Olivier Rousteing Leaves Balmain & 2025 CFDA Awards Shift the Tone in This Week's Top Fashion News

Summary

• Balmain’s long-time Creative Director, Olivier Rousteing, steps down after 14 years, while the 2025 CFDA Awards signaled a shift in focus to more established designers, such as Ralph Lauren.
• AMIRI partnered with FC Barcelona as the club’s official formalwear outfitter, and FENDI debuted a fashion-centric music video with Brand Ambassador Bang Chan.
• The Hundreds’ Bobby Kim detailed his role in the new, sophisticated Disney x Formula 1 collection, while Kith unveiled a comprehensive New York Knicks collaboration.

Olivier Rousteing Steps Down From Balmain

Olivier Rousteing is officially stepping down as the Creative Director of Balmain after a monumental 14-year tenure at the French house. Beginning his role at the age of 24, Rousteing became the youngest creative director in Paris since Yves Saint Laurent, and the first Black person ever appointed to lead all divisions of a French fashion house. His legacy is defined by ushering Balmain into the age of social media, featuring superstar muses like Beyoncé and Kim Kardashian, and executing a viral 2015 collaboration with H&M. The designer’s final collection coincided with the brand’s 80th anniversary in October. A successor has not yet been named.

What Do the 2025 CFDA Awards Say About Fashion Right Now?

The 2025 CFDA Awards signaled a sudden shift in tone at the American fashion federation, with legacy names sweeping the top prizes. Ralph Lauren took home the Womenswear Award, Thom Browne won Menswear, and The Row secured the Accessories Award. This slate of established winners stands in stark contrast to the previous four years, which saw progressive talents and diverse voices like Raul Lopez, Willy Chavarria, and Rachel Scott celebrated. The industry appears to be prioritizing safe, classic aesthetics amidst a global luxury spending slowdown and economic uncertainty, raising questions about the future of diversity and emerging talent recognition.

FENDI and Bang Chan Drop Official Music Video for “Roman Empire”

Stray Kids leader and FENDI Brand Ambassador Bang Chan has released the official music video for his new single, “Roman Empire.” Bang Chan personally wrote, composed, and produced the R&B/Miami Bass track, which symbolically compares the longevity and grandeur of love to the Roman Empire. The musical piece incorporates direct references to the luxury house’s heritage, weaving in symbols like the iconic Peekaboo bag and the signature “F” logo into the lyrics. The stunning visual companion was fittingly filmed at FENDI’s Rome headquarters, the Palazzo della Civiltà Italiana.

AMIRI Becomes FC Barcelona’s Official Formalwear Partner

FC Barcelona has cemented a new five-year agreement with AMIRI, naming the Los Angeles-based label as the club’s official Formalwear Partner through the 2029/30 season. The partnership dictates that AMIRI will design bespoke formal attire for the men’s and women’s first teams, along with board members and executives, to be worn during official events and European travel. The initial Winter collection draws inspiration from Barça’s iconic “blaugrana” identity, blending AMIRI’s modern, sophisticated tailoring with the team’s heritage through pieces like navy wool overcoats and pinstripe detailing.

Bobby Hundreds on Working at Disney and New Formula 1 Collab Reveal

In an exclusive interview with Hypebeast, streetwear veteran Bobby Kim, also known as Bobby Hundreds and now Vice President of Creative at Disney Consumer Products, discussed his new role and the groundbreaking Disney x Formula 1 collaboration. The 25-piece apparel collection is set to launch at the Las Vegas Grand Prix, marking a massive cultural crossover for both titans. Kim emphasizes that the creative goal was to avoid juvenile, character-heavy designs. Instead, the collection thoughtfully blends F1’s elite design language with the subtle, deep-rooted iconography and sophisticated storytelling of Disney to create an authentic and premium product.

The Full Kith for the New York Knicks 2025 Lookbook Has Landed

Kith has released the comprehensive lookbook for its annual 2025 New York Knicks collection, coinciding with the popular “Kith Night” at Madison Square Garden. The extensive collaboration, which is the duo’s most grandiose to date, spans outerwear, tailored suiting, performance gear, and new footwear. The collection celebrates a generational bridge, featuring players from the “New Guard”—Karl-Anthony Towns, Miles “Deuce” McBride, and Jordan Clarkson—alongside nods to “Old Guard” legends like Patrick Ewing and Bernard King. The apparel references the team’s 1982-83 and 1994-95 seasons, ensuring a blend of nostalgia and modern streetwear style.