British accessories brand Radley has appointed Lloyd Baker Leather Ltd as its new licensing partner for handbags and small leather goods, as its owner Gordon Brothers pursues an international growth strategy following the brand’s administration earlier this year.

Indian Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal met senior leadership from US sportswear giant Nike in Milwaukee during the G20 Trade Ministers' Meeting. Discussions focused on broadening the company's long-standing commercial relationship with India across domestic manufacturing, local sourcing, and supply chain infrastructure.

The Indian womenswear market is projected to grow from 28.79 billion dollars in 2024 to 45.49 billion dollars by 2032, according to a report by US market research firm Credence Research.

CEO Interview

The Karl Lagerfeld brand is partnering with Mexican developer Grupo Bosque Real to develop its first residential complex in Latin America. Located in Huixquilucan, Mexico, this 73-residence project translates the designer's aesthetic into an architectural context. This project joins other residential complexes developed by the brand worldwide.

After announcing the opening of its first café in Amsterdam last July, the Karl Lagerfeld brand (owned by G-III Apparel Group) is tackling a 38-storey tower. The real estate project will include 73 residences, including two penthouses and a ground-floor flat. Each apartment, with a surface area of over 475 square metres, will offer three bedrooms and large private terraces. The interior spaces were developed in collaboration with The One Atelier studio, under the supervision of Caroline Lebar, creative director of interior design at Karl Lagerfeld.

Pier Paolo Righi, chief executive officer of Karl Lagerfeld, explained in a statement: “Our partnership with Grupo Bosque Real gives us the opportunity to translate Karl's distinctive perspective into a whole new context, with our first residential project in Latin America”.

The interior architecture combines the fashion house's heritage with the natural and cultural environment of Mexico. The main lobby features a monumental brushed stainless steel library, 9.71 metres high, paying homage to Karl Lagerfeld's passion for books. Furniture from the Karl Lagerfeld Maison line is also used in the communal areas, which include a private cinema.

The brand states that the design favours locally sourced materials, such as basalt, tezontle and Tzalam wood, which contrast with polished concrete and artisanal terrazzo finishes. Residents will also have access to shared facilities including a swimming pool, a panoramic wellness area, a padel court and various reception areas.

The project's inauguration was held in Mexico City on October 8. Its completion, scheduled for early 2029, will add to the brand's international residential portfolio, which already includes developments in Lisbon, Marbella, Dubai and Ras Al Khaimah. As a reminder, the brand opened a luxury hotel in China (Karl Lagerfeld in Macau) in June 2023.

This article was written in part with the support of an artificial intelligence tool before being verified, completed and edited by a FashionUnited journalist.

Report

Movado Group, Inc. (Movado Group) has entered into a binding agreement to sell a 95 percemt interest in its Swiss luxury watch brand Ebel for 66.5 million dollars to a strategic buyer group.

Canadian apparel brand Aritzia Inc. (Aritzia) reported strong financial results for the second quarter of fiscal 2027 ended August 30, 2026, driven by broad-based demand across retail and digital channels.

Japanese retail giant Fast Retailing Co., Ltd. (Fast Retailing) has announced financial results for the 2026 fiscal year ending August 31, 2026, marking its fifth consecutive year of record performance. Group revenue rose 16.6 ercent year-over-year to 3.96 trillion yen (25.03 billion dollars), driven by strong international expansion and steady momentum at Uniqlo. Operating profit for the full year climbed 31.7 percent to 743.1 billion yen, while profit attributable to owners of the parent company increased 25.3 percent to 542.5 billion yen.

US fashion group Levi Strauss & Co. (Levi Strauss) has reported net revenues of 1.6 billion dollars for the third quarter ended August 30, 2026, representing an increase of 4 percent on a reported basis and 5 percent on an organic basis compared to the same period in 2025.

Madrid – It has been exactly one week since the launch on October 1 of the first collection designed by John Galliano for Zara. The collection was set to be a turning point in the commercial dynamics of the Inditex group's main fashion chain. However, it has been met with a very cold reception from the markets. This is despite the latest analysis of the company issued by the US investment bank Jefferies.

Japan and US-based asset management firm Nexroc Group (Nexroc), alongside its entertainment and fashion holding company SVCV, Inc. (SVCV), is preparing to launch tender offers targeting American and Japanese fashion and luxury groups.

Puma has a new largest shareholder. The Herzogenaurach-based sportswear company announced on Wednesday that Anta Sports Products Limited has successfully completed the acquisition of the 29.06 percent stake previously held by French investment holding company Artémis SAS.

Nike, Patagonia, Under Armour, Lululemon, Cotopaxi and REI Co-op are among the founding members of a new industry initiative focused on reducing microfibre pollution across the apparel supply chain.

E-commerce giant Asos has confirmed it was hit by a cyber attack after thousands of customers received a threatening notification through its app on Tuesday, initially leaving the nature and extent of the incident unclear.

Hamburg - In an update on Westwing Group SE (ISIN: DE000A2N4H07), analyst Christian Sandherr of NuWays AG has reiterated a "BUY" recommendation with a 12-month target price of 23.50 euros.

Following the recent share price weakness, the research firm sees roughly 100 percent upside at current levels. Impressions at the firm's conference in Paris confirm a bullish view on the investment case.

Growing international presence

After entering the Baltic states (Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania) at the end of July, the company has now also launched in Ireland and Bulgaria, bringing its European presence to 28 countries.

The step-by-step rollout fits the asset-light, platform-based approach of serving new markets from the existing logistics and sourcing set-up, rather than building local infrastructure.

While the incremental revenue contribution is likely small, it clearly underpins the successful execution of the company's strategic transformation.

UK ramp-up going well

In March, Westwing entered the United Kingdom with a local online store and a curated assortment, where traction appears to be building quickly.

To further support the launch, the company recently announced a collaboration with Victoria Beckham, launching on October 12, building on existing ties to the designer.

The partnership is viewed as a way to significantly raise brand awareness in a market where Westwing is still largely unknown. The UK remains one of the critical markets to watch for the international growth story, with the UK Home & Living market estimated at around 20 billion euros—representing roughly 15 percent of Westwing's addressable market and making it the largest single market addition in company history.

Current trading

Sales are tracking in the upper half of the guidance range, with Westwing continuing to gain market share, especially internationally as country launches ramp up.

In the DACH region, consumer sentiment in Germany remains challenging, largely unchanged versus the second quarter, and continues to weigh on key performance indicators such as average order values. Planned store openings are expected to partially offset these headwinds.

At the same time, ongoing marketing investments in the UK weigh on profitability. The full-year adjusted EBITDA margin is forecast to decline by 1.2 percentage points year-on-year to 8.6 percent, reflecting the challenging home market as well as deliberate growth investments of approximately 10 million euros, led by the UK expansion and retail openings.

The mid-point of the adjusted EBITDA guidance is considered to remain well within reach.

Valuation remains highly attractive

At 4.8x FY26e EV/adj. EBITDA, valuation remains undemanding for a business with this trajectory.

Westwing combines sustainable growth with improving profitability and a strong balance sheet, supported by 90 million euros in net cash at year-end.

The UK and the newly entered markets add further growth optionality, while the turnaround and management's delivery of the value creation plan underpin conviction in the investment case, confirming the BUY rating with an unchanged target price of 23.50 euros based on discounted cash flow analysis.

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.

Consumer prices (August, provisional)

India's consumer price index (CPI) inflation rose to 4.82 percent year-on-year in August 2026 from 4.45 percent in July, according to provisional data from India's National Statistical Office (NSO). Clothing and footwear prices rose 3.56 percent YoY, up from a provisional 3.38 percent in July, and remained below headline inflation. Clothing prices rose 3.93 percent and footwear prices 1.12 percent.

CEO Interview When Jackson Wirht and creative director Justin Saul bought Elwood Clothing in 2020, the skate label had been dormant twice and was leaning on heavy discounting. Their first change was a question. "We switched from the existing product strategy of 'will this sell' to 'will WE actually wear this'," Wirht told FashionUnited.

Swiss fashion retailer Metro Boutique has added the streetwear brand Iets Frans to its product range, becoming its exclusive brick and mortar stockist in Switzerland.

Asos shares, traded under ticker ASC on the London Stock Exchange, have dipped more than 11 percent as of Tuesday at 12h20 GMT, following reports of a cyberattack.

Another day, another stripe case for Adidas.

UK-based Frasers Group, parent company of Sports Direct, has acquired an 8.78 percent stake in Under Armour, according to a Schedule 13G regulatory filing dated October 1.

On September 17, 2026, the Paris Judicial Court delivered a judgment in a trade mark dispute between French luxury label Louis Vuitton and French apparel firm Kamad Reworked, which manufactures and markets clothing made from authentic Louis Vuitton products.

Amsterdam-based eyewear brand Ace & Tate has reduced the CO2 emissions from the production of its frames and lenses by 43 percent in 2025, from 2,030 to 1,155 tonnes of CO2 equivalent. This is according to its 2025 impact report. The company's total CO2 footprint decreased by 10.2 percent to 6,446 tonnes.

Amid the broader implementation of the EU’s Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), Ireland has published its own proposals outlining offences, penalties and enforcement powers supporting the regulation.

British retailer Dune London is reportedly exploring strategic options for the business as its founder and chairman, Daniel Rubin, prepares for retirement.

UK retail conglomerate Frasers Group has announced the launch of Frasers Group Luxury, a dedicated luxury ecosystem spanning the UK and US markets. The initiative marks the next phase of the group’s luxury strategy, integrating its high-end retail businesses, digital capabilities, and portfolio investments into a unified platform aimed at international expansion.

As circularity becomes a regulatory requirement, strategy consulting firm Kearney identifies four levers for integrating it into brands' business models.

US sportswear giant Nike has announced its financial results for the first quarter ended August 31, 2026, reporting a revenue decline alongside lower net income.

CEO Interview Tommy Bahama sells camp shirts. It also sells beach chairs, furniture, rum, Airstream RVs, restaurant meals and, since 2023, hotel rooms in Indian Wells. Doug Wood, who joined as chief operating officer in 2001 and was named chief executive officer in 2015, says almost all of it came from the same signal: customers asking for more than the clothes.

Stüssy has selected Finnish retail planning software company Relex Solutions to connect its forecasting, replenishment and merchandise financial planning across its global operations.

Austrian fiber producer Lenzing has announced a fully underwritten ordinary capital increase against cash contribution with subscription rights for existing shareholders, aiming for gross proceeds of approximately 300 million euros (339 million dollars).

Interview The latest London Fashion Week edition marked the 20th anniversary of Fashion Scout, the platform led by Billie and Martyn Roberts to champion emerging designers and create opportunities for UK and international talent. Iris van Herpen, David Koma, Phoebe English and Tolu Coker are just some of the names discovered by the platform, which has supported more than 1,500 designers from over 70 countries in the last two decades.

Paris - The French Rugby Federation (FFR) has extended its contract with sportswear supplier Adidas until 2036, the two organisations announced to the newspaper L'Équipe on Wednesday.

The current contract linked the two entities until 2028 and will therefore be extended, and upgraded, for an additional eight years.

The FFR has been partnered with Adidas since 2024, after a disappointment with its former supplier, Le Coq Sportif. Adidas had notably proposed a special jersey for the 120th anniversary of the first England-France match during the 2026 Six Nations Championship.

Facing significant financial difficulties after the 2023 World Cup held in France, the FFR has since found some breathing room through the renewal and acquisition of partnerships and an increase in ticket revenue.

Indian apparel company Thomas Scott (India) Limited (TSIL) has entered into an exclusive long-term licensing agreement with US-based Authentic Brands Group (Authentic) for F21 IPCO, LLC. The agreement grants TSIL exclusive rights to design, develop, merchandise and distribute Forever 21 products across India, Nepal and Bangladesh, Economic Times reports.

Madrid – On the evening of Tuesday, September 29, 2026, one of the most anticipated moments of the French president's two-day state visit to Spain took place. A gala dinner was held at the Royal Palace in Madrid, hosted by the King and Queen of Spain in honour of Emmanuel Macron and Brigitte Macron. Just a few hours after its conclusion, a great deal has already been written and commented on about the event. The evening's co-stars were none other than the French multinational holding company LVMH and the Spanish fashion and beauty multinational, the Puig group.

Interview Dean Davidson, founder of the eponymous Toronto-based jewellery brand, is setting his sights on international growth, guided by lessons learned far from the design studio on the Canadian farmland where he grew up.

US fashion giant Revolve Group has invested 15 million Canadian dollars for a minority stake in Toronto-based activewear brand 437, according to WWD.

The presence of a consortium involved in the revival project for the Aeffe Group has been confirmed at Italy's Ministry of Enterprises and Made in Italy (MIMIT), as part of the negotiated crisis settlement procedure. The luxury company, headquartered in San Giovanni in Marignano in the province of Rimini, owns historic brands such as Alberta Ferretti, Moschino and Pollini.

A project between Spanish hydroponic farming company Magtech and H&M Group’s Circular Innovation Lab is testing if cotton can be grown without soil using a closed water system and AI-powered monitoring.

UK circular economy and reverse logistics firm CTR Group has acquired fashion rental platform Hirestreet, bringing the rental and resale businesses together under one owner as it looks to scale subscription fashion rental nationally.

US Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-Maine), founder and chair of the Congressional Slow Fashion Caucus, has introduced the Textile Waste Reduction Act (TWRA), legislation aimed at creating the first coordinated federal framework for reducing textile waste and advancing circularity in the US textile industry.

Japanese zipper manufacturer YKK Corporation (YKK) held a groundbreaking ceremony on September 25, 2026, to mark the start of construction on a new manufacturing plant for its subsidiary YKK India Private Limited (YKK India) in southern India. Approximately 40 participants, including YKK India managing director Jin Deguchi, attended the event.

Hong Kong – Fast fashion giant Shein saw its share price plummet by more than 11 percent during mid-day trading on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange on Tuesday. The drop followed the publication of lacklustre financial results the previous day, which were undermined by stricter regulations, particularly in Europe.

Hong Kong - Fast fashion platform Shein announced on Monday that its operating profit, or adjusted earnings before interest and taxes (adjusted EBIT), fell by 50.4 percent in the first half of this year, year-over-year.

Pepco Group expects full year revenue to exceed 4.5 billion euros (5.11 billion dollars). The UK-registered discount retailer released a pre-close trading update for the 51 weeks to September 20, 2026, ahead of its full year preliminary results scheduled for December 9, 2026.

Budget retailer Primark has signed a long-term purchase agreement with textile-to-textile recycling company Circ to introduce recycled polyester made from textile waste into its clothing from 2029.

On scored 16.22 million dollars in media impact value with the launch of On Football last week, according to a new report from Launchmetrics. Kylian Mbappé, who left Nike after 20 years to lead On’s football, was the brand’s top placement, with his Instagram post announcing the new partnership hitting 1.13 million dollars in MIV — MIV is a proprietary algorithm and metric developed by Launchmetrics to assign a specific monetary value to brand exposure and marketing efforts across print, online, and social media.

Australian womenswear group Cue Clothing Co has entered receivership and voluntary administration after a sale process failed to secure a buyer.

US-based fashion giant Capri Holdings could be on the market, with potential buyers understood to be circling the fashion group, according to WWD. The media outlet reported that Capri, which sold Versace to Prada in December 2025 and continues to own Michael Kors and Jimmy Choo, has connected with investors possibly interested in acquiring the business.

In the legal dispute over imitations of Birkenstock sandals, the Gelderland District Court in Arnhem, the Netherlands, has ruled in favour of the footwear manufacturer. The court has prohibited the food and retail group Lidl from selling certain sandal models. According to the judges, these models infringe on the copyright-protected design of the Birkenstock footbed, Birkenstock announced on Thursday.

The UK's Maidstone Borough Council is testing whether discarded textiles can be repurposed into pothole repair material as part of a new trial with sustainable materials company Recool.

The family behind H&M is slowly increasing its stake in the Swedish fashion group, sparking speculation that it could eventually take the retailer private amid continued turnaround efforts.

British retail giants Marks & Spencer, New Look and Sainsbury’s have joined UK charity Oxfam in partnering with textile development company Circle-8 to launch The Circuit, an initiative designed to develop circular textile supply chains using clothing collected in the UK.

The US-Africa Trade Desk (USATD), alongside the governments of Mauritius, Lesotho and Kenya, has launched the Trans-Atlantic Cotton Partnership (TACP) to strengthen cotton, textile and apparel trade between the US and Africa.

Superstudio Events, a Milan-based group active in the events and production sector, is entering the US market by acquiring a majority stake in Spring Studios New York Llc, the company that manages the Tribeca venue and its events business.

This week, the board of directors of Geox, a company listed on the Euronext Milan market, approved an update to the group's 2027-2029 industrial plan. The board also approved a technical change to the execution methods for any remaining balance due from Lir srl, as part of the financial manoeuvre defined on December 30, 2024.

Denim Deal is expanding its approach beyond making jeans circular solely through the use of recycled materials. The signing of a partnership with United Repair Centre now integrates repair into its sustainable fashion strategy.

In a statement released to the market last night, September 23, Iguatemi S.A. announced the sale of five stakes in shopping centres to the investment fund TRX Real Estate (TRXF 11). Iguatemi S.A. is one of Brazil's largest shopping centre companies. The total value of this transaction is 876.1 million reais (168.7 million dollars).

Interview

Paris, France - The Christian Dior holding company gained over 17 percent on the Paris Stock Exchange on Thursday. This follows the announcement of a proposed reorganisation of the structure that controls the global luxury giant LVMH.

Four years after a reorganisation, the Arnault family group aims to simplify the structure overseeing the global luxury giant LVMH. This move is intended to “ensure the long-term stability of its control” through several operations that will result in the creation of a single entity.

Madrid – Munich, the iconic Barcelona-based footwear brand owned by the Berneda family, appears to have found some initial relief from its difficult financial situation. The company has successfully reached an agreement with its financial creditors. It has reportedly agreed on a new payment schedule for a debt of just over 18 million euros (20.50 million dollars).

Out of 110 major fashion and footwear brands, 32 percent have publicly committed to a living wage for garment workers, yet only 4 percent are making tangible progress. This is according to the seventh edition of the Fashion Checker, the monitor from labour rights organisation Clean Clothes Campaign.

Adidas has signed a multi-year deal to become the official uniform and performance apparel partner of Unrivaled, the women's 3-on-3 basketball league, taking over a contract held since the league's launch by Under Armour. The partnership debuts on court at the start of Unrivaled's 2027 season, which begins in early 2027. Neither side disclosed financial terms or the length of the agreement.

Swedish apparel group Hennes & Mauritz AB (H&M) posted a surprisingly strong profit increase in the third quarter of its 2025/26 financial year. Sales, however, remained virtually flat compared to the same period last year. This was revealed in an interim report published on Thursday by the parent company of brands including H&M, Cos, Weekday, & Other Stories and Arket.

US-based fragrance developer Interparfums, Inc. (Interparfums) has entered into an exclusive, worldwide license agreement with German sportswear brand Puma. The deal grants Interparfums responsibility for the creation, development, production, and distribution of fragrances under the Puma brand name.

Farm Rio, a key brand within the Azzas 2154 (Azzas) group, recently dissolved its merger with Soma. The brand, which is now being considered for sale, is receiving non-binding proposals until the end of September. It is worth noting that following the demerger, Farm Rio will become an independent entity, with capital from both controllers, Alexandre Birman and Roberto Jatahy.

Madrid – Following the personal growth formulas that some of the leading Spanish models of recent decades have embraced, Basque actor and model Jon Kortajarena has launched his own business venture, “SMTHELSE”. This is the name he has chosen for his own beauty line, which specialises in haircare.

US apparel brand Levi Strauss & Co. and UK retailer Marks & Spencer (M&S), in partnership with SE Advisory Services, the global consulting practice of France-based Schneider Electric, have launched the Fashion Renewable Collaborative (FRC). Announced during New York Climate Week on September 22, 2026, the initiative aims to help global fashion suppliers adopt renewable electricity through coordinated brand engagement and practical implementation support.

Global AI glasses shipments reached 4.2 million units in the first half of 2026 (1H26), representing a 127 percent increase year-over-year (YoY).

Chinese tech giant Alibaba unveiled plans on Wednesday to expand its overseas data centres, targeting markets across Europe and the Middle East. Hangzhou-based Alibaba is one of the frontrunners in China's artificial intelligence industry, with its Qwen model among the world's most downloaded AI models.

Meta has spent billions to stay competitive with artificial intelligence, but the tech giant faces growing pushback as CEO Mark Zuckerberg prepares to announce new products built for the AI era on Wednesday. The company will kick off its annual Connect conference from its Menlo Park headquarters at 4:00 pm PT (2300 GMT) Wednesday, and Zuckerberg will deliver a keynote address to the developer-focused event.

The biggest names may have brought the crowds to London Fashion Week's spring/summer 2027 edition, which ended on Monday, but the season also belonged to the designers rewriting what British fashion can look like now.

With an expected turnover of 18.1 billion euros (20.7 billion dollars) in 2026 and growth over the last ten years at a rate more than six times higher than the national GDP, the cosmetics industry continues to create value, skilled employment and competitiveness for the country. These figures were presented last week at Assolombarda during the event “Beauty that creates value. The numbers of Italian cosmetics and the strategic role of Lombardy in the beauty economy”. This was the inaugural conference of Milan Beauty Week 2026, an initiative by Cosmetica Italia in collaboration with Cosmoprof and Esxence, which concluded on September 20.

Swiss sportswear provider On Holding AG presented its new financial targets for the period up to 2029 on Tuesday, ahead of an investor day. The company also confirmed its current annual forecasts.

Ugg has introduced Born to Feel, a long-term global brand platform, and will start a related series of consumer events in New York City this weekend. The brand, a division of Deckers Brands, said the platform is built around the comfort associated with its products and is designed to run across product, culture and experience rather than as a single seasonal campaign.

Since its launch in 2023, Another Cotton Lab has grown from a Düsseldorf-based lifestyle label into a company that achieved a double-digit million euro turnover in 2024. The next phase is set to follow, focusing on increased performance, more of its own stores and a stronger international presence. The collaboration with Puma is a gateway into a market where the label aims to become a much stronger player. In an interview with FashionUnited, co-founder and chief executive officer (CEO) David Ebisch explains how far Another Cotton Lab intends to push its transition into a performance brand.

Donatella Versace is back.

Esprit Holdings Limited is facing a statutory demand for almost 4 million dollars. The Hong Kong-listed company announced on Thursday that it was served a so-called 'Statutory Demand' on September 16.

Whether the listing counts as a success depends on who is measuring. Shein raised 13.6 billion Hong Kong dollars and reached a public market after failed attempts in New York and London. Anyone who bought at the offer price is down more than a fifth.

The fashion industry influences almost a third of the world’s agricultural land when leather and wool are included alongside textile crops, according to a new report from researchers at the University of Oxford’s Smith School of Enterprise and Environment and DIRT Charity.

Mothercare has provided an update regarding its financial outlook following a cash injection from the liquidation of its former retail subsidiary.

On Thursday, Reuters published an investigation that brought new information to light in one of the luxury sector's most high-profile cases: the acquisition of Hermès shares by the LVMH group. According to the news agency, LVMH made a confidential agreement in 2002 with Éric Freymond, who was the wealth manager for Nicolas Puech, one of the heirs to the house of Hermès.

Consumer optimism about AI in holiday shopping has fallen, but confidence holds up when the technology is applied to narrow, practical tasks, according to research published by Sinch.

Finnish materials technology company Spinnova has signed a non-binding letter of intent with Portuguese yarn spinning company Tearfil – Indústria Têxtil (Tearfil) and its shareholders regarding the potential acquisition of all shares in the business.

eBay's UK arm is offering up to 200,000 pounds in grants to support young entrepreneurs and help established sellers create opportunities for young people.

Zurich - Swiss watch exports climbed 9.1 percent in August to 1.78 billion Swiss francs, driven mainly by China and Japan, which offset a sharp decline towards the US, the watchmaking federation announced on Thursday.

New Balance has filed a trademark infringement suit against two US subsidiaries of French sporting goods retailer Decathlon, alleging that a logo used on Kiprun running shoes is confusingly similar to its own "N" mark.

Bristol City Council has become the first local authority in the UK to restrict advertising for ultra-fast fashion, as part of broader measures targeting products and services it considers high-polluting.