2025 was the year of the reset. Whether it was the September (and October) to remember, with 15 designer debuts; an unprecedented uptick in exciting M&A deals, from Elf’s $1 billion Rhode acquisition to Prada’s purchase of Versace; or a return to our childhoods with Labubu-mania, this year changed the fashion and beauty industries.
The global luxury market lost about 50 million customers in 2024, so at Vogue Business, we began the year by putting together the Luxury Slowdown Survival Guide, a series of articles to help the industry navigate the rocky waters. From consumer perceptions of the slowdown and their spending habits to tackling pricing and marketing, this series set the scene for a tumultuous 2025.
An area where people kept spending this year? Tweakments and plastic surgery. Our top-read story this year reveals how people are now investing in their faces rather than just their closets. We delved much deeper into this topic in our Future of Appearance package, which investigated what we might look like in 20 years — touching on everything from the futuristic products and plastic surgeries of tomorrow to the impact on sustainability and our planet.
And through our Vogue Business 100 Innovators: Class of 2025, we shone a light on those seeking to change the fashion and beauty industries from the inside.
Our most-read stories this year encompass all of these topics and more — with two seasons of womenswear predictions making the most-read list, along with Olivier Rousteing’s departure from Balmain and our second Gen Z Broke the Marketing Funnel report in partnership with Archrival. Each article represents topics that got the industry talking, as well as what Vogue Business continues to deliver on our new Vogue.com home: key insights on what’s shaping the future of fashion and beauty.
We already have a packed line-up for you in 2026, but for now, enjoy looking back on the most-read Vogue Business stories of 2025. And don’t forget to become a Vogue Business Member to enjoy all of these pieces uninterrupted.
In January, Nateisha Scott looked into the rise of the ‘undetectable’ aesthetic, thanks to a surge of treatments, cost challenges and skincare innovations.
As the Labubu toy trend reaches a fever pitch, Vogue Business spoke to fans and brand experts in April to unpack our fascination with childish goods.
In the industry’s biggest deal in years, Rhode, the beauty brand founded by Hailey Bieber, announced that it was being acquired by Elf for $1 billion.
2025 was a confusing time for luxury — for those operating in it and those shopping for it. However, the Vogue Business Index, published in March this year, found glimmers of hope. This was the top 10 brands leading the charge.
After 14 years, Rousteing, the first Black creative director ever appointed to lead a French maison, stepped down from Balmain. His successor, Antonin Tron, was announced a week later.
Blackpink was one of the most powerful girl groups in the world this year. As its stars break out individually, Vogue Business broke down their impact on fashion.
2024 was the year of the fleeting trend. But as micro-trend fatigue set in, brands were aligning with cultural moods in ways that felt authentic, so Amy Francombe declared this the year of the vibe.
The protein obsession sweeping the wellness and beauty sector shows no signs of slowing. In May, Mary Cleary spoke to Khloé Kardashian about the launch of her new protein popcorn Khloud.
From castlecore to aquatic influence and 50 shades of brown, Lucy Maguire gave her predictions ahead of the FW25 womenswear season.
As Donald Trump’s second term began, José Criales-Unzueta broke down First Lady Melania Trump’s relationship with fashion, particularly American designers, as she returned to the White House.
Aside from the films, Cannes offers an arena for brands to tell stories of their own. Boosted by a strong showing of stars, we highlighted which luxury players came out on top.
For the SS26 season, Lucy Maguire reported that the pendulum was swinging to more quirky, maximalist fashion as consumers pursued individualism with styling, prints, textures and accessories.
Madeleine Schulz spoke to CEO Danny Harris about how the athleisure brand is transitioning to luxury — and why he’s confident consumers will swap their Chanel for Alo.
