Latest news with #Cruise2025
Forbes
16-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Swim And Resort Focused Brand Melissa Odabash Celebrates 25 Years
A model in a bikini form the Melissa Odabash Cruise 2025/2026 collection. The ground-breaking series 'Survivor' debuted in 2000, subsequently cementing the popularity of reality television, paving the way for shows such as 'Idol', 'Big Brother', 'The Apprentice', 'Keeping Up with the Kardashians', and 'The Real Housewives.' Melissa Odabash, the swimwear brand started by a former model, also launched her eponymous label in 2000. The last twenty-five years have seen a non-stop trajectory for the TV show genre, as well as the swim and resort wear categories, that have upped the ante on elevated, designer sensibility offerings, plowing through the typical tie-dye sarongs and destination motif t-shirts once dominating the cover-up market. For the label's 25th anniversary collection for Cruise 2025/2026, Odabash looks back at the brand's beginnings and success in the burgeoning sector. A DIFFERENT LANDSCAPE Founder and brand designer Melissa Odabash. 'When I launched Melissa Odabash, the swim and resort wear category wasn't defined the way it is today. Swimwear was often an afterthought; uninspired, poorly constructed, and rarely flattering,' Odabash said in an interview. The founder had first-hand knowledge thanks to her work as a model. 'I spent years on shoots wearing swimsuits that just didn't feel right. That experience opened my eyes to a real opportunity in the market to create something that was missing: a company that focused on swimwear that was both innovative and beautifully made. I began designing styles I genuinely wanted to wear, ensuring that the pieces felt elevated, elegant, and timeless,' she continued. Her work also provided her with behind-the-scenes views of some of the iconic Italian fashion houses. 'That exposure deeply influenced my sense of quality, fit, and attention to detail. My design inspiration was rooted in European style and craftsmanship, so I founded the brand in Italy,' she added. MAGAZINE GLORY The most coveted spot for swimwear marketing when the brand launched in the millennium was the infamous Sports Illustrated swimsuit edition. A model in a bathing suit from the Melissa Odabash Cruise 2025/2026 collection. 'Early on, several of my designs were featured in SI, worn by incredible women like Tyra Banks, Steffi Graf, Heidi Klum, and Karen Mulder. Seeing my pieces on such powerful icons was surreal, and it gave the brand instant international visibility,' Odabash recalled, adding, 'Back then, there was no Instagram, no viral moments online. To be taken seriously, especially as a new label, you had to earn your place through traditional media. Getting that kind of exposure in print was like a golden stamp of approval, and then buyers started to take notice. Suddenly, what started as a small idea was being talked about on a global scale.' Odabash's success underscores the former wholesale landscape. 'That momentum helped shape the foundation of the brand. It created buzz, built credibility, and opened doors to dressing A-list celebrities and being featured in leading publications. It was the beginning of building a loyal, global following, and looking back, I'm so grateful for how organically and powerfully it all unfolded,' she noted. CARVING A NICHE It was also the beginning of a momentum for the category, which saw the category start to blossom in the 1990s, shifting from a 'necessity' to an 'essential' category, according to Odabash. 'It's the result of a mix of lifestyle shifts, global travel, wellness, and, of course, the rise of social media. Women want versatile, elevated pieces that feel as good as they look, pieces that can take you from the beach to sunset drinks and dinner. We've grown in response to that demand, expanding into ready-to-wear and accessories. There's a whole world around resort wear now, and I love that we were part of pioneering that change,' she said. A model in a beach cover up from the Melissa Odabash Cruise 2025/2026 collection. Most recently, 'The White Lotus' has been a consumer marketing boon to the category. Melissa Odabash designs have been featured on television prior to that, appearing organically on 'The Real Housewives,' 'The Bachelor,' 'Love Island,' and other reality and scripted series. 'The brand continues to align naturally with lifestyle-led productions that celebrate travel and an aspirational way of life. Shows like 'The White Lotus' made escapism feel aspirational and effortlessly chic, thus shaping the visual language of resort wear and bringing renewed attention to destination-driven fashion. More brand highlights include Jennifer Lawrence wearing Melissa Odabash in the 2016 film 'Passengers,' recreating swimsuits for the 2013 film 'Diana,' and subsequently creating styles for further Naomi Watts films. SILVER LININGS The 25th-anniversary collection is especially personal for the designer as a tribute to her mother. 'My parents travelled to St. Martin yearly. My mother would return with a bikini from a small French boutique. I still remember those pieces; they were elegant, detailed, and unlike anything I'd seen. This place sparked my love for design and swimwear. Early exposure to refined, European swimwear had a lasting impact on me. This collection is a nod to that time, to the island's colors, its spirit, and the feeling of escape it evokes,' Odabash said. A model in a ready-to-wear look from the Melissa Odabash Cruise 2025/2026 collection. The brand, which is designed in London and primarily manufactured in Italy, has core wholesale accounts, including Harrods, Selfridges, Saks, and Net-a-Porter, with flagship stores in London, St. Tropez, and two stores in Dubai, as well as an e-commerce business. The range includes swimwear, resort wear, dresses, kaftans, sandals, hats, bags, jewelry, and loungewear. Odabash is also looking forward to new collaborations that blend fashion, travel, and art to design a wardrobe geared towards a global, effortless lifestyle. Despite its growth, the brand collaborates with small, ethically minded factories that are experts in their craft, wherever they may be located. 'Quality has always been a cornerstone of the brand; it's not something we're ever willing to compromise on. Of course, with economic shifts and tariff considerations, we remain flexible and proactive. But many of our production partners have been with us for over 20 years, which gives us stability and the ability to adapt quickly without losing sight of our values.' Looking back on 25 years of building a global presence, cultivating loyal customers, and forming meaningful partnerships, Odabash is humbled by the achievement as she explores the next phase. 'It feels like a milestone and a beginning. There's much more ahead, new stores, expanding my ready-to-wear line, and creative collaborations that continue to push the brand forward.'
Time of India
30-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Lee Know from Stray Kids becomes Gucci's new global brand ambassador
Gucci has named Lee Know , a member of the popular group Stray Kids , as its new global brand ambassador , effective immediately. Known for his versatility as a performer, songwriter, and composer since his debut in 2018, Lee Know has already integrated Gucci into his personal style, attending events like the Cruise 2025 fashion show in London. He will now participate in various Gucci events and initiatives. Lee Know's appointment highlights his unique style and artistic flair. Since joining Stray Kids in 2018, he has demonstrated his talents in various artistic fields. His personal style has naturally included Gucci in both formal settings and editorial features. His attendance at the Cruise 2025 show in London last year strengthened his connection with the fashion house. Gucci recognises Lee Know's individuality and artistic spirit as valuable assets. The brand believes he will bring a unique energy to Gucci's ongoing story. Lee Know expressed his enthusiasm for the new role. He stated, 'I believe Gucci is a brand that transcends the past and present through heritage and contemporary creativity. It's a great honor to be part of Gucci's visionary journey.' As a global brand ambassador , Lee Know will be involved in a variety of Gucci's activities. These will include attending events and participating in brand initiatives.
Fashion United
29-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Fashion United
Maria Grazia Chiuri to exit Dior
After months of mounting speculation, Maria Grazia Chiuri is officially stepping down as artistic director of Dior, bringing to a close a near decade tenure marked by bold feminist messaging, high commercial success, and a redefinition of the house's modern woman. The departure clears the path for the anticipated appointment of Jonathan Anderson, the previous creative force behind Loewe and namesake label JW Anderson, who is expected to assume a consolidated leadership role across Dior's womenswear, haute couture, and menswear divisions. Chiuri, who joined Dior in 2016 as its first female artistic director, helped steer the French maison through a period of robust growth under the ownership of LVMH. She leaves behind a legacy of politicised runway statements, collaborations with female artists and authors, and a design language rooted in what she described as 'committed women's fashion.' 'I am particularly grateful for the work accomplished by my teams and the ateliers,' Chiuri said in a statement, reported the Business of Fashion. 'Their talent and expertise allowed me to realise my vision of committed women's fashion, in close dialogue with several generations of female artists. Together, we have written an impactful chapter of which I am immensely proud.' Delphine Arnault, who took over as CEO of Dior in 2023, praised Chiuri's tenure for its 'tremendous work with an inspiring feminist perspective and exceptional creativity,' noting her contributions to 'remarkable growth.' Chiuri's departure had been the subject of industry chatter for several seasons, with her Cruise 2025 collection in Rome this week now regarded as a swansong. The show, staged at the storied Villa Albani Torlonia, blended classical grandeur with cinematic costume references, encapsulating the designer's dual reverence for heritage and narrative. The expected arrival of Anderson marks a significant shift in Dior's creative structure. Known for his experimental silhouettes and conceptual clarity, Anderson would become one of the few designers at a major heritage house to oversee all gender lines—an appointment that aligns with the conglomerate's recent push toward unified creative leadership. While LVMH has yet to confirm Anderson's appointment formally, sources close to the company suggest an announcement is imminent, likely before the designer's next scheduled menswear outing during Paris Fashion Week in June.
NDTV
29-05-2025
- Entertainment
- NDTV
Maria Grazia Chiuri Takes Likely Final Bow As Dior Creative Director After Ethereal Rome Show
The standing ovation at the end of Maison Dior's Cruise 2025 presentation in Rome on May 28, 2025 made it clear that Christian Dior's Creative Director since 2016, Maria Grazia Chiuri was saying her goodbyes to the luxury fashion house. This comes post Maria's decade-long tenure at the Italian couture label while resurrecting Teatro della Cometa in Rome with her spellbinding showcase. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Maria Grazia Chiuri (@mariagraziachiuri) What is expected to be Maria Grazia Chiuri's final Dior showcase was filled with symbolism and theatrics. For this she chose Rome which is a city entrenched in history and mythology. The setting was Villa Albani Torlonia which houses one of Europe's most revered collections Greco-Roman antiquities. It made the messaging pretty clear that it isn't just another runway show, but was meant to be an opera style farewell for Maria. Maria is Dior's first ever female creative director and has been one of the most commercially successful in the brand's modern history. In her time at the Italian luxe brand, she is known to have exercised a peculiar sartorial spell over her audience. For Christian Dior 's Cruise Collection 2025, Maria exercised a peculiar control over her audience who were black and white formals clad guests. This was an intentional move in keeping with Dior's Cruise 2025 collection's theme - cinema, memory and a couture as a form of storytelling. Maria Grazia Chiuri's presumed departure from Dior, though not confirmed officially has been the subject of industry speculations for months now.
Fashion United
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Fashion United
Dior bows in Rome with Maria Grazia Chiuri's cinematic Cruise collection
In a moment layered with symbolism and theatrical intent, Maria Grazia Chiuri unveiled what is widely expected to be her final collection for Dior, choosing Rome — a city steeped in history, mythology, and personal resonance — to host the Maison's Cruise 2025 presentation. The setting: Villa Albani Torlonia, a baroque sanctuary housing one of Europe's most revered private collections of Greco-Roman antiquities. The message was clear — this was not merely a runway show, but an operatic farewell. Chiuri, Dior's first female artistic director and one of the most commercially successful in its modern history, exercised rare directive control over her audience: guests were asked to observe a formal dress code — white for women, black for men. A curatorial move in keeping with the collection's muse: cinema, memory, and couture as a form of storytelling. What followed was a procession of 80 looks that blurred the lines between ready-to-wear and haute couture. The first 24 exits — exclusively in shades of white, sheer, embroidered or sequined — evoked what WWD aptly termed the 'Renaissance princess.' The purity of palette gave way to a succession of crimson and black velvet column dresses, interspersed with androgynous outerwear — a silhouette dialectic Chiuri has made her own. Adding gravitas to the mise-en-scène was a collaboration with famed Roman costume atelier Tirelli, whose archive includes costuming for Luchino Visconti's The Leopard and Martin Scorsese's The Age of Innocence . 'We wanted not only to experiment, but also with this lightness, to show that the construction behind a film costume is very close to haute couture,' Chiuri told WWD, underlining the collection's technical rigour and narrative ambition. Under her nine-year tenure, Chiuri not only repositioned Dior as a platform for feminist and artisanal dialogue, but also delivered some of the highest commercial returns in the brand's modern history. As the first major acquisition by LVMH founder Bernard Arnault, Dior now occupies a central role in the group's luxury portfolio — both symbolically and strategically. Her presumed departure, though not officially confirmed, has been the subject of industry speculation for months. Sources close to LVMH suggest that Jonathan Anderson, currently at Loewe, will assume full creative control across both womenswear and haute couture — a consolidation that signals significant confidence but also immense responsibility. On her own terms With Anderson's first Dior Homme collection expected to debut at Paris Men's Fashion Week in June, analysts anticipate an imminent announcement from LVMH. The decision to allow Chiuri to close her chapter on her own terms — in Rome, among ruins and cinematic references — reflects the house's reverence for her legacy, and an awareness of the delicate optics of succession. The Cruise collection, masterful in execution and subtle in farewell, functioned not just as a collection, but as a thesis on what Chiuri brought to Dior: narrative couture grounded in history, articulated with intellect and emotional force. Whether Anderson will inherit that lens or reshape it entirely remains to be seen — but one thing is certain: a new era at Dior is already unfolding.
