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.
H&M faces renewed pressure over mohair use following PETA investigation
Swedish retail giant H&M is facing a renewed call to ban mohair following a new investigation into Responsible Mohair Standard (RMS) farms that claims to have found evidence of animal cruelty. The People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) has submitted a shareholder resolution to H&M requesting the retailer to reinstate a policy to ban...
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Perfect Corp receives take-private proposal from CEO
AI and AR fashion tech company Perfect Corp has confirmed the receipt of a non-binding proposal to take the company private. The bid, valued at 1.95 dollars in cash per ordinary share, was made by the firm’s founder, chief executive officer and chairwoman, Alice Chang, and her controlled entities, or consortium members. Together, the group...
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Jeanologia launches AI-powered laser design tool for denim
Denim specialist Jeanologia has launched a new laser tool powered by artificial intelligence (AI) created to extract precise denim designs directly from a picture. Dubbed ‘Billy AI’, the tool intends to address the long process of translating a vintage denim garment into a laser design ready for production, reducing the time span to just...
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Seaweed-based dye startup secures funding to back commercialisation
SeaDyes, a startup developing seaweed-based fabric dyes, has secured 200,000 pounds in funding as it eyes further investment opportunities and the commercialisation of its product. The company was founded in July 2023 by biotech innovator Jessica Giannotti, before joining The James Hutton Institute, Scotland’s scientific research institute for...
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Harrods partners with charity retailer Traid on circular initiatives
Department store chain Harrods has partnered with charity retailer Traid on an initiative designed to reduce textile waste. The duo have come together on an initiative to repurpose surplus clothing and materials into “meaningful resources”, putting to use Traid’s expertise in clothing collection, sorting and reuse. As part of the partnership,...
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Lands’ End revives chief marketing officer role after a decade
US retailer Lands’ End has named Sarah Sylvester as its new chief marketing officer, reviving the role after nearly a decade. Sylvester will take up the position immediately, reflecting the brand’s renewed commitment to long-term growth and modern marketing as it continues to evolve. To the role, Sylvester brings over 20 years of marketing and...
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Global fashion organisations call for Saks Global to support emerging talent
A coalition of leading fashion bodies is calling for safeguards to protect emerging designers amid Saks Global’s ongoing restructuring. In a joint letter obtained by WWD, the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA), British Fashion Council (BFC), Camera Nazionale della Moda Italiana (CNMI) and Fédération de la Haute Couture et de la Mode...
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Asos launches modest wear label Iyal
E-commerce giant Asos is expanding its presence in modest wear with the launch of the dedicated label, Iyal. The brand is debuting with a collection of 64 styles spanning occasion wear, tailoring and everyday pieces. This includes ruffled or caped dresses, coordinated sets, skirt suits, and matching hijabs in both plain and statement prints. A...
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New Balance named official footwear and apparel partner of New England Patriots
New Balance has been named as the official and exclusive athletic footwear and apparel partner of the American football team, New England Patriots, as well as its associated playing field, Gillette Stadium. The long-term agreement is said to reflect a commitment to the team, with the sponsorship to take shape through performance, facility and...
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Saks Global secures final 300 million dollars of committed capital
Amid its ongoing bankruptcy proceedings, Saks Global has secured access to 300 million dollars, the final tranche of its 1.75 billion dollars in committed capital. The US retail giant unlocked the final part of the funding after receiving approval for its five-year business plan from senior secured creditors, as well as achieving other key...
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