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  • The Bulletin
    - 30 Jan 2012
    - by Sophie Doran

    A Calm Confidence for Haute Horlogerie

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    Optimism prevailed at the 2012 Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie, despite macroeconomic uncertainties, supply constraints & potential slowdown in Asia

    The atmosphere at 2012’s Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie (SIHH) marked that of calm confidence. 2011 proved to be an outstanding year for Swiss watchmaking – culminating in a new record for exports – yet executives remained mindful of macroeconomic uncertainties, supply constraints and a potential slowdown in Asia.

    “We are quite optimistic for 2012,” confirmed Jean-Daniel Pasche, head of the Swiss watch federation, on the eve of the SIHH in Geneva. “Even though the watch industry might not have the same growth rates as the 19-20 per cent increase in watch exports seen in 2011.”

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  • The Bulletin
    - 23 Jan 2012
    - by Sophie Doran

    Menswear AW12: Extreme Luxury in Climatic Austerity

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    From the front row critics to the executives backstage, we share the key insights from autumn/winter’s 2012 menswear collections in Paris and Milan

    “There are at least two ways in which you can deal with what’s going on in the world. You can confront it right up close, or you can escape into a dream world in your gold bullion embroidered Dolce & Gabbana cape.” Whilst Tim Blanks may have been referencing Dolce & Gabbana’s Baroque inspired, chandelier lined catwalk, he also articulated the dichotomous mix of climatic austerity and extreme luxury that categorised the Autumn Winter 2012 menswear shows in Paris and Milan.

    The creative and corporate alike seemed acutely aware of the storm clouds lingering over the European economy. A conversation difficult to avoid when menswear presentations were immediately preceded by Standard & Poor’s decision to downgrade the sovereign credit ratings of both Italy and France. Yet the mood did not suffer any collateral pessimism, nor did brands seek to hide from the luxuries they are best known for.

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  • The Bulletin
    - 16 Jan 2012
    - by Sophie Doran

    The Luxury Hybrid Automobile: Future or Fallacy?

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    As the North American International Motor Show rolls on, so too does the discussion surrounding the commercial merit of hybrid vehicles

    It’s not often you hear luxury automotive executives speaking out against the relevance of hybrid technology. In many cases it has been the luxury manufacturers who have championed the development of alternative fuel technologies, and been some of the first brands to market hybrid vehicles.

    The word alone has come to represent the angel to the fossil fuel’s proverbial devil – a word that consumer’s unquestionably associate with ‘doing the right thing.’ Consequently it’s rather unfashionable to challenge the hybrid – alongside anything else thought to improve the health of the planet – particularly by luxury automakers; the deep pocketed purveyors of gas-guzzling dreams.

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  • The Bulletin
    - 9 Jan 2012
    - by Sophie Doran

    Luxury, Fully Customisable in 2012

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    As luxury consumers become more diverse and discerning, we investigate how brands are approaching an increasingly fragmented international market

    I would be happy to argue that luxury has become one of the most globalised industries in the world. Rapid and aggressive expansion by super brands like Louis Vuitton, Rolls Royce, Rolex and Four Seasons, backed by powerful super conglomerates like LVMH, Richemont and PPR, has seen luxury permeate areas of the earth once better known for human rights conflicts than seven-star hotels.

    At the risk of oversimplifying the situation, luxury has never been bigger – nor has it ever had larger levels of retailers, consumers, publicity and services. As the game moves at a breakneck pace, success in this industry has become driven by Darwinian thinking, where brands must quite literally, adapt or die.

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  • The Bulletin
    - 20 Dec 2011
    - by James Lawson

    The Mixed Performance of Luxury in 2011

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    James Lawson, director of Ledbury Research, shares the key market insights that characterised the luxury industry in 2011

    Following strong performance in 2010, luxury momentum was sustained throughout the first half of 2011. Growth forecasts remain in double digits going into 2012 – Ledbury forecasts growth at 16% for 2011 and a 11% for next year. That said, greater caution is advised in the short-term, as certain segments still have some way to go, before demand fully recovers from the effects of the economic crisis.

    Using the year-on-year quarterly figures of the key segments of the luxury industry, we can see that luxury has been in positive terrain since the start of 2010. Particularly strong results in 2010 made for more challenging comparables, however, performance has held up relatively well, with double-digit growth for the first two quarters of 2011.

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  • The Bulletin
    - 12 Dec 2011
    - by Maria Doulton

    The Complexities of Ethically Sourced Precious Stones

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    The Jewellery Editor, Maria Doulton, highlights the challenges posed by a highly fragmented market, dominated by independents, in the ethical sourcing of coloured precious stones.

    With the news of Global Witness walking away from the Kimberley Process last week, the hope of a watertight guarantee for the provenance of diamonds is in the balance. The Kimberley Process – the most ambitious project of its kind – is a nine year-old system of controls intended to eliminate ‘conflict diamonds’ from the supply chain of rough stones.

    Global Witness accused the self-regulated Kimberley Process as ‘an accomplice to diamond laundering’ and has abandoned its support of the system that was already under much criticism. So what hope is there for the fragmented coloured gem stone industry, which has no system of checks akin to the Kimberley Process, of providing a transparent supply chain and guarantees of ethics and sustainability?

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  • 4542_coach_yotd_thumb

    Luxury, Fully Customisable in 2012

    As luxury consumers become more diverse and discerning, we investigate how brands are approaching an increasingly fragmented international market

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Members opinion

  • Creezy Courtoy China: Hell or Paradise? Part II by Creezy Courtoy 31 Jan 2012
  • Sophie Maxwell From Logo to Experience: Bringing Luxury Brands to Life by Sophie Maxwell 27 Jan 2012
  • James Lawson 8 Key Trends Impacting the Wealthy in 2012 by James Lawson 24 Jan 2012
  • Ben Zachariah Leather, Price, And All Things Nice by Ben Zachariah 19 Jan 2012

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