IKKS employees will have to wait until December 12 to hear the decision of the Paris Economic Activities Court on the future of the French premium brand, according to a union source following the November 28 hearing.
The company, which by the end of 2024 had 550 outlets in nine countries, including 230 affiliated stores, and around 1,300 employees, was placed in receivership at the beginning of October, while its main owners, the US groups Avenue Capital, CarVal Investors, and Marathon Asset Management, had been seeking to sell the company for several months.
A dozen takeover bids had initially been put forward, notably by French retail players, who presented proposals for partial takeovers of assets, inventory, the store network, and staff. These offers have been refined and presented to employee representatives in recent days.
The field has also narrowed. The owner of The Kooples, Verdoso, has confirmed it has withdrawn its takeover offer. However, FashionNetwork.com has reviewed several improved bids.
For example, the bid led by Santiago Cucci, current chairman of HoldIKKS, and Michaël Benabou, co-founder of Veepee, has been significantly revised upwards: from retaining 141 points of sale, including 88 directly operated stores, and 391 direct jobs, to 219 points of sale to be taken over in France, comprising 92 directly operated stores, 27 Galeries Lafayette corners, and 100 affiliated stores. Their plan would retain 546 employees across the directly operated scope.
Faguo, which had focused on a highly targeted offer of 13 stores, has also increased its bid, proposing to take over 15 stores for a total of €200,000, and it would retain 30 jobs. It should be noted that the Brittany-based Beaumanoir group had initially backed Faguo’s bid to take over the IKKS group’s brands and five stores. The group is still in the running, but for the time being FashionNetwork.com has not been able to review an improved offer. This is also the case regarding the bids from Pimkie shareholder Amoniss, BCRI, the recent buyer of Café Coton, and AA Investments, which owns Bonne Gueule, L’Exception and Smallable.
On November 28, the Paris Economic Activities Court therefore set December 12 as the date for handing down its ruling.
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Traditional and occasion wear designer Puneet Gupta has stepped into the world of fine jewellery with the launch of ‘Deco Luméaura,’ a collection designed to blend heritage and contemporary aesthetics while taking inspiration from the dramatic landscapes of Ladakh.
Hints of Ladakh’s heritage can be seen in this sculptural evening bag – Puneet Gupta
“For me, Deco Luméaura is an exploration of transformation- of material, of story, of self,” said Puneet Gupta in a press release. “True luxury isn’t perfect; it is intentional. Every piece is crafted to be lived with and passed on.”
The jewellery collection features cocktail rings, bangles, chokers, necklaces, and statement evening bags made in recycled brass and finished with 24 carat gold. The stones used have been kept natural to highlight their imperfect and unique forms and each piece in the collection has been hammered, polished, and engraved by hand.
An eclectic mix of jewels from the collection – Puneet Gupta
Designed to function as wearable art pieces, the colourful jewellery echoes the geometry of Art Deco while incorporating distinctly South Asian imagery such as camels, butterflies, and tassels. Gupta divides his time between his stores in Hyderabad and Delhi and aims to bring Indian artistry to a global audience while crafting a dialogue between designer and artisan.
A look inside the salon of the French luxury house’s new Vienna store. – CELINE
The 150-square-metre luxury boutique in Vienna spans three storeys. It showcases the latest womenswear and menswear collections, beauty, fragrances, and Maison pieces. From the outside, the flagship impresses with a listed façade of sculpted marble, paired with large, dark-framed, floor-to-ceiling windows.
Inside, natural stone prevails, with materials such as Grand Antique marble combined with travertine. Basaltina flooring laid throughout features a French-inspired chevron pattern. The sense of luxury is heightened by ultra-clear mirrors- some finished in antique gold- neon lighting, and polished metal.
On the ground floor, womenswear is presented, beginning with accessories, leather goods, beauty products, and fragrances. This is followed by the ready-to-wear area.
A staircase with cantilevered steps, inspired by minimalism, leads to the first floor, where the menswear collections are presented. The scheme here is darker overall, with black-lacquered walls and a selection of timbers that contrast with the lighter woods in the other areas.
A look inside the luxury boutique. – CELINE
An intimate salon on the second floor, accessible exclusively via a private lift, expands the store and includes an enlarged fitting room.
Throughout the store and its numerous lounge areas, the furnishings comprise a selection of vintage and contemporary pieces. As part of the ongoing Celine Art Project, a curated selection of artworks is on display with a stoneware composition by Anders Hald, a painting by Jasmine Gregory, and sculptures by Rosalind Tallmadge and Marcelo Silveira.
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“It is with great pleasure that we announce Micaela Oliveira, the celebrated Portuguese designer, as one of the featured couturières at the Saudi Arabia Creative Women Forum 2025 Gala Dinner and Awards Ceremony,” the organisation declared on its social media channels, in a post also shared on the designer’s Instagram account, announcing the tribute at the event held on November 6 at the National Museum in Riyadh. The evening opened with an address by Princess Noura bint Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, patron of the Forum and founder of Saudi Fashion Week, followed by a runway show by the Portuguese designer, celebrating the rich traditions of this enchanted kingdom.
Lux
The publication further notes that the Trofa-born couturière “grew up surrounded by fabrics, prints, and creativity- a world that has shaped her lifelong devotion to fashion,” and that over the past 20 years she has “built an extraordinary career defined by elegance, daring, and refinement, consolidating her name among the leading designers of wedding dresses and haute couture,” the statement continues.
“Her creations- a harmonious blend of sophistication, sensuality, and femininity- embody her belief that each dress should tell a story, evoke emotion, and reflect the unique essence of the woman who wears it,” reads the message shared simultaneously on the Forum and the eponymous designer’s Instagram accounts.
“Guided by the values of exuberance, creativity, and impeccable craftsmanship, Micaela’s creations blend classic beauty with contemporary art, achieving a timeless charm,” the post adds, highlighting “a vision that transcends borders” that “continues to enchant the global fashion world, transforming dreams into haute couture masterpieces that celebrate individuality and the eternal elegance of femininity.”
Lux
For her part, Micaela Oliveira expressed her gratitude for the honour at the Saudi Arabia Creative Women Forum 2025 Gala Dinner and Awards Ceremony, which took place in Riyadh, the capital and principal financial centre of Saudi Arabia: “It was a privilege, as a designer, to travel to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, where I was honoured before members of international royalty and government representatives at a truly magnificent awards ceremony,” she said in a statement quoted by Lux.
“This prestigious award was presented to me by Her Royal Highness Princess Noura bint Saud bin Nayef bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, a pioneering woman and a leading figure in the Kingdom’s artistic community. I had the great honour of presenting a fashion show celebrating the rich traditions of this remarkable country during the Creative Women Forum 2025 Gala Dinner and Awards Ceremony.”
Instagram
“We are delighted to announce the return of the Creative Women Forum in Riyadh, which will take place from November 4–6, 2025, under the esteemed patronage of Her Royal Highness Princess Noura bint Saud bin Nayef Al Saud,” announced Creative Women Platform on Instagram. “This year’s forum will be held at the iconic Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University- the largest women’s university in the world.”
“A powerful stage for a global gathering of visionary women,” it continues. “Join us for three transformative days filled with innovative leadership, inspiration, and ground-breaking ideas, as we explore creativity, entrepreneurship, sustainability, and the future of women in leadership.”
This time, the experience culminated in a fabulous gala dinner and awards ceremony, “celebrating the brilliance of the women who shape our world,” concludes Creative Women Platform, on its social media.
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