Steve Hiett, best known as a photographer with a taste for deep color and eclecticism, died at age 79.
He had been hospitalized recently due to cancer, which he’d been fighting for several years, according to his agency D+V. Hiett died in Montpellier, France, having been based in Paris for many years, although born in England in 1940. He was with his wife Louise Despointes, whom he met as a model in the late Sixties and Seventies and went on to collaborate with often.
Although unable to work professionally in recent months due to his illness, Hiett was snapping shots for Instagram earlier this year. What appears to be his last public shot is a dark but artful picture of his hospital room at night, from his perspective in bed. Continue reading
His legendary fashion career was ignited by an award. In his twilight years, he acted as a judge for the LVMH Prize for Young Fashion Designers, leaving most contenders starstruck. And now he will be immortalized with a fashion prize in his name. LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton confirmed exclusively that its Special Prize will henceforth be named the Karl Lagerfeld Prize.
New York Fashion Week continues to attract young designers who stand out as the Canadian duo “Laurence and Chico”, a specialist in extravagant outfits worn by dizzying silhouettes.
Just days after Yang Mi severed ties with Versace over slights to Chinese sovereignty, Coach and Givenchy too have run afoul of the same sensitive issue, putting high-profile celebrity partnerships with Liu Wen, Jackson Yee and Guan Xiaotong in jeopardy.
Under the terms of the agreement, Shiseido will have the worldwide license to develop, market and distribute Tory Burch beauty products effective Jan. 1. The license has been held by the Estée Lauder Cos. since 2011.
Although no great fan of fashion exhibitions, especially retrospectives, the late Karl Lagerfeld is perhaps the designer most deserving of one.
Just as designers such as Tom Ford, Hedi Slimane, Nicholas Kirkwood and Jeremy Scott succumbed to the city’s creative vibe, Repetto America chief executive officer Gilles Assor believes L.A. will be an inspiring backdrop for the brand’s activities.
In 1974, though, backsides were under attack via California legislation outlawing nude sunbathing. A radical fashion designer and Austrian expat in Hollywood, Rudi Gernreich, had a solution: The thong swimsuit. “The Thong is my response to a contradiction in our society: nudity is here; lots of people want to swim and sun themselves in the nude; also lots of people are still offended by public nudity,” he wrote in a ’70s manifesto, citing Brazilian swimwear, Sumo wrestlers’ mawashis, and thong sandals as references for his then-trademarked design. At the time, Gernreich made his unisex thong swimsuit in black and brown fast-drying nylon, revolutionizing the look of SoCal beaches and the limits of acceptable taste. 
The Duchess of Sussex has taken control of September’s British Vogue, dedicating it to 15 “fearless women,” including Jane Fonda, Jacinda Ardern, Greta Thunberg and Salma Hayek Pinault, in an issue dubbed “Forces for Change.” 
Suzanne Lalique is the daughter of René Lalique and Alice Ledru, born out of wedlock in 1892, she grew up under the benevolent gaze of her father and grandfather, the sculptor Auguste Ledru. From these friends of youth, we can remember names like Paul Morand or Jean Giraudoux. Discreet, Suzanne is nevertheless a precious help to her father who regularly solicits her. In the 1910s, she began drawing powder and candy boxes for her father. She uses her talent in other fields such as screens, wallpaper or fabric motifs, but also decorations for the Sèvre factory.
LVMH said Monday that Stella McCartney would continue as creative director and ambassador of her brand, while holding majority ownership. Stella McCartney, who confirmed her split from Kering last year, switching sides in a new partnership with France’s other luxury giant, LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton.
Givaudan, the flavors and fragrance creator, has purchased the German firm Drom in a bid to expand its reach in the global fragrance market.
Just when you were settling into the ides of summer, the Council of Fashion Designers of America has a reality check for the industry the breakdown for the official New York Fashion Week.
Valérie Hermann, president of global brands at Ralph Lauren Corp., is leaving the firm, effective Sept. 30. Ralph Lauren, chairman and chief creative officer, said, “Valérie is a talented leader who has made many valuable contributions to our company”
Christian Knoop designers The secret of a successful makeover is to have the right idea at the right time. “The Richemont brands offer an unbelievable treasure trove of cultural and artistic heritage that sets a leading example and provides an endless source of inspiration for today’s designers. Creativity remains a key asset of each Maison and one of the most precious values held by the Richemont Group.
Luxury Tycoon Bernard Arnault has overtaken Bill Gates as the world’s second richest person.
After weeks of speculation, the name of the new owner of Roberto Cavalli S.p.A. has been revealed: It is Vision Investment Co. LLC, controlled by Hussain Sajwani, the founder and chairman of the Damac Properties Group.
Elvis is alive Authentic Brands Group, the owner of the rights to the late singer’s name, and Bellevue Brands have partnered to launch the Elvis Presley fragrance collection this fall, a line of scents for men and women.