The Hunger Games: Catching Fire which premiered this past week not only broke box office records, bringing in $307 million in the first weekend, but has also inspired the fashion industry, particular high-end designers to launch film-inspired collections, videos, Tumblr blogs, and magazines. The latest to note is Capitol Couture by Trish Summerville, the designer […]
Tag: Fashion
Abercrombie & Fitch Reports Loss of $15.6 Million—Latest On the Teen Retailer
Abercrombie & Fitch continues on its rocky road to turn-around, and announced several initiatives at its November 6th meeting. However today, November 21, 2013, the financials came out reporting $15.6 million net loss. Sales were down 11.7% to $1.03 billion from $1.67 billion in Q3 last year. The transfer of Gilly Hicks to their Hollister […]
Nasty Gal Moves from Online to Brick ‘n Mortar with Store Opening in LA
In a completely subtle, yet intriguing method, Nasty Gal founder Sophia Amoruso announced the launch of their first store via Twitter. While many brick ’n mortar retailers are trying to ramp-up ecommerce platforms, Nasty Gal has the advantage of going in the opposite direction. In 2006, Amoruso launched Nasty Gal, a completely cool vintage/new-designer store […]
Etsy’s New Policies Open Doors for Small Business Growth, But Pisses-off Some Online Artisans, and Revives Question “What Is Handmade?”
Etsy.com has always been among the leaders when it comes to attracting a community of online artisanal handmade crafters and vintage collectors. But last month, their new policy shifts have raised questions about what exactly, qualifies for being “handmade”—a pre-requisite to host a storefront on their site—and pissed-off the hardcore artists that felt Esty was […]
Abercombie & Fitch Closes All Gilly Hicks Stores, Moves Brand Into Hollister
Teen retailer Abercrombie & Fitch continues with their new plans at streamlining strategies and getting back to a core brand focus by announcing the closure of their Gilly Hicks stores by Q1 of 2014. Gilly Hicks as a brand however, will be relocated online and in their Hollister stores. At the announcement on November 6, […]
Beleaguered Billabong “Simplifies” and Sells Canadian Chain West 49 to YM Inc. for USD $8.6-$10.5 Million
Billabong continues to struggle along, this time by selling 92 West 49 retail stores across Canada to YM Inc., owners of Sirens, Stitches, Urban Planet, and Bluenotes for approximately C$9 million-C$11 million or between USD $8.6-$10.5 million. In a statement Neil Fiske, CEO of Billabong, said, “The sale of West 49 is part of our […]
Bread & Butter Launches “Ich Bin Ein Berliner” Campaign, Online Platform #BBBConnect, and BBB Mag
Bread & Butter in Berlin has launched their next campaign for their upcoming show, January 14-16, 2014 at the Airport Berlin Tempelhof called “Ich Bin Ein Berliner” meaning I am a Berliner. The idea, according to the trade show is to bring the feeling of Berlin to everyone around the world interested in the industry […]
H&M Conscious Foundation Concludes Top 3 Global Issues with Water Being Number One
As we reported last week in our Sustainability Round-up story, H&M Conscious Foundation launched a program to gather information from employees and customers as to which 3 top global issues the Foundation should address in the coming year. The results are in with the top issue being Water: defined as “safe access to clean water […]
Sneakerboy, the Luxury Sneaker-Freaker Buyer, and Fresh Concepts in Retail
While Nike tends to still hold fast to the notion that sneakers are not fashion, but are first and foremost about high-tech function, niche brands with a nod towards fashion have plowed their way into the cool aesthetics of a new culture of sneaker-heads. Not that Nike’s not on the leading-edge of sneaker style, because […]
Retail Round-up: VF’s Q3 Results with Vans Up 16%, Plus Re-launch of Women’s Collection; Adidas Group Unites Adidas and Reebok Under One Management Team
Once again, VF Corp’s Outdoor and Action Sports divisions are leading the charge for the mega-conglomerate with revenues up 5% to $3.3 billion and Vans up 16% in North America. The Q3 financials released Monday, October 21, 2013 indicate a strong quarter and changes including a 4-to-1 stock split. “VF is at its best when […]