Here comes Super September!
- Mimi Piqua
- Sep 3
- 5 min read
According to the Vogue September issue, the Vogue office girlies have been referring to this upcoming season as the “Super September” - and I couldn't be more excited. So, having magpied this little phrase, I think it’s only right that this post features the most anticipated event lingering in the coming weeks: Fashion Month.
From the abundance of new creative directors flooding the industry this season, to the sense of community it brings, and the transition to Autumn, this fashion month is going to be a big one. All of fashion's biggest faces can sense a shift and are anticipating an imminent new phase in the industry. You already know it’s going to be insane.
Twice a year, London, Paris, Milan & New York transform into one enormous fashion ecosystem as buyers, editors, designers, and style aficionados descend upon the streets for fashion week.
Chioma Nnadi (Head of Editorial Content at British Vogue), said in the September Big Fashion Issue that:
“The creative directors limbering up to unveil their first collections for major fashion houses this season are almost impossible to name without taking a breath: Matthieu Blazy at Chanel, Louise Trotter at Bottega Veneta, Pierpaolo Piccioli at Balenciaga and Jonathan Anderson’s womenswear debut for Dior. The list goes on.”
Fashion’s greatest reshuffle.There has never been such a crazy transitional window, not in my lifetime at least. Let’s talk about it.
Matthieu Blazy taking over at Chanel
Chanel is a personal favourite of mine, and I'm somewhat protective of it. In December 2024, nearly seven months after Virginie Viard's shocking departure, Matthieu Blazy was announced as Chanel's new Creative Director - entrusted with haute couture, ready-to-wear, and accessories.
Having previously reinvigorated Bottega Veneta with standout designs, I’m hopeful for Blazy because his designs tend to feel incredibly fresh, and I’m eager to see what he has in store for Chanel.
He is set to unveil his debut collection at Paris Fashion Week in September.
Louise Trotter at Bottega Veneta
Bottega has a very clear vibe, and with Trotter stepping into the role following Blazy’s departure (appointed in December 2024), I’m confident she has the exact concoction of creativity to deliver what Bottega oozes.
Trotter has already quietly previewed her aesthetic with custom looks, her designs tend to be structured and elegant, a very restrained but impactful vision that I think aligns beautifully with the Bottega DNA. I’m actually really excited for this show.
Her first full collection will debut at Milan Fashion Week in September.
Pierpaolo Piccioli at Balenciaga
Balenciaga's parent company, Kering, confirmed on 19 May 2025 that Pierpaolo Piccioli would succeed Demna Gvasalia as Creative Director. It's a remarkably quick turnaround, having only received the handover in May, but his resume speaks volumes. Having designed for the likes of Valentino and Moncler, and as someone who’s admired some of his work at Valentino, I think Balenciaga is a good fit.
His designs tend to be simplistic, but with interesting, sharp cuts & shapes - something Balenciaga is also known for.
His S/S 2026 collection will be unveiled during Paris Fashion Week in September, marking his first outing for the house.
Jonathan Anderson at Dior - Womenswear
In a historic move, Jonathan Anderson has been named Dior's sole Creative Director, covering women’s, men’s, and haute couture collections. Crazy! The first designer to hold all three roles since Christian Dior himself.
But honestly, it couldn’t have gone to anyone more deserving. He truly proved himself at Loewe, holding the role for a decade and making remarkable progress for the fashion house. I completely agree that he suits this role. He already debuted his first menswear collection in June, showcasing his unique vibe. It was praised by the media as a “quiet revolution” at Dior, noting his elegant, craft-conscious aesthetic and fresh layering approach.
I’m ecstatically waiting to see his first womenswear collection. Who knows I could even get to walk it - someone send this article to the casting director ;) xox
“We need to dial up London Fashion Week again”
Do not fear, even though the majority of new Creative Direction seems to be hitting Milan and Paris, London is definitely not being left behind. Laura Weir, the newly appointed CEO of the British Fashion Council (BFC), is set to attend her first London Fashion Week in the role.
She’s only been in the job for a few months and has already made instrumental moves for the British fashion scene - including scrapping fees for BFC members, allowing more emerging designers to get involved. Which, in my opinion, is very commendable.
In an interview with Julia Hobbs in this month’s Vogue, Weir says,
“Brace yourself for London Fashion Week. This is the start of a different era.”
!!! Major
You can feel the shift as it’s happening. The industry is going through vast changes, and I cannot wait to write about all of it. I can’t wait to experience it firsthand from the modelling perspective.
I’m elated to be in an age of such development and creativity, just now coming into a fast evolving part of my career, growing and exploring multiple pathways in the industry. (Mainly because I’m indecisive and want to experience it all.) I can’t wait to see what this new era of fashion brings - and of course report it all to you.
Loewe — one to watch
Loewe is interesting to talk about because, as one of LVMH’s oldest fashion houses, it has a standard to maintain - especially coming off a ridiculously successful decade run by the iconic Jonathan Anderson. Under his Creative Direction, the house quadrupled its revenue. Iconic.
Now, I’m eager to see (and judge) Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez, the creators of Proenza Schouler and newly appointed Creative Directors of Loewe. They’re two of the only ones in this new creative director mix without prior experience at the helm of a major fashion house. That’s a lot of pressure.
Can’t wait to see what they’ve got up their sleeves. We’ll find out on September 27th, when they showcase their talents at Paris Fashion Week. One shot to leave an impression. They better have come to win. Because the fashion industry is ready to judge.
In an interview with Maya Singer, McCollough & Hernandez said something I really admire:
“The important thing is getting the vibe right.” “But filtered through the codes of the House. Us, but LOEWE.”
Honestly, this is such an accurate way of articulating a creative director’s job. They’re a vessel, trusted temporarily and given the honour of sharing their take on a brand. To tell the house’s story at this moment in time.
The only constant in the equation is the fashion house itself, and the direction they choose should always be reflective of its core essence and history.
Set your calendars, divas. Links to the fashion week schedules can be found below: New York: New York Fashion Week
London: London Fashion Week schedule
Paris: Paris Fashion week pdf
Milan: Milan Fashion week pdf
This ‘Super September’ is going to be a good one.
With love, mimi
xox
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