Weekly Spotlight: Met Gala 2025 Theme, Tom Ford Honored, Kim Jones Exits Fendi, and More

1. Met Gala 2025: ‘Superfine: Tailoring Black Style’ Theme Announced with Co-Chairs

With the first Monday of May now just under seven months away, the 2025 Met Gala is gearing up with the theme “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style,” led by co-chairs Colman Domingo, Lewis Hamilton, A$AP Rocky, Pharrell Williams, Anna Wintour, and honorary co-chair LeBron James. The Costume Institute’s upcoming exhibition draws from Monica L. Miller’s work, “Slaves to Fashion: Black Dandyism and the Styling of Black Diasporic Identity,” highlighting the evolution of Black dandyism from the 18th century to today through garments, paintings, and photographs. This marks Domingo’s second Met Gala, Pharrell’s sixth, and second time co-chairing since 2017, while regulars A$AP Rocky, Hamilton, and Wintour add their familiar flair—Wintour having led the event since 1995. “Superfine” will be on view from May 6 to October 26, with the Gala’s dress code to be revealed early next year.

2. Tom Ford to Be Honored with Outstanding Achievement at 2024 Fashion Awards

The British Fashion Council has announced that Tom Ford will receive the Outstanding Achievement Award at The Fashion Awards on December 2 at London’s Royal Albert Hall. The honor comes in recognition of Ford’s transformative impact on fashion, luxury, and culture, spanning over three decades. Ford first made his mark at Gucci, joining in 1990 and later becoming creative director in 1994, where he redefined the brand, elevating it into a global luxury powerhouse. In 1999, alongside Gucci CEO Domenico De Sole, Ford co-founded what is now the Kering Group, also taking on creative roles at Yves Saint Laurent. In 2005, he launched the Tom Ford brand, continuing to push boundaries with a distinctive aesthetic and high-profile design studio in London. Now part of Estée Lauder, the Tom Ford brand continues to influence fashion globally. Caroline Rush, CEO of the British Fashion Council, highlighted Ford’s extraordinary contributions not just to fashion but also to film, acknowledging his visionary role as a creative force. Past recipients of the Outstanding Achievement Award include icons such as Valentino, Giorgio Armani, and Karl Lagerfeld.

3. Kim Jones Steps Down from Fendi to Focus on Dior

Kim Jones is stepping down from his position at Fendi, where he served as artistic director of womenswear and couture, to focus entirely on his role as menswear designer at Dior. The British designer joined Fendi in 2020, a move that came in the wake of Karl Lagerfeld’s passing and the brand’s need to redefine its vision post-pandemic. Jones brought a unique blend of streetwear influences and Roman sophistication to Fendi, collaborating with artists like Kaws and Hylton Nel, and reimagining the legacy of the house with a modern edge. Known for his eclectic mix of regal tailoring and street culture, Jones made his mark on menswear during his time at Louis Vuitton and Dunhill before arriving at Dior in 2018. His departure from Fendi comes at a time of widespread changes within the LVMH group, with Hedi Slimane recently exiting Celine and Sarah Burton taking over at Givenchy. As LVMH looks to adjust its creative strategies in response to evolving market dynamics, the new creative direction for Fendi will be announced in due time, while Jones’ focus on Dior is expected to strengthen the brand’s menswear identity.

4. Mytheresa Acquires Yoox-Net-a-Porter from Richemont

Mytheresa‘s acquisition of Yoox Net-a-Porter (YNAP) from Richemont marks one of the most significant moves in luxury e-commerce this year, a sector already undergoing considerable transformation. The deal, which is expected to close in the first half of 2025, will see Mytheresa and YNAP continue as standalone brands, aiming to differentiate themselves through distinct identities and targeted customer experiences. Richemont will retain a 33 percent stake in the new entity, providing YNAP with a cash infusion of €555 million and no debt, setting the stage for a fresh start. Mytheresa hopes that combining forces with YNAP will create a stronger luxury e-commerce player, capable of reversing YNAP’s sales decline and breaking the cycle of rising customer acquisition costs and brand attrition that have troubled the sector for years. The merger positions Mytheresa to become a leading figure in luxury e-commerce, with plans to leverage YNAP’s distribution in China and the US to expand its reach. The acquisition also seeks to bring a new wave of differentiation to online luxury retail, moving away from competing on price and toward distinct brand offerings and exclusive collaborations.

5. Samuel Ross Returns to Fashion with ‘SR_A Engineered by Zara’

Samuel Ross is back in the spotlight with a fresh partnership that promises to bring his distinct vision to a wider audience. After stepping away from A-Cold-Wall, the label he founded and sold to Tomorrow Ltd earlier this year, Ross took some time out from fashion, diving into artistic projects and consulting for Beats by Apple. But now, he returns with SR_A, a high-end menswear line that launched quietly in September, and a major collaboration with Zara, the Spanish fast fashion heavyweight. Joining designers like Stefano Pilati, who also recently linked up with Zara, Ross is set to release bi-annual menswear collections under the banner “SR_A Engineered by Zara.” The line will focus on functional and refined garments, reflecting the evolution of the menswear landscape since the heady days when A-Cold-Wall emerged in 2015, capturing the luxury streetwear zeitgeist with pieces that challenged the British class system. A-Cold-Wall’s journey saw it become a staple in high-end retailers and a collaborator with names like Nike, Dr. Martens, and Timberland, but as the trend cycle shifted, the brand’s buzz began to fade. Now, with SR_A, Ross is emphasizing a slower, more thoughtful approach. The collaboration with Zara will kick off early next year, with fashion installations and artistic performances planned in cultural hotspots to mark its launch. “This isn’t about flooding the market,” Ross noted, hinting at a long-term vision for SR_A—one that evolves alongside its audience, maturing with every collection drop.

6. Robert Pattinson Returns for Dior’s Fall 2024 Icons Campaign

Robert Pattinson is back as the face of Dior‘s Fall 2024 Icons campaign, once again showcasing the brand’s signature mix of modern elegance and timeless style. Directed by Dior’s menswear creative director Kim Jones, the campaign follows Pattinson’s ongoing collaboration with Dior, which began in 2013 with Dior Homme fragrance ads and continued into menswear campaigns from 2016 onwards. This marks Pattinson’s third time fronting the Dior Icons line, and it’s clear that his connection to the house is stronger than ever. Shot by Alasdair McLellan, the imagery feels like a continuation of the narrative established in the Spring campaign, with art direction by Ronnie Cooke Newhouse and styling by Melanie Ward. The look is refined yet functional, emphasizing Dior’s utilitarian codes with Harrington jackets, cashmere knits, and wide-legged trousers, topped with long-structured wool coats. Muted tones and grey hues dominate, setting a sophisticated but understated mood. Accessories also take the spotlight, featuring bags like the messenger, tote, and weekender crafted from Dior Gravity leather adorned with the Dior Oblique motif. The collection, dropping October 31, underlines Dior’s commitment to modern tailoring while embracing an elegant casualness that feels right for now.