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 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 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.

The twelfth edition of the LVMH Prize for Young Fashion Designers has confirmed its success and international appeal, with over 2,300 applicants from all over the world.

After the applications closed, 20 young brands were selected to take part in the semi-final – list below. The semi-finalists come from 15 countries, including, for the first time, Egypt, Ghana and Saudi Arabia, representing a great range of diverse cultures and talents.

The 20 semi-finalists will present their collections at the semi-final showroom, which will take place in Paris on 5th and 6th March 2025. Once again this year, the LVMH Prize will be held digitally on the dedicated website lvmhprize.com and will involve the general public. From 5th to 9th March, the public will be able to discover the designers and vote for their eight favourite candidates, just like the Experts.

On the occasion of the semi-final, the LVMH Prize Committee of Experts, made up of over 80 international fashion specialists, will select the eight finalists.

Delphine Arnault says:

“As the LVMH Prize steps into a new decade, it is my honour once more to welcome some exceptional talents. With this 2025 edition, we are seeing several compelling trends among emerging designers from all over the world, from a renewed interest in tailoring, to handcrafted embellishments and bold occasion dressing.

This year’s shortlist of 20 brands also includes candidates from three countries that are new to the LVMH Prize: Egypt, Ghana and Saudi Arabia. I’m also delighted to welcome back two brands that have competed in the Prize in the past: Renaissance Renaissance (2021) and Soshiotsuki (2016).

This year again, many of the brands place high value on experimentation and aesthetics, just like our Savoir-Faire Prize which is entering its second edition. This award highlights the importance of craftsmanship, innovation and sustainability, echoing three key issues for today’s fashion and luxury industries.

The recently concluded Texworld Apparel Sourcing Paris Spring 2025 (February 10–12, 2025) at Paris Le Bourget placed a strong emphasis on sustainability, aligning with Messe Frankfurt’s global Texpertise Econogy initiative.
The event introduced the Econogy Hub, a central information area for visitors with partners such as the Fédération de la Mode Circulaire, environmental impact calculation provider Bawear, and sustainable natural fiber manufacturer Wellfabric Bao Lan Textiles. It featured several innovative approaches to sustainable fashion. Placing special importance to help visitors finding more sustainable sourcing partners, discovering new resource-conserving materials, and learning about the current state of textile recycling.

Highlights of the accompanying Econogy Tour included denim supplier NZ Denim from Bangladesh, which is reestablishing Ackala Cotton, an old, naturally colored cotton variety, in the fashion market, and Deyao Textile from China, which focuses on a holistically sustainable process chain in the production of their denim products.
Industry experts discussed pragmatic approaches to more sustainability in the fashion and textile industry, how companies can reduce their water consumption and carbon footprint, where the industry stands in terms of recycling, and how to best source sustainably in the Econogy Talks.

With around 1,200 exhibitors from 25 countries, Texworld Apparel Sourcing Spring offered buyers a unique diversity for the Spring and Summer 2026 collection. More than 100 of the exhibitors had also passed the fair’s sustainability check in advance and were listed as such in the accompanying Econogy Finder.

The Texworld Apparel Sourcing Paris Autumn will take place again in Paris Le Bourget from September 15 to 17, 2025

Get more information on Texpertise Econogy here

Milano Unica, the Italian trade show for high-end textiles and accessories, opens the doors of its 40th edition at Fiera Milano Rho showcasing the Spring/Summer 2026 collections in halls 13-15 and 22-24.

This edition has reached a record high in the number of exhibitors (723), the most in its 20 years of history. In particular, these include 556 exhibitors (+9.5 compared to the January 2024 edition) in the three Ideabiella, Moda In and Shirt Avenue exhibitions; 150 exhibitors in the Special Areas and the Korea and Japan Observatories, plus 17 publishers. The increased number of exhibitors necessitated an expansion in exhibition space (over +12%) compared to the January 2024 edition. These significant results confirm the trust of the most prominent manufacturers of high-end textiles and accessories in Milano Unica, serving as an indispensable tool to promote their collections globally. Despite the difficult moment for the entire Made-in-Italy sector, all the Italian districts are represented in the trade show.

Stone Island announced in January the relocation of its Parisian store, opening at Rue St. Honoré 223. Reflecting the brand’s founding values of research and experimentation, the store spans over 200m² and adheres to the global retail concept developed in collaboration with OMA/AMO, showcasing innovative processes, materials and design collaborations.

“The new Paris Flagship is not just an important showcase for Stone Island, but also a space that celebrates our ongoing evolution. A meeting point between heritage and innovation, where design and multicultural connections join together in a cohesive brand experience. I want to thank our community, as always representing a unique global cultural intersection, whose creativity, vision, and energy continuously inspire us every step of the way.”- Robert Triefus – Stone Island CEO “The Paris store marks a milestone in the collaboration between OMA/AMO and Stone Island. We have created a home base for the brand’s community, whether a new kid interested in Stone Island’s heritage or a decades-long follower looking for the latest innovation. Additionally, the store offers a base for a new generation of designers in sound, light, and furniture.” – Samir Bantal – OMA/AMO Director

Season Opener, Footwear Special & Outerwear Focus

Welcome to 2025! This issue will feed you the best fashion trends, the latest designers,  and what to look out for.  Find out about the latest updates on Outerwear and get a real blueprint to making your retail store a success. Get fashion perspectives for 2025 with strategies and outlooks alongside the innovations to look out for. Learn about new brands in the Lookbook section and get inspired by the creative design this Storebook offers, featuring the best in both multi-lable and mono-brand stores.

Available via our digital bookstore here

Spanish company Sociedad Textil Lonia (STL) is acquiring 100% of Christian Lacroix, the French fashion house synonymous with 1980s exuberance, in what the company is describing as ‘a private transaction’. The Christian Lacroix brand had been previously owned by the Falic Group, also owners of US retail group Duty Free Americas.

Since the creation of the fashion house in 1987 by the LVMH Group, Christian Lacroix, its first Artistic Director, laid the foundations of a unique, exuberant, colorful, and baroque style, rooted in the designer’s birthplace of Arles. His Spanish inspirations, vibrant colors, and innovative shapes imbued with theatricality captivated the fashion world, bringing a breath of fresh air to the industry. Quickly, his creations, such as the “pouf” skirt, were worn by the biggest international stars, including Madonna, Julianne Moore, and Uma Thurman. The collections traveled the world, and the most influential fashion editors lent him their support.

The Italian footwear industry records a decline in the main indicators in the first nine months of 2024. Declines in exports (-9.2% in value on January-September 2023) with the sharp reduction in orders, had heavy repercussions on production activity (-18.9% Istat index of industrial production) and turnover (-9.7%).

This is the picture taken by the report of the Confindustria Accessori Moda Study Center for Assocalzaturifici, which shows how, with the effect of the post-Covid rebound over, and after a 2023 of substantial stability (at least in value), 2024 closes with negative signs in all the main variables. Estimating a sectoral turnover that the first 12-month projections show slowing by -9.3 percent, to 13.2 billion euros (almost 1.4 billion less than the previous year) and with inevitable effects on business demographics and employment.

“In the third quarter of 2024 there was no turnaround in the sector’s economic situation,” explains Giovanna Ceolini, president of Assocalzaturifici, ”on the contrary, more than 60 percent of companies closed with turnover below the levels achieved in the same period of 2023, with reductions of more than -20 percent for 1 out of 5 companies. The cumulative data for the first 9 months therefore confirm the difficulties that had already emerged in the first part of the year. The reflective performance of many major international economies, in Europe and outside the EU, and a geopolitical context that is anything but favorable, which has seen the addition, in addition to the Russian-Ukrainian conflict, of another front of instability in the Middle East, have severely penalized footwear exports in 2024. If in the European Union sales show fairly moderate declines (-2.6 percent in value overall, with -2 percent in France and -6.2 percent in Germany), on non-EU markets the drop is -15.3 percent. Results on which were undoubtedly also weighed by the slowdown suffered by many luxury brands, whose development had contributed in recent years to sustaining sector dynamics.”

The WeAr team wishes their readers, clients and visitors a very happy holiday season! May these days bring you happiness, love and joy.

Montblanc celebrated the milestone anniversary of its iconic Meisterstück writing instrument during an exclusive event in Chengdu at the end of November. First unveiled in Los Angeles in May, the 100 Years of Meisterstück brand campaign, written and directed by American filmmaker Wes Anderson, now travels to the city of Chengdu to add another seminal chapter to the writing icon’s centenary celebrations, following the opening of Montblanc’s first flagship store in the city, the Montblanc Chengdu Taikoo Li Boutique.

Just as the new flagship boutique introduced a design concept blending Montblanc’s DNA with Chengdu’s inimitable creative spirit, the brand event held at the Dong’An Ge Hotel immersed guests into the brand campaign’s distinctive Montblanc universe, infused with the local flair of Chengdu.

The venue was reimagined to transport guests into the world of the brand campaign, with recreations of its various recognizable details such as the library room, the mountain setting and the overall color palette, all while spotlighting the evening’s honoree, the Meisterstück.

The evening built to a crescendo with creatively reimagined performances featuring exhilarating drumming and Sichuan opera acts, offering an innovative twist on the traditional Chinese art forms. Following the mesmerizing acts, the celebration reached its peak as guests gathered to commemorate the centenary of Meisterstück with a grand birthday cake unveiling.

From December 6 2024 until March 9 2025, the exhibition “Gianfranco Ferré dentro l’obiettivo”, organised by Forte di Bard and curated by the Gianfranco Ferré Research Centre of Politecnico di Milano and CZ Fotografia, offers an unprecedented journey dedicated to the great architect and fashion designer, eighty years after his birth.

The itinerary of the exhibition is designed to tell the story of Gianfranco Ferré’s work through photographic images, black and white prints, colour prints, slides and samples, enriched with garments, sketches and drawings.

The protagonist of the narrative is the photographic section of the Gianfranco Ferré Historical Archive: over 90 works, never before exhibited, by eight masters of fashion photography who worked with Ferré on iconic advertising campaigns: Gian Paolo Barbieri, Guy Bourdin, Michel Comte, Patrick Demarchelier, Peter Lindbergh, Steven Meisel, Bettina Rheims and Herb Ritts.

20 YEARS OF WeAr – ANNIVERSARY ISSUE

Our brand new WeAr Global Magazine Anniversary Issue 80 is now out. This is a special edition, celebrating the past two decades of the best in fashion and footwear combined with art. You can find an extended special celebrating the best of fashion and footwear design alongside outstanding interior design. Of course, this issue also features the best in fashion trends, the latest designers,  and what to look out for. Get better insight and ideas through the featured reports from collaboration with different artists, to different industries. Get an overview of Leading Players in the fashion industry and experience the Winners of The Best Fashion Retailer of the World Award 2024. 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.

Get issue 80 in print or digital here

20 YEARS OF WeAr – THE BOOK

Plus, to celebrate 20 years of WeAr, for the first time the magazine is reprinted in a hard-cover format. Get this special collector’s item to celebrate the very best of fashion and art from the last 20 years. Available in English only, this special edition will also include the “Best of 20 years of WeAr” Special, printed on special paper, which will highlight some outstanding fashion and footwear items, alongside special store designs which the editorial team of WeAr has published in the past two decades. Get this special coffee table book as a celebration of fashion and art throughout 20 years.

Get your hands on ’20 Years of Wear – The Book’ here

Colnago, historic Italian company producing racing bicycles, celebrates seventy years of innovation and excellence of Made in Italy. To commemorate this important milestone, Colnago launches a limited edition capsule collection of leisurewear and presents its Steelnovo, a new and exclusive steel bike. Founded in Cambiago in 1954, the company has been able to combine craftsmanship, technology and cutting-edge design, becoming synonymous with elite performance and uncompromising quality. Symbol of manufacturing and cycling excellence at an international level. 2024 marks a special moment for the company: after the triumphs of the V4Rs at the Giro d’Italia, the Tour de France and the Zurich World Championship, Colnago celebrates its 70th anniversary with renewed pride, presenting 70 exclusive examples of the Steelnovo bicycle and a capsule collection limited edition leisurewear, paying homage to a fundamental chapter in its history.

The use of high quality raw materials, expert manufacturing, Made in Italy and meticulous attention to detail are distinctive elements of both Colnago. Just like in tailoring, where each fiber is chosen with care to ensure resistance and beauty, Colnago carefully selects the materials for its bikes, ensuring that each component contributes not only to performance, but also aesthetics overall. This parallelism highlights how, in both sectors, the creative process and productive requires dedication, passion and a deep knowledge of techniques, making every unique product of the highest value.

The capsule collection, handmade in Italy by highly specialized artisans, is composed of of ten heads. Among the most iconic and distinctive models are three outerwear made with fabric Loro Piana: the elegant navy blue trench coat (with Storm System® treatment), the timeless field jacket (with Rain System® treatment:), and the bold varsity jacket (with Storm treatment System®:), all in 100% cashmere and enriched by the Colnago Manifesto embroidered inside the jacquard lining. The collection includes, in addition to outerwear, also a sophisticated and enveloping polo shirt in cashmere, available in long and short sleeve versions. The T-shirt collection completes piquet cotton polo shirts, crew-neck sweatshirts and hoodies: linear and elegant garments, all with the Colnago logo finely embroidered. All items will be available exclusively online on the Colnago website.

Following its updated science-based target in 2021, Kering has taken another significant step to strengthen the Group’s climate ambitions and help deliver a net-zero economy. Kering has committed to reach net-zero greenhouse emissions across its value chain by 2050, and to do so, has set ambitious near- and long-term Group-wide emissions reduction targets in line with climate science and the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) net-zero criteria.

Verified and approved by SBTi, Kering’s Net-Zero science-based targets were published on SBTi’s target dashboard.

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.

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.

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”

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

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.

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.”

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 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.

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.

Stone Island has opened its new store in Vienna on Kohlmarkt 7. Echoing the brand’s core values in research and experimentation, the store follows the global retail concept designed in partnership with OMA/AMO, employing innovative materials and processes.

Located in the historic centre of Vienna, the store design is in harmony with the building’s architecture, thoughtfully inserting highly researched materials and iconic elements. The original vaulted ceiling is retained, but modernised through the application of a natural acoustic material and Tim Hooijman-designed lights. In contrast, the floors are covered with large marble tiles from solid nature.

The Vienna store features the full Stone Island offering, including the Ghost, Marina and Stellina ranges, spread across a sequence of four interconnected rooms.

The first room echoes the recent Munich and Stockholm designs, with the presence of dark, structured cork, following a process that includes burning, sand-blasting and coating, delivering sound and humidity absorption properties. A signature anodized aluminum table designed by Johan Viladrich is featured  at the centre of the space, alongside a new perforated stainless-steel display wall at its back.

The second room hosts an array of iconic Stone Island elements, including the Index, the Chamber, and the digital mannequins. 

Moving on, a red resin floor marks the entry into The Lab, a space providing insight into Stone Island’s research and production processes, with the new crossed lights designed by Tim Hooijman illuminating from the ceiling.

Inspired by the community hub in the Stone Island Munich flagship, a fourth space features a rammed earth display wall, with a cutting-edge smart glass display taking centre stage. Crafted together with Gauzy®, an innovative technology enables the glass table top to seamlessly transition from transparent, revealing accessories within the display, to opaque, serving as a surface for garments display.

A mediterranean tale telling stories of Fausto Puglisi’s hometown Messina, with its warm sunsets and blue waves. The Roberto Cavalli Spring Summer 2025 collection is designed for ‘a contemporary mermaid, aware of her charm’.

As a homage to the late Roberto Cavalli, top models Eva Herzigova, Joan Smalls, Isabeli Fontana, Natasha Poly, Mariacarla Boscono, Karen Elson and Alek Wek wore seven archive looks from the 2000s, including the Zebra slip dresses.

Inspired by the iconic Zebra slip dresses from the FW 2000 archives and featured during the SS25 Fashion Show tribute to Roberto Cavalli, these unique creations are available as a limited edition, at robertocavalli.com and in the Milan boutique.

International and cross-disciplinary, Première Vision Paris brings together all the professional players within the sustainable creative fashion sector. The entire value chain covered by the event – yarns, fabrics, designs, leather, accessories, manufacturing, smart creation – and the targeted markets – luxury, premium, broad distribution – position the show as a global observatory for tracking the evolution of a sector currently experiencing profound structural and cyclical shifts.To actively help shape a new era for the fashion industry as it develops new models driven by the challenges of sustainable transformation, technological innovation, changing consumer habits, economic development issues and more, the fashion division of the GL events group is rethinking its event formats, positioning and calendars to reflect these rapid industry transformations, and thus roll out the right offer, at the right time, in the right places.The year 2025 will see Première Vision Paris with two complementary and distinct events taking place in February and now in September, while Blossom Première Vision will henceforth take place at the start of summer and in December.

“For us, these two announcements are the first strong steps in a new strategy. They reflect our determination to support the markets through our willingness to change the rules, take up new challenges, and speed the transformation necessary to Première Vision, to the creation of our fashion division, and to the development of all our brands. We are convinced that in this way, by working hand in hand with the sector, Première Vision is returning to its original mission: to serve as a catalyst for growth for the entire industry.” -Florence Rousson, General Manager of GL events Fashion Division

British designer S.S. Daley has been awarded the 2024 Queen Elizabeth II Award on the opening day of London Fashion Week.

The award, given annually, recognises a designer who leads with innovation and who makes a difference to society either through sustainable practices or community engagement.

Graduating from the University of Westminster in 2020 under Andrew Groves, Steven Stokey-Daley debuted his first collection titled ‘The Inalienable Right’ for AW20. The collection explored the relationship between British class culture and the access to arts in education via the nostalgic representations of homo-socialism within public school institutions as depicted in ‘Brideshead Revisited’ and ‘Maurice’. Stokey-Daley has since continued to flirt with class ideologies with what he calls ‘micro subversions’; juxtaposing his own working class, Liverpudlian upbringing with that of the Harrovian’s he studied adjacent to while in the Harrow campus of his University.

Marc Cain has brought Berlin Fashion Week to New York: with an innovative
XL LED truck showing the video of the Spring/Summer 2025 show. Models presented the latest trends from the collections and handed out exclusive goodie bags and information on the brand and pieces. The collections embody the unmistakable Marc Cain DNA: luxurious knitwear, eye-catching prints
and brilliant colours that caused a sensation on the streets of New York. A special highlight: the information flyers distributed featured a QR code that led directly to the new US webshop. Here, customers had the chance to win two exclusive looks worth $2,000 each.

“This unique campaign is bringing our fashion directly to the streets of New York. We are consistently continuing our expansion course and strengthening our presence in the important US market. Further, we are delighted to be able to present our collections in this innovative way and are convinced that we will enrich the New York fashion world with fresh impulses,” commented Stephen Belfer, Managing Director Marc Cain Canada & USA.

The Fashion Awards 2024 Presented by Pandora will take place on Monday 2nd December 2024, returning to the Royal Albert Hall in London. The event serves as the main fundraiser for the BFC Foundation, which supports the future growth and success of the British fashion industry through its focus on education, grant-giving, and business mentoring. The Fashion Awards presented by Pandora not only shines a spotlight on the outstanding contributions of emerging and established cultural fashion leaders, but also raises awareness of the foundation’s vital work.

The BFC and Pandora will build on the success of last year’s collaboration, continuing to evolve the event as an entertainment platform that highlights the role fashion plays at the intersection of culture.

GANNI has announced its commitment to ensure its textiles and paper packaging are free of fibre sourced from climate-critical forests through a new partnership with solutions-driven non-profit Canopy.

As a new CanopyStyle and Pack4Good partner, GANNI is committed to eliminating sourcing from Ancient and Endangered Forests in their textile and paper packaging supply chains. The brand will also advance the production of low-carbon, circular, Next Generation alternatives — such as textiles made from recycled fabrics and packaging made from agricultural residues. GANNI joins over 550 fashion brands and retailers, collectively representing more than 1 trillion USD in market value, with CanopyStyle policies in place, and 444 brands worth 249 billion USD committed to Pack4Good.

As a B-Corp-certified company, GANNI is committed to minimizing social and environmental impact within its business operations with a goal to reach 50% absolute carbon reduction by 2027 from a 2021 baseline, with materials and innovation among its key pillars in reaching this target. Partnering with Canopy marks a vital step in GANNI’s journey to achieve its target and limit its impact on the climate.

Kering is committed to eliminating single use plastic packaging across its BtoB and BtoC operations by 2025. Since the release of the Kering Standards for Raw Materials and Manufacturing Processes in 2018, the Group has taken into account circularity when developing new packaging solutions. For the first time, Kering is publishing its Ecodesign Tool for Packaging Items. Developed in collaboration with CITEO+, it regroups insights and knowledge accumulated by the Group over the years.

In line with Kering’s commitment to an open-sourced approach and transparency, this toolkit focuses on packaging design and implementation strategies. It aims to provide other industry players with recommendations to reduce their dependence on single-use plastic packaging and comply with upcoming European regulations.

GUESS JEANS has opened its flagship store in Berlin, A vital market to both GUESS and the denim industry at large, Neue Schönhauser Str, Berlin will house the second GUESS JEANS store in Europe, this launch swiftly follows the inaugural Amsterdam store launch in May, 2024 in the heart of Kalverstraat.

The Berlin store features a hue of orange tiles that pays homage to Rosenthaler Platz, U-Bahn Station located moments from the store. GUESS JEANS reference the Berlin U-Bahn train graphic upholstery in the design of the carpets adorning the store, recognised for its use across Berlin U-Bahn trains since its inception in 1986. The store will spotlight the first GUESS JEANS campaign photographed by Rafael Pavarotti featuring British actress & model Iris Law alongside Liverpool FC and England player, Trent Alexander Arnold.

California denim brand GUESS JEANS is due to launch a new fleet of stores globally with an innovative retail design concept rooted in the California Landscape conceived by Chief New Business and Development Officer, Nicolai Marciano. Set to house the whole new world of GUESS JEANS- powered by its pioneering GUESS AIRWASH™ sustainable technology. The GUESS JEANS retail concept has mapped out what a store for the future looks like, with material principles shared amongst all GUESS JEANS spaces. A combination of materials, vegetation, and lights that all pay homage to Southern California, the birthplace of GUESS, forms the basis of the GUESS JEANS retail concept. The immersive experience and inaugural store opening continue the narrative that GUESS JEANS is leading the next 40 years of denim. Although sharing visual similarities, each GUESS JEANS store will be designed differently, with major flagships in Tokyo, Los Angeles and more due to open in the coming months.

JOOP! celebrated “The New Era of JOOP! JEANS”, the return of JOOP! JEANS WOMEN, with a Red Fusion summer party held at the exclusive club Paradise Now in Dusseldorf. Parallel to the Fashion Days in Düsseldorf, around 260 invited guests experienced a night full of fashion, music and glamour.

After the success of the men’s collection, JOOP! JEANS, the Women’s collection is back on the market as an independent line. Plus, the existing JOOP! JEANS men’s collection gets a refreshing new twist with a greater focus on denim: authentic, casual and modern. To excite the anticipation for the official premiere in Summer 2025, a runway show was held, at which, among others, the winners of this year’s Germany’s Next Top Model season, Lea and Jermaine, showed the key looks of the new collection.

Thorsten Stiebing, Managing Brand Director of JOOP!, summed up the evening: “We are thrilled with the response to our new JOOP! JEANS collection and are pleased to have this one Being able to share a special moment with so many wonderful guests and friends of the brand. The event was a complete success and a perfect start to the new era of JOOP! JEANS.”

The combination of fashion, music and a great ambience made the evening a unique experience and marks another milestone in the history of JOOP! JEANS. The new JOOP! JEANS collection will be available in JOOP! from January 2025.

German design will be presented at this year’s Copenhagen International Fashion Fair (CIFF), running from August 7-9, 2024. This groundbreaking event will showcase “NEUDEUTSCH,” a curated selection of over 30 innovative brands and creators in fashion, jewellery, interior design, and more. Spearheading this initiative is Julian Daynov, a well-respected fashion industry expert and business consultant.

Julian Daynov elaborates on NEUDEUTSCH’s essence: “At the heart of NEUDEUTSCH is the idea of cultural pluralism enriching German design language through diverse and inventive talent. The concept of the collective is to give a stage to new-wave design aesthetes and creatives who overcast the outdated cliché of German design being purely functional and one-directional.”

CIFF’s CEO Sofie Dolva explains, “Germany is a key market for a significant proportion of brands showcasing with us at CIFF, and CIFF is increasingly becoming the show of choice for German brands looking to expand internationally.”

As a Premium Partner of Paris 2024, LVMH drew on the Group’s creative excellence and the savoir-faire of its Maisons to make this milestone in the history of sports a memorable moment for millions of spectators across the globe. To bring this exceptional contribution to life, LVMH called on the talent of its artisans and teams, who worked hand in hand with Paris 2024.

For this unique Opening Ceremony on the Seine, Maison Dior creations elevated a collective score that unfolded over five scenes. The Ateliers Dior pushed the limits of excellence further than ever to achieve creative feats in record time, mobilizing the historic workshop at 30 Montaigne and the Maison’s embroiderers, who spent thousands of hours on the designs. All the creations presented in the five scenes during the Opening Ceremony were entirely made in Paris.

Louis Vuitton is contributing to the Olympic and Paralympic Games Paris 2024 with bespoke versions of its iconic trunks to safeguard unique symbols of the Olympic Games. The Medals Trunks safeguard and showcase the medals designed by Chaumet, while the Torch Trunk housed the Olympic Torch during its journey across France to Paris. The trunks are covered in Louis Vuitton’s iconic Monogram and Damier canvases respectively, embodying over 170 years of savoir-faire.

For the Opening Ceremony Berluti has styled custom-tailored ensembles for Team France athletes and coaches that embody ‘élegance à la française’. The French Maison has crafted tuxedo-inspired outfits with a unique ‘French flag’ patina of blue and red shades. The outfits are paired with an iteration of Berluti’s Shadow emblematic navy blue sneakers in France’s national colors for men, and either the supple leather Lorenzo loafers or Shadow sneakers for women. This historic collaboration is a first for Berluti in outfitting women as the Maison rises superbly to the challenge of an event of this magnitude, ensuring that each member of Team France becomes a distinguished ambassador of French art de vivre on the global stage.

Coach is partnering with Roblox and ZEPETO to bring its Spring/Summer 2024 collection into the digital space. The move into the virtual world is a part of Coach’s “Find Your Courage” campaign, which has featured Lil Nas X, Lee Young Ji, and Wu Jinyan. The Fashion meets gaming move allows users to explore digital identities with wearables available in Fashion Famous 2 and Fashion Klossette on Roblox and ZEPETO from July 19.

By choosing Roblox and Zepeto, Coach said it “aims to reach millions through immersive virtual and social experiences that merge fashion with digital self-expression”.

Marc Cain has presented its new label. The Provence proved to be the ideal location for the glamorous event. From the daytime get-together to the evening event, the influencers adorned various outfits to showcase the diversity of the first glam collection “Floralia Sunset”.

As a highlight, the guests were surprised with a dinner in the lavender field. The stylish decorations, the table with overhanging chandeliers and an oversized Marc Cain logo as the perfect photo spot created the ambience.

Supermodel Nadja Auermann and her daughter Cosima were delighted to be at the launch: “The setting was great, the ambience fantastic and the looks very glamorous. The combination of the breath-taking landscape of the Provence and the unique designs of the Glam collection made this event an unforgettable
experience for us.”

“I’m so excited to experience this special event here in the Provence with Marc Cain! Last year, I was able to celebrate the 50th anniversary in Bodelshausen, Germany not only as a guest but also as a model. I’ve already discovered some favourites in the new glam collection,” enthused supermodel Karolina Kurková.

“The collection is so versatile and can be styled from morning to night. It is all about glitz and glamour combining elegance and style with a touch of luxury. The enchanting colours, gorgeous prints, fine fabrics and opulent details such as sparkling crystals make the pieces something very special,” commented Marinela Oglan, Head of Design Glam and Mioara Buda, Senior Designer.

The American corporation Bluestar Alliance acquired the Amsterdam-based premium label Scotch & Soda last year. Recently, Bluestar Alliance appointed United Legwear & Apparel Europe B.V. as the new licensee for all EU ecommerce operations of Scotch & Soda to ensure continued online service for European customers. This partnership aims to drive digital growth and retail expansion, with the opening of a new store on Carnaby Street in London in June.

To provide more clarity for the market, WeAr interviewed the CEO and co-founder of Bluestar Alliance, Joseph Gabbay.

What are your plans for Scotch & Soda in the near future for Europe as well as world-wide?
Scotch & Soda has exciting plans for Europe. We are committed to maintaining and expanding our own stores while also focusing on growing our wholesale and retail store presence. We have a global mindset and we will implement initiatives to develop the brand assortment, add categories and enhance customer experience through marketing campaigns, loyalty programs and exceptional in store service. We will continue to explore strategic partnerships that align with the S&S brand to engage the customer, reach new audiences and strengthen market share.

What distinguishes Scotch & Soda as a brand to others?
Scotch & Soda is a brand that celebrates the free spirit of Amsterdam – with collections recognized for their optimistic, bold designs and original detailing. Scotch & Soda includes a wide range of apparel, denim, and accessories across men’s, women’s and kid’s. The mission of the brand is to bring joy and fuel self-expression. Every season, we deliver collections that feature unique design, unexpected fabric combinations and are crafted of high-quality fabrics.

How will Scotch & Soda support retailers in the future?
We believe in retail. We are continuing to expand the brand’s presence in premium and specialty retailers, along with our own branded stores worldwide. We are employing a strong product, retail and marketing strategy and have already seen expanded brand presence with exciting growth to come. We are continuing to expand our Franchise network worldwide, including the Middle East, China, Japan, Thailand, Australia, New Zealand, India, Israel, Portugal, UK, Greece, Spain, Switzerland, South Africa, Mexico, and the US. We are also opening new locations in the Netherlands, Belgium, and Austria, with plans to launch in Latin America by the end of 2024. We have five stores planned for Germany.

The current collection of Scotch & Soda can be viewed in their existing showrooms.

The 39th edition of Milano Unica, showcasing the Fall/Winter 2025-26 collections, opens tomorrow, 9th July until July 11th 2024.

The 39th edition of Milano Unica features special Areas and Contents and two International Observatories. The areas of the trade show, the events, the digital services and the special contents: all you need to know about the 39^th edition is now at easy reach through their user-friendly working tool that is ideal for making the best of your experience at the trade show.

The Avantex Fashion Pitch jury has awarded the 2024 prize to Materra. This young British company, founded in 2019, designs solutions to support the cultivation of cotton adapted to climate change on a fair trade model. At the other end of the chain, it encourages fashion companies to source from the producers it supports, offering brands (Mango, Ecoalf, Positive Materials…) a service designed on a Cotton-As-A-Service model, guaranteeing a totally transparent supply chain with full traceability.

“Our teams at Messe Frankfurt, like the members of the jury, were very
impressed by the quality of the models presented at this 7th edition of the Avantex Fashion Pitch. In singling out Materra’s project, the jury chose to support an ambitious response to an urgent problem facing the fashion industry. It’s a decision we can only applaud,” said Frédéric Bougeard, President of Messe Frankfurt France.

The Pitti of summer 2025 will be postponed by one week. The 108th edition of Pitti Immagine Uomo will take place in Florence at the Fortezza da Basso from June 17th to 20th, 2025 and not from June 10th to 13th as previously announced.

“This decision was made in agreement with the Camera Nazionale della Moda Italiana,” explains Raffaello Napoleone, CEO. “It ensures that the system of men’s fashion presentations remains consistent and compact given the repositioning of the main fashion weeks. It also avoids possible economic disadvantages for non-European buyers and media. This decision was made after careful consideration of the subsequent postponement of the children’s fashion and yarn fairs, which also take place in the Fortezza.