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.
entrepreneurship / Innovation
Entrepreneurship
How to Grow a $100 Million Brand: Diversifying Your Offering | BoF Insights
Today’s brands are constrained by crises across direct-to-consumer and wholesale distribution and limited external funding pools. But it is still possible to scale a small label, even in today’s tough environment. In part two of this series, BoF Insights spoke with investors and brand leaders about how to translate cultural heat into commercial success via diversification.
How to Grow a $100 Million Brand: Diversifying Your Offering | BoF Insights
Today’s brands are constrained by crises across direct-to-consumer and wholesale distribution and limited external funding pools. But it is still possible to scale a small label, even in today’s tough environment. In part two of this series, BoF Insights spoke with investors and brand leaders about how to translate cultural heat into commercial success via diversification.
Entrepreneurship
Now, Anyone Can Be a Sneaker Designer
That’s the promise of Zellerfeld, a 3D-printing partner to Louis Vuitton and Moncler that’s becoming a platform for emerging designers to easily make and sell footwear of their own.
Now, Anyone Can Be a Sneaker Designer
That’s the promise of Zellerfeld, a 3D-printing partner to Louis Vuitton and Moncler that’s becoming a platform for emerging designers to easily make and sell footwear of their own.
Sustainability
What’s Blocking the Rise of More Sustainable Materials?
Weaker-than-expected demand for Swedish textile recycler Renewcell’s first commercial volumes of recycled cellulose pulp has sent the company’s stock price plummeting and highlighted broader hurdles challenging efforts to lessen fashion’s environmental footprint.
What’s Blocking the Rise of More Sustainable Materials?
Weaker-than-expected demand for Swedish textile recycler Renewcell’s first commercial volumes of recycled cellulose pulp has sent the company’s stock price plummeting and highlighted broader hurdles challenging efforts to lessen fashion’s environmental footprint.
Technology
H&M Group’s New AI Tool Lets Anyone Play Designer
Creator Studio, a platform for producing merch on demand from H&M Group, is using generative AI to try to make it so anyone can make and print professional-looking designs to order, no artistic ability required.
H&M Group’s New AI Tool Lets Anyone Play Designer
Creator Studio, a platform for producing merch on demand from H&M Group, is using generative AI to try to make it so anyone can make and print professional-looking designs to order, no artistic ability required.
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Retail
BoF Masterclass | Fashion’s New Playbook for Online Returns
Join us for a BoF Professional Masterclass that explores the topic in our latest Case Study, “Fashion’s New Playbook for Online Returns.”
BoF Masterclass | Fashion’s New Playbook for Online Returns
Join us for a BoF Professional Masterclass that explores the topic in our latest Case Study, “Fashion’s New Playbook for Online Returns.”
Retail
Case Study | Fashion’s New Playbook for Online Returns
The e-commerce boom may have cooled but online returns rates remain high, and the costs of processing them are more expensive than ever. BoF unpacks how retailers can reduce the costs of returns and protect profit margins, while improving customers’ shopping experience to generate higher sales.
Case Study | Fashion’s New Playbook for Online Returns
The e-commerce boom may have cooled but online returns rates remain high, and the costs of processing them are more expensive than ever. BoF unpacks how retailers can reduce the costs of returns and protect profit margins, while improving customers’ shopping experience to generate higher sales.
Sustainability
Can Fashion Live Without Plastic? It’s Complicated
Last month, Boss’s runway show in Milan featured a trio of limited-edition jackets made using a new fibre designed to replace polyester. But untangling the industry from a material that has played a central role in its growth will be a tricky business.
Can Fashion Live Without Plastic? It’s Complicated
Last month, Boss’s runway show in Milan featured a trio of limited-edition jackets made using a new fibre designed to replace polyester. But untangling the industry from a material that has played a central role in its growth will be a tricky business.
Beauty
How Isamaya Ffrench Is Reinventing Beauty
The make-up wunderkind and BoF 500 cover star is growing a beauty brand that’s less about prettification and more about ‘world building’ for a generation that grew up with the speed and fluidity of the internet.
How Isamaya Ffrench Is Reinventing Beauty
The make-up wunderkind and BoF 500 cover star is growing a beauty brand that’s less about prettification and more about ‘world building’ for a generation that grew up with the speed and fluidity of the internet.
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Fashion Week
Can Peter Do Restore Helmut Lang to Its Former Glory?
“More than ever we need non-fussy clothing,” the designer told BoF in a preview of his debut collection for Helmut Lang — the once-groundbreaking label’s first outing in four years.
Can Peter Do Restore Helmut Lang to Its Former Glory?
“More than ever we need non-fussy clothing,” the designer told BoF in a preview of his debut collection for Helmut Lang — the once-groundbreaking label’s first outing in four years.
Direct-to-Consumer
What Investors Want From DTC Brands
Cautious investors are finding safer bets in tech-focused platforms that create products for digitally-native brands over traditional DTC start-ups.
What Investors Want From DTC Brands
Cautious investors are finding safer bets in tech-focused platforms that create products for digitally-native brands over traditional DTC start-ups.
Retail
Is There Room for Another Activewear Giant?
A giant investment from Softbank in 2021 turbocharged expansion plans at Vuori, which is now eyeing global expansion and a takeover of its customers’ closets. But Lululemon, Nike and a host of direct-to-consumer competitors stand in its way.
Is There Room for Another Activewear Giant?
A giant investment from Softbank in 2021 turbocharged expansion plans at Vuori, which is now eyeing global expansion and a takeover of its customers’ closets. But Lululemon, Nike and a host of direct-to-consumer competitors stand in its way.
Sustainability
Why Mushroom Leather (and Other New Materials) Are Struggling to Scale
Late last month, leading materials start-up Bolt threads said it had paused operations for its leather alternative Mylo. The company’s struggle to raise funds points to deeper challenges for the sector, writes Kenneth Pucker.
Why Mushroom Leather (and Other New Materials) Are Struggling to Scale
Late last month, leading materials start-up Bolt threads said it had paused operations for its leather alternative Mylo. The company’s struggle to raise funds points to deeper challenges for the sector, writes Kenneth Pucker.
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.