A lot happened while we were away whether it was London’s new lockdown until February or the rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine but an attempted insurrection in America directly incited by the President in a speech outside the Capitol this past Wednesday eclipsed much of what happened in the fashion cycle. The appalling events of Wednesday have caused Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, and Twitter to indefinitely ban the accounts of the 45th President of the United States with many leaders around the globe supporting the peaceful transfer of power. Here is what you missed in fashion, beauty, and modeling outside of despairingly desperate attempts to hold onto power.
Alexander Wang is Accused of Sexual Assault
Designer Alexander Wang has been accused of inappropriate sexual misconduct with detailed reports of people being drugged against their will at parties, groped, or raped by Wang, broadcast by online watchdogs @ShitModelMgmt and @DietPrada. The designer has denied the allegations calling them “false, fabricated and mostly anonymous.” His now eight accusers including model Owen Mooney have hired attorney Lisa Bloom who in an email to Vogue wrote the following, “The fashion industry is long overdue for a reckoning of its frequent, disturbing mistreatment of models. I’ve represented many alleging sexual misconduct in recent years, including against Paul Marciano, Bruce Weber, and others. Models are not props, and they have the same rights to workplace respect as everyone else.”
Designer Pierre Cardin Passes
Fashion seer Pierre Cardin who dared to dream of futuristic garments, died December 29th at 98 at the American Hospital of Paris. The visionary was responsible for creating looks in the late 50s with geometric, architectural shapes that heavily influenced the 1960s mod movement. He was also one of the first license gurus, “the Napoleon of licensors”, with around 800 licensees, which included clothing, accessories, furniture, household products, and fragrances, sold in more than 140 countries on five continents. [NY TIMES]
That’s Dame Pat McGrath, to you
Towards the end of 2020, Queen Elizabeth II’s New Year 2021 Honors List was released with Pat McGrath earning damehood, the first makeup artist to ever receive the title. The annual list names figures across British society who will receive the crown’s top accolades for services to their country. In an Instagram post acknowledging the honor, McGrath stated “When I first launched my brand, PAT McGRATH LABS, it was designed to inspire self-expression and individuality. I dedicate this honour in tribute to Makeup Artists everywhere, I adore each and every one of you. Never give up on your dreams – with hard work, creativity, and perseverance anything is possible.”
Lindsay Peoples Wagner Leaves Teen Vogue, Named Editor-in-Chief of The Cut
Lindsay Peoples Wagner will be leaving her position as editor of Teen Vogue after two years to return to The Cut—this time as editor-in-chief. Peoples Wagner previously worked at The Cut under Stella Bugbee, who left The Cut to take the role of editor-at-large at New York Magazine in October last year. It’s been an enormously successful few years for Peoples Wagner, who in 2020 co-founded the Black in Fashion Council and was named as one of Forbes’ “30 Under 30”. [Fashionista]
Stella Tennant Committed Suicide, Her Family Has Confirmed
Stella Tennant’s family have revealed to British newspaper The Telegraph that the cause of her death last month was suicide. According to the family’s statement, the iconic model had struggled with mental health issues for a number of years, and “it is a matter of our deepest sorrow and despair that she felt unable to go on, despite the love of those closest to her.” Tennant passed away in Scotland on December 22, just days after her 50th birthday. We remember her lasting legacy here. [WWD]
Three New Guests Will Show at Couture Fashion Week
Paris’s Haute Couture week is planned to take place January 25th through the 28th (barring no increase in outbreak numbers) and will have three new additions to its calendar: Alber Elbaz’s grand return with “start-up” AZ Factory, Charles de Vilmorin, and artist Sterling Ruby. Usually, special guests of the couture calendar must fit the rigorous standards of the couture process, including an atelier and at least 20 petite mains, but these three new guests break the mold with their interdisciplinary backgrounds. [VOGUE]
LVMH Names New Tiffany Executives
It has been revealed that LVMH will be keeping the leadership positions at Tiffany & Co.–which the French group recently acquired for $15.8 billion–close to home. Taking over from Alessandro Bogliolo as the chief executive officer will be Louis Vuitton executive Anthony Ledru. The chairman of Tiffany’s board of directors will be Michael Burke, CEO and chairman of Louis Vuitton. And Alexandre Arnault, son of LVMH chairman and CEO Bernard Arnault, will serve as Tiffany’s executive vice president, product and communications. [WWD]
