A$AP Rocky Joins Ray-Ban as Creative Director & NikeSKIMS Embarks on Joint-Brand in This Week’s Top Fashion News

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This week saw significant developments among established fashion brands, as they forged new alliances, activewear performing well maintained its momentum, and prominent companies faced criticism from the public over financial and ecological issues.

1) Ray-Ban appointed A$AP Rocky as its first creative director, while Nike and SKIMS teamed up to launch a joint activewear label, and Kith introduced K-Tech, an advanced performance gear line. On the other hand, some companies faced criticism, with GORE-TEX facing accusations of “greenwashing,” and Saks Fifth Avenue being criticized for abandoning brands during financial struggles. Meanwhile, OTB reported disappointing results in 2024, falling behind its competitors in the luxury industry’s recovery from the slowdown. In a unique announcement, Columbia Sportswear revealed that their insulating materials will be used on the upcoming moon mission.

TopMob has compiled the most significant fashion news items from this past week, keeping you informed about the latest style developments within the industry.

A$AP Rocky Appointed as Ray-Ban’s First Creative Director

Following his proclamation of innocence in a court hearing, A$AP Rocky has been selected as the first creative director for Ray-Ban. Given his strong influence in fashion, this position seems fitting for the rapper. He will be overseeing Ray-Ban Studios, an initiative that honors music and artistic expression. His first project with Ray-Ban, the Blacked Out Collection, is set to launch this Spring, showcasing revamped Mega Icons with extremely dark lenses and golden accents. Additionally, Rocky will be directing campaigns and assisting in the renovation of Ray-Ban boutiques. The artist has been seen wearing Ray-Ban styles during his courtroom appearances, where he also donned YSL suits. Excited about this new role, Rocky commended Ray-Ban’s ability to evolve while remaining true to its original identity, aiming to usher in a fresh chapter for the brand with his sophisticated style.

Nike and SKIMS Unite Under Joint Women’s Label: NikeSKIMS

A collaboration centered around athletic apparel for women has been unveiled between sports giant Nike and Kim Kardashian’s bodywear line SKIMS. This partnership comes at a significant juncture for both companies as Nike enters a new phase with CEO Elliot Hill, while SKIMS keeps moving forward with its broadening projects. In an official release, Kardashian expressed her thoughts, stating “Nike and SKIMS have a strong dedication to innovation, inclusivity, and breaking boundaries, inspired by our unwavering faith in women’s strength.

In 2020, SKIMS started partnering with Team USA Olympic at the Tokyo Games and extended this collaboration through the Beijing 2022 Games and the 2024 Paris Olympics. Additionally, Kardashian’s brand debuted its first partnership with the WNBA in May 2024, expanding their sports affiliations. The initial NikeSKIMS line is scheduled for release in Spring 2025, and a worldwide expansion is planned for 2026.

Kith Launches K-Tech Activewear Line & On Running Collab For SS25

Kith has officially unveiled its new activewear line, K-Tech, emphasizing performance materials and top-tier quality. The initial collection, displayed in a stylish black-and-white advertising campaign, offers outerwear, inner layers, pants, shorts, and accessories tailored for high-intensity activities. Notable items include the Nylon Bolt Shell Jacket, constructed from water-resistant wrinkle nylon with reflective details, and performance tees such as the Panelled Donovan Tee and Honeycomb Tech Heathrow Tee, made using moisture-wicking fabrics. Accessories like caps and bucket hats also make an appearance, highlighting K-Tech’s brand identity.

Beyond that, Kith is showcasing a sneak peek of its latest partnership with On Running, unveiling the new Cloudzone runners in shades of black and white. This alliance comes on the heels of On Running’s impressive sales figures of approximately $2.6 billion in 2024, along with collaborations with prestigious brands such as Loewe. The growing interest in high-performance apparel has resulted in alliances like NikeSKIMS and Hoka x SATISFY. The Kith’s K-Tech SS25 collection in conjunction with the On Running collaboration will be available for purchase starting February 21, 2025, at 11 AM EST, both online and in Kith retail stores.

GORE-TEX Manufacturers Accused Of Greenwashing In New Lawsuit

A legal action led by Hagens Berman, a company based in Seattle, has been filed against W. L. Gore & Associates, the makers of GORE-TEX. This lawsuit alleges that the company is guilty of “misrepresenting environmental practices,” more commonly known as “greenwashing.” The accusation states that Gore has misled consumers about their sustainability initiatives, while simultaneously utilizing harmful substances like PFAS (Perfluoroalkyl and Poly-fluoroalkyl substances). These substances have been linked to serious health issues such as cancer and infertility.

Despite Gore introducing a membrane free from Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) due to state restrictions, the lawsuit asserts that products not classified as “next generation” still contain PFAS. The complaint also alleges that Gore concealed the environmental and health hazards associated with the use of PFAs in its products. This new case follows a lawsuit from December 2024 regarding PFAS contamination near Gore’s Maryland facilities. In response, Gore expresses faith in their environmental policies and consumer safety measures. As concerns about PFAS escalate, it becomes apparent that there are ongoing investigations into exaggerated sustainability claims in the outdoor and apparel industries.

OTB Growth Falters As Annual Sales Fall More than 4%

2024 saw a 4.4% drop in sales for luxury group OTB, totalling approximately $1.88 billion USD. Brands like Maison Margiela and Diesel experienced growth of 4.6% and 3.2%, respectively, but Jil Sander and Marni underperformed, cancelling out these gains. Despite decreases in wholesale sales, direct retail saw a significant increase of 7.4%, with the addition of 61 new stores. Japan and the US proved to be OTB’s strongest markets, with sales surging by 16.3% and 13.3%. Unfortunately, sales in China declined, following a similar trend for many competitors. The leadership changes at Jil Sander, Diesel, and Maison Margiela have added an element of uncertainty to the company, but the recent appointment of Glenn Martens at Maison Margiela has brought a sense of optimism.

Columbia Sportswear Fabric to Protect Lunar Lander in 2025 Space Mission

Columbia Sportswear is deepening its collaboration with Intuitive Machines and SpaceX for the forthcoming IM-2 Athena lunar mission, which is scheduled to take off on February 26 from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center. The mission will employ Columbia’s Omni-Heat™ Infinity and Omni-Shade™ Sun Deflector technologies to safeguard the lander against severe temperatures and solar radiation.

Originally designed for Columbia’s outerwear, Omni-Heat Infinity technology will protect the helium tank on the lander from temperatures ranging from a scorching +250 degrees Fahrenheit down to an icy -250 degrees Fahrenheit. Additionally, the Omni-Shade Sun Deflector, created to block solar heat, will be incorporated into the lander’s multi-layered insulation blanket. The objective of this mission is to bore into the Moon’s south pole in pursuit of lunar ice.

In honor of the occasion, Columbia unveils its Lunar Series, which draws inspiration from advancements made during the missions. The launch comes after the proven effectiveness of Columbia’s technology on the preceding IM-1 mission, signifying another achievement in the brand’s involvement with space travel.

Saks Faces Backlash With Brands

Saks Fifth Avenue has encountered significant criticism following its handling of owing brands hundreds of thousands of dollars. In a communique, CEO Marc Metrick disclosed that late payments will be settled in 12 equal parts beginning in July and that future orders will be paid for within 90 days instead of the usual 60. This predicament arises after Saks’ acquisition of Neiman Marcus for $2.7 billion in 2024. More recently, Saks revealed plans to shut down Neiman Marcus’s iconic Dallas store, a move they claim is not related to the merger, although some staff have been given the option to transfer within the company.

Despite the high-level executives’ comforting words, the similarities drawn with Barney’s 2020 bankruptcy are causing unease among many. Although there have been no significant job cuts as of now, it is possible that certain Saks and Neiman Marcus stores might need to shut down imminently. This situation underscores the persistent difficulties faced by traditional luxury department stores in a turbulent market.

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2025-02-22 01:56