Gabriela Hearst is the new Creative Director at Chloé
Chloé has announced that self-taught designer Gabriela Hearst will be taking over as creative director of the brand after Natasha Ramsay-Levi exited the position last week. Hearst will play a key role in Chloé’s transformation into a company focused on eco and social sustainability and the empowerment of women. Having founded her eponymous label after taking over her father’s Uruguayan sheep ranch in 2015, Gabriela Hearst has built a $24 million a year business based on sustainability and was last year named by the CFDA as the American Womenswear Designer of the Year. [WWD]
Balenciaga’s Fashion Fantasy Goes Virtual
As the global pandemic continues to discourage in-person shows, luxury brands have had to push innovative ways to get the public’s attention. After (some would say wisely) skipping Paris fashion week this past Fall, Balenciaga joins the fray with its latest project for Fall/Winter 2021 an interactive video game titled, “Afterworld: The Age of Tomorrow.” Moving beyond just making clothes, Demna Gvasalia dons the virtual model avatars in his signature puffers, trompe l’oeil trousers, and dystopic boots of armor as the navigate through storefronts, gardens, and the runway. The high-def quality is impressive, the boldness of it all, even more so. [BOF]
Dior Men Took to the Stars for Fall 21
Kim Jones has certainly been busy this year with his new appointment at Fendi, but this week he showed his continued strength at Dior Men for Fall 2021 with a virtually streamed show that was full of celestial star-quality. The new collection continues his artist series that has already paired with artists like KAWS, Hajime Sorayama, and Daniel Arsham with a joint collaboration with artist Kenny Scharf. Thierry Mugler cheekily pointed out the soundtrack choice was referential to his 1991 show but we like to think of it as a homage. [FWD]
Grazia USA Launches with Thielebeule as EIC
David Thielebeule, the former style director of WSJ Magazine, has been named the editor in chief of the forthcoming US edition of Grazia magazine. Thielebeule has previously also held positions at Allure and Harper’s Bazaar. Grazia, originally published only in Italy, now has 21 international editions. The US version will be launching digital covers until September 2021, when its first print issue will hit the stands. [The Daily Front Row]
