LVMH reported that its fashion and leather goods sales fell 5% year-over-year in the first nine months of 2026, to €26.4 billion (about $29.6 billion). The group pointed to a “less buoyant” economic backdrop in China, especially early in the third quarter. Overall organic sales rose 1%, helped by watches and jewelry, but the fashion miss has weighed on the broader European luxury sector, which has seen significant market-value erosion this year.
In a counter-move toward independence, Kim Jones—former artistic director at Dior Men, Louis Vuitton menswear, and Fendi—announced the revival of his namesake label, which he shelved in 2008. Working with longtime collaborator and design director Lucy Beeden (they retain a majority stake, backed by an undisclosed investor), the brand will launch online in mid-2027 with a direct-to-consumer model focused on genderless, versatile designs unrestricted by traditional categories. Clothing will be made largely in Japan and leather goods in Italy, at what Jones calls a “considered” luxury price point (a top coat around €1,300). A 4,000-square-foot Hong Kong flagship is targeted for October 2027 at the Central Yards development, with an Asia-first orientation and plans to scale further. Jones has described it as a return to something more accessible than today’s elevated luxury prices.
Geopolitics also reshaped the calendar. Riyadh Fashion Week’s fourth edition, scheduled for October 15–20, has been postponed to 2027. Organizers confirmed the delay amid regional tensions and security concerns following Houthi attacks on Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport; no new dates have been set. The move fits a wider pattern of postponed Saudi cultural and entertainment events.
Elsewhere, Miami Fashion Week is underway for its 10th anniversary (October 13–18), and Lakmé Fashion Week is running in New Delhi over the same window, featuring Manish Malhotra’s return and emerging talent. Recent Paris Fashion Week (Spring/Summer 2027) and Fall 2026 collections have highlighted opulent textiles and jacquards, royal purple, refined plaids, sculpted suiting with sheer layering, and a shift toward separates and fluid skirts—while hotter, longer summers continue to pressure traditional seasonal calendars and higher-margin winter goods.
The week’s through-line: established houses face softer demand in key markets, while designers seek autonomy and regional platforms adapt to external shocks.
