Major Moves: Loewe Appoints Former Proenza Schouler Designers As Creative Directors; Mugler Names A New Designer

With the worldwide economic system slowing down, the style trade has by no means been extra risky — and designers have by no means been extra susceptible. Up to now yr, the style information cycle has seen loads of artistic administrators come and go between coveted prime spots on the helm of luxurious manufacturers. Veteran figures like Hedi Slimane and John Galliano left their roles at Celine and Maison Margiela respectively, with nothing else lined up (so far as we all know). There have been some thrilling adjustments, too: final December, Matthieu Blazy left Bottega Veneta to hitch the home of Chanel, ending months of rumours and speculations about who could be Virginie Viard’s successor. In the meantime, his former function at Bottega Veneta was taken up by Louise Trotter, the previous artistic director of Carven. 

If 2024 was filled with twists and turns in trend’s so-called “sport” of musical chairs, 2025 is already seeking to outdo it. Forward, tune into all the foremost shifts throughout the trend trade and atone for all the style information to know, from artistic director appointments to departures. 

Mugler Names A New Artistic Director As Casey Cadwallader Exits

Scorching on the heels of Loewe’s main announcement, Mugler has named its new artistic director: Miguel Castro Freitas.

Freitas succeeds Casey Cadwallader, who has helmed Mugler since 2018. Throughout his seven-year tenure, Cadwallader reinvigorated the French trend model based by Thierry Mugler with a recent vitality, providing bodycon types and cut-out catsuits that had been embraced by popstars like Beyoncé, Dua Lipa and extra. 

Freitas is a comparatively behind-the-scenes determine within the trend trade. Previous to his appointment at Mugler, the Portugal-born designer and Central Saint Martins graduate labored at Lanvin, Dior (first throughout John Galliano’s tenure, and once more beneath Raf Simons), Dries Van Noten and, most lately, Sportmax, Max Mara’s sister model.

In an announcement, Danièle Lahana-Aidenbaum, the worldwide model president of Mugler Trend and Fragrances, stated: “Miguel lives and breathes the Mugler spirit. His deep understanding of Mugler’s DNA and his huge creativity and expertise made him a pure selection.”

Freitas will be a part of Mugler formally on 1 April. He’ll current his first Mugler assortment in the course of the Spring/Summer season 2026 season at Paris Trend Week this September. ⁠

Loewe Appoints Former Proenza Schouler Designers As Artistic Administrators

On 24 March, Loewe named not one however two new artistic administrators: Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez, previously of Proenza Schouler.⁠
⁠
McCollough and Hernandez will take the helm of the Spanish luxurious trend model from 7 April. The designer duo will oversee all of Loewe’s collections, together with womenswear, menswear, leather-based items and equipment.

In a joint assertion, the designers shared, “We’re extremely honoured to hitch Loewe, a home whose values and mission align intently with our personal. We stay up for working alongside its extraordinary groups and artisans, whose expertise—beneath the distinctive artistic route of Jonathan Anderson—has formed Loewe into the cultural drive it’s as we speak.”

The information comes only a week after Jonathan Anderson introduced his departure from Loewe, ending his 11-year tenure. McCollough and Hernandez exited Proenza Schouler in January 2025 after a good longer tenure. The pair, who met at Parsons College of Design, based Proenza Schouler in 2002 and instantly established it as one in all New York’s most beloved trend manufacturers. They went on to win 5 CFDA awards at their womenswear label.

Sidney Toledano, the chief government of the LVMH Trend Group, stated in an announcement, “I’ve lengthy admired Jack and Lazaro’s work at Proenza Schouler, their eclectic creativity and dedication to craft make them a pure option to construct the following chapter for Loewe.”

Jonathan Anderson Exits Loewe After 11 Years

Jonathan Anderson has formally introduced his exit from Loewe.

The style designer shared the information of his departure on Instagram, a number of days after Loewe’s Fall/Winter 2025 assortment was introduced at Paris Trend Week.

“Eleven years in the past, I used to be given essentially the most unbelievable alternative: to write down a chapter in a narrative that’s now 179 years previous,” wrote Anderson. “They are saying all good issues should come to an finish, however I disagree. Whereas my very own chapter attracts to a detailed, Loewe’s story will proceed for a few years to come back and I’ll look on with delight.”

Anderson joined Loewe as artistic director in 2013, and he spent the following 11 years shaping the Spanish luxurious home together with his eccentric imaginative and prescient. At Loewe’s trend reveals for women and men, he typically unveiled surreal gadgets that will go viral, like balloon footwear and hoop attire. He additionally oversaw the model’s buzzy collaborations with On, Studio Ghibli and Paula’s Ibiza. 

Anderson additionally launched the Loewe Craft Prize in 2016. The designer wrote, “We created a platform that genuinely helps and offers visibility to vanishing crafts, younger makers, previous masters, and new concepts. I wish to thank the (Loewe) Basis group, the members of the Jury and Professional panel for his or her time and dedication.”

Reflecting on his legacy at Loewe, Anderson wrote, “Since day one, I envisioned making a cultural model. This concept relied closely on the belief and generosity of the various artists, craftspeople, estates, foundations, museums and galleries who contributed their work. I’m sincerely grateful to you all.”

Anderson’s successor at Loewe has not been named. Many trend insiders speculate that Anderson is headed to Dior (Kim Jones stepped down from his function as artistic director of Dior Males in January 2025). The designer will proceed to helm his eponymous label, JW Anderson.

Demna Is The New Creative Director of Gucci

After 10 years at Balenciaga, Demna has been appointed to the function of creative director at Gucci, one of many greatest trend homes within the trade. He’s anticipated to hitch the home early July, after presenting his remaining couture assortment for Balenciaga.

“I’m actually excited to hitch the Gucci household. It’s an honour to contribute to a Home that I deeply respect and have lengthy admired. I stay up for writing along with Stefano and the entire group a brand new chapter of Gucci’s superb story,” the designer stated in an announcement.

Donatella Versace Steps Down As Artistic Director; Dario Vitale Succeeds Her As Chief Artistic Officer

Over in Milan, Donatella Versace has stepped down as artistic director of Versace after 30 years within the function. She is going to tackle the newly created function of chief model ambassador, whereas Dario Vitale, who minimize his tooth at manufacturers like Miu Miu and Bottega Veneta, has been put in because the model’s new chief artistic officer.

“I’m actually honoured to hitch Versace because the chief artistic officer and to be part of this particular and highly effective trend luxurious Home created by Gianni and Donatella,” Vitale stated in a statement. “The Home of Versace has a novel heritage that has spanned a long time and has formed the historical past of trend. I wish to specific my honest thanks to Donatella for her belief in me, and for her tireless dedication to the extraordinary model that Versace is as we speak. It’s a privilege to contribute to the long run progress of Versace and its international impression by my imaginative and prescient, experience and dedication.”

Following the announcement, Donatella shared a heartfelt Instagram post following the information with the caption, “I hope I’ve made you proud to date”, undoubtedly a dedication to her late brother Gianni Versace, who based the model in 1978.

Sabato De Sarno Leaves Gucci

Sabato De Sarno is leaving Gucci after two years. The information was introduced through an announcement from the Italian luxurious model on 6 February.

In that assertion, Gucci CEO Stefano Cantino says, “I wish to specific my deep gratitude to Sabato for his ardour and dedication to Gucci. I sincerely admire how he honoured Gucci’s craftsmanship and heritage with such dedication.”

De Sarno joined Gucci as its artistic director in 2023, succeeding Alessandro Michele. The Italian clothier introduced a minimalist vision to Gucci’s womenswear and menswear collections, with a deal with wardrobe staples, coats and tailoring. His Gucci campaigns had been equally simple, and he made an effort to highlight rising fashions in them. De Sarno additionally tapped celebrities like Dakota Johnson, Kendall Jenner, Paul Mescal and Debbie Harry to entrance Gucci’s campaigns.

The 41-year-old designer began his trend profession as an assistant pattern-maker at Prada, and through his early years at Valentino, the place he was design director, he targeted on designing males’s coats. De Sarno’s tenure at Gucci, which he joined after leaving Valentino, lasted two years.

De Sarno’s successor is but to be introduced. Gucci will current a set from its in-house design group throughout its Fall/Winter 2025 trend present on 25 February, throughout Milan Trend Week.

Kim Jones Exits Dior

Kim Jones is leaving Dior. The British designer is making his exit mere days after presenting his Dior Males’s Fall/Winter 2025 assortment in Paris, which acquired a standing ovation. In January 2025, Jones was additionally awarded the Knight of the Legion of Honor, France’s highest civilian honour. ⁠

⁠Jones spent seven years on the helm of Dior, taking on Kris Van Assche in 2018. He drew upon the maison’s wealthy archives of womenswear and high fashion to create fascinating menswear. He additionally created buzz with a string of collaborations with the likes of Nike, Kaws, Shawn Stussy, Hajime Sorayama, Travis Scott and Lewis Hamilton. ⁠

⁠On prime of being recognised on the CFDA and the British Trend Awards, Jones was additionally awarded an OBE by Queen Elizabeth II in 2020. The information of Jones’s departure from Dior comes three months after he stepped down at Fendi, the place he served as creative director of high fashion and girls’s ready-to-wear. ⁠

In an announcement, Jones stated, “It was a real honour to have been capable of create my collections inside the home of Dior, a logo of absolute excellence. I specific my deep gratitude to my studio and the ateliers who’ve accompanied me on this excellent journey. They’ve introduced my creations to life. I’d additionally wish to take this chance to thank the artists and pals I’ve met by my collaborations. Lastly, I really feel honest gratitude in the direction of Bernard and Delphine Arnault, who’ve given me their full help.”

⁠Dior has but to announce Jones’s successor. ⁠

Glenn Martens Joins Maison Margiela

Glenn Martens has been named as the brand new artistic director of Maison Margiela. 

The Belgian designer succeeds John Galliano, who left the Paris-based trend label in December 2024 after a decade. 

“I’ve labored with Glenn for years, I’ve witnessed his expertise, and I do know what he’s able to,” stated Renzo Rosso, chairman of OTB Group, which owns Maison Margiela. The label was based in 1988 by Belgian designer Martin Margiela, who retired from the style trade in 2009.

“After Martin, who gave life to the maison and its distinctive Artisanal line, and John who made it essentially the most cutting-edge couture home on the planet, I’m proud to have a 3rd couturier at its helm,” added Rosso. “Glenn, who studied at Antwerp’s Royal Academy of Fantastic Arts like Martin, has already proven his prowess and his imaginative and prescient in couture.”

Martens is at the moment the artistic director of Diesel — additionally owned by OTB Group — and was previously on the helm of Y/Challenge. The 41-year-old designer left his function as artistic director of Y/Challenge in September 2024, and the French trend was shuttered in January 2025. 

The date of Martens’s first trend present for Maison Margiela is but to be introduced.

The announcement from Maison Margiela and its father or mother firm OTB Group didn’t specify when Martens would present his first assortment for the model.

This text was first seen on Grazia Singapore.

For extra on the newest in luxurious trend and elegance reads, click on right here.