News

Expert Perspective Luxury is facing a deeper valuation challenge. For decades, luxury has been defined by rarity, exclusivity, craftsmanship and desire. These qualities remain fundamental. Yet in a century shaped by climate pressure, resource scarcity, technological disruption and growing demands for accountability, a new question is emerging: can luxury truly be exceptional if it fails to protect the very foundations upon which it depends? For João Maria Botelho, this is pre

When Swatch and Audemars Piguet unveiled the “Royal Pop” collection earlier this month, the watch industry reacted exactly as expected: collectors debated whether the collaboration respected the legacy of the Royal Oak, queues formed outside boutiques across Europe and the Middle East, and resale prices surged almost immediately after launch. Reuters reported temporary store closures in several cities following crowd congestion around selected Swatch locations, underscoring t

After ten years of absence, Beyoncé did not simply attend the Met Gala 2026 she authored one of its most compelling narratives. In a cultural landscape oversaturated with appearances, her rarity remains her greatest currency. Since her last appearance at the Met Gala in 2016 where she wore a now-iconic latex Givenchy creation Beyoncé has strategically withdrawn from the event’s orbit. This decade-long silence elevated anticipation to near-mythical levels. Her return, therefor

At the intersection of sculptural precision and ethereal storytelling stood Anok Yai a vision so compelling at the Met Gala 2026 that it redefined the evening’s theme, “Fashion is Art.” In a night saturated with conceptual couture and theatrical silhouettes, Yai delivered something far rarer: balance. Her look did not scream it resonated. Widely attributed to Balenciaga, the gown embodied a quiet mastery, merging the architectural codes of high fashion with an accessibility t

On the first Monday of May, the steps of the Metropolitan Museum of Art once again transformed into the most scrutinized runway in the world. But the 2026 Met Gala is not just another spectacle of couture excess it marks a philosophical turning point. This year’s theme, “Costume Art,” accompanied by the dress code “Fashion Is Art,” pushes fashion beyond aesthetics into something far more radical: embodiment. Forget simply dressing to impress. In 2026, the mandate is clear bec

The global beauty industry witnessed a defining cultural moment as Rihanna brought her billion-dollar empire, Fenty Beauty, to India with a spectacular launch event in Mumbai. Far more than a commercial expansion, the arrival of Fenty Beauty in India signals a seismic shift in the global luxury cosmetics landscape one where inclusivity, celebrity entrepreneurship, and high-fashion storytelling converge. Held in Mumbai at a high-profile luxury venue linked to Reliance Retail’s

Nearly two decades after The Devil Wears Prada became a cultural reference point, the release of The Devil Wears Prada 2 arrives with expectations that are almost impossible to meet. The original film didn’t just entertain it defined an era of fashion storytelling, blending sharp dialogue with unforgettable visual identity. The sequel takes a different path. And that choice will likely divide audiences. Less Spectacle, More Substance The most immediate surprise is the film’s

Biarritz, France There are places in fashion that carry more than memory. They carry intent. And for Chanel, Biarritz is not just a destination it is a declaration. It was here, on the Atlantic coast, that Gabrielle Chanel first liberated women from the rigid codes of Parisian dressing in the early 20th century. She introduced ease, movement, and a radical idea at the time: that elegance could breathe. More than a century later, under the direction of Matthieu Blazy, Chanel r

Milan The story of Italian luxury has always been one of passion, reinvention, and power. In April 2026, one of its most emblematic houses, Dolce & Gabbana, entered a new chapter one that signals not just a leadership transition, but a deeper transformation of its identity. At the center of this shift stands Stefano Cantino, a seasoned executive with a résumé spanning some of the most influential names in fashion. His appointment as co-chief executive officer marks a pivotal

Nicolas Di Felice Didn’t Revive Courrèges He Reprogrammed How We Experience Clothes The news of his departure travelled fast. In the space of a few hours, headlines formed, analyses began, and the familiar cycle of speculation took over. Who next. What now. Where will he go. But none of these questions capture what truly matters. Because what Nicolas Di Felice leaves behind at Courrèges is not just a body of work. It is a shift in perception. When he arrived in 2020, the n

When the Bag Becomes the Body: Fashion’s New Language of Power It started, as these things often do, with an image. Not a runway. Not a front row moment. But a campaign. Two women. Recognizable instantly, yet presented in a way that felt almost disarming. Kate Moss and Emily Ratajkowski, styled in little more than handbags, their bodies partially obscured, partially revealed. The composition was deliberate. The message, even more so. The bag was no longer an accessory. It had

Designers such as Karl Lagerfeld, Alexander McQueen, John Galliano, and Yves Saint Laurent created collections that are now considered milestones in fashion history. Pieces from these collections have become extremely desirable among collectors. A dramatic example of this phenomenon can be seen in the growing demand for vintage Hermès Birkin bags. Certain rare models particularly those produced in exotic leathers or limited colorways have become investment assets. Some Birk

When John Galliano joins forces with Zara, the immediate reaction is one of intrigue. A couturier synonymous with theatrical craftsmanship entering the ecosystem of one of the world’s most powerful fast-fashion players is, on the surface, an unexpected alignment. But beneath the headlines, the collaboration signals something more strategic and more ambiguous. At its core lies a question the fashion industry has yet to answer convincingly: can fast fashion become sustainable,

Olivier Rousteing Appointed Creative Director of Rabanne: Why This Is Fashion’s Most Strategic Appointment of 2026 When Rabanne confirmed the appointment of Olivier Rousteing as its new Creative Director, the fashion industry welcomed the news as one of the year’s most significant leadership changes. After fourteen years at Balmain, where he transformed a historic couture house into a global cultural phenomenon, Rousteing will unveil his first collection for Rabanne during Pa

The 79th edition of the Festival de Cannes officially opened on May 12, 2026, reaffirming its status as the world’s most prestigious international film festival and the ultimate meeting point between cinema, luxury, fashion and global culture. This year’s festival immediately captured international attention with a more refined artistic direction, a renewed focus on auteur cinema and the strong presence of globally influential filmmakers and actors arriving on the legendary C

How Bhavitha Mandava became the most talked-about woman at fashion’s biggest night by refusing to play the game At the Met Gala 2026, where celebrities arrived wrapped in sculptural couture, theatrical silhouettes, and million-dollar fantasy, one woman walked the carpet appearing almost… ordinary. No dramatic train. No crystal armor No viral costume theatrics. Instead, Bhavitha Mandava arrived in what the internet immediately called “jeans and a top.” And within minutes, soc

At first glance, the Met Gala 2026 delivered what it always promises: spectacle, celebrity, and couture at its most theatrical. But beneath the surface, something more calculated unfolded. This year was not about who wore the most extravagant look. It was about who controlled the narrative. And in that regard, the convergence between Beyoncé and Olivier Rousteing stands as one of the most sophisticated strategic plays the fashion industry has seen in recent years. The Met Gal

By Patricia Holdener Why Hermès Handbags Still Outperform Many Luxury Investments From the record-setting €8.6 million Birkin to average annual apparel value gains, this article explores why Hermès handbags are considered investment assets, how value evolves, and what buyers should be aware of. Hermès Birkin investment, Hermès handbag resale value, luxury bag investment guide, Birkin ROI, Kelly bag investment, luxury resale market PHOTO: @Kylie Jenner When a Handbag Becomes M

Victoria’s Secret Soars Back But Can It Truly Reimagine the Angel Era? New York, October 16, 2025 Last night’s Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show 2025, staged at Steiner Studios in Brooklyn, marked yet another bold attempt by the lingerie giant to reclaim its position in the haute-glamour pantheon. After a hiatus and a highly scrutinized rebirth in 2024, the spectacle returned, shimmering with sequins, dramatic wings, and a cast blending legacy icons and bold newcomers. The que

From Logo to Longevity: How Generations Are Changing Luxury Everywhere Luxury is in transformation. Once defined by logos, opulence and conspicuousness, it is now being reimagined by a rising generation of consumers who value sustainability, quality, and experience over mere status. Across continents from Asia to Europe, the Americas to the Middle East luxury brands are confronting shifting expectations, economic pressures, and new definitions of what it means to be “luxury”