These are the stories making headlines in fashion on Friday.

Sandro launches prize to support emerging talent

Sandro is partnering with Maison Mode Méditerranée (MMM), a nonprofit fashion organization and incubator, to support emerging talent with the launch of a new €10,000 prize. The Sandro prize will go to a designer who “perpetuates local or traditional textile know-how (weaving, embroidery, dyeing, knitting, sewing, etc.) in a contemporary, sustainable, collective and territorial approach,” with ties to the Mediterranean region. The first recipient will be honored in 2026 and will also receive two years of mentoring support from Sandro. {WWD/paywalled}

Phoebe Gates’ app secures $8 million in seed funding

Phia, an AI-powered shopping app founded by Phoebe Gates and Sophia Kianni that lets users compare prices across sites for both used and new items, announced it has secured $8 million in seed funding. The round was led by venture firm Kleiner Perkins, with backing from Hailey Bieber, Kris Jenner and former Meta executive Sheryl Sandberg. The company will use the funding to grow its team, including bringing on more engineers and AI researchers. {Business of Fashion/paywalled}

Simone Rocha’s tips for surviving in London

Over the last 15 years, Simone Rocha has built her eponymous brand into one of London’s most successful independent labels. Rocha has grown the brand at a steady pace and has achieved double-digit growth most years. The brand itself has a home in 190 stores, across 37 countries, and just moved into a new studio in Dalston. “The one thing that helped sustain the business throughout Brexit, Covid and every other challenge was having my own retail,” Rocha told Vogue Business. “It allowed me to have this constant dialogue with our customers that has been instrumental to our success.” {Vogue Business/paywalled}

Ron Robinson backs a new Gen Alpha skin-care brand

Gen Alpha beauty brand Yes Day, which was co-created by 13-year-old Coco Granderson with BeautyStat founder and Rhode formulator Ron Robinson, launched its pre-sale offerings on Friday. Yes Day will officially launch on Oct. 1 with a cleanser, moisturizer, mist and lip mask. Robinson focused on giving young skin a healthy glow and reinforcing its barrier with a proprietary Yes Magic complex that includes probiotics, centella asiatica and antioxidants. {Glossy/paywalled}

Forever 21’s retail comeback plans

Authentic Brands Group announced new operating partners for Forever 21, which filed for bankruptcy earlier this year. Unique Brands will run Forever 21’s U.S. e-commerce operations and men’s wholesale; Mark Edwards Apparel is now the U.S. women’s wholesale partner; and Kidz Concepts will be the brand’s U.S. partner for kidswear. As for the possibility of brick-and-mortar stores, “We are in advanced discussions with a leading retail operating partner to open new U.S. stores,” Authentic Brands Group shared in a statement. “This is part of our commitment to maintaining a physical presence for the brand and ensuring its continued success by balancing its touch points across digital and in-store experiences. We look forward to sharing more details in the coming year.” {Fashionista inbox}

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