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Tag: Fashion

  • French fashion brand ba&sh says bonjour to Asia

    French fashion brand ba&sh says bonjour to Asia

    Once the best kept secret of a generation of modern French women, ba&sh, a leading affordable luxury brand for women seeking effortless, carefree elegance, has arrived in Hong Kong, its first stop in Asia.

    Building on the brand’s strong success in Europe, the Parisian fashion house is now focused on international expansion. To capitalise on Asia’s growing appreciation for all things French, the brand’s unique take on feminine, joyful chic is now available in three boutiques of prime shopping destinations in Hong Kong, the brand’s Asia headquarters:the IFC mall in Central, Times Square in Causeway Bay and Harbour City in Tsim Sha Tsui. Besides, ba&sh’s famed ideal wardrobe of everyday pieces in sumptuous fabrics is also available online via a dedicated site.

    Considering the McKinsey consultancy group estimates the current size of China’s middle class at around 225 million households-compared with just 5 million in 2000-this exploding growth entails soaring demand for affordable luxury. By the end of 2017, ba&sh will have opened six stores in key strategic locations across China’s tier one cities, thus reaching a new generation of style-conscious women who want uncomplicated feminine yet urban designs for work and play. Flagship stores will open in fashionable destinations in Beijing and Shanghai.

    Barbara Boccara & Sharon Krief, two childhood friends, did create ba&sh out of a shared love for fashion, which accounts for the name of a brand that takes after the first two letters of the founders’ names. Their idea was to bring their dream wardrobe to life, so that they could share it with other women. A little more than 10 years later, their designs can be found in more than 400 point of sales worldwide, among which 90 point of sales in France and flagship stores in prestigious locations such as London, Madrid and Berlin.

    Confirming their success and the power of Barbara and Sharon’s vision, private equity fund L Catterton acquired a 50% stake in the brand in 2015, which has enabled its international growth. The fund was established with the sponsorship of LVMH and Groupe Arnault, the latter also being ba&sh shareholders. For Greater China, ba&sh has entered into a management service partnership with ImagineX Group, the brand distribution arm of The Lane Crawford Joyce Group, in order to leverage their local fashion retail, marketing expertise and operational efficiency. Besides entering Asia, the brand is also expanding towards the US and Middle East.

    To celebrate the brand’s arrival in Asia, Barbara Boccara & Sharon Krief hosted an intimate private party to introduce Hong Kong’s leading fashionistas to the world of ba&shon June 8, 2017. The informal event turned out to be a huge success, the two founders previewed their latest collection,which is distinctly Parisian, as it combines an expression of freedom with an easy, joyful elegance.

  • Nike to cut 1,400 jobs in reorganization

    Nike to cut 1,400 jobs in reorganization

    Sports apparel and footwear giant Nike will cut about 1,400 jobs, part of a plan to expand direct selling to consumers as e-commerce roils the retail sector, the company announced Thursday.

    Nike said it would cut about two percent of its global workforce as it implements the “Consumer Direct offense,” a reorganization initiative that targets customers in 12 key cities.

    “In the new alignment, the company will drive growth by deeply serving consumers in 12 key cities,” the company said in a news release. “Nike is moving closer to the consumer — creating a local business, on a global scale.”

    The focus cities — New York, London, Shanghai, Beijing, Los Angeles, Tokyo, Paris, Berlin, Mexico City, Barcelona, Seoul and Milan — are expected to account for more than 80 percent of the Nike’s growth through 2020.

    The company restructured its global business, cutting the number of geographies from six to four and creating new employee teams so that digital and merchandising will be more responsive to key markets.

    Other changes include the goal of cutting product cycle times in half and new investments in categories seen as offering the greatest growth potential, including running, basketball, global football and young athletes.

    The changes come as department stores and other retailers close hundreds of stores due to the growth of e-commerce and mobile technology.

    “Today we serve our athletes in a changing world: one that’s faster and more personal,” said Trevor Edwards, president of the Nike Brand.

    “This new structure aligns all of our teams toward our ultimate goal — to deliver innovation, at speed, through more direct connections.”

  • Toshop creditors are owed at least A$35m after Australian collapse

    Toshop creditors are owed at least A$35m after Australian collapse

    The creditors of Austradia Pty Ltd, which operated Topshop and Topman in Australia before its voluntary administration filing, are owed at least A$35 million following the collapse of the business, it has emerged.

    But Myer, the Australian department stores giant that held a 20% stake and also hosts Topshop and Topman concessions in its stores, is not listed among theAsia  creditors.

    The Australian Financial Review reported that rescue negotiations with the UK brand owner Arcadia Group are dragging on with no resolution yet in sight.

    The first creditors’ meeting saw the Commonwealth Bank of Australia emerging as the biggest creditor on A$12.1 million with Arcadia itself claiming A$8.8m (just over £5 million).

    But while Myer is not on the list, it it believed to be owed several million dollars and had already written down its A$9.2 million equity stake to A$7.2 million, with further losses linked to the failure a possibility.

    Although negotiations have not yet concluded, Arcadia is expected to take over the Australian business and buy back around A$12 million worth of inventory as part of a deal. It is unclear how much creditors would get back.

    The Australian market is as tough as many other global markets at the moment and while Topshop was an early mover in the foreign invasion of its retail sector, the size of its operation was dwarfed by that of global giants H&M and Inditex.

    With estimates that per capita spend on clothing in the country has risen just 0.1% in the past year, and that H&M, Uniqlo and Zara have been behind most of that, it is unsurprising that other retailers have struggled.

  • Zara looking to zip up fashion market with new store in Hanoi

    Zara looking to zip up fashion market with new store in Hanoi

    Fashion lovers will have yet another reason to go shopping with the brand’s first store opening in the Vietnamese capital. High street retailer Zara has announced plans to open its first store in Hanoi in October.

    The world’s leading clothing and accessories retailer has selected the Vincom complex on Ba Trieu Street for the location of its first store in Vietnam’s capital.

    Zara opened its first store in Vietnam in Ho Chi Minh City’s Vincom Dong Khoi commercial center back in September 2016.

    The source also said Zara has spent months preparing for the launch of its Hanoi store.

    Established in Spain in 1975, Zara now has 2,213 stores strategically located in leading cities across 93 countries. The brand is popular thanks to its diversified products and reasonable prices.

    Zara is following in the footsteps of Sweden’s H&M, which has also confirmed the opening of its first store in Ho Chi Minh City’s Vincom Dong Khoi center.

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  • Porter Stand opens pop-up store in Osaka

    Porter Stand opens pop-up store in Osaka

    Japan’s Porter Stand has opened up a temporary store in Osaka. The new Porter Stand pop-up will open for a limited-time at the Hankyu Umeda head office in Osaka. It is the first time the brand will open a store in the western Japan area. 

    Inside the new pop-up shop, customers will find Porter Stand’s classic series, including original items and collaborative pieces including the Orgabits × Porter Tote Bag, co-designed with organic cotton brand Orgabits. 

    The shop also stocks limited-edition items in the form of bags, wallets and pouches. Inside the store, the colourway is minimal and woody. Trunk type fixtures are placed around counters, matching the retailer’s concept of being a porter stand or “a baggage check room where many bags gather,” as per the brand’s website.

    Porter Stand is also located in Tokyo Station and Shinagawa Station, one of the busiest transportation hubs in Tokyo.

    Earlier in the year, the retailer took its concept to Paris in January, opening its ‘Trunk Store’ pop-up inside the Bows & Arrows store in the Marais area of the French capital.

    Owned by Yoshida & Co., a Japanese manufacturer of bags and accessories since 1935, Porter Stand sells the firm’s Made In Japan accessories line Porter and Porter Girl, as well as the Luggage Label line.

    The Porter Stand Osaka store will run from June 14 to 20.

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  • Michael Kors eyes 100 more China stores on new retail strategy

    Michael Kors eyes 100 more China stores on new retail strategy

    Michael Kors plans to open around 100 new stores in China in next three years, as the US brand continues to plan for mass global retail closures, forming part of its recently revealed “Runway 2020” restructuring program to turn dwindling sales around.

    Michael Kors’ initial restructuring announcement came in early June, after the brand posted a double-digit same-store sales percentage decline in the fourth quarter ending April. It was here that Michael Kors said it would shutter 125 stores worldwide.

    “We think that the [accessories market] is down slightly in North America. We think it’s flattish in Europe. We think it’s up slightly in Asia,” John D. Idol, Michael Kors’ chairman and chief executive officer, told WWD in a recent interview.

    The New York-based luxury leathergoods and accessories added that its main growth drivers moving forward will be its retail presence in Asia and its surging men’s category — each of which have the potential to become $1 billion segments of the brand.

    Growth in Asia is the main, most achievable goal, according to Idol, with plans for 100 stores to be added in China alone and more elsewhere in the region over the next few years. There are 111 Michael Kors stores in Asia in operation now.

    In addition, some 100 global stores will be renovated to sell better a new Michael Kors luxury collection, and reposition the high-end factor of Michael Kors to a bored clientele. Speciality salons for shoes are another area of planned growth for the brand.

    The company also wishes to minimise wholesale, aiming for a revived Michael Kors brand that is 30 per cent wholesale and 70 per cent retail.

    With the aforementioned retail and product changes in put in place, Michael Kors said it expected revenue of $4.25 billion for fiscal year 2018 and also forecasts a high single-digit drop in same-store sales.

    For the fourth quarter ended April 1, total sales fell 11.2 per cent to $1.06 billion. Analysts had expected $1.05 billion.

  • Ted Baker sees e-tail surge, US, Europe and Asia stores also drive growth

    Ted Baker sees e-tail surge, US, Europe and Asia stores also drive growth

    Ted Baker proved once again on Tuesday why it’s one of the most buoyant names in an otherwise-under-pressure UK fashion retail sector. The mid-market women’s and menswear chain detailed a double-digit sales rise, further global expansion, yet another e-commerce spurt and a healthy wholesale business.

    That’s some achievement given the backdrop of increasing consumer caution, a focus on experiences over ‘stuff’ and UK uncertainty about Brexit, the election and inflation. The company is not immune to the effects of these negative pressures and to the slowdown that is hitting the rest of the industry. But it’s most definitely outperforming many of its peers, which can only bode well for the time – if it comes – when sector conditions improve.

    So, what did we learn Tuesday morning? In the 19 weeks to June 10, its group revenue rose 14.2% year-on-year with total retail sales up 14.3% and up 8.4% on a constant currency basis. That was “despite external factors continuing to impact trading conditions across some of our global markets.”

    Its e-commerce business continued to perform well with sales increasing an undeniably impressive 35.9% (or 32.3% in constant currency) “reflecting continued growth across our e-commerce sites as well as the strength of our retail proposition.”  Average retail square footage rose by 4.9% to 398,000 sq ft, which means comparable sales are clearly rising ahead of the chain’s overall space expansion.

    As well as performing well at home, global growth is key and this expansion of the brand continued with successful openings in Los Angeles, Paris, and Shanghai, its first Dutch store in Roermond and further concession openings in premium department stores in France, Germany, Japan, South Korea, and the Netherlands. It opened new concessions in the UK too and also relocated its Miami Aventura and Tokyo stores.

    Wholesale, which is a lower-margin channel from which many higher-end brands have chosen to retreat, is performing well for Ted Baker, as it is for a number of its most buoyant UK peers (such as the Superdry label).  Sales for the period increased 13.8% (or 8.9% in constant currency) reflecting good performances from both its UK and North American businesses.

    The company said that both its retail and wholesale gross margins were in line with its expectations and that its product and territorial licensees continue to perform well, reflecting the global strength and appeal of the brand with licensed store openings in Dubai, Kuwait and Mexico.

  • David Jones poaches Self-Portrait from rival Myer as fashion war continues

    David Jones poaches Self-Portrait from rival Myer as fashion war continues

    Australia’s department store giants David Jones and Myer are at it again. In the latest war of the women’s ready-to-wear brands, high-end retailer David Jones has poached Britain’s Self-Portrait label from competitor Myer.

    David Jones group executive of merchandise David Collins told the Sydney Morning Herald the London-based Self-Portrait was picked up to bolster the department store’s current bridal offering in its Sydney flagship, as well as its regular women’s fashion fold.

    “Self Portrait has become a fast favourite within our bridal category and a brand that we believe will strongly perform in the womenswear ready-to-wear space,” Collins told SMH.

    Founded by Malaysia-born, London-based Han Chong in 2013, Self-Portrait is fashion favourite of the Duchess of Cambridge. Known for its modern lace designs, the brand looks set to be better positioned with a David Jones listing, considering the department store’s brand position as more high-end, compared to Myer.

    “David Jones’ vision to amalgamate the most innovative designers from around the world under their roof is inspiring and we look forward to partnering with them in Australia,” said Chong, in a statement.David Jones said Self-Portrait would be available in store from June 11. Myer started stocking Self-Portrait in 2015.

    In recent months, Australian labels Aje, Karen Walker and By Johnny have also changed sides, heading from Myer to David Jones. As the fashion war roars on, Myer took another blow late last month in its youth fashion segment, following the collapse of Topshop Australia, of which it owns one fifth.

    However, the department store chain said had begun investing in its own Maticevski label and Misha Collection, and was growing its network of shop-in-shops, including Morrison and Skin & Threads. It has also opened concessions for French brand The Kooples and Zadig & Voltaire, and most recently announced a one-year distribution deal with up-and-coming women’s brand We Are Kindred.

    The Australian retail market is facing one of its most frenzied phases. While fast-fashion moguls H&M and Zara continue to steam roll homegrown fashion retailers — including David Lawrence and Marcs, which were recently rescued by Myer after entering administration — the impending arrival of American e-commerce Amazon in Australia is adding to local business blues.

    And consumer fashion spending is bleak. While Australian retailers enjoyed their best monthly sales in nearly three years in April, up 1%, sales growth in clothing and footwear was an anaemic 0.3%.

     

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  • Design your own shoes at Asia’s first Tod’s pop-up

    Design your own shoes at Asia’s first Tod’s pop-up

    Tod’s Gommino loafers are a style staple for celebrities, models, royalty and fashionistas the world over. It is now possible to buy a pair adding an own personal touch, as Tod’s is offering customers the chance to create their own pair of the iconic Gommino, complete with stamped initials.

    Hong Kong has been picked as the first city in Asia for a pop-up store that enables customers to create their own personalised pair of the Italian brand’s signature shoe.

    The custom loafers take just three steps to create. First, customers choose from 11 different styles of the brand’s signature shoe (there are five models for women and six for men). Next, clients decide on each of the design elements, from leather, colour and stitching, to the lining, pebbled outsole and any accompanying accessories.

    Once people confirm their initials for the hot-stamped monogram, the creation process is complete. Production takes about 10 weeks.

    With 133 rubber studs under its sole, Tod’s iconic Gommino has been a style staple since the 1970s, drawing widespread appreciation as a lightweight, unisex shoe suitable for all occasions.

    The MY Gommino pop-up is now open at Shop G309 in Harbour City, Tsim Sha Tsui for a limited time.

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  • New Look to ramp up China expansion amid ‘appetite for British fashion’

    New Look to ramp up China expansion amid ‘appetite for British fashion’

    New Look is to step up the pace of store openings in China under its new owner Brait, the investment company controlled by South African tycoon Christo Wiese.

    The fashion chain intends to open 80 stores this year, compared with the 60 previously planned, and the vast majority of those will be in China.

    New Look has 30 stores in China, up from 19 at the end of March, and has signed up 40 of a planned 70 new outlets this year. A further 10 will open in Poland and France over the financial year, while only replacement stores are planned in the UK.

    “This is a great story of a British brand which has been successful in China. There is an appetite for British fashion there,” Anders Kristiansen, the chief executive, said.

    He said Brait, which will complete its buyout of a 90% stake in New Look on 25 June, would help the business “go faster”. “There are lots of mid-market brands charging high prices in China. We came in with strong, good fashion at affordable prices and Chinese consumers love it,” he said.

    Revealing a 3.4% rise in group sales to £1.4bn and an 8.7% rise in underlying profit to £153.2m for the year to 28 March, Kristiansen said the retailer had seen a strong bounceback from a difficult autumn season. “I think the outlook is very positive. We are taking market share but also the economy is better and customers are spending more generally.”

    Sales at established New Look outlets, including its website, rose by 5.4% in the three months to 28 March compared with a 1% fall in the previous three months, which were affected by unseasonably warm autumn weather.

    Kristiansen said the autumn quarter had been an exception and a 34% rise in online sales had been backed up by a positive performance in stores during the spring. “Momentum returned,” he said. “We are particularly proud of our performance in the UK business.”

    Sales at established UK stores rose 5% in the year as Kristiansen said improvements in design, the introduction of more menswear and new product areas such as cosmetics as well as items at the cheaper and more expensive ends of the spectrum had helped lift sales. For example, two years ago New Look only sold jeans priced between £12.99 and £22.99; now prices range from £7.99 to nearly £40, helping to broaden the brand’s appeal.

    Investment in linking stores and online services also paid off. “It is about making it as convenient and easy as possible for customers to shop,” Kristiansen said. “Whether it’s mobile, being easy to check out on your desktop, next-day delivery or click and collect or pick up goods at a local station, it’s all part of making it easier for customers and that’s well ahead of our competitors.”

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  • Fendi Reopens The Fendi Store in Singapore Ngee Ann City

    Fendi Reopens The Fendi Store in Singapore Ngee Ann City

    Inspired by the Maison’s Roman roots, a refined and grandiose atmosphere pervades the spaces, reflecting the highest level of FENDI sophistication, obsession for details and the overall history of this luxury House. The store offers FENDI’s extensive range of Women’s Ready-to-Wear, Furs, Handbags, Shoes and Accessories, and Men’s Leather goods and Accessories.

    For the first time in Singapore, the store will feature a private VIP Room.

    To celebrate the opening of the Ngee Ann City store, FENDI has created a limited edition Mini Peekaboo bag in velvet. The Peekaboo bag features a special tapestry weaving technique pattern, as well as the signature Fendi whipstitch detailing. The tapestry technique comprises of embroidery that is composed of thousands of stitches and threads which are manually cut by the artisans, followed by ironing the design to enhance the colors and thicken the threads.  There will only be 5 pieces of this special Mini Peekaboo bag, retailing at SGD$11,010.

    In addition, FENDI will also be launching 3 other velvet Peekaboo bags at Ngee Ann City, with a limited quantity of 3 to 5 pieces each. They will be retailing at SGD$10,100 to SGD$13,780. It will be the first store in South East Asia to launch these Peekaboo bags.

    FENDI Store
    391 Orchard Road
    Takashimaya Shopping Center, Ngee Ann City
    #01-30/32, Singapore 238872

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  • DHL boosts cooperation with fashion industry

    DHL boosts cooperation with fashion industry

    DHL is strengthening its ties with the fashion industry and will intensify its participation in this e-commerce driven business sector. DHL has teamed up with multiple fashion organisations across the globe to design tailored initiatives that will help fashion businesses to streamline their international supply chain and expand their business into new markets. Among the new partners are the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA), the British Fashion Council (BFC) and Camera Nazionale della Moda Italiana (CNMI) in Milan.

    “It has always been a major goal of DHL to support the fashion industry in all its different facets. The new approach will allow us to reach an even larger audience of fashion businesses consistently throughout the year with tailored support across their various needs, from producing a collection to shipping it to fashion shows and setting up an e-commerce presence.” said Arjan Sissing, senior vice president corporate global brand marketing, Deutsche Post DHL Group.

    As a partner of the leading US fashion trade association, DHL will co-sponsor and work with CFDA’s innovation partner, Accenture, on a study looking at the future of the industry’s supply chain to help fashion designers more effectively use global supply chains and shipping networks as key means to better target customer needs and elevate their brands. The Council of Fashion Designers of America Inc. is a not-for-profit organization with a membership of more than 500 foremost womenswear, menswear, accessory and jewelry designers.

    Through its cooperation with the British Fashion Council, DHL will launch an award program recognising ‘International Fashion Potential’ supporting British fashion businesses in their ambition to go global. The annual program offers mentoring and logistics support for designers. DHL will provide an annual prize for a promising fashion business and the winner will be announced during London Fashion Week in September 2017.

    In collaboration with Camera Nazionale della Moda Italiana DHL will organise multiple workshops involving start up brands, young designers and members. These seminars will give insights on e-commerce and custom regulations in the fashion business as well as the opportunities and challenges of different trade lanes and transport solutions. Additionally, DHL will form part of a jury together with Camera Moda to select the most international brand designer from all young designers participating. The award will be presented at the Camera Moda opening event in September 2017, and the winner will receive a DHL care package to ease his international express shipments.

  • Who What Wear enters mobile arena with new ‘Shop app’

    Who What Wear enters mobile arena with new ‘Shop app’

    Who What Wear launched on Wednesday Shop/Who What Wear, a new shopping app that offers consumers access to retailers and curated products.

    Shop/Who What Wear features a universal shopping cart, auto-added discount codes, and expedited shipping, as well as a product assortment that mixes high and low price points.

    In addition, the app’s editorial direction has attracted brands such as Gucci, Target and Reformation, all of which have never participated in a third-party shopping app, as well as 30 retailers including Barneys, Neiman Marcus, Urban Outfitters and Moda Operandi.

    “Who What Wear has an audience of more than 14 million who come to us for trend roundups, celebrity style inspiration, and market guides,” says Katherine Power, co-founder and CEO of CMG (the parent company of Who What Wear). “SHOP/WHO WHAT WEAR is the perfect complement to our editorial content because it completes the natural progression from seeking fashion inspiration to making a purchase in an easy and curated way.”

    The 100% shoppable online destination is launching its new app a few months after holding its own first see-now-buy-now fashion show during NYFW in February, during which online viewers could shop in real time.

    The Clique Media Group owned website also launched in 2016 a clothing and accessories line exclusively at Target.

    The Shop/Who What Wear app is available to download now on iOS.

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  • AirAsia partners hijab brand to create exclusive headscarf for female pilots

    AirAsia partners hijab brand to create exclusive headscarf for female pilots

    AirAsia has partnered with Naelofar Hijab to unveil an exclusively designed hijab for the airline’s female pilots.

    Starting from June 2017, Muslim female pilots from AirAsia and AirAsia X will don the white Naelofar Hijab that is specifically tailored to meet their workday needs.

    Rudy Khaw, regional head of branding for AirAsia, said this is the first time ever for the airline to collaborate with a designer in producing hijab wear for its female pilots, “We are happy to work with Naelofar Hijab to create a piece that complements our female pilots’ look while providing enhanced comfort as they perform their duty.”

    “We are currently looking into revamping hijab designs for our ground staff as well,” Khaw added.

    AirAsia female pilots were involved throughout the design process where they worked closely with Naelofar Hijab designers. The prototypes had undergone multiple wear testing by members of the airline’s pilots as well.

    “Being given the opportunity to redesign the female hijab was very exciting and it gave us the opportunity to create a special piece that is comfortable, functional and stylish,” Neelofa, founder of Naelofar Hijab added.

    Using fabric materials with enhancement properties, AirAsia said, the new hijab allows great stretch and recovery for easy movement along with adornment of the signature Naelofar Hijab symbol in Swarovski crystals for a finishing touch.

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  • H&M announces location of first store in Vietnam

    H&M announces location of first store in Vietnam

    The world-renowned brand is following in the footsteps of Zara and Topshop. Swedish fashion giant Hennes & Mauritz (H&M) has announced plans to open its first store in Vietnam at the Vincom Dong Khoi commercial complex in Ho Chi Minh City’s District 1.

    The store, which will cover 2,200 square meters across two floors, will open with the launch of the brand’s Fall-Winter 2017 Collection this autumn.

    Fredrik Famm, H&M Country Manager for Southeast Asia, said the opening of the HCMC store will offer a new shopping experience for local customers, providing more options for fashion lovers to create their own styles and personalities.

    In mid-February this year, H&M also started recruiting staff for a store it plans to open in Hanoi.

    H&M was founded in Sweden in 1947 and is listed on the Nasdaq Stockholm. H&M Group has more than 4,300 stores in 66 markets, including franchise markets.

    Other famous fashion brands like Zara and Topshop have also recently made their debuts in Vietnam.

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