Stefano Gabbana Steps Down as D&G Chairman & Dior Announces LA Runway in This Week's Top Fashion News

Summary

• Major leadership changes at Dolce & Gabbana, as founding Chairman Stefano Gabbana steps away from the role, and Fear of God says farewell to the CEO.

• Saks Global nears a bankruptcy exit with new funding, while Hermès expands its physical footprint in China.

• Dior prepares a major 2027 Cruise show at LACMA in Los Angeles, while Antwerp’s MoMu honors the “Antwerp Six”.

Stefano Gabbana Resigned From Dolce & Gabbana Chairman Position

Estrop/Getty Images

In a major change for the Italian luxury house, Stefano Gabbana has officially resigned from his role as Chairman of Dolce & Gabbana. The move, confirmed in April and effective as of January 1, is described by the company as a “natural evolution” of its corporate governance. While Gabbana is stepping away from his administrative duties, the brand emphasizes that his creative responsibilities remain unchanged, ensuring his design influence continues. Alfonso Dolce, brother of co-founder Domenico Dolce, has stepped into the Chairman role in Gabbana’s place. Reports suggest the resignation comes as the brand navigates broader financial restructuring and potential negotiations regarding Gabbana’s 40% stake in the company. Despite the corporate reshuffle, the duo’s creative partnership—which has defined the brand since 1985—remains the central pillar of the house

Jonathan Anderson to Host Dior Cruise 2027 Show at LACMA

Taylor Hill/Getty Images

Dior is heading to the West Coast for its upcoming Cruise 2027 collection, with Jonathan Anderson set to unveil his vision at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA). Scheduled for May 13, 2026, the event marks a strategic push for the French house within the American market. The choice of LACMA underscores Anderson’s deep connection to the visual arts, providing a culturally significant backdrop for the Dior Creative Director’s Californian debut. This “monumental” presentation follows the recent opening of Dior’s Peter Marino-designed flagship on Rodeo Drive.

Fear of God Eliminates CEO Role as Bastien Daguzan Exits the Label

Fear Of God

Jerry Lorenzo’s Fear of God has announced the departure of CEO Bastien Daguzan and the subsequent elimination of the CEO position from its organizational structure. Daguzan, formerly of Jacquemus, leaves after less than two years of spearheading the brand’s global scaling and e-commerce growth. The Los Angeles-based label stated that the decision reflects a commitment to an “eternal vision” over immediate corporate metrics. This restructuring paves the way for founder Jerry Lorenzo to take a more hands-on, daily operational role in the company.

Hermès Unveils First Stand-Alone Store in Beijing’s Sanlitun

Hermes

Hermès has strengthened its presence in China with the opening of its first freestanding store in Beijing’s vibrant Sanlitun district. The five-story facade, wrapped in rose-pink and terracotta ceramic tiles, was designed by RDAI in collaboration with Mamou-Mani Architects. Drawing inspiration from the Forbidden City’s imperial aesthetics, the store serves as an immersive space for the house’s sixteen métiers. The striking interior features a regal stone staircase and special art installations by Chinese artists Liu Jianhua and Ren Tong. This flagship represents Hermès’ fourth presence in the capital, blending local cultural heritage with its signature artisanal spirit to deliver its very own luxury shopping experience in Beijing.

Saks Global Secures $500 Million USD Funding to Exit Bankruptcy Summer 2026

Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images

Saks Global, the parent company of Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus, and Bergdorf Goodman, has secured $500 million in exit financing, clearing the path to emerge from Chapter 11 bankruptcy this summer. The funding follows a restructuring support agreement with senior secured bondholders. In a positive turn, the company reversed several planned store closures in Florida, California, and New York, signaling a recovery that is moving faster than anticipated. CEO Geoffroy van Raemdonck credited the milestone to the company’s “relentless devotion to the luxury customer.” With over 600 brands resuming merchandise shipments and a reported increase in per-visit spending, Saks Global has struggled to stabilize its vendor relationships but appears to be preparing for a reinvigorated future in high-end retail.

MoMu Antwerp Celebrates the Legacy of the Antwerp Six

Karel Fonteyne

The ModeMuseum (MoMu) in Antwerp has opened a landmark exhibition dedicated to the “Antwerp Six,” the legendary collective of designers who put Belgian fashion on the map in the 1980s. Featuring archival pieces from Dries Van Noten, Ann Demeulemeester, and others, the showcase explores how these radical designers challenged the dominance of Paris and Milan. The exhibition doesn’t just look back at the past; it examines the group’s enduring influence on today’s avant-garde fashion landscape.