Photo: Fairchild Archive/Penske Media via Getty Images
These are the stories making headlines in fashion on Monday.
How department stores plan to recapture the beauty market
Department stores, including Macy’s, Nordstrom and Harrods, hope to draw consumers back to the beauty counter. Having lost business to specialty retailers Sephora and Ulta as well as social media and e-commerce platforms, they are aiming to recapture the market starting this holiday season. Many are planning renovations and hope to woo brands by offering larger footprints and the space to teach master classes. {Business of Fashion/paywalled}
Kate Phelan is Harvey Nichols’ first creative director
Kate Phelan has joined the Harvey Nichols team as its first creative director, the retailer announced on Monday. Phelan’s previous experience includes editor and director positions at British Vogue and Marie Claire, as well as six years as Topshop‘s creative director. “Kate’s esteemed career in the fashion industry has been captivating, and her expertise will strengthen the leadership team at Harvey Nichols,” CEO Julia Goddard said in a statement. {Vogue Business/paywalled}
Secretive accessories brand Aupen reveals its founder
The founder of celebrity-beloved accessories brand Aupen has kept his identity under wraps — until now. He has revealed himself as Nicholas Tan, a Singaporean entrepreneur, model, Harvard graduate and champion swimmer. Tan told WWD‘s Lisa Lockwood that he kept his identity private to avoid being “pigeon-holed” within the industry. He also revealed that Aupen’s next project, a collaboration with LVMH Métiers d’Art, will be available as soon as next month, while the release date and price range have yet to be decided. {WWD/paywalled}
The next chapter of Violet Grey
After reacquiring Violet Grey and bringing in new funding in September, Cassandra Grey has big plans for the beauty retailer in 2025. Violet Grey will offer an advanced, personalized online shopping experience and international shipping (which Violet Grey hasn’t offered since it was owned by Farfetch‘s now-defunct beauty division). The brand also has plans to open 20 stores within the next four years. {Glossy/paywalled}
The fall of DTC
A few years ago, DTC brands like Casper, Warby Parker, Outdoor Voices and more enjoyed major hype and billion-dollar valuations — that their business models ultimately couldn’t sustain. Now, brands are embracing a hybrid business model, taking advantage of the brand discovery offered by wholesale partnerships as well as the simplicity and lower barriers to entry associated with DTC channels. {Retail Dive}
Source: Fashionista.com