Latest news with #Kering-owned
Observer
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Observer
Louis Vuitton holds fashion show at France's Palais des Papes
Louis Vuitton womenswear designer Nicolas Ghesquiere showed the label's Cruise 2026 collection in the main courtyard of the towering medieval Palais des Papes monument in southern France last week. The audience sat in risers lining the runway set, with French first lady Brigitte Macron, actors Catherine Deneuve and Cate Blanchett and Vuitton's menswear designer Pharrell Williams in the front row. Models marched out just after sunset in metallic suit jackets, wide capes with flame-like patterns and gladiator boots covered in mirrored glass. Some looks had extra pleats or rows of chains that added movement and volume, while looser looks included a layered bohemian skirt and wide-sleeved blouse. Louis Vuitton holds fashion show at France's Palais des Papes Louis Vuitton holds fashion show at France's Palais des Papes Louis Vuitton holds fashion show at France's Palais des Papes The event from the LVMH-owned ( opens new tab label - the world's biggest luxury brand - took place as the luxury industry grapples with a prolonged slump, with a number of fashion brands including Kering-owned Gucci and Balenciaga, privately owned Chanel and LVMH's Dior all recently naming new designers. Ghesquiere, meanwhile, is set to stay in his position, which he took up in 2013, for several more years after a contract renewal in late 2023. —Reuters
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Biomaterials firm shakes up leadership as it preps for commercial growth
This story was originally published on Fashion Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Fashion Dive newsletter. Biomaterials startup Gozen has named a new CEO as it prepares for 'its next stage of commercial growth,' the company said in a news release last week. Ece Gözen, the company's co-founder, is stepping down from the CEO role to become chief innovation officer and creative director. In her place, Sedef Uncu Aki will become CEO. Uncu Aki was most recently the startup's chief product officer, a role she's held since January 2024. Prior to joining Gozen, she worked at denim brand Orta Anadolu and Bossa. The leadership changes come a few months after the biomaterials company opened a 40,000-square-foot production facility in Turkey to expand the reach of Gozen's leather alternative material Lunaform at scale. The new leadership structure will support the ongoing rollout of Lunaform following the adoption of the material by brand partners Beymen Collection and Kering-owned Balenciaga, Gozen said in the release. Gozen was founded in 2022, and it made its debut during Balenciaga's Paris Fashion Week runway show in the fall of 2023. The startup is now looking to deliver Lunaform across product industries in mass, premium and luxury segments, per the release. Pelin Gözen, Gozen's other co-founder and chief operating officer, will remain in her role and continue to lead the company's product roadmap and operations. Po Bronson, managing director of SOSV, a Gozen investor, said the new team structure gives the startup the ability to scale with focus and the ability to harness its creative capabilities, 'exactly what's needed to continue growing the adoption of Lunaform.' Gozen's other investors include Happiness Capital, Accelr8 and Astor Management. Recommended Reading Sustainable materials firm Modern Meadow names new CEO Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Hypebeast
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Hypebeast
Pierpaolo Piccioli Named Balenciaga's New Creative Director
After weeks of rumor-milling speculation,Pierpaolo Picciolihas officially been namedBalenciaga'snew creative director. The formerValentinodesigner will begin his new role on July 10, and his first collection for the Kering-owned brand will be revealed in October. In a statement, Piccioli said, 'Balenciaga is what it is today thanks to all the people who have paved the way. In all its phases, while constantly evolving and changing, it has never lost track of the House's aesthetic values. What I am receiving is a brand full of possibilities that is incredibly fascinating.' Picciolibid farewelltoValentinoin March of last year, after 25 years at the Italian fashion house (and 16 as creative director). In a mutual agreement with the brand, the designer had already departed from the label at the time of the announcement, meaning hisFall 2024 collection, shown during Paris Fashion Week in February of last year, marked his final output for Valentino. He'll take Balenciaga's reins from Demna, who's scheduled to reveal his final couture collection for the House this July before heading to Gucci. Like him or not, Demna transformed Balenciaga into one of the most coveted labels on the modern market, and he's widely celebrated for his fashion week spectacles — be they windstruck snowstorms, murky mud baths, or dystopic stock exchanges — as well as the needle-pushing wardrobes and all-star front-rows that accompanied them, which, altogether, often staked a claim as the most talked-about show during any fashion week. Piccioli, who's lauded for his innovative couture, striking color palettes (Valentino Pink, in particular, was a massive success), and his ability to bring traditional design techniques into the modern day, boasts a design language imbued with unequivocal romanticism similar to that of Cristóbal Balenciaga himself. Piccioli's Balenciaga will look much different from Demna's, to say the least. 'I must first and foremost thank Demna,' Piccioli continued. 'I've always admired his talent and vision. I couldn't ask for a better passing of the torch. This gives me the chance to shape a new version of the Maison, adding another chapter with a new story.' Balenciaga CEO Gianfranco Gianangeli said he was 'excited' about this 'new era' for the brand. '[Pierpaolo's] creative vision will thrive, and he will perfectly interpret the legacy of Cristóbal Balenciaga, building on the House's bold creativity, rich heritage and strong culture,' he added. '[Pierpaolo] is one of the most talented and celebrated designers of today,' affirmed Kering Deputy CEO Francesca Bellettini. 'His mastery of Haute Couture, his creative voice, and his passion for savoir-faire made him the ideal choice for the House.' With culture-shifting design abilities, myriad high-profile co-signers, and a legion of cult followers, Piccioli is well-positioned to succeed in the House's top seat. How exactly the designer's Balenciaga will manifest is still up for debate, but stay tuned for Piccioli's debut this October.
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
EXCLUSIVE: Balenciaga Bolsters Executive Ranks With New Deputy CEO
PARIS — Balenciaga has promoted Nathalie Raynaud, a key architect of its recent handbag successes, to deputy chief executive officer, bolstering its executive ranks as it prepares to name a new creative director. Raynaud, who joined the brand in 2021 and most recently served as chief product officer, takes on the new role effective immediately and reports to CEO Gianfranco Gianangeli, Balenciaga said in a statement shared first with WWD. She succeeds Laura du Rusquec, who left last year to become CEO of Ganni. More from WWD Gucci Fetes New Book at Maison Assouline Gucci to Unveil Cruise 2026 Collection at Historic Brand Archive French Start-up Faircraft Acquires IP, Patents as Kering-backed VitroLabs Shuts Down Raynaud, who has held merchandising, development and retail roles at brands including Dior, Louis Vuitton and Lanvin, was instrumental in driving accessories at Balenciaga under artistic director Demna, who is set to wrap his tenure at the house with an haute couture show on July 9 before moving to fellow Kering-owned label Gucci. She oversaw the rollout of the Cagole, Rodeo and Bel Air bag launches, as well as the relaunch of Le City. Accessories have proved a bright spot for Balenciaga amid an otherwise challenging luxury landscape. 'In her new role, Nathalie Raynaud's mission will be to continue bringing a strategic, creative and product-driven vision that aligns with the house's objectives to drive sales growth, influence and strengthen market position,' the brand said. Contacted by WWD, Gianangeli said the appointment would help lay the ground for the next chapter. 'Nathalie has played a key role in shaping our product strategy, establishing our current success in the leather goods category, bringing clarity and direction to an essential part of our business. Her appointment strengthens our strategic focus, especially in the architecture of our collections and product offer and ensures we're ready to support the vision of our new creative director,' he said. 'At Balenciaga, where culture, community and collaboration are at the heart of what we do, it's essential that we move forward with coherence and purpose — and Nathalie's leadership will be central to that,' Gianangeli added. Meanwhile, Demna paid tribute to Raynaud's contributions to the brand's growth. 'Working with Nathalie over the past four years has been an incredible partnership. Her precision and dedication to Balenciaga has helped drive our success,' he told WWD via email. 'I am honored to take on this new role and look forward to building on Balenciaga's success across all products and departments,' Raynaud said. She began her career in 2006 at Christian Dior Couture in the watches division, before joining Louis Vuitton in 2008, where she spent eight years in senior product and marketing roles across women's leather goods and accessories. In 2016, she moved to SMCP, parent of contemporary labels Sandro, Maje and Claudie Pierlot, where she launched and built the accessories business unit. From 2019 to 2021, Raynaud was director of accessories and licensing at Lanvin, playing an important role in the house's repositioning following its acquisition by China's Fosun. Balenciaga parent company Kering is in the midst of an ambitious turnaround effort following two years of disappointing growth. The group, which also owns brands including Saint Laurent, Bottega Veneta and Alexander McQueen, reported a 14 percent drop in revenues in the first quarter, missing low expectations. Since arriving at Balenciaga in 2015, Demna has revved up the heritage label with supersized tailoring, chunky sneakers, logo tracksuits and drop-shoulder hoodies. Kering is counting on him to breathe new life into the ailing Gucci label, which saw organic sales slide 25 percent in the first quarter. Francesca Bellettini, deputy CEO in charge of brand development at Kering, said she was scouting a 'high caliber' candidate to succeed Demna at Balenciaga. According to market sources, the house has held discussions with designers including Alaïa's buzzy creative director Pieter Mulier. Best of WWD EXCLUSIVE: Maje Names Charlotte Tasset Ferrec CEO Nadja Swarovski Exits Family Company Amid Ongoing Corporate Shakeup Aeffe MD Exits Fashion Group Sign in to access your portfolio
Fibre2Fashion
03-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Fibre2Fashion
Spanish brand Loewe tops Lyst Index as fashion faces creative shake-up
The Lyst Index for Q1 2025 has crowned Spanish luxury fashion house Loewe as the world's hottest brand amid a turbulent start to the fashion year marked by sweeping creative director changes across major houses. Loewe displaced Miu Miu, which came in second, followed by Saint Laurent, Coach and Prada on the third, fourth and fifth positions. Loewe surged to the top following Jonathan Anderson's departure, fuelling a 38 per cent spike in searches as shoppers rushed to buy pieces from his final collection. The move also positions him to succeed Kim Jones at Dior Men's, while Proenza Schouler's Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez step in at Loewe. Loewe topped The Lyst Index for Q1 2025 amid sweeping creative director changes across major fashion houses. A 38 per cent spike in demand followed Jonathan Anderson's exit. Chloé and COS entered the top 10, while On debuted, fuelled by celebrity endorsements. Celine's flared jeans led product searches, and Uniqlo set a record for affordability. The quarter witnessed a reshuffling of creative leadership, dubbed 'fashion's transfer window', with changes at Chanel, Gucci, Bottega Veneta, Celine, Jil Sander, and Maison Margiela. Notably, Louise Trotter became the only female creative head at a Kering-owned label. Chloé returned to the top 10 for the first time since the Lyst Index began, due to Chemena Kamali's archival revivals and the popularity of its Mini Ruffled Dress—ranked 10th among the quarter's hottest products, Lyst said on its website. In a breakthrough for mass fashion, high street label COS entered the top 10, driven by a 44 per cent surge in demand and the viral success of its barrel-leg trousers—this quarter's sixth hottest item. Newcomer On also debuted in the Index, transitioning from a sneaker brand into a fashion-forward player, backed by high-profile collaborations and endorsements from Zendaya and Roger Federer. Searches for On rose by 50 per cent this quarter. Among product highlights, Celine's Marco flared jeans—worn by Kendrick Lamar at the Super Bowl—topped the list after a 412 per cent jump in searches. Meanwhile, Uniqlo's coloured socks became the most affordable product ever to enter the Index at $3.90. Paraboot's 80-year-old Michael shoes saw a 226 per cent YoY search rise, reflecting the continued consumer interest in heritage pieces, while the 'sneakerina' trend surged with Puma's Speedcat Ballet, driving a 1,300 per cent increase in searches for ballet sneakers. Brands gaining momentum include Duran Lantink, newly appointed creative director at Jean Paul Gaultier, and Dries Van Noten, now under Julien Klausner's creative lead, both benefitting from renewed media buzz and increased shopper interest. The quarterly report, compiled by fashion search platform Lyst, reflects shopping behaviours from over 160 million global users, combining search data, sales, product views, and social media engagement. Fibre2Fashion News Desk (KD)
