Articles by AFP
Fashion retailers in France lose 20 percent of stores since 2019
The number of stores from major fashion retailers has dropped by nearly 20 percent in France between 2019 and the end of 2025, according to the Alliance du Commerce (AdC). The organisation issued a warning on Tuesday about the “de-commercialisation” of town centres ahead of the municipal elections. The decline is particularly severe for town...
Retailloading...
Grammy red carpet: black and white, barely there and no ICE
The best in music strutted their stuff Sunday on the red carpet at the 68th Grammy Awards in Los Angeles, celebrating the industry's biggest night in a swirl of black and white, barely-there lace and a dash of political anger. Here are some key looks from the Crypto.com Arena: Black and white Author Truman Capote hosted a legendary Black and...
Fashion loading...
Women in ties return as feminism faces pushback
Nicole Kidman, Demi Moore, Bella Hadid, Oprah Winfrey: women entertainers and models are reviving the necktie, a symbol of male power, at a time when feminism is under attack. Whether paired with a trouser suit, like Nicole Kidman in February 2025 at the Critics Choice Awards ceremony, or with a black dress and a sheer shirt, like Demi Moore...
Fashion loading...
French eyewear maker in spotlight after presidential showing
The aviator sunglasses that captured the world's attention when French President Emmanuel Macron wore a pair on stage in Davos in a faceoff with US counterpart Donald Trump have become an unexpected success for the Italian owner of the France-based manufacturer that has watched sales soar. Despite the hype, eyewear maker Henry Jullien has...
Fashion loading...
'Watch the holes': Paris fashion crowd gets to know building sites
One of the hottest trends in fashion right now is hosting catwalk shows in empty office blocks or disused car parks. The appeal was evident again during the just-concluded Paris Men's Fashion Week, where designers sought out stripped-back buildings to showcase their creations. The lower rental prices compared with a plush hotel or cultural venue...
Fashion loading...
Phan Huy: the fashion prodigy putting Vietnam on the map
Phan Huy has had a thrilling -- but quite stressful -- journey to making history at Paris Haute Couture Week on Thursday where he will become the youngest and the first Vietnamese designer to present a collection on the official calendar. The early part of his week was spent anxiously waiting for his designs to arrive in France from Vietnam...
Fashion loading...
McQueen restructuring plan: one-third of Italian workforce at risk
British luxury brand McQueen could lay off one-third of its Italian employees, according to a statement released by three local unions on Wednesday. The company's management has announced a restructuring plan. According to the unions Filctem CGIL, Femca CISL and Uiltec, this plan involves cutting approximately one-third of the total workforce....
BusinessMemberloading...
Swiss watch exports contract by 1.7 percent in 2025
Zurich - Hit by US tariffs, Swiss watch exports contracted by 1.7 percent in 2025 despite a rebound in December, according to statistics published on Thursday by the Swedish watch federation. In 2025, Swiss watch exports amounted to 25.6 billion francs (33.32 billion dollars). This marked a decline for the second consecutive year, following a...
BusinessMemberloading...
Interparfums acquires David Beckham and Nautica fragrance licences
Interparfums, which produces fragrances for brands including Jimmy Choo and Coach, announced on Thursday the acquisition of two additional licences for David Beckham and Nautica. “Interparfums today announced the signing of an exclusive 20-year global licence agreement with David Beckham for the creation, development, production and distribution...
BusinessMemberloading...
Amazon to reduce global workforce by 16,000 roles
E-commerce giant Amazon is cutting 16,000 jobs worldwide. The company has not yet specified which roles will be affected as it concentrates its efforts on artificial intelligence. “The reductions we are implementing today will impact approximately 16,000 roles across Amazon, and we are working (...) to support everyone whose position is...
BusinessMemberloading...