Martine Rose is set to lead Balenciaga, while Shar Dubey joins The RealReal’s board, PVH appoints Frits Dirk van Paasschen, and Schotex Global hires René Gagell.
12:02 PMWWD26 stories from 3 sources
Fashion’s Reset Runs From Luxury Leadership to Operating Systems
Day’s Recap
Supporting Articles
Martine Rose, known for her relaxed urban aesthetic and engagement with London's diverse communities, will become Balenciaga's creative director. She succeeds Pierpaolo Piccioli, who has departed the Kering-owned brand.
1:24 AMWWDKering has parted ways with Balenciaga creative director Pierpaolo Piccioli after a short tenure and plans to announce his successor soon. His departure is the third creative-director exit from the group in less than a month.
12:01 AMWWDUnder Armour is reshaping its footwear business around the needs of athletes as part of a broader reset. Executive chairman and founder Kevin Plank said the current $1 billion footwear business has significant room to grow.
5:11 PMWWDUnder Armour shares fell after second-quarter sales declined 7%, while CEO Kevin Plank said the company is working to improve efficiency and sharpen its product offering.
7:50 AMWWDFIGS reported third-quarter revenue of $190.7 million, ahead of the $182.8 million estimate, and delivered a fourth consecutive quarter of at least 25% revenue growth. Non-scrubwear and international sales grew as health care professionals expanded their purchases into underscrubs, compression socks, outerwear and off-duty apparel.
6:21 PMBloomberg MarketsThe European Union has withdrawn its proposed Green Claims Directive. The decision leaves fashion brands navigating less uniform rules for substantiating environmental marketing claims even as scrutiny of greenwashing continues.
3:22 PMWWDFashion companies including Prada, a South Korean Nike manufacturer and Amazon are adopting or testing artificial intelligence tools from providers such as OpenAI and Palantir.
9:30 AMWWDLululemon CEO Heidi O’Neill is filling key brand and strategy roles as she builds out the senior leadership team established last month. The appointments form part of a broader reset under her leadership.
4:05 PMWWDThe American Apparel and Footwear Association reported trade barriers in 12 countries to the U.S. Trade Representative, citing import licensing, customs valuation and enforcement practices among other concerns.
8:00 AMWWD12:02 PMWWD
Shuffle Board: Martine Rose to Lead Balenciaga
Summary
Martine Rose is set to lead Balenciaga, while Shar Dubey joins The RealReal’s board, PVH appoints Frits Dirk van Paasschen, and Schotex Global hires René Gagell.
Balenciaga’s leadership change puts an independent designer with a strong cultural point of view at
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Rose’s appointment could reset Balenciaga’s direction and raise the stakes for how luxury groups balance distinctive creativity with commercial scale.
1:24 AMWWD
Martine Rose Named Creative Director of Balenciaga
Summary
Martine Rose, known for her relaxed urban aesthetic and engagement with London's diverse communities, will become Balenciaga's creative director. She succeeds Pierpaolo Piccioli, who has departed the Kering-owned brand.
Balenciaga is moving from Piccioli's leadership to a designer whose work is rooted in subculture,
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The choice signals Balenciaga's renewed bet on cultural relevance and an urban-led creative direction.
12:01 AMWWD
Pierpaolo Piccioli Becomes Third Creative Director to Exit Kering in Less Than a Month
Summary
Kering has parted ways with Balenciaga creative director Pierpaolo Piccioli after a short tenure and plans to announce his successor soon. His departure is the third creative-director exit from the group in less than a month.
Three creative departures in rapid succession point to broad instability in Kering’s brand leadership, not
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Kering’s succession decisions will affect brand identity, product direction, and investor confidence across its luxury portfolio.
5:11 PMWWD
Athlete Focus Guides Under Armour’s Footwear Reset
Summary
Under Armour is reshaping its footwear business around the needs of athletes as part of a broader reset. Executive chairman and founder Kevin Plank said the current $1 billion footwear business has significant room to grow.
Under Armour is treating footwear as the main growth lever in its turnaround, not simply
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Under Armour’s recovery depends on proving that better footwear can rebuild both brand relevance and growth.
7:50 AMWWD
Under Armour Stock Drops as Q2 Sales Fall 7%
Summary
Under Armour shares fell after second-quarter sales declined 7%, while CEO Kevin Plank said the company is working to improve efficiency and sharpen its product offering.
The sales decline puts pressure on Under Armour to prove that its turnaround measures can
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Under Armour must balance operational repair with product and brand renewal as weaker sales expose the limits of cost-focused recovery.
6:21 PMBloomberg Markets
FIGS Beats Earnings as Demand Outstrips Supply, CEO Trina Spear Says
Summary
FIGS reported third-quarter revenue of $190.7 million, ahead of the $182.8 million estimate, and delivered a fourth consecutive quarter of at least 25% revenue growth. Non-scrubwear and international sales grew as health care professionals expanded their purchases into underscrubs, compression socks, outerwear and off-duty apparel.
FIGS is broadening from a scrub brand into a work-and-lifestyle uniform for health care professionals.
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FIGS is turning a specialized uniform business into a broader professional apparel platform.
3:22 PMWWD
EU Pulls Plug on Green Claims Directive
Summary
The European Union has withdrawn its proposed Green Claims Directive. The decision leaves fashion brands navigating less uniform rules for substantiating environmental marketing claims even as scrutiny of greenwashing continues.
The withdrawal removes a potential compliance framework but does not reduce the reputational or legal
Unlock the full First Pass Analysis to get a better understanding of why this story mattersWhy it matters
The EU’s retreat may delay harmonized standards while making sustainability communication harder to manage across markets.
9:30 AMWWD
Talk to My Agent: These Fashion Companies Have Tapped OpenAI and Palantir
Summary
Fashion companies including Prada, a South Korean Nike manufacturer and Amazon are adopting or testing artificial intelligence tools from providers such as OpenAI and Palantir.
AI adoption is spreading across fashion's design, manufacturing, retail and operational functions rather than remaining
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Fashion companies are treating AI as infrastructure for core operations, not just as a marketing feature.
4:05 PMWWD
Lululemon CEO Heidi O’Neill Fills Key Brand and Strategy Positions for Reset
Summary
Lululemon CEO Heidi O’Neill is filling key brand and strategy roles as she builds out the senior leadership team established last month. The appointments form part of a broader reset under her leadership.
O’Neill is moving from leadership design to execution by staffing the roles that will shape
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Lululemon’s leadership hires will reveal whether its reset is a structural change or a rebranding of the existing strategy.
8:00 AMWWD
AAFA Reports to USTR on Foreign Trade Barriers
Summary
The American Apparel and Footwear Association reported trade barriers in 12 countries to the U.S. Trade Representative, citing import licensing, customs valuation and enforcement practices among other concerns.
The industry is pressing the U.S. government to address friction that raises the cost and
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Trade administration, not just tariff rates, is becoming a material risk for global fashion supply chains.
Other Developments
A curated list of other prominent stories from this day.
Recent earnings reports showed that Ralph Lauren and Tapestry are gaining traction from their strategic plans, while Capri and Under Armour are still working through their own transformations. The results underscore how difficult and uneven turnarounds remain in fashion.
5:29 PMWWDApproach shoes, originally designed to bridge hiking and climbing, are gaining visibility across the outdoor market. The category has grown over the past year and shows signs of expanding further.
5:24 PMWWDThe fifth Venice Sustainable Fashion Forum examined how fashion’s supply chain can meet measurable sustainability targets amid ongoing disruption. Discussions focused on artificial intelligence, collaboration, and the industry’s expanding relationship with space-related technologies.
3:54 PMWWDREI Co-op and Japanese brand Beams have revisited REI’s 1986 Expedition Parka in a new collaboration. The project draws on the retailer’s outdoor archive and emphasizes the garment’s original performance heritage.
2:53 PMWWDDior has opened a seasonal pop-up at Harrods running through Dec. 27. Its design draws on holiday themes, Dior’s heritage, and the animated short film “Christian Dior’s Night in Color” by French director Sylvain Chomet.
2:35 PMWWDKith is revisiting three New Balance sneakers originally released in 2011 to honor distinct parts of New York City. The collection includes designs referencing the New York Knicks and Central Park.
2:34 PMWWDTalia Bourne has won the 2026 Supima Design Competition. The competition forms part of the second NYC Supima Design Lab, which supports emerging designers working with Supima cotton.
2:30 PMWWDPiaget has introduced a limited-edition watch inspired by Andy Warhol’s camouflage portraits. The release marks the watchmaker’s second collaboration with the Andy Warhol Foundation.
1:51 PMARTnewsE.L.V. Denim and Sanderson have created a limited-edition collection using only upcycled denim and deadstock fabrics from home interiors.
9:35 AMWWDImogene + Willie and Wrangler developed a Made in USA denim collaboration built on close relationships across the domestic manufacturing chain.
8:00 AMWWDParis-based label Drôle de Monsieur has become the official formalwear partner of Real Betis Balompié, the historic soccer club based in Seville, Spain.
1:00 AMWWDRalph Lauren’s Pre-Fall 2027 collection emphasizes tailoring and elevated everyday luxury. The range reinforces the brand’s focus on versatile, polished wardrobe staples.
12:01 AMWWDLiz Rodbell has been named group president of Perry Ellis International. She will oversee the company’s core sportswear brands, licensing operations, and strategic growth initiatives.
12:01 AMWWDValextra is adding six hand-drawn characters by artist Orfeo Tagiuri to a holiday accessories capsule and pop-up installation in Japan. The project was curated by Sarah Andelman.
12:01 AMWWDTwillory, a direct-to-consumer menswear company founded with dress shirts, is launching women’s performance apparel. The move extends its assortment of machine-washable technical products into a new customer segment.
12:01 AMWWDLondon-based heritage brand Swaine has opened a store on Avenue George V in Paris, near Hermès and Louis Vuitton. The location places the brand in one of the city’s most concentrated luxury retail corridors.
12:01 AMWWD5:29 PMWWD
Ralph Lauren and Tapestry Led the Way, Capri and Under Armour Are Trying to Follow
Summary
Recent earnings reports showed that Ralph Lauren and Tapestry are gaining traction from their strategic plans, while Capri and Under Armour are still working through their own transformations. The results underscore how difficult and uneven turnarounds remain in fashion.
Ralph Lauren and Tapestry have moved from strategy to measurable execution, while Capri and Under
Unlock the full First Pass Analysis to get a better understanding of why this story mattersWhy it matters
Fashion turnarounds are being judged by execution and consistency, not by the quality of the strategy alone.
5:24 PMWWD
What Is an Approach Shoe? Everything to Know About the New Trend Taking Over the Outdoor Market
Summary
Approach shoes, originally designed to bridge hiking and climbing, are gaining visibility across the outdoor market. The category has grown over the past year and shows signs of expanding further.
Approach shoes are benefiting from consumers' growing preference for versatile products that work across hiking,
Unlock the full First Pass Analysis to get a better understanding of why this story mattersWhy it matters
The category could widen the outdoor footwear market by selling technical performance in a more flexible everyday format.
3:54 PMWWD
AI, Cooperation, Space Among Next Frontiers for Fashion and Sustainability
Summary
The fifth Venice Sustainable Fashion Forum examined how fashion’s supply chain can meet measurable sustainability targets amid ongoing disruption. Discussions focused on artificial intelligence, collaboration, and the industry’s expanding relationship with space-related technologies.
The debate is shifting from broad sustainability commitments to operational tools and shared infrastructure. Brands
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Fashion’s sustainability agenda is becoming a systems problem involving data, supply chains, and collective investment.
2:53 PMWWD
REI Co-op Archive Inspires Beams Expedition Parka Collaboration
Summary
REI Co-op and Japanese brand Beams have revisited REI’s 1986 Expedition Parka in a new collaboration. The project draws on the retailer’s outdoor archive and emphasizes the garment’s original performance heritage.
The collaboration turns archival utility into a contemporary product proposition without abandoning the source garment’s
Unlock the full First Pass Analysis to get a better understanding of why this story mattersWhy it matters
Outdoor archives are becoming commercial assets, linking product credibility with fashion-driven demand for heritage.
2:35 PMWWD
Dior Lands at Harrods With a Pop-up Inspired by Holidays, Heritage, the Brand’s New Animated Film
Summary
Dior has opened a seasonal pop-up at Harrods running through Dec. 27. Its design draws on holiday themes, Dior’s heritage, and the animated short film “Christian Dior’s Night in Color” by French director Sylvain Chomet.
The installation treats retail as a branded entertainment channel rather than a simple sales floor.
Unlock the full First Pass Analysis to get a better understanding of why this story mattersWhy it matters
Luxury houses are increasingly using temporary retail environments to turn cultural storytelling into measurable customer engagement.
2:34 PMWWD
Kith Is Using Its Original New Balance Sneaker to Commemorate Three Distinct Elements of NYC
Summary
Kith is revisiting three New Balance sneakers originally released in 2011 to honor distinct parts of New York City. The collection includes designs referencing the New York Knicks and Central Park.
The release converts an early collaboration into a piece of Kith’s own institutional history. By
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Kith is treating its collaboration archive as brand equity, not just back catalog.
2:30 PMWWD
Supima Reveals Talia Bourne as Winner of the 2026 Supima Design Competition
Summary
Talia Bourne has won the 2026 Supima Design Competition. The competition forms part of the second NYC Supima Design Lab, which supports emerging designers working with Supima cotton.
The award gives Supima a direct role in shaping how new designers use and present
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Material suppliers are investing in designer competitions to build relevance and influence the next generation of fashion products.
1:51 PMARTnews
Andy Warhol’s ‘Camouflage’ Portraits Inspired Piaget’s New Limited-Edition Watch
Summary
Piaget has introduced a limited-edition watch inspired by Andy Warhol’s camouflage portraits. The release marks the watchmaker’s second collaboration with the Andy Warhol Foundation.
The collaboration extends Warhol’s visual language from art licensing into high-value accessories. For Piaget, the
Unlock the full First Pass Analysis to get a better understanding of why this story mattersWhy it matters
Luxury watchmakers are using recognized art histories to create distinction and justify limited-edition pricing.
9:35 AMWWD
E.L.V. Denim, Sanderson Team on Collection That Fuses Fashion With Home Interiors Fabrics
Summary
E.L.V. Denim and Sanderson have created a limited-edition collection using only upcycled denim and deadstock fabrics from home interiors.
The collaboration expands textile upcycling beyond apparel waste by pairing discarded denim with surplus interiors
Unlock the full First Pass Analysis to get a better understanding of why this story mattersWhy it matters
Fashion's waste challenge is pushing brands toward cross-industry material partnerships rather than apparel-only recycling.
8:00 AMWWD
Inside Imogene + Willie and Wrangler’s Made in USA Denim Collaboration
Summary
Imogene + Willie and Wrangler developed a Made in USA denim collaboration built on close relationships across the domestic manufacturing chain.
The project shows that domestic production depends on durable supplier relationships as much as on
Unlock the full First Pass Analysis to get a better understanding of why this story mattersWhy it matters
U.S. manufacturing ambitions require long-term coordination among brands, mills and factories, not simply a domestic label.
1:00 AMWWD
EXCLUSIVE: Drôle de Monsieur Catches Soccer Fever
Summary
Paris-based label Drôle de Monsieur has become the official formalwear partner of Real Betis Balompié, the historic soccer club based in Seville, Spain.
The partnership gives Drôle de Monsieur a direct route into soccer’s expanding fashion and lifestyle
Unlock the full First Pass Analysis to get a better understanding of why this story mattersWhy it matters
Fashion partnerships with soccer clubs are becoming a practical way for labels to build cultural reach and commercial relevance.
12:01 AMWWD
Ralph Lauren Pre-Fall 2027: The Ultimate Wardrobe
Summary
Ralph Lauren’s Pre-Fall 2027 collection emphasizes tailoring and elevated everyday luxury. The range reinforces the brand’s focus on versatile, polished wardrobe staples.
Ralph Lauren is leaning further into the dependable categories that define its business: tailoring, classic
Unlock the full First Pass Analysis to get a better understanding of why this story mattersWhy it matters
The collection shows how established luxury brands are using recognizable wardrobe authority to protect demand.
12:01 AMWWD
Liz Rodbell Named Group President of Perry Ellis International
Summary
Liz Rodbell has been named group president of Perry Ellis International. She will oversee the company’s core sportswear brands, licensing operations, and strategic growth initiatives.
Rodbell now holds a broad operating mandate spanning brands, licensing, and growth strategy. The appointment
Unlock the full First Pass Analysis to get a better understanding of why this story mattersWhy it matters
PEI is consolidating responsibility for its brand portfolio and growth agenda as it seeks to coordinate operations across core sportswear and licensing.
12:01 AMWWD
Valextra Gives Its Holiday Accessories a Whimsical Cast via Orfeo Tagiuri, Sarah Andelman
Summary
Valextra is adding six hand-drawn characters by artist Orfeo Tagiuri to a holiday accessories capsule and pop-up installation in Japan. The project was curated by Sarah Andelman.
The collaboration gives Valextra’s polished accessories a more playful identity and creates an experience around
Unlock the full First Pass Analysis to get a better understanding of why this story mattersWhy it matters
Luxury brands are increasingly using art-led capsules and retail experiences to make accessories feel collectible and distinctive.
12:01 AMWWD
Twillory Launching Fashionable, Performance Womenswear
Summary
Twillory, a direct-to-consumer menswear company founded with dress shirts, is launching women’s performance apparel. The move extends its assortment of machine-washable technical products into a new customer segment.
Twillory is using its established performance and easy-care proposition to move beyond menswear. The expansion
Unlock the full First Pass Analysis to get a better understanding of why this story mattersWhy it matters
The launch shows how digitally native apparel brands are seeking growth by extending proven product benefits into adjacent categories.
12:01 AMWWD
Britain’s Oldest Luxury House Opens a Store in Paris
Summary
London-based heritage brand Swaine has opened a store on Avenue George V in Paris, near Hermès and Louis Vuitton. The location places the brand in one of the city’s most concentrated luxury retail corridors.
Swaine’s Paris opening moves the heritage label into direct proximity with the sector’s strongest global
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A flagship in Paris can turn heritage credentials into global brand equity, provided Swaine can compete for attention beside established luxury giants.
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