Music's Top Stars Burn Up the Grammys Red Carpet

Singer-songwriter Billie Eilish makes an entrance at the Grammys ANGELA WEISS AFP
Singer-songwriter Billie Eilish makes an entrance at the Grammys ANGELA WEISS AFP
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Music's Top Stars Burn Up the Grammys Red Carpet

Singer-songwriter Billie Eilish makes an entrance at the Grammys ANGELA WEISS AFP
Singer-songwriter Billie Eilish makes an entrance at the Grammys ANGELA WEISS AFP

Music's biggest night is the awards season event with the boldest looks, and moving the Grammys to Sin City certainly amped up the edginess -- the industry's top names sizzled Sunday on the red carpet, showing lots of skin.

Some of the most iconic fashion looks ever have emerged at the Grammy Awards, like Jennifer Lopez's dramatic plunging green Versace gown in 2000 or Cardi B's vintage Thierry Mugler "Venus" gown in 2019, AFP said.

On Sunday, there was more Versace -- and even Donatella herself on stage at the MGM Grand. The naked dress trend that emerged a week earlier at the Oscars was in full effect, and funky gowns in basic black had their place.

For the men, the memo obviously called for brash statements and loads of bright colors.

Here are some of the top looks from the Grammys red carpet:

- (Not so) basic black -
Olivia Rodrigo made her Grammys debut, and her arrival was memorable.

The 19-year-old, who won three awards including Best New Artist, went for a body-conscious 90s look in a figure-hugging black Vivienne Westwood gown with pink accents and a choker, finished off with long gloves.

Grammys darling Billie Eilish, who gave a stunning performance of her hit "Happier Than Ever," but didn't win a trophy, rocked a deconstructed black suit jacket fashioned into a cape to match her hair and square sunglasses.

On stage, she opted for baggy trousers -- which are easier to jump around in -- and wore a black tee-shirt bearing the likeness of late Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins.

And then there were the matching dresses: Dua Lipa and Megan Thee Stallion came out to present an award, seemingly in the same black dress... until designer Donatella Versace stepped up on stage to make a few changes. Bingo: two outfits.

- Baring it all (almost) -
Singer-rapper Doja Cat, who won her first ever Grammy for best pop duo/group performance with SZA on "Kiss Me More," embraced the current naked dress trend: her sheer sea-foam green Versace gown with a plunging neckline stunned fashionistas.

Actress Laverne Cox went for a goth lingerie look, in a filmy black gown from John Galliano with smoky plum makeup and bright purple hair.

And reality star socialite Paris Hilton was in eye-popping silver with strategically placed sequins and a gauzy flowing cape.

On the red carpet, Megan Thee Stallion did not go for a see-through dress, but her slinky leopard print one-shoulder gown with a high leg slit certainly bared some skin.

- Make it colorful -
Rapper Saweetie, who was up for two awards, knows how to work a pop of color.

She paid tribute to Madonna's "Material Girl" look in a bright fuchsia Valentino ensemble -- a daring bikini top, full ball gown skirt and elbow-length gloves, accessorized with a huge diamond choker.

But the men also brought some eye-popping color to their fashion game at the MGM Grand.

Jon Batiste -- the big winner of the night with five awards -- was a whirling catwalk show, changing outfits multiple times and bringing the swagger in Dolce & Gabbana.

He wore a shiny suit with yellow checks at the pre-gala ceremony, a shimmering powder blue suit for his high-energy performance and a sweeping blinged-out cape to accept his awards.

Drummer Travis Barker, who performed with H.E.R. and Lenny Kravitz, arrived in a bright pink coat -- the color of the night, for sure -- over a black vest and trousers.

Justin Bieber, one of the top nominees, arrived in a fuchsia knit hat that nearly matched Saweetie's dress.

DJ Diplo and Colombian singer J Balvin both went for bright blue hair, while Australian rapper The Kid Laroi showed up with flowing pink locks.



Nike Shares Rise as Apple’s Cook Doubles His Bet on CEO Hill’s Overhaul Effort

A jogger wearing Nike shoes runs along the Charles River in Cambridge, Massachusetts, US, March 18, 2019. (Reuters)
A jogger wearing Nike shoes runs along the Charles River in Cambridge, Massachusetts, US, March 18, 2019. (Reuters)
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Nike Shares Rise as Apple’s Cook Doubles His Bet on CEO Hill’s Overhaul Effort

A jogger wearing Nike shoes runs along the Charles River in Cambridge, Massachusetts, US, March 18, 2019. (Reuters)
A jogger wearing Nike shoes runs along the Charles River in Cambridge, Massachusetts, US, March 18, 2019. (Reuters)

Nike shares rose 5% in early trading on Wednesday after Apple CEO Tim Cook doubled his personal stake in the sportswear maker, raising his bets on the margin-pinching turnaround efforts led by CEO Elliott Hill.

Cook, who has been on Nike's board since 2005, bought 50,000 shares at $58.97 ‌each, according to ‌a regulatory filing. As of December ‌22, ⁠he holds about ‌105,000 shares, which is now worth nearly $6 million.

It was the largest open market stock purchase for a Nike director or executive and possibly the largest in more than a decade, said Jonathan Komp, analyst at Baird Equity Research.

"(We see) Cook's move as a positive signal for the progress under CEO Elliott Hill and Nike's 'Win ⁠Now' actions," Komp said.

The purchase comes days after Nike reported weaker quarterly margins and weak ‌sales in China even as CEO ‍Hill tries to revive demand ‍through fresh marketing plans and innovation focused on running and sports, ‍while phasing out lagging lifestyle brands.

He has also attempted to mend Nike's ties with wholesalers such as Dicks Sporting Goods to increase visibility among shoppers amid stiff competition from newer brands.

However, the strategy has strained Nike's margins, which have been declining for over a year, while its efforts to win back its ⁠premier position in discount-friendly China appears to be faltering.

Nike's shares have slumped nearly 13% since it reported results on December 18 and are on track for the fourth straight year of declines. They were trading at $60.19 on Wednesday.

Cook has been a lead independent director of Nike since 2016 when co-founder Phil Knight stepped down as its chairman.

The Apple CEO "remains extremely close" with Knight, Komp said, adding that he has advised Nike through key strategic decisions including Hill's appointment last year.

Board director and former Intel CEO ‌Robert Swan also bought about 8,700 shares for about $500,000 this week.


Etro Founding Family Exits Group as New Investors Including Türkiye's RAMS Global Join

L Catterton, a private equity firm backed by French luxury giant LVMH, will remain Etro's majority owner. Reuters
L Catterton, a private equity firm backed by French luxury giant LVMH, will remain Etro's majority owner. Reuters
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Etro Founding Family Exits Group as New Investors Including Türkiye's RAMS Global Join

L Catterton, a private equity firm backed by French luxury giant LVMH, will remain Etro's majority owner. Reuters
L Catterton, a private equity firm backed by French luxury giant LVMH, will remain Etro's majority owner. Reuters

The founding family of Italian fashion house Etro has sold the minority stake it still owned in the brand to a group of investors including Turkish group RAMS Global, the company said on Friday.

L Catterton, a private equity firm backed by French luxury giant LVMH, will remain Etro's majority owner and "will continue to actively support the brand's long-term growth strategy," Etro added, according to Reuters.

The new investors comprise also Italian fashion group Swinger International and small private equity firm ⁠RSI.

In addition to buying the stake, they all subscribed to a capital increase that will lower L Catterton's holding in Etro to between 51% and 55% from around 65%.

When including both the acquisition and the capital increase, the deal is worth around 70 ⁠million euros ($82 million), two sources close to the matter said. Etro did not disclose financial details.

Chief Executive Fabrizio Cardinali will remain at the helm, while Faruk Bülbül, representing RAMS Global, will become chairman of the board.

L Catterton bought a 60% stake in the brand known for its paisley motif four years ago, and it slightly increased the holding over the years.

The company, founded by Gimmo Etro in 1968, has ⁠been struggling with its turnaround. Last year it posted a net loss of 23 million euros with net revenues declining to 245 million euros from 261 million euros, according to filings with the local chambers of commerce reviewed by Reuters.

Rothschild advised L Catterton and the Etro family on the deal.

Rothschild had been hired in 2024 to look for a new investor who could buy all or part of the Etro fashion group, sources had previously told Reuters.


Paris Court Rejects Bid to Suspend Shein Platform in France

A customer holds shopping bags with a Shein logo in the first physical space of Chinese online fast-fashion retailer Shein on the day of its opening inside the Le BHV Marais department store, the Bazar de l'Hotel de Ville, in Paris, France, November 5, 2025. REUTERS/Sarah Meyssonnier/File Photo
A customer holds shopping bags with a Shein logo in the first physical space of Chinese online fast-fashion retailer Shein on the day of its opening inside the Le BHV Marais department store, the Bazar de l'Hotel de Ville, in Paris, France, November 5, 2025. REUTERS/Sarah Meyssonnier/File Photo
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Paris Court Rejects Bid to Suspend Shein Platform in France

A customer holds shopping bags with a Shein logo in the first physical space of Chinese online fast-fashion retailer Shein on the day of its opening inside the Le BHV Marais department store, the Bazar de l'Hotel de Ville, in Paris, France, November 5, 2025. REUTERS/Sarah Meyssonnier/File Photo
A customer holds shopping bags with a Shein logo in the first physical space of Chinese online fast-fashion retailer Shein on the day of its opening inside the Le BHV Marais department store, the Bazar de l'Hotel de Ville, in Paris, France, November 5, 2025. REUTERS/Sarah Meyssonnier/File Photo

A Paris court on Friday rejected a government request to suspend Chinese fast-fashion platform Shein in France after authorities found illegal weapons and child-like sex dolls for sale on the fast-fashion giant’s website.

Shein welcomed the decision, saying it remains committed to strengthening its control processes in cooperation with French authorities.

“Our priority remains protecting French consumers and ensuring compliance with local laws and regulations," the company said in an emailed statement to The Associated Press.

The controversy dates to early November, when France’s consumer watchdog and Finance Ministry moved toward suspending Shein’s online marketplace after authorities said they had found childlike sex dolls and prohibited “Class A” weapons listed for sale, even as the company opened its first permanent store in Paris.

French authorities gave Shein hours to remove the items. The company responded by banning the products and largely shutting down third-party marketplace listings in France.

French officials have also asked the European Commission to examine how illegal products were able to appear on the platform under EU rules governing large online intermediaries.