GUESS JEANS and Nicolai Marciano announce new creative partnership with world-renowned Japanese artist VERDY
GUESS JEANS and Nicolai Marciano, Chief New Business Development Officer , announce a partnership with Japanese multi-hyphenate artist VERDY, a global leader in the creative and fashion industries. This collaboration seamlessly blends VERDY’s contemporary style with GUESS JEANS’ rich heritage.
Since 2023, GUESS JEANS has maintained an ongoing series of global partnerships with VERDY, realized in Paris and Osaka. In 2025, Nicolai Marciano cemented the brand’s relationship with the award-winning artist and welcomed VERDY to the GUESS JEANS family.
“I‘m excited to be working with GUESS JEANS and my good friend Nicolai. I’ve always respected the passion he and his family put into the brand. GUESS has so much history and culture, and I’m happy to be a part of it. ” – VERDY
Following the brand’s launch in 2024, Nicolai Marciano created global activations, opened flagship stores in Amsterdam and Berlin, and led the brand’s expansion into India through a partnership with Tata Unistore. The announcement of VERDY as a brand ambassador is the latest step in GUESS JEANS’ global development, which continues to expand beyond the brand’s cultural and artistic portfolio, as well as its expansion into other markets.
“I have had the pleasure of getting to know and befriend VERDY over the years. I have always admired his kindness and his ability to bring a fun and playful element to everything he touches. As we undergo a fundamental shift in our strategy in Japan, now focused on GUESS JEANS, I felt it was important to bring VERDY on board for this exciting new chapter. ” – Nicolai Marciano.
As Japan’s creative pioneer, VERDY plans to expand and reshape the global GUESS JEANS universe. VERDY’s appointment brings new energy and kicks off the next phase of the brand’s expansion strategy in Japan.
New issue of WeAr Global Magazine
WeAr Global Magazine ‘Bestseller Special’ issue 82 is now out. Want to know how the season was? How it will develop? Gather Trends, Brands and Tips for your business? Then dive right in. Get insights from some leading agents and distributors on what sold and will sell and their wishes for the future. Learn about new brands in the Lookbook section and get inspired by the creative design this Storebook offers, featuring the best in both multi-label and mono-brand stores.
Kering Eyewear acquires Visard and a minority stake of Mistral
Kering Eyewear has signed an agreement with two Italian eyewear manufacturers, Visard and Mistral. This agreement provides for Kering Eyewear to acquire 100% of the share capital of Visard and to become a minority shareholder of Mistral with the possibility to complete the full acquisition in 2030.
Founded in 1985 and 1991 respectively, Visard and Mistral are located in the Belluno area, one of the most renowned eyewear districts in the world, and operate in the manufacturing of sunglasses and optical frames. Visard, with approximately 75 employees, possesses a strong know-how and exceptional artisanal skills, focusing on the production of injected plastic optical frames and sunglasses. Mistral, with approximately 120 employees, incorporates a great expertise in creating acetate eyewear, distinguished by high-quality craftmanship and technical innovation.
Visard and Mistral have been long-standing, strategic partners of Kering Eyewear since its inception, and this transaction will enable the company to further strengthen its leading position in the design, development, and distribution of high-end eyewear, while representing a step forward in its industrial development strategy.
Roberto Vedovotto, Founder, President and CEO of Kering Eyewear, stated: “Throughout the years, Visard, Mistral, and their respective founding entrepreneurs have provided an invaluable contribution to the success of Kering Eyewear, bringing unparalleled quality and technical expertise to our company. We are therefore proud to welcome Visard within Kering Eyewear and delighted to partner with Mistral for the next phase of its development, confirming our commitment to continuing to support the exceptional human capital of the Belluno district, empowering it as the center of the eyewear industry, while further investing in innovation and promoting craftmanship excellence”.
GUESS JEANS announce partnership with Japanese artist, Verdy
GUESS JEANS and Chief New Business Development Officer, Nicolai Marciano announce an exciting new creative partnership with Japanese multi-hyphenate Artist VERDY. This partnership marks the beginning of something special, blending VERDY’s contemporary artistic vision with the rich heritage and innovation of GUESS JEANS.
Since 2023, GUESS JEANS has maintained an ongoing series of global partnerships with VERDY, activating across Paris and Osaka. In 2025 Nicolai Marciano solidified the brand’s relationship with the multi-hyphenate artist, welcoming VERDY into the GUESS JEANS family.
“I’m excited to be working with GUESS JEANS and my good friend, Nicolai. I’ve always respected how much passion he and his family have put into the brand. GUESS has so much history and culture and I’m happy to be a part of it.” –VERDY
Following the brand launch in 2024, Nicolai Marciano curated global activations, opened Flagship stores in Amsterdam and Berlin, and spearheaded the brand’s expansion to India through a partnership with Tata Unistore. The partnership announcement of VERDY is the latest installment in the GUESS JEANS global evolution, developing in-market expansions alongside the brand’s cultural and artistic rolodex.
“I’ve had the pleasure to know and be friends with VERDY over the years. I’ve always admired his kindness and ability to bring a fun and playful element to everything he touches. Pursuing a major shift in our strategy in Japan, which is now focused through a GUESS JEANS lens, I felt strongly about bringing VERDY in for this exciting new chapter.” – Nicolai Marciano.
As Japan’s creative pioneer, VERDY plans to enhance and reimagine the GUESS JEANS Global universe. Bringing a new energy, the appointment of VERDY forecasts the next phase in the brand’s Japan expansion strategy.
As part of GUESS JEANS’ ongoing commitment to spotlight innovative and emerging voices shaping fashion, art, music, and culture, VERDY joins the brand’s creative universe. This partnership comes ahead of the highly anticipated GUESS JEANS flagship store openings in Tokyo and Los Angeles, bridging influences from both cities and setting the stage for what’s next.
International Woolmark Prize winners
Duran Lantink, Pieter Mulier and Südwolle Group have been announced as the winners of the International Woolmark Prize, Karl Lagerfeld Award for Innovation and the Supply Chain Award, respectively.
An esteemed panel of judges, including Donatella Versace, IB Kamara, Law Roach, Alessandro Sartori, Tim Blanks, Sinéad Burke, Honey Dijon, Alessandro Dell’Acqua, Simone Marchetti, Roopal Patel and Danielle Goldberg, have selected the winners of the 2025 International Woolmark Prize, celebrating exceptional talent and excellence in working with Merino wool.
The 2025 International Woolmark Prize marks its first biennial edition, with Duran Lantink receiving AU$300,000 and the opportunity to be featured with some of the world’s leading retailers. Regenerative design, heritage craftsmanship and contemporary innovation merge in Duran Lantink’s International Woolmark Prize designs. Based between Amsterdam and Paris, the brand is known for fusing pre-loved pieces, deadstock and innovative materials into unexpected reimaginings. The collection expands on Duran’s previous work with Merino wool, with a playful interrogation of “bad taste”, where human and animalistic motifs collide.
Recognising his visionary approach to Merino wool, Pieter Mulier has received the Karl Lagerfeld Award for Innovation, in its new format. As Creative Director of Alaïa, Pieter Mulier redefined the possibilities of wool with his Summer Fall 2024 One Yarn Collection entirely crafted using a single Merino wool yarn. Developed across the space of a year in close collaboration with the maison’s long-standing textile and knitwear suppliers, Mulier and his team explored all possible variations of Merino wool to prove that this long-loved fibre is as versatile as it is beautiful.
Südwolle Group is awarded the Supply Chain Award for ongoing commitment to innovation, product development and a steadfast dedication to supporting customers and the wool industry. The development of the Südwebs Innovation Hub as the creative voice of Südwolle Group has inspired designers, brands and manufacturers to embrace the potential of wool. Sparking fresh ideas and refining concepts, the hub champions progress and collaboration with wool at the forefront.
London Fashion Week June 2025 edition cancelled
The British Fashion Council has announced key updates to London Fashion Week presented by 1664 Blanc (LFW) for June 2025 and an expanded international presence. In response to the evolving fashion landscape and feedback from the BFC’s Community of designers and brands, there will be no standalone LFW in June this year. Instead, in June, the BFC will provide commercial opportunities and secure business growth for designers and brands with a special focus on menswear. As brands increasingly opt to present co-ed collections during the February and September editions of LFW, the BFC remains committed to strengthening these key moments.
Building on its international strategy, the BFC has also confirmed the return of LONDON show ROOMS (LsR) to Paris four times a year during Paris Fashion Week. Following a strong showcase during Paris Fashion Week in March—featuring designers such as Dilara Findikoglu, LABRUM London, and S.S.DALEY—LsR will return from Thursday, 26th June to Tuesday, 1st July 2025.
A spokesperson for the British Fashion Council said: “This June, our focus will be on championing British menswear and strengthening its presence both locally and internationally. Taking a digital-first approach, we will collaborate with buyers and media partners and leverage our own channels to spotlight the evolving story of British menswear, introducing and promoting designers to new audiences. This will be woven into our existing content streams, highlighting British designers presenting in other markets and exploring the evolution of menswear. By scaling back to more targeted programmes this June in London and Paris, we aim to create strong foundations to amplify the message of our brilliant British menswear businesses. We recognise the challenges the sector faces both in the UK and globally and remain committed to amplifying the voices of British menswear designers as they navigate an ever-changing fashion landscape and will continue to adapt and find ways to platform our brilliant British menswear business.
Photo Credit :© Demna
Gucci appoints Demna as new Artistic Director
Gucci has announced the appointment of Demna as the House’s new Artistic Director, starting early July 2025. Demna, Artistic Director of Balenciaga since 2015, has redefined modern luxury, earning global recognition and cementing his authority on the industry.
François-Henri Pinault, Chairman & CEO of Kering, stated: “Demna’s contribution to the industry, to Balenciaga, and to the Group’s success has been tremendous. His creative power is exactly what Gucci needs. As I thank him for everything he has accomplished over the past 10 years, I look forward to seeing him shape Gucci’s new artistic direction.”
Stefano Cantino, CEO of Gucci, said: “I have always admired Demna’s creative approach, that is both unique and powerful. His ability to honor the iconic legacy of a brand while embracing a modern sensibility is extraordinary. With Gucci’s strengthened foundations as a springboard, Demna will lead the House towards renewed fashion authority and enduring cultural relevance.”
Demna said: “I am truly excited to join the Gucci family. It is an honor to contribute to a House that I deeply respect and have long admired. I look forward to writing together with Stefano and the whole team a new chapter of Gucci’s amazing story.”
Stone Island and New Balance upcoming collaboration
Stone Island and New Balance are set to release the latest design from a long-term collaboration between two cultures of innovations. The opportunity to purchase the STONE ISLAND | NEW BALANCE collaboration is reserved exclusively to logged-in users with a valid My Stone Island account and who have signed up for the event through the dedicated form found inside the My Stone Island account area. Stay tuned for more details.
Kering x 0-93. Lab join forces to support emergence of the next generation of creatives in Seine-Saint-Denis
As one of 0-93. Lab’s main partners, Kering supports the opening of a unique space designed to introduce young generations to fashion and visual arts careers. The Group also fosters connections between the young talent supported by 0-93. Lab and its employees, through mentoring programs as well as workshops with the creative teams of its Houses.
Kering and 0-93. Lab, a non-profit cultural initiative, have signed a partnership with the shared goal of creating bridges between young creatives in the Greater Paris area and the Luxury industry. Founded in 2019 by designer Bastien J. Laurent, 0-93. Lab aims at making the practice of fashion design and visual arts more accessible. Over the last five years, the organization has offered free workshops and cultural events to inspire, train and empower the next generation of creatives in Aulnay-sous-Bois and neighboring cities.
To support its development and new programming, 0-93. Lab, thanks to Kering’s support, will soon open a 325m² space fully equipped for creative practices such as sewing, dyeing, screen printing, embroidery, photography and filmmaking. Located in the Cité des 3000 district of Aulnay-sous-Bois, this inclusive venue is designed to introduce local youth to careers in fashion, prepare them to join art and design schools and support them in their personal and professional creative projects.
Kering and 0-93. Lab have recently completed a six-month mentoring program in which Kering leaders engaged and shared their experiences with young creatives. As another concrete example of this partnership, in July 2024, attendees taking part in the 0-93. Lab project worked with Balenciaga fabrics to create costumes for the ballet Apaches, performed at the Opéra de Paris under the direction of choreographer Saïdo Lehlouh. In 2025, this partnership will take a new step forward with the launch of a workshop program directly connecting Balenciaga’s creative teams with the young talents of 0-93. Lab.
GOZEN’s new biomaterial LUNAFORM scales up in first commercial range
GOZEN has announced the launch of its debut LUNAFORM range, together with the go-live of its vast new facility in Turkey and industry-first short film. LUNAFORM is an advanced biomaterial, which first featured in Balenciaga’s LUNAFORM Maxi Bathrobe Coat. The biotechnology startup’s design-led approach and commercial scalability will make biodesign a reality for global fashion and design brands, and is the result of less than three years of rapid GOZEN progress.
With its artisanal qualities and innate strength, LUNAFORM redefines material possibilities. A nanocellulose biomaterial, it is crafted in collaboration with nature, harnessing the ingenuity of microorganisms to create a fibrous biological lattice. This is achieved through a process of controlled fermentation; guided by BioCraft technology and backed by centuries of knowledge. With its fibrous cellulosic structure, LUNAFORM possesses a fabric-like quality uncommon in nonwoven textiles. Unlike today’s materials and alternatives that seek to mimic them, it enables designers to bring new forms to life that are both natural and futuristic.
The inaugural LUNAFORM range is positioned as an open-world exploration of the possibilities for human-nature collaboration. Colourways include blue hues nodding to the material’s water-borne origins; translucent pink drawn from cosmic inspiration; and matte black, spotlighting the spontaneous prints of its biological origins.
GOZEN’s 40,000 square foot facility is a thriving material ecosystem in Istanbul, providing the capacity for brands to unlock new design possibilities and implement sustainable product creation at scale. The facility is capable of producing 150,000 square feet of material per year right now, with the potential to scale to up to 1 million square feet of material per year at full utilisation -equating to over 40,000 garments.
To showcase the fascinating process of LUNAFORM creation, GOZEN commissioned an artistic exploration by leading female Turkish filmmaker and multidisciplinary artist, Serra Duran, and a 30-strong film crew. Captured in the GOZEN facility, the short film illuminates LUNAFORM from the process and people to the final product, revealing a material born from a true collaboration of human ingenuity, craftsmanship and nature.
Ece Gozen, fashion designer and Founder and CEO at Gozen, comments: “This is a huge moment for me together with the GOZEN team. We have been working tirelessly to push the possibilities of material innovation and design, in our quest to establish a new material reality. “During our recent appearance at Première Vision in Paris, we were thrilled to hear that LUNAFORM is viewed as unique among biomaterials in having a memory of its own. Leaders from the worlds of leather, denim and textiles were excited by its different levels of touch and its ability to conform to your movement. These qualities truly open up new possibilities; for example, LUNAFORM can be shaped directly around a mannequin, enabling designers to experiment live without cutting, stitching or backing material.
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