These are the stories making headlines in fashion on Friday.
Maria Grazia Chiuri’s Return to Fendi
In an interview with WWD, Maria Grazia Chiuri reflects on her return to Fendi as chief creative officer and says her three decades away have given her fresh eyes on the Roman house where she began her career. On her first U.S. visit in the role, she is relaunching the archival Croissant handbag in a larger size and drawing on the house’s history of experimentation. The designer also shared her focus on collaboration over individual ego and her work running a historic Rome theater her family restored. {WWD/paywalled}
How Fashion Labels Are Democratizing Runway Shows
Telfar staged its first Paris Fashion Week show in Brooklyn, seating the first 350 customers in line while a Paris audience watched by livestream. The stunt is part of a wider shift, with H&M, Victoria’s Secret and Damson Madder admitting more shoppers or small creators to their events. Brands are also releasing documentaries, interactive films and short dramas around their collections. {Business of Fashion/paywalled}
Ralph Lauren Links Executive Pay to AI Progress
Ralph Lauren has removed environmental and social targets from the plan that determines its top executives’ yearly bonuses and replaced them with artificial intelligence goals. Instead, the company notes sustainability work is now part of everyday operations. About 12% of S&P 500 companies disclosed such goals this year, up from 5% in 2024, but only 2% of public companies overall have done so. {Reuters/paywalled}
Brunello Cucinelli Raises Outlook After Strong Q3
Brunello Cucinelli reported double-digit third-quarter revenue growth that topped forecasts, standing out in a luxury market still weighed down by weak demand. The Italian label now expects roughly 12% sales growth this year, up from its prior outlook of 10% to 11%, and projects about 10% growth in 2027. {Brunello Cucinelli}