Industry News – August 12th, 2016

Curated fashion industry news links for Friday, August 12th, 2016…

VIVIENNE WESTWOOD IS THE LATEST DESIGNER TO COMBINE HER WOMEN’S AND MEN’S COLLECTIONS – Vogue
“Vivienne Westwood has joined a growing list of designers—Vetements, Gucci, Rag & Bone, and Public School among them—who have chosen to present combined men’s and women’s shows. Earlier today, Westwood’s team announced that her Fall ’17 men’s show in January—which usually takes place in Milan—will be now be shown in London, where she opened her first store the ’70s. The women’s show will also move up from its usual February slot to be shown alongside the menswear.”

NORDSTROM JUMPS AS PROFIT TOPS ESTIMATES, HELPED BY RACK CHAIN – Bloomberg
“The results signal that Nordstrom has been successful in appealing to value-conscious customers at its discount chain as well as its full-price locations. The department store’s Anniversary promotion posted an “all-time high” in sales volume, Co-President Blake Nordstrom said on a conference call to discuss the quarter. Nordstrom also has been slashing costs and reducing its capital investments to stay ahead of declining mall traffic.”

J.C. PENNEY REPORTS ANOTHER LOSS, WEAK SALES GROWTH – TheWallStreetJournal
“In all for the quarter, Penney’s posted a loss of $56 million, or 18 cents a share, compared with a loss of $117 million, or 38 cents a share, a year prior. On an adjusted basis, which excludes restructuring and debt extinguishment costs, the loss was 5 cents a share.”

THE DEMISE OF ATHLEISURE – TheRobinReport
“Let’s take a look at current market darling Lululemon. Admittedly, Lulu has great technical product for yoga. And, it makes pretty good product for other serious athletes. It tries to make great products for male athletes as well. And, actually, it does, but most guys don’t care. The label does not say manly Under Armour, Nike or even Champion.”

JESSICA SIMPSON LAUNCHING PERFORMANCE FOOTWEAR – Pret-a-Reporter
“Jessica Simpson is expanding her footwear portfolio with performance shoes. The singer-turned-designer’s collection of sneakers — which are described as being lightweight and feminine — will launch as part of her athleisure line, The Warm Up, which debuted in December after her label was purchased by Sequential Brands Group.”

ADIDAS IS BRINGING THE FUTURE OF SNEAKER MANUFACTURING TO THE U.S.A. – GQ
“Yesterday the brand expanded on its plans to open a sneaker factory in Atlanta next year in order to be able to—according to Adidas Group’s Eric Liedtke—“make product for the consumer, with the consumer, where the consumer lives in real time.” This is a huge move for the German sportswear brand, as it currently produces most of its goods in Asia.”