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This Week in Fashion

What's up, down and making news this week in the fashion and beauty businesses.

Italian Sweatshop Probe Is a Wake Up Call for Luxury Brands

An investigation into labour exploitation in fashion’s Italian supply chains has already entangled Armani and LVMH, accusing the companies of failing to adequately oversee their suppliers. Incoming EU regulation means such lapses in oversight could soon come with penalties of up to five percent of global revenue.

Italian Sweatshop Probe Is a Wake Up Call for Luxury Brands

An investigation into labour exploitation in fashion’s Italian supply chains has already entangled Armani and LVMH, accusing the companies of failing to adequately oversee their suppliers. Incoming EU regulation means such lapses in oversight could soon come with penalties of up to five percent of global revenue.


How Will Chanel Pick a New Designer?

Following the departure of artistic director Virginie Viard, the French couture and beauty giant will need a new creative leader — or leaders — to bring fresh energy to its cross-category pyramid of products.

How Will Chanel Pick a New Designer?

Following the departure of artistic director Virginie Viard, the French couture and beauty giant will need a new creative leader — or leaders — to bring fresh energy to its cross-category pyramid of products.


Exclusive: Inside De Beers’ About-Face on Lab-Grown Diamonds

This week, the gemstone giant said it would exit the fast-growing lab-grown diamond sector to focus on marketing the “unique attributes” of natural stones. Stakes are high after sales plummeted in 2023, and as owner Anglo-American explores a sale or spin-off.

Exclusive: Inside De Beers’ About-Face on Lab-Grown Diamonds

This week, the gemstone giant said it would exit the fast-growing lab-grown diamond sector to focus on marketing the “unique attributes” of natural stones. Stakes are high after sales plummeted in 2023, and as owner Anglo-American explores a sale or spin-off.


The Existential Threat to Independent Brands

This week, The Vampire’s Wife announced its closure and Dion Lee called in administrators, only days after Mara Hoffman said it was shutting down and Roksanda narrowly escaped administration. Many more may follow.

The Existential Threat to Independent Brands

This week, The Vampire’s Wife announced its closure and Dion Lee called in administrators, only days after Mara Hoffman said it was shutting down and Roksanda narrowly escaped administration. Many more may follow.


Is Burberry a Victim of Its Own Strategy?

After a decade of turnaround attempts, the British trenchcoat maker’s efforts to thrive as a top luxury player continue to falter. The brand needs more accessible prices and marketing — and quick.

Is Burberry a Victim of Its Own Strategy?

After a decade of turnaround attempts, the British trenchcoat maker’s efforts to thrive as a top luxury player continue to falter. The brand needs more accessible prices and marketing — and quick.


Fashion’s Supply Chain Is Still Full of Banned Chinese Cotton

A study published this week found traces of cotton from Xinjiang in nearly a fifth of the products it examined, highlighting the challenges brands face in policing their supply chains even as requirements to do so spread to raw materials from diamonds to leather and palm oil.

Fashion’s Supply Chain Is Still Full of Banned Chinese Cotton

A study published this week found traces of cotton from Xinjiang in nearly a fifth of the products it examined, highlighting the challenges brands face in policing their supply chains even as requirements to do so spread to raw materials from diamonds to leather and palm oil.


Your Guide to a Very Busy Week in Beauty

Puig and Space NK are cashing in on their ability to tap the growth of hot new products, while L’Occitane, Olaplex and The Estée Lauder Companies are discovering how quickly the shine can come off even the biggest brands.

Your Guide to a Very Busy Week in Beauty

Puig and Space NK are cashing in on their ability to tap the growth of hot new products, while L’Occitane, Olaplex and The Estée Lauder Companies are discovering how quickly the shine can come off even the biggest brands.


The Prada Exception: How the Trend-Setting Group Bucked Luxury’s Uneven Slowdown

This week, Prada and Miu Miu reported strong sales as LVMH slowed and Kering retreated sharply. In fashion’s so-called “quiet luxury” moment, consumers may care less about whether products have logos and more about what those logos stand for.

The Prada Exception: How the Trend-Setting Group Bucked Luxury’s Uneven Slowdown

This week, Prada and Miu Miu reported strong sales as LVMH slowed and Kering retreated sharply. In fashion’s so-called “quiet luxury” moment, consumers may care less about whether products have logos and more about what those logos stand for.


Is the FTC Really Going to Stop Tapestry and Capri From Merging?

Blocking the deal would set a new precedent for fashion M&A in the US and leave Capri Holdings in a precarious position as it attempts to turn around its Michael Kors brand.

Is the FTC Really Going to Stop Tapestry and Capri From Merging?

Blocking the deal would set a new precedent for fashion M&A in the US and leave Capri Holdings in a precarious position as it attempts to turn around its Michael Kors brand.


For Struggling Public Companies, Going Private Is No Panacea

Nordstrom, Tod’s and L’Occitane are all pushing for privatisation. Ultimately, their fate will not be determined by whether they are under the scrutiny of public investors.

For Struggling Public Companies, Going Private Is No Panacea

Nordstrom, Tod’s and L’Occitane are all pushing for privatisation. Ultimately, their fate will not be determined by whether they are under the scrutiny of public investors.


It’s Time for Beauty and Fashion to Get Serious About Female Athletes

Viewership of women’s sports has steadily grown into a year-round affair, but most brands have been slow to capitalise on the segment’s biggest stars.

It’s Time for Beauty and Fashion to Get Serious About Female Athletes

Viewership of women’s sports has steadily grown into a year-round affair, but most brands have been slow to capitalise on the segment’s biggest stars.


Brands Struggle to Get Sustainability Marketing Right

This week, Sephora announced plans to double down on ‘green’ and ‘clean’ product labels, leaning into an increasingly risky marketing tactic even as a greenwashing crackdown has prompted other brands to pull back.

Brands Struggle to Get Sustainability Marketing Right

This week, Sephora announced plans to double down on ‘green’ and ‘clean’ product labels, leaning into an increasingly risky marketing tactic even as a greenwashing crackdown has prompted other brands to pull back.