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Tag: wear

  • Chinese Apparel Brand Benlai Debuts Serene, Design-led Outlet In Hong Kong, Marking Continued Asian Expansion

    Chinese Apparel Brand Benlai Debuts Serene, Design-led Outlet In Hong Kong, Marking Continued Asian Expansion

    Benlai, a Chinese brand specializing in technical apparel, has recently inaugurated its first outlet in Langham Palace, Hong Kong. This move comes as the brand’s second venture outside China, following its successful establishment in Bangkok last year, demonstrating its ongoing expansion throughout Asia.

    A Tranquil, Design-Inspired Space

    The Hong Kong store stands as a design-led, tranquil oasis amid the bustling atmosphere of the region. The exterior of the Langham Palace outlet, situated in Mong Kok, one of the most frequented and easily accessible shopping hotspots, merges warm wooden textures with a cutting-edge LED screen.

    The store’s interior employs natural materials and the brand’s signature green color scheme to create a calming ambiance, encouraging customers to unwind and take their time.

    Positioning Hong Kong as a Key Market

    Vivian Chen, CEO of the International Business Unit at FMG Group, the parent company of Benlai, maintains that Hong Kong’s unique fusion of Eastern and Western influences make it a critical fashion and lifestyle hub in Asia. After a fruitful launch in Thailand, establishing their first store in Hong Kong was a logical progression in their mission to deliver technical, comfortable fashion to a worldwide audience.

    New Store Offerings

    The store will showcase a variety of men’s and women’s apparel, as well as accessories designed for seamless transitioning between office, social, and outdoor settings, catering to all age groups. The selection will feature the brand’s Cool Breeze °C collection, characterized by quick-drying, UV-resistant, ultra-light fabrics, its plush, fluffy line, and its range of wrinkle-resistant clothing.

    Benlai has set its sights on further growth in Asia’s critical lifestyle markets, leveraging its existing network of 35 stores worldwide.

    Questions & Answers

    What is the main focus of Benlai’s offerings?
    Benlai focuses on delivering technical, comfortable fashion suitable for a variety of settings, from office environments to social gatherings and outdoor activities.

    What is unique about the brand’s new Hong Kong store?
    The new store in Hong Kong features a tranquil, design-inspired space that provides a contrast to the city’s fast-paced atmosphere. It aims to create a calming shopping experience for customers.

    What is the future plan for Benlai’s expansion?
    The brand plans to continue its expansion in Asia’s significant lifestyle markets, leveraging its already established network of 35 stores across the globe.

  • Ugg launches footwear collection with NewJeans’ Hanni

    Ugg launches footwear collection with NewJeans’ Hanni

    California-based lifestyle brand Ugg has launched a sandal collection, GoldenRise, in partnership with K-pop girl group NewJeans’ member, Hanni.

    The GoldenRise has a customizable strap that can be worn three ways: as a slide, slingback, or wrap sandal. According to the brand, the collection has 100 per cent recycled polyester straps that adjust over the top of the foot, and the back strap may be wrapped around the ankle, switched for a shorter slingback, or removed completely to create a slide.

    “Rooted in joy, renewal, vibrancy, and warmth, Ugg and Hanni explore the magnetic, effortless feeling that is ‘Big Spring Energy,’” the brand said in a statement.

    The GoldenRise sandal, which Hanni wears in the global Spring/Summer 2025 campaign, is available on Ugg’s website, at Ugg stores, and at select wholesale retailers nationwide.

    Ugg employed leftover leathers and suedes in a new footwear line last year in reaction to the previous seasons’ overstock.

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  • Qualcomm sheds light on which smartwatches support Google’s new Wear OS

    Qualcomm sheds light on which smartwatches support Google’s new Wear OS

    The reveal of a new Wear OS fully supported by Samsung was a big surprise for the wearable industry. In fact, it was such as surprise that many smartwatch manufacturers don’t know whether or not their products support the platform that’s said to combine the best of Wear OS and Tizen.

    Not even Google was willing to offer a straight answer when asked which of the current smartwatches can be upgraded to Wear OS 3.0, and which ones will remain on their current version of the OS.

    Qualcomm on the other hand has been more generous and shared some info on the matter. XDA reports that a spokesperson for Qualcomm confirmed that Snapdragon Wear 3100 and Snapdragon Wear 4100/4100+ are the only chipsets that would be able to run the new Wear OS 3.0.

    We are working with Google on bringing Wear OS 3.0 to Snapdragon Wear 4100+ and 4100 platforms. Snapdragon Wear 3100, 4100+ and 4100 platforms are capable of supporting Wear OS 3.0, but we are not discussing any specifics at this time.

    Although that doesn’t necessarily mean that all smartwatches equipped with these specific chipsets will receive the Wear OS 3.0 upgrade, at least we know which ones are more likely to be updated.

    Of course, if you’re using a Fossil smartwatch, then you already know you won’t be getting the new Wear OS 3.0 update, as the company has already issued an official statement on the matter not long ago.

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  • Spotify promises to completely overhaul its Wear app

    Spotify promises to completely overhaul its Wear app

    Google announced this week it has teamed up with Samsung to revamp Wear OS. Along with the complete redesign of its wearable platform, Google promised to bring even more of its apps to Wear and update those that are already available.

    Due to the radical changes that Wear will be going through in the coming weeks, third-party apps like Spotify will be updated too. The good news is the Spotify app for Wear will also get a handful of new features, not just some much-needed visual changes.

    During Google I/O’s keynote, Spotify confirmed that it’s working on the option to download music and podcasts directly to your Wear smartwatch, which will allow users to leave their phones home they’re going for a run.

    Up until now, the Spotify app for Wear only allows users to control music played on other devices. The upcoming update will allow users to control playback from their Wear smartwatches if Spotify is playing on other devices, such as PC, smartphone, or smart speaker.

    Although we don’t know when exactly the new Spotify app will roll out to Wear smartwatch users, we doubt that will happen before Google releases the new version of its wearable platform later this year.

  • FamilyMart launches ‘convenience wear’ clothing range

    FamilyMart launches ‘convenience wear’ clothing range

    Family Mart, one of Japan’s most common convenience store chains, will now be offering apparel. Dubbed “Convenience Wear,” Family Mart will be launching 68 different articles of clothing, designed by FACETASM designer Hiromichi Ochiai.

    Spanning essentials like T-shirts, long-sleeves, tank tops, shorts and socks, each piece is neatly folded in transparent zip-lock packaging labeled with detailed information about the piece’s size, color, material and measurements. Most of the colors are kept minimal, too — navy, white, black and grey. Jointly developed with Asahi Kasei Co., many of the silhouettes also come with “Paircool” fabrication for optimal breathability. Beyond clothing, other pieces in the collection like towels round off the expansive assemblage.

    Family Mart’s “Convenience Wear” range is currently available on Family Mart’s website, ranging from ¥390 – ¥990 JPY (approximately $3 – $9 USD).

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  • China’s Xtep arrives in five more Indian cities

    China’s Xtep arrives in five more Indian cities

    Hong Kong activewear firm Xtep will open new locations in five Indian cities by the end of next year.

    The firm launched in Bengaluru last year, going on to open stores in Chennai, Gurugram, and Thrissur (Kerala). It is expected to open its new locations in Hyderabad, Goa, Kochi, Pune, and Mysuru.

    According to an Economic Times report, the brand’s local director Vijay Chowdhary said the firm will expand next year by “introducing products through a mix of exclusive and multi-brand outlets”.

    Xtep India is preparing to “bring high-tech consumer sports technology and after that will invest in sports infrastructure after assessing the market demand”.

    Xtep currently operates outlets in 20 countries

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  • Kjus ski wear to open Beijing flagship store

    Kjus ski wear to open Beijing flagship store

    Swiss-based ski wear brand Kjus is to open its flagship store in Beijing next month.

    The flagship store is part of the company’s strategy to expand in Chinese market after progressively entering 33 countries already.

    Designed by 5 Star Plus Retail Design, the flagship store’s concept features the “future-oriented vision of the brand”.

    A Kjus product display, designed with LED touch screen and backplane patterns, is installed on the facade of the store.

    The Kjus China store’s design is the transition from Switzerland original design to futuristic. In order to deliver a futuristic and high-tech vibe, designers choose metal and stone as main materials and make sure there is sufficient clear space for the store.

    Meanwhile, the store draws a connection to the original Switzerland design by using wood on a smaller-scale such as high-rack equipment and wooden table.

    Lighting effects and technological advancements are used to highlight the product features, key products, and collections. A self-illuminated frame structure with a light-transmissive acrylic sheet inside is installed to illustrate the technology of the product. Two main colors of the store are grey and orange.

    Kjus store also features and exclusive VIP lounge and fitting room serving beverage so customers can have a more pleasant shopping experience.

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  • Mercedes-Benz’s Heated Seatbelts Encouraging Customers To Put Them On

    Mercedes-Benz’s Heated Seatbelts Encouraging Customers To Put Them On

    Seatbelt is the first safety feature in a vehicle which plays a crucial role in saving the life of the occupants in case of a collision. It keeps the body static and prevents it from coming into contact with the surface which can leave the passengers wounded. Over the time, we have seen technological developments in this area like the active pretensioners which grip the body even when you drive beyond a certain speed and obviously while sensing a collision situation.

    However, it goes without saying that all of it will come into play only when it’s hooked and the latest development aims exactly at improving the practice of putting on the seatbelt. Mercedes-Benz is testing heated seatbelts in its prototype and interestingly it looks very much like an usual seatbelt. It has heated tubes inserted in the fabric to keep it warm. It operates in conjunction at same temperature level as the heated seats and armrests we have seen in Mercedes-Benz top of the line Models.

    The Stuttgart based carmaker says that this would encourage its customers to fasten the seatbelts as they would love to be in a soothing temperature. The technology is even more relevant for cold regions where low temperature is actually an issue. Even in central, Eastern and Northern parts of India where temperature hits extreme low in winters, such technology will go in favour of adopting the practice of putting on the seatbelts. In India, where wearing seatbelt is a rarity and people in metro cities only do because of the law enforcement, such technology could actually help in making the practice more common.

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  • Cat Opening First Australian Store

    Cat Opening First Australian Store

    Global workwear brand, Cat, will open its first flagship store on Australian soil this weekend, on Saturday, May 11, at Pacific Werribee shopping centre in Victoria, according to owner Accent Group.

    For a brand that is all about “being on the tools” it was important to create a physical space that reflects the brand’s dedication to Australia’s trade business, according to Accent Group chief executive officer Daniel Agostinelli.

    “We’re committed to growing our local offering to be a leading player in the Asia-Pacific region,” Agostinelli said, noting that Cat was one of the group’s most successful brands.

    The grand opening will offer a free in-store barber service, as well as coffee and donuts to new members, and exclusive gifts for the first 20 visitors to walk through the doors on Saturday and Sunday.

    This is the first standalone store for the brand, though it has traded online and through retail partners, including The Athlete’s Foot, which is also owned by Accent Group, Totally Workwear, Shoes2U and The Hardware Store.

    Wesfarmers has also invested recently in the workwear space, with its commitment to a partnership with custom workwear brand ONTHEGO.

    The partnership initially involved the brand being offered through Officeworks’ website, but has since been expanded to include in-store kiosks at several Officeworks sites, allowing customers to create their own workwear on the spot.

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  • Fitbit partners with Snapchat to make Apple Watch owners jealous

    Fitbit partners with Snapchat to make Apple Watch owners jealous

    Fitbit may have joined the “true” smartwatch game a bit late compared to Samsung or Apple, but after a somewhat slow start in this potential-brimming market, the Versa seems to have put the company on the right track. The world’s second-largest smartwatch vendor took quite a risk by developing its wearable software from scratch rather than adopting Google’s Wear OS, but this proprietary platform continues to grow at a healthy pace in terms of capabilities and ease of use.

    Of course, everyone needs high-profile partners to boost the appeal and trendiness of today’s wearable devices, and Fitbit’s newest ally in its fight against Apple and Samsung is as high-profile as they come. We’re talking about Snap, the company behind one of the world’s most popular social networks.

    Snapchat users who just so happen to own a Fitbit Versa, Versa Lite, or Ionic as well can now connect their Bitmoji account to their smartwatch to display their “personal emoji” on their wrist. For those unfamiliar with the Bitmoji app, we should probably mention the experience is very similar to what Apple offers with Memoji and Animoji on iPhones and Samsung’s own AR Emoji experiments for recent high-end Galaxy handsets.

    Obviously, the main difference is you can have fun with Bitmoji on both Android and iOS, as well as on Fitbit devices starting today. Your cartoon avatar will show up on the “first-ever” Bitmoji clock face (once you download it from the Fitbit App Gallery, that is), aiming to motivate you to be more active, help you create healthier habits, and celebrate personal achievements.

    While unlikely to be as expressive as its smartphone counterpart, your wrist Bitmoji promises to support more than 50 fun clock face variations, changing throughout your day to reflect your activity and progress towards your fitness goals. For instance, your personal emoji will wave hello to start your day, dance with your alarm clock to annoy help you wake up in a better mood, throw confetti after you hit your daily step objective, meditate when you’re totally relaxed and zen, carry an umbrella if there’s a chance of rain, and much more.

    That definitely sounds like something Apple Watch and Samsung Galaxy Watch owners could also appreciate, but for the time being, all we can do is wait and see if there are any Memoji or AR Emoji expansions planned for the near future.

  • Chanel Opens Flagship Store in Seoul

    Chanel Opens Flagship Store in Seoul

    A new Chanel South Korea flagship has opened in Seoul.

    The Cheongdam-dong boutique opening provided the opportunity for the brand to unveil its latest ready-to-wear collection alongside its capsule accessories collaboration with musician Pharrell Williams, who performed at the event.

    The capsule collection is a bright combination of pop music and street-art motifs, and is currently selling at the new Seoul store, pending global release on April 4.

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  • Mixed results for Giordano International

    Mixed results for Giordano International

    Hong Kong casual-apparel brand Giordano International has reported a small increase in sales for last year – and a dip in profit. Group-wide sales reached HK$5.509 billion last year, up 1.8 per cent, with same-store sales down a marginal 0.1 per cent. Profit attributable to shareholders fell 4 per cent to $480 million.

    In a stock exchange filing, Giordano International said sales from physical stores achieved a 1.7 per cent growth rate, while online sales – through its own sites and third-party platforms, grew by 1.3 per cent. Wholesale sales to its franchisees grew by 2.6 per cent.

    By category, its best-performing sectors were childrenswear and womenswear, where sales for both rose by 6.9 per cent.

    By geographical market, Giordano International delivered a mixture of results:

    Mainland China: Business was affected by the Sino-US trade dispute and stock-market volatility, which negatively impacted on domestic retail sales. Comp-store sales slipped by 0.9 per cent.

    Hong Kong and Macau: “Well-executed marketing programs, smart promotional activities and stringent cost control all helped achieve double-digit growth amidst complex macroeconomic conditions,” the company reported. “This market experienced a difficult retail landscape caused by an economic slowdown since the third quarter of the year. Severe typhoons and an abnormally warm winter also adversely affected its sales.”

    Taiwan: Sales here rebounded to allow an operating profit increase of 34.9 per cent in the first half of last year, however the full-year change was a mere 2 per cent, due to the uncertainty created by the Sino-US trade dispute.

    Vietnam: Giordano bought out its third-party retail operation in Vietnam and after improved sales and cost controls turned the business around. The market has grown to account for 5.6 per cent of Giordano international’s regional sales and operating profit rose.

    Thailand: Operating profit from Thailand grew by 11.1 per cent, thanks to stable sales growth and an improvement in gross-profit margin.

    Indonesia: In Southeast Asia, Indonesia stood out with a comp-store sales growth of 7 per cent for both Giordano and non-Giordano brands, and operating profit increased by 16 per cent.

    Singapore: Operating profit decreased by 6 per cent as the business was adversely affected by an overall stagnant economy and lower tourist traffic.

    Middle East: With consumers adapting to the newly introduced Value-Added Tax and changes in economic policies, comp-store sales fell by 7.3 per cent in the first quarter of last year. However, in the early weeks of this year, the company saw growth in comp-store sales of 4 per cent, prompting management to conclude that consumers have now adjusted to the tax changes and the retail industry there has stabilised.

    South Korea:  Net profit here increased by 6.7 per cent, attributable to better cost control, closure of non-performing stores and enhanced gross margin. Wholesale sales to South Korea increased by 10.5 per cent.

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  • Amazon launches entry-level celebrity-esque eyewear line

    Amazon launches entry-level celebrity-esque eyewear line

    Amazon‘s latest product launch through Amazon Exclusives is a Hollywood-backed affordable but luxury-like eyewear line Privé Revaux Eyewear.

    The line will include 100 styles of frames and polarized lenses. Each will retail for $29.95.

    The brand was founded by fashion entrepreneur David Schottenstein who comes from the same family that created DSW and American Eagle. Schottenstein has enlisted major Hollywood talent in actors Jamie Foxx, Hailee Steinfeld, Ashley Benson and Jeremy Piven. They will not only contribute to marketing but also to product development and the overall brand vision.

    Privé Revaux Eyewear is the latest brand diving in to disrupt the premium eyewear market. With heavy hitters Marchon and Luxottica holding virtually the entire market, it joins an energetic group of small brands attempting to change the landscape and make luxury eyewear more affordable. The brand’s advertising tagline is appropriately “Now everyone can be anyone.”

    “I wanted to get involved with a sunglasses company and create something that was fly and affordable for people” says Foxx.

    Privé Revaux Eyewear features styles designed to invoke iconic personas. Style names include The Supermodel and The Jetsetter. The brand’s digital campaign shows Foxx, Steinfeld, Benson and Piven asking “Who do I want to be today?” with answer being “reframe yourself”.

    In addition to digital, Privé Revaux Eyewear will release a full length video featuring the actors who will also appear in individual ads. A full catalog is available both on Amazon and on the company’s site.

    Privé Revaux Eyewear is available now through presale on the brand’s own website. It will officially launch globally through Amazon Exclusives on June 2, 2017.

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