By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief US shoemaker Nike has done it again, claiming the title of the world’s most valuable apparel brand for the seventh year in a row, but the bad news is that virtually all apparel brands faced a major decline in sales and revenue. That’s according to the annual Brand Finance Apparel 50 report for 2021, which looks at the industry over the past year. And what a year it was. According to Brand Finance’s data, the total value of the top 50 most valuable brands crashed by an almost unheard of eight per cent in a single year, thanks to the fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic, decreasing from US$ 301.9 billion in 2020 to US$276.4 billion by Jan. 1, 2021. Also, while Nike still took the crown for… . . . read more
New Brands From ‘Jeweler To The Stars’ Martin Katz
Even if you don’t know the name Martin Katz, it’s almost certain you’ve seen his work, as the designer has for more than 25 years bejeweled A-List celebrities on the Hollywood red carpet, including Sharon Stone, Angelina Jolie, Sandra Bullock, Kim Kardashian, Kylie Jenner, Gigi Hadid and Nicole Kidman. The famous jeweler and philanthropist Martin Katz has redefined luxury lifestyle in Beverly Hills for more than three decades, garnering millions of impressions daily and adorning thousands of celebrities and notable figures worldwide with his limited-edition, couture jewelry. Now, Katz has announced a major expansion of his business with a new lifestyle brand, appointing Prominent Brand + Talent as his exclusive global brand representative. Since 1988, Katz has created international experiences that extend from the world’s finest locales to its most famous fingertips… . . . read more
Breitling Creates New Collector Watch With RAF
The acclaimed Swiss luxury watchmaker Breitling, best known as the world’s leading supplier of aviation watches, has just released a watch inspired by the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team, better known as the Red Arrows. Breitling is also a sponsor of the Red Arrows team. The timepiece released this week in partnership with the Royal Air Force exclusively features the distinctive emblems of its celebrated aerobatic team and is produced in a limited series of 160 pieces, in tribute to each Red Arrows display pilot to have flown and served in the team since its inaugural 1965 season. Breitling has a long and storied association with aviation, combined with its world-first innovations in the functionality of the wrist chronograph, which have led to its reputation as the preferred supplier to… . . . read more
Patricia Nash Designs Appoints Evolution As Licensing Agency
Patricia Nash Designs, a designer brand of leather handbags, jewelry, and accessories, has appointed Evolution USA as the licensing and brand management agency for relevant category extensions. Evolution is being tasked with developing and managing a full-scale licensing program including identifying retail and licensee partnerships with initial focus on the North American market. The Patricia Nash brand, inspired by travel, memories, vintage craftsmanship and a sense of family will focus on natural category extensions that preserve the integrity and quality of the brand. Newly licensed categories will include a broad assortment of indoor and outdoor home furnishings and housewares, tabletop and drinkware, women’s dresses and resort wear, women’s swimsuits and cover-ups, sleepwear and slippers, and an extended line of accessories including watches, sunglasses, gifts and candles, stationery and paper goods… . . . read more
Retail Sales of Licensed Wearables Up in Every Territory in 2015
Wearables is a bellwether of the overall licensing business—not just due of its size, but also because it provides an outlet for so many of the industry’s most important property types…