TheIndustry.fashion

Graduate Fashion Foundation Chairman Douglas McLennan, and Brand Partnerships Director Joy Campbell tell us about the past, present and the future of the event, which acts as a springboard for new talent, bridging the gap between education and employment.

The debt crisis facing English business has ratcheted up further as companies now owe local councils almost £2.5 billion in unpaid business rates, according to new analysis.

Amanda Navaian, Founder of sustainable accessories brand Mārīcī. As an advocate for sustainability and with years of experience in the fashion industry, Amanda launched her plant-based accessories brand in 2020, which is soon to be stocked in Selfridges as part of their ‘Project Earth’ Luxury designer edit.

Fast-growing premium sportswear brand Castore has signed its first kit deal with a rugby club. The company, which is part-owned by Sir Andy Murray, will now supply Saracens in a five-year multimillion-pound deal.

Eileen Willett and Nancy Zeffman are the founders of “cool” brand Cucumber Clothing. The brands' clothes are made ethically, locally and sustainably.  It operates with a “five mile radius” rule,  using minimal packaging and focuses on British manufacturing.

Sebastian Siemiatkowski is the CEO & Founder of disruptive payments provider Klarna. With its buy now, pay later, pay in 3 and other flexible, or as Klarna likes to call it smoooth, payments options, this business has shaken up the way we shop, having been adopted by more than 250,000 retailers worldwide.

Heritage footwear business Dr Martens has enjoyed soaring sales despite the global pandemic leaving many of its customers stuck indoors.

Online young fashion giant Boohoo Group has agreed to sign up to a forensic supply chain initiative as part of a wider push to improve its ethical credentials.

The chairman of JD Sports has said that shareholders “may well” vote against the £4.3 million bonus that the company is set to award him despite taking Government support to furlough its staff.

Jack Zambakides created ‘LS Personal Shopper’ using the overdraft from his student loan and within 18 months he managed to develop a business with a turnover exceeding £5 million per annum - achieving 10X growth over lockdown.

The easing of lockdown restrictions in April helped the UK economy grow at its fastest rate since July 2020 as households returned to high street stores and took advantage of hairdressers reopening, according to new data.

Emma Thornton, CEO & Founder of True Skincare which was developed with skin and the planet at heart, providing genuinely organic, natural, vegan friendly and waterless skincare using only the best of nature's ingredients.

Zara parent Inditex has said its latest sales are ahead of pre-pandemic levels after benefiting from a surge in online shopping.

The Handbag Clinic was first launched eight years ago by Charlotte and Ben Staerck as a spin-off to the leather repair business run by Ben and his father in County Durham. The company has achieved record growth despite the COVID-19 pandemic, reaching £1m in turnover last year.  

Logistics giant Clipper has lifted its long-term trading forecasts after it was boosted by the continued boom in online retail following the pandemic.

Christine Chang and Sarah Lee are the founders of Glow Recipe,  the Korean inspired skincare brand that is clean, fruit powered and unapologetically fun.  

Naked Wolfe is the luxury retro-inspired sneaker and footwear brand founded by the Mance siblings. Originally conceived as a DTC brand, Naked Wolfe is now available in Selfridges and via the Flannels chain nationwide and has also become a firm favourite with influencers and celebrities globally.

Marks & Spencer is set to close more stores after plunging to a hefty loss for the past year after being hit hard by high street lockdowns.

Marks & Spencer has swung to a hefty loss for the past year following pandemic store closures, however its management said the business had moved to the “next phase” of its transformation plan.

Ava Matthews, Co-founder of the Australian-born skinscreen brand Ultra Violette, which has recently landed on UK shores.  With a wardrobe of formulas for different skin types and containing a host of powerful Australian antioxidants to brighten, hydrate and nourish, the brand promises far more than simple sun protection.