Latest news with #SeaBeyond
Vogue
9 hours ago
- Business
- Vogue
Seeing Beyond: Prada CMO Lorenzo Bertelli on Ocean — and Luxury — Education
Vogue: You are making this first deposit of €2 million in the fund. Have you already approached other entities you work with to tell them about this initiative and maybe encourage them to become members? Absolutely. I can't disclose who, because it is for them to disclose. But absolutely. Sea Beyond has always been an initiative open to third parties, but maybe the reason that we were leading it was making, if not a barrier, then a reason to prevent others from joining. So, for it to be independent is the best way, I think, for it to attract as much capital as possible. And help shape the project and vision for what we have been trying to do. Vogue: Luxury is a competitive industry, as you know, so even when members of that industry are engaged in philanthropy or CSR work such as this, I get the impression that they sometimes cannot shake that competitive mindset. They become territorial about 'owning' whatever category of work they are engaged in, so that even when the cause in question is for the common good, they want to be the only brand seen to be undertaking it. I used to see this a lot with brands working through sustainability initiatives… Can I tell you something? It is still very competitive today. There are some very important groups, not necessarily in fashion, who were not happy about having us. And they actually excluded us from some charity opportunities just because they feel it is a competition. To me, this is weird. Because there can be no competition in sustainability. So if in this fund we were to be joined by Vuitton, or Gucci, or any of our competitors, I would just be happy, because this mission is for everybody. 'There are some very important groups, not necessarily in fashion, who were not happy about having us. And they actually excluded us from some charity opportunities just because they feel it is a competition. To me, this is weird. Because there can be no competition in sustainability.' Vogue: Human nature is hard to shake… But you can't be egoistic when it is about sustainability. Vogue: Your business card is printed with two titles: as well as Prada's head of CSR, you are also group chief marketing officer. So when you make these investments in the ocean… Hold on: we are not investing in the ocean, we are investing first and foremost in people. The ocean is the subject, but we are investing in people's minds, spirits and hearts. This is the scope of it: in sustainability, there are many people looking at short-term impacts, things like decarbonisation, waste reduction, water-use reduction, sustainable products — and that's all correct and makes sense. But ultimately, if people's mentalities [about the environment] do not change, then we will not see a corresponding change in consumer behaviour. So in order to help this change in consumer priorities and mindset, we need to think about education, and look forward 20, 30 years. Politicians, most of the time, their horizontal landscape is understandably limited to the length of their mandate. So we are maybe losing, also in the public space, strategic long-term thinking and planning. And education is the subject with the widest horizontal time frame. We want to invest in that long term — to help explain how human behavior that [preserves the environment] is also convenient and beneficial to the people who enact it. That is the most important thing.
Fashion Network
27-05-2025
- Business
- Fashion Network
Zalando and CNMI name luxury 'changemakers', call out value of authenticity, quality
First those honorees. Francesca Bellettini, deputy CEO of Kering, was named in the 'Brand Vision' category and she emphasised 'proactive versus reactive approaches'. She shared her perspective on 'the distinction between a compelling brand vision and a good strategy and how to ensure a vision drives culture, innovation, and longevity across Maisons'. Meanwhile Prada Group chief marketing officer and head of corporate social responsibility Lorenzo Bertelli was recognised in the Innovation category. He talked about the group's 'diverse approach to innovation', including initiatives from the Sea Beyond programme dedicated to ocean literacy and R&D in the aerospace sector. Tod's Group president Diego Della Valle was hailed in the category Craftsmanship and emphasised 'the enduring significance of 'Made in Italy' for Tod's, highlighting its continuous evolution within a modernising industry'. He provided examples of how Tod's 'balances its rich heritage with contemporary advancements, integrating new technologies and materials while preserving its artisanal foundations'. Others honoured included Giuliano Calza, creative director of GCDS with the founders and creative directors of Sunnei, Simone Rizzo and Loris Messina in the New Gen category. They talked about the relationship between fashion and new generations 'thanks to the creation of cultural moments that go behind the runways'. They discussed 'the motivation behind their projects, the capacity of balancing creativity and commerciality and the importance of the designer's personality on the brand's identity'. As for the insights presented at the event, Bain 's top luxury expert Claudia d'Arpizio emphasised that brands 'need to reaffirm the foundations of luxury and intentionally shape the industry's future'. While the demand for luxury 'remains strong, its next frontier is yet to be uncovered,' she said. 'To seize this opportunity, brands must return to the fundamentals — anchoring their promise in quality, exceptional craftsmanship, and the power to inspire dreams, all while removing barriers to access. The true challenge for the future of this industry lies in reigniting the emotional pull of luxury for consumers, while deliberately transcending traditional business boundaries'. And she called out five key focus areas that include reshaping market boundaries through the blurring of spending between goods, services, and experiences; redefinition of competition by both incumbents and tech-fuelled insurgents; shifting customer behaviours; the evolution of the distribution landscape; and the need to safeguard the luxury supply ecosystem 'amidst uncertainty, volume reduction, and a growing focus on sustainability'. Highsnobiety founder and CEO David Fischer also presented the media brand's new white paper, Luxury Redefined: Stop selling the dream, start fitting into reality. The findings include 'the shift from aspiration to relevance, where cultural fit now outweighs the traditional dream-selling approach, and the renewed importance of product quality and craftsmanship over superficial marketing. Fischer emphasised the increasing value placed on legacy and archival storytelling, contrasting with the diminishing appeal of fleeting novelty'. He explained that the report shows 'a fundamental shift: 71% of core luxury consumers say the definition of luxury has changed in the last five years. Today's consumers seek cultural authenticity and tangible quality; they value brands that embed themselves in the real world with compelling legacy storytelling and immersive experiences, rather than betting on fleeting novelty. Luxury is moving decidedly from aspiration to relevance, from selling a dream to embracing reality'. Finally, Zalando's VP designer Lena-Sophie Roeper and director of product management Brian Kim, 'addressed the challenges facing the luxury sector, such as a perceived disconnect with customers and the evolving, non-linear paths to purchase'. They highlighted Zalando's 'commitment to innovation, not through technology as a standalone solution, but as an enabler of a holistic, seamless, and curated customer experience. Zalando showcased the solutions to bridge offline and online experiences and deliver personalised, immersive storytelling'. Roeper also said that 'the once captivating luxury space now feels fatigued, leaving customers yearning for deeper connection and meaning'.
Fashion Network
27-05-2025
- Business
- Fashion Network
Zalando and CNMI name luxury 'changemakers', call out value of authenticity, quality
First those honorees. Francesca Bellettini, deputy CEO of Kering, was named in the 'Brand Vision' category and she emphasised 'proactive versus reactive approaches'. She shared her perspective on 'the distinction between a compelling brand vision and a good strategy and how to ensure a vision drives culture, innovation, and longevity across Maisons'. Meanwhile Prada Group chief marketing officer and head of corporate social responsibility Lorenzo Bertelli was recognised in the Innovation category. He talked about the group's 'diverse approach to innovation', including initiatives from the Sea Beyond programme dedicated to ocean literacy and R&D in the aerospace sector. Tod's Group president Diego Della Valle was hailed in the category Craftsmanship and emphasised 'the enduring significance of 'Made in Italy' for Tod's, highlighting its continuous evolution within a modernising industry'. He provided examples of how Tod's 'balances its rich heritage with contemporary advancements, integrating new technologies and materials while preserving its artisanal foundations'. Others honoured included Giuliano Calza, creative director of GCDS with the founders and creative directors of Sunnei, Simone Rizzo and Loris Messina in the New Gen category. They talked about the relationship between fashion and new generations 'thanks to the creation of cultural moments that go behind the runways'. They discussed 'the motivation behind their projects, the capacity of balancing creativity and commerciality and the importance of the designer's personality on the brand's identity'. As for the insights presented at the event, Bain 's top luxury expert Claudia d'Arpizio emphasised that brands 'need to reaffirm the foundations of luxury and intentionally shape the industry's future'. While the demand for luxury 'remains strong, its next frontier is yet to be uncovered,' she said. 'To seize this opportunity, brands must return to the fundamentals — anchoring their promise in quality, exceptional craftsmanship, and the power to inspire dreams, all while removing barriers to access. The true challenge for the future of this industry lies in reigniting the emotional pull of luxury for consumers, while deliberately transcending traditional business boundaries'. And she called out five key focus areas that include reshaping market boundaries through the blurring of spending between goods, services, and experiences; redefinition of competition by both incumbents and tech-fuelled insurgents; shifting customer behaviours; the evolution of the distribution landscape; and the need to safeguard the luxury supply ecosystem 'amidst uncertainty, volume reduction, and a growing focus on sustainability'. Highsnobiety founder and CEO David Fischer also presented the media brand's new white paper, Luxury Redefined: Stop selling the dream, start fitting into reality. The findings include 'the shift from aspiration to relevance, where cultural fit now outweighs the traditional dream-selling approach, and the renewed importance of product quality and craftsmanship over superficial marketing. Fischer emphasised the increasing value placed on legacy and archival storytelling, contrasting with the diminishing appeal of fleeting novelty'. He explained that the report shows 'a fundamental shift: 71% of core luxury consumers say the definition of luxury has changed in the last five years. Today's consumers seek cultural authenticity and tangible quality; they value brands that embed themselves in the real world with compelling legacy storytelling and immersive experiences, rather than betting on fleeting novelty. Luxury is moving decidedly from aspiration to relevance, from selling a dream to embracing reality'. Finally, Zalando's VP designer Lena-Sophie Roeper and director of product management Brian Kim, 'addressed the challenges facing the luxury sector, such as a perceived disconnect with customers and the evolving, non-linear paths to purchase'. They highlighted Zalando's 'commitment to innovation, not through technology as a standalone solution, but as an enabler of a holistic, seamless, and curated customer experience. Zalando showcased the solutions to bridge offline and online experiences and deliver personalised, immersive storytelling'. Roeper also said that 'the once captivating luxury space now feels fatigued, leaving customers yearning for deeper connection and meaning'.
Fashion Network
27-05-2025
- Business
- Fashion Network
Zalando and CNMI name luxury 'changemakers', call out value of authenticity, quality
First those honorees. Francesca Bellettini, deputy CEO of Kering, was named in the 'Brand Vision' category and she emphasised 'proactive versus reactive approaches'. She shared her perspective on 'the distinction between a compelling brand vision and a good strategy and how to ensure a vision drives culture, innovation, and longevity across Maisons'. Meanwhile Prada Group chief marketing officer and head of corporate social responsibility Lorenzo Bertelli was recognised in the Innovation category. He talked about the group's 'diverse approach to innovation', including initiatives from the Sea Beyond programme dedicated to ocean literacy and R&D in the aerospace sector. Tod's Group president Diego Della Valle was hailed in the category Craftsmanship and emphasised 'the enduring significance of 'Made in Italy' for Tod's, highlighting its continuous evolution within a modernising industry'. He provided examples of how Tod's 'balances its rich heritage with contemporary advancements, integrating new technologies and materials while preserving its artisanal foundations'. Others honoured included Giuliano Calza, creative director of GCDS with the founders and creative directors of Sunnei, Simone Rizzo and Loris Messina in the New Gen category. They talked about the relationship between fashion and new generations 'thanks to the creation of cultural moments that go behind the runways'. They discussed 'the motivation behind their projects, the capacity of balancing creativity and commerciality and the importance of the designer's personality on the brand's identity'. As for the insights presented at the event, Bain 's top luxury expert Claudia d'Arpizio emphasised that brands 'need to reaffirm the foundations of luxury and intentionally shape the industry's future'. While the demand for luxury 'remains strong, its next frontier is yet to be uncovered,' she said. 'To seize this opportunity, brands must return to the fundamentals — anchoring their promise in quality, exceptional craftsmanship, and the power to inspire dreams, all while removing barriers to access. The true challenge for the future of this industry lies in reigniting the emotional pull of luxury for consumers, while deliberately transcending traditional business boundaries'. And she called out five key focus areas that include reshaping market boundaries through the blurring of spending between goods, services, and experiences; redefinition of competition by both incumbents and tech-fuelled insurgents; shifting customer behaviours; the evolution of the distribution landscape; and the need to safeguard the luxury supply ecosystem 'amidst uncertainty, volume reduction, and a growing focus on sustainability'. Highsnobiety founder and CEO David Fischer also presented the media brand's new white paper, Luxury Redefined: Stop selling the dream, start fitting into reality. The findings include 'the shift from aspiration to relevance, where cultural fit now outweighs the traditional dream-selling approach, and the renewed importance of product quality and craftsmanship over superficial marketing. Fischer emphasised the increasing value placed on legacy and archival storytelling, contrasting with the diminishing appeal of fleeting novelty'. He explained that the report shows 'a fundamental shift: 71% of core luxury consumers say the definition of luxury has changed in the last five years. Today's consumers seek cultural authenticity and tangible quality; they value brands that embed themselves in the real world with compelling legacy storytelling and immersive experiences, rather than betting on fleeting novelty. Luxury is moving decidedly from aspiration to relevance, from selling a dream to embracing reality'. Finally, Zalando's VP designer Lena-Sophie Roeper and director of product management Brian Kim, 'addressed the challenges facing the luxury sector, such as a perceived disconnect with customers and the evolving, non-linear paths to purchase'. They highlighted Zalando's 'commitment to innovation, not through technology as a standalone solution, but as an enabler of a holistic, seamless, and curated customer experience. Zalando showcased the solutions to bridge offline and online experiences and deliver personalised, immersive storytelling'. Roeper also said that 'the once captivating luxury space now feels fatigued, leaving customers yearning for deeper connection and meaning'.
The National
31-01-2025
- Entertainment
- The National
Black Book: Benedict Cumberbatch in Norway with Prada, Dior's Chiffre Rouge, Louboutin and Margiela team up
Every week, The National's Luxury magazine team puts together Black Book, a cheat sheet of the most interesting and noteworthy arrivals in fashion, watches, jewellery and cars. Prada Re-Nylon Prada continues its sustainability journey with a new chapter in its Re-Nylon campaign, unveiling a series of films that explore the collection's impact on communities and ecosystems around the world. The first episode, starring British actor Benedict Cumberbatch, takes viewers to Norway's breathtaking Lofoten Archipelago within the Arctic Circle, shedding light on the plastic pollution. The film highlights how Prada Re-Nylon repurposes ocean plastics into luxury fashion, showcasing the industry's potential to drive environmental change. The latest Sea Beyond collection introduces a line of bags and accessories crafted from Prada Re-Nylon, a fabric made by recycling and purifying plastic collected from oceans, fishing nets, landfills and textile fibre waste. Standout pieces from the collection include men's backpacks, a handbag and a bucket hat, all designed in this sustainable material. Dior Chiffre Rouge Dior expands its Chiffre Rouge collection with three new timepieces that pay homage to the house's haute couture heritage. With an elegant, eye-catching black design, the watch is accentuated by bold scarlet-red details and white highlights, as well as the brand's cannage motif which appears across the dial and strap. Each watch embodies Dior's distinctive aesthetic and in a nod to the house's founder, the number 8 – Christian Dior's favourite number – is highlighted in red. This limited-edition release includes three models: a 38mm dial model, available with or without diamonds, and a 41mm chronograph. Designed for both men and women, only 100 pieces of each watch will be produced, making it a collector's must-have. Celine Celine introduces the Camille, a new addition to its 16 Soft Line. This hobo-style bag, featuring a curved silhouette and a versatile shoulder strap, offers practicality combined with Parisian elegance. The rounded shape of the Camille 16 Soft is crafted in soft leather and finished with the house's gold lock closure. Available in two sizes and a timeless palette of tan, black and sand hues, the bag also features a multifunctional strap. AED10,500 for the small version and AED12,000 for the medium bag. Christian Louboutin X Maison Margiela Shoe designer Christian Louboutin has collaborated with Maison Margiela to create an avant-garde capsule footwear collection which combines the unique design aesthetic of both brands. Conceived by Maison Margiela's now former-creative director John Galliano and Christian Louboutin, the brand's founder, the collection reinvents Margiela's trademark Tabi shoe, reimagining it with Louboutin's signature red sole and a more sculptural, curvaceous silhouette. In a reverse exchange of aesthetics, Margiela's influence extends to classic Louboutin styles like the Rosalie and Loubiella, which now feature the house's deconstructed, split-toe design. Available from March 12. Louis Vuitton High jewellery Louis Vuitton has unveiled the second chapter in its Awakened Hands, Awakened Minds high jewellery collection, showcasing the house's savoir-faire through a series of bracelets, rings, watches and necklaces. Designed by Francesca Amfitheatrof, the collection combines precious metals combined with diamonds and coloured gemstones. Drawing inspiration from 19th-century France and its revolutionary design era, the pieces feature the LV Monogram Star Cut Diamond, which debuted in chapter one, as well as a limited men's high jewellery collection – a first for the brand. Sebago X Weekend Max Mara Weekend Max Mara has partnered with Sebago, the American footwear brand, known for its preppy Dan Penny Loafer. The loafers were popular amongst American college students in the 1950s. For the collaboration with the Italian fashion brand, the two have reinvented the Dan Penny Loafer in smooth brushed leather, featuring hand-sewn details, micro studs and a detachable tassel. Available in brown, burgundy and black editions. AED1,587
