Mike Ashley’s Frasers Says It’s Taken Control of Hugo Boss
After the retail empire’s initial takeover bid failed, the company raised its holding to 50.08 percent in a move that will turn the German apparel brand into a subsidiary of Frasers.
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Fashion Week
Chanel Cruises into Cuba, a Country on the Cusp
Although the fundamental incongruity of the moment was lost on no one, both Karl Lagerfeld and Fidel Castro share an ability to imagine a world and bring it into being.
Technology
BoF Exclusive | Farfetch Raises $110 Million in 'Strategic' Move
BoF can exclusively reveal that fashion e-commerce platform Farfetch has closed a $110 million Series F round, led by new investors Temasek, IDG Capital Partners and Eurazeo.
Fashion Week
Fashion Glitterati Descend on Cuba for Chanel Runway Show
First came US President Barack Obama and the Rolling Stones. Now global fashion's glitterati including supermodel Gisele Bundchen have descended upon Cuba for Chanel's runway show extravaganza.
Luxury
The Growing Business of Private Clients
Brands are working harder than ever to forge personal relationships with top-spending clients, often earning higher margins along the way.
China
The China Edit | Homegrown Labels, Valentino Cuts Prices, Macau's Luxury Shoppers
The China Edit is a weekly curation of the most important fashion business news and analysis from and about the world’s largest luxury market.
News & Analysis
Decoding ‘Manus x Machina’
BoF talks to key players at Condé Nast, Apple and the Costume Institute at the Metropolitan Museum of Art to unpack the meaning of its latest exhibit on the evening of the Met Gala.
Retail
Philip Green Asked to Testify in BHS Pensions Inquiry
British lawmakers have asked retail billionaire Philip Green and his wife Tina to appear before them within the next few weeks to help with inquiries into the failure of department store chain BHS and its pension liabilities.
Global Markets
Op-Ed | Brands Should Consider a "Season-Less" Show Model
The global fashion industry has already become disconnected from geography and the seasons, argues Paulo Borges.
News & Analysis
BoF Exclusive | BFC Unveils Global Fashion Awards, London’s Answer to the Met Ball
BoF can exclusively reveal that the British Fashion Council is transforming its annual fashion awards into a global event, positioned as ‘a mix of the Academy Awards and the Met Ball.’
Global Markets
Op-Ed | Fashion Needs a New Rhythm
The biggest challenge for brands from distant markets is not their geography but the timing and pace of the global fashion system, argues Karen Walker.
Global Markets
On the Periphery, Going Global
Fashion businesses in markets like Australia, Brazil and Georgia face the tyranny of distance, but some turn remote geography into a competitive advantage.
News & Analysis
Met Curator Andrew Bolton, Quiet Defender of Fashion as Art
'The First Monday in May,' directed by Andrew Rossi, chronicles the yearlong preparations for the show, 'China: Through the Looking Glass,' and the gala that accompanied it.
The News in Brief
Shein Agrees to Pay $100 Million to Settle US FTC Probe
The settlement, equivalent to 44 percent of the ultra fast-fashion company’s second-quarter profit, is the latest blow amid regulatory and tax crackdowns in Europe and the US that have hampered Shein’s growth.
Kering Drops 12% as Luxury Braces for Tough Winter
The recovery long promised by luxury brands seems nowhere in sight, as the expansion of war in the Middle East, along with China’s tax crackdown on the wealthy, piled further pressure on the world’s biggest luxury conglomerates in the third quarter, and executives buckled in for a tough winter.
UK Retail Sales Fall 0.4% in September, More Than Forecast
Sales fell in September as above-average temperatures hit demand for autumn clothing.
Elle Launches Moroccan Edition
Hitting newsstands in October, the magazine marks Elle’s 51st international edition, published under licence by the Geomedia group.
David’s Bridal Plans Spinoff and IPO of AI Wedding Planning Platform Pearl
Pearl, a subsidiary of David’s Bridal, will own David’s Bridal and license its intellectual property back to the bridalwear brand. David’s Bridal CEO Kelly Cook will serve as Pearl’s CEO.
L’Oréal Sales Beat Expectations as Premium Products Surge
The French giant handily beat expectations on strong demand for hair products at salons and premium skincare from its dermatological division.
P&G Beats Revenue Estimates, Flags Bigger Hit to Annual Profit
The maker of Pantene shampoo was helped by strong personal care demand, but expects higher commodity costs to reduce profit by about $1.4 billion this year.