These are the stories making headlines in fashion on Friday.
Smart Glasses Launch Reopens Debate Over Privacy
Google and Samsung opened preorders Thursday for Gemini-powered smart glasses designed by Warby Parker and Gentle Monster, with prices starting at $395 and $449, respectively. The launches, which were accompanied by a Joaquin Phoenix film and a literary pop-up in New York, join Meta’s celebrity-led campaigns in trying to make camera glasses look fashionable. Many consumers remain uneasy about being filmed without consent, with some online comments calling the glasses “surveillance” tools. HTC, which makes the VIVE Eagle glasses, added an optional setting that lets bystanders order a recording to stop, and Meta recently released a camera-free pair. {Glossy/paywalled}
How Fashion Helped Protect Great Bear Rainforest
Fashion brands such as H&M, Zara and Stella McCartney joined a campaign that led to legal protection for 85% of British Columbia’s Great Bear Rainforest. Canopy Founder Nicole Rycroft said pressure from global buyers broke a stalled negotiation, showing companies can sway conservation even without a direct link to the forest. Canopy now wants brands to convert 5% of their man-made cellulosic fibers (which typically come from wood pulp) to next-generation materials by 2028. {Vogue Business/paywalled}
Quince Continues To Add Outside Brands to Its Offering
Quince, long known for selling luxury-quality goods at low prices through its direct model, is increasingly stocking established third-party brands, including Therabody, Supergoop, Staub and Cadence. The company has struck wholesale deals in beauty, wellness and cookware, and offers customers 25% back in Quince credit on eligible beauty purchases. Cadence Founder Steph Hon also notes the brand’s sales on Quince have outpaced other retailers. {Modern Retail}
Richemont Shares Slide Despite Rising Sales
Richemont shares fell as much as 9% on Friday after second-quarter jewelry sales rose 14% to €4.4 billion ($4.9 billion), missing analyst expectations of 16% growth. Total Q2 sales at the Cartier owner climbed 13% to €5.95 billion ($6.56 billion), helped by strong results in the U.S., Japan and Europe, while mainland China stayed soft. CEO Nicolas Bos said long-term jewelry trends remain positive, and Chairman Johann Rupert did not confirm talks to buy a stake in De Beers. {Richemont; Reuters}
Hugo Boss CEO To Step Down
After leading the company since June 2021, Daniel Grieder is stepping down as CEO of Hugo Boss, effective Dec. 31. David Epstein, chief brand partnerships officer at Frasers Group, will succeed him on Jan. 1, 2027. “It has been an honor to lead Hugo Boss, and I will always feel connected to its people and brands,” Grieder said. Supervisory Board Chairman Michael Murray said Epstein “knows what it takes to build strong brands, elevate the consumer experience and drive a business forward.” {Hugo Boss}
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