Instagram Launches In-app Shopping
Inspired by your favorite model’s sponcon outfit? FOMO on the latest sneaker release? Now you can directly buy that covetable piece as Instagram announced plans this week to start beta testing of “Checkout” – its long-awaited, in-app shopping experience launching with more than 20 recognized brands in fashion and beauty. From mega-retailers like Nike, Zara, and Revolve to high-fashion powerhouses like Dior, Prada, and Burberry the app is teaming up with PayPal to process the payments. Current users who see the shopping bag tag will be able to purchase directly as billing info will be stored directly on the app, instead of being forced to click through to brands’ e-commerce sites. [BOF]
Nathan Westling Comes Out As Trans
After a number of notable successes, this week CNN exclusively unveiled that Nathan Westling has come out as transgender and has plans to return to modeling after taking two seasons off. Westling made the decision early last year to step away and focus on himself, having spent over ten years fighting depression. See more on the story here.
Glossier Hits A Billion
Beauty company Glossier has reached unicorn status with a successful $100 million raised in Series D funding and $1.2 billion dollar valuation. The direct-to-consumer line with a subtle makeup philosophy was started by Emily Weiss in October 2014 and has expanded its primarily online range to two flagships in New York and Los Angeles. [WSJ]
CFDA Nominations Have Arrived
It’s that time of the year again! The Council of Fashion Designers of America has released its list of nominees in women’s wear, men’s wear and accessories for their annual CFDA Awards. No word on who’s hosting this year but last year’s designer blackout with Issa Rae will be hard to top. The 2019 CFDA Awards will take place at the Brooklyn Museum on June 3. Here’s the full list of nominees
Womenswear Designer of the Year Nominees
Brandon Maxwell
Marc Jacobs
Kate Mulleavy and Laura Mulleavy for Rodarte
Rosie Assoulin
Sander Lak for Sies Marjan.
Menswear Designer of the Year Nominees
Mike Amiri for Amiri
Virgil Abloh for Off-White
Kerby Jean-Raymond for Pyer Moss
Rick Owens
Thom Browne for Thom Browne New York.
Accessory Designers of the Year
Jennifer Fisher for Jennifer Fisher Jewelry
Virgil Abloh for Off-White
Tabitha Simmons
Telfar Clemens for Telfar
Ashley Olsen and Mary-Kate Olsen for The Row
Emerging Designer of the Year Nominees
Emily Adams Bode for Bode
Beth Bugdaycay for Foundrae
Heron Preston
Catherine Holstein for Khaite
Sarah Staudinger and George Augusto for Staud
Valentino Garavani and Giancarlo Giammetti International Award
Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen
Positive Change Award
Eileen Fisher
Founder’s Award
Carine Roitfeld
Media Award
Lynn Yaeger
In Other Billion-Dollar Cosmetics Company News, Pat McGrath Labs is Releasing new 17-Piece Line
Pat McGrath Labs is putting her billion-dollar valuation to good use, releasing a 17-piece line called EYEdols coming March 28th. News of the release was announced via the cosmetics company’s Instagram, often used to announced buzzy drops like this. The company founded by Pat McGrath in 2015 also used social media earlier in the month to announce it would be launching in the UK which would free purchasers from paying additional shipping taxes.
Artist Sterling Ruby is Doing RTW And Unveiling it at Pitti Uomo
Sterling Ruby, the American artist, known for his diverse array of works that include sculptures, paintings and other medias as well as a frequent collaborator with Raf Simons, is launching his own ready-to-wear, menswear and women’s. Pitti Uomo in June will provide the first glimpse of his new venture, the Florence trade show named Ruby a special guest. The artist told WWD, “The invitation to be special guest at Pitti represents for me the perfect moment to realize a project I’ve been exploring privately in my studio for 10 years.” [WWD]
Victoria’s Secret Brings Back Swim
After discontinuing swim in 2016, the lately-underperforming lingerie brand Victoria’s Secret has relaunched the in-house line. The revival of swim follows closely news of an increase in store closures as the brand shifts its strategy.
Paul Surridge Out at Roberto Cavalli
Roberto Cavalli’s creative director since 2017, Paul Surridge, is said to be leaving, reported WWD citing a source close to the brand. Roberto Cavalli has yet to make any official statements. Prior, Surridge was creative consultant at Acne Studios. [WWD]
