Balenciaga Hires Martine Rose & Yeezy Makes Runway Return in This Week's Top Fashion News

Summary

• Martine Rose took the helm at Balenciaga, while Ralph Lauren secured top menswear honors at the 2026 CFDA Awards.

• Ye announced a Yeezy reboot in Los Angeles, and the 2027 Met Gala revealed a new, everyday-focused theme.

• Palace detailed its Burberry collaboration, and Joaquin Phoenix debuted smart eyewear with Gentle Monster.

Martine Rose Confirmed at Balenciaga’ a Day After Piccioli Exit

Balenciaga

Following widespread speculation, Martine Rose was officially named the new creative director of Balenciaga. The London-based designer will oversee all men’s and women’s collections moving forward. Rose brings her signature subcultural edge to the heritage luxury house, signaling a new shift in Balenciaga’s aesthetic trajectory. Her debut collection is expected to hit the runway next season, where she will establish her updated vision for the brand. The appointment arrived only one day after it was confirmed that Pierpaolo Piccioli would step down from the role.

Ye Presents Yeezy Season 01 Runway Show in Los Angeles

Scott Dudelson/Getty Images

Ye presented a brand new Yeezy Season 01 runway show in Los Angeles on the evening of November 4. A complete reset for the apparel line, the runway returned to the designer’s foundational utilitarian aesthetics, revisiting silhouettes and details. The new lineup featured boxy proportions, washed earth tones, heavy layering, and stripped-down footwear with zero overt branding. Standing out were pairs of translucent footwear, gigantic duffle bags, and all-red numbers.

The Met Gala 2027 Pivots Theme for Exhibition: “Extraordinary Fashion and the Poetics of the Everyday”

Taylor Hill/Getty Images

The Metropolitan Museum of Art announced a pivot for its 2027 Costume Institute exhibition and Met Gala theme. Titled “Extraordinary Fashion and the Poetics of the Everyday,” the upcoming event highlights the intersection of mundane daily wear and high fashion. The shift suggests a departure from historical archiving in favor of exploring how ordinary objects and routine garments inform avant-garde design. It follows the abrupt cancellation of the previously selected theme, which centered on John Galliano, citing his past controversial remarks.

Ralph Lauren Wins American Menswear Designer of the Year at 2026 CFDA Awards

Angela Weiss/Getty Images

For a third year, American menswear icon Ralph Lauren took home the American Menswear Designer of the Year trophy at the 2026 CFDA Awards. The veteran designer was recognized for his sustained impact on American tailoring and sportswear over the past year. This latest accolade adds to Lauren’s extensive list of industry honors, reaffirming his label’s dominant position in the domestic menswear market and his ability to iterate on classic prep staples. The news arrived at a timely moment, as reports of Ralph Lauren topping its Q2 forecasts and raising its outlook surfaced shortly after.

Palace Skateboards  x Burberry Drops Exclusively at Palace’s New London Flagship 

Palace Skateboards

Palace Skateboards has released the highly anticipated Burberry collaboration. The collection launched exclusively at Palace’s brand-new Poland Street flagship in London. Blending the skate brand’s signature streetwear graphics with Burberry’s heritage outerwear and check patterns, the capsule bridges two distinct eras of British style. Standout pieces include a plaid overcoat and hooded jacket emblazoned with the Palace x Burberry emblem, and a toile-inspired trench with matching graphics.

Gentle Monster Taps Joaquin Phoenix for Intelligent Eyewear Campaign

Gentle Monster

Actor Joaquin Phoenix partnered with South Korean brand Gentle Monster to launch a new line of intelligent eyewear. The collaboration integrates smart technology directly into the frames without compromising the sleek, futuristic silhouettes Gentle Monster is known for. The full campaign film premieres later this month, and pre-orders for the Intelligent Eyewear Collection open on November 12. A public preview will also take place in New York City from November 13 to 23, with registration available through Gentle Monster’s official website.