Celine’s [IG] creative director Michael Rider claimed his rightful place as a designer to be taken seriously, as the Fall-Winter 2026 shows came to an end in Paris this week. As Rider’s own branding vision takes shape, American film director Gus Van Sant [IG] turned his attention to Celine’s Fall 2026 cast.
Rider, an American with strong credentials at Phoebe Philo and Polo Ralph Lauren scored praise from AOC for his focus on the client and how she lives.
Finally, in an imaginary tale made up by Anne, we have a horse race in which Celine suddenly makes a breakout move and comes racing straight for Dior. A madcap scene follows with words of wisdom from Xi Jinping.
Victoria’s Secret [IG] rolls out its Very Sexy Spring 2026 campaign with models Abby Champion, Ajok Daing and Celina Ralph.
Victoria’s Secret is doing a slow burn these days. Not a bonfire, mind you, but under CEO Hillary Super, Victoria’s Secret retains the title of the world’s biggest lingerie brand, holding about 20% of the American market, down from 30% a decade ago.
The key word here, my friends, is stability, positivity based on solid reasoning, leadership and results AND Super’s grasp of the importance of a range of emotions in selling lingerie to HER!!
Creative director Sarah Burton has released her third Givenchy Portrait Series with Burton muse Kaia Gerber and globally-celebrated photographer Annie Leibovitz, joined by supermodel Liu Wen, model Selena Forrest and artist IsabelleAlbuquerque.
When Sarah Burton joined Givenchy[IG] as creative director late in 2024, she prioritized the faces that would define the house being as important as the clothes. The powerful formula behind the Givenchy Portrait Series is unmistakeable. Givenchy women are powerful, fearless, and often openly-sensual, wearing Burton’s dramatic but wearable cuts that are unapologetically modern.
The new collection’s chic, carefully-distilled severity is balanced with a joyful but and bold sensuality in the new Portraits. Shot by Collier Schorr [IG] with creative direction by Ferdinando Verderi and styling by Camilla Nickerson, the new Givenchy campaign reads strong design for strong women
Americans Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez of Proenza Schouler fame took the helm of Loewe, when Jonathan Anderson was announced as the new creative director at Dior.
Loewe has been strong out of the gate under its new creative directors.
“They are serious and enthusiastic at the same time, exuberant and yet very focused,” said Loewe CEO Pascale Lepoivre of the creative pair. Sidney Toledano, then advisor to LVMH chair and CEO Bernard Arnault, agreed: “Their greatest strength is energy and joy — they are extremely positive and full of vitality.
In China, Loewe’s Spring 2026 campaign ads are praised for the collection’s vibrant aesthetic and wearability, expressed now in imagery that China’s younger people celebrate as confident, modern, playful and optimistic.
Founder Cecilie Bahnsen [IG] and CEO Mie MarieEjdrup have a clear vision of where the designer’s eponymous brand is going.
For this Pre-Fall 2026 collection of romantic femininity, Cecilie Bahnsen collaborated with photographer Nadine Ijewere [IG], creating a visual narrative focused on a romantic sisterhood and love of dressing up.
Under Creative Director Louise Trotter [IG], Bottega Veneta continues its ascent among Chinese luxury consumers. Bottega’s Spring/Summer 2026 campaign — covered with lavish praise in China — was shot in Venice by Juergen Teller. Models include Anine Van Velzen, Bai, Libby Bennett, Liya Kebede, Saul Symon, and Sihana Shalaj. / Hair by Kei Terada; makeup by Pat McGrath
Jing Daily calls the brand ‘Kering’s Crown’. Better yet and following high praise — China calls Bottega Veneta Kering’s ‘golden child’. Venice is a deeply symbolic city for Anne — the only city where she’s slept until noon.
Trotter’s October 2025 runway debut resonated deeply in the hearts and minds of Chinese consumers, drawing over 130 million Weibo views and widespread acclaim. “Quiet luxury can be expressive” was the prime sentiment that rippled across Chinese social media platforms, where fashion critics like @Pekaboom praised Trotter’s poetic modernity, writes JD.
The arrival of the Versace [IG] Spring Summer 2026 campaign should be viewed as a moment in time and not a reflection of Versace’s branding strategy under the talented Dario Vitale.
With the closing of Prada Group’s acquisition of Versace, the departure of Dario Vitale, and the expected arrival of former Aiaïa creative director Pieter Mulier to helm the creative vision of Versace, the new campaign should not analyzed to death.
We know that Prada intends to remold Versace in more rarified air with higher price points. Versace pricing took a major climb upwards with the delivery of this Spring 2026 collection. We have little more to add — except that ‘back in the day’, Versus was created for a reason.
As for all the creatives involved in this campaign, there are three photographers: Frank Lebon, Steven Meisel and Tania Franco Klein.
The primal forces of Fire and Earth fuel the Spring 2026 Brunello Cucinelli Collection campaign. In the words of the designer, “creative passion meets timeless authenticity, and nature becomes a living expression of style.”
Models Abeny Nhial, Louise Robert and Niyo Malik are styled by Michaela Buratti with Daniel Archer [IG] taking photography honors./ Hair by Werner Amort; makeup by Fabiana Clavario
Brunello Cucinelli 2025 Results
Brunello Cucinelli closed out 2025 as a banner year, with sales up 10.1 percent to more than 1.4 billion euros. Adjusted at constant exchange rates, sales rose 11.5 percent, beating the forecast of 10 percent, reported by AOC last year.
13.7 Percent Increase in Asia
Sales in Asia rose 13.7 percent to 392.6 million euros, accounting for 27.9 percent of total turnover.
“China confirms its excellent health for us, with significant double-digit growth continuing quarter after quarter and a relevant contribution to the overall result of the entire Asian continent,” Cucinelli continued.
British heritage brand Barbour [IG] is rapidly expanding in China, opening over 40 stores in major cities like Beijing, Shanghai, and Chengdu, targeting the "quiet luxury" market with its heritage waxed jackets. The brand is localizing by launching exclusive, tailored collections for Asian consumers and collaborating with Chinese designers and cultural figures.
Barbour x Feng Chen Wang
Just as Burberry is seeing positive revenue results in China, so is Barbour, who reported today a 9% increase for the year ended April 30, 2025, with a 14.1% operating profit increase.
Barbour partnered with Chinese designer brand Feng Chen Wang [IG] on this capsule collection, one imbued with cultural storytelling and timed with Chinese New Year 2026 or the broader Lunar New Year in Asia.
Models Diwen Wang and Shao Minghao front the campaign, styled by Anders Sølvsten Thomsen.
After further sleuthing, we learned that Alo has been in the market for capital with a $10 B valuation since 2023, which sounds way high. The concept is impressive and very sound before the arrival of Petruzzo, who will be a big help in raising capital and instituting sound financial management systems and international marketing rules.
As much as AOC LOVES this concept, there are flags on the field in China.
Jing Daily reports that Alo will probably face challenges in the China market, as it prepares to open stores in Shanghai and Beijing. JD writes that “years of rampant counterfeiting” have already shaped how Chinese customers view the brand. Those perceptions will impact what customers are willing to pay for product.
There are tariff-related risks, as well. With most of its manufacturing done in China, major risks introduced by President Trump’s deeply personal and punishing approach to tariffs adds extra volatility to Alo’s expansion plans.
Models Kris Krystal, Ploy Chobsawang, Rachel Agbonze and more are styled by Lotta Volkova in the Miu Miu [IG] Prelude Collection 2016 campaign. Danish photographer Julie Greve [IG] shoots the campaign, confirming her self-descriptor as an artist whose work explores ideas of coming of age and female identity.
On the topic of Miu Miu’s brainiac young women, AOC spent time today getting out of the minds of America’s young women, with questions about young women worldwide.
Data indicates a ‘great relationship recession’ is underway globally, with singlehood rising in 26 out of 30 surveyed developed nations. Follow link top of page to read the details.
Louis Vuitton [IG] creative director Nicolas Ghesquière releases the first phase of LV’s Spring/Summer 2026 Campaign. Actor Jennifer Connelly’s ambassador role with Louis Vuitton is more than a decade old, making her the longest-serving muse to the designer.
Cass Bird [IG], shot the campaign with refuge in mind. Ghesquière said he channeled that theme for the collection’s runway show last fall. "The atmosphere I was wishing to share was the serenity you feel when you are in the comfort of your home.”
We realized today [finally] that these images are a direct volley to Miu Miu. But Miu Miu has Prada.
Jonathan Anderson believes he can successfully do Miu Miu and Prada together in one floor in the store. They are one Dior for the designer. And in many cases, he believes he can do Miu Miu and Prada AND Miu Miu for Men and Prada for Men in one giant statement because everyone is cross-dressing and he believes he is a visionary genius in understanding this reality.
The designer may be right — but it’s an incredible roll of the dice with no pre-testing. Meanwhile, many are citing pricing challenges on the line and steep reductions from the show prices. That jean jacket is an excellent example. It’s $5,000. Yikes.
Today, we stay positive. The only people in their right mind who would give Jonathan Anderson this range of self-expression is LVMH. Let’s hope it’s successful; and he should be humble about the opportunity afforded him by The Family. ~ Anne
Two divinely-talented, beautiful and sexy women — that would be Hailey Bieber and Maty Fall — launch a Victoria’s Secret Valentine’s Day [IG] campaign for love: self-love and the family, friends and lover[s] who feel your glow. Photographer Adrienne Raquel [IG] captures the retro mood and music, with Hailey and Maty styled by Gabriella Karefa-Johnson. Executive creative direction by Adam Selman./ Hair by Bryce Scarlett; makeup by Mary Philipps
The December 7, 2025 issue of HTSI Magazine [IG] features an all-Burberry story with actor Sope Dirisu, athlete Jack Draper, and models Alva Claire, Assa Baradji and Filip Bryndza.
Clare Richardson styles the shoot lensed by Dan Martensen [IG]. / Hair by Kota Suizu; makeup by Niamh Quinn
Miuccia Prada and Raf Simons extend their chill approach to the holidays, with this December 2025 drop lensed by Oliver Hadlee Pearch [IG].
Models include Arvid Kaldo, Bakary Cisse, Ma Kaidong, Noor Khan, Pierrick Grégoire, Rejoice Chuol and Ruyu Chen with styling by Olivier Rizzo and creative direction by Ferdinando Verderi.
AOC is delighted to see these Gucci Cruise 2026 images, lensed by Dudi Hasson [IG]. Suzanne Koller styles Gucci Cruise 2026 models Anasofia Negrutsa, Ine Michelmann, Pati Bogusz, and Yoni Tijn.
Designer Simon Porte Jacquemus delights fans with the Nike x Jacquemus Après Ski Collection [IG], modeled here by Bibi Breslin and Joe Baker, with styling by Katie Burnett./ Hair by Louis Ghewy; makeup by Eva Louis
The 18-piece Nike x Jacquemus Après Ski apparel collection is designed to offer “uncompromising winter sport performance and style, snowboarders and all athletes, who lean into the mountain lifestyle,” writes Nike.
Hallelujah! AOC bumped into Pharrell’s Louis Vuitton Spring-Summer 2026 Men’s Pre-Collection video and it’s so joyful. Pharrell brings his humanity into everything he does.
Styled by Matthew Henson, the campaign is fronted by English footballer playing for Real Madrid CF, Friend of the House Jude Bellingham and English actor and producer Callum Turner, a House ambassador.
Photographed and filmed by Oliver Hadlee Pearch [IG] the footballer and actor are seen in scenes from aristocratic life — with no aloofness.
The international model lineup in Vogue’s Chanel story includes Abény Nhial, Achol Ayor, Aditsa Berzenia, Awar Odhiang, Bhoomi Yadav, Charlotte Boggia, Dru Campbell, Feng Jiao Long, Luiza Perote and Zaya Guarani, styled by Amanda Harlech in images by Rafael Pavarotti [IG]. / Hair by Karim Belghiran; makeup by Ammy Drammeh
Blazy is an empath; hands down. AOC has written about his leadership style, mixed with his creative curiosity, and prior overt gestures to get the recognition for the women in his Bottega Veneta atelier that they deserved.
Jonathan Anderson is supposed to be the boy wonder creative designer we’re all trying to swoon over, but increasingly it seems like Blazy’s the one to watch.
