Must Read: Men's Interest in Streetwear Is Cooling Off, Modeling Apps Could Threaten the Future of Agencies
A look from the Louis Vuitton Men's Fall 2017 collection. Photo: Imaxtree
These are the stories making headlines in fashion on Friday.
Men's interest in streetwear is cooling off
Arun Gupta, the founder of Grailed, says our culture is moving beyond streetwear. "The men's clothing movement, it being acceptable for men to care more about the clothes they wear, has been building for the past 10 years," Gupta says in an interview with WWD. "But streetwear is the last phase of it." The inventory on Grailed reflects this shift, as it's evenly split between streetwear and fashion, which Gupta says is a sign that streetwear is cooling off. {WWD}
Modeling apps could threaten the future of agencies
There's a new wave apps that allow models to connect directly to clients without the pressure or involvement of an agency. These digital businesses have sprung up to create a solution for some of the bad practices found in the modeling business, such as getting paid months — and sometimes years — late or being remunerated a small percentage of the quoted job rate. By remaining transparent and charging less for their services, some insiders say the apps could disrupt the industry. {Business of Fashion}
Roberto Cavalli's court filing reveals restructuring plans
In papers filed to the Court of Milan earlier this week, Roberto Cavalli revealed a number of measures that it's taking to overcome financial troubles. These measures involve cutting back on its marketing budget, which will save the Florence-based company 700,000 euros, and choosing a new creative director internally. The company also plans to close nonperforming stores and to reduce investments in new openings. {WWD}
Lululemon to launch self-care line
Lululemon is broadening its efforts to become a lifestyle brand by introducing a line of self-care products. The range will be available later this spring and includes deodorant, dry shampoo, basic balm and face moisturizer. {RetailDive}
Jessica Pels uses data and Instagram to keep Cosmopolitan on newsstands
Jessica Pels was named editor-in-chief of Cosmopolitan last fall, bringing with her a wealth of digital media experience. The New York Times caught up with the 32-year-old editor to see how she's using data to keep the Hearst title on newsstands. Pels also shares how she's using Instagram to inspire cover shoots. {The New York Times}
H&M to trial vintage garment sales
On Friday, H&M's Head of Sustainability Anna Gedda announced that the retailer would launch a pilot in Sweden for online sales of secondhand garments on & Other Stories, with the aim of extending the scheme to other markets and brands in years to come. The company is teaming up with the Swedish secondhand platform Sellpy on the project. "We see this as a growing part of the industry, with great opportunities both for consumers and not least for the environmental impact, and how we can drastically reduce that by extending the life of the products," Gedda tells Reuters. {Reuters}
Chanel's legal battle with The RealReal heats up
Chanel named The RealReal in a trademark infringement and counterfeiting lawsuit last November, accusing the resale site of selling fake Chanel handbags. (The luxury brand pursued a similar lawsuit with What Goes Around Comes Around in 2018, as well.) In March, the reseller asked the court to throw out the suit, but the French fashion house fired back again earlier this week. The court documents from Chanel's lawyers argue that the reseller "cannot hold itself out as an expert authenticator and seller of '100-percent real' Chanel-branded products and then, after advertising and selling counterfeit Chanel-branded goods, claim that its advertising claims are merely 'general expression[s] of opinion' that are 'immune from challenge.'" {WWD}
