LVMH's Sales Soar and Kim Kardashian Is All Over Balenciaga in This Week's Top Fashion News

This week, fashion’s biggest headlines covered financial reports, brand ambassadorships, seasonal campaigns and store openings.

Among the biggest, LVMH revealed that it earned a 10% increase in sales during Q4 2023, which ultimately led to an uptick in the massive luxury conglomerate’s shares. Elsewhere, Kim Kardashian officially signed on as an ambassador for Balenciaga, and she appeared in the brand’s “Closet Campaign” just one day later.

Down the line, Levi’s filed a lawsuit against Brunello Cucinelli over its allegedly “infringing” tabs. Marc Jacobs dropped its Spring 2024 campaign, starring Lil Uzi Vert and FKA Twigs. Stüssy opened its latest retail outpost in Sapporo, Japan, and Palace teased a new shopping destination in Seoul, South Korea. MCM, meanwhile, released a campaign starring Cara Delevigne.

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’s Sales Climbed 10% in Q4 2023

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LVMH, the mammoth luxury conglomerate that oversees industry-leading brands including Louis Vuitton, Dior, Celine and LOEWE, exceeded analysts’ expectations in the fourth-quarter of last year, reporting organic revenue growth of 10%. The average estimate among forecasters was 8%, per Business of Fashion.

The company’s full-year operating profit climbed by 8% to reach €22.8 billion EUR ($24.7 billion USD). LVMH experienced the highest growth in its selective retailing division, which houses labels including Sephora, Hong Kong’s DFS and Belmond Hotels. Sales increased by 21% in the category.

On the fashion and leather goods front, where LVMH makes the majority of its sales, the company saw sales grow by 9%, which mirrors the results that were reported for the third quarter. The parent company also reported particularly strong momentum in its fragrance and makeup division, across all regions.

Kim Kardashian Became a Balenciaga Ambassador and Starred in the Brand’s “Closet Campaign”

Inez & Vinoodh

Kim Kardashian wasted no time in fulfilling her contractual duties as the newest global brand ambassador for Balenciaga. After assuming the bold title on Monday, the reality-turned-mega star headlined the label’s all-new “Closet Campaign,” which sees her pose with Balenciaga’s Le City Bag inside the walk-in accessories closet at her house, just 24 hours later.

Shot by legendary fashion photographers Inez & Vinoodh, the campaign also starred actresses Roh Yoon Seo and Nicola Peltz, model Paloma Elsesser, costume designer and stylist Patricia Field and fashion influencer Devon Lee Carlson. In the images, each subject stands before their own awe-inspiring closet, holding the Le City Bag. Notably, Balenciaga’s Le Cagole and the Hourglass bag also appear in the campaign.

Upon signing on as an official ambassador, Kardashian issued the following statement: “For several years now, Balenciaga’s designs have been a part of my many looks – and some of my most iconic fashion moments. This historic fashion house embraces modernity, craftsmanship and takes an innovative approach to design under Demna. For me, this long-standing relationship is built on mutual trust and a commitment to doing what’s right. I’m excited about this next chapter for the brand and to become their ambassador.”

Levi’s Filed a Lawsuit Against Brunello Cucinelli Over “Infringing” Tabs

Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

Levi Strauss & Co. has filed a lawsuit against Brunello Cucinelli for “trademark infringement, dilution and unfair competition” in San Francisco federal court, alleging that the Italian designer label has “misappropriated LS&Co.’s famous Tab trademark as a symbol for their own apparel products.”

With a trademark filed in 1938, Levi’s has requested the court’s issuing of a preliminary and permanent injunction to bar Cucinelli from creating new designs that feature the allegedly “infringing” tabs.

“Despite repeated attempts to resolve the matter short of litigation, defendant has refused to commit to ceasing use of the Brunello Cucinelli Tab, and now continues to promote and sell these infringing garments, and — on information and belief — increasing [its] production of such garments,” Levi’s wrote in its filing.

In a statement to WWD, Cucinelli himself said that his brand “has always valued the originality of its creations and the integrity of its business practices.” He added that he believes “there is no risk of confusion for any customer in the world,” in regard to Levi’s suit. “The decoration we use is different in design and purpose and it is evident it is not a logo but an ornamental embellishment.”

Get the full story here.

Marc Jacobs Tapped Lil Uzi Vert, FKA Twigs and More for 40th Anniversary SS24 Campaign

Marc Jacobs

Celebrating 40 years in business, Marc Jacobs put together a star-studded Spring 2024 campaign, starring Lil Uzi Vert and FKA Twigs, as well as Lila Moss, Bladee, Dakota Fanning, Juergen Teller, and Cindy Sherman.

In the campy visuals, filmed and directed by Yulya Shadrinsky, Uzi carefully maneuvers into an elevator while carrying a massive, tiered cake and the brand’s popular ‘The Tote Bag” in camouflage. Twigs, meanwhile, appears holding “The Sack Bag,” outside the label’s New York City office on 72 Spring Street, in an image shot by Jurgen Teller.

See the full campaign here.

Stüssy Opened Its Sapporo Chapter, Designed by Perron-Roettinger

Stüssy

Stüssy has touched down in Sapporo, Japan, with an all-new retail outpost designed in collaboration with Perron-Roettinger.

The design imprint, which is also responsible for Stüssy’s Beijing, Bangkok and Singapore stores, crafted this latest retail concept to reflect the brand’s striking, colorful identity on the streets of Japan. Inside a black facade, the space houses contemporary, block-like furniture in bold green tones, while steel panels and wooden storage stuctures line its walls.

In tandem with the store’s opening, Stüssy released an exclusive apparel capsule that features zip-up hoodies and T-shirts with commemorative graphics. See more images of the store here.

Palace Teased the Opening of Its Seoul Flagship Store

Palace Skateboards

This week, Palace let fans know that it has “SOMETHING COOKING” in Seoul, with a cryptic teaser video posted to its Instagram.

The visual, which arrived after rumors circulated about the brand’s plans to open its first-ever flagship in the South Korean capital city, featured an unnamed subject enjoying a meal of grilled meat on an iron plate — a South Korean cuisine staple. The video the flashes to a bottle of soju and a side of kimchi before highlighting Palace’s Tri-Ferg logo, with the brand’s name written in Korean Hangul.

While the brand did not outwardly confirm that it would be opening a store in the city, the signs are certainly strong. Palace noted that it would reveal more details regarding what exactly it has cooking up in Seoul on February 3, 2024. Stay tuned.

Cara Delevigne Fronted MCM’s SS24 “Mavericks” Campaign

Mcm

Earlier this week, German luxury label MCM pulled back the curtain on its Spring/Summer 2024 campaign, starring its first “style mavericks” Cara Delevigne and South Korean model Xu Meen. The sartorial delivery, shot by Craig McDean with styling from Karl Templer, looked to articulate the modern-day MCM clients: “diverse and dynamic digital nomads who follow their own true North.”

“The campaign is indelibly tied to our purpose, which is to inspire and equip 21st century mavericks to live a life of their own design and aspiration, inspiring a global movement of sophisticated rebellion,” said Sabine Brunner, president and brand & commercial officer at MCM, in a statement. “MCM is made for individuals who share our rebellious spirit and desire to be different yet go their own way in the world while making the world their own. It’s about discovering what’s new and creating what’s next.”

See the full campaign here.