Luxury fashion label Prada is pursuing annual growth of 23.5 per cent over the next five years, according to statements given to its banks.
The company forecasts sales of more than £1 billion by 2010, through a focus on its lucrative Prada and Miu Miu labels, more effective use of showcase stores, and upping the efficiency of its supply chain.
The company, which will also focus on strong brands Azzedine Alaia and Car Shoe, is targeting a sales increase of 3.2 per cent annually.
Prada has already sectioned off unprofitable units Jil Sander, Helmut Lang and Church’s - the British footwear business in which it has a minority holding - with the creation of a new company, Prada SpA, which excludes underperforming businesses.
The company said its shareholders were looking at a range of offers for the Jil Sander and Helmut Lang brands, but that it was not pressured to sell either one.
While Jil Sander is due to be relaunched with new creative leadership, Helmut Lang’s cost base has been frozen will the company considers future options for the unit.
Prada has forecast a 6.9 per cent rise in this year’s sales to €1.29bn, and profits of €51.7 million compared with last year’s €61.96m loss.
The positive predictions come after Prada SpA netted a 23.3 per cent earnings hike for the six months ended in July, plus a sales rise of 5.6 per cent.
Source: just-style.com
Real or fake? This question is asked of a lot of things: paintings, jewelry, bosoms and yes, handbags. Whether your Louis Vuitton is real or fake is your business, isn’t it?
Well, yes and no. Obviously, if your LV is real, you will probably eagerly correct anyone that hints that it is not. After all, you paid good money for the bag, and might even be appalled that someone would assume it is a replica.
On the other hand, if your bag were a replica, would you really tell people that it is a fake? Would you tell them by purchasing a replica, instead of the real thing, that you knowingly took money away from the designers that created the real bag? Would you mention that the money you spent for the bag possibly went to terrorist organizations. Or that the manufactures of your fake bag could have used their handbag business to transport thousands of dollars worth of cocaine into the country? I doubt you would mention any of these things to an inquisitive acquaintance.
I know it sounds harsh, but knowingly buying a replica bag is wrong. (Note: buying replica handbags is not illegal but selling them is.)
Designers like Gucci, Kate Spade, Chanel and Hermes charge so much for their product because they are highly sought after and they are made from quality materials. Many bags by these designers are made by hand. Also, these designers spend millions on advertising, customer care, quality assurance and customs. By buying a replica, you are taking directly from these designers.
Buying replicas also takes from the US economy. Companies that sell replica handbags often do so as cash based, tax free business. If you have bought a replica handbag before, think back, did you pay tax for on the purchase. Probably not.
We all know that authentic designer handbags are pricey, but that doesn’t mean you should buy a knock-off. Just because something is out of your price range is no reason to rip off the company that manufactures the product.
Real or replica…which is right for you? I don’t really see you have a choice. Always buy real.
They are flashy, hot and very in for the season. Metallic, sequence and don’t forget the faux fur handbags. Just take a look at a crowd and you will see quite a collection of each of these three. They are not hard to spot and definitely make heads turn. Which head turning style do you like to carry this season?
Let’s start with the flashiest of them all, sequence. They are everywhere and everyone is carrying them. They do seem to be a bigger hit with the younger scene. They come in an array of colors as well as sequence styles. Carry them with any outfit and they’ll dress it up no matter what the look. Do be careful, the looks you get may only be on your handbag and not on you. If you want your great outfit to stand out, I don’t recommend carrying one of these handbags.
Metallic is all the rage also. Just wait for the holiday parties and you will see an explosion of these. They come in many different colors but bronze definitely tops the list. There will be the gold rush in December for all those fancy outfits. Gold is being paired with black and also brown. That black little dress is going to look fabulous with the metallic evening bag and the big beaded necklaces.
Now don’t forget the faux fur bags. Some stand out very much but not as much as the sequence and metallics. There are plenty of faux fur trimmed jackets, tops and boots out there. The faux fur handbag will set off the ensemble. Some are a bit on the wild side and others are just really neat looking. As long as they don’t make a roar, these are the tamest out there of all three.
Sequence, metallic and faux fur, get them while they are hot!
