Dior Appoints Jonathan Anderson as LVMH Sales Slip in This Week's Top Fashion News

In this week's top fashion news, luxury conglomerates and heritage brands continue to make changes to their creative and distribution strategies amid economic uncertainty.

Jonathan Anderson was finally confirmed to be moving to Dior next, confirming long-running rumors after his Loewe departure. Meanwhile, Dior-owner LVMH shared its Q125 results, disappointing analysts' optimistic outlook with a drop in sales. Elsewhere in accessories, Ray-Ban launched the debut collection led by its first creative director, A$AP Rocky and Tokyo-based label AMBUSH, well-known for its jewelry, was reacquired from New Guards Group by its founders, Yoon Anh and VERBAL. To weather the changing landscape, OTB Group (owner of Jil Sander, Margiela, and Marni) continued reevaluating its distribution strategy, announcing the first-ever Jil Sander store in Dubai. Finally, Louis Vuitton shared the official location of its Cruise 2026 show in Avignon, France.

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

Jonathan Anderson Is the New Creative Director of Dior Men/

On April 17, LVMH confirmed that Jonathan Anderson would officially replace Kim Jones as creative director of Dior Homme Jonathan Anderso. The move comes shortly after Jonathan Anderson's departure from Loewe was confirmed in March and Kim Jones' departure from Dior in January, ending his seven-year tenure at the brand. Arnault did not elaborate further on Anderson’s role at Dior and whether or not he will be taking over the womenswear department from Italian designer Maria Grazia Chiuri — also, another rumored to be exiting soon. LVMH has confirmed that Jonathan Anderson's first Dior collection will debut this June.

LVMH Sales Fall 3% in Q1 2025

On Monday, LVMH shared its Q1 2025 report, revealing that sales fell 3% to €20.3 billion EUR during the three months ending March 31. Per Reuters, the results were far below analysts’ expectations of 2% growth, as the conglomerate struggles through the ongoing sales slowdown affecting the industry. The group’s key fashion and leather goods division, including names like Louis Vuitton, Loewe, Dior, and Fendi, saw sales fall 5%. Elsewhere, the company’s wine and spirits division saw sales decline by 9%, while perfume and cosmetics both dropped by 1%. Watches and jewelry, meanwhile, remained constant. In conjunction with the sluggish sales, which also affect competitor Kering, the Trump administration's controversial tariffs have also dampened consumer sentiment.

A$AP Rocky and Ray-Ban Debut "Blacked Out" Collection

Dubbed “The Blacked Out” Collection, A$AP Rocky's debut collection as a creative director at Ray-Ban reimagines three classic Ray-Ban silhouettes with bold design updates and ultra black lenses. The Mega Clubmaster is arguably the most vintage-looking, featuring gold-colored metal hardware on the bridge and the bottom halves of the frame. Next, Mega Wayfarer, the brand’s most iconic shape, evokes the styles from the mid-century era with its full acetate frame. Finally, the Mega Balorama is the most contemporary, appealing to the Y2k sensibilities of today and popular sports styles. Consistent are gold-plated details and an additional tattoo-style AWGE emblem, representing Rocky’s creative agency. Each purchase comes with a special case printed with an A$AP Rocky 1000-dollar bill design.

AMBUSH Founders Yoon Ahn and VERBAL Buy Back Brand From New Guards Group

Tokyo-based label AMBUSH has been reacquired by founders Yoon Ahn and VERBAL as they gained majority stake back from New Guards Group. AMBUSH is now the only the latest brand to depart from New Guards Group, following Off-White and Palm Angels. The founders only sold their majority stake in their label to New Guards Group 5 years ago in 2020. “Regaining full ownership enables us to fully express the core values and original vision upon which AMBUSH was built. Now, we are energized by this new chapter and the boundless potential ahead,” Yoon Anh said in a statement. The two made the decision in hopes of regaining creative autonomy and strategic flexibility. VERBAL, co-founder and CEO, added, “Taking back ownership is an important milestone that restores our freedom to pursue innovation and deepen our community connections globally.”

Jil Sander Begins Middle East Expansion With Dubai Flagship

Unveiling a striking translucent glass block facade, Jil Sander has opened its first-ever Dubai flagship at Mall of the Emirates as part of a multi-year Middle East expansion strategy from OTB Group (Jil Sander, Margiela, and Marni’s parent). “Jil Sander is so distinctive that its design, the exceptional quality of the garments, the craftsmanship, and the fabrics can be recognized even without seeing the logo. It represents modernity and sophistication, design, and purity,” Rosso said to WWD. The news comes as the brand progresses through a time of widespread transition. Shortly after the exit of Luke and Lucie Meier at the start of the year, Simone Bellotti was appointed as the label’s new creative director in March. Additionally, it’s only been four years since the ‘quiet luxury’ pioneer was acquired by Renzo Rosso’s conglomerate in 2021.

Louis Vuitton Cruise 2026 to Show at Historic Gothic Palace

On May 2022, UNESCO World Heritage Site Palais des Papes in Avignon, France, will host the French Maison’s latest collection designed by Louis Vuitton women’s director Nicolas Ghesquière. Along with hosting the show at the Palais, according to WWD, Louis Vuitton will also fund a long-term project to illuminate the facades of the buildings facing the city’s main squares, including the Palais des Papes, a cathedral, the Petit Palais, the Hôtel des Monnaies and the Hotel Calvet de la Palun. Built in the late 14th century, the Palais des Papes was temporarily the seat of the Roman Catholic Papacy and is considered one of the most important sites of Gothic architecture in the world.

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