Emerging Designer Shantall Lacayo Brings Latin Spice to the U.S.

Since age six, growing up in Managua, Nicaragua, Shantall Lacayo knew she wanted to become a fashion designer after creating her first tube dress for her Barbie doll. Ever since, she has continued to create sensual, avant-garde, and daring collections, appealing to modern, sophisticated women. This May, she will be moving to New York with hopes in producing her next line, working for an all-star designer and creating more brand awareness at New York boutiques.

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Kering Acquires France Croco

Crocodile skin is begging to grow into a popular material in luxury brands. In 2010,LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton gained control of Singapore’s Heng Long International Ltd, providing skins for Fendi, Céline and Louis Vuitton. Now, Women’s Wear Daily reports that an elite producer of tanned skins located in Normandy, France Croco, was recently acquired by Kering, a French luxury and retail group previously known as PPR. With this acquisition, Kering’s goal is to support it’s brands such as Gucci, Balenciaga and Alexander McQueen with France Croco’s top quality skins. The company will invest in the French Croco in the next few month to increase its production capacity.

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NEO Capital Purchases a Stake in Valextra SpA

Women’s Wear Daily reported that Valextra SpA, recently announced that NEO Capital, London-based investment firm, has taken a stake in the Italian luxury leather goods company through a capital increase. With this new partnership, Valextra SpA hopes to expand the brand and launch an initial public offering in the future. NEO Capital also invests in companies such as Alain Mikli,Ladurée, Vaurnet, Obikà and Miller Harris.

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Retailigence Raises $6.3 Million To Expand its Online-to-Offline Marketing

Redwood City-based Retailigence, the leading Online-to-Offline Local Marketing and Commerce Platform company, responded to growth in demand following its triple-digit revenue growth in 2012. Recently they announced that they’ve raised $6.3 million in a Series B round of funding from existing investors such asDFJ, Quest, and Motorola Solutions Venture Capital, as well as new investors Telenav and OPT participated in this funding.

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Soldsie Raises $1 Million in Seed Funding for “F-Commerce”

Being able to shop online is one thing, but shopping through social media sites such asFacebook adds a whole new meaning. Soldsie, a service that enables purchases within comments on Facebook, recently announced that it has received $1 million in seed funding from investors such as 500 Starups, e.ventures andFundersClub. Former Facebook employees Yun-Fang Juan and Jonathan Ehrlich, Peanut Labs founder Prosper Nwankpa, and angel investors Elliot Loh and Tom Kelly also participated.

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K-Swiss is Acquired by E. Land World Ltd.

K-Swiss and E.Land World Ltd. has announced that they have signed a merger agreement. The terms of agreement stated that all common stock of California’s K-Swiss will go to E.Land World Ltd. for $4.75 per share, a total value of about $170 million, in cash.

 E. Land World Limited is the largest conglomerate headquartered in South Korea. They not only specializing in fashion and retail but also restaurants, theme parks, hotels and construction businesses. The company offers about 200 brands and operates more than 10,000 stores worldwide.

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Fanplayr Raises $2 Million Seed Round with Denali Venture Partners

A variety of companies try to make e-commerce a better experience not only for their customers, but the businesses themselves. Palo Alto based Fanplayr Inc., a startup that helps e-commerce merchants use incentives to convert website visitors into customers, announced today that they have closed a $2 million seed round led by Denali Venture Partners.

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E-Commerce’s Strong Development in Asia is Making Waves in Vietnam

E-Commerce has developed in countries all over the world with online stores attracting customers with competitive pricing and eye-catching promotions. Although U.S. and Europe remain to be the main contributor to e-commerce sales, Asia has been growing in the industry as it continues to expand with web marketplaces.

 In countries such as Japan and South Korea are dominated by strong local retailers such as Japan’sRakuten. China is dominated by large marketplaces such as Alibaba, similar to eBay, and other local retailers such as 360Buy and Dangdang. In Vietnam, a unique community has been created to help build their e-commerce market grow called Project Lana.

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Anatomie Apparel Flies High with NetJets

Are you a constant traveler not only looking for something with ease and comfort, but fashionable, sophisticated, sexy and nicely fits your body as well? No need to search any further. Miami-based European-style clothing designer and manufacturer, Anatomie Apparel and world-wide leader in private aviation, NetJets came together to create a marketing partnership, allowing women to travel in style and comfort. The companies decided to provide new NetJets members with a $3,000 gift card for Anatomie Apparel who purchase a new NetJet Share, NetJet Lease or Marquis Jet Card. The two companies make sure simple traveling and comfort is a primary focus for their clientele.

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Li & Fung Ltd. Acquires Lornamead for $190 Million

Hong Kong based Li & Fung Limited, a global trading group, announced today that it has bought Lornamead Acquisitions Limited and its subsidiaries for $190 million with efforts to further expand its core sourcing business.

 The Lornamead Group is a privately held global marketer company based in the UK. They supply personal branded hair care, cosmetics, fragrance, oral care and home care products such as Finesse,Aqua Net, Yardley and Lypsyl. Their main focus is to acquire and invest in heritage brands to maximize their growth potential.

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