Must Read: Kim Kardashian Covers 'Time,' Pharell Prepares Louis Vuitton Debut
These are the stories making headlines in fashion on Tuesday.
Kim Kardashian covers Time's 100 Most Influential Companies issue
Time announced Skims as one of its 2023 Time100 Most Influential Companies, placing founder Kim Kardashian, photographed by Dana Scruggs, on its cover. Valued at $3.2 billion at the start of last year, the shapewear and basics company has since grown to unimaginable levels of success. In her first feature with the magazine, Kardashian spoke with Belinda Luscombe about how the business got its start, her children's relationship with public life and when she knew she'd struck gold with Skims. "Obviously you have big hopes, but this definitely exceeded everything that I ever imagined," said Kardashian. {Time}
Pharrell opens up ahead of Louis Vuitton debut
Ahead of his highly-anticipated Louis Vuitton debut Tuesday, Pharell Williams caught up with Vogue Business. He opened up about designing the most awaited collection of the Spring 2024 menswear season, what the future holds and even some of the criticism he's faced. "First of all, of course, people are going to say that. I didn't go to Central Saint Martins. But, you know, I didn't go to Juilliard either to study music. And I've done alright," Williams told Luke Leitch. {Vogue Business/paywalled}
Loewe signs NCT's Taeyong as a brand ambassador
Loewe has picked Taeyong, K-Pop sensation from the group NCT, as its next global brand ambassador. Known for his own unique personal style and pushing a fashion forward look, the artist has been a long time supporter of the brand. "I'm delighted to welcome Taeyong to the Loewe family. He has a special connection to the brand, having admired and worn Loewe for a long time, and we love his idiosyncratic style," Jonathan Anderson said in a statement. "With Taeyong's many talents spanning songwriting, performing and visual creation, I'm really excited to see what this collaboration will bring." To kick off his new role, Taeyong will be attending the upcoming Loewe men's runway show in Paris. {Fashionista inbox}
Why brands struggle to align fashion and beauty strategies
For brands, creating a cohesive identity across fashion and beauty lines can prove to be quite the challenge, especially because they often operate on different schedules, reach different audiences and are managed by different teams. In the case of many luxury brands, the never-ending rotation of creative directors and aesthetic visions can make keeping an aligned fashion and beauty strategy extra difficult, Joan Kennedy reports for Business of Fashion. {Business of Fashion/paywalled}
Rhude designer Rhuigi Villaseñor sued for allegedly misusing company funds
Rhuigi Villaseñor, the designer behind Los Angeles-based streetwear brand Rhude, is being sued by a business partner for allegedly misusing company funds. In a federal lawsuit last week, Villaseñor was accused of using Rhude's revenue to support his lavish lifestyle — allegedly making over $30 million annually, yet distributing as little as $41,000 to his co-owner. When reached for comment by Harriet Ryan of the Los Angeles Times, the 32-year-old designer and his team declined to respond. {Los Angeles Times/paywalled}
Sexual abuse, unsafe sets, financial exploitation among dangers facing fashion models
From dangerous set conditions to sex trafficking to unfair wages, the modeling industry is still rife with abuses. For Variety, writer Tatiana Siegel spoke with dozens of models and industry insiders about their egregious experiences in the fashion world. Throughout this investigation, several of them shared that they were exploited, either financially or sexually, during their work. {Variety}
Heron Preston announces the Heron Preston L.E.D. Initiative for Black creatives
Heron Preston has announced the Heron Preston "Less Environmentally Destructive" Initiative to empower young Black creatives in the fashion industry. Offering a $10,000 grant, a large network of support and resources, as well as access to a virtual summer career program (in partnership with the Fashion Scholarship Fund), the initiative is open to college undergraduates and rising under-30 entrepreneurs. Find info on how to apply at www.ledstudio.com/fund. {Fashionista inbox}
Homepage Photo: Kevin Mazur/Getty Images
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