online boutiques

Luxury Moves Into Online Shopping: Richemont Buys Net-A-Porter

Filed under: Apparel

We're big fans of online luxury retailer Net-a-Porter and apparently we aren't the only ones. Luxury conglomerate Richemont, the name behind brands like Cartier and Montblanc is bringing the e-tailer deeper into the fold. Richemont previously held a 33% stake in the company (it first starting investing in the company in 2002) but has agreed to acquire the majority of the company from a group of private shareholders for around $340 million according to an article in the Wall Street Journal.

Net-a-Porter was founded in 2000 by former fashion journalist Natalie Massenet. It offers fashionable women's clothing and accessories and also has an editorial component with advice on lifestyle and trends. It's that combination of retail and editorial that has made Net-a-Porter a popular shopping destination. Net-a-Porter plans to expand in the U.S. Cashing in on the discount luxury trend (a segment that includes websites like Gilt Groupe and Rue La La), Net-a-Porter also runs theOutnet.com, a site that sells discounted designer clothing. Natalie Massenet will stay on with the company as executive chairman.

Tags: e-tailer, e-tailers, natalie massenet, Net-a-Porter, online boutiques, Richemont

Je Ne Sais Quoi: European Style At Your Fingertips

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Apparel

French style just got a little bit easier with Je Ne Sais Quoi, a Paris-based multi-brand e-boutique that curates international chic from a variety of fashion and lifestyle brands. The founder Mirielle Nagourney is Franco-American and has a mix of both American and French style that is focused on trends rather than labels. The site mixes older brands like Ettinger and Zoeppritz along with newer designers including two new French brands Moio (silk, linen and cotton scarves) and Owen&Savary (a Franco-British duo specializing in handmade, adjustable leather cuff bracelets).

They ship internationally offering global access to brands that are often very difficult to find because of their strict distribution policies. Products are either wrapped in silk tissue paper or in a linen pouch, placed in a crisp white shopping bag and secured by an organza ribbon offering a bit of the boutique experience with the ease of online shopping.

Tags: e-boutique, e-tailers, fashion, je ne sais quoi, jenesaisquoi, online boutiques, shopping