The Business of Fashion

Luxury Outlook | Faith Popcorn on the Recession Culture

Are London fashionistas living in a bubble?

There was no sign of global economic turmoil last night as party-goers let loose after a busy day of shows during an even busier night of events. Following strong showings by Giles and Christopher Kane, there was the opening of the fabulous new Dunhill flagship (see here for our review of the sister store in Tokyo), an exhibition of stunning fashion photography by Mary McCartney, and the biggest party of London Fashion Week hosted by Giles Deacon and Swarovski (with a huge Giles cartoon ghost made completely of flowers, pictured above).

The mood is certainly more sombre across the pond in New York. And, if there was any remaining doubt as to whether the U.S.A. is entering (or is already in) a recession, that doubt has been erased just as quickly as the market capitalisation of some of the world's most famous investment banks.

So, while many expert observers don't know what is going to happen next, The Business of Fashion caught up with noted futurist Faith Popcorn of the Faith Popcorn Brain Reserve to get the lowdown on 'recession culture', coping with the downturn, and the winners and losers.

Dunhill Ginza | Welcome home

"Welcome home." With those words Jun Morimoto, CEO of Alfred Dunhill in Japan, warmly ushered me into the new Alfred Dunhill flagship in Tokyo's Ginza district, where it rubs shoulders with the impressive architecture of some of the world's most famous luxury brands. But all is not rosy in Tokyo's legendary luxuryland, with reports that sales for some international luxury brands in Japan are down as much as 20% versus last year.

As Morimoto-san showed me around the store, the first of a few Dunhill 'Home' flagships which will be opening around the world, he also demonstrated how brands like Dunhill are leading the way in adapting their stores and product offering to meet the evolving expectations of the Japanese luxury customer.