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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.

  • Valiram opens Indonesia’s first Salvatore Ferragamo store

    Valiram opens Indonesia’s first Salvatore Ferragamo store

    Valiram, the Malaysian retail group, has opened the first Salvatore Ferragamo store in Indonesia. Located in Plaza Indonesia, the store is part of Valiram’s growing international network of stores under multiple licensed brands, including Victoria’s Secret, Tumi, Bulgari and MLB.

    The Indonesian store offers a range of the brand’s premium handbags as well as shoes.

    Salvatore Ferragamo was founded in Florence in 1927 by its namesake fashion designer and offers high-end clothing, accessories, and footwear for men and women, along with fragrances, watches, and eyewear.

    In July, the fashion business unveiled a brand-new concept store in Soho, one of New York City’s most fashionable neighbourhoods, at 63 Greene Street. It is the luxury brand’s first foray into fusing an upscale retail environment with digital creativity and customisation.

    Valiram has retail stores and businesses throughout the Asia-Pacific region, including Singapore, Indonesia, Australia, the Philippines, Thailand, Macau, and Vietnam.

    The business, which runs more than 350 stores, boasts 200 brands spanning many different categories, including fashion and accessories, watches and jewelry, perfume and cosmetics, as well as confectionery and dining concepts.

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  • Swiss watchmaker Jacob & Co launches its first store in Japan

    Swiss watchmaker Jacob & Co launches its first store in Japan

    Swiss luxury watchmaker, Jacob & Co, has landed in Japan, opening its first brick-and-mortar store in the bustling district of Ginza this month.  The opening ceremonies, scheduled to take place on October 13, will be attended by the brand’s chairman and founder Jacob Arabo.  Situated between Ginza Station and Shimbashi Station and spanning one floor, the Jacob & Co Ginza store adapts the brand’s signature store design concept in black and white. While the ceiling features L

    Situated between Ginza Station and Shimbashi Station and spanning one floor, the Jacob & Co Ginza store adapts the brand’s signature store design concept in black and white. While the ceiling features LED lighting with Jacob & Co’s geometric lines, a large LED monitor is stalled on the wall to display the brand’s latest campaign.

    The store will be home to Jacob & Co’s full collection of watches, including the brand’s signature ‘Five Time Zone Watch’, which simultaneously displays the time in five different countries.

    The launch is part of its international footprint expansion plan. CEO of Jacob & Co, Benjamin Arabov, earlier this year said the company was planning to double its international footprint in the coming years.

    Founded in 1986 by Jacob Arabo, Jacob & Co has a presence in 31 countries and regions, including South Korea, India, Mainland China, Malaysia, Hong Kong and Singapore.

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  • Jim Thompson enters a new era with reimagined flagship in Bangkok

    Jim Thompson enters a new era with reimagined flagship in Bangkok

    Jim Thompson, Thailand’s iconic global lifestyle brand signals a new era with the opening of Bangkok’s must-visit landmark the Jim Thompson Heritage and Creative Quarter. Inclusive of the original Jim Thompson House Museum, it features a new “Museum About the Man”, a Home Furnishings Exhibition, a café and a new Iconic Store.

    Local and international visitors will get to soak in the rich history and stunning architecture of what was once the residence of Jim Thompson and explore the beauty of Thai culture, silk traditions and the Thai spirit of innovation as well as discover exhibitions about the life and work of the “Silk King”.

    Frank Cancelloni, Group CEO at Jim Thompson explains, “We are excited about this new chapter. This is not just any lifestyle brand; it was founded by an iconic man who revived the Thai silk industry. The project will be 100% completed by April 2023 with the opening of a restaurant, a bar and a multifunctional hall, all reflecting the spirit of Jim Thompson.”

    Jim Thompson House Museum

    Comprising of 6 teak houses sourced by Jim Thompson from all over Thailand, his residence also became home to an extensive collection of Southeast Asian art. After his disappearance in Malaysia in 1967, his home was carefully preserved and turned into a museum.

    Museum About the Man

    Drawn from the archives of The James H.W. Thompson Foundation, “The Man Himself” highlights the critical milestones in Thompson’s life, from his early years to the last day that he was seen. The exhibition also charts the journey of Jim Thompson fabrics from Vogue to Broadway and on to becoming Thailand’s only global lifestyle brand.

    Home Furnishing Exhibition

    ‘The Evolving World of Jim Thompson Textiles’ is an exhibition that unveils the story of the Thai Silk Company Limited and the prominent creative figures behind the company’s successes in the textile and fabric world after the mysterious disappearance of Jim Thompson in 1967.

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  • Esprit opens innovation hubs in New York and London

    Esprit opens innovation hubs in New York and London

    Esprit has announced London and New York as two new locations for its Futura innovation hubs. Futura is part of its digital strategy to “reinvent customer engagement experiences by turning data into insights, fuelling the brand’s global expansion matched to the fast-growing scale of digital change in today’s fashion retail landscape”.

    As part of its wider strategy, the brand has been moving key functions to strategic locations, “creating a truly global presence”. It said the two metropolises are global cities “with strong cultural influences and 24-hour connectivity. They will be heavily integrated and connected to the brand’s commitment to digital and creative innovation”.

    New York will be the global creative and design hub “to inspire forward thinking and bring contemporary concepts and talent to its new branding strategy”. This is intended to “solidify the ambition to rebrand one of the world’s most iconic companies. [It] will take the lead in Esprit’s rebranding venture”.

    Futura London will be the firm’s global customer experience innovation hub “to provide unique customer experiences for an avant-garde omnichannel connection to the Esprit universe”.

    They join the existing Amsterdam hub that combines e-commerce and technological advancement. As the first physical hub, “it will lead in driving portfolio management innovation, creation of new ideas and pilots, enhancing and renewing the existing omnichannel business, and digital execution”.

    The company said the steps it’s taking are an important part of “turning the iconic brand into an omnichannel technology and data-driven fashion powerhouse”.

    The new hubs “aim to create transformative change in culture, mindset, and business process, discover new growth opportunities for Esprit, and improve innovation performance through a technology-driven approach that focuses on customer experience and embraces circularity”. This new structure “will also provide opportunities to enable staff to have more flexibility with increased international exposure”.

    CEO William Pak said: “Esprit is in the process of transforming into a truly global company with the creative minds and processes in key cities enabling consumers to be connected to the brand on a multi-dimensional level. This enables [it] to adapt to major challenges in fashion and the macro environment in order to propel into the future. Creating an exciting customer experience with smart design and a connection to the brand is an exciting path forward.”

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  • Berluti makes its Vietnam debut

    Berluti makes its Vietnam debut

    LVMH-owned Parisian shoemaker Berluti has expanded its footprint into Vietnam, opening its first store in Hanoi in partnership with local partner S&S Group.

    Located in the heart of Hoan Kiem district across from the famous Metropole Hotel, the Berluti Vietnam boutique follows the brand’s signature simple design dominated by wood and leather elements.

    After passing through the stripe pattern glass facade, customers are welcomed with a leather wall highlighting the brand’s ‘art of patina’ and a designed chandelier inspired by Vietnam’s tiered ‘rice ladder fields’.

    The store offers a full selection of Berluti’s men’s accessories, including shoes and leather goods.

    Founded in 1895 by Alessandro Berluti, the brand is known for its elegant craftsmanship and deep understanding of producing men’s footwear and accessories. Berluti has more than 60 boutiques across several markets, including South Korea, Mainland China, Hong Kong, Singapore and Japan.

  • Reliance Retail in talks to secure rights for Sephora

    Reliance Retail in talks to secure rights for Sephora

    Reliance Retail, run by Indian billionaire Mukesh Ambani’s conglomerate Reliance Industries Ltd, is in advanced talks to get the rights for beauty retailer Sephora in India, the Mint newspaper reported on Wednesday, citing two people familiar with the matter.

    Sephora’s operations will transfer from Arvind Fashions Ltd to Reliance Retail if an agreement is reached, according to the report. On Wednesday, Arvind Fashions’ shares on BSE rose 11% to Rs 327.55 apiece.

    Reliance, Arvind Fashions and Sephora did not immediately respond to Reuters’ requests for comment.

    Sephora, owned by French luxury goods group LVMH, has 25 stores in 13 cities in India with brands in categories such as cosmetics, fragrances, skincare, makeup and hair care, according to Arvind Fashions’ annual report for the financial year 2021-22.

    Reliance plans to build a portfolio of 50 to 60 grocery, household and personal care brands within six months and is hiring an army of distributors to take them to mom-and-pop stores and bigger retail outlets across the nation, sources had told Reuters in May.

    Earlier this year, Reliance had signed a long-term franchise deal with French fashion house Balenciaga and partnered with Gap Inc to sell the U.S. clothing retailer’s brands locally.

  • American Eagle and Forever 21 to make a return to Japan

    American Eagle and Forever 21 to make a return to Japan

    Forever 21 and American Eagle Outfitters Inc. are set to return to Japan after both U.S. fast-fashion brands exited the market in 2019, according to company announcements on Wednesday.

    Forever 21 will begin e-commerce sales next February and open a physical store in the spring, according to Japanese trading company Itochu Corp., which acquired domestic sales and licensing rights for the brand.

    Forever 21 was acquired in 2020 by New York-based Authentic Brands Group (ABG). Itochu said in August it was working with ABG to expand Eddie Bauer stores in Japan after that brand closed its last shop in the country in December 2021.

    American Eagle said separately it was returning to Japan with two flagship stores in the Tokyo neighborhoods of Shibuya and Ikebukuro in October. The brand had only been available online in Japan following the closure of its last physical stores in 2019.

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  • Gap eliminates 500 corporate jobs amid shrinking margins

    Gap eliminates 500 corporate jobs amid shrinking margins

    Gap Inc is eliminating about 500 corporate jobs, the apparel chain said on Tuesday, as it struggles to protect margins and battles weak sales of outdated clothes at brands including Old Navy.

    The company is laying off staff and eliminating positions that are currently open across a range of departments, it said. The eliminated roles are mainly at its offices in San Francisco, New York and in Asia.

    Shares of the Banana Republic parent declined about 3 per cent in afternoon trade, taking the year-to-date decline to 48 per cent.

    Late last month, the company withdrew its annual forecasts due to an inventory glut and weak sales.

    Gap is in the middle of a CEO transition after Sonia Syngal stepped down earlier this year, and is currently led on an interim basis by Executive Chairman Bob Martin. The company had a workforce of about 97,000 employees as of Jan. 29, with around 9 per cent of employees working at its headquarters locations, according to a regulatory filing.

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  • Primark to stop sourcing from Myanmar after fresh probe

    Primark to stop sourcing from Myanmar after fresh probe

    UK fast fashion retailer Primark will make a “responsible exit” from the country following the Ethical Trade Initiative’s (ETI) latest report on human rights and responsible business conduct within the country.

    Primark described the situation in the country as “extremely concerning and very complex”, with international stakeholders holding differing views as to the best course of action for the garment sector.

    Last week, ETI urged companies involved in garment manufacture for export to reassess their presence in Myanmar as there has been “evidence of forced labour and exploitation at a sector level”, with evidence of workers facing long hours, low wages, unpaid overtime, and harassment.

    “This poses significant challenges to our ability to ensure the standards we require to protect the safety and rights of the people who make our clothes and products,” Primark said in a statement.

    The fashion retailer said its only option was to begin working towards a responsible exit from Myanmar. The company will work closely with its partners and stakeholders both there and internationally to make sure the exit follows the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.

    “We will continue to monitor for compliance with our Code of Conduct as we work through this, and as an immediate priority, we are looking at what additional measures we can put in place to support workers in our supplier factories through this interim period,” the company said.

  • Furla appoints Giorgio Presca as its new CEO

    Furla appoints Giorgio Presca as its new CEO

    Italian luxury brand Furla has announced the appointment of Giorgio Presca as the group’s new chief executive officer, effective immediately.

    Presca will succeed COO Devis Bassetto, who temporarily held the position of CEO since April, following the exit of Mauro Sabatini.

    Presca joins the Bologna-based company with 30 years of fashion industry experience.

    He most recently served as CEO of Clarks, prior to which he held the same position at Golden Goose, Geox and Citizens of Humanity.

    Additionally, he has also worked in executive positions for a number of fashion brands such as Diesel and Levis.

    “I am delighted that Giorgio Presca joins Furla as CEO, he is a skilled leader with a strong ability in reinforcing global fashion brands and driving profitable and safe growth,” said Giovanna Furlanetto, president of Fondazione Furla, in a release.

    Furlanetto continued: “Mr Presca shares our values and our determination to establish Furla as a real democratic brand, the only Italian brand in its category. This appointment also stands to highlight my whole family’s willingness to continue with the full control of our business and lead it into the future.”

  • Cos launches its first store in Taiwan

    Cos launches its first store in Taiwan

    Swedish fashion brand Cos has expanded its store network into Taiwan, opening its first brick-and-mortar store at the Taipei 101 Shopping Center.The 700sqm flagship also marks Cos’ first concept store in the world. While Cos Taipei 101’s exterior features forest green, the interior is dominated by a warm neutral tone, delivering a cool and tranquil atmosphere.  Minimal design with organic textures and recycled elements was put in place, including bamboo furnishings, slate-shaped cashier cou

    Minimal design with organic textures and recycled elements was implemented, including bamboo furnishings, slate-shaped cashier counters, stone magnetic floors and aluminum display shelves. Meanwhile, the table surface is made from Richlite material, which is manufactured from recycled paper and phenolic resin.

    “Opening a store in Taipei is an exciting step,” said Petra Lerch, MD of Cos Asia Pacific. “We have been planning to enter this market for some time, and launching this new brick-and-mortar store is like the first place to connect with local customers.”

    Founded in 2007, H&M Group-owned fashion label entered Asia in 2012 in Hong Kong. Since then, Cos has gradually expanded its presence in the continent, launching in markets including China, Japan, South Korea and Malaysia. The brand opened its first store in the Philippines last year. Cos currently operates more than 280 physical stores around the world.

  • Patagonia founder gives away company to help fight climate crisis

    Patagonia founder gives away company to help fight climate crisis

    Patagonia founder Yvon Chouinard, who has previously expressed his reluctance at amassing wealth, is giving away his company.

    The outdoor apparel company will now be in the hands of a trust and a nonprofit organization. All future profits will be donated to help fight climate change, the company announced Wednesday.

    “It’s been a half-century since we began our experiment in responsible business,” Chouinard, 84, said. “If we have any hope of a thriving planet 50 years from now, it demands all of us doing all we can with the resources we have. As the business leader I never wanted to be, I am doing my part.”

    He added, “Instead of extracting value from nature and transforming it into wealth, we are using the wealth Patagonia creates to protect the source. We’re making Earth our only shareholder. I am dead serious about saving this planet.”

    The Patagonia Purpose Trust will control all voting stock of the company (2%), while the Holdfast Collective, a climate change nonprofit, will own all nonvoting stock (98%).

    Chouinard, a board member, said in a statement that while trying to fight climate change, he realized his company was contributing to it. So he had been thinking about what to do with the business.

    One option was to sell it and donate the money, but Chouinard said he was concerned new owners might not hold the same values or keep the same employees. The other option was to become a publicly traded entity.

    “What a disaster that would have been,” he said. “Even public companies with good intentions are under too much pressure to create short-term gain at the expense of long-term vitality and responsibility.”

    The company will continue to give 1% of its earnings to grassroots environmental groups, and the leadership will not change.

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  • L’Oreal China invests in niche fragrance brand Documents

    L’Oreal China invests in niche fragrance brand Documents

    L’Oréal’s investment branch in China, Shanghai Meicifang Investment (or Meicifang), has invested a minority stake of more than 10 million RMB (1.4 million USD) in the Chinese fragrance brand Documents. The recent move reflects L’Oréal’s action plan to enhance local cooperation for bigger growth.

    Founded in 2021 by former Nudake China Chief Executive Officer Zhaoran Meng, Documents is known for its edgy aesthetic and avant-garde store design. Despite only being in the market for only two years, the brand has quickly established a foothold in the premium niche fragrance market.

    Labelled as “the most expensive Chinese perfume brand”, Documents focuses on high-end perfume featuring Chinese ingredients such as star anise, mugwood, yulan magnolia and walnut. Perfume prices range from 850 RMB (122 USD) to 1,750 RMB (253 USD). Currently, the brand operates two stores in Shanghai and one in Beijing’s popular SKP-S shopping mall.

    For decades, international names such as Chanel and Dior have dominated China’s fragrance market. Now, niche Chinese fragrances are rising up as younger consumers take an interest in unique scents as well as domestic brands. Documents, in particular, has become all the rage among high-consumption Gen Z and millennials. Of these consumers, Gen Z composes 60-70% of the brand’s clientele.

    “Documents is not only an emerging pioneer in the Chinese high-end personalised beauty market, but also a Chinese fragrance brand popular among young Chinese shoppers for its signature oriental aesthetics,” Fabrice Megarbane, president of L’Oréal North Asia and CEO of L’Oréal China, told local media outlets.

    Overall, as China’s niche fragrance market continues to grow at lightning speed, L’Oréal secures its goal to expand its influence in the local market by investing in the sought-after brand Documents.

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  • Thai fashion retailer Pomelo culls staff

    Thai fashion retailer Pomelo culls staff

    The online fashion retailer cut about 55 employees, or 8% of its headcount, it said in a statement on Thursday in response to queries by Bloomberg News. The company said it streamlined its processes “to move toward more sustainable growth.”

    The Bangkok-based startup is in the midst of raising external capital and has engaged banks including Morgan Stanley to help with the effort, according to people familiar with the matter. The startup in August secured about $10 million from existing investors including Jungle Ventures, regulatory filings showed, and has raised a total of at least $83 million from investors including JD.com Inc. and Provident Growth Fund.

    Representatives for Pomelo and Morgan Stanley declined to comment on the fundraising effort.

    Pomelo is joining peers in the region trying to reduce cash burn as investors become less willing to bankroll growth without profits. Launched in 2013, Pomelo sells clothing and accessories online and in its retail stores in Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia and Malaysia, according to its website.

    Many of Southeast Asia’s e-commerce companies are facing slower growth as macroeconomic conditions sour and consumers pull back on spending amid rising inflation. Sea Ltd.’s commerce arm Shopee in June made its first major job cuts and is scaling back its overseas footprint. The Singapore-based giant has lost almost $170 billion of its market value since an October high on questions about its money-making prospects.

     

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  • Byredo launches Hong Kong flagship store

    Byredo launches Hong Kong flagship store

    Fragrance company Byredo is focusing on its Asian expansion, opening its first flagship store in Hong Kong.  With the goal of “transforming memories and emotions into things and experiences,” Ben Gorham founded the European luxury brand Byredo in Stockholm in 2006. The retailer now has a presence in more than 40 countries and offices in key markets including China, Korea, the US and the UK. Source: Byredo Located on Causeway Bay’s Fashion Walk, the store features a dark grey b

    Located on Causeway Bay’s Fashion Walk, the store features a dark grey brick exterior and furniture like “a lacquered mechanical table, galvanised metal cabinets, cowskin daybed, douglas fir bag shelf, and counter”. All were designed by Halleroed – a Swedish design agency – in partnership with Byredo.

    The store offers a range of perfumes, body care, home fragrances and accessories, which focus on craftsmanship and quality. The Hong Kong flagship will also provide delivery services and customisation services for bespoke products.

    Byredo first entered Hong Kong in 2015, opening retail counters in the Lane Crawford department store. The brand was acquired by Puig in May with its two founders Ben Gorham and Manzanita Capital remaining shareholders.

    Gorham continues to provide leadership while Capital remains dedicated to the long-term expansion and vision of the brand.