Aftermath of the fire in a New Delhi handbag factory.
Photo: Sajjad Hussain/Getty Images
These are the stories making headlines in fashion on Monday.
A deadly fire in a New Delhi handbag factory
On Sunday, a fire broke out in India‘s capital New Delhi killing 43 people and becoming one of the worst fires in recent garment industry history. More than 50 people were rescued after the fire engulfed the six-story factory – located in a cramped neighborhood – where its workers were sleeping. There are no details on how the fire began, but locals believe that the handbags and raw materials filling the factory contributed to the fire’s rapid spread. {Business of Fashion}
Could gamers be the next big fashion influencers?
The online gaming industry has become extremely lucrative: By 2021, it’s expected to be worth $180 billion. Because of this, it’s reported that the industry could pose a great opportunity for luxury brands looking to reach a certain consumer. Recently, Louis Vuitton forayed into the gaming sphere via a two-year partnership with the online game “League of Legends.” The luxury brand created champion “skins” for the game’s avatars, a capsule ready-to-wear collection and a trophy case. Other brands have also created gaming gear and PewDiePie, the most followed gamer with 102 million subscribers and sponsorships, recently launched his own unisex clothing and housewares line. {WWD}
The battle for “Fashion Week,” the name
Everyone wants a part of Fashion Week. IMG, which has held the trademark for “New York Fashion Week” and “NYFW” since 2001, is issuing a trademark lawsuit against the 6-year old company Fashion Week Inc. for using the marks with events occurring during February and September. According to IMG, Fashion Week Inc. has no connection to New York Fashion Week or any right to use the name. {The Fashion Law}
What the 2019 crowning of Miss Universe means
Congratulations are in order for Miss South Africa, Zozibini Tunzi, who was crowned the 2019 Miss Universe at Sunday night’s pageant. “I grew up in a world where a woman who looks like me — with my kind of skin and my kind of hair — was never considered to be beautiful,” says Tunzi. This new title for Tunzi means that younger girls will finally have an role model to look up to who more closely resembles or represents them. {CNN}
The closing of Feminist blog Feministing
The independent feminist blog Feministing will be logging off and closing its doors soon. Feminist media has been hit hard by financial turmoil as not everyone is open to aligning themselves with publications that are explicitly feminist. Feministing, founded in 2004, helped popularize the term “slut-shaming,” interviewed Lizzo during her early days and at its peak, had 1.2 million unique monthly visitors. {The New York Times}
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