Articles by Diane Vanderschelden
Diane Vanderschelden is a Business Editor for FashionUnited France and UK. She covers the latest economic, financial, and regulatory news shaping the fashion industry. With a keen interest in international dynamics, she focuses on the economic, social, and cultural factors influencing different regions, particularly Asia and Europe, where she has lived for several years.
How to make it in China - a strategic guide for fashion brands
If you're looking to launch or expand a fashion business in China, this guide covers all the essentials of the Chinese fashion market. It breaks down key aspects, from consumer preferences and shopping habits to e-commerce trends and sustainability. • Chapter 1 : Chinese weather, fashion style & culture • Chapter 2: The Economy, Purchasing...
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Shein, Temu, AliExpress: End of duty-free low-cost goods from China in the US
Since May 2, 2025, the US ended a customs rule that allowed Chinese platforms like Shein, Temu and AliExpress to flood the American market with cheap products. This abrupt end to the ‘de minimis’ regime disrupted their business model and reshaped the landscape of global online commerce. Us toughens its stance on Chinese imports Since 4:01am GMT...
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Shein versus Vestiaire Collective: the ideological (and economic) battle over fast fashion
France - Two irreconcilable visions of have fashion clashed. On one side, Shein, a Chinese ultra-fast fashion giant, advocated for fashion “accessible to all”. On the other, Vestiaire Collective, a French pioneer of high-end second-hand fashion, denounced a toxic promise based on social exploitation, textile waste and the endangerment of an...
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French companies resist Paris' call
Paris - Since the publication of the AFP article on Sunday, April 21st, regarding the tensions between major French companies and the political powers — an in-depth piece outlining the positions taken by Bercy to encourage several groups to suspend their American projects — none of the main groups concerned — LVMH, Schneider Electric, CMA CGM —...
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Fashion in Provence: A craft at risk, a future to build
If French fashion is a showcase of creativity and craftsmanship, it is not immune to the contemporary fractures affecting the textile industry. Between the imperative of "Made in France," the dwindling availability of technical skills, and the isolation of industry players, the South Region (Région Sud) exemplifies the contradictions of a sector...
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France: intelligent protectionism faced with ultra fast fashion
Paris - Will protectionism become a condition for the survival of the French fashion industry? As the Trump administration relaunched its trade offensive against China in April 2025, imposing massive tariffs on imports, Europe braces for a shockwave that could hit its own market hard. Earlier this week the Fédération Française du Prêt à Porter F...
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Le Coq Sportif: A high-stakes battle to save the French icon
The future of Le Coq Sportif hangs in the balance over the coming weeks. Placed in receivership since November 2024, the historic sportswear brand, official outfitter of the French delegation for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, has attracted interest from two potential buyers. One, backed by the French government, appears best positioned to ensure...
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Richemont, a fundamental reorganisation at the top of the watchmaking industry
Richemont Group, officially known as Compagnie Financière Richemont SA, is embarking on a major transformation of its internal organisation. Under the leadership of CEO Nicolas Bos, the Specialist Watchmakers (SWM) division is being dissolved, leading to strategic reassignments within the group's watchmaking companies. Among these changes,...
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Investments, trade, and diplomacy: The EU bets on India
The European Commission made an official visit to India on February 27–28, marking a new step in strengthening diplomatic and trade relations between the two powers. This visit, which brought together more than twenty European commissioners, aimed to revive a "strategic partnership" between the EU and India, focusing on three key areas: trade,...
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EU backs projects to strengthen India's textile industry
Last week, on February 15, the European Union (EU) and the Indian Ministry of Textiles jointly launched seven new projects to strengthen India’s textile and handicrafts industry. The initiatives, funded by the EU to the tune of 9.5 million euros (approximately INR 85.5 crore), were unveiled on the sidelines of the Bharat Tex event. They aim to...
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