BUTTERFLY EFFECT | ISSUE 06
A year in review—these are the stories that sent ripples through the fabrics and shifted the seams…
The Quietest Quake of the Year
In what was perhaps the quietest seismic shift of the year, Anna Wintour passed her coveted golden gavel to Chloé Malle. Malle, former editor of Vogue.com, makes her well-heeled ascent to Head of Editorial Content for American Vogue, while Wintour remains Condé Nast’s Chief Content Officer, overseeing all global editions.
Thus, the goddess retains control—just from a higher throne.
Not an abdication, nor even a step down, just a stiletto-clad sidestep into a higher orbit. Wintour glides gracefully over, still maintaining a firm hold of the reins. American Vogue, once the sun around which all others orbited, now becomes one of many planets in her carefully charted system.
Malle enters with pedigree and polish—daughter of Candice Bergen, with a sharp eye, enviable connections, and an editorial voice honed under Wintour’s own roof. The transition was so smooth, so tactful, so quiet, that if you blinked, you might have missed the tremor entirely.
But make no mistake: this was the passing of a torch—and the kindling of a new fire. Long hail the goddess and her heir apparent.
One Billion of Everything Really Good
Less than three years after launching, Hailey Bieber sold her eponymous line, Rhode Skin, to e.l.f. Beauty for a reported 1 billion dollars—quite an astounding feat for the model cum influencer. Bieber will continue on as Founder and will serve as Rhode’s Chief Creative Officer and Head of Innovation, acting as Strategic Advisor to both companies.
Rhode—much beloved by CbC—built on Hailey’s “one of everything really good” motto, features intentional, well-honed, effective skincare and makeup. A seemingly odd pair—e.l.f. is known for affordable mass beauty; Rhode is rooted in minimalism, prestige and aspiration—their union invites tension between accessibility and curation. The result? Buzz, and lots of it.
Will that buzz be enough to propel continued growth for Rhode? That remains to be seen—first quarter sales showed a decline—but don’t count Hailey out. She created an empire in less time than it takes many brands to find a logo. For Hailey, curation is power. Restraint is luxury. And the rest of us? We’re falling in line.
Give this beauty credit where it is much deserved. Less than three years from launch to billion-dollar valuation is impressive—to say the least. Is this the new model of influence?
Haters, stand down. Hailey—she’s smiling with peptide-infused lips all the way to the bank…
A Poetic Pivot, If Ever There Was One
Chanel—no shade (well, maybe a little parasol), but frankly, she was starting to feel old—a little staid, a little expected. But hold your horses, don’t put this filly out to pasture yet. This fall, Mattieu Blazy, new creative director of the house, fresh in the saddle, blazed in and brought Chanel squarely back into the winner’s circle.
With a long-overdue infusion of color, joy, and craft, Blazy elevated the house with an invigorating perspective and brand-new outlook. He injected pieces that undulated with movement and life, details that sang, and colors that pulsed. Blazy commandeered New York’s subway this fall for his second well-acclaimed show, andd he came out swinging in silks and sequins.
Blazy? He didn’t just enter the race. He bolted.
And Chanel? No longer grazing in the pastures of prestige—she’s charging ahead, sleek and wild. Catch her if you can.
And so 2025 flutters out with a quiet ripple.
2026? We’re waiting in the wings to see what you have in store for us.
And frankly? We can’t wait.