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Forbes
2 hours ago
- Forbes
Italian Authorities Levy $4 Million Fine Against Giorgio Armani For False Ethical Statements
The Italian Competition Authority (AGCM) has levied a $4 million (€3.5 million) fine against the Giorgio Armani Group for allegedly making 'ethical and social responsibility statements that were untruthful and presented in a manner that was unclear, unspecific, inaccurate and equivocal,' Reuters reported. The privately-held company has vowed to appeal, as it expressed 'disappointment and bitterness' in the ruling and stated, 'Giorgio Armani has always operated with the utmost fairness and transparency toward consumers, the market and stakeholders, as demonstrated by the group's history.' The AGCM's assessment questioning the integrity of the company and its luxury-leaning Giorgio Armani, Emporio Armani and Armani Exchange brands couldn't come at a worse time. It is celebrating its 50th year in business with numerous high-profile events and product releases. The company generated $2.4 billion last year, according to Forbes. Held To Account The AGCM's investigation into company statements in the Armani Code of Ethics and the Armani Values website followed the Armani Group being put under judicial administration by the Milan Court for alleged worker abuse and unsafe working conditions among contractors hired by the the company's GA Operations manufacturing arm. The court's judicial administration was lifted earlier this year. Nonetheless, the AGCM held the company to account. Its ruling repeated allegations uncovered in previous investigations where safety devices had been removed from machinery to increase production and sanitary and hygiene requirements did not meet legal standards. The AGCM asserted that GA Operations officials were aware of unsafe working conditions, citing a company document from 2024 that stated, 'In the best of the situations observed, the working environment is at the limit of acceptability; in other cases, there are serious concerns regarding its adequacy and health standards.' While Armani claims the lifting of the Milan court's judicial administration should provide cover, the AGCM is sanctioning the company for misleading customers about the company's 'strong emphasis on their commitment to sustainability – particularly social responsibility, including worker welfare and safety – which has become a marketing tool used to meet growing consumer expectations.' 'Made In Italy' Under Scrutiny The AGCM's ruling against Giorgio Armani is the latest blow against the 'Made In Italy' fashion industry. Other prominent brands have come under court scrutiny for allegations of workplace abuse throughout their supply chains, including LVMH's Dior and Loro Piana brands, as well as the privately-held Valentino and leather goods brand Alviero Martini. In May, the Prefecture offices in Milan introduced a 'memorandum of understanding for the legality of procurement contracts in the fashion production supply chains.' It spelled out the principles of 'legality, fairness and transparency' to protect the prestige of the 'Made in Italy' label. Numerous fashion industry trade associations, trade unions and legal authorities have signed the non-legally binding memorandum. All of which is well and good, but the 'Made in Italy' label has become tarnished and it's going to take more than company promises, value statements and non-binding legal agreements to restore its place-of-origin integrity, especially as brands and industry stakeholders demand more output from the Italian supply chain. 'Made in Italy has always been considered added value for fashion and luxury brands and a symbol of excellence, thanks to the great expertise of Italian artisans and production techniques that start from tannery and textiles and arrive as finished products,' shared Susanna Nicoletti, industry insider and publisher of the SUN DeLuxe newsletter. 'Made in Italy has always justified high prices because of the industry's specific know how and skills,' she continued. Profits Before People Nicoletti believes that over the last 15 years, brands have shifted to putting financial expectations and forecasts first, and let quality standards slide with the industry's workers collateral damage. 'To increase margins, brands and groups simply reduced the quality of products and their cost of production. As brands and groups were forced to pursue infinite growth to match shareholders' expectations, the excellence of Made in Italy declined,' she said and believes that other revered brands are likely to face similar allegations of bad practices in their supply chains as have Armani, Dior, Loro Piana, Valentino and Alviero Martini. How deep the corruption in the Made in Italy supply chain goes is anyone's guess, but the suspicion is that the practices which have come to light through the current investigations are only the tip of the iceberg. These allegations are bad enough and more reveals will be devastating not just to the individual brand's reputation but the wider reputation of goods bearing the Made in Italy label. As Warren Buffett famously said, 'It takes 20 years to build a reputation and five minutes to ruin it.' The clock is ticking on the gold-standard that used to be the Made in Italy label.
New York Times
5 hours ago
- New York Times
Thomas Partey and Villarreal: Can he play after rape charges? Does he have to attend court date?
Thomas Partey is set to join Spanish club Villarreal a month after leaving Arsenal as a free agent after his contract expired. The 32-year-old Ghanaian has undergone a medical at the La Liga side and is expected to sign a two-year deal. Partey left the Emirates when his contract ended on June 30. On July 4, he was charged with five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault. Charges he denies. Advertisement He is due at a court hearing in London tomorrow (August 5) while Villarreal, his expected new club, face Arsenal in a pre-season friendly at the Emirates on Wednesday. Here, The Athletic answers the key questions concerning the situation. The Athletic reported on Sunday that Partey is set to join Spanish club Villarreal on a two-year contract having already undergone a medical with the La Liga side. Partey played for Atletico Madrid from 2013 until 2020. He had loan spells at two other Spanish sides (Mallorca in 2013-14 and Almeria in 2014-15) before moving to the Emirates in 2020. Before his Arsenal contract expired on June 30 2025, the north London club confirmed they were in talks with the midfielder over a new contract. However, after fresh terms between Partey and Arsenal could not be agreed, he left as a free agent. Four days after Partey left the Premier League club, he was charged by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS). On July 21, Mikel Arteta, the Arsenal manager, was asked by The Athletic about Partey being charged and whether they played a role in his contract not being extended. 'The club was very clear in its statement,' Arteta said. 'There are a lot of legal matters that are very complicated, so I cannot comment on any of that.' The Athletic then asked Arteta whether he was comfortable and confident that Arsenal had followed the correct processes regarding Partey. '100 per cent, yes,' Arteta responded. On July 4, Partey was charged by the CPS with five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault. The charges relate to three women and are alleged to have taken place between 2021 and 2022, with the Metropolitan Police starting their investigation into Partey in February 2022 when they received a report of rape. Partey denies the charges. Yes, Partey is expected to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Tuesday. It is due to begin at 10am BST. It will be heard in public, meaning members of the general public can attend. It is not expected to be a long hearing, and it could be over in a handful of minutes. It is listed as a first hearing as opposed to a plea hearing. A first hearing can mean lots of different things, but it usually is a hearing that sets the next date and opens the proceedings. In some instances, the defendant does not need to be in court for the first hearing, although this is assessed on a case-by-case basis. Whereas at a plea hearing, the defendant is required to enter a guilty or not guilty plea. If the plea is not guilty, then the case will move forward eventually to trial. If a defendant pleads guilty, then the next hearing will be a sentencing hearing. The Athletic has sought clarity on this issue by contacting the CPS, the Metropolitan Police, Westminster Magistrates' Court and Partey's legal representation to ascertain whether any travel restrictions have been imposed on Partey, but it remains unknown. Partey continued to play away fixtures in the Champions League for Arsenal following his arrest and subsequent police investigation, with his final appearance in Europe coming away to French club Paris Saint-Germain on May 7, which suggests he did not have travel restrictions at the time. Partey last featured for Arsenal on the final day of the Premier League season away to Southampton on May 25. The fact that a player has been accused or is under investigation for any offence is not an impediment to his being able to sign for a La Liga club. The Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) is waiting for the player's registration to be made official in order to study whether or not to implement any mechanism if appropriate for this case. Borja Pena, president of the Villarreal fans' group in Madrid 'Os Groc', tells The Athletic: 'From a sporting perspective, Thomas is a high-profile signing that brings experience to the team.' Pena says he expects Villarreal will have taken into account the charges against Partey before proceeding. That is a view shared by Cesar Pena, president of the Villarreal supporters' club in Villafranca de Barros, Extremadura. 'It's a complicated issue because, in football terms, we all agree that it's a great opportunity,' he says. 'He's a top-level player who has proven himself to all Spaniards, for example, in this year's Champions League tie against Real Madrid. Advertisement 'My personal opinion is the same as that expressed by most fans on social media: I would not agree to sign a player accused of such serious crimes and I would understand if the fans booed the player on the pitch. 'I hope the club takes the fans' opinion into account, as I believe this is not just a matter of improving the squad. However, whatever the outcome of the trial, if they sign him, most fans will not agree with it, even if he is ultimately found not guilty.'
Yahoo
6 hours ago
- Yahoo
Search for British woman who disappeared from Greek beach
A search is under way for a British woman who went missing from a beach in Kavala, northern Greece. The Hellenic Coastguard said the port authority received reports that Michele Ann Joy Bourda, 59, was missing on the evening of 1 August. The woman went missing from the Ofrynio beach area. The coastguard is investigating reports that her belongings were left on the beach. On Sunday, three recreational craft, five fishing boats and two patrol boats were involved in the search. According to local media, she lived with her husband, who is reportedly of Greek origin, in the Macedonian city of Serres. She had gone to the beach with him and reportedly vanished while he was sleeping on a sunbed. The charity LifeLine Hellas, which put out an appeal to try and find Ms Bourda, said she went missing at noon on 1 August. She has been described as having straight blonde hair up to her shoulders and being 1.73m tall.
