Dior creative director Maria Grazia Chiuri showed her fall fashion collection of loose, minimalist styles in the garden of the Toji Temple in Kyoto on Tuesday night.
Reuters
Models walked down a broad, pebbled path and over a footbridge, parading long overcoats and dresses in mostly sombre colours, some worn wrapped Kimono-style across the chest.
There were loose trousers, wide-sleeved jackets and long, airy dresses with glittering flower patterns. Some looks were accessorized with a single earring, or a cross-body bag.
The French fashion house worked with local specialists, including traditional Japanese textile company Tatsumura Textile Co., for the designs, which drew on 15th and 16th century styles.
“We made several different prototypes, and from those, the final version was selected for production,” Iku Tatsumura, president of the Kyoto-based company told Reuters.
A silver-based fabric was made less shiny to give it a more modern look, while navy garments were lightened with tones of gray, he said.
“Altogether, the whole process took about a year.”
LVMH-owned Dior’s ties to Japan, where it has held exhibits and fashion shows and dressed royals, date back to its founder, Christian Dior, who in 1957 designed coats to fit over the shape of the Kimono.
For the finale, models lined up in front of the pagoda-style temple that was founded in 796, as Chiuri, who joined Dior in 2016, walked out for her bow, pausing for a quick nod to the audience.
Operators of hulking car carriers are seeking relief from the U.S. Trade Representative’s surprise plan to levy port fees on all foreign-built ships in that segment, including 20 vessels that guarantee transport for the U.S. military during a war or national emergency, three sources told Reuters.
Reuters
USTR announced the fees on April 17 as part of an ongoing effort to hit certain China-linked ships calling at U.S. ports with fees that would fund a domestic shipbuilding revival and counter China’s dominance on the high seas.
The fees sent a shockwave through the vehicle carrier industry, because they went beyond targeting China-built and China-owned ships.
The fees on vehicle carriers are so broad that they would hit the 20 U.S.-flagged and U.S.-crewed vehicle carriers admitted to the U.S. Maritime Security Program (MSP) that supports Washington’s military readiness, according to two attorneys, who requested anonymity due to fear of reprisal.
The fees also would heap massive costs on U.S. automakers already hurt by U.S. President Donald Trump‘s tariff policies.
The levies were not mentioned in the original USTR port fee proposal from February, so unlike operators of other vessels, vessel carriers had no opportunity to give feedback.
“The fee on the car carriers came from nowhere,” one of the attorneys said.
Both said the USTR overreached because the fees are levied on ships made in countries that were not part of the Biden administration’s fast-track investigation that found China unfairly dominates the global maritime, logistics and shipbuilding sectors.
The World Shipping Council (WSC), whose members include Swedish vehicle transporter Wallenius Wilhelmsen, warned on April 18 that the fees would hit almost every car carrier and have unintended consequences.
WSC declined to comment further.
The attorneys and one industry group say they have requested meetings with USTR to discuss their concerns. USTR did not immediately comment on whether the body would meet with vessel carrier representatives.
The USTR plans plans to charge foreign-built vehicle carriers $150 for every car the ship has capacity to carry, beginning on October 14. That fee would be $900,000 for a ship that transports 6,000 cars.
Vehicle carriers are vital to U.S. military readiness because they can transport large equipment such as tanks, aircraft and helicopters.
Companies with ships in the MSP include Florida-based American Roll-On, Roll-Off Carrier Group, a U.S.-flag operator of vehicle carriers that is part of Wallenius Wilhelmsen Group. New York-based Liberty Global Logistics, is another provider. Spokespeople for ARC and Liberty did not immediately respond to requests for comment, while Wallenius Wilhelmsen declined to comment.
A spokesman for Maersk Line Ltd, the U.S. arm of the Danish container shipping giant which is also part of the MSP, said it is reviewing the most recent information from USTR and preparing for a range of scenarios.
There are 1,466 vehicle carriers in operation, according to data from Alphaliner.
Just 39 of those ships were built in the United States, Alphaliner said.
E.l.f. Beauty has launched a financial literacy experience on Roblox, becoming the first-ever beauty brand to introduce a financial literacy game on the online platform.
E.l.f. Beauty launches financial literacy game on Roblox. – E.l.f. Beauty
Dubbed “Fortune Island: Earn. Learn. Flex.”, the experience was developed by Karta in collaboration with Chime, a leading financial technology company, with the aim to empower young players with money skills while building self-confidence.
With over half of Gen Z aspiring to become entrepreneurs, according to recent studies, E.l.f.’s latest launch taps into a generation eager to take charge of their financial futures. Still, research shows that one in three young people lack confidence in managing money, and three in four feel they only have enough funds to survive, not thrive.
The new experience guides players through four stages of financial growth including from early saving habits to smart investment strategies, using real-world scenarios to build skills in budgeting, saving, protecting assets, and investing with purpose.
“Gen Z would rather talk about literally anything than money or debt — so we flipped the script,” said Patrick O’Keefe, chief integrated marketing officer, E.l.f. Beauty.
“We created ‘Fortune Island: Earn. Learn. Flex.’ to equip our community with the skills and swagger to be their best E.l.f. selves. By building real connections and fueling personal growth, we’re not just creating a safe space — we’re creating a launchpad for Gen Z to flex their power, own their future and thrive on their terms.”
The brand’s existing Roblox game, “E.l.f. Up!”, already invites players to build their dream businesses, racking up 22.1 million lifetime visits, an average of 1.29 million monthly visits, and a 96% approval rating as of this month.
“The most successful brands on Roblox are on the pulse of Gen Z culture, are authentic to what they stand for, and meet their audiences where they are spending time,” said Justine Higueras, head of beauty partnerships at Roblox.
“This includes E.l.f., a fan favorite already with proven success on the platform, and now Chime coming together to engage and empower our community of millions of Gen Z users, and look for creative, new ways to enhance their experience on and off the platform.”
Canadian retailer Hudson’s Bay announced on Friday that it will begin liquidation sales at its remaining six Hudson’s Bay stores and one Saks Fifth Avenue location, amid ongoing efforts to secure a buyer or investor.
Hudson’s Bay to liquidate remaining flagship stores. – Hudson’s Bay
The company sought creditor protection last month, initiating a sale process and beginning liquidation of all but six of its 96 Hudson’s Bay, Saks Fifth Avenue, and Saks Off 5th stores.
With no viable bids expected for the current six-store model, the company will proceed with liquidation, joining the stores already in the process of winding down.
The six stores now joining the liquidation include the Downtown Queen Street location at 176 Yonge Street in Toronto, Yorkdale Shopping Center in Toronto, Hillcrest Mall in Richmond Hill, the Downtown Montreal location, Carrefour Laval in Laval, and the Pointe-Claire store in Quebec.
While the liquidation process moves forward, the company emphasized that it retains the ability to withdraw individual stores from closure, should a qualifying bid emerge. Reflect Advisors, which is overseeing the process, continues to solicit interest in acquiring, investing in, or refinancing all or parts of the business. The deadline for interested parties to submit offers is April 30.
All remaining Hudson’s Bay and Saks Fifth Avenue stores in Canada are expected to cease operations no later than June 15, though some locations may close sooner. Nine Saks Off 5th locations are also scheduled to close on April 27.
“Hudson’s Bay extends its sincerest gratitude to its dedicated associates and loyal customers for their overwhelming support over the years and throughout this chapter,” the company said in a news statement.
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