High-end men’s and women’s fashion brands took the center stage this week due to Fashion Week, high-profile events and some acquisitions.
Men’s fashion week continued in London, Milan and Paris with brands such as Raf Simons, Balmain, 3.1 Philip Lim, Mugler, Valentino, Giorgio Armani, Z Zegna and Christian Lacroix. Marketers offered live-streaming shows and Facebook invitations for consumers to be the first to see looks off the runways.
However, men’s fashion wasn’t the only segment in the spotlight this week. The 70th Annual Golden Globes awards was broadcast on Sunday night and, with it, the latest fashions from top men’s and women’s fashion labels.
Social media buzzed about Golden Globe and Oscar nominees, as well as what they were wearing (see our gallery here). Brands that tapped major award-winning or award nominee actors and actresses received the most chatter on mobile and online channels. Some of the most-talked-about brands included Anne Hathaway in couture Chanel, Julianne Moore in custom-made Tom Ford, new Christian Dior spokesperson Jennifer Lawrence in the label’s couture, Lena Dunham in Zac Posen and Clare Danes in Versace.
Jewelry also made a name for itself with this year, with Swatch Group buying up high-end Harry Winston for $750 million, also acquiring the latter brand’s $250 million debt. This acquisition by Swatch – which already owns luxury jewelers such as Breguet, Omega, Tiffany & Co. and Longines – will not dilute the Harry Winston brand, experts seem to agree. Rather, the conglomerate’s expertise in all types of jewelry and watchmaking lines will strengthen the Swatch collection, as well as provide spending cash for Harry Winston.
Finally, the North American International Auto Show in Detroit wrapped up this week, hyping car enthusiasts over concept and real vehicles. Marketers making a splash on this scene are Porsche with its Cayenne Turbo S; Mercedes-Benz’s 2014 E-Class models; Audi’s first SUV, the SQ5; the Lexus IS; and the Continental GT Speed convertible from Bentley.