Articles by AFP
Is François-Henri Pinault stepping back from Kering?
Paris - 63-year-old François-Henri Pinault, chief executive officer of French luxury group Kering (Kering), is reportedly planning to separate the roles of chairman and chief executive officer. This information was published on Thursday by the business magazine Challenges. According to the magazine, which did not cite its sources, Pinault will...
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At Vivatech: Robots, trainers and counterfeit detectors powered by AI
Paris - Robots, a counterfeit detector and navigation systems for the visually impaired, all powered by generative artificial intelligence (AI), were among the innovations highlighted at the VivaTech trade show, which took place in Paris until June 7. AI and anti-counterfeiting Could you tell the difference between a Lacoste t-shirt and a...
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Chinese shareholders of SMCP fined 1.7 million euros
Paris - Amidst an exceptional governance crisis, the Chinese shareholders of French fashion group SMCP (Sandro, Maje, Claudie Pierlot) were fined a total of 1.7 million euros by the French Financial Markets Authority (AMF), according to a statement released on Thursday, June 12, 2025. "In its decision of June 10, 2025, the Sanctions Committee...
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Facing tariffs, Vietnam requests support from American clothing brands
Hanoi - Hanoi invited American textile companies to support Vietnam with the Trump administration in its efforts to avoid a 46 percent tariff that would damage trade between the two countries. Vietnam, which mass-produces clothing and footwear for international brands, worked tirelessly to meet the demands of its main client, the US. Industry...
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French Senate to vote on regulating fast fashion
The French Senate is due to vote Tuesday on a bill to regulate the fast fashion industry, by sanctioning companies and banning advertisements. The bill is targeted at Chinese-founded e-commerce giant Shein, which has a reputation for selling lower quality clothes at a very low price. Easy to order and replace, fast fashion items are exported to...
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Kenya's plus-size fashion show says 'big is beautiful'
In African wax print dresses and tight-fitting evening wear, the "plus-size" models strutted up the runway in Kisumu, western Kenya, in a special event designed to celebrate the beauty of larger women. Started nine years ago, the East Africa Plus Size Fashion Affair is, according to founder Winnie Wenga Walcott, the only event of its kind in...
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Amazon agrees to tackle fake reviews in UK
Amazon has agreed to clamp down on fake online reviews of products advertised on its UK site, Britain's competition regulator said Friday. Google agreed a similar UK commitment in January after the Competition and Markets Authority launched an investigation into the matter five years ago. Amazon "has signed undertakings committing to enhance its...
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First ever Birkin bag to be auctioned in July
The first Birkin bag that was designed by French luxury brand Hermes for actress Jane Birkin in 1984, will be auctioned in Paris on July 10, auction house Sotheby's said Thursday. The large black leather tote, whose design went on to become one of the most famous and expensive bags in the world, will be the centrepiece of the "Fashion Icons"...
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L'Oréal eyes Medik8 for one billion euros
French beauty giant L’Oréal is reportedly poised to acquire cosmetics brand Medik8 for one billion euros, the Financial Times reported on Wednesday. Specialising in ‘anti-ageing’ skincare, Medik8 would sit within L’Oréal’s dermatological beauty section alongside brands like La Roche-Posay and Vichy, which saw its revenue increase by 3.5 percent...
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Made in France: Paraboot's 117-year legacy of durable and repairable shoes
Saint-Jean-de-Moirans, France - A scent of leather and rubber hung in the air at the Paraboot factory, near Grenoble, where around one hundred workers cut, sewed, melted and polished the ‘made in France’ shoes that were highly sought after abroad. Bucking the trend of decline in French footwear, the brand’s turnover continued to increase: it was...
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