This week in luxury news  

Ruhi Gilder 

It has been a bittersweet week for fashion, with the passing on of style tastemaker Thierry Mugler, and the launch of multiple couture collections at Paris Haute Couture Week.  Read on to know more.  

Fashion icon lives on 

French fashion designer Manfred Thierry Mugler tragically passed away last week at the age of 73. The designer’s style was iconic in its architectural structure and outlandish in its aesthetic. His dramatic looks were a favourite of Megan Fox, Madonna, Lady Gaga and Cardi B.  

Haute Couture collections 

At the prestigious Paris Haute Couture Week, from January 24-27, designers unveiled their Spring Summer 2022 collections. The schedule had 15 physical runway shows in the line-up, where brands like Chanel had an equestrian-themed show, Dior celebrated textile works of Indian contemporary artists, and Schiaparelli used gold accents on black and white couture.  

Click here know all about couture week. 

High jewellery  

The second chapter of Bravery, Louis Vuitton’s high jewellery collection is comprised of 20 pieces, in a rainbow of over 100 coloured joyous gemstones, including pink, yellow, orange and green tourmalines, yellow citrines, blue aquamarine, and violet tanzanites. Bravery II’s showstopper piece The Collier Multipin Necklace features a magnificent 42.42-carat lagoon blue tourmaline at the side.

Click here to know more. 

Luxury meets comfort 

When high fashion brands collaborate with affordable luxury labels, it’s always exciting. Dior unveiled its Dior by BIRKENSTOCK collaboration at their show during Paris Fashion Week. Two classic models have been reinvented, Birkenstock Tokio mules and Milano sandals tinted in Dior’s signature grey.  

Record growth  

LVMH (Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy), recorded a revenue of €64.2 billion in 2021, up 44% compared to 2020. The Fashion & Leather Goods sector experienced phenomenal growth, led by brands like Louis Vuitton, Christian Dior, Fendi, Celine and Loewe, who achieved record levels of revenue.  

Sustainability first 

Luxury automobile brand Bentley Motors is ready to transform into a fully electric brand by 2030. The group plans to make a £2.5 billion investment in R&D, as well as in the upgrading of Bentley’s historic plant manufacturing campus in England. The brand’s first all-electric vehicle is scheduled to launch in 2025, the first in its efforts to go carbon neutral. 

Top luxury carmaker in the US 

According to a report by Cox Automotive, Tesla has outsold other luxury carmakers to emerge as the top player in the market in the US, clocking a cool 352,471 cars. Cox has suggested that Tesla outsold BMW in the US in 2021, as a representative shared, “Tesla didn’t only dominate the EV market, Tesla dominated the overall luxury market, outselling Audi, BMW, Lexus, and Mercedes-Benz in the U.S.” 

Farewell to fur 

This is big news for animal lovers. After almost two decades of pressure from animal rights activists like PETA and the vegan community at large, Dolce & Gabbana will ban fur and angora from all future collections. Another Italian luxury brand, Moncler vows to go fur-free by 2024. These brands join the likes of Saint Laurent, Alexander McQueen, and Balenciaga who have also abstained from using animal products in their collections.  

A new Boss in town 

German luxury brand Hugo Boss’ CEO Daniel Grieder is looking to rethink its strategy, with a radical change in branding. Stayed tuned for a new avatar of the brand as Boss will now be aimed at the millennials, aged 25-40, while Hugo targets Gen Z, aged under 25. This marketing push is complete with an all-new logo as well. p 

Valentine special 

In the spirit of love, Swarovski, has crafted a collection of pendants, chokers, earrings, and bracelets that revolve around swans greeting to form a heart shape. These designs are part of the new product family Una, in Swarovski’s Collection III. “The UNA family is about One Love, not celebrated on just one day, but every day. That is why I designed the family as a new iconic symbol of forever.” says Giovanna Engelbert, the Global Creative Director of Swarovski.  

Watch lovers unite  

Luxury online retailer, Tata CLiQ Luxury, has announced the launch of ‘The Watch Society’, a phygital society aimed building a collectors’ and enthusiasts’ community. The platform will create content around the use and care of luxury watches, new releases, trends, insightful video content, with the help of James Gurney, the former Telegraph UK watch editor.  

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