This week, fashion’s biggest headlines covered brand sales, runway announcements, store openings and the never-ending game of designer exits.
Among the buzziest, Hedi Slimane departed from Celine after a seven-year tenure as the House’s creative director, and Michael Rider, former Polo Ralph Lauren designer, was named his successor. Elsewhere, MM6 Maison Margiela was revealed to be the next guest designer at Pitti Uomo; LVMH sold Off-White™ to Bluestar Alliance; Stüssy unveiled plans to open a new flagship in NYC, and Y/Project officially went up for sale.
Below, Hypebeast has rounded up the top fashion stories of the week so you can stay up to date on trends in the industry.
Hedi Slimane Exits Celine
On Wednesday morning, LVMH confirmed that Hedi Slimane would be departing from Celine after a seven-year tenure as the House’s creative director. “Under his creative and artistic direction, Celine has experienced exceptional growth and established itself as an iconic French couture house,” the brand said in a statement to WWD.
A few hours after the announcement, Celine revealed that Michael Rider, former creative director of Polo Ralph Lauren, would fill the role. Rider previously worked at Celine for 10 years, during Phoebe Philo’s era at the brand. Before that, he designed for Balenciaga under Nicolas Ghesquière’s leadership.
“I am delighted to welcome Michael back to Celine, a maison that he knows intimately. Michael’s vision, creative talent, together with his genuine nature and strong connection to Celine’s heritage, make him a natural choice to continue to build a long-lasting success for the maison,” said Severine Merle, CEO of Celine.
Rider will officially become the brand’s creative director early next year.
LVMH Sold Off-White™ to Brand Management Firm Bluestar Alliance
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A Ma Maniére
On Monday, LVMH sold Off-White LLC — the parent company to the Off-White™ brand — to brand management firm Bluestar Alliance. The sale occurred just three years after LVMH acquired a 60% stake in the Virgil Abloh-founded label.
Off-White™ joins Bluestar’s expanding portfolio, which presently includes Hurley, Scotch & Soda, Bebe, English Laundry and Brookstone. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
“Virgil was a creative pioneer who had a profound impact on the global fashion industry and creative community,” said Bluestar Alliance CEO Joey Gabbay in a statement. “Acquiring Off-White™ represents a unique opportunity for Bluestar Alliance to honor and build upon the enduring legacy of Virgil Abloh. His visionary approach to fashion resonates deeply with our core values. Abloh’s ability to fuse street culture with high fashion has laid a powerful foundation that aligns with our vision of fostering innovation while embracing diversity.”
MM6 Maison Margiela Named Pitti Uomo’s Next Guest Designer
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Vogue Runway
MM6 Maison Margiela has been named the guest designer of Pitti Uomo 107, which is scheduled to take place in Florence’s Fortezza da Basso from January 14 to 17, according to WWD. The brand has not yet shared the exact date or format in which it will present its Fall 2025 collection, though the label did confirm that it will be exclusively menswear.
“We are honored and excited to be invited as Pitti Uomo’s guest designer this coming January, as part of the world’s most important menswear fashion fair. We intend to bring the style and spirit of MM6, creating a menswear project specifically for Florence. After nearly 20 years, we are thrilled to return Maison Margiela to the Pitti stage and bring to the fore a contemporary menswear wardrobe that will resonate the attitude, concepts and processes of MM6,” the brand’s design team told the outlet.
MM6 Maison Margiela will show alongside Satoshi Kuwata’s Setchu, who was announced as the trade fair’s other guest designer in September. The two labels follow Marine Serre, S.S. Daley, ERL’s Eli Russell Linnetz, Grace Wales Bonner, Magliano, JW Anderson, Craig Green and several other designers who have earned the honorable title in seasons past.
Stüssy To Open New Flagship Store in New York City
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Stüssy is preparing to open a permanent flagship store in New York City’s Nolita neighborhood, according to Business of Fashion.
Following the success of its line-forming, pop-up archive store in May, the legacy SoCal streetwear imprint is preparing to take over the 5,600 square-foot retail outpost located at 50 Prince Street, which previously belonged to the city’s McNally Jackson bookstore, according to permits secured by the outlet.
The brand closed its former New York flagship store, which was located at 176 Spring Street in SoHo, at the end of last year. Notably, the outpost, which first belonged to Union, has now turned into Tremaine Emory’s Denim Tears storefront.
Y/Project Listed for Sale
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Y/Project was placed into a receivership by a Paris commercial court on September 26, according to legal filings via WWD. The report means that the brand, formerly led by Glenn Marterns, is now available for purchase. Potential buyers will have until October 16 to bid on the label.
Martens left the brand on September 6, following an 11-year tenure at its helm. In the wake of his departure, Y/Project canceled its Spring/Summer 2025 show, which was originally scheduled to take place on September 29. Stay tuned to Hypebeast for more updates on the label’s sale.
FIFA Is Putting Out a Fashion Line in Partnership With VFILES
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FIFA is partnering with VFILES to create a new ready-to-wear brand called FIFA 1904. The label, which will make both men’s and women’s clothing, is named after the year the soccer league was founded.
“As a member of the Academic Board of the FIFA Diploma in Club Management and a Director/co-owner of Barnsley Football Club, I have had a front-row seat to football in many aspects,” VFILES founder Julie Anne Quay said.
“There is a certain style in football from the executives to the players and FIFA 1904 covers the need for aspirational chic, stylish, and versatile clothing that caters to the demands of their professional lifestyles. This will inspire the creation, style, look, and feel of the FIFA 1904 collection.”
FIFA 1904’s first collection will arrive in Spring 2025.