Italian prosecutors are seeking to place shoemaker Tod’s under judicial administration over alleged worker abuses in its supply chain, in the latest in a string of cases that have tainted the image of some of the biggest names in fashion.
Tod’s, which told Reuters it complies with the law, would be the sixth high-end brand to undergo such supervision in Italy since the start of last year.
The news of the investigation into the supply chain, not previously disclosed, came to light in a decision by Italy’s Supreme Court, reviewed by Reuters on Wednesday, to set a date for a hearing in a dispute between Milan prosecutors and a local appeals court over the matter.
In a statement to Reuters, Tod’s said it had been informed of the hearing next month but was unaware of any further details. “We can only reiterate that Tod’s complies with current legislation, including labour law, and that constant checks are carried out on the workshops we select and use,” it said.
Before starting work for Tod’s, workshops sign agreements guaranteeing the quality of their employees’ work environment and compliance with labour contracts, it added.
Prosecutors allege Tod’s “culpably failed” to adequately oversee its suppliers in order to pursue higher profits. However, the company itself is not under investigation, with attention focused on cleaning up the supply chain.
The prosecutors went to the highest national court over a decision by the Milan court which, while considering their request for judicial administration to be well founded, had ruled that territorial jurisdiction in the matter lies with the Marche region, in central Italy, which is where Tod’s is based.
In order to determine who has jurisdiction to proceed, the Supreme Court has set a hearing for 19 November.
Investigations by Italian magistrates have exposed widespread exploitation of workers in the fashion and luxury supply chain.
Responding to the case involving Tod’s, Italian industry minister Adolfo Urso said on Wednesday the government had put forward a bill to create legal certification of fashion companies.
Under the initiative, brands, including those targeted by legal actions, could obtain pre-emptive third-party certification of their supply chains’ legal compliance.
“With this measure, it will be possible to secure Italy’s fashion supply chain, a source of pride for ‘Made in Italy‘, and protect its reputation worldwide,” Urso said, according to Italian media.
High-end Italian cashmere firm Loro Piana and units of fashion brands Valentino, LVMH-owned Dior, Italy’s Armani, and Italian handbag company Alviero Martini were previously placed under administration for alleged worker exploitation.
The earliest of these measures, regarding Armani, Dior and Alviero Martini, were lifted after the companies brought their practices into line with legal requirements.
L Catterton, a private equity firm backed by French luxury group LVMH, took Tod’s private last year in agreement with the group’s main shareholder, the Della Valle family.
According to court documents, the case involving Tod’s regards subcontractors at the end of its supply chain, both in the Milan area and in the Marche region.
As with the other cases affecting luxury brands in Italy, this investigation began with inspections carried out by the Carabinieri police’s labour protection unit.
In the Milan area, from 2023 to 2024 Tod’s assigned the production of company uniforms for its sales assistants to a company with no production capacity, which subcontracted the work to another Italian company. It, in turn, subcontracted the production to two Chinese-owned factories, which were placed under investigation for worker exploitation following the inspection.
In the Marche region, Tod’s directly contracted two Chinese-owned workshops – one of which had subcontracted to another factory – for the production of uppers and other footwear components from January 2024 to January 2025.
In those workshops, inspectors found workers were paid on a piecework basis, resulting in a net hourly wage ranging from 2.75 euros ($3.20) to just over three euros, well below half of the 10 euros provided for in the national contract.
Workers also had 150 euros deducted from their monthly wages for accommodation and 100 euros for food, according to the court documents.
Mall giant Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield (URW) has won two awards at the European retail real estate show MAPIC, held annually in Cannes, France.
Westfield
Westfield London was named ‘Most Influential Retail Property Project’ of the past 30 years, and was joined by Westfield Hamburg-Überseequartier which won ‘Best Urban Regeneration Project’.
The operator noted Westfield London is Europe’s largest shopping/dining/entertainment destination, combining more than 460 stores and “has been a catalyst for more than £8 billion of inward investment to the local area and attracted more than half a billion visitors since its opening, generating around £18 billion in sales and thousands of jobs for the local community”.
Anne-Sophie Sancerre, Chief Customer and Retail Officer, URW, said: “These two awards are a powerful celebration of URW’s dedication to the incredible customer experience we create at our destinations, and the impact we have in the communities we serve.
“From pioneering first to market retailers, local heroes and the best flagship outposts of major brands, Westfield centres are a unique combination of the best of the retail industry.
“That retail curation paired with immersive experiences and activations, exceptional customer services and our commitment to creating sustainable places, continues to shape the future of our industry while allowing us to grow our platform of Westfield-branded destinations in the world’s most dynamic cities.”
US trade officials met with representatives from Switzerland this week and are having discussions with trade officials from Mexico, Central America, and others in the Western Hemisphere, US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said on Thursday.
U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer is interviewed by a TV network at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., October 30, 2025 – REUTERS/Kylie Cooper
Greer told Fox Business Network’s “Mornings with Maria” that a potential deal with Switzerland could boost manufacturing in the US, noting that Swiss companies were “quite eager” to invest in sectors such as pharmaceuticals, aircraft, aircraft parts and even gold smelting.
“So we’re in close conversations with the Swiss,” he said, noting that he had met with a delegation of Swiss companies that had met with US President Donald Trump at the White House on Tuesday. Greer said discussions with Switzerland had been ongoing for several weeks.
The group included executives from shipping company MSC, watchmaker Rolex, investment firm Partners Group, commodities trader Mercuria, Cartier-owner Richemont and precious metals firm MKS.
Switzerland has been scrambling to secure a trade agreement with Trump that could reduce the 39% tariff rate that he slapped on Swiss imports in August, among the highest duties levied in his global trade reset.
Greer said he was also having discussions with trading partners in the Western Hemisphere including in Central America as well as Mexico, adding that Trump’s trade strategy was continuing to take shape.
“You saw it last week in Asia as he struck deals with a number of Southeast Asian countries and East Asian countries. You’ll see it again this month in the Western Hemisphere and elsewhere,” he said, without providing any further details.
Greer’s office on Thursday changed the dates of a hearing on the US-Mexico-Canada trade agreement to December 3 to 5 from the initial date of November 17.
H&M has announced a new collaboration with luxury ski and lifestyle brand Perfect Moment.
H&M and Perfect Moment launch après-ski collaboration. – H&M x Perfect Moment
The partnership introduces a 28-piece après-ski capsule collection launching December 2 in selected stores and online. The line features statement outerwear, performance-inspired separates, knitwear, and winter-ready accessories designed for both the chalet and the city.
“We’ve loved translating our distinct brand DNA into a perfect Apres-Ski capsule for H&M,” said Jane Gottschalk, creative director and founder of Perfect Moment. “Working with the teams in Stockholm has been a highlight – moments to remember for sure. I can’t wait to see our joint community of Moment Makers now bring it all to life.”
Key pieces include a burgundy faux fur puffer jacket with a hood that hits just above the hips, a black-and-white star-print puffer jacket with a jacquard belt, burgundy leather trousers inspired by classic ski pants, a loop-knit cardigan with striped trims, and a matching burgundy knit set. Accessories add playful luxury with faux-fur moon boots, pom-pom hats, wraparound sunglasses, and an oversized star-print mohair scarf.
The colour palette draws on Perfect Moment’s signature black, white, and silver, accented by burgundy and icy blue. Materials such as faux fur, leather, merino wool, mohair, and cashmere blends balance performance with polish, while details like oversized hoods, jacquard trims, and cinched waists blend function and style.
“We’re thrilled to be collaborating with Perfect Moment on this winter collection – it’s unexpected, dynamic, and sure to spark excitement. The silhouettes are glamorous yet laid-back – just like après-ski – but also has a real edge with the leather, faux fur and textured knits,” added Ann-Sofie Johansson, creative advisor and head of design womenswear at H&M.
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