World
Controversy, frivolity mark day one of Paris Fashion Week
Published
2 years agoon

PARIS (AP) — The pioneering Black performer Josephine Baker — who left the United States to find global fame in Paris in the 1920s — was Dior’s muse for an old school spring couture collection of archetypal classicism.
With her caressing velvets and silks, embroideries, sequins and tiny silver studs, designer Maria Grazia Chiuri may not have reinvented the wheel, but she certainly embellished it beautifully on the first day Monday of Paris Fashion Week.
Yet the event’s first day wasn’t without controversy after Dior was criticized for inviting a Russia influencer sanctioned by Ukraine. Moreover, Schiaparelli was the subject of online ire for glamorizing trophy hunting after featuring a fake lion’s head.
Here are some highlights of the first day of spring-summer haute couture displays:
DIOR’S BAKER
Lining the perfume-scented interiors of an annex inside the Rodin Museum gardens were giant images by African American artist Mickalene Thomas of Baker alongside other female Black American icons.
The stark tableaux photographs documented Baker’s extraordinary life and her many roles: as member of the French Resistance, civil rights activist and humanist as well as dancer and performer.
Guests took their seats, curious and excited.
According to Dior, a series of coats, a take on bathrobe styles depicted “the cozy, intimate dressing room that precedes (Baker’s) entrance on stage.” In couture terms they were undeniably beautiful, if somewhat restrained. The first came in silk velvet; its black diamond lapels hung with a dramatic weight. It was worn over delicately smocked satin swimwear in a take on the 1950s. Elsewhere, knit-like mesh made of silk and steel beads cut a fine vintage style on one ensemble, while also evoking a quiet female power. It was worn on a gleaming, crushed velvet evening robe to suggest intimacy.
Later, Chiuri slightly let her hair down and got her fringe on. Baker’s heyday was evoked in a steel beaded mesh skirt trimmed with sparkling fringe.
Although the theme created an expectation the Dior clothes themselves may offer some powerful exploration of racism or being Black, the collection itself remained very Parisian. It was only a veiled homage to the Black pioneer who fought battles against race, gender and nationality all her life.
That being said, it was admirable how many models of color walked the show — in over half the 60 looks — especially because of the fact Paris Fashion Week, and the luxury industry as a whole, have wrestled with persistent accusations of being white-centric.
MAISIE WILLIAMS PLAYS DIOR’S SISTER
“Game of Thrones” star Maisie Williams looked every bit the part posing against images of stars such as Earth Kitt, Nina Simone and Baker with pixie hairstyle and Dior bustier to flashes of photographers’ lenses.
Williams called coming to the show “such a dream,” in part because she has just played Dior’s sister, Catherine Dior, in the highly anticipated Apple TV drama series “The New Look” — which center on the bitter rivalry between the couturier and Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel.
Williams, who found fame playing the feisty Arya Stark, told Te Associated Press that “I find the Dior woman to be something to really aspire to,” calling the clothes “powerful” for women.
“The women that I love to play have qualities that align,” she said.
SANCTIONED RUSSIAN INFLUENCER INVITED
Dior provoked criticism online for extending a Paris couture show invitation to a Russian TV presenter called Yana Rudkovskaya, who was sanctioned by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Jan. 15 for her connections to Russian President Vladimir Putin. Other houses have reportedly refused to allow Rudkovskaya, who is an influencer, into their shows.
Rudkovskaya posted a photo of her Dior couture invitation on Instagram. Some journalists asked how many “other sanctioned Russians are attending Paris Haute Couture?”
SCHIAPARELLI MAKES SURREAL TWISTS
Glamorous frivolity, exaggerated silhouettes and surreal takes on classics harking from the 1930s heyday of house founder Elsa Schiaparelli.
That was the mood at the first spring-summer couture show of the season — and what a start! — with its lashings of gold, intricate embellishments and rollcall of front row VIPs inside the lofty gilded atrium of the Petit Palais.
Designer Daniel Roseberry was on top form Monday — taking classical styles and giving them unexpected twists. A dark tuxedo with stiff oversize shoulders was transformed into a minimalist, space-age jumpsuit.
A bronze bustier reimagined as a giant oyster shell rose up like a fan that obscured the model’s face. Its incredible pearl embellishments were rendered in organic, crystallized layers showing off the deftness of the house atelier.
Myriad embellished baubles — almost resembling wet pearls — organically dripped off a blown-up bolero jacket that cut a beautiful silhouette, and had perhaps belonged to some underwater princess.
Yet the collection was also reverential to the house founder whose unique brand of frivolity charmed audiences around the world. A giant lion’s head — replete with fangs and bushy mane — modeled by Irina Shayk added a bite to this collection. It was an inventive nod to Surrealism, but also a statement about the absurdity of the use of fur.
Kylie Jenner, who sat front row at Schiaparelli also wearing a 3-D lion’s head and a gold snakeskin bag, was later criticized online amid accusations of glamorizing animal cruelty.
IRIS VAN HERPEN GOES DIGITAL
Against the grain of Paris Fashion Week, which is turning its back on digital, Dutch Wunderkind said of her latest couture offering that she “is proud to announce that… instead of a traditional runway show, the brand shows a digital presentation that allows for more creative freedom and storytelling.”
An in-person presentation accompanied the collection film “Carte Blanche,”in which she teamed up with a French artists called Julie Gautier — exploring how female beauty can be used as a form of control.
A limp red dress, with sinews revealing inches of flesh, resembled a poisonous sea creature, while interlocking circles evoked spiky but precious coral. Billowing blue and silver portions of generous fabric on a gown flowed like an underwater generous — touching on the signature organic inspiration from the award-winning couturier who has designed for artists such as Bjork.
VALLI GIRLS IN BLOSSOM
Spring was truly in the air at Giambattisata Valli, whose powder pinks, canary yellows and pale turquoises mixed with the wafting floral perfume to crown this season gloriously.
In this collection, the lauded Italian couturier lopped off elements of the classical wardrobe or else made unexpected takes on gowns.
A regal ballgown that ballooned with voluminous whooshes, sleeves and train, was imagined shoulderless and revealed inches of leg. An exaggeratedly proportioned mermaid down flared out dramatically from the knee — ready for a spring wedding. It a nice disruption to the style, it was twinned with a stiff sleeveless crop top that revealed the midriff in a sporty way.
Flowers were also a touchstone.
Cuffs were embellished in giant roses, which reappeared in another look above the shoulder as if to cushion the model’s head. While, teeming embroideries and tulle banding accompanied stylized hair to evoke a take on Arabic dress — with the ubiquitous giant pearl earrings seeming to evoke the famous ancient traditions of Kosovar brides.
World
Myanmar Earthquake Death Toll Climbs Past 1,700 as Rescue Efforts Continue
Published
3 weeks agoon
March 31, 2025
MANDALAY, Myanmar (FNN) – The devastating 7.7 magnitude earthquake that struck Myanmar on Friday has now claimed the lives of more than 1,700 people, with emergency responders racing against time to find survivors in the rubble, according to the country’s military-led government.
Government spokesman Maj. Gen. Zaw Min Tun confirmed that the death toll has climbed to 1,700, with an additional 3,400 injured and more than 300 people still missing. The military initially reported 1,644 deaths, but Monday’s update revealed the toll has risen significantly as more bodies are recovered.
Widespread Destruction and Collapsed Buildings
The Myanmar 7.7 magnitude earthquake caused widespread destruction, affecting major cities such as Naypitaw and Mandalay, the country’s second-largest city with a population of 1.5 million. Reports indicate that many buildings, including mosques, homes, and infrastructure, have completely collapsed.
Tun Kyi, a member of the Spring Revolution Myanmar Muslim Network, stated that around 700 worshippers were killed when mosques collapsed during Friday prayers in the holy month of Ramadan. Reports also suggest that at least 60 mosques were either damaged or destroyed, with distressing footage circulating online showing structures crumbling as terrified civilians ran for safety.
Lauren Ellery, deputy director of programs in Myanmar for the International Rescue Committee, warned that the true scale of destruction remains unclear due to telecommunication outages and challenging conditions on the ground.
“We’re really not clear on the scale of the destruction at this stage,” Ellery told The Associated Press.
“Some areas near Mandalay reportedly saw 80% of buildings collapse, but due to damaged communication lines, these reports have been slow to emerge.”
Search and Rescue Operations Face Extreme Challenges
Myanmar’s military government has declared a state of emergency in six regions, deploying emergency teams to assist in rescue operations. However, a lack of heavy machinery and extreme heat—with temperatures soaring above 40°C (104°F)—have slowed efforts, forcing rescuers to search for survivors by hand.
In neighboring Thailand, at least 18 people were killed when a partially built high-rise in Bangkok collapsed. Another 33 people have been injured and 78 remain missing, primarily at the construction site near the Chatuchak market.
Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt stated that rescue teams detected potential signs of life beneath the debris, though they have yet to confirm if it was an error in the detection equipment.
“Even if one life is saved, it is worth all the effort,” Chadchart said.
What’s Next?
Continued search and rescue efforts are underway in Myanmar and Thailand.
International aid organizations are assessing the situation and mobilizing resources.
Myanmar’s military government is expected to provide further updates on casualties and damages.
Humanitarian groups are calling for global assistance as the region struggles with medical emergencies, food shortages, and displacement.
World
America First: Secretary Rubio’s Strategy for Strengthening U.S. Leadership in the Western Hemisphere
Published
3 months agoon
February 2, 2025
WASHINGTON, DC (FNN) – American leadership is back in the Western Hemisphere, and we’re ready to stand with our regional partners. Putting America First means prioritizing relationships within our own hemisphere to ensure stability, security, and prosperity.
As part of this renewed focus, my first international trip as Secretary of State will take me to Panama, El Salvador, Costa Rica, Guatemala, and the Dominican Republic—nations that stand to benefit from stronger ties with the United States. For too long, American foreign policy has overlooked our closest neighbors while focusing on distant regions. That changes now.
A New Era of Regional Diplomacy
President Trump’s bold foreign policy begins at home, securing our borders and working with regional allies to control illegal migration. Diplomacy plays a key role in this effort. We must collaborate with nations across the Western Hemisphere to prevent further migrant flows and ensure the repatriation of those in the U.S. unlawfully. These discussions may be challenging, but they are absolutely necessary.
Beyond migration, our engagement will create economic opportunities that benefit both the U.S. and our regional allies. The COVID-19 pandemic exposed the vulnerabilities of America’s reliance on global supply chains. By relocating critical industries closer to home, we can boost economic growth in our hemisphere while securing our own economic future.
A Stronger Hemisphere for a Stronger America
Our goal is to create a cycle of prosperity: stronger U.S. partnerships lead to more jobs and growth in the region, reducing incentives for illegal immigration. This economic stability provides governments with the resources to fight crime and invest in their own development, making them less susceptible to foreign influence.
Countries like China have sought to expand their influence in our region, making empty promises that fail to deliver real results. By strengthening our alliances, we can ensure that our neighbors build their futures alongside the United States, not under the influence of adversarial powers.
Confronting the Challenges of Mass Migration and Security Threats
Mass migration has created widespread instability. Drug cartels—now officially recognized as foreign terrorist organizations—have fueled violence and the fentanyl crisis across our communities. Additionally, illegitimate regimes in Cuba, Nicaragua, and Venezuela are exploiting this chaos, while China exerts economic and diplomatic pressure, including at the Panama Canal.
Our approach is based on real, shared interests—not vague ideals or utopian promises. The U.S. will extend its hand to nations committed to genuine partnership, confident that together, we can achieve lasting stability and prosperity.
Building a More Secure and Prosperous Future
By reinforcing trade, security, and diplomatic cooperation, the U.S. and its regional partners will achieve mutual benefits. My mission as Secretary of State is clear: to make our alliances stronger, our borders more secure, and our economic future more resilient.
It is an extraordinary privilege to serve in this role, and I look forward to keeping you informed on the vital work being done by our incredible State Department team. America’s leadership in the Western Hemisphere is back—stronger than ever.
World
Trump Implements 25% Tariffs on Imports from Canada and Mexico, 10% on China to Address National Emergency
Published
3 months agoon
February 2, 2025
WASHINGTON, D.C. (FNN) – President Donald J. Trump has announced a bold new tariff policy, imposing additional tariffs on imports from Canada, Mexico, and China, citing an ongoing national emergency caused by illegal immigration and the fentanyl epidemic.
Under the new order, the United States will implement:
- A 25% tariff on all imports from Canada and Mexico
- A 10% tariff on all imports from China
- A reduced 10% tariff on energy resources from Canada
The move is part of a larger effort to hold these nations accountable for failing to stop the flow of illegal drugs and migrants into the United States.
Addressing an Urgent National Crisis
The extraordinary threat posed by illegal immigration and drugs, particularly fentanyl, constitutes a national emergency under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). President Trump’s decisive action aims to curb the supply of deadly fentanyl, which has devastated American communities.
- Chinese officials have failed to stop the flow of precursor chemicals used to produce fentanyl, enabling criminal cartels.
- Mexican drug cartels continue to manufacture and transport dangerous narcotics, while the Mexican government has turned a blind eye.
- Canada has seen a rise in Mexican cartel-linked fentanyl production, contributing to the international drug trade.
The administration’s orders make it clear: the flow of contraband drugs like fentanyl into the United States is a national security threat and a public health emergency.
Leveraging U.S. Economic Strength for Security
President Trump is using America’s economic power to secure the border and combat the fentanyl crisis. Previous administrations failed to use economic leverage effectively, allowing problems to fester.
- Access to the U.S. market is a privilege, not a right. The U.S. has one of the most open economies in the world, yet trade accounts for only 24% of U.S. GDP, compared to 67% of Canada’s, 73% of Mexico’s, and 37% of China’s.
- The U.S. trade deficit in goods exceeded $1 trillion in 2023, the largest in the world.
- Tariffs are a proven tool for protecting national interests and forcing compliance.
Despite years of inaction from previous leaders, President Trump is taking decisive action to put Americans’ safety and national security first.
President Trump Keeps His Promise to Secure the Border
President Trump was overwhelmingly elected to stop illegal immigration and secure the border—this is exactly what he is doing.
- The Biden administration has fueled the worst border crisis in U.S. history, with over 10 million illegal aliens attempting entry since 2021.
- A rising number of Chinese nationals and individuals on the terror watchlist have been apprehended at the border.
- Northern border crossings from Canada have surged, worsening the crisis.
The influx of illegal immigrants is straining America’s resources, overwhelming schools, hospitals, and housing, while increasing crime.
- Last fiscal year, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) seized over 21,000 pounds of fentanyl—enough to kill over 4 billion people.
- Officials estimate only a fraction of fentanyl smuggled across the southern border is actually seized.
- Fentanyl overdoses now kill more Americans annually than the entire Vietnam War.
Building on Past Success in Trade and Security
President Trump has a proven track record of using tariffs to protect American interests.
- In 2019, Trump successfully pressured Mexico into border security cooperation by threatening tariffs.
- He imposed tariffs on steel and aluminum imports to protect U.S. industries.
- Trump’s tariffs on China helped curb intellectual property theft and unfair trade practices.
- Last week, he used tariffs to resolve national security concerns with Colombia.
President Trump remains committed to enforcing trade policies that prioritize American safety and prosperity. His new tariffs send a clear message: America will no longer tolerate inaction from Canada, Mexico, and China when it comes to illegal immigration and drug trafficking.
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