The agreement aims to promote a more respectful industry for people and planet by boosting circularity, traceability and worker wellbeing. Inditex and the International Apparel Federation (IAF) - the membership organisation that, through their associations, represents 100,000 manufacturers from more than 40 countries - has signed today a framework agreement to drive significant transformation in the global garment industry through clear objectives and concrete lines of action to support the adoption of more sustainable practices and technologies.

This agreement paves the way for the development of projects that seek to improve working conditions, protect the environment, move towards circularity and promote transparency and traceability in the supply chain.

"Collaborating with apparel federations is key to driving a change that reaches the entire apparel and textile industry, addressing both the social and environmental challenges ahead. This agreement will allow us to continue developing and integrating best practices, foster innovation and invest in the most efficient technologies as this contributes to raising standards and competitiveness of the industry as a whole" said Inditex’s CEO, Óscar García Maceiras.

“We are thrilled that Inditex shares our vision of joining forces across the supply chain to advance sustainable transformational change in the apparel industry. Linking the forces of Inditex with the global apparel manufacturing community will allow us to focus on real change on the ground, beneficial to all parties involved and with positive effects for the existing global industry initiatives in which Inditex and IAF participate ” said IAF’s President Cem Altan.

IAF and Inditex have identified key areas of focus within this agreement. These include the advancement of industrial development in producing countries and the transition towards an industry that converts waste into new raw materials while striving for net zero emissions, promoting the adoption of renewable energy and processes with lower impact on ecosystems. Furthermore, the agreement places a strong emphasis on enhancing working conditions. It involves collaborative actions on matters such as occupational health and safety, social protection, and diversity and inclusion.

It also includes cross-cutting aspects such as the creation of a common framework to measure and verify the impacts of the textile industry and encourage resilience and the adoption of transparency-enhancing practices, such as digital labelling. Moreover, it explores the interoperability of information systems and promotes the digitalization and efficiency improvement of global supply chains, among other issues.

B.L.A.H., the renowned Amsterdam footwear brand, is making waves once again, and this time it’s exclusively for the men! We are thrilled to introduce our latest sneaker collection. Expertly crafted with brushed materials and vintage finishes, these sneakers are your perfect companions for the coming fall days.

In our commitment to ensuring that everyone finds the perfect fit, we’ve listened to the guys and empathized with the discomfort of squeezing into a size 42 shoe. That’s why, at B.L.A.H., we’re excited to announce the launch of our dedicated men’s line, JONN, a transformation of our best-selling JENN and part of our basketball-inspired sneaker family, specially designed for the discerning male sneakerhead.

The JONN emerges with robust shades of grey, black, blue, and green, featuring an intriguing blend of materials of corduroy and perforated leather details that promise unparalleled comfort – available in a both low (JONN LOW) and a high version (JONN). To take it a step further, we’ve delved into experimental territory, incorporating a dip-dye technique that infuses JONN with an extra layer of style and charisma.

At B.L.A.H., we’re committed to transparent sustainability, and this collection is no exception. We’ve carefully selected eco-friendly materials where possible, but in typical no-blah style, we’ll tell you where it’s not. Good shoes. Made well. No blah.

Safilo Group and luxury footwear brand Stuart Weitzman have entered into an exclusive global licensing agreement, that runs through June 2029, for the design, manufacturing and distribution of Stuart Weitzman branded sunglasses and optical eyewear collections.

“Building on our long history and successful collaboration with Tapestry, Inc. we are very proud to start this new partnership with Stuart Weitzman, an iconic brand that is synonymous with women’s global luxury footwear,” said Angelo Trocchia, CEO of Safilo Group.

The company said in a statement that the first eyewear collection, which includes both sunglasses and optical, will be presented in North America for the fall/winter 2024 season.

“Our goal is to infuse our signature values into eyewear and create accessories that help our consumers look and feel their best,” added Giorgio Sarné, Stuart Weitzman CEO & brand president.

Footwear specialist Birkenstock has announced the launch of its initial public offering (IPO), with over 32 million ordinary shares to be made available via the New York Stock Exchange.

Under the ticker symbol ‘Birk’, the company said its IPO price is currently expected to be between 44 dollars and 49 dollars per ordinary share.

While Birkenstock is offering over 10.7 million of its own ordinary shares, it said a selling shareholder is offering more than 21.5 million shares, and had granted a 30-day option to purchase up to an additional 4.8 million to cover over-allotments.

Goldman Sachs & Co, J.P. Morgan and Morgan Stanley have been appointed as joint lead book-running managers for the proposed offering.

Plans for the IPO were confirmed early in September, when the German company said it had publicly filed a registration statement on Form F-1 with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Prior to this, speculation regarding the proposal had been circulating via a number of new outlets suggesting majority shareholder L Catterton was mulling the move to take the company public.

In addition to this, a report by Bloomberg alleged that an IPO for the retailer could value the business at more than eight billion dollars.

At the time of the announcement, Birkenstock reported that its revenues for the six months to March 31 had increased 19 percent to 644.17 million euros, yet its net profit fell from 73.5 million to 40.2 million euros.

UK non-profit Labour Behind the Label was behind a rally that took place over the weekend in support of garment workers in the Leicester manufacturing industry.

With further support from trade unions and workers’ rights organisations, the protest, which took place in Spinney Hill Park, was in regards to job losses and factory closures in the region.

In its event overview, Labour Behind the Label said: “Leicester garment workers have always made clothes for the world with skill and with pride.

“Yet when times are tough, fashion brands use their power to demand lower prices and push factories to closure. Whether it’s Covid-19 or the cost of living crisis, it is garment workers who are left to pay the price.”

At the rally, the organisation said it was to be campaigning and informing the public on the “crisis garment workers face” and how it believes decent jobs could be ensured in the city.

Factories in Leicester have been at the centre of scrutiny over recent years, with an array of reports and investigations finding a swathe of evidence suggesting indecent working conditions for employees.

In mid-2022, a survey conducted by University of Nottingham’s Rights Lab found that over half of respondents said they were being paid below minimum wage, while 55 percent said they were not getting holiday pay.

Leading fashion group Boohoo has also been criticised for its dealings in the city, where it operates with suppliers that have been subject to independent reviews regarding allegations of poor working conditions.

As a result, the conglomerate resorted to severing links with a number of suppliers, which it said at the time was linked to a “consolidation of the supply chain”.

In Pictures

Technology company Humane debuted its inaugural device on the catwalk at Paris Fashion Week – its ‘Ai Pin’ ahead of its full unveiling on November 9.

The ‘Ai Pin’ was shown as part of a collaboration with Paris-based fashion house Coperni at their 2024 spring/summer show and worn by supermodel Naomi Campbell, making her the first person outside the company to wear the device in public.

Imran Chaudhri and Bethany Bongiorno, founders of Humane, said in a statement: “We have been admirers of Arnaud and Sébastien at Coperni for some time and our shared passion for the union of design, creativity and technology is at the heart of this collaboration.

“Our relationship with technology is changing profoundly, becoming even more personal as our devices morph into extensions of our bodies, minds and hearts. We’re excited to show the full capabilities of the device which we believe will usher in a new paradigm of ambient, AI-driven computing on November 9.”

Humane collaborates with Coperni to unveil AI-powered wearable device

During the show, the ‘Ai Pin,’ shown in white and black, was pinned on Campbell and other models’ blazers and trousers to showcase how the AI-powered tech device can be worn.

The ‘Ai Pin’ is described by the company as an “intelligent clothing-based wearable” with a screenless, standalone device and software platform built from the ground up for AI that uses a range of sensors that enable natural and intuitive compute interactions, designed “to weave seamlessly into users’ day-to-day lives”.

The device does not need to be paired with a smartphone or other companion device and includes AI-powered optical recognition and a laser-projected display, all powered by an advanced Snapdragon platform from Qualcomm Technologies.

The complete functionalities of the Humane ‘Ai Pin,’ the first built specifically to harness AI for the post-smartphone era of mobile computing, will be unveiled in full on November 9.

Luxury footwear and accessories brand Manolo Blahnik has reported that its sales have exceeded 100 million euros for the first time in the year to December 31, 2022, after experiencing a “strong rebound” in consumer demand and footfall and growth in e-commerce.

In its financial report, the Manolo Blahnik group states that turnover was up 69 percent to 118.2 million euros from 69.9 million euros in the previous financial year.

Profit before tax more than tripled to 21.9 million euros, up from 6.6 million euros in 2021. While operating profit increased five-fold year-on-year to 23.7 million euros from 4.6 million euros in FY21.

The footwear and accessories brand said that all channels experienced a strong rebound in consumer demand with store footfall returning to pre-pandemic levels and e-commerce sales continuing to grow, up 24 percent year-on-year.

The group also benefited from a full year of sales in its two US boutiques, a flagship on Madison Avenue in New York and a second store in East Hampton, which it notes demonstrates the “resonance” of the Manolo Blahnik brand with US consumers.

Other highlights included a worldwide collaboration with Birkenstock which sold out within hours of its launch, generating “huge” brand awareness and attracting new customers, added the brand. The collaboration featured two drops in March and again in June, delivering “unprecedented levels” of engagement across social channels.

Manolo Blahnik posts record financial year and pays out 1 million euro bonus to staff

The company also saw growth in its womenswear category, fuelled by increased interest in occasion wear and embellished designs post-pandemic, with its ‘Hangisi’ shoe driving sales.

This trend began to change towards the end of 2022, with Manolo Blahnik seeing more demand for simple, investment pieces, such as its elegant and classic mule the ‘Maysale,’ designed in the late 90s, which helped drive growth.

In addition, the menswear category continued to grow, helped by what the brand adds was a “highly successful brand awareness campaign,” which went live in Q4 across all brand channels with a focus on UK and US markets.

Kristina Blahnik, chief executive of Manolo Blahnik, said in a statement: “We saw another record financial performance in 2022 at Manolo Blahnik Group with sales across all our channels rebounding very strongly and firmly establishing our position in the US market. 2022 was an extraordinary year of consumer demand which will naturally rebalance in 2023 given multiple macro-economic headwinds.

“In celebration of exceeding 100 million euros Group sales for the first time in our history, we were very proud to share an exceptional bonus of over 1 million euros with our Group employees in November 2022, recognising the hard work and dedication of our teams worldwide and their contribution to reaching this milestone.”

Looking ahead, Manolo Blahnik said that its 2023 developments were focused on strengthening the commercial drive of the brand with a shift towards international expansion, with a particular focus on Asia. This is being driven by Elodie Bougenault, who was appointed as global chief commercial officer in June.

Bougenault joined Manolo Blahnik from luxury lingerie brand La Perla, where she was managing director of EMEA and head of retail operations worldwide. Prior to this, Bougenault was the Asia Pacific managing director at luxury jewellery and watch house Boucheron in Hong Kong, and held senior roles leading operations in Asia, including at Kate Spade and Marc Jacobs.

This new appointment also allows the former chief commercial officer and current president of Americas, Andrew Wright, to fully focus on delivering significant long-term growth plans for the Americas.

The footwear label has also just relocated its UK global headquarters from Marylebone to a historic Georgian building in London’s Mayfair, with more than 14,500 gross square feet of office, showroom and meeting spaces.

Interview Over 1.4 billion people, a growing middle class with rising disposable income. India, the world's largest democracy, attracts many investors because of its large market size, especially when it comes to clothing. But much of the sector is unorganised, the infrastructure leaves a lot to be desired, and even the smallest task can take time…

The Shirt Dandy is a start-up that has taken the plunge - the Austrian company manufactures custom-made shirts for men in India. A daring venture or a clearly calculated risk with a good chance of success? FashionUnited spoke to Thomas Hebenstreit, founder of The Shirt Dandy, about the idea behind the start-up and the challenges and opportunities of the Indian market.

Mr. Hebenstreit, in India, the land of customised and quick tailoring, wanting to sell men made-to-measure shirts - isn't that like offering refrigerators in the Arctic?

Yes, perhaps at first glance. And I have to admit that we had initially planned the more traditional business model: produce in India and then sell in Germany or Europe. But the supply chain is long and therefore not really sustainable. The logistics were also difficult.

So you thought, why not sell in India?

Something like that. India has a high population density and a high growth rate of almost 9 percent. In addition, the purchasing power is increasing. You don't find this combination everywhere.

But still, India is not an easy market, you have to understand it. How did you decide on India?

I knew the country. I come from the business area, management and finance and lived in Delhi for some time in 2022. Now The Shirt Dandy has its headquarters in Gurgaon near Delhi and employs seven people there.

How does ordering via The Shirt Dandy work exactly?

Customers can make an appointment with our specialist via the website, who will then make a home visit and take the measurements in about 20 minutes. They can then also choose the fabric and benefit from the specialist’s expertise. The finished shirt is then delivered within 7-10 days.

That is quite fast.

Yes, because several employees work on one shirt in a multi-step process.

What if the finished shirt does not fit exactly?

If the first shirt doesn't fit, it gets altered very quickly; immediately in case of minor adjustments, otherwise within a few days. That was one reason why we decided against the European market - in Austria, for example, you have to wait three months for such a change, which is simply too long. In addition, the peoplepower you would need for taking measurements is expensive.

For returning customers it is even easier - they can access their stored data by customer number and enter the desired details for their new shirt.

What if a customer prefers contactless ordering?

I'm glad you asked - that will be possible from the end of October with the relaunch of our website. Customers will then be able to take a photo or photos of themselves and upload them via the WebApp. None of these photos will be saved, by the way.

Using our first 3D configurator, also launched in October, in collaboration with the Italian company Reda, the exact measurements will then be created and the process will continue in the same way as taking measurements in person.

How much does a custom-made shirt like this cost?

The Shirt Dandy is very competitive when it comes to prices. It starts at 3,500 rupees (about 40 euros, 42 US dollars or 35 British pounds) and goes up to 12,000 rupees (about 137 euros, 144 US dollars or 118 British pounds), depending on personalisation, for example with a monogram, a certain collar, cuffs, and the like.

This individualisation is also an incentive; after all, no one wants to be like anyone else. The trend towards increasing individualisation coincides with the technical progress that makes this possible. So for us, this is the ideal time to enter the market.

Talking about competition - Indian men are quite choosy when it comes to their shirts, whether it is for the office, leisure or formal occasions.

Established Indian brands such as Aditya Birla's Louis Philippe and Allen Solly, Tata's Westside and Raymond, Park Avenue, ColorPlus and Parx by the Raymond Group are popular, as is US brand Arrow, distributed by Arvind Lifestyle Brands.

Yes, that is true, but we offer a premium product at a competitive price, plus free lifetime changes. So if someone grows taller, loses weight or gains weight, he can have his shirt altered at no cost.

That kind of offer is unusual indeed. You mentioned sizes - do you work with certain size specifications?

No, everything is made-to-measure, so there are no size templates.

Which is more democratic and goes into the area of body positivity - no one has to squeeze into limited size templates from XS to XL, for example.

Do you think there could soon be followers, somebody copying your concept, i.e. producing for the Indian market with European know-how?

That is not so easy - the way of working in India is quite different. You have to know this, you have to have been here before. It is also very important to have the right local partners.

That is the keyword - where are the shirts manufactured?

We produce in a factory in Bangalore. I have personally visited it and checked everything. It is quite advanced, better than average. For example, almost the entire energy suppy is covered by solar energy, which comes from solar cells on the roof of the factory. Also, the entire value chain is in India, which was very important to us, including the raw material.

What raw material do you use for the shirts?

Indian cotton but also Tencel from Lenzing and bamboo, which grows back quickly. We pay attention to environmentally friendly fabrics and deliberately avoid polyester blends. We attach great importance to sourcing locally, producing locally and selling locally.

That sounds sustainable, as does ordering on demand.

Yes exactly, we follow a purely made-to-order model, so in that sense there is no inventory, as customers only buy something when they need it. Made-to-measure products also fit better, so customers generally need to buy fewer shirts. In addition, each of our products is equipped with information about which fabric was used, what composition it is, what colour. This makes it easier to recycle later.

Customers also have the option to return their old clothes and receive a 5 percent discount on their next orders.

And how would potential customers hear about The Shirt Dandy?

We advertise on social media - on Instagram and Facebook, for example - and target our groups very specifically.

We are also planning a first store in Gurgaon. But we are still in the evaluation phase and think that this will become a reality only in the first half of 2024.

What else does the future hold for The Shirt Dandy, shirts for women perhaps?

Yes, that is possible, especially in the area of shirts from companies as an employee benefit to all employees.

We are also planning to get fully certified soon to officially prove our efforts in the areas of sustainability, social responsibility and fair working conditions. In terms of turnover, we are hoping for one million euros by 2024.

We will evolve the range within 24 months - for example, expand to chinos and polos, also more festive clothing, but nothing traditional. In terms of colours, we will keep the tried and tested - so for shirts, white, blue and pink.

Yes, that's where the Indian market differs from the European market - for Indian men, pink is a natural part of their wardrobe.

Finally, the question with which one usually starts such a conversation - what prompted you to start The Shirt Dandy?

The Shirt Dandy was born out of a personal need - spending three hours looking for a good and well-fitting shirt is simply not possible, so we wanted to remedy that.

For her latest spring/summer 2024 runway show, Stella McCartney complemented the event with a street market that showcased some of the British fashion designer’s sustainable and materials innovation partners.

The occasion came as part of Paris Fashion Week, during which McCartney held her runway show at the Marché Saxe-Breteuil where the designer unveiled a slew of ready-to-wear looks, from flowing dresses to tailored suiting.

Models paced the runway alongside the ‘Stella Sustainable Market’, which like the Eiffel Tower served as a backdrop to the event.

A total of 22 market stalls were present, each participating in order to both inspire and educate show attendees on sustainable materials and circular fashion.

Among those presenting were the likes of LVMH-owned deadstock platform Nona Source; vegan leather supplier Mabel Industries; plant-based leather manufacturer Natural Fiber Welding (NFW); and traceable wool supplier Nativa.

‘Sustainable alternatives becoming the standard’

In a release on the event, Nativa’s global sales and marketing director, Maria Estrada, said: “Today’s presentation by Stella McCartney not only highlighted our partner’s commitment to sustainable and circular fashion, but also provided suppliers like Nativa with an opportunity to explain and showcase the valuable work we all do to a much broader audience. Nativa is thrilled to work with such a supportive and dedicated designer.”

Many of the market’s participants are current brand partners of the McCartney brand. Nona Source, for example, supplies deadstock fabric for a range of the designer’s collections, while NFW made its runway debut with the label for AW23, when its leather alternative Mirum was used to produce McCartney’s Falabella and Frayme bags.

In a statement to Vogue Business, she said: “I’m hoping I can use my runway show as a platform to raise awareness for some of the innovators we work with as well as others who are doing amazing things.

“Success looks like these sustainable alternatives becoming the standard. We absolutely need to support these innovators, or they will not make it.”

McCartney’s values could also be seen in the SS24 collection, which had reportedly been crafted from 95 percent recycled materials.

   

Quality recognizes quality in this seamless collaboration.

Dstrezzed is no stranger to making quality clothing for the modern gents of the world, but good style extends beyond the wardrobe, it’s the space you live in too. Presenting “Dstrezzed x We are WOW Makers” a colorful expression of three iconic destinations to bring craftsmanship into the home of every modern gent.  

"If these walls could talk, they'd have many stories to tell."

Connecting these two brands is a commitment to craftsmanship and sharing meaningful stories through their products. Inspired by European destinations that tap into the different sides of a modern gent, the three colors give every individual the chance to connect and reflect on their own memories. Inspired by European destinations that tap into the different sides of a modern gent and the brand values of Dstrezzed, the three colors give every individual the chance to connect and reflect on their own memories.

Florence, Italy – A city with flair and character. A modern style clash of contemporary thinking with deep heritage and historic significance. 

 

Biarritz, France – Cheers to the good things in life; good food, flowing wine, and moments to relax in the warm south of France sun.

 

Reykjavik, Iceland - Not the usual travel spot, but full of adventure and grit. A place where you can be bold and explore. 

 

We Are WOW Makers work with natural paints, which have a structure of Italian stucco and chalk paint, giving an elegant and timeless look and feel. The collaboration invites modern gents to transform their living spaces into a time capsule of memories, that only they know the true stories behind of course…  

About Dstrezzed

For over a decade, Dstrezzed has been a trailblazer in creating quality and comfortable menswear that resonates with the contemporary man. With collections available at 800 international locations, Dstrezzed celebrates life's pleasures, encapsulated in the brand ethos – ‘Don't Stress.’ The iconic octagonal logo symbolizes infinity and unity, a powerful emblem of the enduring bond shared in the brotherhood of the modern gent.

About We Are Wow Makers

We Are WOW Makers is an independent brand, offering natural paint with a structure between Italian stucco and chalk paint, named stucco paint. A truly easy-to-apply capsule collection which features only the most essential holiday home colors. A brand that knows how to see the quality in things and create a WOW effect.

British lifestyle brand Crew Clothing saw its turnover increase 22.5 percent in 2022, with positive growth across both its retail estate and wholesale channel.

The company posted turnover of 101.3 million pounds for the 12 months ended December 25, 2022, up from 82.7 million pounds the prior year, according to filings at Companies House.

On a less bright note, the company’s EBITDA narrowed to 13.5 million pounds from 16 million pounds, which it said was due to the support it received in 2021 through the government’s Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, grants, and business rates relief.

Crew Clothing’s profit after tax in 2022 fell to 8.9 million pounds from 13.7 million pounds.

The company said the trading environment was “challenging” in 2022 due to various factors including the pandemic, inflation, the cost-of-living crisis, and the impact of war in Ukraine on the retail industry.

“We remain cautious and have set a realistic plan for the 2023 financial year that shows a gradual uplift in our trading performance, particularly in our stores and market place partners,” the company said.

“Further, we are confident that our loyal customer base, sensible marketing strategy and tight operating costs control will help Crew Clothing withstand the current inflationary pressures and cost of living challenges.”

Sharon White, the chairman of British department store group John Lewis Partnership, has announced her intention to step down from the helm position, asking the board to initiate a process to appoint her successor.

It comes as White begins to enter the final stages of her five-year term at the company, having initially stepped into the role in February 2020, meaning her term comes to an end in February 2025.

According to a release, White has also requested for the board to review “the accountabilities of the chairman’s role to ensure that these continue to support the successful transformation of the business”.

The appointment process will be overseen by deputy chairman and chairman of the Nominations Committee, Rita Clifton, with the Partnership Board to eventually approve of the successor.

Progress in ‘modernisation and transformation’ to remain intact

Speaking on the move, White said: “The chairman of the John Lewis Partnership is a special and unique role in UK business. The chairman is responsible for the long-term health of the Partnership’s model – commercial success twinned with a commitment to first rate customer service and action in our communities.

“Having led the Partnership through the pandemic and the worst of the cost of living crisis, it is important that there is now a smooth and orderly succession process and handover.

“The Partnership is making progress in its modernisation and transformation with improving results. There is a long road ahead and I am committed to handing on the strongest possible Partnership to my successor.”

During her time at John Lewis, White has not managed to steer clear of scrutiny amid the turbulent market in which the retailer has found itself in.

Earlier this year, the executive was put under pressure from both internal and external parties after she suggested selling a stake of the business to an external partner, which would result in the company no longer being 100 percent employee-owned.

According to a report by The Sunday Times, the move could have helped the struggling retailer raise between one billion pounds and two billion pounds, following its report of widening losses in the year to January 28.

This, combined with decline sales and a lack of bonuses, was cause for speculation that resulted in a vote of confidence in White by the retailer’s Partnership Council, during which the chairman secured a majority win with those supporting her approach to the company’s future.

Sportswear retail chain Sports Direct could be faced with a 5.4 million pound bill after asset management firm JPMorgan filed court documents regarding the refurbishment of its former Wigan unit.

According to JPMorgan, the retailer owes the money after it left the site in a state of disrepair once it vacated the property in 2019, breaking agreements in its 10-year lease that had first been signed in 2014.

Initially reported on by the Financial Times, JPMorgan filed the complaint against the Frasers Group-owned Sports Direct in court documents this month, in which it had claimed the company had failed to carry out the contractually required refurbishment work, causing “loss and damage”.

Lawyers for the bank said Sports Direct had more than six months to make good “any alterations, cover up or changes it made without the landlord’s consent”, with the bank then having to initiate the work itself, reportedly amounting to costs of 3.3 million pounds.

JPMorgan alleged that it had lost 1.8 million pounds in potential rent over the period it took to refurbish the property, and has asked for interest to be applied to this amount, resulting in the balance of 5.4 million pounds.

Given that the ESCADA client is known for being a well-traveled personality, feminine, graceful, and fashion-conscious, she enjoys discovering and getting to know new cities.

New York City is the ideal location for this. This exciting, fascinating metropolis is always a highlight, and it's more enjoyable discovering it dressed in ESCADA. We explore the streets of New York today in the stylish district "East Village."

Our heroes travel across New York in a luxurious limousine. She enjoys shopping, sipping a cup of coffee here and there, and simply taking in the great energy of the city.

Today it's all about the accessories, specifically the ESCADA eyewear collection. The collaboration with DeRigo twice a year to choose the perfect model for yourself and so properly round off the ESCADA wardrobe from a specifically developed ESCADA eyewear collection. The subtle gold embellishments, polished temple design, and recognizable EE logo make this accessory a favorite of our consumers. Complete your look with ESCADA eyewear, sunglasses, and optical frames, and enjoy this vibrant city perfectly dressed from head to toe with us.

IN PICTURES

A design debut is always highly anticipated, but Belgian fashion brand Ann Demeulemeester's show had even more reasons as to why people kept an eye out. For it was not the first time this year that a designer showed a collection for the first time. Indeed, earlier this year Ludovic de Saint Sernin made his debut, but already disappeared from the scene after his first collection. Now it was Stefano Gallici's turn.

Gallici made his debut as creative director of the Belgian fashion brand during Paris Fashion Week. The signature interplay of black and white that founder Ann Demeulemeester was so well known for remained, but two colours were added to the palette this time: cobalt blue and khaki green. A surprise for the public.

The collection had many details of fringes and straps. A multitude of sheer dresses, some cargo trousers, as well as leather aprons were on show. There was also a lot of leather in the collection. Not only as belts and aprons, but also around arms and other body parts.

Gallici seems to understand the essence of Ann Demeulemeester. It is not without reason, however, as the designer also worked behind the scenes at the brand for three years. He was responsible for menswear there at the time. In his debut collection, the brand's dark atmosphere is well complemented by sophisticated cuts and eye-catching details. The question remains whether Gallici will stay longer than his predecessor De Saint Sernin, but at least the tone seems already set.

In pictures: Stefano Gallici's debut at Ann Demeulemeester

View some of the show's highlights below.

Finnish retail giant Stockmann has said its board of directors are to begin a strategic assessment in a bid to bolster value for shareholders, with plans to specifically revolve around a refocusing on the group’s lingerie business, Lindex.

As part of the review, the company said it was mulling a name change to Lindex Group, reflecting the subsidiary’s role after it achieved two thirds of Stockmann’s revenues in 2022 – hitting revenues of 661 million euros.

Stockmann noted that the name change would not impact its Stockmann Department Stores, which would continue under the current brand name, however it did state that it would be investigating “strategic alternatives” for that business.

Through the review, the company said it would evaluate the “best environment for developing the business in the future”, such as increasing its independence within the group and considering possible new ownership changes.

In a release, Stockmann’s chair, Sari Pohjonen, said: “Lindex has had a fundamental role in improving the performance of the group over the years.

“The launch of the strategic assessment of considering a name change and evaluating strategic alternatives for the Department Stores business is a natural next step in our strategy and reflects Lindex’s growing importance within the group.”

Decisions relating to the name change are to be made at a later date, while the assessment is expected to be finalised during 2024.

Accessories and leather goods label Wandler has established a new partnership with Bluebell Group as it looks to secure a presence in the Japanese market.

The Dutch brand, which said the collaboration was “significant for both parties”, will gain access to Bluebell’s market expertise in the region from November.

Through the agreement, the luxury distributor will oversee all operations, marketing initiatives and management of e-commerce platforms to be launched in the future.

In a release, Wandler chief operating officer, Joost Doeswijk, said: “The only way to conquer a market like Japan is with a local specialist. We couldn’t have dreamed for a better partner than Bluebell Japan to help grow Wandler in the Japanese market.”

For Wandler, the deal signals “a new chapter”, securing entry into Japan with a partner that already works with the likes of Acne Studios, Balmain and Dior on similar ventures.

Led by creative director Elza Wandler, the brand has been on a subtle expansion since its launch in 2017, most recently entering the ready-to-wear category last year with a collection designed for the “modern woman”.

According to Wandler, the RTW line was meant as a continuation of Wandler’s signature design values, in terms of colour play and material combinations.

Now, such values are to come to Japan, with Bluebell’s president for the region Serge Grebert stating: “Wandler’s exceptional craftsmanship and functional luxurious designs promise to bring a fresh option to Japanese consumers. We look forward to a successful partnership with Wandler.”

Luxury resale platform Vestiaire Collective has announced the appointment of Lauren Picciano as its new head of communications, a role she will assume from the company’s New York office.

Reporting to global chief marketing officer, Marie-Christin Oebel, Picciano has been tasked with overseeing the global team strategising brand communications and key channel initiatives, such as corporate communications, consumer PR and influencer and celebrity relations.

She joins the company after serving in PR roles of increasing responsibility at the likes of Town & Country and Hearst’s Marie Claire, as well as Bergdorf Goodman, where she led the retailer’s public relations, events and social media teams.

Most recently, Picciano oversaw PR, celebrity and influence for Saks, where she looked to establish a modern brand narrative through communications initiatives and ambassador programmes.

In a release, Oebel said on Picciano’s appointment: “We are thrilled to have Lauren Picciano join Vestiaire Collective, bringing her expansive knowledge and experience in the luxury fashion market to our leadership team.

“Picciano’s appointment is critical in expanding Vestiaire Collective’s brand awareness and impact in North America, but also around the globe.”

Such efforts to bolster the brand’s North American presence has also been seen in its recent appointment of Samina Virk as CEO of the region.

At the time, Virk said she was setting out to expand and build on the brand and its business as it aimed to increase its overall global presence.

The co-founder of premium brand Guess, Maurice Marciano, has announced his retirement from the company’s board of directors, effective immediately.

Marciano established Guess in 1981 alongside his brothers, Paul, Georges and Armand, and had previously served as chairman and chief executive officer of the company over the duration of his career.

In a release, the businessman highlighted the foundations and vision on which Guess was built, adding: “Today, I’m proud to say that we have turned that vision into a reality, in what has been an incredibly fulfilling journey for me personally.

“As the second largest shareholder of Guess, I’m grateful to the board, to Paul, and to Carlos and the entire Guess family for their partnership and commitment to our brand, and I’m confident that the company is well positioned to continue its success long into the future.”

Marciano’s time at Guess hasn’t come without some substantial hiccups, however. Back in February 2022, activist shareholder Legion Partners Asset Management called for the removal of both Maurice and Paul Marciano from the company’s board of directors amid a slew of sexual assault allegations against the latter.

While accusations, reports and a lawsuit surrounding Paul had circulated for decades, with as many as nine individuals coming forward, Guess continued to back the brothers after it said it had carried out an investigation into Paul in 2018 which led it to strongly refute the claims.

Ultimately, the board made the move to re-elect both Maurice and Paul later in April 2022, calling Legion’s withhold campaign “irresponsible” and a “massive distraction” from its financial performance.

The co-founder of premium brand Guess, Maurice Marciano, has announced his retirement from the company’s board of directors, effective immediately.

Marciano established Guess in 1981 alongside his brothers, Paul, Georges and Armand, and had previously served as chairman and chief executive officer of the company over the duration of his career.

In a release, the businessman highlighted the foundations and vision on which Guess was built, adding: “Today, I’m proud to say that we have turned that vision into a reality, in what has been an incredibly fulfilling journey for me personally.

“As the second largest shareholder of Guess, I’m grateful to the board, to Paul, and to Carlos and the entire Guess family for their partnership and commitment to our brand, and I’m confident that the company is well positioned to continue its success long into the future.”

Marciano’s time at Guess hasn’t come without some substantial hiccups, however. Back in February 2022, activist shareholder Legion Partners Asset Management called for the removal of both Maurice and Paul Marciano from the company’s board of directors amid a slew of sexual assault allegations against the latter.

While accusations, reports and a lawsuit surrounding Paul had circulated for decades, with as many as nine individuals coming forward, Guess continued to back the brothers after it said it had carried out an investigation into Paul in 2018 which led it to strongly refute the claims.

Ultimately, the board made the move to re-elect both Maurice and Paul later in April 2022, calling Legion’s withhold campaign “irresponsible” and a “massive distraction” from its financial performance.