Optimism Never Goes Out of Style

This Week’s Wins from Burberry, Richemont, and Marni Signal That Strategy, Grit, and Vision Still Pay Off

There’s something worth celebrating this week: good news.

In a climate where uncertainty is often the headline, we’ve seen two major players—Burberry and Richemont—offer reasons for optimism. And while numbers don’t tell the whole story, they do offer a pulse check. If nothing else, they remind us that progress, even in a shaky market, is still possible.

Burberry, after a tough run last year, is beginning to find its footing under new CEO Josh Schulman. Retail revenue declined just 2 percent this quarter—far narrower than expected—and the stock responded with a 6 percent boost. More importantly, there’s growing conviction behind Schulman’s strategy, Burberry Forward, which focuses on product, store experience, and tightening operations. In his own words, “The improvement in our first-quarter comparable sales, strength in our core categories, and uptick in brand desirability gives us conviction in the path ahead.” A little momentum goes a long way, especially when paired with discipline.

Then there’s Richemont. Led by the strength of Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels, Buccellati, and Vhernier, the group delivered yet another quarter of double-digit growth in jewelry. Despite broader industry softness, Richemont’s strategic pricing and measured communication with its customer base has proven to be a winning formula. As Deutsche Bank aptly put it, this was the standout luxury performance of the quarter. It’s a testament to what happens when a brand keeps its head while others panic: consistency pays off.

And speaking of good news, Marni made a bold and exciting move of its own—naming Belgian designer Meryll Rogge as its next Creative Director, following the departure of Francesco Risso.

I named her one of our Ones to Watch, and her collection landed among our Top 10 Standout Shows last year—for good reason.

Rogge, who launched her namesake label in 2020 after time at Marc Jacobs and Dries Van Noten, brings a distinct European sensibility rooted in eclecticism, gender fluidity, and emotional storytelling. Her work fuses romantic tailoring with a playful, rebellious edge—an approach that could usher in a new era for Marni, one shaped less by formula and more by instinct. And in this moment, instinct feels like the most valuable creative compass of all.