LVMH Hits All-time High After Booking Record Earnings

LVMH shares hit an all-time high Friday after the luxury goods company renewed its sales and profit record, defying the tough business climate hitting the overall industry. Shares in the Paris-based owner of Louis Vuitton and Christian Dior brands advanced 1.2% to 192.8 by 10:15 GMT, hitting an all-time high after enjoying a rally of 57% for the last 12 months.

Valentino designer in solo couture debut; Gaultier goes acid

All eyes in Paris were on the debut solo couture display from Valentino designer Pierpaolo Piccioli following the move of his design partner to Dior. And if the rousing applause was any indication, his sublime styles of ethereal goddesses were a hit for the guests that included Kristin Scott Thomas, “La Vie en Rose” actress Clotilde Courau and fashion maestro Valentino Garavani himself.

Fashion icon

The event, staged last September in a vast hall in the grounds of the Musee Rodin in Paris, featured designs by Maria Grazia Chiuri, the new artistic director of Christian Dior, the fashion house run by Mr Toledano. The time is right for change, says Mr Toledano.