Irina Shayk Named Face of Anine Bing’s New Campaign

Irina Shayk. (AP)
Irina Shayk. (AP)
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Irina Shayk Named Face of Anine Bing’s New Campaign

Irina Shayk. (AP)
Irina Shayk. (AP)

Since the war erupted between Russia and Ukraine, many Russian fashion celebrities have chosen to stay out of the spotlight until the rage against Russians calms down.

However, it seems Russian model Irina Shayk wasn’t affected by this onslaught, probably because she took the proactive step and explicitly denounced the Russian invasion.

She even took part in London’s Burberry show, which was held separately from London Fashion Week. She was also named as the face of the Danish brand Anine Bing’s 2022 Campaign.

Such contracts are usually signed months ahead, so luckily, Bing’s campaign wasn’t affected by the war in Ukraine.

Bing’s campaign this year is special because it celebrates the 10th anniversary of the brand, marking a significant milestone in the fashion industry known for its fluctuations, especially amidst the recent developments which have remarkably affected the fashion world and mostly independent designers.

Based in LA since 2010, Bing faced a lot of challenges and managed to build herself a prestigious position as a designer focused on independent, working women who don’t compromise their elegance in their everyday outfits.

Shayk said the practicality and elegance of her designs are what made her accept to be the face of this campaign.

“Anine Bing is a self-made woman and a creative mother, and these characteristics make me respect her and her classic and practical designs; I can definitely see some parallels between us,” the Russian model said.

Bing acknowledged that since the launch of her brand, she has focused on woman empowerment and the creation of timeless, classic designs that reflect this spirit, boost women’s confidence and help them shine and progress without limits.



Analysts: Shein's Planned Hong Kong Listing to Benefit from Wider Capital Pool

FILE PHOTO: A company logo for fashion brand Shein is seen on a rail of clothing on its Christmas bus as part of a nationwide promotional tour in Liverpool, Britain, December 14, 2024. REUTERS/Phil Noble/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: A company logo for fashion brand Shein is seen on a rail of clothing on its Christmas bus as part of a nationwide promotional tour in Liverpool, Britain, December 14, 2024. REUTERS/Phil Noble/File Photo
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Analysts: Shein's Planned Hong Kong Listing to Benefit from Wider Capital Pool

FILE PHOTO: A company logo for fashion brand Shein is seen on a rail of clothing on its Christmas bus as part of a nationwide promotional tour in Liverpool, Britain, December 14, 2024. REUTERS/Phil Noble/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: A company logo for fashion brand Shein is seen on a rail of clothing on its Christmas bus as part of a nationwide promotional tour in Liverpool, Britain, December 14, 2024. REUTERS/Phil Noble/File Photo

Shein's planned listing in Hong Kong will help the online fast-fashion retailer avoid sharp investor scrutiny of its supply chains while tapping into capital from the mainland and emerging market investors, analysts said.

The Singapore-headquartered company has turned its public market debut ambitions to Hong Kong after failing to win Chinese securities regulatory approval to proceed with a London initial public offering, Reuters reported last month, citing sources.

While a listing, if successful, would be a big boost for Hong Kong, the move would cast a cloud over the company's efforts in recent years to gain legitimacy as a global, rather than a Chinese company. Shein, which sells products including $5 bike shorts and $18 sundresses, has faced political and environmental group pressure in the UK over its cotton sourcing and supply chain practices.

It has also faced allegations that its clothes contain cotton from China's Xinjiang region, where the US and NGOs have accused the Chinese government of human rights abuses and forced labor. Beijing denies any abuses.

The company, which moved its headquarters from China to Singapore in 2022, has previously said it has a zero-tolerance policy for forced labor and requires its contract manufacturers to only source cotton from approved regions.

"If it is the only option now open to them, the Hong Kong market does make sense as a place where you could list a global business with a mainland supply chain," said Eliot Fisk, a Hong Kong capital markets consultant and former JPMorgan banker.

Shein did not respond to a Reuters request for comment. Before its attempt to list in London, Shein had pursued a listing in New York. The China-founded company had also faced regulatory hurdles and pushback from US lawmakers in its attempt to list in the United States.

"Listing in Hong Kong would also likely dodge the protests and political pushback it might face in the UK," said Craig Coben, former Bank of America co-head of capital markets in Hong Kong.

While it is not known whether Shein plans to seek any waivers for a potential Hong Kong listing, several waivers, including disclosure-related waivers, can be sought by large IPO hopefuls in the Asian financial hub, according to capital market lawyers.

A Hong Kong listing would also allow Shein to eventually be added to the city's Stock Connect scheme which gives easier access for mainland and Hong Kong-based investors to buy shares on each country's respective markets more easily.

Shein would easily meet the market capitalization and other criteria for inclusion in the connect scheme and for attracting mainland investment, said Hong Kong-based advisory firm Emmer Capital Partners CEO Manishi Raychaudhuri.

There was a 255% year-on-year increase in average daily turnover in the first three months of the year in Southbound trading, mainland investors buying and selling Hong Kong stocks, the Hong Kong Exchange said in its first quarter results.

"Hong Kong would have a dominant presence of Asia and emerging market-focused investors. London on the other hand, would have a significant presence of global and developed market investors," Raychaudhuri said.

"The supply chain issues would have been a more important consideration for the latter set of investors."