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Saturday links: Marin Humane finds surprise rattlesnake in donated bucket. By Zack Ruskin - October 17, 2026 · 1:03 PM PDT - % min read * The Golden State Valkyries play their first WNBA Finals game in franchise history today and they've tapped 94-year-old Oscar winner (and East Bay resident) Rita Moreno to serve as the team's honorary drum-banger. Meanwhile, some fans are celebrating the Valkyries' playoff run and the Halloween season with the aptly-named "Boohalla." [SF Standard; KRON4] * Staff at Marin Humane got an intense surprise earlier this week when someone left a bucket in their lobby that turned out to have a live rattlesnake at the bottom. The unidentified person reportedly "turned and left without a word" after depositing the bucket. [KRON4] * LVMH, the French luxury company that oversees Louis Vuitton and Dior, has purchased a building on Post Street in Union Square, possibly portending a move for Louis Vuitton's current SF flagship location on Geary Street. [Chronicle] * A sewage leak is temporarily halting oyster harvesting efforts at Tomales Bay. [KTVU] * Officials with Santa Clara University have announced that, starting next fall, they plan to offer free education to eligible low-income students. [NBC Bay Area] * A new lawsuit filed by a 39-year-old Washington man accuses OpenAI's ChatGPT of giving him unlicensed medical advice that, in turn, led him to suffer a mental health crisis. [KPIX] * The FBI has added a 75-year-old Southern California woman to its newly created Most Wanted Fraudsters list for allegedly stealing more than $15 million while posing as an aircraft heiress. [KTVU] * Pope Leo XIV was discharged from the hospital today after undergoing lung cancer surgery earlier this week. [NPR]

Asia fashion weekly news bulletin - ISSUE 86 week of 12 October 2026. 16/10/2026 Famed designer Kim Jones will open his brand's global debut flagship store at Central Yards in Hong Kong in H2 2027. Choosing Hong Kong over Paris or London, Jones highlighted the city's unique position as Asia's luxury hub, supported by a 16-month retail growth streak and recalibrated commercial rents. LVMH reported a 15% decline in demand among Chinese consumers and admitted that its trademark lawsuit against popular teahouse chain Molly Tea resulted in negative public fallout. The rare admission highlights the complexities luxury conglomerates face when navigating intellectual property disputes in the mainland market. Ella Yam and Jasmine Yen, daughters of Hong Kong icons Simon Yam and Donnie Yen respectively, are making high-profile marks internationally. Yam is expanding her presence across global fashion runways alongside her mother, while Yen is solidifying her music and commercial appeal through high-profile events in Paris. (4) Alice + Olivia Transforms Hong Kong's Tai Kwun Into "World of Stace" Fashion Fantasy Featuring K-Pop Star Jeon Somi and Local Collaborations Alice + Olivia transformed Hong Kong's Tai Kwun into the "WORLD OF STACE" for a major fashion party on October 9, hosted by founder Stacey Bendet. Joined by K-pop star Jeon Somi and local artists, the immersive event celebrated the brand's bold aesthetic through local collaborations and cinematic installations. (1) Kim Jones Chooses Hong Kong's Central Yards for Global Debut Store as International Brands Cement City's Premier Retail Gateway (Photo Credit: 林惠芳 / Tai Kung Pao) Renowned British fashion designer Kim Jones OBE will open the inaugural world flagship store for his namesake brand KIM JONES in Hong Kong. Slated to open in H2 2027 at Henderson Land's flagship Central Waterfront development, Central Yards, the 4,000-square-foot, two-story flagship marks a major vote of confidence in Hong Kong's position as Asia's luxury capital over competing fashion hubs such as Paris, London, and New York. The selection highlights Hong Kong's enduring "connect-in, reach-out" (內聯外通) advantage, serving as a vital bridge between mainland China and international luxury markets. Recent economic indicators reflect sustained retail momentum, with August total retail sales rising 5.6% year-on-year to HK$32.1 billion - marking 16 consecutive months of growth, led by a 10% surge in luxury goods and jewelry. Hong Kong also ranked second globally in luxury shopping city rankings, outperforming Paris and Seoul. Henderson Land Chairman Martin Lee noted that Central Yards Phase 1 - featuring 710,000 square feet of commercial space, a 100,000-square-foot Broadway-style theater, and high-profile retail - has achieved strong leasing performance, with office occupancy exceeding 70% ahead of its mid-2027 completion. Kim Jones' arrival adds to a wave of top-tier international expansions in Central, including Schiaparelli's first Asian permanent salon, Prada's enlarged flagship at Landmark, and newcomer brands capitalizing on recalibrated retail rents. (2) LVMH Reports 15% Drop in Chinese Consumer Demand and Acknowledges Negative Fallout from Trademark Lawsuit Against Teahouse Brand Molly Tea (Photo Credit: Sing Tao Headline) Luxury conglomerate LVMH has released its latest financial and market performance updates, revealing a 15% decline in demand from Chinese consumer segments amid broader macroeconomic adjustments. The luxury giant candidly addressed recent brand challenges, acknowledging that its high-profile trademark infringement lawsuit against popular Chinese teahouse chain Molly Tea (茉莉奶白) generated considerable negative public relations and consumer backlash in the mainland market. The legal dispute arose after LVMH subsidiaries contested the trendy beverage brand's visual identity and naming conventions, a move that sparked extensive social media debate across Chinese consumer platforms. Industry analysts noted that the public relations friction underscored the delicate balance luxury houses must maintain when managing intellectual property rights against burgeoning domestic lifestyle brands in the Greater China region. Despite the headwinds, LVMH executives emphasized ongoing adjustments to their regional retail strategy, focusing on experiential luxury and targeted client engagement to navigate shifting consumer preferences within the world's leading luxury market. (3) Second-Generation Stars Ella Yam and Jasmine Yen Make Waves in Global Fashion and Music Industries (Photo Credit: Dilraba Dilmurat / Weibo) Two prominent second-generation Hong Kong celebrities - Ella Yam, daughter of actor Simon Yam and supermodel Qiqi, and Jasmine Yen, daughter of martial arts icon Donnie Yen and Cissy Wang - are carving out high-profile careers on the international stage. Ella Yam has followed closely in her mother's footsteps, stepping into the fashion world with major runway appearances and brand endorsements. Her striking height, refined presence, and international appeal have made her a sought-after face for luxury fashion houses during recent international fashion weeks. Meanwhile, singer-songwriter Jasmine Yen has expanded her artistic footprint globally, securing lucrative engagements and high-profile performances in Paris. Balancing her burgeoning pop music career with luxury brand partnerships, Yen continues to demonstrate impressive commercial value and cross-cultural reach across Asian and European entertainment sectors. Their simultaneous rise reflects a broader trend of Hong Kong's young creative talent leveraging global heritage to build multifaceted careers spanning entertainment, music, and international luxury fashion. (4) Alice + Olivia Transforms Hong Kong's Tai Kwun Into "World of Stace" Fashion Fantasy Featuring K-Pop Star Jeon Somi and Local Collaborations (Photo Credit: Vogue Taiwan) Contemporary American fashion brand Alice + Olivia hosted a high-profile "WORLD OF STACE" fashion party on October 9, 2026, transforming Hong Kong's historic Tai Kwun heritage site and The Magistracy into an immersive, whimsical wonderland. Brand founder and Creative Director Stacey Bendet traveled to Hong Kong to personally host the celebration, blending the brand's iconic Stace Face, signature rose prints, and bold party culture into the colonial-era architecture. The star-studded event was highlighted by a surprise appearance from K-pop star and brand friend Jeon Somi, alongside prominent Hong Kong fashion figures including Grace Chan, Kayan9896, and Gigi Cheung. To ground the global brand in the local creative scene, Alice + Olivia collaborated with Hong Kong artists, including doll artist Ning Lau, who created a limited-edition Stace Face doll charm, and artist Natari Sadik, who live-painted custom denim pieces. Reflecting on the brand's core design philosophy, Stacey Bendet emphasized empowering women to feel confident, beautiful, and expressive through fashion. The multi-sensory evening also featured bespoke treats by Butter and Messina, music by DJ Christi McGarry, and a cinematic Glambot photo installation, underscoring Hong Kong's vibrant appeal as a premier hub for luxury brand experiences.