Editors' Top Reads: News from Versace, PrettyLittleThing, Gabicci and more...
Here are some of this week’s news and features highlights handpicked by TheIndustry.fashion team.
Donatella Versace takes her final bow as Miu Miu's Dario Vitale takes her place
I never thought I'd see the day that Donatella Versace stepped down from Versace's helm. But, then again, I never thought I'd see the day Gucci would appoint Demna as its Artistic Director. Alas, both have become realities in this week's game of Creative Director chess.
This week, Versace announced that Donatella Versace, its Chief Creative Officer, will be transitioning to the role of Chief Brand Ambassador after 27 years at the helm of the brand that her late brother Gianni Versace founded in 1978. In her new role as Chief Brand Ambassador, effective 1 April, Donatella Versace will dedicate herself to the support of the brand's philanthropic and charitable endeavours and will "remain an advocate for the brand globally".
But who would dare take Donatella's spot? Dario Vitale. And who is the new Chief Creative Officer, Dario Vitale? After graduating from Insitiuto Marangoni in 2006, the now 41-year-old went to work at Dsquared2 for a year before joining Bottega Veneta. In 2010, he packed his bags and headed to Miu Miu, where he worked his way up to Design & Image Director. Since rumours began swirling that he was leaving the brand after 15 years, the industry waited to see if Vitale would head to Bottega Veneta, Gucci or Versace.
As the first non-Versace family member to helm the luxury Italian label, let's see if he's cut from the same Medussa-printed cloth.
Chloé Burney, Senior News & Features Writer.
What PrettyLittleThing and Boohoo's rebrands say about fast fashion
The urgency of sustainable consumption has forced a reckoning within the fast fashion industry. PrettyLittleThing and Boohoo Group, synonymous with rapid trend cycles and low prices, are now attempting to reposition themselves. The question remains: do these rebrands signal a genuine shift in their business models, or are they carefully crafted narratives designed to appeal to environmentally conscious consumers?
Last week, PrettyLittleThing revealed a rebrand that promises to take the brand far beyond its fast fashion roots. Under the guidance of co-founder Umar Kamani, who rejoined the company in September 2024, PLT is positioning itself with a new ethos: 'A Legacy in Progress'. Meanwhile, Boohoo Group has announced its rebrand to the Debenhams Group.
These moves come at a time when consumer demand is increasingly leaning toward slower fashion as shoppers begin to rethink the environmental impact of their purchases. Our News & Features Writer, Chloé Burney, explores what PLT and Boohoo's rebrands say about fast fashion, with commentary from industry experts on the moves.
Sophie Smith, News Editor & Senior Writer.
Deadstock 70s Gabicci’s unearthed in old Paris menswear store clearance inspire new archive collection
I do love a decent ‘collector gets hands on deadstock haul’ story, and this week saw Gabicci come up with the goods.
An old menswear store in Paris closed down due to the death of the owner and, after much time had elapsed, a clearance Sale saw a load of original 1970s Gabicci tops - still in original packaging – unearthed. Somehow, UK collector Chris Alexander managed to get his hands on some and subsequently approached Gabicci with them.
The result is a new Gabicci Archive collection which, near as damn it, has replicated the originals, albeit in a different but considered viscose and nylon mix fabric (as the original acetate fabric is no longer used for legal reasons). Gabicci even purchased a new machine in order to make the larger knitted collars as they originally were.
What is perhaps unusual is, collectors rarely like to lend such items to the brand that originally made them, in return for a new top and not much else as far as I can gather. They’ve had a real touch there.
There was a teaser piece launched in a previous season, but the first main Gabicci Archive collection of five pieces, replicated in two original colours – with 100 per piece per colour – launched in retro-focused menswear stores this week, and they have apparently been flying out. There’s more to come for AW25 too.
Tom Bottomley, Contributing Editor.
Time rich: Why retailers are rewarding consumers for the length of their shopping trips
Who said “Time is money”? Luxury retailers now want both. No longer content with just enticing the money from your credit card, they want your precious free time too.
With physical retail having a renaissance, dwell time is becoming increasingly important to retailers and they would like you to stay longer, measuring success and engagement on the amount of time people spend in their stores.
Retailers are increasingly focusing on the quality of the customer experience, rewarding shoppers for their time rather than just their spending, as Marcus Jaye explores in his recent column for TheIndustry.fashion.
He points to Printemps' innovative approach in New York, where success is measured by leisure time spent, and Selfridges' updated rewards scheme, which now recognises and incentivises in-store engagement. This shift signals a move towards creating immersive and enjoyable shopping environments.
