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

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

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

OH MY GOGH

Louis Vuitton unveils a new collection of bags and accessories designed with the artist In recent years, Louis Vuitton has affirmed its engagement with the world of art through a series of high-profile collaborations with the most influential artists of our times.

In the French House’s latest collaboration, Louis Vuitton is working with the New York-based artist Jeff Koons to create a new range of bags and accessories to be launched on 28th April.

One of the most widely recognised figures in contemporary art, Koons has brought imagery from his long-standing ‘Gazing Ball’ paintings a series of large-scale hand-painted reproductions of works by the Old Masters to a range of Louis Vuitton products. His re-creations of masterpieces by da Vinci, Titian, Rubens, Fragonard and Van Gogh have been transposed on to such iconic Louis Vuitton bags as the Speedy, the Keepall and the Neverfull. 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

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

NEW ARTISTIC DIRECTOR OF AZZARO

Azzaro is happy to announce the appointment of the French designer Maxime Simoëns as its Artistic Director. He will be in charge of the couture collections, ready-to-wear lines and men’s and women’s accessories, and will take up his new position with immediate effect.

As head of the Ateliers of the rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré, Maxime Simoëns will offer his own contemporary interpretation of the Azzaro look. Like Loris Azzaro in his time, Maxime Simoëns sublimates female beauty with elegance, daring and glamour. He will present his very first collection for Azzaro during the Haute Couture week in Paris in July 2017.

“It’s a great honour to be able to add my own vision to Loris Azzaro’s heritage. His free anticonformist spirit, his avant-garde view of elegance and his uncompromising hedonism are great sources of inspiration for me. Continue reading

KARLOVSKI COLLECTION

Karl shared the first images of his new jewellery collection with Swarovski. The collection is divided into three groups: Ikonic, with a rock-chic aesthetic; Klassic Karl, inspired by Lagerfeld’s famous cat Choupette; and Essentials, made up of classic key pieces.

Items include personalized charms, ear jackets, pearls, chains and studs encrusted with Swarovski crystals, finished with gold plating, rose gold plating and rhodium plating.

The collection will be launched in Europe, the Middle East, Asia and the US this fall, with retail prices ranging from €50 to €250.

SAINT LAURENT BY VACCA HELLO

February 28th, rue de Bellechasse, Winter 2017 by Anthony Vaccarello directed by nathalie canguilhem soundtrack by sebastian. This is the new vision on St Laurent underband, or something like that. Blue, blue and blue. Coke excluded.

Yves Saint Laurent is of course one of those houses where everyone has an opinion and no two are alike. It would be impossible to ever reach a consensus on what it should, could, needs to be; everyone is a yay-sayer, or a naysayer, just depends on who you ask, that is Fashion. Continue reading

BULGARI THE MOST IMPORTANT MOMENTS

Last Friday, Carlo Calenda, Minister of Economic Development inaugurated the new Bulgari manufacturing plant and offices in Valenza, the historic jewelry hub located between Milan, Turin and Genoa. The Minister of Economic Development, Carlo Calenda stated that “International investments do help Made in Italy”.

When Bulgari was acquired by LVMH in 2011, Italian media worried about a possible decamping of talent and creativity outside the country. However last year Italy registered “record exports” of 417 billion euros, or $459 billion at average exchange, which were “drivers of development, showing what Italian and international entrepreneurs can do.” Continue reading

BALENCIAGA

Lionel Vermeil is back at Balenciaga, as director of communication and image, effective Tuesday. He continues as director of fashion and luxury intelligence at Kering, Balenciaga’s parent, a role he’s held since September 2014.

Vermeil had been director of communications at Balenciaga between 2007 and 2014. In his expanded role, he is to define the communication strategy and image in concert with Balenciaga’s artistic director Demna Gvasalia.

He reports to Balenciaga chief executive Cédric Charbit and joins the house’s executive committee.

The top communications job has been vacant since mid-2015 when Demetria White rejoined Nike as senior director of global communications. Continue reading

AT THE CULTURAL CROSSROADS IN FRANCE

Catherine Le Yaouanc, General Manager, Franco-British Chamber of Commerce & Industry.

I have now been at the Franco-British Chamber of Commerce and Industry for 24 years. I was recruited as an Administrative Assistant and being alone, I learned the ropes quickly, soon becoming General Manager.

My counterparts, who at the time were all men, quickly trusted me, and as a young woman, it was a pleasure to be in command of such an institution, and at the same time lead a business, participate in its development, have the pleasure of creating, exchanging, learning and helping enterprises. Most of all, I was lucky to work between two countries and two cultures that are so different, yet so close – especially since, at the time, the chamber was in great financial difficulties and everything had to be created and re-created. Continue reading