Must Read: 'Vogue' Announces First Open Model Casting Finalists, H&M Partners With Heron Preston
These are the stories making headlines in fashion on Wednesday.
Vogue announces first global open model casting finalists
After launching its first-ever global open casting model call in May, Vogue has found its eight finalists from more than 60,000 applicants. The Vogue Open Casting Class of 2023 includes Cynthia Machava, Abrar Mohammed, Colette Kanza, Mars, Rania Benchegra, Mengyao Wang, Dulmi and Rayan El-Mahmoud. This group will be featured in global editions of Vogue's October issue. {Fashionista inbox}
Photo: Courtesy of H&M
H&M partners with Heron Preston to create H2
Artist and fashion designer Heron Preston is teaming up with H&M in a long-term partnership called H2 where Preston will create special seasonal collections, advise H&M design teams, discover young talent and experiment with circular innovation programs. "I admire a company as big as H&M that wants to take risks together because our shared belief is that real change must ultimately happen at a scale that touches 'everyone'," Preston said in a press release. {Fashionista inbox}
Draper James majority stake sold to Consortium Brand Partners
Consortium Brand Partners acquired a majority ownership stake — about 70% — in Draper James, Reese Witherspoon's Southern-inspired fashion and lifestyle brand. Witherspoon remains a minority stake owner in the company and Consortium Brand Partners will maintain a collaborative partnership with Draper James' current management, WWD reports. "We are excited to join forces with the team at Consortium, who understand our vision as a company and the importance of our community," Witherspoon told WWD. "They are the perfect partners partners for Draper James as we continue to grow and build this brand and I'm looking forward to this next phase in our journey." {WWD/paywalled}
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