Kim Jones Parts With Dior & Maison Margiela Enlists Glenn Martens in This Week’s Top Fashion News

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This week saw the ongoing spin of creative directors in luxury fashion, with powerful statements made during men’s runway shows, along with fresh collaborations unveiled while some existing ones wrapped up.

As I sit here, immersed in the world of high-fashion gaming, I can’t help but feel the buzz! Glenn Martens steps up as Maison Margiela‘s creative maestro, while Kim Jones bids farewell to Dior. Meanwhile, Willy Chavarria continues to shine brightly in Paris’ fashion scene. Over at Louis Vuitton, they’ve joined forces with Formula 1! Lastly, it’s exciting news for all as Sean Wotherspoon leads Gap’s extensive vintage project, and Stella McCartney reclaims full control over her brand from LVMH, a move that reinforces her commitment to sustainability.

In this section, we’ve compiled the most significant fashion news items from the past week, ensuring you are well-informed about current industry developments and trends.

Kim Jones Officially Steps Down as Artistic Director of Dior Men

On Friday morning, it was announced that Kim Jones is stepping down from his role as Dior Men’s artistic director. The statement released by the brand included comments from Jones, who expressed his appreciation for having had the opportunity to design within the legendary House of Dior. He thanked his team in the studio and ateliers for their support throughout his creative journey, crediting them with bringing his designs to life. Jones also acknowledged the artists and friends he collaborated with during his tenure. Lastly, he expressed his gratitude towards Bernard and Delphine Arnault for their unwavering backing.

In 2018, Jones started working at Dior, having served as the artistic director for Louis Vuitton men’s collection from 2011. Upon joining this iconic fashion house, he brought a new allure to Dior’s menswear line by incorporating street-style influences and subtle feminine accents. Prior to his final FW25 Men’s show, Jones was honored with knighthood by France’s Legion of Honor. Although there have been rumors about his departure, as of now, it remains unclear if he will be taking over another fashion house.

Glenn Martens Is Maison Margiela’s Next Creative Director

Over just a few months, Glenn Martens, co-founder of Y/Project, parted ways with the brand. Meanwhile, John Galliano left Maison Margiela and Y/Project ceased operations. Since then, there’s been much speculation about Martens’ future plans. On Wednesday, it was revealed that Glenn Martens will take over from Galliano as Artistic Director at the avant-garde French fashion house, Maison Margiela. In a statement, Martens expressed his gratitude for this opportunity, saying “I am incredibly honored to join the remarkable Maison Margiela, a truly one-of-a-kind brand that has been captivating the world for decades. I want to express my thanks to Renzo for his trust in me.

The meeting is appropriate since both Martin Margiela and Glenn Martens were educated at Antwerp’s Royal Academy of Fine Arts and subsequently worked under Jean Paul Gaultier. At this point, it remains uncertain whether Martens will carry on as the artistic director at Diesel, where he has revitalized the brand with a fresh, appealing vibe after a period of decreasing interest.

Willy Chavarria Makes Epic Paris Debut

On Saturday, January 25, Willy Chavarria unveiled his long-awaited debut in Paris, filled with unexpected twists and a triumphant end that resonated deeply with an emotional theme. Prior to the fashion show, a classic low-rider served as transportation for a mobile pop-up shop selling adidas x Willy Chavarria Paris merchandise. This traveling pop-up culminated at the event venue, where designs embodying Chavarria’s style philosophy were presented with flair and panache.

Chavarria’s runway was filled with romantic touches, such as blazers decorated with roses, stylish Western hats adorned with flowers, and unique tailoring designs. During the show, J Balvin made a surprise appearance, wearing a bow-tied tuxedo to perform an emotional serenade in the middle of the presentation. The collection combined suiting, workwear, and sportswear, elevating them with materials like Italian silks, velvets, bouclé, and double-faced cashmere. The color scheme was rich and ornate, featuring opulent shades of gold, blue, crimson, and plum reminiscent of Baroque art. At the end of the show, as a sermon advocating for marginalized communities played over the speakers, both the designer and his models walked together in unison.

Kendrick Lamar Taps Willy Chavarria for Super Bowl Halftime Collection

In the wake of a sensational runway premiere in Paris, designer Willy Chavarria unveiled an exclusive partnership with renowned rapper Kendrick Lamar before his highly anticipated Super Bowl Halftime performance in February. This unique collaboration involves the NFL, Kendrick’s pgLang label, and Chavarria, creating a limited-run collection inspired by fans. A striking satin jacket featuring balloon sleeves and “KLamar” embroidery on the chest and “g.NATIONAL” lettering on the back is accompanied by lightweight practice jerseys, drawstring mesh shorts, as well as Super Bowl LIX hoodies and T-shirts.

On Wednesday, January 29th, you’ll have the opportunity to purchase items from the Willy Chavarria x Kendrick Lamar collection online. The proceeds generated from this collection will be generously donated to those affected by the Los Angeles fires through various organizations and individuals.

Louis Vuitton Becomes Official Partner of Formula 1

Louis Vuitton announced a ten-year collaboration with Formula One starting in 2021, becoming both the Official Partner of the racing series and the Title Sponsor for the 2025 Australian Grand Prix labeled as “Formula 1 Louis Vuitton Australian Grand Prix.” In celebration of its 75th anniversary, Formula One will welcome contributions from Louis Vuitton such as trackside advertising and custom Trophy Trunks to be displayed before each competition.

Louis Vuitton’s collaboration with Formula 1 marks another instance of the motor racing and fashion industries intersecting. In 2024, PUMA teamed up with A$AP Rocky for a partnership with Formula 1, resulting in new sneakers and clothing lines. The upcoming 2025 Formula 1 season will commence in Melbourne, Australia on March 16.

Sean Wotherspoon Is Launching Gap’s New Vintage Program

Following the successful release of retro collections with Gap, Sean Wotherspoon – designer and founder of Round Two – has been appointed as the head of Gap’s innovative vintage program. In his new position as Global Vintage Curator, Wotherspoon will lead the introduction of the GapVintage program, a worldwide collection carefully selected to be rolled out in a series of seasonal drops throughout the year.

I’m thrilled to witness Gap stepping up their control over the supply of their vintage items and expanding this program even further, as we were among the first to initiate it about two years ago,” I said. “With the secondhand market blooming and resonating strongly with younger demographics, I can’t wait to make GapVintage accessible for today’s global youth.

As a gamer, I’m super excited to share that I’ll be able to get my hands on the first GapVintage drop here in the US! Mark your calendars for February 4 at noon ET because that’s when it goes live on Gap’s website. If you happen to be in Tokyo, you can even check out select pop-ups in Shinjuku starting February 1, and Osaka from February 8. Can’t wait!

Stella McCartney Is Buying Back Minority Stake From LVMH

Stella McCartney has revealed she’s reacquiring her minority share from LVMH, but she’ll continue collaborating with them in a fresh role as Global Ambassador for Sustainability.

The statement from LVMH indicates that Stella McCartney is embarking on a fresh journey, aiming to create a new segment in her narrative as an independent entity. With the brand now under full ownership of its founder, the future moves for Stella McCartney are yet to be revealed. However, it’s safe to anticipate that McCartney will persist in her commitment to promoting sustainability – a mission that has remained consistent despite changes in leadership.

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2025-01-31 23:57