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.
Umbro owner Iconix loses appeal in trademark case against Dream Pairs
Iconix, the parent company of sportswear brand Umbro, has lost an appeal in a legal dispute over trademarks against footwear manufacturer Dream Pairs. The UK Supreme Court has allowed the appeal filed by Dream Pairs, which had challenged an initial ruling over logo design. The case comes in regards to two registered trademarks held by Iconix for...
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Former Yoox MD appointed brand president at VF’s Naparijri
Valentina Visconti Prasca, the former managing director of Yoox worldwide, has been named brand president of Napapijri, an Italian brand under the umbrella of fashion conglomerate VF Corp. Prasca’s appointment was confirmed by the company to WWD, to which the new Napaprijri head said: “Becoming part of a group with a powerful portfolio of ionic...
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J.Jill names Courtney O’Connor as chief merchandising officer
US brand J.Jill has appointed Courtney O’Connor as senior vice president, chief merchandising officer. O’Connor, who will step into the role from June 30, will succeed Shelley Liebsch, who is exiting the company “to pursue other opportunities”. O’Connor joins the lifestyle label from Club Monaco, where she most recently served in the same title...
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Gap, Houdini and Target partner with Syre on commercial launch of circular polyester
Textile-to-textile recycling firm Syre has established a strategic partnership with Gap Inc., Houdini Sportswear and Target ahead of the commercial launch of its circular polyester product. All of the companies have agreed, within their own capabilities, to utilise the company’s polyester, furthering both Syre’s mission of reaching a broader...
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Mothercare secures licensing agreement with Ebebek in Turkey
Mothercare is set to expand in Turkey, where it has struck up a new licensing deal with local retail giant Ebebek Mağazacılık A.Ş. With this, Ebebek has been granted the exclusive right to use the Mothercare brand in the region for products designed and sourced by either itself or Mothercare. The 10-year deal gives Mothercare the additional...
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Dior offers first look at Jonathan Anderson’s debut collection with Mbappé campaign
Jonathan Anderson’s first collection for the house of Dior is one of the most highly anticipated debuts of the coming fashion season. To give fans a glimpse of what to expect, the French luxury label has tapped footballer Kylian Mbappé for a teaser campaign, hinting at a men's collection rife with tailoring. Anderson, who is set to unveil his...
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Rental platform CaaStle files for bankruptcy amid fraud controversy
CaaStle Inc. has descended into bankruptcy, a new court filing has revealed, months after its former chief executive officer, Christine Hunsicker, was accused of fraud. The rental platform has filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in the District of Delaware, and is further preparing to liquidate its business. The petition, filed as case number...
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Disney taps Nike exec as SVP, global marketing of consumer products
Nike’s global vice president and general manager of its Virtual Studios and ‘.Swoosh’ brand, Ron Faris, has exited the sportswear giant after nine years. He has been tapped by Walt Disney Studios to lead the global marketing of its consumer products division. In his new role, senior vice president of global marketing for Disney Consumer...
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Amazon to invest 40 billion pounds in UK, four new fulfilment centres planned
Marketplace giant Amazon has unveiled plans for a 40 billion pound investment in the UK market where, over the next three years, it is looking to establish four new fulfilment centres and two new London offices. The company, which already employs over 75,000 people in the UK, said the plans will only expand on this number, creating “thousands of...
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JD Sports opens first Canadian flagship store
JD Sports is venturing further into Canada with the opening of its first flagship store in the region. The British sportswear giant has selected Vancouver’s Robson Street for the launch, which continues to build on its ongoing North American growth strategy. JD already operates 33 stores across Canada, yet it has aspirations to grow this number...
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