Plus, what the lives of micro influencers look like behind the scenes, off of Instagram.
These are the stories making headlines in fashion on Monday.
Prada’s market value plunges as China slowdown hits profits
A decrease in consumer spending in China has contributed to an unexpected drop in Prada’s annual profit. The company’s shares slumped as much as 7.2 percent in early Hong Kong trading on Monday and its operating profit fell 10 percent to €323.8 million, falling short of the €378 million predicted by analysts. The disappointing earnings shaved $864 million off the Italian label’s market value. {Bloomberg}
How to survive a PR crisis
Social media has given rise to a ruthless “call-out” culture that can take a company down with little more than a single, viral Twitter thread. So, Business of Fashion created a public relations survival guide, complete with immediate response strategies and best apology methods, to help brands face all of their online demons. {Business of Fashion}
What the lives of micro influencers look like off Instagram
The growth of social media has resulted in the rise of the influencer who can make millions a year through endorsements and lead a life of glamour both on and off Instagram. But this is true for only a select number of social media personalities: Those with followings of between 10,000 and 100,000, often dubbed “micro influencers,” take home thousands versus millions and often have far less glamorous lives than their well-curated feeds would suggest. {The Guardian}
Fashion has a new demand for skilled authenticators
The fashion industry has an increased demand for skilled authenticators, thanks to the unprecedented growth of the luxury resale market. Glossy spoke with a group of authenticators who work with everything from watches to sneakers to learn about how to become a product expert at company like StockX or The RealReal, as well as about the rigorous in-house training programs that many resale companies have created to ensure that their authenticators are constantly staying ahead of counterfeiters. {Glossy}
Chriselle Lim’s line to launch on Shopbop and Bloomingdale’s
Chriselle Lim exclusively teamed up with Nordstrom to launch her debut line in September, but the mega influencer is adding Shopbop and Bloomingdale’s to her retail roster for her eponymous label’s sophomore collection. The forthcoming 28-piece range consists of tops, trousers, blazers, shorts, matching sets and dresses. The line will be available to shop online and in select Bloomingdale’s locations on Mar. 21. {WWD}
Economic insecurity is partly responsible for the rise of the male wellness sector
“Economic insecurity has created a frenzy around the way men function and appear,” writes Alex Moshakis for The Guardian. “As survival in the workplace becomes onerous, as costs rise, as social media dictates our presentation, men are veering towards products marketed as being able to help them look and perform better.” Therefore, men are now spending millions on grooming products and putting their faith in gummies — like Hims – that are designed to combat aging and promise better skin, better hair, mental clarity and even high-quality sleep. {The Guardian}