Beyoncé’s New Business & Victoria’s Secret Offensive Campaign

Beyoncé and Topshop
American popstar Beyoncé and iconic high street retailer Topshop are partnering to launch a new venture called Parkwood Topshop Athletic. Topshop owner, Sir Philip Green, speaking to Women's Wear Daily, was careful to stress that more than simply a collaboration it will be an entirely separate business. The brand will comprise of apparel, footwear and accessories for dance and fitness that will transfer effortlessly to the street, with the line set to debut in Topshop stores and online at Topshop.com. The company is only the latest fashion venture for Beyoncé after her successful fragrance line and hip hop inspired clothing brand, House of Deréon, produced with her mother stylist Tina Knowles.

Kering’s Sustainable Fashion Futures
French luxury goods holding company Kering, owner of brands such as Gucci, Bottega Veneta, Alexander McQueen, Balenciaga and more, has signed a five-year contract with the London College of Fashion to encourage students to focus on sustainable fashion. The fund will award £31,500 to two students per year, who will then direct their attentions to developing fashion products in an ethical manner. In addition to the financial support, the initiative will allow successful applicants an internship in the Kering stable of brands. François-Henri Pinault, chairman and chief executive of Kering, also announced the company’s intention to produce an annual environmental profit and loss account, a bold new level of accountability in an industry increasingly facing the challenges of the future.

Victoria’s Secret Under Fire
American lingerie brand Victoria’s Secret has come under criticism for a new advertising campaign prominently featuring slogan “The Perfect Body” over images of its models, intended to promote its “Body” lingerie line. The advertisements have prompted a heated backlash from the internet, with the campaign labeled as deeply irresponsible and offensive in its promotion of an idealized body image. The level of vitriol has resulted in a petition of more than 26,000 people calling on Victoria’s Secret to cancel the campaign.