Fashion has always claimed to be about creativity, freedom, and self-expression. But for a long time, those ideals were only available to a very specific group of people; mainly thin, white, able-bodied individuals who fit into narrow, traditional standards of beauty. Recently, though, the industry has been making a lot of noise about becoming more inclusive. We’ve seen more diverse models on runways, more representation in ad campaigns, and more designers talking about body positivity, racial diversity, and even gender fluidity. And while that seems like progress on the surface, I can’t help but question how deep it actually goes. Is this a genuine shift toward meaningful change, or is…

Key insights to reestablish solid and forward-looking luxury brands Introduction Several components of the luxury industry are changing, opening a new road that executives must identify and undertake to stay competitive. In 2024, the sector’s expansion has interrupted for the first time in five years (excluding 2020). Various macroeconomic events, from the crisis in China to Trump’s tariffs, led to a negative shock in demand. Meanwhile, customers’ changing interests and engagement with products are adding complexity to the industry. However, as highlighted by McKinsey, luxury woes are partially self-inflicted and are closely related to the strategic approach adopted during the growth period. The brands’ overexposure damaged the intrinsic exclusivity of…

In 2012, the world witnessed Hedi Slimane’s daring entrance into Yves Saint Laurent as he dropped the “Yves”, rebranding it as simply “Saint Laurent”. The new creative director didn’t only change the name, he completely redefined the energy of the brand, making this moment the most significant turning point in its history. Slimane’s fearless entrance perfectly matched his rebellious designs and the rockstar energy brought to the runways. Since it was a drastic change from Yves Saint Laurent’s original vision, the shift was subject of lots of debates.  In an industry that requires constant innovation, could Saint Laurent adapt without compromising its entire identity? Is this considered a visionary shift…

This past Milan Fall/Winter Fashion Week, Bocconi Students for Fashion and Luxury were cordially invited to attend upcoming designer Giorgia Andreazza’s presentation for her brand BERGIE by GIORGIANDREAZZA. Around 15 of us participated in setting up the stage, dressing the models, and assisting in the rehearsal process. The result was a fascinating look behind-the-scenes for one of Italy’s most exciting new luxury brands. Unfamiliar with BERGIE? BERGIE was born in the midst of Andreazza graduating from an honors degree in fashion at NABA in 2018. Andreazza started her eponymous label to stay richly connected to her heritage and culture whilst crafting futuristic clothing, pushing the limits of sustainable fashion. Hailing…

Miuccia Prada is a master of contradictions. Over the past few decades, she has built an empire on subverting fashion’s expectations, effortlessly balancing elegance with irony, intellect with irreverence. But perhaps her greatest trick lies in the way she navigates two seemingly opposing identities: the Prada Woman and the Miu Miu Girl. Both exist under her creative vision and yet, they inhabit entirely different worlds. One is poised and sophisticated; the other is playful and at times, deliberately messy. So, what truly sets them apart? Is it just branding, or is there a deeper ideological divide between Prada and Miu Miu? The Prada Woman is an enigma. Her style is…

The luxury and fashion industries have long danced on a tightrope stretched across borders, powered by globalization, cross-cultural consumption, and intricate supply chains. But that balance has shattered. President Trump’s so-called ‘Liberation Day’ tariffs — an escalation in economic protectionism — have jolted the fashion world into a new, uncertain era. At the center of the storm is a 104% tariff spike on Chinese imports, reciprocal measures from the EU and China, and widespread confusion. While this administration postures around negotiation, no nation has yet bartered its way to zero. For now, fashion — already bruised from recent economic slowdowns — is forced to brace for impact. Let’s be clear:…

Demna Gvasalia or his “pen name” known simply as Demna is one of the most polarizing yet visionary designers in modern fashion. From the war-torn streets of Georgia to the high-gloss fashion runways of Paris, his path is as unconventional as the clothes he creates. With his recent appointment as Gucci’s new creative director, the industry is abuzz: is Demna the shake-up Gucci needs? Born in Sokhumi, Georgia in 1981, Demna’s early life was marked by instability due to the Abkhaz–Georgian conflict, which forced his family to migrate to various European countries before eventually settling in Düsseldorf, Germany. His academic path initially pointed toward economics, but it was the world…

Not too long ago, “gatekeeping” was a dirty word online. It was synonymous with exclusion and snobbery – a behavior to be called out and canceled. If you had information (a makeup dupe, a store find, or a playlist) and you didn’t share it, you risked being called out. Social media thrived on radical transparency: tag the brand, drop the link, share everything. But somewhere along the way, the narrative shifted. Today, gatekeeping in some circles is not only acceptable, but aspirational, and the new it-girl mantra on social media is Gaslight, Gatekeep, Girlboss. Take the viral TikTok of a girl being asked about her signature scent. Her reply? “Oh,…

Gone are the days when a luxury logo alone could justify an eye-watering price tag. Today, consumers aren’t just buying products, they’re buying into stories, sometimes more carefully crafted than the products themselves. From a brand strategy perspective, this makes sense: Bain & Co. in 2023 revealed that Gen Z and Millennials make up over 50% of global luxury spending. Crucially, their buying habits show a shift away from symbolic consumption, towards more value-driven consumer behaviour. Thus, storytelling of brand heritage functions as not only an indispensable marketing strategy, but one of value creation. This article looks into just how ‘real’ these stories are. Using Dior as a case study,…

What does it mean to be a feminine brand? Is there a strict opposition between femininity and feminism? Should fashion be a vehicle for political and social ideas? Such questions are perpetually being revisited by the designers of the foremost high fashion houses. Since 2016, Dior’s ninth, or should we say first woman, creative director, Maria Grazia Chiuri (MGC) audaciously blends fashion and feminism. Both back and front stage, the Italian designer sticks to her relentless commitment to empower women. At the heart of her leadership is the strong, collective assertion of what it means to be a woman today, thereby re- and auto-defining femininity. The historical Maison flourished when…