Maria Grazia Chiuri Exits Dior
Maria Grazia Chiuri is stepping down as Artistic Director of Women’s Collections at Dior, ending a nine-year tenure. Her departure marks the close of a defining era at the house, where she was its first-ever female creative director. Chiuri’s exit also paves the way for Jonathan Anderson, who was named as Dior’s menswear designer in April and is widely expected to take creative control of the women’s division as well. Chiuri said, “I would like to thank Monsieur Arnault for placing his trust in me and Delphine for her support. I am particularly grateful for the work accomplished by my teams and the ateliers. Their talent and expertise allowed me to realize my vision of committed women’s fashion, in close dialogue with several generations of female artists. Together, we have written an impactful chapter of which I am immensely proud.” During her time at Dior, Chiuri infused runway collections with recurring themes of female empowerment, collaborating with artists and writers to bring feminist narratives to the foreground of couture. Her next move has not yet been confirmed, though industry sources indicate that she has held early talks with Fendi. As the industry awaits Dior’s next official announcement, all eyes are on how Anderson; known for his conceptual, shape-shifting silhouettes at J.W. Anderson and Loewe, will reinterpret Dior’s legacy for a new era. [WWD]
e.l.f. Beauty Acquires Rhode
e.l.f. Beauty has acquired Hailey Bieber’s skincare brand Rhode in a deal that values the company at $1 billion. The news comes just a month after WWD reported that Rhode had enlisted JP Morgan and Moelis to explore potential deal options. This marks e.l.f.’s largest acquisition to date. To fund the purchase, the company secured $600 million in debt financing. E.l.f. chairman and CEO Tarang Amin said, “e.l.f. Beauty is on fire, and it was a desire to fuel that fire with the acquisition of Rhode,” he said. “In less than three years, going from zero to $212 million of net sales, direct-to-consumer only, with just 10 products — I would never believe that if somebody told me,” he said. “The momentum and everything that Hailey has fits our ethos as a company, of wanting to invite her into our family and her entire team and be able to transform the beauty industry.” Rhode launched in 2022 and, by the end of 2024, had become the top skincare brand by earned media value, growing 367 percent year-over-year. As part of the acquisition, Hailey Bieber will remain closely involved as Rhode’s Chief Creative Officer and Head of Innovation, overseeing creative direction, product development, and marketing. She will also serve as a strategic adviser to the combined companies. [WWD]
The 2025 ANDAM Fashion Prize Finalist
The 11 finalists for the 2025 ANDAM Fashion Awards have been announced, selected from nearly 400 applications across all prize categories. Alainpaul, EGONlab.,Meryll Rogge, Willy Chavarria, and Zomer are the finalists for the prestigious Grand Prize. The winner will receive €300,000, while a Special Prize recipient will be awarded €100,000. For the Pierre Bergé Prize—a €100,000 award for young French fashion companies—this year’s finalists are Burc Akyol, Jeanne Friot, and Mouty. Meanwhile, Phileo, Panconesi, and Sarahlevy are competing for the €100,000 Accessories Prize. All 11 designers will gather in Paris on June 30 to present their brands to the jury. “Whatever their level of development—whether nascent or more established—the need for liquidity is a fundamental issue to ensure their longevity,” said Nathalie Dufour, founder and managing director of ANDAM. “The selected profiles also present compelling visions of the various economic models that can be created to stand out and carve out space in a highly competitive industry: B2C strategies, niche positioning with managed growth, and innovative, ecologically committed approaches.” [WWD]
Aaron de Mey Moves Beauty Forward by Embracing Imperfection
Makeup artist Aaron de Mey has built a career on instinct, emotion, and punk spirit—swapping fine art for faces and trading perfection for personality. From shooting Naomi Campbell just two weeks after moving to NYC to long-running collaborations with photographers like Hedi Slimane, Mario Sorrenti, and Inez and Vinoodh, de Mey’s beauty language has always resisted the formulaic. “When something looks too polished, it can start to feel sterile,” he tells Irene Ojo-Felix of Models.com in the latest interview tracing his path from DIY beginnings in New Zealand to fashion’s frontlines. Click the link here to read the full interview.
Model of the Week: Constanze Van Rosmalen Made Her Mark with Prada and Vuitton
Most memorable modeling experience so far for rookie Constanze Van Rosmalen? “For sure my debut for Prada. Getting to be a part of such an amazing show and the adrenaline rush of walking my first show; absolutely unforgettable.” The Model of the Week debuted exclusively at Prada back in February and end her season with an exclusive slot at Louis Vuitton. Meet the new face and read up on her complete interview with exclusive images by Maxime Cardol here.
MDC Selects: No Matter the Age, These Model Rookies Are Just Getting Started
No matter the age, these model rookies are just getting started! From Lagos, Nigeria to Antwerp, Belgium, these models come together to share who wanted to be a doctor, who got scouted at a hockey game, and who walked into their casting with mismatched shoes and still got signed. Click the link here for more details.