MIXEDMATERIAL

The Topman on Broadway

 

Finally, the New York Topman (and New York Topshop) open on Broadway this Thursday. I'll write about the store and the clothes in due course but wanted to share the (unfortunately iphone quality) pictures I took today of their first window and with Sir Philip Green, the Topman maestro, who was super relaxed and looking forward to the store opening. Aren't we all?

French Connection: Dead Brand Walking

French Connection has announced a £17.4m loss, inevitably blaming the slumping demand for retail. There's no doubt that the appetite for high street clothing is not quite what it was but there's also no doubt that even in a booming market, French Connection would likely still be losing money and customers.

Crystal Clear Postscript

As a brief postscript to the comments yesterday about the state of Waterford/Wedgwood, take a look at these great products from Georg Jensen, designed by Henning Koppel and Verner Panton. Georg Jensen is over 100 years old and has continually embraced innovation, craftsmanship and design, which is why it continues to reach contemporary consumers. Here's hoping any potential buyer for Waterford or Wedgwood will take note.

Crystal Clear

In the week that Waterford/Wedgwood has called in the receivers, it’s interesting to note that there are still luxury crystal and dinnerware companies that are going from strength to strength, as they remember what Josiah Wedgwood knew but his companies forgot: you have to innovate to survive.

There has been lots of talk about how changing habits, or the global downturn, or globalisation are to blame for the demise of these once-esteemed UK companies, as if the world in 2009 has no room for European craftsmanship but above you can see products from Baccarat, Rosenthal (an independent company in the Waterford/Wedgwood Holding) and Ruckl that offer everything dear old Wedgwood/Waterford did not, namely desirable modern luxury.