Second City Style Fashion Blog - Style, Luxury, Beauty & Shopping

Lara Stone for Vuitton

Marc Jacobs and Louis Vuitton are more than ready for the next big campaign. After the recent success of Madonna, Vuitton's newest strategy for the Spring/Summer 2010 season will feature model-of-the-moment Lara Stone in a series of six "Bardot-esque" poses on a bed of moss, surrounded by white doves. 

Artistic director Marc Jacobs collaborated again with Steven Meisel and took the Vuitton collection shoots in the direction of easy-going, playful beauty to express the ideals of a whimsical, luxurious free spirit. "Because the collection loosely took its cues from the idea of the New Age traveler, we decided to create a green, outdoorsy set that would evoke a spirit of peace and love," Jacobs explained. "To model the clothes, we wanted a modern, iconic, sexy beauty… It had to be Lara Stone."

The cool, forest inspired background makes Vuitton's newest collections of sun-bleached Monogram denim bags, wooden clogs embellished with fur tufts and hardware-inspired jewelry in the photographs really standout.

"This is a very strong campaign," explained Head of Communications Antoine Armault, "... reflecting the vibrant, optimistic mood of the Spring/Summer 2010 show." The campaign is set to hit magazines in their February 2010 and a behind the scenes video of the advertising campaign will be online at louisvuitton.com soon. 

-Taneisha Jordan
 

Source; Photo: LouisVuitton.com

Louis' New Vegas Lights

 Yesterday, the news was released that the Las Vegas CityCenter was opening the seventh U.S. Miu Miu store. That's not all the new additions of the CityCenter .

According to WWD, Louis Vuitton opened up its largest North American store. At 33,000 square feet, this flagship store is completely covered with 4,000 LED lights that are used for light shows along the Las Vegas Boulevard frontage from dusk until dawn. It is also the sixteenth Louis Vuitton store which carries ready-to-wear apparel. 

Louis Vuitton joins not only Miu Miu, but Dior, Cartier, Bulgari, and Tom Ford, which WWD reported also recently opened. The change has been under a bit of pressure. Just last year, the CityCenter was close to bankruptcy until one of the center's main investors had to gamble his stake.

The gamble looks to be paying off and many are excited for the new beginnings. “The whole idea of the store is to reflect Las Vegas, to appeal to the local clientele and visitors,” said Daniel Lalonde, CEO of Louis Vuitton North America. “Las Vegas is a very important market for any luxury brand. There are so many international travelers who come here.” 

The CityCenter will formally open on December 16.

—Taneisha Jordan

Photo: WWD

Lanvin Sells Minority Stake to Promote Growth

French luxury house Lanvin announced today that it has sold a minority stake to an investor. But fear not—the label assures us that the sale is part of a master plan to promote overall growth in the next few years. The identity of the European family holding company behind the investment has not yet been confirmed but reps for Lanvin did confirm that it had sold 12.5 percent of Arpège SAS, the label's primary holding company. "The company is really healthy. We only need to accelerate," Thierry Andretta, Lanvin's executive vice president, told WWD. "We will be looking worldwide for great opportunities." Indeed, the label has been steadily gaining momentum in both visibility and sales since creative director Alber Elbaz took the reigns back in 2001, with a 29 percent increase in the past year alone! Whew.

Andretta revealed that Lanvin's business is currently 70 per cent wholesale but noted, "our goal is to progressively grow to at least 50-50," by adding to its selection of standalone stores, currently set at 19 company-owned boutiques and 21 franchises. In January, Lanvin will open a 2,800-square-foot store in Singapore, followed by stores in Beijing, Hong Kong and Las Vegas. The house's majority stake owner, Shaw-Lan Wang, will retain control of the company and has so far resisted any other potential stakeholders, including LVMH's Bernard Arnault.

Article Source: Style.com, WWD
Photo Source: frillr
-Alia Rajput

Insolvency Proceedings for Escada Begin

Insolvency proceedings over the assets of Escada AG were opened Sunday at the Munich Municipal court. The label had filed an insolvency petition on Aug. 13.
Now open, acting insolvency administrator Munich attorney Christian Gerloff, has the power of administration and control over all assets and the power of representation of Escada. Gerloff is reportedly engaged in negotiations with a handful of potential buyers for the fashion house, including Megha Mittal, daughter-in-law of the Indian steel billionaire Lakshmi Mittal, and Sven Ley, son of the oiginal Escada founders Wolfgang and Margaretha Ley. Reports also say the U.S. financial investment firm Oaktree, a second investment firm and possibly Rustam Aksenenko, once again Escada’s largest shareholder, are in the final round.

Escada surprised potential investors late last week when it pulled out of the negotiated May sales contract with Munich-based Mutares AG. The contract involved three of the four Primera brands — Laurel, Apriori and Cavita. The brands are now supposed to be sold to Endurance Capital, also based in Munich. A spokesman said the agreement with Mutares had run into delays brought about by Escada’s insolvency, and that Endurance Capital had then emerged as a new bidder offering not only better terms, but an overall better concept for the Primera brands. Mutares had reportedly paid the symbolic price of one euro, or $1.48, for Primera, and the sale had required a significant writedown in Escada’s fiscal 2008-09 second-quarter period ending April 30. While the Escada spokesman wouldn’t disclose the terms of the new deal, he said Endurance had paid a “recognizable price.” A decision in the insolvency proceedings is expected as early as the end of this week.

Article Source: WWD
Photo Source: myfashionlife
-Alia Rajput

Luxury Turning Commercial In the Road Ahead?

 

The rules of the standards of luxury are changing with the economic crisis still beating down. Even though most fashion designers and analysts believe that the worse is over, this recession will prove what the true luxury in the eyes of consumers is. Words such as "meaningful consumption" and "commercial" are being thrown around often, even though a few years ago, they were mainly used as insults. It is all in the hands of the consumer this time around.

Many designers have seen this change coming for the last few years but with things taking a turn for the better, consumers are now aware how cheap it can be to get certain items which were once considered "high class luxury". Pierre-Yves Roussel, CEO of the fashion division at LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton, explained, "The crisis itself is just putting us back into being better in tune with what luxury and fashion are about. The reality is consumers are and will be more demanding. People are looking for meaningful consumption. They are not just consuming for the sake of buying. People want to be reassured...We have to get back to the true value of things."

But do not expect luxury item prices to skyrocket overnight. Recent market conditions, coupled with e-commerce, the boom of social networking, and recent eco concerns are bound to shape the industry in the coming years.
 
"We designers absolutely have to re-edit our approach. It's all about going back to your roots," said Dontella Versace." The only way to entice customers to buy is to give fashion a more emotional excitement. It's also about thinking of new ways to get your collections out there - social media, Internet, virtual runway shows - that are more cost-effective, global and creative."

Source: WWD

— Taneisha Jordan

President and CEO of Versace USA Leaves Office.

Patrick Guadagno

After speculating reports last month, it has been confirmed that president and CEO of Versace USA, Patrick Guadagno, has left the company. In a statement released Tuesday, Guadagno said, “My tenure at Versace has been a tremendous experience, and I am pleased with what we were able to accomplish. I wish the company continued success and growth in the U.S. and international markets, and I look forward to other challenges in the fashion industry.”

Those prospective challenges have yet to become known as Guadagno did not release any immediate plans to stay within the industry. Prior to joining Versace, Guadagno had been managing director of Dolce & Gabbana’s D&G label in America. Before that, he was president at IT Holding USA, D&G’s licensee. Guadagno is widely credited with initially building D&G in the U.S. and overseeing the transition of its marketing and sales from IT Holding to the label’s own showroom. Now that he has left the Versace USA office, Guadagno will seemingly also become known for making similar progress there. He was responsible for expanding the role of the Versace label in the New York market, reinstating relationships with both Avenue and Saks FifthBergdorf Goodman.

But a sexual harassment suit filed by a former assistant, Fay Rodriguez, stirred up some controversy and negative attention for Guadagno last year. The case is still pending though it has not been confirmed to be tied to Guadagno's departure.

As part of a reorganization plan Versace unveiled last month, Michelle Sodi was announced as Guadagno's replacement as CEO of Versace USA. Sodi joined the company from Jil Sander America, where he served as president and worked with Versace CEO Gian Giacomo Ferraris.

Article and Phot Source: WWD
-Alia Rajput

Gucci Asks Customers to Star in Online Ad Campaign Launching Today

A mockup of Gucci' new microsite, Guccieyeweb.com, that launches today

Gucci has just announced it is becoming the latest luxury company to delve into "the digital generation." The company has picked an unorthodox star for its newest viral campaign which will launch today —its customers. To highlight the launch of Gucci Eyeweb, a new collection of sunglasses aimed at a younger demographic of 18- to 25-year-olds, the luxury brand will unveil a global, multilingual, social networking microsite that asks users to upload and share their personal photos. The pictures will then rotate over a 3-D image of the sunglasses, looking as if they’re reflected in the dark lenses. Users of the new Guccieyeweb.com can switch among cities such as London, Milan, New York, Tokyo, Paris and Berlin to check out what their friends in each place are doing around the clock, and of course, they can share their Gucci photo galleries on Facebook and Twitter.

Having taken cues from their American counterparts, the European luxury markets have begun to open themselves up to the mode of global interconnectedness. Brands such such as Dolce & Gabbana, Alexander McQueen, Louis Vuitton, Christian Dior, Hugo Boss, Sonia Rykiel and Rena Lange to Camper and Topshop have all recently begun to add the tweeting, blogging, posting and streaming components to their as campaigns.

And for many, like Gucci, this new phenomenon of interactive microsites is replacing older forms of marketing entirely. Robert Triefus, Gucci’s worldwide marketing and communications director, said that, in the old days (i.e. five years ago) the launch for the new $220 eye wear style would have been accompanied by a global print campaign, specially tweaked for each market. Alas, those days are already obsolete. “The new site already connects all corners of the world,” Triefus explained, pointing out users can view Guccieyeweb in English, Italian, French, Spanish and German.Next month, Gucci plans to swap the sunglasses icon on the microsite for ski goggles so visitors can upload their winter holiday snapshots.

So are the days really gone of the long waiting lists, exclusive previews, and elitist attitudes that have commonly been affiliated with luxury shopping? It seems that time may have come. "It’s important for us to speak to these customers in their own language and in their own world,” Gucci's creative director Frida Giannini told WWD. “Although I’m not on Facebook myself, it was really the community spirit I saw on [Gucci’s] Facebook page that inspired my thinking for this social network. And I love the way this technology allows people to share their creativity.”

Article and Photo Source: WWD
-Alia Rajput

Luxury Industry Must Cater to Both Sides of Consumerism to Survive

The Hublot Big Bang Apple watch which retails for $29,900

It seems true that you can't please everyone all of the time. The poor luxury industry has been struggling with all odds against it in the recession, weathering the blows of frugality and budget cutbacks. And now that some measures have been taken to ensure the industry's survival, the high-end clientele is calling foul. According to a recent survey by the Luxury Institute, 48 percent of spenders said luxury products are too accessible and are no longer exclusive; 40 percent believed luxury brands are becoming a commodity, and 52 percent said luxury brands that also sell products for mass consumers are no longer luxury brands. If that wasn't bad enough, a large percentage of wealthy consumers believe that the trademark characteristics of luxury products, superior quality and craftsmanship, are being offered worse today than in years past.

And yet—even though the wealthy consumers are upset by the apparent lack of quality in today's luxury market, only 7 percent of the survey takers said they will spend more on luxury goods and services. 21 percent said they are likely to spend more on discounted goods and services. And of those actual spenders, 55 percent said they will buy more of what they need rather than what they want. So what's the problem?! “I think the frugality will continue in luxury spending," said Milton Pedraza, CEO of the Luxury Institute. " It will be a tough slog, and will be at least another 12 to 24 months before we see any growth rates in spending."

So how can luxury goods maintain a marketable status without being too accessible and compromising quality? Discounting is seemingly not the way to go. In the Luxury Institute survey, 41 percent said luxury brands that have their own discount outlets are no longer luxury, and the same percentage concluded that luxury brands that are heavily discounted are not truly luxury. But Matt Kaden, associate director of Net Worth Solutions, disagrees. He says that e-commerce sites that sell a discounted luxury brand does not damage the brand's image. “These sites are by invitation only, which leverages off of the social networking trend,” he said.

But for labels that adhere to that stubborn 41 percent, finding ways to reconnect with the customer will be key to keeping their loyalty. Andrew Sacks, president of marketing consultancy Agency Sacks, says contact between consumers and brands will become even more important as firms try to retain and grow market share. Sacks tells his companies to go out and hire letter writers to get that personal connection with consumers, and to cash in on the greater number of wealthy consumers spending time online. “Use social media," he noted. "Engage in a real dialogue. Social media is real. Be direct, be human and show thanks. Companies have to work harder to provide a rational alibi to purchase. Educate. Make it OK for them to spend money."

Article and Photo Source: WWD
-Alia Rajput

Cacharel Appoints New Creative Director.

Cacharel Spring/Summer 2009

Cedric Charlier has just been named the new creative director of Cacharel. The luxury house had been designing their collections by an in house team after the departure of the previous creative directors, Mark Eley and Wakako Kishimoto of Eley Kishimoto. Now Charlier, who started his career at Celine, will display his first collection for Cacharel on October 3 during the spring/summer 2010 shows at Paris Fashion Week. Charlier has been highly influenced by the styles of Lanvin, where he's been working with artistic director Alber Elbaz for the past six years. Prior to that, the 31 year old designer worked at labels Michael Kors and Jean Paul Knott.

Article and Photo Source: vogue.com
-Alia Rajput

Hermes Recreates Special Edition Scarf to Benefit Human Rights.

The special edition "Perspective" scarf reissued by Hermes for charity

Luxury house Hermes has just announced that it will be recreating a special version of its silk-twill "Perspective" scarf to show support for the International Federation of Human Rights on the 30th anniversary of the the United Nations Convention for the rights of women. The limited edition scarf, retailing at around $300.00, will be offered exclusively on the federation’s Web site, fidh.org, early next month as an homage to the original design. The original "Perspective" scarf was signed by Jane Birkin, ambassador to the organization (and namesake of the timeless, wildly popular Hermes Birkin bag) and will be exhibited on Nov. 1 in the Paris bookshop of French auction house Artcurial. The signed scarf will also be auctioned off through a silent auction on Nov. 6th, with all the proceeds going to benefit the federation.

Article and Photo Source: WWD
-Alia Rajput