Irish designer Paul Costelloe drew inspiration from the equestrian world for his latest collection at London Fashion Week on Friday, showing jodhpur-shaped culottes, tweeds and prints featuring show jumpers.
Costelloe’s autumn-winter 2025 line included dressage-like fitted jackets and structured skirts and shorts, sometimes paired with caps and long boots. Models also wore feminine coats and voluminous dresses.
“The theme is … showing my vintage, dating back to when I launched a collection called ‘Dressage’, so it’s quite equestrian,” Costelloe, 79, told Reuters. “It’s got lovely tweeds … but we’ve made it a little more raunchy maybe.”
Costelloe chose autumnal hues for his colour palette – brown, amber and red – as well as cream and black. His outfits bore check as well as floral patterns.
Turkish designer Bora Aksu said his latest collection was inspired by Austrian-Hungarian Empress Elisabeth. Models wore structured coats and jackets with delicate, embroidered chiffon and lace dresses.
The collection, mainly in white, cream, red, purple and blue, also featured long tiered skirts, blouses with bows and layered frocks. Some models wore veils over their faces and long gloves.
“She was one of those characters that I was drawn to because she was, I think, so misunderstood,” Aksu said. “People could only see her as…(Empress Elisabeth) but … she was into poetry, she was into writing. She was doing beautiful drawings.”
Running February 20-24, London is the second leg of the autumn-winter 2025 catwalk calendar, which began in New York and will go to Milan and Paris.
On the programme are emerging designers as well as more established brands including Burberry, Erdem and Roksanda. London is known for its fashion schools and for nurturing talent that has gone on to work at some of the world’s biggest luxury labels.
In a bid to provide commercial support for designers, there will be a fashion week pop-up shop on Regent Street in central London. “It is a particularly challenging time at the moment, in the UK … because we are still focusing really on sort of overcoming the trade barriers of being out of the EU,” Caroline Rush, outgoing CEO of the British Fashion Council, told Reuters.
“The shop is really an opportunity to showcase the brilliant designers that we have,” she said.
Dior has named Monica Barbaro as its latest brand ambassador, the fashion house announced Friday.
Dior names Monica Barbaro as brand ambassador. – Dior
The rising Hollywood star, fresh off her Academy Award-nominated portrayal of singer-songwriter Joan Baez in “A Complete Unknown”, will represent the women’s fashion collections designed by Maria Grazia Chiuri.
“[Monica] embodies the elegance and audacity of Dior style, a continually reinvented femininity. Under the banner of creativity, this unique alliance celebrates the special ties that unite Dior and culture in all forms more than ever,” the company said in a statement.
Barbaro’s appointment strengthens her connection to LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton, having also been named a Bulgari ambassador in July.
The news follows a period of transition at Dior, as Kim Jones, artistic director of Dior Homme, announced earlier this year that he would be stepping down after seven years.
Flavour and fragrance firm Mane Group has named Samantha Mane as its new chief executive officer.
Samantha Mane – Courtesy
Mane succeeds her father, Jean, in the role of chief executive officer, and becomes the first woman to take the helm at the company.
Jean Mane steps down after running the group from 1995 to 2024.
His daughter joined Mane Group in 2006 and has worked under the mentorship of Jean and the group’s senior employees. In her most recent post, Samantha led Mane’s Europe Middle East & Africa region, the group’s largest regional market. “It is with great enthusiasm and pride that I take on this new responsibility today,” said Mane, 40, and is among the five members of the fifth generation of the Mane family, which founded the French company in 1871.
“I’m thrilled to continue this family-run entrepreneurial adventure and to lead a group with such a wealth of human resources and spirit of innovation. Our independence and family ownership have enabled us to have a long-term vision and make bold choices for 154 years. I want to build on the group’s roots, values, creativity and high standards that make us unique, and continue to uphold our commitment to the environment.”
This week, the beauty industry saw a wave of major retail expansions, with five brands announcing significant launches at top retailers. From Beyoncé’s haircare empire making its retail debut to Violette_Fr arriving at Sephora, here are the latest brand expansions shaking up the industry.
Cécred enters Ulta Beauty in landmark haircare launch – Cécred
Cécred enters Ulta Beauty in landmark haircare launch
Cécred, the award-winning haircare brand founded by Beyoncé Knowles-Carter, is making its highly anticipated retail debut at Ulta Beauty. Starting April 6, Cécred will be available in over 1,400 Ulta Beauty stores and online, marking the retailer’s largest exclusive haircare launch to date. Following its February 2024 debut, Cécred quickly became a leader in the hair category. The Ulta expansion will feature the brand’s full Foundation Collection, including bestsellers like the Hydrating Shampoo and Conditioner, the Fermented Rice & Rose Protein Ritual, and the newly launched Restoring Hair & Edge Drops.
Saltair joins Ulta Beauty with exclusive body oils. – Saltair
Saltair joins Ulta Beauty with exclusive body oils
Saltair, the award-winning body care brand founded by model and entrepreneur Iskra Lawrence, is also expanding into Ulta Beauty. Beginning February 23, Saltair products will be available in over 1,400 Ulta locations, making the retailer the exclusive home of Saltair’s coveted Body Oils. Known for its clinically effective formulas, sensory-driven experiences, and inclusive approach, Saltair offers a full range of body washes, lotions, treatments, lip oils, and deodorants, all priced between $12 and $26.
Violette_Fr brings clean beauty to Sephora. – Violette_Fr
Violette_Fr brings clean beauty to Sephora
Violette_Fr, the multi-category clean beauty maison founded by French makeup artist Violette Serrat, is set to make its Sephora debut. Starting February 28, the brand will launch in over 190 Sephora stores across the U.S., followed by an expansion into Canada on March 24. Violette_Fr’s standout products—including the viral Bisou Balm blurring matte lipstick and Yeux Paint liquid eyeshadows—will be featured both in dedicated gondolas and Sephora’s ‘Next Big Thing’ section. In December, the brand secured a Series B funding round to fuel global expansion, product innovation, and digital platform enhancements.
Each & Every launches at Ulta Beauty with new brand identity. – Each & Every
Each & Every launches at Ulta Beauty with new brand identity
Each & Every, the natural fragrance brand known for combining fine fragrance craftsmanship with clean, high-quality ingredients, is making an entrance into Ulta Beauty this March. As part of its expansion, the brand is unveiling a fresh new identity featuring sleek, recyclable black packaging accented with color highlights. Each & Every’s award-winning natural deodorants—crafted with 100% natural fragrances and a clean formula—will be available nationwide, retailing at $22 for a 2.5 oz size.
Bubble Skincare lands at Shoppers Drug Mart in Canada. – Bubble
Bubble Skincare lands at Shoppers Drug Mart in Canada
Bubble Skincare, the buzzworthy brand known for its dermatologist-approved formulas and vibrant branding, has officially landed at Shoppers Drug Mart in Canada. Canadians can now easily access the brand’s high-performance skincare both in-store and online, bringing the brand’s mission of accessible, effective skincare to a wider audience. Bubble’s collection of cleansers, moisturizers and more, are formulated with premium ingredients like hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, and peptides to ensure optimal results. The assortment includes the First Class Oil Cleanser, the Morning Rays Brightening Eye Cream, and the Slam Dunk Hydrating Cream Moisturizer, among other products.