Valentine's Day is coming up, and if your loved one gives you a present from the brand that Markus Karlsson's guest is in charge of, then you should probably thank your lucky stars. Bernard Fornas is the Chief Executive of Cartier International, the luxury jeweller and watch-maker. It's a sector that has proven resilient in the past few years, especially thanks to rapid growth in Asia.
Chanel, Elie Saab and Dior strutted their stuff during Paris Fashion Week last month. But they're part of a shrinking crowd: brands that make "Haute Couture" collections. Though considered the heart and soul of French fashion, there are predictions Haute Couture is going out of style. Markus Karlsson speaks to Floriane de Saint Pierre, who specialises in finding designers and executives for fashion brands and luxury goods firms.
Cashmere sweaters are a hit for Christmas. How did this luxury material become accessible to everyone? Markus Karlsson asks "the French king of Cashmere" Eric Bompard.
Does being environmentally friendly mean having to give up on the finer things in life? Not necessarily. We take a look at how luxury can co-exist with green living.
First, Beijing tells America and Europe to gets its fiscal houses in order and end their addiction to credit. Next, China's high-speed rail ambition grinds to a halt following a deadly accident. Finally, we visit one Chinese island that takes those with a taste for the high-life a step beyond paradise.
We sit down with Sarah Shourd, one of the three American hikers arrested in Iran two years ago. She speaks out as her former travel companions' trial is set to resume in Tehran. Also, tents go up all over Israel, as student unions protest against skyrocketing housing prices. Finally, our correspondent shows us around a brand-new luxury hotel that's opened its doors in Gaza.
Pierre Cardin wants to sell his brand for 1 billion euros. But is his company really worth that much? Jean-Paul Gaultier is also going to be taken over. Hermès intends to sell its shares in the brand to the Spanish group, Puig. Find out more with our business editor, Stéphane Marchand.
The Chinese government has a new target in sight: luxury advertising. As of April 15th, no outdoor advertisements in Beijing will be allowed to portray either extravagant or opulent lifestyles, and companies breaking the law will have to pay a fine of €3,000. The government seems concerned that luxury advertising highlights the increasing gap between rich and poor.
Acclaimed architect Reda Amalou tells France 24's Tom Burges Watson about his latest projet in Vietnam, the Six Senses Con Dao. Green and Chic, it is benchmarked by Green Globe 21, the sustainable development, construction and operation label by the World Tourism Organization.
