Duran Lantink Named Winner of the 2025 International Woolmark Prize
Dutch designer Duran Lantink has been awarded the 2025 International Woolmark Prize. The award was presented by Donatella Versace, this edition’s chair of judges, and Ib Kamara, the guest artistic director for the 2025 contest. Lantink will receive a record-breaking cash prize of 300,000 Australian dollars (approximately $195,000), marking a 50% increase from previous years. Versace praised Lantink’s approach, stating,“We live in a gray world and Duran represents a much needed energy and a sense of humor and optimism with a respect for tradition and an anarchic sense of futurism.” Alongside Lantink, Pieter Mulier, the creative director of Alaïa, and Südwolle Group were also honored with awards. Mulier received the Karl Lagerfeld Award for Innovation, which is presented to a brand or individual who has pushed the boundaries of merino wool innovation. Meanwhile, Südwolle Group was recognized with the Supply Chain Award, which acknowledges a leader in the supply chain who has demonstrated sustainability and innovation in their practices. The other finalists in the competition included Raul Lopez from Luar, Rachel Scott from Diotima, Michael Stewart from Standing Ground, Louis Gabriel Nouchi, Luca Lin from Act N°1, Ester Manas and Balthazar Delepierre from Ester Manas, and Meryll Rogge, former head of design for womenswear at Dries Van Noten. Each finalist was awarded 60,000 Australian dollars to create a six-look merino wool capsule that either complemented their Fall 2025 collection or was presented as a standalone collection. At least one look from each designer had to be exclusive to the International Woolmark Prize, highlighting the versatility, innovative nature, and eco-credentials of merino wool. The collections were judged by a panel of industry experts, including Versace, Kamara, and others. Previous winners of the International Woolmark Prize include Lagos Space Programme, Saul Nash, Matty Bovan, Richard Malone, Bode, Rahul Mishra, Edward Crutchley, and Matthew Miller, alongside fashion legends such as Karl Lagerfeld, Yves Saint Laurent, and Valentino. [The Woolmark Company]
Ib Kamara, Duran Lantink, Donatella Versace, | Image courtesy of The Woolmark Company
British Fashion Council Cancels June London Fashion Week Edition
The British Fashion Council (BFC) has announced the cancellation of its June edition of London Fashion Week. Instead, the BFC will pivot to providing more commercial opportunities for British brands through a London Showrooms showcase in Paris, running from June 2nd to July 1st. This move aims to create a focused environment for designers to generate sales and strengthen international media relationships outside the traditional show format. The June edition of London Fashion Week was originally launched in 2012 as ‘London Collections: Men’, later rebranded to London Fashion Week Men’s in 2017. Over the years, brands such as Alexander McQueen, J.W. Anderson, Wales Bonner, and Craig Green gained an engaged international audience. However, the pandemic’s impact has led to a significant decline in both designer participation and audience attendance. While this shift marks a significant change, it reflects the ongoing evolution of London Fashion Week, adapting to the challenges faced by the fashion industry in recent years. [Vogue Business]
& Other Stories Taps Jonathan Saunders as Chief Creative Officer
& Other Stories has named Jonathan Saunders, the British designer known for his innovative design and expertise in color and print, as its new Chief Creative Officer. In this newly created role, Saunders will oversee the overall creative direction, guiding the evolution of the brand across all touchpoints to deliver both bold and accessible fashion to a global audience. With a career spanning multiple fashion brands, Saunders has held senior roles as Chief Creative Officer at Diane von Furstenberg and Creative Director of Pollini, and has consulted for Calvin Klein, Tiffany & Co., Chloé, Louis Vuitton, Alexander McQueen, Pucci, and Marc Jacobs. He is also well-known for founding and leading his own eponymous Jonathan Saunders. “I am excited to be working with & Other Stories and the H&M Group on this new chapter for the brand. I think that thoughtful, expressive design that is also accessible, is powerful in this fast-evolving industry.” [H&M Group]
The LVMH Prize Semi-Finalists
The LVMH Prize for Young Fashion Designers has revealed the eight finalists for this year’s award, highlighting designers who are addressing the challenges posed by generative AI with a renewed focus on craftsmanship. The finalists are Steve O. Smith, Tolu Coker, Torishéju by Torishéju Dumi, Alainpaul by Alain Paul, ALL–IN by Benjamin Barron and Bror August Vestbø, Zomer by Danial Aitouganov, Soshiotsuki by Soshi Otsuki (who was previously shortlisted for the prize in 2016), and Francesco Murano. They will compete in the final, set to take place on September 3rd at the Fondation Louis Vuitton in Paris. The grand prize winner will receive a 400,000-euro endowment and mentorship from LVMH teams in areas such as sustainability, communications, marketing, legal, production, and finance.The winners of the Karl Lagerfeld Prize and the Savoir-Faire Prize will each receive 200,000 euros and one year of mentorship from LVMH experts. A jury of LVMH’s esteemed designers will select the winners, with Sarah Burton set to join the panel following her appointment as the new creative director of Givenchy. [WWD]
Goldman Sachs Leads Financing for Prada’s Acquisition of Versace
The Prada-Versace deal is progressing, with a group of banks led by Goldman Sachs set to provide Prada with a 2.5-billion-euro ($2.77 billion) financing line to support the Italian fashion group’s acquisition of Versace, which is owned by Capri Holdings. According to Reuters, approximately 1.5 billion euros will be allocated for the acquisition, while the remaining 1 billion euros will be used to relaunch the struggling luxury brand. Just last month, Prada’s CEO Andrea Guerra traveled to New York with Lorenzo Bertelli, Chief Marketing Officer and son of Prada’s leading shareholders, Miuccia Prada and Patrizio Bertelli, in an effort to potentially finalize the acquisition. [Reuters]
The Fashion Industry Faces Major Impact from U.S. Tariffs
The fashion industry, like many others, was rocked by the announcement of new U.S. tariffs by the Trump administration — the highest and most comprehensive tariffs imposed in nearly a century. Trump introduced a baseline tariff of 10% on all imported goods, but tariffs were significantly higher for approximately two dozen countries with which the U.S. runs a trade deficit. Many of these countries are major production centers for the fashion industry. Vietnam, the second-largest apparel exporter to the U.S. after China, will face a 46% tariff, while Cambodia will face a 49% duty, and Bangladesh will have a 37% tariff. China will be hit with an additional 34% tariff, increasing its total tariff rate to 54%. The European Union will also be impacted by a 20% duty. The news sent shockwaves through Wall Street, with fashion stocks plummeting in after-hours trading. Lululemon shares dropped by over 10%, while Nike, Ralph Lauren, Tapestry, Capri, and PVH Corp. saw declines of 5-7%. The drops far exceeded a nearly 4% dip in S&P 500 futures. Nearly every fashion item sold in the U.S. will be affected by these additional tariffs, as the country imports more than 98% of its clothing and approximately 99% of its shoes. The majority of fashion businesses, both domestic and international, will feel the impact. Even brands that produce finished goods in the U.S. rely on overseas-sourced raw materials, meaning the ripple effects will be felt across the entire supply chain. [CNN]
Campbell Addy Debuts First U.S. Solo Show, “The Stillness of Elegance” at SCAD Fash
Campbell Addy is debuting his first-ever U.S. solo show, “The Stillness of Elegance,” at the SCAD Fash Museum of Fashion+Film in Atlanta. According to Addy, “The show welcomes audiences into the moments of my life that constantly inform and re-inform my creative practice. It travels through a journey of discovery into the intimacies, connections and imaginaries that converge to create artworks of considered personal resonance. Andre Leon Talley once said ‘Wearing clothes should be a personal narrative of emotion’…well I see image-making in the same way.” The exhibition is on view until September 7th, 2025.
Makeup Artist Yumi Lee Is Drawn Towards Radiant Finishes
New York-based makeup artist Yumi Lee first fell in love with beauty as a teenager, captivated by magazine editorials and the limitless ways features could be transformed. Moving to NYC was a game-changer—building her portfolio led to her eventually getting signed and the opportunity to assist Stéphane Marais for three years, where she gained invaluable experience. Now, she collaborates with top publications like American Vogue, Kenzo, and Prada. Discover what inspires Lee in this Behind the Image, what she wants people to know about her beyond her work, and her advice for aspiring makeup artists here.
Mobolaji Dawodu Didn’t “Actively Seek” Fashion—But It Still Found Him
As a longtime refiner of its editorial edge and the current Fashion Director at Large GQ Magazine U.S., Mobolaji Dawodu may be most closely associated with the publication, but the stylist and costume designer won’t let his foundational roots be forgotten. From sartorially clueless at 17 to launching his own brand by 21— The Fader marked the real start of his styling career. Read up on the latest Models.com interview here where he shares with contributor Nia Groce more on his background, styling principles, and supreme love of hats.
How Jorge Dorsinville Brings Stories To Life Through Movement
Movement director Jorge Dorsinville faced childhood fears of bullying and discovered the art of motion through a local competition in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil. Today, he brings movement to some of the biggest names in fashion, including Balmain, David Yurman, Elle, and more. In an exclusive Behind The Image interview, Jorge shares his biggest career challenges, what inspires him, and how movement shapes fashion today. Tap the link here to dive in.
MDC Selects: These New Faces Talk Second Chances and Personal Quirks
These six new faces are here to discuss second chances and personal quirks. Find out who had a freak accident that left them unconscious for a month, who plans on running the NYC marathon, and their irrational fears here.
