Articles by AFP
French government appeals rejection of Shein website suspension
The appeal hearing regarding the state's request to temporarily block the Shein website in France is scheduled for February 5. This follows the initial rejection of the case. The office of the minister of commerce, Serge Papin, confirmed the date to AFP on Tuesday. On December 19, the Paris judicial court rejected the suspension request, deeming...
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Globes red carpet: chic black, naked dresses and a bit of politics
Hollywood's top stars hit the red carpet on Sunday for the Golden Globes, the first major event on the road to the Oscars, and they delivered lots of old-school glamour. Here is a glance at some of the looks seen at the Beverly Hilton Hotel: Ever-chic black Selena Gomez is a newlywed and her happiness shows. The best comedy actress nominee for...
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AI pendants back in vogue at tech show after early setback
Pendants and brooches packed with artificial intelligence abounded at the Consumer Electronics show, using cameras and microphones to watch and listen through the day like a vigilant personal assistant. The return of the wearable tech comes about a year after the discontinuation of a Humane AI Pin panned by reviewers after it was launched amid...
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Uniqlo parent Fast Retailing raises its forecast for 2025/2026
On Thursday, Japanese ready-to-wear giant Fast Retailing, the parent company of Uniqlo, raised its profit and revenue forecasts for its 2025/26 fiscal year. The company cited robust profits for the September-November period and a turnaround in the Chinese market. The Japanese apparel giant had achieved its fourth consecutive year of record...
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French report outlines plan to tax fast fashion and boost local production
On Wednesday, Clément Beaune, France's High Commissioner for Strategy and Planning, unveiled a strategic study designed to combat the "massive influx" of fast fashion. The report advocates for a tripartite approach: revitalizing French manufacturing, scaling textile recycling, and imposing heavy taxes on low-cost imports. Ahead of the full...
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L'Officiel: fraud investigation launched following 'predatory' acquisition by Chinese group
French authorities have launched an investigation into potential large-scale fraud surrounding the acquisition of L'Officiel magazine's publisher by a Chinese conglomerate. The founding owners, the Jalou family, are denouncing a “predatory” operation aimed at stripping the assets of the century-old fashion and luxury institution. Behind the...
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Vietnam: growth accelerates to 8 percent in 2025 despite US tariffs
Vietnam reported an 8 percent growth in its gross domestic product (GDP) for 2025 on Monday, driven by services, construction and exports, despite the impact of US tariffs. “The 2025 GDP is expected to post significant growth, estimated at 8.02 percent compared to the previous year,” the Statistics Bureau said in a statement. For several years,...
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Fashion designer Jacqueline de Ribes passes away aged 96
Paris - Countess Jacqueline de Ribes, nicknamed “the last queen of Paris”, has died at the age of 96. The stylist, businesswoman, jet-set figure and symbol of Parisian elegance, particularly in the US, passed away on Tuesday. Her office confirmed the news to AFP on Wednesday, speaking on behalf of the family. De Ribes died in Switzerland, her...
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LVMH acquires Challenges, Sciences et Avenir and La Recherche
Luxury giant LVMH announced on Tuesday it has acquired the magazines Challenges, Sciences et Avenir and La Recherche as planned. According to a statement, the group intends to ensure their “longevity”. Businessman Claude Perdriel, who was the majority shareholder until now, had agreed to the sale for a symbolic one euro. He has now retired from...
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Analysis: French ready-to-wear, between collapse and hope
Paris - Under pressure from fast fashion and second-hand fashion, the ready-to-wear sector is faltering: 2025 has been marked by a series of bankruptcies, receiverships and liquidations. However, experts believe a rebound is possible, driven by a renewed focus on brand DNA, innovation and moving upmarket. At the end of this year, the brand IKKS...
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