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.
DSW unveils repositioning, with refreshed brand platform and store format
Designer Shoe Warehouse (DSW) has unveiled a widespread rebrand of its business as it looks to reposition itself in a post-pandemic world. Following the new tagline, ‘Let Us Surprise You’, the refresh reflects what the US retailer says is a “significant evolution”, shown in the reimagining of both its in-store and digital experiences. The...
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Diotima’s Rachel Scott named creative director of Proenza Schouler
Rachel Scott, founder and designer behind Diotima, has been named the new creative director of New York luxury brand Proenza Schouler. The label made the announcement in a press release, where it said it was entering a new chapter with the Jamaican-American designer at the helm. To the brand, Scott is expected to bring a “global design...
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Three giants, three strategies: Evolving retail strategies among the UK’s top players
While many may have spent the summer relaxing, the UK’s leading fashion groups used the period to evolve their strategies, focusing on efficiency, growth and digital transformation. Here is an intricate look at how Frasers Group, Next and Debenhams Group spent the holidays. Frasers Group: Elevation and efficiency Frasers Group, the parent...
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Debenhams places 1,200 jobs at risk in proposed closure of Burnley warehouse
Debenhams Group – formerly Boohoo Group – is potentially putting 1,200 jobs at risk as it proposes plans to close its distribution site in Burnley, Lancashire, move forward. The fast fashion group said it intends to “gradually transfer” its online distributions centre operations to Sheffield, according to Business Live. This would follow the...
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Patrick McDowell unveils new brand identity ahead of London show
Patrick McDowell has unveiled a new brand identity designed to reflect the evolution of the London-based designer’s namesake brand, positioning it “for continued growth and creative exploration”. The refreshed wordmark was developed in collaboration with creative consultancy Duncan Fenech, which drew inspiration from the last Queen of France,...
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Astrid & Miyu opens first Northern Ireland store
Jewellery brand Astrid & Miyu is venturing into the Northern Ireland market, where it has opened its first regional store. The London-based label has selected Belfast’s Victoria Square for the 1,800 square foot site, which houses a range of beauty pieces and an on-hand styling team. In a statement, founder of Astrid & Miyu, Connie Nam, said that...
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JD Sports brand marketing director to exit
The brand marketing director for JD Sports has announced his exit from the sportswear retailer. Christ Waters, who had been responsible for the UK and European markets, revealed on LinkedIn that he would be joining German Doner Kebab as chief marketing officer from September 1. Waters has been with JD Sports for three years, first stepping in as...
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Oxford Street to trial pedestrianisation in one-day event
London’s iconic shopping destination Oxford Street is set to embark on a one-day pedestrianisation trial as a proposal to make the area permanently car-free moves forward. On September 21, from 12pm to 8pm, the space between Orchard Street and Oxford Street will be closed off to cars for a free event. Themed areas will take over the site,...
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Crocs appoints former Nike veteran as CFO
Crocs has named Patraic Reagan as its new executive vice president and chief financial officer. Reagan’s appointment comes as monetary pressures heighten for the footwear giant, which swung to a loss of 428 million dollars in the second quarter of the year. Scheduled to step into the position from September 22, Reagan will succeed Susan Healy,...
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Janet Mandell expands luxury rental model with consignment service and AI try-on
In a rental market dominated by convenience and price, Janet Mandell has carved out a niche: a couture-level service paired with a circular fashion ethos. From her showrooms in New York, Los Angeles and Chicago, Mandell has built a business that not only provides access to over 6,000 designer pieces, but also strives to care for clients as...
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