Welcome to Who What Wear UK’s Luxury News Bulletin, a monthly roundup of anything and everything happening in the world of luxury. Whether it’s a covetable collaboration between two leading design houses, an anticipated new store or a five-star resort opening on the other side of the world, you can bet that if it’s on our radar, we’ll make sure it's on yours too. Stay tuned…
Hello! Welcome to the latest instalment of the Who What Wear UK Luxury News Bulletin. February has been a hugely busy month as per, with fashion month making a big impact on our editor's diaries (shows! Press days! Dinners!). There's so much going on. There are new sushi restaurants in Paris—if you're heading there for fashion week, be sure to take note—along with sneaker collaborations, art news and exhibitions opening in London, as well as some very exciting beauty launches. It’s been a busy few weeks in fashion, beauty and lifestyle, so scroll on for everything you need to know.
PRADA PRESENTS TEN PROTAGONISTS BY OTTESSA MOSHFEGH
For the spring/summer 2025 Acts Like Prada campaign, Prada has commissioned American author Ottessa Moshfegh to create Ten Protagonists, a collection of short stories. Moshfegh—who has published six novels, including the Booker-Prize nominated Eileen—is known for her layered, complicated female characters. In this work, her 10 protagonists have been characterised by actress Carey Milligan and photographed by Steven Meisel. A limited-edition Prada publication will be created, showcasing these stories, each a different "Pradapersonae" brilliantly formed by Moshfegh’s words and Mulligan’s depictions and lensed by Meisel.
THE FACE MAGAZINE: CULTURE SHIFT
A highly anticipated exhibition that showcases portraits featured in the trailblazing magazine The Face is now open at the National Portrait Gallery in London. Culture Shift showcases iconic covers, documentary-film shorts and over 200 prints by 80 photographers from the magazine's initial stint between 1980-2004, as well as memorable features and portraits since its re-opening in 2019. The exhibition explores how the '80s, '90s and '00s were shaped by the publication.
With photography from David Sims, Corinne Day, Juergen Teller, David LaChapelle and more of the most internationally renowned artists and actors, the expansive exhibition feels like a short course in counterculture. If you are at all interested in fashion, film, music, politics and the UK club scene, seeing it here through the eyes of founder Nick Logan and his zeitgeisty publication's network is a must. The exhibition is open now and will run until 18 May 2025, with a collection of merchandise on sale in the museum exhibition store. Be sure to book ahead.
National Portrait Gallery, St. Martin's Pl, London WC2H 0HE
LOEWE CRAFT PRIZE ANNOUNCES ITS SHORTLIST
The Loewe Foundation has announced its shortlist of artists for the prestigious Craft Prize for 2025. The finalists' works will be exhibited at Thyssen-Bornemisza National Museum in the brand’s hometown of Madrid between 30 May and 29 June 2025, and features an array of work in different mediums such as ceramics, glass, lacquer and woodwork, as well as traditional craft techniques such as weaving, basketry and clay. The 30 finalists have been shortlisted by a panel of experts from an impressive 4600 entrants from over 133 countries. The Craft Prize was launched in 2016 as an ode to the brand's history as a collective craft workshop established in 1846.
SELFRIDGES WELCOMES ISAMAYA BEAUTY
Run, don't walk—Isamaya French's beauty line ISAMAYA has launched its highly anticipated Core collection in Selfridges. The international makeup artist, who has worked with Bella Hadid, Rihanna, Madonna and a series of luxury brands and publications, launched her brand in 2022. The Core products promise to protect the skin as well as sculpt the face and feature high-performing, multi-functional formulas that bring a fresh approach to contemporary makeup that feels both natural yet editorial.
Stand out products include Colour Correcting Serum, 5-Point Lift, which offers an illuminating alternative to concealer and Face Glaze; the gel-balm that helps create a glass-like glow, as well as a wide collection of lip balms, glosses, cream blushes and highlighter duos, which all help create a dewy, hydrated and fresh look.
ASICS X CECILIE BAHNSEN (AGAIN)
Sneakerheads, rejoice! Another ASICS x CECILIE Bahnsen collaboration has dropped, and this time, it’s giving us two iterations of the Gel-Terrain MT. Both are in a mid-top height, and one features a shiny quilted upper with delicate floral embroidery and a neoprene sock, whilst the other has a striking TPU rain cover and is layered with floral TPU patches that allow the silver ASICS Tiger Stripes to peek through. The styles will be available in dark blue and silver and bridge the gap between femininity and functionality. The global release for the sneakers is 28 February.
SAINT LAURENT OPENS SUSHI PARK PARIS
After a series of expansions for Saint Laurent—including store renovations and new bricks-and-mortar locations—the House has now delved into the culinary world, bringing L.A. haunt Sushi Park to the French capital. The much-loved Japanese restaurant was opened in 2006 by chef Peter Park and is known for its omakase and other classic Japanese dishes. A favourite of creative director Anthony Vaccerello, if you’re headed to Paris Fashion Week and are in the mood for sushi, you should try and negotiate yourself a reservation.
Sushi Park Paris, 8 Rue du 29 Juillet, 75001 Paris
OSKIA LAUNCHES SPA RESIDENCY AT COWLEY MANOR
The sublimely chic Cowley Manor Experimental hotel just became even more inviting. Welcoming a spa residency from "nutri-cosmeceutical" beauty brand Oskia, its spa menu is dedicated to Oskia’s results-driven approach, combining specialist massage techniques, equipment, acupressure and reflex and lymph drainage, as well as gentle enzyme and AHA peels. The treatment menu will be available at the hotel’s C-Side Spa, a postmodern building carved out of the land and flanked by two pools.
Cowley Manor, Cowley, Cheltenham, GL53 9NL
