Tech

Brands that have not traditionally offered bridalwear are flocking to the category, banking on driving revenue through seamless production crossover and weddings’ ability to drive social media visibility and customer loyalty.

Hermès, Chanel and Louis Vuitton are among the luxury megabrands that have largely remained quiet amid a flood of viral TikToks falsely suggesting their bags are made in China.

IKEA is set to open the doors to its long-awaited Oxford Street flagship tomorrow, marking not just a milestone for the Swedish homeware giant but also a powerful symbol of Oxford Street’s retail resurgence. Located at 214 Oxford Street, within the restored Grade-II listed former Topshop flagship, the new store spans three floors and introduces a new city-centre format. IKEA Oxford Street will offer 3,500 products to take home on the day and access to its 10,000-product range for home delivery. It will also offer new sustainable services such as a dedicated Re-Shop and Re-Use section and its beloved Swedish Deli. IKEA’s new space blends lifestyle categories from homeware to fashion and food.  The brand’s pre-launch ‘Hus of Frakta’  pop-up last year, a tribute to its signature blue bag, served as a teaser of its creative potential in the fashion hub otherwise known as Oxford Circus. Tolga Öncü, IKEA’s parent company Ingka’s Retail Manager, said: “Adding Oxford Street to the IKEA map is a special moment for us. This store, on one of the busiest and most well-known streets in the world, exemplifies our ambition to innovate our retail presence and bring IKEA to where our customers live, work and socialise.” The significance of this opening extends beyond the retailer’s evolving footprint. It represents a homecoming for central London retail, which has been undergoing a much-needed transformation after years of pandemic-related decline. The opening also aligns with plans from city leaders to reinvigorate the West End. “It’s fantastic news that IKEA is opening a new flagship store on Oxford Street,” said Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan. “It’s a huge vote of confidence in London, our economy, and our plans to rejuvenate Oxford Street and unlock its true potential.” Dee Corsi, CEO of New West End Company, added: “The much-anticipated arrival of IKEA is an important milestone in [Oxford Street’s] evolution… It reinforces the street’s global reputation as an iconic retail destination.”

The independent magazine, which styles itself as a curated dinner party bringing tastemakers across culture together in its pages — and sometimes IRL, with events for clients including Ralph Lauren, Cartier and Savannah College of Art and Design — is looking to expand the talent and brands it works with through its new venture ‘Takeaway.’

Rushemy Botter and Lisi Herrebrugh, the creative duo behind the Carribean-inspired luxury line Botter, will unveil their debut collection for the Dutch raw denim brand in January.

Indie brands selling pricey, but not too pricey accessories are thriving as more consumers become disillusioned with big luxury.

The German startup aims to build a demonstration plant capable of recycling clothes made of polyester and cotton blends.