Plus, Lacoste replaces its crocodile logo with endangered species.
Margot Robbie in Miu Miu, styled by Kate Young, at the SAG Awards. Photo: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images
These are the stories making headlines in fashion on Friday.
Celebrity stylists on dressing the Best Actress Oscar nominees
As we gear up for the Oscars this weekend, WWD sat down with top celebrity stylists – Elizabeth Saltzman, Kate Young and Micaela Elanger — who are dressing Best Actress nominees Saoirse Ronan, Margot Robbie and Meryl Streep, respectively, to talk about how the #MeToo and Time’s Up movements have impacted red carpet dressing and how they will play into the Oscars. These best-dressed wardrobe architects also discuss getting into styling and their upcoming projects. {WWD}
Gap shares rise as Old Navy sales soar
Just when you thought Old Navy might be slipping through the mall cracks, parent company Gap Inc. revealed that its fourth quarter earnings and revenue topped analysts’ expectations. Old Navy’s same-store sales rose 9 percent during the holiday season, beating a 3.4-percent increase forecast by research firm Consensus Metrix, which helped Gap Inc.’s shares rise by almost 12 percent in extended trading. {Bloomberg}
Lacoste replaces crocodile logo with endangered species
Lacoste is ditching its iconic crocodile logo in a bid to raise awareness for endangered species: In partnership with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the French tennis brand will release a limited-edition capsule of 10 shirts embroidered with different animals who are currently at risk of extinction. The number of shirts produced will be limited to each critter’s population size, and profits from the collaboration will benefit the IUCN as it works to ensure the survival of the at-risk animal breeds. {Hypebeast}
What Dior’s feminist message means in China
Maria Grazia Chiuri‘s feminist message for Dior speaks to the Time’s Up and #MeToo movements of the Western hemisphere, but what effect has it had on Chinese consumers? Since identifying as feminist in China is particularly rare given the country’s historically patriarchal society, Jing Daily predicts Dior’s politically charged range won’t resonate in the Chinese market. {Jing Daily}
Levi’s to replace workers with lasers
Levi‘s is partnering with a Spanish industrial laser specialist to develop new methods of processing its jeans with lasers. This new project will enable the denim company to create its signature distressed and washed styles with laser technology, as opposed to human workers. In doing this, Levi’s also hopes to cut down on chemical waste and to eliminate the labor-intensive, and sometimes toxic, finishing work undertaken by its employees. {Hypebeast}
Nordstrom’s fourth-quarter profits missed the mark
Nordstrom Inc. is struggling to stay afloat amidst the industry-wide department store slump, and so far its efforts to go private have not yet materialized. The company reported sales and profits Thursday that did not meet expectations for the fourth quarter. Its shares dropped nearly four percent in extended trading. In addition, its profit margins narrowed and overhead expenses grew. {Business of Fashion}
