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Inditex Temporarily Closes Franchise-operated Stores in Algeria

NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 29: People wait for Zara to open its doors for its Black Friday sale on November 29, 2024 in New York City. David Dee Delgado/Getty Images/AFP
NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 29: People wait for Zara to open its doors for its Black Friday sale on November 29, 2024 in New York City. David Dee Delgado/Getty Images/AFP
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Inditex Temporarily Closes Franchise-operated Stores in Algeria

NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 29: People wait for Zara to open its doors for its Black Friday sale on November 29, 2024 in New York City. David Dee Delgado/Getty Images/AFP
NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 29: People wait for Zara to open its doors for its Black Friday sale on November 29, 2024 in New York City. David Dee Delgado/Getty Images/AFP

Spain's Inditex has temporarily closed its franchise-operated stores in Algeria though it is not considering ceasing operations in the country, a company source told Reuters on Thursday.

The company behind Zara and other brands, which according to its latest annual report has 20 stores in Algeria, has at other times temporarily closed shops in countries such as Ukraine and Israel.

Inditex said the closures in Algeria are in response to operational problems that have made it difficult to renew stock in stores, without indicating how many are closed and when they would reopen.
Spanish online news website El Confidencial, which first published the information about store closures in Algeria, mentioned videos circulating on social networks showing stores with a sign that read: "Temporary closure."

The world's biggest listed fast-fashion company earlier this year reopened Zara stores in Ukraine and relaunched online sales, as well as resuming operations in Venezuela under a franchise agreement.
The United Arab Emirates-based Daher Group, the Inditex partner that operates the company's brands in Algeria and other countries in Africa and the Middle East, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

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Fashion

‘Saudi 100 Brands’ Showcases Heritage-Inspired Fashion Presentation at Saudi Cup 2026

The Saudi 100 Brands program, a flagship initiative of the Saudi Fashion Commission, supports emerging Saudi designers. SPA
The Saudi 100 Brands program, a flagship initiative of the Saudi Fashion Commission, supports emerging Saudi designers. SPA
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‘Saudi 100 Brands’ Showcases Heritage-Inspired Fashion Presentation at Saudi Cup 2026

The Saudi 100 Brands program, a flagship initiative of the Saudi Fashion Commission, supports emerging Saudi designers. SPA
The Saudi 100 Brands program, a flagship initiative of the Saudi Fashion Commission, supports emerging Saudi designers. SPA

The Saudi Fashion Commission announced the participation of the Saudi 100 Brands program in the Saudi Cup 2026, set to take place on February 13-14 at King Abdulaziz Racecourse in Riyadh, marking the initiative’s fourth consecutive presence at the global sporting and cultural event.

The participation reflects a celebration of the history and evolution of Saudi fashion, as the initiative presents national heritage through a dynamic and innovative fashion presentation.

The showcases will run over two days, with each day featuring presentations by three Saudi fashion brands, in addition to the participation of three jewelry and accessories brands displaying selected pieces at the accompanying exhibition. This provides a unique opportunity for Saudi designers to present their work to a global audience.

The presentations will highlight the fusion of traditional Saudi heritage with contemporary design, offering a fresh perspective on the Kingdom’s creative identity, with the participation of a selection of Saudi brands.

“Since 2022, the Saudi 100 Brands program has been an integral part of the Saudi Cup, positioning fashion as a cultural expression within one of the Kingdom’s most globally visible events,” said Saudi Fashion Commission chief executive Burak Cakmak.

"This platform has enabled brands to bring together heritage and contemporary narratives that reflect identity, creativity, and innovation. This year represents a natural evolution from an exhibition to a curated showcase, reinforcing fashion’s role as a dynamic cultural platform within the Saudi Cup.”

The Saudi 100 Brands program, a flagship initiative of the Saudi Fashion Commission, continues to support emerging Saudi designers by providing them with the tools, expertise, and platforms needed to expand their reach and influence in the global fashion industry.

The showcased pieces draw inspiration from heritage motifs, textiles, and storytelling, reinterpreted through innovative design to resonate with modern aesthetics and international audiences. The presentations aim to celebrate national identity, highlight the depth of local creative talent, and showcase the distinctive direction of Saudi fashion as part of the Kingdom’s cultural evolution.

The showcases also offer visitors an opportunity to explore the intersection of craftsmanship and cultural expression, while introducing global audiences to Saudi Arabia’s vibrant and expanding fashion ecosystem.

This participation underscores the Saudi Fashion Commission’s broader vision to foster a thriving fashion sector rooted in cultural heritage and driven by international ambition, by blending cultural narratives with innovative design and creating pathways for Saudi fashion to contribute meaningfully to global creative industries, while nurturing talent and positioning Saudi brands for sustained success.

Fashion

Ralph Lauren’s Fall 2026 Collection a Mix of Romantic Adventure with Metallic Flair 

A model walks the runway during the Ralph Lauren Fall 2026 Collection fashion show in New York, on February 10, 2026. (AFP)
A model walks the runway during the Ralph Lauren Fall 2026 Collection fashion show in New York, on February 10, 2026. (AFP)
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Ralph Lauren’s Fall 2026 Collection a Mix of Romantic Adventure with Metallic Flair 

A model walks the runway during the Ralph Lauren Fall 2026 Collection fashion show in New York, on February 10, 2026. (AFP)
A model walks the runway during the Ralph Lauren Fall 2026 Collection fashion show in New York, on February 10, 2026. (AFP)

With more than 50 years in fashion, Ralph Lauren is still looking for adventure. Lauren took his celebrity guests on an adventure into the English countryside Tuesday for his fall 2026 runway show.

Set amid the beaux arts architecture of the Clock Tower building in Manhattan, Lauren delivered a stylish take on softness and strength, pairing luxurious earth-toned rich fabrics with metallic detailing for his latest collection.

Lauren’s ethereal models with their hair flowing behind them strutted on opulent rugs as celebrity guests including actor Anne Hathaway, singer Lana Del Rey and actor Lili Reinhart looked on from antique style chairs; a romantic painted landscape canvas filled the walls surrounding them.

In his show notes, Lauren described his muse as a woman whose style is not defined by time.

“I love the adventure of fashion,” Ralph Lauren wrote, adding his fall collection “is inspired by that kind of renegade spirit and the confidence of the woman who will wear it in her own personal way — to tell her own story.”

The 86-year-old designer has never been one to follow trends but drive them. At Tuesday’s show, accessories added a modern flair from leather gloves paired with a knit off-the-shoulder dress to shimmering silver detailing.

Supermodel Gigi Hadid opened the show in a wool corseted top and maxi skirt accentuated with a silver waist chain. Other models walked the runway with silver belt chains and metallic brooches that stood in an edgy contrast to Lauren’s romantic Victorian tops and tailored jackets. Lauren pinned metallic glimmering brooches to lush wool cloaks that were elegantly draped over models’ shoulders in a show of strength.

In a modern twist on Joan of Arc, Lauren designed a chain mail top that delicately peeked out from underneath one model’s tweed jacket. Lauren complemented the look with a printed scarf and leather pants.

“There were several looks that had this beautiful chain mail kind of detailing,” actor Ariana DeBose told The Associated Press. “What a way to give a woman beautiful armor.”

Even with his contemporary additions, Lauren’s collection still included his signature touches from his riding boots, exquisite tailoring and elegant high neck blouses.

Lauren’s brand is an American staple that continues to prevail in an ever-changing industry. As part of his enduring legacy, Lauren was once again tapped to design the uniforms for Team USA at the Olympic Winter Games in Milan, marking his sixth time designing for the games.

“From being in Italy with the greatest athletes in the world and then coming here to New York City to put on a fashion show that’s so elegant, it’s two different sides of Ralph Lauren and two different sides of what an American company can do to reach the world,” David Lauren, the company's chief branding and innovation officer, said.

Fashion

Kering’s Fourth-Quarter Sales Fall Less Than Expected as Gucci Slide Continues

The logo of French luxury group Kering is seen at Kering headquarters in Paris, France, February 13, 2023. (Reuters)
The logo of French luxury group Kering is seen at Kering headquarters in Paris, France, February 13, 2023. (Reuters)
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Kering’s Fourth-Quarter Sales Fall Less Than Expected as Gucci Slide Continues

The logo of French luxury group Kering is seen at Kering headquarters in Paris, France, February 13, 2023. (Reuters)
The logo of French luxury group Kering is seen at Kering headquarters in Paris, France, February 13, 2023. (Reuters)

Kering reported on Tuesday a slightly smaller-than-expected drop in fourth-quarter sales, as investors await details of CEO Luca de Meo's plans ​to revive the Gucci owner's flagging fortunes.

Sales reached 3.9 billion euros ($4.64 billion), down 3% from the previous year when adjusted for currency swings. That beat analysts' consensus forecast for a 5% drop, according to Visible Alpha.

The revenue drop was 10% at Italian flagship label Gucci, which accounts for most of Kering's profits, versus analyst expectations of a 12% decline.

It ‌was the brand's ‌10th straight quarter of revenue ‌decline.

Finance ⁠Chief ​Armelle ‌Poulou told journalists Gucci saw some improvement at the end of last year in "almost all regions", helped by newly introduced products and handbag sales.

Grappling with weak sales since the maximalist styles of Gucci's former star designer Alessandro Michele fell out of fashion in 2022, Kering has faced heightened investor scrutiny over its high ⁠debt and declining profitability.

Free cash from operations fell by 35% last year ‌when excluding one-off payments from real estate ‍sales, reaching 2.3 billion euros, Kering ‍said.

"For Kering, it's really about (restoring) the broad desirability globally," said ‍JPMorgan analyst Chiara Battistini.

Facing an uncertain business outlook, the group, which also owns Gucci Balenciaga, Bottega Veneta and Yves Saint Laurent, further reduced its store network by 75 boutiques with further closures planned, Poulou said.

The ​earnings underscored the steep challenges Kering faces to catch up with peers even though its shares have ⁠risen around 50% since de Meo's appointment was announced last June.

"2025 did not reflect Kering's true potential or the strength of our brands, but it enabled us to lay the foundations for our future recovery," said Poulou.

Kering's annual operating income reached 1.63 billion euros, less than a third of its 2022 level. Kering's operating profit margin fell to 11% group-wide and 16% at Gucci, down from 28% and 36% three years earlier.

By contrast, LVMH delivered a 22% margin last year amid ‌a broader luxury slowdown, with its leather and fashion division - home to Louis Vuitton and Dior - hitting 35%.