Last week, Credit Suisse published an interesting report tracking the growing market of wearbale technologies. As we’ve noted in various Label Networks’ Youth Culture studies and Future Consumer Reports, wearable technologies are quickly becoming not only key components to one’s individual style, but can be the defining fashion statement overall. Ranging from watches to designer […]
Retail’s been getting hammered lately with the blame-game stemming from weird weather patterns and therefore less demand on in-stock apparel items, to buyouts happening as fast as young people switching favorite social networks. First, Rue 21, the teen retailer with an estimated 900 stores, has entered into an agreement to get purchase by Apax Partners, […]
The challenging times and changes for action sports continues with consolidations and sales morphing the industry quickly. From Bonnier Media selling off its Mountain Group division including Ski, Skiing, and Warren Miller, to rumors abounding that ESPN is in the midst of laying off hundreds, to the latest news that the kingpin of action sports […]
After 12 years of designing for Billabong, Mandy Fry has left to join a new position at Volcom as Vice President of Women’s—a division they hope to strengthen in the coming years. This announcement, which came yesterday, May 16, 2013, from Volcom, is another blow to beleaguered Billabong which is going through its own series […]
Fast Retailing, owners of the fast-fashion chain Uniqlo from Japan which is gaining speed in terms of preferences among youth culture not only in Japan and Europe, but also the United States, has created a new category of fashion that crosses over between sportswear and casualwear and technology which they describe as Lifewear. Often on […]
The Material Girl line of young women’s apparel and accessories available at Macy’s is getting a big boost from the star this Thursday, April 25 with a pop-up exhibition (lasting all of 2 hours) at Macy’s Century City location in Los Angeles, CA. According to Madonna as told to WWD, “The pop-up exhibit at Macy’s […]
Today, April 2, 2013, Billabong again asked for a halt in trading while confirming that the two take-over bids are still in review and plans for a big announcement are to be made this week. The ongoing drama for the surf and action sports brand has been brutal. In January, VF and Altamont Capital Partners […]
Urban Outfitters is on a roll and their music-inspired fashion themes are working. Today, March 11, 2013, they reported their fourth quarter financials with profits up 110% since last year at this time to $82.55 million from $39.26 last year. Urban Outfitters, owners of the popular brand Free People, Anthropologie, BHLDN, and Terrain also continues […]
Punk rock/Goth inspired retailer Hot Topic just landed a huge deal, getting bought by the private equity firm Sycamore Partners, owners of brands like Talbots, for $600 million. Hot Topic shareholders will get $14 a share as part of the deal, which is a whopping 30% above the closing price yesterday, March 6, 2013. […]
Last December, we examined the rise of online trade shows and the growing shift in patterns to a new format and schedule in fashion that were greatly impacting the industry. This growing number of online trade shows was a strong indication that even though the fashion industry tends to be slow when it comes to […]