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Tag: lingerie

  • Victoria’s Secret controversial marketing chief stops

    Victoria’s Secret controversial marketing chief stops

    Longtime Victoria’s Secret chief marketing officer Edward Razek will resign following months of negative PR centered on his comments about plus-size and transgender models in a Vogue interview.

    Edward Razek, who has personally selected the lingerie brand’s models for more than 15 years, said in the interview that such models had no place at Victoria’s Secret’s fashion shows, a remark well out of step with contemporary attitudes in the industry and among the general public.

    His departure came within days of Victoria’s Secret announcing its first steps toward inclusivity with the appointment of Brazilian transgender model Valentina Sampaio, (pictured above).

    “A few weeks ago, I shared with Les [Wexner, Victoria’s Secret owner L Brands’ CEO] my desire to retire sometime around mid-August,” said Edward Razek. “It was a tough conversation to have because, as some of you must know, we have shared so much together for so many years.”

    The departure comes at a point when more than 100 models have signed an open letter to Victoria’s Secret out of concern for the safety of women aspiring to model for the lingerie brand, following allegations of sexual misconduct directed at photographers who worked with the brand. The company has also been tainted by widespread media coverage of links between Wexner and disgraced sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, now in jail on charges relating to procuring sex with minors.

    “Corporations tend to treat the discovery of abuses as public-relations crises to be managed rather than human-rights violations to be remedied,” said founder and executive director of The Model Alliance Sara Ziff. “The Respect Program provides Victoria’s Secret an opportunity not only to right the wrongs of the past but also to work towards prevention.”

    Ed Wolf, L Brands’ senior VP of brand and creative, and Bob Campbell, VP of creative for Victoria’s Secret, will take over from Edward Razek until a permanent replacement is found.

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  • Honey Birdette opens second US store

    Honey Birdette opens second US store

    Australian luxury lingerie retailer Honey Birdette has opened its second US store in San Diego, California, saying two more stores will be opened in the state in the coming months.

    The newly opened 74sqm store is located on the ground level of Westfield UTC and features Honey Birdette’s complete range of lingerie, bondage, latex, accessories and toys.

    The store has an ornate gold-tiled arch to welcome guests, with an individually cut-Italian glass mirrored storefront, and a salon inside.

    It includes two private dressing rooms fitted with ‘press for champagne’ buttons and custom-made whisky bar carts to offer customers a VIP experience.

    The new store also displays a limited-edition rose gold, rope and leather sex swing, which, according to the retailer, has not yet been seen at any other Honey Birdette boutique.

    “We are focused on creating individual design concepts for all of our future boutiques and each footprint will have its own unique element,” said Eloise Monaghan, Honey Birdette managing director.

    “Some might have a champagne bar for example, a private salon in one, a stage in another or a catwalk.”

    Two Honey Birdette stores will open in California soon and are currently under construction. One will be in Westfield Valley Fair and will open in July, and the other in Brea Mall will open in August.

    The retailer also announced they plan to open one more store in the state and another one on the East Coast but have yet to confirm the locations.

    Last year, the retailer said it will open 15 stores in the US over the next 12 to 24 months.

    The lingerie brand now has 57 stores across Australia, three in the UK and two in the US.

  • Bogart Group to be bought by Israeli company

    Bogart Group to be bought by Israeli company

    Israeli apparel group Delta Galil Industries is to buy Hong Kong-headquartered  intimate apparel maker Bogart Group.

    Delta Galil is a global manufacturer and marketer of branded and private label apparel products for men, women and children, as well as leisurewear, activewear and denim.

    Bogart designs, develops and manufactures fashion bras, sportswear and swimwear and is a strategic partner with global brands including Victoria’s Secret, Jockey, Adore Me, Vanity Fair and Hanes.

    Delta Galil will also acquire Bogart’s subsidiaries Brunet, a lace manufacturer, and B&B, a leading padding manufacturer.

    Last year, Bogart achieved sales of US$230 million. The deal, announced today, is expected to close at the beginning of the third quarter.

    “Expanding our footprint in the bra category has been a long-term goal for Delta Galil,” said Isaac Dabah, CEO of Delta Galil. “This is a unique strategic opportunity, where I see great potential for Delta to leverage Bogart’s strong market position to further build its company, while also helping Delta’s business units expand to the next phase of growth.”

    Founded in 1975, Delta Galil designs, develops, markets and sells branded denim apparel under the brand 7 For All Mankind, ladies apparel under the brand Splendid and a raft of lingerie and clothing for all ages.

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  • Victoria’s Secret drops Broadcasted Fashion Shows

    Victoria’s Secret drops Broadcasted Fashion Shows

    A root-and-branch review of the Victoria’s Secret business has spelled the end of its famed televised catwalk shows – and even its giant flagship stores may be under threat.

    The world’s most famous lingerie retailer is trying to arrest falling sales and counter competition from the likes of American Eagle Outfitters’ Aerie and Rihanna’s lingerie company Savage X Fenty.

    Recognizing it needs to reconnect with its core customer base, L Brands founder and chairman Leslie Wexner together with recently hired CEO John Mehas, are “re-birthing the brand” through a strategic review.

    “Fashion is a business of change. We must evolve and change to grow,” Wexner said in an internal memo to staff passed on to CBS News. “For the past few months, we’ve said that we are taking a fresh look at every aspect of our business – from merchandising, marketing and brand positioning, to our real estate portfolio, digital business and cost structure … literally everything. We have made enormous progress in a very short time, and are looking forward to a successful fall and holiday with an elevated, fashion-forward assortment.”

    An early decision is that the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show will no longer screen on national television in the US.

    “Going forward we don’t believe network television is the right fit,” said Wexner in the memo.

    “In 2019 and beyond, we’re focusing on developing exciting and dynamic content and a new kind of event — delivered to our customers on platforms that she’s glued to … and in ways that will push the boundaries of fashion in the global digital age.”

    The annual show was launched in 1995, debuting on network television in 2001. However last year’s audience on ABC was 3.27 million, the smallest to date and less than half the viewership of two years earlier.

    The Victoria’s Secret business has taken some hits in the court of public opinion during recent years. The format of the show, featuring models in scanty costume lingerie has been labeled out of touch in an era where #MeToo movement is reshaping attitudes. Last year, the company was embroiled in controversy after former chief marketing officer Ed Razek said he would not use transgender or plus-sized models in its campaigns.

    Institutional shareholders are demanding higher returns, many lobbying for a spin-off of the highly profitable Bath & Body Works subsidiary.

    Early responses to Victoria’s Secret’s review appear positive. Analyst Lee Peterson, executive VP at Dublin-based retail consultancy WD Partners, said the lingerie giant appeared to be taking the right steps.

    “Everything [Wexner] said – albeit a little tardy – is the right thing to do,” he said. “It seems to me they had an epiphany and realized it’s a new age. You can’t do anything in retail for 20 years and not change.

    “Don’t forget Victoria’s Secret is still more than 60 percent of the market. It’s a big ship to turn around,” said Peterson.

  • Calzedonia pays the price in Russell Street

    Calzedonia pays the price in Russell Street

    Italian fashion brand Calzedonia has reportedly renewed its Causeway Bay lease at a 15 per cent increase.

    According to reports in business media, the firm re-signed for the 400sqft retail space with just a month to spare on its existing contract at a cost of HK$9 million (US$1.15 million) for one year on the world’s most expensive retail strip, Russell Street.

    The rental translates to $750,000 ($95,674) per month, a typical figure for the shopping street that demands pricier rentals than even New York’s 5th Avenue. The street is a must-see for big-spending luxury retail hunters from Mainland China.

    The opening of the new Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao bridge and high-speed Express Rail Link is expected to attract higher numbers of tourists and reverse the city’s trends of falling rentals, but to date the increases has not met expectations.

    Calzedonia operates 16 outlets in Hong Kong, including those for its Intimissimi and Falconeri brands.

    The opening of the new Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao bridge and high-speed Express Rail Link is expected to attract higher numbers of tourists and reverse the city’s trends of falling rentals, but to date the increases has not met expectations.

    Calzedonia operates 16 outlets in Hong Kong, including those for its Intimissimi and Falconeri brands.

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  • Oysho Singapore opens first store in Singapore

    Oysho Singapore opens first store in Singapore

    Oysho Singapore is opening its first store this week, at Jewel Changi.

    The Spanish fashion label’s debut Singapore store spans 220sqm, and features a warm atmosphere, fitted out with materials such as wood and metal, combined with new furnishings.

    The store stocks products from all the brand’s categories, including sleepwear, lingerie, gym wear, beachwear, footwear, sportswear and accessories. Prices range from $7.90 to $299.

    The Oysho Sport range features garments suited to boxing, surfing, skiing and trekking. With a commitment to technical innovation, the brand’s garments include lines featuring aloe vera microcapsules, compression fabrics for muscle recovery, and Sensil Innergy Nylon 6.6 fabric which Oysho says enhances physical performance.

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  • Japanese lingerie brand Wacoal Expanding in India

    Japanese lingerie brand Wacoal Expanding in India

    Premium Japanese lingerie brand Wacoal will invest around ₹100 crore (US$14.5 million) over three years to boost its presence in India.

    A statement released by the firm revealed it will build on its current 11 outlets in the territory to reach 70 exclusive stores and 80 shop in shops across 30 cities.

    The brand will advance sales in India via its partnership with several e-commerce platforms accompanied by an intensive cross-platform marketing and a PR campaign.

    “We have seen an exponential growth seen in the Indian market since Wacoal’s entry in 2015,” said WacoalCorp representative director, president and corporate officer Tomoyasu Ito.

    “With this expansion, we aim to explore its full potential, and further solidify our position as a leading entity in the country’s luxury lingerie market. Our presence in additional metros will introduce a wider audience to the fit and comfort of our innerwear, crucial elements in the life of the modern woman.

    “Our stellar success since launch has rapidly established Wacoal as an indispensable part of India’s inner-wear scene, showcasing India as a mature market with a desire for Wacoal’s innovative, timeless collections.”

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  • Zivame Lingerie raises expansion capital to expand in India

    Zivame Lingerie raises expansion capital to expand in India

    Indian lingerie retailer Zivame has raised about US$8.6 million to fund expansion.

    The funds were raised through Allana Investment and Trading Company, in a round led by existing investor Zodius Technology and individual investors.

    The new capital will be used for store expansion, technology augmentation, product development and omnichannel strategy. Zivame now has more than 30 offline retail stores, and aims to expand to more than 60 in the next year.

    “The funding will enable us to further enhance our footprint and leadership in existing and newer markets as we continue to build on our mission to be the destination for women for all her intimate needs,” said Amisha Jain, Zivame CEO.

    “We continue to build the category as the Indian lingerie market is largely unorganised and under-served.”

    The company plans to a larger fundraising round in coming months.

    Founded in 2011 as a marketplace for lingerie brands, Zivame has expanded into fashion apparel, activewear, sleepwear, and shapewear as well as developed its private labels including Penny and Coucou.

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  • American Eagle expands Aerie lingerie brand

    American Eagle expands Aerie lingerie brand

    Global apparel retailer American Eagle is boosting its Aerie lingerie brand, with plans to open 60 to 75 stores this year.

    The strategy, which coincides with rival brand Victoria’s Secret’s declining sales and series of store closures, involves both standalone locations and side-by-sides with American Eagle, predominantly in Texas and California. The company currently operates 1055 stores.

    “Aerie is a game changer by staying at the forefront of body positivity and women’s empowerment,” said Aerie’s global brand president Jennifer Foyle. “Our new cast of role models are even more inspirational. They embrace the Aerie lifestyle and were chosen for their influential voices, unique stories and commitment to increase the power and empowering our community.”

    The firm reported US$431 million in earnings for the last financial quarter, a 1 per cent rise over the previous year’s figures. Its total net sales also rose 1 per cent to $1.24 billion.

    “Strong execution by the teams drove a record fourth quarter and fiscal 2018, as we reached a milestone of $4 billion in annual revenue with increased operating profit,” said American Eagle’s CEO and chairman Jay Schottenstein.

    “Eagle and Aerie continued to deliver consistent performance by combining product innovation and great merchandise with an improved customer experience across channels. As we head into 2019, we will continue to leverage the strength of our brands, selling channels and the team’s commitment to continually raising the bar for our customers. The strength of our balance sheet and free cash flow enables us to make important investments in our business to fuel market share gains, future growth and returns to our shareholders.”

  • Victoria’s Secret parent to close stores as sales stagnate

    Victoria’s Secret parent to close stores as sales stagnate

    L Brands, the parent of Victoria’s Secret, saw its share price fall 8 per cent after releasing disappointing results and halving its dividend payout. The US-headquartered company is struggling to arrest declining revenue in its flagship lingerie network, where same-store sales fell 8 per cent in January, contributing to a 1 per cent drop in overall sales. Online sales, however, rose by 8 per cent.

    Overnight, subsequent to releasing its results, the company said it would close 53 stores in North America. Earlier this year it said it would reintroduce swimwear to its range after an absence of several years to increase foot traffic in stores.

    Net sales for the year to February 2 were US$13.237 billion compared to $12.632 billion for the 53 weeks ended February 3 last year. Adjusted to take account of the extra week, sales rose 3 per cent in the latest year.

    But after excluding significant one-off items, the company’s adjusted net income this year was $786.7 million compared to $919.5 million for the 53-week period last year.

    As a result of that decline, L Brands cut its quarterly dividend from 61 cents per share paid last year to just 30 cents.

    Analyst Randal Konik of Jefferies said L Brands’ banners “are not wanted anymore”.

    “Keep in mind that comps remain negative despite very high promos, which means true brand demand is even worse than reported as some consumers buy things when they are given away for free or marked down by more than 50-75 per cent,” he said.

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  • Honey Birdette debuts in US

    Honey Birdette debuts in US

    Australian Lingerie brand Honey Birdette has launched its first US store in Westfield Century City, Los Angeles, focused on a unique design including whisky bar carts and ‘press-for-champagne’ buttons. The store will offer exclusive and limited-edition products, and is fronted by a glass mirrored store front centred by a gold tiled entry arch.

    “We are focusing on unique designs concepts for all of our future boutiques and each footprint will have its own unique element,” Honey Birdette founder and managing director Eloise Monaghan said.

    “Some might have a champagne bar for example, a private salon in one, a peep show in another, a stage or a catwalk.”

    The store opened to more than 500 shoppers who lined up to shop the brand physically for the first time in the US, and featured a DJ, champagne towers and confetti cannons.

    The brand currently trades within 57 locations in Australia, as well as across three locations in the United Kingdom.

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  • L Brands sells La Senza lingerie business

    L Brands sells La Senza lingerie business

    US retailer L Brands has agreed to transfer full ownership and operations of its Canadian-headquartered La Senza lingerie brand to a Regent LP affiliate. Upon completion, the private equity investor will assume La Senza’s debts and all future considerations for the brand. The deal is part of L Brands’ efforts to focus on its core brands as its flagship label Victoria’s Secret faces challenging shifts in the market.

    L Brands this year closed down its heritage women’s apparel line Henri Bendel after 123 years of trading. The sale of both Henri Bendel and La Senza is expected to encourage investors concerned about Victoria’s Secret’s declining performance as direct-to-consumer startups and the emerging success of rival label Aerie threaten the brand’s market supremacy.

    L Brands expects this year’s sales for La Senza will hit around $250 million with operating losses of about $40 million.

    La Senza was founded in 2006 and at its peak in 2010 had some 800 stores worldwide, 320 of them in Canada. But by 2013 the business was in decline, under competitive pressures from rival brands including Victoria’s Secret. By January last year, the store network had contracted to just 329, including 122 in Canada and four in the US.

    In 2011 a separate company La Senza UK, which held the franchise to the brand in the UK and Ireland, was placed in administration and later acquired by Kuwait-based Alshaya, but despite a further change of ownership, that business was placed in administration again in 2014.

    Other stores using the brand around the world are operating under a franchise agreement.

  • Victoria’s Secret opens first flagship store in Australia

    Victoria’s Secret opens first flagship store in Australia

    Victoria’s Secret has opened its debut flagship store in Australia, the first store in the nation to offer the U.S. lingerie giant’s full range of apparel, innerwear and accessories. Located in Melbourne’s Chadstone Shopping Centre, the Victoria’s Secret store opened to much fanfare at 5:30 am local time, with a ribbon cutting ceremony last week.

    Some one thousand women camped outside and waited for a first look at the store, according to local media reports, with the first shoppers getting a $180 voucher.

    Designed to reflect the firm’s New York flagship store on Fifth Avenue, Victoria’s SecretMelbourne is fitted out the brand’s recognised pink, and hosts an in-store display that holds approximately 12,000 pairs of panties.

    There’s also a separate entrance for its Victoria’s Secret Pink collections.

    The new Australian store in addition sells Body by Victoria, Very Sexy, Dream Angels, Bombshell, cotton lingerie and Victoria’s Sport athleisure line.

    The Melbourne opening marks the first official Victoria’s Secret store in Australia, separating itself from concession stores inside malls and Australian airports that are limited to selling fragrance and cosmetics.

    Victoria’s Secret recently announced it had appointed fashion executive John Mehas as its new lingerie chief executive.

    Mehas will take over in January, replacing Jan Singer, who has now resigned.

    “Our number one priority is improving performance,” L Brands chairman and chief executive officer Leslie Wexner said at the time of announcing.

    “I am confident that, under John’s leadership, Victoria’s Secret Lingerie…will continue to be a powerhouse and will deliver products and experiences.”

    Victoria’s Secret operates 1600 stores globally.

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  • 6ixty8ight Singapore expands by opening stores

    6ixty8ight Singapore expands by opening stores

    Hong Kong lingerie brand 6ixty8ight is trebling its Singapore store network. 6ixty8ight Singapore will open new stores at Tampines 1 on December 1 and at Bugis Junction this week. They follow the brand’s debut at VivoCity in July.

    The Bugis Junction 6ixty8ight Singapore store will take up340sqm of space, a little larger than the 270sqm site at Tampines 1 – but both are considerably larger than the first store, which is just 185sqm.

    6ixty8ight was founded in 2005 by Hop Lun Group which has manufactured lingerie for many international brands for more than 25 years. Its strategy was to use its manufacturing expertise to create underwear for Chinese women. Such a course did not cannibalise sales from its manufacturing customers, which primary target western markets. It was the first time the manufacturer had developed its own label.

    The brand, which targets women aged 15 to 30, has found a ready market in Hong Kong, Taiwan and South Korea where its value offer and fun store decor has differentiated it from rivals. It now has more than 150 stores in the region.

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  • L Brands loss revealed, Victoria’s Secret faces challenge

    L Brands loss revealed, Victoria’s Secret faces challenge

    Lingerie brand Victoria’s Secret needs to reinvent itself, says retail analyst Neil Saunders, commenting in the wake of a US$42.8 million loss by its parent L Brands. “The brand is simply not connecting and resonating with consumers in the way that it once did. Its overt sexuality, its focus on airbrushed glamour, and its dark-and-moody stores are completely out of step with the mood of most modern consumers,” said Saunders, MD of GlobalData Retail.

    “However, this is not a new phenomenon, Victoria’s Secret has been out of kilter for a long period of time – and has seemingly done very little to bring itself back into line.”

    Sales at Victoria’s Secret have fallen in seven out of the last eight quarters, mainly due to its weak diffusion brand Pink, launched in 2002 and aimed at college-aged women.

    “In Pink, fashion errors in loungewear have driven a recent deceleration in performance,” the company admitted in its earnings statement.

    L Brands’ third-quarter results showed an increase in same-store sales of 4 per cent across the group, to $2.77 billion, but Victoria’s Secret store sales fell by 2 per cent.

    The top line was boosted by L Brands’ Bath & Body Works brand. But one-off costs from the closure of Henri Bendel, impairments at Victoria’s Secret and ongoing losses in the La Senza business drove the net loss.

    Saunders described the Victoria’s Secret performance as disappointing, “not only with the sales numbers but by the inertia within the business”.

    He said much of the brand’s failure to change came down to embedded attitudes within management.

    “The recent insensitive comments about transsexuals from chief marketing officer, Ed Razek, in a Vogue interview characterise the problems. Not only are such remarks bad for the brand’s image, but it also earned a sharp public rebuke from the CEO of more incisive rival ThirdLove which has been stealing share from Victoria’s Secret for some time.

    “In theory, the departure of Jan Singer as CEO should help herald in changes someone coming in will have fresh ideas about reviving the fortunes of Victoria’s Secret.”

    L Brands has appointed John Mehas from lifestyle brand Tory Burch as the new CEO of Victoria’s Secret. He will take up the role early next year.

    Pink CEO Denise Landman retired after the release of the L Brands half-year results and she was replaced on October 1 by former Bath & Body Works president for merchandising and product development, Amy Hauk.

    “Our new leaders are coming in with a fresh perspective and looking at everything … our marketing, brand positioning, internal talent, real estate portfolio and cost structure,” said CEO Leslie Wexner.

    Saunders said Bath & Body Works was a stark contrast to the core brand.

    “The company’s wholesome brand image and its focus on small indulgences are paying real dividends – especially in a consumer economy where shoppers have more money to treat themselves. Its strong range development which means assortments are constantly changing encourages regular visits to online and stores. It also means that the company is good at jumping on trends like aromatherapy-based scents and the ongoing popularity of candles. Second, good marketing and promotions help to drive volumes through the business,” said Saunders.

    “Both of these things stem from the fact that the BBW team is much more attuned to the market and consumer trends than is the case at Victoria’s Secret. Indeed, the cultures at the two divisions could not be more different, and we believe that Victoria’s Secret should take a leaf out of its sister brand’s playbook as it looks to reinvent itself.”

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