Mergers and acquisitions activity (M&A) in the U.S. has “jumped significantly” over the last year or so, with a number of large consumer packaging companies selling off non-core operations and brands. M&A also appears to be on the rise in Europe, particularly in the areas of jewelry and fashion. Does the end-consumer look to benefit from corporate’s rush to buy and sell?
Read MoreGQ Spring 2013 Fashion Trend Report
For whatever reason, modern male fashion has, for several decades, become an actual trend in need of following. And not just thin vs. wide ties. Or pinstripe suits vs. solid ones. No. You’re expected to pay attention to colors and patterns. You also need to see whether certain “hot” fashions have any chance of being worn by regular-guy you. Fortunately, GQ’s Spring 2013 Trend Report has you covered. Kind of.
Read MoreRecycled, Reused and Redesigned: Clothing for a New Century
Recycled clothing has become something of a commodity these days. Practically everyone — from thrift shops to activist organizations to a designer with a household machine that could recycle and re-make clothes — wants us all hopping onto the latest recycling bandwagon. Is recycled clothing a timeless fashion statement? Or just another faux fad?
Read MoreMarketing Lingerie to Tweens
Victoria’s Secret recently started – then pulled — a Spring ad campaign, “Bright Young Things”, which some felt targeted under-age girls, known as “tweens” – no longer children, not quite teens. Was it all just a misunderstanding? Did parental types over-react? What’s considered fair game when marketing products associated with sexual activity? Is lingerie really the problem, or is it something else?
Read MoreThe Lowdown on Glamour’s 2013 Spring Fashion Trends
Spring fashion roundups from magazines like Glamour are supposed to present bold concepts. Can you imagine flipping through the volumes of ads if all that passed as editorial filler were tired old stories about preppie favorites? Or just another batch of celebrity wardrobe “don’t”s? Nope. You need inspiration. And ideas. Plus the common sense to know when too much isn’t enough.
Read MoreColor It Marketable
It’s not brand new information that colors easily stir up subconscious feelings, some troubling, others completely pleasant. Savvy retailers bank on this emotional correlation along the spectrum of Roy G. Biv to attract shoppers and encourage the opening of pockets and swiping of credit cards.
Read MoreAfrican Textiles Make Their Way onto the Fashion Runway
African textiles have long demonstrated a unique artisanship and not-easily-replicated patterns, varying throughout the years in reflection of the continent’s rich but vacillating history of turmoil and peace.
Read MoreAre Beauty Bloggers Shifting the Spotlight of Fashion Week?
Fashion bloggers have firmly established their place along the runway at New York’s semi-annual Fashion Week. But with beauty bloggers making their way backstage, will press coverage of the event broaden to the beauty beat?
Read MoreThe Evolution of the Boxer: Introducing Luxury Slim-Fit Boxers
The first boxer shorts were created with all-around-elastic in the 1920’s by Jacob Golomb, the founder of Everlast, to replace the leather-belted trunks then worn by boxers. This design allowed for unhindered leg movement, especially important for athletes.
Read MoreSomething Borrowed: Rented Goods Get Bigger & Broader for Consumers
To rent or to buy, that is the question that often conflicts us when standing with a big ticket item at a store. There is no doubt that we covet these luxury items, but often our pockets aren’t deep enough or we have trouble justifying the purchase if we don’t see ourselves wearing it often.
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