linen shirts, French poplin shirts and US twill chinos.

  • Louis Vuitton wins Singapore copycat case

    Louis Vuitton wins Singapore copycat case

    Luxury brand Louis Vuitton has successfully sued a Singapore retailer for selling imitations of its goods.

    The High Court in Singapore ordered Cuffz, a retailer located in Raffles City shopping centre, to pay Louis Vuitton $35,000 in statutory damages for selling wallets which, in the court’s view, “imitated” the French brand’s own products.

    The wallets bore the ‘Epi Mark’, Louis Vuitton’s trademark interweaving ridges and valley in a recognisable two-tone effect, according to court documents.

    Assistant court registrar Edwin San issued a strongly worded written decision  observing Cuffz “demonstrated a contumelious disregard” for Louis Vuitton’s intellectual property rights and was a business which “flagrantly dealt in counterfeit goods”.

    The store closed in May last year soon after a police raid led to the seizure of allegedly infringing goods centreplace in this case.

    While the victory marks a clear win for Louis Vuitton, with the court’s decision leaving little room for misinterpretation, similar such cases in the past have been less clear cut.

    In Hong Kong, six years ago, LV withdrew criminal charges against high profile watch retailer City Chain for trademark infringement, alleging it used the LV flower design in a range of watches. Judges concluded that while the flower patterns were similar to Louis Vuitton’s, they were not identical.

    Louis Vuitton had sought $100,000 in damages – but the case was never about money. It was about Louis Vuitton sending a message to retailers that it was prepared to actively protect its trademarks and intellectual property.

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  • Daphne shutters stores as sales slide

    Daphne shutters stores as sales slide

    Hong Kong-listed shoe retailer Daphne International Holdings has issued a profit warning as it shutters nearly 200 stores.

    Daphne operates the Daphne and Shoebox retail brands in Mainland China.

    The company has reported the year on year, same store sales fell 16.9 per cent in the first half of 2015, and by 17.7 per cent in the second quarter.

    In the first six months of the year, Daphne closed 181 stores – 117 directly-managed and 64 franchised stores, the majority in the second quarter. But it still has 6221 points of sale.

    “During the first half of the year, the consumer sentiment remained soft, yet the erratic weather with delayed spring and summer seasons further dampened the appetite for shopping. This led to intensified competition in the mass market segment for ladies’ shoes as some aggressive peers offered deep discounts much earlier,” the company said in its quarterly sales filing.

    “However, the group upheld its discounting policy until the adverse effect of the weather subsided.”

    Turnover of the Core Brands business recorded a decline of low-teens percentage year-on-year for the first half of the year, as a result of a negative same store sales growth performance and net store closures.

    “In an attempt of further market segmentation, the group refined Daphne product range into seven product series in this spring/summer season to broaden its appeal to customers and to increase its differentiation from the competitors.”

    Daphne International also added one of the top young actresses in Mainland China, Cecilia Lau, to its group of spokespersons (including the popular Korean actress, Jun Ji-Hyun, and pop singer and actor, Nicholas Tse) to endorse one of its core product lines – Cosmopolitan.

    “By increasing the association of the product lines with the spokespersons, it helped build a strong brand image, and improved the marketing efforts,” the company said.

    Gross profit margin expanded due to the improved sales mix during the first half of the year, however, the decrease in sales exerted significant pressure on operating margin and the inventory management.

    Shareholders were warned not to expect good news when the financial statements for the first half are released.

    “For the six months ended 30 June 2015, the group is expected to have a significant decline in profit. The decline in profit was mainly attributable to a decline in same-store sales, decreased sales and negative operating leverage which resulted from the high fixed-cost structure of the group’s retail operation.”

    The group will now focus on boosting sales, inventory management, expense control and accelerating its eCommerce growth and will step up its promotional activities for the remainder of the summer season.

    Daphne is also working on an expansion plan for its eCommerce business and will allocate more resources to fuel its growth and O2O initiatives, which will include deepening its collaboration with various eCommerce platforms.

    “While the performance for the first half is below expectations, the group endeavours to improve its performance for the second half of the year,” it said.

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  • Fred Perry Newest Bangkok flagship

    Fred Perry Newest Bangkok flagship

    BuckleyGrayYeoman has designed a new store concept for Fred Perry in Asia.

    The new Bangkok flagship is one of the star tenants of the newly opened EmQuartier shopping centre developed by The Mall Group.

    The store is the second BuckleyGrayYeoman designed in the Far East and the practice’s latest fitout in its tenure as Fred Perry’s Worldwide Retail Design Consultant.

    The Fred Perry Bangkok store in EmQuartier represents “a subtle development of the Fred Perry design language” developed by the architectural practice, which has resulted in “a contemporary and elegant boutique, designed to fit in with the selection of international luxury brands selected by the mall,” according to Paul White, director in charge of the project.

    “EmQuartier is an exciting new development for Bangkok that brings together a truly stellar collection of international retail brands. To match the tone of the development, we have successfully modified our core design strategy, creating a smart interior that aligns with the ethos of EmQuartier while retaining the definitive Fred Perry DNA,” said White.

    The store presents an open plan layout and sophisticated materials palette featuring concrete, black steel, timber and polished brass which contrasts with the wooden parquet flooring. A supersized signature Fred Perry laurel wreath logo has been drawn into the plan, influencing the shape and position of the seating and custom-made cabinets. In addition, BuckleyGrayYeoman  created a sense of luxury in the shopfront by using a striking ribbed black steel and brass strip wreath on a series of large scale artworks incorporating the Fred Perry laurel logo.

    Formed in 1997, BuckleyGrayYeoman is based in Shoreditch, London. Its past projects include Fashion Street in Shoreditch and 25 Soho Square in central London.

    BuckleyGrayYeoman has completed stores for Fred Perry in Cardiff, Westfield Stratford in London and now Munich.

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  • Hong Kong + Indonesian Fashion Meet at “Batik Crossover”

    Hong Kong + Indonesian Fashion Meet at “Batik Crossover”

    “In Style – Hong Kong”, a large-scale promotion organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), is coming to Jakarta 14-20 September 2015. The promotion will showcase a range of Hong Kong lifestyle products as well as business services to Indonesian entrepreneurs and consumers.

    The innovative “Batik Crossover” display is a highlight of the week-long “In Style – Hong Kong” promotion, which also includes a product expo for trade buyers at the Jakarta Convention Center 17-19 September 2015, a citywide retail and gourmet promotion at venues across Jakarta for consumers and a symposium with various business networking activities as well as a high-level Gala Dinner for Indonesian businesses.

    Symbol of Collaboration

    Six collections by renowned Hong Kong designers will feature in “Batik Crossover”, with works created from the traditional Indonesian fabric. The designs by Lulu Cheung, Walter Kong with Jessica Lau, Walter Ma, Aries Sin, Harrison Wong and Cecilia Yau will be unveiled at the Fashion Hong Kong catwalk show during the Gala Dinner (by-invitation only) on 17 September, before going on public display at Grand Indonesia Shopping Town.

    “‘Batik Crossover’ is about combining a fine Indonesian craft with Hong Kong fashion design talent, symbolising the ‘In Style – Hong Kong’ theme of style, creativity, and collaboration between Indonesia and Hong Kong. We believe this initiative would be inspirational to Indonesian consumers,” said HKTDC Director of Product Promotion, Stephen Liang.

    Lulu Cheung – Indonesian Roots

    Bandung-born Hong Kong fashion designer Lulu Cheung’s love of batik dates back to her early childhood, when she wore casual clothing made from the material. Today, the renowned designer’s bond with the fabric is being rekindled through her “Batik Crossover” collection.

    “This is my first try at batik design. I will mix Hong Kong and Indonesian fashion cultures to create a contemporary look. I hope I can also give the cloth a new, impactful look,” said Ms Cheung, who, at the age of five, moved to Hong Kong with her family. “I’ve long been fascinated with batik, even keeping two batik moulds for many years as art pieces.

    “Batik is one of the core elements of Indonesian art and culture. The printing and colour represent part of the country’s culture and contemporary arts trends. In the past, the most natural dyes and colours and the most original methods were used to make the patterns. My mum told us batik colours would never fade.”

    Ms Cheung designs a wide range of womenswear, from casual to formal wear, Her clients include Hong Kong models such as as Kathy Chow, Eunice Chan, Vanessa Yeung and Janet Ma. Since her first runway show at Hong Kong Fashion Week in 1989, she extended her catwalk rounds internationally and has received multiple awards, including the International Fashion Editors’ Best Hong Kong Collection Award at Hong Kong Fashion Week in 1996, and the Certificate of Merit for Excellence in Fashion Design at Hong Kong Fashion Week in 1992 and 1994. Ms Cheung was named one of the Ten Outstanding Designers at the Hong Kong Art & Design Festival in 2006.

    Walter Kong and Jessica Lau – Fairy-tale Fantasy

    “Batik is something new to us. The fabric has a strong cultural element, but we’d like to integrate different cultures into our collection as well. The fabric is quite light, colourful and energetic. Because of its colour, it actually is quite feminine,” said Jessica Lau.

    “Our batik pieces will be based on our latest collection inspired by the Nutcracker. They are surreal, colourful and comfortable and flatter the female body. Our target customers are career women,” Walter Kong added.

    Mr Kong and Ms Lau design contemporary east-west fusion womenswear that can be easily mixed and matched for various occasions. They have dressed Hong Kong actresses including Aimee Chan and Grace Chan, both former “Miss Hong Kong” winners. Mr Kong was the 2007 Overall Winner of the HKTDC-organised Young Designers’ Contest. Ms Lau, a Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design graduate, was named “Best Emerging Fashion Designer 2009” in London by Artstalker creative group.

    Walter Ma – Attention to Detail

    Veteran designer Walter Ma will use batik in his evening gown designs. “The material is very comfortable, but it needs adapting to be used in evening gowns, so my collection will feature batik detail rather than being made totally with batik. The design concept is mainly beading and embroidery,” said Mr Ma.

    Mr Ma designs a wide range of fashion, including womenswear and menswear. He was honoured with the Merit Award at the Design Gallery show staged at the Hong Kong Fashion Week for Fall/Winter 1996. In 1997, he was awarded the “Energetic and Creativity Award” of Porsche Design and the “Artist of the Year Awards 1997 – Fashion Designer”. His clientele has featured internationally acclaimed Hong Kong actors and actresses, including Maggie Cheung, Andy Lau and Aaron Kwok.

    Aries Sin – Futuristic & Fun

    Aries Sin aims to give batik a modern twist. “I’m still learning about batik. There’s lots of potential in using this fabric in different ways. I have picked one that has a picture on it. I think it will match my collection,” said Ms Sin.

    “I will try to make it more international. I will use a contemporary way to present the material, and use the fabric in a more futuristic way, so maybe you can see something fun in the collection. And it’s going to be unisex.”

    Ms Sin’s unisex pieces have been worn by renowned Hong Kong singers including Miriam Yeung, Denise Ho and Andy Hui. In 2013, she was named by Perspective magazine as one of “40 under 40” design talents, and won the bronze award at the “Design for Asia Awards 2013” organised by the Hong Kong Design Centre.

    Harrison Wong – Casual Charm

    Harrison Wong is getting creative with the traditional material. “The batik technique of wax-resistant dyeing gives the cloth a beautiful pattern and colour, and it feels good, too. I will turn this traditional fabric with traditional pattern, into a contemporary street fashion look for men, which is a challenge. I guess the design will be interesting,” said Mr Wong.

    The menswear specialist was Overall Winner at the Hong Kong Young Designers’ Contest and captured a Special Award at the Asian Fashion Grand Prix Contest (organised by Association of Total Fashion in Japan) in 1996. With a Master’s degree with distinction from the London College of Fashion, Mr Wong has designed women’s and men’s seasonal collections for international runways in New York, Milan, Shanghai, Taipei, Sydney and Hong Kong.

    Cecilia Yau – Creative Classic

    Cecilia Yau’s inspiration came from her childhood journeys. “The theme for my collection will be ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’, inspired by my Southeast Asian travels as a child when, during the hot evenings, I would imagine myself being part of Shakespeare’s play, ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’,” said Ms Yau, a young yet experienced and well-known award-winning designer specialising in bridal wear and haute couture.

    “The batik I am going to use features deep blue, purple and golden yellow colours, with the latter resembling moonlight. Batik is versatile and I will use it in an unconventional way. My design will feature 3D cutting, representing a romantic and elegant rendition of the Shakespearean classic.”

    Graduating with a degree with distinction from ESMOD International in Paris, Ms Yau was Overall Winner of the Hong Kong Young Fashion Designers’ Contest and winner of the Hong Kong Fashions Association Creative Award in 1999. The Hong Kong Communication Art Centre recognised her as one of The Ten Outstanding Designers in 2008, and the Outstanding Greater China Designs Winner in 2013 and 2014. She was named among the “Ten Outstanding Young Persons” in 2013. Ms Yau has participated in various large-scale fashion shows including the Fukuoka Asia Fashion Festival, the Shanghai Fashion Festival and New York Fashion Week. Her celebrity clients include former Miss Hong Kong Michelle Reis, Hong Kong singer Linda Wong, and Chinese mainland actresses Huang Yi and Irene Wang.

    In addition to “Batik Crossover”, Mr Kong and Ms Lau, as well as Ms Sin and Mr Wong will also be exhibitors at the “In Style – Hong Kong” Expo (17-19 September).

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  • Cool Kids Fashion Shanghai opens

    Cool Kids Fashion Shanghai opens

    China’s biggest trade event for kids’ fashion – has opened to kids fashion industry players.

    The event runs until Friday, July 24 at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre, China.

    More than 65 children’s fashion brands are exhibiting, from Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Denmark, France, Hong Kong, Italy, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Spain, Sweden, the UK, US and beyond. Participating brands include Barefoot Dreams, Bibi, Cececo, Devilollipop, Desigual, Dickies, Dr. Apple, Ecobibi, Farg&Form by Kidstopia, Finn+Emma, Four-Lads, Manila Grace, Martin Marietta, Rockin’ Baby, Schwartz and more. They showcase a complete overview of children fashion and accessories (ages up to 16 years).

    Gal-la Calaf, sales manager of Spanish fashion brand Desigual says the children’s fashion market is booming in China.

    “Chinese parents are more brand-conscious, looking for more fashionable clothes for their children. With the relaxation of the one child policy and the growing middle class, the market here is booming. We are bringing our latest collections here to Cool Kids Fashion Shanghai to meet with potential partners.”

    Athena Gong, GM of the event’s organiser UBM China (Hangzhou), says the category is continually driven by China’s next-generation parents.

    “They are fashionable and want their kids to look stylish as well. They are looking for comfortable yet chic apparel and accessories for their babies and kids.

    “We are building a platform for international and domestic children’s fashion brand owners, distributors and investors to meet and do business with the key players of China’s kids fashion industry. From the Kids Fashion Design Contest to the Trend Zones, we want to help the industry set the trend for the season. We will continuously provide good service for brand owners and buyers and help boost China’s children’s wear industry,” said Gong.

    Highlights of Cool Kids Fashion Shanghai include:

    * Kids Design Contest Awards/Gallery: Launched in February 2015, the Kids Fashion Design Contest has received 942 entries from worldwide aspiring designers and 20 designers have been short-listed. Their collections are on display and are featured in the Kids Fashion Show.

    * Kids Fashion Design Kids Fashion Shows: The world renowned kids fashion brands including Babi Boo, Deseason, Desigual, Lesha, Maya, Pencil Club, Tuc Tuc and more take center stage and showcase their latest collections.

    * Trend Zones: Supported by Peclers Paris, the trend study organisation, the hot color, patterns and materials are illustrated in this area for industry people to spot 2016/2017 Autumn/Winter fashion trends. It’s showcased under four themes ¨C “Preppy College”, “Leisure”, “Trendy” and “Girly”.

    * Kids Fashion Museum: A display of collection of baby and children’s apparel from China’s ethnic minorities.

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  • Italian label Antonia to launch in China

    Italian label Antonia to launch in China

    Luxury fashion label Antonia is to open the first of 10 stores planned for greater China in Macau.

    Antonia, headquartered in the Italian fashion capital, Milan, has signed a partnership with Guangzhou Canudilo Fashion and Accessories, which has about 300 stores in China selling its own brands in the mid to high-end fashion space, along with 100 luxury monobrand stores in partnership with Armani, Givenchy, Roberto Cavalli and others.

    Antonia is the first brand to be publicly announced for the new Parisian retail development, another integrated resort with gaming, accommodation, entertainment and shopping.

    The US$5 billion project will feature a half size replica of the Eiffel Tower and 320,000 sqft of retail, housing 150 boutiques grouped in replicas of five famous shopping precincts of Paris, including the Champs Elysees and Rue du Faubourg Saint Honore, as well as 3000 hotel rooms.

    Antonia will take a 33,000 sqft space in the complex, according to Canudilo group president Yongfei Lin, who revealed the details during a Milan media event last week marking his company’s purchase of the Dirk Bikkembergs brand.

    Just five stores will be opened in China between now and 2020, with a further following.

    Antonia was founded in 1999 by Antonia Giacinti, who remains responsible for merchandise selection and store design.

    Luciano Donatelli, strategic consultant for the Canudilo group, said the Macau store will be “the twin” of the Milan flagship.

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  • Ben Sherman rescued by PE

    Ben Sherman rescued by PE

    Loss-making menswear retailer Ben Sherman has been bought by a private equity investor.

    US-based Marquee Brands has paid a mere £40.8 million for the business which it considers still has potential, despite its troubled state.

    “Ben Sherman remains a uniquely classic British brand with a loyal following across five continents and a smartness that’s ageless. Its heritage, style and authenticity fits perfectly within Marquee’s growing portfolio,” said Cory M. Baker, COO of Marquee Brands.

    “We are particularly excited about this transaction as Ben Sherman is consistent with our mission to acquire high quality brands with substantial global growth potential,” added Michael DeVirgilio, president of Marquee Brands in a statement.

    “The current management team under Oxford’s leadership has done a great job building on the core essence of the brand. We’ve received supportive messages from retailers across the globe that share our view of the growth opportunity ahead.”

    Ben Sherman, established back in 1963, is Marquee Brands’ second acquisition this year, after Italian luxury brand Bruno Magli.

    Marquee considers its recent acquisitions as building “a glowing portfolio of relevant, storied brands with rich history and a global footprint”.

    “Our plans to market and promote the brand across various lifestyle categories are well underway with new products and expanded retail coming to market as early as first quarter, 2016,” Marquee said in its statement.

    The brand has had a chequered history over the last 30 years. The last time it changed hands, after two successive management buyouts, was in 2004 when Atlanta-based Oxford Industries paid 3i and Irish PE investor Enterprise Equity about £80 million for the business.

    The brand made a failed foray into womens fashion and childrenswear in the 2000s, axed by Oxford in 2010.

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  • Hermes weathers storm

    Hermes weathers storm

    Luxury goods retailer Hermes says a slowdown in sales in Hong Kong has been more than offset by solid Japanese trade.

    Hermes International has reported a 22 per cent increase in second-quarter sales as growth in Japan took off, consumers finally opening their wallets on luxury goods after a long season of economic malaise.

    The Parisian company said sales rose to 1.17 billion euros (US$1.27 billion). When currency exchange effects are removed from the result, sales climbed 10 per cent, two percentage points faster than in the preceding first quarter.

    The company says wealthy Chinese are preferring to shop in Japan or Europe, rather than in Hong Kong as goods there are perceived to be cheaper, largely due to favourable currency exchange rates.

    Hermes has seven stores in Hong Kong.

  • Mitsui Outlet mall set for opening

    Mitsui Outlet mall set for opening

    Mitsui Outlet mall, located in Sepang, will finally officially open on July 29.

    The mall commenced trading in May with about 50 per cent of its stores completed. New stores have progressively opened and the first stage of the project is nearly complete.

    Located close to the original Kuala Lumpur International Airport terminal, and alongside a highway, the developers expect it will attract shoppers on stopover and from the nearby cities.

    Mitsui Outlet Park KLIA Sepang is the result of a joint venture (JV) between Mitsui Fudosan Co and Malaysia Airports Holdings. The outlet mall will be managed by the JV company, MFMA Development.

    About 130 stores are expected to be trading by the end of the month, but retailers have been struggling to find staff to work in the mall which is 60km from Kuala Lumpur city and 6km from the airport.

    With Japanese investment, the mall is promoting itself as Japanese-inspired and includes a ‘Japan Avenue’ with traditional arts and crafts, tea and food.

    The developers plan to expand the facility in 2018, as well as 2021, to become the largest outlet mall in Southeast Asia with about 250 stores and floor space of about 44,000 sqm.

    Stores offer luxury and branded products, fashion apparel and accessories, perfumes, cosmetics, confectionery, kids and sports wear, household items and luggage.

    A 24,000sqm foodcourt is included in the first stage of the project.

  • Stelux China sales soar

    Stelux China sales soar

    Listed Hong Kong eyewear and watch retailer Stelux Holdings has reported a 7.1 per cent decline in sales in the first three months of the 2015 financial year, compared to the same period last year.

    However Stelux China proved a standout in the trading results for the three months to June 30.

    The company says despite a decrease in turnover due to a decline in tourist spending in Hong Kong and Macau, the company achieved an 85.8 per cent increase in sales of its fashion eyewear chain eGG in the China Mainland, a 23.4 per cent increase in City Chain sales there, and a more modest 0.2 per cent gain in its Optical 88 chain.

    The company says its total sales reached HK$860.7 million in the period, compared with $926.4 million in the same quarter of 2014.

    Turnover in Southeast Asia – where it has stores in Singapore, Thailand and Malaysia – decreased by 16.9 per cent.

    “Excluding currency effects, the turnover would have decreased by nine per cent due to weak retail sentiment in Thailand and Malaysia,” the company said in a stock exchange filing on Monday.

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  • UNIQLO’s ‘look good, do good’ campaign takes off

    UNIQLO’s ‘look good, do good’ campaign takes off

    Whether you want to admit it or not, bumping into someone wearing the same outfit you’re wearing can be awkward. (We may laugh it off, but deep down inside, we are wishing it doesn’t happen again.)

    Thankfully, as part of the Uniqlo Street Tales initiative, the popular casual fashion brand has come up with a unique way of ensuring it doesn’t. All you need to do is download the free UTme! application (it is a new custom T-shirt service) and design your own tee. Then, head down to Uniqlo Bugis+, print out your design and voila! You get to showcase your one-of-a-kind art piece wherever you go.

    This is one of several initiatives by the brand to give back to local communities. So far in Singapore, Uniqlo has gotten more than 50 artistes (such as Rebecca Lim, Desmond Tan), businesses (Tiger Balm, BreadTalk) and personalities (chef Willin Low, fashion icon Daniel Boey) under the Uniqlo Street Tales umbrella to create UTme! T-shirts, retailing at Uniqlo Bugis+ for S$29.90 (RM83.21) for adults and S$24.90 for children’s tees, with all net proceeds from the sale of these tees from now until Aug 10 donated to the Community Chest.

    “I feel great about it. I’ve always known that Uniqlo is very big on CSR (corporate social responsibility) projects but to be able to participate with Uniqlo and at the same time try my hand at designing something, the whole experience just makes it a lot more meaningful,” said actress Lim. “(We are) contributing to something that is close to our hearts, it’s a charity organisation in Singapore so it’s great (to) see Singaporeans buying and supporting the brand and at the same time, supporting this organisation.”

    Cheok Weiling, PR manager of Uniqlo Singapore, said that the brand has seen “encouraging response from customers who are eager to personalise their T-shirts”. But more than that, Heng Li Lang, director of relations & engagement at Community Chest, said that the net proceeds from the sale of these T-shirts would also be matched dollar for dollar by the government under the Care & Share Movement “to build the capability and capacity of the social service sector”. “Through these efforts, Uniqlo has exemplified the spirit of the movement in giving time, talent and treasures towards helping the less fortunate. We are very thankful to Uniqlo for this innovative partnership and look forward to many more years of close collaboration ahead,” Heng said.

    Also doing its part is Swedish fashion giant H&M, which launched Unicoin, “the first currency dedicated to good”. In support of UNICEF, the H&M Conscious Foundation’s Unicoin initiative enables children to help less privileged children gain access to learning opportunities.

    With help from their parents, children would upload a drawing that depicts what they dream of becoming when they grow up to the Unicoin website (https://unicoins.org) in exchange for a Unicoin. The H&M Conscious Foundation then matches each Unicoin with one notebook and pencil, which UNICEF then distributes to children around the world.

    Abby Wee, PR manager of H&M Singapore and Malaysia, said she was encouraged by the “very positive and overwhelming” response so far. “Twenty thousand notebooks and pencils have been sent to children worldwide, thanks to the help from everyone who has supported this initiative. Even though the period to exchange your drawing for a Unicoin has ended, we hope that more people will spread the word in support of every child’s right to early development and education.”

    That is not all. Homegrown brand TANGS said their Shop For Good initiative will return in the last quarter of the year. Launched last October, the initiative saw the company partnering with retailers to raise funds for charities. TANGS donated S$0.50 to the Community Chest with every receipt generated during the period. “As one of the pioneers in the Singapore retail scene, we hope to use our influence to drive lasting social awareness by inspiring and building a strong community of purpose-driven consumers and retail partners,” said Foo Tiang Sooi, chief executive officer of C.K. Tang Limited, adding that the company hoped that this would “empower a new generation of savvy, ethical consumer”.

    Even beauty brands have gotten in on the act. Globally, Clarins has constructed a facility to generate clean drinking water in Madagascar, with the funds for the project coming from the sale of the Katafray bark extract, an ingredient that can be found in Clarins’ HydraQuench range. The French brand has also built schools in Vietnam, thanks to the harvesting of the Vu Sua fruit used in its bust care range. In Singapore, Clarins has been participating in the Singapore Garden Festival since 2006 to raise awareness for sustainable development. (In honour of its contribution, the Singapore Botanic Gardens presented Christian Courtin-Clarins, the chairman of the Clarins Group, with the first Clarins Orchid, the Renanthera Clarins Christian & Olivier, in 2010.)

    “It is our great pride and deep honour to be gifted with an orchid that was specially created for us,” Courtin-Clarins said. “It is not simply a flower, but a validation of the efforts that Clarins has dedicated to sustainable development all these years.”For Estee Lauder Companies, which has brands such as Estee Lauder, Clinique, La Mer, Origins and Bobbi Brown under its wing, championing awareness and support for breast cancer has been one of its aims since the 1990s. The Breast Cancer Awareness (BCA) Campaign, for example, started in 1992 with the creation of the Pink Ribbon, which has been regarded as the universal symbol for breast health. The BCA Campaign has raised more than US$58 million to support global research, education and medical services over the past 21 years.

    “In Singapore, breast cancer is the most common cancer among women. Our colleagues are very committed to building breast cancer awareness among women of all ages and different ethnicities through the BCA Campaign that we run in October every year,” said Lisa Chow, managing director, Estee Lauder Cosmetics. “We have a very dedicated committee formed by our employees who organise fund-raising activities and education programmes in order to reach thousands of women, not only to enforce better knowledge that early detection saves lives but also raise funds to support local research projects or education programmes …”

    While the various brands under Estee Lauder Companies have been crafting what they termed “Pink Ribbon Products”, with a percentage of the profits from the sale of these items going towards the Breast Cancer Awareness Fund, here in Singapore, the Estee Lauder Companies will take going pink to a whole new level this year, by lighting up an iconic building in pink later this year, although the brand has yet to reveal which one.

    Nevertheless, it is nice to know that, in an era when people are taking pains to look good, they can now do good at the same time. ― TODAY

  • Kappa China sales soar

    Kappa China sales soar

    Kappa China sportswear brand sales are soaring in the Mainland.

    China Dongxiang, the Kappa sportswear and accessories brand’s Chinese rights owner, has reported a 21.5 per cent year-on-year same-store sales growth in China for the second quarter of 2015.

    There were 1231 Kappa retail stores trading at the end of the quarter, a net increase of 21 stores over six months.

    And Kappa’s trade orders also posted double digit growth.

    Chen Yihong, chairman, CEO and executive director of China Dongxiang, described the retail trading result as “spectacular” saying they were the result of efforts to streamline the company’s brands and business, sales and supply-chain models. China Dongxiang, listed on the Hong Kong stock exchange, designs, develops, markets and wholesales of branded sportswear in China.

    Currently, China Dongxiang owns all rights to the internationally renowned Kappa brand in China, Macau and Japan.

    The company believes the Kappa brand’s success in China is due to the products conveying “a vibrant, fashionable and youthful image hugely popular with China’s fast-growing base of consumers with potentially high spending powers”.

    China Dongxiang also owns Phenix, the most popular ski brand in Japan.

  • Burberry Hong Kong sales still falling

    Burberry Hong Kong sales still falling

    Burberry Hong Kong was the only apparent dampener on a solid quarter for the British luxury fashion retailer.

    Global retail revenue reached £407 million in the three months to June 30, representing an eight per cent increase, or 10 per cent at reported foreign exchange rates.

    But Hong Kong, where sales fell at a double-digit percentage rate, dragged the broader Asia-Pacific market down by the “low single-digit percentage”.

    “Mainland China comparable sales grew by a low single-digit percentage and Japan saw exceptional growth, albeit off a small base,” said Burberry in its sales statement issued Wednesday.

    Christopher Bailey, CEO and chief creative officer said Burberry was pleased with its underlying six per cent same store sales growth.

    “While mindful that the external environment remains challenging, we will continue to focus on growth opportunities across channels, regions and products, with exciting plans for the year ahead.”

    Bailey said the sales growth – outside Hong Kong – reflected the company’s ongoing emphasis on serving customers more effectively on and offline, and continued innovation in design and marketing – “particularly around the iconic, British-made products that performed so well in the period”.

    By region, there was double-digit percentage comparable sales growth in EMEIA, with strength from the travelling luxury customer in France, Italy and Spain in particular. The Americas delivered high single-digit percentage comparable growth, with footfall recovering through the quarter after a soft start.

    By product, heritage trench coats and cashmere scarves drove growth, as well as ponchos, an emerging key category for the brand.

    During the first quarter, Burberry opened five mainline stores and closed three. Openings included a new store in Brookfield Place, New York and relocations in the Mall of the Emirates, Dubai and Westfield White City, London. It also expanded its Regent Street flagship, adding an area dedicated to gifting.

  • Cath Kidston buys Japanese franchise

    Cath Kidston buys Japanese franchise

    UK-headquartered Cath Kidston says it will buy out its Japanese franchise business.

    Store leases and stock will transfer to a wholly owned subsidiary Cath Kidston Japan on September 1.

    The move brings to an end a four year partnership started in 2011 with Sanei International, a subsidiary of TSI Holdings.

    Japan accounts for 20 per cent of Cath Kidston’s global sales with four consecutive years of sales growth driven largely by the home, childrenswear and bags categories.

    Cath Kidston CEO Kenny Wilson said Japan is the brand’s biggest international market outside the UK and a key part of its business strategy to globalise the brand.

    “During 2016 we will celebrate our tenth anniversary since opening the first store in Tokyo and we see real opportunities to grow the brand even further across Asia.

    “This is a unique opportunity to take full control of the Japanese business. Sanei International has been a trusted franchise partner and we have worked successfully together, helping to grow the portfolio to over 30 stores. Our desire to buy, and Sanei’s decision to sell back the business, fitted perfectly with each other’s strategy,” said Wilson.

    “We are grateful to the Sanei management team in developing the business over the past four years. We have been delighted by the response of the Japanese staff to our decision to take full ownership of the stores.”

    Cath Kidston now has stores in 16 countries including China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, Spain and France.

    In April this year, Cath Kidston opened its 200th overseas store in Beijing, China.