This Week’s Top 6 Reads

LONDON, United Kingdom — BoF kicked off this week with an examination of the impact of high street copycats on designers. We also spoke to Gosha Rubchinskiy and Adrian Joffe about how Comme des Garçons catalysed the rise of the Gosha Rubchinskiy label and investigated the fragile state of the global diamond industry. Catch up on these stories and more.

1. How Comme des Garçons Grew Gosha Rubchinskiy

Designer Gosha Rubchinskiy in the label's space at the new Dover Street Market in London | Photo: Thomas Lohr for BoF

BoF spoke exclusively with Gosha Rubchinskiy and Adrian Joffe, president of Comme des Garçons, to learn how the company catalysed the rapid growth of the skater-inflected fashion label.

2. The Copycat Economy

(Left to Right) Mango, Gucci Autumn/Winter 2015, H&M, Chloé Spring/Summer 2015 | Image: Paul Price for BoF

Do knockoffs harm the fashion business? Or does copying keep the wheels of the industry turning?

3. Distress in the $80 Billion Diamond Market

Diamond mine in Northern Russia | Source: Shutterstsock

Plunging diamond prices are causing hardship for people throughout the global supply chain from big mining operators in Africa, Russia and Canada to small-scale cutters and traders across Europe and Asia.

4. Nike Taps The Transformation Economy

The Nike Plus App | Source: Courtesy

As consumers increasingly value self-actualization over stuff, the global sportswear giant is staging transformative personal experiences in a bid to capitalise.

5. Why You Shouldn't Launch a Label Straight Out of School

University of Westminster fashion studio | Source: Courtesy

Fashion designers, investors, headhunters, editors and analysts make the case for getting work experience at an established brand before launching your own.

6. Will Customised Beauty (Finally) Work?