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Tag: Fashion

  • Uniqlo launches new range with French fashionista Ines de la Fressange

    Uniqlo launches new range with French fashionista Ines de la Fressange

    Uniqlo has teamed up with former French fashion model Ines de la Fressange to produce a range of clothing where comfort meets luxury style.

    Born and raised in France, de la Fressange became a top international model soon after starting her career at the age of 17. In 2013 she created her own brand Ines de la Fressange Paris and first collaborated with Uniqlo in 2014.

    The new range, which goes on sale this Friday (August 28), will feature three themes.

    Bohemian is inspired by the free-spirited culture of the 1970s, celebrated in a variety of flowy, twist pleated skirts and dresses with paisley and polka dot prints.

    Neobourgeois features 100-per-cent silk blouses and wrap dresses, while the third, Mannish, includes coats, classical tweed jackets, corduroy pants, and other essentials for “masculine coordination”.

    De la Fressange says the new lines are influenced by the styling of fashion adopted by women she admires from the 1970s. Among them: actress, songwriter, and model Jane Birkin and singer-songwriter Francoise Madeleine Hardy.

    “Back in the seventies, many women were determined to emancipate themselves from traditions,” de la Fressange explains. “These liberated individuals took fashion and their lives in exciting new directions.”

    The new collaboration will be sold through Singapore Uniqlo stores (excluding at Changi Airport) and online, as well as other selected Uniqlo stores throughout Asia.

  • Japan’s Nanamica landing in New York City for US debut

    Japan’s Nanamica landing in New York City for US debut

    Japanese clothing label Nanamica is to open its first international store in New York City.

    Located on Worcester St in the Soho arena, the Nanamica New York store occupies 1200sqft, offering a selection of designer Akumate Nanamica’s lines together with a limited collection from other brands, including a collaboration with The North Face, Purple Label.

    Designed by Taichi Kuma, the store design features a “house of the sea” theme, illustrating the open and relaxing ambiance of the sea, according to the company.

    “With the message of One Ocean, All Lands (the sea is one and the world is connected), we will send it from New York to the world so that the style proposed by Nanamica, a high-dimensional mix of fashion and function, will become a standard for various countries,” the company said in a statement translated from Japanese.

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  • Dunhill opens new outlet in Macau

    Dunhill opens new outlet in Macau

    British luxury menswear label Dunhill has opened a new store at Wynn Palace in Macau.

    The Dunhill Wynn Palace opening is part of the brand’s expansion strategy in Asia, according to the company.

    The store features a contemporary yet elegant design with modern elements such as its signature marble, leather, and metal details.

    Inspired by the Dunhill’s 1950s South Rodeo Drive store, the Wynn Palace store’s facade features the brand’s logo under a grey marble background and floor-to-ceiling glass walls.

    The store also houses a walnut burl cabinet and table inspired by the original furniture from London’s Duke Street and Paris’ Rue de la Paix stores.

    The Dunhill store in Macau offers a selection of luxury menswear by creative director Mark Weston, including ready-to-wear, leather goods, and accessories.

  • 7-Eleven launches apparel range with Forever 21

    7-Eleven launches apparel range with Forever 21

    Forever 21 has teamed with 7-Eleven to launch a casual apparel range, featuring the US convenience chain’s famous logo and soft drinks.

    The US-released 7-Eleven apparel collection comprises 16 colorful pieces, including regular Tees and hoodies, representing the convenience-store chain’s summer drinks – Slurpee and Big Gulp.

    “7-Eleven is a modern breathing brand, but also a nostalgic phenomenon for many,” said Joanna Choo, global creative director at Forever 21.

    “Forever 21 echoes this mindset by presenting a collaboration for its customers that pays homage to everyone’s favorite memory of being out, but staying close to home, heading out for a quick snack run with friends, and finding comfort in the little things.

    “During this time, it makes sense to create a capsule that’s about being cozy but stylist,” she said.

    Forever 21 has launched several promotions on Instagram and TikTok, including a dance challenge, poll, games, and sweepstakes. A Slurpee AR hologram in the Forever 21 app allows followers to take photos and share on social media.

    “When this year turned everyone’s summer plans on their head, including our free Slurpee drink birthday celebration, we were thrilled to add some sizzle to the summer through our collaboration with Forever 21,” said Marissa Jarratt, chief marketing officer and senior VP at 7-Eleven.”

    The Forever 21 x 7-Eleven collection is sold only online.

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  • Esprit set to post US$503 million loss

    Esprit set to post US$503 million loss

    Enfeebled clothing retailer Esprit has just advised shareholders it expects to post a loss of US$503.2 million when it releases its annual results late next month.

    With its European subsidiaries operating under a form of statutory administration and its shares trading for 12 cents each in Hong Kong today, many investors must by now be wondering if the chain has any reason to continue trading.

    The company said the loss was primarily attributable to the impact of Covid-19 which it blamed for a 24-per-cent decline in revenue from $1.66 billion last financial year to about $1.277 billion this year and another $310 million in impairments on trademarks, property, plant and equipment, provisions for store closures and severance payments.

    Falling sales and massive losses are not the company’s only worries right now. On July 8, Karen Lo of the family that founded Vitasoy called a special meeting of shareholders to vote on the immediate removal of Esprit’s CEO Anders Christian Kristiansen along with CFO and director, Dr Johannes Georg Schmidt-Schultes from the board.

    Lo’s investment vehicle North Point Talent Ltd had spent $17 million boosting its stake in the company from 4.93 percent to just under 13 percent, making it the single largest shareholder before it lodged the requisition. That was withdrawn on July 21 by which time North Point had built its stake to 20.1 percent.

    In an apparent compromise, the board appointed North Point nominees Marc Andreas Tschirner, Christin Chiu Su Yi and Wong Hung Wai as additional executive directors of the company and subsequently declared it had “strong confidence in the Group CEO and Group CFO as well as their management team”

    Earlier in July, Esprit said it would axe 1100 jobs, mostly in Europe, and close another 50 German stores under its court-protected administration process. The company had closed all its Asian by the end of June in an earlier round of cuts as it attempted to reverse years of losses driven by a long-standing inability to design clothes that appeal to its core customer base.

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  • Asos upgrades sales and profit outlook as returns drop

    Asos upgrades sales and profit outlook as returns drop

    British online fashion retailer Asos forecast full-year sales and profit significantly ahead of market expectations, saying it was benefiting from stronger than anticipated underlying demand and fewer products being returned by shoppers.

    Shares in Asos surged 8.5 percent on Wednesday morning UK time, extending gains this year to 36 percent after it said revenue growth for its 2019-20 year was now expected to be between 17 and 19 percent.

    It forecast pretax profit in the region of $170-$196 million, up from $43.2 million in 2018-19.

    Several British clothing retailers, including Next and Superdry , have recently reported better-than-expected trading as Britain emerged from coronavirus lockdown.

    Asos, whose fast fashion is popular with shoppers in their twenties, said it had expected to see return levels normalize once lockdown measures eased and customers were able to ship returns and felt more comfortable doing so.

    However, it said returns were not increasing at the rate it had anticipated due to strong demand during the lockdown for activewear and a shift to more deliberate

    It said this reflected robust demand for “lockdown” categories, such as activewear, and a prolonged shift in customer behavior towards more intentional purchasing across all ranges.

    German online fashion retailer Zalando said on Tuesday it had also benefitted from a decline in returns, though it assumes the fall will be temporary

    “Looking forward, the consumer and economic outlook remains uncertain and it is unclear how long the current favorable shopping behavior will persist,” Asos said.

    Last month Asos said it would repay the money it claimed under Britain’s scheme to furlough workers during the crisis.

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  • South Korean KOLs banned from promoting products without full information

    South Korean KOLs banned from promoting products without full information

    South Korea will ban social-media influencers – KOLs – from pitching a new product or service on their online platforms without disclosing their business ties with corporate sponsors, government officials have announced.

    The move comes amid controversy over some famous social-media influencers’ involvement in the shady practice called “backdoor online advertising.”

    The Fair Trade Commission (FTC), South Korea’s antitrust watchdog, said its revised advertising guidelines for social-media platforms will become effective from September.

    The new rules require KOLs on social media platforms, such as YouTube or Instagram, to state clearly whether their product endorsements are “financially rewarded or intended for promotion”.

    Vague wording like “thanks to” or “reviewer group” will be prohibited on their videos as well.

    The corporate watchdog said it will start to crack down on and punish violators after a certain guidance and grace period.

    Violators — both influencers and corporate sponsors — will be slapped with a fine of up to 2 percent of related sales and revenue or US$422,000.

    Some social media influencers have drawn flak for their backdoor advertising. A popular ‘mukbang influencer’ with 4.7 million viewers recently apologized for being involved in the unfair advertising practice.

    In addition, a renowned YouTuber with an audience of 2.68 million has announced her retirement from mukbang, a portmanteau in Korean of “eating” and “broadcast.”

    Last year, the antitrust watchdog clamped down on companies’ backdoor advertising through influencer reviews for the first time.

  • H&M has created a jacket that gives the wearer a hug

    H&M has created a jacket that gives the wearer a hug

    Much has been made of the way technology has helped people stay connected since the introduction of social distancing measures and travel bans due to the global coronavirus pandemic.

    But anyone who has been separated from a loved one knows that even a video call falls short of the feeling of being together in real life. Many people have spoken about just wanting to give their friends or family members a hug.

    With a new jacket created by H&M Lab, the fast-fashion giant’s innovation hub in Berlin, they just might be able to.

    Earlier this month, the lab unveiled a new denim jacket with flexible sensors built into the shoulder areas, which gives the wearer the feeling of being hugged when the sensors are activated.

    Every jacket comes with a registration code that the user can share with their loved ones via an accompanying app. Only those with the registration code will be able to activate the sensors to let the jacket-wearer know they are thinking of them. Contacts can also create an individual touch pattern, so it’s clear who the hug has come from. The sensors are activated via the app by Bluetooth.

    The lab is calling the concept “Wearable Love”. It released a video about the invention earlier this month, but it is not yet clear when or where the jacket will be available for purchase, or how much it will cost.

    H&M is not the first apparel brand to explore the possibilities of wearable technology. Levi’s has also put sensors in a denim jacket, but they were geared towards more functional tasks, such as answering a phone call without having to take your mobile device out of your pocket. The context of the coronavirus has created an opportunity to explore new use cases for wearable tech.

    “Whether long-distance relationship or social distancing – no matter why you can’t have your loved ones around you: wearable love helps you to overcome boundaries and brings together what belongs together,” H&M Lab said on its website.

    H&M Lab created the Wearable Love jacket together with Boltware, a Berlin startup whose mission it is to turn analog garments into modern tech devices.

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  • Hong Kong leads ‘drastic’ drop in sales for Giordano

    Hong Kong leads ‘drastic’ drop in sales for Giordano

    A “drastic” drop in sales has led apparel retailer Giordano International to record a US$22.6 million loss in the six months to June, of which $13.2 million alone was attributable to its Hong Kong operations.

    The company said in a stock-exchange filing that post-June 30, sales have begun to recover, but while it continues to assess the impact of the Covid-19 crisis on its operations it is too soon to project its full-year performance.

    Last year’s first half saw the company report a net profit of $20.8 million.

    Group-wide sales fell by 44.4 percent for the half-year to $182 million, with the impact of Covid-19 beginning in January in Mainland China, leading to a ban on cross-border travel from Mainland China into Hong Kong and Macau.

    Non-cash provisions relating to Hong Kong accounting laws also contributed to the loss.

    Online sales surged 93.8 percent during the six months to $17.9 million, accounting for 9.8 percent of total group turnover, nearly double the share of the same period last year.

    Giordano’s chairman and CEO Peter Lau said the group will continue to focus on third-party online platforms for future growth.

    Giordano operated 2187 stores at the end of June.

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  • Christian Louboutin showcasting Hong Kong boutique

    Christian Louboutin showcasting Hong Kong boutique

    Christian Louboutin has opened a new boutique in Landmark Prince’s, at Hong Kong’s Central.

    Inspired by the brand’s first boutique in Galerie Vero Dodat, the store facade features red-tiled walls with “petroleum-blue ceramics” and a Christian Louboutin neon sign. The storefront also houses displaying areas behind large glass windows, showing the brand’s latest products.

    The boutique’s interior is decorated in two main colors – red and blue. At the heart of the store is a blue display podium, showcasing women’s footwear.

    Two large red sofas create a lounge for customers with a flower-painted backdrop designed by French artist Alexandre Poulaillon.

    Meanwhile, the men’s room features gold-stained elements together with brown and beige wallpapers, aimed at creating a masculine vibe.

    The boutique reflects the Maison’s signature visual elements while nodding to the designer’s “creativity and eclectic aesthetic,” the company said in a statement.

    The label’s new capsule collection of Cabaraparis is available only at the Landmark Prince’s boutique.

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  • LA’s NYX Cosmetics closing in Hong Kong

    LA’s NYX Cosmetics closing in Hong Kong

    In an ongoing winding down of its Asian operations L’Oreal-owned NYX Cosmetics has announced in a Facebook post the pending closures of its stores across Hong Kong and Macau.

    The move follows the brand’s Malaysian exit and was described as part of a “business strategy readjustment”

    The brand entered Hong Kong three years ago and currently has six retail stores: three flagships in Sha Tin, Mong Kok and Tuen Muen, and three counters in department stores.

    The company has not given a definite date of the closures, but it advised loyal customers to redeem their membership points before September 15.

    So far, NYX does not have an online e-commerce presence in Hong Kong and Macau and it is not ranged by local marketplaces.

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  • Foot Locker establish presence in Macau

    Foot Locker establish presence in Macau

    Foot Locker has made its Macau debut with two stores opening this month.

    Located in Shoppes at the Parisian Macau, the Foot Locker’s first Macau store features a wide selection of footwear and apparel collections from different global brands, including Nike, Jordan, Adidas and Puma.

    “Opening our first store in Macau marks another milestone in our journey, where we aim to engage and inspire youth culture within the local community,” said Tomas Petersson, GM and VP at Foot Locker Asia.

    According to the company, Foot Locker’s second store in Macau is scheduled to launch later this month in The Shoppes at the Venetian Macau.

    Foot Locker operates 3129 retail stores across 27 markets across North America, Asia, Europe, Australia and New Zealand.

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  • H&M suspends employees over use of racial slur

    H&M suspends employees over use of racial slur

    Fashion giant H&M says it has suspended a number of employees over the use of a racial slur relating to the name of a hat to be sold at stores of its & Other Stories brand.

    CNN Business, which first reported the incident, said that the slur, in an internal H&M document, related to a hat that appeared on a list of items and accessories to be sold in the autumn/winter collection.

    “We are deeply sorry to have discovered that one of our brands, & Other Stories, used a racist slur in an internal product overview,” H&M spokeswoman Ulrika Isaksson said in a written comment to Reuters.

    “We take the use of racially offensive language extremely seriously. While internal and external investigations are taking place, we have suspended the team and managers responsible for this area of the business.”

    H&M, the world’s second-biggest fashion retailer, did not say how many employees had been suspended.

    In 2018, the Swedish company was forced to apologize for an advert that was widely perceived as using racist language and in its statement on Thursday H&M acknowledged that it had “challenges with the diversity of some of our own teams”.

    It said it would also take further measures including specific targets for boosting diversity in its major markets by the end of 2020 and the creation of an external advisory council to consult on its business direction.

    According to H&M’s website, & Other Stories has 70 stores in 17 markets in Europe, the United States and Asia.

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  • AmorePacific launches selected brands on Amazon

    AmorePacific launches selected brands on Amazon

    South Korean beauty group AmorePacific has launched two key brands on Amazon’s Premium Beauty store in the US as it looks to build its online presence. The beauty firm has introduced the AmorePacific and Mamonde brands on Amazon, including skincare and makeup.

    AmorePacific’s green tea skincare essentials – the Treatment Enzyme Peeling Cleansing Powder, Vintage Single Extract Essence, and Time Response Skin Reserve Creme.< “As the leader in Korean beauty, we are thrilled to collaborate and bring Korea’s best known, performance-driven brands to Amazon customers,” said Brian Lee, head of business development at AmorePacific US. “We strive for our portfolio of brands to continue significant growth in the digital space as more and more US customers pursue the convenience of online shopping.” The skincare and makeup range launched on Amazon include the AmorePacific’s Vintage Single Extract Essence and Mamonde’s Petal Spa Oil to Foam Cleanser. “AmorePacific’s brands cater to US customers’ continued enthusiasm for premium skincare with natural ingredients, as well as their latest interest in beauty routines as a form of self-care,” the company said in a statement.

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  • Ralph Lauren revenue deep in red

    Ralph Lauren revenue deep in red

    Ralph Lauren Corp said on Tuesday its quarterly revenue plunged by nearly US$1 billion, as it struggled with coronavirus-led store closures and a slowdown in demand for luxury goods across the world.

    The big drop in revenue and a larger-than-expected loss pushed shares of the New York-based fashion house down nearly 7 percent in trading before the bell.

    The company’s revenue slumped 77 percent in North America, with analysts saying demand for high-end handbags, apparel and accessories is not expected to rebound quickly as the global economy enters a recession.

    Ralph Lauren is more exposed to the health crisis than other apparel companies as its jackets, coats and dresses are designed for social or formal occasions, said Neil Saunders, managing director of research firm GlobalData Retail.

    “While some customers have been prepared to pay premium dollars for luxury apparel, many middle-income shoppers have de-prioritized their spending on clothing in favor of spending on the home – an area where Ralph Lauren does play, but not nearly as strong as it should,” Saunders said.

    Ralph Lauren’s net revenue fell 66 percent to $487.5 million, missing analysts’ average estimate of $615 million, according to IBES data from Refinitiv.

    Sales at European luxury goods giants LVMH , Kering and Hermes fell between 38 percent and 44 percent – much slower than those posted by the company.

    Ralph Lauren also reported a mere 3-per-cent rise in North American online sales, a far cry from triple-digit sales increases recorded by a number of US retailers.

    The company reported a net loss of $127.7 million in the quarter to June 27, compared with a profit of $117.1 million, or $1.47 per share, a year earlier.

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