Articles by AFP
Struggling Gucci owner's shares soar over new CEO reports
Shares in Gucci owner Kering jumped Monday over reports that the outgoing boss of French automaker Renault would take over as chief executive of the struggling luxury group. Renault shares, however, fell following its announcement Sunday that Luca de Meo, 58, would step down on July 15 "to take on new challenges outside the automobile sector"...
BusinessFeaturedMember13 hours ago
Albania's women silk makers weave big dreams for ancient trade
Albanian women have long been famed for their stylish and colourful traditional attire that some still wore until relatively recently. And few were more chic than the women of Zadrima who wore their own handmade silks and headdresses, their fine gauze blouses set off with belts and swathes of red silk. But that age-old know-how was almost lost...
Fashion 13 Jun 2025
Is François-Henri Pinault stepping back from Kering?
Paris - 63-year-old François-Henri Pinault, chief executive officer of French luxury group Kering (Kering), is reportedly planning to separate the roles of chairman and chief executive officer. This information was published on Thursday by the business magazine Challenges. According to the magazine, which did not cite its sources, Pinault will...
People12 Jun 2025
At Vivatech: Robots, trainers and counterfeit detectors powered by AI
Paris - Robots, a counterfeit detector and navigation systems for the visually impaired, all powered by generative artificial intelligence (AI), were among the innovations highlighted at the VivaTech trade show, which took place in Paris until June 7. AI and anti-counterfeiting Could you tell the difference between a Lacoste t-shirt and a...
Fairs12 Jun 2025
Chinese shareholders of SMCP fined 1.7 million euros
Paris - Amidst an exceptional governance crisis, the Chinese shareholders of French fashion group SMCP (Sandro, Maje, Claudie Pierlot) were fined a total of 1.7 million euros by the French Financial Markets Authority (AMF), according to a statement released on Thursday, June 12, 2025. "In its decision of June 10, 2025, the Sanctions Committee...
BusinessMember12 Jun 2025
Facing tariffs, Vietnam requests support from American clothing brands
Hanoi - Hanoi invited American textile companies to support Vietnam with the Trump administration in its efforts to avoid a 46 percent tariff that would damage trade between the two countries. Vietnam, which mass-produces clothing and footwear for international brands, worked tirelessly to meet the demands of its main client, the US. Industry...
BusinessMember11 Jun 2025
French Senate to vote on regulating fast fashion
The French Senate is due to vote Tuesday on a bill to regulate the fast fashion industry, by sanctioning companies and banning advertisements. The bill is targeted at Chinese-founded e-commerce giant Shein, which has a reputation for selling lower quality clothes at a very low price. Easy to order and replace, fast fashion items are exported to...
BusinessMember10 Jun 2025
Kenya's plus-size fashion show says 'big is beautiful'
In African wax print dresses and tight-fitting evening wear, the "plus-size" models strutted up the runway in Kisumu, western Kenya, in a special event designed to celebrate the beauty of larger women. Started nine years ago, the East Africa Plus Size Fashion Affair is, according to founder Winnie Wenga Walcott, the only event of its kind in...
Fashion 10 Jun 2025
Amazon agrees to tackle fake reviews in UK
Amazon has agreed to clamp down on fake online reviews of products advertised on its UK site, Britain's competition regulator said Friday. Google agreed a similar UK commitment in January after the Competition and Markets Authority launched an investigation into the matter five years ago. Amazon "has signed undertakings committing to enhance its...
BusinessMember6 Jun 2025
First ever Birkin bag to be auctioned in July
The first Birkin bag that was designed by French luxury brand Hermes for actress Jane Birkin in 1984, will be auctioned in Paris on July 10, auction house Sotheby's said Thursday. The large black leather tote, whose design went on to become one of the most famous and expensive bags in the world, will be the centrepiece of the "Fashion Icons"...
Retail5 Jun 2025