Omicron cases are increasing faster than you can say “new variant.” A few months ago, we were out and enjoying the return to normalcy with in-person fashion shows and lavish events; however, the new year has started off a bit different than expected as the industry takes precautions to keep everyone safe and healthy. Giorgio Armani has announced he’ll be canceling his men’s and couture shows this January, and the status of the other in-person fashion weeks is still uncertain. But all is not lost; we continue to stay optimistic, and 2022 still holds many exciting happenings that we’re looking forward to keeping our spirits lifted.
The first couple of months alone brings exciting new launches and debuts that have us waiting on the edge of our seats. After a three-year hiatus, Phoebe Philo is set to release her new independent label partially backed by French luxury conglomerate LVMH. Although details have been scarce, what we do know is that the brand is set to debut in January. Philophiles know that whenever the legendary designer arrives back on the scene (see her tenure at Chloë and Celine), she brings a fresh and much-needed approach to fashion, and oh what a perfect time to do so.
Whether in-person or digital, all eyes are peeled for Matthieu Blazy’s Bottega Veneta debut set for the Fall-Winter 2022 Milan shows. Following Daniel Lee’s abrupt and surprising exit after such a successful year, all eyes turn to Blazy, who served as Lee’s right-hand man behind the scenes. Fashion aficionados have so many questions for what’s to come as we count down the days to the show. Most importantly: will ‘Bottega Green’ still live on in Blazy’s Bottega era? All questions shall be answered come February 26 at 8 PM Milan time.
Blazy isn’t the only new not so new face we’re excited to see step up to the helm of a fashion house. Camille Miceli recently took the helm of Italian fashion label Emilio Pucci ahead of its Resort 22 collection. Miceli will present her first stand-alone collection at an undisclosed date this year, reviving the brand into the modern age. The seasoned designer joins Emilio Pucci following her most recent role as accessories creative director at Louis Vuitton. As for Louis Vuitton, we continue to mourn the loss of legendary designer Virgil Abloh. Many speculations circle around who will fill the designer’s immeasurable shoes at the luxury label and his own line Off-White ahead of the upcoming shows, if anyone.
This year, Saint Laurent will celebrate the 60th anniversary of the late couturier’s first-ever collection. The luxury Parisian maison kicks off the celebration with six retrospective exhibitions across Paris, including the Louvre, the Musée d’Orsay, and the Centre Pompidou. Each museum exhibition will present Yves Saint Laurent’s most notable garments alongside the fine art that influenced them.
Considering events make a return by May, we’ll be anticipating part two of the Costume Institute’s “In America: An Anthology of Fashion” exhibition on the first Monday in May. Oh, and of course, the dazzling looks that A-listers will pull out in for fashion’s biggest night is sure to spark happiness, mask included. We can’t wait to see how the stylists parse the difference between “lexicon” and “anthology” through fashionable garments. Here’s to 2022 and all the thrilling, fashionable happenings to come.
