luxury / Footwear

Just a few years ago, designer sneakers were an “it” item driving huge sales. Today the situation has changed, though they still have their place in luxury’s arsenal.

The German luxury e-tailer more than doubled its adjusted earnings in its second fiscal quarter that ended in December, providing a glimpse into how it will fare once its deal to acquire its competitor, Yoox-Net-a-Porter, is approved.

Demand for the Paris label’s androgynous, utilitarian wardrobe has grown ten-fold since 2019 as shoppers turn their back on logo-mania and embrace the brand’s more subtle ethos. ‘Reality isn’t a dirty word,’ says co-creative director Christophe Lemaire.

The luxury industry was under pressure in 2024 as customers pulled back on high-end purchases. Brands from Chanel to Valentino to Fendi changed their creative lineups, hoping to jump-start demand. But the struggles at Gucci and Burberry show how tricky executing a designer relaunch can be.

The footwear brand is hoping for a $2 billion market capitalisation with its initial public offering, which means selling the market on distressed sneakers being more than a fad.

At BoF VOICES 2022, the seasoned Nike executive discussed the power of second chances and the secret he kept while building Michael Jordan’s brand.

With travel expected to soon surpass pre-pandemic levels, The State of Fashion 2024 unpacks how brands and retailers are adapting to strategies to connect with vacation-focused consumers.

Shares of the L Catterton-owned sandal maker sank on their first day of trading, a bad sign for other brands that are thinking about going public.