Photo: Chesnot/Getty Images
These are the stories making headlines in fashion on Thursday.
L’Oréal sets off executive committee-level changes with new CEO hire
L’Oréal appointed Alexis Perakis-Valat as L’Oréal USA’s new CEO and president of North America. Perakis-Valat succeeds David Greenberg, who has been named chairman of L’Oréal USA, a new position. The appointments will take effect on Jan. 1. Fabrice Megarbane will succeed Perakis-Valat as president of the Consumer Products Division. Vianney Derville is succeeding Megarbane as chief growth officer, while Emmanuel Goulin, the current president of travel retail, will assume the role of president of Europe. {WWD/paywalled}
Maison Kitsuné names new creative director
Maison Kitsuné has named Abigail Smith its new creative director. Her first collection is slated to debut during Paris Fashion Week for Spring 2026. “I have always admired Maison Kitsuné for its ability to blend fashion, music and culture into a singular art de vivre,” Smith said in a statement. “My vision is to create a contemporary, functional wardrobe that reflects Parisian elegance while honoring the brand’s Paris–Tokyo identity.” {WWD/paywalled}
Ssense founders join sale process
Rami Atallah, Ssense’s co-founder and chief executive, told staff during an all-hands meeting on Sep. 17 that he and his brothers Firas and Bassel, with whom he co-founded the company in 2003, will try to head a sale off by placing their own bid for the company. Ssense was granted approval by the Superior Court of Quebec to file for Canada’s equivalent of bankruptcy protection, a move intended to prevent a sale by creditors. The ruling granted Ssense $40 million in interim financing, and allows the company to pursue outside funding to settle its debts. {Business of Fashion/paywalled}
London Fashion Week’s exclusivity problem
London Fashion Week’s Spring 2026 edition was overshadowed by overcrowded venues, safety concerns and a lack of access for both international press and leading creators. At Dilara Findikoglu, more than 100 guests were stranded in an entrance hall. TikTok’s most-watched fashion commentator Mandy Lee wasn’t invited to a single new show, while Fashionista.com founder Faran Krentcil described being strung along by PR reps who dodged firm answers. {Glossy/paywalled}
Are DIY creators fashion’s next influencers?
Martina Calvi is part of a new wave of craft creators transforming hobbies like scrapbooking, journaling and crochet into fully fledged brands and media platforms. These creators are redefining what it means to be a tastemaker, with some cultivating audiences that rival traditional fashion influencers. As younger generations seek authenticity, slowness and tactile creativity, craft is no longer a pastime but a cultural force. {Vogue Business/paywalled}
Source: Fashionista.com