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☆ Lululemon dominated the pricey athleisure market for years. Now it faces big competition
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-05 | by ( Ramishah Maruf | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

The departure of the company’s chief product officer adds to a “wall of worry” Raymond James analysts said. Choe joined Lululemon more than seven years ago and became chief product officer in 2018, according to her LinkedIn. “I think that there’s a lot of people out there who believe that she was the person behind the scenes and was the most instrumental to Lululemon’s success,” Nikic said. Lulu has been “hyper aware” of dupe culture, Nikki Neuburger, then its Chief Brand Officer, previously said in an interview with CNN Business. However, Lululemon wasn’t stocked enough in these smaller sizes, which could have led these younger shoppers to competitors, Nikic said.

Persons: New York CNN —, Lulu, Alo, –, Sun Choe, ” Raymond James, Choe, Raymond James, Tom Nikic, “, ” Nikic, Mike Kemp, Vuori, Nikki Neuburger, Hailey Bieber, Martha Stewart, Lululemon, Nikic, Calvin McDonald, Samsul Said Organizations: New, New York CNN, preteens, Nike, Wall, Vans, CNN, Jefferies, CNN Business, Shoppers, Bloomberg, Getty Locations: New York, athleticwear, Covent, London, United Kingdom, Los Angeles, preteen, Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, China

☆ ‘Diddy’ apology video: Sean Combs speaks out after surveillance tape shows him assaulting Cassie Ventura
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-19 | by ( Alli Rosenbloom | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +12 min

CNN —Almost 48 hours after being shown physically assaulting his then-girlfriend Cassie Ventura in 2016 in a surveillance video obtained exclusively by CNN, Sean “Diddy” Combs has apologized. “It’s so difficult to reflect on the darkest times in your life, but sometimes you got to do that,” Combs said in a video statement posted to Instagram. In the video, Ventura exits a hotel room and walks to a bank of elevators. Sean Combs and Cassie Ventura are seen in security video in 2016. Ventura, who reached an undisclosed settlement with Combs, declined to comment on the video obtained by CNN.

Persons: Cassie Ventura, Sean “ Diddy ” Combs, Combs, Ventura, “, ” Combs, ”, I’m, Meredith Firetog, “ Combs, Cassie, ‘, ’, ” “, ” Ventura, Ben Brafman, Combs “, Brafman, Mr, Sean Combs, CNN Ventura, Douglas H, Wigdor, Aubrey O’Day, Danity Kane, ” Danity Kane, ” O’Day, Sean ‘ Diddy ’ Combs, Alex Fine, shouldn’t, Fine Organizations: CNN, Ventura, InterContinental, InterContinental Century, InterContinental Hotels, MTV, Los Angeles County, Attorney’s, Victims Services, Los Angeles Police Department, LAPD, Violence Locations: Ventura, Century City, Los Angeles, “

☆ Cassie appeared to be bruised on her body 2 days after Sean 'Diddy' Combs appeared to physically attack her in 2016, report says
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-18 | by ( Eve Crosbie | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Read previewSinger Casandra "Cassie" Ventura was photographed with what appears to be bruises on her legs and arms days after an alleged physically assault by Sean "Diddy" Combs in a 2016 attack that was caught on video. Cassie Ventura and Sean P. Diddy Combs on March 7, 2016 — two days after the hotel hallway attack. Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic/Getty ImagesWhile not seen in the footage, CNN reported that Combs ceased his attack when one of the elevator doors opened and someone appeared to exit. "After he fell asleep, Ms. Ventura tried to leave the hotel room, but as she exited, Mr. Combs awoke and began screaming at Ms. Ventura," the lawsuit reads. Elsewhere in the lawsuit, Ventura accused Combs of perpetuating a "cycle of abuse," raping her in their home and forcing her to engage in sex acts with male sex workers.

Persons: —, Cassie, Ventura, Sean, Diddy, Combs, Cassie Ventura, Sean P, Diddy Combs, Max, Douglas H, Jason LaVeris, Combs — Organizations: Service, CNN, Business, JMA, Getty, Business Insider, InterContinental, Mr, Ventura, The New York Times Locations: Los Angeles, Century City, Ventura, Manhattan

☆ Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs seen physically assaulting Cassie Ventura in 2016 surveillance video obtained by CNN
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-17 | by ( Sandra Gonzalez | Elizabeth Wagmeister | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

CNN —A 2016 surveillance video obtained exclusively by CNN shows Sean “Diddy” Combs grab, shove, drag and kick his then-girlfriend Cassie Ventura during an altercation that matches allegations in a now-settled federal lawsuit filed by Ventura in November. In the video, Ventura exits a hotel room and walks to a bank of elevators. Ventura’s attorney, Douglas H. Wigdor, said: “The gut-wrenching video has only further confirmed the disturbing and predatory behavior of Mr. Combs. Sean "Diddy" Combs with Cassie Ventura attend the premiere of 'The Perfect Match' in Los Angeles on March 7, 2016. He is happy they got to a mutual settlement and wishes Ms. Ventura the best.”Details of the settlement were not disclosed.

Persons: Sean “ Diddy ” Combs, Cassie Ventura, Ventura, Combs, Douglas H, Wigdor, ” Combs, ”, “, Sean, Diddy, Chris Delmas, Ben Brafman, “ Mr, ” Brafman, Mr, Aaron Dyer, – Organizations: CNN, Ventura, InterContinental, Combs, InterContinental Hotels, Los Angeles, InterContinental Century, Getty, Authorities, Department of Homeland Security Locations: Century City, Los Angeles, Ventura, AFP, California, Florida

☆ Wayfair to open its first large store, as physical locations make a comeback
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-16 | by ( Gabrielle Fonrouge | In Gabrielle-Fonrouge | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +10 min

Wayfair follows other direct-to-consumer brands that have opened stores, including Warby Parker , Figs , Casper, Glossier and Everlane. In the early 2010s, new store openings largely outpaced closures, until the tide turned in 2017. Jeenah Moon | Bloomberg | Getty ImagesOther privately held direct-to-consumer brands have also expanded into retail stores, including bedding company Brooklinen, furniture store Burrow and apparel brands Everlane and Untuckit. High cost of entryIf direct-to-consumer brands could all open stores and suddenly boost sales and profitability, they'd all be doing it. Courtesy: WayfairSome direct-to-consumer brands have already been burned after they expanded too quickly and demand fell.

Persons: Niraj Shah, Wayfair, Warby Parker, Glossier, They're, Larry Cheng, It's, you'll, Liza Lefkowski, Shah, Coresight, John Mercer, Coresight's, Trina Spear, Spears, King, King of Prussia, Rebecca Fitts, Alvarez, Tolia, Allbirds, Al Drago Organizations: CNBC, Apple iOS, Companies, Walmart, Target, Joss, Discount, TJX, Bloomberg, Getty, Marsal, Washington , D.C Locations: Wilmette , Illinois, Chicago, Casper, Amazon, U.S, Coresight Research's, Burlington, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, King, King of Prussia , Pennsylvania, Georgetown, Washington ,

☆ You Know Him From N.B.A. Games. You Know His House From ‘Selling Sunset.’
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-27 | by ( Sam Lubell | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

So it makes sense that James Goldstein’s house, hovering over a canyon atop Beverly Hills, Calif., is one of the most strange, fascinating and perplexing architectural projects in the world. Goldstein, 84, a controversial figure who made his fortune investing in mobile-home parks in California, may be familiar to you. He’s that leathery-skinned, frizzy-haired guy always sitting courtside at N.B.A. “The word subtle doesn’t exist for me,” Goldstein said, dressed in all-black tennis gear and a palm tree-emblazoned black jacket. He’s sitting on the sprawling lower terrace of his home’s recently-completed (for now), three-level addition, which is a separate compound overlooking the towers of Century City and, beyond that, the glinting bend of the Pacific Coast.

Persons: James Goldstein’s, Goldstein, —, John Lautner, Rihanna, ” Goldstein Locations: Beverly Hills, Calif, California, N.B.A, Paris, Milan, City, Pacific Coast

☆ Trump clemency recipient Philip Esformes pleads guilty in Medicare fraud case
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-22 | by ( Kevin Breuninger | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Philip Esformes on Thursday pleaded guilty to health care fraud, resolving the Justice Department's years-long effort to prosecute the convicted fraudster after then-President Donald Trump commuted his 20-year prison sentence. Esformes pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud, according to filings in federal court in Miami, Florida. Trump commuted Esformes' sentence during his final days in the White House, a period during which he granted dozens of other requests for executive clemency. The commutation canceled Esformes' prison term, but not his 2019 conviction on 20 criminal counts. Five months after Trump commuted Esformes' sentence, the DOJ said it would seek to re-try him on those remaining six counts.

Persons: Philip Esformes, Harold, Department's, Donald Trump, Esformes, Trump, Prosecutors Organizations: Carole Pump Foundation, Hyatt, DOJ, Department of Justice Locations: Century City , California, Miami , Florida, Florida

☆ Trump clemency recipient Philip Esformes reaches plea deal in Medicare fraud case
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-01 | by ( Dan Mangan | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Convicted Medicare fraudster Philip Esformes has reached a plea deal that could resolve a long-running, complicated criminal case that has included his 20-year prison sentence being commuted by former President Donald Trump in 2020, court filings show. Terms of Esformes' plea agreement with the Department of Justice were not included in the filings Thursday. A Miami federal judge scheduled Esformes' change of plea hearing and sentencing for Feb. 22. Esformes' lawyers have said they are unaware of any other case in which the DOJ retried a defendant whose criminal sentence in the same case was commuted by a president. Prosecutors at the time said it was "the largest single criminal health care fraud case ever brought against individuals" by the DOJ.

Persons: Philip Esformes, Harold, Donald Trump, Esformes, —, Denise Stemen, Stemen Organizations: Carole Pump Foundation, Hyatt, Department of Justice, Esformes, DOJ, Prosecutors Locations: Century City , California, Miami

☆ Podcast Companies Begin to Advertise Like Hollywood Studios
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-05 | by ( Katie Deighton | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Wondery hopes the interest generated from its marketing campaigns will help it turn podcast ideas into intellectual property that spans different media. Photo: WonderyIn a shopping mall in Los Angeles’ Century City, a 1,200-square-foot room has been painted green, covered in Christmas decorations and filled with an espresso bar, a cotton candy stand, and a step-and-repeat for photoshoots. An actor dressed in a furry green suit makes an appearance on weekends. The Grinch’s Holiday Green Room, as it is called, is one of L.A.’s latest “pop-up experiences,” the kind usually deployed to build excitement around big-budget TV shows and movies.

Persons: Wondery Organizations: Los Angeles ’ Locations: Los Angeles, City

☆ Golf simulators, doggy daycare, flexible leases, and free rent: Why now may be the best time to shop for a new office
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-17 | by ( Alex Nicoll | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +14 min

Now may be the time to shop for an office lease. As office vacancies soar to record highs in some markets, office landlords often have no choice but to find new and creative ways to attract new clients. "When you have 55-year-old managing partners of a law firm looking for office space, and they see the golf simulator, they get pretty excited," he said. Long-term leases, which usually feature landlord-financed renovations to the office space, are now being offered with lease-termination options. Office landlords without access to this capital level are often left with only one lever: renting below market price.

Persons: Michael Cohen, Michael Lirtzman, Anthony Tahlier, Andrew Lustgarten, Lirtzman, Sterling, Lustgarten, it's, Matt Petit, Goldman Sachs, Risa Letowsky, Letowsky, Watts, Tishman Speyer, aren't, That's, Cohen, they've, he's, hasn't Organizations: Colliers, Kastle Systems, West Chicago, Sterling Bay's, Century, El, New, Palm, Chase, Wall, JPMorgan, Deutsche Bank, Adler, Stachenfeld, Silverstein, Lawyer Locations: Chicago, Bian, Sterling, Los Angeles, New York, Miami, Liberty, Chase Manhattan, Alamo, CBRE, Los Angeles and New York, LA, United States

The earthquake that struck Morocco on Friday night hit near Marrakesh, a popular tourist destination, sending both residents and visitors scrambling for safety. “We didn’t know if we had to stand up, to sit down, to run,” Mr. Ait Chari said. Ms. Lorang and hundreds of others found refuge in a courtyard, where some brought out rugs and blankets to sleep. “It was very chaotic.”Mr. Ait Chari, the tour guide, said he was supposed to pick up more clients on Sunday but was unsure flights would be maintained. Many people were still in shock, he said, but there had also been “great solidarity,” as residents cleared roads.

Persons: “, Jen Lorang, ” Ms, Lorang, “ I’ve, Mr, Ait, ”, Jean, Baptiste Guinet Organizations: Big, ”, UNESCO, Heritage, Tourism, Organization for Economic Cooperation, Development Locations: Morocco, Marrakesh, Ait Chari, Massachusetts, Seattle, San Francisco, ” Morocco, Agadir, ”, Taroudant

☆ Redditors in LA are compiling a list of restaurants that ask customers to pay extra fees as diners grow increasingly frustrated with added charges
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-14 | by ( Grace Dean | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Redditors are compiling a list of Los Angeles restaurants that charge diners extra fees on their checks. The additional costs include security charges, service charges, card fees, and "administrative fees." Redditors have begun compiling a list of restaurants in Los Angeles that charge diners additional fees on their checks. The Google Sheets document, which started in r/LosAngeles, has more than 200 entries, with fees including corkage charges, service charges, and credit card fees. Some are a bit more vague, described on their menus or websites as "administrative fees" or "restaurant fees."

Persons: it's, gratuities, Il Organizations: Google, Service, Oceanview Locations: Angeles, Wall, Silicon, Los Angeles, Santa Monica, Hollywood, Venice, Century City, Encino, Manhattan Beach, Lake, Perch, Downtown Los Angeles, Korean, Alhambra

☆ Spain’s new $185m Royal Collections Museum is finally opening
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-23 | by ( Al Goodman | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

There are just three works, among the 650 on display, signed by female artists, Leticia Ruiz, director of the Royal Collections, told CNN via phone. Luisa Roldan's 1692 sculpture “Saint Michael the Archangel Defeating the Devil (El Arcángel San Miguel venciendo al demonio)" will be on display for the first time at the Royal Collections Gallery in Madrid, Spain. The exhibit starts with the Hapsburg monarchs’ royal collections — located near the old city wall exhibit — and then one level below, the Bourbon dynasty collections. On a floor below that are the temporary exhibitions, which start with carriages from the Royal Collections and some on loan from other institutions, Ruiz said. A third of the museum’s 650 items will be rotated annually back to the royal palaces and other Patrimonio sites and replaced with other items from their collections.

Persons: Frank, Emilio Tuñon, Luis Mansilla, Velazquez, Caravaggio, Goya, Cervantes ’ “ Don Quixote, ”, Ana De la Cueva, Saint Michael the Archangel, Luisa Roldan, Leticia Ruiz, Ruiz, —, Luisa Roldan's, Miguel venciendo al, Roldan, ” Ruiz, “ It’s, Diego Velazquez’s “, “, Caravaggio’s, Salome, Saint John the Baptist, de la Cueva, De la Cueva, Isabel the Organizations: Madrid CNN —, Guggenheim Museum Bilbao, Patrimonio Nacional, CNN, Royal Collections, Royal, Spain’s, Patrimonio Locations: Madrid, Spain, Spanish, Campo, Miguel, Bourbon, Royal Palace

☆ New York Is Full of Empty Offices After Covid. Make Way for the Playground City. - The New York Times
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-10 | by ( Edward L. Glaeser | Carlo Ratti | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +20 min

We are witnessing the dawn of a new kind of urban area: the Playground City. The transformation toward the Playground City will not happen on its own. To draw people into the Playground City, we need to show, not tell. 6.Engage citizensGovernments should empower citizens to participate directly in making the Playground City. The Playground City sees people as both a means and an end, and it should involve them in the process of its creation.

☆ Lululemon, cult athleisure brand, takes on the booming culture of 'dupes'
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-06 | by ( Ramishah Maruf | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

This weekend, athleisure giant lululemon is hosting a dupe swap at the Century City Mall in Los Angeles. Call it recession-core or Gen Z’s anti-consumerism sentiments, but #dupe has amassed more than 3.5 billion views on TikTok. Before, finding knock offs was a lowkey way to way to find affinity to a luxury brand. Lulu has been “hyper aware” of dupe culture, its Chief Brand Officer Nikki Neuburger said in an interview with CNN Business. Though lululemon may be leading in dupe hashtags on TikTok, the Align line that began in 2015 remains its top seller, the company said.

☆ 'Hey Netflix! You broke it — now fix it': On the picket lines with Hollywood writers as they bring signs, slogans, and sunscreen to their fight against the studios for 'as long as it takes'
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-03 | by ( Reed Alexander | Alison Brower | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +12 min

A writers' strike has been underway since overnight Monday. Thousands of Hollywood writers have fanned out across the streets of Los Angeles since early Tuesday afternoon, waving signs and chanting to demonstrate their resolve. Insider spoke with eight WGA members who are picketing or contributing to the work stoppage in other ways. Are you a member of the Writers Guild of America or do you work in the entertainment industry? How is the writers' strike impacting you?

☆ Upfront's Mark Suster has become the star of LA's booming startup scene. Not everyone is a fan.
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-18 | by ( Ben Bergman | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +29 min

"I have worked with more than 50 VCs and nobody comes close to what it is like to work with Mark Suster," said a founder backed by Suster. "Mark and the Upfront Summit helped put LA tech and investing on the map," said Jeffrey Katzenberg, the cofounder of DreamWorks and WndrCo. Several years ago, a founder whose startup Suster invested in was in a conference room rehearsing their presentation for the Upfront Summit. If you're going to put him on your board, you're letting the fox guard the henhouse. "If you're going to put him on your board, you're letting the fox guard the henhouse."

☆ Inside a shake-up at the world's 'most feared law firm'
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-30 | by ( Casey Sullivan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +30 min

It's been a tumultuous period for Quinn and the storied law firm he built over the past 37 years — now the world's largest litigation firm with hourly rates that can be north of $2,000. But behind the scenes, a shift at QE has been the talk of elite law firm circles. Indeed, the firm – known as a singular, even freewheeling, institution that brands itself as the "#1 Most Feared Law Firm in the World" — may appear to be less in the image of its founder as a generational shift brings changes. "We all thought it was important that the world understands this is not a one generation law firm." One former firm partner in California says he believes Quinn's inner circle generally got better deals.

☆ Gap announces big loss, declining sales and executive shakeup
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-09 | by ( Gabrielle Fonrouge | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

Gap reported sales of $4.24 billion, down 6% from $4.53 billion a year earlier. Online sales, which represent 41% of total net sales, plummeted 10% compared to last year, the company said. It expected first quarter net sales to decrease in the mid-single digit range compared to the prior fiscal year and expects fiscal 2023 net sales to decrease in the low to mid-single digit range. Overall, net sales for the year dropped to $15.62 billion compared to $16.67 billion in the prior fiscal year. Net losses for the year came in at $202 million, compared to a net income of $256 million in the prior fiscal year.

☆ Luxury developers in Los Angeles bet someone will pay record prices for these condos
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-31 | by ( Ray Parisi | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +11 min

According to the building's website, the crown-jewel residence delivers almost 13,000 sq ft of indoor living area and nearly 6,000 sq ft of outdoor space. According to Eklund, the package deal brings the total interior footage to somewhere around 13,000 sq ft with an additional 6,000 sq ft outside. Building amenities include an over 12,000 sq ft outdoor area with pool, fireplaces and dining area. Her mega-deal spanned 15,500 sq ft at a price per sq ft of almost $2,250. On Central Park, he said, trophy condos have surpassed $10,000 and even $12,000 a sq ft. "That happens a lot, so is Los Angeles undervalued still?

☆ Philip Esformes, whose prison sentence Trump commuted, loses appeal and faces retrial on health-care fraud charges
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-20 | by ( Dan Mangan | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

A Florida nursing home owner whose 20-year prison sentence for a $1.3 billion Medicare fraud scheme was commuted by then-President Donald Trump in late 2020 has lost a federal court appeal and now appears headed for retrial on six health-care criminal charges that a jury previously deadlocked on. A three-judge panel at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit unanimously rejected Esformes' appeal in a ruling earlier this month. Esformes' lawyers have indicated they plan to request a rehearing of their appeal by the entire line-up of the judges on the 11th Circuit. Esformes' lawyers had argued that a new trial on that would violate Trump's clemency action, as well as the double jeopardy clause. If Esformes is convicted at a retrial in federal court in Southern Florida, it is likely that his lawyers will relaunch their argument on appeal that retrial was barred by Trump's clemency.

[1/3] South African president Cyril Ramaphosa speaks at the Green Hydrogen Summit at Century City in Cape Town, South Africa, November 29, 2022. The inquiry centred on the theft of a millions of dollars of cash from the billionaire president's farm in 2020, which came to light in June. The country's biggest opposition party, the Democratic Alliance, has called for an early election and the report has plunged the governing African National Congress (ANC) into crisis. The ANC's executive committee is due to meet to discuss the panel report on Thursday evening. Asked by Reuters about a local media report that Ramaphosa was due to address the nation on Thursday, Ramaphosa's spokesman Vincent Magwenya said: "An announcement is imminent.

☆ The divorce lawyer who's represented Johnny Depp, Kim K, and Angelina Jolie charges $1,000 an hour and says tough love is how she gets things done
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-01 | by ( Mark Ellwood | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +12 min

Laura Wasser is a divorce lawyer whose clients have included Johnny Depp and Angelina Jolie. "You'd go to someone's bar mitzvah and say, 'You're Dennis Wasser's daughter,' and they'd say, 'You're at that table,' according to whether my dad had represented the mom or the dad," she said. She'd majored in rhetoric at the University of California, Berkeley, and realized quickly that what she'd loved most about those studies was vital in divorce cases, as was her age and gender. She's a spokesperson for Divorce.com, the do-it-yourself split site, as its chief of divorce evolution and has hosted several podcasts, including "All's Fair with Laura Wasser" and "Divorce Sucks! With Laura Wasser," where one guest was the Kardashian momager and matriarch Kris Jenner.

☆ Matthew Perry recalls ‘scary’ confrontation with Jennifer Aniston over his addiction
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-24 | by ( Alexander Kacala | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +1 min

Matthew Perry is opening up about his decades-long battle with addiction, and how Jennifer Aniston was the friend who really stepped up and intervened. In a sneak peak of Sawyer’s interview with Perry, the 53-year-old “Friends” star details his substance issues like never before. “Secrets kill you,” Perry said in the preview clip, obtained by E! Sawyer quotes Aniston as saying: “We know you’re drinking.”“Imagine how scary a moment that was,” Perry responds. Perry added that Aniston’s support was desperately needed in his recovery journey.

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