Latest news with #WSN
Canada Standard
27-05-2025
- Health
- Canada Standard
B.C. Workers Still Waiting for Heat Protection After Deadly 2021 Heat Dome
In 2021, the heat dome over British Columbia killed 619 people, marking the deadliest climate disaster in Canadian history. As the province baked-temperatures surpassed 35C-many workers in restaurants, farms, and other high-exposure jobs still had to clock in. Four years later, workers are still pushing for legal protections from extreme heat. On May 23, the Worker Solidarity Network (WSN) rallied outside Premier David Eby's Kitsilano office in Vancouver. WSN is a coalition of non-unionized and precarious workers-including farmhands and restaurant staff in low-wage, unstable, or temporary jobs with few protections-advocating for climate protections in the workplace. Their demands include a maximum working temperature, paid climate leave, and audits that ensure employers are adhering to existing safety regulations. Over the past year, more than 1,000 people sent letters demanding audits and greater heat protection for vulnerable groups to Eby and B.C.'s health and labour ministries, through WSN's "too hot to work!" campaign. On Friday, the coalition unveiled a banner with the names of the 1,000 signatories. WorkSafeBC, the provincial agency that regulates occupational health and safety, says workers have the right to refuse work in unsafe conditions. But WSN writes in a report that many workers can't afford to forego wages by refusing work, nor can they speak up against employers' demands. Yet, 80% of food service workers in a WSN focus group said extreme weather affected their job, including changes like reduced hours, overtime work, or being asked to take on duties beyond their role. For many precarious workers, speaking up, but then missing a paycheque, isn't an option. "Staying home doesn't pay the rent," said WSN organizer Ismail Askin, who passed out from heatstroke in a kitchen during the summer of 2021, after walking an hour to work and being unable to take a break. That experience, he said, pushed him to advocate for climate protections in the workplace. Four years later, little has changed. After the heat dome, Worksafe BC reminded employers that they are required to conduct heat stress assessments and develop exposure control plans in consultation with workers. It has also updated its resources for employers and workers, and recommended that employers increase staffing to reduce exposure. But it has not made legislative changes nor increased audits to enforce worker protections. Workplace claims related to heat stress for indoor workers rose 180% in 2021. Still, many job sites remain without air conditioning or other cooling infrastructure. According to WorkSafeBC, 52% of serious heat stress claims in 2021 came from indoor workplaces without sufficient ventilation. A new report finds that workplace injuries may also be severely underreported to the agency, due to a system that financially rewards employers with fewer reported claims. Amid rising risks to workers, WSN Communications Coordinator Jiyoon Ha points to countries like Spain, where workers gained four days of paid climate leave after deadly floods in 2021. Nothing similar exists in Canada. Migrant workers face even greater precarity than others, Ingrid Mendez, executive director of the Migrant Justice Centre, said in a speech at the rally. Mendez said Canada's temporary foreign worker programs leave migrant workers with few protections from employer exploitation and unsafe environmental conditions. "They are threatened that if they complain they will be sent back to their country," Mendez said. The programs use closed work permits, which tie workers to a single employer. If employers place workers in unsafe conditions, they do not have the option to quit and find work elsewhere. Since the report's publication in 2023, Ha said little has changed in the legal system for B.C. workers. "The government has turned a blind eye," she said. In the meantime, the WSN has expanded workers' rights trainings across the interior parts of the province to help workers advocate for themselves. "Workers deserve climate crisis protections, workers deserve heat protections, and workers deserve rights," Askin said. As of publication, the Ministry of Labour had not responded to a request for comment. We'll update this story if we hear back. Source: The Energy Mix
Fashion Network
15-05-2025
- Business
- Fashion Network
Show organiser WSN acquires majority stake in Labomode, owner of Fashop and PagesMode
WSN, the organiser of trade shows like Who's Next, Bijorhca, Salon international de la lingerie (SIL), and Première Classe, as well as of the Run and Drop events during Paris Fashion Week, has strengthened its range of solutions to assist fashion brands and retailers by acquiring a majority stake in Labomode Group. By buying a stake in Labomode, WSN wants to offer new services to its clients - FNW Labomode was founded by Philippe Zeder and runs PagesMode, an online directory of fashion industry operators and events, and Fashop, which specialises in gathering and analysing data on the business of fashion chains and distribution networks. 'Buying a stake in Labomode Group marks a new step in our strategy of providing concrete solutions to the industry. Fashop and PagesMode are key suppliers of fashion industry data in France,' said Frédéric Maus, president of WSN, which is owned by the Comexposium group. Maus told that many exhibitors are already using Fashop's services to prepare for fashion shows in France. 'This partnership opens up new prospects for us: Integrating artificial intelligence into our tools to forecast and anticipate market trends, and exploring new sectors while expanding our scope to other creative domains — fashion, lifestyle, design — and supporting our communities in new geographical areas,' he added. Fashop focuses on ready-to-wear and fashion accessories retailers in France, and could be extended to cover other categories treated by WSN, such as lifestyle and object design, as well as other sectors in which Comexposium is active with its trade shows. A diversification strategy that will have to be approved by Comexposium's future boss, since its current CEO, Renaud Hamaide, is about to leave. WSN staff will be able to cross-reference their own expertise with company data drawn from Fashop and PagesMode to develop new services for fashion brands, such as market research, prospecting tools, and trend analysis; and to develop solutions aimed at retailers, to help them boost in-store traffic and detect market signals. For next September's show season, WSN will offer targeted market studies to exhibitors. 'Together, we can put at the industry's disposal a range of concrete and powerful solutions, with Fashop and the WSN shows in the B2B field, and with PagesMode in the B2C field,' said Zeder, who founded Labomode 15 years ago. 'Our digital expertise will augment the impact of WSN's physical events and give brands an additional, coherent and efficient growth solution,' he added. Zeder will continue to oversee Labomode, which will retain its staff and Strasbourg offices. The group did not disclose the value of the acquisition, and Maus said that WSN could take complete control in the next few years, with the goal of offering a full range of services to brands and retailers in the near future.
Fashion Network
15-05-2025
- Business
- Fashion Network
Show organiser WSN acquires majority stake in Labomode, owner of Fashop and PagesMode
WSN, the organiser of trade shows like Who's Next, Bijorhca, Salon international de la lingerie (SIL), and Première Classe, as well as of the Run and Drop events during Paris Fashion Week, has strengthened its range of solutions to assist fashion brands and retailers by acquiring a majority stake in Labomode Group. By buying a stake in Labomode, WSN wants to offer new services to its clients - FNW Labomode was founded by Philippe Zeder and runs PagesMode, an online directory of fashion industry operators and events, and Fashop, which specialises in gathering and analysing data on the business of fashion chains and distribution networks. 'Buying a stake in Labomode Group marks a new step in our strategy of providing concrete solutions to the industry. Fashop and PagesMode are key suppliers of fashion industry data in France,' said Frédéric Maus, president of WSN, which is owned by the Comexposium group. Maus told that many exhibitors are already using Fashop's services to prepare for fashion shows in France. 'This partnership opens up new prospects for us: Integrating artificial intelligence into our tools to forecast and anticipate market trends, and exploring new sectors while expanding our scope to other creative domains — fashion, lifestyle, design — and supporting our communities in new geographical areas,' he added. Fashop focuses on ready-to-wear and fashion accessories retailers in France, and could be extended to cover other categories treated by WSN, such as lifestyle and object design, as well as other sectors in which Comexposium is active with its trade shows. A diversification strategy that will have to be approved by Comexposium's future boss, since its current CEO, Renaud Hamaide, is about to leave. WSN staff will be able to cross-reference their own expertise with company data drawn from Fashop and PagesMode to develop new services for fashion brands, such as market research, prospecting tools, and trend analysis; and to develop solutions aimed at retailers, to help them boost in-store traffic and detect market signals. For next September's show season, WSN will offer targeted market studies to exhibitors. 'Together, we can put at the industry's disposal a range of concrete and powerful solutions, with Fashop and the WSN shows in the B2B field, and with PagesMode in the B2C field,' said Zeder, who founded Labomode 15 years ago. 'Our digital expertise will augment the impact of WSN's physical events and give brands an additional, coherent and efficient growth solution,' he added. Zeder will continue to oversee Labomode, which will retain its staff and Strasbourg offices. The group did not disclose the value of the acquisition, and Maus said that WSN could take complete control in the next few years, with the goal of offering a full range of services to brands and retailers in the near future.
Fashion Network
14-05-2025
- Business
- Fashion Network
Show organiser WSN acquires majority stake in Labomode, owner of Fashop and PagesMode
WSN, the organiser of trade shows like Who's Next, Bijorhca, Salon international de la lingerie (SIL), and Première Classe, as well as of the Run and Drop events during Paris Fashion Week, has strengthened its range of solutions to assist fashion brands and retailers by acquiring a majority stake in Labomode Group. By buying a stake in Labomode, WSN wants to offer new services to its clients - FNW Labomode was founded by Philippe Zeder and runs PagesMode, an online directory of fashion industry operators and events, and Fashop, which specialises in gathering and analysing data on the business of fashion chains and distribution networks. 'Buying a stake in Labomode Group marks a new step in our strategy of providing concrete solutions to the industry. Fashop and PagesMode are key suppliers of fashion industry data in France,' said Frédéric Maus, president of WSN, which is owned by the Comexposium group. Maus told that many exhibitors are already using Fashop's services to prepare for fashion shows in France. 'This partnership opens up new prospects for us: Integrating artificial intelligence into our tools to forecast and anticipate market trends, and exploring new sectors while expanding our scope to other creative domains — fashion, lifestyle, design — and supporting our communities in new geographical areas,' he added. Fashop focuses on ready-to-wear and fashion accessories retailers in France, and could be extended to cover other categories treated by WSN, such as lifestyle and object design, as well as other sectors in which Comexposium is active with its trade shows. A diversification strategy that will have to be approved by Comexposium's future boss, since its current CEO, Renaud Hamaide, is about to leave. WSN staff will be able to cross-reference their own expertise with company data drawn from Fashop and PagesMode to develop new services for fashion brands, such as market research, prospecting tools, and trend analysis; and to develop solutions aimed at retailers, to help them boost in-store traffic and detect market signals. For next September's show season, WSN will offer targeted market studies to exhibitors. 'Together, we can put at the industry's disposal a range of concrete and powerful solutions, with Fashop and the WSN shows in the B2B field, and with PagesMode in the B2C field,' said Zeder, who founded Labomode 15 years ago. 'Our digital expertise will augment the impact of WSN's physical events and give brands an additional, coherent and efficient growth solution,' he added. Zeder will continue to oversee Labomode, which will retain its staff and Strasbourg offices. The group did not disclose the value of the acquisition, and Maus said that WSN could take complete control in the next few years, with the goal of offering a full range of services to brands and retailers in the near future.
Yahoo
31-01-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Experience, Brand Identity Key for Challenged Corsetry Market, Say SIL Exhibitors
PARIS — It had been another challenging year for many of the corsetry players gathered at the annual Salon International de la Lingerie and sister fabric and components show Interfilière here. While several players said they had seen a renewed interest in elaborate, sexy styles that play a key part in French lingerie's brand identity — a shift since comfort-focused pandemic times — for most it had not been enough to counterweigh lackluster consumer sentiment and reduced spending. More from WWD EXCLUSIVE: LDMA Furthers Its Mission by Expanding Into Active Lounge K-pop Star Ten Lee Means Business in Vintage-inspired Look for Saint Laurent's Menswear Paris Fashion Show Olivier Saillard Explores 'Frayed Femininity' With Moda Povera Within France, lingerie sales in the first 10 months of 2024 stood at 2.08 billion euros, which represented a decline of 1.8 percent in volume, according to data from Kantar for the Salon International de la Lingerie, which ran here from Jan. 18 to 20 at Porte de Versailles. '2024 was a difficult year, as it was for the textile industry as a whole,' said Groupe Chantelle global chief creative officer Renaud Cambuzat. 'The context is very hard in France,' said Aubade brand and product manager Claire Masson. In other parts of Europe and in Asia, the market is also tough, she said, although several players reported the U.S. as a bright spot. 'Circana's expectations are for the U.S. intimate apparel market to grow 7 percent CAGR between now and 2030. That's very encouraging for all the designers showing here. I'm hearing an enthusiasm for the U.S. market that I haven't heard for a long time,' commented Raphaël Camp, managing director of Comexposium USA. 'The premium and high-end segment are doing amazingly well.' Visitor numbers at the shows were roughly flat year-on-year, at about 16,000, according to organizer WSN. Some 220 brands exhibited at SIL, 37 percent of which were newcomers, while Interfilière welcomed 180 suppliers. Market players reported an uptick in demand for high-end products and more elaborate styles. 'There is a major return of sexy lingerie, it represents a quarter of the offer in the Exposed section, for instance,' said show director Matthieu Pinet. Organizer WSN debuted a partnership with fashion search engine Tagwalk this season, looking to pinpoint lingerie trends for fall 2025. Year-on-year, the research highlighted 229 percent growth for the keyword 'unveiled body,' a 45 percent gain for 'lace' and a 24 percent increase for 'transparency.' 'People are playing with lingerie like they play with fashion,' said Pinet. 'You see it a lot in the new generation of singers,' Masson highlighted. 'It's an affirmation tool, and it's really good for our industry.' Lingerie brands also reported growing demand for pieces that double as ready-to-wear, as well as their loungewear selections, categories most have been growing incrementally to tap into the lingerie trend seen on the runways in recent seasons. Aubade had added a sequined blouse to its offer, for instance, that was proving popular. Camp, in charge of sister event Curve Stateside, said demand in the sexy lingerie space is shifting upmarket. 'During COVID, sales of sexy products soared, especially online. Now there is demand for sexy with better quality and fit. Consumers are investing in more expensive products.' Kimmay Caldwell, undergarment educator and founder of HurrayKimmay, who is working on a video concept with trade body Lingerie Française, has also noticed a shift toward more elaborate styles and increased willingness to spend. 'There's a rise in people really appreciating slow fashion and meticulous details; people's tastes are evolving,' she said. 'Now you have a consumer who is willing to spend over $200 on a bra.' She sees the shift as part of the broader self care trend. 'Lingerie is part of taking care of yourself; I see it as part of the wellness movement,' she said. Simone Pérèle product director Stéphanie Bujard Pérèle commented, 'We're thrilled that elaborate lingerie is trending again, because that is our DNA.' Novelties from the brand included the reintroduction of its hit tattoo-effect embroidered tulle line, originally introduced a decade ago, a broad selection in peacock blues and greens, including silk loungewear. It had been a good year for Lise Charmel, according to its director for North America Sandra Jones. '2024 was a very exciting year of growth for the group,' she said. The label is looking to build on experience from its Café de Paris pop-up at Le Bon Marché last fall — initially planned for one month but so successful it stayed for nearly three. 'The café made us realize that consumers need attention, and to understand the fundamentals of what the brand is really about,' she explained. With a setup including traditional Paris bistro woven chairs and marble-topped tables, the brand invited consumers to sit, have a drink and discover the label. 'So many retailers want the concept,' said Jones. 'For retailers, the challenge is how to retain your customer. We need to create a sense of belonging.' The brand is exploring how to implement the concept more broadly, for instance through pop-ups and special events, taking a lead from the fashion market. 'It's nothing new, all the top brands in high fashion have developed such concepts,' said Jones. Providing leads to help boutiques improve their in-store experience was also key to the show's organizers, who instead of a trend forum this year developed The Lingerie Shop, a space designed to offer inspiration on merchandising and suggestions among add-on categories like well-being and accessories. At Aubade, Masson said cultivating an emotional reaction among consumers has become key. 'We really need to bring some emotion, and Aubade is a brand that's all about emotion,' she said. The company is potentially looking to work with a smaller number of retailers, but with a broader offer, insisting brands buy a more extended selection of colors, for instance, to improve merchandising. 'It's important to create a visual impact for the customer,' she said. 'It's really a strategic question for retailers, should they list more brands or work less brands in more depth,' she said. 'When the visual merchandising is really well done, we can explain the story to the consumer better.' 'It's really difficult for retailers,' commented Xavier Martin, Maison Lejaby's new managing director since it was bought out of administration last year. 'They really need us to be close to them, on the ground,' he commented, adding that one of his main strategic priorities is reinforcing his marketing and sales teams. The company has preserved its design studio near Lyon and is planning a major relaunch with a stronger emphasis on innovation and newness, with an initial focus on the domestic market. 'We need to turn the page and renew confidence in the brand,' said Martin. 'Demand is still there, and the brand is well respected, but it will take two to three years to earn the trust of boutiques once more.' Newcomers to the show included U.K.-based Karma on the Rocks, with its brightly hued loungewear offer, which is expanding into multibrand boutiques after establishing its presence in key department stores over the three years since its launch, and luxury nightwear label Candice Fauchon, from Paris. Ukrainian label Anoeses focused on eroticism, combining an offer of latex, leather and textile pieces handmade to order with fragrances and candles. Xphemism, another label from Ukraine launched just three months ago, stood out for its hybrid between underwear and streetwear, with layered and strapped bras and bodies designed to be paired with baggy jeans. Understance, from Canada, presented its size-inclusive lingerie offer. Aimer Chuang, part of Chinese group Aimer, was testing the waters in Europe, and U.S.-based Kiki de Montparnasse was looking to relaunch its international business after a change in management. As for trends for fall 2025, brands, designers and buyers present highlighted a more diverse color offer as well as animal motifs, introduced for instance by Chantelle as part of its Pulp collection. At Aubade, a rich brown lace look in a feline motif was one of the standouts for buyers, Masson said, as the brand leaned into what she described as the comforting 'latte' trend. Peacock blues, deep greens, raspberry and lavender shades, gold details and strapping were among further trends. 'Color has become so necessary to stand apart,' said Caldwell. 'I'm also seeing lots of straps, layers and geometry, it's less simple.' On the sidelines of the show, certain brands hosted independent showrooms, including heritage corsetry brand Gossard, owned by Austria's Huber Holding and relaunching after several dormant years. 'The credibility of the brand is very large,' said Martina Brown, in charge of strategic project management and new business at Huber Holding. 'It combines the French corsetry expertise and an American sense of comfort… We're planning quite a high marketing budget because young people don't know the brand.' Feedback from major retailers about the brand's relaunch collection for fall 2025, inspired by Sarah Bernhardt, has been strong, Brown said. The company is also recruiting in Europe to reinforce distribution, she said, and will benefit from distribution synergies with Huber stablemate Hanro, 'which has the same target distribution but complementary products,' she said. Best of WWD Catering to the Luxury Customer, Michael Kors Has Created a Juggernaut Brand Since 1981: A Company History and Timeline How Tommy Hilfiger Has Kept the Momentum Going for Nearly 40 Years: A History and Timeline Calvin Klein: A History and Timeline
