25 May, 2014

THE DRG STYLE INDEX: CELINE, MICHAEL KORS, GRAZIA, GLOBE-TROTTER

My weekly DRG STYLE INDEX ranks the brand stories that have most resonated with me, in order of interest. This week, Céline goes east and Grazia goes into etail…

1. CELINE’S BEIJING STRATEGY

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So the small, discreet, exclusivity rule doesn’t count when it comes to China. Hello Céline fashion show in Beijing! Céline staged a big-ass fashion show in a celeb-packed venue in Beijing’s art district last week to showcase its AW14 collection. The likes of pop star Faye Wong (above) arrived properly attired the Céline way with mannish coat robed over the shoulders. Why the fanfare from this usually reserved brand? (more…)

Disneyrollergirl 3 Comments Brands, Business of fashion, Designers, Fashion shows, News, Online shopping, Retail concepts, Trends Celine, China, DRG Style Index, etail, Globe-Trotter, Grazia, heritage, London-Boutiques, luxury, Michael Kors, retail news, trends

17 May, 2014

Watch the live stream of the first ever Louis Vuitton Cruise show here

What a month it’s been for Cruise shows! And it doesn’t stop, because today sees the first ever Louis Vuitton Cruise show, taking place in Monaco at 6pm GMT.

Cruise shows are clearly the new RTW and I don’t know whether to envy or pity the editors and VIPs being flown from one continent to another in this vast show of ~~excess~~ newness and grandeur.

Pull up a pouffe next to me and watch the live stream here….

Disneyrollergirl 0 Comments Brands, Business of fashion, Events, Fashion shows Cruise, fashion shows, live stream, Louis Vuitton

16 May, 2014

Welcome to Pradasphere (and don’t forget your souvenirs)

When it comes to immersive, experiential retail, you can’t really beat Harrods and its epic store takeovers. Chanel and Dior have had their turn and this month saw the unveiling of Pradasphere, a fusion of shop windows (40 in total), pop-up shop, cafe and exhibition.

The exhibition on the fourth floor is the big draw. It starts with glass cabinets telling the story of the beginnings of the 101-year-old brand. Originally purveyors of leathergoods, we’re shown vitrines of ancient paper packaging, handbag frames and luxurious vanity sets for the travelling classes. All give an air of revered Milanese shopkeeper to the proceedings, nicely bringing us back to retail. (more…)

Disneyrollergirl 0 Comments Brands, Business of fashion, Designers, Events, News, Retail concepts accessories, archive, best fashion blog, exhibitions, experiential retail, Harrods, Miuccia prada, Prada, Pradasphere, retail news, shoes

7 May, 2014

Guest post: Jigsaw’s Duke Street Emporium is a 3D shopping experience

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Jigsaw has opened a mini department store dedicated to what it calls ‘social shopping’, putting the 3D back into retail. DRG contributor ALISON BISHOP takes a tour with CEO Peter Ruis

“Retail brands have the authenticity to create something unexpected, at Jigsaw we like shops to be slightly off-pitch,” CEO Peter Ruis told me at the launch for Jigsaw’s Duke Street Emporium in Mayfair.

The Emporium name comes from the idea that Jigsaw’s new multi-label, multi-concept two-floor store is like a journey of discovery. “It’s a bit of fun, it’s a bit of curating, the rooms are like catacombs of discovery,” says Ruis. “You can travel through the store finding new products and displays, it’s intended to be very fluid and you can spend as much time as you like going from room to room. They are quite small and merchandise is not overloaded so you can always find things to be inspired,” he says. (more…)