Photo: Launchmetrics Spotlight
These are the stories making headlines in fashion on Friday.
Will the designer debuts help generate sales?
The Spring 2026 season saw many designer debuts at top luxury houses, but will these new collections actually boost sales? HSBC said that, financially, the most important impact expected from fashion weeks is generation of foot traffic. HSBC also said it’s hoping the designer debuts will help luxury recover after 18 disappointing months of sales, due to consumers’ rejection of high prices and a perceived lack of creativity. {WWD/paywalled}
Would consumers let AI shop for them?
Several startups and tech giants are building AI agents, which are meant to assist shoppers in making online purchases by sharing personalized product recommendations and completing transactions on a user’s behalf. Consumers are already using AI-powered search giants to discover and buy products, but these AI agents are not yet widely adopted. Shopping app Vêtir is enlisting influencers to create content showing them using the platform’s agents to shop, and hopefully convincing their audiences that Vêtir’s tools are beneficial to their shopping experience. {Business of Fashion/paywalled}
Donatella Versace named president of the jury for Latin American Fashion Awards
Donatella Versace is joining the Latin American Fashion Awards as the president of the jury. The awards will be held Nov. 6 through Nov. 9. Versace will preside over the jury that includes Nina García, Anna Dello Russo, Carmen Busquets, Imran Amed, Steven Kolb, Carlo Capasa, Kean Etro, Sara Sozzani Maino, Vivian Sotocorno, Gabriela Hearst, Zélika García, Karla Martínez de Salas, Alessia Glaviano, Oskar Metsavaht and Carlos Nazario. The 2025 winners will be revealed during the four-day celebration in November. {Fashionista inbox}
Maesa Magic Incubator announces 2026 winners
Maesa has named the winners of its third annual Maesa Magic Incubator: Jeanine Mojum of Amoureux Beauty, Jeffrey Stewart of Rizo Radiance and Christal Alert of Tonal Cosmetics. This year’s winners each receive a $35,000 grant and hands-on training from Maesa executives, culminating in a capstone presentation before an advisory board that includes leaders from Maesa, Hero Cosmetics, Kitsch, Fresh and Bain Capital Private Equity. Maesa Magic Incubator aims to close the funding gap for women- and BIPOC-owned beauty and wellness brands. {Fashionista inbox}
Why can’t fashion see what it does to women?
The New York Times‘ Vanessa Friedman writes that designers at Paris Fashion Week introduced clothes that “hid, confined, muzzled or even erased the women beneath.” Courrèges hid the faces of many models, Maison Margiela showcased mouth guards and Alaïa debuted “cocoon” bodysuits. “For designers not to consider what they are saying is willfully ignorant at best, disingenuous and even damaging at worst,” Friedman writes. {The New York Times/paywalled}
Why Paris is leaning into sportswear
Michael Rider brought American sportswear to Celine’s latest collection, and other designers followed suit. Jonathan Anderson’s Dior debut featured preppy staples, while Tom Ford showed sweaters draped across the shoulders of white shirts. Milan and Paris runways were more preppy than usual, marking a possible shift of brands attempting to reach younger consumers seeking versatile wardrobes. {Vogue Business/paywalled}
Source: Fashionista.com
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