Walmart - H 2016
Getty ImagesOn Friday morning, Walmart revealed that the company will close 269 stores worldwide, including 154 stores in the U.S. According to a statement, “Today’s action follows a thorough review of Walmart’s nearly 11,600 worldwide stores that took into account a number of factors, including financial performance as well as strategic alignment with long-term plans.” Walmart is offering the 16,000 affected employees the option to transfer stores or severance pay where transferring is not a possibility. Of shuttering stores, 102 are Walmart Express stores, which were introduced in 2011. [Walmart]
Dior’s spring 2016 campaign, which features Raf Simons’ final designs for the French fashion house, were revealed Friday. The label describes the campaign as “an homage to femininity, glamour and modernity” — a statement which could also be used to describe much of Simons’ work during his three-year stint at the brand. Shot by Patrick Demarchelier, the ads star models Sofia Mechetner, Roos Abels, Staz Lindes, Maartje Verhoef, Grace Hartzel and Binx Walton. [Racked]
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The lawsuit filed against Jeremy Scott and Moschino by plaintiff Joseph Tierney (more commonly known by his street-artist moniker “Rime”) over a design featured on Katy Perry’s Met Gala gown is being allowed to move forward. On Wednesday, U.S. District Judge Stephen Wilson ruled against the Italian fashion house’s motion to dismiss and motion to strike, and will let all of Rime’s claims survive. [THR]
A group of Japanese menswear buyers from United Arrows department stores will not travel to Paris for Men’s Fashion Week, which takes place in the City of Light between Jan. 20 and Jan. 24. The decision is a cautionary measure taken in response to a travel warning issued by the Japanese government in light of the November Paris attacks. Buyers will still purchase Parisian brands and will instead reference lookbooks and private showroom appointments. While many Parisian designers say they respect the buyers’ decision, they have also expressed the importance of not overreacting to the attacks. United Arrows will send its team to the women’s shows in March. [WWD]
