Posts by Kevin Harson
How Jane Birkin Helped Design Hermès’ Most Popular Handbag: Her Inspiration, Royalties and the $10 Million Bag
Jane Birkin‘s original Hermès Birkin sold for $10.1 million at Sotheby’s in Paris on Thursday, breaking the previous bidding record by nearly 20 times. Presented as “one of the most iconic fashion items ever created,” as WWD reported, the all-black leather Birkin prototype commissioned in 1984 for the British actress and singer generated one of…
Read MoreEXCLUSIVE: ‘Puig, Home of Creativity’ Book Celebrates the Company’s 110-Plus Years
PARIS – Puig is celebrating its more than 110 years of existence with a new book, called “Puig, Home of Creativity.” The 148-page tome published by Rizzoli will be sold in select bookstores starting Sept. 2. It focuses on the legacy, values and brands that comprise the company founded by the Puig family, as well as…
Read MoreTiffany & Co.’s Biggest Store in Asia Bows in Tokyo
TOKYO — Tiffany & Co. is going big in Japan, as it opens its largest store in Asia on Friday. Located in the ritzy Ginza district of the Japanese capital, the boutique stands out with a massive, shining facade in the brand’s signature blue color. Tiffany’s chief executive officer Anthony Ledru described the store as…
Read MoreCelebrity-Loved Brand Freja Just Dropped the New Bag Every Fashion Insider Is About to Be Carrying
If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, WWD may receive an affiliate commission. When it comes to affordable luxury bag brands, Freja remains a favorite amongst fashion insiders — from editors to influencers to A-list celebrities like Jennifer Lawrence, Katie Holmes, and Sarah Jessica Parker. Loved for…
Read MoreConverse’s New CEO Aaron Cain Is a 21-Year Nike Veteran
Nike‘s challenged Converse division has a new CEO. Aaron Cain, a 21-year Nike Inc. veteran, is taking over the top job at Converse. He succeeds Jared Carver, who is leaving the brand after two years as CEO. Bloomberg, which first reported the news, said the two executives will work together through the end of July…
Read MoreThis Blue Big Bubble Nike Air Max 95 Could Be a Consolation if You Miss Out on the Levi’s Collaboration
The Levi’s x Nike Air Max 95, which got its initial release on Thursday and will drop again Friday, has been one of the high points for a summer dominated by the sneaker celebrating its 30th anniversary. Should you miss out, though, a suitable alternative may be found in a new Big Bubble colorway on…
Read MoreReturns, Refunds and the Fight for Loyalty
What happens “beyond buy” is no longer a consumer experience afterthought; it’s a strategic and financial imperative. Returns, refunds and delivery delays don’t just affect consumer sentiment — they show up in your margins, repurchase rates and quarterly results. In a market where loyalty can disappear with a single bad experience, post-purchase isn’t the end…
Read MoreL’Oréal Denies Claims Of Hong Kong Office Closure, Layoffs
After news began circulating earlier this week that L’Oréal is considering merging its Hong Kong office with its Mainland China operations, which would result in the layoff of over 200 employees, the French beauty company issued a statement refuting the claims. “The recent media report regarding L’Oréal Hong Kong’s job cut information is inaccurate,” a…
Read MoreEXCLUSIVE: Fendi’s Latest High Jewelry Collection Taps Fountains – and the Future
PARIS — What’s a milestone celebration without an exuberant display evoking the idea of bursting with joy? Fendi continued its centenary by unveiling “Eaux d’Artifice,” a high jewelry collection whose name plays on the French word for fireworks and which pays homage to Rome with designs taking their cues from the manifold water features of…
Read MoreMaison Margiela Artisanal Fall 2025 Couture: Dark, Daring and DIY
“To do a show after John [Galliano] is not easy, we are all working very hard,” Renzo Rosso said before Glenn Martens’ debut at Maison Margiela on Wednesday night. This Artisanal show came roughly 18 months after Galliano’s triumphant swan song and tilted the Paris house in a dark, daring and DIY direction, with some…
Read MoreIn ‘Semele,’ Heartbreak Is Dressed Up in Lace and Diamonds
LONDON — No opera is short of heartbreak, but in “Semele,” sorrow is wrapped in beautiful fabrics. The Handel opera from 1744 has been reimagined by Oliver Mears, the director of opera at the Royal Ballet & Opera, with a twist — this time it’s set between the ‘60s and ‘70s. The story follows Semele,…
Read MoreAustralian Luxury Design Brand Paloma Editions Enters U.S. Market
MILAN — Australian design firm Paloma Editions, which was founded in 2023 as an antidote to consumerist style, grew its sales to $10 million in just two years. The firm told WWD that it now has opened a U.S. website and is currently in talks with U.S. interior design partners for physical locations in major…
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