SZA Named Vans Artistic Director & Nike Sues Edison Chen in This Week's Top Fashion News

Summary

• SZA is Vans’ new Artistic Director, while Nike is suing CLOT founder Edison Chen for breach of contract, and Pharrell launched his own creative platform, VIRGINIA, accompanied by a new adidas shoe.
• Elsewhere, TELFAR released a new “Plastic Bag” handbag inspired by NYC bodegas.
• In retail, Dior opened a four-story NYC flagship with a new spa, and Kith will hold its first runway show since 2019.

SZA Joins Vans As Artistic Director

Another major musician is joining the fashion world, with SZA now officially partnering with Vans as the brand’s new Artistic Director. The multi-year partnership will have the artist helming the conceptualization of future campaigns and co-creating product collections, blending her artistic vision with Vans’ youthful spirit. SZA stated her mission at the American footwear brand is to show that “joy, community, creativity, and fashion are all still intersectional.” For the first campaign, SZA chose her favorite Knu Skool silhouette as the centerpiece. Shot by Sophie Jones, the campaign “leans into the beauty in vulnerability.” The new role marks SZA’s second major collaboration in the footwear space, following her work with Crocs in 2022.

Nike Sues CLOT’s Edison Chen

In a major legal move, Nike has filed a lawsuit against designer and actor Edison Chen, the founder of the pioneering streetwear label CLOT, and his company Juice Los Angeles for breach of contract. The suit, which demands a payment of $126,615.68 USD, arises from a dispute over “goods and services” allegedly provided by Nike to Juice. The lawsuit comes a year after Chen concluded his long-standing partnership with the sportswear giant, pivoting to a new creative collaboration with rival brand adidas in 2023. The lawsuit highlights the complexities and high stakes of long-term design partnerships in the sneaker industry, as the relationship between the two brands shifts from a decades-long collaboration to a legal dispute.

Pharrell Launches New Creative Platform, VIRGINIA

Pharrell has launched the new creative platform and brand titled VIRGINIA,  after his home state. He describes the platform as a “destination where music, fashion, design, and community converge,” serving as a base for his future creative projects, including live events, limited-edition apparel and merch drops, new music, and early access to collaborations. To celebrate the platform’s launch, Pharrell has debuted VIRGINIA’s first limited-edition merchandise collection and claimed his 2024 album, BLACK YACHT ROCK VOL 1 CITY OF LIMITLESS ACCESS, as the first musical project under the new banner. The website for VIRGINIA is Blackyachtrock.com, and it will also exclusively feature a new VIRGINIA Adistar Jellyfish sneaker design for Adidas before its global release.

The TELFAR “Plastic Bag” Couldn’t Be More TELFAR

TELFAR has released a new handbag, the “Plastic Bag,” which is inspired by the single-use bags found in New York City bodegas. The bag is available in two sizes and eleven NYC-themed prints, with a double-lined, waterproof exterior and ruched handles. The regular size is priced at $148 USD, while the jumbo size is $195 USD. It was released exclusively on the TELFAR webstore on August 15 and will be available in-store at 408 Broadway, New York City, next week.

Dior Opens Four-Story New York City Flagship With Luxurious Spa

Dior has opened a new four-story flagship in New York City, right on the corner of the major shopping area of 57th Street and Madison Avenue. Envisioned by architect Peter Marino, the “House of Dior” is characterized a monolithic white stone facade and showcases the brand’s latest ready-to-wear, leather goods, jewelry, and fragrances for both men and women. On the store’s fourth level, the most significant feature of the opening is the first-ever Dior Spa in the United States. The spa offers advanced services, including in-depth skin analysis, facials with technology like Cold Laser and Cryotherapy, light therapy, and “Happiness” sessions. The new flagship reinforces the brand’s luxury presence in New York.

Kith to Hold Fall 2025 Runway Show “Institution” Later This Week

Kith is set to hold its first runway show since 2019 for its Fall 2025 collection, titled “Institution.” The event will take place on Sunday, August 17, in New York City, representing the brand’s growth from a small sneaker boutique to a major lifestyle empire with locations around the world. The presentation, which will be held outside of the official New York Fashion Week calendar, will feature Kith’s signature styles, as well as unannounced collaborations. The invitation for the exclusive event came in a box with the limited-edition Kith x adidas Superstar “Black Tie” sneaker, a tribute to Ronnie Fieg’s early collaborations with the brand.