Photo: Valerie Macon/AFP via Getty Images
These are the stories making headlines in fashion on Thursday.
Is Kim Kardashian using fashion to show MAGA support?
Kim Kardashian shared a photo of Melania Trump at the inauguration on Jan. 20 to her Instagram story, which sparked conversation surrounding whether the reality-star-turned-entrepreneur was sharing the post simply because of the First Lady’s outfit or as a reflection of her political stance. Kardashian has been linked to MAGA for a while now: She wished Ivanka Trump happy birthday on her Instagram story in October 2024, has been seen with Ivanka on multiple occasions, defended her ex-husband Kanye West’s endorsement of Donald Trump and shared videos of a Tesla humanoid robot gifted to her by Elon Musk. Kardashian never explicitly endorsed either candidate in the 2024 election, but the signs of her support for MAGA have been there all along, Blavity’s Tayler Adigun writes. {Blavity}
Frame and Alix Earle launch skinny jeans collection
Frame teamed up with Alix Earle on a co-branded collection marking the return of the skinny jean. The two created The Alix, a skinny jean silhouette available in a classic blue and a sleek black coated color way. Earle stars in the collection’s campaign photographed by Inez and Vinoodh. Priced at $128 and $148, The Alix by Frame x Alix Earle is available now globally in Frame stores and on Frame’s website. From now through March 31, Frame and Earle will donate a portion of net sales from in-store and web sales from The Alix jean to Greater L.A. Habitat for Humanity. See the collaboration’s campaign images and shop the skinny jean styles, below. {Fashionista inbox}
Alix Earle for Frame x Alix Earle. Photo: Inez and Vinoodh/Courtesy of Frame
The business of Selena Gomez
Selena Gomez is one of the most famous women in the world (and the most-followed woman on Instagram), and has recently been in the spotlight for awards buzz surrounding her role in “Emilia Pérez” as well as her engagement to music producer Benny Blanco. Gen Z grew up alongside Gomez, and she has centered relatability and resilience within her career through her openness about her lupus diagnosis and bipolar disorder. Her beauty brand Rare Beauty has claimed the top earned media value spot for celebrity beauty brands, she has partnered with many fashion brands like Puma and Coach and her own fashion choices often translate into sales spikes for the brands. For the brands Gomez works with, “she is the gold standard of meaningful influence,” Vogue Business‘s Amy Francombe writes. {Vogue Business/paywalled}
Chanel cuts 70 U.S. jobs
Chanel is cutting 70 jobs in the U.S. (about 2.5% of its U.S. workforce) to curb expenses and help the company “better adapt to current economic challenges,” according to a statement from Chanel obtained by Bloomberg. Puck News first reported the job cuts on Monday. The post-pandemic luxury slowdown has affected many brands as the industry has seen a drop in demand for high-end goods. {Fashion United}
Photo: Courtesy of Staud
Staud to launch sportswear
L.A.-based fashion brand Staud is launching Staud Sport, a sportswear collection designed to easily transition from working out to everyday activities. The collection eschews heavy logos commonly found on workout gear in favor of versatile pieces crafted with performance fabrics, including anoraks with sleeves that can zip on and off, oversized scrunchies that double as mini purses, lightweight nylon jackets, packable neoprene ballet flats and a performance gown. “We’ve created a collection that delivers on comfort and performance without compromising style,” Sarah Staudinger, Staud’s CEO and creative director, said in a statement. “These aren’t just clothes for sport — they’re clothes for life, because we believe life is sport.” Ranging in price from $75 to $395, Staud Sport will be available in all Staud stores and at staud.clothing on Jan. 30. {Fashionista inbox}
The U.S. could see 15,000 brick-and-mortar store closures in 2025
According to new data released by Coresight market research company, U.S. store closures in 2025 could grow from 2024 numbers. In 2024, major retailers closed 7,325 U.S. stores, while 5,970 stores opened, leaving a net loss of 1,355 stores. Last year saw the highest number of closures since the pandemic. Coresight estimates that approximately 15,000 stores will close in the U.S. in 2025, while 5,800 stores will open, leaving a deficit of close to 10,000 stores. {Glossy/paywalled}
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Source: Fashionista.com