French designer Claude Montana Passes at 76
French designer Claude Montana, recognized for his designs that featured powerful, padded shoulders and exaggerated silhouettes, passed away at the age of 76. He gained prominence in the 1980s, becoming one of the decade’s most impactful designers emblematic of a new vision of modernity in fashion. Inès de La Fressange, one of his early runway models, once stated, “People used to bang down Montana’s doors to be allowed in.” Throughout the 1980s and early 1990s, Montana made appearances with Cher at the CFDA Awards, dressed Jeanne Moreau and Charlotte Rampling, and owned stores in Paris. He also ventured into fragrances and designed couture for Lanvin. However, he withdrew from the scene after the house was sold twice in two years following a filing for protection from creditors in 1997. Montana then retreated from the public eye after his last Paris runway show in 2002. Pascal Morand, President of the Fédération de la Haute Couture et de la Mode, described Montana as “a visionary” who constantly pushed the boundaries of fashion, redefining standards of style and design. Montana’s time at Lanvin earned him two consecutive Golden Thimble awards, and he defined his brand’s look based on his muse, the androgynous American model Wallis Franken, whom he later married in 1993. Their union ended tragically with Franken’s suicide in 1996.[WWD] [Vanity Fair]
Y/Project Cancels F/W 24 Show
Y/Project has decided to cancel its runway show for the F/W 24 season to focus on internal investments, highlighting the challenging climate for small and mid-sized brands grappling with the decline in luxury spending. Initially scheduled to debut its fall 2024 collection on March 3rd at 7 p.m. as per the provisional calendar for Paris Fashion Week, the brand will now release the collection through a look book instead. The brand stated, “it remains dedicated to transparency and openness in its communications with stakeholders. This decision underscores the brand’s commitment to navigating uncertain times with clarity and purpose.” [WWD]
Tyler The Creator x Louis Vuitton Collection Is Coming
Tyler the Creator has collaborated with Pharrell Williams on a standalone Louis Vuitton collection launching globally on March 21st. While Pharrell and Tyler have worked together for years in music, this marks their first-ever fashion collaboration. Pharrell commented, “This collaboration is unique to Louis Vuitton because it’s a natural extension of our LVERS philosophy, building on our network of incredible artists and creatives. There are so many elements specific to Tyler built into these pieces and it’s been inspiring to see him hone in on his craft and collaborate with him for this Spring collection.” The aesthetics from the collection strongly reflects Tyler’s preppy style, featuring sweater vests, mechanic jackets, bermuda shorts, and a travel chessboard with hand-sketched pieces. [GQ]
Bella Hadid Launches Orebella
Supermodel Bella Hadid recently announced the launch of her brand, Orebella, following a year-long hiatus from the limelight. With a mysterious teaser on Instagram, Hadid prompted excitement with the caption “reveal your alchemy.” Inc. suggests the wellness brand may offer scented lotions, candles, fragrance reed diffusers, soaps, shampoos, conditioners, and styling creams based on trademark filings. Hadid invited interested consumers to join a waitlist for updates and an exclusive gift upon the brand’s May 2nd launch. The latest news marks Hadid’s second business venture, following her co-founding role at the Austin-based adaptogenic beverage brand Kin Euphorics in 2021. [INC.]
The “Cristobal Balenciaga: Master of Tailoring” Exhibition
Fresh off Disney+ Cristóbal Balenciaga show, the “Cristobal Balenciaga: Master of Tailoring” exhibition is currently on display at the SCAD FASH Museum of Fashion + Film until June 2, 2024. This exhibition showcases an expertly curated selection of over 30 rarely seen archival pieces, including evening gowns worn by Hollywood icons such as Elizabeth Taylor from the 1940s to the late 1960s, with many making their U.S. debut. According to the organizers, “Master of Tailoring affirms the prowess and breadth of the couturier’s work in an elegant display of his signature silhouettes with a touch of the unexpected.” Additionally, visitors can explore designer Azzedine Alaïa’s personal archive of over 500 garments, along with original Balenciaga-EISA sketches and communications from the archives at Parodi Costume Collection. Curated by Gaël Mamine, head of collections at Fondation Azzedine Alaïa, in collaboration with Gaspard de Massé, head of archives at Balenciaga, and Gonzalo Parodi, director of Parodi Costume Collection, the exhibition is organized by Rafael Gomes, creative director of SCAD FASH museums. [SCAD]
MFW Coverage
As Milan fashion week gets in it’s groove, find our exclusive backstage action at Diesel and Roberto Cavalli’s F/W 24 Shows shot by Sonny Photos x Indigital for Models.com here.
Model of the Week: New Guy Bai Ruien Went from Surfing Teacher to Prada Exclusive
Models.com spoke to runway rookie Bai Ruien about being exclusive at the Prada FW24 show in Milan, surfing, and analog photography. Check out the interview here.
MDC Selects: These New Faces Talk Tailoring, Twin Telepathy & Pet Pigs
Taking a break from Milan Fashion Week, here’s six new rookies for this week’s MDC Selects. Find out where they are from, how they started, and the last thing they Googled here. Find out where they are from, how they started, and the last thing they Googled here.
And don’t forget some of this week’s MFW and LFW content Runway Spotlights at Fendi and Prada, and behind-the-scenes moments with Jennifer Matias at Tom Ford, Rayssa Medeiros at 16Arlington, Jourdan Dunn at Saul Nash, a J.W Anderson Runway spotlight, and more on our socials.
