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French police hunt Louvre jewellery thieves

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French police hunt Louvre jewellery thieves


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AFP

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October 20, 2025

The hunt was on Monday for the band of thieves who stole eight priceless royal pieces of jewellery from the Louvre Museum in the heart of Paris in broad daylight.

The glass entrance to the Louvre in Paris, France – DR

Officials said a team of 60 investigators was working on the theory that the raid was planned and executed by an organised crime group.

The heist reignited a row over a lack of security in France’s museums, with Justice Minister Gerald Darmanin admitting Monday to security flaws in protecting the Louvre.

“What is certain is that we have failed, since people were able to park a furniture hoist in the middle of Paris, get people up it in several minutes to grab priceless jewels, and give France a terrible image,” he told France Inter radio.

After several other robberies from French museums in recent months, Interior Minister Laurent Nunez had acknowledged Sunday that securing them was a “major weak spot”.

The thieves arrived between 9:30 and 9:40 am (07:30 and 07:40 GMT) Sunday, shortly after the museum opened to the public at 9:00 am, a source close to the investigation said.

They used a truck with an extendable ladder like those used by movers to get access to the Apollo Gallery, home to the royal collection, and cutting equipment to get in through a window and open the display cases.

A brief clip of the raid, apparently filmed on the phone of a visitor to the museum, was broadcast on French news channels.

The masked thieves stole nine 19th-century items of jewellery, one of which- the crown of the Empress Eugenie- they dropped and damaged as they made their escape.

It is covered in 1,354 diamonds and 56 emeralds, according to the museum’s website.

Eight “priceless” items of jewellery were stolen, the culture ministry said Sunday.

The list they released included an emerald-and-diamond necklace that Napoleon gave his wife Empress Marie-Louise.

Also stolen was a diadem that once belonged to the Empress Eugenie, which is dotted with nearly 2,000 diamonds, and a necklace that once belonged to Marie-Amelie, the last queen of France. It has eight sapphires and 631 diamonds, according to the Louvre’s website.

The whole raid took just seven minutes and is thought to have been carried out by an experienced team, possibly “foreigners”, Nunez said.

The intervention of the museum’s staff forced the thieves to flee, leaving behind some of the equipment used in the raid, the culture ministry said.

The loot would be impossible to sell on in its current state, said Alexandre Giquello, president of the leading auctioneer house Drouot.

It was the first theft from the Louvre since 1998, when a painting by Camille Corot was stolen and never seen again.

Sunday’s raid relaunched a debate over what critics says is poor security at the nation’s museums, far less secure than banks and increasingly targeted by thieves.

Last month, criminals broke into Paris’s Natural History Museum, making off with gold samples worth $700,000.

The same month, thieves stole two dishes and a vase from a museum in the central city of Limoges, the losses estimated at $7.6 million.

Sunday’s robbery sparked angry political reactions.

“How far will the disintegration of the state go?” said far-right National Rally party leader Jordan Bardella on social media, calling the theft “an unbearable humiliation for our country”.

President Emmanuel Macron said on social media that “everything” was being done to catch the perpetrators and recover the stolen treasures.

Copyright © 2025 AFP. All rights reserved. All information displayed in this section (dispatches, photographs, logos) are protected by intellectual property rights owned by Agence France-Presse. As a consequence you may not copy, reproduce, modify, transmit, publish, display or in any way commercially exploit any of the contents of this section without the prior written consent of Agence France-Presses.



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ICE cotton weakens on farmers’ selling, but decline capped

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ICE cotton weakens on farmers’ selling, but decline capped



ICE cotton futures remained bearish as farmer selling and algorithmic activity dampened market sentiment. The overall commodities market was weak yesterday, although a falling US dollar and rising crude oil prices helped limit the decline in US cotton.

The more active March 2026 cotton futures settled at 64.46 cents per pound, down 0.11 cents, reflecting continued price stagnation. Other contracts closed with declines between 4 and 11 points. The 64-cent low attracted some fundamental buying interest, but farmer selling and algorithmic trades capped any move toward 65 cents.

ICE cotton futures remained weak as farmer selling and algorithmic activity limited any upward move despite support from a softer US dollar and firmer crude oil.
March 2026 settled at 64.46 cents amid low trading volumes and stagnant prices.
Weak US economic data boosted expectations of rate cuts.
JP Morgan sees prices potentially rising to 75 cents by late next year.

The US Dollar Index fell 0.45 per cent to 98.85, touching an intraday low of 98.82, its lowest level since October 29. The weaker dollar made US cotton cheaper for global buyers and supported overall demand.

Rising crude oil prices increased polyester costs, indirectly supporting cotton prices as polyester became less competitive.

Total trading volume was 26,902 contracts, one of the lowest levels in more than two months.

Overall commodities were weaker, while US equity markets moved towards all-time highs. Market sentiment was driven by expectations of a possible December interest rate cut by the Federal Reserve. US ADP data showed private-sector employment fell by 32,000 in November compared to expectations of a 10,000-job increase. Weaker-than-expected economic data strengthened expectations of further monetary easing.

CFTC data showed speculators reduced net short positions by 2,480 contracts, taking their total net short position to 84,607 contracts for the week ending October 21.

JP Morgan projected that ICE cotton futures could rise toward 75 cents per pound by the fourth quarter of next year, while ICE-certified stock remained stable at 19,894 bales as of December 2.

This morning (Indian Standard Time), ICE cotton for March 2026 traded at 64.44 cents per pound (down 0.02 cent), cash cotton at 62.46 cents (down 0.11 cent), the December 2025 contract at 62.66 cents (down 0.11 cent), the May 2026 contract at 65.57 cents (down 0.03 cent), the July 2026 contract at 66.54 cents (down 0.06 cent), and the October 2026 contract at 67.40 cents (down 0.08 cent). A few contracts were unchanged from the previous close, with no trading recorded so far today.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (KUL)



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Puma opens largest European flagship store on Oxford Street in London

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Puma opens largest European flagship store on Oxford Street in London



PUMA has opened the doors to its largest-ever European flagship store on Oxford Street in London, which will bring the best of the company’s products and immersive storytelling closer to consumers in one of the busiest shopping destinations in Europe.

The new flagship store, located just seconds from Selfridges and Bond Street Tube Station, spans 24,000 square-feet and features PUMA’s industry-leading innovations, such as running technology NITRO, its football boots FUTURE, ULTRA and KING, as well as its current range of lifestyle products.

Puma has opened its largest European flagship on London’s Oxford Street, a 24,000-sq-ft space showcasing NITRO running tech, key football franchises and lifestyle ranges.
The store features customisation zones, digital experiences, archive displays and a London-exclusive collection, with major events planned through 2025–26 as Puma boosts its direct-to-consumer focus.

“The opening of our Oxford Street flagship is an exciting moment for PUMA,” said Arthur Hoeld, CEO at PUMA. “It’s our first Flagship store in Europe, which gives us the chance to connect with more people than ever before — right in the heart of one of the world’s most iconic shopping destinations. It is a powerful platform to engage directly with consumers, showcase our latest performance innovations, and strengthen our brand presence in one of the world’s most influential retail destinations. This space not only highlights our product excellence, but also celebrates our heritage and long-standing connection with elite athletes.”

Consumers can take advantage of multiple customisation areas to create unique products, immerse themselves into PUMA’s performance technology NITRO through a digital running video-wall that reacts to every touch, or learn more about the brand’s rich history in the archive area that features iconic pieces from the past 77 years of the brand.

“London is one of the most competitive retail markets in the world, and Oxford Street is its main stage,” Lucynda Davies, Managing Director UK & Ireland at PUMA, added. “This flagship shows our confidence in the UK and reflects our commitment to delivering fresh, creative experiences that feel authentic to PUMA.”

To mark the opening, PUMA introduced a London Exclusive collection designed by Heiko Desens, PUMA’s Vice President Creative Direction & Innovation. Inspired by the city’s community spirit and creative energy, the collection reimagines British icons such as the Union Flag and Harris Tweed through PUMA’s modern lens. The limited-edition pieces are available exclusively at the London Flagship.

Now open to the public, the London Flagship will have a dynamic program of events and activations for the rest of 2025 and into 2026, hosting exclusive collaborations and athlete appearances to evolving in-store experiences, ensuring the flagship remains a vibrant destination long after launch.

As part of the store’s activation plans, PUMA will hold a dedicated launch event on December 4, celebrating its official debut. In the months ahead, the London Flagship will also serve as the stage for major brand moments, including a pre-race HYROX experience for HYROX London athletes on the December 3, and a special motorsport event on December 11, which will highlight PUMA’s racing heritage and the PUMA x Aston Martin F1 Team partnership and a Select Capsule Collection.

In October, PUMA outlined its new strategic priorities aimed at resetting the company and establishing it as a Top 3 sports brand globally. While both its Wholesale and its direct-to-consumer business will continue to play an important role in PUMA’s distribution strategy, the company aims to evolve its channel mix and aim for higher growth in our direct-to-consumer channels to bring it closer to industry averages.

Note: The headline, insights, and image of this press release may have been refined by the Fibre2Fashion staff; the rest of the content remains unchanged.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (RM)



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Ralph Lauren outfits US athletes for its 10th Olympic Games

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Ralph Lauren outfits US athletes for its 10th Olympic Games


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Reuters

Published



December 4, 2025

Ralph Lauren will outfit the US Olympic and Paralympic teams for the 10th time at next year’s Winter Games, with the brand’s take on an Italian aesthetic for the Opening Ceremony, part of an overall multi-piece set for the athletes.

Screenshot from a promotional video on Ralph Lauren’s official YouTube channel – Ralph Lauren- YouTube

“Every time we get the kit, it’s maybe the most exciting part of the Olympic experience, pulling on the Opening Ceremony outfit,” said Evan Bates, a three-time Olympian and defending ⁠ice dancing world champion with wife Madison Chock. US athletes will arrive for the Opening Ceremony at San Siro Stadium in Milan dressed in winter-white wool ⁠coats with Team USA engraved wooden toggles, an American flag turtleneck sweater and wool trousers.

The brand began a modern partnership with the US team for the 2008 Beijing Games, where they dressed their athletes in their signature preppy look that ‍the US ‌designer said was inspired by the 1920s and ’30s. The debut led to a lucrative bond with the ⁠country’s athletes and the brand’s shares ‌surged in the week following the 2016 Rio Opening Ceremony.

“It’s an incredible opportunity. ‌You get to work with the greatest athletes in the world,” said David Lauren, chief branding and innovation officer. “You really have to understand what the spirit and the energy is gonna be around each game. And understanding the athletes, understanding what makes them feel comfortable when ‍they’re walking out on a global stage in front of the entire world.”

The collection hits shelves on December 4, amid a recent surge of popularity for the brand, as it catches on ‌with younger shoppers and ⁠celebrities ​like Taylor Swift, who wore a Ralph Lauren dress for her engagement ⁠to NFL ​tight end Travis Kelce.

“Ralph Lauren just has that classic American style and it just fits with Team USA so nicely,” said Erin Jackson, the 500 metres Olympic speed skating champion at the ​2022 Games. Jackson, who competed at the 2018 Olympics as well, estimates that she received “three duffel bags worth of gear” at the Beijing Games.

“It’s like that ⁠first little burst of that American pride, that ⁠Team USA pride,” said Jackson. “A lot of us joke that the apparel is the best part of being on the team.” 

© Thomson Reuters 2025 All rights reserved.



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