The Drop 🐼

curated insights: fashion, tech, beauty, wellness and biz

Oct 05, 2024

🌟luxury universe🌟

LVMH

LVMH continues to be the talk of the town as they divest, invest, create new chapters for their brands, and land a MAJOR partnership.

First up, we bid farewell to OFF-WHITE, the iconic brand of the late Virgil Abloh.

The new owner?

Private equity firm Bluestar Alliance.

How much did they pay?

The amount was not disclosed 🙃.

image: Getty Images

Why the move? LVMH is shifting its focus, trading streetwear to meet the changing tastes of high-end luxury consumers.

Are they sticking to their “circle of competence” with this strategy? 😊

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CELINE also said au revoir to Hedi Slimane, who led the brand to an estimated €2.6 billion in revenue by 2023, making it LVMH’s third-largest fashion house after Louis Vuitton and Dior.

Some say he is just perfect for Chanel…

images credit to whoever belongs to

What’s next for Celine?

We’ll be closely watching how Rider's vision, which succeeded Hedi, impacts the brand’s future (especially financially 😊).

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One of my favorite LVMH moves? Their recent purchase of a 30% stake in FRENCH BLOOM. Why, you ask?

🥂Fun fact: The global non-alcoholic wine market will hit $4.5 bn in 2030, driven by “flexi-drinkers." Those who enjoy both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.

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LVMH signed a historic partnership with FORMULA 1!

Sports are an amazing platform for growth, especially as they weave deeper into the fabric of our culture.

I can’t help but wonder: is LVMH pushing their brand too far? Are they flirting with the risk of brand dilution?

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CHANEL

Yes! Chanel just named Lupita Nyong’o their new global ambassador.

My favorite part? Lupita aims to inspire young girls with her message of inclusivity and self-worth in fashion. ✨

image: Chanel

But let’s be honest: will this move truly expand Chanel’s consumer base?

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it’s about fcking now*

We need more brands like Stella McCartney, one of my inspirations.

In my opinion, buying luxury should come with greater responsibility.

As Natalia Jaramillo, Ultra Luxury Consultant said:

True innovation isn’t just about more fast fashion brands. It’s about smart fabrics at fair prices, education through cultural relevance, and leveraging tech like blockchain to advance the circular economy.

As investors and entrepreneurs, we must back/build non-traditional companies in fashion.

Ping me if you know any startups that deserve visibility in the space.

🪷beauty & wellness🪷

I love beauty.

Because the industry quickly responds to consumer concerns. Emerging brands have built fantastic communities through innovative marketing. Earlier this year, I wrote about this in The Community Effect: Rare Beauty’s Path to Uncommon Success.

I also love how beauty and wellness are coming together. Consumers now want products that care for both body and mind.

To get a clear picture of the $466 bn beauty industry, I’ve been tracking the global VC funds driving innovation and sustainability.

Check out my findings here and a little sneak peek below:

As stated in Vogue Business:

The space has become more vibrant and varied in the past few years — but also harder to navigate.

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WELLNESS WINS

Siete Foods just made a massive $1.2 bn exit. This is a huge milestone for the sibling duo, with Mexican origins, that started Siete back in 2014.

As a gluten-intolerant customer, I can vouch for their deliciousness (and I’m a picky eater!).

What risks lie ahead? Most importantly, will consumers continue to win?

The response below on Kiva Dickinson's thread offers perspective.

🤖tech🤖

avra: launched a 7-week, invite-only educational program designed for post-Series A CEOs to scale their companies effectively.

Exclusive much? 😊

🤑VC🤑

Shoutout to Nnamdi Iregbulem, Partner at Lightspeed Venture Partners, for his bold take on seed valuations.

His thought-provoking thesis: What if seed stage valuations reflect the value of the labor and human capital of founders and early employees?

💌campaigns crushing it💌

One Fashion Week campaign that totally stole my heart was Bernadette.

They nailed it with Café Bernadette, combining playful design and contemporary aesthetics. It became the go-to spot, attracting fashion insiders and influencers alike. They didn’t just showcase their vibe; they created a networking hub.

Talk about merging product with experience and solidifying their place in the luxury scene!

bernadetteantwerp