Jonathan Anderson Heads All of Dior & Demna Unveils Final Balenciaga Ready-to-Wear Collection in This Week's Top Fashion News

Summary

• The saga of creative director churn continues as Jonathan Anderson reigns over all of Dior's fashion lines and Demna unveils a final ready-to-wear collection before heading up Gucci. Concurrently, the 2025 CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund finalists have been revealed, perhaps offering a glimpse at the next generation of fashion's creative visionaries.
• In the streetwear front, Eric Emanuel's namesake label continues to evolve, unveiling its first-ever seasonal ready-to-wear collection. Set for a Paris debut, ALYX 9SM founder and former Givenchy director Matthew Williams has announced his own namesake line.
• Lee and Wrangler parent Kontoor Brands has acquired Scandinavian outdoor brand Helly Hansen for $900 million USD, adding a crucial name in the performance category to its lifestyle-geared portfolio.

Below, Hypebeast has rounded up the top fashion stories of the week so you can stay up to date on trends in the industry.

Dior Confirms Jonathan Anderson as Womenswear and Couture Creative Director

In a major shift for the legendary French maison, Dior has confirmed Jonathan Anderson as its eighth couturier, taking the reins as the creative director for both its women’s, men’s and haute couture collections. The appointment marks the first time a single designer will have creative helm over all three divisions since Monsieur Christian Dior himself. Anderson was initially appointed as the creative director of Dior Homme on April 17, 2025, succeeding Kim Jones. Days prior to the latest development, Maria Grazia Chiuri‘s departure from Dior’s womenswear and couture lines was confirmed on May 29 following her Cruise 2026 show.

His first women’s ready-to-wear collection for the maison is expected to debut during Paris Fashion Week in October, following his highly anticipated first Dior menswear collection on June 27. Anderson said in a statement, “I am incredibly honored to be given the opportunity to unite Dior’s women’s, men’s and couture collections under a single, cohesive vision. My instinct is to be led by the house’s empathetic spirit. I look forward to working alongside its legendary ateliers to craft the next chapter of this incredible story. I would like to express my sincere thanks to Bernard Arnault and Delphine Arnault for their trust and loyalty over the years.”

Balenciaga Spring 2026 Remixes Demna's Greatest Hits

For Spring 2026, Demna has revisits to his famously controversial Balenciaga “archetypes” — all of the references, shapes, sentiments and concepts that have come to define his decade-spanning tenure at the House. In those years, the designer transformed the Spanish label from a $400 million USD business into a $2 billion USD mammoth. Titled “Exactitudes," inspired by Ari Versluis and Ellie Uyttenbroek’s scientific photographer series, the collection spotlights Demna’s anthropological approach to fashion and dress codes.

“This collection embodies the multitude of design codes that have been part of my creative vision and research on fashion at Balenciaga for a decade,” the designer said. “It combines pieces from 35 different collections with new pieces and garments from my personal wardrobe, representing the volumes, silhouettes, and attitudes that have defined my vision and my questioning of the contemporary wardrobe, what people actually wear, how they wear it, and what the fine line is between luxury and fashion.”

Helly Hansen Acquired by Lee and Wrangler Parent for $900 Million USD

On Monday morning, Kontoor Brands, parent to heritage denim labels Lee and Wrangler, finalized its previously announced deal to acquire performance gear brand Helly Hansen, closing at $900 million USD. The move arrives as major players in the apparel sector look to get in on the growth of the outdoor and performance gear market, a development particularly relevant to Kontoor, whose bread and butter has been its small group of heritage lifestyle labels. ccording to Kontoor, Helly Hansen is expected to boost the company’s revenue, adjusted earnings per share, and cash flow with immediate effects in fiscal 2025. Per a report from Ecotextile News, the brand is anticipated generate upwards of $680 million USD in revenue and $80 million USD in adjusted EBITDA for the full year 2025.

Matthew M. Williams To Debut New Namesake Clothing Brand

Matthew M. Williams iet to debut his new namesake clothing brand during Paris Men’s Fashion Week, expanding his breadth beyond 1017 ALYX 9SM and his recent tenure at Givenchy. Williams' aesthetic has been defined by his application of utilitarian elements, industrial aesthetics, and sophisticated minimalism. However, details around what approach he will adopt in his first namesake collection are sparse. The independent clothing project will be unveiled at the Seiya Nakamura showroom in Paris, with men’s and women’s collections expected to reflect the American designer’s product-based approach. The Seiya Nakamura showroom will also showcase Craig Green, Taiga Takahashi, Arpa Studio, Amomento, Song for the Mute, Khoki, and Edward Cuming.

Here Are the 2025 CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund Finalists

The Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) and Vogue on Tuesday revealed the ten finalists for the 2025 CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund, an award created to help establish the next generation of American designers. The 2025 finalists include Ashlynn Park of Ashlynn, Julian Louie of Aubero, Bach Mai, Bernard James, Ashley Moubayed of Don’t Let Disco, Gabe Gordon and Thomthy Gibbons of Gabe Gordon, Stephanie Suberville of Heirlome, Jamie Okuma, Meruert Tolegen, and Peter Do. This year, the program will award one honoree with a $300,000 USD cash prize and two runner-ups with $100,000 USD, while offering all finalists meaningful business mentorships.

The aforementioned designers’ works will be judged by the 2023 Selection Committee, which includes Vogue‘s Anna Wintour, Mark Holgate, and Nicole Phelps, Instagram’s Eva Chen, Fifteen Percent Pledge founder Aurora James, moddel Paloma Elsesser, Nordstrom’s Rickie De Sole, Saks’ Roopal Patel, CFDA chairman Thom Browne, and Gap’s Zac Posen. The winner is slated to be announced on November 18.

Eric Emanuel Marks a New Chapter With First Seasonal Collection

NY-based sportswear designer Eric Emanuel‘s eponymous label is embarking in its next chapter with the unveiling of its first-ever full seasonal collection. Styled by Ian Bradley and photographed by Menelik Puryear, the hefty lookbook celebrates Emanuel’s energetic ethos and sense of humor with casual styling and bold hues for the summertime. Comprising tailored essentials, colorful, textured knits, retro sports gear, branded underwear, and more, the label’s inaugural SS25 collection expands on its sports-focused aesthetic with playful colors and textures.

The Eric Emanuel SS25 Collection launches first with the Summer Cableknit Shorts & Zip-Ups in Navy, Green & Yellow, Oxford Shirting in Blue, Pink and White, and Linen Track Pants in Brown/Blue, Green/Blue, and Ivory/Blue, today at the brand’s web store. The brand will subsequently launch its Striped-Knit Shorts & Button-Downs on June 6.

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