A round-up that helps show us the state of Retail, lots of Luxury news to dig into, launches & stories I love - let's have some fun with fashion & retail.
Absolutely! I’m not sure where the ceiling is but we’ve got to hit it at some point. Another reason why I think we deserve/should have mid tier brands but the business strategy and positioning tends to be so much harder to maintain
On the Cuyana/BoF article, I thought it was bold (and a bit delusional?) to to say the move upmarket will allow Cuyana to "hopefully compete with contemporary luxury labels like Khaite and Toteme", whether that statement was given by Cuyana or the author.
Know where you are in the market. I think at best Cuyana is the Everlane of bags. I get it, they want to get in on the quiet luxury, minimal bag trend like Khaite and Toteme. But they do not have nearly the cachet or industry credibility.
On top of that, they copy other bags - Khaite's Elena bag, The Row's Park tote...
I think if they want to make bags as high as $800 they need to stop copying and work on their image too. People buy into brand and lifestyle as well. What "lifestyle" or point of view is Cuyana offering-- San Francisco and Stitch Fix?
I agree with a lot of these points but I actually took it differently. I think there is what was considered a "contemporary" market that has been missing lately. Missing because most have been pushed out of the industry, so maybe it doesn't deserve to be there. But I think Cuyana can up-level a little and not stretch to Khaite territory completely. More like Polene & Mansur Gavriel (a step up from Everlane - possibly two steps up.) Someone who is wearing Jamie Haller loafers and a Janessa Leone Hat. Shopping at boutiques (in the Bay Area, like a Hero Shop.) Which leads into the other conversation around lifestyle. I live in the Bay Area and agree "San Francisco" is not an aspirational lifestyle for fashion (I still dress like I never left NYC) but I think the lifestyle Cuyana might be going after is more like Meghan Markle and the Montecito area. Or an Executive Woman who is a mom and juggling a busy lifestyle - traveling, etc. The functionality and luxe of a Metier bag but at a more accessible luxury price point. There are so many layers here to where the price could be. But I do agree, if you are alone in the middle it is hard - there is a reason Macy's is challenged in the middle but Walmart does well and Hermés does well....I clearly have a lot of thoughts but thank you so much for bringing up this conversation and pointing it out.
You said a lot of interesting stuff here but the most striking thing was pedal pushers - my calves aren’t ready.
I don’t think I’ll be partaking in this one. It’s very - good for you, not for me.
Chanel price hikes...oh boy. Love the notes about Skims and Cuyana - curious to see how these brands grow this year!
These brands take us on a roller coaster but I love strategizing and watching the industry grow and change. I’m enjoying all your 10-k report reviews.
Thank you so much!
Another fab analysis! Handbag prices are absolutely cuckoo. It’s all gotten so out of hand!
Absolutely! I’m not sure where the ceiling is but we’ve got to hit it at some point. Another reason why I think we deserve/should have mid tier brands but the business strategy and positioning tends to be so much harder to maintain
On the Cuyana/BoF article, I thought it was bold (and a bit delusional?) to to say the move upmarket will allow Cuyana to "hopefully compete with contemporary luxury labels like Khaite and Toteme", whether that statement was given by Cuyana or the author.
Know where you are in the market. I think at best Cuyana is the Everlane of bags. I get it, they want to get in on the quiet luxury, minimal bag trend like Khaite and Toteme. But they do not have nearly the cachet or industry credibility.
On top of that, they copy other bags - Khaite's Elena bag, The Row's Park tote...
I think if they want to make bags as high as $800 they need to stop copying and work on their image too. People buy into brand and lifestyle as well. What "lifestyle" or point of view is Cuyana offering-- San Francisco and Stitch Fix?
I agree with a lot of these points but I actually took it differently. I think there is what was considered a "contemporary" market that has been missing lately. Missing because most have been pushed out of the industry, so maybe it doesn't deserve to be there. But I think Cuyana can up-level a little and not stretch to Khaite territory completely. More like Polene & Mansur Gavriel (a step up from Everlane - possibly two steps up.) Someone who is wearing Jamie Haller loafers and a Janessa Leone Hat. Shopping at boutiques (in the Bay Area, like a Hero Shop.) Which leads into the other conversation around lifestyle. I live in the Bay Area and agree "San Francisco" is not an aspirational lifestyle for fashion (I still dress like I never left NYC) but I think the lifestyle Cuyana might be going after is more like Meghan Markle and the Montecito area. Or an Executive Woman who is a mom and juggling a busy lifestyle - traveling, etc. The functionality and luxe of a Metier bag but at a more accessible luxury price point. There are so many layers here to where the price could be. But I do agree, if you are alone in the middle it is hard - there is a reason Macy's is challenged in the middle but Walmart does well and Hermés does well....I clearly have a lot of thoughts but thank you so much for bringing up this conversation and pointing it out.