Fashion
Kevin Hart partners with Authentic Brands Group as co-owner
Published
January 7, 2026
Globally recognized comedian, actor, producer and entrepreneur Kevin Hart has entered into a strategic partnership with Authentic Brands Group to co-own and manage the Kevin Hart brand.
As part of the transaction, Hart also becomes a shareholder in Authentic, whose portfolio includes more than 50 brands, and generates approximately $32 billion in annual systemwide retail sales worldwide. Hart joins a roster of high-profile partners across sports, culture and entertainment, including David Beckham and Shaquille O’Neal.
“This partnership is about acceleration, growth and diversification. I’ve spent years building businesses and creating opportunities, and joining Authentic gives me the platform and global infrastructure to take my brand to the next level,” Hart said.
“Becoming a shareholder allows me to co-own some of the most recognizable IP of all time while building my own brand legacy. I want the Hart name to live on for generations to come and be something that my grandkids and their grandkids will be able to be proud of.”
Hart brings to the partnership a multifaceted entertainment and business portfolio that spans film, television, global comedy tours, streaming platforms and consumer-facing ventures. With a global social media following of more than 292 million, his business interests include Hartbeat Productions, spirits brand Gran Coramino and fitness-focused collaborations such as Fabletics, among other categories.
Together, Authentic and Hart plan to expand the Kevin Hart brand through consumer products, digital platforms, collaborations and live experiences worldwide.
“Kevin is one of the most dynamic entertainers and entrepreneurs of our time,” said Jamie Salter, founder, chairman and CEO of Authentic. “His creative vision, business instincts and cultural impact are unmatched. Kevin sees what we see: the power of brand ownership and the opportunity to build a global, long-term business. His investment in Authentic also reflects our mutual confidence and shared vision for that growth.”
Copyright © 2026 FashionNetwork.com All rights reserved.
By
Bloomberg
Published
January 7, 2026
The founder of sneaker reseller Zadeh Kicks was sentenced to almost six years in prison for a fraud conspiracy that led to the infamous collapse of the online platform and $80 million in losses for customers and financial institutions.
Michael Malekzadeh, 42, was sentenced Tuesday in Eugene, Oregon, to 70 months behind bars and ordered to forfeit more than $15 million in assets, federal prosecutors said in a statement. Last year, Malekzadeh pleaded guilty to wire fraud and bank fraud.
The sentencing signaled the end of a case that sent shockwaves through the sneaker reselling market, which reached record highs during the 2020 pandemic. Malekzadeh rode this boom to improbable heights, offering sought-after shoes at competitive prices from his warehouse in Oregon, even before manufacturers released them.
A lawyer for Malekzadeh didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.
According to the US Attorney’s Office in Oregon, Malekzadeh “advertised, sold, and collected payments from customers for preorders knowing he could not satisfy all orders placed.” All in all, he owed customers more than $65 million in unfulfilled orders and defrauded financial institutions out of $15 million they’d loaned him, court records show.
Malekzadeh used the money to fund a lavish lifestyle, prosecutors said. Agents seized luxury watches, jewelry and hundreds of handbags during the investigation, court documents show.
As part of their plea agreements, Malekzadeh and his partner, Bethany Mockerman, the company’s chief financial officer, agreed to pay restitution in full to their victims. The judge set a restitution hearing for March 31.
The government said it raised $7.5 million from selling Malekzadeh’s residence in Eugene, his watches and luxury cars manufactured by Bentley, Ferrari, Lamborghini and Porsche.
In a separate case, Zadeh Kicks, which Malekzadeh founded in 2013, and all of its sneakers were taken over by a court-appointed receiver, who’s been in charge of liquidating its assets.
The case is US v. Malekzadeh, 22-cr-262, US District Court, District of Oregon (Eugene).
Published
January 7, 2026
Following major expansion in Italy last year, Primark’s European expansion programme continues apace as the value fashion/lifestyle retailer intends to now grow operations in Romania.
Four new stores have so far been confirmed to open in Sibiu and Bacău, joining planned openings in Iași and Craiova, doubling its presence to eight in the market and creating over 450 new jobs.
The announcement comes as the company celebrates its anniversary in the market this week, marking three years since the opening of its first Romanian store in ParkLake Shopping Centre, Bucharest.
The new stores will be located in Sibiu Shopping Centre and Arena Mall Bacău, joining previously announced locations in Electroputere Mall, Craiova and Palas Mall Iași, adding a total of 10,870 sq m of retail space across the country.
They join the four “successful” stores in the market: two in Bucharest, one in Timișoara and one in Cluj-Napoca.
The stores in new regions will introduce Primark’s latest fashion pieces, as well as everyday essentials across clothing, beauty, lifestyle and home categories. The stores will also stock the growing Primark Cares range.
Maciej Podwojski, Head of CEE, Primark said: “Since opening our first store just three years ago, we have grown a strong business with a loyal and ever-expanding customer base. As a retailer with a strong focus on physical stores, we know that much of this success is thanks to our exceptional retail teams.”
Last year, Primark announcing a further €40 million (£34 million) investment with five new Italian stores planned for Rome, Biella, Perugia and two in Naples, following a €50 million investment in the country in 2023.
Copyright © 2026 FashionNetwork.com All rights reserved.
Manufacturing and processing led the expansion, rising by 10.5 per cent and contributing 8.4 percentage points to overall growth.
Vietnam’s industrial production rose by 9.2 per cent last year, accelerating from an 8.2-per cent YoY rise in 2024 and marking the strongest performance since 2019.
Manufacturing and processing led the expansion, rising by 10.5 per cent and contributing 8.4 percentage points to overall growth.
December saw a 10.1-per cent YoY growth in industrial output, driven by a 11.9-per cent rise in manufacturing.
Power generation and distribution increased by 6.7 per cent, adding 0.6 percentage points.
In the fourth quarter (Q4) of 2025, industrial output grew by 9.9 per cent year on year, with manufacturing up by 10.8 per cent.
December alone saw a 10.1-per cent YoY growth in industrial output, driven by a 11.9-per cent rise in manufacturing.
Natural gas output fell by 5.6 per cent YoY last year. All 34 provinces and cities recorded industrial growth during the year.
Industrial employment increased by 2.4 per cent YoY as of December 1, with companies adding 0.8 per cent more workers compared to November.
Manufacturing consumption index rose by 9.9 per cent for the entire year, easing from 11.4-per cent growth in 2024.
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