lazin awards – LAZIN MAGAZINE

Fashion
Art

US, Canada Still See Sticking Points Before Deadline for 50% Tariffs

Canadian and US negotiators are working against an Aug. 19 deadline to avert 50 percent tariffs on Canadian goods. While discussions remain constructive, significant work is still required to resolve [...]

US Retail Sales Post First Decline in Nine Months in July

Retail sales dropped 0.6 percent last month after an unrevised 0.2 percent gain in June, but receipts at clothing stores rebounded 1.9 percent, likely ‌boosted by back-to-school shopping. [...]

What Founders Can Learn From Phia’s Mistakes

Behind Phia’s unfolding scandal lies a series of avoidable strategic and reputational blunders. Here are seven critical takeaways for founders building a fashion startup. [...]

Kelly Wearstler on What Waiting Tables Taught Her About Design

The Los Angeles designer and entrepreneur joins Imran Amed on The BoF Podcast to trace her journey from scouring Myrtle Beach flea markets to running a 60-person studio — and [...]

Sportswear Is Suffering a World Cup Hangover

The World Cup halo that sportswear was hoping would last well after the tournament doesn’t seem to be present, according to the latest data from Bank of America. [...]

Why Fashion’s Economics Work Against Sustainable Brands

The industry’s underlying economics still make it difficult for more sustainable business models to compete. Brands that take responsibility for a garment’s full lifecycle, including what happens after it’s sold [...]

How the Club Became a Fragrance Hall

Perfume brands are marketing their wares at nightlife spaces, where scent, intimacy and memory make for a uniquely potent pitch. [...]

Another Lululemon Executive Exits Ahead of Incoming CEO

The departure of AI chief Ranju Das after less than a year in the role comes shortly after the chief strategy officer exited ahead of new chief executive Heidi O'Neill [...]

What’s Behind the Big Swings in Fashion Stocks

Several fashion and sportswear companies have seen their share prices rise or fall dramatically in recent weeks — sometimes their most on record — despite relatively minor deviations from investors’ [...]

Court Lets Trump Halt Tariff Exemption for Low-Cost Goods

In a decision on Thursday, a US trade court refused to disturb executive orders that lifted the ‘de minimis’ exemption for goods with a retail value of $800 or less. [...]

Opinion: The Luxury Chinese Shopper Looks Different Now

The reality is that Chinese shoppers’ spending power on high-end products has peaked, at least for now, writes Bloomberg’s Juliana Liu. [...]

The Value of a Louis Vuitton Lipstick

This week, Priya Rao looks at private equity’s backlog, luxury’s dated beauty strategy and the ways brands hope to win over Gen Alpha. [...]

Samsonite Buys Stake in Béis for $178.5 Million

Founder and actress Shay Mitchell will retain a 15 percent stake in Béis, which will become a Samsonite subsidiary after the deal closes. [...]

Harvey Nichols Acquired by Frasers Group in Pre-Pack Administration Deal

Mike Ashley’s Frasers Group has bought the upmarket department store chain out of administration after it warned it could run out of money without new funding. [...]

The Controversial New Wellness Capital of the US

The Sunshine State has long been a destination for plastic surgery, but has more recently become a hub for founders and a clandestine birthplace for new policies shaping national health. [...]

Tapestry Forecasts Strong Annual Profit as Coach Remains Hot

Resilient demand for Coach bags among young and affluent shoppers helped buoy the group, but weakness at Kate Spade led the company to forecast muted annual revenue. [...]

US Seeks Sentence for Founder of Fashion-Tech Company CaaStle

Prosecutors compared Christine Hunsicker to Elizabeth Holmes as they sought a 12.5 year prison sentence in the $300 million securities fraud case. [...]

Shein Loses UK Copyright Lawsuit Against Temu Over Clothing Photos

The ultra-fast fashion platform lost the first round of a London legal battle against its rival for alleged copyright ‌infringement in relation to photos of some of its products. [...]

Birkenstock Nudges Forecast Higher on Solid Sandal Demand

The German brand bumped its sales forecast to the upper limit of its target range and posted strong quarterly earnings as consumers snapped up its sandals and clogs. [...]

Richemont’s Panerai Brand Gets No Relief From Luxury Watch Revival

As the secondary market for timepieces rebounds, Cartier is grabbing buyer attention and there’s renewed enthusiasm around Vacheron Constantin, throwing the lack of interest in Panerai into stark contrast. [...]

Opinion: When Indian Craft Becomes Luxury’s Moral Alibi

Craft is not simply cultural spectacle. It is a referendum on the kind of nation India is becoming. [...]

Why Watchmakers Should Pay Attention to Gen Z

The digitally native generation has been pulled in by nostalgia for vintage mechanical watches, especially unusual designs, but can traditional watchmakers leverage the attention? [...]

Allies of Skin’s Founder Nicolas Travis Has Resigned

The Singapore-based luxury skincare brand has also appointed Alicia Valencia as interim president. [...]

Shein’s Slowing Growth Tests Investor Appetite Ahead of Hong Kong IPO

The ultra-fast-fashion giant continues to field questions over its slowing growth and rising costs, even after trimming its expected IPO valuation by over $50 billion. [...]

The World’s Best Fashion Stores, Decoded

BoF’s retail editor Cathaleen Chen joins Sheena Butler-Young to break down the standout names and data behind BoF’s inaugural list of the world’s 65 best independent fashion stores — and [...]

Fabletics Seeks to Double Revenue to $2 Billion in Global Expansion

The US-based activewear brand plans to double annual revenue to $2 billion within five years, in part by opening dozens of new stores in markets such as India, Mexico and [...]

The Risky Business of Experimental Peptides

Business owners and politicians are lobbying regulators for easier access to new injectable drugs against the recommendations of some medical experts. But customer demand isn’t waning. [...]

A New Agency Alliance Aims to Leverage the Power of College Sports

The Society Management group is teaming up with collegiate sports agency Canopy Talent to bring new brand deals to the brightest names in college sports across the US. [...]

Phia Co-Founders Knew App Took Credit for Sales It Didn’t Drive

Phoebe Gates and Sophia Kianni pushed for features in the e-commerce startup’s software that took credit for sales it didn’t drive, according to internal communications and people with knowledge of [...]

Africa’s Streetwear Scene Is Having a Moment

Africa’s streetwear scene is grabbing the spotlight in 2026 as Ghanaian brand Free the Youth prepares to release one of the most coveted Air Jordan collaborations we’ve seen this year. [...]

Taylor Swift Wedding-Dress Fever Has Bridal Brands on High Alert

The star's wedding dress remains under wraps, but chains such as David's Bridal are already betting brides will want one just like it. [...]

Vyrao Finalising Sale

The premium perfume line, created by former fashion executive Yasmin Sewell, is closing in on a new owner. [...]

Dubai’s Reign Over Middle East Fashion Will Outlast the War

While the Middle East conflict has punctured Dubai’s aura of invulnerability and prompted some to question the city’s future, it has done little to erode the advantages that made it [...]

Can Beauty Beat Big Pharma at Hair Loss?

As shoppers seek newer, better solutions for hair shedding and thinning, brands are racing to offer products that go beyond the scalp. [...]

Worldview | Mercado Libre Sacrifices Profit for Growth

This week’s round-up of global markets fashion business news also features a luxury goods scandal in Hong Kong, Reliance Retail’s latest acquisition in India and Puma caught in the crossfire [...]

On Sneaker Brand’s Shares Slump After Sales Disappoint

The Swiss brand's stock tumbled after it posted disappointing second-quarter sales and issued a slightly more cautious sales forecast for the year. [...]

Natura Posts 92% Decline in Quarterly Profit

Brazilian cosmetic maker Natura on Monday posted a second-quarter net profit of 35 million reais ($6.85 million), a 92.1 percent ⁠decline from the same period in 2025. [...]

Report: Armani Stake Sale Could Be Delayed Beyond March 2027 Deadline

Citing company sources, Italian newspaper Corriere ‌della Sera said market conditions for the luxury industry were still challenging and negotiating a deal could require time. [...]

Lululemon Executive Exits as New CEO Is Set to Join

Chief strategy officer Rachel Acheson, who worked at the company more than 14 years, has exited one month before chief executive Heidi O’Neill is set to take over, according to [...]

Shein to Launch IPO as Soon as August 19, Sources Say

The Hong Kong IPO could take place as soon as Wednesday of next week, two people with knowledge of the matter said on Tuesday. [...]

Why British Brands Are Piling Into the US

After decades of mixed results, a new generation of UK brands is expanding into the US. This time, they're prioritising community, patience and cultural translation over splashy launches. [...]

How Hyosung Is Taking Bio-Materials to Industrial Scale

The world’s largest spandex manufacturer by market share, based in South Korea, has created a drop-in bio-alternative ready for large-scale production. BoF sits down with CEO Chang Hwang Lee to [...]

Opinion: Adidas Has a Mountain to Climb in China

Adidas would do well to tailor its Chinese business more closely to local tastes rather than simply importing a global formula, writes Bloomberg’s Juliana Liu. [...]

John Lewis Managing Director Quits Job After Less Than Three Years

Peter Ruis' surprise departure comes as the company faces “really tough” trading conditions. [...]

Harvey Nichols Warns It Could Collapse Without Rescue Deal

The upscale department store says it will not be able to survive another year without new investment, as bidders for the chain circle. [...]

Amouage First Half 2026 Sales Surge 74 Percent

The Omani fragrance house recorded another period of record growth as it continued to double-down on key geographies like the US and high-concentration perfumes. [...]

Shein IPO Value Could Fall Short of $30 Billion Targeted by Some Investors

Bloomberg Intelligence estimates the ultra-fast fashion retailer supports a valuation of $22 billion to $25 billion, well below the roughly $30 billion valuation some investors have pushed for. [...]

Inside the $5 Billion Cosmetics Company Behind Rhode

After its buzziest acquisition ever and a dozen years into the role, E.l.f.. Beauty CEO Tarang Amin still seems pretty “elfing” delighted by it all. [...]

Cushion Foundations Dominate in Asia. Now, They’re Going Global.

One of Asia’s biggest beauty product categories had failed to translate globally for over a decade, but it may finally be seeing its moment. [...]

Can You Trust AI to Tell You Which Brands Are Sustainable?

A BoF analysis of recommendations by ChatGPT, Claude and Gemini found that brands' online reputations and how users phrase their questions matters more than actual environmental performance. [...]

Buyers sue London's Alison Jacques gallery over cancelled sale of Monica Sjöö paintings

Yoed and Natasha Anise’s first-ever art purchase unravelled after the artist’s estate allegedly decided they are not sufficiently serious collectors [...]

Chinese museums ordered to strengthen emergency protocols following blackouts and incidents of overcrowding

Issues at the Terracotta Warriors Museum in Xi'an and the Zhejiang Museum have prompted the National Cultural Heritage Administration to put out a notice [...]

Stolen Cezanne, Matisse and Renoir paintings recovered in Italy

The works had been taken from the Magnani-Rocca Foundation near the city of Parma in March [...]

Why did Van Gogh sign his paintings simply as ‘Vincent’?

And why did he sign so few? The intriguing story behind his signatures [...]

Camden Art Centre director Martin Clark to step down and lead Towner Eastbourne

The museum director will move from London to the East Sussex institution ahead of the development of its new outpost in the South Downs National Park [...]

Artist Trevor Paglen’s new book offers timely take on technology’s hijacking of visual culture

The publication features a collection of essays about how two technological revolutions have transformed our relationship to images [...]

Icom defends the Smithsonian amid Trump's attacks

The public statement of support follows the international museum body’s recent update of its code of ethics, as well as a similar statement issued by the American Alliance of Museums [...]

At the Venice Biennale, collateral exhibitions embrace the possibilities of digital art

Both AI-generated art and digital art have had a tough time lately, but the 61st Venice Biennale offers the digitally-minded some work to feel good about [...]

Dresden’s star Correggio altarpiece, newly restored, will anchor major exhibition

The High Renaissance master’s “Madonna of St Sebastian” shows off its colours after nearly four years of treatment [...]

Hamptons art centre sued over large shipping container sculpture

The town of East Hampton claims Matt Johnson’s 60ft-tall sculpture is a structure built without proper safety permitting [...]

Teodora Axente unveils trophy banner for Palio di Siena horse race

Each year, Siena commissions an artist to hand paint the silk ‘drappellone’, awarded to the museum associated with the race winner [...]

Elvira Dyangani Ose appointed artistic director of Cape Town's Zeitz MoCAA

The former director of the Museu d'Art Contemporani de Barcelona will follow in the footsteps of the late Koyo Kouoh when she takes up her new role in October [...]

Photographer Melonie Bennett’s debut monograph captures the ‘stupendousness‘ of family life

The photobook captures two decades of often hilarious, sometimes tragic moments [...]

San Diego Museum of Art lays off 11 employees

The museum claimed financial hardship, even as it goes ahead with a starchitect-designed revamp [...]

Archaeologists uncover ancient, live-work ceramic studios linked to Moche civilisation in Peru

Excavations at the Cerro Mayal site in the north of the country show it was an important production facility for Moche ceramics around the seventh century [...]

August Book Bag: from a collection of ‘sizzling’ portraits to a survey of little-known US museums

Our round-up of the latest art publications [...]

Five must-read books on Pan-Africanism and art

The best publications about the subject, from a collection of Surrealist writing to a survey of pioneering architects—selected by Elvira Dyangani Ose and Adom Getachew [...]

What’s it like organising the Venice Biennale? Former curators dish the dirt

Robert Storr speaks about his tenure in this exclusive extract from Massimiliano Gioni’s new book of interviews with biennale artistic directors [...]

Hurvin Anderson commission to feature in ‘Beyond Bayeux’ exhibition spotlighting contemporary British tapestries

The work, made for the sexcentenary of Oxford's Lincoln College, will be shown alongside other artist-designed tapestries woven at Dovecot Studios in Edinburgh [...]

Mamdani administration expected to drop plans to replace popular New York sculpture garden with affordable housing

The Elizabeth Street Garden in Soho appears to have escaped the wrecking ball for good after a decade-long dispute over its future [...]

Christian Bernard, founding director of Geneva’s Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, dies aged 76

Over a four-decade career, the French art critic and curator profoundly influenced contemporary art institutions in Switzerland and France [...]

New museum in Argentina honours Lola Mora, a pioneering female sculptor

Immersed in nature, the sustainably designed Lola Mora Cultural Center in San Salvador de Jujuy celebrates the late artist and her practice [...]

The author of a new book on Lavinia Fontana’s erotic art reveals all

The Italian scholar Enrico Maria dal Pozzolo tells us about new discoveries and why the Bolognese painter was an innovator in her field [...]

‘An important moment for me’: artist Oliver Beer’s cave-themed project wins over a reluctant Rufus Wainwright

Oliver Beer persuaded the star to take part in his Resonance Project, which involves singers to responding to the acoustic frequencies in a prehistoric painted cave [...]

Ten essential works to see in Normandy while the Bayeux Tapestry is on loan

The northern French region offers much to see beyond its famous tapestry, ranging from a rare Caravaggio and one of Duchamp’s nudes, to Monet’s garden and a 60th anniversary tribute [...]

Newly discovered standing stones in France shed light on the ancient megalith builders

Archaeologists in Carnac, northwest France, have used aerial drones to identify previously unknown stones buried beneath the surface [...]

A brush with… Katharina Grosse—podcast

Katharina Grosse talks to Ben Luke about her influences—from writers to musicians, and, of course, other artists—and the cultural experiences that have shaped her life and work [...]

Earthquake damages Colombia’s tallest church

A 7.4-magnitude quake caused a tower to collapse at the beloved Manizales Cathedral [...]

A gripping account of the hunt for the treasure-laden San José shipwreck

A new book details the obsessive quest to find the sunken ship and, following its discovery, the various claims to the ship's billion dollar cargo [...]

Heart of gold: exhibitions tune into Peter Simensky's sculptural radios and celebrate his legacy

The late artist’s ‘pyrite radios’ feature alongside works by his friends, students and collaborators at the Maine College of Art & Design [...]

Comment | A trip to Venice this year offered thought-provoking reminders of past art disputes

From a contested Richard Prince to the disputed Veroneses, La Serenissima remains one of the best places to see works of art formerly at the centre of legal controversies [...]

New novel on Gertrude Stein paints a partial picture

A fictionalised account of an essayist’s exploration of the writer tells us more about contemporary women than the star quality of its protagonist [...]

Bottoms up: vast Roman shipwreck filled with ancient wine amphoras discovered near Sicily

“Extraordinary site” could reveal “interesting story about trade routes”, maritime archaeologist David Gibbins says [...]

‘Stopping while ahead’: London gallery Sid Motion to shut after a decade

Eponymous founder says she is winding up "while the programme and finances are still intact" [...]

Remains of colonial hospital and church discovered in Lima’s historic centre

Walls, floors, human burials and 18th-century tiles have been uncovered in what was once the Hospital and Church of the Holy Spirit in Peru [...]

UK Ministry of Justice spent more than £85,000 removing Banksy mural from the Royal Courts of Justice

According to the BBC, Westminster council has also spent around £60,000 on security measures for a statue the street artist installed in central London in April [...]

Office block developers fight with heritage campaigners over London’s historic Square Mile

The Liverpool Street railway hub and 1 Silk Street are two of the latest contested developments in the heart of the capital, where new skyscrapers are clamouring to be built [...]

From beavers to basketball hoops: a new public art trail opens in Toronto

The Lassonde Art Trail is part of a $1bn redevelopment project to revitalise the city's relationship with its waterways [...]

Uffizi Galleries in Florence announce ‘unprecedented’ €50m revamp

The programme will include the redesign of displays, the creation of new exhibition space and the installation of new lighting systems [...]

Comment | What happened to George Lucas’s vision of a museum for ‘the people’?

The Lucas Museum of Narrative Art’s new admission and membership fees are tone-deaf and self-defeating [...]

‘We’re astounded and a bit perplexed by it’: colossal 2,500-year-old sculpture discovered at Unesco site in Turkey

The statue gives new insight into the ancient Lydian civilisation, Turkey’s culture ministry says [...]

‘What’s good for the planet is good for artists’: group launches new Green Manifesto

Recently rebranded artist membership organisation Artists Now has created a guide on how to make creative practices more eco-friendly [...]

Raise a glass: long-hidden image of soldier returns to Pieter de Hooch painting

The figure has been painted back onto the work at the Maurithuis after being removed at some stage in its history [...]

Van Gogh’s exuberant ‘Tarascon Stagecoach’ will go on show in New York

The masterpiece, alongside 62 other works given by the Pearlman family, is coming on tour from Los Angeles [...]

Lidar analysis reveals more than 20,000 pre-colonial earthworks under Amazonian rainforest

A new study based on aerial surveys suggests the pre-Columbian Aquiry civilisation had a much more developed and dispersed footprint than previously thought [...]

Seven Smithsonian museums shut down due to cooling system failure

The closure affected a number of the institution’s buildings along the south side of the National Mall in Washington, DC [...]

As local museums in the UK face closure, government promises help

A recent report revealed that 524 UK museums closed between 2000 and 2025. But while the government has offered short-term help, structural issues remain unresolved [...]

Huge nuclear bunker in Italy is set to become a Cold War museum

West Star, a former Nato HQ near Verona, is expected to host 100,000 visitors annually [...]

Russian drone destroys unique 300-year-old wooden Cossack church in Ukraine

The Holy Presentation Church is said by officials to be the last surviving building of its kind from the 18th century [...]

Louvre to lend Islamic art treasures to the Smithsonian

Upcoming exhibition at the National Museum of Asian Art in Washington, DC, will feature 26 works from the Louvre, some of which have never been shown in the US [...]

Support n Act – Lazin Magazine – July 2026