LVMH Looks to Acquire Cartier and Rihanna Revives Fenty x PUMA in This Week's Top Fashion News

This week, fashion’s headlines set new tones for the future.

Among the biggest, new reports revealed that LVMH is looking to acquire Cartier’s parent company Richemont. The Switzerland-based luxury goods company boasts a massive portfolio of 26 brands that Bernard Arnault has his eyes on. In another sector, Rihanna confirmed the return of the much-loved and very-missed Fenty x PUMA collaborations, after the partnership quietly disappeared in 2017. And on the runway, Paris has the spotlight, with several labels, including Saint Laurent, Acne Studios, Balmain, Rick Owens, Off-White™, and LOEWE, among others, pulling back the curtain on their Fall/Winter 2023 designs this week.

Below, Hypebeast has rounded up the top fashion stories of the week so you can stay up to date on trends in the industry.

LVMH Is Reportedly Considering Acquiring Cartier’s Parent Company

Eric Piermont/Afp/Getty Images

Leading luxury conglomerate LVMH, run by the globe’s richest man Bernard Arnault, is looking to take over Switzerland-based luxury goods holding company Richemont, according to reports from Swiss newspaper Finanz und Wirtschaft, which spoke of “whispers behind closed doors.”

Arnault reportedly has his eyes set on Cartier, viewing the high-end jewelry brand as a significant addition to its growing accessories wing, which presently hosts Tiffany & Co., Bvlgari, and Chaumet. Richemont ranks as the fourth-largest luxury company in the world, with a massive portfolio of 26 brands that includes Cartier, Chloé, Montblanc, IWC, A. Lange & Söhne, Van Cleef & Arpels, Jaeger-LeCoultre, Panerai, Piaget and Vacheron Constantin.

Stay tuned for more details as they become available.

Rihanna Announced the Return of Fenty x PUMA

Fenty/Puma

On Wednesday, Rihanna revealed the official comeback of Fenty x PUMA, with a concise message posted to social media: “She’s back.” In classic Bad Gal fashion, details on the re-established partnership are being kept largely under wraps, but news of Rih’s fashion revival will suffice for now.

Rihanna has a longstanding relationship with the German sportswear company that dates back to 2014 when she joined the brand as creative director of womenswear. During her tenure, Rihanna successfully established identifiable design codes that left critics and customers satisfied. With an emphasis on athleisure, the visionary’s collections oftentimes included an assortment of chunky footwear, oversized loungewear and vivid bodysuits, among other playful activewear iterations. It’s likely that the return of Fenty x PUMA will lean further into Rihanna’s vision of inclusivity, with styles that adhere to a contemporary aesthetic.

At this time, there is no information on the collaboration’s launch date.

Paris Fashion Week Entered With Full Force

Filippo Fior/Gorunway.com/Vogue Runway

Exiting Milan, fashion-week showgoers booked it to Paris to see the latest Fall/Winter 2023 collections from the French capital’s top brands. At the top of the week, a bevy of headlining designers put forth impressive efforts for the forthcoming season.

Saint Laurent debuted a Winter 2023 collection that offered a womenswear wardrobe with masculine themes, Acne Studios showed a range that was rooted in futuristic mysticism, and HELIOT EMIL set the whole place on fire. Meanwhile, Balmain‘s FW23 collection recalled its founder’s heroic brilliance, and Off-White™ uncovered Ib Kamara‘s debut collection at the brand’s helm. As the week continues, see Hypebeast’s coverage here.

Michael B. Jordan Fronted Calvin Klein’s SS23 Campaign

Mert And Marcus

Calvin Klein began the rollout of its much-anticipated Spring/Summer 2023 campaign — and among the stars appearing scantily clad in support of this season’s collection is actor, producer and director Michael B. Jordan. The campaign not only spotlights the imprint’s latest loungewear and underwear staples but also champions Jordan’s sheer star power in a bevy of confident portraits.

Shot by legendary photographers Mert & Marcus, the sartorial imagery marks Jordan’s first time working with Calvin Klein. Jordan’s Spring/Summer 2023 campaign imagery is now posted on Calvin Klein’s famous Houston St. and La Cienega billboards, as well as on the brand’s social channels. Calvin Klein’s full Spring 2023 campaign will be unveiled on March 15.

Louis Vuitton Opened a New White Canvas: LV Trainer in Residence Exhibition in Milan

Louis Vuitton

Louis Vuitton opened an all-new exhibition, titled White Canvas: LV Trainer in Residence, dedicated to the first line in a series of artistic reinventions of its LV Trainer.

On view from February 24 to March 16, the exhibition launches inside Louis Vuitton’s Milan store at Garage Traversi with three renovated editions of the emblematic sneaker. Curated by Sky Gellatly, the initial installment features iterations made by Ecuador-born, New York-bred graffiti artist Lady Pink, Puerto Rico-hailing subway artist Lee Quiñones and the Estate of Rammellzee. An invitation for creative collaboration, the exhibition expands upon Louis Vuitton’s deep-rooted relationships in the artistic spheres.

BTS’ Jimin Named Tiffany & Co.’s Newest Ambassador

Tiffany & Co.

BTS’ Jimin joined Tiffany & Co. as the brand’s latest ambassador. Made official with an image of the South Korean vocalist wearing a stack of the luxury jewelry purveyor’s “Lock” bracelets, Jimin’s work with the brand is set to begin immediately — and his first campaign will arrive later this year, according to WWD.

Under the contract, Jimin will front forthcoming advertising campaigns and show face at the jeweler’s key brand events. According to the label’s announcement, “Jimin will showcase his unique approach to jewelry styling as he wears iconic Tiffany & Co. designs in forthcoming campaigns.”

“It is a great honor to partner with Tiffany and embody the values of a brand that has a passion for design, innovation and artistry,” Jimin said in a statement.

Pharrell’s JOOPITER Presented Its First Dedicated High Jewelry Auction

Joopiter

Pharrell Williams‘ worldwide auction house JOOPITER announced its first high jewelry auction, titled A Journey Through Gems. The digital-first auction includes a partnership with high-jewelry maven and third-generation diamond dealer Lorraine Schwartz, who boasts a longstanding reputation in the industry for connecting A-list celebrities with highly-coveted accessories.

A Journey Through Gems will include a range of rare stones and unique pieces from throughout Schwartz’s career. Specifically, the auction features a 50-carat D Flawless Type II heart-shaped loose diamond, a pair of 18k white gold, four-panel diamond shape earrings with natural purple sapphire, natural paraiba and diamonds, along with an 18k white gold diamond and Colombian emerald bib necklace with matching earrings.

The auction will open for global bidding on March 17.

Mitchell & Ness Appointed Don C as Creative Director

Mitchell & Ness

Mitchell & Ness named Don C its new Creative Director of Premium Products, in an effort to elevate the lifestyle brand’s influence among sports, entertainment and business.

Don’s relationship with the brand dates back to 2021, when he teamed up with Mitchell & Ness on a series of luxury “Just Don” caps. Following their success, Don C continued to work on the brand’s premium apparel and headwear collections, as well as its NBA Jam and No Name collections.

“Working with Mitchell & Ness is a dream come true,” said Don in a statement. “I grew up on throwbacks and sportswear, so it’s an honor to be able to impact something that affected me so much through my creative journey and love of sports. I’m looking forward to storytelling and creating more timeless products alongside the Mitchell & Ness team.”