MILAN – Valentino has confirmed the arrival of Alessandro Michele as creative director of the Rome-based couture house. He succeeds Pierpaolo Piccioli, who exited the brand on Friday after 25 years. Michele left his role as creative director of Gucci in November 2022. On Friday, WWD was the first to report that Piccioli was exiting … Read more
MILAN — Valentino and Pierpaolo Piccioli are parting ways, according to market sources. Responding to WWD, Valentino issued the following: “I am grateful to Pierpaolo for his role as creative director and for his vision, commitment and creativity that have brought the Maison Valentino to what it stands for today,” said chief executive officer Jacopo … Read more
PARIS — Kering has named Ishiuchi Miyako the winner of its 2024 Women in Motion Award for photography, in recognition of the Japanese artist’s representation of women that invites viewers to examine their own perceptions of femininity and womanhood. She is due to receive the prize on July 2 during the photography festival Les Rencontres d’Arles, … Read more
LONDON — Administrators have begun seeking a buyer for the British retailer Matches, which was shut down abruptly this week by new owner Frasers Group. Benji Dymant and Julian Heathcote of Teneo Financial Advisory Ltd. confirmed Friday that Matches will continue to do business through its website and three London stores, in Mayfair, Marylebone and Wimbledon, … Read more
NEW HORIZONS: Valérie Duport, chief communications and image officer at Kering, is leaving the French luxury group effective Friday, WWD has learned. The company confirmed that Duport “has taken the decision to pursue other projects outside Kering.” It did not elaborate, and Duport could not be reached for comment on Thursday. Duport joined Kering in … Read more
He got the savage, but maybe not the beauty. Sean McGirr’s debut was like an old school Alexander McQueen runway show in one respect: we were in the middle of effing nowhere in the dark and rain, and everyone left with an opinion. Taking over a damp warehouse, and using industrial tubing for seating, McGirr … Read more
Gucci‘s financial turnaround may still be a work in progress but a year in, and just ahead of his fall 2024 women’s runway, creative director Sabato de Sarno is putting the pieces in place. His first women’s runway collection just hit stores, offering a sexy, Italian spin on fashion’s minimalist moment with rich-looking camel-hued outerwear, … Read more
Oscar de la Renta — one of America’s most iconic designer labels that has dressed numerous first ladies, celebrities, socialites and been there when many brides have said “I do” — is now considering making its own connection. Three sources said the company is working with the European investment bank Rothschild & Co., fielding interest … Read more
LONDON – Luxury shoppers may be laying low, but they haven’t given up on the big brands, according to Value Retail, owner of The Bicester Collection, which saw total brand sales in Europe and China climb 16 percent, and footfall jump 13.4 percent, in 2023. Tourists and domestic customers alike drove that growth, according to … Read more
LONDON – Farfetch is waving goodbye to the Kering brands, part of a raft of changes at the platform since its sale to Coupang last year. WWD has learned that, going forward, the Kering brands will only be available via third-party retailers selling on the site. Farfetch declined to comment. On Thursday, Jean-Marc Duplaix, Kering … Read more
