Fashion
RBA holds cash rate at 3.60% as inflation eases, risks remain
The inflation in Australia eased substantially from its 2022 peak, with both headline and trimmed mean inflation falling within the RBA’s 2–3 per cent target range in the June quarter. The higher interest rates have been effective in bringing aggregate demand and potential supply closer towards balance. However, recent partial and volatile data suggest that inflation for the September quarter may be higher than anticipated in the August Statement on Monetary Policy, RBA said in a press release.
The Reserve Bank of Australia has kept the cash rate at 3.60 per cent, citing easing inflation within its 2–3 per cent target in June but warning September data may surprise on the upside.
Private demand is rebounding, offsetting weaker public spending, while labour markets remain steady.
With high unit labour costs, global risks, and inflation uncertainties, the RBA signalled a cautious stance.
Private demand has emerged as a stronger driver of growth, recovering more rapidly than expected. The RBA noted that private consumption is picking up as real household incomes improve and financial conditions ease, offsetting a slowdown in public demand.
Labour market conditions remain steady, with the unemployment rate unchanged at 4.2 per cent in August, though employment growth has slowed slightly more than anticipated. Measures of labour underutilisation remain low, and surveys indicate little change in labour availability.
While wages growth has eased from its peak, productivity remains weak, keeping unit labour costs high. The central bank flagged significant uncertainties in the domestic outlook, including the potential for stronger household spending to sustain demand pressures, as well as the risk that consumption growth could falter if overseas developments dampen confidence.
Globally, elevated uncertainty persists despite greater clarity on US tariff policy and other nations’ responses. Broader geopolitical risks continue to weigh on the outlook for global growth and trade.
Given signs of a modest recovery in private demand, potential persistence of inflation, and stable labour market conditions, the RBA Board decided to maintain the cash rate at its current level. It stressed that financial conditions have eased since the start of the year, though the full impact of earlier rate adjustments will take time to emerge, added the release.
The Board emphasised on a cautious approach.
Fibre2Fashion News Desk (SG)
Published
October 2, 2025
Paul Smith and Barbour are both known for their frequent and interesting collaborations so it seems fitting that they should launch a collection together. And so they have done.
The two famous British labels have come up with the Paul Smith Loves Barbour offer. It’s a new 23-piece collection comprising “reimagined versions of some of Barbour’s most iconic coats”, alongside knitwear, accessories, and T-shirts.
“Inspired by country shows”, we’re told the collaboration takes a “playful approach to country classics”, with unusual shades of waxed cotton, patchwork constructions, and a recurring Friesian cow motif.
The two labels bring “their own distinct perspective to the project” and it’s clearly an intriguing mix of Barbour’s countryside heritage and Paul Smith’s more metropolitan outlook. They said that “it’s this friction between town and country which imbues the collection with a one-of-a-kind personality”.
The creative concept for the supporting campaign “leans into playful contrasts that tell a story, grounded in British character, reimagined with wit and modernity”.
It’s based around the environment of a British country fair and the companies said the campaign is “rich in nostalgia, evoking warm memories and inviting people to see both design houses in a whole new, refreshing light – unexpected, and full of personality”.
Copyright © 2025 FashionNetwork.com All rights reserved.
Democrats demanded extensions of Affordable Care Act subsidies and reversals of Medicaid cuts as part of the deal, while Republicans wanted separate consideration of these issues.
The United States entered a federal government shutdown today after Democrats blocked a Republican-backed stopgap funding bill that didn’t address their demands.
This is the first government shutdown in more than six years.
The impasse will leave hundreds of thousands of federal employees furloughed and government operations disrupted.
Workers in essential roles will continue working.
This is the first government shutdown in more than six years. In 2018-2019, funding for the government had lapsed for five weeks during President Donald Trump’s first term.
The impasse will leave hundreds of thousands of federal employees furloughed and government operations disrupted.
Since the 1977 fiscal, the US government has witnessed 20 funding gaps.
A memo from the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) cautioned government agencies to “execute their plans for an orderly shutdown,” though certain functions like immigration enforcement and some public health activities will continue.
“Unfortunately, Democrat senators are blocking passage of H.R. 5371 in the Senate due to Democrats’ insane policy demands, which include $1 trillion in new spending,” the OMB memo said.
Around 750,000 federal workers would be affected, with a total daily cost of roughly $400 million in lost compensation, the Congressional Budget Office estimated.
While workers in essential roles like air traffic controllers, law enforcement and social security operations will continue working, many services, including passport processing, national park operations and regulatory inspections are expected to stop.
Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS)
Published
October 2, 2025
All about Latin America on Wednesday evening at Paris Fashion Week, with an authoritative show by the house of Tom Ford and a collection of great charm and commercial sass by Gabriela Hearst.
Tom Ford: Haute hauteur chic from Haider
The appointment of Haider Ackermann at Tom Ford is beginning to look like one of the smartest hires in many a year.
Even if this is the season of debutant designers at over 15 houses, Haider’s second display at Tom Ford felt like another debut, and a dramatic one as well. For the simple reason, that the founder, Tom Ford, wasn’t present.
Staged before a mere 150 exclusive guests, neatly tucked into Pavillon Vendôme, located between the city’s two most happening fashion inns – Hotels Costes and the Ritz, respectively. A midnight blue show space, with a pond of blue sapphire lacquer on which Ackermann’s cast emoted, indulged and pampered around.
The impossibly aloof models all looking down their nose at the audience. As well they might, seeing as they all looked rather divine. Not for Haider quiet luxury, or practical style. Instead, always high-octane glamor and hyper hip elegance.
Opening with a trio of ravishing ladies in surgically cut coats dresses made of translucent coated lizard skin. Wowing with languid mannish pants suits worn with mini bras; or the ideal suede biker jackets. Debonair for gents in silk blazers in ivory or pearl gray, or Connemara marble green suede blousons.
The gals with late ’50s bob haircuts, the gents with sleek matinee idol gelled hair. The cast, often in couples, arms interlocked acting like lovers.
For evening, revealing chiffon dresses, with cut-outs, jockstraps and a soupçon of the poshly perverse.
“My work is all about strength and fragility, and trying to be out there, so this show relates to something in my mind,” explained Haider, among a throng of well-wishers. Before describing his mature cast as “my companions of many years.”
Culminating the show with iconic models Erin O’Connor and Scott Barnhill reunited in cobalt blue matching suits and owning the runway. A mix of David Bowie’s “Heroes” booming out of the speakers.
“That song is written about forbidden love between two persons. So, we all know what’s going on in the world. So yeah, it’s about having the courage to just stand up. I am not saying something political just indicating with a wink,” added the Colombian-born, but Dutch raised, Ackermann.
Gabriela Hearst: Authoritative archetypes
One show guaranteed to bring a smile to your face is Gabriela Hearst, where the sense of ruddy optimism is a permanent leitmotif.
Doubly so, this season in her choice of opening model, a smiling Oscar winner Laura Dern in a silver lamé gown.
Presented on a terrace overlooking a beautiful garden in a medieval quarter in the bottom of the 5th arrondissement, the mood was upbeat as guests took their seats. Each discovered a finely printed catalogue of watercolor drawings of archetypes: High Priestess, Empress, Nurturer, Mediator and, happily, Lovers.
Their elongated dresses telegraphing the collection which was almost entirely made up of floor sweeping sheathes, gowns, ponchos and cloaks.
“I am a radiant being. I am a living treasure. I deeply honor and value the unlimited resources of courage that is within me,” read one of many texts extolling female sagacity and power in the program.
Uruguayan-born Hearst incorporated many sketches in her looks and followed the elongated silhouette meticulously. Everything had certain regal touch, while also seeming very at ease.
Hearst took her bow in a black leather suit with cowgirl skirt looking like a member of her own cast. And bringing another smile to an audience that left this show in a sunny mood.
Copyright © 2025 FashionNetwork.com All rights reserved.
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