Articles by Rachel Douglass
Rachel has been with FashionUnited since mid-2021. Descending from the UK, she moved to the Netherlands in 2014 to attend Amsterdam Fashion Institute, where she studied a BA in International Fashion and Branding with a specialisation in Journalism.
At FashionUnited, Rachel covers daily news, from store openings to acquisitions, alongside which she focuses on research-based stories, interviews and on-the-ground event reporting. Her topics of interest include digital fashion, independent retail and current trends.
SBA introduces 'Made in America Loan Guarantee' for industrial growth
The US Small Business Administration (SBA) has announced expanded support for small manufacturers through its International Trade Loan (ITL) programme, offering loans with a 90 percent federal guarantee. The initiative, dubbed the ‘Made in America Loan Guarantee’, is designed to help small manufacturers grow facilities, hire workers, and...
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AAFA files legal complaint over California textile recycling scheme rollout
The American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA) has filed a legal complaint challenging the implementation of California’s Responsible Textile Recovery Act of 2024, marking a significant development in the rollout of the US’s first extended producer responsibility (EPR) scheme for textiles. The complaint targets regulator CalRecycle, arguing...
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Labour Behind the Label highlights scale of UK worker exploitation, calls for stronger enforcement
Labour Behind the Label has warned that widespread labour exploitation persists across the UK’s fashion supply chains, despite planned reforms aimed at improving worker protections. In a new briefing, the organisation outlines the scale of non-compliance in the UK labour market, particularly in fast fashion production. Citing research from...
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Walmart among US retailers backing Unspun’s domestic automated production hubs
A number of US retailers, including Walmart and REI, have signed letters of support for Unspun’s plan to build automated apparel manufacturing hubs in the US using AI-enabled 3D weaving technology. The initiative aims to bring production closer to consumers at a commercial scale, supported by supply chain partners such as Bethel Industries,...
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US court allows deceptive pricing claims against Hollister to proceed
A US district court has denied attempts by Abercrombie & Fitch, operating as Hollister, to compel arbitration in a consumer lawsuit alleging deceptive pricing practices, allowing the case to move forward as a potential class action. The lawsuit, filed with the US District Court of the Southern District of California, centres on claims that...
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Textile Exchange on its shift to an action-based membership model to drive accountability
As the gap between sustainability goals and industry reality grows, Textile Exchange is shifting from a focus on guidance to one of shared accountability. In an interview with FashionUnited, Sarah Needham, chief engagement and partnerships officer, and Beth Jensen, chief impact officer, discuss the organisation's new action-oriented membership...
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Vancouver Fashion Week gears up for internationally-charged edition
The autumn/winter 2026 edition of Vancouver Fashion Week (VFW) is almost here, and with it comes an internationally-fronted schedule bolstered by homegrown talent. Spanning April 8 to 12, VFW is bringing together more than 40 designers from over 10 countries to reflect its “multicultural approach” to fashion week. The decision to maintain a more...
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Inside ThredUp’s pivot: CSO Alon Rotem on redefining resale as a dual-sided platform
Resale is no longer a niche or sustainability-led initiative. It is taking measurable market share from traditional retail, with the global market projected to reach 393 billion dollars by 2030. ThredUp remains one of the sector’s leading players in the US. Here, resale grew at nearly four times a faster rate than the overall apparel market,...
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Saks Global secures 500 million dollars financing to support restructuring
US luxury retailer Saks Global has entered into a Restructuring Support Agreement with an ad hoc group of senior secured bondholders, securing a commitment for 500 million dollars in exit financing as it prepares to emerge from Chapter 11. The agreement is a key step in the company’s broader restructuring process, with Saks continuing...
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Textile Exchange publishes policies ahead of Materials Matter Standard launch
Textile Exchange has released a comprehensive set of policies providing guidance for certification holders defining the steps required as they move from the organisation's existing standards to its it new Materials Matter Standard. The Transition Policy outlines the actions organisations must take to align with the new standard. The Scope and...
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