This week, fashion set some exciting plans in place.
Among them, Kenzo announced that it will stage its first-ever fashion show in Shanghai, China, in an effort to connect more heavily with the market; and Peter Hawkings confirmed that he will make his debut at the helm of Tom Ford during Milan Fashion Week this September. Elsewhere, VETEMENTS’ Guram Gvasalia revealed that he’s spent the last several months designing the costumes for Madonna’s now-postponed Celebration Tour; Birkenstock is considering an IPO valued at or above $6 billion USD, and Jenny McCarthy and Carmen Electra reunited for a ’90s-inspired SKIMS campaign.
Below, Hypebeast has rounded up the top fashion stories of the week so you can stay up to date on trends in the industry.
Kenzo Will Stage Its First Show in China Later This Month
Kenzo is preparing to host its first runway show in Shanghai, China, for its men’s and women’s Spring 2024 collection, according to WWD. The event, which is scheduled to take place on July 28, will mark the second showcase for the line.
Creative director NIGO previously staged the brand’s Spring 2024 collection during Paris Fashion Week Men’s on June 23 at the Passerelle Debilly, which connects the Eiffel Tower and Palais de Tokyo over the river Seine. Kenzo’s forthcoming China runway will serve as a follow-up to the flagship spectacle, as the country represents a sizable market for the label.
Kenzo is “reinforcing its strong commitment and growing presence in the Chinese market,” where the Paris-based label runs 40 retail outposts, per a statement from the brand that was shared with the outlet. Notably, the second runway will feature new versions of central looks that were included in the Paris showcase.
Peter Hawkings Will Debut at Tom Ford During Milan Fashion Week This Fall
Tom Ford on Thursday announced that it will present its Spring/Summer 2024 womenswear collection during Milan Fashion Week in September. The show will mark Peter Hawkings’ debut as the label’s creative director, following his appointment to the role in April.
In a statement, Hawkings said, “I am honored to have been appointed Creative Director of Tom Ford and to have this unique opportunity to help write the next chapter in the brand’s future. Italian craftsmanship and excellence have been a source of inspiration for our collections and I am delighted to be showing during Milan Fashion Week.”
VETEMENTS’ Guram Gvasalia Designed the Costumes for Madonna’s Celebration Tour
Guram Gvasalia, creative director of Vetements, revealed via Instagram on Wednesday that he had secretly been working on making the costumes for Madonna’s forthcoming Celebration Tour over the last several months.
Alongside an image of the pair hard at work, Gvasalia wrote, “@MADONNA thank You so much for the last months! Working so closely together on the costumes for your tour and bringing our visions and creativity into one big CELEBRATION. Designing your costumes was such a privilege and an honor. Seeing you work, seeing your drive and determination is so inspiring, now I understand why you are who you are. You are a fighter, you are an icon, you are THE QUEEN!”
Balenciaga Unveiled the Prices for Select Pieces in Its Latest Couture Collection
Following the debut of its 52nd Couture collection, Balenciaga pulled back the curtain on the prices for some of its most expensive wares.
The most expensive item on the list — Look 53, a bustier dress featuring red tulle — is priced at $109,000 USD. Notably, the design includes a full-length array of corkscrew ribbons, each of which was hand-cut, flooded and placed on the garment in all different sizes. Elsewhere, the collection’s Opera Pump pantshoe, made from high-grade silk knit, costs $16,300 USD; Look 36’s maxi overcoat is listed for $43,500 USD, and the Rivoli choker is marked at $22,200 USD.
See the full list of astronomical prices here.
Birkenstock Is Considering an IPO Valued at More Than $6 Billion USD
German footwear label Birkenstock is eyeing an initial public offering, according to a report from Bloomberg. The company’s owner, L Catterton, is reportedly considering taking Birkenstock public, and its already in talks with investors, including Goldman Sachs and JPMorgan.
L Catterton, backed by LVMH, purchased Birkenstock in 2021, alongside Financière Agache, for $4.35 billion USD. Now, the revered sandal maker could be valued at or above $6 billion USD in an IPO, per Bloomberg‘s sources.
The company has not yet disclosed further plans on the subject.
Ye Reportedly Tapped American Apparel’s Dov Charney as YEEZY CEO
In an unprecedented move, Ye reportedly named ousted American Apparel and now Los Angeles Apparel CEO Dov Charney the new CEO of YEEZY.
The report, which surfaced via Puck‘s Laura Sherman, stated that “West has asked Charney to run the YEEZY business,” while noting that this is not the first business partnership to exist between Ye and Charney.
Charney previously faced sexual harassment allegations, as well as a history of mismanagement claims. Sherman’s report states that the defamed businessman’s “own transgressive, controversy-stoking instincts are undiminished.” An official announcement of Charney’s appointment has not yet been made.
Jenny McCarthy and Carmen Electra Reunited for a ’90s-Inspired SKIMS Campaign
After dropping a Steven Klein-shot, faux-leather swim campaign last month, Kim Kardashian’s SKIMS returned with a new set of sartorial images — this time, starring ’90s icons Jenny McCarthy and Carmen Electra. The car-wash-inspired campaign celebrates the long-standing impact that both stars have made on pop culture throughout their careers, while “reminding the world that confidence and sexiness cannot be confined,” according to the brand.
“The energy on set was incredible, especially shooting alongside Carmen, who looks amazing,” said McCarthy in a statement. “It felt like we were back in the 90s, and years later we’re still having fun together!”
“Being reunited with Jenny for this SKIMS campaign was such a dream,” added Electra. “Not only does she still look incredible, she also brought the best energy to set and was my biggest cheerleader. I’m so happy we’re able to share in this iconic moment together!”
See the full campaign here.
The U.S. EPA Could Halt Spray-Applied Stain Guard Manufacturing Under a New Regulation Framework
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on Thursday shared a new framework for evaluating the safety of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, and outlining their new uses.
PFAS, also commonly referred to as forever chemicals, are found in a variety of products, despite their known harm to human health and the bioaccumulation risks that they pose over time. In fashion, particularly, PFAS can be found in stain guards, which oftentimes come in direct contact with the human body. Several states have already placed bans on PFAS in apparel, and many brands, including American Eagle, Levi’s and The North Face, have done so as well; but this new framework could potentially eliminate the chemicals entirely.