In Review, April 2025: Dries Van Noten, TALA and Dior topped this month's news agenda
As April comes to a close, TheIndustry.fashion reflects on a history-making month. From Prada acquiring Versace for $1.375 billion (£1.06 billion) to Trump announcing tariff hikes, it's safe to say this month will be one that'll go down in the history books.
But the news didn't stop there. In the luxury sector, LVMH's Bernault Arnauld finally announced Jonathan Anderson is taking over at Dior Men meanwhile, over in the high street sector, M&S shut down its e-commerce arm after a cyber threat.
From openings to closures, appointments to promotions, TheIndustry.fashion has compiled a selection of the month's biggest fashion news.
New openings
Dries Van Noten makes stand-alone store debut in London
For fans of Dries Van Noten, the wait is finally over: The cult-favourite Belgian brand opened its first-ever standalone store in London at Hanover Square.
Set within a former bank and spanning two floors, the Chandelier-lit space blends a sense of history with a retail environment. Here, visitors can take an "immersive journey" through fashion, perfume and beauty, antiques and design.
French Connection opened a new outlet store amid fashion comeback
French Connection continued its retail expansion with the opening of a new outlet store at Caledonia Park in Scotland, furthering the brand’s strategic return to the outlet market.
The 2,200 sq ft space, which opened on 26 April, features a curated selection of French Connection’s womenswear and accessories from co-ords to seasonal outerwear. Designed with a minimalist aesthetic, the store reflects the brand’s modern, timeless DNA.
New Balance reopened its Oxford Street flagship with a new retail concept
New Balance opened the doors to its newly transformed Oxford Street flagship, marking a major milestone in the brand’s next-generation retail concept rollout.
The three-storey store reflects a shift towards experience-led retail, focusing on community, creativity and storytelling rather than traditional product displays.
FatFace continued expansion with new store on the Isle of Man
British lifestyle brand FatFace, which was acquired by high street giant NEXT in October 2023 for £115 million, has opened a new 1,697 sq ft store on the Isle of Man.
Located at 67 Strand Street, Douglas, the opening follows hot on the heels of new FatFace store openings in Jersey and Westport on the west coast of Ireland in February 2025, and has created another eight new jobs.
Anya Hindmarch launched ‘Anya’s Dive Shop’ pop-up in Chelsea
Anya Hindmarch launched its latest concept pop-up shop in The Village, 11 Pont Street in London’s Chelsea, called ‘Anya’s Dive Shop’, described as "a celebration of all things underwater".
Running from 12 April to 1 June 2025, the concept is "inspired by small town coastal dive shops from Florida to Folkestone" and will cater for everyone from paddlers and rock pool day trippers to professional divers.
Monica Vinader opened its first Manchester boutique as part of UK expansion
British jewellery brand Monica Vinader opened the doors to its first standalone boutique in Manchester, marking a significant step in the company’s continued UK growth.
Known for its demi-fine designs, Monica Vinader has built a loyal online following in Manchester. The new boutique aims to bring the brand’s ethos of craftsmanship and conscious design into a tactile, in-person experience for local customers. Located at 58 King Street, the new store will officially welcome customers from 2 May.
Pull&Bear unveiled its upsized and relocated Oxford Street flagship
Pull&Bear, the younger target market fashion brand of ZARA owner Inditex, opened a new 14,972 sq ft store over two floors at 213 Oxford Street in London, a relocation and upsize from its previous site at 315 Oxford Street.
Described as a "bold new retail concept" that reflects the brand’s refreshed modern identity, the new store "sets the tone for future openings" with its minimalist and digitised design and layout.
TALA made its Chelsea debut with pop-up at Anthropologie
TALA is making waves in the world of activewear once again - this time with a four-week pop-up at Anthropologie's King’s Road Gallery as it sets out to expand its physical store presence.
The pop-up, which runs for four weeks until 8 May, marks the first time TALA’s activewear is available to shop in person in Chelsea. Before this, it was exclusively sold at Selfridges on Oxford Street. The new retail space showcases a curated selection of TALA’s best-selling collections from DayFlex to 365 and SkinLuxe.
T.M. Lewin mades grand return to high street, declaring the 'best is yet to come'
Shirtmaker and menswear retailer T.M. Lewin has returned to the high street after a five-year hiatus. This comes after 'challenging' years, with the retailer slipping into administration not once but twice.
The brand took to social media, writing: "We cannot wait to welcome you to our first retail store after a challenging 5 years. We believe the saying goes ‘nothing that comes easy is worth having’ so here’s to that. Thank you for your patience, loyalty and kindness throughout, and roll the next chapter. The best is yet to come…"
Big name appointments
Jonathan Anderson to define new era at Dior Men
It’s official: Jonathan Anderson left his post at Loewe to take the reins at Dior Men, succeeding Kim Jones. After months of speculation and high-profile departures, including Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez’s recent appointments at Loewe, the fashion world now has its answer.
At the LVMH annual shareholders meeting, CEO Bernard Arnault, confirmed that the Irish designer will present his first collection for Dior Men during Paris Fashion Week in June. However, while the announcement focuses on Anderson’s role at Dior Men, the question of whether he will also take over Dior Women, currently helmed by Maria Grazia Chiuri, remains unanswered.
Duran Lantink named Jean Paul Gaultier's first successor
Since Jean Paul Gaultier stepped down from his namesake label in 2020, it has been helmed by guest Couturiers from Simone Rocha to Glenn Martens. However, marking a shift for the constantly evolving house, Jean Paul Gaultier named Duran Lantink its permanent Creative Director to lead both couture and ready-to-wear.
The Dutch designer, born in 1988, is renowned for his over-the-top, body-reshaping silhouettes and distorted prints. He founded his womenswear, menswear and genderless label in 2016 but it wasn't until 2018 when pop-star Janelle Monáe wore his 'vagina pants' in her music video that Lantink began to turn heads.
LVMH promoted new Fendi and Kenzo CEOs from within
LVMH once again promoted from within, tapping talent from its executive bench. It appointed Ramon Ros as the new CEO of Fendi, effective 1 July and Charlotte Coupé as the CEO of Kenzo, effective 1 May.
Both executives are transitioning from roles at Louis Vuitton and will report directly to Sidney Toledano, Senior Adviser to LVMH Chairman and CEO Bernard Arnault.
Wrangler and Lee owner named Managing Director to ‘elevate’ EMEA team
Kontoor Brands, owner of beloved denim brands Wrangler and Lee, has named Jamie Givens as its Managing Director, EMEA, to ensure brand growth.
Givens boasts more than two decades of experience in the premium apparel fashion industry. He joins Kontoor from Lacoste, where he served as Chief Executive Officer of North & Central America for the past two years after leading the brand in the UK and Ireland for the previous four years.
Victoria's Secret named Adam Selman Executive Creative Director amid rebrand
Victoria’s Secret appointed Adam Selman as its new Senior Vice President and Executive Creative Director, effective 14 April. This marks a significant move in the lingerie brand’s ongoing transformation as it looks to reconnect with a more diverse audience.
Selman, previously the Chief Design Officer at Rihanna's lingerie brand, Savage X Fenty, is the first designer to take on the role of Executive Creative Director at Victoria’s Secret. His appointment comes after Raùl Martinez, Vogue’s Global Creative Director, served as the brand’s creative lead from December 2020 to January 2024.
Mr Porter's founding team reunited as Mytheresa completes YNAP acquisition
Mr Porter's founding team members – Toby Bateman (pictured) and Jeremy Langmead – are back at the luxury menswear platform. The news came as Mytheresa completed its acquisition of its parent company YOOX NET-A-PORTER Group to create a new global online fashion powerhouse LuxExperience.
John Lewis Partnership appointed interim CFO to permanent role
The John Lewis Partnership confirmed the permanent appointment of Andy Mounsey as Chief Financial Officer, following an interim period in the role since autumn 2024.
Mounsey has served in various senior finance roles at the business for 13 years, including Group Finance & Strategy Director.
TALA welcomed new Commercial Director as it continues expansion
Read spent 11 and a half years at Rapha, moving up the ranks from starting as Retail Communications Manager in 2013. He was instrumental in scaling the Rapha business from a £20 million turnover to £200 million.
Whistles named ex-Topshop Design Director as first Creative Director
Premium womenswear brand Whistles appointed Jacqui Markham as its Creative Director, a newly created role aimed at redefining the brand’s design direction.
Markham brings extensive experience from her time leading design teams at fashion giants including Topshop, ASOS and Urban Outfitters Europe. She will be responsible for shaping Whistles’ design direction and wider creative vision, reporting directly to Camille Sullivan, Product Director at Whistles.
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