Latest news with #creativeDirector
Vogue
16-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Vogue
How Louise Trotter Is Bringing Her Rebellious Joy To Bottega Veneta
The location of my first meeting with Louise Trotter, the new creative director of Bottega Veneta, is confirmed just an hour before we're due to meet. It feels fitting: Bottega Veneta has long been known for a kind of elegant restraint, and until very recently Trotter has been deliberately private about her debut collection, keeping even her process closely guarded. The address finally arrives: Villa Clerici, an aristocratic mansion nestled in the Niguarda district of Milan, north of the city. Once you're past the imposing gate, a hidden world unfolds—first an enormous Italian garden dotted with statues, then another large garden at the rear containing two amphitheaters. Villa Clerici's interior rooms feature 18th-century frescoes, trompe l'oeil decorations, and coffered ceilings. It all feels opulent yet somehow restrained—sacred and slightly surreal at the same time. I walk up the stairs in the quiet afternoon and find Trotter at the end of a long corridor, enfolded in a Raphael Raffel leather lounge sofa from the 1970s with custom Bottega Veneta leather, produced by Cassina. A wide window behind her overlooks the arched courtyard. 'I realized we couldn't not do the interview here,' Trotter says with a smile. She has a kind of whimsical mystery to her, mixed with an innate curiosity and intelligence. 'In Paris, everything is grand and declared—in Milan, you have to find your own treasures.' That notion seems to dovetail perfectly with the ethos of Bottega, which has always defied the noise of fashion. Founded in Vicenza as Bottega Veneta Artigiana in 1966 by Renzo Zengiaro and Michele Taddei, it has long built its identity on the idea that true luxury whispers. 'My initial connection to the house was as a customer—I was collecting vintage Bottega Veneta,' says Trotter, who was struck by what seemed to be a radical ethos: 'They were able to create a clear identity without any need for a logo, and I think that takes a certain confidence. You're not making a statement to be seen—you're showing who you are.' The Latin phrase nomen omen—the name is a sign—rings true with her: She is, quite literally, a globe-trotter. Before Bottega, she brought a refined tailoring and minimalist aesthetic to England, America, and France, working variously at Gap, Calvin Klein, Tommy Hilfiger, and the London brands Jigsaw and Joseph. In 2018 she became the first woman to lead Lacoste, and in 2023 she took over Carven. Throughout her career, she's been less a disrupter than a very creative and vibrant custodian—someone who honors legacy through quiet reinvention. This patient philosophy feels especially resonant in the fast-shifting fashion scenario of our current moment, when disruption has become the norm. Unfortunately, though, it's still rather rare to see a woman leading a house of Bottega Veneta's scale and stature. 'Of course I would like to see more female representation—not just in design, but from a business side too,' Trotter says, adding: 'I want to believe that I've succeeded because of my work and because of who I am, and not just because I'm a woman.' To start her creative process for Bottega, Trotter has been spending time in Montebello Vicentino, where the house's archives and artisans are based. 'What's fascinating is seeing how pieces from decades ago still feel relevant—I look at something 50 years old, and I still completely desire it. But we are still very much in a getting-to-know-each-other phase,' she says with a chuckle. What she will share of her process involves a balance between learning from established systems and adding her own touch—'observing and stepping in,' as she puts it. She builds from the past, but is never beholden to it. 'You have to know where a house comes from in order to move forward,' she says.
Vogue
07-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Vogue
Casual Wedding Attire for Guests, Explained
Casual wedding attire might be one of the most debated dress codes printed on a wedding invitation. After all, the words casual and wedding could feel like a bit of an oxymoron—even at the most laid-back affair, there should still be a certain level of elevation to a guest's ensemble out of respect for the gravity of this major life event. When choosing to plan a casual or dressy casual wedding, a couple is asking for their guests to take a more relaxed approach to their style, yet likely would prefer you wear a step up (or two) from flip-flops and jean shorts. Ahead, we break down everything to know about what to wear to a casual wedding as a guest. Photo: Gioconda and August What Does Casual Wedding Attire Actually Mean If a wedding invitation arrives and dictates you should arrive in 'casual attire,' there's no need to pull a gown out of your closet. 'Casual wedding attire, or 'come as you are,' is the host's permission to skip formalities—but it's not an invitation to arrive unpolished,' advises creative director and stylist Carrie L. Goldberg. 'Casual events are intended to make guests feel at ease, and relieve the pressure of dressing up for a low-key welcome party, backyard ceremony, or recovery brunch.' She adds, 'When thinking about dressing for a casual wedding, consider this a step down (or two) from cocktail attire. Heels and ties are not required.' Dos and Don'ts of Dressing for a Casual Wedding A casual wedding dress code is definitely not as rigid as black tie—yet you still should understand the nuance that comes with these more relaxed guidelines. 'While the attire may read casual, be mindful to dress in a way that respects the celebration you're attending,' says Goldberg. 'Your favorite athleisure for running errands isn't what the couple intends for you to arrive in; instead, think of the type of look you'd wear to a nice dinner party or weekend lunch with friends.' If a casual wedding event is in your future, it's best to generally steer clear of flip-flops, graphic tees, and blue denim (unless it fits the venue). A good rule of thumb? 'Skip anything too rumpled or sporty and focus on ease and effortlessness,' says the stylist. 'The idea of a casual wedding is to allow guests to shop their closets rather than feeling the pressure to buy something new for the occasion (unless, of course, they'd like to!).'
Vogue
25-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Vogue
Ganni Resort 2026 Collection
'We are still who we are, but something has also changed.' Ditte Reffstrup was commuting between Copenhagen and Paris as she discussed her Ganni resort collection. The creative director seems to find navigating the clash between Danish and French cultures invigorating. 'There are so many things where we are so different, and at the same time, I think we are driving each other in a good direction. We really learn from each other.' Something similar could be said of the brand's new lineup which accommodates both those with the desire to hibernate and others with the urge to party with looks cozy (a Gannified toggle coat à la Paddington Bear) and dressy (a knee-length sheath in mocha-colored sequins with a shoulder bow flourish). These two garments were paired in the opening look of a collection that feels sophisticated, yet retains a sense of fun. Longer skirt lengths added polish, while kitten-heeled shoes inspired by Danish house clogs introduced an element of cool. Among the elements carried over from the fall 2025 collection were Peter Pan collars, one of which appeared on an otherwise utilitarian jacket in chocolate brown; floral jacquard denim; and a three-tier silhouette, as in a closing look that included a blazer, short circle skirt, and pants. 'I love this layering,' Reffstrup noted. A different, younger, kind of tripling up could be seen in a too-cute look where a sweater with a banana motif was tied around the shoulders of a mini dress with a pleated skirt puffed out by a ruffled leopard-print skirt worn under it. Reffstrup's father was a fisherman and the yellow Icelandic-style pullover in the collection is both classic and nostalgic for her. A 'story sweater' featuring a bunny rabbit and the slogan 'Have a Nice Day Please Recycle,' a gray-striped blouse with 'angel' sleeves, and a denim dress and jacket smothered with bows and rick-rack trim, are all examples of dopamine dressing. 'There's so much stuff going on [in the world],' said Reffstrup, 'but I really want to put a smile on people's faces.'
Yahoo
22-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Bally Expected to Stay the Course With Design Team
STEADY AT BALLY: Fashion's revolving door continues to swing, but don't expect a new creative director to join Bally any time soon. The Swiss brand has been going through major changes since the acquisition last August by an affiliate of Regent, the owner of Club Monaco and Escada, from JAB. More from WWD Ellen Hodakova Larsson Tipped as Potential Successor to Francesco Risso at Marni EXCLUSIVE: New Bally 'Heritage' Campaign Puts Focus on Shoes Jil Sander Steps Into Venetian Glass With Formafantasma and Venini to Fete New Venice Store Two months later, CEO Nicolas Girotto exited the brand, succeeded by former Dsquared2 and Roberto Cavalli executive Ennio Fontana, who joined as general manager. In March, creative director Simone Bellotti left Bally to join Jil Sander. He brought rigorous designs, sleek tailoring and understated chicness, while at the same time adding irreverent and whimsical twists to sober and tailored suits and trenches, like the tiny cowbells referencing the Swiss heritage of the brand. Bellotti had been named to that post in May 2023, succeeding Rhuigi Villaseñor. The latter, who is also the founder of luxury streetwear brand Rhude, held the top design role for only one year. Bally did not present a menswear collection in Milan, but staged a presentation on Sunday of a capsule inspired by an archival tennis shoe, and a spokeswoman said the aim is now to focus on the immediate future with collections designed by the brand's team for consistency, after all the changes. Michael Reinstein is the founder and chairman of investment firm Regent. In April, as reported, seasoned fashion and retail executive Mario Grauso joined Regent as operating partner of its fashion and luxury group, a new role. Grauso is the former president of Holt Renfrew, Vera Wang, Joe Fresh and Puig Fashion, parent of Carolina Herrera, Nina Ricci and Paco Rabanne. Regent's wider portfolio also includes the retailer Intermix plus a clutch of hosiery and innerwear players: Dim, Intermix, Playtex, Wonderbra, Bellinda and La Senza. Based in Beverly Hills, Regent invests across sectors including retail, luxury, media, technology, automotive and industrial. Best of WWD Kate Middleton's Looks at Trooping the Colour Through the Years [PHOTOS] Young Brooke Shields' Style Evolution, Archive Photos: From Runway Modeling & Red Carpets to Meeting Princess Diana The Most Memorable French Open Tennis Outfits With Serena Williams, Naomi Osaka & More [PHOTOS]
Washington Post
18-06-2025
- Business
- Washington Post
Francesco Risso leaves Marni after a decade as creative director in another fashion world shakeup
MILAN — Francesco Risso is stepping down as Marni creative director after a decade, the OTB Group announced Tuesday, marking yet another high-level creative shift in the fashion world. OTB Chairman Renzo Rosso called Risso 'a unique designer and an artist at heart,' adding, 'I wish him only the best for the future.' The statement did not say when a new creative director would be announced.
