Virgil Abloh is designing jewelry now
If two shows this week weren’t enough, the ultimate multihyphenate Virgil Abloh just added jewelry designer to his resume. The eponymous line is on first glance inspired by the lowly office paper clip, but this your average humble flex. Embellished with pavé diamonds, the line will include necklaces and earrings and will be unveiled along with his new Off-White handbag and footwear designs. It will be carried at a pop-up store located at Hôtel Costes from January 17th-29th, to match the end of men’s ready-to-wear and women’s haute couture shows in Paris. [WWD]
Is Rihanna Turning to Luxury?
Rumors have been buzzing that luxury conglomerate LVMH is ready to bet big on the ultimate celebrity and digital influencer, Rihanna , and back her luxury fashion brand. The move would make her the first black female designer at LVMH and the first brand since Christian Lacroix that they would start from scratch. WWD reports that the line will include “ready-to-wear, leather goods and accessories, and could be released in tandem with her ninth album.”
Gabriela Hearst Gets LVMH Minority Investment
LVMH has also been busy this week announcing plans to take a minority stake in luxury line Gabriela Hearst. Launched in 2015, the label won the International Woolmark Prize in 2016 and opened their first store on the Upper East Side, November of last year. [WWD]
Condé Nast publications continue to slice staff with sights set on digital
Condé Nast continues to trim down its various magazines, meaning less staff and sliced budgets while essaying for future digital growth. The most recent news comes from Glamour Magazine, who trimmed staff. The magazine ditched print to go online only a few months ago, and its editor in chief, Samantha Barry, might be bringing on digitally savvy new hires in their stead, reported WWD. A number of other layoffs were reported at W Magazine as its future remains uncertain. [WWD]
Balmain launches its new immersive app
Balmain launched today an app as part of its new strategy in aims to connect with its customers . “For too many years, the legendary ateliers, boutiques, and runways of Paris have only been open to a very lucky select few,” said Balmain’s creative director, Olivier Rousteing, continuing, “We’d like to try to begin to change that, by inviting as many members of our Balmain Army as possible into our Balmain universe.” The app offers insiders content like augmented reality features and live-streams with other features planning to be rolled out over time. [WWD]
