Why still buy clothes as the COVID-19 crisis continues to unfold?

“Shopping has been a weird change these days because it used to be a guilty thing you’d do and it would seem frivolous,” he said. “But now, retail therapy is encouraged… There are so many people that need support right now, so I’m spending more money to help local businesses.” Cathaleen Chen, for the Business of Fashion, looks at the changing marketplace for fashion.

Founded by Imran Amed, The Business of Fashion, also known as BoF, provides analysis and business intelligence in the global fashion industry.

The Business of Fashion

Who is still shopping?

Has the idea of empowerment for female leaders become just a marketing technique?

From Outdoor Voices to Thinx, the gap between a female-run company's brand — and the realities of a start-up business — can become a liability. M.C. Nanda, writing in the Business of Fashion, investigates.

Female founders have used their #Girlboss status as a brand builder. Behind the scenes, it's complicated

The playbook for selling products direct-to-consumer is changing - here's how to do it in 2020.

For business going DTC, the field is transforming itself rapidly. Chavie Lieber writing in the Business of Fashion explains how increased competition and mounting costs have changed the game, and what companies need to do keep the pace, or catch up.

The new rules for going direct-to-consumer

How does a brand own a colour?

Tiffany blue and Louboutin red - some colours instantly evoke the brand they represent. But is it worth the investment and should smaller labels try? Writing in the Business of Fashion, Sarah Shannon explores.

From Tiffany Blue to Louboutin Red: The power of owning a colour

What brands need to do if they want to stay relevant.

Global fashion brands are still learning how to leverage powerful apps like WeChat and TikTok, but Asia’s digital ecosystem has already hatched the next generation of social platforms. With hundreds of millions of users ready to be converted into consumers, brands need to invest now. Writing in the Business of Fashion, Zoe Suen reports.

Want to see the future of social media? Look to Asia

Yves Saint Laurent, the moderniser who fought to overcome his demons.

Colin McDowell, writing in the Business of Fashion explores the history of the man who shot to fame at 21 at the helm of Dior, before going it alone, embracing ready to wear fashion and building a lasting legacy.

Yves Saint Laurent (1936-2008)

Why are fashion start-ups failing to secure a happy ending for investors?

Cathaleen Chen writing in the Business of Fashion explains why the VC-funded, direct-to-consumer business model is facing a reckoning. Looking at the early success for many fashion start-ups, she explains why rising costs and elusive profits means they are struggling with long term returns. (Image source: MC Nanda)

The direct-to-consumer reckoning

Why Untuckit is favoured by the likes of Leonardo DiCaprio and Apple Chief Executive Tim Cook.

How did Untuckit an unfashionable menswear company make it big in the fashion start-up scene? Writing in the Business of Fashion Chavie Lieber tells the story of Untuckit, which through mastering simplicity, carved out a loyal (and lucrative) customer base.

How an uncool menswear brand struck it big

A start-up success story that ended with investors reportedly losing about $24 million.

Customisable footwear brand Shoes of Prey was a start-up success story with a reported $115 million in annual sales in 2017. Less than a year later, it was all over. Speaking to Chavie Lieber in the Business of Fashion the brand's founders have some tips to avoid you repeating their mistakes. (Image source: Shoes of Prey)

Lessons from a failed start-up

Meet the developers behind The American Dream megamall.

From a boozy waterpark to on-site bunny adoptions, the developers behind The American Dream megamall are hoping a dizzying array of attractions will bring in customers. Cathaleen Chen in the Business of Fashion, reports.

(Images source: Courtesy)

Can roller coasters and a bunny garden lure shoppers back to the mall?

The excessive shows are counterintuitive to the public promises of sustainability. 

In 2019, the gap between consumers' environmental consciousness and fashion weeks' tendency towards excess seems to be wider than ever. Writing in the Business of Fashion, Sarah Kent explains why the time has come for these shows to get their excessive consumption in order. (Image source: Getty.)

Glitz, glamour & garbage: why fashion week needs to clean up its act

They're winning over Gen Z, here's how.

After teetering on the brink of Millenial irrelevance, Snapchat is back in fashion - and those brands that stuck around, have found that it is a winning platform to reach Gen Z. Chavie Lieber, writing in the Business of Fashion, looks at how it's surpassing Instagram and Facebook.

Snapchat is back in fashion

The annual show was cancelled, is the brand losing its identity?

As creative director, Ed Razek, leaves the company, Lauren Sherman and Chantal Fernandez writing in The Business of Fashion report on the brands sinking image - and sales.

The inner workings of Victoria’s Secret: A chairman and his circle

Here’s how you leave a legacy.

After nearly two decades at the helm of American Vogue, she has become as iconic as the publication itself. Amy Odell writing in the Business of Fashion recounts how the editor in chief has institutionalised her status at Condé Nast to the point of indispensability. (Image source: Patrick Demarchelier)

Why Anna Wintour is (still) one of Condé Nast’s most powerful assets

In 1999, setting up your own business - and succeeding - was no mean feat. 

Sarah Brown writing in the Business of Fashion speaks to Janet Gurwitch, founder of the giant beauty brand, Laura Mercier, as she shares some wisdom on the power of packaging and what she looks for as an investor. (Image source: Courtesy)

Laura Mercier founder says trust yourself and keep working

The Khadi could provide an opportunity to merge sustainability and commerce.

Initially made iconic as Mahatma Gandhi's garment of choice, now, global brands from Levi’s and Gap to Issey Miyake, are tapping into the business potential of khadi. Phyllida Jay provides food for thought.

A humble fabric helped India fight British rule. Now it's big business

As a world champion tennis player, Serena Williams' has depended on her tenacity, determination, and endurance.

In 2019 she's turning her talents to business, launching a self-funded fashion brand. Talking to Imran Amed, in the Business of Fashion, she recounts the successes and setbacks that have brought her to where she is today. (Image source: Allyssa Hueze)

Serena Williams: the champion’s mindset

US consumers returned $369 billion worth of unwanted merchandise in 2018, a figure that’s likely to keep growing along with online shopping. 

Chavie Leiber, writing in the Business of Fashion, reports on how the cost of free returns is proving to be, simultaneously, an Achilles heel for online retailers and an alluring incentive for consumers.

Customers love free returns. Here's how brands are navigating the costs

Building products with empathy is serving a diverse audience.

Tamison O'Connor writing in The Business of Fashion, meets the women who are tapping into market opportunities which have long been neglected by male entrepreneurs and investors. 

(Image source: Illustration by Chelsea Carpenter for BoF)

Business opportunities only women can see

From the James Charles and Tati Westbrook feud, to the infamous 'Dramageddon', making business with influencers is rapidly becoming high-risk high-reward for beauty brands. 

Here, Cheryl Wischhover uncovers the roots of these controversies shaking up the beauty industry, before offering some guidance on how to do it right.