In pictures: Chanel opens immersive fragrance exhibition

Image: Chanel; ‘Le Grand Numéro de Chanel’ Beauty Chanel is celebrating its storied fragrance brands with a festive and immersive exhibit at the Grand Palais Ephémère in Paris until January 9, 2023. ‘Le Grand Numéro de Chanel’ is a tribute to the “world of Chanel fragrances” with a focus on the French luxury house’s most famous scent, Chanel No.5, created in the 1920s. The playful free exhibition aims to heighten the senses and imagination by bringing to life the essence of a holiday window display as a unique sensory experience. Thomas du Pré de Saint Maur, head of global creative resources for fragrance and beauty, fine jewellery and watches, said in a statement: “Chanel perfumery has an existential aim. Le Grand Numéro de Chanel is an emotional journey, an opportunity to discover every facet of a fragrance and the role it plays.” Image: Chanel; ‘Le Grand Numéro de Chanel’ The exhibition is part cabaret, complete with live music and magic tricks, and a museum delving into Chanel’s fragrance history with art installations and archive fashion displays, alongside virtual reality immersions and expert fragrance consultations. Le Grand Numéro de Chanel opens in Paris Image: Chanel; ‘Le Grand Numéro de Chanel’ The largest section of the exhibition goes to Chanel No.5, sharing the history of the fragrance, including an interactive VR experience where visitors travel back in time and play the role of perfumer Ernest Beaux in 1921, and see Gabrielle Chanel select the fifth sample of what is now recognised as one of the world’s most iconic perfumes. Another highlight is a gallery dedicated to art featuring Chanel’s logo, including Andy Warhol, while another room displays Chanel ads, and there is a section dedicated to Coco Mademoiselle set up like a control room showcasing everything from skis to basketballs, knee pads and even a skateboard stamped with double Cs. Image: Chanel; ‘Le Grand Numéro de Chanel’ The Bleu de Chanel room allows visitors to immerse themselves into a multi-sensory world, peering into windows of the buildings and skyscrapers to find clues to access a speakeasy, and Les Eclusifs de Chanel invites guests to view 18 moving works of art where they can complete the scent version of a Rorschach test to find their alter ego among the Chanel fragrances. The exhibition also offers visitors a game of chance, where they can spin a wheel of fortune to win a prize. Image: Chanel; ‘Le Grand Numéro de Chanel’ “A fragrance is more than a name, a bottle, or a scent; it is also everything it brings to mind when we breathe it in, and all it evokes when we wear it,” adds Thomas du Pré de Saint Maur. “It is a spectacular and extraordinary creation. Many people believe that fragrance is an accessory or the finishing touch on a look, but it is so much more than that. Fragrance has a real effect on our feelings, confidence, mood, and desires, and this is what we want everyone to experience.” Image: Chanel; ‘Le Grand Numéro de Chanel’ Image: Chanel; ‘Le Grand Numéro de Chanel’ Image: Chanel; ‘Le Grand Numéro de Chanel’ Image: Chanel; ‘Le Grand Numéro de Chanel’ Image: Chanel; ‘Le Grand Numéro de Chanel’ Image: Chanel; ‘Le Grand Numéro de Chanel’ Image: Chanel; ‘Le Grand Numéro de Chanel’
http://dlvr.it/SfWBHk

Burberry, Puma and Inditex make CDP’s 2022 A List

Image: Burberry x Selfridges The Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) has revealed the names of companies that have made it to this year’s A List, recognising their transparency and efforts in climate change, forest preservation and water security. Out of the 15,000 companies analysed, each allocated a score of A to D minus, over 330 made it to the nonprofit’s ‘A List’, putting them at the forefront for their comprehensiveness of disclosure, awareness and management of environmental risks and demonstration of leadership in this area. The line up included a number of fashion brands, many of which had a particular focus on climate change. Sportswear brands Puma, a new addition to the list, and Superdry received an A in this section, alongside fast fashion conglomerate Inditex, luxury group Kering, British label Burberry and jewellery brand Pandora. Speaking on its inclusion, Burberry’s VP of corporate responsibility, Caroline Laurie, said: “We are delighted to be recognised on the CDP A List once more, particularly moving up from our previous A- rating to an A, which demonstrates our continued commitment to transparency as we work to achieve our ambitious goals. “However, we know there is more we all need to do to tackle climate change while protecting nature. “Setting stretching targets and calling for greater transparency on progress are key to taking urgent, meaningful action and we will continue to push for greater change across our industry and beyond.” Hermès and Gap received an A for their efforts in water security, while Uniqlo owner Fast Retailing was recognised for both water security and climate change efforts. Meanwhile, a selection of companies received an A for all three categories, including luxury conglomerate LVMH, beauty giant L’Oréal and fibre manufacturer Lenzing. Beauty group Shiseido received an A for climate change and Estée Lauder was recognised for water security. “CDP A List companies are showing they are ahead of the game – taking clear action to reduce emissions and to address environmental impacts throughout their value chains,” said Maxfield Weiss, executive director, CDP Europe.
http://dlvr.it/SfL5V4

Della Valle family scrap plans to delist Tod’s

Photo Credits: Chiara Ferragni in an image from Tod's campaign launched in May 2022. The Della Valle family has said they are stepping back from plans to delist Tod’s as well as their initial plan to merge the fashion group into the family’s DeVa Finance firm. According to a press release from the company, DeVa opted to cancel its proposal following indications it had received from the market which suggested the operation could be “considered hostile” or at least “not market friendly”. In a statement, Diego Della Valle, sole director of DeVa Finance and chairman and CEO of Tod’s, commented: "The price of 40 euros per share offered to the market was the result of a careful analysis carried out with correctness and transparency. “However, we noted that some of our shareholders believed the value of the Tod's group to be significantly higher than our valuation and preferred to remain in possession of their shares. “We are taking this message carefully and as an incentive to pursue our plans, which go through the development of the individual brands and their capital enhancement, which we believe have huge growth potential in the medium term." In October, Tod’s founders were also said to have also scrapped plans for a 344 million dollar buyout of the group after they failed to reach an ownership threshold of 90 percent. The family initially said it was looking to revamp the company in an attempt to attract a younger generation of luxury shoppers, a group it is currently struggling to gain traction with. The Della Valle’s had noted their plans to take the Italian luxury group private was to help boost its financial accounts, while also managing the brands within the group separately.
http://dlvr.it/SfGymL

Lids reveals new store concept, Lids Hat Drop

Quavo x Lids collection. Image: Lids Sports retailer Lids has unveiled its newest retail concept at the first store in Queens, New York. ‘Lids Hat Drop’ comes as a brick and mortar iteration of an online concept the brand launched under the same name earlier this year. With a focus on hats, from baseball caps to beanies, the space will honour Jamaica, Queens, and its history with hat culture through a community-driven concept, product releases and store programming. Like the e-commerce store, the retail space will offer exclusive and limited-edition drops, including collaborations that link with the surrounding neighbourhood. Visitors to the store will gain first access to new hat drops each Friday, before a collection then comes online. The space will also house a signature Custom Zone, allowing customers to custom-embroider a product of their choice in-store. The new concept is the latest to debut as part of Lids’ expansion of its retail footprint. In July, the brand unveiled a collegiate product focused retail concept in Las Vegas, adding to its already established themes such as Locker Room and its sports team-specific store network. Speaking on the new space, Britten Maughan, president of Lids said in a release: “[Jamaica] is known by headwear enthusiasts as the hat mecca of the US, so the location allows Lids to lean into hat culture while continuing to drive trends through our exclusive releases. “We've seen huge success with LidsHatDrop.com but Lids is a brick & mortar retailer at its core, and this concept is yet another step in our strategy to lead the conversation and become even more ingrained in the hat community."
http://dlvr.it/SfDMbY

Rocky Brands appoints Dwight Smith as class I director

Image: Rocky Boots, Facebook Rocky Brands, Inc. has appointed Dwight E. Smith as a class I director of the company, effective January 1, 2023. Smith, the company said, has served as the president and CEO of Sophisticated Systems, Inc. since July 1990, which he founded to provide businesses with a comprehensive set of information technology solutions ranging from technology deployments and assessments to fully outsourced managed services in areas including cloud computing and cyber security. Prior to founding Sophisticated Systems, Smith served in a variety of roles with Software Alternatives, Inc., Cullinet Software, Inc., and IBM. Commenting on Smith’s appointment, Jason Brooks, the company’s chairman, president & CEO, stated: “Dwight’s executive leadership as the founder and CEO of a successful high-growth business, experience serving on the board of directors of the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland, along with other public and privately held companies, and expertise in the technology sector will be incredibly beneficial to our board.” Smith, the company added, has served as a member of the board of The Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland since 2015 and currently serves as its chair (such term to expire on December 31, 2022). He also has served as a board member of SureImpact since February 2022, Nationwide Children’s Hospital since 2013, as a board member of the Highlights for Children Foundation since 2021, and as a member of the board of trustees of OCLC since November 2022. Smith previously served on the board of directors of State Auto Financial Corporation from 2020 to 2022; Choice Legal, Inc. from 2016 to 2022; State Auto Mutual Insurance Company from 2005 to 2022; and CTL Engineering Inc. from 2005 to 2021. Smith also has extensive prior civic charitable board experience, including The Columbus Foundation, Columbus State Community College, and Rev1 Ventures. Smith graduated from The Ohio State University with a B.S. in marketing and an MBA in finance. Rocky Brands has also announced that Glenn E. Corlett and James L. Stewart are electing to retire from the board of directors, effective December 31, 2022. Corlett has served on Rocky’s Board since 2000, including service as a member of the audit committee (including as the prior chairman of the audit committee) and previous member of the nominating and corporate governance committee. Stewart has served on Rocky’s Board since 1996, including service as a compensation committee member (including as the prior chairman of the compensation committee).
http://dlvr.it/SfCxJg