- UN chief slams landmine threat after US decision to supply Ukraine
- Maximum term demanded in French rape trial for husband who drugged wife
- Salah feels 'more out than in' with no new Liverpool deal on table
- Pro-Russia candidate leads Romanian polls, PM out of the race
- Taiwan fighter jets to escort winning baseball team home
- Le Pen threatens to topple French government over budget
- DHL cargo plane crashes in Lithuania, killing one
- Le Pen meets PM as French government wobbles
- From serious car crash to IPL record for 'remarkable' Pant
- Equity markets mostly on front foot, bitcoin rally stutters
- India crush Australia in first Test to silence critics
- Philippine VP Duterte 'mastermind' of assassination plot: justice department
- Asian markets mostly on front foot, bitcoin rally stutters
- India two wickets away from winning first Australia Test
- 39 foreigners flee Myanmar scam centre: Thai police
- As baboons become bolder, Cape Town battles for solutions
- Uruguay's Orsi: from the classroom to the presidency
- UN chief slams landmine threat days after US decision to supply Ukraine
- Sporting hope for life after Amorim in Arsenal Champions League clash
- Head defiant as India sense victory in first Australia Test
- Scholz's party to name him as top candidate for snap polls
- Donkeys offer Gazans lifeline amid war shortages
- Court moves to sentencing in French mass rape trial
- 'Existential challenge': plastic pollution treaty talks begin
- Cavs get 17th win as Celtics edge T-Wolves and Heat burn in OT
- Asian markets begin week on front foot, bitcoin rally stutters
- IOC chief hopeful Sebastian Coe: 'We run risk of losing women's sport'
- K-pop fans take aim at CD, merchandise waste
- Notre Dame inspired Americans' love and help after fire
- Court hearing as parent-killing Menendez brothers bid for freedom
- Closing arguments coming in US-Google antitrust trial on ad tech
- Galaxy hit Minnesota for six, Orlando end Atlanta run
- Left-wing candidate Orsi wins Uruguay presidential election
- High stakes as Bayern host PSG amid European wobbles
- Australia's most decorated Olympian McKeon retires from swimming
- Far-right candidate surprises in Romania elections, setting up run-off with PM
- Left-wing candidate Orsi projected to win Uruguay election
- UAE arrests three after Israeli rabbi killed
- Five days after Bruins firing, Montgomery named NHL Blues coach
- Orlando beat Atlanta in MLS playoffs to set up Red Bulls clash
- American McNealy takes first PGA title with closing birdie
- Sampaoli beaten on Rennes debut as angry fans disrupt Nantes loss
- Chiefs edge Panthers, Lions rip Colts as Dallas stuns Washington
- Uruguayans vote in tight race for president
- Thailand's Jeeno wins LPGA Tour Championship
- 'Crucial week': make-or-break plastic pollution treaty talks begin
- Israel, Hezbollah in heavy exchanges of fire despite EU ceasefire call
- Amorim predicts Man Utd pain as he faces up to huge task
- Basel backs splashing the cash to host Eurovision
- Petrol industry embraces plastics while navigating energy shift
Chanel breaks with designer Virginie Viard
French fashion house Chanel announced the departure of its artistic director, Virginie Viard, on Thursday, despite hitting record sales under her leadership.
Viard, 62, replaced legendary designer Karl Lagerfeld at the storied label following his death in 2019, having worked alongside him for 20 years.
"Chanel confirms the departure of Virginie Viard after a rich five-year collaboration as artistic director of fashion collections," the group said in a statement, adding that a successor would be announced in due course.
Chanel thanked Viard for her "remarkable contribution", and while critics felt she played it a little safe, sales soared under her leadership, hitting a record of nearly $20 billion in 2023 -- an increase of 14.6 percent on the previous year.
Her last womenswear collection in March was an homage to the French seaside town of Deauville where Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel opened her first boutique in 1912.
Viard herself kept a very low profile, dressing simply and giving very sobre statements to the press -- a world away from the flamboyant Lagerfeld and his often provocative pronouncements.
Y.Bouchard--BTB