Beyond The Limits 8.07.2024

🔥 Welcome to our newsletter for the week. We have gathered some of the most interesting news and updates from the world of circularity, technology, fashion, and luxury.

👾 Innovative Fashion

Marlon Ferry, a visionary emerging fashion designer, made his official runway debut at Berlin Fashion Week. Known for seamlessly fusing technological innovation with artisanal expertise, Ferry leverages forefront technologies such as virtual fashion, 3D printing, and AI to create avant-garde pieces that blend streetwear influences with couture craftsmanship. Ferry's approach is marked by a maximum digitized workflow to ensure efficiency and minimize emissions, specializing in 3D printing from recycled materials. His creations explore contemporary themes like the relationship between humans and technology, combining artistry, innovation, and sustainability. Utilizing recycled plastics and deadstock fabrics, Ferry advocates for a thoughtful approach to consumption and a sustainable, circular industry. Ferry presented his collection "Artifacts of Uncertain Transformation" in Berlin, featuring 3D printed sculptures and pleated fabrics. His designs reflect a harmonious blend of the natural and artificial, showcasing his artistic prowess and commitment to a sustainable future.

♻️ Sustainable Fashion

Sustainability advocate Stella McCartney has added feathers to her banned materials list, urging fellow designers to sign PETA ’s Feather-Free Pledge. This initiative follows PETA’s exposé revealing the harsh treatment and violent deaths of birds in the feather industry. In newly released social media videos, McCartney seeks to raise awareness among her global followers about the cruelty involved in feather production. She advocates for innovation in fashion, suggesting that the aesthetic and functional qualities of feathers can be replicated with vegan materials. McCartney stated, “The fashion industry annually exploits and kills millions of birds for feathers, an inhumane and unnecessary practice. My Autumn 2024 collection demonstrates the desirability and potential of cruelty-free alternatives that benefit both animals and the environment. I encourage others to join me and PETA in pledging to eliminate the use of feathers in fashion.” Her collection showcases BioPuff, a material derived from bulrushes that supports wetland regeneration in Cambridgeshire, reduces greenhouse gas emissions, and enhances biodiversity. PETA reports that alongside McCartney, designers such as Felder Felder, Eirinn Hayhow, Richard Malone, Patrick McDowell , VIN + OMI, Pīferi, Sarah Regensburger , and Joshua James Small have signed the pledge. Additionally, many designers are now using luxurious faux feathers made from bamboo, recycled materials, and metals.

🌟 Luxury Business

Hudson's Bay Company , the parent company of Saks Fifth Avenue , has confirmed its acquisition of Neiman Marcus Group , which includes Neiman Marcus and Bergdorf Goodman , for $2.65 billion. This merger, which includes Amazon as an investor, unites these luxury retailers under SAKS GLOBAL . Each retailer will retain its brand name, and Marc Metrick , current CEO of Saks.com, will lead Saks Global. Amazon 's involvement aims to innovate customer and brand experiences, leveraging its technology and logistics capabilities. Salesforce will also invest, bringing its AI tools to enhance personalization and customer interactions. Richard Baker, HBC's executive chairman and CEO, expressed excitement about merging these iconic brands, emphasizing the potential benefits for customers, partners, and employees. The consolidation will potentially enhance shipping logistics and technology integration, offering a more personalized and convenient shopping experience. Amazon's foray into luxury fashion includes partnerships with designers and platforms for secondhand luxury goods, although its physical retail experiments have been less successful. The acquisition highlights Amazon's strategy to embed itself in the luxury market, a move that could reshape the competitive landscape. The merger may raise antitrust concerns with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) due to its potential to consolidate market power in the luxury retail sector. Geoffroy van Raemdonck , CEO of Neiman Marcus Group, noted the strategic value of the merger in the evolving retail environment, aiming to create value for customers and brand partners. This consolidation could shift the balance of power, offering fewer but more dominant players in luxury retail.

🤝 Luxury Fashion Partnership

Luxury leather goods brand AUPEN has entered a strategic partnership with LVMH MÉTIERS D'ART to relocate its production to France. This collaboration grants AUPEN access to LVMH ’s French production facilities, including JADE Groupe (LVMH Métiers d'Art) and Tanneries Roux, the oldest tannery in France, which supplies luxury brands like Hermès and Louis Vuitton . Founded in November 2022, AUPEN has quickly garnered a celebrity clientele, featuring Beyoncé, Taylor Swift, Selena Gomez, Hailey Bieber, Emily Blunt, Emma Stone, Jennifer Lawrence, and Kylie Jenner. The company states that this partnership marks a significant milestone in its supply chain, underscoring its commitment to excellence, quality, and innovation. As a result of this collaboration, AUPEN will unveil new products in January as part of its Spring 2025 collection. Notably, the partnership does not involve any equity exchange.

 ✨ Jewelry

kate spade new york , originally known for its utilitarian nylon bag launched in 1993, has evolved into a comprehensive lifestyle brand encompassing clothing, perfume, home goods, hospitality, and jewelry. The jewelry segment, both fashion and fine, has gained significant popularity, leading to the inauguration of the brand’s first global jewelry concept store in London. The new store is designed to reflect the brand’s iconic Kelly green with black and cream accents, encapsulating its joyful and feminine ethos. Liz Fraser , CEO and brand president of kate spade new york , a subsidiary of Tapestry , highlighted that this petite store aligns with the brand’s new retail concept introduced globally in 2023, and serves as a test model for future jewelry-specific stores in other regions, particularly North America, Europe, and Japan where the category has shown robust performance. Jewelry has emerged as the brand's second-largest division, following handbags. The diverse range includes classic essentials, bold statement pieces, and playful items, contributing to significant growth and new customer acquisition. With prices starting at $48 for earrings, the jewelry offerings reflect the brand’s aesthetic of playful luxury and serve as notable gift-giving options.

👏Congrats to Stella McCartney , Hudson's Bay Company , kate spade new york , LVMH MÉTIERS D'ART , AUPEN !

💡 Stay tuned for more updates and, as always, feel free to share your thoughts with us!

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