Welcome back to Fashion Bulletin, a weekly column where Coveteur's senior fashion editor, Ella O’Keeffe, recaps all the buzzy industry news you from the week.
This week was mostly about Cannes. How could it not be? The film festival banned nudity and big trains on the red carpet and, yes, “caused a stir” amongst both keen purveyors of the naked dress trend, and attendees that planned on wearing such dresses who had to plan overnight backups. Bella Hadid, the queen of Cannes, arrived with newly-blonde hair—another talking moment—and promptly stepped out in an almost naked dress. Coveteur also had its launch party at People’s in New York City, and Gucci’s cruise show in Florence yesterday had me doing mental gymnastics at the idea of Demna replacing those silk blouses with tracksuits, even though I know that ultimately, he;s up to the task. On the topic of the Demna universe, Balenciaga has appointed a new CEO, which is the first item on the fashion bulletin this week…
1. Balenciaga Names Nathalie Raynaud Deputy CEO
via Kering
As the French house prepares for Demna’s exit and a new creative director's arrival, Balenciaga has promoted its chief product officer, Nathalie Raynaud, as the deputy CEO of the Kering-owned brand. Previously the director of the accessories unit, Raynaud will replace Laura du Rusquec, who exited the company in 2023.
This is a pivotal moment for the house, and one that Raynaud will be tasked with steering, especially while Balenciaga is tasked with finding someone to fill Demna’s extremely successful boots. A successor has not yet been announced by Kering, and while industry rumblings are always afoot, it truly still feels like anyone's game (by anyone, my hope is for Martine Rose to be given a chance). In a press release earlier this week, Balenciaga noted that Raynaud will be responsible for “providing a strategic, creative, and product-focused vision aligned with the house’s objectives to drive sales growth, build influence, and strengthen its market position.”
2. McQueen releases its Pre-Fall 2025 campaign
via McQueen
Sean McGirr’s latest campaign for the brand is captured in Soho, London, embodying the subversive spirit of McQueen. The collection taps feminine silhouettes and Lee’s signature plaid, which McGirr adopts through green tartan trousers, tailored blazer jackets, and kickback wool skirts. Photographed by Theo Sion at The Coach & Horses—an iconic 1950s hub where counterculture and tradition became enmeshed—McGirr’s homage to the house codes has his work growing on me by the day, especially with all of those romantic, victorian touches that made Lee's vision so ineffable during his career.
3. Art Basel Awards name 36 visionaries redefining the world of art and culture
Getty Images
Art Basel will take place once again in Basel this June, and for the first time, the first-ever public presentation of the Art Basel Awards will take place at the fair. Grace Wales Bonner and design studio Formafantasma are among the Medalists recognized this year, which recognizes excellence across the contemporary art world and beyond. Wales Bonner has been receiving plenty of recognition recently, especially after an extremely successful Met Gala. Following her long term collaboration with Adidas, she too is someone who deserves a chance to design for a luxury house.
4. Riley Keough Reunites with CHANEL at the Tribeca Film Festival
Getty Images
Elsewhere at the intersection of art and fashion, actor, writer, director and CHANEL ambassador Riley Keogh will join in conversation with ex-Vogue China editor, Margaret Zhang, alongside Keough’s creative partner, writer and director Gina Gammell, at Tribeca Film Festival, which will kick off in early June in New York City. The conversation will follow a screening of three short clips inspired by Through Her Lens from their new limited series, In Process. The purpose of these talks serves as a through line to the Through Her Lens mentorship program at Tribeca, so for any women in New York who are interested in breaking into the film industry, this will be one not to miss.
5. Kith announces reopening of Manhattan Flagship
via Kith
The beloved brand is reopening its Kith Manhattan flagship on May 16th after months of renovations. Celebrating with a party in Nolita last night, the brand opened its doors to reveal three levels of menswear, with partygoers spilling out onto the street to celebrate the reopening of the classic brand. Walking past last night on my way to Lil Frankie's for a lemon pasta, a line of SUV's were idling at the curb and all three levels of the new store was teeming with people. Talk about a warm welcome!
