Fashion
JD Sports on Track for Higher Annual Profit with Strong Sales Growth
British sportswear retailer JD Sports Fashion is set to achieve a higher annual profit as demand for popular footwear, such as Nike Air Force One and Adidas Gazelle and Samba, boosted first-half sales. The company reported a 7.5% increase in its shares following the announcement.
JD Sports is already the largest sportswear retailer in the UK, and its presence in North America and Europe is expanding. The group revealed that its underlying sales grew by 12% in the first half of the year, with remarkable growth rates of 27% in Europe and 15% in North America.
One key factor contributing to JD Sports’ success is its strong relationships with major brands like Nike, Adidas, and New Balance. These partnerships provide the retailer with unique and early access to exclusive products, giving it a competitive edge over rivals.
While other retailers like Foot Locker and Dick’s Sporting Goods have expressed concerns about frail consumer demand and weaker margins in North America, analysts from Peel Hunt emphasized that JD Sports’ results show that the US market remains robust for the right products.
Also Read: Princess Diana’s Iconic Sweater Fetches $1.1 Million in Record-Breaking Auction
JD Sports CEO Régis Schultz highlighted the company’s status as Nike’s largest global retail partner. He believes that these brand relationships will continue to drive growth, particularly in the post-pandemic environment, where consumers are inclined to treat themselves despite economic uncertainties.
JD Sports has managed to weather the challenges of the past two years of high inflation relatively well. Its younger customer base has continued spending, while it’s their parents who have borne the brunt of rising bills.
The company has ambitious expansion plans, intending to spend up to £3 billion to open 1,750 stores over the next five years with the aim of becoming a global athletic leisurewear powerhouse. This year, JD Sports acquired France’s Groupe Courir and bought out its partners in its Iberian and Polish business.
For the 12 months ending in January, JD Sports expects to achieve an annual pretax profit of £1.04 billion ($1.28 billion), marking a 5% increase from the previous year.
JD Sports’ performance underscores the resilience of the sportswear retail sector and the enduring popularity of iconic footwear brands, even in challenging economic times. The company’s strategic partnerships and focus on customer trends have positioned it for continued growth and success in the global sportswear market.
The Met Gala, an iconic event in the fashion world, has revealed the theme for its highly anticipated 2024 exhibition and gala – ‘Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion.’ This unique theme transcends Disney princess tales, instead, delving into delicate garments requiring special preservation and drawing inspiration from the natural world. This article explores the intricacies of the theme, the curator’s vision, and what attendees and the public can expect from this immersive showcase.
The Sleeping Beauties Theme:
Contrary to expectations of Disney-esque references, the theme revolves around garments in The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s collection so delicate that they are displayed in special glass ‘coffins’ for preservation. These garments, symbolically referred to as ‘sleeping beauties,’ will be showcased in galleries themed around the natural world. The concept serves as a metaphor for the transience of fashion, exploring themes of rebirth and renewal.
Exhibition Highlights:
Curator Andrew Bolton, known for his creative brilliance, plans to feature both historical garments and their contemporary counterparts. The exhibition aims to reanimate these ‘sleeping beauties’ by awakening their sensory capacities. Approximately 250 garments and accessories spanning four centuries will be on display, creating an immersive environment that engages visitors’ senses of sight, smell, touch, and hearing.
The Gala Experience:
The Met Gala 2024, scheduled for May 6 in Manhattan, will mark the grand opening of the exhibition. The public can experience this spectacle from May 10 through September 2. Attendees will find themselves transported to different facets of the natural world in each room, with juxtapositions of historical fashion and contemporary interpretations.
Immersive Galleries:
Imagine walking into a room adorned with intricate ‘insectoid embroidery’ on an Elizabethan bodice or experiencing a ceiling projecting a mesmerizing ‘Hitchcockian swarm of blackbirds’ surrounding a black tulle evening dress from the pre-World War II era. Each gallery promises to offer a unique sensory experience, capturing the essence of the theme.
Dress Code Mystery:
The dress code for the 2024 Met Gala remains a mystery, adding an element of anticipation. In previous editions, guests were encouraged to dress in a manner that paid homage to the gala’s overarching theme. As attendees are urged to embody the spirit of ‘Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion,’ expectations are high for the sartorial choices of the fashion elite.
Conclusion:
The Met Gala’s ‘Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion’ theme promises to be a transformative and visually stunning experience, blending history, artistry, and nature. As fashion enthusiasts await the gala, the exhibition’s immersive galleries and sensory engagement create a unique opportunity to appreciate the transience and renewal of fashion. This article captures the essence of the theme and highlights what makes the Met Gala a pinnacle event in the fashion calendar.
In a stunning turn of events, a red sweater once donned by the young Princess Diana has smashed auction records by selling for an astonishing $1.1 million. This playful, patterned wool jumper, adorned with a charming flock of sheep, featured a single black sheep amidst a sea of white ones. The remarkable sale took place at Sotheby’s online Fashion Icons auction, far surpassing its pre-sale estimate and setting a new record for an item associated with the late royal.
Sotheby’s had initially valued the sweater at a modest range of $50,000 to $80,000, setting the stage for an exciting two-week bidding period that concluded on Thursday. With just 15 minutes remaining until the close of the auction, the highest offer stood at a respectable $190,000. However, a last-minute flurry of bids sent the final price soaring to an unprecedented $1.1 million.
This sale not only shattered expectations but also eclipsed the previous record for Princess Diana memorabilia, which stood at $604,800 for a Victor Edelstein-designed ballgown sold by Sotheby’s in January. Additionally, it established a new benchmark for sweater auctions, surpassing the $334,000 paid in 2019 for Kurt Cobain’s green cardigan from Nirvana’s MTV Unplugged concert.
The sweater, an enduring symbol of Diana’s iconic fashion sense, captured the world’s attention when she wore it at a polo match in June 1981, shortly after her engagement to Prince Charles, the heir to the British throne at the time. Already evolving into a style icon and one of the world’s most photographed women, this moment significantly boosted the careers of designers Sally Muir and Joanna Osborne, who created the sweater for their small knitwear label, Warm & Wonderful.
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A few weeks following the polo match, Buckingham Palace contacted Muir and Osborne, explaining that the sweater had sustained damage and inquiring whether it could be repaired or replaced. The original sweater, returned to the designers, displayed a damaged sleeve that was believed to be the result of snagging on Diana’s diamond and sapphire engagement ring.
A new sweater was promptly knitted and sent to the princess. Diana was later photographed wearing it with white jeans and a black ribbon tie at an event in 1983. Remarkably, the original sweater, forgotten in an attic for years, was discovered by Joanna Osborne earlier this year.
Princess Diana, the beloved mother of Prince William and Prince Harry, divorced Prince Charles in 1996. Tragically, she lost her life in a car crash in Paris in 1997 at the tender age of 36. Speculation has swirled that Diana may have had an affinity for the “black sheep” pattern, perhaps symbolizing her sense of being an outsider within the royal family. This connection to the design was poignantly depicted when actress Emma Corrin wore a replica of the sweater as the young Diana in the fourth season of the acclaimed series “The Crown.”
Sally Muir and Joanna Osborne, who continue to offer a version of the iconic design, expressed their profound appreciation for Princess Diana’s impact on their business. They noted that while they are forever indebted to her for the boost she gave their brand, their deepest gratitude lies in knowing that Diana shared a unique connection with the “black sheep” design.
In a joint statement, the designers expressed their joy that this beloved sweater had found a new home, carrying with it the enduring legacy of Princess Diana. The sale of this iconic piece of fashion history serves as a testament to Diana’s enduring influence on style and her enduring place in the hearts of people worldwide.
New York Fashion Week 2023 has returned with a resounding bang, captivating fashion enthusiasts worldwide with its incredible creativity, inclusivity, and a global fusion of cultures, styles, and perspectives. After a hiatus since 2019 due to the global pandemic, this edition of the iconic Fashion Gala has left its mark with a powerful message of representation and empowerment, featuring models from diverse backgrounds, sizes, and genders gracing the runways.
Breitling Navitimer Collection: Timeless Elegance
The NYFW kicked off with Breitling, the renowned Swiss watchmaker, unveiling two new lines in the Breitling Navitimer collection: the 36mm and 32mm models. The brand’s ambassadors graced the event, adding an aura of timeless elegance to the runway.
Victoria’s Secret: The Iconic Return
The iconic Victoria’s Secret fashion show made a triumphant return to NYC, drawing support from a star-studded lineup that included Doja Cat, Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Naomi Campbell, Brooke Shields, Chloe Fineman, Gigi Hadid, and Reneé Rapp. This dazzling showcase celebrated not only fashion but also empowerment and body positivity.
Pandora’s Lab-Grown Diamonds: A Sustainable Sparkle
Pandora hosted a glittering festivity featuring lab-grown diamonds. A constellation of stars, including Pamela Anderson, Halle Bailey, Ashley Park, Julia Fox, Teyana Taylor, Gracie Abrams, Caroline Polachek, Hari Nef, Barbie Ferreira, and Ariana Greenblatt, graced the event. The focus on lab-grown diamonds underlined the fashion industry’s growing commitment to sustainability.
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Anthony Rubio: Canine Couture Extravaganza
One of the most unique highlights of NYFW was Anthony Rubio’s Canine Couture collection, where dogs and even one cat took center stage, stealing the spotlight from their human counterparts. These four-legged models came from diverse backgrounds, including rescue groups and social media fame, highlighting the event’s inclusivity and diversity.
Christian Siriano: 15 Years of Fashion Excellence
Christian Siriano celebrated his 15th anniversary in the fashion industry with a show that featured a star-studded front row and a surprise performance. Held in a flowering ballroom at the Pierre Hotel, the event drew celebrities like Janet Jackson and Avril Lavigne, making it a memorable start to NYFW.
Ralph Lauren: A New Kind of Love
Ralph Lauren’s Spring-Summer 2024 collection at Brooklyn Navy Yard embodied a new kind of love, blending cool sophistication with faded denims and painterly florals. The collection showcased long jackets and oversized suits, offering both subtle and maximalist interpretations.
Sustainability in the Spotlight
Sustainability took center stage at NYFW, with designers like Christian Cowan presenting more eco-friendly approaches to fashion. Notable stars, including Irina Shayk and Emily Ratajkowski, graced the runway for Michael Kors, emphasizing the industry’s growing commitment to sustainable practices.
Red Carpet Royalty
The star-studded events during NYFW extended to the red carpet, where celebrities like Jennifer Lopez, Gabrielle Union, Sofia Richie, Diane Keaton, Mindy Kaling, and many others stunned in show-stopping outfits. Fashion enthusiasts eagerly awaited each celebrity’s arrival, and the event showcased the diverse range of styles and aesthetics that continue to inspire the fashion world.
Global Influence
New York Fashion Week’s influence extends far beyond the city’s borders, resonating with fashion capitals like London, Milan, and Paris. As the event unfolds, it sets the tone for upcoming trends and inspires designers and enthusiasts alike.
In a world that celebrates creativity, inclusivity, and empowerment, NYFW serves as a shining example of how fashion can be a force for positive change. This year’s event reminds us that fashion is not just about clothing; it’s a platform for self-expression, diversity, and making a statement about the world we want to see. As NYFW continues to captivate the fashion world, it leaves an indelible mark on the industry and paves the way for a more inclusive and sustainable future. With its grand finale on September 13th, 2023, New York Fashion Week continues to be a beacon of style and innovation for fashion enthusiasts worldwide.
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