Chanel Makes History by Debuting New Collection in Senegal
Chanel debuted their Métiers d’Art collection in Dakar, Senegal making history as the first European luxury brand to showcase a fashion show in sub-Saharan Africa. Chanel coming to Senegal was not only for a fashion show but for a three-day festival that started right after Dakar Fashion Week ended to showcase the “country’s talents in art, dance, music, and literature.” The stellar guest list included Pharrell Williams, Naomi Campbell, Nile Rodgers, and more. Chanel intends to continue their partnership with Senegal, and next January, the brand will come back to Dakar for a program called 19M that “will focus on work created in tandem with local embroiderers and craftspeople.” [NYT]
Éric Pfrunder, Karl Lagerfeld’s Longtime Collaborator Dies at 74
Chanel’s director of images for three decades and Karl Lagerfeld’s close collaborator Éric Pfrunder passed away on December 5th at age 74 after battling a long-term illness. Bruno Pavlovsky, president of Chanel Fashion, described him as “a man of conviction and loyalty, a passionate worker, ‘vorarbeiter’ as Karl Lagerfeld affectionately called him, Eric tirelessly devoted his exceptional eye and vision to the excellence of Chanel, generously sharing his knowledge and insights with the image team and more broadly, the fashion division.” [WWD]
New Leadership Changes at Prada
At Prada’s upcoming board meeting on Jan, 26th former LVMH senior adviser Andrea Guerra will be recommended as CEO of the Prada Group. Miuccia Prada will continue as the sole creative director of Miu Miu and Prada with Raf Simons, who is also a board member. While at the annual shareholders meeting for the approval of the 2022 financial statements, Patrizio Bertelli will be recommended as chairman, and current chairman Paolo Zannoni will be put forward as executive deputy chairman of the board of directors of Prada SpA, alongside as chairman of Prada Holding SpA. Miuccia Prada and Patrizio Bertelli said, “this is a fundamental step we have decided to undertake, while completely engaged in the company, to contribute more to the evolution of the Prada Group and to ease the succession of Lorenzo Bertelli, the future leader of the group. We thank Andrea Guerra for being willing to take the job, with the aim of achieving a steady and sustainable growth. Andrea Guerra, with his long professional experience, has shown entrepreneurial skills in businesses where the founders are present and engaged, blending their culture and the needs of a company continuously evolving and active on international markets.” [WWD] [Prada Group]
Antoine Arnault Is the New CEO of Christian Dior SE
Is a succession in store? LVMH’s chairman Bernard Arnault’s eldest son Antoine Arnault has been appointed chief executive of family holding company Christian Dior SE, replacing executive Sidney Toledano. “Christian Dior is a listed company that owns the bulk of the Arnault family’s stake in LVMH (LVMH.PA).” The new role aligns with the family’s desire to guarantee its control over LVMH. [Reuters]
Gucci To Debut Cruise Show in South Korea
Gucci is back on the traditional calendar route, debuting their menswear collection in Milan this upcoming January. The Italian luxury brand will also showcase its cruise 2024 show in South Korea on May 15 at a disclosed location. Following creative director Alessandro Michele’s shock exit, Gucci’s design office will continue to lead the direction of the house forward until a creative director is announced. The cruise show in South Korea will mark Gucci’s 25 years in the country since the opening of its first flagship in Seoul in 1998. Last month, the brand called off its annual show in Seoul after the tragic Halloween crowd crush in the city and said it was pledging a three-year donation “geared at restoring and preserving the Gyeongbokgung Palace.” [WWD]
Model of the Year Awards Returns
Models.com’s Model of the Year Awards returns! As we look back on the year that was, 2022 brought a return to full scale runway shows, the rise of notable muses, and plenty of designer shakeups. Who were the models that commanded our attention in 2022? Vote for Model of the Year Women/Men+, Breakout Star Women/Men+, Social Mover of the Year, and Model turned Actor here.
Models.com Interviews Victoria Fawole
Models.com interviewed Nigerian model Victoria Fawole about going back to university, living in the moment, and her dream collaborators she’d love to work with. Find the interview here.
Models.com Interviews Tanya and Zhenya Posternak
Models.com spoke to twin photographers Tanya and Zhenya Posternak about their initial interest in the medium, their favorite muses, and the use of their talents to help process their feelings on the Russian invasion. Check out the interview here.
