Jane Birkin Passes Away at 76
Jane Birkin, an icon in the film, music, and fashion industries, passed away on Sunday, July 23rd, at the age of 76. Renowned for her “French chic style” and the famous song “Je T’Aime Moi…Non Plus,” written by former partner Serge Gainsbourg, Birkin’s legacy extends beyond borders. Notably, the song was banned by the Vatican due to its provocative nature. Moreover, Birkin served as the muse for the Hermès‘ legendary handbag, aptly named the Birkin, which was introduced in 1984. Over the years, this iconic bag has become a global symbol of status and luxury, leading to extensive waitlists, auctions, and a thriving market of vintage resellers for those seeking to own one. A free-spirited individual, Birkin made a significant impact in the world through her charitable efforts. In an interview with WWD, she said “I got Hermès to fork out for my charities once I saw the fortune they were making. A certain amount of money every year goes straight to my charity, and it will continue to after my death. So that rather trivial piece of heavy luggage has done a lot of good in the world.” Birkin’s contributions to acting and fostering British-French cultural relations were recognized when she was appointed an OBE (Officer of the Order of the British Empire) in 2001. [CNN] [The Guardian]
Marco Bizzarri Exits Gucci
After eight years, Gucci‘s CEO, Marco Bizzarri, has stepped down. The CEO role will be taken on by Kering’s managing director, Jean-François Palus, for a transitional period. During his tenure, Bizzarri and former creative director, Alessandro Michele, brought significant revenue growth to the Italian luxury house. However, the company faced a substantial setback during the pandemic due to its heavy reliance on traveling shoppers and aspirational luxury consumers who were devoted followers of Michele’s vision. Bizzarri’s departure comes at an interesting time for Kering, as there have been multiple shakeups in the C-suite. Notably, Saint Laurent CEO Francesca Bellettini has been promoted to Kering deputy CEO, and all brand CEOs now report directly to her while she continues in her current role. [BoF]
Hearst Magazine Layoffs
Hearst Magazine has laid off 41 employees as part of a restructuring initiative that affects publications like Cosmopolitan, Elle, Seventeen, and Harper’s Bazaar. The announcement of these layoffs was made by the Hearst Magazines Media Union on Twitter, saying, “We are losing talented people whose creativity and institutional knowledge is immeasurable. These are immensely skilled writers, editors, and producers who collectively have decades of experience in journalism. We are disappointed and angry that Hearst unilaterally chose to lay off our members instead of coming to the table to explore alternative options.” Additionally, it has been revealed that Seventeen’s editor-in-chief, Kristin Koch, will step down in September. Following this, the magazine will be placed under the leadership of Cosmopolitan editor Jessica Giles. [WWD]
L’Oréal Paris Taps Kendall Jenner As Latest Ambassador
Kendall Jenner has recently joined the distinguished roster of the L’Oréal Paris brand ambassadors alongside renowned figures such as Kate Winslet, Eva Longoria, Elle Fanning, and Viola Davis. In her statement to Harpers Bazaar, Jenner expressed her excitement about this new opportunity, saying, “I’m eagerly looking forward to immersing myself in the esteemed world of L’Oréal Paris and becoming part of a sisterhood comprising strong and powerful women.” [Harpers Bazaar]
Loewe Is the Hottest Brand According to the Lyst Index
According to the Lyst Index, which tracks shopper behaviors like searches, product views, and sales, Loewe has claimed the number 1 spot as the most sought-after fashion brand of Q2. Loewe’s achievement can be attributed, in part, to their creation of custom looks for Beyoncé’s Renaissance world tour and other notable events. Prada secures the second spot on the list, followed by Versace in third, Miu Miu in fourth, and Bottega Veneta in fifth. A noteworthy inclusion on the list is Loro Piana, a breakout brand that has gained popularity, possibly due to the growing trend of “quiet luxury.” [Lyst]
Zegna Group Taps Lelio Gavazza As Tom Ford CEO
The Ermenegildo Zegna Group has selected Lelio Gavazza as the CEO of Tom Ford with a start date of September 18th. Gavazza will directly report to Gildo Zegna, chairman and CEO of the Zegna Group. Gavazza’s responsibilities will include collection development to merchandising through production as well as retail and wholesale distribution. He is currently the executive vice president of sales and retail at jeweler Bulgari and has over 20 years of experience. Gildo Zegna said, “Lelio’s track record of strong global leadership brings outstanding luxury expertise to Tom Ford Fashion across retail management, wholesale distribution, marketing, digital and key markets, including China.” [WWD]
Karla Martinez De Salas Has Created A Distinct Fashion Voice For Latin America
Head of Content at Vogue Mexico and Latin America Karla Martinez de Salas, has accelerated the region’s global fashion influence while simultaneously running the two distinct books she looks over. She has ushered in notable covers featuring luminaries like Yalitza Aparicio, Jennifer Lopez, Kali Uchis, and Zoe Saldana, as well as models Lineisy Montero, Mica Argañaraz, and more. Models.com spoke to the editor about her career-defining move to Mexico City, the many Latin American designers on her radar, and her unwavering dedication to morphing the creative landscape in her thriving region. Check out the interview here.
Richie Shazam’s Roadmap to Radical Representation in Fashion
Models.com contributor Dominic Cadogan spoke with creative Richie Shazam about her fashion journey, New York’s creative community, and how representation has changed in the industry over her career. Find the interview here.
Model of the Week: Runway Rookie Majda John Peter Made Her Debut at Dries Van Noten
Models.com spoke to Majda John Peter about her discovery, her dream of learning multiple languages, and how she would like to see the fashion industry support immigration issues more for South Sudanese models when getting 01 Visas. Check out the interview here.
