LVMH Young Designer Prize Unveils Shortlist
After reviewing applications, LVMH announced this weak their shortlist of designers for the 8th edition of the annual 2021 LVMH Prize and there are some familiar names amongst the semi-finalists this year. Shortlisted are AGR, Bianca Saunders, Charles De Vilmorin, Christopher John Rogers, Conner Ives, Federico Cina, KidSuper, Kika Vargas, Lagos Space Programme, Lukhanyo Mdingi, Midorikawa, Nensi Dojaka, Post Archive Faction, Renaissance Renaissance, Rier, Rui, Saul Nash, Shuting Qiu, Taakk, and Wed. Bella Hadid, Léa Seydoux, and Samira Nasr have been added to the list of 60 expert judges this year for the competitive contest that saw last year’s winner, Thebe Magugu, take home the grand prize of 300,000EUR. Industry experts will select 8 finalists among the 20 semi-finalists then a more selective Jury will choose 2 winners among them. [DAZED]
Salvatore Ferragamo Says Ciao to Paul Andrew
Creative director Paul Andrew is leaving the Florence-based heritage house Salvatore Ferragamo in May after coming on board in 2016 as creative director of women’s footwear, and promoted to lead all categories in 2019. BOF reports that sales dropped 33 percent to €916 million during 2020, resulting in the first year of losses on record since the company went public on the Milan stock exchange a decade ago. CEO Donald Kohler will also be exiting the company after joining in September 2017.
Nick Haramis Departs Interview Magazine As Editor-In-Chief
After four years at the helm of Interview Magazine, Nick Haramis is set to depart from his EIC position after the Summer 2021 issue releases. The reason for the exit is unknown, but Haramis did share a heartfelt caption and nostalgic picture the day before joining the Andy Warhol founded publication in 2017. [The Daily Front Row]
Balenciaga and Alexander McQueen Go Faux
As consumers tastes have evolved, Balenciaga and Alexander McQueen announced in company filings that they have gone fur-free in an effort to align with cruelty-free best practices. The phase-out comes as consumer demand for fur and exotic skins has plummeted in recent years with speculation on the future of animal by-products in general as many brands are now reconsidering their relationship to traditional leather. [BOF]
Bottega Veneta Launches Digital Journal, Issued by Bottega
From no social media to a digital journal, Bottega Veneta is set on straying away from the norm. The Italian brand deleted their social media accounts and launched a new way for fans to catch up with their content, a digital platform called Issued By Bottega with the first edition featuring Missy Elliot, and various other collaborators. Creative director Daniel Lee said, “Social media represents the homogenization of culture, everyone sees the same stream of content. A huge amount of thought goes into what I do, and social media oversimplifies it.” [Vogue]
