Fashion Stories

The luxury brands defying sector slowdown

Last week, Mulberry reported a loss before tax of £15.7m for the 26 weeks to 28 September 2024 as group revenue fell 16% to £56.1m. During the same 26-week period, Burberry slipped into a pre-tax loss of £80m from a £219m pre-tax profit in the same period last year while revenue plunged 20% to £1.08bn.
Following record profits during the pandemic, luxury powerhouses have been bit by a slowdown in demand and changing consumer habits.
Yet, some luxury brands managed to buck the trend, delivering c...

Mamas & Papas sales up as expansion continues

The company reported an increase in sales of 7.1% to £154.3m, attributed to new and expectant parents visiting the retailer’s UK and overseas stores and concessions.  
Underlying profit (adjusted earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation) rose by 27% to £13.2m, with adjusted pre-tax profit up 33% to £9.1m. 
The nursery retailer recorded a 48% increase in sales through its 36 UK concessions with Marks & Spencer and Next, as of March 2024, thanks to six additional destinations a...

Castore crowned fastest-growing fashion business

Castore, which specialises in sportswear, was ranked the fastest-growing UK retailer on the list, both for all retail and fashion. 
The brand experienced 159.92% two-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR), achieving a turnover of  £115m in 2024. 
Passenger Clothing, a sustainable outdoor clothing and accessories brand, was named the second-fastest growing fashion company in the UK, reaching a 111.14% CAGR turnover growth to £34.3m. 
In third place, womenswear brand Nobody’s Child experienced a...

Fashion sales fell in October due to mild weather

UK total retail sales increased by 0.6% year on year in October, against a growth of 2.6% for the same period last year, according to the BRC and KPMG. This was below the three-month average growth of 1.3% and the 12-month growth of 1.0%.
Non-food sales decreased 0.1% year on year over the three-months to October, against a fall of 1.0% in October 2023, compared with the 12-month average of 1.6%. For the month of October, non-food was in decline year on year. 
In-store non-food sales fell 1.2% i...

Sosandar signs homeware licensing deal with Next

Sosandar currently sells its clothing range through Next's website. The new licensing agreement will combine Next's sourcing and quality expertise with its design inspiration, the brand said. 
The collection will carry a full set of living room furniture and accessories, including sofas, decorative chairs, rugs and lighting. 
Sosandar added that the licensing agreement involves no capital expenditure for the company and serves as part of its brand awareness strategy with a focus on broadening it...

Debenhams releases 2024 Christmas campaign

This year’s Christmas campaign highlights how festive shopping can become a seamless experience when carried out online. 
The film shows the shopping journeys of British personalities, including actress Elizabeth Hurley, model and TV host Leomie Anderson, comedian Ellie Taylor, and presenter and podcaster Hannah Cooper-Dommett. It is soundtracked to Carol of the Bells.
‘Duh, Debenhams’ is set to launch on YouTube today (1 November). The retailer said it will also be available across broadcast te...

Next launches premium online platform Seasons

Next announced the platform launch in September in an effort to better serve its aspirational consumers. CEO Simon Wolfson said at the time: "Within [Next’s] eight million customers, a significant number are interested in that more premium product, and we think we can serve those customers better."
The ecommerce platform features various contemporary brands including Marc Jacobs, By Malene Birger, Completed Works, Nanushka, Rotate, Joseph, Agolde, Sporty & Rich, Sea NY, Citizens of Humanity, Pau...

First look: M&S and Sienna Miller unveil second collaboration

Sienna Miller launched her debut collection with M&S in June. The second edit will be available from today (31 October) through the retailer's website and in 41 selected shops.
The drop consists of 35 pieces with statement prints, embellishment and faux furs in fabrics ranging from silk to velvets.
Highlights of the range include a sequined mini dress, a tiger-printed waistcoat and one of Miller’s favourites, a lacy maxi dress.
Miller said: “This second collection is very much a party edit for t...

Harvey Nichols delves into resale with Luxury Promise

The pop-up is located on the ground floor of Harvey Nichols in Knightsbridge and opened to the public from 14 October, and will be available until January 2025. 
Amid a growing consumer appetite for second hand shopping, customers can shop from a variety of curated pre-loved pieces including Cartier jewellery, Rolex watches, an Hermès Kelly leather handbag and a limited edition Chanel vanity case. 
Harvey Nichols CEO Julia Goddard said: “Harvey Nichols is proud to be partnering with Luxury Promi...

Look inside: Me & Em debuts London flagship

Located at 4-5 Marylebone High Street, the shop spans 3,826 sq ft and combines traditional and modern British design elements. 
The new flagship is Me & Em’s 12th shop globally and the largest of its eight stores in the UK. 
Designed by British designers Tina Vaia and Ed Milton, the interior references different brand inspirations in the form of contrasting materials and textures, custom-made tiled floors inspired by British pub and clashing furniture. 
Key looks from the brand will be displayed...

First look: Gandys new flagship store

Gandys has opened its doors at 66 Neal Street, offering  a range of branded items and travel-inspired pieces; including backpacks, waterproof coats, hats and accessories.
Founded by brothers Rob and Paul Forkan, who were orphaned by the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, the brand’s aim is to give back, and it donates 10% of every order to the Gandys Foundation, a programme to aid the educational support of underprivileged children in Sri Lanka, Malawi, Mongolia and more. So far, the Gandys Foundation h...

Uniqlo to open first Liverpool store

Set to open to the public next spring, the store on Paradise Street will span over 15,000 sq ft across two floors. The unit was previously occupied by premium menswear retailer Tessuti, which closed in summer after 18 months under Frasers Group's ownership.
This year, Uniqlo opened the doors to four new UK locations, in Edinburgh, London's Coal Drops Yard and 1 Oxford Street as well as a revamped store in Westfield White City. It currently has 20 stores in the UK including 17 in London.
The new...

From womenswear to recycled wool: the reinvention of Savile Row

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Harrods releases first sustainability report

Covering the period between 1 February 2023 and 31 January 2024, the report included the achievements, actions taken and future sustainability goals of the company.

The report highlighted that there was a 2.4% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions from 2022's level.

Other key data from the report included the installation of solar panels at Thames Valley distribution centre, making up 41% of the overall facility’s annual power requirement; the launch of the Harrods beauty recycli

Coperni's Air Swipe Bag Put to the Ultimate Heat Test

Earlier this March, during its Fall/Winter 2024 show, Coperni set the tone for fashion innovation with its Air Swipe Bag, made of 99% air and 1% glass. The cloudy appearance of the viral bag wowed the fashion world and sparked conversation about the future of fashion materials. Outside of the material, audiences questioned the bag’s tongue-sized pocket and what it could potentially fit inside. Now, its creator, Professor Ioannis Michaloudis, is ready to spill the tea, or in this case, the melted

Belstaff Celebrated Its Centenary With a Retrospective Exhibition

LONDON — To celebrate its centenary, Belstaff returned to its home last weekend with a retrospective exhibition in Stoke-on-Trent, a city in England’s Midlands, and the birthplace of the brand.

The brand’s offering of motorcycling and wind-proofing outerwear was exhibited at the Gladstone Pottery Museum, just moments away from the factory where it was founded.

“These past 100 years signify determination and resilience. Resilience is probably the key word. It’s the ability to bounce back. I thi

Emilia Wickstead Launches Vacation Wear Collaboration for a Dolce Vita Lifestyle

LONDON — Emilia Wickstead has launched a limited collection with Passalacqua, the five-star luxury hotel on Lake Como in Italy.

Inspired by the majestic scenery and flourishing vegetation of Lake Como, the collaboration includes swimsuits and caftans in two prints — a vintage rose print in mustard, cobalt blue and dusty pink and a stripy print in orange hues influenced by the colors of the neighboring Grand Hotel Tremezzo, which is owned by the de Santis family that also own Passalacqua.

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Sacai’s New Collaboration Taps Into Tulip Mania

LONDON — Sacai is launching a collaboration with London-based jewelry label Bunney and San Francisco-based industrial designer Eugene “Eug” Whang on Friday.

The collective took inspiration from Tulip Mania, a historical phenomenon which saw tulip prices surge in Holland in the 17th century.

Whang designed and Bunney produced the “Aperture Vase,” coming in a high-polish or with a hand-planished finishes, and a tulip brooch encrusted with 246 gemstones, including diamonds and rubies.

“The story

Balenciaga to Ganni: Ganni Names New CEO

LONDON — Ganni has appointed a new chief executive officer — Laura du Rusquec, the former deputy CEO at Balenciaga.

Du Rusquec is set to succeed Andrea Baldo, who has been Ganni’s CEO since 2018.

Baldo, who is stepping down from his position, managed to register annual double-digit growth at Ganni and a developed retail presence during his time at the brand.

“Andrea has been an integral part of Ganni’s journey, steering us through both challenges and opportunities with unmatched dedication. H

Sojo Debuts Pledge to Repair at the BFC’s Institute of Positive Fashion Forum

LONDON — Sojo, the digital-first B-Corp certified fashion-tech platform, launched Pledge to Repair at the annual Institute of Positive Fashion forum on Thursday, an initiative calling for a reduction of textile waste and an increased circularity through repair.

Launched in 2020 by the British Fashion Council, the IPF aims to drive circularity within the U.K. fashion industry. Its annual forum focuses on hosting workshops, panel discussions and conversations meant to spark positive environmental
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