Switzerland news and archive

Geneva opera house selling off thousands of extravagant costumes

Sandra Delpierre's fingers linger on a long blue and white fur coat and graze a pair of angel wings as she winds past thousands of colourful costumes used in opera performances. "There are some real treasures to be found," the head of costume workshops at Geneva's Grand Theatre told AFP. At a time when Bridgerton-style costume parties are all...

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Swiss watchmakers halt US shipments awaiting lower tariffs

Zurich, Switzerland – Swiss watch exports to the US plummeted again in November, as manufacturers delayed shipments in anticipation of a tariff reduction to 15 percent. According to data from the watchmaking federation published on Thursday, exports to the US fell by 52.3 percent in November. This follows declines of 46.8 percent in October,...

Fashion

Swiss watch industry should find time for India, says Deloitte

India and Mexico could become new drivers of growth for the Swiss watch industry, which has been clobbered by US tariffs and slumping demand in China, top audit firm Deloitte said Wednesday. The emblematic Swiss industry "is navigating one of the most complex periods in recent memory", the professional services giant said in the 11th Deloitte...

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Mode Suisse 2025: Swiss fashion's "quiet hope" speaks volumes

Twenty-two designers and well over 100 looks may not be unusual for a fashion week. However, the annual Mode Suisse is not a sprawling, multi-day event, but a single, condensed evening celebrating Swiss talent. The several hours long soirée began at 2pm GMT with a showroom. Guests previewed the looks before the collections were moved backstage,...

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Swiss exports face collapse: US tariffs threaten jobs and GDP

US tariffs have sent shockwaves through Switzerland: US President Donald Trump has imposed a 39 percent tariff on Swiss imports. “Everyone's prosperity is at risk,” warns Swissmem, the industry association for the tech industry. While importers and US consumers pay the tariffs, this makes "Made in Switzerland" so expensive that orders are likely...

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Swiss inflation rises to 0.2 percent in July

Swiss inflation rose again in July, reaching 0.2 percent year-on-year. This follows a dip into negative territory in May, which fuelled deflation fears, the Swiss Federal Statistical Office (SFSO) reported on Monday. In June, inflation had already climbed back to 0.1 percent year-on-year. It continued to strengthen in July, driven by a 0.7...

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Switzerland: Watch exports fall in May after record sales in April

Following substantial deliveries to the US in April, in light of impending tariffs, Swiss watch exports declined in May. However, the ‘boomerang effect’ proved less pronounced than anticipated, according to the Federation of the Swiss Watch Industry (FH). After a significant increase of 18.2 percent in April, Swiss watch exports across all...

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Fashion

Mysterious diamond-laden necklace fetches 4.8 million dollars in Geneva auction

Geneva - A mysterious diamond-laden necklace with possible links to a scandal that contributed to the downfall of Marie Antoinette, sold for 4.8 million dollars at an auction in Geneva Wednesday. The 18th century jewel containing around 300 carats of diamonds had been estimated to sell at the Sotheby's Royal and Noble Jewels sale for 1.8-2.8...

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Swiss watch exports to China plunge 50 percent in September

Zurich - Swiss watch exports suffered their steepest fall this year in September, pulled down by a 50-percent plunge in sales to China, the industry's federation said Thursday. It marks the latest sign of weakening demand in the world's second-largest economy, which has hit Europe's luxury sector. Sales to Hong Kong also fell 34.6 percent during...

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Where to study fashion in Germany, Austria and Switzerland

What fashion schools are there? What programmes do they specialise in and how do you choose a school in German-speaking European countries? Here is a small (and incomplete) guide to fashion schools in the DACH region, or in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. Studying fashion in Germany Fashion and Design Academy (AMD) At AMD, fashion, journalism...

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Amazon restricts its Swiss offering

Online platform Amazon will soon stop supplying Switzerland via its website Amazon.com. The reason is a change in value-added tax law, which will come into force in January. With the new legislation, the Swiss government aims to put domestic and foreign mail order companies on an equal footing. Until now, the import tax for deliveries to...

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Sufficiently Swiss: at least 60 percent for watches

Switzerland adopted on Friday regulations requiring that locally-made parts account for at least 60 percent by value in order for watches to bear the coveted and lucrative "Swiss Made" label. The government said in a statement that the change, to go into effect on January 1, expands the criteria for judging whether a watch is sufficiently Swiss...