Missed out on the fashion chatter this week? We’ve got you covered. Every week, our inbox is flooded with hundreds of press releases, but we made it our mission to sift through all the noise so you don’t have to. Here’s your quick recap of all the key fashion news from Feb. 8 to 14, served up in bite-sized pieces so you can catch up fast…
First Time Ever Designers From Egypt and Saudi Arabia are Shortlisted for LVMH Prize
Now in its 12th edition, the LVMH Prize has announced the 20 semi-finalists for 2025, and there are three Arab designers among them. Saudi menswear label KML helmed by Ahmed Hassan, Egyptian womenswear brand (and winner of the 2024 Fashion Trust Arabia Prize) Yasmin Mansour, and Lebanese label Renaissance Renaissance founded by Cynthia Mehrej, will all present their most recent collections at a showroom on March 5 and 6 during Paris Fashion Week, where a committee of experts will select the eight finalists. It’s the first time that a designer from Saudi Arabia and Egypt are shortlisted for the prestigious prize. As for Mehrej, she previously competed for the prestigious prize in 2021.
Celine Announces Dates For Michael Rider’s Runway Debut
Celine has announced that newly appointed creative director Michael Rider will make his runway debut on July 6 during the Fall/Winter 2025 Couture season, though the specific categories—womenswear, menswear, or co-ed—remain unspecified. Rider, who steps into the role following Hedi Slimane’s sudden exit, had previously spent a decade at Celine under Phoebe Philo before a stint as Ralph Lauren’s creative director until May 2024. This debut comes amid a flurry of c-suite and design leadership changes across the fashion industry, marked by Slimane’s last Celine collection, speculated as an audition for Chanel after Virginie Viard’s departure. The show also signifies Celine’s semi-return to the traditional fashion week calendar, moving away from Slimane’s preference for off-schedule, pre-recorded runways. Expectations are high for Rider’s collection to usher in a new aesthetic direction for Celine, reminiscent of recent shifts seen at other major labels like Gucci.
Louis Vuitton presents ‘Savoir Rêver’ in Abu Dhabi
From Feb. 7 to 15, Louis Vuitton is hosting “Savoir Rêver” (“Crafting Dreams”) at Anantara Santorini in Abu Dhabi, offering a close-up look at the brand’s incredible craftsmanship. The theme “L’Âme du Voyage” (“The Spirit of Travel”) brings visitors through different setups, each telling part of the Louis Vuitton story. The journey kicks off with a lounge full of iconic pieces, moves through a reimagined airplane cabin featuring the Capucines collection, a desert picnic with the Men’s High End collection, and a train car filled with exclusive timepieces. It wraps up in a stunning display of high jewelry. In collaboration with the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO), the event highlights how Abu Dhabi is becoming a key player in shaping what luxury looks like today, with Louis Vuitton right at the heart of it.
Jacquemus Unveils First Ramadan Collection
Jacquemus is stepping into the Ramadan fashion game with its debut “Gold Capsule” Ramadan Collection, joining the ranks of major brands like Dior, Gucci, and Louis Vuitton, who have already recognized the holy month as a key moment on the fashion calendar. This limited-edition line brings a modern twist to the traditional elegance of Ramadan, featuring the standout piece Le Bisou Perle, adorned with silver and pearl, that shines with the timeless and luminous essence of the season. Alongside, classic Jacquemus favorites like Le Chiquito and Le Grand Bambino get a seasonal refresh in striking new shades of gold, silver, and green. Available for a brief 10-day period starting Feb. 5, the collection can be snagged at the Jacquemus store in Dubai Mall or online with same-day delivery on jacquemus.ae and jacquemus.sa, making it both exclusive and accessible.
Yeezy Site Gets Shut Down
Here’s a bit of fashion news we all expected: Shopify deactivated the website selling Kanye West’s T-shirts with swastikas on Tuesday, stating the merchant violated their terms by not engaging in authentic commerce practices. The site, part of the Yeezy brand, was promoted by West in a local TV ad during the Super Bowl, although it was not a national advertisement and only aired in select markets. The ad, recorded on an iPhone in a dentist’s office, aimed to draw visitors to his site, which continued to operate for over 24 hours despite selling antisemitic merchandise. This led to a backlash on social media and condemnation from the Anti-Defamation League, which highlighted the swastika’s historical association with Nazi symbolism. Amidst this controversy, West also made headlines for his antisemitic, homophobic, and misogynistic rants on Elon Musk’s X platform, leading to some of his posts being restricted. Following these events, West’s talent agency, 33&West, and his agent Daniel McCartney severed ties with him, citing his recent hateful remarks. This follows his previous dismissal from CAA in 2022 after similar outbursts.
Yemeni-British Singer Jade Thirlwall Stars in New Fendi Campaign
Fendi has tapped British-Yemeni singer Jade Thirlwall to star in its latest campaign, bringing her dynamic energy to the launch of the redesigned Mamma Baguette bag for Spring/Summer 2025. Directed by the Scandebergs duo, the campaign features the former Little Mix star’s new song and showcases her day, from routine outings to headline performances, highlighting the bag’s adaptability and style. The Mamma Baguette, known for its soft nappa leather and classic design, now comes in various sizes and colors, including luxurious black python. Catch this revamped icon in Fendi boutiques and online starting February 2025.
