Industry News – June 23rd, 2016

Curated fashion industry news links for Thursday, June 23rd, 2016…

OUTDOOR LIFESTYLE BRAND MATCHING STORE SPACE TO GREEN SPACE – RetailingToday
“Timberland announced a goal to double its footprint in five U.S. cities by 2020 — but not in the conventional year. Each year for the next five years, the brand will choose a different city with a Timberland  store, and match its retail floor space with the creation or restoration of an equivalent amount of green space in that city.”

FAST-FASHION GIANT PROFIT SLIDES; REMAINS UPBEAT ABOUT STORE GROWTH – RetailingToday
“H&M isn’t letting a weak second quarter performance stand in the way of its ambitious expansion plans. The Swedish retailer’s profit in the quarter, which ended May 31, fell 17% to 5.357 billion Swedish kronor ($649.6 million), according to MarketWatch, as unusually cool weather dimmed sales of spring clothing and a strong U.S. dollar added to its costs.”

HEDI SLIMANE IS SUING KERING, SAINT LAURENT’S PARENT COMPANY – Yahoo!
“Kering confirmed the lawsuit in a statement and said it concerned Slimane’s non-competition obligation. Kering said it had lifted this clause at the end of Slimane’s contract, freeing him from this potential constraint.”

MEET THE 27-YEAR-OLD ENTREPRENEUR WHO’S TAKING ON THE FASHION INDUSTRY – BusinessInsider
“It’s no secret that fashion brands often cut corners when it comes to the safety of the garment workers they employ. Working conditions in garment factories are often unsafe, and wages are extremely low. When in 2013 Rana Plaza, a garment factory in Bangladesh, collapsed and killed over 1,000 workers, consumers became more aware of some of the negative influence that popular brands like H&M and Zara exert on the areas where their clothes are manufactured.”

AQUAZZURA TAKES IVANKA TRUMP TO COURT OVER SHOE STYLE – FashionMag
“Italian footwear company Aquazzura Italia has filed a lawsuit against Ivanka Trump, alleging the entrepreneur and designer copied its design.”

CONVERSE UNVEILS CHUCK TAYLOR SNEAKER WITH BUILT-IN GUITAR WAH PEDAL – Footwear News
“Converse is getting into sole music.The label announced Wednesday an updated version of its Converse Chuck Taylor All Wah prototype that was presented three years earlier.”

THAI DISTRIBUTOR PACIFICA GROUP PLANS MASS FASHION RETAIL ROLLOUT – FashionMag
“Pacifica Group, the importer and distributor of fashion brands including Coach, Max Mara, Camper, Keds and American Eagle Outfitters, announced plans to increase the number of free-standing shops for its 14 brands from 80 currently to 140 over three years.”

TARGET SHOPPERS LOVE THIS SUPERFAN ACCOUNT – racked
“Consider Jen Coleman and Laura Wiertzema your personal Target sherpas. That’s what they are to more than 500,000 Instagram followers, who shop right along with them as they post real-time updates on @TargetDoesItAgain.”