Weekly Spotlight: The Devil Wears Prada Sequel, Armani’s NY Show, Mango’s AI Campaign, and More

1. “The Devil Wears Prada” Returns: Sequel Reportedly in Progress at Disney

Disney is bringing back the beloved world of fashion with a sequel to the 2006 hit “The Devil Wears Prada,” featuring the return of key cast members. Meryl Streep will reprise her role as the formidable Miranda Priestly, now facing the challenges of the digital age as traditional print media declines. Emily Blunt’s character, Emily Charlton, has risen to a high-powered executive position in a luxury consortium, setting the stage for new conflicts over lucrative advertising contracts. Anne Hathaway’s character, Andy Sachs, is notably absent from initial reports, adding to the intrigue of the storyline. The original film, inspired by Lauren Weisberger’s experiences at Vogue under Anna Wintour, achieved critical and commercial success, becoming a cultural touchstone. The sequel, directed by David Frankel with a script by Aline Brosh McKenna, aims to capture the magic of the first film while addressing the modern challenges of the fashion industry. Fans of the original can look forward to a fresh yet familiar journey through the glamorous and cutthroat world of high fashion.

2. Celine Expands Fragrance Line with New Bath and Body Collection

Celine is broadening its beauty offerings with an expanded line of bath and body products, enriching the sensory experience for its devoted clientele. This fall, the French fashion house, under the creative direction of Hedi Slimane, will introduce a range of new products including liquid hand soaps, hand creams, body milk, and hair mists. Each of these items will feature some of Celine’s most cherished fragrances like Parada, La Peau Neu, Reptile, and Cologne Céleste, catering to the sophisticated tastes of its customers. The addition of these products builds on last year’s successful introduction of perfumed body oil, solid soaps, and bath milk, marking Celine’s continuing foray into the comprehensive beauty and wellness market. This initiative also aligns with their recent ventures into cosmetics with the upcoming Rouge Triomphe lipstick and a wellness-oriented Pilates collection, setting the stage for a more extensive range of cosmetic products slated for release in January 2025.

3. Giorgio Armani Celebrates 90th Birthday with Special New York Fashion Show

Celebrating his 90th birthday, Giorgio Armani, a titan of the fashion industry, has announced a landmark fashion show in New York set for October 17th. Armani, who launched his namesake brand in 1975 alongside his life partner Sergio Galeotti, continues to be a formidable influence in both Italian and international fashion. Marking over half a century in the industry, Armani’s journey began in Milan as a window dresser before his big break with Nino Cerruti in 1964. Known affectionately as “King Giorgio” and the “King of the Deconstructed Jacket,” his designs have redefined modern menswear and elegantly dressed women worldwide. The upcoming show in New York will feature his Spring/Summer 2025 women’s collection, coinciding with the inauguration of a new building on Madison Avenue. This event also marks Armani’s notable return to New York after eleven years, merging the celebration of his significant new opening with his seasonal showcase, which was initially planned for Milan. In honor of his illustrious career, the Milano Fashion Library is dedicating a week-long exhibition to Armani, showcasing publications and materials spanning his storied career, from July 11th to 19th.

4. Mango Launches First AI-Generated Campaign for Its Teen Line

Mango has taken a significant step into the future with the launch of its first AI-generated campaign, showcasing the Spanish high street giant’s commitment to innovation. Spearheaded by Jordi Alex, Chief Information Technology Officer, the campaign aims to blend technological advancement with creative processes, reflecting Mango’s forward-thinking approach. This initiative involved collaboration across various internal teams, including design, art, styling, and AI model training. Despite potential ethical concerns about AI reinforcing biases, Mango has been a pioneer in integrating artificial intelligence since 2018, developing over fifteen AI-powered platforms to enhance different aspects of its operations. These innovations range from pricing strategies and personalized customer experiences to an internal conversational platform and an image generation tool that inspires design and product development. In January, Mango further embraced digital innovation by joining the metaverse through Roblox, creating a virtual store that allows users to purchase digital versions of Mango clothing and accessories. This AI-driven campaign marks another milestone in Mango’s journey to blend technology with fashion, pushing the boundaries of creativity and operational efficiency.

5. Pharrell Launches LVERS: His First Fragrance for Louis Vuitton

Pharrell Williams has launched his first fragrance for Louis Vuitton, titled LVERS, created in collaboration with master perfumer Jacques Cavallier-Belletrud. The fragrance embodies Pharrell’s philosophy, “What will you do when the sun shines on you?” and draws inspiration from light and photosynthesis. The campaign, recently launched by Louis Vuitton, visually interprets this concept, highlighting the natural ingredients in a “solar composition.” LVERS features a gender-neutral scent with woody notes of cedar and sandalwood, accented by ginger extract and bergamot, and anchored by the unique Iranian gum resin, galbanum, which enhances its plant-like aroma. Belletrud explained that the fragrance aims to translate the essence of photosynthesis, which is fundamental to all life forms, into an olfactory experience. LVERS is now available for purchase online and in Louis Vuitton stores, priced at $320 USD, offering a new sensory dimension to Pharrell’s creative portfolio.

6. Saks Parent Company Acquires Neiman Marcus with Amazon as Key Investor

In a landmark deal for the retail industry, Hudson’s Bay Co. (HBC), the parent company of Saks Fifth Avenue, has acquired Neiman Marcus Group for $2.65 billion. This acquisition, which has been in the making for over a decade, also involves major investments from Amazon, private equity firm Apollo, and software company Salesforce. HBC’s Executive Chairman and CEO, Richard Baker, expressed his excitement about finally reaching an agreement, highlighting the strategic benefits of the merger. The newly formed division, Saks Global, will oversee a portfolio of luxury retail and real estate assets, including Saks Off 5th and Neiman-owned Bergdorf Goodman. Marc Metrick, the current CEO of Saks, will lead Saks Global, while Ian Putnam will head Saks Global Properties. HBC’s Canadian operations will remain separate from Saks Global. The deal is financed through a combination of equity from new and existing shareholders, debt, and a significant loan from Apollo-managed funds and Bank of America. Amazon’s involvement aims to drive innovation for customers and brand partners, marking a significant collaboration in the luxury retail sector.