51 Is The Magic Number: PPR & Christopher Kane

For those who follow the fashion industry you will probably already know, in which case just continue reading for my hilarious banter which is O so entertaining. 

For those who do not, remember how I did a post about the rumours of who would take over the creative helm of Balenciaga and that Christopher Kane was most likely to be the successor? If your having a tumble weed moment you can remind yourself by following the link on the right ----------> 

Christopher Kane 

Christopher Kane was presumed for the Balenciaga role after he split from designing for the Versace diffusion line Versus and had meetings with PPR executives (the French luxury goods conglomerate that owns Balenciaga), the plot thickens. Then Alexander Wang was announced with the role and we all get very confused again, until today when it is officially announced that PPR has bought a controlling share in Christopher Kane. The business is estimated at $27million, you do the maths! 

So what does this mean exactly? Well, it is hardly going to affect our day to day lives but it is a positive step for British fashion. Christopher will now be officially secured into fashion's elite. Even with the likes of McQueen and McCartney, British fashion, encompassing it's home grown and imported London based designers, is held in a somewhat disjointed regard by the global audience. London Fashion Week for example, whilst gaining more and more support and admiration is still considered the runt of the litter in comparison to the Cujo's that are Paris and Milan. By PPR purchasing a dictating share in the brand, Christopher Kane, a British brand will be propelled exponentially into global awareness.

Being bought by PPR is essentially like being hand selected to win the lottery. Naturally colossal amounts of work will be required to make Christopher Kane a global name but and I'm not naively suggesting that the funds are endless but money will no longer be the worry that it once was for the brand that was only conceived in 2006. PPR owns the following brands:

• Balenciaga 
• Bottega Veneta 
• Gucci
• Yves Saint Laurent
• Alexander McQueen
• Brioni 
• Stella McCartney 
• Sergio Rossi
• Boucheron
• Girard - Perregaux
• Jeanrichard 
• and now Christopher Kane

To steal Jane Fonda's line from the L'Oreal advert "Not bad, huh?". The plan is to follow the standard expansion protocol of establishing a stand alone store (then another and another), increase market budgets tenfold and introduce a diffusion line.

Check out Christopher Kane past collections here: www.style.com
Or shop the collection at Net-A Porter: www.net-a-porter.com/Christopher_Kane

Kane's work is undoubtedly impressive and talent has assured him a successful career that lead to him being hand selected by Donatella Versace to lead Versus. Akin to the Versace family, Christopher Kane the brand is directed by Christopher and his sister Tammy. I am excited to see how the company grows with external (French) influence and hope the aesthetic this sibling management team have developed remains strong. Regardless I will most avidly be waiting to comment. 

Is that CRISTO CLEAR?

x