Sorry she’s late this week honey bunny’s, my Easter plans lasted longer than I expected them to. Also, I walked past a man as he jerked off today, haha, Happy Monday!
Anyway, let’s get into it.
Alessandro Michele has been appointed as the creative director of Valentino.
Remember when I talked about this rumor literally last week!!! If you’ve been around, you know I loved Alessandro’s Gucci, so I am, in fact, thrilled. I know the appointment of creative directors has become somewhat of a white man’s musical chairs, however, I just really love his work, and he’s someone who makes me feel magic and makes me want to dream. There’s something so, so special about his work.
As we know, Alessandro’s last appointment was at Gucci, where he was appointed as creative director in 2015, after famously having only one week to rework Frida Giannini’s Fall 2015 collection. Prior to that, he had been her design deputy since 2011, and before that was appointed as senior design director of leather goods starting in 2006. Before Gucci, he worked under Silvia Venturini Fendi and Karl Lagerfeld at Fendi.
When Alessandro left Gucci, it was kind of a shock for me, because I expected him to grow with the brand till the end, the same way Karl Lagerfeld did with Chanel. I’ve mentioned how ever since he left, I feel like there’s been this erasure of him that has not sat right with me, and I’ve been patiently waiting to see what he did next. Prior to this, he was offered a position at Walter Albini, to revive the brand, but declined, and part of me also wondered if he’d start his own label, but Valentino feels like a good fit. I feel like him and Pierpaolo are two sides of the same coin; a lot of Alessandro’s more toned down Gucci, felt very old Valentino.
His first day will be April 2, making his first collection for the brand Spring 2025, this fall. It’s interesting that they canceled the upcoming menswear and couture shows that would have happened in June, however part of me is happy with that decision, because it’ll give him time to develop a collection, which is something so few creative directors get. Just thinking about Alessandro’s couture for Valentino, pwahhhh! My eyes are sparkling.
Also, it’s a lil bit funny, that Sabato de Sarno, who replaced Alessandro at Gucci, used to be Pierapolo’s right hand at Valentino for many years.
Anyway, I don’t know who’s more excited, me or Harry Styles and Jared Leto.
- Anne Hathaway for Vanity Fair; A lot of good editorials this week, and we’re starting strong with Annie here. Very hot, very good. In the piece, she talks about stepping into her own, feeling sexy, and embodying her characters, which I think is all nicely reflected in this editorial. It’s like she’s giving each outfit it’s proper character. The LV corset with Pier Atkinson veil is so glam but BDSM, and I love the Alaïa but I don’t understand why they got rid of her nips. My favorite has to be the Mugler bodysuit though— those lucite/plastic pieces are such a good modern interpretation of Thierry Mugler’s work. Styled by Deborah Afshani.
- Rihanna for Vogue China; Margaret Zhang said, let me remind y’all who I am really quick with this last cover! Rihanna wears a lot of Louis Vuitton by Pharrell here, including custom, and so, of course, it takes a western direction. I love this, and I also like how there’s a focus on her applying makeup throughout, since this is in anticipation of her launching Fenty Beauty in China. Also that white, antebellum-esque dress!!! Styled by Alvin Yu.
- Björk for Vogue Scandinavia; The international Vogue’s are really taking it. This whole shoot is major and is giving me full, delicious fantasy, but the standout to me is obviously the cover look, with Björk in Maison Margiela Spring 2024 Couture. This was one of my favorite looks from the collection, and I’m so happy it got the moment it deserved. Every time I’ve seen someone wear a piece from this collection, I don’t even feel a sprinkle of the magic that I felt watching that show, which is a shame. I think celebrities should play into the fashion more, especially with shows that were highly conceptual, because it’s honestly beneficial to every party involved. Styled by Edda Gudmundsdottir.
- Sydney Sweeney for Who What Wear; You guys, I’ve been really impressed with the WWW editorial lately! Sydney talked about how she’s usually given the sexy blonde bombshell or girl next door edit with photoshoots, so she was excited to take a more surrealist approach with his one. The more I learn about Sydney, the more I realize just how multi-dimensional she is, and it’s kind of bizarre how people are trying to make her this one thing. Anyway, this was a fun time and I love it. Styled by Mindy Le Brock.
- The Hollywood Reporter Power Stylists Issue; If Hunter and Dara weren’t featured, I would have had to square up. I also adore Wayman and Micah, so it only makes sense that they’re featured alongside Colman Domingo, who has been consistently best dressed this award season. Cardi B and Kollin Carter are another dream team, and I’ve loved to see them grow and evolve together. Emily Blunt was also on a cover with her stylist Jessica Paster, and I wasn’t really looking for Emily like that this past year, but she looked nice. What I think of more is her stylist arguing with people in the comments on Instagram about Emily’s Oscars dress lmao. Also Demi Moore with Brad Goreski are one of the cover starts… lmao, okay Brad. That could have easily been Zendaya and Law Roach. Also Andrew Mukamel was voted stylist of the year for his work with Margot Robbie, so I don’t understand why they aren’t on one of the covers.
- Beyoncé for W; Obviously very yee-haw because of Cowboy Carter, but also very fresh off the runway! The Gucci look is actually allegedly from a pre-fall collection, so not even released yet. I find it interesting that there’s a look from Seán McGirr’s debut as creative director of Alexander McQueen and Chemena Kamali’s debut as creative director of Chloé— both collections that reflected a new era, both receiving very different reactions. Beyoncé has always been at the forefront of culture and as the article reads, “Like any true cowboy, she is always on the search for new frontiers.” She’s entering a new era, as is the fashion industry, with talks about a shakeup occurring— it’s all very cohesive. I also think there’s something to the fact that Beyoncé is wearing all the latest pieces here, some not even on the market yet, but all those year’s ago during the Destiny’s Child days, brands weren’t so generous. Styled by Sara Moonves and Shiona Turini.
- The latest Loewe campaign is just too good.
- Zendaya wore custom Loewe to the Challenger’s premiere in Syndey, and it was very lovely, but not my favorite. Jonathan Anderson works with trompe l’oeil a lot, and sometimes that is quite literal. Here Zendaya is essentially a tennis court, with the shadow of the player falling over her, along with the ball. I do like it, but I think the top could have fit a bit better. Jonathan also did the costumes for the movie, so it makes sense that we’re seeing her in Loewe, however I have heard Nicolas is not too happy, given her LV contract and her almost never wearing the brand.
She also gave us a little casual moment in Elisabetta Franchi, and it’s cute! It feels very, boyfriend’s clothes, but also leans into that bit of prep that tennis feels very synergistic with.
My favorite though had to be the custom Lacoste, based on the Fall 2024 collection. This was Pelagia Kolotouros debut as creative director, and so she was tapping into the brand’s history. If you don’t know, Lacoste was founded in 1933 by tennis player René Lacoste, so there’s that fun little tie in to the movie. I like the more athleisure take on the separates, and how they took the embroidery of the skirt into the details of the top and briefs. Then the skirt just kind of hanging off her hip like a tennis net is a nice finishing touch.
So that was this week! I feel like I’m about to pass out, so.
TTYL!!!
xx