FASHION'S LATEST NEWS
This has been an emotional week, to say the least. The power of emotion feels more palpable than ever, something that brands seem to cultivate with great finesse. We are living through a period of rapid transformation in the industry, with farewells and new appointments that seem countless, alongside overlapping anniversaries and celebrations.
Without further ado, here are the biggest stories of the moment in the fashion world. Some to inspire, others to move you, but all to remind us of the emotional force behind the industry.
50 Years of Intrecciato
“Craft is our Language”, the new campaign celebrating five decades of the iconic Bottega Veneta intrecciato, elevates craftsmanship as a universal language. More than a celebration of technique, it’s a meditation on the language of human making. An intimate experience. An invisible thread connecting artist and artisan, creator and wearer, hand and mind, all united through art.
Since 1975, the intrecciato has stood for structure, time, and legacy. Entirely handmade, its woven leather defines the maison’s vision: no logos, no noise. Just form, texture, and durability.
Directed by Jack Davison and choreographed by Lenio Kaklea, the campaign revives that silent depth for Bottega Veneta’s new era. Hands, from models, artisans, musicians, writers, and filmmakers, become the vehicle for expression.
The cast includes author Zadie Smith, director Dario Argento, actress Julianne Moore, actor Troy Kotsur, and Edward Buchanan, Bottega Veneta’s first creative director from 1995 to 2001, in a choral composition that avoids traditional advertising and leans towards performance art. The campaign nods to Bruno Munari and his “Supplement to the Italian Dictionary”, a collection of Italian hand gestures.
Earlier this month, we already saw Louise Trotter’s first red carpet looks for Julianne Moore and Vicky Krieps in Cannes. Paired with the emotional weight of this campaign, it feels like the house’s new chapter has officially begun.
Maria Grazia Chiuri bids farewell to Dior
The heartfelt goodbye of Maria Grazia Chiuri marks the end of a unique chapter in Dior’s history. She was the first woman to lead the maison. But her impact went far beyond symbolism. For nearly a decade, Chiuri crafted a narrative where feminism, art, and craftsmanship converged on runways that often felt like covert demonstrations. Her debut, with T-shirts that read “We Should All Be Feminists”, was just the beginning of a visual discourse deeply committed to the cause.
It wasn’t an era of theatrical silhouettes or visual extravagance, but of ideology and conceptualisation. Historic embroideries, ateliers from Mumbai, Oaxaca or Rome, monumental installations by Judy Chicago or Joana Vasconcelos… all served as backdrops for a serene, almost liturgical wardrobe. Her fashion stood out not for its noise, but for what it sought to say.
She also honoured the house’s legacy. She revived the Saddle bag, the Bar jacket, and Galliano’s iconic logo from the 2000s, infusing them with new life, without nostalgia. Her show in Seville, steeped in shawls and Andalusian memory, encapsulated her vision for Dior’s Cruise collections: local roots as a universal language.
The result was clear: Dior’s sales tripled. Her politics became her thread. She ended her tenure by thanking ateliers and collaborators, not the spotlight or the press. The successor, rumoured to be Jonathan Anderson, will inherit a legacy deeper than aesthetics alone.
The Loewe Puzzle turns 10
Ten years after its debut at the Spring/Summer 2015 menswear show, the Spanish house launches a commemorative retrospective: Puzzle 10. Twenty versions (nineteen re-editions and one brand-new model) close and celebrate one of the most unique stories in luxury.
Designed by Jonathan Anderson in his first year at Loewe, the Puzzle bag has always symbolised a fruitful dialogue: the technical and the poetic. Inspired by Japanese origami, it introduced a new geometric form never before seen in the industry. Modular, functional, soft, and mouldable… but also radical in its aesthetic approach. No logos, yet instantly recognisable.
Since then, the Puzzle has evolved through hundreds of iterations, collaborations, shapes, colours, versions, and sizes. Its most recent and popular take is the Loewe Puzzle Fold, a tote reinterpretation of the original.
A decade after its first appearance, the Loewe Puzzle bag can be defined as both iconic and timeless. A different kind of classic, one that moves between logic and function, with the emotional warmth of a beloved companion.
Hailey Bieber sells her brand Rhode for $1 billion
Not strictly fashion news, but undeniably historic. This week, beauty conglomerate e.l.f. Beauty announced its acquisition of Rhode, the skincare brand founded by Hailey Bieber, for $1 billion. With just three years on the market, Rhode has quickly become one of the fastest-growing brands in the prestige segment.
It’s a phenomenon that proves that celebrity, when combined with a solid product, can transcend the “celebrity brand” category with ease.
The deal is also symbolic. Bieber remains as founder, while taking on two key roles: Creative Director and Head of Innovation at Rhode. Additionally, she will act as a strategic advisor to the entire e.l.f. Beauty group.
From retail to TikTok, the brand has built a community-centric universe that feels like a true extension of its founder. Its clean aesthetic and vision of real, attainable skin have driven $212 million in net sales over the past 12 months.
This acquisition marks a strategic expansion for e.l.f., entering the premium segment without compromising innovation. As Rhode enters physical retail, its place as a leading name is solidified. In Bieber’s own words: “More places, more faces.”
