As a seasoned fashion enthusiast with a penchant for all things chic and contemporary, I find myself drawn to the latest developments in the world of high-end fashion. The news about Lemaire’s first Tokyo flagship store is particularly intriguing, given my own experiences in Japan and its unique blend of tradition and modernity.
This week as a gamer, I’ve been keeping an eye on the ever-evolving world of fashion. Luxury labels are like chess pieces being moved around on a global stage, swapping creative directors left and right, while also expanding into uncharted territories by opening boutiques in fresh regions. Meanwhile, brands have found themselves in some unexpected pickles, yet they’re handling them with grace – some are doubling down on successful strategies, while others are gearing up for a fight.
Whispers hint at a potential takeover by Matthieu Blazy at Chanel, while Helmut Lang becomes the latest brand without a creative director as Peter Do steps down. Younger names in the industry show no signs of stopping growth with Lemaire continuing its Asia-focussed strategy with a Tokyo boutique and Jacquemus crossing the channel for its first London boutique. It’s been made official that Tapestry and Capri’s proposed merger is dead as US courts stop the brands in their tracks, and in a much different field, streetwear brand Market calls out food chain sweetgreen for a stolen idea.
This article gathers the most significant fashion news of the past week, keeping you informed about the latest fads and styles in the world of fashion.
Peter Do Exits Helmut Lang After Two Runway Shows as Creative Director
Following just two years in the position of creative director for Helmut Lang, it appears that Peter Do has decided to leave his role at the brand. On Wednesday, various news outlets received a statement regarding his departure, which came after Helmut Lang did not participate in the SS25 fashion week presentations.
Although Do has achieved significant recognition in the fashion world under his own brand, his tenure at Helmut Lang sparked a variety of opinions. His Spring/Summer 2024 debut received modest praise at best, but his subsequent collection garnered more positive feedback.
In the statement released, Do acknowledged and thanked his Helmut Lang team for their crucial role in bringing his vision to life. He described working with the legacy of Helmut Lang as an extraordinary adventure. Although Helmut Lang has yet to name a successor, Do plans to keep expanding his personal brand.
Market Slams sweetgreen for Stealing Kale Camo Print Collaboration Idea
Market, a trendy streetwear label founded by Mike Cherman, has used Instagram to air accusations that salad chain sweetgreen copied a collaboration concept initially pitched by the Market team. The claim was made following the launch of sweetgreen’s joint collection with Everybody.World, which includes a “Kale Camo” design originally developed by Market.
The market’s post features intricate snapshots of emails exchanged with sweetgreen founder Nathaniel Ru, as well as a presentation showcasing the preliminary stages of a camouflage design inspired by salads. In this proposal, the market suggested a partnership to develop a collection using the distinctive shapes and hues of Kale and Arugula to create a unique camouflage pattern. This collaboration would encompass various items ranging from printable graphics and household items to high-quality clothing pieces.
Until now, sweetgreen has yet to release a statement in response to the allegations.
Is Matthieu Blazy Heading to Chanel?
On a Friday morning, it was announced by WWD that Chanel will reveal its new creative leader by early 2025, with whispers suggesting Matthieu Blazy as the likely choice. Meanwhile, it’s been mentioned that Bottega Veneta, where Blazy currently serves as creative director, is already looking for a successor to fill his role.
It’s uncertain if Blazy’s outstanding work that seemingly elevated Bottega Veneta to one of the leading luxury brands will have the same impact on the renowned French house, which has faced difficulties in generating interest in recent times. Nevertheless, his resume is compelling, having started at Raf Simons in 2007, then moving on to become a head designer at Maison Margiela, working under Phoebe Philo at Céline, and ultimately taking the role of creative director at Bottega Veneta in 2020, following a stint back at Raf Simons at Calvin Klein.
Chanel, Blazy and Bottega-owner Kering have not offered comments on the news.
Jacquemus Opens Its First London Boutique
Just over a month since the launch of his first New York City store, designer Simon Porte Jacquemus is now preparing to open the initial London location for his self-titled brand.
In this OMA-styled store, spanning 332 square feet across three distinct levels, there’s a dedicated floor for women’s clothing, another for men’s, and an exclusive VIP lounge. Similar to its New York counterpart, the interior design draws inspiration from the founder’s French countryside heritage, blending it with a vibrant assortment of art and furniture pieces. The collection boasts approximately fifty items, such as Josef Hoffmann armchairs, Henry Laurens’ mermaid sketches, a miniature Raoul Dufy nude, and ceramics crafted by Astier de Villatte.
In recent periods, the standalone brand has seen swift development, largely due to its shrewd marketing approach and distinctive status as a fresh entrant into the luxury sector. Toward the end of October, news broke that the company is pursuing potential minority investors to further propel its growth trajectory.
Tapestry and Capri Terminate $8.5 Billion USD Merger
The proposed merger between Tapestry, Inc., which is home to Coach and Kate Spade brands, and Capri Holding Ltd., which encompasses Michael Kors, Versace, and Jimmy Choo, has been put on hold by a U.S. court due to concerns about creating a potential monopoly in the mid-tier luxury handbag market.
Initially, Tapestry had planned to challenge the ruling, but both companies ultimately chose to scrap their proposed merger because the legal decision was expected after the agreement expiration date of February 10, 2025. In contrast, Tapestry seems more financially stable than Capri’s brands, and analysts believe that postponing the deal would be advantageous for Tapestry.
In their recent financial update, Tapestry predicted over $6.75 billion in earnings for the 2025 fiscal year, a figure that surpassed initial predictions despite the luxury market downturn. On the other hand, Capri saw a decrease of 16.4% in revenue during the second quarter of the same fiscal year. Sales for Versace and Michael Kors specifically declined by 28.2% and 16%, respectively, within this period.
Take a Look Inside Lemaire’s First Tokyo Flagship Store
Lemaire has begun its expansion into Japan by opening its first flagship store in Tokyo, located in the Ebisu district of Shibuya. This contemporary French brand has given a modern makeover to an old 1960s residence, incorporating a tranquil zen garden within its 170-square-meter boutique. Notably, this is one of only a few standalone Lemaire stores worldwide, joining the ranks of those in Paris, France, as well as Chengdu, China, and Seoul, South Korea.
It’s apparent from Lemaire’s approach to physical stores that instead of competing for the most bustling city centers in the West, the brand prioritizes expanding its influence within the Asia-Pacific area, which is witnessing an increase in a new generation of high-end shoppers.
Regarding the selection of the site for their new boutique, Christophe Lemaire and Sarah-Linh Tran explained that they chose it to emphasize the harmonious link between their collections and a homely environment. Their designs are tailored for daily use and were inspired by the idea of an ideally proportioned home, serving as a comforting sanctuary.
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2024-11-16 00:56