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.
Why ‘grandma hobbies’ are on the rise among young consumers
The next generation of fashion consumers seem to be showing a growing interest in the time behind a product. A sweater no longer solely exists as a garment. For some young consumers, it can also represent a skill learned, a material chosen and hours spent making something personal by hand. That shift is helping traditional crafts such as...
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Ponda secures 2.35 million pounds to scale wetland-grown BioPuff insulation
UK biomaterials company Ponda has secured a 2.35 million pound grant to lead a major wetland farming project aimed at scaling production of its BioPuff plant-based insulation for fashion and outdoor products. Backed by the UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), the 30-month project will establish a 30-hectare site for...
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Australian Fashion Council explores first local clothing smart factory
The Australian Fashion Council (AFC) has commissioned a feasibility study into establishing a clothing smart factory in New South Wales, with the longer-term aim of creating a scalable model for local garment manufacturing. The proposed facility would give Australian fashion brands access to small-scale, on-demand production and product...
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What the UK’s proposed under-16 social media ban could mean for fashion businesses
Earlier this year, the UK government revealed plans to prevent social media platforms from being accessible to people under 16. While the announcement sparked heightened debate, drawing both opposition and support, it aligns the UK with other countries considering similar restrictions on user-to-user platforms, including Australia, which...
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Knitwear brand The Knotty Ones goes up for sale amid challenging market conditions
Premium knitwear brand The Knotty Ones has launched a sale of the business after a decline in consumer spending and challenges accessing investment capital impacted performance. The Lithuanian label has appointed Hilco to oversee the sale of the business and assets. The firm stated it could either operate as a standalone company or as a bolt-on...
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Activewear Group enters administration after 12 years in business
UK clothing and activewear retailer Activewear Group has entered administration, according to a filing published in The Gazette. Stuart Kelly and Claire Harsley of Mackay Goodwin were appointed joint administrators on July 8. The company, which was established in 2014, specialises in affordable activewear, workwear and uniforms, alongside...
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A Fabric Affair NY sees record attendance from beyond New York
The latest edition of A Fabric Affair NY has recorded its strongest international reach to date, with more than 700 registrations and 65 exhibitors taking part in the two-day event on 15 and 16 July. Held in Manhattan, the fair brought together textile companies from Italy, the UK, France and Germany, with the number of British exhibitors...
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Australia to reform modern slavery regulations
The Australian government has proposed plans to reform its Modern Slavery Act with the goal of strengthening preventive efforts against exploitation in the domestic supply chain. If implemented, companies turning in an annual revenue of over 100 million Australian dollars would be required to identify, prevent, and address risks of modern...
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Anta CEO exits amid turnaround plan
Xu Yang, the chief executive officer of Anta, has stepped down from the helm of the Chinese sportswear label for family reasons. The company confirmed the news to Chinese media outlet 36kr, which reported that Yang’s resignation was approved by Anta and a new role will be arranged for him in due course. Executive director and co-CEO of parent...
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Burberry shareholders approve new CEO pay policy despite investor opposition
Shareholders of Burberry have backed a new executive pay policy that could see the luxury brand’s chief executive Joshua Schulman receive total remuneration of up to 12.24 million pounds, despite opposition at the company’s annual general meeting. According to a new AGM filing, 64.6 percent of votes supported the directors’ remuneration policy,...
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