WEEKLY ROUND-UP: Pop Culture, Fashion And Beauty Moments On Our Radar

IM Men: Issey Miyake’s Vision Reimagined for the Future

Issey Miyake continues to redefine its legacy with its latest collection, IM Men, unveiled in Paris at the historic Couvent des Cordeliers, titled To Wear A Piece of Cloth, the collection celebrated the profound depth and versatility of fabric, brought to life under the creative direction of Yuki Itakura, Sen Kawahara, and Nobutaka Kobayashi. The show opened with an evocative performance where models marched past massive robots twisting black panels, mimicking the movement of the garments.

Paying homage to the late Issey Miyake’s ethos, the collection combined innovative materials with striking silhouettes. It began with fashionable nomads clad in voluminous cotton pieces, elephantine dhotis, oversized capes, dramatic cowls, and Jesuit-inspired sleeves in earthy tones like ecru, putty, and pale grey. The layered, sculptural designs exuded a sense of grace synonymous with Miyake’s iconic aesthetic seamlessly transitioning into structured urban wear, featuring padded waistcoats, oversized trenches, minimalist jerkins crafted from treated cotton and suede baseball jackets paired with unembellished sweatpants reflecting a refined, modern edge. The narrative evolved further with bold rhomboid zig-zag pants, cocoon shearling jackets, and white silk accents, bridging traditional craftsmanship with futuristic designs whilst breaking boundaries, with the introduction of broken waffle-weave tunics, leggings, and boots; pieces evocative of science fiction style, and cocktail parties. The finale saw models in multifunctional cotton ensembles, transforming jackets into fabric squares held high like sails symbolising the fresh air and vitality breathed into the collection, in a perfect balance of heritage and innovation keeping Miyake’s legacy alive and relevant, while honouring his visionary spirit.

David Koma Redefines Blumarine

David Koma, the new creative director of Blumarine, has infused the iconic Italian luxury label with a fresh and playful energy. Koma’s fall 2025 pre-collection offers a glimpse into his vision, blending Blumarine’s romantic heritage with modern, edgy elements. Known for its opulent, feminine style, Blumarine now features a youthful, zesty twist under Koma’s direction with slinky silk and chiffon dresses, ruffled crepe ensembles, and lace nighties adorned with the brand’s signature floral and animal-print motifs. These glamorous pieces are paired with casual yet elevated staples like distressed jeans, sleek white suits, and leather jacket-and-trouser sets, reflecting a multi-generational appeal. It is Blumarine’s essence with bold, contemporary touches, incorporating an unexpected animal theme inspired by Helmut Newton’s iconic 1990s campaign for the brand. Playful cat and dog motifs appear throughout the collection with whimsical silhouettes. Even accessories like crystal-studded leather bracelets for pet waste bags showcase Koma’s humour and ingenuity with provocative designs like utilitarian khaki trousers bordered with lace, openwork bras embroidered onto turtleneck sweaters, and candy-pink fur accents on denim jackets and handbags.

He blends his East London aesthetic with Milanese sophistication, creating a wardrobe that is both stylish and amusing with his growing love for Milan influencing his work,  and reflecting on the city’s vibrant character and pet-friendly culture. His vision for Blumarine ensures the brand remains in the high-end market while appealing to a younger, contemporary audience. And so, with this dynamic debut, Koma breathes new life into Blumarine, setting the stage for a bold, exciting future.

I.N of Stray Kids Joins Bottega Veneta as Brand Ambassador

Bottega Veneta has announced South Korean singer I.N, a member of the uber-famous K-pop group Stray Kids, as its newest brand ambassador. I.N’s relationship with the luxury Italian fashion house began in September 2024, when he attended Bottega Veneta’s Summer 25 show at Milan Fashion Week, sharing the front row with icons like Asap Rocky and Kendall Jenner. I.N was born in Yang Jeong-in in Busan, South Korea, and debuted in 2018 with Stray Kids under JYP Entertainment in Seoul. The group has made history on the Billboard 200, becoming the first act to debut at No. 1 with their first six charting albums and I.N is known for his unique vocals and as the group’s youngest. He has also ventured into solo artistry, solidifying his position as a rising global icon and joining the Bottega fam is just one of his achievements.

Louis Vuitton and Pharrell’s Celebration of Friendship and Collaboration

Pharrell’s latest show for Louis Vuitton in Paris showcased a vibrant celebration of friendship and creativity, as he collaborated with longtime friend and Japanese designer Nigo whose partnership dates back 20 years to the LV Millionaires 1.0 sunglasses. Together, they filled the collection with their shared energy and creativity, embedding their silhouettes into ties, bags, and jackets staging the show on an elaborate circular set inspired by the Louis Vuitton monogram flower, designed by Wonderwall’s Masamichi Katayama, featuring vitrines displaying artefacts from Vuitton’s archives, complementing the nostalgic yet contemporary tone of the collection. The show opened with the Pont Neuf orchestra playing One Winged Angel, highlighting the fusion of luxury and workwear, a theme influenced by Nigo’s archive of 20th-century designs. 

Luxurious iterations of workwear included pearl-embroidered donkey-jackets, calfskin truck driver jerkins, patchwork intarsia hoodies and delivery-themed elements, like monogrammed trunks and messenger pieces, that reinforced the collection’s utilitarian vibe. Stephen Sprouse’s 2001 LV graffiti monogram also made a comeback, alongside quirky keepsakes like pink leather lobsters and baseball bat bears. The show was truly a spectacle and Pharrell’s energetic vision matched his musical brilliance all while merging luxury with playfulness and paying homage to friendships that inspire creativity.

Paul Smith Pays Tribute to His Father Through Fashion in Paris

Paul Smith’s FW25 presentation in Paris was an intimate and heartfelt homage to his late father, Harold B. Smith It was held in a seven-story mansion in the Marais, and welcomed 80 guests, creating a nostalgic atmosphere with a dark room showcasing Harold’s vintage photos, enlarger, and memorabilia from his time with Beeston Camera Club.

The collection drew directly from Harold’s photographic work, with his images transformed into artistic prints on shirts and knits featuring out-of-focus florals, doodle-like embroidery inspired by Harold’s sketches, and archival pieces like a Derbyshire leather jacket, reminiscent of photographer David Bailey’s style. In addition, Smith also paid tribute to legendary photographers Terence Donovan and Saul Leiter, incorporating Leiter’s signature shadowy urban hues with pops of headlight-like brights and collaborated with Barbour to create outerwear lined with springtime bird prints. As he guided guests through the collection, Smith expressed gratitude for his father’s influence, even clutching Harold’s Rolleiflex camera during the show.

This deeply personal presentation blended family memories, archival inspiration and British heritage, earning prolonged applause for his fitting tribute to Harold’s legacy, celebrating his creativity and long life, which ended at 94 in 1998.

Daniel Lee Rumored to Take Direction at Jil Sander

Jil Sander is reportedly close to appointing Daniel Lee as its new creative director in Milan. If confirmed, Lee will replace the design duo Luke and Lucie Meier, who will present their final collection during Milan’s women’s RTW season in February. The house of Jil Sander, owned by Renzo Rosso’s OTB Group, has been praised for its minimalist and purist vision under the Meiers, who joined in 2017 and is known for blending Japanese design elements, cocoon silhouettes, and innovative runway concepts. The duo’s tenure earned critical acclaim but is now coming to an end as OTB looks to elevate the brand to a quiet luxury giant.

Lee, currently creative director at Burberry, is no stranger to Milan, having previously revitalized Bottega Veneta with his modern take on the brand’s intreccio leather, and making himself earn widespread acclaim and commercial success. However, with Burberry facing challenges under a new CEO, Lee’s potential move seems plausible and not so much of a rumour anymore.

And it doesn’t just end there, Renzo Rosso teased the arrival of a star designer for Jil Sander but withheld confirmation, keeping us wondering. Lee’s history with Milan and connections with Rosso have fueled speculation, though an official announcement is expected after February and if true, his appointment signals a bold new chapter for Jil Sander’s evolution.

Gucci, Dior, Hermès, and Rolex Lead 2024 Luxury Rankings

1stDibs’ 2024 luxury e-commerce report announced their platform’s top-performing brands and trends, showcasing strong consumer demand for heritage and high-end luxury and Gucci, Dior, Hermès, Tiffany & Co., and Rolex have emerged as the top five brands, with standout pieces and trends that have been driving their success.

Gucci led the fashion category with the iconic 1997 Tom Ford fur Chubby, while John Galliano’s newsprint dress for Dior garnered over 200,000 views, exemplifying the enduring appeal of archival designs. In handbags, Bottega Veneta saw a 76% year-over-year surge in orders, thanks to Matthieu Blazy’s creations like the Kalimero and Andiamo bags. Hermès retained dominance, becoming the top-selling brand overall with a 57% increase in orders, reflecting its timeless desirability.

Jewellery sales were led by Tiffany & Co., Cartier, and Van Cleef & Arpels, with Tiffany & Co. achieving a 41% rise. Designs by Elsa Peretti and the growing popularity of opals, with a 32% boost in orders, contributed to the category’s growth while Rolex secured its dominance in the watch segment, accounting for three of the top five best-selling styles.

Additionally, the colour burgundy emerged as FW 24’s defining colour, aligning with the Unexpected Red Theory, which highlights red’s transformative power across fashion and interiors.

L’Oréal and IBM Collaborate to Revolutionize Sustainable Beauty with AI

L’Oréal has partnered with IBM to leverage generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) for creating sustainable cosmetic formulations aiming to advance their commitment to sustainability, focusing on renewable raw materials and reducing energy and material waste. 

The collaboration prioritises the development of a custom AI foundation model designed specifically for cosmetic formulation that will empower L’Oréal’s Research & Innovation (R&I) teams to design high-performing, sustainable, and personalized products while supporting L’Oréal’s ‘L’Oréal for the Future’  program, which targets integrating bio-sourced materials or circular economy-based formulations into most products by 2030. With IBM’s AI expertise, the system will analyze complex data sets to understand the behaviour of renewable ingredients, enabling L’Oréal’s 4,000 researchers globally to optimize formulations for inclusivity, sustainability, and personalization. The collaboration is a powerful application of GenAI, that demonstrates how customized AI can transform industries while addressing environmental challenges, and so, L’Oréal and IBM are redefining sustainable beauty through advanced technology like no other.

Sonam Kapoor Is The Face of Empowerment and Elegance for Dior Capture

In 2025, Dior reinvents its iconic Capture line, celebrating nearly 40 years of pioneering skincare innovations to combat aging rooted in advanced scientific research. Dior Capture champions universal femininity, drawing strength from the unique journeys and resilience of women worldwide through a series of portraits and conversations shot by photographer Brigitte Lacombe. Through this, Dior presents inspiring women who embody confidence, fulfillment, and individuality, and among these remarkable women is actress, producer, and fashion icon, Sonam Kapoor, known for her impactful influence in the Indian cinema.

Her accolades include a Special Mention at the National Film Awards, one of India’s highest honours. Beyond acting, she’s co-produced projects like Aisha and Veere Di Wedding with her sister, Rhea Kapoor with her influence extending beyond the screen as a global fashion icon, dazzling on red carpets at Cannes and front rows at fashion weeks. She is a passionate advocate for social causes, and has championed gender equality, LGBTQ+ rights, and mental health awareness, using her platform to highlight critical issues. Mother to the little Vayu, Kapoor epitomises the multifaceted modern woman. Her partnership with Dior Capture celebrates her strength, individuality, and unwavering commitment to empowering others, embodying the essence of Dior’s message of beauty and confidence. And so, she is one of the Capture Ambassadors for Dior among Glenn Close, Laetitia Casta, Rosamund Pike, Xin Liu and Venus Williams.