Fashion mapper

In recent months, the fashion industry has been hit by a wave of authentic revolution. Long gone are the days when creative directors stayed at the top of a fashion house for over twenty years, becoming synonymous with the brand itself. In an era dominated by the internet and the social media’s speed, we are witnessing more and more to sensational farewells. The first in January 2015: Frida Giannini abandons her position at Gucci after more than 10 years, giving way to her right-hand man – Alessandro Michele – that will revolutionise the brand’s aesthetic in a surprising way, creating an unprecedented momentum in the Florentine brand’s profits. The soap opera continues with Alexander Wang’s departure from Balenciaga in July 2015, replaced a few months later by Demna Gvasalia (already Vetements’ creative director) and Raf Simons, who says goodbye to Dior after only three years, without even waiting for the end of his four-year contract. 

The industry is upset, wondering how an environment seemingly so perfect can hide such deep malaise. But this is only the beginning of a long series of arrivals and departures: Alber Elbaz parts ways with Lanvin after nearly 14 years, Massimiliano Giornetti leaves Ferragamo after 15 years and Hedi Slimane abandons Saint Laurent, the brand he shaped so much that he changed its name, bringing on the catwalk androgynous models that were basically his alter egos. A few days later, Francisco Costa and Italo Zucchelli leave Calvin Klein, a position that will later be covered by Simons. 

The tokens are mixed relentlessly: Anthony Vaccarello leaves Versus Versace (before closing its namesake brand, a few days ago) to become Saint Laurent’s creative director. Maria Grazia Chiuri says goodbye to Valentino in favour of Dior (becoming the first woman at the helm of the House), Bouchra Jarrar replaces Elbaz at Lanvin, Jonathan Saunders takes over Diane Von Furstenberg, while Karl Lagerfeld shows up at the end of Chanel's show in Cuba wearing a shiny jacket designed by Slimane: a clue the designer will be his heir?

Fashion is nowadays a fragile and fragmented landscape, where plot twists seem to have no end – see Haider Ackermann's appointment at Berluti and Arthur Arbesser's farewell to Iceberg just a few days ago.

If you are confused by this rapid swirl of events, don’t despair. Our graphic designer Marcello Pisano decided to help you by giving life to a virtual city where every building is a (fashion) house, and its inhabitants are, of course, your favorite designers.