These are the stories making headlines in fashion on Friday.

Will U.S. consumers keep buying amid price increases?

Apparel prices in the U.S. increased for the first time since March last month, up 0.4% according to the latest consumer pricing index (CPI) from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Inflation is also creeping up on the U.S. consumer, with a rise of 2.7% year-on-year in June. Though brands have tried to mitigate price increases by cutting costs and diversifying supply chains, many have had to raise prices to cover tariffs. Brands should expect U.S. consumer spending to shrink as inflation impacts purchases beyond apparel. {Vogue Business/paywalled}

How beauty’s ‘dupe lawsuits’ separate inspiration and IP

Beauty dupes are surging in popularity, along with lawsuits trying to remove them from stores. Dupes (shorthand for “duplicates”) are products inspired by a higher-priced item, which are separate from counterfeits as imitating another brand isn’t necessarily illegal. In 2023, Benefit sued E.l.f. Beauty for duping its Roller Lash mascara, a $29 product packed in a pink and black tube that it launched in 2015, with E.l.f.’s Lash ‘N Roll in 2022 for $6, also in black and pink packaging. In December, a judge ruled in favor of E.l.f. Beauty since a brand being inspired by a luxury product is not a crime, but confusing a consumer into thinking the dupe is the real deal, however, is a crime, which Benefit was not able to prove. {Glossy/paywalled}

Shiseido Americas to ‘significantly reduce’ its workforce

In an internal memo from interim chief executive Alberto Noé to staff on Wednesday, Shiseido Americas announced it would undertake a “wide-ranging and significant reduction” to its workforce. The Japanese conglomerate is eliminating certain roles, but declined to detail the nature or scope of these layoffs to The Business of Beauty. Shiseido said affected employees would receive transitional support. {Business of Fashion/paywalled}

Mayhoola denies report it is considering Valentino sale

Qatar-backed investment fund Mayhoola denied an Italian newspaper report that suggested the fund and Kering were considering selling Valentino, which they jointly own. Mayhoola CEO Rachid Mohamed Rachid told Reuters the news is “untrue.” Kering bought a 30% stake in Valentino in 2023 for $1.7 billion with a commitment to buy the remaining 70% by 2028, but the deal has become a liability for heavily indebted Kering. {Reuters}

Inside Louise Trotter’s Bottega Veneta

Louise Trotter, Bottega Veneta’s new creative director, began her creative process for her debut collection by spending time in Montebello Vicentino, where the house’s archives and artisans are based. For her approach, she is building from the past, but not beholden to it. Julianne Moore premiered Trotter’s first design for Bottega Veneta at this year’s Cannes Film Festival: a black strapless gown with a tassel detail offering a refined, minimalist elegance. “I see fashion less as an art than as something to be used to bring joy,” Trotter tells Vogue. “Great design should make you feel confident and help you live your best life.” {Vogue/paywalled}

Billy Porter launches Black Mona Lisa Beauty

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Billy Porter is the latest celebrity to enter the beauty world with the launch of Black Mona Lisa Beauty, a makeup and skin-care line designed “for all identities, skin tones and styles.” With prices ranging from $10 to $67, Black Mona Lisa’s offerings include eye shadows, liquid and cream lipsticks, eye cream, cleanser, serums and more. “Black Mona Lisa Beauty was created from my desire to give all people everything they need to feel beautiful,” Porter said in a statement. “I have always loved makeup, and my vision is a beauty space where diversity isn’t a feature, it’s the foundation, regardless of skin tone, gender or style.” Black Mona Lisa is available to shop now at blackmonalisabeauty.com. {Fashionista inbox}

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