L’ORIGINALE
THE NEW EAU DE PARFUM
WHERE WILL IT TAKE YOU ?
On the Marc! Kicking off the season a couple days before NYFW’s official start, Marc Jacobs, ever the rebel, showed on Monday.
ARTY PARTY!
It’s always a good time at the Whitney’s annual Art Party, and the sold-out 2026 event last month was no exception! This year’s fashion sponsor, Libertine, dressed quite a few lucky guests.
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• Welcome back, loves! So much to discuss, let’s dive right in… • First up, who’s not at NYFW this week? Looks like Jason Wu, Cynthia Rowley, Sally LaPointe, Brandon Maxwell, and Monse are sitting out this season. • Meanwhile, Ralph Lauren showed in Soho on Lafayette Street, while Tory Burch is showing at Sotheby’s at the Breuer on February 11th—the same day Rachel Scott makes her runway debut as creative director for Proenza Schouler. • Plus! Public School is officially back: In September, designers Maxwell Osborne and Dao-Yi Chow soft-launched the brand’s NYFW return with a supper club party, but we’re excited to see what they trot out on the runway this week!
DECO DARLINGS!
A feast for the eyes. Alessandro Michele went all in on his Golden Age Hollywood infatuation with his Spring/Summer 2026 Haute Couture collection for Valentino, inspired by Art Deco design icon Erté with gowns, robes, and fanciful headdresses aplenty. Glitz and glamour!
TURN UP THE HEAT!
Heated Rivalry star Connor Storrie (perhaps you’ve heard of him!) made his front-row debut at Saint Laurent’s Fall 2026 menswear show in Paris last month, seated next to co-stars François Arnaud and Robbie G.K. Meanwhile, their co-star Hudson Williams opened DSquared2’s menswear show in Milan. Will the haute hotties pop up anywhere else this week? Keep an eye out!
BIG NEWS ALERT!
Did you hear? The Only Agency, a global leader in creative talent representation, recently announced the acquisition of The Daily! “The Daily Front Row’s bold editorial vision and enduring legacy have earned it a rare, almost cult-like status within the fashion industry,” said Kent Belden, founder and CEO of The Only Agency. “Eddie Roche and his team have built an influential media brand that doesn’t just cover fashion, it helps define it. We’re excited to accelerate The Daily Front Row’s growth while preserving the voice, credibility, and authority that make it so distinctive.” The Only Agency represents powerhouse talents like Law Roach, Maeve Reilly, Wayman + Micah, Dani Michelle, and more. The Daily will continue to operate with full editorial independence, while leveraging The Only Agency’s resources to accelerate growth and innovation. Together, we’ll be uniting complementary strengths across the fashion ecosystem, unlocking new opportunities for editorial evolution, brand partnerships, and live experiences. Watch this space for more!
Molly Krause
François Arnaud, Robbie G.K., and Connor Storrie
Sam Woolf B. Åkerlund
Law Roach
Brett Alan Nelson
Jessica Wang
Tory Burch
Maxwell Osborne and Dao-Yi Chow
Natalie Lim Suarez and Dylana Suarez
Martha Stewart
Dani Stahl, Elizabeth Kurpis, Jennifer Fisher, and Steven Beltrani
Danyul Brown
Nikki Helms
Maeve Reilly
Dani Michelle
Marjan Malakpour
The Only Agency’s Kent Belden
Wayman + Micah
Valentino Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2026
Genesis Webb
Etienne Ortega Keita Moore
Maryam Malakpour
Anna Trevelyan
Nicolas Bru Lorenzo Posocco
Frederic Aspiras
Things to Discuss!
1. NYFW cal newcomers alert! This season, look for debuts by 7 For All Mankind by creative director Nicola Brognano, Alix of Bohemia, Andrew Curwen, Caroline Zimbalist, Contessa Mills, Cult Gaia, HILÁ, J. Press, Jasper Fashion, Mel Usine, Menyelek, Ossou, Pipenco Loreno, and Veejay Floresca.
2. J’adore Zimmermann’s dreamy Spring 2026 campaign, starring Edie Campbell, Abby Champion, and Louise Robert frolicking at a sprawling estate. It’s got true editorial sensibilities and feels like an old-school magazine spread in an era where campaigns can be overly slick or algorithm-driven. More of this, please.
3. Parties, parties, parties! The Daily and Glance will celebrate NYFW at a private dinner at the recently opened The Eighth in Chelsea this week; there’s a dinner party co-hosted by Manolo Blahnik and Alioune Badara Fall at The EDITION on Tuesday, while on Thursday, Michael Kors toasts the brand’s 45th anniversary with post-show cocktails; Mytheresa has a cocktail bash at Temple Bar; and Miu Miu is screening a short film and doing a dinner at Chez Margaux after.
ADIEU, MR. VALENTINO
4. In other campaign news, country icon Willie Nelson is bundled up and ready to get on the road again in Haider Ackermann’s latest looks for Snow Goose by Canada Goose.
Hotel Chelsea Homecoming! WITH ZALDY
What can we expect from your NYFW collection this season?
When I was first designing my women’s collections in the 2000s, I always imagined I would do a men’s collection once women’s was operating beautifully.… Of course, things don’t always go as planned, and my career shifted more toward costume in the subsequent decade! I designed for the most iconic male performers, like Michael Jackson, but most of my work was with female artists—Gaga, Katy Perry, and of course, the legendary RuPaul! I always thought I would return to fashion, but didn’t know it would be for menswear.
What drove you to venture into menswear?
It was twofold: One, my growing frustration with finding clothes that I wanted to buy and wear, and two, the desire to present something that was purely from my point of view. It’s a collection for me and my friends, which is why I titled it “…boys like me.”
5. Controversial before it even aired, Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette finally drops on Hulu and FX on February 12th. Consider your après-NYFW defrost and decompress plans sorted.
TEAM SPIRIT!
Valentino Garavani (aka the Last Emperor, aka the Sheik of Chic) passed away on January 19 at his home in Rome at the age of 93. Over the course of his career, Valentino designed for everyone from Jacqueline Kennedy to Elizabeth Taylor to Cate Blanchett. The 2008 documentary Valentino: The Last Emperor gave the world a rare, intimate look at Valentino the man, not just the designer; that year, Valentino sold his namesake brand for a reported $300 million. Well into his nineties, he still attended his brands’ runway shows, proudly sitting front row as other designers put their unique stamp on the iconic world he and partner in life and work, Giancarlo Giammetti, built together with love, grace, and beauty. #RIP, Mr. Valentino.
Sporty feats and international competition aside, gotta love the Olympics for the cute uniforms and merch. You can count on Ralph Lauren to dress Team USA in style, while Skims and J.Crew are in on the games with chic gear, too.
Expect a mix of extravagant details while employing traditional handwork techniques, alongside classic men’s tailoring and shirt making, seamlessly blending with harder, modern elements, like leather, and honoring gay iconographic imagery of male sexual energy and beauty, drawing from artists formative to my early years, like James Bidgood, Dick Higgins, Rainer Werner Fassbinder, Kenneth Anger, and Leigh Bowery. Why did you choose Hotel Chelsea as the location?
It’s a storied venue with a rich personal history for me, alongside many icons of music and cultural demimonde. I used to live at Hotel Chelsea for 20 years, and it’s where I created all eight of my women’s collections. So for me, there was no other venue I wanted to show at. Kelly Cutrone at People’s Revolution is handling the PR. What do you love about showing your work in person? Do you ever get nervous?
Seeing and feeling the fabrications and the mood is something you can’t quite replicate on film. I have a way of turning my inner nervousness into calm. I know that there’s no turning back and the show is going on, so I feel free to let it just happen!
I still think the best way to present a fashion collection is live, with all senses turned on, experiencing something together in one moment at the same time!
You’ve been to lots of fashion shows over time.
What’s your favorite NYFW memory?
I have two amazing memories, one is from my own fourth women’s collection, where my dear friends Rufus Wainwright and Anohni wrote the soundtrack and performed it live! And taking my bows with model Jamie Bochert! The second was at a Todd Oldham show; he used to do the most exciting shows. For one of them, I remember Kristen McMenamy walking down the runway with a purse and then just tossing it out into the audience as she walked. It was so brash and punk rock and exciting!
You’ve dressed some of the biggest legends. Any artists you’d still love to dress?
There are so many artists I would love to dress, and so many men who really love fashion and know how to wear it, like Jacob Elordi, Timothée Chalamet, Troye Sivan, and Romeo Beckham. I haven’t worked with Dua Lipa, Doechii, or Miley Cyrus yet. Oh, and I’m obsessed with Mia Goth!
Zaldy
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Eddie Roche Editor in Chief
Creative Director Paul Aubut
CAFFEINE BOOST!
• Couture report! The biggest splash at the Spring/Summer 2026 Haute Couture shows in Paris last month was Matthieu Blazy’s longawaited Chanel debut, with stars like Dua Lipa, Nicole Kidman, and A$AP Rocky in the front row to see the fantasy-filled show. The runway itself resembled a children’s fairy tale, and the clothes brimmed with intricate details and complex constructions, yet felt overall quite wearable and rooted in reality, with a handful of wilder pieces mixed in. See: a hooded feather chubby that made the model look half hedgehog, and ruched offthe-shoulder capes that resembled bird wings. J’adore! • Another major moment: Jonathan Anderson’s Couture debut at Dior, with Anya TaylorJoy, Jennifer Lawrence, Greta Lee, Parker Posey, and Natalia Vodianova in the front row, and a collection filled with voluminous gowns, gorgeous draping, and sculptural silhouettes. • Plus, Giambattista Valli was on the Couture calendar, but just four days in advance, parent company Artémis (the Pinault family’s private investment arm) pulled the plug on its show.
Schutz has partnered with The Daily Front Row to bring back the beloved (and very necessary) coffee cart on the go for New York Fashion Week, popping up outside some of the season’s most anticipated shows and stocked with refreshments and snacks. Discover the Brazilian footwear brand’s Spring collection, launching late February in stores and online at schutz-shoes.com.
BREAK!
DESERT OASIS!
Mackage’s latest campaign and collection, both dubbed “Oasis,” features Matt Bomer, star of the upcoming flick Outcome, and model Stella Maxwell in a dreamy, vaguely futuristic desert setting as “ two travelers suspended between worlds.” The collection, filled with soft dune, warm umber, and vibrant papaya hues, marks Mackage’s evolution from its chic outerwear roots to full-fledged luxury lifestyle brand.
Don’t miss Masquerade, the immersive Phantom of the Opera musical from the creators of Sleep No More, which runs through July 5th. The updated show, directed by Diane Paulus, has welcomed the likes of Pink, Adam Lambert, Neil Patrick Harris, and Marina Abramovic for an opulent, fun night out.
Woman!
Irina Shayk covers V Magazine’s stunning Spring Preview 2026 issue, styled by Patti Wilson and shot by Steven Klein, with the Russian stunner channeling a strongmeets-sexy character she and Klein dreamed up for the shoot: “She represents a kind of wild femininity. She’s bold. She’s masculine in her own way,” Shayk told the mag. “She lives in leather. She goes out. She’s in her ‘yes’ era— fearless, unapologetic, fully herself.” Love!
Executive Editor Alexandra Ilyashov
Managing Editor Joseph Manghise
Editors-at-Large
Charlotte Bickley Elizabeth Kurpis
Contributing Editors
Charles Manning Darren Kennedy
Photo Director
Jessica Athanasiou-Piork
Imaging Specialist George Maier
Kent Belden CEO
Marketing Director Nandini Vaid
Fashion Publishing Director Monica Forman
Digital Operations Daniel Chivu
Manufacturing Operations
Michael Esposito
Amy Taylor
Marketing Intern Christina Sawicki
To advertise, e-mail: advertising@dailyfrontrow.com. The Daily Front Row is a Daily Front Row LLC publication, 20 W. 22nd Street, Suite 905, New York, NY 10010. Copyright © 2026. All rights reserved. Reproduction without permission is strictly prohibited. Requests for reprints, e-mail: editor@dailyfrontrow.com
ON
(Clockwise from top) Marc Jacobs, Christian Juul Nielsen, Christian Siriano, Michael Kors, Anna Sui, Tory Burch, and Sergio Hudson. Getty Images (14)
Christian Dior Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2026
Christian Dior Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2026
Christian Dior Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2026
Chanel Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2026
Greta Lee Natalia Vodianova
Jennifer Lawrence Anya Taylor-Joy
Dua Lipa
A$AP Rocky
Nicole Kidman
Isn’t It
ROMANTIC
Bold, beautiful, and effortlessly wearable, fine jewelry brand Sapphae’s stunning pieces are inspired by queer love. Modern yet timeless, these baubles—including chunky signet rings, sleek mixed-metal mini hoops, and customizable charm necklaces—are meant to tell a story.
Motif ring, $3,750
Nina bracelet, $2,900
Anna ring, $4,150
Joann huggies, $990
Mini Anna huggies, $2,590
Caroline necklace, $5,350
Nina pendant, $3,750
Eva ring, $4,550
Sapphae founder and designer Belle Stanton
Take a Glance
With AI on everyone’s radar these days, a new app has arrived to give you a head start on being on top of the latest fashion technology. Introducing Glance, an innovative new tool that uses generative AI to create personalized, photorealistic, and shoppable outfits based on a user’s uploaded selfie. Monica Dimperio, the company’s head of social & content (U.S.), consumer marketing, tells THE DAILY how it’s going to change the way you shop and why they’re courting content creators to spread the word.
For readers who may be discovering Glance for the first time, how do you describe what it is and why it matters? Shopping today is fragmented, with trends on TikTok, inspiration on Instagram and Pinterest, and a messy path from idea to purchase. Glance breaks that loop by letting you talk about what you need or where you’re going, then responding in a way that’s personal and learns your taste over time, so inspiration becomes instantly actionable. It matters as consumer behavior has become impulsive and disconnected, leading to overbuying and regret. Glance makes it smarter and more intentional, reducing decision fatigue and building confidence across everything from fashion to home and beauty, designed to feel like a shopping BFF that genuinely gets you.
Glance is entering the U.S. as a completely new brand, without legacy expectations or preconceived notions. How are you using that “blank slate” as an advantage? Entering the U.S. as a new brand is an advantage, as we get to listen and observe our consumer first. We’re not constrained by legacy assumptions about how people should shop or use technology, which gives us
Monica Dimperio
THE EIGHTH
Who’s the chef?
WONDER
Manhattan’s Chelsea neighborhood is about to get a welcome new neighbor! Opening this month, The Eighth is a new cocktail-driven restaurant rooted in atmosphere, ritual, and impeccable décor. The venue is the brainchild of award-winning New York interior designers Julien Legeard and Valmira Gashi of Legeard Studio, in collaboration with seasoned hospitality veteran and New York’s ultimate connector, Richie Romero, who’s on board as strategic marketing and brand advisory partner. Gashi tells us how they’ve created an elevated alternative to everything else out there.
By EDDIE ROCHE
Congratulations on the new place! Tell us about the concept.
We took it over when it was still Motel Morris [the restaurant previously in the space], and it’s not like we wanted to undo what was there. We wanted to explore what it felt like and what it was doing for the neighborhood. We kept it as Motel Morris for about six months and through that we figured out what people liked about it and what wasn’t working. Because Julien and I are both designers, we felt we couldn’t leave it in the condition that it was in. If we were to modify it, what was the story it was telling? For us, it was important to research the neighborhood. Chelsea has such a deep background of so many stories to tell. What I found fascinating when I was doing all the research was that not only has Chelsea been an everchanging part of the city, not that everything isn’t, but Chelsea specifically was always on the outskirts. What I loved about that was that over time it became this new thing, whether it was the artist area, that’s what was talked about. If it became the fashion area, that’s what was talked about. There was a history not being told. The name The Eighth comes from the idea of an imagined eighth day—something beyond the known calendar and outside the rigid structure of time. This unknown, uncounted, unmeasured thing. It’s this representation of all the ignored, forgotten stories of the area.
What’s your vision for the place?
The idea behind The Eighth is that it’s supposed to be this experiential restaurant. There are the cocktails that tell their story and the cocktails will be very ceremonial throughout the night,
which is this story that’s conducted by the bartenders. The bar team is essentially creating the mood as the night progresses. The idea is that at 8 p.m., The Eighth transforms and the night starts. This is accompanied by this ceremony that’s created at the alter, at the bar, which is lit up. That’s the awakening of the night. At 10 p.m., we have another one, which is more about the indulgence. Now you’re awake and now you’re about to maybe have that drink you shouldn’t have, but it’s going to be great. As the night progresses, our midnight ceremony is shrouded in mystery, and this is where the night takes us. If it’s a quiet night, the 10 p.m. to midnight [ceremony] will reflect what’s happening in the room. If it’s turning kind of wild and everyone is having a good time, it’s time to blast the music and have a good time and have a party. It’s about the experience of the person that’s in it and how that develops for them. It’s meant to be an experience that you don’t want to experience just once. It’s not going to be the same experience every time.
What’s the food going to be like?
Kat Williams, and he’s great. He recently moved here from L.A. and he’s very talented. He’s Jamaican and has this relaxed vibe about him that’s very inviting. That’s what we wanted. He’s Kingston-born, and his work is rooted in Jamaican culture, community, and creativity. He brings an artistic sensibility to the food and experiences he creates, with signature menu item standouts like jerk wings, and honey and scallop crudo. The staff is friendly and welcoming. We also have Disco as our doorman. Everyone knows him. He’s a staple of New York.
Let’s talk about the design! What was your approach? It was supposed to be a representation of Chelsea that wasn’t too obvious. We didn’t want to get stuck in specific eras and go industrial or artistic or this or that. It’s a culmination of all these things. The idea of it is that it’s not all obvious at once. It’s a small space and you immediately see the bar, and it could be apparent right away, but it’s not. The light behind the bar in the ceiling is an integrated mirror that projects upward to give the idea that there’s always going to be more throughout the night as you experience it. Then there are the two animals that make appearances throughout the space, which are the snake and the moth. The snake represents transformation and mystery. The moth is a representation of what we want people to feel. The minute people walk in they’ll see the bar glowing and go for it. Like a moth to the flame! It’s this idea of indulgence and giving in to what’s in front of you.
Are there any signature cocktails you can recommend?
We’ve had several tastings and have had quite a few successful drinks. The No. 1 cocktail that everyone is obsessed with is called the Midnight Ballerina. It’s a mezcal drink, which is really in right now. Everyone goes crazy for it. It’s delicious. My favorite is the espresso martini, which I don’t normally drink because I’m not a big vodka person, but this one is made with bourbon and cognac. Those two are our big stars right now. The cocktail menu at The Eighth is structured not just around ingredients, but around time and transformation, created by mixologist Evelyn Atheris.
What are you most excited about?
The food and the cocktails work together! It’s this idea of the familiar, but kind of twisted. The menu for the food is kind of that idea. You think you know exactly what a salad is going to taste like, but then you receive it and maybe that’s not how you would have expected it. You come in and order a slider, but maybe it’s not the kind of slider you’ve had everywhere else. It’s the same with the cocktails. It sounds like a Manhattan, but the spin on it is at the discretion of the bartender. Essentially it’s the familiarity with a twisted surprise.
I say this all the time when I’m at The Eighth, I love the fact that I have a bar that I actually want to go to. It’s cozy, or you can be fancy about it if you want to be. There’s no pretension, the drinks are great, everybody’s nice. It’s a representation of me in many ways as the design is very my vibes. I hand-selected most of the materials and the objects and was involved with the design of the logos. It’s my baby!
The Eighth is located at 132 Seventh Avenue, New York. For more, visit @theeighthnyc on Instagram.
HAVE WON
You Ever Anything?
Sergio HudSon
“Winning first place in my senior fashion show while in college was the first time my dream spoke back to me and said, ‘Keep going!’ ”
Kate Barton
“I ran exactly one track race as a kid—the Hershey Track & Field 100-meter sprint, and somehow won, placing first in the Midwest region at around age 10. It was my first and only taste of competition on a bigger stage, long before fashion. That same drive later showed up in fashion. I’ve been recognized as a CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund finalist, a Mittelmoda Innovation Prize winner in Milan, Forbes 30 Under 30, and with an FGI Rising Star Award. Different arena, same instinct to see what happens when you jump in and really go for it.”
With Olympics fever in the air, we were curious if some of our favorite NYFW designers have ever received their own version of a gold medal!
anna Sui
ecca HeSSel coHen, loveSHacKFancy
“In the early ’90s I was a competitive gymnast. Floor and beam were my events, but I’d do aerials and round-off back handsprings anywhere I could. I won about 30 medals between 1990 and 1996. Though I couldn’t tell you where any of them are now! It’s also when my signature arm-up pose was born. Gymnastics taught me how to shine under pressure, a skill that’s proven remarkably useful as a founder. Today, the wins look different—FIT’s Entrepreneurship Award, BoF 500, Fashion Group International’s Rising Star Award, Guild Hall’s Visionary Award, Glossy 50, and a few more I’m deeply grateful for—but the spirit remains the same.”
“Receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award from The Daily Front Row at the 2024 Fashion Media Awards, held at the iconic Rainbow Room, was one of the greatest honors of my career—and certainly one of the most glamorous evenings imaginable. The award was presented by my dear friend Debbie Harry, making the moment even more meaningful. Sofia Coppola, Michele Hicks, and several members of my design team joined me for the celebration. That same evening, the incomparable Pat Cleveland presented Jerry Hall with the Fashion Legends Award, while Carolyn Murphy, Alek Wek, and Amber Valletta—all of whom walked my shows throughout the ’90s and early 2000s—presented Trey Laird with Campaign of the Year. And Coco Rocha, who also walked in my shows, presented the Fashion Innovator Award. The biggest thrill of the night came when Debbie and I went backstage after I accepted my award. Just behind the curtain stood Rihanna, who exclaimed, “I’ve been waiting to talk to you!” I was certain she meant Debbie…until she grabbed my arm and kissed me on the cheek. Now that was an exciting moment!”
“When I was in college, I sang in an a cappella group and won Outstanding Soloist at the ICCA Northeast Quarterfinals for a rendition of ‘Goodnight Moon,’ by Shivaree. It’s been downhill ever since.”
BacH Mai
“I was a total theater kid growing up, and at the end of freshman year in high school, I was given the Space Cadet award from the drama club. The trophy was a spatula. And I am still just as spacey today!”
alexiS Bittar
“My biggest win was in 2010 when I won the CFDA Accessory Designer of the Year award. I definitely felt like the underdog and was up against Marc Jacobs and Proenza Schouler. In the 45 years of the CFDA’s, only five jewelers have won this category. I decided to bring my dad and Iris Apfel as my dates. Iris, of course, stole the show. When the moment came to announce the winner, I felt like I entered into a blackout. It was an amazing feeling to work at something for years, having started by selling my jewelry on the streets of Soho in 1990, and then be recognized for what I love to do.”
JoSepH altuzarra, altuzarra
Christian Juul nielsen, aknvas
“At age 10, I won Best Recorder Player, my first gold medal, which is still on display at my parents’ house in Denmark. I occasionally try to defend my title, with less impressive results. In my school years, I was the fastest swimmer in my class, though never officially awarded. In boarding school in Denmark, I won Best Morning Hair. In bible school in England, I was the winner of the local Eurovision Song Contest. I performed ‘Barbie Girl,’ and I’m ready for a rematch. In university in London, I was awarded the Saga Fur Award in Denmark after presenting my graduation collection. Then things started getting serious. For my work with Aknvas in New York, I won the FGI award for Womenswear in 2020 and for Menswear in 2021. In 2023, I won the AC Accessories Design Excellence Award, where I basically decorated a boot the same way I do a dress.”
FreDeriCk an
Cynthia rowley
“I won a marshmallow stuffing contest in high school. 40! I also won an award for selling the most Girl Scout cookies in my regional area in seventh grade.”
“A little-known fact about me is that I was in the original cast of Crazy for You we won the Tony Award for best musical!”
Christian siriano
“Growing up, I was on the Maryland dive team and I used to win awards for my inward pike. If anyone doesn’t know what an inward pike is, I recommend watching a video, they’re really scary. I also won a little fashion competition show called Project Runway, by the way, but that inward pike was killer.”
BiBhu Mohapatra
“I have an honorary doctorate degree from Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences. It’s a great honor to be Dr. Bibhu Mohapatra, although I’m a bit embarrassed to use that prefix.”
Dennis
Basso
“In the early ’70s I was on a transatlantic crossing with my parents on the SS Michelangelo, a glam ship, and I won the dance contest. The competition wasn’t a very high bar, but I did win!”
Christian Cowan
alexanDra o’ neill, Markarian
“I was extremely lucky when I was 5 years old at a school raffle. I won a Mickey Mouse wall phone that I was obsessed with. My raffle tickets kept getting called after that and eventually, I was too embarrassed to go up anymore. I think I used up all of my luck that day and haven’t won anything since!”
“One of my most treasured memories has nothing to do with clothes at all. Growing up in the U.K., I was endlessly curious about the natural world. One afternoon, while exploring near home, I came across a spider that looked strikingly different from anything I’d seen before—glossy, dark, and frankly, rather too excitinglooking for England. That curiosity turned into a small adventure. After doing some research and reaching out to experts at the Cambridge University Museum of Zoology, I learned it was a rare breed, the false black widow spider. I donated the specimen and my notes, and to my surprise, I was invited to become a member of the British Arachnological Society. As it turned out I was the first person to discover and donate this species in the U.K. As a child, it felt like an extraordinary win, being taken seriously by scientists and contributing, in a tiny way, to something much bigger than myself. That moment stayed with me. It taught me the value of curiosity, observation, and following an instinct, even when it leads somewhere unexpected— lessons that still shape how I approach creativity today.”
DINNER PARTY
On one of the coldest nights in recent memory, THE DAILY brought a few fabulous friends to dinner at Scarpetta to celebrate the launch of FIBRE, the new sustainable outerwear line.
The dinner kicked off with a cocktail hour where guests were treated to custom sketches from fashion illustrator Pepe Muñoz and had fittings for their own custom piece from FIBRE. Before the family-style dinner was served, the brand’s founders—Antonio Alesandro Valerio, founder/CEO/creative designer, and Giovanni Stefano Procaccini, president and chief brand officer—shared the line’s origin story.
FIBRE was founded in Italy’s Pettoranello del Molise, the area where brands such as Versace and Dolce & Gabbana were made, and is the vision of Valerio. Inspired by Italian saper fare (know-how), FIBRE values the region’s artisanal skills and translates them into a universal language. The brand was born from the desire to redefine the balance between sartorial tradition and contemporary research. The garments are crafted with technical precision and made from natural and recycled fibers.
Photography by SEAN ZANNI
Dougie Joseph, Stefano Tomadini, Tyler Lain, and John VanBeber
Pepe Muñoz
Ashley Haas
Keke Lindgard and Hunter Kohl
Nandini Vaid and Charlotte Bickley
Ryan Cooper and Pej Vahdat
Keytt Lundqvist
Katya Tolstova
A timeless look from FIBRE
Stefano Tomadini
Christian Bendek
Alex Lundqvist
MoAnA Luu, Eddie Roche, and Alina Baikova
Yana Khan
Alessandro Casiraghi, Alessio Nanni, Giovanni Stefano Procaccini, and Antonio Alesandro Valerio
Sam Vartholomeos
ALL ABOARD!
THE DAILY’s annual Art Basel bash has become a longtime tradition during Art Week in Miami, and this year we took things up a notch with an intimate cocktail party on a super yacht. The Gatsby hosted the sunset event to launch its new line of luxe canned cocktails and introduce the drinks to the fashion set. Guests previewed three Gatsby signature noncarbonated ready-to-drink cocktails in a can—the Cucumber Lime Margarita, the Paloma, and the Piña Colada—ahead of the brand’s official launch.
Wayman + Micah
Peter Ostrega and Samantha Angelo
Crystal Waters
Photography by SEAN ZANNI
The evening was hosted by super stylists Wayman + Micah, aka The Daily’s Fashion Los Angeles Awards 2025 Men’s Stylist of the Year honorees, and the busy gents working with Colman Domingo, Teyana Taylor, Taraji P. Henson, and more! The yacht was docked so guests could come and go throughout the evening, and the night welcomed Naeem Khan, Madlena Kalinova, River Viiperi, Evan Walker, Crystal Waters, Blair Clarke, Keonté Turner, Samantha Angelo, Peter Ostrega, Chelsea Boatey, Harry Goodwins, CT Hedden, Mark Silver, Rose Swarbrick, Elijah Avraham, Rigo Lora, Melissa Vale, Jordan Berrada, Sheila Kababieh, Fallyn Valenti, The Daily’s Eddie Roche and Nandini Vaid, and more.
In addition to the popular Gatsby cocktails, guests enjoyed sushi throughout the evening and wine by The Pale Rosé. Everyone went home with BioTech Blowout product from Goddess Maintenance. Until next year!
River Viiperi
Products from Goddess Maintenance were on hand for guests to take home.
Jordan Berrada
Naeem Khan and Madlena Kalinova
Chelsea Boatey
Rose Swarbrick
Eddie Roche, Jason Fournier, and Ryan Shaw
Evan Walker, Kasey Stewart, and guest
AHEAD of the GAME!
Always miles ahead when it comes to aligning with the cool kids, Tommy Hilfiger has just launched a major partnership with the Cadillac Formula 1. THE DAILY asked Hilfiger for the scoop on what to expect, what he loves about F1, and whether he’s ever coming back to Fashion Week! (Do we have to beg!?)
By EDDIE ROCHE
Hi, Tommy. Tell us about the partnership between the Cadillac Formula 1 Team and Tommy Hilfiger. This partnership brings together two American icons with a shared belief in innovation, craftsmanship, and bold storytelling. The Cadillac Formula 1 Team’s debut season is a historic moment, and I’m proud that Tommy Hilfiger is part of that next chapter. This collaboration feels like a natural next step in our legacy of pushing Formula 1 into new cultural spaces. It’s all about sport, style, and optimism as we move forward together. What is your shared vision?
Valtteri Bottas and Checo Pérez
You’re working with Checo Pérez and Valtteri Bottas! Talk to us about these two drivers and why they’re such a good match for Tommy.
Checo Pérez is a global icon with incredible style instincts, which makes him a perfect fit for Global Menswear Ambassador. He brings confidence, charisma, and a strong connection to fans around the world. Valtteri Bottas brings focus, individuality, and an authentic edge that feels modern and fresh. Together, they represent this generation of sport and culture.
When creating looks for this, what’s the Tommy brand’s approach to design?
Our approach is always to create Prep Made Modern, rooted in classic American style but reimagined for today. For this collection, we infused motorsport energy and the Cadillac Formula 1 Team precision into everyday silhouettes. Craftsmanship, comfort, and the racing culture lead every design decision, resulting in timeless style with a modern motorsport edge.
What kind of pieces will we be seeing?
The collection is our vision for the future of style and speed, featuring co-branded fanwear pieces showcasing the Tommy flag and the Cadillac Formula 1 Team shield, plus replica styles built for race-day performance. Bold graphics, metallic accents, and red, white, and blue details bring it all together across varsity jackets, polos, T-shirts, driver caps, and more.
F1 has gained in popularity in recent years. Why do you think it’s seen such success?
Formula 1 has become more than a sport—it’s a global entertainment platform. As storytelling and digital access have opened the paddock to new audiences around the world, fashion and style now sit alongside performance. I love that the drivers are taking this moment to showcase their unique personalities, continuing to evolve the intersection between fashion, entertainment, and motorsport.
When did your passion for F1 begin, and what do you love about it?
I grew up in upstate New York, 30 minutes away from Watkins Glen, the original home of the U.S. Grand Prix, and I used to watch through the fences. I loved the thrill of the race and the classic iconography of the uniforms. Because of this, the drive, dedication, and passion embodied by F1 athletes have always been at the core of Tommy Hilfiger’s heritage.
Starting in the ’90s, we sponsored F1 teams, created capsule collections, and broke convention by designing collections inspired by the track.
I love partnering with best-in-class athletes, allowing the brand to celebrate our shared values of determination, optimism, and the spirit of sportsmanship.
How often do you get to the races?
I try to get to the races as often as possible.
I’ve always seen the paddock as a runway, and there’s no greater design inspiration than seeing drivers come alive on race day as they gear up to compete. It’s the best way to experience the emotion, drama, and culture around Formula 1 up close. Next season, we’ll bring that energy into our Fanwear collection through story-led drops with cityinspired race specials and localized artwork for key races across the calendar. What kind of driver would you be if you entered a Cadillac Formula 1 Team race?
I’d likely be a confident but cautious driver, with a focus on precision, teamwork, and staying cool under pressure. Maybe not the fastest, but always authentic and expressive with my style in the paddock!
What can you tell us about the team kits?
We’ve created replica clothing designed to reflect performance, team pride, and identity. They combine technical functionality like quick-dry performance with bold visual details inspired
by our Classic American Cool style. Across a palette of co-branded colors including red, white, and black, then accented with metallic and chrome touches; every element is purposeful, from the graphics to the fit. What will the fanwear collections look like?
The fanwear collections are all about bringing team pride into everyday style in a way that feels bold and effortless. You’ll see bold chevrons, racing graphics, collegiate color-blocking, and modern silhouettes, all enhanced with precision detailing.
In other news, your beautiful book, Hilfiger Homes, with your wife, Dee [Ocleppo Hilfiger], came out last year. What kind of reaction has the book received, and would you like to do another?
The response to Hilfiger Homes has been special for us. What’s meant the most is how personal it’s felt. People aren’t just responding to the design, but to the stories behind the homes and what they represent.
It’s opened up a lot of great conversations about creativity, family, and love, which is exactly what we hoped for. And yes, we’d definitely love to do another book in the future. There’s so much more we’re excited to explore and share as our journey continues.
We miss your shows at Fashion Week! Any chance you’ll be showing again in September?
Fashion Week has always been an important part of our story. We love finding new ways to fuse fashion and entertainment while bringing our take on Prep Made Modern to life. When the timing is right, we’ll be excited to return to the runway.
LONG
SHORE STORY
As the fashion world’s go-to artist, Ashley Longshore has become synonymous with work that’s provocative, bold, and hilarious. And she makes no apologies! THE DAILY recently sat down with her to unearth how she got started, why social media was instrumental in her success, and what she’d still love to do.
By EDDIE ROCHE Photography by HAROL BAEZ
When did you know that you had talent?
I realized I could paint at 19. I didn’t know if I was ever gonna make a million dollars or find the love of my life, but I have this now, and I want it all the time. How can I sell these? How can I make this a career? Because that is the dream, that is the American dream, to be financially independent and to do what you love, right? I found this way of expressing myself that brought me joy and a love I’d never felt before. I was definitely born an artist, and I just love creativity. I went on a rant the other day about why New York is great. It ain’t hedge funds or lawyers. It’s theater, it’s fashion, it’s why people come here—food, art, museums, music.… I’ve never felt more punk than I do right now. Why’s that?
I am financially independent. I feel as though I can give my manicured middle finger with the 10-carat diamond I bought myself to put out to the galleries that told me I wasn’t marketable, and say, “F**k you guys.” I’m still gonna stand up for what I believe in. I’m still gonna stand up for those of us who are creative and nerds and bohemian and have souls and empathy, and we believe in capitalism, but on the level that when we become financially independent, we help our community, we don’t hoard it. Was there anyone supportive of your talents when you were growing up?
My dad. I’m the woman I am because of my dad. In the beginning, he thought, because he’s Southern, too, you make your art, but then you go marry somebody that’s got a lot of money. I never felt like I needed that. And
my dad raised me to stand up on my own two feet and be authentic. He was supportive of me.
Tell us about the journey of people saying no to you. When I first started, this was before social media and all of that had hit, it was a time in the art world when you needed to be someone connected to representation. Thankfully, I was lucky enough to pop my cherry at a time when those amazing things were happening in the world. But I’ll tell you what bothered me the most to begin with, which a lot of people don’t even know when they’re collecting art from galleries, is the galleries take 50 percent of the cut. In my opinion, 50 percent is an unreasonable percentage. Also, I’m an art collector, I try to buy directly from artists all the time, not to ask for a discount, but rather to know that 100 percent of that money is going to them. When did you feel like things really took off for you? Have they?
You’re doing very well!
When you’re in the eye of the hurricane, there’s so much happening. I felt like I’d made it the first time somebody paid money for a painting. Being able to celebrate little successes, like I’ve e-mailed 20 people and three people e-mailed me back. That’s really been the secret of how I’ve gotten to where I’ve gotten, and it’s about optimism and self-love. What would make you feel like you have arrived now? I would already have my foundation set up and have a space to showcase other artists. I feel like I would be further along with that. That’s what the long-term goal would be to have. I don’t have human children, so my
legacy would be to have something like that. Also a jet. A yacht, you know?
Do you think you would have the same career without social media?
No, absolutely not. I was born in a magical time to be a creative, and it’s an incredible time to be creative for that reason, because it’s free. Back in the day, it’s like, no, I can’t go spend $600 on postcards and $300 on stamps and mail this out to people. Instead, you go on social media, and it’s instant. I would finish a painting and put it on Instagram, boom, it’s sold in an hour. That’s incredible to be able to stay connected with people. I mean, now I feel like we’re battling the algorithms, because in the beginning, it’s like you could go take a leak, make a post, everybody sees it, and now they’re really showing you what they think you only want to see. It’s horrific. Still, when I talk to young artists, I say this is not the be all, end all, but it’s an incredible tool. We remember you did a painting in the middle of Christian Siriano’s runway show a few years back. I also did a big collab with Gucci. I’m a designer for Judith Leiber. I’ve designed about nine or 10 bags for them. I love Dee [Ocleppo Hilfiger]. She and Tommy [Hilfiger] have been good to me. They’re such nice people. They’re so pretty. I also had a massive exhibition at Bergdorf Goodman. I had my own café there. So look, fashion, creativity, they’ve been a huge part of what I do. But also, as a pop artist, I love all the stuff. I want the bags I want, the clothes I want, the couture. I have all these things. I love the idea that fashion can just let everybody see on the outside how I feel on the inside.
Ashley Longshore
Have you ever had any controversies with people? I have been completely misunderstood. Are you kidding me?
It’s interesting that you used the word “misunderstood.”
Completely misunderstood, misrepresented, absolutely. But I think, too, and I say this to artists all the time, if you’re going to put yourself out there, you have to know, especially if you’re dealing with the Internet, what a vile abyss of horrificness it can be. You better be able to look at yourself in the mirror and tell yourself the reasons why you love yourself and why everything’s going to be okay, and to keep pushing forward. Especially being a woman. What do you do? You keep making art.
Have you received great support from other women? Huge.
That’s good to hear.
Ginormous. It’s funny how we are as humans, that we could have 20 people tell us that they love us, and one person says they don’t, and what do we do? We think about the one person who says they don’t. I have the most incredible collectors, unbelievable. I mean, like the schoolgirls who come by and see the art, who love it. I have incredible fans. Incredible fans. What’s your creative process like?
Right now, I’m doing this whole series of Princess Diana paintings, and I’m using this transparent glitter over her face, as she looks really ethereal, and then I’m using heavy texture around the back. And it’s her, the iconic photographs of her and her crown looking around, and she almost looks like those paintings of Jesus. She’s just so captivating. I just
see her as this radiant light that could have been, and how she just got sucked up by those royals. I remember that night when she died. I was in college, and it really affected me. What’s next for you, and what do you want to do?
It can be quite nebulous about what can happen next, because the art is all sparked from lightning in a bottle, which can happen at any moment. Being in a city like New York, anything could happen. The phone could ring, and it could be anyone. I think I hit all my
major goals by the time I was 40. Is there one thing in particular that I’m still burning to do? Designing a [theater] set. Wouldn’t that be awesome? Or for some random person to just give me $100 million. [Laughs] I’m happy to be honest with you. Though it’s stressful to be an entrepreneur right now. It’s stressful to run a team. It’s not an easy thing to do. How would you like to be remembered?
As somebody who was joyful and inspired joy. That’s the best part of life, isn’t it?
She’s unstoppable! Longshore and Christian Siriano recently opened “Undeniable” at the Branch Museum of Design in Richmond, Virginia. The exhibition features a curated selection of Siriano’s most iconic designs alongside more than 20 of her paintings. It runs through March 22nd. Longshore also just collaborated with Maker’s Mark to design a limited-edition label celebrating spirited women and benefiting the nonprofit Vital Voices.
SERGIO Still Says
Vogue’s global entertainment director Sergio Kletnoy and THE DAILY go way back—in the early 2010s, we first met Kletnoy as a music industry vet who pivoted to become Joanna Coles’ assistant at Marie Claire, then Cosmopolitan, and he was such a hoot, we gave him a weekly column—“Sergio Says!”—to chronicle his antics. Now, Kletnoy wrangles Vogue cover stars and Met Gala talent, and it was about time for a tête-à-tête.
Catch us up on your career, please!
I started as Joanna Coles’ assistant at Marie Claire, moved to Cosmo with her as her assistant for a few years, got promoted, stayed another three years as entertainment editor, then worked on Seventeen and Redbook, too. Then I became entertainment director for all three magazines, and worked on Women’s Health as well. Then, I became entertainment director at Harper’s Bazaar
How was your time at Bazaar?
It was amazing, and a completely different world from Joanna Coles
By ALEXANDRA ILYASHOV
and Cosmo—all about luxury versus mass fashion. It was my first taste of working with megastars, and the fashion was as important as the cover star. When I sat down with [former Bazaar EIC] Glenda Bailey for the first time, she said, “My dream is to have Angelina Jolie on the cover. She’s never done Harper’s Bazaar. And Julia Roberts hasn’t done a cover in many years. I want both of them for my 150th anniversary year.” So I did it; I got both Angelina and Julia. When someone puts a dream in front of me, I have to make it happen. What brought you to Vogue?
My friend Dana Matthews, GQ’s entertainment director, called me when [former Vogue entertainment director] Jill Demling was leaving and said, “You have to come work here. Send me your résumé.” I said, “There’s no way I’ll ever be hired by Anna Wintour and Vogue.” Five days later, Anna’s office called and asked for a meeting. My first interview was with Anna.
How did it go?
I’m fearless when it comes to talking to anyone about anything. I’d met Anna a few years earlier when I sat next to her at the final performance of The Color Purple [on Broadway] with Cynthia Erivo; I introduced myself and was in such awe. Three months before my interview with Anna, I broke a few toes so I’d been wearing a boot, daily, for months. But obviously, I’m not gonna go into the Condé Nast building wearing a boot for my broken toes! So I put on Valentino boots, crying in pain inside, plus a nice pair of slacks, a light pink Acne sweater, and a baseball cap. What did Anna think of your hat?
I mean, she did not seem fazed by it! Afterward, her
assistants told me they couldn’t believe someone walked into an interview with Anna wearing a baseball cap and that they knew right away it was either going to happen, or I were never going to work here.
What did you talk about?
It was a 20-minute interview, and I didn’t pretend I was anything I didn’t need to be. We talked about my passions—my love for music, theater, movies, and about a few shows playing at the time on Broadway. I didn’t go
I was obsessed with Ari from the beginning. I worked with her on her first cover at Cosmo, then another Cosmo cover, convinced Nina Garcia at Elle that Ariana deserved a cover, and before leaving Bazaar, I was working on an Ariana cover. So I really wanted an Ariana Grande Vogue cover! It was seven or eight years into her career, and I felt like out of so many pop stars, she deserved this moment in the most iconic fashion publication. It took a little convincing; it took some time.
in there talking about tennis; I don’t know anything about tennis. I was only supposed to see Anna, but she asked me if I had additional time, so I met with fashion director Virginia Smith, followed by creative director Raúl Martinez. There were no HR meetings or meetings with anyone who worked under Anna beforehand; my first interview was with Anna. I was waiting on the subway platform after I left and my phone rang. It was the Condé Nast HR department asking if I’d like to accept the job. Who was your first cover star pitch at Vogue?
It was Taylor Swift, and it was her fourth or fifth cover, so it didn’t take much convincing; it’s not like she wasn’t on brand, but she’d never had a September cover, and I’d heard rumblings about a potential album. My second pitch was Ariana Grande.
Who else have you championed hard throughout your career?
I’ve known Sabrina Carpenter since she was 16 years old. I remember her coming in to see me at Seventeen, and I had such love for her. Also, Cardi B—I first became obsessed with her on Love & Hip Hop. The day I heard she’d signed a record contract, I was still at Cosmo, I called her publicist at Atlantic Records and said, “I need to meet her. Please bring her to the office.” She had a cover for Cosmo, then Harper’s Bazaar—and she ended up being the first female hip-hop star on the cover of Vogue
Getting a Vogue cover is such a careerdefining moment. Does your role in that process weigh on you?
I do want to get the best possible cover, but I always have to remember it’s not my brand, I work there. Whatever I pitch has to fit in the vision of the
Frances McDormand and Sergio Kletnoy
Billie Eilish Ariana Grande Frances McDormand
Naomi Campbell, Cindy Crawford, Sergio Kletnoy, Linda Evangelista, Edward Enninful, and Christy Turlington
Rosalía and Kletnoy
person running the magazine. They’re in that role for a reason. So how do I add to what they do? Sometimes I have to sell something my boss might not know anything about. Though anytime I pitch Anna, she already knows about it. I can go in with a new
push product. She’s not a fashion girl. She’s an incredible actress, and that’s all she needs to be.
You work on the Met Gala, too. How was your first time?
Surreal. The theme was “Camp.” I remember standing there during
pop star and she’s like, “Yes, I know about them. I don’t know if we’re there yet.” It may not be time now, but two months later, when all the stars align, there’s a hit single or a series that takes off, maybe it is the right moment. Sometimes you’re ahead of the curve, sometimes you’re right there when it’s exploding, sometimes you come in later in the cycle.
Which Vogue covers are you most proud of?
I’ve been obsessed with Frances McDormand for so long, since Fargo. I bugged Frances’s publicist constantly when I was at Harper’s Bazaar. When I got to Vogue, he set up a screening of Nomadland for me and said, “We’re not screening for any press, but I know how much you love her. I don’t think anything’s gonna come out of it. Frances is notoriously known for not wanting to do press.” I saw the film and wrote a paragraph to the publicist; Frances saw it and asked, “Is there a chance I could potentially get on the cover of Vogue? Because if so…” The stars aligned, I arranged for Anna to see the film, too, and it was a no-brainer. Annie Leibovitz shot Frances, styled by Jorden Bickham, wearing Fear of God. It’s just the most perfect image. Getting that Frances cover was not easy, or expected. She’s the actor’s actress. She doesn’t want to
that in my record company days, too. Maybe it’s because of my personality. I don’t like taking no for an answer. How is it working with Chloe Malle in her bigger role?
l’m in Chloe’s office all day long, throwing crazy ideas at her. We’ve worked together for the past seven years; she’s been a part of the brand for so long, and she’s written many cover stories. This is just a natural progression of us working much closer. Yesterday, I pitched someone to Chloe for 20 minutes, and her response was, “Let me go home and think about it over the weekend, and we’ll talk about it on Monday.” That’s not a no. It’s all about starting a conversation. If I believe in something, how do I make everyone else believe?
So how do you do that?
rehearsals, Cher came offstage and literally asked me, “How was that?” I think I said something like, “It doesn’t matter what you do up there, it’s going to be iconic, no matter what.” Such a corny line, but it didn’t matter! I had no idea Lady Gaga was gonna open the carpet with a 16-minute performance and four outfit changes. That was all Anna. There’s a photo of Anna smiling at the top of the stairs with me behind her, open-mouthed. It was insane. I’ve felt such a sense of accomplishment every year. Even though it’s a party, we’re not saving lives, but it’s fun, and we all need a little bit of that.
Indeed! What do people want to know about working at Vogue, and with Anna?
I think most people see the documentary [The September Issue] and assume that’s who we all work with. I think Anna is funny. She gets all the jokes. She listens to everything I bring into the room, then makes a decision on what’s right for the brand. She’s always open to hearing someone’s music, watching an episode of a TV series, setting up a screening, meeting with someone I believe in. It may take time to understand why that person belongs in the magazine or on the cover; why they should come to or perform at the Met Gala. But I’m grateful to work with someone who actually hears me. I was lucky to have
I remember bringing Billie Eilish into the office for the first time when she turned 18, and putting her in with Anna one-on-one to talk about fashion, pop culture, music. Seven months later, Billie is on our cover, a few days after winning four Grammys. Sometimes, we’re putting a spotlight on somebody brand-new; sometimes, it’s an icon, or someone having a major breakout moment, but it’s important to cover a whole range. Every single day I walk in and I don’t know what’s going to happen, in the best possible way, because I love a challenge. I came to this country when I was 12, not speaking a word of English; it was my mom and me, my mom’s parents, and two pieces of luggage. My entire life, I wanted to work in music. There were no connections; I didn’t know anyone who worked at a record company, radio station, or magazine. I had to find a way to infiltrate the system. Same thing here—and I’m now at the most powerful brand in the world. Would you ever want to be an EIC?
I don’t want that big of a job. I like this world. I like overseeing what I’m passionate about. Do I want to oversee a 3,000-word essay? Not really. Do I want to oversee finances and budgets? I can, but not necessarily. Do I want to go through racks of clothes and pick my favorites? Not really my world. But editing pop culture? I’m a sponge. I don’t know everything, but I’m always open. If someone suggests something, I will always listen.
Billie Eilish and Kletnoy
Cher and Kletnoy
Kletnoy with Sarah Jessica Parker at the Met Gala
Law Roach, Vogue Mexico and Latin America top editrix Karla Martínez de Salas, Ariana Grande, and Kletnoy
HANDS ON!
When Esteban Saba and his wife, Petra Brichnacova, couldn’t find the most basic essentials for their closet, they took it into their own hands to create a company with wardrobe essentials with a luxe edge. Enter håndværk, which brings high-quality basics to customers from the Hamptons to Madison Avenue. The couple tells THE DAILY about this rising line and what’s in store!
By EDDIE ROCHE
How did håndværk come about?
Esteban Saba: Petra and I began working on håndværk in 2012, though the idea had been forming for several years prior. As consumers, we were genuinely perplexed by how difficult it was to find truly high-quality essentials—pieces made without compromise and designed to last. There seemed to be a clear gap between mass-market basics and fashion-driven brands, with few options focused on elevated, high-quality essentials. At the time, I was working in investment banking, and we were looking for everyday pieces that offered a much higher level of quality and sustainability than what was commonly available. That personal frustration ultimately became the catalyst for the brand.
What does the word “håndværk” mean?
Petra Brichnacova: craftsmanship—literally referring to the skilled making of something by hand or with careful technique. In translation, it encompasses ideas such as craft, handicraft, or skilled trade, and it implies an emphasis on quality and finish rather than mass production.
What pieces are most popular with your customers?
Brichnacova: Our core T-shirts for both men and women remain the backbone of the brand. We set out to make the best T-shirts possible, focusing on exceptional materials and a feel that is noticeably soft from the first wear and only improves over time. Beyond T-shirts, our polos, sweats, and knitwear have become everyday staples for many of our customers. In recent years, we’ve expanded our knitwear offering to include superfine merino wool produced in Italy, chosen for its lightness and softness against the skin. Ultimately, our specialization is creating understated essentials that feel exceptional to wear and become the most relied-upon pieces in your wardrobe.
How would you describe the aesthetic of the brand?
Saba: Håndværk’s aesthetic is defined by understated, timeless simplicity and meticulous craftsmanship. Each piece is designed as a high-quality wardrobe essential rather than a trend-driven fashion item. The brand focuses on minimalist design, natural and sustainable materials, and refined details that emphasize comfort, fit, and longevity.
You have a store in Southampton and recently opened another on Madison Avenue. Tell us about the Upper East Side digs!
Brichnacova:
intimate, thoughtfully designed space that reflects the same values as the brand—calm, warm, and understated. It is intentionally small and refined, encouraging a personal experience rather than a transactional one, where customers can feel the quality of the materials and construction up close. Every detail, from the natural materials to the furnishings, was considered to create an environment that feels quiet and inviting, and gives us a consistent home in a neighborhood deeply rooted in thoughtful retail.
You two are married and work together. How do you divide responsibilities?
Saba: We are deliberate about having clear lines of responsibility. Petra leads creative direction, design, and overall brand vision, while I focus on operations, finance, and long-term strategy. That clarity is essential—it allows us to move efficiently, make decisions decisively, and avoid unnecessary overlap. Equally important is the mutual respect we have for each other’s expertise. Our skill sets are different but highly complementary.
How do you hope to see the business grow?
Saba: Our focus is on thoughtful, sustainable growth. That means deepening relationships with our existing customers, continuing to refine what we do best, and expanding in a way that feels natural rather than forced. The goal is not scale for its own sake, but to build something enduring. We see direct-to-consumer—both online and through our own retail stores—as a core part of that growth, allowing us to stay closely connected to our customers. At the same time, wholesale remains an important channel for us, particularly with partners who share our values and understand our product. We work selectively with retailers such as Bergdorf Goodman, C’H’C’M’, BEAKER Korea, BEAMS Japan, Norse Store, Kick Pleat, and A’maree’s. Ultimately, growth for us is about balance—between retail and wholesale, reach and restraint—and staying true to the principles that defined håndværk from the beginning.
Esteban Saba and Petra Brichnacova
GREAT GATSBY (Cocktail)
A luxe canned cocktail that’s ready to enjoy anywhere, Gatsby comes in a trio of flavors—Cucumber Lime Margarita, Paloma, and Piña Colada—all full of highquality ingredients, sans excess sugar or carbs. Ahead, meet Gatsby co-founders
Our manufacturer said, “You guys are crazy! We don’t ever build drinks this way.”
, and I had a golden retriever I named was the love of my life; he was the company mascot for Route, my shipping insurance and tracking app.
process of moving to Miami, and I bought a boat—in his honor, the boat is named Gatsby. Then we built
Kasey Stewart: Fruit juice and a hint of agave provide sweetness, with one or two grams of sugar and no artificial sweeteners. A lot of drinks out there claim zero grams of sugar, but they’re loaded with artificial sweeteners, like sucralose. This one is not.
Where is Gatsby sold?
Walker: We’re launching on Gopuff, and we’re also working with a large distributor to get into traditional brick and mortar, first targeting New York and Miami, then expanding across the U.S. How did you two connect?
called the Gatsby, not for commercial purposes, and Route is known for special events, especially
rabbit hole: A group in Florida locked up the Gatsby
battle over it; a few years after that, a Russian group tried to do the same. When we got the name Gatsby trademarked, it was just for the boat, so we had to go settle the score with all these different groups, make
a half later, we had the name Gatsby for alcohol. In
How did you develop the drink?
We didn’t think there was a big opportunity to enter the market but found there’s huge demand for a good-tasting, noncarbonated, low-calorie drink in a can; the bar is actually really low. We bought probably 150 different drinks on the market and they’re all carbonated with tons of sugar and artificial ingredients. They taste chemical-y, and they’re made with bad bottom-shelf liquors. It’s a drink that we feel just hasn’t been done before— noncarbonated, less than 100 calories, actual top-shelf tequila for the margarita and paloma, and rum for the piña colada, two or three grams of sugar, two or three grams of carbs. It’s as low carb and low sugars as you can possibly get in a drink, and it’s all natural ingredients; we use actual fruit juice.
Walker: I’ve got experience in scaling brands, close to 50 direct-to-consumer e-commerce brands, and Kasey has experience in CPG product development, and we met through our networks and mutual friends, and did some co-investing together, but Gatsby really wasn’t a “Let’s sit down and build this big company” idea. When we realized the noncarbonated cocktail category is so underdeveloped—there are a couple out there, but it’s minimal, only hard iced tea and lemonade—it was a natural fit for us to work together and take it from passion project to serious commercial endeavor.
Which of Gatsby’s three flavors was trickiest to develop?
Walker: The margarita, without a question. No one’s quite nailed it; what’s out there tends to be very lime-forward, citrusy, and carbonated, and I think we kind of figured out there was a good reason why they haven’t done it. It’s hard to put a bar level of margarita in a can and have it be shelf-stable. Ours almost tastes like an electrolyte drink. You can’t taste the alcohol, and it’s just very, very easy to drink; it’s not overpowering or overwhelming.
How does Gatsby go with food?
Stewart: The Paloma with sushi is an interesting pairing, especially sushi with citrus notes. Our piña colada has a tropical taste, so that goes with seafood, and we’ve done a lot of day boat parties and it goes well with snacks.
Why are noncarbonated canned cocktails less common?
Stewart: It’s pricey to use real fruit juice, so many drinks use concentrates or flavorings, and carbonation actually masks bad flavors. A noncarbonated drink needs the best ingredients because you really taste everything; that’s why Gatsby has a premium craft cocktail taste.
SecondSKIN
WEARING IT WELL!
Childhood friends Giovanni Stefano Procaccini and Antonio Alesandro Valerio have turned their shared passion for Italian quality and fashion into FIBRE, a new made-in-Italy outerwear brand to keep an eye on. Procaccini tells THE DAILY how it all came together!
How did the idea for FIBRE come about?
FIBRE was established in 2020 because we wanted to create a product made in Italy with the best possible materials, stylish at the same time, but at a price point that respects our customers. The concept took shape in Pettoranello del Molise, a location where expertise, heritage brands, and visionary thinking have historically converged. Here, a high-value manufacturing legacy has been transformed into a contemporary laboratory dedicated to outerwear, where material, design, and responsibility engage in a natural dialogue. FIBRE was created to steer fashion in a new direction by extending the production chain— from the raw fiber to the finished garment. How do you describe the brand?
FIBRE is a maison of contemporary sartorial outerwear. It’s a brand that interprets the modern man and woman through essential, refined, and functional garments, all constructed with a responsible vision. It is a project that fuses Italian manufacturing culture, and a focus on the future, with the ambition of creating a “second skin”—authentic and enduring. Our clothes are designed to last a lifetime and beyond. Our classic pieces are meant to be cherished today and inherited tomorrow—and created to become heirlooms. How did you and Antonio Valerio meet?
Although Antonio was born in Italy and I was born in the United States, the common denominator was our parents, who grew up together and were close friends. During my many visits to Italy growing up, Antonio and I dreamed of unifying our entrepreneurial abilities, along with the deep roots of our Italian heritage. Last year, we pushed hard to collaborate in some fashion. Last summer, my meeting with Antonio stemmed from a profound alignment of vision. He brings with him rare strategic, manufacturing, and design expertise, coupled with a keen sensitivity for branding. The dialogue was immediate; we both viewed the integrated supply chain and our territory not as a limitation, but as a distinctive asset upon which to build a credible, solid, and international project. What was your vision for the line?
The vision was clear from the inception—to create sartorial outerwear capable of harmonizing elegance, comfort, and responsibility. These are garments designed to accompany daily life, devoid of forced
seasonality, possessing a measured and timeless beauty. The objective is to interpret the present with respect— without nostalgia, but with deep roots. What differentiates your products?
In a crowded outerwear market, FIBRE stands apart by slowing things down. Every piece is thoughtfully created within a short, integrated supply chain, where materials, form, and function are guided with intention at every step. We don’t chase what’s new, we focus on what lasts. Our outerwear is designed to feel honest, purposeful, and enduring, combining a sartorial approach with essential design and true meaning. These are pieces meant to be worn year after year, becoming part of your life rather than a passing moment.
What are some of your favorite pieces?
I’m always drawn to pieces that feel quiet but leave a lasting impression. Our lightweight down jackets and padded trench coats are among my favorites because they are designed to become part of everyday life— effortless, reliable, and elegant without trying too hard. They don’t ask for attention, yet over time they earn it through how they’re worn, how they age, and how they fit into someone’s routine. Those are the pieces that I feel are the most true to who we are.
Where are the products made?
All FIBRE garments are crafted in Pettoranello del Molise, Italy. The former ITTIERRE hub there specialized in producing licensed fashion lines for famous Italian designers. Now, we pride ourselves in giving it a new life as a contemporary manufacturing center.
In what ways is the brand sustainable?
For FIBRE, sustainability is a structural imperative. We exclusively utilize certified sustainable materials, developed within a short supply chain that reduces environmental impact and valorizes the territory. Every garment is engineered to endure, in terms of both quality and aesthetic language. You have an entrepreneurial spirit and a background in the restaurant industry. What brought you to fashion?
Hospitality taught me the value of raw materials, time, and consistency. Fashion arrived as a natural extension of this approach—the desire to create something authentic, respectful, and capable of generating real value. FIBRE is the result of this entrepreneurial vision applied to sartorial outerwear.
Why is the brand called FIBRE?
FIBRE represents the raw material, the product’s point of departure, but it is also the symbolic locus where the fashion system’s most prestigious signatures once concentrated their production. “Fibre,” which means fiber in Italian, signifies a bond, a structure, a language, and a connection between people, territory, and vision. The name embodies the very essence of the brand.
What other categories would you like to enter besides outerwear?
Outerwear remains the heart of the brand. Any extension will be consistent with this identity: complementary garments and accessories designed to dialogue with the outerwear and reinforce its language, without dilution. Lifestyle products, such as beauty and home, are also part of our vision.
Where can our readers find it?
FIBRE products can be found on our website at fibre.international or our boutique at 741 Madison Avenue in New York City (by appointment only).
FIBRE will also be distributed through a targeted selection of partners and direct channels, chosen for their affinity with our values and vision. The distribution follows the same logic as the product itself. What are your long-term goals for FIBRE?
My long-term goal is to build something that truly lasts. to become a global point of reference for sartorial outerwear, not just for how it looks, but for what it stands for. For me, elegance should never be disconnected from responsibility. I believe it’s possible to create beautiful, timeless garments while respecting the people who make them, the territories they come from, and the future we’re shaping. FIBRE is my way of proving that industry and ethics don’t have to be in conflict—that craftsmanship, innovation, and respect can coexist and create real shared value. Ultimately, I want FIBRE to be a brand people trust, feel proud to wear, and see as part of a more thoughtful and enduring way of making clothes.
Made Measure to
Identical twins Elizabeth Rosbottom and Katherine Rosbottom started their feminine label, Jumelle Collection, with a passion for gorgeous fabrics, a love of color, and a vision for a luxe, intimate shopping experience that feels positively Parisian.
By ALEXANDRA ILYASHOV
What were you doing before Jumelle?
Katherine Rosbottom: I sold luxury real estate for 15 years, so I have experience with high-end clientele, doing large transactions, and running a business from a marketing standpoint.
Elizabeth Rosbottom: I’ve been in the apparel industry for 20 years; I designed for Marchesa, J.Crew Bridal, and oversaw several brands sold on QVC. I’ve done literally everything, from high end to mass market. My time at QVC taught me how to design for all shapes and sizes, and how to be completely inclusive of everyone, which is what we do at Jumelle. That’s super important to us; anything we design can be made for any shape, any size, for anyone. We think that every woman, no matter what size, is so incredibly beautiful and deserves to wear the most beautiful fabrics and silhouettes.
Katherine: Elizabeth is good at looking at someone’s body type and saying, “This is what’s going to look best on you, this is going to define your best features,” and then she’ll design something, whether you’re a size zero or a size 24, that you’ll feel so incredible wearing. She’s so talented.
How did Jumelle Collection come about? Elizabeth: I first started designing
dresses for Katherine and myself because we couldn’t really find what we wanted out in the marketplace, whether from department stores or the direct-to-consumer brands; we wanted timeless, sophisticated, elegant designs in interesting, beautiful fabrics, with the quality that we were looking for.
Whether a casual day dress that we could travel in, dress it up, dress it down, or a gown for charity events or dinners, I just started making all our clothes. We travel a lot, so we were wearing our dresses on airplanes, in line at the airport, out at events, and people were always stopping us—literally, in the airport security line, even! People would say, “Excuse me, are you twins? Oh, my God, I love your dresses. Where’d you get them?”
What led you to turn this from a passion project to a full-fledged business?
Katherine: It happened organically, we were in Paris at Bar Les Ambassadeurs, which is our favorite bar in the entire world. We were both wearing our Antibes dress—this is our best seller— and having a drink, talking about how we’d been stopped so many times over the past several days in Paris by people asking about our clothes, whether it was at dinner, getting macarons at Ladurée, everywhere we went, and discussed how
IMAGES COURTESY
Elizabeth Rosbottom and Katherine Rosbottom
we needed to make our own brand. And while we were having this conversation, somebody came over and said, “Are you twins? Where did you get your dresses?” And we were like, “Okay, we need to do this.” Jumelle means twins in French, so we chose that as our name. Did you ever think you’d work together? Katherine: Yes! As kids, we never played with baby dolls. All we wanted to do was play “business,” sitting at little desks next to each other, with our own calculators. I think we always knew that at some point in our lives we’d do something together. We also had a big cheerleading business! Cheerleading is super important in the South. We coached high school squads in Louisiana, where we grew up, helping them get to nationals and win all the awards. We had a babysitting business at some point, too. Who handles what?
Elizabeth: I oversee design. At our atelier in the Garment District, we make our patterns, drape everything, do beading and handiwork, and then we meet with our clients at our downtown Jumelle L’Appartement, overlooking the harbor. Katherine: I oversee the business side— marketing, sales, all things financial. What’s your design process like?
Elizabeth: My design process is built on fabrics. We travel a lot, too, so I’m always looking at how other cultures are using colors and textures, but it’s really about the fabrics. As soon as I see a fabric, I’m like, “Oh, my God, I know what we’re doing with this,” and I know, and I can’t wait to make it. I can literally, like, see it in my mind, how it’s going to look, how it’s going to flow. You can’t use every fabric for every silhouette. I have an excellent knowledge of fabrication and how to use it, how it will look in a certain silhouette, and what’s appropriate for your body type. I’m inspired by vintage Dior 1940s and ’50s silhouettes—timeless, classic, elegant, with perfect tailoring.
Tell us about this gorgeous Jumelle L’Appartement space.
Elizabeth: It’s an ode to European shopping, where everything is private and intimate; the space is decorated to sort of mirror the dresses, so it’s feminine, happy, positive. It’s not just buying a luxury dress. It’s not just having a custom gown made. We offer a luxury-driven, exciting experience here that nobody offers in the United States. Someone can come in, have privacy, feel comfortable, be able to sit and relax and look around, and dream up something beautiful. You can choose a sketch and we customize from there; I’ll know which silhouettes a fabric will look best in. I’ll say, “Okay, let me help guide you. This fabric is gonna look best in these silhouettes.” Clients get to be involved in the design process.
Besides custom work, your collection pieces are all made to order. Why?
Katherine: We think that that’s the way luxury fashion is moving. People are sick of trends. They’re sick of fast fashion, all that kind of stuff. Certain women want a beautiful, quality, luxury item; they want a dress to wear for years. We don’t believe you buy a dress, wear it once, and that’s it. Our dresses are meant to stand the test of time and be worn for years and years. We believe in quality over quantity, and so does our client. How might Jumelle Collection expand? Katherine: There are all sorts of big dreams! We’re hoping to one day launch a beach club collection and call it Jumelle La Plage. But we’re building quietly, just keeping our heads down, working, and creating beautiful dresses that make women feel beautiful.
New York energy, Italian craft, handmade pasta.
WARM UP TO WINTER, Italian Style
Nothing says quality, design, and craftsmanship in the fashion world quite like a “Made in Italy” label, and the Italian Trade Association (ITA) is once again sponsoring scores of Italian brands—more than 81 in total—at COTERIE from February 24–26 at the Javits Center. ITA’s stateside initiatives support the discovery and success of Italian labels in the U.S. market, and this season, 16 brands are making their COTERIE debut.
It was a busy 2025 for ITA, which sponsored COTERIE in February and September, the Chicago Collective menswear shows in January and August, as well as 25 “Made in Italy” brands at the Miami Cabana swimwear show in June. All that, plus a site refresh for its exclusive digital platform, EXTRAITASTYLE, featuring wholesale tools that make it easier for American retailers to discover myriad Italian brands online and browse 6,000 products. Last but not least, in May 2025, ITA hosted “Italy on Madison,” an immersive three-day showcase held in May at ITA’s historic Upper East Side brownstone, spanning design, beauty, fragrance, eyewear, fashion, and food and wine, which featured 90-plus Italian brands and welcomed more than 600 guests.
So, what does ITA have on tap at COTERIE this season? The organization will host retailers for special complimentary wintertime drinks and bites in its central lounge, which is ski chalet–themed as a nod to the Milan Cortina Winter Olympic Games. Plus, ITA is staging a photo shoot on-site for all its sponsored brands, with fashion, editorial, and runway models dressed in full designer looks curated by fashion stylists and lensed by acclaimed fashion photographer Samantha Rapp.
Without further ado, read on to get acquainted with the covetable Italian labels showing at COTERIE, thanks to ITA, that definitely deserve to be on your radar—and in your closet!
Best in Show
READY TO WEAR
Adesi Cashmere Fresh and modern takes on staple pieces is what Adesi Cashmere is all about, offering outerwear, knitwear, and accessories that are comfortable and thoughtfully detailed. adesitex.it; Booth 6462)
Akep Since 2015, Akep has offered women’s knitwear using an all-Italian artisan supply chain, along with slow, sustainable production methods to create beautiful outerwear, jackets, coats, sweaters, ponchos, cardigans, and more. (jacopo@jacopofoti.com; Booth 6133)
Alpha Studio Technologically advanced ready-to-wear with chic knits made to mix and match has been Alpha Studio’s focus since founder Franco Rossi launched the brand more than 50 years ago. com; Booth 6143)
Anna Seravalli Hailing from Venice, Italy, Anna Seravalli specializes in high-quality beautiful knits and separates dreamed up by founder William Bianco. edite.us; Booth 6441)
Bazar Deluxe Traditional embroidery and other intricate detailing define Bazar Deluxe’s sophisticated outerwear and more. (olgafd@o-dvision.com; Booth 6247)
Anna Seravalli
Bazar Deluxe
Adesi Cashmere
Akep
Alpha Studio
Bessi Dating back to 1950, Bessi has made its mark with womenswear beloved for its mood-boosting patterns and bright colors. (michele@averardobessi. it; Booth 6561)
Bruno Carlo Known for its knitwear and also popular for sleek gloves, Bruno Carlo’s detailed pieces have been crafted with care in Ventimiglia, Italy, since 1970. (federica@brunocarlo.com; Booth 6152)
B-Yu Expect soft textures, crisp layers, and an array of vibrant hues and prints from B-Yu’s mix-and-match separates made for layering, which balance elegance with bohemian spirit—and a touch of rebellious spirit for good measure. (patric@consortium27.com; Booth 7149)
Cinzia Rocca Cinzia Rocca’s quality outerwear is crafted with longevity in mind. This Brescia-based label’s array of elegant well-made coats and jackets are meant to be worn and loved season after season. (denise@ cinziaroccausa.com; Booth 6154)
De Santis by Martin Alvarez Gorgeous and erring on the dramatic side, the label’s dresses and gowns are bedecked in rich textures, sparkle, and embroidery that make for memorable party looks. (vigevanosrllab@ gmail.com; Booth 6161)
De Santis by Martin Alvarez
Bruno Carlo
B-Yu
Bessi
Cinzia Rocca
READY TO WEAR
Decata Sustainability is important for Decata’s breezy modern pieces, which use raw materials and offer after-care on its vibrant print-loving dresses and color-blocked shirts, so you can wear and love your pieces over and over. (info@jdcstudio.it; Booth 6559)
Deha Deha combines sport and relaxation within its range of patterns and color palettes, making for relaxed yet chic athleisure and loungewear collections. (julia.simon@edite.us; Booth 6441)
Di Bello by Fontani Dating back to 1953, Di Bello by Fontani’s forte is its tailoring, as seen in its pieces, especially outerwear, constructed from leather, shearling, and waterproof fabrics. (dibello@dibello. com; Booth 6451)
District Margherita Mazzei Femininity, charm, and seduction are key themes for District Margherita Mazzei, and the brand’s latest collection explores this using lace, Georgette ruffles, faux leather, chenille, and sequins. (amministrazione@margheritamazzei. net; Booth 6942)
Etici Sharp lines and timeless silhouettes define Etici, which specializes in sophisticated minimalist suiting, dresses, and separates. (andrea.vignoli@ etici.eu; Booth 6349)
Decata
Di Bello by Fontani
District Margherita Mazzei
Deha
Etici
Gaiofatto Since its launch in 2013, this Venice, Italy–based label has offered airy silk shirts and frocks handmade using the highest-quality materials by local artisans. (michela@gaiofatto.com; Booth 6151)
Giovanna Nicolai Giovanna Nicolai offers bold feminine pieces that have tons of texture and flair, and are handcrafted by talented seamstresses. (info@giovannanicolai.it; Booth 6162)
Based in Parma, Goodmatch was founded in 1964 and is a go-to for real-life essentials that are made to move, yet also look pulled together. (olgafd@o-dvision.com; Booth 6247)
Finely crafted cashmere, alpaca, and silk pieces from this Umbrian label are inspired by the concept of the “global artisan” and produced in an ethical environmentally responsible manner. (info@globallinesrl.com; Booth 6446)
Irreplaceable by Elisa Giordano Originally a children’s label, Irreplaceable by Elisa Giordano began focusing on chic womenswear in 2017 and prides itself on sustainable production methods. (egiordano@irreplaceable.it; Booth 6663)
Gaiofatto
Giovanna Nicolai
Hand Cashmere
Goodmatch
Irreplaceable by Elisa Giordano
InimitablyITALIAN
READY TO WEAR
Landi Fancy For nearly 60 years, Landi Fancy has built a reputation for its coed coats that stylishly protect against the elements, namely waterproof trenches and jackets available in myriad hues and equally practical and polished. (landi.m@lrlandi.it; Booth 6448)
Lavi Couture It’s all in the details when it comes to Lavi Couture’s delicate dresses and separates, such as ruffles and pleats for perfect adornment. (jacopo@ forishowroom.com; Booth 6140)
Le Sarte Pettegole Launched in 2007, Le Sartre Pettegole offers feminine florals, crisp nautical stripes, and other contemporary takes on classics. (m.petrali@giemmebrandscorporate.it; Booth 6146)
Lisa Conté Based in a Tuscan countryside atelier, Lisa Conté pieces blend leather and various fabrics— along with coordinating bags and shoes—that are sustainably produced and inspired by local natural beauty. (exploitlc@gmail.com; Booth 6829)
Meimeij Architectural volume and sculptural silhouettes are the focus for Meimeij’s feminine yet unfussy dresses, jackets, and separates. (jacopo@ jacopofoti.com; Booth 6124)
ALL IMAGES COURTESY
Landi Fancy
Meimeij
Lavi Couture
Le Sarte Pettegole
Lisa Conté
Of Handmade Known and loved for its knitwear, Of Handmade offers comfortable, stylish dresses, T-shirts, skirts, and outerwear that are soft, stylish, and produced environmentally and ethically. (commercialeof@gmail.com; Booth 6517)
Pho Firenze It’s all about the beauty and bounty of Tuscany for Pho Firenze, which pulls inspiration from the region’s incredible food, wine, and culture for its richly textured dresses and suiting, with glamorous fringe and fur accents for added flair. (mef@pholya.it; Booth 6436)
Pietro Brunelli Milano Look for clean, refined silhouettes that are timeless yet thoroughly modern from Pietro Brunelli Milano, with the goal of dressing women to feel confident and empowered in their clothes. (info@edite.us; Booth 6441)
Ploumanac’h Comfortable and chic can indeed coexist fashion-wise, as Ploumanac’h proves with its versatile, high-end leisurewear in soft, cozy well-draped fabrications that can be layered to perfection in cooler seasons. (olgafd@o-dvision .com; Booth 6247)
Pour Moi Maglieria Italiana Knitwear is a strong focus for Pour Moi Maglieria Italiana, but don’t sleep on flowy pleated maxi skirts and structured trousers and denim, either, which are perfect for styling with the brand’s drapey, soft knit separates. (pourmoisrls@gmail.com; Booth 6463)
Pho Firenze
Pietro Brunelli Milano
Pour Moi Maglieria Italiana
Of Handmade
Ploumanac’h
InimitablyITALIAN
READY TO WEAR
Purotatto Natural materials that look and feel amazing is Purotatto’s M.O.; since its 2009 inception, the label has utilized cashmere, milk fiber, jersey, cotton, silk, linen, and wool for its separates and outerwear. (jacopo@jacopofoti.com; Booth 6123)
Regina Check out Regina for its beautifully handcrafted coats, cardigans, pullover sweaters, and T-shirts, all made with high-quality materials. (info@loriveith.com; Booth 6366)
Richard Grand Founded in 1976, Richard Grand’s luxurious knits, featuring handmade intarsias and embroideries that set its pieces apart, are all produced in Perugia. (mariarita@richardgrand .com; Booth 6153)
Rocco Ragni Cashmere Umbrian label Rocco Ragni Cashmere has offered its elegant knitwear made for artful layering since its 2005 debut. (olgafd@o-dvision.com; Booth 6247)
Rosso35 This family-run brand was founded in 1973 and revamped by Luca and Paola Signorelli in 2006, and focuses on tailored contemporary designs in a palette of rich jewel tones. (sales@ jacopofoti.com; Booth 6130)
Regina
Rosso35
Purotatto
Richard Grand
Rocco Ragni Cashmere
Sandro Ferrone Elegant, versatile dresses and separates define the Sandro Ferrone aesthetic; the label has been crafting its timeless wares since the mid-1950s. (jacopo@jacopofoti.it; Booth 6135)
Seventy Named after its founding year of 1970, Seventy designer Sergio Tegon makes an impact with sleek suiting and dresses, as well as accessories to add polish. (jacopo@jacopofoti.com; Booth 6129)
Shaft Bold edgy denim for men and women is what Shaft is known for, including bomber jackets and blazers for full head-to-toe blues perfection. (olgafd@o-dvision.com; Booth 6247)
Simona Bonacci Consider artfully patterned dresses and crisp outerwear from Simona Bonacci’s whimsical designs, which are inspired by Italy’s Marche region. (info@simonabonacci.com; Booth 6166)
Suprema Dating back to 1981, Suprema is all about supple leather and soft shearling outerwear that’s practical yet luxurious. (olgafd@o-dvision.com; Booth 6247)
Simona Bonacci
Sandro Ferrone
Suprema
Seventy
Shaft
READY TO WEAR
TENNÉ Italian Knitwear Mediterranean elegance meets Northern Italian minimalism in TENNE’s knitwear collections, constructed sustainably and ethically through its entirely in-house production model. (erica@babelfair.com; Booth 6501)
Tonet Founder Lella Tonet started her namesake label in 1960, and since then, Tonet has been a go-to for flowy blouses, tailored trousers, soft knits, and more that you’ll reach for season after season. (sales@carella.eu; Booth 6159)
VLT’s by Valentina’s Prints galore! That’s what VLT’s by Valentina has built its reputation and following for, thanks to gorgeous florals, striking stripes, and more. (allegraatnicoon5th@gmail.com; Booth 6562)
YC Whyci Milano Raw materials and pure fibers such as wool, cotton, silk, and linen are hallmarks of YC Whyci Milano’s modern pieces, which are comfortable, stylish, and full of pretty embroidery and other unique detailing. (maria@marialiotti. com; Booth 6147)
VLT’s by Valentina’s
Tonet
YC Whyci Milano
TENNÉ Italian Knitwear
ACCESSORIES
Andrea Marazzini Make a splash with Andrea Marazzini’s conversation-starting costume jewelry, which the designer has been crafting by hand since the 1990s using Swarovski crystals, Murano glass, and natural stones. (ammministrazione@ andreamarazzini.it; Booth 5550)
Angela Caputi Giuggiù Beautiful baubles made in Italy from an array of luxe materials has been Angela Caputi’s signature since the jewelry brand’s 1975 debut. (angelacaputi@giuggiu.com; Booth 5546)
Barbieri Barbieri is beloved for its exquisite silk pieces, especially scarves; these colorful wearable works of art have been hand-painted and -printed since 1945. (noemi@larioseta.com; Booth 5534)
Le Amalfitane The Amalfi Coast’s irresistible influence is undeniable when it comes to Le Amalfitane’s limited-edition scarves and resortwear, which celebrate the Mediterranean’s unique soulful beauty. (info@leamalfitane.it; Booth 6940)
Mela Free-spirited jewelry brand Mela was founded by Manuela Girone and Francesco Di Tommaso; they design Mela’s bohemian baubles using organic silk, natural pearls, and gemstones. (vicmelafra@ gmail.com; Booth 5525)
Mia Bag This female-owned family business started 16 years ago with customizable bags hand-crafted in Italy; since then, Mia Bag has branched out into outerwear, with its beautifully designed jackets. (ordini@monicabianco.com; Booth 5435)
Angela Caputi Giuggiù
Andrea Marazzini
Le Amalfitane
Barbieri
Mia Bag
Mela
LEATHER GOODS
Alpo Gloves Smooth buttery leather, cashmere, and suede are used to construct Alpo 1910’s sleek, soft gloves. (giorgio.portolano@alpoguanti.it; Booth 5649)
Antonella Ferrante Neapolitan accessories label Antonella Ferrante has been handmaking leather gloves since 1964, and also began crafting leather bags since circa 2016, featured at its own chic boutiques in Sorrento, Positano, and Florence. (info@antonellaferrante.it; Booth 5849)
Athison Started more than a century ago, Athison is known for leather belts and bags, constructed from quality materials like water-based tincture
Boldrini Selleria Dal 1955 Using vegetable-tanned cowhide, Bodrini Selleria Dal 1955 fashions stylish bags for women and men, designed to stand the test of time. (roberta@boldriniselleria.it; Booth 5424)
Cuoieria Fiorentina Modern distinctive accessories by Cuoieria Fiorentina showcase Tuscan artisan craftsmanship, one covetable piece at a time. (olgafd@o-dvision.com; Booth 6247)
Cuoieria Fiorentina
Boldrini Selleria Dal 1955
Antonella Ferrante
Alpo Gloves
De Marquet Produced and sourced entirely in Italy, De Marquet is celebrated for utilizing eco and ethical values and practices to make its chic handbags. (galina@demarquet.com; Booth 5840)
Filomena Amore Female empowerment is a key tenet for accessories brand Filomena Amore, known and loved for its elegant leather handbags, done up in saturated hues and striking shapes with minimal hardware. (info@filomenaamore.com; Booth 5452)
Gaja Banchelli This brand’s transformable leather bags are made from recyclable materials and sport patented interchangeable bronze buckles and accessories, which are symbolic of resilience and rebirth. Gaja Banchelli—where innovation meets versatility! (vicolo6srl@gmail.com; Booth 5850)
Gianni Chiarini Firenze Expect eclectic yet refined leather bags from Florentine accessories label Gianni Chiarini Firenze, featuring linear shapes and interesting design details. (jacopo@jacopofoti.com;
Situated in Naples’ Sanità district, historically a hotbed of glove-making production, family-run Forino 1899 has multiple centuries’ worth of experience in the art, as its name demonstrates, and nowadays boasts more than 200 distinct styles for women and men, from (rosaagliata@gloves.it;
Gianni Chiarini Firenze
De Marquet
Gloves Forino 1899
Gaja Banchelli
Filomena Amore
LEATHER GOODS
Hidesins The finest Italian leather and sophisticated silhouettes are used to create Hidesins handbag; the handmade carryalls, produced right outside Florence, are stealthily packed with functional details, like a discreetly attached pouch meant for smaller essentials. (chicco@hidesins.com; Booth 5846)
J’Essentia Sicilian artist and designer Francesca Jennifer Puzzo uses leather handbags and silk scarves as canvases for her J’Essentia’s museumworthy accessories. (jessentia@jessentia.com; Booth 5549)
La Via Firenze For accessories with that vintage chic aesthetic, look no further than Tuscan brand La Vie Firenze’s quality leather bags. (sales@ lostilefirenze.com; Booth 5448)
ViaMailBag A passion for design and craftsmanship underlie the design and production of ViaMailBag’s innovative and unique bags. (olgafd@o-dvision.com; Booth 6813)
Visonà Italia 1959 Just horsing around! This second-generation Venetian brand’s equestrianesque saddlery stitching has long been its beloved signature; though founder Plinio Visona sewed everything by hand through the 1970s, the brand now uses a patented special sewing machine. (roykean@aol.com; Booth 5847)
Visonà Italia 1959
ViaMailBag
J’Essentia
Hidesins
La Via Firenze
SHOES
AHDIID Creative director Mario Pini’s bold takes on classic shoe styles, such as boat shoes and hiking boots, include pumping up the volume with mega-size silhouettes, loud laces, and more. paulos@silverthreadagency.com; Booth 5324)
Brunate Shoes that are comfortable and stylish can be hard to come by, but that’s Brunate’s specialty; the century-old footwear brand, headquartered outside Milan, offers kicks with flexible soles and soft materials that don’t sacrifice chicness. (roberto@theprivatedesign.com; Booth 5312)
Cristina Millotti In 1967, founder Millotti Natalfranco opened his first shoe factory in Arezzo, a town in Tuscany, and ever since, the Cristina Millotti brand continues to be made with high standards and quality materials. (roberto@ theprivatedesign.com; Booth 5310)
Donna Carolina Whether you’re in the mood for cute boots, sweet ballet flats, or walkable low heels, Donna Carolina’s on-trend designs have got you covered. (emiliano.baccarini@ultramoda.com; Booth 5315)
Donna Carolina
AHDIID
Cristina Millotti
Brunate
InimitablyITALIAN
SHOES
El Vaquero Beautiful boots with Western flair, unique details, and a vintage feel are El Vaquero’s signature, all crafted by hand using premium leather. (scott.neighbors@ryanmichael.com; Booth 5213)
Giovanni Fabiani Founded in 1971, Giovanni Fabiani is known for luxurious footwear designed with innovation in mind, and meant to last for many years to come. (carranoonline@gmail.com; Booth 5314)
Jo-Ghost A family-run label based in the small town of Montegranaro, Italy, Jo-Ghost has been producing high-quality footwear for 50 years. (emiliano.baccarini@ultramoda.com; Booth 5313)
La Scarpetta di Venere Using premium leathers and unique artisanal techniques, La Scarpetta di Venere creates its elegant limited-edition shoes in the heart of the Marche region. (alice@scarpettadivenere.it; Booth 5333)
Moaconcept Hip sneakers are Moaconcept’s forte; the brand, founded in Florence in 2013, specializes in comfy on-trend trainers, collaborations with street artists, and limitedrun capsule collections. (nicola.artegiani@ moaconcept.com; Booth 5109)
Moaconcept
Jo-Ghost
La Scarpetta di Venere
Giovanni Fabiani
El Vaquero
Nerogiardini This brand, based in the Marche region of Italy, offers high-quality shoes, as well as bags for the whole family, with collections for men, women, and children. (stephanie. pena@nerogiardini.it; Booth 5111)
NiS New Italia Shoes High-quality boots— including lace-up walking boots, as well as durable outdoor boots made to withstand the elements—get added flair from rich hues and textures. (nis@newitaliashoes.it; Booth 5235)
Patrizia Bonfanti Handmade in Tuscany, Patrizia Bonfanti’s designs are avant garde and meticulously constructed to go many miles, in style. (emiliano.baccarini@ultramoda.com; Booth 5311)
Voile Blanche From casual to formal, Voile Blanche’s footwear selection offers something for everyone. Whether you’re in the market for whimsical heels, texture-packed boots, or print-splashed sneakers, Voile Blanche has a covetable pair (or two) worth checking out. (ombretta. scocco@falc.biz; Booth 5308)
NiS New Italia Shoes
Patrizia Bonfanti
Nerogiardini
Voile Blanche
drive business growth and expand networks. Direct on-site storytelling from brands creates authentic experiences that simply cannot be replicated through virtual platforms.
What’s new at COTERIE this season?
COTERIE of Many COLORS
It’s that time of the year! COTERIE returns to the Javits Center on February 24th with plenty of buzzy changes in store. Purvi Kanji, VP of COTERIE, tells THE DAILY about their new partnerships, returning brands, and what trends you’ll be seeing this season at the show. By
EDDIE ROCHE
This season brings exciting vintage elements to our Après Ski neighborhood with Normal NYC Vintage vendors joining the mix. Buyers can source a curated edit of sustainable, upcycled vintage pieces from Normal’s network of independent vendors. The integration of these vintage items adds a unique dimension to our fashion showcase.
What differentiates COTERIE from other shows?
COTERIE stands apart through our comprehensive retail program, which focuses on strategic brand curation and buyer-hosted experiences. These intentional experiences are designed to enhance product discovery and provide retailers with the tools and insights needed to meet evolving consumer demands. Our thoughtful floor merchandising and distinct neighborhood concepts also ensure effortless navigation when shopping. In addition, Fashion by Informa’s Incubator Program provides a platform for greater exposure and opportunity to up-andcoming Black-owned brands through complimentary participation in COTERIE, as well as inclusion in editorial features, individualized mentorship, and expansive marketing promotion. COTERIE Incubator
brands this year include YESAET, ARCH NYC, Elexiay, Nia Thomas, and Gwen Beloti Jewelry. What changes can we expect to see this year?
This season, COTERIE in New York is elevated through dynamic new partnerships that bring added value and innovation to the event. Our collaboration with JOOR, a leading digital wholesale platform, streamlines the buying process by connecting brands and retailers through cutting-edge technology, enabling seamless transactions, and fostering stronger business relationships. Additionally, our partnership with Normal NYC, a creative hub known for its expertise in experiential design, enhances the event’s atmosphere with curated spaces and immersive experiences that reflect the pulse of the fashion industry. Together, these strategic alliances not only expand our event’s capabilities but also provide buyers and brands with unparalleled resources, connections, and opportunities to thrive within the ever-evolving fashion ecosystem.
We know we’ve asked this before, but why is a live and inperson experience important for buyers and retailers? Face-to-face connections remain fundamental for building and nurturing professional relationships that
Tell us about some of the international countries and brands we’ll be seeing on the floor.
Our global presence features exceptional brands from Italy, Korea, Turkey, Brazil, Spain, France, and India, showcasing the diverse landscape of contemporary fashion. Notable international brands include Osklen, Moaconcept, Pallas, Flabelus, Saint Ones, JIJI Studios, and Sessùn.
Any special activations we should know about?
The third edition of our Après Ski neighborhood continues to be a standout destination for buyers seeking unique collections. Our partnership with Normal NYC Vintage adds an exciting vintage component to the contemporary fashion landscape. Additional activations include interactive experiences, such as build your own crystal kits, which enhance the overall buyer journey throughout the show.
What trends can buyers expect this time?
For Fall/winter 2026–27, expect relaxed loungewear styled with tailored silhouettes for a sophisticated yet modern sportswear effect, alongside versatile sets that mix with elevated denim or workwear. The palette features rich, deep colors, reimagined stripes, and elevated neutrals that speak to quiet, timeless luxury. An edgier, darker night-out aesthetic arises, while sculptural silhouettes merge silk with technical blends and metallic accents.
What are some of the longest-running brands that come back to the show every year?
Theia Jewelry, ITA (Italian Trade Agency), Aldomartins, Mavi, Dolce Vita, KINROSS Cashmere, SERPUI, Melissa, and French Connection, to name a few!
Any new brands should we be looking out for?
This season introduces several emerging designers worth noting, including Nia Thomas, Flabelus, YESAET, and YZA Handmade. Additional newcomers include Of Handmade, TRAMA Paris, and JIJI Studio, each bringing fresh perspectives to the contemporary fashion market. These brands represent the next generation of design talent that buyers should have on their radar.
Do you do anything to relax after the show?
September planning is already underway with exciting developments in the works that we’re eager to share with the fashion community. When moments allow, spending quality time with family and picking up a good book!
Purvi Kanji
COLOR FULLY Living
For Lauren Grossman, founder of PLANET by Lauren G, beautiful hues deeply inspire her timeless, versatile designs, whether she’s on a safari or at the beach. Grossman fills us in on her latest collection for fall, why color is such a powerful part of her design, and how her own style has—and hasn’t!—changed over time.
Tell us about your latest collection! Where did you find inspiration, and any favorite pieces to highlight?
My latest Fall collection is made up of rich hues of jewel tones combined with two neutral base colors, Moonlight and Truffle, which can be worn monochromatically or mixed with the various jewel tones. The nylon jackets can be dressed up or down; the versatility of these jackets is infinite! What specific materials and silhouettes are exciting you most lately?
I have been working with a faux sateen fabric. The drape of this material is so much fun to create with. Knowing that it doesn’t require dry cleaning is a huge plus to me and my customers. All the silhouettes in this group have a soft feminine appeal. They also dress up for parties or pare down with a sweater. That’s the value and signature look consistent for Planet by Lauren G.
Where do you feel most creative?
My inspiration and creativity come from random places. It could be the beach or the mountains. I have to be hit by a feeling about a color, then I find my color palette. I then look for the various textures I feel will complement the color story. I find the outdoors and Mother Nature my most influential sources. How would you describe your personal style, and how has it evolved over time?
My personal style is definitely monochromatic. I’m a minimalist in my life, so I keep it simple with an edge. My style has not changed in the past 30 years. When old pictures show up, they could be today. Style is forever. Chic is always in. I’m not affected by trends, and I have never been one for a costume look with bells and whistles. I believe less said is best said. Understated luxury is forever.
Who is the Planet woman today, and how has your customer base changed—or stayed consistent—over the years?
The Planet woman today is me. She has been with me over the 26 years I’ve been creating the collection. Many of my customers show me pieces they have had for 10 years, 15 years. Timeless fashion is synonymous with Planet. My closet has many of the older pieces that I cherish and still enjoy wearing. What are a couple of go-to Planet pieces you find yourself reaching for and wearing on repeat, and why do you love them so much?
I have my go-to never-travel-without Planet pieces. One is a nylon asymmetrical jacket. It can be worn over anything I pack and is a visual statement piece. It also packs so well and takes up no room in the
suitcase or tote bag. The other piece I find so useful is a matte jersey tank dress, maxi length. This is the base for all tops, sweaters, vests, and jackets to go over. It never wrinkles and rolls up for easy packing. It’s also a dress-up or dress-down piece. What are you most looking forward to about COTERIE this season?
COTERIE is always the best way to kick off a new collection. The feedback from my sales staff and the buyers fills my soul. It’s a high that can’t be replaced. What advice would you give aspiring designers? Anything you wish someone had told you at the beginning of your career?
I would tell new fashion designers just starting out to keep it simple, keep it wearable, and have it fit all figures.
What’s on the horizon for you this spring?
I’m thinking of going on a safari. I started Planet after my first trip to Africa. I’m feeling like sharing that soulful experience with my husband. It’s a magical place. So next spring, my color palette will have a desert feel.
WELNESS , REWIRED
An energy drink…with wellness benefits? Yes, really. After years spent shaking up the lingerie market, Gorgie founder Michelle Cordeiro Grant decided to disrupt the massive energy-drink industry. Here’s how! By
What were you doing before Gorgie?
I was in the fashion world for a long time, at Federated Department Stores, then Victoria’s Secret. Then, I launched LIVELY on the premise of building a brand backward, asking America what they actually wanted from a multibillion-dollar industry that felt dated and dusty but still vast. Women didn’t love bra shopping, which I found so odd; I wanted to flip that entirely. Which you did! Why create an energy drink next?
After my LIVELY chapter, my family moved to Florida. While I figured out what I was going to do next I thought I’d be an investor, board member, and adviser for other brands. But literally after two weeks, I already missed building brands so much. So I started building a wellness brand focused on cellular renewal and longevity called Gorgeous Humans. Everywhere I went down here I saw energy drinks, and I kept thinking
about the stigma around them being so bad for you and gross. I realized the energy-drink category was worth $20, $25 billion and growing in the U.S. alone, and I couldn’t believe there wasn’t one I loved. I went to buy the ones trending on TikTok and realized I couldn’t buy any of them in Whole Foods because they’re not healthy enough. Gorgie started in summer 2022 as an energymeets-wellness drink, and the name Gorgeous Humans became Gorgie.
How did you develop Gorgie’s look and taste?
We asked questions on TikTok about what people would want in an energy-meets-wellness drink: Should the flavor be dragon fruit, watermelon, peach? What would the wellness benefits be like? How much caffeine do you actually want? People wanted 150 milligrams of caffeine, not 200 or 300 milligrams; they didn’t want ingredients they’d never heard of; and they wanted benefits like vitamins B6 and B12 or biotin.
What’s energy drink R&D been like?
A bra might have 25 different components with 25 different suppliers on the other side of the world; with an energy drink, the supply chain is in the U.S., and it’s something you’re putting into your body, not on it, with certifications involved for all ingredients. On the flavor front, I walked around that first summer with a cooler, little tasting cups, and glass jars of the billion-dollar legacy brands’ energy drinks, and of our drink. I’d be on a beach in the Hamptons, or at a restaurant, or people
ALEXANDRA ILYASHOV
would come to our house, and I would give out samples to blind taste test. Until we won these taste tests, I just kept working on the flavor, over and over. My children were like, “Mom, please stop!”
What’s the winning Gorgie formula like?
It tastes like refreshing fruit with a bit more sweetness, it has the right level of carbonation, and it’s a pink color that warms peoples’ hearts. It’s vegan, kosher, and doesn’t have aspartame, erythritol, or sucralose. You get a smooth-effect pick-me-up without a high lift and crash.
Where can we buy Gorgie?
It’s Non-GMO Project verified, which allows us to be sold in Whole Foods, Erewhon, and Sprouts Farmers Markets. We grew the energy category at these amazing stores in the Natural Channel, in some cases by well over 100 percent! We took something that stereotypically doesn’t feel healthy and made it appeal to people who are conscientious about being healthy. We took it a step further by putting an energy drink in places you wouldn’t expect: We were the first energy smoothie at Erewhon. We also did a collab with L.A. coffee chain Alfred. We created a swim capsule for our Pink Lemonade flavor launch with Target that was shown at Miami Swim Week.
Wow! So what’s up next for Gorgie?
Alix Earle is our latest investor and partner in the business. Today, we’re about energy-based wellness; tomorrow, who knows!
Michelle Cordeiro Grant
Exclusively Agent R.E.D. International…
Founder, Genie Parada-Fishman, defines Fall 2026 through her distinctive, carefully curated portfolio of brands. “Trends fade, style is eternal.” — Yves Saint Laurent
Agent R.E.D. International is an exclusive destination where, for more than two decades, retailers have had access to a tightly edited portfolio of women’s contemporary brands. Known for showcasing labels that balance style, comfort, and real-world wearability, the showroom continues to spotlight iconic yet accessible names such as XCVI, Wearables, Threads 4 Thought, Tractr Jeans and now Project Social T. Each brand is selected with intention—designed to support women as they move through life with confidence and ease. The philosophy remains clear: fashion should empower, not chase trends. For Fall 2026, Genie Parada-Fishman shares her point of view through the brands shaping the season ahead.
Genie’s Style Perspective. I’ve always had a definitive point of view when it comes to style. I know what I love—and I’m unapologetic about it. I gravitate toward bold, over-the-top pieces that integrate seamlessly into my wardrobe and reflect my personality. I’ve never been afraid to make a strong choice when getting dressed, yet I rarely overthink it. I wake up, channel my mood, and instinctively pull pieces together, layering on accessories as I go. For me, style is intuitive, expressive, and deeply personal. It’s about wearing what feels right in the moment.
If Your Brand Has No Story, It Has No Future. Authenticity may be the buzzword of the moment, but it has always guided how I curate our assortment. I’m drawn to brands with a real story—because today, a beautiful garment alone isn’t enough. Clothing has become a commodity, and competition is louder than ever.
a reunion, a runway, and a celebration all at once. I believe serious business doesn’t have to feel serious. When the energy is right, creativity flows, connections deepen, and the work gets done naturally. Fashion thrives when it’s joyful, expressive, and human—and Coterie is where all of that comes together.
Step Inside the World of Agent R.E.D. International… Proudly, the Agent R.E.D. portfolio remains consistent season after season, evolving only when the right opportunity presents itself. What truly sets the brands I carefully curate for the showroom apart is the people behind them. Long-standing relationships with family-run companies have created a community built on trust, shared values, and lasting partnerships with deeply loyal retailers.
What truly stands out is purpose. Retailers and consumers want to know who designed a piece, how it was made, and why it exists. Transparency, intention, and a human touch are essential. There will always be opportunity for brands that are committed to delivering excellence and meaning at every level.
Fashion is not a Frivolous Business. In what can seem like a frivolous industry, the work we do is deeply important. I see myself as the vessel through which a designer’s creative vision reaches the world, placing their work in the right hands. At its core, this is about helping women show up ready for their lives. What we wear shapes our confidence, our mindset, and how we’re perceived. Dressing is not superficial— it’s preparation. Image matters, because it’s often how the world first reads you. And there’s real pleasure in wearing something beautifully made, in feeling the fabric and appreciating the intention behind every detail.
Business, but Make It a Party. It’s Coterie season again, and in my world, fashion is meant to be fun. Yes, real business is happening—orders are written, relationships are strengthened, and brands are positioned—but it all unfolds in an atmosphere that feels electric, social, and alive. Coterie is
XCVI and Wearables deliver versatile, beautifully crafted pieces designed for every woman—any age, any size, and every facet of her life. Their approach to casual-chic dressing transcends trends and stands the test of time. Tractr Jeans is the goto for modern denim that balances sex appeal with comfort and stretch. Threads 4 Thought brings purpose to everyday dressing, pairing sustainability with wardrobe staples that form the foundation of a modern uniform. Rounding out the mix, Project Social T injects rock-star attitude into a woman’s wardrobe with effortlessly cool pieces and undeniable cool-girl appeal. When the Universe Aligns. Sometimes the universe gets it exactly right. I was beyond thrilled to hear that XCVI had acquired Project Social T—especially knowing that the brand’s Creative Director is one of my all-time favorite people in this industry, Daniella Clarke. Daniella and I go back to our days at Frankie B, and I’ve long admired her not only as a creative visionary, but as someone who is relentlessly committed to the business. She shows up fully—standing with me at trade shows, speaking passionately about her product to every person who wants to listen. Despite her genuine rockstar status, Daniella is kind, humble, and a true collaborator. She’s the rare combination of talent, work ethic, and heart. I couldn’t be more excited to be working with her again.
This business may be unpredictable, but my fire for it never wavers. I live for that moment of opening a new box of samples and catching the very first glimpse of a designer’s vision—that rush never fades. Fashion is volatile and constantly shifting, but my commitment is unwavering. I show up fully, dive in headfirst, and give it everything I’ve got. With Agent R.E.D. International, the energy never stops—and trust me, you’ll want to be part of what comes next. @agentredintl
Turning Up the Volume, Daniella Clarke ushers in a rock ’n’ roll era at Project Social T as Creative Director, leading the brand’s bold next chapter under the XCVI family of brands.
Q: Project Social T is entering an exciting new era. How does this moment feel?
Daniella Clarke: It feels like a natural progression. Project Social T is already a wellregarded contemporary brand with a loyal, cult-like following, and this next chapter allows us to build on that foundation while pushing the brand forward creatively.
Q: You’re known for a bold, rock ’n’ roll point of view. How will that influence the design?
Daniella Clarke: My aesthetic is rooted in attitude. You’ll see more edge, stronger silhouettes, and elevated details—while still staying true to the softness and comfort the brand is known for.
Q: How does the XCVI partnership support that creative evolution?
Daniella Clarke: XCVI brings decades of industry experience, strong infrastructure, and operational support that allow us to be more agile creatively. It gives us the ability to expand design options, introduce more novelty, and elevate the collection while staying true to Project Social T’s DNA and accessible price point.
Q: What anchors Project Social T moving forward?
Daniella Clarke: Elevated essentials remain the core—now layered with more confidence, energy, and edge. @projectsocialt
Lilia Gorodnitski, Creative Director of XCVI, talks inclusivity, elevated comfort, and the art of effortless dressing.
Q: How do you define the XCVI brand today?
Lilia Gorodnitski: Since 1996, XCVI has focused on casual dressing that feels polished yet easy. We design clothing that fits into real life—supporting busy schedules and making women feel comfortable, confident, and put together.
Q: Inclusivity is a core value. How does that inform your design process?
Lilia Gorodnitski: We design for women of all ages and sizes across both XCVI and Wearables. It’s about understanding how women move through their day and creating silhouettes that truly work for different bodies.
Q: How do you keep the collection feeling fresh each season?
Q: Comfort is a signature of the brand. What sets XCVI apart?
Lilia Gorodnitski: Our secret is in the fabrics and construction—stretch woven fabrics combined with strategically placed knit panels that allow pieces to look refined while feeling incredibly comfortable.
Lilia Gorodnitski: We focus on high-quality fabrics, unique hand washes, and thoughtful details, introducing seasonal novelty while staying true to XCVI’s signature style. @xcviofficial
Lilia Gorodnitski, Creative Director of Wearables, talks elevated essentials, versatility, and the pieces women reach for again and again.
Q: How would you describe the Wearables division?
Lilia Gorodnitski: Wearables is all about key wardrobe staples—pants, dresses, and tops—that women rely on daily. These core styles return season after season, refreshed with new colors and washes while maintaining the same trusted fits.
Eric Fleet, Founder of Threads 4 Thought, shares his perspective on purpose-driven design and the brand’s continued commitment to responsible fashion.
Q: What is the core mission behind Threads 4 Thought?
EricFleet:Threads 4 Thought was built on the idea that apparel can have a positive impact on people while maintaining a smaller footprint on the planet. That intention guides every part of our process, from design through production.
Q: How does sustainability show up in the product itself?
Eric Fleet: We’re very intentional about materials, sourcing Organic Cotton, Recycled Polyester, and TENCEL™ Modal—some of the most responsible options available—without sacrificing comfort or style.
Q: Ethical production is central to the brand. Why is that essential?
Eric Fleet: We partner with factories that meet the highest global certifications to ensure safe working conditions and responsible manufacturing practices.
Q: How do you define impact at Threads 4 Thought?
Eric Fleet: Through long-term sustainability initiatives and nonprofit partnerships, we focus on creating meaningful, lasting change beyond each garment. @threads4thought
Q: Accessibility is a big part of the brand. Why does that matter?
Lilia Gorodnitski: At under $100 retail, Wearables offers one of the strongest values in the market for this level of quality, fabric, and construction.
Q: What defines the CORE and travel-ready programs?
Lilia Gorodnitski: CORE features our bestselling stretch cotton poplin and knit essentials designed for consistent, yearround reorder.
Our travel-ready capsule builds on that foundation with exclusive four-way “Whisper Stretch” fabric that’s lightweight, wrinkleresistant, and designed for effortless wear on the go. Wearables has been tagged on socials by consumers in Whisper Stretch looks worn everywhere from St. Barth to Tokyo, reinforcing its role as a true go-to for travel dressing.
Q: What role does Wearables play in a woman’s everyday wardrobe?
Lilia Gorodnitski: These are the pieces you wear on repeat—designed to move through every day and every adventure while looking polished and effortless.
Denim, Reimagined: Diane Kuczer, Creative Director of TRACTR Jeans, Redefines Modern Denim
Q: How would you describe TRACTR as a brand?
Diane Kuczer: TRACTR is a female-founded, New York–based denim brand rooted in premium fabrics, novel details, and flattering fits. Most of the line retails under $100, while still feeling elevated, special, and thoughtfully crafted.
Q: Comfort is core to the brand. How do you balance that with style?
DianeKuczer: Stretch is built into every design using premium fabrics. It allows denim to move with the body while maintaining structure and polish—so comfort never comes at the expense of style.
Q: What defines the TRACTR girl this season?
Diane Kuczer: She’s confident and directional. We’re leaning into slouchier shapes, lower rises, and statement details like zebra prints, embroidery, studs, and grommets.
Q: What fabrics and textures are driving the collection?
Diane Kuczer: Tactile fabrics are key this season. We’re expanding our stretch French terry capsule and continuing to build on our ultra-soft denim—an ongoing brand signature. Faux suede textures and faux fur detailing on select jackets add depth and dimension, taking her effortlessly from day to date night. @tractrjeans
Le Blanc, Halston and Mia Paluzzi
Bariano Australia and Helsi
The Joyous Bride
Still
He’s HERE!
Good times and bum times, he’s seen ’em all! This year, Michael Kors celebrates 45 years in business, so we touched base with the iconic American designer to look back on some of the most memorable moments before the brand marks this epic anniversary!
By EDDIE ROCHE Portrait by INEZ AND VINOODH
What was your first-ever show like?
My first show was in a gallery on Sixth Avenue and 18th Street called the Tower Gallery. It was at one time a department store called SiegelCooper. The walls were blue, so I took down all the art and painted everything white, and the gallery reeked of fresh paint. There was very little budget, and maybe six pairs of shoes that rotated backstage, but with a cast of models who were the stars of the time, including Iman. The whole show came together really well, and we had a great response.
Where was your very first office?
In my apartment at 216 Seventh Avenue. First celebrity to wear Michael Kors Collection?
Probably the very first one was Marlo Thomas. Did you ever consider calling the brand something besides Michael Kors Collection?
Initially the brand was Michael Kors. What was the hardest show to put
The 40th anniversary show. It happened during lockdown with no audience, on the streets of the Theater District and in Broadway landmarks like Sardi’s and the Shubert Theatre. Where was your favorite-ever
The Theater District for the 40th
Who has attended the most shows
Anna Wintour.
Do you have a favorite piece you’ve created?
The myriad versions of black turtlenecks; there’s always a new favorite one.
What model did you know was going to be a huge star?
Gisele [Bündchen].
What have you eaten for lunch the most since opening your doors?
It’s a toss-up between French fries and pizza. Do you have a pre-show ritual?
No matter how late it is the night before the show, we make sure we watch something joyful and silly on television before we go to sleep. Nothing beats a classic I Love Lucy episode to take your mind off the fashion craziness. What color have you used the most in 45 years? Camel.
What’s been the biggest change in the Michael Kors Collection woman in 45 years?
The rules about dressing your age have totally shifted.
Now it’s dress the way you want.
What has been your favorite ad campaign?
It’s the same as the collections themselves; the latest one is always my favorite.
Who is the longest-running employee at Michael Kors Collection?
My husband, Lance Le Pere, creative director of Women’s Design.
If the Michael Kors Collection brand was a Broadway show, what would it be?
Merrily We Roll Along
How nostalgic are you?
I’m an odd combination of nostalgia for the past, FOMO, and curiosity for the future. The balance is everything.
