Fashion Spirit: Marking his first collaboration with a spirits brand, Kim Jones has joined forces with Hennessy X.O cognac to launch an exclusive collection.

The British designer, who’s artistic director of men’s collections at Dior and head of womenswear at Fendi, has designed a masterpiece decanter, a limited-edition bottle and a fashion item as a part of the project, set to be unveiled in London in March to coincide with the business launch of the road.

Hennessy declined to offer any additional details on the style element of the partnership, beyond saying the piece will mark the primary time that Hennessy X.O releases a consumer-facing luxury fashion item.

Bringing together two powerhouses inside luxury group LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton, the collaboration is certain to resonate among the many cognac’s celebrity fans, which include athletes and hip-hop stars. Snoop Dogg and Drake are amongst those that have name-checked Hennessy of their lyrics.

Nonetheless, it was the home’s historic roots that drew within the designer.

“For this collaboration, I drew inspiration from Hennessy X.O’s archives to design for the past, the current and the longer term. I used to be especially drawn to the brand’s history of rigorous craftsmanship — an approach that also holds true with fashion,” Jones said in a press release.

He’s the most recent creative to partner with the Hennessy X.O brand, following Canadian-born architect Frank Gehry, Chinese artist Cai Guo-Qiang and British director Ridley Scott, who directed a campaign for the drink in 2019.

“We’re thrilled to embark on a recent odyssey mixing cognac-making and couture with Kim Jones, a creative master of our time,” said Laurent Boillot, chief executive officer of Hennessy. “Inspired by the emblematic personality of Hennessy X.O, Kim has developed a resolutely contemporary collection that’s destined to make an impact on culture today and in the longer term.”

Hennessy X.O is the maison’s original offering, an “extra old” brandy created by Maurice Hennessy in 1870 for his circle of friends that has change into the worldwide leader in its market. Known for its distinctive bottle, the cognac is assembled from various eaux-de-vie and aged in barrels for no less than 10 years.

The Hennessy house has worked up to now with luxury brands and designers through a few of its other franchises, similar to its high-end Richard Hennessy cognac, which debuted a collaboration with Berluti in October featuring a calf leather attaché case holding a crystal carafe.

Meanwhile, jeweler Lorenz Bäumer created a recent magnum for the Paradis mix in Maison Hennessy’s Editions Rares collection last summer to mark the seventy fifth anniversary of the NBA. The crystal basketball, available in a limited edition of 75 units, retailed for $162,000. — JOELLE DIDERICH

Big Bang: K-pop’s takeover of fashion continues. In the most recent men’s week move, Givenchy has named Taeyang, member of the group Big Bang and a solo artist, as its newest brand ambassador.

He becomes the primary South Korean artist named within the role.

“Taeyang is an inspiring artist — a music pioneer with an authentic, barrier-breaking way of expressing his own personal style, which inserts perfectly with today’s Givenchy aesthetic,” said creative director Matthew Williams.

“I’m grateful to have the ability to start out this recent chapter of my life with Givenchy. It holds a special intending to me, as Givenchy is a brand that has inspired me in some ways through the years,” Taeyang added. “Matthew has also been a pacesetter in each fashion and culture for a few years. I sit up for the exciting ways to collaborate with Givenchy through this partnership.”

The rapper and singer debuted with the boy band Big Bang in 2006, one among the primary K-pop bands to realize international mega stardom. He has since gone on to release several successful solo albums, and most recently released the R&B-infused single “Vibe,” a collaboration with BTS vocalist and primary dancer Jimin.

Taeyang’s appointment marks the third major announcement from a fashion house this week, following Dior’s global ambassador partnership with Jimin, and Valentino signing on BTS’ Suga for a worldwide campaign.

Taeyang will attend the Paris Men’s Fashion Week show on Wednesday.

Givenchy under Williamson has a history of partnering with K-pop stars. Girl group Aespa were named global brand ambassadors in February 2021 and attended his show in October. — RHONDA RICHFORD

Icon Status:

How does “icon” translate in Italian, French and Spanish? Apparently, as “Madonna.”

After announcing a recent world tour on her Instagram account Tuesday, the music diva was revealed as the quilt star of three different editions of Vanity Fair.

The Italian, French and Spanish versions of the magazine joined forces to launch an “Icon Issue,” the primary of an annual initiative dedicated to celebrating a personality that has shaped modern culture.

For the occasion, Madonna was tapped for the role and took part into an inventive project created by photographers Luigi & Iango. The collaboration resulted in a two-day shoot that involved greater than 80 people and designs by John Galliano for Maison Margiela, Gucci, Dolce & Gabbana, Jean Paul Gaultier, and others. The artist’s regular collaborator, stylist B. Åkerlund, oversaw the style direction of the shoot.

Within the interview flanking the photographs and short movies, the music star confirmed she is working on a recent show and preparing her return to the stage as a part of her plans, which include her own biopic.

“I’m about to create one other show, and I’ve been working for several years on the screenplay about my life. That is time for me — I’m gathering ideas, getting inspired, hanging out with creative people, watching movies, seeing art, listening to music,” she said.

Incidentally, the artist’s announcement of “The Celebration Tour” on Instagram got here with dedicated posts and a video showing her playing truth-or-dare with other celebrities, including Amy Schumer. “Madonna, I dare you to do a world tour and play the best motherf—ing hits,” says Schumer within the video, before the singer accepts the challenge.

Madonna also talks about feminism, sexuality, religion and variety within the interview, which highlights the artist’s ongoing battles against patriarchy and the worth she needed to pay for maintaining her convictions.

Her upbringing in a Catholic family and her spiritual approach were also a part of the conversation with Vanity Fair’s European editorial director Simone Marchetti, who conducted the interview. These added to a mirrored image on the importance of her family life and seeing her children grow, expressing their talent and creativity.

Complementing the words of Madonna, special interviews with John Galliano and Pedro Almodóvar explored the respective relationships with the music star through the years.

“Madonna’s profession has a biblical dimension, a universal scope,” stated Galliano in a passage. “The primary time I saw her, she was already inspired, fearless, with integrity and artistic pride.”

While Vanity Fair Italy hit newsstands on Wednesday, followed by Vanity Fair Spain and France on Jan. 25, the magazine’s “Icon Issue” has been billed as a time-extended artistic project since it should include an urban art performance in Milan and a photography exhibition to be staged at the town’s Palazzo Reale during fashion week in September. — SANDRA SALIBIAN

Greater Space: British beauty retailer Space NK has upsized its Westfield London store in White City, making it the brand’s biggest retail destination.

The 25,000-square-foot store opened its doors on Monday. 

“The shop represents the physical evolution of Space NK: a more customer centric, welcoming environment with more brands, more selection, more exclusives all there to be touched and tried along with our expert staff. With more stores to return from our business in 2023, we’re proud to proceed to innovate, with our customer at the center of every little thing we do,” said Andy Lightfoot, chief executive of Space NK.

The Westfield store encompasses a play table for patrons to check different products; two treatment rooms offering facials; expert pods for patrons to take a seat down with a staff member to learn more a few beauty brand or product; a dedicated fragrance area; and an area for patrons to refill their Space NK Hand & Body empties, in addition to recycle their used beauty packaging.

“The opening of Space NK’s largest store in its portfolio at Westfield London is testament to our continued investment in our spaces. Health, beauty and wellness is a rapidly growing sector at our London centers and the sweetness destination’s recent flagship store signals the strength and appeal of the brand’s unique luxury offer and customer experience,” said Kate Orwin, leading director U.K. at Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield.

On Monday, Sephora announced that its first U.K. store will open in March at Westfields White City shopping mall — marking a return to the British market, which they’ve been absent from since 2005.

“The timing has been a matter of really finding the proper option to enter the market and after we purchased Feelunique just over a 12 months ago now, that was the proper time to have the ability to return back in,” Sarah Boyd, the brand new managing director of Sephora U.K., told WWD. — HIKMAT MOHAMMED

Couture Culture: France is showing its support for fashion’s emerging talent. Minister of culture Rima Abdul Malak got a sneak preview of the Fédération de la Haute Couture et de la Mode’s Sphere showroom Tuesday, ahead of its official Wednesday opening.

After touring the stands of the eight designers present, she highlighted their diversity and drive for a more sustainable approach to fashion as standing out, pinpointing Uniforme designers Hugues Fauchard and Rémi Bats’ selection to maneuver out of Paris to be closer to their production near Nantes, in Brittany, and buzzy young designer Jeanne Friot’s use of upcycled Levi’s in her collection.

“We will see all the brand new stakes they’re working on, with their tone, their creative freedom, whether it’s on recycling or breaking barriers between masculine and female, catering to everyone,” she said.

Reinvigorating creative industries, including fashion, is high on Abdul Malak’s agenda since she was named minister of culture last 12 months.

Amongst upcoming initiatives is a call for projects under the France 2030 investment plan, through which 48 million euros shall be injected into projects supporting the art, design and fashion professions to assist reinvigorate France’s regions over a five-year period. The initiative is in consultation stages and shall be officially opened over the summer, she said.

“There’s plenty of criticism of luxury, that it’s too expensive, etc. But what we’re talking about here is manufacturing. These firms manufacture in France, they’re creating jobs in France. I used to be just talking to a designer who doesn’t use any plastic, no polluting materials, who works on revitalizing employment opportunities in small towns in France. That’s what fashion is: it’s jobs, it’s re-localization.”

While supporting creative industries outside the capital is a priority, Paris’ role as a fashion capital can be key. “Given the international status of Paris, being here and seeing emerging designers from all around the world which can be accompanied by Sphere could be very vital,” said Abdul Malak.

The designers showing at Sphere this season are Arturo Obegero, Valette Studio, Christoph Rumpf, Ponder.er, Jeanne Friot, Steven Passaro, Uniforme and LGN Louis-Gabriel Nouchi. All except Ponder.er, from Hong Kong, are based in France, although the creative forces behind several of them hail from abroad.

“We mustn’t forget we’re a rustic of creative freedom, which isn’t the case in some countries where designers don’t have the potential for freely expressing themselves,” said Abdul Malak, who spent her early years in Beirut. Georges Hobeika, showing on the couture schedule on Monday, is a distant cousin.

“I feel that Paris is the world capital for creative freedom, and it at all times has been, artists have at all times come from all around the world for the creative freedom Paris offers. And the more we will defend and promote that, the stronger shall be our ecosystem, with strong businesses and artistic innovators,” she said. — ALEX WYNNE

Executive Hire: Authentic Brands Group is adding a recent member to its top management team.

Jessica Holscott is joining the corporate as chief financial officer. She is going to succeed Kevin Clarke, founding partner and longtime company leader, as he transitions right into a recent position as executive vice chairman.

Holscott joins Authentic from Warner Media, where she served as executive vice chairman and CFO of studios and networks. Her experience ranges from financial management, strategic planning and operations to mergers and acquisitions. Prior to joining Warner Media, Holscott was executive vice chairman and CFO at HBO, senior vice chairman of investor relations and merger planning leader at Warner Media and CFO of GE Asset Management at GE Capital.

In her recent role, Holscott will lead Authentic’s Finance teams and partner with founder, chairman and chief executive officer Jamie Salter and the chief leadership team to drive value. She is going to work with the corporate’s investors, audit committee and lenders, be based in Authentic’s Recent York City headquarters and report back to Salter.

“Jessica has a proven track record of driving revenue and profitability at scale with the industry’s most formidable firms,” Salter said. “Her financial acumen, strategic mindset and operational experience shall be a precious asset as we proceed to grow our portfolio and drive business world wide.”

Holscott cited the corporate’s “strong market position with significant global opportunities. I sit up for working with Jamie, the chief group and the finance team of their collective efforts to execute market-specific initiatives and enhance value for all shareholders.”

Clarke joined the corporate shortly after it was founded by Salter in 2010 and is credited with helping to determine the successful business model under which the corporate operates today. In his recent role as executive vice chairman, he’ll proceed to work with Salter, the board and the corporate’s leadership team on acquisitions and strategic business matters.

“On behalf of your complete Authentic family, I need to thank Kevin for his countless contributions throughout his 12 years as CFO of the organization,” Salter added. “A faithful and strategic leader, Kevin has been instrumental within the evolution of the Authentic platform, including several transformative acquisitions and personal equity partnerships that were made possible by our financial discipline. I sit up for working with Kevin in his recent capability as executive vice chairman and am confident that we’re handing over the CFO reins to a robust successor.” — JEAN E. PALMIERI

Candice’s Campaign: Anne Klein, which is celebrating 55 years in business, has tapped Candice Swanepoel, the South African model, entrepreneur and philanthropist, to look in its spring campaign.

She may even function an impact partner, supporting a cause-related initiative that shall be revealed in the primary quarter.

Swanepoel, 34, is the founder and designer of a purpose-driven brand, Tropic of C, and actively supports women’s empowerment and philanthropic causes.

“As we enter this monumental 12 months, we’re thrilled to have Candice in our campaign series celebrating women who’re positive changing the world through a balance of image and impact,” said Jameel Spencer, chief marketing officer for Anne Klein. “Anne Klein has a deep history of impacting the lives of ladies and that DNA stays true today. Equally, Candice has used her platform to deliver empowering messaging to women world wide and is the proper partner to assist us further our mission and impact women today.”

Anne Klein’s brand ambassadors have included model and frontline employee Maggie Rawlins; actor and humanitarian Ilfenesh Hadera; model and activist Joan Smalls, and actress and philanthropist Gina Rodriguez.

“I’m honored to have partnered with Anne Klein, a brand whose values align with my very own,” Swanepoel said. “Anne Klein has an extended and revered history inside the fashion industry and I’m proud to support their mission of empowering and championing women.”

The Anne Klein campaign was photographed by Chris Colls at Pier 59 Studios in Recent York. Promoting will appear within the March issue of Harper’s Bazaar, in addition to an in depth digital rollout.

Along with celebrating its 55 years as a brand, Anne Klein can be recognizing its founding designer Anne Klein, who would have been 100 years old in August. As well as, this 12 months marks the fiftieth anniversary of the legendary Battle of Versailles which took place in November 1973, where Anne Klein participated for the American team, together with Oscar de la Renta, Stephen Burrows, Halston and Bill Blass. They were pitted against the French contingent that consisted of Marc Bohan for Christian Dior, Pierre Cardin, Hubert de Givenchy, Yves Saint Laurent and Emanuel Ungaro and elevated the prestige of the American labels.

Anne Klein is now owned by WHP Global. — LISA LOCKWOOD