Articles by Simone Preuss
Simone Preuss is a freelance journalist specialising in apparel production, sustainability and social responsibility. She has been working with FashionUnited since 2012, gaining valuable insights into an ever-changing industry.
How the recent Strait of Hormuz attacks affect the apparel sector
Since the beginning of the month, at least 21 attacks on vessels in the Strait of Hormuz region have been logged according to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) Centre. The dramatic surge in military activity and drone strikes targeting commercial cargo vessels in the Strait of Hormuz is in response to US obstructions of...
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How compliance ready is the fashion industry?
Strict global regulations and enforcement actions have moved from a future concern to an immediate business reality. How large are the gaps between regulatory expectations and the fashion industry's current operational readiness? Supply chain solutions provider TrusTrace surveyed 57 insiders of fashion, apparel and footwear brands from 24...
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Shein’s new cooperative logistics service in Spain means headwinds for the European market
At the beginning of August, FashionUnited speculated what kind of consequences the European Union’s abolishment of the duty-free exemption for low-value packages may have. The replacement with a transitional flat-rate customs handling fee per tariff classification line resulted in parcel volumes dropping overnight while bulk inventory movement...
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Better Cotton Initiative is now regenerative standard system
As announced at the 2025 Better Cotton Conference in Izmir, Turkey, the Better Cotton Initiative (BCI) is now officially operating as a regenerative standard system. This means reinforced farmer support through stronger requirements, targeted capacity strengthening and improved impact measurement. For retailers, brands and suppliers, it provides...
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Who made my cotton? Making the invisible visible
Making a pair of jeans is no small feat; in fact, it requires many steps. Not all of them are easily traceable or even visible. While the mills producing the fabric and the washing and dyeing businesses are on the radar — and the factories sewing the garments too, due to recent efforts — following the cotton is harder. Denim industry insiders...
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Connections and contradictions at CHIC Shanghai's autumn edition 2026
Despite internationalisation efforts, Chinese was the dominant language heard at the China International Fashion Fair (CHIC) Autumn edition, held from 25 to 27 August in Shanghai. In fact, non-Chinese visitors at this more compact and domestically oriented edition of the fair are quite rare so that there were no provisions for translation...
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“Fewer adjectives, more evidence”: Hohenstein Americas MD on the future of clothing tags
Do terms like “performance,” “breathable,” “durable” and others on clothing tags actually mean anything? And how can consumers know from the label itself which claims are fake and which ones are based on scientifically proven facts? FashionUnited spoke with Ben Mead, managing director at Hohenstein Americas about ‘safe’ claims for brands, red...
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The high cost of the perfect look: rethinking hazardous chemicals in denim finishing
Denim finishing illustrates the severe structural friction within the textile industry, where high-speed fast-fashion cycles and evolving design demands clash with resource-heavy manufacturing, complex chemistry, and fragmented supply chains. Unlike standard apparel, denim relies on post-construction finishing—such as washing, bleaching, and...
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DPP readiness: The designer's pivotal role
Much has been written about the digital product passport (DPP), the digital twin which needs to be linked to the physical product from mid 2029 onward. At least for anyone wanting to place textile products on the European market. However, information about the DPP usually focuses on data compliance and technical preparations. But the fact is...
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Sourcing at the gateway to South America: Colombia’s textile nearshoring advantage
Colombia’s textile and garment sector is a critical pillar of its industrial economy. Combining over a century of manufacturing heritage with modern technical capabilities, the country has carved out a distinct niche in value-added fashion and specialty apparel. Its strategic proximity to North America and favourable trade mechanisms make...
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