WION unwraps the magic of the festival of lights. This Diwali, experience eco-friendly home decor for your homes, indulge in the sweetness of luxury Diwali treats and take a peek into what goes behind the scenes of the most extravagant Diwali parties. Join us on WION's Diwali special.

This Diwali Indian premium and expensive sweets finds takers

A new store by Indian fashion designer Sabyasachi Mukherjee in a rebuilt early 1900s house just a few blocks from the Reserve Bank of India's offices in Mumbai is a true indicator of the country's expanding wealth.

India's affluent market attracts international luxury retailers

The smartphone, dubbed the Honor V Purse, folds outward and has a top strip that houses the camera. It has hooks that can be used to connect a handbag strap. The device's display can be altered to give the impression that you are carrying multiple bags. The bag strap can be changed as well.

Will foldable phones remain a niche luxury?

There is an increased appetite for all things luxury in India. Indians are splurging on luxury homes, cars, hotels, and vacations. What is driving this trend?

Gravitas Plus: All things luxury: Why are Indians spending so much?

The luxury stock market, which once experienced a booming period due&nbsp;to China's rising consumption, is now witnessing a significant downturn. The blame for this pullback is being placed squarely on China's economic uncertainties. As investors grapple with mounting red flags, the sector's future is being questioned, casting a shadow on the global economy.

The rush into luxury stocks, reminiscent of the rally seen in the Big Tech industry, is rapidly losing its allure. China, previously credited&nbsp;for driving the sector's rally, is now being held accountable for the ongoing decline in luxury stocks. There is growing concerns that pricey luxury shares may have peaked, with the conviction in China reopening trade taking a significant hit.

Market Volatility and Indicators

In a dramatic turn of events, luxury conglomerate LVMH saw its shares lose more than $50 billion after reaching a historic milestone of surpassing $500 billion in market value. This decline not only impacted the company's financial standing but also led Bernard Arnault, chairman of LVMH, to relinquish his title as the world's richest person to Elon Musk. The Stoxx Europe Luxury Index also suffered its first monthly decline of the year, falling nearly 5 percent in May. These losses mark a reversal from the near-50 percent rally experienced since October 2022, fueled by China reopening bets that propelled luxury stock valuations to record levels.

Multiple indicators are pointing toward an impending slowdown. China's retail sales and industrial production in April fell short of expectations, reflecting a waning economic recovery. Bloomberg's Chief Asia Economist, Chang Shu, has expressed concerns about the strength and sustainability of China's economic rebound. Moreover, the youth unemployment rate in China has reached record highs, adding to the uncertainty surrounding the consumer market. Even China's big-spending Gen Z population, once avid buyers of luxury goods, are hesitating due to the stagnating economic conditions.

Challenges to Luxury Sector's Resilience

The current sell-off in luxury stocks challenges the notion that the sector is insulated from economic fluctuations due to its affluent customer base. Expensive valuations and increased prices during the pandemic have driven consumers away. Bloomberg cited a Beijing-based consumer, Kathy Nie, as saying&nbsp;that the unfavorable economic situation and exorbitant prices have dissuaded her from making further luxury purchases.

The repercussions of the luxury sector's decline extend beyond the balance sheets of individual companies. As luxury giants like LVMH and Hermes account for a substantial portion of benchmark indexes, a sustained downturn could undermine broader markets in Europe, particularly France. The overreliance on luxury stocks in benchmark indexes poses a risk to the overall stability of European markets.

While some experts believe that China's luxury demand will remain resilient even during challenging times, others express caution. Alberto Tocchio, a portfolio manager at Kairos Partners, warns that valuations remain expensive despite the recent correction. Raj Shant, a client portfolio manager at PGIM's Jennison Associates, draws parallels between the current situation and Japan's luxury market, which remained strong even during periods of sideways growth.

The luxury stock market, which once experienced a booming period due to China's rising consumption, is now witnessing a significant downturn. The blame for this pullback is being placed squarely on China's economic uncertainties.

The luxury stock market, which once experienced a booming period due to China's rising consumption, is now witnessing a significant downturn. The blame for this pullback is being placed squarely on China's economic uncertainties. As investors grapple with mounting red flags, the sector's future is being questioned, casting a shadow on the global economy. The rush into luxury stocks, reminiscent of the rally seen in the Big Tech industry, is rapidly losing its allure. China, previously credited for driving the sector's rally, is now being held accountable for the ongoing decline in luxury stocks. There is growing concerns that pricey luxury shares may have peaked, with the conviction in China reopening trade taking a significant hit. Market Volatility and Indicators In a dramatic turn of events, luxury conglomerate LVMH saw its shares lose more than $50 billion after reaching a historic milestone of surpassing $500 billion in market value. This decline not only impacted the company's financial standing but also led Bernard Arnault, chairman of LVMH, to relinquish his title as the world's richest person to Elon Musk. The Stoxx Europe Luxury Index also suffered its first monthly decline of the year, falling nearly 5 percent in May. These losses mark a reversal from the near-50 percent rally experienced since October 2022, fueled by China reopening bets that propelled luxury stock valuations to record levels. Multiple indicators are pointing toward an impending slowdown. China's retail sales and industrial production in April fell short of expectations, reflecting a waning economic recovery. Bloomberg's Chief Asia Economist, Chang Shu, has expressed concerns about the strength and sustainability of China's economic rebound. Moreover, the youth unemployment rate in China has reached record highs, adding to the uncertainty surrounding the consumer market. Even China's big-spending Gen Z population, once avid buyers of luxury goods, are hesitating due to the stagnating economic conditions. Challenges to Luxury Sector's Resilience The current sell-off in luxury stocks challenges the notion that the sector is insulated from economic fluctuations due to its affluent customer base. Expensive valuations and increased prices during the pandemic have driven consumers away. Bloomberg cited a Beijing-based consumer, Kathy Nie, as saying that the unfavorable economic situation and exorbitant prices have dissuaded her from making further luxury purchases. The repercussions of the luxury sector's decline extend beyond the balance sheets of individual companies. As luxury giants like LVMH and Hermes account for a substantial portion of benchmark indexes, a sustained downturn could undermine broader markets in Europe, particularly France. The overreliance on luxury stocks in benchmark indexes poses a risk to the overall stability of European markets. While some experts believe that China's luxury demand will remain resilient even during challenging times, others express caution. Alberto Tocchio, a portfolio manager at Kairos Partners, warns that valuations remain expensive despite the recent correction. Raj Shant, a client portfolio manager at PGIM's Jennison Associates, draws parallels between the current situation and Japan's luxury market, which remained strong even during periods of sideways growth.

Luxury shares slide amid China’s market volatility

LVMH, the Paris-listed owner of luxury brands such as Louis Vuitton and Dior, has become the first European company to reach a market value of $500 billion.

Its shares rose 0.3 per cent on Monday to €903.70, resulting in a market capitalisation of €454 billion, equivalent to $500.3 billion at the exchange rate of 1.1019 euros to the dollar.

LVMH is now the only European company among the top 10 companies in the world by market value, a list dominated by US tech giants such as Apple. The French luxury giant occupies the 10th spot, surpassing Visa and closely trailing Tesla.&nbsp;

The milestone also means that the controlling stake held by founder Bernard Arnault and his family has now reached $212 billion, making the 74-year-old French billionaire the world's wealthiest man, ahead of Tesla CEO Elon Musk.

Rise Of LVMH And The China Connection

In many ways, the ongoing rise of LVHM can be attributed to robust consumer spending in China after the Xi Jinping government scrapped its strict "zero-Covid" policy in December 2022.

The improving economic outlook in China and a stronger euro has benefited LVMH immensely. The company reported a 17 percent increase in revenue in its first-quarter results, largely driven by a rebounding Chinese luxury market. Analysts at Bernstein noted that LVMH is capitalising on sustained demand growth in Europe and America while reaping the benefits of a rapid recovery in Chinese consumer spending.&nbsp;

Despite rising inflation, geopolitical uncertainties, and cost of living pressures, the top players in the luxury sector, including LVMH, have been resilient. Some even reported increased margins due to price increases on luxury goods such as leather goods and bags. According to a Financial Times report, the accumulation of savings and increased luxury buying during the pandemic-induced lockdown boosted the industry.

LVMH's growth has outpaced its competition, with the company&nbsp;now almost twice the size&nbsp;of L'Oréal, the world's largest cosmetics company, and more than double the size of Hermès.

In January, Louis Vuitton, LVMH's flagship brand, became the first luxury brand in the world to achieve over 20 billion euros&nbsp;in annual revenues.&nbsp;

Recently, Delphine Arnault, the founder's daughter, was appointed as Dior's chief executive. This move came amid speculations&nbsp;on who might succeed Arnault at the helm of the luxury conglomerate.

LVMH, the Paris-listed owner of luxury brands such as Louis Vuitton and Dior, has become the first European company to reach a market value of $500 billion. Its shares rose 0.

LVMH, the Paris-listed owner of luxury brands such as Louis Vuitton and Dior, has become the first European company to reach a market value of $500 billion. Its shares rose 0.3 per cent on Monday to €903.70, resulting in a market capitalisation of €454 billion, equivalent to $500.3 billion at the exchange rate of 1.1019 euros to the dollar. LVMH is now the only European company among the top 10 companies in the world by market value, a list dominated by US tech giants such as Apple. The French luxury giant occupies the 10th spot, surpassing Visa and closely trailing Tesla. The milestone also means that the controlling stake held by founder Bernard Arnault and his family has now reached $212 billion, making the 74-year-old French billionaire the world's wealthiest man, ahead of Tesla CEO Elon Musk. Rise Of LVMH And The China Connection In many ways, the ongoing rise of LVHM can be attributed to robust consumer spending in China after the Xi Jinping government scrapped its strict "zero-Covid" policy in December 2022. The improving economic outlook in China and a stronger euro has benefited LVMH immensely. The company reported a 17 percent increase in revenue in its first-quarter results, largely driven by a rebounding Chinese luxury market. Analysts at Bernstein noted that LVMH is capitalising on sustained demand growth in Europe and America while reaping the benefits of a rapid recovery in Chinese consumer spending. Despite rising inflation, geopolitical uncertainties, and cost of living pressures, the top players in the luxury sector, including LVMH, have been resilient. Some even reported increased margins due to price increases on luxury goods such as leather goods and bags. According to a Financial Times report, the accumulation of savings and increased luxury buying during the pandemic-induced lockdown boosted the industry. LVMH's growth has outpaced its competition, with the company now almost twice the size of L'Oréal, the world's largest cosmetics company, and more than double the size of Hermès. In January, Louis Vuitton, LVMH's flagship brand, became the first luxury brand in the world to achieve over 20 billion euros in annual revenues. Recently, Delphine Arnault, the founder's daughter, was appointed as Dior's chief executive. This move came amid speculations on who might succeed Arnault at the helm of the luxury conglomerate.

Buoyed by Chinese spending, French luxury giant LVMH now most valuable European company

India's DLF (DLF.NS) sold a $1 billion upmarket residential project in 72 hours while rival Godrej Properties (GODR.NS) is offering $3 million apartments to clients selected by invitation, two off-plan sales that are signalling a revival in luxury housing.

India: 'Mad rush' for luxury housing

Protests by dozens of trade union members and disgruntled employees on Thursday (December 22) caused managers of ultra-luxury La Samaritaine shopping store to down shutters. The store is owned by French luxury giant LVMH.

La Samaritaine re-opened in June last year after a 750 million euro facelift and renovation carried out over 16 years.

"La Samaritaine is a symbolic place representing wealth. A lot of employees here cannot allow themselves to buy what they sell," Amar Lagha, from the hard-left CGT union, told AFP.&nbsp;

The union claimed that around 200-300 protesters were involved in the protest.

Wearing red vests with the union's emblem, they could be seen standing among the displays of luxury handbags, make up and clothing even after management shut the store in the morning.

"Almost all of the demonstrators were not employees of la Samaritaine," the store's management said in a statement. "For security reasons, clients and personnel were evacuated."

France has been hit by a series of strikes in different sectors of the economy as employees push for pay hikes in the face of annual inflation of around 6.0 percent.

You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

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Protests by dozens of trade union members and disgruntled employees on Thursday (December 22) caused managers of ultra-luxury La Samaritaine shopping store to down shutters.

Protests by dozens of trade union members and disgruntled employees on Thursday (December 22) caused managers of ultra-luxury La Samaritaine shopping store to down shutters. The store is owned by French luxury giant LVMH. La Samaritaine re-opened in June last year after a 750 million euro facelift and renovation carried out over 16 years. "La Samaritaine is a symbolic place representing wealth. A lot of employees here cannot allow themselves to buy what they sell," Amar Lagha, from the hard-left CGT union, told AFP. The union claimed that around 200-300 protesters were involved in the protest. Wearing red vests with the union's emblem, they could be seen standing among the displays of luxury handbags, make up and clothing even after management shut the store in the morning. "Almost all of the demonstrators were not employees of la Samaritaine," the store's management said in a statement. "For security reasons, clients and personnel were evacuated." France has been hit by a series of strikes in different sectors of the economy as employees push for pay hikes in the face of annual inflation of around 6.0 percent. You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

Protests cause luxury Paris store La Samaritaine to shut

Birkin bags are one of the most sought after luxury items in the world today. But how does it become the Monolith of the luxury goods market? Know all about it on the latest episode of Beyond the Runway on www.wionews.com

Beyond the Runway: The journey of the Birkin Bag | WION Originals Teaser

Luxury carmaker Ferrari is recalling nearly every car it is made since 2005 for possible brake failure. Eric Njoka tells you more.

WION Fineprint |Ferrari recalls 17 years worth of luxury cars over failing brakes

The Indian luxury car market is witnessing a strong revival in demand after sluggish sales. Electric, Hybrid cars are gaining popularity.

Indian luxury car market: Strong revival in demand

Pakistan has banned the import of 38 luxury goods amid the ongoing economic crisis. The move will help the south Asian nation to preserve forex reserves.

Pakistan bans the import of 38 luxury goods amid the ongoing economic crisis

A ship carrying cars from Germany to the US is adrift in the Atlantic Ocean after it caught fire, forcing 22 crew members to abandon the vessel and escape. Loaded with Porsches and Volkswagens, the nearly 650-foot-long vessel is capable of carrying 4,000 cars.&nbsp;

As per a statement by the Portuguese navy, when the fire broke out, the ship was sailing at 90 nautical miles southwest of Portugal's Azores. The navy somehow managed to rescue all members of the crew from the ship. It was scheduled to arrive in Davisville on February 23. The crew was then taken to &nbsp;Faial island by helicopter.&nbsp;

Fortunately, none of the crew members were hurt.

The fire, however, is still active on the ship and the owners have arranged for a tow.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/did-boris-johnson-government-ask-police-to-not-publish-over-300-partygate-pictures-454134">Also read |&nbsp;Did Boris Johnson government ask police to not publish over 300 'Partygate' pictures?</a>

The Felicity Ace is registered to Panama and operated by Japanese shipping line Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL).&nbsp;

While speaking to the Associated Press, the Volkswagen Group said that the Felicity Ace was transporting to the US "vehicles that the German automaker manufactured." The company declined to comment further.

Porsche Cars North America, in a statement, said, "Our immediate thoughts are of relief that the 22 crew of the merchant ship "Felicity Ace" are safe and well. A number of our cars are among the cargo. We are in contact with the shipping company and the details of the cars on board are now known."

Expectant Porsche owners are already in talks about the status of their vehicles. The company has also said that those "concerned by this incident and the implications on the car" &nbsp;should contact their Porsche dealer.

(With inputs from agencies)

A ship carrying cars from Germany to the US is adrift in the Atlantic Ocean after it caught fire, forcing 22 crew members to abandon the vessel and escape. Loaded with Porsches and Volkswagens, the nearly 650-foot-long vessel is capable of carrying 4,000 cars.

A ship carrying cars from Germany to the US is adrift in the Atlantic Ocean after it caught fire, forcing 22 crew members to abandon the vessel and escape. Loaded with Porsches and Volkswagens, the nearly 650-foot-long vessel is capable of carrying 4,000 cars. As per a statement by the Portuguese navy, when the fire broke out, the ship was sailing at 90 nautical miles southwest of Portugal's Azores. The navy somehow managed to rescue all members of the crew from the ship. It was scheduled to arrive in Davisville on February 23. The crew was then taken to Faial island by helicopter. Fortunately, none of the crew members were hurt. The fire, however, is still active on the ship and the owners have arranged for a tow. Also read | Did Boris Johnson government ask police to not publish over 300 'Partygate' pictures? The Felicity Ace is registered to Panama and operated by Japanese shipping line Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL). While speaking to the Associated Press, the Volkswagen Group said that the Felicity Ace was transporting to the US "vehicles that the German automaker manufactured." The company declined to comment further. Porsche Cars North America, in a statement, said, "Our immediate thoughts are of relief that the 22 crew of the merchant ship "Felicity Ace" are safe and well. A number of our cars are among the cargo. We are in contact with the shipping company and the details of the cars on board are now known." Expectant Porsche owners are already in talks about the status of their vehicles. The company has also said that those "concerned by this incident and the implications on the car" should contact their Porsche dealer. (With inputs from agencies)

A burning cargo ship, consisting luxury cars, is adrift in mid-Atlantic

The world's highest luxury&nbsp;hotel, boasting a restaurant on the 120th floor and 24-hour personal butler service, has opened in Shanghai&nbsp;to guests with deep pockets and a head for heights.

Elevators whizz guests up the intimidating spiral-like skyscraper at ear-popping speeds of 18 metres per second to the J&nbsp;Hotel's 165 opulent rooms.&nbsp;

The&nbsp;hotel&nbsp;occupies the top floors of the 632-metre (more than 2,000 feet) Shanghai Tower in the city's financial district, the second-tallest building in the world after Dubai's Burj Khalifa.

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Guests are seen in the J Hotel, the world's highest luxury hotel, boasting a restaurant on the 120th floor and 24-hour personal butler service, located in the Shanghai Tower, in Shanghai. Image Credits: AFP

<img alt="View of Jin Yan restaurant in the J Hotel, the world's highest luxury hotel, boasting a restaurant on the 120th floor and 24-hour personal butler service, located in the Shanghai Tower" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="1d080b4b-1384-41e8-b22e-07bf000692bb" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/000_9D26JV_0.jpg" />

View of Jin Yan restaurant in the J Hotel, the world's highest luxury hotel, boasting a restaurant on the 120th floor and 24-hour personal butler service, located in the Shanghai Tower. Image Credits: AFP

Its opening was delayed partly by the coronavirus pandemic but the&nbsp;hotel&nbsp;has now started receiving well-heeled guests who can call on the services of a dedicated butler at any hour, day or night.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/has-fawad-khan-joined-the-cast-of-ms-marvel-393650">Also Read |&nbsp;Has Fawad Khan joined the cast of 'Ms Marvel'?</a>

Patrons can also enjoy one of the&nbsp;hotel's seven restaurants, bars, spa, 84th-floor swimming pool, and all the other usual trappings of a top-notch&nbsp;hotel.

It does not come cheap. To celebrate its opening J&nbsp;Hotel&nbsp;is offering a "special experience rate" of 3,088 yuan ($450) a night, but prices for its 34 suites sky-rocket.

A night in a "J Suite", complete with crystal chandeliers and sauna, this Saturday costs over 67,000 yuan.

The&nbsp;hotel&nbsp;is part of Jin Jiang International Hotels, a major Chinese state-owned group, and officially opened on Saturday.

"On the day of our opening even the web page was overloaded with so many visitors with strong interest and they have such (a) strong will to come and experience our&nbsp;hotel," said Renee Wu, sales and marketing director.

"Of course this is very encouraging to all of us, but at the same time, we are committed to making sure that all our guests are well taken care of."

The world's highest luxury hotel, boasting a restaurant on the 120th floor and 24-hour personal butler service, has opened in Shanghai to guests with deep pockets and a head for heights.

The world's highest luxury hotel, boasting a restaurant on the 120th floor and 24-hour personal butler service, has opened in Shanghai to guests with deep pockets and a head for heights. Elevators whizz guests up the intimidating spiral-like skyscraper at ear-popping speeds of 18 metres per second to the J Hotel's 165 opulent rooms. The hotel occupies the top floors of the 632-metre (more than 2,000 feet) Shanghai Tower in the city's financial district, the second-tallest building in the world after Dubai's Burj Khalifa. Guests are seen in the J Hotel, the world's highest luxury hotel, boasting a restaurant on the 120th floor and 24-hour personal butler service, located in the Shanghai Tower, in Shanghai. Image Credits: AFP View of Jin Yan restaurant in the J Hotel, the world's highest luxury hotel, boasting a restaurant on the 120th floor and 24-hour personal butler service, located in the Shanghai Tower. Image Credits: AFP Its opening was delayed partly by the coronavirus pandemic but the hotel has now started receiving well-heeled guests who can call on the services of a dedicated butler at any hour, day or night. Also Read | Has Fawad Khan joined the cast of 'Ms Marvel'? Patrons can also enjoy one of the hotel's seven restaurants, bars, spa, 84th-floor swimming pool, and all the other usual trappings of a top-notch hotel. It does not come cheap. To celebrate its opening J Hotel is offering a "special experience rate" of 3,088 yuan ($450) a night, but prices for its 34 suites sky-rocket. A night in a "J Suite", complete with crystal chandeliers and sauna, this Saturday costs over 67,000 yuan. The hotel is part of Jin Jiang International Hotels, a major Chinese state-owned group, and officially opened on Saturday. "On the day of our opening even the web page was overloaded with so many visitors with strong interest and they have such (a) strong will to come and experience our hotel," said Renee Wu, sales and marketing director. "Of course this is very encouraging to all of us, but at the same time, we are committed to making sure that all our guests are well taken care of."

Luxury in the clouds: Shanghai opens world's highest hotel

Flavoursome dishes by three-Michelin star chef Massimo Bottura and roaring Ferrari engines will sit side by side in the luxury carmaker's hometown of Maranello, in Modena, as the group relaunched the restaurant where legendary founder Enzo Ferrari dined with friends, collaborators, and Formula 1 stars.

Ferrari opens Michelin-starred restaurant to offer full luxury experience

A luxury handbag, some coveted make-up, high fashion and even an eye-catching pair of sunnies. These are some of the iconic brand Michael Kors' popular merchandise.&nbsp;

But a smartwatch?&nbsp;

Well, it's flashy, gorgeous and packs a punch when it comes to technology features. The Michael Kors Access Gen 5E Darci is a keeper -- if you like big dials and a little bit of bling. For all those, who want a statement piece on the wrist, here's a detailed review. &nbsp;

Fun fact -- the E in Gen 5E stands for 'essential'. So, how essential does this smartwatch prove to be?&nbsp;

Design&nbsp;

I have been walking around with the Darci on my wrist for more than two weeks now and several people have asked me, "what's that on your wrist?" When it comes to design, the name Michael Kors is synonymous with luxury and high fashion. And the brand has put all its design prowess into the smartwatch. The design alone makes it a disruptor in the smartwatch space. &nbsp;

While the sparkly frame of the circular dial makes it a better fit for women, the large real estate on the 1.19-inch AMOLED screen for all your notifications and health data will appeal to many. The stainless steel 7-link bracelet adds to the premium feel on the wrist. For those who want design over rugged features and yet compatibility with most smartphones, this design is ideal.&nbsp;

Connectivity and compatibility&nbsp;

Here's requesting all iOS user to sit down and not raise your hands. The Gen 5E Darci is powered with Wear OS by Google Technology and will be easy to decode by Android users or those who are familiar with Wear OS. &nbsp;

As a challenge, I decided to pair the Gen 5E Darci with my iPhone. As a habitual user of the Apple Watch, I was intrigued and apprehensive. But much to my delight, the pairing was easy and the compatibility ranks high on the scale. It comes with Bluetooth-enabled calling and you can answer calls, view notifications and even get candid with the Google Assistant. The in-built speaker performs well and you can hear sound alerts and even play music directly from your smartwatch.&nbsp;

My only gripe was that WhatsApp notifications took a while to configure. You may have to configure settings multiple times through the Wear OS app for better customisation.&nbsp;

Pricing&nbsp;

The Gen 5E Darci is priced at Rs 25,995. Interestingly, the pricing puts in the "affordable luxury" segment when it comes to smartwatches. Comparisons with other Android smartwatches as well as the undisputed king of the smartwatch space, the Apple Watch Series 6, are going to happen. But the Apple Watch Series 6 starts at more than Rs 40,000. So if you think about it, you get a more attractive watch with similar features at a lower price point in the Gen 5E Darci. But Apple loyalists will need to be convinced to make the switch. And Michael Kors will have to try harder to appease them if the brand wants to tap into that market.&nbsp;

Fitness Tracking&nbsp;

Let's be frank. Why do we wear a smartwatch these days? To be independent of our phones? No. To have some wrist candy? Probably. To track fitness, heart rate and overall health? Definitely yes. The Darci comes with a step-tracker, a calorie tracker, and a new Wellness app to monitor real-time metrics. I tried wearing it during high-intensity cardio workouts and strength training and it performed well. &nbsp;

However, the gorgeous metallic strap was a bit uncomfortable and I would shudder to damage it with sweat! So, fitness enthusiasts may not lean towards this smartwatch to meet their fitness objectives. Having said that, I was impressed with its cardio-fitness tracking which helped me track my resting heart rate and other biometrics. Another noteworthy feature -- the watch is water-resistant up to 30 meters. This means it may be shower-proof but certainly not swim-proof.&nbsp;

Battery&nbsp;

The deal-clincher or deal-breaker in most cases with gadgets is the battery life. The watch lasted around 8 hours on a full charge and that's because I am addicted to a smartwatch and use it for multiple purposes. The brand claims the watch comes with multi-day battery mode and you can switch between more efficient modes to make your smartwatch last longer. All in all, the battery life was predictable, satisfactory and in line with its competition.&nbsp;

Should you buy it?&nbsp;

At nearly Rs 26,000, the Michael Kors Access Gen 5E Darci is somewhere between aspirational and affordable for smartwatch users who like to invest in their technology. &nbsp;

Just like a Michael Kors handbag, this smartwatch carries with it the tag of aspiration and luxury -- one that is synonymous with the brand. The luxe feel of the watch on the wrist, at times, compensates for the lack of other features which may be available at a lower price point. It doesn't look ostentatious or garish despite the sparkle and will be a perfect accessory for a boardroom meeting or to flaunt during a Zoom meeting.&nbsp;

So, I say, go for this timepiece if you like bling and elegance, with a dash of technology to keep you going through the day.&nbsp;

A luxury handbag, some coveted make-up, high fashion and even an eye-catching pair of sunnies. These are some of the iconic brand Michael Kors' popular merchandise.

A luxury handbag, some coveted make-up, high fashion and even an eye-catching pair of sunnies. These are some of the iconic brand Michael Kors' popular merchandise. But a smartwatch? Well, it's flashy, gorgeous and packs a punch when it comes to technology features. The Michael Kors Access Gen 5E Darci is a keeper -- if you like big dials and a little bit of bling. For all those, who want a statement piece on the wrist, here's a detailed review. Fun fact -- the E in Gen 5E stands for 'essential'. So, how essential does this smartwatch prove to be? Design I have been walking around with the Darci on my wrist for more than two weeks now and several people have asked me, "what's that on your wrist?" When it comes to design, the name Michael Kors is synonymous with luxury and high fashion. And the brand has put all its design prowess into the smartwatch. The design alone makes it a disruptor in the smartwatch space. While the sparkly frame of the circular dial makes it a better fit for women, the large real estate on the 1.19-inch AMOLED screen for all your notifications and health data will appeal to many. The stainless steel 7-link bracelet adds to the premium feel on the wrist. For those who want design over rugged features and yet compatibility with most smartphones, this design is ideal. Connectivity and compatibility Here's requesting all iOS user to sit down and not raise your hands. The Gen 5E Darci is powered with Wear OS by Google Technology and will be easy to decode by Android users or those who are familiar with Wear OS. As a challenge, I decided to pair the Gen 5E Darci with my iPhone. As a habitual user of the Apple Watch, I was intrigued and apprehensive. But much to my delight, the pairing was easy and the compatibility ranks high on the scale. It comes with Bluetooth-enabled calling and you can answer calls, view notifications and even get candid with the Google Assistant. The in-built speaker performs well and you can hear sound alerts and even play music directly from your smartwatch. My only gripe was that WhatsApp notifications took a while to configure. You may have to configure settings multiple times through the Wear OS app for better customisation. Pricing The Gen 5E Darci is priced at Rs 25,995. Interestingly, the pricing puts in the "affordable luxury" segment when it comes to smartwatches. Comparisons with other Android smartwatches as well as the undisputed king of the smartwatch space, the Apple Watch Series 6, are going to happen. But the Apple Watch Series 6 starts at more than Rs 40,000. So if you think about it, you get a more attractive watch with similar features at a lower price point in the Gen 5E Darci. But Apple loyalists will need to be convinced to make the switch. And Michael Kors will have to try harder to appease them if the brand wants to tap into that market. Fitness Tracking Let's be frank. Why do we wear a smartwatch these days? To be independent of our phones? No. To have some wrist candy? Probably. To track fitness, heart rate and overall health? Definitely yes. The Darci comes with a step-tracker, a calorie tracker, and a new Wellness app to monitor real-time metrics. I tried wearing it during high-intensity cardio workouts and strength training and it performed well. However, the gorgeous metallic strap was a bit uncomfortable and I would shudder to damage it with sweat! So, fitness enthusiasts may not lean towards this smartwatch to meet their fitness objectives. Having said that, I was impressed with its cardio-fitness tracking which helped me track my resting heart rate and other biometrics. Another noteworthy feature -- the watch is water-resistant up to 30 meters. This means it may be shower-proof but certainly not swim-proof. Battery The deal-clincher or deal-breaker in most cases with gadgets is the battery life. The watch lasted around 8 hours on a full charge and that's because I am addicted to a smartwatch and use it for multiple purposes. The brand claims the watch comes with multi-day battery mode and you can switch between more efficient modes to make your smartwatch last longer. All in all, the battery life was predictable, satisfactory and in line with its competition. Should you buy it? At nearly Rs 26,000, the Michael Kors Access Gen 5E Darci is somewhere between aspirational and affordable for smartwatch users who like to invest in their technology. Just like a Michael Kors handbag, this smartwatch carries with it the tag of aspiration and luxury -- one that is synonymous with the brand. The luxe feel of the watch on the wrist, at times, compensates for the lack of other features which may be available at a lower price point. It doesn't look ostentatious or garish despite the sparkle and will be a perfect accessory for a boardroom meeting or to flaunt during a Zoom meeting. So, I say, go for this timepiece if you like bling and elegance, with a dash of technology to keep you going through the day.

Luxury Tech review: A statement on your wrist 

U.S. consumers, companies and workers will pay the biggest price for proposed 100% tariffs on French Champagne and other sparkling wines, cheese, porcelain, enamel cookware and handbags, witnesses told the U.S. government on Tuesday (January 7).

Sour grapes as U.S. wine sellers fear looming luxury tariffs on France

Alibaba Group has agreed to buy e-commerce business Kaola from Chinese gaming company NetEase for $2 billion, adding a platform that specializes in supplying curated luxury goods from abroad to domestic consumers.

Alibaba, which is looking for new revenue drivers as the e-commerce market at home matures, will also invest $700 million for a minority stake in Netease's music streaming arm as it takes on Chinese market leader Tencent Music.

The long-rumoured Kaola deal and the music investment highlight at once a defensive move to keep niche growth players out of the hands of e-commerce rivals such as Pinduoduo and Alibaba's flexibility in adopting new strategies.

Kaola, launched by NetEase in 2015, aggressively targets shoppers in China by offering products from top brands such as Gucci, Shisheido and Burberry, primarily sourcing goods directly from suppliers to resell to consumers.

Its more curated product line up based on popularity ensures it a loyal consumer base of shoppers, whereas Alibaba's Tmall allows a larger range of overseas brands to launch and manage virtual storefronts on its platform, said Ker Zheng, who tracks China's online retail sector at consultancy Azoya.

"Kaola does not have to share user time or basket space with cheaper, non-imported products," said Zheng.

Kaola and Yanxuan, another NetEase-run line of private-label, company-branded goods, accounted for nearly half the gaming company's revenue in the June quarter.

NetEase does not break down sales from Kaola.

Playing defence

The Kaola deal will boost Alibaba's access to wealthy Chinese buyers, who account for more than a third of the luxury goods sector's worldwide revenues, as online sales slow at home.

Online retail sales in China grew 17.8 per cent in the first half of 2019, versus 32.4 per cent a year earlier, government data shows.

The acquisition will also help the tech giant face rising competition from rivals such as Pinduoduo.

In response to competition from Pinduoduo, which offers group-buying deals on household goods, Alibaba has already revamped Juhuasuan, its group-buying service.

It also launched Taobao Xinxuan, a line of private-label, house-brand goods.

"Pinduoduo has a will to move towards international brands or cross-border e-commerce, so in the future, they would definitely want Kaola. For Alibaba, they'd want to prevent this," said Liu Yiming, who tracks China's e-commerce sector at the research division of 36kr.

The investment in NetEase Cloud Music, along with private-equity firm Yunfeng, which is backed by the tech giant's founder Jack Ma, is also a way for Alibaba and NetEase to ally against a common rival,&nbsp;Tencent Holdings.

Tencent Music dominates the Chinese music streaming market with an 83.8% share through three streaming services, according to Quest Mobile and Macquarie Research, but it recently reported the slowest increase in a key growth metric.

It is under investigation by China's antitrust authority in a review that could end exclusive licensing deals it forged with the world's biggest record labels, Bloomberg has reported.

Alibaba Group has agreed to buy e-commerce business Kaola from Chinese gaming company NetEase for $2 billion, adding a platform that specializes in supplying curated luxury goods from abroad to domestic consumers.

Alibaba Group has agreed to buy e-commerce business Kaola from Chinese gaming company NetEase for $2 billion, adding a platform that specializes in supplying curated luxury goods from abroad to domestic consumers. Alibaba, which is looking for new revenue drivers as the e-commerce market at home matures, will also invest $700 million for a minority stake in Netease's music streaming arm as it takes on Chinese market leader Tencent Music. The long-rumoured Kaola deal and the music investment highlight at once a defensive move to keep niche growth players out of the hands of e-commerce rivals such as Pinduoduo and Alibaba's flexibility in adopting new strategies. Kaola, launched by NetEase in 2015, aggressively targets shoppers in China by offering products from top brands such as Gucci, Shisheido and Burberry, primarily sourcing goods directly from suppliers to resell to consumers. Its more curated product line up based on popularity ensures it a loyal consumer base of shoppers, whereas Alibaba's Tmall allows a larger range of overseas brands to launch and manage virtual storefronts on its platform, said Ker Zheng, who tracks China's online retail sector at consultancy Azoya. "Kaola does not have to share user time or basket space with cheaper, non-imported products," said Zheng. Kaola and Yanxuan, another NetEase-run line of private-label, company-branded goods, accounted for nearly half the gaming company's revenue in the June quarter. NetEase does not break down sales from Kaola. Playing defence The Kaola deal will boost Alibaba's access to wealthy Chinese buyers, who account for more than a third of the luxury goods sector's worldwide revenues, as online sales slow at home. Online retail sales in China grew 17.8 per cent in the first half of 2019, versus 32.4 per cent a year earlier, government data shows. The acquisition will also help the tech giant face rising competition from rivals such as Pinduoduo. In response to competition from Pinduoduo, which offers group-buying deals on household goods, Alibaba has already revamped Juhuasuan, its group-buying service. It also launched Taobao Xinxuan, a line of private-label, house-brand goods. "Pinduoduo has a will to move towards international brands or cross-border e-commerce, so in the future, they would definitely want Kaola. For Alibaba, they'd want to prevent this," said Liu Yiming, who tracks China's e-commerce sector at the research division of 36kr. The investment in NetEase Cloud Music, along with private-equity firm Yunfeng, which is backed by the tech giant's founder Jack Ma, is also a way for Alibaba and NetEase to ally against a common rival, Tencent Holdings. Tencent Music dominates the Chinese music streaming market with an 83.8% share through three streaming services, according to Quest Mobile and Macquarie Research, but it recently reported the slowest increase in a key growth metric. It is under investigation by China's antitrust authority in a review that could end exclusive licensing deals it forged with the world's biggest record labels, Bloomberg has reported.

Alibaba dials up luxury push with $2 billion buys of Netease e-commerce arm

With Paris men&#39;s fashion week coming to an end Sunday night, we pick out five of the big trends in the autumn-winter collections:

The young ones

Youth may be wasted on the young, as Oscar Wilde once quipped, but style isn&#39;t, insisted the Paris shows, which went all-out to capture the hearts of millennials.

Rarely have the catwalks been so focused on teens and twenty-somethings.

The hoodie conquered all and skate kid chic was everywhere, with Japanese brand Facetasm going so far as to send its models out with what appeared to be fake acne.

The slogans that ran through The Etudes, Lanvin and Chinese brand Sankuanz shows were pure teen spirit, &quot;Never mind&quot;, &quot;Nothing&quot; and &quot;Destroy&quot;.

Dior&#39;s Kris Van Assche, whose show was a rallying call for a &quot;new tailoring&quot; aimed at the young, summed up the adolescent fascination.

&quot;I have always been drawn to the moment when boys become men and they are still clinging onto to dreams, desires and freedoms and haven&#39;t yet slipped into the straitjacket,&quot; he told AFP.

Logos

Not since the 1980s heydey of bling branding has fashion had such a fascination with logos.

Dior, Loewe, Balenciaga, Andrea Crews, Louis Vuitton, Icosae and even tastemaker in chief Dries Van Noten went logo a go-go.

Like much else these days you can blame/credit Georgian trendsetter Demna Gvasalia and his Vetements collective, who name-checked no less than 54 big brands in its last show.

Gvasalia was up to his old logo banditry tricks in his show for Balenciaga, appropriating Bernie Sander&#39;s campaign logo, much to the US Democratic Party senator&#39;s amusement.

There was less to smile about at Vuitton, where its collaboration with the super hip US street label Supreme had decidedly mixed reviews, with the New York Times calling it &quot;the fashion version of a murder-suicide&quot;.

Women everywhere

This was supposed to be men&#39;s fashion week, but with so many women also on the catwalk you could be forgiven for thinking otherwise.&nbsp;

Mixed and gender-fluid shows have been a thing for a while, but now it has almost become the rule to have a few women models in men&#39;s shows, much to the chagrin of some like Dior&#39;s Van Assche who claims men&#39;s clothes are losing definition.

Once he builds that wall, maybe President Donald Trump could come over and help restore some male pride. He does after all have his own Trump men&#39;s clothing line.

Vive the Establishment!&nbsp;

The establishment may be a dirty word politically right now yet fashion can&#39;t get enough of its stuffy symbolism.

The colours of burnt gold, rust brown and red are nothing if not upper class, and aristocratic Prince of Wales overcheck tartan turned up in all sorts of unlikely places.

You would think you were at a grouse shoot looking at some of the fabric Paul Smith, Agnes b, Officine Generale, Alexandre Mattiussi, Kolor, Loewe, Berluti and Haider Ackermann put out.

Upper crust dandies abounded, most memorably at Ann Demeulemeester, with pinstripes also figuring strongly even among such cutting edge labels as Christian Dada and Henrik Vibskov.

Trainers with everything

Overall, however, informality was king -- Paris being far too cool to be casual about anything. There was almost no formal wear at all apart from a handful of red-carpet two pieces at Agnes b and the odd outfit that might do at a stretch at Berluti, Ann Demeulemeester and Wooyoungmi.

Dress suits and evening wear appear to be over, trodden into the ground by the onward march of trainers, which were matched with everything from the couture heights of Dior to Balenciaga&#39;s Frankenstein office suits to Vuitton, no longer a synonym for well-heeled where footwear is concerned anyway.&nbsp;

(AFP)

The catwalks were focused on teens and twenty somethings. The hoodie conquered all and skate kid chic was everywhere

With Paris men's fashion week coming to an end Sunday night, we pick out five of the big trends in the autumn-winter collections: The young ones Youth may be wasted on the young, as Oscar Wilde once quipped, but style isn't, insisted the Paris shows, which went all-out to capture the hearts of millennials. Rarely have the catwalks been so focused on teens and twenty-somethings. The hoodie conquered all and skate kid chic was everywhere, with Japanese brand Facetasm going so far as to send its models out with what appeared to be fake acne. The slogans that ran through The Etudes, Lanvin and Chinese brand Sankuanz shows were pure teen spirit, "Never mind", "Nothing" and "Destroy". Dior's Kris Van Assche, whose show was a rallying call for a "new tailoring" aimed at the young, summed up the adolescent fascination. "I have always been drawn to the moment when boys become men and they are still clinging onto to dreams, desires and freedoms and haven't yet slipped into the straitjacket," he told AFP. Logos Not since the 1980s heydey of bling branding has fashion had such a fascination with logos. Dior, Loewe, Balenciaga, Andrea Crews, Louis Vuitton, Icosae and even tastemaker in chief Dries Van Noten went logo a go-go. Like much else these days you can blame/credit Georgian trendsetter Demna Gvasalia and his Vetements collective, who name-checked no less than 54 big brands in its last show. Gvasalia was up to his old logo banditry tricks in his show for Balenciaga, appropriating Bernie Sander's campaign logo, much to the US Democratic Party senator's amusement. There was less to smile about at Vuitton, where its collaboration with the super hip US street label Supreme had decidedly mixed reviews, with the New York Times calling it "the fashion version of a murder-suicide". Women everywhere This was supposed to be men's fashion week, but with so many women also on the catwalk you could be forgiven for thinking otherwise. Mixed and gender-fluid shows have been a thing for a while, but now it has almost become the rule to have a few women models in men's shows, much to the chagrin of some like Dior's Van Assche who claims men's clothes are losing definition. Once he builds that wall, maybe President Donald Trump could come over and help restore some male pride. He does after all have his own Trump men's clothing line. Vive the Establishment! The establishment may be a dirty word politically right now yet fashion can't get enough of its stuffy symbolism. The colours of burnt gold, rust brown and red are nothing if not upper class, and aristocratic Prince of Wales overcheck tartan turned up in all sorts of unlikely places. You would think you were at a grouse shoot looking at some of the fabric Paul Smith, Agnes b, Officine Generale, Alexandre Mattiussi, Kolor, Loewe, Berluti and Haider Ackermann put out. Upper crust dandies abounded, most memorably at Ann Demeulemeester, with pinstripes also figuring strongly even among such cutting edge labels as Christian Dada and Henrik Vibskov. Trainers with everything Overall, however, informality was king -- Paris being far too cool to be casual about anything. There was almost no formal wear at all apart from a handful of red-carpet two pieces at Agnes b and the odd outfit that might do at a stretch at Berluti, Ann Demeulemeester and Wooyoungmi. Dress suits and evening wear appear to be over, trodden into the ground by the onward march of trainers, which were matched with everything from the couture heights of Dior to Balenciaga's Frankenstein office suits to Vuitton, no longer a synonym for well-heeled where footwear is concerned anyway. (AFP)

Five top trends at Paris men's fashion week

<div>Ralph Lauren is cutting about 1,000 jobs and closing 50 stores as part of a sweeping plan to lower costs and revive sales growth at the luxury&nbsp;fashion&nbsp;brand.</div>

<div>Shares of Ralph Lauren, which also forecast declines in full-year and first-quarter revenue, fell as much as 10.4 per cent to $86.32 in early trading on Tuesday. 
 
&quot;It&#39;s been a long time coming. Ralph Lauren is a behemoth, it&#39;s a very successful brand. It&#39;s an iconic brand. However, it need changes to adjust to the times,&quot; said&nbsp;Mary Epner, a retail analyst.</div>

<div>The jobs being eliminated represent about 8 per cent of the company&#39;s full-time jobs, spokesman Ryan Lally told Reuters. 
 
Ralph Lauren, like some other luxury brands, has been struggling amid sluggish spending on luxury apparel and accessories. The company&#39;s margins have taken a knock as department stores discount heavily to get rid of excess inventory. Moreover, the company&#39;s lower-end Polo and Lauren brands are facing competition from retailers such as H&amp;M and Inditex&#39;s Zara, which are known for their shorter production times.</div>

<div>Ralph Lauren said on Tuesday it would try to reduce the time taken to get new products to shelves to nine months from fifteen. The company brought in Stefan Larsson as chief executive late last year in the hope that he would replicate his success of reviving sales at Gap Old Navy, where he cut down production times and focused on offering trendy clothes at low prices.</div>

<div>&quot;I believe that he (Larsson)&nbsp;can be a positive influence. I&#39;ve hear great things about him. He is making fast changes, which is really impressive in a company like Ralph Lauren. And, listen, he knows how to do this. They need changes in their infrastructure. They need changes in their supply chain, and lead times, and delivery times. And he knows how to do this very quickly,&quot; Epner said.</div>

<div>Larsson has also worked with H&amp;M for about 15 years, where he helped grow the company&#39;s sales to $17 billion from $3 billion and introduced partnerships with luxury brands such as Versace and Karl Lagerfeld.</div>

<div>The company will focus on its luxury Ralph Lauren line and the lower-end Polo and Lauren brands, Larsson said in the company&#39;s first investor day call on Tuesday. The company&#39;s sales have fallen in every quarter in fiscal 2016, leading to a full-year sales decline of nearly three per cent. Ralph Lauren said it expects net revenue for the current fiscal year to fall in the low-double digit percentage range, hurt partly by store closures, pullback in inventory receipts and weak traffic.</div>

<div>The company said it expects to record restructuring charges of up to $400 million and an inventory reduction-related charge of up to $150 million, mostly in the current fiscal year. The restructuring measures are expected to result in annualized savings of about $180 to&nbsp;$220 million.</div>

<div>The company had about 493 directly operated retail stores and employed about 26,000 people, roughly 15,000 of who work full time as of April 2. Shares of the retailer had recouped losses and were trading down 4.8 pct at $91.96. Up to Monday&#39;s close of $96.33, the stock had fallen nearly 14 per cent this year.</div>

In an attempt to lower costs, about 8 per cent of the company's full-time jobs are being eliminated

Ralph Lauren is cutting about 1,000 jobs and closing 50 stores as part of a sweeping plan to lower costs and revive sales growth at the luxury fashion brand. Shares of Ralph Lauren, which also forecast declines in full-year and first-quarter revenue, fell as much as 10.4 per cent to $86.32 in early trading on Tuesday. "It's been a long time coming. Ralph Lauren is a behemoth, it's a very successful brand. It's an iconic brand. However, it need changes to adjust to the times," said Mary Epner, a retail analyst. The jobs being eliminated represent about 8 per cent of the company's full-time jobs, spokesman Ryan Lally told Reuters. Ralph Lauren, like some other luxury brands, has been struggling amid sluggish spending on luxury apparel and accessories. The company's margins have taken a knock as department stores discount heavily to get rid of excess inventory. Moreover, the company's lower-end Polo and Lauren brands are facing competition from retailers such as H&M and Inditex's Zara, which are known for their shorter production times. Ralph Lauren said on Tuesday it would try to reduce the time taken to get new products to shelves to nine months from fifteen. The company brought in Stefan Larsson as chief executive late last year in the hope that he would replicate his success of reviving sales at Gap Old Navy, where he cut down production times and focused on offering trendy clothes at low prices. "I believe that he (Larsson) can be a positive influence. I've hear great things about him. He is making fast changes, which is really impressive in a company like Ralph Lauren. And, listen, he knows how to do this. They need changes in their infrastructure. They need changes in their supply chain, and lead times, and delivery times. And he knows how to do this very quickly," Epner said. Larsson has also worked with H&M for about 15 years, where he helped grow the company's sales to $17 billion from $3 billion and introduced partnerships with luxury brands such as Versace and Karl Lagerfeld. The company will focus on its luxury Ralph Lauren line and the lower-end Polo and Lauren brands, Larsson said in the company's first investor day call on Tuesday. The company's sales have fallen in every quarter in fiscal 2016, leading to a full-year sales decline of nearly three per cent. Ralph Lauren said it expects net revenue for the current fiscal year to fall in the low-double digit percentage range, hurt partly by store closures, pullback in inventory receipts and weak traffic. The company said it expects to record restructuring charges of up to $400 million and an inventory reduction-related charge of up to $150 million, mostly in the current fiscal year. The restructuring measures are expected to result in annualized savings of about $180 to $220 million. The company had about 493 directly operated retail stores and employed about 26,000 people, roughly 15,000 of who work full time as of April 2. Shares of the retailer had recouped losses and were trading down 4.8 pct at $91.96. Up to Monday's close of $96.33, the stock had fallen nearly 14 per cent this year.

Ralph Lauren to cut about 1,000 jobs and shut shops

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''

In a city whose windows have been blasted from their frames, remaining residents of Syria`s war-torn Aleppo go about their daily lives behind gaping holes covered with plastic. 
 
For inhabitants of the battle-scarred and divided city, glass windows have become more of a liability than a luxury. 
 
&quot;Every window pane we have has been shattered by shelling,&quot; said Ammar Wattar, an English teacher, as he fitted a hard plastic sheet into the window frame of his home in the government-held district of Al-Midan. 
&quot;We changed it the first time, then the second time, the third time -- until this time, we decided not to change it anymore.&quot;&nbsp; 
 
The windows are regularly blown out in the frequent rocket attacks and air strikes on Aleppo city, turning the shards into dangerous projectiles.&nbsp; 
 
Replacing them is also prohibitively expensive - so residents have been opting to cover the empty frames with sheets of plastic.&nbsp; 
In many neighbourhoods, children can be seen slipping behind white tarpaulin hanging like curtains from the doorways of their apartments.&nbsp; 
Abandoned apartment buildings are often identified by the partly-smashed glass windows protruding like jagged teeth from the metal frames. 
 
Clashes and bombardment have carried on in Aleppo despite a February 27 truce across parts of Syria and multiple attempts to secure a local freeze on fighting in the city. 
 
Asraa al-Masri, a teacher in a regime-held district of the city, said a shard of glass flew into her daughter`s leg during a rocket attack.&nbsp; 
She has since stopped replacing her windows with glass, but she now faces a new set of worries.&nbsp; 
 
&quot;Bugs, dust, soot, loud noises, the burning smell of the generators, which are bad for your health and negatively affect our children while they`re studying,&quot; she listed.&nbsp; 
 
Perhaps no one has seen as much shattered glass as Mohammed Bouz, who used to sell it in a shop in Al-Midan. 
&quot;My stockpile has been destroyed many times during the shelling, and I haven`t been able to get new deliveries,&quot; he told AFP. 
Before Syria`s war erupted in March 2011, a square metre of glass cost 425 Syrian pounds (70 cents) -- but it now fetches about 3,300 ($6).&nbsp; 
 
Aleppo`s desperate residents -- many of whom have been left jobless since war came to their city in 2012 -- opt for the much cheaper plastic at a maximum of 500 Syrian pounds per square metre.&nbsp; 
 
But for Umm Ahmad`s conservative Muslim family, no proper windows means no privacy. 
Synthetic canvas billows in the wind, &quot;so my daughters and I can only change our clothes in the bathroom or in the hallways so our neighbours don`t see us&quot;, the 52-year-old woman said. 
 
Privacy &quot;is something really sacred for Aleppan families&quot;. 
 
Across the frontline in Aleppo`s rebel-held east, shopkeeper Ali Makansi recounts sitting in his grocery store one day &quot;when a mortar shell crashed into the roof of a nearby building&quot;.&nbsp; 
 
&quot;Because the explosion was so powerful, an entire window pane fell on me and cut the main nerve in my hand,&quot; said the 32-year-old whose shop is in the Al-Shaar neighbourhood. 
&quot;All the houses and commercial buildings in Aleppo are using plastic now instead of glass,&quot; he said. &quot;Plastic is cheap and won`t hurt anyone if there`s an explosion nearby.&quot; 
 
Mohammed Jokhdar, a 29-year-old Arabic language teacher, sent his family to Turkey after his brother was killed in shelling last year.&nbsp; 
He lives alone in his apartment in Bustan al-Qasr district where he has covered the windows with sheets of transparent plastic.&nbsp; 
&quot;But the plastic doesn`t protect from the weather and sometimes water leaks through. It doesn`t block the noise either -- I feel like I`m in the street.&quot;&nbsp; 
 
Abu Omar, 69, who lives in Tariq al-Bab neighbourhood, also complains about the noise and water leaks. 
But &quot;the biggest problem is the street cats... They tear the plastic and come into my home looking for food.&quot;

In a city whose windows have been blasted from their frames, remaining residents of Syria`s war-torn Aleppo go about their daily lives behind gaping holes covered with plastic. For inhabitants of the battle-scarred and divided city, glass windows have become more of a liability than a luxury.

In a city whose windows have been blasted from their frames, remaining residents of Syria`s war-torn Aleppo go about their daily lives behind gaping holes covered with plastic. For inhabitants of the battle-scarred and divided city, glass windows have become more of a liability than a luxury. "Every window pane we have has been shattered by shelling," said Ammar Wattar, an English teacher, as he fitted a hard plastic sheet into the window frame of his home in the government-held district of Al-Midan. "We changed it the first time, then the second time, the third time -- until this time, we decided not to change it anymore." The windows are regularly blown out in the frequent rocket attacks and air strikes on Aleppo city, turning the shards into dangerous projectiles. Replacing them is also prohibitively expensive - so residents have been opting to cover the empty frames with sheets of plastic. In many neighbourhoods, children can be seen slipping behind white tarpaulin hanging like curtains from the doorways of their apartments. Abandoned apartment buildings are often identified by the partly-smashed glass windows protruding like jagged teeth from the metal frames. Clashes and bombardment have carried on in Aleppo despite a February 27 truce across parts of Syria and multiple attempts to secure a local freeze on fighting in the city. Asraa al-Masri, a teacher in a regime-held district of the city, said a shard of glass flew into her daughter`s leg during a rocket attack. She has since stopped replacing her windows with glass, but she now faces a new set of worries. "Bugs, dust, soot, loud noises, the burning smell of the generators, which are bad for your health and negatively affect our children while they`re studying," she listed. Perhaps no one has seen as much shattered glass as Mohammed Bouz, who used to sell it in a shop in Al-Midan. "My stockpile has been destroyed many times during the shelling, and I haven`t been able to get new deliveries," he told AFP. Before Syria`s war erupted in March 2011, a square metre of glass cost 425 Syrian pounds (70 cents) -- but it now fetches about 3,300 ($6). Aleppo`s desperate residents -- many of whom have been left jobless since war came to their city in 2012 -- opt for the much cheaper plastic at a maximum of 500 Syrian pounds per square metre. But for Umm Ahmad`s conservative Muslim family, no proper windows means no privacy. Synthetic canvas billows in the wind, "so my daughters and I can only change our clothes in the bathroom or in the hallways so our neighbours don`t see us", the 52-year-old woman said. Privacy "is something really sacred for Aleppan families". Across the frontline in Aleppo`s rebel-held east, shopkeeper Ali Makansi recounts sitting in his grocery store one day "when a mortar shell crashed into the roof of a nearby building". "Because the explosion was so powerful, an entire window pane fell on me and cut the main nerve in my hand," said the 32-year-old whose shop is in the Al-Shaar neighbourhood. "All the houses and commercial buildings in Aleppo are using plastic now instead of glass," he said. "Plastic is cheap and won`t hurt anyone if there`s an explosion nearby." Mohammed Jokhdar, a 29-year-old Arabic language teacher, sent his family to Turkey after his brother was killed in shelling last year. He lives alone in his apartment in Bustan al-Qasr district where he has covered the windows with sheets of transparent plastic. "But the plastic doesn`t protect from the weather and sometimes water leaks through. It doesn`t block the noise either -- I feel like I`m in the street." Abu Omar, 69, who lives in Tariq al-Bab neighbourhood, also complains about the noise and water leaks. But "the biggest problem is the street cats... They tear the plastic and come into my home looking for food."

Life behind plastic in Syria`s window-less city

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