Fashion Market Watch: Gucci To Outlast Recession

The French luxury and retail group PPR that owns Gucci Group, which includes the brands Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent, Balenciaga, Stella McCartney, Bottega Venata, Alexander McQueen, and Serigio Rossi, reported a 5.8% increase in sales for 2008 and 4.4% increase for the fourth quarter alone, mainly contributed by....you guessed it international activity. International sales made up 61% of PPR's activity for 2008, 21% from North America, and the star luxury brand that just about contributed to all of the companies success and staying power was Gucci . The Gucci brand is the largest of PPR's portfolio and continues to rank in the most revenue over the rest of the Gucci Group brands. PPR's revenue between October and December alone rose to $6.71 billion from a year ago, if that's not outlasting an economic crisis I don't know what is.

Gucci, founded in Florence in 1921, has obviously made it's mark in the fashion world, but there will always be critics. Fashion elitist are saying Gucci is only selling because of it's lower prices and it's availability to the masses. Once deemed a luxury power house, after saturating the market Gucci has struggled to reposition itself with the most luxurious high fashion brands. Gucci has changed it's target market and the old target isn't happy at all. It's a catch 22 though, do they keep their brand affordable to continue to have profitability; or do they reinvent themselves by increasing prices and product quality to re-establish their original namesake. It seems like PPR likes revenue in these struggling times, as they plan to open more Gucci stores this year and increase advertisement...Good idea right? Business wise yes!! Brand wise, maybe not.

The only people that are upset about Gucci's low prices and availability to the masses are those who can afford to pay $5,000 for a bag. I'm not complaining at all, but I do agree that the image of the brand continues to decline. In fashion we want to feel like what we have is exclusive and it's almost a sense of disappointment when you see everyone walking down 5Th ave. with the same bag or shoes. It definitely cheapens the image of the brand in my eyes. None the less PPR is enjoying making a profit is this horrible economy. I guess we will just have to wait and see if Gucci will ever re-establish itself among the high fashion houses in the future; but in the mean time they definitely are outlasting the recession and that's what matter most.

Look Below For Gucci Goodies......

New Jackie Shoulder Bag

$2995

Rampling Ankle Strap

$1475

Ladies Web Large Hobo
$795

Joy Medium Boston Bag

$730

Iman Ankle Strap

$1295

*Click here to find info on these products : Gucci

Smooches,
Chloe Elle


Sources: WSJ.com, bussinessweek.com, PPR.com

FASHION VS. STYLE

Let the battle begin... The thought of writing about this very article has been on my mind for almost a year now. I've realized that many people misconstrue Fashion and Style to be the same when they couldn't be more wrong than wearing white shoes in the winter. To understand the difference is understand how to define your "Style" in this fabulous world of "Fashion".

Fashion is all about trend, the here and now, the right now. Although trends are destined to fade, every season new trends are introduced and Fashion reinvents itself fabulously. Most get so engulfed in Fashion trends they forget how to identify their individual style. Hence..... style is timeless, it defines who you are and can't be bought like Fashion. A woman with Style enjoys Fashion but doesn't let it define her wardrobe. I've discovered so many Fashionistas fill their closets with the latest Fashion trends, and when the thrill is gone, they have nothing left but empty pockets and a closet full of clothes that are no longer in Style. A woman with Style intelligently diversifies her wardrobe by not only buying the latest trends but also buying ageless pieces that only get better with time..... So when it's all said and done and the trends have passed, a woman with style will always have something left to wear. She wears the labels but they will never define her Style!!!

It's absolutely no new news that we are in a recession and one of the biggest economic crisis of our lifetime and now even designers realize the importance of Fashion vs. Style. After Fashion Week and losing my mind over all the trends that were ruling the runway, I realized that designers were not going as trendy as usual. They are trying to give Fashionistas more for their buck and offer pieces with feminine quality that can go beyond one season. Although our spending habits have probably changed, it would almost be a crime to think are fashion sense has as well......NOT!!! We may be broke but we definitely still want to be fabulous and that's why it's now more important than ever to understand and identify your personal style and not be defined by just trends.

Fashionista Essentials- What I Believe Every Woman With Style Should Have

The Little Black Dress...A must have that can

be worn several different ways and will

never go out of style
Petal Backless Halter Dress $80.90

A fabulous affordable platform that will take you through

fall, winter (tights), and summer will always do
Majesty by Steve Madden $139.00

Mini Splurge Bag- The bag that goes with

everything and practically never goes out of style
*Hit your nearest vintage store for a older version

may be a fraction of the price* I Heart Vintage

Joy Medium Boston Bag by Gucci $730

Don't be afraid to drop some change

for a nice pair of jeans...They can last for years,

they learn all your curves and become your

very best friend.

Unknown Factory Skinny Jean $198

With jeans, a high waist skirt, shorts,

you name it and you can wear it with a

white beater. It's like a blank canvas and

you definitely need more than one.

Long Line Tee $14

Splurge!!! Every girl needs to splurge on a pair

of shoes whether they be Louboutins, Gucci,

Jimmy Choo or Giuseppe...It's all about mixing

high end with low end. They can make an outfit

from H&M or Zara look like a million bucks!!!

Cutout Wedge Sandal by Dior $925

So these are just a few of my fashionista essentials but I'm sure you can think of more that define your personal Style. The moral of the story is own your personal Style and don't let it be purely defined by Fashion trends. A Fashion fiend knows the perfect combination of Fashion and Style and that my lovlies is.......Priceless!!!

Smooches,

Chloe Elle