THE BUTTERFLY EFFECT | ISSUE 07
The quietest of ripples
This week marked a pause in fashion—the hush between Christmas past and NYE.Unless, of course, your name was Saks… or Marc Metrick.
Land Ho—Man Overboard
Saks must’ve been in Times Square this New Year’s Eve—because the ball?
They dropped it.
Fresh off raising billions in debt and investor capital to acquire the Neiman Marcus Group, Saks sold the land beneath Neiman Marcus Beverly Hills to real estate developer Ben Ashkenazy for roughly $100 million. Ashkenazy is now Neiman’s new landlord—a convenient arrangement, considering Saks had a $120 million loan due December 31.
It seemed like a neat solution for Marc Metrick, CEO of Saks, Neiman Marcus, and Bergdorf Goodman.
But in true Metrick fashion—much like his approach to paying vendors—Saks defaulted.
Now, with a potential Chapter 11 looming, the world of luxury retail drifts into murky waters. What does this mean for Saks? A likely restructuring. But will their unpaid vendors remain loyal—or will they tether their anchors elsewhere? And what ripple effect might this have on other department store models like Bloomingdale’s, Nordstrom, Net-a-Porter, and Mytheresa?
Brick and mortar isn’t dead—but it is morphing.
Some stores will adapt. Others may quietly go under.
And Ashkenazy? He may need to take a number—rent collection just got crowded.
As for Metrick? As of Friday, he’s jumped ship—and is swimming with the fishies—leaving incoming successor Richard Baker with the oars and the playbook turned to Chapter 11…
A New Look for Dior
While the industry napped between Christmas and New Year’s, Dior brushed off the snow and emerged from her cocoon.
On January 2nd, Dior boutiques, social channels, and its website shifted to reflect Jonathan Anderson’s vision. His debut collection begins trickling in-store—ushering in a new chapter for the house.
But this change is more than seasonal—it’s symbolic, structural, and sharply visual.
Expect denim, sculptural silhouettes, and a recalibrated brand vernacular. Accessories will reportedly hit shelves first, with ready-to-wear soon to follow.
That emerald green Lady Dior?
She’s calling my name…
Fashion, it seems, is waking early.
And at CBC? We’re here for it—though we might hit snooze once or twice.
Pin It All on 2026
Pinterest—ever the busy beaver—just released her trend forecast for 2026.
What’s trending on her moodboard?
• Vintage brooches—We’ve been loving these for a while (read: we were early to the party).
• All things glacier & icy-blue—The Violet Drift might’ve whispered first.
• Decadence—Think sculpted shoulders (strong enough to shame the ‘80s), funnel necks, chunky gold.
• Khaki-core—A crisp wink at Banana Republic, safari-coded nostalgia.
• Lace accessories—Collars, bandanas, belts; delicate but with intention
• Gothic Romanticism—A nod to Chanel Vamp and cinematic opulence.
• Scent stacking—We accept the mission—wrists locked and loaded.
• Wilderkind—Forest-floor fashion: fawn prints, butterfly wings, and fox-coded fits (Yes. We definitely raised an eyebrow…)
Pinterest’s list?
Topsy-turvy. Unpredictable.
But damn good anyway.
We bow to the beaver—
May she be slightly more accurate than her cousin, the groundhog.