What can we expect from fashion in 2025?

A lot can change in 24 hours – particularly in fashion. Forget brat, the term ​“musical chairs” ought to be on the list of the most used words last year. Why? Because it’s the only way to describe the industry’s current cohort of creative directors.

One of the most prominent rumors that continued to tap dance across the internet last year was that John Galliano would be exiting Maison Margiela after 10 years as creative director. Indeed, those internet rumblings and after-party whispers were finally put to bed last month. On 11 December, Galliano uploaded a statement to Instagram which read: ​“Today is the day I say goodbye to Maison Margiela. My heart overflows with joyous gratitude, and my soul smiles.” He did little to quell the rumours regarding which house he’s set his sights on next, only noting that ​“when the time is right, all will be revealed”. Such a man of mystery.

This missive from the desk of one of the industry’s greatest provocateurs left fashion fans on the edge of their seats, and caused a domino effect within the industry. Within a hours, a flurry of new fashion announcements appeared: Chanel put an end to rumours of its own following Virginie Viard’s departure in June, appointing Matthieu Blazy as artistic director. Then, Louise Trotter, who revitalised the French label Carven, was named as Matthieu’s replacement in the vacant creative director role at Bottega Veneta.

Now, this is where it gets a little headache-inducing: just days before the Galliano letter, Dries Van Noten promoted Julian Klausner to the role of creative director. Last year also saw Haider Ackermann replace Peter Hawkings as creative director of Tom Ford (which actual Tom Ford had only exited less than a year before), and Sarah Burton, who left Alexander McQueen in 2023, take on the big job at Givenchy. In terms of exits, Kim Jones left Fendi, Hedi Slimane left Celine, and Pierpaolo Piccioli left Valentino, where Alessandro Michele, who left Gucci in November 2022, has since been setting up shop. As 2024 comes to a close, there are many shoes – of varying sizes and styles – still to be filled. And what about Galliano? Who will fill his Tabi-shaped shoes? The designer has, at least, left us with this: ​“Everyone wants to know, and everyone wants to dream.”

As the fashion industry enters a new era – and here’s hoping for a return to real, emotionally resonant fashion (no more ​“quiet luxury” please) – we want to know, we want to dream, and, most importantly, we want to gossip!

While we at THE FACE certainly don’t have all of the answers, we’ve asked your favourite alternative critics and commentators the hard questions: Who’s in, who’s out, and who are we simply not talking enough about? Let’s find out, shall we?