Thursday, 13 February 2020

YOUR ULTIMATE GUIDE TO PANDORA RINGS: HOW TO WEAR THEM AND LOOK AFTER THEM!

Rings, maybe more so than any other jewellery, are steeped in meaning, history and symbolism. Whether they are on the finger of a man or a woman, the stories they tell are of life-changing events, or simply a celebration of the everyday. Purchasing a ring for yourself or for someone you care about is the ultimate treat.
The tradition of rings goes deep into history. Depending on where you are in the world, the meaning and symbolism vary for rings worn on different fingers and for different occasions. We are probably all most familiar with the engagement and wedding band. Do you know how it came about that wedding bands are worn on the fourth digit of the left hand? In the 16th and 17th centuries, it was believed that a vein from that finger was linked directly to the heart. While modern medicine might dispute this belief, we love the romantic notion behind it!
Rings have not only been a sign of love but also power. Signet rings were worn traditionally by kings, queens and rulers, carrying the seal of royal assent. These rings were used to create a seal that passed documents into law.
We admire the beauty and simplicity of rings for their own sake too: throughout history, they have been a way to simply adorn the fingers. As far back as 2500 BC, rings have been discovered in tombs, as a way to adorn and revere the deceased.
At Swag we don’t think anyone should wait for someone else to buy them a ring. Everyone deserves to treat themselves from time to time! PANDORA understands this and has a beautiful choice of rings that make the ideal treat for you. Read on to see the different options and to find out more about how to wear and care for your rings.

TYPES OF RINGS

Whether the ring is a gift for someone else or a gift for yourself, PANDORA has a wide selection of styles and types of rings to choose from. If you prefer the everyday look, or if you want something that makes a statement, PANDORA has something for you.

HAVE FUN WITH STACKING RINGS

PANDORA boasts beautiful and on-trend collections of stacking rings, ideally worn in sets of three or four. PANDORA stacking rings are a unique way of creating your own style and are a popular trend among celebrities. A bit like PANDORA’s bracelets, these rings are a unique way of telling your story. You can create your own look, and add as few or as many as you’d like. If you were to type ‘PANDORA stacking rings’ into any search engine, you will be presented with a whole host of attractive combinations of rings, in all types of metals, with or without stones to suit any occasion.
This trend also lends itself to combinations of different metals, for example, PANDORA rose rings stack really well with silver rings for a two-tone fashion statement. The best bit about PANDORA stacking rings is there are no rules! This makes them a great choice when buying jewellery for yourself, as you can build your collection over time, giving you a greater variety of stacking combinations.

BE BOLD WITH STATEMENT RINGS

PANDORA also has a delightful selection of statement rings that can mark anything from your significant milestones and birthdays through to a night out with the girls. What statement do you want to make?

PANDORA ETERNITY RING

The definition of an eternity ring is a band or a design that is continuous all the way around, whether that be through a repeated pattern or the stones. This ring traditionally represents love and commitment, making it a thoughtful and romantic gift for a loved one, or a fun indulgence for yourself as well.

PANDORA TIARA RING

It’s easy to see why the PANDORA princess tiara rings are a popular choice! They are a beautiful choice to celebrate the wearer, for example, making for an affectionate gift from a father to daughter to cherish his little princess. They are also a perfect gift from you to you celebrating your unique beauty.

PANDORA BIRTHSTONE RINGS

PANDORA birthstone rings are a great way to honour birthdays. They are available in two different types: with a bauble band or smooth band. The birthstone rings are perfect for stacking, when paired with other silver or cubic zirconia bands, to frame and show off the birthstone.

JEWELLERY CARE

Once you have found the perfect ring for you, you will want to care for this beautiful piece of jewellery. Although most jewellery will tarnish over time, caring for your PANDORA ring will stop this happening faster. Coming into contact with perfume, salty air, sulphur, skin creams, hairspray and chlorine will cause oxidisation.
  • When Not To Wear Your PANDORA Ring
    We recommend that you avoid wearing your PANDORA ring or rings whilst bathing, in bed or during sporting activities. It is best not to expose the ring to UV light, swimming pools and also not when using harsh cleaning products, such as bleach or ammonia.
  • How To Store Your PANDORA Ring
    When you aren’t wearing your beautiful ring, you should store it away from natural sunlight and heat. Avoid leaving it in the bathroom as this is one of the worst places to store jewellery because of the water exposure and risk of accidentally falling down a drain.
  • Cleaning Your PANDORA Ring
    You should use a polishing cloth on your ring regularly. You can also clean your ring using lukewarm soapy water and a soft brush, but don’t submerge the ring in the water when cleaning.

CHOOSING THE RIGHT RING SIZE FOR YOU

Once you have chosen the type of ring, or rings, you want, it’s important to get the sizing right. You are making an investment and you want to make sure it’s a comfortable, lasting fit, that is perfect on your finger.
Here are some top tips to consider when sizing your ring:
  • The width of the band – with slim bands, you might find it will slip on easier over the knuckle and you can go down a size. With a wider band, you may need to go up a size to allow for comfort.
  • Size when stacking – the more rings that you start to add to one finger, the tighter it becomes, so that’s something to bear in mind if you know that you are looking to stack a particular ring. There is no harm in having that little bit of room to start with.
  • The temperature of your hands at the time – when you’re trying rings on and your hands are a little bit warmer than usual, you may find that they’ve expanded. That works the other way too; if they’re older, they may shrink a little bit. So the best thing to do is try them in your own time at home. At Swag, we offer a fantastic exchange policy, so you easily send the ring back to us if you have any doubts about the size.
  • PANDORA Ring Sizes – PANDORA uses European sizing, which ranges from size 48 to 60. If you happen to know a loved one’s sizing by lettering and want to buy a gift, call our friendly customer care team and they will help convert that sizing. If you are buying a ring as a gift, try and find a ring the person already owns and download the sizing guide from PANDORA as a way of determining the size.

Monday, 10 February 2020

MY 6 FAVORITE HOSTELS IN BOSTON

The Boston skyline as seen from the river on a bright summer day

With its historic colonial buildings, die-hard sports fans, and lively nightlife, Boston is one of my favorite cities in the US (and I’m not just saying that because it’s where I grew up!).
Boston has been a commercial hub since the 17th century and holds an important place in American history. After the Boston Tea Party in 1773, it became a pivotal bastion of support for the US War of Independence. Even today, the city is brimming with history and has lots to offer. It’s a must-visit destination for anyone looking to understand the roots of modern America.
Since it isn’t the most affordable destination, budget-conscious travelers and backpackers are probably going to want to save money however they can. That means finding budget-friendly accommodation.
Like most US cities, Boston doesn’t have many hostels. But the ones it does have are modern, clean, safe, and social for the most part.
To help you save money during your visit, here are the best hostels in Boston:

1. HI Boston

A clean and comfortable dorm room in the HI Boston hostel
HI Boston is the best hostel in town. It offers both same-sex and mixed dorms, and each bed comes equipped with a shelf, outlets, and a locker. The private rooms are modern and have more of a hotel feel to them; they also come with TVs and a bathtub (which is largely unheard of in a hostel).
The hostel also has a free continental breakfast, a kitchen to cook your own meals in, and a common room complete with TV, pool table, and a piano. They also organize free city tours and host dinners, among other activities. It’s a very social hostel.
HI Boston is located close to the Freedom Trail, the Boston Common, and Chinatown. More attractions, like the campuses of Harvard and MIT, are a only few T (subway) stops away.
Beds from $25 USD, private rooms from $101 USD a night.

2. Boston Fenway Inn

A clean and comfortable dorm room with lockers in the Boston Fenway Inn
The Boston Fenway Inn is the cheapest hostel in town. But you get what you pay for, so expect basic accommodations. The rooms here can get cold in the winter, and the windows let in a lot of sound from nearby restaurants and bars. Bathrooms aren’t plentiful, and sometimes there are lines. And if you’re not one of the first to shower, you may miss out on hot water.
Breakfast is included but is quite basic (toast and coffee) unless you wake up early and grab pastries before they’re gone. It also doesn’t have a full kitchen, and the common room is set up with tables and chairs, so it’s not super comfy.
However, the hostel is located in a prime spot near the affluent Back Bay neighborhood, a picturesque and historic neighborhood with designer boutiques, indie shops, and some of the best spots in town to eat and drink. The hostel is close to Fenway Park, the stunning Boston Public Library, the Museum of Fine arts, and the Mapparium.
Beds from $19 USD, private rooms from $54 USD a night.
—> Book your stay at Boston Fenway Inn!

3. FOUND Hotel Boston Common

An empty and tidy dorm room at FOUND hostel in Boston, USA
FOUND Hotel Boston Common is one of the oldest hotels in the city. Renovated in 2018, it has much more of a hotel feel to it. There isn’t a common room or kitchen, so it’s not easy to meet other travelers here, and the rooms here are small (some of the private rooms have hardly enough space for the bed).
But it’s a short walk to Boston Common and the Public Garden and has plenty of restaurants, bars, and clubs nearby. It’s also just over one block from the subway, so it’s easy to get to other attractions in town.
If you want a place that’s quiet, tidy, comfortable, and not particularly social, then book your stay here.
Beds from $36 USD, private rooms from $82 USD a night.

4. Boston Homestel

The bunk beds and single beds in a dorm room at Homestel in Boston
Located in an old house a few miles outside of the city center (but close to the JFK Library), Boston Homestel offers simple rooms and dorms. The rooms here are clean and bright but don’t have much to them. The beds aren’t the most comfortable, but the quiet location makes it easier to fall asleep than in other hostels in the heart of the city.
The hostel has a common room and a small kitchen, but not much more. It’s a quiet hostel, so don’t come to Boston Homestel expecting a party.
Beds from $37 USD, private rooms from $87 USD a night.

5. Backpackers Hostel & Pub

The entrance of the Backpacker hostel just outside of Boston
Backpackers Hostel & Pub is a social hostel located in Everett, just outside the city. It’s not fancy by any means, but it has a lively atmosphere and free breakfast (which is a big plus for budget-savvy travelers). The dorms are large and not particularly fancy or comfortable (most are 8-10 beds), but the drinks are cheap, and it’s just a 10-minute drive from downtown by car (25 minutes by public transportation).
The staff are super friendly and helpful, and they also offer a free shuttle pickup service from the nearest T (subway) station (which is a 30-min walk away). They have a kitchen too, so you can easily cook your own meals here to save even more money. It’s a busy, social hostel.
Beds from $40 USD a night (private rooms not available).

6. Liberty Fleet of Tall Ships

One of the cozy cabins on the Liberty Tall Ship in Boston
Available from June through September, this is easily the coolest place to stay in town: a functional sailing vessel, the Liberty Clipper. It’s a wooden three-mast ship with cozy cabins for rent. While the rooms are small, the experience is unlike anything else Boston has to offer.
Towels and linens are included, and the hot water is plentiful. There is no Wi-Fi, however, and you need to leave the ship during the day. But if you’re looking for a unique experience, this is hard to beat. It’s also a great choice for couples.

Friday, 7 February 2020

10 Best Places to Visit in France!

For more than two decades, France has reigned as the world’s most popular tourist destination, receiving 82 million foreign tourists annually. Travelers from all over the world are drawn to France’s sophisticated culture, exquisite cuisine, fine wines, romantic chateaux, and picturesque countryside.
Many people immediately picture Paris when they think of France. Whilst the country’s capital is a beautiful city filled with neoclassical architecture and some of the country’s most recognizable monuments (think the Eiffel Tower), there’s a lot more to see around the country than just one city.
10. Marseille

Marseille
One of Europe’s oldest cities and France’s second-largest city, Marseille is a major Mediterranean seaport located off the southeast coast of France. Boasting an idyllic climate, Roman ruins, medieval architecture and distinguished cultural venues, Marseille is also a working city with several universities and industries. At the core of Marseille is its old port. Dominated by two historic forts, this bustling harbor is lined with waterfront cafes, shops, and bars. One of Marseille’s best natural attractions, the Calanques are a series of small inlets with astonishing blue water and majestic limestone cliffs.

9. Lyon

Lyon
Located in east-central France, Lyon is the capital of the Rhone department in the Rhone-Alpes region. Boasting a long history, Lyon today is the third-largest city in France, known for its historic architecture, gastronomy, and vibrant cultural scene. Lyon is comprised of various districts, each offering its own share of interesting treasures. For example, Presqu’île is the heart of the city with its restaurants and bars, while Croix-Rousse is known for its hundreds of hidden passageways. Fourvière boasts Roman ruins and Gothic churches, and Brotteaux is the wealthy district containing the beautiful Tete d’Or park.
8. Strasbourg

Strasbourg
Situated right on the border of France and Germany, Strasbourg is the capital city of the Alsace region. The city serves as the seat of the European Parliament and numerous other important European institutions such as the European Court of Human Rights and the Council of Europe. The city’s historic center, Grande ÃŽle, is what makes Strasbourg one of the best places to visit in France. Here among a blend of both French and German architecture, visitors can find many museums, shops, cafes and striking attractions such as the stunning Gothic cathedral, which features intricate carvings and a 300-year old working, astrological clock.

7. Loire Valley

Loire Valley
A popular tourist destination, the Loire Valley is a region in the center of France, regarded for its spectacular scenery, splendid chateaux, picturesque vineyards, and historic villages. The Loire Valley stretches 280 km (175 miles) along the Loire River, twisting and turning through some of France’s most beautiful villages and charming chateaux. Some of the most famous chateaux include Chambord, Amboise, Rivau, Chinon, and Chenonceau. The valley is home to many wineries that offer tours and wine tastings.
6. Bordeaux

Bordeauxflickr/raphael.chekroun
Built upon the River Garonne just half an hour inland of the Atlantic Ocean, Bordeaux is a major port city stuffed with fine architecture, historic sites, exceptional shopping, and a world-class arts and culture scene. Bordeaux’s city center features more than 350 historic structures and landmarks that include medieval churches and charming old bridges such as the Ponte de Pierre. The city also features several beautiful plazas of which the Place de la Bourse is the most stunning with its mirror-like effect. A visit to Bordeaux would not be complete without a drive through the surrounding wine country where tourists can admire picturesque villages, vineyards, and chateaux.
5. Luberon

Luberondreamstime/© Jacques Vanni
If you want to mingle with the hoi polloi of French society in the south of France, the Luberon is the place to do it. It’s a haven for French society, as well as American and British visitors who come during the summer months to experience charming villages. This region in central Provence took off as a tourist destination after Peter Mayle published his books about life in Provence. With its lush forests, fields of lavender, farmers' markets and colorfully painted houses, you’ll soon see why the Luberon is such a tourist magnet. A great souvenir is a pottery from the village of Oppede le Vieux that still maintains its Middle Ages ambiance.
4. Mont Saint-Michel

Mont Saint-Michel
Rising up from the midst of vast mudflats and some of Europe’s most powerful tidal waves is the rocky island of Mont Saint-Michel, located off France’s northwestern coast in Normandy. The tidal island is one of the most popular places to visit in France for its construction of medieval structures built as if stacked upon one another and crowned with the star attraction, the Abbey of Mont Saint-Michel. The awe-inspiring abbey was built by devoted monks in 708 AD after the Bishop of Avranches was allegedly visited by the Archangel Michael.

3. Dordogne

Dordognedreamstime/© Peter Adams
Unless you have weeks or months to spend in the scenic Dordogne region of southwestern France, you’re going to pick and choose the things you want to see. There is just so much to see and do here, beginning with picture-postcard villages and chateaus, including the well-preserved Chateau de Beynac, a hilltop castle. The scenery is pretty awesome, too, with the Dordogne River running through it. The Dordogne also has some of the best prehistoric cave art in France. The walls of Lascaux feature mainly animals. Unfortunately, they’re closed to the public now, but a replica is a must-see.
2. French Riviera

French Rivieraflickr/Artur Staszewski
Located on the French coast of the Mediterranean Sea, the French Riviera (Cote d’ Azur) is the playground for the rich, famous and hordes of international tourists. Although the Riviera is famous for the glamour of St. Tropez, Monaco or the Cannes Film Festival, there are many other less well-known destinations, such as the perched villages of Eze and Saint-Paul de Vence, and the perfumeries of Grasse to name a few. The region enjoys a wonderfully mild to warm climate all year round, despite being one of the more northerly coasts on the whole Mediterranean.

1. Paris

#1 of Best Places To Visit In France
Attracting more than 45 million visitors annually, Paris is the world’s most popular tourist destination. Dubbed various nicknames like the City of Lights, City of Love and Capital of Fashion, Paris is the capital city of France, known for its romantic ambiance and command in industries like business, entertainment, gastronomy, fashion and art, and culture. In addition to iconic landmarks like the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, and Notre Dame Cathedral, Paris is also home to some of the world’s finest museums that include the Louvre Museum and Musee d’Orsay.

Tuesday, 10 December 2019

5 Fitness Tips Every Man Should Read

1

Work On Your Flexibility

One of the key differences between a man’s and a woman’s body is that men are generally less flexible than women. You may not think flexibility is important, but it is. Stretching your muscles regularly will help you move more efficiently, it can also help you stay injury-free and can relax your muscles, in turn reducing stress. Attending yoga or Pilates classes can help you improve your flexibility. Remember, as a general rule, men’s hamstrings, shoulders and lower backs need to be worked on more than other areas of the body, so pay special attention to these parts in flexibility sessions.

2

Go Slower

It may be something of a cliché, but men do tend to have a healthy competitive spirit. While this is great for your motivation and encouraging you to push yourself, it can also lead to problems. For example, many men fall into the trap of thinking that in order to be better and achieve more they have to perform all of their exercises at a super-fast pace. Although that’s true when performing some exercises, for others this is just not the case.
Take weight-lifting for example. When lifting slowly, say for 10 seconds in total, you increase the amount of time your muscles are tense, and simultaneously increase the blood flow. That means you help to develop and increase your muscle mass. So next time you train, remember faster is not always better – take the time to find out what speed you should be working at for each different exercise. 

3

Try New Things

In most cases, it would appear that men are terrible for sticking to the same fitness routine. If this sounds familiar, perhaps you need to explore new ways to get fit. Doing different types of fitness activities means that you work different parts of your body and in so doing you improve your core strength, your flexibility and your balance. Working up the courage to try new things is one of the biggest obstacles most men face when it comes to trying different workouts. But if you don’t fancy going into a Pilates class or joining a boxing club on your own, why not take a friend with you or try a training DVD before going to a class.

4

Holistic Approach To Fitness

Another thing that women seem to be better at than men is taking a holistic approach to fitness. That means they engage physically, mentally and emotionally with their fitness programmes. Taking this approach to fitness has many health benefits, and studies show that some holistic training techniques can improve fitness. One of the other benefits of the holistic approach to fitness is that your stress levels can decrease, and it is also thought that certain types of holistic practises, such as Tai Chi, can improve bone health. So, to take advantage of these and other benefits, explore some of the many different holistic fitness techniques that are out there. 

5

Take A Break

Another fitness tip that men should put into action is to properly rest and recover between sessions. Doing back-to-back sessions may make you feel like you are doing the best thing for your body, but not giving yourself a break between workouts will lead to you suffering burn-out, losing motivation and generally doing more harm than good. Furthermore, taking a rest day will mean that when you train again you’ll be more likely to train harder. Ideally, you should take a day off from exercising every two to three days as a minimum. And make sure that on those rest days you stay hydrated and avoid doing anything too strenuous. If you’re really struggling not to do anything on rest days, you could try a few flexibility workouts. 
Finally, if you’ve been lifting weights or exercising certain muscle groups, make sure you don’t train that same muscle group again the following day.

The 5 Most Essential Fitness Tips For Women Who Have No Time

The 5 Most Essential Fitness Tips For Women Who Have No TimeIn the process of losing weight and staying fit, women often end up making mistakes like eating too less, not working out as per their body type and expecting instant results.
It is essential to concentrate on having a balanced diet comprising all the nutrients, and compliment it with regular workouts by making exercise a fun activity rather than a boring task.
"Fitness is a long and tedious process, especially for women who have to deal with weight loss. With a personal trainer guiding the aspirant throughout the session, the users are motivated to work out every day and also have an efficient session of burning more," said Ankit Gupta, co-Founder of Ludis, India's first audio fitness training app.
Here's a fitness guide for the new-age women who are too caught up with their work, having no time for fitness:
1. Healthy Breakfast- a must!
A healthy breakfast with the inclusion of fiber and glucose is imperative to retain energy for the entire day. Out of all the three-time meals, breakfast is the most important one which should be light, healthy and nutritious. Choose food that is rich in fiber, protein, calcium, vitamins, and glucose as it provides energy for the entire day, fulfilling the requirements of the body.
2. Replace junk food with healthy snacking
The very first rule of maintaining a fit body is to remove unhealthy junk and oily food from their daily routine as it will affect your exercise routine and immune system. So switching to healthy snacking rich in protein, calcium, fats, carbs, minerals, and fiber will help in maintaining weight and reducing the risk of several diseases.3. Follow a structured exercise pattern
One should prepare a structured exercise pattern to be followed daily with simple exercises like walking, running to tone the body. It is advised that women should exercise for at least three hours in a week to reach their fitness goal.
4. Keep your body hydrated
"When we exercise we lose a lot of sweat for which water is the best source that revives the body with immense energy for the day. Drinking water in regular intervals will help you avoid dehydration leading to a healthier you, " said experts Anmol Gupta, co-founder, and trainer at Ludis and Manisha Ahlawat, Managing Director, Vivafit.
5. Cut out the carbs
Women should avoid refined carb-rich foods like cookies, chocolates, honey and white rice as they spike your blood sugar level, produce more insulin and increase the amount of fat in your body. Therefore the daily diet should extensively be rich in protein, calcium, and vitamins. 

Monday, 9 December 2019

Easybuy eyeing 100 stores by 2020

Coimbatore: Easybuy, the new apparel value retail format from the stable of Landmark Group, is targeting 100 stores across the country by 2020, a top company official said today.Easybuy eyeing 100 stores by 2020

The company already has 20 stores in South India and plans to reach 50 stores by this fiscal, Easybuy Business Head Anand Aiyer told reporters here on the sidelines of launch of its first store in the city, the fourth in Tamil Nadu.

He said Easybuy planned to touch 100 stores across the country by 2020. Started two years ago, the company had a business turnover of Rs.131 crore and expected to reach Rs.600 crore by 2020, Aiyer said.

The company was growing at 30 to 40 per cent per annum, he said adding it was expanding mainly through franchisee model. The main aim of the company was to reach the middle income market in Tier II and Tier III cities, which has huge potential.

Forever 21 Closing Stores in Bankruptcy Filing Shows Limits to Fast Fashion

ReutersReuters) - Fast-fashion retailer Forever 21 filed for bankruptcy late on Sunday, joining a growing list of brick-and-mortar companies that have seen sales hit by the rise of competition from online sellers like Amazon.com Inc and the changing fashion trends dictated by millennial shoppers.
Forever 21 Inc, the privately held company that helped popularize trendy and cheap clothing, has fallen out of favor with shoppers, in part due to other retailers like Sweden' H&M and Spain's Zara that churn out affordable styles similar to those recently seen on designer runways.
Younger, more environmentally conscious shoppers are also choosing brands that ethically source garments instead of retailers that use cheap fabrics to make T-shirts that are snapped up for $5. Resale sites like thredUp.com, which calls itself the largest online thrift store, are also growing in popularity.
Forever 21, which has 815 stores in 57 countries, said the restructuring will allow it to focus on the profitable core part of its operations and shut stores in some international locations.
It has requested court approval to close up to 178 U.S. stores outside of its major markets.
On its website on Monday, Forever 21 sales included tops that started at $3 and dresses, handbags and jewelry and pants for $20 and under.
Gabriella Santaniello, founder of retail research firm A-Line Partners, said the bankruptcy would likely create pressure on other clothing retailers as Forever 21 slashes prices to clear inventory.
She said the chain did little to differentiate itself from others.
"They used to have a bit of an older customer, but customers have become more conscious of where they spend their dollars. They want sustainability, they want to feel represented and I don't think Forever 21 particularly stood for any of this," she said.
At midday on Monday, there were a handful of customers browsing the jogging pants, body suits and furry jackets in the 6-month-old store at Los Angeles' upscale Santa Monica Place shopping center."I don't know if I would shop here if it wasn't for quick fixes," like white t-shirts and other basics, said Michael Lambert, 33, who was visiting from St. Petersburg, Florida.
"You wash it once and it's beat," Sommer Reling, 25, said of clothing from the chain.
Jennifer Thurmond, 46, said she was optimistic the chain could turn itself around if Forever 21 was able to keep its fashions current and keep prices reasonable.
BIG STORES
Retail analysts said Forever 21's low prices and extremely large stores may also be a cause of its financial trouble.
"Forever 21's large stores have been the key to their downfall. How can you have profitability on sales per square foot with these large stores," said Jane Hali, at research firm Jane Hali & Associates.
Fast-fashion rivals H&M and Zara have never had stores as large as Forever 21 and Zara only has about 85 stores in the United States, she noted.
Founded in 1984 and headquartered in Los Angeles, Forever 21 said it will close most of its stores in Asia and Europe but would continue operations in Mexico and Latin America.
Since the start of 2017, more than 20 U.S. retailers including Sears Holdings Corp and Toys 'R' Us have filed for bankruptcy as more customers shop online and eschew large malls.
Forever 21 also said on Sunday its Canadian subsidiary filed for bankruptcy and it plans to wind down the business, closing 44 stores in the country.
"Slimming down the operation and reducing costs is only one part of the battle. The long-term survival of Forever 21 relies on the chain creating a sustainable and differentiated brand," Saunders said.
Forever 21 lists both assets and liabilities in the range of $1 billion to $10 billion, according to the court filing in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware.
The retailer, which filed to reorganize under Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, said it received $275 million in financing from its existing lenders, with JPMorgan Chase Bank NA as agent, and $75 million in new capital from TPG Sixth Street Partners and certain of its affiliated funds.
April Stanton, 33, a Forever 21 fitting room attendant at the Chicago store shrugged off the bankruptcy.
"We're still making money. We make our daily sales goals here," Stanton said.
(Richa Naidu in Chicago and Aishwarya Venugopal in Bengaluru; Additional reporting by Rama Venkat in Bengaluru and Lisa Baertlein in Los Angeles; Editing by Uttaresh.V and Lisa Shumaker)