Newport International Runway Group
If New York City is the fashion capital of America, it should certainly be the fashion-startup capital as well. From Gilt to Bonobos, plenty of fashion/retail companies have gotten their start in the Empire State -- but Rent the Runway (RTR) distinguishes itself as the 'Netflix of luxury fashion.' According to NYU professor and researcher Arun Sundararajan, the dress-rental company represents a key aspect of the sharing economy because it democratizes luxury. "Sure, they're doing it for fashion, but they highlight the broader promise of the sharing economy:...

LONDON, United Kingdom — Against the backdrop of a 22-foot screen playing lush campaign and runway videos, impeccably dressed staff members sit with shoppers at Burberry’s high-tech Regent Street store tapping customer profiles onto their iPads. The flagship is arguably the world’s most technically innovative store and the brand’s much-discussed strategy to integrate the digital and physical worlds has set a bar for retailers everywhere.

But Burberry is by no means alone. Slick digital technology — including the use of virtual mirrors, digital screens, RFID chips and iPads — is fast...