Category Archives: BREAKING MODE
KARL AND PESQUET
Karl Lagerfeld has revealed his true inspiration behind his space-themed show for Chanel last March: French astronaut Thomas Pesquet, who has kept the nation in thrall with his regular reports from the International Space Station since November.
The designer hooked up with the cosmonaut for a remote interview broadcast on French radio France Info. “I admire him. In fact, I was indirectly inspired not only by where he is, but also by his personality, because I think he is more charismatic than his predecessors,”.
Asked if he would like to trade places with Pesquet, Lagerfeld demurred. “No, I think it’s a little late for that. And the training is terrifying, on top of which I only speak four languages, and he must speak six, so you see, it’s not enough,”.
The designer did have one special request. “Is there a way to design a room in my house where I float around? I would quite enjoy that.
ARNAULT ENDORSES MACRONECONOMIC
Last Friday, Bernard Arnault became the first major fashion industry executive after Pierre Berger, to support French presidential candidate Emmanuel Macron.
Arnault, chairman and chief executive officer of LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton provides weight support to the center-left politician and former economy minister in an opened column published in French newspaper Les Echos.
Recently the magnate feared another major economic crisis, stating record-low interest rates; high stock prices; geopolitical uncertainty, with potential conflicts in the areas of trade, customs and currencies, and continued low growth in Europe. Continue reading
MONIQUE L’HUILLIER IN PARIS
Monique Lhuillier will join American labels Rodarte and Proenza Schouler in showing its spring ready-to-wear collection during the Paris haute couture shows. While the U.S. brands are not officially on the haute couture schedule, both Rodarte and Proenza Schouler have been invited by the Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture to show as guest designers at the upcoming edition this July.
Monique Lhuillier is the latest in a string of American designers who will be leaving New York Fashion Week to show their collections in Paris. The designer, who is headquartered in Los Angeles, is best known for her evening, bridal and red carpet gowns.
Monique Lhuillier designs capture the essence of sophisticated luxury by provoking femininity, allure and glamour that have made her renowned in the world of design. Monique’s innate sense of style is prevalent throughout her ready-to-wear, accessories and bridal collections. Continue reading
BANDERAS PRESIDENT
Miami Fashion Week, which was relaunched last year under new management, has evolved into an entirely new event featuring cruise collections. The event is slated for May 31st to June 4th.
All runway shows will take place at Ice Palace Film Studios at 59 NW 14th Street in Miami.
Eight designers are participating among whose Attila Kiss of Balenciaga and Orsola de Castro of Fashion Revolution will lead conferences to raise awareness of ethical production, labor and environmental policies in the creation of fashion.
Miami Fashion week honorary president, Antonio Banderas, is expected to welcome celebrities, models and influencers to the Master Classes, runway shows, after parties and pop-up events. The events are scheduled to be broadcasted in two television specials; both programs are set to air internationally in the weeks following the event. Continue reading
ZUHAIR MURAD BRIDAL SPRING 2018
CHANEL KNOCKOFF
Chanel, a fierce protector of its intellectual property, is taking action against 30 Amazon sellers, all of which allegedly had been actively selling a range of counterfeit Chanel products, such as handbags, T-shirts and cell phone covers emblazoned with the brand name.
Chanel is facing some pushback in its $60 million suit against a set of Amazon sellers that have been suspended from the online marketplace for allegedly offering counterfeit merchandise.
Two of the sellers identified as “Angela Pasecha” and “Juanjuan Liu” asked Chanel to drop the claims against them.
Brands such as Gucci and Moose Knuckles, which makes luxury parkas, have recently received default judgments in similar actions due to the total non-response of defendants. Continue reading
BALLOON INFLATES THE MARKET
After 20 consecutive months of declining exports, sales of Swiss timepieces saw a 7.5 percent uptick in March, reaching 1.6 billion Swiss francs, or $1.6 billion at average exchange.
Analysts estimated that adjusted for calendar effects, sales still dropped, by around 2 percent. Yet after nearly two years of declines impacted by the crackdown on luxury gifting in China and a slowdown in Hong Kong the biggest international market for Helvetic timepieces as Chinese tourists chose other travel destinations, the uptick was seen as reassuring. The March data is likely to be seen as a turning point in the destocking cycle led by Mainland China and Hong Kong.
While sales of watches made of precious metal continued to decline, falling 0.7 percent, revenues for steel watches grew 12.5 percent and jumped 15.1 percent for bi-metallic timepieces. Continue reading
INST MARANGONI & MAURIZIO PECORARO
DIOR NEWS
LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton said on Tuesday it has made an offer to buy Christian Dior Couture for 6.5 billion euros, or $7.06 billion at current exchange rates, in a move that will bring the brand into the fold of its fashion and leather goods division.
In tandem, Groupe Arnault, the investment firm controlled by LVMH chairman and chief executive officer Bernard Arnault, will make an offer estimated at 12 billion euros, or $13.04 billion, for the 25.9 percent stake in Christian Dior SA that it does not currently control.
Presently, the Christian Dior Group includes Christian Dior Couture and LVMH. Christian Dior Couture encompasses the brand’s apparel, accessory and jewelry businesses, while the perfume and cosmetics lines are exercised under the umbrella of LVMH.
The move by LVMH and Groupe Arnault will simplify the structure of the luxury behemoth, home to brands including Louis Vuitton, Fendi, Guerlain, Sephora and Moët & Chandon champagne. Continue reading
DIOR COUTURE TOKYO 2017
KARL AND JOHN B
Karl Lagerfeld one of the world’s most famous, prolific and admired designers receive the 2017 John B. The recognition for Lagerfeld comes as the multitasking designer readies Chanel’s cruise collection for a Paris runway on May 3 and amidst an illustrious career that has spanned more than 60 years.
The German designer is most closely associated with Chanel, where he has been its couturier since 1983. He is also the creative force behind the furs and ready-to-wear at Fendi, which he has designed since 1965, and his signature fashion house, now best known for handbags in the burgeoning affordable luxury segment.
He is also an accomplished photographer, shooting ad campaigns for the Chanel, Fendi and Karl brands, plus a diverse roster of outside clients. He also does editorial shoots for many fashion magazines and has recently taken on a host of interior design projects, including condominium lobbies and hotels. Continue reading
INSTITUTO MARANGONI & MAURIZIO PECORARO
FTC INFLUENCES CELBRITIES
After reviewing Instagram posts by celebrities, athletes and other influencers, the Federal Trade Commission has sent out 90 letters to various influencers and marketers reminding them to clearly disclose their relationships to brands when promoting products on social media.
The FTC is taking a harder look at how media companies are working with influencers amid the rise of paid or branded content. In the past, influencers, such as the Kardashian sisters, have been called out for not labeling promoted products.
The FTC has sent to the 90 influencers and marketers its guides, which the agency hopes will serve as a tool. Still there is no set way to label paid posts, which some have argued is part of a larger problem.
THE EMPEROR OF LUXURY HONORED
This week, France’s Emperor of Luxury, François Pinault, received France’s high distinction, the “Dignité de Grand Croix” in the “Légion d’Honneur”.
Last November the Italian government honored Pinault for his support for Italian luxury brands and his contribution to modern art, namely through his Palazzo Grassi and Punta della Dogana in Venice.
Pinault founded the luxury conglomerate Kering, whose portfolio includes Gucci, Alexander McQueen and Balenciaga. The company is now managed by his son François-Henri Pinault.
The “Legion d’Honneur”, or Ordre national de la Légion d’honneur, is the highest French order of merit for military and civil merits, established in 1802 by Napoléon Bonaparte. Continue reading
HUSSEIN BAZAZA DUBAI 217
OZ FRENCH GROUP
Magi is already closely linked to Kookaï, since it produces part of the fashion retailer’s range in its factories in Sri Lanka and Fiji, and also sells them via 38 Australian stores. Magi is seeking to go more upmarket, and also to start establishing itself in North America.
Vivarte Group is reportedly going to sell fashion retailer Kookaï to Australian group next June. Pataugas and Chevignon became official in summer 2016. Then, in January, Vivarte’s management announced the decision to put Naf Naf and André on the market too.
After the sale last December of the Compagnie Vosgienne footwear company, and once the sale of André, Naf Naf, Pataugas, Chevignon, Kookaï and Merkal will have gone through, the Vivarte group will own the retail chains La Halle, Caroll, Minelli, San Marina, Besson and CosmoParis.
LVMH ANNUAL POLISH
“In my opinion, it is at times like these, when the results are excellent, that you need to be most attentive, most vigilant and most cautious. Indeed, experience shows there is nothing worse in a successful company than self-satisfaction, and this tends to have an effect that is both numbing and demotivating, ” Arnault told on Thursday at a meeting at the Carrousel du Louvre, not so fare from the Vuitton exposition by Koons.
At the group’s full-year results press conference at the beginning of the year, Arnault startled analysts by warning that the luxury sector could be headed for its biggest correction since the 2008 collapse of Lehman Brothers.
Arnault sidestepped a question about his relationship with U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, both of whom he has met in recent months, but said demand was picking up in both countries. Continue reading
RIHANNA RE-INVENTS CHOPARD
The inspiring new collection of Chopard is built on the singer’s island roots Rihanna, mixing nods to the lush gardens of Barbados with the electricity of Carnaval.
“Rihanna and I collaborated closely on the collections, so you can feel her unstoppable energy, strong creativity and inherent sense of design in every piece”. “With her unique style, she redefines the way people see and wear jewelry.”
A nine-piece fine jewelry capsule also codesigned by the singer, and limited to 2,000 per design, will enter Chopard boutiques internationally in June. Offering a more minimalist, graphic direction, the line will be available for pre-order in Chopard boutiques and on the brand’s web site. Continue reading
MASSIMO LEAVES PUCCI
Massimo Giorgetti leaves his role as creative director of Emilio Pucci. The designer says he is leaving the LVMH-owned fashion house to focus on the growth of his own contemporary label, MSGM.
Giorgetti, hailed as one of the most promising young designers, was appointed creative director of Emilio Pucci in March 2015, succeeding Peter Dundas.
“This experience with Emilio Pucci, one of the most representative and historic brands in fashion was an inspiring journey, which has also contributed to my professional growth. Today my brand needs more and more of my attention and all my energy. I would like to thank Laudomia Pucci, the LVMH group, Mauro Grimaldi and all of the Emilio Pucci team, for supporting me in the beautiful adventure,” says Giorgetti. Continue reading
ITALIAN CRUISE SHOW FOR GUCCI
The mayor of Florence, Dario Nardella is delighted that Gucci will held its next brand’s cruise show at the Palatina Gallery at Pitti Palace, which overlooks the garden recently restored, Boboli Gardens and said: “We are amazed at his ability to surprise, he’s broken out of predefined schemes, imposing his own and then breaking them himself. And this while also bringing economic success to Gucci.”
Gucci’s creative director has effectively decided to stage the brand’s cruise show in Florence on May 29 and the event is expected to raise the city’s glamour quotient and bring it additional international attention. Continue reading
MASSIMO PIOMBINI AT BALMAIN
Balmain has just appointed Massimo Piombini as General Manager of Balmain to accelerate the development of the company to become the new leader of the luxe in the world.
Massimo was already a member of the Board and before that sale manager of Valentino which, like Balmain belongs to a Qatar pension fund. Along with the financial support of Qatar, Balmain ,which only have 8 boutiques in its own name, expects to have the same development as Valentino thanks to its expansion in Middle East and in the United States.
The new offices of the brand team is located in Paris downtown who will soon welcome an exhibition room. We want to rethink the luxe states Olivier. We would like more Denims, more swim suits and relaxing clothes. Continue reading
KRISTINA FIDELSKAYA 2017
TOLENADO LEFT PUIG
At the head of the Puig Group, hundred pourcent of the management is made of women. The group has just announced the departure of Ralph Toledano from his position as president of the fashion division, as well as the presidency of both Nina Ricci and Jean Paul Gaultier. The only mandate Mr Ralph Toledano will unfortunately keep is the presidency of the Chambre Syndicale, French fashion’s governing body.
Ralph Toledano explained that he left because he had done what had to be done in terms of putting Jean-Paul Gaultier on right track and having introduced all the ingredients for success at Nina Ricci, as Guillaume Henry showed in his latest show this month,”
Toledano is recognized as a brilliant talent spotter. In the late Nineties, he discovered and hired Alber Elbaz at Guy Laroche and most recently he also hired Guillaume Henry for Nina Ricci and Julien Dossena at Paco Rabanne. Continue reading