( CNN ) -- For years it has been dominated by women , but now luxury fashion is kicking off its high heels and slipping into something more masculine as it strides through the economic downturn . The market for male fashion is growing twice as fast as that for women , according to Antoine Arnault , son of one of Europe 's richest men and board member of luxury group LVMH . The uptick in male customers is credited with keeping the industry buoyant while Europe slides toward recession . Last year menswear spending grew 14 % globally , according to consultancy firm Bain & Company . `` The luxury industry has always been a little bit counter-cyclical , '' Arnault says . `` There 's no real strategy behind it , I just feel it 's a time where quality and craft is of the utmost importance . '' Arnault heads up luxury fashion label Berluti -- part of the LVMH group which includes brands such as Louis Vuitton and Moet & Chandon -- and has overseen its recent expansion into menswear . Berluti is targeting the top end of the market , with shoes that can take their craftsman in Italy about 20 hours to make . Arnault describes the `` Berluti man '' as `` one and unique . First of all , he travels a lot . He can be Chinese , but he often comes to Paris , he often goes to New York . It is global . '' Being part of LVMH 's empire gives Berluti financial support and the backing of experienced hands , Arnault says . `` LVMH senior management come to see us very often to see how things are evolving , see what we 're developing and to give us advice , '' he says . This nurturing environment will ensure a long future for the brand , according to Arnault . `` Think about at Microsoft and Apple , they are the most important brands today , are you sure that in 100 years these companies will still exist ? You ca n't be sure of that , '' he says . `` Our brands , Louis Vuitton , Krug , Dom Perignon ... Berluti will almost for sure still exist in 100 years , and that 's thanks to the fact that we 're all together and we 're nourishing each other 's positive sides , '' he adds . CNN 's Emily Smith contributed to this report .
Antoine Arnault heads up the fashion house Berluti , part of the LVMH group . He says the market for male fashion is growing twice as fast as that for woman . Last year menswear spending increased 14 % globally .