Hollywood Hails Armani, Designer to the Stars

Italian designer Giorgio Armani acknowledges the public at the end of the Giorgio Armani Prive during the Fall/Winter 2011-2012 Haute Couture Collection Show on July 5, 2011 in Paris. (AFP)
Italian designer Giorgio Armani acknowledges the public at the end of the Giorgio Armani Prive during the Fall/Winter 2011-2012 Haute Couture Collection Show on July 5, 2011 in Paris. (AFP)
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Hollywood Hails Armani, Designer to the Stars

Italian designer Giorgio Armani acknowledges the public at the end of the Giorgio Armani Prive during the Fall/Winter 2011-2012 Haute Couture Collection Show on July 5, 2011 in Paris. (AFP)
Italian designer Giorgio Armani acknowledges the public at the end of the Giorgio Armani Prive during the Fall/Winter 2011-2012 Haute Couture Collection Show on July 5, 2011 in Paris. (AFP)

Leading lights of the silver screen on Thursday mourned the death of fashion legend Giorgio Armani, whose client list read like a who's who of Hollywood royalty.

Julia Roberts, who frequently wore the Italian designer's creations, called Armani "A true friend. A Legend", while fellow film star Claudia Cardinale said she was "filled with immense pain at the news" of his death at the age of 91.

"Meeting Giorgio was a crucial moment in my life ... It marked my transition to becoming a new woman, independent and free," the Italian actress said.

"My heart is broken... Giorgio forever."

US actor Russell Crowe posted an anecdote on X about buying his first Armani suit for the Cannes film festival in 1997 after his bag was lost in transit.

"That began a love affair with Armani suits that continues to this day," he said.

Another Italian fashion icon Donatella Versace said the world will never forget Armani, who died at the age of 91.

"The world lost a giant today. He made history and will be remembered forever", she said.

Jonathan Anderson, creative director at Dior, kept his tribute on Instagram short and cinematic.

"The best," read the Northern Irish designer's caption, over a photo of Armani inspecting Robert De Niro's costume while on the set of Casino with director Martin Scorsese.



Michael Kors Brings ‘New York Chic’ to NY Fashion Week with Latest Collection 

A model presents a creation from the Michael Kors Fall/Winter 2026 collection during New York Fashion Week in New York City, US, February 12, 2026. (Reuters)
A model presents a creation from the Michael Kors Fall/Winter 2026 collection during New York Fashion Week in New York City, US, February 12, 2026. (Reuters)
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Michael Kors Brings ‘New York Chic’ to NY Fashion Week with Latest Collection 

A model presents a creation from the Michael Kors Fall/Winter 2026 collection during New York Fashion Week in New York City, US, February 12, 2026. (Reuters)
A model presents a creation from the Michael Kors Fall/Winter 2026 collection during New York Fashion Week in New York City, US, February 12, 2026. (Reuters)

Michael Kors launched its fall/winter collection on Thursday during New York Fashion Week as models in wool coats and monochromatic sweaters walked the runway carrying feathered bags.

The show celebrated the brand's 45th anniversary. The presentation also ‌comes just over ‌a week after Michael ‌Kors parent ⁠company Capri Holdings ⁠reported a 5.6% drop in the brand's sales in its holiday quarter attributed to reduced promotions. Michael Kors accounts for more than 80% of the company's revenue.

Models, including Alex Consani and Christy ⁠Turlington, strutted the staircase of the ‌Metropolitan Opera ‌House showing off tailored suits, embroidered florals and ‌cashmere sweater dresses inspired by the idea ‌of "no nonsense to being chic in New York," the brand's namesake said.

New York is "gritty, tough, rough, resilient, and then you turn ‌the corner and it's glamorous, opulent, and fabulous," designer Michael Kors ⁠told ⁠Reuters. "I think the balance of those two sides of things ... that is something that has informed my approach."

Actresses Gabrielle Union, Dakota Fanning and Leslie Bibb watched the show along with Vogue Chief Content Officer and Global Editorial Director Anna Wintour.

Capri Holdings shares dropped 3.39% on Thursday. They have lost 12% over the last 12 months.


Hermes Beats Sales Expectations, Sees Positive Signs in China

The logo of Hermes is seen on a store in Paris, France, April 24, 2020. (Reuters)
The logo of Hermes is seen on a store in Paris, France, April 24, 2020. (Reuters)
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Hermes Beats Sales Expectations, Sees Positive Signs in China

The logo of Hermes is seen on a store in Paris, France, April 24, 2020. (Reuters)
The logo of Hermes is seen on a store in Paris, France, April 24, 2020. (Reuters)

Hermes, whose handbags sell for $10,000 and more, on Thursday reported stronger than expected fourth-quarter revenue growth, lifted by strong sales in the United States and Japan.

Thanks to its ultra-wealthy clients and large order backlog, the group has weathered a luxury sector slowdown better than most of its rivals, consistently increasing revenue while sales at other luxury groups, like LVMH and Kering , have been under pressure.

"The group is going into 2026 with confidence," said CEO Axel Dumas, adding that this year's ‌price increases would ‌be around 5-6%, down from a 6-7% rate in ‌2025, ⁠attributing the slower pace ⁠to currency shifts.

Hermes shares gained 2% in early trade, Reuters reported.

Chiara Battistini, luxury equity analyst at J.P. Morgan, said the price increases Hermes imposes on its deep-pocketed customers this year will be key for the company's growth outlook.

Many of its rivals have put the brakes on price rises due to falling sales. Gucci owner Kering's CEO earlier this week said a price hike "bonanza" post-pandemic had contributed ⁠to the company's revenue slide.

Sales of products, including Birkin and ‌Kelly bags, silk scarves and perfume, grew ‌by 9.8% in the fourth quarter in currency-adjusted terms, compared to an analyst consensus compiled ‌by Visible Alpha of 8.4% growth.

Sales in the Americas region, mainly ‌the United States, rose by 12.1%, beating expectations of around 9%, while sales in Asia excluding Japan - a region mainly driven by China - grew 8%.

POSITIVE SIGNS IN CHINA

In a call with analysts, Dumas said he was seeing positive signs in China, ‌a major luxury market that has slowed significantly in the past few years due to the impact of ⁠a property crash on ⁠the country's economy.

"I do not see the situation deteriorating," he said. "There are positive moves, in particular the way they are managing the property crisis."

Revenues in Hermes' leather division, which accounts for most of its profits, grew by 14.6% organically.

Hermes' full-year operating profit came in at 6.57 billion euros ($7.79 billion), with a 41% profit margin, slightly ahead of estimates of a 40% margin. The company said it would pay a dividend of 18 euros per share.

Hermes has grown its overall annual sales by around 38% in the past three years even as most of the luxury industry stalled. Its shares are up 36% over the same period.

With just 25,000 staff globally, family-controlled Hermes has become France's second-largest company by market capitalization after rival LVMH.


‘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.