The unmissable events of 2019

Fashion, beauty, hotels, restaurants, tourism... In 2019, luxury has never been better. All its sectors are on the rise, thanks to an increasingly strong demand from a demanding clientele, but also thanks to the real efforts of the various players. Thibaut de La Rivière, Director of Sup de Luxe, notes that "In this sector, high standards and innovation are a daily quest. Luxury must offer premium quality and avant-garde technology, with real advantages such as tailor-made services, exclusive collaborations, original events, ephemeral boutiques... Without forgetting the constant concern for environmental issues, which are increasingly at the heart of this clientele's requirements".

January

- Birth of a giant in the world of European design: the International Design Group (IDG). The brands B&B Italia, Flos and Louis Poulsen are now part of the same holding company. "It's a bit like the LVMH model that we have in mind. The objective is to create a global brand hub in design and interior architecture," explains Armin Broger.

 - A unique piece in the world, an all-crystal barrel filled with Sauternes. Signed Lalique, this exhibition object containing 225 litres of Sauternes celebrates the 400th anniversary of Château Lafaurie-Peyraguey.

February

- Hermès has announced the opening of a new leather goods production facility in Normandy. The Group announces the creation of 250 jobs by 2021.

- Karl Lagerfeld, who modernised the House of Chanel's heritage and turned it into an iconic brand acclaimed the world over, passed away.

 - The most expensive wines in the world are the great wines of Burgundy! The wine sales site IDealwine indicates that out of 50 labels, 42 are from Burgundy in 2018 compared to 32 in 2017. Most expensive bottle of wine in the world ? 16173 € for a grand cru from Domaine de la Romanée-Conti 2005.

March

- French export champion, leather! For the first time and thanks to luxury, France's exports in 2018 were higher than its imports, with 11.7 billion euros of exports up 10%!

- The owner of Lacoste treats himself to The Kooples. The Swiss group Maus Frères has entered into negotiations with the shareholders of the Parisian brand founded in 2008 by the three brothers, Elicha. A sibling whose parents are at the origin of Comptoir des Cotonniers.

- Citizen M, the champion of the "affordable luxury" hotel business, is stepping up the pace of its openings to increase from 25 to 50 new establishments. By raising €750 million, the group is valued at €2 billion.

April

- Tiger Woods, a gold champion for Nike, the golfing legend surprisingly wins the Augusta Masters. A victory also for its main sponsor, the champion brought more than 22 million dollars to Nike.

- At the head of the Pétrus galaxy, a new generation! Jean Moueix, 33 years old, is taking over the operational management of the Duclot family business, one of the largest distributors of Bordeaux's Grands Crus. He is co-owner with his father of Château Pétrus in Pomerol.
 

May

- After the success of her beauty brand "Fenty Beauty", Rihana launches with LVMH her own brand "Fenty", where she will offer ready-to-wear, shoes and accessories.

- Neymar creates her new fragrance "Spirit of the Brave" for Diesel in collaboration with L'Oréal. Beyond the muses who were content to appear in ads, today is the time for real collaboration.

 - After Gucci and other major brands such as Armani and Ralph Lauren, Prada will no longer use animal fur in its collections. Today, more and more brands are focusing on more ethical fashion.

June

- Gucci and the Kering Group will use artificial intelligence to improve profitability and refine its sales forecasts.

- Vestiaire Collective wants to build on the success of second-hand luxury and has just raised 40 million euros to continue its international expansion. This second-hand market should grow by a further 12% in 2021.

- The young Chinese champions of luxury! Young Chinese are the real drivers of luxury growth, with an expected 18 to 20% boom in their spending.
 

July

- Galeries Lafayette will take control of Mauboussin, taking a majority stake in the jewellery house.

- After leaving the Kering group, Stella McCartney is joining forces with LVMH, enabling Bernard Arnault's group to strengthen its ethical and sustainable side, an issue for the younger generation.

- Paul Bocuse's restaurant, the Auberge du Pont de Collonges, has been awarded the Entreprise du patrimoine vivant label! Created by the French government in 2005, this label aims to reward companies with know-how - craft or industrial - renowned for their rarity and excellence.

August

- Cédric Grolet, the famous pastry chef of Le Meurice, is the new ambassador of the Piaget house. Yannick Alléno at Hublot, Xavier Pincemin at Michel Herbelin, now Cédric Grolet at Piaget, the Chefs seem more than ever to inspire watchmakers and jewellers.

Aston Martin Lagonda - the British manufacturer's Luxury entity - is due to unveil in Courchevel, Savoie, the fruit of 18 months of collaboration with Airbus Corporate Helicopters.

- The Louvre is embarking on a new tourist and cultural experience. In collaboration with the luxury cruise line Ponant, Le Louvre is offering two new cruises inspired by its collections of antiques: Cultural Jewels of the Adriatic and Treasures of the Persian Gulf.

September

- Burberry launches its personalised chat service, Created in association with Apple, the R Message messaging service is introduced as a conversation tool integrated into the Burberry iOs application. Secure, it is accessible by invitation only to a highly qualified target audience.

- Richemont has acquired the Italian jeweller Buccelatti, thereby strengthening its jewellery division alongside its star brand, Cartier.

- Champagne, LVMH announces a very promising vintage for its prestigious houses, Dom Pérignon, Moët et Chandon, Veuve Clicquot, Krug, Ruinart and Mercier, LVMH announces: "Like no other, this year has high expectations for the 2019 vintage".

October

- Balmain launches into durable jewellery with Diamond Foundry. During Paris Fashion Week, the Balmain fashion house unveiled a new piece of jewellery made from synthetic diamonds created in the laboratory.

- Alain Ducasse, winner of the Gastronomic Outreach Award.

- Sustainable packaging, L'Oréal is experimenting with cardboard-based tubes. The cosmetics giant will partner with Albéa - a leading manufacturer of packaging and beauty solutions - to design new-generation packaging.

- After the first two workshops in California, it's the turn of Louis Vuitton in Texas, in Keen near Dallas, to welcome a new prestigious production site.

November

- The first diamonds made in France! A revolution in Place Vendôme, the young Courbet company unveils the first collection made with diamonds grown in France.

- Tiffany and LVMH, the biggest operation in the history of luxury! Bernard Arnault's group buys the famous jeweller for 14.7 billion euros. After Bvlgari, the French group thus strengthens its position in high jewellery.

- New luxury space, La Samaritaine owned by LVMH reopens its doors. This site will also include a hotel and will live mainly thanks to an international clientele.
 

December

- Green shift for the giants of luxury, fashion and cosmetics! Although they are the world's main polluters, there is a real awareness of these players and important decisions have been taken with the launch of the "Fashion Pact" launched by Kering and ambitious commitments in

 traceability and animal welfare.

- Prada and L'Oréal join forces in perfume and cosmetics, an agreement that will come into force in early 2021.

- Off-White X Le Louvre. American designer Virgil Abloh, an art lover, unveils a series of exclusive pieces in partnership with the Parisian museum.

- Aston Martin and Airbus, Rendez-vous on January 3! Aston Martin Lagonda, the British manufacturer's Luxury entity, is due to unveil in Courchevel, Savoie, the result of 18 months of collaboration with Airbus Corporate Helicopters.