April 19, 2024
Top Fashion Stories of the Week: February 23

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This week, fashion’s biggest headlines were ruled by collaborations, acquisitions, campaigns and runways. Among the most notable, Pharrell Williams’ Louis Vuitton revealed a colorful collaboration with Tyler, the Creator; Tomorrow London acquired Samuel Ross’ A-COLD-WALL*, after previously purchasing a “substantial minority stake” in the company; and Balenciaga announced its Spring 2025 show would take place in Shanghai.

Elsewhere, Oscar Isaac starred in Fear of God’s Collection 8 campaign, and Victor Wembanyama became a Louis Vuitton House ambassador. Jacquemus and Nike joined forces for “The Swoosh Bag,” teasing a campaign that will star the world’s fastest woman, Sha’Carri Richardson, and Y/Project called off its Paris Fashion Week runway, citing “uncertain times.”

Below, Hypebeast has rounded up the top fashion stories of the week so you can stay up to date on trends in the industry.

Louis Vuitton Tapped Tyler, the Creator for a New Collaboration

Earlier this week, Pharrell Williams’ Louis Vuitton tapped Tyler, the Creator for a collaborative collection, defined by strong colors, expressive monograms and hand drawings.

“Tyler has been my close friend and collaborator for years and we’ve always connected on music and design,” Pharrell said in a statement. “There are so many elements specific to Tyler built into these pieces and it’s been inspiring to see him hone in on his craft and collaborate with him for this Spring collection.”

Tyler, the Creator added, “My main focus was making things I would wear all the time. I dress the same in a meeting as I do a performance or grocery store trip, so hand drawing the monogram felt like the perfect balance to me. The chessboard is one of the greatest things I’ve made and is definitely my favorite thing from the collection. The team was great to work with, it kinda felt like ‘Big’ with Tom Hanks. P has always left a door open for me, but I still can’t believe this one.”

See the full lineup here.

Tomorrow London Acquired A-COLD-WALL*

Tomorrow London purchased 100% of A-COLD-WALL*, the technical fashion brainchild of Virgil Abloh’s first-ever intern, Samuel Ross.

In 2018, Tomorrow acquired a “substantial minority stake” in Ross’ brand, becoming its “global exclusive licensee” as the company’s “first move into a trademark co-ownership.” The company did not disclose terms of the deal at that time, and they aren’t sharing details this time around either. However, A-COLD-WALL*’s total revenue before deductions reached £16 million EUR last year, and Ross told Vogue Business that the deal was “amicable and fair.” He added, “The terms of the sale reflect a strong future for A-COLD-WALL*.”

Tomorrow CEO Stefano Martinetto stated that the “full acquisition” was necessary because “the resources needed to launch and protect a brand are way more than in the past.” He continued, “And through doubling down with the winners, we see opportunities.”

Oscar Isaac Fronted Fear of God’s Collection 8 Campaign

Oscar Isaac is the latest face of Jerry Lorenzo’s Fear of God. The Guatemalan-American actor, known best for his roles in Star WarsX-Men and Ex Machina, fronts the purpose-driven label’s Collection 8 campaign, in a series of black-and-white images shot by photographer Luis Alberto Rodriguez.

Isaac is no stranger to Lorenzo’s brand. In the HBO drama miniseries Scenes From a Marriage, the actor’s charming character, Jonathan Levy, became particularly notable for his expert wardrobe (hats off to costume designer and stylist Miyako Bellizzi, for that). In episode one, Isaac wore a batwing pullover from Fear of God’s sought-after collaboration with the Italian luxury label Zegna, which ultimately became one of his character’s most-discussed grails.

In this campaign, Isaac sports several pieces from Fear of God’s Collection 8, which initially met the world during the imprint’s first-ever runway show inside Los Angeles’ famed Hollywood Bowl last spring. The line lauded “American luxury,” departing from the brand’s understated Essentials label to construct a more nuanced wardrobe inspired by both American royalty and the injustices that taint the country’s history. Among the standouts, the actor wears the line’s double-wool and lapelless cougar overcoats, gabardine sweaters, leather trousers and driver gloves.

Jacquemus and Nike Revealed “The Swoosh Bag”

Nike’s signature Swoosh received the Jacquemus treatment earlier this week.

The French fashion brand cleverly shaped the sportswear giant’s 54-year-old iconography into a leather shoulder bag, first revealed via Jacquemus’ Instagram on Wednesday. Equipped with an adjustable strap, “The Swoosh Bag” centers Jacquemus’ signature silver branding on the side of its design. Given its inspired silhouette, the emblematic accessory offers compact storage space, made accessible by a zipper that runs atop its curved facade.

“GUESS WHO IS THE FACE?” Jacquemus captioned the logo-inspired bag’s teaser image. Judging by the signature acrylic nails and the familiar forearm tattoo, it’s fair to assume that the campaign will front the world’s fastest woman: American track and field star, Sha’Carri Richardson (who was rumored to have signed a several-figure deal with Nike at the end of last year).

Balenciaga Will Stage Its Spring 2025 Show in Shanghai

After staging a Pre-Fall 2024 show under the Hollywood Sign in Los Angeles at the tail-end of last year, Balenciaga is already booking flights for its next destination show. Scheduled for May 30, the Paris-based brand announced on Wednesday that its Spring/Summer 2025 runway will take place in Shanghai.

Balenciaga previously hosted fashion shows in the Chinese city in 2013 and 2014, under the creative jurisdiction of Alexander Wang; and Demna showcased his first Haute Couture line in the city during a five-day event in 2021, during the COVID pandemic. But this year’s show will mark the lead designer’s first official runway show in China.

The Chinese market is vital to Balenciaga’s livelihood, as the country houses more of the brand’s stores than any other nation across the globe. Notably, the largest of them is situated in Shanghai at the IAPM Mall.

Louis Vuitton Named Victor Wembanyama Its Newest House Ambassador

French basketball player Victor Wembanyama is the latest face of Louis Vuitton.

The power-forward, nicknamed “Wemby,” has signed on as an official ambassador for the French house, joining a growing roster of prominent athletes that presently includes tennis stars Carlos Alcaraz and Naomi Osaka, skier Eileen Gu, swimmer Leon Marchand and fencer Enzo Lefort. In his new role, Wembanyama will represent the brand at key events and appear in the label’s promotional imagery.

“Striving for excellence and with a perpetual honing of craft, Victor joins Louis Vuitton on a journey of shared values and aligned ambitions. Like Louis Vuitton himself, the young athlete has blazed a trail, excelling in a career that is only just beginning,” the French luxury house wrote in a statement.

Y/Project Called Off Paris Fashion Week Show Due to “Uncertain Times”

Y/Project on Thursday opted to cancel its Paris Fashion Week runway show next week, as the brand looks to “focus on internal investments” during “uncertain times,” according to WWD.

The Glenn Martens-led label was previously scheduled to debut its Fall 2024 collection on March 3 at 7pm, per the provisional calendar for Paris Fashion Week. Now, as high-fashion brands face a deceleration in luxury spending, Y/Project has chosen to instead reveal next season’s lineup in a lookbook format.

“This strategic shift reflects Y/Project’s commitment to prioritizing investments in the growth of the company, its teams, and its product offerings. By reallocating resources, the brand aims to promote Y/Project in the most effective manner possible,” the brand told the outlet.

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