Fashion label Perry Ellis sued over alleged racist and homophobic policy

Perry Ellis International, the fashion label named after its gay founder, is being sued over claims that the company’s president demanded that there are “no blacks in my ads” or “anyone who looked too gay”.

The company, which also owns the labels Original Penguin, Ping and Nike Swim, is being sued over an alleged racist and homophobic policy instilled by its president and chief operating officer, Oscar Feldenkreis.

Feldenkreis, who is due to replace his father George Feldenkreis as Perry Ellis’s chief executive early next year, is also accused of telling the plaintiff that he could avoid jury service by “telling them you hate niggers and fags”.

Perry Ellis said it “categorically denies” all the allegations.

The lawsuit, filed in a New York court on Wednesday, is brought on behalf of Joseph Cook, the president of Original Penguin’s wholesale division. Cook, who is gay, claims that he has been “forced to endure highly offensive homophobic, racial and ethnic slurs” from Feldenkreis.

Raf Simons Bids Farewell to Dior

In its second major creative upheaval in the last five years, Christian Dior, the Parisian couture house that is the cornerstone of the LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton luxury empire, announced on Thursday that the artistic director Raf Simons was leaving the brand. No replacement has been named.

According to a statement from Mr. Simons, who is also the founder of a namesake men’s wear brand based in Antwerp, Belgium, the decision was “based entirely and equally on my desire to focus on other interests in my life, including my own brand, and the passions that drive me outside of my work.”

Sidney Toledano, chief executive of Christian Dior Couture, and Bernard Arnault, the chairman of LVMH, thanked Mr. Simons for “his exceptional contribution to the House.”

Kate Lanphear Will Step Down As Maxim EIC

Kate Lanphear's bold experiment atMaxim sounds like it has run its course. The T and ELLE vet and O.G. street-style star is stepping down from her editor-in-chief position, per a release from the magazine. Lanphear has been in the job for a little over a year, and helmed its rebrand as a more fashion-centric title (not to mention its first male cover subject, Idris Elba.) Her last day is November 13.

At the time of the relaunch, Lanpheartold the Cut that she was moving away from the title's pinup roots. "My vision is to show women who will be a partner," she said. "She’s not oiled up on a surfboard, she’s carrying the surfboard to the back of the truck you’re going to go to Montauk in together. That’s the fantasy and the aspiration."

Said publisher Kevin Martinez in a statement, “Kate has played an integral role in evolving the Maxim brand, and we would not be where we are today without her valuable leadership. We wish her all the best.”
 
“Working at Maxim has truly been a rewarding experience,” Lanphear added. “I’m proud of everything all of us at Maxim have accomplished and how far the magazine has come in the past year.”

As for future plans for the magazine, they haven't been revealed yet, but COO Robert Price said, "This fall, we are taking the next step in our evolution and will continue to upgrade the brand across fashion and luxury.” As for Lanphear's next move, that should be interesting to watch.