Vogue Business

Tech tends to go through hype cycles — in and outside of fashion. But across the industry, thought leaders are working at the intersection of fashion and technology to cultivate long-term solutions and innovations to achieve a more sustainable, equitable — and engaging — fashion industry. At Vogue Business’s third Fashion Futures event, some of the individuals spearheading these initiatives sat down for a series of panels and keynotes. From non-traditional models to AI, we break down our key takeaways. https://lnkd.in/eESdVtaf

Breaking: Michael Rider is the new creative director at CELINE, the LVMH-owned fashion house announced moments ago. His appointment will take effect in early 2025. It comes after Celine announced the departure of Slimane earlier today. Rider’s arrival at Celine is a coming home of sorts. The American designer was previously employed as design director at the brand, working there for a 10-year period that spanned Phoebe Philo’s tenure. “I am delighted to welcome Michael back to Celine, a maison that he knows intimately. Michael’s vision, creative talent, together with his genuine nature and strong connection to Celine’s heritage make him a natural choice to continue to build a long-lasting success for the maison,” said Severine Merle, CEO of Celine. Here's everything to know: https://lnkd.in/eXRHPNTr

Paid partnership | What do returns look like in a circular future? Vogue Business has partnered with GXO Logistics, Inc. to explore the challenges and opportunities presented by reverse logistics. Despite the advancements in technology that promise to maximise consumer convenience and business efficiency, the issue of returns remains an endemic problem for the #fashionindustry. For many brands, managing #returns is a perpetually loss-making enterprise, but unavoidable given consumer behaviour. What needs to change? Discover the report here, and find out: https://lnkd.in/e7it2F-f

After a seven-year run, Hedi Slimane is leaving Celine. “Under his creative and artistic direction, Celine has experienced exceptional growth and established itself as an iconic French couture house,” Celine said in a statement on Wednesday. “The extraordinary journey taken together over the last seven years has made Celine a house with a formidable foundation for the future.” No name of a successor has been announced. Here, Laure Guilbault has the story. https://lnkd.in/e3EZ2aPR

#Coperni showed off-calendar at the very end of Paris Fashion Week, in Disneyland, the very first fashion show there. The collection was inspired by princesses and villains, with #KylieJenner closing the show in a Maleficent-inspired ballgown. It all culminated in fireworks in front of the Sleeping Beauty castle. After the show, guests enjoyed access to three attractions, including Star Wars Hyperspace Mountain. On collaborating with #Disney, Coperni co-founder Arnaud Vaillant said: “People don’t realise how small Coperni is and how big Disney is. The first meeting, we said, ‘There’s a lot of people.’ In the end, they were so supportive. It was an honour.” This season, Paris was in a state of transition. Luxury fashion’s ongoing slump cast a pall of uncertainty that was felt at many of the Spring/Summer 2025 shows. What are our key takeaways? Here, Laure Guilbault, Lucy Maguire and Elektra Kotsoni break it all down. https://lnkd.in/eqW86gav

Here are the 4 things to expect from this year’s #BlackFriday. Black Friday is a month or so away, landing on 29 November in the UK, but brands and retailers are already deep in planning. We spoke to analysts about what to expect this year in terms of delivery times, consumer confidence, inventory levels and winning strategies. “Interest in Black Friday is likely to be higher than last year, [but] retailers will still need to work hard to demonstrate value and incentivise cautious shoppers,” says Lisa Hooker, leader of consumer markets at PwC UK. With disruptions in the luxury multi-brand sector—MATCHES ’ administration, FARFETCH's Coupang rescue, and NET-A-PORTER’s uncertain future—consumers are increasingly shifting to direct-to-brand shopping. “Multi-brand retailers will need to pull out all the stops to drive sales growth,” adds Neil Saunders, managing director at GlobalData Plc’s US retail division. From top products to winning strategies, here Maliha Shoaib reveals what to look out for: https://lnkd.in/ecrw287a

Cotton candy core! At Stella McCartney’s SS25 #ParisFashionWeek show, exaggerated bubble cloud hemlines resembling cotton candy took to the runway. Tapping into the #dollcore trend—an aesthetic characterised by exaggerated, whimsical and nostalgic elements—the saccharine styles, reminiscent of childhood favourite candy floss, made a bold statement on the runway. The baby pink and pastel blue bubble mini dresses, crafted from recycled plastic bottles in McCartney’s case, are silhouettes that analysts expect to take off for SS25, according to EDITED. On Pinterest, puff-ball hemlines are already trending, with searches surging for “balloon skirt outfit” ( 1765%), “puff skirt outfit” ( 1015%), “poofy skirt” ( 175%), and “puffer jacket outfit aesthetic” ( 70%). Here’s everything to know about the trends dominating the SS25 runways: https://lnkd.in/e7uutZhx

Now serving: BALENCIAGA. With Gucci struggling and Kering anticipating lower profits for the year's second half, could Demna's SS25 collection infused with extra low-rise jeans, voluminous hoodies, and lingerie provide a much-needed lift for the luxury conglomerate's year-end outlook? Following Kering's announcement of a 50% profit drop in the first half of 2024, with sales falling 11% to €9 billion, its portfolio of brands, including BALENCIAGA, are under pressure to perform. Despite facing challenges after BALENCIAGA's ad campaign scandal, Francesca Bellettini, Kering's Deputy CEO in charge of brand development said: "The performance of BALENCIAGA is quite resilient…. They are back to being perceived as trendsetters. The couture show was one of the most-viewed of all time, and the same success was reported for the show in Shanghai." What’s next? Here, Laure Guilbault breaks down Kering's financials and future outlook: https://lnkd.in/euGGYjcb VIP credit: @styledumonde.

CHANEL's post-Viard ready-to-wear collection debuts at #ParisFashionWeek. Earlier today, coinciding with the final day of #PFW, CHANEL unveiled its Spring/Summer 2025 collection designed by its studio team following Viard's departure in June. Attendees, including #NaomiCampbell, #JennieKim, and #MargaretQualley, filled the front row at the iconic Grand Palais—a venue with a rich history tied to the brand, initiated by #KarlLagerfeld back in 2005. The show also featured a surprise performance by brand ambassador #RileyKeough. There's still plenty more to come on the final day of fashion month. From Louis Vuitton to Coperni Paris at Disneyland Paris, read all the highlights so far here: https://lnkd.in/e8Q2tvrU

LVMH sells Off-White - what’s next? Weeks after its #NewYorkFashionWeek runway debut in September, the company announced yesterday that the brand will join Bluestar's portfolio, which includes Scotch & Soda, Hurley, Catherine Malandrino, and American teen brands Justice and Limited Too. Founded by its former creative director Virgil Abloh in 2012, Abloh led the Milan-based label until his passing in November 2021, four months after selling 60% to LVMH. Since Abloh's passing, the brand has struggled to find its footing without its visionary founder. However, the sale comes unexpectedly, given Off-White's major comeback show at #NYFW, which felt like a potential turning point for the streetwear brand. Now, the future of Off-White lies in the hands of Bluestar Alliance. Here, Madeleine Schulz has the full story: https://lnkd.in/eEyG_YCU