Bio-materials start-up Biofluff has named Luke Henning as interim CEO. He’s been its chairman for the past two years and will lead the company “as it scales its commercial operations and accelerates market entry for its sustainable fur alternatives”.
Luke Henning – Biofluff
It has also announced three new strategic advisors: Matt Scullin, CEO of MycoWorks; Chloe Reuter, co-founder of Reuter Communications; and Shashin Surti, co-founder of The Merido. This expanded advisory network “brings deep expertise in biomaterials commercialisation, market expansion and development to support BioFluff’s scale-up journey”.
As mentioned, the company focuses on alternatives to fur, but also plush and comfort materials. It said it “collaborates with nature to create innovative low-impact alternatives to animal-derived and plastic-based fabrics. The company’s pioneering approach and dedication to sustainability have garnered recognition and support from the luxury fashion industry and beyond”.
As interim CEO, Henning “brings extensive experience in the sustainable materials sector”, having previously served as co-founder and chief business officer at textile-to-textile recycler Circ.
From 2013, he “played an instrumental role in building the financial foundation and operational strategy underpinning Circ’s commercial success and global expansion”.
His appointment to the helm of BioFluff comes as the company “focuses on expanding its sales and distribution channels across fashion, interiors, and toys markets”.
And he said “we’re out of time when it comes to transitioning to sustainable materials, and BioFluff has developed solutions that are ready for market now. My focus is on accelerating the entry of these products so we can start making a real difference”.
BioFluff’s approach leverages existing mill capacity, primarily within Europe, rather than requiring significant capital expenditure for new facilities. It said its drop-in manufacturing model “enables rapid scaling and positions the company to meet growing demand across multiple market segments without the lengthy construction timelines typical of novel materials ventures”.
The company is undeniably busy at the moment and is currently raising $2.5 million to scale production capabilities, expand its sales team, and build inventory for faster order fulfilment.
Gucci owner Kering and private equity firm Ardian said on Tuesday they had completed a joint venture agreement for a New York property deal valued at $900 million.
Kering’s brands include Saint Laurent, Gucci, and Balenciaga – Reuters
Under the deal concluded earlier this year, Kering is contributing the property at 715-717 Fifth Avenue in New York to a newly created joint venture with Ardian, the companies said in a joint statement. Ardian will hold a 60% stake in this, with Kering retaining 40% and receiving $690 million in net proceeds.
The transaction is part of Kering’s broader strategy to secure control of high-profile retail locations while also raising cash. In January, Kering said it had transferred three of its Paris real estate assets to a new joint venture with Ardian, freeing up 837 million euros in proceeds.
“Like the investment agreement already signed in Paris, this transaction allows us to secure another long term highly prominent retail location for our houses while enhancing our financial flexibility,” said Kering chief operating officer Jean-Marc Duplaix, commenting on the New York Ardian deal.
London’s Selfridges continues to be the pop-up destination of choice in London’s West End (Harrods has that status in Knightsbridge) and one of the world’s best known labels will be there as of January.
Dior
Dior, which already has a strong presence in the London flagship will be unveiling its first pop-up boutique for its new summer 2026 creations inside the in-demand Corner Shop.
That’s important because it will celebrate the launch of Jonathan Anderson’s first collection.
Running from 8 January to 28 February, the unique space will “reveal a playful world like a waking dream”. The company said the summer 2026 menswear collection “breathes a certain spontaneity into the art of dressing, while the womenswear line radiates freshness, with leather goods presented alongside exquisite creations. An exceptional selection that expresses the reinvented essence of Dior”.
Dior is currently inviting customers to book appointments and said it will “extend the experience through a curated selection of exclusive events at the pop-up boutique”.
That includes notebook personalisation with “a nod to Versailles-style gilding, personalised detailing applied by an expert [that] promises to add a truly signature touch”. And there’s also bookmark calligraphy where visitors can add their initials to a bookmark, inspired by the newest Dior Book Tote designs by Anderson.
The news of the pop-up comes in the same week that Dior unveiled its super-sized flagship concept House of Dior Beijing. That five-storey space dwarfs the Selfridges space but underscores the ambitious plans LVMH has for the brand, the huge investment Dior is putting into its global growth and its targeting of key luxury markets.
Lululemon was making headlines last week as its CEO exited but it had more upbeat news on Sunday as Lewis Hamilton made a personal appearance at the Regent Street, London, flagship store to to celebrate the launch of The Lewis Hamilton Edit, a curated 36-piece capsule personally selected by the champion racing driver.
André Maestrini and Lewis Hamilton – Lululemon
Importantly too, joining Hamilton in-store for photos was Lululemon’s new interim co-CEO, André Maestrini, marking his first public appearance in the role and highlighting the company’s focus on innovation, as well as stressing that there’s no vacuum at the top of the company’s leadership tree.
Hamilton became a Lululemon ambassador earlier this year and made an unannounced appearance in the store.
Available exclusively at the Regent Street location and on the brand’s UK webstore, the Edit brings together Hamilton’s favourite menswear and womenswear pieces from the brand’s Winter 2025 collection — “each style chosen for its high performance and elevated aesthetic, all filtered through the distinctive personal style he’s renowned for”.
The appearance may have been unannounced but there were plenty of fans gathered outside to see him in a full look from the Edit as he greeted the crowd, signed autographs, and posed for photos.
The first 100 people in the queue also received Lululemon products signed by Hamilton and he was also helping staff style looks and wrap gifts behind the tills.
Such appearances are hugely important for stores at this time of year as they compete to attract customers.