Canada Goose Taps Haider Ackermann as Creative Director
Haider Ackermann has been selected as Canada Goose’s first-ever creative director. The Colombian-born French designer, known for his couture level tailoring through his former eponymous brand, will spearhead the creative division at the outerwear brand known widely for its parkas. He will work alongside Canada Goose chairman and CEO Dani Reiss in Paris to elevate the brand’s aesthetic. Ackermann said, “What drew me to Canada Goose is not only how they have created a category, but also its authentic reputation and drive to stay committed to its purpose. The impact this brand has had on the world around us is meaningful and inspirational.” Alongside the new appointment, the brand released four limited-edition hoodies in support of the non-profit Polar Bears International (PBI), which is at the forefront of efforts to study, understand, and protect polar bears and their declining habitat.To promote the hoodies, Ackermann led a campaign featuring actor Jane Fonda, known for her environmental and cultural activism, photographed by Willy Vanderperre. 100% of proceeds from the sale of the sweatshirts will go to PBI to fund vital research, implement innovative conservation strategies, and educate communities about the importance of protecting the Arctic. Ackermann’s first seasonal capsule collection will launch in Fall/Winter 2024.
The Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show is Returning
The Victoria’s Secret fashion show is set to make a comeback in 2024. The lingerie company made the announcement in an Instagram post, stating, “We’ve read the comments and heard you. The Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show is back and will reflect who we are today, plus everything you know and love — the glamour, runway, wings, musical entertainment and more. Stay tuned…it only gets more iconic from here.” After canceling the annual TV special in 2019, Victoria’s Secret returned with “The Victoria’s Secret World Tour”, a documentary that aired on Prime and spotlighted the VS20 — a collective of 20 global creatives. The film aimed to usher in a new era for Victoria’s Secret amidst allegations of workplace toxicity amid the #MeToo movement. Ed Razek, the show’s longtime chief marketing officer, departed the company in 2019 following significant backlash over his refusal on hiring plus-sized or trans models. Soon after, a 2020 expose by The New York Times revealed further allegations of a “culture of misogyny, bullying, and harassment” within Victoria’s Secret. The Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show, which began in 1995, over the years has featured performances from artists including Rihanna, Ariana Grande and Taylor Swift, and highlighted models like Heidi Klum and Kendall Jenner. While the date for the 2024 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show has not been disclosed, it has been confirmed that the event will return in the fall. [WWD]
Dior Selects Rosalía as Brand Ambassador
Shortly after Spanish musician Rosalía wore Dior to the Met Gala, the brand announced her as their latest brand ambassador. To celebrate, Rosalía starred in her first campaign for Dior, photographed by Collier Schorr while holding the Lady Dior bag. Maria Grazia Chiuri, Dior’s creative director of womenswear said, “I immediately fell in love with Rosalía’s music. I then looked deeper into her work and was truly struck by her dedication as both a musician and producer.” Chiuri had previously used excerpts from Rosalía’s second studio album, “El Mal Querer,” for the soundtrack of Dior’s cruise 2023 show in Seville, Spain. At the Met Gala, Rosalía, styled by Carlos Nazario, wore a couture black wool and silk bustier top and skirt with a long train, paired with a headdress designed by Stephen Jones. By becoming a brand ambassador for Dior, Rosalía joins the ranks of the houses other muses such as Natalie Portman and Charlize Theron. [WWD]
Roksanda Ilincic Sells Her Company
Roksanda Ilincic has sold her namesake brand, founded in 2005, to The Brand Group (TBG). Despite the sale, Ilincic will continue as the creative director with TBG aiming to “grow fashion and home brands on a global scale, with a proven track record of success across various disciplines.” Before the sale, Ilincic had filed a notice of intent to appoint an administrator, similar to Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the US Damian Hopkins, TBG’s CEO and co-founder, plans to expand the brand’s reach while preserving its loyal customer base. Hopkins, with over 25 years of retail experience, specializes in developing consumer and celebrity brands. London’s small independent designers have struggled recently due to the luxury market’s slowdown, the dissolution of Matches Fashion, and pandemic-related debts. Notably, designers such as Christopher Kane, Julien Macdonald, and Nicholas Kirkwood shut down their businesses during the pandemic. Consequently, TBG’s acquisition of Roksanda comes at great timing, potentially revitalizing the brand amidst these challenging conditions. [WWD]
The Loewe Foundation Craft Prize Winner
The Loewe Foundation Craft Prize ceremony took place on May 14th at the Palais de Tokyo in Paris. The competition saw 3,900 submissions, from a shortlist of 30 artists from 16 countries that were selected, including finalists from Nigeria, Korea, the United States, Mali, and New Zealand. Mexican ceramic artist Andrés Anza won the prize for his ceramic totemic work titled ‘I Only Know What I Have Seen’ (2023), which resembled coral reefs. The award was presented by actress Aubrey Plaza, a muse and friend of Jonathan Anderson. Anza received a €50,000 prize and was chosen by a jury that included the Loewe Foundation’s president Celia Loewe, Deyan Sudjic, ceramicist Magdalene Odundo, and last year’s winner, Eriko Inazaki. For the first time this year, there were three runners-up with special mentions. Japanese artist Miki Asai was recognized for her miniature vases crafted from splinters of eggshell and seashell, all applied by hand. French designer Emmanuel Boos received a special mention for his coffee table made from stackable bricks, “comme un Lego.” Korean artist Heechan Kim was acknowledged for his ash wood sculpture stitched together with copper wire, which appeared soft and supple on the surface but contained thousands of glittering copper spikes inside. [Vogue]
Irina Shayk Proves Longevity Is Key To Being A Supermodel
Irina Shayk has cemented her status as a recognizable name within the sartorial zeitgeist by working with fashion icons like Riccardo Tisci and Donatella Versace. Models.com spoke to the New Super Irina Shayk at The Mercer about her historic start, the importance of finding her creative tribe, and what it takes to make an iconic picture. Check out the interview here.
Joey George on Reflecting Identity Through Hair
Hairstylist Joey George’s passion for the arts began at the age of four, leading him to study ballet before pursuing a cosmetology degree in New York. For the segment of our Behind The Image series, Models.com spoke to George about pursuing a cosmetology degree in New York, and working with clients like i-D Magazine, Proenza Schouler, and Interview Magazine. Check out the interview here.
Wonderland’s Toni-Blaze Ibekwe on Capturing Culture Through Visual Storytelling
In the ever-changing fashion world, Toni-Blaze Ibekwe has seamlessly led #WonderlandMagazine to new prontiers, turning starlets into style icons.Models.com contributor spoke with the editor-in-chief and stylist to discuss her career trajectory, develop her eye, and adapt to the ebbs and flows of the fashion media industry. Check out the interview here.
And don’t forget some of this week’s cruise content with a “Day In The Life” at Gucci with Catarina Guedes.
