Phoebe Philo Returns
After a highly anticipated wait, Phoebe Philo will debut her eponymous label’s first collection this September. The collection will be available on their website, Phoebephilo.com, and the brand will be opening for registration in July. Philo’s devoted fans, editors, and more have shared their eagerness. The British designer has been very lowkey since she announced in 2021 that she was returning to fashion with investments from an independent namesake house and with LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton. In 2021, Philo said, “I am very much looking forward to being back in touch with my audience and people everywhere. To be independent, to govern and experiment on my own terms is hugely significant to me.” [Vogue]
The New Adult Survivors Act PSA Campaign
The Adult Survivors Act is a New York State law that creates a one-time, one-year look-back window for adult sexual assault survivors who can sue their abusers no matter how long ago the abuse occurred. Survivors can file a civil case against their abuser and institutions until November 23, 2023. The Model Alliance, an advocacy group aimed to promote fair treatment, equal opportunity, and more sustainable practices in the fashion industry, has partnered with Harvey Weinstein accuser, Ambra B. Gutierrez, supermodel Carré Otis, TikToker Barrett Pall, and other models to create a public service announcement to increase awareness of the Adult Survivors Act (ASA). Founder of the Model Alliance Sara Ziff said on the effort, “Knowing that the many survivors who felt unable to report past abuses will now have a chance at justice brought our community some comfort. The passage of the ASA marks a crucial step towards our collective healing.” Ziff continued, “To those weighing the decision of whether or not to come forward, I say this: You are not alone. You have a community of survivors waiting to support you through what we know will be a challenging process. Our Model Alliance support line offers free, confidential, secure help, and we can connect you with trusted attorneys, should you want it. We know that reporting abuse takes an incredible amount of bravery. Please don’t hesitate to contact us for support.” Under the Adult Survivors Act (ASA), New Yorkers who were sexually assaulted as adults will have a one-year window to sue their abusers and institutions that protected abusers. Some states have similar “lookback” laws for child sexual abuse victims to bring civil claims, but now only New Jersey and New York “have allowed a grace period for victims who were adults at the time of the assault.” Supermodel Carré Otis said to Models.com, “The ASA was modeled after the Child Victim Act – the very legislation which has allowed me to seek justice following the abuse I suffered as a young model. It has helped me begin the process of reclaiming my power, healing, and moving forward. It is my hope that through this campaign and the ASA’s new one-year look-back window, others will also be able to find their voice and the support they need as they consider their legal options.” Please look through the Model Alliance’s website for further details. [Forbes]
Stella Jean Pulls Out of Milan Fashion Week Due to Lack of Inclusivity
Stella Jean, the only black designer in Italy’s fashion chamber, has dropped out of Milan Fashion Week due to a lack of assistance for diversity and inclusion after the chamber “abandoned a project to promote young designers of color working in Italy.” During a press conference held by the CNMI, Jean said that the chamber told her, “We didn’t know there were Italian designers who weren’t white.” Stella continues, “We brought them to the runway. They supported us for two years. Then we were abandoned.” Jean also disclosed that five other members of the We Are Made in Italy (WAMI) collective founded by Michelle Ngonmo in 2020 have also withdrawn from the calendar, which starts on February 21st. WAMI was built to increase attention to the industry’s lack of diversity and inclusion for designers of color. The organisation also disclosed that the Camera Nazionale della Moda Italiana sent a press kit titling WAMI as “The Black Lives Matter In Italian Fashion Collective, followed by WAMI Collective” which WAMI said for seasons they repeatedly told the chamber “the importance and urgency of not abusing the BLM movement for publicity purpose.” [AP News]
Demna Addresses Balenciaga Controversy in an Interview With Vogue
Balenciaga has had controversy after controversy in the past few months. It all started with The “Gift Shop” campaign, with children featured next to the House’s teddy bear bags that many felt had BDSM references. Then followed the Spring 2023 campaign featuring three notifiable props, a printout from the Supreme Court ruling in the case of United States v. Williams—which confirmed that a federal statute prohibiting the “pandering” of child pornography did not violate the First Amendment of the US Constitution, a book by the Belgian artist Michaël Borremans, whose work included disturbing images of toddlers, and a framed college certificate on a wall that had the name of a convicted child abuser. In an exclusive interview with Vogue, the luxury brand’s creative director Demna addressed this week for the first time the house’s whirlwind of controversies. Demna held himself accountable and ended the interview by saying, “Despite what many people may have suspected, the issue with the campaigns was absolutely not in any way part of my provocative design language—never, ever would I have an idea to mess around with such an awful and horrible thing as child abuse.” Demna states that he will be focusing on his love for the craft of making clothes and that he is not interested in pop culture, and that his creative vision has not been influenced by it. Balenciaga and the Kering Foundation have also partnered with the National Children’s Alliance (NCA) for a three-year program to raise awareness of child abuse. [Vogue]
Chloé Is Increasing Supply Chain Transparency and Tapping Into Resale
Chloé is getting in on the resale industry through a digital ID called Chloé Vertical which includes an ownership certificate that accelerates resale through secondhand marketplace Vestiaire Collective. The luxury house is putting transparency first for its consumers as the digital ID includes product care and repair information. It allows consumers to discover all the materials used to create its luxury bags, shoes, and ready-to-wear. The French luxury brand has partnered with several suppliers and manufacturers to display the entire supply chain and production processes. In a statement, Chloé said, “The initiative has three main purposes: to ensure authenticity, traceability, and to facilitate care and repair. Customers can learn more about the entire manufacturing process, find care and repair instructions, and also locate their product certificate of authenticity, complete with a unique ownership number. The company will unveil its supply chain process through its Open Source initiative. The instant resale program will launch in the U.S., Europe, and the U.K. as “an exclusive one-year pilot project.” The company intends to include digital IDs in all of its products by 2025. [WWD]
Pelagia Kolotouros Is the New Creative Design Director of Lacoste
A month after Louise Trotter’s exit from Lacoste, the brand has announced a new creative design director, Pelagia Kolotouros, to run the company. When talking about Kolotouros’s appointment, Lacoste’s Deputy CEO Catherine Spindler said, “[Kolotouros’] arrival comes at a time of renewed artistic approach aimed at pushing the brand’s creativity and desirability even further.” The Parsons Design School graduate has a very seasoned background from working at Calvin Klein, YEEZY, The North Face, IVY PARK, and working with Pharrell Williams in the textile, footwear, women’s, and men’s departments. [Hypebae]
Soul Artist Management Is Donating 100% of Agency Fees to Earthquake Relief for Turkey & Syria
New York model agency Soul Artist Management is dedicating 100% of its NYFW season agency fees toward earthquake relief for Turkey and Syria. In an Instagram post, Jason Kanner, founder of Soul, urges all to donate here if they can.
Models.com Interviews Sustainable Brooklyn
Models.com contributor Nia Groce spoke to the Sustainable Brooklyn co-founders Whitney McGuire and Dominique Drakeford about their mission, most rewarding moments, and what’s next for the organization. Find the interview here.
Models.com Interviews Malick Bodian
Models.com spoke to Top 50 model and photographer Malick Bodian about how he first transitioned to photography, his favorite marquee projects, and documenting reality within fashion photography. Check out the interview here.
Models.com Interviews Hunter Pifer
Models.com interviews Hunter Pifer about getting scouted on TikTok, creating and experimenting with art, and her experience being one of the handful of trans models in the industry. Check out the interview here.
And don’t forget some of this week’s Models.com Rankings Updates:
