Balenciaga Drops Lawsuit and Demna Speaks Out
After a scandalous week for Balenciaga due to their disturbingly, controversial gifting campaign, the brand’s creative director Demna has finally addressed the public. In an Instagram post, he said, “I want to personally apologize for the wrong artistic choice of concept for the gifting campaign with the kids, and I take my responsibility. It was inappropriate to have kids promote objects that have nothing to do with them.” In a separate post on the brand’s page, Balenciaga president and CEO Cédric Charbit announced the steps the company is taking regarding “content organization,” and going on a “listening tour” with child advocacy groups, and to set aside “a significant fund for grants to organizations so that we can help make a difference in protecting children.” Balenciaga is also dropping the litigation against production company North Six Inc. and set designer Nicholas des Jardins. Influential industry figures like casting director Piergiorgio Del Moro and George Cortina rallied against the lawsuit and reposted a post from Chris Boals on Instagram, saying, “It is troubling to see a fashion house knowingly deflect blame on the hired production company to avoid responsibility for its own creative decisions. Clients are on the set and are responsible for all approvals through and, most importantly, have final say before all images are released to the public.” [WWD]
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Ludovic de Saint Sernin Is the New Creative Director of Ann Demeulemeester
Claudio Antonioli-owned brand Ann Demeulemeester has announced their new creative director, Ludovic de Saint Sernin. The appointment is a rather significant change for the company, as the brand hasn’t had a lead designer since Antonioli bought the company in 2020. De Saint Sernin launched his brand in 2017 and quickly grew a cult following for his sultry genderless aesthetic, with his brand seen on Rosalia, Dua Lipa, Vittoria Ceretti, and more. A press release stated, “Authorship and autobiography gain centrality, as Ludovic de Saint Sernin shapes the Ann Demeulemeester traits around his vision, proclivities, and individuality.” His first collection will be debuted next March during Paris Fashion Week. [Vogue]
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Kim Jones x Tremaine Emory Collab on Dior Capsule Collection
The more, the merrier! Kim Jones will debut two collections in Egypt later this week. Alongside the men’s pre-fall collection on Saturday in front of the pyramids of Giza, Jones tapped the director of Denim Tears, cofounder of No Vacancy Inn., and current creative director of Supreme Tremaine Emory to design a capsule collection that will be presented today. The Dior Tears line will be displayed during a presentation at the Grand Egyptian Museum. When speaking about the collection, Emory said the capsule line is “an homage to Black artists and creatives like writer James Baldwin and jazz trumpeter Miles Davis, who were celebrated in Europe in the ’50s even as segregation raged back home in the U.S and how they romanced the idea of being treated differently in Paris and Europe. That romance of being celebrated for who you are, where you are from, the way you live, the way you dressed, your lifestyle, and your talents is what we have focused on.” [WWD]
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Katie Grand Honored With the Isabella Blow Award at the Fashion Awards
Stylist, founder of The Perfect Magazine, and Models.com contributor Katie Grand will receive the Isabella Blow Award for fashion creator at next week’s Fashion Awards in London, presented by Diet Coke. The BFC is honoring Grand for her contribution to “culture, art, and fashion, which has made her one of the most exciting creative visionaries of our time.” As a stylist and creative consultant with top clients like Prada, Miu Miu, Giles Deacon, Marc Jacobs, Bottega Veneta, Matty Bovan, and Tomo Koizumi, Grand has created legendary campaigns and styled stellar shows throughout her expansive career. Grand started her career in the publishing world and was the fashion director of Dazed and The Face and the launch editor of Another. She has also launched three other magazines, Love, Pop, and the most recent Perfect. Caroline Rush, CEO of the BFC, said, “always ahead of the curve, Katie’s work as a stylist and creative consultant has influenced trends and supported the discovery of fresh, new talent.” Some of the former winners of the Isabella Blow Award for Fashion Creator include IB Kamara, Sam McKnight, Mert & Marcus, Pat McGrath, Nick Knight OBE, and Edward Enninful OBE.
Louis Vuitton x Yayoi Kusama Exhibition Is Loading
Ten years later, Louis Vuitton and Yayoi Kusama are collaborating together for the second time for another exhibition. According to the Louis Vuitton website, “this year’s collaboration brings not only the artist’s signature dots to the Monogram canvas, but also explores a wide range of recurring themes.” To promote the upcoming January 2023 exhibition, installations have been placed at Tokyo Tower, Tokyo Station, Zojoji Temple, Shiba Park, and Shinjuku district. [Hypebeast] [Louis Vuitton]
Models.com’s The Graduates
Models.com’s annual Graduates are here! Since 2013, Models.com’s The Graduates series has been a visual check-in with the models of the moment who have risen through the ranks of the Hot List to the top working models in the world. Cementing themselves in editorials, advertisements, lookbooks, and on the runway, these global muses have consistently locked down luxury clients. Shot in New York before fashion week by photographer Myles Loftin, this year’s list stands as a testament to the fashion industry’s tenacity and forward expansion. Find the interview here.
