Paris is unique in the fashion world for being the home of haute couture, the french word for ‘high sewing’ a term for exclusive and often extravagant custom-fitted pieces. Paris is the only fashion capital to host a fashion week specifically dedicated to couture. Running from January 27th to the 30th of this year, Paris Couture Week showcased lines from big names such as Schiaparelli, Dior, Chanel, Giorgio Armani, Valentino, Jean Paul Gaultier. Schiaparelli’s show kicked off the week, and its strong opening proved to be its highlight. As the luxury sector continues to struggle to find its footing and many creative directors choose to embrace a ‘back to the…
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Calvin or Nothing: A Return to the Runway
Created in 1968, Calvin Klein is an American designer fashion retail chain, primarily known for its underwear and denim lines. On top of those two categories, it now focuses on clothing for all genders and age groups, lifestyle accessories, shows, perfume, and jewelry. Sparking controversy over its ads and fashion shows over the years,Calvin Klein differentiates itself through its boldness, progressive ideas, and seductive, yet minimalist aesthetic. These have often led to setbacks for the brand, including having to shut down its high-end fashion show department in 2019. Thankfully, a new surprise presents itself in 2025: Calvin Klein returns to the runway for New York Fashion Week. In 1978, Calvin…
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Paris Haute Couture SS2025
Paris Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2025 unfolded as a grand spectacle of artistry and craftsmanship, affirming once again why haute couture remains the pinnacle of fashion. From January 27 to 30, the world’s most prestigious couture houses showcased their breathtaking visionary creations, drawing an elite audience to the City of Lights. VALENTINO The most anticipated collection was Alessandro Michele’s debut for Valentino — a theatrical and intellectual exploration of history, craftsmanship, and maximalism. With this ambitious debut, Michele seamlessly merged Valentino’s legacy with his signature extravagant style, proving he is more than ready to take the fashion house into a bold new era. It was, as Michele described, “a constellation of…
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Runway to Resale: Will the Shift Towards Second-Hand Fashion Change the Face of Luxury Fashion?
“11 Of The Best Second-Hand Designer Bag Sites To Know Now” – Vogue When considering a new clothing item or accessory, many of us (hopefully) explore the option of buying it second-hand, perhaps through an online resale platform. This is no longer an isolated choice, as the resale apparel market reached an astonishing value of $197 billion in 2023. The most intriguing development within this sector is the remarkable growth of the second-hand luxury market. This trend highlights a pivotal shift: the movement toward a circular fashion economy is no longer confined to high-street brands. Luxury fashion houses now face mounting pressure to extend the lifecycle of their products and…
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Milano London Paris: A Style Analysis – Autumn/Winter Edition
These three cities, often dubbed “fashion capitals of the world,” each present distinct styles that inspire millions. But what makes each city’s style so iconic and unique? Milano is synonymous with polished elegance and luxurious craftsmanship, but there’s a rich cultural layer to the Milanese style that extends beyond refinement. Milan embodies a distinctly Italian passion for quality materials, with leather playing an especially prominent role. Whether in handbags, jackets, or boots, leather is not just a material but an art form here. Autumnal streets see rich textures everywhere: from leather to wool and cashmere, creating a warm yet sophisticated aesthetic. Slim-cut jeans, sleek turtlenecks, and tailored silhouettes are Milanese…
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Luxury’s Price Paradox: Why Soaring Costs are Alienating Consumers
Much has been documented on the luxury industry’s recent slowdown: its sluggish sales, falling revenues, and creative upheaval since the post-Covid boom ended. Many culprits have also been found to blame: weak Chinese demand, a lack of creativity from designers, and inflation have all been named at fault. Undoubtedly these factors have contributed to luxury’s crisis, but a more subtle offender might have played a large part: luxury’s latest hot trend, price hikes. Price hikes have always been an essential part of the luxury industry’s business model. Luxury goods in economics are known as Veblen goods, which operate contrary to normal demand-supply economics. For Veblen goods, the rise in price…
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Who is the Schiaparelli Woman? A Look into Roseberry’s Muse for the Modern Era
In the high-stakes world of luxury fashion, where brands constantly reinvent themselves to stay relevant, Schiaparelli under Daniel Roseberry has captured attention with a bold, surrealist approach that is anything but conventional. His designs have transformed Schiaparelli’s legacy from a historical fashion house into a modern-day powerhouse, and at the center of this reinvention stands the enigmatic “Schiaparelli woman”. She’s daring, she’s otherworldly, and she’s far from what we might expect from couture. But who exactly is she, and what makes her so different? When Roseberry took over as creative director in 2019, he had big shoes to fill. Elsa Schiaparelli, the brand’s founder, was one of the most eccentric…
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Is Fur Passé?
Once synonymous with luxury and status, fur has seen a steep decline in the global fashion industry. Historically, fur symbolized opulence and exclusivity, adored for its natural warmth, tactile appeal, and durability. Designers like Christian Dior, Yves Saint Laurent, and Fendi transformed it into a fashion icon, creating innovative designs that embodied elegance and sophistication. Hollywood amplified its allure, with stars like Marilyn Monroe and Elizabeth Taylor gracing the silver screen in fur, cementing its association with glamor. Marilyn Monroe At its peak, fur was not just a fashion statement but a marker of wealth and timeless luxury. Fur coats, stoles, and accessories were often passed down through generations, highlighting…
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Time for Change: Bridging the Intention-Behavior Gap in Fashion Consumption
Unlock the power of your purchases to reshape the future! Harvard Business Review Unraveling the Disconnect Between What We Say and What We Do! The fashion industry, often celebrated for its creativity and innovation, paradoxically stands as one of the largest contributors to global sustainability challenges. With its significant impact on carbon emissions, plastic waste, and landfills, the industry’s responsibility in combating climate change cannot be overstated. As the urgency for sustainability rises, a troubling phenomenon—the intention-behavior gap—has emerged, wherein consumers express a strong desire to purchase ethically made fashion items, yet their purchasing behavior frequently contradicts these intentions. This discrepancy not only questions the authenticity of consumer values but…
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Is Sabato de Sarno Reshaping GUCCI?
Over the past year, the Gucci runway has stolen the spotlight of Milan fashion week stirring conversations and mixed opinions. The spring/summer 2024 collection unveiled a new era at Gucci with the arrival of Sabato De Sarno. By closing the doors of Alessandro Michele’s maximalist approach, the new designer brings a fresh sophisticated touch to the brand by replacing Michele’s eclectic signature with more minimalist designs. Given that De Sarno changed the brand’s image, some critics mention that he is compromising the brand’s identity. Some would even say that Gucci is losing its edge. With that being said, can we talk about a reinvention of Gucci or is it actually…