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.
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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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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UK government urged to prioritise domestic textile manufacturing through public procurement
Fashion Roundtable has published an open letter to the UK’s new prime minister Andy Burnham urging the government to use public procurement as a tool to rebuild the region’s fashion and textile manufacturing sector. Addressed to Burnham ahead of the finalisation of the proposed ‘Number 10 North’ initiative, the letter calls for public contracts...
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Duke + Dexter names Connor Boon as creative director
British footwear and lifestyle label Duke + Dexter (D+D) has appointed Connor Boon as its new creative director. Boon has been with the label for seven years, initially joining as an intern before becoming a creative assistant after graduating from university. During his time at D+D, Boon has been credited with helping to shape the brand’s...
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Australia's Takeover Panel declines to investigate Frasers' Accent Group concerns
Australia’s Takeovers Panel has decided not to investigate Frasers Group’s concerns over Accent Group’s recommendation that shareholders reject its takeover offer. The panel was asked by Frasers earlier this month to review Accent’s target statement, which outlined why the Australian footwear retailer believed Frasers’ 0.65 Aus dollar-per-share...
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Frasers extends Hugo Boss takeover offer after limited shareholder support
British retail giant Frasers Group has extended the acceptance period for its 2.3 billion pound takeover offer for Hugo Boss after securing backing from just 7.3 percent of independent shareholders by the initial deadline. The retailer's 38 euro-per-share cash offer, which values the stake Frasers does not already hold in the business at 1.7...
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Gordon Brothers submits bid for Harvey Nichols as sale process continues
Gordon Brothers, the US investment firm behind retailers including Laura Ashley and the owner of Poundland, has submitted a bid to acquire luxury department store Harvey Nichols, according to a report by Sky News. The offer was reportedly submitted ahead of this week's bidding deadline, with a further deadline now set for next week as owner Sir...
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PETA secures stake in Reformation to up pressure on animal-made products
Animal welfare organisation People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) said it has purchased stock in Reformation after the US womenswear brand debuted on the New York Stock Exchange yesterday. While the size of the stake was not disclosed, PETA confirmed it was enough to allow it to attend annual meetings where it plans to pressure...
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