2022 is going to be an exciting year in fashion—we can just feel it.
Despite tightening regulations due to the omicron variant of the Covid-19 virus spreading, brands are cautiously making their return to the fashion week calendar. Even Gucci has announced that it will rejoin Milan Fashion Week in February, after two years off the traditional calendar.
But there’s a lot more than just schedule changes to get us excited for the new year—there’s plenty of fodder for the fashion industry to buzz about. From Phoebe Philo’s imminent return to the runway with her eponymous label, to new creative directors showing their first collections for heritage brands, and the big question hovering over Louis Vuitton, it’s never been a more exciting time for the avid fashion lover and observer.
Here, all the major events and talking points you will need to know in the fashion world this year.
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Phoebe Philo returns to the runway
This is the year that Phoebe Philo finally returns to the runway. Announcing the debut of her eponymous label (of which LVMH has already taken a minority stake), the former creative director of French fashion brand Céline has whipped up the fashion community into a frenzy over what she will bring to the table, given her formidable fanbase among consumers (who call themselves “Philophiles” affectionately). It will be interesting to see what Philo has in mind for a post-pandemic era in fashion that favours comfort over everything else, although we’re pretty confident that anything the designer puts out will be an instant commercial hit.
Read more about Philo’s new brand here.
Matthieu Blazy makes his debut at Bottega Veneta
It’s in with the new at Bottega Veneta, as Matthieu Blazy (who has been working for the Italian luxury brand since 2020) takes over from Daniel Lee as creative director. Blazy has a wealth of experience working at top fashion houses, including Raf Simons, where he did menswear, Margiela, Céline (under Phoebe Philo, and where he must have inevitably run into Lee), and then Calvin Klein, before joining Bottega Veneta. All eyes are on the fresh face as he prepares to show his first collection for the brand in February at Milan Fashion Week, and to see the new direction that he has for the brand built on discreet luxury.
Read more about Matthieu Blazy’s appointment here.
Who will replace Virgil Abloh at Louis Vuitton?
It’s been almost a month since Virgil Abloh’s untimely passing, and French luxury house Louis Vuitton has yet to announce a replacement for the designer. Of course, the French house and fashion world are still reeling from Abloh’s loss, and it’s impossible to imagine another creative coming even close to filling his shoes, but the business must go on eventually and we can’t wait to see who will step into the role.
Find out who our top bets for the top job are right here.
Nigo takes the reins at Kenzo
Bottega Veneta is not the only house with a new creative director at the helm. Japanese designer and streetwear guru, Nigo has been appointed as the new artistic director of Kenzo, taking the reins from Felipe Oliveira Baptista. It is particularly poignant as it is the first time that a Japanese designer has helmed the brand since founder Kenzo Takada’s resignation in 1999. Nigo is best known for his impact on street culture with his brands A Bathing Ape (Bape) and Human Made, and has collaborated with the fashion world’s top names, including the late Virgil Abloh. Nigo is set to show his first collection for the brand during the men’s fashion week shows in Paris on January 23, and something tells us you should definitely keep your eyes on this show.
Find out more about Nigo’s connection to Kenzo here.
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