Canada on Wednesday proposed phasing out “forever chemicals” in many consumer products after finding them to be toxic and harmful at current high levels found in people and the environment.
AFP
Restrictions on the Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, would come in over several years starting in 2027, after consultations.
At a fire hall in Montreal, Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault said firefighting foams containing these chemicals would be banned in a first phase, followed by products such as cosmetics, food packaging materials, and textiles.
The prohibition would eventually also target PFAS in prescription drugs and medical devices.
Guilbeault called this “a significant step forward to better protect all Canadians from forever chemicals.”
It follows announcements in 2024 of guidelines for PFAS in Canadian drinking water and fertilizer.
The United States, the European Union and Australia have also begun restricting the use of PFAS amid health and environmental concerns.
Testing found PFAS in the Canadian environment, including in the Arctic, in wildlife and “in almost 100 percent of the Canadian population,” for example, in blood and brains, according to government documents.
PFAS are human-made chemicals used since the late 1940s to mass produce the non-stick, waterproof and stain-resistant treatments that coat everything from frying pans to umbrellas, carpets, dental floss and ski wax.
Because PFAS take an extremely long time to break down — earning them their “forever” nickname — they have seeped into the soil and groundwater, and from there into the food chain and drinking water.
Chronic exposure to even low levels of the chemicals has been linked to liver damage, high cholesterol, reduced immune responses, low birthweights and several kinds of cancer.
The new rules will aim to “achieve the lowest levels of environmental and human exposure to PFAS that are technically feasible,” a senior official told a briefing.
The ban, however, would exclude fluoropolymers, a type of heat-resistant plastic used in aerospace, automotive and electronics, which will continue to be assessed.
Other exemptions may be considered depending on available alternatives, socio-economic factors and what the rest of the world is doing, the official said.
Luxury resale platform Rebag is expanding its retail footprint with the launch of two new outlet stores in 2025.
Rebag expands outlet presence with two new locations in 2025. – Rebag
Rebag is set to open locations at Las Vegas PremiumOutlets on March 17, and Desert Hills Premium Outlets in Cabazon, California, on April 4.
The move follows Rebag’s foray into outlet, which began in 2022 with the launch of its store at Sawgrass Mills, in Florida, the largest single-story outlet mall in the U.S., drawing over 21 million visitors annually.
Rebag’s current outlet store portfolio, including its Sawgrass Mills location, has experienced over 30% year-over-year growth, demonstrating the strong alignment between its curated luxury resale model and the in-person shopping experience. Rebag also has retail locations in New York and Los Angeles.
“Expanding our outlet portfolio is a strategic move that aligns with our mission to make luxury resale more accessible and convenient for our customers” said Charles Gorra, founder and CEO of Rebag.
“The impressive growth of our current store portfolio demonstrates the power of retail outlets and the growing interest in pre-loved luxury goods.”
Most recently, Rebag also partnered with Bloomingdale’s, to introduce a curated selection of over 2,500 designer handbags, watches, and jewelry to Bloomingdales.com and over 500 items in five select Bloomingdale’s stores nationwide.
Moreover, Rebag has expanded its reach through a strategic collaboration with Walmart, offering high-quality pre-owned luxury goods online and in five Walmart locations nationwide.
CH Carolina Herrera, the lifestyle brand of Carolina Herrera, founded in 2001, announced on Thursday the opening of its newest boutique at The Forum Shops at Caesars, in Las Vegas.
CH Carolina Herrera opens new boutique in Las Vegas – CH Carolina Herrera
The boutique, set to open at the end of March, will offer a luxurious shopping experience that combines the brand’s signature blend of elegance and sophistication, with the vibrant energy of Las Vegas.
It will house a curated selection of leather goods and accessories, as well as women’s, men’s, and children’s ready-to-wear collections, which customers can explore in an inviting and intimate space.
For a more personalized service, appointments can be booked by phone.
The store will be open seven days a week, with hours from 10 AM to 9 PM Sunday through Thursday, and extended hours until 10 PM on Fridays and Saturdays.
Last month, the New York-based brand staged its fall 2025 collection show looking over Central Park, as part of New York Fashion Week.
Viktor & Rolf is making a return to ready-to-wear, bringing its avant-garde couture sensibilities to everyday fashion with the fall/winter 2025 ready-to-wear collection.
Viktor & Rolf returns to ready-to-wear with fall/winter 2025 collection. – Viktor & Rolf
Drawing inspiration from their Fall/Winter 2024 Haute Couture collection, ‘Haute Abstraction’, the designers translate high-fashion drama into wearable silhouettes. Sharp tailoring, signature detailing, and rich textures define the collection, blending structured precision with practical elements like denim and a collaboration with heritage outerwear brand Mackintosh.
Intricate couture elements, such as delicate tulle ruffles, seamlessly integrate into the collection, elevating essentials like jeans and jackets with sculptural volume. Standout pieces include tailored balloon trousers in Japanese tuxedo wool and a relaxed denim variation.
The color palette transitions from deep, moody tones of black, grey, and dark berry to lighter accents of white, mint, and sky-blue denim. A classic beige hue, ‘golden fawn,’ appears in gabardine daywear, reinforcing Viktor & Rolf’s commitment to timeless wardrobe essentials.
Textures play a key role, with a blend of Italian silk satin, Japanese tuxedo wool, silk-viscose floral jacquard, mohair, superfine alpaca knits, and organic cotton denim. The collection’s layered, duplicated, and deconstructed elements echo signature techniques from Viktor & Rolf’s archival collections, including Spring/Summer 2002’s ‘White’ and Fall/Winter 2003’s ‘One Woman Show’.
“Shifting from couture to ready-to-wear was about designing for real life. Viktor & Rolf wanted to keep the bold shapes and craftsmanship of couture but make them effortless. Everyday life is full of contrasts – moving through different spaces and situations that define us. It’s not about losing bold expression but using it to elevate the ordinary,” the Amsterdam-based fashion house said in a statement.
The collection launches with a campaign that unfolds against the streets of Paris, captured by Alessandro Furchino Capria.