Fear of God ESSENTIALS Signs an NBA Deal and Arc'Teryx's Parent Company Reports Major Growth in This Week's Top Fashion News

In this week’s biggest fashion headlines, athletic and lifestyle brands flex healthy growth and monumental partnerships, Japanese brands expand horizons while looking back nostalgically, and innovation comes to the fore with new creative appointments and material applications.

While Amer Sports, the owner of Salomon and Arc'teryx, reports impressive growth, Fear of God ESSENTIALS leans further into its sportswear roots with a multi-year NBA partnership. As BAPE celebrates 20 years of its iconic hoodie with an expansive re-issue, PLEATS PLEASE ISSEY MIYAKE places itself among cutting-edge fashion neighbors in NYC. Crocs is doubling down on creative evolution with the appointment of Steven Smith to an innovation-focussed role, and lastly, Stone Island unveils new applications of its thermosensitive technologies.

Below, Hypebeast has rounded up the top fashion stories of the week so you can stay up to date on trends in the industry.

Amer Sports, the parent company of Salomon, Arc’teryx and Wilson, has released a redemptive Q3 report, rebounding strongly from a lackluster February IPO with major growth across its portfolio. Amer Sports’ latest report showed revenue increasing by 17% year-over-year totaling $1.4 billion–on track with the raised guidance issued in the second quarter. Additionally, the report showed that the company’s net income grew to 257% over the prior year to $56 million, leading toward full-year sales growth between 16-17%.

The company saw outstanding growth in China, where its largest individual shareholder Anta Sports is based. As competitors in the apparel space continue to post varying results towards the year’s close, market trends signals a shift toward hobbyist and activity-based spending rather than luxury for luxury’s sake.

Fear of God, headed by Jeremy Lorenzo has announced a multi-year partnership with the NBA and WNBA under its ESSENTIALS label. In addition to marking a major milestone for the streetwear purveyor, it establishes a new level of collaboration between sports culture and streetwear brands.

On the partnership, Lorenzo said "Sport shapes and informs the emotion, point of view, and the very fabric of what we do and who we are as a brand. Our nuanced understanding of this space and its parallels to fashion are embedded in our DNA. It is truly an honor to embark on a multi-year partnership with the league, collaborating with franchises across the NBA and WNBA."

The first installment of the partnership will celebrate the brand's connection with basketball with an apparel capsule repping the league's many teams including, the Boston Celtics, Chicago Bulls, Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat, New York Knicks, Chicago Sky, Los Angeles Sparks and New York Liberty. Fear of God motifs will appear across the collection, which includes signature silhouettes printed with each team’s monikers.

The forthcoming Fear of God ESSENTIALS x NBA collection will launch on Fear of God starting on November 20 and NBA on November 27.

With names like New Balance, adidas, Reebok, FILA, and Nike on Steven Smith's roster of collaborators over his almost 40-year career, it's no wonder Crocs is tapping him for Head of Creative Innovation. Following his termination by Ye during the adidas YEEZY conflict, Smith will now focus attention on pushing the legendary foam clog brand into the future.

In his new role, Smith will be responsible for designing for both the Crocs brand and sub-label HEYDUDE.  According to the official announcement from Crocs,  the company hopes Smith's creative vision will conceive novel silhouettes and evolve its brands’ distinct design aesthetics. “I have a penchant for taking design to new places and I’m grateful for the opportunity to bring my knowledge and expertise to these storied brands,” Smith shared in a statement. “There is incredible potential to explore new forms and functionalities across the company’s iconic product portfolio and continue pushing boundaries through innovation,” he continued.

To celebrate the 20th anniversary of the coveted streetwear staple, A Bathing Ape will reissue the Shark Full-Zip Hoodie. The first and second editions of the iconic design will be made available in an array of archival colorways and with all the original design details including the face-covering zip hood and the original sharp-toothed mascot.

In a statement, the brand said “This hoodie has always represented the freedom to stand out, brought to life through creativity and Japanese craftsmanship." "The Shark Full-Zip Hoodie is not just a garment; it is a bold reinterpretation of everyday wear and an innovative take on the silhouettes of elevated streetwear,” they continued.

The first-edition Word Gone Mad (WGM) design includes the old FrankenApe design details along with the original woodland camo print across a set of five colorways. Across the back of the hood, the second-edition hoodie features the Point Of No Return (PONR) graphic originating in 2005, and boasts a special thermal lining for the winter months.

Nestled in the Nolita shopping district of Manhattan, PLEATS PLEASE ISSEY MIYAKE has announced the opening of a brand new boutique design by architecture and design firm MOMENT. The store will take up 2,224 square feet on the ground floor of architect Tadao Ando’s first New York City build.

While photos of the finished space aren't available at this time, the space will include steel-plated lighting rails tracking the ceiling and molded resin walls shaped in the style of the Japanese label’s signature pleating process. The retail layout will house glistening white tabletops and clothing railing structures to elegantly showcase merchandise.

To celebrate the new boutique, an exclusive collection of pleated tops, skirts and dresses titled “SOIL & LEAF" will be offered upon opening. The store will open its doors to the public on December 12 at the address below.

PLEATS PLEASE ISSEY MIYAKE New York
14 Kenmare Street
New York, NY 10012

Inspired by satellite images of the Earth, Stone Island has unveiled a collection of winter gear printed with a new “Earth Mapping Camo." The 462E1 Camouflage Nylon Rep Ice Jacket, modeled by photographer Liam Macrae, boasts thermosensitive properties allowing the garment to change appearance depending on the conditions.

The jacket is made with a lightweight nylon rep in two colorways: a beige “Dove Grey” and a blueish “Green Gray.” Once exposed to cool air, the Dove Gray reveals orange undertones, while the Green Gray shows a muted shade of indigo.

The extensive range of additional styles includes cargo pants, half-zip fleeces, down vests, tees and sweatshirts. While the cotton canvas underlayers do not share the color-changing properties of the Ice Jacket, they continue the new camouflage patterns in varying silhouettes.

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