Two great footwear brands to know if you’re into the heritage workwear look. (Plus a reminder of one you probably know already.)
I love the classic Paraboot Michael shoe, but at £315 it’s an investment purchase. More affordable is another French brand, Klemen, whose unisex workwear shoes were originally made for firefighters and the military. That should give you an idea of their utilitarian credentials.
The Padror Derby is the one to go for, unchanged in style since the eighties. (more…)
DFNI associate editor, ALISON FARRINGTON reports on the travel retail beauty opportunity for Chinese New Year
Chinese New Year is upon us and travel retailers across Asia have been creating special promotions designed to attract passengers for the biggest Chinese shopping opportunity of the year. Travel retail or duty free shoppers are big business. Often referred to as the ‘Sixth Continent’, in 2018 the global market was worth $79bn.
Beauty remains the biggest and fastest-growing product sector in travel retail, while Asia Pacific is the category’s main growth driver. In 2018 the region saw beauty sales grow 23.5% to a total of $31.5bn. Beauty and fashion accessories are the biggest pull for Chinese travellers eager to snap up seasonal limited editions at the airport. This year’s theme is Year of the Rat (sometimes interpreted as a mouse) and we’ve seen brands adopting characterful themes such as Rocket Rat and even Mickey Mouse. (more…)
A quick heads up in case you’re in the market for a new work to weekend bag. The brand founder and handbag designer Sophie Hulme announced last year that she was closing her brand, not due to business failings but because of personal health issues. She sufferers from Ehlers-Danlos syndrome and Kleine-Levin syndrome, two rare and debilitating illnesses that make it increasingly hard to be present running a business.
An update for my American followers Westman Atelier fans. Westman Atelier’s Lip Suede compact has landed; a beautiful lacquered clamshell filled with stripes of peptide-rich and marula oil-infused lip colour. It’s priced at $85, €91 or £78 and is available on the Westman Atelier website here. There’s a brush to come at the end of the month.
I know from my stats that you love Gucci Westman’s other products, so I’m expecting these to be a hit. Original storyhere. Gucci’s red lip masterclass – here – is excellent too. (more…)
