Photo: Courtesy of Fashion Trust U.S.
These are the stories making headlines in fashion on Wednesday.
Fashion Trust U.S. announces 2025 finalists
Fashion Trust U.S., a nonprofit founded by Tania Fares that supports emerging designers, announced its 2025 awards finalists in Los Angeles on Tuesday. The ready-to-wear finalists include Rachel Scott of Diotima, Grace Ling, Jakarie Whitaker of Hikari no Yami and Nana Kwame Adusei of Kwame Adusei. The jewelry finalists are Bernard James, Kia Schwaninger of Kia Schwan, Rebecca Zeijdel-Paz of Beck and Reut Ringel of Reut. The accessories finalists are Danielle Griffiths of Clyde, Paradis Winslet, Marianna Senderkis of Senderkis and Michal Lifshitz of Poemet. As for the Graduate category finalists, the nonprofit named Bashar Abouljoud, Bryan Barrientos, Eunhae Cho and Patrick Taylor. The awards show will be held on April 8 in L.A., where the five chosen winners will receive grants and mentorships from industry leaders. {Fashionista inbox}
Tamara Mellon is looking to buy back Jimmy Choo
Tamara Mellon co-founded the business in 1996 with Jimmy Choo, and now she is reportedly among the players interested in buying the brand from Capri Holdings, according to WWD. Mellon and then-CEO Joshua Schulman left the company in 2011 after selling it to Labelux, and the Jimmy Choo brand went public in London three years later. The business has been struggling recently as casual styles have become more popular, and Capri has been working with Barclays to sell off both Versace and Jimmy Choo. {WWD/paywalled}
Casey Cadwallader rumored to be exititing Mugler
Mugler and its Artistic Director Casey Cadwallader are rumored to be parting ways after eight years, according to a WWD report. The American designer first joined the French house as artistic director of women’s ready-to-wear in 2017. Cadwallader may exit as early as this spring. Mugler was not listed on this season’s provisional calendar for Paris Fashion Week. {WWD/paywalled}
Jil Sander appoints new CEO
Serge Brunschwig has been named Jil Sander’s new CEO as well as OTB Group’s chief strategy officer. Brunschwig joined LVMH in 1995 and has held multiple leadership roles including CEO and president of Fendi, president of Dior Homme, COO of Christian Dior Couture and CEO of Celine. “We are delighted to welcome Serge Brunschwig to our Group,” OTB Group CEO Ubaldo Minelli said in a statement. “In his role as CEO of Jil Sander, Serge will aim to further elevate the positioning of this brand with invaluable potential, carefully and strategically guiding its growth trajectory. Thanks to his experience and international vision, he will also contribute to defining an even more ambitious strategic path for OTB.” {OTB Group}
How Trump’s aggressive deportation stance is set to disrupt fashion
Donald Trump’s presidency and policies may have a more significant impact on the fashion industry than originally anticipated as he continues to threaten increased tariffs and mass deportations. With an estimated 8.3 million undocumented immigrants in the U.S. workforce, the apparel sector is also reliant on immigrant labor as 23.1% (roughly 120,000 workers) of apparel workers are undocumented. With Trump’s aggressive deportation policies, removing immigrants from the workforce across industries, including the apparel industry, could negatively impact the U.S. economy. Labor shortages could drive up wages in an even more competitive job market and make production costs higher for businesses, which could be passed on to consumers. The loss of experienced workers could also lead to disrupted production processes, resulting in decreased efficiency. {WWD/paywalled}
The limitations of “Made in America” labels
Many products that are labeled “Made in America” aren’t fully made in the U.S. in the way consumers may expect. The “Made in U.S.A.” marker is overseen by the Federal Trade Commission and the label applies to products that are “all or virtually all” made in America. Unqualified “Made in America” labels are subject to civil penalties, but finding rule breakers is difficult since vetting products is not included in the process: Per the FTC, “a company doesn’t need approval from the FTC before making a ‘made in U.S.A.’ claim and the FTC doesn’t pre-approve advertising or labeling claims.” {Modern Retail/paywalled}
Source: Fashionista.com
