Articles by Guest Contributor
Guest contributors write for FashionUnited on a voluntary basis to share their expertise and highlight topics that matter to fashion industry professionals.
Why fast-fashion is harming second-hand – and what we can do about it
June ended with yet another blow to Europe’s struggling post-consumer textiles sector: Texaid Germany filed for insolvency. This is a significant setback for the group and for the broader reuse and recycling ecosystem. Just as European policymakers begin to treat textile waste with the seriousness it deserves, the very infrastructure needed to...
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How to avoid a sad beige ending: Lessons drawn from the 'Sad Beige Influencer' case
How can a trailblazer influencer protect themselves from others who mimic their style to unfair commercial advantage? A short, sharp answer is to build a ‘brand’, not just an ‘aesthetic’. Vague claims and vanilla imagery don’t stand up in court. To be effectively enforced, intellectual property needs to be concrete, specific, and original –...
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Circular fashion won’t work without consumers on board
Although European consumers might be ready for a circular economy, their wallets aren’t. Recent research carried out for the EU SOLSTICE project across four European territories—Catalonia, Berlin, Prato and Grenoble—found that price and convenience are major factors in driving engagement with circular clothing offerings: as long as circular...
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Returns fraud is costing UK retailers 1.3 billion pounds a year: Here’s how to fight back in 2025
Returns fraud isn’t new. But for UK retailers in 2025, it has reached a level of urgency that can no longer be ignored. In a recent Loop survey, nearly two-thirds (64 percent) of UK-based brands said rising returns fraud was the trend having the biggest financial impact on their business. From wardrobing (wearing and returning) to serial...
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Trump's tariffs: Unexpected boom for second-hand clothing market
Around a month ago, Donald Trump turned his favourite word ‘tariffs’ into a much-feared reality. The result? Panic in the fashion world, stock market prices that are trembling, and brands that are frantically calculating price increases in Excel spreadsheets. Because one thing is certain: ‘new’ will soon be a lot more expensive. But while brands...
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Does sustainability really sell? Fashion industry leaders reveal the truth
Sustainability is a term that’s increasingly popping up in shop windows, clothing tags, headlines, and more, especially when it comes to the fashion industry. This not-so-new buzzword has spread rapidly in recent years, largely as a response to the industry’s growing environmental and social challenges. But does it really sell? Can ethical...
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Runway to rip-offs: How copyright protects your creations
Fashion weeks have come to a close. If you're a designer, stylist, or fashion lover, you're likely to be buzzing with inspiration. But at what point does taking inspiration cross the line into copying? And what can you do if someone steals your design? We’ve previously covered design rights and using your name as your brand (i.e. trade mark)....
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10 Tips for salary negotiations in the fashion industry
Negotiating a salary in a competitive and specialised sector like fashion can be a challenge. However, it can also be a turning point in your career, whether it’s to advance within a company or to take a new professional direction. Regardless of the position you are aspiring to, proper preparation will make all the difference. In this article,...
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Clutch, dress, contract: A beginner’s guide to contracts
Contracts. What are they? Why are they important? Why should you care? Historically, contracts have got a bad reputation for being time-consuming, hard to understand and costly. Those criticisms are still applicable, but they don’t have to be. Contracts are one of the ways that you can protect your business, your products and safeguard against...
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Fashion as an emotional blanket
In response to ongoing global turmoil, womenswear for Fall 2025 will offer a comforting embrace, with designs that prioritize introspection and emotional security. As consumers increasingly seek solace and protection in their wardrobes, the focus will shift toward soft, enveloping layers that serve both physical and emotional needs. This season,...
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