Image courtesy of vogue
The 2024 Summer Olympics are less than two weeks away, and the fashion industry has joined the ranks of those celebrating this once every four-year hallowed sporting event. The 2024 Summer Olympics takes place in Paris from July 25 to August 11.
Before the opening ceremony on July 25, Vogue is organizing a big party at Fondation Louis Vuitton. Attendees includes a host of celebrities, fashion luminaries, pop stars, well-known athletes, and LVMH’s management team. Some of the luminaries attending this event include Anna Wintour, Serena Williams, Pharrell Williams, Bernard Arnault, Charlize Theron, Rosalia, Omar Sy, and Brian Roberts, CEO of American media conglomerate Comcast NBCUniversal.
“I’m honored to be co-hosting this very special event with Anna Wintour, Mr. Arnault and Brian Roberts,” said Pharrell Williams in a statement, as reported in fashionnetwork.com. “The Olympic Games are a celebration of diversity, humanity and creativity, everything that brings us together as human beings. This great event is a humbling reminder that what brings us together is stronger than what divides us,” he continued.
The event will include an Olympic-themed theme park, featuring interactive installations and games of all kinds inspired by sport, such as table tennis, table football, archery and basketball, devised by Pharrell Williams. Elegant cuisine will be provided by Michelin-starred chef Jean Imbert.
Image courtesy of tmz.com
Bella bye bye
The controversy around supermodel Bella Hadid and Adidas continues. Hadid is the face of Adidas’ Olympic campaign that reimagines the brand’s iconic 1972 running shoe designed for the 1972 Olympics.
Israel has opposed Bella Hadid as the face of this new Adidas campaign because Bella’s father is Palestinian and has been accused of anti-Semitism. Additionally, this new Adidas campaign celebrates the 1972 Olympics, where Palestinian guerillas attacked and killed 11 Israeli athletes at the Olympic village.
“We are aware that links have been made to tragic historical events—however unintentional—and we apologize for any upset or distress this may have caused,” said Adidas in a statement. “It is for this reason that we are revising the campaign. We believe in sport as a unifying force around the world and will continue our efforts to promote diversity and equality in everything we do.”
Image courtesy of misstweed.com
Another move for John Galliano
Well, it may almost be over. John Galliano is leaving Maison Martin Margiela. Galliano has been at Margiela for 10 years and Galliano has not renewed his contract, though Margiela which is owned by OTB owner Renzo Rosso has requested Galliano to renew his contract for a few more years.
It has been rumored for several months on Instagram and several social media platforms that Galliano would be leaving Margiela. A spokesperson for OTB stated, “As you know—and it is normal in our industry – there are always a lot of rumors when creative talents are concerned. We never comment on them. All we can say is that relations between John Galliano, Maison Margiela and our group chairman Renzo Rosso, are very good.”
There is much speculation among fashion insiders to where Galliano will next hang his hat, so to speak. There are rumors that Galliano could become creative director at Fendi or Chanel, or even to return to his old stomping ground at Dior.
While at Maison Martin Margiela, Galliano built an impressive body of work with revenue rising 12% in 2023 1o 1.6 billion euros for holding company OTB. Annual sales at Margiela are believed to be above 400 million euros in 2023.
—William S. Gooch
