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.
Skims enters India through Reliance Brands partnership
Kim Kardashian's Skims is set to embark on a new venture into the Indian market through a partnership with Reliance Brands Limited (RBL), marking the shapewear and lifestyle brand's latest step in its international retail expansion. Under the agreement, RBL will operate Skims across physical stores and digital channels in India, with the brand's...
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Abercrombie reportedly mulling options for China business
US retail giant Abercrombie & Fitch Co. is believed to be exploring strategic options for its China business, including bringing in local partners to support future growth. According to a report by Bloomberg, which cited people familiar with the matter, the fashion retailer is working with an adviser to review its China operations in what could...
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Jaded London ad banned over smoking imagery
The UK's advertising watchdog has upheld a complaint against fashion brand Jaded London, ruling that one of its marketing emails "glamourised smoking". In a ruling published by the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA), the regulator found that an email sent on 27 May 2026, featuring a model wearing a backless pink mini dress while holding what...
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Gap Inc. expands GCC presence through Chalhoub Group partnership
US apparel giant Gap Inc. has partnered with Middle East luxury retailer Chalhoub Group to expand Gap, Banana Republic and Athleta across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), with a phased omnichannel rollout beginning later this year. The partnership will launch online stores across the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait during the second half of...
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Oxfam launches charity-backed clothing rental service
Charity retailer Oxfam Great Britain has launched Oxfam Rental, the UK’s first charity-backed national clothing rental service. The new platform, available via a dedicated website, allows customers to borrow one-of-a-kind garments collected through Oxfam’s donation network, helping to keep clothing in circulation while raising funds for the...
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Rains expands into footwear after years of development
Danish outerwear brand Rains has expanded into footwear with the launch of its first in-house shoe category, introducing The Dry Boot and Mirage styles globally from August 5. The move marks Rains’ latest step towards becoming a broader lifestyle brand, extending beyond its core rainwear offering into footwear, alongside existing categories...
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Manolo Blahnik accelerates DTC strategy as wholesale weighs on 2025 results
Footwear specialist Manolo Blahnik is doubling down on its direct-to-consumer (DTC) strategy after wholesale challenges, particularly linked to Saks Global's bankruptcy, weighed on its 2025 financial performance. According to WWD, the luxury footwear brand reported turnover of 83.5 million euros for the year ended 31 December 2025, down 3...
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John Lewis warns of tougher retail conditions ahead of half-year results
John Lewis Partnership chair Jason Tarry has warned employees that trading conditions have worsened, with the retailer preparing for a period of "lower sales and higher costs". The British retailer shared the update in an internal staff blog seen by the Financial Times, posted ahead of the group's half-year results due September 10. Tarry said...
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Lululemon faces California lawsuit over alleged 'phantom discount' pricing
Canadian athleisurewear giant Lululemon has been sued in California over allegations it used misleading reference pricing on products sold through its website. According to Modern Retail, the lawsuit, filed in Los Angeles Superior Court by consumer Annette Cody, claims the activewear retailer displayed "fictitious regular prices" alongside...
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Signet acquires New York Fashion Week trademarks, CFDA reaffirms leadership
WME has sold the intellectual property, trademarks and digital assets associated with New York Fashion Week, NYFW and NYFW: The Shows to media and entertainment company Signet Fashion, according to WWD. Signet said it plans to build on NYFW's global profile through expanded live events, digital content, brand partnerships and year-round audience...
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