<p>On the final day of 2025, L'OFFICIEL looks back at 10 major fashion events including the debuts of creative directors, the passing of Giorgio Armani, and the Louvre jewellery heist.</p>

<h3><strong>New Creative Directors' Collections</strong></h3>
<p>The fashion world underwent a major reshuffle in 2025, with several brands showing stunning collections under their new creative directors, including Loewe, Balenciaga, Bottega Veneta, and Versace. Most anticipated were the collection reveals of <a href="https://www.lofficielsingapore.com/fashion/jonathan-anderson-dior-spring-summer-2026-collection-paris-fashion-week-celebrities-jimin-jisoo">Jonathan Anderson at Dior</a> and <a href="https://www.lofficielsingapore.com/fashion/chanel-spring-summer-2026-fashion-show-collection-photos-looks-celebrities-blackpink-jennie">Matthieu Blazy at Chanel</a>, with their designs constantly garnering high praise within the industry, significantly raising expectations among fashion enthusiasts. Whether these new designers can lead their brands to further success is something to watch closely.</p>

(Image source: Getty Image)

<h3><strong>Dario Vitale's Departure</strong></h3>
<p>Donatella Versace, a member of the Versace family, became the chief brand ambassador, and Dario Vitale, a former member of the Miu Miu design team, took over in March, holding his first fashion show in September. However, just two days after Prada Group completed its acquisition in December, news broke that <a href="https://www.lofficielsingapore.com/fashion/dario-vitale-versace-leaving-exit-creative-director-luxury-fashion-news">Dario Vitale had resigned</a>, serving less than a year. The reasons for his departure are widely speculated upon, with some speculating on a significant gap between the new designs and customer needs, while others mention his disputes with the Prada Group. The true reason remains unclear, becoming a major "mystery" in the fashion world.</p>

(Image source: Versace)

<h3><strong>The Ever-Spinning Fashion Chairs</strong></h3>
<p>In October, Herm&egrave;s announced that emerging designer <a href="https://www.lofficielsingapore.com/fashion/grace-wales-bonner-hermes-menswear-creative-director">Grace Wales Bonner</a> would take over as creative director of menswear, succeeding V&eacute;ronique Nichanian, who had led the brand for 37 years. Fashion enthusiasts are eagerly anticipating how Grace Wales Bonner, who often emphasises culture, diversity, and identity in her work, will breathe new life into the brand. Furthermore, in November, Olivier Rousteing announced his departure from his 14-year tenure at Balmain, with Antonin Tron succeeding him.</p>

(Image source: Malick Bodian)

(Image source: Balmain)

<h3><strong>Fashion Giant Giorgio Armani Passes Away</strong></h3>
<p>In September, the Giorgio Armani Group announced the peaceful passing of its founder and fashion icon, <a href="https://www.lofficielsingapore.com/fashion/giorgio-armani-dead-91-designer-haute-couture-fashion-news">Giorgio Armani</a>, at the age of 91, surrounded by his family. Throughout his life, Mr. Armani dedicated himself to the pursuit of beauty, empowering women through the Power Suit, softening masculine images, weaving the American Dream, and exploring fashion, makeup, lifestyle, and art, defining elegance. Although Mr. Armani has become a star, every brick and tile he left behind has nurtured generations' pursuit of beauty.</p>

<h3><strong>Marina Yee, One of the "Antwerp Six," Passes Away</strong></h3>
<p>Belgian designer Marina Yee, one of the "Antwerp Six," passed away in November at the age of 67. Known for her low-key personality and extremely low public profile, she was often described as the most mysterious of the six. In 1988, she chose to retire abruptly, leaving the "Antwerp Six" and even withdrawing from the fashion world. She later turned to education and, starting in 2018, began collaborating with Japanese partners to target the Asian market. In 2021, she launched her own brand, MY Collection. 2025 was supposed to be the 40th anniversary of the "Antwerp Six's" fashion truck show at Fashion Week, a commemorative exhibition being prepared locally. Her passing on this special day is all the more poignant.</p>

<h3><strong>Y/Project's Closure</strong></h3>
<p>Y/Project, once a wildly popular brand known for its deconstructionist style under the leadership of creative director Glenn Martens, announced its closure. The reason is the passing of co-founder and CEO Gilles Elalouf, and Glenn Martens' departure from the company in September. With no buyer willing to take over, the brand officially ended its 14-year operation in January. This inevitably raises questions about how niche brands should position themselves.</p>

(Image source: Getty Images)

<h3><strong>Shein Becomes Public Enemy of the French Fashion World</strong></h3>
<p>Chinese fast fashion brand Shein has been embroiled in controversy over issues such as child pornography, human rights, quality, plagiarism, and environmental protection. When news broke that the brand would be opening a store in the prestigious Parisian department store BHV Marais, over 110,000 people signed a petition opposing it, and more than a dozen other brands already operating in BHV announced their closure. Agn&egrave;s B, which insisted on leaving, even issued a statement on its official social media, emphasising that the brand has always upheld a philosophy of being "friendly to humanity and the planet."</p>

<h3><strong>The Bizarre Louvre Heist</strong></h3>
<p>A jewellery heist occurred at the Louvre Museum in Paris in October, with thieves stealing nine priceless treasures in lightning speed. While Empress Eug&eacute;nie's crown was not stolen, it suffered severe damage. Although several people have been charged, unfortunately, most of the items remain unaccounted for.</p>

<h3><strong>The Devil Wears Prada Returns</strong></h3>
<p>The sequel to the movie "The Devil Wears Prada," had officially begun filming. Fashion enthusiasts and movie fans alike are eagerly anticipating it. Meryl Streep and Stanley Tucci even attended the Dolce &amp; Gabbana Spring/Summer 2026 fashion show, enjoying the new collection while filming took place.</p>

<h3><strong>Anok Yai is the Model of the Year for 2025</strong></h3>
<p>At Vetements' Spring/Summer 2026 fashion show, a Black model staged a memorable "fallen bride" performance, sparking widespread discussion. This model is Anok Yai, who rose to fame after a campus photo surfaced online. As a refugee, she fled to Egypt and immigrated to the United States, where she faced discrimination and bullying because of her skin colour. Driven by her will to live, Anok Yai was discovered in 2017 through a photographer's casual street images, signing with Next Models and officially entering the fashion industry. She was selected as the 2025 Model of the Year. She recently announced on social media her difficult journey battling a congenital heart defect; we wish her a speedy recovery and hope she continues to shine in the fashion world.</p>

2025's Biggest Fashion Highlights and Creative Director Debuts

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