For Russian Brands, Wartime Gains Fade as Economy Stalls
Russia’s fashion sector enjoyed a brief wartime surge as domestic demand rose when imports were disrupted by sanctions. By late 2023, the broader economic slowdown, soaring inflation and reduced consumer confidence have eroded those gains, leading to a noticeable dip in sales for leading Russian brands. The contraction mirrors the wider challenges facing the Russian retail economy, where higher costs and limited purchasing power are curbing growth. Analysts warn that without strategic pivots, the sector may struggle to regain its earlier momentum.
Premium Body Care Brand Uni Appoints New Global CMO
Australian body‑care brand Uni has hired Heather Fisher, the former chief marketing officer of Fenty Beauty, as its global CMO. Fisher brings nine years of experience scaling Fenty across 17 countries and pioneering influencer‑driven campaigns. Uni, launched in 2022 and...
Everyone Wants a Piece of ‘The Devil Wears Prada 2′
A wave of brand collaborations is surfacing around the release of “The Devil Wears Prada 2,” echoing last year’s blockbuster tie‑ins. Marketers are also shifting toward series‑style content, leveraging humor and long‑form storytelling to keep ad‑weary consumers engaged. New measurement tools...
Around the World With Hailey Bieber’s Rhode
Ffern is ending its members‑only model by opening orders to the public, testing whether limited‑edition drops can sustain volume without exclusivity. European brands Kiko Milano and Amouage are pushing into the U.S. market, with Kiko targeting American shoppers after $1 billion in...
Explainer: Fashion’s New Tariff Threat
The U.S. Supreme Court struck down the controversial ‘Liberation Day’ tariffs, allowing fashion brands to claim refunds for duties already paid. At the same time, a pending forced‑labour investigation threatens a new wave of tariffs and import bans, forcing companies...
Sol De Janeiro Appoints Jordan Saxemard as CEO, Heela Yang Exits Brand
Sol de Janeiro named Jordan Saxemard as its new chief executive, succeeding founder Heela Yang who is departing. Saxemard, previously the chief marketing and digital officer, brings experience from Dyson and Coty. The brand, now part of L’Occitane Group, reported over $2 billion in...
BoF Professional Masterclass | How to Build a Forever Beauty Brand
The Business of Fashion’s Professional Masterclass on May 6 will dissect how to build a forever beauty brand, focusing on customer clarity and product differentiation. The session features Daniela Morosini and a panel of experts who share tactics for scaling beyond...
Perfecting the Art of Pre-Marketing
The fashion and beauty sectors are re‑examining influencer‑driven launches as brands like Alix Earle’s acne line prove blockbuster potential despite growing influencer fatigue. Campaigns that pair fresh talent with authentic, emotion‑rich storytelling are outperforming those that merely showcase products. Looking ahead...
Good Earth Founder Anita Lal to Launch Skincare Range
Anita Lal, founder of Good Earth, has launched a premium skincare line called Iti, meaning “as it is” in Sanskrit. After two decades of development, the range debuted on the brand’s e‑commerce site and will hit Good Earth stores in...
Not All Creators Convert. Here’s How to Find Those That Do.
Business of Fashion curated a list of recent pieces that map the evolving influencer landscape, from the waning effectiveness of traditional sponsored content to the rise of AI‑driven shopping agents reshaping ad spend. The roundup spotlights case studies such as...
BoF and Marriott Luxury Group Host the Luxury Leaders Salon
On the eve of Milan Design Week, Business of Fashion founder Imran Amed and Marriott Luxury president Tina Edmundson convened a private Luxury Leaders Salon at the newly opened Lake Como Edition hotel. The invitation‑only gathering brought together 15 senior figures...
Ferragamo Family Appoints Former Estée Lauder CEO as Strategic Advisor
Ferragamo Finanziaria, the family’s holding company, named former Estée Lauder chief executive Fabrizio Freda as a special strategic adviser. Freda will guide the luxury group’s strategic decisions, help restructure operations, and support the search for a new CEO after a year‑long vacancy....
Mulberry Sales Rise as Strategy Reset Takes Hold
Mulberry announced a 5.7% rise in annual revenue on a constant‑currency basis, driven by a strong second‑half performance. Sales in the second half surged 13.6% after a 3.2% dip in the first half, reflecting the impact of its “Back to...
Global Brands See Revival in China as Retail Nationalism Cools
Chinese investors are adopting a more measured playbook for acquiring Western fashion houses, favoring minority stakes and slower expansion after previous over‑ambitious attempts. Domestic challengers such as Anta and Urban Revivo are pushing into markets traditionally dominated by Nike and...
A Survival Guide for Independent Brands
Business of Fashion has released a practical guide for independent fashion brands, addressing cash‑flow management, wholesale pitfalls, and the shift toward direct‑to‑consumer (DTC) models. It highlights bootstrapped financing, disciplined inventory, and the need for a one‑month cash buffer amid 2026...
Pat McGrath Labs Exits Bankruptcy With a New Owner
Pat McGrath Labs has emerged from Chapter 11 after a U.S. judge approved a restructuring that places Florida‑based GDA Luma in control. The firm provided a $30 million bankruptcy financing package, while founder Pat McGrath returned as chief creative officer. The brand, once...
The Luxury Rebound Gets a Reality Check
First‑quarter earnings from France's luxury giants LVMH, Kering and Hermès fell short of expectations, putting a damper on the sector’s anticipated rebound. Kering’s new CEO Luca de Meo unveiled a sweeping overhaul aimed at doubling profitability and reviving Gucci, while Hermès...
Luxury Brands Book Sales Drop as Middle East War Takes Toll on Airport Shopping
Luxury‑brand sales at airports fell sharply as the Israel‑Hamas conflict curbed travel in the Middle East, hurting revenue for flagship stores. Kering announced a restructuring under CEO Luca de Meo aimed at doubling profitability and reviving Gucci, while Hermès warned of...
Hermès Shares Plunge Most on Record as Growth Slows
Hermès International saw its shares plunge up to 14% after first‑quarter sales grew 5.6% at constant exchange rates, missing the 7.44% consensus. The shortfall stemmed mainly from a 5.9% decline in the Middle East, a region that accounts for roughly...
Golden Goose Looks to Bond Sale to Fund Private Equity Buyout
Golden Goose Group is marketing an €880 million ($1.04 billion) bond issuance to finance its acquisition by Chinese private‑equity firm HSG. The offering includes seven‑year fixed‑rate notes yielding in the mid‑to‑high 6% range and floating‑rate notes priced at Euribor + 400‑425 bps, with a minimum...
Luxury Superweek: Q1 Sales and Kering’s Strategy Reveal
Travel‑retail sales are faltering despite passenger traffic returning to pre‑pandemic levels, forcing luxury brands to treat airport stores more like billboards or innovate their offerings. In Dubai, the Mall of the Emirates saw a 30‑50% plunge in March luxury sales...
Why Instagram’s Shoppable Reels May Be Too Little, Too Late
Instagram has finally rolled out shoppable Reels, letting creators tag products and earn affiliate commissions directly within the app. The feature arrives after rivals such as TikTok Shop, YouTube Shorts and dedicated influencer platforms have already built robust commerce ecosystems....
The Moment of Truth for the Athlete Endorser Is Here
The sportswear industry is at a crossroads as athlete endorsement models shift from flat‑fee deals to performance‑based, revenue‑share contracts. Brands now demand granular data on sales lifts and social engagement to justify spend, reflecting a broader move toward measurable marketing...
Is the Future of Shopping Hiding Inside Luxury Hotels?
Luxury brands are reimagining hotels and villas as retail "third places," blending hospitality with shopping to create immersive brand experiences. LVMH’s recent purchase of a Cannes villa for roughly $55 million underscores this trend, while BoF Insights projects the $4.3 trillion lifestyle...
Fear of God CEO Exits Label
Fear of God’s chief executive Bastien Daguzan is leaving the Los Angeles‑based luxury streetwear label after less than two years. The company announced it is eliminating the CEO position from its organisational chart, signaling a shift in governance. A source...
How to Bring Back a Beloved Watchmaker: The Resurrection of Universal Genève
The iconic Swiss watchmaker Universal Genève is being revived with a limited‑edition collection, signaling a broader push to rejuvenate heritage brands in the luxury watch sector. At the same time, TAG Heuer appoints Béatrice Goasglas as CEO to sharpen its...
Levi Boosts Full-Year Outlook on Strong Sales; CFO to Retire
Levi Strauss & Co. reported $1.7 billion revenue for the quarter ending March 1, beating analyst forecasts and prompting an upgrade to its full‑year organic and net‑revenue outlook as well as adjusted EPS guidance. CEO Michelle Gass highlighted resilient consumer demand and...
Can the World Cup Solve Nike’s Problems?
Nike’s third‑quarter earnings revealed an 11‑year low in its stock, underscoring a disconnect between the brand’s product slate and consumer demand. Rising oil prices and geopolitical tensions are inflating supply‑chain costs, forcing the company to consider price passes. To revive...
How Fragrantica Became the Internet’s Perfume Bible
The fragrance sector is reshaping itself with layering concepts and neo‑gourmand scents, creating a split between niche premium offerings and mass‑market body mists. Unilever has divested its food businesses to concentrate on beauty, while L’Oréal‑licensed Maison Margiela is launching a...
Unpacking Saks Global’s Post-Bankruptcy Plan
Saks Global secured $500 million in post‑bankruptcy financing and aims to emerge from Chapter 11 by summer, backed by a total of $1.75 billion in court‑approved funding to stabilize vendor relationships. The luxury group’s leaner store footprint signals a shift toward a more...
US Tariff Refund Portal to Exclude One-Third of Imports at First
The U.S. Customs and Border Protection will launch an online portal to refund tariffs struck down by the Supreme Court, initially covering about 63% of the 53 million import entries at issue. The first phase will process only non‑final duties, leaving...
LVMH Shares Fell Most Ever in First Quarter on Luxury Slump
LVMH’s shares tumbled about 13% in the first quarter, marking the steepest decline ever for the luxury conglomerate. The slide reflects a broader luxury slowdown, intensified by the ongoing war in the Middle East that is curbing consumer confidence in...
Pandora Opens Distribution Centre in Canada to Reduce US Tariff Impact
Pandora has opened a new distribution centre in Mississauga, Ontario to process Canadian online orders locally, reducing reliance on U.S. facilities and exposure to higher tariffs. The move follows President Trump’s increase of import duties on Thai‑made jewellery, which Pandora...
How the Middle East’s Fashion Industry Is Navigating War
The Middle East’s luxury fashion sector, long buoyed by Dubai’s stability, is now confronting heightened risk as the US‑Israel‑Iran conflict escalates. Volatile oil prices, rising freight costs and supply‑chain disruptions are pressuring regional brands and retailers, prompting extensive crisis‑management measures....
Inside Pixel Moda’s Human-Led Approach to AI-Powered Fashion E-Commerce
Pixel Moda, a global e‑commerce content producer, uses generative and assistive AI to accelerate fashion visual asset creation. By combining AI with human creativity, the company can generate up to 15 high‑quality images per SKU within 24‑48 hours, cutting image costs by...
Is Your $3,000 Handbag Worth It? Tanner Leatherstein Has the Answer | The BoF Podcast
Tanner Leatherstein, a former tannery apprentice turned social media analyst, deconstructs luxury handbags to reveal the true cost of materials and craftsmanship. By applying acetone, flame and hardware tests, he calculates retail multipliers often ranging from fifteen to twenty times...
Italy Investigates Sephora and Benefit Cosmetics Over Marketing to Children
The Italian competition authority AGCM has opened investigations into LVMH‑owned Sephora and Benefit Cosmetics for alleged unfair commercial practices that market adult cosmetics to children and adolescents. Regulators say the brands employ very young micro‑influencers on social media to push...
BoF to Convene Luxury Leaders in Lake Como During Milan Design Week
The Business of Fashion and Marriott International’s Luxury Group will host a closed‑door Luxury Leaders Salon on Lake Como during Milan Design Week. The event, timed with the March 2026 opening of Marriott’s new Lake Como Edition, will bring together senior executives...
Nicolas Di Felice Exits Courrèges
Nicolas Di Felice is departing Courrèges after a five‑year stint that revitalized the historic Parisian label. His tenure featured reimagined Space‑Age silhouettes, immersive runway shows and techno‑infused brand events. Artémis, the Pinault family holding, is expanding Courrèges with new boutiques in Paris,...
Puig, Estée Lauder Companies Considering Merger
Spanish fragrance group Puig and U.S. beauty giant Estée Lauder Companies have entered talks about a possible merger, which could create a combined entity valued around $40 billion. The discussion follows a sharp decline in Estée Lauder’s share price, down nearly...
New Luxury Store Openings Rise in Europe, Cushman Data Shows
Luxury brands opened more European stores last year, with a 13% rise on premier retail streets despite a broader sector slowdown. Cushman & Wakefield recorded 96 new outlets in 2025, down from 107 in 2023, and noted that LVMH was the...
In a Pricing Pinch, Mass Beauty Brands Get Creative
Mass beauty brands are feeling a pricing pinch and are turning to curated bundles, jumbo‑size formats and subscription models to keep shoppers from defecting to competitors. At the same time, consolidation accelerates as Estée Lauder and Spain’s Puig enter merger talks,...
Executive Memo | Navigating the Unravelling of Multibrand Retail
The fashion wholesale ecosystem is undergoing a structural reset as a cascade of bankruptcies—Matches, Ssense, and Saks Global—exposes the fragility of the multibrand retail model. Historically, wholesale offered emerging labels credibility and established brands geographic reach without the cost of...
Why H&M’s Sustainability Report Is So Unusual
H&M’s latest sustainability report stands out by foregrounding ambitious emissions targets at a time when many fast‑fashion players are scaling back ESG disclosures. The document not only details a roadmap for supply‑chain decarbonisation but also teases a preview of its...
Bella Freud on Fashion and the Art of Getting People to Open Up | The BoF Podcast
Bella Freud, founder of the eponymous label since 1990, built her business on modest beginnings and a pivotal early market in Japan. After surviving cash‑flow crises, a chance production of 50 "Ginsberg is God" sweaters sparked a revival, eventually leading...
How to Protect Work-Life Balance in the Fashion and Beauty Industries
Fashion and beauty workers are confronting chronic overwork, prompting a shift toward work‑life balance as a top employment criterion. A BoF Careers survey of over 1,000 industry professionals found 65 % value flexible schedules above perks, while 33 % prioritize employers that...
Exclusive: Nvidia and Antoine Arnault Are Moving Into Virtual Try-On
AI-driven virtual try‑on and direct checkout are reshaping online fashion shopping, with generative models now able to render realistic outfit previews inside search engines. The Business of Fashion report highlights a surge of investment, noting 17 AI‑powered startups have raised...
Paris Day Seven: The Importance of Play
Paris Fashion Week’s seventh day highlighted a shift toward playful experimentation, most notably in Jean‑Paul Gaultier’s runway where Duran Lantink reimagined the archive with distorted tailoring, sportswear and provocative silhouettes. The collection blended sculptural, sexy and kinky elements, emphasizing the...
Pete Nordstrom on the Enduring Power of Retail’s ‘Best Mousetrap’ | The BoF Podcast
Nordstrom celebrated its 125th anniversary while navigating a turbulent U.S. department‑store landscape. The family partnered with Mexico’s Liverpool to take the retailer private, preserving a 51% stake and freeing the business from quarterly market pressures. Pete Nordstrom highlighted the company’s...