Skip to main content

Agenda-setting intelligence, analysis and advice for the global fashion community.

What the Troubled Tokyo Olympics Means for Brands

Officials insist that next month’s controversial Olympic Games will go ahead after being postponed once already, leaving fashion and beauty brand sponsors in a bind.

Chinese swimmer Liu Xiang, Japanese table tennis player Kasumi Ishikawa and American gymnast Simone Biles star in SK-II's "VS" anthology series. SK-II.

By

Zoe Suen

08 June 2021

BoF PROFESSIONAL

Please log in to ensure you can read our agenda-setting intelligence, analysis and advice. Or get in touch at support@businessoffashion.com if you experience difficulties.

Last March, Japanese luxury skin care brand and official Olympic partner SK-II staged a takeover of New York’s Times Square with 22-year-old American gymnast Simone Biles, whose fans gathered to watch an animated film, starring her, unfold across the hub’s iconic billboards. The rest of SK-II’s six-part “VS” series, exploring societal pressures faced by female athletes, was scheduled to launch in the months leading up to the quadrennial sporting event.

About the author

Zoe Suen is a contributing writer at The Business of Fashion. Suen is a freelance writer, editor, and consultant who writes about luxury fashion and beauty.

In This Article

Topics

Global Markets

Organisations

SK-II

© 2026 The Business of Fashion. All rights reserved. For more information read our Terms & Conditions

More from Global Markets

A guide to unlocking opportunity in emerging and frontier fashion markets.

War in the Gulf Tests Resilience of a Rare Bright Patch for Luxury

War in the Gulf Tests Resilience of a Rare Bright Patch for Luxury

The escalating US-Israel conflict with Iran is rattling the aura of stability created by Dubai and the wider region, threatening one of the industry’s few bright spots.

Luxury Brands Shut Middle East Stores as Conflict Causes Chaos

Luxury Brands Shut Middle East Stores as Conflict Causes Chaos

Escalating conflict in the Middle East is causing major disruption and store closures for high-end and mass-market retailers, threatening a key growth engine for the global luxury industry.

Worldview | Middle East Retailers Rattled by Escalating Iran Conflict

Worldview | Middle East Retailers Rattled by Escalating Iran Conflict

This week’s round-up of global markets fashion business news also features Sri Lankan apparel manufacturers, Vietnam’s textile exporters and Korean brands in China.

Gulf Businesses Reel as Iran Strikes Trigger Aviation Chaos

Gulf Businesses Reel as Iran Strikes Trigger Aviation Chaos

Regional business activity has been disrupted after Iran launched strikes across Gulf nations in response to the US-Israeli assault on Tehran, triggering airport closures or restrictions in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Doha.

Latest News & Analysis

Unrivalled, world class journalism across fashion, luxury and beauty industries.

Question Time in Paris

It’s not an existential crisis — yet — but Rick Owens and Daniel Roseberry confront some headscratchers in their latest collections.

Paris Day Four: What to Do With Fashion’s Formulas

Stick with the program or switch it up? Angelo Flaccavento reports on Chloé, Rabanne, Schiaparelli, Rick Owens and Uma Wang.

Gap Sales Miss Expectations After Old Navy, Athleta Fall Short

The brands Gap and Banana Republic beat comparable sales estimates.

Can Big Luxury Find Its New Look?

Sex sells — if anyone can figure out what sexy means in 2026. Robert Williams tracks the search for a new silhouette at Kering’s Gucci, LVMH’s Dior and more.

The Business of Fashion

Agenda-setting intelligence, analysis and advice for the global fashion community.

CONNECT WITH US ON

© 2026 The Business of Fashion. All rights reserved. For more information read our , , and .