Kering Takes Stake in Icicle Owner ICCF
The French group said it would support the international expansion of ICCF’s flagship label Icicle while drawing on ICCF’s expertise in China as part of a major strategic overhaul.
Robert Williams
Luxury Editor
Robert Williams is Luxury Editor at The Business of Fashion (BoF). He is based in Paris and drives BoF’s coverage of the global luxury sector as well as reporting his own features on French and Italian companies in luxury fashion, jewellery and cosmetics. Previously, Robert covered European luxury for Bloomberg News in Paris. He has a Masters in Journalism and International Economic Development from the Paris Institute of Political studies (Sciences Po) and is a graduate of Vanderbilt University in Tennessee.
Luxury
This Week in Luxury: Chanel, Miu Miu, Métier
Robert Williams breaks down Matthieu Blazy’s Chanel cruise success, Miu Miu’s stalling growth and Métier’s next chapter.
This Week in Luxury: Chanel, Miu Miu, Métier
Robert Williams breaks down Matthieu Blazy’s Chanel cruise success, Miu Miu’s stalling growth and Métier’s next chapter.
Entrepreneurship
How to Build a Profitable Handbag Business From Scratch
With profitability now within reach, the London-based luxury leather goods brand Metiér is raising fresh capital to fuel its next chapter.
How to Build a Profitable Handbag Business From Scratch
With profitability now within reach, the London-based luxury leather goods brand Metiér is raising fresh capital to fuel its next chapter.
Luxury
LVMH at a Crossroads
Bernard Arnault reaffirmed his confidence in LVMH even as stagnant sales, a tumbling share price and questions over succession have dented its image. Can the world’s largest luxury group reclaim the narrative?
LVMH at a Crossroads
Bernard Arnault reaffirmed his confidence in LVMH even as stagnant sales, a tumbling share price and questions over succession have dented its image. Can the world’s largest luxury group reclaim the narrative?
Luxury
The Debrief | Why Luxury Still Can’t Find Its Way Out of the Slump
BoF luxury editors Mimosa Spencer and Robert Williams unpack why weak first-quarter results from LVMH, Kering and Hermès have deepened concerns about luxury’s slowdown – and why creative resets alone are not enough to restore growth.
The Debrief | Why Luxury Still Can’t Find Its Way Out of the Slump
BoF luxury editors Mimosa Spencer and Robert Williams unpack why weak first-quarter results from LVMH, Kering and Hermès have deepened concerns about luxury’s slowdown – and why creative resets alone are not enough to restore growth.
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Luxury
Kering’s Strategy Reveal, Examined
CEO Luca de Meo outlined manufacturing synergies, threw cold water on the group’s Valentino acquisition and shared some stealthy forecasts for Gucci’s growth as part of a sweeping strategy overhaul. Will it work?
Kering’s Strategy Reveal, Examined
CEO Luca de Meo outlined manufacturing synergies, threw cold water on the group’s Valentino acquisition and shared some stealthy forecasts for Gucci’s growth as part of a sweeping strategy overhaul. Will it work?
Luxury
Kering Aims to Double Profitability, Reignite Gucci with New Strategy
The French conglomerate is reorganising key functions as part of a strategic overhaul unveiled by new CEO Luca de Meo in Florence Thursday.
Kering Aims to Double Profitability, Reignite Gucci with New Strategy
The French conglomerate is reorganising key functions as part of a strategic overhaul unveiled by new CEO Luca de Meo in Florence Thursday.
Luxury
LVMH Sales Remain Sluggish Amid Middle East War
First-quarter sales at the group’s critical fashion and leather goods unit came in slightly below analyst expectations, as the war in the Middle East weighed on demand, despite signs of improvement in China.
LVMH Sales Remain Sluggish Amid Middle East War
First-quarter sales at the group’s critical fashion and leather goods unit came in slightly below analyst expectations, as the war in the Middle East weighed on demand, despite signs of improvement in China.
Luxury
Luxury Superweek: Q1 Sales and Kering’s Strategy Reveal
This week, LVMH, Kering and Hermès report Q1 results, Kering hosts a capital markets day in Florence, and Pucci shows in Sicily.
Luxury Superweek: Q1 Sales and Kering’s Strategy Reveal
This week, LVMH, Kering and Hermès report Q1 results, Kering hosts a capital markets day in Florence, and Pucci shows in Sicily.
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Luxury
Luxury’s Q1: A Turnaround Test
In this week’s High Margin newsletter: First-quarter sales at LVMH, Kering and Hermès will take the temperature on whether luxury’s turnaround effort is translating to sales. Plus: Galeries Lafayette’s strategy, Brunello Cucinelli’s sales beat and Robert’s favourite store in France.
Luxury’s Q1: A Turnaround Test
In this week’s High Margin newsletter: First-quarter sales at LVMH, Kering and Hermès will take the temperature on whether luxury’s turnaround effort is translating to sales. Plus: Galeries Lafayette’s strategy, Brunello Cucinelli’s sales beat and Robert’s favourite store in France.
Luxury
How Selfridges Plans to Lock in the 1%
The UK department store chain’s new ‘members club’ — the biggest renovation to its London flagship in a decade — merges private shopping, hospitality and a stage for brand experiences with the logic of an airline loyalty scheme. BoF has the first look.
How Selfridges Plans to Lock in the 1%
The UK department store chain’s new ‘members club’ — the biggest renovation to its London flagship in a decade — merges private shopping, hospitality and a stage for brand experiences with the logic of an airline loyalty scheme. BoF has the first look.
Luxury
‘Optimistic, Clear, Grounded’: Courrèges Plots New Chapter With Drew Henry
Henry, a Central Saint Martins graduate who worked at Phoebe Philo’s Celine, JW Anderson and Burberry, will succeed Nicolas Di Felice as artistic director of the Artémis-owned fashion house.
‘Optimistic, Clear, Grounded’: Courrèges Plots New Chapter With Drew Henry
Henry, a Central Saint Martins graduate who worked at Phoebe Philo’s Celine, JW Anderson and Burberry, will succeed Nicolas Di Felice as artistic director of the Artémis-owned fashion house.
Luxury
Luxury Brands Target ‘Desirability First’ — But How to Measure It?
Kering boss Luca de Meo is reconfiguring CEO incentives with a focus on desirability over top-line growth. AI has made it easier to process data from surveys, social media and more — putting desirability in the spotlight across the industry.
Luxury Brands Target ‘Desirability First’ — But How to Measure It?
Kering boss Luca de Meo is reconfiguring CEO incentives with a focus on desirability over top-line growth. AI has made it easier to process data from surveys, social media and more — putting desirability in the spotlight across the industry.
The News in Brief
Galeries Lafayette Q1 Sales Stable Despite Middle East War
The French department store chain, which plans to invest €260 million through 2030, saw a 14 percent uptick in sales from Middle Eastern clients in March as overall sales for the quarter remained flat.
Loewe Marketing Chief Charlie Smith Departs for UK Tech Firm Nothing
Smith is joining London-based smartphone company Nothing, where he will oversee brand, image, marketing, communications and store design.
WMH Acquires Production Company Profirst France, To Be Merged with Petit Ami
Under new ownership the agencies will rebrand as The Officin.
Dsquared2 and OTB’s Staff International Spar Over Licensing Deal
Dean and Dan Caten's Y2K denim brand has terminated its licensing deal with Renzo Rosso's production and distribution arm ahead of its expiration. Staff is seeking to block the move in Italian courts.
Francesca Amfitheatrof Exits Louis Vuitton
The luxury brand's artistic director for watches and jewellery is leaving after seven years.
Hermès Responds to ‘Walmart Birkin’, Dupe Culture
CEO Axel Dumas called fakes “detestable” while acknowledging the grey area surrounding many copycat products.
Valentino-Owner Mayhoola Names Riccardo Bellini as Managing Director
Bellini will oversee strategy, operations and development of the Qatari luxury group’s portfolio, which also includes Balmain.