Articles by Diane Vanderschelden
Diane Vanderschelden is a Business Editor for FashionUnited France and UK. She covers the latest economic, financial, and regulatory news shaping the fashion industry. With a keen interest in international dynamics, she focuses on the economic, social, and cultural factors influencing different regions, particularly Asia and Europe, where she has lived for several years.
US-Africa AGOA agreement on the line: What is the future for African textiles?
The African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) has been a cornerstone of trade relations between the US and sub-Saharan Africa since its adoption in 2000. This agreement offers preferential access to the US market for nearly 7,000 products, including textiles and apparel, provided that beneficiary countries meet strict political and economic...
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EU-US agreement: a deal stabilising transatlantic trade despite differences
Despite persistent tensions, the framework agreement signed in July 2025 between the European Union and the United States marks a turning point in the perception of American companies based in Europe. According to the latest survey by the American Chamber of Commerce to the European Union (AmCham EU), published at the end of September, the sense...
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Shein seals partnership with Pimkie, sparking controversy in French fashion
Leading global fast fashion retailer Shein has entered into a strategic partnership with French womenswear brand Pimkie. Founded in 1971, the label will be sold internationally through Shein's marketplace. This cooperation also marks the launch of Shein Xcelerator in France. This is a programme designed to support emerging and established brands...
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François-Henri Pinault: Heir, strategist and his shadows
“Being an heir isn’t about managing an inheritance; it’s about knowing how to transform it.” This statement, attributed to François-Henri Pinault, summarises his career path. It is the path of a son who not only continued his father’s work but also transformed it to the point of changing its fundamental nature. Where François Pinault built a...
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South Korea's Handsome accelerates expansion in France, plots UK growth
South Korean group Handsome, a subsidiary of Hyundai Department Store Group, is considering continued expansion in Europe, with discussions underway for regular entry into several major French department stores and wholesale contracts with global distributors, including Harrods in the UK. A Handsome official stated: "Paris serves as a...
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LVMH's Loro Piana: After the scandal, what are the consequences for the sector and investors?
LVMH Group once again found itself in turmoil when its Italian subsidiary Loro Piana, a house renowned for its cashmere and understated luxury, was placed under court supervision by the Milan Court last month. This exceptional decision highlights the excesses of an outsourcing system too often out of control, already singled out in other similar...
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Salvatore Ferragamo stock: is it undervalued?
Salvatore Ferragamo (SFER.MI) stock is attracting growing interest in the financial markets, despite recent lacklustre financial performance. This dynamic raises questions about the reasons for this sustained attention and the company's current valuation. Attractive valuation, fragile fundamentals As of August 19, 2025, Salvatore Ferragamo stock...
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French textile industry faces challenges and opportunities in 2025
Between the law against ultra fast fashion, the (relative) drop in mergers and acquisitions, and persistent deindustrialisation, the first six months of 2025 have been somewhat turbulent and tinged with warning signs for the French textile industry. Adopted in early June, the new French law against ultra fast fashion marks a "historic turning...
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Experiential luxury vs. material purchase: New balance of brand strategies
The phenomenon is observed across the globe. Affected by the economic situation, consumers are turning away from material acquisition in favour of, at times, experience. Initiatives like 'The Louis' by Louis Vuitton in Shanghai raise the question of the effectiveness of this immersive shift. Is it a long-term brand-building exercise, or can we...
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Five years after Covid: 6 Trends still redefining consumer behaviour
Five years on from the start of the pandemic, The Anchor, backed by the Placer.ai platform, has published a comprehensive report on post-Covid consumer habits. Using footfall data from physical locations in the first half of 2025, compared to 2019 and 2024, the study identifies six profound and lasting dynamics. These include retail,...
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