E-Commerce Firm Jumia Draws Takeover Interest From Axian
A deal between the biggest e-commerce platform in Africa and telecommunications company Axian would help both company expand across the continent.
The State of Fashion
In-depth reports by The Business of Fashion and McKinsey & Company on the future of the fashion, beauty and luxury industries.
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Beauty
How to Build Beauty Brands Bigger Than Their Founders
The Ordinary, Deciem’s flagship brand, went from disruptor to industry giant. Co-founder Nicola Kilner shares how the company stays true to its founding ethos, even after an acquisition and amid growing competition, for The State of Fashion: Beauty Volume 2.
How to Build Beauty Brands Bigger Than Their Founders
The Ordinary, Deciem’s flagship brand, went from disruptor to industry giant. Co-founder Nicola Kilner shares how the company stays true to its founding ethos, even after an acquisition and amid growing competition, for The State of Fashion: Beauty Volume 2.
The End of the Founder-Led Era
Over the last decade, an avalanche of brands with public-facing founders emerged. While a prominent founder can propel growth, customers use other factors to assess whether a brand is suited to their needs, according The State of Fashion: Beauty Volume 2.
How Haus Labs Mastered the Art of the Comeback
The Lady Gaga-fronted line went through a renaissance, changing its product offering, distribution and overall look and feel to better connect with customers. CEO Ben Jones tells The State of Fashion: Beauty Volume 2 how the brand pulled it off.
Beauty
How Kiko Milano Built Pricing Power
The Italian cosmetics giant has deftly engineered a premiumisation strategy, and has elevated its distribution, product selection and points of differentiation, heavily reducing discounts and promotions in the process. Chief executive Simone Dominici explained how it deployed its strategy in The State of Fashion: Beauty Volume 2.
How Kiko Milano Built Pricing Power
The Italian cosmetics giant has deftly engineered a premiumisation strategy, and has elevated its distribution, product selection and points of differentiation, heavily reducing discounts and promotions in the process. Chief executive Simone Dominici explained how it deployed its strategy in The State of Fashion: Beauty Volume 2.
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Amorepacific’s Road to Success
The K-beauty corporation behind brands like Laneige, Aestura and Sulwhasoo sees global expansion and ongoing innovation as keys to growth, chief executive Sean Kim explains in The State of Fashion: Beauty Volume 2.
Customers Want Beauty Brands to Prove Their Worth
As beauty customers grow more selective and cost-conscious, brands must demonstrate a clear and ownable value proposition, regardless of price, according to the BoF-McKinsey State of Fashion: Beauty report Volume 2.
Luxury
Marriott International: What Luxury Travellers Really Want
The post-pandemic travel boom may be on the wane, but in its wake it leaves a tourism market that has been utterly transformed. Tina Edmundson, president of luxury at Marriott International, explains how the hospitality giant is adapting its offerings to customers’ rapidly evolving needs.
Marriott International: What Luxury Travellers Really Want
The post-pandemic travel boom may be on the wane, but in its wake it leaves a tourism market that has been utterly transformed. Tina Edmundson, president of luxury at Marriott International, explains how the hospitality giant is adapting its offerings to customers’ rapidly evolving needs.
Luxury
Piaget’s CEO on Powering Growth in a Challenging Watch Market
The Richemont-owned jewellery and watch brand is enjoying newfound momentum after relaunching its Polo 79 timepiece — part of a broader programme to reactivate the glamour of its jet-set glory days. CEO Benjamin Comar shares his vision for how Swiss watchmakers can reach new clients in a tough market for hard luxury for The State of Fashion: Luxury.
Piaget’s CEO on Powering Growth in a Challenging Watch Market
The Richemont-owned jewellery and watch brand is enjoying newfound momentum after relaunching its Polo 79 timepiece — part of a broader programme to reactivate the glamour of its jet-set glory days. CEO Benjamin Comar shares his vision for how Swiss watchmakers can reach new clients in a tough market for hard luxury for The State of Fashion: Luxury.
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Retail
Aritzia: Redefining Shopping One Store at a Time
Not so long ago, Aritzia was a little-known womenswear brand serving elevated workwear staples from a modest footprint of stores. CEO Jennifer Wong talks in The State of Fashion 2025 about how the retailer found itself in hypergrowth — and why excellence starts from within the company.
Aritzia: Redefining Shopping One Store at a Time
Not so long ago, Aritzia was a little-known womenswear brand serving elevated workwear staples from a modest footprint of stores. CEO Jennifer Wong talks in The State of Fashion 2025 about how the retailer found itself in hypergrowth — and why excellence starts from within the company.
How Retailers Are Investing in Their Sales Associates
Differentiating the in-store experience is key to reigniting demand for in-person shopping, according to the BoF-McKinsey State of Fashion 2025. Brands can achieve that by empowering their store associates to reach their full potential.
Luxury
Equinox Is Trying to Make Health the Ultimate Status Symbol
No longer just a luxury gym chain, Equinox’s transformation into a wellness lifestyle brand is based on the bet that the wealthy will pay anything to optimise their health. Executive chairman and managing partner Harvey Spevak outlines his vision for the future of luxury wellness for The State of Fashion: Luxury.
Equinox Is Trying to Make Health the Ultimate Status Symbol
No longer just a luxury gym chain, Equinox’s transformation into a wellness lifestyle brand is based on the bet that the wealthy will pay anything to optimise their health. Executive chairman and managing partner Harvey Spevak outlines his vision for the future of luxury wellness for The State of Fashion: Luxury.
Prada’s Plan for Growing in a Luxury Downturn
What's 'polyhedric brand equity'? Chief executive Andrea Guerra breaks down how Prada and Miu Miu — luxury’s ‘cultural brands’ par excellence — continued to outperform the market last year, and his outlook for 2025.
The News in Brief
Billionaire H&M Founding Family Speeds Up Share Purchases
The Persson family and its related companies owned over 60 percent of H&M's shares at the end of May, prompting speculation the company may return to private ownership.
Kate Moss’ Cosmoss Enters Liquidation
The prestige skincare and wellness line founded by the British supermodel entered liquidation proceedings after failing to file its company accounts.
Vivienne Westwood and Rei Kawakubo Paired for Blockbuster Exhibition
The two era-defining avant-garde fashion designers will be the subject of a major exhibition at the National Gallery of Victoria in Australia.
Exclusive: Smythson of Bond Street Acquired by Oakley Capital
The British luxury lifestyle brand, known for its leather handbags, notebooks, homeware and other accessories, will look to accelerate its growth and expand internationally.
L’Oréal to Acquire Hair Care Brand Color Wow
Hair care was the second fastest-growing category at L’Oréal last year after fragrances.
Bold Management Acquires Influencer Agency The Digital Prototype
The deal bolsters Bold’s talent management capabilities in France.
Prada Credits Sandal’s Indian Legacy Amid Uproar
The Italian fashion group has acknowledged the Indian roots of a new open-toe sandal design after criticism from artisans and politicians.