Articles by Don-Alvin Adegeest
Smythson acquisition signals Oakley Capital’s deeper move into luxury heritage portfolios
Smythson of Bond Street, the 137-year-old British purveyor of leather goods and paper-based luxury, has secured a new chapter in its storied evolution through investment from Oakley Capital. The move positions Smythson within Oakley’s increasingly focused play on heritage-led, high-margin lifestyle brands via its Iconic BrandCo platform. The...
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Prada criticised in India over sandal design seen as appropriation
Prada has come under criticism in India after unveiling a sandal design during Milan Fashion Week that closely resembles the traditional Kolhapuri chappal, a handcrafted leather slipper with origins in 12th-century Maharashtra. Images of the braided leather footwear sparked backlash from Indian artisans and lawmakers, who accused the brand of...
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Jonathan Anderson reboots Dior menswear with subtle subversion and commercial savvy
Jonathan Anderson walked on to the Dior stage on Friday with the hardest brief in luxury fashion: reignite a 9.5 billion euro powerhouse whose growth has begun to slow and whose identity, at least on the men’s side, has drifted since the Hedi Slimane era. The 40-year-old Northern Irishman is hardly a novice. LVMH took a minority stake in his JW...
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Celine names Robert Holden as North America President ahead of artistic transition
Celine has appointed Robert Holden as president of its North American division, as the brand prepares for a new chapter under incoming artistic director Michael Rider. The appointment was reported by WWD, signaling a key leadership change as Celine embarks on its next creative phase. Holden, who currently oversees Miu Miu in the Americas, brings...
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Selfridges secures approval for exclusive members club on Oxford Street
Luxury retailer Selfridges is preparing to enter the private members club market. Westminster Council has granted the department store group permission to transform part of its Oxford Street flagship into an exclusive space for select clientele, fusing retail tradition with modern demands for ‘experiential’ shopping. The approved plans, passed...
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Turkish brand Kısmet redefines luxury with Fearless line
At a time when the global jewellery market is saturated with maximalism and retro reinvention, a Turkish brand is offering something altogether different, grit with grace. Kısmet by Milka, the Istanbul-based fine jewellery house known for threading symbolism into delicate craft, has unveiled its newest offering, The Fearless Collection, a bold...
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EU textile overhaul gains momentum with Circula-TEX launch
The European textile industry, long burdened by fragmented regulation, inefficient waste management, and an uneasy relationship with sustainability, is being pulled into a new chapter. The catalyst? Circula-TEX, an EU-funded innovation programme that seeks to stitch together the continent’s disjointed approach to textile waste. Coordinated by...
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Google buys stake in Gentle Monster as it eyes entry into fashionable wearables
Anyone thinking wearable technology was a trend gone by, Google just acquired a 4 percent stake in South Korean eyewear brand Gentle Monster, marking its most fashion-conscious foray yet into the smart glasses race. The deal, valued at approximately 107.3 million euros, positions the tech giant alongside Meta in vying for dominance in the...
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Unilever acquires Dr. Squatch in push for premium men's grooming growth
Consumer goods giant Unilever has announced its acquisition of men’s personal care brand Dr. Squatch from Summit Partners, signalling its intent to pivot further into premium, digitally native brands with cult-like followings. Best known for a portfolio of household staples, from laundry detergent to mayonnaise, Unilever’s push into the...
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LVMH appoints Craftsmanship Chief
LVMH is sharpening its focus on the foundations of luxury, craftsmanship and production, with the appointment of Ludovic Pauchard to a newly created executive role: Industrial and Craftsmanship Director. The move signals a decisive evolution in how the world’s largest luxury group views its industrial backbone amid shifting global market...
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