The Luxe Chronicles

Fashion: Still More Innovation Courtesy of Net-A-Porter

As mentioned yesterday, I attended the launch of Net-A-Porter's new iPhone application, NET-APP. The event featured a discussion with Net-A-Porter founder Natalie Massenet and designer Roland Mouret on the role of technology in fashion. Given the tremendous boost his RM by Roland Mouret label has gotten from the Net-A-Porter platform since its launch in 2007, his presence was a fitting tribute to the power of technology to change the established order of things.

Fashion: Close Encounters With Roland Mouret

I've never been one to get excited about celebrities. Even as a teenager, I was never one to stand in line for hours to buy concert tickets or line up along a red carpet to catch a glimpse of an actor. It's just never been my thing. But, put me in the same room as one of my favorite designers and my inner "groupie" emerges and I quite literally go weak at the knees. This happened to me last night at a gathering of fashion bloggers and online editors hosted by Net-A-Porter founder Natalie Massenet for the launch of Net-A-Porter's new iPhone application (more about this later). The event featured a discussion with Roland Mouret on the role of technology in fashion. While the subject is a fascinating one, to be perfectly honest, the subject could have been dog grooming and I would still have showed up if for no other reason than to meet him. I will be posting on the topic tomorrow. Until then, I invite you to discover the NET-APP.

Sincerely,

The Luxe Chronicles

Fashion: The Seedier Side of the Industry

U.K. supermarket chain Asda is launching a cheap knock-off version of the Balmain mini-dress worn by Kate Moss. By knock-off, I mean quite literally a seam-for-seam copy rather than the typical "homage" piece or "re-interpretation". The usual argument invoked to defend this blatant rip-off of intellectual property is to suggest that the target customer (high street consumer) is not the typical Balmain customer and therefore Balmain doesn't lose sales and incurs no harm. I find this argument unpersuasive and intellectually dishonest.

Fashion: What's Wrong With Fashion Magazines?

"Seriously?!"

It has become fashionable (pardon the pun) to dissect the troubles afflicting print fashion magazines these days. The recession, excessive photoshopping, underfed models, the stale content of many magazines and of course, the Internet, are routinely cited as explanations for the overall decline in ad revenue and circulation. U.S.Vogue as the industry leader is getting more than its share of scrutiny and critique (much of it deserved). While many of the reasons cited may indeed be contributing factors, I don't think any of the analyses proffered to date are particularly convincing.

Fashion: Bad Taste for Back to School

Behold "Sasha Fierce for Derion" back-to-school collection. The line which is described as "junior apparel" is yet another offering from Beyoncé Knowles and her "designer" mother Tina Knowles. It includes a full range of sportswear, outerwear, handbags, footwear, eyewear, lingerie and jewelry. The accessories reportedly involve large metal chains, heavily studded shoes and oversize sunglasses like the ones Beyoncé wears on tour. I can think of no better reason to send your daughters to a uniformed school or at the very least, lobby for a stricter school dress code. Can you?

Sincerely,

The Luxe Chronicles

Fashion: A Glimpse Into Alexander McQueen 's Creative Angst

We may live in uncertain economic times but thankfully, we live in very creative ones as well. As an increasing number of fashion houses explore alternatives to runway shows either out of environmental consciousness or fiscal prudence, we're witnessing a burst of creativity as new presentation formats are explored. While it's unclear exactly why Alexander McQueen opted for a multi-media presentation over a live runway show, his Men's Spring/Summer 2010 collection arrived at my doorstep last week via CD accompanied by a letter from the designer himself and a short DVD entitled "Analyse That!"

Luxury: Are We Preaching Into the Wind?

Social responsibility seems all the rage right now. Terms like "ethical luxury" and "sustainable luxury" have crept into the lexicons of luxury CEO's and marketeers alike. It's hard to tell where this new social conscience will lead but it does remind me of the debate over the ethicalness of wearing fur. I came across these images of Blackgama adverts and Peta's 2005 parody on a blog called Planet Fabulon (a veritable visual feast of glamorous imagery which I highly recommend).

Book Review: "The Luxury Strategy" by J.N. Kapferer and V. Bastien

The luxury industry is currently undergoing fundamental changes. Luxury brands the world over are struggling to regain their footing following the sharp decline of consumer demand for their products. An important part of their survival strategy involves crafting a coherent message that is relevant to the current economic climate while preserving their brand's DNA for the future. Surprisingly, there are few authoritative textbooks able to sketch the fundamental rules of luxury marketing. A recently published textbook offers an overview of the subject: The Luxury Strategy (Kogan Page, 2009).

Fashion: A Few Random Musings

As mentioned in my post from last Friday, I attended a Fall/Winter 2009 trends event at Net-A-Porter's London headquarters last Thursday evening. Prior to the start of the presentation, I had the opportunity to chat with a number of Net-A-Porter's team. It was an insightful evening on a number of levels and I thought I would share a few of them with you.

Luxury: Final Hint in Jean Paul Gaultier's Long, Slow Tease

The identity of the mystery guest is set to be revealed tomorrow, June 22nd, on the Ma-Dame website. The image posted above is the third and final hint.

Sincerely,

The Luxe Chronicles