Fendi & Maria Grazia Chiuri Reunite, Hermès Men's Director Steps Down in This Week's Top Fashion News

Summary

• • Maria Grazia Chiuri was appointed Chief Creative Officer at Fendi, succeeding Kim Jones. This news follows the departure of Véronique Nichanian as Hermès Men’s Artistic Director after an unprecedented 37 years.
  • LVMH reported its first quarterly organic growth (1%) in Q3 2025, suggesting a stabilization and easing of the wider luxury market slump, driven by a rebound in Asia.
  • Designer Salehe Bembury launched his independent footwear brand SPUNGE, allegedly declining a major partnership with Nike. Elsewhere, Supreme and Number (N)ine united for a new Disney-themed collection.

Maria Grazia Chiuri Returns to Fendi as Chief Creative Officer

Maria Grazia Chiuri is making a momentous return to Fendi, stepping into the role of Chief Creative Officer and succeeding Kim Jones. This appointment marks a significant full-circle moment for the designer, who originally began her career at the Roman luxury house in 1989. LVMH Chairman Bernard Arnault praised Chiuri’s talent and vision, stating his conviction that she will contribute to the Maison’s artistic renewal. Chiuri herself expressed honor and joy in returning to the company where she started under the guidance of the house’s founders, “the five sisters.” She is scheduled to debut her first ready-to-wear runway collection for Fendi in Milan next February for the Fall/Winter 2026-2027 season.

Véronique Nichanian Steps Down at Hermès as Men’s Artistic Director

A historic chapter in luxury menswear is closing as Véronique Nichanian steps down as Hermès Men’s Artistic Director. Her departure ends an unparalleled 37-year tenure, which is said to be the longest continuous creative directorship at a major fashion house. Appointed in 1988, Nichanian was instrumental in defining Hermès menswear with her signature philosophy of quiet luxury and prioritization of craftsmanship, creating timeless and sophisticated collections. The 71-year-old designer noted that she wishes to devote her time to other pursuits, stating she felt it was the right moment to “pass the baton.” Her final collection will be presented in January 2026 during Paris Fashion Week.

LVMH Returns to Growth as Luxury Slump Shows Signs of Easing

LVMH, the world’s leading luxury conglomerate, has reported its first quarterly organic growth of the year, signaling a potential stabilization in the wider luxury market slowdown. The group achieved 1% organic growth in Q3 2025, with revenues reaching approximately $21.2 billion USD. The positive trend was largely driven by a notable rebound in local demand across the Asian market (excluding Japan) and the robust performance of the Selective Retailing division (led by Sephora), which posted a 7% increase. Despite this overall growth, the crucial Fashion & Leather Goods division continues to lag with a 2% organic decline, though this marks a significant improvement from the previous quarter’s results.

Salehe Bembury Declined Nike To Bet on Himself

The quickly rising footwear designer Salehe Bembury made a bold, career-defining move by turning down a highly attractive, multi-pronged partnership with Nike to launch his own independent brand, SPUNGE. The lucrative Nike deal would have included major collaborations with both LeBron James and Converse. Bembury confirmed that he ultimately passed on the offer to secure “full agency” over his creative process, enabling him to fully execute his unique vision, build his own community, and control his narratives without corporate compromise. SPUNGE is now positioned to compete directly in the performance-lifestyle space, having recently debuted its inaugural model, the Osmosis runner.

Nike x Carhartt WIP Has Returned

Nike and Carhartt WIP (Work in Progress) have reunited for a new, limited-edition apparel capsule, following their popular 2018 footwear release. This co-branded collection is set to drop exclusively at the SURPLUS Sydney event on October 18, 2025. The workwear-meets-sportswear capsule is focused solely on apparel this time, featuring a re-imagined OG Active Jacket with a washed-out finish and a Nike SURPLUS logo on the back. The collection also includes a hooded sweatshirt and graphic t-shirts that prominently feature the brand logos. While the current release is exclusive to the Sydney event, its existence fuels speculation about a potential wider revamp of their collaboration, possibly including new footwear.

Supreme and Number (N)ine Dive Back Into the Takahiro Miyashita-Led Label’s Disney-Driven Past

Streetwear heavyweights Supreme and Takahiro Miyashita’s Number (N)ine have extended their partnership with a new capsule for Fall/Winter 2025. The collaboration builds on their debut August release by diving deep into Number (N)ine’s iconic Disney design heritage, specifically focusing on the Mickey Mouse motif. The three-piece drop revives Mickey’s notable “rockstar alias” across a small collection that includes a varsity jacket, a graphic T-shirt, and a hat. The design features the Disney character holding a retro microphone, continuing Miyashita’s theme of reimagining Americana through his distinct creative lens. The capsule is scheduled for release on October 16.