Fashion News Alert: Changes at Versace, Ashley Graham’s New Gig, and Gucci’s New Artistic Director

March 12, 2025 by Leave a Comment

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The times they are a’ changing. And changing quickly.

Longtime Versace Creative Director Donatella Versace is stepping down as creative director after 28 years at that post. Capri Holdings, the holding company of Versace, announced this new development earlier this week. Donatella Versace will transition into the new role of chief brand ambassador.

Dario Vitale will assume the creative directorship of Versace. Vitale is the former design and image director of Miu Miu. Interestingly, there have been rumors that Prada is preparing to purchase Versace from Capril Holdings for 1.5 euros.

Vitale stated, as reported in a fashionnetwork.com article, “truly honoured to join Versace… and to be a part of this special and powerful fashion luxury House created by Gianni and Donatella. The House of Versace has a unique heritage that has spanned decades and has shaped the history of fashion. I want to express my sincere thank you to Donatella for her trust in me, and for her tireless dedication to the extraordinary brand that Versace is today. It is a privilege to contribute to the future growth of Versace and its global impact through my vision, expertise and dedication.”

In that same fashionnetwork.com article Donatella Versace stated, “I want to thank my incredible design team and all the employees at Versace that I have had the privilege of working with for over three decades. It has been the greatest honour of my life to carry on my brother Gianni’s legacy. He was the true genius, but I hope I have some of his spirit and tenacity. In my new role as chief brand ambassador, I will remain Versace’s most passionate supporter. Versace is in my DNA and always in my heart.”

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More than a pretty face

Plus-size supermodel Ashley Graham has a new job. Graham will make her Broadway debut in “Chicago” as Roxie Hart. From April 15 to May 25, Graham will demonstrate to Broadway audiences that she is so much more than a pretty face. Her acting, singing, and dancing skills will prove that she is a triple threat.

I’m honored to make my Broadway debut as the iconic Roxie Hart,” Graham said in a statement, as reported in the Associated Press. “I’m deeply grateful to be able to embrace this new challenge and excited to share the stage with this incredible company.”

In “Chicago” Ashley Graham will follow in the footsteps of some great entertainers. The list includes Ariana Madix, Pamela Anderson, Erika Jayne, Brooke Shields, Lisa Rinna, Gretchen Mol, Ashlee Simpson, Jennifer Nettles, Brandy Norwood, Melanie Griffith, Christie Brinkley, Marilu Henner, and Robin Givens.

Never leaving fashion far behind, Ashley Graham recently returned to the runway walking in the revived Victoria’s Secret Show. She is also one of the faces of MICHELE Watches’ “Legacy Redefined” campaign.

Image courtesy of hypebeast.com

 

A good choice? Hmm, maybe not

Speaking of comings and goings in the fashion industry. Demna Gvasalia, known for his first name Demna, has been appointed as the artistic director of Gucci. And folks are not happy with this appointment.

There were numerous posts on social media that expressed industry professionals’ disappointment with this Demna’s new position. StyleZeitgeist founder Eugene Rankin posted on Instagram, calling Demna “a tired one-trick pony from one of our houses to destroy our cash cow.”

More significantly, Balenciaga’s, Demna’s prior artistic directorship before Gucci, stock dropped 12.7% after Demna’s appointment, totaling $3 billion in losses. However, midway through 2024 Gucci faced a 19% drop in sales. Will Demna turn that around? Time will tell!!

—William S. Gooch

 

Fashion News Alert: Virgil Abloh Autobiography, Parker Posey’s New Gig, and Layoffs at Saks Global

February 23, 2025 by Leave a Comment

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We love Parker Posey in “White Lotus,” now in its third season. But, you will probably love Parker Posey even more in her Gap’s new “Feel the Gap” spring 2024 campaign. Known for her starring roles in Hollywood’s indie movies, Posey brings her quirky charm to these new images for the Gap 2025 spring campaign.

Posey is a central part of this campaign wearing the brand’s classic pieces and comfortable fit. Posey is attired in Gap’s denim, tee shirts, jackets, and more. Parker Posey was photographed in Gap’s spring 2025 campaign by Amy Troost.

Image courtesy of thesolesupplier.com

Abloh’s new biography

We all miss fashion designer extraordinaire Virgil Abloh. But, maybe, just maybe we can get some respite from our grief in Robin Givhan new autobiography “Make It Our Own.” This bio focuses on Abloh’s career trajectory and his pioneering presence in the streetwear space.

This upcoming biography promises to be an incredible book that examines the intersectionality of race, fashion, and creative in-depth. Abloh became the first person of African descent to helm Louis Vuitton’s menswear in 2018.

“Abloh rose during a time of existential angst for a fashion industry trying to make sense of its responsibilities to a diverse audience and the challenges of selling status to a generation of consumers who fetishize sneakers and prioritize comfort,” reads the book’s synopsis on publisher Penguin Random House’s website. “How that moment came to be, and how someone like Abloh—who had no formal training in pattern making or tailoring—could come to symbolize and embody the industry’s way, is the story at the heart of this book.”

Virgil Abloh died in 2021.

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Layoffs at Saks

It has recently been announced that Saks Global will be layoff five percent of its US corporate workforce. Saks was recently acquired by Neiman Marcus, and Saks Global was the entity that was created after the acquisition.

This layoff will affect employees in the finance, legal and operations departments. “There will be additional changes to our teams as we continue to integrate our business,” Saks Global Chief Executive Officer Marc Metrick wrote in the memo. 

Bloomberg Intelligence analyst Mary Ross Gilbert believes that Saks Global might “lose more sales to peers Bloomingdale’s and Nordstrom this year as it repositions the newly merged units, shutters select stores and seeks to repay past-due vendor balances.” 

William S. Gooch

Fashion News Alert: Sabrina Carpenter’s Vogue Cover, Kate Winslet’s New Gig, and Major Shifts in the Fashion Week Calendar

February 10, 2025 by Leave a Comment

Image courtesy of vogue.com

2025 is turning out to be a great year for Sabrina Carpenter. Having won two Grammys this year and with her new album “Soft n’ Sweet,” featuring the iconic Dolly Parton charting well, Carpenter is having a banner year.

Add to her 2025 accomplishments the cover of the March issue of Vogue, it looks as though Sabrina Carpenter cannot be stopped. Carpenter is photographed for the cover by Steven Meisel in a Dolce & Gabbana custom silky blue bustier dress. In the March issue of Vogue, Sabrina talks about her fans, romance, and her chart-topping new album.

Not bad for someone barely 5` feet tall!!

Image courtesy of fashiononline.com

Change is afoot

New York Fashion Week (NYFW) ends tomorrow. And though it has been a somewhat somber fall 2025 season, there are some dramatic shifts.

As you know, for a few seasons NYFW has been shortened from the traditional eight days to six. London Fashion Week will now take place a week after NYFW, this season starting on February 20-24, a week after NYFW.

Milan Fashion Week starts February 25th-March 3rd and Paris Fashion Week runs March 3rd-11th.  In September, NYFW will not start right after Labor Day, as it has traditionally started. NYFW in September 2025 will take place from September 11 to September 20.

It appears that NYFW week is attempting to go back to its former eight-day schedule. Times they are a’ changing. Or is it? Hmm!!

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Kate’s new weather job

Kate Winslet has a new gig. Winslet and several other celebrities star in a new Burberry campaign. In a continuation of the brand’s British theme of ‘it’s always Burberry weather,’ which centers on outerwear strength, Burberry latest summer 2025 version focuses on a romantic comedy theme with the additional title ‘London in Love.’

Burberry plans to release British romantic comedies from the 1990s and early 2000s that speak to the romances or ordinary Londoners. Other celebs and models in this Burberry British rom-com campaign include Richard E. Grant, Aimee Lou Wood, Chen Kun, Jodie Turner-Smith, Micheal Ward, Nicholas Hoult, and Son Sukku, while models David Gandy, Liu Wen and Naomi Campbell also appear. 

“A Burberry love story comes to life through the cinematic lens of this campaign. It’s about humour, optimism and, of course, the unpredictability of our great British weather,” the brand’s creative chief Daniel Lee (who also creatively directed the campaign) said. “With endearingly familiar plot lines and playful dialogue, an A-list cast stars in this urban fairytale of love, life and the rain.”

William S. Gooch

Fashion News Alert: Perry Ellis Partners with the NHL, the Louvre to Display Haute Couture, and Goodbye Lynn Ban

January 24, 2025 by Leave a Comment

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The Louvre is the most visited museum in the world. In addition to housing the most famous pieces of art, the Louvre will now host gowns and accessories from the couture collections Givenchy, Chanel, Dior, Yves Saint Laurent, and others.

“Paris is the capital of fashion—there is a very strong relationship between the fashion houses and Paris, and the Louvre is in the heart of Paris,” Olivier Gabet, director of the museum’s decorative arts department, told Reuters. Gabet also stated that this is “the first time the Louvre brings fashion inside the museum in this way … The idea of this kind of exhibit is to say, ‘come to the Louvre, look at the collections differently,'” said Gabet.”

Fashion designers have showcased their couture collections in the Louvre in the past, but never as an exhibition hosted beside of the museum’s incredible art works. The couture garments will be strategically placed among art pieces that relate to the couture garments.  John Galliano for Dior in 2006 sits in the center of a room dedicated to Louis XIV, lined with ornate, gilded furniture and towering portraits of the Sun King.

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Perry Ellis’ partnerships

Perry Ellis announces U.S. partnership with the National Hockey League (NHL) and the National Hockey League Players’ Association (NHLPA) for the 4 Nations Face-Off tournament. The Nations Face-Off tournament takes place in Boston at the TD Garden and in Montreal at the Bell Centre February 12 through February 20.

“As a brand, we’re increasingly finding ourselves drawn to the incredible communities in sport,” said Oscar Feldenkreis, president and CEO of Perry Ellis International, Inc., as reported in fashionnetwork.com. “After years of reimagining our modern, All-American style and finding success in other sports partnerships, we are thrilled to be teaming up with the NHL and NHLPA to continue demonstrating how fashion is driving a cultural movement within the sports community.”

Perry Ellis will provide tailored looks for the Team USA players with Perry Ellis branding featured during the televised event of ABC, TNT, ESPN, as well as in-arena signage in Boston. Fans attending the tournament will have the opportunity to explore and experience Perry Ellis’ latest collection.

“The brand has done a tremendous job bridging the cultural intersection of sports and fashion, and this breakthrough partnership allows our League to be a part of that greater conversation. We’re excited to see how they engage with our fans and for our fans to experience what Perry Ellis has to offer,” detailed Max Paulsen, NHL vice president, global business development. 

The couture collections are on display in the Louvre through July 21, 2025.

Image courtesy of cnn.com

Goodbye, Lynn

Fashion fixture and jewelry designer Lynn Ban has passed away. The news of her passing was shared by her son Sebastian.

Her clients have included Rihanna and Beyonce. “2025 is rocking me at this point! This is too much!!! Lynn you will always be our fairy godmother!, ”Rihanna wrote. “Love you forever and always! … Thank you for all the joy you brought to us!”

Ban underwent brain surgery after sustaining an injury while failing during a ski trip in Aspen. Her son did not disclose the case of her death.

Lynn Ban had starred in the Netflix series “Bling Empire: New York.”

—William S. Gooch

Fashion News Alert: Zendaya and Murakami x Louis Vuitton Collaboration Anniversary, Ralph Lauren Receives the Presidential Medal Honor, and Rosita Missoni Transitions

January 3, 2025 by Leave a Comment

Image courtesy of Vogel/UPI/Bloomberg via Getty Images

Ralph Lauren is to receive the Presidential Medal of Honor on January 4 alongside Denzel Washington, Michael J. Fox, Hillary Clinton, Bono, Tim Hill, Jane Goodall, Fannie Lou Hamer (posthumous), Earvin ‘Magic’ Johnson, Anna Wintour, George Soros, George Stevens Jr., David M. Rubenstein, George M. Romney (posthumous), William Sanford Nye, Lionel Messi, Robert Francis Kennedy (posthumous), Jose Andres, and Ashton Baldwin Carter (posthumous). The award ceremony will take place at the White House.

Ralph Lauren’s team posted on Instagram, “Today, Mr. Ralph Lauren will receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom—the nation’s highest civilian honor. As the first fashion designer to receive the honor, Mr. Lauren will receive this award from President Biden during a ceremony held in Washington DC., recognizing his contributions to American style, culture and society for more than six decades. Throughout his career, Mr. Lauren has had the honor to have been celebrated with numerous prestigious accolades, including the James Smithson Bicentennial Medal, France’s Chevalier de la Legion d’Honneur, and an Honorary Knight Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire.” 

Image courtesy of newyorktokyo.com

Louis Vuitton goes playful again

OK, you might think, another fashion collaboration. Enough is enough!!

Well, in this case enough is not enough, especially when it comes to Louis Vuitton. Louis Vuitton first collaborated with Japanese juggernaut Takashi Murakami in 2003 bringing the Japanese brand’s playful enthusiasm to Louis Vuitton’s handbags. And that collaboration over 20 years ago had handbags jumping off the shelves with the likes of Naomi Campbell, Lindsay Lohan, and Paris Hilton flaunting handbags from this collaboration.

For 2025 Louis Vuitton collaborates with Murakami once again with Zendaya fronting for this 2025 collaboration. Over 200 pieces are a part of this 2025 collaboration, bringing back the artist’s iconic Monogram Multicolore shake-up of the LV logo, which appears in 33 colors accompanied by floral motifs. It will appear on a range of items, from luggage trunks for traveling in style to handbags for strolling around the city, like the Keepall 45 or the OnTheGo tote. Matching accessories include hats, sunglasses, belts, scarves, and shoes.

Image courtesy of losangelestimes.com

Ciao bella

Rosita Missoni, co-founder of the legendary Italian fashion house Missoni, has passed away. Rosita launched the iconic Italian fashion house with her husband Ottavio Missoni in 1953. The iconic Italian brand was known for its colorful and bold knitwear in geometric shapes and patterns.

Born into a family of textile artisans in Varese, Italy, Rosita excelled in her study of modern languages. Her education led her study English in London where she met her future husband Ottavio Missoni.

Early on the Missoni brand became very well known for signature patterns and avant-garde use of knitwear with 1967 becoming a breakout year for the fashion house. While showing at the Pitti Palace in Florence, Italy, the models’—who wore no bras under the knitwear—breast were seen through the knitwear causing a sensation. This sensation caused the brand to be on the covers of Vogue, Marie Claire, and Elle.

Rosita remained creative director of Missoni’s womenswear until the late 1990s with her husband Ottavio passing away in 2013. At the time of her death, Rosita Missoni was 93.

—William S. Gooch

Fashion News Alert: Matthieu Blazy’s New Job, Calvin Klein Returns to NYFW, and Goodbye Polly Mellen

December 18, 2024 by Leave a Comment

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Chanel has a new creative director, Matthieu Blazy. This appointment ends the rumors of the last six months about who would assume the coveted post at this iconic fashion house.

Matthieu Blazy, 40, will be in charge of ready-to-wear collections, haute couture, and accessories. Blazy is the third fashion designer to helm Chanel after the legendary Coco Chanel died in 1971. “I am thrilled and honored to join the wonderful House of Chanel. I look forward to meeting all the teams and writing this new chapter together,” said Blazy in a release.

 “Matthieu Blazy is one of the most gifted designers of his generation. His vision and talent will reinforce the energy of the Brand and our position as a leader in luxury. Under Bruno Pavlovsky’s leadership, we are confident that Matthieu Blazy will continue to shape what’s next and write a new page in Chanel’s Creation,” explained Alain Wertheimer, Global Executive Chairman, and Leena Nair, Global CEO of Chanel.

“I am delighted to welcome Matthieu Blazy. I am convinced that he will be able to play with the codes and heritage of the House, through an ongoing dialogue with the studio, our ateliers, and our Maisons d’Art. His audacious personality, his innovative and powerful approach to creation, as well as his dedication to craftsmanship and beautiful materials, will take Chanel in exciting new directions,” said Bruno Pavlovsky.

Before coming to Chanel, Matthieu Blazy was creative director of Veneta Bottega. Before his tenure at Veneta Bottega, Blazy worked at Martin Margiela, Celine, and Calvin Klein.

Image courtesy of MADAMEArabia.com

Calvin Klein returns

With the New York Fashion (NYFW) fall 2025 season just six weeks away, fashion brands are lining up to show collections at the esteemed event. That said, Calvin Klein’s women’s wear collection is returning to NYFW after an extended absence.

Calvin Klein’s menswear under the helm of Willy Chavarria has been a consistent presence at NYFW. Calvin Klein new women’s wear creative director Veronica Leoni will debut her collection for Calvin Klein during the NYFW fall 2025 season.

Image courtesy of vogue.com

Bye bye Polly

The fashion industry mourns the loss of the iconic fashion editor Polly Mellen. Mellen, a long-time fashion editor at Vogue magazine, died at her home in Connecticut on December 15.

Many of the fashion editorials that Mellen collaborated on with iconic fashion photographer Richard Avedon are considered by the fashion industry some of the most innovative and fashion-forward images in modern fashion. Those images include the 1967 image of Twiggy with one eye painted with a psychedelic flower; the 1981 image of a naked Natassja Kinski with a boa constrictor coiled around her waist and wrist, and a 1967 spread of a nude Rudolf Nureyev.

Mellen was mentored by the great Diana Vreeland and followed her from Harper’s Bazaar in 1962 to Vogue. Mellen had an indominable personality. With her bobbed haircut and ebullient personality, Mellen was known to stand and cheer when she viewed a fashion collection she liked.

Wendy Goodman, design director of New York magazine, said: “Nobody felt things the way Polly felt things. Fashion for her was highly personal, highly emotional and all about celebrating the possibilities of reinvention. In the end it was about beauty, a point which I think people miss.”

In 1994, Mellen won a Lifetime Achievement Award from the CFDA. After leaving Vogue, Mellen served as the creative director of Allure magazine from 1991 until 1999. Mellen passed away at the age of 100.

William S. Gooch

 

 

 

Fashion News Alert: Former Macy’s Employee Amasses Millions in Expenses, Kate Moss Partners with Zara, and Hearst’s Massive Layoffs

November 28, 2024 by Leave a Comment

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There have been massive layoffs at Hearst publications; 175 staff layoffs to be exact across its fashion and publishing teams. These layoffs include staffers at Harper’s Bazaar, Elle, Cosmopolitan, Esquire, Delish, Good Housekeeping, HGTV Magazine, Woman’s Day, and Bicycling, 25 publications to be exact, all chalked up to extreme budget cuts at Hearst.

“After a thorough review of our business, we’ve decided to reallocate resources to better support our goals and continue our focus on digital innovation while strengthening our best in class print products. We will scale back in areas that do not support our core strategy and will eliminate certain positions as we reimagine our team structures to drive long-term growth,” Debi Chirichella, president of Hearst Magazines, said in a memo to employees. 

A plethora of editors, managers, and publicists have taken to social media to comment and complain about the recent layoffs. The Writer’s Guild of America has responded to recent layoffs at Hearst describing the massive cuts as “needless, irresponsible, and cruel,” according to The Hollywood Reporter.

These layoffs come on the heels of major layoffs at WWD, Footwear News, The Los Angeles Times, Marie Claire, Time, Nylon, Bustle Digital Group, Goop, and more. 

Image courtesy of newyorkpost.com

Shame, shame, shame

According to fashionnetwork.com, a former Macy’s employee amassed over $154 million dollars in expenses over a few years. Said former employee “intentionally” made wrong accounting entries to hide about $132 million to $154 million of delivery expenses between the fourth quarter of 2021 through third quarter of 2024.

“It looks bad … It indicates that they were caught off guard by this,” Morningstar analyst David Swartz said, adding that the error should not worry investors as the amount over three years does not seem significant for Macy’s. “While we work diligently to complete the investigation as soon as practicable and ensure this matter is handled appropriately, our colleagues are focused on … executing our strategy for a successful holiday season,” said Macys CEO Tony Spring, in a fashionnetwork.com article.

Image courtesy of forbes.com

Happy Holidays from Kate Moss and Zara

Partnerships and collaborations are the way to go if a fashion brand wants to capture some immediate attention and get a big boost in sales. That said, retail giant Zara is collaborating with supermodel Kate Moss on a party-ready fashion collection.

This is the supermodel’s first partnership with Zara. The party-ready collection features day-to-night pieces ideal for the holiday party season. Ranging from dresses to coats, the line is inspired by Moss’ own fashion archives and ’70s rock n’ roll, with Studio 54, Lauren Hutton, Charlotte Rampling, and Led Zeppelin on the mood board. 

Price points range from $36 to $999, at Zara stores and Zara.com this weekend. The Kate Moss x Zara collection launches on November 30.

—William S. Gooch

 

Fashion News Alert: Fashion Publication Layoffs, Gisele Bundchen and David Beckham Star in Holiday Campaign, and Marc Jacobs’s Wizard of Oz Collection

November 6, 2024 by Leave a Comment

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There have been several layoffs at fashion and beauty publications in the past few weeks. The latest fashion publication to bring down the axe is print and online fashion platform Highsnobiety.

Highsnobiety laid off 12 staffers this past Monday. According to puck.news, these layoffs included its New York-based fashion market editor, executive editor, commerce editor, two social media editors, and head of talent, due to high production costs. And that is not all of the expected layoffs.

Highsnobiety layoffs are expected to extend to its European branch from parent company Zalando—though its next print issue will still hit newsstands in March. This all comes on the heels of 2024’s massive staff layoffs at Goop, WWD, Footwear News, Time, Sports Illustrated, and more media platforms.

Image courtesy of thehollywoodeporter.com

Marc and the Wizard

Marc Jacobs has embraced the yellow brick road with his new Wizard of OZ capsule collection in collaboration with Warner Bros Discovery Consumer Product. This one-of-a-kind celebrates the 85th anniversary of the “Wizard of Oz” and include some of his brand’s most iconic pieces with Oz-inspired twists, including The Tote Bag, The Snapshot, and The Sack Bag.

This capsule collection includes accessories and apparel that conjures up images of iconic moments from the film—’Not in Kansas’ denim totes, the ‘Emerald City’ leather bags, and the ruby Rhinestone Kiki Mary Janes. This capsule collection reflects Jacobs’ passion for all things “Wizard of Oz.”

The collection is available online and in select Marc Jacobs boutiques, with immersive pop-ups and window displays debuting in fashion hubs like London, New York, Japan, Hong Kong, and Paris. In London, consumer can find the collection at Marc Jacobs’ 110 Regent Street location, while Selfridges Oxford Street is hosting a dedicated pop-up on its ground floor, for the next three weeks.

Image courtesy of wwd.com

Gisele, David, and Boss make three for the holidays

Once again David Beckham and Gisele Bündchen are the face of Boss’ 2024 holiday campaign alongside Lee Jong-suk and Burna Boy. The 2024 holiday campaign showcases an “elevated collection” including a range of products from eveningwear to seasonal gift ideas, bringing to life the label’s festive theme: ‘Radiant. Confident. Effortless.’

According to fashionnetwork.com, the theme of this holiday collection is an expansion of Boss’ visual concept of “empowering idea that every Boss carries with them a powerful light—making the holiday season the perfect time to share it with the world”. This visual concept shines through with Gisele and David Beckham wearing looks for the 2024 holiday campaign pictured against neon lights.

The holiday retail experience will be augmented with pop-up stores and engagement strategies. The 2024 holiday collection launched on November 6 at the brand’s stores worldwide, as well as via its webstore and through wholesale partners.

—William S. Gooch

Fashion News Alert: Former Abercrombie & Fitch CEO Arrested, Victoria Secret’s Runway Show Returns, and Dwayne Wade Has a New Gig

October 23, 2024 by Leave a Comment

Image courtesy of people.com

Victoria’s Secret produced a stunning comeback with its return to the spotlight on October 15 with its runway extravaganza in New York City. Victoria’s Secret had ended its annual runway spectacular in 2019 as sales of the iconic lingerie brand declined.

This runway comeback focused on new messaging from the iconic lingerie brand which included diversity and inclusion with several plus-size models and transgender models walking in the highly anticipated runway show. The 2024 runway show also brought back iconic Victoria’s Secret models—Tyra Banks, Adrianna Lima, Alessandra Ambrosio, Kate Moss, Eva Herzigová, Candice Swanepoel, Jasmine Tookes, Doutzen Kroes, Behati Prinsloo, and many others. Top model newcomers to the Victoria’s Secret show included, but was not limited to Mayowa Nicholas, Devyn Garcia, Grace Elizabeth, Imaan Hammam and Paloma Elsesser.

Gigi Hadid opened the show, looking incredible after having her first child a year ago. Transgender models Valentina Sampaio and Alex Consani debuted as the first transgender women to walk the show. This extravaganza also contained performances by Tyla, Lisa aka Lalisa Manobal, with Cher being the highlight of musical acts.

In total there were over 50 models walking in the show, topped by Tyra Banks who not only walked in show, but also MCed this female-inspired event. Though many of the outfits in the show were purely for entertainment and designed specifically for the runway show, many of the lingerie garments are available in Victoria’s Secret stores and on the brand website.

Image courtesy of pinknews.com

Shame, shame, shame

Former Abercrombie & Fitch CEO Mike Jeffries and two others were arrested on Tuesday for alleged sex trafficking of more than a dozen victims. Jeffries and his partner, Matt Smith; and a third man, Jim Jacobson, are accused of operating an international sex trafficking ring, recruiting young men from parties in the US and other countries in a 16-count indictment.

Jeffries may have used his connections at Abercrombie & Fitch, his network of business contacts, and his vast financial wealth to lure young men into sex trafficking. Jeffries created a sex trafficking business “that was dedicated to fulfilling their sexual desires and ensuring that their international sex trafficking and prostitution business was kept secret,” the indictment alleges.

This sex trafficking business was created in 2008 and flew young men all over the world to engage in sex acts. The indictment mentions 15 alleged victims, identified as John Does #1-#15. Jeffries allegedly recruited, hired and paid a slate of household staff to “facilitate and supervise the Sex Events,” as reported in abcnews.com.

Image courtesy of Instagram

Dwayne Wade pairs fashion and sports in new job

Dwayne Wade has a new job in fashion, but the job most people would not imagine. Wade will be a fashion editor at Carine Roitfeld and Vladimir Restoin Roitfeld’s new sports-focused publication, CR Men.

CR Men will highlight the intersectionality between sports and style, including trends, athletes’ personal fashion experiences, and more—plus, the launch will feature brand collabs, merchandise drops, and e-commerce. CR Men will launch in spring of 2025.

 In the first issue Dwayne Wade will be featured draped in racer leather, sharp suiting, and gleaming jewelry. This NBA star’s melding of athletic prowess and fashion will be the focal point of CR Men.

—William S. Gooch

Fashion News Alert: Hedi Slimane Leaves Celine, 2025 Met Gala Theme Revealed, and Joseph Altuzarra’s New Gig

October 9, 2024 by Leave a Comment

Image courtesy of robbreport.com

There are more shakeups in the fashion industry. Hedi Slimane has announced he is leaving Celine as its creative director. Although it has not been announced where Slimane is going next, wagging fashion tongues are intimating that it might be Chanel.

When Slimane came to Celine, there were some huge accomplishments that he was tasked with. LVMH CEO Bernard Arnault wanted Slimane to increase Celine revenue from close to €1 billion at the time up to €2 billion or even €3 billion within five years. LVMH is the holding company of Celine.

While Slimane was at Celine, he introduced menswear, couture and high-end perfumery. Because of Slimane’s influence, LVMH added that Celine is now “a house with a formidable foundation for the future.” It is not clear if Slimane reached his financial goals; that said, Slimane did breathe new life into Celine, making the brand a much larger entity.

Image courtesy of thecut.com

Black is back

The theme for the 2025 Met Gala’s has been announced. For the first time in history, the Costume Institute of the Metropolitan Museum will host the history and fashion influence of Black dandyism—the cultural shift where Black individuals transformed with greater autonomy to become influential across the globe. This will also be the first time that the Met Gala will present an exhibit that only showcases the work of fashion designers of color. It will also be the first time in 20 years that the exhibit will be menswear focused.

The co-chairs of the 2025 Met Gala will be Anna Wintour, Pharrell Williams, Colman Domingo, Lewis Hamilton, and A$AP Rocky. Louis Vuitton is the benefit and main exhibit sponsor of the 2025. Other funders and contributors include Instagram, Condé Nast, the Hobson/Lucas Family Foundation, Dr. Precious Moloi-Motsepe, Africa Fashion International, and The Perry Foundation.

The 2025 Met Gala occurs the first Monday in May.

Image courtesy of qthestylist.com

Joseph and Victoria

Joseph Altuzarra has a new job. According to Vogue, Altuzarra will be the first guest designer in residence for Victoria’s Secret Atelier. Altuzarra will create ready-to-wear collections for Victoria’s Secret that will be available in Victoria’s Secret stores throughout 2025.

Consumers will get a sneak peek of Joseph Altuzarra’s collection for Victoria’s Secret at the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show which will take place in New York City on October 15. Altuzarra follows in the footsteps of Mary Kantrantzou and Olivier Rousteing, who also had collaborations with Victoria’s Secret as guest designers.

—William S. Gooch

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