SZA Named Vans Artistic Director & Nike Sues Edison Chen in This Week’s Top Fashion News

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Summary

  • SZA is Vans’ new Artistic Director, while Nike is suing CLOT founder Edison Chen for breach of contract, and Pharrell launched his own creative platform, VIRGINIA, accompanied by a new adidas shoe.
  • Elsewhere, TELFAR released a new “Plastic Bag” handbag inspired by NYC bodegas.
  • In retail, Dior opened a four-story NYC flagship with a new spa, and Kith will hold its first runway show since 2019.

SZA Joins Vans As Artistic Director

In a significant move, another renowned musician, SZA, has stepped into the fashion realm by officially teaming up with Vans as their new Artistic Director. This multi-year partnership empowers SZA to lead the development of future campaigns and collaborate on product lines, merging her creative flair with Vans’ vibrant energy. In her own words, SZA aims to illustrate through this collaboration at the American footwear brand that “happiness, unity, imagination, and fashion all share a common, interconnected space.” For their inaugural campaign, SZA has selected the Knu Skool silhouette as the focal point. The campaign, captured by Sophie Jones, emphasizes the beauty found in vulnerability. This new position marks SZA’s second significant partnership within the footwear industry, following her previous collaboration with Crocs in 2022.

Nike Sues CLOT’s Edison Chen

Nike has taken a significant step by filing a lawsuit against designer and actor Edison Chen, the founder of CLOT, his company Juice Los Angeles, and themselves, due to a contract violation. The lawsuit seeks $126,615.68 USD in compensation, stemming from a disagreement over goods and services that Nike claims were supplied to Juice by them. This legal action comes a year after Chen ended his long-term partnership with Nike, choosing instead to collaborate creatively with adidas starting in 2023. The lawsuit underscores the intricacies and high-stakes associated with lengthy design partnerships in the sneaker industry, as the relationship between the two brands evolves from a decades-long alliance to a courtroom battle.

Pharrell Launches New Creative Platform, VIRGINIA

Pharrell has introduced a fresh, multidisciplinary platform and brand named VIRGINIA, inspired by his home state. He characterizes the platform as a “hub” that brings together music, fashion, design, and community, acting as a launchpad for Pharrell’s upcoming creative endeavors such as live events, exclusive apparel lines, new music, and early access to collaborations. To commemorate the platform’s debut, Pharrell has unveiled VIRGINIA’s first collection of limited-edition merchandise and announced his forthcoming 2024 album, BLACK YACHT ROCK VOL 1 CITY OF LIMITLESS ACCESS, as the inaugural musical project under this new brand. The official website for VIRGINIA is Blackyachtrock.com, where an exclusive sneaker design for Adidas – the VIRGINIA Adistar Jellyfish – will be featured before its global release.

The TELFAR “Plastic Bag” Couldn’t Be More TELFAR

TELFAR has unveiled a fresh handbag design called “The Plastic Bag,” inspired by the common plastic bags found in convenience stores around New York City. This bag comes in two sizes and boasts eleven unique prints that showcase its NYC theme. It features a double-lined, waterproof exterior and stylish ruched handles. The standard size retails for $148 USD, while the larger one is priced at $195 USD. As of August 15, it’s available exclusively online on TELFAR’s website, with in-store availability at 408 Broadway, New York City starting next week.

Dior Opens Four-Story New York City Flagship With Luxurious Spa

Dior has unveiled a grand four-story store on the intersection of 57th Street and Madison Avenue in New York City, right at the heart of the city’s premier shopping district. This impressive structure, designed by architect Peter Marino, is known as the “House of Dior.” It boasts a striking white stone exterior and showcases an array of Dior’s latest ready-to-wear collections, leather goods, jewelry, and fragrances for men and women. The store’s top floor introduces the first-ever Dior Spa in the U.S., offering innovative services such as comprehensive skin analysis, facials using technology like Cold Laser and Cryotherapy, light therapy, and “Happiness” sessions. This new flagship further establishes Dior’s luxury status in New York City.

Kith to Hold Fall 2025 Runway Show “Institution” Later This Week

Kith is preparing to host its first runway show since 2019 for its Fall 2025 collection, named “Institution.” The show will happen on Sunday, August 17, in New York City, symbolizing the evolution of the brand from a modest sneaker store to a global lifestyle empire. Although it’s outside the official New York Fashion Week schedule, the event promises to showcase Kith’s iconic designs and surprise partnerships. Invitations for this exclusive event arrived in boxes containing the limited-edition Kith x adidas Superstar “Black Tie” sneaker, an ode to Ronnie Fieg’s early collaborations with the brand.

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2025-08-15 23:26