According to Fast Company, Technology Companies are Most Innovative. Obviously.
CEO Susan Lyne of Gilt Groupe, the highest-ranked fashion company in Fast Company's "Most Innovative" list. photo by Chris Shipman courtesy FastCompany.com
We get it, the Internet and technology are the future. Business magazine Fast Company published its latest “World’s Most Innovative Companies” list. Topping the list is Facebook, followed by Amazon, Apple and Google.
In the Fashion category, flash sample-sale website Gilt Groupe earns the highest ranking at No. 21.
Buzzy themes of sustainability, a diverse market portfolio and having an interactive consumer component got these companies on Fast Company's good side. While no California-based companies made the cut, Stella McCartney's collaboration with San Francisco-based Gap was notably recognized, and Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen's line, Elizabeth James, is manufactured by Los Angeles-based L'Koral Industries.
Here’s how the rest of the list stacks up.
2. Fast Retailing: “The Gap of Japan” has ambitions to outpace Spain’s Inditex (Zara stores) as the world’s largest apparel retailer.
3. Net-a-Porter.com: Pretty, shiny, expensive things sold online.
4. Timberland: For its sustainable boots made partly out of recycled tires.
5. Dualstar: Parent company of scissor sisters Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, who have their platform-wearing feet in every level of the market from juniors line Olsenboye at JCPenney to critical favorites the Row and Elizabeth and James.
6. Norma Kamali: For her new line for eBay, “Try Before You Buy,” which lets customers talk to a personal shopper and test-drive clothes for 48 hours before committing to a purchase.
7. Fluevog: Canadian shoe brand that lets users have a say in design.
8. Stella McCartney: Expanded her empire into tennis, children’s wear for the Gap and a collabo with HM.
9. Coach: Will launch the Reed Krakoff Collection for Fall 2010.
10. FesslerUSA: The “behind-the-scenes private-label engine for some 100 retailers, from Urban Outfitters to Nordstrom,” for being a family-owned American manufacturer succeeding on an international level.
