An astrologer breaks down fashion’s game of musical chairs

In the last few months, the high fashion world has seen an influx of designers swap places and exit their spots at the helm of big houses. Still, nothing could prepare us for what’s taken place over the last few days: Donatella Versace, the blonde bombshell steering the Versace ship for 30 years, stepped down as artistic director. Her replacement? Another man (yawn), Dario Vitale, former Miu Miu designer and image director. Another shocker hit when the news that Demna, a walking, talking Balenciaga ad and the man behind the brand, would be jumping ship to go to Gucci.

More news to add to fashion history books came on Monday, at the arse crack of dawn, when Jonathan Anderson, after 11 years at Loewe, announced he’d be exiting the Spanish house. Even after wiping the sleep from our eyes and brushing our teeth, it still took a minute to digest. The silver lining? Rumour has it he’s heading to Dior. By the time this article comes out, we’re willing to bet another designer will be penning their resignation letter.

All this to say: there’s a lot happening in fashion circles right now, and try as we might, the office crystal ball hasn’t given us any indication as to what might happen next. Instead, we reached out to Hagan Fox, an astrologer and self-professed cosmic astrologist, to give us a glimpse into the future.

Hi, Hagan! Does the Year of the Snake tell us anything about what might happen in the fashion industry this year?

The Year of the Snake – 2025 – is powerful. The snake loves to control, manage and oversee, so it is comfortable with change, but these upheavals also have a lot to do with Pluto’s move into Aquarius on 19^th November 2024, where it will be stationed for the next 20 years.

What does this mean?

Pluto in Aquarius is all about deconstructing and reconstructing. Nothing will be left untouched – including the fashion industry. But here’s the wonderful kicker: it’s great news as Pluto in Aquarius is positive and all rebuilds from here on will feel beneficial, humanitarian and people-led.

John Galliano (Scorpio Metal Rat) is in for a truly epic year if he were to consider [joining a house]. This is a great year to make that call. Conversely, in 2026 and 2027, he has to sit tight as those two years (the Fire Horse and Fire Goat in Chinese astrology) are the nemesis of the Metal Rat.

Right. So, Galliano should stay put. Got it. Do certain signs make for better creative directors?

We are currently in the age of Aquarius, so don’t be surprised if, in the latest tranche of creative directors, a new breed of Aquarian fashionistas emerge.

If we looked at the birth charts of some of these incoming and outgoing creative directors, would we see any common astrological themes?

Throughout the history of fashion, going right back to Babylonian times, you’ll see Venus (the goddess of beauty and aesthetics) heavily influencing creative directors’ natal charts.

Jonathan Anderson has just left Loewe. Could you tell us a little about his star sign?

Jonathan Anderson (17^th September 1984) is a Virgo Wood Rat. When you have Virgo and the Wood element of Chinese astrology, you are talking about creative nirvana. He has singularly nailed his career. However, he doesn’t do stress at all! Both Virgo and the Wood Rat possess a quite wretched nervous system so yoga should be an absolute prerequisite.

Not a bad year to move – certainly better than 2026 and 2027, which are the Wood Rat’s nemesis years.

Kim Jones recently left Dior. What does the future have in store for him?

Kim is a Virgo so he has an eye for style and finesse. He’s a perfectionist too and as he’s born in the year of the Water Ox, it makes him a natural leader who loves to be in charge at all times; the Ox does not take instruction from anyone. 2025 (the year of the Snake) is a terrific year for Kim’s Water Ox, as the Ox is a soulmate of the Snake in Chinese astrology. His timing is seamless.

If you were to advise a designer to lay low this year, who would it be?

It would be in Marc Jacobs’ interests to sit tight for now.

Why?

His year to shine (on a grand scale) is 2027 as that is the year of the Fire Goat – a soulmate of his Water Hare.

Demna has been named as the new creative director of Gucci. As an Aries and a Rooster, what can we expect from his vision and leadership style?

Demna has nailed it. It is a fantastic year for his Aries Metal Rooster (the year of the Wood Snake is potentially magical for a Fire Metal Rooster). That combination is formidable, fearless, creative (obviously) and aggressive. He possesses an Achilles’ heel, though: a sizable ego that demands constant praise for its endeavours.

Is there a particular sign that tends to dominate the fashion industry?

Virgos in particular often populate the fashion industry. It’s the precision and perfectionism that draws Virgos in.

What the heck is going to happen next in fashion?

AI in fashion is something to consider. Uranus (is fast) moving into Gemini for the first time in roughly 84 years, and it’s going to put AI front and centre. The fashion industry would be well advised to keep tabs on that sector of life.

For any newly unemployed designers in need of some counsel, hit up Hagan Fox for readings at hagan​fox​.org