
Valentino unit put under court administration in Italy over labour exploitation
MILAN, May 15 (Reuters) - An Italian court on Thursday placed under judicial administration a company owned by fashion group Valentino for subcontracting its production to Chinese-owned firms that exploited workers.
The court in Milan ordered a one-year administration for Valentino Bags Lab Srl, which makes Valentino-branded handbags and travel articles, according to the 30-page ruling seen by Reuters.
The administration will be lifted earlier if the company brings its practices into line with legal requirements.
The court said Valentino Bags Lab "culpably failed" to adequately oversee its suppliers in order to pursue higher profits.
Valentino could not immediately be reached for comment.
French fashion group Kering (PRTP.PA), opens new tab bought a 30% stake of the Italian brand in 2023 from Qatari investment fund Mayhoola, with an option to purchase the whole of its share capital by 2028.
Valentino Bags Lab is the fourth fashion company to be targeted by the same Milan court over similar labour issues since December 2023, following an Italian unit of French luxury giant LVMH's (LVMH.PA), opens new tab Dior, Italy's Armani, and Alviero Martini, an Italian handbag company.
The Milan court lifted the judicial administration it placed on these three companies before the end of the one-year deadline imposed on them.
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Scottish Sun
2 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Terrifying message sent by ‘Chinese hackers' to M&S boss after crippling cyber attack on British retailer is revealed
The blackmail message is believed to have included a racist term RANSOM DEMAND Terrifying message sent by 'Chinese hackers' to M&S boss after crippling cyber attack on British retailer is revealed Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) 'CHINESE hackers' allegedly sent a terrifying message to the boss of Marks & Spencer following a crippling cyber-attack on the British retailer. Fraudsters, believed to be from the hacking group DragonForce, are said to have emailed the company's chief executive Stuart Machin and seven other key executives. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 High street retailer Marks & Spencer was hit by a cyber attack over the Easter holiday Credit: Alamy 2 M&S boss Stuart Machin, pictured, along with seven other company executives were emailed by the hackers, believed to be DragonForce Credit: PA The message, written in broken English, was sent on April 23, indicated that M&S was hacked by the ransomware group, although the retailer has not acknowledged this. 'We have marched the ways from China all the way to the UK and have mercilessly raped your company and encrypted all the servers,' the hackers wrote, according to the BBC. 'The dragon wants to speak to you so please head over to [our darknet website].' The link to the darknet shared in the email led to a portal for victims of DragonForce to negotiate a ransom fee. The hackers added: 'Let's get the party started. Message us, we will make this fast and easy for us.' DragonForce's attack during the Easter holiday has been hugely damaging for one of Britain's best-known retailer and is thought to have cost the firm an estimated £300million. After six weeks on from the attack, the retailer is still unable to process online orders. The email was sent to Mr Machin along with seven other top executives, according to the corporation. A racist term is also said to have been included in the blackmail message and also ended with an image of a fire-breathing dragon. Along with installing ransomware in order to cripple M&S's IT system the hackers are also believed to have stolen private data from millions of customers. The £3.50 M&S buy that'll make your whole house smell like a 'boujee candle' Three weeks on from the attack, M&S informed customers that contact details and dates of birth from some shoppers had been obtained by a suspected cyber cartel. M&S also admitted other personal details, including customers' order histories, had also been pilfered by online criminals. Bosses though have stressed that no data relating to shoppers' payment, card details or account passwords had been obtained. It is unclear how many customers have been affected by the data breach. According to the company's full-year results, it had 9.4million active online customers in the year up to March 30. The email apparently sent by DragonForce is thought to have bene sent using the account of an employee from IT company Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), which has provided IT services to the retailer for more than a decade. The Indian IT worker, who is based in London, had an M&S email address but is paid employee of TCS. Timeline of the attack Saturday, April 19: Initial reports emerge on social media of problems with contactless payments and click-and-collect services at M&S stores across the UK. Customers experience difficulties collecting online purchases and returning items due to system issues. Initial reports emerge on social media of problems with contactless payments and click-and-collect services at M&S stores across the UK. Customers experience difficulties collecting online purchases and returning items due to system issues. Monday, April 21: Problems with contactless payments and click-and-collect persist. M&S officially acknowledges the "cyber incident" in a statement to the London Stock Exchange. CEO Stuart Machin apologises for the disruption and confirms "minor, temporary changes" to store operations. M&S notifies the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) and the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) and engages external cybersecurity experts. Problems with contactless payments and click-and-collect persist. M&S officially acknowledges the "cyber incident" in a statement to the London Stock Exchange. CEO Stuart Machin apologises for the disruption and confirms "minor, temporary changes" to store operations. M&S notifies the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) and the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) and engages external cybersecurity experts. Tuesday, April 22: Disruptions continue. M&S takes further systems offline as part of "proactive management". Disruptions continue. M&S takes further systems offline as part of "proactive management". Wednesday, April 23: Despite earlier claims of customer-facing systems returning to normal, M&S continues to adjust operations to maintain security. Contactless payments are initially restored, but other services, including click-and-collect, remain affected. Despite earlier claims of customer-facing systems returning to normal, M&S continues to adjust operations to maintain security. Contactless payments are initially restored, but other services, including click-and-collect, remain affected. Thursday, April 24: Contactless payments and click-and-collect services are still unavailable. Reports surface suggesting the attackers possibly gained access to data in February. Contactless payments and click-and-collect services are still unavailable. Reports surface suggesting the attackers possibly gained access to data in February. Friday, April 25: M&S suspends all online and app orders in the UK and Ireland for clothing and food, although customers can still browse products. This decision leads to a 5% drop in M&S's share price. M&S suspends all online and app orders in the UK and Ireland for clothing and food, although customers can still browse products. This decision leads to a 5% drop in M&S's share price. Monday, April 28: M&S is still unable to process online orders. Around 200 agency workers at the main distribution centre are told to stay home. M&S is still unable to process online orders. Around 200 agency workers at the main distribution centre are told to stay home. Tuesday, April 29: Information suggests that the hacker group Scattered Spider is likely behind the attack. Shoppers spot empty shelves in selected stores. Information suggests that the hacker group Scattered Spider is likely behind the attack. Shoppers spot empty shelves in selected stores. Tuesday, May 13: M&S revealed that some customer information has been stolen. M&S revealed that some customer information has been stolen. Wednesday, May 21: The retailer said disruption from the attack is expected to continue through to July. The retailer said disruption from the attack is expected to continue through to July. It's thought the worker was among the victims hacked. The company had previously said it is investigating if it was a gateway for the cyber attack. It has since informed the BBC the email was not sent from its system and had nothing to do with the security breach. M&S has declined to comment on the latest revelations. A spokesperson for the company told The Sun Online: 'We cannot comment on details of or speculation on the cyber incident, and we have been advised not to.'


Fashion United
3 hours ago
- Fashion United
Brazil's footwear sector boosts investment to enhance productivity
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'It is no exaggeration to say that the Brazilian footwear industry resisted and continues to resist in a rather hostile environment, taking into account the high production costs and predatory competition imposed by Asian markets, now also through international e-commerce platforms,' added Ferreira, emphasising that investments focused on productivity have been essential for the national footwear industry to remain the main one in the West. Equipment, distribution centres and factory expansion Among the announced investments, some are aimed at purchasing a wide range of machinery and equipment. This is the case of Andacco, which is part of the Cacique Group, from Minas Gerais. The company, which produces 5,000 pairs per day, intends to acquire new equipment and moulds, totalling approximately three million reais. Company director Benvenuto Arantes explained that this amount exceeds what was invested in 2024 by 40 percent. 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'We want to be closer to European customers to respond quickly to demand and receive more consistent feedback on our products,' said McInerney in the press release. The Minas Gerais-based women's footwear and accessories brand Luiza Barcelos constantly invests in machinery and, at the end of 2023, inaugurated a production unit in Rio Grande do Sul, from where 80 percent of its production originates. 'Today, exports represent two percent of turnover, a figure we want to double in 2025. For this, we are intensifying participation in international trade fairs,' said company director Luiz Barcelos. Boaonda, a producer of injected footwear from Rio Grande do Sul, invested more than two million reais in 2024 in expanding its EVA lines and acquiring new machinery. For 2025, given a surprisingly positive first quarter with 30 percent sales growth, Boaonda was obliged to expand its headquarters, in a project that will cost more than five million reais to meet domestic and international market demands. According to brand manager Cássio Romani, the new building should be ready by the end of the year, directly employing more than 50 people. There is the possibility of tripling this number to 150 in the short term, depending on the company's continued growth. For the year, although optimistic, the company forecasts sales growth of around 15 percent. 'Brazil has structural problems such as high taxes, unfair competition—including within our own market—and difficulty in finding labour. Despite this, Boaonda remains confident and is betting on our country,' said Romani. Overview of the footwear industry with high technology employed Credits: courtesy of the Brazilian Footwear Association In summary The Brazilian footwear sector plans to invest 1.7 billion reais, a seven percent increase compared to the previous year, focusing on machinery and technology to improve productivity. Companies such as Andacco, Tip Toey, and Luiza Barcelos are investing in equipment, distribution centres, and expanding their facilities to increase production and meet domestic and international demand. Despite challenges such as high production costs, Asian competition, and structural problems in Brazil, footwear companies are optimistic and confident in their growth, seeking opportunities in the global market. This article was translated to English using an AI tool. FashionUnited uses AI language tools to speed up translating (news) articles and proofread the translations to improve the end result. This saves our human journalists time they can spend doing research and writing original articles. Articles translated with the help of AI are checked and edited by a human desk editor prior to going online. If you have questions or comments about this process email us at info@


Scottish Sun
3 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Ange Postecoglou SACKED by Tottenham despite finally ending Spurs' 17-year trophy drought with Europa League triumph
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) ANGE POSTECOGLOU has been sacked by Tottenham despite ending the club's 17-year trophy drought, it's understood. Spurs beat Manchester United 1-0 in Bilbao to lift the Europa League last month - sparking incredible scenes, both at San Mames and back home at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 8 Ange Postecoglou lifts the Europa League trophy Credit: GETTY 8 Postecoglou hugs chairman Daniel Levy following the Europa League final Credit: GETTY 8 The Aussie remained popular with several players in his squad Credit: GETTY Postecoglou, 59, vowed after the match that he wanted to stay at Spurs, insisting his work was not "complete". Nevertheless, chairman Daniel Levy has decided to end the Aussie's reign, with the club's dire Premier League form costing Postecoglou his job. Tottenham finished the season with a 4-1 home defeat by Brighton that left them 17th in the table with 38 points - their worst in Prem history. They fell six points short of their previous worst points tally of 44 in 1997-98. READ MORE IN FOOTBALL FIRST XI How Premier League could boast 11 teams in Europe with SEVEN in Champions League Postecoglou's record in two years at Spurs reads 47 wins from 101 games, with a win percentage of 47 per cent. As SunSport reported Fabio Paratici is to return to Tottenham as managing director and will play a key role in finding the club's next manager. The Italian, 52, was the club's managing director of football between 2021 and 2023, before being forced to resign in April 2023 after being hit with a two-and-a-half-year worldwide ban by Fifa due to financial malpractice at previous club Juventus. Paratici is thought to be a fan of former Ajax boss Francesco Farioli. CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS 8 Postecoglou delivered on his silverware promise Credit: GETTY Marco Silva, Andoni Iraola and Oliver Glasner are all thought to be in the frame. Postecoglou's reign began amid a wave of optimism in North London. Tottenham fans PARTY through the night in Bilbao after Europa League triumph He arrived at Tottenham in June 2023, having been poached from Celtic where he won back-to-back Scottish Premiership titles. Postecoglou had initially appeared to be a breath of fresh air following the miserable reigns of Jose Mourinho, Nuno Espirito Santo and Antonio Conte. His tenure began in style as Tottenham made the club's best-ever start to a Premier League season. 8 Postecoglou celebrates with his jubilant players in Bilbao Credit: SHUTTERSTOCK 8 The Aussie, 59, claps the travelling Tottenham supporters Credit: GETTY 8 Spurs won eight and drew two of their first ten Premier League games despite the exit of club icon and record scorer Harry Kane on the eve of Postecoglou's first match in charge. They were top of the table until a crazy 4-1 home defeat by Chelsea and a slew of injuries in late October triggered a steady decline in form. Tottenham finished fifth following a dismal end to the campaign, but many fans still felt optimistic about Postecoglou's tenure. However, Spurs struggled with a long list of injuries this season and despite a landmark 4-0 win over champions Man City at the Etihad in November, they were frustratingly fragile domestically. Following the City thrashing, Spurs won just one Premier League game in the next 71 days - and that was against Southampton - before eventually ending their barren run at Brentford in January. 'QUE SERA, SERA' Postecoglou pleaded for patience amid a heavy injury crisis across the winter months. And with his first choice defence and front line restored, he was able to guide Spurs to Europa League glory. Following the final, Postecoglou said: "I would be disappointed if we don't continue on this path. "It is difficult to buy into one person's vision. I have been a serial winner. I know people dismiss what I have won because it didn't happen here, but they were hard earned. "There is huge relief. You carry the weight of responsibility and 150 times I have been a spokesman for this club. "There are no planned meetings. I'll go back to my hotel room with friends and family, open up a nice bottle of scotch, a massive parade on Friday, game on Sunday against Brighton and then holiday. Then que sera, sera." Postecoglou added: "I know our league form has been unacceptable, but coming third was not going to change this football club, winning a trophy would, that was my ambition and I was prepared to wear it if it did not happen. "People kept reminding me of it because we were getting closer but I'm happy with that."