Calvin Klein Taps Veronica Leoni as Creative Director
After five years, Calvin Klein has appointed new creative directorVeronica Leoni for their collections. Starting this September, the brand has selected her to oversee women’s and men’s apparel, underwear, and accessories, with her debut runway collection set for fall 2025. A 2023 LVMH Prize finalist and founder of Quira, Leoni boasts an impressive resume, having worked with Jil Sander, Celine, Moncler, and most recently, The Row, where she directed both womenswear and menswear design. She aims to blend her industry expertise with Calvin Klein’s heritage and contemporary aesthetic, collaborating with global brand president Eva Serrano to infuse inspiration from the Collection into the mainline portfolio and the red carpet. Calvin Klein Collection, previously known as 205W39NYC, was discontinued in March 2019 following the abrupt exit of former chief creative officer Raf Simons in December 2018. Serrano expressed her confidence in Leoni, stating, “If you met her, you would understand. When I met her and she told me about her story, her experience, how hard she worked, the brands that she contributed to, in that moment, I had the feeling that she had been preparing her whole career for this position.” Leoni’s appointment marks the first time Calvin Klein Collection has had a female creative director. Simons, now co-designer of Prada alongside Miuccia Prada, had significantly redirected Calvin Klein’s collections since joining in 2016, making sweeping changes to teams and ad campaigns. Leoni, currently based in Rome, will split her time between Rome and New York as “the global hub for the Collection is New York,” noted Serrano. [WWD]
The 2024 CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund Finalists
It’s the 20th anniversary of the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund, and the 2024 finalists were announced this week. Steven Kolb, CEO of the Council of Fashion Designers of America, highlighted the significance of this year’s group, saying, “This milestone year’s group of CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund finalists reflects the creativity and diversity of American design, from women’s and men’s sportswear to eveningwear and semi-precious, fashion and ethical jewelry.” The 10 finalists are: Sebastien Ami by Sebastien and Marianne Amisial, Kate Barton, Grace Ling, Connor McKnight, L’Enchanteur by Dynasty and Soull Ogun, Presley Oldham, Phipps by Spencer Phipps, 5000 by Taylor Thompson, Jane Wade, and Wiederhoeft by Jackson Wiederhoeft. Established in 2003, the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund supports the next generation of emerging American designers. Its first recipients, Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez of Proenza Schouler, set a precedent followed by notable designers such as Joseph Altuzarra (2011 winner), Jennifer Fisher (2012 finalist), Telfar (2017 winner), Emily Adams Bode Aujla (2018 runner-up), Christopher John Rogers (2019 winner), and last year’s winner, Melitta Baumeister.The Fashion Fund winner will receive $300,000, while two runners-up will each be awarded $100,000. The winners will be announced later this year. [Vogue]
Jacquemus to Be Honored by the Couture Council of the Museum at FIT
The Couture Council of The Museum at FIT will recognize Simon Porte Jacquemus, founder and designer of the fashion house Jacquemus, with its 2024 Couture Council Award for Artistry of Fashion. The annual luncheon will take place on September 4 at the David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center in New York. The event coincides with the arrival of New York Fashion Week, with proceeds benefiting The Museum at FIT, the only museum in New York dedicated exclusively to the art of fashion. Couture Council board members Princess Deena Aljuhani Abdulaziz, founding editor-in-chief of Vogue Arabia and founder of D’NA, and Sarah Wetenhall, president and owner of The Colony Palm Beach, will serve as co-chairs. For the fifth consecutive year, Nordstrom is the presenting sponsor. Jacquemus said, “I am really happy to receive the 2024 Couture Council Award for Artistry of Fashion supported by Nordstrom, it’s beautiful recognition for the brand and my team. As an independent designer, I was always keen on being innovative and creative in the design of my collections and also in my communication. It’s always about communicating and creating experiences with our community in unique way. I warmly thank the Couture Council of the Museum at FIT and Nordstrom for this great support and this award.” [WWD]
Dion Lee Has Entered Voluntary Administration
Dion Lee has entered voluntary administration, a process similar to bankruptcy in the U.S., and is now overseen by dVT Group. The Australian division, previously majority-owned by Cue Clothing Co., instigated the administration process following Cue’s withdrawal from the partnership. Currently, Dion Lee operates on two fronts: the Australian business, comprising six stores, is undergoing administration, while the brand’s presence in international markets, including 160 wholesale outlets and a store in Miami, remains unaffected. Administrator Antony Resnick has reported interest from potential buyers, signaling the possibility of a sale. Founded by Dion Lee in 2009, the brand has cultivated a dedicated following with its sexy cut-out designs. Designers at large face challenges amidst cautious retail buyers and consumers affected by inflation. [WWD]
Filmmaker Sharna Osborne Pushes for Lo-Fi Brilliance
In a world where nearly every image is as high definition as possible, there’s a nostalgic visual language that VHS cameras dredge up. Filmmaker and photographer Sharna Osborne knows the feeling, having centered her practice around the 90s lo-fi medium, carving out a distinctive niche in the often colliding fashion and art worlds. Models.com spoke to Obsborne about her first big break thanks to Katie Grand, interacting with subjects in an organic way, and pushing the boundaries of visual storytelling here.
Marika-Ella Ames’ Solid Foundation Shaped Her Styling Journey
Fashion stylist Marika-Ella Ames had an unconventional entrance into the industry. At 16, without attending college, she walked into Vice Magazine looking for an internship and began her fashion journey. Fast forward to today, Ames has worked with rising fashion houses like Rachel Scott’s Diotima. For the latest segment of Behind The Image, learn about Ames’ biggest challenges, her creative process, and more here.
MDC Selects: Meet the AANHPI Rookies Making Waves in 2024
As AANHPI month closes out, Models.com brings you six new faces who represent a vast, unique community. Learn how they got their start in the modeling world, where they come from, and their happiest childhood memories, only on Models.com. Click here to read more.
