If there was any doubt that, over the past decade, the business of luxury e-commerce has โshot itself in the footโ, then the imminent shuttering of the once ubiquitous Matches Fashion should prove the proverbial smoking gun.
Following the acquisition of the UK-based fashion e-tailer by Frasers Group last year โ to the relatively modest tune of ยฃ52 million (~AU$98.7 million) โ administrators were instructed to wind up the company early this March.
Spokespeople from Frasers, which also operates luxury retailer Flannels, stated that โtoo much change would be requiredโ to restructure Matches profitably. To date, the companyโs voluntary administration has resulted in the termination of over 270 jobs, and insulated Frasers Group from a range of third-party claims from designers and production partners. According to Vogue Business, these are worth an estimated ยฃ22.8 million (~AU$43.3 million).
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Valued at US$1 billion at the height of its powers โ with a brand roster including the likes of Bottega Veneta, Gucci, and Simone Rocha โ Matchesโ collapse speaks broadly to an almost categorical shift in the way luxury consumers shop online.
Amongst industry cognoscenti, one near-term prediction is that an increasing number of small brands will move to a direct-to-consumer model. Others still point to the opportunity for smaller, more engaged multi-brand retailers (e.g. Mytheresa) to โtrade upโ in the wake of the Matches Fashion shutdown. To put it bluntly: your guess is as good as ours.
In the meantime, weโd suggest taking one last opportunity to browse Matchesโ digital sales racks: starting with the assortment weโve pulled together below. Note that, for obvious reasons, all purchases until the siteโs shuttering (i.e. July 21st) are strictly โno returnsโ. Happy hunting.
LOEWE โPrince of Walesโ Check Reversible Cotton-Wool Coat
Size(s) Available: 52 EU/IT
Origin: Italy
A.P.C. โMaikoโ Medium Leather Tote Bag
Size(s) Available: One Size
Origin: Tunisia
Saman Amel Cashmere-Blend Polo Shirt
Size(s) Available: 50 EU/IT
Origin: Italy
Casablanca โLe Jeuโ Cotton Twill Baseball Cap
Size(s) Available: One Size
Origin: Lithuania
C.P. Company โMetropolisโ Series Hooded Jacket
Size(s) Available: 46 EU/IT
Origin: Italy
Dunhill Flap-pocket Cashmere Blouson
Size(s) Available: L, XL
Origin: Italy
Giorgio Armani Patch Pocket Diamond-Jacquard Jacket
Size(s) Available: 46, 48, 50 EU/IT
Origin: Italy
Todโs City Gommino Suede Loafers
Size(s) Available: UK 6, UK 9, UK 12
Origin: Italy
