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.



Struggling Puma Names Former Adidas Sales Chief as CEO

FILED - 04 November 2022, ---: Arne Freundt poses for a picture. Photo: Christoph Maderer/PUMA/dpa
FILED - 04 November 2022, ---: Arne Freundt poses for a picture. Photo: Christoph Maderer/PUMA/dpa
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Struggling Puma Names Former Adidas Sales Chief as CEO

FILED - 04 November 2022, ---: Arne Freundt poses for a picture. Photo: Christoph Maderer/PUMA/dpa
FILED - 04 November 2022, ---: Arne Freundt poses for a picture. Photo: Christoph Maderer/PUMA/dpa

Sportswear brand Puma said on Thursday former Adidas sales chief Arthur Hoeld would take over as CEO, replacing Arne Freundt due to what the company called "differing views on strategy execution".
Puma has struggled to boost sales and profitability for more than a year. Its pick for the top job marks the latest talent swap between the competing brands, two years after its CEO Bjorn Gulden jumped ship to lead Adidas through a successful turnaround, Reuters reported.
Based across the road from each other in Herzogenaurach, Germany, the companies have a rivalry going back 75 years to a feud between shoemaker brothers Adolf Dassler, founder of Adidas, and Rudolf Dassler, who started Puma.
Puma said Freundt, CEO since November 2022, would step down on April 11 and Hoeld would take over as chairman and CEO effective July 1, with the board leading the company in the transition phase.
"I am incredibly excited to join the PUMA family as their new CEO," Hoeld, who left Adidas in October last year, said in a statement.
Adidas has enjoyed strong sales growth as it surfed a trend for its Samba and Gazelle sneakers, while Puma sales have been sluggish as it struggles to boost interest in new sneakers like the Speedcat.
Puma last month warned its 2025 sales would likely be weaker than last year, and said uncertainty was denting consumer spending in the US, which accounts for between 20-25% of its global sales.
"We expect this news to be taken positively, given ongoing investor concerns around performance and strategic execution," said Citi analyst Monique Pollard.
US tariffs on China, Vietnam, Indonesia and other key manufacturing hubs hit sportswear retailers, sending Puma shares down 10% on Thursday.
Puma sourced 28% of its products in China last year, while Vietnam was its second-biggest sourcing country with 26%, and Cambodia was third with 16%.
The share price, pummeled by slowing sales, is close to its lowest in nine years.
"We are convinced that thanks to his strategic vision and focus on product and brand, Arthur will lead Puma into a new chapter of strength and growth," said Heloise Temple-Boyer, chair of the supervisory board at Puma.