Retail News CRM

Tag: Fashion

  • First MLB Kids Hong Kong standalone store opens

    First MLB Kids Hong Kong standalone store opens

    South Korean Fashion Group brand MLB has moved to expand its overseas retail network in Asia with a new childrenswear store in Hong Kong.

    The first MLB Kids Hong Kong store is located in K11 Musea, adopting a baseball stadium design that features a blend of sporty casual style and metallic elements.

    MLB’s latest collection available in store features premium street elements and functional design. The MLB Kids Hong Kong store offers children’s versions of popular collections such as Monogram, Down Jacket and Big Ball Chunky Shoes, blended the bright colours and trendy textures.

  • Marina Bay Sands Epicurean Market coming back in December

    Marina Bay Sands Epicurean Market coming back in December

    The culinary event Marina Bay Sands Epicurean Market, is making a three-day comeback this December.

    The market will start with a series of in-house specials on December 13 before opening its doors to its weekend gala at the Sands Expo & Convention Centre in the next two days.

    Chef of Waku Ghin, Tetsuya Wakuda, said the Marina Bay Sands Epicurean Market is an opportunity for him to discover new cultures and experiences as he meets people sharing a common passion for food.

    “I’m looking forward to not only leading a masterclass, but also welcoming guests to the launch dinner at Adrift, and sharing plenty of delicious bites over the weekend,” said chef David Myers of Adrift. “Alongside our new executive chef at Adrift, Peter Smit, we will be honing in on our Californian Izakaya roots with a selection of dishes that will not only showcase some beautiful produce, but also pack a punch in flavours,” said chef David Myers of Adrift.

    This year, customers will experience signature fare from more than 50 booths, including Marina Bay Sands’ newest European-inspired patisserie Origin + Bloom.

    In its sixth edition, the Marina Bay Sands Epicurean Market will feature a world-class bar offering the best mixes from 12 bars across Sands restaurants, including Mott 32 from Hong Kong, which will offer patrons a preview of its signature cocktails before it opens in early 2020.

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  • Nadja Swarovski and celebrities honour Karl Lagerfeld with a white shirt

    Nadja Swarovski and celebrities honour Karl Lagerfeld with a white shirt

    Nadja Swarovski is celebrating Karl Lagerfeld’s memory and legacy by joining a global community of creative talents to reimagine his most iconic design: the white shirt, to be showcased during Spring/Summer20 Paris Fashion Week.

    Curated by Carine Roitfeld, a creative visionary and a longtime friend, the project is partnering exclusively with Farfetch, with all proceeds donated to the ‘Sauver la Vie’ charity initiative, which funds medical research at the Paris Descartes University and which Lagerfeld supported for many years.

    Alongside Nadja Swarovski, a host of artists, actors, models, designers and friends have been invited to create their own version of his iconic white shirt, including Amber Valletta, Lewis Hamilton, Sebastien Jondeau and Alessandro Michele. Of his signature garment, Lagerfeld once said: “If you ask me what I’d most like to have invented in fashion, I’d say the white shirt. For me, the white shirt is the basis of everything. Everything else comes after.”

    The Swarovski shirt features cuffs that shimmer with a galaxy of Hotfix stones, as well as crystals hidden inside the placket of the classic fly-front design. In a nod to the playful wit that characterized the work of this giant of the fashion world, Lagerfeld’s image is captured on the reverse of the shirt in a pixelated transfer of 6000 crystals.

    Seven of the project’s designs will each be replicated 77 times and went on sale on Karl.com and Farfetch.com yesterday at €777 per piece.

    The number seven was chosen as it was the designer’s lucky number and represented many elements in his life: his favorite arrondissement in Paris (the 7th), and the name of his bookshop and publishing house (7L). The original shirts went on display at a private exhibition at the Maison Karl Lagerfeld this week and will tour selected Karl Lagerfeld stores worldwide from next week.

    “It is an incredible honor to have been asked to pay tribute to Karl,” said Nadja Swarovski, a member of the Swarovski board. “It was also highly intimidating to attempt to create something aesthetically acceptable in honor of one of fashion’s best talents. Nonetheless, my team and I had a great time completing and realizing our design ideas in his honor. Long live King Karl!”

    Holli Rogers, chief brand officer of Farfetch, described the tribute as “amazing”.

    “The huge level of support that has been pledged by some of the world’s most exciting tastemakers is a testament to Karl’s legacy and the impact he made globally. We are excited to give Farfetch customers the opportunity to own these limited-edition pieces, that will forever be a wonderful tribute to Karl, whilst simultaneously giving back to the ‘Sauver la Vie’ charity, a worthy cause so close to Karl’s heart.”

    Favorite memory

    Nadja Swarovski recalls working with Karl lagerfeld on the jeweler’s Atelier Swarovski collection.

    “We met in his office and he immediately started sketching, flinging them into the air as he worked. In the end, the floor was covered with sketches and three remained on desk, which were the pieces we went on to create,” she recalls.

    “It was inspiring to be around him as he worked. I was also delighted when he agreed to participate in the creation of a jewelry piece to empower the young debutantes of the Vienna Opera Ball. He totally embraced the concept, creating a majestic traditional tiara with a modern twist, featuring a local reference of the Danube river in large, sapphire blue crystals.”

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  • Uniqlo Introducing clothes made from recycled plastic bottles

    Uniqlo Introducing clothes made from recycled plastic bottles

    Japansese fashion retailer Uniqlo and Toray Industries have created apparel made from recycled down and fabric from polyester fibres made with recycled PET bottles.

    The technology partnership will lead to clothes made from recycled plastic bottles going on sale next year in Singapore and other Asian markets.

    Used Ultra Light Down pieces will be collected by Uniqlo stores and go through extraction process run by Toray-developed system. Materials then will be cleansed for use in new down merchandise. The collection program started this month initially only in Japan. Some down products from the 2020 Fall/Winter season will use the recycled material.

    “Uniqlo is committed to improving the sustainability of society,” said Tadashi Yanai, Uniqlo’s founder and chairman.

    “To this end, we will soon begin our new initiative with Toray that promotes the use of recycled materials. Through such an important partnership, we can continue to offer high-performance, high-quality, and sustainable clothing to all customers around the world.”

    President of Toray Industries, Akihiro Nikkaku said that the companies challenged themselves to seek solutions for global social issues as they believe that ‘materials can change our lives’.

    Next year, Uniqlo will produce Dry-Ex pieces of clothing that combine high-value-added polyester fibers derived from reclaimed PET bottles – clothes made from recycled plastic.

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  • Forever New grows US presence

    Forever New grows US presence

    Australian womenswear brand Forever New has launched a standalone e-commerce site in the US, catering to increased demand from local customers with around 50 new products dropping online every week.

    The website marks an expansion of the brand’s presence in the US, where it currently sells through Nordstrom.com, as well as through concessions in Bloomingdales and Neiman Marcus.

    “We are excited to be expanding in North America and a branded US website was the next step on our journey,” Carolyn Mackenzie, Forever New’s managing director, said in a statement.

    “We have had a lot of demand for our product in the US so we are happy to give our US customers one more way to shop with us.”

    Launching on Thursday, the US website features a range of styles currently available in North America, with about 50 new items being added to the site each month. It is branded under Forever New’s North American trading name, Ever New.

    This is just the latest step in the Forever New’s global digital expansion, which sees the brand selling on Asos and Next in the UK, Zalora in Singapore and Zalando in Europe, and through its own recently relaunched global e-commerce site.

    At the same time, Forever New continues to expand its global bricks-and-mortar presence. The fashion brand has more than 200 stores in Canada, Singapore, China, India, South Africa and New Zealand, and concessions in the US, Singapore and the Middle East. and plans to open a new store in November in Vancouver, Canada.

    Revenue from overseas operations accounted for 40 per cent of Forever New’s sales of around $300 million in 2018.

    Mackenzie previously said that standalone stores in the US are not out of the question.

    “Being an agile and fast-moving business means there is always the possibility…” she said.

    Broader transformation underway

    The ramp-up overseas is just part of the multi-faceted transformation currently underway at Forever New.

    Already this year, the retailer has unveiled two first-to-market digital initiatives – a reserve-in-store option and visually-similar product recommendation tool – and launched a “connected change room” pilot in its store in Highpoint Shopping Centre.

    The retailer has also rolled out a plus-size range called Forever New Curve and a new high-end store concept designed by Hecker Guthrie, featuring terrazzo tiled floors, brushed brass detailing and fluted glass panels.

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  • Sephora shared launch dates for first SA store

    Sephora shared launch dates for first SA store

    Sephora will open its first store in South Australia on October 10.

    The beauty giant today revealed the launch date for its Rundle Mall store in Adelaide, and provided details about the opening day event.

    “We will be taking over the section of Rundle Mall outside of our new store to create what we like to call, the Sephora Street Party,” Beth Glancey, country GM for Sephora Australia & New Zealand, said in a statement.

    “There will be a huge stage, a live DJ, influencer appearances and Q&As, makeup stations and plenty of fun.”

    Sephora is rewarding the first customers in line with free products, with the first 100 receiving an Anastasia Beverly Hills Modern Renaissance Palette ($76), and the next 400 picking up the Anastasia Beverly Hills Sugar Palette ($74).

    The first 10 people in line will be invited to shop the store before it opens and receive $100 to spend.

    According to Glancey, the store will be unlike any other Sephora location in Australia, with a particular focus on services, including a Benefit “brow bar” and the first dedicated skincare studio in the country.

    Sephora’s services include make-up lessons as well as applications, with customers able to book in to receive a full makeover, while the Benefit “brow bar” allows customers to have their eyebrows, lips and chins styled, waxed, tinted, and tweezed.

    Sephora confirmed earlier this month that it was entering South Australia for the first time, generating a strong response from local customers on social media.

    “When we announced our Adelaide arrival two weeks ago we were met with such excitement by our clients. We had over 2,500 ‘likes’, 900 ‘comments’ and 75 ‘shares’ on Facebook and Instagram,” Glancey said.

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  • Stripe buys Vietnam fashion chain Vascara

    Stripe buys Vietnam fashion chain Vascara

    Japanese clothing firm Stripe International has purchased a majority stakeholding in Vietnamese firm Global Fashion.

    The 70-per-cent shareholding will give Stripe a controlling interest in Vietnamese brand Vascara. It is the second Vietnamese apparel company to be acquired by the firm since its purchase of Nem Group two years ago.

    “We see the potential of the Vietnamese fashion market, especially the footwear and bags industry,” said Stripe Saigon general director and CEO Harigae Tsutomu.

    “Vascara is a brand that has great potential for development, so we believe that the experience and technology accumulated from many markets around the world will accompany and support Vascara to accelerate development, expand the system of stores and serve millions of Vietnamese consumers.”

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  • Vietnamese prefer Facebook for Fashion Shopping

    Vietnamese prefer Facebook for Fashion Shopping

    55 percent of Vietnamese online shoppers choose social networks over e-commerce platforms to buy fashion products, a new survey has found.

    Survey results released Thursday by HCMC-based market research firm Q&Me says just 41 percent of respondents chose e-commerce platforms when shopping for fashion products because they found social networks carrying more relevant information.

    Fashion products require consultation with sellers, therefore shoppers prefer using social networks to ask for more information while waiting for an email response from an e-commerce platform is a hassle, the report said.

    88 percent of respondents say they get the information they need by chatting with social network shops, with most common inquiries are product prices, details and images.

    The survey polled 582 people aged 16-45 online – mostly in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City – in July 2019.

    The main advantages of social network shopping are convenience (37 percent) and interaction with friends (31 percent), the survey found.

    As Facebook is the app people use most often, users don’t need to install another app for shopping that they would need to log into with a password, the report said.

    Stores on social networks tend to specialize in a certain category, therefore there is a higher chance that customers will find a product they need, it added.

    The report also found that the top reasons respondents find out a new store is through social network ads and friends’ recommendations.

    The triggers for a buyer to return to a social network store is good quality products, according to 59 percent of respondents, followed by product variety and their interactions with store owners.

    However, e-commerce platforms are still the most popular online shopping channel among Vietnamese consumers (91 percent) compared to 43 percent who shop on social networks.

    The reason for this is that e-commerce platforms offer more promotions, according to 55 percent of respondents, and offer cheaper prices (48 percent), compared to social networks.

  • Line launches online fashion customisation platform

    Line launches online fashion customisation platform

    Character brand Line Friends has launched an online fashion customization platform where consumers can purchase personalized fashion items based on their lifestyles.

    The ‘Line Friends Creator’ app was released globally (except Europe) on September 19.

    The new sales platform provides millennial customers with an opportunity to customize products using the creative contents of Line Friends, and have fun designing a product according to their own styles added with a differentiated brand experience.

    Line Friends Creator also provides a wide array of themed artworks based on the original character lineup, Brown & Friends and BT21. The new platform offers a wide selection of trendy fashion items including t-shirts, sweatshirts, hoodies, canvas tote bags, and smartphone cases, which customers can select based on their needs and preferences.

    “Fashion items are one of the most representative ways for Millennials to express themselves as they value revealing their individuality and personalities freely,” said a Line Friends spokesperson. “With the ‘Line Friends Creator’ artworks that are full of wit and uniqueness, we hope that a lot of customers can enjoy creating personalized trendy outfits based on their mood, tastes, and daily lives.”

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  • Forever 21 leaves Hong Kong amid bankruptcy predictions

    Forever 21 leaves Hong Kong amid bankruptcy predictions

    Once, Forever 21 had one of the largest flagship stores in Hong Kong. Now it has exited the market altogether.

    The California-headquartered fast-fashion retailer has closed its three-story Mong Kok store, eight years after it opened a massive six-story flagship in the heart of Causeway Bay, which is now home to Victoria’s Secret.

    In April, Forever 21 closed its Chinese e-commerce website and withdrew products for sale on Tmall and JD.  At the same time it closed one physical store on the mainland and was widely reported to be planning to exit the market altogether.

    Last month, it was reported by Bloomberg to be preparing to file for bankruptcy protection after failing to reach a deal to refinance its heavy debt load but as recently as 10 days ago its owners discounted that course, saying the business would trade on.

    With more than 800 stores in the Americas, Asia and Europe Forever 21 grew from a single store in Los Angeles in 1984 opened by co-founder Do Won Chang and his wife Jin Sook. While its international growth trajectory was rapid in the 2000s, in later years it has failed to keep pace with European rivals H&M and Zara and Japan’s Uniqlo, leading it to shutter flagship stores like the one in Causeway Bay.

  • Calvin Klein and Tommy Hilfiger about to open first standalone stores in NZ

    Calvin Klein and Tommy Hilfiger about to open first standalone stores in NZ

    A mixture of international and local fashion and beauty retailers will be opening new stores in Commercial Bay when it opens next year.

    American clothing brands Calvin Klein and Tommy Hilfiger, and Dutch fashion retailer Scotch & Soda, will open their first New Zealand standalone retail stores at the centre. Both Calvin Klein and Tommy Hilfiger will be offering a combination of apparel, fragrance, accessories and homewares.

    The Australian brand R.M. Williams, surf apparel Rip Curl and sportswear retailer Asics have also signed up to open flagship stores at the centre.

    Womenswear brand Kookai and local fashion brand Twenty-seven Names will be joining other local brands at the centre alongside outdoor retailer Icebreaker and local brand Storm.

    According to Precinct Properties, the city centre specialists behind the Commercial Bay development, the recent update takes the leasing of Commercial Bay to 95 per cent.

    “We’ve given a lot of thought to curating an outstanding retail offering in the heart of the city,” said Scott Pritchard, Precinct Properties CEO.

    Pritchard said each retailer has been closely considered to ensure Commercial Bay provides the ultimate shopping experience for Aucklanders, visitors from around New Zealand and international guests to the city.

    “Commercial Bay will be a welcoming place with something for everyone,” he said. “I’m confident our retail mix, combined with a truly world-class food and beverage offering will be a great draw card.”

    Precinct Properties said Whitcoulls bookstore and a handful of beauty and wellness brands have also given the nod to launch stores at the centre. The beauty and wellness retailers include nail salon Art of Nails, haircare store Shampoo and Things, men’s barber Gentry and skincare salon Skintopia.

    Lovely by Skin Institute will open its fifth retail store in the country in Commercial Bay, its first store in central Auckland, along with New Zealand natural wellness brand Harker Herbals.

    According to Precinct Properties, the overall development will feature a mix of more than 100 retailers from fashion to food and beverage to beauty and specialty retail.

    The newly announced stores will be joining the previously mentioned ones Sandro, Maje, Kate Spade, Furla, Federation, Superette and Rodd & Gunn, among others.

    The $690 million development, which is being built by Fletcher Properties, has revised the opening date of the retail centre from September of this year to March 2020, and the opening date of the PwC office tower from December of this year to April 2020.

    Precinct Properties originally expected the retail centre to be done in October 2018 and the office tower in mid-2019, but it has continued to push back the opening dates due to “slippage” in the construction of the project.

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  • H&M opening fourth retail store in Auckland

    H&M opening fourth retail store in Auckland

    Swedish fashion giant H&M announced it will open its fourth store in Auckland at Westfield Newmarket on December 12.

    The 2300sqm store, the retailer’s ninth store in New Zealand, will have two levels and will feature a range of apparel and accessories for men, women, youth, kids and baby, as well as the retailer’s home concept.

    “We are thrilled to be a part of the much-anticipated Westfield Newmarket.” said Daniel Lattemann, Country Sales manager for H&M New Zealand.

    Lettemann said they are also delighted to be able to finally offer a second Auckland location for their H&M home concept.

    “We have seen such a demand since launching the concept in our Commercial Bay store last year,” he said.

    According to H&M, recruitment for approximately 50 employees is underway.

    The fashion retailer, which entered the New Zealand market in 2016, now has seven stores nationwide located in Sylvia Park, Commercial Bay, and Botany Town Centre in Auckland, The Crossing in Christchurch, Queensgate in Wellington, Tauranga Crossing, and Chartwell Shopping Centre in Hamilton.

    The recently announced store opening is the eighth and is set to open in Westfield Riccarton on November 7, 2019.

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  • Goldwin opens first overseas store in San Francisco

    Goldwin opens first overseas store in San Francisco

    Japanese outdoor apparel brand Goldwin plans to launch its first international outlet in San Francisco, California this November.

    “American outdoor enthusiasts expect the highest quality technical apparel and we are confident that Goldwin will deliver a head-to-toe range that will raise the bar for skiers, hikers, climbers and other athletes who test themselves in the outdoors,” said Gen Arai, GM at Godwin.

    “Most American outdoor enthusiasts are just learning about Goldwin so with the new store location we are looking to provide a unique retail experience that connects urban city life with nature and adventure.”

    The Japanese brand will also launch the latest Fall 2019 collection with signature garments on its website and through selected retail channels in North America next month.

    Founded in 1951 as a manufacturer of knit fabric, Goldwin now specialises in lifestyle products and premium sportswear, including ski apparel.

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  • India’s Max Fashion opens 300th store

    India’s Max Fashion opens 300th store

    Max Fashion has launched a new outlet in India, marking its 300-store milestone.

    Max Fashion VP retail operations Sumit Ghildiyal said that the launch of the 300th Max Fashion store was just the beginning, as they were focused on achieving more milestones.

    “This is a huge landmark for us launching our 300th store, and we believe the market is ideal for our brand, which sets the newest styles and trends,” said the brand’s territory head of the Andhra Pradesh & Telangana regions Prashant Paul.

    “Max Fashion is the only brand that works on an eight-season cycle, which is as quick as 45 days per season, thus curating an unimaginable number of styles annually, which is unmatched by any fashion player in the world.”

    The 300th Max Fashion store launch ceremony was inaugurated by famous Telugu actress Lavanya Tripathi.

    Max Fashion has witnessed a significant growth since its first store opened in 2006. The fashion company serves approximately 100 million customers across the country, using the tagline “Anytime – Anywhere”.

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  • Off-White launches new store opening at Windows flagship

    Off-White launches new store opening at Windows flagship

    Off-White has opened a new space at the brand’s “Windows” flagship location in Singapore‘s Orchard Road.

    The new Off-White space launched swiftly after the brand announced a new opening in Las Vegas.

    The space will be completely dedicated to Virgil Abloh‘s Off-White womenswear collections and will feature luxurious interiors decked out in pink hues. It is designed with pink herringbone-patterned, fluted wooden walls paired with a pink marble floor. Brass decor is featured to add warmth to the store.

    Clothing at the new Off-White space is displayed on bronze shelves, and metal cage silhouette chairs are matched with marble tables with cage legs, fitting into the outlet’s theme. The changing room is fitted with draping pink velvet curtains, bright lights, and infinity mirrors.

    Other key highlights include minimalist plant pots made of smooth metal and rounded tables for displaying bags.

     

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