Essence Fashion Digest: Louis Vuitton Men’s Ski Collection 2025, CFDA Announces Fashion Equity Grant, and More – Essence

This fashion week has been full of moments that we want to highlight. To kick things off, Louis Vuitton Menswear launched its Ski 2025 collection, getting consumers excited about the fashion that this year’s winter sports will bring. Next, the CFDA and Google launched their Fashion Equity Fellowship, supporting brands Area, Collina Strada and Diotima in preparing their upcoming New York Fashion Week collections.

Additionally, Chanel officially named Academy Award winner Lupita Nyong’o as its new brand ambassador after a relationship spanning over a decade. Finally, Michael Rider returns to Céline as new artistic director.

Keep scrolling for this week’s fashion highlights.

Louis Vuitton launches its 2025 ski collection for men

Pharrell Williams has added his unique touch to the brand, which includes his LVERS signature. In its new collection, Louis Vuitton offers ski clothing that transcends the slopes.

“Developed according to the technical principles of ski wear, the performance garments are waterproof and windproof and feature functional details such as ski pass holders, interior goggle pockets and ventilation zips under the arms and thighs,” according to a press release.

Designed with durable materials to perfectly complement the LVERS lifestyle, it combines functionality and fit, offering customers a full range of comfort and style on and off the slopes. It includes a shearling jacket, wool coats, trendy knits, ski pants, durable boots and much more. The capsule includes the Damier and Monogram patterns in shades of orange, gray, black and white.

The Louis Vuitton Ski 2025 collection for men will be available in stores from October 18.

CFDA and Google announce equity exchange

The CFDA announced its Fashion Equity Fellowship in partnership with Google. Selected brands include Area, Collina Strada and Diotima. Each designer will work closely with the Google team to prepare their Fall/Winter 2025 presentations and will receive a $50,000 grant. The program focuses on ideation, user testing and marketing UX, as well as leadership and storytelling.

“The Fashion Equity Fellowship with Google is a testament to our mission and an extension of CFDA’s long-standing work in the social impact space,” CFDA CEO Steven Kolb said in a statement. “We are excited to support exceptional American design talent and help them continue to innovate in the field of inclusive design. Thanks to this important grant, they will learn to continue to integrate the lived experiences of an important clientele into their designs and displays.

Chanel appoints Lupita Nyong’o as new ambassador

Chanel has officially announced its new brand ambassador, Lupita Nyong’o. The award-winning actress has enjoyed a strong relationship with the legendary fashion house for over a decade. She recently attended their Spring/Summer 2025 ready-to-wear show.

“They were among my first supporters,” says Lupita. WWD. “I remember wearing them as early as 2013, right when my first film, ’12 Years a Slave,’ came out. And over the years, they often invited me to things and treated me with wonderful hands. So when they contacted me to become an ambassador, I felt very honored.

Michael Rider announced as new artistic director of Céline

After nearly seven years as creative director at Céline, Hedi Slimane and the house are parting ways after a successful career, according to WWD. The French fashion house officially announced this news on Wednesday.

Michael Rider will succeed Slimane, whose mandate will begin in early 2025. Rider returns to Céline after serving as ready-to-wear design director from 2008 to 2018 under the house’s former creative director Phoebe Philo. Rider also served as creative director of Polo Ralph Lauren and senior designer at Balenciaga from 2004 to 2008.

Rider to the meeting: “Céline is a house with values ​​that are close to my heart and a beautiful heritage on which to build. I am honored to return and shape the future of the house with the Céline team.