Asian Brands Expand Role at The Hub

HONG KONG — Asian brands were out in force at The Hub, a trade show started by Richard Hobbs and Peter Caplowe to introduce emerging Western brands to Asian consumers. Having completed the two-day run of its fourth edition on March 13, the trade show featured European brands hoping to catch a piece of the growth in Asia as well as Asian labels — from mainland China, Hong Kong, Korea and elsewhere — hoping to make further inroads in the region. “Asia is an interesting market not only for financial reasons but because the whole multibrand store concept is so new,” said Nick Hayes of Rack and Ruin, a U.K.-based denim brand. In the U.K., Hayes said, the midmarket has been taken over by high street brands, making it very difficult for smaller, independent labels to gain a foothold. “The market in Europe today is not good,” said Kristina Kartashova, a manager for Ukrainian women’s label Alonova. The brand has been around for 10 years but was exhibiting in Asia for the first time through The Hub. The number of multibrand retailers in Asia is growing, although stand-alone stores remain extremely important to branding. The growing popularity of multibrand stores is giving smaller labels

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Cesare Casadei Hosts Dinner to Celebrate Bespoke Service

JUST FOR YOU: On Wednesday evening, Cesare Casadei hosted a dinner at Milan’s fancy restaurant Il Bacaro del Sambuco on Via Montenapoleone to celebrate the launch of the brand’s new “Casadei Blade Bespoke” service. “I designed this style five years ago and then I did many more, but this is my real love,” said Casadei, referring to the brand’s iconic Blade pump, which is now available for customization at the Casadei store in Milan. The designer created a special leather box, on display at the boutique, containing a range of samples, allowing women to pick all the elements to create their personalized Blade shoe, which is defined by a sharp steel heel and a pointed toe. “Customers can go through the same process I do when I design my shoes,” Casadei said. Women can choose from a range of materials, including suede, napa leather, crocodile, silk and patent leather, as well as special details, such as glitters and Swarovski crystals. The Blade heel is also available in four different heights and several colors. Each pair of customized shoes, which are delivered in about two months, come with the customer’s initials embossed on the soles and with a Polaroid picture signed by Casadei. For

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Cynthia Vincent Launching Tech Collection for Best Buy

TECH TALK: Cynthia Vincent is the latest designer to place her stamp on tech gear set to be sold exclusively at Best Buy. The Council of Fashion Designers of America suggested the designer for the second iteration of the retailer’s fashion-meets-tech program. The first installment debuted last year with collections designed by Nanette Lepore, Anna Sui and Isaac Mizrahi New York. The line from Vincent includes prints sourced from her archives. “I always wanted to get into this category,” Vincent said. “It’s a natural extension of handbags.” For Best Buy, the collaboration continues to fuel its aim to drive more female customers into its stores. “Cynthia Vincent Nanette Lepore, Isaac Mizrahi—these are all names that women know and love, and we know how important technology accessories are for our customers,” said Jason Bonfig, Best Buy senior category officer. Best Buy also partnered with Vincent on an upcoming brunch set to take place during next month’s Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival for bloggers and media, where the product is expected to be revealed. Vincent’s collection for Best Buy, along with new designs from Nanette Lepore and Isaac Mizrahi, launch on BestBuy.com on Sunday. The collections roll out to Best Buy stores April 12. The product range includes

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