On Wednesday the British designer Paul Surridge was appointed as the new creative director of Cavalli. Sir Paul, who has previously worked at Clavin Klein, Burberry and Jil Sander, will head all of the group’s lines and he will showcase his first season in Milan in September 2017, with the spring-summer 2018 collection, Cavalli said.

Chief Executive Gian Giacomo Ferraris, who launched a deep restructuring of the group seven months ago including cutting staff by nearly a third and shutting down stores, said the appointment of Surridge is part of “ambitious development plans” for the brand.

An alumni of London’s famed fashion institute Central Saint Martins, Surridge most recently headed one of the lines of Italian luxury tailor Zegna and was creative consultant of Swedish fashion house Acne Studios. Continue reading →

Monique Lhuillier will join American labels Rodarte and Proenza Schouler in showing its spring ready-to-wear collection during the Paris haute couture shows. While the U.S. brands are not officially on the haute couture schedule, both Rodarte and Proenza Schouler have been invited by the Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture to show as guest designers at the upcoming edition this July.

Monique Lhuillier is the latest in a string of American designers who will be leaving New York Fashion Week to show their collections in Paris. The designer, who is headquartered in Los Angeles, is best known for her evening, bridal and red carpet gowns.

Monique Lhuillier designs capture the essence of sophisticated luxury by provoking femininity, allure and glamour that have made her renowned in the world of design. Monique’s innate sense of style is prevalent throughout her ready-to-wear, accessories and bridal collections. Continue reading →

After 20 consecutive months of declining exports, sales of Swiss timepieces saw a 7.5 percent uptick in March, reaching 1.6 billion Swiss francs, or $1.6 billion at average exchange.

Analysts estimated that adjusted for calendar effects, sales still dropped, by around 2 percent. Yet after nearly two years of declines impacted by the crackdown on luxury gifting in China and a slowdown in Hong Kong the biggest international market for Helvetic timepieces as Chinese tourists chose other travel destinations, the uptick was seen as reassuring. The March data is likely to be seen as a turning point in the destocking cycle led by Mainland China and Hong Kong.

While sales of watches made of precious metal continued to decline, falling 0.7 percent, revenues for steel watches grew 12.5 percent and jumped 15.1 percent for bi-metallic timepieces. Continue reading →

LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton said on Tuesday it has made an offer to buy Christian Dior Couture for 6.5 billion euros, or $7.06 billion at current exchange rates, in a move that will bring the brand into the fold of its fashion and leather goods division.

In tandem, Groupe Arnault, the investment firm controlled by LVMH chairman and chief executive officer Bernard Arnault, will make an offer estimated at 12 billion euros, or $13.04 billion, for the 25.9 percent stake in Christian Dior SA that it does not currently control.

Presently, the Christian Dior Group includes Christian Dior Couture and LVMH. Christian Dior Couture encompasses the brand’s apparel, accessory and jewelry businesses, while the perfume and cosmetics lines are exercised under the umbrella of LVMH.

The move by LVMH and Groupe Arnault will simplify the structure of the luxury behemoth, home to brands including Louis Vuitton, Fendi, Guerlain, Sephora and Moët & Chandon champagne. Continue reading →

This week, France’s Emperor of Luxury, François Pinault, received France’s high distinction, the “Dignité de Grand Croix” in the “Légion d’Honneur”.

Last November the Italian government honored Pinault for his support for Italian luxury brands and his contribution to modern art, namely through his Palazzo Grassi and Punta della Dogana in Venice.

Pinault founded the luxury conglomerate Kering, whose portfolio includes Gucci, Alexander McQueen and Balenciaga. The company is now managed by his son François-Henri Pinault.

The “Legion d’Honneur”, or Ordre national de la Légion d’honneur, is the highest French order of merit for military and civil merits, established in 1802 by Napoléon Bonaparte. Continue reading →

The inspiring new collection of Chopard is built on the singer’s island roots Rihanna, mixing nods to the lush gardens of Barbados with the electricity of Carnaval.

“Rihanna and I collaborated closely on the collections, so you can feel her unstoppable energy, strong creativity and inherent sense of design in every piece”. “With her unique style, she redefines the way people see and wear jewelry.”

A nine-piece fine jewelry capsule also codesigned by the singer, and limited to 2,000 per design, will enter Chopard boutiques internationally in June. Offering a more minimalist, graphic direction, the line will be available for pre-order in Chopard boutiques and on the brand’s web site. Continue reading →

Massimo Giorgetti leaves his role as creative director of Emilio Pucci. The designer says he is leaving the LVMH-owned fashion house to focus on the growth of his own contemporary label, MSGM.

Giorgetti, hailed as one of the most promising young designers, was appointed creative director of Emilio Pucci in March 2015, succeeding Peter Dundas.

“This experience with Emilio Pucci, one of the most representative and historic brands in fashion was an inspiring journey, which has also contributed to my professional growth. Today my brand needs more and more of my attention and all my energy. I would like to thank Laudomia Pucci, the LVMH group, Mauro Grimaldi and all of the Emilio Pucci team, for supporting me in the beautiful adventure,” says Giorgetti. Continue reading →

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Last Friday, Carlo Calenda, Minister of Economic Development inaugurated the new Bulgari manufacturing plant and offices in Valenza, the historic jewelry hub located between Milan, Turin and Genoa. The Minister of Economic Development, Carlo Calenda stated that “International investments do help Made in Italy”.

When Bulgari was acquired by LVMH in 2011, Italian media worried about a possible decamping of talent and creativity outside the country. However last year Italy registered “record exports” of 417 billion euros, or $459 billion at average exchange, which were “drivers of development, showing what Italian and international entrepreneurs can do.” Continue reading →