Weekly Spotlight: LVMH Sells Off-White, Rider Joins Celine, CFDA/Google Equity Fellowship, and More
1. LVMH Sells Virgil Abloh’s Off-White to Bluestar Alliance
LVMH has sold Off-White, the brand founded by the late Virgil Abloh, to Bluestar Alliance, a New York-based firm known for acquiring and revitalizing contemporary brands. Off-White, once a leader in the streetwear-luxury crossover, has faced growing competition and shifting trends in recent years. Bluestar Alliance, which manages a diverse range of lifestyle labels including Scotch & Soda, Hurley, and Bebe, sees the acquisition as an opportunity to honor Abloh’s legacy while guiding Off-White into its next phase of growth. The brand became iconic for its bold collaborations with Nike, IKEA, and Evian, but since Abloh’s passing in 2021, it has struggled to maintain its cultural relevance. Now, with Bluestar at the helm, the goal is to reignite the brand’s creative momentum while adapting to a market that’s increasingly focused on innovation, inclusivity, and evolution.
2. Michael Rider Replaces Hedi Slimane as Artistic Director at Celine
Michael Rider has been appointed as the new artistic director of Celine, just hours after Hedi Slimane’s departure from the LVMH-owned house. A key player during Phoebe Philo’s influential era at Celine, Rider returns to the brand with a deep understanding of its minimalist, intellectual roots. Having recently stepped down as womenswear creative director at Ralph Lauren, where he was instrumental in reshaping the brand’s luxury identity, Rider now takes the reins at Celine starting in early 2025. His appointment marks a significant moment for the maison, as it seeks to build on the success of Slimane’s tenure while reconnecting with the legacy Philo established. Known for his experience under fashion giants like Nicolas Ghesquière at Balenciaga and his pivotal role at Celine under Philo, Rider is set to infuse the brand with a renewed vision that aligns with its heritage and contemporary relevance. All eyes will be on how he evolves Celine’s identity in the post-Slimane era, as the fashion world eagerly anticipates his first collection.
3. CFDA and Google Launch Fashion Equity Fellowship to Support Inclusive Design
The Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) has teamed up with Google to launch the Fashion Equity Fellowship, a groundbreaking initiative aimed at pushing the boundaries of inclusive design in American fashion. Running through spring 2025, the fellowship provides three selected brands—Area, Collina Strada, and Diotima—with $50,000 grants to fuel their New York Fashion Week collections in February 2025. Designers Beckett Fogg and Piotrek Panszczyk of Area, Hillary Taymour of Collina Strada, and Rachel Scott of Diotima will work directly with Google’s Product Inclusion and Equity team to incorporate inclusivity and diverse perspectives into their creations. CFDA CEO Steven Kolb emphasized the fellowship as an extension of the CFDA’s commitment to social impact, stating that the program will help these designers continue innovating while considering the experiences of underrepresented communities. This collaboration marks a powerful step toward integrating tech-driven solutions into fashion’s ongoing conversation around equity and representation.
4. Alberta Ferretti Steps Down as Creative Director of Her Eponymous Brand
Alberta Ferretti, the renowned Italian designer and founder of her namesake brand, has officially stepped down as creative director after more than four decades at the helm. Known for her romantic, ethereal designs that helped shape Italian fashion in the 1980s, Ferretti’s decision marks the end of an era. Her departure comes as her luxury group, Aeffe, faces financial struggles, reporting significant losses and a decline in revenue in recent years. Despite setbacks, Ferretti remains deputy chairman of Aeffe, which also owns Moschino and Philosophy di Lorenzo Serafini. While her brand has seen challenges with an aging customer base and over-reliance on wholesalers, there is optimism for a revival within Aeffe, particularly with Moschino, where new creative director Adrian Appiolaza is bringing fresh energy to the brand. Ferretti’s departure opens the door for a new chapter, both for her namesake label and for the luxury house she built from the ground up.
5. Alberto Caliri Replaces Filippo Grazioli as Creative Director at Missoni
Missoni has announced a major shift in creative leadership, appointing company veteran Alberto Caliri as the new creative director, replacing Filippo Grazioli after a two-year tenure. Caliri, who previously stepped in as interim creative director in 2021 and later led Missoni’s home collection, is now tasked with overseeing the brand’s entire output. Grazioli, a former Martin Margiela alum and Riccardo Tisci team member, aimed to bring a sleeker, more modern vision to the iconic Italian knitwear house, but his approach, which reduced Missoni’s vibrant color palette and complex patterns, ultimately failed to resonate with the brand’s rich heritage. Known for pushing Missoni’s signature zigzags into experimental territory, Grazioli’s vision struggled to balance innovation with the brand’s essence. Caliri’s deep understanding of Missoni’s DNA, thanks to his long-standing collaboration with Angela Missoni, positions him to guide the house forward with a more harmonious blend of tradition and modernity, just as the brand seeks to realign with its layered, colorful legacy.
