Cartier Bracelet Breaks Records At Sotheby's Auction... 02/12/11

A diamond and onyx panther bracelet by Cartier sold for £4.5 million ($7 million) last week, a Sotheby’s and auction record for Cartier (and bracelets, for that matter!). The Sotheby’s auction sold over 20 pieces owned by the late Duke and Duchess of Windsor, raising a total of £8 million. Cartier is certainly one of the world’s most highly regarded jewellers, and this reminder of their rich heritage is nicely timed with their recent expansion. The MO Down reported earlier this week that Cartier are busily opening stores, making a concerted effort to enter the highly lucrative Chinese market in style.

David Bennet, chairman of Sotheby’s jewellery in Europe and the Middle East attributed the sale’s record-breaking success to the strength of the broader gem market. We suspected as much. International demand for precious gems is up, and rising still with an increasingly insatiable Asian appetite.

Also sold at a record price was a ruby, sapphire, emerald and diamond flamingo clip for £1.7 million pounds. The entire collection sold for £31 million, more than seven times the expected amount. The most valuable single-owner jewellery sale ever, we can’t help but envy you slightly Mrs. Windsor…

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Armani Latest Luxury Brand to Embrace Online Shopping... 01/12/10

Online is revolutionising retail, and it’s not just for mass-market brands. The MO Down has had much to say on this topic, last week we spoke at length about the relative reluctance of luxury brands to embrace this new domain, and the potential ramifications for sales. Slowly but surely, brands are hopping on the online bandwagon. This week’s medal goes to Armani.

Armani has developed a two-birds-with-one-stone strategy, launching a new online store targeted specifically for China. It’s one of the first luxury initiatives of its kind in China, and we are impressed. Chinese online shopping increased 117 per cent last year, and we don’t need to reiterate the increasing significance of the Chinese market to the luxury industry. Armani is the first fashion house to offer a ‘flagship shopping experience’ online, and to do so in China… This will almost certainly be a success. From a strategic and marketing perspective, it is a very interesting time to be in luxury. We are noticing all kinds of attempts at engaging consumers, and it is exciting to realise that the future of brand loyalty may well be won and lost online.

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Hermes Moves to Counteract LVMH Takeover 30/11/10

Following up on the Hermes/LVMH debacle, the most recent news from Bloomberg is that Hermes has called a ‘round table’ with the Dumas family to develop a strategy to tackle the large, and not so quiet, monogrammed elephant in the room. For those of you just tuning in, the MO Down has been following LVMH’s sudden acquisition of Hermes shares, amounting to 17 per cent. The surprise revelation a few weeks ago has sparked rumours of a hostile takeover, and led to speculation that a third party may be needed to keep Hermes in the family.

It seems the most recent options include a shareholder pact or the creation of a non-listed holding, company grouping together to protect the descendants’ shares. Recently, the MO Down suggested that luxury conglomerate Richemont might come to the party. Reuters suggests that other institutional friends such as BNP Paribas Bank, and Bank of America Merrill Lynch might help out… At times like this, Hermes needs its friends, so it will be interesting to see if someone, and if so, who, can save the day…

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Cartier Opens Hong Kong Flagship as Fine Jewellery Looks to Asia... 29/11/10

Cartier plans to double the number of its boutiques in the next two to three years, particularly in China, where the luxury industry is experiencing enormous growth at the moment. The MO Down reported last week that Tiffany & Co. is opening stores faster than ever, and it seems that Cartier is following suit. The opening of its Hong Kong flagship last week demonstrates the brand’s strategic response to the expected growth of the watch and fine jewellery industry in Asia over the next five years. China’s increased appetite for jewels and luxury goods presents an exciting and unrivalled opportunity to capitalise on continuing rapid economic growth and bringing brands to a newly affluent urban population. Making up 31 per cent of the global market, we are fascinated by the different strategies brands are employing to make themselves known in this new market. Many luxury brands are new to Chinese consumers, and brand loyalty is basically non-existent. We predict some elaborate efforts to win hearts and minds, and can’t wait to sit back and watch the show.

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Prada Thriving as Sales Soar... 29/11/10

Prada joins the ranks of the thriving Burberry and Tiffany & Co. this week. Sales have tripled in the past nine months following increased sales, and (unsurprisingly), huge growth in Asia. Prada has been expected to make an IPO for a while now. Every time the brand reports strong figures, speculation suggests an IPO is just around the corner. In September, we predicted a Hong Kong offering, but still no official decision just yet...

Prada spokespeople say they are considering a listing in 2011. Now seems as good a time as ever, and it is great to see this beloved name forging strongly ahead. Retail expansion seems to be a common strategy shared by brands that are doing well at the moment. Despite alleged discrimination against workers in Japan, Prada is growing, and stores are opening left right and centre. Australia will gain three new stores in next year’s first quarter (Prada and the first Miu Miu in Sydney Westfield City and a Prada first in Perth). Given Miuccia Prada’s tradition of clever and innovative collections, the brand is on a remarkable trajectory.

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Tiffany & Co.’s Profits Soar Coming Into the Holiday Season 26/11/10

Tiffany’s holiday season is set to be jolly, following Dow Jones reports of a 27 per cent increase in third quarter profit on Wednesday. Consumer confidence is back on the rise, international expansions, timed nicely with the end of the GFC and the return of prosperity, make music to Tiffany’s earrings.

The MO Down has commented on Tiffany’s recent growth, as well as an increase in the global demand for diamonds. Yes, you guessed it, expansion into China has been a major contributing factor to their recent boom. Tiffany has swiftly responded to Chinese demand for jewels and luxury goods, investing confidently in between 25 and 30 stores, set to open in the next three years (14 this financial year!). Looking at third quarter figures, this may even be a conservative investment. Tiffany & Co. is experiencing enormous popularity in China at the moment, and there seems to be a bit of a chicken or egg scenario. Which came first, their presence, or their popularity?

It's great to see Tiffany's figures shining as bright as its jewels. Further proof that luxury spending is recovering from economic downturn, and we look forward to watching other brands follow suit.

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DVF, Moschino and Escada Among New Luxury Boutiques Opened in China! 25/11/10

It seems to be new store galore in China at the moment, with new Chinese openings including DVF, Moschino, Escada and Porsche design. Diane Von Furstenberg’s opening of her first Beijing boutique (which contains two diamond-shaped rooms, we told you the Chinese are all about diamonds!), coincides with the opening of the first DVF Sydney boutique. The MO Down was in attendance at last night’s opening at the new Westfield Sydney, and what a spectacular occasion it was.

Across town in China, Shanghai saw the opening of a concept store for the German luxury brand Escada. Incorporating crystal chandeliers, vases and sculpture, the store appeals to the rising popularity of luxury brands in China. Moschino have taken a different, more flamboyant approach, and incorporated four themed mini art exhibitions into its Beijing opening.

The fastest growing luxury market in the world, China is set to see the best luxury brands have to offer in the upcoming months. As brands battle with one another to assert themselves in a highly competitive market, with malleable and embryonic brand loyalty, we predict some fine Chinese displays from the world’s finest.

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