Articles by AFP
IKKS Group acquired, many jobs to be cut
French ready-to-wear group IKKS, having been placed in receivership, has found a buyer. The acquisition will see its workforce halved with the loss of approximately 500 jobs, according to the takeover bid approved by the Paris Commercial Court on Friday. 546 direct jobs retained out of 1,094 The offer proposes the retention of 546 direct jobs...
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Taxation of small Chinese parcels: EU moves to practical implementation
Brussels (Belgium) - The principle has been agreed, yet practical details remain to be settled. The 27 member states must find a provisional solution on Friday to tax the mountains of small Chinese parcels imported into the European Union “as soon as possible” in 2026. This move comes without waiting for the initial deadline set for 2028. Some...
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Beyonce, Venus Williams, Nicole Kidman to co-chair 2026 Met Gala
Music powerhouse Beyonce, tennis legend Venus Williams and Oscar-winning actress Nicole Kidman will co-chair the 2026 Met Gala on May 4 alongside Vogue's Anna Wintour, the Metropolitan Museum of Art announced Wednesday in New York. The annual Met Gala, traditionally held on the first Monday in May, was first organized in 1948 and for decades was...
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Europe unites against ultra-fast fashion: eight countries call on Brussels to “strengthen” mobilisation
Led by France, eight European countries are calling on the European Commission and member states to “strengthen” their “collective mobilisation” against the “systemic risks” they believe are posed by e-commerce platforms such as Shein and its competitors. The letter was sent to Brussels on Monday. “We call on the Commission to mobilise strongly...
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Renowned British photographer Martin Parr dies aged 73
Celebrated British documentary photographer Martin Parr has died at his home in the western English city Bristol, his foundation announced on Sunday. He was 73. Famous for his kitschy colour-saturated images capturing all aspects of life in Britain and beyond, Parr had a sharp eye for mundane oddities, whether it was the rich at play or...
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Italy sweatshop probe snares more luxury brands
Italian prosecutors on Thursday named Gucci, Prada, Versace and Yves Saint Laurent as among 13 luxury brands suspected of using subcontractors who exploited migrant workers in Italy, as part of a growing investigation into sweatshop conditions. Milan prosecutor Paolo Storari issued requests for information about alleged abuses by the brands,...
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Hermès heir sues LVMH and Bernard Arnault for 14 billion euros
Fifteen years after his raid on Hermès, Bernard Arnault and his LVMH group are caught up in a saga between two French luxury giants: an heir to the accessories specialist, claiming to have been dispossessed of his shares in the family jewel, is demanding 14 billion euros. Nicolas Puech, 82, a Swiss resident, accuses his former wealth manager,...
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Chinese smart glasses firms eye overseas conquest
In China, AI glasses let the wearer pay in shops with just a glance at a QR code and a voice command, as a growing number of companies look to conquer both growing domestic and overseas markets. Interest in smart eyewear is soaring worldwide after more than a decade of stalled promise, with advances in artificial intelligence sparking a fresh...
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Italy's luxury brands shaken by sweatshop probes
A series of investigations into exploitative work conditions within fashion subcontractors has roiled Italy's luxury industry, with the government decrying attacks on "Made in Italy". Five fashion brands have been put under court administration since 2024 following probes by Milan prosecutors that uncovered worker abuses and a lack of oversight...
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SMCP Group announces sale of over 50 percent of capital
Fashion group SMCP (Sandro, Maje, Claudie Pierlot and Fursac) announced on Thursday the sale of shares representing up to 51.2 percent of its capital. The process is expected to take “several months” and could allow the company “to stabilise its shareholding structure”. Context This announcement follows the forced return of 15.5 percent of SMCP’...
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