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Couture Week Comes to Paris amid Riot Fears

From Schiaparelli's show in July 2022. JULIEN DE ROSA / AFP/File
From Schiaparelli's show in July 2022. JULIEN DE ROSA / AFP/File
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Couture Week Comes to Paris amid Riot Fears

From Schiaparelli's show in July 2022. JULIEN DE ROSA / AFP/File
From Schiaparelli's show in July 2022. JULIEN DE ROSA / AFP/File

The fashion world is on edge as haute couture week kicks off on Monday in Paris, which has seen nights of violent riots over the police killing of a teenager.
French label Celine canceled its menswear show -- scheduled outside the official calendar -- on Sunday due to the riots, with designer Hedi Slimane saying it was "inconsiderate" to hold a fashion show when Paris was "bereaved and bruised".
Hundreds have been arrested across the country as mostly young protesters have torched cars and attacked infrastructure following the death of 17-year-old Nahel M., who was shot dead when he tried to flee a traffic stop on Tuesday.
Violence appeared to be ebbing somewhat in and around the French capital over the weekend, and the haute couture shows -- celebrating the most expensive, tailor-made end of fashion -- were due to go ahead as planned, the French fashion federation told AFP on Sunday.
First up is Schiaparelli, with fashionistas wondering if it can beat the social media meltdown caused by last season's fake animal heads.
The heads, sported by the likes of Kylie Jenner, were another publicity coup for Schiaparelli artistic director Daniel Roseberry, who has overseen a revamp of the brand and attracted the likes of Lady Gaga and Beyonce as clients.
Animal activists seemed unsure what to think.
The US branch of PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) called the heads "fabulously innovative", while PETA's French branch said a thought should be spared for the silkworms and sheep "who have really suffered".
Couture week will see first-time appearances by the United States' Thom Browne and France's Charles de Vilmorin alongside regulars like Christian Dior.
De Vilmorin, just 26, will present for his own brand after a short-lived tenure as artistic director of Rochas.
"I'm super happy to have lived through all this and to do my first show," he told AFP in his apartment-workshop last week while finalizing the collection.
Fellow couturier Stephane Rolland is presenting his latest collection, dedicated to legendary singer Maria Callas, at the Opera Garnier.
It will be filmed by veteran French director Claude Lelouch for his next movie.
Rolland said it was vital to merge fashion and other art forms.
"It's very important in our profession. I find that from time to time it lacks a bit of refinement. Money is not everything," he told AFP.

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Fashion

Paris Store to Part Ways with Shein After Ownership Change

This photograph shows a view of the Asian e-commerce giant Shein store at the Bazar de l'Hotel de Ville (BHV) department store in Paris on March 19, 2026. (AFP)
This photograph shows a view of the Asian e-commerce giant Shein store at the Bazar de l'Hotel de Ville (BHV) department store in Paris on March 19, 2026. (AFP)
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Paris Store to Part Ways with Shein After Ownership Change

This photograph shows a view of the Asian e-commerce giant Shein store at the Bazar de l'Hotel de Ville (BHV) department store in Paris on March 19, 2026. (AFP)
This photograph shows a view of the Asian e-commerce giant Shein store at the Bazar de l'Hotel de Ville (BHV) department store in Paris on March 19, 2026. (AFP)

French department store BHV Marais will end its partnership with Shein after its operating company said Tuesday it was selling the Paris outlet, following criticism of its deal with the Asian e-commerce giant.

The announcement comes after Shein in November opened its first permanent physical shop in BHV's flagship store, a move that sparked outcry over the brand's fast-fashion business model and environmental impact.

SGM, which has operated the landmark store opposite Paris City Hall since 2023, has sold it at a loss to a group of executives, including outgoing SGM CEO Karl-Stephane Cottendin, the two parties told reporters.

Cottendin, who will step down as SGM's chief executive following the deal, said Shein would "ideally" leave the store by Christmas, describing the decision to allow the retailer to open in BHV as a "strategic error".

A second BHV store west of Paris will also come under new management, while SGM will retain control of seven other locations, five of which have welcomed Shein this year.

Contractual commitments with Shein at the non-Paris stores will be "honored" pending a "long-term" review, SGM director Frederic Merlin said.

Merlin acknowledged having made "mistakes", adding that the sale of BHV was a "genuine plan for an effective takeover by serious people".

Founded in China in 2012 and now based in Singapore, Shein has faced criticism in several countries over working conditions at its suppliers and the environmental impact of its ultra-fast-fashion business model.

Around 100 brands left the BHV Marais following Shein's arrival, with management saying it was either over opposition to the Asian brand or over unpaid invoices linked to IT systems.

Earlier this month, France said it imposed two fines on Shein totaling more than 22 million euros ($26 million), citing problems with product traceability, environmental labelling and delivery times.

The penalties bring the total fines imposed by France against the Asian fashion giant to more than 210 million euros.

Fashion

Hugo Boss Shares Jump after Frasers' $2.3 Billion Takeover Bid

FILE PHOTO: Men's shoes are on display at the Boss store in London, Britain, May 30, 2024. REUTERS/Chris J. Ratcliffe/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Men's shoes are on display at the Boss store in London, Britain, May 30, 2024. REUTERS/Chris J. Ratcliffe/File Photo
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Hugo Boss Shares Jump after Frasers' $2.3 Billion Takeover Bid

FILE PHOTO: Men's shoes are on display at the Boss store in London, Britain, May 30, 2024. REUTERS/Chris J. Ratcliffe/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Men's shoes are on display at the Boss store in London, Britain, May 30, 2024. REUTERS/Chris J. Ratcliffe/File Photo

Shares in Hugo Boss rose about 7% on Thursday after Britain’s Frasers Group launched a $2.3 billion takeover offer for the German fashion brand.

Frasers, already the largest shareholder of Hugo Boss with a stake of just over 26%, is offering €38 per share in cash for the remaining shares, a 4.3% premium to Wednesday’s close, Reuters reported.

Hugo Boss said late on Wednesday the approach was not coordinated ⁠with the company ⁠and that its board would review the offer, which values the stake not yet owned by Frasers at about €1.98 billion ($2.3 billion).

The deal would bring Hugo Boss into the retail empire controlled ⁠by British billionaire Mike Ashley, whose Frasers Group owns Sports Direct and House of Fraser and holds stakes in Asos, Debenhams and Currys.

J.P. Morgan said the bid likely sets a near-term floor for the shares but flagged limited scope for further upside, adding it did not expect a rival bidder to emerge.

Hugo Boss, ⁠whose ⁠shares are about half their level of three years ago, has been struggling with weaker sales and is pursuing a turnaround strategy focused on store revamps, a streamlined product range and expanding women's wear.

By 0713 GMT, Hugo Boss shares were up 6.2% at €38.7, above Frasers' offer price, taking their year-to-date gains to 7.2%. Frasers shares fell 2.5%.

Fashion

Primark Names Lucy Slinger as Finance Chief Ahead of AB Foods Split

A Primark store is pictured in the Bullring shopping center in Birmingham, Britain, November 4, 2020. REUTERS/Andrew Boyers
A Primark store is pictured in the Bullring shopping center in Birmingham, Britain, November 4, 2020. REUTERS/Andrew Boyers
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Primark Names Lucy Slinger as Finance Chief Ahead of AB Foods Split

A Primark store is pictured in the Bullring shopping center in Birmingham, Britain, November 4, 2020. REUTERS/Andrew Boyers
A Primark store is pictured in the Bullring shopping center in Birmingham, Britain, November 4, 2020. REUTERS/Andrew Boyers

Fashion retailer Primark named Lucy Slinger as its chief financial officer on Thursday, strengthening its leadership team ahead of its split from Associated British Foods.

Slinger joins Primark from IKEA franchisee ⁠Ingka Group, where she ⁠has served as deputy CFO.

Prior to Ingka Group, she spent over two ⁠decades at Shell in a range of senior finance leadership roles.

Slinger's appointment follows that of Eoin Tonge as Primark chief executive and Filip Ekvall as chief commercial officer in March, Reuters reported.

⁠AB ⁠Foods said in April it would spin off Primark from its food businesses, telling investors that it will be better positioned to grow on its own.