FabSugar

Fab Flash: Louis Vuitton Stays Afloat Despite Economic Crisis

FabSugar — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 12:00:22 -0700

Despite the current economic downturn, luxury brand LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton stays resilient as its sales figures show profits of over $17 billion dollars to date.

Though profits aren't as high as earlier this year, LVMH, which houses its namesake line along with other high-end labels such as Celine and Givenchy, reports a 9 percent growth in its business. Other top French retailers report up to a 10 percent loss in sales. In fact, the only decline experienced in the LVMH business is with watches.

“We are in a strange situation. It’s more a lack of confidence from retailers,” said LVMH finance director, Jean-Jacques Guiony, who states that retailers are being overly cautious with their spending.

All of this makes one wonder: Does LVMH have that magic staying power, or are the wealthy not affected by one of the worst economic crisises in history?

Source

Fab Flash: LVMH Wins Over eBay in Counterfeit Goods Trial

FabSugar — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 12:00:22 -0700

Don't mess with fashion giant LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton.

After a two-year trial, a French court ordered eBay to pay up for selling counterfeit items on its online auction site and for selling genuine goods outside LVMH's retail channels. The penalty was a whopping 40 million euros, or $63.2 million at the current exchange rate.

This all came about when prestigious brands including Louis Vuitton, Givenchy, Fendi, Emilio Pucci, and Marc Jacobs had complained about the sale of knockoff bags and clothes on eBay.

Pierre Godet, an adviser to LVMH Chairman and CEO Bernard Arnault, said the Paris court's decision was, ''an answer to a particularly serious question, on whether the Internet is a free-for-all for the most hateful, parasitic practices.'' In rebuttal, eBay said that LVMH is trying to crack down on Internet auctions merely because it is uncomfortable with the business model, which tends to cut out the middleman.

Sounds like both parties are still heated, but for now, the courtroom has cooled.

On Our Radar: Manufacturers and Retailers Inching More Toward Eco

FabSugar — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 12:00:22 -0700

We all know it's impossible to reverse the damages done to Mother Earth, but there's always room for improvement. That's why an increasing amount of manufacturers and retailers are stepping up to fight global warming and climate change. Stats show an increase in the amount of companies taking interest in learning how to conserve energy, finding ethical sourcing partners, and educating consumers about the benefits of sustainable methods. We're ecstatic to see big companies, such as Target with it's Loomstate line, step up to the challenge.

To read about what some retailers and designers are doing to lessen their carbon footprint, read more.

In this month's Vogue, Cameron Diaz is featured wearing an outfit by eco-conscious British brand, Bamford.
Gap is increasing its efforts in finding eco-sensitive products and ethical sourcing.
LVMH plans on consuming less energy, carbon audits, and water across all of its manufacturing plants and boutiques.
H&M plans to increase its organic cotton products stable by 50 percent this year.
Patagonia's business is based on sustainability and builds timeless, classic designs that last.
NY-based jewelry designer Lisa Linhardt sells environmentally sensitive jewelry, notably engagement rings with ethical diamonds mined in Canada.

Source

Link Time!!!

FabSugar — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 13:00:22 -0800

Can't get enough of models falling? You'll want to see this - Refinery 29
Model behavior: Sessilee Lopez - Jezebel
Quicksilver hangs out with the It girls - Quicksilver Blog
Ted Rossi Python shoulder bag - Purse Blog
Paris highlights: Le beat goes on - Style File
Street chic: Puja Bhattacherjee - Teen Vogue Blog
Paris Fashion Week: Gareth Pugh Fall 2009 - Coutorture
Bally Vharma - Bag Snob
St. John’s new caviar collection - Nitrolicious
Heidi Klum designs the perfect one - Stylelist
LVMH is in shopping mode - Fashionologie
Found! The ideal exotic sandals - Lucky Magazine
Ahead of the front row, at Rick Owens - Fashionista
Jil Sander model’s tears due to bright lights, flashing cameras - WSJ Blog
What a chic guitar! Merci, c'est Chanel. - Fashiontribes

Friday Fab News Roundup!

FabSugar — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 10:00:22 -0800

Spring 2009 trend reports - Style.com
Alex & Chloe wants you to put away your contact lenses - Nylon
Orla Kiely designs for Target - Vogue UK
Fab Flash: YSL spreads the love - Fab UK
MTV brings back the House of Style with Bar Refaeli and Chanel Iman - Page Six
A glimpse of the future of luxury - WSJ
American Express's Skybox returns to Bryant Park this season - FWD
LVMH finances Gareth Pugh - Vogue UK
Olivia Palermo uses The City as acting training - Page Six
Peter Jensen for Urban Outfitters - Vogue UK
Why Yves Saint Laurent was never happy - Telegraph UK
Obama fashion stimulus plan is already yielding results - USA Today

This Just In: eLuxury.com to Close Up Shop

FabSugar — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 11:00:08 -0800

It's with utmost sadness that I report that one of our favorite online retailers, eLuxury.com, is planning on closing its retail operation over the next six months. While many shops are closing due to the recession, it is said that eLuxury's closure isn't due to its financial performance. Rather, it's because many of the brands it carries have their own online presence.

But it's not all tears over at the LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton-owned company. “Starting in mid 2009, eLuxury’s new mission will be to create an ‘e-window’ into the world of luxury, by serving as an information reference for luxury in fashion, art de vivre, leather goods, wines and spirits, watches and jewelry, gastronomy, cars, yachts, and services,” said a spokeswoman. We will miss shopping from the high-end retailer, but look forward to what sounds like an exciting online magazine.

Fab Flash: Vanity Fair's Annual International Best Dressed List Is In!

FabSugar — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 12:03:55 -0700

Who's the fairest of them all? Vanity Fair has that answer for you. The magazine's annual style poll is hot off the press and ready for your judging pleasure. Here's a glimpse of this year's hottest international style icons. My faves amongst those listed are: budding female tycoon Ivanka Trump, first lady of France and model/musician Carla Bruni, SJP, Bond Daniel Craig, hot mess Lapo Elkann, Kaiser Karl Lagerfeld, and Carine Roitfeld.

Women

Ivanka Trump
Michelle Obama, wife of presidential candidate Barack Obama
Carla Bruni-Sarkozy
Kate Middleton, Prince William's girlfriend
Sarah Jessica Parker
Fran Lebowitz, American author

To learn some of the other Fab women, men, couplings and fashion professionals who made the cut, read more

Iris Apfel
Tilda Swinton, actress
Evelyn Lauder, cosmetics executive, photographer

Men

Daniel Craig, actor
Matt Lauer, NBC Today show anchor
David Beckham, soccer god
Kanye West, hip-hop mogul
Morley Safer, 60 Minutes correspondent
Lapo Elkann, New York-born Italian industrialist, former marketing manager, and heir to the automaker Fiat
Bryan Lourd, Creative Artists Agency partner
Luis and Rafael Medina, sons of Spanish aristocrat
Count Manfredi Della Gherardesca

Couplings

Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie
Kelly Lynch, actor, and Mitch Glazer, screenwriter and producer

Fashion Professionals

Alexandra Kotur, style director of Vogue magazine
Fiona Kotur Marin, handbag designer
Karl Lagerfeld
Christy Turlington Burns, model
Carine Roitfeld, editor in chief at French Vogue
Katherine Ross, senior vice president of communications for LVMH North America
Stacey Bendet, designer and owner of Alice & Olivia

Don't agree with who's on top? Vote for your favorites at VFDaily.com.

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Friday Fab News Round Up!

FabSugar — Fri, 16 Feb 2007 13:19:33 -0800

Tasty Tastemakers of the Runway - NY Times
Shoe knows where you are -- even if you don't - Chicago Sun Times
London Fashion Week: Preen - Style.com
This Time It's Mine: Why high-powered women are leaving Corporate America to become entrepreneurs - Business Week
More Changes at Valentino: Annelise Peterson tapped for top PR slot - The Daily
Stars Begin to Dim: Celebrity Scent Sales Losing Some Luster - WWD
What do you give the girl who has everything? A session with Mario Testino - The Observer
LVMH Climbs on Upbeat 2007 Forecast - Business Week
Hear Me Roar: Von Furstenberg to promote International Women’s Day - The Daily
Tainted Love: Radar salutes the world's worst Valentine's Day gifts - Radar

Friday Fab News Round-Up!

FabSugar — Fri, 29 Sep 2006 12:51:48 -0700

Project Runway's Jeffrey Sebelia faces a potential sewing scandal - New York Magazine
But Sebelia's backstory makes for a captivating profile - Los Angeles Times
Teen Vogue seeks aspiring designers for its "fashion university" - Fashion Week Daily
Gucci parties like a teenager to celebrate 85 years of glamour - International Herald Tribune
Dolce & Gabbana, Versace, and others ramp up lower-priced lines - The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Neiman Marcus readies for a major expansion - Women's Wear Daily
Luxury conglomerate LVMH targets eBay over counterfeit goods - BusinessWeek
Marc Jacobs plans a line of china, bar ware, and more for Waterford - Women's Wear Daily