Raf Simons speaks, Hermès growth slows, China fashion in London, Leather art, Olympic fall guy

Raf Simons on his Dior couture debut (Telegraph)
"Speaking in a video posted on Dior's official YouTube page, Simons explains the concept behind his much-lauded collection and how it felt entering into a house with such rich history in his first interview since the July 2 show."

Hermès sales growth slows as economies falter (Reuters)
"French luxury goods maker Hermès said second-quarter sales growth slowed in the face of increasing economic turbulence, though it stuck to its full-year target as emerging-market customers continue to flock to the high-end brand."

China fashion hits London (FT)
"Although China is by far the world's largest exporter of clothes, its wares are almost all sold under foreign labels. This is now changing, with Bosideng, the Chinese fashion brand specialising in down-filled clothing, opening a flagship store this month in London's West End."

Louis Vuitton lures China's super-rich with custom leather "art" (Reuters)
"Louis Vuitton is courting China's wealthy with one-of-a-kind shoes and bags it is branding as unique works of art to reclaim its exclusive cachet in the luxury market."

Ralph Lauren becomes (Olympic) fall guy (FT)
"This is the Achilles heel of the fashion/luxury world: by putting itself out there not just through advertisements but the red carpet, by making itself not just part of the fashion world but part of pop culture, it has made itself an easy target. It's the downside of the upside of celebrity."