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.
The rise of British farm-to-fashion: 3 Companies spearheading the return to local production
In a fashion landscape defined by increasingly complex supply chains and globalised tensions, the UK’s ‘farm to fashion’ movement has emerged as a stabilising presence. Such setups are not exactly new in the way of localisation, yet the format is being revived and modernised alongside a cross-industry call for a return to “Britishness”. Many of...
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The story behind World Collective and its DPP-Ready Textile Library
“Our goal is to create an ecosystem, not simply a fabric marketplace,” Jeanine Ballone, co-founder and CEO of World Collective explains when asked what her mission is. Ballone launched the digital sourcing platform in 2022 after years of working across what she described as a fragmented and relatively outdated global supply chain. To address...
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British designer Nigel Cabourn passes away at 77
Nigel Cabourn, the legendary British designer known for his transformative menswear, has passed away at the age of 77 after battling cancer. The news was confirmed via the late designer's official Instagram, where a statement read: “It is with the deepest sadness that we announce the passing of Nigel Cabourn. He lived a remarkable life, inspired...
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Original Blues appoints liquidators after 41 years in business
British clothing brand Original Blues is joining the slew of retailers shutting up shop after appointing liquidators to oversee its winding down process. According to a filing with The Gazette, Umang Patel of Neum Insolvency was named the company’s liquidator. The official voluntary process will involve the sale of assets to pay creditors before...
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Elliott Advisors reportedly joins race for The Very Group
US investment firm Elliott Advisors is believed to have emerged as a potential bidder for The Very Group as it reportedly mulls a deal that could value the UK retailer at two billion pounds. This is according to Sky News, which had also reported in May that Chinese e-commerce giant JD.com was another interested party, eyeing the group as part of...
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Labrum wins BFC/GQ Designer Fashion Fund 2026
Labrum has been named the winner of this year’s BFC/GQ Designer Fashion Fund. The brand’s founder, Foday Dumbuya, will be the recipient of a 100,000 pound grant prize, a year-long mentorship, pro-bono legal services, and access to specialist advisors. Launched in 2014, Labrum is known for sharing the untold stories of the diaspora merging...
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80 retail execs back call for government to tackle youth unemployment
Executives from leading UK retailers have called on the government to address policies believed to be making it harder to hire young people. Over 80 business leaders have signed a letter co-ordinated by the British Retail Consortium (BRC) warning that taxes and red tape are pushing up the cost of entry-level jobs. Chief executive officers from...
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Macy's, Dick's, Target, Walmart: How major US retailers are leveraging the FIFA World Cup 2026
With the opening whistle of the FIFA World Cup 2026 blowing today, a month-long celebration of football–or soccer–begins across the host nations of the US, Canada, and Mexico. The event is expected to contribute 30.5 billion dollars to the US gross economic output alone, according to Goaleconomy, with retail and real estate positioned as sectors...
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VF Corp expands Swiss HQ strengthening European operations
VF Corporation has announced the inauguration of a new addition to its EMEA headquarters in Stabio, Switzerland. The 2,500 square metre space includes offices, flexible coworking areas, a multifunctional auditorium and spaces dedicated to wellbeing and sport. The site is “designed to bring people together and support how we work, connect, and...
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Sports Direct partners with Zapp for on-demand World Cup merchandise delivery
British sportswear giant Sports Direct has partnered with delivery platform Zapp to offer FIFA World Cup 2026 merchandise to customers across London, with the goal of making products available within 20 minutes. The collaboration will run throughout the tournament and gives football fans access to official merchandise, including shirts and...
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