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.
Bath Spa and A Single Thread launch four-year sustainable fashion programme
Bath Spa University’s Future Fashion Works and A Single Thread CIC have launched a four-year sustainable fashion programme backed by The National Lottery Community Fund’s Climate Action Fund, aiming to reach more than 250,000 people across the UK. Dubbed Restitch the Future, the programme will develop a network of community-led high street hubs...
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UK retail footfall posts strongest September growth since 2023
UK retail footfall fell 4.2 percent month-on-month in September as the summer period ended, but remained 1.3 percent higher year-on-year, marking the strongest annual growth since 2023, according to MRI Software. High streets recorded the strongest annual uptick at 1.8 percent, followed by retail parks at 0.9 percent and shopping centres at 0.6...
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From pop-ups to permanence: Re:Bourn founder on building a new model for vintage retail
In the midst of the pandemic, Sophie Cabourn was confronted with an issue; her personal vintage archive was outgrowing her surroundings. After returning to Newcastle following a period in London, and like many during lockdown, she turned to resale as a solution. For Cabourn, however, her pieces, many high luxury and rare, required a more...
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Nike, Patagonia, Under Armour join new microfibre pollution alliance
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. The Microfibre Action Alliance (MAA), launched by The Nature Conservancy (TNC), encourages apparel companies to collaborate the acceleration,...
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Campaign for Wool names new chairman following Peter Ackroyd's passing
Ian Maclean has been appointed chairman of the Campaign for Wool, succeeding the late Peter Ackroyd, who died unexpectedly in July 2026 after serving as chairman since January 2025. Maclean’s appointment was unanimously backed by the organisation's Funders’ Board. He brings extensive experience across UK manufacturing, fashion and textiles to...
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Asos confirms cyber attack: What to know
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. The online fashion retailer has now said the notification was unauthorised and resulted from activity involving third-party...
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Frasers Group snaps up stake in Under Armour
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. The filing shows Frasers holds 16.6 million Class A shares in the US sportswear company, giving the British retail giant a significant position as Under Armour continues to...
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Everything that happened during the UK’s Sustainable Fashion Week 2026
Amid an increasingly shifting regulatory landscape, this year’s Sustainable Fashion Week (SFW) in the UK sought to prove what a sustainable fashion future looks like when national collaboration is welcomed open-armed. Taking place from September 26 to October 4, SFW saw over 347 grassroots community activities held across 41 regional hubs....
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Companies that fail to meet Ireland's Deforestation Regulations could be fined up to 10 million euros
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. Under the region’s proposals, as part of the ‘General Scheme for the Deforestation and Forest Degradation Bill 2026’, businesses could face fines of...
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Dune London up for sale as founder plans retirement
British retailer Dune London is reportedly exploring strategic options for the business as its founder and chairman, Daniel Rubin, prepares for retirement. Rubin confirmed the move to TheIndustry.fashion, to which he said Dune had “clear avenues for future growth, particularly internationally”. “This is an exciting opportunity for the business...
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