Podcast: Founder of Neem London Nick Reed on sustainability and reducing carbon footprints

In this episode of The Menswear Style Podcast, founder of eco conscious lifestyle brand Neem, Nick Reed, has discussed sustainability and reducing carbon footprints. Reed also explained how he finances his brand, and how he was inspired by the style of Douglas Jardine and Richie Tenenbaum. Listen to the podcast below. Source: The Menswear Style Podcast via Spotify Photo credit: Pexels
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Digital platform growth drives Farfetch's Q3

Image: Farfetch, Facebook Farfetch Limited’s GMV increased by 219.5 million dollars to 1,017.3 million dollars in third quarter, representing growth of 27.5 percent. Digital platform GMV increased by 154.4 million dollars to 828.5 million dollars, up 22.9 percent. Revenue for the quarter increased by 144.9 million dollars to 582.6 million dollars, representing growth of 33.1 percent. The increase, Farfetch said, was primarily driven by 26.5 percent growth in digital platform revenue to 397.1 million dollars and growth in brand platform revenue of 47.2 percent to 165.3 million dollars. Digital platform GMV growth on a two-year basis accelerated sequentially from 89 percent in Q2 2021 to 97 percent in Q3 2021, led by key luxury markets including the United States, Mainland China, United Kingdom, Middle East, Germany and Russia, which more than doubled in two years. Commenting on the company’s performance, José Neves, Farfetch founder, chairman and CEO said: “I’m thrilled by Farfetch’s continued track record of delivering aggressive market share capture as we accelerated two-year stack digital platform GMV growth to 97 percent in the third quarter, and remain on track to achieve our goal of full year adjusted EBITDA profitability and GMV growth above our long-term 30 percent CAGR target.” Review of Farfetch’s Q3 results The company’s digital platform services revenue increased 21.4 percent, driven by 22.9 percent overall growth in digital platform GMV with digital platform services first-party GMV, which includes first-party original, increasing 26.3 percent to 133.7 million dollars. Digital platform fulfilment revenue increased 53 percent year-over-year, above digital platform GMV growth of 22.9 percent driven by increased pass-through costs resulting from higher duties due to a shift in regional mix of sales and continued impacts of Brexit, which we expect to be ongoing. Brand platform revenue increased by 47.2 percent to 165.3 million dollars due to the same factors driving brand platform GMV growth. In-store revenue increased by 76.6 percent to 20.2 million dollars. Profit after tax increased by 1,306.1 million dollars from a loss of 537 million dollars to a profit of 769.1 million dollars in third quarter 2021. Basic EPS was 2.09 dollars and diluted EPS was negative 25 cents. Adjusted EBITDA improved by 15.6 million dollars to 5.3 million dollars in third quarter 2021, while adjusted EBITDA margin improved from negative 2.7 percent to 1.1 percent. Farfetch reveals expectations for full year 2021 Farfetch’s expects digital platform GMV growth of approximately 33 percent year-over-year for the full year and adjusted EBITDA of approximately 5 million dollars. For fourth quarter, the company expects digital platform GMV growth of 18 percent to 22 percent, brand platform GMV growth of 20 percent to 25 percent and adjusted EBITDA of approximately 40 million dollars.
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Stefan Cooke to launch The Sims 4 menswear collection

Image: The Sims 4 x Stefan Cooke London-based designer Stefan Cooke has revealed a menswear collection for the EA video game, The Sims 4. Consisting of 23 pieces, The Sims 4 Modern Menswear Kit will feature a wide range of new-age menswear, available to international players as ‘Simified’ versions of Cooke’s real-world collections. Garments will include virtual jackets, trousers, suits and shoes, as well as some of what the designer considers to be his favourite pieces, such as the Varsity Coat with Skirt. “Each material was carefully hand-painted to emulate the texture qualities by doing somewhat of a caricature of the details,” explained Vincent Joly, senior art director for The Sims, in a release. “Exaggerating the shapes and controlling the contrast to not look too busy or photorealistic, at the same time not reducing the details too much to lose the essence of the fabrics. Each piece was tuned to find that sweet spot.” Image: The Sims 4 x Stefan Cooke Created together with his partner Jake Burt, Cooke stated that he is looking forward to seeing users implement the kit into the Sims world and in real life. “Fashion can be about identifying as part of something, but also as your own person. It’s both for community and individualism,” added Cooke. “That’s why fashion is so amazing. It can be the slightest thing, and it can really change how you feel about yourself or what you want to put across to the world.” The Sims 4 Modern Menswear Kit by Stefan Cooke will be available beginning December 2, through multiple gaming console editions.
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H&M to forego new suppliers who rely on coal

H&M Group In the wake of COP26, the H&M Group has reiterated its commitment to take action on climate beyond the conference. Energy efficiency, renewable electricity and shifting towards a circular business model are the pillars of the group’s climate strategy with the active goal of achieving a climate positive value chain by 2040. The company has also aligned its ambitions with the carbon law, which sees green energy double every five years while carbon emissions halve every ten years. Accordingly, the H&M Group plans to reduce 50 percent of their emissions every ten years, aiming for a reduction of 56 percent by 2030 (with a base year of 2019). In line with this, the group is now tackling the use of coal as an energy source in its supply chain. “Our long-term vision is a fossil-free supply chain. One step that will get us closer to our long-term goals is that from January 2022, we will no longer onboard suppliers to our supply chain that use onsite coal-based solutions to run their facilities,” stated the H&M Group in a news release. The company also said it would help existing suppliers transition away from fossil fuels, for example by investing in renewable energy projects in sourcing countries but has not given a deadline for this. The group already invests in partnerships with renewable energy developers, aiming to source 100 percent renewable electricity in its own operations no later than 2030.
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Christopher Raeburn, Design Driven by Reimagination

Joshua Williams of Fashion News Bytes Christopher Raeburn is a design-led, London-based womenswear, menswear and accessories fashion brand. Christopher works with certified organic materials, recycled polyester, and a lot of surplus materials, particularly military surplus. According to Sass Brown, Christopher’s aesthetic comes from, “a fascination with military materials and something that he’s quoted as saying ‘archeological discoveries.’” Podcast You can also listen to this story. Click here for the podcast about Chistopher Raeburn. The brand dates back to about 2009 and Christopher’s first collection, which was fall winter 2010, was made from decommissioned military wool field jackets and nylon parachutes. Sass points out, “that’s an aesthetic that has continued throughout the collection, since that day. It’s very technically savvy; it’s full of utilitarian details.”But it also includes some whimsy, she says.” This combination of whimsy and the utilitarian makes his designs very recognizable on the streets. The brand focuses on three main themes or collection types. The first is Remade, a limited edition collection. Sass emphasizes, “It’s proudly reconstructed in the UK from surplus materials, products and artifacts, predominantly military or other utilitarian uniforms and materials. So, parachutes and tents as well. It’s included in their labels.” The second is Reduced, focused on reworking surplus materials. Sass explains that this collection uses deadstock fabrics, among other materials, that are produced in smaller batches. And finally, there’s Recycled, which uses pre-existing materials and with a focus on green technologies. In sum total, these three collections make up the overall ethos of the brands. As Sass puts it, “it’s the passion. Remade, reduced, recycled is behind everything he does that drives the aesthetic as well as the process.” And she continues, “there’s a lot to learn in revaluing and reusing his particular resources of military and utilitarian uniforms; we’re talking about quality materials that are decommissioned long before they’re worn out.” An example of this is a recent dress Christopher created made out of a parachute. “I think it’s a phenomenal resource of quality materials that are taken out of use, but at the same time, I have an awful lot of life left in them. I think there’s a lot to learn from that,” states Sass, “his ability to create value in places we don’t usually look.” All of this work has made Christopher the darling of the fashion world. He has won several awards, including the Young Gen awards from London Fashion Week dating back to 2010. And he was just awarded, in 2020, the British Fashion Council’s award for the environmental category. In addition to his own brand, Christopher is also known for his extensive collaborations. He just finished a collaboration with Aesop, the skincare brand, wherein he produced their packaging out of reclaimed 1960s aeronautical navigation maps. Other collaborations include Moncler, Victorianox, and AATB, which focused on digitized blue Baltic printing. Sass exclaims, “he’s always pushing the envelope in terms of collaborations, in terms of material, experimentation and processes.” This has led to his appointment as the creative director of Timberland wherein he adds his own aesthetic to the well-known brand. Sass points out that Christopher “has a phenomenal online presence.” She adds, “he was well-known for hosting tours of his lab store in East London, which he made digital during the pandemic and includes discussions, workshops and interviews.” For Christopher, it’s more than about the product itself, it’s about building a community.
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Marks & Spencer chair says EU NI Protocol proposal would increase red tape

Image: Marks and Spencer The chair of Marks & Spencer has warned that the EU’s Northern Ireland Protocol proposal could create more problems than it resolves. Archie Norman said the changes “could result in worsening friction and cost and a high level of ambiguity and scope for dispute”. The Northern Ireland Protocol, signed as part of the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement, means goods sent from Great Britain need to be checked as they arrive in Northern Ireland. This has caused disruption since being implemented, leading the EU in October to propose new measures that it says would reduce the amount of paperwork and checks needed on goods being imported. But products would have to be clearly labelled as being only for sale in the UK. In a letter to UK Brexit minister Lord David Frost, seen by the Financial Times, Norman said such labelling would add 9 million pounds in extra annual costs for the retailer. He also said checks would result in fresh goods taking 45 hours longer to get to stores than when the UK was an EU member, and as a result, the retailer might have to stop sending some product lines to Northern Ireland. “Detailed examination suggests to us that the proposals could end up being more costly to implement than full EU customs controls,” Norman said. He instead called for a “risk-based regime” with limited checks on goods that would make extensive use of digital technology.
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House of Fraser to shutter London Oxford flagship in January

Image: Frasers Group House of Fraser’s London Oxford flagship will be shuttered for good in January. The department store, which has been trading for over two decades, was purposed built in 2001. The Art Deco building will transformed into an office block with ground floor shops and roof top restaurant. It marks the end of an era for Oxford Street, which has lost many of its prime retail stores, with Frasers Group citing “archaic business rates” as the problem. Frasers Group, formerly known as Sports Direct International plc, took ownership of the store in 2018 but its tenure has come to an end, reported the BBC. Westminster councillors unanimously approved plans, which will see 100 million pounds spent on revamping the building. Ward councillor Tim Barnes welcomed the proposal: “Oxford Street has suffered particularly badly during the pandemic, but Covid-19 just accelerated changes to retail habits that were already taking place,” he said. Frasers Group stated the store has been trading “three years longer than what was initially proposed by the previous owner”. The Group also said if business rates were reviewed it would support the future of House of Fraser, otherwise further store closures are inevitable.
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Versace appoints Cedric Wilmotte as interim chief executive officer

Image: Versace, Milan Fashion Week SS19, Catwalk Pictures Capri Holdings Limited has announced Cedric Wilmotte as the interim chief executive officer for luxury fashion label Versace. Effective January 21, Wilmotte will serve as interim chief executive officer through December 31, 2022. During this time he will work closely with Donatella Versace, chief creative officer. Wilmotte is replacing Jonathan Akeroyd, who will leave the brand on March 31, 2022. Akeroyd has held the position since 2016. Capri Holdings will continue to search for a permanent replacement for Akeroyd. Wilmotte has previously served as president of the EMEA region at Michael Kors, having held the position for 13 years. Prior to that, he held leadership positions at Marc Jacobs and Donna Karan. “I am thrilled to have Cedric in this role as he has an exceptional breadth of luxury retail expertise,” said John D. Idol, chairman and chief executive officer of Capri Holdings. “I am confident that under his leadership, Versace will be able to continue to execute on its growth strategy and build upon the brand’s incredible momentum.”
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Keen partners with Points of Light to encourage volunteering

Image: Keen Footwear brand Keen has partnered with nonprofit Points of Light in order to inspire people to volunteer and take action. Through the partnership, Keen offers its customers access to Keen Corps, a digital hub for volunteering and community engagement, powered by Points of Light. With over 300,000 opportunities and 70,000 nonprofit organisations, schools and other local agencies on the site, the platform already has 11,000 members with over 6,600 volunteer hours having been logged. In a recent Harris Poll study which was commissioned by Keen, it was found that nine in ten Americans feel that helping others is a good way to reduce stress, and that nearly half of Americans say that it is difficult to find volunteering opportunities nearby. Keen’s volunteering platform allows users to find volunteer work in the nearest area. “Our recent data confirms consumers are exhausted and are looking for ways to relieve stress and feel in control in these unpredictable times,” said Erik Burbank, vice president of The Keen Effect. “Volunteering in our communities has the dual benefit of giving back and leaving us feeling more fulfilled, empowered, and happy.” Other results from the survey found that three in five Americans plan on volunteering in the next two months, with the top reasons being wanting to give back during the holiday season, to feel connected to a cause in their community, and to feel a sense of purpose. The platform was launched in September in the US, but in advance of Giving Tuesday, Keen has encouraged its employees, fans and partners to log 10,000 hours of volunteering in December. The platform is now available for all Keen customers. Keen will also donate 100,000 dollars and footwear to food banks across America. Its employees also have 40 hours of paid community service and volunteer time. “Now more than ever, people are looking for ways to use their voice, time, talents and passion to make sustainable changes with their communities. Keen Corps is a unique and inspiring program that promotes engagement through volunteerism, donating to local organisations and rewards individuals for their community building efforts,” said Natalye Paquin, Points of Light president and CEO.
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Moose Knuckles collaborates with fine jeweller Jennifer Meyer

Canadian luxury outerwear brand Moose Knuckles is launching a collaboration with Los Angeles-based fine jewellery designer Jennifer Meyer on November 30. The 18-piece collection marks the first time Meyer has worked with women’s ready-to-wear and celebrates both brands’ shared reverence for sisterhood, motherhood and friendship. Moose Knuckles describes the collaboration as a “refreshing expression of contemporary femininity” with the functionality for this capsule engineered to be easily layered with a focus on lightness in construction. The collection features Moose Knuckles classic velour cropped puffer and printed silk sweater, incorporating hand-drawn diamond artwork from Meyer’s jewellery line, and a Nappa back shearling trucker jacket. These sit alongside a fitted matching velour tracksuit and an embellished leather moto jacket hand-embroidered with crystals inspired by Meyer jewellery. Jewellery designer Jennifer Meyer collaborates on ready-to-wear with Moose Knuckles The capsule also highlights Meyer’s belief that jewellery can be more than an accessory, with hardware pieces within the collection inspired by her fine jewellery designs, with an adaptation of her signature gold-plated heart locket. Commenting on the collaboration with Moose Knuckles, Meyer said in a statement: “Working with the incredibly talented Moose Knuckles team was an amazing creative experience. It was fun to blend my fine jewellery expertise and the motifs of the Jennifer Meyer collection with outerwear, which you’ll find reflected in special gold hardware, hand-drawn interpretations of my favourite jewels, embroidered gems and symbols of love and luck woven throughout. “The best part is that Moose Knuckles trusted a California girl to design for cold weather (we all know those cold LA nights). I love everything we’ve created together and am excited to share pieces to keep warm and cozy this season and beyond!” Moose Knuckles x Jennifer Meyer Dominique Lagleva, vice president of global marketing at Moose Knuckles, added: “It’s been incredible working with Jennifer! We’re both family-run operations and the moment we met our synergies aligned perfectly. We set out to inspire authentic self-expression creating unique pieces for our West Coast friends to fall in love with. We’re excited for our community to see this collaboration come to life and to be working alongside Baby2Baby - an organisation that is close to Jennifer’s heart.” Moose Knuckles x Jennifer Meyer launches on November 30, via Mooseknucklescanada.com, and at Moose Knuckles store locations in SoHo (New York), London, Chicago, Westchester (New York), Toronto (Yorkdale and Toronto Eaton Centre) and Boston and select global retailers including Neiman Marcus and Holt Renfrew. Prices range from 390 to 6,990 US dollars. A portion of the profits purchased from Moose Knuckles channels, in-store and online-only, will be donated to Baby2Baby, a nonprofit providing necessities for children in poverty in the Los Angeles area and disaster areas across the US. Image: courtesy of Moose Knuckles
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Children’s clothing brand Macrae Skye launches diversity campaign

Image: Pexels Children’s clothing brand Macrae Skye has launched a diversity program called Show Us Your Family for the holiday season. Macrae Skye, which focuses on being a sustainable and ethical clothing brand, is aiming to celebrate diverse families. The campaign will showcase all the unique faces that make up a modern family today. Participants are asked to sign up for a discount code on the Macrae Skye website for a set of pajamas for their family, and then submit a picture or video of their family wearing the pajamas on their personal Instagram page. They must also tag Macrae Skye in their post, which will then allow the brand to showcase each family on its own Instagram. Macrae Skye will also donate a pair of pajamas to domestic abuse shelters for every pair of pajamas bought. “At Macrae Skye, we infuse ethical fashion and sustainability into the very fabric of our ethos. Our thoughtfully designed garments carry meaning far beyond the depth of the fabric - rather, empowering children to be active in causes that can change the world for the better,” said founder and CEO of Macrae Skye, Kim Sicklein. Alongside pajamas for men, women and children, Macrae Skye has also included them for four-legged family members.
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Item of the week: the sweater vest

(From left) Image: Nu-in, Nu-in, Lili Sidonio What it is: As we come into the season of unpredictable weather and cosy nights in, look no further than the versatile and all-inclusive sweater vest. If you haven’t seen this item making its round throughout the fashion world, you may be living under a rock. The look was a common occurrence in both the retro 70s and 90s prep eras and has made its return as a handy must-have for all seasons. Available oversized, fitted or in between, its possibilities are just about endless, unlike its sleeves, and its shape is just perfect for a distinctive layering moment. Image: Nu-in Why you’ll want it: The sweater vest is an item that holds the possibility of enduring multiple seasons, making it a suitable short term and long term purchase. It has grown back into the limelight over the past year as a versatile piece that can be implemented into almost anyone’s style, coming in a wide variety of colours, fabrics and forms. This versatility is also evident in the vast layering opportunities it presents, cementing its place as a permanent wardrobe essential. Furthermore, it comes with no gender boundaries. Whether it is oversized or has a snug fit, the sweater vest is an item that holds a diverse appeal for all shoppers, allowing for it to be separated from the restraints of traditional gender divisions. Image: Molly Bracken Where we’ve seen it: For the spring/summer 2022 season, Maison Margiela offered up an alternative to the familiar Fair Isle design, presenting a blurred version of the pattern on a woollen sweater. Available across both men’s and womenswear, the unfitted piece took on a new form with the optical illusion appearance. For British fashion house Erdem’s debut menswear collection, the label presented a range of clean-cut, striped vests that offered up a further play on the crossover between feminine and masculine. Meanwhile, over at Paul Smith, the house explored the typically preppy side of the item, revealing its ‘porter stripe’ v-neck version, while Dior Homme took a logo-centred approach for its runway vest selection. Image: Only How to style it: Layering is the defining element to working this sleeveless style in the coming months, with lots of leeways to experiment with the look. A starting point is to keep the 70’s vibes flowing, with Only’s detailed knit vest complete in a patterned material reminiscent of the era. Pair the piece with flared denim pants and a fitted shirt with a pointed collar to channel the decade of disco. If the 70s is not really your customers’ thing, dive into the 60’s flower power period. Molly Bracken’s chunky knit vests pair perfectly with flowing floral dresses and black ankle boots, fully embracing the boho spirit. For a more toned-down look, consider Filippa K’s oversized Corinne vest, paired with a simple oversized shirt and mom jeans for a preppy appeal, much like its 90s roots. Or explore the genderless clothing trend with Stella McCartney’s asymmetric tank, easily thrown together with a pair of baggy jeans and skater shoes for an effortlessly stylish look. Image: Stella McCartney Overall, the sweater vest has outlasted a series of defining decades and continues to make its mark in fashion today. Its ability to serve from season to season ensures it remains at the front of everyone’s wardrobe, either as an added stylish layer or a staple top. The design possibilities are endless, with options to keep it simple and subtle or to mark it as a statement piece. Not to mention, its genderless nature makes it relevant for all customers, as an inclusive addition to a store. Image: Lili Sidonio Similar items available for (pre)order can be found in the FashionUntied Marketplace. You can find them by clicking on this link.
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Online marketplace Faire raises 400 million dollars in funding

Image: Faire Online wholesale marketplace Faire has raised 400 million dollars in a Series G funding round, raising its valuation to 12.4 billion dollars. The funding round - Faire’s third in a year - was co-led by investors Durable Capital Partners LP, D1 Capital Partners, and Dragoneer Investment Group. It brings the San Francisco-based company’s total funding to date to over 1 billion dollars. Faire said it will use the new capital to hire new talent, grow its brand base and expand to new international markets. Faire was founded in 2017 by Square alumni Max Rhodes (CEO), Marcelo Cortes (CTO), Jeff Kolovson (COO), and Daniele Perito (CDO). “With our global reach, Faire is providing an even greater opportunity for the independent retail community to compete against big-box giants,” said Rhodes in a statement. “By removing the traditional growth hurdles our customers face, we have enabled more opportunities, more connections, and more possibilities for the entrepreneurs who use the platform.” Six months since launching across 15 markets in Europe and the UK, Faire’s annualized sales volume in the region has exceeded more than 150 million dollars. That same milestone took the company nearly three years to achieve in North America.
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This Is Fred launches gender-fluid collection with The Slate

Image: The Slate Resort hotel The Slate has released a gender fluid collection with fashion label This Is Fred. The Phuket-based resort has partnered with the London label in order to produce gender fluid and urban wear, inspired by The Slate’s own architecture and design. “I discovered Fred in Shoreditch, a very creative and artistic area in East London where you can find one-of-a-kind vintage shops and independent fashion labels,” said co-founder and owner of The Slate, Krystal Prakaikaew Na-Ranong. “His geometric cut and shape, use of materials and the gender-fluidity of the brand immediately reminded me of The Slate.” The collection, which takes direction from The Slate’s architect Bill Bensley’s aesthetic of monochrome accents and the marriage of hard and soft silhouettes, includes trousers, tops, ponchos and jackets. Certain hand stitched items display black and white stripes and appear when the cloth moves. The collection is being sold at Shades, The Slate’s gallery space, marking the first time a This Is Fred collection is available in Thailand. The pieces will also be up for sale on The Stockroom, which is The Slate’s online retail store. The Slate is well known for its artistic and unique collaborations. It previously exhibited works by young artists from Central Saint Martins during its Artists in Residence program, and hosted Thailand’s famous Sak Yant tattoo artists for a three month residency, giving guests the opportunity to receive their own traditional tattoos. “This Is Fred has a similar brand philosophy to The Slate. Our brands have an avant-garde approach and a very bold way of thinking,” said Na-Ranong.
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Missoni to release collaboration with Supreme

Image: Missoni x Supreme New York label Supreme has revealed a soon-to-drop collaboration with Italian luxury brand Missoni, for the autumn/winter season. The cosy ready-to-wear line merges Supreme’s streetwear-inspired aesthetic with Missoni’s signature zigzag pattern and multi-coloured style, forming a range of alternative knitwear and outerwear. Announced through Supreme’s Instagram, a post stated that the collection is to consist of a jacket, sweater, polo, hooded sweatshirt and bucket hat. Sweaters and quilted bomber jackets are among the offering, displaying an abstract view of the Missoni colour scheme. Pieces additionally include co-branded lettering, either embroidered on the back of items or implemented into the garments as part of the knitted pattern. The Missoni x Supreme collection is scheduled to drop November 18, with the Japan release set two days later. The reveal closely follows a recent collaboration between Tiffany & Co. and Supreme, which has been on a continuous cycle of major collaborations in the past year, including partnerships with Timberland, The North Face and True Religion. Image: Missoni x Supreme
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VF Corporation releases updated inclusion and diversity profile

Image: Timberland x Tommy Hilfiger Fashion conglomerate VF Corporation has published its third annual Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Action Profile, outlining progress, benchmarks and new goals by the company and defining key strategic pillars. The group, which oversees the likes of Vans, The North Face and Timberland, has previously stated two representation goals that have both seen growth during the fiscal year 2021. By 2030, VF intends to achieve gender equality at the director level and above globally, revealing that those who identify as women currently comprise 41 percent of this division. Additionally, it looks to attain a 25 percent BIPOC representation in the US at the director level and above, with the company currently sitting at 16 percent representation. VF further stated that 55 percent of its global workforce, across all levels, is women, with BIPOC representing a further 55 percent across all levels in the US, as of the end of the fiscal year 2021. One-third of the company’s board of directors identified as women, while 17 percent identified as a member of the BIPOC community. The continued development of an inclusive environment As a further addition, VF has outlined three strategic pillars surrounding the evolution of an inclusive environment within its brands. The first, ‘Employees and Culture’, looks to begin at the recruitment process and extend its reach throughout the entire employee journey. The company highlights learning materials, listening sessions and wellbeing initiatives it provides to ensure fair recruitment practices and continued employee support. ‘Brands and Consumers’ centres around the implementation of all strategies from its report into every brand endeavour, including customer engagement and dialogue, with which the company aims to continue amplifying its values. This strategy has already been implemented into a number of brand-level initiatives, including The North Face’s #StopHateForProfit campaign and Smartwool’s Environmental Learning for Kids. VF’s final pillar, ‘Society and Movements’, strives to reinforce the company’s global intention to support programmes and organisations that promote inclusivity. “The efforts and achievements outlined in the report are rooted in building and maintaining a workplace that celebrates diversity and prioritises allyship, advocacy and authentic belonging while driving focused actions to advance equity and social justice,” said VF’s vice president of global inclusion, diversity, equity and action, Lauren Guthrie, in a statement. She continued: “The profile also points the way to the work still ahead of us, including how we’re progressing in diverse representation and where we plan to invest going forward.”
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Cartier releases Love Is All film

Image: Cartier Cartier has released its Love Is All film. Shot by director and fashion photographer Charlotte Wales, the film brings together many friends of Cartier. The cast includes Ella Balinska, Mariacarla Boscono, Monica Bellucci, Khatia Buniatishvili, Lily Collins, Golshifteh Farahani, Mélanie Laurent, Troye Sivan, Willow Smith, Annabelle Wallis, Jackson Wang and Maisie Williams. “It is part of the Cartier philosophy to believe that we are stronger and more authentic together, and that’s why we have gathered this inspiring community of artists who embrace life with a sense of celebration. Together, they seem to defy gravity through Cartier’s red box, which they have filled with a sense of joy,” said Arnaud Carrez, senior vice president and chief marketing officer of Cartier. Filmed in Paris, Los Angeles and Shanghai, the film encapsulates family in all forms, and highlights the importance of “cultural and artistic diversity” at Cartier. The film is set to a 70s pop melody, composed by Roger Glover and Ronnie James Dio called Everybody’s Got To Live Together.
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Video: Sowelu. Keiko Kadoto SS22 collection

In this video, fashion label Sowelu. Keiko Kadoto has presented its SS22 collection at Vancouver Fashion Week (VFW). Watch the video below. Do you want to see more clothing collections? Click here to view the FashionUnited Marketplace. Video: Vancouver Fashion Week via YouTube Photo credit: Image: Vancouver Fashion Week via YouTube
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Video: Aube SS22 collection

In this video, fashion label Aube has presented its SS22 collection at Vancouver Fashion Week (VFW). Watch the video below. Do you want to see more clothing collections? Click here to view the FashionUnited Marketplace. Video: Vancouver Fashion Week via YouTube Photo credit: Image: Vancouver Fashion Week via YouTube
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Video: Emily Ann's Designs SS22 collection

In this video, fashion label Emily Ann's Designs has presented its SS22 collection at Vancouver Fashion Week (VFW). Watch the video below. Do you want to see more clothing collections? Click here to view the FashionUnited Marketplace. Video: Vancouver Fashion Week via YouTube Photo credit: Image: Vancouver Fashion Week via YouTube
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The Tartan Blanket Co. collaborates with The Little Magpie

Image: courtesy of The Tartan Blanket Co.; The Little Magpie x The Tartan Blanket Co. In Pictures The Tartan Blanket Co. has unveiled a collaboration with travel blogger and influencer Amy Bell, better known as The Little Magpie, featuring scarves that explore Scotland’s nostalgic past. The Little Magpie x The Tartan Blanket Co. limited-edition collaboration consists of three exclusive scarves made from 100 percent super soft lambswool and each featuring bold British patterning. Each scarf is named after members of The Little Magpie family and has been designed to “throw on with anything”. Image: courtesy of The Tartan Blanket Co.; The Little Magpie x The Tartan Blanket Co. The ‘Bell’ scarf is the hero piece featuring a green checkerboard pattern, while the ‘Roberts’ is a traditional tartan with a contemporary twist with a green stripe that interlocks through the design. The collection also features The Tartan Blanket Co.’s first-ever double-faced scarf, the ‘Spencer’ offering camel on one side with monochrome gingham on the other, described by the brand as the “perfect scarf for every wardrobe”. Image: courtesy of The Tartan Blanket Co.; The Little Magpie x The Tartan Blanket Co. The collection is Bell’s take on Scottish design made modern, with the influencer adding on Instagram: “The scarf designs were inspired by beautiful Scotland, by colours and prints that I tend to gravitate towards, and a desire to fill the gap in people’s scarf wardrobe that was maybe missing. “I did it over a couple of months, accompanied by several hundred cups of tea, pulling together images that inspired me – it’s better you don’t know how many photos of Alexa Chung were in the initial moodboards – along with samples of prints I liked.” The Little Magpie x The Tartan Blanket Co. collection launches on November 19, with the first pre-order selling out within 25 minutes on November 10. Prices range from 55 to 70 pounds. Image: courtesy of The Tartan Blanket Co.; The Little Magpie x The Tartan Blanket Co.
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In pictures: Jack Wolfskin x GmbH

Jack Wolfskin x GmbH Outdoor wear and equipment brand Jack Wolfskin has joined forces with Berlin fashion brand GmbH for an autumn/winter 2021 capsule collection that combines patented Jack Wolfskin technology with GmbH’s characteristic style. All pieces are adorned with Jack Wolfskin’s paw and GmbH’s guild logo. Jack Wolfskin x GmbH “A collaboration between outdoor pioneer Jack Wolfskin and Berlin fashion brand GmbH might not at first seem like the most obvious combination, but both brands share some fundamental values at their core: sustainability and heritage. Jack Wolfskin are celebrating their 40th anniversary with an expedition into the future of fashion. The capsule collection makes perfect sense as both brands amplify each other’s strongest qualities,” say the brands in a joint press release. Jack Wolfskin x GmbH While Jack Wolfskin have worked seriously towards sustainability from the beginning in 1981, since GmbH was born on Berlin’s dancefloors in 2016, the label has also championed environmental responsibility from its first collection, which was made entirely from upcycled materials. Jack Wolfskin x GmbH Jack Wolfskin x GmbH Other than emphasising the similarities that connect them through abstract patterns, both as quilted embroideries and prints, the brands wanted to do away with the misconception that BIPOC and immigrants do not enjoy the outdoors. Thus, the intercultural and multigenerational collaboration Jack Wolfskin x GmbH was born. Jack Wolfskin x GmbH “It’s a huge moment for both of the brands. For Jack Wolfskin it is a foray into runway fashion – but it’s also an intercultural collaboration that takes a stand for the representation of brown people in hiking and the outdoors,” they add. Jack Wolfskin x GmbH The Jack Wolfskin x GmbH collection consists of a parka, a bomber jacket, a knit sweater and t-shirt with a reinterpreted wolf emblem, a sherpa set in two colour ways, an embroidered set of shirt and pants with detachable elements, a functional t-shirt, scarves, a backpack and even a tent. The capsule will release mid-November 2021. Jack Wolfskin x GmbH
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Baselworld cancels 2022 tradeshow

Image: Rolex Troubled Swiss tradeshow Baselworld has cancelled its 2022 edition, which was to take place next spring. The international watch fair said the launch of a new concept is taking longer than expected. The fair’s managing director, Michel Loris-Melikoff, who took over the management of Baselworld in 2018, also announced his departure. Baselworld, which is the world’s largest watch fair, lost several key exhibitors before the pandemic, with Rolex, Patek Philippe, Chanel, Chopard, Tudor watch brands from the LVMH group leaving the show. The Swatch Group also ceased to participate and last week Japanese brand Grand Seiko and Swiss brand Oris said they would show at the Geneva tradeshow “Watches and Wonders”. Difficulties to launch a new concept during Covid In a statement Baselworld organisers said: “This decision is based on the experience gained from the Pop Up Event at the Geneva Watch Days and on intensive discussions with manufacturers and retailers. On the other hand, it takes into account the fact that it is particularly difficult to launch a new concept for a new target segment due to the renewed aggravation of the Covid situation and the associated uncertainty among customers.” “An interdisciplinary team from the MCH Group will analyze the target segments and, in close exchange with manufacturers and retailers, make a deep dive into their marketing and transaction needs. We hope to come back to you soon with new and positive news about the future of Baselworld.”
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Italian fashion group OTB aims to list by 2024

Image: Courtesy Diesel OTB, the Italian fashion group that owns Diesel, Jil Sander and Maison Martin Margiela, aims to be listed in 2024, said its founder Renzo Rosso. Reuters reported Rosso, along with OTB’s chief executive Ubaldo Minelli, expect the company to grow to a listable size and grow its the portfolio of brands. . “We would like to make new M&A deals but beautiful things are not up for sale at the moment.” OTB, which stands for Only The Brave, has forecasted a turnover of over than 1.5 billion euros this year, said Reuters, a 20 percent increase from sales during the pandemic in 2020.
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Boden eyes international expansion with executive hires

Boden has appointed Michael Monday as its new chief commercial officer. Monday’s hire comes after the British catalogue retailer appointed Glen Senk as executive chairman in May. Monday was previously the chief merchandise officer at Arhaus, an American retailer, and also held senior roles at Anthropologie and Free People. Monday’s appointment suggests Boden will be putting extra focus on the U.S. and international markets, having also appointed a new chief marketing officer, Mr Yale Varty. Glen Senk said in a statement: “Hiring Michael and Yale represents an important moment for Boden as our future vision comes to life, looking to double the size of the business by developing our digital offering and expanding in the US and other international markets, where we are seeing increasingly high demand. “With more than 20 years of success in multi-channel, vertically branded premium women’s clothing, Michael is perfectly positioned to play a pivotal role in Boden’s ambitious next chapter. Additionally, Yale brings a wealth of experience in transforming businesses into digitally focused operations. They are brilliant additions to our executive team, and I look forward to working with them to help achieve our growth plans.”
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