Agenda-setting intelligence, analysis and advice for the global fashion community.
LONDON, United Kingdom — BoF kicked off the week with an investigated of how San Fransisco and Silicon Valley are creating opportunities for fashion brands and retailers. We also investigated how Isis 'branded' clothing helps the terrorist organisation recruit sympathisers, and took a look at the relatively unknown Balmain Hair Couture line that was behind Gigi and Kendall's much documented fashion week hair swap. Catch up on these stories and more.
1. Kering Confirms Hedi Slimane Exit from YSL
Hedi Slimane portrait | Source: Courtesy
Hedi Slimane is exiting Yves Saint Laurent. The news was confirmed today in a brief joint statement issued by Yves Saint Laurent and Kering, the luxury group which owns the storied French brand.
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2. Flush With Tech Wealth, San Francisco Warms to Fashion
Union Square, San Francisco | Source: Shutterstock
As tech wealth grows and cultural values shift, San Francisco and neighbouring Silicon Valley are embracing fashion, creating opportunity for brands and retailers.
3. The Business of Balmain's Big Hair Swap
Kendall Jenner and Gigi Hadid backstage at Balmain Autumn/Winter 2016 | Source: Courtesy
Behind Balmain’s Kendall-Gigi ‘hair swap’ is the largely unknown Balmain Hair Couture line, once a licensing business, which its owners say now operates ‘like a division of Balmain’ and has plans to expand.
4. How ISIS 'Fashion' Sews the Seeds of Terror
T-shirt for sale from Indonesia-based sellers on a Facebook page which was shut down | Source: Facebook
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In the wake of the Brussels terror attacks and a suicide bombing in Istanbul, BoF investigates how ISIS ‘branded’ clothing helps to fuel the terror group’s death machine by leading sympathisers down the road to violent jihad.
5. Op-Ed | The Problem With 'Buy Now'
Dior Autumn/Winter 2016 | Illustration: Paul Price
Consumer-driven 'buy now' strategies can damage fashion brands, argues Pascal Morand, executive president of the Fédération Française de la Couture, du Prêt-à-Porter des Couturiers et des Créateurs de Mode.
6. A Populist Approach at Seoul Fashion Week
From left: Kiok, Fleamadonna and Kye Autumn/Winter 2016 collections at Seoul Fashion Week | Source: Courtesy
Featuring celebrity endorsements, accessible price points and a mega-watt K-pop soundtrack, South Korea’s designer showcase wrapped up this weekend in a heady mix of fanfare meets fan culture.
7. Will Subscription Services Work for Fashion?
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StitchFix sends customers boxes of clothes selected using a combination of personal stylists and algorithms | Source: StitchFix
Netflix, Spotify and Birchbox have tapped subscription services to build businesses with predictable revenue streams and loyal consumers. But for fashion companies, subscriptions present a unique set of challenges.
