Tag: luxury fashion

Fit & Fabulous

Prada Acquires Versace in $1.38bn Deal, Reshaping the Luxury Fashion Landscape

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

Prada has announced the successful acquisition of Versace in a $1.38bn deal, marking one of the most significant shifts in the luxury fashion sector in recent years. The purchase brings together two of Italy’s most celebrated fashion houses, strengthening Prada’s position in an increasingly competitive global luxury market dominated by conglomerates such as LVMH. The price tag represents a considerable loss for Versace’s former owner, Capri Holdings, which acquired the brand for approximately $2bn in 2018.

The sale comes at a time when Versace has experienced slowing sales, along with other Capri-owned labels including Michael Kors and Jimmy Choo. During its ownership, Capri oversaw a creative shift at Versace, steering the brand away from its signature ornate aesthetic toward more minimalist styles while simultaneously increasing prices. The transition followed the departure of Donatella Versace, who stepped down as creative chief in March after leading the fashion house for 27 years following her brother Gianni’s death.

She was succeeded by Dario Vitale, formerly a design director at Prada’s youth-oriented label, Miu Miu. Capri Holdings stated that proceeds from the sale will be used to significantly reduce its debt, strengthening its financial position moving forward. Meanwhile, Prada expressed optimism about Versace’s long-term potential, with Prada CEO Andrea Guerra noting earlier this year that the brand represents a major strategic opportunity.

Prada confirmed in a brief statement that all regulatory approvals have been secured, officially closing the acquisition and ushering in a new era for Versace under Prada’s expanding luxury portfolio.

Fit & Fabulous

Maria Grazia Chiuri Appointed Artistic Director of Fendi, Ushering a New Era

Tanisha Cardozo

A historic chapter closes and another begins at Fendi as Silvia Venturini Fendi hands over the creative reins to Maria Grazia Chiuri. After more than thirty years defining the aesthetic of the Roman maison, Venturini Fendi steps back while remaining Honorary President, allowing Chiuri to usher in a new era that balances heritage with modernity.

Born in Rome and trained at the Istituto Europeo di Design, Maria Grazia Chiuri has left a distinctive mark on the fashion world, including her pioneering role as the first woman to lead design at Dior. Known for her poetic vision and political awareness, Chiuri champions fashion that is thoughtful, meaningful, and rooted in craftsmanship.

At Fendi, she inherits a house celebrated for its artistry, bold silhouettes, sumptuous materials, and deep ties to Rome. Her mission is to reinterpret this legacy through her own lens, marrying the discipline of tailoring with imaginative fluidity. Chiuri’s debut collection for Fall/Winter 2026–27 is eagerly anticipated as the first expression of this dialogue between tradition and innovation.

Silvia Venturini Fendi, the last active member of Fendi’s founding family, closes her chapter having shaped menswear, accessories, and countless iconic collections, her influence permanently woven into the house. This handover represents more than a leadership change—it is a convergence of two Roman women whose visions intersect in their respect for heritage and drive for reinvention.

As Fendi enters this new era, Maria Grazia Chiuri is poised to craft a narrative where femininity becomes a declaration, and fashion remains a living art form anchored in the present.

Business

Prada’s $775 Safety Pin Brooch Sparks Internet Debate Over Luxury Pricing

allycaralgoa

Luxury fashion house Prada has once again made headlines — this time, not for a couture gown or handbag, but for an accessory as simple as a safety pin.

The Italian brand recently released a brooch featuring a sleek metallic safety pin adorned with delicate crochet details and a Prada logo charm. It’s a creative fusion of minimalist design and handcrafted artistry — but it’s the price tag of $775 (approximately ₹68,758) that’s getting everyone talking.

Social media users have been quick to react, with opinions ranging from admiration for Prada’s design innovation to disbelief over the cost of a safety pin. Some fashion lovers see it as a collectible piece of wearable art, while others call it an example of “luxury gone too far.”

This isn’t the first time luxury fashion has sparked debate over pricing — but it certainly shows how brands like Prada continue to redefine the boundaries between everyday objects and high-end fashion.

Whether you see it as a statement of art or extravagance, there’s no denying one thing — Prada knows how to keep the world watching.

🧷✨

#Prada #LuxuryFashion #ViralTrend #DesignerAccessories #FashionBuzz #StyleStatement #Allycaral #AllycaralGoa

Music

Bang Chan Rules the ‘Roman Empire’: FENDI x Stray Kids Unite Fashion and Music

Tanisha Cardozo

The worlds of music and fashion collide once more as Stray Kids’ leader Bang Chan and FENDI unveil their collaborative masterpiece, “Roman Empire.” The global artist and Maison Brand Ambassador has written, composed, and produced the single — a lyrical and visual tribute to the shared pursuit of creativity, craftsmanship, and timeless excellence.

Filmed at FENDI’s Roman headquarters, the Palazzo della Civiltà Italiana, the music video captures the essence of the Maison’s architectural grandeur and Bang Chan’s bold artistic identity. Within its marble arches and soft sunlight, the artist weaves the spirit of Rome into music, echoing FENDI’s legacy of sophistication and innovation.

Bang Chan describes the song as “a love compared to the eternity and grandeur of the Roman Empire,” infusing symbols of the Maison — the Peekaboo bag and the signature F logo — into his lyrics and visuals. Through this creative dialogue, he reinterprets FENDI’s classical motifs through modern soundscapes and emotion.

Musically, “Roman Empire” combines smooth R&B melodies, ethereal synth layers, and a punchy Miami Bass rhythm, producing an atmosphere that is both introspective and cinematic. The balance of elegance and power mirrors FENDI’s own design philosophy — refined yet daring, classic yet forward-looking.

The project extends beyond a traditional brand collaboration. It embodies a creative exchange where heritage meets innovation, and where Bang Chan’s role as an artist transcends performance into storytelling. His ability to merge emotion, sound, and visual identity makes “Roman Empire” not just a song, but an experience that encapsulates both his musical evolution and FENDI’s enduring legacy.

The official music video will debut on November 3 at 6:00 p.m., with a special premiere at COEX’s K-pop Square in Seoul — symbolically connecting the Roman roots of the Maison with the modern pulse of Korean pop culture.

Through “Roman Empire,” Bang Chan and FENDI reaffirm their shared vision: that artistry knows no borders, and when fashion and music unite, they create something timeless — a symphony of style, emotion, and creative freedom.

Fit & Fabulous

Reliance Brands to Bring Italian Fashion Label MAX&Co. to India in 2026

Tanisha Cardozo

Reliance Brands Limited (RBL) has entered into a long-term master franchise agreement to bring MAX&Co., the contemporary Italian fashion brand under the Max Mara Fashion Group, to India. The partnership will introduce MAX&Co.’s modern, quality-driven collections and mix-and-match approach to Indian consumers, expanding its appeal among fashion-forward women.

The first MAX&Co. store is set to open in Mumbai in early 2026, followed by expansion into major Indian metros. The store will feature the full range of the brand’s offerings, including apparel, accessories, and its signature seasonal “&Co.llaboration” capsules — limited-edition creative partnerships that highlight its directional and non-conforming spirit.

“MAX&Co. embodies a bold, modern expression of femininity — dynamic, joyful, and unapologetically individual — a spirit that deeply resonates with the evolving style and confidence of Indian women,” said Isha Ambani, Executive Director, Reliance Retail Ventures Limited. “Through our partnership with Max Mara Fashion Group, we are proud to bring this iconic global brand to India and shape a new chapter in contemporary women’s fashion.”

Maria Giulia Prezioso Maramotti, MAX&Co. Brand Divisional Director and Board Member of Max Mara Fashion Group, added, “We are pleased to join forces with Reliance Brands, whose expertise in building and nurturing global premium brands makes them an ideal partner. India represents a vibrant and forward-thinking market that shares our passion for creativity, style, and self-expression.”

Founded in 1986, MAX&Co. has evolved into a global contemporary fashion brand, distributed online and through over 400 stores worldwide. With this partnership, Reliance Brands continues to expand its portfolio of international luxury names, reinforcing its leadership in India’s fashion and lifestyle retail sector.