Cult Gaia

Spurred by rapid growth in the pure luxury market, global brands operating in lower-priced segments like contemporary fashion are entering the country or accelerating expansion plans.

Big music festivals produce a torrent of content for social media, but the fashion is equally as important, as what influencers wear to Coachella can quickly become a big seller in stores worldwide.

A simple post by @upnextdesigner’s Albert Ayal can change a young designer’s career. But Ayal is as much a connector as a curator.

Sales of handbags, shoes and other accessories are growing but emerging brands are struggling to break through without backing. BoF identifies the top 10 M&A targets in the space.

For every brand that is able to diversify past its first success, there are dozens more that putter out. Here’s a six-point plan for navigating what happens after a product becomes a bona fide winner.