Photo: Luca Guadagnino/Courtesy of W Magazine
These are the stories making headlines in fashion on Thursday.
Ayo Edebiri covers W
For W Magazine’s Volume 2, The Directors Issue, Luca Guadagnino directs Ayo Edebiri for the cover story, which is titled “Abandoned” and honors Guadagnino’s favorite ’60s actors like Sophia Loren and Ingrid Bergman. Photographed by Guadagnino and styled by Sarah Moonves, Edebiri wears a Gucci jacket and skirt, Wolford bodysuit, Cartier jewelry and Prada shoes on the cover. In the accompanying story written by Lynn Hirschberg, the actor explores the Italian widow persona she assumed for the photoshoot and getting lost in characters. The issue will be on newsstands March 11. Read the full cover story here. {W Magazine}
Photo: Courtesy of LVMH
2025 LVMH Prize for Young Fashion Designers announces semi-finalists
The 12th edition of the LVMH Prize for Young Fashion Designers has selected 20 semi-finalists from 15 countries to present their collections at the semi-final showroom in Paris on March 5 and 6. The LVMH Prize Committee of Experts will then select eight finalists. The semi-finalists are Alainpaul, All-In, Boyedoe, Francesco Murano, Josh Tafoya, KML, Meruert Tolegen, Mfpen, Nicklas Skovgaard, Penultimate, Pillings, Renaissance Renaissance, Sinéad O’Dwyer, Soshiotsuki, Steve O Smith, Tolu Coker, Torishéju, Yasmin Mansour, Young N Sang and Zomer. The LVMH Prize for Young Fashion Designers comes with a €400,000 endowment and a one-year custom mentorship. {Fashionista inbox}
Michael Rider to make Celine debut on July 6
After being announced as Celine’s artistic director in October of last year, Michael Rider will make his debut for the label with a runway show in Paris on July 6 at 2:30 p.m. CET. The show will be held between Paris Men’s Fashion Week (June 24 through 29) and Paris Couture Week (July 7 through 11). This marks a return to the runway for Celine, as the fashion house’s previous Artistic Director Hedi Slimane unveiled collections through films released outside of official fashion weeks. {WWD/paywalled}
Steve Madden to buy Kurt Geiger for $360 million
Steve Madden is buying U.K.-based luxury brand Kurt Geiger in an all-cash deal valued at approximately $360 million. Steve Madden currently owns Dolce Vita and Betsey Johnson, and will buy Kurt Geiger from private equity firm Cinven. The transaction is expected to close in the second quarter, and Steve Madden will fund it with a combination of cash on hand and debt. {Reuters}
What’s behind the beauty slowdown?
Beauty has been experiencing a slowdown, as evidenced by Estée Lauder Companies, Shiseido and Coty all reporting a drop in fourth-quarter sales, as well as L’Oréal reporting a small 2.5% increase that missed analysts’ forecasts. Mass and prestige brands alike are experiencing slow sales, and the U.S. market is encountering weaker business. Brands have offered a myriad of potential reasons for slower sales, including economic uncertainty, lower orders from retailers, customers stocking up over the holidays and more. To rebound, some brands are returning to their roots (Estée Lauder Companies is aiming to reinvigorate Clinique and MAC Cosmetics while Shiseido and L’Oréal are looking to recapture their core customers), but the life cycle of a popular beauty brand is now even shorter than it used to be. {Business of Fashion/paywalled}
Miu Miu names new CEO
Miu Miu has appointed Silvia Onofri as its CEO, Prada Group announced on Thursday. Onofri succeeds Benedetta Petruzzo, who left the position to join Christian Dior Couture as managing director. Onofri most recently held the title of brand president of outerwear brand Napapijri for two years, in addition to six years at Bulgari and 15 years at Bally. Her appointment is effective Feb. 26. {Vogue Business/paywalled}
Homepage photo: Rodin Eckenroth/WireImage
Source: Fashionista.com
