Latest news with #RM16.6mil
The Star
2 days ago
- Business
- The Star
Victoria Beckham's fashion brand turns a corner, so does she with a documentary
For someone who has been famous since the late 1990s, Victoria Beckham is surprisingly busy in the 2020s. After many years in the red, her eponymous fashion company Victoria Beckham Holdings Limited saw revenue growth of more than 50% in 2023, and shrunk its operating losses before tax to £2.9mil (approximately RM16.6mil), putting it on the road to profitability, no small thing for an independent luxury fashion brand. Victoria also introduced a successful fragrance line two years ago, and became the accidental star of a Netflix documentary series about her husband, football star David Beckham. Her charming, funny cameos showed a playful and relatable side to the megawatt couple, they of the matching purple Versace wedding outfits. This year is looking no less buzzy for Victoria. For the first time ever, she showed her Resort collection in person, rather than digitally, at a glamorous trunk show at Centurion New York, where American Express' Centurion members could have an early pick of the pieces. Read more: 'Still incredibly ambitious': Victoria Beckham on staying her course in fashion Soon, Victoria will also be the star of her own Netflix docuseries, which will follow her day to day as the creative director of her fashion and beauty brands. "It's hard work and determination that has built the brand into what it is now, and why I'm so proud as an independent brand to be able to say I'm profitable,' she said. The company can't yet say that it was in the black in 2024 (official figures for last year have not been finalised, so the company could not confirm that earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation were positive). After many years in the red, her eponymous fashion company Victoria Beckham Holdings Limited saw revenue growth of more than 50% in 2023. Photo: Instagram/Victoria Beckham In recent years the organisation has received millions in cash injections from its owners, which include Victoria and her husband, Simon Fuller's XIX Management and NEO Investment Partners, a private equity firm. But the strategy seems to be working, as revenue has grown by double digits for three straight years. Here, she discusses her future plans, the most important person in her stores, and what she collects. This conversation has been condensed and edited for clarity. So what made you decide to show this collection in New York? I was having brunch with Thom Browne and Anna Wintour a few months ago, as you do, and she said to me, "You should come back to New York and show one of your collections.' It's something that I've been thinking about for a while, because I showed my first ever collection here in New York in 2008. New York has been such a huge part of my story so far. I was approached by Amex to come over here, and it just worked perfectly to do it. Were you nervous when you did that first presentation in 2008? I was so nervous. And let me tell you, I'm just as nervous now. Because I really care. You know, I'm a product person, I love creating the clothes and the makeup and the fragrances. I'm very hands-on with the creative process. I never want to settle. No matter what it is that I'm creating-it could be a simple white T-shirt-it's gotta be the right fabric, the right shape, the right execution. My name's on the label. For the last publicly available numbers, from 2023, your losses shrank dramatically. What changed to make that happen? We bought our price point down, and we merged the two brands that we had at the time into one. I wanted to challenge myself and my teams to create collections that didn't feel like a compromise. They felt very considered, perfectly executed, using really great fabrics. But how could we do that at an affordable luxury price point? And it wasn't easy. Are you going to have to face raising prices in the US because of tariffs? At the moment we are just monitoring the situation very closely. Your clothing is very functional; each outfit seems to have a clear use case. I believe that everything that I do should be rooted in some form of reality. You should be able to wear everything. It always makes me laugh when you see people go into events and they have to go in a car where they stand up. Or they can't walk properly. You gotta be able to dream, but you've still gotta be able to wear these clothes. You also have a documentary coming up. My husband convinced me to do this documentary. To be honest, I wasn't sure anybody would really want to see what I do every day. It focuses on what I do, and my role as founder and creative director of the two brands. I thought long and hard about it, and then I realised that now is the time to do it. I've been very defined by a four-year period in my life when I was in the Spice Girls. And I am so proud of that. But with that came all the preconceptions. I've been in the fashion industry creating my own collections for nearly 20 years. And it's taken this long for me to feel confident enough in what I do and my brand, knowing that now is the time that I can talk about my past. I can talk about the journey, I can talk about struggles, because I can do that confidently feeling it's not going to damage the brand. Nothing is sugarcoated. Are there tears? There are tears. And it did occur to me the other day, what am I going to think when I see those tears on a huge screen? Or on an iPhone? To be completely honest, I am in the hands of the editor now. Is your husband on it? Well, he might end up on the cutting-room floor. I mean, who knows? They have filmed a little bit of David and the children because they're such a huge part of everything. Read more: Luxury spending slowdown? Victoria Beckham's brand shrugs off the wider downturn You have a large group of fans focused on your style. What are you collecting these days? I collect watches, so I have a nice Patek (Philippe) collection. And we both like to collect contemporary art. That's something that we've both really enjoyed learning about over the last few years. The colour palette of this collection was inspired by a Francis Bacon piece from 1979 that I had in my store, because I've recently done a collaboration with Sotheby's. It's muted tones with pops of colour. And there's a red flower print that was inspired by some Gary Hume pieces that I have in my house. They were the first pieces of art that we actually ever owned. When it comes to fashion, how do you discover stuff? Are you too famous to go to shops? No. I absolutely love to go out and go shopping quite often. I'll go out in my workout clothing, maybe in a baseball cap. I like to experience brands physically, as opposed to online. Do you take any of that back to your store in London? Yes. Especially customer service. What have you learned about customer service? How important the security guards are that work at the front of the stores. Oh, because of theft? Because of how people are treated when they come into the store. That's part of my brand DNA, welcoming people. The other day I said to my security when I was walking into my store, "You're the most important person in here.' I remember when I was younger going into stores, it could be really quite intimidating. And I just would never like to make people feel like that. Even if you're just coming in to get inspired by the architecture or look at the collaborations that I might be showcasing. Or the contemporary art. Do you imagine yourself selling the company to a luxury group in the long term? I'm open right now. I'm very proud of how far we have come as an independent brand. I think that the future for me, the next step for me is retail globally. Does that mean we might have a store here? I'd love to. I think that will hopefully happen at some point next year. – Bloomberg
The Star
10-06-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Asean News Headlines at 10pm on Tuesday (June 10, 2025)
Malaysia * Mandatory heavy vehicle speed limiter policy being drafted * Remand order for UPSI bus driver pending hospital discharge * Gerik bus crash: Driver wouldn't slow down despite our pleas, student claims * Gerik bus crash: Injured UPSI students in stable condition * Another bus crash carrying uni students, luckily no one is hurt * Appeals court grants Anwar temporary stay in Yusoff Rawther suit * Tougher action on road accident accountability needed, says Azalina * East-West Highway safety concerns to be addressed, says Loke * Solar-powered streetlights to be installed on East-West Highway * Gerik bus crash: 'I'm sorry, the brakes stopped working' says driver * Gerik bus crash: Driver has 18 summonses, says Bukit Aman * Cop charged with fatally shooting man gets July 9 court mention date * Security guards do not have authority to ask for MyKad, says NRD * Anwar: Madani govt committed to reforms, but needs time * Contraband worth over RM16.6mil seized in Sepanggar Port raids * Bus driver tests positive for drug at JPJ roadblock * Construction of Penang's Mutiara Line LRT project to start soon * Gerik bus crash: No truth to claims damaged road led to accident, says Ahmad Maslan * Eight-year-old Harsheetaa has died, says grieving father * Anwar: Madani govt committed to reforms, but needs time * PKR'S leave to appeal bid in Zuraida's bond payment case set for hearing on June 24 Singapore * Newly married man jailed 28 days for taking upskirt photos at Tampines MRT station * Singapore's projected carbon tax revenue for 2024 lower than expected after five-fold hike in tax rate * Singapore property tycoon Ong Beng Seng to plead guilty on July 3 in case involving former transport minister * Swipe right on at least 180cm? Tinder tests height filter that users say dooms 'short kings' * Singapore's Mediacorp sacks male employee found 'behaving suspiciously' in female toilet on its premises * Singapore's Changi Airport Group awards S$999mil contract for underground tunnels at Terminal 5 * Teen, 16, convicted of rioting with deadly weapon after attacking victim at MRT station in Singapore Indonesia * Jakarta to trial car-free night at end of June * Indonesia revokes nickel ore mining permits in Raja Ampat after protest * Two Indonesians arrested in Los Angeles immigration raids Thailand * Snakes on a plane highlight Thailand-India trafficking: NGO * Thai immigration files complaint after Chinese tourist filmed officer, alleged bribes can ease entry into country * Indian smuggler on flight from Thailand stopped with possums, lizards, tarantulas * Thailand at risk of 'deflation' as economy stagnates, investment and consumption fall * The billion-Baht casino empire: How Thai-Cambodia border tensions expose hidden networks of power * From rides to learning: Thai elephant camps reinvent themselves to survive * DP World ready to invest in land bridge, says Thai Transport Ministry source Philippines * On the edge of hope: Life on Philippines' quiet front line in the South China Sea * Marcos mulls quarterly performance reviews for Cabinet members * Philippine senators prepare to be jurors in Sara Duterte's impeachment trial * Philippine VP Sara Duterte's Malaysia trip won't stall impeachment process – House spokesman Vietnam * Hanoi ready to cash in on growing halal tourism market * Vietnam exports first African swine fever vaccine batch to Indonesia Myanmar * Myanmar polls: 77 parties register, 56 approved so far Cambodia * Forces to resume previous posts * Cambodia tourism minister suggests additional South Korean air links * Cambodia approves investment projects worth US$4.2bil in January-May period Laos * Lao Aussie Chamber of Commerce marks 20 years with glamorous 'Roaring 20s' ball * Lao lawmakers begin National Assembly session with focus on economic recovery, key reforms Brunei * Brunei strengthens Asean-Russia security ties at international summit * Bruneian man jailed over a year for assault and mischief Aseanplus * Four injured in explosion * South Korea and Japan make pact to strengthen ties * Lee's election law violation hearing postponed indefinitely * China to make all hospitals offer epidurals to incentivise childbirth * Megaquake talk scaring tourists * K-pop megastars RM, V released from army, promise BTS reunion * HK action star Sammo Hung, 73, joins Douyin, posts three-generational family photo * Ringgit slightly up against US dollar amid cautious sentiment * Fire near South Korea's Jogye temple contained, treasures spared, officials say * Trump says China 'not easy' as trade talks to resume Tuesday * Singer Jacky Cheung's encore concerts at Singapore Indoor Stadium slated for Nov 21 to 23 * Asian markets extend gains as China-US talks head into second day * Chinese national gets five years' jail for causing death of Sabah State Courts director * Japan's PM Ishiba pledges 50% pay rise by 2040 ahead of elections * South Korean model-actor Kim Jong-seok dies at 29 * Honda Malaysia recalls 87,490 vehicles for fuel pump replacement * FBM KLCI holds steady as selective buying supports market * Australian accused in mushroom murders disputes accounts of fatal lunch * Sarawak to work with Chinese companies to develop floating solar power on Bakun reservoir * Xi urges South Korea's Lee to help safeguard free trade in call * Australia has stabilising role amid rising global division, says PM Albanese * Zii Jia turns down RTG offer, citing recovery from injury * Fire near South Korea's Jogye temple contained, treasures spared, say officials (update) * Malaysia, Poland to boost defence cooperation, explore partnership in trade, green energy, says PM Anwar * Sivasangari, Man-Tee get into RTG for first time as final list released * Chinese managers take reins at TikTok Shop in US as sales miss goal * Asian stocks climb, FX steady as US-China trade talks set to continue * Gold holds steady as markets eye US-China trade talks * Shubhanshu Shukla, first Indian in space in 41 Years, will blast off in a Musk rocket * Malaysia's palm oil stocks hit 8-month high in May as output jumps * China bans bank from luring depositors with popular Labubu dolls * Taiwanese actress Ruby Lin makes a trip to Singapore, with fellow celeb Vivian Hsu playing tour guide * Police going undercover to close gaps in Malaysia-Thailand border * FBM KLCI ends in red on late-day sell-off * Pearly-Thinaah reach world No. 3 while men doubles dominate at top * Chong Wei advises injured Tze Yong to seek treatment abroad * China thanks Indian Navy, Coast Guard for swift rescue of its nationals from burning vessel off Kerala coast * US-China trade talks on export controls to resume for a second day * South Korea appoints ex-trade chief Yeo Han-koo as new trade minister * HK actress Osanna Chiu seeks job opportunities outside TVB while awaiting new dramas * Beijing woos US influencers with free trip to show 'real China' * Ringgit weakens as US-China trade talks continue in London * Asean Higher Education Ministers' Roundtable in Langkawi on June 19 * Human-sized Labubu figure sells for over US$150,000 at Beijing auction * Japanese Immigration agency to tighten visa requirements for foreign entrepreneurs; move eyed as Chinese nationals increasingly obtain status * Residential building explosion in Fujian, China, kills two, injures five * India intensifies expulsion of suspected foreigners to Bangladesh * Johor Regent and Singapore agree to land swap at Holland Road * HK-born actor Chapman To celebrates 20th wedding anniversary with ex-TVB star Kristal Tin * Malaysia defeats Vietnam 4-0 in third-round qualifiers
The Star
10-06-2025
- Business
- The Star
Contraband worth over RM16.6mil seized in Sepanggar Port raids
KOTA KINABALU: Customs officials seized more than RM16.6mil worth of smuggled goods in three separate raids in May. The raids from May 14 to 29 saw frozen chicken, rice and alcohol confiscated at Sepanggar Port. Sabah Customs deputy director-general Siti Mang said that in the first raid on May 14, officials inspected a total of 33 shipping containers and found 659,856 litres of alcoholic beverages of various brands inside. 'They are worth RM3.97mil, with the unpaid duty and tax estimated at RM11.86mil,' she told a press conference here on Tuesday (June 10). On May 16, a container was raided, leading to the discovery of 28 tonnes of frozen chicken without import permits, valued at around RM326,760 including tax. Siti said the third raid on May 29 saw 150 tonnes of rice and glutinous rice being confiscated. '(The rice was) valued RM498,750 including tax,' she said, adding that all the contraband seized had been declared as other goods during shipping. Siti said the cases are being investigated under the Customs Act 1967. 'Smuggling of any sort causes economic losses to the country and poses a security threat," she said. She urged anyone with information on smuggling activities to inform the Customs Department at 1-800-88-8855, and said informants' identities would be kept confidential.
