In the news: Fashion Law Round-Up
422 days ago - The Fashion Lawyer : Leave a replyWell, it is the beginning of a new week, and a new year for Hindus. Friday was the start of a New Year for Hindus and Bali was alive with song and dance. Even though I didn’t jet off the Bali, having observed other rituals/ceremonies, I know they celebrated the new year well. Happy New Year to all Hindus.
Last week was very eventful for fashion lawyers. For one thing, Karl Lagerfeld (of Chanel) seem to take pride in being rude.
Do you remember your mother telling you that if you don’t have anything good to say, don’t say anything at all? Well, Karl does the opposite. Do you remember he called Adele fat? I have been discussing his statements with a few friends and they concluded that he has reached an age where he just doesn’t give a damn. Well, I hope I never reach that age! Here are the Karl Lagerfeld knock me off my feet statements of the week:
1. He visited Japan last week for the first time in 8 years. His visit took place during their fashion week. At a party he commented to WWD that the bodies of Japanese people have changed a lot because of all the junk food they are eating.
2. He spoke about Tina Brown, who recently said that he was “overrated” and said she works at a “shitty little paper”.
Ok, enough of Karl, here are my top fashion law news.
1. Openings
The UK-based online luxury fashion retailer Net-a Porter Group Ltd on Monday launched its Chinese website Theoutnet.cn, which is the result of the fashion retailer’s acquisition of Hong Kong-based Shouke.com
UK fashion label Paul Smith will open its first standalone Australian store next month in Melbourne’s Collins Street district. The 250sq m store will be located in the heritage-listed Professional Chambers building and the two floors of retail space will house men and women’s apparel, jewellery, books, art and antiques.
British fashion retailer Ted Baker opened its first store in Japan in the Omotesando district of Tokyo. The 5,750 sq ft flagship store spans across two floors and offers menswear, womenswear and accessories.
U.S. luxury retailer Neiman Marcus Group Inc. will invest $28 million for a stake in Chinese fashion website Glamour Sales Holdings Ltd. The move allows the company to tap China’s booming luxury and e-commerce markets at once, without Neiman Marcus having to assume the risks of looking for properties or navigating local shopping customs.
The 40-year-old Roberto Cavalli brand, has struck a franchise agreement with Dubai-based Infinite Luxury group for its India entry.
Dover Street Market opened in Tokyo. It is squarely in the center of Ginza, the city’s shopping mecca, where venerable department stores, luxury boutiques and the supersize flagship stores of brands like Uniqlo line the streets.
2. Women in fashion
Karen Millen made her name as a designer helping to define what women wear to work since the 80s. She lost a lot of money in the Icelandic banking crash, but is determined to start trading again. But the firm which bears her name – still controlled by Kaupthing administrators – has warned of a trademark infringement if she returns to business, as planned, under the brand name Karen or KM.
3. Feathers ruffled
Wenyu Lu, the former employee of Alexander Wang’s factory in Manhattan’s Chinatown who along with 30 co-workers is suing Wang for being made to work in what he describes as ‘sweatshop’ conditions, has filed a motion to discontinue the case filed earlier this month at Queens Supreme Court. However, Lu’s lawyer says a new claim will be filed. This case is definitely not over.
The West Asian State of Israel passed legislation on Monday which bans the use of underweight models in ads. They are hoping that it will bring about change in the industry, where eating disorders are common.
4. Made bank
Fashion retailer Oroton Group, maker of luxury handbags and accessories posted a net profit of $16.1 million for the six months to 28 January, up from $15.4 million for the same period in the previous year. The Group credits this rise to its expansion in Asia.
Inditex SA (ITX), the world’s largest clothing retailer, reported a 12 percent increase in full-year profit as sales were boosted by openings in Asia and unveiled plans to maintain store expansion over the next three years.
It is no surprise to AsianFashionLaw that Hermes made record profit. Carrying a Hermes bag in Asia is a status symbol.
5. Expansion in Asia
Mango, the Spanish clothing company, announced that it will double its Asian outlets to 2,500 over the next five years to cash in on growing demand for fashion products in Asia.
Mixxo Secret, an innerwear brand from South Korean E-Land Group, is planning to increase its number of stores from the present five to 20, with projected sales of 20 billion won this year.
A new fashion mall at Orchard Road is set to become a new landmark in Singapore’s most popular shopping belt. The twin-block development, Orchardgateway, will be linked by a glass tubular overhead bridge which will connect the two buildings located on 218 and 277 Orchard Road.
6. Fashion weeks
The North Asian spy, Anna Chapman of Russia, strutted her stuff during the Mercedes Fashion Week in Moscow. I guess she is now a model too?
Japan’s fashion week did not disappoint. The collections can be viewed here.
Qingdao, the popular coastal city in Shandong province, will hold the 12th international fashion week, beginning May 5 and lasting for 5 days.
Dubai Fashion Week’s autumn-winter 2012 runway shows, slated to run from April 7-12, were this week dropped due to lack of funds.
7. Investments
G-III Apparel Group Ltd. announced that it has entered into a joint venture agreement with China Ting Group Holdings Limited to open and operate Calvin Klein Performance retail stores in China and Hong Kong, under the Calvin Klein Performance store license.
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