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NEW YORK (AP) — “I always know, because I've lived life long enough, you can change things," Bethann Hardison said at the start of "Invisible Beauty,” a new documentary focused on her more than five decades in fashion. “She has changed the way beauty is defined.”Hardison co-wrote and co-directed the film with Frédéric Tcheng ("Halston," “Dior and I”). TCHENG: I didn't know who Bethann was when I was asked to do a short film when she received the Council of Fashion Designers of America’s Founder's Award (2014). She’s really changed the way fashion looks. I think the fashion model might be here to stay, but I have my foot on the clutch, just in case.

Persons: — “, I've, Bethann Hardison, Hardison, ” Tracee Ellis Ross, “, ” Hardison, Frédéric, “ Dior, Frédéric Tcheng, hadn’t, America’s Organizations: Garment District, Girls ' Coalition, Diversity Coalition, of Fashion Designers Locations: “, Versailles, ”, New York, London, Paris, Milan, Brooklyn

☆ Nike investors reject pay equity, human rights proposals
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-12 | by ( Katherine Masters | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/2] The Nike swoosh logo is pictured on a store in New York City, New York, U.S., September 4, 2018. REUTERS/Carlo Allegri/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsNEW YORK, Sept 12 (Reuters) - Nike investors voted against two shareholder-led proposals during the sportswear giant’s annual meeting on Tuesday, according to a preliminary tally by the company. One of the resolutions, filed by Massachusetts-based investment adviser Arjuna Capital, called on Nike to provide more data on pay equity for female and minority employees. The company will disclose the final vote tally in a future U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission filing. Arjuna’s resolution on pay equity reporting failed for the second time since 2021 despite backing from proxy advisory firm Institutional Shareholder Services, which in August recommended that investors vote for the proposal.

Persons: Carlo Allegri, Arjuna Capital, John Donahoe, Katherine Masters, Josie Kao Organizations: Nike, REUTERS, U.S . Securities, Exchange Commission, Services, Reuters, Thomson Locations: New York City , New York, U.S, Massachusetts, Cambodia, Thailand

☆ Nike urged to backpay garment workers ahead of annual meeting
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-11 | by ( Katherine Masters | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The investors want Nike to provide $2.2 million in allegedly unpaid wages to more than 4,000 workers at two suppliers in Cambodia and Thailand. The investor request could add more pressure to sportswear giant Nike (NKE.N), which is set to hold its annual shareholder meeting on Tuesday. Before the factory's closure in July 2020, Violet Apparel was owned by global textile manufacturer and Nike supplier Ramatex, according to WRC. WRC alleges that Violet Apparel made clothing for Nike as a subcontractor until 2020, citing what it said was testimony from factory workers and photographs taken inside the factory. Nike said it found "no evidence to support the claims" that Violet Apparel made Nike items after 2006.

Persons: John Donahoe, Kees Gootjes, Violet Apparel, Violet, Katherine Masters, Josie Kao Organizations: Nike, Reuters, Canadian, ABN AMRO, Washington, D.C, Workers Rights Consortium, Violet, Violet Apparel, Ramatex, WRC, Apparel, Hong Seng, Thomson Locations: Cambodia, Thailand

☆ When Does a Style Become a Classic?
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-11 | by ( Vanessa Friedman | More About Vanessa Friedman | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +2 min

When does a style become a classic? I have read all the discussions about whether skinny jeans are still in, but if a particular style is a classic, isn’t it always in? It’s pretty much impossible to pinpoint a moment when a piece of work becomes a classic because the label is one that gets added in hindsight. (Except, perhaps, for the word “pulviscular,” which as far as I am concerned is an instant classic.) One of the reasons a classic is a classic is that it can morph to reflect contemporary styles while never losing its core identity.

Persons: Nisha, Potter Stewart’s, “, ”, you’ll, Lazaro Hernandez, Jack McCollough, Proenza Schouler Organizations: v . Ohio, The New York Locations: New York, v .

Paris CNN —France’s highest court on Thursday upheld the government’s ban on students in public schools from wearing the abaya, a long, robe-like garment often worn by Muslim women, in a decision that rights groups warn will lead to more discrimination. The ban has its legal foundation in a law passed in 2004 forbidding the wearing of “conspicuous” religious symbols in French schools. Action Droits Des Musulmans (ADM), the Muslim rights group that filed the appeal, argued that the ban infringes on “fundamental rights,” such as the right to personal freedom. Macron said the ban was not “stigmatizing” anyone, but “people who push the abaya” are. Last year lawmakers backed a ban on wearing the hijab and other “conspicuous religious symbols” in sports competitions.

Persons: Musulmans, Vincent Brengarth, “, Gabriel Attal, ”, ” Attal, Emmanuel Macron, Macron, – Organizations: Paris CNN — France’s, ADM, Twitter, United Nations Human Rights Locations: Republic, France

CNN —Public schools in France have been turning away students for breaking a new national ban on the abaya, a long, robe-like garment often worn by Muslim women, as a rights group filed an appeal against the prohibition. A total of 67 girls returned home rather than remove their abayas, Education Minister Gabriel Attal told CNN affiliate BFMTV on Tuesday. The ban has its legal foundation in a law passed in 2004 banning the wearing of “conspicuous” religious symbols in schools. “They say that the abaya is a religious dress, but it’s not at all, it’s not a religious dress, it’s a traditional dress, it’s a dress that all girls wear, both veiled and non-veiled, and so it’s a bit of a problem,” she said. French President Emmanuel Macron has defended the ban, saying it is not “stigmatizing” anyone but “people who push the abaya” are.

Persons: Gabriel Attal, Attal, Musulmans, Vincent Brengarth, ”, Stephane Mahe, Brengarth, Nabil Boudi, it’s, Luke, Julie, Denis, Emmanuel Macron, Hugo Travers, Macron Organizations: CNN — Public, CNN, BFMTV, State Council, Reuters, ADM, Agence, France Presse Locations: France, France’s, Nantes, Villette, Lyon, Paris, Seine

VACCARELLO’S DEBUT FOR Saint Laurent wasn’t as rapturously received as Yves Saint Laurent’s for Dior. “Anthony has been scrutinized and told his dresses were too vulgar or too sexy,” he says. At the beginning of his tenure at Saint Laurent, it sometimes seemed like Vaccarello was art directing someone else’s movie. Illuminated by the soft glow of chandeliers — a reference to the ballroom at Paris’s InterContinental hotel, the frequent site of Saint Laurent’s presentations — the women summoned the femmes fatales of Helmut Newton photographs. “Now that I’m a free man, I feel inclined to say that I think that what Anthony has done with Saint Laurent has been positively brilliant.

Persons: Saint Laurent wasn’t, rapturously, Yves Saint Laurent’s, Saint, Flinn, “ Anthony, Vaccarello, Saint Laurent, Luchino Visconti, Rainer Werner Fassbinder, can’t, he’s, Helmut Newton, Henri Pinault, ”, Tom Ford, Anthony Organizations: Saint Laurent, Dior, Montaigne, —, Eiffel, InterContinental Locations: Saint, Malibu , Calif

☆ Hun Sen's son aims to make Cambodia high-income country by 2050
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-04 | by ( Kate Lamb | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Cambodia’s Prime Minister Hun Manet attends an event to meet with garment workers on his first public appearance since taking office, on the outskirts of Phnom Penh, Cambodia, August 29, 2023. The 45-year-old last month took over power from his father Hun Sen after a lopsided general election that all opposition parties were barred from contesting. In a country once riven by decades of war, Cambodia has now evolved to a lower-middle income nation with economic growth rates of 7%, he said. Cambodia's parliament approved Hun Manet as prime minister in August. Hun Sen, one of the world's longest ruling leaders, has said he expects his son to continue his leadership style and will himself remain in politics.

Persons: Hun Manet, Cindy Liu, Monday, Hun Sen, Kate Lamb, Kanupriya Kapoor, Nick Macfie Organizations: Cambodia’s, REUTERS, Rights, Cambodian, Association of Southeast Asian Nations, ASEAN, United Nations, Thomson Locations: Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Rights JAKARTA, Cambodia's

☆ The U.S. government is investing $22 million into developing surveillance clothing that includes shirts, pants, and underwear that can record video and audio
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-04 | by ( Lakshmi Varanasi | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

The federal government has a $22 million surveillance clothing program, according to The Intercept. The initiative will develop shirts, pants, socks, and underwear that can record audio and video. In other words, funding moonshots like underwear that's as stretchable and washable as normal underwear, but can also record your every move. Some are worried, though, that the SMART ePANTS program could lay the groundwork for more invasive forms of surveillance. She added, "now suppose SMART ePANTS detects a chemical on your skin — imagine where that can lead."

Persons: Dawson Cagle, Cagle, Annie Jacobsen, they're, IARPA Organizations: Apple, Oura, Textile Systems, SMART, Intercept, Smart, National Intelligence, Intelligence, Department of Defense, Department of Homeland Security, SMART ePANTS, United, TSA

☆ Little Richard embraced fluidity in rock ‘n’ roll. These are some of the artists he influenced
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-04 | by ( Scottie Andrew | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +12 min

Editor’s Note: The CNN Film “Little Richard: I Am Everything” tells the story of rock ‘n’ roll’s Black, queer origins. Kevin Winter/Getty ImagesPerhaps the closest thing to a successor Little Richard had was Prince, the late legend who, like Little Richard, resisted easy classification and reinvented music upon his arrival. Tina TurnerTina Turner and Little Richard reunited for a performance at the 1989 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony. “I couldn’t believe the power of Little Richard on stage,” he said in Little Richard’s biography. Ian Gavan/Getty ImagesLike Little Richard, the British pop maven always felt at home in front of a piano, often tinkling the keys dressed in an ostentatious garment involving feathers (Little Richard, meanwhile, mostly stuck to suits).

Persons: “, Richard, Lil Nas, Little Richard, didn’t, Prince, David Bowie, Janelle Monáe, Dick Clark, Little Richard’s, Prince Prince, Kevin Winter, ” Richard, Rosetta Tharpe, you’ll, Frutti ”, NPR’s Ann Powers, Frutti, …, ” Prince, Richard’s, Nikki ”, MTV “, ” David Bowie David Bowie, Ziggy Stardust, Bowie, ”, Ziggy, wouldn’t, ” Bowie, Tina Turner Tina Turner, Sonia Moskowitz, Ike, Turner, —, Elvis, Mick Jagger Richard, Jagger, Little, Elton John Elton John, Ian Gavan, maven, John, he’s, ” John, Beverly Hilton, Freddie Mercury, might’ve, Queen —, Elvis Baz Luhrman’s, ” dramatizes, Alton Mason, Richard careens, Elvis ”, King —, Janelle Monáe Janelle Monáe, Ethan Miller, Monáe, ” Monae, Richard . Lady Gaga, Gaga, Jo Calderone, Princess Lavonne, Lavonne, he’d, Jo, Princess Lavonne’s, ” Ashon Crawley Organizations: CNN, MTV, Roll Hall, Beverly, Warner Bros, Warner Bros ., USA, NPR Music Locations: London, New Orleans, British, Monáe

"Increasingly we are going to turn used clothes into raw material from Europe for fashion companies." Also in Spain, rivals including H&M, Mango and Inditex have created a non-profit association to manage clothing waste, responding to an EU law requiring member states to separate textiles from other waste from January 2025. OBSTACLESThe obstacles to significantly reducing clothing waste are formidable, despite the EU crackdown, industry sustainability commitments and initiatives like the Moda Re expansion. Adidas (ADSGn.DE), Bestseller, and H&M (HMb.ST) have invested in Finnish start-up Infinited Fiber Company, which manufactures fibre out of textile waste, cardboard and paper. As in Spain, textile waste associations would be set up in each country.

Persons: Albert Alberich, Inditex, Dijana Lind, Hugo Boss, Lind, Moda, Aissatou Boukoum, Mauro Scalia, Corina Pons, Helen Reid, Horaci Garcia, Nacho, Frank Jack Daniel Our Organizations: BARCELONA, Moda, Caritas, Union, European Commission, Union Investment, Adidas, McKinsey, Reuters, EU, ReHubs, Moda Re, United Nations, Inditex, Puma, Infinited Fiber Company, Thomson Locations: Spain, Barcelona, Spanish, Europe, Zara, Bilbao, Valencia, EU, Frankfurt, ReHubs Europe, Mali, Sant, AFRICA, Cameroon, Ghana, Senegal, Africa, Senegalese, Germany, Texaid, Switzerland, Vestisolidale, Italy, France, EURATEX, Madrid, London, Nacho Doce

☆ You can buy 'super tacky' Costco sweatshirts, and the store's super fans say they're now the 'envy' of their middle-aged friends
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-01 | by ( Grace Dean | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

It's available on Costco's website for $12.97, alongside a black version, which just has a small embroidered Costco logo in the top corner and on one cuff. "I bought the hideous Costco sweatshirt and it's everything I wanted and more," one person wrote in the Facebook group COSTCO FINDS, which has 1.5 million members. But some people say they don't understand the appeal, with Reddit users calling the gray sweatshirt "absolutely hideous," "super tacky," "mega ugly," and even "atrocious." Costco"When I buy a Kirkland/Costco branded clothing item, I want my wife to gasp in disbelief," they continued. The Costco logo sweatshirts currently on sale have been available since at least September 2022, costing $19.99 at one store.

Persons: who've Organizations: Costco, Service, Facebook, COSTCO, Kirkland Locations: Wall, Silicon, North Carolina

CNN —French authorities will be “uncompromising” in their enforcement of a new ban on abayas in schools, French President Emmanuel Macron said Friday, following the decision to ban the robe-like garment in the upcoming academic year. He reiterated that “religious symbols of any kind have no place” in French schools under the country’s principle of “laïcité,” which translates roughly to “secularism” in English. Because this is the very condition that makes citizenship possible and therefore religious symbols of any kind have no place in them. And we will vigorously defend this secularism,” Macron remarked. Last year lawmakers backed a ban on wearing the hijab and other “conspicuous religious symbols” in sports competitions.

Persons: Emmanuel Macron, Danièle Obono, Macron, ” Macron, “, ”, – Organizations: CNN, “, United Nations Human Rights Locations: Vaucluse, France

A fire in a house that was being used as a T-shirt printing shop in the Philippines killed at least 15 people on Thursday, including its workers, the business owner and his family members, officials said. The fire broke out at 5:45 a.m. in a house in the district of Tandang Sora in Quezon City, a densely populated suburb northwest of the capital, Manila, a police report said. When the fire alarm was triggered, 37 fire engines were sent to the site of the blaze, according to the police report from the Quezon City Police District. Among the dead were workers at the shop, including quality checkers, printing staff and a driver, many of whom lived in the house and were in their 20s, the police said. The business owner, Michael Cavilte, was 44.

Persons: Tandang Sora, Michael Cavilte Organizations: Quezon City Police District Locations: Philippines, Tandang, Quezon City, Manila, Quezon

☆ Afghan women once worked in this popular national park. Now they’re not even allowed to visit
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-28 | by ( Tara Subramaniam | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —Afghanistan’s Band-e-Amir National Park was known for having employed the country’s first-ever female park rangers. Now, women won’t even be allowed to visit, let alone work there, as the Taliban deepens its repressive rule over the country. Heather Barr, associate director of the women’s rights at Human Rights Watch, said in a statement Monday that the ban shows how “the walls are closing in on women” within Afghanistan. Since re-taking control of the country in August 2021, amid the United States’ chaotic, controversial withdrawal, the Taliban has rolled back decades of progress on human rights. In Afghanistan, “there is no such thing as women’s freedom anymore,” Mahbouba Seraj, an Afghan women’s rights activist and 2023 Nobel Peace Prize nominee, said earlier this month.

Persons: CNN —, won’t, Mohammad Khalid Hanafi, Heather Barr, ”, Mahbouba, they’re, Richard Bennett, Dorothy Estrada, Tanck Organizations: CNN, Amir, USAID, United Nations Development, Human Rights, UN Locations: Bamiyan, ”, Afghanistan, States, “, Afghan

☆ China's richest people are leaning hard into quiet luxury, wielding stealth wealth like a weapon and scorning their flashy, label-chasing peers
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-26 | by ( Mary Hanbury | Kwan Wei Kevin Tan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +12 min

And rich Chinese people are leaning in, ditching "logo hunting" in favor of elegance, experts say. In a similar vein to the US and Europe – the "quiet luxury" aesthetic has emerged as a reaction to the economic climate. Chinese social media's got quiet luxury down to a sciencePeople have posted tutorials and photos on the “laoqian” style on China’s Pinterest-like site, Xiaohongshu. XiaohongshuTo be sure, there's being rich and looking rich, and the latter is where it's at on Chinese social media. WeiboSome influencers have also uploaded video tutorials on the "laoqian" style, to guide people on how best to dress for success.

Persons: that's, Dior, Gucci, Louis, Rich, Tom Wambsgan, Chukrut, you've, Javier Gonzalez Lastra, it's, Xi Jinping's, Milton Pedraza, Pedraza, media's, you'll, Richemont, Louis Vuittons, Thomaï Serdari, Joe, they're Organizations: Service, Bain, Co's, Burberry, Louis Vuitton, Getty, West, Ivy League, China Morning Post, Crazy, Luxury Institute, Twitter, NYU's Stern School of Business Locations: China, Wall, Silicon, America, bucketloads, Shanghai, Europe, Tema, Nanjing, Nikada, Beijing, Weibo

☆ Canada probing Walmart, Hugo Boss over allegations of forced labor in supply chains
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-24 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni//File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsOTTAWA, Aug 24 (Reuters) - Canada's corporate ethics watchdog on Thursday announced investigations into the Canadian units of Walmart (WMT.N) and Hugo Boss (BOSSn.DE) to probe allegations of Uyghur forced labor in the companies' supply chains and operations. The Canadian Ombudsperson for Responsible Enterprise (CORE) said it had published an initial assessment report after complaints filed by a coalition of 28 civil society organizations in June 2022. CORE will also investigate the Canadian unit of fashion firm Diesel, which is owned by Italy's OTB (OTB.L). In March, a U.N. committee said it was concerned about China's treatment of its Muslim minority, including the use of forced labor against Uyghurs. CORE was launched in 2019 to monitor and investigate human rights abuses, mainly by Canadian garment, mining and oil and gas companies operating abroad.

Persons: Mario Anzuoni, Hugo Boss, Italy's OTB, Ralph Lauren, RL.N, Sheri Meyerhoffer, CORE's Ombudsperson, David Ljunggren, Jonathan Oatis Organizations: Walmart, REUTERS, Rights OTTAWA, Responsible Enterprise, Diesel, Nike Canada, CORE, Thomson Locations: Rosemead , California, U.S, China

☆ Will Macy’s, Nordstrom merchandise overhauls lure shoppers?
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-21 | by ( Katherine Masters | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

In an effort to boost sales, Macy's - which reports second-quarter results on Tuesday - has focused on revamping its private brands, including its new On 34th label launched in July. Analysts expect Macy's to post a 87% slide in second-quarter profit, dragged down by heavy discounting to clear spring and early summer merchandise, according to Refinitiv. Thirteen percent answered Walmart and 9% answered Amazon, compared to 5.8% for Macy's and 3.3% for Nordstrom. Nordstrom so far has disclosed few specifics about the new merchandise intended to revive the Rack, including the brands and categories it plans to prioritize. On Monday, Rack’s website was advertising brands including Kate Spade, Adidas, Steve Madden and Cole Haan.

Persons: Andrew Kelly, Nordstrom, Erik Nordstrom, Macy's, Nordstrom's, Prosper, Macy’s, Kathy Gersch, ”, Kate Spade, Steve Madden, Cole Haan, Katherine Masters, Granth Vanaik, Savyata Mishra, Deepa Babington Organizations: New York Stock Exchange, REUTERS, Nordstrom, U.S ., Target, Walmart, Nordstrom . Consulting, Deloitte, Private, Kotter, Adidas, Thomson Locations: Manhattan , New York City, U.S, New York, Bengaluru

The International Labour Organization (ILO), of which Cambodia is a member, permits prison labour provided it is not forced. The companies, which Sopheak confirmed were W Dexing Garment (Cambodia), IGTM (Cambodia) and Chia Ho (Cambodia) Garment Industrial, did not respond to requests for comment. It said it learned in February that Cambodia was investigating and that the prison workshops had been suspended. Centric told Reuters in an email in June that it had "placed on hold" imports from a factory in Cambodia and would "immediately terminate" any supplier found to be using prison labour. CAMBODIA INVESTIGATESPrison labour at CC2 potentially puts Cambodia at odds with the U.S. Generalized System of Preferences, which grants duty-free benefits to eligible developing nations.

Persons: Keo Chhea, Sopheak, Chia Ho, AAFA's, Ken Loo, Aun, Loo, Calvin Klein, Tommy Hilfiger, amfori, Klot Dara, Stephen Lamar, Nate Herman, Clare Baldwin, Katherine Masters, Siddharth Cavale, John Shiffman, Kristina Cooke, David Crawshaw, Kay Johnson Organizations: Correctional, Google, REUTERS Acquire, Walmart, Centric Brands, Reuters, American Apparel and Footwear Association, International Labour Organization, ILO, Cambodian Ministry of Commerce, State, European Union, Japan, Garment, Human Rights, Textile, Apparel, Footwear, Travel Goods Association, IZOD, U.S . Federal Trade Commission, U.S, Travelway, Centric, Better Factories, BFC, amfori's Business, Authentic Brands, U.S . Trade, CC2, Cambodia's Ministry of Interior, General Department of Prisons, Facebook, Thomson Locations: Phnom Penh, Cambodia, PHNOM PENH, U.S, Washington, AAFA, IGTM, Canada, Better Factories Cambodia, CC2, CAMBODIA, Cambodia's U.S, New York, Los Angeles

☆ The 'secret sauce' that helps Shein predict the next hot trend has nothing to do with AI, company exec says
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-18 | by ( Jennifer Ortakales Dawkins | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

But the way Shein uses data and determines demand has been a point of contention. Just as TikTok or Instagram tracks what you search or how long you engage with a particular video, Shein gathers similar data from its shoppers. This is a common practice in retail — many other brands track similar data on their sites. To measure demand, Shein's site then conducts statistical sampling to understand what sequence of steps led a customer to any given purchase. Kristy Sparow/GettyThe 'secret sauce' behind Shein's on-demand fashionThe technology Shein uses to determine trends isn't new — many online retailers collect similar data to track customer behaviors.

Persons: Shein, Peter Pernot, Shein's, Kristy Sparow, Hailey Bieber Organizations: Service, International Labour Locations: Wall, Silicon, Guangdong province, China, Brazil, Turkey

London/Hong Kong CNN —H&M has decided to stop operating in Myanmar following an increase in allegations of labor abuses at garment factories in the country. As of March, H&M sourced from 41 factories with nearly 42,000 workers in the country, according to company figures. Its withdrawal comes after new allegations published by the Business and Human Rights Resource Centre (BHRRC), a workers’ advocacy group. The organization has been tracking cases of alleged labor and human rights abuses against garment workers in the country for years. “Things are getting worse for garment workers — and quickly,” the organization said.

Persons: Hong Kong CNN —, ” “, ”, doesn’t, Inditex, Spencer, Primark, “, BHRRC Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, CNN, Business, Human Rights Resource, Chevron, Initiative, Human Rights, Reuters Locations: Hong Kong, Myanmar, Swedish, Zara, Stockholm, TotalEnergies, British, ”

☆ Exclusive: H&M says it will "phase out" sourcing from Myanmar
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-17 | by ( Helen Reid | Thomson Reuters | London-Based Reporter Covering The European Retail Sector Through A Global Lens. Focusing On Companies Including Adidas | ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

LONDON, Aug 17 (Reuters) - The world's second-biggest fashion retailer H&M (HMb.ST) has decided to gradually stop sourcing from Myanmar, it told Reuters on Thursday, as reports of labour abuses in garment factories in the country increase. H&M became the latest brand to cut ties with suppliers in the country after Zara owner Inditex (ITX.MC), Primark (ABF.L), Marks & Spencer (MKS.L) and others. "After careful consideration we have now taken the decision to gradually phase out our operations in Myanmar," H&M said in an email to Reuters. "We have been monitoring the latest developments in Myanmar very closely and we see increased challenges to conduct our operations according to our standards and requirements." Reporting by Helen Reid, Editing by Matt ScuffhamOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Inditex, Spencer, Helen Reid, Matt Scuffham Organizations: Reuters, Thomson Locations: Myanmar, Zara

☆ Exclusive: H&M probes Myanmar factory abuses as pressure intensifies
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-16 | by ( Helen Reid | Thomson Reuters | London-Based Reporter Covering The European Retail Sector Through A Global Lens. Focusing On Companies Including Adidas | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

The BHRRC has been tracking allegations of workers' rights abuses in garment factories since the military junta took power in Myanmar, plunging it into political and humanitarian crisis. There have been 21 cases of alleged abuses linked to Inditex suppliers over the two-year period, and 20 linked to H&M suppliers, according to the report. The Myanmar Garment Manufacturing Association did not reply to a request for comment. It expects its final orders from Myanmar suppliers to ship before the end of this year, but has also increased its presence on the ground. H&M and Bestseller are among 18 brands that are part of the European Union-funded MADE project aimed at improving labour conditions in Myanmar's garment factories.

Persons: Inditex, Spencer, Primark, we've, Karina Ufert, Vicky Bowman, Bowman, Helen Reid, Vanessa O'Connell, Marguerita Choy, Emelia Organizations: Reuters, Zara, Human Rights Resource, Myanmar Labour News, Myanmar Garment Manufacturing Association, Ethical Trade, European Union, European Chamber of Commerce, Myanmar Centre, Responsible Business, Thomson Locations: Myanmar, British, MYANMAR Spanish, Danish

☆ Your Clothes Don’t Fit. Here’s Why. - The New York Times
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-15 | by ( Elizabeth Endicott | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +3 min

I know exactly where I can find a perfect dress that fits me well and makes me feel great. In “Butts: A Backstory,” the journalist Heather Radke explored the garment industry’s history of trying and failing to standardize sizing for women’s bodies. “Bodies are bespoke, and most clothes made since the 1920s are mass-produced industrial products,” Ms. Radke wrote. While men’s sizing utilizes inches in a straightforward manner, with measurements like inseam and chest, women’s sizes have no consistency from one brand to another. Professor Abigail Glaum-Lathbury of the School of the Art Institute of Chicago put it to Ms. Radke very simply: “Unless your clothes are made for you, they don’t actually fit.”

Persons: toots, —, they’ve, Plunkett, “ Butts, Heather Radke, Ms, Radke, ” Radke, Abigail Glaum Organizations: Plunkett Research, School of, Art Institute of Chicago Locations: Instagram

☆ Herbert J. Siegel, Investor in Major Media Deals, Dies at 95
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-10 | by ( Sam Roberts | More About Sam Roberts | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Herbert J. Siegel, a maverick investor who became a billionaire entertainment-industry mogul most notable for finally enabling the merger of Warner Communications and Time Inc. in 1989 and for selling 10 television stations to Rupert Murdoch’s News Corporation in 2000, died on Saturday at his home in Manhattan. Mr. Siegel, the gregarious son of an immigrant garment manufacturer, combined his boyhood passions — deal-making and an infatuation with the film industry — to reap massive profits. The humorist Art Buchwald once said that Mr. Siegel deserved an Academy Award for having earned the most money in Hollywood without ever making a movie. Mr. Siegel got started young; he was still in college when, flush with a trust fund from his father, he sought to purchase a 20 percent stake in the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League for $60,000. His bid was unsuccessful, so instead he bought an interest in a company that packaged television programs and that was partly owned by his father-in-law, an organizer of the Columbia Broadcasting System.

Persons: Herbert J, Siegel, Jeanne, —, Art Buchwald Organizations: Warner Communications, Time Inc, Rupert Murdoch’s News Corporation, Hollywood, Philadelphia Eagles, National Football League, Columbia Broadcasting System Locations: Rupert, Manhattan

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