J. Crew Gets Reworked and Net-a-Porter Goes After New Designers

A NEW J.CREW

Retail veteran James Brett has a new plan for J. Crew: lower prices and offer more sizes. He plans to make the brand less singular in its preppy focus and expand labels and partnerships that the label had previously experimented with.

The new strategy will expand J.Crew’s assortment with more entry-level prices and fit options, including plus size. Clothing will also be sold in more retail channels in an effort to reach more global shoppers. The company plans to roll out the majority of changes in the coming weeks.

URBAN OUTFITTERS CUTS LEAD TIMES

Urban Outfitters' target market, women aged 18-28, run through trends so fast the company needed an inventory strategy to match the customer demand. Shaving down product development time at each step in the supply chain process has been critical to the company successfully reducing lead times by a month.
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NEW BALANCE USES AI FOR FASHION WEEK

In its marketing campaign "Be the Exception," New Balance plans to kick off Fashion Week by placing cameras around New York City to scan the streets for "different" people. Those who look unique or against the norm will be offered a free pair of its Fresh Foam Cruz Nubuck sneakers.
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NET-A-PORTER CLAIMS THE NEW GENERATION OF DESIGNERS

Consumers now drive the demands of the luxury market, and they're in search of something new.

Stocking fledgling labels has turned into a competition for e-tailers, as the appetite for fresh faces grows amongst shoppers. To combat the progressive buys from competitors like Matches Fashion, Net-a-Porter is launching The Vanguard, an accelerator for emerging designers.

The program will offer four infant labels access to Net-a-Porter's resources, expertise, and global network, all in return for exclusive distribution.

EYEWEAR: FASHION'S MOST IMPORTANT CATEGORY

Well, aside from obvious reasons like, say, being able to see, eyewear is evolving into fashion's most important category. Much like the perfume business, retailers have entered into the eyewear marketing, offering more than prescription glasses. Niche brands are offering more artisan and limited product, but the big boys are closing in.
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THIS WEEK'S BRIGHT SPOT

In less than a month, Hedi Slimane is slated to present his first-ever collection for Céline during Paris Fashion Week. Prior to that debut, the designer has unveiled his first Céline handbag through longtime friend, Lady Gaga, who has consistently supported his designs over the years. The leather handbag is one of Slimane’s first creations for Céline.
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