Brunello Cucinelli SS-2026 Campaign and Budget-Beating 2025 Business Results
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Aisle 9 Celine Cleanup: Hedi Slimane Did Not Take 4-5 Years to Deliver his Vision
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Aisle 9 Celine Cleanup: Hedi Slimane Did Not Take 4-5 Years to Deliver His Vision
In a recent discussion about why Jonathan Anderson should be given the same 4-5 years to deliver results at Dior, that Hedi Slimane took at Celine, AOC just sighed as we got out the mop and bucket and headed for Aisle 9. “No way,” Anne mumbled as she gave the bucket a good kick in exasperation.
“Hedi Slimane brought almost immediate results to the Celine brand. Why doesn’t Suzie Q check her facts the way we do. We pay $180 a year to read her nonsense. She should stick to recommending lip gloss.”
Committed to facts and knowing that we all make mistakes — including AOC — Anne ran SQ’s “it took a long time at Celine” assertion through AI to confirm our position.
Read MoreBrigitte Niedermair Eyes Dior Resort 2020 North Africa-Inspired Collection
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Brigitte Niedermair Eyes Dior Resort 2020 North Africa-Inspired Collection
Models Adesuwa Aighewi, Ana Barbosa, Jiali Zhao and Ruth Bell are styled by Isabelle Kountoure in Dior Cruise 2020 Collection. Regular Dior photographer Brigitte Niedermair captures Maria Grazia’s homage to North Africa in a collection about luxury, globalism and culture.
The toile du jouy fabrics were produced as wax prints by studio Uniwax, located in the Ivory Coast city of Abidjan. Months before the collection debut in Marrakech, Maria Grazia packed by her toiles of seasons past—with her jungle creatures, wacky flora, and tarot card allusions, writes Vogue.com — and print their “gloriously and intentionally imperfect, labor intensive” interpretations.
Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi 'Wuthering Heights' Countdown in Vogue Australia
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Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi 'Wuthering Heights' Countdown in Vogue Australia
Elordi was equally relaxed as an Aussie man chilling with fellow Aussie Robbie in a Bottega Veneta jacket, tank top and pants. One uses the word ‘jacket’ loosely.On Robbie, it’s a shrug or cardigan.
What’s obvious to AOC is the growing numbers of men being totally relaxed wearing femme fashion.
No intellectual edict is required by the designer. They’re just doing it — like Pharrell was doing in Chanel by Karl Lagerfeld a decade ago. No star designer is creating this look in 2026, even though one will probably claim it.
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Pieter Mulier Resigns As Creative Director of Alaïa, for an Assumed Move to Versace
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Pieter Mulier Resigns As Creative Director of Alaïa, for an Assumed Move to Versace
WWD has confirmed with Maison Alaïa that its Belgian creative director and designer Pieter Mulier has resigned his post at Alaīa Paris. Alaïa said Mulier would conclude his tenure as creative director after Alaïa’s summer-fall 2026 show during Paris Fashion Week in March.
While his next position remains unconfirmed, it’s widely expected that the designer will join Versace, now owned by Prada group. WWD posits a potential announcement from Prada Group next week.
Parent company Compagnie Financière Richemont expressed gratitude to Mulier, adding an important compliment to this breaking news. Their statement praised the designer for his contributions to a corporate culture “that values creative exploration, transcending any one individual, and lives through the hands, eyes, and sensibilities of the maison’s teams.”
Read MoreTaylor Hill Delivers an Unadulterated Joy Cocktail in Vogue Czechoslovakia January 2026
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Top model Taylor Hill’s charming exuberance is contagious in ‘Pursuit of Happiness’, the cover story for Vogue Czechoslovakia [IG] January 2026.
Taylor is styled by MJ Molina in Dolce & Gabbana [cover], Maison Valentino, Tom Ford and more lensed by Jesus Isnard [IG]. / Makeup by Virginia Vera; hair by MJ Molina
Read MoreAdriana Lima Fashion Drama in 'Eternal Flame' for Harper's Bazaar Spain 'Red' Issue
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Supermodel Adriana Lima wears Louis Vuitton, Givenchy, Cartier and Miu Miu on four covers for the February 2026 ‘Red’ issue of Harper’s Bazaar Spain [IG].
Adriana is styled by Elizabeth Sulcer in the fashion story ‘Eternal Flame’ adding fashion drama from Dior, Fendi, Gucci, Loewe, Maison Alaia, Maison Valentino, Max Mara, Prada, Schiaparelli, YSL and more, lensed by David Roemer [IG] at Pier 59 Studios in New York City. / Hair by Shin Arima; makeup by Frank B
Read MoreBarbour X Feng Chen Wang Launches in Barbour's Stores in China and Online
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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.
Read MoreKaia Gerber Covers Harper's Bazaar US with Candid Interview by an 'Old Soul'
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‘Old Soul’ Kaia Gerber for Harper’s Bazaar February 2026
Kaia Gerber wears Givenchy on the cover of Harper’s Bazaar US [IG] February 2026. Luis Alberto Rodriguez [IG] captures Kaia, who is interviewed by Durga Chew-Bose.
For Kaia, A Privileged Life Is an Artistic Life
Kaia Gerber has never hesitated to admit her privileged upbringing, anchored in a robust, loving and supportive family life. How many grown young women with Kaia’s level of accomplishment call their mothers their best friend?
Kaia has always described privilege in a more intellectual way — a childhood where ideas, books, and culture were embedded in daily life.
Read MoreAriana Grande by Michael Bailey-Gates 4 Vogue Covers: Japan, Latin America, Mexico
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Ariana Grande covers the March 2026 issue of Vogue Japan [IG], one of three Vogues putting the music and now acting star front and center in their new issues. Shared at the end this VJ story, Ariana also covers Vogue Mexico and Vogue Latin America [IG], her first covers for the magazines.
Grande is styled by Law Roach in multiple Balenciaga by Sarah Burton beauties, Dior, Gucci, Ralph Lauren and more lensed by Michael Bailey-Gates [IG]./ Jewelry by Swarovski; Hair by Alyx Liu; makeup by Michael Anthony
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Aisle 9: Did Maria Grazia Chiuri Actually Leave a 'Mess' at Dior? Gemini Says 'No'
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Aisle 9: Did Maria Grazia Chiuri Actually Leave a 'Mess' at Dior? Gemini Says 'No'
Suzie Q’s use of the word ‘mess’ to describe Jonathan Anderson’s challenges at Dior, created by former creative director Maria Grazia Chiuri, ran counter to everything I knew about her tenure at the #2 brand at LVMH.
AOC has been really confused by the persistent statements that it could take 4-5 years for Anderson’s Dior vision to codify — including by the designer himself.
Today, we stay focused on that topic. Also Anne clarifies what might be a misunderstanding of what these writers are actually saying, and what she is hearing.
Read MoreGQ 'Men of the Year' Cover Girl Cynthia Erivo Opens in 'Dracula' on February 4th, London
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GQ ‘Men of the Year’ Cynthia Erivo Prepares for Dracula
At a time when even the entertainment industry is bowing to dark political forces, Cynthia Erivo made a culture-conquering hit in ‘Wicked: For Good’, while standing firm for inclusion, kindness and radical acceptance.
The Tony winner is currently in rehearsals for ‘Dracula’ opening February 4th in the West End. Erivo will play all 23 roles in Bram Stoker’s classic that runs until May 31. Creative camera work is her only partner onstage.
Kip Williams directs ‘Dracula’, telling the press that this version of the play will be a “queer retelling of the story, and we are looking at reclaiming the vampire.”
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Aisle 9: Correcting the Record on Gross Errors and Lies About Brands and Business
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Aisle 9 Cleanups: Correcting the Record
We have our first Aisle 9 Cleanups in the queue [1] Hedi Slimane’s timeline creating success at Celine and [2] why it might take as long as five years to “get Dior back on track”.
AI never comes close to writing Anne’s posts. But I do run my core thinking through AI in case it responds “that’s bullpucky”.
Rereading Suzie Q’s posts. I stopped to read a third commentary on the Saks bankruptcy and whether an international VIP should step in to score big for his own stockholders.
Honestly, Suzie Q needs to stay away from financial topics completely. She’s in way over her head.
And her assertion on the MGC mess she left at Dior not only got an AI bullpucky. It came out in all caps. [Okay, I made up the part about the caps.] But it shredded Suzie Q’s assertion with a meat cleaver gone mad. You’ll see.
Read MoreFor Alo New Year 2026 The Future of Luxury Is Wellness, but China Has Headaches with Alo
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For Alo 2026 The Future of Luxury Is Wellness, but China Has Headaches with Alo
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.
Read MoreMiu Miu Taps Into Global Trends Among Young Women That Might Surprise You
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Miu Miu Taps Into Global Trends Among Young Women That Might Surprise You
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.
Read MoreLouis Vuitton Muse Jennifer Connelly Is A High-Minded Human in SS-2026 Campaign
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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.”
Read MoreDoutzen Kroes Covers Vogue France February in 'Distinctly Parisian Sensibility' Style
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