Missed out on the fashion chatter this week? We’ve got you covered. Every week, our inbox is flooded with hundreds of press releases, but we made it our mission to sift through all the noise so you don’t have to. Here’s your quick recap of all the key fashion news from September 13 to 19, served up in bite-sized pieces so you can catch up fast…
Jaden Smith Named First-Ever Creative Director of Christian Louboutin Men’s
In a landmark move for luxury fashion, Christian Louboutin has appointed Jaden Smith as the first-ever creative director of its men’s line—making him the only person besides Louboutin himself to hold the role since the house’s founding in 1991. At 27, Smith steps into the position at a company valued at over $3 billion. Louboutin praised Smith as “very kind, very humble, and very interesting: the way he is, the way he dresses, the way he thinks,” while Smith described the appointment as “one of the biggest honors” of his life, admitting to the pressure of living up to the brand’s legacy. Their collaboration, which Louboutin likened to a “ping-pong” of shared curiosity and enthusiasm, will debut with an avant-premiere in select stores and online this January, followed by Smith’s first full seasonal collection at Paris Fashion Week. His debut Fall/Winter 2026 line is set to launch in stores next May, marking the beginning of a bold new chapter for the iconic red sole.
SSENSE Secures $40 Million Lifeline Amid Restructuring
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We are sooo back. Canadian luxury e-commerce platform SSENSE has secured nearly $40 million USD in financing and court approval for a restructuring plan, ensuring its survival after months of financial turbulence. The package, filed under Canada’s Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act (CCAA), includes $15 million from a consortium of bank lenders and $25 million from the company’s founders, allowing SSENSE to remain under founder control while exploring options for a sale or new investments. Once valued at $5 billion in 2021, the retailer has since faced a downturn in luxury spending and the loss of a key U.S. shipping exemption, sparking a battle with lenders who pushed for a quick sale. CEO Rami Atallah called the court decision “a critical step” toward securing SSENSE’s long-term future, emphasizing the company’s commitment to protecting employees, customers, and partners while regaining trust. With this financial lifeline and restructuring framework in place, SSENSE now has the resources to stabilize and rebuild its position in the competitive luxury fashion market.
Chrome Hearts Sues Neil Young Over Band Name
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A surprising clash between fashion and rock is unfolding as Chrome Hearts has filed a trademark infringement lawsuit against legendary musician Neil Young over the name of his new backing band, “Neil Young and The Chrome Hearts.” Filed in California federal court, the suit claims Young’s use of the name—drawn from a lyric in his 1976 song Long May You Run—is “confusingly similar” to the fashion house’s brand, leading fans and vendors to mistakenly believe in a collaboration. Chrome Hearts, which has operated under its name since 1988 and trademarked it in 1991, argues the issue stems from the sale of band merchandise. According to the filing, some vendors have already marketed t-shirts combining Young’s name with Chrome Hearts’ stylized logo. Despite being notified of the alleged infringement in July, Young’s band has continued to tour and sell merch under the name. The brand, known for its luxury jewelry and apparel, is now seeking an injunction and damages.
Gosha Rubchinskiy Relaunches Namesake Label After Hiatus
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Russian designer Gosha Rubchinskiy, once a defining voice of post-Soviet streetwear, has officially revived his namesake brand after shuttering it in 2018. Speaking to Business of Fashion, Rubchinskiy described the comeback as a chance to “start everything anew,” beginning with a foundation of essential T-shirts, hoodies, and sweatpants for both men and women. The designer likened the strategy to “building a house,” starting with basics before expanding into jeans, coats, and even couture or full womenswear in the future. The relaunch also introduces a stricter casting policy, a move tied to a 2018 controversy when Rubchinskiy was accused of soliciting inappropriate images from a minor—a claim he denied, later admitting naivety in conducting castings via text rather than in person. Following his split with COMME des GARÇONS, which once managed his business and trademarks, Rubchinskiy took a turn at YEEZY before returning to focus on his own brand. Now, the reboot will prioritize online basics, collaborations with retailers, and a “small world tour” in place of traditional fashion week shows, signaling a deliberate, measured new chapter for the once-hyped label.
Giorgio Armani’s Will Directs Heirs to Sell or Take Brand Public
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Giorgio Armani’s will has instructed his heirs to either sell the brand or pursue an IPO, a move that contradicts the late designer’s lifelong insistence on independence. Armani, who passed away last week at 91, outlined a phased plan requiring a 15% stake to be sold within 18 months, followed by an additional 30% to 54.9% within three to five years, either to the same buyer or through a public listing. Priority buyers include luxury powerhouses such as LVMH, L’Oréal, or EssilorLuxottica. Still, Armani ensured his legacy would be protected: the Giorgio Armani Foundation, established in 2016, will retain at least a 30% stake as a permanent guardian of the house’s principles and aesthetic. The designer, who built the company with his late partner Sergio Galeotti in the 1970s and remained its sole major shareholder, leaves behind no direct heirs, making this succession plan a defining chapter in the future of the iconic Italian brand.
Hermès Wins Dismissal of Birkin Antitrust Lawsuit—Again
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For the second time, a U.S. judge has dismissed a class action against Hermès, rejecting claims that the French luxury house’s opaque sales process for its coveted Birkin bags violates antitrust law. The lawsuit, filed by three California shoppers, alleged that Hermès forced customers to buy other products before qualifying to purchase a Birkin, framing the system as an illegal “tying” scheme. U.S. District Judge James Donato dismissed the case “with prejudice,” preventing it from being refiled, and wrote: “It may be, as plaintiffs suggest, that Hermès reserves the Birkin bag for its highest-paying customers, but that in itself is not an antitrust violation.” He previously noted that if Hermès “chooses to make five Birkin bags a year and charge a million to them, it can do that.” The plaintiffs’ claim that the Birkin’s retail price was a façade for a “hidden lottery system” now appears closed for good, marking a decisive legal win for Hermès and reinforcing the legitimacy of its exclusivity-driven business model.
The post Week in Chic: All the Fashion News You Might Have Missed (Sep. 13 – 19) appeared first on MILLE WORLD.
