Valentino isn’t sold on Raf Simons, Vera Wang’s new business venture and Marie Antoinette Director Sophia Coppola to team with H&M.
The Belgian designer – currently at Jil Sander – is said to be close to signing a deal with the French fashion house to replace John Galliano as the label’s creative director, but Valentino isn’t convinced.
He told vogue.co.uk: “I’m not sure – it’s an amazing job, I don’t know if he would be the right person for it. John Galliano is difficult to replace. I think it’s important not to jump into things. It needs to be a logical continuation of the brand. But who am I to say anything? I guess we all just have to wait and see.”
In September, Dior claimed they would announce the name of Galliano’s successor imminently.
Bill Gaytten, acting head of design for the label, explained the fashion house has experienced a “tough period” since the former creative director was sacked earlier this year after being accused of racism and anti-Semitism.
He said: “It’s been a tough period, but what can I say? My lips are sealed, but all will be revealed.”
Alexander Wang was tipped to take on the role of head designer at the company after frontrunners Haiden Ackerman, Marc Jacobs and Riccardo Tisci were ruled out.
A source close to LVMH, the parent company of Dior, explained: “For Dior, it’s a pretty tricky situation, as the three frontrunners really can’t take the job. Haider Ackermann is said to be ‘way too edgy’ for Dior; Marc Jacobs wanted the job a lot, but LVMH wants him to stick with Vuitton; and Riccardo Tisci simply refused, saying that he was feeling more than comfortable with the job at Givenchy. So nobody’s taking over so far.”
The designer – who is famed for her exquisite wedding dresses – is expected to reveal she has signed a deal for tuxedos with The Men’s Wearhouse Inc.
In its third-quarter conference call last week, the men’s retailer said it would be unveiling the details of “new licensing arrangement…with a well-known apparel brand, specifically designed for our tuxedo rental business”.
According to WWD, the brand is Vera Wang and it would mark her first foray into menswear.
The garments are expected to be produced by Flow Formalwear, which also manufactures tuxedos under license for Calvin Klein, Ralph Lauren, Joseph Abboud and Mike ‘The Situation’ Sorrentino.
As well as launching a menswear collection Vera is to release her own cosmetics line next year.
The sartorialist will expand her line in 2012 with a range for Kohl’s including make-up, skin care, bath and body products and beauty accessories.
She said: “As part of my incredible partnership with Kohl’s, I will now be able to offer women all over America my own personal regimen for skin care and make-up. It is an easy, light, modern and effortless approach to beauty and creativity. Like fashion, make-up is also transformational. I love the artistry of make-up to accentuate, enhance or create a mood for any time of day or occasion.”
The ‘Lost in Translation’ director – who has previously worked on the campaign for Miss Dior Cherie perfume – revealed she was thrilled to get involved with the high street retailer and the Italian fashion house because they are making fashion accessible.
She explained to WWD: “I enjoyed doing this film for the Marni at H&M collaboration. I think it’s great how they make fashion accessible and I wanted to show the fantasy fashion can bring. [Marni founder and creative director] Consuelo Castiglioni seems really sincere and cares about what she does and I appreciated that.”
Consuela added: “I’m a big fan of her movies, in particular of her vision and aesthetic. It was fantastic that she worked on this project; her interpretation is remarkable and full of atmosphere.”
The collection will go on sale on March 8 in 260 stores worldwide and online and H&M have previously revealed they are thrilled with the products.
Margareta van den Bosch, Creative Advisor for H&M said: “We all love the collection here at H&M and we believe that our customers will do the same.
Marni has such a modern touch with everything they do, mixing prints and accessories in a playful but chic way. It’s fantastic to see how Consuelo Castiglioni coordinates her designs, matching new combinations of print and colour, with such incredible craftsmanship behind every piece. The collection will arrive in stores at just the perfect time, as a lovely statement for spring.”
The Marni collection is the latest designer collaboration for H&M, having previously teamed up with Karl Lagerfeld, Stella McCartney, Comme des Garcons, Jimmy Choo, Lanvin, and most recently Versace.