Will Welch Exits GQ
Will Welch, GQ’s global editorial director, is exiting the publication on February 15th to begin a new role in Paris alongside Pharrell Williams and Penni Throw, CEO of the talent firm Cooper. Welch announced the news on Instagram, writing, “Y’all, logging on with a wild mix of emotions to announce that after almost 19 years, I’ve decided to leave GQ for another opportunity. Change is good.” Welch joined GQ in 2007 as an associate editor and was appointed editor in chief 11 years later. In 2020, he was named global editorial director. Since January 2024, he has also overseen Pitchfork, the company’s digital music publication, following its integration into GQ’s operations. Welch’s departure is the latest in a broader wave of changes at Condé Nast, following Anna Wintour’s step back from leading US Vogue’s day-to-day operations, former Vanity Fair editor in chief Radhika Jones’ exit, and layoffs tied to Teen Vogue’s absorption into Vogue’s website. [BoF]
Spring 2026 Couture Week Is Coming
Couture week returns from January 26 to 29 right after men’s fashion week, bringing a series of notable firsts to the Paris calendar. Jonathan Anderson and Matthieu Blazy will present their first couture collections for Dior and Chanel, respectively. The season also marks the first Giorgio Armani Privé show since the designer’s passing. Schiaparelli will once again open the week, with Germanier closing the schedule. Jean Paul Gaultier is notably absent this season, following the recent appointment of Duran Lantink as creative director. New additions to the calendar include guest designers Phan Huy and Celia Kritharioti. The full schedule can be found here.
CFDA Introduces New Grant Programs to Strengthen U.S. Fashion Manufacturing
The CFDA has introduced two new grant programs to strengthen American fashion manufacturing, with support from Ralph Lauren and, for the first time, the New York State Department of State. The CFDA x NY Forward Grant Fund will offer partially matching grants to designers and manufacturers in New York City’s Garment District, while the new U.S. Fashion Manufacturing Fund, created with Ralph Lauren as founding partner, will support apparel manufacturers nationwide. Both initiatives are designed to help companies modernize equipment, expand services, and train workers, with the CFDA positioning the effort as an investment in manufacturing capacity and resilience. The programs build on the CFDA’s Fashion Manufacturing Initiative, launched in 2013, which Ralph Lauren has backed as Premier Underwriter with $2 million to date, enabling grants to 54 factories and impacting more than 2,000 jobs. The announcement frames the new funding as a dual commitment, sustaining the Garment District while strengthening domestic manufacturing across the U.S. [CFDA]
Francesco Risso Is GU’s New Creative Director
GU has tapped Francesco Risso as its next creative director, with his debut collection slated for Fall/Winter 2026. The brand is the second-largest label under Japanese retail giant Fast Retailing, whose portfolio also includes Uniqlo, the group’s largest brand. GU operates more than 480 stores across Asia and made its first move outside the region in 2024, opening a flagship in SoHo, New York. This appointment marks a return to the Fast Retailing ecosystem for Risso, who previously collaborated with the company on the Uniqlo and Marni collection in 2022 during his tenure as Marni’s creative director, a role he exited last year. Risso said, “I want more than ever to make real clothes for real people. It is crucial that the future of fashion is charged with meaning and purpose. But for imagination to find its full potential, bold ideas must have an infrastructure to reach people all over the world.” [Vogue]
Vogue Japan Taps Kazumi Asamura Hayashi
Vogue Japan has appointed Tokyo-based editor and creative Kazumi Asamura Hayashi as its new head of editorial content. Her appointment follows Soichiro Fujiwara’s upcoming role as managing director of Condé Nast Japan, which he will assume in March 2026, signaling a new chapter for the organization. Anna Wintour, chief content officer of Condé Nast and global editorial director of Vogue, said, “Kazumi is a bold, intuitive editor, with an eye shaped by her experiences in culture and the arts. She truly understands how fashion intersects with identity, creativity, and the world at large. I believe she is the right leader to guide Vogue Japan into its next chapter, bringing a strong editorial voice alongside a deep understanding of the moment.” Hayashi previously served as editorial director of i-D Japan, which she launched in 2016 and developed across print, digital, and social platforms. In 2020, she expanded the concept regionally with the launch of i-D Asia, a digital platform spotlighting contemporary Asian culture. [Vogue]
Model of the Week: After a Prada Exclusive, Luka Hoogedeure Charts His Own Path
“My interest in fashion also started with Raf Simons, so walking a show for his and Miuccia Prada’s collection was surreal for me,” says Model of the Week, Luka Hoogedeure, who debuted at the Prada Spring/Summer 2025 Men’s fashion show. After being discovered heading to the cinema, everything changed for the rising new face. Find the full interview and exclusive shoot with Ferry van der Nat here.
Manu Loca on Movement, Composition, and Stage Direction
For the first Behind the Image of 2026, movement director Manu Loca describes her work as anthropological and constantly evolving. Originally aspiring to be a photographer and reporter, Manu found herself in London, on a journey that eventually led to her first solo shoot with photographer Gabriel Moses, who would become a longtime collaborator. Now working with HommeGirls and Replica Man, learn more about her non-fashion influences, her biggest professional challenges, and more. Click the link here to read the full interview.
MDC Selects: These Model Rookies Are Starting the New Year With Purpose
From India to Canada, Models.com introduces a new group of MDC Selects with these model rookies starting the year with purpose, personality, and perspective. From a Playboi Carti superfan to a certified SCUBA diver (and yes, someone with seven dogs), get to know the stories shaping this new wave. Discover all their answers here.
Model of The Year Content Creators
The Content Creator of the Year award was a new addition to MOTY last year, spotlighting creators who have built millions of followers, likes, and shares through the lens of fashion and technology. These are the faces and voices that defined the year. Dive into the breakdown of both the Industry and Readers’ choices here.
Model of The Year Breakout Stars
We know how much you loved the data. Models.com crunched the numbers of the Breakout Star winners for both Industry and Readers’ Choice. With over 20,000 certified votes, see the winners, runners-up, and the stats behind the tight race. Explore the full breakdown here.
