Jonathan Anderson Exits Loewe, The 2025 Woolmark Prize Jury, and more news you missed

Jonathan Anderson Exits Loewe
After 11 years at Loewe, Jonathan Anderson is stepping down as creative director. During his tenure, Anderson transformed the Spanish leather house from a niche luxury brand into a global cultural force known for its innovative craftsmanship. Reflecting on his departure, Anderson said, “While reflecting on the last 11 years, I have been lucky enough to be surrounded by people with the imagination, the skills, the tenacity and the resourcefulness to find a way to say ‘Yes’ to all my wildly ambitious ideas. While my chapter draws to a close, Loewe’s story will continue for many years to come, and I will look on with pride, watching it continue to grow, the amazing Spanish brand I once called home.” While his next move hasn’t been officially confirmed, all eyes are on Dior. According to WWD, Anderson may have already begun work on Dior’s 2026 menswear collection. Meanwhile, speculation is swirling that Jack McCollough + Lazaro Hernandez—the designers behind Proenza Schouler who recently exited their New York-based label—are in talks to succeed Anderson at Loewe. The S/S 26 season is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated in years, with Matthieu Blazy’s debut at Chanel, Louise Trotter taking the reins at Bottega Veneta, and the potential unveiling of new creative directors at Gucci, Dior, and Loewe. [WWD]

International Woolmark Prize Jury for 2025
Even as she steps into her new role as Chief Brand Ambassador of Versace, Donatella Versace is staying close to the design world. The legendary designer has been named a judge for the 2025 International Woolmark Prize, adding her voice to a panel of leading industry figures set to choose this year’s winner at the final ceremony in Milan on April 2nd. Joining her on the jury are ten other power players from fashion and culture: Zegna’s Artistic Director Alessandro Sartori; Off-White’s Art & Image Director Ib Kamara (also this year’s Guest Artistic Director); N21 founder Alessandro Dell’acqua; celebrity stylist Law Roach; stylist and consultant Danielle Goldberg; Saks Fifth Avenue SVP Fashion Director Roopal Patel; educator and advocate Sinead Burke; DJ and artist Honey Dijon; fashion journalist Tim Blanks; and Vanity Fair’s European Editorial Director Simone Marchetti. The Woolmark Prize, an incubator for emerging talent, has tapped eight finalists from around the globe: Duran Lantink (Netherlands), Raul Lopez of Luar (USA), Rachel Scott of Diotima (Jamaica/USA), Michael Stewart of Standing Ground (UK), Louis Gabriel Nouchi (France), Luca Lin of Act No.1 (Italy), Ester Manas and Balthazar Delepierre of Ester Manas (Belgium), and Meryll Rogge (Belgium). This year, the winner will take home a significantly increased prize of 300,000 AUD (around $195,000 USD)—a 50% boost from previous years. In addition, two special honors will be awarded: The Karl Lagerfeld Award for Innovation and the Supply Chain Award, recognizing those pushing the boundaries of sustainable merino wool use and production. Finalists will also have the opportunity to be stocked globally through the Woolmark Prize Retailer Network, solidifying the program’s reputation as one of fashion’s most influential platforms for next-gen designers.

Michel Gaubert’s New Autobiography Remix Is Out
Legendary French DJ Michel Gaubert has released his autobiography, Remixed, published by Éditions Fayard. The book debuted at 7L, Karl Lagerfeld’s iconic Left Bank bookstore, where Gaubert signed copies for industry figures like Rick Owens, Michèle Lamy, Elie Top, Martine Sitbon, Carine Roitfeld, Sarah Andelman, and more. With a career spanning over 40 years, Gaubert is best known for his longstanding collaborations on runway shows with the late German designer Karl Lagerfeld at Chanel, Fendi, and his namesake house, Karl Lagerfeld as well as with Sacai, Jil Sander, Gucci, Balenciaga, and many other brands. [WWD]

Jil Sander Taps Simone Bellotti as Creative Director
Jil Sander has named Simone Bellotti as its new creative director following the departure of Luke and Lucie Meier. Renzo Rosso, chairman of OTB Group, commented, “Simone embarks on this journey with extensive experience and a distinct talent. Over the time spent together we shared the strategic vision and mission for Jil Sander, the values of innovation and sophistication that make it an iconic and unique brand.” Bellotti joined Bally’s design team in October 2022 after spending 16 years at Gucci, where he worked under both Frida Giannini and Alessandro Michele. He was promoted to design director in May 2023 following the departure of Rhuigi Villaseñor, who led Bally for just over a year. [WWD]

Top Newcomers F/W 25
Whether it was high-profile creative director debuts, seismic exits from storied houses, or industry whispers turning into reality, the shifts this season were as monumental as they were numerous. The Fall/Winter 2025 fashion show season in Paris saw the much-anticipated creative debuts at Givenchy, Dries Van Noten, and Tom Ford, setting the stage for a new chapter in luxury fashion. Meanwhile, the runway castings reflected an evolving but complicated landscape: while age diversity saw an encouraging rise, size diversity took a noticeable step back. As the season unfolded, a new wave of model talent took center stage, carving out undeniable moments across the calendar. Models.com tracked the key runway milestones to curate our official list, and we tapped some of fashion’s most influential creatives to share their picks for the F/W 25 new faces to watch. Follow along with the Models.com list for Top Newcomers and Top Breakouts here. (Unfortunately, the Chanel pigeon did not qualify.)

MDC Selects: These Model Rookies Share Their Personal Favorties
Models.com brings you six new faces who share their personal favorites books, movies, and TV shows. Click the link here for this week’s MDCSelects and their answers.

Felix Gesnouin on How Set Design Challenges the Viewer
French set designer Felix Gesnouin’s visionary work has shaped the visuals you love, from transforming airport runways for Charli XCX’s music video to crafting vertigo-inducing sets for Dazed Magazine cover stories. For the next Behind The Image, Gesnouin reveals what sparks his creativity, how he collaborates with creative teams, and the inspirations behind his bold designs. Read the full interview here.

And don’t forget to check out the models who opened and closed the most shows from the F/W 25 season, Lulu Tenney & Mona Tougaard.

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