Latest news with #MarieAntoinette
Elle
3 hours ago
- Business
- Elle
Are Influencer Brands at Risk Without Influencers?
Style Points is a column about how fashion intersects with the wider world. In 1912, the first influencer cancellation took place. (Well, unless you count Marie Antoinette's.) Lady Duff-Gordon, a socialite and designer of the line Lucile, survived the sinking of the Titanic—but was rumored to have bribed the lifeboat's crew not to save as many people so she could make it to safety. When she reached dry land, a trial ensued, with many of her Lucile-wearing stans in the audience. By those standards, today's influencer scandals—like this winter's tempest around Swedish influencer and Djerf Avenue designer Matila Djerf's alleged mistreatment of employees—pale in comparison. But that story is proof that influencers have always been around in some form, and that their role as social lightning rods is nothing new. And with so many influencers now not just promoting, but designing, brands, it's a markedly strange time for the industry. While in the past, a celebrity or model's behavior could sink an endorsement deal, what happens when the spokesperson themselves also owns the means of production, so to speak? 'Any time you put a name on a label, whether it is an influencer brand or a designer's name, you risk that individual running into reputational issues and harming the brand in some way,' says Susan Scafidi, the academic director of Fordham's Fashion Law Institute. While influencers are using their vast followings to leverage their own brands, that following is 'built on shifting sand. There is always a danger that something will happen and the whole sandcastle will crumble.' To avoid that 'key person risk,' as it's known in the business, there are a few ways to future-proof an influencer-led brand. Some investors will ask for a 'morals clause.' Says Scafidi, 'It sounds very 19th-century, but it is about reputation.' She always recommends to emerging designers that they create some sort of separation between the personal and the professional. For example, not making the name on the label their own, and maintaining separate social media accounts. At the same time, 'we want someone to follow who isn't just a generic company without a face. So we're basically dealing with a double-edged sword,' she says. 'On the one hand, a great influencer with a personal touch and appeal to followers is brilliant marketing. On the other hand, humans are fallible.' Which explains why several brands founded by influential people, like Toteme (co-founded by Elin Kling) and Anine Bing, don't lead with the image of their founder front and center. (An approach famously pioneered by Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen at The Row.) Lia Haberman, author of the In Case You Missed It newsletter and creator economy expert, points to Emma Chamberlain and her coffee company as a sort of Gallant to some fellow influencers' Goofus: 'She's trying to establish a good product versus [it] simply being an extension of who she is and who her fandom is. She has encouraged fans to approach and consume Chamberlain Coffee, but at the same time, she has not pinned all its success on herself. She doesn't post constantly whenever there's a new product launch; it's a pared-down presence. And I think that's smart.' Muddying the waters is the fact that the definition of 'influencer' has morphed so much in recent years. Designers like Olympia Gayot and Joseph Altuzarra now command huge social media audiences, as do some editors and stylists who were previously relegated to more behind-the-scenes roles. While they're increasingly expected to 'influence' as well as design, edit, or style, with all those new eyes on them, they may face the same pitfalls as more traditional influencers. Then there's the matter of the economy. (You knew we were going to get there at some point, right?) In times of financial turbulence, says Scafidi, 'people start to blame fashion. And because fashion is close to the body and therefore closely affiliated with the person [wearing it], fashion gets blamed more than, say, real estate. We save our rancor for fashion, not for someone who has a big house, because we don't see the house, but we see the person on Instagram living an amazing life, apparently having a limitless supply of outfits. And because of that, resentment bubbles up.' (On the other hand, cancellations rarely stick these days. As Haberman says, 'If you hang in there long enough, everyone can make a comeback.') Haberman predicts that micro- and nanoinfluencers, who have the most average-Jane appeal, will rule the next few years, while mega-influencers will ride out any small scandals and be fine. But, she says, 'I do think the middle class of influencer is going to struggle. Through no fault of their own, just because of that perception that they're neither relatable nor aspirational.' It's a tough balance to master—just ask Lady Duff-Gordon.
Fox News
a day ago
- Business
- Fox News
Rare 10-carat pink diamond linked to Marie Antoinette to be displayed and auctioned
In a sea of jewels, one particular stone has been stealing the show. A rare 10-carat pink diamond will be on display at Christie's Auction House in New York City. The Marie-Thérèse Pink Diamond is a kite-shaped fancy purple-pink diamond dating back to the mid-18th century that is said to have royal ties. "According to royal lore, Queen Marie Antoinette entrusted her most treasured jewels to her faithful coiffeur on the eve of her failed escape from Paris in 1791, hoping to one day reclaim them," Christie's stated in a press release. The jewels were eventually passed to Antoinette's only surviving child, Duchess Marie Thérèse de Angoulême. A few generations later, it was revealed in a will that the diamond was owned by Queen Marie Theresa of Bavaria, who referred to it as "a pink solitaire diamond from Aunt Chambord," according to Christie's. "The jewel last surfaced at auction in Geneva in 1996, was offered by a member of a European royal family and has remained out of public view until now," the press release added. Parisian jeweler Joel Arthur Rosenthal revived the diamond, setting the stone in a more modern setting. The piece is expected to sell for between $3,000,000 and $5,000,000. A sapphire and diamond necklace, "The Blue Belle," is expected to lead the sale, estimated at $8,000,000 to $12,000,000. The necklace, which contains 392.52-carat Sri Lankan sapphires that were discovered in 1926, was intended to be presented to Queen Elizabeth on the occasion of King George VI's coronation. Rahul Kadakia, international head of jewelry at Christie's, called the Blue Belle a "gem of exceptional size, color and clarity" that is "extraordinarily rare." "This remarkable stone must be considered among the most prestigious colored gemstones to appear on the market in many years — truly worthy of any world-class collection," Kadakia said in the release. The piece did not end up entering the royal collection, but moved through several distinguished owners. Kadakia mentioned that the auction house is pleased to present the full selection of "magnificent jewels" to clients and collectors. The collection of jewels will be on display to the public for free starting June 12 through June 16. The live auction will be held on June 17.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Pink diamond ring that once belonged to daughter of Marie Antoinette up for auction
A huge pink diamond with royal heritage is going up for auction next month. The gemstone once belonged to French queen Marie Antoinette's daughter and could fetch as much as $5 million. (AP video by Alice Fung)
CBS News
27-05-2025
- Business
- CBS News
Pink diamond tied to Marie Antoinette expected to sell for up to $5 million at auction
A large pink diamond believed to have been passed down from France's Queen Marie Antoinette to her daughter is going up for auction in New York next month — and is expected to sell for millions of dollars. The rare 10-carat diamond is set in a ring designed by jeweler Joel Arthur Rosenthal. It will be a part of the "Magnificent Jewels" live auction at Christie's Rockefeller Center location on June 17. The kite-shaped jewel is believed to date back to the mid-18th century and was once owned by Antoinette's daughter, Duchess Marie-Thérèse, the auction house said. A large pink diamond with royal heritage is going up for auction next month. Alice Fung / The Associated Press "According to royal lore, Queen Marie Antoinette entrusted her most treasured jewels to her faithful coiffeur on the eve of her failed escape from Paris in 1791, hoping to one day reclaim them," Christie's said in a news release. That did not happen, but the jewels were passed down to Marie-Thérèse. While it's not certain, it's believed the pink diamond was part of the jewels passed down. The diamond continued to be passed down for generations until it was sold at auction in 1996 in Geneva, Christie's said. It has remained out of public view since then. Rahul Kadakia, the international head of jewelry at Christie's, called the jewel a "very special diamond." "It is a fancy purple-pink diamond from the 18th century and most likely from the Golconda mines in India," Kadakia told The Associated Press. It is estimated to sell for $3 million to $5 million at the auction.
Euronews
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Euronews
Video. Pink diamond linked to French royalty expected to sell for millions
The 10.38-carat kite-shaped gemstone, believed to have once belonged to Marie Antoinette's daughter, Marie Thérèse of Angoulême, dates back to the mid-18th century. Although no official records confirm its early ownership, the diamond has long been linked to royal lineage. After reappearing at a Geneva auction in 1996, the stone vanished from public view. Now mounted in a ring designed by Parisian jeweller JAR, it is on a world tour with stops in Los Angeles, Geneva, and Hong Kong. Christie's will present the piece on 17 June, expecting bids between €2.8 million and €4.6 million.
