The Designer Scramble: A Month of Major Shifts in Fashion

The fashion community has been up and active the entire month of March. Outside of this month’s usual fashion week circuit, the revolving door of creative directors has kept fashion enthusiasts curious as to who’s next. For the sake of this piece, I’d like to coin a term to effectively describe these series of eventful shifts… “The Designer Scramble.”

Donatella Versace                               Dario Vitale

Versace: 

After over 30 years at her family’s namesake brand, Donatella Versace is stepping down from her role of Chief Creative Officer at the Italian brand to take on the role of Brand Ambassador. Handing the coveted reins of Chief Creative Officer to Dario Vitale- who comes over to Versace from holding the role of Brand Image Director at Miu Miu. On Thursday, April 10th, 2025, Prada Group announced the purchase of Versace from former parent company, Capri Holdings, who also owns Michael Kors, and Jimmy Choo. Prada Group bringing Versace back to it’s Italian roots will be something to look forward to. 

 Demna Gvasalia

Balenciaga & Gucci: 

After many headlines, a few scandals, and 10-year tenure, Demna Gvasalia leaves Balenciaga to take over at Gucci as their newest creative director.This transition follows Sabato De Sarno’s 2-year trial. This was strangely alarming to fashion fans as, prior to Sarno, Gucci had a very specific identity that does not seem to fall in line with what Demna has been doing at Balenciaga. Could this be a way for Demna to refine his craft or simply bring Gucci into the laxed-lux world he has been creating?

Matthieu Blazy

 Louise Trotter

Chanel & Bottega: 

Last summer, we said our final farewell to Virginie Viard as news broke that she was leaving Chanel after 5 years as head designer. However, hope did not veer off for the brand when it was announced that Matthieu Blazy of Bottega Veneta will now assume the Creative Director role at the French House. As much as Blazy has become infectiously synonymous with Bottega, the excitement of what possibilities can arrive for him and consumers at the house of Chanel is contagious. Not to worry, the opening at Bottega Veneta was swiftly filled by Louise Trotter, who trots over from her time at Lacoste. She is the only woman accounted for in this current designer scramble and the second woman to hold the title at a notorious heritage house (following Sarah Burton who has assumed the head designer role at Givenchy).

  John Galliano 

Glenn Martens 

Maison Margiela:

Glenn Martens sadly closed the doors to his brand Y- Project earlier this year. Though many were disappointed in seeing such a talented designer leave us so abruptly, many were resurrected in following months. It was announced that Glenn Martens will now be Creative Director for Maison Margiela following the departure of John Galliano,leaving many fashion fans relieved that an innovative designer, such as Martens, will continue to create.

Jonathan Anderson  

 Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez

Loewe:

With a heavy heart I report that our beloved Jonathan Anderson has stepped down from Loewe after 11 years at the brand. Jonathan Anderson, also a designer of his own brand, J.W.Anderson, turned Loewe into the household name it is today by creating art and spaces centered around fashion as a medium. In breaking news as of Monday, March 24, 2025, Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez, the Creative Director Of Proenza Schouler, will be taking over as Creative Directors of Loewe. As of now, it is unclear if Jonathan Anderson will be heading to another house or if he will continue to work under his own namesake brand. Either way, we will continue to follow his greatly elan career.

Casey Cadwallader

Miguel Castro Freitas

Mugler:

News broke early Tuesday morning, March 25, 2025, that Mugler will be appointing the role of Creative Director to Miguel Castro Freitas. This comes as a surprise as Casey Cadwallader has spent the last 7 years reimagining the “Mugler Woman”. According to Mugler Global Brand President Daniele Lahana-Aidenbaum, “Miguel lives and breathes the Mugler spirit”. Hopes of bringing heritage & couturier crafts back to the house are the overall goal.

Balenciaga:

The last spot we haven’t filled yet is the vacant Creative Director opening at Balenciaga. Many speculated it could possibly go to one of the scramblers like John Galliano. Some say it could be a past designer coming back like Riccardo Tisci, while others want to see a fresh face that hasn’t taken a seat at a major house yet like Martine Rose. Though all great selections, it looks like we’ll have to continue to stay tuned to find out what or who’s next on “The Designer Scramble”.

Whew! A lot of information to keep up with, and yet it’s thrilling to see what happens next. All the designers mentioned will be showcasing their debut collection next season, which will be a desirable fashion circuit to observe and look forward to. Wishing all these designers the best of luck in their new beginnings!