Fashion
Moncler Eyes Burberry Acquisition and LVMH Buys into Our Legacy in This Week’s Top Fashion News
In this week’s fashion’s biggest headlines, early signs of new luxury acquisitions come to light, while other labels double down on key market segments. Elsewhere, sports and lifestyle geard collaborations generate buzz among fans, as some active brands continue to evolve well-loved designs and introduce new expressions.
Amidst waning performance, LVMH continues to make strategic adjustments, now announcing a minority stake in Swedish brand Our Legacy. On the other hand, rumors of a possible Moncler acquisition of Burberry sent the British label’s share value flying high this week. Other brands are leaning into their solid consumer bases with Chanel replicating its Cruise presentation in China where its presence remains strong, and Supreme teaming up with Mitchell & Ness for an NCAA-inspired collection. While Arc’teryx hones in on its unique brand identity, adidas expands its collaborative universe to new heights with C.P. Company. Finally, Hypebeast’s exclusive chat with Salehe Bembury on his Spunge collection with LA-based brand Mutsu unpacks the inspiration behind their joint-project.
Below, Hypebeast has rounded up the top fashion stories of the week so you can stay up to date on trends in the industry.
Our Legacy Gets Minority Investment From LVMH
On Thursday afternoon, it was revealed by Business of Fashion that luxury conglomerate LVMH acquired a minority stake in contemporary Swedish label Our Legacy. The Louis Vuitton owner’s investment (of an undisclosed amount) will be utilized to supercharge Our Legacy’s expansive growth, which has been particularly healthy in the last three years.
In the last fiscal year, the brand’s sales reached €40 million EUR ($43.6 million USD), a dramatic growth of €30 million EUR compared to the previous year’s numbers. Our Legacy, which is already stocked in 250+ luxury retailers, aims to use the investment to strengthen its DTC channels, hoping to open stores Paris, New York, Los Angeles, Shanghai, Tokyo and Hong Kong.
The LVMH Luxury Ventures arm of the multinational conglomerate made a similar investment in Aimé Leon Dore in 2022, as well as other labels like Gabriela Hearst, Heat and Stadium Goods in prior years. From a strategic point of view, it seems that as LVMH’s flagship brands see flattening growth, the company is increasingly testing the waters with contemporary and streetwear names.
Chanel Cruise 2024/25 Show Lands in Hong Kong
Though luxury competitors are struggling to meet sales goals in China, Chanel is showing that it is doubling down on it’s commitment to the region. Following the earlier Chanel Cruise 2024/25 show in Marseille, France, the luxury label restaged the same presentation across the globe in Hong Kong, China.
With names like actress Penelope Cruz and musician G-Dragon in attendance, Chanel also invited Audrey Diwan to direct a short film to be premiered at the event, titled Modern Flirt. The multi-faceted presentation demonstrates a concerted effort by Chanel to maintain a strong presence in the minds of its Chinese consumers, despite the troubling financial outlook.
Burberry Shares Soar 8% After Report Reveals Moncler Could Be Buying the British Brand
Rumors that Swiss outerwear purveyor Moncler could potentially make a bid on Burberry, sent shares at the British luxury label up by 8% this week. According to Reuters, Miss Tweed revealed “growing industry chatter” of a possibe Moncler acquisition of the British fashion house, which has been battling with dwindling interest from shoppers.
The rumours comes as a slight surprise given that Moncler reported declining sales last week and that it’s 2020 acquisition of Italian label Stone Island hasn’t led to any major pick-up in performance for the Italian menswear brand. However, for Burberry, the news is a welcome boost of confidence following years of brand identity shake-ups led by former creative director Riccardo Tisci and more recently, with the appointment of Daniel Lee.
If the acquisition goes through, one can imagine on the sheer power of the formation of a new conglomerate of luxury outerwear titans.
Supreme x Mitchell & Ness NCAA Fall 2024 Collaboration
In its latest collaboration, Supreme has tapped heritage sports equipment manufacturer Mitchell & Ness for an NCAA collection. Arriving amidst the current college basketball season, the four lucky team to get Supreme branded merch are the Georgetown Hoyas, Miami Hurricanes, North Carolina Tar Heels and Syracuse Orange.
Across the collection, hooded varsity jackets, jerseys, hooded sweatshirts, shorts and beanies are co-branded with the Supreme logo, team mascots, and collegiate word marks. The range also applies each school’s colors to the Supreme moniker for an added touch of collegiate pride.
The Supreme x Michell & Ness NCAA Fall 2024 collection will see a global release, available on Supreme’s web store on November 7 at 11 a.m. EST in the United States and on November 9 in Asia.
C.P. Company x adidas Continue To Celebrate the SPZL’s Anniversary with Full Collaborative Capsule
C.P. Company x adidas originals have unveiled a collaborative apparel capsule in commemoration of the SPZL’s tenth anniversary. Featuring Ashley Walters, Stephen Graham, Goldie, Robert Brooks, and Toby Mclellan in the lookbook, the release includes a fresh delivery of apparel, accessories, and the new footwear.
The CP Wimberly SPZL draws inspiration from a rare perforated Canadian version of the 1980s adidas Universal, this time offered in leather and suede finishes. Taking design cues from the adidas Nepal, the CP Helvellyn SPZL is equipped with mesh underlays, a gusseted tongue, gun-metal D-rings and an outdoor-ready lining. Elsewhere, the mixed media materiality of the CP SL 83 SPZL iterates on the adidas SL 82, while the CP Italia SPZL and the CP Manchester SPZL are reprised with new details.
In apparel, C.P. Company’s brand motifs are filtered through the adidas lens, with standout silhouettes including the the CP SPZL Puffer Jacket and the CP SPZL Flying Jacket.
Arc’teryx Introduces Special Patterned Designs Using Logo
Take a closer look at the new Arc’teryx “Grottoflage” collection and you may see a familiar figure hiding amidst the greyscale camouflage. The outdoor brand has unveiled its first-ever patterned designs, which boast a creative reinterpretation of the iconic Arc’teryx bird insignia.
The Grottoflage print was meticulously developed by Arc’teryx’s design team, who created a discreet logo-inspired pattern using shades of gray and black with the brand’s coveted Grotto toque served as the core inspiration. In addition to the new range of garments and accessories, Arc’teryx is also launching limited-edition skis covered in the Grottoflage print in partnership with sports equipment brand Atomic.
The Arc’teryx FW24 Grottoflage collection will be available on November 6 at the Arc’teryx web store and the limited-edition skis will be released on November 11 via the Atomic web store.
Salehe Bembury’s Spunge and Mutsu Reveal Their “Absorb Til Death” Collection
Hypebeast’s exclusive interview with Salehe Bembury delves into the lauded designer’s collaborative “Absorb Til Death” collection between his Spunge label and LA-based studio Mutsu. While Bembury is widely known for his coveted footwear designs, the new range of garments with Mutsu, specializing in bespoke Japanese boro stitching, demonstrates the innovator’s growing breadth of work across categories.
The collection is a synthesis of the spirit of both brands, with Bembury’s amorphous patterns appearing across the line and Mutsu’s skull motif showing up in creative applications. Standing out are asymmetrical puffer jackets that take on the form of a skull creating a teethed waistline. Hand-sewn skull appliques cover the hats (a favorite of Bembury’s from Mutsu’s range) and elsewhere, cardigans, hoodies, socks and tote bags boast Spunge x Mutsu graphics.
The Spunge x Mutsu “Absorb Til Death” collection dropped today at 9 AM PST via the Be A Spunge and Prospective Flow web stores. Read the full interview with Salehe Bembury and the Mutsu duo on the collaborative capsule.