Digital Couture Fashion Week debuted online, and Lady Gaga is the new face for Valentino. Find these stories and more as we uncover the top international fashion news of the week.

Couture Fashion Week has begun online. The two-day event featured a wide range of designers, including Chanel, Viktor & Rolf, and Balmain. The latters Creative Director, Olivier Rousteing, used TikTok to showcase the collection along the River Seine although technical issues prevented the full stream. Chanel found inspiration from the late Karl Lagerfeld and his party days from the 80s.

Viktor & Rolf shot a video, titled Change, and showcased three different mindsets. Maison Valentino plans to showcase its Couture collection via a live-streamed performance at Cinecitta Studios in Rome on July 21st. As a teaser before the show, the designer debuted a mini film, directed by fashion photographer, Nick Knight. Christian Dior presented an ethereal-esque film, Le Mythe Dior, directed by Matteo Garrone.

Louis Vuitton is no longer sticking to the regularly scheduled program for menswear, and switching to a seasonless model. In a recent announcement, Virgil Abloh explained that the label would showcase a physical show in Shanghai on August 6th, with Tokyo set to follow.

Were getting rid of the straitjacket the industry has been operating under, Abloh said. This seasonless approach has become more popular amongst large fashion houses, including Gucci, who made the same move in May. This is a new system for the designer, who wants to remove the brand from the status quo.

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the past 4 months of doing perceivably doing nothing gave me a lot of time to think. or Off-White are the concept cars. its the pinnicale place to place my most forward ideas. the film released yesterday is a fashion week offering is a prequel of things to come. its a messages at surface level but its the nuance that foreshadows the future which is the most important part. it describes my start at the house with my motley crew of characters that make up my team. starting from the literal home of Mr. Louis Vuitton where the film starts to my home office on Pont Neuf, then eventually elsewhere. all seasons ive done at LV now collapse in to one, one-long-season, a continual story. the newest isnt necessarily the most valuable just because its new. it also allows the narrative between seasons to be the foundation, not just the event of another fashion show. as the creative head of my studio this film features esteemed black talent. Sa-Ra, REGGIE KNOW, Kamasi Washington, Black Anime and Ibrahim Karma each amplify my vision and showcase the creative impact diversity can have in all industries. that WWD article lays out the vision in detail, but in short ive crafted a new system that abides by my whole new logic about fashion, fashion shows etc. that article spells it out further. on that note Stay there, well come to you film titled Message in a Bottle directed by @virgilabloh c/o @louisvuitton illustrations REGGIKNOW @fashionfigureinc animation BLACK ANIME @BLACKANIMEX music SA-RA @SaRaCreativePartnersinfo @TazArnold @ShafiqHusayn @OmmasKeith @KamasiWashington @ThunderCatmusic @TerranceMartin music director @_BenjiB production @PlayLabInc & @Beg00dStudios

A post shared by @ virgilabloh on Jul 11, 2020 at 8:06am PDT

Tommy Hilfiger is launching a new platform, The Peoples Place. This new initiative aims to advance the representation of Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) within the fashion industry. What is happening to Black communities in the U.S. and around the world has no place in our society, said Hilfiger. The first part of the platform includes a minimum commitment of $5 million per year for funding over the next three years.

The fact that it has continued to exist in our industry is unacceptable. We are far behind where we should be in achieving diverse representation. It shouldnt have taken us this long to acknowledge that, but we are determined and committed to changing it going forward. We will be intentional, fearless, and unwavering in the actions we take. Through the Peoples Place Program, we will use our platform to create opportunities and stand up for what is right, Hilfiger explained.

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Today we are launching the Peoples Place Program, which will seek to advance the representation of black, indigenous and people of color (BIPOC) within the fashion and creative industries. Centering around Partnerships, Career Access and Industry Leadership, an initial minimum commitment of $5 million in annual funding will be made for the next three years. What is happening to Black communities in the US and around the world has no place in our society. The fact that it has continued to exist in our industry overtly and systemically is unacceptable. We are far behind where we should be in achieving diverse representation. It shouldnt have taken us this long to acknowledge that, but we are determined and committed to changing it going forward. We will be intentional, fearless and unwavering in the actions we take. Through the Peoples Place Program, we will use our platform to create opportunities and stand up for what is right. @thomasjhilfiger The program takes its name from Tommy Hilfigers first store which opened in 1969 in his hometown of Elmira, New York. At only 18 years old, Tommy created the Peoples Place as a dedicated space for people from all walks of life to come together to enjoy art, music, fashion and pop culture. Shaped by the cultural revolution of the 1960s, the original store fostered an exchange of ideas, encouraged authentic self-expression and challenged social norms. It is in this spirit that the new Peoples Place Program has been founded and will continue to expand. The program journey starts now, and we will keep you updated as this program evolves. Photo: Larry Stemerman, Peoples Place partner and co-founder, circa 1970

A post shared by Tommy Hilfiger (@tommyhilfiger) on Jul 9, 2020 at 12:00am PDT

Stella McCartney is launching a digital music festival called Stellafest. The event aims to raise money to end violence against women. The musical showcase features artists including Chloe x Halle, Kelis, and Soko.

Artists from our community have come together to create a festival that is truly global using technology and social media to bring the mosh pit onto your mobile, said McCartney. While I was sad not to see Dad and all the other great performers at Glastonbury this year, we have put together an incredible lineup and are raising our voices to end violence against women, a cause more urgent now than ever.

Lady Gaga is the new face for Maison Valentinos perfume. The fragrance is called Voce Viva and is a genderless scent that is meant to celebrate everyones unique voice, style, and self. Lady Gaga means freedom, self-consciousness, pure heart, said Pierpaolo Piccioli, the Creative Director of Maison Valentino. Her participation in this campaign elevates the symbolic power of the project to the highest level. The new fragrance will debut in September.

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Top International Fashion News of the Week | 12.07.20 - The Trend Spotter