Mulberry Taps Christopher Kane as Creative Director
After closing his business in 2023, Christopher Kane returns as creative director of Mulberry. CEO Andrea Baldo described the appointment as “an important moment for Mulberry as we open a new chapter for ready-to-wear,” adding that Kane brings “a rare combination of creativity, intellectual rigor, and instinctive playfulness, alongside a deep respect for craft and materials.” His first ready-to-wear collection will debut in September, with pieces arriving in stores and online in January. [WWD]
The Face Magazine Shuts Down
The Face Magazine has announced it will cease operations, seven years after its relaunch under Wasted Talent Ltd. The British cult publication’s Spring 2026 issue will mark its final edition, as the company pauses to reassess the brand’s future following continued financial losses under its advertising-based revenue model. In a statement, CEO Jerry Perkins noted that while The Face holds potential to evolve into a direct-to-consumer platform, the business is currently unable to support that transition. “I would like to take this opportunity to say how sorry we are that we will have to say goodbye to a number of very talented people. Especially the new young team who were really starting to forge an exciting new identity and voice for this incredible brand,” he said. The closure comes despite recent signs of expansion, including a series of new editorial hires and plans to launch The Face China later this year. Originally founded in 1980 and credited with shaping youth culture and fashion media, The Face was revived in 2019 after a 15-year hiatus, returning as both a digital platform and quarterly print title. [BoF]
Nicolas Di Felice Exits Courrèges
After five years, Nicolas Di Felice has exited Courrèges, just after marking the milestone with his F/W 26 show. According to the brand, Di Felice is stepping down to focus on personal projects, with his successor set to be revealed next week. Di Felice said, “I would like to express my deepest gratitude to the group and especially to François Pinault and François-Henri Pinault for their trust. I also want to truly thank all the teams and my friends, whose talent and dedication made this human and creative journey so meaningful.” [WWD]
Four Decades of Inez and Vinoodh Come Together in The Hague
With a career spanning over four decades, photographer husband-and-wife duo Inez (van Lamsweerde) and Vinoodh (Matadin) marked the milestone with an exhibition titled, Can Love Be A Photograph: 40 Years of Inez & Vinoodh, which opened on March 21 at the Kunstmuseum Den Haag (The Hague) in the Netherlands. The exhibition is organized across 18 galleries, allowing works from different decades to sit in conversation, including portraits of Prince, Kendrick Lamar, Iman, Lady Gaga, Kate Moss, Rosalía, and more. The decision was deliberate, as was the title, with van Lamsweerde saying, “The act of truly deeply seeing someone, and appreciating them through photographing them, is an act of love. It’s also 40 years of me and Vinoodh, and our life and love together. On top of that it’s the love for the people we work with, and the teams that have supported us throughout.” [Vogue Arabia]
Daphne Selfe, World’s Oldest Working Model, Dies at 97
British model Daphne Selfe, who made a career comeback in her 70s and was recognized by Guinness World Records as the oldest working female professional model in the world, died on Saturday in London at age 97. Selfe went on to work with Dolce & Gabbana and Vogue China, and appeared in a music video for Paul McCartney’s 2013 song “Queenie Eye.” In 2019, she was awarded a British Empire Medal for her contributions to fashion, which were crucial in helping to promote opportunities for older models. [NYT]
Oakley Taps Matthew M. Williams as Creative Director
Oakley has tapped Matthew Williams as creative director of apparel, footwear, and accessories. Global president of Oakley Caio Amatao announced yesterday, “Matthew brings in his belt a lot of knowledge, not only in design: He understands about the business landscape. He understands about the cultural nuances between different countries all over the world,” Amato said. “He can talk with the same energy and passion about design as he can talk about distribution, customers and as well as operations and sourcing.” According to Amato, there could be some initial product drops in six months, with the full impact of Williams’ ideas seen in 12 to 18 months. [WWD]
DSM Kei Ninomiya Named Pitti Uomo Guest Designer
Kei Ninomiya, the designer also behind Noir, is Pitti Uomo’s next guest designer, with the event running from June 16 to 19. Marking its runway debut in Florence, DSM Kei Ninomiya, the brand part of the Comme des Garçons family, will stage a show for the Spring 2027 menswear collection, with details on the date and location under wraps. Ninomiya said, “Having our collection seen by a wide audience and presenting it in a city where Dover Street Market does not currently have a presence is a new endeavor for DSM, and I believe it will be an exciting and challenging experience. It’s not about us imposing anything, but I hope we can express the freedom and joy of fashion.” [WWD]
Bhavitha Mandava Went From Subway Platform to Chanel Runway
Bhavitha Mandava has always been the kind of woman with her nose in a book—curious, observant, and attuned to the details others miss. What she didn’t see, less than two years ago, was her own fashion potential. Then a NYU student, she was scouted while switching trains at the Atlantic Avenue platform, en route to get biryani. Now, that fateful moment reads as thorough-line to her Chanel era. As a newly appointed ambassador, Mandava has become a defining muse of Matthieu Blazy—opening Métiers d’Art, closing couture, and landing covers for British Vogue, i_D, and The Perfect Magazine. Shot during a frigid New York Fashion Week, Irene Ojo-Felix meets her in a rare lull, with no shows and plenty of time to show us where it all started. Director Will Pippin retraces her origin story that’s already hardened into fashion folklore. Watch the full interview here.
Yuji Okuda’s Effortless Approach to Subtle Hair
“I love crafting beautiful, delicate hair textures with movement that feels effortless and natural. The way the hair falls around the face or grazes the ears is everything,” says hairstylist Yuji Okuda. Originally from Tokyo, Okuda grew up in a creative household before refining his vision in Paris. Now collaborating with houses like Kenzo, Balmain, and Issey Miyake, he’s become a go-to for soft, lived-in texture. For Behind The Image, Okuda opens up about navigating the industry, overcoming early challenges, and the next generation of talent to watch. Read the full interview here.
Neptune Papers’ Daytona Williams on Where Fashion, Interiors, and Art Meet
Paris-based publisher Daytona Williams has created a world where fashion, interiors, and design intersect through the pages of Neptune Papers. Originally from Scotland, his path moved through fashion design, assisting across creative roles, and later becoming head of women’s luxury buying at a Parisian department store, before interiors ultimately captured his attention. In 2021, Williams founded #NeptunePapers, naming the publication after his dog, Neptune. Since then, the magazine has released nine issues, opening the doors to notable homes and featuring the likes of Maria Grazia Chiuri’s Teatro della Cometa, Julianne Moore, and Cordelia De Castellane of Dior Maison. Models.com spoke with Williams about the meaning of home, the inspirations behind Neptune Papers, and who he thinks is one to watch. Read the full interview here.
MDC Selects: From Lagos to Valencia, These New Faces Found Modeling by Fate
From Lagos to Valencia, these new faces were discovered by chance, each bringing their own story and perspective to the industry. Get to know more on their hometowns, how they were scouted, and what sets them apart. Click the link here for the full recap.
Also, don’t forget Models.com Top Newcomers series that spotlights models Reagan Lee, Thalita Ferreira, and Alaina Rae who walked major shows in their debut F/W 26 season
