brands

Business of beauty: Hermès is launching skincare and make-up (updated)



Hermès launching skincare and make-up

Not sure why I never saw this coming. Hermès is building out its beauty offer with skincare and make-up due to launch in 2020. It already has a great line of ancillary scented bath products – soaps, shower gels, body balms – which are so beautifully giftable and serve as perfect entry portals to one of the last true luxury fashion brands.

‘Obviously, we hope to have the biggest scope possible. We are trying to do it humbly and cautiously, because it’s a big market that’s already full of strong players, and therefore we have to find our place in it,” said Hermès chief executive officer, Axel Dumas. It’s certainly a crowded place but Hermès is planning a slowly-slowly strategy with limited availability to start with, mostly in its own stores. (more…)



The DRG Style Index: Goop, Lacoste, Estee Lauder, Fred Perry X Le Kilt and more…



Here’s the latest weekly DRG STYLE INDEX ranking, a round-up of the brands and industry stories currently buzzing on my radar…

I WENT TO THE GOOP STORE AND I LIKED IT
Goop Westbourne Grove London store
I finally ventured into the Goop London pop-up store on Westbourne Grove to see what the fuss was about. I didn’t feel bombarded; I did see lots of stuff I wanted to buy. A set of amethyst-coloured tumblers, French Girl eye oil, lots of ecru-coloured cazhmere. Nothing ground-breaking, just comforting lifestyle porn at its best. Apparently it’s now a permanent fixture. (more…)



Bulk buy and long tail – can Wardrobe NYC work?



Wardrobe NYC capsule wardrobe puffa


Wardrobe NYC
, a new concept for fashion, works by delivering pieces in ‘packs’ rather than individually. So rather than buying a jacket or a top, you’re committed to buying a bulk set of clothes that work together.

Crucially, the design is immaculately considered for the fad-averse gentlewoman (or man) who just wants good clothes. Behind the concept are Australian designer Josh Goot and Louis Vuitton stylist Christine Centenera. (more…)



Gentlewoman style: Burberry SS19 ad campaign



Burberry SS19 ad campaign by Colin Dodgson

Burberry just unveiled its first ad campaign under Riccardo Tisci. I like that it used a range of different photographers rather than just one, including the brilliant Nick Knight (below, with models standing in front of a painting by British artist, Jenny Saville) alongside two of my other faves, Colin Dodgson (above) and Letty Schmiterlow.

And in a further push for inclusivity, it’s featured Stella Tennant who is one of my favourite 90s models (more…)