Fashion News

Olivier Rousteing Exits Balmain

After 16 years with Balmain and 14 as its creative director, Olivier Rousteing, 40, is leaving the Parisian brand. A representative for the company said Balmain and Rousteing “mutually agreed to part ways.”

Rousteing was only 24 years old when he took the top job at Balmain and became one of the most famous designers of the Instagram era, posting selfies with Victoria’s Secret models and Justin Bieber before reality stars and influencers were embraced by the fashion Establishment.

He was especially close with Kim Kardashian and Kanye West during the early years of their marriage, casting them in an ad and designing costumes for music videos, which helped boost his “Balmain Army” of online fans and clients. By the time Balmain collaborated with H&M in 2015, Rousteing’s ornate designs — skin-tight silhouettes, waist-cinching belts, and elaborate beading and embroidery — were popular enough beyond the Parisian runways to sell out within minutes.

“I arrived at 24 with my eyes wide open and the determination to persevere, always,” wrote Rousteing on Instagram. “Today, I leave the House of Balmain with my eyes still wide open — open to the future and to the beautiful adventures ahead, adventures in which all of you will have a place.” Olivier Rousting

On September 2, 2025, Chloe Malle was appointed Head of Editorial Content for American Vogue. Anna Wintour served as the Head of Editorial Content at American Vogue for 37 years, from 1988 to 2025. According to Wintour, “…Chloe has proven often that she can find the balance between American Vogue’s long, singular history and its future on the front lines of the new…” (Vogue). We are so excited to see what Chloe Malle brings to this new chapter for American Vogue. 

Rachel Scott as the New Creative Director at Proenza Schouler

Rachel Scott has been announced as the new creative director at Proenza Schouler. Founder of Diotima, Scott is known for hand making crochet pieces combined with tailored ones and for creating unique versions of traditional Jamaican clothing. Her designs highlight Caribbean style and craftsmanship. She has won two CFDA Fashion Awards for Emerging Designer of the Year in 2023 and for Womenswear Designer of the Year in 2024.

“As one of the most celebrated global design talents of today, Rachel brings a fresh and female perspective to a brand built on the spirit of the modern American woman,” (Criales-Unzueta, Vogue) - Suveyke Snyder, CEO of Proenza Schouler. 

Her official first collection with Proenza Schouler will be for Autumn/Winter 2026, which will be shown in February 2026.

This upcoming fashion season is full of designers starting new jobs at major fashion houses. What makes Scott's story particularly important is that she is the only woman of color to have her first show with a major brand this season, making her runway debut a truly historic moment.