Alfredo Russolillo

Via The Business of Fashion. Confirming my previous post! Luxury brands raising their prices higher than inflation rate WITHOUT the backup of true newness in products, combined with formulaic consumer engagement, and questionable quality proposition is a sure recipe for gloom and doom! Hermes, Cucinelli, Moncler are buckling the trends, but what works for them may not work for your brand. Find your own voice! Among the underpeforming brands, I still hold hope for a rare few. For them, this quote from Bemjamin Disraeli comes to mind: "The secret of success, is constancy of Purpose." To these brands, I say: listen to your consumers, learn, adjust, focus, and trust your teams!!! ... and don't waste a good crisis!

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✨ Fashion and luxury are not just economic sectors; they are powerful tools to interpret the world and pursue beauty and quality. As highlighted by Il Sole 24 Ore, 2025 brings challenges such as rising prices, shifting global markets, and the key role of new creatives. However, these challenges can turn into opportunities. Fashion and luxury uniquely capture the essence of our time, transforming values into inspiring products. Emphasizing craftsmanship and timeless quality can reinforce their role as cultural and economic pillars. In 2025, true luxury will be about celebrating well-made products, a value deeply and unconsciously recognized by humanity, reflecting a society in transformation. #fashion #luxury #craftsmanship #beauty #quality #sustainability #timelessdesign #globalmarkets #futureoffashion

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HERE WE ARE This morning, I was asked what I foresee for the Fashion industry in 2025. The article published by #MilanoFinanza highlights a possible recovery starting from the second half of next year, focusing on the financial aspects of the sector. From my perspective, which is nourished daily by feedback from professionals in the creative, production, and distribution sectors, the outlook appears less optimistic. The ongoing crisis has already been decimating important brands and companies for months. However, what I foresee with certainty is an acceleration in the adoption of new Artificial Intelligence tools. These tools, while posing challenges for those who fail to update and adapt, will also bring enormous opportunities: cost reductions in various areas of the supply chain, coupled with a significant qualitative improvement in results across multiple fields. As #MarcoBizzarri asserts, and as valuable entrepreneurs have taught me over the years, it is precisely during the most challenging times that great successes can be achieved. This revolution, now irreversible, will radically transform the Fashion and Luxury sectors. Personally, I hope this change will also lead to a recovery in terms of image and quality, regaining what has been lost in recent times. One thing is certain: whether by 2025 or 2026, there is no turning back! #fashionnews #fashionluxury #fashionrevolution

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I'm about to launch my #fashion brand – and I'm proud that Agnese Curti will join as a co-founder. (Help us choose the first designs in the survey in the first comment) I have been really quiet in the past few months because things got really busy both with my agency, Grapefox, and with the launch of the new brand. So, here's a bunch of things about the brand: – The brand is called "Vilanera". What does it mean? Nothing. The name was empty and brandable. The ".com" domain was cheap and available and the name was not trademarked. And it sounds nice. That's it :) – We are going to sell women's bags. The reasons why we have decided to focus on this are multiple, but the main ones are: 1) Women's bags are a huge market; 2) They have lower returns compared to other items – especially dresses –, because it's less likely that people will return them because the item doesn't fit properly; 3) They have a single size, so dealing with production/stock is going to be a bit easier. – The bags are going to be produced in Italy. The first collection will be made in Florence. – There are no investors – and I don't think there will ever be. I will finance the project with my own money. For now we are going to start with around 20,000 € – then we will push to 100,000 €, if things work. – The brand is built to be profitable from day 1. We are aiming at 55-60% gross margins after returns/COGS/shipping while maintaining high quality of the bags. This will leave us plenty of room to pay for marketing/fixed costs. (the aim is not to exceed 10% fixed costs) – We will keep fixed costs as low as possible and we will be cutthroat when it comes to expenses – stock included. – We will focus on what people want and not on what we want, so we will heavily test each single design before launching it. What doesn't work will be removed. – We want to let people/customers decide what bags we will produce, so we will try to design a system to allow people to constantly vote for new features/designs. – I will try to crack the organic side as soon as possible, because paid advertising will be a walk in the park, but I don't want to over-rely on Meta/Google/TikTok ads. You will see me trying to sell women's bags with my Italian accent :) – We are starting with some basic designs and this is done on purpose. We don't want to risk with designs that are too unique. We will develop something unique later, but first we need to be profitable. – Last but not least, we launched a survey to see what designs people like and to choose the first 4 bags to launch, and we received really good feedback, actually. If you are interested and you like women's bags, you can take the survey by checking the first comment under this post. I really wanted to launch this project since forever, and after many, many years, I finally felt ready – skill-wise and financially – to jump. Last but not least, let's hope it will go well. Fingers crossed! :)

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Big moves are on the horizon for premium sneaker brand Autry, thanks to the strategic leadership of Roberta Benaglia, CEO of STYLE CAPITAL SGR S.p.A.. After acquiring a 50.2% stake in March 2023, the Milan-based private equity fund is steering Autry towards thoughtful, long-term growth. Key highlights of Style Capital’s strategy for Autry: Market Rebalancing:  A strategic pullback in Italy (historically 34% of sales) aims to foster scarcity and maintain the brand's exclusivity. Growth will focus on markets like France, Spain, and Germany, with plans to transition from wholesale to a multi-channel strategy. Expanding Footprint:  Autry is set to launch new shop-in-shops across Europe (Le Bon Marché, Galeries Lafayette) and South Korea, alongside flagship stores in Paris (Le Marais) and London (Soho) by early 2025. Direct Market Control:  South Korea’s operations have shifted from a partner-based model to direct management, ensuring tighter control and minimizing gray market risks. U.S. Reintroduction:  With retail partners like Nordstrom and Bloomingdale’s, Autry is laying the groundwork for flagship stores in New York or Miami to deepen its American presence. Digital Expansion:  E-commerce already accounts for 20% of Autry’s business and continues to grow as part of a broader multi-channel approach. With sales exceeding €120 million in 2023 and Style Capital’s proven track record (with brands like Re/Done and MSGM), Autry is poised to elevate its position as a global premium sneaker powerhouse. What do you think of Autry’s growth strategy? Is exclusivity the key to long-term brand success? #Autry #StyleCapital #RobertaBenaglia #SneakerGrowth #PremiumSneakers #RetailStrategy #FashionBusiness

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As an entrepreneur, much of my education and career is rooted in the Marche footwear district, one of Italy’s most important hubs of the industry. While I now work globally with clients and partners around the world, my main office remains in Civitanova, in the Marche region. This is where I first learned the complexities of creating a product as intricate as a shoe. My experience in this district taught me to approach the future with a dynamic mindset, always open to innovation. The decision to explore knit technology was no coincidence: it was a natural evolution, driven by years of experience and a combination of technical skills, curiosity, and a passion for innovation that has taken my business to an international level. The connection to this area remains strong. I choose to keep my base of operations here because the Marche region is where I found the foundation for my professional growth. Today, I feel like a citizen of the world with my company, but I continue to recognize the importance of the region that shaped my journey. Marche has been, and remains, an endless source of inspiration and expertise. I will continue to grow my business globally, but with a strong connection to where it all began. #technology #future #innovation #work

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Lamborghini x Balenciaga: A questionable partnership in challenging times for luxury Collaborations in the luxury world used to be a careful dance, crafted to highlight shared values and create something extraordinary. Today, many of these partnerships feel like rushed pairings, aiming for shock value rather than meaningful connections. The recent tie-up between Lamborghini and Balenciaga falls squarely into this camp – more of a head-scratcher than a masterstroke. At a time when the luxury industry is grappling with a crisis of identity and relevance, the consensus is clear: brands need to return to their roots, their DNA, and the values that made them icons in the first place. This is what future consumers are asking for – authenticity, coherence, and a sense of purpose. So why would Lamborghini, the epitome of timeless luxury, align itself with Balenciaga, a brand synonymous with controversy and shock tactics? Balenciaga has made a name for itself through provocation, whether it’s selling bags that resemble rubbish sacks or campaigns that push the boundaries of good taste. Its strategy thrives on disruption, challenging norms, and staying at the centre of attention – for better or worse. Lamborghini, on the other hand, stands for heritage, artisanal excellence, and innovative design. These are two brands that could not be more different in their approach or their values. For Lamborghini, this partnership feels like a gamble. Perhaps the goal is to attract a younger audience or to appear more relevant on social media. But at what cost? The risk is clear: alienating loyal customers, diluting brand equity, and weakening the prestige that has been built over decades. For Balenciaga, however, this collaboration is a win – gaining association with a symbol of authentic luxury adds credibility to its image and expands its reach. In a time when luxury brands are called to be more introspective and connected to their roots, this collaboration seems to run counter to what the industry needs. A more logical partnership? Bottega Veneta, a fellow Kering brand, embodies the same artisanal craftsmanship, timeless design, and understated luxury that Lamborghini champions. Together, they could have created something that felt cohesive, meaningful, and true to their shared values. The lesson here is simple: in an era where consumers value authenticity over spectacle, shock-and-awe marketing may not just fall flat – it could damage the very brand you’re trying to elevate. #LuxuryBrands #Lamborghini #Balenciaga #LuxuryIdentity #BrandCoherence #Authenticity

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🎯 Uniqueness, Innovation, and Tradition: The Revolution of Luxury Craftsmanship In the world of fashion, attention to detail and the value of “made-to-measure” have never been more tangible. 🌟 📌Zegna redefines the concept of tailoring with three distinct approaches: • Prêt-à-porter / RTW: 10 hours of work, combining the best of technology and artisanal craftsmanship. • Made-to-measure: A personalized experience, with 20-30% handmade craftsmanship for garments tailored exclusively to your measurements. • Bespoke: The essence of sartorial art. Each jacket is 100% handmade, requiring over 72 hours of meticulous work. The result? Every piece is unique and one of a kind. 💡 The magic lies in the artisanal imperfections that give every garment character and personality. From jackets to runway pieces, every desire comes to life with limitless customization options. This inspiring speech was delivered by our Creative Director Alessandro Sartori during my very first Oasi Experience, a journey that perfectly encapsulates Zegna’s values: sustainability, innovation, and timeless elegance. Zegna is the only brand that integrates everything, from fiber to the final product, delivering an unparalleled tailoring experience. #Zegna #LuxuryFashion #TailoringExcellence #MadeToMeasure #SustainableLuxury

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This is the first capsule collection me and Agnese will launch. After we checked the results of the survey we ran, and after analyzing 350 responses, these are the winners. We decided to focus on the top three highest voted colours: (people could vote multiple colours, that's why those percentages don't "add up") - Black (81.7%) - Brown (61.5%) - Burgundy (49.8%) The idea is to have a really solid but limited capsule collection, because it would be too risky to start with too many products – also, if we find a bunch of products selling well, we want to quickly push. Having too many products would complicate that. Our hope is to find 2-3 real winners and to push them as much as we can. ___ In the next 30-45 days these are the tasks we MUST complete: 1) Agnese will take care of the shooting in Milan; 2) I have to finish the website – we will be on WordPress/WooCommerce; 3) I will have to find an agreement with the 3PL to deal with shipping/logistics – we will probably have our warehouse in the Netherlands. ___ We should be ready to launch by the end of February – if nothing happens. But we are already happy about the responses we had and the small traction we already got. I don't want to be delusional, because "you never know," but I think we got this :) Let's see if 20 years combined of experience in the field (between me and Agnese) will pay off. But now that we are about to launch, I'm getting anxious as well :) Have a great weekend! #fashion

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As the #ParisOlympics draw closer day by day, the Paris Organizing Committee has been gradually unveiling the luxury brands involved in the preparations. Many people, upon seeing this 'dream team' of #fashion, jokingly say, 'Those in the know understand the French are hosting the Olympics, but those who don't might think they're hosting Fashion Week.' For elite athletes, the quadrennial Olympics is the most important stage of their careers. For regular spectators and sports enthusiasts, there are countless aspects worthy of attention and discussion. The romantic French have turned 'fashion' into a key theme of this Olympics. In line with the 'Olympic Fashion Week' vibe, many countries have put a lot of effort into designing their outfits for the opening and closing ceremonies as well as their competition uniforms. As the host nation, France’s designs are absolutely stunning, given their innate sense of romance and fashion. The opening and closing ceremony outfits are designed by Berluti. For a sporting event, these designs seem to transcend the typical boundaries of #sportsfashion. The lapels pay homage to France's three iconic colors—red, white, and blue—yet it's not just a simple 'walking flag.' The men’s tailcoat designs exude an elegant 'old money' vibe, while the women’s skirts or pants showcase diverse and dynamic femininity. On the other hand, the competition day #uniforms are designed by Stephane Ashpool, the designer behind the popular streetwear brand Farmacias Pigalle. The waltz-style jackets and simple off-white base are beautifully accented with colorful details. The #embroidery on the outfits was even entrusted to 香奈儿 Lesage studio, once again demonstrating France's unshakable status in the fashion world. #fashioninsports

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Empowering Women in Fashion - A Collective Responsibility On September 25, during Milan Fashion Week’s Spring/Summer 2023 shows, industry leaders gathered at the Bulgari Hotel to discuss empowering the female-identifying workforce. Co-hosted by BoF’s Lauren Sherman and Bulgari's Laura Burdese, the roundtable explored external activations, leadership strategies, and supply chain welfare. Despite progress, gender disparities persist. For example, female CEOs head only 2.5% of companies on the Milan stock exchange. Yet, McKinsey & Co. reports that companies in the top quartile for gender diversity on executive teams are 21% more likely to outperform on profitability. Key Takeaways from the BOF article: Authentic Activism: Companies must back public statements on social justice with genuine business practices to ensure brand alignment and retain talent. Leadership and Promotion: Addressing the promotion gap is vital. For every 100 men promoted to manager, only 86 women are promoted. Supply Chain Welfare: With 80% of fashion's global supply chain workforce being female, it's imperative to improve working conditions and support communities near factories. As FASHION EXECUTIVES & ENTREPRENEURS, we have a responsibility to lead by example. EMPOWERING women within our organizations and supply chains is not just a moral imperative; it's a business one. I am passionate about driving this change through my EMBODIED Leadership workshops. These sessions are designed to transform leadership from the inside out, promoting transparency, equity, and genuine support for all team members and also a focus on the Buying & Merchandising population. Let’s connect and discuss how we can collaborate to create a more INCLUSIVE and EQUITABLE fashion industry. Join me in creating a future where every woman in fashion can thrive. #FashionIndustry #FemaleEmpowerment #Leadership #Sustainability #GenderEquality #MilanFashionWeek #EmbodiedLeadership #Embodimentcoach #Coaching #Lifecoach #Corporatecoaching Join us on Thursday, August 1st for an online Mini Masterclass on Embodied Leadership. Book here. https://lnkd.in/dTH5vgXg

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Livetrend is PHYGITAL ! Look how we went from digital to physical, from AI-driven trends to a real #fashionshow It has been an amazing experience for the whole Livetrend.co team to see our hard work coming to life at the leading footwear fair MICAM Milano. 1. Livetrend has developed specific algorithms to detect footwear trends analyzing millions of images and information from the most influential web sources. 2. Livetrend has provided the first DATA-DRIVEN & AI-GENERATED TREND GUIDE to help MICAM visitors buying bestsellers products in order to reduce the unsold goods, optimising business and ecological impact. 3. This Guide for Buyers includes 4 seasonal macrotrends, presenting concepts, top colors, materials, components and the must-haves products for women and men, highlighting the data analyzed from Instagram, E-commerce, Fashion Shows and Consumer Interest, used to support the trend forecasting with concrete information. 4. Livetrend has created a whole TREND AREA for MICAM in collaboration with Lineapelle showing materials, colors and AI-generated products, classified from the most trendy to the most commercial. 5. The 4 Trends has been brought to life thanks to live fashion shows!! during the fair Livetrend has selected the best styles between more than 1000 exhibitors to showcase the trends of the season. Isn't that a wonderful accomplishment?

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Italian Luxury: It’s Not Just About Commercial Success, It’s About Synergy and Cultural Relevance Yemi, great points on the commercial success of Italian luxury creative directors! But it’s important to look beyond just the revenue numbers. What makes creative directors like Alessandro Michele and Pierpaolo Piccioli extraordinary is their ability to balance tradition and innovation, creating cultural relevance that resonates globally. Take Prada—the Miuccia Prada and Raf Simons partnership and Patrizio Bertelli’s leadership shows how strategic synergy between creative vision and business acumen drives not just sales, but brand longevity. Additionally it’s the increasing need for CMO and Creative Director symbiosis that will shape the future of luxury brands. These roles are more intertwined than ever, especially in a world where digital engagement, sustainability, and personalization define consumer loyalty. Don’t be too surprised about Pierpaolo, he started at Valentino with Maria Grazia Chiuri in Accessories and worked together until 2016, when Maria Grazia moved to Dior. He maybe in search of just the right opportunity, partnership, set up? Finally, luxury brands must learn from the mass-market evolution of companies like Uniqlo, which has blurred the line between fast fashion and high fashion by focusing on cultural relevance, spearheaded by Christophe Lemaire and Sarah Linh Tran and the recent hiring of Clare Waight Keller (non italians). The question now isn’t just about who’s doubling revenues, but who’s leading the charge in aligning heritage with modern consumer values. #MFW #LuxuryFashion #CreativeDirectors #CMOSynergy #CulturalRelevance #Vogue #Dior #BOF

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Rolex: Decoding the Crown's Dominance in Luxury Horology In our latest article, we present an unprecedented analysis of ROLEX's enduring leadership in the luxury watch industry. This comprehensive study delves into: - The brand's historical evolution and key innovations - Iconic models that shaped horological standards - Rolex's unique market positioning and strategy - The interplay between craftsmanship, marketing, and perceived value Our research offers fresh insights into how Rolex has maintained its crown in an ever-evolving luxury landscape. Discover the mechanisms behind Rolex's unparalleled success. Read the full analysis here: https://lnkd.in/eP-pdd6w #LuxuryWatches #RolexAnalysis #HorologyInsights

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- 1 to the launch of my project... I have always been convinced that a #fashion or a #luxury brand should avoid having diva-like employees like creative directors or CEOs working mainly for their own benefit in the short term and that the Brand should be put first. This is the only way to create Brand Equity. That intangible asset so much despised by CFOs who cannot measure it but that represent the winning weapon on the market. I got to this conclusion after: - more than 20 years as a manager and top executive in key groups and brands - several years of studies thanks to my job as luxury management professor in key universities - my own research and curiosity crossing a regular brand analysis I do for my consulting job Brunello Cucinelli financial results of Q1 24 prove exactly this point. - Having a good product aligned with a powerful and consistent storytelling making the brand distinctive and unique is the only leverage helping companies to surf the ups and downs of this industry, especially in these volatile times - A company cannot recover quickly from the turmoil if they did not work well in advance in creating and nurturing a solid brand management and strategy - #talentmanagement is key and the team spirit is crucial. No divas...I remember Carla Fendi, one of the five sisters who developed Fendi had a desk in the open space with us, sharing everyday every single inspiration and thought with all of us, nobody excluded. - You can have the right mix of knowledge of brand management in fashion and luxury if you work in the industry and you study at the same time brand management applied to the industry - There is no need to launch hype, if you develop a great, robust, distinctive brand Tomorrow will be the day of the launch of my personal project. Stay tuned if you are interested!

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The performance of the OTB Group (Only The Brave) hasn't really had the attention it deserves. The group owns the brands Diesel, Maison Margiela, Marni, Viktor&Rolf and others and last year produced very solid results: +10.2% for the group  +33.8% on direct channels  +13.1% for Diesel (key turnaround)  Headquartered in Italy with a strong business across Europe and APAC, here are some insights for #OTB FY23: ✅ Revenue increased +10.2% YOY to €1.9Bn ✅ Regional Spilt of Sales: Italy €344m Rest of Europe €503m APAC (excl India) €251m Japan €410m US €203m ROW €104m ✅ Regional Summary China: continued to focus on areas of high potential: 30 new stores Japan accounts for 23% of OTB's group business South Korea is one of the groups top performing new markets US business returned to growth Europe remained stable ✅ Significant growth for the direct channels of 33.8% from 2022, driven by increased sales in existing stores and by 76 new openings, as a result of which the retail network had a total of 610 direct sales outlets at the end of 2023 ✅ Superb performance in Asia, the Group’s key growth driver with a turnover improvement of 74% ✅ Continued expansion in Japan, which, with 23% of total business, is the Group’s key market and reported 19.4% growth in 2023 ✅ DIESEL +13.1% - Robust growth reflects the reflecting the success of the now well consolidated brand repositioning strategy - Growth of the women’s collection, which today accounts for almost 50% of business - Generated growing interest among young consumers, with Gen-Z representing 35% of its customer base - Opened 15 new stores in Europe, China, India and North America, including flagships in Paris, Miami, Antwerp and Guangzhou ✅ MAISON MARGIELA +23% - driven by China and Korea, where sales were up 72.4% from 2022, confirming the brand's growing appeal among young Asian consumers - positioning was strengthened by the global success of the Maison Margiela Artisanal Collection 2024 haute couture fashion show - opened 24 new stores; Venice, Beijing, Shanghai, Los Angeles, Las Vegas and Seoul ✅ JIL SANDER +17.3% - 18 new stores in locations including Paris, Rome, Venice, Madrid, London, Dallas, Los Angeles, Tokyo, Kyoto, Nanjing and Seoul. ✅ Marni +8.6% 16 new stores opened in 2023 - Signed a new 20-year licensing agreement with Coty, for beauty products and fragrances  ESG / OTB Foundation ✅ committed to supporting vulnerable people in Italy and Internationally ✅ Awarded prestigious “We Welcome” award by the UN High Commissioner for Refugees ✅ Expanded its “Brave Women Awards” project, providing 57 scholarships for deserving female students at top Italian universities

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Success KPIS: 1) Trend Setter 2) Free-Spirited / Open-Minded 3) Unconventional / Off-Beat

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Quiet Luxury: The Future of Fashion? Luxury is changing, and it’s not about loud logos anymore—it’s about craftsmanship, quality, and confidence without shouting. In this CNBC interview, Ermenegildo Zegna breaks down how they’re leading the charge in the “quiet luxury” trend and adapting to the post-COVID shift in how we dress. Think: modern elegance that fits every part of life, from the office to everyday wear. If you’re fascinated by how brands are staying relevant in a world that values subtlety and authenticity, this is worth a watch. What’s your take—can “quiet luxury” reshape the fashion industry? Watch the video here. https://cnb.cx/46LXnHF

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🔥 𝗪𝗵𝗼’𝘀 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘀 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝗲 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗲𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝗘𝘂𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲? 🔥 The European sports footwear market is evolving rapidly. Here’s a breakdown of how brands are competing for market share in 2024: 📊 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗲𝘁 𝗦𝗻𝗮𝗽𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘁: 1️⃣ Nike: 30% (Still leading the charge! 🔥) 2️⃣ adidas : 20% (Close second 🏃‍♂️💨) 3️⃣ New Balance: 15% (Gaining popularity with their retro designs) 4️⃣ ASICS : 10% (Loved by runners for advanced tech) 5️⃣ HOKA: 8% (Chunky soles are in!) 6️⃣ On Running: 5% (Innovating lightweight performance meets lifestyle) ❓ The Big Question: With rising competition from challenger brands can 𝗡𝗶𝗸𝗲 and 𝗔𝗱𝗶𝗱𝗮𝘀 maintain their dominance? 💡  Which brand do you think will win the 2025 race? 🏁 Let’s discuss below! #FootwearMarket #RunningShoes #FashionTrends #SneakerCulture #MarketTrends

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