In a move that’s sent the fashion industry into overdrive across the globe, LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton, together with Rihanna, have announced that they’ll be closing this chapter (aka, their doors) on their luxury fashion brand, FENTY.
Which I assume has come as a bit of a shock for most. Especially given Rihanna’s star power and LVMH’s reputation for mastering major luxury brands.
“Inspired by a worldwide community beyond traditional boundaries, FENTY embraces a fundamental freedom: a freedom from convention and rules. Women are forces of this earth. We are multifaceted, complex, vulnerable; yet bulletproof – and FENTY speaks to all!”
Though, it’s not exactly breaking news that the fashion and retail sectors have been experiencing a global slump for some time now… So chalking it down to the industry being cut throat and just as competitive as it’s portrayed, probably isn’t too far from the truth for some fashion brands at the moment.
All the while, it’s a well known fact that major conglomerates have been known to ride out such weather and rest easy on their laurels – or should I just be honest and say; their big budgets, persuasive advertising campaigns, and plentiful teams that have earned their worth by glorifying celebrity culture unto the masses…
However, now that the proverbial elephant in the room has rippled and trickled back up the supply chain – leaving no one untouched – perhaps us mere mortals of the industry might choose to see this as an opportunity to finally shake things up!
That said, at the risk of being shun for poor timing (given it’s only been a couple of days since their announcement), I can’t help but write that I’m not at all surprised. For numerous reasons! Which all involve the fact that I had identified this grey area a couple of years ago…
Now, before anyone reading this thinks that I’m being unsupportive of my fellow fashion friends and brands at large, please let me explain my sentiments quickly before I move on to let you know the 9 things that Rihanna’s luxury fashion brand FENTY can teach us:
I’ve been in the fashion industry for 14+ years now. Which I realise is nothing in comparison to those that have well and truly earned their fashion stripes. However; during my stint thus far, I’ve seen many who – despite being well intentioned – have come and gone faster than a Chanel knock off. And what I equate from seeing that during my time in the industry (coupled with now seeing it play out more frequently with the so-called “untouchables”), is that no amount of conglomerate sized budgets, brilliantly mastered press releases or fabulous fashion parties will make a frock of difference.
So given the aforementioned + all the doom and gloom of late, I wouldn’t blame you if you took the, ‘if someone like Rihanna and LVMH can give it a go and [somewhat] fail, then why should I try’ mentality. However, that’s certainly not the angle I’m going for here!
Now more so than ever, we need to be looking at everything from a well-rounded perspective. One that sees no set back as failure. Nor final! And moreover; the growth and grit that we can collectively utilise to better serve our community.
Which takes me to what I think we can all learn from the closure of luxury fashion brand FENTY:
- Nothing is fully what it seems. Especially in the fashion industry – where the magic ingredients can literally be smoke and mirrors. So take this as an example as to why it’s always best to be transparent. No matter the perception of others or the platform you’ve been blessed to stand on.
- No doesn’t always mean you should give up. Sometimes no just means; NEXT!
- We all have areas of growth to go through – despite industry experience, healthy budgets, great teams, fame, fortune, etc… No one is above growth.
- Keep your mind’s eye on your goals…no matter the growing pains or naysayers along the way.
- Personal profits over purpose won’t get you far. Well at least not happily. So find a higher purpose that contributes and connects you to a community and cause that’s larger than yourself.
- Never underestimate the power of a Queen and her team i.e. the comeback always glows brighter.
- Choose to let every set back become an opportunity to step back and audit that area of your life. Be it in business, relationships, career, finances, health, time management and so on… by forming this simple yet highly effective habit, no matter the challenge, you’ll always be a champion.
- Never be afraid to give something new or different a try, because you never know where it will lead you. After all, as Ralph Waldo Emerson so gracefully wrote it, “It’s not the destination; it’s the journey.”
- Nothing has any meaning except the meaning we give to it. So make sure that whatever meaning you give to every step back, it’s serving you. Because you’re so worth it.
Have you got a great silver lining moment you’d like to share? I’d love to hear it so drop me a line in the comments below!
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