Young shoppers can't get enough of counterfeit goods

Image: Open for Vintage In February of this year, a woven leather bag went viral on TikTok. Featuring a knotted handle and familiar weaving technique of impeccable construction, it should have been the Jodie bag designed by Bottega Veneta. Instead it was a ‘dupe’ by high street retailer Anthropologie, as shown in a video by Tia Allen. ‘Dupes’ has become a popular hashtag on TikTok, garnering over 2.3 billion views. Short for duplicate, the term is commonplace amongst thrift shoppers, who on TikTok offer affordable beauty and fashion alternatives to luxury brand products. In many videos, users are touting Chanel, Louis Vuitton and Balenciaga garments, accessories and even shoes, but rarely are they genuine. Young shoppers are prompting a rise in counterfeit consumption, being subjected to luxury’s vast marketing prowess, but are unable to afford the goods. Like Tia Allen, users review fake or cheaper look-alike products and information about where to find them. On Instagram, the account @dupethat has 1.2 million followers, and similarly offers bargain beauty news, reviews and information where to purchase affordable dupes. As the fashion industry continues to evolve, so too does the market for replicas. Young shoppers, in particular, have become more accepting of purchasing counterfeits. While buying fake luxury goods was once seen as taboo, it has become increasingly normalised in recent years. Why are young shoppers ok with purchasing counterfeit goods? One reason is the affordability of these items. Designer brands are often priced beyond the reach of many young shoppers, making counterfeit alternatives an attractive option. Young consumers want to look fashionable and trendy, but may lack the disposable income to do so. Counterfeit goods offer an affordable way for them to emulate their favourite celebrities or influencers. A spokesperson for TikTok told the Financial Times: “Our community guidelines are clear that we do not allow content that facilitates the sale of counterfeit goods. We take the protection of intellectual property very seriously, and creators found to be selling counterfeit products on our platform may be removed.” But the issue of intellectual property is only one side of the problem. A report released last year by the European Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) finds that the intentional purchase of counterfeit goods has increased, with 37 percent of young people confirming that they bought at least one fake product in the last 12 months (up from 14 percent in 2019). Where the sharing of information in the digital age has created entire communities, the legal consequences may not be understood, especially by younger audiences. Furthermore, the integrity of luxury brands advertising to capture younger generations to buy their products is not entirely innocent. Young consumers are the lifeblood of beauty and fashion industry, making the teenage consumer market vital to capturing sales and relationships. A young teenager, living at home and just entering high school, could easily be lured by the desire to buy a replica Chanel bag, when the genuine item costing 7,000 euros is far out of reach. Yet with so many counterfeiters making fake goods in countries like China, tracing the origin is almost impossible. As for the affordable versions adopted by retailers such as Zara and Anthropologie, they continue to tap into the aspirational appeal of luxury brands, making their products the best alternative to genuine luxury.
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Rochas creative director Charles de Vilmorin departs

Charles de Vilmorin on his debut for Rochas (SS22). Image: Launchmetrics Spotlight Rochas has announced that its creative director Charles de Vilmorin has exited the company after two-years in the role. The French luxury house said in a statement: “The Maison Rochas announces that its contract with Charles de Vilmorin has not been renewed.” The 26-year-old designer exited the business on March 31, the brand continued, ending his relationship with its parent company Interparfums and High Italian Manufacturing (HIMCO), formerly known as Onward Luxury Group. During his time at Rochas, De Vilmorin produced four collections for the house, spanning spring/summer 2022 to autumn/winter 2023. He succeeded Italian designer Alessandro Dell’Acqua for the top position in 2021 one year after launching his own namesake label, which had “received widespread praise” Interparfums said following his appointment. Since then, De Vilmorin has become known for his hand-painted printing techniques and bold use of colour, both of which were present during his time at Rochas. Speaking on his departure, Philippe Benancin, CEO of Interparfums, said: “We would like to thank Charles for his contribution to the legacy of Rochas. His creative vision will have a long lasting impact on the brand’s universe.” The company added that further information on the brand’s next chapter would follow.
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Spinnova appoints interim CEO

Image: Spinnova Finnish fibre producer Spinnova has announced that its current chief executive officer Kim Poulsen is stepping down and has appointed Ben Selby as interim CEO. In a statement, Spinnova said that Poulsen left the company on April 21 and that the search for a new permanent CEO will “commence immediately”. In the interim, the fibre maker has enlisted its chief financial officer Selby to take over as CEO alongside his current role. Selby has been CFO and a member of Spinnova’s management team since March 2021. Spinnova offers a new sustainable material made of FSC-certified wood or waste, which it states creates zero waste and side streams or microplastics and saves more CO2 emissions than it emits. In addition, Spinnova materials, which have the touch and feel of natural fibres such as cotton and line, are produced without harmful or complex chemical processes and are quickly biodegradable and circular. In recent years the company has launched commercial products with brand partners, including Adidas, Marimekko and Bestseller, with its latest being with Finnish outdoor clothing and equipment brand Halti to create a limited batch unisex parka.
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FullBeauty to acquire plus size fashion brand Eloquii from Walmart

Image: Eloquii via FullBeauty FullBeauty has agreed to acquire plus size fashion label Eloquii Inc. from Walmart. FullBeauty Brands offers a wide breadth of sizing with apparel from 12W to 44W, bras in bands from 30 to 58 and cups from A to O, footwear in medium, wide and wide-wide, and more. The company said in a statement that this acquisition will allow FullBeauty Brands to further expand its presence in the 81 billion dollars women's plus-sized sector in the United States, which is growing three times faster than the broader women’s apparel market. "Eloquii is a great success story with very loyal customers that will now become part of the FullBeauty family of brands. This strategic acquisition complements our brands perfectly and allows us to leverage our scale and platform to support Eloquii and our shared mission, and thereby accelerate our growth with this important demographic," said Jim Fogarty, FullBeauty’s CEO. The company added that more than half of women ages 18-65 in the U.S. wear size 14 or higher, and these customers have been historically underserved, with clothing limited by its lack of fashion, lack of fit, or both. Eloquii caters to this customer with expertise in both fashion and technical design. Founded 12 years ago, Eloquii is a digitally native vertical brand that offers fashion and apparel starting at size 14 exclusively through its website and select wholesale accounts. Following the acquisition, Eloquii will become the anchor tenant in a new FullBeauty digital mall, joined initially by SwimSuitsForAll and June+Vie. FullBeauty’s current digital mall will continue to house the brand websites of WomanWithin, Roaman’s, Catherines, Jessica London, Ellos, KingSize, Brylane Home, and OneStopPlus. "We're thrilled to become part of this great company and to have found a partner that supports our vision for Eloquii. With FullBeauty's scale and platform, more customers will learn about Eloquii as we continue to provide our existing customers with the great products and exceptional service they've come to expect from us," added Julie Carnevale, Eloquii’s co-founder and brand leader.
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JCPenney names former Neiman Marcus exec as chief customer officer

Katie Mullen, JCPenney's chief customer officer. Image: JCPenney US department store chain JCPenney has appointed Katie Mullen to the role of chief customer officer, expanding her previous role of chief digital officer at the group. While Mullen will continue to oversee e-commerce strategy and omnichannel development, her new role comes with an added emphasis on customer marketing, engagement and analytics, among other elements. In particular, she has been tasked with delivering an end-to-end integrated shopping experience, as JCPenney continues to explore how to deepen loyalty with existing and new customers. In a release, Marc Rosen, chief executive officer of JCPenney, said: “A core part of JCPenney overarching transformation strategy and our shift back to the basics has been a relentless focus on our customer’s needs. “There are encouraging signs that we’re on the right track. We’ve seen an uptick in customers returning to shop with us – an increase in customer frequency for the first time in five years – and they’re spending more.” Prior to joining JCPenney, Mullen served as chief digital officer at Neiman Marcus Group, where she led the company’s e-commerce business and oversaw the performance marketing team responsible for product and category management. On her new role at JCPenney, she said: “I’m looking forward to continuing to improve how JCPenney reaches and serves America’s diverse working families. “In our efforts to restore relevance with customers, we’ve sought to better meet their style, product and shopping preferences while also making our stores more reflective of the communities around us. I’m excited to work alongside our JCPenney leadership team to continue engaging customers in ways that matter most to them.”
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UK sees first responsible denim wash facility

Image: Courtesy Blackhorse Lane Ateliers East London has welcomed the UK’s first sustainable denim wash facility, a new addition to the UK’s fashion and manufacturing services to keep production at home. Launching 20th April in Walthamstow, Blackhorse Lane’s Denim Wash Lab and Innovation Hub is a facility that will operate both commercially and as a learning resource for students. Brands, creatives and students can access the washing and finishing lab as well as research and develop new and more sustainable ways of working with denim washes. At the heart of the facility are two state-of-the-art machines - the G1 70 All-in-One washing machine and The Laser - made by Italian denim machinery specialists, Tonello, who, through pioneering technology, are continually improving the performance of their equipment to further reduce impact on the environment. The two machines, along with the company’s Metro software, which provides real time data to control all laundry consumption, optimise process times, and improve performance together from their proprietary Laundry (R)Evolution set up. Image: Wash lab courtesy Blackhorse Lane Ateliers A water reduction from 100L to 4L per wash Where standard denim washing uses 70 to 100 liters per wash along with tonnes of chemicals and stones, the Tonello system, which uses oxygen as part of the process, can ‘wash’ 12 pairs of jeans in 4 liters of water. Image: Blackhorse Lane Ateliers The benefits of facilitating R&D around sustainable laundering and finishing in London to the industry are manifold - alongside the desire to build on the socially oriented business model at the heart of BLA through an open access programme, factory owner Bilgehan “Han” Ates greatest ambition is the potential for UK designers to develop a unique ‘London’ aesthetic. With the flexibility of the small minimums the R&D centre will enable, Ates believes that designers will be able to push the boundaries of creativity where previously high minimums have forced them to play it safe. Ates commented: “We are very excited to be starting from a blank page - it means we have all that space to play and create, and whatever you play with and create with London knowhow, will inevitably become a London or even UK aesthetic. Our assumption and beliefs are, when a London or British designer comes to a London wash technician, through their shared cultural experiences, they will understand each other better, and encourage each other further, to create a more uniquely identifiable London or British aesthetic.” About Blackhorse Lane Ateliers Blackhorse Lane Ateliers (BLA) is London’s only craft-jeans maker. The brand makes ready-to-wear selvedge and organic raw denim jeans in its own factory in Walthamstow, East London with the ethos of encouraging its customers to “buy less, repair more”. Founded in 2015, the facility also produces garments for clients including TOAST, Studio Nicholson, Mr Porter and Matches Fashion. Image: Jeans by Blackhorse Lane Ateliers Funding for the facility was secured in conjunction with Chelsea College Centre for Circularity (UAL), through the government-backed Business of Fashion, Textiles and Technology’s (BFTT) Small to Medium Enterprises Creative R&D Program. Additional funding came from The Productive Valley Fund (PVF), a 2.7 million pound flexible loan fund to support industry-led growth and celebrate local production and enterprise in the Upper Lee Valley.
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Quiz posts 17 percent increase in FY23 sales

Image: Quiz plc Fashion brand Quiz has reported that group revenue increased by 17 percent to 91.7 million pounds in the financial year ended March 31, 2023. Gross margins for the year were in line with management expectations and consistent with those recorded in the previous year, the company said. As a result, the group anticipates reporting increased profitability in FY23 with a pre-tax profit of around 2 million pounds. Commenting on the unaudited full year trading update, CEO Tarak Ramzan said: “The group delivered a good performance in FY23 achieving revenue growth across each of its channels reflecting the strength of Quiz’s trademark dressy and occasion wear product offering. “Whilst the external trading environment is expected to remain challenging in the near term, we remain highly confident in the group’s long-term prospects.” Strong UK sales The company’s sales in the UK increased by 23 percent to 45 million pounds, international revenues rose 10 percent to 16.4 million pounds, and online sales were up 12 percent to 29.8 million pounds. The company said in a release that in the early months of FY23 the group’s revenue growth benefited from a strong recovery in consumer demand for Quiz’s products following the removal of coronavirus-related social restrictions. However inflationary pressures began to impact consumer confidence impacting like-for-like revenues in February and March 2023, which were lower than the previous year. The company’s board believes that external headwinds may impact consumer demand across the group’s sector over the coming months, reducing its visibility for FY24.
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Nordstrom names Jason Morris as chief technology and information officer

Image: Nordstrom Nordstrom, Inc. has announced the appointment of Jason Morris as chief technology and information officer, effective May 1, 2023. Morris, the company said, has more than 25 years of technology experience in the retail industry and joins Nordstrom from Walmart, where he most recently led global enterprise technology as senior vice president of enterprise business services. Morris will oversee the company's technology functions, including engineering and data science and analytics. "Jason has a wealth of experience leading large, global teams to create and implement best-in-class retail technology solutions. He will play a critical role as we continue to advance our Closer to You market strategy, and we look forward to welcoming him to the team," said Erik Nordstrom, chief executive officer of Nordstrom, Inc. Prior to his current role at Walmart, Morris was vice president of customer-facing technology and led strategy, system development and implementation of hardware and software in more than 10,000 locations globally. Previously, the company added, Morris was responsible for technology development across many aspects of Walmart's retail business, including merchandising, replenishment, supplier management, real estate and global compliance. "I am excited to join this talented technology team to continue enhancing Nordstrom's digital capabilities and support the company's ongoing focus on using technology to serve customers in new and better ways," added Morris. Morris has a B.S. in mathematics and computer science from Southwestern Oklahoma State University and is a board member of the Arkansas Research Alliance Board and the industry advisory board for the University of Arkansas.
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Vogue pays tribute to Karl Lagerfeld ahead of Met Gala

Image: Karl Lagerfeld archive American Vogue has cast iconic designer Karl Lagerfeld in the spotlight, featuring 10 looks of the master’s creations for the cover of its May issue, photographed at the Palais Royal in Paris by Annie Leibovitz. With a career spanning seven decades, Mr Lagerfeld’s tenures at Fendi and Chanel, respectively starting in 1967 and 1983, were for life, and ended at both houses at his death in 2019. Ahead of next month’s Met Ball, the annual fundraising gala for the Metropolitan Museum’s Costume Institute, Vogue has published a tribute led by editor in chief Anna Wintour, who is also the mastermind behind the museum's annual event. Mr Lagerfeld famously quipped fashion didn’t belong in museums and yet so much of his life’s work is a celebration of his unequivocal creative genius. "Fashion doesn't belong in museums" In its May issue, Vogue interviews ten designers who praised Mr Lagerfeld, giving personal anecdotes and insights into their relationships, including Pierpaolo Piccioli of Valentino, Thom Browne, Donatella Versace, Jun Takahashi of Undercover, Christopher John Rogers, John Galliano of Maison Margiela, Olivier Rousteing of Balmain, Chitose Abe of Sacai, Gucci and Simone Rocha. This year’s Met Gala honours Mr Lagerfeld by focusing on the designer’s stylistic vocabulary as expressed in aesthetic themes that appear time and again in his fashions from the 1950s to his final collection in 2019. The show will spotlight the German-born designer’s unique working methodology, with most of the approximately 150 pieces on display to be accompanied by Lagerfeld’s sketches, which underscore his complex creative process and the collaborative relationships with his premieres, or head seamstresses. Lagerfeld’s fluid lines united his designs for Balmain, Patou, Chloé, Fendi, Chanel, and his eponymous label, Karl Lagerfeld, creating a diverse and prolific body of work unparalleled in the history of fashion. One of the most striking photo’s in Vogue’s shoot includes model Naomi Campbell holding Choupette, Mr Lagerfeld’s beloved cat. The exhibition Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty opens to the public May 5th. American Vogue's May issue is out now.
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Chimera and Haeres launch a joint venture and acquire Vionnet

Image: ChimHaeres; Philippe Camperio, founder of Haeres Capital and chief executive of ChimHaeres Abu Dhabi-based investment firm Chimera has launched a joint venture with Haeres Capital to create a new luxury and lifestyle European player looking to revive French haute couture label Vionnet, while seeking other opportunities in Italy, France, Switzerland, and the UK. The new joint venture will be called ChimHaeres Investment Holding and will deploy its own capital towards the acquisition and build-up of luxury and lifestyle brands in Europe, starting with the storied brand Vionnet. In a statement, ChimHaeres said it has acquired 100 percent of Vionnet, the French haute couture label founded in 1912 by Madeleine Vionnet. In 2018, the French label and its holding company NVO Srl went through a voluntary liquidation. ChimHaeres also secured a majority stake in Swiss fashion hosiery brand Fogal founded in 1921 and completed a majority stake in Zagato, the Italian coachbuilder and car designer, founded in 1919. In addition, Haeres added that it is folding into the new vehicle its majority equity stake in hat manufacturer Borsalino, established in 1857 in Italy. ChimHaeres will be led by chief executive Philippe Camperio, founder of Haeres Capital, and supported by a strong team of industry veterans, including Antonella di Pietro, Alberto Nathansohn, Giacomo Santucci and Jérôme Macario, as well as a seasoned team of experts in the operations, financial, and legal fields. Commenting on the launch, Camperio said: “ChimHaeres embodies the shared vision of both Chimera and Haeres to build and manage a multi-brand luxury and lifestyle platform. The partnership will invest in unique European assets applying a pro-active management and ownership approach, through dedicated industry experts, to deliver the long-term strategies of each portfolio company.” ChimHaeres acquires Vionnet and majority stakes in Fogal and Zagato ChimHaeres said it remains on the “lookout for investments in strong aspirational luxury and lifestyle brands with high growth potential”. The aim is to accelerate these brands' growth with a focus on international expansion, digital transformation, and sustainability. The initial focus will be on brands and companies in the UK, Italy, France, and Switzerland. Giovanni Maria Rossi was named chairman of ChimHaeres and said: “I strongly believe that thanks to the team, the vision, the experience, and the available capital now in place, ChimHaeres is ideally positioned to become a key player in the luxury industry in Europe.” Mirian Khalaf, head of private equity at Chimera Abu Dhabi, added: “The global luxury market has shown remarkable growth and resilience in recent years despite the pandemic and various macroeconomic and geopolitical challenges. We are confident that our partnership with Haeres will enable us to capitalise on the attractive long-term fundamentals of the industry and establish ourselves as a leading investor in the European lifestyle space. “We look forward to working with Philippe and his team to position appealing ‘legacy’ and ‘next gen’ brands with favourable growth profiles to serve a younger and increasingly more global audience.” ChimHaeres is registered in Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) with operating entities in Milan, Italy and Geneva, Switzerland.
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Zara enters publishing together with Wallpaper magazine

Spanish fast fashion brand Zara, part of the Inditex group, is venturing into a new area: Together with British magazine Wallpaper, which specialises in design, architecture, fashion, travel, art and lifestyle, it has launched a 300-page coffee table book titled “Where to now”. It is actually a box set of five photography books for “would be adventurers” according to Zara. In the spirit of travel and adventure, each volume is dedicated to an off-the-beaten-track destination: Bruton in the green southwest of England, California's Ojai in the Topatopa Mountains, Galicia in northwestern Spain, the Japanese island of Naoshima, and the Namibian capital of Windhoek. “Where to now” Bruton by Zara and Wallpaper. Images: Zara According to Zara and Wallpaper, the coffee table book is meant more as a “travelogue than a travel guide” and also includes various notes that, along with the photos, are aimed at both the “armchair traveller and the enthusiastic explorer”. “Carefully crafted images and texts that suggest a calmer pace of life and offer peaceful encounters with stores, hotels, people, alleys, street vendors and small architectural wonders,” explains the Zara and Wallpaper team. “Where to now” Namibia by Zara and Wallpaper. Images: Zara The essays were written by Wallpaper editors Simon Mills and Pei-Ru Keh, and contributors Celeste Chipperfield, Jens H Jensen and Mazi Odu. The destinations were photographed by Salva López and Luis Díaz Díaz for the Galicia volume, Sophie Green for Bruton, Den Niwa for Naoshima, Kent Andreasen for Namibia and Pia Riverola for Ojai. “Where to now” Ojai by Zara and Wallpaper. Images: Zara The coffee table book costs 79.95 euros and is available via the Zara website. The respective photo volumes can also be purchased individually at a price of 17.95 euros. In addition to the photo books, Zara also sells notebooks for 9.95 euros, mini notebooks for 5.95 euros and posters for 25.95 euros with the motifs from the photo books. Although Zara Home has previously offered stationery, it remains to be seen whether Inditex's flagship brand Zara will venture into publishing in the future. In any case, the brand seems to want to get rid of its fast fashion image and has entered, for example, a supply deal with the Infinited Fiber Company, launched a detergent that reduces microfibre shedding and offers a resale programme, repair service and charity opportunies through Zara Pre-Owned. “Where to now” Naoshima by Zara and Wallpaper. Images: Zara The brand has also started a new beauty line, Zara Beauty, and the line Zara Atelier with only two collections per year as well as collaboration with brands like Clarks, Ader Error and others. Customers seem to like it as Inditex (not least through flagship brand Zara) is experiencing record highs in terms of revenue and profits. “Where to now” Galicia. Images: Zara
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Burberry to create costumes for The Royal Ballet

Daniel Lee, chief creative officer of Burberry. Image: Burberry British luxury brand Burberry is set to embark on a new venture, unveiling its plans to collaborate with director and choreographer Wayne McGregor on costumes for his latest work for The Royal Ballet. The currently untitled production is set to debut June 9, and will be performed at the Royal Opera House in London. The costumes themselves will be designed by Burberry’s new chief creative officer Daniel Lee, who made his London Fashion Week debut for the house’s autumn/winter 2023 season. On his appointment, Lee was tasked with reviving the brand’s quintessential Britishness, which had begun to slip away under its previous creative director Riccardo Tisci. This goal was mirrored in the decision to partner with The Royal Ballet, a press release noted, a first for the brand as it looks to tap into the event’s contemporary culture and creativity. Lee commented: “It is such a pleasure, and of course an honour, to collaborate on this extraordinary project with such a remarkable team. “It’s always been a dream to create costumes for dance, which is such a passion of mine.” Similarly, McGregor also expressed his excitement in a statement, calling Lee “an artist with unbridled imagination” that was “creating work of innovation, motion, and piercing beauty”. McGregor continued: “And with his exceptional passion for all forms of dance, he felt like a natural ally. “Together, with the Burberry team, we are working on something truly special – honouring Carmen [Herrera, the late minimalist artist] whilst forging our own evolutionary path.”
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Kitty and Vibe names three creative designers and celebrity investors

Image: Kitty and Vibe; Nicole Byer, Zoe Colletti and Sloane Stephens Austin, Texas-based inclusive swimwear brand Kitty and Vibe has announced that comedian Nicole Byer, actress Zoe Colletti and tennis player Sloane Stephens have all invested in the brand and will become its first class of creative directors. In a statement, Kitty and Vibe said that Byer, Colletti and Stephens would each design their own exclusive swimsuit prints inspired by their personalities and styles. These prints will then be available in the brand’s best-selling swimwear styles, as well as new silhouettes consulted by the creative designers themselves. Commenting on the brand’s new celebrity investors, Cameron Armstrong, founder and chief executive officer at Kitty and Vibe, said: “When considering partners, it was imperative that we stayed true to our values as a company, intentionally selecting inspiring women who truly embody and represent our ‘Kind Is My Vibe’ mission, our daily reminder to be kind to ourselves, our bodies, and others. “Each designer brings their own energy and vibe to the brand which will be reflected in their individual collections. We’re excited to grow our Kitty and Vibe community, introduce our swimsuit shopping solutions to each designer’s audience, and roll out these new vibes!” The swimwear brand adds that the first class of creative directors represents its “diverse community of consumers across varying ages, body types, races, and lifestyles,” and will launch their limited-edition look for summer 2023. Nicole Byer, Zoe Colletti and Sloane Stephens invest in Kitty and Vibe Kitty and Vibe was launched in 2018 to change the long-standing negativity surrounding swimwear by offering swimsuits customised to fit all bodies. The brand is achieving this with its first-to-market sizing metric developed in-house that takes both hip and booty sizing into account. This approach makes them the first swimwear brand to use inseam measurements to address the wide variation in sizing that was previously ignored by the industry to give its customers the best fit. In addition to normal hip sizes, all Kitty and Vibe bikini bottoms are available in two inseam sizes to ensure a proper fit and all bikini tops are sold by cup size, catering to cup sizes A to H. American tennis player Sloane Stephens, said: “As a female athlete, I’ve struggled to find cute swimsuits that flatter and fit my muscular build. When I heard about Kitty and Vibe’s transformative bikini bottom sizing metric, a huge differentiator in the swimwear industry, I became a true fan of the brand and was so excited to finally find a swimsuit that perfectly fit my booty. “Kitty and Vibe celebrates all body types, and I can’t wait to share my personalised designs with the world!” Actress, comedian, producer, writer, and director Nicole Byer added: “Okay so, I love my body in a bathing suit. It's yummy as hell and I want others to love their bodies and feel good in the bodies they have. “For that to happen, bathing suit brands need to have size inclusivity, which is why I’m so happy to be working with Kitty and Vibe. They understand that small divas all the way to the big divas need to look and feel good. I’ve always wanted to create a bathing suit line and now my lil dream is a reality and that’s a real treat for me."
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Clarks UK managing director exits

Image: Clarks Footwear retailer Clarks has reportedly said farewell to Joe Ulloa, the managing director of its UK, Ireland and MEA business. According to Drapers, Jonathan Ram, who was appointed to the role of CEO in April 2022, will take on the UK and Ireland team until a successor has been selected. In a statement to the media outlet, a spokesperson for the company said: “Clarks can confirm that after a successful period with the business, Joe Ulloa has stepped down from his role as managing director for the UK, ROI and MEA and has left Clarks. “CEO Jon Ram is leading the UK and ROI team in the interim period as Clarks recruits Joe’s replacement.” The reason for his departure was not disclosed. Ulloa initially joined Clarks in 2017, first appointed to the position of retail and franchise director of the UK and Europe before becoming managing director of UK and Ireland in 2019. He took on his most recent role in 2021. Prior to Clarks, Ulloa worked at the likes of Harrods, L’Occitane and Gap, where he held various leadership roles, including regional director of Gap Inc. Since the appointment of its new CEO, Clarks has been upping efforts to cement its presence in retail and with younger consumers. This has seen the retailer introduce a new retail concept to rejuvenate its identity, and establish notable partnerships with the likes of Salehe Bembury, Pokémon and Deichmann. It has also increased its digital presence, entering various online metaverse spaces with activations that look to appeal to Gen Z consumers.
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Dior in Mumbai: Parisian showmanship meets Indian craft

Image: Dior PreFall PO F23 100 via Spotlight Launchmetrics The house of Christian Dior has deep established ties with India’s artisanship. The brand’s Pre-Fall 2023 collection, unveiled in Mumbai last week, was an ode to celebrating the textiles and embroideries that silently grace the Paris catwalks each season. With a backdrop of the landmark Gateway of India and a visceral multi-colour floral runway heavy with marigold and dreamy lighting, the handicrafts of the Chanakya Ateliers, where age-old techniques of embroideries decorate garments from Fendi to Valentino to Dior, could be seen up close and personal. The show, which drew an international audience of 850 people, including actors, celebrities, editors and influencers, was less Haute Bollywood than an acknowledgment of India’s savoir faire as a contribution to the House. Dior’s artistic director Maria Grazia Chiuri incorporated traditional textile techniques into her designs, without resorting too much to 'homage styling', as is often the case when designers openly reference geographical craft. Ms Chiuri embraced not just embroidery but also weaving and beadwork on intricate patterned garments like tunics, saris and Nehru collared shirts, accessories, and jewellery. With a casting that featured mostly local models, the show was more than an ode to Indian artisanship, with a dual purpose to also bring the business of Dior to a country with an ever-growing middle class. Here the growth opportunities in India's home market are proving to be a land of opportunity for luxury brands. With rapid urbanisation comes a rising disposable income, which jumped 24 percent between 2019 and 2022, said CNN. E-commerce is also booming, with sales forecast to reach 24 billion dollars by 2025, according to Bloomberg Intelligence. French luxury houses have long brought India’s craft to France’s ateliers. This time they came to Mumbai. Image: Dior PreFall PO F23 039 via Spotlight Launchmetrics
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