Prada Cuts Ties With Over 200 Suppliers After Labour Abuse Audit
Since the audit began in 2020, the Milanese fashion group found that more than a quarter of suppliers and subcontractors inspected had broken compliance rules.
technology / Manufacturing
Technology
Explainer: How Fashion Brands Should Prepare for Mandatory Digital Product Passports
The deadline for every fashion item sold in the EU to have its own digital identity is inching closer. Brands need to get ready.
Explainer: How Fashion Brands Should Prepare for Mandatory Digital Product Passports
The deadline for every fashion item sold in the EU to have its own digital identity is inching closer. Brands need to get ready.
Technology
The Fashion AI Startups to Watch
BoF highlights 17 AI-powered startups that have raised more than $400 million in the last five years by offering design, operation and shopping services that promise to help brands and retailers reduce costs and increase innovation.
The Fashion AI Startups to Watch
BoF highlights 17 AI-powered startups that have raised more than $400 million in the last five years by offering design, operation and shopping services that promise to help brands and retailers reduce costs and increase innovation.
Technology
The Best of BoF 2024: Finding Technology’s Value
Technology was forced to prove its worth this year as businesses sought practical use cases for AI and data analytics amid a tough consumer environment that brought a few high-profile businesses crashing back down to earth.
The Best of BoF 2024: Finding Technology’s Value
Technology was forced to prove its worth this year as businesses sought practical use cases for AI and data analytics amid a tough consumer environment that brought a few high-profile businesses crashing back down to earth.
Partner Content
Understanding the Potential of Digital Product Passports
New regulations from the European Commission will require fashion and other consumer goods to be fitted with unique digital product passports as early as 2026. At BoF’s VOICES 2023, the CEO of Arianee demystifies the future of digital product passports and their ability to reimagine fashion brands’ revenue stream.
Understanding the Potential of Digital Product Passports
New regulations from the European Commission will require fashion and other consumer goods to be fitted with unique digital product passports as early as 2026. At BoF’s VOICES 2023, the CEO of Arianee demystifies the future of digital product passports and their ability to reimagine fashion brands’ revenue stream.
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Entrepreneurship
How War Changed Ukrainian Brand Sleeper
When Russia invaded early last year, the Kyiv-based brand — known for its viral feathered party pyjamas — was forced into survival mode. Now, founders Asya Varetsa and Kate Zubarieva are ready to speed up growth and introduce a new Sleeper, starting with a fresh logo.
How War Changed Ukrainian Brand Sleeper
When Russia invaded early last year, the Kyiv-based brand — known for its viral feathered party pyjamas — was forced into survival mode. Now, founders Asya Varetsa and Kate Zubarieva are ready to speed up growth and introduce a new Sleeper, starting with a fresh logo.
Retail
Diamond Prices Are in Free Fall in One Key Corner of the Market
One of the world’s most popular types of rough diamonds has plunged into a pricing free fall, as an increasing number of Americans choose engagement rings made from lab-grown stones instead.
Diamond Prices Are in Free Fall in One Key Corner of the Market
One of the world’s most popular types of rough diamonds has plunged into a pricing free fall, as an increasing number of Americans choose engagement rings made from lab-grown stones instead.
News & Analysis
Walmart, Centric Probe Suppliers For Potential Links to Cambodia Women’s Prison
Walmart and Centric Brands are investigating their supply chains in Cambodia over allegations that inmates at the country’s largest women’s prison were illegally employed to produce garments for export.
Walmart, Centric Probe Suppliers For Potential Links to Cambodia Women’s Prison
Walmart and Centric Brands are investigating their supply chains in Cambodia over allegations that inmates at the country’s largest women’s prison were illegally employed to produce garments for export.
Sustainability
Start-Ups Are Vying to Fix One of Fashion’s Fossil-Fueled Secrets
Transferring dye to fabric is incredibly carbon-intensive. Newer sustainable techniques, including colouring with carbon dioxide, may help.
Start-Ups Are Vying to Fix One of Fashion’s Fossil-Fueled Secrets
Transferring dye to fabric is incredibly carbon-intensive. Newer sustainable techniques, including colouring with carbon dioxide, may help.
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Direct-to-Consumer
Should DTC Brands Open Their Own Factories?
Some digitally native start-ups are buying or building factories to cut production times and control quality. But not every company is built to handle manufacturing themselves.
Should DTC Brands Open Their Own Factories?
Some digitally native start-ups are buying or building factories to cut production times and control quality. But not every company is built to handle manufacturing themselves.
Luxury
Case Study | Inside Hermès’ Best-in-Class Leather Goods Strategy
How a unique approach to supply chain, design, communications and retail has powered blockbuster demand for iconic bags like the Birkin and Kelly, enabling the French leather goods house to face down rivals and become a global megabrand with a market capitalisation greater than Nike’s.
Case Study | Inside Hermès’ Best-in-Class Leather Goods Strategy
How a unique approach to supply chain, design, communications and retail has powered blockbuster demand for iconic bags like the Birkin and Kelly, enabling the French leather goods house to face down rivals and become a global megabrand with a market capitalisation greater than Nike’s.
Sustainability
Reformation’s IPO Push Bets on Going Green in $200 Eucalyptus Pants
Fast-growing womenswear maker Reformation will be the next big test of whether a brand pitching sustainability can win over a wider audience and deliver on environmental promises.
Reformation’s IPO Push Bets on Going Green in $200 Eucalyptus Pants
Fast-growing womenswear maker Reformation will be the next big test of whether a brand pitching sustainability can win over a wider audience and deliver on environmental promises.
Sustainability
Will Fashion’s Next Generation of Materials Be Brewed Like Beer?
Japanese sportswear group Goldwin and biotech start-up Spiber are set to test the market for lab-grown materials with collections for brands including North Face and Woolrich this fall.
Will Fashion’s Next Generation of Materials Be Brewed Like Beer?
Japanese sportswear group Goldwin and biotech start-up Spiber are set to test the market for lab-grown materials with collections for brands including North Face and Woolrich this fall.
The News in Brief
Indian E-Commerce Firm Meesho’s Quarterly Loss Spikes as It Ramps Up Marketing
Meesho has carved out a niche for itself by offering low-priced products without charging sellers a commission.
Swatch Gives Upbeat Growth Outlook After Second-Half Rebound
The owner of Omega and Longines said positive sales momentum that accelerated over the fourth quarter continued in January across all price ranges, with CEO Nick Hayek flagging a pickup in China.
Church & Dwight Exceeds Outlook On Stronger Sales
The personal care giant cited Hero acne products and the 2025-acquisition of Touchland hand sanitiser as growth drivers.
Astra Signs Obesity Drug Deal in China Worth Up to $18.5 Billion
AstraZeneca agreed to pay Chinese company CSPC Pharmaceutical Group Ltd. as much as $18.5 billion for its obesity drug candidates, as the UK drugmaker tries to push into the growing weight-loss market.
Givaudan Sales Slowdown Sends Fragrance Maker’s Shares Falling
The Swiss firm missed expectations for yearly organic sales growth on Thursday, as weaker performance of its flavours business outweighed resilient growth in fine fragrances.
Winter Games in Italy Attract Luxury Brands Seeking Global Stage
Luxury fashion brands are seeking to capitalise on the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics, opening boutiques, sponsoring teams and launching collections.
Saks Will Close Most Off 5th Stores With Big Clearance Sales
The bankrupt department store operator will focus instead on its luxury offerings at Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus and Bergdorf Goodman chains.