Latest news with #SaraWalker
Graziadaily
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Graziadaily
I Wear Dresses Every Day – This Linen Style Is The Best I've Seen All Summer
Even the most devout trouser fan has a favourite dress brand they turn to when the heatwave hits. You might spend your summers in breezy picks from Nobody's Child, turn to Dôen's celeb-endorsed styles, or stock up on a few classics from Zara. For me, however, no brand beats Reformation when it comes to creating standout dresses that are simply pretty and so wearable. Don't believe me? The proof is in the pudding – consider the Balia linen dress or the polka dotted Naira dress that have both been amongst 2025's best-selling dresses. Not one to slow down, the brand has released yet another linen dress that's so chic and popular, you'll wonder how it's still in stock. ©Instagram/@jasminenicholle The dress in question is the Sara Linen dress, which has been created in collaboration with stylist Sara Walker. Made from 100% linen to keep you cool, the dress is distinctly sleek and modern thanks to its column skirt and fitted bodice, while the smocked back and knee-high split render it extremely flattering and versatile. It's finished with a scalloped trim along the hem and neckline as well as a buckle embellishment at the bust for a vintage, feminine touch. Taking after the brand's quest for inclusivity, the dress is also available in petite and plus sizes. Sara Linen Dress in Parmesan As with most dresses that have caught our eye this season, the Sara dress comes in a subtle take on the trendy butter yellow shade that'll look brilliant with a straw tote and wedge heels for last-minute summer holidays. If you're shopping for autumn, you'll find the burnt orange iteration will work well with knee-high boots and heels alike under a light jacket, while the animal print midi is a fashion set favourite no matter what time of the year you wear it for. The linen dress is naturally perfect for holidays as well as relaxed alfresco brunches, but thanks to its sleek silhouette, you'll find it'll serve you well on dressier occasions such as weddings and garden parties too. Beloved by everyone from Kendall Jenner and Sienna Miller to our favourite fashion editors and influencers, Reformation has delivered yet another winner that's already flooded our social media feeds. Whether you opt for a classic shade or make a statement in animal print, we'd highly recommend snapping one (or all) up to elevate your dress selection for years to come. Sara Linen Dress in Nectarine Sara Linen Dress in Stampede Sara Linen Dress Es Petites Sara Linen Dress Main image credits: ©Instagram/@yadavillaret @styledsara Hitanshi Kamdar is a senior commerce writer for Grazia. Hitanshi is always on the hunt for the latest trends, emerging designers and the internet's most bizarre style discourse. When not writing, she can be found IDing outfits during Netflix binges and shopping for the latest It-girl shoe trends.
CBS News
07-07-2025
- Climate
- CBS News
Bay Area family reported among those missing in catastrophic Texas floods
A Bay Area family is believed to be among those missing in the catastrophic floods in Texas that have killed dozens of people. A vigil was held last night in Kentfield for Marin County residents Mark and Sara Walker, and their 14-year-old son Johnny, missing in Texas Hill Country after the Guadalupe River swelled to the height of a two-story building on Friday, devastating communities along its banks. The couple's 16-year-old daughter Ellie was rescued at a summer camp, the Press Democrat reported. People attend a vigil for Mark, Sara and Johnny Walker at Bacich Elementary School in Kentfield, July 6, 2025. KPIX At least 95 people have died and dozens were still missing as of Monday morning, with most of the deaths occurring in Kerr County. The Walker family was last seen in the Hunt community, according to the Kerr County Lead. On Sunday evening, friends of the Walker family and community members gathered on a baseball field at Bacich Elementary School in Kentfield. The Press Democrat reported Ellie is a student at Marin Catholic High School, where Johnny was enrolled as an incoming freshman. "At the request of the Walker family, we are declining to comment at this time. Please know that Marin Catholic will be holding a prayer service on our campus for the family in the St. Francis Chapel on Tuesday, July 8 at 6 pm," said a Marin Catholic spokesperson in a statement to CBS News Bay Area. Mark Walker is listed as a coach for the Ross Valley Little League 12-year-old All-Stars. League president Seton McAndrews sent a statement to CBS News Bay Area, saying, "At this time, Ross Valley Little League is not making any public comments as we continue to focus on supporting our community and the Walker family privately." Of those killed in the devastating floods so far include 48 adults and 27 children. Camp Mystic, located along the river in Hunt, Texas, confirmed Monday that at least 27 campers and counselors died in the flooding. "Our hearts are broken alongside our families that are enduring this unimaginable tragedy. We are praying for them constantly," the camp said in a statement. "We have been in communication with local and state authorities who are tirelessly deploying extensive resources to search for our missing girls. We are deeply grateful for the outpouring of support from community, first responders, and officials at every level." At least 13 others have been confirmed dead in different parts of Texas. Travis County, which includes the capital city of Austin, has confirmed at least seven deaths. At least four people were confirmed dead in Burnet County, according to the sheriff's office. Kendall County officials confirmed six deaths as of Monday, while two deaths were confirmed in Williamson County More than two dozen people were still missing as of Monday afternoon.
Yahoo
27-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
H&M Group Impacted by Investments, External Factors in Q2
Updated 2:03 p.m. ET on June 26 PARIS — With a smaller store footprint, increased marketing investment and other initiatives to boosts its core womenswear category, H&M Group said it was beginning to see early signs of success in its turnaround strategy as it released second-quarter results Thursday morning. More from WWD 5 Standout Fashion Trends for Effortlessly Chic Summer Style to Shop at Nordstrom Reformation's Collaboration With Creator Sara Walker Delivers Summer's Most Flattering Linen Dress Here's Where You Can Buy Charli XCX's Plunging Push-Up Bra That Customers Say Is Comfy and Supportive The retailer slightly outperformed analysts' expectations and the market rewarded its efforts, sending H&M's shares up 3.7 percent to end the day at 134.60 Swedish kronor. 'Our plan to focus on an elevated product offering and upgraded store experience and a strengthened brand is generating important progress across our business,' said H&M chief executive officer Daniel Ervér during a conference call with analysts and journalists. In womenswear — which has been the core of its focus as H&M seeks to become more attractive to consumers once more — as well as its sportswear offering H&M Move and online, the Swedish fast-fashion retailer has seen gains. But the CEO did admit that more progress is needed in the men's and children's categories. 'Our collections are more current, they are more on trend, more fashionable and the customer reception has been strong throughout this quarter as well as throughout the first half year,' Ervér said. 'H&M feels more relevant again and feels more exciting….It's a long-term journey to build back that, before we will see substantial financial results. We are monitoring closely what makes the biggest difference…then we put more emphasis and accelerate,' he said. With closures of underperforming stores — H&M has reduced its store count by 4 percent, notably by shuttering Monki doors, over the past year — the retailer said like-for-like sales were up 3 percent for the quarter, driven especially by its enhanced focus on womenswear and marketing initiatives to enhance its fashion-forward positioning. Overall, H&M's sales grew 1 percent in local currencies for the three months ended May 31. On a reported basis, the company registered second-quarter net sales of 56.71 billion Swedish kronor, or $5.96 billion at current exchange, down 4.9 percent year-on-year, largely due to a stronger Swedish kronor. 'Womenswear is proving to be a relative bright spot for H&M. The brand's decision to zero in on fashion-conscious female shoppers appears to be paying off, with more clarity in messaging and stronger alignment between product and positioning,' wrote Third Bridge analyst Yanmei Tang in a research note. 'However, this success has yet to extend to men's and children's lines.' Analysts warned the retailer will have its work cut out in the coming months, and geopolitical uncertainty as well as weak consumer sentiment may make ongoing improvements tough, especially given that executives said they anticipated potentially higher markdowns during the third-quarter given consumers' greater price sensitivity. 'In times of high uncertainty, consumers are particularly price sensitive. We are closely following the macroeconomic as well as geopolitical developments,' Ervér said. He also said the company is closely watching the competitive landscape in the U.S., where certain competitors have started increasing prices in the face of potential tariffs. For the current quarter so far, the company said it has seen gains, with sales in local currencies expected to be up 3 percent in June despite a negative calendar effect. But Third Bridge's Tang said H&M continues to lag its peers. 'Although H&M has increased its marketing budget, it has not yet seen a meaningful return. Zara continues to outperform by staying lean and sharply focused on platforms like social media and influencer-driven content.' 'H&M managed to print a slight beat against lowered expectations for the second quarter, largely on a slightly better gross margin and decent [operating expense] control,' wrote Deutsche Bank analyst Adam Cochrane in a research note. 'The main issue in our view is the lack of top line sales momentum in the second quarter and into June. The commentary that consumers are having to be enticed to purchase with greater promotions is not good news for the H&M brand elevation and focus on fashionability. This suggests to us that more of the gross margin gains will have to be invested to support revenue growth.' The retailer's executives lauded sequential improvements in a number of areas quarter-on-quarter, including gross margin and operating profit, as well as inventory management. H&M's inventory grew 1 percent in the three months to May, compared with 11 percent in the first quarter. Looking ahead, the retailer anticipates that the external factors that negatively impacted its purchasing through the first half are turning positive for the latter part of the year. H&M Group's second-quarter operating profits were down 16 percent to 5.91 billion Swedish kronor, or $621.1 million at constant currency, a decline it attributed to lower gross margin and currency translation effects. This represented an operating margin of 10.4 percent, versus 11.9 percent a year ago. H&M said margins were negatively impacted by external factors like the more expensive U.S. dollar and high freight costs, with higher purchasing costs for the second quarter, as well as ongoing investments in improving its offering for consumers. These were sequential improvements on business in the first quarter, and the retailer said it had tightened inventory significantly quarter-on-quarter. Ervér addressed the challenges. 'Some measures have a faster impact than others, but the direction is clear and during the year we continue to implement improvements in other parts of the business,' he said. 'The positive development in important areas such as online, H&M womenswear and H&M Move, as well as continued focus on good cost control, will contribute to a profitable sales development.' For the first half, sales in local currencies were up 1 percent. In reported terms for the six-month period, net revenues dipped 1 percent, to 112 billion Swedish kronor, or $11.77 billion. Operating profit dropped a massive 22 percent, to 7.12 billion Swedish kronor or $748.3 million, representing an operating margin of 6.4 percent. While H&M has been closing unprofitable stores, it is also continuing to expand, and has high hopes for its entry into the Brazilian market in the second half, with four locations and e-commerce set to open in what the company sees as a high-potential market. In total, H&M plans to open 80 new stores this year. Store upgrades in key locations are also in the cards, with a better assortment and increased capabilities like self-checkout. 'One of our key priorities for 2025 remains to elevate the shopping experience, both in the physical store as well as online,' Ervér said. The retailer said the impact of its reduced store footprint on sales would lessen in the latter part of the year. 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