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 October 19-25, served up in bite-sized pieces so you can catch up fast…
Qasimi Rising Unveils Mentorship Candidates With Lagos Fashion Week
Qasimi Rising, now rebranded as Q Rising, announced eight mentorship candidates in partnership with Lagos Fashion Week, including Nigerian brands Abiola Olusol, Oshobor, Pepper Row, and Y’Wandelag, alongside Ajabeng and Boyedoe from Ghana, Kente Gentlemen from Ivory Coast, and Kenya’s LilaBare. Q Rising’s initiative, which offers three years of funding and seven years of mentorship, aims to support emerging African designers with resources like coworking spaces, product development, and business support. The program includes workshops on sustainability, digital fashion, and community building, and will culminate in a 2026 awards gala. Current winner Omer Asim’s work will also be showcased at Temple Muse alongside Qasimi collections.
Miu Miu Tops Lysts’ Hottest Brands Once Again
Lyst’s latest quarterly ranking reveals Miu Miu reclaiming its top spot as the world’s hottest brand for Q3 2024, pushing Loewe to second place. Miu Miu’s success follows its pop-up stores in Asia, a Fall 2024 campaign with Cara Delevingne, and the premiere of a short film at the Venice Film Festival, leading to a 30% surge in searches. Alaïa also saw a notable rise, with a 51% increase in searches, moving up 12 spots to become the fifth-hottest brand, fueled by the popularity of its fishnet ballerina flats and Teckel bags. Ralph Lauren made its debut on the list at number 14, driven by a 151% increase in product engagement from its Team USA uniforms at the Olympics and Wimbledon activations. Other notable newcomers include Toteme, Victoria Beckham, and Chloé.
Piaget Unveils the Piaget Salon in Dubai
In celebration of its 150th anniversary, Maison Piaget has unveiled The Piaget Salon at Dubai Mall’s Grand Atrium, running from October 17 to November 3. This exclusive experiential space offers visitors an immersive journey into Piaget’s heritage and craftsmanship, with workshops led by Piaget artisans on gem setting and gold crafting. Inspired by Piaget’s first-ever salon in Geneva in 1959, the Dubai Salon mirrors the original’s gallery-like atmosphere, emphasizing creativity, savoir-faire, and refinement. Visitors can explore Piaget’s iconic timepieces, including limited-edition 150th-anniversary pieces, alongside the latest novelties. The space also brings Piaget’s L’Atelier De L’Extraordinaire from Geneva to Dubai, where raw materials are transformed into masterpieces. The salon will host private, booked experiences, giving guests a rare opportunity to engage with Piaget’s legacy of haute horology and jewelry craftsmanship, all while celebrating 150 years of artistry and innovation.
Sonam Kapoor is Dior’s Newest Brand Ambassador
Dior has announced Bollywood actress Sonam Kapoor as its new global brand ambassador, underscoring the luxury brand’s focus on India’s growing luxury market. With over 35 million Instagram followers, Sonam will represent Dior’s collections, led by creative director Maria Grazia Chiuri, as the brand strengthens its cultural ties with India. Known for her roles in films like Neerja, Sonam’s fashion influence was highlighted by her appearance at Dior’s Paris Fashion Week show, contributing $2.7 million in media impact value. Dior also showcased its pre-fall 2023 collection in Mumbai, emphasizing local craftsmanship through collaborations with Chanakya ateliers.
Gucci Reveals Cruise 2026 Show Location and Date
Gucci, under creative director Sabato De Sarno, is set to present its Cruise 2026 collection in Florence on May 15, 2025, paying homage to the city where the brand was founded in 1921. Titled “Gucci Firenze,” this will be De Sarno’s second cruise collection, following the star-studded show at London’s Tate Modern last May. Florence, central to Gucci’s history, also hosted the brand’s 2018 Cruise show under Alessandro Michele. While the exact location hasn’t been revealed, the brand’s deep ties to the city, including its first leather goods shop and the cutting-edge Gucci ArtLab, highlight the significance of this homecoming.
Moncler, Mercedes, and NIGO Unveil Limited-Edition G-Class
Mercedes-Benz has unveiled the limited-edition G-Class Past II Future, designed by Japanese fashion icon NIGO, at the “City of Genius” show in Shanghai. NIGO, best known for founding A Bathing Ape (BAPE) and as the creative director of Kenzo, brings his signature fusion of streetwear and luxury to this collaboration. The G-Class Past II Future reimagines the 1990s G-Class with a sleek, two-tone olive green and grey exterior, black and gold accents, a foldable windscreen, and checked seat upholstery. Only 20 units will be produced, making it a rare and highly collectible piece in Mercedes-Benz’s 45-year G-Class legacy. NIGO’s design blends nostalgia with modern innovation, reflecting his unique ability to merge vintage Americana and urban streetwear with contemporary luxury. This collaboration also includes a capsule fashion collection, set for release in April 2025, featuring gender-neutral streetwear that embodies NIGO’s timeless, bold style.
Prada Unveils Holiday 2024 Campaign
Prada has kicked off this year’s holiday campaigns in signature style, transporting us to the chicest dinner party imaginable. The star-studded cast includes British actor Louie Partridge, American actor Kelvin Harrison Jr., singer-songwriter Maya Hawke, and Karina, leader of K-pop group Aespa, dining alongside Prada’s iconic ‘Trick’ robots. Set against a backdrop of fine porcelain homeware in Prada’s house colors and patterns, the table features confections from Milanese pasticceria Marchesi 1824, including tiered cakes and a traditional Panettone. The guests, dressed in pieces from Prada’s Holiday collection, exude the brand’s classic aesthetic, with holiday accessories like the black Saffiano leather bag adding to the festive mood.
