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.
NYFW: All the debuts and returnees for the AW26 season
The Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) has unveiled the preliminary schedule for New York Fashion Week AW26, due to run February 11 to February 16. The week is marked by notable debuts and returning brands, which sit alongside the more than 60 runway shows and designer presentations on the roster. Rachel Scott for Proenza Schouler...
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Woolrich under new ownership: BasicNet's vision for the heritage brand
When Turin-based BasicNet acquired Woolrich late last year, the deal reflected the strengthening of a portfolio already rife in cultural heritage. The US brand’s fervour for authenticity and outdoor tradition aligned fittingly with BasicNet’s already extensive roster of brands, spanning Kappa and K-Way to Superga and Sebago. Now, at the ongoing...
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Saks files for bankruptcy protection, Geoffroy van Raemdonck appointed CEO
Saks Global has officially succumbed to bankruptcy. The US luxury retail group has commenced voluntary chapter 11 proceedings in the US Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas. The company, which owns Saks Fifth Avenue, Saks Off 5th, Bergdorf Goodman and Neiman Marcus, has said its stores will remain open for now. The filing intends...
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VSP Vision: Nicola Zotta named president of eyewear following Marcolin acquisition
US-headquartered VSP Vision has named Nicola Zotta president of eyewear and managing director of Marchon Eyewear and Marcolin. His appointment follows VSP Vision’s acquisition of the Marcolin Group, which finalised in December 2025. Zotto will succeed Fabrizio Curci, who has been serving as CEO and general manager of Marcolin since June 2020....
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StockX’s predictions for 2026: Nike’s comeback and sports events dominate
The resale market for collectibles and sportswear experiences robust growth in 2025, fueled by standout releases and product innovations that boosted the secondary market. Resale marketplace StockX reported that nearly 200 brands, from industry leaders to independent labels, set new all-time annual sales records on its platform. The shift...
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New event directors appointed for Spring Fair and Autumn Fair
A series of leadership appointments have been made among the portfolio of Hyve Group, as the event organiser positions its trade shows for long-term growth. Fay Tranter has been named the new event director for Spring Fair, while Matthew Mein has been tapped for the same position at Glee and Autumn Fair. Tranter, who took up her role on December...
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Supreme Court denies to hear Vetements trademark dispute over name
Vetements will not be bringing the trademark dispute over its name to the US Supreme Court. Justices have declined to hear the luxury label’s petition to reconsider a low court’s decision to block trademark applications on the grounds of using “foreign equivalents”. This is just the latest setback in Vetements’ now long-running attempt to...
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Harvey Nichols to upgrade loyalty programme as part of transformation efforts
British department store Harvey Nichols has said it will be upgrading its loyalty programme as part of wider transformation efforts. In a statement to FashionUnited, the company said it was enacting the shift to “align with our new creative direction and the way our customers engage with us”. Among the changes, the programme will undertake a...
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URBN welcomes record festive sales
Urban Outfitters (URBN) announced record sales over the festive period, as both digital channels and retail stores recorded mid single-digit positive growth. For the two months ended December 31, 2025, net sales for the group rose 9 percent compared to the same period the year prior, with net sales for retail up 7 percent. Comparable retail...
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Luxury squeeze, personal uniforms, and American heritage: Insights from Lyst's VP of brand
The Lyst Index has become a key indicator in determining both the success and decline among top fashion players. Despite the market’s generally dynamic nature, recent Lyst findings have pointed to a degree of stability in the industry, with certain brands consistently maintaining top positions over extended periods. Concurrently, heritage labels...
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