Fashion People – "Done to Death"

Date: December 8, 2025
Host: Lauren Sherman (Puck)
Guest: Chris Black (podcaster, writer, founder of Hanover)

Overview

In this episode of Fashion People, Lauren Sherman is joined by Chris Black for a lively conversation about recent developments in the fashion world. They candidly dissect the buzz around Chanel’s NYC subway show, the abrupt firing of Dario Vitali after one season at Versace, and Chris’s personal journey in launching his new American-made, accessibly-priced apparel brand, Hanover. The vibe is informal, direct, and full of insider context, with both participants bringing sharp commentary and personal anecdotes.

Key Discussion Points

1. Chris Black’s Launch Party (02:56–04:15)

• Lauren pokes fun at Chris for planning a 10pm brand launch party ("Chris, you're a 43 year old man." – 02:56), to which Chris replies:

  “I really appreciate a real party. I think we've lost the zest for life when everything is from six to... with like passed snacks." (03:10)

  • The party is at Tiwa, a gallery in Tribeca.
  • Chris is heading to Tokyo solo after the launch for the first time and looks forward to seeing friends but insists on wandering and experiencing the city independently.

2. The Chanel Subway Show in New York (08:08–15:21)

Logistics and Vibe

• Lauren describes how difficult it was to actually get down to the venue in the subway.
• Chris finds the subway setting “cool,” dismissing online complaints:

  "The people at this show have never even taken this. It's like, dude, relax... This is a fantasy. This whole thing is not serious... The clothes are always Chanel." (09:29)

  • Both agree that doing something accessible in downtown New York feels fresher and more authentic than far-flung spectacles.

About Virginie Viard’s Direction

• Lauren is enthusiastic about the new energy at Chanel:

  “He's putting Chanel in the fashion conversation. Chanel used to just be this thing where you went to these crazy ass shows with the grocery cart and it was super fun. But, like, do I remember any look ever? No... But he is making it so that Zara’s gonna knock shit off. There is gonna be other people copying him on the Runway." (11:10–11:37)

  • She recently bought her first Chanel jacket, crediting the current direction.
  • Both express fatigue with overly conceptual/themed shows. Chris argues:

    "The themes are awful in every realm of our life. I don't know why any woman want that. Like, why don't you let somebody just do their thing?" (12:07)

  • Lauren: “I am just so sick of going to a show and having to, like, think about it... I want to just enjoy it.” (12:28)

Shift in Designer Public Personas

• Lauren observes Chanel’s designer blending in and acting more “normal.” Chris reflects:

  "You can't be, like, a silly diva celebrity fashion designer anymore. Like, it's not... There's just no who." (14:23)

  • Both see benefit and loss in less outsize personalities, with Chris noting, “...for the spectacle of it all is always so entertaining.” (14:31)

3. Versace and Dario Vitali’s Abrupt Exit (17:09–21:25)

• Lauren and Chris discuss the industry-shaking firing of Dario Vitali after just one Versace collection due to his Muiccia Prada connections.
• Chris welcomes the drama:

  "This is the pettiness I want. It's the same thing. It's like, this is, like, good. This is called power... He was probably only going to get better. But... this is more interesting than designers getting new jobs all the time." (17:25)

  • Lauren confirms from her reporting that Vitali was warned this would happen if he took the job. She notes:

    “Everyone at the company took the risk. It was really fabulous and fun. I need to figure out if they're going to sell the collection...” (18:23)

  • Both agree that Vitali will land elsewhere, with Lauren saying, “this guy’s fucking good.” (18:52)

The Experience of Backstage Fashion Interviews

• Lauren describes the “sports-like” feeling backstage and shares admiration for how some designers handle that hectic environment.

4. Hanover: Chris Black’s American-Made Brand (22:04–36:45)

Genesis and Ambition

• Chris frames the idea as something that "found him," despite warnings from friends about the perils of fashion entrepreneurship.
• Central to Hanover is accessible pricing (most under $300) and American manufacturing:

  "I think once I honed in on the price point situation and how important that was to me... I got really excited about it..." (22:08)

Design Philosophy

• Lauren: “You have a very clear idea of what you like and what you don't... I trust that you do actually know what's cool...” (24:55)
• Chris:

  "I'm not like, a fashion designer... it's more just like, can I do it? Can I make a T shirt that I want to wear and guys in Dallas want to wear and my peers want to wear and make it the right price and make it in this country...?" (24:55)

Details on T-Shirts and Jeans

• Chris shuns “fussy” trends:

  "Boxy is stupid. The little, thin, tight necks are stupid... There's got to be a decent weight to it, and there's got to be a decent length to it.” (25:38)

  • Preference for simplicity and wearability—leaning on the classic Levi’s 501 and 505 fits for jeans, but with slight tweaks for fit and ease.

Brand Accessibility & Democratic Appeal

• Lauren highlights that Hanover's pieces work for regular guys, not just fashion people.
• Chris envisions trunk shows across the country in places like Charleston and Austin, aiming for true accessibility:

  "I just really want it to be democratic. I just think that things have gotten too expensive and men have been given too much... license to experiment to a point where fashion has become like an identity for someone and that should just never be the case." (32:21)

Early Sales and Reception

• Lauren and Dan (Lauren’s partner) both purchased Hanover items; Lauren bought a red T-shirt and a “Visualize New York” shirt. The best sellers: jeans.
• Chris on launch day results:

  “The sales are good. And what's really interesting is the jeans are number one, which I was a little bit surprised by.” (35:45)

5. Justin Bieber’s Mysterious Skylark Brand (37:46–39:50)

• Lauren asks Chris about the new Justin Bieber line, Skylark, which she finds confusing.
• Chris admits it’s opaque but suggests it’s about Bieber leveraging his personal brand and ease of manufacturing in the U.S.:

  “When you're a Justin Bieber, you can sell anything, anytime... Even if your interest is passing or fleeting, like, why not?” (38:09)

  • He contrasts Bieber’s staying power and fame making almost any project viable.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Fashion Parties:
  "I really appreciate a real party. I think we've lost the zest for life when everything is from six to... with like passed snacks." (Chris Black, 03:10)

• On Chanel’s Subway Show Critics:
  "The people at this show have never even taken this. It's like, dude, relax... This is a fantasy." (Chris Black, 09:29)

• On Chanel’s Current Creative Direction:
  "He's putting Chanel in the fashion conversation... do I remember any look ever? No... But he is making it so that Zara’s gonna knock shit off." (Lauren Sherman, 11:10–11:37)

• On Themed Fashion Shows:
  "Themes are awful in every realm of our life. I don't know why any woman want that." (Chris Black, 12:07)

• On Versace’s Firing Drama:
  "This is the pettiness I want. It's the same thing. It's like, this is, like, good. This is called power..." (Chris Black, 17:25)

• On Simplicity in Menswear:
  "Boxy is stupid. The little, thin, tight necks are stupid... There's got to be a decent weight to it, and there's got to be a decent length to it.” (Chris Black, 25:38)

• On Fashion Democratization:
  "I just really want it to be democratic... things have gotten too expensive and men have been given too much license to experiment to a point where fashion has become an identity for someone and that should just never be the case." (Chris Black, 32:21)

• On Bieber’s Brand Power:
  "When you're a Justin Bieber, you can sell anything, anytime... Even if your interest is passing or fleeting, like, why not?" (Chris Black, 38:09)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Chris Black’s Hanover Launch Party & Tokyo Trip — 02:56–05:09
• Chanel NYC Subway Show — 08:08–15:21
• Versace/Dario Vitali Drama — 17:09–21:25
• Hanover Brand Deep Dive — 22:04–36:45
• Justin Bieber’s Skylark Brand — 37:46–39:50

Summary

This episode delivers sharp analysis and behind-the-scenes stories on three hot-button fashion topics: the reinvigoration of Chanel under new direction (and its NYC subway spectacle), power games and drama at Versace, and the launch of Chris Black’s accessible, American-made brand Hanover. Lauren and Chris’s candor, clear taste, and wry humor make the hour informative and entertaining, offering industry insight, fashion philosophy, and practical thoughts for both insiders and fashion enthusiasts alike.