Stans, Scams & Shake-Ups: 2025 Fashion Chaos
Fashion is really going through it, and the year has barely started
News Bites is a space to get the lowdown on what the f*ck has been going on in fashion recently. Good, bad, and everything in between — this is where it's at.
The fashion world never sleeps, and lately, it’s been moving at warp speed.
From Balenciaga turning A-listers into their own merch to New Balance refining British sneaker culture, the industry is blending hype, heritage, and high-tech innovation in unexpected ways.
Beyond the product drops, the industry’s power dynamics are in flux. Creative director shake-ups are happening at a dizzying rate, with Jonathan Anderson’s departure from Loewe and Demna’s leap from Balenciaga to Gucci sending shockwaves through fashion — and Kering’s stock prices.
Meanwhile, designers are using the runway as a political stage, like Patricio Campillo’s bold statement at NYFW. And that’s standing on business.
Let’s not forget what’s happening outside the showrooms, too: sneaker thefts on freight trains, reality TV influencing high fashion, and shoppers actively unsubscribing from the marketing machine.
As our habits shift and brands scramble to keep up, one thing’s clear — fashion is evolving faster than ever, and staying ahead means paying attention to every move, whether we want too or not.
Brand chit chat
Balenciaga turns celebs into stans: for AW25, Balenciaga took celebrity worship to the next level by designing a collection of tees featuring Kim K, Michelle Yeoh, Isabelle Huppert and Nicole Kidman. Said celebs had to snap a selfie to accompany the campaign. The result? A meta-merch-mindfield.
Outsourced Vintage is building community: hailing from Hungary and now thriving in London, Outsourced Vintage is on a mission; to celebrate craftsmanship, champion sustainability, and create a thrifting shopping experience that feels less like retail and more like a home for all.
New Balance takes on the UK: New Balance is giving its ‘Made in UK’ collection a refined twist, blending its walking shoe heritage with modern design for a look that’s equal parts polished and practical. Enter the Allerdale — a sleek new style inspired by Britain’s long-standing love of outdoor leisure.
Headlines you might have missed
The creative director shake-up continues: my head is spinning with the number of creative director changes happening in fashion. To add more fuel to the fire, Jonathan Anderson is out at Loewe after 11 years and Demna is swapping Balenciaga for Gucci — causing Kering shares to plunge by 11%.
Patricio Campillo gets political at NYFW: Mexican designer Patricio Campillo made a statement, loud and clear, at NYFW. Known for blending Mexican heritage with high fashion (and a dose of purpose), Campillo hit the runway in an “El Golfo de México” T-shirt, saying a lot without saying anything at all.
Train thieves take on Nike: sneakers remain a hot commodity — not just for collectors, but for criminals too as thieves swiped nearly $2 million worth of Nike kicks from freight trains in California and Arizona over the past year. Among the stolen heat? The Nigel Sylvester x Air Jordan 4 collab.
Icon moments and eye-roll behaviour
Doechii’s style is top tier: at the most recent fashion month circuit, one celeb showed up and showed out, proving themselves a cut above the rest — and that was none other than Doechii. From opening and closing Dsquared2’s MFW show to serving looks upon looks over one week, she really did that.
Fashion’s Real Housewives flirtation: Bravo’s crown jewel has been serving drama for nearly two decades, but its foray into fashion? That partnership is just getting started. Jenna Lyons is the obvious fashion OG, but the industry is looking to the reality series more as its influence continues to dominate.
Mute, delete and unsubscribe: a digital detox is underway as shoppers unsubscribe from brand emails, mute TikTok’s personalized ads, and even block brands on X — because out of sight, out of cart. Tired of the relentless marketing infiltrating feeds and notifications, shopping is in its low buy era.
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