Articles by Don-Alvin Adegeest
Loro Piana’s quiet ascent to become LVMH’s Hermès
Originally a wool merchant, Loro Piana began as a textile mill, exporting high-end fabrics to Europe, Japan, and the Americas. Renowned for its extra-fine wool, cashmere, and vicuña, the company did not enter the ready-to-wear and luxury goods market until the 1980s. It is fair to say it hasn’t looked back since. By the time LVMH acquired an 80...
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Demna’s unexpected move to Gucci: A new era for the Florentine house
The shock announcement on Thursday of Demna’s appointment at Gucci was a fashion marriage many did not see coming. After months of speculation about who would replace Sabato De Sarno—would it be Hedi Slimane, who had reportedly already gone real estate shopping in Milan, or another number two who had been flying under the radar, like the earlier...
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Donatella Versace’s departure marks a new chapter for the iconic house
The departure of Donatella Versace as the creative force behind the house that bears her family’s name marks the end of an era in luxury fashion. After decades at the helm, shaping the brand’s identity with her signature blend of sensuality and opulence, she will transition into the role of global ambassador. In her place, Dario Vitale, a rising...
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Boohoo rebrands as Debenhams Group, but will it solve its problems?
Boohoo Group's decision to rebrand as Debenhams Group marks a strategic pivot aimed at revitalising its market position amid declining sales and heightened competition. The rebranding seeks to leverage the established Debenhams brand, which Boohoo acquired in 2021, transitioning it into an online department store. However, this move raises...
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Fashion’s billion-dollar dividends, Zara owner cashes in
Inditex’s largest shareholder, Amancio Ortega, is set to receive a record dividend payout of 3.1 billion euros this year, according to Bloomberg. As the owner of a fifty-nine percent stake in the retail giant, the Zara founder has benefitted from a nine percent increase in shareholder returns. While billion-dollar dividends remain a rarity in...
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Paris Fashion Week: Power plays and designer shake-ups
As Paris Fashion Week draws the curtain on the month-long womenswear season, the collections—ranging from headline-grabbing debuts (Sarah Burton at Givenchy, Haider Ackermann at Tom Ford) to pointed social commentary (Comme des Garcons, Balenciaga)—reflect an industry in flux. Just as the global fashion economy seemed to have regained its...
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Cascale unveils updated Higg Index tool
Cascale, formerly the Sustainable Apparel Coalition, has introduced the latest iteration of the Higg Brand and Retail Module (BRM), reinforcing its commitment to refining sustainability assessment tools for the fashion industry. Part of the broader Higg Index suite, the Higg BRM is designed to help brands and retailers evaluate their...
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Hudson’s Bay seeks bankruptcy protection amid financial challenges
Hudson’s Bay, Canada’s oldest retailer, has filed for creditor protection as it moves to restructure its operations in response to mounting financial pressures. The department store chain, founded in 1670, cited economic headwinds, post-pandemic shifts in shopping patterns, and trade tensions with the U.S. as key factors behind its decision. The...
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Paris Fashion Week disrupted as unexploded bomb brings travel chaos
Paris Fashion Week attendees, alongside thousands of other travellers, found their plans thrown into disarray after the discovery of an unexploded World War Two bomb near Gare du Nord triggered a day-long suspension of key rail services and widespread travel disruption. The 500kg ordnance was unearthed during overnight construction work on...
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Prada continues investing in property with landmark Bond Street deal
Prada is once again placing a strategic bet on bricks-and-mortar retail, with the Italian luxury group reportedly close to acquiring the prestigious London property housing its Miu Miu boutique on New Bond Street. According to reports in WWD, Prada Holding is nearing a deal with asset manager M&G Investments to purchase the building for...
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