Articles by AFP
Sales volume of watches and precious jewellery in France struggles in 2025
The French watch and fine jewellery sector reported a decline in sales volume for watches and precious jewellery last year. This occurred even though turnover climbed due to rising metal prices. “The creative industries of French watchmaking and jewellery-making have not been spared by either general economic uncertainties or the somewhat...
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Gabon fashion designer brings traditional raffia to Paris runways
Strands of raffia dry outside in the sun at the studio of Gabonese fashion designer Chouchou Lazare, who has made a name for himself using the natural fibres to craft his award-winning garments. The natural material derived from palm leaves -- and traditionally reserved for Gabon's nobles and village chiefs -- gained international attention on...
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Chinese consumers scout lower prices, secondhand goods as spending sputters
In a Shanghai shopping centre, customers browsed racks of used winter coats, $2 trousers and household appliances -- pre-used items that would have been out of place in a major Chinese mall a decade ago. But these days, stagnating wages, youth unemployment and a years-long property crisis are making consumers rethink their spending. China's...
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Collective denounces online sale of Epstein-associated clothing
The Mouv'Enfants collective on Wednesday denounced the sale of clothing associated with Jeffrey Epstein on online platforms, demanding that their sale be banned. Navy half-zip sweatshirts embroidered with the initials JEE (Jeffrey Edward Epstein) were found on Etsy, Vinted, AliExpress and eBay. They are replicas of a garment worn by the sex...
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Balmain enters its new era with Antonin Tron
Paris, France - For his debut show at the helm of Balmain, French designer Antonin Tron presented a rock and sensual collection on Wednesday. This continued the legacy of his predecessor, Olivier Rousteing. The show took place on the third day of Paris Fashion Week, dedicated to autumn/winter 2026 womenswear. As a tribute to Pierre Balmain's...
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Italy's Agnona brand: lamb among the fashion wolves
At Milan Fashion Week, headlines go to splashy names, over-the-top fashions and celebrities posing by catwalks. But behind the scenes, Italy's smaller and medium-sized brands, the often family-owned lifeblood of the industry, are doggedly defending their craft, striving to keep alive long traditions of excellence. One of them, Agnona, began in...
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Kering creates 'industry' and 'client' divisions to boost brand growth
French luxury giant Kering, currently undergoing a major transformation, announced on Monday the creation of two new divisions. These are designed to enhance its operational efficiency and support the growth of its brands, including Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent, and Balenciaga. “The relevant teams within the houses will report functionally to these...
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Strait of Hormuz blockage, an “unprecedented freeze” on global maritime trade
Paris (France) - The blockage of the Strait of Hormuz constitutes an “unprecedented freeze” on global maritime trade, affecting everything from cosmetics and food products to pharmaceuticals, cars and precious marbles. While it primarily impacts petroleum products, it also threatens many other industrial sectors. Importance of the Strait of...
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Furry, frayed & freezing on Milan catwalks: the fashion trends
As the attention of the world's fashionistas moves from Milan to Paris on the final day of the Italian city's Fashion Week Monday, a roundup of Italy's runway style is due. Here are some of the key trends seen during Milan's Fall/Winter 2026/2027 women's collections. Furry beast Bottega Veneta, Gucci and Emporio Armani AW26. Credits: ©...
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For Roberto Cavalli designer, dreams come in all black
Black may have been the colour chosen by Roberto Cavalli's creative director for the new women's collection at Milan Fashion Week, but Fausto Puglisi is hardly feeling negative. The nearly all-black palette -- accentuated with romantic jolts of lilac and plum -- used by Puglisi Thursday night at Milan Fashion Week was instead a defiant statement...
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