[WWDJAPAN Latest Issue] Can the Fashion Industry Evolve with IP? Reporting on Companies Expanding Business Opportunities
The latest issue of WWDJAPAN focuses on IP utilization in the fashion industry, reporting on successful cases such as HUMAN MADE, Graniph, Narumiya International, and Onward Group. It also features a special on new watches from Richemont and the final installment of Takao Saito's series, 'World Apparel Specialty Store Sales Ranking 2025.'
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: May 12, 2026 at 20:10
- 🔍 Collected: May 12, 2026 at 11:31
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 13, 2026 at 09:33 (22h 1m after Collected)
In recent years, the fashion industry has been abuzz with the utilization of IP (Intellectual Property). Originally, IP is a broad concept encompassing all intellectual activities, but in the context of fashion business, it is often used to mean maximizing unique characters and original graphics to enhance brand value. This special feature reports on companies that have quickly incorporated such character and graphic IP into their management strategies.
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HUMAN MADE, which went public last year and is attracting attention, is accelerating its global strategy with iconic designs as its weapon. The remarks of Mr. Reijin Hatoyama, who is in charge of the company's IP strategy, are a must-read. We also delve into the business models of Graniph, popular for its original characters; Myak-Myak, who became an idol at the Expo; Narumiya International's characters such as 'Nakamura-kun,' who captivates adult women around 30; and Onward Group's 'Shirotan,' which has been decided for a TV anime adaptation. This issue also includes an interview with VERDY, the creator of the adorable VICK featured on the cover.
The second installment of the watch special introduces new products from Richemont. You can learn about the profound depth of sophisticated luxury watches such as 'CARTIER,' 'VAN CLEEF & ARPELS,' 'JAEGER LECOULTRE,' and 'VACHERON CONSTANTIN.' The series 'Takao Saito's View of the Fashion Industry,' which has continued for over 7 years, unfortunately concludes with this issue. This installment explains the latest version of the 'World Apparel Specialty Store Sales Ranking,' which has received the most feedback in the series.
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Subscribe for regular delivery
CONTENTS
FEATURE
・IP × Fashion: Expanding Business Opportunities Worldwide
FOCUS
・Bruno Pavlovsky = President Interview: 'Chanel' gaining momentum with the 'Mathieu whirlwind'
・WATCH REPORT 2026 VOL.2: Richemont's watches evolving diversely by refining their strengths
SERIES
・OVERSEAS NEWS: A compilation of translated articles from US 'WWD': 'Gap' co-founder dies at 94, expanded business hand-in-hand with husband, etc.
・Takao Saito's View of the Fashion Industry: Vol. 85 (Final) World Apparel Specialty Store Sales Ranking 2025: Three keys are low-price market, athleisure, and Trump tariffs
・This Week's Eye: Kojiharu's Heart Relation: Exclusive report on the annual spring event with cherry blossoms, etc.
・Atmos founder Hidefumi Honmyo's 'Not' Sneaker Life: vol.190 Skechers Watchers
EDITORS’ LETTER
・In fashion, lightness is justice. What about in the world of watches? (Kaname Murakami / Editor-in-Chief)
EDITORIAL NOTE
・Editor's Postscript This Week's Special Delivery Team: Why IP business is booming (Yoshiki Hayashi / Deputy Editor-in-Chief, Rie Kamoi / Editorial Reporter)
FASHION&BEAUTY PATROL
・What had the longest queue? Close-up on the 'Sweets & Bread Expo' event during Golden Week
(COVER CREDIT)
ARTWORK: VERDY
About 'WWDJAPAN'
'WWDJAPAN,' the Japanese fashion industry trade paper, is the Japanese edition of 'WWD (Women’s Wear Daily),' founded by Fairchild in the US in 1910. It is packed with the latest information on business, trend news, and industry interviews in the fashion and beauty industries. Additionally, 'WWDJAPAN Digital,' the web version of the weekly paper 'WWDJAPAN Weekly,' provides highly sensitive information that resonates with consumers deeply interested in fashion and beauty, including domestic and international fashion and beauty industry news, collection looks, party and street snaps, art, and lifestyle information.
Official Website
WWDJAPAN (Web): https://www.wwdjapan.com
SNS Accounts
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wwd_jp/
X (formerly Twitter): https://twitter.com/wwd_jp
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wwdjapan
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@WWDJAPAN
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@wwd_japan
Purchase the print edition
Purchase the digital edition
Subscribe for regular delivery
HUMAN MADE, which went public last year and is attracting attention, is accelerating its global strategy with iconic designs as its weapon. The remarks of Mr. Reijin Hatoyama, who is in charge of the company's IP strategy, are a must-read. We also delve into the business models of Graniph, popular for its original characters; Myak-Myak, who became an idol at the Expo; Narumiya International's characters such as 'Nakamura-kun,' who captivates adult women around 30; and Onward Group's 'Shirotan,' which has been decided for a TV anime adaptation. This issue also includes an interview with VERDY, the creator of the adorable VICK featured on the cover.
The second installment of the watch special introduces new products from Richemont. You can learn about the profound depth of sophisticated luxury watches such as 'CARTIER,' 'VAN CLEEF & ARPELS,' 'JAEGER LECOULTRE,' and 'VACHERON CONSTANTIN.' The series 'Takao Saito's View of the Fashion Industry,' which has continued for over 7 years, unfortunately concludes with this issue. This installment explains the latest version of the 'World Apparel Specialty Store Sales Ranking,' which has received the most feedback in the series.
Purchase the print edition
Purchase the digital edition
Subscribe for regular delivery
CONTENTS
FEATURE
・IP × Fashion: Expanding Business Opportunities Worldwide
FOCUS
・Bruno Pavlovsky = President Interview: 'Chanel' gaining momentum with the 'Mathieu whirlwind'
・WATCH REPORT 2026 VOL.2: Richemont's watches evolving diversely by refining their strengths
SERIES
・OVERSEAS NEWS: A compilation of translated articles from US 'WWD': 'Gap' co-founder dies at 94, expanded business hand-in-hand with husband, etc.
・Takao Saito's View of the Fashion Industry: Vol. 85 (Final) World Apparel Specialty Store Sales Ranking 2025: Three keys are low-price market, athleisure, and Trump tariffs
・This Week's Eye: Kojiharu's Heart Relation: Exclusive report on the annual spring event with cherry blossoms, etc.
・Atmos founder Hidefumi Honmyo's 'Not' Sneaker Life: vol.190 Skechers Watchers
EDITORS’ LETTER
・In fashion, lightness is justice. What about in the world of watches? (Kaname Murakami / Editor-in-Chief)
EDITORIAL NOTE
・Editor's Postscript This Week's Special Delivery Team: Why IP business is booming (Yoshiki Hayashi / Deputy Editor-in-Chief, Rie Kamoi / Editorial Reporter)
FASHION&BEAUTY PATROL
・What had the longest queue? Close-up on the 'Sweets & Bread Expo' event during Golden Week
(COVER CREDIT)
ARTWORK: VERDY
About 'WWDJAPAN'
'WWDJAPAN,' the Japanese fashion industry trade paper, is the Japanese edition of 'WWD (Women’s Wear Daily),' founded by Fairchild in the US in 1910. It is packed with the latest information on business, trend news, and industry interviews in the fashion and beauty industries. Additionally, 'WWDJAPAN Digital,' the web version of the weekly paper 'WWDJAPAN Weekly,' provides highly sensitive information that resonates with consumers deeply interested in fashion and beauty, including domestic and international fashion and beauty industry news, collection looks, party and street snaps, art, and lifestyle information.
Official Website
WWDJAPAN (Web): https://www.wwdjapan.com
SNS Accounts
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wwd_jp/
X (formerly Twitter): https://twitter.com/wwd_jp
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wwdjapan
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@WWDJAPAN
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@wwd_japan