On Tuesday October 1st 2024, the curtains of the Opera Garnier opened for its annual Fundraiser Gala. As dancers stepped on stage dressed in Chanel costumes, the House took on, once again, its role as Grand Patron of the French National Opera.  A Historical Connection Performance arts have always been a part of Chanel’s core, starting with the beloved Coco Chanel. As a young seamstress, Coco Chanel took dance lessons with famous artists such as Caryathis and Isadora Duncan. She grew as a fashion designer,  and so did her appreciation for dance. In Paris, she discovered the Ballets Russes, an itinerant ballet company which began in the french capital and…

Relying on her British take on modern femininity and tailoring to found an internationally acclaimed 23-year-old brand, Stella McCartney is arguably one of the fashion industry’s leading female designers. Born in 1971, McCartney’s life has always been frantic and eccentric. Daughter of the music royalty couple composed by the Beatle Paul McCartney and the photographer Linda Eastman, the stylist spent her early life bouncing from the idle rural life of their Scottish farm, to the recklessness of the Wings’ (her parents’ band) road tour. Both extrema profoundly inspired the perceptive spirit of the young Stella, who identifies the “glittery boots and glamour” seen on stage as an early spark to…

After the company’s negative earnings update last month, it is not surprising that Kering Group results of the first quarter of 2024 are worrisome.  The reported revenue comprises of €4,504 million, which is a decline of 11% as reported and 10% on a comparable basis. Overall, the Group has experienced an 11% and 7% decrease in the revenue from the directly operated retail network and wholesale respectively. Further, the Group has reported that it anticipates a decline of 40 to 45 percent in first-half recurring operating income compared with the same period in 2023. “Kering’s performance worsened considerably in the first quarter,” François-Henri Pinault, chairman and Chief Executive Officer of…

Fashion and design intersected in a remarkable display of creativity and innovation at Salone Del Mobile 2024. As Milan Design Week unfolded, renowned brands such as Hermès, Gucci, Bottega Veneta, Loewe, and Prada captivated audiences with their visionary approaches to blending fashion and homeware. From immersive exhibitions to thought-provoking symposiums, each brand brought its unique perspective to the forefront, reshaping the landscape of design and luxury. Hermès Gallops Ahead: A Commitment to Craftsmanship Hermès reaffirmed its position as a pioneer in the realm of homeware and furniture with a stunning showcase at Salone Del Mobile. Since its debut in 2011, Hermès has continuously pushed the boundaries of interdisciplinary design, seamlessly…

The fashion industry is at a pivotal juncture where it must significantly reduce its production and shift away from using virgin plastics like polyester to meet pressing climate goals. This is the key message from a new report by Textile Exchange, a trade group focusing on sustainable materials. In line with global climate commitments, fashion’s carbon footprint needs to be cut in half by 2030. Achieving this is contingent upon the industry’s willingness to decelerate and relinquish its reliance on new polyester production, which is deeply rooted in fossil fuels and has historically underpinned its growth. Implementing such a change would fundamentally disrupt the prevailing business strategy of the fashion…

Introduction: In the golden era of fashion from the 1920s to the 1950s, a saga unfolded between two designers who had completely opposed visions. Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel and Elsa Schiaparelli thrived in a fashion industry where they exhibited their ideologies, aesthetics, and personal vendettas through their work. Chanel focused on simplicity, adhering to the belief that “simplicity is the keynote of all true elegance.” She aspired to liberate women from the constraints of corsets with simple, elegant dresses and to create fashion for the everyday woman. Schiaparelli, on the other hand, introduced the world to the surrealist movement that was gaining momentum in Paris. She introduced novel designs, such as…

The integration of ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) principles into the operations of luxury brands has seen a marked rise of late. Nevertheless, the authenticity of these initiatives is subject to scrutiny and has incited a lively discourse regarding their sufficiency. The question arises as to whom these sustainability efforts truly serve. Are luxury brands pursuing sustainability for the sake of consumers, to satisfy shareholder demands, to meet regulatory requirements, for the genuine benefit of the earth and its inhabitants, or for their own corporate agendas? This article highlights a few major factors driving the integration of sustainability in luxury conglomerate’s corporate strategy. I. Enhance brand image Research conducted by…

The largest lesson directed towards other brands and businesses is a new wave of pressure aimed towards businesses increasing the supervision of where their supply chain comes from. The issue at hand is that Zara and H&M believed they had done this through Better Cotton- the world’s largest sustainable cotton certifier. A 2-year Investigation, led by British NGO Earthsight, and titled “Fashion Crimes”, revealed that over 800,000 tons of cotton, used by the two fast-fashion brands in their merchandise, could be traced back to land in Brazil known for disregarding environmental regulations along with human rights violations. The specific area is called the Cerrado Region, and due to its less…

In the past years, it has been almost a requirement for luxury Houses to display good faith and interest in modern causes. Through an extensive involvement in non-lucrative activities, they have diversified their engagements to nurture projects that will help embellish our society. A new landscape of philanthropical foundations Towering the capital cities of fashion, foundations, show window of this evolution of the industry, have mushroomed in the last 20 years. Crafted by famous architects and curated by art connoisseurs, sometimes these connoisseurs being executive directors themselves, these centers of arts host regularly exhibitions and programs, giving place to new artists. From the famous ship of Frank Ghery in the…