Photo: Courtesy of Valentino Beauty
These are the stories making headlines in fashion on Friday.
Charli XCX is the face of Valentino Beauty
Charli XCX is now a Valentino Beauty ambassador for the United States. The partnership begins with the launch of the Spike Valentino Buttery Matte Lip Color, which the artist is currently wearing on her Sweat tour. {Fashionista inbox}
Photo: Courtesy of The Estée Lauder Company
Estée Lauder announces The Catalysts grant winners
Etia London, Loverboy Beauty and Ruka are the inaugural winners of The Catalysts, a grant program founded by The Estée Lauder Companies’ New Incubation Ventures and launched in partnership with TikTok. Each winner will receive up to $250,000 in financial backing, mentorship and project assistance. {Fashionista inbox}
Why LVMH sold Off-White to Bluestar Alliance
The sale of Off-White to Bluestar Alliance, Puck’s Lauren Sherman writes, “marks and end of an era at LVMH,” where business seems to have moved on from the loss of Virgil Abloh. According to an anonymous executive, LVMH’s decision to sell Off-White could mean the beginning of the end for the brand. The source called Bluestar a “bottom fisher” and predicts that it will lead Off-White to become a mass-market memory of what it once was. {Puck/paywalled}
Gab Waller launches AI platform for fashion sourcing
Gab Waller, known as a fashion sourcing magician, gives clients unparalleled access to the industry’s most coveted items. Following 152% growth of her business in 2022, Waller turned to AI to meet demand. Two years later, her new AI-powered platform Sourced By, which manages product requests, inventory and payment is in development. Waller kicks off her first capital raise this month, and when her $1 million funding goal is secured, she plans to build out the platform and raise its capacity for orders. {Vogue Business/paywalled}
Barbie taps Anita Dongre for Diwali doll
Anita Dongre designed a Diwali doll for Barbie, making her the first Indian designer to create a doll for the brand. The Anita Dongre Barbie Diwali doll wears a modern interpretation of the lehenga, adorned with dahlias, jasmine and lotus flowers, with a Rajasthani koti jacket and traditional Indian accessories. Priced at $40, the doll can be purchased through Target, Amazon, Walmart and Mattel retail channels. {WWD/paywalled}
Should fashion companies still make employees move?
In a post-pandemic world, opinions on in-person work and employee relocation greatly vary. Foot Locker recently moved its headquarters from New York City to Florida but isn’t requiring staff to relocate. At the same time, The North Face seeks a Denver-based creative director. While face-to-face collaboration can benefit those in creative fields, the request to uproot one’s family is becoming less common and makes a hard sell. Sheena Butler-Young explores these negotiations for Business of Fashion. {Business of Fashion/paywalled}
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Source: Fashionista.com
