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. 22-28, served up in bite-sized pieces so you can catch up fast…
Gentle Monster and Maison Margiela Are Back With Another Collab
The third time’s a charm for Maison Margiela and Gentle Monster. The two brands are back with their biggest collaboration yet, marking their third partnership with a 20-piece eyewear collection featuring eight sunglasses and 12 optical frames. Building on their previous releases, this lineup fuses cybercore aesthetics with metallic materials, cable temples, and Margiela’s signature white stitches motif. Standout statement shades come in silver and green metallic finishes alongside classic hues like black, gray, navy, ivory, red, and tortoiseshell. To celebrate, the brands will open cybercore-inspired pop-ups in seven cities, though locations remain undisclosed. The collection launches online via Gentle Monster and select retailers on March 5, with an in-store release following on March 6.
Louis Vuitton Is Bringing Back Takashi Murakami’s Iconic Cherry Blossom Print
Following the frenzy over Louis Vuitton’s revival of its Y2K-era collaboration with Takashi Murakami, the French maison is gearing up for the second drop—this time spotlighting Murakami’s beloved kawaii cherry blossom motif. Famously seen on Mean Girls queen bee Regina George’s pink purse, these cheerful, wide-eyed flowers have become a symbol of optimism, blending traditional Japanese aesthetics with global pop culture. Unlike the first launch, which featured over 200 items, this drop is a more curated selection of around 40 pieces, including Louis Vuitton classics like the Speedy, silk scarves, sneakers, platform sandals, and even the packaging for the Spell on You perfume. The collection will be pre-launched online on March 14 before arriving in stores worldwide on March 21.
Louis Vuitton Becomes Official Partner of Real Madrid
In other Louis Vuitton news, the French luxury label is rumored to replace Zegna as Real Madrid’s official fashion partner starting next season, marking a historic collaboration between two global powerhouses. This isn’t the French luxury brand’s first foray into soccer—Jude Bellingham was named a Friend of the House last year, and Louis Vuitton famously staged the iconic 2022 World Cup photo of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. Under Pharrell Williams’ creative direction, the brand has leaned further into the sport with releases like the ‘Footprint’ Astros and luxury jerseys debuted at Paris Fashion Week. Taking over from Zegna, which signed with Real Madrid in 2022, Louis Vuitton will provide high-end travel wear for the club’s men’s, women’s, and basketball teams—blending the worlds of elite sport and luxury fashion like never before.
Brunello Cucinelli To Receive Outstanding Achievement Award
The British Fashion Council has announced that Brunello Cucinelli will receive this year’s Outstanding Achievement Award, presented by Pandora Jewelry at The Fashion Awards on December 1, 2025, at the Royal Albert Hall. Honored for his contributions to fashion and Italian garment production, Cucinelli has been a pioneer in cashmere and design while upholding a deep respect for his employees and the human impact of his business. Born in Castel Rigone, the son of a farmer, he built his namesake brand into a billion-euro empire while remaining its creative director, designer, and executive chair. A staunch advocate for domestic production and preservation, he dedicated 25 years to restoring the medieval village of Solomeo, reviving its historic architecture and cultural significance. Cucinelli joins past recipients like Tom Ford, Valentino Garavani, Giorgio Armani, and Miuccia Prada in receiving this prestigious honor.
Bottega Veneta to Unveil New Headquarters
Following Matthieu Blazy’s move to Chanel, Louise Trotter, formerly of Carven, joined as creative director of Bottega Veneta in January but will not be presenting a runway show at Milan Fashion Week. Instead, the brand is celebrating the opening of its new Milan headquarters in the historic former Manzoni Theater on Piazza San Fedele, restored with the help of Belgian architectural firm Office Kersten Geers David Van Severen. The space, where Blazy debuted his first Bottega collection in 2022, now houses an expansive showroom and cultural hub across three of its seven floors. To mark the occasion, Patti Smith will perform as part of Correspondences, a touring project by Soundwalk Collective, debuting a tribute to Italian architect Carlo Mollino and his Casa Mollino in Turin. While there’s no official word on when Trotter’s first collection will be unveiled, stay tuned for updates.
Jil Sander Joins the Designer Musical Chairs
Luke and Lucie Meier took their final bow at Jil Sander on Wednesday morning during Milan Fashion Week, marking the end of their eight-year tenure at the minimalist luxury house. Backstage, emotions ran high as longtime models embraced in tears, while OTB chairman Renzo Rosso presented the duo with a massive bouquet. By evening, the news was official—their departure was described as mutual. In a heartfelt Instagram post, Luke expressed gratitude for the friendships and achievements built over their time at the brand. Rosso, in turn, praised their vision and dedication. Their exit is the latest in a wave of designer shakeups defining this Milan Fashion Week, with Bally’s Simone Bellotti rumored as a successor.
