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Who Owns What in the Fashion World?

FabSugarUK — Sat, 02 May 2009 06:00:57 -0700

As we coo over gorgeous dresses at catwalk shows, there is some serious business going on behind the scenes. Fashion is a multi-billion pound industry and there is a lot of structure in place to protect some of the biggest names in the industry. Whilst the designers concentrate on being creative, their design houses are backed by major investors.

LVMH and the Gucci group are the two largest organisations, but they're not the only corporations with investments in la mode. How well do you know the fashion industry? Take my quiz to find out who owns what in the fashion world.

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Gareth Pugh's Menswear Fashion Week Debut

FabSugarUK — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 06:00:06 -0800

Gareth Pugh made his menswear fashion week debut last night (an hour late) in Paris. He has previously included menswear in his collections in London but this is the first time he has dedicated an entire collection to men. The show ended the menswear fashion show season and was arguably one of the most exciting. It was witnessed by Daphne Guinness, Jefferson Hack and Delphine Arnault, daughter of Bernard Arnault, who rules the LVMH luxury goods company. This provoked a lot of rumours about the future of Pugh's label suggesting that he might be about to join the LVMH group.

For the rest of the images and my thoughts on his collection, just read more.

His collection was very refreshing and exciting. It stayed true to Pugh's quirky, avant garde style, but was also quite commercially viable with classic tailoring and funky outerwear. There was plenty of geometric detailing and quilting as Pugh played with proportion. There was also a very industrial feel to the pieces which were oil-slick and used nails as unusual applique.

These hard details were softened with tunics in fox and goat-hair that added a historical presence to the line. Head dresses were designed by London milliner Stephen Jones.

Pugh told the Telegraph that there is a "steady flow" of design ideas for his menswear line as he's designing for himself adding, "they're the kind of clothes I'd like to see in the shops". He wanted the collection to look sharp and modern but "not in a futuristic way". Pugh explained further stating that it looks like, "Something that is naturally occurring rather than something which just landed from Mars".

The models were dressed as knights in shining armour, but could Pugh himself be the knight in shining armour, here to rescue the damsel that is menswear?

View 10 Photos ›

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Fab Flash: Credit Crunch Catches Chanel

FabSugarUK — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 03:00:03 -0800

Karl Lagerfeld recently revealed that he has had to make personal cuts to cope with the recession but it seems the cuts might now stretch to his luxury label, Chanel as the supposed recession-proof industry begins to feel the burn.

It has been announced that 200 jobs will be cut citing a steep decline in sales throughout 2008 as the reason. The cuts are being described as the worst since Coco Chanel fired all of her staff at the beginning of the war in 1939. Just last week the label announced a premature end to it's global art installation which was supposed to come to London in 2009.

Other luxury design houses are also feeling the burn at the moment. LVMH has delayed the opening of a new Louis Vuitton store in Tokyo whilst Prada have been forced to use posters advertising sale cuts at their Milan store. I wonder what impact all of these cuts will have on the Autumn 2009 collections?

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Fab Flash: Louis Vuitton Stays Afloat Despite Economic Crisis

FabSugar — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 12:00:22 -0700

Despite the current economic downturn, luxury brand LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton stays resilient as its sales figures show profits of over $17 billion dollars to date.

Though profits aren't as high as earlier this year, LVMH, which houses its namesake line along with other high-end labels such as Celine and Givenchy, reports a 9 percent growth in its business. Other top French retailers report up to a 10 percent loss in sales. In fact, the only decline experienced in the LVMH business is with watches.

“We are in a strange situation. It’s more a lack of confidence from retailers,” said LVMH finance director, Jean-Jacques Guiony, who states that retailers are being overly cautious with their spending.

All of this makes one wonder: Does LVMH have that magic staying power, or are the wealthy not affected by one of the worst economic crisises in history?

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Fab Flash: LVMH Wins Over eBay in Counterfeit Goods Trial

FabSugar — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 12:00:22 -0700

Don't mess with fashion giant LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton.

After a two-year trial, a French court ordered eBay to pay up for selling counterfeit items on its online auction site and for selling genuine goods outside LVMH's retail channels. The penalty was a whopping 40 million euros, or $63.2 million at the current exchange rate.

This all came about when prestigious brands including Louis Vuitton, Givenchy, Fendi, Emilio Pucci, and Marc Jacobs had complained about the sale of knockoff bags and clothes on eBay.

Pierre Godet, an adviser to LVMH Chairman and CEO Bernard Arnault, said the Paris court's decision was, ''an answer to a particularly serious question, on whether the Internet is a free-for-all for the most hateful, parasitic practices.'' In rebuttal, eBay said that LVMH is trying to crack down on Internet auctions merely because it is uncomfortable with the business model, which tends to cut out the middleman.

Sounds like both parties are still heated, but for now, the courtroom has cooled.

Breaking News: Phoebe Philo Joins Celine

FabSugarUK — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 02:57:57 -0700

After much speculation, it has been confirmed this morning that Phoebe Philo will be joining the design team at Celine. She will take on the role of Creative Director at the French fashion house with her first collection being Autumn 2009, although she will not present a catwalk collection until September 2009.

The British designer who, along with Stella McCartney, is widely credited for reviving Chloé, (another LVMH brand) took a break from her career in 2006 to spend more time with family.

Pierre-Yves Roussel, CEO of LVMH’s fashion division feels this is great for Phoebe. “By giving her Celine, we’re giving her a platform to express her vision. For Celine, which is a bit more sophisticated as a brand, the fit is very good in terms of her style, her personality and where she is in terms of her own development.”

He went on to explain why he thinks it is also a wonderful match for Celine.

“In the current climate customers are looking for something that will get them interested and excited about buying again. I want to create clothes, shoes, bags and accessories that are relevant to right now - modern, exciting designs that women will desire and appreciate."

I'm so excited for this appointment and can't wait to see what happens to the brand under Phoebe's careful direction. How do you feel about this decision?
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LVMH Wants Lohan

PopSugar — Wed, 08 Mar 2006 08:35:01 -0800

This girl is so damn lucky. Besides her already fabulous handbag collection and all the clothes she could possibly want, now Louis Vuitton is is about to sign her as the next celebrity face for the fashion house. WWD is reporting

According to sources here, the French fashion and leather goods giant is in talks to have Lohan featured in its next advertising campaign. It is understood a deal is close, but not yet signed. Vuitton officials could not be reached for comment Tuesday.

Here is Lindsay at the ONE Campaign fund-raiser to help eradicate global poverty. We wrote about this party and how it was pretty much a disaster but LL looks cute and it's nice to know she is involved in some do-good stuff.

To check out her latest hangbag that makes me drool, read more

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Fab Flash: Giles is Off to Paris

FabSugarUK — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 06:30:44 -0700

Whilst many big names like Burberry, and most recently Jonathan Saunders are returning to the capital for fashion week in September, we have just lost one great name!

Giles Deacon has been showing his unique designs here for many seasons, but has has just won France’s annual ANDAM (Association Nationale pour le Développement des Arts de la Mode) Award.

The award means Giles will receive 160,000 euro (about £137,000) to help fund a show at Paris Fashion Week. It's great news for the designer, but I will certainly be sad to see him go! Previous winners of this award include Viktor and Rolf, Maison Martin Margiela and Brit enfant terrible Gareth Pugh who bagged the sponsorship last year. It's a great way for designers to get noticed by big investors who will help them expand their brands. Gareth has already received interest from LVMH.

Fab Flash: Christian LaCroix Files for Bankruptcy

FabSugarUK — Thu, 28 May 2009 06:00:20 -0700

Another sad story in the fashion industry this morning as one of France's biggest names announces financial trouble. Christian Lacroix has reportedly filed for voluntary bankruptcy in an attempt to protect the company from creditors. The current economic crisis and company expansion has been blamed for the situation.

French newspaper Le Figaro revealed, "According to our information, Christian Lacroix was declared insolvent on Friday. The representatives of the employees were informed yesterday evening at a works council. The Commercial Court of Paris will decide next week on a receivership or liquidation [approach]."

Despite the troubles the fashion house, which was owned by LVMH until 2005, is hopeful of a buyer and insists it will still be present at Couture week in July. LaCroix's CEO Nicolas Topiol told WWD, "The perception of the brand and its power is very strong. It's the key to future development." Hopefully the company will be able to bounce back from this and continue to dress some of our favourite ladies including Mary-Kate Olsen.

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Friday Fab News Round Up

FabSugarUK — Fri, 15 May 2009 03:00:26 -0700

Anna Friel to play Holly Golightly - Daily Mail
Kate Moss exhibition postponed due to overwhelming response - WWD
Michelle Obama wears Basso and Brooke - Vogue
Is the Chanel Cruise show worse threat to Cannes than the economy? - The Cut
Kate Moss has dove issues - The Mirror
Is Claudia Schiffer about to open her own boutique? - Grazia Daily
LVMH help Edun expand - Elle UK
Agyness Deyn to be face of Uniqlo - Marie Claire