'Robots Need Clothes': Humanoids Hit Catwalk in Seoul

Each human model and their android companion took turns to strut their stuff in unison. Pedro PARDO / AFP
Each human model and their android companion took turns to strut their stuff in unison. Pedro PARDO / AFP
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'Robots Need Clothes': Humanoids Hit Catwalk in Seoul

Each human model and their android companion took turns to strut their stuff in unison. Pedro PARDO / AFP
Each human model and their android companion took turns to strut their stuff in unison. Pedro PARDO / AFP

There were no naked robots in sight at a fashion show held in Seoul with a high-tech twist, where pairs of people and humanoids hit the catwalk in matching outfits.

A tasseled blue Texan-style ensemble -- complete with a cowboy hat for the robot -- and a retro silver puffer jacket were among the looks showcased at the event on Thursday.

Each human model and their shorter android companion took turns to strut their stuff in unison on stage, AFP said.

The designs, including silky dresses and billowing space-age black trousers like those worn by rock star David Bowie in the 1970s, were carefully fitted to the robots' skeletal frames.

Galaxy Corporation, the entertainment company behind the display, said it was meant to ask: "How can humans and robots coexist?"

"We realized that robots, too, need to wear clothes," CEO Choi Yong-ho said.

"Just as every human being is unique, we believe that every single robot should also be distinct."

The clothes were designed by the company, whose spokesperson said it hopes to launch them under the brand name "MACH 33" at the end of the year.

The robot models at the Seoul fashion show appeared to be a humanoid made by Chinese startup Unitree, which are popular due to their relatively low cost.

Increasingly dexterous robots have proven themselves capable of performing choreographed dances, participating in races, and even able to land backflips.

Financial services firm Morgan Stanley predicts the world could have more than a billion humanoids by 2050.

But fully automated robots -- using emerging physical AI technology -- are still rare, with most impressive displays remotely operated or pre-programmed.



Estee Lauder Forecasts Annual Profit Above Estimates on Strong China Demand

An Estee Lauder cosmetics counter is seen in Los Angeles, California, US, August 19, 2019. (Reuters)
An Estee Lauder cosmetics counter is seen in Los Angeles, California, US, August 19, 2019. (Reuters)
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Estee Lauder Forecasts Annual Profit Above Estimates on Strong China Demand

An Estee Lauder cosmetics counter is seen in Los Angeles, California, US, August 19, 2019. (Reuters)
An Estee Lauder cosmetics counter is seen in Los Angeles, California, US, August 19, 2019. (Reuters)

Estee ‌Lauder forecast annual profit above Wall Street estimates on Wednesday, betting on sustained spending on premium fragrances and strong performance in key markets such as China, reflecting persistent gains from its CEO's turnaround strategy.

Resilient spending by affluent ‌and younger ‌customers, especially on trendy ‌items, ⁠has helped boost ⁠demand for the cosmetics maker's luxury fragrances and skincare products such as Le Labo and Balmain Beauty.

To sustain that momentum, Estee ⁠has accelerated premium product launches, ‌streamlined ‌supply chain and ramped up investments in ‌innovation and marketing under ‌CEO Stephane de La Faverie's "Beauty Reimagined" strategy.

The Clinique and M.A.C owner, whose merger conversations with Jean ‌Paul Gaultier-owner Puig collapsed in May, expects 2027 adjusted ⁠earnings ⁠per share in the range of $3.10 to $3.35, with its midpoint above analysts' average estimate of $3.18 per share, according to data compiled by LSEG.

The company's quarterly sales of $3.63 billion were also ahead of the estimate of $3.54 billion.


Shein Eyes Company Valuation of Around $25 Billion in Hong Kong IPO

FILED - 29 April 2024, Berlin: FILE PHOTO - The Shein logo can be seen on a smartphone. Photo: Monika Skolimowska/dpa
FILED - 29 April 2024, Berlin: FILE PHOTO - The Shein logo can be seen on a smartphone. Photo: Monika Skolimowska/dpa
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Shein Eyes Company Valuation of Around $25 Billion in Hong Kong IPO

FILED - 29 April 2024, Berlin: FILE PHOTO - The Shein logo can be seen on a smartphone. Photo: Monika Skolimowska/dpa
FILED - 29 April 2024, Berlin: FILE PHOTO - The Shein logo can be seen on a smartphone. Photo: Monika Skolimowska/dpa

Online fast-fashion retailer Shein is eyeing a company valuation of around $25 billion in its Hong Kong IPO, said three people with knowledge of the matter, down from nearly $100 billion four years ago due to challenging business conditions.

Singapore-headquartered Shein, known for selling $5 ⁠dresses and $10 jeans to ⁠shoppers in about 160 countries, is aiming to launch its much-awaited initial public offering later this week, Reuters has reported.

One of ⁠the three sources said that the company, which was founded in China in 2012, was looking at a valuation of between $25 billion and $28 billion based on the marketing price band for the offering.

The sources declined to be ⁠named ⁠as they were not authorized to speak to the media ahead of a public announcement of the deal terms. A spokesperson for Shein did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.


Birkenstock Raises Annual Revenue Forecast on Strong Demand

Shares of the German sandal maker were up ‌7% in ‌premarket trading.  (Getty Images)
Shares of the German sandal maker were up ‌7% in ‌premarket trading. (Getty Images)
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Birkenstock Raises Annual Revenue Forecast on Strong Demand

Shares of the German sandal maker were up ‌7% in ‌premarket trading.  (Getty Images)
Shares of the German sandal maker were up ‌7% in ‌premarket trading. (Getty Images)

Birkenstock raised its full-year sales growth forecast on Wednesday, banking on resilient full-price demand for its premium sandals from affluent shoppers.

Shares of the German sandal maker were up ‌7% in ‌premarket trading.

A pullback in ‌US ⁠discretionary spending has ⁠weighed on much of the apparel and footwear sector, but brands such as Birkenstock catering to wealthier consumers have largely held up, benefiting from ⁠strong pricing power and ‌brand loyalty.

While ‌the Middle East conflict continues ‌to create uncertainty in the Gulf ‌region, the impact on the quarter was more contained than initially anticipated, the company said.

It now ‌expects fiscal year 2026 revenue growth of 15% ⁠on ⁠a constant currency basis, compared with its earlier forecast of a 13% to 15% rise.

The company posted third-quarter revenue of 719.5 million euros ($829.08 million), compared with analysts' estimate of 713.4 million euros, according to data compiled by LSEG.