These are the stories making headlines in fashion on Monday.

Pattern reunites ‘Girlfriends’ cast for first TV commercial

Tracee Ellis Ross reunited the “Girlfriends” cast — Ross, Golden Brooks, Jill Marie Jones and Persia White — to star in Pattern’s first brand commercial. Directed by Child, the commercial takes place in a lounge, where “Curltender” Ross serves customized product cocktails featuring Pattern’s bestsellers. 

Prada responds to the Sandal Scandal

Prada has publicly acknowledged the Indian inspiration behind its newest sandals, days after the footwear received backlash when they first appeared on the Men’s Spring 2026 runway during Milan Fashion Week. The Italian Maison offended Indian artisans by describing the footwear as “leather sandals” despite featuring braiding detailing similar to traditional Kolhapuri slippers. In response to the controversy, the company stated it will always champion craftsmanship and culture and would like to set up meetings with local Indian artisans moving forward. {Reuters}

Roberto Cavalli CEO to exit

Roberto Cavalli CEO Sergio Azzolari is exiting the brand after a nearly three-year run at the helm. His resignation comes as the brand’s owner, Damac Group, is reportedly searching for a new investor and strategic collaborator to help turn around sales. Azzolari will exit in August while the company searches for his successor. {Business of Fashion/paywalled}

Why brands are turning to tariff engineering

More brands are relying on tariff engineering — changing a product’s characteristics to minimize import tariff duties — as a way to alleviate the impact of tariff hikes. But while it’s an effective cost-saving practice, brands are at risk of regulatory scrutiny and product integrity. Plus, most smaller brands don’t have the resources or capital to engage in tariff engineering. {Modern Retail/paywalled}

What’s driving the beauty founder-to-guru pipeline?

A wave of beauty founders are transitioning into self-help and business gurus. They’re offering their first-hand experience as advice on how to run a brand, and even partnering with other business owners to boost joint advice. The goal for many of these founders is to develop this turn to gurudom as a successful, solo venture — separate from their businesses.  However, this “mentorship” can sometimes come at a steep financial cost, plus, many labels still rely on their founders for brand image. {Business of Fashion/paywalled}

How Condé Nast’s spectacle of excess collapsed

Decades ago, Condé Nast used to be the ultimate illusion of affluence and inspiration, and had the budget to bankroll it. Now, its veil of excess has collapsed as the company is riddled with budget cuts, has eliminated print editions, enacted magazine mergers, offers fewer staff perks and has taken on numerous other cost-saving measures. “Today, the company is a husk of its former self. Many of its magazines have closed or been riddled by layoffs; its authority has been all but demolished by the web,” The New York Times‘s Michael M. Grynbaum wrote. Even so, the company has maintained its cultural relevance among the masses and is trying to recalibrate its business strategy by betting on digital-first content and in-person events. {The New York Times/paywalled}

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