Iconic GOT BAG ROLLTOP Available In LITE Version Now

GOT BAG is expanding its product line to make its popular ROLLTOP backpacks accessible to even more ocean lovers: The start-up is launching a new edition of its iconic ROLLTOP model, the ROLLTOP LITE.

The new LITE ROLLTOP is a version created for customers with narrower, tighter-fitting shoulder straps and without adjustment straps on the side, opening up the world of the ROLLTOP bag to people who have a smaller stature. The sleek design makes the backpack look even more minimalist, yet the ROLLTOP LITE offers just as much space as the classic, with a flexible 18-21 liter capacity and maximum flexibility and comfort with an expandable roll-top closure and padded back. A separate, removable laptop sleeve provides space for a 15-inch laptop. For each ROLLTOP LITE, 3.2 kg of ocean plastic is recycled. The backpack will be available in classic black, the popular reef, and a shade new to GOT BAG, smooth soft shell.

With its mission to "Create an Impact," GOT BAG stands for not only acting sustainably, but actively creating change: At the time of its founding in 2016, CEO Benjamin Mandos' initiative was among the first to recycle plastic waste from the heavily polluted seas of Southeast Asia to use as a source for producing long-lasting travel gear. Thus, the innovative business model provides a holistic answer to a global problem: GOT BAG's innovative initiative for a consistent circular economy through plastic recycling and reuse for high-quality products is a realistic chance that the amount of waste entering the sea will no longer exceed the amount of recovered plastic significantly in the future.

Alongside the continuous development of new and existing, high-quality, long-lasting products, GOT BAG aims to set a statement against fast fashion and show that things can be done differently. The backpacks are designed to be used as long as possible without having to buy new ones, so GOT BAG customers can use the free repair service if the durable backpacks should ever be worn out or damaged. And now, with the ROLLTOP LITE, now even more people can choose a good purchase decision and look good at the same time.

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Blackstone Strikes A $1bn Music Rights Deal With Beyonce' Royalties Firm Advisor

Private equity firm aims to cash in on music rights buying spree.

The US private equity giant Blackstone has struck a deal with Merck Mercuriadis, who advises the London-listed music rights business Hipgnosis, to set up a $1bn (about £735m) venture to acquire music rights and manage catalogues.

Over the past three years Mercuriadis has overseen an acquisition spree at Hipgnosis, buying the royalty rights to the music of stars from Neil Young and Barry Manilow to Beyoncé and Blondie and building up a portfolio of almost 61,000 songs worth $2.2bn.

Blackstone has struck a deal with Mercuriadis’s separate advisory business, Hipgnosis Song Management (HSM), backed by an initial $1bn, in the latest move by big investors to tap into the streaming boom that has fuelled a recovery in the music industry.

“The music industry is at the forefront of the fast-growing streaming economy and is unlocking new ways of consuming content,” said Qasim Abbas, senior managing director at Blackstone Tactical Opportunities. “This partnership underscores the long-term, sustainable value we see in creative content across the wider entertainment industry.”

As part of the deal, Blackstone will take an undisclosed “ownership stake” in HSM, while the London-listed Hipgnosis business he advises will have the right to co-invest in catalogue acquisitions the new venture makes.

Mercuriadis said: “Given the strength of our [acquisition] pipeline we see the initial [$1bn] commitment as just the start of a long-term partnership between Blackstone and Hipgnosis that will also include co-investment. Hipgnosis Song Management has firmly established songs as an asset class. This new partnership with Blackstone will deliver financial strength to invest in proven songs.”

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Kate Middleton Steps Out In A Gorgeous Green Coat And Sweater

Fall is in full swing, and Kate Middleton fully embraced the season's fashion this at Kew Gardens for her and Prince William's Generation Earthshot event with school children. Kate dressed fittingly in green for the environment-focused engagement. She paired an open, collared emerald coat with a lighter green short-sleeved sweater and black slacks. She wore her hair down and accessorized with black heels.

Kate's appearance comes after she appeared in a very fall, gray Zara dress last week at University College London as part of her early childhood development work. As the Duchess's team recapped on her and Prince William's Instagram, Kate appeared there to mark the beginning of a longitudinal study by the university on children born in the 2020s.

At the event, Kate stressed the importance of a person's first years, saying, “Our early childhoods shape our adult lives and knowing more about what impacts this critical time is fundamental to understanding what we as a society can do to improve our future health and happiness.”

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Nike SNKRS Is Concerned With Losing Loyal Customers

A recent internal meeting at Nike (NYSE:NKE +1.92%) last week has seen the company address the concerns of trying to maintain their most loyal SNKRS customers.

The SNKRS app has long been a topic of controversy amongst footwear-obsessed customers. Nike is well aware that they are losing a portion of their market share to other shoe companies like New Balance and other independent brands as well as luxury brands, looking to grow their awareness in the streetwear sector.

The meeting, which was first reported by Brendan Dunne, heard SNKRS’ global vice president mention that Nike is aware of the app’s perceived unfairness. The company is looking to prioritize the app’s fairness globally, combatting the issues with strategies of inclusivity, accountability and bot mitigations. However, the company has not revealed exact details of how they would do so. When it comes to the inclusion of multiple communities, Faris pointed out that he hopes to reshape the market by paying more mind to “Black and brown communities and Asian communities.”

While Nike SNKRS hopes to restrategize different ways to prioritize how customers can consume its products and trust the app, the company still plans on growing its content to better engage with its audience and create an unparalleled experience for its sneaker community. Faris has determined that the only way to do so is to truly listen to its consumers and understand their needs on how to dictate culture.

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