Fashion today can undoubtedly be defined as more than the mere act of dressing oneself. From a form of expression of one’s personality to a means of communication, its roles are multiple and go way deeper than its frivolous image. So could it also have the power to become a political voice? In the recent years, more and more runways have almost morphed into political arenas. A phenomenon that has particularly spiked since Donald Trump’s election late of 2016. The clothes that line them sometimes sport keywords or phrases that portray the designer’s political views on current events. A plethora of issues are being raised at these shows; the most…
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British Fashion and Luxury Post-Brexit
Britain's impending exit from the EU has many in the region's fashion and luxury industry on high alert for the sector's future. 90% of British fashion designers vehemently opposed the move to leave – read more on our website to find out why.
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The Fate of Instagram
Leggings as pants, smartphones, the Kardashians, Brexit, Donald Trump, Netflix: these will inevitably become the defining symbols of the 2010s. Our memories of these years, however, will be collectively stored on Instagram, which has spanned the entire decade. In many circles, but especially within the fashion world, it is apparent that Instagram dominates among competing social networks such as Facebook, Twitter, or YouTube. This is the result of a combination of factors: the high proportion of Millennials and Gen Z users, the medium of images and videos, and the feelings of intimacy generated through direct interaction. The winning formula has propelled both companies and individuals to fame by means of…
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Dolce & Gabbana Eleganza
During the latest Woman Fashion Week in Milan, Dolce & Gabbana displayed its new collection “Eleganza” and BS4F was kindly invited to attend. Before talking about the fashion show itself, let me first briefly analyze the name: “Eleganza”. The word Eleganza, in English “elegant”, comes from the Latin elegans, meaning “the one who can choose”. Following the etymology of the title, D&G showcased a wide range of different styles able to suit every women’s taste and accompany her throughout different times of the day (or of life), while keeping as common denominator a chic appeal and a strong tie to the Italian tradition of “Fatto a mano” (Made by hand). …
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Kering owes 1.4 billion euros in unpaid taxes according to an Italian audit
The Kering group, a luxury conglomerate that owns Gucci, Saint Laurent, Balenciaga and Alexander McQueen among other brands, is facing an Italian claim for 1.4 billion in unpaid taxes. Italian tax authorities completed a tax audit in connection with their investigation pertaining to Gucci’s tax matters in Milan: the source of the problem is “Luxury Goods International” (LGI), a Swiss subsidiary of Kering. According to the audit report, LGI conducted business activities in Italy which should have resulted in payment of Italian corporate taxes. The audit is mainly focused on Gucci, Kering’s star brand and main revenue driver. The audit started in 2017 when Italian tax authorities carried out checks…
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Higlights from the Laura Biagiotti Show
On 24th of February, BS4F was in Piccolo Teatro to watch the Laura Biagiotti Fall Winter 2019/20 fashion show. The well-known theater was simply decorated with white for the show, with a huge LB placed in the beginning of the runway, the logo of the brand. The fashion show had a youthful and upbeat vibe. Colorful pieces, featuring monograms of the logo opened the runway. Puffer jackets, big collars and hairs put in buns with help of colorful scrunchies created a playful mood. The models strut the runway wearing one of the biggest trends of the season, extra long knit scarves. The show closed with a Biagiotti classic; white and…
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#MONCLERGENIUSOPENDAY
In the words of the brand: sensory overload delivered. On the 24th of February, in the midst of Milan fashion week, Moncler did it again. One house, eight rooms, eight different voices: a mega collaboration and a place of expression of a kind rarely encountered in the fashion industry. From designers Pierpaolo Piccioli of Valentino and Simone Rocha to artists such as art director and photographer Francesco Ragazzi, this season’s Moncler Genius was all about celebrating artists. Within the queues, music and movement, a highlight of the event was definitely Piccioli’s ethereal couture dresses made from Moncler’s iconic piumino. Ethereal, imposing and iconic Piccioli’s deities are close to the Valentino imagery…
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Big Data in Fashion – A Fashion Revolution
The fashion and retail industries are facing a significant acceleration in the pace of production and launch of goods on the market as well as increasing competitiveness in all scopes of the industry. In this “See now Buy now” context, big data is becoming a brand’s strongest ally. By big data, we mean extremely large data sets that may be analyzed to reveal patterns, and associations relating to human behavior and interactions. Guessing or making bets on what consumers will purchase is no longer necessary since data reports their behaviors to predict and anticipate their demands. Hence, brands are able to produce the most precise offers possible. This entails collecting…
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Corporate Social Responsibility in Fashion and Luxury
On the 19th of February 2019, Bocconi Students for Fashion held an event on corporate social responsibility (CSR) hosting Stefano Bassi (Enviro-Coordinator at Patagonia Milano), Matteo Marzotto (President of Dondup), Chicco Barina (Head Designer of Dondup), and Simon Giuliani (Marketing Director at Candiani Denim). The discussion was moderated by Professor Francesca Romana Rinaldi of Bocconi University. The issue of sustainability and CSR in fashion and luxury was discussed extensively this evening. Being a matter of ever-growing importance in the industry, points brought up included the main challenges and trends in sustainable fashion. It was noted that despite the fact that clothing sales have increased since the year 2000, clothing utilisation…
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The Life & Work of Karl Lagerfeld
On Tuesday, February 19th, Karl Lagerfeld passed away in Paris at the age of 85. The iconic German fashion designer left a huge impact on the industry, most notably through his role as creative director of Chanel and Fendi. Lagerfeld was born in Hamburg in 1933 – although his date of birth was disputed as he often stated to have been born in 1938. His father made a fortune by introducing condensed milk into the German market and as a consequence, Karl and his two sisters grew up in a wealthy home where intellectual activity was encouraged and where he was often exposed to literature, art and philosophy. With the…
