Louis Vuitton Crowned Best Fashion Brand

 

LOUIS VUITTON is the Best Global Brand in the fashion sector, according to a recent study. The French brand beat off competition from Gucci, Burberry and Prada in a report which ranks worldwide companies in terms of their estimated total annual value.

While top of the fashion sector, Vuitton ranked 17^th overall with a value of $23.5 million (£14.5 million), behind the likes of Apple, Google and Mercedes-Benz. Coco-Cola was announced as the Best Brand in the world, estimated to be worth $77.8 million (£48 million).

The second most valuable fashion brand was, perhaps surprisingly, not a luxury fashion house but a high street label.H&M came in 23^rd place overall, with an estimated worth of $16.5 million (£10.2 million). This was closely followed by Zarain third place – ranking 37th at $9.5 million (£5.9 million) –Gucci in fourth, worth $9.4 million (£5.8 million) and Hermèsin fifth, with a value of $6.1 million (£3.8 million). British brand Burberry was ranked sixth.

“Burberry is so proud to be one of Interbrand’s Best Global Brands again this year. Being a great brand is at the heart of everything we do,” said Angela Ahrendts, Burberry ceo. “It is such an honour to feature alongside the other great global brands in today’s report.”

Other notable names to feature in the list of 100 Best Global Brands, include jewellery brands Cartier and Tiffany & Co, and L’Oreal, which came out as top of the beauty labels.

“Despite the current economic landscape, all of the luxury brands in this year’s report increased their brand value,” read a summary of the study. “As the meaning of luxury shifts, this year’s top luxury brands reflect a changing global consciousness – with success dependent not only upon a portfolio of superior products and superb quality of service, but also a strong cohesive brand, a formidable digital presence, and reputation that is timeless, elevated, and refined.”

The annual report, conducted by Interbrand, analyses the way in which brands drive business results and deliver on customer expectations alongside its financial performance, the role it plays in influencing consumer choice and the strength it has to command a premium price or secure earnings.

The Louis Vuitton spring/summer 2013 collection will show tomorrow during the final day of Paris Fashion Week.

The top nine Best Global Brands in the fashion sector:

1. Louis Vuitton (#17, worth $23,577)

2. H&M (#23, worth $16,571)

3. Zara (#37, worth $9,482)

4. Gucci (#38, worth $9,446)

5. Hermès (#63, worth $6,182)

6. Burberry (#82, worth $4,342)

7. Prada (#84, worth $42,71)

8. Ralph Lauren (#91, worth $4,038)

9. Gap (#100, worth $3,731)

Wizard of OZ Dress Goes On Sale

 

 

THE blue gingham dress worn by Judy Garland as Dorothy inThe Wizard of Oz is going to auction. The iconic outfit is expected to sell for half a million dollars when it goes on sale on November 9 in Los Angeles.

Only 10 versions of the dress were originally made for the production, and the piece being sold is one of the few to have survived intact – carrying a starting bid of $200,000 (£125,000). Should you wish to get a first-hand look at the costume closer to home, a second dress also worn by Garland during filming will be on display in London from October 20 as part of the Victoria and Albert Museum’s Hollywood Costume exhibition – where it will be reunited for the first time with a pair of the original ruby slippers.

The dress going on sale is part of the Icons and Idols 2012: Hollywood auction, which will take place at Julien’s Auctions in Beverly Hills, and is one of 800 items of film history up for bidding. In tribute to the 50^th anniversary of Marilyn Monroe‘s death, a number of items once belonging to the screen icon will feature in the sale, including a copy of her Last Will and Testament from 1961 – as well as pieces worn by acting legends Katharine Hepburn, Rita Hayworth and Bette Davis.

The dress made famous by Julie Andrews as Maria in The Sound of Music will also feature in the auction, alongside Pierce Brosnan’s James Bond suit from Goldeneye and the outfit worn by Angelina Jolie in Girl Interrupted.

The items will be on public display at Julien’s Auctions from November 5 until the sale on November 9.

Amazon”s Luxury Fashion Makeover

ONLINE retailer Amazon could be on course to become the latest destination to shop luxury fashion. Currently the web’s largest store, the American company is best known for its discounted books and household items – but that looks set to change.

“This is a transformative time in fashion and customers, more and more, expect to discover brands from all across the spectrum online,” said Cathy Beaudoin, president of Amazon’s fashion division.

But, will the big brands get on board? Chief executive ofAlexander McQueen Jonathan Akeroyd told the Financial Times: “It would be naïve to say we would absolutely never do anything ever with a company like Amazon. That said we are increasingly aware of the importance of brand identity online and maintaining it at the highest levels.”

However, other big industry players are not so convinced.

“Amazon will never sell Louis Vuitton, because we are the only ones that sell it,” said Louis Vuitton chief executive Yves Carvelle. “This is a model of direct control thay we pioneered, and I think long term it is the direction that most luxury ecommerce will take.”

Harrods Launches Tween Fashion Rooms

HARRODS is launching new Junior Collections Rooms for young fashion fans, aged between 10 and 16 years old. The new spaces will stock luxury brands such as Gucci, Burberry, Tommy Hilfiger and Armani.

To celebrate the opening, the iconic store has partnered with online fashion community Stardoll to create an in-store installation allowing young shoppers to dress in exclusive outfits by labels including Jean Paul Gaultier, John Galliano, Sonia Rykiel and Versace. The collaboration will be officially launched tomorrow, Saturday October 20, with a mini festival-inspired event – featuring photo booths, DJ sets and styling sessions.

“Harrods is excited to partner with Stardoll in a department store first to create an exclusive virtual online boutique showcasing a host of leading brands from our new Junior Collections room,” said Torly Grimshawe, Harrods’ childrenswear general merchandise manager. “This unique interactive experience will open the doors of Harrods to a whole new generation of fashionistas.”

Alexa Chung Models Chanel Hula Hoop Bag

ALEXA CHUNG has received her very own bespoke Chanelhula hoop bag – arguably the star of the label’s latest show. The Vogue cover girl was given the statement style, with personalised initials, by US television presenter Anderson Cooper on his show earlier this week.

“You really shouldn’t have, no I mean really you shouldn’t have,” Chung laughed upon being presented with the accessory. “It’s amazing, I was reading about this and I think Karl Lagerfeldcalled it ‘a very practical piece’. It seems like a buoyancy aid too, you could really pad it out.”

The Chanel helmer has previously explained that the item is targeted at beach-goers.

“You need space for the beach towel,” he told the Telegraph. “And then you can put it into the sand and hang things on it.”

Louis Vuitton to open a Stationery Boutique

• 16 OCTOBER 2012

LOUIS VUITTON will open an exclusive stationery boutique in the heart of the Saint Germain des Pres district of Paris in December, selling a variety of writing accoutrements.

The brand’s first venture into selling stationery is set to come hot off the heels of its temporary literary exhibition entitled L’Ecriture est un Voyage – meaning ‘writing is a journey’ –  which opens this Thursday and runs until New Year’s Eve, WWD reports.

Celebrating the world of travel and writing through the presence of books and artwork, the exhibition will also host weekly conversations with French cultural personalities, such as actress Juliette Gréco and artist Marie-Ange Guilleminot, which will no doubt attract the lively Left-Bank set.