Supermodel Lara Stone really is back. And she looks great . . . at age 42ish. AOC just posted Stone and Saskia de Brauw covering M Le magazine du Monde’s September 27th cover story. Now we’re checking her out in Numero’s new Mode issue #256.

Lara is styled by Anna Castan in the all-Fendi story lensed by Matt Easton [IG]. / Hair by Cyril Laloue; makeup by Marion Robine

Fendi Set to Welcome New Creative Director

On the subject of Fendi, with Silvia Venturini Fendi being named honorary president and allowing a new creative director to take the reins of the Fendi luxury brand, AOC assumes that Maria Grazia Chiuri will step into the spotlight as the new creative head of women’s and probably men’s as well.

If Chiuri doesn’t move to Fendi — without Anne being convinced that Chiuri really didn’t want the job — you will see what happens when the ballbreaker turns on the billionaire.

At every fork in the road, I’ve sided with LVMH on putting JW Anderson in at Dior 1] because he’s very talented and has waited a long time for the position and 2] because Chiuri has been outspoken on her desire to return to Rome.

Except for Rare Occasions, Every Endorsement Has Limits

I’ve defended the Anderson decision when other women fashion writers were ripping into LVMH — going so far out on the limb as to say on WaPo: “Calm down. She’s going to Fendi. LVMH is not so stupid as to throw Chiuri to the curb, when some VIP women clients may not even like the new Dior.”

Rational, right?

If Maria Grazia is at Fendi, everybody wins, and she can work her still considerable magic with serious businesswomen and philanthropists who love her. There’s a heap of women who will gravitate to Fendi with Chiuri at the helm. Or add Fendi, while staying with Dior as well. So LVMH covers all the bases.

Chiuri not only has major design expertise. She’s a moneymaker. She understands business, which makes her a true ally with new Fendi CEO Ramon Ros.

Admitting Mistakes Is Critical

If I am wrong about the strategy I’ve embraced all year, and LVMH puts Willy Chavarria in that spot [say what????] or Francesco Risso, which I understand . . . but . . . then you will see the ballbreaker turn on the billionaire.

Since Trump’s Inauguration in January, I’ve been mad at Mr. Arnault for that bs story about all the optimism he observed in America last January. And his agreeing with Mark Zuckerburg about firing low-performing workers, with Arnault loving the term “promoted outwards” to firing “low performers” at Tiffany & Co.

I do understand the difficult position that Arnault’s in with the absurd tariff rates shifting on Trump’s daily mood swings. Even Tim Cook at Apple prostrated himself at the altar of our wannabe American dictator.

Regarding “promoting outwards” at Tiffany & Co, Arnault’s high-end jewelry competitors are keen on hiring Tiffany staff with their big client books. They’re having excellent revenue increases with his “low performers” while LVMH suffers.

I don’t understand the logic of the statement on the earnings call.

Forever Faithful

Back to my favorite girl, if LVMH really does throw Maria Grazia Chiuri to the curb for Willy Chavarria, then I’ve miscalculated the character and clear thinking of LVMH’s top leadership for the last 5-10 years. And their commitment to women’s progress.

I will admit my mistake and apologize to other fashion professionals who are very down on Bernard Arnault, when I’ve defended him at every turn.

I believe I’m right about Fendi’s next move. And I was right about Pharrell Williams at Louis Vuitton Men. Unlike Trump, I freely admit that I’m not always right about everything. And I’d never put the assertion on a baseball cap and wear it around Washington DC. Or in meetings in the Oval Office as President of the United States of America.

How utterly crass and self-absorbed can one man be!! Every day is a new shock to my system. Peace out. ~ Anne