News

Image depicting sweaters under a Christmas tree. Credits: Image made using AI via FashionUnited's DALL-E3 image generator. FashionUnited wishes you and yours a very Merry Christmas and happy holidays!

Wanna virtual try-on Credits: Facebook/Wanna Beauty and fashion tech solutions provider Perfect Corp. has entered into an agreement with Farfetch, to acquire Wannaby, a digital immersive experiences expert. This acquisition, Perfect Corp. said in a release, represents a significant milestone in integrating advanced technology, enabling the company to expand its offerings into new luxury market segments, including shoes, bags, and apparel. Wannaby, known for its virtual try-on technology and […]

Credits: image courtesy of Esmod This coming February, fashion school ESMOD Paris will present an exhibition entirely dedicated to the world of drag. Miss Boo, Kitty Space, and Drapeau Blanc, all former students of the school, will explore the art of drag through the lens of fashion. From February 7 to February 27 2025, ESMOD will open the doors to its exhibition entitled ‘The Art of Drag: 3 Fashion Perspectives’ at its Parisian campus located at 12 rue de La Rochefoucauld. The school […]

Sale Credits: Markus Spiske, vía Pexels. The British Retail Consortium’s latest BRC-Opinium Consumer Confidence Tracker paints a stark picture for the retail sector heading into 2025. While consumer sentiment around personal financial situations held steady at -3 in December, broader economic pessimism deepened significantly, with expectations about the state of the economy plunging to -27, down from -19 in November. The widening gap between public perceptions of their own finances and the […]

The luxury industry is in flux, grappling with shifting consumer preferences, economic pressures, and a pronounced slowdown in growth. For many houses, 2024 is not ending on a high note. Sales growth, once propelled by logo-laden accessories and high-visibility branding, is losing momentum as younger, more discerning shoppers increasingly favour authenticity, craftsmanship, and value over ostentatious displays of wealth. The proliferation of overpriced, over-marketed, and now ubiquitous goods […]

Neiman Marcus in New York Credits: Neiman Marcus Saks Global, a luxury retail and real estate company, has finalized its acquisition of Neiman Marcus Group (NMG) for a total enterprise value of 2.7 billion dollars. Saks Global portfolio now includes Neiman Marcus, Bergdorf Goodman, Saks Fifth Avenue, and Saks OFF 5TH, each continuing to serve customers under their own brand. Commenting on the development, Richard Baker, executive chairman of Saks Global, said in a statement: “By uniting […]

Destination XL retail store Credits: Calvin L. Leake via Dreamstime Destination XL Group confirms receipt of a non-binding proposal from Fund 1 Investments to acquire all of the outstanding shares of the company. The company said in a release that its board of directors regularly reviews opportunities to create and enhance shareholder value and will carefully review and evaluate this proposal and other strategic alternatives together with its financial and legal advisors. Fund 1 Investments […]

(From left) Pierre Cardin president Rodrigo Basilicati-Cardin, designer Robert Wun, designer Philipp Plein and designer Jean Paul Gaultier. Credits: (From left) Courtesy of Pierre Cardin, HKTDC, Plein Sport and ©Launchmetrics/spotlight From CEOs to big name designers, FashionUnited’s interview archive has been inundated with influential names this year, each giving insight into the inner workings of the fashion industry. Here are some of the top interviews of the year… January Designer […]

Interview Stijn Nuijten (CEO) and Caspar Disselhoff (founder). Credits: STOX Energy Socks Compression socks, whether used in sports, leisure or for medical purposes, aren't exactly considered a sexy accessory. Caspar Disselhoff agreed. So, almost 10 years ago, he founded Stox Energy Socks - the company making compression socks with medical technology fashionable. Stox was born in 2015, and already started out with a medical background. Disselhoff's research revealed a high demand for […]

Technology in fashion 2025 trends Credits: FashionUnited AI generated As the fashion industry evolves, 2025 promises to be a year of groundbreaking technological advancements that will redefine every aspect of the sector. From design to retail, technology will not only streamline operations but also offer innovative ways to engage consumers. Explore the key trends shaping the industry’s digital transformation here. AI redefines visual content creation Artificial intelligence is set to […]

Nordstrom store in New York. Credits: Connie Zhou / Nordstrom. A deal that could see US department store giant Nordstrom go private has been approved by the board of directors, potentially allowing for the company’s namesake family to acquire all outstanding shares of the firm. The Nordstrom family, consisting of Erik, Pete, Jamie and other members, will come together with Mexican real estate company El Puerto de Liverpool, S.A.B. de C.V. (Liverpool) in a bid to secure the remaining shares […]

Credits: Lids US sportswear retailer Lids is believed to be on the verge of exiting the UK market just three years after opening its first stores there. It has been reported by Drapers that the company is currently in negotiations with landlords to end its leases, with all UK stores from the brand expected to close upon agreements. Lids debuted in the UK in December 2021, and has since expanded its physical retail presence to 20 stores. The company declined to comment on the matter when asked […]

Credits: eigendom Wereldhave Despite a barrage of Western sanctions and swathes of brands quitting Russia after the Kremlin launched its Ukraine offensive, Moscow's most well-off shoppers are still spoilt for choice when it comes to luxury Western goods. In the Russian capital's exclusive shopping quarters, department stores and high-end Russian outlets are doing a roaring trade in Western sports cars, gold jewellery and designer clothes. The picture is a far cry from the West's claims that […]

Red Run Drop 1 Menswear line. Credits: Red Run. Red Run, a young athleisure label, has announced an expansion into menswear, a move that comes after “considerable” growth for the Liverpool-based brand since its launch in 2020. The first menswear collection, dubbed ‘Drop 1’, includes 10 essential pieces intending to make up the “fundamentals of any stylish wardrobe”, a press release stated. Akin to other Red Run lines, its menswear collection has been created in-house by its own […]

Credits: Walmart US department store giant Walmart has said it is no longer expecting to hit some of its ESG targets despite making slight progress elsewhere. In its latest climate change report, the company said that while it continued to work towards the “aspirational goal of zero emissions by 2040, progress will not be linear”. Walmart cited its “trajectory and challenges related to energy policy, infrastructure and the availability of cost-effective low-carbon technologies” as […]

In Pictures Missoma's new Marylebone store. Credits: Missoma. Missoma has unveiled its fourth store in the UK, building on an ongoing retail expansion in the region for the British jewellery brand. The new flagship store is located on New Cavendish street, in an immersive setting spanning two-storeys. Alongside a selection of “most-loved styles” by Missoma, the store also houses a Piercing Studio, with location-exclusive 14 carat gold piercing studs, and a Welding Studio, with 14 […]

Dr.G R.E.D Blemish Clear Soothing Cream. Credits: L’Oréal Groupe. Beauty conglomerate L’Oréal has acquired a subsidiary of Swiss retail group Migros, which includes Korean skincare brand, Dr.G. The deal involves all assets under Migros’ Gowoonsesang Cosmetics Co, Ltd. subsidiary, and will see Dr.G ultimately added to L’Oréal Groupe’s Consumer Products Division (CPD). This category intends to meet the rising demand for K-Beauty–an umbrella term for Korean beauty products–and […]

Christophe Castaner in Paris, June 11, 2024. Credits: MAGALI COHEN / Hans Lucas / Hans Lucas via AFP Former French Interior Minister Christophe Castaner has joined a panel advising fast-fashion giant Shein, according to a report by news outlet La Lettre. The appointment of the politician, who served as interior minister from October 2018 to July 2020, has sparked heated debate amid ongoing opposition to the company. "Who is actually representing France's interests here?" asks Julia Faure, […]

Leeds High Street Credits: Unsplash Footfall across all UK retail destinations rose for the second consecutive week last week ahead of the forthcoming Christmas, however, figures remained lower than those of the same period last year. For the week to December 22, MRI Software reported an overall 4.6 percent increase in footfall compared to the week prior, with retail parks coming out on top, welcoming a rise of 8.5 percent. Footfall at shopping centres, meanwhile, rose 7.8 percent, while high […]

New York shopping street. Credits: Unsplash. A new report by the US’ National Retail Federation (NRF) has documented a concerning increase in shoplifting incidents in 2023 compared to that of pre-Covid levels. According to the organisation’s ‘The Impact of Retail Theft & Violence 2024’ study, there was a 93 percent increase in the average number of reported shoplifting incidents last year versus 2019. A further 90 percent increase was reported in dollar loss due to related crimes […]

Credits: MAGIC Bodyfashion The holidays are just around the corner, bringing sparkly outfits, festive dinners, and unforgettable moments. But how do you complete a look without compromising on comfort? MAGIC Bodyfashion offers the solution: from backless designs to beautiful shapewear pieces. Our collections are designed to make women feel confident and comfortable every day and all day – with an extra touch of magic during the holidays. The Absolute Must-Have for Winter Wear dresses and […]

Sports Direct store interior Credits: Frasers Group, Queensgate In the aftermath of Boohoo’s general meeting on December 20, when proposed candidates were declined a seat on the retailer’s board, Frasers Group has now released a statement noting the decision, yet reaffirming that it would continue pursuing representation. In a regulatory filing, the Sports Direct owner said it “respects the view of the independent shareholders” and stated a reevaluation of its efforts. As such, the […]

Leeds, UK. Credits: Unsplash. New data collated by the British Retail Consortium (BRC) and Opinium has pointed to concerning forecasts for the coming January, when the council’s chief executive, Helen Dickinson, said retailers should expect a “spending squeeze”. Personal financial situations remained at -3 in December, the same as November, while the state of the economy worsened to -27 for the month, down from -19 in the month prior. Personal spending on retail also dropped to -3, down […]

Elliott Hill, president and CEO of Nike. Credits: Nike. On December 19, Elliot Hill, the new chief executive officer of Nike, had his first opportunity to address investors and, with this, release the company’s earnings for the second quarter. Despite an 8 percent drop in revenue for the period, Hill remained upbeat in the meeting, in which he revealed stages of a new turnaround plan as part of ongoing efforts to reposition the business. FashionUnited takes a deeper look into what is to […]

Tory Burch store Credits: McArthurGlen American lifestyle brand Tory Burch’s UK arm has reported a revenue increase of 16.4 percent to 28.44 million pounds for the year to December 30, 2023. The company attributed the increase in annual sales to strong ecommerce operations and increased sales in the group’s retail stores. The company operates three stores in the UK and two retail stores in Germany. Gross margin increased 66.9 percent, while profit for the year rose to 3.3 million pounds […]

Boucheron, Las Vagas store. Credits: Courtesy of Boucheron Boucheron has inaugurated its first store in Las Vegas, marking the second US retail location for the high-end jewellery house. Located in Fontainebleau Las Vegas, the store spans 145 square metres, with the first two floors dedicated to retail space. The new boutique is part of the brand's expansion strategy for the US market, with its first location in the region only having opened in September 2024, in New York. Like this site, the […]

Credits: Inspecs Eyewear distributor and manufacturer Inspecs Group has announced that Robin Totterman, its executive chair of the board, is due to step down from his position upon the conclusion of its forthcoming annual general meeting in 2025. Totterman, who Inspecs said remained “critical to the future success” of the business, will continue to perform his day-to-day executive duties while remaining as director of the company. In a statement, Totterman said: "This change to my role […]

Credits: Quiz Plc Fast fashion retailer Quiz has proposed voluntary cancellation of its shares on the Alternative Investment Market (AIM), a sub-market of the London Stock Exchange, amid a "challenging financial market” and specified burdens associated with trading. It is now pursuing a re-registration as a private limited company. The company said it had obtained “irrevocable commitments” for the cancellation of its largest shareholders representing a 66.74 percent stake of its current […]

Credits: Boohoo Group Plc On the back of its public spat with majority shareholder Frasers Group, Boohoo has assumed business as usual on Monday, announcing the official appointment of CEO Dan Finley as director, as well as the sale of its London office. Finley, who was appointed to the helm in November, has formally been made director of the company and a member of the board of directors, a regulatory filing reveals. The move underlines Boohoo’s intention to ensure Finley remains in a […]

Boohoo x House of Fraser logos. Credits: (Above) Boohoo, (below) Frasers Group. On Friday, December 20, the boardroom battle between the UK’s biggest fast fashion players, Boohoo Group and Frasers Group, came to a head. Boohoo shareholders agreed that Frasers would not, at this time, get board representation. The result came after what essentially developed into a public spat between the two groups, unfolding in back-and-forth of criticism and apparent resentment that neither one would […]

Reiss, Battersea Power Station Credits: Reiss For the year to January 27, 2024, women’s, men’s and children’s fashion brand Reiss reported total sales of 346 million pounds, an increase of 8.1 percent versus the previous year. The company said in a filing that pre-tax profit for the year of 32.1 million pounds was 10.2 percent above the last year. The company added that it managed to achieve these results despite a difficult year burdened with cost-of-living crisis, high inflation, high […]

Isak Andic (1953-2024), founder and non-executive chairman of Mango. RIP. Credits: Mango. The fashion world mourns the loss of one of its great visionaries. On December 14, Isak Andic, founder of Mango, passed away, leaving an indelible legacy that transcended borders and marked a turning point in the textile industry. With his entrepreneurial spirit and unique vision, Andic not only brought to life one of Spain's most successful fashion companies but also played a decisive role in positioning […]

Bottega Veneta SS25 Ready to Wear Credits: ©Launchmetrics/spotlight As we approach 2025, the luxury market faces significant challenges that could reshape its trajectory. A mix of economic, political, and consumer-driven factors are likely to influence demand, innovation, and growth in this highly competitive sector. Market uncertainty The global luxury industry is navigating a period of considerable economic unpredictability, driven by uneven growth in major regions and shifts in consumer […]

Naomi Campbell arrives at the 77th edition of the Cannes Film Festival. Credits: Photo by Valery Hache / AFP The world's largest luxury goods conglomerate has made a strategic move into premium real estate on the French Riviera, underscoring a broader trend of high-end brands investing in experiential marketing assets. LVMH has acquired a historic 12-bedroom villa in Cannes for 46.5 million euros, according to Bloomberg, in what represents one of the city's largest-ever property transactions. […]

Credits: Circular Textile Days On 10 and 11 September 2025, the 5th edition of Circular Textile Days will take place, marking a significant milestone in advancing circular transitions within the textile industry. Under the theme “Transforming Mindsets: Embracing Circular Business Models in Textiles,” the event will focus on the critical mindset shifts required to make circularity the standard. The previous edition brought together over 1,300 visitors from 26 countries, laying the […]

Market stalls Credits: Innatex Völske As British consumers navigate their Christmas shopping lists this season, new data suggests a shift in clothing retail dynamics across the UK's high streets. Analysis by payment solutions provider SumUp, drawing on Office for National Statistics data, reveals an unexpected transformation in consumer shopping patterns over the past five years. Market stalls have emerged as the clear contender in the clothing retail sector, recording a 26.5 per cent […]

Boohoo reveals new logo as part of brand identity refresh. Credits: Boohoo. Shareholders of Boohoo Group have voted against the appointment of Frasers Group founder Mike Ashley and its proposed director, Mike Lennon, to the fast fashion giant’s board of directors. The decision was made during a general meeting requisitioned by Frasers, which had carried out a campaign to gain representation amid declining sales at Boohoo. Tensions were already high going into the meeting. Prior to its […]

Calvin Klein campaign featured Jeremy Allen White Credits: Calvin Klein After a hiatus of nearly seven years, Calvin Klein is making a highly anticipated return to New York Fashion Week. The PHV-operated brand will show its first runway collection under new creative director Veronica Leoni. The last collection it showed was under Raf Simons in September 2018. “This debut represents a new era of innovation and creativity for Calvin Klein,” said Eva Serrano, Global Brand President of Calvin […]

Levi's garments Credits: Levi's Levi Strauss & Co., the denim giant, has long safeguarded its trademarks with the fervour of a company that understands the vital role of intellectual property in fashion. Now, the company has launched a case against Philipp Plein, alleging that the designer's use of a tab on garments infringes on Levi’s iconic and trademarked label, which has adorned its jeans for over eight decades. The dispute comes after Levi’s launched similar actions against luxury […]

The Body Shop Bond Street store Credits: The Body Shop The new owners of The Body Shop have said that the once flailing cosmetics retailer was “back for good” as it reportedly garnered a profit over its initial three months under new leadership. The company was bought out of administration in September by an investor consortium led by Mike Jatania’s Aurea Group, which has since been leading the firm. According to a note to staff seen by the Guardian, The Body Shop has now booked a profit […]

Simply Be Credits: Simply Be, Facebook N Brown has received watchdog approval in its pursuit of becoming a private company through a proposed acquisition by Bidco, a newly formed company owned and controlled by Joshua Alliance, a non-executive director of the British fashion group. The takeover has been given backing by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), allowing for proceedings to go ahead in taking the company private. With this approval, Alliance will acquire the entire issued and to be […]

Kering Eyewear. Credits: Kering Kering Eyewear, the optical subsidiary of the luxury fashion giant, has become a case study at the prestigious Harvard Business School, ending its 10th anniversary on a high note. The story of Kering Eyewear has been written out by members of the company’s team as well as faculty from the school, with the intention to provide both Harvard students and those interested insight into what the company has achieved over its decade of life. In the study, Kering […]

Scotch & Soda Headoffice Credits: Scotch & Soda Scotch & Soda has been through a turbulent period, but everything points to a strong comeback for this iconic Amsterdam-based brand. In a recent article about Scotch & Soda's new design direction, posted on FashionUnited, it was clear that creativity is leading the way in design under the stewardship of Chief Product & Merchandising Officer Eran Kaïm. Similarly, a focused approach and a return to their DNA are also driving […]

A Bershka store Credits: Klepierre newsroom British clothing and footwear retailers suffered their sharpest year-on-year decline since January 2022, with sales falling 2.6 per cent in November, marking the second consecutive monthly decrease. The Office for National Statistics' (ONS) latest retail monitor, which concluded on November 23, captured only a partial picture of consumer spending as it excluded the crucial Black Friday trading period. Industry analysts cautioned FashionUnited that […]

Amazon warehouse. Credits: Amazon newsroom New York - On Thursday, a strike at several US and German sites of the American online retail giant Amazon began just a few days before the end-of-year holidays, to specifically demand wage increases. The industrial action began at 11:00 GMT in the US on Thursday due to Amazon management's refusal to negotiate with the Amazon Labor Union (ALU), which affiliated with the powerful Teamsters organization (IBT) in June. Seven US sites are affected, […]

Simon Porte Jacquemus outside his London store. Credits: Billaltaright /Courtesy of Jacquemus 2025 will be the year of Jacquemus' big return to Paris, with the French brand set to show during the autumn/winter 2025 men's fashion week. After a few months of hiatus, the Paris Fashion Week season will resume next January. From January 21 to 26, 2025, the fashion capital will host the AW25 men's fashion week, during which many surprises are planned, including the return of Jacquemus to the […]

Durham high street, UK. Credits: Unsplash New figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) have shown a marginal rise in retail sales volumes for the month of November, a slight increase that was offset by consumers waiting for discount periods in the following month. According to the data, sales were estimated to have risen by 0.2 percent, following a fall of 0.7 percent in October. Clothing retailers were cited as a key contributor to the lack of substantial growth in November, as […]

Image from Splash! A Century of Swimming and Style. Credits: Ackerman + Gruber 2022 / courtesy of The Design Museum, London. Those looking to fill their 2025 diaries with cultural outings are in for a treat. A number of intriguing fashion (-related) exhibitions have already been announced both home and away, with several currently already on display in museums. This is FashionUnited’s selection for the coming year. Opening in 2025 Du Coeur À La Main: Dolce & Gabbana – Grand Palais, […]

Shoes For Crews Credits: Facebook/Shoes For Crews Shoes For Crews, provider of slip-resistant safety footwear solutions, has announced that Chris Quinn will assume the role of chief executive officer beginning on January 1, 2025. Quinn, the company said in a release, is an accomplished executive experienced in the retail, e-commerce, footwear, and apparel industries who has served as a director of Shoes For Crews since August 2024. "Entering the new year with our talented new board, we'll […]

Reitmans store Credits: Facebook/Reitmans Reitmans’s (RCL) third quarter net revenues decreased by 2.9 percent to 187.7 million Canadian dollars primarily due to 11 fewer stores and unfavourably warm autumn weather. Comparable sales for the quarter under review decreased by 1.9 percent. "The quarter was impacted by warmer weather delaying sales of fall apparel. However, we achieved a higher gross margin rate due to strong inventory control and a continued focus on being less promotional." […]

Nike store in Spain Credits: Nike Nike’s second quarter revenues were 12.4 billion dollars, down 8 percent on a reported basis and down 9 percent on a currency-neutral basis compared to the prior year. Gross margin for the quarter decreased 100 basis points to 43.6 percent, while net income was 1.2 billion dollars, down 26 percent, and diluted earnings per share were 78 cents, a decrease of 24 percent. Commenting on the second quarter results, Elliott Hill, president & CEO, Nike, Inc. […]

Gigi Hadid during Victoria's Secret runway show Credits: Victoria's Secret. Every year, the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) awards the brands and individuals that it believes have made the biggest impact and contribution to the welfare of animals. In doing so, the organisation intends to inspire more progress throughout the industry, encouraging more of what it dubs “cruelty-free fashion”. Since 2023, the awards have expanded to include recognitions for both the UK and […]

Karen Millen spring 2025 jewellery collection. Credits: Karen Millen. Boohoo-owned Karen Millen has secured a new jewellery licensing agreement with Simon Harrison, an established designing, manufacturing and licensing firm. The news coincides with the launch of the brand’s new spring/summer 2025 collection, which will be stocked by Debenhams, Next and Karen Millen, itself. Each piece in the collection has been engraved with the Karen Millen logo and utilises contoured silhouettes and cut […]

Credits: Bugatti Bugatti is set to take over Florence's iconic Rivoire Caffè during the upcoming Pitti Uomo. From January 13th to 15th, the Herford-based menswear brand will transform the historic café in Piazza della Signoria into a showcase of its signature style, the company announced on Friday. From branded tableware and cushions infused with the brand's DNA to a curated bespoke menu, every detail will reflect the essence of Bugatti. Beyond its regular daily service, the Rivoire Caffè […]

Sports Club Atelier ‘The Legacy Line’ exclusively at Ice District Authentics Credits: Instagram.com/sportsclubatelier In Pictures Interior designer Lauren McDavid, the wife of NHL star Connor McDavid, has launched a premium apparel brand ‘Sports Club Atelier,’ which aims to “elevate sportswear into wearable memorabilia”. On the brand’s Instagram, McDavid states that Sports Club Atelier was launched to redefine sportswear “by blending high fashion with fandom to create quality, […]

Masataka Suzuki, president of Momotaro Jeans. Credits: PHILIP FONG / AFP Kojima-ajino, Japan - Call it an antidote to fast fashion: Japanese jeans hand-dyed with natural indigo and weaved on a clackety vintage loom, then sold at a premium to global denim connoisseurs. Unlike their mass-produced cousins, the tough garments crafted at the small Momotaro Jeans factory in southwest Japan are designed to be worn for decades, and come with a lifetime repair warranty. On site, Yoshiharu Okamoto […]

YMC campaign imagery when it was part of the Pilgrim Paris Residency in 2023. Credits: Pilgrim Paris Residency / Man/Woman. The co-founder of YMC–also known as You Must Create–has acquired a majority share in the British fashion brand from French Connection, reinstating his position as the main shareholder. Jimmy Collins, who also serves as YMC’s chief executive officer, founded the brand in 1995 alongside the late Fraser Moss, and established it as a unisex apparel provider. The label […]

Boots Covent Garden store Credits: Boots Beauty K-beauty, blusher, hyaluronic acid and bespoke haircare are among the most in-demand products across beauty and wellness in 2024, according to British retailer Boots. As the UK’s leading health and beauty retailer, Boots stocks more than 600 healthcare brands and over 500 beauty brands, and it has analysed search and sales data from across the year to reveal customers’ most-wanted purchases. Grace Vernon, head of global trends and cultural […]

John Lewis employees. Credits: John Lewis Partnership. British department store giant John Lewis has been granted a Royal Warrant of Appointment as a supplier of household goods and furnishings to His Majesty King Charles III. In a release announcing the news, executive director, Peter Ruis, said it was a “proud moment” for the company. His statement continued: “For 160 years, we’ve been focused on offering excellent customer service and the highest quality products, and the Royal […]

Adidas x Asos collection. Credits: Asos British online retailer Asos has launched a Design collection in collaboration with German sportswear giant Adidas, created using its Test & React model, which allows brands to quickly respond to trends. Traditionally, it takes an average of three to six months from the moment a collection is designed to the moment it hits the shelves. Faster production and delivery methods, however, such as the ‘Test and React’ model used by Asos, can reduce […]

Credits: courtesy of Debenhams.com Boohoo-owned Debenhams has promoted its head of creative to the role of creative director. Patrick Duggans takes on the leading role after being with Boohoo for four and half years, having initially joined in July 2020 as creative manager for Coast and Karen Millen. Duggans went on to become head of creative at Debenhams in October 2021, a role in which he oversaw campaign ideation, creative direction across all content, styling for all mediums and brand […]

Designer McBright Kavari. Credits: SIMON MAINA / AFP. Windhoek, Dec 18, 2024 (AFP) - From his humble Windhoek workshop, Namibia's leading fashion designer is keeping alive the love for the Herero people's traditional dress with horned headgear, a full-length skirt and a link to German colonisers accused of genocide. McBright Kavari's sewing room is piled high with seemingly ordinary fabric that he transforms with labour and skill into elegant and voluminous dresses called ohorokova. Kavari's […]

Puig logo. Credits: Courtesy of Puig Is Puig failing to meet the objectives it set for its IPO? It seems that, at this moment, this could be the case. The Spanish multinational fashion and beauty company announced it was delaying its acquisition of a minority stake in the cosmetics firm, Charlotte Tilbury, which is to remain in the hands of its founder until 2031. This new deadline for Puig's takeover was decided upon by both parties, and comes after the Spanish firm promised to use a large […]

Ken Dayley, CEO, Joybees Credits: Joybees Casual footwear brand Joybees has named Ken Dayley as the company's chief executive officer. Dayley brings over 15 years of experience to the brand founded in 2018 in Denver, Colorado. Commenting on the new appointment, Joey Separzadeh, chairman of the board of Joybees, said: "Ken’s ability to quickly assess and identify the growth potential for Joybees has been impressive. His global experience and business acumen will ignite our financial […]

Tribute Brand acquires Draup. Credits: Tribute Brand. Digital fashion platform Tribute Brand has announced the acquisition of its industry peer, Draup, as part of efforts to build up and develop a new digital wearables platform, dubbed ‘fashion.fun’. The decision to snap up Draup came as a response to the waning demand for both the metaverse and luxury brands, Tribute Brand said in a release, which further noted that it was therefore imperative to take a “stronger together approach” […]

Gymboree XO Mandy Moore collection Credits: Gymboree/The Children’s Place The Children’s Place in its preliminary partial fourth quarter results statement said that net sales for the six-week increased 3.4 percent. However, comparable retail sales decreased 8.9 percent for the reporting period driven by decreases in e-commerce revenue. In terms of channel sales results during the period under review, the company experienced a decrease in brick-and-mortar revenue due to a lower store […]

Princesshay Shopping Centre. Credits: Chapman Taylor. It is no secret that the retail sector has faced significant challenges in recent years, the impact of which has been reflected in new job figures issued by the Office for National Statistics (ONS). According to the organisation’s data, there were 2.81 million jobs in retail in September 2024, yet on a four-quarter average, this was 40,000 fewer jobs than last year. This becomes more concerning when compared to figures five years ago, […]

London, UK. Credits: Unsplash. New figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) have revealed an increase in inflation once again. According to the data, the Consumer Prices Index (CPI) rose by 2.6 percent in the 12 months to November 2024, increasing from 2.3 percent in the 12 months to October. On a monthly basis, meanwhile, CPI rose 0.1 percent for the month, compared with a drop of 0.2 percent in November 2023. While the increase in this regard was driven largely by an upward […]

Douglas store in Ludwigshafen, Germany Credits: Douglas Group European omnichannel beauty player Douglas Group recorded sales growth of 8.7 percent to 4.45 billion euros for FY23/24 with store sales up 8.2 percent or 7.5 percent like-for-like and ecommerce up 9.8 percent or 12.1 percent LFL. Adjusted EBITDA for the year amounted to 808.6 million euros – an increase of 11.4 percent, corresponding to an adjusted EBITDA margin of 18.2 percent. The group achieved positive net income of 84 […]

Prada store Credits: Prada Prada Group and EssilorLuxottica have announced the renewal of their licensing agreement for the development, production and worldwide distribution of eyewear under the Prada, Prada Linea Rossa and Miu Miu brands. Commenting on the development, Patrizio Bertelli, Prada Group chairman, said: “We are pleased to announce the renewal of this agreement with EssilorLuxottica, a trusted and long-standing partner with whom we have developed a strong collaboration built on […]

Nichole Styrdom, Commercial Director Premium at Zalando Credits: Zalando Fashion retailers are keeping a close watch on their sales leading to Christmas amid a sluggish consumer sentiment, at the same time many are already preparing for the AW25 buying season starting in January. What's going well at Zalando right now and what trends does the online retailer bet on for womenswear in 2025? Zalando's Commercial Director Premium Nichole Strydom talks about trends, fashion fatigue and chaotic […]

Ian Berry at Kalyon Kültür in Istanbul. Credits: Ian Berry For the first time, renowned denim artist Ian Berry is exhibiting in Turkey. The show “Beyond Denim” opened its doors at the beautiful art centre Kalyon Kültür in the Şişli neighbourhood of Istanbul and will be on view until February 2025. The exhibition consists of some the artist’s most known works as well as those especially prepared for the exhibition space. “It was a city I never had any intension at all at showing […]

Birkenstock store in Paris Credits: Birkenstock Birkenstock Holding reported fiscal 2024 revenue growth of 21 percent on a reported and 22 percent on a constant currency basis to 1.8 billion euros, ahead of the company's guidance of 20 percent, driven by continued strong and growing consumer demand for its products across all segments, channels and categories. The company said fourth quarter revenue of 456 million euros, increased by 22 percent on a reported and constant currency basis. […]

Burberry pop-up Credits: Courtesy of Burberry Burberry Group has announced the appointment of Stella King as an independent non-executive director and member of the nomination committee, with effect from April 1, 2025. The company said that King is currently at Moncler which she joined thirteen years ago in 2011 as president, Asia Pacific. In January 2022 she moved to the role of chief Chinese business officer and will step down from that role on December 31, 2024. Commenting on King’s […]

Noah Johnson, editor in chief and Caitlin LeRoux, general manager, North America Credits: Highsnobiety Highsnobiety has announced the appointments of Noah Johnson as editor in chief, Caitlin LeRoux as SVP and general manager of Highsnobiety North America, and Tom Lee as VP and head of creative. The company said in a statement that Johnson is a New York-based writer and editor whose keen editorial eye and deep understanding of modern menswear has played a critical role in shaping the modern […]

Top Trends for 2025 from Stitch Fix's annual trend forecast Credits: Stitch Fix As the year draws to a close, style, and trend forecasters, have been hard at work analyzing data to predict what some of the hottest styles and trends in fashion will be in 2025. Shaped by pop culture, mainstream media, consumer habits, runway designer looks, and even political shifts, it seems like we're in for a year of cowboy-themed looks, the color purple (Wisteria, to be exact), and different variations in […]

Wood Wood management team Credits: Wood Wood Scandinavian fashion and lifestyle brand Wood Wood, which was acquired by Danish conglomerate DK Company in April after the brand fell into insolvency in 2023, resulting in store closures in London and Berlin, is looking to expand its presence across international markets “in the coming years”. In a statement, the Copenhagen-based brand said it was going through a “creative rebirth,” and that there would be a renewed focus on design, […]

In Pictures Puma x 247 collection Credits: Represent British streetwear brand Represent has launched its debut womenswear collection as part of its collaboration with sportswear giant Puma. The launch is Represents biggest performance wear collaboration to date for its 247 line and features the brand’s first-ever womenswear clothing, including its first sports bra and women's trainer, which is being modelled by Team GB middle-distance runner Phoebe Gill. The 12-piece Puma x 247 […]

Illustrative image of a creative office setting. Credits: Photo by Vitaly Gariev via Pexels The end of the year is approaching, bringing with it a recap of everything accomplished over the past months. December is a time for wrapping up, and fashion brands begin preparing their annual reports. Sustainability stands out as the key focus in non-financial reports. Whether due to regulatory requirements or the need to convey transparency to end consumers, more and more brands are choosing to […]

Beauty Charlotte Tilbury Credits: Puig Spanish fashion and beauty group Puig has announced an extension of its strategic partnership with British cosmetics and fragrance brand Charlotte Tilbury. Puig, which acquired a majority stake in Charlotte Tilbury Limited in 2020, said that under the terms of the renewed partnership, Charlotte Tilbury will retain a minority stake in her namesake beauty brand, with the Spanish beauty group assuming full ownership by the start of 2031. Since […]

Voyado platform Credits: Voyado Fashion giant H&M Group has acquired a minority stake in Swedish-founded retail technology platform Voyado, which empowers retailers, e-commerce businesses, and brands to build long-lasting customer relationships. In a statement, Voyado, which drives profitable sales by optimising e-commerce, creating personalised customer experiences, and streamlining communication across channels, said the strategic partnership felt like a “natural evolution” as […]

Natasha Fishman, chief marketing officer at Marquee Brands Credits: Marquee Brands Marquee Brands, a brand owner, licensor, marketer, and media company, has named former Authentic executive Natasha Fishman its chief marketing officer. Described as a “seasoned marketing and communications executive and visionary leader,” Fishman will Marquee Brands’ global marketing, creative and corporate communications teams. Heath Golden, chief executive of Marquee Brands, said in a statement: […]

Credits: Muntagnard & SANE SANE Standard is dedicated to helping brands navigate the growing challenges of sustainability and ethics in the fashion industry. As consumers demand more transparency, brands must ensure that their products meet high standards for environmental impact, workers' rights, and consumer health. SANE provides a comprehensive certification process that supports brands in making these commitments clear and credible. Muntagnard: Leading the Way with SANE Certification […]

Shoe Zone Credits: Image: Shoe Zone, Facebook Shoe Zone has announced that adjusted profit before tax for the financial year is now expected to be around 5 million pounds, down from previous expectations of 10 million pounds. In light of the above, the company is not proposing to pay a final dividend for the financial year ended September 28, 2024. For the first two months of its financial year and the first half of December, Shoe Zone experienced very challenging trading conditions. The […]

Jens Döring, CFO and Claire Midwood, SVP of product, marketing & retail Credits: Jack Wolfskin Jack Wolfskin has announced the appointments of new leaders to help advance the brand’s next phase of growth. The company said in a statement that Jens Döring from the Adidas brand will start as the new CFO for Jack Wolfskin on January 1, 2025, replacing André Grube who after four years with the company is stepping down from his role as general manager and CFO. Jack Wolfskin appoints Jens […]

Stephen Fanning Credits: Beauty Health Company, Business Wire The Beauty Health Company, home to flagship brand Hydrafacial, has announced the appointment of medical aesthetics veteran, Stephen J. Fanning, to its board of directors, effective as of December 12, 2024. Fanning, the company said in a release, brings decades of global medical aesthetics experience, including serving as Hydrafacial’s chairman of the board from 2016 to 2020, prior to the company’s initial public offering. […]

Bottega Veneta SS25 Ready to Wear Credits: ©Launchmetrics/spotlight The recent creative director appointments at some of the world's most prestigious fashion houses signals a profound shift from an era long dominated by marketing mavens and corporate strategists. Matthieu Blazy at Chanel, Louise Trotter at Bottega Veneta, and Sarah Burton at Givenchy, alongside Clare Waight Keller at Uniqlo, Pieter Mulier at Alaïa and Jonathan Anderson at Loewe, represent a collective reassertion of design […]

Alibaba Group Corporate Campus ad Hangzhou, Cina Credits: Alibaba Group China's Alibaba said Tuesday that it had agreed to sell department store chain Intime at a $1.3 billion loss, as the tech giant trims down its operations with competition intensifying in the country's cutthroat e-commerce market. Alibaba said in a statement to the Hong Kong Stock Exchange that Intime would be sold to "a consortium of purchasers comprising Youngor Group and members of Intime's management team". The filing […]

Vintage fashion Credits: Pexels British consumers are increasingly gravitating towards brands and products that blend heritage, storytelling, and social consciousness, according to comprehensive data from livestream shopping platform Whatnot. The most striking trend is the surge in demand for vintage and inclusive fashion. Searches for vintage-inspired looks rocketed by 3,100 percent, while plus-size fashion interest exploded by an 7,350 percent, signalling a profound transformation in […]

Mango store Nice (retail concept New Med) Credits: Mango The sudden passing of Isak Andic, founder and non-executive chairman of Mango, presents the greatest and most profound challenge the Spanish fashion multinational has faced since Andic himself, along with his brother Nahman Andic, founded the company in 1984. This challenge arrives fraught with uncertainty, as it remains unclear not only who will succeed him as chairman of the company and its board of directors, but also who will guide […]

Jonathan Anderson at the Loewe SS25 show Credits: ©Launchmetrics/spotlight The provisional schedules of London Fashion Week, Paris and Milan Fashion Week Men’s have officially been released, and while the industry exclaims over noteworthy debuts and fervently awaited returns, one name missing from all of the schedules has reignited suspicions as to what may be on the horizon. At the centre of the ever-evolving game of creative director musical chairs, Jonathan Anderson’s name has been […]

Cambridge Satchel x Wicked collection Credits: Cambridge Satchel French group Chargeurs, which acquired Cambridge Satchel in 2022, is looking to scale operations for the British accessories brand internationally as it looks to triple the brand’s revenue within the next two years. In a statement, Chargeurs describes Cambridge Satchel as “a brand on the rise,” after achieving successful growth since it took over the brand following a repositioning of the leather accessories brand within […]

Boss x Perfect Moment. Credits: Boss Skiwear brand Perfect Moment is continuing on its retail expansion, this time with the opening of its first seasonal store in Europe. The new location is within the Alps ski resort, Kitzbühel, in Tirol, Austria, where special in-store events will aptly tie into the surroundings. The store itself will house select items from the company’s autumn/winter 2024 collection, with the intention of expressing the fusion of Perfect Moment’s “future-thinking […]

Urban Outfitters Store Credits: Pexels A new report has accused a number of UK retailers of hiring young “freelance” employees via hiring apps that leave them without basic employment rights. According to The Observer, Urban Outfitters, Gymshark and Uniqlo are understood to be among those carrying out such practices as they fill out staff in preparation for the festive season. Such processes have been observed by Tim Sharp, senior policy for employment rights at Trades Union Congress […]

Swarovski Regent Street store Credits: Swarovski Austrian-based crystal company Swarovski has opened its ninth store in London, returning to Regent Street with a new ‘Wonderlux’ boutique. Located at 122 Regent Street, the new 1,500-square-foot boutique spans three floors and showcases what the brand describes as its “most luxurious rendition” of its ‘WonderLux’ retail concept in an elegant blue to complement the beauty of crystal. Designed by Swarovski creative director Giovanna […]

Shein pop-up. Credits: Shein Chinese fast fashion giant Shein is believed to be mulling a request to UK regulators to waive listing rules requiring at least 10 percent of its shares be sold to the public ahead of its London IPO. This is according to Reuters, which cited two sources with knowledge of the matter, one of whom said Shein was exploring this option to facilitate its IPO. The media outlet said that, if granted, it would likely be the first time a company in London was allowed to […]

In Pictures Head Golf Collection summer 2025 campaign Credits: Head Sportswear and equipment brand Head, known as a leader in tennis, is stepping onto the golf course with its first golf apparel collection for men and women. The line has been designed by Ka Ho Kam, creative director at Head, to meet the needs of the “modern golfer” with a fusion of style, performance and sustainability, offering various capsule collections “to suit every style and support performance, from the […]

Boss store Credits: Hugo Boss Hugo Boss has announced that Stephan Sturm, 61, will take over as chairman of the company’s supervisory board following the next annual shareholders' meeting. The company’s nomination committee has proposed him as successor to Hermann Waldemer. In addition, the company said Andreas Kurali, 59 and Michael Murray, 35, will run for election to the supervisory board, as Gaetano Marzotto and Robin Stalker plan to step down alongside Hermann Waldemer. Commenting on […]

Liverpool One ariel view. Credits: Grosvenor Real estate firm Landsec has announced the acquisition of a 92 percent stake in UK shopping centre Liverpool One, for an overall consideration of 490 million pounds. The stake was snapped up from a wholly owned subsidiary of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA), which previously held a 69 percent stake, and property group Grosvenor, which owned 23 percent. A payment of 35 million pounds to ADIA has been deferred for two years as part of […]

Sephora store Credits: Sephora Beauty Sephora North America has selected eight BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour) brands for its 2025 Accelerate programme, which is designed to nurture and propel emerging beauty brands. The 2025 edition marks a decade of Sephora championing emerging talent and continues to be a vital launchpad for BIPOC-founded and -owned businesses, with this year’s cohort spanning the haircare, make-up, skincare, and fragrance categories. Each of the selected […]