MM6 Maison Margiela Returns to Pitti Uomo & Luxury Shares Rebound in This Week’s Top Fashion News

This week’s fashion news features the arrival of the FW25 season, where fresh talents make their debut alongside the return of established names. Luxury stocks experienced an uptick due to encouraging financial reports, well-known labels unveiled new phases in their journey, and novel diffusion lines were launched.

6 key fashion brands made headlines recently: Maison Margiela reemerged on the Pitti Uomo stage after a long absence, while Kenzo and New York Fashion Week (NYFW) unveiled their upcoming shows. Brands are focusing more on the Asia Pacific market; Dior will hold a Pre-Fall presentation in Kyoto, and Levi’s has launched an exclusive Blue Tab line for Japan. Richemont’s strong holiday sales positively impacted its shares, as well as those of competitors LVMH and Hermes, indicating a promising outlook for 2025. Lastly, Proenza Schouler is on the hunt for a new artistic director following the announcement that their founding design duo will be leaving.

In this section, we’ve gathered the most popular fashion news items from the past week, keeping you informed about the latest developments in the world of fashion.

MM6 Maison Margiela Presents FW25 at Pitti Uomo 107

On Wednesday evening, the enchanting Giardino dell’Orticoltura in Florence was magically illuminated as the venue for MM6 Maison Margiela’s FW25 presentation at Pitti Uomo 107. The botanical garden and vintage greenhouse were adorned with crisp white decor, reminiscent of Maison Martin Margiela’s iconic 2006 “white-out” fashion show.

As I navigated through the glass labyrinth, I admired the stylish ensembles, each one exuding a subtle androgynous charm. The designs featured star-speckled patterns, imitation mink fabrics, shimmering lurex, adjustable gloves, and shoulders reminiscent of Miles Davis’ iconic trumpet shape. Among all the looks, an electric aqua suit caught my eye, adding a vibrant splash of color to the collection. By merging sharp male silhouettes with elegant details, this line seemed to celebrate a more intricate form of masculinity that embraces fluidity and complexity.

Richemont Sales Surge 10% Triggering Boost for LVMH and Hermès Shares

In a report published on Thursday, the French conglomerate Richemont disclosed a 10% rise in sales over the three months leading up to New Year’s Eve, a crucial time for luxury sector success. After a turbulent closing to 2024 that had many luxury companies on edge, this encouraging news indicates that the luxury market may be showing signs of recovery.

As reported by Business of Fashion, it was primarily the US and European markets that saw an increase in sales, with a focus on luxury jewelry from brands such as Cartier and Van Cleef & Arpels. This rise in jewelry sales helped offset lower-than-usual watch sales. Despite a downturn in sales in Asia, particularly in China, the results reportedly surpassed what analysts had anticipated.

Not only did Richemont’s shares surge by 18%, but this news also brought optimism to the luxury market. The powerhouse companies like LVMH saw a rise of up to almost 9%, while Hermès International experienced a gain of 6%.

Dior Announces Pre-Fall Show in Ancient Kyoto Garden

Dior is set to continue its successful travel-based strategy, previously seen in Seoul, Mumbai, and New York, by hosting its Pre-Fall 2025 runway show in Kyoto, Japan. As reported by WWD, the event will take place at the ancient To-ji Temple and Gardens on April 15. This historic temple, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1994, was initially constructed in 796 to safeguard the former capital of Japan.

In a statement given to WWD, the brand expressed that the upcoming show would serve as a homage to the deep-rooted love for this captivating nation that Christian Dior and his successors nurtured, symbolizing a fresh phase where tradition intertwines with innovation.

CFDA Reveals New York Fashion Week FW25 Calendar

The American Fashion Designers Council (AFDC) has unveiled a tentative schedule for February’s New York Fashion Week, showcasing over 54 fashion shows and designer exhibits for the upcoming Fall/Winter 2025 collection.

The event spans from Thursday, February 6 to Tuesday, February 11. It features well-known designers such as Anna Sui, Carolina Herrera, Christian Siriano, Coach, Collina Strada, Diotima, Eckhaus Latta, Elena Velez, Khaite, Lafayette 148, LaQuan Smith, Luar, Sandy Liang, Sergio Hudson, Todd Snyder, Tory Burch, Zankov and others.

Furthermore, Christopher John Rogers, Altuzarra, Calvin Klein Collection by Veronica Leoni, Fforme, and Theory are scheduled to make appearances on the calendar following some skipped seasons. The eagerly awaited Thom Browne show will bring the week to a close with its final runway presentation on the evening of February 11.

Kenzo To Host Men’s-Focused January Show & Separate Women’s Show in March

Kenzo has decided to change its approach, with its January 25 Paris show exclusively featuring menswear collections. Under the leadership of Artistic Director Nigo, the brand plans to launch a separate Fall/Winter 2025 women’s fashion show during Paris Women’s Fashion Week in March. This strategic shift represents a fresh path for Kenzo’s women’s line, backed by a new creative team collaborating with Nigo.

After three years of creative evolution under Nigo’s guidance, the brand has undergone a transformation. During this time, he infused it with modern vitality while preserving its rich Japanese roots. Famous for establishing A Bathing Ape, Nigo assumed the role of Kenzo’s first Japanese artistic director since 1999, when the original designer departed.

Levi’s Launches New Sophisticated Line of Denim, Blue Tab

Levi’s is introducing a fresh range of refined denim essentials under the name Blue Tab. This upmarket, sleek collection serves as an innovative counterpart to the Orange Tab line, drawing inspiration from classic Levi’s designs. Using superior materials such as chambray, selvage denim, and napped denim, the line seamlessly combines modern fabrics with Levi’s traditional workwear aesthetics. Key items in this collection include the Marc Ruth Jacket, fishtail parka, Blue Tab™ Type I Jacket, chambray work jackets, and heavyweight tees.

The brand officially launches in Japan on January 31.

Proenza Schouler Founders Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez Exit the Brand

As a devoted fan, I’m sharing the news that after 22 years of shaping Proenza Schouler as its founding designers, Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez are moving on from their creative director roles, effective January 31. They will partner with CEO Shira Suveyke Snyder to define the brand’s future direction, maintaining their presence within the company as minority shareholders and members of the board.

According to Hernandez, they are well-prepared for fresh prospects, appreciating bold moves and a spirit of exploration. McCollough concurred, underscoring the thoughtful planning behind their choice at the right moment.

The designers are recognized for blending classic European aesthetics into a New York label. They’ve worked with prominent fashion brands previously, but their future plans are yet unknown. Their exit has sparked whispers that they could take over from Jonathan Anderson at Loewe. However, there have been no official announcements regarding this; it’s only speculation, as Anderson is also rumored to be transitioning to Dior, though nothing has been confirmed officially.

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2025-01-18 01:26