Fashion & Retail News
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Friday, 05 March 2021KaDeWe joins Fur Free Retailer programme
HAMBURG - The KaDeWe Group, which runs department stores in three major Germany cities, has joined the Fur Free Retailer programme to confirm its commitment to fur-free products. KaDeWe, which runs the department stores Alsterhaus in Hamburg, KaDeWe… -
Friday, 05 March 2021Brands accused of 'dragging feet' on Xinjiang
LONDON - Leading brands and retailers, including Amazon, Nike, Uniqlo, Walmart and Zara, have been accused of "dragging their feet" over concerns about the use of forced labour in China's cotton industry. The Coalition to End Forced Labour in the… -
Friday, 05 March 2021MPs urge Boohoo to link bonuses to progress
LONDON - The Environmental Audit Committee (EAC) has written to Boohoo chairman Mahmud Kamani urging him to link executive bonuses to the fast fashion group's progress on workers’ rights and environmental sustainability. The call came in a letter… -
Thursday, 04 March 2021Next, Byford join Cotton Trust Protocol
LONDON – Fashion retailer Next and menswear brand Byford are the latest companies to join the US Cotton Trust Protocol, an initiative vying to increase the uptake of ‘sustainable’ cotton. Launched to verify sustainability progress through data… -
Thursday, 04 March 2021ASDA launches clothing take-back initiative
LEEDS – UK supermarket chain ASDA has launched a new clothing take-back scheme which will incentivise shoppers to return unwanted items by offering a 10 per cent discount on its George brand of apparel. The initiative has been kick-started in… -
Thursday, 04 March 2021Dutch denim initiative leverages blockchain
AMSTERDAM – Dutch multi-stakeholder initiative the Denim Deal, which last year launched with the backing of 30 leading companies, has partnered with blockchain technology provider The Movement. The tie-up will afford members of the initiative access… -
Thursday, 04 March 2021Ralph Lauren steps into fashion rental market
NEW YORK – Fashion giant Ralph Lauren has joined the growing number of luxury companies stepping into recommerce by launching a subscription-based rental scheme. Called the Lauren Look, customers will pay US$125 a month to join the scheme and will… -
Thursday, 04 March 2021Hilfiger denim aligns with Jeans Redesign requirements
AMSTERDAM – Fashion brand Tommy Hilfiger has produced its first garments made in line with the requirements of the Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s Jeans Redesign Project. The project, which launched in 2019 and has since attracted more than 60 brand… -
Wednesday, 03 March 2021SBTi approves Bestseller sustainability targets
BRANDE – Danish fashion brand Bestseller has had two environmental sustainability targets approved by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). The approval solidifies the company’s efforts to becoming climate positive and reducing its indirect… -
Wednesday, 03 March 2021Aussie fashion brand trials ‘SwapChain’ service
FITZROY – Fashion brand Arnsdorf is to become the first Australian company to collaborate with blockchain-enabled second-hand clothing service SwapChain, developed by Global Fashion Exchange (GFE). The clothes swapping concept will see Arnsdorf… -
Wednesday, 03 March 2021H&M to incorporate cactus-based leather
STOCKHOLM - Fashion giant H&M is to feature the cactus-based leather of Mexican company Desserto in its new Science Story collection which aims to highlight the fabrics of the future. Desserto founders Adrián López Velarde and Marte Cázarez said… -
Wednesday, 03 March 2021BlackRock expects fast fashion circularity shift
LONDON - BlackRock, the world's largest asset management firm, has identified 'fast fashion' as one of four key sectors which it expects to accelerate post-pandemic growth towards circularity in the coming months. A new report by the managers of… -
Tuesday, 02 March 2021Kering-backed Vestiaire Collective secures €178 million funding
PARIS – Online consignment store Vestiaire Collective has announced the completion of a €178 million (US$204m) financing round led by luxury fashion conglomerate Kering and US investment firm Tiger Global Management. Vestiaire has said it will use… -
Tuesday, 02 March 2021US urged to issue import ban against Boohoo
WASHINGTON DC - A charity campaigning against modern slavery has petitioned the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to issue an import ban against UK fast fashion firm Boohoo and its suppliers over allegations about the treatment of workers in… -
Tuesday, 02 March 2021Italian brand granted €3 million sustainability loan
MILAN – Italian fashion company and certified B Corp Save the Duck has been granted a €3 million loan which will be used to accelerate its environmental, social and governance (ESG) operations. The sustainability loan was awarded by Italy’s largest… -
Monday, 01 March 2021Siriano showcases second-hand at NYFW
NEW YORK – Fashion designer Christian Siriano demonstrated his advocacy for second-hand fashion by revamping some of the items his label sells on popular resale platform ThredUp for last month’s New York Fashion Week (NYFW). In December, Siriano… -
Monday, 01 March 2021Vivobarefoot vows to strip back operations
LONDON – British footwear brand and certified B Corp Vivobarefoot says it will reduce the environmental impact of its operations by using fewer materials and shortening its supply chain. The company says it is “prioritising the de-growth” of… -
Friday, 26 February 2021Marc O'Polo targets climate neutrality by 2025
STEPHANSKIRCHEN - Swedish-German fashion brand Marc O'Polo has set itself the goal of becoming climate neutral by 2025. The company has entered into a partnership with ClimatePartner to determine its current CO2 footprint and to develop its climate… -
Friday, 26 February 2021Nudie Jeans recycles seconds into new denim
GOTHENBURG - Swedish label Nudie Jeans has teamed up with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) in a project to recycle second-quality jeans into new denim. Nudie Jeans has been working with UNIDO, as part of the European… -
Friday, 26 February 2021ASOS reaffirms partnership with IndustriALL
LONDON – British fashion retailer ASOS and workers’ rights organisation IndustriALL have reaffirmed their commitment to working together in a bid to support vulnerable people within the company’s global supply chain. The terms of a new agreement… -
Thursday, 25 February 2021John Lewis funds sustainable cashmere project
LONDON – British retailer John Lewis has announced plans to fund a three-year programme led by the Sustainable Fibre Alliance (SFA), which will centre on training cashmere producers in Mongolia. The initiative will first address animal welfare best… -
Wednesday, 24 February 2021VF Corp named among most ethical companies
DENVER - VF Corp, which owns brands including The North Face, Vans and Timberland, has been named as one of the world's most ethical companies by business consultants Ethisphere. It's the fifth consecutive year that VF has been recognised by… -
Wednesday, 24 February 2021Inditex partners DBS on organic cotton project
ARTEIXO - Zara owner Inditex has partnered with the DBS Bank in Singapore to launch a pilot programme which will provide finance to more than 2,000 farmers in India to grow organic cotton. The partnership, which aims to upscale India's organic… -
Wednesday, 24 February 2021ASOS, Boohoo back new digital retail association
LONDON – British retailers ASOS, Boohoo, Gymshark, The Hut Group, Ocado and AO World have launched a new trade body to support the country’s digital transformation. The new UK Digital Business Association (UKDBA) says it “will champion the sector”… -
Wednesday, 24 February 2021Pendleton Woolen Mills bans fur
PORTLAND – US retailer Pendleton Woolen Mills has banned animal fur across its operations, a move welcomed by rights group PETA. Pendleton joins the likes of Burberry, Gucci, Versace and Michael Kors in establishing a no tolerance approach to animal… -
Wednesday, 24 February 2021Elevate Textiles joins the Sustainable Apparel Coalition
CHARLOTTE – Elevate Textiles, which owns the American & Efird, Burlington, Cone Denim, Gütermann and Safety Components brands, has joined the Sustainable Apparel Coalition (SAC). The company joins more than 250 brands, retailers and manufacturers,… -
Tuesday, 23 February 2021Brands urged to condemn Myanmar military coup
NAYPYITAW - A coalition of 17 trade unions and NGOs have released a joint statement calling on western brands to condemn the military coup in Myanmar and to support the garment workers at the heart of pro-democracy protests. "Workers, including many… -
Monday, 22 February 2021J.Crew accused of 'humane washing' over cashmere pledge
NEW YORK – US apparel retailer J.Crew has announced that beyond its Spring 2021 collection, the company will only use cashmere produced through the Aid by Trade Foundation’s (AbTF) Good Cashmere Standard (GCS). It states that this is a… -
Monday, 22 February 2021Zalando expands Zircle to Sweden and Denmark
BERLIN - European online retailer Zalando has expanded its dedicated pre-owned fashion platform, Zircle, to Sweden and Denmark. Zircle offers more than 100,000 quality-checked items from well-known brands and is key to Zalando's target of extending… -
Monday, 22 February 2021UK’s first menswear rental service to launch
LONDON – Apparel rental platform MyWardrobe HQ has partnered with British fashion brand Belstaff to launch what it claims to be the UK’s first casual menswear rental offering. The pair say the venture is “symbolic of how fashion is changing” and… -
Friday, 19 February 2021Brands call for human rights in Myanmar
BERLIN - Leading brands involved in the ACT (Action, Collaboration, Transformation) initiative have released a joint statement expressing their "deep concern" for their supply chain workers following the military coup in Myanmar. H&M, Zara owner… -
Friday, 19 February 2021French lingerie firm to launch returns initiative
PARIS – French retailer Etam Group will launch a new bra returns programme next month following the findings of a recent consultation which highlighted ‘sustainable’ fashion services to be in demand amongst consumers. The initiative, called ‘Small… -
Friday, 19 February 2021John Lewis supports Prince Charles’ environmental initiative
LONDON – John Lewis has become the first retailer to pledge its support to the Prince of Wales’ ‘Terra Carta’ environmental initiative. Part of Prince Charles’ Sustainable Markets Initiative, which challenges signatories to put nature, people and… -
Thursday, 18 February 2021H&M issues €500M sustainability bond
STOCKHOLM – Global retail giant H&M has today issued a €500 million, sustainability-linked bond, which it says provides incentives for the company to meet a series of environmental targets by 2025. The sustainability-linked bond, which was 7.6 times… -
Thursday, 18 February 2021
VF Corp spends first green bond proceeds
DENVER - VF Corp, which owns brands including Timberland and North Face, has announced that it has fully allocated the €493 million (US$595m) proceeds from its first green bond issued last year. The money raised from the offering - the first ever… -
Thursday, 18 February 2021Resale start-up Reflaunt secures US$2.7m investment
SINGAPORE – Second-hand fashion platform Reflaunt has raised US$2.7 million in a pre-Series A funding round, which will be used to reinforce the start-up’s resale-as-a-service model. Reflaunt partners with brands and retailers, operating as a middle… -
Thursday, 18 February 2021Adidas bans fur, joins Fur Free Retailer programme
HERZOGENAURACH – German sportswear brand Adidas has banned animal fur and joined the Fur Free Retailer (FFR) programme, despite not using any type of the material within its supply chain. The company has made the decision to underline its position… -
Thursday, 18 February 2021COVID: Companies 'failing on human rights'
LONDON - A new study of measures taken by large businesses in key sectors - including apparel - to safeguard human rights during the pandemic has found that most are taking little to no action. The World Benchmarking Alliance (WBA) studied the… -
Thursday, 18 February 2021Farfetch launches new product repair service
LONDON – British luxury fashion retailer Farfetch has partnered with product aftercare company The Restory to offer its customers an accessible garment repair service. It follows the announcement of Farfetch’s 2030 sustainability targets, which… -
Wednesday, 17 February 2021Sustainable fashion platform launches app and website
AMSTERDAM – Dutch fashion-tech company Renoon, which has an e-commerce platform enabling customers to search for apparel using various sustainability filters, has launched a new website and app. The company’s offering allows users to curate clothes… -
Wednesday, 17 February 2021SAC outlines new sustainability targets
SAN FRANCISCO – The Sustainable Apparel Coalition (SAC), an industry association representing the apparel, footwear and textile industry, has outlined a new strategic plan which sets time-bound targets on climate change, workers’ rights,… -
Wednesday, 17 February 2021WRAP launches take-back guide for retailers
LONDON – Waste recycling charity WRAP has launched a best-practice guide for fashion retailers on how to deliver effective take back schemes for post-consumer clothing. The charity expects in-store take back schemes to undergo a renaissance… -
Wednesday, 17 February 2021Brands urged to take on Recycled Polyester Challenge
VANCOUVER – Industry non-profit Textile Exchange has teamed up with the United Nations Fashion Industry Charter for Climate Action to launch a new initiative set on rapidly boosting the uptake of recycled polyester (rPET) by fashion brands and… -
Tuesday, 16 February 2021M&S sets sustainability standards for denim
LONDON - Retailer Marks and Spencer (M&S) claims to have launched new sustainability standards for denim which it says use 'kinder' indigo dyes and 86 per cent less water than industry averages. M&S, which sells one in ten of every pair of jeans… -
Tuesday, 16 February 2021McQueen kick-starts new Vestiaire Collective programme
PARIS – Online consignment store Vestiaire Collective has partnered with luxury fashion label Alexander McQueen as it kick-starts a new ‘Brand Approved’ resale programme. Through this initiative, the McQueen brand will be the first to issue store… -
Tuesday, 16 February 2021Everlane becomes member of Textile Exchange
SAN FRANCISCO – Californian fashion firm Everlane has become a member of industry non-profit Textile Exchange. The self-proclaimed ‘anti-fast fashion brand’ joins a network of companies including retailers and manufacturers, which are encouraged to… -
Tuesday, 16 February 2021Fast Retailing issues new sustainability report
TOKYO - Uniqlo owner Fast Retailing has published its Sustainability Report 2021 in which it outlines the company's efforts towards becoming a more sustainable company. The report - which takes the theme of the company's sustainability statement,… -
Tuesday, 16 February 2021BHF calls for donations amidst crippling third lockdown
LONDON – The British Heart Foundation (BHF) has called on brands and retailers to donate excess or unwanted stock to the charity, after facing further funding set-backs amidst the UK’s third national lockdown. The charity is heavily reliant on… -
Monday, 15 February 2021Consumer calls prompt circular targets in France
PARIS – Industry association Paris Good Fashion has analysed the results of a public consultation into responsible fashion it held in September, and says consumer demand for more sustainability-oriented services is high in France. More than 107,000… -
Monday, 15 February 2021C.L.A.S.S. ICON Award applications sought
MILAN – Sustainable fashion consultancy C.L.A.S.S. is inviting applications from visonary sustainable fashion designers for its annual ICON Award. CEO and founder Giusy Bettoni said the C.L.A.S.S. ICON Award was for creatives in the fashion world…
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