FashionUnited highlights from November '18
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Fashion
As November comes to an end, FashionUnited takes a look back at the biggest news to hit the world of fashion.
Victoria's Secret: Out of touch and out of
time?
This month, Victoria's Secret televised its annual extravaganza of models parading a catwalk in underwear. Some girls were sporting wings, others were bedazzled from hip to bust. But while sex once sold everything from fashion to laundry detergent, marketing in 2018 has moved on, and now focuses more on body diversity and female empowerment, rather than a tactic to attract the male gaze.
Dolce & Gabbana, a history of PR disasters
It was to be an epic fashion show unlike any other. 500 looks, a Hollywood-calibre production, the ultimate East meets West extravaganza where Dolce & Gabbana take Shanghai. The multi million euro event, which has taken months to plan, was unceremoniously canceled after a backlash to a series of D&G ads that were accused of harbouring Chinese stereotypes.
US consumers to spend an average of 554.90 US dollars
during Thanksgiving weekend
This holiday season looks promising for US retailers. A new survey conducted by the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) with over 1,000 American consumers revealed they intend to spend an average of 554.90 US dollars over the Thanksgiving weekend, with 207.30 US dollars going towards gifts for other people. Another study by mobile payment company Square Inc. with 2,000 US adults said they are looking to spend 1300 US dollars during the entire holiday period, including Christmas.
Background:
The year of ‘meme fashion’: the most-searched brands and
trends of 2018
More than 80 million shoppers from 120 countries used fashion search engine Lyst in 2018. But what were they looking for? Turns out 2018 was “the year of meme fashion”, with unusual items such as Balenciaga’s seven-layer coat and Gucci’s balaclavas going viral thanks to the jokes people made about them.
Why fashion shaming women in power is losing its power
When Washington Examiner reporter, Eddie Scarry, posted a photograph of congresswoman-elect Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez last week with the words, “That jacket and coat don’t look like a girl who struggles,” the backlash was swift. But the reporter’s speculation on how she spends her money along with judgment on her physical appearance just happened to cover the two areas in which historically men have exerted control over women. It was Scarry’s look that was not a good one.
Sneakers, faux fur and Off-White: 2018’s trends
according to eBay
Rest assured: if something is trending, you will find it on eBay. The e-commerce giant has published its 2018 Shopping Report, revealing the best selling products since January, and the fashion items which made the list come as no surprise for those following the latest catwalks and trend forecasts..
Holiday sales to surpass the trillion dollar mark for
the first time
Fueled by low unemployment, strong income growth and high consumer confidence, the holiday shopping season this year will be a strong one for retailers in the US. Research firm eMarketer has raised its projections from its Q3 2018 forecast, specifically for brick-and-mortar retailers. In its latest holiday retail forecast, eMarketer predicts total retail sales in the U.S. will increase 5.8 percent to 1.002 trillion dollars.
Expanding or retracting? H&M closes Cheap Monday after rethinking /Nyden
H&M is undoubtedly one of the most successful fashion companies of our time. But as consumers question the social and environmental impacts of the fast fashion model and online players such as Asos and Boohoo offer fierce competition, the last decade has seen the Swedish apparel giant looking to rely less on its namesake brand. But now we’re seeing the conglomerate take a step back and axe labels that don’t deliver from the portfolio.
A bit of background:
Amazon suffers major data breach just days before Black
Friday
Online giant Amazon suffered a major data breach that saw customers’ emails and names being posted on the company’s website just days before Black Friday. The website announced in an email that the breach was the result of a technical issue. Customers affected by the data breach were contacted by Amazon with an email, saying: “Our website inadvertently disclosed your email address or name and email address due to a technical error. The issue has been fixed. This is not a result of anything you have done, and there is no need for you to change your password or take any other action.”
Is it risky business for brands to weigh in on
politics?
In today’s divided society, the old adage of never talking religion or politics in polite company no longer seems to apply. As the two tribes go to war at this week’s midterms, the question of whether brands have a responsibility to use their political voice arises. In this show-us-the-receipts era, do brands that choose not to engage in politics risk irrelevancy for the modern consumer?
Main article photo: Balenciaga, Facebook