These are the stories making headlines in fashion on Friday.

Ambush founders re-acquire brand

Tokyo-based fashion label Ambush’s founders Yoon and Verbal have reacquired full ownership of the company. The decision to reacquire Ambush and take the brand independent secures complete creative autonomy and strategic flexibility for the founders. Looking ahead, Ambush plans to further expand its presence, amplify its digital and technological initiatives and continue exploring new collaborations. “Regaining full ownership enables us to fully express the core values and original vision upon which Ambush was built,” Yoon, co-founder and creative director, said in a statement. “Now, we are energized by this new chapter and the boundless potential ahead.” {Fashionista inbox}

Boy Smells rebrands with three new scents

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Fragrance brand Boy Smells unveiled a full rebrand of its candles and perfumes. Masterminded by Ian Schatzberg, co-founder of design agency General Idea, the new aesthetic features a redesigned fragrance bottle and an expanded color scheme from the brand’s original black and pink labels. Boy Smells is also launching five fragrances into Sephora, including three new scents: Rosy Cheeks (pomegranate, roses and sandalwood), Coco Cream (coconut milk, tiare and tonka bean) and Sugar Baby (honeysuckle, waterlily and musks). All five fragrances are available in 50mL for $78, and a 10mL for $30, and will be available online and at sephora.com on April 11, and in all Sephora doors on April 18. {Fashionista inbox}

Aldo Group inks licensing agreement for G.H.Bass brand

G-III Apparel Group and The Aldo Group announced a licensing agreement for G.H.Bass footwear, bags and small leather goods. The seven-year exclusive licensing deal gives the Aldo Group the rights to distribute G.H.Bass products across authorized retail channels in North America. This partnership includes the management of ghbass.com and will debut for the Spring 2026 season. The collection will feature curated pieces that draw inspiration from the rich heritage of G.H.Bass, while featuring innovative designs aimed at reaching a new generation of consumers. {Fashionista inbox}

CTF Award announces 2025 finalists

Challenge the Fabric (CTF) announced the finalists for the CTF Award 2025, which encourages the use of bio-based and recycled materials. Seven designers will be challenged to create one look each using man-made cellulosic fibers (MMCF) that have been provided by a selected CTF Award Innovation partner. This year’s finalists include Louther (partnered with HerMin Textile), Nuba (partnered with Birla Cellulose), Oscar Quyang (partnered with Eastman Naia Renew), Petra Fagerström (partnered with Sappi Verve), Shan Huq (partnered with Lenzing Group), Women’s History Museum (partnered with Circ x Pyratex) and Zoe Gustavia Anna Whalen (partnered with Circulose x Sinoteco). The winner of this year’s award will receive $10,000 and will be announced on May 14 during CTF 2025, an annual initiative taking place in Milan. {Fashionista inbox}

Versace’s “quiet luxury” blunder opened door for Prada takeover

When Capri Holdings acquired Versace in 2018, Fashion Executive John Idol thought the brand leaned too much on ornate designs, so he sought to pursue a “quiet luxury” path while boosting prices. Though Idol thought this strategy would double the brand’s revenue over the next decade, he has now sold Versace to Prada for $1.38 billion, a roughly $700 million loss. Versace has experienced declining sales, but it now joins Prada, which has raised revenue despite the widespread luxury slowdown. {Bloomberg/paywalled}

Small businesses may take the brunt of tariffs, even those based in the U.S.

Small retailers and brands are particularly vulnerable to tariffs as they don’t have deep pockets, diverse supply chains or flexibility as big-box retailers like Walmart do. Large retailers have more bargaining power with vendors and can tamp down other big expenses like marketing. Apparel and footwear will be hit especially hard by tariffs, given that most apparel sold in the U.S. is made overseas. Tariffs can be devastating not just to smaller U.S. stores or direct-to-consumer brands that manufacture their goods abroad, but also to many smaller U.S. factories whose raw materials come from other countries. {Retail Dive}

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