💎Brilliant Cut No. 15:
Top Resale Luxury Brands, Geary x LV Perfume Bottle, Glenfiddich NFT, AMEX Centurion Lounge, Burberry "Open Spaces', Chinese Labels Head to Paris, Porsche Hotels, Deloitte Watch Study, and More
Welcome to this edition of Brilliant Cut, a free monthly newsletter that helps you smartly navigate the most important luxury marketing stories and insights.
Issue #15 | November 1, 2021
Akio Naito: Seiko watches have to go back to their roots to grow again
(Financial Times) By his own estimation, Akio Naito’s ascension to the presidency of Seiko Watch Corporation in April was unusual. “I joined Seiko as an in-house lawyer and I knew virtually nothing about watches,” he says, recalling his arrival at the Japanese company in 1984. “I’m a little bit unique.” Read more
Frank Gehry tops Louis Vuitton perfume bottle with aluminium flower
(Dezeen) Pritzker Architecture Prize-winning architect Frank Gehry has designed his first perfume bottle for French fashion brand Louis Vuitton. Read more
Here are the luxury goods with the best resale values
(Robb Report) It’s every collector’s dream to acquire pieces guaranteed to appreciate over time—and Rebag wants to help make it a reality. The online platform, best known for peddling pre-owned bags, watches and accessories, has just released a new report detailing which specific labels and luxury goods perform best on the resale market. Read more
The first new Range Rover in a decade faces tougher competition
(CNN) Land Rover just unveiled what will be the first new, redesigned Range Rover in a decade. This is only the fifth generation of the large off-road luxury SUV since the model was introduced in 1970. A sleek new design, with smoothed off corners and edges, retains the classic proportions, but gives it a more modern look to better compete in an increasingly crowded world of high-end SUVs. Read more
Dolce & Gabbana just set a $6 million record for fashion NFTs
(New York Times) The brand announced on Sept. 30 it had sold at auction a nine-piece collection of digital NFTs, or nonfungible tokens, alongside some actual couture for a total of 1,885.719 Ether (Ethereum cryptocurrency), or the equivalent of nearly $5.7 million. Read more
Fashion month social strategies: What worked
(Vogue Business) Spring/Summer 2022 fashion shows may have been back in real life, but the real change this season was how marketers sought to lure millions of viewers on social platforms with mega-influencers and out-of-the box formats. Read more
Wearable NFT clothing could trigger $11 billion record quarter
(Yahoo! Finance) Non-fungible tokens, or NFTs, have enjoyed a breakout year, with third-quarter sales delivering an absolute exclamation point at $10.7 billion. And yet, despite that eightfold increase from $1.2 billion in the second quarter, NFTs are just getting started if you believe advocates who predict use cases for the technology are about to stretch into new industries far beyond digital art. Read more
Glenfiddich to release rare $18K USD whisky as NFTs
(Hypebeast) In partnership with BlockBar, an NFT marketplace for luxury wine and spirits, Glenfiddich will be pairing its rare whisky with NFT artwork for its next limited release. Read more
What’s next for video shopping?
(Vogue Business) A year ago, livestream video shopping was hailed as a panacea. By combining personal endorsements with e-commerce conveniences, the format’s success in China has inspired considerable investor excitement in the West. However, in this new phase of the Covid-19 pandemic, brands are still waiting for prospective viewers to have the same enthusiasm, and momentum has slowed. Read more
Ryan Gosling joins Tag Heuer as newest global ambassador
(L'Officiel) Following Tag Heuer's commitment to elegance and fearlessness, the luxury brand taps with Ryan Gosling as its newest brand ambassador. As one of Hollywood's most versatile leading men, Gosling's effortless confidence and dedication to defying expectations make him the perfect fit in driving the brand forward. Read more
Mercedes-Benz touts sustainability with electric vehicle experiences
(Marketing Dive) Mercedes-Benz USA will promote its line of electric vehicles via a 20-city test drive tour and several experiential activations. The first vehicle from the line, the 2022 EQS Sedan, is scheduled to hit the U.S. market later this fall. Read more
American Express opens first Centurion Lounge in Europe at Heathrow Airport
(Yahoo) American Express announced the opening of the Centurion Lounge, which is part of its signature airport lounge program, at London Heathrow Airport (LHR). Located in Terminal 3, the lounge will be the first Centurion Lounge in Europe and American Express’ third Centurion Lounge to open this year. Read more
Valentino’s new Beijing exhibition explores the role of fashion
(Wallpaper) Following the opening of the ‘Re-Signify’ exhibition in Shanghai last year, Valentino is unveiling the second chapter of the multimedia experience, this time in Beijing’s SKP South’s T-10 exhibition space. Read more
MAA Ad of the Week: Burberry ‘Open Spaces’ by Megaforce
(More About Advertising) ‘Open Spaces’ from Burberry and director line-up Megaforce and Riff Raff shows what’s possible with a combo of brilliant technique and a good simple idea that radiates belief in the product. Read more
From Beeple to Basquiat, the contemporary art market notched $2.7 billion in sales over the past year
(Robb Report) The contemporary art market raked in a record-breaking $2.7 billion in sales between June 2020 and June 2021, according to Artprice’s annual report. Read more
Dreams of owning a Rolex are driving every other brand to the margin
(WatchPro) It will come as no surprise to anybody in the industry that, when asked to name a watch brand they would most like on their wrist, the majority of people named Rolex. Read more
Online sales expected to account for a quarter of the art market by year end
(Barron's Penta) Online art sales have skyrocketed during the pandemic, as the traditional art market was hampered by lockdowns and restrictions on social gatherings. This momentum is expected to continue through the remainder of the year, according to a report released by ArtTactic. Read more
Deloitte Study: Watch industry is changing, 3 shifts collectors should watch out for
(Robb Report) Swiss watch executives are in a good mood this fall — especially when compared with how they felt a year ago, according to a new study published by Deloitte earlier this month. Read more
Balenciaga replaced Gucci as most searched brand on Lyst
(WWD via Yahoo) Balenciaga climbed up five spots, replacing Gucci at the top of the hottest brands ranking in the third quarter of 2021. Read more
Real estate 'power players' reshape luxury landscape
(RIS Media) According to a new report from Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC, a new set of “Power Players” have emerged as wealth growth driven by rebounding stock markets, the rising popularity of cryptocurrency and higher 401(k)s—combined with skyrocketing home prices and low interest rates—has led to increased savings and buyers looking to reinvest their cash. Read more
Chinese labels flock to Paris to go global in high fashion
(Reuters) Chinese fashion labels, including Shang Xia, Icicle and Fosun Fashion Group, are embracing Paris as a springboard for their international ambitions, opening flagship stores in the city and hiring French designers to burnish their credentials. Read more
After China stumble, Italian fashion house Dolce & Gabbana bets on independent future
(South China Morning Post) Dolce & Gabbana plans to remain independent to preserve its creative freedom, even as the Italian fashion house claws back sales lost to the coronavirus pandemic and a bungled advertising campaign in China. Read more
Why China could become first in secondhand luxury
(Jing Daily) The current relatively small size of China’s luxury resale market and lingering consumer resistance means that China has perhaps the most immediate potential as a sourcing market for international platforms, particularly given their ability to ensure product authenticity. Read more
Chinese tourists' disappearance is remaking Hong Kong retail
(The Straits Times) Luxury retail chains are losing their once-iron grip on Hong Kong's shopping streets, as Covid-19 keeps visitors away and forces the city to shift toward restaurants and bars catering to residents. Read more
Alibaba’s Janet Wang outlines key Innovations in China’s luxury market set to feature in 11.11 Shopping Festival
(Alizala) Luxury brands are taking the online-to-offline experience to the next level for Chinese consumers during this year’s 11.11 Global Shopping Festival who expect frictionless, hyper-personalized and instant gratification from their shopping experiences, said Alibaba Group’s luxury division chief Janet Wang. Read more
Highsnobiety drops white paper on Chinese influencers
(WWD via Yahoo) Chinese key opinion leaders who are shaping the future of Chinese culture are the main focus of streetwear and pop culture site Highsnobiety’s second white paper. Read more
Jing Daily’s weekly roundup of luxury social media campaigns in China:
📲 October 1, 2021 // October 15, 2021 // October 22, 2021 // October 29, 2021
Porsche Design x Steinberger announce its new hotel brand
(duPont Registry) The Porsche brand embodies a sense of luxury not only through its line of performance-focused vehicles, but also throughout its lifestyle division. Through the Porsche Design division, the same premium quality and innovation are reimagined to take shape in a multitude of products. Porsche Design is proud to announce its partnership with the Deutsche hospitality professionals at Steinberger. The luxury duo will be introducing an all-new innovative hotel concept that will bring together design, technology, and lifestyle at the highest level. Read more
This Reebok x Eames collab is the ultimate flex
(Architectural Digest) We’ve been saying that furniture is the new flex in streetwear, but Reebok just took that concept to the next level by teaming up with Eames on a sneaker collection. Read more
Kim Kardashian West’s Skims to partner with Fendi
(WSJ) Fendi, the 96-year-old Roman luxury fashion house owned by LVMH, will collaborate with Kim Kardashian West to launch a women’s collection. Read more
IWC and Hot Wheels team up for a limited-edition tribute to the 1955 Mercedes-Benz Gullwing
(Robb Report) IWC is offering a scaled-down Mattel Hot-Wheels version of the car in a “Racing Works Edition” box set, together with a special-edition Pilot’s Watch Chronograph. Read more
Inside Cartier and Kering’s new watch and jewellery sustainability pact
(Vogue Business) The Richemont-owned jewellery powerhouse and the French luxury conglomerate team up with the Responsible Jewellery Council on a new initiative aiming to make the industry more sustainable. Read more
Louis Vuitton details progress on environmental goals
(WWD via Yahoo) In its quest to meet ambitious sustainability targets, Louis Vuitton is enlisting its clients, gently nudging them toward “delayed gratification” — and perhaps one day accepting the odd ding or scratch should the luxury giant manage to wean people off the plastic film that protects metal and glass on new products. Read more
Inside the agency Gucci and Fenty Beauty use to boost inclusivity
(Vogue Business) One of Gucci Beauty’s most-liked Instagram posts ever featured a little-known model with Down’s Syndrome wearing Gucci Beauty mascara on a bare, blushed face. Ellie Goldstein, who has since worked with Mytheresa, Zalando and Victoria’s Secret among others, is the breakout star represented by inclusive talent agency Zebedee Management. Read more
Belonging: The business case for diversity in fashion
(Business of Fashion) During haute couture week, Imran meets with Samira Nasr, and they have good reason to celebrate. During global lockdowns amid the pandemic, Samira became the first woman of colour to helm Harper’s Bazaar in the American magazine’s 154 year history. Read more
Produced and hosted by Scott Kerr, The Luxury Item is a podcast on the business of luxury. Check out the last two episodes and gain new insights on the luxury industry:
⌚ Nick English, co-founder of British luxury watch company Bremont discusses building a luxury watch brand and bringing watchmaking back to the UK Apple / Spotify / YouTube
💄 Laetitia Raoust, General Manager of YSL Beauty U.S. talks about shifting beauty customer habits, online sales strategies and new initiatives Apple / Spotify / YouTube
⏲️ Countdown to the launch of Facing the Giants podcast. The show explores how luxury startups are challenging the Goliaths of the industry with innovative technology, new business models, and smart strategies. Scott Kerr will be interviewing luxury entrepreneurs about what's driving them and how their companies are pointing a new way forward to meet the changing demands of the luxury business and affluent consumers. Facing the Giants launches in November. Listen and subscribe here.
✨Mixed Gems: Featured writers on luxury, fashion, and culture✨
Meet the dream makers: the extraordinary world of beyond bespoke
In the FT's "How To Spend It" column, writer Mark C O’Flaherty explores the specialist, guarded ateliers of grand marques that will create anything you want. Read it here
How sound became one of luxury’s most powerful tools
Robb Report’s Lucy Alexander says designers are engineering aural sensations—a supercar’s roar, a grande sonnerie’s chime—to leave a lasting impression. Who knew noise had become so valuable? Read it here
Luxury fashion must ditch leather to be truly ethical
FT fashion editor Lauren Indvik writes by end the use of leather, luxury brands could slash carbon footprints and deploy their influence to reduce meat consumption. Read it here
Thank you for reading this issue. - Scott
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