Fashion designer Cynthia Rowley has won the 2025 CFDA Founder’s Award.
The Council of Fashion Designers of America will honor Cynthia Rowley with the 2025 Founder’s Award, presented by Julianne Moore at the CFDA Awards on November 3 in New York. The distinction recognizes Rowley’s lasting influence on American fashion through a career defined by independence, creativity, and a distinct balance of elegance and irreverence. Since founding her label in the 1980s, Rowley has built a global lifestyle brand spanning ready-to-wear, surf and swim, accessories, and home goods, while staging runway shows that double as performance art.
Vivienne Westwood will make its Middle East debut as the opener of Riyadh Fashion Week.
Vivienne Westwood will open Riyadh Fashion Week on October 16 with its first-ever runway show in the Middle East. Staged in a palm grove, the presentation will feature a capsule of embroidered gowns created in collaboration with Art of Heritage, a Saudi institution dedicated to preserving traditional craftsmanship. The pieces, made by local artisans, will appear alongside looks from the house’s spring 2026 and archival collections, underscoring Westwood’s long-standing commitment to artisanal production. The collaboration signals both Riyadh Fashion Week’s growing global stature and a meaningful exchange between British fashion and Saudi cultural heritage.
Ahead of its London opening, Frieze’s new owner has finalized his acquisition of the brand.
Ari Emanuel has finalized his acquisition of Frieze through his newly formed company, Mari, just ahead of Frieze London and Frieze Masters. The purchase encompasses the global art fair network, the Frieze publication, two exhibition spaces, and other lifestyle assets, backed by $2 billion in equity from investors including Apollo, RedBird Capital, and the Qatar Investment Authority. Emanuel and Mark Shapiro will lead Mari, with Frieze CEO Simon Fox remaining in place, ensuring continuity for the art fairs. The move positions Frieze within a broader portfolio of experiential brands, reflecting Emanuel’s focus on live events, culture, and audience engagement.
Aman is taking to the high seas come 2027, with its Amangati cruising vessel.
Aman will launch its first cruise vessel, the Amangati, in Spring 2027, bringing the brand’s signature focus on privacy and elegance to the high seas. The yacht will offer 47 suites designed as spacious, serene retreats, supported by a discreet, attentive onboard team. Guests will sail to destinations including the Mediterranean, Greek Isles, and the Amalfi Coast, combining cultural exploration with the refined Aman resort experience. With its intimate scale and attention to detail, Amangati aims to redefine luxury cruising.
Amtrak’s first new high speed train in 25 years doesn’t seem to be much faster than its predecessor.
Amtrak recently unveiled its NextGen Acela, the first new high-speed train on the Northeast Corridor in 25 years, but its speeds remain similar to the previous model. While the train can reach 160 mph on upgraded track, most trips hit lower speeds due to aging infrastructure, including old catenary wires, bridges, and tunnels. The new trains offer more capacity, improved interiors, and smoother rides, yet travel times between Washington, D.C., New York, and Boston have not meaningfully decreased. Incremental infrastructure upgrades continue, but the corridor’s limitations prevent the Acela from approaching the high-speed performance seen in Europe or Asia.
Today’s attractive distractions:
$7 million for an heiress’ copper hippopotamus? Only if it’s by Les Lalanne.
Would a panel with Martin Scorsese be enough to get you to Comic Con?
Straw animals ‘run’ wild in a field in Japan’s Niigata prefecture—as part of an art festival.
“We had a good time!” One of David Hockney’s sitters recalls being immortalized by the painter.
