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.
Next said to be among suitors for Russell & Bromley takeover
British retailer Next is reportedly among a string of suitors eyeing an acquisition of Russell & Bromley. The family-owned footwear business announced in October that it was seeking external financing as part of the next phase of its ReBoot turnaround plan. Next is said to be among the interested parties, according to sources for Sky News, with...
BusinessMemberloading...
Frasers Group reportedly eyeing SilkFred takeover
Frasers Group is said to be mulling a takeover of troubled e-tailer SilkFred. According to sources for Drapers, the British retail giant is one of three parties considering a takeover. SilkFred appointed administrators from Quantuma in November after becoming “another victim of tough trading conditions”, the firm’s managing director, Andrew...
BusinessMemberloading...
Fursac creative director exits after five years
Gauthier Borsarello has announced his departure from SMCP-owned Fursac, where he has been at the creative helm for five years. The designer revealed his departure on Instagram, where he said: “It has been a meaningful chapter, both creatively and professionally.” In the post, Borsarello added that time at Fursac was defined largely by the launch...
Peopleloading...
Berta de Pablos-Barbier to step up as Pandora CEO earlier than planned
Pandora’s incoming chief executive officer is due to take up the helm earlier than planned. Berta de Pablos-Barbier, the company’s current chief marketing officer, will now be stepping into her new role on January 1, 2026, ahead of her initial March start date. Pandora said the faster handover is due to a “seamless” transition with current CEO...
Peopleloading...
Toms' next chapter: CEO Jessica Alsing discusses brand resurgence and global market expansion
Earlier this year, Toms found its new chief executive in Jessica Alsing, the first woman to helm the global footwear brand. Her appointment marked the beginning of a new phase defined by growth, innovation and a renewed take on philanthropic giving, the latter a core pillar in the brand’s legacy. Upon her appointment, Alsing underlined a focus...
Business|CEO Interview FeaturedMemberloading...
Pacsun launches vintage platform in collaboration with Springy
Pacsun is venturing into vintage. The US retailer has partnered with secondhand platform Springy to launch a curated resale store, catering to the rising demand for pre-loved fashion among Gen Z. ‘PS Vintage Powered by Springy’ offers thousands of pieces for men and women, including a mix of graphic t-shirts, hoodies, denim and jackets. Each...
Fashion loading...
Former Levi’s Americas president ups stake in Dr. Martens
Robert Hanson, the former president of Levi’s Americas, has increased his shareholding in Dr. Martens just days after initially snapping up a stake in the British footwear company. According to a London Stock Exchange filing, Hanson, who joined the board as an independent non-executive director in March, has secured another 104,000 shares in Dr....
Peopleloading...
Save The Duck plots 30 store openings over next five years
Italian outerwear label Save The Duck is preparing to rollout 30 stores over the next three to five years, alongside additional locations in Japan. The plans were confirmed to FashionUnited by the luxury brand’s chief executive officer, Nicolas Bargi, who said the retail expansion intends to support wider growth, particularly among Save The Duck...
Retailloading...
Destination XL merges with FullBeauty as quarterly losses widen
Destination XL Group (DXL) has announced its intention to merge with FBB Holdings I, Inc. (FullBeauty) to create a “scaled, category-defining retailer for inclusive apparel”. The news comes as the commerce retailer of Big + Tall men’s clothing reported widening losses in the third quarter, with consumers said to be shopping less frequently. DXL...
BusinessFeaturedMemberloading...
US Supreme Court urged to reject Vetements trademark appeal
A representative for the US government has urged the Supreme Court to decline Vetements’ attempt to register its name as a trademark in the region. In a newly filed petition, solicitor general John Sauer has backed an initial decision by the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) in 2021 to deny the registration due to the generic nature of the...
BusinessMemberloading...