Here are some of this week’s news and features highlights handpicked by TheIndustry.fashion team.
In Pictures: Valentino unveils Alessandro Michele’s first collection for Spring 2025
Over the past year, there have been a plethora of creative directorial switch-ups among some of fashion’s biggest names. This week, Alessandro Michele’s debut collection for Valentino was unveiled.
The surprise 171-piece debut ready-to-wear collection for Spring 2025 was shown at Milan Fashion Week. It comes months ahead of schedule, given Michele only joined the Milan-based fashion house in March 2024.
Michele is best known for his eight year stint as the Creative Director of Gucci, where he championed the ‘more is more’ aesthetic. When I first looked at the images from his first go at designing for Valentino, it was a far cry from Pierpaolo Piccioli’s (Michele’s predecessor) creative vision. Instead, I thought I was looking at a Gucci image catalogue. Is this the needed revamp that the house was after? Only time – and sales – will tell.
Chloe Burney, Senior News & Features Writer.
Fashion shopping helps UK retail sales rebound in May
Could we finally be over the hump? The sun is out, one way or another we will have a new Government in a matter of days, and there are football and the Olympics to get excited about. All of these factors seem to be conspiring to encourage fashion shoppers to loosen their purse strings a little.
It’s very refreshing to see that fashion sales have been driving overall retail sales in the latest ONS figures. After what has seemed like an eternity of writing about fashion sales being in a slump, they seem to be rebounding.
I don’t want to get too excited as the industry is still incredibly challenged, but I do want to believe the dark days (and equally dark weather) are almost behind us and it’s time for us all to channel our energies into the opportunities that lie ahead. Here’s hoping anyway.
Lauretta Roberts, Co-founder, CEO and Editor in Chief.
The Interview: V&A curator Sonnet Stanfill on Naomi Campbell’s impact on fashion and beyond
In a first-of-its-kind exhibition, the V&A’s NAOMI: In Fashion showcases the life of catwalk icon Naomi Campbell. But as the London museum’s senior fashion curator Sonnet Stanfill says, having been given “unparalleled access” to Campbell’s own memories, stories and wardrobe, it provides a truly “unique window into someone who’s become more than a supermodel”.
Stanfill speaks about the new exhibition, which opens from 22 June and collates garments, mementos and photographs from the supermodel’s multifaceted 40-year career, diving into her impact on fashion and culture far beyond clothes. It marks the latest fashion-focused showcase at the V&A, having also hosted Gabrielle Chanel. Fashion Manifesto, DIVA, and Fashioning Masculinities: The Art of Menswear exhibitions over recent years, and I’m sure fashion enthusiasts will be as eager to visit.
Sophie Smith, News Editor & Senior Writer.
Gymshark launches new ‘We Do Gym’ platform to affirm its market position
It was interesting to see this week that Gymshark has taken the step to really hit home its gym brand credentials with a new brand platform – and accompanying campaign – called ‘We Do Gym’.
It will act as the foundation for all of the brand’s marketing activity over the next 12 months and has been created to really differentiate Gymshark from the mass of athleisure and sportswear suppliers out there. It’s a firm affirmation of its market position.
As Noel Mack, Chief Brand Officer at Gymshark, put it: “People sometimes mistake us for a sports brand or an athleisure brand, but we’re a gym brand,” describing it as “our reason for existing and for our community – it’s their reason to believe in us.”
The We Do Gym platform also protects the legacy of Gymshark Founder Ben Francis, who created the brand in 2012 after becoming obsessed with the gym but not finding any clothing he actually wanted to wear while working out.
Tom Bottomley, Contributing Editor.
Highlights from TheIndustry.fashion LIVE: Preparing for Peak
On Tuesday, TheIndustry.fashion hosted its latest event, equipping brands and retailers such as Marks & Spencer, Reiss, Urban Outfitters, Aligne, End Clothing, Harrods, Seraphine, JoJo Maman Bébé, and more with insights and inspiration to ensure they have the best chance at success for the golden quarter of 2024.
Hosted in partnership with Bleckmann, sponsored by Aptos and Shopline, and supported by Shoosmiths, the event invited fashion industry professionals to learn from brands, retailers and industry experts from the likes of Snapchat, Smythson, Stüssy and Nobody’s Child, amongst others, on how to plan now for promotions, stock availability, deliveries, and more to ensure they can capitalise on the most crucial trading period of the year. Both an insightful and entertaining event, if we do say so ourselves, the highlights from TheIndustry.fashion LIVE: Preparing for Peak are available here. Interested in attending the next event? Sign up for our daily newsletter to be the first to hear about future events.
Sophie Smith, News Editor & Senior Writer.
