Articles by Don-Alvin Adegeest

H&M considers charging a returns fee for goods bought online

Fast fashion retailer H&M has said it is considering charging fees for returns for goods bought online. As return numbers surge - up to 30 percent of all items bought online are sent back – free shipping is biting into retail margins. In a call with analysts H&M CEO Helena Helmersson said: “It all depends on how it’s received by the customer. So...

California to ban toxic 'forever chemicals' used by apparel companies

Why do clothing garments and textiles need to be made using known toxic chemicals? That question has now been answered by California’s governor, who passed a bill to phase out PFAS, (per and polyfluoroalkyl substances) better known as ‘forever chemicals, that coat many clothing and textile items and are hazardous to the environment. The full ban...

Victoria Beckham takes Paris, and then some

British designers have long decamped to the runways of Paris fashion week, but for Victoria Beckham it was her first-ever show in probably the most competitive schedule of all fashion weeks. The bar is set high, too, with Loewe, Yohji Yamamoto and Giambattista Valli all showing on the same day, never mind the giant houses of Dior, Balenciaga,...

The UK’s strongest and weakest high streets revealed

29 Sept 2022 - Retail

Forget Oxford Street, or Regent Street or Notting Hill. New research reveals Liverpool is the UK city with the biggest love for the high street. Data from Small Business Prices shows Liverpool ranked highest for high street spending, with Coventry coming in last. London didn't fare much better. High street footfall is highest in Plymouth per...

Burberry’s new hire raises expectations and its stock

29 Sept 2022 - Business

Burberry’s share price was bolstered on the announcement British designer Daniel Lee was appointed its new creative director. Shares rose 4.4 percent by midday trading on Wednesday. Mr Lee, who steps into the role next Monday, will have the task of rejuvenating the heritage and quintessential Britishness that was sideswept under the tenure of...

Paris packs a punch, as Dior and Saint Laurent kick off fashion week

28 Sept 2022 - Fashion

Powerhouses Dior and Saint Laurent set the bar high at the start of Paris fashion week, showcasing two incredible collections from two of the world’s most successful companies. These uber fashion houses do not waver or do presentations by halves, with expensive sets and production prowess that only come from a storied history and an unrivalled...

Balenciaga launches resale service with Reflaunt

27 Sept 2022 - Fashion

Balenciaga has partnered with Reflaunt on a re-sell programme of its pre-owned clothing and accessories. The service is currently available to customers in the United States, United Kingdom, France, Italy and Singapore, with more expected to be rolled out. After a successful Trial, Balenciaga allows users to resell their Balenciaga items via new...

Personal shopper platform Threads Styling acquired by Chalhoub Group

27 Sept 2022 - Business

Dubai-based Chalhoub Group announced it has acquired a majority stake in Threads Styling, a digital luxury player that sells high-end wares via a personal shopping platform. Terms of the deal were not disclosed, however Threads Styling Ltd posted revenue of 46 million pounds in 2021, and sells everything from fine jewellery to hard to find and...

Bottega Veneta stands out in a week of contrasts

26 Sept 2022 - Fashion

Milan fashion week was a city of contrasts. There were debuts at Salvatore Ferragamo, Missoni, Bally and Etro, a seventy year anniversary at Moncler, and a sophomore landing at Bottega Veneta. At Ferragamo, the ‘Salvatore’ was dropped in favour of a more contemporary, if familiar logotype, under incoming designer Maximillian Davis. Shown on the...

Milan Fashion Week: Gucci's twin collection defies divisionism

26 Sept 2022 - Fashion

Guests at Gucci’s SS23 presentation saw a catwalk divided with what appeared to be two simultaneous shows, until about half way in when a divider was lifted to reveal its identikit. This was Gucci’s Twinburg, a collection of 68 identical looks, worn by identical twins. In a statement Gucci said “symmetry is sought and seen, even when it is not...