Back in April, the data-mining software company Palantir decided, for some reason, that it was time to get in the fashion game, and released two lightweight chore coats in blue and black. At the time, we reported that the move was part of Silicon Valley’s new obsession with signalling taste, an increasing necessity for Big Tech, so that it can “whitewash its influence over some of the worst atrocities of the 21st century so far,” according to our senior writer Thom Waite.

This week, Sam Altman’s OpenAI also entered the fashion chat, releasing a small drop of “merch” on the company’s website. People were initially alerted to the new direction when X user Karine Hsu posted images of the clothes alongside the caption, “whoa new OpenAI merch store dropped with an actual lifestyle photoshoot.” Shot against a faded green backdrop, models posed in a quarter-zip that had the word ‘Research’ embroidered on it in cursive, bright blue socks with the company’s interlocking logo proudly emblazoned on them, plus a graphic tote and more socks in white. Elsewhere, a slogan t-shirt read ‘Good Research Takes Time’, which, coming from the home of ChatGPT, is an irony so obvious it feels trite to make fun of.

While some embraced the new direction for OpenAI, most actual fashion people were quick to denounce it. CNN’s senior style reporter Rachel Tashjian labelled the shoot a “weirdly passé Kith/ALD aesthetic of about five years ago.” Fashion writer Jake Woolf concluded that “these clothes suck ass.” Theorist Rian Phin simply said “looks horrible.” So, it looks like the fashion world is pretty much hating this so far, but maybe OpenAI will have more luck within the tech industry? Good luck, I guess.

In other fashion news this week, we got a rare peek inside the photography archive of Angelica Bleschmidt, the late editor-in-chief of German Vogue who carried a film camera to every 90s fashion show; PULL&BEAR teamed up with rising musician Sophia Stel for a dark academia-inspired campaign; plus, we captured all the best street style from England’s World Cup run, just before they exited the tournament on Wednesday. For everything else you might’ve missed, scroll through the list below. 

LOUIS VUITTON UNVEILS WORLD CUP TROPHY TRUNK

The globe is still gripped by football fever as the 2026 World Cup final approaches this week. Never one to miss out on the action, Louis Vuitton has unveiled the official bespoke trunk for this tournament’s trophy. “The Trophy Trunk will make its first appearance on the pitch during the final of the FIFA World Cup 2026,” said the house, “when it will be guided onto the field by a Louis Vuitton ambassador and a FIFA legend.” Who do you think it will be?

JOSH O’CONNOR IS A DIOR BOY

Josh O’Connor was officially inaugurated into the Dior family when he was announced as menswear ambassador for the brand. Now, the British actor is starring in the label’s latest AW26 men’s campaign, alongside LaKeith Stanfield and shot by David Sims in the French countryside. For the latest from Dior, head here.

TELFAR IS DOWNSIZING

This week, Telfar Clemens dropped a post on Instagram letting the world know he was downsizing, which initially looked like an announcement he was shutting his brand. On closer inspection, the fake news story was actually an ad for the brand new Baby Shopper, his smallest bag yet, which doubles up as a key charm you can clip on to your other Telfar bags. Head here to get your hands on one.

KIKO AND RYAN ARE BACK FOR ROUND THREE

Kiko Kostadinov has announced the third and final instalment of Ryan Trecartin’s BUCKLE YUP trilogy for Kiko Kostadinov x Asics. In the series, Trecartin parodies the commercial form as a genre, and this last drop commemorates the release of the Ilargi FF II. Click here to buy a pair.

GCDS HARNESSES MEME CULTURE

For its SS26 collection, Italian label GCDS has harnessed the energy of youth culture for a new internet-inspired campaign. “Inspired by memes, reels and viral internet culture, GCDS reimagines the codes of Made in Italy through the irreverent energy of Generation Z and the language of social media,” said the house. Click here for more from the brand.