Rihanna's Vogue China Cover Story and Fenty Beauty in China at Sephora

Rihanna's Vogue China Cover Story and Fenty Beauty in China at Sephora

Former Vogue China [IG] EIC Margaret Zhang delivered Rihanna on her final April 2024 cover story for the magazine. Rihanna takes two print covers and three digital ones in her story ‘Rihanna: Beauty In Individuality’, styled by Alvin Yu in images by Hailun Ma [IG].

Fenty Beauty, the beauty brand entered the Chinese beauty market on April 1 and is now sold at Sephora stores in China.

Western media is not inclined to report on or explore exactly where western luxury brands stand in China, beyond the economics of money to spend. The Chinese government is deeply involved in monitoring the tensions between China’s desire to be part of the global luxury market, while also protecting China’s identity and values.

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LVMH and CFDA Launch 'Voices of Impact' Six-Part Series on Sustainability

LVMH and the Council of Fashion Designers of America launch ‘Voices of Impact’, a co-created video series of conversations about sustainability as it intersects with fashion and luxury.

The six-part series goes live on Tuesday, airing on cfda.com and CFDA’s YouTube channel, as well as lvmh.com. The series consists of six digital episodes with specific, sustainability topics: Powering a Just Transformation; Biodiversity; The Heart of Innovation; Circularity x Regeneration by Design; Creative Capital: Designing Purposeful Growth, and Climate Action: Fusion Energy.

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Louis Vuitton Flight Mode Summer 2024 Honors New Paris LV Flagship Élysée Palace Hotel

Louis Vuitton Flight Mode Summer 2024 Honors New Paris LV Flagship Élysée Palace Hotel

Louis Vuitton introduces its Flight Mode summer 2024 collection for global travelers. The colorful collection is inspired by vibrant colors like yellow and also prints inspired by travel stamps connected to the famous Élysée Palace Hotel in Paris.

The newly-introduced Monogram canvas bags, like the Keepall and Side Trunk, are decorated with colorful Élysée Palace Hotel stamps. Built in 1896 in the Art Nouveau style, the Elysée Palace hotel — most recently the headquarters of HSBC Bank in Paris — is under a spectacular renovation as the first Louis Vuitton flagship hotel, scheduled to open in 2026. Read more details in our January 2024 post.

Apparently this ‘insider information’ about the reason Louis Vuitton is inspired in its Flight Mode summer 2024 collection by the Elysée Palace hotel was not in the LV press release. It’s not in their IG either.

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Is Hermés Overtaking Louis Vuitton a Click-Bait Pipe Dream? Or a Scientific Math Possibility

Is Hermés Overtaking Louis Vuitton a Click-Bait Pipe Dream? Or a Scientific Math Possibility

Writing for B of F, Kit Rees cites Citibank analyst Thomas Chauvet’s April 12 note making the case that “Hermès has potential to surpass LVMH’s flagship Louis Vuitton in the coming years.”

Chauvet is a Managing Director heading up Citi’s European Luxury Goods Equity Research team in London. He argues that based on Hermés, best-known for its Birkin bags, hitting the “symbolic” €20 billion ($21.3 billion) level by 2027 or before, they will be in a position to overtake Louis Vuitton, who reached that milestone in 2022.

How this argument of Hérmes overtaking Louis Vuitton by reaching $21.3 billion in 2027, when Louis Vuitton compounded at +10% 2023-27 gives us $34.3 billion in 2027 is absolutely a key reason why I don’t have Thomas Chauvet’s job.

But read me anyway.

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Pucci Spring 2024 Campaign with Vittoria Ceretti | House Update

Pucci Spring 2024 Campaign with Vittoria Ceretti | House Update

The watery effect of Pucci’s heritage Vivara print takes the stage in a new Spring 2024 campaign headlined by Vittoria Ceretti and captured by Mario Sorrenti [IG] at Villa L’Alma near Milan.

Pucci Artistic Director Camille Miceli has invited us to Rome on April 4 to view Vivara in action as "one of the house's most iconic prints, dating back to 1965 and featured in all the archives."

To many of us, Pucci is an absolute jewel, with speculation-only 2023 revenue of $100m. If any group can nurture her to Pucci’s maximum potential, it’s LVMH.

Previously working under LVMH’s Sidney Toledano as the chief executive of smaller brands like Celine and Fendi, Camille Micelli at Pucci — along with Belgian fashion executive Saar Debrouwere as Pucci CEO — will operate under the guidance of Michael Burke, who recently took the helm from Toledano.

I dig deeply into the LVMH approach to developing talent in the Michael Burke link above.

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Rumor: Louis Vuitton Is At Bat for Beverly Hills Cheval Blanc Property

Rumor: Louis Vuitton Is At Bat for Beverly Hills Cheval Blanc Property

WWD shared the unconfirmed rumor that Louis Vuitton hopes to take over the defeated proposal for a 109-key Cheval Blanc hotel on the 50,000 sq foot property on Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills.

LVMH thought they had a deal going last spring for the Cheval Blanc in Beverly Hills. AOC knew LVMH had the wrong team negotiating on their behalf, long before we wrote the end of the very close vote story.

Weekend Paris Protests at New Louis Vuitton Hotel Site

The circumstances of the 2023 Cheval Blanc Beverly Hills no-vote is even more relevant today, after protesters took over the Paris construction site of the new Louis Vuitton hotel and store in Paris this weekend.

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Tod's Group and L Catterton Sign Deal to Delist from Italian Stock Exchange or Merge

Tod's Group and L Catterton Sign Deal to Delist from Italian Stock Exchange or Merge

On Super Bowl Sunday, the Tod’s-LVMH decades-long business connection went into high gear with news that Tod’s Diego Della Valle, his brother Andrea Della Valle and the LVMH-backed private equity firm L Catterton have entered an agreement involving the launch of a tender offer at €43 per Tod’s share. The goal of delisting Tods’Group from the Italian stock exchange is in sight.

Today’s financial offer will leave the Della Valle Family with a 54 percent stake in Tod’s Group capital and assets; L Catterton will indirectly own 36 percent and Delphine SAS [a fully-owned subsidiary of LVMH] will retain a 10 percent stake.

Tod’s first announced a desire to delist its company from the Italian stock exchange in August 2022. That effort failed in October 2022, when a bid launched solely by the Della Valle family failed to reach the 90% threshold required to delist.

Anne of Carversville wrote days ago about about our growing understanding of the management style of LVMH/Bernard Arnault-trained executives. The trees planted have deep roots that bear premium fruit with long-term alliances, strong interpersonal friendships, trust and loyalties. It’s impressive.

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LVMH Maison Acqua di Parma Yellow Cafe Opens in Seoul, Korea Designed by Dorothee Meilicjzon

LVMH Maison Acqua di Parma Yellow Cafe Opens in Seoul, Korea Designed by Dorothee Meilicjzon

Italian Maison Acqua Di Parma, a member of the LVMH family of artisans and artists-inspired maisons, brings its Italian heritage and Milanese creativity to Seoul with the Acqua di Parma Yellow Café. The design by Dorothée Meilichzon fuses Italian charm with the dynamic spirit of Seoul.  

Located at Lotte Avenuel Jamsil B1F, Acqua di Parma Yellow Café is much more than a café, proposing an immersion into the Maison’s unique aesthetic and heritage.   

Indeed, you are seeing a ‘wavy plate’ on a shelf [below] in Seoul’s new Acqua di Parma Yellow Café. If you seek a concrete signal about the hoped-for evolution of the new cafe in Seoul, recall the March 2022 pop-up in Milan for the brand’s new fragrance Colonia CLUB.

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Can LVMH Write the Book on Developing Human Potential in Brands and Businesses?

Can LVMH Write the Book on Developing Human Potential in Brands and Businesses?

The more AOC studies LVMH from every angle, the more impressive the organization becomes. I’ve been researching ways in which LVMH has addressed the philosophy of humanism. The concept flourishes across the maisons, and it seems that great care is given to developing both the executives and the artisans.

Fundamental to the maisons is a similar vision for how the brands interact with their clients — and not only their elite-class clients. LVMH plants deep, dynamic forests for their brands.

As everyone says, LVMH moves fast, but it’s also the case that huge mistakes are avoided because of a culture of deep roots and also deep knowledge about the humans who work in their businesses.

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LVMH Reports Record 2023 Financial Results Adding $30 Billion to Market Value

LVMH Reports Record 2023 Financial Results Adding $30 Billion to Market Value

Louis Vuitton, Moët & Chandon and Hennessy [LVMH] reported 2023 year-end sales of 86.15 billion euros [$93.46 billion], representing a 10% organic increase in fourth quarter and a 13% organic growth yearly increase against 2022.

Profit from recurring operations stood at €22.8 billion for 2023, up 8%. The current operating margin remained stable with respect to 2022. In addition, LVMH has advised the markets that it anticipates no further price increases across its business units in 2024.

Now that he is back to being the richest man in the world, thanks to a 12% rise in LVMH’s stock price on Friday, Arnault’s practice of engaging his children in collective conversations around every aspect of the entire LVMH business over Zoom lunches — early breakfast in New York — reminds us that the family is not a Rupert Murdoch-like clan of cannibals.

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LVMH Unveils Its Future Maison des Métiers d’Excellence Supporting Long-Term Talent Ecosystem

LVMH Unveils Its Future Maison des Métiers d’Excellence Supporting Long-Term Talent Ecosystem

LVMH announced plans today to create a 21,500 square feet dedicated space for LVMH-associated craftsmanship in Paris' eighth arrondissement.  Conceived as a holistic hub of LVMH craftsmanship, the home for aspiring artisans will serve as a physical home for LVMH’s Institut des Métiers d’Excellence, the vocational training program founded in 2014.

Alexandre Boquel, Head of Development for LVMH’s Métiers d’Excellence, asserts that through this new Parisian venture, LVMH plans to hire 22,000 specialized craftspeople by the end of 2025, including 8,000 in France.

Chantal Gaemperle, LVMH's Executive Vice President of Human Resources/Synergies, conveyed to WWD: “The pandemic has fueled people’s need to find meaning and make something that they can understand and touch. There’s a desire to have a concrete impact and be together.”

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Celine Fall 2023: Kaia Gerber Ads, Harrods London Parfumerie, Celine in Shenzhen, China

Celine Fall 2023: Kaia Gerber Ads, Harrods London Parfumerie, Celine in Shenzhen, China

Kaia Gerber returns to Celine’s new 2023 campaign in a collection named “Age of Indieness”, with its big reveal last December 2022 at the Wiltern Theater in Los Angeles.

The Chasseur jacket, the Newspaper Triomphe bag, and bold sunglasses worn 24/7 express the Celine vibe in the new campaign.

Slimane’s images of Gerber channel the rebellious spirit of the mid-2000s. Kaia wears all the sleek and structured silhouettes we’ve come to expect from Hedi Slimane, who has refashioned the LVMH brand in his own image.

As Phoebe Philo is ready to return with her own eponymous collection, with a beloved following, LVMH financing and her Celine old mailing list, it’s important to note the great success that Celine has enjoyed under Hedi Slimane’s tenure as creative director.

Reality is that LVMH has achieved staggering results with the expansions of Louis Vuitton and also Dior. I would never second guess their goals on what is achievable with Celine.

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LVMH Launches Bold Focus on Preserving and Teaching Craftsmanship Across France

LVMH Launches Bold Focus on Preserving and Teaching Craftsmanship Across France

The Rencontres Economiques des Metiers d'Art Forum, organized by leading partner LVMH, is an exciting new platform celebrating the convergence of art, artisanship and commerce in the luxury sector.

The platform launched in the picturesque town of Tonnerre, Burgundy on June 30, 2023, designed to bring together renowned artisans, industry experts, art enthusiasts business leaders to explore the rich but intricate relationship between craftsmanship and economics.

With a focus on preserving traditional techniques while embracing innovation, the goal of the forum was and will be a catalyst for dialogue and collaboration among talented individuals from various artistic disciplines. It’s indisputable that the artisans themselves are at the center of this metaphorical wheel of French excellence.

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Phoebe Philo's September Return Taps Top Model Alter Ego Daria Werbowy

Phoebe Philo's September Return Taps Top Model Alter Ego Daria Werbowy

As creative director of Celine before Hedi Slimane, Phoebe Philo and top model Canadian-Ukrainian, born in Poland Daria Werbowy became visual alter egos.

That visual and psychological synergy is set for a September 2023 reunion with the return of Phoebe Philo’s eponymous brand.

As creative director of Celine before Hedi Slimane, Phoebe Philo and top model Canadian-Ukrainian, born in Poland Daria Werbowy became visual alter egos.

That visual and psychological synergy is set for a September 2023 reunion with the return of Phoebe Philo’s eponymous brand.

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LVMH Concedes Likely Defeat in Cheval Blanc Beverly Hills Vote to Override City Approval

LVMH Concedes Likely Defeat in Cheval Blanc Beverly Hills Vote to Override City Approval

When we first wrote in 2020 about the LVMH plans for a Cheval Blanc Hotel in Beverly Hills, it seemed to be on cruise control, a fait accompli. Now the fight is all but over and LVMH conceded probable defeat on Friday.

Labor union Unite Here Local 11 and a local residents group garnered enough signatures to put two referenda on the ballot in Beverly Hills that would ask voters to overturn the City Council’s approval of the Cheval Blanc hotel and the development agreement for the project in September 2022. They got signatures from 10% of Beverly Hills voters which triggered a vote to override the City Council’s approval.

"Although some votes remain to be counted, it now appears that Measures B and C have fallen short by a narrow margin, overturning the results of a comprehensive, years-long review and approval process," said Jessica Miller, a LVMH spokesperson. "We are proud to have worked with so many residents, civic leaders and business owners who supported this once-in-a-generation investment that would have delivered hundreds of millions of dollars in city funding and a beautiful gateway project for the Golden Triangle. If the final vote count confirms the voters' rejection of our project, we will respect the outcome, and will not bring the hotel project back in any form."

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Angelina Jolie Launches Atelier Jolie For Self-Expressive Humanists Clients and Global Creators

Angelina Jolie Launches Atelier Jolie For Self-Expressive Humanists Clients and Global Creators

"We will use only curated quality vintage material and deadstock," Jolie wrote under her Instagram post, which revealed a rustic brand logo [see collage] designed by Peter Miles, an art director who has collaborated with such fashion brands as Celine, Gabriela Hearst and Repossi. "You will be able to repair or upcycle a piece from your closet you wish to revive, perfecting fit, breathing new life into what could have been thrown away, and creating quality heirloom garments with personal meaning."

Speaking personally, Anne thinks Jolie will get help from women like Gabriela Hearst and Maria Grazia Chiuri. She has deep roots into the luxury brands community — brands with excellent deadstock. Jolie wears Gabriela Hearst frequently. And don’t forget Stella McCartney, who two years ago was in charge of deadstock across all the LVMH divisions. The only one not in the LVMH fold now is Hearst.

Oh please, I love this!!

LVMH Luxury Ventures, the fund created to assist young and promising brands, acquired in 2019 a minority percentage of Gabriela Hearst. The investment of the French conglomerate will allow the brand to develop all over the world. I just checked, and that investment remains on May 18, 2023.

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LV Shake Shoes 2023 Campaign with Chiara Ferragni for Louis Vuitton

LV Shake Shoes 2023 Campaign with Chiara Ferragni for Louis Vuitton

Inspired by the clasp of the iconic Twist bag, the LV Shake shoe exudes a timeless feminine allure with a modern foundation.

Leading the campaign for the Shake collection is the ‘The Blonde Salad’ blogger, businesswoman and influencer Chiara Ferragni, a well-known social media influencer, mother of two and style icon. Much of Ferragni’s current appeal is lodged in her modern mama persona.

Ferragni channels the spirit of the 60s, with its undeniable youthquake appeal and huge embrace of modernity. We see these images without a larger social context, however.

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Moët & Chandon and Don C Fuse Sports and Luxury with 'Just Don' NBA Drop

Moët & Chandon and Don C Fuse Sports and Luxury with 'Just Don' NBA  Drop

The LVMH brands collaboration with the NBA takes another bow this morning as Moët & Chandon taps streetwear designer Don C for a capsule dropping today, May 8, 2023.

Moët & Chandon is the official Champagne of the NBA and the brand has a rich modern history working with the sports francise and the culture that surrounds it.

Chicago’s own Don C [IG] understands that “the fusion of sports and luxury is here now, and it's here to stay." The drop consists of a custom-designed Moët & Chandon champagne bottle and a hoodie.

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Extinction Rebellion Activists Protest at Fondation Louis Vuitton in Paris

Extinction Rebellion Activists Protest at Fondation Louis Vuitton in Paris

Extinction Rebellion France attacked the Fondation Louis Vuitton as a “a cultural and philanthropic and most of all fiscal tool" of the LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton group.

Defending their protest, the organization pointed to the failure of major corporations to take action on climate change, writing:

"That's why we demand that corporations take their responsibilities and act in the fight against global warming, and that the government put in place the Citizen Convention for Climate which proposed among other things the impact of greenhouse gas emissions of companies, reinforcing their obligations in the face of environmental demands and condition their financing to green criteria.”

The organization pointed out that current emission levels of companies listed on the CAC40 index would lead to a 3.5 degree Celsius increase in temperatures by 2100.

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Guerlain Taps Aristide Najean To Honor Le Bouquet de la Mariée Fragrance

Guerlain Taps Aristide Najean To Honor Le Bouquet de la Mariée Fragrance

Renowned glassmaker Aristide Najean has collaborated with LVMH-owned Guerlain to honor the 170th anniversary of the luxury brand’s Bee Bottle. Najean created a fantastical Murano glass limited-edition flacon housing Guerlain's Le Bouquet de la Mariée fragrance.

Pierre-François-Pascal Guerlain created the first bee bottle to celebrate Empress Eugénie's marriage to Emperor Napoleon III on that date.

Napolean I — often called Napolean the Great as the military and political leader known to global historians — had personally chosen bees as a symbol of the French Empire because of their ancestral ties to resurrection, power, tenacity, and hard-work.

Guerlain’s 170th Anniversary Exhibit

Guerlain Director of Art, Culture and Heritage Ann-Caroline Prazan invites us to rediscover Guerlain’s iconic Bee Bottle, which celebrates its 170th anniversary in 2023 with a stunning exhibition at Guerlain’s flagship boutique.​

The House pays tribute to the iconic Bee Bottle by inviting eleven women artists to revisit the Flacon aux Abeilles in a 21st century artists update of Guerlain’s heritage.

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