Zatchels to open in Westfield
Leather accessories brand Zatchels is to launch its first standalone store in Westfield London at the end of the month...Read More
Chanel, Prada and McQueen make CoolBrands list
Luxury designer brands Chanel, Prada and Alexander McQueen all feature in the top 20 of the annual CoolBrands list, following the disappointment last year where no fashion labels were featured. For the 12th annual survey, Chanel came in a 13, placed just ahead of Prada at 14, which hasn’t featured in the top 20 since 2007, while Alexander McQueen helmed by Sarah Burton, which last year was ranked outside the top 20 and named the coolest fashion brand, was ranked 19th...Read More
Debenhams to launch 200th anniversary collection
Department store Debenhams is celebrating its 200 year anniversary with an exclusive limited edition collection spanning across fashion and homewares. The collection, designed exclusive by its Designers at Debenhams, includes a floor-length gold sequin dress by Julien Macdonald, a luxury leather nude coat from Betty Jackson, as well as decorative plates and mugs designed by John Rocha, Ben de Lisi and Matthew Williamson...Read More
Quick look at MFW SS14
A quick look at Milan Fashion Week for SS14 shows..
1. An effortless, elegant and chic collection at Jil Sander
2. A succesful debut of Tod's ready-to-wear with Alessandra Facchinetti at the helm as creative director
3. Miuccia Prada's feminist statement at Prada
4. Golden coins as a cental theme at Dolce & Gabbana's first collection since the designers conviction of tax evasion
5. High expectations being met at Alexis Martial's first show for Iceberg...Read More
Arcadia plans 150 international franchise stores
Fashion retail group Arcadia, which owns Topshop and Topman, is plotting to open more than 150 franchise stores over the next year as its pushes forward with its international expansion plans...Read More
Bally names new chief executive
Swiss luxury brand Bally has appointed Frederic de Narp as its new chief executive, effective November 4.
De Narp joins Bally from his position as president and chief executive of Harry Winston, where he has been credited with turning around the luxury jewellery and watch brand...Read More
LVMH acquires stake in Nicholas Kirkwood
British footwear designer Nicholas Kirkwood has sold a stake in his fashion label to LVMH to help him expand his brand internationally and “further develop his vision”. The French luxury conglomerate group behind brands including Louis Vuitton, Céline, Givenchy and Bulgari, has acquired a majority stake in Nicholas Kirkwood and will provide its “expertise” to help the footwear designer focus on the creative aspect of the business...Read More
Asos Q4 retail sales up 47 percent
REPORT_ For the fourth quarter Asos retail sales showed growth of 47 percent. International sales were 64 percent of total retail sales over the period compared with 65 percent last year. Asos expects profit before tax for the year ended August 31, 2013, to be marginally above expectations...Read More
Billabong: new deal and new CEO
The struggling Australian surfwear company Billabong has once more accepted help in form of a refinancing plan, this time from New York-based Centerbridge Partners and Los Angeles-based Oaktree Capital Management, together known as C/O Consortium. In July, Billabong had announced a deal with private equity firm Altamont Capital Partners and GSO Capital Partners that included a bridge loan for 294 million dollars...Read More
Dick’s targets 11 percent growth over next five years
REPORT_ Dick’s Sporting Goods unveiled its detailed long-term plan and key strategies to deliver sales and operating profit growth and drive shareholder value over the next five years. During its analyst day meeting, the company presented a sales target of 10 billion dollars by the end of fiscal 2017, representing a 5-year compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of approximately 11 percent from fiscal 2012 sales of 5.8 billion dollars...Read More
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Harrods boss Marigay McKee leaving for Saks
Marigay McKee, chief merchant at Harrods, has been confirmed as the new president of Saks Fifth Avenue, following Hudson’s Bay Company’s acquisition of the American retailer. The appointment will take effect shortly after completion of HBC’s acquisition of Saks, which is expected to close before the end of the year...Read More
Marks and Spencer partners with British School of Fashion
Marks and Spencer has launched an external design studio in collaboration with The British School of Fashion, as the high street retailer looks to investing in “British fashion leaders of tomorrow”...Read More
Walpole chief exec steps down
Walpole chief executive Julia Carrick has stepped down from her role after 13 years at the luxury brands trade body, as she looks to “new challenges within the luxury arena”. Carrick, who joined Walpole in 2000, will continue a close relationship with Walpole as she has been confirmed as the group’s first global ambassador and member of the Walpole Advisory Council...Read More
Changes in GPT won’t affect Bangladesh’s exports
Bangladesh will not be affected by the changes in Canada’s General Preferential Tariff (GPT) as duty-free access facility for the products of least developed countries remains intact, said Canadian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Heather Crudden. “Nothing will change for Bangladesh. Duty-free access for LDCs will remain as it has been,” said Cruden. "The GPT would be modernized by graduating 72 higher-income and trade competitive countries as of January, 1, 2015. As an LDC, Bangladesh is unaffected by these changes since it is eligible for duty-free access under the LDC tariff," she said.
Canada would take steps to ensure that the benefits of the LDCT are not reduced by the changes to the GPT, Cruden said adding this means the LDCT rules of origin requirements will be amended so that apparel producers will continue to benefit from duty-free access to Canada while using textile inputs from current GPT countries like China and India. She said an air agreement has been initiated between Bangladesh and Canada and if it is signed, it will open up more opportunities for both the countries.
On the change in GTP, BGMEA leader said the export of Bangladeshi products including garment to Canada would not face obstacles. The envoy also expressed concern over the working conditions of the country's readymade garment (RMG) industry citing the Savar and Tazreen tragedies as evidence. "Like many other countries, Canada remains concerned about dangerous working conditions in the RMG sector."
