Fashion News Alert: Former Macy’s Employee Amasses Millions in Expenses, Kate Moss Partners with Zara, and Hearst’s Massive Layoffs

There have been massive layoffs at Hearst publications; 175 staff layoffs to be exact across its fashion and publishing teams. These layoffs include staffers at Harper’s Bazaar, Elle, Cosmopolitan, Esquire, Delish, Good Housekeeping, HGTV Magazine, Woman’s Day, and Bicycling, 25 publications to be exact, all chalked up to extreme budget cuts at Hearst.

“After a thorough review of our business, we’ve decided to reallocate resources to better support our goals and continue our focus on digital innovation while strengthening our best in class print products. We will scale back in areas that do not support our core strategy and will eliminate certain positions as we reimagine our team structures to drive long-term growth,” Debi Chirichella, president of Hearst Magazines, said in a memo to employees. 

A plethora of editors, managers, and publicists have taken to social media to comment and complain about the recent layoffs. The Writer’s Guild of America has responded to recent layoffs at Hearst describing the massive cuts as “needless, irresponsible, and cruel,” according to The Hollywood Reporter.

These layoffs come on the heels of major layoffs at WWD, Footwear News, The Los Angeles Times, Marie Claire, Time, Nylon, Bustle Digital Group, Goop, and more. 

Shame, shame, shame

According to fashionnetwork.com, a former Macy’s employee amassed over $154 million dollars in expenses over a few years. Said former employee “intentionally” made wrong accounting entries to hide about $132 million to $154 million of delivery expenses between the fourth quarter of 2021 through third quarter of 2024.

“It looks bad … It indicates that they were caught off guard by this,” Morningstar analyst David Swartz said, adding that the error should not worry investors as the amount over three years does not seem significant for Macy’s. “While we work diligently to complete the investigation as soon as practicable and ensure this matter is handled appropriately, our colleagues are focused on … executing our strategy for a successful holiday season,” said Macys CEO Tony Spring, in a fashionnetwork.com article.

Happy Holidays from Kate Moss and Zara

Partnerships and collaborations are the way to go if a fashion brand wants to capture some immediate attention and get a big boost in sales. That said, retail giant Zara is collaborating with supermodel Kate Moss on a party-ready fashion collection.

This is the supermodel’s first partnership with Zara. The party-ready collection features day-to-night pieces ideal for the holiday party season. Ranging from dresses to coats, the line is inspired by Moss’ own fashion archives and ’70s rock n’ roll, with Studio 54, Lauren Hutton, Charlotte Rampling, and Led Zeppelin on the mood board. 

Price points range from $36 to $999, at Zara stores and Zara.com this weekend. The Kate Moss x Zara collection launches on November 30.

—William S. Gooch