Welcome back to On Thread, our monthly fashion news series detailing all the important fashion industry moves, collections, and collaborations you need to know about. True to form, the shortest month of the year brings with it fresh collaborations, brand ambassador appointments, AND (!!!) new developments in the creative director stakes. Naturally, we’re back with all the February 2026 fashion news you need to know, from the new creative director at a certain Italian luxury fashion house to the introduction of new handbag styles.
February 2026 fashion news
Welcome back to the February 2026 edition of On Thread. Here, you’ll find all the fashion news worth knowing in February 2026. To ensure you stay across what has the tendency to be a rapidly shifting industry, we’ll be updating On Thread daily in reverse chronological order, meaning you’ll always find the newest news on top.
Pieter Mulier is the new creative director of Versace
It’s a full circle moment for Pieter Mulier. After five years at the helm of Alaïa, Mulier has been announced as the new creative director of Versace. The appointment follows the departure of Dario Vitale, who exited the brand in December 2025 after a single collection in September.
Prior to his role as creative director of Alaïa—succeeding the late Azzedine Alaïa who passed away in 2017—Mulier was Raf Simons’ right hand man, beginning his career with the Belgian designer as an intern in 2002 and rising the ranks to become head designer by 2003. For almost two decades, Mulier followed Simons across his postings at Dior, Calvin Klein, and Jil Sander. Simons has been the co-creative director of Prada (alongside Miuccia Prada) since 2020, and with the Prada Group now owning Versace, Mulier’s appointment makes sense in more ways than one.
Mulier has been widely recognised for bringing commercial success to Alaïa, while honouring the vision of its late founder. It’s this mix of commerciality and artistry that appealed to Versace chairman and Prada Group heir Lorenzo Bertelli. “When we considered the Versace acquisition, we identified Pieter Mulier as the right person for the brand,” said Bertelli in a statement. “We believe that he can truly unlock Versace’s full potential and that he will be able to engage in a fruitful dialogue with the brand’s strong legacy. We are excited to begin this journey together.”
Mulier will commence his role as creative director of Versace on the 1st of July, 2026.
The only lingering question — who will take over the reins at Alaïa?
Zendaya joins Louis Vuitton’s monogram anniversary celebrations
Louis Vuitton continues to celebrate the 130th anniversary of its monogram canvas. Last month, the debut campaign put the spotlight on the Keepall, Alma, Speedy, Noé, and Neverfull, while introducing a new Monogram Anniversary Collection. This month, Louis Vuitton ambassador Zendaya celebrates her relationship with the Speedy, a style from the 1930s which was first executed in monogram canvas in 1959, in images captured by photographer Glen Luchford.
The Dior Cigale bag is a ladylike icon in the making
Dior has introduced a new handbag style; conceived by creative director Jonathan Anderson, the Cigale bag interprets the maison’s archives through a contemporary lens. Referencing La Cigale, a gown created by Christian Dior for Fall/Winter 1952, the Cigale bag is a ladylike style that transposes the sharply structured skirt and dainty bow of the dress it’s named after into handbag form. The rigid skirt and cinched waist of Le Cigale—French for ‘cicada’—are rendered in supple leather and punctuated with minimalistic gold-toned hardware that encircles the bow. The Cigale bag joins icons like the aptly named Lady Dior and the trendy Saddle bag.
Valentino appoints Sombr as brand ambassador
Valentino has announced Sombr as its newest brand ambassador. The Grammy-nominated singer, songwriter, and producer first wore Valentino as a brand ambassador at this year’s Grammy Awards, with his appointment in line with the maison’s continued dialogue with individuals who shape contemporary culture. According to Valentino, Sombr was selected for his exploration of “the concepts of individuality, confidence and contemporaneity through an intuitive approach to style that goes beyond trends.”
“I am so excited and honoured to be joining Maison Valentino as a brand ambassador,” said Sombr. “I love fashion and I have the deepest respect both for the vision of Alessandro Michele and the legacy of the great Valentino Garavani. This legendary and forward-thinking fashion house has inspired me with their incredible collections and custom designs.”
Sophie Wilde and Ever Anderson join Dior as ambassadors
Dior has appointed two new ambassadors, Sophie Wilde and Ever Anderson. Australian actress Sophie Wilde gained attention for her breakthrough roles in Eden and You Don’t Know Me, with her later performances in Talk to Me and Boy Swallows Universe garnering her an AACTA Award and a Logie, respectively. Wilde is set to appear in Alejandro G. Iñárritu’s new film alongside Tom Cruise and Riz Ahmed, and was selected as a Dior ambassador for her magnetic elegance.
Emerging young actress Ever Anderson—daughter of Milla Jovovich—first rose to prominence for her role in Black Widow, before playing Wendy Darling in Peter Pan & Wendy. Recognised as one of the most promising talents of her generation, Anderson was selected as a Dior ambassador for her embodiment of a contemporary vision of femininity.
Both Wilde and Anderson’s appointments as Dior ambassadors under creative director Jonathan Anderson are emblematic of the maison’s ongoing commitment to the seventh art. The duo join the likes of 070 Shake, Florence Hunt, Mia Goth, Taylor Russell, Mikey Madison, and Greta Lee as ambassadors.
Nadine Ijewere photographs Cecilie Bahnsen Pre-Fall 2026 campaign
Danish fashion label Cecilie Bahnsen has released its Pre-Fall 2026 campaign. Shot by British photographer Nadine Ijewere, the campaign takes shape in an intimate series of portraits that explore the ritual of getting dressed. Rather than capture the finished product, models are shot in transitory moments; adjusting and tying the label’s signature bows, taking a contemplative moment of respite, and sharing a laugh.
“The campaign draws on the intimacy of childhood rituals, dressing in your Sunday best, the quiet moments before stepping into the world,” explains Cecilie Bahnsen, founder of her eponymous label. “Nadine captures that in‑between feeling, the imperfection before completion. There’s a softness in her gaze that feels both dreamlike and grounded.”
The campaign imagery takes on an intimate, gauzy tone, almost reminiscent of The Virgin Suicides, with the softness of the portraits aligned with the feminine collection.
ECCO and Natacha Ramsay-Levi get technical
Danish footwear brand ECCO has kicked off the sixth edition of its ongoing collaboration with Parisian designer Natacha Ramsay-Levi, marking the duo’s most technical collection to date. Blending performance engineering with Ramsay-Levi’s flair for striking colourways and design, the new ECCO Biom 720 (the name nods to the shoe’s 720-degree airflow system) is built to offer all-day comfort through flexibility, breathability, and cushioning, as well as responsive bounce. The ECCO Biom 720 arrives in audacious colourways like mocha/chilli red and gravel/lime punch.
The collection will be available via the ECCO webstore from the 11th of February 2026.
Monika Ruggerino manifests luck in the Year of the Horse
Charmed, I’m sure. Australian fine jewellery label Monika Ruggerino has introduced its new Lucky Charm design in celebration of the Year of the Horse. Arriving in yellow gold, the horseshoe silhouette is adorned with pavé-set Burmese rubies. The contours of the horseshoe delicately transition into a hand-engraved ring band, with a heart-shaped diamond and four-leaf clover visible from the side profile at the tips of the horseshoe. The inscription “I make my own luck…” is engraved on the inner side of the horseshoe, serving as a reminder to the ring’s wearer.
Explore Lucky Charm via Monika Ruggerino.
Mulberry introduces the Boston bag
Mulberry has introduced a new style into its lineup. Inspired by the British luxury handbag brand’s archives, the Boston is a streamlined, rectilinear style designed with modern lives in mind. Crafted from soft, heavy-grain leather, it arrives in two sizes—Boston (35cm wide) and Small Boston (24cm wide)—and subtly plays into both the popular east-west bag and bowling bag trends, while boasting a relatively timeless design language. The handles are finished with equestrian-inspired buckle detailing and bear a dainty Mulberry Tree medallion.
The standard Boston is designed to be worn over the shoulder and is capacious enough to fit all one’s daily essentials (and a little extra), while the Small Boston is intended for top handle or over-the-arm carry. Both sizes are available in four shades—Bright Oak, Chalk, Black, and Fern—with the larger Boston also presented in a textured Vintage Oak Suede.
Pieter Mulier exits Alaïa
At the tail end of last month, it was announced that Pieter Mulier was leaving Alaïa, with his final collection set to show in Paris in March. Pieter Mulier has been the creative director of Alaïa since 2021, becoming the first creative director of the maison since Azzedine Alaïa’s passing in 2017. Mulier was instrumental in spearheading the return of the maison, with the revived brand becoming a celebrity favourite, worn by the likes of Rihanna and Zendaya. Notable designs by Mulier include the Le Teckle, an east-west handbag style, and a varied roster of body-conscious gowns with architectural details.
“We sincerely thank Pieter for his vision and commitment, writing an important chapter in the ongoing evolution of the maison,” said Myriam Serrano, CEO of Alaïa, in a statement. “Over the past five years, Pieter and the exceptional team he led have shaped Alaïa’s creative renewal, honouring its heritage and strengthening the maison’s relevance, confidence, and global recognition.”
Want to stay abreast of all the new and noteworthy developments in the fashion world? Find all our fashion news coverage here and catch up on previous editions of On Thread below:
