A+P Daily: January 2011

Thursday, January 20, 2011

Prada loves Asia, or does Asia love Prada?

Gisele For Vogue China Feb' 2011, photo courtesy of Vogue China

A rumor that Prada wants to go public has been lingering for a few years now, and the method in which Prada intends to do so, is the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. It appears as if Prada has found its niche in the Asia market. Things started with the Prada Transformer in Seoul a few years back - an installation art structure set in the middle of the emerging metropolis. In addition to its continual expansion in Asia, Prada announced this week that it will open two design offices: one in Paris and the other being in Hong Kong. These labs will be functioning by the end of the year, and will also be the first design and research labs outside its Italian headquarters.

Prada will also be following in the footsteps of Fendi, Chanel, Dior, and most recently Philip Lim by staging a show in Beijing this Saturday, January 22, 2011. The collection shown will be the same Spring 2011 collection first premiered in Milan previously in September, but will include some new pieces specifically designed for this occasion.

Prada's interest in Asia should not come as a surprise especially since China accounts for most of the growth that the luxury sector has experienced in the last few years.

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

NOT SO FAST! Uniqlo Profit Slips, new +J Collection

photo courtesy of Uniqlo

Japanese company Fast Retailing, operator of Uniqlo (whom by the way, the A+P team loves and stocks up whenever in Asia or New York), reported a 9.6% fall in Q1 earnings compared with the same period last year. This was due to fierce competition from stores like Zara and H&M, as well as the prices of cotton and synthetic fibres soaring to all time highs in December. To combat the increasing competition and commodity prices, the company plans to restructure, reduce costs and focus on simplicity in their designs and the core market of Japan (currently accounting for 80% of sales). We at A+P Daily, are amateur retail consultants, and applaud Uniqlo’s decision to return to basics! We want to purchase quality basics at affordable prices and prefer not to buy outrageously expensive tops that have cheap fabric and intentional rips and holes (ahem, half cotton knit cobweb sweaters by Rodarte, we're looking at you).

In other news, +J (Jil Sander for Uniqlo) has a new collection hitting stores on Wednesday, January 26, 2011. Standout pieces include a Men's Cotton Military Khaki Parka (which can easily be unisex) and cashmere knit sweaters. Prices start as low as $19.90 and can reach up to as high as $229.90 for both Men and Women. If a bargain is more kind of your "thing", word on the street (as per Racked NY) is saying that the older collection from Jil Sander is currentlly on sale at the Soho Uniqlo Store in New York.

Monday, January 17, 2011

AP Education: Androgyny is SO IN!

Love Magazine’s new cover features one of the most provocative images in recent times, featuring transgender model Lea T. and a masculine looking Kate Moss in a controversial lip lock.Love Magazine's Editor in Chief, Katie Grand has apparently become new best friends with Lea T. after the two met each other at a pool party all because Lea T. was wearing Givenchy Couture. That is how you do it people! *Couture NEEDS to get wet at a fabulous pool party.