NEOM's chief executive officer&nbsp;Al-Nasr highlighted that NEOM is now creating 15 islands as phase 1 of its development, which will be followed by a complete mobility system, the "largest marina on Earth," and a commitment to sustainable energy. 95 per cent of the whole territory of NEOM will be turned into a natural reserve. The Line, Oxagon, and Trojena, the three mega-projects on which NEOM is concentrating its efforts, are expected to create 380,000 new employment and SAR180 billion in additional GDP for the kingdom.

Mirror Facade 'The Line'

The first project is called 'The Line.' Saudi Arabia would also employ a lot of artificial intelligence to design The Line rather than physically construct the future metropolis, said NEOM's executive director Giles Pendleton in an internal interview. He said that they must construct a significant amount of real estate quickly. Pendleton highlighted the city which will have nine million inhabitants will be created from a series of modular elements that are pre-engineered and preset as to what their function be.&nbsp;

<img alt="The Line" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="4d08acf4-c067-4a93-b7ba-e97448071f0d" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/The-Line-Project-25%20Mirror.jpg" />

It is being built in the northwestern Tabuk region of the kingdom. The metropolis will be able to blend in with the surrounding landscape because to The Line's mirror facade. The linear metropolis will run on 100% renewable energy, have no roads, automobiles, or emissions, and retain 95% of its area for wildlife because of its smaller infrastructural footprint. The city is designed to place a higher priority on health and happiness than on transportation and infrastructure. One of the interesting detail that Pendleton revealed was that The Line will have a “one door-lock system.” The development include areas for living, working, and playing in a futuristic metropolis.&nbsp;

<img alt="The Line" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="23f4c6aa-029f-4ddc-921c-215649988993" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Mirror%20facadee.jpg" />

Saudi Crown Prince MBS said the plans for the city's vertically tiered settlements "would challenge the typical flat, horizontal cities and offer a paradigm for ecological preservation and increased human livability."

Snow-Capped 'TROJENA'

The tourist attraction of TROJENA in Saudi Arabia is 50 kilometres from the shore of the Gulf of Aqaba and is a component of the nation's massive NEOM project. The location, which has heights ranging from 1,500 metres to 2,600 metres and a footprint of around 60 square kilometres, is about to undergo major transformations in preparation for the 2029 Asian Winter Games. The first Middle Eastern nation to host the competition, which will include 32 participant nations, is Saudi Arabia. Set to redefine mountain tourism, the 2026 TROJENA project is situated in a region with below-zero winter temperatures. In comparison to other regions of Saudi Arabia, the region's average annual temperature is around 10 degrees lower.

<img alt="Snow" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="58c68f44-5736-4e0e-aa4d-df6e2cb4b1fe" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20-%202022-12-05T161710.327.png" />

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman said during the launch of the sci-fi project that TROJENA will redefine mountain tourism for the world by creating a place based on the principles of ecotourism, highlighting our efforts to preserve nature and enhance the community’s quality of life, which is aligned with the goals of the kingdom’s Vision 2030.

A floating metropolis 'OXAGON'

Saudi Arabia is constructing the Oxagon, a floating metropolis it claims will revolutionize the global industrial sector, somewhere around the Red Sea, close to the Suez Canal. The brand-new city, which is shaped exactly as its name suggests, is a component of the Neom megaproject in the kingdom and is dedicated to building a new logistics hub that, in the words of Saudi Crown Prince Mohamed bin Salman, will "redefine the world's approach to industrial development in the future."

<img alt="Oxagen" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="f4946dcf-a24e-4ae1-804f-3bbca7236497" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Oxagon-2.jpg" />

With a target completion date of 2030, it was initially unveiled in November of last year. By 2025, several of its main components, such as sophisticated logistics solutions facilities, are anticipated to materialise. By 2030, Oxagon hopes to house about 90,000 people, with the first moving in as soon as next year. But what will be present at the Oxagon? There are many of factories. The floating city will mostly consist of industries, industrial sites, and other logistics-related areas, however, there will also be residential settlements.

NEOM's chief executive officer Al-Nasr highlighted that NEOM is now creating 15 islands as phase 1 of its development, which will be followed by a complete mobility system, the "largest marina on Earth," and a commitment to sustainable energy.

NEOM's chief executive officer Al-Nasr highlighted that NEOM is now creating 15 islands as phase 1 of its development, which will be followed by a complete mobility system, the "largest marina on Earth," and a commitment to sustainable energy. 95 per cent of the whole territory of NEOM will be turned into a natural reserve. The Line, Oxagon, and Trojena, the three mega-projects on which NEOM is concentrating its efforts, are expected to create 380,000 new employment and SAR180 billion in additional GDP for the kingdom. Mirror Facade 'The Line' The first project is called 'The Line.' Saudi Arabia would also employ a lot of artificial intelligence to design The Line rather than physically construct the future metropolis, said NEOM's executive director Giles Pendleton in an internal interview. He said that they must construct a significant amount of real estate quickly. Pendleton highlighted the city which will have nine million inhabitants will be created from a series of modular elements that are pre-engineered and preset as to what their function be. It is being built in the northwestern Tabuk region of the kingdom. The metropolis will be able to blend in with the surrounding landscape because to The Line's mirror facade. The linear metropolis will run on 100% renewable energy, have no roads, automobiles, or emissions, and retain 95% of its area for wildlife because of its smaller infrastructural footprint. The city is designed to place a higher priority on health and happiness than on transportation and infrastructure. One of the interesting detail that Pendleton revealed was that The Line will have a “one door-lock system.” The development include areas for living, working, and playing in a futuristic metropolis. Saudi Crown Prince MBS said the plans for the city's vertically tiered settlements "would challenge the typical flat, horizontal cities and offer a paradigm for ecological preservation and increased human livability." Snow-Capped 'TROJENA' The tourist attraction of TROJENA in Saudi Arabia is 50 kilometres from the shore of the Gulf of Aqaba and is a component of the nation's massive NEOM project. The location, which has heights ranging from 1,500 metres to 2,600 metres and a footprint of around 60 square kilometres, is about to undergo major transformations in preparation for the 2029 Asian Winter Games. The first Middle Eastern nation to host the competition, which will include 32 participant nations, is Saudi Arabia. Set to redefine mountain tourism, the 2026 TROJENA project is situated in a region with below-zero winter temperatures. In comparison to other regions of Saudi Arabia, the region's average annual temperature is around 10 degrees lower. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman said during the launch of the sci-fi project that TROJENA will redefine mountain tourism for the world by creating a place based on the principles of ecotourism, highlighting our efforts to preserve nature and enhance the community’s quality of life, which is aligned with the goals of the kingdom’s Vision 2030. A floating metropolis 'OXAGON' Saudi Arabia is constructing the Oxagon, a floating metropolis it claims will revolutionize the global industrial sector, somewhere around the Red Sea, close to the Suez Canal. The brand-new city, which is shaped exactly as its name suggests, is a component of the Neom megaproject in the kingdom and is dedicated to building a new logistics hub that, in the words of Saudi Crown Prince Mohamed bin Salman, will "redefine the world's approach to industrial development in the future." With a target completion date of 2030, it was initially unveiled in November of last year. By 2025, several of its main components, such as sophisticated logistics solutions facilities, are anticipated to materialise. By 2030, Oxagon hopes to house about 90,000 people, with the first moving in as soon as next year. But what will be present at the Oxagon? There are many of factories. The floating city will mostly consist of industries, industrial sites, and other logistics-related areas, however, there will also be residential settlements.

Wow ! A tour inside Saudi Arabia’s sci-fi city 'NEOM'

Did you know you can use WhatsApp messenger without an internet connection? 
 
Yes, you can! 
 
What seemed next to impossible until a few years ago, is possible now. There&#39;s a way to connect with your friends and family on the messaging app even if you do not have access to internet. 
 
Here is how: 
 
Purchase a SIM card called &#39;ChatSim&#39; launched by an Italian company. 
 
ChatSim is just like any other SIM card that you use for SMS or calling purposes. This messaging-only SIM comes with a plan which enables the user to use a variety of messaging apps like WhatsApp, Line, Messenger, Skype and Viber for free. 
 
ChatSim can be a great choice &nbsp;for people who are always travelling, and face connectivity issues while they are on the go. 
 
People who want to buy the SIM card will have to log on to the company&#39;s website to place an order. 
 
The SIM card costs 10 Euros with an additional fee of 10 Euros usage charges. Also, the payment for ChatSim will have to be prepaid.&nbsp;The validity period of the SIM card is one year. 
 
(Contributions by Ashna Mishra)

'ChatSim' opens a world of internet-free connection

Did you know you can use WhatsApp messenger without an internet connection? Yes, you can! What seemed next to impossible until a few years ago, is possible now. There's a way to connect with your friends and family on the messaging app even if you do not have access to internet. Here is how: Purchase a SIM card called 'ChatSim' launched by an Italian company. ChatSim is just like any other SIM card that you use for SMS or calling purposes. This messaging-only SIM comes with a plan which enables the user to use a variety of messaging apps like WhatsApp, Line, Messenger, Skype and Viber for free. ChatSim can be a great choice for people who are always travelling, and face connectivity issues while they are on the go. People who want to buy the SIM card will have to log on to the company's website to place an order. The SIM card costs 10 Euros with an additional fee of 10 Euros usage charges. Also, the payment for ChatSim will have to be prepaid. The validity period of the SIM card is one year. (Contributions by Ashna Mishra)

How to use WhatsApp/Skpye/Viber without an internet connection

Messaging app Line kicks off a dual New York-Tokyo stock listing later Thursday after one of the year&#39;s biggest initial public offerings.&nbsp;Here are a few things to know about the chatting service that has taken Asia by storm. 
 
What is Line? 
 
Smartphone and other mobile gadget users can use the app to make free calls, send no-charge instant messages, and post photos or short videos, along with a host of other paid services. 
 
It is a mix of rival messaging service WhatsApp and China&#39;s WeChat with a dash of Skype and a pinch of Facebook. Games and a mobile payment service are also on offer. 
 
Sticker success 
 
What has set Line apart so far, and driven its huge success in home market Japan, are the cutesy cartoon &quot;stickers&quot; that friends can send to each other while chatting online. Some are free, some cost a few dollars. 
 
Line&#39;s sticker shop sells thousands of stickers, from Hello Kitty pop-ups and Super Mario to Manga and Disney characters. Line&#39;s homegrown stable of stickers include sad-face bear Brown and friends Cony, a rabbit, and yellow duck Sally. 
 
Where did it come from? 
 
The service, owned by South Korean Internet giant Naver, launched in 2011 as a tool for people to communicate in the aftermath of Japan&#39;s quake-tsunami disaster, which damaged telecom services. 
 
It has since mushroomed into Japan&#39;s most popular messaging app and spread across Asia and to some Spanish-speaking countries. 
 
The share sale comes two years after the firm initially announced plans to list that were later shelved, reportedly because of disagreements over the sale between Line and Naver. 
 
(AFP)

Smartphone users can use the app to make free calls, send no-charge instant messages, and post photos or short videos

Messaging app Line kicks off a dual New York-Tokyo stock listing later Thursday after one of the year's biggest initial public offerings. Here are a few things to know about the chatting service that has taken Asia by storm. What is Line? Smartphone and other mobile gadget users can use the app to make free calls, send no-charge instant messages, and post photos or short videos, along with a host of other paid services. It is a mix of rival messaging service WhatsApp and China's WeChat with a dash of Skype and a pinch of Facebook. Games and a mobile payment service are also on offer. Sticker success What has set Line apart so far, and driven its huge success in home market Japan, are the cutesy cartoon "stickers" that friends can send to each other while chatting online. Some are free, some cost a few dollars. Line's sticker shop sells thousands of stickers, from Hello Kitty pop-ups and Super Mario to Manga and Disney characters. Line's homegrown stable of stickers include sad-face bear Brown and friends Cony, a rabbit, and yellow duck Sally. Where did it come from? The service, owned by South Korean Internet giant Naver, launched in 2011 as a tool for people to communicate in the aftermath of Japan's quake-tsunami disaster, which damaged telecom services. It has since mushroomed into Japan's most popular messaging app and spread across Asia and to some Spanish-speaking countries. The share sale comes two years after the firm initially announced plans to list that were later shelved, reportedly because of disagreements over the sale between Line and Naver. (AFP)

Things to know about Japan's most popular messaging app Line

Japanese messaging app firm Line Corp priced its initial public offering (IPO) at the top of its marketed range, putting it on track to raise as much as $1.3 billion and reflecting robust appetite for the world&#39;s biggest tech listing this year. 
 
Line set the IPO price at 3,300 Yen per share, compared with its book-building range of 2,900-3,300 Yen, a filing with Japan&#39;s finance ministry showed on Monday. 
 
It had initially set the range at 2,700-3,200 Yen but bumped it up last week amid buoyant demand. 
 
Line, owned by South Korea&#39;s Naver Corp, is set for a dual New York and Tokyo listing this week, raising funds and boosting its profile to ratchet up its global expansion outside its key markets of Japan and Southeast Asia. 
 
&quot;This is seen as an event by many domestic retail investors. I think the price will rise in the short term,&quot; said Mitsushige Akino, executive officer at Ichiyoshi Asset Management. 
 
But he added that investors will also need to look at whether the company increases profits in the long term. 
 
Including an overallotment arrangement, Line is selling up to 132.8 billion Yen ($1.3 billion) of shares. The IPO pricing values the company at 693 billion Yen ($6.9 billion). 
 
Line&#39;s messaging app was launched in the aftermath of Japan&#39;s 2011 earthquake and tsunami to overcome downed communications, growing unexpectedly to become the country&#39;s dominant mobile messaging platform over the next few years. 
 
The bulk of its revenue comes from games and sales of emojis and electronic stickers. 
 
Line will debut on the New York Stock Exchange on Thursday and on the Tokyo Stock Exchange the following day. 
 
Morgan Stanley, Goldman Sachs, JP Morgan and Nomura are managing the listing. 
 
($1 = 100.8100 Yen) 
 
(Reuters)

Line is set for a dual New York and Tokyo listing this week, raising funds and boosting its profile

Japanese messaging app firm Line Corp priced its initial public offering (IPO) at the top of its marketed range, putting it on track to raise as much as $1.3 billion and reflecting robust appetite for the world's biggest tech listing this year. Line set the IPO price at 3,300 Yen per share, compared with its book-building range of 2,900-3,300 Yen, a filing with Japan's finance ministry showed on Monday. It had initially set the range at 2,700-3,200 Yen but bumped it up last week amid buoyant demand. Line, owned by South Korea's Naver Corp, is set for a dual New York and Tokyo listing this week, raising funds and boosting its profile to ratchet up its global expansion outside its key markets of Japan and Southeast Asia. "This is seen as an event by many domestic retail investors. I think the price will rise in the short term," said Mitsushige Akino, executive officer at Ichiyoshi Asset Management. But he added that investors will also need to look at whether the company increases profits in the long term. Including an overallotment arrangement, Line is selling up to 132.8 billion Yen ($1.3 billion) of shares. The IPO pricing values the company at 693 billion Yen ($6.9 billion). Line's messaging app was launched in the aftermath of Japan's 2011 earthquake and tsunami to overcome downed communications, growing unexpectedly to become the country's dominant mobile messaging platform over the next few years. The bulk of its revenue comes from games and sales of emojis and electronic stickers. Line will debut on the New York Stock Exchange on Thursday and on the Tokyo Stock Exchange the following day. Morgan Stanley, Goldman Sachs, JP Morgan and Nomura are managing the listing. ($1 = 100.8100 Yen) (Reuters)

Japan's messaging app Line prices IPO at top of the range, may raise up to $1.3 billion

In delaying its IPO by two years, Japanese messaging app company Line Corp bought time to correct weak financial reporting controls, work on its business plan, bolster staffing - and left billions of dollars on the table as its valuation shrivelled. 
 
Line&#39;s initial public offering in the next three weeks is set to raise about $1 billion, which given a global drought of such deals could make it the biggest tech listing this year, but sceptical fund managers point to tepid growth in Line&#39;s home market and doubts about its prospects for regional expansion. They also question whether its advertising revenue strategy will work. 
 
In seeking to earn more from its major Asian markets of Japan, Thailand, Indonesia and Taiwan, Line will try to generate more revenue from services such as advertising and offer more localized products, its IPO filing said. 
 
The bulk of Line&#39;s revenue comes from games and sales of emojis and electronic stickers, including Brown the bear and Cony, his flatulent rabbit girlfriend. 
 
&quot;Localisation of the service, of the marketing, of the stickers that we provide - this is very important,&quot; CEO Takeshi Idezawa told Reuters in April. 
 
Fund managers who have watched Line&#39;s growth slow in a crowded global messaging app market assess the plan with caution. 
 
&quot;I&#39;m not interested,&quot; said Yasuo Sakuma, portfolio manager at Bayview Asset Management, which manages 270 billion yen ($2.64 billion). &quot;Its growth outlook is very poor.&quot; 
 
&quot;Among the four countries that it&#39;s focusing on, only Indonesia has big room for growth in use,&quot; he added. &quot;Even there, the business outlook is not that easy.&quot; 
 
Growth in Line&#39;s monthly active users has tailed off after tripling across the world over the past three years. Last year, user numbers rose just 13 million to 218 million at the end of March, the IPO filing showed. The company isn&#39;t providing much visibility about the future either - it says in its filing that limited operating history makes it &quot;difficult&quot; to forecast future results. 
 
Globally, Line is the seventh-most used messenger app, data from researcher Statista shows, behind the likes of Facebook&#39;s WhatsApp and Tencent&#39;s WeChat. 
 
Earthquake Aftermath 
 
The company will fix its IPO price range on Monday. There is no change to the listing&#39;s schedule following Britain&#39;s vote to leave the European Union, a Line spokeswoman said on Friday. 
 
The dual New York and Tokyo listing, set for July 14-15, would value Line at about 588 billion yen ($5.75 billion) and make it the country&#39;s largest listing since Japan Post&#39;s $12 billion offering last year. 
 
Line&#39;s likely valuation is far less than the $10 billion-$20 billion that was expected by investors when South Korean parent Naver Corp previously talked of a Line listing in 2013-2014, although Line may not have had much choice but to wait. 
 
Line declined to comment, citing a media blackout period ahead of the IPO. 
 
Line&#39;s messaging app was launched as NHN Japan in the aftermath of Japan&#39;s 2011 earthquake and tsunami to overcome downed communications, growing unexpectedly to become the country&#39;s dominant mobile messaging platform over the next few years. 
 
However, in that period, it identified what it described in its IPO filing as &quot;material weaknesses&quot; in controls over financial reporting. 
 
Line has now tightened board and management approval for major transactions, it said in its prospectus, and crafted a strategy focusing on Japan, Thailand, Indonesia and Taiwan, which account for more than half its users. 
 
Line has also bolstered staff numbers by recruiting over 750 workers between December 2014 and March, its IPO filing shows, with designers and engineers among the recruits. It has around 2,540 full-time employees. 
 
Pushed as value pay 
 
Idezawa, who became Line&#39;s chief executive in March last year, has been key to tightened procedures, a person familiar with the matter said. Idezawa is known for his strictness on compliance-related matters, the person added. 
 
Idezawa was previously chief executive of, internet company Livedoor, joining that company a year after it was hit by a high-profile 2006 accounting scandal. 
 
&quot;When Line was first seriously considering an IPO around 2013, the overall company was pretty disorganised,&quot; said a person involved in the IPO. &quot;It was very much still a venture in terms of mindset. So a lot of people were hired to strengthen the company.&quot; 
 
Line has pitched its IPO to investors in terms of value and steady returns instead of explosive growth potential. 
 
While that story has been met favourably by Japan&#39;s risk-averse retail investors - Tokyo brokerages including Daiwa Securities say retail investors have shown strong interest in Line shares - fund managers are wary of Line&#39;s ad-driven growth push. 
 
&quot;I went to the company&#39;s meeting with investors... but nothing moved me,&quot; said a fund manager at a major Japanese asset management firm who declined to be named because of company rules against discussing individual shares. &quot;It&#39;s not clear how it can make money out of its advertisement business.&quot; 
 
(Reuters)

Line's likely valuation is far less than the $10 billion-$20 billion that was expected by investors

In delaying its IPO by two years, Japanese messaging app company Line Corp bought time to correct weak financial reporting controls, work on its business plan, bolster staffing - and left billions of dollars on the table as its valuation shrivelled. Line's initial public offering in the next three weeks is set to raise about $1 billion, which given a global drought of such deals could make it the biggest tech listing this year, but sceptical fund managers point to tepid growth in Line's home market and doubts about its prospects for regional expansion. They also question whether its advertising revenue strategy will work. In seeking to earn more from its major Asian markets of Japan, Thailand, Indonesia and Taiwan, Line will try to generate more revenue from services such as advertising and offer more localized products, its IPO filing said. The bulk of Line's revenue comes from games and sales of emojis and electronic stickers, including Brown the bear and Cony, his flatulent rabbit girlfriend. "Localisation of the service, of the marketing, of the stickers that we provide - this is very important," CEO Takeshi Idezawa told Reuters in April. Fund managers who have watched Line's growth slow in a crowded global messaging app market assess the plan with caution. "I'm not interested," said Yasuo Sakuma, portfolio manager at Bayview Asset Management, which manages 270 billion yen ($2.64 billion). "Its growth outlook is very poor." "Among the four countries that it's focusing on, only Indonesia has big room for growth in use," he added. "Even there, the business outlook is not that easy." Growth in Line's monthly active users has tailed off after tripling across the world over the past three years. Last year, user numbers rose just 13 million to 218 million at the end of March, the IPO filing showed. The company isn't providing much visibility about the future either - it says in its filing that limited operating history makes it "difficult" to forecast future results. Globally, Line is the seventh-most used messenger app, data from researcher Statista shows, behind the likes of Facebook's WhatsApp and Tencent's WeChat. Earthquake Aftermath The company will fix its IPO price range on Monday. There is no change to the listing's schedule following Britain's vote to leave the European Union, a Line spokeswoman said on Friday. The dual New York and Tokyo listing, set for July 14-15, would value Line at about 588 billion yen ($5.75 billion) and make it the country's largest listing since Japan Post's $12 billion offering last year. Line's likely valuation is far less than the $10 billion-$20 billion that was expected by investors when South Korean parent Naver Corp previously talked of a Line listing in 2013-2014, although Line may not have had much choice but to wait. Line declined to comment, citing a media blackout period ahead of the IPO. Line's messaging app was launched as NHN Japan in the aftermath of Japan's 2011 earthquake and tsunami to overcome downed communications, growing unexpectedly to become the country's dominant mobile messaging platform over the next few years. However, in that period, it identified what it described in its IPO filing as "material weaknesses" in controls over financial reporting. Line has now tightened board and management approval for major transactions, it said in its prospectus, and crafted a strategy focusing on Japan, Thailand, Indonesia and Taiwan, which account for more than half its users. Line has also bolstered staff numbers by recruiting over 750 workers between December 2014 and March, its IPO filing shows, with designers and engineers among the recruits. It has around 2,540 full-time employees. Pushed as value pay Idezawa, who became Line's chief executive in March last year, has been key to tightened procedures, a person familiar with the matter said. Idezawa is known for his strictness on compliance-related matters, the person added. Idezawa was previously chief executive of, internet company Livedoor, joining that company a year after it was hit by a high-profile 2006 accounting scandal. "When Line was first seriously considering an IPO around 2013, the overall company was pretty disorganised," said a person involved in the IPO. "It was very much still a venture in terms of mindset. So a lot of people were hired to strengthen the company." Line has pitched its IPO to investors in terms of value and steady returns instead of explosive growth potential. While that story has been met favourably by Japan's risk-averse retail investors - Tokyo brokerages including Daiwa Securities say retail investors have shown strong interest in Line shares - fund managers are wary of Line's ad-driven growth push. "I went to the company's meeting with investors... but nothing moved me," said a fund manager at a major Japanese asset management firm who declined to be named because of company rules against discussing individual shares. "It's not clear how it can make money out of its advertisement business." (Reuters)

Line struggles to demonstrate its growth plan

Appointing a new Dior creative director is a &quot;work in progress&quot;, the French fashion house`s chief executive said on Tuesday, with the luxury label still to name a head designer some six months after Raf Simons left to set up his own brand. 
 
Dior, one of the world`s most famous designer houses, announced Simons` surprise departure in October after some three years at the helm. An in-house creative team has been working on collections since. 
 
&quot;(It is a) work in progress, work in progress and we`re giving it a little bit of time,&quot; Chief Executive Sidney Toledano told Reuters. &quot;It`s an important position.&quot; 
 
Toledano was speaking at a preview for Dior`s new London boutique opening this week, a four-floor store selling clothes, accessories, children`s wear as well as a home collection. 
 
&quot;The UK market in London business for us is doing very well, we still have double digit growth,&quot; he said, adding however that last year`s Islamist militant attacks in Paris had hurt tourism and sales in France. 
 
&quot;...What happened in November had a real impact on the first quarter but still we will continue developing our presence in Paris. We have a five-year plan and in September we`ll open a new fine jewellery boutique.&quot; 
 
Dior also presented its cruise collection on Tuesday at Blenheim Palace near Oxford, Winston Churchill`s birthplace and where the label hosted fashion shows in 1954 and 1958. 
 
Cruise collections, originally designed for wealthy fashionistas holidaying on yachts or cruises during the winter months, are outfits produced by stylists on top of seasonal lines. 
 
Lucie Meier and Serge Ruffieux, who are leading Dior`s creative team, took inspiration from &quot;not only the post-war high society`s wardrobes but also the restlessness and wanderlust (that) characterized the period&quot;, according to show notes. 
 
Models, such as new Dior makeup ambassador Bella Hadid, strutted down the catwalk in tops, dresses and skirts adorned in floral as well as Asian and African prints and embroidery.&nbsp; 
 
Sleeves were voluminous and up to the elbow, worn with trousers flared and cut above the ankle or slim skirts.&nbsp; 
 
Dior`s signature Bar jacket, usually cinched at the waist, was slightly longer and covering hips, while its well-known bows were loosened to resemble scarves. Several outfits were layered, such as skirts over trousers.&nbsp;

Appointing a new Dior creative director is a "work in progress", the French fashion house`s chief executive said on Tuesday, with the luxury label still to name a head designer some six months after Raf Simons left to set up his own brand. Dior, one of the world`s most famous designer houses, announced Simons` surprise departure in October after some three years at the helm

Appointing a new Dior creative director is a "work in progress", the French fashion house`s chief executive said on Tuesday, with the luxury label still to name a head designer some six months after Raf Simons left to set up his own brand. Dior, one of the world`s most famous designer houses, announced Simons` surprise departure in October after some three years at the helm. An in-house creative team has been working on collections since. "(It is a) work in progress, work in progress and we`re giving it a little bit of time," Chief Executive Sidney Toledano told Reuters. "It`s an important position." Toledano was speaking at a preview for Dior`s new London boutique opening this week, a four-floor store selling clothes, accessories, children`s wear as well as a home collection. "The UK market in London business for us is doing very well, we still have double digit growth," he said, adding however that last year`s Islamist militant attacks in Paris had hurt tourism and sales in France. "...What happened in November had a real impact on the first quarter but still we will continue developing our presence in Paris. We have a five-year plan and in September we`ll open a new fine jewellery boutique." Dior also presented its cruise collection on Tuesday at Blenheim Palace near Oxford, Winston Churchill`s birthplace and where the label hosted fashion shows in 1954 and 1958. Cruise collections, originally designed for wealthy fashionistas holidaying on yachts or cruises during the winter months, are outfits produced by stylists on top of seasonal lines. Lucie Meier and Serge Ruffieux, who are leading Dior`s creative team, took inspiration from "not only the post-war high society`s wardrobes but also the restlessness and wanderlust (that) characterized the period", according to show notes. Models, such as new Dior makeup ambassador Bella Hadid, strutted down the catwalk in tops, dresses and skirts adorned in floral as well as Asian and African prints and embroidery. Sleeves were voluminous and up to the elbow, worn with trousers flared and cut above the ankle or slim skirts. Dior`s signature Bar jacket, usually cinched at the waist, was slightly longer and covering hips, while its well-known bows were loosened to resemble scarves. Several outfits were layered, such as skirts over trousers.

Dior says new designer ''work in progress''

line

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