Editors' Top Reads: News from Marks & Spencer, Harvey Nichols and more...
Here are some of this week’s news and features highlights handpicked by TheIndustry.fashion team.
Harvey Nichols shuts website after Frasers takeover
It's been a very busy period for Frasers Group. Following the group's acquisition of Harvey Nichols last week, the department store's website this week went offline. A notice read that it would remain so for an undefined period of time while the new owners "complete a period of transition".
"We are pleased to confirm that Harvey Nichols has entered an exciting new chapter with new ownership, supporting its future, under Frasers Group", it added.
The shutdown of the online store, with no date given for its return, was the first visible customer-facing disruption since the ownership change took place last week. Despite also not accepting pre-acquisition returns or processing refunds, customers were reassured that staff members would be able to support them in-store and that retail locations would remain open and operational.
The one exception is Harvey Nichols' Dublin store, which filed for liquidation last week. While Frasers acquired stock and fixtures, the Irish company entered liquidation last week after the High Court heard it had net liabilities of €28.2 million.
Meanwhile, Frasers Group also further increased its stake in Hugo Boss to 47.89%, up from its previous stake of 37.57% on 30 July. The increase follows further shareholder acceptance of its takeover offer, bringing the retail group close to majority ownership of the German luxury fashion brand.
Both of these recent business transaction further solidify Frasers Group ambitions to position itself in the luxury market, placing Harvey Nichols alongside Flannels within the group’s luxury division.
I, for one, am very curious to see how Frasers Group intends to turnaround the Harvey Nichols brand.
Camilla Rydzek, Senior News Writer.
The Interview: How founder Jennifer Brown built Pampeano into a hand-crafted accessories brand with a fiercely loyal following
A good career switch and “founder follows fashion passion” story always gets me, especially if it’s related to a foreign trip and finding skilled artisans that provide the lightbulb moment. That’s pretty much what happened with Pampeano founder Jennifer Brown.
Before launching the brand in 2008, Brown studied physics at Edinburgh and then went into investment banking. She then went on to complete a Master’s in European Real Estate, applying Modern Portfolio Theory to commercial property investment. That led her to work for Grosvenor, where she built investment models for property funds and qualified as a surveyor.
However, still a bit unsure of what she wanted to do career-wise, she took a sabbatical to Argentina in her late twenties. It was there that she became captivated by the country's incredible leather-working heritage. Everywhere she looked, she saw an extraordinary level of craftsmanship, aligned with natural materials that weren’t readily available at home. It was friends visiting her in Argentina (also to play polo) that encouraged her to follow her new dream.
That was 18 years ago, and her story is one of mistakes, naturally, followed by shrewd business decisions, building a great product selection and, most importantly, a hugely loyal following.
Pampeano’s distinctive bags, belts and leather accessories now sell globally, with particular momentum in the US following a launch with Nordstrom in May and the opening of a fulfilment facility in Miami. This is Brown’s story so far, though there’ll be plenty more to come.
Tom Bottomley, Contributing Editor.
Marks & Spencer taps Aries to revive historic St Michael label
Marks & Spencer has partnered with London luxury streetwear label Aries on a 26-piece collection that puts a contemporary spin on its historic St Michael label, following a resurgence of interest in the brand across social media and resale platforms.
Launching yesterday, 20 August, the limited-edition M&S x Aries capsule spans womenswear, menswear and accessories, with prices ranging from £10 for socks and £30 for a Spencer Bear T-shirt to £120 for a silk dress.
Aries has reinterpreted the St Michael label’s heritage design codes through its distinctive visual language, creating a collection that M&S describes as “rich in heritage yet unmistakably contemporary”.
The collaboration comes as vintage St Michael pieces have gained renewed popularity among younger shoppers, particularly across social media and resale platforms.
First introduced to M&S clothing in 1928 by Michael Marks’ son, the St Michael label became one of the retailer’s most recognisable own-brand names, appearing across clothing, accessories and homewares. It was eventually discontinued in 2000.
The label made a brief comeback in 2021 on two menswear pieces - a rugby shirt and sweatshirt - but the Aries collaboration marks its most significant return to date.
The M&S x Aries collection is available via the M&S website and selected stores, offering a fresh take on a label that has found a new generation of fans nearly a century after it first appeared.
Sophie Smith, News Editor & Senior Writer.
