Marc Cain launches international campaign in New York and London
Marc Cain is continuing to invest in its brand awareness and is launching a comprehensive out-of-home campaign in two of the world’s most important fashion cities: New York and London. Just in time for the festive season, from November 1, the spotlight is on the highlight looks of the new label Marc Cain Glam.
At New York’s iconic Times Square, image and video motifs will be displayed throughout the year, with content updated monthly to showcase the latest campaign visuals. In London, the campaign kicked off on November 18 and will run for two weeks in central Underground stations, such as Knightsbridge and King’s Cross, where eye-catching videos will highlight Marc Cain’s fashion.
Avant Toi celebrates 30th anniversary with exclusive project
On the occasion of its 30th anniversary Avant Toi presents its exclusive project: THE ICON.
A signature piece of the brand, THE ICON foulard scarf is the result of a skilful combination of silk fused on a cashmere and silk veil, with distinctive destroyed edges. It represents the essence of AVANT TOI’s craftsmanship, in which each piece is unique and one-of-a-kind.
In this special Anniversary Edition, THE ICON reaches new heights thanks to a pictorial technique which is completely hand painted, bringing to life unique compositions in fluid brushstrokes of sophisticated grey, black, and white tones. A precious version with silver lamination adds an unparalleled shine.
This numbered edition comes with a certificate of authenticity and is presented in an exclusive celebratory packaging, transforming each piece into a true collector’s item.
Photo Credit :Philip Lim/3.1 Philip Lim
Philip Lim steps down from 3.1 Philip Lim
Philip Lim has announced he is stepping down from 3.1 Philip Lim, the fashion house he co-founded with Wen Zhou in 2005. Lim will be pursuing other opportunities, while Zhou will remain at the brand as CEO.
A note from the Founders posted on the official Instagram channel said: “It is with great respect and gratitude for each other and our long partnership that we have decided to part ways at 3.1 Phillip Lim. As the brand moves into a new chapter, we are so proud of what we have built and the strength of genuine community around us. Our shared vision and hard work has allowed us to stay independent and achieve remarkable success in a constantly changing and challenging industry. From the very beginning, our goal was to create something meaningful, and along the way, we realized we could also inspire positive change, champion creativity, responsibility, and collaboration. We are incredibly proud of the impact we’ve made for the past 20 years and for that we will be eternally thankful. This moment marks a natural turning point for both of us, each with new goals and different visions for the future. Wen will stay on as CEO and sole proprietor of 3.1 Phillip Lim, while Phillip will pursue new ventures. Though our partnership is ending, the brand remains in capable hands and we are certain will continue to thrive. Spring 2025 will remain Phillip’s last collection with the brand. With gratitude, Phillip Lim & Wen Zhou”
MM6 Maison Margiela guest designer at Pitti Immagine Uomo 107
Pitti Immagine presents MM6 Maison Margiela, as Guest Designer at the upcoming edition of Pitti Immagine Uomo 107 (Florence, 14-17 January 2025). The avant-garde brand will present a menswear collection designed exclusively for the event, which is set to take place at a Florentine location yet to be revealed. Additionally, MM6 will continue showing in Milan in February during Milan Women’s Fashion Week.
“The deliberate sense of provocation is almost familiar, as it is part of the essence of each MM6 piece. MM6 explores different postures and behaviors in the here and now. They become symbols of inner nonconformity, and independent expressions of a wardrobe celebrating the beauty and surprises of imperfection. To us, it seems like a return to origins rendered contemporary by the dialogue between deconstructed sartoriality and characteristic individuality. Here in Florence, we are excited to reveal a men’s collection conceived specifically for the Pitti Uomo event.” — Francesca Tacconi, Special Events Coordinator at Pitti Immagine
Kering announces 11 finalists of the Japanese Edition of its Kering Generation Award
11 out of more than 120 startups were chosen through a rigorous selection and pitching process for the Kering Generation Award x JAPAN, organized by Kering in partnership with the CIC Institute in Tokyo.
Under the theme “Sustainable Fashion and Beauty,” the first Japanese edition of the Kering Generation Award focuses on companies addressing the key stages of a product’s life cycle: alternative raw materials, manufacturing, retail, and customer engagement. Having already been presented three times in China, this award highlights sustainable innovations that positively impact both the environment and society within Japan’s fashion and beauty sectors. Depending on their specialization, these startups and researchers were invited to apply to join one of the following two categories: Category A (alternative raw materials, manufacturing) and Category B (retail, consumer engagement).
The 11 finalists will each present their projects on Friday, November 8, at Kering’s headquarters in Tokyo. After these presentations, the jury — comprising fashion and luxury experts such as Raffaella Cornaggia, CEO of Kering Beauté; Marie-Claire Daveu, Director of Sustainable Development and Institutional Affairs at Kering; and Thierry Marty, President of Kering North and Southeast Asia Pacific— will select three winners. These selected finalists will be honored during a ceremony in Tokyo in the spring of 2025.
Modefabriek with new format in 2025
The upcoming winter edition of Modefabriek taking place on 26 & 27 January 2025, will be an almost complete reset of everything that is familiar, at the new location EXPO Greater Amsterdam in Vijfhuizen. CEO of Modefabriek Caroline Krouwels already explains the biggest innovations.
What was the reason for this reset of Modefabriek?
Caroline Krouwels: “Since its foundation in 1996, Modefabriek has grown into an international concept and, like the entire industry, has weathered the necessary storms and has always adapted with full conviction to the new situation. Now we are at such a point again to redefine and shape Modefabriek, in line with the current needs of the sector. Innovation gives new energy.”
Was a new location needed for this?
CK: “After 21 years in the RAI Amsterdam, that coat, however beautiful and familiar, started to pinch. The concept slowly but surely lost its vitality, the bubbles were gone and all this while the sector was already having such a hard time. We felt that, and of course our participants and visitors did too. And so we started looking for another beautiful central location, where we could shape that new, fresh, updated Modefabriek. This set everything in motion.”
What makes EXPO Greater Amsterdam so different?
CK: “The architecture is very different, everything is made of glass, including the outer walls. It is very open and light. This allows for a different look & feel. We have broken open the familiar grid of homogeneous aisles with semi-closed stands. We are going to work with a modular system with much more variation possibilities, which gives the expo an open, eclectic and dynamic department-store feel. Participants can give their own swing to the set-up much more than before, while the new system still ensures uniformity.”
And what about the content that Modefabriek is known for?
CK: “Modefabriek continues to stand for the quality of service, knowledge and inspiration that we want to offer the sector. Without that, Modefabriek will cease to exist. The content with Trends and Talks will remain at the highest level. The service will be more customer-friendly, for participants and visitors. And we will remain the place for the most beautiful boutique labels in North-West Europe. We have created extra space for exclusive brands in The Fashion Gallery, which with a large central bar forms the stylish heart of the new Modefabriek.”
What will visitors notice about all that new energy?
“This edition we want to show more than ever that we are the place where the sector comes together. We have come up with something beautiful for that; long tables run like a red line through the floor plan. These tables symbolize meeting each other again, feeling welcome with free coffee and a croissant in the morning, and then coming together around all kinds of presentations and trends, skincare, book stall or repair café. It must be a big buzzing party. This Modefabriek is all about RE-fresh & RE-connect.”
Formula 1 and LVMH announce historic 10-year global partnership
As Formula 1 prepares to celebrate its 75th anniversary in 2025, it was announced that LVMH will become a Global Partner from 2025 in a new 10-year agreement. As part of the deal, several of LVMH’s iconic Maisons will be involved in the partnership, including Louis Vuitton, Moët Hennessy and TAG Heuer. The agreement will launch at the beginning of next season.
At the crossroads of the LVMH Group’s values of creativity and excellence with Formula 1’s innovation and high-performance, the partnership will bring together the best of these two worlds and provide unparalleled experiences combining thrilling sport and elegant art-de-vivre, wheel-to-wheel racing and time-tested craftmanship, for enthusiasts, fans and clients.
“The people, the quest for excellence and the passion for innovation are at the heart of the activity of our Maisons and Formula 1. In motorsport as in fashion, watchmaking or wines and spirits, every detail counts on the path to success. Both in our workshops and on circuits around the world, it is this incessant search to break boundaries that inspires our vision, and this is the meaning that we want to bring to this great and unique partnership between Formula 1 and our Group.” –Bernard Arnault, Chairman and CEO, LVMH Group
Stefano Cantino appointed as CEO of Gucci
Kering has announced the appointment of Stefano Cantino as CEO of Gucci, reporting to Francesca Bellettini, Deputy CEO of Kering in charge of Brand Development. Stefano Cantino, who joined Gucci in May 2024 as Deputy CEO and will have a seat on Kering’s Executive Committee, will succeed Jean-François Palus as of January 1, 2025.
Jean-François Palus had been appointed CEO of Gucci in July 2023 with the main goal to set up the foundations of Gucci’s next chapter and hire key talents, including his successor.
Francesca Bellettini declared: “I am deeply grateful to Jean-François for his dedication and loyalty to Gucci over this transitional period. I am confident that, building on what has been set up over the past 15 months, Stefano and the Gucci team will succeed in the mission to take Gucci back to the leadership the brand deserves.”
Stefano Cantino joined Gucci in May 2024 as Deputy CEO following a five-year career at Louis Vuitton, where he oversaw Communications and Image. Prior to his time at Louis Vuitton, Cantino, a graduate in Political Science from the University of Turin, spent 20 years in the Prada Group where he held positions of increasing responsibility in Marketing and Commercial, culminating in his role as Director of Communications and Marketing.
Diesel and Savage X Fenty collaboration
Diesel and Savage X Fenty have released their first-ever collaboration consisting of a limited-edition lingerie and apparel capsule. The collaboration combines the unapologetic, body-and sex-positive ethos of Savage X Fenty collection with creative director Glenn Martens’ interpretation of Diesel’s iconic visual vocabulary.
Inspired by Rihanna’s iconoclastic approach to fashion and lingerie showcased through her Savage X Fenty brand, the Diesel X Savage X Fenty collaboration highlights the brands’ shared appreciation for inclusivity and unapologetic self-love. The Diesel X Savage X Fenty collection spans lingerie, men’s and women’s underwear and sleepwear adhering to three signature Diesel aesthetic pillars —True Diesel, Denim and Utility. True Diesel is defined by fishnet and foil prints in iconic Diesel red whilst Denimfeatures trompe l’oeil in flocked mesh and burnout velvet treatments in pop colors and Utility includes camouflage stretch lace and graffiti logo cotton poplin. Silhouettes range from bustiers to string bikinis to thigh-high stockings to teddys to underwear bras to briefs, tanks and shorts. Each piece is embellished with a co-branded Diesel X Savage X Fenty logo.
The limited-edition capsule is brought to life with a campaign shot on the beaches of Tuscany, Italy. Envisioned by Diesel Creative Director, Glenn Martens, and Rihanna -Savage X Fenty Brand’s Visionary- where photographer Salvatore Matarazzo and videographer Jacopo Farina, shot a cast of real Italian characters in Versilia as a depiction of complete body acceptance and freedom.
A look at Kingpins’ history
Join us as we look back at Kingpins’ history, the iconic denim industry event. From the the first show, to the international expansion, events, partnerships and much more…
FIRST SHOW
The first Kingpins Show was held in 2004 in an art gallery on Mercer Street in New York’s SoHo neighbourhood. Andrew Olah, owner of textile marketing company Olah Inc., wanted to throw an intimate party to highlight the four textile collections of Olah’s Japanese supplier Kurabo: Kurabo Denim in Japan, Kurabo Piece Dyes in Japan, Kurabo Denim in China and Kurabo Piece Dyes in Thailand.
With advice from denim design maven Adriano Goldschmied, and help from Jane Ibarra (who was, at the time, with Gap Inc.), Olah invited other companies to join the exhibitor roster, including several Italian companies: Martelli (laundry), Cobra (hardware), Cadica (labels) and Olympias (piece-dyed fabric), as well as other suppliers from around the world, including Tunisia-based Sartex (now called Denim House), Portugal-based A2 from Portugal, Brazil-based Suape, Hong Kong-based Asia United and Canada-based Western Glove Works.
Goldschmied’s other recommendation to help the show’s launch: a graphic designer working with several Los Angeles-based denim brands, Vivian Wang, who designed the Kingpins logo and the first invitation. She continued to work as a graphic designer for the company, as it quickly established itself as the go-to denim supply chain trade show — as well a venue to connect the denim community.
FIRST EXPANSION
Wang joined Kingpins full-time in 2006 to produce the first Los Angeles edition of the show. Although Wang had never produced a trade show before, Olah told her to think of it as throwing a party for family and friends, which is exactly what she did. That first show was at the Marvimon House, a modernist indoor-outdoor space north of Downtown LA.
For several years, the Los Angeles edition moved around several venues, including the Smog Shoppe in Culver City, Calif., a 100% solar-powered former smog-certificate station, as well as other industrial venues before settling into the penthouse of the Cooper Design Space.
Vivian Wang and Andrew Olah
NEW YORK MOVES
Like the Los Angeles show, Kingpins New York bounced around several venues and neighborhoods including loft studio spaces and the city’s famed former nightclub The Tunnel in Chelsea, before landing at its longtime home at Pier 36 NYC (Basketball City) in 2015.
New York 2011
INTERNATIONAL EXPANSION
Kingpins brought its concept overseas, beginning in 2009, with the launch of Kingpins Hong Kong, followed by shows in Delhi, India, and Shanghai, and then two more shows in India, in Bangalore, and Mumbai.
Delhi 2011
CONNECTING THE INDUSTRY
Early in the show’s history, Olah brought members of the supply chain together to discuss burgeoning issues for the denim industry, including cotton prices, supply chain transparency, sustainability and circularity. Originally dubbed Cotton Talks, these discussions became in 2014 the Kingpins Transformers, a summit series spotlighting environmental and socially responsible efforts at every stage of the jean supply chain.The series ultimately was spun off into the separate and independent Transformers Foundation in 2020.
REFLECT, REFOCUS, REINVENT
By the end of 2012, there were multiple Kingpins shows happening around the world in seven cities: New York, Los Angeles, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Delhi and Bangalore. For each show, organizers wanted to recreate the distinctive atmosphere of a Kingpins show, while also exploring what made each city special. For example, the first Shanghai show was held in a converted 19th-century factory overlooking the Suzhou River.
A new show in a new city, Kingpins Dhaka, was in the works when Olah and Wang decided to rethink Kingpins’ growth strategy. Instead of being everywhere, all the time, they decided in 2013 to focus on just a few cities: New York, Hong Kong and one other.
That location was up for debate until Wang (with introductions from Michelle Branch) traveled to Amsterdam, where she met Adriana Galijasevic, Jeans School’s Mariette Hoitink and James Veenhoff, and marketing agency Wink. Those connections —and encouragement from local officials —convinced Olah and Wang to select Amsterdam as it’s newest city.
Shanghai 2011
A SECOND HOME IN AMSTERDAM
The first Kingpins Amsterdam debuted in 2014 at the Gashouder Westergasfabriek, a former 19th-century coal gas factory, which has been converted into an events venue with an unusual round space. It wasn’t just the floorplan that was distinctive. Kingpins Amsterdam also joined forces with Denim Days, a city-wide consumer-facing celebration of all things denim. Now the B2B trade show was followed by a B2C event spread across the city. Concurrently, the Global Denim Awards paired innovative denim designers with forward-looking denim mills and the resulting collections were presented in a runway show for the denim and fashion communities.
One of Kingpins’ proudest moments occurred in the days leading up to that first Amsterdam show, when the city’s Mayor, Eberhard van der Laan, hosted an event for our exhibitors at his home to show appreciation for Kingpins’ arrival and to thank exhibitors.
Denim Days NY 2019
EXPERIMENTATION & MEASURED GROWTH
As Kingpins consistently worked to curate the best, most innovative lineup for its shows in New York, Hong Kong and Amsterdam, organizers continued to test new markets and opportunities, including Why, a show for branding, featuring label, button and zipper suppliers, held in 2016 alongside Kingpins Amsterdam, as well as an introduction to the Latin American market in 2017 with Kingpins Miami.
ROAD SHOW
Kingpins headed further into mainland China in 2019 with the launch of the China City Tour, a traveling trade show that made stops in several key denim cities.
China City 2016
A PLACE FOR COMMUNITY
Early in the show’s history, it was clear that Kingpins was more than a place to exhibit products, it also became a meetingplace for the denim community to come together and share their knowledge and experiences. So it was only natural that Kingpins became the place to celebrate important milestones. In 2013, the show marked the 75th anniversary of Candiani with a party and a cake in the shape of a life-sized pair of jeans. To celebrate Cone’s 110th anniversary in 2015, there was a cake in the shape of a loom machine. Over the years, Kingpins celebrated many significant anniversaries — including Rudolf (100 years in 2022), Bossa (72 years in 2023) and Orta (70 years in 2023) and — at Kingpins events.
This year, as Kingpins marked its 20th year in business at Kingpins New York, Lycra joined in the festivities, celebrating its 20th year exhibiting at Kingpins. When Lenzing celebrated the 20th anniversary of Tencel in 2012, Andrew Olah and many members of the Kingpins community were on hand in Mobile, Ala., the site of the company’s Tencel production factory, to mark the occasion. This is one of the many traditions show organizers plan to carry into the future.
Vivian Wang and Andrew Olah
EXPLORING THE VIRTUAL MARKETPLACE
Kingpins began investigating the virtual marketplace with a partnership in 2020 Material Exchange, which allowed Kingpins exhibitors to present their products through Material Exchange’s digital platform, allowing buyers to source denim products year-round. A year later, Material Exchange acquired the textile agency portion of Kingpins’ parent Olah Inc. Today, Kingpins exhibitors and attendees can access Material Exchange offerings such as Deadstock Depot, a digital market of excess fabric inventory, and Frank, an AI sourcing assistant.
PARTNERING FOR BETTER DENIM & A BETTER WORLD
Sustainable development and social responsibility has been core to all Kingpins shows since the early days. In 2020, Kingpins was named an official partner of the Conscious Fashion Campaign, in collaboration with the United Nations Office for Partnerships, in support of the UN’s 2030 agenda, the global roadmap aimed at ending poverty, protecting the planet and tackling inequalities. As a partner, Kingpins committed to promoting and supporting the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals within the denim industry at its events globally.
LA 2012
PANDEMIC-DRIVEN SHIFT
The COVID-19 pandemic slammed on the breaks for businesses around the world and Kingpins was no exception. With great sadness, organizers in 2020 made the tough decision to cancel shows — first Amsterdam, then New York and then China. While travel and in-person meetings were canceled, business went on and Kingpins organized and launched Kingpins24, a virtual event that included live and streaming content that kept the community connected, informed and at work.
Although Kingpins remained virtual for two years, the show continued to explore new markets by hosting special regional editions of Kingpins24 for Canada and Australia.
KP 24 virtual
BACK TO (IN-PERSON) BUSINESS
Post-pandemic, Kingpins returned to in-person exhibition in 2022 with shows in Amsterdam and New York.
For Amsterdam, the return meant a new location, SugarCity, a converted sugar refinery with a multi-level, industrial vibe. Now called Sugar Factory, it remains Kingpins’ home in Amsterdam, where the company will celebrate its 10th year in the city during its Oct. 23-24 run.
Amsterdam 2022
CONNECTING THE GLOBAL COMMUNITY
Show organizers continued to connect with denim communities around the world, starting in 2023 with an intimate event in Medellin, Colombia, followed by a pop-up event in Hong Kong, where attendees explored a mix of B2B and B2C activities and events.
Kingpins Medellin
NEW PARTNERSHIPS
Messe Frankfurt became a shareholder in Kingpins in 2023. Under the agreement with the 800-year-old trade show organizer, Kingpins continues to operate independently as a platform for the industry to meet, network and share information and insights — all with the same blueprint and atmosphere.
For the trade show giant, it meant the addition of the premiere, boutique denim supply chain show to Messe Frankfurt’s portfolio of 250 annual events. For Kingpins, it was an acknowledgement of the show’s success and an opportunity to connect with a wider audience in other industries.
BACK TO CHINA
After a four-year-hiatus, Kingpins returned to China in 2024 with a B2B and B2C format in Hangzhou.
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