UK Bootmaker Dr. Martens Sales Fall on Subdued Demand 

Boxes of Dr. Martens shoes are pictured in the warehouse of local footwear retailer "Pomp It Up" in Bussigny near Lausanne, Switzerland 24 April, 2019. (Reuters)
Boxes of Dr. Martens shoes are pictured in the warehouse of local footwear retailer "Pomp It Up" in Bussigny near Lausanne, Switzerland 24 April, 2019. (Reuters)
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UK Bootmaker Dr. Martens Sales Fall on Subdued Demand 

Boxes of Dr. Martens shoes are pictured in the warehouse of local footwear retailer "Pomp It Up" in Bussigny near Lausanne, Switzerland 24 April, 2019. (Reuters)
Boxes of Dr. Martens shoes are pictured in the warehouse of local footwear retailer "Pomp It Up" in Bussigny near Lausanne, Switzerland 24 April, 2019. (Reuters)

British bootmaker Dr. Martens posted a 3% fall in its third-quarter reported revenue on Monday, as consumers stayed away from pricey purchases in key markets due to economic uncertainties.

The company, whose leather boots can be priced as much as $200, has been cutting inventory and debt as part of its cost-saving and turnaround plans after elevated costs and weak wholesale demand, especially in the US, weighed on its earnings for months.

"We continue to actively manage our costs and are on track to meet our inventory reduction target for FY25," newly appointed CEO Ije Nwokorie said in a statement.

The Wellingborough, UK-based company has been actively investing in marketing, including discounts, to revive demand.

Dr. Martens logged 260 million pounds ($323.60 million) in revenue, down from 267.1 million pounds in the third quarter of fiscal 2024.

It, however, kept its 2025 financial year guidance unchanged.



Maria Grazia Chiuri Redesigns Hooped Petticoats for Dior Haute Couture Show

 A model presents a creation by designer Maria Grazia Chiuri as part of her Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2025 collection show for fashion house Christian Dior in Paris, France, January 27, 2025. (Reuters)
A model presents a creation by designer Maria Grazia Chiuri as part of her Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2025 collection show for fashion house Christian Dior in Paris, France, January 27, 2025. (Reuters)
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Maria Grazia Chiuri Redesigns Hooped Petticoats for Dior Haute Couture Show

 A model presents a creation by designer Maria Grazia Chiuri as part of her Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2025 collection show for fashion house Christian Dior in Paris, France, January 27, 2025. (Reuters)
A model presents a creation by designer Maria Grazia Chiuri as part of her Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2025 collection show for fashion house Christian Dior in Paris, France, January 27, 2025. (Reuters)

Dior creative director Maria Grazia Chiuri kicked off the Paris Haute Couture fashion shows on Monday with a lineup of hooped petticoats and corsets in sheer, airy fabrics.

Models marched down the runway in low heels parading ruffled and lacy looks, some with voluminous skirts, decorated with tufts of fabrics, sequins or ribbons that streamed behind.

Chiuri drew on the house's original La Cigale silhouette from the early 1950s, known for a tightly-cinched waist, as well as the looser Trapeze line from the late 1950s, throwing fitted jackets over short, puffy skirts and decorating tulle with embroidery.

Models wore their hair slicked back, in a mohawk-like style, with a row of feather-tipped spikes that added a punk flair to the look.

The LVMH-owned fashion house held the show in a temporary structure in the gardens of the Rodin Museum where the set was decorated by colorful artwork by Rithika Merchant. The artist's fantastical creatures and tropical vegetation added to the otherworldly flavor of the catwalk presentation.

The Haute Couture fashion shows in Paris run through Jan. 30 and feature some of the industry's best-known labels including Chanel, Valentino and Jean Paul Gaultier.