10 posts tagged "Zara"
Is India The Next Big Player in Luxury Retail?
Prada is reported to be in talks for an India entry. Alexander McQueen, Dolce & Gabbana, and Stella McCartney are exploring real estate for stand-alone stores. After opening his first boutique in New Delhi last year, Christian Louboutin is readying himself for a Mumbai launch. This year marks the tenth anniversary of Louis Vuitton’s presence in India—it was the first luxury brand to set foot in the country. Is India finally reawakening to luxury? Historically, it’s a country familiar with all things luxe. After all, in 1925, India’s Sir Bhupinder Singh, the Maharaja of Patiala, granted Cartier its single largest commission: the remodeling of his crown jewels, a collection that included an exquisite 234.69-carat De Beers diamond. Vuitton’s gilded links with India go back well over a century, when the Maharajas of Jammu and Kashmir, Bikaner and Baroda, ordered customized trunks from the company.
Then came freedom. For almost forty-four years after Independence, socialist India snapped all ties with luxury. It’s only in the last decade that the romance has rekindled. And it has to do with math. With a population surpassing 1.22 billion, and 81 million households falling into the upper middle class and high-income bracket, India is a serious market for luxury players. In fact, statistics show that India is one of the fastest-growing and largest luxury markets, with sales expected to touch $15 billion by 2015—nearly double what they are today. In November last year, Gucci opened its fifth and largest India store, spanning 4,220 square feet across two floors in Gurgaon, Delhi’s satellite city. Patrizio di Marco, president and CEO, noted, “The flagship store underscores Gucci’s commitment to India. This is our fifth store in this unique country, where we have been operating directly since the end of 2009, and it is a testament to the importance that we are placing on this fast-growing and competitive market.”
But Kalyani Chawla, vice president of marketing and communications at Christian Dior, insists India is taking baby steps. And she is right. The Western notion of luxury hit Indian shores only ten years ago. It’s still a country of salwar kameezes and saris. But the Indian buyer has grown interested in fashion, investing small but precious sums in brands. “Dior has seen a steady and encouraging growth. As is the case globally with most brands, accessories are doing very well [and] clothing is picking up,” she says, noting that this is partly due to the fact that Western wear has finally slipped into a bride’s wedding trousseau. And for Indians, marriage is the occasion for which discerning buyers splurge. Dior launched in 2006, and has three stores across the country. Continue Reading “Is India The Next Big Player in Luxury Retail?” »
Ryan Lochte: Swimmer, Sex Symbol, and Fashion Designer? And More of Today’s Top Stories
Olympic swimmer Ryan Lochte (pictured) might spend the majority of his day in nothing more than a Speedo, but the breakout Olympic superstar says he’s got dreams of becoming a clothing designer. “I want to be different, and fashion gives me that outlet to do that,” the hunky swimmer tells The New York Times. [NYT]
Adam Kimmel’s taking a hiatus. The New York-based menswear designer has announced that he will be taking a yearlong sabbatical following shipments of his Fall 2012 collection. Kimmel plans to use his time off to spend time with family and explore his creative arenas. [WWD]
Christian Louboutin’s battle to keep red soles his unique signature rages on. A French court has given Zara the right to emboss their shoes with a similar red sole. This court ruling ends a case that began back in 2008 between the mass retailer and Mr. Louboutin, who has also had disputes with Yves Saint Laurent over use of the red. [Grazia Daily]
Maison Martin Margiela is said to be the next designer label to collaborate with H&M. WWD reports that the will be a one-off collection by the avant-garde clothing brand will soon be officially announced. [WWD]
Zara Fêtes Its New U.S. Flagship
“We’re exchanging songs for shirts,” announced Matt Berninger, front man of the Brooklyn band the National at last night’s opening of Zara’s Fifth Avenue flagship store that drew the likes of Jen Brill, Todd Selby, Hanne Gaby Odiele, and Narciso Rodriguez. The fête celebrated the Spanish brand’s largest outlet in the United States, spanning four floors with more than 32,000 square feet devoted to women’s, men’s, and children’s clothing and accessories. “I love Zara,” confessed Rodriguez. “They’re so intuitive about what women and men want.” The designer’s recent purchase? Two pairs of red trousers. “Every time I wear them I get compliments.”
Not every guest was well versed in all things Zara, however. “I can’t believe it’s inexpensive,” mused first-time customer Rafael de Cárdenas, eyeing a men’s suit. “It doesn’t look cheap; I’m impressed.” Also ogling the menswear was Zara virgin Jen Brill. “I never shopped here, but Carlos Mota once wore this amazing white blazer with blue piping and I still think about it,” the Chanel ambassador told Style.com. Meanwhile, Kate Schelter extolled the brand’s timesaving virtues. “You can walk in and within 15 minutes find a piece to wear that night,” enthused Schelter, in a monochrome look punctuated with a gold bib necklace. “People keep asking me if my outfit is Zara tonight…nowadays people can’t tell the difference.” She added with a wink, “It’s not, but it goes to show you that Zara can look like Valentino.”
One Day Until Blast Off: Zara’s E-Commerce Campaign
Zara, as many of you have probably heard, is finally launching e-commerce in the U.S. The fast fashion mega-brand flips the switch tomorrow, September 7th, just in time to snap up some of its runway-become-reality clothes before fashion week. The site features free standard shipping to all 50 states or pick-up at a nearby Zara store, as well as free exchanges and returns. For those of you who weren’t already in the know about the new online store, its first outside Europe, the company is launching a new campaign. “Dear America” features images of all 50 states shot by 24 photographers including Noah Kalina, Peter Baker, and Stephen Tamiesie. Style.com has an exclusive clip of some of the pics along with photos of Stella Tennant in the new Fall collection here.
On Our Radar: Lurex
If you’ve browsed through our Fall Shopping Guide, you’ll have already noticed I like some sparkle in my wardrobe. The Marc Jacobs Lurex sweater I picked isn’t even in my closet yet, but I already have my eyes on a few other shimmery pieces that will add a dose of glam for fall. Lurex has been on the fashion radar for some time now—think of the Celine sparkle tops, or Isabel Marant’s take on them from Spring ’11—but they’ve never been so easy to get as now. Alex Wang showed a pair of Lurex pants (above right) on the runway that would make a great alternative to the common cocktail dress. Miuccia Prada showed sparkle tops and polos for men (above left) on her Fall ’11 runway, too—they didn’t make the catwalk, but the women’s versions are now in stores, too. For an instant fall update to your summer flares, try the Marc by Marc Jacobs striped sweater (below left), or Rebecca Taylor’s top (below right). The Zara dress is one easy step to get the trend—just slip it on and you’re ready to go. And it doesn’t get more affordable than Talbots’ polo (bottom right). Are you ready to add some sparkle into your wardrobe?
Marc by Marc Jacobs striped Lurex patter jersey top, $289, available at www.mytheresa.us; Rebecca Taylor runway sparkle pullover, $245, available at Rebecca Taylor stores; Zara metallic thread dress, $79.90, www.zara.com, and Talbots sparkle polo sweater, $69.50, available at www.talbots.com.